Knitting with Woof's

summer fever

2011-08-09T19:12:00.002+01:00

i have just realised that it has been well over a year since i last blogged,shame on me, but life and ill health have over taken me and the blog suffered. During all of this time, martin has completed his degree, has taken up a new hobby ,peyote bead weaving and is going to try to sell his jewellery at a craft fair. its really great, a sort of weaving technique which makes for beautiful jewellry which is hard to break. thwe dogs are older but no wiser. Simba is a bit deaf, a bit blind, arthritic and balding, but the lady dogs still love him. we have started to use our caravan in Norfolk, in order, to give us a break and the dogs more exercise. we arrive like a mini zoo, 5 dogs,1 cat and 2 humans. we have invested in a large awning,some patio furniture and a large tv, in order to make it comfortable.Through out these last few months i have developed tri-germinal neuralgia. I have took it as a warning to slow down, so i have cancelled all my groups,classes,magistrates etc in order to rest more. i still teach crafts at the central library one day a week, but have given myself the summer off. lily is still as scatty as ever,she ate, the other day, 20 bars of dog chews which clean teeth,plus biscuits and crisps to wash them down with.

The Dali Llama

2010-03-21T19:22:00.001Z

The Dali Llama
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

I finished the second piece for the Lavender ladies embroidery of the century panel today. It represents the fleeing of the Dali Llama from Tibet to India, when the Chinese invaded in 1959. The silk was dyed in tea, quilted, embroidered,buttoned and beaded, then the back ground was seed stitched. It is about A4 in size and took two days of constant sewing to complete.Thankfully, I have now finished both pieces,ready to be displayed with the other members of the group, to see where they should sit on the panel.

Ben Hur 2

2010-03-20T12:12:00.001Z

Ben Hur 2
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Ben Hur silk painting, embroidered and beaded

Ben Hur

2010-03-20T11:57:00.003Z

At long last i have finished one of my pieces for the Lavender ladies panel for the Embroidery of the Century, Ben Hur has at last reached the finishing post. Each group has taken a panel and will represent the year in various embroidered pictures. our group chose 1959. Each group panel will have the year in bold cross stitch and a central piece, ours is the cathedral, surrounded by what we thought were major events of the year. All of the panels will eventually travel the country in an exhibition and raise money for a children's charity. Each panel is over 3ft long and 6ft wide. Ours has, the last spitfire, barbie, a piccasso painting to name but a few. I have done 2 pieces, Ben Hur and the retreat of the Dali llama from Tibet. Ben Hur was drawn of tea stained silk,quilted ,embroidered,beaded etc. It is about 12 by 10 inches and represents the chariot race. It took about 2 years to complete as for nearly 18 months i could not really manage fine things with my left hand.

cushion buttons

2010-03-07T17:29:00.001Z

cushion buttons
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

fair trade buttons for the round cushion, so that the cover can easily be removed.

Summer Breeze Cushion

2010-03-07T17:28:00.001Z

Summer Breeze Cushion
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

A crotchet cushion is dk cottons, to go into the garden room, inspired by the brighter day light hours.

Tumi. feather and fan shawlette

2010-03-07T17:25:00.001Z

Tumi. feather and fan shawlette
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

A simple feather and fan shawlette knitted in a wonderful 100% alpaca yarn and crotchet around with a picot edging in a baby bamboo. This shawl is so soft to touch and it's in my favourite colour. I love it!

My First Ishbel

2010-03-07T17:22:00.001Z

My First Ishbel
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

This is my first real lace weight shawl taken from a pattern,in Whimsical knits 1. Its made from Opal sock yarn, a present from Julie at Christmas.The knitting of the shawl has taught me to read simple lace charts, i love the colour interplay

A Sunny day

2010-03-07T17:08:00.003Z

For once the sun is out, the day is light and it feels like Spring,the light is so much better now that it inspired me to finish two projects and make another. Two shawlette s and a cushion.I haven't felt so great this week, so i have sat and knitted, instead of travelling around the country.The dogs have loved having me at home, i have caught up with Lark Rise to Candleford and read a bit. Martin took the car in to have a puncher fixed to find our front tyres were severally worn, 3 tyres later,he came out again,shocked that he had not noticed them. So fellow car owners remember to check your tyres every now and then as we were lucky not to have had an accident.

life is hard for a goldie

2010-03-01T23:54:00.001Z

life is hard for a goldie
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Lichen Coat

2010-03-01T23:53:00.001Z

Lichen Coat
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Wrap around wrap for Ravelry Olympics 2010

2010-03-01T23:52:00.002Z

Wrap around wrap for Ravelry Olympics 2010
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Travelling scarf Group 77

2010-03-01T23:50:00.001Z

P3012299
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Spring has come at last!!!

2010-03-01T23:35:00.004Z

After many months of not blogging ,due to injured arm, life in general etc, i am back again. After so many months of cold and dismal weather, the sun came out and snowdrops are yo be seen popping there heads above the earth.Lily has spring fever, i have completed two large projects for the Ravelry knitting Olympics and new energy seems to be flowing in the veins. It seemed right to blog again.Today, i went to Ely for my embroidery group, and popped into the new wool shop. There i met Alison Yarninmypocket,selling her hand dyed yarns,i could not resist and my stash has grown by 3 balls. Some beautiful sea coloured lace weight and 1 ball of terracotta sock yarn. i start my pictures with my beloved Simba, who else, and then those of my Ravelry knits and my travelling scarf.

Olympic knitting

2010-02-28T23:15:00.001Z

100_1868
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

the 3 babes

2009-10-23T20:02:00.001+01:00

the 3 babes
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Waistcoats Ceramic buttons

2009-08-16T22:48:00.001+01:00

Waistcoats Ceramic buttons
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Buttons are about inch and a half in length, brought at Sew Creative, they have a lovely texture.

Noro WAISTCOAT

2009-08-16T22:45:00.001+01:00

P8161056
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

I am trying really hard to knit from the yarns i have. This vest or waistcoat is knitted in Silk Garden light. My own design with a wave crotched edging, ceramic buttons and crochet tie. It is based on my lovely feather and fan design. Knitted in one piece to the arm holes. It took ten balls of yarn and the colours remind me of the sea and beach.It took about 10 days to make.

Invasion of the stinging kind

2009-08-16T15:21:00.002+01:00

On friday Martin climbed into one of the 2 little attics and quickly came scumbling down again. He was greated with a large 2ft wasp nest that had grown over one of the air blocks. it contained thousands of wasps. After persuading him not to tacle it himself we got a pest controller in who sprayed it with wasp poison. it was one of the largest nests he'd ever seen and he said it containeda lot of wasps. Apparently a few hundred drones can build a very large nest in a matter of weeks, ours had the humidity of the bathroom and an air vent, to make it a popular nest choice. Its not to be touched for a few days, and we may need him back again.It's amazing to think that we could have had these little house guests so close by but not known it. We came down with the sniffles, we think the powder did that, but poor Lily was really ill, being sick etc, we think she might have investigated the poison can lid.

On a brighter note, Cousin Mick and i were interviewed by the Cambridge Daily News about our rare bone complaint and ity was published in saturdays paper.it was a good article, though my photo was not too great. Alice Ryan the reporter loved Micks cheeky wit, even when he tried to flirt with her.

craft wise i have just finished one waistcoat and two thirds through another, i am trying to be good and start using up my stash. Photo,s to come later. Other than that we and the ark remain much the same.

Afternoon tea with a difference

2009-08-12T18:16:00.001+01:00

Afternoon tea with a difference
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

After many months i have finished one of my Debbie Abraham blankets. I brought the yarn half price on Ralvery, because it's seller no longer wished to knit it. i have changed some of the colours and squares of the original design, plus i crotched a boarder and added extra beads I loved knitting it, and became addicted to bead knitting in the process. Its over 5ft square and weighs a ton. The original design was too pink for me,so i substituted blues and teals in some squares.Now to find a home for it.

