dragons do knit!

I've moved....

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:50:00 +0000

www.welshmillie.wordpress.com

My Fur Babies

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

These are my babies, the tabby is called Millicent Mook (Millie for short) and the tuxedo is called George you little %&*^$& get down off the ^^%%*^&* curtains and leave your *^%$*&* sister alone (or George for short).

I'm a proper housewife!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:08:00 +0000

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

Not long now......

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:50:00 +0000

My egg is hatching.....

Squeeeee.......

Crafty update!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:00:00 +0000

So although I have been a little (!?!) quiet on the blogging front, I have still been working my crafty little ass off. I have been knitting and crocheting, I have learnt Macrame and have been doing some sewing. All in all I am quite proud of myself. As the post will be quite obese when it comes to pictures, I think that I will deal with the knitting and crochet today and then deal with the Macrame and Sewing tomorrow.

This is a crochet star afghan, that I am making for my niece Skye. I Think it will be kept as a Christmas Present for her though. I quite like it and am thinking of maybe making one for myself when I am done. I found the pattern here. I really like the pattern, it is an easy crochet, but with enough going on to keep you interested. The star shape is really cool too. It is made with random acrylic that was in my stash (I am trying to clear the stash a bit).

Next up is the beginnings of the Poets Pullover. I like this pattern because it is a mindless knit. At the moment I have a couple more inches of the 2x2 ribbing to do and then there is the split for the V neck. Another reason I like this pattern is the talented gal who wrote this up lives in the city next door, Chester.
This is a small white jacket that was a UFO. I can't believe how little I had to do on this one. I litterally did about 3 rows and it was finished. So I've handed it over to baby Skye, so that she can get some use out of it. The pattern was a variaton of the 5hour baby sweater and the yarn was random acrylic stash.

This is my most recent FO. It is another UFO, but I had to do a bit more work on this one. I knit up the sleeves and neck band, and put together. This is a really good beginner project. The pattern is a Sirdar Snuggly one, and the yarn was Sirdar Snuggly DK Magic Stripes.

This is a project that started the all the FO's. It is a baby cardigan for baby Skye. I love the colours in the yarn. It is also very snuggly yarn and a bargain at 50p for a 50g ball. ;)

There was one casualty....a red baby hoodie that I ran out of yarn for. So it got frogged! Here is a picture of the before...

So that's all I have pictures of for now, but I am also working on the Celtic Cable Tote, Some more baby sweaters, a baby dressing gown, a Jack Frost xmas figure, and a koala. Off the top of my head, there may be more - if I am feeling brave I will have a look later. If you feel like being nosy I am Welshmillie on ravelry and most other places.

If you are on Plurk feel free to plurk me too!

Book Update

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:35:00 +0000

I have finished reading Blood Rites, by Jim Butcher. This will be my fifth book of the 20 that I said I would read, so I am a quarter of the way there.

I am now reading Dead Beat, also by Jim Butcher - what can I say, I am adicted to the Dresden Files! This is book seven of the series. I am loving it!

Also in audio book land I have just finished listening to The House Down Cherry Tree Lane, by Ramona Holliday. The book is a free one from Podiobooks.com. I would recommend this site to anyone who likes listening to books. They are all free and I have listened to some of the most fantastic stories from here. My ipod is full of them. I would really recommend this book. It has a story line that really captures you. I found it really hard to stop listening and got really involved in the story.

What have I been up to.....

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:07:00 +0000

mmmmmmm......

I'm not sure where to start on this one. I have got a lot accomplished this year that I am really proud of. The most significant being the hhhhuuuuuugggggeeee declutter that I completed in the flat. Now understand that I am a hoarder. I can think of a reason to keep any one of a thousand things, but when the hoarding started to push me out the way for space then I decided enough was enough. Please also bear in mind that we live in a moderately sized one bedroom flat. I will admit that it is bigger than most flats built on todays standards, but still we are not talking manor house here.

