I've finally found you

Bloglines that is. Yes, enough with trawling through my favourites I now have Bloglines to do it for me. I know its a bit late in blogging life to find a very crucial tool, but that's me all over.

You are now able to see the blogs I read in my sidebar. Please let me know if your not there so I can add you. Merci Beaucoup.

Knitting progress... I've just been poodleing along with my two wip's and gearing myself up for the Knitting Olympics which starts February 10. Dpn's are polished, yarn is balled and my fingers and hands are in tip top shape.

So, here's a little quiz for you. What kind of knitter am I?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.
You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Its Only a Game

We didn't win. Well, I didn't really expect to, but I had everything mapped out had I won the 100,000,000 GBP.

£100,000,000. Oy, what would you do with that?

First, I'd have had a good old spend with the plastic on the net.

Then, I'd have invited my whole family over for dinner, I love to cook. I wish I had the space to entertain more often. I'd have used the good china, with the silver cutlery. Ach, *waving hand in dismissal* I'd have bought new china for the occasion. I'd have placed an envelope at each setting with the recipients name upon it. Inside would have been a nice surprise. A cheque for... enough for your wishes to come true. Oy, sounds a bit shmultzy, but thats how i'd have done it.

Then, I'd have booked a cruise. A Caribbean one maybe, or Baltic possibly and taken my family and friends with me. We would have had the big round table in the middle of the dining room, the one where all the noise usually comes from. Hubby would have been ok with that table, especially with not the need to share it with strangers.

We'd also buy our dream house. Everyone has a dream house, right? Mine doesn't really call for much, I'd just like a big kitchen. Ok, and an indoor swimming pool, maybe with a gym in the basement or something. A big dinning room for entertaining... I'm sure Hubby would want to go and buy a car (or two), not me, I'm not into cars. I'd probably splash out on handbags and shoes (and yarn of course). The Bubela would probably like to go wild at Hamley's, his toy heaven.

But, hey, ve didn't vin.

Year of the Dog

I'd like to wish my Chinese friends a happy new year.


As I'm waiting in the wings for the Knitting Olympics to start I thought I'd knit another argyl cardigan from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits book. With so many expectant mothers around you can never have too little baby knits. Im knitting it up in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and its texture is so soft, and it looks alot nicer than my first one which was knit up in Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

No weight gain from the steroids yet, I'm still 2lb down. I've been taking baby aspirin and the first couple of days of taking it I had really bad indigestion. I put it down to a vegetable chili I had eaten. However, as I was making a cup of tea and hanging around in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, I was reading the aspirin label on which it said dispersible aspirin, mix with water. *Gasp* I'd been swallowing them. *Checking pulse is not flying through the sky* No wonder the indigestion. MENTAL NOTE - READ ALL MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Knitalong Galore

Firstly I have to say thank you for all your best wishes for the IVF. Its going ok, the mood swings have subsided and I'm just an emotional wreck now, cry at everything. Guess its working!

Now, I want to get the sock bug, I really do, and what better way to do it than with a pair of Jaywalkers. I'm a bit late for the Jaywalker knitalong, so I'll be entering them into Yarn Harlots Knitting Olympics which starts on Feb 10 through Feb 26. Is anyone representing England? What are you making? Do you have a button? And any Brits that haven't entered, hit the link and join me.

I also feel that I want to add another book to my collection and what better way do it than ask for your help and opinions. I'm looking at three sock books in particular, Vintage Knits; Folk Socks; and Sensational Socks. Which one would you say was the all time best if you only had to choose one?

Have you been over to Lolly's blog and checked out Project Spectrum? A great little 6 month KAL. Basically each month you are to craft something in the following colours, can be anything you like: not only knitting. This is great for a project I've been planning to do. I want to make one of Debbie Abrahams' patchwork blankets from her new book, More Blankets and Throws. Lots of colour, I'm looking forward to it. Its not starting until March though, got the Olympics to get through first.

March - Red and Pink
April - Orange and Yellow
May - Green
June - Blue
July - Violet / Purple
August - Neutrals / Black & White

My parents are back from their holiday in Israel. Its great to have them home.

