tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46315210716184664752024-03-05T23:49:05.250-08:00sempstress saysA blog about my life and the things I create for myself and to sell.sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-67302336301496165512018-11-09T06:49:00.000-08:002018-11-09T06:50:17.857-08:00Long Time No PostIt's been a very long time since I posted and an awful lot has happened (much of it awful) but now is time to take control of the things I can control and move forward.<br />
<br />
I am as I write still technically homeless although I have a wonderful friend who allows me to live in her house while I wait for an almshouse. We had hoped I would be lucky recently as I was in the last 3 for 2 properties but it didn't happen. Gutted does not describe how I feel.<br />
<br />
I am still managing the local foodbank which is sadly doing extremely well having fed over 1100 people since April and recently moved to new much larger premises.<br />
<br />
My current plan is to make and sell felt broaches and key rings both of standard flower and leaves and steampunk style with gothic decaying felt flowers and with cogs felted in. A small selection are below with more to follow when I have finished my other project....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR7QbP0_k9CsqPa1-_UXxrGPVd1ACW7PhzUxmjhGT4oKxQk3GQ9WDzcTsQ9-PPHvQtfIXsOkxd5373ZgzY_HN5v0E4WDeLTdt-ykmn8HP9o77MeZW2PT6q5vYWwBi2ri_LJIfhnj2_CTf/s1600/Pink+Puce+Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1500" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR7QbP0_k9CsqPa1-_UXxrGPVd1ACW7PhzUxmjhGT4oKxQk3GQ9WDzcTsQ9-PPHvQtfIXsOkxd5373ZgzY_HN5v0E4WDeLTdt-ykmn8HP9o77MeZW2PT6q5vYWwBi2ri_LJIfhnj2_CTf/s320/Pink+Puce+Flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijq475egMnxWmppNOIsVlMzK54ZqtWaBIpsx5ZRqUB3uUD_iyK0IzgDbLGwDK9K5cLVou5c2T1QgPxc9gGgCPQ_xf0aKeJvZpWOXQJuBFvRXd6eZtcZuKYU29E8aWKX4JKm3PfpdGT0Avl/s1600/Puce+Strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1600" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijq475egMnxWmppNOIsVlMzK54ZqtWaBIpsx5ZRqUB3uUD_iyK0IzgDbLGwDK9K5cLVou5c2T1QgPxc9gGgCPQ_xf0aKeJvZpWOXQJuBFvRXd6eZtcZuKYU29E8aWKX4JKm3PfpdGT0Avl/s320/Puce+Strawberry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWQkvnmbB8ifVYkiVquLA50m2nQQ5q8zFZcSrfP_U-mETQy9pZQpy3f_8t6KS3F_iwXdAtpg3dfIhp2IQ9mpp3Dg_UMefXUbpc8VD08PUgdZ4iTFHlx0mefK1Cdvr94LyS0E4wnqcWCEJ/s1600/Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWQkvnmbB8ifVYkiVquLA50m2nQQ5q8zFZcSrfP_U-mETQy9pZQpy3f_8t6KS3F_iwXdAtpg3dfIhp2IQ9mpp3Dg_UMefXUbpc8VD08PUgdZ4iTFHlx0mefK1Cdvr94LyS0E4wnqcWCEJ/s320/Holly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIEyJe96fOd4bwY_2lshyphenhyphenGnF3plw_LAt3xcGGkUNXNG4se4MkZJ05l9MWjyyLZNcAMv4ynQ8rOgAYm8IDy3Z_oxRsXqe5mwJFM1P98wqi8oYgapvBmew-RbqAGCpnaRNkRTH4c5SMoo4M/s1600/Folded+Cogs+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIEyJe96fOd4bwY_2lshyphenhyphenGnF3plw_LAt3xcGGkUNXNG4se4MkZJ05l9MWjyyLZNcAMv4ynQ8rOgAYm8IDy3Z_oxRsXqe5mwJFM1P98wqi8oYgapvBmew-RbqAGCpnaRNkRTH4c5SMoo4M/s320/Folded+Cogs+green.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprwlWq8C9tE3CdwXnmQ8pLQ1Qbjfi23v16l74wK62_FJUkC5VrQ_fJaafVTV6O7Dh6f0QWmpplStmZUJLkkyhUnEOP5pR7t-Zyn6IvT__hZi46mLlgD7s59AfyZeytpKKWRmQRd4YgFyM/s1600/Weave+a+Cog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprwlWq8C9tE3CdwXnmQ8pLQ1Qbjfi23v16l74wK62_FJUkC5VrQ_fJaafVTV6O7Dh6f0QWmpplStmZUJLkkyhUnEOP5pR7t-Zyn6IvT__hZi46mLlgD7s59AfyZeytpKKWRmQRd4YgFyM/s320/Weave+a+Cog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other project being a regency outfit for a party in a weeks time. The chemise, petticoat, blue stockings and shoes are ready. I have a cane so I won't need my wheelchair or anachronous crutches and am nearly at the end of stitching a period corset. However, there is insufficient time to make a gown so I have a clever cheat in mind - I bought the sari to make the gown and my character is Anglo-Indian so I have made a pair of sleeves to attach to the corset and will wear the sari as it was designed to be worn. I just hope I get away with it. Pictures when finished/worn!</div>
