Stuff and Nonsense

As the locals know, it has been cold in Sydney. Not many of us have central heating so we are really feeling it, I know I am. But no, not Princess Meena. She takes pole position up against the small (too bloody small) column (oil) heater. In fact she likes to lean her head against it. I keep telling her that she is frying her wee small brain, but she doesnt care. She, in her little fur coat, is warm. While I, the one who feeds her and cleans up her poop, is FREEZING!

So who really is the dumbo in this house!!!

So this weekend, is all about me. I am planning to take time out and have Shazmina time. That means hanging out at home, crafting, watching dvd's, going for a walk, ignoring the phone, watching Dr Who, eating good food, and more crafting. Basically I am working on being centred. The last week I have felt slightly off kilter, so the weekend is all about getting back to my centre, to the things that matter to me, so that I can better cope with the weekday malarky.

So what am I working on this weekend?

A surprise for a friend. She is feeling the stress of life more keenly than I am, so I am making a little something to cheer her up. Pics soon.

My first sock, otherwise known as Shazmina's new obsession!!

Embroidery for a quilt.

The BBB blanket for Sadie and Lance.

Sewing - Amy Butler skirt & hemming 2 pair of pants.

So that will kepp me busy and on the straight and narrow!! I will post updates tomorrow!

Where is that Bloody Bird???

Seriously, I am looking but I cant see it??

It has been manic at work. Incredibly busy and somewhat stressful. I have, at present, a very low tolerance for people. I should elaborate, I have a low tolerance for people who, in my opinion, are particularly ridiculous and absurd.

Knitting and blogging has provided an escape from the stress. Until I had the displeasure of receiving an email from another blogger asking me to explain a comment I made on this blog. The funny thing about the email is that the blogger told me what my comment meant. ESP, a great talent to have, wish I had it!

I didnt feel it necessary to reply. I mean really what is the point when someone has so obviously read my mind and knows what I am thinking (I wonder if she has seen the bird??) and what my comment really meant (insert sarcasm here). I just dont think they were really interested in knowing the truth.

So Shazmina, you have some 'splaining to do!

So I will 'splain. Not because I feel I need to. Not because I think you necessarily want to know. But mainly because I dont like being told what I am thinking or feeling (insert hands on hips and stamping of right foot). Only I know that. For me, that comment was a throw away line. A nod to my, obviously misunderstood, sense of humour. How someone chooses to interpret that comment is up to them. And I am truly ok with that. I can't change your perception or your reality, nor do I want to. I respect your right to read what you like into what I write.

That is what makes Human Beings such wonderful and interesting creatures. Life would be boring if we were all the same, dont you think?

Ahhhh, so there is that damned bird!! I found it after all!

Tusk

I finally feel like I am relaxing. Listening to Fleetwood Mac (Tusk is playing as we speak). Love it!

Well the last week has seen me be a bit of a social butterfly. Coupled with being busy at work, it has made for a blogless 10 days. Know that I have read your blogs and they made me smile!

So what have I been up to? I have taught THREE people to knit, although only TWO have made it to the dark side.
My number 2 gay in the village gave up in a huff when he could not master knitting instantly. DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!! This has made the number 1 gay in the village happy as he is a master crocheter. MORE DRAMA!!


I also put a profile on a dating website. While I am not convinced that this is the best way to meet someone, I thought I would give it a go for a month. We will see what happens.........

Not much else to tell. The 30cm circulars have arrived. Nora assures me they will change my life. I think she might be right because I am about to cast on my first pair of socks! Rose Red Shoes suggested 8ply to start, which is perfect as I am in desperate need of new bed socks. I was a bit excited and decided to make up my own pattern based on my favorite bedsocks, but in the cold light of day I am thinking that I should stick to an existing pattern for my first attempt. Suggestions are welcome!!

And finally, here is the latest update of the Big Bad Baby Blanket. Sadie and Lance, you are going to love it!!

Dithering

I heard that word used twice today. Both times by people under 35. Weird, but I like it. Those types of words and phrases need to be used more often, dont you think?

So I have been known to be a bit of a ditherer. A procrastinator if you will. It has taken me forever to clean my craft room, but once done I felt magnificent. Like I had conquered my dithering. So much so that I have moved on to a revamp of my loungeroom. Pictorial proof of that achievement to follow.