Let's start with the before pictures. These were taken when the decluttering was just about started. So we had moved out a couple of things, moved stuff around and mostly looked in awe and horror at what we had managed to keep.

Notice how on every available surface there is something. I am not proud of these pictures in fact, knowing what my flat looks like now they make my face burn in shame. But know look at it.

I love my place sooo much now, it is like I have just moved in. There are only really pictures of the bedroom and living room again, because although decluttering went on in the bathroom and kitchen there really isn't that much that you can see on face value.

These are definately my favourite pictures. There has been crafty stuff done and lots of it, but that will be for another post I think.

I has dragon!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Whilst reading this fabulous blog I noticed that she has a small green egg in the corner of her page. After reading further down, I found out it was a DRAGON EGG! SQUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEE!

I love dragons and a guzumptmillion of them in the house, and now I have one on my blog too! It is in the top right corner of the side bar. Mine is red and needs help to hatch, so if anyone does read, could you click on my egg to help it along.

Me and my new baby thanks you lots!

;)

45) Visit two haunted houses

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:20:00 +0000

One of my 101 in 1001 days was to visit two haunted houses (hence the title).

We visited the Plas Teg, Mold in February 08. The house is fantastic old house that is being restored by it's owner to it's period style. I love this house. I get such a homely feeling as soon as I walk through the door. This will be the second time that I have visited this house. The first time there was lots of activity, this time not so much. I have a feeling though that this may be because I wasn't feeling in top form, so wasn't really paying attention anyway.

This is my youngest sister Laura (right hand side) and her friend Nicole that came with us on our 'ghost hunt'. They were really nervous. I don't think I have held Laura's hand so much since she was a little girl.

This photo is taken in the Great Hall. There are some really huge paintings in here and some interesting statues. There is also a huge open fireplace. There is always a large fire going to keep us warm. This section of the house is used as a base. The groups return here throughout the night to have refreshments and a warm!

I'm not sure what this room was called, I remember the host saying that this room would be the one that would host parties. We had a bit of a seance in this room. There was a harp in the corner that kept having it's strings plucked - even though there was no one around it. There was the spirit of a little girl in this room called Emily. She was made to practice the harp lesson's she was being given and was supposedly the reason why the harp plucked itself. This didn't happen on the last visit to the house.

This is a better photo of the fireplace and picture above it. The picture is one of Medusa's head. It is a horrible painting. Really dark and murky looking. The fireplace underneath is more interesting though. I believe it is an original fireplace and has witches marks (pentagrams) carved into the stone to ward off evil spirits.

I love the building, is fabulous, but I hate with a passion this room. Both times that we have visited I have had a bad reaction to this room. It is like a panic sensation and a fight to the death to get out. There is a bad spirit in this room. I think his name was Sir John Treffor (sp?). He likes to play games with the people inside. He is not happy with all the intrusions and makes it obvious to all that go in. It is easy enough to tell if he is around though because with him comes the smell of sweaty feet. EEwwww. It is not plesant.

The first visit we tried table tipping in this room, but not much happened to the table. This time we tried glass divination, which was much more sucessfull. What was interesting is that we not only got some of the spirits from the house, but also family members of the group came through. We had to be carefull though and ask some security questions first to make sure that it was a relative and not Sir John playing with us.

This is a picture of the Twin Room. It is such a nice room with a lovely atmosphere. The first time we visited the whole group ended up in hysterical laughter and no one knew why. This time there was still the light feeling. The lady in the middle was one of our group. She felt amazingly cold in this area of the room. On the first visit outside of this room we had a visit from a spirit that the group had named Leonard. Whenever he was around there was the most amazing sweet smell, like toffee apples and candyfloss.

All in all it was a wonderfull visit. I would recommend going to anyone - even if it is just to see the fantastic renovations that have gone on.

DOH!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:38:00 +0000

Found out they are not renewing DH's contract.

Awww !~*~@!

Oh well, if it doesn't kill us...........

Frogged!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:19:00 +0000

Mystery Sock for November and the Nautilus Hat. I am going to go through and finish or frog other projects I have found too. As soon as I work up the courage.......

