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Mmmmmm! Ponders deeply!

Shall I forgive Mum or not?

How many doggy munchies will it take to appease my anger?

Is this going to be a frequent occurance?

Answers in a later post, I think I'll keep her dangling for a bit!!

Hi-jacked

Sorry Billy B and everyone out there, I have hi-jacked Billy's blog completely this time. The whole post is mine......all mine.

As I have a lot to show you I thought this would be the easiest way. I know that BB is a pretty amazing dog, but all this is knitting related, and so to block out the scathing remarks, little sneers and sniggers ( I have to type EXACTLY what he says you know) I thought I would take this dangerous route and live with the consequences!!!

Firstly, following a request from Kazza, I have taken some pictures of my progress on the Scotch Thistle Stole. I am really enjoying knitting this and after pinning it out slightly for the photographs, am even more pleased by the way it is looking. I think it will look pretty amazing when it is properly blocked, even if I do say so myself. I love the colours (Lorna's Laces Purple Iris) and am very impatient to get it finished, but as usual time and other unfinished projects are not on my side.

Next, my latest book purchases. Whilst on my usual round of blog reading I came across The Shetland Triangle shawl from Wrap Style, thank you Lara.

Also I came across the Counterpane Carpet Bag from Handknit Holidays, thanks to Rachel. Both very clever ladies and prolific knitters, they put my limited efforts to shame.

I found both of the books on Amazon and unfortunately my '1 click' order option was turned on. Wouldn't you know it, I only caught it accidentally! Well, actually I caught it twice by accident but as they were so close together it only counts as one, doesn't it? Before I could register what had happened they were both being delivered to my address!

These photographs of the Shetland Triangle haven't come out that brilliantly but if you check out Lara's finished projects there are some lovely pics of her daughter modelling the one she knitted. I now have to learn how to knit from a chart, any helpful suggestions appreciated.

The Counterpane Carpet Bag.

I think when I do it I will do it shorter than this, the pattern does give you that option. There is also a matching purse. I think that is what Rachel is doing, I love her choice of Noro Kureyon #95.

I also love these two, Evergreen Shawl on the left and Wisconsin Winter Stole on the right. My mum would find either of those useful I think.

If you read Billy's Stashing Up post you will know that I had just discovered Elann and placed an order. Well the Super Kydd arrived in less than a week from Canada! How good is that? I will definitely visit that site again. The price was very good considering I had to pay shipping, cheaper than some things I've had from within the UK.

I ordered Blue Mist and the colour is more grey than blue, but still lovely. I only have one problem now.

Originally I was going to use it for the Leaf and Acorn scarf, a free pattern from Elann (one of the many) see left. However the Knitty Summer mag is out YIPPEE!!!! So obviously I had to check it out didn't I? So I did, and I found this, above right and below. It's called Wisp and I love that too so now I might do that with my Super Kydd as I think it will be an easier 'pick up and put down' sort of knit. Decisions, decisions.

Well there you go. A whole Billyless post. I hope you forgive me Billster and can see why I did it. Hopefully some doggy munchies will pour oil on troubled waters and all will be peace in the household.

Until the next time that is!

My Garden in Early Summer

Hello everyone (especially Kazza and Buster). We've just had a lovely sunny day so Mum took some more pictures of the garden, I just happened to be passing so got in on the act. I think I look very happy in this picture, and you know what, I was! I like days when Mum is at home and not at work. Plus look how quickly I got her to post!



Little Mummy wandered out and promptly fell asleep, she does that a lot lately, especially out in the sun (it's her age). It gets a bit embarrassing when she starts snoring! The Tiddlypeeps were still at school so she was able to have a long sleep and a bit of peace. I hope I look as good as that when I'm sixteen.


It's all right for some but I couldn't relax for long because I have my regular perimeter patrols and checks to do. If you look carefully you can see me checking out the undergrowth for intruders. I think this part of the garden needs some attention. I'll have to mention it to Mum.