When I cleaned my craft room, I realised exactly how much yarn I own (Oh the Horror!).

* The top shelf contains yarn I have purchased from Nundle Wool Mill for dyeing (4ply, 8ply & 12 ply) and kntting related bits and bobs.

* The next shelf down contains my biggest shame. UFO's.

* Shelf 3 contains various yarns I have purchased. Some for specific projects. Some because it was so pretty.

* Finally shelf 4 contains more yarn, the bits left over from projects, and various dyes.

Oh the Horror alright! I had a caniption when I saw it all, finally neatly packed away in their plastic storage bags. How much of a neat/control freak am I???

But a strange thing happened on the weekend. I realised that I am not alone in my neat/control freakiness. Imagine my genuine shock, admiration and down right pleasure when Rose Red Shoes pulled out her WIP, neatly contained in a glorious plastic bag (was it a Glad Bag or no name brand? I forgot to ask!).

Right then I knew we would get along.

Right then I knew I had found anoher yarn soulmate! As if I didnt already know that!! ;)

ps Normally I do not condone the use of plastic bags. Please note that the bags used for this post are reused. Who am I kidding, they are never reused because the bags are never empty!!!! Sigh! Deep breath and repeat after me, "I am embracing the completer/finisher within".

Very Interesting........

Meeting people you have only interacted with online.

I will start at the beginning. I was invited to meet Nora (Black Dog Knits) and Rose Red Shoes, with my good craftin' buddy Brownpants. Luckily for most of the week my mind was pre occupied with various bits and bobs (mainly work) but by Saturday morning I was freakin' out! FREAKIN OUT PEOPLE!!!!! I couldnt decide what to wear, it was raining and I wanted to impress. And then a thought, exactly how much of your own knitting should you wear when you first meet your craftin' online friends???? Luckily, when I thought about this I realised that I have sooooo many UFO's it really wasnt an issue.

So I finally dressed (jeans, runners and long sleeved tshirt thingy & a pale blue beret I had made), and went to collect Brownpants.

Did I mention it was raining? It was hideous! And then trying to find a carpark. And then walking to the cafe (my heart was pounding) And then there she was. Nora. Wow. I dont know exactly what I was expecting but it was like seeing her blog walking, talking and breathing!!

After we settled ourselves with coffees, Rose Red arrived. And again, it was like seeing a blog come to life.

And as I looked around the table it got me thinking. We are all so like our blogs. It was so surreal.

Nora was charming, warm, LOTS of fun. But the most noticeable thing about her was how stylish she is. And effortlessly so, exactly like her blog! She bought some socks for show and tell made from Sundara yarn. Sigh! They were lucious! But most importantly she has inspired me to finally knit socks!! Nora, I am ordering the 30cm circulars as we speak!!! :)

And Rose Red. Wow, she was just so calm and warm and too damn cute! Easy to see what she has a lot in common with Bells!! She was wearing one of her beautful knits in a GORGEOUS purple colour (it is on her blog she finished it to take to NYC for her holiday earlier this year). We admired her knitting, her cardigan (it is stunning) and especially her shoes! Red boots, sigh!

And then there is my Brownpants. She is so complicated and so uncomplicated all at once (is that possible??) FIERCELY intelligent, sweet and caring and obsessive when it comes to craft (and beer!). Her blog is so her, I just adore her!

And then there was me. A little quiet and shy to begin with, but then I warm up and watch out, before you know it I am talking about s*x and adult toys!! Oh and knitting "special adult" things for your men. Mwahahahahahaha! In my world, it always seems to come back to that topic!! :)

We left promising to meet again. And I know we will, hopefully more of you will come along as well and we can meet you too.
I promise not to drag the conversation down......... unless it ends up there anyway!!

ps Hope you can make it soon Bells!!

Paralysed

With choice. Fear. Ok, lets face what it really is, procrastination.

I have not knit a stitch this week. Not one. I sat on my couch and couldnt decide what to knit. There are soooooo many unfinished projects, I just didnt know where to start. It was paralysing. So I made the decision to finally sew my Barcelona skirt (I am in love with Amy Butler!).