Books I have read

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:58:00 +0000

I am really into the Dresden Files series so book 2 of my twenty is Summer Knight

Book 3 is Death Masks also Dresden Files

Book 4 is Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchet

I am currently reading Blood Rites (another Dresden Files) and am about half way through.

I have also started reading Barry Trotter, which is a good book with lots of toilet humor. I started reading this when I was out of Dresden File books. But then my supply was replenished and I couldn't stop myself. So it is on hold now, but I still definately want to finish it.

No Meat!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:43:00 +0000

So after hearing (and definately not watching) a video from a website called What The Meat Industry Doesn't Want You To See, that my boss lady was watching I decided that I did not want to eat any kind of meat any more. Animals should not be making sounds like that, people!

I have gone around my daily life minus any meat - and to tell you the truth it hasn't bothered me all that much. I was never a really big meat person anyway, I much prefered a plate of veggies.

The big test was yesterday. I have not eaten meat for two weeks, and beside the odd pang there has been no major disasters. DH and I decided that we were going to have an afternoon out shopping followed by a meal at the slowboat in Chester. On Saturday it was pointed out by my lil sis all of the food that I would not be able to eat at the restaraunt. I had a sense of foreboding that was beginning to grow. By the time we got to the actual restaraunt I thought that I was going to buckle and then........

I wasn't bothered. I couldn't care less. It didn't affect me at all. DH ate spare ribs, and chicken wings and all kinds of meaty stuff but I was genuinely happy with my veggie food. I ate prawn toast and veggie spring rolls, followed by veggie curry and egg fried rice. I enjoyed it all. And I felt really good with myself and decided that this was the right decision for me.

The only thing that is becoming tiresom is that if we eat at the families homes (which we do at least twice a week) they are insisting on feeding me fish instead of meat. I enjoyed it at first, but now not so much. I would just like a plate of veggies please, with non meat gravy.

Please?

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:04:00 +0000

Red mean I am working on it, strikethrough means completed.

