In Memory of my Mum

It been two years today since my mum passed away so here are some photos of her
She was 97 when she passed

Mum taken July 2004

My mum & Dad taken abt 1956/57

Socks Finished

It been a funny week what with me not being great with the vertigo, I have stopped taking the tablets for it now & will see how I do without them well need to know if it cleared up off medications & not just while I am on medication for it.
I have finished a pair of socks these are for a order in the UK I used the Online Make the Emotion Colour range this is from the 1st of the 3 different colour ranges in the emotion colour as there is emotion II, & III each having 8 different colours in their range it made from 50% merino wool, 25% bamboo & 25% Polyamide the same make up is in all of the Emotion colour ranges.
Well below is the socks I finished, I will taking a break to start a couple of books I want to read so won't be starting anything new for a few days or a week depends on how much reading time I can get in.

Emotion Colour Range a 4 Ply yarn

 

Hat & Me

Well it been a week where I am not well I have in the past had bouts of Labyrinthitis which is a sort of vertigo well the room started to spin on Tuesday, & was in bed, & while it not as bad as I have had as I took some tablets I have I still felt rough so Thursday went to the doctors who says I have Imbalance Vertigo & gave me some different tablets she thinks they are better.
Well I am still rough I find when I am in bed & go to move or turn over it worst during the day it a case of not moving too quickly so am not doing much or going anywhere can't even do any sewing as I can't take the needle going up & down & of course watching where I am sewing
I have managed to do my knitting so finished the 2nd hat so that is the 2 hats for the order done & have them packed up & ready to go in to the Mail.
You see by the photo below it the same as the one on the previous post just a different colour.
The size looks different but it the colour that makes it look like that as I did the same amount of rows for the rib then for the body so it goes to show that colours can make things look different.

2nd Hat done in Online Spot Range yarn

Postcard & Hat

Saturday was my Quilting Group that I go to Well Janet who runs it is also on my online quilting group & she been hosting a postcard swap, which I have said no way am I doing one plus don't know how to do it.
Well she had fetched the stuff & got me doing one myself I think it okay nothing to write home about (for give the pun lol) but there again as everyone says you never think your own work is as good as others.
I also have finished the 1st hat of a 2 hat order I will be doing the 2nd in the same yarn just different colour the yarn is Online Spot Colour range

My 1st Postcard

 

 

 

Hat Online 4 ply yarn in Spot Colour Range

 

Maple Leaf Blocks

This week-end is my Online Quilting Group's Retreat well we are all around the World so we do it online & post & show what we are doing.
Myself on Saturday I will be at my Quilting Group so will be out for the day but still quilting.
The retreat starts from Friday until Sunday & we have a block lotto this time round it is the Maple Leaf Block below are 4 that I done.
I must say this is a block I do like I think it would make a great quilt or runner or just about anything don't you agree.

9.5 Inch Maple Leaf blocks

1st Hat

Here is the 1st hat I have knitted I did it on Double Pointed Needles (DPs) I started off with the stitches being over 4 needles but found it a bit awkward so went down to having them on 3 needles.
The pattern is from Lion Brand & is called Lake District   Hat   If you click on hat it will take you there it does say do it as garter stitch which is every row knit but they using straight needles by using DPs or even circular you knit every round but it comes out as stocking stitch.
I had wanted to use circular needles but the set I have are 100cm (40 inches) which was way too long I have ordered a set which is 50 cm these will be bamboo like the other set of circular plus my needles & DPs since I started using bamboo needles I really like them.
Anyway below is my 1st attempt of doing a hat, the yarn is not one I would normally gone for it is a 4 ply but I hate knitting with it when I knitted socks once the socks are done & washed they fine just not as nice & soft as some of my sock yarns

My 1st knitted Hat

Emotion 4 Ply Socks & other Bits

I hope all those who had a holiday week-end last week enjoy it, our one in the UK was at the end of August.
I been busy I been working on a quilt & have the top done & cut backing fabric which I have made the width the length by joining 2 pieces then the length has become the width I am hoping to get it pin on Friday when my friend comes over.
I have finished the socks I started on Sunday these are made from the Online make the Emotion range yarn which is a 4 ply yarn 
These will be a gift for Christmas, well I have to start getting the Christmas gifts done or it will be here before you know it & we be rushing around trying to get things done where if I can make a start now I hope that I will avoid this I guess I just have to see if I succeed lol

