Let's Go Fly a Kite!

It’s been extraordinarily busy around here, for some reason. Yes, you-know-what is on the horizon (altogether now, fingers in ears ‘Laalalalalaala’), but it’s really all the other things that go along with the end of the year and the end of the school year.

In the last week or so, we’ve had the election, we’ve had the Small Schools Sports Carnival (try saying that 3 times quickly, especially after a couple of glasses of wine – or summer evening G&Ts), where the Princess came second in the sack race and in the relay, was given a sticker for participating in the obstacle race and the running and everyone had a wonderful time. In 10 days we have the playgroup break-up and visit from Santa and before that the Circus show in the park – Princess will be in this – as a clown (it’s pretty funny just watching 10 five year olds try to do anything – they don’t even need to do anything overtly ‘funny’) and on a trapeze – yup – one term of circus school and she’s going to be on a trapeze – I will try and remember to take photos – I generally forget – I’m such a bad mother.

Yesterday, I ditched the editing and took the plastic kite from 2 dollar shop which ‘Santa’ left in a stocking last Christmas and has never been out of the packet and flew it outside. I ditched the editing (sorry, Amy), and ran outside and we flew the kite (it flew really well – let me recommend the crappy plastic kites which look like octopi and jellyfish to you), played ‘Grandmother’s Footsteps’, swung the children dizzingly around in the air, spun them and chased them and generally had a great parenting time!!

We’ve also had swimming lessons and general madness (from the children – I just yell when the decibels reach unacceptable levels.). I have nearly all my postable Christmas presents ready to go, and have to write overseas Christmas cards to assure those people we only contact at Christmas that we are actually still alive. This means that they should be awake to the possibility that we will descend upon them at some unspecified future date and act like a plague of locusts, while lolling on their best furniture and asking them to peel grapes for us.

The In/Out/Shake it all about Challenge continues (in a scaled down form – but just you wait for a couple of weeks).

IN
3 Knitting mags – Interweave Holiday (Yes, it finally arrived), Simply Knits – with attached calendar and the new Vogue Knitting
I’ve already admitted to all the Op-shopping and the Lush package
A Rowan Studio brochure
A Red Bird Knits sock kit for November. This is absolutely gorgeous and consists of 2 balls of Lana Grossa Meilenwieit yarn – wool, silk, cashmere and polywhatsit. Yum!! And the pattern is great – highly textured and detailed – pop over to the website and check it out!

OUT
8 military books (eBay)
1 Parcel children’s clothes – eBay
1 box of china and stuff - Lifeline
1 magnadoodle – binned
1 Large pile children’s artworks (sshhh – recycled or binned depending on materials)

To prove that I am, indeed, the sad and tragic person the Accountant believes me to be, I acted in an uncharacteristically organised way yesterday. All day I’d had a really bad pain in my abdomen. ‘Goodness,’ I thought ‘What if it is appendicitis? I should do something.’ So I pulled out some sock yarn, matched it to appropriate patterns, popped each kit into a ziplock bag and all the bags either into a big project bag (4) or the downstairs stash cupboard (6). Into the project bag I also popped my knitting essentials bag – DPNs, darning needles, tape measure, scissors, etc. etc). This took around half an hour. At the end of that time, I looked around and thought, ‘There, if I need to go to hospital, I’m ready!’

The more perceptive of you may have noticed that here is no mention of underwear, toiletries or changes of clothes. That is because all I need for a hospital trip is KNITTING! Apparently.

To round out today, I would like to thank Raven from Trampled by Geese. She has nominated me for the Nice Matters Award – oi! You down the back – stop snickering – the Award is ‘for those bloggers who are nice people; good friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspirations. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.’ Thank you so much Raven, I’m very honoured. I promise to use my awesome powers for good - and I'm really very chuffed that she thought about this blog that way. Thank you again!

I also get to nominate seven people for this award. Here they are, in no particular order.

Taph, for Unravelled. Her knitting for the homeless and efforts to declutter her life and live better are an inspiration;
Bells, cooking and knitting and inspiring all those people with the Southern Summer of Socks (especially the newbies we have caught in our (knitted) sock net)
Jejune for living her life caring for others
Rosered, for the SSoS and for initiating Shoesday (and sending me telepathic vibes forcing me to buy footwear
Alwyn, for her knitting lessons and philosophy and ‘can-do’ attitude
MadMad Housewife – for her sharp and witty take on life and always making me laugh
Nora, for sharing her aesthetic, and proving that a thing of beauty is a joy
And (because it’s always worth overdoing)
Happy Spider, because she inspires me and got me into this whole blogging thing anyway!