1) Post to blog when I have completed something off list or worked towards it.
2) Reduce BMI to 30 or less
3) Join Weight Watchers to help with (2)
4) Join the gym
5) Visit gym at least twice a week
6) Clear debts
7) Save for a house deposit
8) Complete a knitting project other than socks
9) Complete a crochet project other than blanket
10) Buy yarn for above projects
11) Spend at least 30mins a day on a hobby of mine
12) Spend at least 30mins a day relaxing before bedtime
13) Attend Guild of Weavers and Spinners
14) Complete first semester of V4AC course
15) Be more organised for 14
16) Clean the house from top to bottom at least once a month
17) ~~Have a cleaning schedule and follow it~~
18) ~~De-clutter the bedroom~~
19) ~~De-stash book case~~
20) Cook from scratch more often, hence eating healthier
21) Work on etsy store
22) Learn Fairisle
23) Learn Intarsia
24) Knit a cable project
25) Write an amigurumi pattern
26) See what others think of the pattern
27) Organise Itunes folder (it is driving me crazy)
28) Collect all the Funkeys (13/48)
29) Buy myself an item off my wishlist once a month
30) Have a meal out with DH once a month (4/33)
31) Try not to over do it in work
32) Try to finish all UFO's
33) Learn to spin properly
34) Try dying my own yarn
35) Go on holiday at least twice
36) Arrange automatic transfer to savings account
37) Keep the above money in the savings account
38) Try a knitting pattern with a chart
39) Make cross stitch Christmas cards for family and close friends (0/10)
40) Make above people a hand made gift (0/10)
41) Post to the blog once at least once a month (4/33)
42) ~~Make a baby basket up for Kirsty~~
43) Finish at least one project a month (0/33)
44) Make a scrapbook with a years worth of photographs
45) Visit two haunted houses (1/2)
46) Visit Stratford on Avon(Home of Shakespeare)
47) Visit the Lake District (Home of Beatrix Potter)
48) Try letter boxing while at above two places
49) ~~Organise Yarn Stash~~
50) ~~Clear out under the bed~~
51) ~~Clear out clothes stash (triple wardrobe, 6 drawers, airing cupboard and 7 bin bags)~~
52) Visit Stoke on Trent (Falkstaff Experience)
53) ~~Put all bills in folders and create filing system~~
54) ~~Set up light feature that Judy brought us~~
55) ~~Clear out DVD & CD stash~~
56) ~~Put all collectible Winnie the Pooh's on shelf in bedroom~~
57) ~~Put shelves up in kitchen~~ decided not too, cook books on bookcase in living room
58) ~~Arrange cook books on shelf~~
59) Put up new curtains in the lounge
60) Re-hang curtains in the kitchen
61) Fix knitting machine
62) Knit an item on knitting machine
63) ~~Organise Pattern Stash~~
64) ~~Re-try tatting to see if I can master it~~
65) Go to the local knitting group at least once
66) Post knitting stuff on KnitWars
67) Find a new home for doll collection
68) Make a one and only dolls type doll
69) Finish Winnie the Pooh cross stitch pillow
70) Sew a bag, and use it
71) Make at least 12 items off my ravelry queue (0/12)
72) Read 20 books (4/20)
73) Make a blanket for DH (crochet)
74) Complete 5 cross stitch projects (not including xmas cards) (0/5)
75) Make 10 sets of fimo stitch markers (0/10)
76) Take up a meditation course
78) Make an ipod cosy that I am happy with
78) Learn needle felting
79) Make a needle felted item
80) Use up fabric stash
81) Finish duvet set that I started
82) Learn how to quilt properly
83) Make a quilt
84) Visit Disneyland Paris at least once, and stay in the castle
85) Make my nana some cooking pinnies
86) Improve credit rating
87) Make 6 pairs of socks (1/6)
88) Put together a wedding scrapbook
89) Make a book of all the projects that I would like to complete - an idea journal
90) Design and make a table runner set for mum for christmas (not an xmas gift)
91) ~~Bring a vase to work for the wooden roses that DH gave me~~
92) Make more 'family' calenders for xmas gifts
93) Make a bag to carry ipod in
94) ~~Until backlog is cleared do at least 1 load of washing a day~~
95) ~~Put all clothes away as soon as they are dry~~
96) Buy mirrors for the hallway
97) ~~Buy stands for the speakers in the living room~~
98) Scan relevant patterns from knitting magazines
99) After scanning knitting magazines donate them/recycle
100) Buy a table that I need to do homework etc
101) Clean out attic

Update of 101 in 1001

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:34:00 +0000

OK, no time for a long post, just a quick update on the list. Will post more later!

13) ~~Complete Diploma level of YW course~~ needs to be modified
18) ~~De-clutter the bedroom~~
19) ~~De-stash book case~~
27) Organise Itunes folder (it is driving me crazy)needs to be done again
28) Collect all the Funkeys (13/48)
29) Buy myself an item off my wishlist once a month
30) Have a meal out with DH once a month (3/33)
41) ~~Post to the daily chum once at least once a month (0/33)~~ needs to be modified
42) ~~Make a baby basket up for Kirsty~~
43) Finish at least one project a month (0/33)
45) Visit two haunted houses (1/2)
50) ~~Clear out under the bed~~
51) ~~Clear out clothes stash (triple wardrobe, 6 drawers, airing cupboard and 7 bin bags)~~ Everything now fits in the wardrobes/drawers - SQUEE
52) ~~Clear out attic~~ needs to be modified
53) Put all bills in folders and create filing system
55) ~~Clear out DVD & CD stash~~
56) ~~Put all collectible Winnie the Pooh's on shelf in bedroom~~
61) Fix knitting machine
62) Knit an item on knitting machine
63) Organise Pattern Stash
64) ~~Re-try tatting to see if I can master it~~ beginner level, but still I can do it
66) Post knitting stuff on KnitWars
71) Make at least 12 items off my ravelry queue (0/12)
72) Read 20 books (3/20)
78) Learn needle felting
85) Make my nana some cooking pinnies
87) Make 6 pairs of socks (1/6)
91) ~~Bring a vase to work for the wooden roses that DH gave me~~
92) ~~Make more 'family' calenders for xmas gifts~~
94) ~~Until backlog is cleared do at least 1 load of washing a day~~ no washing left
95) ~~Put all clothes away as soon as they are dry~~ no washing left
101) Clean out attic

P.S Pictures later too!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:00:00 +0000

OK, so I have updated the blog, the lists in the side bar.

