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Recently there has been some negative comments on a blog made about Kerrie of Hipknits/ Yarn Forward Magazine regarding the late arrival of issue no.2.
I don't want to name names as this would be bitchy and I don't think on reflection the person making the comments was aware of the damage they have casued. However if you, like me disagree with publically slagging off those who are striving forward with new business then join me and subscribed to Yarn Forward Magazine.
Yarn diet - what yarn diet? I've been to my yarn heaven this week. As I've mentioned before I work in Wales 2 - 3 days per week. The office just so happens to be about 15 miles from Colinette but as its rural Wales this equates to about a 30min drive. Its not really possible to go there during the day so my only visit so far has been when I had my interview last February. Well luckily for me (but not for my bank balance) I've started to do work for another Architect who lives just 6min (yes I timed it) drive from Colinette. I've been to his office a couple of times for meetings but this week was the first time I've had a chance to go to the Mill Shop. Granted, I only had 20mins to spare but maybe that was just as well as I'd have spent far too much!
I think this picture sums up my yarn heaven! Cosy sofa surrounded by a riot of colour in fibre (and they have every colour under the sun). What you don't see is the pile of men's magazines for bored husbands/ boyfriends which I think is great!
So what did I buy? Well I was very good and only bought two skeins but......they were the most expensive!
The Tao silk was £13.50 for 50g skein of the Madras. I also couldn't resist the pattern book Aboretum full of beautiful accessories. The pink & purple skein is Jitterbug in Alizarine - yes I know I don't do sock knitting but I'm hoping this "thicker than normal" sock yarn is going to change that!
And what about your "extreme yarn diet" I hear you say......well its officially over. I simply couldn't wait until Woolfest to buy stuff but I will be having a clear out of my stash on ebay soon (honest).
Love Heart Shortbread (for the one you love!):
6oz Plain Flour
40z Self Raising Flour
4oz Caster Sugar
2oz Corn Flour
1/2lb butter
Preheat your oven to a moderate temperature (I use gas mark 4-5). Melt the butter in a pan and add the dry ingredients. Flatten out with your hand the mixture on a floured surface and cut out desired shapes for biscuits. Place on greased baking tray and bake at moderate temperature for 20mins until golden brown. Sprinkle with extra caster sugar when still warm. Serve with love!
(thank you Mum for the recipe)
I was going to start posting an "Inspirational Monday" post but as usual I was too busy. My thought was to record in some way things that I find inspiring, purely as a record for me but perhaps someone else will feel inspired too. Its my way of saying reminding myself that small things can make me happy as well as the big stuff and as I know I won't get round to any sort of sketch book I thought I would record it all here.
This weeks inspiration is from a book - we'll there's no surprise. I'm a bookaholic and while I've been on a yarn diet for several months I haven't stopped buying books! This one I took a bit of a flyer on since its not about knitting/ spinning etc but I'm glad I did.
What I think is amazing is that it makes me think that craft is being creative. Not a revelation you may think but when your "hobby" of knitting, sewing or whatever is scoffed at by most as a pointless pastime then its good to be reminded that what you do is a genuine creative outlet. Its made me think a bit more about maybe trying to make something of my own, without using a pattern which I haven't done so far. I would also love to have a studio or space (which is unlikely on a boat) when you can spread out and leave work in progress. It has also made me think about trying sewing (my, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately). I have a pathelogical fear of sewing and in particular of sewing machines. I think this was passed on from my Mum who whilst is an excellent knitter found her sewing machine a source of constant frustration. I'm hoping that I can over come this, especially when there are so many wonderful fabrics out there!
All of the contributor's have blogs so its also a testimont to the power of the blogging community to inspire and connect. One contributor, Alison Brookbanks, is even an architect (and my age). I found myself smiling and nodding at her comments that when she crafts "I can express the design process which is often stifled by budget and programme constraints in my real life as an architect" - here, here!
If you don't want to fork out for the book (although its worth it) you can always take a look at the blogs/ websites of the crafter's yourself:
As for the snow - well there is lots here (at work in Wales). We're down a single track road but luckily I didn't need to go anywhere. Hope I make it home tomorrow.....................
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