Emotion 4 ply Yarn

Angel for September

As we approach Autumn with it rich colours I hope that your life will reflex this
Wishing you a wonderful September & hope this angel will keep you safe throughout the month

On days when you're tired
Not sure you can go on
- Your Angel Knows -
And will wrap you in an Angel hug
To let you rest till your weariness is gone.
On days when you're down
Just feeling so blue
- Your Angel Knows -
And will tenderly take you in her arms
To cherish and help cheer you.

On days when you're hurting
Really feeling that pain
- Your Angel Knows -
And will wrap you in a blanket of love
To give you courage and help keep you sane.
On those nights when you're lonely
And there's no one to be found
- Your Angel Knows -
She'll gently enfold you in her wings
To give comfort and let you know
she'll always be around.

And on the days when you're happy
Things are going just right
- Your Angel Knows -
She'll smile and say a prayer of thanks
And give you an Angel hug so tight.
Day and night no matter what
Your Angel is always close by
To help guard you and protect you
Till someday you have your own wings to fly.

Last Pair of Order

This is the last pair of the order I had to fulfill
I used Irish Colour again just a different one from the range, it a US 12 (UK11.5) so another large one

Irish Colour Men's US 12

New Yarn

I just had the parcel man arrive & he has fetched me my new yarn I ordered it Online Yarn Canadian Colour Range & I think looking at the photos you have to agree that they are fantastic colours even better than I saw on the site & will make some beautiful socks.
The 1st photo is what I got from the website so you can see what it shows as knitted socks
The 2nd Photo is all of the yarn now I have it with 3rd & 4th showing closer views of lots of 4 balls at a time

Canadian Colour (From website)

Canadian Colour Arrived

Showing a closer view

Showing a closer view

 

An Order for Socks in Irish Colour Range

I have finished one of 2 pairs of very large men's socks I have to do, I have to do a US13 & US12 
For this pair which is the US13 size, I have used Online yarn called Irish Colour I think the colour is rather nice for a man with it autumn/earthy colours
The sock is part of an order I got my 1st paying order I needed to do 4 pairs I had mention I may be getting an order well I did for this & the other man's pair & 2 ladies pairs of socks
I must say not ever done socks this large it took longer than I thought which goes to show that it like knitting a extra sock with all the extra stitches & rows I done compared to other socks I have done lol
I have also had some luck this week with getting some bargains on more sock yarn, I got 2 pack of 10 x 100 grams balls of Regia 4 ply yarn I got one which is a dark green (olive) & also Denim blue both of these colours my DH will wear he fussy when it comes to colours he not in to the self-patterning yarns that said he did say he liked the ones below 
I am also waiting on another lot I got which is Online Yarn again but this time 8 x 100 gram balls of a new colour range called Canadian Colour so will have 8 different ones there have to wait for them to arrive from Germany.
Well below is the sock that I have just finished.

An order of a Man's socks US13 in Irish Colour

More Cotton Socks

Here is another pair of cotton socks I have finished these are for a gift which will be sent in the next few days.
I used Regia Cotton yarn again & these are a bit bigger than the other ones I have done as the person size is bigger than me.
I have some other news I may be getting a sale for some socks it could be the other Cotton socks & the Bamboo socks I have knitted & posted recently they may be going along with 2 other pairs of Men's socks which I will have to knit so a order for 4 pairs of socks.
Okay I won't be rich but I will make enough to cover the yarn plus some for me I have been asking what prices do people think knitted socks go for & I have had prices range from as low as $12 up to $100 well working in USA dollars $12 wouldn't cover the yarn but while I would love to get a $100 I don't think I would.
Here in the UK people wouldn't buy them may be someone who had or knows how nice hand-knitted socks are may buy some but very rare so any sales I get I think will be from the USA possible Canada 
I am thinking of trying to sell on Etsy which is something I hope to try I would like to know what is the average sizes for your country, here in the UK 4-5 for a ladies & 8-9 for men are the most popular sizes I do knit my socks slightly smaller than the standard size as while I am that size for part I am shorter in the foot so at least hand-knitted socks will fit me lol 