Progress isn't what I thought it would be, but still I am chipping away at that list. Just need to get my butt in gear for some of the destashing/declutterting.

On the plus side I have taken a photo of my first tatted project, here is a little butterfly, tiny, but complete. I'm going to try another before I move onto the next stage, which is all to do with closing rings and spit rings and stuff.

Wish me luck!

No Pictures Still....

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:18:00 +0000

I still haven't got up off my butt and taken picutres.

But I have been making progress with other items though.

Saturday I hunted throught the book shelf and found my book on tatting. The history portion of it was usefull, so are all the little patterns, but the instructions leave a little to be desired. the internet has been far more helpfull. I still have no tatted pieces to show, but I have mastered the double stitch. My only problem is trying to slide the stitches along so that I can close a circle. I can't get them to slide very well. Looking at this site and it seems that I may be doing something back to front and that could be the cause.

If anyone has any hints thoug, I would be gratefull.......

Catch Up

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:37:00 +0000

So I am not better but I am functioning. I have stopped talking in cave man grunts and now know what a hairbrush is for. I am almost as normal as I was before.

I have done a small amount towards the 101 things list. I have finished a UFO, read a book and started another, wrote a cleaning plan, planned a budget to get rid of some of my debts, I have organised my Itunes folder, posted a load of stuff on KnitWars, tried needle felting, started the scanning of knitting patterns, and decided that I will not be completing one of my goals in it's current format. Whew!

It sounds a lot like that!

So first up is the completed UFO. Before Christmas (October-ish) (OK, maybe November) I decided that now was the time to start doing any Xmas crafting that I was going to do. I decided to make socks for my youngest sister. Found a pattern, decided that it would fit, got foot measurements off sister and started. This was a challenge for me too as it was my first pair of toe up socks. I knit the foot marveling at how quick they seemed to coming along, mastered the heel and started working up the cuff. I thought I would try them on to see how far the cuff came up my leg. And they fit me perfectly. This may not be a problem I hear you cry, but you see it is. My sister is a whole T.W.O sized bigger than me. So if the socks fit me, they are not going to fit her. I was relativley upset, to put it politely. Outside of blogland the air was blue and I taught DH some swearwords he didn't know. I finished sock one, cast on for sock two and left them there. And promptly gave up any hope of Hand Crafted Christmas Presents. I picked them up a week ago and started in on them again, and last night I became the proud owner of a new pair of socks. Here they are in all their glory.

I have logged all the time on Knitwars and I am now a level 7 Shaman. Sqquuueee. It is amazing how a tiny little incentive like numbers on a screen can get you going. And to prove it here are my stats:

I have really tried to update every little thing on here. I am delighted watching all my points grow.

OK, so to recommend some books if you like fantasy that is. The Dresden Files are the most brilliant books ever and I love them. I read the first two books while we were in Albir last year (wow, that sounds weird). My MIL gave me another 3 to add to the collection, as well as Fabulous Knitted Socks by Interweave Press.

So far I have read book 3 called Grave Peril. The books are by Jim Burton and tell the story of Harry Dresden who is a modern day wizard with modern, supernatural problems when he is working on cases. Grave Peril centred around disturbance in the Nevernever (supernatural realm). Harry races against time to save the ones he loves from the force that is causing all the trouble. It was an excellent read, well worth the time away from knitting.

