tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254946564661460652024-03-13T03:10:38.824+00:00Confessions of a yarn jezebelHey there,
Welcome to the blog!
I'm a 28 year old knitter (amongst other things) living in Ireland. I may have a slight ebay addiction, and when moving to a new place, check the yarn store location before sorting out the electricity...
I go by the name of GaietyGirl on Ravelry.
Nice to meet you!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-22174436430698143352008-11-11T15:34:00.003+00:002008-11-11T15:39:22.700+00:00Moving on upI've finally bitten the bullet.<br /><br />This blog will be vanishing at some point over the next couple of weeks.<br />Sorry Blogger, it has been great, but it's time to move on with my life.<br /><br /><br />Plans have been made, code is being written (ok, I lie...is being written), and a whole new level of shiny will be taking off soon.<br />Fancy joining me over at <a href="http://gaietygirl.com/blog">my new home on the internet</a> for some more updates?<br /><br />Hope that I'll see you there!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-85166014734899884892008-11-05T10:31:00.002+00:002008-11-05T10:35:08.612+00:00Today is made of pure WINI know, I know, I've been a crap blogger lately. I promise you a catchup really soon.<br />I just had to break radio silence and say<br /><br /><br />THANK YOU, AMERICA!!!!!<br /><br />I've been following the presidential race for the last year and a half, as have a lot of people in Europe, with bated breath. Yesterday was an amazingly stressful day, and the need for sleep took over in the wee hours of the morning, with the final call yet to be made.<br /><br />Today I woke up and found that...well....history has been made.<br /><br />Also thank you Florida. You look so damn good in blue.<br /><br /><br />Shortly after arriving in work, I got a phonecall to say that a (legit!!) competition I had entered had come up roses, and there's an iPod in the post.<br /><br />Today is a fricking awesome day. I'm totally buying a lottery ticket at lunchtime!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-8648400056196833452008-10-16T16:59:00.003+01:002008-10-16T17:11:59.573+01:00A week in reviewAnother week in pictures, I'm afraid.<br />Work has been insanely busy, and by the time I get home I have about enough energy to eat dinner and get to the sofa before collapsing. <br /><br />Over the last week, I've done some knitting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdltEAv71I/AAAAAAAAAew/srOMxmU6gp8/s1600-h/purple+cali.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdltEAv71I/AAAAAAAAAew/srOMxmU6gp8/s200/purple+cali.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257782914823745362" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmQ_ZfmkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/UpVXUG45JxI/s1600-h/urchin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmQ_ZfmkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/UpVXUG45JxI/s200/urchin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257783532060645954" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />dyeing,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmFv0YSvI/AAAAAAAAAfI/93rqTLiWRYc/s1600-h/purple+hand+dyed.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmFv0YSvI/AAAAAAAAAfI/93rqTLiWRYc/s200/purple+hand+dyed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257783338899884786" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmBEl5McI/AAAAAAAAAfA/UIy85gXd7e4/s1600-h/just+rinsed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmBEl5McI/AAAAAAAAAfA/UIy85gXd7e4/s200/just+rinsed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257783258576925122" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> been to a gaming weekend, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmqkMfTuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/qll7RGdTBG8/s1600-h/GwenniePoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdmqkMfTuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/qll7RGdTBG8/s200/GwenniePoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257783971434942178" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />nearly killed our estate agent over the heating in the house, eaten a lot of chocolate, and gotten less sleep than I'd like.<br /><br /><br />My last secret pal 12 package arrived, and was both fantastic and unexpected.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdm5NbOy_I/AAAAAAAAAfg/iyPDE0Qcgb8/s1600-h/Fearless+mittens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SPdm5NbOy_I/AAAAAAAAAfg/iyPDE0Qcgb8/s200/Fearless+mittens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257784223020796914" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's a kit for fair isle gloves from Fearless Fibres. My Secret Pal is very perceptive, and spotted my mentioning that I'd like to learn stranded knitting. No excuse now! There was also some Divine chocolate, but that had been eaten before the photo was taken. Yum.<br /><br />Thanks again to my fab swap partner. I still have no idea who you are, but you've spoiled me rotten over the last few months and I really appreciate the time and effort you've put in. <br /><br />This is, sadly, my only post this week. I'm off to the doctor first thing in the morning so that I can be poked with...pokey things. Then in the afternoon I'm heading off to the Irish Knitters Retreat. <br /><br />Galway won't know what hit it!