Regia Cotton Socks

Bamboo Socks

I must say I am going great guns with the socks, I finished this pair Tuesday night & have already started a new pair of socks.
These are using the Regia Bamboo yarn it a 4 ply yarn & knits up well very similar to the cotton ones which I previously shown & I am working on another cotton pair.
I not done any sewing (smack hand lol) I do want to get the socks done as I want to do some reading so may have a little break from knitting or at least not doing it as much 
These Bamboo ones will be in my gift stash as not knitted for anyone in particular so they either be a gift or I will use them.

 

Cotton Socks

I just finished a pair of sock using Regia Cotton yarn it 34% cotton 41% wool & 25% polyamide I think they knitted up well.
I have put them in my gift stash along with the other socks I have done recently not sure if they will be a gift or I will keep them but as I don't need them now I can decide later, I am now going to start a pair using Regia Bamboo yarn so watch out for those

What Wadding/Batting do You Use

I was wondering what wadding/batting do you use for quilts & do you use different weights types depending on what you do.

I did a single quilt using some polyester type I used 270 grm weight which is 9.5 ozs, I can get the same wadding in weights of 200 grms 7 ozs or 70 grms which is nearly 2.5 ozs

I have used Warm & Natural 100% cotton which is nice but find it is a bit flat & also not warm enough for me when I use it as a quilt

I know you can also get 80/20 which is 80% cotton & 20% polyester & other waddings

So which do you go for & why & how do you find it wears, the single quilt I did I have found even that was a struggle to get in to the washing machine so I don't think I will use that thick wadding again may be when I have to get a new washing machine I know I will be going for one that is a much bigger load plus a wider door, so will look forward to some feed back on the Wadding/Batting

Angel Of August

Here is your angel for August I hope that you have a wonderful month

Angel Of August

~She's regal in splendor

This angel of love

Cascading her flowers

From heaven above

To fall from the sky

To land with her peace

The angel of August

Her heart always seeks

To bring you a glow

That makes life complete

The flowers you gather

That fall from the sky

Her gift of the spirit

That soars way up high

A scent in the air

A petal that lands

In velvet she greets you

Wherever you stand

She touches your soul

With all of her love

Sprinkles her softness

With joy from above

Look up to the sky

To see heaven's light

It's the angel of August

That gives such delight~

6 Ply Socks Finished

I just finished a pair of socks using 6 ply Regia yarn this was sent to me in a swap I was involved in last year so it nice to use it.
Most socks I do use 4 ply but I do have some 6 ply & find that they knit up quite quickly
I am not sure if I will keep these or put them in to my Gift Stash that I need to start again well it won't be long to Christmas & if I don't start getting some gifts done they won't be done or it will be such a mad rush & I have to allow for things that happen to delay getting things done.
I have been reading which means no knitting so now I have started to just read for a little while in bed before I go to sleep if I feel up to it so I can then knit in the evenings while watching TV that how comes I have done the socks

6 Ply Socks

Fabric Arrived

The fabric I ordered from   Lynnette   has arrived I will use the top two fabrics for pinwheel the 2nd one down has a pink print on it, the next two I will use as layer cake size blocks with the last one being the border which I feel ties it all in the backing will be done in a pink flannel this is going to be a king-size one so will be done in rows & columns as much as I love the look of on-point it is too hard when it gets to that size to be able to do it.

