Craft actually

Happy Christmas

Wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas. 

hello again

I am still here. Plodding away. 

I don't think summer is meant to be ploddy but it feels a little that way at the moment.

It might be the enormous amount of really slow running I'm doing. I'm blogging about that intermittently over here at Miss Tracky Dacks. Honestly - I can hardly keep up with one blog so I'm not sure why I thought starting another was a good idea. I must be an optimist!!

It could be the speed of my internet connection too. After months and months of phone line not working (partly my fault for not having time to ring up about it, partly company's fault for not fixing problem everytime a bloody engineer comes out to have a look at it) engineer finally admitted our wiring was a bit of a mess and when they installed supposedly super fast broadband, so fast a bevvy of gorgeous women will start appearing at my front door wanting to use it fast, they didn't install the super fast wiring to the extension where they put the box thing that makes the super fast broadband all happen. Huh! Cat 5 wiring is apparently what I need. After spending two calls on hold for more than half an hour trying to tee up said cat 5 wiring well lets just say it all might start slipping again. Goal for self - get phone and broadband sorted by Christmas.

"It could be the weather". (I still love that line from an Aussie add from years ago about iron deficiency in women)

Anyhoo. I'm still here. Plodding away.

How is your summer going?

 

I'm feeling very Olympic today

My favourite line from the movie Cool Runnings sums up the atmostphere in London today perfectly.

Yesterday at work we had a charity cake bake competition with an Olympic theme. Our team won with our fabulous (if I do say so myself) Olympic Village.

The Aquatics Centre - some kind of strange medly relay event by the looks of it!

Athletics at the Olympic stadium 

Weighlifting at the ExCeL centre

Gymnastics at North Greenwich Arena

The whole village complete with one of two inexplicably ugly games mascots.

Also adding to the excitement yesterday was the torch relay passing right past my work. I got lots of pictures but didn't manage to get one of the actual torch. Slightly gutted - although I think about 100 workmates would have got snaps too.

Am looking forward to settling down to watch the Opening Ceremony tonight. I haven't planned any Ravelry (whatever we are allowed to call it) knitting for the period but I'm pretty sure a few knits and purls will get done.

Provence - the food

Our summer holiday, and my 40th birthday celebrations were held in a small town in Provence. Cotignac is a charming little town in the middle of wine country and about an hours drive from the coast.

Apart from time spent in the swimming pool, the holiday centred around food and the occasional glass of wine.

Pastries in Salernes - the markets were a little disappointing but the pastries made up for it.

Lunch at a beach side restaurant with Auntie JoJo. It was so hot!

We ate lots of meals on the terrace. Gourmet pizza.

Uncle Glen at the BBQ.

Kirsty's amazing moules.

Food stylists galore.

Mmmmm jam!

I took the DSLR on the trip (I don't always take it when I'm travelling light) and even managed to use it a few times. I was really happy with some of my pics - the light was just lovely in the evening. 

I am still on a mission to learn to take photos like my photography idols on these blogs. I need to know how to make them so bright - I will find out! Is it the light when taking the pics, photoshop skills or both?!

For amazing food pics my new favourite blog is La Tartine Gourmande. I'm going to save my pennies and go on one of the styling photography workshops one day!

And I've admired Yvestown and Posy like forever. Yvestown has the light bright style that I love and Posy has a more atmospheric style. The Sewer Cat has a light but slightly softer style. It intrigues me how they have very distinctive styles and keep their style of photos very consistent.

Best running week by miles

Did I mention that I committed to the crazy idea of running the New York Marathon? We actually signed up and handed over the cash a few weeks ago. My heart rate went up a little just typing that sentence.

As part of the deal with Full Potential, the company we signed up with, a personalised training plan arrived in my inbox last week.

First on the schedule: run 60 minutes. I was very sceptical but I decided to give it a go. My chosen route was the usual park run but adding an extra 1 mile loop of the park took 53 minutes and was 7.2km. 

Here I am towards the end in the park. I look a bit fierce but I was pretty happy with this one. I took it very slow and it didn't really hurt at all. 

On Monday I did a threshold session. I can't say something like this yet without feeling a little bit silly. 

Today I did a run in the park again. It was raining all week and I thought for sure it would be pissing down. Instead my dedication was rewarded with a beautiful day. Before I started running a day like this could have easily passed me by. By the afternoon it was stormy and raining. Its such a good feeling to get outside early in the morning.

Blooming

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mummies!

We are being treated to a gorgeous sunny day here in London.

The magnolia is putting on its spectacular annual show. From tiny buds to full bloom in a week. Blink and you'll miss it.

My first go of the shawl I was working on didn't quite work out to match with the vision. There were some elements I will keep but I've made a few major revisions to the design and am trying again. This time in the stunning Madelinetosh Prarie in Composition Book Grey. Its variegation is showing up in the ripple pattern I'm introducing on the border very nicely.

Afternoon Tea - A question of yardage

I've had a few questions and seen a few comments on Ravelry from people wondering how much yardage is needed for the Afternoon Tea shawlette.

Its a good question because I designed it specifically to be able to be made out of a skein of sock yarn. However yardages differ so I hope this info helps.

Here is the yarn I have used to make the shawl and a picture of how much was left over:

Madelinetosh Sock 395yds (361m)

I measured what I have left from this - just 4.5m!