Gold sprayed landscape

2009-08-12T12:39:00.001+01:00

gold sprayed landscape
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

The third picture shows the same scene sprayed with gold paint, which does cover the area to create a uniformed scene. The whole exercise was based on textured knitting, how to create texture in stitch with only knit and purl stitches, and how to create line and form in knitting. At a latr date, the lines,shapes etc. in this scene could be used in designing a pattern for a garment or object.

landscape sprayed blue

2009-08-12T12:35:00.001+01:00

landscape sprayed blue
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

The second picture shows the scene spray painted blue, but the paint does not cover the images very well.

original textured landscape

2009-08-12T12:34:00.001+01:00

original textured landscape
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

This is a picture of an exercise for my Part 3 City and Guilds knitting course. We had to find a picture of a landscape and re produce it in 3d. The picture is made up of a variety of things, pasta, string,ribbon, paint,gallery glass, lobelia, seeds,rice, shells etc.

Finished at last

2009-08-09T16:44:00.002+01:00

It's a red letter day as i have at long last finished module 1 of my City and Guilds hand knitting course. i began this module in April, so it has taken me just about 4 months. Even though i have been knitting for years, i feel as if i have learnt alot, and my memory has been refreshed on other things. It also means that i can go away and be refreshed before i start module 2.

unfortunately the dogs have not been too well this week. we took them to Royston heath on Thursday, and though the sky was over cast, i think it was too hot for them, 3 of them were down with sickness and heat exhaustion, we will check the temperature next time, nothing over 18 for a walk. Tumi, bless her has sprained her back and cannot stand very well. She is lovingly being looked after, by us and the others gentle nudge her. Sitting down with her has made me conscentrate on finishing the module. She is a little better, but can only walk a couple of steps.Lily can't understand why her best friend won't play with her.

bye for now.

But i don't want to get out , i like it in here.

2009-08-02T15:24:00.001+01:00

But i don't want to get out , i like it in here.
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Simba in his favourite element water and mud, he loves it so, he can still swim further than all of the others, but with young Lily to keep him fit, he is not going to be allowed to become old and staid

Merlin

2009-08-02T15:22:00.001+01:00

Merlin
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Since i posted a picture of the girls, i had better post one of the boys, this is Merlin on one of there Waterbeach walks. Though the second biggest he is still the lowest ranking in the pack

Lily and her sand pit

2009-08-02T15:18:00.001+01:00

Lily and her sand pit
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

lily looking for treats in her sand pit. This is our way of trying to stop her from digging up the flower pots, burying treats for her to find. She stopped all the others getting in, found all the sweets, then dug into the flower pots.

Baby surprise Jacket

2009-08-02T15:15:00.001+01:00

Baby surprise Jacket
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

My first attempt at knitting a baby surprise jacket. a jacket knitted all in one piece, which look's really strange as you knit it !

All girls together

2009-08-02T15:14:00.001+01:00

All girls together
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Same group, wondering why we are disturbing there sleep!!!

We 3 Girls

2009-08-02T15:13:00.001+01:00

We 3 Girls
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

All three girls taking an afternoon nap on the sofa. the boys are on the floor. Nearest is Tumi, then her best pal in all the world, Lily, and Missy is furthested away.

Ethipian Tryptic

2009-08-02T15:11:00.001+01:00

Ethipian Tryptic
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

i painted this on tea stained silk a year ago, it was used as a part of a resent exhibition in the old stables of Fulbourne manor Fulbourne. The piece was made after an exercise using Ethiopianwall paintings. It is draw with water colour pencils, silk painted, embroidered and mounted on canvass.

ice maiden

2009-08-02T15:07:00.001+01:00

ice maiden2
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Another stash busting wrap, using 6 balls of cream blur, feather and fan pattern, with beaded picot crochet edges and tassels. I made this for the summer evenings on the cruise.

Manos Shawl

2009-08-02T15:05:00.001+01:00

Manos Shawl
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

several years ago i brought 3 balls of Manos from Cottenham, this year they had the same colour so i brought another 2. Manos silk blend is really soft and warm. when i finished it, it looked rather bland, so i have crotched around the boarder, added beads, tassels and one extra thick crotched boarder, in order to add interest.. The wrap is made extra long, it's over 3 feet, in order to be able to attach it on the shoulder or chest or in the middle. i have also made a pin for it. It was a great stash busting exercise, though i did have to buy the Debbie Bliss,silk double knit for the contrast wool

Gerbera brooch

2009-08-02T14:58:00.001+01:00

Gerbera brooch
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

a Small brooch made at a recent crochet workshop i attended at John Lewis, made with organic cotton and kidsilk haze, backed with a safety pin. i really enjoyed this workshop and brushed up on skills. other pins to follow at a later date

Simba and chicks

2009-08-02T14:56:00.001+01:00

Simba and chicks
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

The 5 chickens and roosters were knitted in Rowan Organic cotton, each bird will have a little of the relevant dogs fur inside. The big bird, simba is already stuffed, but the others are waiting to be finished. eventually they will sit with legs dangling in the Conservatory. Pattern orginally adapted from a Rowan kit

The past two months

2009-08-02T14:33:00.002+01:00

It has beenages and ages since i have blogged, two reasons, one painful hand, and a busy Martin who hasn't had time to take photos etc. So now its time for a bit of a catch up.

martin has finished University for this year, and goes back in september to write his disertation and to take a couple of extra modules. I am so proud of him as he won the Student of the year award.Not for marks etc, but for over coming his dyslexia, reallyhelping other people in many different ways, for contributing as a student rep and helping fellow students. Only one student a year gets the ward from over 20,000 students. So he has done really well.

The hounds are all fine as later photographs will show. Simba is now 11, Lily remains a full of energy as ever. She has been helping Martin to put anextension on the garden room,cutting his wood up into bit size chunks for him and re distibuting all the plants.

i have been trying to rest as my legs do not like me too much at the moment. Plus my left hand is not too good.I have been for umpteen tests and things, at one point i was lighting up the national grid with over 9 amps of electricity being pumped through my arm. I have 2 elbows on one arm, and the surgeon whats to make sure he knows where everything is, before he operstes. Otherwie i have been knitting,crocheting and sewing as usual.

i have also joined face book and am slowly learning how to use it.

we are slowly getting ready for our holiday in September, our 1st in 4 years. Both of us can't wait, we hope to cruise around some of the greek islands such as santorini,crete etc then the second week go to venice, spit and other ports in croatia. Hopefully the sail will be calm and the places interesting.

Enjoy the following photo's.

Her Royal Highness, the Empress Sophie

2009-06-07T18:41:00.010+01:00

I have recently been knitting with Sublime wool, as you can see Puss has taken a real liking to the texture, and has claimed my knitting wool as her own. She sat in this box, with her head on a ball of wool for several hours, not moving. Not for her the sofa, only the best is good enough for the grey queen.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27738665@N05/3592251174/

i had not realised thats it's been over a month since i have written. it has been a busy month. Martin has had exams and essays, he has nearly finished his third year of Computer Sciences. He was awarded outstanding student rep of the year for the second year running.I was so pleased for him. Next term is his Dissertation and maybe an extra module or 2 to help him fing work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27738665@N05/3591448349/

As for me, i have been on a Spinning day, two workshops, one with Debbie Abraham on colour and one with Emma King on knitting jewellery, both of which i really enjoyed and learnt alot. I have continued with my course work, knitted, painted etc and enjoyed the weather.The dogs are fine, though the dreaded baby hedgehog continues haunt them. Now they have the birds to worry about, there is no knowing the damage a baby black bird can do.

We have also been to the cinema to see Star Trek, Night at the Museum 2 and Wolverine, all of which we loved. Plus days out at the Strawberry fair, Waterbeach Barracks open day, Sue Ryder Craft day and fair and chips by the Milton Island on a moon lit night. Martin only takes me to the best places to dine.

Craft wise, i have managed to finish, some jewellery, a baby surprise jacket, a white shawl with beads and 2 Noro sock yarn shawls, one large and one small. I am 2 thirds of the way through the afternoon tea blanket, though behind with my Mystery one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27738665@N05/

Unfortunately i have had to travel to the hospital a fair bit as i am having problems with my left hand, i cannot feel anything in much of it. X rays have shown that i have 3 bony nodules growing on various nerves, which is what is causing the trouble, but due to my unusual anatomy.ie 2 elbows, they are being very careful before desciding if and when to operate. In the meantime, i can still knit etc, but i drop things more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27738665@N05/3591455007/

Lily the lille minx, continue to give us hours of pleasure. She is just so bright that she runs rings around the others. In order to stop her from digging up the tubs, we put sand in the plastic pool and buried treats in it for her to dig and find. Now she allows no one near HER pond and she has managed to put sand every where, yes she still digs into the pots. The dogs have new found friends, a family of ( in their minds Fearsome )hedgehogs, who live at the end of the garden and who make nightly raids, behind the pots, snorting as they go. I have had several very large dogs trying to sit on my lap, whilst these pretty little creatures get on with there nights work. Hedgehogs might eat Goldies, or at least bite, in a goldies eyes. If that was not enough, those humans have encouraged vast flocks of birds to eat from the bird table. Hundreds and hundreds of birds that won't stay still to be caught and played with.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27738665@N05/3591448349/

Aren't i a handsome boy!!!