Lynnette fabrics is of very good quality & she very good will accomadate when ever possible & she does do international shipping do go & look at her site & please do mention if you order that you seen it on here so she knows where interest is coming from

What I have received in the Last Week

I been very lucky this week, First item was on Monday it was a birthday present from my very good friend Lesley in Harlow you can see it a lovely teddy

Then I had on Tuesday a lovely surprise it was a quilting book which was from my son Karl, not sure if this wasn't in when he was there in May or he forgot it or what but I do also have to thank my sister Julia as she posted it the week before so thank you to both of you for the lovely book you see below

Then Wednesday I received a swap package which was from New Zealand this was from my swap partner Donna who is on a knitting group DRUs I belong to & you see she sent me a quilting magazine from New Zealand plus some yarn which will make some lovely winter socks this would be the same as our double knitting yarn, plus I received a lovely cloth funny thing was the one I sent was same colour lol plus some lovely coasters also which not shown a pin for the lapel & some fabric
So it been a great week for me, & to top it all someone has told me a bit more about the photo on my parents which I have on my Genealogy blog so Thank you to that person

My Week

What I have been up to since my last posting, well I will start with the boring bits to get them out the way lol
I have had to go for my eye check-up at the hospital as I have glaucoma, anyway the the check-up 2 before this one on the field vision it had changed the last one more or less the same this one well they didn't do it so I asked if I am okay to drive, well I have to tell the DVLA (driving licence people) so I come home to find out the number by going to their website & there is info on there seems I should have told them I have glaucoma when I first was told well no one told me.
Anyway downloaded the forms & filled them in as the Dr at the hospital said my vision is okay but it not up to them so I now have to wait to see if I can continue to drive until they say I will carry on.
During the week I had my upgrade to EQ7 this is what my DH paid for for my birthday which was yesterday, I also got from my friend Pat a June Taylor Shape cut Pro it is 20 by 23 inches & has slots every 2.5 inches this is something i will use a lot.
Yesterday I went to my Quilting group which was great so had lots of fun there we did a small runner but I hadn't cut enough for the 2nd border so I couldn't carry on with that so I finished sewing the triangles I had bought pre-cut together, when I got home DH had made me a trifle for after dinner really nice.
If you had seen my earlier post about the Missouri Star Quilting company & their video on Youtube, well I decided that I would get a 2 FQs & cut them up to different square sizes & do the pinwheel their method to see how they came out.
I have squares all up to near the inch or half inch in all but one,
10 inch squares I squared up to 12.5 inch block
8 inch squares I squared up to a 10 inch block 
6 inch squares I squared up to a 7 inch block
5 inch squares I just cut the ears off & it comes out to 5 3/4 inch block
4 inch squares I squared up to 4.5 inch block

The 7 inch squares I made a mistake in cutting & the 9 inch didn't have enough but it gives me a idea of what size squares to cut for what size block you can see the results below
So all in all not a bad end to a week where I done nothing craft wise

Am I Lucky or What

I am still working on stupid computer so no sewing been done but on Tuesday I received a package from my friend   Lynnette   for a belated Christmas present plus my birthday & look what she sent some beautiful fabrics plus some thimbles so am I lucky or what you can see the lovely fabrics she sells if you click on her name above

Tutorial using YouTube

I haven't as yet loaded my camera on to the computer so I thought I would share a tutorial with you it not mine if you click on the link  TUTORIAL  l  it will take you to YouTube where you can see a quick table runner
If you look at the side (you may have to subscribe) it gives more tutorials, I found this after  ROBIN   sent me a link to a different tutorial on Pinwheels which I really want to try if you click on   PINWHEEL  you will see it I am very impressed so thank you Robin if you click on her name above you will go to her blog.

Angel Of July

It the First of July already, here is an Angel to watch over you throughout July have a good month

 