<br />
<br />sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-60822572359425855582012-04-09T17:51:00.000-07:002012-04-09T17:51:18.305-07:00Red Bags and Red RagsToday I have been finishing the red bag I designed to show of the yarn a friend had spun for me and writing up the pattern and I would have finished the latter if I could remember how to put a border into a Page Plus document and colour it the way I want. Am now too tired to try again and I have to get up in the morning so am not going to look at it again till tomorrow. Here is a rather bad picture of the bag to be going on with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj0edJu-x9e4Dxn6aZrGhfQs22uCTor5zP3-i5bt4TcfvpIj2mKfMEJNESv0tpqQcjdhvtAqJ7wfalfHBzLpfzSysGvHDUeWCEQ4xjuTbNmxphrGZbelDgIQVdCsmqEgJg1RkLBz8k7hA/s1600/Red+Bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj0edJu-x9e4Dxn6aZrGhfQs22uCTor5zP3-i5bt4TcfvpIj2mKfMEJNESv0tpqQcjdhvtAqJ7wfalfHBzLpfzSysGvHDUeWCEQ4xjuTbNmxphrGZbelDgIQVdCsmqEgJg1RkLBz8k7hA/s320/Red+Bag.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have also been seeing red over the subject of a certain publishing company much talked about at present in knitting circles. This company once published quite a good knitting magazine but was hopelessly badly managed in financial terms by the owner. Heavily in debt they offered a sock club with patterns and indy dyed yarn at £96 for 6 bi-monthly installments but despite this large injection of cash still opted to put themselves into voluntary liquidation when an unpaid bill owner took out a CCJ against them and won. Thus walking away scot free from over £230,000 of declared unpaid debts. Then the owner's husband set up another publishing company, paid a pittance for the 'good will' of the first company and started the whole sorry saga again. Sadly this is 'just' legal in the UK.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Now I got burnt by the sock club but not by much - none of the patterns matched the yarns, the final yarn was commercial not indy dyed and the last pattern still hasn't materialised, but others suffered loss of livelihood and far more unpleasant consequences. Now the owner of the first company - who is running the new company in all but name (legal niceties and all that) is blaming the defrauded and unpaid for her situation, calling them names, claiming they are bullying her and tweeting about them from her now blocked Twitter account. This makes me see red and especailly when other people side with her and say those of us complaining are being unfair, vicious and/or mean.<br />
<br />
Having got that off my chest I shall go to bed and leave any readers that I might have to decided for themselves which side to sit on.<br />
<br />
P.S. I made it all the way through Lent without buying yarn and celebrated yesterday with 4 skeins from Nimu Yarns that I am assured are already on their way to me - excellent customer service is the usual in the knitting world making the situation described about even more indefensible in my opinion.<br />
<br />sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-12780535560960039212012-04-02T00:02:00.000-07:002012-04-02T00:02:00.959-07:00Better late than never - catch up<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been rather a long time since I posted but I am taking the plunge and trying to get into a better posting habit.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a very mixed start to the year work wise and least said soonest mended about that. I have however been knitting and sewing (but I forgot to photograph the sewing before sending it off in a swap)and designing. I am quite pleased with the 2 finished socks:</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_h9i0POecKtiI_lRm1WASgAIHYofn1_sxHjEfB3VkxHm68q5QIUmCG-wgbaHYikLa5Ur1ANy1NqmR992ElnzoBGyDGH4jgA62UQcKJAXHDUmr-ckgTnZ2L4t6Ikvui9tOIDcSSZuvcU/s1600/Egg+Boxed+Outside+Edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_h9i0POecKtiI_lRm1WASgAIHYofn1_sxHjEfB3VkxHm68q5QIUmCG-wgbaHYikLa5Ur1ANy1NqmR992ElnzoBGyDGH4jgA62UQcKJAXHDUmr-ckgTnZ2L4t6Ikvui9tOIDcSSZuvcU/s320/Egg+Boxed+Outside+Edge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first one I have called Egg Boxed and it has been written and charted and is in the hands of 2 wonderful test knitters as I write. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJghZcwBFswRxyPHizyoOlMxeLe6TBvaftkK9a42DrdxMKcz9ec_7auDrMCk_9KGGk2k4ovOCO663An4Pc6wA1Ban3hT5DC4I1VnMXfsgfix-Tv6lV5NZy69AOAy-D1610COtaN82Dz3WI/s1600/Egg+Boxed+Outside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJghZcwBFswRxyPHizyoOlMxeLe6TBvaftkK9a42DrdxMKcz9ec_7auDrMCk_9KGGk2k4ovOCO663An4Pc6wA1Ban3hT5DC4I1VnMXfsgfix-Tv6lV5NZy69AOAy-D1610COtaN82Dz3WI/s320/Egg+Boxed+Outside.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BMBqxeuzgoZySuFxGkxoRypLQXLUBXudRohhVarGG15jVZLeSXBeA-006o-4-nUJ2hVtDQnaSJhs-5_vcqko0oPWKt7lnfdCsjusDutwNa-gv9CL7Mok-FeNtZ5GDlF006vEOXD8-CBA/s1600/Chiltern+Beeches+Outside+Edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BMBqxeuzgoZySuFxGkxoRypLQXLUBXudRohhVarGG15jVZLeSXBeA-006o-4-nUJ2hVtDQnaSJhs-5_vcqko0oPWKt7lnfdCsjusDutwNa-gv9CL7Mok-FeNtZ5GDlF006vEOXD8-CBA/s320/Chiltern+Beeches+Outside+Edge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAABAxJ1X6dyfQP6gDafXOgfZRuqguz8boAqIDzbjE5cZjcW3Zj9JyRJNzHBWmSZKjxFDy2m85PnfUjxFWhlbp2aKUJb09oQWT9cX61Xmq_Bvl419EvTD7274pEBjDctG9Gy-3K24WhtIq/s1600/Chiltern+Beeches+Outide+Backed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAABAxJ1X6dyfQP6gDafXOgfZRuqguz8boAqIDzbjE5cZjcW3Zj9JyRJNzHBWmSZKjxFDy2m85PnfUjxFWhlbp2aKUJb09oQWT9cX61Xmq_Bvl419EvTD7274pEBjDctG9Gy-3K24WhtIq/s320/Chiltern+Beeches+Outide+Backed.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This second patterns is called Chiltern Beeches and is being written and charted at the moment before other wonderful test knitters are lined up to try it out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have also been very brave and to date have not bought any yarn during Lent - not even for the swap I have been involved with - a fact of which I am inordinately proud (although I don't seem to be any richer!).</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_875140917"></span><span id="goog_875140918"></span></span>sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-24522375071265817872011-09-12T16:08:00.000-07:002011-09-12T16:11:22.599-07:00ShoooupaHmm difficult one to spell that!<br />
<br />
Not a very exciting Making Monday today but its Carrot and Coriander on the menu for a while now as I have made rather more soup than I intended. I have therefore frozen two portions already and will freeze more when I find the pots (and their lids)to do so. In the meantime it rests in the fridge.<br />
<br />
Since I last blogged I have been to archery a few times (and actually shot once or twice too) including the Thursday when the Chiltern Air Ambulance arrived in the field with no warning. Its not that as Archers we object to sharing the field very occasionally with the Air Ambulance, it is the nearest sensible place for it to land for Stoke Mandeville Hospital and we all fully support it but....we need a bit of warning to get the bosses laid down before they get blown over by the downdraft and when they are 50 yards away and looking like hedgehogs there is a bit of work to do before they can be taken off the stands. Well actually all I can do is watch while others run, pull out the arrows and get the bosses down - wheelchairs don't work very well on grass. The usual practise is for the road ambulance to arrive giving us warning to get the prep work done before the helicopter appears but this time the chopper arrived first causing a flurry of activity and we (well they) just got the job done before it landed.<br />
<br />