2009-04-29T17:12:00.001+01:00

Aren't i a handsome boy!!!
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

My new picture for Ralvery, this is a really good picture of Merlin, Simba's son. He like Simba was madly in love with the girls at mating time. He really wanted to get to them, so much, he broke one of the garden rooms veranda poles. But we would not allow the loving couples to meet, so Merlin, like Simba made the best of trying to show the girls how handsome he really was. Love does not run smoothly for Goldies, maybe next year.

Goodies from Petronella for the Fairy Tale swap

2009-04-29T17:07:00.001+01:00

Goodies from Petronella for the Fairy Tale swap
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

My swap package from Petronella in Sweden for the Fairy Tale Spring swap, Based on Beauty and the beast, the soap and candle were for Beauty, the Beast was to be lightened up by the Yarn, i also received a stitch holder, needle gauge and circular needles plus a scarf pattern. Great swap

Mud tracks in the water

2009-04-29T16:55:00.001+01:00

Mud tracks in the water
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Washing off all that mud!

Tumi in the Field

2009-04-29T16:54:00.001+01:00

Tumi in the Field
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Tumi has grown into a real stunner, here she is trekking.

Just going for my mud bath, its good for the coat i'm told

2009-04-29T16:52:00.001+01:00

Just going for my mud bath, its good for the coat i'm told
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Simba having a mud bath, there is nothing in the worldas good as mud!!!

Simba in Love!!!!

2009-04-29T16:36:00.001+01:00

Simba in Love!!!!
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Simba last week, a prisoner of the verander, he loves the girls, but cruel us are keeping him from them. Life is hard for a goldie in love.

My garden

2009-04-29T16:34:00.001+01:00

My beutiful garden
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Recently Martin has been putting up hanging baskets, planting flowers and reovating the verander of my garden room. It really looks lovely, the baskets are full of colour and my work room looks splendid after painting and new veranda poles. We sit and eat up there, watch tv outside and we can have a dog free zone as well. The paddling pool is there for the dogs to cool off, i now have a secure spinning spot.

I didn't do it, a big dog did and ran away

2009-03-30T19:05:00.001+01:00

I didn't do it, a big dog did and ran away
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

What can you say! here is proof that our Lily is just as naughty as Marley. Caught red handed, with the content box in her mouth. Borrowed and eaten from the window sill. What can you say?

All 5 together

2009-03-30T19:00:00.001+01:00

All 5 together
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Last week Martin and i went to see the wonderful film Marley and Me, about a really dis obediant but much loved dog. We laughed and cried, and smiled and nodded heads as we relieved some of the antics of our dogs. But we came out of the cinema realising how lucky we were to have them. It's true what the author says, give a dog your heart and he will give you his. This picture shows our five swimming like otters in pool, at the weekend. Yes they did shake over everyone!

I'm tired and i want to go to bed

2009-03-25T18:36:00.001Z

I'm tired and i want to go to bed
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Simba was brought to keep Poppy Company, as Sam my old Goldie died when Poppy was 1. She went into a deep depression and really did not come out of it untill Simba was over a year old. By then, he had grown up into a big boy, and it was a toss up between him and the male fox, who lived on the common, who would father her babies. Simba won, and between them they sired many pups. She had them, Simba and the others looked after them, whilst she sat and supervised from the sofa. Simba, at rest, Lily has gone to sleep, the others are dozing, so now a poor hard working dog, can try to get a bit of shut eye. Because Poppy would not play with him as a pup, due to her depression, we had to get Mishka, but that's another story.

Dancing tree for a delicate lady

2009-03-25T18:27:00.001Z

Dancing tree for a delicate lady
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

This beutiful cherry tree was planted in the memory of my lovely Popppy, my dear dancing lady, who though the smallest of our pack of retrievers, ruled her pack with a will of iron. she was a fun loving,flirt, with delicate manners. She told me when it was time to fo to bed and when to share my tea. A Royal princess of dog's,who is much missed.

The black sheep of the family

2009-03-25T18:21:00.001Z

The black sheep of the family
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Knitted from a sirdar kit, this cheeky chap reminds me that the spring is here!

Emily's cushion 4

2009-03-25T18:16:00.001Z

Emilies cushion 4
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Emily's cushion 3

2009-03-25T18:15:00.001Z

Emilies cushion 3
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Emily's cushion 2

2009-03-25T18:14:00.001Z

Emilies cushion 2
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Emily's cushion 1

2009-03-25T18:12:00.001Z

Emilies cushion 1
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Emily's Cushions

2009-03-25T18:00:00.006Z

For the last few months i have been asking people to knit a square for Emily ( Stitched Rabbit)to make a house warming present, it was her first home and a first home is always special. Several members from the group, including Megknit , Rosanglaise, Sockmum, Frizzyknits.Dasma, Lucybeth and myself, contributed squares to make up cushions. I gave them to Emily, with all our love, last week , and she loved them.

inca mist beaded corsage

2009-03-14T22:06:00.001Z

P3140890
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Made for the Olivia inca mist coat, croched and beaded

Inca Mist coat

2009-03-14T22:05:00.001Z

P3140889
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

Knitted with grey alpaca wool, in feather and fan, rib and mesh stitch, with beaded corsarge

I thought i saw a pussy cat?

2009-03-14T22:00:00.002Z

Sophie hidde amongst the clothes, peeering out and the world, peering into her

P3140891
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

I want to be alone

2009-03-14T21:57:00.001Z

P3140892
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

I want to be alone !

2009-03-14T21:06:00.003Z

Most of the photos so far on my blog have been of the dogs. But i also have a cat Sophie, a beautiful, grey, fawn and pink at with long fur and grey green eyes. She resembles the American Calico cats and came from an animal rescue centre called HOPE, in Norfolk. I wanted a bagpuss type of cat, who sat on my lap and purred. instead i have the Atilla the Hun of cats, who has claimed the entire neighbourhood for her territory. As for those inferior beings, dogs and humans, why should she care about them, she rules us all with an iron paw. Every cat rival is lead back to the garden to be dispossed of by her golden servants. Humans are either bitten or licked, depending on if she likes you or not. She costs far more to keep than the five goldies and has played havoc with ornaments,plates and dishes. She is really beutiful, and sometimes conescends to sit by my shoulders. This picture shows her sitting in one of the drwas of the wardrobe, sulking after i have just combed her through. She does allow me to comb her, but woe betide the hands others who try.

Today, i finished my grey Olivia coat, made from alpaca, in a kit Martin brought me for Christmas.Based on feather and fan, lace and rib stitches, made from wool produced by local alpacas. have also photographed the Origins wool coat, that i finished a little while ago. I haven't worn the alpaca yet, but the Origins jacket is really warm, great for the cold days that we have just had.

Swap information

2009-03-11T22:06:00.006Z

Ravelry name, **Goldenneedles** name

Frances Small

73 Hawkins Road

Cambridge

CB4 2RB

United kingdomfrances.small2@ntlworld.com**

Your favorite fairytale? My favourite tale is Beuty and the Beast, My second is not strictly a fairy tale. The Lord of the rings Pick two in case one of them isn’t widely published.

Which spring goddess/May Queen appeals most to you? Again not strictly a spring goddesss, but Isis the Egyptian Goddess of love and fertility or Maat the Goddess of truth and Justice

Do you garden? I love the garden, but due to poor mobilty, my husband now does it for me

What’s you favorite yarn weight? Anything hand dyed and natural Color? Colours of the sea, spring, ethnic colours or naturals. i love deep rich colours. Not black or orange or pastels other than lila. i also love turqoise and teal

Do you have any fiber allergies? Not good with mohair it makes me itch. Not too keen on chunky, its to thick for me.

