is this thing on?

Hi everyone; yes it's me: I finally got round to doing a post. hope you didn't miss me THAT much ^^

Sorry it took so long; the past couple of months have been riddled with sickness(sad times); deaths(sad times),engagements(that make me happy then depressed)and work(time-consuming,life-consuming and a drain on my happiness)

Therefore I just didn't feel like blogging. but while clearing out my room the otherday I found my list for things I was going to do with the blog. and I felt sorry that I hadn't posted in ages (I don't even want to calculate how long it is)

So today I remembered NaBloPoMo is starting again and I remembered how hard but rewarding that was to do.
I've resolved to post again; to do NaBloPoMo again. I'll try to do some of the challenges everyday and I'll try to post backwards as well.

Hope I can get some support in this.

Aki
XXX

Good Lord!

---Appropriate title no?---
A post!!!
Sorry it's been so long since I wrote anything here; I disappeared into the world of work for awhile; immersing myself in Night shifts and 11 hour days that were grouped so close together it left me barely any room for much else.

I apologise(yet again) for my absence. I know I said that in my last post that I would have the video posts up by the end of May. Here we stand well into June and nothing has rose to the surface. For this I can only make excuses. I will try my best to get the posts done to a fitting standard in the next few weeks. I am however still taking a small Holiday over Summer. My work time points my conscience to the well known drab that I need: Craft time.
During the last couple of weeks I have had precious little time to call my own; that I have time or am in the mood for crafting (7am with no sleep=not in the mood)

That said: I had last weekend off. My knitting bag called to me and I managed to get something actually finished. 1 sock of the pair of socks that I call 'Inspired by spring socks' They are for my tootsies and fit me quite well.
I have cast on the second sock and already I can see that these socks will be Fraternal rather than identical because of the colour changes.

----Dreaming of dreams----
Is it bad that I'm dreaming about days in the future when I will have my own shop? I'm already looking at this tutorial (here) and dreaming of making a couple of my own for clothes making and display purposes.
I realise that this is far off dream; somewhere in between getting married and having kids (I want this shop before kids...I'm just that way) but as a child cannot help but dream what she wants to be when she grows up; I am dreaming of my livelihood in this shop.

So please ignore me if I seem to go off in a daydream; I'm probably putting a new handmade dress on a mannequinn made according one of my friends' measurments. Or chalking on the shop's noticeboard that there's a sale today. Anything to make that dream seem a little bit closer.

Sat daydreaming
Aki XXX

Here comes the Summer!

---I seem to do this alot....sorry----

Ok; I know What I said... I also know that it has been way too sunny to stay inside to do... Anything basically.
I have been knitting outside, machine stitching outside and cross stitching outside.
Yesturday was 23'C; which may not be Hot for some places but for Good old Norhern Ireland: that's Hot. I have therefore been making the most of it.
---Yesterday---
Yesterday Craig took me to the park for a BBQ. We had the usual though-fair; Burgers and sausages; we also got some chilli prawn skewers and BBQ pork Kebabs. It was a lovely day sat near enough on the beach looking like I was holiday and knitting. I stupidly didn't take any pictures. Don't be angry.

I worked on an imaginary project. (ie: a project which I have no pattern for but that I have devised in my brain.I'm making it out of Yellow Cotton (because it's hot)

---And now today---

Today it's raining. I've realised that I am working a lot and therefore the Room I use most has become messy with the traffic of getting ready day after day. I set myself to today clear out this trffic so I actually have room for moving in and out of the sewing bit of the room. During tidying I came across a ball of Yarn that I had bought ages ago from that craft Fair that was absurdly expesive.

And now I ask you: What the hell do I do with this ball of Yarn? It's in a lovely moss green ... thing is ... it also has the texture and the knitablity of Moss. it's mistake ridden, fun-fur like and when I try to knit on 5mm needles (the size suggested) I end up parting, tearing and  knitting through the yarn. It short; it's hell to work with. had this been a yarn that I had paid £2 for I would happliy cut it up into tiny pieces and use it for stuffing I would go out of my way to insure none of this yarn was seen by me again.                         But it just so happens that I didn't pay £2 for this ball.... no.... the label on the back of the ball band tells me I paid £5.99 for this. £6!!!! For a ball of yarn that would send even the savvyest of knitters running towards the malabrigo and nice sock yarn.

I must have been a little less knitterly than I am now.But the frugality of my inner being will not allow me to throw this Yarn away. I must make something of it... a Hat, Mossy wristers..... Anything.

Aki

XXX

A lot will happen tomorrow; here's why:

---Rugby---
Ok; I'll be frank; I don't know that much about rugby. I know some of the basics and I know most of the important team names. I'm also very proud of my home team, Ulster, making it to the Finals of the Heiniken Cup this year. The match, against Leinster, kicks off tomorrow. I know my Better half Craig has been quite Literally beating his chest about this all week.

I'll be very happy (and a little deaf) if they win tomorrow.

