Well that was frigged

I've discovered that blogher do not give promps on the weekend. much to my biwilderment when I logged on this morning for NaBloPoMo and found no prompt.

so I crused the blogs that I read on a regular basis and discovered that my friend  Désirée Fawn is doing something along the lines of this.... but the subjects you are involved in are revieled at the start. so on weekends I'll use her promps and weekdays I'll use the blogher promps. Exciting.



November 5th - 3 years ago today.

Holy crap... ok lets think. I would have just turned...18 in July.. God I feel old now. back then I didn't even have Facebook lol. I had Bebo. A terrible site that was like myspace. (was? I think bebo is still running....) I woudln't have had a boyfriend (even though a month from here I would have my heart severely broken by a bald arsehole) I'd be in my second year of doing my A-level equivalent eMedia thingy.
I've just logged back onto my bebo site lol...I wrote a load of shite. It was before this blog came into my head so you can see my creative juices trying to shine in the drawings and the little quizzes I would do. Here's one; just to get the jizt. (I'll do the questions again lol)

Can you take this without deleting any questions?

I'll try

What’s going on between you and the last person you kissed?
We're going out.

What was your worst mistake in your life?
afore mentioned bald asrehole.

What’s the last thing that made you sad?
Blogher being confusing
Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
Last night

How was today?
it's 10 oclock..... day hasn't really been yet.
Do you wear glasses?
not anymore :)

Anywhere you'd rather be right now?
hmmm I'd love to be next to Craig. but he's working

Are you going anywhere for the next summer?
nope. too darned expensive. We're saving up for the year after tho.
Are you waiting for anyone to call you?
nope
Will you call them if they don't call?
see above
Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
good old Primark
Could you go a day without eating?
I couln't now but I have done
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name starts with a K?
nope
What does the 8th message in your inbox say and who was it from?
(boring lol) it's from O2 telling me about some offer and to check my email.
What was the last thing you drank?
Milk
What is for dinner tonight?
Monday at Craigs... I think it's Spag bol.
Is anyone in love with you?
Yep! and I love him back

How has this week been?
it's Saturday. If everything goes to plan this next week will be full of shopping.
Does the last person you shared a bed with mean anything to you?
um.... I think the last person in bed with me was Lady (does that count?) lol


Are you slowly drifting away from someone?
verrrrrry slowly


Who did you see today?
Mum... and I seen Dad early this morning


Did anyone see you kiss the last person you kissed?
yes.my Mum.
Do you still talk to the person you last kissed?
Yeah, I'm seeing him tonight again
Does anyone hate you?
How the heck am I supposed to know?

Do you believe every one deserves a second chance?
Yes.
Have you ever seen your best friend(s) cry?
Yeah, nearly all of them.

Do you walk around naked?
sometimes

Ever had the opposite sex over when no one was home?
yeah. (wait: does the Dog count as a person?)


Who will you be sleep​ing with tonig​ht?​
Me. ah and probably my playstation remote, like last night.


Are you getti​ng engag​ed any time soon?​
Good Lord I'd hope so

Is anyth​ing upset​ting you right​ now?
*sniff* my weight *sniff* * eats an oreo*


Who was the last perso​n you cried​ in front​ of and when?​
Craig. Can't remember what it was about but I did cry lol


What'​s on your agend​a for tomor​row?
Work...Craig's coming to mine for dinner. and then we're watching the EMA's

Who do you not get along​ with?
lots of people

Does anyon​e know your passw​ord besid​es you?
Craig knows some.... but not all
Did you have a good day yeste​rday?​
yeah. apart from the amount of Drink in my system I'm fine


Is tomor​row gonna​ be a good day?
yeah, it's always a good Day when I know I'm gonna see Craig <3

Do you like coffe​e?​
yesh. Costa's the best.
What kind of mood are you in?
an annoyed mood
What were you doing​ at eight​ o' clock​ this morni​ng?
sleeping
Last thing​ purch​ased?
A bottle of Wine.

Would​ you ever date anyon​e your paren​ts disap​prove​d of?
na, It wouldn't be worth the deafness

Do you think​ the word love is overused?​
a little. especially in disney Channel culture
Are you onlin​e?​
yea (a small part of my brain went 'What a stupid question')

What are you weari​ng right​ now?
jeans and a random top

Have you kisse​d anyon​e on the lips withi​n the past 24 hours​
yesh. my craig

What'​re your initia​ls?
EH

---That should do for today ;)---

Toodles
Aki X

NaBloPoMo Day 4

---Day 4---

It depends. If I'm going to read something out; or if I'm writing a story for my blog then I prefer computers. However; If I am posting a letter to someone or writing a Love note to my better half (I've wrote him some... none have came back :'( darn ) then I prefer writing on Pen and paper. I also prefer drawing with my hands rather than on the computer.