Angel Of July

~Sitting in splendor

In heaven's sweet place

Showing the beauty of wings

Made of lace

Surrounded by flowers

With swans in her midst

The beauty of nature

Her glorious gift

Playing a tune that

Comes from on high

Gentlest breezes

This angel July

Sends love with her heart

That whispers on land

As trees rustle gently

In harmony grand

An angel so peaceful

She's sent with great love

Angelic in nature

Reflected above

Let her just fill you with

Warmth and all care

An angel to bless you with

Dreams we can share

Look to her innocence

Her power and might

While gently she sends you

All love that is bright.~

End of the Month

Well it the last day of the month & we halfway through the year, I guess we should be thinking of getting projects done for Christmas so we don't get caught out when you think of it, it not like we don't know when it is or it is coming yet so many of us have that last minute rush.
I haven't done much I did a mini back scrubber more to use some yarn up I do find that the smaller balls of cotton are a little small but as I can't just pop out to get some I don't have more than 1 ball of a colour so it does make it harder but I always do the handles first that way I don't run out before I finish.
On the sewing side went to Quilting group on Saturday as I been in pain with my back plus with all the computer problems I just took the precut triangles I had bought & started to sew them together.
Janet at the group asked what I was going to do with them & I said Pinwheel & she suggested getting 2 of the sew triangles & put them together but oposite so if i was say using red & black I would have them face right sides together but oposite fabric then draw a line corner to corner (oposite the sewn corner to corner) then sew quarter inch either side of the line & then cut on line & I would have 2 blocks with 4 triangles in.
I will be getting some scraps of fabric & cutting some triangles of the size I have & doing them so I can check the size of the blocks when done also same with doing one pinwheel so I can check the size of that block then I can decide on what I will do with them.
There no photos to share as not taken any plus I not got the camera set on the computer yet.
I have to put on my EQ5 & then the upgrade 6 I going to do that as I am not sure when mu upgrade to EQ7 will be arriving & I am unable to play so need to do that
Well Happy Sewing/Knitting/Crafting & don't forget to start making your Christmas to do List

Computers Love Them or Hate Them

I have had computer problems, I went to switch on the computer on Tuesday & while the light came on & what sounded like the fan nothing screen was okay as it came up with the message it does when the tower is not on.
Anyway so off I go looking for a new computer well the other one was being a bit slow anyway & been saying I may have to get a new one
I went to one place had a nice one which had a 24 inch screen but didn't get too much with it & with the warranty pushed it up so went next door & saw another one not quite as high spec but still good with a 20 inch screen they would let me get Office 2010 business one as I wanted Outlook for my e-mails at a good price plus they had Norton on half price & I asked for them to throw it in but got it for half again plus the waranty so came away with the computer.
Set it all up & switched the power on puff the tower blew so took it back & got a new one which I got them to try plus the mains lead well you never know.
Came home & set it up & put my disc I have to for the internet & it tells me that the operation sytem is not one it uses so phones my provider up thinking it be a week before I get a new version of the disc & the guy talked me through it you don't need a disc now so got online.
I have now had to try to figure out how to use the new computer & gone to Outlook & even that is different to the version I had on Office 2000 so still trying to figure all that out plus getting programs back on one won't as it was for windows 98 but it did work on XP but no way on Windows 7
With all this going on I haven't done much crafts so hope my next post will be more craft related

6 Ply Socks

I have not been feeling great the past few days been feeling light headed/dizzy that sort of thing when the room starts to spin sometimes when you get up quickly from bending down.
Not sure but I have in the past had a bad bouts of this with the room spining & being sick I was in bed with it for a week I have had this a few times like that so I do have some sick tablets so I been taking them as I feel as I am on the edge it not kicked off but could so best to start to take them.
While feeling like this I not been knitting or even reading as I think eye movement don't help.
I had done a pair of socks these are done in 6ply yarn it the Online Welliness II range it has Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil & Vitamin E in the yarn it 75% Superwash Wool & 25% Polyamid
They knitted up quickly & was nice to knit I did them by casting on using 4mm needles & doing 1 row knit then I changed to 3.50mm ones & started to do the knit 1 purl 1 rib I do all my socks in this sort of method that I use a larger size needle to cast on & do the first row I use the Double Pointed needles so use 4 (3 with stitches on 1 to knit with) I also never measure now I tend to knit by rows I count the rows as I find that I do then get both socks the same size yet the first ones I did I measured & no matter how I tried I found that I could still be out slightly so this way I just click each row then when done each section I just reset to zero & click on the next section.
I am not sure if these will be a gift as DH may like my socks he certainly not in to multi colours he says he can't wear jazzy socks he likes the plain/solid colours & even then if they are too light he not happy he more fussy than a woman lol
I think these may be a gift for a family member who has a birthday in a few months
I am hoping that I will be doing some sewing later I want to do a Knitting Needle case plus need to do a sort of roll for DH back