Remember these? My toes are cosy and warm now. Actually, they were made for a special friend of mine, so they'll be wrapped and boxed this evening for delivery tomorrow.



As for Ted, he's now been given a facelift and ears. Hubby still thinks he looks like a hostage, but I kinda think he's cute.

Weight loss - yippee. 2lb.

I hope you don't mind me talking about my IVF, but its a big part of my life right now. I visited the clinic today and all looks well. So tonight I shall start injecting to stimulate my ovaries to make lots of eggs. I'll also be starting steroids today which I'm slightly worried about, gotta watch my weight.

Is that your car? Not mine, is it yours?

What do you do when you get home to find a strange car parked in your drive. It could be anyone. Someone stealing all your belongings, someone hanging the dog by its tail or worse, someone dressing up in all your fancy underwear. *Gasp* Call the police.

Call the police.

Da da daaa....

Turns out my sister DID have a strange car parked on her front drive - and it wasn't her husbands, he was in the car with her.

Wait for police to escort them inside.

Police get there.

As she opens the front porch she finds a letter on the doormat. Its from a car hire place... " You were not in when delivery took place..." They delivered a car to the right number, right street, but wrong town. Shmucks.

I was tickled pink when she told me.

Nothing like wasting police time to fight crime.

Thank god the dog's alright, oy, if only...

Meanwhilst, in the house of Pea I sit here fixing up Ted. I ruffle the edgings of my alphabet blanket, yet I have no photos to share. I'll share some tomorrow.

Throw me a lifeline..

Its like an asthmatic without her pump, a smoker without a cigarette. My broadband connection has been down for 5 hours!!! What's a girl to do without the internet.

So, whilst I've been sitting here feeling like I've no lifeline, I've managed to complete one edgy side of the alphabet blanket, and don't you think it looks great. I'm really pleased with the outcome.

Little Ted is undergoing cosmetic surgery, so bear with me whilst he gets fixed up. I'm knitting up some clothes for him at the moment, so hopefully he'll be able to reveal his face shortly... so keep a watch out.

Exercise - there's been none.
Diet - Gained a pound.
IVF - Feel like a pin cushion.
Cigarettes - Don't smoke, maybe I ought to.

Gotcha, tagged!

I've been tagged by Cerella, my FIRST EVER meme - thank you. I always make a habit of reading other peoples meme's, I think they're great. You really get to know your blogging friends through them. So, I hope you get a sneak peek into the "real" me with this meme.

Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. Nat West Bank. Great first job, I was there for 4 years and what a social life I had back then.
2. Bank of Scotland as a cashier. Had to leave though, I hated the uniform. A blue kilt and a big bow thing round my neck.
3. Legal secretary at a huge top London law firm. After 6 years here, I wanted to leave to stay at home with the Bubela.
4. Best job ever is the one I do now. Looking after my family.

Four movies you could watch over and over

1. As a teen, most Saturday nights I slept over at Lou's house, and the Sunday morning ritual was... Sound of Music and a carrot and salad cream toasted sandwich.
2. Calamity Jane with Doris Day. I used to know all the words straight.
3. Blue Hawaii, Elvis Presley.
4. High Society, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

Love a good musical, me. They don't make 'em like they used ta.

Four places you have lived

1. Netanya, Israel. Born there, but moved over here when I was 3 months.
2. Clayhall, Essex. My family home where I grew up.
3. Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Hubby and I's first property
4. Eilat, Israel. When I was 19 I lived on a kibbutz for a year.

Four tv shows you love to watch

1. Desperate Housewives. And its coming back to our screens tomorrow!!
2. Big Brother. I don't want to shout too loud, its hardly something to be proud of.
3. The X Factor. Give me a singing contest any day.
4. Eastenders. Good British soap.

Four places you have been on vacation

1. Caribbean. As a kid I traveled around all the Islands with my family.
2. The Far East. Again, with my family we visited Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Bali.
3. Europe. Italy, Spain, France...
4. USA. I could never tire from visiting the States.