I have also worked out how to protect my dodgy leg while swimming from the accidental kicks and knocks I have been advised to avoid but always fall prey too while swimming in public pools. The reason for the worry is that below the knee my right leg takes months to heal from the tiniest bruise, cut, scrape or insect bite and the medicos aren't sure why - all suggestion gratefully received. Anyway it occurred to me that one of the detachable sleeves from my wetsuit might fit my leg like a toeless sock and being reasonably thick neoprene might act as a good safety barrier. I tried one in the privacy of home, found it fitted and have now used it twice the first time to swim 12 lengths and the second to swim 16. Start small and work up hopefully - and the first time I also succeeded in teaching my son to swim as well. Leading to another melancholy reflection - how come I spent a considerable sum of money on swimming lessons for both my daughter and my son but ended up teaching them to swim myself?sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-1743112025903429312011-08-29T09:44:00.000-07:002011-08-29T09:44:51.317-07:00Home, Work and KnittingWell I had a lovely time in Devon only marred by a bout of back ache and the nagging feeling from the start that I would have to come home again. Then when I got home that back ache got slightly better so I had to return to work on the due date leading to an increased feeling of depression - I will have to do something about a) getting a new job and b) moving to Devon.<br />
<br />
Of course I haven't mentioned that my daughter was home from Belfast as well as we had a lovely time together catching up, inventing a new version of the Arthur story (having both been so annoyed by the last one 'Camelot' on Channel 4), donating her beloved Meg (from Meg and Mog) to the Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle and generally having a good time. All of which I failed to get a picture of.<br />
<br />
While in Devon I decided that it would be a good time to put right my <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/pure-silk-lace.html">Madelinetosh</a> <a href="http://someknitreq.com/patterns/pretty-as-a-peacock-shawl/">Peacock Shawl</a> which actually meant when I looked at it properly I had to frogged it completely and start again but now I have got to Chart G so further than before and without any mistakes (left in the work anyway!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzaQQL8ck7x2e0enQ9XJf8bp8vfkWZzOmfYAYudCrBQGbD28_Ye_YtRHR2ABNUZt9v5z82lFJJv7647Li_uoDP0QUIp1P05V5-U7kwKfsTHzwyo1rtl9giF671M7ZNYlQHvHPe8YcAVyW/s1600/Pretty+as+a+Picture+Peacock+Shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzaQQL8ck7x2e0enQ9XJf8bp8vfkWZzOmfYAYudCrBQGbD28_Ye_YtRHR2ABNUZt9v5z82lFJJv7647Li_uoDP0QUIp1P05V5-U7kwKfsTHzwyo1rtl9giF671M7ZNYlQHvHPe8YcAVyW/s320/Pretty+as+a+Picture+Peacock+Shawl.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then I discovered the <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/">Beehive Quilt</a> and have become addicted although as an patchworker I will of course have to put it together in an organised design! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pd6gsHqPEBSwt_NxueSJiZfQ01Dprg-Rw8nj5dx8VVCLThkFoXq0s8a4PaORDtSGSA3uzltboFqXC0XHFjh7GNBxLztO_G-Q4g1cIdCWwvNxPadzgock5-o4ojfU6ng4SplyS-6-fOYg/s1600/1st+Hexes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pd6gsHqPEBSwt_NxueSJiZfQ01Dprg-Rw8nj5dx8VVCLThkFoXq0s8a4PaORDtSGSA3uzltboFqXC0XHFjh7GNBxLztO_G-Q4g1cIdCWwvNxPadzgock5-o4ojfU6ng4SplyS-6-fOYg/s320/1st+Hexes.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Along way to go but hopefully one day a finished quilt.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I have to sort out washing, washing up, archery and tonights dinner not necessarily in that order.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-85553081346458843602011-08-11T23:58:00.000-07:002011-08-11T23:58:25.340-07:00InertiaI am going to Devon today but before I leave I need to wake the children, pack, find the pattern for the peacock shawl, find the key to the suitcase pockets, make a batch of cakes then ice them and get my act together.<br />
<br />
It seems the last one is actually the hardest - witness writing this rather than doing anything......<br />
