More home made

You saw the curtains my mum made yesterday. But I have also been working on my stuff. Like the cardigan. I have already shown you one of them: the blue one with a red block. I made a red one as well though, with a lilac block and sleeve. I am very chuffed with them. They are two different sizes as well, which is even more fun.

When the second one was finished I started on a green one. But where the first two were a cotton (with some acrylic overlay), the green one is a wool one. And it just doesn't look as nice as the other ones. This is mainly to do with the fact that I used a smaller needle for the cotton ones and the set needles for the green one. And it makes it look sloppy.

So, when I made a mistake, I thought: forget this. I will unravel and start afresh with smaller needles, that way it will look nicer. I hope so anyway, as I haven't started yet.

Apart from doing up the room (finished) and knitting (never finished), I also have to cook on occasion. My parents and I share the responsibility, so we all have to take our turn to cook. But I don't always want to cook the regular things. Even if the dinner I had to heat up last Wednesday counted as cooking, it was just heating it up. The work of a minute really. 

What I am trying to say is this: occasionally I want to try my hand at something else. At the end of last year I saw a fish pie being made by the Hairy Bikers (love them) and I have made that one twice already: it is yum. Then a couple of months ago I made spare ribs from scratch. Another repeat offender there. 

This time around I thought I would try my hand at gnocchi. It sounded easy enough and indeed it turned out to be. I made a mushroom, spinach and blue cheese version for my parents (bland, not enough mushroom, too much spinach, blue cheese not strong enough were some of the comments) and a tomato, basil and mozzarella version for me (yum, too many tomatoes, didn't like the mozzarella were some of the comments). 

The main thing was though: the gnocchi themselves were okay. It was just the sauce or rest of the dish that needed some tweaking. I knew their version (the mushroomy one) was bland, as there was no mention of salt, pepper or any other type of herb or spice mentioned. Plus I don't taste ever, and definitely not mushrooms. My dad did like the spinach as it was put on, my mum didn't. And the blue cheese was definitely not very blue and it was on the lower end of the taste strength scale. 

Next time I will probably try a mushroom cream sauce with some garlic, then add some cheese at the end and put it in the oven for the last few minutes. The tomato/basil and mozzarella version was perfect as was, even though my mum thought the tomatoes were overpowering. She can eat the mushroom one!

PS: no photos were made of the gnocchi. Perhaps next time...

Trash or treasure?

A treasure trove

Occasionally my mother and I salivate. Mostly over yarns and threads, where I go for the first and she goes for the latter. But sometimes, we both have a glimmer in our eyes and we are both a bit greedy.

See the brown/beige fabric at the back?
That would have been white originally!

Like the other day when my father came home with a little box. He had gotten it from somebody else who had gotten it from their grandmother. And the things in that little box were faded and discoloured. They were also enough to make a crafter's heart beat faster.

As I said there were faded and discoloured bits of fabric. Thin and not really of interest to either my mum or me. There was a little old blouse that was so damaged that neither of us had the feeling to save it. 

I loved that tiny bottle with its cork stopper
The needle tin is the one that says HEMA, a well-known shop in the Netherlands

There were several ribbons, some of the embroidered variety, others of the plain variety. There were some buckles, although how they had to be fastened to anything is anybody's guess. There was an old bottle of aspirin (also great for a hangover it said on the label) filled with tiny bead-thingies. There was a small tin with needles and such. There were buttons and threads.

Buckles that need a polish, linen buttons and a necklace without fastener.

For some that box would have gone straight in the skip. For us it was a treasure trove. Some of it we'll keep, other things will be moved on to somebody who does a lot of sewing (one lady makes dolls, perhaps she can incorporate some of the fabric). 

Getting on

Well, is there a lot to tell? Not really, although some things did happen. First me and my parents went to the cinema. My parents had won tickets (4 in total) to a film of choice and in the first instance it would just be my mum and me. But when we started talking about the film we wanted to see, my dad wanted to come too.

The film we went to see was 'De beentjes van Sint Hildegard' (The Bones of St Hildegard). A Dutch film with a famous (in the Netherlands) comedian in it. A film about promises and life and death. Very recognisable to most people in that room (all about my parents' age I would say). And even though it was a Dutch film, it was subtitled in Dutch as well, as the main characters all spoke in dialect! A brilliant film and if you are Dutch and ever get the chance to see this: DO!

