projects projects

I am working on a couple of projects at the moment that I’m quite excited about. Since the beginning of the year I have been concentrating on finishing/starting projects that I have the makings for already on the basis that home buying and wedding in a year could work out quite hard on the budget. I’m working on a quilting project that I started about two years ago and is coming along very nicely. But I can’t say any more at the moment as its for a gift. There is another quilt that I started before that one which I’ll probably keep as a) it’s the first quilt I started and b) it’s a sampler and its bloody fiddly so I don’t think I’ll be able to give it away. Then there’s a few little knitting projects – some really cute booties and a scarf.

But the project I’m enjoying the most is the one I went out recently bought yarn for in a fit of comfort buying at Liberty last Friday. I’m making a little cardie (Erica Knight pattern) in Rowan’s summer tweed. Its really nice – smooth, fast and colourful.

yum yum

First I discovered blogs – initially as a great way of filling in time in boring temp jobs while looking intensely busy. It was only after I started LSF that I started really appreciating the inspiration and creativity involved. Recently I’ve discovered del.icio.us really which I had known about this when doing my masters and keeping track of tons of websites and sources. But not only is this site great for keeping track of favourites – it can keep you occupied for hours discovering new sites. Which is how I came across this great article 50 Strategies For Making Yourself Work (boy do I need this at the moment). I notice they already have “ban yourself from web surfing” as a suggestion (how???!!!) but really should add sub-clause “especially de-licio.us". But then I never would have found this article. A tricky dilemma.

My mind is full to the brim with thoughts, ideas and to-dos at the moment. Its all going on here – house buying (in London – not for the fainthearted), wedding planning (in Australia, from London…also quite challenging), re-assessing job career opportunities (self reflection and CV – ugghh!) while trying to keep up with the day to day and make time for those things that inspire and uplift.

My new year’s resolution of being more sociable has been more successful that expected. I’m hardly a social butterfly yet but am at least leaving the house and actually seeing people on weekends now which wasn’t happening (without the use of implements to prise me out the door) at the end of last year. This weekend we went out BOTH nights – 30th birthday drinks for the lovely Beth on Friday and a couple-y dinner at Bam-bou (quite flash - food nice but not sensational) on Saturday.

I’m still not quite up to coping with much on School nights. Although last week I went on one of the famous London Walks with Pauline. It was really great but they made a tactical mistake including so many pub stops in the walk and we didn’t quite make it out of the second one in the gorgeous Leadenhall Markets (designed by London city architect Horace Jones in 1881 and more importantly, full of wine bars if you look up to the second floor). Plus it was freezing. Plus there is only so much of a big group of tourists a girl can take on a Thursday evening.

2x2 and the Chinese Man

2x2 and the Chinese Man

I had a surge of craftiness on the weekend and finished off this "Berry Quilt" which was the girl twin prototype. This quilt has New York connections as I bought the stripy border fabric there and if Mary is still reading she will recognise some of the fabric from our swap. I've also included some Kaffe Fasset fabric as its his soft pastels 2x2 quilt from 'Patchwork' that I was attempting to emulate.

I had to scan the web to find some more of the perfect stripe as I had only bought a small amount and managed to track it down...from the moda wuthering heights collection. I ended up using other fabrics from the collection for borders, binding and backing.

The Chinese man sits over looking Steve's coffee corner. He seems to be enjoying his new home since his move from the Cottage.

Berries on the back

Maya Scarf

Maya Scarf
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

About three months of gentle moss stitching along I've finally finished this scarf for my good friend who promises to come to live in London with me. I thought she might be here a bit earlier...but I don't blame her for wanting to avoid January and February weather here. For those observant people you will notice that "finished" is a bit of an overstatement seeing as I have yet to sew in the ends. An ER project for tonight.

I think she reads my blog about once a year so its pretty safe to say she will get the scarf before she sees this.

And as i don't feel complete without a scarf project on the go...I have started my fourth in a row with this lovely yarn from a Secret Pal.

