The grand Christmas challenge 2011

During my recent move, a certain fact became very clear to me.  It's not like I didn't know it already, but there's a certain something about seeing it for fact, in person, a tangiable, undeniable fact.  I have silly amounts of yarn and fibre.  I mean there's having stash, pretty to pet and indulge in... but then there's having an addiction - where it just bulges out of every storage space in your tiny little flat.  When did this happen?  And how much have I spent!?

A second fact has also become very clear since the move.  That is the fact that I've had a pay cut and at the same time, an increase in expenses - more rent, more bills, bus fare.  Suddenly, I'm living a very close existance!  I mean, there's nothing to really complain about, but I've gotten used to a certain level of disposal income, which I don't really have any more, and I forget this, and end up broke, or at least very near to it by mid-month.

Now, I'm not telling you these things as a moaning outlet or a boast or anything of those sorts.  I'm setting a scene.  So, what happens when these things combine?  I fun crafting challenge! 

I hereby pledge that everyone on my Christmas gift list will be getting handmade items using fibre and yarn I already own.

The rules -
1) No fibre or yarn is to be brought - I'm on a strict yarn and fibre diet until the new year, at least.  I have to make up some more room first!  The only exceptions are the two clubs that I belong to - my Wildcraft fibre and spindle subscription which runs every other month, and my Piperfic's luxuary fibre club.
2) I can buy patterns, buttons and the like.  Only essential "notions".
3)  Any craft will be permitted - knitting, crochet, felting.  I'm going to try and knit with as much of my handspun as possible.
4) Everyone on my list has to get at least one item, the adults will most likely only be getting small things - hats, scarves, mitts, shawls.
5) If I decide to get someone a Christmas present, a part of it must involve an item fitting the above criteria, i.e. any last minute "Oh, I was going to give so-and-so a pressie" must get something made from my stash.

And as for my list of Christmas recipients.  Well, this is where it's potentially tricky.  If I'm going to be strict and stick to the rules, then I have to keep the list relatively small.  But here's my initial thoughts:
1) Both parents, although not sure what I'll do for my dad.
2) Grandparents (UK ones only, it's not practical to get the SA ones things)
3) Brother - although haven't given it much thought as to what.
4) Aunt and cousin
5) Sarah and Martin
6) The Clark girls
7) The Clark baby
8) Conner
(6, 7, 8 are all little kids, so they are to get a cardigan or sweater each, make this rule 6!)
9) Emma
10) Lorri
11) Sam and Kev
12) Mary
13) Fiona
14) Mrs Spoon

And I think that's enough to get started with... right?  I'm sure I may yet think of a couple others!

And so it begins... or rather, so it has begun.  I've made a start - it's a lot of crafting to get through before Christmas.  And I'll keep the blogosphere updated on it.

Two days without posting

I've officially broken my trend.  I had blogged pretty much everyday since I began, until this weekend... and there's not even a proper reason for it.  I went to Bristol, and finished the socks as documented in my previous post.  And then I made Harry's hat, the only model for which was me:

Another delightful pic of me taken (mainly due to laziness) with my webcam

I crocheted the hat.  It look about a day - I'd forgotten how absolutely simple this pattern was and how quickly it came together.  So I was really happy about that.  I've made this pattern for Harry about 4 or 5 times before, and I think that he's managed to loose them all along the way - not sure if he'll ever learn, or me for that matter, I do keep on making them!  I had to be a bit inventive this time.  He wanted a thinner wool (pattern calls for bulky/chunky) so I went for an aran weight and increased the pattern repeats, and actually managed to get it right, first time!  So yay for me, about adventurous as I've ever gotten with modifying patterns!

And now I'm on to making the wristwarmers for Ru.  I haven't got very far, the pattern uses a chart, something I've never done before, and I had a few queries about it, and obviously had to trawl the net for answers as I didn't bother bringing The Knitter's Bible.  Looking forward to the challenge.

Work on Saturday was about as exciting as I was expecting.  I was bored out of my wits, and got glared at and made to do menial, non-essential things when I dared get the crochet out (despite the fact they were all surfing the net and checking hotmail!).  So I took the hint and sat around staring off into space instead.  Oh well, I was at work after all, so it's bordering on being cheeky to sit there crocheting.  The times I've knitted have all be night shifts, so I obviously can get away with it more then!

