Clicky Needles

Blanket Fever!

2012-01-29T15:56:00.002Z

Hello!

I need to start by thanking you all soooo much for your lovely comments on last week's post ~ I was blown away by them all.

On Friday my wonderful friend Romain invited over to her house for a cup of tea and a look at her crochet blanket from the 1970's. To join it together she did 4 chains and a slip stitch from the wrong side ~ in the green you can see, I've still not decided how to join mine.

Romain is a hugely talented knitter and is currently halfway through a Rams and Yowes blanket by Kate Davies. Have a look here to see Kate Davies' designs.

I'm sure you'll agree with me it looks wonderful so far.

We had Butterfly Knitting Group on Saturday, so I took my latest squares to sew the ends in. My little bag was stuffed full and when I counted them there were 42.

Not bad for a week's work.

I find it very satisfying piling them all up.

I laid out the squares (again!) and I've decided the blanket will be 15 squares wide and 23 squares in length, so I've about 60 to do. Hopefully then, it'll be finished in the next few weeks (!) we'll see.

Thanks to Little Red Dragon and Anonymous for clarifying the number squares I could make. 990.

I bow down to your superior mathematical brains.

You may of heard about the Beautiful Blogger Blanket which is being organised by Stocki, so I've made some cotton squares for that too.

And here are my squares for this month's Phoenix Friendship Blanket.

I seem to be a little blanket obsessive at the moment!

So on to other things, a bit of yarn porn ~ you know you love it ~ some Rico Superba Pop ~ resistance was futile so I didn't bother, love the colours.

And now into the garden and this rather splendid peanut feeder my Mum and Dad got me for Christmas. I have only just got the nuts from our local farm shop. It's been up 2 days and the birds have stopped looking suspiciously at it and are now all over it.

Whilst I was at the farm shop I brought this fat ball holder which the sparrows queue up to use!

The weathermen are promising us some snow, we did get a dusting the other day (the first of the year) but it had disappeared by the evening. There might be more coming in tonight.

No matter.

I've been drinking lots of this lovely brew lately. I used to drink hot Ribena as a child and this is very similar, but with a kick of cloves. You can even pretend it's mulled wine if you want.

Even better it's produced locally.

So if that snow does arrive, I shall be tucked up by the fire, drinking Bottle Green Spiced Berry Cordial and Hooking.

What could be better?

Have a fun week, bye for now...................Clicky Needles.

Blanket Progress and New Yarn

2012-01-22T16:06:00.000Z

Hello All.

I've had a pretty much run of the mill week, so I shall launch straight into my Summer Granny Blanket progress.

I tipped all the squares out of the bag...

....... and then laid them all out just to see where I was. I have 230 (ish). There's still loads more colour combinations to go. Notice I'm not telling you how many ~ not because I want to keep you in suspense ~ it gives me brain ache to try and work it out. I have 11 colours, if you can suss out how many different combinations there are, please do. What I do know, is that no 2 squares will be the same. There will be a few I don't do, for instance the fluorescent green and lime green just do not go together in a square.

I have just added the shocking pink in the middle, which I wasn't sure about at the start, but it really gives the blanket a bit of extra zing. Laying all the squares out filled me with some heart skippy happiness. I totally love it.

Here is all my yarn. Each ball has a centre pull so I don't need to get any out of the bag, I find that makes life easier. I'm now thinking about whether to crochet them together or sew. I quite like the rhythm of sewing up and I don't find it a chore, but I'm wondering if crocheting through the back loops would be quicker ~ the jury's out.

I've also been dyeing some yarn.

Would you like a sneaky peek?

Of course, you would.

This is a selection of some Merino/Silk Laceweight.

And this some Blue Faced Leicester Sock Yarn. They both have a wonderful 'bounce' and are very soft. I've gone a bit wacky with some of the colours of the sock yarn this time. I'm now at my favourite part of the process, skeining it up, so watch this space!

Whilst food shopping the other evening I found myself stood by the flowers, I wasn't sure which to get.

Do I really need them? They be over in couple of weeks.

Then I spotted this Jasmine. £5.00 for a plant which should last indefinitely. It is now filling the hall with it's wonderful scent. £5.00 well spent methinks.

Righto, I'm off to rescue the washing off the line ~ it's very blowy here today and the the washing line has bent!

As always have a super week, byeeee...........Clicky Needles.

Gloucester Cathedral

2012-01-18T18:16:00.000Z

Hi there folks.

Apologies for not making my usual Sunday evening post.

I do have a good excuse ~ I was trying to fill in my Tax Form on line ~ the less said about that the better!

Anyhoo what have I been up to?

On Monday our whole school went to visit Gloucester Cathedral.

As you can see from this picture it is undergoing some renovation at the moment.

Some of the gargoyles have eroded away so stone masons have made completely new ones.

Here he is in situ. Did you know a gargoyle is a water spout?

It it doesn't have a water spout like this one it is just a grotesque.

The entrance.

You may recognise the Cloisters even if you have never been there.

They have been used in the Harry Potter films.

There is of course, lots of impressive stained glass. The East window is not very colourful, but is the largest piece of Mediaeval glass in the country and is the size of a tennis court.

One of my favourite pieces is in the Blue Chapel. This is only 20 years old and is made up of 3 panels. Even with a gaggle of schoolchildren the window is very 'noisy'. I hear storms at sea, winds blowing and people shouting. It is beautiful.

This more traditional window is in the cloisters.

The children had a fabulous time and there's not much they don't know about the Cathedral now!

We've had a little bit of cold weather, causing some stunning sunsets.

This one I snapped as I left Tesco the other evening.

The weather has now gone warmer again. Yesterday -2 degrees, today 7 degrees! What's going on?

Most of my time over the last week has been taken up by my Summer Granny Blanket. I've had a massive sewing in session ~ 6 ends for each square! I need to lay the squares out again to see just where I am.

I have also been playing "Words with Friends" quite a lot. It's a free app you can get for I-phone and I-pad and it's also free from the Android store.

Look at this score! 72! All seven letters! Waaaayyy.

If you've got the app and fancy a game my user name is Clicky Needles.

I also got a delivery of undyed yarn, so I've been busy with that. Hopefully I'll show pictures next time.

Have a great week, bye for now..................Clicky Needles.

Spring Flowers and Wellies

2012-01-08T18:12:00.001Z

Hello folks.

I'm back to work and had some very blustery playground duties this week.

Thanks for your lovely comments on last year's projects. I did leave some off, what I didn't tell you is that it took some time to make the mosaics, because of this I've added a new page to my blog and I'm putting on projects as they are finished, I think this should make things easier.

My first project of the new year is a Kindle Cosy for 'Miss Sparkle' our reception teacher. She'd told me she was getting a Kindle for Christmas and she loved the Adriafil Knitcol yarn that I made my Ipad cosy with, so I knew she'd like this. She made lots of squeals when I gave it to her!

The sun was out today and whilst not hot it was pleasant outside. I took a wander around the garden and found some Hellebores in flower.

This Primrose has been flowering since the Autumn.

I also washed my (very dirty) car. Not the most exciting job in the world, but I got to wear my new wellies. Some of you may have seen Lucy's wellies that she got from Next. When I saw these knitted wellies I was very excited. I rushed down to Next and ordered some.

Now I need to tell you, I usually get green farmer's wellies. They are very boring but there is lots of room for tucking in jeans, thick socks and large calves ~ the ones on your leg not the sort that moo.

Anyhoo, when the Next ones were delivered they were too tight. I was very sad. Boring green for me then.