Before I could commence on the skirt, I had to clean my sunroom/craft room. (Look there goes that damned bird again!!).
That was the deal I made with the devil (also known as Princess Meena). I have no photographic evidence of how bad the room was, but let's just say that it was also known as the "Pit (hacking cough) of Despair!".

But with one application of Shazmina, look at it now! So these pics are looking in from the doorway. First, in the left corner is my desk/sewing table with laptop, sewing machine, overlocker (thx Mum!). Too the left of it is my yarn cupboard. This is also one of my stashes. I dont know why I persist in hiding my yarn at the moment. I should be joyously throwing it around the house and rolling in it naked!!

Then the far right corner is a small cupboard, containing various crafts including, beads, embroidery and crochet cottons.


And the nearest right corner, bookshelf containing texts from Uni which I just cant bear to part with, as well as other miscellaneous craft.

All up it took me from 11am (ish) to 6.30pm to get the room to this point. And I love it, all I need is a comfy chair to sit and knit in and it would be perfect! Oh and the willpower to keep it neat and tidy from this point forward.
So now I can go and cut out the skirt and start sewing! Updates on that soon!!

ps. In late breaking news, I no longer have a "thing" for receding hairlines, meaty sideburns and handlebar mustaches! I would like to thank the very unattractive man in Stanmore for daring to sport this look and curing me. Bless him!! :)

Small Delights

"A multitude of small delights constitute happiness." Charles Baudelaire

And those small delights HAVE to be chocolate related!

There is something in the air this week. I think it is related to the Full Moon in Sagittarius at the end of the week. This is supposed to be auspicious for Sagittarians, and as a silly sag, I am using it as an excuse for the weirdness I am feeling. And the hope that something rooolllly rooolllly cool is just around the corner!

I feel that there is change in the air. But I just cant put my finger on what is about to change. Job, house, relationship. How about it all!!

So gentle readers, this is what I have been working on.

A beret (Jo Sharp Knit 3) from Cleckheaton Vintage Hues in the purple colourway. I seem to be starting a collection of berets, one soon to be made out of this colour.

Hence, the question How many Berets and Beanies are enough for one person? I think I shall gift this purple one away.

And finally the Big Bad Baby Blanket that I am making for Sadie and Lance's big bad baby!!

I am TOTALLY in love with this yarn. 4ply Merino, handyed from The Knittery (Coral Reef Colourway). Ahh Daphne, I think you are the goddess of craft in human form!

It is true. It really is the little things that make you smile!

Random Thoughts

Random Thought 1
Has anyone seen Murphy's Law, Friday night on the ABC? There is something about a receding hairline, big meaty sideburns and a handle bar mustache that really gets me going at the moment! It is all SOOOO wrong and yet so right! wwhhhooooaaaawwwwww!!!

Random Thought 2
Cleckheaton seem to have woken up from a deep slumber and caught a clue. They now have this yarn Vintage Hues. Retails at $4.75 for 83m and yes it is a direct copy of Noro Kureyon. Colours arent too bad either.

Random Thought 3
I hate shopping. This is a new experience for me, as normally the thought of going to a shopping centre excites me no end. I just cant seem to find the clothes I am looking for. And if I do they dont fit properly. I mean really, I have boobs. Boobs people! These latest fashions, which are so lovely, just dont suit ANYONE with boobs. And my girls are not even that big!!!

Random Thought 4
Giving up work to procreate. Ok, so I have actually realised that what I really want to do is to give up work to knit, crochet and create. And who am I kidding, thinking that if I have kids I would be able to do crafty stuff for 100% of my time. Oh and I do want to have kids.

Random Thought 5
How many beanies/shawls/scarves/berets is too many?

Random Thought 6
Look there goes a bird!!

Random Thought 7
I have a burning need for change in some part of my life. Something needs to change. And it needs to happen NOW! I feel like I am in a rut.

Random Thought 8
mmmmmmm handlebar mustache!!!!!!

Random Thought 9
I think I am a gay man trapped in a straight womans body.

Random Thought 10
I need a job that challenges my mind and nourishes my soul.

Final Random Thought.
I need to drink less coffee!!

Finally it is the Weekend!