<br />
Oh and I woke up convinced it was Sunday which is weird as I knew I was travelling on Friday.sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-71764452632114995032011-08-09T04:08:00.000-07:002011-08-09T04:08:46.846-07:00RiotsHmm time to get serious?<br />
<br />
The situation in London and other parts of the UK is horrifying and as yet I have seen no sign of real leadership from those in charge. Of course we can all say that and then either suggest draconian measures or that it is the fault everything from the cuts to the welfare state but none of that really helps. The most positive thing I've seen is the willingness of ordinary people to join in Riot Clean Up and Riot Womble groups; although this will be hijacked very soon I suspect by the 'Big Society' camp as proof they have started something that was innate in society anyway. Go Wombles!<br />
<br />
Cynicism aside what comes to my mind though is the British tendency to feel completely superior every time another country suffers from civil disorder (think France or Greece recently) and state so categorically that 'it could never happen here' has been rocked to the core. There is such a fine line between civilisation and 'the law of the jungle' that everyone would do better to remember it including those in power and make sure it tempers all our actions.<br />
<br />
Pontificating over now to do washing for holiday, tidy house before daughter arrives this evening (from nice safe Belfast!) and find the key to the second padlock on my suitcase mislaid after Knit Nation (not the one where my goods where stashed of course) .............sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-23795917919150079242011-08-08T11:26:00.000-07:002011-08-08T11:26:14.144-07:00Making Monday IIThanks to The Yarn Yard I am still working at being part of Making Mondays and having chosen a shawl pattern for the lovely Posy yarn I have actually finished it in a week amazing myself. The pattern I chosen was Gail (aka Nightsongs) by Jane Araújo anad pictures of it unblocked are below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOeq-BhRKrLSnHGYyNA8EpHydSpg_3OyrcF0R3ukWfB8QgDkgPcgxECXzPmbQmhOiRzRTfvieXSvio_QB4oOZw_RmIvhmUQOA5YdxvTdR1qHrCMJ4rx13CIqifKJkJczGKY_Uaz8we-Ex/s1600/Posy+Shawl+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOeq-BhRKrLSnHGYyNA8EpHydSpg_3OyrcF0R3ukWfB8QgDkgPcgxECXzPmbQmhOiRzRTfvieXSvio_QB4oOZw_RmIvhmUQOA5YdxvTdR1qHrCMJ4rx13CIqifKJkJczGKY_Uaz8we-Ex/s320/Posy+Shawl+Detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdC2Memo3iY3MvWRBqQ98jbiQpDF1xUE2dFrKAoEp4xJ9UGAkPyM86vGkfXBNgf6xE6O72nVMEhwYtYgLMXZc13PY1fKKqhxR8NHzvliSsCrXb1r8cIyGj1Xi2IRzJ1F404b7jiQ_Rvqt/s1600/Paoy+Shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdC2Memo3iY3MvWRBqQ98jbiQpDF1xUE2dFrKAoEp4xJ9UGAkPyM86vGkfXBNgf6xE6O72nVMEhwYtYgLMXZc13PY1fKKqhxR8NHzvliSsCrXb1r8cIyGj1Xi2IRzJ1F404b7jiQ_Rvqt/s320/Paoy+Shawl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Outside of knitting I am now on leave from work for a couple of weeks and my daughter comes home tomorrow evening so we can go to Devon on Friday. I am a bit stuck though as I can't wheel my wheelchair due to tenosinovitis in my wrist (luckily it doesn't curtail knitting) so no archery or badmninton. Hopefully the rest from work will make it recover quicker as I can still hobble round the house although I can't walk the distances.<br />
This sounds depressing and it isn't meant to be so I'll stop and go off and decide what knitting I want to take away with me and then decimate the choices as there is only so much knitting 1) you can get done in a week and 2) fit into the car!sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-38866243075041840962011-08-06T10:23:00.000-07:002011-08-06T10:23:23.347-07:00Armand returnsI give lots of different things names I always have but they have to fit; for example we used to have an Austin 1800 that was blue, British and frequently smoked like a chimney so we called it Winston, the mini that was small and for its size caused inordinate amounts of trouble was named Montmerency (after the dog in Three Men in a Boat). Leading on from that the laptop I am currently writing this on is named for a character in the book I have been writing for years as it like the character looks fairly anonymous and my other laptop a wonderful white Toshiba is called Armand. <br />