I popped into the Factory Shop before Christmas and came across these swirly lovelies. I put in my leg. They fitted! How can this be? I then noticed a label saying 'Extra Wide Leg.' That'll be it then. I love 'em and proudly splashed around in them, whilst removing the layers of mud that had built up on the car over the last few months.

I'm keeping one of my resolutions already!

I laid out all the squares from my Summer Granny Square Blanket to see where I am. I've made about 160 squares so far, so I've some way to go but this is getting my full attention.

It does look lovely and bright!

Righto off to crochet some more, the ironing's already done, so a whole evening of hooky. Bliss!

Take care and have fun..................................Clicky Needles

A Very Happy New Year To You.

2012-01-02T20:42:00.000Z

Firstly here's all my projects for 2011.

Without doubt my best project of the year was my Woolfish Jacket.

Lots of scarves, not many socks.

Crochet things and hats. I'm so pleased I got my Ripple It All Up Blanket finished.

Phoenix Friendship Blanket Squares ~ don't think I got pictures of all of them.

We had a lovely new year with our friends B and S in Hertfordshire. We ate well, drank champagne and had an all round good time.

We've taken the decorations down today. They've been wrapped away in tissue paper ready for next year.

Everything has been packed away in the loft and this tree has gone to the local village hall for recycling. The tree hardly dropped at all, so cutting it down and putting it straight up was a resounding success.

Taking the decorations down always leaves me a little melancholic but I'm ready to welcome in 2012 with some (not just knitting) resolutions.

1. Keep knitting up that stash!

2. Make more socks, I only made 2 pairs last year!

3. Finish the Summer Granny Square blanket.

4. One for Mr CN and me, do some decorating.

5. Try and be more organised.
6. Take part in the Scavenger Hunt.

I'm not back to school until Wednesday, so I can go to Tuesday morning knitting group at my LYS, making the most of the last day of the holidays.

As always have fun.......................Clicky Needles.

P.S. I have been given a Liebster Blog Award by Stocki ~ how exciting ~ so I'll be posting about that soon.

Happy Times

2011-12-28T11:42:00.002Z

Hello all.

I hope your Christmas was a good as ours.

We had some really nice family time.

We had to wake the kids up at 8.30am this year!

The older they get the more they like lying in.

Mr Clicky Needles got me a book about Ivor Gurney.

Ivor Gurney worked on a farm near to where I grew up and later went off to WW1 and served with the Glosters. He also was a musician and composer. He wrote poetry whilst in the war some are really moving.

This one is particularly good.

The picture on the front of the book looks down from the school where I work and into the valley where our family farm was.

I'm really looking forward to reading it in full.

I also got some felting books ~ aren't Amazon wish lists great?

Some lovely felted bags in this one.

I'm planning this one.

........this too.....

................. and I love this one.

Some lovely ones in this book too....

...nice!

So I'm now thinking of all the feltable yarn on my stash and which patterns to make.

The children did quite well for presents but we didn't go overboard this year.

DD's best pressie were hair straighteners to tame her curly locks and DS' were new bearings to make his Ripstik faster (skateboard but more difficult) and a weather station. It has a sensor outside so we know the temperature, humidity and forecast without even leaving the house. We get all this information at least 10 times a day!

Just before Christmas DD's recount of her Ethiopia Trip was in our local paper.

That's her in the right hand corner of the front cover ~ next to Prince Edward!

Inside was a whole page and the article that she wrote ~ she's in the middle of the group photo.

I finished the Pimpelliese scarf.

I bought the yarn by accident. We happened to be in Abingdon a few years whilst on a camping trip and I came across Masons. Obviously it would have been rude not to pop in and I came out with some Araucania Multi.

I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy this pattern, knitting the border as it went along but it was great. I had a trusty post-it note to keep my place (thanks Romain!) and it all went well.

So what next?

Still not sure what to go for next I'll keep looking at my new books for inspiration I think.

Have fun.

Bye for now..............Clicky Needles.

One Sleep to Go

2011-12-24T16:05:00.000Z

Hello all!

Thanks for your birthday wishes.

Well, the candle is looking a little worse for wear but it's nearly all gone.

The shopping has all been done I've made the chocolate roulade and the fire is warm and cosy.

I promised to show you some more of my decorations, so here they are.

The 'childrens' tree in the hall.

This has decorations the children have made over the years.

The garland going up the stairs.

With the lights on.

This garland gives me chance use some beauties that don't fit with the living room colour scheme!

On the banisters I hang baubles.

The bookcase in the hall.

Bells on all the doors.

Dining room windowsill.

Snowflakes in the windows.

I've laid the table........

.........and the finishing touch, lots of glitter on the floor.

The glitter on the floor came about by accident when me and DS were making Christmas cards one year. He must have been about 8 at the time. I walked out the room and came back in to find him pouring glitter straight on the floor, my initial crossness soon went because it looks sooooooooooo beautifully sparkly!

So all in all, I go a bit wild with the decorating and woe betide anyone who tries to move anything.

It just remains to say, have a super Christmas and I hope you get what you wish for.

Don't forget to Track Santa with Norad. As I write he's on Christmas Island off Australia.

Have a wonderful day........................Clicky Needles.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-12-21T16:32:00.001Z

Hi Folks.

Me and Mr Clicky Needles had a super night out. Thanks for all your lovely comments regarding our attire! We have now both finished work for the Christmas break.

The tree is now up and decorated.

Pink and black again this year.

I'm so pleased with the tree.

It's very bushy which is how I like 'em.

We found this bird's nest hiding in the branches and lots of insects and ladybirds emerged as well.

I've discovered fireworks mode on the camera, so here it is at night!

It was my birthday yesterday, so we celebrated with a glass of pink (to match the colour scheme!) fizz. I do love using all of the decorations we have, so spare baubles get piled into vases.

My Mum and Dad came to see us and she gave me this lovely pin and button from Textile Garden.

I'm going to use the button on my Woolfish Jacket. The frog ~ incase you were wondering ~ is a tape measure.

I received my squares for December which was great, but I'm having a bit of a knitting impasse at the moment.

I'm really not sure what to do next. To fill the gap I've cast on a Pimpelliese ~ a triangular scarf with a border. I'm using some Araucania Ranco Multi, a lovely sock yarn which is kettle dyed in Chile. It is more purply than the picture shows.

Despite Mr CN telling me 'less is more' with the decorations, I have gone totally wild so I'll try and get some photos so you can see unfortunately the light has gone for the day now.

A few tidying up jobs to do and a bit of cleaning, but I think we're there!

Now, where's the sherry?

Bye for now ....................Clicky Needles.

School's Out!

2011-12-17T16:10:00.001Z

Phew.

We've broken up for Christmas.

The panto in Cheltenham was great fun, (oh no it wasn't) although trying to weave the children through Christmas shoppers is always a bit stressful.

Our Christmas lunch was excellent with everything locally sourced ~ the turkey was particularly good.

The children all went a bit wild at their class parties and quite a few over ate and turned green but luckily none threw up.

Mr Clicky Needles and me had his work's Christmas 'Do' last night which had a James Bond theme.

Now, I wouldn't usually show our faces on my blog but I think we scrubbed up fairly well.

I spent a good few hours being coiffured in the hair dressers, so my usual curls were forced straight!

The real revelation was having my nails done!

This was the first time I've ever had them done. No washing up/cleaning or anything that will make them chip now. I love them and might make this a monthly thing. Hehe.

We had a nice meal, and then got to play roulette and backgammon with chips ( no real money) and I got to meet Mr CN's new colleagues.

We got this lovely hamper from Mr Clicky Needles' employer, it's been quite a few years since we've been spoiled at Christmas. DS has already munched the candy canes.