Sunday was a bit of a write off.  I really wanted to get up and go to one of the local churches, but switched my alarm off and promptly feel asleep again... oops.  But I've been so tired, I've not been getting amazing sleep in here at Cheltenham, so it was definintely a case of catching up on it all!  When I did eventually get out of bed, I decided I'd go have breakfast (well, brunch!) at the local cafe, so I could sit with the free wi-fi and focus on finishing ranking my jobs.  Which I'd almost done when my laptop run out of juice and I didn't have anywhere near my table to plug in, and changing tables wasn't an option since they were packed (in fact people were kinda glaring at me for taking up a four seater table!).  So I ambled home and finished ranking there.  So glad to get it out of the way.  Now it's just a case of waiting about three weeks and I find out what jobs I have.

Then following having Harry and Claire round briefly so he could pick up the hat (and very generously pay for the yarn - yay, so it was guilt free wool shopping!), I decided to follow up on an idea that Sarah gave me last week.  I roasted a chicken, and had a lovely roast dinner, something I generally don't get round to doing as it's such a waste when I live alone.  And now I've got loads of leftovers to do stuff with.  I had a jacket potato with lemon-mayo chicken, I'm going to do a salad with the other breast, and then make up some soup with whatever's left over.  I may yet be able to get another meal out of whatever other meat is left over before I make the soup.  It was a really good idea - it works out quite cheaply (even splashed out on an organic/free range chicken), I have meal plans for most of the week, and I had a nice easy to think up shopping list.  So it really ticks a lot of the food rules boxes.  So thanks very much Sarah.

And then a quick dish wash and back to Cheltenham.  Had a really busy day today - 9 to 6.  So absolutely knackered right now.  It was a fairly good day.  I was with the consultant who had lead our ethics teaching last week and pretty much the first thing he said to me was that I had had a lot to say last week... I guess I was memorable!  Lol!  Not that I had several arguements or anything like that during ethics!  Lol!  He's quite a nice consultant and made sure I got to see lots and get a bit involved with the team.  In the afternoon, we spent time in the radiotherapy session, which was cool, as it's something I hadn't done before, and I was able to see all the stages.  I like to do things like that, then if I'm ever asked by patients, then at least I can have some grasp of what goes on. 

The most exciting thing to happen this weekend was when I got "chatting" to someone on Ravelry about the socks, and I had a look at her stash, and man did it make me lust.  She's got this huge stash of absolutely gorgeous yarns.  So I complemented her a bit and then we got chatting a bit about where to get wool.  And then she randomly asked for my postal address so she could send me some of her hand-dyed alpaca.  I'm so touched by the kindness of strangers.  She was so gracious about it, and wants absolutely nothing in return.  Can't wait to get back to Bristol and see what it is that she'll send. :)

And here I am... ready for bed.  Not a very exciting weekend, so I'm hoping for a better week!

Yet more snow mis-adventures

Today was another one of those frustrating days that I seem to have had quite a few of in the last month - snow destroyed.  As I mentioned, I was due to go to Hereford this morning, for the whole day for clinics.  I duely got up at silly o'clock and as I was munching my brekkie, I looked out the window and start muttering about the rain bucketing down.  And then, as I was finishing my tea, I looked out again and thought, "hang on a second... that rain is different... (squint against the dark gloom)... that's not rain, that's snow!... mmm... interesting, well shouldn't settle following all that rain".  And off I trotted to go get dressed and ready to head off. 

When I was ready, I opened the blinds in my room, and was greeted with white everywhere.  And there was massively reduced visibility.  A glance downwards to the road revealed the worst - slushiness covering the roads.  Cue internal debate.  So I decided to check the weather forcasts for Cheltenham - snow at 9, sleet at 12, snow at 3.  Mmm, checked Hereford's forcast and it was snow more or less all day (switching between heavy and light and then back again) with tempertatures hitting freezing or lower for the afternoon/evening rush hour.  So after debating it with my flatmate, I decided I really should be safe and not drive through it. 

