As Tuesday progressed, my will to be dragged around Porthkerry park with a list of things to be creative about (which I feel stifles my creativity anyway) wained, and as I'm working lates next week I won't be there to have my creativity critiscised, and after last weeks 'lesson' I was extremely unsure about the class anyway, so excuses made, we didn't go.
We did play around in the garden and take too many photographs of our Japanese Cherry Blossom, that is losing its blossoms thick and fast for this year.
One of my wishes for the garden, is that this tree blossoms throughout summer, its so beautiful for a few weeks in spring, then its gone for a year.
I feel a crafty project coming on here...
I'm really enjoying knit club on Wednesdays, and last night GypsyDancer was able to patiently tell me what I was doing with my crochet, and what I'd done wrong. By the end of the week, I'll be able to join the freeform CAL on Rav with some confidence that I know what the instructions mean!
The Baby socks for my sisters baby (Due today) are almost done, the blanket, socks and hat will be posted Saturday.
This project has felt a little odd, as I've never met this sister (loooong story for another time) and I don't know her tastes or anything about her yet. Fingers crossed she'll like them though.
Thursday 29 April 2010
Sunday 25 April 2010
WonderWool Wales 2010
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| Meet Clop the Goat |
I convinced hubby that this would be an invaluable opportunity to take lots of photographs so that he'd come with me to WonderWool, and although he barely got his camera out, he seemed to have a fantastic time, looking for a dark "boy" coloured yarn for me to knit up a phone cover with.
He didn't find one he liked, but agreed that a trip to the haberdashery dept of John Lewis was in order.
I don't know if I conned him, or he came to that conclusion himself - but Result! :)
My purchases consisted of a lovely creation of GypsyDancer, (can't say too much about that yet as its a gift for someone who may read this) and 2 Spinning Batts. Well thats what it says on the bag, I don't know what they are called really. Hand died, merino, soft as heavens clouds in Lilac and Lime.
Purchasing a spindle did not go so well. I could only find three stalls selling them, one was selling pine, very basic models, another selling Turkish spindles which looked a little confusing, and a third guy putting on the hard sell, whose spindles were made of ebony.
I'm not an expert, but I know some types of ebony are endangered and I didn't feel comfortable to ask this guy about his sources.
Etsy it is for Spindles!
A lovely day out, I would recomend this to all, yarn-fondlers or not. Next year I'll probably camp and go both days (after remortgaging the house and selling a leg to pay for yarn), lets make it a party?
On the way home, Erwood Craft Centre for a lovely brew and a nosey at the lovelyness there. They now sell spinning yarn too, coloured by one of the WonderWool exhibitors who I was gutted not to be able to buy from (hence selling the leg next year), I'll be going back there when I have my spindle to purchase some Blue-Faced Leicester trimmings :)
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Follow on from Tography
The only girl in the room, and one of the only two under 70, I felt a little out of place at the course I went to last night.
I think the level of the course, and the speed of learning may be a little below what we are looking for. More of a hobby course than anything serious. The teacher is using, and seems to swear by a bridge camera, (and seemed a little put off by my 50D) which makes me worry that he won't be able to answer my DSLR queries fully. The class has been together a while, and have a lot of in-jokes and don't seem to serious about learning anything new.
A lovely bunch of people, who seem to have a lot of fun, but not learn a thing.
Hubby and I are giving it another go next week, as its a practical session. We'll decide then if its worth the money/time/stress of travelling so far on a school night - I think I have already given up, my NYIP course is so much more detailed and aimed at the level I need - my tuesday nights would be better served doing that and my own practical sessions, particularly at this time of year.
I think the level of the course, and the speed of learning may be a little below what we are looking for. More of a hobby course than anything serious. The teacher is using, and seems to swear by a bridge camera, (and seemed a little put off by my 50D) which makes me worry that he won't be able to answer my DSLR queries fully. The class has been together a while, and have a lot of in-jokes and don't seem to serious about learning anything new.
A lovely bunch of people, who seem to have a lot of fun, but not learn a thing.
Hubby and I are giving it another go next week, as its a practical session. We'll decide then if its worth the money/time/stress of travelling so far on a school night - I think I have already given up, my NYIP course is so much more detailed and aimed at the level I need - my tuesday nights would be better served doing that and my own practical sessions, particularly at this time of year.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Tography
As well as my distance learning course, I thought I'd get a bit of hands-on tutoring also.
I've signed up a local(ish) community course that starts tonight.
I'm quite looking forward to it, I've met the tutor before on a day long course at Dyffryn Gardens and Hubby is coming along too so it should be a laugh if nothing else.
I always worry about these things, I'm either gonna be frustrated by the person asking tonnes of ridiculous questions, or I'm gonna be the person asking tonnes of ridiculous questions and frustrating other people! The beginners course isn't running so they're fitting us into the intermediate group, which I think will be OK as we're not really beginners but we're both worried that we'll be starting off on the wrong foot.
I do love my distance course, but it always seems to come last on my to do list, so never gets done. I'm hoping this one will give me more incentive!
Target: Post Unit 1 photographs and exams by 29th April.
I've signed up a local(ish) community course that starts tonight.