I did try to branch out into something more complicated - some very cute booties - but have come to a halt about halfway throught the pattern. (Debbie "what are you talking about" Bliss strikes again)

Colinette Scarf
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

Mostly slow jogging

We finished the run on Saturday in a slow and slightly hungover 1:03:39. Battersea Park was lovely and flat but was getting a bit boring by the third lap. The problem with doing laps is that its very dishartening to be lapped by half the participants. About halfway through the second lap I was having very strong words with myself for the previous night's socialising (why large wines??! so dangerous) but by the end most of the alcohol was sweated out and I felt better than I started. Until I stopped running and every muscle in my legs siezed up. Must get to those yoga classes sometime this decade.

Running, Jogging, Walking

Warning: Shameless Charity Promotion to follow !!!

Just when I thought it was getting warmer - its bloody cold again here -1 tonight. That warm start to the week was such a tease.

But the BBC is promising me its going to be fine on the weekend (for a couple of hours on Saturday anyway) which is lucky as this Saturday Steve and I are doing the 10km Love Run (I didn't make up the name!) in Battersea Park. Calling it a run is definitely ambitious, if I can manage a slow jog for the whole distance I'll be quite amazed.

Its for a good cause -
"Parent Project UKParent Project UK was set up by parents and friends of boys with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy. DMD causes severe muscle wasting so that without treatment boys will die before they reach 20. It urgently needs funding for new research and to continue its campaign for a cure."
so if you are feeling so inclined you can make a donation at my online site (it goes straight to the charity)
http://www.justgiving.com/stewie

As you can see I've completely left fundraising til the last minute but better late than never. If you don't feel inclined or flush...just send me good vibes around 11am on Sat.

I'm hitting up my work mates tomorrow too just so no one feels left out :)

Sock?!!

Sock?!!
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

Or yet another entry where I attempt some knitting and then publicly wonder what the hell is happening and why it just doesn't look right.

I bought this special wool exclusive to Purl in the NYC foray for the challenge from Mary (start blogging again Mary!!) to knit some socks. For the first time.

About three months later on an autumn afternoon in a pub in East London I finally attempted casting on. However the wine was flowing and as my co-ordination and ability to count deteriorated, any hope of casting on using dpns (double pointed needles, aka trying to juggle four little pointy needles in two hands) ultimately failed.

However, my knitting guru came to the rescue and cast on for me (I have a sneaking feeling I shouldn't be admitting to this).

The lonely cast on row then sat on our kitchen table for anther couple of months while I eyed it off nervously.

Recently I took it up again and the ribbed top bit went fine. I then changed to bigger needles as per the pattern. Unfortunately it may have got a little lost in translation between US and UK sized needles as I'm sure that weird bulging isn't really meant to happen.

Time to consult the guru again (and eat pavlova, lamingtons and kangaroo)

Happy Australia Day youse.

Charlie

Charlie
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

I have been meaning to post this photo for awhile. Before Christmas I bought this for myself (based on the "one for you, two for me" christmas shopping methodology) from Fiona at Hop Skip Jump. He is even cuter in person. Fiona has been making such lovely cats and monkeys for sale - check them out...but you have to be very quick!

Its Over...

....The worst day of the year - as greatly publicised in several papers here. I'm still cranky though. Its not Monday any more obviously so now I'm blaming sugar deprivation caused by my attempts to stick to the CSIRO diet (modified version....no way my system can take even half that much meat).

Have been sorely tested recently as according to office tradition if you go away for a holiday you must return bearing sweets, chocolate or other yummy edibles. Unfortunately about 3 people just got back from Australia so there has been incredible tempation with Violet Crumbles, Jaffas, Minties and Twisties taunting me everytime I go to the printer.

I have mostly been able to resist by having Aussie day celebrations at Pauline's to look forward to (she has been preparing) but I would estimate that at least a quarter of a packet of Violet Crumble bites have snuck through.

Warning: A bit of a whinge to follow

I think I’m in the midst of a blogistential crisis. Its started with a growing ambivalence to my blog name…too clunky….not very interesting….definitely not quirky and chosen at a time before I even started with the crafty stuff again. It deepened with feedback that some people don’t really like the “knitting stuff”. Maybe I need two blogs? At the very least a rebrand. I feel like I need a more definite theme (or two). Have any other bloggers had these thoughts?

