Saturday 28 May 2011

Honeymoon & Knitty Overlap

Honeymooners
Its been over a week since me and 'Hubs' (for that is what he shall now be known as) got back from our wee honeymoon in Amsterdam. We chose that as our destination because I can't fly far (goofy lungs) and it was in Amsterdam we spent our first romantic trip away in 2002 (just before we moved in together). It was our tenth trip to the city but we hadn't visited in 6 years and imagined many changes but it was just as if we had never been away. It was nice to be somewhere familiar and we agreed to revisit some places and be sure to visit the places we had always meant to see but never quite got around to.

Going Gaga over the Lady

Day one it was raining when we arrived so we ducked into Madame Tussauds, somewhere we always avoided for no particular reason other than seeing it as a typical tourist trap. We surprised ourselves and had a great laugh cosying up to the waxy looky-likies of Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber. If you don't take it too seriously ,its a lot of fun.
I liked the way you could touch the exhibits and not just view them from afar.

When we left Tussauds we got checked into our hotel and along with maps we were presented with a 5euro discount coupon for the waxworks..doh!

We had booked into the hotel we had stayed in on our first trip which we envisaged as a being 'romantic' notion. Lol.

After unpacking and finding somewhere for a bite to eat (Italian..I had pizza, he had lasagne) we headed to Cafe De Jaren to meet some knitters. This light & airy, spacious former bank is the location for Amsterdam's Stitch 'n' Bitch group every Monday evening. It was great to meet fellow knitters and Ravellers especially the very lovely Alex who I had the pleasure of meeting (albeit too briefly) in Stirling last year at Knit Camp.


It was great to also meet with Andy, whose blog I have followed with great interest since 2007. He was kind enough to present me with a signed copy of his book 'Travels With Greeley' which I am glad to say without hesitation, I am thoroughly enjoying.

I'm only sorry I didn't have more time to speak with everyone at the group as they seemed like a great bunch.

If I ever visit the city again...I will make sure I'm there on a Monday.
Thanks also to a great husband who was most gracious in indulging my knitty obsession. He even accompanied me to a tattoo parlour where I completely lost my mind & got myself a knit related tat. I think it represents not only my love for knitting but the relationship Gavin & I share.

For those of you who don't get it..it's an abbreviation of 'knit two together'.

In my next post I'll share a bit more of our trip..knitting not included.

Friday 27 May 2011

Sporadic Blogger's Lament

I really want to get back into blogging more regularly (okay, how many times have I written THAT since becoming a sporadic blogger? ). I often have a lot to say for myself, some of which could be aired on a blog..some of which probably should remain in my befuddled head (for the protection of others as well as myself..lol). I like to share places I have visited, mainly local sights such as the beautiful coastal parts of Fife where I live (and the many cakes I eat along the way!!).
I like to discuss my latest knits, yarny purchases and fantasise about all the amazing things I want to knit next ..but never quite get get round to (sigh).
I enjoy sharing stories about the things that make me smile..especially my naughty little dog and my cheeky handsome husband ('husband', I'm still getting used to that word..I like it..'my husband'..lol).
Lack of this sharing is caused by many things but one of them is certainly not spending enough time online...I AM ALWAYS ONLINE (slight exaggeration but I'm certainly surfing the net at least a few hours each day). Here are a few websites I blame for eating those hours away:
  • Ravelry..of course. Knitters online paradise where you can share your penchant for all things yarny..browse patterns ,show off your creations and get lots of useful advise.
  • Wikipedia..I've been warned it's not always accurate but I look up everything here from placenames to pop songs.
  • I.M.D.B (Internet Movie Database). Often when watching a movie we'll say "oh he/she was in something else we watched recently". It'll bug me if I don't remember and I'll have to look it up so that's where IMDB comes in. Then I'll look up actors bio's and find out whose still alive (but perhaps no longer kicking).
  • Ebay..I hardly ever buy things (a lie) but I always look to see if things I have are listed and worth anything (but never sell them).
  • Facebook. Love it or hate it you are probably on it and like me have no doubt snooped to see if the cool kids from school are now fat or bald (or both).
Watch out..I'm 'getting ma blog on' and have a few posts to get written. In the meantime hop on over to my hubby's new blog..he's got some great photos on there.

P.S Be warned I'm experimenting with new blog styles..lotsa changing.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Married..17 days




I have now been a married woman for 17 whole days..so felt it was only fair to share some photos with you. We had a wonderful day and evening with all our family and friends.

My dress was made from satin & tulle by a local seamstress, to fit my 4ft 6 in frame (thats height..not circumference..lol). Hubby's kilt is a contemporary charcoal suit with faux horn buttons & the tartan is named 'Hebridian Heather'.



My bouquet I knitted myself using a lily pattern by Claire Farrell Scope and improvising the roses & leaves. I then wired them individually before binding them all together (a process which proved sore on the fingers after a while).




I also knitted our cake topper which seemed to get more attention than the REAL bride & groom. I adapted the Alan Dart wedding cake pattern, omitting the cake & dressing the groom in a kilt instead of a morning suit.



I put a little heart under the kilt for discrection..haha.












It was a great day spent with family & friends. It was very emotional marrying my best friend and partner for over 10 years. Thank you Gavin xx