Winter warmer Questionaire

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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