I finished these little trousers for my friends new baby boy. The pattern is Blu

and a very easy knit. I really didn't get on with the seaming though and opted to sew the up regular fashion using mattress stitch. I wasn't very good at the embroidery either...

We have poorly babies at the moment. Emilia and Madeleine are recovering from a bout of Norovirus but Sullivan has been hit hard. I keep thinking he is better and then he is sick again.


I hope we are all better by Friday because Mum, Barry and Maisie are coming to stay for Easter :)

Make sure you visit Barry's blog - he hasn't posted since last August and writes such lovely things.

Happy Easter!

Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club Regatta, Fibrefest and P/hop...

Yesterday Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club held their first regatta. Despite strong winds and a very lumpy sea everyone had a great time. The course was shortened due to the sea conditions so the races were about 1 mile in length compared to the norm of around 1.5 - 2 miles. The rowers had to work very hard to fight against the waves, and they definitely won the battle!

The Ilfracombe Men's A didn't do too well but the Men's B won their first ever race! It was Ilfracombes' first ever race win in a regatta and much celebration followed! Well done boys! The mixed team came a close fifth after Weymouth, the team really worked hard to try and edge past. It was practically a photo finish!
Daddy didn't win :o(


I loved this seagull, he (or she) posed quite happily for me before fighting against the wind to soar in the thermals. Not his thermals, it was quite warm yesterday!

Here you can see all the boats lining up for the first race. These crews are the Ladies B teams, Weymouth - the 2 green boats - came first and third, Paignton - yellow and blue - came second.

Overall, Weymouth were the outright winners. They have extremely strong crews who work with good coxswains to ensure the whole crew pull together well.

Emilia had a great day, she spent almost all day in the food tent helping to sell the cakes. She was brilliant with the money, adding it up, giving correct change and always being polite, confident and happy. It has done wonders for her confidence. In fact our Millie was back, the one who was so happy and confident before she started junior school last year. Let's just say that I will be watching the school closely this year and if her confidence even takes the slightest dive I will want to know why!

All in all it was a wonderful day. The Ilfracombe crews, committee and friends worked so hard to make the day as brilliant as it was. I hope that they are all proud of themselves - I know I am!

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Last weekend Mum, Barry and Maisie came to stay. It just happened to be the same weekend as Fibrefest at ColdHarbour Mill. Oh what a wonderful day I had. I was totally overwhelmed and overawed by the talent, beauty, squooshiness and total loveliness of the day. I bought a fair bit, some jute to make shopping bags with for £1 a skein, Araucania Patagonia Cotton to make Liesl (which I have started), some blue and red merino tops to spin into something for Sullivan and a few knitpro harmony tips. Barry disappeared when we got into the main tent and then reappeared with an Ashford Niddy Noddy for me. What a great stepdad! xxx

Mum let me 'shoplift' her wonderful fibre that she had brought down with her I've got so much lovely stuff that needs spinning but not until after wednesday when the girls go back to school :o(

This chimney is at Coldharbour Mill, it gave me reverse vertigo to look up to it!

One of the lovely outdoor stands, Sullivan adored all the animals and was answering the sheep back when they baa-ed at him!

I'm sure he wanted to get in with the sheep....

I've just realised that I haven't any photos of my newly enhanced fibre and yarn stash, maybe tomorrow.

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This a square I've knitted for a P/Hop blanket to be auctioned for Medecins Sans Frontiers. Mum has been helping knit and sew up these blankets and needed just a few more squares to finish the last one. I'm not sure what the yarn is, but I didn't have quite enough for it and the final 3 rows are knit in Fleece Artist merino sock yarn. I'll be adding a P/Hop donation thingy to my blog, please help if you can as it is such a wonderful cause.

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Tomorrow is my 5 year blogiversary. Amazing. How should I celebrate I wonder? Cake.....

Happy Birthday Mum!

