Annabel Turns Two: Part I

Your boyfriend arrives home late on Thursday evening after a a long drive and a greuling few weeks of hard slog in the frozen wastelands of Montreal..what do you do?
A. Make him a nice dinner?
B. Run him a hot bubble bath?
C. Pour him a refreshing beverage of his choosing?
or
D. Tell him that he has to turn around and drive you to New Hampshire, so that you can attend your friend's daughter's 2nd birthday party and no, you won't be sharing the driving because you'll be too busy knitting a baby blanket?
Arh, yes dear readers, I am that selfish! But I did let him sleep for a couple of hours before setting off, so I'm not all bad!
Actually, I did offer to share the driving.....

I love going to visit my country cousins, especially Chris and Valda - they're as close to family over here as I've got. I've known Valds for eons- ever since she answered my ad for a room to rent, (written in coloured pencils and concluding with "I'm a nice person really" and a smiley face - well, it worked!), we were housemates in Liverpool, then she went to Boston for a year, (13 years ago!), the same time that I came to NYC as an intern. She met Chris and they became instantly inseperable. Both Chris and Valda and Chris' parents, as well as a few of their friends have helped me out with a roof over my head for a time when I was desperately looking for an honest living over here - so I am eternally grateful for their endless friendship, support, kindness, hospitality and damn good senses of humour!!
They also throw the best parties!
Even though it rained cats and elephants all day last Saturday, they still managed to have around 60 of their closest friends and family in attendence.
While Chris and the Cheesecake Bunny, (my taller half's new nickname), went off for beer and raw animal flesh, Valda asked Annabel if she'd like to show Aunty Heather what a fabulous finger-paint artist she has become - the following photos tell their own story:












Luckily it's washable - see how prettily the birthday girl scubbed up?



She can certainly put it away though - I don't think she stopped eating all day! Although, I'm not surprised as the spread was vast and very delicious. My offering? A plate of highly E-number filled "Froot Loop Treats" my own secret recipe



The kids loved em!
We had to use up some energy after all the sugar intake, so we played some traditional party games including musical bumps, musical statues, pass the parcel and pin the tail on the donkey. Luckily, as the weather was atrocious, we had the space in the playroom to do this and toys were strewn all over the floor. At one point I noticed this sad little face of a knitted bunny that was left all alone in one of the bins - i couldn't resist taking his photo

While the womenfolk entertained the little 'uns, the men were out in the quagmire of the garden doing what they do best, drinking beer, cooking meat and no doubt taking about sports - there is no photographic eveidence of this, as I kept well out of harms way, and the Cheesecake Bunny didn't want his mush on here anyway - he was too busy tending the grill. When I asked him if he enjoyed the trip during our drive back, he answered, "I cooked about 100 burgers".



Knitting content for this story will be reveiled in Part II, or whenever I get 'round to it!

And yes, there are probably about 50 spelling mistakes in this entry - no doubt I'll be hearing from Soft Jack with corrections....

Mo' Bloggers!

Just nipped into Knitty City last Wednesday, (which, if you haven't been to is a beautiful shop up near my neck of the woods and a welcome addition to the UWS. It's run by a very friendly and helpful staff - I'm not keen on the other place up here). I went in for some Cascade Quattro which I needed for a project I hope to offer as a free pattern soon....but more of that later.
After noticing a smallish spinning wheel near the counter, I enquired if the shop held spinning lessons, (now that I have all this spare time - hahahaa! The owner, Pearl, told me that they didn't have lessons, but one of their Men's Night's regulars might be able to teach me, then in out of the rain he walked. I introduced myself and had a very lovely chat with him and his wife - what a lovely and interesting couple - this whole knitting thing really opens ones eyes to more than just forming interlocking loops with fibre!
Check out my new friend's blog

The most cheerful grouch I have ever met, me old production assistant, also has a new blog - here's the multi-talented Tina, (who also has a fantabulous pattern in my book - hoorah!)