"I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack me at once" Jennifer Unlimited

I feel like an extra in Ground Hog Day, I have been reliving Monday, since (you guessed it!) Monday. Until Thursday when it finally clicked over to Tuesday!!

And now it is the weekend! Woo Bloody Hoo!

I know, I know it has been a while. A while between posts and a while between commenting on the blogs I love to read. Please note that I have been reading them, in amongst swearing at my new work computer while trying to load the camera softwear so that I can photograph and post on my blog during work hours. How inconsiderate of my employer to get in the way of my blogging!!!

But I digress.

I am sure I am not the only one, but I feel like I have written 100 posts in my head. Usually I laugh, usually out loud, at how witty and clever I am. I have really had an attack of the smugs this week!

On several occassions I have been so smug (just how smug Shazmina??) that I boasted to all and sundry about how good I am. Only to realise that I had made a complete balls up of whatever it was that I was working on and had to start again. This has happened in both my work and personal (and by personal I mean knitting) life. The Goddess of Craft has well and truly hit me with the Smug stick!!

And I deserved it. A lesson in humility is what I needed.

So instead of rushing head long into whatever it is I am working on, I am taking a deep breath. Reading instructions. And then reading them again. And then I start. It seems to be working for me so far, tomorrow I will have photographic proof.

But until then gentle readers, I have this.

This is how I imagine all of us. Huddling together, giving each other support and encouragement in our yarny, bloggy lives. I just ADORE Meerkats. AND I heart all you guys!!!

Conspiracy Theory

Well the last week has been manic. So much so that I have not had a spare moment (at work) to check my emails, read my favorite blogs or post. And then there is Princess Meena.

It all started on Thursday, when I was out of the office all afternoon. I would love to tell you that I was at a HR meeting, which is kind of true. Except that we were meeting at a French Restaraunt in Crows Nest for a long lunch to farewell a colleague who is relocating to our office in China.

That night, Princess Meena decided was the prime time to make funny noises and thow up all over my carpet. I am used to this except that it was not the result of a hairball and the funny noise was a new one. It kind of sounded like "Will you please stop feeding me this rubbish and give me whatever it is that you are eating or I will vomit all over the carpet! And dont say I didnt warn you!". Lucky me, tipsy, full of chocolate souffle and cleaning up regurgitated fish!

Friday was mad as well. Lots happening in HR land over here. So when I finally had a chance to post, I got a comment telling me to check my emails. And so I did. Yay, got invited to meet Bells, Rose Red and Nora. Without hesitation I replied yes I will be there! And so I started planning what I was going to wear (will I wear something I have knitted?) and what show and tell I would bring along. I love Show and Tell. Loved it as a kid and I especially love it now. I am the sort of person that has to show you EVERYTHING new that I own. Particularly when it comes to craft and sharing with my crafty chicas.

So I wake up on Saurday and am all excited. In what is now known as "The Conspiracy" to keep me from meeting Bells, Rose Red and Nora, Princess Meena noticed my exictement 'cos she started acting all listless and weird. Well weirder than normal. So I decided the time had come for a visit to the Vet. I nearly cried when the Vet told me the only appointment she had was 1.30pm.

So with a heavy heart, and death stares at Princess Meena, I let Bells know that there was a change to my plan and it didnt look like I could make it.

The vet visit was interesting. She could find nothing wrong with Princess Meena. No explanation as to why she was not eating. A slight temperature but no lumps in her belly. And then came the kicker. If Meena was not eating by Monday, she would have to be hospitalised until they could figure out what was wrong. It was funny, becuase what I heard the vet say was "So basically your yarn/craft budget for at least the next 12 months will be spent trying to figure out what is going on with Princess Meena". Ok, heartless I am not. But that is really what was racing through my mind when I heard the word "Hospitalised".

"The Conspiracy" conitinued when, within an hour of coming home from the Vets, Princess Meena ate. I kid you not, 1 hour after the visit. So the rest of the weekend was spent on poo patrol and giving the princess cat laxatives (yes there is such a thing!). Thankfully I had the last season of Buffy to keep me entertained!

And as a final positive from the weekend, I finished the Forest Canopy Shawl. I still need to block it but at least it is done. And it is gorgeous!!

Colour me Peacock!