Right I'm off now, in the middle of doing the tree so pictures tomorrow.

Have a nice evening.......Clicky Needles.

Not long to go.

2011-12-11T21:08:00.001Z

Hi there!

I thought you might want to see the school's tree.

Despite telling the children they could add any decorations they wanted, not much has been added!

I knitted red and white stripy 'bauble' in the middle.

Next week we'll be making pom-poms, cards and decorations and we have the pantomime trip, Christmas Lunch, Carol Concert and class parties.

I'll be chopping a tree down for home from the school field on Thursday which will be my last day before the holidays. Hoorah!

Last week I was bemoaning the fact that I hadn't found an advent candle, so I was very happy when I found this in the Laura Ashley Home sale. It's now in pride of place on the mantlepiece.

I've taken part in an Christmas Decoration Swap on the Phoenix Forum, and I received a lovely little knitted tree. Isn't it sweet?

On the knitting front I made this hat, which is a pattern from Ravelry, Jacques Cousteau Hat. 3167 have been made so far! It's a Christmas pressie (yes I know Christmas Knitting AGAIN) for my brother. I used some Sweet Briar Double Knit which is hanging around in my stash. It's fairly soft, I wasn't going to use any sort of 'luxury' yarn as there is a fairly strong possibility that it will end up in cow muck or being eaten by a sheep.

Hope you have a great week.

Bye for now ........Clicky Needles.

Sparkly Things

2011-12-04T15:55:00.001Z

Hello All.

Christmas excitement is arriving at school.

Following our building work we had earlier in the year, we actually have space to put up a proper Christmas tree, something we have not been able to do before.

I went onto the school field with the Head and we chopped down a Christmas Tree, there is a good selection, which were planted by the children in the Millennium. It's now up and we've asked the children to bring in a decoration for it, so I'll get a picture when it's fully decorated!

I asked the lovely ladies at Butterfly Knitters for oddments we could make into pom-poms for the tree last week and they didn't disappoint. I was given a great selection and we'll now set the children to work!

I got some other yarn in the clearout which I didn't show you.

3 balls of this hot red colourway of Freedom Spirit...

...and 7 balls of Wensleydale Longwool, in a lovely soft green. Although it is called double knit I think it's more of a 4 ply, sooooo very soft.

I also picked up a ball of bright pink, on the left here for Friendship squares for this month. My swapee wanted 'hot pink, nothing pale' so I think it fits the bill perfectly.

I received my squares for November.

The other rather fab-u-lous thing I got at the Butterfly swap was this pattern.

Somebody spotted it and threw it at me knowing of my tractor love.

A fine specimen of a man atop a Grey Fergie.

How wonderful.

I think I may frame it!

As I promised myself I did make the other crochet scarf ~ on the left ~ I'm so pleased with them both.

I've also made this hat.

It is knitted in 'Luxury Knitting Yarn' which I bought at the local factory shop. It's been sitting in my stash for a while and I came across it whilst stash diving the other day so I decided to use it.

I was in the staff room at lunch time making it ~ can't waste time doing nothing ~ and it was spotted by our Reception Teacher. She should be called Miss Sparkle ~ she loves glitter, sequins and the like.

Anyhoo she was oo and aahhing over it so I said she could have it.

I've added a big flower, I hope she likes it.

She'll definitely be jealous of the top I 'ran into' whilst Christmas shopping the other day. I'm going to wear it for our staff Christmas Meal.

It was a touch loose on the back, so I've had to undo a bit of the seam and pull the elastic tighter. I got out my trusty (but not much used) sewing machine and got to work. Mr Clicky Needles walked into the room and commented that he hadn't seen it lately. (My main usage of my sewing machine is making curtains; just sewing in straight lines.) He then said I "Should leave it out and set up so you can use it more." "I'm waiting for the kids to leave home and then I'm have a room for crafting" I answered. He gave me a look and then informed me that HE was having a bedroom for HIS stuff.

I had no idea he was coveting a room.

I'm not sure what he going to do with it.

I fear there may be fights.

Not that the kids are actually going anywhere at the moment.

I'm a bit annoyed that I've not managed to find an Advent Candle this year. I left it a bit late and they all seem to have sold out.

Ho hum.

Righto I'm off to eat more stir-fried sprouts (they really are good.)

See you soon

Byeeeeeeeee............... Clicky Needles.

P.S. It's wonderful to have so many comments. I've just had a look on my stats and I've had 500 comments altogether. Thanks so much!

November Mosaic

2011-12-04T09:43:00.001Z

November, a bit of a pink theme going on here!

4 Weeks To Go!

2011-11-27T15:39:00.001Z

Hello all!

Christmas seems to have crept up a bit on me this year.

I think because the weather has been so mild I didn't really realise what the date is.

This time last year I was complaining about the frost and snow, but I think so far I've only had to scrape ice off the car twice!

Anyhoo in an effort to get myself feeling Christmassy I bought some magazines.

The first being a Mollie Makes.

It came with a free calendar which is always useful.

I really love this tree decoration make out of old bits of wood; window frames and the like.

They give ideas for making the decorations.....

and directions for making this wreath. Now, I love this, but the cost of so many felt balls would be HUGE, so I'll just admire it.

The other magazine I got was Prima Christmas Makes.

I got this last week but Lucy at Attic 24 beat me to it with the blog post! I can only echo what she has said, there are some fabby ideas in it.

I like these cards/gift tags, simple but effective.

We shall be mainly pink again this year, so these caught my eye.

And if you are more traditional, red and white.

I popped down to B & Q today to check out their decorations.

I'm into felt at the moment. The pink felt tree has a thread through the middle and the green tree might be an idea for school. I only noticed it was missing a ball when I got home. :-(

All of this talk is getting me in the mood.

Right, back to other things, the crochet scarf for my teacher is finished.

It's so soft, I'm really pleased, and I've started another for me. Hehe.

On Teresa's suggestion I crocheted a flower for my jacket at Butterfly Knitters yesterday.

We had our annual clear out and sell of our yarn we didn't want. £170 was raised for the charity which we were very pleased with.

Ok I need to go now and cook Sunday Lunch (tea). Mr Clicky Needles tried stir frying the sprouts last week with some onion ~ fry first ~ and they were yum, so stir fried sprouts it is!

As always have a great week.

Byeeeee.................Clicky Needles.

Jacket Ta-Dah.

2011-11-20T21:08:00.001Z

Hello again.

Look at my jacket!

I am soooo pleased with it.

I can honestly say I've enjoyed every stitch.

I like it fastened on the empire line, I think it looks better for my body shape.

I suppose if it's really cold I'll do it at the top.

I am pleased that my friend Romain persuaded me to go for the grey yarn, there was a lovely brambly purple and a lime green, but I think upon reflection she was right, grey goes with more.

I've worn it lots already and don't feel swamped in it, so the job's a good 'un.

After finishing that, I got my friendship squares done for this month, these are in Rowan Silk Wool, a lovely yarn to work with.

If any of you read Northern Monkey's blog, you'll know that she announced she would not be Christmas Knitting this year.

I boldly declared Me Neither! but whilst having a bit of a stash dive on Friday I came across these (newly acquired) balls of Rowan Wool Cotton from Romain.

A lovely palate of colours with a ball of each.

What to do with them?

An idea suddenly sprung into mind. A crochet scarf, but for whom?

I've got so many scarves already and do I really need another?

Ah-hah I'll give to my (new) teacher for Christmas. And there it was. I slipped into Christmas Knitting (crochet) without even realising. I am loving the colours, the plum really gives the scarf depth.