When I get a minute, (read: when my boss isn't bugging me), I'll add these blogs to my sidebar for easy linkage.
If any of my loyal readers also want to be added to my slowly growing list of blogs, then drop me your info in a comment.
Don't be affraid - I don't bite, hard.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels - Without the Pretzels

Jessamyn placed a tub of delicious chocolate covered
salt balls onto the big girls' table at the Point
yesterday evening. I haven't been able to get the
memory of their melt in the mouth flavour out of my
mind since.
I want them - I NEED them!!!
I did a little bit of googling this morning and found
this.
It seems that I am not alone and that knitters from all over like this combo.
Now, the important question is, who do I have to seduce into making these for me?

Baby Got Back!

I was worried about Babby Bobbi Bear when I first saw his image on the pattern - how on earth was he going to be able to walk with those tiny stumps for legs? But I couldn't resist his large-noggined cuteness so knitted one up for my baby newphew last year. That little bear is all the way over in Olde England, so I made him a brother for a baby due in September here in NYC.
He's made from untagged stash yarn in a soft and snuggly space dye and stuffed with - shock horror - more stash yarn..... yes, I have that much!
Although this bear is limb-length-challenged he does have the best little bottom I have ever knitted!! Check him out!


Bottom, Bum, Rear End, Seat... all polite and acceptable words to describe the plump body area we are obsessed with. While I was knitting this particular area I wondered why Americans call it a Butt? To me this describes the end of a cigarette, so I tried to think of all the other words for it, then it dawned on me BUTTOCKS!!! Butt is short for buttocks!!! Derrrr!!!

Edited to add: After looking at the photos on here, (he's much better looking in the flesh (?)), I think his eyes are a little bit sqinty - he may have to have surgery, just local though - nothing too drastic.......I hope his new owner doesn't mind, but we shared a snuggle when I took a well deserved rest here on the settee this afternoon - it's been a loooooong time!

Happy Birthday Jill!

The gorgeous and glamorous Jill A threw a party to celebrate her birthday yesterday.

Happy Birthday Darling!!

The theme was "luck", so I threw a few lottery tickets and some sweet smelling knick-knacks into this little gem that I whipped up out of stash oddments - it was hard to give away it's pink and fluffy cuteness!


So Jill, are you a millionaire?

Good to see you sweetheart ;o)

Super-Duper-Stash-a-Listic!

You know what I was saying yesterday about getting rid of my stash....?

Thanks to the closeout sale at The Lion and The Lamb, I was able to add to the gargantuan amount of yarn already residing in my tiny apartment, just a little bit.
I had only been to the aforementioned establishment once before, a couple of years ago, but on that occasion it was closed! Since then I'd heard gossip of the high prices and none too pleasant sales staff, so I kept away, but a 50-70% off sale - I was sooo there!!
The rain stayed away and as I dodged the puddles on the bridal path during my strutt across the park to the East Side, the clouds dissolved to reveal a beautiful blue sky.
This was the last day of the sale but there was still some juciy goodies for the takin'
Here's what I carried home:

Clockwise from top left;
2 skeins of Artyarns Supermerino - I'm thinking, a long 'n' skinny version of the famous Clapotis?
3 skeins of Great Adirondack Yarn Co. Merino - Maybe a feather 'n' fan wrap?
2 skeins of Blue Sky Cotton in all their limey goodness, (I can't resist this yarn - like buddah!) - maybe another skinny scarf?
5 skeins of Misti Cotton Pima Cotton/Silk, (yum!), which may end up being an adapted version of the Hourglass Sweater?

I spent quite a while in the back room a-flippin' through the books and chatting with some fellow shoppers. Here's what I bagged:


The books were only 40% off, which only made them about the same price as you can get them on Amazon, but I was there, so I bought them.

I managed to spend less than $200, but it certainly wasn't the sale of the century. Although, I did bump into the lovely Claudine out bargin hunting on her lunch hour, so that was nice.

What with the raising temperatures and my heavy load, I had to peel off a couple of layers during my walk back across the park. It's so pretty now in all it's springtime colour!

