tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172159522024-03-11T06:15:42.294+00:00SoCherry KnitsCrafty blog for works in progress and general crafty stuff - primarily knitting.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-38287756919416194642011-03-05T15:37:00.002+00:002011-03-05T15:37:34.306+00:00New blogNow I've figured out how to update my blog from my blackberry I'm going to start updating it again - this time with a fresh new look and blog - here! <a href="http://socherryfibrecrafts.blogspot.com/">Click here!</a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-25867917962062561922009-07-30T20:23:00.003+01:002009-07-30T20:25:51.882+01:00Crap bloggerOK ... my blogging of late has been particularly poor I confess. Summer and little free time (read inability to get off Warcraft...) means it has been a bit tumble-weedy here.<br /><br />I have however, been managing to Tweet daily, so if you're interested in what I'm up to in the meanwhile see me <a href="http://twitter.com/socherryknits">here</a> (Twitter is a social site where you update what you're up to in 140 characters or less - I seem to be able to manage this...)Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-44668525351599813292009-07-04T20:09:00.003+01:002009-07-04T20:50:33.953+01:00Almost a month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3687342101_1c0e04645d.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3687342101_1c0e04645d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Wow, almost a month since I lasted blogged. It's been all go at Chez Socherry. Even this blog post is going to be a rush as my sis wants to play Call of Duty, and I've been busy every time she's asked for the past few weeks.<br /><br />Today the boy and I were shop-sitting Old Maiden Aunt's shop, so I took the opportunity to make use of the great sink, pans and most of all space, to do a whole heap of dyeing. I got totally into it, and didn't sit down for more than 20 mins in 7 and half hours! The pics are not even th half of it. Once it's all dry and pretty in skeins I'll add it to Rav and the blog.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3688156678_4bf86bd13e.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3688156678_4bf86bd13e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3688161398_4cc6f75d07.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3688161398_4cc6f75d07.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3687347845_24fd318c1c.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3687347845_24fd318c1c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">The yarn above was one that I honestly was about to throw into the street. It was a very kind donation by someone from the States as I wanted to try Knitpicks laceweight - but it came in a Terracotta colour - which isn't really my colour. So I tried to dye it a browny-yellow. This made it even worse.<br /><br />The boy suggested maybe a blue to make it more purply... so I went with a vibrant teal. It didn't go purple at all - but in a happy accident, went a really cool burnt wood kind of colour. It's a bit darker in real life, a woody brown with black, and looks really quite interesting.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I also dyed a yarn what I thought would be a lovely rich mustardy yellow and it went Way Too Primary yellow on me. I added a bit of teal for luck, and it went total bile. Just revolting. Left it swinging for a bit and carried on dyeing, then decided to throw it in with a whole pot of teal again - and it worked again. Now I have an olivy green, which may still yet be too bright, but is definiately a million times better!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3688106762_6bb8cb8beb.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 335px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3688106762_6bb8cb8beb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">In other news, I finally reached the <a href="http://www.wowwiki.com/Dark_Portal">Dark Portal</a> in World of Warcraft at Level 58 - I'm very proud of myself for this - lotta hard work and time.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3667807145_315cd562c3.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3667807145_315cd562c3.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Fenna continues, as does Rogue. Rogue has 4 more rows and a complicated hood cable grafting which is currently a bit daunting to consider ... the sleeves still need blocked too (as does the never-ending blue scarf - but we won't go there... who needs a scarf right now anyway - it's a heatwave after all)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3668609372_a0b2dcb26e.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3668609372_a0b2dcb26e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I also played a bit with colourwork and won! I'm now confident that a yoke steeked cardi is in my future. Or at the very least some fair-isle gloves.<br /><br />I found a course to start in October, and am gearing up to sell my Cherry stitch markers again. Phew! So this is me signing out to run around being a soldier with my sis for a bit on the Xbox.<br /><br />Sorry for any spells, and lack of linkage tonight - the cat also wants my attention and has been whinging like a little brat for the entire duration of this post *sigh*<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-3067079168356150112009-06-10T10:35:00.005+01:002009-06-10T13:48:07.893+01:00Ravelry Day 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3604149596_731f3466e1.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3604149596_731f3466e1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">It was a dreich day on Saturday, and I was outdoors for all of it. But it was the best birthday ever! <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Loads of stalls full of yarn, dyes, buttons, fibres - just fab! I spent, spent spent, while the patient boy wandered around Coventry town centre in the rain. Thank you, the boy! </span> </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3603352065_d0ff57fb2c.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3603352065_d0ff57fb2c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">And then it got even better - I had a ticket to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Swansen">Meg Swansen's</a> talk, which was inside, in the warm and dry. Above, a photo of the man taking photos of all the fans. Below, the talk was introduced by <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">Jared Flood</a>! </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3603361409_95ed1c0841.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3603361409_95ed1c0841.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3604194006_4280d1fb2b.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3604194006_4280d1fb2b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">It was a great talk, and there were plenty of questions. I really enjoyed myself, and feel lucky to have been there, as I believe this was her first talk in the UK. And, she signed a book for me! So I spoke to her too- I was a little starstruck! <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br /><br />I thought it would be cool to run into the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a> in Toronto, when we're there later this year, but after meeting Meg I realise that I would probably be paralysed with fear ...</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3604364122_1a49c2fae6.jpg?v=1244399190"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 226px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3604364122_1a49c2fae6.jpg?v=1244399190" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3603533839_0584e864c6.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3603533839_0584e864c6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">At the end of a long day, it stopped raining at last. Just as the alpacas were being loaded onto their little lorry - attracting much double-taking from the locals.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3603541871_99696a7e17.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3603541871_99696a7e17.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I got so much - above:<br />Jamiseon's shade card - yum!,<br />vintagey Birds of Toronto book from the boy,<br />Hand Knitting with Meg Swansen and Knitting Around from the book signing,<br />Gathering lace from my mum (also from my mum, the cool Johnstone's of Elgin waterproof bag - which came in very handy!!)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">An amigurumi book from Lynette - in English so I can finally figure out how to do it! I got some <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsK4Igi-xizzLfkUEBipQLGx_PJSlBsO0070oj1bLhI1Ll-iB4EAdfdLX62nKv-SkFdNG0Pr0wHPYxy4c6p_i5bCNBYRQeH8f2fS53VAkupw_dQaoAOgZWo7To82mMTuaKp2R/s1600-h/Japan+055.jpg">Japanese ones</a> from Tokyo when I was there, but can't quite work it out.<br />Some buttons from <a href="http://www.textilegarden.com/">Textile Garden</a> - be warned, the website is very addictive!!<br />And the rest below;<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3603559371_b29f682e50.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3603559371_b29f682e50.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Troon tweed aran, oiled in just lovely colours, from <a href="http://www.texere.co.uk/">Texere's</a> stall.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3604400836_5a9deea982.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3604400836_5a9deea982.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">A bouncy bouncy birthday pressie from <a href="http://www.oldmaidenaunt.com/">old maiden aunt</a>!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3604382030_e52fa74720.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3604382030_e52fa74720.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">184m of DK handspun is the most sumptious colours - an absolute steal from <a href="http://www.kraftykoala.co.uk/">kraftykoala</a>!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3604415902_70a6b22226.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3604415902_70a6b22226.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">And 2 cones, one of Blue-faced Leicester aran, and one of 4ply lambswool, for dyeing. I also bought some dyes too.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3603609499_deb3aa2e8c.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3603609499_deb3aa2e8c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">As I said, the best day. Ever.</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-38322603713205546322009-05-22T17:28:00.007+01:002009-05-23T21:46:31.343+01:00Dreich<a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3557665994_b9f11cf94d.