Yummy yummy.

And the best bit?

There will be enough yarn left for another scarf.

Just as well, because I was thinking I wouldn't be able to give it up.

A girl can never have too many scarves ...........

I've a few more rows to go on this one yet.

I read with much amusement today The Really Big Dream Blog. I have mentioned J and M in the past they run this fabulous gite Les Cerisiers in Burgundy France. J has taken up knitting and has the bug for sure, I know this because she has written " I couldn't put my knitting down and took it to friends houses, on a plane ride to the UK, to visit relatives and even to bed with me!" I left her a comment which read "Welcome to my world." I'm tickled pink that she's fallen hook, line and sinker.

Talking of pink, look what the postie brought me. A lovely new pair of (half price) ~Crocs from Rubbersole. My old pair were 6 years old and have no grip left, so it was about time. I know they are a Marmite thing, and I love them. I wear them around the house everyday and they're great for going into the sea with, to ensure you don't step on any seaweed, crabs or other pointy things.

I hope you have a good week and better weather than us last week, being 'on the top' of the Cotswolds meant we were shrouded in fog and didn't see much sky at all. It all gets a bit depressing.

Right, a few more rows on the scarf and it's done, maybe I'll start another too......

Have fun,

Bye for now..................Clicky Needles.

DD's trip to Ethiopia

2011-11-19T15:02:00.001Z

Hello there!

I've got some of DDs pictures from Ethiopia. She arrived back very tired and a little shell shocked, but I'm pleased to report she's all ok now.

The group she went with were teaching best practice in midwifery to midwives and doctors at Awassa hospital. They will then cascade their new found knowledge down to others. Those little hats I made went down an storm and I will continue to make them for next year's trip.

She took part in the training sessions, witnessed an operation (!), saw some hippos on Lake Awassa, had a ride in a Tuk-tuk and explored the local region.

Some of the sights:

A market near the lake.

Weaver bird nest in the hospital grounds.

Sunset at Haile Gebrselassie's hotel.

Awassa Hospital.

Fishermen on the lake gutting fish.

Storks waiting for some fishy bits.

The fish, Tilapia, being cooked.

Tuk-tuk in the rain.

A local street.

She was so tired on the flight home, she couldn't be awoken to eat! As I said before the weather was hot and humid and the bus journey from and to the airport bumpy and uncomfortable but she was so lucky to be given this opportunity and I'm so pleased she went.

Right, tomorrow's post will be woolier, I've finished my Woolfish Jacket. Waaaaayyyyy!!!!!!

See you then..............Clicky Needles.

She's fine!

2011-11-08T18:04:00.000Z

Hi there!

Thanks for your comments on DD's trip, we've had a very brief Facebook chat with her and all is going well. She's missing her boyfriend (not family!!!!!) and has had been into the hospital at Awassa to see lots of different aspects of childbirth and babies.

The weather is hot and humid and she's eating fish and bread and not much else!

Anyhoo back to other things.

I met with Tickety-Boo at the Lavender Bakehouse over half term and she gave me my giveaway prize.

When the candle is lit it gives off lovely diffused light.

Thank you Tickety-Boo, it's great!

Of course I sampled something with my cup of tea, it would have been rude not to. This meringue was yummy and huge!

On the home baking front, I made this chocolate roulade on Saturday ~ heaven!

I got my friendship squares off........

and received these ones.

Jacket progress was halted for a bit, with making all those little hats but I'm now back full steam ahead and I'm just on the collar ~ the last of knitting.

Just the making up now. I'm getting very excited and the thought of wearing it!

Sad? Maybe.

Ho Hum.

Bye for now........................Clicky Needles.

DD is Away.

2011-11-05T21:32:00.001Z

Hello.

Yes, we got DD packed and on her way on her trip.

She's gone to Ethiopia along with the Southern Ethiopia Gwent Healthcare Link with a group of medics including my SIL and a reporter from the South Wales Argus, Martin Wade. You can follow his twitter here if you want.

She had to have quite a few jabs ~ Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Hepatitis A + B x 3, which is not her favourite thing. Hopefully this will be an interesting and life enhancing experience for her. She was a bit worried.

Last Saturday evening I got a phone call from SIL asking if I could make some baby hats they could take with them. These are for normal birthweight babies but they still need hats to keep warm. The hats are taken into the villages and used when necessary.

I dusted off some dpns and completed the pink hat on the bottom right with some Sirdar Crofter. I was very pleased with the result, but as it took about 3 1/2 hours to make I knew I needed a heaver weight yarn. I then dug out some Aran and found I could make a hat in about 1 1/2 hours ~ much better!

I managed 10 in the end and I'll keep on making them through the year and either post some out to Ethiopia or they can go with next year's trip.

Reading Martin Wade's twitter, it's taken them 6 hours by bus to get from Addis Ababa to Awassa where they're staying, dodging donkeys and horse carts and they've been greeted by thunder storms.

She'll be well looked after by SIL but at 16 it'll be a big adventure so let's hope she's ok.

Whilst I'm here I would like to extend my sympathy to anyone affected by the horrific crash on the motorway in Somerset yesterday. The pictures tell it all.

Righto, I'll be back tomorrow for a normal(ish) post.

Bye for now.................Clicky Needles.

October Mosaic

2011-11-05T10:14:00.002Z

October Mosaic.

Hope you like it!

Normal Service Resumed

2011-11-04T08:15:00.000Z

Hello all!

In case you've been wondering where I've been, the answer is nowhere.

Our router decided it didn't fancy working anymore so we've been without internet.

All is back to normal now thank goodness. The amount of times I've thought this week, "I'll just check that on Ravelry.................."

We're getting DD packed up for a trip today so I'll fill you in tomorrow.

Bye for now.................Clicky Needles.

Woot! Half Term

2011-10-24T09:22:00.001+01:00

Hello all.

Time the have a bit of chill and relax, half term has arrived.

The freezing temperatures didn't turn out to be as bad as the rumours were saying (where do they start?) although some mornings this week have been crisp.

As I got in the car to go to work one day this week I looked up and saw this beautiful sky.

That doesn't mean to say it's not got cold in the evenings so I gave the woodburner a jolly good clean. I didn't do the fire surround however as you can see, it's made from Cotswold Limestone and does tend to discolour from the soot.

A job for this week I think.

Mr Clicky Needles was surprised when he got up on Saturday morning to find it already lit.

"Hum, you've lit the fire," he said.

"Yep," I replied, "I'm going to settle myself in and watch the rugby."

"You'll need to be hunkered down," he answered with a grin, "It's tomorrow."

I did consider staying there for a whole day but no....................

So, anyway I was back in the same position on Sunday to watch New Zealand beat France 8 -7. A hard fought match worthy of a final. Well done New Zealand hard luck France.

Of course watching rugby means lots of chance to knit. I've finished the back, one front and started a sleeve of my jacket. The cone is now a lot smaller!

I've had a little break from the jacket however, because I've a square for the friendship blanket to get done before the month's end. Hopefully it'll done by the end of the day and I can get it off.

Righto. I'm off to put some washing out, which if I can get to stay on the line and not get blown all over the garden, I think will dry fairly quickly.

Have a fun week.............Clicky Needles.

Just bimbling along

2011-10-17T17:44:00.001+01:00

Hello folks.

Hope you're all ok, things have been bimbling along as normal here.

The weekend was quite warm, so I spent a bit of time in the garden and planted some daffodils.

Seeing the sight of Josiekitten's lovely wood burner last week made me think of a cosy fire too, so I got our local woodman to drop this lot off. This should keep us warm with all that snow that is supposed to be heading our way.