---What this has to do with the Blog---
I will be sitting in one place for practically all day; rather than knitting (which I would normally be doing) I shall be writing. I'm taking a big file-block onto the sofa with me and my schedule which I drew at the start of the year and I'm going to write all the one's that I physically can with a Man screaming beside me.

I will then type these up and have them all put out before Tuesday night. Then I will post Tuesday's blog (Today as my left hand) and hopefully everything will be back to normal.

So yes; A lot will happen tomorrow. The result of the match will probably determine the overall mood of myself and of Craig over the next few days; so here's hoping that everyone does well

SUFTUM!

Aki
XXX

Books on my shelf

---Books---                                                                                      (please note I'm time-travelling)
I'm going to list all the book that I have out on my shelf. Why? Even I forget what I have sometimes and it is good to re-evaluate space and layouts of things that I use most often. Here goes:

NB-I'm not classing magazines as books... else this should take the rest of the day to write. I'm also not including Manga. For the same reason.

Knitting books

• 3 Yarn Harlot books
• Modern top-down Knitting (gorgeous book that I got recently)
• Glamour Knits
• The Knitter's Bible
• Inspired Cable Knits
• Big Girl knits
• Vintage Gifts to Knit
• Not tonight Darling I'm Knitting
• Heirloom Knits
• Knitting in no Time

Cooking books

• Two Greedy Italians
• Christmas with Gordan
• Ken Hom's Quick Stir-fry
• Various Baking books.

Other books

• Fifty shades of Grey (I haven't stared this yet; but apparently it's good and sexy.)
• The secret Life of Dresses
• The House of Silk
• The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
• Gun Seller (Hugh Laurie)
• Rose Labyrinth

Please note these are not ALL my books but the books that I read/refer to most often.

Aki
XXX

Apologies

I must apologise to all my frequent readers. I have not posted since Febuary. That's nearly 2 months of updateless blog. There's a reason for that:

I have been working non-stop  since Valentine's weekend. Over the past 2 months there has not been a week that I have not been in work 6 days out of 7. (some weeks 7 out of 7)

Thankfully I have had 2 weeks now when I' only in 3 days a week; I have been able to recover.

I'm going to time-travel a little bit. I'm going to go back and do all the posts that I should have done, so I should be up to date by the end of this week. Except the video ones; which wil be up before the end of the month.

So if you see a lot of activity on my blog - I'm contacting a certain Doctor and will be timetraveling.

Thank you for your pacience with me.

Aki
XXX

PS: blogger's changed while I was away.... it's strange.

In my Handbag

I'll take it this means my everyday handbag; the brown one that Craig's Mum and Dad got me for Christmas.

It's brown carpet-y material on the outside and chocolate brown linen lining. It's got a front zippy pocket and then the big main bag pocket; complete with secretive zip and mobile flap (which fits my Ipod but not my phone...given that my phone IS the the Iphone I find this strange.

Inside is....

• My purse - Brown FOSSIL purse containing £25.26, all my membership cards including my Tesco's priveledge card and Boots card,an assortment of coupons, 2 plasters, a movie stub (Despicable me!!!) Recepts for Primark, Tesco (3) and Monsoon, and 1 button...
• My makeup Bag - Marimekko bag containing Lipstick (iced coffee; Avon),No7 Mini Metallic Eyeliner set, Maybelline Moisture extreme Lip liner (in shade 95), 17 VaVaVoom eyeshadow kit, 17 compact mirror, 17 Metalic Eye Liner (purple) Barry M Kohl pencil in Black)and Natural collection Powder(neutral)
• Hand Lotion
• 4 indiviually wrapped mints
• 1/2 a packet of Lockets
• a Hello Kitty Umberella
• Lemon Muffin Lip Balm
• 5 pens (2 are for work
• a teaspoon (for yogurts in work)
• Wet wipes (apparently they're supposed to smell 'Exotic'... they don't smell at all)
• Appointment book (bookmarky ribbon in May 7th)
• Recept for Diesel at Tescos (£20)
• 2 Boots Fragrance testers; one Juicy Couture(VIVA) and one Beyonce
• A hairclip
• 4mm Crochet hook
• a Googly eye (I don't know where the hell this came from)
• AND a clothes peg, painted blue.

That was interesting. It also gave me a chance to cleam out my bag and my purse.

Aki XXX

What to do with old....

...Knit/Crochet swatches

We all do it. Knitters I mean. We buy yarn for a certain project; knit a test square; decide not to use this yarn this particular project and throw the square into a bag, box or bury it in deep stash. think how many yards of Yarn are in that box/bag.... couldn't you make something a little more pleasing out of it?

