Minxxys World

My scootering family

Seedsoil

I have created a new blog which will concentrate on my garden. I have big plans afoot for it, although I really don't know what as yet, but things are a-gonna happen! I don't want just grass,bedding plants and MaDge's sheds in my little green space!

It will also allow me to  document the achievements and disappointments as we go along so I can look back on the fruits of our labours when I am old and dribbling!

Come and say hello .... seedsoil

Image centre testing

 

I cannot get my head round how to centre an image on here. Excuse me as i test and try it out.

                       

Crochet pots

Crochet has always been an enigma to me. I mean, those patterns/graphs just look like hieroglyphics to me and that's before you throw in a dose of U.K./American meanings. In my humble opinion, it's just not for the faint hearted or those who haven't had a better expert to coach them along.

                                  

When I completed the soft waves/ripple blanket for Leigh's bed, I was more than chuffed. I had sweated blood and shed tears of frustration at the start but once it all clicked into place, I couldn't put it down.

Apart from a few decorative flowers, I have crocheted no more. Until now. I made a little tea light holder from one of the Rowan mags from way back. I still need to practise but it's getting better, along with my ability to read crochet directions.

 

I was on a roll and created a few pots for "stuff". I made a few modifications to the pattern (check me right oot!) and came up with these. Pleased? Indeed-illy do!

 

Wide Brim and not so wide brimmed pots

Sylvi, the troubled beginning

I have loved Sylvi by Mari Muinonen since I first saw it linked on one of the (many) blogs I read. At first, I was drawn by the colour, red being my favourite colour since Primary 3, sitting at a desk, colouring in a circle using a red crayon and watching the deep shade develop as I scrubbed away at the paper. I knew I would make one when the time was right and recently I was given a gift voucher for McAdirect  as a thank you for knitting these little cardigans. So off I went to wool shop.

        

I had researched online for an appropriate subsitute wool as the yarn specified is Canadian made and the shipping charges put it outta my price league so chose to use Rowan Cocoon. I instantly went wrong as I didn't swatch. I really should have known better. Substitue yarn, test swatch for gauge. It really should have been a no brainer but hey! it's me.... lumber in and see what happens.

What happened was this.See that tape measure? The one that says 63 cm? Well, that was meant to read 91cm !!!!!!! Holy crap! 30cms is just far too much for blocking to cope with so it got riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipped. All 60 odd rows of it. Right.back.to.the.beginning. FACT!

 

It's all cast on now, using needles 4 sizes up and looking great. I am up to the arm shaping and it's had to be frogged another four times.

 Gauge out ? Nope. I printed the pattern ages ago and didn't realise there had been an update to it. Here's me knitting, ripping, knitting, ripping ........ four times in total until I decided to check for errors online. Bingo!! The pattern haad been adjusted. The moral of the story is......

*check for tension before you start, especially if you are substituting yarn.

*check for pattern up[dates if it's been a whil since you printed off your online pattern

*Never give up ...... it's only wool and needles, we are humans and superior!

  Photo's to follow tomorrow as my couch and carpet are the same colour as the yarn and hard to capture.

Bloody Sylvi.

Air3 radio show

Well, the radio show has come and gone. Although a little nervous at first, I loved it. Kerry was dead easy to talk to and I never even got to play a quarter of my choons or talk a tenth of what I could have. The two hours flew past in a jiffy. I used to wonder how the likes of Chris Moyles managed to talk for three hours a day  without becoming tongue tied. Now I totally get it. When you are surrounded with people to engage with,  it's so blooming easy. I felt like I was sitting in my living room talking to Kerry. I want to go back............

      

Kerry and Silent Leigh (her new nickname due to the fact she rarely talks to folk!) enter the radio studio

      

Silent Leigh, the radio producer, receives instructions on how to record the show and check the vocal levels are ok during broadcast.

     

Kerry and I strike a cheesy pose prior to going 'on air' (Check me oot wi the lingo!!)

      

My girls. I have no idea who Kerry gets her mini stick fangs from. Must be some genetic flaw.

If you are in some desperate need to hear what went on, you are only three clicks away from hell!   The following link, then listen again, scroll down to wednesday, the winter of discotheque. Enjoy!

Stirling University student radio