Not that you'd think it was getting colder, it was lovely on Saturday. This balloon was taking full advantage.

As you can see I've 'made' my felt bead necklace ~ if threading a few beads on elastic can constitute making it!!!!!

I couldn't resist starting my Aran Swing Jacket with the yarn I got from Woolfish at Ally Pally last week. I have since discovered that it is New Lanark Aran.

I've nearly finished the back.

Unfortunately the other jumper I was working on has been tossed into the corner and it's full steam ahead on this. Just nice simple garter stitch.

That's about it from me really, looking forward to next week and a bit of a break for half term.

Wrap up well for that frost and cold that's coming.

Have a good week...............Clicky Needles.

Thanks for your comments about 'The Churned' last week, I knew you'd like them.

Alexandra Palace

2011-10-10T16:46:00.000+01:00

Hello all!

Well, I had a lovely day yesterday at Ally Pally.

The entrance was bedecked with knitted bunting.

As you'd expect there were beautiful rainbows of colour.

Some work of fashion students.

Nice bit of crochet!

As I wandered around with my pal Romain, this throw stopped me in my tracks. It was lovely, the picture doesn't really do it justice. The cables are massive! As I pondered how you'd make it on straight needles (it must have been at least 15mm), she helpfully pointed out that you could use interchangeables.

We ooo'd and aaah'd our way around the show stopping for a squish here and there, and talking yarn all the way.

When we came out the mist was settling over London in the distance.

Canary Wharf.

The Gherkin.

The Shard under construction.

The o2 Arena.

"What did you buy?" I hear you ask.

A Toft Alpaca pattern book.

I'm particularly pleased with this because I've been wanting to make this jumper for quite some time but it had only been available as a kit.

Green sock yarn from Texere on the cone and some felt balls to make a necklace.

I was having a real green and purple day!

1150g of Aran weight yarn from Woolfish. I am going to use this to make an a-line jacket (I tried one on and it looked quite good.) I did want to get this yarn in green too, but the voice of reason ~ Romain ~ pointed out that grey wouldn't date so much.

So, not such a huge haul but we had a super day.

Now, if you missed X Factor on Saturday night you would have missed this excellent advert from Yeo Valley the West Country Dairy.

I wouldn't usually put a Yeo Tube thingy on the my blog but this sung by 'The Churned' makes me laugh and laugh.

Sadly not many young farmers look like this around here, but we can enjoy these fake farmers instead.

I hope you like it too.

Righto, off to do a tension square for my jacket now.

Have fun...........Clicky Needles.

.....and England are out.

2011-10-08T12:20:00.001+01:00

Hello folks.

Mr CN and me were up at 6.00am this morning (I know, get me, and it's a Saturday) to watch Wales and Ireland bash out the first quarter final of the Rugby World Cup.

It was a bit chilly at that time of the day so I snuggled under my Ripple Blanket with my lovely pyjamas on.

I finished off another square for the Phoenix Friendship Blanket :-) whilst watching.

It was a full-on game, Wales beating Ireland 22 - 10 so a big well done to Wales who deserved the win.

England's performance against France however, was painful to watch, they had a bit of a surge at 70 minutes

but it was too little, too late.

They lost 12 - 19.

Well done France, you played so much better.

We shall now have to switch allegiance to Wales for the semi final match against France next Saturday.

I've not many pictures to show you right now, but I should imagine that'll change tomorrow.

Why tomorrow? I hear you cry.

I'm off the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace.

I didn't go last year, due to the fact I still had yarn from the year before that had not been used but that has diminished a bit so I'm letting myself go.

I'm very much looking forward to it. The coach leaves at 8.00am and gets back at 8.00pm, so it'll be a long day.

I'll show you on Monday what I get.

As always, have a good weekend.

Bye for now............Clicky Needles.

I've won something!

2011-10-02T19:27:00.001+01:00

Hello all, hope you've had a good week.

Despite that horrible rain I talked about last Sunday, it has been here,

as in most of Britain boiling.

I've spent some time in the garden in my steamer chair just enjoying it.

I've had a couple of nice surprises this week.

1. Leah from Faith's Craft Box nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award.

Thank you! I will post later in the week, I need a bit of time to think of the answers!

2. I won the giveaway that Tickety Boo was running!

What a lucky girl I am!

I've watched some more Rugby World Cup (although I'm not impressed by England's performance so far) and finished my Zooming scarf.

Our South Sea Island head ~ the perfect model ~ looks quite cosy doesn't he?

As promised the pictures of my Montague Vest. I'm sooooo pleased with it.

Made in Rowan Little Big Wool which I got in a half price sale.

I love the lace pattern and the fit is really nice.

Whilst I've been in the garden I did a bit of a crochet

(it's not all been snoozing you know)

these are the latest 'set'.

I've become quite systematic about I how make the squares, this is the total amount I can make with red and lime green adding each one of the other nine colours for the middle.

Now, I want opinions please, you see the pink centre on the bottom right? What do you think about the colour?

You can see it in my crochet bag on the left.

I feel meh about it.

I've got my friendship squares sent. The red is not as dark as it looks here.

A few flowers from the garden.

Nasturtium

and a Marigold, both self-seeded.

Well I'm off now, no ironing tonight, I did that whilst watching the rugby this morning, so just lots of knitting.

Bye for now..................Clicky Needles.

September Mosaic

2011-10-01T18:24:00.001+01:00

A bit more knitting in this one!

Autumn Cardi Ta-Dah!!!!!!!

2011-09-25T19:19:00.000+01:00

Hello all.

Firstly a Ta-Dah!!!!!

Here's my Autumn Cardi.

When I looked at my Ravelry Projects page I see that I started this in February, but it's been sat in the corner under the coffee table (not quite back of the sofa, but nearly) for a while.

I suppose it has been warmer of late and it is chunky yarn.

Anyhoo, the yarn came from (yes you've guessed it!) Kemps, it's Stylecraft Signature Chunky the cardi coming in at about £15.00, so a bit of a bargain.

It is shaped, which you can't see that well in the picture and I pronounce myself well pleased with it.

It's been a quiet week in the Clicky Needles' household this week.

I got to go to Butterfly Knitters yesterday, having missed the last two meetings over the holidays so it was lovely to see the gang again.

When I got back there still a little bit of autumn sunshine in the garden, so I set up my chair and carried on knitting with a cup of nice strong tea.

The autumn feel is definitely around, the Japenese anemones have nearly finished....

but this Cosmos is still going strong, I love the stripes.

Today's weather was horrible, nasty, nasty, rain. DS had rugby training and he came home soaked and caked in mud. We made him get undressed at the front door and he and the kit all went in the wash.

I had to swill all the mud off his kit before it went in the machine, just like my Mum used to with my Dad's work clothes when he came in from feeding the cows in the winter, only his overalls were covered in cow muck!

Remember those days Mum?

She doesn't have to do that anymore.

So, with my Cardi finished I'm on the last bit of the Montague Vest, from New England Knits. This has been on the go for the summer as well, so I'm having a definite case of finish off itus..........of course I'm always thinking of the next project too.

Well, I hope you have a great week and thanks to Pretty at Heart for being my 60th follower.

Let's hope the weather is a bit better.

Byeeee..............Clicky Needles.

Wow! What a lampshade!

2011-09-18T17:57:00.001+01:00

Hi there!

Hope you're all well.

Thanks for your good wishes for DD's overnighter in a tent in the gales!

She was less bothered by the wind than the two other girls who she shared a tent with. She was on the bottom of the slope and consequently they rolled onto her, so not the best night's sleep. They were then woken at 6.30am to do P.T. which didn't go down well! They were bridge building, raft making, making a fire etc, all for the Uniformed Services course she is doing at college.