I’d love to nominate Raven back, but the rules say the love flows outward – so there you go – have fun with it!

And the Country Goes To.............

Australia is like a brand new country today, and I am really tired. I’m glad Little Johnny is gone, I hated what he did to Australia. He took the worst facets of the Australian character and magnified them into ugliness. Our friendship with the USA was turned into an unholy alliance in Iraq, our pride was turned into the worst type of Jingoism, our self reliance into selfishness and our aspirations into greed. What was worse, he made those seem OK. He worked hard to deliberately do these things and worse, he wanted the electorate dumb and compliant, and with the help of the media moguls and commercial television, he got it.

I’m glad he’s gone, and I’m even gladder that he looks like losing his own seat, and being the second Prime Minister since Federation to do so. And for those who study history – Bruce, the Prime Minister in 1929 who lost his seat, also lost it over industrial relations – he tried to push through a constitutional amendment to get rid of the then Industrial Relations court and incipient commission and take the States’ Industrial powers. He lost the amendment, the election and his seat. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, eh?

I worked all day yesterday as an election official in charge of a polling booth. I work at a little school (60 students) in the country, with a fabulous principal and nothing but paddocks around. The school was having a working bee, a sausage sizzle and a cake stall. There were only 2 of us working in the booth, but lots of people around and kids playing. The booth is solidly Liberal, busy in the morning and at lunch time with farmers and workers and people dropping in on their way to sport and dancing. Same faces every time.

It’s 10 minutes from home (a good thing at 6.55 am for a 7am start!), it’s always quiet in the afternoon, and I always take my knitting and a book. I got lots of the swing jumper done, bought a carrot cake, some almond slice (yum!!) and some savoury pinwheels. The Accountant brought the kids up to visit and for a play and a picnic lunch. It’s a nice day – but very long. I got home around 9pm after the counting was finished and listened to the result in the car on the way home. It would be nice if the Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate – I wonder if they could still stop the pulp mill going through?

The swing jumper is coming along nicely, as is the second secret sock. I have Bella in a project bag ready for lift off, and have ordered a teensy bit of Bendi wool (sales don’t count, do they?). I have also ordered some Helen’s Lace for Juno Regina – which I predict will be the next Clapotis, in terms of meme knitting (think Clapotis, think Monkey Socks, think Fetching and Dashing). You heard it here first!


IN

Pile of Top Kids magazines– Taph
Lots of kids clothes (attack of the Op-shops part 1,2 and 3)
2 tops for me
2 balls of Patonyle in a greeny sort of colour
4 balls of some Italian cotton that looked nice (it followed me home Mum, can I keep it?)
A big box from Lush – much of it for Christmas presents, lots for me – consider that I now have a year’s supply of soap, bubbles, shower jelly and gel and other bits and pieces
An apple spiral machine (for the kids, naturally)
A large gourmet cookware wok (gift from another de-clutterer)

OUT

Well, some gifts are ready to go – but they’ll go out next week and get reported at some future date
Tea cosy, 1 skein lovely yarn, 1 dishcloth, chocolate, tea and stuff (tea cosy swap pal)
Another 2 bags to lifeline
Another bag of Kids clothes on ebay

This was not a good week. I had an attack of the Oppies and ended up bringing in some stuff – mainly for children. There were sales at the up-market Red Cross shops this week, and the kids fared really well with designer clothes!

I ended up with 2 tops, and admit that I only really like one of them – so I am likely to re-cycle the second. I also bought a pair of gorgeous black linen pants which were to big for me, but they didn’t really touch down – passing through my hands and straight to another!

I have to go – I’m helping proof Amy’s latest book and have around 700 pages to go (in less than 2 weeks!!!!) No Pressure!!!

The Benefits of Patience

What’s been happening at Casa Tinkingbell, you ask? Well not a great deal this week, is the answer. I’ve been travelling with dishcloths (tucked in the lovely bag for little projects given to me by the lovely Ms 2Paw), having a nice time knitting (then frogging and re-knitting) the swing jumper in Silk Garden. I must have rather expensive tastes, because I seem to love yarn which includes cashmere, silk, alpaca, or angora. It’s a good thing I haven’t actually laid hands on any qiviut or I’d be a completely lost cause.