(wow; that was a short blog...now I feel bad...)

---Knitting Update---
The last repeat didn't take too long. I'm now onto turning the heel on the Faroe socks. They've (the designer) done it in a weird way... so I'm having to look at the pattern every 10 seconds to make sure I'm doing it right. So far plenty of swearing and not much of the heel done lol.

Til tomorrow when I get to blog again; this time from my phone. (I'm preparing for the worst and will be probably doing blog recovery on Monday lol.

Toodles
Aki XXX

Day 3 NaBloPoMo

---Day 3 (November 3rd 2011)---

Music? no; I can't listen to music while I write. or I end up thinking of something completely different than what I was going to write. or I end up writing the words instead of my next idea.

I can listen to music while Driving, Shopping and while knitting (as long as it's not Lace) but I do prefer Podcasts to actual music. I am subscribed to 30 podcasts currently and I listen to new ones when they come out. This does sometimes mean that people stare at me on the bus when I laugh at something that Kristin from Knit happens says. Then I'm the strange LAUGHING knitting lady on the bus instead of just the strange lady who's knitting on the bus..

I don't discover new music that often becasue most of the time I don't like radio. they always seem to repeat the songs that I listen to on my Ipod anyway.

So in short: no

---Knitting update---
My other half is sick. This means that I get to care for the sick at night and knit during the day while he's at work. thanks to that and 3 long bus journeys in 2 weeks (and another next week) I am onto my last pattern repeat on the 1st of my Faroe socks for my Future sister in Law. is it going to be a Fair-isle knee high sock in two weeks? I think it might. if so; I'm making these bad boys again for myself in brown.

Toodles Blog again tomorrow :)

Aki X

NaBloPoMo Day 2

Day 2 (November 2nd 2011)

Good lord. That's a hard one. A part of me wouldn't care what I ate; as long as my family, Friends and especially Craig were around me. (As you're saying last meal I'm picturing myself dying rather than being killed lol).
Another part of me would want a big bowl of Chicken stroganaoff or Chicken Chassuer. Along with Douphinore potatoes & a large bottle of Rose wine. Then a massive slice of chocolate cake with Cookie Dough Ice cream for afters... Calories are not an issue when you're dying.

I'd also like the Rose wine to be laced with the antidote to whatever I'm dying off- or is that cheating lol.

Toodles - blog tomorrow too
Aki X

NaBloPoMo

(lol the title looks tike I sneezed and hit the keyboard)

---NaBloPoMo---
(or National Blog Post Month)

I'm taking on a challenge: to blog once a day for an entire month; this is all set out in BlogHer's website (google it)
So I'll be starting on it today. The posts don't have to be long; they just have to be a post. There are prompts everyday so I will be following those, unless I have something else to write about. This is my first time doing this (even though it's been running for awhile so Here goes.

I enjoy writing normally; I have a perminant notebook in my handbag that I write in whenever I get an idea. I've had to replace that notebook twice this year... once because I spilled coffee on it mid March and another time because it was full of ideas. The current book is close to finishing. These ideas rarely make it to the blog and are instead imortalizsed on a shelf I have at home. The pages are mostly full of drawings or if I have a craft show table layouts or diplay ideas.
A few pages are ideas for short stories and I used one of these in the craft blog for a week thingy I done in April.
The last few pages I've done in this book is about a jacket which I want to knit myself. it's based off a carigan which I seen in a very expensive Shop:

Tommy Hilfiger.

The cardigan is gorgeous in itself... but I'm sorry I am not prepared to pay £180 for a cardigan that I could make myself (for all my american readers that's around of $280)
I am alos sorry that I won't fit into any of those cardigans. a size UK14 is their XL? (US- I think that's a 12; not sure) I'm sorry; I have quite a big set of both Boobs and Arse. the last time I fit into a 14: I was 14. i am now a 21 yr old and bordering on a 18-20. I dont see myself loosing a tonne of weight just so I can fit into an overpriced cardigan thanks.