Do you spin? yes. Any special fibers or colors you like? Again not pastels or orange or yellow

What sorts of sweets do you like? Mints,humbugs etc,

Do you have any food allergies? Yes, fish, plus i have Chrohns disease so i have to be careful what i eat.

Do you drink tea or coffee while knitting or reading? If so, is there any particular variety or flavor? I drink teas and coffes, i like most things but not mint,green or camomille

As usual, suggestions and additions will be most welcome.

I love many forms of arts and crafts, i knit, sew, crochet, embroider, spin, weave, silk paint and textile manipulate. I pachwork and quilt, make books, felt etc

I like beads, buttons, threads, books etc

I adore my Goldies,

I also like angels, dragonflies, the sea, nature, elephants, woods, hedgehogs, sheep, anything ethnic, hand made paper, fairy tales, travel, the Armish ,histoical crimes and mysteries, ie Sherlock Holmes, Cadfael

I cannot wear socks due to poor circulation. I am textile holic.

simba with new toy

2009-03-10T18:53:00.001Z

simbawithnewtoy
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

presents from a recent swap

My Ball!!!

2009-03-10T18:51:00.001Z

P2250863
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

It,s mine

It.s my ball

2009-03-10T18:49:00.001Z

gobbyLilly
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

he's got my ball

We Three Kings

2009-03-09T18:28:00.002Z

silkpainting
Originally uploaded by frances.small2

After several weeks of dotting this picture mosaic style, then flooding it with colour, then dotting again, my painting of the Three Kings, based on the paintings at Knossos, was finally finished. It now needs to be embroidered upon and hung. The colours are very earthy and unusual for me to use. But i am pleased with the results. It's over 2 years since we visited Knossos, so the painting has taken it's time in formation. It was to have been my Christmas card cover, well there is always next year.

One Queen, three times

I have just found these pictures of Lily and Simba in the garden, the sofa no longer exsists, she's eaten it! But these pictures are just so cute , they remind me of why i love my goldies so.

Spring fever and Aida

2009-02-22T13:29:00.006Z

It was Textile in focus this week end, an annual textile meeting with stalls, workshops and exhibitions, full of yummy threads, wools, beads etc. I promised myself that i would be restrained and not buy much, but yes some of the products were just to tempting, some lovely lilac lace yarn crept in my basket, then some patterns i could not resist, then some sheep buttons, a book on Free form crochet and Woolly workshop became my Nemesis, 2 hanks of Alpine baby for ponchos, help i am a textile addict. I had wanted to do some workshops, but my energy levels were just not high enough.never mind there is always next year. It was great to meet Avril, Dinah, Jennifer and others there and compare wools threads etc

Buds are beginning to poke there heads up in the garden, and there is definitely a feeling of spring in the air, even the birds are beginning to sing there hearts out. Lily is helping to propagate,by bringing large plant pots into the conservatory and re distributing the contents.She has also trimmed the palms nearly a bald hair cut. Poor Simba has an ear infection which needs daily cleaning. Every night he gets on the bed for a cuddle and is coned by me with treats as Martin pins him to the bed to clean the wound. The look on his face is so reproachful, but each night he returns. I kid myself that its me he returns to but i know in reality its the treats. Missy's love of my drinking chocolate is getting out of hand. As soon as i have my cup in my hand i am under constant surveillance, and she grumbles if she thinks that i am drinking too much, she also doesn't mind sharing my tea either.

Valentines,Trolls and Fair isle Knitting

2009-02-19T23:11:00.007Z

It truly has been an unusual 2 weeks. Last week i was house bound, due to the snow, gradually i emerged to go to a Debbie Abrahams workshop and today it was so warm that i sat in a friends garden , drinking tea .But what has this to do with trolls and fair isle you may ask? I had been confined to the house for awhile as i dare not walk in the snow and ice in case i fall. The workshop with Debbie was really great. We spent a day making up a fair isle bag and learning various techniques as we went, tension, weaving etc. Debbie brought previously prepared kits and off we set . The yarn was cotton so it showed up all the little faults etc so that she could help us sort them out. I found it really useful as i am knitting her mystery blanket and some squares are in fair isle, all those ends! It took me a couple of days, but i made up an adapted version of the bag and was really pleased with it. That explained the fair isle.

The next day i had a court sitting, a very slow and drawn out one, whilst we sat waiting for clients, the Clerk of the court started showing us her troll bead bracelet. Yes there is something called a Troll bead bracelet. I was fascinated. It was like a charm bracelet but with glass beads as well as charms, it was beautiful. Martin met me for lunch and off we went to look at the shop which sold them.

Valentines day back to the shop were he brought me the bracelet, a silver scarab to remember when we married in Egypt, a rose bead in glass for Valentines and a starfish with seaweed, to remember our love of Norfolk. It is my prized possession, lucky they had a 10% day, plus a glass of champagne. On to the Knit together group at the Gradpad where a lovely afternoon was had by all. A great Valentines day.Completed with hugs and kisses from the golden woofs.

Over the weekend i managed to finish my cardigan which was great, as i am desperately trying to be good and finish things .

As for my babes, what can i say about them. Lilly has eaten my handbag, well the inside at least, plus an asthma inhaler, a calculator and several pencils. I dread to think what the inside of her stomach must be like. Missy has taken a great deal of liking to my night time drinking chocolate. Woe betide if i drink it all and not save her the last third of a cup,if i save too little she grumbles at me. Merlin is showing a few grey hairs, whilst his dad my beloved Simba is still quite sprightly, though at the moment all i can hear is his loud snores and snuffles.Tumi bless her guards Lilly at all times, she has also become our ears and woofs at everyone who knocks at our door, sometimes even when they are only coming down the path.She even lets us know when Sophie the cat wants to come in.

Arabian Nights

2009-02-09T22:26:00.010Z

At last i have manged to take some photos of my mystery blanket, whose theme , i believe is the Arabian Nights. I love this square for its simplicity and its beaded work. On the news as i write, it is beng announced that that Israel is favouring a hard line approach to arabs and that one minister, is advocating that if Jews are not militant in their views, they should be expelled. I visted Israel many years ago, and even then the sense of un ease in the atmosphere was electric. Though i visited some of the most sacred sites in the world, the only place of peace i found was in galilee on the lake. A land of such stunning culture, beutiful scenery and power sites, for example the holocast museum, i came away with the feeling of how could the Jews treat the Arabs in such a way, when they themselves had been so persecuted in the past. i have been watching with great interest the program Around the world in 80 Faiths, the presenter, an Anglian priest has been investigating various world religions and sites of spirituality. This week, he visited my fathers place of birth India, a vast continent of many religious faiths. He found that the country moved him to tears, because they let each other be, a tolerant nation whose hospitality and nurture were clear to be seen. Many of the worlds great religions started there, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddism, Sikism, to name but a few, and generally they co exist.It is a sad world, when so many lives are lost fighting for there religious beliefs.

Enough of such seriousness, this square reminds me of a magic carpet, with its stripes and colours. The ends to sew in where horrendous, but the over all effect was worth the effort. Our carpet is constantly covered in dog hair, and dogs. It sits in front of the fire, and the dogs love the fire, even though they have thick woolly coats, so we have nightly battles as to whom can claim the most carpet, us mere humans can shiver.

The blue and ochre pendant were a joy to knit, i love the beads and buttons.The ochre is a desert colour and the blue is similar to alot of Bedoiun tents as seen in Morroco. The Bendoin live a very simple and nomadic life, we were lucky to be invited into a tent once. They have a few pots, a loom, rugs, saddles, and little else. Life for them has not changed for centuries. i was given a genuine Bedouin necklace, which is made up of reclaimed beads and rope. It is one of my prized possessions.

The last two squares show the easiest and the hardest squares to knit. The red one was a devil

it needed constant concentration, as every row was different, and it included beading, cables, lace and texture. I must have knittted it and ripped it apart at least 10 times it was a great lesson in patience. Sure enough we need to repeat it again this month. Six made and 4 to go for this month. The blanket is making me concentrate and knit in ways that i would have never done before. It is also bringing back memories of holoiday happennings that had slipped my mind, maybe i should re read the Arabian Nights.