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3557665994_b9f11cf94d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">It's been a dreich old day today. So what better to cheer me up than a couple of skeins of <a href="http://www.oldmaidenaunt.com/shop.php?crn=216">old maiden aunt's yummy squashy dreich alpaca/silk blend</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">It's not as gloomy as it sounds - the boy says (and I agree) that the colourway looks like the sky with a silver lining - when the worst has passed and it's beginning to hint that it might brighten up soon.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I popped along today with a couple of knitty friends to see Lilith in her studio. It was great - I got to watch her dyeing away - a very organised set-up it was too. Hooks above the sink to leave yarn to drip and cool, clothes horses to let it dry. It's given me the dyeing bug again and I'm hoping to get along for one of her <a href="http://www.oldmaidenaunt.com/workshops.htm">dyeing workshops</a> soon.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I also borrowed a copy of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/stahmans-shawls--scarves">Stahman's Shawls and Scarves</a> as I'm having a lust for a faroese shawl, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fenna">Fenna</a> looks like the just the ticket!</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3553850393_330dbd24f9.jpg?v=1243010907"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3553850393_330dbd24f9.jpg?v=1243010907" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I know, I know, what about Rogue? Well Rogue is motoring on - I'm onto the hood now.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">It's still a great knit, it's just that I'm in a knitting mood, and ends need woven in and the sleeves need hemmed and blocked. And I can't be arsed with doing the footery stuff at the moment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">But to be honest I'm looking for something a bit mindless to work on. I realise even as I say this, that I winge relentlessly when I end up knitting something mindless ... but I'm hoping that the Faroese shawl has enough in it, with shoulder shaping and a planned feather and fan bottom, to keep me entertained.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I tried to take some arty <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">Brooklyn Tweed-style shots</a> here - the angle is quite fun, but the colour is WAY off - it's much more of a petrol teal-y blue (hence the colourway Petrol!).</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3554656638_78dbd2926e.jpg?v=1243010937"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3554656638_78dbd2926e.jpg?v=1243010937" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Some more nature shots - the flower below is lovely and sharp. I'm very happy with it!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">At the bottom is a very quickly taken shot of a moorhen baby hiding in the reeds - it's blurry but so cute. We saw him/her about a week ago but haven't seen it since - it's been pretty rainy though, and the council (in their 'wisdom') have seen fit to start digging up the path next to the pond in the middle of nesting season...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">And the squirrel was papped scratching his armpit on a bin - classy.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3554656116_b56336f068.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3554656116_b56336f068.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3543183204_3274ecf3e1.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3543183204_3274ecf3e1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3543181948_2af903fca6.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3543181948_2af903fca6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><br /><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-1014792844780674432009-05-10T17:06:00.004+01:002009-05-10T17:25:29.502+01:00Gawd<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3519073242_2d052813cb.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3519073242_2d052813cb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Yesterday I grabbed the nearest scrap of paper to scrawl notes on levelling alchemy on Warcraft (those in the know, you understand. Those not in the know, if you're really interested click <a href="http://www.wowworldofwarcraftgold.com/leveling-profession-leveling-guide-world-of-warcraft-comic/">here</a>)</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> which turned out to be a ball label from the yarn I'm using for Rogue.<br /><br />I feel these photos provide a much better description of my free time this week than words ever could - Warcraft and Rogue, with a bit of web design on the side.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3519078162_25ccab9b20.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3519078162_25ccab9b20.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-9137639069419119122009-04-28T20:06:00.004+01:002009-04-28T20:24:58.338+01:00Rogue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3483974142_16e158a494.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3483974142_16e158a494.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">We were wandering around Kelvingrove Park this morning taking pictures of all the pretty 'Spring is in the Air' flowers that have burst forth when ...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3484014822_01de2b2b96.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3484014822_01de2b2b96.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">... ever so quietly, so we never heard them coming ...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3484002714_8dab5fb873.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3484002714_8dab5fb873.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">... the Glasgow Pigeons re-enacted <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056869/">The Birds</a>. 'Twas a bit spooky.</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3483207219_2fe745a032.jpg?v=1240945262"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3483207219_2fe745a032.jpg?v=1240945262" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">In other news, I am thinking of Christmas already with the arrival of a <a href="http://www.bookmooch.com/">Bookmooch</a> pattern book. These are so cute, and knitted in a chunkier yarn, so probably the best first attempt at colourwork. If I start now I might be done in time for Christmas!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3484027228_fafb8afebb.jpg?v=1240945234"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3484027228_fafb8afebb.jpg?v=1240945234" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3484033062_5f16a0a923.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3484033062_5f16a0a923.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">After all, I only started <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php">Rogue</a> in Sept 2008 (the second attempt. Prior to that, my first attempt had been around for more than a year.) OK! So really I started Rogue in around summer 2007. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/3484041244_097ed38ee5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/3484041244_097ed38ee5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">And I've now caught the bug - it's a surprisingly quick knit once you get into it. I'm loving the cables - the detail is from the waist-shaping. I'm at the back now and can't wait to see this all come together. The yarn is a lovely boingy <a href="http://www.texere.co.uk/shades.php?reference=903">Blue-faced Leicester aran-weight from Texere yarns</a>, and is just yummy. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3484049034_4f8cc89813.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3484049034_4f8cc89813.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-92116517105320689072009-04-17T17:51:00.001+01:002009-04-17T20:34:55.257+01:00Hat trick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3450179345_23bd76cb9a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3450179345_23bd76cb9a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I got home from work tonight to a surprise - I won a competition! A pattern book: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/rowan-purelife---the-organic-wool-collection">Rowan's Organic Wool Collection</a> (Rav link) What a great start to the weekend!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3450686360_71559dc40d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3450686360_71559dc40d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">And lookee - a finished object!! Some gloves with Fyberspates Merino/Tencel sock yarn and the Web of Wool glove pattern.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3449869819_b6613bef77.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3449869819_b6613bef77.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3449871553_a8dbc9c6a5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3449871553_a8dbc9c6a5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I liked it so much, I've started another pair in some more sock yarn - this time dyed by Ysolda. I've followed Julia's knitting rule - you can cast on something once you've cast off three works in progress.<br /><br />I cast off the never-ending scarf, and the gloves, and also Luna Moth shawl in Handmaiden SeaSilk (when I say cast off ... for the last project I actually mean pulled off the needles and made into pretty balls of yarn once more. It just wasn't working, and with the yarn costing £18 a ball I wasn't prepared to let it's destiny be a shawl I merely felt 'meh' about)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">So where is the never-ending scarf? </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Well, to be honest, I'm sick of talking about it, and sick of thinking about it. It's still to be blocked, and that's going to take 1,000,000 pins and probably my thumb pads too. So I'm just enjoying myself for a bit before I get back to it!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3449871131_7a24b20fb7.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3449871131_7a24b20fb7.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Some squirrel high-jinks in Kelvingrove Park.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3449869629_1ca18da45e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3449869629_1ca18da45e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-2839684823126019522009-04-11T19:39:00.002+01:002009-04-11T20:15:06.745+01:00Domestic nerdess ...