Yesterday Mr CN, me and DS went to visit some old friends who live in Sandhurst. I volunteered to drive home but Mr CN drove there, so I got out some 12mm needles and the Plassard Zoom that my friend B sent me back in May after she visited the Plassard Factory Shop in France. (What a lovely friend I have!)

A chunky garter stitch scarf, what a great bit of in car knitting.

I carried on this morning whilst watching the Rugby World Cup, about the only thing I can knit whilst watching because I do tend to shout at the TV and can't concentrate on anything more.

Coming along nicely.

I've completed another square for the friendship blanket, I'm particularly pleased with this one.

Vogue Stitchionary 2 was well worth it!

You'll be pleased to know that I have sewed that button on my Autumn Cardi and it's blocking now so pictures next time.

I went to Gloucester on Friday to take some of my hand dyed yarn into Miju Wools and had a tootle around. I found myself in BHS (to use the loo!) and spotted this across the shop floor.

I was drawn in for a closer look.

I stood deliberating for some time.

Did we need a new lampshade for the bedroom?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Not to everyone's taste I know but I LOVE IT.

Mr CN proclaimed it to be a 'Disco ball' ~ it is quite sparkly.

I can't quite believe I'm up to 59 followers now ~ how exciting ~ and thanks for all your lovely comments I really enjoy reading them.

Righto I'm off to read some blogs and then an evening of knitting.

Have a great week.

Byeeeeeee..................Clicky Needles.

2011-09-12T21:15:00.000+01:00

Hello all.

The first week back at school was good fun!

It is nice to see lots of little smiley faces.

As I type this I'm nice and cosy in the study, listening to howling wind outside.

It's got up to 40mph in this neck of the woods today.

Why am I telling you this?

Well my poor DD is camping tonight at Slimbridge on the banks of the River Severn. She's gone with fellow students on her college course.

I think they might not get much sleep!

Do you like my lovely sunflower? It's the only one I managed to get to germinate and grow a bit before the slugs/snails got to it. I wandered into the garden the other day wondering how it was doing and guess what? It had also been attacked by slugs and was lying on the ground just attached by a sliver of stem. I cut it off and now is on the kitchen windowsill.

I love the colours.

On the knitting front, I've finished the ipad cosy, and I just need to sew the button on my Autumn Cardi. Do you remember it? No? I'm not surprised I started it in April. How bad is that? In my defence it is a chunky yarn and it has been a bit warmer of late. Anyhoo, once I get the button on I'll let you know.

I've also got my Montague Vest back on the go which is from the book New England Knits. This is made in Rowan Little Big Wool so fast going. I'm pleased I picked this up again, I'm loving the lace pattern with the chunky yarn and it's sooooooo soft.

Oh blimey! I hear more gusts of wind.

Hope she's ok.

Hope your week is a good one.

Bye.................Clicky Needles.

School Tomorrow!

2011-09-04T21:16:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

School starts properly tomorrow.

It'll be a noisy old place with the hundred or so kids around.

The holidays seem to have gone for-e-v-e-r so it's not so bad.

DD has her first day at college and DS is back too.

He's a Year 8 now where did that time go?

I haven't got many pretty pictures to show you this week but I have finished that Drops Cardi.

I'd been putting off sewing up, but for the life of me I don't know why.

My shock secret today.

I like making up.

I love the way that mattress stitch makes your edges magically disappear.

So here it is.

It's come out slightly longer than I thought it would and the handkerchief bits hang a quite long. I think this is because of a few things:

1. I'm only 5 foot 3 inches and not at all like the tall slim models!

2. The Rowan Cotton Jeans is quite heavy, although it has a nice drape, pulls it down more.

The actual Drops Pattern is a lot more floatier, but I think I'll get lots of wear from it.

Mr Clicky Needles (bless him) said "It looks like one from a shop" so I'm pleased.

I think I'd try it again but maybe in a cosy Alpaca or Wool yarn.

Not much more to say today I'm afraid, I'm amazed that none of you commented on the dreadful camping breakfast of scones and clotted cream, I guess you're all too nice.

It's raining now and will be tomorrow, great for the first day back.

Have fun whatever you get up to..................Clicky Needles.

Bank Holiday Weekend.

2011-08-31T16:57:00.011+01:00

Hello there!

We had lovely weekend camping in Oxfordshire with our friends B and S.

Just as we were about to leave on Friday we had a phone call.

B and S had got to the campsite and it was raining.

Hard.

B was drenched getting from the car to the office.

Luckily the site had a pod free, so we decided to take that for the night rather than get a tent up in the rain. It had lights and more importantly on a very damp and wet evening ~ a heater.

Next morning the boys got the tent up while B and me threw everything into the car for the trip to the next field. We were soon settled in.

We were next to a field of Suffolk Sheep.

We visited a National Trust property Upton House which was owned by Walter Samuel an heir to Shell Oil. The house was preserved in the 1930's and we decided a weekend house party would have been jolly nice there.

Most of the rest of our time was spent talking, playing cards and scrabble and having the odd tipple.

I got some more squares completed ~ although not that many.

It was a bit chilly in the evening but we were warmed by this lot ~ and a cracking little gas heater.

Monday morning breakfast consisted of all the uneaten food, so I finished off the scones!

A lovely relaxing time.

The kids had a great time too with their Aunt at Centre Parks. Lots of swimming, horse riding for DD and paint balling for DS. They came home exhausted!

Well, it's back to school tomorrow, but without the kids, they're back in on Monday. The pregnant colleague is nearly due so I made these little baby socks. I hope she likes them.

Holidays have come to an end :-(

Bye for now....................Clicky Needles.

August Mosaic

2011-08-30T09:35:00.003+01:00

With August drawing to a close some of my favourite pictures.

ETA. The car load of garden rubbish isn't a nice picture, but gives me a huge sense of satisfaction!!!!

A Tale of a Jacket

2011-08-25T07:54:00.016+01:00

Hello folks.

Another week gone by.

I've been dyeing some more yarn which is drying now.

The ipad cosy is coming along nicely, but I had to get another ball of yarn, this is as far as one would go. It's made in Adriafil Knitcol which I really like. I'm not sure I'd make a garment in it but for little projects like this it is just right.

Whilst trying to get things out of my wardrobe the other other day, a jacket fell on my head. (Yes my wardrobe is a mess) anyhoo with the jacket falling on me I took it as an omen and decided I needed to look at it.

Let me tell you the story.

I bought the yarn, Rowan Big Wool Fusion ~ along with lots of other people if Ravelry is anything to go by ~ in the Dunelm sale. It was £1.00 a ball.

It should have been about £6.00 a ball so I got some. It would have been rude not to. 10 balls of brown, 10 balls of blue, 10 balls of pink.

This pattern Anise from Rowan was in Simply Knitting at the time ~ January 2008 ~ so I cast on as soon as I got home. (I think I had less stash then!)

It only took a few days to make and I even made three sleeves not realising I already had two.

I excitedly sewed it together and put it on.

UGH.

I hated it. I wasn't happy with my sewing up and it felt bulky and horrible. The front in the pattern is crossed over the chest and I just felt swamped by it. It had only cost me £8.00 to make so I consoled myself with that and chucked in the top of the wardrobe.

When it fell on me the other day I really looked at it really well.

The sewing up wasn't soooo bad, the colour was better than I remembered and it is the squooshiest yarn. I sewed the poppers on the front to make it meet in the middle and not cross over and found some nice wooden buttons in the button jar and do you know? It's not so bad after all.