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-52608825060215039902008-10-08T15:52:00.004+01:002008-10-08T15:58:14.768+01:00PictopostFrom me to me with love....and then turned into a scarf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJPkq0_FI/AAAAAAAAAeI/LfuScw6d8YY/s1600-h/one+row+start.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJPkq0_FI/AAAAAAAAAeI/LfuScw6d8YY/s200/one+row+start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254796134613056594" /></a><br /><br />From Niamhy, Wing and Emma to me with love on my birthday<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJlQw7ahI/AAAAAAAAAeY/0yhbe72MGKc/s1600-h/bday+goodies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJlQw7ahI/AAAAAAAAAeY/0yhbe72MGKc/s200/bday+goodies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254796507227056658" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Yes, those are harmony dpns. The chocolate got scoffed before making it in to the photo</span> <br /><br />Strange things to see beside my city centre office block<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJaQ6Su6I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Q8a3f5tWvAA/s1600-h/grasscar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJaQ6Su6I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Q8a3f5tWvAA/s200/grasscar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254796318287772578" /></a><br /><br /><br />Proof that I'm not forgetting about my WIP's<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJ4XAwjaI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ZhxvCr8KjjQ/s1600-h/osw+ribbing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOzJ4XAwjaI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ZhxvCr8KjjQ/s200/osw+ribbing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254796835321580962" /></a><br /><br />Won't get it finished tonight, I don't think, as I've got to get my dyepot out. <br />You never know though.<br /><br />So yeah, a post in mostly piccies. Lots has been going on since Friday, but it's easier to leave out the bits that are only interesting to me. I'm leaving out the video clip of the boys singing karaoke, because I'd like to live. Singstar really does rock. As does whiskey.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-4564159688569965192008-10-03T16:36:00.006+01:002008-10-03T16:52:58.074+01:00Another year older and deeper in..yarnDinner last night was rather good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY89KJS3BI/AAAAAAAAAdw/5o2vor5k8IA/s1600-h/korma.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY89KJS3BI/AAAAAAAAAdw/5o2vor5k8IA/s200/korma.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252953036767288338" /></a><br /><br /><br />Homemade korma with basmati rice and garlic naan bread.<br />Yum. Very yum indeedy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The sock progresses on. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY8bIp490I/AAAAAAAAAdo/Q18JQ46qRH0/s1600-h/socky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY8bIp490I/AAAAAAAAAdo/Q18JQ46qRH0/s200/socky.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252952452251580226" /></a><br /><br />It's slow, and driving me a little mad. My main sock knitting time of day is the train journey to and from work, but now that colleges are back in full swing, the mornings are standing room only. I even got an earlier train today, and still ended up standing. Considering the price of the sodding tickets, you'd think they'd stick on an extra carriage at rush hour.<br /><br />The day did get better though.<br />There was a packet in the post, the contents of which were modelled by a very helpful and enthusiastic colleague.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY9iINbs8I/AAAAAAAAAd4/nP4AVhurro8/s1600-h/sonja+is+batty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY9iINbs8I/AAAAAAAAAd4/nP4AVhurro8/s200/sonja+is+batty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252953671902933954" /></a><br /><br /><br />You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps!<br /><br />The lovely batts are from <a href=" http://www.rockpoolcandy.com"> RockPool Candy</a> as a gift. I'd given her a few bags of yarn for a charity project, and she sent me this in return. It's fabulous stuff. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY-Qa8r-0I/AAAAAAAAAeA/DiQOClybaG8/s1600-h/batt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOY-Qa8r-0I/AAAAAAAAAeA/DiQOClybaG8/s200/batt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252954467206953794" /></a><br /><br />This piccie doesn't really show off the fabulousness of the fibre and the colour saturation. It's edible. <br /><br />After all that excitement, it was time for birthday cake in the conference room. It's a great tradition, but I need a nap after it. <br /><br />Yup, birthday cake. My birthday cake.<br /><br />I'm officially a year older. I don't feel a year older. Hell, I don't feel like I've been on the planet for 29 years either!<br /><br />This evening involves something. Housemate told me that people were turning up in the pub and to act surprised. I was a little gutted that he told me, it being planned as a surprise and all, but the more I think of it, the more I think that it could well be a little dose of misdirection. He's just that kind of guy.