Study or Store Room !!

Last weekend was spent chasing around for some new shelves to match existing ones in the study. Fortunately a 60 mile round trip and 5 minutes before the store closed we located some.. So for a few days, at least I have a few empty shelves... rarely known in a house of hoarders!! This also gave me the opportunity to re-arrange my wool stash which is now displayed and waiting to be transformed.

Emergency Surgery

Meet Pandy. He has been my soul mate since 1957. I have had guilt feelings about his inability to see the world as we do for quite a while, but time has been against us. Last weekend I decided enough was enough and after a visit to ebay to get a new shinny set of eyes I decided to go all out and perform open head surgery. I think the result was reasonably good and although I am not an expert Pandy can now enjoy television and simply watching the world go by........

I have been spending most of the winter knitting beanie hats. The two above are my latest. The one on the left has a brim made from 100% silk. The silk is the remnants from a silk factory. The threads are collected by Nepalese women who hand spin the fragments to make the yarn. It is quite heavy to work with but I was happy with the results knowing that it is unique and will not only make a friend warm but contribute to better conditions for the women who work hard to provide for their families in difficult conditions. I hope you like the results.

Ethics and wool purchase.

I have been quite stringent as regards to purchases (not only wool) but food and supplies. Its not a new thing with me, since I married in 1974 I have always insisted: buy british and only further afield if the product wasn't available locally.
However, having watched Kevin Mcleouds programs based in India and the standards of living and conditions the people are living in I wonder if my policies have been correct. To see how these people work for £1.00 a day and their conditions, makes you reconsider priorities in life. Perhaps we should re-consider the whole ethical principles currently adopted by the middle classes of the UK and look at the whole picture ?

Well I had intended putting a picture of our new roller blind just finished with a little help from himself, however I got a little diverted by a beautiful Orchid which has just come into bloom. This was bought as a birthday gift June 2008 for me and it flowered continually for around 12 months. After a few months rest it has blossomed again.
Anyway back to the blind. Having looked around at the prices for a 2mtr roller blind (and the 365 day challenge) I decided to buy the material from ebay (£17.50) and have a go at making my own. We cannibalised the existing blind and a few hours later a new dotty blue and white blind. Unique and a third of the price.

Time moves on

Where have the weeks gone. Life has just been manic over the last few weeks. The start of a new job (and the 3 hours commuting each day), has left me drained. Add to the equation two forthcoming exams ( 3 1/2 & 4 hours long) and all the revision that goes with it and I just don't seem to have any time at the moment. Tonight I decided it was time to put it all to the side and catch up with blogland. How envious am I to see all the great things you have been making. All the studying has put life on hold as far as crafting goes. I have been buying some beautiful wools off eBay including angels and elephants 100% alpaca and cant wait to get knitting again. I have also treated myself to some Sirdar Click and am looking forward to starting a cardigan. But not until after 16th Dec. (my final exam).
So to all you creative people out there, keep photographing and blogging because while at times you think no one is reading your blog People like myself are reading and getting inspiration and solice in the knowledge that crafting is alive and well.

Update on my 365 day challenge.

Well its been quite a productive week and I have been very good with my 365 day challenge. I had one very slight lapse however!! Hubby and I went away for the weekend. Unfortunately in the rush to leave we only packed half of my clothes. While I managed to get around most of the items, I had to buy some socks and undies. Andy assured me that he would take the purchases into consideration when planning my Christmas present. So it looks like Santa's sack wont be quite so full this year!!
The challenge has given me lots of ideas for xmas presents so I have been crocheting and looking at recipe books. Cant give too much away as I know my mum looks at my blog and I don't want her to know about the multi coloured knitted socks !!