Viola Merino Fingering 400yds (365m)

Quince & Co Tern - 2 skeins - 442yds (404m)

Posh Yarn Molly 440yds (402m) (this yarn is discontinued now)

And for comparison...

I hope this helps

Afternoon Tea

I'm thrilled to let you know that my little shawl pattern has been published in the latest Spring Summer 2012 Knitty. Its called Afternoon Tea and its a shawlette that can be made from one skein of sock yarn. 

A very special thank you to my lovely test knitters, supporters, copy writers and WNKers Lucy, Emma, Mel, Lotta, Ting, Gail and P - I couldn't have done it without you.

And to my lovely photographer Kirsty who managed to cajole some more than decent photos out of a very uncomfortable awkward model!

Oh yeah and I'm even "Hot right now" on Ravelry - Wow.
!!

 

Spring Podcast Guide - Great Britain Edition

This is the first of a two part Podcast Guide. Part one features some lovely podcasters based in the British Isles.

I have been a long time fan of Electric Sheep and after Knit Nation last year there seemed to be a flurry of podcast recommendations one leading to another. I think it arose partially as a result of the podcasters meetup at that event. In any case it was fabulous as I had a whole new list of "local" podcasters to listen to.

Funnily enough they are all solo podcasters which is a bit of a departure from my favourite format of two hosts. But that doesn't matter a bit as they are all amazingly talented and have the gift of the gab.

I am planning another post for a North American edition at some point in the near future.

Without further ado here are my current top 6 favourite British podcasts in no particular order:

Electric Sheep

by Hoxton Handmade aka Katie, Hoxton (Ravelry)

http://www.hoxtonhandmade.com/

Schedule: Every two weeks, usually on a Sunday

Location: Peckham Rye, London

The Sheep comes to us from South East London and usually has a two part format with an essay followed by a general catchup on knitting, patterns and yarn with the occasional bit of ukulele playing thrown in. Katie's musings are witty and observant. Her pattern reviews and knitterly updates are sharp and spot on. Each episode is imbued with a dry English sense of humour and its a refreshing listen.

Cast On

by Brenda Dayne, aka Brenda (Ravelry)

http://cast-on.com/

Schedule: Weekly on Friday

Location: West Wales

Having produced Cast On since 2005, Brenda is a doyenne of the knitting podcasting community. She has recently relauched Cast On with a shorter format and more frequent episodes. The heart of the podcast is knitting but it includes a broad range of other topics from Welsh history to recycling. It is always fascinating and Brenda's friendly voice makes this podcast a pleasure to listen to every time.

Knit Spin Cake

by Aimee aka AuntieAipee (Ravelry)

http://knitspincake.blogspot.com/

Schedule: Approximately monthly

Location: Hartlepool in North East England

A relative newcomer to knitting podcasts, Knit Spin Cake is charming and fun, not to mention delicious! Typical episodes include updates on Aimee's latest knitting, details about spinning and mouthwatering cake recipies. My only complaint is that episodes aren't frequent enough!

iMake

by Martine Ellis, aka iMake

www.imake.gg

Schedule: Currently monthly, usually twice a month.

Location: Guernsey

Martine's enthusiasm for crafts of all persuasions bubbles through in every episode. Knitting is a regular topic although not covered in every episode. A regular Guernsey segment brings her home to life for the listeners. Her good friend Charles often joins her on the podcast. Martine also chats about food, photography and other fun things she is up to. Its a really interesting and informative podcast.

A Playful Day

by greentrianglegirl (Ravelry)

http://aplayfulday.blogspot.com/

Frequency/Schedule: About every two weeks, sometimes with bonus episodes

Location: London

Greentrianglegirl packs a lot of knitting chat into each episode including what's on her needles, yarnie events, interviews with yarnie people and reviews. She is currently doing a series on her blog called 12 women in 2012 promoting and celebrating professional crafters. Episodes are lots fun and of course...."playful"!

Caithness Craft Collective

by Louise Hunt aka LouiseJHunt (Ravelry)

http://caithnesscraftcollective.podbean.com/

Schedule: Usually twice a month

Location: Caithness, North of Scotland

Caithness Craft Collective is a well prepared and produced podcast on all sorts of crafty activities including knitting and sewing. Louise's lovely voice and accent is a  pleasure to listen to. She has a unique take on life that emerges from her discussion on a wide variety of topics related to craft, motherhood and Cathness. The "bairns" are often included in the podcast which is very charming.

Week Four - A run in the woods

It was my first week back at work after 10 months of maternity leave. I survived. Actually better than that - it wasn't too bad at all. It was lovely catching up with my team and I kind of eased back into the work so it was a gentle re-entry.

So it felt like a bit of a treat this morning to put on my trainers instead of work gear. As you can probably tell I am still under the influence of the post exercise glow. I'm sure in a couple of hours I will be walking around with creaky knees and sore muscles wondering what the hell I was thinking.

Today we did a "proper" run. 5 km (about 3 miles) and I didn't stop at all!! If anyone had said I would be managing that four weeks ago I would have thought they were completely bonkers.

It was a lovely run through Dulwich Park and Sydenham Hill Woods. And yes there was a decent hill in there. My mantra for hills is "its just breathing" (it used to be "this is good for my butt"). My PT's mantra is "you can always slow down before you have to walk". Which is great - even if you are jogging slower than walking its ok apparently!!

Have a lovely weekend. Why not go outside and walk in some woods!