day job

Although it may seem like all I do is knit, I actually have a day job which allows me to utilise some of my other skills. I get to do lots of different illustration, animation and interactive design bits on a variety of interesting projects. GOOD TIMES!

MakeSense, one of the companies I work with most regularly, has just had a website update. Go take a peek.

P.S. I've also finished my knitted collar. Hobbies are important.

next

Today I am off work for the first time in a while. I have many errands to run, which include getting hold of some wool for my next knitting project. First I have to pick which pattern to follow though...

I got all these for 10p each at my FAVOURITE charity shop. It's in Farnham and is simply called The Charity Shop. It's so cheap and full of gems, and my favourite bit is walking through the kitchen towards the back room and trying to work out which of the cups and plates are for sale, and which are for the shop volunteers to use on their tea break.

The haphazard shops are the best.

flying

spring summer autumn winter

All week it has felt like autumn is here and this weekend is no exception. I even bought some new boots on a whim because I felt like the season was upon us.

Yesterday I went to the Brunswick Festival and ate some amazing apple and blackcurrant cake. I was really tempted to buy the chocolate and courgette cake but was wary that it might be a bit odd (has anyone tried this combination?).

And guess what!? I held a baby!!! Lucianna bought Jemima along and she had the cutest little laugh and the smallest of feet. Some of you might remember that this was one of my new years resolutions (yes, that's strange I know). She was squirmy (because she was hungry) but such a sweet one, and Emily presented her with her new cardigan. Very skilled knitting there!

After the main event the rain hit so we took shelter in the pub, which led to the appearance of crochet and knitting and made it feel even more like a wintery sunday afternoon. Nice and cosy though.

In other news, my friend Alex has written a book. He's a very talented man.

stop. collaborate and listen

Me & Yumi designed a vinyl cover (and a cd) for our friends: Junkboy.

Vinyl covers are tricky to photograph.

blocking

I hope I'm doing this right...

cardigan no.2

I knitted another cardigan! It turned out pretty similar to my initial drawing so I think it's a success!
Good pattern choice.
It's very thick and warm though so probably won't get many outings until the cold months hit. Nice to be prepared.

Now onto the crochet. After I finish this small knitted collar...

hellebore, buttercup, meconopsis

I had a surprise day without work today, which gave me some time to really get onboard the flower crochet bandwagon (see here & here) and learn some new skills.

Cats & crochet & charity shopping + lunch with family = a successful day off.

a night at the museum

Last week I went to one of the Science Museum Lates and learnt how to make a whistle out of a carrot and a piece of parsnip.
I also found the unfinished note pictured above. I'm curious to know what the final sentence was going to say. Any suggestions?

the mixtape project

This month I joined in with The Mixtape Project.
My compilation was full of songs for power walking.
Happy walkers make happy workers.

open house

Some photos from our Open House.

Artists include:
Naomi Frances
Fiona Blair
Louisa Buck
Vicky Ilott
Yumi Okuda

wait for the summer

Latitude - WHAT A BLAST!

9.8 out of 10 I'd say.
Music, comedy, craft, dancing, exploring and laughing. Same again next year please.

Surprisingly, I've felt really relaxed this week, even though I've been working incredibly hard and rushing from place to place in between. I'm not even panicking that I haven't had enough time to organise all my work for the open house this weekend.

If you're in Worthing, then do pop along. And if not, have an amazing weekend!

something for the weekend

• cherries from the garden
• work in progress
• buttery jam biscuits

A nice saturday filled with baking, trampolining, cheese & bread, gambling, fish & chips, and cake on the beach. I'm not sure my stomach is thanking me though...

finished (sort of)

I did some knitting while the sun was setting last night and finished off my cardigan. It's not technically complete as the pattern calls for a border along the front edges (and some buttons) but I think I'll skip that bit as I quite like how it looks at the moment.

And it only cost £2.50 to make (not including labour charges). BARGAIN!

pour s'il pleut

I couldn't resist buying these wellingtons yesterday (dalmations!!!).
It was a necessary expense (ignoring the fact that I already have some wellies) as I'm going to Latitude in a couple of weeks and must be prepared. Although I'm pretty sure that I can't be unlucky enough to have ANOTHER rainy festival. We'll see...

Knitting update: Yumi & I visited a rose garden last night and got a bit carried away with the stitching so I've now almost completed the left front of my cardigan. Very productive.
Yumi was crotcheting flowers again (she's an addict!) and has inspired me to get hold of this book. So many flowers.

Talking of addiction, I placed my first ever bet in the bookies at the weekend. I lost, but I think I could really get into it now...£1 on Alonso to win the World Championship please!

knitting projects

I have managed to fit a lot of knitting in lately. The World Cup, train journeys and cycling recovery time have all helped me along the way and I've now finished the back of my first cardigan.

I picked a lacy stitch which has led to some head scratching along the way, but I think it should be plain sailing from here. And I've already picked out my next clothing project (long sleeved!) which will be lovely for the autumn months.

to the north

Another really good weekend.
The best.

It was a shame to return to real life, but I was met in the sun by Brighton's fastest crocheter, and then returned home to find my garden in full bloom. It could be worse.

west pier wheelers

We did it! With 54 miles under our belt, all team members made it to the finish line of the London to Brighton with big smiles on our faces.
It was a long day, but OH SO GREAT!

Tiffany did me proud, my hot'n'wild cycling shorts kept me comfortable, and most surprisingly I have not had any post-cycling leg ache. And I only walked up one hill (you can probably guess which one if you look at the map above).

I couldn't have asked for a better day. Great countryside, great snacks, great team! And now I have two medals to wear with pride - just call me Kelly Holmes.

No, actually, please don't.

half full

I found these measuring cups in a charity shop the other day - very handy for those recipes that don't have weight measurements.

I might make some energy snacks to carry in my basket on Sunday.

sporting events

Rosie and I have to cycle 54 miles in 6 days. This is a worry as I have mainly been picnicking and not training of late.

Today, in an effort to make up for some of my lazy habits, I'm going to do a Wii fit muscle workout and hope it doesn't give me massive leg ache. On the positive side, I have some new (sort of) trainers, a cycling helmet which I'm sure makes me go faster, and I have my heart set on making sure I get my medal at the end.

This weekend I also embraced the world cup and made myself a D.I.Y. football kit, joined in with the naked cycle ride (I cheated and stayed in my dress), and had a knitting session on the beach. Lovely.

Before the bike ride, the SAME MAN from last year asked if I wanted to take his photo again! Really weird. I told him I didn't have a camera.

This was a lie.