<br /><br />Anyway, gotta dash. It's the official opening of This Is Knit this evening, and I've to head there before getting the train home. MmmYarn.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-64438159196496516642008-10-02T16:12:00.006+01:002008-10-02T16:40:09.082+01:00Strange bedfellowsLast night was rather cold, and I was rather exhausted.<br />So much so that myself and HusBeast retired to bed at 9.30pm with tea and books. I lasted about twenty minutes before falling asleep with my copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Am-America-So-Can-You/dp/0446580503/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222960426&sr=8-1"> I am America</a> cutting off the circulation to my thumbs.<br /><br />This morning I got up, and dressed the bed. As I was doing so, I pulled back the extra blanket that we use at night, and out popped a spider.<br /><br />And when I say spider, I mean SPIDER!<br />Don't get me wrong, I love the critters, but I didn't expect one to crawl out of the blankets at that hour of the morning. I'm just glad he didn't demand breakfast.<br /><br />The squeamish may want to scroll down a bit..<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOTmLkXfINI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wutBa_MonXE/s1600-h/bigassspider.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOTmLkXfINI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wutBa_MonXE/s200/bigassspider.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252576151835975890" /></a><br /><br /><br />The plastic prison is the top off my can of deodorant. It's a good 3 inches across, which means this cheeky fellow classifies as being a big ass spider. He (or she!) is now wading through the jungle that is my back garden, as shortly after this pic was taken, he got chucked out the window.<br /><br /><br />Due to the exhaustion, I got about 2 lines done on my OSW last night, in between making dinner and putting on washing. That isn't what's burning my conscience though.<br /><br />You may possibly remember me posting quite a bit about a blue moss stitch cardigan that I was making. You may even have noticed that I stopped blogging about it, but failed to post any pictures of the finished article. The reason, to keep it short and sweet, is that since I took this photo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOTnkpwHNHI/AAAAAAAAAdg/WB6PqOuQ2N4/s1600-h/blue+cardi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOTnkpwHNHI/AAAAAAAAAdg/WB6PqOuQ2N4/s200/blue+cardi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252577682289800306" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I haven't progressed another inch.<br />Not one.<br /><br />Truth is, and I hate to admit it, it's shoved in a bag at the bottom of my wardrobe.<br /><br />The pattern is appauling. It's a wrappy round thing, but the collar is gi-fecking-normous if I pull it up. So ginormous that it weighs itself down and causes the whole thing not to hang properly. The sleeve pattern seems to be made for someone who has arms the length of a ten year olds, but as wide as their legs. <br /><br />The worst bit....after all of that....it makes me look fat.<br />I know, the stripes go down, so it should be fine. Nope.<br />It's the cardigan version of a mu-mu.<br /><br />What does this all mean?<br /><br />The blue monstrosity is going on holiday.<br />To the frog pond.<br /><br />I'm ok with that mostly. I'm so over the whole "this is X days of my life" thing. Might have something to do with the fact that I'm not allowing myself do the maths on it. The tough bit is going to be the physicality of frogging it. The yarn sticks to itself, which is great in a finished item for keeping out the cold, but not so fun when it comes to taking it apart. It's going to take fricking <span style="font-weight:bold;">hours</span>.<br /><br />It will also leave me with - at a conservative guess - somewhere in the region of 1500 metres of yarn. <br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />I don't want to start breaking it down into lots of small projects, because I'll be finding little balls of it around the place 'til I'm ninety.<br /><br />I was thinking of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cozy-v-neck-pullover-with-deep-ribbing">V-neck jumper</a> from Fitted Knits but I worry that the stripes will make me as wide as a truck.<br /><br />Another possibility is Kate Gilbert's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunrise-circle-jacket">Sunrise Circle Jacket</a> which might look awesome with the colour variations in the yarn. <br /><br />Or is there something else that would be perfect for this yarn that I'm missing?<br /><br />I'd kind of like to decide on a pattern before I start frogging, so that I can focus on what the yarn will look like in its new form, instead of how much of a pain in the ass it is being at that moment.<br /><br />Whatcha think?GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-26248695388840425212008-10-01T13:12:00.006+01:002008-10-01T13:36:38.680+01:00Stalking. It's not just for breakfast.Slowly but surely, I'm working through my wips. Despite making dinner, washing my hair (it is a note worthy task when it's my length) and wading through umpteen loads of laundry, I managed to get in a little quality time with my shrug last night.