For Laurence

My good friend Ayla was pregnant with her second child when I decided to have a go at a log cabin project.

Everyone told me it was easy, but I had an irrational hang-up about starting it and hating it.

I was wrong, it was a joy to knit. Lots of lovely chunky garter stitch, what's not to love?

The Knit Signal

Knitters respond to Haitian earthquake:

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2010/01/13/the_knitsignal.html

Communication is a right

A friend of a friend has a progressive illness and is now unable to speak.

The response of the NHS was to give her a laminated alphabet card, which is ludicrous on so many levels.

I am pondering some kind of fundraiser, but in the meantime, I've donated the money I would have spent on coffee this week.

Please have a look at her site

http://www.imogenmay.com/

remember me?

salad
Originally uploaded by celestine_e2

Ack, my resolution to be a better blogger never really got off the ground, eh?

I thought I'd come and post a recent photo of el bubbo, only to realise that I haven't uploaded any since mid May!

My Ravelry inbox was groaning after a month's absence, and I have a stack of unanswered emails to attend to.

So, what have I been up to?

Trying to get more exercise for starters. Walking, for the most part, I bought Walk With Me for the DS, and it's proving to be useful in spurring me on.

Cooking LOTS. We're weaning Lewis and he seems to have developed our eclectic tastes, so I'm enjoying creating interesting taste combinations for him. I'm also trying to waste less food by planning ahead, and it seems to be working.
The purse-strings need to be tightened, as I don't have a job to go back to, and my redundancy pay won't last forever.

There has been absolutely NO knitting or sewing for at least 6 weeks, which saddens me greatly. I have bought supplies for a small sewing project though, and told my mother to nag me about it if it's not done by her next visit.

Hope to see some of you at the I Knit Weekender, as baby-wrangling makes knitting group attendance quite tough (but I wouldn't swap the little monkey)

busy busy

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Originally uploaded by celestine_e2

Yeah yeah, i've not blogged since forever, but honestly, look at this face and tell me you can see why!

Lewis is now 18 weeks old and a real joy. In the interest of full disclosure, I have been quite unwell with postnatal depression, but we're getting there slowly.

There has been very little knitting going on either. I made some quicky boots for the little man, but took 4 weeks to sew them up and by the time I did they were too small.

I think I might cast on some socks, a no-brainer project for the bus could be just what I need!

No knitting so far

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Originally uploaded by celestine_e2

but we did make it out to introduce Lewis to the Foyles knitters.

Not bad for day 12, huh?

It's been, emotional

daymer bay
Originally uploaded by celestine_e2

So, 2008, your time is up.

You've given us some of the most devastating heartache, and the greatest joy.

So much loss, it's hard to comprehend, but also hope for the future. I won't ever forget the sadness of this year, but I owe to those who I have lost (and those still fighting to stay with us) to live life fully and appreciate all that I have.

This year, I taught knitting for money, participated in a high-profile exhibition, met some amazing new crafters, and revelled in the crafting community in it's many guises.

I took a long hard look at my stash, and cleared a lot of it out - letting go of past mistakes is never easy, but just because something was cheap doesn't always make it a bargain!

I made peace with the fact that I don't enjoy working with KSH (um, and forgot this in the JL sale last week, but I'm sure someone will take it off my hands) no matter how pretty and squooshy it is.

I finished the epic crochet project, which nobody thought I would do.

I had a blast.

2009 looks as if it will be equally exciting, how could it fail to be with my son due in the next couple of weeks?

Happy crafting, you inspiring (and often crazy) people xxx