Snow!

I woke this morning to this view outside my window. Picture is rubbish as I had to take it on my mobile phone.

I always thinks snow makes the cold weather worth it.

You know when you've been on a diet for, ooh, about a day, and all you can think about is chocolate and how and when you are going to get your next bag of minstrels and you try to think good thoughts about lettuce leaves but, while eating said leaves all you really want to do is scream, 'For the love of God, someone get me some ****ing chocolate. NOW'. No? You don't understand that feeling. Oh. Ok. It's just me then.

Anyway, my point is this. Knitting diets have the same effect on me. Tuesday was knitting night at the Forth, so that doesn't count (ie. I'll diet tomorrow). On Wednesday the lovely Purlpower came over to the flat and sat next to me knitting a top secret project while I worked out the schedule of accommodation for the 'Museum of Constructed Textiles' project. As she was knitting so close to me I thought I could fool my mind into thinking it had been partaking in said knitting. Hmm, my mind is less foolish than it appears. It was fooled until Thursday morning, at which point a little voice screamed at me, 'For the love of God, get me some ****ing knitting'. I was unable to ignore this little voice. It was very loud. So, into my bag I stuffed 2 5mm double pointed needles, 2 5.5mm straight needles and a ball of very lovely Noro Kureyon, Shade 52, which Purlpower brought me back from the UKnitty excusion to Bristol. In the bag went this: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTcoif.html It was time for (almost) instant gratification.

Two evenings and a few hours of knitting later, I have 'Coif' to keep my ears warm when I want to wear my hair tied up and it's cold outside.

It was -6 C in Newcastle when I got home from uni last night. Oof. I think Coif will be very useful. Now, about that diet...I'll start it again tomorrow...

Corset had to go

Wow, I can't belive the crazy response to the scarf post. I know a lot of the comments were from friends teasing me and I know who they are so don't mind in the slightest, obviously BUT the weird poetry was just too much. Especially as my lovely Mum and Dad read the blog. So, I've had to delete the Loopy and Luscious post in order to remove the comments. I'll probably repost a modified version later.

Does this sound like me?

Your Birthdate: December 18

You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause. You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too. Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others. You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress. Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities Your power color: Crimson red Your power symbol: Snowflake Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Leila Squeezes

Text to follow... 

Ava

How gorgeous is this dress and bolero? Simply stunning! The pattern is 'Ava' from Retro/Fit patterns www.retrofitpattern.com I think I might try to make this for Ellie's wedding in Canada next August. Admittedly I haven't done a lot of sewing before, but I like a challenge, and it would look so good with red lipstick and heels. I think when I finish my architecture degree there's going to a sewing and knitting frenzy in my house. I've been daydreaming about opening a shop again this morning. That and, in no particular order: becoming a designer for Baby Gap; moving to New York, New Zealand, San Francisco, Sydney, or er, Totnes; and marrying a man in uniform. No particular uniform. Actually no particular man either. Although, maybe one who sees me in this dress... look out Canada, here I come!

Leila in Tank Top Heaven

Is this the cutest wee bairn in all the world? Oh yes, my friends, she's beautiful!

And made all the more gorgeous by the addition of some seriously yummy tank tops. Ok, I know I'm blowing my own trumpet here, but seriously, how cute are they? (and Leila, she's cute too, but that goes without saying).

Look how she's grown since the last photo. Thank you Emilie for sending me these gorgeous photos, she's just so cute, isn't she? Oh, er, did I mention that already?

Anyway, wee Leila, I'm coming to your house for take away and knitting next week, so prepare yourself for the biggest cuddles you can imagine. Then multiple that by 100. You're so cute!

These photos of Leila's perfect tanks make up for the fact that Purlpower *made* me rip out my own tank because it was too wide. "Extra large?!" she exclaimed, "I'd say you're a medium". She then continued... "but go large cos of your big bosom". Er, thanks Purlpower. I think!

Dirty Carrots

Having walked to the Post Office at a ridiculous hour on Saturday morning to collect a parcel of yarn - yay! - I discovered this fantastic shop on the walk back to my flat. It's called the Honey Tree, on Heaton Road in Newcastle and sells organic veg, meat, beans and pulses and health food stuff, and best of all, seriously dirty carrots. I'm developing a minor obsession with dirty carrots. They're HUGE and taste FANTASTIC. I also bought some lamb and rosemary sausages which come from a local Northumberland farm. I love the Honey Tree, a fantastic discovery, especially ridiculously early on a Saturday morning.
 

Quick Knit

I've got lots of new stuff to blog, but I don't have access to a digital camera until this evening. So, until then, here's a photo of the hat I knitted myself when I was back home a couple of weeks ago. It's going to keep my head mighty warm in the frozen north this Winter. The only problem is it covers my ears and is so thick I can't actually hear very much while wearing it!

Question: Is my hair really this ginger?!