Wonderwool Wales 2010

I'm moping. I have just received the booking forms for Wonderwool Wales 2010. I had a great time there the last 2 years and was really looking forward to going again. However there is now a requirement to provide Public Liability Insurance which I can see is going to be a problem.

To get insurance in the UK I would need to be registered at a UK address. Getting insurance in France requires me to be trading in France which I don't do (and have no desire to - the bureaucracy is unbelievable - and expensive). Sigh.

I wish the event would just organise some insurance for everyone and charge us accordingly. Or that is was possible to get insurance just for a one off event.

I'm at a loss. Any ideas?

It's my Birthday

and I had a wonderful parcel from Jen (Squibstitcher on Ravelry) the genius behind Fresh From the Cauldron.

Trying to get on Track

Wow I hadn't realised that I hadn't blogged at all this year! Too much has happened to talk about so I will stick to the main event. - My son's wedding in January. It was a lovely low key affair and I had the opportunity to catch up with lots of old friends. The cake decoration says it all though.

Which Twilight Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Everything comes to those who wait...

I've been tagged by Sue - this is the deal:

To participate you

Link to the person who tagged you.
List seven facts about yourself.
Post the rules on your blog.
Tag seven more people to do the same and link to them.
Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
Let the tagger know when your entry has been posted.

So 7 facts about myself? I will try and make this interesting and list things I am happy about.

1. I have walked on fire - and it was awesome.

2. I haven't lived in a house for over 5 years (for the last 6 years we have lived in yurts).

3. I hate alcohol, tobacco and coffee but I have picked coffee in Nicaragua for the Sandinista revolution.

4. I have a degree in Maths and a certificate from the Faculty of Astrological Studies.

5. I nearly lost my teaching job because of my criminal record for peace protesting.

6. I never wear a watch (I am frequently late for things).

7. My only child is getting married in January which makes me inordinately happy because it is so RIGHT and he and his partner deserve a happy life.

OK then 7 peeps to pass this on to?

My friend Rachel at her restaurant down the road aupapillon

My fellow spinner Diane with her local flock of Ouessant sheep at The Spinning Shepherd

The incredible designer and blogger Sylv at Chez Plum

The talented Emma (who has a new Etsy shop) at Y Lloeren

The wonderfully warm and generous Ambermoggie.

Fellow ex-pat in France Carolyn at Kids and Knits

And last but not least the incomprable Lorena at Snarkland


So, I have been knitting - mainly socks - we need them!



These are in Opal Rainforest 6 ply (I really like the thickness of this yarn) in colour Chameleon.

I have also benn making some in Merino/ Bamboo that I died . This colour is based on the TrueBlood/ Southern Vampire character Bill.



I have the same colourway in superwash and merino/tencel going into my Etsy shop soon.



And some test crochetting I did for Sylv, her lovely granny square mitts. They are very quick to make too for those last minute gifts.



There is lots more knitting but no pictures at the moment so I hope to be a better blogger in future.

Too much time on Ravelry, not enough blogging

Well no point in apologising so on to the F.O.'s . First off the Woodland Shawl using one skein of Schoeller + Stahl Fortissima Colori Socka Color.







And socks of course:



I have been back to the UK recently to visit my mother. She lives in a residential hme close to my brother, so I was able to stay with him and spend time with my nephew. Although I was glad to be with her it was distressing when she seemed to lose touch with reality. I could cope with her talking about her guardian angel as if it was an actual physical reality but when she refused her medication because she was sure the staff were trying to keep her prisoner it was harder. I hate to think of her feeling isolated and persecuted.

I have been doing a lot of dyeing recently, I have a fair (the first Christmas fair of 2008) on Sunday. Many of the colours are inspired form the Ravelry group Knit One Dead Too where I have been spending a lot of time. It is a discussion group for the new TV show True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse books of Charlaine Harris so the colours are vampire based. Starting with blood red:



Alpaca/silk/cashmere laceweight



Merino/Tencel sock weight



bfl/nylon sockweight

I'm listing them on my Etsy shop now.

Ribbit, ribbit, rip it, rip it.

A garden resident.

In an effort to reduce my UFO's I have been frogging. I have them down to 21 and want to get into single figures by the end of October. Then maybe I can start new projects with a clear conscience.