The Silk Garden feels a little stiff on the hands while knitting, but makes such a gorgeous fabric and drapes so beautifully, and you just know it will soften on washing. The colours are lovely – I’m really looking forward to wearing this jumper.

I’m also planning my next Bendi raid – I intend to collect just a bit of stash before the sale ends, and there are one or two lovely things from the current Interweave I have my eye on. There are also, truth be told, things from the last 6 issues of Interweave which I want, but all in good time.

Ms Rosered has been having long distance telepathic effects on me – when I went to the supermarket (small local supermarket, not large national chain) I popped into the ladies wear section of the sister shop and ended up putting 2 pairs of shoes on layby). Very similar style and different colourways, but the last thing I should do!!

I am waiting for the new Knitpicks from Donyale. And for the election to be over. And for Christmas (once again, feel free to stick your fingers in your ears and go “Lalalalalalalala” is you are in a state of denial about that one). I’m waiting for the school year to end and for parties to begin. I’m waiting for holidays and summer and fresh berries and cherries and champagne and sunny days and beaches and barbies and feeling like sunshine and fresh air. And for picnics and excursions and summer clothes.



The de-cluttering continues:

IN

1 pair of Rivers clogs for Princess
1 pr Rivers clog mary janes for me
5 balls yummy yarn (destined for gifts)
1 Interweave Knits
1 Yarn magazine (sob!)
10 balls of Kureyon from Hong Kong
2 small Christmas presents for Santa to give to kids at playgroup
Equipment for Christmas presents (no specifics)
1 book from the market


OUT
1 pair of elderly bathers (yup – the third pair gone)
1 bra - binned
3 more pairs of knickers, elastic gone, binned
1 pair elderly shoes
3 bags of stuff for Lifeline
2 more boxes of books (Fete- at the last minute!)
1 tea cosy, 1 ball yummy wool, 1 dishcloth, other assorted goodies (tea cosy swap)
2 boxes for Lifeline – 1 of crockery and 1 of kitchen stuff

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT
1 top recycled for use as a pajama top
3 pairs of tights turned into pois for Princess by cutting the legs off and inserting tennis balls in the toes - the remains will be used for holding up tomato plants!
1 dress recycled to the dressing up box!
5 little bits of leftover fabric recycled for dollhouse curtains and sheets

Still more stuff going out than coming in, and more yet to go!!

Just a little post - and a lot of photos (and some FOs)!

This is the view of the commercial iris farm at Table Cape on Tasmania's North West Coast. This farm grows tulips, irises and oriental (Christmas) lillies. The tulips are almost finished now and the lillies yet to bloom - but the irises would make Vincent Van Gogh swoon - and the smell is divine.

We had a day out a couple of weeks ago and went to visit the lighthouse here - the irises were merely a lucky bonus!

This is the parcel a lucky tea cosy swap pal will be receiving in a few days (Australia Post willing!).

This is a secret sock - I only have one so far and have just cast on for number 2. The design and pattern are being polished and will go off to a certain on-line knitting magazine in the next few weeks!

Here are 4 felted buttonhole bags. I think I may have mentioned that I love this pattern - less than 2 evenings knitting per bag, and then felting - all but one of these are destined for giftdom.

Here is the beginning of the second swing jumper from the lovely Black-Dog-Knits ink flared sweater design. I'm knitting it in Silk Garden and there is some turquoise in some of the balls - I'm saving them for the front) the other colours are fire and metal - bronze, copper, orange, gold, yellow, rust - yummy! The silk garden is lovely to knit with - I bought it from an American ebay shop and it feels both extravagant and luxurious to make a jumper from it!

Hope to have a proper post over the weekend (or Monday at the latest!). Enjoy the weekend!

The Carnival is Over...

Well, the school fete is a thing of the past. The money has been spent by the punters, sorry, parents and raised for the school, the grounds are tidy, and the money counted. My feet are back to normal, and because the planning meetings are finished, my social life has been halved.

Because we were pretty well organised, rubbish-wise, there was very little litter. Much less than a rock concert or sporting event, probably a little more than a lawn bowls match. Easy clean up.