In fact I even quite like it. Just right for the Autumn.

I got my friendship blanket squares off. These first two are lime green not khaki....

and this yellow is mustard and not bright yellow. I'm really enjoying all the new cables and I even managed to do the mustard one without a cable needle.

We've had a few days of lovely sunshine so I've been in the garden.

Lying.

Gardening.

Drinking tea.

Gardening.

Lying.

and ~ ahem ~ dozing too.

It's not all been doing nothing though, I went to the tip ~ sorry recycling centre ~ with this little lot.

I hate going to the tip.

A job that is on the top 10 worst things to do along with cleaning the oven and sorting out the attic.

Anyway it's done now and that's all that matters.

We're off camping for the bank holiday weekend, WITHOUT the kids, they're off to Centre Parks with their aunt so Mr CN and me are camping with S and B. That should be fun, we won't have play cricket all day to keep DS happy.

Just a bit of scrabble and crosswords.

Hope your bank holiday weekend is a good one.

Bye...................Clicky Needles.

P.S. DD has got her GCSE results. 2 As, 4 Bs and 4Cs. A in Maths. :-)

This means she has got the college place she wants.

Very Proud.

Oh dear.

2011-08-18T09:56:00.016+01:00

Hello folks.

Yes, I've been a bad blogger.

This is due in some part to the ipad.

Last week has disappeared into the ether due to free apps that I've been downloading.

I've decided that I won't turn it on until this evening today.

(We'll see.)

So what been going on in the Clicky Needles' household?

My new Terramundi Pot came.

I went for some very nice stripes.

I went to Kit and Natter at Along Came Polly and bought a ball of Adriafil Knitcol to make an ipad cosy.

It was only when I got it home I realised it was the same sorts colours as the pot.

Kind of fitting.

I've not started the cosy yet, but my Drops Cardi is coming along well. I'm half way up the second sleeve although all that stocking stitch has been getting to me and I'm becoming a bit meh about it.

I pinned it together with the one sleeve to try it on and had a pleasant surprise.

I think I like it!

I'm now galvanised back into action!

I took DD riding on Saturday to local stables so sewed in some ends on the little granny squares. Blimey this is a bit tedious. Six ends for each square. I'm going to keep on top of them though, definitely not leave them all to the end.

Yesterday I drove some friends to Forest Fibres in the Forest of Dean. Four of us went. Although it is an on-line shop you can go for a visit if you phone ahead.

We have a jolly good poke around the lovely Ros' warehouse which was filled with all things fibre, spinning, yarn, dyes,

silk ......................

I bought this pack of merino tops named 'Autumn'.

We brought back in the car two spinning wheels (neither mine!) and assorted fibre.

I picked some of those purple french beans which have been eaten raw. Beans don't often make it into the pot in this house!

The blackberries were pretty good too.

And lastly some mixed flowers.

Well, its turned nasty today, chilly, drizzly and very grey.

I hope the weather is better for you wherever you are.

Somebody hide that ipad.......

Byeeeeee...................Clicky Needles.

My parcel arrived!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-10T09:09:00.009+01:00

Hello.

Before I tell you what it is, I need to tell you about my Terramundi Pot.

It was given to me by a lovely friend for my 40th Birthday.

A slot for putting money in, but nothing to get it out! When it was started I decided that I would spend the money on 'something for me' ~ something I wouldn't normally buy because I think it a bit extravagant.

I've been saving £2.00 coins in it ever since ~ well, to be perfectly honest Mr Clicky Needles puts quite a lot in too.

I've had a case of the Needies (more than the Wanties) for quite some time now.

We were discussing cost the other day and DD gave me a sideways look from her laptop.

"You haven't smashed the pot yet, have you Mum?"

Blimey! hadn't thought of that.

It wasn't full but as I said it was the Needies.

So the other day we held a ceremony.

....and all this gold came out.

There was about £600 in it. Apparently when they are full of £2 coins you can get over £1000!

So I ordered.

It came.

The UPS man grinned when he finally turned up at 4.00pm with it.

"I know what it is" he said.

"Just give it to me, I've been tracking you all day." I said, rugby tackling him as he came up the drive. "Where have you been?"

Have you guessed yet?

Yep, an ipad.

Oh my, oh my, oh my.

I think we'll be having burnt food, no washing done, no ironing...................

I am totally in love.

Of course the rest of the Clicky Needles gang like it too, DS playing Angry Birds.

So yes, the smart money was on a spinning wheel but the ipad came first!

We've got a family trip ~ joy ~ to the dentist tomorrow, so I'll see if I can find a replacement pot then. There was some money left over, so that can go back into the new pot for a flying start.

Oh, and I found a new Orla Kiely bag in Tesco, but it's paling into insignificance compared to other things.

I shall try to calm down now.

Have fun.

Bye.................................Clicky Needles.

A Cracking Weekend

2011-08-08T13:12:00.021+01:00

Hello there!

We've had a quiet second week of Mr Clicky Needles' holiday bimbling around. The mountains of washing and ironing have been scaled, we've picked up the car and Mr CK has got rid of the 'stuff' from his old company.

On Saturday morning I went to my LYS Along Came Polly because Tickety Boo was minding it for the morning. She lives pretty close but we've never managed to meet up before. It was a bit of an odd experience for the both of us to start with, we felt like we knew each other, but having never met it made it a bit wierd. We soon got over that however, and spent a couple of hours nattering away. Lovely to meet you at last Tickety Boo!!!

On Sunday we went to Steam Extravaganza and Vintage Show at South Cerney Airfield near Cirencester.

Wow, did we have fun.

There were military vehicles.

We liked the miles per gallon on the self propelled gun. (Far right on the centre row on the mosaic.)

In case you're wondering the difference between a self propelled gun and a tank ~ and why wouldn't you? ~ a tank can fire and move at the same time and a self propelled gun has to stop before it can fire.

We thought this sign on the back of an army Landy about covers it.

These steam engines were incredibly noisy and smelly but went pretty fast. They did a parade around the show ring but also had races up and down the perimeter road of the airfield filling the air with steam and thick black smoke.

Apparently they need special coal!

There were all manner of trucks, cars, buses, bikes and scooters.

The pale blue american car was just bonkers! It was massive and looked like it should be on The Jetsons.

There was a vintage fair with music provided by pipe organs.

The galloping horses and the cars were both powered by steam.

But without doubt the best bit of the day by far for me was the tractors.

I realise as I write this that I've never told you about my childhood. I grew up on the family farm and I do like a tractor. When we came across this little beauty I was happy. We had a Massey 135 and if I think back it was probably what I learnt to drive (a tractor) on. When I was little I used to ride on the wheel arches holding onto a grab handle that's just by the light. I used to love riding around with my Dad hauling in bales of hay or mowing grass. I have to say that this one is in better condition than our's was though!

I also love the Grey Fergie, we did have one on the family farm, but it got sold on, I can just remember seeing it in a shed, so I must have been about 3 years old. I think there may be a picture of my brother sitting on it in the family photos so I'll try and dig it out.

This one was on parade.

The man is not massive, the Fergie really is very small!

This Field Marshall was also in the parade.

I was lucky enough to drive one a few years ago (at another tractor show!)

So, now I've revealed that I'm a closet tractor fancier, here's some alpacas, I want some!

We had a fabby time and the weather held, only raining as we left.

Mr Clicky Needles and me have now drawn up a list of wanties.

1. Grey Ferguson (me)

2. Field Marshall (me)

3. VW Camper van (both)

4. Bus (him)

5. Alpacas (me)

6. Traction engine (both)

All we need now is a small holding and somewhere to keep all the vehicles.....................and back to reality.