Before I started "The Shawl" I decided to make a flower brooch for BrownPants. It is only fitting that she have a little something made from this divine yarn as well. Pattern is from Jo Sharp Knit Issue 3, yarn is Cherry Tree Hill DK Silk Merino (flower 1) and Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted in Clematis colourway (flower 2).

I think this photo gives a better indication of the colours in the Cherry Tree Hill yarn.

I now find myself in a bit of a quandry. I have fallen in love with some yarns from the Knittery. The 8ply Silk Merino in the plum colourway. ok, lets face it. I love all the colours!!!

I. Must. Have. It. Now. People!

The problem is I am having trouble deciding what to make. Having seen the yarn in action, I believe I could knit something using 5 to 6mm needles. That is as far as I have got. Has anyone got some suggestions?? Thoughts? Ideas?? And yes, this item will be for me. MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Kind of getting into the swing of the "IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!" projects!! :)

The "For Shazmina" Project

So it has been a while. I have been pondering many things on my mini blogging break.

1. I am currently heavily involved in a knitting obsession, to the point where I left a brunch catchup with friends so that I could go home and knit. How long will it last?


2. The likelihood of a cold snap in Sydney so that I can wear some of the things I am knitting.


3. The necessity of a trip to the Blue Mountains so that I can wear some of the things I am knitting.


4. Have noticed that I am more obsessed with knitting than I normally am.


5. Why is it that the only gay men fight over me? (There is a story here)Should I be concerned that the numbers of gays in my village are increasing exponentially?? Will I ever meet a decent STRAIGHT man?? (that's a rhetorical question, there are many great straight guys out there!).


6. Why is Princess Meena looking at me like that? She is FREAKIN' ME OUT!!!


7. Why am I feeding Princess Meena Greenseas Pink Salmon? Should I just change her name to "She who must be obeyed"?


8. Why do cats and cute little cat clothes not mix??
   

I love the way my mind works! Makes me laugh..... ALOT!!

So here is what I have been working on during my short hiatus. I have just finished 10 repeats of the Forest Canopy Shawl for ME!! ( only 5 more to go!) It has been kind of strange knitting something for myself. I have made a few mistakes, but instead of frogging I have either unknit or just fixed it and left the mistake in there. It is not that I don't care, I think it is because there is no pressure for it to be perfect, I am just enjoying the knitting. Kind of cool really!

It has also made me realise that I am obsessively in love with silk. JUST LOVE IT! For the shawl I am using Cherry Tree Hill DK silk merino, in the Peacock colourway. I cant stress enough how wonderful this yarn is to knit with. And this particular colourway is DIVINE! Sometimes when I look at it Blue/green is the main colour, and other times it looks purple. It is just simply stunning and I cant wait to wear it!

So this weekend I will have another finished object to show you all. I cant wait!!

The Mask

I work for a rather large, old, global company. You know the company, and I can guarantee that all of you own something that was either designed or made or has components that have been made by this company. It sometimes weirds me out how many things this company has invented, including fabrics, dyes for printing on fabrics, man made fibres, the list it seems is endless!

The best thing about working for a global company is that we often have people from other countries come and work in Australia with us. Being in HR I get to meet a lot of them, which I love. Yesterday we had a gentleman from our company in Mexico come and meet with us. He has immigrated to Australia and is hoping to come and work with us. As is the custom of many South American and Asian companies he presented us with a gift.

When I first saw this I didn't know what to think. Then I decided it reminded me of the mask Jim Carey wears in "The Mask", which instantly made me want to hold it up to my face!! :) I do like the colours of the stones used and the shape of the mask. And the generosity of someone giving a gift to people he has not met, made my day a little brighter!

And on the finisher front (again!) I made some wee little mittens for a newborn. They are for a good craftin' buddy who is preggers. Lots of fun to knit, although it felt strange to go back to small needles after 7mm!

All this finshing projects is making me feel a little weird!!

It went something like this...

12.30am today. Sitting on a couch at Gloria Jean's in North Sydney, our heroine (Shazmina Bendi) pulls out her knitting (current project a baby related surpirse!). She ponders life and how cute that boy is over the other side of the room. She puts on glasses and realises that he is not cute at all, so she takes them off and goes back to believing that there are attractive men in North Sydney.

She waits patiently for the arrival of her good crafting buddy, Al.