BTW, here's what I had to move in order to open the french windows onto the balcony:

This untidy heap contains about 1/4 of my NYC yarn stash.... now you can see why I was thinking about letting some of it go!

To sum up:
Yanks read: I luurves me some yarn.
Brits read: I luv yarn, me.

Random Thought For A Thursday....

......if I got rid of my stash, (just the stash in my apartment - not the huge stash at my parents' house in England, or the medium sized stash at my pretend American parents' house in Mass., or the smallish stash in my office...), how quickly I would aquire yarn and rebuild it to it's current size?

Finished Objects

I've been a big girl blogger for two months now, but have yet to post any FO's!
Since all the book projects have been completed and sent off for their modelling debut, I've been a busy hooker!
3 completed projects from Debbie's book.

2 One-Skein Scarves, one for me, (bet you can't guess which one from the photo!) the other one is a long over-due gift for my big sis, who's colour palette isn't quite as, well, colourful as mine, (hope she's not reading this!)
I love this pattern for it's simplicity - I've had a few complements already for my pink and orange scarf. Thanks to Johanna for the b-day pressie yarn - I've been wanting to work with it since December, but have been otherwise engaged.
Then there's a Fat Bottomed Bag which I made to carry my camera in for Lisa & Jeff's Wedding - no photo of the bag in action, but it went beautifully with my black mandarin dress - just take my word for it :o)


As I didn't get to keep my Violet Beauregard skirt, I'm making another one for ME!! I'm up to the start of the scallops, but need to pick up some more yarn, so it's on hold until I can search NY for it, or buy it online...
I also want to make a crochet dress to wear at Melissa and Robb's wedding in July - I'm thinking of adapting the Blissful pattern....
Here's the lovely engaged and expecting couple - how happy do they look? - and rightly so!


Knitting wise, not much going on. I need a new everyday bag, but don't have any definate plans as yet - might play around with some of my stash this weekend...
I'm also trying hard not to think about all the Maryland Sheep & Wool fun I'll be missing out on - If you're heading out there, have a fabulous time!!!!

Good to know...

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Call The Fashion Police!

The door was unlocked when I entered my office yesterday morning.
My first thought? "What idiot didn't lock up last night?"
My second thought? "Why did they leave the place in such a mess?"
Then it dawned on me, "We've been robbed!"

Someone had smashed through the glass door from the fire escaped and turned the place upsidedown!

After a quick inspection, (it's only a small place), I came up with a list of what had been taken:
Samples from our spring line; tanks, low placket henleys, lightweight split neck tunics, little cardis - they had left the shrugs behind - these crooks know fashion!!!
Our two digital cameras were gone containing all the photos of our winter line that I had yet to download.
We have a show starting this weekend, it could've been a lot worse - the majority of the samples had been taken to our showroom the previous day - phew!

A boxed pair of shoes I had bought that were a size too small and had been meaning to return were also missing.
Other items; two rolls of stamps, a ridiculously small amount of petty cash, the cheques and a sports watch.

My secret yarn stash was still there - these were not knitting thieves!

Thank god they didn't take the computers!

Our security has now been totally rienforced and I will now remember to back up files and return unwanted items to shops promptly!

That was the start of my day. The ending wasn't that good either.....

I spent almost 3hrs waiting at UPS for a package that I had already waited around for a couple of days ago - the worst part?
I DIDN'T HAVE ANY KNITTING WITH ME!!!! WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!!!!!!

Blogognized!

My goodness what a beautiful shop Purl Patchwork is. Joelle is a genius! Thank goodness I don't have a sewing machine in my Manhattan shoebox - I really wouldn't be able to move!!!

There I was dreaming away about all the pretty things I could make for my imaginary French farmhouse when in walked a familiar face. "You're a masondixon!" I rather stupidly announced. It was Kay, (athough, I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't remember which half of the blogging duo she was and called her by the wrong name - oops - sorry about that!)