A whole afternoon was spent gathering together paperwork. Not just any paperwork: Norwegian and UK paperwork. Great! Fortunately most of it was on my computer and only needed printing, but some of it is in storage and there is no way I can get to it without getting everything out, which I am not going to do. So, I sent it off with some bits missing, but with an explanation as to why. Hopefully that is enough to convince them that I am truthful.

If they don't believe me on all the official evidence so far, I won't get more than three months' unemployment, ie until early May. If they do believe me, I might get more. Until the new job starts of course. When that is I still don't know yet, but most likely I will get an offer (pay, hours, start date) by early March. At least that's what they told a friend who was also accepted. 

Other than that I have been knitting a lot. The baby's dress is nearly finished and only requires buttons and a label. The accompanying 'knickers' only need one more leg to finish and then the set will be ready. It has nearly cost me my finger though: those needles are thin and sharp!

And while I sat at home knitting, somebody realised I was sitting at home not working and called me: did I want to work? This weekend? Next week? Which in the end meant that this weekend I will be working both days to the extent of some 26 hours in total. Next week I will be working four days to the extent of 40+ hours! Goodness me. 

The joys of crafting

A project on the go (on hold due to it being in storage)

As I have some time on my hands right now, I have really gotten stuck into my knitting. Not that it shows much at the moment, because I chose to make something that was a bit bigger than I normally make. A little dress for a three-month old baby. I found the pattern on a Norwegian site and that meant I had to translate the whole thing into Dutch.

I would read each sentence several times, making sure I had understood before actually attempting to do. Because as every knitter will know: do it wrong and it is double the work to undo it, unlike crochet where there is only 1 stitch.

Unfortunately I didn't have the right size circular needle, so made the whole thing on two needles. I counted, I knitted, I progressed and then put the work aside (as instructed). I then went on to make the sleeves on double pointed needles. Which I did have in the right size. 

This was supposed to become a cushion, but only got as far as this stage
It is now in storage

Those needles definitely were the right size. To stick between my fingers! As in: stick one in the fleshy/webby bit between middle and ring finger. Ouch. A drop of blood was all however, so no big deal. 

At the fair I did manage to get a proper sized circular needle as well and the rest of the dress went smoothly. Not always completely to my liking, but about 99% the way it was supposed to go. The end result looks really pretty, especially from the front. The back does need some work and the next time I will be using my circular needle to make it nicer looking. 

So, apart from the slight discomfort caused by sticking a size 3 knitting needle in my hand, the dress is nearly finished and looks good. 

And talking about little craft accidents: here's an account by Angel Madi's Mom of what NOT to do with a crochet needle. Just in case you were thinking about using it in that manner. 

Have you ever had any mishaps with your crafting?

Greedy

This weekend it's the annual craft fair in my home town. A big doodah with lots of stands that sell things you want. Like yarns. And more yarns. Ooh, and there is another stall with beautiful yarn. 

I had set myself a budget and when that money was gone, that was it. But you know how it goes: another offer you can't refuse. And more beautiful yarn finds its way into your bag. 

It's not as if I don't have enough yarn. The amount I brought from Norway via Northern Ireland is already quite a stash. Although granted, part of that is still in storage, packed away in boxes. But another large part is over here. 

My mum and I visited a store in the autumn and I managed to grab some nice yarns there. Then I bought some yarn in Northern Ireland during my visit to my sister back in December. It was touch and go whether I could take it all with me! 

But, I have started on some of the stash. Of course the mice are an ongoing project, but they don't dent the stash that much. Some of the autumn-bought yarn is now being used, to make a baby's dress no less! 

I will get through my newest stash before I know it probably. Looking at the top photo: there are cottons on the left for two teddies: a brown one and a pink one. There is some wool mix next to that (the round balls) that will make another little baby's dress. 

More cottons (red, black and blue in the bag) for one or two cardigans. Then the two cream yarns are for the mice (their faces). Next to that, are two skeins of Nepalese silk, which will make a beautiful scarf. And the green yarn at the bottom is a lovely Merino. 

You can also see two swatches of fabric. What they will be used for is at this point in time a mystery, but it won't spoil.

November

It's November already. Doesn't time fly? This time last year I knew I was going to leave Northern Ireland, but was still hopeful to find a full time job and a place to live by the time the move came. Not so much! I do have a job, which has been continued now, but it is not full time. And my own place to live is for now a fantasy.