On my desk I constantly have a bowl. It's full of scraps of yarn, off cuts, end-of-skeins, and swatches that are looking for a home are at the bottom. I'm going to list my top 5 ways to use these little bits of left over yarn

1. Make it into a smoothie Hat...........................A 4x4 swatch will do a hat; simply frog from the cast off edge and knit again. (ravelry)
2. Make into an Angelbear.................................This will need more than one swatch; which will result in a very technicolour bear.
3. Use small leftovers as stuffing for Larger items (such as Angelbears)
4. Use 2 sewn together to make a heatpack (various instructions online)
5. Use as a dishcloth/ Make a blanket out of them..... all these you have probably heard before

This will probably not help your overall stashbusting... unless you have whole balls of yarn that you just don't like anymore or you swatch A LOT.

Happy Swatchbusting

Aki
XXX

My Last Purchace

My last purchace was a can of coke at work. That's not really that exciting is it? My last sizable purchace were these shoes.

The green ones are from Primark and the Red ones are from River Island. The red ones have a really cute nautical thing going on; with even stripy insides and gold eyelets on the outside. Topped with a cute red bow.                                             The green ones look like I've bought them out of Cath Kidson, If it weren't for the fact that they were a third of the price they would have been at Cath's.

Both are a size 9. And Both are wedges which I find myself wearing more often than heels. A girl my size has stability issues lol. The Green ones are about an inch higher tan the red ones Which probably explains why I like the red ones more. I don't feel like I sould be in some circus for the height of me; I also feel more womanly in the red ones. the green ones pinch at my toes.

That was my last purchace.

Aki

XXX

Good News

Good news!!!
I've just discovered that my PS3 can ead certain .avi files. So all those discs that I thought were useless because they were written by my old computer and therefore won't work on my new one are not waste anymore. Hurray

Here's to a sleepless night watching Tenchi Muyo and other animes.

Aki
XXX

Etzy Rumble

---How an Etzy Rumble works ---

1. Log onto etzy
2. go to your favourites and click a random seller.
3. Give yourself 10 minutes. Explore. save pictures; and at the end of the 10 minutes make a colage of the things you like that you found.
4. Simple!

Collage:

Is it bad that I can imagine using ALL of these?

Aki

XXX

What I made today

---time travelling---

So I'm out of the time vortex. I've arrived at the 24th Feb. I was meant to write about something I made on that day. instead I'm going to catch you up on EVERYTHING I've made in the past 2 months.

---Knitting---
I got myself 2 knitting books  this time. Inspired Cable Knits by Fiona Ellis and Modern Top Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan.

They are both fantastic books, full of inspiration for me and I've already made something out of  Modern top Down knitting (MTDK), a pair of slippers for a very great freind of mine, Charlotte who's 21 in May.

You have to cut around your foot on fabric(she used leather, but as I don't have part of a dead cow hanging about I used Fabric) The n you pierce it and knit in the round to make the slippers. I loved making them and am now wanting to make a pair for myself.

I have also knit quite a considerable bit on the Angelbears. These are the little knitted bears I made with the GB; except.... well I've made more than all of them put together. (I knew half of them wouldn't get one finished) I will post a picture of all of them before I send them off.

I have re-taken up the challenge of Nadine's Scarf. I have realised what was wrong with the old one and am sorting it out in the new design. I hope to hand it to her at Christmas.

Everything else knitting has been going along very smoothly.

---Cross sticthing ---
I cross stictch on Sundays. it's less cubersome than knitting in bed and even seems like a lot less work(even though I know it's actually MORE cus you have a very specific pattern) and I'm stitching my very own story village (picutres unavailable til I get it noticly finished.)

---Reading---
I have finished Night Circus AND the complete adventures of Sherlock Holmes, I am now reading House of Silk (a Sherlock phantom writer story) and the book everyone's talking about - Fifty shades of Grey. So far I love both of these books; though I think I am concentrating more on the Sherlock Holmes book than on the other. That's purely because of my personal taste.

--- Everything else ---
Everything else is still steady. I lost a little weight in April; put it back on in May and basically everything has stayed the same.

I'm off now back to the Future with my Doctor to do more posts. toodles
Aki
XXX

Worth

This was originally a Missing Day. I re-drew from the day topics left over and this is what came out

---Worth---

Another deep post.

What are you worth?
A lot of people would look at that Question and assume I'm going to ramble that you are worth Everything to God; And while that is True that's not what I am going to talk about.

Imagine you are under Terriorist attack. Your entire street. They post ransoms for everyone and everything in your street. What makes you worth more than say the girl next door, or the single guy up the street? What makes the Family of 4 worth more than the old couple with 7 grandchildren?

Now imagine you are the terrorists (not saying you are: stick with me) How do you post what every person is worth?

Looks?
Should the Beatiful people be worth the most. That young teenage Girl next door is more beautiful than the old Lady who lives alone at the top of the street right? she should be worth more then? To the Girl's Parents She is the most beautiful Girl in the world. The Old Lady's Husband still believes she is the most beautiful person in the world. So who's right? Beauty is in the Eye of the beholder...

What about amount of close Family?
Should the Family of 4 Kids be worth more than the Old couple who live alone but have 15 grandkids who live far away? How about the Family who's just had their First little Baby? are they worth less than the Family which cannot have children?