<br /><br />I know I keep going on about the fabulousness of the yarn, but it really is fabulous. I love the colour as well. I wear a lot of black, so this will inject some much needed colour this winter. Perfect for the it's-too-hot-now-it's-too-cold-again atmosphere in the office.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONpyHEHqtI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JFeO6Cd0YH4/s1600-h/shrug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONpyHEHqtI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JFeO6Cd0YH4/s200/shrug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252157900054833874" /></a><br /><br />Stefanie Japel rocks my world. She really does.<br /><br /><br />Another person rocking my world today is......well, I don't know who.<br />I'm not being weird. I don't know who they are. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONryOEIsXI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ZsxRW1Pua-c/s1600-h/NCAD.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONryOEIsXI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ZsxRW1Pua-c/s200/NCAD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252160100957204850" /></a><br /><br />I hit the local turkish shop at lunchtime to pick up some bits for dinner, passing the newly reopened and funktastic <a href="http://www.ncad.ie">National College of Art and Design</a>. On my way back, being a considerate employee, I checked our postbox on the ground floor. Hmmm...something for me? Oooooh!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Something for me turned out to be a package from my awesome SP12 partner. You have some strong google-fu, let me say that! Thank you so much for the fabulousness!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONr_GSIN_I/AAAAAAAAAdI/S5tAFGPcmTY/s1600-h/Goodies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONr_GSIN_I/AAAAAAAAAdI/S5tAFGPcmTY/s200/Goodies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252160322206709746" /></a><br /><br /><br />The book is one that I've been lusting after for about 2 years. I'm going to get either very disciplined or very fat this winter!<br />The little bag of stitch markers are too cool for words.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONseiR3u8I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/sUv5nKblABA/s1600-h/stitch+marker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SONseiR3u8I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/sUv5nKblABA/s200/stitch+marker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252160862297766850" /></a><br />Look! They're little tea pots!<br />That really reduced me to giggling like a schoolgirl, until I did something really blonde.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The little gold tin contains some little goodies as well. My brain decided that they were far too cute for words (or sharing around)They're delicious handmade sweeties! That's what they are!<br /><br />Hrm....very fizzy...must be sherbet....ARGH I'M EATING A BATHBOMB!<br /><br />Thus ended the squeeing about the stitch markers. I'm just glad that I didn't offer one to a colleague before chowing down myself. <br /><br />Truly, it has been a day of surprises.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-1995682346077978582008-09-30T16:09:00.004+01:002008-09-30T16:34:57.511+01:00Something in the water...seriously!The last couple of days have had some very surreal moments. <br />On Saturday, myself and HusBeast spent a very cool afternoon in the <a href="http://www.hughlane.ie/">Hugh Lane Gallery</a>. The collection was together in its entirety for the first time since 1908, which is really a red letter moment. Saturday was the last day of it, so the packing crates were around and about, though everything was still on display.<br /><br />Tragic to think that a chunk of the collection is now back in various museums around Europe. What is the moral of the story? Make sure you have your will witnessed properly. <br /><br />Having left the gallery, we ambled around town for a while, and discovered that it wasn't just the curators having a busy day<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOJC-aMakNI/AAAAAAAAAco/VKkLvNAuVtw/s1600-h/Clamped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOJC-aMakNI/AAAAAAAAAco/VKkLvNAuVtw/s200/Clamped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251833755418136786" /></a><br /><br />What I couldn't fit in to this photo were the three other vehicles - two cars and a van - directly in front of these, each with a big yellow clamp as well. Various cliches involving fish in a barrel or ducks in a line sprang to mind.<br /><br />I came across a most disturbing sight in the local supermarket on Sunday afternoon. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOJDtnvo4KI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vsnzqBrs5nU/s1600-h/a+distraction.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SOJDtnvo4KI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vsnzqBrs5nU/s200/a+distraction.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251834566509387938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Even though my brave housemate tried to hide it from view, the image of the display was burned into my retinas (gotta love him for trying though!)<br /><br />Those boxes behind him?