<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">The boy and I have had quite a nerdy couple of weeks ...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3408115202_da6e1aae8f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3408115202_da6e1aae8f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">... we went to do some stargazing as part of Glasgow University's contribution to Moon Week, 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy apparently.<br /><br />We went to the <a href="http://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/observatory/observ.shtml">University's observatory</a> and had way more fun than we were expecting to have. We saw the moon up close and personal - it was like a concrete block really. And we learned that the dividing line between the light side of the moon and the dark side is called The Terminator - nerdalicious!<br /><br />I saw Saturn and it's rings - which was quite unreal. The astronomy guy pointed to a star, and when we looked through the telecope it was Saturn! I never really thought about space before - I mean, sure, it's up there and all. But we don't often see any stars in Glasgow with all the light pollution, so I guess I don't really think about it that much.<br /><br />Then we saw some constellations, and the astronomy guy blew my mind saying that we were viewing a star as it had been 45 millions years ago ... I googled light years, and speed of light, and I guess that I get it ... but ... whoa ...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/3407270819_8e7a25954f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/3407270819_8e7a25954f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3426282952_bd8521c3a4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3426282952_bd8521c3a4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Then on Monday we lost our minds a little and got up at 4am to do <a href="http://www.greentourism.org.uk/caperwatch.html">Caperwatch</a> at Boat of Garten. We were staying in Elgin for a couple of days, so it was only an hour away - slightly longer if you count the time spent going at 2 miles an hour behind a hare trapped in the headlights running in the middle of the road.<br /><br />We arrived at 6am, just as the sun was rising, and found the hide in darkness, with silent birdwatchers inside cramming all the hide's viewing holes. We visit this reserve all the time but the atmosphere was quite different so early in the morning. These were the serious birdwatchers, and there was no way that any of them were giving up their viewing space to layabouts such as ourselves, who sloped leisurely in at 6am (!) ...<br /><br />However, eventually a Capercaillie was spotted on the monitor and they all flocked over for a look (get-it, ho-ho) giving us the opportunity to stare at empty fields for a bit. After 30 minutes or so, one of the helpers came in to say that the Capercaillie could be spotted from the other hide (not usually accesible to the public) and tickets 130-140 could go along to see.<br /><br />Well pandemonium ensued, as telescopes were lifted and watchers did that walk/run thing to try and get to the front, without appearing too childish or rude. And then the hide was nearly empty so we watched the pair of Ospreys surveying their territory in the rising sun. It was very peaceful.<br /><br />Then it was our turn, and we got to take a look. No sooner did I have my eye on him I was told to move and let the next person see. So we did a rotation so everyone got a look - it was great to see his Caper'y head poking out of the reeds. Especially as we learned there had been no sign the previous two mornings. ! I didn't realise this - I mean I know that when watching nature, nothing is a certainty - but it hadn't occured to me that getting up at an insane amount in the morning might have all been for nothing.<br /><br />Luckily for us, we saw him. Then we went for a wee wander about the Loch - which was stunningly still so early in the morning. I must add that all the pictures in today's blog post were taken by the boy. <br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3426275796_5ce0fd6481.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3426275796_5ce0fd6481.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3425464127_27771b0f1a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3425464127_27771b0f1a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3425462015_ef16c142f8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3425462015_ef16c142f8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">So what's with the 'Domestic' part of the title? Well, thanks to Lynette for pointing out the Easter weekend offers - we have just bought a Dyson Animal Ball - the Bentley of vacuums, with a whopping £130 off! All the cat hairs in my living room are gone - I'm so happy (and not a bit weirded out that I can find bliss in a vacuum ... teenage me would be so disappointed)<br /><br />And the other domestic'ness? We've spent the last 4 back-breaking days in the garden, and now have a vegetable patch - with a handmade bamboo net frame to protect against birds and slugs (thanks Girl Guides for teaching me) and loads of seed beds all over the house. Strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots we hope.<br /><br />And in knitty news; the scarf is complete. Oh yes, you heard correctly - complete!! Finally there should be more knitty content from now on as I move on to other WIPs that are more photogenic. But for now, more Warcraft!<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-58400210123503014582009-04-01T17:35:00.008+01:002009-04-01T18:13:54.332+01:00All about the birds ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3403606261_fa4f78924c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3403606261_fa4f78924c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >The boy and I were away last weekend at <a href="http://www.lochend-chalets.com/">Loch End Chalets</a>, near Aberfoyle in Stirling. It was so tranquil, and just what we needed. I hadn't realised that I was so stressed until we got there and I felt so relaxed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3404418320_811bea5a07.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3404418320_811bea5a07.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;">This was the view from the dining area, and just outside on our wee patio (that's the Loch, right there). We just got the telephoto lens before we left, so there's lots of photos playing with it ahead!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We spent the weekend vegging out on M&S food and DVDs at night, and driving around during the day. We went on the Inversnaid RSPB reserve walk - 400 mere metres (!)... very much uphill, with not a bird to be heard.<br /><br />Lots of lichen though - rare lichen apparently. I don't know about that, but I do know that in the spirit of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238604662&sr=1-1">Bill Bryson walking the Appalachian Trail</a>, I spent some time on the ground <s>facedown, in sheer exhaustion with lichen stuck to my cheek</s> examining the lichen.</span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3403607259_82a9436174.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3403607259_82a9436174.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3394828479_1a7f839e62.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3394828479_1a7f839e62.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >The ducks at Loch End were hilarious - we may have taken quite a few duck shots - they were accomodating! From the moment we arrived they were at the patio doors tapping with their beaks to be fed. All in, there are about 12 of them, and they seem to spend their day going from patio to patio gorging on bread given by guests.<br /><br />We also discovered that they were quite happy to work for their food. The one below being so keen that he jumped right out of shot (This would have been a fab shot if I'd got him all in it)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3394730651_8a4fd8dd81.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3394730651_8a4fd8dd81.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3394744973_33cd9918e5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3394744973_33cd9918e5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3395776786_52c5f54305.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3395776786_52c5f54305.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >I must warn that there is no knitting content in this blog post - it is all birds from here on out. Feel free to wander off ... or alternatively <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socherry/sets/72157615794732557/">overdose on our pics here</a> if you like</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3398427928_8c7ce274c4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 380px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3398427928_8c7ce274c4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3403386837_1e9571125b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3403386837_1e9571125b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >Quack - that just cracks me up! </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3404205316_47401b7977.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3404205316_47401b7977.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >The one above I took at Kelvingrove Park this morning - I'm so happy with it (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socherry/3404205316/sizes/l/in/set-72157615794732557/">bigger version here</a>), so crisp and clear - think I'm getting the hang of this digital SLR malarky. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3401129938_9776aa3efe.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3401129938_9776aa3efe.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >The two Kelvingrove Herons - the newcomer above (a real 'ned'dy looking creature) has scared 'Kelvin' the regular Heron from the pond and was spotted a couple of days ago shooing a couple of gulls from 'his' pond. Then he does victory laps around the central island making sure his reign is secure. I'm sure that there's a bottle of Buckfast under his wings...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3401146428_6ffa52296d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3401146428_6ffa52296d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Poor, civilised West-End Kelvin looks on at his old home from the path. He tried a landing just after this shot - there was a squawking and then he flew back to the river again. Hopefully to plot a decent revenge (although in the manner of West Enders, this will probably involve an harshly-worded but polite letter to the council, and a petition)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3401160200_a8582ebfaf.