In the bleak mid winter

2009-02-07T18:03:00.013Z

Dogs on the run

It has been a little while since i last posted on the blog, and lots of things have happened. We are now in the grips of the harshest winter in 18 years and the fluffy babes love it.I have been housebound for just over a week as i dare not walk on the icy pavements in case i slip. But Simba and co have been walking in the outer wilds of Waterbeach jumping in all the drifts and playing boo with the deer. They love the snow and it has been hard getting them to come inside so that we can close the door and keep the snow in. Lily likes bringing in large lumps of ice and chewing them over your feet, just to make sure that your feet are clean and that you keep awake.

Missy in the Snow

Her adventures continue and her task to make the world one glorius play area is well on the way. In the last weeks she has eaten Martin's ear piece for his computer, ate and spread a large jar of Gold glitter. Yes it's every where, in the chair on there fur and even in the bed, snow and glitter look well together. She has created a new game called rummage the dustbin, you put the rubbish in and she takes it out re distributing it all over the floor. Those scappy bits of plastic are important to a girl.

Loverable lily, free at last

Martin is back at University, happier this semmester as he likes the subjects more. it's all way beyond me, but he enjoys it.In his spare time he is playing Oblivion and is pleased because he is no longer a vampire or something. He has been getting all the shopping etc and dog walking in this bad weather, so if nothing else he is keeping fit.

Simba in the mud and muck as happy as a dog can be

As for me other than being house bound for awhile, which i have quite enjoyed, i am the same as ever. I have new purple shoes and braces from the hospital. I thought if i have to wear it i might as well choose something bright. I am in the process of knitting, sewing, painting various things, plus i still do my JP bit. in knitting i am making the Debbie Abraham mystery blanket. It comes in kit form, 5 squares per month and slowly the theme emerges. Each square is an advanced knit, either beaded,intarsia,cables, fairisle etc or all or some of each. It's fun but taxing to do, and will eventually make a large wall hanging. This year the colours are very ethnis and i think the theme is Arabian Nightys but i am not sure. i am also completing the Olivia Alpaca knitted coat, plus a Scandernavian throw. Painting i am still completing my 3 Kings picture with Deanna, painted Mosaic style and completely different to what i had in mind. In embroidery i am still stitching Ben Hur for the Embroidery of the Centuary.

What else has happened, my Winter warmer swap came through and i received a lovely box of 3 kinds of handspun wool, a ball of turqoise Alpaca, some knit pro cable needles, buttons and beads and a lovely card, hopefully a picture of my box will soon appear here.

Picture of the family, Martin is there somewhere.

They say that it is a dog's life.

Changing rooms

2009-01-14T18:21:00.003Z

For the past few days we have been playing our version of changing rooms, the bedroom becoming the living room and visa versa. To those of you who do not know, i have a few mobility problems so i live downstairs. The bedroom is light and airy, the living room not so.Since you spend more time awake than asleep, at least i do, it seemed a simple thing to change rooms around.Not so, i forgot about decorating, moving sockets for TV, lights and furniture fitment. Plus all the junk and bits hidden in the down stairs hallway etc etc.Now on day 3 or so called move, Martin is fixing light fittings and the house is in chaos. I have been banished to the garden room, dogs are panic struck and general mat hem reigns.The house doctor never had these problems. A few more days and it should be OK.

I have received the first instalment of my mystery blanket, Debbie Abraham's 2009.I am having to knit it on 2.5 needles as my tension is so loose. It makes my hands really hurt if i knit with them too much. The colours are very ethnic, golds, blues,pinks red and green with a deep navy. The beads are various blues. the theme remains a mystery until it gradually reveals itself. so far i have completed 2 of my 5 squares. The beads really add to the glow of it. It feels as if it will be an abstract design but who knows.

In the mean time i am continuing with my feather and fern cardigan. i have also posted swap parcels to colour swap, valentines swap,journal swap, travelling bears and to Monique. Just winter warmers to go. Pictures to come later. Bye for now

Winter warmer info for secret pal re Afghans

2009-01-04T18:47:00.003Z

This will make little sense to any one but my secret Knitting pal, but here we go;

What has been your favourite finished blanket/lapghan?
I love making afghans of all kinds i find them relaxing to make and warm to lay under, i have knitted and croched and used both in one blanket. One day i would like to try the Babette blanket
Do you have a favourite pattern that you'd like to make in the future?
I am making the Debbie Abraham mystery theme blanket at the moment, i would like to try others in her books at some time, or just a cushion. I love all the beads etc she uses.
Do you have a favourite type of yarn for making blankets/lapghans?
Not really, Debbies is in cotton, i have used Double knit and aran, wools and acrylics. Debbies cushions etc are all in cotton.

Hope that helps.

Starting as i mean to go on.

2008-12-30T22:44:00.010Z

I am trying to begin the New year by being more organised and by trying to conquer the dreaded computer. i can write on it, but pictures, flicker, cameras etc fill me with dread. I want to be independent of Martin for putting pictures on Ralvery and this blog. Plus taking photo's then printing them. But my mind was born many years ago and it does struggle so. Hopefully i am getting there.

Whilst i have been struggling with the modern age, my goldies have been hard at work, doing what they do best, Sleeping. It has been a hard day for them, guarding the house, racing around the garden, going for along walk in the fields, and then having to avoid magazines toppling over them whilst i clean and sort. Missy is the one facing, and Simba is by her side. Missy is short for Mishka, Russian for little bear. In the pack, she is the maiden aunt, who grumbles all the time. She likes her food ball full and clean, water ready, yard cleaned. She calls me to bed, shares the bed and my drinking chocolate, and grumbles if the light is not put out on time. She always has to have the last word or grumble, no matter how many times you say yes Miss. A puritan by nature, she is my right hand girl. Yesterday we combed and groomed them, clipping the fur between there paws. Miss went outside in the cold and came back hoping like a gekko, because her paws were cold, and she grumbled letting us know what she thought of us.

Simba, my big male is the easiest going gentle giant you will ever come across. He is the king of my heart, big pawed and clumsy, 47kgs in weight, i adore him. He loves the quiet life, but worries over his pack not eating unless they do. His great love is to get up on the bed at night and to be sung to for 5 or ten mins. Then he gets of and goes to guard the back door. He struts around like a lion, guarding his pack lands and pride. Today after the walk he came hobbling in and gave me one of his giant paws. It was an Androcleas and the lion moment. All his paws were caked in hard dry mud, from the walk, and we had to spend 10 mins giving him a paw clean up .

Life with them is Messy, tireing,funny and joyful, we never have a dull moment or a clean house.

For Secret Knitty Pal winter warmers

2008-12-28T00:07:00.002Z

What is your favourite way of keeping your feet warm?
Hot water bottle and Martin and the dogs
Do you have a favourite pair of socks you reach for to keep your toes toasty?
Never wear socks they restrict my circulation
Is there a pair of socks/slippers you have been wanting to make for ages but haven't got around to?
No
What is your favourite finished object that warms your feet?
Knitted afghan
What is your favourite yarn to use for socks/slippers?
Does not apply, but i love using sock wool to make other things

Hope that helps secret knitter

The 12 days of Christmas

2008-12-27T23:35:00.004Z

On Christmas Eve, we went to the pantomine to watch Jack and the Beanstalk.

Going to a panto at 11am seemed a strange thing to do, but we really enjoyed it. The children were great and it seemed to set a Christmassy scene somehow. martin collected his beloved meat from the Butchers and home we went.

Christmas day has come and gone, i hope that those who may read this felt better than i did as i came down with some dreaded lurge or other. Christmas dinner was cheeses and biscuits, but despite that i still had a good time. Martin gave me some lovely knitting gifts, an alpaca coat to knit plus an alpaca bolero, a Rowan cardigan complete with book and wool, a bright scarf and hat kit in various shades of acqua, Debbie Abrahams secret knittted and beaded mystery blanket, Origins wool for a new coat, so i can see that i am going to be busy for weeks to come. The babes all had new collars, a rasta coloured one for Simba, pretty delicate pink for Missy, blues and turqouise for Merlin, purple bones for Tumi and Lily pink bones. they stitted around with very full bellies, like models on a cat walk. They joined martin in Christmas dinner, whilst i watched enviuosly, really not feeling well. Martin was king of the kitchen with his new Jamie Oliver pots and pans and creme brulee set. We sat watching Christmasy films and generally dossed. At night i have been allowed to share Missy's sofa again, but she still grumbles if i take up too much room, i hope to get back to the bedroom soon, but as the bug still has hold of me!!!!