Yes, well traveled, but plenty more places to see. Hubby and I would love to take the Bubela to Australia one day.

Four websites you visit daily.

1. Fertility Friends. In search of the magic spell.
2. GetKnitted
3. Ebay
4. Too many blogging friends to list.

Four of your favourite foods

1. Biscuits, with a cup of tea.
2. Cheesecake, but won't tempt myself.
3. Chinese takeaway, but not too often (watching the waistline).
4. Pizza.

Four places you would rather be right now

1. Having a coffee with my mum. I miss her, she's on holiday.
2. Haberdashery department at John Lewis
3. Gym (believe it or not)
4. Florida by the pool.

Four Bloggers you are tagging.

1. Lauren
2. Ruth
3. GoodKarma
4. Isel

Looking forward to reading all about you.

Having a bad head day

Here's Ted. He's a cross between a "Mr Personality" and "Mr Muscles". You know the type, fab body, great personality, shame about the face. Well, this ted has got great feet, great arms and great body. But, and I hate to say it, a face that needs help.


Ouch!! I told you his face wasn't anything special. There were so many markers to match, and bits to sew to bits that I, hands up, messed up. Don't worry though, once I've tarted him up in a night gown and cap, given him some eyes and a nose he'll be bright as anything *I hope*.

Progress on the Alphabet blanket

I'm almost done with the Alphabet blanket. (Bad lighting, bad photo - sorry). I hope Baby L will like it. I've just got the border to complete and it'll be finished. I have to say, this has been my most enjoyable knit EVER. I don't really want it to end. Although, once its completed I'll be starting the Odette blanket from Rowan Little Treasures for Baby B and thats a cute one that I'm excited to start. My friend Michelle (unfortunately blogless) has knit one up. I saw it half completed and it was gorgeous, just gorgeous.

I've been injecting the suprecur drug for about 11 days now, and I've been fine. They told me I'd get side effects. Nothing. Side effects similar to when I'm premenstrual but apparently worse. No, I'm fine. In fact, the other day I wondered if it was all working.

I caught myself screaming blue heaven at hubby last night over... erm. *trying to think what it was now* Oh, I guess it was something pathetic and trivial. Anyway, there I was red in the face, smoking from my ears, gnarling through gritted teeth. And he's just looking back at me nodding. NODDING, grrrr.

Then, a one second reality check caught me, I stopped... and cracked up laughing. Yep, its working alright. I love you Hubby and thank you for putting up with me.

The Rowan 4ply is just a dream to work with. Its a shame I have to cut it up into bits. Although, it will be one soft teddy bear.

Mummy, when the sky is blue I wake up. When the sky is black I go to sleep. What happens when the sky is pink?

Sunrise yesterday morning and I had to share it with you.

January, a time for diet and exercise, quitting the habits, and not forgeting frequenting the shops. The good old January sales.

Although, I have to admit I'm no lover of the sales. Don't get me wrong, I love a bargain, but those January sales are like jumble sales. They bring out all the toot that hasn't been sold over the years. Clothes strewn around, grabbing hands from all directions, bags throwing you to the side, no thank you. I'll wait until the end of January for the new collection if you don't mind.

I did, however, visit Hobbycraft today and look what I picked up in their sale. Rowanspun 4ply for 99p. And rest assured, there were no handbags throwing me out of the way - I was the only one down the knitting eisle. The Rowan 4ply soft wasn't in the sale, but I couldn't resist it.

I'm going to dust off my Debbie Bliss book on Teddy Bears and put my purchases to the test.

Turning the light out on Creeper

Creeper is turning out to be a real *bleep-er*.

I have managed to air the yarn. I locked it up in our conservatory overnight where the temperature probably reaches below zero at night and that seemed to have done the job. A good old fashioned airing. I even bought a pouch of lavender to pop into the bag of wool as suggested by Diana but I don't think I'll need it.

