Too many projects

I am trying to juggle too many knitting projects at the moment.I have 3 pairs of socks on the go and I am sure my next sock club projects will be arriving with December.I am also making a scarf for my daughter,a dane shawl for my step mother and have also started some cross stitch.I have decided not to give anyone the scarf where the colour ran but keep it for myself.My trouble is I want to keep everything for myself.I like the thought of when I go out selecting a scarf from a choice.
I like to collect things and my latest collection is Mabel Lucie Atwell postcards.I just love the illustrations.They are so cute and remind me so much of Ruby.I have bought several on e bay and will give me something to hunt for when we are out and about.
I really shouldn't be on here.I am in 2 book groups,one more serious than the other!The casual one is next Friday and we are meeting for lunch as it's Xmas.We are reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which is 500 + pages long and I am only up to page 250.
My box is coming along nicely.I hope whoever gets it likes my choices.

great weekend

It has been party weekend.Ruby was 2 on Saturday.Mum and Dad took her and older sister Emily to the zoo where it poured down!We went over in the afternoon with our presents and all went out to tea.We had bought her a dolls pram and a new doll.She only has Emily's cast offs.So I have spent last week making bedding and clothes for the above.The clothes are so fiddly to sew up.Ruby just loves playing with her dollies.Mind you saying that ,most of the time we were there on Saturday they spent playing in 2 huge cardboard boxes!
Sunday was special birthday for my older brother so we went up tp Blackpool to his daughter's and met up with all his family.17 sat down to lunch.It was great seeing my nieces and nephews.My brother's first wife died aged 32 when the children were 9,6 and 4 so we have a particular bond with them.He has since re married and had another son.
Now I have a bit of a problem.I have knitted a lace scarf for someone for xmas but when I came to block it an enormous amount of colour came out.Can I give someone a scarf where if it rains and gets wet the colour could ruin their clothes.I could try and set the dye with vinegar but would I ever get rid of the smell.Advice please.
Do you know I told you that I have signed up for the very,very expensive Debbie Abraham's blanket club starting January because I am having a knee op in Feb or March and it would be something for me to focus on.I had a phone call on Thursday to say I am now having the op on Dec 16th.Oops.It was a good excuse.So I shall be spending xmas on crutches this year.

bonfire night

What a shame.It is absolutely tippling down and has been for several hours just when the bonfires will be being lit and the fireworks set off.My daughter,OH and 2 little ones are coming on Saturday and staying the night.There is a bonfire then in a small village a couple of miles away so we might give it a go.We have now got our new loft bedroom fitted out with beds ,desk ,bookcases etc so we might try that as well.We might get the house valued now we have had it done as it now offers the potential of a fifth bedroom and toilet etc up there.
I had my second of three sock club parcels yesterday.I had forgotten about it and think I am now really "socked " out.
We have bought Ruby a pram for her second birthday on Nov 14th and so I have to knit/crochet covers by then.Also a new dolly so clothes for that as well.She so loves playing with her dolls,feeding,them,putting them on the potty,putting them to bed etc.So sweet!
Emily,her 4 yr old sister, heard yesterday that she had passed her first ballet exam but surely they don't fail any of them.I hope not!
Anyone decided to join the Posh Yarn cashmere club?

autumn

I love Autumn.I took this photo this afternoon.It is a 5 minute drive from our house and in" an area of outstanding beauty".It is very popular with walkers and families.We had planned a full day out today into Snowdonia but our plans went awry.We had bought a flat pack desk from Staples yesterday which needed assembling.The instruction sheet said it would take 2 people 1 hour.Ha! ha!It took us nearly an hour to sort all the bits out!Then another 3 hours to do.We thought we might have to call in our DIY friend but we managed it ourselves and it looks great but no trip to Snowdonia!

We should have gone to Cambridge last weekend but I ended up not going because I had a bad cold and cough whch was disappointing but I got a lot of knitting done.I have just finished another Dane shawl.A present for someone for Xmas.

