Long Update

I have been knitting. I swear it! Just my progress has been slow becuase MS3 isnt a portable (well for me anyways!) project. It requires that I carry around the charts and pay CLOSE attention and well I just cant be doing with all of that becuase one mistake is a HUGE heartache for me and just sitting on the couch Ive made 2! YIKES!!! I put "lifelines" in every 10 rows on the rs rows just to make things slightly easier if I make a mistake and both mistakes I made those came in handy!! Even if they were right on the ninth row and I had to go back all 8 previous rows! This Malabrigio Merino Laceweight yarn that I am using is also a pain in the backside to rip back which is why I am putting them in at all!! and lets not forget this is my first proper all over really lacey I cant wait to finish it project that I am doing! :)
Oh whats that how far have I actually gotten? Well only to the end of clue 3. :) I am really slow on this for some reason... Sorry.... But heres some pics to make you happy, or well they make me happy just goes to show its really going to be PRETTY!! (to me!)

There is a closeupish of finished clue two and three I meant to take pictures after I finished clue two last week some time but just kept knitting into clue three and thought oh bugger it Ill just wait till both are finished THEN take a picture... :) So that is what Ive done... :) I really like the way the purples move to greys then to blacks and back again its really going to look great drapped across my back... and I will be lengthening this stole as well. Only because I prefer longer things to make sure it wraps properly around my shoulders and lets not forget I also have LOADS of yarn still left over. After clue three and with having to throw (dont kill me people) some of it away becuase it was in such a knotted mess from trying to rip it out I still have some of the first skein left and plus the other two that I ordered along with it. So Ive got plenty to be able to lengthen. :)

Heres a picture of all three clues together. Ive only pinned it out quickly on the bed. I will do a proper block once all is finished. :) But you still get the picture of the way it will be looking. I am VERY proud of myself for not giving up on this after something like 2 or 3 false starts of having to rip and then abandon each of those goes and then after the two bad mistakes of needing to rip back to my lifelines. Plus I have had a couple tiny mistakes when I just had to go back to the beginning of the row and restart that row. But I want to finish this stole that I am willing to suffer! HAHAHA

Now what else have I been up to your wondering other then knitting I am sure. Well last month (yep its been a month and I am only NOW showing you!) I got new glasses. I got 2 pairs from specsavers as they are running a promotion of 2 for 1. My first pair are similar in look to the last pair that Ihad that no one noticed I got new glasses not even Mark! haha and heres my other pair....

I swear they are purple! but after the flash and resizing they look slightly brownish they arent...
Can you tell I also got my hair cut?? well I did! :D But these out of the two are my favorite glasses I got! WOO HOO!!!.... I did get them with transition lenses at first then I got them brought them home and took them back the same day. They never go completely clear. I wasnt told that! And I dont want to be in a store or sitting on the couch watching telly with slightly tinted glasses it drove me nuts for the 3 hours I had them on. The guy offered I keep them for a week to see if I could get used to them. And bless his sweet soul I ended up laughing in his face. I didnt mean to... But I am the sort of once I dont like it and its not what I thought it was going to be I DONT WANT IT! so they had to go back I had to wait a week they put in clear lenses and now I am a happy bunny who is sporting a new hair cut and a wicked pair of purple geeky glasses... what more can you ask for?? HAHAHAHA

Mark sister came over from Australia this month as well, shes gone back now though.. The first day we went over to see her after saying hello her first question to me was "Jenn could you please make me a sweet potato pie before I go?" OF COURSE I SAID YES!!! When I told my mom I made one she laughed and pointed out my flaw. I didnt make one because she asked, I made one becuase I knew what was in it for me... SWEET POTATOES!!! YUM!!!!!

First step boil with skins on until tender and pokeable with a fork.
Let cool and peel skins off. Cut in 4 bits.

Lay in pan with little tabs of butter over each tater. Pour loads of honey on them and cover in brown sugar cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg. Add a bit more honey and brown sugar for good luck. AHAH...
Bake in oven I think I did mine for about 45 minutes and the oven was around 190C
You can eat some of them now if you want to (I ate two little slices (half a sweet tater) ) Stick in the fridge over night. I left mine two nights because I knew we werent going over until the Wednesday. the longer they are left they better I think it ends up tasting I wouldnt leave them a week though!
But some pie crusts or make them if you want to! (I forgot to take pictures of these parts)
Take your sweet taters and throw them into a bowl and mash them with their gooey sugar mess until all smashed up together. Add a can of condensed milk some more brown sugar(not alot) and some cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a couple handfuls of flour an egg if you want (I forgot to for these) and mix. You want to add your flour until it thickens up the mixture a bit.
Pour them into your pie crusts bake in the over at about 190 until golden brown. again I think mine was around an hour. Let cool take to Marks sister smile when she gets excited and know that you only made it so you could eat sweet taters yourself! HAHAA

That is the finished pie. They are SO YUMMIE!! I ended up eating another half a tater while I was making the pie so it was one tater per pie and I made 2. One for her, and one for me. Hey you have to have SOME perks to baking for others dont you?!?! and anyways she ended up leaving the next day because she got her flights confused... OOPS! Hopefully she was able to eat some of the pie (like most of it) before she had to go.....
Can you ship food to australia?!?!?!?