Like myself, she was a first time visitor to the shop and was there looking to purchase a sewing machine, (so she must have a bit more room than me!)
It was at this moment that I realized I was in the prescence of two brilliant knitting book authors, Joelle and Kay. And there was little me, an almost knitting book author - I was with my people!!! I can only dream of being as accomplished as they....

A Breath of Fresh Country Air!

Yeah, I know, everyone else involved has already blogged about this, I'm just a little, teeny-tiny bit stressed out and overworked at the mo....so here's my late effort...

Easter Weekend 2006
Jill R, Jill A, Katy and I piled a weekend's worth of projects into Jill R's car, (the heavy load causing concern over the amount of air in the tyres!!) We hightailed it out of the city for a blissful weekend of knitting, snacking, girly gossip and well deserved relaxation.
As hatitants of the over-populated and tiny island it was a huge treat to stop off for supplies at Stew's.



No ordinary supermarket - this is the stuff of food shopping dreams! Stacked to the rafters with everything we could possibly need for a food fest, plus a lot more besides.


How many food shops do you know have wishing wells?

Or singing cows?


Once settled in to our home for the weekend and after the arrival of the rest of the knitters, Lynnette, Jewel and Claudine, we got down to the serious business at hand, KNITTING!!! Let's see if I can remember some of the projects....
Lynette was finishing up a brighty spaced-dyed, cotton pullover for her niece? Does Lynette have a neice?
Katy was working on her own design of her very first adult-sized cardigan in beautifully soft alpaca with a contrast mohair trim.
Jill R, (our fabulous hostess), was knitting a pink number for herself, (what a surprising colour choice!), while swapping projects periodically to work on a gorgeous sparkly, needlepoint of a sun which will be the centre of a silk cushion, (just a bit jealous of that one!)
Jewel, when awake (hehe), was knitting a cute baby cardi and booties -there was some pattern swapping going on between Jewel and Jill A, who was also knitting booties.
Jill A spent a good amount of time searching through pattern books and magazines for the perfect lace pattern - did you find it yet? She also helped me stuff some balls for a book project, (thanks darlin"!), and assisted Claudine by crocheting the edge of her huge brown alpaca wrap-cardi-thingy.
Lynette had to leave on Saturday morning to go back and celebrate her husband's 40th - Happy Belated Birthday, Chris!!!
It was sad to see her leave, but before you could say slip, slip, knit, she was swiftly replaced by the lovely Nicole.
The rest of the weekend was a sunny delight! No more clouds and drizzle!
We strolled down to the lake and dipped our toes into the icey cold water - brrrrrr!
Here's Jill R - "Queen of the World!!!"

And a bevvy of beauties in their unnatural habitat

Now the obligatory knitting shots...isn't this just the perfect room for a group knitting sesh?






It wasn't all knitting though, we did watch the first four Harry Potter films - my god, are we really that nerdy? (It was my first time watching them and I did drift off quite a bit after the first two - 'spose it doesn't help that I was pattern writing at the same time!)

Thanks to Katy, her shoe-box full of kitchen utensils, and her talented soux chef, Jill A, we were treated to some delish home-made pizza, (the local joint hand recently burnt to the ground....where will the country kids hang out now???)
Claudine made us all fall in love with her all over again for making hot fudge sauce poured over ice cream - mmmmm

Claudine and I burned off a few calories getting down to Nicole's DVDs - I loved it! These crazy LA ladies will hopefully help me to tone up after a long winter of inactivity. It's really scarey how quicky you can loose your strength, flexibility and stamina!!


Now really, does life get any better than this?

The Kindness of Stranger

As any other morning, I was knitting whilst waiting for the train to arrive.
What was different about today was that my naughty yarn lept out of my bag and down onto the track, "Arggghhhh!!" I screamed.
A very lovely fellow, jumped down to retrive it for me - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! What a nice man.
Here's the cone, safe, sound, not too grubby after it's traumatic ordeal and ready to become the rest of my final project for the you-know-what.