I have joined the Debbie Abraham's Mystery Blanket Club 2010(at great expense but my husband egged me on).I think I have come to the limit on knitting socks and fancy a new challenge.

I am not sure how to alter my profile on the blog so am adding details here for the Secret Santa.I am very easy to please.My favourite colours are blue,pink,purple,red shades .I am not a green,brown, beige person.I am not allergic to anything except housework.I have pierced ears and wear silver jewellery.I love reading(not crime),gardening, crafts etc.I will appreciate anything that anyone chooses for me.

Catch up

We went to the theatre on Thursday and saw "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams.It was very well done but rather gloomy.We sat in the bar afterwards with our friends having a drink.The cast came into the bar and also the cast of "Pygmalion" which had it's opening night in the main theatre.(We live in a small market town ,10,000 pop,but we have this brilliant theatre.)The star of Pygmalion is Philip Bretherton who played Alistair in "As Time goes By".The director,Terry Hands, and Philip and others were obviously discussing the first night.Very interesting and nobody bothered them at all.We also have a film theatre which shows fils that often miss the multiplexes and an events room.We are going this Friday to listen to Woody Mann(?).My OH's choice!!
Saturday my daughter and family came for the day and we had a lovely time,a walk round the market in the morning and a country stroll in the afternoon.
Sunday was spent recovering!!
Monday afternoon I went to the second sess ion of an Italian group.I did Italian about 10 years ago but have forgotten most of it.We are following a book and just helping each other.The organiser has asked me to lead the next session which has scared me witless!!
Today we have been shopping in Chester this morning and went to look for a kitten this afternoon.We have seen a gorgeous tortoiseshell one but it is only 3 weeks old and we can't reserve it until it is 6 weeks.It's mum was run over and killed.
Jobs for this evening are-
sorting my clothes out for the Autumn
finishing the collar and sewing up a jacket for Ruby
blocking a 2ply lace stole I have just finished
maybe casting on a jumper for Ru
That's all until next time.

THE LAST FEW DAYS

More socks.Violet Green sock club wool from a few months ago but I used my own pattern.Just recieved the latest pattern and yarn from them.Not so sure about the pattern.

A pair of socks I also finished at the weekend.I did most of the knitting on the way to and from France.This is Regia yarn.

This is a scarf I finished at the weekend.It is in Poshyarn 2ply cashmere.Itwas supposed to be for a friend but I might keep it for myself.It is sooo soft.

Since getting back from France life has been quite busy.Apart frm social things we have been busy finishing off our loft bedroom,well,C has.So many decisions have to be made about carpets,beds,shelving,bookcases etc for a room that will have only occasional use.He is also going to use it as a studio to paint in.He dabbles in watercolours but is desperate to try oils and acrylics but I hate the smell so if he can do it "up there " then that's ok.

Friday afternoon I got together with a group of ladies who I have met through a magazine and we have formed a new book group which will meet once a month in our nearest Borders.So, I am now in 2 book groups.I also review books for a magazine called newbooksmag and I currently have 2 reviews to write.I have read the books so just have to put pen to paper.One is not being published until Feb next year.

Tomorrow we are off to see and look after our little girls for a couple of hours.There was great excitement on Friday when Emily brought home her first reading book.Ruby was saying "Grandma" down the phone and kissing the phone, which I could hear ,earlier!

Thursday evening we are going to the theatre to see "The Glass Menagerie".

Back from France

This is St Valery sur Somme.A lovely little place.We stayed 3 nights near here.

How about this for a piece of sculpture at the entrance to the town.

When we were in Amiens we visited the Thiepval memorial(above and below).It is so moving to see all the names engraved on the memorial.Names of men whose bodies were never found.It really is a very moving place to visit and having just read Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks it really brought it home to me.

This is the view of Amiens cathedral from our bedroom window.We spent 2 nights here.

We had glorious weather all the time we were away.

When we got back I had a parcel from the Posh Yarn sock,one from the Violet Green sock club and the "box".Very exciting.