Update (Part II): Doorstop

So I've decided to use my recycle, revamp and reuse philosophy to also record some memories here. Each of the pieces of clothing I cut up or unravel and sew or knit into something new has been evoking times past, and I thought it would be an interesting record (for myself at least) to link the clothes-that-are-no-more to their past lives as they move on to pastures new.

Here is another recent creation:




This project used several of my absolute favourite items of clothing. Firstly, a silk paisley-esque strap top I got in the market at Camden Market. I wore it at my Nan's 80th birthday and for a summer of hot 'n heavy with Mr Fish. It really reminds me of that incredibly hot summer when the 7/7 bombings happened, when I spent an eye-opening few weeks in London and everyone was terrified of public transport. Secondly, a pair of linen cut offs. Liz was nice enough to sew a neat hem for me (back before I had a machine), and I wore them incessantly for every summer through university. I have a vivid memory of shivering violently on Castle Mound in Cambridge with Ksenia in mid November, and she (not known for her suitable dress sense at the best of times) asked me why I was still wearing 3/4 lengths and adventure sandals with frost underfoot. That year, I really didn't want the summer to end. Thirdly, a simple cardigan with a jaunty angle of pearly buttons, in my favourite colour (teal). I wore it with everything (for a while all my clothes coordinated with teal!), until Mr Fish unfortunately shrunk it in the washing machine. Woe. But now, all live to see another day as an incredibly sturdy doorstop, the first one we've had able to withstand the terrible force of all our coats, bags and scarves, and the determined swing of a cat atop the door.Oh, and I had quite a nice day at Cromer beach pinching a bit of sand, too!

Finally, an update...

Finally, here is an update of my crafty stuff (Part I):


I painted this picture a good long while ago now, but only recently made the frame for it when down in Sussex with the Oldies. Grandad helped me and lent me his power tools , and I'm quite pleased with the result! I've got to varnish or wax it at some point, but thought I'd get it up here before its lost to my backlog.

I've also been experimenting with several bag designs. One with coloured petals and a black and white polkadot lining:

Then I went wild and black:

All materials apart from the ivory linen were recycled from old clothes of mine or from charity shop finds. So all in all, materials wise these bags probably only cost about £1 each. Which isn't bad going!

More to follow...

Summertime

Finally the sun has been shining, which has been a nice change. Well, until my lily-white skin turned beetroot. Maa. We've been away a lot this month - went to Bath to see our neice who is six months old now and incredibly cute and chatty, and to Brighton to a friend's wedding reception (one year late) and to hang out with the Oldies. It's been a good few weeks, but I've yet to get much crafty stuff done. But never fear! I have many, *many* ideas in the pipeline.... so watch this space! (Although not next week because we're going to Latitude. Yay!)

Actually, I have been doing some crafty stuff, which I don't have photos of. I made a card with a paper heart (white, purple, buttons) for the wedding. I've also been trying my hand at carpentry and falling a little bit in love with it :) Last year I painted a black and white stylised tree, and owing to its odd shape a frame was going to cost a fortune, so Grandad showed me how to mitre and lent me his tools (fairly essential) and I now have a brand spanking new frame for my picture. Photos to follow soon...

Elephants!

I've finally finished my job (whooop!), and I've been making things :) (and doing chores....). So here are my two elephants, little and large. The grey one is for my Grandad, the baby for my niece.

Open-mindedness

Clack clack

It's been a while since I updated, and I'd like to say its because I've been working so hard but in truth it's more like I've been hard at work avoiding it (which means I can't do anything fun either!).

BUT, I have managed to fit in some knitting... naturally. So here are some more of my finished projects. I decided to try my hand at a couple of baby hats (break me into hats gently). The first was an online pattern I picked to try out lace knitting, and after about three restarts and a lot of squealing I got it done quickly. I'm really pleased with it, its very satisfying to knit once you get your head around where the holes go and its not all number crunching. Hopefully I can build on this to make a giant blanket at some point...


Second is this broken-rib pattern hat, which looks like a tube but is suprisingly stretchy! It was actually fairly boring to knit (being mostly k2xp2 rib), but Husband wanted me to make this one. Obviously the pictures don't show it off to its full glory, owing to a lack of small heads for modelling. My first forays into two-needle hats are complete!


And finally, my largest project to date - a tunic/dress for my niece Isobel (currently three and a half months). I found it in the book Natural Knits for Babies and Mums by Louisa Harding, and fell in love immediately. I changed the pattern a bit to fit the yarn I had and the colour effect I was after but I am SO pleased with the result. I don't want to give it away! He he... but its not as if I can fit into it. All I can say is the parents better send me many photos! Not bad for about two quid's worth of yarn (and 18p for buttons!):

Isobel's Cardigan

I have finally finished writing up my report for work - 17,000 words in 6 days. Don't want to do that again! I can almost not bear to be typing, but I've been waiting to put up the photos of the finished cardigan for ages. In fact, we are going down to meet Isobel for the first time tomorrow, and looking after her whilst the parents watch a rugby match.

I'm quite pleased with the result, however now a little worried that it won't fit her - she's 9lbs 6 already! - but there's not much that can be done now. It's the most complicated thing I've ever made, and for someone who only started knitting a few months ago, I think I can be proud :) I learnt a few new techniques too: picot edge (really like this one), three needle bind off (much easier than I expected and rather neat) and picot bind off (bit fiddly, not to be done when hormonal).

Actually haven't had time for any projects lately, after typing an average of 2,500 words a day my hands weren't really up to it. But watch this space - I have many things lined up!

As for other things in my life, hmmm. I haven't really had a life for a week. I finally caved in and spent some of the money I've been frugally saving for an almost certain period of unemployment in April (I'd better be, there is knitting and painting to do!). Willis has been waking us up at 6am by chatting to herself in cat language and sitting on my chest purring. The family laugh at us. Husband has a new haircut and has turned into a preener. It's temporary I'm sure, but a little odd to watch. I have to start a new project for work on livestock and the thought of it makes me want to drive a cactus up my anus. I'm looking forward to it that much, really. I have an appointment in February that I am anxious about.

Goodbye x