July 26, 2006

still creating, pictures soon

Still shawl making and promise soon as I get back from camp this weekend will upload pictures. I've done fire, water, earth, spirit and working on air as we speak. Also made a few tiny amulet bags as per Carries instructions. Love these they are so cute:)
Have sent off my second SP parcel and my one skein ones, hope they like them. Not sure first one to my SP actually got there yet:(
Going to camp on Friday til Monday and really looking forward to it. A group of like minded people coming together to celebrate Lammas. Always love going there, the atmosphere is excellent

July 22, 2006

SP questions:)

1. What is your favorite season of the year and why?Autumn I love the colours and the smells of Autumn
2. Summer is hot. What do you knit in the summer?Whatever I feel like doesn't matter what season
3. If money was no object.....what would you buy at the LYS?Complete set of Addis all sizes / lengths and Socks that rock yarn OR Some of every yarn at Colinette except silkychic or should that be sh*t ?

4. What are some activities that have become family traditions for your family?Parties to celebrate the wheel of the year for all ages, including lots of silly games and lots of talk
5. What is the weather right now? Very hot and its 7pm

July 19, 2006

Hot and getting hotter, could it be the fire shawl?

Well its very hot and getting hotter according tow eather reports. Yesterday was 82 and today topped 98 here in Scotland. Yes the very same Scotland land of mists and midges. Way too hot to do anything much but I tried:)
Yesterday we took a trip to Moniaive and Drumlargan Castle home of the Buccleuch? family. That was to see the bike museum they have there. But what a wonderful day it turned into. Having the windows open on the car meant a great breeze whilst driving. Much prefer to aircon, far more natural and more important uses much less fuel in the process. The drive from our home to firstly Moniaive and then the castle was fantastic. Imagine if you will dear readers driving across moorlands seeing mountains, fields and views that went on forever. Then imagine if you will that as you turned a corner before reaching Moniaive that just in front of you should be a roe deer stag, and that he waited til you were almost to him and stopped, looked at you then proceeded ever so slowly to the side of the road and into the scrub. We stopped and looked for him, with camera at the ready. No signs but we were very patient and a couple of minutes later he started to amble down the hillside and through the stream at the bottom of this wee hillside. Very clear and ideal for photographing, indeed one could almost say he was offering a photo opportunity to us. And what happened? Whilst waiting the darned digital camera had turned itself off so when Mr Mog went to snap our willing subject he had to wait for the thing to turn on. Consequently just a very clear photo of a roe deers behind:))
Never mind it set us off again in high spirits with me searching all around for more deer, not greedy or anything. We didn't see more but we saw eagles, red kites and buzzards, so plenty of nature as we drove. Then Moniaive, you must visit Moniaive if ever you get to this neck of the woods. There is a fantastic cafe called the green tea house and the menu is incredible. Wide choice and all home made. Mr Mog had tomato and basil soup with home made roll, could have eaten it with a fork it was so thick and every mouthful a flavour burst. I had cheese and onion toastie on granary with a mixed salad. The salad was full of rice, lentils, veg by the billion and flavour to match. The toastie divine and so much I barely finished it. Me who can eat for Europe when the food calls:) Mr Mog had tea with lemon large cup and I had home made lemonade. Total for all this £7.75. Great place, lovely people good food what more can you ask? Moniaive is a lovely village? town? windy streets and most property single storey. River in the middle with a bridge that has an area for pedestrians so you can stand and watch the fish without fear of accident. We saw loads of baby brown trout enjoying the sun.
Then on to the bike museum, even more mountains and hills to see and the castle drive was stunning. Main drive up was a straight avenue banded by mature trees with the view of the castle at the end. We didn't go in as we had previously decided to just go the museum this time but I will go back for sure. The range of bikes was great everything from a replica of the first prototype through penny farthings to latest bikes. A cyclists heaven and I enjoyed also even though I no longer cycle. Some interesting craft shops also to go round.
Then off home with a lot of good memories and sights stored up to interpret in my art.
I came home and finished the fire shawl, its very warm, very fiery. Well this weather it would have to be wouldn't it? Pictures in a couple of days soon as I block it and fringe.
Down to lancashire tomorrow to see family and friends then home. The elastic pulls me back here if I go farther than the shops.

July 15, 2006

Worst and most favourite yarns?


I sat for over 2 hours today with Mr Mog trying to wind Colinette Silky Chic yarn into a ball. Gave up after said time with 4 tiny balls and a tangled mess. Photo at left. This is going to Colinette Monday to see how they wind it. Its not the cheapest yarn, it has a wonderful effect mixed with mohair in shawls but its a b***ger to wind. I've had a fair bit of silky chic over past few months and eventually managed to make into balls, but this one beat me. I won't be buying any more.
And yet-
my most favourite yarn is colinette also, Colinette Mohair. I love the colours, I love the feel of the yarn as I knit and I love the finished effect.
Ah well, I'm off to start a fire shawl in Colinette mohair and the little silky chic I have. Photos in a couple of days when its finished. Weather here is red hot and I think a cool drink and a seat in the gazebo overlooking the forest and castle is just the ticket:))
And Michelle? I'd love some koolaid thanks and would gladly trade for something Scottish??
email amberdotmoggie atglenkensbbdotcodotuk for addy etc and thank you again:)

July 14, 2006

Wanted koolaid please will trade yarn

Desperately looking for some koolaid to try dyeing if any one has any spare ones? Will trade angora as per previous post or an elemental figure you name the element. These are all one of a kind and can be seen on my picturetrail account.

July 08, 2006

Misty, rainy evening in Scotland

Looking out from my craft room window I see the meadow and trees in misty rain. The colours diffused by the rain and showing the soft shades I love. The shades that always call me on any yarn chart. Heather, moss, earth, woodland. All evocative of this place at this time. I'm finishing off hats and a bag prior to felting them. I'll hopefully have pictures in a couple of days. The old faithful Noro Kureyon mainly with a little colinette chrysalis I think? thrown in. The yarns for the earth throw or shawl are gathering apace. I have a basket with them in and occasionally add or take away one as I pass. Its gestation time , a time to find the right colours for this longer term project. No rush, no fuss. Just a ball or skein here and there. The colours look great, just like the view now.
Scotland is lovely, the pace of life much slower and more relaxed. I don't seem to have the same urgency to go out, do something, anything. Currently I'm almost never up til after 9am, but you know what? I'm not worried. I know this illness of mine goes in cycles and the present cycle is pain all the way. but what of it? I can't make myself better, no one can so I'm trying to let it slide over my head as much as I can. So what if I can only do a few steps without stopping, it gives me chance to see the birds, hear the sounds of the red kites overhead calling. So it isn't wasted time is it?We have done a little exploring , last week we visited the Gatehouse of Fleet and Kirkcudbright. The journey across the moors was great, we could see for miles as we drove and barely saw another car til we reached Gatehouse. Sunday we went to Moniaive and same again moors all the way and not a car. Its almost like we have the country to ourselves. Moniaive was a very picturesque village. A wonderful cafe there with the most amazing menu, all home made. If you are ever that way go visit the Green Tea House, you won't be disappointed. Apart from the good food there is a good range of local crafts to see including knitted items.
Well off to eat sirloin stri[ps cooked with limes, garlic, peppers, mushrooms and fresh rosemary. Talk later

Poetry for Brigid Imbolc

  The Lake Isle of Innisfree BY  WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay a...