Saturday, December 22, 2007

Whoosh

That is the sound of time flying by of late. My desire to blog wandered off last month following my desire to stitch which largely wandered off earlier in the year. My desire to stitch has returned thankfully as has the desire to post here. The lack of daylight here at present is making me want to sleep all the time but the shortest day has just passed so whilst the weather is cold and frosty, at least the days will get longer now.

Just after my last post, I spent a few days visiting York and I also went to the Harrogate knitting and stitching show. It was s cold whilst I was there and there was even a little snow. York is a great city to wander around on foot and there are lots of lovely shops to visit, including some knitting and stitching shops. The last time I visited, York Minister was being renovated but this year the work is nearly done so I was able to see it as it should be

The Minister in York

During a walk in a park in York, I came across some very friendly squirrels who ran up to me and seemed to want to pose for pictures.

A friendly York squirrel

I did buy a fair bit of sock yarn at the Knitting and stitching show but I also bought the book and yarn kit to knit Autumn rose by Eunny Lang, which is the loveliest fair isle jumper. I've never knitted fair isle before so this will be my challenge for 2008.

Earlier I mentioned that my desire to stitch has come back a bit. Whilst I was away, I got stuck into a couple of my long term WIPs and I've finished two recently.

Firstly Venice Windows 2

Venice Windows 2

And then a Country companions cover kit which was left half done in spite of being very small..

Tom mouse cover kit

At the moment, Christmas preparations are taking up most of my time outside work. I had big plans earlier in the year to stitch some Shepherds bush stockings for some of my family but that isn't going to happen this year. I've not even made up the stocking that I stitched for myself earlier this year. I did make a couple of presents though.

A stitched dress on a DMC doll for a small child of a friend. There wasn't much stitching in it.

Doll with stitched dress

And a little hat for the younger sister of the small child

Bunny tail hat

The hat is from a book called Itty bitty hats by Susan B. Anderson and its got some lovely baby hat patterns. I knitted another one earlier in the year for another baby - the Little pumpkin hat

Little pumpkin hat

My Christmas tree is up and ready for the season. I've only got one night shift to work this week on Sunday and I'm off on Christmas day this year thankfully. Even though this is my 4th Christmas in my flat, I've never woken up here on Christmas morning. The first year and third year I stayed at my mum's and the second year I was on night shift. This year I've decided that I will wake up here on Christmas morning and go over to my parents later. All the family are going to my mum's for Christmas dinner so there will be a full house. Usually I premake myself something for Christmas dinner as I haven't eaten meat or chicken/Turkey for 18 years. This is going to be different as earlier this year, my dad decided to stop eating meat and poultry so there will be fish on the menu for the two of us. My dad has spent the past couple of years studying Buddhism and he now feels that eating animals is wrong for him. Its come as a bit of a surprise to us all as he used to eat all sorts of meat including Venison.

12 comments:

Karoline said...

I like the jumper, the colours are lovely. Nice finishes especially the hats, I expect I'll 'have' to acquire 'Itty Bitty Hats' soon LOL

MandellaUK said...

You might have been quiet, but you've certainly been busy. Lots of lovely finishes for us to look at.

The Autumn Rose jumper is gorgeous. It might be your big project for next year but I'm certain you can do it!

Piglottie said...

Great photos! I love York, and am lucky that it is so near. I also love the Venice Windows design - its so different and so beautiful. And the hats are too cute :)

Have a wonderful Christmas!

debijeanm said...

Lovely to see you back, Paula! Just in time to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I had a chance to visit Shepherd's Bush this past summer and had a nice chat with our friends there about the retreat you had attended (yes, they remembered that you'd been there.) Our move to Utah is suspended pending an improvement in the American real estate market but the SB retreat is something I do look forward to attending sometime in the future.

I don't knit past knit and purl (although my Mom could certainly teach me) and am tempted for the first time by your little baby hats. How adorable!

The Silver Thistle said...

Just popping by to wish you and yours a VERY Merry Christmas!!

I'm loving your little Halloween display and shall have to find a suitable corner in my new house to do something similar! It's fab.

I'll have to see if I can find one of those little DMC dolls too.....she's just adorable.

Looking forward to hearing all your news in 2008!

Anonymous said...

What cute hats, Paula!

I love the picture of York - I love visting York when I'm in England.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Paula.

Mary said...

I've just recently found your blog. Love the two baby hats! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Seahorse said...

Gogrgeous finishes! I especially like the 'ears' hat!

Can't wait to see Autumn Rose in progress, it's a fabulous piece.

Your Dad sounds like a very interesting person (in a good way!).

Have a lovely Christmas :)

stitcherw said...

Glad to see you back, you've got some nice finishes to show for your time away. I especially like the Venice Window, his works are such fun. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Sue

Anonymous said...

Beautiful finishes. Merry Christmas!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Your stitching finishes are beautiful!

Dalesgirl said...

Those hats are gorgeous - think I might have to get itty bitty hats.

Seasons greeting to you and yours.

Samantha