I have finished my tea cosy for the swap, and will get it away tomorrow or Wednesday (if I have the address). I have bought the Christmas presents which need to go overseas and may try to write overseas Christmas cards this week.

So last night, exhausted and footsore, I had to decide what to knit. Should I try to finish my travelling sock (ptooey!), cast on the second secret sock (with my brain?) or cast on the Silk Garden for another Swing Jumper – gorgeous simplicity, beautiful yarn, occasional counting? Guess which won? Yup, Silk Garden Swing Jumper it was. Lovely easy knitting on largish needles, beautiful yarn. Happy as a clam.

This morning I got to catch up on your lives and found that Amy had tagged me for this meme. So here are what I would laughingly describe as responses to these questions (read on – you may be tagged at the end!)

1. One person who made me laugh – Amy for making me do this meme after I had read it on everyone else’s blog and laughed because I hadn’t been tagged (Yarning to write is alphabetically last in my (mostly) daily blog check). Serves me right!
2. What was I doing at 0800? Making lunch for The Accountant to take to work and hoping the kids wouldn’t wake up for 3 more hours! Hey, I can dream!
3. What was I doing 30 minutes ago? Watching ‘Bear in the Big Blue House’ – What, you missed it? Well. The otters dressed up for Halloween, and Bear said we smelled like pumpkins……
4. What did I do in 2006? Isn’t it still 2006? AArgh..then um.. I can’t remember – Was a mother, did stuff – OOOHHHH yes – became obsessed with knitting after re-discovering it in May 2006 – see what knitting a little hat, then some mittens can lead you into? First it’s the soft stuff, mittens, hats, then it’s socks and finally, you’re into the hard stuff – lace knitting, subscribing to Interweave Knits. It’s a slippery slope, guys!
5. Last thing I said aloud? ‘What’s the rolling bounce thing?’ (It was the sofa – 3 minutes before that it was ‘NNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!’
6. Beverages? Only 1 latte so far, but I’m just about to make another one.
7. What colour is my hairbrush? Hairbrush coloured – sort of browny black, with fluff in it.
8. Last thing I paid for? 2 beanie kids, 2 showbags, entry to the fairy tent, 2 giant bubble wands, a yoghurt semolina cake and a small wood fired pizza. And he asks where the money goes!
9. Where was I last night? That would be home, exhausted after selling beanie kids at the fair and then helping clean up afterwards! (Besides, I have 2 small children – 5 and 3 – I’m home almost every night!)
10. Front door colour? Ox Blood red with etched glass and a light smattering of dust and cobwebs.
11. Where do I keep my change? In my wallet and the ashtray in my car – and in my children’s hot little hands!
12. What’s the weather like today? Sunshine, late spring, going to be 21 decrees Celsius (no idea in Fahrenheit) warm, slight breeze, sunny – fabulous!
13. Best ice cream flavour? Well, had lemon the other night, and a few nights ago had macadamia, caramel and toffee. Last night was ultra chocolate with cherry and yesterday at the fair was frozen raspberries and cherries smoooshhhedd through vanilla – they’re ALL my favourite – just not any combination of chocolate and mint. The other night on ‘The Cook and the Chef’ they made Halva, mint and pistachio ice cream – that could be a favourite. I like ice cream!
14. What excites me? Having 5 minutes to myself, a quiet house and time to knit. Or great wine, beautiful food and great company. My children on a good day, my husband and a picnic. Sun. Fresh air. Winter fires. Someone else doing the housework. My standards are low. Lots of things work.
15. I want to cut my hair? Nup – did that, growing it back long again – short hair needs too much work. Long hair just needs a brush and a big toothy clip thingy.
16. Am I over the age of 25? Dear me, I’m so far over that if I were a bit older I’d be talking about the blitz and how much worse things were during the depression and how kids today are…. Sorrry. I’ll stop now.
17. Do I talk a lot? Oh no, reticent, quiet, obedient, that’s me. Oh alright – never stop, chat to children, dogs, cats, chickens and occasional adults if they don’t get out of range in time. I’m practicing to be one of those people who corners you on buses and in places you can’t escape from and talks at you about my operations and children and what the voices tell me to do. Ye Gods, I could talk for Australia, and if they’d make it an Olympic sport I could say I was in training!
18. There seems to be no 18
19. Do I know anyone named Steve? Lots of them, in most variations, Steven, Stephen, Steve and Stefan.
20. Do I make up my own words? I certainly do, and if I can’t invent one, then I turn to Douglas Adams and ‘The Meaning of Liff’, because he’s got a whole stack of great ones in there.
21. Am I a jealous person? About family, yes. About anything else, not really – I see it as an opportunity to learn from people better/different from me – think rivalry, and occasionally, gentle envy.
21. Name a friend who starts with the letter A. Amy – she made me do this, it’s only fair she’s named in it.
22. Name a friend who starts with the letter K. My sister in law, Kaye – we all adore her.
23. Who’s the first person on my ‘Received Calls list? That requires a cell phone which actually gets turned on.
24. The last text message I received? See above.
25. Do I chew on my straw? I don’t think so – I would however, try to knit it.
26. Do I have curly hair? Boo Hoo – no I don’t, but wish I did and the proof is a series of bad perms. Now I just live with straightish, slightly wavy, boring hair.
27. Where’s the next place I’m going to? Kitchen for coffee, then laundry for washing then outside to the clothesline….should I go on?
28. Who is the rudest person in my life? My children, hands down. Tact and diplomacy are foreign countries to them
29. What was the last thing I ate? A piece of organic wholemeal toast with berry jam. In a better life it would have been eggs Benedict with chilled champagne and fresh peaches and raspberries and grapes. Bah, humbug!
30. Will I get married in the future? Certainly not. Far too much effort, I’ll stick with the one I married last time, thanks.
31. The best movie I’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? Pan’s Labyrinth (again) And ‘The Princess Bride’ (Again to the nth power)
32. Is there anyone you like right now? My family, my friends and blogpals, and I’m a bit inclined to like Eduardo Verastegui. This is Nora’s fault. Take it up with her.
33. Did I cry today? Not yet, but the kids are working on it!
34. Why did I answer and post this? Because Amy tagged me and I’m a good person who does what I’m told. And if you believe that, have I got a deal for you…. No, I got tagged and thought it would be fun.
35. Tag 5 people I would like to see do this survey. Well…..
Ms Trampled by Geese