Saturday, the pooches nearly had a heart attack as martin scambbled around on the roof of the conservatory, making them a place to shelter . No not on the roof , but outside we now have a covered area for them and us to shelter under if we want to sit outside. Hopefully it will encourage Simba to stay dry. The rest of the day i knitted and Martin defeated the elves in the role of a vampire.

Further Tales of the Ark

2008-12-23T00:54:00.005Z

Now that i have trasfered my details for the Winter warmers Swap for my secret pal, i can now write about the further adventures of Lily and the Ark. Today we have been out shopping and i have come home with the most unusual present, a walking frame with wheels and a seat. It's great, i can sit down and watch the world go by as and when i want. No crutches, no back ache, i love it. Bright turqoise and called Tilly, with a small bag and breaks. It has made such a difference today.

Came back to see that the Wisteria has bit the dust, plus large pot.Lily has been bringing the outdoor in again. I shall have to stop her watching all those gardening programs.

At the weekend Martin brought me two knitting kits from Scotsdales of all places, a gardening centre.Both are in Grey Alpaca, a coat called Olvia and a Bolero . The coat is very intracate with lace a plenty . I will need to get advise before i start either, and i must finish them, too expensive to leave half done. I have never had alpaca wool before, but i am told it is really warm to wear. I never thought i would hear myself saying it, but i really have too many projects to do, but then there is alot of time to do them in.

I have not been too well recently and i have spent sevral nights on the sofa, so that Martin can sleep. I have shared said sofa with Missy, who now has taken to summoning me to bed, allowing Martin to wrap us both in, and then grumbling until the light is off. My feet are her pillows and she grumbles if i have to get up in the night. When i do get up, i trip over Merlin, who lays on the floor by my side, then trip over Simba lying in the hall way floor. On the bed is a snoring Martin, with lily and Tumi snoring with him. They say it's a dogs life!!!!even Spohie the cat joins in by walking all over me, on the sofa, to get to her chair!!

Great news in that i have learned i am on the lst for the next Debbie Abrahams Mystery knitted blanket for 2009. I love her beaded work and was dissapointed that i could not join in last year. 5 blocks a month for 10 months and other than bright colours, i have no idea as to what theme we are knitting to. Last years theme was the country side. Knitting really does seem to have taken over my life at the moment.

Well now to bed, yes the Sofa, as i am still not well and need to sleep upright, but i have two Sister Fildelma mystery novels to read, set in ancient Ireland, also Missy is a calling me.

Winter warmer Questionaire

2008-12-23T00:07:00.006Z

Well, there is one person in the WWW that knows what this is about, the rest kindly skip to the next bit, please.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
All natural hand dyed yarns, such as cotton, silk, linen, wool etc
2 What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Thick nylon sythnthetics, mohairleave me puzzled, I never liked them much I .2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Needle cases and boxes
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Intermediate, i am learning lace, can cable use intarsia etc Module knitting, but i am a beginner at lace, freeform and following some of the more complicated patterns
.4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no , but i would like a copy of domino knitting or knitting noro
5. What's your favorite scent?
Rose, annais annais
.6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Not really
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I spin, knit, crochet, silk paint, embroider,textile paint, all things textile based
.8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
i love folk music lorain Mckeller and audio books.
.9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love the colours of the sea, turqoise, lilac,jewel colours, greens , ethnic colours, i hate pastels, black and orange
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with Martin, my partner, 5 Golden Retrievers, a cat and several large fish
11 Do you wear hats, scarves, ponchos etc
I wear gloves, mittens, scarves,ponchos, but not socks
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I have been knitting a poncho, an afghan and scarves and mittens for friends
13. What are you knitting right now?
A jumper for Martin, a cardigan for me, an afghan and a simple lace shawl { i am a beginner in lace}
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
i use both, depending on the project, I like all types of needles
.16. Do you own a yarn winder or swift
Yes
17.How old is your oldest UFO?
Several years old, i am making a real effort to finish off several of the things that are in various stages of being
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I loved Egypt, Morroco, Shri lanka, but i love the English coast as well, i want to visit India and China oh and Africa
19 . Is there anything that you collect?
i collect Angels, beads, buttons, books, thimbles and anything ethnic
.20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would love some seacell silk, Tilly Thomas beaded wool, 1000 Great knitting motiffs, and the one skein desingner knits
.21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn
Lace freeform ,more stranded colourwork maybe and more practise with beads
22. When is your birthday?
October 23rd

Book Memw, lifted from Knitting on the Green

2008-12-17T17:16:00.002Z

Book Meme Borrowed from Knitting on the Greens Blog

Lifted from One of Wibbo's New Blogs : This meme is originally from the Big Read. Apparently they reckon most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.

Instructions:1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.

2) Underline those you intend to read (I'm going to put these in red these - Blogger doesn't like underlining)

3) Italicise the books you LOVE. i am going to put these in blue

4) Post your list so we can try and track down these people who’ve only read 6 and force books upon them.

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien, by favourite book ever

3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6. The Bible

7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14. Complete Works of Shakespeare

15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

18. Catcher in the Rye - J D Salinger

19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20. Middlemarch - George Eliot

21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens

24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy, started but to heavy for me

25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh

27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34. Emma - Jane Austen

35. Persuasion - Jane Austen

36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne

41. Animal Farm - George Orwell

42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50. Atonement - Ian McEwan( saw the film and did not like it)

51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (tried; gave up)

52. Dune - Frank Herbert

53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60.- Gabriel Garcia Marque Love In The Time Of Cholera z

61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding

69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72. Dracula - Bram Stoker

73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75. Ulysses - James Joyce

76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78. Germinal - Emile Zola

79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80. Possession - AS Byatt

81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White

88. MitchThe Five People You Meet In Heaven - Albom

89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94. Watership Down - Richard Adams

95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Tales of the Ark

2008-12-17T16:35:00.004Z

My writings would never be complete if i did not include something about Lily and the Ark. Lily has grown into the most beutiful of pups and remains as inquisitive as ever. She has eaten a mobile phone, a computer, several pots,plants,cushions,socks,and other things. She has learnt to dig for England, has become master of the flying leap,turn and twist, and ditch leaper. She is constantly covered in mud, dirt, plant stain or wrappers, and for some reason we love her dearly. She has become Tumi's soul mate and they are to always be found together, and Simba, bless him, has to play even if he does not want to, its keeping him fit. Sophie our cat, has now deigned to join us, sitting on a large arm chair, with giant cat tv, consisting of a large fish swimmining around in a tank.At night the floor is covered by a pond of goldies lying at my feet. It's now winter, so Missy allows Martin to share the sofa with her, whilst Merlin keeps my feet warm. It sounds quit tranquil and yes it is.

Winter Warmers

2008-12-17T16:19:00.003Z

So, what is your favourite winter warmer for your hands?
Mitts or gloves
Do you have a favourite pattern or finished object?
No
What is your favourite yarn for gloves/mittens/handwarmers?
None
Are there any patterns out there you would love to own?
Not really
Or do you already have a winter warmer and you would like some mittens/gloves/handwarmers to match?
No

For my secret swap partner for winter warmers and any other groups.
Hi there, i hope the following information will help you in your quest.

I love all natural yarns, handyed, etc
Please no socks as i have walking difficulties and they will restrict my circulation
I would love, something like a bag or mitts or winter elf or something for my long sufferring hubby
I love anything ethnic, historical or from nature ie the sea
I love buttons, beads,etc as i spin, knit,crochet,sew,embroider,silk paint,textile paint,make cards,weave, etc
I also read,listen to audio books,love travel, nature in general
I love colours of all kind, but not neon or black,
I like most types of yarns but not mohair, it makes me itch, i would love to try some seacell or posh yarn
I am about an upper intermediat in levels, and i like to try new things, including free form and modular

Thankyou for the time that you have spent in making up my swap parcel for me.

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-17T16:01:00.003Z

Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy and Peaceful New Year to all.

It has been along while since i have written anything in this blog, mainly because i forgot how to use it, but i have recently been reminded that it exsists and that it is a great way to keep in touch with friends, i promise to be more vigilant next year.

But now to catch up on several months of news and also info for swaps. Firstly my Christmas letter, i hope it helps fill in some of the gaps.