<br /><br />Christmas selection boxes. Fricking Christmas chocolate. In September.<br /><br />I had applauded their Halloween display a mere 10 metres before, but this just undid it all. While I'm disgusted by it all, my heart really goes out to the legion of parents whose young children spot the offending articles on the weekly shop, and are prompted to start the "is it christmas?/can I have X for christmas?/etc etc etc" routine.<br /><br />This is the first year that I've seen things so early. It was always tradition that the shops waited til Halloween was over, and the spooky stock sold off before wheeling out the inflatable Santas and reindeer shaped cookies.<br /><br />Bah and humbug.<br /><br />The vague and tenuous knitting link in this post? One of my best friends emailled me today to let me know that she's back in the country for the weekend.....and expecting her first!<br /><br />That brings the number of friends and aquaintances that have had joined the bump club this year to....a scary number that I don't want to think about. <br /><br />I don't really do much knitting for babies. My schedule is so crazy that no matter what size I choose or how early I start, the little rascals are always growing at a rate that means all they're getting is booties. <br /><br />I'm going to start planning for this one now though. No idea of gender. Hell, I've known this girl since we were five and she always maintained that she'd rather get another cat than a baby. I was completely blown away to find out that she is twelve weeks along, and delighted to be so. Something nice is called for. Nice and gender neutral.<br /><br />Will start sussing her out this weekend.<br /><br />It's almost like being an aunty!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-69763092286790673782008-09-26T14:26:00.004+01:002008-09-26T15:34:19.782+01:00Plotting and schemingMy favourite LYS ever, <a href="http://www.thisisknit.ie">This Is Knit</a> has opened a second branch. Which I've been to twice already this week. It seems that having a yarn store close enough that I can walk to in my lunchbreak is going to be a dangerous and expensive thing. <br /><br />Some of the goodies that I picked up there can't be photographed yet, as they're for yarn swap things. I hope the recipients like them, as it's going to be a tough job to put them in the post!<br /><br />I also picked up a ball of Kilcarra aran tweed, which is one of my favourite yarns in the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNzj7NzTsoI/AAAAAAAAAcY/b3frK3pXxHs/s1600-h/Kilcarra+blue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNzj7NzTsoI/AAAAAAAAAcY/b3frK3pXxHs/s200/Kilcarra+blue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250321872063804034" /></a><br /><br />It's really good value, comes in a fabulous range of colours, and is spun up the road in Donegal to boot. It's great to knit with, but really comes into its own after the first wash - it just comes alive, and is soft and durable.<br /><br />Aaaanyway, this particular ball is to become a square. It's more exciting than it sounds, honest.<br />I'm heading to Galway in October for the first Irish Knitters Retreat. As a thank you for the wonderful lady who is letting us take over her B&B for the weekend, we're each making a square, which will be sewn together on the Friday evening. <br /><br />It has to be 15cm squared. After that, it's anything goes.<br /><br />I'm thinking cables. Or cable, at least. Something like that. If I was more talented (and less chicken) I'd do something in fair isle. I'm going to have a rummage through some books for inspiration this evening, and hopefully get a good start on it on Sunday when - if all goes to plan - HusBeast will be putting together a chest of drawers for us.<br /><br />The weather here is changing rapidly. A rather blatent sign of this is the postman making his door to door journey in a car, instead of on foot as usual. The evenings are getting darker too. The clock isn't going back an hour for more than a month, but the light is starting to fade much faster, and it will be well on the way to getting dark when I get off the train at home.<br /><br />I love autumn. <br /><br />October is probably my favourite month, and not just because it's got my birthday involved in it. The weather is generally dry, the nights are properly dark, and some of my favourite things are wheeled out again for another year; open fires, hot whiskeys, scarves, jumpers, stews, things with cinnamon in them. It's all warm and comfortable and reassuring, like a well used pair of slippers. There's a much more settled feeling than during summer, and the frantic feeling of having to be in many places at once seems to relax for that short period before the Christmas merchandise hits the shops.<br /><br />Having ample opportunity to wear big, thick handknitted socks is also an incentive!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNzye0eOsoI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xx9MR2mf6lA/s1600-h/Sock+On.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNzye0eOsoI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xx9MR2mf6lA/s200/Sock+On.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250337876902589058" /></a><br /><br /><br />On an entirely unrelated matter...is there anyone out there who pays for Flickr?