Ms Mad, Mad Housewife

Bells

Knights-Don’t-Knit

Ms 2Paw,

and Rosered (because anything worth doing is worth overdoing!)

I'm sure they'll have fun!
That’s it for today. I’m off to put the washing out and play with kids and roll in my stash. No, clean the house – ha – got you – of course I’m not going to clean the house! We’re going to play outside and get covered in grass stains!

Avoiding your Fete

Well, the In, Out, Shake it all about challenge is still going (I’m looking forward to Christmas, because there are likely to be far more ‘Outs’ than ‘Ins’ and I refuse to count anything that comes in as presents for the children, but in the interests of fairness I will count everything that comes in for me – I have a slightly unfair advantage here, being married to a man who is crap at presents. The Accountant is very busy and hates shopping – I received NO PRESENTS AT ALL FROM HIM FOR MY 45TH BIRTHDAY – nothing, nada, zip – This has remained on the score sheet since my birthday back in January and will remain an unspoken threat until and unless he redeems himself at both Christmas and my next birthday – and possibly for a decade or so afterwards).

IN

Knitting patterns – a pile from my step mother – some may be passed on to a certain collector, but I’m not sure many are in good enough condition!
2 pairs trousers for me (op shop)
2 tops for me (op shop)
2 Knitting books (Vogue ultimate knitters book and Knitting on the edge – Yarns Online sale)
Package from Yarnbow (shhhh – it’s a secret)
Another package from the USA (Sssh)
1 Filati knitting mag (because it was there!)
1 pair shoes each for Destructo Boy and the Princess
2 DVDs (Desperate Housewives –ohh alright it’s a boxed set –picky, picky – and Bridge to Terebithia)
10 balls Anchor Magicline, 2 balls Jet, 1 10mm circ – Doomlight of Spot
3 presents – lovely 2paw
Present for sponsored child in Philippines
Some other Christmas related items which we will speak of later
DVD Veronica Mars series 1


OUT

3 boxes books
1 bag stuff for Lifeline
1 bag of WeeNees nappies – Lifeline
2 bags childrens clothes - sold on ebay
1 pair favourite shoes – binned (sniff, sob)
2 elderly pairs of bathers – mine – now binned (stretched, no longet even resembling my shape – not that there’s a lot to resemble!)
3 large bags of plastic bags – School Fete for packing


SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT
Not much here except for some cotton socks with holes which have become dusters. You put your hand inside and they’re great for corners and skirting boards – even better when damp!