Question and Answer time SP11

Here are my answers to the questions...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like em soft and yummie.. Merino is really nice... I dont like scratchy stuff!! (akrylic or high content of akrylic really makes my hands itch!)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case my SP9 gifted me that I use. :)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for the last I think 3 or 4? years now and I taught myself. I would consider myself intermediate to advanced with always more to learn! :)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No I dont.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Cinnamon spicey things, Vanilla, fresh baked breads and cookies..

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES.... I am not sure what my fav is any more I just grab what I fancy on the day. But can I just say I do miss Honey Grahm Crackers (even if they arent candy)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I like to sew. I have a spindle but I havent used it since xmas.. OOPS! I really must get back to that huh? :) And I love baking as well. :)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Country, Easy Listening, Pop, Hip Hop, Alternative... All really. :) And yes it does.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Pastels and earthy tones.. I cant stand bright neon colours.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my wonderful partner Mark. :) No pets.. :(

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves and mittens, I only wear hats if its REALLY COLD other then that I think I look a fool in them....

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Pair of Monkey socks on the go, and MS3 stole while at home.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course I do! I think its lovely! :)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular needles lately... They are easier to drag around with you. and it doesnt matter what they are made of. :)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No I dont.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I dont have any... Any UFOS Ive since ripped out....

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas. :)

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Do books count? :) Actual collectors material no.. theres nothing at the moment.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Scarf Style, VICTORIAN LACE TODAY, and thats all I can think of. :) I buy Vouge Knitting, Interweave knits, and the Rowan Mags.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not that I can think of at the moment?

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes I am, I will have to come back to you I have it wrote down somewhere.

23. When is your birthday?
December 23rd. :)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes I am and theres a link to me over in the side. :)

SP11

http://sp11.blogspot.com/

The sign ups started and they end on July 31st! I signed up are you gonna?

My Winners

Okay last week Andy gave me this

Now I am supposed to pass it on to five other bloggers as well. Ive been thinking about who I wanted to givethis award to. I dont want to give it to just anyone I wanted to give it to people I though really deserved it....
So my five who I think deserve the Rockin Girl Blogger Award are....
(Drum roll please!)

1. The H Factor - So I never say anything on her blog, and she doesnt knit, but she bakes, or so she says! And shes funnier then hell, well to me.... She gets the award, if you can make me laugh at 7am then your worth an award!
2. Love Of Knitting - She knits, loves roller coasters, and lives in Inianda which is a neighbor of Ohio where I was born... (dont know why that matters, but it does!)
3. Hell and High Water - I love going here to see what adventures shes gotten into with her little boy. Found by accident and glad. :) A journey for her and her hubby that was well worth it in the end and gives hope to other (well it does!)
4. Melly & me - They sew some of the CUTEST little toys and I love going to see what they have made.
5. Flossie Knits - I just love going to see what new baby gifts she knits. They are always so cute! :)

MS3 Clue 1

I have FINALLY completed clue 1 on MS3!!! I cant believe its taken so LONG......

However that is entirely my fault! :( I messed up on row 80 something couldnt figure out WHERE and had NO lifelines :( So I had to rip the entire thing out... Now this yarn isnt easy to rip out!! I am so glad in the end I got three skeins because I just tossed the old one to the side and recasted on this one and started completely fresh! :) I did make a couple of mistakes but was able to go back and fix those...


Its badly pinned down to the bed but I will do a better job at blocking this sucker. :) I cant wait to start clue 2!! I know clue 4 is out and I am really thinking I could catch up over the next two weeks, WE WILL SEE!.... Ive been putting in a lifeline every 10 rows, you only see one here because I took the other one out and set it to the side while taking the pictures. But thats the center of clue 1 its pretty huh?


Just because I can shot really.... This is also more like the colour of the actual stole. I really like it. Even if I did want a black one I think the slate gray and purple make it prettier since I decided not to go with beads. I cant wait to get more of this knit. This yarn is a DREAM to knit with even if its a b***h to rip out....
Off to go knit!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(btw Amy, yes its the Knitpicks Bare that you sent me, no I havent dyed it YET)

2 for the price of 1

We have a two in one here folks so sit back and enjoy for your veiwing pleasure a load of pictures! :)
First up we have my finished pair of little monkeys! Oh how fun they were, and you know they didnt once try to jump out of my bag, yes they tried to jump off the needle but I grabbed them by their tales and put them nicely back on! :)

This was my first time using Regia sock yarn, and you know what, I actually enjoyed it! :) I loved looking at all the pretty colours as they were coming out. I now want to go buy more so I can make MORE socks and even make Mark a pair (or two! not of monkeys though!)