To make up for the lack of clinic-ness, I walked into the hospital here with my flatmate, gettting all soggy and cold feety to go to a library session which I was going to miss in favour of Hereford.  At least I now know where the hospital library is, and I got out and about for a bit and got to have a walk. 

Following this, I came "home" and have mainly been knitting my sock all afternoon, interspersed with lots of tea, and the odd bit of prep for a tutorial tomorrow and sitting around getting to know my flatmates better.  So, all in all an okay day.  Nothing wildly exciting, not for me at least.  I'm very proud of Sarah who is making the most of her time off her feet by learning with amazing speed how to crochet, using some of the goodies I had sent her on Monday.  Hehehe!  I've corrupted her with my devious crochet/knitting addiction.  :)  So going to have to start a crafting group when I next am in Derby where we can sit and do stuff and natter!  Can you tell I'm excited about having a friend join the world of crochet?  Someone I can share the experience with!  Tis truely awesome!

Sock progress for today:

Did the heel and about half of the foot today

It's definitely the second sock - next to the first for comparison

And this is me... being bored by all the stupid snow keeping me stuck, mostly infront of the computer. (and yes, that is my South African rugby jersey!)

Mmm, spent Christmas just as I needed to, but not as I expected to!

Merry Christmas everyone.  I hope that you all had lovely days with your loved ones and that you had wonderful pressies and tasty food. 

I spent most of the early hours of Christmas day in the bathroom with a lovely dose of D&V, so I unfortunately spent the vast majority of Christmas day in bed asleep.  I went downstairs for about half an hour for pressie exchanging, and then briefly to talk to my ouma and oupa in South Africa on Skype.  And that was about it.  I would have felt dreadfully unsocial if it were not for the fact that I actually slept most of the day!  And also didn't really want to give everyone else gastro as a delayed Christmas present.  I do feel slightly guilty that I didn't really feel enthusiastic at present time, I really did love my gifts, just didn't really feel energetic enough at the time to express that!

Now that I have given them all away, I can put up some pics of the Christmas presents that I have spent the last month working on (oh, and Emma's birthday present).

 

Slippers made for Morgan (red) and Jenna (pink).  They're made out of 100% wool, and Sarah has since felted them (which I was very impressed with, can't believe she found the time already!) thus they may look ginormous here, but they have shrunk alot.  I will get photos of the finished items when I can.

The quwerky present I mentioned and showed a teaser of was this - a dodecohedran, a.k.a. a twelve pointed star, with each point a different colour.  It was a great way to use up some of my odds and ends, and was very happily recieved by Emma on Connor's behalf, as were these socks, which should just about still fit:

Then carrying on the sock theme, I made Rowan a set of three colour co-ordinated but non-matching socks, which hopefully should fit:

Then to use up some of the wool left over from Rowan's aran cardigan, I made Sarah some wrist warmers (awww, bless, potential for co-ordinating mummy and daughter!).

 

 And finally, Emma's scarf.  This I actually crocheted for a change.  It was one of my favourite wools that I've used so far.  It wasn't the softest of wools, but it is 100% pure wool that has been hand spun and hand dyed in such a beautiful colour set, with plenty of green.  I love that it has such a natural feel to it (in fact spent a lot of time during making it picking out little bits of twig and straw) and the fact that it is truely a unique wool, with varying thickness and colours.

Exploding potatoes!

Something very bizarre happened to me and my kitchen earlier.  I had a jacket potato for dinner.  I don't have a microwave, so they take ages in the oven, but always so worth it!  So I got my potato ready and poked it with a fork a few times and shoved it in the oven.  Then, when it looked done, I got a fork to pick it up out of the oven and pop it on my plate, and well, pop was the operative word here!  It exploded on me, creating quite a mess!  I couldn't believe it, I've never seen anything quite like it before.  It was a little disappointing as when I eventually got round to eating it, there actually wasn't much potato left in the skin.  Darn!  It looked a little like this, just in case you think I was exaggerating!

I got the extra wool today, and the present is finished.  So excited about it, I'm so loving that wool, and I can't wait to share it!  My next project (again a likely Christmas pressie if I get it done in time) is back to knitting and  is a good way of using up some scraps, and I'll give you a little teaser as to what's to come!