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3401160200_a8582ebfaf.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >My final shot is a great tit looking at the floor. In the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socherry/3401160200/sizes/l/in/set-72157615794732557/">bigger version</a> you can see all the feathers around his neck - I'm getting seriously addicted to this photography stuff!</span><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-91114546449155970362009-03-25T17:07:00.005+00:002009-03-25T17:28:42.086+00:00Paparazzi - the natural way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3384215303_8da3b82fbd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3384215303_8da3b82fbd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">We got a new toy to play with - a digital SLR (Canon EOS 1000D for the curious), and it has been such a lot of fun! First I read the manual about apertures, shutter speeds (ISOs?) and depth of field.<br /><br />Then I snapped the cat and took what I think is my favourite picture of all time. The detail in his cute little face if you look at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socherry/3384215303/sizes/l/">Flickr version</a> is amazing! He looks so peacefully you'd believe he was sound asleep ... which he wasn't. He was closing his eyes to try and avoid the pain of yet more flashes going off in his face. (Just kidding ... or am I?)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3384745367_cb8938d2a3.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3384745367_cb8938d2a3.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Then I snapped my knitting, and played with depth of field on a yummy skein of Old Maiden Aunt cashmere (I wasn't very good at it)</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3385561900_b06bd7c8eb.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3385561900_b06bd7c8eb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Then we went out 'in the field' for some of nature's paparazzi fun. I promptly forgot all about apertures and the like, and took all of the photos below with the auto settings/focus. The camera makes a great kat-shh noise - even if they added that noise in, I wouldn't care! I feel like a real photographer.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3384233563_e776976c51.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3384233563_e776976c51.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The Kelvingrove Heron (the new one - s/he seems to have scared the regular Heron away). I got really close (we are still waiting for our telephoto lens to arrive) ...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3384057005_818c954267.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3384057005_818c954267.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">... too close in fact, and scared him away.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3384876930_05b155c3bc.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3384876930_05b155c3bc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3384240063_b8d61a0606.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 493px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3384240063_b8d61a0606.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Then I pointed and shot at the trees, and got some rather good (if blurry) pics of blue tits and squirrels.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3384245247_0770241352.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 482px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3384245247_0770241352.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3385063784_16fda74812.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 494px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3385063784_16fda74812.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">And lastly, a couple of kissing pigeons framed by a triangle of branches.<br /><br />(They all look better when biggened on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socherry/sets/72157615794732557/">Flickr</a>)</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-28267056848997231782009-03-18T17:06:00.002+00:002009-03-18T17:19:40.006+00:00tumbleweeds<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The never-ending scarf continues. I could put up yet another pic of the same scarf, but really ... as beautiful as it is, I think you've got the jist!<br /><br />Our router little green light changed to a red light for some inexeplicable reason on Thursday. Who'd have thought such a small light could bring so much sadness? Rang my dad and went through reinstalling router, resetting router, changing all leads and bits for other leads and bits. Restarted computer about a bazillion times. No joy. Without the internet my lovely expensive laptop became nought but a worthless rectangle of metal and plastic.<br /><br />Phone Tiscali's technical help to get told the line is fine and that is the full extent of their technical help ... visit PC World's techical help who look at (and don't touch) router and tell me it's broken and point to where the fresh new ones are. *Sigh*<br /><br />I nearly wept when that little green light finally went on again 56 hours later. It's amazing just how much we use the internet for every little thing these days. We were going out for a meal on Saturday somewhere in Edinburgh and couldn't logon to get the postcode for the satnav. I had eBay things selling that had ended on Friday night, so had to get my dad to read out all the addresses of what had sold over the phone. And most importantly, I couldn't get onto Warcraft!!<br /><br />We also had some fun with the washing machine *crackle* bang ... wait for the washing machine guy to come out on Saturday to tell us the motor's gone and it's flatlined. (He's so lovely, he didn't even charge us for the callout!)<br /><br />Of course we couldn't get on the internet to check out which machine we should buy to replace it (The boy and I discovered that we can't make an expensive consumer move anymore without checking loads of consumer feedback websites)<br /><br />Then I rave on about getting a Dyson rollerball hoover, and the next day smoke starts curling out of our (crappy) existing hoover. Boy doesn't believe I haven't sabotaged it in some way ... *pleads innocence*<br /><br />Dad helpfully tells me how to fix it a few days later (bugger!)<br /><br />My chores in the house include hoovering and doing washing, and my main distraction in Warcraft. Do you think that cosmic forces were at work to make me finish the never-ending scarf or what?<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-68807232063998742572009-03-11T17:56:00.008+00:002009-03-11T19:43:47.204+00:00Beads n' yarn n' stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3346602665_5d7cb75264.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3346602665_5d7cb75264.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Lots of crafty fun this weekend - we had a bead meetup to sample the delights of the Bead Company in the west end (next to the new Tesco on Dumbarton Road) It was ... overwhelming! There were 2 floors of beads of every kind, and we spent a l-o-n-g time in there. I bought lots of fun beads to make stretchy bracelets</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3346601337_f30b13f0c7.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3346601337_f30b13f0c7.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I especially love the apple-y bracelet I made - it's so Sanrio! There was an incident, when I learned the strength of super glue and had a bit of cardboard stuck to my finger for a few hours...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3346520350_a29fc15958.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3346520350_a29fc15958.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Before the bead-fest I did a dash around the SECC who were hosting Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft - I'm so lucky to live in Glasgow so that I can do this kind of thing on a whim. I made it round in less than an hour - slowed only by the fact that I shouldn't be spending money when I'm trying to save for my web designer classes.<br /><br />Bought some yummy Sublime Angora Merino - 6 balls for only £1.99 a ball, and 10 balls of Debbie Bliss Soho for only £19.99! I'm not so sure about the Debbie Bliss - yarn fumes may have factored here!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I usually avoid her stuff as I find it pilly - although the colours are stunning. Hoping that the Soho won't go that way. Hmm... maybe I'll check Ravelry to see...<br /><br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I'm back! No mention of pilling, but a few 'this is scratchy' comments, so guess it won't be a scarf then. Although I think I have a higher tolerance of scratchy yarns.</span><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3346520588_a8db974cdb.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3346520588_a8db974cdb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3346520676_b74caf1259.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3346520676_b74caf1259.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I also succumbed to <a href="http://www.oldmaidenaunt.com/shop.php?crn=223">Old Maiden Aunt's buttony hat kit</a> - which is literally drool-soft and squooshy. Really love the red buttons too - Chosen by <a href="http://www.fourth-edition.co.uk">Karie </a>and a great choice! Can't wait to cast on ... in fact, with the never-ending blue scarf being the only thing I am knitting at the moment, I'm pretty much lusting after every other project there is right now.<br /><br />Julia at my knitting group suggested only casting something on once three things have been cast off. This seems like a good solution to me. Others felt that as it is a hobby, I should enjoy myself and cast on and knit whatever I fancy. I fear with me this would just result in a mass of 50-odd guilty WIPs, and none of the satisfaction of finished objects.<br /><br />I enjoy knitting but I love finished objects too - and have been thinking of all my WIPs and getting re-excited for having them done.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3346523452_6c00f6fd05.jpg?v=1236761084"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 447px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3346523452_6c00f6fd05.jpg?v=1236761084" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">And some more fabby knitting -but I can't take the credit for these. A gorgeous pair of Fair Isle armwarmers arrived in the post yesterday, knitted by my Granny. I love them! It was a real surprise, and now I'm a knitter I can appreciate the hard work that has gone into them. Thank you granny! :D<br /><br />That's me for now - I've got a bag of Pick 'n Mix, a never-ending scarf and Desperate Housewives waiting for me on Sky Plus.