SB: Hey you are finally here! (Here being GJ's in N Sydney)

Al: Yeah just managed to get out. Where is your show & tell?

SB: Ok, here it is (with flourish, pull item from sportsgirl bag). But I need a favour, can you try on so I can take a photo for my blog?
Al: Sure ( Takes off scarf and puts on said item). The colour is great and it fits pretty well (over a collared work shirt).

SB: Well that's good, because I knit it for you.

Al: YOU WHAT?? OMG SHAZMINA IT'S GREAT! (continues swooning).

Quick Knit jacket, Jo Sharp Knit 3
Lambs pride Worsted, Chianti

And that my friends, is pretty much what happened at lunch today.

ps. I should also state, that I am not a saint. The reason I knitted the above jacket for Al, is as a return gift for a Jumper (Jo Sharp Knit 2) that she gave me.

It's Harder Than I thought!

Giving Seasilk away.

I have considered keeping it for myself. I had a major discussion with myself about it. Ok, the discussion was really with Princess Meena, who gave me her "OMG, my pet human is a nutter!!" look! I came to the conclusion that although it is very beautiful and feels so wonderful on your skin, I just would not wear it. That and the fact that a little voice had been telling me for weeks that it would really suit my friend and be the perfect Birthday present. So I came to the conclusion that this item was really destined for another.

So as Eimer's Birthday is in October (and it is a BIG milestone), I decided to give it to her yesterday. And she was THRILLED. Everything about the Clap(otis) from it's design and especially the colour, suits Eimer.And in a major coincidence (or maybe it is not) she had been thinking that morning that she would really like a scarf to drape around her neck. Cool huh!!

On the WIP front, I have finished the back, Left Front and am 1/3 through the Right Front of a cardigan. Yay for me!!! Will post some pitures over the weekend.

I need some procrastination related advice. Does sewing count with regards to The Rule? I mean if I sew an item of clothing on the weekend, does that constitute more than 1 project at a time? Can I bend The Rule if a project involves another craft?? The reason I ask? I recently purchased this pattern, and I have the perfect material for it already (and all the notions). So is it wrong to make it while in the middle of the knitting project I am working on??
So many questions??

ps I guess this sewing project constitutes the "LOOK A BIRD" in the ENFP prayer! :)

Watch Where You're Craftin'!

And here is some more evidence of the "safety is paramount" culture at work. This is the view as you come out of the Ladies bathroom on my floor. Yep, they are mirrors!

So the weekend passed by with the completion of the Clap(otis), working on a cardigan, and doing some embroidery. All while watching some videos, including Nacho Libre which I adored, mainly because of the farting. I was in hysterics! A very silly movie, if you are in a very silly mood.

I have finally started on a project, with my Mum. It is for a friend, a belated Birthday surprise (and not baby related). And it wont take forever to complete, Mum has been cracking the whip from afar!! :)

I am enjoying the embroidery, it helps that I "acquired" a book from my Mum during my last visit. Very easy to follow pictures of all the stitches you could imagine and then some.

Is anyone else enjoying Monday as much as I have? I think it is because we have a public Holiday in Australia on Wednesday. Knowing there is a day off mid week makes anything bearable!

For those non-Aussies & Kiwis, the holiday is for Anzac Day. A day when we remember those who died in war and thank those who are still among us. This year I am celebrating Anzac Day by having a mini SNB with a friend. For me it will be a time to think about those women who stayed at home, kept the home fires burning, worked to keep the country running and knitted for the troops. Growing up an Army brat (and that is a whole other story!), I wondered if people realised how hard it is for the families of soldiers, when they are away from home, either on assignment or active duty, especially in wartime. You are kind of a part of it, you know what is going on, but the effects on you are not considered, if that makes sense. You just muddle through and try and make sense of it yourself.

So that is how my grandmother, Edna, met my grandfather, Alfred. She was working for Mastercraft (a confectionery company) and the company was putting together care packages to be sent to soldiers in WW2. Against the rules, she slipped in a note to the unknown soldier with a promise to write if he replied. And he did. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Ladies, Introducing the Clap(otis)

I would like to introduce you all to my clap(otis), completo!!