I have notification down the jungle drums that my parcel should arrive tomorrow! Oh the excitement I can barely contain myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye for now...................................... Clicky Needles.

July Mosaic

2011-08-03T16:03:00.003+01:00

Phew! July has come and gone so here's my mosiac.

Lazing Around

2011-08-03T16:01:00.005+01:00

I've been having a lovely lazy time.

Staying up and getting up late just because I can!

I thought I should let you see progress so far on the Summer Granny Blanket. After I took the picture I thought it didn't seem like many squares and discovered some more, but you get the idea. The bright green is really fluorescent and there will be some colour combinations I won't be using it in! I've 11 colours altogether so I'm hoping that no two squares will be the same, we'll have to see how big it gets.

I've been to Tuesday morning knitting group, which seems very decadent to me and been making good use of the dry warm weather we're having at the moment, by being in my favourite place with some knitting and listening to music on my new device!!!!

Can you see it?

The Pringles Speaker! They're free at the moment, all you need to do is send off three tear off bits ~ so eat three pots of Pringles, no hardship ~ wait awhile and a Pringles pot speaker will be winging it's way to you. Ok, the music is a bit tinny but good fun nonetheless.

My purple Drops Cardi has grown quite a lot since this picture was taken. I've finished the back, one front and I'm just starting the other. It seems to be flying off the needles, or is that just because I'm not at work?

In the garden the climbing french beans have just started flowering ~ yes I know they're late but I'm pretty rubbish at planting things when they should be ~ these should have purple pods too.

Mr Clicky Needles has this week off work as well, and when he goes back next week it will be in a brand new company. He has got himself a new job! He's very pleased with himself. We've had to wave the company car away and we'll be picking up our new car on Friday.

We're taking DS to see Harry Potter tonight, well me and Mr CN want to see it too which should at least stop DS falling off his bike and skinning his arms, legs and knees. He is covered with bumps and bruises right now.

I've been doing a bit of on-line shopping with all this time on my hands, although I'm not telling you what it is yet, I can't wait for my parcel to arrive.

Righto, need to go, I might even start all the ironing that's piled up from camping, on the other hand.........................

Bye for now.............Clicky Needles.

A Super Break

2011-07-29T16:47:00.015+01:00

Hello Folks.

We're back from a lovely camping holiday in Exmouth. We stayed at a great National Trust campsite called Prattshayes Farm.

The weather has been fabby apart from one cloudy day, we've come back with that nut brown look you can only get from camping.

Shock, horror! we didn't need those blankets! I must confess to taking more than the five I showed in my last post but it was so warm in at night they were just not needed.

We spent days on the beach, some sandy, some peebley, ate fish and chips, played cards, played cricket and had a generally fun family time.

The Clicky Needles gang had a swim (!) while I sat soaking up the glorious sunshine and sewing in the ends of my hooky piles.

We had vote for which beach we preferred - everybody except Mr CN liked the sand. DS in proper boy fashion goes into full excavation mode digging holes everywhere.

We laughed at this dog having a lift.

Mr CN in the rock pools.

Devon drystone walls look very different from Gloucestershire ones.

I love the colour and texture of these.

We visited a little fair and won two new friends, Stuart (left) and Bernard.

As we packed all the equipment away today I felt rather sad that it was all over. I love camping. I am however, looking forward to a night in my own bed and I'm enjoying tea at home. It never quite tastes the same away.

I'll leave you with a Sea-Sidey mosaic.

Bye for now..................Clicky Needles.

School's out!

2011-07-22T21:13:00.009+01:00

Yep it's finished.

What a relief, I was definitely running on empty.

The trip we went on this week was to Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park. We think we saw him, well, we saw his dog and people working around some penned sheep, so that's near enough for me.

Of course, there were lots of lovely animals.

Starting at the top; Herdwick Sheep, Gloucester Old Spot piglets, White Park cow, Gloucester cow having a munch, Tamworth piglets, Kune Kune piglets, Cotswold Sheep (not very wooly having been shorn), Highland cow and and Iron Age pig with her piglets.

It was great until about an hour before we were due to leave and the heavens opened! Boy did we get wet, not that the kids were bothered!

Today I've been preparing for our holiday. Charging batteries, trying to remember things like marmite, tea bags, torches and the most important things ~ blankets! I don't like getting cold at night!

I've pulled out an array of fleeces and DS's blanket is having it's first camping trip. Quite often all of the blankets end up wrapped around me and the rest of the Clicky Needles gang complain that they're too hot!

I've decided to crack on whilst we're away with the Little Granny Squares although it might be a squash getting my crochet bag in, DD's BF is joining us too. Another person in the car will have it bursting at the seams! Just as well we are only going to Exeter with a fairly short journey time!

Although it's raining at the moment the weather forecast is looking good for the weekend and beyond, so thanks very much if you asked for sunshine it seems to have worked.

Must go now I need to find the mallet.

Have a great week......Clicky Needles.

Noisy Planes

2011-07-17T18:09:00.017+01:00

Hello All.

Hope you're doing well.

We've finally got to the last week at school~ waaaaaaay!

We've had the production of Joseph and his Technicolour Dream coat, sports days and school picnics.

I'm going on a trip next week with KS1 (the little children) and term will have finished.

Children and adults alike are worn out and tired.

DS and me had to go shopping yesterday to get him some things for our holiday, we're off next Saturday camping for a week. We popped into Wilkinsons and I got this rather pretty apron after seeing it on Bellascountry blog. A bit Cath Kidston but much cheaper. Unfortunately I don't think this apron will turn me into a domestic goddess but never mind!

Talking (ish) about designers I'd like to point you in the direction of a young print designer Katie Harding, she is the daughter of one of my colleagues. I particularly like the lime green flowery print she has at the bottom of the Fennofolk Section.

Today, the Clicky Needles gang went to Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford well, not inside the gates ~ we have friend who lives opposite the runway so we went to her garden.

It's 12 years since we went last time, DS was 2 months old! which in hindsight is far too long.

Just after we got there this Apache Helicopter was displaying, turning upside down, flying forwards and backwards and doing things that a helicopter shouldn't be able to.

Up.............

....and down.

The Chinook was equally as amazing, making that wakka wakka noise.

This was part of a move called The Roller Coaster. Apparently when performing this the pilot sees sky, ground,sky, ground. It finished with a bow to the crowds.

These two made me shudder. The sound of those Rolls Royce Merlin engines...................

Hurricane.......

and Supermarine Spitfire

The two Tornado GR4 were so loud it made the ground rumble and our tummies feel funny. I had to shout at DS who was stood next to me. No pictures I'm afraid they were too fast!

The F16e was also incredibly loud, it could fly horizontally whilst in this position.

I think the highlight of the day for me was seeing the Avro Vulcan fly.

It taxied opposite us.......

....................and flew right above our heads.

Just awesome. One minute totally silent, the next the air is filled with noise.

This plane is funded by donations!

The display was finished off, as always by the Red Arrows.

We had a super time, I spent most of the day grinning like an idiot!

Despite those clouds looking grey and grim, the rain stayed away. Now we're back home however, (we only live about 30 minutes away from Fairford) it has started to rain.

I enjoyed it so much I didn't get out my crochet (!)

I took some more of my Little Granny Squares to sew some ends in but didn't pick them up. I've been working on them for the last week ~ nothing on the cardi ~ so I'll take a picture soon.

I'll say bye for now, please request some good weather for next Saturday when we shall be spending the week in the tent and I don't like camping in the rain!!!!!

Have fun whatever you do................Clicky Needles.