Decluttering

Hope you all had a great Christmas.  We did and I managed to cook a turkey and no one got ill from eating it!

Anyway with the influx of new toys and general chaos around the house I have started thinking about a major declutter. 

I haven't done much selling on Ebay since last summer but I think its time to get some things listed.  Our house feels full.  So my main aims:

• Ebay - little L's hardly worn old clothes and toys.  Some of my clothes, bags and shoes.
• Music Magpie - going to give this a try.  I think I could get rid of lots of CDs and DVDs without P even noticing Ha ha
• Freecycle - Be a bit more ruthless, maybe 2 or 3 attempts on Ebay then Freecycle or charity shop
• Wool - arghh must use up or give away some of my stash
• Fabric - ditto I seem to have tons of the stuff everywhere, half of it I don't even like much.  
• Work stuff - having spent most of the last 10 years or more studying and working in research I have a lot of papers, files, books etc.  Not sure what to do with it.  Even if I get back to all that one day when Little L is at school I probably wouldn't need it anyway. 

This list is making me feel ill.  Maybe just put the stuff in the loft/garage ... loft better because you can't see it! 

Bye for now x

Happy Christmas

I will be taking a break from blogland for a few days but wanted to wish you all a Happy Christmas. 

And please spare a thought or even better a few pounds for those less fortunate over the festive period x

 

http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki

 

Knitted Humpty Dumpty

After a really busy morning of general jobs, making mince pies and a visit from our friendly builder who kindly went on the roof for me to remove our chimney cowl I managed to just make it to Knit and Natter this afternoon.

The lovely ladies are always very pleased to see Little L.  And she is usually very well behaved as we knit she plays with toys, looks at books and is a little charmer.  And today she came away with two Christmas presents, one which is a surprise for under the tree and the other is a beautiful knitted Humpty Dumpty.

 

 

 

The lady who knitted humpty is such a fast and skilled knitter.  She has really made some lovely things. 

So a big thank you to her I love my Humpty Dumpty er I mean little L does!

Happy 1 Year House Anniversary

It is one year today since we moved into our house (we moved over two days but slept in it for the first time on the 21st).  Where did the year go?  Our first year in this house and in a new area has been full of ups and downs. 

• Relief and happiness to have finally got our old house sold  (after 18 mths) and be living in a different area a mere 25 miles from home and family. 
• And the year, well last 18 months, has been full of constant worry about P losing his job.  So yes a mixed year and the job/recession situation seems to be worsening in his line of work so not sure what the New Year will bring. 

I don't really like to mention money etc on my blog because it is too depressing and I know we are very very lucky to be healthy and happy and have a beautiful daughter.

 

So we have achieved a lot in our first year with little money or time.  In no particular order we have:

• Taken cupboards and units out of garage and shelved two walls, painted and put up a sheila maid.
• Installed new consumer unit and started rewiring upstairs (Thanks Mick)
• Decorated office (first and maybe last time I will ever do wallpapering)
• Decorated Little L's bedroom  
• Decorated bathroom
• Insulated the loft
• Shelved out the airing cupboard
• Decorated the front room
• Put wood burning stove in front room (Big thanks to Mum and Dad)
• Drained part of the back garden
• Major pruning of some trees (lots more to do)

All this done with the help? of a toddler. 

 

Next year we want to do a lot outside like re-flagging, sorting drainage issues, chopping down leylandii, plus inside hopefully fixing rotten floor in kitchen, more rewiring, maybe tackle the red!!! kitchen, green!! hallway .... that's plenty to think about for now.  Tonight we will certainly be having a glass of something nice and a mince pie to celebrate (I have only eaten about a dozen this week so far).
 

Hope you are all having a good week and are ready for Christmas

Mini Christmas Sock

After an early start (P has been getting up at 5am for the last week or so for work and so this morning I just got up too as I never manage to get back to sleep until about 15 mins before I have to get up) me and little L were going for a walk down the canal. But despite what the forecast said today it has rained none stop !!!

 

I decided to do a bit of crafting this afternoon (it was either that or cleaning up).  So I have a Christmas sock from when I was little that my mum made (it even still has my name on it). 

 

 

Little L has a Christmas sock which my Mum made her last year.

   

So I thought I could make a little sock to hang up,   I was going to knit one but thought felt would be much quicker.  I haven't used my sewing machine or done any sewing for a few months and it didn't quite go to plan.

I didn't flip my stencil over so I had two identical pieces .......... dohhh.

Anyway in the end despite contending with some very busy fingers trying to press the buttons on my sewing machine it looks quite good.

 

Must go as baby is still not asleep.  Hope to pop back soon x 

Knitting progress

Hope you are all managing to keep warm!  It is pretty chilly here and has been all week.  But at least it is nice and warm in the front room.  I did feel a bit guilty putting Little L to bed as it's cold up there but she has lots of blankets, a sleeping bag, sleepsuit and a cardigan so she will be fine.  Wish I could go to bed with all that on.

 

Knitting wise progress has been slow.  The last couple of weeks have been busy with time visiting family, days out, a few birthdays and just normal life.  But the thought of going to knit and natter tomorrow made me speed up a bit. 

On Tuesday the postie delivered not one but two lovely parcels from Hong Kong yes my round needles had arrived.  Very impressed it only took two weeks for postage and they were a bargain.

So I couldn't resist casting on the Gap tastic Cowl (or towel as I call it) from Ravelry. 

 

 

I got the wool (silver grey chunky)at the knit and stitch show two weeks ago and with the weather I am definitely in need of a scarf (at the rate I knit it should be finished by spring!).  I am still going with the Provence Baby Cardigan. 

 

The lace leaves pattern was a bit tricky and I had to pull it back a couple of times but I mastered it so I am nearly finished.  I just have another front to do and the button bands.  Nothing else crafty at the moment, I can't face getting my sewing machine out as it is too cold in the dining room..... but at weekend I may be making a little Lamb costume for a certain somebody who might be in a Nativity next week ( not sure if there is room in the cast for another sheep!!). 

 

Anyway a bit more knitting whilst watching Kirstie on TV ......... Rock n roll

Bye for now