There's a man that sits in my garden, he's been there ages and hasn't moved. Mum says his name is Buddha and he's meditating. Bit odd if you ask me. Still he looks quite good, sat there in amongst the bushes. I sometimes go and sit near him in hopes he'll have a chat but no luck so far. Mind you he's a bit foreign looking so maybe he can't speak English as well as me.


These are some of Mum's herbs, the Sage flowers are quite pretty and one of Mum's favourite colours, she likes blue and purple best.


Now for some Foxgloves (never seen a fox wearing them though!) Mum took some pictures from a distance and some close ups to show the detail on the flowers, she likes Foxgloves, so do the bees.

Well, there you go. What do you think?

My garden isn't like one of those on that gardening programme on the TV. It's a bit haphazard and usually not very tidy. But you know what, that's just how I like it. It's a place for the Tiddlypeeps to play, Little Mummy to sleep, George and me to chase cats (sorry Buster), and Mum, Dad and and the Grandpeeps to relax (?). It's also an excellent place for barbecues, now that sounds like a good idea!

'Mum I could go a couple of sausages!'

Throw Me a Lifeline

This is just a quickie extra post to report on the knitting weekend!

Well, Mum started off okay. Ignored the dusting, did cook (mainly because then she could spend money on yarn, see post below, rather than takeaway) and also did a few (6 actually) loads of washing.

Then she settled down to knit.

Enter little Knitting Gremlin (so Mum says) who decided to help with a row, making Mum end up with less stitches than she should have had. A bit of tinking and no luck later she had to frog it all....................................................................................................................
back to the LIFELINE that she had put in!

Hooray for lifelines! (Mum interrupting MY blog again!)

Obviously she has learnt her lesson (see earlier post The House of Flying Knitting Needles for those of you who are unaware of my brush with death) and was very relieved as the lifeline wasn't that far back and it saved her the disaster of the Forest Canopy incident.

However due to this incident Mum didn't get quite as much done as she would have liked but is being philosophical about it and realising it could have been worse!

I never did find that Knitting Gremlin and that is bothering me!

How did he get past security!

Stashing Up!

Mum has found a new yarn site Handpainted Yarn it's in Uruguay see info below.

Working closely with a cooperative of women in rural Uruguay we produce
wonderful handspun hand dyed yarn in inspiring colours. We also kettle dye soft
Merino roving for felting or spinning. Super soft Merino yarns, sophisticated
Novelty yarns, soft and fluffy Boucle yarn and various Himalayan fibers complete
our catalogue, great for the beginner or experienced knitter.

She bought this, hopefully for Queen of the Waves, she says it is like a summer sky (puts paws over eyes and shakes head)! I think she's lost it!

The site has been added to her favourites list of yarn shops, this is now so long it dangles off the bottom of the computer screen when she opens the folder!!!

Then she went to Elann (another on the fave list) and bought this Elann Super Kydd in Ice Blue to knit this Leaf and Acorn scarf. Bit of a 'blue' thing going on here methinks.


Of course these are only pictures from the sites so when the actual yarn comes Mum will post more pics.

She found Elann when she was visiting Glenna C. Mum says it is an amazing site with loads of free patterns and fantastic deals on yarn (that's all the excuse she needs to add to the growing yarn mountain in her knitting cupboard) she's been 'window shopping' for quite a while. Not that I'm bothered, it gave me the chance to catch up on some sleep, Dad's on nights and I'm in charge.

Mum's in a Knitting Desert

That's what she says anyway. I think it's because she hasn't had time to knit for nearly a fortnight and she's not very happy about it. Apparently this weekend she is going to KNIT and leave the house to gather dust.
Good job I enjoy a bowlful of Chinese takeaway because it looks like that is what we'll be having. Look what I found lying around.

Mum was reading Glenna C's blog and found this site, she says it has loads of free patterns. I just rolled my eyes because all I need is Mum buying yet more yarn. That means less money for doggy munchies. No wonder I have to fall back on Chinese!