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3345688855_fb0ddaf68a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3345688855_fb0ddaf68a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3346523516_c1371b990f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3346523516_c1371b990f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-88959632577426847422009-03-02T10:19:00.006+00:002009-03-02T20:35:59.111+00:00Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3320006326_9d04321e10.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3320006326_9d04321e10.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">... I dunno, gotta put something in the title section. It's been a long Monday, and I couldn't upload yesterday cos Flickr had 'hiccups' - which is funny the first time, but not after you've hit refresh 900 sodding times.<br /><br />Anyhoo - I made pancakes last week - not for Shrove Tuesday, as I have knitting group that night. More of a pancake sunday really.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3320007424_f25e51b5d8.jpg?v=1236024622"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 297px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3320007424_f25e51b5d8.jpg?v=1236024622" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Remembered that we forgot to buy a special pancake turning device - like the fish slice thing, but bendier - last year and vowed once again to buy one so that next years pancakes will be easier to flip. (No, I can't just flip it - pancake making is stressful for me, and I'm not wasting it by sticking it to the ceiling!)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3319182709_fd9630a746.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3319182709_fd9630a746.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3320009450_c1f98ecf23.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3320009450_c1f98ecf23.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Yum!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3320012602_184e5e63bd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3320012602_184e5e63bd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">We are also getting into the spirit of spring (I realise the weather is forecast for heavy snow tomorrow - I am in denial) and started meddling in the garden. We built ourselves a <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/gardenwildlife/myspace/content.shtml?20">dead wood pile</a>. I'm pretty sure that the neighbours think we're bat sh*t crazy, but *meh* we want bugs 'n beetles n' things so that the birds come more.<br /><br />It was a long dark few months after coming home one evening to some feathers on the ground, and zero birds after that. Local cats I think.<br /><br />We built a much higher, safer bird feeder, put multiple tasty treats on it, and waited. Tossed out loads of snow-laden damp uneaten food. And waited. And waited some more. And finally, this weekend were rewarded with the return of the sparrows!<br /><br />Also a pair of cheeky starlings who made off with their own weight of fat-cake ... they cost us a lot in bird food. Surely they can get their fill of food from the Asda carpark along with the rest of their kin muching on crisps and Doritos?<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3320011258_40886a01d6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3320011258_40886a01d6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3319184153_485cfc2233.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3319184153_485cfc2233.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I was desperate for some flowery colour, so we bought some primroses, mini-daffodils, crocuses and roses. I know - a true gardner's plant - I think we'll probably kill it, or infest the neighbours' roses with some rose-killing disease by accident...</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">anyone with any rose-living tips/links please leave them in the comments.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3319187643_be391c6c46.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3319187643_be391c6c46.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">We've also been walking around Kelvingrove Park in the mornings before work in the past week and came across what looks like a guerilla knitting project ... different coloured yarn tied to branches all over the park - could this be for birds nests? Does anyone know anything about this?<br /><br />Tried to Google and found nothing... I'm so curious!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3320015324_74705e3e35.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3320015324_74705e3e35.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3319190403_fd7f0102a2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3319190403_fd7f0102a2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2677307505_f00023ced1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2677307505_f00023ced1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">On the knitting front, the never-ending lace stocking stitch scarf continues to grow 1 mm for every 10 hours of knitting. I'm going to my knitting group tomorrow night and I shall not moan about it, just knit on, zen-like and calm in the face of lacey-adversity*<br /><br />Bye for now!<br /><br />*Disclaimer: this blogger cannot be held liable for emotional distress to surrounding knitters, should her zen-like state crumble and descend into a whinge-fest...<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-78298900059209138392009-02-21T17:27:00.003+00:002009-02-22T08:39:20.312+00:00yawn ... *stretch*<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Yawn ... yep, I've been in hibernation for quite some time! Think I'd like to stay under the duvet for another couple of months but thought I'd better show my face around here, before I had no readers anymore.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3297190679_f3a82bfbaa.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3297190679_f3a82bfbaa.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">So, what have I been up to? Well, some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis">haggis</a> to keep out the cold - and it was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns this year. If you haven't tried it - it's yummy and a great winter staple (and if you're a bit squeamish most shop-bought haggis isn't wrapped in a sheeps stomach anymore)!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3298018628_86b52ed64e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3298018628_86b52ed64e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">It finally finally snowed 'proper' in Glasgow (it was deeper than this) after many years of waiting. The last good snow I remember was the winter of 1995/96, when we came back to student digs to find the water pipes had froze and burst, flooding everywhere, and filling the place with delightful (and some not so delightful) firemen. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Growing up in warmer lands, I am totally excited by snow - I love it!! Once, about 3 years ago, we woke up on a Sunday in March to find about a foot had dropped unexpectedly overnight. It was all gone by Monday, but for Sunday it was great. Everything was so quiet and people were out on the streets. We walked to the supermarket as we couldn't get the car out - it happens so rarely here that tyre chains, snow shovels and the like just aren't needed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3298020126_89d809cd86.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3298020126_89d809cd86.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I took this shot of the birds on the frozen pond in Queen's Park - we stood hand in hand at the edge and watched the local <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neds">neds</a> skittering <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine">Buckfast</a> bottles across the pond, and then slowly making their way over to retrieve them. I wasn't crossing my fingers and muttering 'please fall in' at all...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3298021632_d0dde29fe0.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3298021632_d0dde29fe0.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">And we did a bit of birdwatching too. This was at Vane Farm. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3297198705_354b68078b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3297198705_354b68078b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">On the knitting front, I've been making good progress with another version of <a href="http://socherryknit.blogspot.com/2007/01/under-hoodie.html">Under the Hoodie</a></span>, <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">this time with some <a href="http://www.newlanarkshop.co.uk/">New Lanark yarn</a> and my first attempt at colourwork, making up the Horde logo from <a href="http://www.wowwiki.com/Horde">World of Warcraft</a>. It's going quite well I think.<br /><br />Although I haven't been spending ALL my time away from this blog in Azeroth gaming. I have also been having a mid-life crisis of sorts. I had a seminar thingy for my work held at the Glasgow School of Art - which is where I studied Graphic Design. This led to a bit of a 'what the hell am I doing with my life, working in a law library!?!?!!? So after a wee wibble about this, I pounced on what I think I want to do with my life; web development and web design.<br /><br />Now I'm busy figuring out software needs, courses, possible volunteer work etc. etc. to figure out if freelancing this could lead to a bit of life satisfaction. Not that I'm unhappy - but I feel I'd like to be more creative - and also extra money would be nice! More yarn and all that!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3298026560_84afb45683.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3298026560_84afb45683.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I've also been crocheting a bit - this is the fault of my knitting group. As if I don't have enough (at least 8) projects on the go already, they've decided that we should have a crochet appreciation meet this Tuesday. I can hear them saying 'nobody forced you into casting on something else Elaine, this is a voluntary thing'. Honestly, the mere suggestion of a new thing to try and I'm right there. I wish I could be more project monogomous, but it's just not in my dna!