Crafts & This & That

I finished a pair of socks using from the last lot of yarn I got I posted a photo on 4th June about the yarn 
I have also done a cloth & a back scrubber using Sugar N Creme cotton
I not been as busy on crafts of late as I have been spending more time on Genealogy (see my other blog) so have't got as much done as I would like I am hoping to start on another single quilt plus I am waiting on some pre-cut triangles I bought off Ebay I bought 4 packs each pack contains 80 that 2 of each fabric which is in a Civil War Repo with the 4 packs thought I would turn them in to Pinwheel blocks for a quilt
I know that some have received there EQ7 already but that those in the USA here they saying July well that okay don't pay until it ready to send.
Apart from having a shock with my Sky (Satellite Channels) account they sent a bill for way more than they should nearly £113 well I phoned them as I had been told I could have it on a special offer for 6 months well after sorting it out I have to pay this month £46.10 that because I have to also pay in advance but they had over charged last month as well but from next bill it only be £23.25 plus I have the offer now for 12 months so we have cricket for the Ashes end of the year in to next plus we have the movies not that I am too bothered if we never had them but as a few months ago I was paying £23 for just the entertainment ones no sports or movies & I took some of the channels off so I think I have a good deal lol

On-Point Quilt

Here is my On-Point Quilt that I had been working, I used homespum fabrics plus some Thimbleberries.
This is a single quilt I am rather pleased with it the way it has come out.
The two photos are one with it laid on the floor the other is my friend holding it up

New Blog & Knitting Yarn

First I like to tell you I have created a new blog I decided to have one for my Family History so if that is what you are interested in then you can click on the link on the side bar, I only just done a welcome post today but do check back after today to see what is new.

Well I got the sock yarn I had won on ebay this was from a seller I get my yarn from in Germany I really did get a bargain as it was just a auction lot & not a buy now lot.

I have 8 balls of of a 100 grms each the range is called Spot-Colour & is a 4 ply yarn 75% Virgin Wool Superwash & 25% polyamide, I have a lot of the Online yarn just in different ranges & colours

I do really like the colours of course some much more than others funny how I tend to lean towards the browns, greys, blues more than the Pinks

I have taken time out to do some reading mostly Mills & Boon books as they are what I call easy reading & have finished 7 books I got from the library last week & have now taken them back but not got anymore out as I need to sew the binding on my quilt plus I will get on to some knitting some cloths & socks well I have to start to use my sock stash up & I have now with this lot got at least 3 different ranges that I haven't knitted one range is a 6 ply so should be interesting to see how it does.

DH's Vee-Neck Top

This is the Vee-Neck sweater I done for DH I used a sleeveless pattern for it & then when it said pick up stitches for rib around armholes I cast on that & then changed to stocking stitch & did the short sleeve

Well this wasn't such a great idea as the short sleeves came out way too big so what I did was sewn the excess then cut the sleeve so it was a cut & sew sleeve I use to use this method on necks when I machine Knitted but haven't done anything like that for at least 10 years

The sweater is just to keep DH shoulders warm not for going out in as he does have other sweaters but needed this for when he indoors or working about outside

All in all it hasn't turned out too bad I am pleased with the Vee part & with DH not being a small man I knew he needed room around the arms otherwise he do nothing but moan lol

I taken the photo by putting it on a dressmaker's dummy well best way of doing it lol it a nicer green than the photo really shows.

I am glad that I have finished it as now I can get back to smaller items of knitting, but before that I am taking a bit of time to do some reading as I am giving the hands a rest before I have to start sewing the binding on the quilt.

Angel for June

Today not only is it the 1st of the month it also my DH's birthday so Happy Birthday to him.

Here is your Angel of the month

Angel Of June

~Angel of June

Precious in sky
Sending a promise of

Love from on high

Bringing to earth

Warmth from above

Showing how easy

To learn how to love

Sitting in silence

Watching in blue

Seeing all beauty

In summer's sweet hues

Breath from the sky

Sweet as the mist

With every dew drop

A heart never missed

Love in the air

Hearts in her care

Tenderly watching to

Guard all down here

Angel of June

Sends special tune

Winds in the mist

Harmonious bliss

Summer is scented

From angel's sweet kiss.~