I'm quite looking forward to it, I've met the tutor before on a day long course at Dyffryn Gardens and Hubby is coming along too so it should be a laugh if nothing else.
I always worry about these things, I'm either gonna be frustrated by the person asking tonnes of ridiculous questions, or I'm gonna be the person asking tonnes of ridiculous questions and frustrating other people! The beginners course isn't running so they're fitting us into the intermediate group, which I think will be OK as we're not really beginners but we're both worried that we'll be starting off on the wrong foot.
I do love my distance course, but it always seems to come last on my to do list, so never gets done. I'm hoping this one will give me more incentive!
Target: Post Unit 1 photographs and exams by 29th April.
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Stitch
A couple of days ago, I had a message on Ravelry inviting me to a new Knitting Club in Pontypridd.
I've been to a couple before, but they're usually quite a trek and involve a long drive home, so even though I'm uber-busy at the moment I decided to check it out tonight. I am SO glad I did.
I met a lot of lovely people, one of whom I've had as a friend on Ravelry for years but never met before.
It was a fantastic night, great club, cheap drinks, wonderful people.
I even learned a bit of Crochet, although I think I need a LOT of practice before I do anything serious.
I will definitely be going back next week for more!
I've been to a couple before, but they're usually quite a trek and involve a long drive home, so even though I'm uber-busy at the moment I decided to check it out tonight. I am SO glad I did.
I met a lot of lovely people, one of whom I've had as a friend on Ravelry for years but never met before.
It was a fantastic night, great club, cheap drinks, wonderful people.
I even learned a bit of Crochet, although I think I need a LOT of practice before I do anything serious.
I will definitely be going back next week for more!
Monday 12 April 2010
Codi Leigh
Codi Leigh
This is my newest neice Codi Leigh, the first time I met her at 10 weeks old. I got many shots with some fantastic expressions, but none smiling! My Dad was too excited to let her sleep long enough - Men!
I instantly fell in love with her regardless, and she seemed very interested and not worried by the camera at all (although she irked and complained about being put in pink frills, I think we have a tomboy on our hands).
This is my newest neice Codi Leigh, the first time I met her at 10 weeks old. I got many shots with some fantastic expressions, but none smiling! My Dad was too excited to let her sleep long enough - Men!
I instantly fell in love with her regardless, and she seemed very interested and not worried by the camera at all (although she irked and complained about being put in pink frills, I think we have a tomboy on our hands).
Monday 5 April 2010
Where I'm at
I'm asking myself where I'm at with my resolutions.
Considering I didn't even start with them until April (After a torturous first quarter of 2010) I'm not doing too badly.
I'm almost done with the boring first step of organising myself and my stash (beads, yarn, needles, books, patterns, wotnots) and have even managed to do some frogging.
It was dangerous, it was painful, but I braved it and won!
I also went through my Ravelry projects, updated them all, and deleted the ones that didn't produce fruit - which was equally as painful but I feel so much better for doing it. Much less clutter in my head and home now. A very cathartic exercise.
My camera has been out a lot recently, I'll be posting some of my coursework images soon, for you to have a good giggle at. :)
I'm starting some new projects this week, both knitting and beading. I'll let you know how that goes.
Considering I didn't even start with them until April (After a torturous first quarter of 2010) I'm not doing too badly.
I'm almost done with the boring first step of organising myself and my stash (beads, yarn, needles, books, patterns, wotnots) and have even managed to do some frogging.
It was dangerous, it was painful, but I braved it and won!
I also went through my Ravelry projects, updated them all, and deleted the ones that didn't produce fruit - which was equally as painful but I feel so much better for doing it. Much less clutter in my head and home now. A very cathartic exercise.
My camera has been out a lot recently, I'll be posting some of my coursework images soon, for you to have a good giggle at. :)
I'm starting some new projects this week, both knitting and beading. I'll let you know how that goes.
Thursday 1 April 2010
2010 - a fresh beginning.
2010. The year I break free of the confined headspace I’ve been living in for years, and start to live a little.
Last December, it hit me that I say ‘Yes’ a lot to other people, and tell myself ‘No’, because there’s no time left. Or there’s no energy left. 2010 is the year I promised myself I’d break free of these chains and live for myself. Sounds a little selfish, I know, but a happy Jen is a better friend, a better wife and an all round better person.
Last December, it hit me that I say ‘Yes’ a lot to other people, and tell myself ‘No’, because there’s no time left. Or there’s no energy left. 2010 is the year I promised myself I’d break free of these chains and live for myself. Sounds a little selfish, I know, but a happy Jen is a better friend, a better wife and an all round better person.
This year I want to make a huge effort to make new friends, unleash some pent-up creativity, and really work towards getting out of my dull job and doing some things that I love.
I pledge to myself that I will:
Knit more often and lovelier things than booties
Complete 50% of my photography course
Learn to crochet
Actually finish a beading project (or two)
Make some new friends
Be musical
And most importantly Smile more than I frown.
This Blog is just a little tool to make sure I follow my own rules.
The last few years have been a struggle, family, friends, all the rules changing. I'm just coming to terms with the new rules now, and I'll say more about that as time goes on.
The last few years have been a struggle, family, friends, all the rules changing. I'm just coming to terms with the new rules now, and I'll say more about that as time goes on.
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