The Tiddlypeeps are going to the Grandpeeps tomorrow so I am going to catch up on my sleep. It's not easy having to entertain them by playing throw the ball. Do you know the amount of times I have to race up the garden to fetch it back for them so that they can throw it again. No wonder I have such short legs, I'm probably wearing them out.

Spring in my Garden

I know that it's now Summer but it was Spring when Mum took these pictures, she's a bit slow at getting things posted sometimes!

As she is now thinking of taking some photographs of early Summer in my garden I thought you had better see the Spring ones first! I will try and take her in paw and get her to post things more quickly but it is not easy.

A shy little violet!

Apple blossom.



Something called Bridal Shower, I don't know the posh name! It is very pretty though.

Mum has now inherited a half finished pair of Little Bitty socks from her mum who started them and lost patience as they were a bit fiddly. This was a bit of a surprise to me as Nan used to knit for England, not really you understand, but she couldn't half knit-and read-and watch TV, all at the same time!!!!! She's nearly ninety now so I think her eyes get a bit tired sometimes. Anyway, Mum has cheated a bit and put a progress bar up for them that says 50% but she hasn't done the first sock, she's just got to do the second!

A Pirates Life For Me

Last night Mum and Co. went to see this at the cinema. They went out to eat Chinese first and then to see the film.

I GOT LEFT AT HOME!!!!!

This was most unfair as I am a BIG Jack Sparrow fan, sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow. Mum said that dogs are not allowed in the restaurant or the cinema. I think that these rules need changing because now I have to wait ages before it comes out on DVD.

Everyone is talking about bits of the film and I feel i have missed out.

Dogs of the world unite and demand that we are allowed into cinemas and Chinese restaurants!!!!

At Last........Some Knitting!!!!

I have eventually 'Badgered' Mum into posting pictures of the finished and blocked Forest Canopy Shawl, only a few weeks late!

The almost complete view.

A bit of detail.

The edging detail.

Here it is being modelled by my girl Tiddlypeep!

Mum was also persuaded to post these pictures of her Feather and Fan scarf. Which isn't really as it should be! The fourth row of the pattern should be a knit row to give a ridge on the right side but Mum did a purl row instead. It still looks ok though.

Another picture of the detail. Mum says she likes the way it worked out with more solid bands of colour at the edges and a more variegated look in the centre panel. I think this was more luck than judgement.

Another modelled shot. It's going to cost me a fortune in modelling fees. At the moment I'm keeping quiet and hoping she doesn't twig on that models don't work for nothing.



That's two presents completed unless Mum decides to keep them!

A Very Sad Day

On Wednesday Mum woke up to find that Harry had died during the night. She was very, very upset because he had been absolutely fine the previous evening. He had his milk, had a hop round the living room floor and snuggled on her knee as usual. He went to sleep in his box, underneath his security blanket (that smelt of Mum) to keep the light out and all was well. So she has no idea what happened. Maybe it was because he was so young, but he was feeding well and seemed very active and curious, as usual. He knew Mum and always made his way over to her, especially in the morning when he had his first feed. She fed him sat in bed (he woke up about 5 o'clock) and when she put him on the duvet he would climb over to snuggle under her chin.

Here is a picture of Harry in my girl Tiddlypeeps hands, you can see how small he was.

Here he is sat on the floor on his security blanket.

We will all miss Harry very much, especially Mum because she spent a lot of time with him, feeding him and looking after him.

Then we came downstairs and Mum noticed that Piglet wasn't very well either. He and Jack Sparrow had become good friends and snuggled up together in their nest or on a branch. Piglet didn't want any breakfast which was unusual and he deteriorated as the morning went on. He died at lunchtime in Mum's hands.

Here is Piglet perched on Mum's finger.



We buried Harry and Piglet together in the back garden. Mum and the Tiddleypeeps put some flowers on their box. Dad and my boy Tiddlypeep dug a hole for them. It was a very sad time.

It is very difficult to rear wild animals all you can do is try your best and give them the best care you can. At least Harry and Piglet had a better chance than they would have had if left to fend for themselves.

Now Mum has to concentrate on Jack because he has lost his friend.