New year, same goal. January 3, 2010

This is my favourite song at the minute. Basically…”If you’ve got a trumpet brother…get up and blow it!”

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. (author unknown)

So it’s that time of year again, looking back on the past, looking ahead to the future. I tend not to dwell on the past, so I don’t hold any regrets or grudges. I try to learn from mistakes and no doubt, will be ready to make some more!
I was tidying up my little craft corner yesterday and discovered I have some serious stash busting to do this year!

Mostly hanks of Fyberspates and some MamaMi yarns.

Boxes packed full of yarns. (There’s also a chest of drawers full of stuff…eeek!)

Loads of fibre.

and tons and tons of books and patterns!

So what does one do in this situation…

Run away and hide?

No, search Ravelry for inspiring stash bust- alongs like this one…52 projects in 52 weeks (Ravelry link). It’s gonna be tough, but I think I can make it.

I’m going to start with finishing the project I have going, remeber these? Amen and Braided Pullover . I haven’t got a great deal to do on these…it’s just a though of the endless purling on the braided jumper. Why I gave up on Amen I don;t know, maybe life just got in the way. I’ve also started on a Log Cabin Afghan from Mason Dixon

Knitted in some Artesano alpaca, merino singles that I spun this holiday, merino/silk singles that I spun some time ago and some Violet Green yarn. It’s easy going at the minute while it’s small!

Talking about Ravelry, I must mention my wonderful gift from my LimegreenJelly secret Santa…

A beautiful handknitted shawl, a hank of green yarn, a little bag, a knitting kit for a lavender bag, stitchmarkers, tea, chocs and a box of jelly babies. Thank you so much, whoever you are! xx

This is what Santa brought me: Recycled wine goblets, made from wine bottles; Campervan Slippers; Skullcandy headphones; and a “Herdy” mug from my wonderful BIL.

So, that just leaves me to say…Happy New Year to everyone, I hope and pray that it brings good things to you all. x

So this is Christmas… December 24, 2009

This has got to be the best Christmas song ever. Nevemind all this Rage against the Machine/X-Factor business, this one should be the Christmas number 1!

This year I feel will be a year of changes…which is good, I like a good change, better than being stuck in a rut. Usually for Christmas, we would have my sister over with her partner and his 2 boys but because they have just had a little girl together, and James is having to work, they are staying home for the first time since my mum died 6 years ago. It’s going to be quiet.

But, as we now have an extra room in the house I thought I’d actually get the dining room sorted. It’s been a store room for most of that 6 years and the occasional bedroom. It’s by no means finished but the table is in and that’s the important bit. So, without the big oak table in the living room, I also thought it would be a nice idea to have a big tree, now the kids are old enough to leave it alone. So far, so good.

As we didn’t break up from school til quite late, then didn’t get paid until yesterday, it’s been a mad rush to get everything ready in between parties and church readings but as far as I am aware…we’re ready!

and I’m all excited…

The Midwinter lantern parade was great and it didn’t rain this year! I didn’t get very good pictures though as, surprise, surprise, I forgot my camera as I very often do.

This was taken as we were facepainting, rounding people up and singing along to the wonderful fiddle playing.

Little J did her first violin playing in public this year too, which was a nice change to be able to go and watch the year 4/5/6 concert as it’s held in the Zion Chapel in town. Did I tell you she’s also in a brass band? She’s the percussionist…and quite good too.

She’s played 3 gigs this year…I’m so proud.

And to add to that, my two eldest won a Christmas Card competition for Pembroke Dock Chamber of Trade.

As well as all the other children involved, they had a beautiful set of cards printed.

The vicar visited the other day and asked how my knitting was going…and well…I’ve done nothing creative at all since October. One of my new year resolutions will have to be to organise my free time better. Maybe if I tried doing one thing at a time it would help…but you know me, not happy unless my time is completely filled, completely!

I did help make this though…

After Big J had read “The Beattitudes”  from The Message Bible at a celtic service some time ago, a friend had asked if he could print the passage out. We both had agreed that it was too special for just printing. At the time I was trying out a bobbin lace cross intended for a Christmas card…but it fitted in perfectly on the page with J’s lovely handwrtting. So there it is, a perfect gift. Handmade.

And that’s pretty much it for me this year. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year. x