We had the last Fete meeting last night and will spend Saturday setting up, Sunday at the Fete (starting at 7.30am – My Lordie!!) and today was Princess’s swimming lesson. Apart from one or two mad panics and related thrashing and screaming, she went very well.

I have pointed out to my co-workers on the Fete that I am not good at mornings. I think I have mentioned before that I am a bad sleeper. I have had very little sleep for the last 4 nights and I always seem to get my best sleep between about 6 and 7am. This hour is precious to me, and the thought of having to give up most of it for the shower – dress – make-up – breakfast ordeal that will be Sunday morning is a less than delightful prospect!

Once the Fete is over I will also have lost my main method of disposing of crap – sorry, of my de-cluttering operation. I’m rather concerned that I will also have lost the impetus – that I had to get boxes of stuff out of the house by a certain date. I hope not.

In knitting news, I have finished the fourth buttonhole bag and tonight will cast on for a tea cosy. If I get this finished in 2 evenings – which I hope I will, although I realise that this is tempting the Knitting Goddess, I will cast on my second secret sock (or possibly the Silk Garden Jumper depending on my mood!).

So much knitting, so little time!

Stash, Joy and Instant Gratification!

I adore instant gratification. In fact, sometimes even instant gratification takes too long! But currently I am in the midst of gift knitting – a situation necessitated by the fact that Christmas is not actually very far away (cowardly readers, please put your fingers in your ears now and go ‘LaLa La la alalalalalalalalala’ for the rest of this post). Others, read on for some ideas.

Firstly, can I recommend to you the fabulous Buttonhole Bag from Mason-Dixon Knits. It takes around 3 hours to knit one (I’m currently on my fourth in a week!). It is deeply satisfying and the Lamb’s Pride Bulky that I bought on sale at Yarns Online much earlier this year (supposedly for slippers and stuff) has met its destiny in a series of bags. I haven’t felted them yet (but intend to in a few days), but have felted the Lamb’s Pride before and feel fairly confident doing so again.

Unfortunately, I’ve used up all my stashed Lamb’s Pride Bulky (although I have some worsted left) and am finishing of the last bag with 3 strands of Jet knitted together. I may have to buy some Cascade bulky or knit smaller bags with different wool and smaller needles – a 10mm circ is hard to beat for fast knitting!

So I have managed to denude some stash wool and obviously feel deeply virtuous about this. In addition to the bags, I am knitting my third dishcloth/facecloth in a week. Although the first one used the feather and fan pattern, the next two I have returned to my simple basketweave pattern.

Basketweave dishcloth:

1 ball Anchor Magicline Cotton
4mm circ

Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches (I generally find 52 is about right).
Knit 4 rows
Next row (establish pattern). Row 1: K4 *P4 K4* repeat until last 4 sts, K4
Row 2: K4, *K4, P4 * repeat to last 4 sts K4 (PS This works for 48 or 56 sts – if you decide on 52 you’ll just have to adapt)
Repeat once more, then rep Row 1 again (5 rows pattern)
Now Change to second basketweave. Other than the 4 sts each end which are always knitted (garter stitch border), you’ll be knitting the purls and purling the knits, so

Row 1: K4, *K4, P4 * repeat to last 4 sts, K4
Row 2: K4, *P4 K4* rep to last 4 sts, K4

Once again, rep these rows then row 1 again

Keep doing this, switching every 5 rows until either you get sick of it, or you’re nearly out of cotton. Then Knit 4 rows and cast off. Try to leave enough of a tail to crochet in chain stitch for about 2-3 inches (5-7cms), join up to make a ring and weave in ends. That’s it, you’ve made a dishcloth with a little loop for hanging up!


I’m making stacks of these as my travelling knitting currently. I stick the ball in my pocket – having centre pulled it – and knit. If I need to I run the stitches to the centre of the circ and stick that in my pocket too, whenever I have to do motherly stuff.