Christmas 2008 Peace, Love and Joy be with you all this Christmas
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light
John Hopkins
Dear Friends and family, outside the frost lay’s heavily on the ground, inside a sea of Golden Retrievers lie like a gold carpet at my feet, Sophie is slumbering on the sofa and all seems right with the world. Christmas has come very quickly this year, it only seems a few weeks since the spring flower’s were in bloom., now the city centre is sporting angels and star banners. We hope that your year has been full of good memories.
Ours has been a mixed year. Martin is still at University; he received his HND, in Novembers and continues to study for his degree. He has done really well and I am really proud of him. He has become very involved in Student Union panel work. (Sort of a court for students who have failed There modules, essays etc and are appealing) He received a certificate of merit for all his hard work. He has about another year to go. He still looks after the students, who continue to come from the 4 quarters of the earth. Our Mexican student Rodriguez has become a particular friend. Martin’s dad and step mum have not been well this year, which has been a worry to him. They live about 300 miles away. Angela is now permanently in hospital, while his dad is in and out of hospital. He really cannot look after himself, but will not admit it. Because of this we cancelled our holiday to Greece this year. He has also become a once monthly platelets donor; he has so much of a rare king of anti body that they ring him up to remind him to come. He has also become involved more in cooking, experimenting with Chocolate mousse and crème broluee, no less. Oh at one point he joined a choir, but soon gave it up, like pierce Bronson in Mama Mia, he can’t sing.

The ark continues to flourish, Sophie has returned to living in the sitting room with us, now that she can control Lily with a swipe of her paws. Simba, bless him, and the others are surviving Lily, and are all well. Lily is a real Tasmanian devil, full of energy and mischief waiting to happen. She has eaten a computer, 2 mobile phones, several plants, pots, books, shoes, trellis, pillows etc. She is master of the flying leap and twist in the air. She is an accomplished sneak thief, window climber and escape artist. Yet we all love her dearly. One look at that face and you are captivated. At one point Tumi’s back was covered in huge bite marks and our garden looked like a tornado had hit it. Yet she keeps all the others young, and us either in tears or howls of laughter. I have become a frequent watcher of the Dog whisperer to find out ways to train her.
We have had surprise visits from our friends in Wales. Re worked the garden so it how has a dog free area. Renewed old acquaintances and generally tried to enjoy life and relax more and generally pottered between visits to Derbyshire. We have also become avid listener to audio books. We can work and hear a story at the same time. The realms of dragons, detectives, ancient Rome and medieval Cambridge all come to life, whilst I sew or Martin writes. There is something comforting in listening to another telling you a tale of great deeds or fantastic journeys. We have been known to sit up till 2am listening to the end of a plot. I know we could turn it off, but the tale does grip you...
As for me, I was part of a contempory quilter’s exhibition in March. I have a piece still on display at a local hospital. I still read, knit, crochet, spin etc. Though I have cut down a lot from the things I used to do as my health has not been good, so I now have days off, and do not travel so far. I have found a craft group on the internet, Ralvery and I have participated in swaps, knit along etc and made friends all over the world. I still do the court thing, plus I still silk paint and embroider. Knitting and spinning are my passion, I live surrounded by wool. I am sure it breeds in the night. I spend time with the babes, each dog needs time with me on my own, and woe to me if I forget it. I help Martin, and visit friends when I can. I am currently working on embroidering Ben hur as you do, and an abstract 3 king’s silk painting. I discovered the joys of bead knitting at a workshop this year, and for my Christmas present Martin has enrolled be on a monthly beaded project, I can’t wait. I knit for charity when I can, and I disappear into my garden room, where I am surrounded by books, crafts, my own TV and computer. Martin waves to me from the conservatory, and in the summer we sat watching videos on the veranda which martin built onto my garden room this year. On the whole we are both content and happy together, even though we are surrounded by dog fluff, dirty paw marks and the results of Lily’s latest adventure. That’s about it for now.
Till we either see you or hear from you, Joyous Noel and a happy, peaceful New-year. Our love and hugs to you all. Frances, Martin and Ark.

Poem for the season
The Christmas Silence
Hushed are the pigeons cooing lowOn dusty rafters of the loft;And mild-eyed oxen, breathing soft,Sleep on the fragrant hay below.
Dim shadows in the corner hide;The glimmering lantern's rays are shedWhere one young lamb just lifts his head,Then huddles 'gainst his mother's side.
Strange silence tingles in the air;Through the half-open door a barOf light from one low-hanging starTouches a baby's radiant hair.
No sound: the mother, kneeling, laysHer cheek against the little face.Oh human love! Oh heavenly grace!'Tis yet in silence that she prays!
Ages of silence end to-night;Then to the long-expectant earthGlad angels come to greet His birthIn burst of music, love, and light!

Knitting on the Green

2008-07-21T19:35:00.006+01:00

The last two weeks have been hard and hectic, hence no blog. Martin has finished his 2nd year at University and is now the proud owner of an HND in Computer Sciences, he returns to complete his degree October. He's done really well considering he has had no formal education for over 30 years. He is now building a covered gazebo, near my garden room, he calls it relaxation. It is so that i can sit and spin, without dogs. The night we tried it, with candles, coffee and supper 5 goldies joined us around the table, so much for a dog free space. Lilly is encouraging Martin in his work, by demolishing the other part of the veranda so that Martin has it cleared to build a new fence, he didn't really want to touch that part, but Lilly thought it would look better if it all matched. She has also demolished 4 cushions, 1 pair of glasses, several plants and 1 quilt. At times we do not know whether to laugh or cry with her. After the destruction, she has such a pathetically cute look on her face, yet the DAMAGE. She will grow out of it we know, but WHEN.

Red now for our surprise visitors from Cardiff. My big, little adopted brother and his partner came to see us this week, after many years of not seeing each other. ( He is bigger than me, but younger). So we had to clean out the garden room( Hide my yarn, in other words), and tidy up a bit. But it was lovely to see them after so long a time. They went home late Saturday, when we went to a friends 4oth wedding anniversary, which was great fun.

Sunday, knitting with fellow Ravelery knitters on Jesus Green, listening to a band playing the Glen Miller, war time music. The company was great, music wonderful, but of boy it was cold. Claire threatened the sun to shine, but it would not listen to her, it did stay dry. She needed to have performed a sun dance in the morning i think in order to make it shine all the time.

Must not forget other things. i managed to complete my openings Art course, and get the essay in, my reward was going to John Lewis for a yarn fix. there 50% sale was too good to miss, so yes i went back again, and a 3rd time. I now have enough yarn to keep me knitting into the next millennium, but i just could not resist. The first time visiting was to buy yarn and bits for my secret swap pal, well that's my excuse, i did buy her some lovely bits, in her favourite colours. I also brought yarn for the travelling Ted swap.

I have just joined the Travelling Ted group on Ravelry, sad i know , yes i knitted Ted, but he looked so forlorn, Martin gave him startled, shell shocked face, by placing the eyes to far apart, we dare not send him on hid travels. Instead, Baggins the bear was brought in a charity shop, to go travelling one way around the world and Penelope, the rabbit was brought to travel around Europe, i chose Baggins, Martin chose Penelope. We are making up passports and rut sacks to send them on there travels, and they will visit 10 other Ravelers, who will make things for them and write in their note books. We all have to return to our childhood some time, its that we have done it a bit earlier than most.

I have also been given a second hand mobility scooter, nick named the Silver Surfer. My cousin was going to throw it out but Martin rescued it, and fixed it for under £15. It means i can go with him when he walks the dogs, and that i don't miss seeing them frolic around. They are so funny to watch, and it helps save my poor old legs. The car can take me many places, but this means i can actually get on the common with them.