Isnt she lovely? I HIGHLY recommend Handmaiden Seasilk, it is just beautiful to knit with. Can't wait to get my hands on some more! And the pattern was great, easy to follow.

When I purchased the yarn, I had to have it FOR ME! I was going to do a FOR ME project. But as I started knitting the clap, it just became ever more apparent that it was not FOR ME. Although I love the colour, it just suited a friend more. She has seen it grow, gave me so much encouragement, told me how good a knitter I was (who doesnt love hearing that!) that I realised all this time I had been knitting it for her. She is not a knitter, a muggle if you will, but has such a reverance for craft and community that I know she would fit right in with all my crafty buddies. Oh, and she wants to learn to knit!! So I think the Clap is going to a good home.

I also realised that I have a hard time knitting for myself. Every time I start something for me it generally turns out to be for someone else. I think maybe it is becuse I justify buying beautiful yarn by saying I am going to make it into something for someone else. So to try and balance this out, I am going to work on something FOR ME. Yep, I am going to start the Forest Canopy Shawl in the Cherry Tree Hill yarn that was gifted to me by Brownpants.

Here is one, right side up, of the previous Forest Canopy Shawl. I still chuckle at photographing this the wrong side up!!

"The Drama"

This post has been playing on my mind for the last week, long before I read Bells post (shameless self promotion me, but Bells is so damn cute!). I feel like I should write this before my awards list.

A blog friend made me aware of yet more drama in blogland. This post is NOT about "The Drama". When I read about "The Drama" it made me think alot about blogging. Some comments in "The Drama" really made me think about the masks we humans wear. I wondered if some people use their blogs as a way of doing or saying things they would never do in real life. It could free you from crippling shyness or a lack of self confidence or it could give a person a forum for those nasty thoughts in their head. I wondered if when confronted with the same situation ("The Drama") in a face to face situation how they would react.

What I decided to do about "The Drama" was to tell you all that this blog is an honest representation of me. Well as close as I can get, I have left out some of the colourful details of my life mainly because there is a time and place, and this blog is definately NOT it!

Use the Handrail, watch your step, put a safe foot forward.

I am not one of those people that can self edit, I pretty much tell people everything about me. Especially if I do something silly (sometimes, I think I should be a comedian), that has made me laugh, I like to share. In fact I think that is at the core of my being. Share it all I say!!

I have tried very hard to be true to myself and what I believe. I try to say it like it is (in my reality anyway). Now sometimes, like most people I falter, but generally I try and be a good person and treat others the way I would like to be treated.

I guess more than anything I am at peace with myself. All the experiences I have had in my life, good and bad, have made me who I am, and I like me!

So Bells was right, I am pretty honest. I put it all out there. Just ask some of my good craftin' buddies, they know waaaaaay too much of the colourful stuff and probably wish sometimes I wouldnt share so much!

And that, in a nutshell, is how I am dealing with "The Drama".

Clap(otis) almost completo!

So here it is, the clap. I am just about to start the decreases, so it is all down hill from here! I have put an extra 4 repeats in the body for some extra length. Oh, and this photo is right side up!! :)

I am feeling a little sad that I am nearly finished working with this seasilk. It is so beautiful to work with. Good thing I have got another 2 balls coming in the next couple of months!!!!

I received my yarn purchase yesterday. 12 balls of Lambs Pride worsted in various colours. So many projects! I feel like my skin is itching with all the possibilities!!

BUT until I finish the Clap, they will have to remain thoughts in my cluttered mind!!

ps I didnt really torment Jam(ie), we did have fun at the zoo. Shazmina's inner child came out to play, she can be a bit naughty!! Jam(ie) did have a tantrum but his Mum assured me it was on the cards, regardless of the lizard dance!!

I am Knackered!

I Just spent the day at Taronga Zoo. (view from zoo to Sydney).

A friend, who now lives in country NSW (Inverell) is down for the school holidays with her 5 year old. Meet my friend Jam(ie). ( I am the big grumpy Gorilla giving you evils!!)

We had a great time, except the bit where I may, or may not, have induced a temper tantrum after dancing around saying (and I quote) "I've got your lizard and you have got none, nah nah nah nah, naaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Oh, and I may or may not have taken his elephant mask as well.

I pity my future/potential children! :)