Well Armand has been away for nearly a year being repaired and returned yesterday with a new hard drive and an uncracked screen. This is wonderful as I can now have a laptop upstairs and not have to keep carrying one up and down - a risky business if you are far from steady on your pins due to osteoarthritis. However, re-establishing all the programs, shortcuts, web links not to mention the pictures and documents has taken the best part of 2 days, is far from being a finished task but I am seriously bored of it.<br />
So I shall turn my attention to textile matters...............sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-5988628756129151652011-08-01T14:05:00.000-07:002011-08-01T14:05:35.901-07:00More Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMSvqXD6g6hY0OPSuwduO_wDVoRMUYrGqA7o2Gjcemsf7RxtRDQhQX7U8fOTyeLJhaAGwKyw5Px9jZ5Y5bDgRYfIpfQ3Hb98_1T_gQYkomidA2OG91Y72scaNcx2t36I0bSOaQLmf1tU4/s1600/Archery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMSvqXD6g6hY0OPSuwduO_wDVoRMUYrGqA7o2Gjcemsf7RxtRDQhQX7U8fOTyeLJhaAGwKyw5Px9jZ5Y5bDgRYfIpfQ3Hb98_1T_gQYkomidA2OG91Y72scaNcx2t36I0bSOaQLmf1tU4/s320/Archery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2y0H_eP3ihD883VCOJuiz8MoZRI9AlMKF9cRbCrrrz6sKXbsECFQvXuTOxVfrBhzt4Nhq0wKp3cyTjkcQNSSyOCOj-gt0R-yqZy5Hy38Gph2IeU5uZjdyZ6Q-ipZHzO-jo4JHQk4oXQn/s1600/Posy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2y0H_eP3ihD883VCOJuiz8MoZRI9AlMKF9cRbCrrrz6sKXbsECFQvXuTOxVfrBhzt4Nhq0wKp3cyTjkcQNSSyOCOj-gt0R-yqZy5Hy38Gph2IeU5uZjdyZ6Q-ipZHzO-jo4JHQk4oXQn/s320/Posy.jpg" width="213" /></a>Phone has now provided the pictures both of the yarn (isn't it gorgeous) and of the archery field - just to prove I went.<br />
<br />
Actually I was really glad I did and the fresh air blew some of the work related gremlins away. Didn't manage to score more than my son in our friendly rivalry though.<br />
<br />
Now I am looking at possible shawls to knit the posy up into .....sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-55097334983943198322011-08-01T10:58:00.000-07:002011-08-01T10:58:59.915-07:00MondayIn the words of a popular song 'I don't like Mondays' (unless its a day off work of course) until I get home when I can listen to 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' while getting ready to go to archery. The problem is then that getting up to actually go to archery becomes a less inviting prospect despite the glorious weather. If you then add in the lovely yarn I got in the post today that is just screaming for me to research a pattern for it the desire to go out decreases further. I have taken a picture of it but the phone (of which more another time) is refusing to send it anywhere so I can't post it here. Suddenly the annoyance with the phone makes the effort of moving less difficult and the prospect of shooting a few arrows at the imagined image of the recalcitrant phone very appealing.<br />
Back later.......sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631521071618466475.post-63625172188125985002011-07-31T14:25:00.000-07:002011-07-31T14:25:46.637-07:00Starting OutHmm where to start? Well I've no real idea and have only finally got round to starting because I was pushed on Twitter by <a href="http://www.theyarnyard.co.uk/">The Yarn Yard</a>. I suppose I need to explain a bit about myself - well I sew (as the name of this blog suggests) and knit and make felt. I am by training and interest a costume historian but have to work in local government for my living. I am an archer (bad to indifferent), play wheelchair badminton (even worse than the archery!) and listen to The Archers.sempstresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02609322204701934262noreply@blogger.com2