Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Crafting space

Growing up, I had a room to my self several times on and off, being one of 3, some times I shared a room with my sister, some times I had a room to my self, for a while, all three of us slept together! But naturally I never really had the chance to make it my own. Now I find my self as an adult with a very large room with a view, I can do as I please with it!
The room is very me, its full of little bits, trinkets, parts of my life, I recently had to hide a few things away after splitting up from Dave (his choice, not mine, and not a choice I would have made) and looking at these things just hurt to see, thats a problem of making the room part of my life I guess!
Thankfully it acts more as my little sanctuary, and because I'm such a crafty little soul, it looks like one big work room as well!


This is the main part of the room, all my gorgeous (mainly) sock and lace yarn is crammed in to the ikea shelves, when I bought them I had no idea I'd be eventually filling it! It does act as a bit awe inspiring tho, I like to sit on my couch and just stare some times, alot of the time I'll reach out and stroke a bit of yarn sticking out and it has been inspirational too!
Naturally you notice the overflowing box of fibre next to the shelves, I've been meaning to either get a bigger box, or at least another one to try and contain it, but so far I just add to the top of it, I do attempt to spin alot of it, looking at the table at the front of the picture, thats all the yarn I spun during the tour de fleece, that I haven't managed to make room for yet (back to the more boxes talk..) its catching no harm there in the mean time!
Another thing is I tend to have my finished objects lying around, my stripey star on the couch, my blue jeans shawl on the arm, you can't see it very well but my cherry clapotis is on the footstool on the left, well what else am I supposed to do with them lol
Its just a nice area, I like it very much.


I suppose you could call this the main focal point of the room, its the first thing you see when you walk in my door, my shelves with some of my fav books on there, cds, knitting needles, my sheepy money tin, Sims house and of course my knitting books! Its a strange arrangement I know, but it looks nice and nothing falls off the ends!
Underneath is my coat hooks, currently housing my booga bag, my general little knitting bag (complete with domiknitrix badge) and my woolfest bag, plus a few coats that just adorn my wall.


Ah my bed, best place in the world! Before you ask, yes I've read all the books in that pile, I just keep adding to it instead of putting away, naughty!
But as you can see, the yarn is spreading here as well, I have two of the same size tubs that holds my fibre full to the brim with assorted yarn underneath there, one is my "cheap" yarn and the other is the yarn that doesn't fit on my shelves, or assorted odd balls, great for quick projects type yarn! Also you see my blocking boards (need more of them £4 from tesco..) my sewing box and yarn that I haven't put in a box. I will do one day..


And finally, just to make sure every part of my room is crafty, this is where my swift and ball winder live! Teddies on the rocking chair I've had since I was a dot and they are looking after my Forest canopy shawl. I've actually tided the table up a bit as I've got several labels and yarn ends lying around on it, plus it could do with a dust! Its in a good place as I plonk my self down on the end of the bed and wind till my heart is content!

So that was a brief whistle stop tour of my room! You really needed to see all that didn't you lol Well I think you can indulge me, I'm going through a very rough time at the moment, as I mentioned before I split up from my partner of 5 years which was extremely distressing, it wasn't through choice, and I wish it didn't have to be this way, but I don't have any choice but to live with whats happened. Daft thing is I still love him very much and the thought of starting all over again with some one else fills me with a cold horror. We have resolved to remain close friends, and I'm hoping that means more than the occasional chat on msn!
I'll be ok eventually, we actually spoke for the first time properly since it happened, and it made me feel alot better, probably more than he realises!
Oops I'm now going personal on my knitting blog, well I guess as long as I don't make a habit out of it! In the mean time, send love!

Monday, 27 July 2009

Tour de Fleece finale!


Not bad for some one who flaked out half way thru!
Yes I did manage my final yarn, it was being plyed as Mark Cavandish crossed the finish line to win his 6th stage of the tour (Go Mark!) and was all done and dusted as Alberto did his speech on the podium.

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I love this alpaca silk, it bloody sheds every where, but is really soft! Still got a 50g bag left that I've yet to spin but felt I'd done enough with it (plus I was getting tired of scrapping hairs off every thing).

So what am I going to do with all my newly spun yarn? Well with my shiney purple one (the fyberspates alpaca silk or at least thats what I think it is!) I see a pair of gloves with that, the jacobs humbug isn't really next to skin wearable so that will prob make a nice little bag, as for the rest of it, well it looks nice of my shelf for now, I'll think of some thing!
Now what to spin next...

Saturday, 25 July 2009

So we had a bit of a TDF fail...

I tried! Honest I did, that pesky thing called life got in the way during week two, I felt like I didn't sit still for 5 mins and then this week, I felt "guilty" for not spinning last week and just didn't get round to doing much, but having said that, I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved over all, it wasn't about doing the most, it was about creating lovely yarn and to me, I've done just that!

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This is all that I've spun and finished, my fav has got to be the bottom one, the shine is just wonderful! My second fav is the one in the middle, as when it is knit up, it will have a complete colour change which will be cool!

I have got one, possible two yarns I could finish by tomorrow, the one on my spindle from the previous post and this one

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Which is a natural alpaca and silk, its really nice to spin with, but the alpaca hairs get every where! Does not help when I wear predominately black... But I'm hoping I can get in a last minute push and finish this yarn (and maybe the other one!) in time for the race finish tomorrow!
Watch this space..

Saturday, 11 July 2009

Tour De Fleece Day 8

More progress!
Was no point posting yesterday as it would have looked the same as day 6, so left it till today, it was worth it I think!

So I finished the yarn I was working on, I was rather pleased with it!

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Started my next lot!

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Then I considered tomorrow and realised I'm going to be out for most of the day seeing as its Callums birthday, so if I want to spin, I need it portable! Enter my trusted spindle and some of the unprocessed naturally dyed yarn I got from woolfest (idea being its supposed to look rustic so I don't have to be as precise!)

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How much I actually get done tomorrow remains to be seen, but at least I will have done some thing and kept up spinning roll!

Thursday, 9 July 2009

Tour De Fleece Day 6

While I'm still in shock about Tourchwood, I'll post what I've done today!
Not managed to do much today, been out for the first time since last Friday, to shop for Callums 6th Birthday, he opted for a Skateboard (those who know him will know how dangerous he is without wheels (for festival going friends, Callum is the little blonde one who bounces every where..)) and a new set of clothes and shoes to complete the "look" (half price sale in asda..) so he's a happy bunny!
So any way, you want fibre...

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Half my fibre is done, not bad for two hours work! This is going to look good when it is plied because its already a mix of black and what ever colour is there at the time, so when its plied its going to look very cool!
My bathroom is resembling a yarn finishing room tho, at the moment I seem to have some thing constantly in the sink and/or hanging to dry in the shower, good job only I go in there, or else things could have been difficult!
More progress tomorrow!

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Tour De Fleece Day 5

Bored yet? I'm not! Enjoying this spinning every day lark, not that I'm knitting much...

Todays efforts where from a 64g batt called "The Mexican" very cool name..

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All torn up and ready to go! I divided this in to two again, and kept the order in an attempt to match it up..

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Very happy with my plying today! Colourmatching didnt quite work out but who cares!

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Well I like it any way!!

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Tour De Fleece Day 4

Quick one before Torchwood comes on! (what do you mean you are not watching it?!)



Nice progress for today, its currently twist setting in the shower as we speak (next door must wonder what the hell I'm doing when I whack it against the wall!

More tomorrow!