But, not all is bad, I do work and I do live somewhere which is not my car or a cardboard box, so blessings and counting and all. I have also gotten back into the crafting part of things with a vengeance. I have so much yarn and fabric and then my mum comes out with more yarn that she has gotten from somewhere. The choices of what to make are endless. 

Find the lizard...

On November 1st, I put a fair few items up for sale on Mice for Mama, four of those were made by my mother, who is a keen lace maker. She didn't expect anything from it, but someone left lovely comments about her work and actually bought two of them! My mum is pleased as punch I can tell you! I have now started on the other big batch day, which will be soon. As I said though: endless choice...

Right, off downstairs to start on my next project now. 

Work

I have been hard at work. Both at work and at home. At work I was due to finish today, but I am working tomorrow and several days next week, that may turn into more. I had better contact the temping agency to hold the holiday money pay-out!

At home I have also been working hard. Knitting, crocheting, sewing. And the results will appear tomorrow on my Mice for Mama blog. If you don't know what that blog is: it's a blog where I sell home made mice (and other things as well), part of the earnings going towards charity. 

But, not only did I make things myself, I also got my Mum to help out. She makes lace and there will be several of her works up for sale as well. So go on, have a look! And perhaps you spot something you like the look of! 

There are only a couple of things to remember: 

A. Always use the contact form and make sure you state exactly what you want, using the code from the title. 

B. First come, first serve! If three people want the same thing, it will go to the first person who 'wanted' it.

C. Factor in packaging and posting costs, as those are extra! It goes by weight and where to send it, but it can add quite a bit to the price. 

D. Payment will be in Euros using PayPal.

So, remember to hop on over on November 1st and perhaps you find a nice Christmas present... 

I am still here!

Just to say I am still here. Mending well, although jeans and anything else with buttons is not yet appreciated by my body. I am not in pain as such, it's more like the areas are a bit more sensitive than normal. 

Yesterday was the first time 'out' again. It was nice to see something else again. There is such a big difference in staying at home because you want to or because you need to. And in my case it is definitely the latter. 

I feel fine though. Probably more so than I actually am and my mother keeps telling me not to do this or that. Today I helped with cleaning vegetables/potatoes. Then after dinner, I helped dry the dishes, although I was not allowed to put them in their place: too much turning and such. 

In other things: I have finished one nativity set and am now working on a mouse. The kings and sheep are so small and fiddly, I just wanted something else to make for a day. When the mouse is finished, I will continue with 6 kings and 2 sheep. I also have to think about some special Christmas and possibly Halloween mice. 

That's it from me for now. Just a tiny update...

Absent

Not one of ours

Yes, I have been absent for the past week. The first three days were me driving to Glasgow every day, not leaving much time for anything else. Then there was the slightly easier day on Thursday, but apart from the driving I still had to do, I spent it doing laundry mainly. 

During the evening my sister came over, because we were going to Dublin on Friday. We had booked tickets to go to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Dublin. Two days! Friday doing the fair itself and Saturday doing several workshops. 

My 'regular' ones aren't as clever as this sampler one!!

Once we got to the hall where the event took place, we took our big bag with us (yes, we were prepared) and headed inside. A lot of stalls selling fabric. In fact, it was called the Knitting and Stitching Show, but it should have been the other way around as the yarn was very much outnumbered by the fabric. And the yarn that was there, didn't tempt us. Nor did any of the knitting needles (they are too short here anyway) or crochet needles (wrong handles). 

The fabric however... There was one stall with so many lovely Christmas fabrics, I now must have enough for several blankets I think! And don't worry: I saved up for this event. We both came away with a fair amount of fabric and then there was the fabric cutting mat and ruler and knife (for me) as well. Plus a really handy storage box. 

I touched one and got told off as well

On day two we took the bus to the event instead of driving and on arrival my sister found the fabric she missed on day one (but which I had gotten), before we headed off to our first workshop to make a little felt pot. Well, it was a soaking experience, our pots looked just about passable, but it was fun to do and find out it wasn't for us. Oh, and we tossed the pots on our return to the hotel that evening.

Our second workshop was a lot better: we were making a fabric box. Really easy and straightforward and definitely we could do at home quite easily. With regular or Christmas fabric. We both have enough of the stuff anyway!! 