Still nothing to say!

Yup, that's it, just another day of feeling sick. Barely slept last night due to constant need to blow my nose (yuk!) and a very heavy congested headache. So needless to say, another very long lie in was necessary to catch up on those hours of missed sleep. Woke up around 2pm, and actually made it out of bed today! And did some knitting. Slowly though, as just unable to keep up the concentration for that long. And that's about it.

Have decided to give up on the snowflakes, as I really don't think that the yarn I was using was that suitable, they just ended up looking too messy. So, have gone back to knitting some small things for Christmas pressies (and to help reduce my stash!).

I don't think I'll be heading into uni tomorrow. I'm sure by then, I will be feeling much better, but I don't think quite over it all enough, and caught up on sleep enough to get through a day of looking professional and presentable. But I am aiming for Wednesday, as I have something on then that will be signed off.

Snotty goodnights to you all!

Saturday musings

Hi!  (Hi Sam, now that I know you're reading this!)   So, today was a more typical sort of Saturday.  It started very lazy, as I was up reading till nearly 3.30am (when did it get so late?).  Didn't get out of bed till nearly 12 this morning.  Oh well.... win some, loose some.  I never get round to early nights.  This morning, once eventually up, I started to make some progress on my snowflakes - so weird to be crocheting.  The Just Soya wool is interesting to work with, it's quite soft, but the individual threads seem to seperate quite a lot, which is frustrating as I have to pay that slight bit more attention.  Don't think it's the best wool to be using, but the overall effect is okay.  I think I like the colour best, it's such a brilliant, pure white, that lives up to it's name "coconut"!

Four snowflakes so far, not sure how many the wool will allow.  Next to them, you can see my most ambitious project - my zig-zag strippy crochet blanket that I made about three years ago.  I really shouldn't be allowed to get bored!  It's about double bed sized - I just carried on going until spring got too hot to allow me to work under it.  You can also see to the left, my huge box of wool, currently over flowing!

Then it was off to work, thrill of thrills.  It wasn't too bad, again it was one of my less favourite wards, but it was at least a better shift than last weekend.  It was short staffed, but it was a smaller ward - only 20 patients so that helps.  Still felt like I perhaps didn't really have time to do everything.  Then one of the nurses had the cheek to get annoyed with me, when she tried to ask me to do something (menial as always, they always palm off the menial stuff on to Bank HCAs) when I tried to point out to her that I was already in the middle of doing something for one of the other nurses, when the third nurse had told me about two things she wanted me to do.  I mean, come on!  I've only got one pair of hands, and I feel like I'm letting down the patients enough as it is, without adding even more workload!

Then I had a very pleasant surprise when I got home - my SamSam phoned me.  Had a lovely catch up and chat.  Twas nice to have the company!  I'm really going to hold you to that Choc Orange pudding fest, yu-ummm-my!

Progress is being made on Chistmas decorations.  Since I'm still lacking a tree, I've been hanging most of my completed decorations up on my mobile - which is a present from my parents when they had visited family back in Zimbabwe a few years ago.  And a mini-Stieff bear that my mom gave me as a good luck pressie for my exams a few years back.  I think I'm going to get the tree tomorrow.  I'm too excited to put it off any longer!  Still have loads of decorations that I want to make, but at least they'll have somewhere to hang when they're ready!

I'm quite proud of this one - I sat and glued on loads of green seed beads on their side.  Great texture effect.

My growing collection, which now includes a couple of the polystyrene balls.

The mess that is my dining table, a.k.a. my craft table.  This pretty much sums up my life - the bright yellow paper is part of my uni timetable, there's lots of random experimentation remnants (e.g. the paper painted red), a nice smelly candle (winter berry, I think!) and part of my alcohol stash.





And finally, I've uploaded photos of the hat that I made for Mary.  She wanted a slouchy hat, and choose the pattern.  I got my lovely teddy to model again, because lying the hat down on a flat surface didn't allow for the full effect.  Only problem is that Teddy has a smaller head than Mary, so he looks a little drowned by it!