Size of the house you live in?
So If your street is full with house of a normal 2 story houses should your life be worth less that the family next to you because they have a conservatory?

It's up to you. Logically every person should be worth exactly the same amount, but there are selfish people in this world who believe they are worth more than everybody else. Like-wise there are Selfless people who put themselves at the lowest possible worth. Society has a way of putting worth on people depending on all sorts of qualities.

Me? I believe that everyone is worth nothing. Or Everything. That way there's no fighting and Everyone will Love who they are.

Food for thought. Brain cookies if you will

Toodles
Aki XXX

My Guilty Pleasure

--- Shoes ---

I swear. I have to date 58 pairs of shoes. I keep buying more. mostly gorgeous heels and a few flats. When I go out I don't class it as a shopping trip unless I get a good pair of shoes. My latest aquired pair are these beauties.

They are Tan coloured Leather Heels. I got them *half price* from Tescos (£8). I have taken to putting them on around the house... just becasue they're so pretty :)

Between these and Tapdance shoes My feet feel all special.

I also have my eye on a few designer shoes. But the £135 pricetag is doing everything to my brain. (it's going 'that's 27 GOOD balls of Yarn!!!' or more convincingly 'That's 20 metres of that Fabric you liked at Craftwoman') and I have silenced the wants for these shoes until the Lottery notices that I deserve a win.

But a girl can dream.....

Toodles

Aki XXX

A logical World

---???---
Did you get a Valentines Card this year?

Did your friends get one? Did your Mum? your Gran? The Geek at School?

Logically; with the amount of people in the world Every person should have recieved something.

A logical world would mean that love, wealth, food, health-care, space and importance would be spread evenly across every member of this planet.
That is obviously not true. I know there are people in the world who do not have a piece of clothing to their name; yet we in the rich countries throw away enough clothes to fill 10 double deacker Buses every Month.

It pains me; I know that as a Knitter with a quite formidable Stash I probably have enough Yarn to leave me comforably off the rest of my life. I know knitters who's stash takes up a whole room in their house; more than they could possibly knit in their lifetimes. I'm not going to drag on the point; We get hit with Guilt every day. Just a please; before you think of throwing out that old t-shirt...Take a look at this website

That is all

Oh yeah; Happy Valentine's Day <3

Aki XXX

Things I love ( A top 10)

---In Acending Order---

10. I love spoiling people
     Naturally I am a kind creature; I enjoy showing my friends how much they are loved.

9.I love being called Awesome
   When I dress up; when I knit something for someone I love the look on their face when they see it.    Then if they actually come over to me and say that I'm doing a good thing: I love that.

8.I love Lady Gaga

   When/If she announces her tour to here I will kill people for tickets

7.I love Coffee

   I love Coffee; but I have to say  Starbucks: I don't like. I prefer Costa or the good old coffee at home.

6.I love a Bargain

   More on this in a non-calendar post later

5.I love Food

   C'mon: look at the size of me: of course I love Food. Especially cooking food

4. I love my Friends

    Real, internety or imaginay. You are all dear to me :)

3. I love My Family

    Especially the parts with 4 legs

2.I love to Knit

   It is a rare thing to see me withount Yarn or not knitting.

1. I love Craig

   Lets Face it; You knew he was going to be No.1.

---Knitting update ---

Those little Innocence Hats are addidctive. I have 8 done. I hope to have number 10 before next post; then I can post the montage.

That's it really

Toodles Aki XXX

Red Day

----Happy Red Day----

Today according to my Blog Calendar is Red Day. The Blog went through some changes on the background ect. This will be up for a week (until next tuesday) when things go back to normal.

To Honour Red Day I am knitting something Red (Craig's Gloves are mostly red and I'm wearing all the red I can. (yes: I'm even wearing Red underwear.) And I'm going to do something I don't normally do: I'm going to paint my toe-nails.

I hate my toenails. what's the point of painting them if no-one sees them? it's not even near the weather for my peep toed shoes yet; over here we're getting warnings of Frost, Ice and even the occasional snow. My tootsies would rather be nice and warm rather than showing off.

I'm also knitting a Red Smoothie Hat. Ok; I realise I haven't took pictures of these yet; but I'm waiting til I get to 10; then there will be a montage. I'm at 6 at the moment; so it won't be long :)

until next time :)

Aki XXX

PS: I finally got the video uploaded to youtube. Through much swearing and going over and over the same form time and time again *dedication* It can be found here

My work

I work in Tescos. Yes; I know; Global Superpower that's killing small businesses and all that; Thing is: it pays well. Unhealthy hours, food and shameless self-advertising makes up for the fact that I'm able to buy all the Yarn and things that I need. Sure I know that the current hours I have won't get me anywhere near a morgage; but I have to keep believing that a full time position will come up; or that I'll get those numbers up on the Euromillions tonight, or the Lotto tonight.