That being said I can now work on the garment without the horrid stench. However, I'm just not loving it. Creeper that is. You know when you just don't fall head over heels and enjoy a knit. What do you do when you just don't enjoy what your knitting? I've been sticking with it in the hope that I find a love pocket to jump into, but its just not happening. Why? January blues? PMT?
I dunno. But my Debbie Bliss Alphabet Blanket makes me smile a whole lot more than Creeper.

So...

Creeper - I feel guilty for tossing you aside and I'm sorry. I feel guilty for not knitting you close to my chest and I feel guilty for calling you smelly. I think the best thing for the both of us to do, is part. So I'll be frogging you tomorrow.

Creeper, good night and god bless.

My knitting treats

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for your much appreciated love and purchases of Olive. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of you wearing them.

Hubby came home with this fab book for me at the weekend, A Stitch in Time. A pressie for me, arrh what a cutie.

"The shop was closing down and everyone was rummaging for stuff, so that was the first thing I grabbed and thought you'd love it". Oh. So it wasn't a pressie bought with love, it was just a quick cheapy. Doesn't matter, because I don't think he actually realises what a bible this book is. Its an amazing book and gives you an insight to every, I mean EVERY, needlecraft with excellent illustrated techniques. I'm very excited about the crochet section (I didn't actually add perfect crochet to my knitting resolutions, but consider it No. 1). There's sewing and applique, and quiltingandcrossstitch and... and... I'm drooling, excuse me whilst I mop up.

And to make matters more exciting, my Knit Simple arrived today. Its the new magazine from Vogue. Obviously, with it being a new knitting magazine I've been awaiting its arrival. Was it worth the wait? Ach. Its nothing special. In fact, its exactly the same layout as Vogue International but the patterns are in chunky yarns and are aimed at the beginner (hence the title).



Here are a few of patterns that I would consider knitting up.


I told my grandmother that I was starting IVF. She seemed very clued up, I guess she reads the papers so she knows what it is.

I'm Day 3 today with my injections, so she phones me yesterday. "So how did it go?" I tell her its going fine, and that it hasn't really interrupted my daily routine yet. "Yes, but you had it yesterday [day 1], how did it go?. Did it work?" Oh bless her, I told her I was starting on Day 1 and she must have thought it was a one day process. I guess in her day there was no such thing and they gave birth in the kitchen, or the next room with hot water and towels.

I explained that at the moment I'm taking injections to suppress my ovaries, so that I dont produce natural eggs. In a couple of weeks or so, I'll start injections to stimulate my ovaries to make lots of eggs. They will then take the eggs out of me, mix them with Hubby's supersperm, and put them back inside me in the hope that they snuggle in and stick around for 9 months. "Oh" she said, "that long, eh?"

Have you ever knit with a nose peg on?

Here is my start to Creeper (its the jumper on the right in the book) - a bat winged design like the old eighties jumpers. *reminiscing about the good old days... *.

The eighties are back and the bat winged arms are supposed to be stylish at the moment, although they're slightly unflattering. The pattern calls for Rowan Plaid but I had some Sunbeam Luxury Tweed in my stash which I thought would look perfect. Its a different gauge but I didn't mind doing the maths.

Actually, I'm knitting it up as quickly as possible and I can't wait to block it. Yes, blocking I'm dreaming of blocking - Never thought I'd see the day I'd be more excited to soak in suds and block than knit. Why?

It stinks.

Yep, stinks. A couple of months ago I won a bid on Ebay for this tweed wool. This Luxury Tweed in a beautiful colour, pinky purple with flecks of blue, yellow, green... just beautiful.

I was delighted to win the bid and once I'd received it through the post and looked at it, I was even more pleased with myself. However, when I opened the bag... a waft came out, it stunk. Stunk, like it had been tucked away and stored for about 70 years. I'm surprised nothing ugly with legs walked out. Anyway, after gagging I taped the bag and up hid it away in a cupboard hopefully never to be seen/smelt again.

I was frightened to store it with my stash in case my other yarn "caught" the smell.

Rowan 39 preview is up

Check it out here.

*Edited to say they've pulled the preview. I thought it was a bit early for Rowan as they usually put the preview up in Februrary when the magazine comes out.*