New Faces

Nice to meet out-of-towner, Faith Landsman, (of Doris Daymat fame), yesterday evening. She flew into NY from LA just to be with us, (that's a lie!) Very lovely person - hope to catch up with her if I ever make it to Cali! Here's a snap of her at the end of the big-girl's table along with Jewel, Jessamyn and Nadine.


We were also entertained by Adina Klein from Vouge Knitting and Knit.1 showing us a few of the sweaters and accesories from the Fall and Spring mags. It was interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes of the photoshoots and to put a person behind the ideas for the stories.

I'm really flagging today - zero energy - and what about this crazy weather?

Anyway, here are some more photos from last night....the camera wasn't behaving well, so they're mostly blurry...sorry about that :o(



Ruth, Jessica, Jill R, Jill A, Rachel and Jenn.

P.S. Mudd - We miss you!!!

Monday ramblings

My life has not been completely normal for the last few months.
I haven't had a day without working since Christmas.
I've lived off mostly take away food and excerised only a handful of times - my body does not look good!
Thankfully all this has taken place thoughout the winter so I've been able to cover up the untoned, white, lumpiness but summer will be here soonish, (yippee - my favorite season!), but I need to get into shape starting, errmm, in a few weeks?
Throughout my life I have spent large periods of time sprawled in front of the gogglebox, but I have not been wasting my time - I've been knitting!!!
Lately that's all I've been doing, (plus writing, editing as well as my dayjob and teaching), but I'm not complaining about that, I want to complain about the rubbish that's supossed to be entertaining me during my exile! It really is utter drivel!!
Jill's recent entry got me started.... What's going on? Where do I go to find a decent programme??? What are you watching? Anything good?
This Saturday I spent hours watching back to back episodes of America's Next Top Model, which REALLY made me feel good about the state of my temple!!
Oooh, in case anyone's reading this and like's the same crap as me.....Rockstar INXS is coming back!!! HOORAH!!! Except, of course, it won't be INXS this time.....my inside source dished the dirt that Jason, (EX Metallica), and his new band, (who's name has completely escaped me...and I could be totally wrong about this - wouldn't be the first time!) are looking for a new singer. I asked my fella if I should audition, but they're only interested in a frontMAN - pants!!! There goes my chance at Rock startdom!!

Didn't Make The Cut

Because I thought I had the wrong colour yarn with me yesterday at the Point, there was no other choice but to buy more yarn. A cartoon lightbulb was switched on over my head as the idea of making a crochet dress to wear at Lisa & Jeff's wedding in 12 days. (Beacause I've got soooo much time on my hands, right?) After scanning the offerings, Jill A pointed me in the direction of some gorgeous multi-coloured and multi-textured yarn by The Great Adirondack Yarn Company. I chose this beautiful colourway and started right away with the waistband.
My little design will have to be put on hold though, as I need my hands for working on yet another book project...

This poor baby failed to pass the audition.
I had hoped that all this cabling would become the most beautiful men's jumper...but it just didn't work out the way I wanted and unfortunately it will not be appearing in a book anytime soon.
So guess what? I'll need more yarn for another sweater to take it's place!!
Will the designing and knitting for this book ever end?

The Final Countdown

Now I've chosen that as my title, the awful song by 80's hair-band, Europe, is in my head... Do do do Da da da da dahh.... Anyway...the last chapter of my book has been written and I've almost finished the last pattern.
It has been a rather trying time as I had just about completed the knitting of a large men's cardigan, when I realised I had made a mistake right at the start - I was ready to give up as it had taken me every spare moment since Tuesday to knit it, but there was nothing I could do to save it...
The re-knitting started yesterday and thanks to HBO on Demand, (Sex and the City reruns, the first 3 episodes of Big Love, a couple of really crap films and the fuel provided by the photographic evidence, I'm well on the way to having it mostly knit up again from scratch.
In an hour I will still be knitting it whilst watching Desperate Housewives, followed by Grey's Anatomy all washed down with a large slice of Vegan Death by Chocolate Cake, (which I would normally share with Glen and he ALWAYS takes more than half - but he's not here! He's still working in Montreal so the cake's mine ALL MINE - mmwuhhahahahaa!!!) It's a lonely life as a sweater designer/knitting book author.....Ho-hum....Monday tomorrow....