They took me about a week a sock but I did have a bit of a break in between the socks because I was doing some stuff for Mark. But alot of these were knitted while waiting in lines and taking busses to go get my groceries... I now realise why people love knitting socks they really are EASY to drag around with you and they behave themselves normally as well. :)

I loved the twisted rib on the cuff, but I want my next pair (because you know I need more!) to be the picot edged monkeys, I just think those are cute and girly! :) I have some sock yarn that Amy gifted me over SP9 that I would like to use.... Soon!

This was also the first time for AGES that I actually FINISHED two socks from the top down, all of my socks have been toe up so far because I get to the heel flap and then the instep and just stop knitting, but not these, I ENJOYED that! But I did use just one circular needle. I think I will try to do two socks at once next, mind you I didnt mind doing one at a time this time either...

I have no holes around my picked up stitches either, but I wouldnt be able to give these to a pro because I did have to pick up a couple extra stitches in order to make sure there were no holes nad they would be able to spot it, thank goodness I aint to fussed and think they look good just the way they are huh? :)

Me and grafting do NOT get along in fact every time grafting and I come into the same room together you hear the start of WW3.... so not good! Instead I thought Ill show you grafting! And completely ignored it and did a 3 needle bind off instead. Okay yes I do have a bit of an edge tickling my toes but you know what these socks are so lovely and comfy I dont even notice that!
So theres my MONKEY socks. Knit on one 2.5mm circular needle one at a time. Used Regia 5440 and I really loved the colours in that one... :) I promise they dont look so orange-red it is pretty....
Now on two the second thing! :D
I FINALLY GOT MY PARCEL TURN UP FROM GET KNITTED! WOO HOO! They ran out of the colour that I had orginally ordered and I didnt see their email until the next day or I probably would have gotten my stuff on Tuesday.. :( I knew I should have checked my email more often on Monday.. hehe....
I ended up getting Malagrigo in colour Black Forest 179, instead of the Pearl Ten 69 colour way. But you know what I dont mind, I thought both of them were pretty and had a hard time picking between the two so I am happy either way with getting the Black Forest. I also got the newest KnitScene that is out, theres the intarsia top in there that I would really like to make. :) Anyways you just want to see the pictures dont you? :)

There it is without the flash, and can I just say OMG this yarn is BEAUTIFULLY SOFT!!!

Here it is in the sunlight and I think the flash went off as well? You know I cant remember I took these last night before Mark got home from work.

And Chart A of the MS3 knitalong.. I FINALLY GET TO START! WOO HOO Im not putting beads on mine, I think if I love it and do it again I will do beads the next time... we will see though if I do it again I still have alot more to knit. :)
Malabrigo Black Forest 179, lace weight, 100% baby merino wool, aprox 470 yards to 50 grams. I didnt read ALL of the notices in the group when I joined and bought my wool and it was orginally stated that you would need around 1200 yards so I got 3 skeins of this beautiful stuff then it went down to just over 700yards, Im going to have a fair bit left over of this stuff, and you want to know a secret, I DONT MIND! :D Right now I am off to knit some more of this bad boy... WOO HOO!

Help I need to finish!

I havent finished making my dress I am working on. I havent finished my monkey socks that I am working on. Yet I feel like I needed to join in a KAL after reading about it on KnitYogas blog! Because you know a half sewn dress and one and nearly a half socks isnt enough for me! HA!
Okay actually I am really interested and maybe this will just take the whole oh what should I knit for a nice wrap to match all my new dresses problem I have at the moment! :) I went to GetKnitted and picked out the yarn that I want, Ill show it off when it arrives and then I am going to print out clue one and stick it to the side and clue two when it comes out tomorrow and stick that to the side as well.. I wont be starting until I finish my monkey so I better hurry before my yarn arrives!
Oh yeah the KAL its the Mystery Stole 3 got till tomorrow the 6th to do it if you want! Ive seen some finished phots already of part 1 and it really does look pretty already....

My newest shirt

I made another shirt, I swear I love all this sweing stuff!! :) when Mark seen my shirt he told me it was the best thing Ive sewn so far! That made my day normally he just says it looks nice and thats sort of it, he doesnt get as excited at I do about things! haha, BUT he did seem happy about what I had just made... So I know you guys are just screaming show us it already.. SOOOOOOOOOO here you go! :)

I appologize for the rubbish picture, I HATE taking self timed pictures, and my batteries died! :( So I got this blurry one and then and then just one clear one of the back to show off and here that is...

Oh yeah, sorry for not smiling up in the front one, BUT I was and then by the time it clicked my face hurt for trying to sit there smilling for that long, OOPS! I really aint a grumpy person, promise. :)
The pattern is New Look 6627 vie D with modifications like not using Jersey Knit instead using Cotton. Not having the ties at the chest. Using the arms from view C, and then taking up the neck line so it didnt cut so lew down and because of that taking in the arms slightly so they sat right and didnt look like I was a huge ole american football linebacker... I have that issue from time to time since I do have wide shoulders. I dont wear shoulder pads for that reason.
My fabric came from just a local shop here that cost me £1.50 a meter and the pattern calls for 1.9 meters but I bought 2 meters. So a new shirt for £3 cant complain can ya? More then that for £3 I got the best compliment my wonderful bf could make to me! HAHAHAHA HE LIKED IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST THING SO FAR!! WOOO HOOO
So my next sewing project is Simplicity 4558 I want to make the complete little outfit they show of views B, D, E... Nothing like having a nice smart summer outfit. Alright so right now the weather isnt suited for a nice smart summer outfit but still theres always wishing! :) And lets face it we still have another couple of months of "summer" so Im thinking it might come in THEN! ahaha...
Havent picked out my material for it yet and not entirely sure what colour I want but I do want the shirt itself to be really fun and funky, we will see what I can find when I go down to have a look. :)

Knitting:
I did finish my Monkey SOCK but I still have one more to go, I havent gotten the second sock syndrom yet I just havent been able to start it... I have been helping Mark out with something and its taken up all of my free time... its also put a blister on my thumb (thats gone down now) but I still have a little more to do today and then wait until he brings more home for me to do.... I just help him unpack his little down lighters from their boxes so instead of taking 4 hours it takes him an hour and a half sort of thing... (I just didnt want you guys thinking something horrible! HAAHHAHA)

I do still knit you know. :)

A couple of people have asked me if I have been knitting still the answer is Yes, I have! :)
Ive not done much knitting lately mind you because its been so hot that I just cant do many stitches before I am sitting in a pool of sweat... yes I have VERY sweaty hands and Ive tried to do things to them but Ive just learned to live with it... Mark loves me for them and always says something when I touch him with my hands! HAHAHAHAHA
Anywyas...
I was in town a couple weeks back and the LYS down there FINALLY got in some sock yarn. Okay its only Regia, but hey, its sock yarn! Ive offered them names of yarn that they should look into but nothing ever comes of it, I suppose they prefer to stock more things for scrapbooking then for knitting. Whatever makes them money and as long as they carry SOME yarn then Im happy! :)
Anyways I THINK the colour is 5440 if its not then its 19455 but that might just be the dye lot its not in english and unfortunately I am not lucky enough to know German (I tried to learn in school but when your 18 in a class full of 15yr olds it aint the one! Specially when YOU want to learn but they DONT)

Theres me showing off the bottom of the foot and part of the heel just to get you an idea of the colour, its not so much of the bright looking red/orange its more of a pinky colour.

Thats slightly more like it but still not there, dont you just love how a flash can change the colour? :) But anyways theres what my sock looks like so far a couple weeks in, yes its those MONKEY socks but you know what I like em!! :) The pattern is EASY PEASY to memorize and Ive got alot down the past two days while standing in lines and ridding the bus, and thats only because its not been so humid and hot so Ive not been so sweaty and I can actually handle the wool....
Ive sewed a shirt, its not completely finished yet so that will probably be done tomorrow with pictures.. :) WOO HOO and I have material and another dress pattern for once thats finished. Of course my socks will still be knit on!

The all important BLACK DRESS

Yes I made myself ANOTHER dress.. I LOVE dresses!! :) What can I say Im a girly girl. When I was like 11 years old I even went fishing in a dress with my hair and makeup done all up! HAHAH....
Anyways I used the same pattern for THIS dress, but of course I made a few modifications to it. Like first of all it doesnt wrap around at all. I just took the front of the pattern traced it over to some paper and then adjusted it to what I thought would be the right size for the side seams then I cut out the top and sewed it together. I tried it on realised it was to wide so I sewed it closed further I made some slight mods then to my underarm area to make sure my bra would be properly covered it and just had to bring the top shoulder down further into the dart. I then just cut out the skirt bit of the pattern making it longer ot make sure it fit all the way around instead of being opened up. And then sewed that onto the dress. In total from ironing to pinning to cutting to sewing to being able to wear it took me a total of 6 hours, not bad! :) I used the same material as my pants from the post below so for my pants and dress it cost me a total of 10 pounds, I couldnt go to the store for that!

I couldnt get my whole body in the shot, but the dress falls midway down my calfs.. So it is rather long, and I finally have that staple black dress every lady should! :) OKay so its not shiny like some but I LOVE it and today I got ALOT of compliments on the dress.

Me just being really silly and getting that "action" shot, let me tell you I got dizzy waiting for the self timer to go off for it! HAHAHA

And one more just because I was trying to get the perfect shot and you know I just like showing off that I have only been sewing for like a month and a half or something? WOO HOO!

Complete Outfit!

So its been to hot/muggy here lately to knit, instead I have been playing with my sewing machine! :D WOO HOO!! And lookie! I made myself a complete outfit! :) yes I made them in mind of going with each other and of course I can put other stuff with them like jeans or a different top.. I love my sewing machine ya know! :)

Mark though I was slightly crazy wanting to show off my pants like that, but I am proud of them!! :) They are a Burday Pattern from last months magazine. They do have pockets, honest, I just forgot to stick my hand in to show that fact off... AND I ADDED MY FIRST ZIP!! LOOKIE!!! :D

I was SOOO proud of that. My sweet mom called just after I tried to do it the first time and realised I messed up so I was unpicking the stitches while talking to her on the phone. Got off the phone after our conversation and redid the zip soon as I was done I came running in and showed it off to Mark who wasnt as impressed as I was! HAHAHA But then I called my mom and she got excited with me instead! ehhehe.. :) I was just happy at how close I got the material to the zip and I they flappy bit lays nicely over it to cover it all up! :)

And heres my shirt! :) I used again a Burda pattern but it was one of the free downloads on their website. :) I did a size that was supposed to be two sizes to small on me, but honestly I think I could have gone even smaller with it.I had to cut the shoulder bits down becuase I kept loosing the elastic in the neck! OOPS! but then I am glad I did, I also added the little belty looking bit around the front, of which Mark hates the look, sorry hun!! If I didnt put that there I looked like I was wearing a tent and err I didnt fancy doing it!

Heres a close up of the neck line. :) The elastic goes all the way around so it all has the scruched thing going on. Sorry about the necklace being twisted, Mark got that for me my first christmas here. :D and umm ignore the spotty neck please and thank you! :)
Now I am off to go figure what dress to sew myself now! HAHAH :) I LOVE MY SEWING MACHINE!

Who does that?!?!

Yesterday I did my laundry, not such a big deal. I then took it and hung it up out the back, again not such a big deal. But what happened next I honestly cant believe, because really WHO DOES THAT?!? I have two lines hanging out the back, I LOVE hanging our clothes up to dry (and hey when you have to pay at the laundrette to dry, or get it free and smelling great you just do it that way). So anyways I ran across the street not noticing anything out of the blue and got some elastic for a shirt Im sewing and got me a little polish treat, wafer bars covered in chocolate with bits of hazlenut YUM!, so anyways I come back home and I just stop dead in my tracks as I am going back into the yard. Right in the middle of all the laundry hanging on the outside line theres a BIG GAP! OMG! Wheres the shirt that was there?!? Did the pegs break and it fell off and is now in the corner from being blown about? Hold on it isnt windy enough for that! SERIOUSLY WHERED THE SHIRT GO?!?! So Im looking all around and then I spot there isnt a darn thing wrong with the pegs BUT they are on tighter then I hung the shirt with. I leave them hanging with the big end so it doesnt crease the clothes... So someone has come into our back yard, mind you I did have the gate open because I never close it incase Mark gets home early then he can just pull his car straight in. Still that doesnt invite people into our yard to steal our clothes!!! Seriously, WHO DOES THAT?!? Of course that made me bring in the clothes that were out there and they had to finish drying hanging out in the house its just not the same as outside. But I suppose for now one the gates will have to be shut and locked when I hang the clothes out to dry. Ive NEVER had that happen before and like I say I hang our clothes out all the time, the only time I dont is when its raining or in the winter.... So if someone sees a person walking around in Marks tshirt (its not even a new one! And it was a work one!) will you let me know so I can say something! GEESH!

MY DRESS!!!!!!

I finished my dress at 11am yesterday and I wore it out! WOO HOO!! I got ALOT of compliments on it from people who know me... :) I even had one lady ask if I could make her one! :) Makes one feel good when ones only been sewing for what 2 or 3 weeks??? And this is the third clothing item Ive made! (5th thing in all that I sewed, the wee bag and the mishapen coaster) I love it! :) I have another 7 patterns (one of which is a robe so I wont use it) coming that I won off of ebay they are patterns from the 60s...

Thank you Andi and Amy on the comments about my shirt.. :) and mom thank you for the email.. :) I was proud of that shirt! :) I plan on making another shirt thingy over the next couple of days using the same material as that one but with it purple instead of orange.. Hopefully I can pull that one off without a pattern as well.. I think its helped that I knit so that I have an idea how things should be laid out. :)

On to the dress! I know thats the only reason your here looking! :P

Pattern is Retro Butterick '52 B 4790 Fast and Easy (and it was)

It called to use Bias tape, well after talking to my mom and she confirming what I thought its just a nice way to cover up your hems I decided NOT to use any, for a couple of reasons. One I couldnt find any locally, two what I could find (on ebay) was expensive, three Im impatient and wanted the dress NOW! hahah.. So I took my time and folded all the edges over and hemmed them all up and they look fine. :) took an hour just to do the ironing of the hems to stay put but worth it in the end because the edging looks great. (in my opinion!)

It took an evening to iron pin and cut out the pattern, probably doesnt take people who are used to sewing htat long but there was alot of sitting on the floor smoothing out my fabric, talking to Mark, watching telly and THEN pinning down. It then took a following two days to sew it, could have taken just one day but I only sewed up the darts and the tops of the arms and then ironed all the seams to lay the correct way. Then the next day I got buttons for it the day after (yesterday) I did the hemming. The skirt while I was sewing I just kept thinking the curse of the never ending hem! That skirt goes on for ages!!! BUT Its so pretty and full when on and swishy! Was slightly windy yesterday as well and it was blowing and swishing right around me.. I felt so girly and pretty! HAHAHA

PICTURE TIME!!! (theres a fair few!)

The front!!! :)



The back! :)



Left side.



Right side (I know looks the same but I want to show this baby off! HAHA)



And another shot of the front just because I can!! :)

Wanna see my new shirt?

I got pictures!!! Loads of pictures so it may take some time... :)
First picture up is of my shirt that I made. :) Without a pattern as well I may add! I am very proud of it.. and I had to show this picture because Mark was rather happy that I stood by the speaker and was going to take pictures of it instead of me so I thought I had better bend down to get into the picture with it! HAHAHA

I had been wearing this all day and this was taken in the evening so thats why its slightly wrinkly... But it is a better view of the shirt.. Like I said, I am very proud of it because it was done without a pattern. :)

This is the material I choose for my dress. :) Its coming along BEAUTIFULLY!! :) There will be more pictures of it tomorrow when hopefully its completley finished.... planning on finishing it today. Need to buy some buttons and hem this bad boy! WOO HOO!!! I am going to have a beautiful dress when Im finished just need to get Mark to take me out somewhere nice now! hehe...

1... 2... 3....

I havent completely givin up on the whole blogging world just yet. :) Nor on the knitting or sewing.. Its just been a bit slow coming as of late...
It turned cold this week and rainy, ugh... So glad its turned blue skys again! :) I did however pick up my scarf and knit on. I didnt get a full repeat of it finished but I did get one NEARLY finished. Hey between cleaning, running around, and being lazy playing video games you dont have much time! hehe... But I still knit and I realise I do still love to do it! :)
I also cut out a tank top and sewed it together, but didnt use a pattern for it so that took a bit to do! Its not the greatest but Ill still wear it, will have to get some pictures of it soon! :) I also cut out a dress pattern, Ill be showing that off in all its glory once its finished as well... I cant wait for it to be done! :) Its a vintage Butterick pattern from 1952... I cant think of the number at the moment its in the back room so when I post all about it Ill give you all the proper information. :) But I just know its going to be pretty! :)
Alright thats all for now next time I post Ill have pictures! :)

One word

You can only give one word answers, so here I go. Tag! You’re it will be at the end.
*this came from Andi*

1. Yourself: sore
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, significant other: working
3. Your hair: messy
4. Your mother: wonderful
5. Your father: distant
6. Your favorite item: good book
7. Your dream last night: strange
8. Your favorite drink: diet coke (at the moment)
9. Your dream car: a TRUCK
10. The room you are in: living room
11. Your ex: Cant remember
12. Your fear: Bugs EEEKSSS
13. What you want to be in 10 years? Happy
14. Who you hung out with last night? sexy Mark. :)
15. What you’re not: sad
16. Muffins: blueberry mmmm
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Mommy
18. Time: More
19. The last thing you did: sleep
20. What you are wearing: jammies
21. Your favorite weather: snow
22. Your favorite book: fiction
23. The last thing you ate: omelette
24. Your life: wonderful
25. Your mood: sleepy
26. Your best friend: Mommy
27. What are you thinking about right now? nothing
28. Your car: none (Marks a Mazda that count??)
29. What are you doing at the moment? blogging
30. Your summer: nice
31. Your relationship status: in love
32. What is on your TV? news
33. What is the weather like? cloudy to rain
34. When is the last time you laughed? last night
Tag! Your turn:
Whoever would like to reveal things about them. :)

First pair of pants

Friday evening I sat with my sewing machine... I cut and ironed and folded material but in the end I had a very comfortable pair of wrap pants. :)

And heres the back

I am not sure why I left the ribbon hanging down the back like that, its supposed to be pulled round to the front and tied in the front...
Heres where I got the pattern
http://totallystitchin.net/projects/pdf/Proj79-Project-Sarong_Wrap_Pants.pdf
As you can see the front wraps around to the back and is tied and then the back gets wrapped to the front where it is tied. I wore them all day yesterday and didnt have a single problem with them coming undone. But just in case I did put a safty pin in the back so that if they came undone I wouldnt have to bother with the front piece falling down!
I got the material from the market in town for 1.50 a meter. Bought 2 meters and still have loads left. Im not entirely sure if Im going to fold back the sides some more so that they arent as wide or leave them as is.
But for my first proper thing I dont think they are to bad!! :) I got some more material in the back and in the next couple of days plan on making myself a really nice top out of it. :)
Have a great weekend!

Camera Working Pictures!!

WOO HOO Got my memory card working... I flicked the switch on the side of the card that I never knew existed... Must have done it the last time I was putting the card back into the camera??? Thankfully the lovely bf knew what to do! So what you have been waiting for, pictures!!!

My pretty little sewing machine! :D

The little bag I made as my first project, I still havent gone and gotten some ribbon to tie it shut with...

Look I even put a little side strip thingy in it!! :) (it was full with remotes to make it look like it was being used hehe)

This is what I made yesterday!! :) Cut the bits out by myself, then sewn them together, its a pathetic attempt at a coaster I know, but the end that isnt squared off I sewed the tip to the wrong side was so annoyed I just flipped it under and decided to have the tea pot shape, and not to mention I didnt realise it anyways until after I was doing the edging anyways.. OOPS!
So thats the pictures I have to show for right now, Im so excited.. WOO HOO got Burda Magazine yesterday just to have some patterns for when I get decent enough to try a proper pattern.... Yesterday I showed Mark my coaster and said aint it great?!?!? His reply was please tell me your not going to show me one of these every day and ask aint it great to them all are you?!?! I said no but Im just showing you that I am TRYING to get there with my lines. :) But then his remark back was really sweet... "Well for all I know in 6months you might be making some Kate Moss looking clothes" And that was a compliment... even if I dont like her it was still a compliment to me.. :) And ya know what, Im gonna flippin do it!!! hahah
Right now its getting a bit colder I was going to knit on my scarf last night but we rented World Trade Center off of Film Flex On Demand so I didnt want to waste that 3.50 by looking down, and I dont think I could have knit even if I wanted to I was crying the whole time nearly, I warned Mark before we even started!!.... I dont think its a movie Id be able to watch all the time just because Im a whimp when it comes to movie watching, ask my mother shell tell you all about The Horse Whisperer and my step dad and I bawlling our eyes out why she tried not to laugh at us..... Both are good films by the way. :)

I got it,,,, I got it!!!...

Im not happy.... I was going to take a photo of my new sewing machine and its saying I cant that my card is locked, HOW THE HECK DID MY CARD GET LOCKED?!?!?! *got that out now back to normal posting*

I got the above flower on Monday when I went into town they were passing them out then asking you to go check out the newly opened loos, I just found it really funny but I think the flower is pretty... :) Its still sat here mind you its looking scruffy so now sure it will last much longer...
So as you seen above, I got my sewing machine.. told you I wouldnt be able to wait! :) I havent yet got Mark an xbox, give me till next month and that will be here I am sure.. haah
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4601993.htm
You can see which one I got there, and if you dont fancy clicking it I got a Brother XL2230 11 automatic stitch settings, and a 4 step button hole maker, and if I am really lazy I can use the sewing machine to sew on my buttons, umm I think Ill still do that by hand thanks!.... I did make something tiny last night, its not great but its mine! :) Id show you but again my card has somehow managed to lock itself and I havent a clue how to unlock it becuase I dont know how it locked in the first place.. UGH! I also wanted to show off the pretty material that I bought to eventually do myself a skirt in... But I cant.. :(
No knittings been done, I think I need a project with less of a cold weather feel, maybe Ill take the sock yarn I got and make the mister a pair. :) I think then I can turn him to knitted socks.. hahaa.....
Alright enjoy the weather and Ill update later (hopefully he can fix my mem card tonight...)

I want, and I want it now!

You would be right to think by now I SHOULD have finished at least that third repeat of the scarf I was working on and possibly getting near the fourth, but NOOOOOOOO I still have about 4-6 rows left before I finish the third. Pretty pathetic really.
My brother who happens to be turning 30 this year (I swear I still think the lot of us are like 15-16 years old!!) thinks that at his age he should still be able to fly... umm NO BROTHER you are WRONG!... I got a message on MSN Thursday morning, of which I am still giggling about, with him saying something along the lines of "I thought I broke my ankle today but I only badly bruised it"... He tried to climb a tree, the tree limb broke, he landed on his ankle funny I suppose, didnt actually ask. And then told me about it, I laughed and told him, "I dont know how to climb a tree, but at my age (25) I wouldnt even want to learn I know Im to old for that, surely you should know that as well??!!" I got a good laugh at him anyways.. I do love my brother but he should know at his age you cant fly!! heheh....
Its been decided, Mark doesnt want a PS3 he wants an XBox360! Thats fine with me they are currently cheaper and have more games. Theres a guy who lives locally that he also works with and happened to stop by his house yesterday and had a play with it came home and couldnt stop talking about how cool it was. :) so hes eventually going to end up with one all for himself. Told him that will have to be his xmas pressie.. yes I think ahead....
Its also been decided I WANT A SEWING MACHINE!!! okay Ive wanted one for two years but have kept talking myself out come time to buy one (or well send Mark to buy one for my birthday) but Ive decide, I WANT ONE NOW! well that will be my birthday pressie, he can figure something else out for my xmas pressie,... I wonder though if the two of us can wait another 8 months for our toys? I will bet now we wont be able to! HAHAHHA
Alright have a lovely day every one and yes the suns still been shining and its still been lovely here. :)

Thoughts...

I have been knitting, still knitting on the scarf/wrap and Ive not really done much different so a picture is unneeded.. but now completely off knitting and on to moaning....

The UK has to worst drug problem in all of Europe. I just seen something on the news about it and some lady (I wasnt paying attention to who she was sorry) made comment about it pretty much being only a problem in the poorer areas... How can you make a comment and generalise it just to certain areas. I mean you have people like Pete Dogherty or however you spell his name and Kate Moss who probably snort their own body wait daily. Okay maybe they dont do THAT much but you cant tell me they dont snort!.... You also have other people that are exposed in the news who are very well off to do people so it doesnt matter WHERE your from or WHAT you have if your addicted to drugs then your addicted and there needs to be more done about it then just oh that alright dear dont worry and leave them to it... Why is it that the famous can be exposed and then its almost like they are excused for it and then end up getting bigger and better deals from it... Lets face the truth here Kate Moss now earns MORE then she did before her big drug scandle.... yes I cant stand drugs, I used to smoke but I dont any more and I havent for 6 years... I was young and stupid not an excuse but I wouldnt do it now... cant stand the smell of cannabis now....

Onto a sadder note...

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who attend or have family and friends attending Virgina Tech.

But can the media PLEASE BE QUIET!!! They are blamming the school and security staff over the way they handled things yesterday. I am sorry but I dont think they could have done more. If you get someone who is shot out in the street you dont close down the neighborhood and tell people to stay in doors. They thought it was an isolated case. Unfortunately 2 hours later they found out it wasnt. But once they did realise things were going wrong they did the best they could at telling people to stay put. I suppose you always look for SOMEONE to blame when something like that happens but sometimes I think the media make stories where stories arent always at or twist things to MAKE a story sound better....

Now back to regularly schedualed knitting...

A rambling in the wind

Mark half joking half serious asked me the other week to make something for the chairs feet so it would stop scratching the floor... I made these!

You can see there on the edge of the photo how the chairs scratched the floor, not happy about that! but what can ya do? So I knit these little cotton leg cozies. Casted on 12 stiches did short row wraps till there were 4 in the middle, then picked em up and knit like 5 rounds rib casted off.. I couldnt have gone smaller, but should have only because it was already a pain just working with the 12 stitches... so thats why theres purple threaded thru them to tie them onto the chair. But theyve been working and the chair aint scratching! Okay I know I should have got felt tips for the chair but when its the middle of the night you do with what you got dont ya? HAAHAHAHAH :)

I have been doing "normal" knitting as well... Barely but it is getting done. I dont know lately I just seem not to fancy knitting (or reading) I know somethings seriously wrong with me, I think its the sun! and the thought of knitting a wrap when its sunny just seems all wrong. but what lovely weather we been having!! Thats me (obviously!) sitting out the back!! WOO HOO we finally have a proper back yard (even if it is all cement) to sit out on... SOOOOOOO happy all I gotta do now is get me some planters and start me a little herbie the love buggy garden out back so I can have fresh herbies all summer. :) A couple of flowers will be potted as well just to make it pretty.. :)

And just because! :) Those sunglasses are perscription sunglasses that I got 2 years ago thats maybe the 20th time Ive worn them. For some reason I dont wear them as much as you think one would.. next time I get glasses Im getting a pair of transition lenses then I know I wont forget to grab my sunglasses.... But shew weve needed em lately ITS SO NICE AND SUNNY!!! Everyone whos having horrible weather please DONT send it to us I am enjoying the sun. :)

Happy Easter

My little sheepy friend here (who I found from www.sxc.hu), and I would like to wish you all a very

Happy Easter.

Have a wonderful day!

Jenn

Slow is the way to go?

Everything seems slow going lately. So much so that I havent done any knitting in three days. BUT heres what Ive done already on my wrap.

That is one full repeat and a couple of rows. Row counter is facing the other way and its still in the same postition on the floor and Im to slow going to pick it up and look! HAHAH
I am still going to run out of the wool I am using but its going to be easier to get ahold of since I bought it in town. only thing is the dyelot wont match. But I am not to bothered about that as long as its grey I will be happy. Some people it may drive nuts but a slight colour variation wont do my head in. A massive one, well thats another story all together...
So heres a close up of the lacey part:

ooo you can ALMOST see the row counter there but its to blury sorry! but thats what that looks like.. Its pretty.... and heres the main body part:

With this I am thinking hte stitch pattern would make a really cute knitted summer top... but a striped one so that you dont get too bored. Two colours that compliment each other... *yes Im thinking*
So anyways theres the knitting front.
Life wise its been slowgoing as well yesterday I cleaned and did laundry and hung it out in the sun to dry. Sorry but you can not beat hung outside to dry clothes... oh how I love the way they smell! :) So I was busy yesterday doing all of that. Then today I didnt want to get out of bed! Marks alarm went off and I ignored it. He got out of bed I ignored him. He came in eventually and got dressed I ignored him. He left to go brush his teeth I ignored him. He came back in to say he was leaving. I looked at him and jumped out of bed... WHY! he even said stay in bed! AND I STILL GOT UP! now Im sat here with wet hair because you see Ive had a shower Ive been up for 2 hours and I want to go back to bed. I wont. I still have things to do today but Im not doing them. Instead Im going to go get some juice and just sit on the couch. I might knit but I might just stare at the tv like its an alien...
Oh yeah. Marks parents moved back up to Caister. Its a double edge sword for me. Because I am happy as that means we get to go back up there to visit them during the summer and get away from here. But then that means they arent just down the road where we can go see them whenever we want. I havent seen my family for four years. I miss them. So Marks family I sort of enjoy them more then I suppose any girlfriend would enjoy her boyfriends family. Of course it does make me miss mine more but then thats the way life goes....
Miss you Mommy and I love you!