A girl can dream

Aki

XX

Worst. Day. Ever

 I won't give names or specfics but new years 2008/2009. Very worrying, annoying and generally I don't really want to talk about it.

---In other news---
It's the last day of Selfish January, given that tomorrow's Febuary. Besides 1 mitten I have not comleted anything this month. I have started many a thing; finished? not so much.
Charity knitting has kinda taken over my knitting basket. I have Angelbears & Innocent hats all fighting for waste yarn. I have the most projects ever on the needles and around the blogs that I looked at this morning people are talking about Christmas knitting again! AHHHH!

So I have made up my mind. I have about 8-10 friends that I love altogher dearly. it is these 8-10 that will be getting knitted gifts this year. I am putting aside a folder, patterns and Money to knit them all something they will love. 1 friend a month should do the trick.

#Lise's making a list....checking it twice...# God; it's too early.

Aki
XXX

Nicest Thing ever

I have to say that the nicest thing I have experienced was on Holiday. It was waking up in the morning. My mind went 'It's a Saturday-do you know when ur working?' Suddenly I was wide awake. then my mind went 'Why is it so warm? This isn't your room.... Oh yeah we're on Holiday'

I then rolled over; Craig was there sleeping on the other bed. It was just the nicest thing. I didn't have to go to work; Breakfast was waiting for me when I wanted it and I got to spend the entire day(or 10) with the Man I love.

Sorry; that was kinda Mushy.
Aki
XX

Knitting catch-up

OK; it's been awhile since I blogged about my knitting. Since it is STILL selfish January there are still only things for me going on on the needles. We have...

• The Abalone Shawl - (AKA: What can you make out of 2 balls of 75% discount yarn) {Pattern:link} [my Rav Link)
• The Twisted socks in origami Yarn - I don't think I'm going to like these socks... I HOPE the yarn might be better after blocking.... [Rav link]
• Inspired by spring socks - in forgotten Rico yarn; these are my my bus buddy socks at the moment. They have taken up the room that the monkey socks used to be in; and are coming with me on bus journeys or if I know that I'm going to be waiting awhile. [Rav link]
• The pair of Mitts from the weird Brushstrokes Yarn - A pattern that I'm pulling directly from my head. I will therefore be the only person to blame if it goes wrong.

Then there's the Charity knitting: The innocence Hats. I've make 6.5 so far. My target is 20 so I'm well on the way.

----In other news----
We've finally got round to booking our holiday. We're going to Gran Canaria on the 7th of July for 10 days. ^.^ so excited!!!!
So since I'm putting my foot down this year I need a project to take with me. It needs to be light, because Gran canaria is 45C on a normal day in July. That's warm for me: a girl who's used to 10s and 20 is a hot day here. So I won't be working on an aran sweater by the pool.
It needs to be interesting; but not conversation stopping. I can't tell you how many times during the Ethral Shawl that I stopped mid-sentence and Craig had to check if I was breathing.
Gran Cararia's Expensive to fly to; so the Yarn needs to be relativly cheap. I'm talking £15 for the entire project.
It's 10 days. it needs to last me 10 days. Socks and all that when I'm not working usually take me 4 days, 5 tops.
Any suggestions?

Aki X

Things that will never happen (top 5)

1. It seems that I'll never complete the Garns Bolero. I found it in a Deep Stash raid the other day. The guage is off and since I've lost weight it hangs off me in an unattractive way.
2. I'll never win the Lottery (God: prove me wrong)
3. I'll never find a good use for the masses of Curling ribbon that I have. Although it always seems to disappear around the time I wrap presents in December; which is so far: the only use I have for it.
4. I will never know how to cook Lobster or Blue cheese; given that I'm allergic to one of them and can't stand the look of the other.
5. I will never own a Farrari, a Lamborgini or a Bugatti. Toyota all the way :)

Things that will never happen (top 5)

1. I'll never open another blog. This one's trouble enough lol. Even if I do get my dream and Open up a Shopthis will be the blog everyone's directed to lol
2. Now that I've had an Iphone: I don't think I'll ever go to any other type. I might just go up a number or a letter. Anything else feels like a step backwards
3. I know I'll never be a size 14 again.... or a 10 or anything below that.... that is without a personal trainer or going under the knife
4. I will never use up the Yarn in my stash. There's stuff in there; like 1 skein of Manos Lace; that I just don't want to do anything with. It all just seems unworthy.
5. I will never get bored of Sims. there always seems to be something else todo; and most of the time I just can't tear myself away from it. If I ever say 'I'm bored of sims' or 'there's nothing else to do with XCDX family' then shoot me: I am being very badly impersonated.

Toodles X
from Aki

Quote of the day

Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
( Phillipians 4 v6)

Life MOT

---MOT---
Funnily enough my Car is going through MOT at the end of the week - coolio.