This was also a machine knit. Badly macine knitas it was puckering in a teardrop shape on the sleeves. Which got me. £180 a pop and you can't even employ a knitter to give you advice? nice work

So my version of this cardigan will be knit as follows:
Still in the Red background and still  ribbed in the same places. still fair-isle patterned in Black and cream but in more complicated shapes than they have here. There will aso be no bank area around the hips. £180? I cam comfortably make this in £50 and still have Yarn left over for a matching hat and cowl.

I'm fully commited to doing this now, but I will start it probaby after christmas; when the mountain of things that I want to get finished are actually finished (hopefully)

---Byes---
That's me; talk to everyone tomorrow; don't know what it is going to be about; as this website doesn't let you see what tomorrow's promp is for example. I think that's better for me. Keeps me on my toes.

Toodles
Aki XXX

New Arrivals

---Books---

I don't often talk about books on this blog... I actually never really talk about books as a general rule. Mostly because I'd say 'I really like that book' and people would suggest another Author or another book. Or they'd say ' oh she writes like Whatsherface' and I'd give them a blank stare. I don't know the names of many authors...I know book titles more than authors.
Unless it's knitting books. I for some reason pick up their names much more readily and often... speaking of knitting booksGuess what arrived in the post by private courier today???

I'll give you a clue: it's the latest book by my favourite knitter. I already have 2 of her books and this new one makes 3....

That's right; it's All wound up by Yarn Harlot (Stephanie McPhee) and I'm so excited to get it. It arrived today from America on pre-order. (I had this baby pre-ordered from August)

It's the 3rd book of hers that I have, I also have 'Yarn Harlot' and 'Free Range Knitter'. I'm working on aquiring all the other books that she's had a hand in and a few which are just my personal wants. I think my next treat for myself will be 'Things I learned from knitting...wiether I wanted to or not' by Yarn Harlot.

I do of course still get my monthly edition of 'the Kniiter' and seem to cast on everything in it for someone or other. and I do frequent my wishlist on Amazon sometimes to see if anyone's offering a copy at an absurd price (it has never happened; but I live in hope)

---GB---

There used to be a story here. not anymore. Such is life.,

Toodles

 

Aki XXX

knit and stitiching show

---Hellos---

Hellos to everyone; I've got lots of stuff to show and tell and quite a few little anecdotes to get through. So without any further ado lets get started.

---The (expensive) show must go on---

This Friday(the 14th if ur counting) a very tired Craig and a very excited me made our way to the kings Hall in Belfast. It was for the Christmas version of The Crative Stitch and Crafts show that was hosted there in April/May of this year.

I didn't get to go to the summer version because of work; which made me want to visit this time even more!

I meet Craig in town and I get in his car (driving in Belfast is scary: so I let him do it) and he says 'I hope you know how to get to this place' ..... No... I don't. 'then we're lost already'

A few inquiries into my phone and what seemed like endless driving around; pointing at signs later we spot a big yellow sign telling us that the Creative Craft Show is up ahead and then in small letters it says (king's Hall). I squeak when I see it and Craig keeps driving. we pull up infront of the....very run down hall (seriously) and pay an terrible amount for parking. (£4 if you're gonna ask) and get into the hall. we pay £8 each at the door (total: £20 already and I havn't even started buying) and I buy Craig his Lunch (im not factoring in that cost... as I would have done that anyway)

We start off around the stalls. The first stall I come to is a Yarn stall. theres a bin right at the front of their stall with '50p a ball' painted on it (classy) right on top are 4 balls of Stylecraft Rustic (<--)



I've never knit with this Yarn but I like the colours. when it's in my hands it feels like it needs a good wash. I bought all 4 balls for £2 and looked again at the bin. It was filled with fun-fur and eyelash yarn.Things that I know I would never knit with. so I moved on.

The rest of the show was passed with not much interest.I made a few purchaces that I'm proud of but every store seemed to be more filled with Cardmaking and decopadge than anything. and I know I used to make cards and that I still do scrapbook on occasion but the papers didn't interest me. My cardmaking hobby died when Papermill in Junction 1 closed down (as my scrapbooking hobby will probably do; only to resurect when I have children)

The Yarn however did interest me. I think I'll always be a knitter at heart; even if for some reason Selections do close I would get my Yarn online or make some bargaining ploy with the owners (that I know quite well - when you knit as much as me from the same store..... you get known) by screaming something along the lines of 'I'll take over the store!!!' (which: btw; has taken over my jewellery shop idea...thats scary)

I bought 1 ball of a hand-spun Yarn. it's called intertwined and is a lovely pea-green colour. it's a knobbly texture and I have plans for a Hat for it (probaly a fair-isle one, cus ther'e not enough for an all over)
From the last stall in the Hall; right at the back beside the cafe I got 2 balls of Passion in the 'under the sea' colourway. and when I was leaving the hall the 50p bin called to me again and I got 2 balls of Sidar Snuggly for £1.