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3297197439_71160fb2d8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3297197439_71160fb2d8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">So that's me for now. Promise I won't leave so long again!</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-45823670063815621422008-12-24T08:39:00.003+00:002008-12-24T08:41:47.494+00:00Festiveness<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2784174019_2eecd2daf9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2784174019_2eecd2daf9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This was my favourite picture of the year - taken by the boy, during the Olympics, as I tried to finish Honeycomb Vest before the Olympic torch was extinguished.<br /></span></span></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-87900962271448383112008-12-02T09:12:00.002+00:002008-12-02T09:16:58.543+00:00I'm still here ...... but I'm spending all my time in <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/index.xml">Azeroth</a> - <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-World-of-Warcraft-Addiction">it's not addictive</a>, not a bit ...<br /><br />In the meantime, the Women's Institute is conducting a survey on violence against women - it'll take about 15 minutes to do - if you're female, <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kVnP44Q5eDxXcVmIeA7u5o9sX34KcwfWFl9XATn4YP4%3d">click here</a> to take partElainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-44473157716829374892008-11-05T20:01:00.003+00:002008-11-05T20:34:27.493+00:00oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3005444635_2e149f4af9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3005444635_2e149f4af9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I'm having a <a href="http://www.oldmaidenaunt.com/shop.php?crn=211">yarn-gasm</a>! Due to the fact that there is no daylight anymore in Glasgow for the rest of the autumn & winter the photos just can't illustrate the extreme softness and beauty of this yarn. The girls at my knitty meetup had a good feel though, and they can back up my claims of yarny heaven, I'm sure!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3005446477_9335c0f904.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3005446477_9335c0f904.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-scarf-of-your-very-own">Leaf Lace scarf</a>, by Ann Budd. Rav says it was from Interweave Knits Spring 2000, but I got it in a later Interweave scarf pullout booklet. It's a great knit because the lace is simple enough to do while watching the tv, it goes fast, and you can't get further than a few stitches without being made aware of any mistakes that have been made, so there's no need for <a href="http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/lifeline.shtm">lifelines</a> really.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/3005457673_8f63e0f928.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/3005457673_8f63e0f928.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I also got a hot tip at last week's knitting meetup to folksy.com - the UK etsy. I went straight on and bought exactly the same item, because it's just too cool. A <a href="http://folksy.com/items/3516">project bag from Plain Jane Textiles</a> - so well made, and with a lovely personal touch.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/3006294730_c8f64ce418.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/3006294730_c8f64ce418.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I'm sitting here this evening updating my blog to the sound of about a million fireworks. It's been quite a good day - spent my day at work (in an academic library) updating the "US Elections" display with the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/default.stm">happy news</a>. Whether it was the complete media overload of the election I don't know, but the mood today has been quite infectious - even though it isn't our election. A general sense of excitement and relief that a new improved time may be on the horizon, which will hopefully impact positively upon us all.<br /><br />Ooh, bang! whizz! I love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night">Bonfire Night</a> in Glasgow. There's so many fireworks displays; big 'proper' ones in the city, smaller 'proper' ones in the parks around Glasgow, and tiny ones in people's gardens. From our flat we can see across the fireworks and smoke covering the whole city.<br /><br />Unfortunately the cat is now utterly terrified of all the noise and banging. This time last year he </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">watched the fireworks from the window with me, but in the Spring some wanna-be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schemie">nedlets</a> thought it would be hilarious to throw mudbombs at our windows while he was napping on the ledge. It gave him such a fright, and he's lost his nerve ever since. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3005452767_59ea999f54.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3005452767_59ea999f54.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">We also went to the Necropolis at the weekend for a wee wander - and got some pretty shots. This was about 4 o'clock when the sun was just starting to set. We hoped to see some deer, but it wasn't really the right time of day. A sparrowhawk nearly crashed into us though!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The gravestones and tombs were really ... wow. You can tell this is the final resting place of richest members of Glasgow, and the view up there is amazing.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3005450537_71f7f70032.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3005450537_71f7f70032.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3006288378_6f512bccca.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3006288378_6f512bccca.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3006290328_a071fb6e06.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3006290328_a071fb6e06.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-12388776248996264572008-10-26T16:59:00.002+00:002008-10-26T17:29:10.510+00:00I just can't stop ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2974305703_11bd398c01.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2974305703_11bd398c01.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Despite the fact that it has rained for 40 days and 40 nights, we decided to go to <a href="www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochwinnoch/index.asp">Lochwinnoch</a> today. <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/browse.html/ref=sc_iw_c_11_0_51458031_1/275-0737525-0356222?ie=UTF8&node=72525031&no=51458031&mnSBrand=core&me=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM">M&S</a> had a deal on roast chicken, tatties and apple pie so we felt the best way to appreciate a yummy Sunday roast was to precede it with a bracing walk in some sleety rain.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">It rained worse yesterday so as you can see above, the last part of the trail was abruptly shortened by a wee flood...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2975161808_9ce1270576.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2975161808_9ce1270576.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">One of the resident Herons looked quite content with the weather though.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2974303385_eed156af03.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2974303385_eed156af03.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">This is me outside one of the hides. You can see that it's standing in water, where usually it's standing on land ... It was a rare 5 seconds when it stopped raining and the sun came out - I didn't have time to take down my hood before it darkened and the rains began once more.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2974300707_d28f374c7f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2974300707_d28f374c7f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">More flooding - I had a great plan to take some 'action' shots of Garter Stitch Mitts IV, but it was so cold that there was no way my hands were coming out of the thick fleeced-lined (and shop bought!) mittens. All the shots are curtesy of the boy, as mittens this big render any attempt to use my hands pointless.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2975149512_0b8e19bf47.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2975149512_0b8e19bf47.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">So instead, here's a couple of shots; one from the watch point in the RSPB reserve, and one at home. The yarn is from the <a href="http://www.teoshandspun.com/">Teoshandspun</a> in Skye. A handspun, handyed pure silk that it so loverly! I modded the dk garter stitch mitts pattern for this aran-chunky weight yarn, using 4.5mm needles to get a good dense cosy fabric. I'm very pleased with them. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2974292769_b2f60420e4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2974292769_b2f60420e4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-28217541220954234472008-10-17T17:38:00.003+01:002008-10-17T17:43:20.922+01:00Cakes<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Not much going on in the world of knitting for me as I'm a wee bitty addicted to Civilization IV right now. I've still been shopping for yarn though, and found this utterly droolsome (what? it's a word!) shop o' joy: <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.twistedfiberart.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y">Twisted Fibre Art</a>, whose colourway make me actually hungry for yarn.<br /><br />However, I just stopped by to pass on this <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com">hilarious cake wrecks blogs</a> - it's so funny!<br /><br />Also - I pressed a button on Blogger, and accidently updated something, and now I've lost my Clustermaps. Clustermaps (which I pay for) fills me with much joy as I see all the places in the world that view my blog - now I'm lost. Does anyone know how to fix this?<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-31378906190519701022008-10-06T21:36:00.004+01:002008-10-06T21:42:12.555+01:00Celebknitty<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Well, we made it; we were on TV tonight (<a href="http://video.stv.tv/bc/catchup-TheFiveThirtyShowPart2-20081006-1743/">UK readers click here to watch - about 4 mins in</a>) *gulp* I can't believe how cool it looks - everyone looks great! I'm so embarrassed, but so excited too, that we were featured.