Overall Running Order - Good; a Few sniffles and I still never wear Socks but so Far no Cold this Year.
-8/10

Love Life - Fantastic.    -10/10

Sizing issue - Lets not talk about my size. A lot of women want big Boobs, they don't know how hard it is to get a Bra, to not be looked at like a darn Floozie when you wear low cut. And Muffin top has a whole new meaning when you aremy size.
-3/10

Knitting progress - Today's the 17th of January. It is still selfish knitting Month (except for charity knitting) so I still have stuff for myself on the needles.

• I have Abalone OR 'try to get something out of these two Balls' Shawl. it works on a percentage system and I've worked it out to the Best of my ability.
• I have 2 pairs of Socks - the Inspired by spring Socks and the Twisted Origami Socks. Both far from Completion.
• I have the Mind Mitts using a very cunky Yarn called Brushstrokes.
• And Last but by no means least I have the flossie bear pattern. ===> Yes; I'm finally making him. I bought myself some new Yarn including crofters Fair-isle for his face and various shades of purples and wines for his jumper. Photos will be up when it in any way resembles a bear. I know it's supposed to be a Hot water bottle cover but I'm just going to fill it with stuffing and make him to a pillow.

-8/10

Overall MOT score 29/ 40 - (B)

(I would have Failed if I was a Car lol - but as a human bought up in an education system - B is good. Not great but good)

Toodles
Aki

PS: A little note for those who have tried to view the video I am uploading to Youtube. It ain't happening. I pretty much need to be able to sit infront of the computer for 5+ hours and not let the screensaver go on, I have learned that this re-sets the timing.

So basically the next time Craig is at the Rugby and I'm at home on my lonesome I will try again to upload it.

I have asked my cameraman if there is any possiblility to decrease the File size - maybe by not recording in HD. we're going to try this with the next video. I hope to God it works.

PPS: I didn't win the lottery. The custom house will have to wait.

X

I never even knew this stuff existed

---Smoothie Hats---

Has anyone seen these?  ===>

Nope; me niether.

They are Hats for Innocent Smoothie bottles. It isn't just a neat way to  sell bottles - it's to promote a UK charity. Age UK to be specfic. for Every Hat Knitted, sent, worn by a bottle and sold Innocent donates 25p to Age UK. you simply send them off and then feel good abbout yourself.

I've made up my mind that I want to knit them 20 hats. That means if all my Hats get sold that's £4 to Age UK.

I might even host a knit-in or an event at Costa or something to help get the numbers up.

I'm casting on for my very first Hat as I type. I'll let you know how I get on.

(BTW: I found all this from a link on Ozzy Blackbead Knits -link- I jus found her blog and then I realised... She's from NI too! that was a fantastic feeling - that I'm not the only Knitting weirdo in NI)

Toodles - Aki XX

What I would do If I won this week's lottery

---Tickets---

I bought tickets today. Lottery tickets. I was too late to buy Euromillions tickets but I bought some tickets for tomorrow. I bought £5 worth - a £2 scratchcard; 2 Lucky Dips for Lotto and 1 lucky dip for the Thunderball.

Wish me luck

---If I win---

House would be the first thing on my mind. I'd want to build my own.... because I'm quite pernickety like that. I am forever drawing room and house sketches in notebooks and I think I'd have it down to a Tee.
Then I'd furnish the house. I'd want to make some of it myself; so I'd buy no cushions or soft furnishings. A part of me will even feel bad for buying bed linen, because I have a sewing Machine. That and there's numerous tutorials online for making you're own bed Linen... I might end up doing it anyway lol.

Then (since I have a craft room-hehe) I'd full it with Yarn; Fabric and everything a crafter could ever want. Including a spinning wheel. Yes. I want to learn how to spin. the current proportions for my house prohibits me from doing that. So likely I won't be learning til I have my own place. It looks like that will be a house with Craig.

I'm not sure how Craig will react to me bringing a Giant Spinning Wheel into the house and saying I'm going to make my own Yarn. He'd probably blow a gasket.

And to say I was sorry to Craig for dragging him through the whole House making and furnishing and the whole 'that Blue doesn't match that Blue' and the whole spinning thing; I'd buy him a Car to put in our Garage. I'm pretty sure a Delorian would get him back to liking me.

Then the rest of the money I'd put into a high intrest ISA. I'd Live off what Craig gets paid (because he'd want to stay in work; I might to keep the Yarn habit going) and once I get the massive kitchen sorted (with enough room for 15-20 people I'd host a Dinner Party. I do cook nice things when given half the Chance.

Then I'd calmly sit back and wait for Craig to spend some money on a ring. hehe. Then the whole planning thing will begin again... lols. God help him.

Toodles
Aki XXX

What I made today

---Mr. Kate's Bow ties---

I logged onto Youtube to try yet again to upload a video and a person who I'm subscribed to Had posted a new tutorial. The Upload bar says it's going to take 290 minutes so I watch the new tutorial.

Here's Mr. Kate (link to video) who showed me how to do it. and here's mine.