This was my little box. It does need some finished touches, but it was easy enough to do

The third workshop was completely different again. How to make your own fabric. Not sure about that one, although you can do some pretty neat stuff! It just all felt very "kindergarten" what with the cutting of paper and sticking it on another piece of paper. Or just colouring in! Not sure I would want to do it. Although the one I have made, might get made, just because I would get some free fabric out of it! 

All in all, the fair was a success for both of us, although not so much for our piggy banks. Good thing I had saved up for it!

This is the artist's mother. It is long wool threads sewn onto gauze. So beautiful!

Soooooo...

I have made a start on a blanket and I must say it looks pretty good. Of course I am quickly running out of thread, so I will have to go down to a thread store soon to get some more. As I am using Christmas fabric, I thought using red and green thread would be good. However, the red that came with the machine (thank you Gera) is doing fine, it's the green that is moving at lightning speed. 

This morning I made a little start on the photos. First of all the photos already stored on my computer, all the way back from April and May. I take the photos off of my iPhone as well on occasion and found some nice ones I might be able to use. 

Now it's the crates that are waiting, although I am not sure which photos they are. I also have several albums filled with photos of my younger years, especially the foreign seasons I did (Italy, France, Yugoslavia) and my childhood. I want to get those done as well, but as people who scan will know: it takes aaaaaaaaagggggggggggeeeeeeeeeesssssssss!

I wanted to get some breakfast this morning and I knew for a fact that I had taken a carton of milk out of the garage yesterday. But, when I wanted to pour said milk over my rice crispies, it was nowhere to be found! In the end I had to get another carton from the garage. When I then looked in the fridge (again), I found the first one. Of course! 

Another one

While my parents were here, my sister and I turned two boring brown cushions into lovely and comfy cushions: my sister crocheted the covers and I fixed them. But, as I said: there wasn't enough yarn to do all four cushions, so another solution had to be found. Enter: the tweed!

I had bought some tweed while at the small craft fair my sister and I had been to a few weeks ago. Two large pieces of fabric and some left-overs in a bag. I got out those left-overs and searched for inspiration. The minute I saw the orange piece of tweed, I knew! Of course: a ginger cat.

The fabric was even a bit in a cat shape (the way I draw them anyway), so it was perfect. My mother told me which stitch to use and before long I was on my way to make a lovely cushion cover. Of course the apple tree beside the cat is completely out of proportion, but hey, the cushion is only so big... Now there is just one boring brown one left.

Being crafty

As my parents were staying here, there was enough time to do nothing much really. So, it was spent reading, doing crosswords or doing crafts. I knit mice of course, but my sister at one point was a bit lost as to what to do. 

Well, that could be remedied. I have enough yarn and I knew exactly what I wanted her to make. I have four absolutely boring brown cushions (came with the Norwegian couch, which stayed behind) and last year I had seen some yarn and knew the colour would fit perfectly with the cushions. 

So, my sister got the yarn and then we realised that it needed a large crochet needle. Which I didn't have. Never fear though, my sister has some of her crochet stuff in my garage (to make room for me when I moved in with her) and lo and behold: a size 12 needle was found. 

She set to work and within a short time she had produced a lovely thick granny square. I then proceeded to sew it to the cushion cover. The result was perfect. She made a second one as well, which I also sewed to the cushion cover. However and unfortunately, I didn't have enough yarn for all four cushions. We (well she really) might squeeze a nice runner out of the remainder of the yarn though, which would fit well. 

For the other two cushions in the mean time I have had another idea. Seeing as I bought that lovely tweed material the other day, that might get used to make a bit more decorative cushions. Will show those if and when they are made. For now though: happy with the result and very thankful to my sister for making the granny squares.

Spinning yarns

As I told you a few weeks ago, I would be going to this Spinning Yarns festival in Antrim and yesterday was the day. My sister and I had booked a workshop as well, so we only had the morning to look around. Which turned out to be plenty time enough! 

One of the first booths we got to was one which sold tweeds and there were some lovely tweeds there as well. Dear though. So, we kept our hands in our pockets and moved on. Then we saw a woman crocheting in a very strange way. Normally you hook the needle under the yarn, this lady however was hooking the yarn over the needle, like I would do with my knitting. 