<br />I'm getting the "you have x photo's left" line off them at the moment, and am not sure if I want to pay the $25 a year, or if I should be stingy and just set up another account.<br /><br />Recommendations?GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-49895499476898487602008-09-24T16:52:00.004+01:002008-09-24T17:15:39.350+01:00Slow down, you move too fastDinner out last night was rather relaxed, and involved eating steak and drinking Guinness in a pub that serves food. I don't want to say "pub food", because it wasn't deep fried and in a basket. I also don't like gastro-pubs, as they tend to be over priced and amazingly pretentious considering that they're still in essence just beer halls. <br /><br />A little knitting got done on the train home as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNpjEWIxoFI/AAAAAAAAAcI/KOPQ5RgDlog/s1600-h/STR+Sock+one.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNpjEWIxoFI/AAAAAAAAAcI/KOPQ5RgDlog/s200/STR+Sock+one.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249617241966747730" /></a><br /><br />I'm liking this yarn a lot. Yes, it pools like mad, but it has the graciousness to do it in a cool way, so that I have spirals of colour wrapping around my foot. The stitch definition is fricking fantastic as well. I hope that will hold up after several washes because it would be a pity to see it fade. The colour is wonderfully saturated, and there's a nice twist on the yarn as well.<br /><br />Downsides? It's kinky. Not in a good way either. The short-ish stretch of yarn between my project bag and my needles kinks like crazy, and involves de-kinking it on a regular basis to avoid knots. <br /><br />Apart from that, it's all going well!<br /><br />True, progress is slow these days. I'm just not getting in enough knitting time these days. Working from home was spectacular in that regard. I could happily knit while answering emails and during those quiet few minutes that happen here and there over the course of the day. Making dinner involved walking downstairs to the kitchen.<br /><br />Now I get up around seven, am out the door before eight, and am not home again til nearly seven in the evening. By the time dinner is made and eaten and a few basic tasks are done, it's almost time for bed. It's not the mammoth commute that a lot of people have, I realise, but I really need to rethink things a bit. How else am I going to knit my way through my queue?!<br /><br />Perhaps I just need to be a bit more disciplined. Instead of slapping on the iPod and snoozing on the train to work, I need to break out the sock. Considering the number of pairs of socks on the horizon, I can guarantee there will be one in progress in my bag from now til.....I don't want to think when.<br /><br />This weekend is a don't-have-to-do-anything-really weekend. The plan, then, is to finish the sock above, and my one skein wonder, and get cracking properly on HusBeast's second sock before he stages a protest.<br /><br />Nothing too challenging, you may think, but setting too many goals leads to panic, and panic leads to haste, and next thing you know you're driving like a crazy person and have part of a tree dragging behind you...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNpnfkdJuKI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/XH6LISMpDyM/s1600-h/Too+fast.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNpnfkdJuKI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/XH6LISMpDyM/s200/Too+fast.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249622107713288354" /></a><br /><br />...or at least that's what I've learned from the driver of this van. <br /><br />The things I see on the way to work in the morning, I'll tell ya!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-48409500932381747532008-09-23T15:56:00.007+01:002008-09-23T16:05:14.239+01:00The week that was....crazy.I have survived the lurgy!!!<br /><br />Well, mostly. There are still bits hanging around, like the odd sock or hair accessory you find under the sofa cushions a month after having friends over. <br /><br />The last week, in Cliff notes version, then.<br /><br />On Sunday there was the discovery of Erdinger Oktoberfest beer(bier) in my local supermarket. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkD9H90tNI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Q6fWPerSZNM/s1600-h/OktoberFest+bier.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkD9H90tNI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Q6fWPerSZNM/s200/OktoberFest+bier.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249231189322282194" /></a><br /><br />....and it was consumed. Amazingly yummy. Even better than last year's offering.<br /><br />On Monday, I went to ballet like a good girl, and had food with HusBeast afterwards in the new Chinatown that's developing in Dublin.<br /><br />When I got home....my Wollmeise package had arrived. The photos are crap, but I felt the need to capture the moments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEPpOFkoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/YEO-YL4VlBs/s1600-h/Wollmeise+baggy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEPpOFkoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/YEO-YL4VlBs/s200/Wollmeise+baggy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249231507486511746" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEY1-9dNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/DlXV-RPi3_I/s1600-h/Wollmeise+needles.