I would like to have more time to play around with stuff like this but am facing a lot of grown up stuff at the moment. Buying houses, organising weddings and trying to build some kind of a career type job thing (in the face of corporate f**kwittage). I’m supposed to be excited about all this stuff and I am when I think about things one at a time, but when I think about the year as a whole I just want to hide under the doonah/duvet/quilt/all three. But then it is a Monday.

Maybe I should get me one of those life coaches - a personal cheerleader would be good for Mondays. Or maybe I should become one and rake it in bossing people around!!

Holiday roundup

I’m finding it a bit hard to write after so long. I didn’t intentionally take the whole month off blogging but it was kind of nice to have a break. We got back yesterday after two weeks in Australia and am recovering from flight and adjusting to lack of sunshine after a two week overdose of the stuff.

Highlights of an excellent trip were:

• A night of luxury at Shangri-la in Singapore
• Hot weather (damn hot!)
• Sunshine the WHOLE time
• Swimming in the ocean (ok so it was only once and it took me almost all holiday to work up to buying swimmers …but it was a better effort than last year)
• Emma & Finn being born while we were there
• Hanging out at the Resort (aka Mum & Dad’s)
• Lots of catching up with friends
• Dining at Roberto’s
• Bollywood NYE party
• Eating kilos of prawns and mangos (and of course the “great prawn debate” ie the best place and method to procure the Christmas prawns)
  
  We have come back so relaxed that our bus sailed past this morning and we didn’t even think about running for it. Hopefully the feeling will last for a couple of days at least.

Christmas Lunch - Prawn & Avo salad
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

Chilling out in Stockholm

Stockholm
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

Steve has been working over in Stockholm for the past couple of weeks and I got to go for a visit on the weekend.


Stockholm is rated in the Lonely Planet as one of the most beautiful cities in the word and although it was cold, grey, raining and dark most of the weekend, I could see the potential. It tried to snow most of Saturday but failed miserably. Anyone who knows my aversion to being cold and damp will be impressed by my determination to get out and see the sights in the freezing rain. I did have to stop in at H&M (clothing store originally from Sweden) for gloves and hat to cope. But it was worth it.


Stockholm is small but perfectly formed. Set on a harbour with beautiful grand buildings (I am assuming remaining neutral in WWII has helped in this regard) with different pockets to explore - all easily doable on foot. We meandered through the old town and ended up in the groovy, "bohemian" (as bohemian as an area with about 3 H&M stores can be) Sodermalm district. Wandering around the backstreets we ended up on a hill with a fantastic view overlooking the harbour and main city area.


My radar for ridiculously expensive, not very useful things was immediately alerted by this amazing gallery / shop Konsthantverkarna a collective of artists. I couldn't leave without some of the pottery - was very taken with a plate with impressed roses on the border in a delicate cream glaze. Steve couldn't quite understand the purpose of such an object and I don't think I really got across my vision of serving delicately pastel coloured iced biscuits and cupcakes on it. But I certainly didn't let that stop my buying it. It totally lived up to my preconceptions of gorgeous Scandinavian design style.


We had diner at Stufehof, seafood restaurant and I went for the "local" option of steamed haddock on a bed of egg and prawns. After dinner we attempted to go to the Ice Bar - literally that - a bar made of ice - but its obviously a tourist draw and no go without a booking so we ended up at the Spy Bar. It was empty when we arrived at about 11 which would have bothered me once but now I just appreciate being able to get a drink and have somewhere to stand (I know I sound about 80). But it was gratifyingly packed when we left in the wee hours so was obviously a pretty hip place to be.

Boy Twin done

I finished this quilt - Safari Animals (aka Boy Twin quilt) on the weekend. I’m really happy with how its turned out although I would do bigger patches to give the animals more space next time. It’s a petite 35” x 39” (89 x 99 cm) and the backing is a pale blue Kaffe Fasset fabric – very soft.

I recently discovered “Kaffe Corner” in Liberty and decided to pop in there on the way home on Friday (before going out raging of course) to pick up the backing. Who should I run into but Pauline who was stocking up on Kidsilk for a Very Cute Project. One thing led to another and we ended up at the Champagne and Oyster bar at Selfridges. Pauline has the evidence here (beating my post by daaaays).