My lovely Mum celebrates her birthday today. Those of you who have met her or know her as Picperfic will know how wonderful she is. Without her I doubt I would knit, sew, crochet, bake, etc etc! She taught me so much and continues to inspire me. I am very proud of how she has turned her life around and made it the life that she wants and deserves. Love you Mum xxx

This is my current project. A Tomten jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman in Katia Mexico. This is a lovely knit and the yarn is great too. It's my first EZ project although I have read her books from cover to cover numerous times. I love the way she writes, so easily and calmly. I'm going to edge the jacket with an applied i-cord using some green handspun.

We had some sunshine yesterday and were planning to go to RHS Rosemoor but the central locking on my van has gone loopy and gives you a split second to open the doors and then locks you in. I don't feel happy driving long distances in it so we picnicked in the garden instead. The above photo is Sullivan just before he launched himself on top of Emilia and Madeleine's Barbie game. Boys!

The girls were wearing their Amy Butler Sun Surf Halters, this is a lovely pattern. I made one for myself but the fabric was too stiff and just looked yuk! I love the girls in theirs and they were them as often as possible.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Ravelry 'a few of my favourite things' swap

Ravelry is a wonderful place. You can find all sorts of wonderful, unusual and downright cool patterns on there. I've also made some good virtual friends!

This is my latest swap package, the 'a few of my favourite things wunderknauel' swap. I don't know who my partner is but I think it may be Gladcat?

Yarn and material to make this great project bag from 'Through the loops'. This is next on my list of things to do.

This is my 'wunderknauel'. I've started knitting dashing from Knitty and so far I have found a packet of Maoams which the girls have enjoyed! The yarn is Araucania Aysen and is so soft and silky. I really love it :)

My partner made me this beautiful bowl but I can't keep anything in it. The moment I put something in it Sullivan tips it out and puts the bowl on his head!!!

This is all the parcels and goodies before I opened them. Wasn't I spoilt! Emilia has her eyes on 'Pub Knitting', I think she could manage something from the book as they aren't difficult patterns. Maybe an Ipod cosy as she has asked for an Ipod for her birthday.

Right, must go and do some housework. This sunshine is wonderful but it really shows up the muck on my windows!

Ali x

A truly wonderful weekend!

The weather this weekend was glorious, it was so wonderful not to wear a coat! On Saturday we did the normal dancing lessons and food shopping. I did some sewing during the day too, finishing a tricornu and a landry bag to keep Sullivan's cloth nappies in.

On Sunday we all went to Ilfracombe and Jez went out in the gig boat (they had a race last week and came third! My photo's of last weeks events are here) for a training session. Emilia, Madeleine, Sullivan and I wandered around the harbour watching the men rowing and then we went to Ilfracombe Aquarium. It's a great attraction, not expensive. Small but really interesting. The girls love it there, I think we might get a season ticket this year.

I apologise for the order of the photos...

This character is on a boat on the river Lyn. Can you guess who he is meant to be?

This cheeky robin came to greet us as we finished the walk from The Valley of The Rocks down to Lynmouth. He actually posed for photos! If I's had any food with me I'm sure he would have taken it from my hand. We always say 'Hello Grandad' when we see a robin, Mum knows why xxx

We all really enjoyed our walk, I think we walked about 2 miles up and down hill. I plan to get fit this year and yesterday was day one! The girls hardly moaned at all, I think we need to get them some walking boots and then we can do more.

The Valley of the Rocks is populated by wild goats. They are very cheeky and funny to watch. These two were on a ledge above us as we walked down the coast path. They regarded us as if we were intruding on their patch! (I suppose we were...)

This is at Ilfracombe Harbour, Emilia was racing down to meet Daddy as the gig boat came back in. Both the girls helped push the gig back up to the lock up.

Here they are, my beautiful girls. We were watching the men row out to sea as we sat at the very end of the harbour wall, these steps actually lead into the sea, needless to say I didn't let Sullivan out of the back pack!