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">In other knitty news, <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php">Rogue </a>is going well. I'm so stunned that I made this cable - I'm knitting blind really, as I'm not experienced enough in the cable chart to know what's happening. It's a bit like one of those <a href="http://tracy-elydes.blogspot.com/2006/06/magic-painting.html">magic paintings</a> that you paint with plain water, and all different colours appear as if by magic. Wonderful cables are appearing; twisting and turning over each other.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2919765570_4845580435.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2919765570_4845580435.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2918923155_24fb5ddf30.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2918923155_24fb5ddf30.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I've also been knitting more of my Ker-azy, madcap <a href="http://socherryknit.blogspot.com/2006/09/kool-aid-dyeing-microwave-way-pt-1.html">Kool</a>-<a href="http://socherryknit.blogspot.com/2006/09/kool-aid-dyeing-pt-3.html">Aid</a>-<a href="http://socherryknit.blogspot.com/2006/09/kool-aid-dyeing-pt-2.html">dyed</a> hot water bottle cosy. It fits a treat, and it's fun to knit something in this fizzy neon.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2919757674_bd7dd695a0.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2919757674_bd7dd695a0.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2918914121_f529c94ab4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2918914121_f529c94ab4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2918913529_318b887184.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2918913529_318b887184.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">In the spirit of kitchy bright fun, I also got a pressie from the boy - this fabulous Kawaii charm bracelet, with <a href="http://www.tokyocube.com/lifestyle.php?subnav=leisure&feature=toys&article=Gloomy%20bear...how%20cute%21">Gloomy Bear</a>*, Hello Kitty, a little deer and all kinds of plastic joy. He got it from a collective of designers, who have a virtual eBay presence <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Purple-Oracle-Jewellery_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm">here</a>.<br /><br />*link not child friendly<br /><br />Finally, a thank you to everyone for their comments to my last post, in person, and in my blogs. And thank you to Kirsty for her response also. The whole thing left me feeling a bit blah about my blog for a bit - but I'm back again, and have plenty more knitty joy to share I'm sure!<br /><br />And finally, finally! I have no idea what's going on with the formatting of this post - it's all over the shop and I'm too tired to fix it! Ravellers who come in via the friend blog bit of your notebooks; everytime I publish, change and republish does this appear as multiple blog posts from me in that list?<br /><br />The last finally, I promise! There was to be a cool pic from our gardening sunday but the boy has forgotten that he promised to retrieve it from his camera phone because <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty_4:_Modern_Warfare">Call of Duty 4</a> on the Xbox has temporarily removed him from reality...<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-83123408096276879322008-09-29T09:01:00.003+01:002008-09-29T10:02:50.921+01:00A response<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I thought I would make a new post to respond to a comment left in my last post.<br /><br />I had posted this: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-style: italic;">I'm Scottish, but due to moving around a lot when I was young I have an English accent. I don't like my accent at all - this is not to say that I think there is anything wrong with being English, but I'm Scottish, and it bugs me that I always sound like a visitor to my own country. "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /><br />I dithered about posting this in the first place, because I was anxious that it would come off in a bad light.<br /><br />Kirsty's comment reads as follows - and I would like to say a thank you to her for posting. I would rather someone posted their opinion and gave me the opportunity to clarify something I've posted, than they walk away thinking I'm narrow-minded.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">"I would just like to point out that lots of people without Scottish accents actually like to consider themselves to live here, and not just visitors, but ingrained attitudes like that certainly make us feel less than welcome and remind us that some people are making judgements about us as soon as we speak.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I feel we are perhaps coming from the same angle, however I struggle to write with clarity on an issue that is quite an emotive one for me. I, as you, are aware of the judgements that are occasionally made as soon as I open my mouth.<br /><br />However, that is not say I make those same judgements on people, and perhaps my choice of words made it appear otherwise. (I love to post my knitting life on my blog, but don't profess to being a 'Writer')<br /><br />Perhaps a little more information about my past would be useful; When at school in England I was bullied for being Scottish, when I moved to Scotland I was bullied for being English.<br /><br />It can be tough to feel that you don't 'fit' and so, from a young age I have longed for a Scottish accent so that I could 'fit in' with my family - who all sound Scottish. I think it is natural to want to have an identifying accent with your family and home country. Moving around a lot (inside and outside the UK) in my life has left me feeling that I have no 'home' and so my accent is one thing I feel that places me.<br /><br />So for me, it is about my identity with my family/Scotland, and my struggles to come to terms with this.<br /><br />I have never felt that someone without a Scottish accent shouldn't</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> "...consider themselves to live here, and not just </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">[a]</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> visitor ..."</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">. Glasgow in particular is a diverse city, with many, many people from all over the world living here, and this is one of the reasons I love living here.<br /><br />Because of my experiences, I feel that I am more aware of the judgements that can be made on anyone who doesn't 'sound' like those around them, whether they sound English or Scottish (or Irish or Welsh for that matter). I've been at the receiving end of many hurtful comments in my life.<br /><br />I certainly don't make that judgement myself with people, and I'm quite worried that it would come across that way in my blog.<br /><br />OK, I've typed, and retyped, deleted and edited! I do hope that this hasn't come across as defensive, or negative. I'm a bit upset, so perhaps I shouldn't post quite yet, but I'm not going to be able to do anything else today with this in my mind. At the moment it's reading a bit like 'A Statement' or something, but I would rather just post it than say nothing at all.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-8483498477464792672008-09-24T17:43:00.005+01:002008-09-24T18:08:10.529+01:00Scottish Television<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n8mPqELh63xhnsH0baxC-YtIy6yCYWc_0ZvSuw-kUGgchyfhlDV-PhC6uErtn_wqjD-qfWEoVCtE3c5Qafq3R_jZCaDab72YexcxIRvJWaQqABLO52ZpT9lhwv3mT-8_h7uE/s1600-h/DSCN5280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249629766544586546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n8mPqELh63xhnsH0baxC-YtIy6yCYWc_0ZvSuw-kUGgchyfhlDV-PhC6uErtn_wqjD-qfWEoVCtE3c5Qafq3R_jZCaDab72YexcxIRvJWaQqABLO52ZpT9lhwv3mT-8_h7uE/s320/DSCN5280.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;">STV filmed my <a href="http://knitting.meetup.com/137/"><span style="color:#663366;">knitting group</span></a> last night for the <a href="http://www.stv.tv/content/tv/thefivethirtyshow/index.html"><span style="color:#663366;">Five Thirty Show</span></a>. I managed to get a shot of the cameraman filming <a href="http://socherryknit.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html"><span style="color:#663366;">'The Force Scarf'</span> </a>that I knitted for the boy's Christmas.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">I couldn't use the flash as it would disrupt the film (and he was having a hard enough time trying to get the heavy camera at the right angle to see the shadow knitting!) so it's a bit blurry.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">It was interesting seeing how it filming this type of thing worked, and the host Vicky was great fun - very enthusiastic and said it was the best feature that she'd filmed - go knitters!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">She wanted to interview me about the scarf *gulp* I hadn't considered that I'd actually talk. I'm Scottish, but due to moving around a lot when I was young I have an English accent. I don't like my accent at all - this is not to say that I think there is anything wrong with being English, but I'm Scottish, and it bugs me that I always sound like a visitor to my own country. So anyway, I didn't plan on talking, because I didn't want to hear my accent on TV.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">But suddenly there was a camera and a bright light in my face, and Vicky saying 'just look at me, and talk natural'. It's just that easy!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">I've always had on my report cards at school; 'doing great, but needs to stopping chatting so much' ... and it's true, I do like to chat, <em>and chat</em>.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">However, I've learned yesterday that if you stick a camera in my face, not only do I become as verbal as a newborn baby, I can also suck my own hair into my mouth and almost choke while talking...<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;"><a href="http://tangledfrog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#663366;">Lynette</span></a> says that I'm overthinking this, and she's probably right, but I don't expect my interview to appear on TV - maybe a shot of the scarf - which would be cool. A library is the worst place to work sometimes because all I want to do is be distracted, but working in a quiet environment makes my mind recall Vicky commenting on my Yaarnn pirate t-shirt, and me getting excited and shoving my chest into the camera. Doh!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">Should be coming out this week, or next in case anyone wants a laugh at me.