Knitters Unite!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love our knitting group? Well, if I haven't then let me express my love to you in a little poem.

huh-huummm..

Closing credits for Grey's Anatomy,
the weekend is through.
Monday's are crap
what a girl to do?
Tuesday follows
not feeling so blue.
Knitters unite and take over
the fun starts a-new....

OK, I never said I was good at poetry!!! Can you do any better??

A few of us gathered at the lovely Miss Jill A's fabulous East Village apartment last Sunday.
Lorie, the founding member of the Bagdad Stitch 'n Bitch was in town and we all wanted to meet her.

Her experiences as a jornalist out in Iraq sounded very interesting and I must find out how I can link to her.... Jill A will be our NY conntact, and hopefully she'll visit us again the next time she's in town. I bumped into her again a-yarn shopping on Monday - she decided to stay another day and cruise our wonderfull knitting shops - clever girl ;o)

Her being in town also gave us an excuse to gather up our extensive pattern collections and do a bit of a swap-a-thon.

How the hours flew by........ eating tastey treats prepared by our hostess gastronome.


Fipping though pattern books...








and generally having a good old time - and of course there was knitting.




It was really good to see Debbie again and catch up. She has a couple of new books in work which I'm sure will be fabulous. I'm looking forward to trying some of the crochet patterns from "Happy Hooker".




The Jill's and I snuggled down to watch the telly, but left before Grey's Anatomy - can anyone update me? Is George speaking to Meredith yet?? Did the handsome patient with the heart condition die???



I consumed so much chocolate and fizzy pop that I couldn't get to sleep that night......why am I so lame?

In knitting news....

The book is on Amazon already!!!

I'm knitting the FINAL pattern, now that an enormous cone of Superfine Alpaca has arrived from Kraemer - Yum!


What will be my first non-book project? Or will I be sick to death of knitting? - hahahahaaahaaahaaahaaahaaaaaa!! NEVER!!!

I'm a Shrub

Lunchtime!!

Bravely battling against the wind, I managed to get myself down to Whole Paycheck to pick up some delicious raw salad - yum!!


If only I had the patience/time to make this sort of stuff myself - It may not look like much but it's fabulously yummy....mmm




Anyway, in the entrance I was greeted to a spectular display of the prettiest pink heathers I have ever seen...they really caught my eye and seeing as though I managed to kill my little cactus, (how hard is it to keep a catus alive, for heaven's sake?!) I could not resist all that pink - here's the newest member of my family....


I think I'll call her Mini Me - unless you can think of a better name?

So Sad...

I have a problem with spelling.........Why does my brain embarass me so?

Whilst editing a pattern, I had to include a certain seaming technique. My brain wants to spell the word, m-a-t-e-r-e-s-s, but in order for me to remember the correct spelling, I have to sing the annoying, (though rather jolly), advertising jingle, "1-800-M-A-T-T-R-E-S",then add a second S, (for savings)!

To remember compass points I have to go through the whole, "Never Eat Shredded Wheat" thing - and to remember which is left and right? - Forged-abou-did!

Born This Day in 1933?

It's Daddy Dixon!!!

What a smoothie - haha!
Happy 73rd birthday Soft Jack!!! - They'll be some celebrating tonight!

Why are my parents always wearing aprons??

Here's a nice shot of the oldest and youngest Dixons - Daddykins with the most adorable baby EVER!! My newphew Travis - and who can spot the two Finished objects by yours truely in this photo? - Finally some knitting content!!


These photos were taken when I was last in Jolly Olde Engerland for Christmas - I miss the old place - I wish it was easier to nip over for a cup of tea every now and then - sigh!

Born This Day in 1936?

It's Mumbly Trimbly!!!

