Winter Trees

We bought some new 'art' for the sitting room this week and I love it!!!

Since we moved into this place nearly 3 years ago we've gradually bought lots of things to make the 'house a home' so to speak, but the sitting room wall remained bare...until now. We considered a mirror for the space above the sideboard..but no. We looked at endless prints, but nothing seemed right (well nothing below £500!!!).

I'd seen this a while back but thought it maybe a bit pricey at the time, but the Mister recently spotted it discounted. Gotta admire that man..he is a remarkable bargin hunter.

It's titled 'Winter Trees' and has a fabulous 3D effect. It's more of a sculpture than a picture, constructed from some kind of metal that has a limed finish which gives a rustic untreated look. I tried my hand at welding once upon a time and in my head this is what I would have been proud to come up with...if only.

The Best Brand

On Monday night I travelled to Edinburgh with my chum Barbie to see Russell Brand's stand up show. The 'controversal' comedian's latest tour is named 'Scandelous', primarily after the 'Andrew Sachs debacle'. Let me explain for those living under a rock.. a few months ago, Brand along with fellow media 'personality' Jonathan Ross, left what the press called 'obscene' messages on Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs' answer phone during a radio broadcast.

Russell Brand resigned from the BBC as a result of the media onslaught but has used the situation to his own benefit and has come back in response with this show brimmed full of witty repoirtaire in his own unique style.

My sides literally ached from laughing and Barbie could barely draw breath.

After the show Russell came out to meet the audience in the theatre foyer...madness ensued.

Thankfully the bouncers took pity on me and ushered me into a quiet corner away from the mosh-pit. Just as I was about to give up waving my programme like an fanatic (it had suddenly dawned on me I was 33 not 13!!) Mr Brand parted the crowd (think Moses..Red Sea) and stopped to ask if I'd enjoyed the show. He signed my programme (I had stopped waving it by then) and planted a big smacker on my cheek. I got someone to take a photo on my mobile but was mortified that it came out an unrecognisable blurry mess. Darn.

Outside the theatre a woman I didn't know but had previously chatted to minutes before in aforementioned mosh-pit told me she had got me on her camera. she was kind enough to take the time to send me the pic...thank you Tracey!

Russell, despite his reputation came across polite and down to earth. I didn't feel at all patronised (being the little disabled lady I am) at him taking the time to speak with me...I think he just admired my eyeliner!!

Good night..big thank you to the Mister for buying me the tickets xx

I'd Like To Thank..again!

I got me another award..and I am loving the fame, haha. It's called the 'Kreative Blogger' award and was gifted to me by Wendy over at her blog 'Musings From A Knucklehead'. I think we found each others blogs through Ravelry during NaBloPoMo. Anyhoo, thanks Wendy..you lovely lady!

It's customary to pass these things on and so I shall:

First, self-confessed craft addict Sara, over at Samsara's Scribblings. If she's not knitting, she is glass painting or jewellery making..very creative. I did notice she has already been a receiptant of this award some time ago but felt she was worth another mention.

Secondly, this young lady is snapping at the heels of Martha Stewart herself as she not only crafts the cutest things but bakes yummy looking treats into the bargain. Damn her perfection, but read her blog..'Homemade By Jill'. Well done.

There are many more very creative people whose blogs I pop in and out of but i shall leave it there for now..gotta get back to some creativity!

Stupid But Fun?

I saw this on Andy's blog and enjoyed reading it so thought I'd give it a shot. Feel free to have a go yourself.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I'm aware of for my first name but my middle name is after a Great-Auntie who has now passed away but was some character.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday..I'm such a girl.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes, when I take care my handwriting is good. Most of the time I'm too lazy and it's a barely legiable scrawl.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? What a strange question..it's made me think..mmm sliced turkey with the stuffing bitty in it.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? To be honest I'm not sure. My heart's in the right place but as a friend I'm a bit sporadic.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Too much, to the point I come across as a smart-mouthed little missy. They say it's the lowest form of wit...whoever they are.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way, Jose!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Blah..yuk..not a cereal loving person. If I had to choose? Crunchy nut cornflakes with hot milk or porridge oats with shedloads of sugar!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not if I don't have to..I know it's wrong! I have to.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Haagen-Dazs Strawberry cheesecake though I don't eat ice cream often as it gives me brain freeze!

13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Lately it's been wrinkles because I am becoming conscious of getting my own! How superficial huh?

14. RED OR PINK? Red because pink sucks.

15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I don't know where to begin. I think too much?

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandad, even though he died 22 yrs ago it still feels raw. I just wonder what he'ed make of me now.

17. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Is that pants as in trousers or knickers? My 'pants' are jeans and my panties polka dot. No shoes just cosy socks.

18. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My dog snoring.

19. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red..just because.

20. FAVORITE SMELL? Warm dog.

21. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mum..we try to check in with each other daily. "Hello...love you..goodbye".

22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Is 'Gladiators' a sport?