The Christmas lights are on and the department store windows in competition for attention. I think Selfridges is trying to be avant guard but I’m not sure. Its not quite the same as the Meyers animated fairly tales of my childhood.

a bit crazy

Work has suddenly got really busy and its seriously cutting into my blogging time and also even crafty time a bit. The work trip to Glasgow was fairly uneventful. Just the usual dry presentations, admin girls snogging IT guys and random liqueurs consumed. Apparently we went through 12 bottles of Bailey's. Odd choice but didn't seem so at the time.

On Sunday I did part one of a travel writing course. I don't have any aspirations to be a travel writer professionally but i thought it might help with this blogging thing. But I have a feeling it will take awhile to have effect (if ever)! It was fun meeting some other people anyway - a couple of photographers who do portraits for mags like Heat. Good gossip.

On top of a busy weekend and work, I am getting the pre-Christmas jitters - too much to do before we go home for a couple of weeks. Gifts to make (buy?), parties (yay), and maybe even a bit of wedding planning (unlikely).

And I just have to add that Smithy has cooked me fantastic dinners three nights in a row now including his famous chicken lasagne (I just have to add that to encourage this type of behaviour).

Manos Scarf

Manos Scarf
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

This is me smiling at the bus stop this morning with my brand new cosy scarf. I had a burst of knitting during Wednesday TV night. Am still persevering with Lost and am totally enthralled with the new BBC "Rome" drama. Don't understand what's going on but it doesn't seem to matter.

Our office is away to Glasgow tomorrow for a company get together and Christmas Party. Giddyup (anyone else think its a bit early?)

Secret Pal 6 Goodies

Secret Pal 6 Goodies
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

This photo taken in winter morning light doesn't do the colours justice. My Secret Pal 6 sent me a lovely package for the weekend. The chocolate truffels are long since gone and I've pretty much read the book cover to cover. Now I just have to decide what to do with this fancy yarn. Start another scarf perhaps?!

Pincusion & Quilt dilemmas

Secret Pal Pincusion
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

I made this little pincushion on the weekend for my secret pal. I was wrapping up her parcel (some luverly goodies) and thought it needed a little something extra. You may recognise the design - I was more than a little inspired by Cassie's at Bella Dia.

This was just a fraction of the craftiness that happened on Saturday - left to my own devices for the whole day I also almost finished Boy Twin quilt top, Manos scarf and started a new scarf (in red – very warming). ie I started more things and didn't finish anything. I got stuck in total indecision paralysis as the Boy Twin top has worked out significantly smaller than Girl Twin. Can such inequality start so early? I think not. Therefore my options are (a) order more fabric and make Boy Twin bigger or (b) make a whole new smaller Girl Twin (and KEEP the current Girl Twin - I have developed a bit of an attachment). So of course I couldn't come to any conclusions and finish anything. Nor could I decide how long to make the Manos scarf (if I keep going till the yarn runs out it might be a bit long) but I can't seem to stop. Its so nice to knit.

ps - I tried to explain all this to Smithy and his eyes glazed over in about 2 seconds. I'm hoping my crafty readers will have some understanding of these dilemmas.

Baby showering

Beanie for T's baby shower
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

We had wine, food, a chocolate fountain (!!!) and games, setting the bar pretty high for my first baby shower. We even had a ferry ride from Blackfriars down the Thames to the venue at Woolich - through the Thames barrier - all quite an adventure and fab to see London from a different perspective.

I ended up deciding to make a little hat for the new arrival and wanted to decorate it - harder to embroider knitting than I thought. But I was happy with the little design in the end....after about six attempts and ruling out anything with curves.

And mum to be loved it so I was v. happy.

Terry Gilliam at London Film Festival

Terry Gilliam - London Film Festival
Originally uploaded by Hells Bells.

I had a great day yesterday. It started early when the bus driver was pulling away from the stop as I ran up AND ACTUALLY STOPPED for me. Then I got to the train station just in time for the train.

With a start like that to the day Nomes and I decided to really push our luck and queued up at Leister Square for tickets to the London Film Festival preview of The Brothers Grimm. Of course we got in (although we did freeze for half an hour waiting) and THEN we got free t-shirts and an icecream. But the coolest part was the director Terry Gilliam introducing the movie and answering questions afterwards. And the film was pretty good too. Can't complain about two hours of Heath Ledger and Matt Damon.