I sewed the seams on mine - because I didn't have an iron Handy but my sewing machine was just sitting there. the rest I used the glue like you are supposed to. I also added an old odd earring I found lying about to jazz it up.

I'll probaby wear it the next couple of Days. maybe even to work.

I'm so proud of it lol. and now that the sewing machine's on I might make myself A little something else. something to actually wear.

Luff from Aki XXX

Thank You

---Thank You---

Thank  you for you're patience with me over the Last couple of weeks. Work has been hectic and I haven't really been able to knit much or even show that many finished objects or what I'm working on.

There's a very special person I also want to say Thank you to. That's my Craig.

Thank you for being with me all the time. Thank you that you didn't run screaming for the Hills the first time you seen me knit. Thank you for not calling me weird or strange everytime I complain about the project I'm on.Thank you for Driving me to town when I want.
Thank you for keeping up with my mood swings, my work schedule and my shopping Habits
Thank you for being my Camera-man. I hope you don't mind it (we're going to have to get a tripod-I want you in some of these videos.)
Thank you for Saying 'I love you' first. Thank you for being brave enough to ask me out.

Thank you for being mine. Love you sweetie

---Some knitting news---

Some of the knitters I know are deaming this month Selfish Knitting Month. Lets Face it you've spent the last 2-4 months Knitting for everyone execpt for youself for Christmas present. Indulge youself.

So I am. I've Cast on a pair of Socks for myself and a pair of Mitts in a Rusty Fluffy Yarn. Photos when they get to an approprate stage of completion. The sock pattern is Twisted Socks (socks) in Origami Sock Yarn. These are purple and White veritated.
The mitts are from my own mind. they're kind of basic and I'm adding a frill at the bottom for a feminine touch.

That's about it really - Talk to yas all again on Friday.

And one last Thank you to everyone who visited this blog because of the campaign that I done on Friday.
Toodles Aki X

New year's resolutions

I think I should put these out there- while they're fresh in my mind. Last year's lasted til March; so I'm determined not to let that happen again.

1. Read 1000 pages of books per month (not Magazines or Manga) (books do include Night Circus; Gun Seller, Yarn Harlot's books (3-wound up; free range & Yarn Harlot) Big Girl knits; Heritage Knots; , Rose Labyrinth;
And any other book I see as great and orderable.

2. Blog Challenge (more on that soon)

3. Wear more Makeup. (seriously- I have LOADS and never wear it lol)

4. Make something For Craig at least once every month. (this excludes Selfish January) because - He's special.

5. Read my Grannie's Stitch binder (she learned how to sew, knit and make stuff from this when she was a Mom at the tender age of 25 - it was one of the only things I took from her house when she died. That and her Giant collection of buttons)

6. I will try not to cry at the GB display this year. Even though I probably will.

7. Make myself a dress- one that fits me. Not that Sausage Facory reject dress that's sitting in my closet.

That's it. I'd appreciate any encouragement for any of these 7. It doesnt have to be here- or even to my face; just a prayer; a referral of a friend to here (I'd love it if I got up to 20 listed readers) or even a 'read ur blog you are doing great' on FB (Ellisa Haddock- Add me)

Toodles
Aki XXX
TheAkitombo

I feel like something different

---Life is short; I feel like doing something different; blog-wise ---

I've changed the background to my blog I will be changing this regulary now and possinly with my own photos ect if I get good ones.

Ta if you noticed
X

Things that Have to Happen

Today I started going round a lot of blogs. I know I get some readers and I'm altogether grateful to have those few. It just seems so Bad when I look around and there are Blogs with20,50 or 100 followers.

So I really went on a 'Visit my blog' Campaign lol. I commented, I followed.... I did everything I could to make people come to my Blog. I even joined a Fibre Arts Blog Group (link) to get a good number to here.

This is the First Day of my Blog Challenge so Off we Go

--- Things that Have to Happen (top 5)---

1. I have to send these Guys off at Easter. My group at GB have Knit about 6 of them and I've contributed As many as I can. All in All we Have 10 Angelbears to Send off to the Girl. I'll take a picture of them all before I send them off.

2. Talking of GB - it has to have an End of an Era thing this year. Our Captain is retiring and as I know her quite well I have promised myself to not let myself cry at the closing cerimony/display

3. I have to knit myself a sweter this Year. I have the Yarn and the Pattern to do it - just seemingly not the time.

4. I want to Finish the Ethereal Shawl. It would only take me a good 5 hours to sit down and get the Darn thing done, then I could show it off on the blog and then perhaps I'd have a proper 'follow' Picture.

5. I want to order Yarn this year before Easter. When I have the money to spare and I'm not saving for the Holiday(because hopefully by the End of April it will be all paid for lol)

---Holiday---

It's nearly certain that we're going on Holiday this year. AND I'm putting my foot down. I'm taking Knitting. Last year I didn't take any and had to buy the crapest thing ever (thread. not Yarn, Thread) and a set of needles (which were quite good for all the price of them) Why? I had nothing to do beside the pool from the 3rd Day. I had finished the book I brought and the pool was absoloutly full of Children. It also didn't look good to be going up to the Bar every half hour for cocktails. and I can't just sit. I feel like I'm wasting time if I just sit. I have to be doing something.