Doesn't she look great? And not a gey hair in sight - now you see where I get my youthful good looks from!
Happy 70th Birthday Mummy!!! Have a Fabulous day!!!
I wish I could be there to celebrate with you - Now take off that apron and go and put your feet up!

Monkeying Around

That man of mine is on his way back to Montreal again for another few weeks - which gives me time to get on with my workload - Hoorah!
Although our apartment is teeny-tiny, we have a huge communal front garden, (Central Park):

Isn't it pretty?

The sunshine brought out all manner of wild creatures - Regard, le singe dans l'arbre...


It could be time to dust off the old wallet and spend some hard earned green-backs on a pair or two of high quality street-vendor stylin' shades to keep out those harmful, yet delicious, UVB rays - Roll on Summer!



But take heed, my pale-skinned compardres, before you go running to slap on the Factor 50, pick your sunbathing location with care, keep away from the railings or a serious tanning malfuction may occur!


(Sorry Lisa, I just couldn't resist it!!)

If any of my talented blogging friends are crazy enough to read this drivel, I have a little question....To be able to make text links, I need to click on a link symbol - but I've looked everywhere for it! Where is it, the little tease? At the top of my posting box all I see is the spellcheck, the picture thingy, the Recover post then the Preview......can you tell me where to find it??? I've looked all over the place! Thanks!

Also, I apologize for the lack of knitting content - "normal" knitting will resume as soon as I get the you-know-what finished!

Let The Sun Shine!

What a beautiful day it be laying on the setee with the blinds closed!
Feeling very sleepy today, but can't let that stop the flow of creativity.
Glen has graced us with his presence for a couple of days, (leaving again for the frozen north early tomorrow).
I thought that I'd put work aside and enjoy a day with the tall one - well, that's what I had hoped! He's out getting his car fixed, so while I have a few minutes, I thought I'd do a little bit of an update.
Kara's Birthday Gift Exchange.
Last month Kara generously hosted a Knitted Gift Exchange - Michelle and Jessica have already blogged about it much better than I ever will, but here are a few of the photos I took that fun-filled evening.

Here's Bubby!
This was Jessica's gift - what a happy little fellow he is, beautifully wrapped and ready to go home with his new Mummy, Jill R.



I didn't get any more good photos of the other knitted gifts - probably because I was stuffing my face with the incredible, delicious and very veggie-friendly spread all prepared and presented by Kara's talented hubby, Mike - thanks Mike!!










Smile if your name begins with J!
Jewell, Johanna and Jill R!





Claudine cuts Kara's carrot cake - say that 5 times fast!





Of course there was knitting...



Katy Knits NYC - oh yes she does! I think this is the Robin Hood Sweater from "Adorable Knits for Tots" - Love that pattern!

Fabulous evening - thanks very much Kara for a super party - ooh and thanks to Johanna who knitted the wonderfully warm alpaca hat - the gift that I was lucky enough to receive - it's been keeping my ears toasty :o)

Where has Heather been all winter?

OK, so I'm a complete beginner at this, but have managed to figure out the basics and may even be able to post occasionally. If I want this blog to be any good I'm really going to have to enlist the help of my blogging friends. (see the links to their blogs in the side bar to see what clever people can do..... I set up the links all by myself and feel a glow of satisfaction about it - hoorah!)

My time has not been my own for the past few months as I've been working like a crazy woman on my first book. I received the deal in November and will have the manuscript done by the end of this month.
Every spare moment has been spent working on this thing. The evenings after work and every weekend from sun-up 'til my eyes ache, I've done nothing but huddle up under a blanket on my settee with either my laptop or my knitting in my lap and work on this baby. It won't be in the shops 'til September so for the time being here's a pic of the front cover:


I'd like to take this moment to give a big THANK YOU to all the 14 contributers!! Without your help this book would just be a load of chunky orange and pink things knitted on big needles!! I'll give you all more of a mention soon - but now I have to brush my hair and get myself off to Long Island for Lisa's Bridal Shower - I might even put on some lipstick for the occasion!!!
Here's the bride-to-be: