Just a quick blog!

Just thought I would do a quick update on Pin Money goings on. Rachel and I went for a brilliant workshop at the Rainbow venue in Banbury. (http://www.therainbowvenue.vpweb.co.uk/). We did a course on landscape weaving on a peg loom. I loved it and was pretty pleased by the result:

Next couple of events coming up are:

13th June - Brackley Carnival. We are taking part in the procession ( As Mary Bobbins) and then going in to the field for a knitting extravaganza! It is Worldwide knit in public day after all!! I think we will be going without public liability insurance!! (how brave!!)

18th June - next Brackley Knit'n'Knatter date. See you at 7.30 at the Greyhound.

22nd June - Pin Money Crafters meeting - my house at 8pm. If you would like to come along please contact me via the comments.

That's all for now folks!

What a day!!

I have sheared a sheep!! I am so totally proud of myself (and so totally exhausted!) I tell you they make it look really easy when you see someone experienced doing it, but don't be fooled - it is REALLY hard!!

We had four sheep to shear and it took 7 hours!! The last one was done by me and done with the hand shears (the electric ones seemed to be blunted and just not going well) which was hard, but actually gave the best fleece and the sheep didn't look too bad afterwards. I have to say they are not going to win any beauty contests, but they are definately cooler than they were and I have a big bag of fleece to spin. So all round a successful day.

Pictures when I get home and get them loaded on the computer. I am just off to peel potatoes for our roast dinner (leg of lamb!!) but not before I record my admiration of anyone who can shear a sheep single handed in less than an hour!!

Inspiration

- an unconscious burst of creativity in an artistic, musical, or other intellectual endeavor.

It has certainly been a day of inspiration. This morning Rachael and I visited The Rainbow Venue, where we were warmly welcomed by Amanda. They have a lovely shop/ workshop space and somehow the morning was spent chatting and knitting and drinking tea. Time really does fly when you are having fun!! Pop in and see them on http://www.therainbowvenue.vpweb.co.uk/.

On our way home we popped into the alpaca show at Purston near Banbury. Lots of beautiful alpacas and some very nice knit wear and yarn!! We watched the Oxford spinners spinning some fleece - it is incredibly soft. Check out some beautiful alpacas on http://www.purstonalpacas.com/

Rachael is now the proud owner of a glass kiln and look what she made:

They are absolutely beautiful and as soon as the etsy shop is up and running, they will be available for sale.

OR see us in person at Brackley Town Craft Fair on the 20th June and at Evenley Garden's Lily Festival on the 26th July.

We had a lovely day at the Craft Fair in March, here are a couple of pictures:

Let it snow!!

Well, we don't seem to be able to make it stop!! No complaints from me though - we have had so much fun building snowmen (or strictly speaking a snow-bear and a snow princess - we are crafters after all!) and throwing snow at each other. The dog has loved it too, and made it his mission to make tracks in ALL the virgin snow, the only ones who haven't found it much fun are the chickens. They turned their beaks up at the sight of snow and refused to lay any eggs.

I have had lots of use for my hot water bottle cover, made with homespun Jacob, from my friend's flock. I separated out the dark sections and spun them as a chunky. This is knit on 7mm needles and is an adaptation of a pattern from Simply Knitting. I am thinking, however, of designing a pattern of my own to go with the rest of the homespun.

Home knitted jumper promise has finally been fulfilled and I am very pleased to announce that my handknit has been accepted by the fashion conscious 12 year old of the family.

On more stictly Pin Money note: Our next craft fair has been decided upon, it is to be on the 7th of March in Brackley Town Hall. The sock pattern is finished and has been knitted up in an equivalent yarn. ( I am still waiting for the Hammervale Aran Jacob to come back from the mill) Here is a glimse:

We have also set a date for our first crafting meeting: Monday 23rd Feb at 8pm. Anyone interested in coming along, please leave me your e-mail address in the comments sections and I will get in touch with you with details of the venue.

Hooray it's Friday.

We had our first knit and knatter meeting of 2009 last night. I just love going to the pub to go knitting - it's a chance to knit and be proud. We always get lots of comments, although the locals are getting used to us after seven months. The darts team meet upstairs on the same night, so they usually pass a humourous comment on the way out for a smoke. Welcome to Sonja and Jackie, it was lovely to meet you. Sonja has been struggeling with a pattern from Simply Knitting, but toghether we were able to conquer the pattern!!

We meet once a month at the Greyhound Pub in Brackley from 7.30 onwards. Next time on the 26th of Feb.

See you then!

Happy New Year

Well a happy new year to you all! (A bit late I know, but still!)

I don't know about you, but I am still finishing off crafting projects which weren't done in time for Christmas. I have two pairs of pyjamas to sew (My lovely daughters received several meters of fabric wrapped up) and a jumper for my elder daughters birthday.

One pair of PJ's have been cut out and the jumper cast on. So hopefully should all be done in a week (too ambitious?) I will post pictures of my progress.

Once those things are done, then I am into getting ready for the the next outing for The Pin Money Craft Co-operative Craft faire!! I am thinking kits. Socks for sure, maybe hotwater bottle covers, (I am seeing them everywhere at the moment) and possibly felting kits also.

Well right now, I am off to watch a film with Harry and get the knitting needles working.

bis bald x

Nearly Christmas!

I haven't forgotten my pledge - here is how I got on: I went to a couple of craft fayres and bought some cool things and met some lovely people!

I only tried big shopping center shopping once, quite early on in the whole Christmas shopping race, but I had to flee because M&S gave me the fear - there was just too much shiny stuff!!

With the big day nearly upon us, I feel suitable ready with almost everything wrapped, and just the biscuits left to make for the food hampers....oh,.... and the napkins for my sister - and I am sure a couple of other things will creep in before it's time to sit down and relax. (Did I mention my husband is cooking the turkey - yes he really is great!!)

Have a great christmas and a very happy and crafty new year!