A short chat before we moved on and then spotted something. Two coasters and a little booklet later we got away. 

Mine was stripey

After that we got into a tent where they did several little workshops. We sat down and made ourselves a little lavender bag. Fast and simple. And since we had enough time and there was plenty of room, we made a felt pen as well. By the time we were finished with the pen, the tent was full of folk and we made our way outside. Lunch. 

At two in the afternoon, we made our way up to the room where we would have our workshop in rag rug wreath making. Apart from my sister and myself, there were two other ladies, so plenty of time for chats and project-photo-sharing. Of course the main aim was to make a rag rug wreath and once we all had the supplies we needed, we started. 

A bit of hessian, a pointy stick and plenty of tweed later and we had all produced a little wreath. Definitely something to do on a dreary night, since mine only took about 2 hours to produce. And you could add bows and ribbons and such to make it even more special!

Now, talking of tweed. During lunch I had realised that I would be sorry not to get any and straight after, we went back and picked some tweed. Not sure if and when I am going to use it. After all, I still have plenty of knitting yarn to keep me busy for years, Christmas fabric for the Christmas bed cover I want to make and some other stuff as well. But, it will keep. As long as manage to keep the moths away from it...

PS: no, I did NOT get any yarn!

Done

The stable block, now in use as museum/shop/restaurant

I visited Antrim Castle Gardens last week. I didn't get to see everything, but that was okay. Another time will do nicely. And now we have picked another time as well, although not to see the gardens really. More to visit a festival that will take place there.

When I walked around there I saw this banner for the upcoming 'Spinning Yarns Festival'. After I told my sister and showed her the leaflet I had taken home, she was quite interested as well. Today I booked the tickets. 

And not only the tickets for the festival. Also tickets to make a rag rug wreathe (say it quickly please, several times, doesn't it sound just fantastic?) during the afternoon. It will be a three-hour workshop and I am really looking forward to it. I will have to wait just over two weeks, but still.

In other news, a local theatre group is putting up a musical of 'Little Women', and my sister and I will be seeing that as well. And to top it all off: my parents will be coming in a month's time and staying with my sister or me or both. Not sure yet. 

Updates

Those of you who come and read my blog regularly might wonder about certain things, so I will give some updates about recent happenings/unhappenings/events. 

First of all: Andrew's mice. I am very happy to say that on the second attempt, the mice made it! They arrived in good health, with lots of tales to tell. A stone from my heart that!!

Secondly: The duck. Well, the doctor really (quack, duck? Anyone??). Turns out I wasn't going to see a man, I was going to see my own gp who is a very nice young lady. It was she I saw the last time. She pestered me somewhat with taking my blood pressure. Twice! Which hurt!! But other than that, it was a great meeting. I have been prescribed more migraine pills (to get when I need it, which I don't very often fortunately) and yes, even more of those other pills that don't seem to work. 

But, I have also been given a referral to a physiotherapist. Now I just have to find one. Which means asking my colleagues whether they know a good one, preferably one who does do massages. They might hurt, but they certainly do help as well. Because we figured out that the majority of my headaches actually are tension headaches. I need to 'untense'. Which is not a word according to the red squigglies under the word, but you know what I mean. During the summer my sister said I stooped a bit as well (my Mum didn't see it) and I think she might be right. 

Originally she was going to give me medication to prevent me from getting migraines, but I felt that was a bit much. I only get two to three a year and the medication to combat it works a treat, so no need for more meds in my opinion. 

Thirdly: Brom. He is on his way home and I am expecting him every day! He has had a blast in Scotland, visiting castles and the sea and even going to the cinema. He met lots of people, did some cooking and I just want to thank Yamini for being such a great host and organising all those fantastic treats. 

Fourthly: Knit and purl. I am working on two projects at once right now. I need to finish some mice for Mice for Mama and I want to keep going on my poncho/cardy as well. So, I bought a new pair of scissors, another row counter, more of this and more of that. That way I can take one to work (the cardy) and keep the mice at home. 

And that's it. I don't think there is anything else that needs to updated. Of course if I am mistaken in that matter, I would like to hear from you in the kindest words possible. No screaming, no hollering, no shouting. And definitely no cursing, in whatever language!!

Photos taken at Burger's Zoo and Oudehands Dierenpark (both Netherlands) and Le Parc des Félins (France) in 2009 and 2010