23. HAIR COLOR? Shades of brown. My mum insists I must dye it although I haven't for about 4 yrs.

24. EYE COLOR? Used to be bright blue now bluey greeny sludgey colour.

25. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.

26. FAVORITE FOOD? mashed potato.

27. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Either or..depends what kind of mood I am in.

28. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? 'Eden Lake' and 'Mum and Dad' on our last dvd night. Both freaked me out a little especially the latter.

29. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter or a mild summer

30. FAVORITE DESSERT? Meringe with fresh cream and fruit.

31. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? 'Never Have Your Dog Stuffed' by Alan Alda

32. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Ant and Dec...shhh.

33. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? immediate reaction Beatles though I like a few Rolling Stones tracks.

34. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM WHERE YOU WERE BORN? Greece and it was nearly the end of me!

35.DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Alas no.

36. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Scotland.

37. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? At a party, 9 yrs ago.

38. IS THE CUP HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY? Half empty

39. IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN TO DINNER WITH FIVE PEOPLE YOU DON'T CURRENTLY KNOW, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? No one too loud or showy but with a good sense of humour and wit. Alan Alda as I'm enjoying his book, Philip Schofield as he likes a giggle but is a gentleman, artist Laura Ferguson as her work intrigues me, Simon Cowell for some sarcastic banter.. and some eye candy?...Spartan from 'Gladiators'? (he's also a professional American football player and an artist..by the way!)

Everyone Needs A Hug

The sun is out today which is a refreshing sight but there's still snow on the ground and it's very cold. I think the worst of the weather may be behind us now and soon I might venture outside for longer than 5 mins without fear of my nose dropping off.

It's Scotland I'm in..I should be used to the cold for goodness sake.

I said in my last post that I'd show you what I have been knitting, and so I shall...just don't get too excited I'm no Elizabeth Zimmerman!

First up is my attempt at the 'Hug Scarf'

(pattern by Sarah Pasternak and published on Knitty.com).

It called for Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky Hand Dyes yarn which I'd never heard of so I substituted with Sidar Bigga instead (which has a 50% wool content).

It's an fun pattern and can easily knitted up in a night.

The only problem I had was that some of the American knitting terms are different to U.K ones. I'm an 'uneducated knitter' so it took a minute or took to work out the 'B.O' means cast off .

The pattern also called for a 'provisional cast on' which I had never had call to attempt before. It's always nice to learn something new and say 'ohh I can do that now'.

Another trick is when sewing up use the tails of wool to reinforce the 'fingers' to maintain a good firm hand shape or you lose the 'hug' effect.

This pic shows The Mister giving himself a 'pat on the back' for being such a great and willing model. Thanks xx

Keeping my charity knits going I have rattled up a few of these very simple but toddler sized pullovers. Each one only takes an evening or so for me to knit and is great at busting my stash of all the little odds and ends of wool. They are knitted in one piece and then simply folded and sewn up. The slash neck in the ribbed section easily stretches over a little un's head.

The pattern can be found here

Other than that I am finishing off long forgotten items that had previously been abandoned and only recently rediscovered whilst tidying out my knit cupboard (aka 'black hole'). How I hate sewing on buttons!

I'm No Square

Not only is the Mister knitting but we now have his mum back clicking her knitting needles after a long absence. Cold and early dark nights found her spending more time indoors and bored in front of the TV each evening. Having grown tired of her word search books we encouraged her to keep it simple and perhaps try and 'knit one or two squares' towards a blanket for charity.

Within no time the Mister's Mother (as she will now be known throughout future blog posts) had rattled up over 20 squares..enough for a full blanket.

'Big mouth' here offered to sew up the squares and after a few hours stitching, the blanket was complete and the Mister's Mother was very pleased with the result. Touched to learn that her efforts will keep a child in a worn torn country (in need of aide) warm she is continuing to knit many more squares.

The Mister meanwhile has racked up another charity blanket of his own and there are more scarves in the pipeline.

My knitting? I will update you soon...honest.

Let It Snow

Over the past few days the U.K has had some harsh snowy weather but I can only speak for my 'small corner' of this big island. Fife is on the East coast of Scotland (and nearer the South than the North. Me and the Mister reside in central Fife, around 3 miles inland.

Recent weather has been cold, albeit very cold but 'pleasant ' enough for the time of year, so imagine my surprise when I woke up Monday morning to this:
I was like 'a kid at Christmas' and got overexcited by the frozen white flakes. Common sense told me to stay indoors but my childish side wanted to 'go play' and so I took the dog out for a short walk. Now, it has to be said that the mutt is a pampered wee soul and after his morning skip around the garden was quite happy to spend the rest of the day indoors under blankets...tough!

Once we were out (not far) a mini blizzard came on quickly producing another inch or so of snow. Needless to say ,we hurried home quick smart.

Tuesday..the rain came and it was all washed away but there is more snow to come. This afternoon temperatures are struggling to stay above 2C and we are staying INDOORS!