</span></div>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-78078526377779740942008-09-17T17:19:00.003+01:002008-09-17T17:56:47.856+01:00Identical hand twins ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2852645753_1726911b52.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2852645753_1726911b52.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">In the last fortnight I've gone a bit mitten mad. I've made <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/2007/11/25/garter-stitch-mitts/">Ysolda's garter stitch mitts</a> with some <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.orkneyangora.co.uk/yarn.html">Orkney Angora</a> that I bought at <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.k1yarns.com">K1 Yarns</a> - it's so utterly soft.<br /><br />I love LOVE this pattern! It's perfect for work because the mittens don't cover too much of my hands. At a glance it might look like I've got longer sleeves. They also keep my hands nice and toasty, but free for knitting.<br /><br />And they're quick, quick, quick! Which is good because I want to make them in every colour and fibre.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2852646061_04000d17da.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2852646061_04000d17da.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2853483450_9f10af4209.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2853483450_9f10af4209.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Then I made some giant cable mittens - this is the first pattern I've designed from scratch. I've just got to get a wee bit more <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.mcadirect.com/shadecards/jet.htm">Paton's Jet</a> so I can finish the other one. Then I might see if I can get some test knitters to try other sizes and maybe get a pattern on Ravelry!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2852648701_a45b2055c8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2852648701_a45b2055c8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I'm in the middle of making gloves with a sockweight yarn using <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.fleming.flump.net/%7Ewebofwoo/shop/product.php?xProd=179">Anna Tillman's glove pattern</a>. The yarn is <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/fyberspates-merino-tencel-sock-yarn">Fyberspates merino/tencel sock weight</a> that I bought at Woolfest. The colourway makes me drool a little bit - it reminds me of winter berries.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2832944023_e94366ef00.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2832944023_e94366ef00.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I also used <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/index.php?cPath=56_161&osCsid=f5153a9f0ce243501f06d05397251098">Fyberspates Scrumptious DK in spring green</a>, kindly given to me as a birthday pressie by <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://tangledfrog.blogspot.com/">Lynette</a>, to make more mittens and a hat.<br /><br />The mitten pattern was Ysolda's garter stitch mitts again, and the hat was <a href="http://nevermoreknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/11th-hour-hat-dk-weight.html">11th Hour Hat by Amy Florence</a>. The garter stitch brim is knit sideways, which makes it easy to knit the perfect fit. Then it's grafted together, stitches picked up along one side, and knit up to make the top of the hat. The spiralling decreases look great.<br /><br />I got both out of 1 skein of Scrumptious, with about 3 inches left over.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2832942675_2167505c16.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2832942675_2167505c16.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2827072211_d7d4bec8dc.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2827072211_d7d4bec8dc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2833781324_6fd14b62c9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2833781324_6fd14b62c9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2827908166_aa587473cb.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2827908166_aa587473cb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2820267233_5defdbacd1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2820267233_5defdbacd1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">And finally, I made some fingerless mitts from the Noro Designer Mini-Knits pattern book by Jenny Watson. I used 2 skeins of the same colourway but different sections to make a striped effect.<br /><br />They look great, but the pattern was knit flat so it was a bit of a footer to seam up all the fingers. I changed the pattern by adding an extra stitch to the pinkie finger. After seaming the pinkie was a bit too narrow otherwise.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2821108190_6a61493788.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2821108190_6a61493788.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2853489996_3141a47a32.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2853489996_3141a47a32.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">And a close up shot of the kitty to remind myself that he <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> be an angel sometimes, when he isn't getting tangled in the spagetti of wires behind the tv causing it to nearly fall off the unit. Or sitting on the laptop when it's on pressing buttons that make the laptop speak the screen, turn the screen upside down, and other commands that I don't know how to undo. Or mieowing incessantly from about 4am, 'just for kicks and giggles' </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2852654359_69911816ee.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2852654359_69911816ee.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">And a pretty sunset from a couple of nights ago, outside the front of our house.</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17215952.post-44919026890379056762008-09-01T20:15:00.006+01:002008-09-01T21:09:00.964+01:00Granny's Heiland Hame<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2818782424_0c2cef16d5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2818782424_0c2cef16d5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The boy and I are just back from a lovely weekend in Elgin. We stopped on the way, just past Carrbridge for some FO shots of the <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATThoneycomb.html">Honeycomb</a> vest. I finished it the day after the Olympics, but had to block it. I'm quite pleased, but I picked up too many stitches around the arms, so it's sagging a bit - I think I'll try weaving some elastic into it and reblocking, before taking the drastic action of reknitting.<br /><br />It was quite a hard pattern to follow - there's an expectation of a knitting level I feel. Luckily I managed to grasp the pattern, and how to adapt it when waist shaping leaves the stitches out of sync with chart pattern. I modified it to knit in the round (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/socherry/honeycomb">notes here</a>)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2818781734_961f1d7325.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2818781734_961f1d7325.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2817933329_0ae175cd62.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2817933329_0ae175cd62.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2817907245_a45c348f43.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2817907245_a45c348f43.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We also popped up North to Brora to see some relatives. My granny mentioned that she had aquired some Hunters of Brora yarn and I've been desperate to get my hands on this for some time.<br /><br />Sadly, this yarn was found in bags out the back of Hunters after it closed. They threw out bags and bags of it. I wish we had known and we could have hired a moving house-sized lorry to remove it.<br /><br />The 2 shades I got are stunning though - a 4ply, enough for 2 cardigans or jumpers - yay! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">On the way my mum mentioned a traditional song about the area from her childhood <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.darachweb.net/SongLyrics/GrannysHeilandHame.html">Granny's Heiland Hame</a>. I've never heard it, but found the lyrics online.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2817907787_fc4590a29c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2817907787_fc4590a29c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2817900189_416be73543.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2817900189_416be73543.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We hadn't meant to travel that far North, and had only popped out to try spotting some dolphins at North Kessock and Chanonry Point at Cromarty. I really really wanted to get the yarn though, and the boy hadn't been up to see where my family are from.<br /><br />We set the sat nav from Cromarty, just to see where it would take us (even though we know the route) and it took us a different way... 'take the next left, and then take the ferry'. Ferry!? What?!<br /><br />The sat nav alerts you when your route will include toll bridge, so it never occured to us that it would take us on a ferry route without warning us first.<br /><br />And a ferry? On a Sunday? We were doubtful, but sure enough, there was a two car ferry, every half hour, every day. So we thought why not (after checking on ye olde-fashioned paper atlas that we weren't about to go on an island-hopping detour)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2817900685_2ab882ca54.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2817900685_2ab882ca54.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2818747686_ef3fe75a0f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2818747686_ef3fe75a0f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2817897211_7c3bb46059.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2817897211_7c3bb46059.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2818746154_83d5ef2c46.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2818746154_83d5ef2c46.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2818743350_9c24cd67b4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2818743350_9c24cd67b4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">It was state of the art ... well perhaps not, but it was totally cool to find this adventurous detour. If we hadn't been using the sat nav we would never have come across it - and we shaved a good hour or so off the trip. The pic above is of me trying to keep my balance.<br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17760583523578644450noreply@blogger.com3