---Other things that interested me---
   1. Material & Beading

Since I have brought my sewing machine out of hiding I have just kept wanting to made things on it. I bought 2 Fat Quaters and a half matre of materials. the three togehter don't go but I have more material at home that it will go with.

The beads are for myself. For 2 separate necklaces that won't feature on my christmas stall. (more on that later) I'll show you them but they are either for me or for presents for people. :)


2. Buttons

I purchaced quite a few buttons on my travels. 3 big buttons that are reserved for Christmas gifts, green flower buttons and best of all: little wooden christmas tree buttons. I'm not quite sure what to do with these yet; I bought them because I liked them and I knew I'd regret not buying them in the future.

I was also temped by little snowmen buttons but I reasoned wit myself that I'd never know what to do with them...
All in all the day; including dinner after the show the Day cost me a little over £100. And if I had spent that kind of money online I would have came out with alot more. Which is probably why I won't be making that trip again anytime soon. Especially since I'm saving for so much... holidays, christmas presents... everything.

That plus I have about 10 secret projects going all at the same time.... my fingers are ragged from all the knitting for Christmas and the sewing machine is going to get a good go on it sometime just after Halloween, again for a secret project.

That's all from the Belfast  Stitch and craft show... except... well... I caught this picture on the way out. (<===)

Uhoh. I didnt know there was a spinner so close to me... She was sitting spinning away on her wheel and there was a chair right next to her.I resisted the urge to go sit beside her,

1. I think Craig would have a heart attack if I started to take a lesson about something I've never tried befor
2. The thought of a spinning wheel in my house ontop of a sewing machine, endless Yarn and material would probably set my mum's face in perminant displeasure.
3. It would make the whole ' open a yarn shop' idea that much more real. there's a couple of things wrong with it. The big one being the lack of money to get the business off the ground.

In short; it's not possible yet.... but give me 10/15 years and we'll see.

---cherrio---
That's pretty much it people; I'll talk to ya again soon :)

Much luv
Aki XXX

im sick

I'm sick!!!!! too weak to even lift my arms to knit!!!! not a happy bunny

Brigader Knitting class

Brigader Knitting Class(11th October – 8th November)


What you need to bring:

-----Yarn-----

What? - You need DK weight (acrylic is fine) and the colour is up to you (if you plan to make the bear; do not buy white as it is associated with death in some countries) 1 Ball should do.

Where? - Selections in Carrick is a good starting point but if you are in Belfast before then: the Haberdashery shop in the INShops sells DK weight for £1 a ball. (as me for directions if you’re not sure)

-----Needles-----

What? - You will need size 4mm needles.

Don't worry I'll provide these :)

-----Project-----

(as is what you’d be making)

You will have quite a few choices, of project that I will bring along. (these include the Angelbear, a couple of pairs of wristers, my own Bunny pattern and A secret project that I have going for March/April
Anything else?

I will give you the option of taking your knitting home with you as long as you remember to bring it back the following week. (especially the week we’re off over Half Term, that’s good knitting time) I will of course be in GB should you have any problems and also on Facebook for all those times at home (add me; I won’t bite - Ellisa Haddock). I will also put up some videos/ words of wisdom up on my blog (http://akitombo.blogspot.com)


Thanks XX From Ellisa (Aki)

For my Brigader Knitting class

I realize I won't always be on Facebook/ at GB/ sitting right beside you so I've devised some of the questions that I think most of you will need help with.

Q: I've forgot how to (insert technique here)

Some Videos -

How to knit (ignore Cast on)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw-nUvGrBY&feature=related

(above video also includes Casting off/ Binding off)

Casting on - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PdY-JW-XWo&feature=relmfu

Purl - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAMD_XpybQY

Q: I've lost the pattern!

Angelbear: (Tangy) http://www.angelbear.org.uk/onepiecepattern.html

Garter Stitch Wristers:  (Pie)   Cast on 26sts(S) or 30sts(L) you are kniting evey row until the piece measures 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) then Cast off and sew the two long sides together leaving room for thumbs about 2 inches from the top.