The book I have now started on is number 4 in the series Summer Knight. This time Harry is enlisted by the Sidhe (Fairies) to help uncover who murdered the Summer Knight. Mab the Sidhe of Winter is being blamed and this could mean a supernatural world war. I am about half way through this one, but I am enjoying it just as much as the others. I would recommend them to everyone. Another good thing about the series is that you don't have to start at the beginning of the series to know what is going on. Each book is a story by itself. If you have read the others then you can make small links, but they are not essential to the story. Anything major that relates to the other books is skimmed upon anyway.

With a couple of the items on the list I needed a bit of help to get organised. I trailed the web until I eventually found two sites that helped me a lot. The first gave me the help that I needed to plan out a monthly budget - hence helping me to clear my debts within the 1001 days. The site is called Budget 5000. The site is Free and easy to use. It gives you a clear outline of you incomings and outgoings. It even tells you how much you have left over. You are able to export your budget too. And set time frames to debts that are paid off in incraments. I found it really helpfull.

The other site is called My Cleaning Plan.

Another free site that helps you to make a cleaning plan (I bet you couldn't of guessed that from the title). I gives you examples of chores that could be relevant to the rooms that you are able to use, but you are able to add your own too if you wish. You are then able to print out a daily/weekly/monthly list of what you need to do. Very impressive.

I also started Needle Felting, but have no pictures as yet. I will try to post some over the weekend. I also want to find my sewing maching and try and work a couple of other items off the list too.

While off ill, with plenty of bed time for thinking I also came to a decision about the Youth Work course that I was taking. I decided to sign off the course. All the other chores, the other degree and all the work placements were beginning to take their toll. So I decided to concentrate on what I have got for now without adding any extra pressure to it. There is also going to be a big medical dilema soon, it will be important that everything else is stress free so that we can go through it as smoothly as possible. So I think I have made the right decision. Now I just have to decide what to put in it's place. I also noticed that Clean the Attic is on the list twice, so I will have to modify that too.

Anyway enough talking, I'm tired - TTFN!

I'm still here....

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:55:00 +0000

I've not bombed ... yet.

I'm ill - I have worked towards some of the list but no photos. Don't want to work the camera. As soon as I am better there will be lots of photo's, I promise!

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:41:00 +0000

This is a scrapbook of my sister Laura's 21st Birthday - it was made extra special as Shaun her Boyfriend proposed. Click on the picture below to see how it was done.

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

News Just In

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:51:00 +0000

In the five hours that I last posted I have been so busy!

I have made a scrumtious tea, which I thoroughly enjoyed, washed up straightaway, put a load of washing in and dried another and sorted another bag of clothes to be donated!

I have even had time to knit for an hour on the toe up socks (a UFO). I have just logged my KnitWars points and it has taked me up to a level 4 Shaman. WoooHooo, I am loving all the productiveness that is happening!

ME? Posting? Again.....

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:31:00 +0000

So for those of you who are worrying about me, I am fine really. I am just feeling inspired at the moment.

Today has been one of those days that went from a duckling into a swan. First I had to get up for work and at 7am, then I got straight to working on the list and prepared a healthy meal for tonight (item 20 - cook from scratch). Then I got dressed and went to work. There wasn't much going on there so my oh so kind boss sent me home half day. Yay!

I have worked on several of my 101 list today and even completed one of the items. I think I am going to place a list link thingee in the side bar so that I am able to see easily what I have completed.

So first the completed item, number 91) take a vase into work. Ieuan brought me these lovely wooden roses when we had some bad news in 2007 (I can't believe I am saying that). I have kept them in work to cheer me up, but they were just lying on the desk. Now they are nicely displayed in the vase on my desk. Very Pretty!

So for the ones that I have worked towards, I am working towards number 1 by making the post. Through starting one project I have worked on several items all at once. I have started the Celtic Cable Tote from Interweave Knits. I had a couple of the magazines given to me in a swap by Dawn aka CrochetCompulsive. I then had some money gifted to me over Christmas so I decided to use the extra money to buy the yarn for the pattern. I arranged for a trip over to Stash Fine Yarns in Chester and brought these

and this is the progress I have made

So in doing this and starting I have worked towards numbers 8) complete a knitting project, 11) buy yarn for the project, 24) Knit a cable pattern, 38) Work from a chart, 71) Knit from Ravelry queue, and item 66) Gain KnitWars points.
Talk about a ton of stones for 1 bird.

As I got home early today I also took pictures of my sock yarn stash, logged them on ravelry and stashed them safely away. I don't think there are any more skeins hiding away anywhere. This took care of item 49.

Last night to finish my day off nicely after my post I spent 30mins listening to a podcast and read a book for 30 mins which took care of items 11 and 12 and worked towards the 20 books I am reading. Currently I am reading book 3 of the Dresden Files, Grave Peril. I am enjoying it immensley. I love this series of books.

I also searched for my credit file and found it. It wasn't as bad as what I was expecting, but now I know what my score is (no I am not revealing it!) I can work on improving it. So that takes care of item 86.

I have also been working on item 27) Sort out itunes, but it is driving me crazy. It seems to be a never ending task.

I don't expect the next few days to be that productive but at least I know the things that I am planning to work on. This weekend I am planning on working on the de-cluttering and re-organising in a major way. I have taken before photo's and will share them when I have some nice after photo's to show you all.

So that's all for now, I am sure I will have more to report for tomorrow though ;)

Jobs for tonite

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:01:00 +0000

So in line with my 101 things I have worked on some of the things off my list. This thing must be inspiring me as I have made 3 posts in one day on a blog that I have not been near in months. I have also done more in an hour tonight that what I have even thought about doing. So all in all I am thinking that it is a positive thing.

Tonight I have put in 1 load of washing, photographed 5 items to put on Ravelry, updating my projects, sorting my stash and allowing me to collect some knitwars points. I have also sorted out a bin bag of clothes to donate. But in true fashion the batteries have died before I have had chance to load them up. SO I will do that tomorrow, and tick some items off my list then.

I am looking at this in a really positive light, and can't wait to see what I can knock off the list tomorrow.

101 things, in 1001 days

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:01:00 +0000

That list took forever to make it. At first it was really simple and I hit the challenge head on, but after around 20 I was really having to think about what I was writing. I didn't want the list to be silly or unobtainable, so it took a lot of thought. In the end it took me a whole F.I.V.E freakin' days to write it out.

I have been working towards the items already and have already some items that I can cross off the list, but I will post about them later because I really want to try to add pictures to all of the posts that involve this project. That way I have proof that I have done what I have said.

In other news, this is the first day back at work. I am bored out of my mind and soooo want to go home. At least this week I have got it easy, next week I start teaching two nights a week. I really want to have my cleaning schedule in place by then so at least DH could perhaps tick a couple of things off the list while I am away. We will see how it goes though.....

2008

noreply@blogger.com (knitting dragon) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:42:00 +0000

It's been a while since I have posted and a lot has happened. Now that the new year is looming I started to think about what I wanted my goals for 2008 to be. There are lots of things that I want, but sadly they are not the most realistic (win lottery, open own business, find world peace, cure illness......). So I have decided to be very realistic on what my goals should be. I am also going to be extremely selfish and say that they are things that I want, not for the house/job/husband etc. So my list is about things that are going to make me feel better. That is when I found this .

Completing goals in 1001 days seems a lot more realistic than in one year, so I have decided to give it a go. I have decided to start on the 1 January 2008. So on with the list:

1) Post to blog when I have completed something off list or worked towards it.
2) Reduce BMI to 30 or less
3) Join Weight Watchers to help with (2)
4) Join the gym
5) Visit gym at least twice a week
6) Clear debts
7) Save for a house deposit
8) Complete a knitting project other than socks
9) Complete a crochet project other than blanket
10) Buy yarn for above projects
11) Spend at least 30mins a day on a hobby of mine
12) Spend at least 30mins a day relaxing before bedtime
13) Attend Guild of Weavers and Spinners
14) Complete first semester of V4AC course
15) Be more organised for 14
16) Clean the house from top to bottom at least once a month
17) ~~Have a cleaning schedule and follow it~~
18) ~~De-clutter the bedroom~~
19) ~~De-stash book case~~
20) Cook from scratch more often, hence eating healthier
21) Work on etsy store
22) Learn Fairisle
23) Learn Intarsia
24) Knit a cable project
25) Write an amigurumi pattern
26) See what others think of the pattern
27) Organise Itunes folder (it is driving me crazy)
28) Collect all the Funkeys (13/48)
29) Buy myself an item off my wishlist once a month
30) Have a meal out with DH once a month (4/33)
31) Try not to over do it in work
32) Try to finish all UFO's
33) Learn to spin properly
34) Try dying my own yarn
35) Go on holiday at least twice
36) Arrange automatic transfer to savings account
37) Keep the above money in the savings account
38) Try a knitting pattern with a chart
39) Make cross stitch Christmas cards for family and close friends (0/10)
40) Make above people a hand made gift (0/10)
41) Post to the blog once at least once a month (0/33)
42) ~~Make a baby basket up for Kirsty~~
43) Finish at least one project a month (0/33)
44) Make a scrapbook with a years worth of photographs
45) Visit two haunted houses (1/2)
46) Visit Stratford on Avon(Home of Shakespeare)
47) Visit the Lake District (Home of Beatrix Potter)
48) Try letter boxing while at above two places
49) ~~Organise Yarn Stash~~
50) ~~Clear out under the bed~~
51) ~~Clear out clothes stash (triple wardrobe, 6 drawers, airing cupboard and 7 bin bags)~~
52) Visit Stoke on Trent (Falkstaff Experience)
53) ~~Put all bills in folders and create filing system~~
54) ~~Set up light feature that Judy brought us~~
55) ~~Clear out DVD & CD stash~~
56) ~~Put all collectible Winnie the Pooh's on shelf in bedroom~~
57) ~~Put shelves up in kitchen~~ decided not too, cook books on bookcase in living room
58) ~~Arrange cook books on shelf~~
59) Put up new curtains in the lounge
60) Re-hang curtains in the kitchen
61) Fix knitting machine
62) Knit an item on knitting machine
63) ~~Organise Pattern Stash~~
64) ~~Re-try tatting to see if I can master it~~
65) Go to the local knitting group at least once
66) Post knitting stuff on KnitWars
67) Find a new home for doll collection
68) Make a one and only dolls type doll
69) Finish Winnie the Pooh cross stitch pillow
70) Sew a bag, and use it
71) Make at least 12 items off my ravelry queue (0/12)
72) Read 20 books (0/20)
73) Make a blanket for DH (crochet)
74) Complete 5 cross stitch projects (not including xmas cards) (0/5)
75) Make 10 sets of fimo stitch markers (0/10)
76) Take up a meditation course
78) Make an ipod cosy that I am happy with
78) Learn needle felting
79) Make a needle felted item
80) Use up fabric stash
81) Finish duvet set that I started
82) Learn how to quilt properly
83) Make a quilt
84) Visit Disneyland Paris at least once, and stay in the castle
85) Make my nana some cooking pinnies
86) Improve credit rating
87) Make 6 pairs of socks (1/6)
88) Put together a wedding scrapbook
89) Make a book of all the projects that I would like to complete - an idea journal
90) Design and make a table runner set for mum for christmas (not an xmas gift)
91) ~~Bring a vase to work for the wooden roses that DH gave me~~
92) Make more 'family' calenders for xmas gifts
93) Make a bag to carry ipod in
94) ~~Until backlog is cleared do at least 1 load of washing a day~~
95) ~~Put all clothes away as soon as they are dry~~
96) Buy mirrors for the hallway
97) ~~Buy stands for the speakers in the living room~~
98) Scan relevant patterns from knitting magazines
99) After scanning knitting magazines donate them/recycle
100) Buy a table that I need to do homework etc
101) Clean out attic