I knocked one of these off during some driving on Monday (no, I was a passenger – I haven’t yet perfected the art of knitting while actually driving the car – although I’m pretty good at knitting and walking!), and finished it off while spending an hour selling raffle tickets for the school fete.

The Fete has rather taken over my life, and I will be glad on Sunday evening when it’s all over. While I am happy to do its public relations and write copy for papers and radio stations, I’ll be even happier when I get those bits of my life back. And if I think it’s bad for me, I don’t think the P & F President has slept for a month!

In addition, once the last bag is finished (I’ll be sad when I give them away), I’ve a tea cosy to knit (for the swap) and the second secret sock to finish. By which time it will be the election and I’ll be working all day – this means knitting time!

Then it’s almost Christmas and proper summer and I can do some recreational knitting for a while!





Just before I forget, the No Guilt Stash Manifesto has been adopted in Casa Tinkingbell! If I can’t get the button to work, pop over to Bells to read the manifesto!

No Guilt Stash Manifesto


I will neither defend nor apologize for my stash. My yarn brings me joy, and therefore brings others in my life joy.

Through my hands I do good in the world. I knit with love for friends, family, and strangers. Yarn is my medium.

I promise not to let my stash acquisition interfere with personal relationships or financial health; yet neither will I give in to pressure from significant others to reduce my stash.

I will not judge others' stash. I can admire it, be inspired by it, even covet certain skeins, but it is not my place to pass judgment on quantity or quality.

I recognize that stash management is personal. I fully intend to knit my beautiful yarns, but I refuse to be guilted into doing so on anyone's schedule other than my own.

I understand that it may take many years for a yarn to reveal its destiny, and that yarns that have been in my stash for a seemingly long time just haven't met their correct pattern. I won't feel guilty about this.

I also recognize that yarn can have many destinies. It can be a reminder of a special trip, a friend, a time in one's life. It can be comfort or inspiration. It doesn't always need to be knitted to fulfill its destiny. I accept that some yarns in my possession may never be knit by me.

I believe in the karmic properties of stash. I willingly share with other knitters, and I realize the stash, like love, will grow when it is shared.

How Many Shopping Days Till Christmas?

Well, those Saturdays just keep on rolling around, don’t they – how many Saturdays are left till Christmas (not counting today)? Six, that’s how many – six!

Now I mentioned my problem with times stealers before – so whoever has around 3 months of my year, confess now, and I’ll be lenient!

Yup, six Saturdays till Christmas – and only 1 till the school fair. On the other hand, that’s only 10 Saturdays until I get my first Blue Moon Fibre (sorry, Fiber) Arts Rockin’ Sock Club kit!!

That’s right – the RSC for 2008 will have me attempting to keep up with kit knitting! Given that my Sock club kit knitting performance has been fairly dismal to date (Red Bird kits: 3; Tinkingbell knitting said kits - 0 ), this may be a little bit of a challenge!

But I am very excited about this – given that I begged and pleaded with them for 6 months or so, sending ever more plaintive emails – think of me as a pity membership!

The other even more exciting news was my meeting with Ms 2Paw in the flesh (for some reason my keyboard had 3 tries at making that ‘in the fleas’!) She is, of course, absolutely lovely and remarkably kind and composed in the face of a full scale onslaught by the monsters – sorry, delightful small children. We chatted, chatted and chatted (see? A Yarn of knitters?), discussed books and dogs and slipped in the odd knitting related comment.



It was a lovely time and I hope to repeat the experience very soon. (She, of course, may not be so keen, given the general rambunctiousness of said children!). As an example of her graciousness, she had made presents for us – The Princess received a beautiful bag (she is still trying to find the perfect contents for it and had to be restrained from shoplifting to fill it), gorgeous chickens for Destructoboy, which he has decided to share with the Accountant, and a lovely (and sparkly) Christmassy sock project bag – who couldn’t love so talented a blogpal?

I also slipped into the Doomlight of Spot and overdosed ever-so-slightly on Anchor Magicline, which was $1.00 a ball (note to self – everyone gets dishcloths – again!)

Before bed last night (and especially due to a couple of hours of driving), I actually have 2 finished objects – one finished (but as yet unfelted) Buttonhole Bag (gift) and what I believed whiule I was knitting it, to be a dishcloth, but is actually, I am informed, a face washer for the Princess.



You really can’t pick it, can you? Sometimes objects just have their own destiny.