Ribbed Stockin' Wristers with bracelets: (Pie)  Cast on 26 sts (S) or 30sts (L).

work 2x2 ribbing (knit 2 sts, Purl 2 stitches til end) for 1-2 inches (remember to reverse when turning, so if you ended on a purl, you start with a Knit)

*Knit a row, Purl a row

(when you want to put in a 'bracelet' work a Purl row as a knit row(so you'd Knit 3 rows at a time, the middle one being the bracelet) and continue as normal)

*repeat till piece measures 21.5 cm then work more ribbing about half an inch from the top

Cast off. Sew down the two long sides leaving room for thumb about 2 inches from the top

Bunny (Tangy)

Kfb (knit into front and then back)

An increase worked as follows:


1. Knit the next st through the front loop, but do not remove the st from your left hand needle.


2. Knit the same st once more, this time inserting your needle through the back loop of the st. You will have created 2 loops (sts) on your right hand needle.
 
Decrease: K2Tog  (Knit two together.)
Instead of putting right hand needle through the front of one stitch put it through the front of both stitches to join them into one and knit it as normal.
 
BODY

Beginning at top of head, cast on 6 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (Increase row): Kfb in each st across - 12 sts at the end of this row.
Rows 3 and 5: Purl.
Row 4 (Increase row): Kfb in each st across - 24 sts at the end of this row.
Row 6 (Increase row): *K1, Kfb in next st; rep from * across - 36 sts.
Rows 7-23: Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS), without changing the st count.

Row 24 (Decrease row): (K2tog) across - 18 sts at the end of this row.
This decrease row is the Bunny's neck.

Row 25: Purl.
Shape Body
Row 26: Kfb in each st across - 36 sts at the end of this row.
Rows 27-55: Work in St st as established until Bunny is wanted length.

Bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.
EARS (make 2)
Cast on 6 sts.

Row 1: Knit.
Row 2 (Increase row): Kfb in each st across - 12 sts at the end of this row.
Rows 3-29: Work in Garter st (k every row).
Row 30 (Decrease row): K2tog, k8, k2tog - 10 sts at the end of this row.
Row 31: Knit.
Row 32 (Decrease row): K2tog, k6, k2tog - 8 sts.
Row 33: Knit.
Row 34 (Decrease row): K2tog, k4, k2tog - 6 sts.
Row 35: Knit.
Row 36 (Decrease row): K2tog, k2, k2tog - 4 sts.
Row 37: Knit.
Row 38 (Decrease row): (K2tog) twice - 2 sts.
Row 39: Knit.
Row 40: K2tog.

Do not bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw tail through remaining st and knot securely.
LEGS (make 4)

Cast on 12 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2: Knit.
Rows 3-19: Continue in St st as established.
Row 20 (Decrease row): (K2tog) across - 6 sts at the end of this row.

Do not bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw tail through remaining 6 sts, (a needle might help)pull tog tightly and knot securely.
FINISHING
Seam Head/Body to make a tube, stuffing lightly before sewing closed
With medium brown yarn, embroider straight st eyes and nose. With white yarn, embroider straight st whiskers. Fold cast on edge of Ears and sew to Head. Seam Legs, stuff lightly before sewing closed.
Sew Legs to Body. (I'll give you a pom-pom for the tail when you're finished)
Weave in ends using a needle.

Q: What's with your hardness gauge? Spicy? what's that?
Rather than just using Easy,Medium and Hard I wanted bits inbetween and with thoughts of having a pattern being extra Medium in my head I came up with my hard system.

Order in order of Hardness)

1.Pie (as easy as pie....duh. good for beginners)
2.Tangy (harder than easy but still do-able to a person with skills. May leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, nice challenge none the less)
3.Porcelain (hard but easily broken. With the right understanding you will crack this)
4.Spicy (like a madras Curry. Some can take it; others can't)
5 Hardboiled (expect steam, toughness but at the end a lovely luscious project)
6.Extraspicy(Have the swear jar beside you for a while)

Q: I've finished :)..... now what?

You can start another project, try going up a hardness level or even try searching the web yourself for patterns. (here's a few links to help you)

https://www.ravelry.com/account/login (this is like Facebook for knitters)
http://www.lionbrand.com/ (you have to sign up but it has loads of easy patterns :)

Anything else you'll just have to wait till I answer you're facebook comment or I see your problem at GB that Tuesday. :)