So this year I'm taking something. It will pobably be either Cotton or Lace, But it will be something. Any suggestions please leave a comment.

---That's pretty much  it.---

Well that's the First of many Blogs this Year. See ya all again on Tuesday.

Toodles

Aki XXX

Blog Challenge List

OK; I missed a few Days in the Video and repeated a few days and stuff like that. With as little Change as I can manage here's the list for the entire year. I'll be posting on Tuesdays and Fridays

6th Jan - Things that Have to Happen
10th Jan - Thank you
13th Jan - What I'd do If I won this weeks Lotto
17th Jan - Life MOT
21st Jan - Quote of the Day
24th Jan - Things that will never Happen
27th Jan - Nicest Thing Ever
31st Jan - Worst. Day. Ever
3rd Feb - My Work
7th Feb - Red Day
10th Feb - Things I love (A top 10)
14th Feb - A Logical World
17th Feb - My Guilty Pleasure
21st Feb - ***Missing Day***
24th Feb -  What I made today
28th Feb - Etzy Rumble
2nd Mar - Good News!
6th Mar - VIDEO - Excited Dog
9th Mar - My Last Purchace
13th Mar - VIDEO - Night Make - up
16th Mar - VIDEO - New's Broadcast
20th Mar - Draw your ideal Home (Paint)
23rd Mar - Where's Lady?
27th Mar - Tutorial: What to do with old.....
30th Mar - ***Missing Day***
3rd Apr - In my Handbag
6th Apr - My FB today
10th Apr - What on TV now & opinions
13th Apr -  IQ test
17th Apr - Craig
20th Apr - Recipe
24th Apr - You May have Forgotten
27th Apr - Life
1st May - Something you didn't Expect
4th May - Discovery!
8th May - ***Missing Day***
11th May - VIDEO -  Self Interview
15th May - Books on my shelf
18th May - Tutorial: Make it Day
22nd May - Today as my Laft Hand
25th May - Orange Day
29th May - What I love most about Knitting
1st June - Video Gaming
5th June - Babies
8th June - Good Lord!
12th June - Worst present EVER
15th June - What I wore today
19th June - ***Missing Day***
22nd June - How many days til Christmas?
26th June - My Make-up collection
29th June - A cake recipe
3rd July - What I got for my Birthday (that IS my Birthday lol)

6th July - 31st July - **** SUMMER BREAK****

3rd Aug - Creepy

7th Aug - My Fwends
10th Aug - Recipe
14th Aug - Green Day
17th Aug - Attention please!
21st Aug - Doodle Me!
24th Aug - My Name is... (Baby Dictonary)
28th Aug - ***Missing Day***
31st Aug - Knittied Weirdness
4th Sept - Remember This???
7th Sept - Today as a Fork
11th Sept - A Hidden Talent
14th Sept - Etzy Rumble
18th Sept - VIDEO - News Broadcast
21st Sept - My Shoes!
25th Sept - VIDEO - Day Make-up
28th Sept - Yellow Day
2nd Oct - What's on TV now and opinions
5th Oct - The Perfect Day
9th Oct - Anti-Aging
12th Oct - My DVD collection
16th Oct - Things that Don't work
19th Oct - Culture Explosion
23rd Oct - Invisable for a Day
26th Oct - My Perfume Collection
30th Oct - Best Present Ever
2nd Nov - Things that Scare me
6th Nov - Thins That make me Angry
****Winter Break****

---Missing Days---
(I re-drew them from the Days left over)
21st Feb - Worth
30th Mar - One Day I hope to...
8th May - I love Craig - Here's Why
19th June - VIDEO - Me Knitting
28th Aug - VIDEO - Tour of My stash

Great! - I hope to see lots of people getting involved!

Apologies for the video yesturday - it seems to not have uploaded at all - I'm trying again today and will fix the Link when I can :)

Toodles XXX

New year Blog Challenge

---A very Ad-libed Video---

Basically; I'm ashamed of my very little blog posts in most months of 2011; so I'm setting myself a challenge to blog twice a week using these guidelines. it's my New Years Blog Challenge (NYBC) and anyone can take part if you like the idea. Just do exactly as I do in the video or go with my ideas)



Watch the video; I'll upload the entire list when I can and I'll start today...... later.

Video is too big to be uploaded to here; says it's going to take an hour(so I give it an hour and it still says an hour) cus it's 1.4 GB (it's HD)

So I'm uploading it to Youtube - in a new Channel on my account.
It's called The Akitombo (akitombo was taken - how the hell I do not know)

And to watch the video here's the Link - video enjoy (I'll post the list in a minute too)

OK - Youtube's giving more acurate claims - 445 minutes. that's 7 and a half hours. nice.

Toodles

Aki XXXX