UK Swap Questions

2008-07-15T23:30:00.003+01:00

Missed question of the week 1
Question of the week 2.
3 guests I would invite to dinner and why.
Michael Palin. I love all of his travel programs and i would like to ask him about his exploits around the world. Plus Martin is a Monty Python fan. I can imagine that Palin has a wonderful sense of humour and that the conversation would be witty, humoros, yet serios at the same time.
Guest 2 Gandhi. I love what he did for India, his determination, pacificism, and his beliefs. My father came from India and i believe i would learn alot from him. He too had a sense of humour and a twinkle in the eye.
Gladys Alyward, the little lady who went to China as a missionary. I met her when i was a child, a small lady, determined, couragous, kind, what a women, a great teller of tales.
Question of the week 3
Is there a tv program you watch religiously?
Tribal wives, travel experiences from a womens point of view.
Any really good detective series or historical drama
What TV programmes do you avoid like the plague?
Any of the soaps ie East Enders, American rubbish like Friends, Reality programmes like Big Brother. To me they are all mindless rubbish.
Is there a Tv program that works particulary well for knitting?
Not really. I prefer to knit listening to audio plays, radio 4 or radio 7
What was or is your favourite kids program?
Jackanory, with all the tales being told by famous actors such as Bernard Cribbin.
Week 4
What is the worst thing you have ever knitted?
The recent mystery jacket on Ralvery. I enjoyed parts of it, but when i came to make it up, i hated the mixture of patterns, knitting, crochet etc and it would have fitted an elephant.
What are your favourite knit blogs.
I have never listened to one, i am fairly new to Blogs etc
What is the most amazing knitted thing you have ever seen?
I think it has to be the life size Ginger bread house, seen in pictures in various magazines, what colour, texture and pleasure it radiates!!
What is your favourite knitted item to wear?
Shawls and poncho's.
Week 5
Stop or go? Stop
Staying out or staying in . Staying in at home, out on holidays.
Small town or big city. Cambridge size, not too big or too small.
Happy or sad. Happy
Straights or circulars. Both
Red or Blue. Blue
Seaside or countryside. Both, ie Wells Next to the Sea.
Fish or chips. Chips, I'm allergic to fish.
Surprises or plans, both, each has there place.
Wine or beer, neither Tropucal fruit juices.
Sweaters or cardigans. cardigans
Pizza or Pasta, neither, satay chicken
Chopsticks or fork, either for Chinese meal, fork for english
Early Bird or Night Owl, In between, so twilight owlet
Knitting or crochet. Both
Hot or cold, warm

The Constant Gardner

2008-06-29T19:00:00.006+01:00

Today, the sun came out, from hidding behind the clouds, and i sat in a friends garden, whilst she and Martin, weeded and tidied her small plot between them. the birds were singing, good company, knitting and carrot cake , what more can you want in life! 5 Goldies. It was Clair's garden not ours, and i missed the fluffy tails, wet noses and general mass of golden fur lying all over the place. In our own garden Lilly has been helping us to re-arrange the plants. Martin is trying to put a roof on the veranda of my garden room and Lilly has been helping. As well as the mud she is now covered in blue paint, the colour of the wood, and the door is now decorated with paws prints. Tumi, her best friend has blue strips as does Simba, i think there is more paint on them than on the door. With the amount of soil and pots that she has moved in and out of the house we have now named her the constant gardner. Over the last two weeks, life has generally been a little slower. martin has finished University for this year, so he is catching up on house hold maintance. I have recently finished crocheting a lilac shawl for a friend, plus a red modular shawl for my self.

The modular shawl took a bit of playing with so I am pleased it came out as well as it did. We had an away day to Bursy St Edmunds to the new wool shop there, called Wibbling Wools. What a lovely lady and what a lovely shop, and yes I brought home some lovely sea green marino sublime wool. It's been a good week for yarn, one of my swap pals sent me some lovely treats including a small wind chime, bag, needle savers etc and some hand dyed lace weight for a shawl. On thursday, I had Lunch with my silk painting group in one of their gardens, Filo pastry stuffed with feta cheese, champagne, 3 salads, pancakes etc 3 cakes and cream, I waddled out. Later in the week I had coffee with another set of friends, home made short cake, raspberries and cream. again in her garden. Thank goodness they were end of term do's, I now have the summer to try and loose the weight I put on. Life with Goldies and 1 cat, is never dull, this week Simba, went with me to a friends to see her puppy Alfie, a little spaniel, so that he could teach him what males to. We were in fits of laughter as the wee little thing, followed my lion off a dog, watching how he walked, sat and weed. Simba took it all in his stride, strutting his stuff. It was so comical to watch. Lilly has learnt the run down the garden, hoping over all in sundrey, they leaping and twirling in the air, running back and doing the whole thing again. Missy has learnt to move our the way to stop from being squashed. She has also developed a liking for my drinking chocolate and taken to woofing when she thinks I should be in bed. Still the day draws to a close and I have that new wool to knit. Bye

UK swaps ( Ravelry ) Information

2008-06-13T20:31:00.008+01:00

UK SWAP (2) INFORMATION

Ravelry ; Goldenneedles

Crafting
I knit, crochet, silk paint, embroider, felt, spin,textile print,patchwork and quilt
I like to make most things, but not socks or baby things
My favourite project is one with texture, beads, buttons and colour
I like most of the natural wools, silk, cottons etc, I love hand dyed ones, and textured yarns
My least favourite wools harsh acrylics
As above, I also spin, silk paint embroider, tapestry, quilt, patchwork
Yes I knit in public, I carry around scarf’s, bags, etc
Gifts, any hand dyed yarns, beads, buttons, wool winder, silks threads, sea cell yarn, posh yarn

Favourites
Favourite colours are those of the sea, turquoise, blues and rich jewel colours
I do not like black, white , orange or many of the baby pastels
I love roses, rich oriental smells, flowery smells
I pamper myself with rich body butters and bath salts
I have to be careful what I eat, I have Crohn’s disease
I like both tea and coffee
I listen to audio books and have just discovered pod casts

About me
If I were a yarn a would be a deep sea coloured posh yarn to be made into a soft silky shawl, to cover someone in a warm soft textured reassuring hug or I would be a vibrant silk, glowing like an angel in the night sky.
Cambridge
I have lived here for most of my life, but I have lived in other towns
My favourite places in all the world are Egypt, morocco and India
If I could visit any where in the world, I have 2 places, the Taj Mahal and the Amish in the USA
My other hobbies include travel, theatre, reading , I love historical detectives, my 5 golden retrievers, nature, visiting museums etc, gardening, cinema,….

Themes
My theme is an Eider duck paddling on the River Cam, the colours are not those I would normally usually choose, but I loved the ripples of reflection in the water. The colours are subtle, with a hint of a silk shine on the ducks face. The neutral colours of the buildings in the background have a calming effect, but are textural in substance. Martin, took the photo whilst acting as an extra in the film the Golden Age, the duck refused to keep quite whilst they were filming. All the costumes, other than the queens were also made of natural colours.

Allergies
I have to be careful with foods
Other wise I am ok with most things

Other information
Hand made gifts are lovely
Other interests include angels, dragonflies, myths, sunflowers, texture and colour , the sea, mythology and nature of all kinds
I have 5 golden retrievers and 1 cat
I have only done 1 swap before
I don’t have a blog, so it makes no difference if I send to one with one or not
I will be around most of the time required
I live here all year

Goldenneedles

Close encounters of the furry kind.

2008-06-13T19:33:00.010+01:00

'' You may drive a dog off the kings high chair, and he will climb into the preachers pulpit; he views the world unmoved, un embarressed, un abashed- Jean Le Bruyere.

Today, the first day of blogging i find myself thinking of a hundred and one ways of skinning a golden retriever to make into gloves and bags, before us lies a minefield of devistation,paper,threads, wood, earth, material wool,the odd pen or two. Five goldies come rushing up, tails wagging, 4 of them saying it wasn't them, the 5th saying I have played interior designer again. Lilly the 10 month old puppy looks at me with her big brown eyes, my heart melts, and thoughts of dog skin gloves disappear. Life with Martin, 5 Goldie's, Simba, Missy,Merlin,Tumi and Lilly, plus a tank of 4 large fish and Sophie the cat, is never dull, messy, but never dull. we all share a little house, filled to the roof tops with books, wool, material and various other interesting things. The mini ark of 4 legged friends keeps us on our toes, feeding,walking (Martin does that) fussing, grooming and helping at whelping times. We love them all to pieces, the big fella, Simba in particular has got us firmly under his fluffy paw. When we have time, I play with a variety of textile media's and martin is a mature University student studying IT. We also travel when we can, go to the theatre, read, watch TV, listen to audio books and enjoy life.

In this blog, I hope to be able to muse on life, show my current projects, share the furry adventures, my love of poetry, prose etc and meet fellow life traveller's.

Lilly by the way shows no remorse at her creative abilities, 4 new threads, a book and several other bits have died, never to be used again. Instead, she has climbed up by my side, wet nosed and waggy tailed, to supervise what I am writting here, just in case i should write anything negative about her.