ps

apologies for the layout of the blog, it's gone awry on me again!!

Happy Birthday Darling ..............

Hi everyone
It's my husband's 50th birthday today, and he would be highly embarrassed if he knew I was typing this. We are going out for a meal with the family tonight, looking forward to that. Part of his present was tickets to see Bruce Springsteen, which he loved. I have also bought him a 'companion set' for the garden as he loves to read outdoors in the summer, I hope the weather bucks up for him so he can enjoy it.

I would like to introduce my new scumble started today called Orange Sorbet,










Distant closer ....a little closer still
this is probably the
nearest shade to the
true colour!!

Its made from Jaeger Matchmaker 4ply which of course I got in a sale at the weekend. Should have been £2.50 per 50gm. I got it for £1 per 50gm. I love the colour I have been looking for that shade for ages, so I am best pleased!! I think any good quality 4ply would work well! I am using a 3mm hook. Tried to use 2.5mm but it wasn't right, you couldn't see the stitches too well.

Got to get ready to go out now.
Catch you all soon
love Cathy x

FREE KNITTING PATTERN make DAZZLE for summer!!

Free DAZZLE knitting pattern! A very easy, quick to knit, little number, to use for balmy summer evenings, to go with that pretty dress and strappy shoes!! (The photos do not do it justice - it really catches the light and is very sparkly).


Ingredients:
1 x 50gm Stylecraft Eskimo Icicle in Polar
1 x 100gm Patons DK cotton in white
Pair of 3.75mm needles
Pair of 3.25 DPN's for I cord

Tension: not critical keep work even throughout.

Method:
Front and back make two alike.
With icicle and 3.75mm needles cast on 40sts. Work 5" (12.5cm) in garter stitch, break off icicle.
Join in cotton for top edge and work in moss stitch (k1,p1 to end of row, on the next row p1, k1 to end of row, these two rows form pattern) for 4 rows cast off in pattern.

Base
Using 3.75mm needles and cotton yarn used double cast on 40sts, work in 1 x 1 rib, for 12 rows. Cast off (bind off).

Handle
With 2, 3.25 dpns cast on 3sts and work an I cord for 13" cast off (bind off)

To make up
Join the base to the front and back panels like this: With right sides tog join long end of base to front/back panel with back stitch.
Joining sides: With right sides of work tog join in back stitch from the moss st top for
4.5" (11.5cm). Push the remaining unstitched edge against the side of the base. (This forms a T shape. Back stitch the remaining seam. Repeat for other side.
Stitch handle to each side of bag.
Using a length of cotton doubled, thread a needle and work a row of running stitches evenly along the moss st top of the bag. Tie with a bow.

To complete get your gladrags on and party!!!








Hope you like this one, catch u all soon,
Keep tweaking,
love Cathy x

Shrug it off!!!

Hi fellow tweakers,

Well, as previously more or less predicted the Bon Jovi tickets did not turn up. I am at the moment trying to get a refund. The gig was on Sunday and I am so angry and disappointed! However, it's past now and a valuable lesson on ticket booking is learned!!

I have been quite creative in the last few days, see!!!

My first amigurumi project in progress! Not finished yet. As Rolf Harris would say 'Can you guess what it i s yet?' It's fun and quick to do!







I have also made my own shrug design - voila!!












Well it started off as a shrug and just got longer!!


This was made in Anny Blatt, Cashemir Anny, 85% wool 15%cashmere, and it is GORGEOUS to work with. Will provide more detail soon. Got to go to work. Such is life.

Catch u soon, Cathy x

Take 5 ....

I have been designing and preparing the secret mission. I now have a few days 'free', (well apart from going to work that is!). So what did I do? Had a look at my yarn stash, patterns, knitting and crochet mags, and half finished projects - AND PANICKED!!!

Thinking to myself, 'This isn't done, this isn't finished. I want to use this, do this, make this, I've had this yarn for ages etc. ' Then I thought SO WHAT!! Get a grip woman!!! So unless I have been 'contracted' to make something, (which is always of my own choice anyway)! I will do what I want!! When I want, with what I want!! Na na na na na ...

As I crafter I do get panicky at times, trying to achieve impossible targets, forgetting the pitfalls that can occur in life, your time may be used up doing other things etc. Last week I had an ear and sinus infection all I did was work and sleep, it was all I could do at the time! We have relationships, we have families we have a life!

The 'magic calming fairy' has put a key in my back and slowly started to unwind me .... Knitting and crochet should be pleasure, passion, creative expression, love not PRESSURE!

So the cardigan in my last blog will not be finished right now, I am not in the right frame of mind to do it, but I will finish it sometime!

Has anyone else ever felt the same, please let me know I am not alone in this!














Sermon over for today tweakers, peace love and tranquility to all
take care,
lots of love,
Cathy x

Born in the USA ... played at Old Trafford

Well I have to say I haven't got much to report on the crafting front, well I have, but I cant reveal anything!! I have been working on projects - and if I tell you I will have to kill you!! Ha ha!! They are new designs and all will be revealed eventually!!

On the social front I went to see THE BOSS on the 28th May at Old Trafford. Being at a footy stadium does nothing for me as it is the wrong shaped ball that is played with!!

However the man is AWESOME!! The E Street band are fantastic too!! It was encouraging to see that there were a lot of mature people at the gig!!!

I would go to see him again, no problem!! I took my hubby as it is a special birthday for him this month!! He is the real deal when it comes to fans of Springsteen!! I didn't know some of his songs but I am learning fast now!!!
We were very lucky to get any tickets. I had booked and paid for Gold tickets last year. The company I booked with have since gone into liquidation. We ended up with ordinary tickets, but at least we got there!!


The worrying thing is I have booked tickets to see the other boys from New Jersey (Bon Jovi) later this month with the same company, and I won't know until a few days before the gig if I will receive any tickets or not!!! Its just not fair!!

Just have to hope for the best!!! Well done Bruce a superb night!!


Keep on needle tweaking and I will continue my secret mission. Daniel Craig eat your heart out.

lots of love Cathy x