Here's my recent FO, a knitted boob! I'm going to make 1 for each of us in our La Leche Peer counselling team, the pattern is here. Before I sewed it up it looked like a little hat - I can just see a newborn wearing a booby hat! Haha! The yarn is Rowan Calmer and Wool cotton, it hardly took any yarn at all. I knit the boob in the round so I didn't have to sew it up.

I received my Ravelry £10 swap parcel today, I'll upload photo's tomorrow but I'll leave you knowing that I am overwhelmed by the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of my swap partner.

I hope you are able to enjoy the glorious spring sunshine,

Ali xxx

We had a fantastic day today. The sun was shining, we didn't need coats and the girls weren't being too bickerish... :0)

Emilia and Madeleine had painted a pony at the local 'paint a pot' place last weekend and we needed to collect the fired ponies. So we piled into the van and went to Braunton to pick them up, had fish and chips and then fed the ducks. The carpark was so empty that the girls were safe to scoot around it.

Sullivan loved the freedom! We got his shoes on monday and today was the first time he was 'released'! He only fell over when the girls wanted to hold his hand. There's a video of him walking at the bottom of this post. The tank top he is wearing is from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Seaside. It's called Target and is made from a mixture of Rowan and Sirdar denim yarns. A lovely knit but next time I'd split the back neck and add a button as it is a little snug going over his head!

I've just cast on a hoody for Sullivan from Martin Storey's Mother and Baby in RYC Natural Silk Aran. I really should finish Emilia's Linnet but I want to get this jumper made before he grows out of the amount of yarn I bought!

Back to school monday :o( and :o)

Don't forget my yarn sale in the previous post. Great prices, luxury yarns!

Oh - the interviw went well. I was with them for over an hour, I'll find out tomorrow or Monday...keep your fingers crossed for me!

Yarn for sale

Hello again, I finally found the lead for my camera so I have been able to upload my photos :) This is a hat I made for one of Jez's colleagues and rowing buddies. It was his 40th birthday on Valentines day. It's my own pattern, I'm going to make it again in Rowan Cork and then I'll publish the pattern. I've had these 5 flags sitting unfinished in my work basket since October and finally got round to finishing them this morning. They are made with Anchor Magicline cotton and the pattern is from a Zoe Mellor book - Nursery Knits I think?

I've got a pair of felted slippers and a circular felted purse drying at the moment - I'll blog them when they are dry and finished.

I've got an interview this afternoon, it's for 8 hours a week at my favourite clothes shop Fat Face. I'm quite nervous but excited too. I've sorted out child care for Sullivan, I may just need extra help during the holidays. I really hope I get the job, I love Fat Face and the hours are perfect. I've also got an Avon area rep coming to see me tomorrow morning to talk about settng myself up as an Avon lady. The initial outlay is £15 plus £2.90 for 5 books, not too bad I thought. I'm determined to get through the recession unscathed!

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All this yarn is for sale. Post free in the UK, email me if you are outside of the UK and I'll find out how much postage would be. If you are interested in any of the yarn, leave a comment and I'll send you a paypal invoice :)

2x 50g skeins Koigu sock yarn £12.

2x 50g skeins Knitpicks shimmer laceweight yarn £6.00

4x50g Rowan cotton rope, £10.00

2x50g Patons pixie £4.00

1x200g Banana Silk £8.00

9x 50g Silkwood yarns from NZ, a merino, alpaca, mohair blend. 4.5mm needles. £17.00

Hipknits Sock yarn £5.00

2x50g Koigu sock yarn £12.00

3x50g Rowan Summer Tweed. £9.00

3 x 50g Debbie Bliss wool cotton £7.00

1x100g Colinette Giotto £4.50

1x100g Colinette Firecracker £4.50

2 x 50g Mohair blend. £5.00

Handpainted Touch Yarns NZ superfine Merino Laceweight. £14.00 100g/875m

1x100g/170m Touch boucle yarn. £8.00

These are all quality yarns at bargain prices. Remember that postage is free in the UK. Help me thrash the recession!!!

Chat again next week, Ali x