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEY1-9dNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/DlXV-RPi3_I/s200/Wollmeise+needles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249231665531548882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEfzxNTFI/AAAAAAAAAbo/osp12ImYyeY/s1600-h/Yarn+one.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkEfzxNTFI/AAAAAAAAAbo/osp12ImYyeY/s200/Yarn+one.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249231785196080210" /></a><br /><br />Tuesday saw myself and HusBeast meeting some of our friends from Belfast to go and see <a href="http://www.themightyboosh.com/">The Mighty Boosh</a> (which was fricking awesome) and on to the aftershow party, which I managed to swing tickets to.<br /><br />Wednesday was when things started to go wrong. Having sensibly booked the day off, and crawled out of bed shortly before noon, I was feeling a little under the weather. I put it down to being "old" and not able for staying out til 4am anymore. <br />We met a friend in town and went for a wander in the National Museum, which is always a good thing. I love the porcelain tiles in the door frames.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkE9MSua1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/bXMfIJ63AaI/s1600-h/Fruit+tile.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkE9MSua1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/bXMfIJ63AaI/s200/Fruit+tile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249232289995320146" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkFDAF2lqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/KvKAEAICI3o/s1600-h/Medusa+tile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkFDAF2lqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/KvKAEAICI3o/s200/Medusa+tile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249232389799319202" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We headed to Starbucks for coffee, at which point I promptly fell asleep in an armchair. We eventually got home, I somehow managed to finish off my first Galaxy sock,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkFIurj0II/AAAAAAAAAcA/MgzPD8TnvKw/s1600-h/Galaxy+sock+one.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SNkFIurj0II/AAAAAAAAAcA/MgzPD8TnvKw/s200/Galaxy+sock+one.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249232488204849282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />and then collapsed into bed.<br /><br />On Thursday, I was sent home from work early, and this is my first day back since. My mail accounts are spilling over, and I'm f5'ing on my bank's website because they haven't processed my salary yet.<br /><br />Damn them.<br /><br />It has been an odd week overall, I think. Full of events and non-events. Lots of time spent on the sofa drinking hot lemon and being a mucus monster. It was like a 4 day hangover without the craving for a rasher sandwich.<br /><br />HusBeast's jobhunt mostly came to a halt this week as well. He finally got called for an interview, and 2 hours later got a further call to ask if he could start on Monday. It's not a career by any stretch of the imagination, but it pays and is a damn sight better than dishing out chips to ungrateful customers at Maccy D's. <br /><br />The really big thing though isn't the fact that he's getting a paycheque again though. It's that he's no longer going out of his mind in the house, thinking that he's terminally unemployable. <br /><br />I won't object to getting staff discount on books and Lego when Christmas shopping time rolls around either!<br /><br />It also looks quite a bit more likely that he'll be able to make it over to my work party at head office in December. Here's hoping!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-83597192714872091022008-09-12T15:58:00.004+01:002008-09-12T16:26:10.350+01:00Sock puppet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqDq4AMRJI/AAAAAAAAAa4/sIfbdEXdJnQ/s1600-h/Galaxy+1+nearly+done.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqDq4AMRJI/AAAAAAAAAa4/sIfbdEXdJnQ/s200/Galaxy+1+nearly+done.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245149488637297810" /></a><br /><br />I can't believe that I "kinneared" my own sock on the train this morning, but I did.<br />The things I do for my readers :)<br /><br />I'm about to start the cuff ribbing, so sock one should be done and dusted this weekend. Huzzah. I like it when a plan comes together.<br /><br />Unlike my thus far fruitless plan to buy frozen puff pastry. All the usual deli type places that I'd expect to have it, like <a href="http://web.fallonandbyrne.net/"> Fallon and Byrne</a> no longer stock it. I'll probably end up finding it in the corner shop near my house, just to drive me further up the wall.<br /><br />If it was shortcrust, I'd just make it myself. Puff is a pain in the arse though, as it involves putting lots of dots of butter in between two sheets of pastry, then rolling it out, folding it over on itself and adding more butter dots, and repeating until the maker loses the will to live. Not something I have either the time or the inclination for this evening. I shall be doing much more important things like making brownies and drinking wine. Too right.<br /><br />Today was made even more weekend-tastic by the arrival of the postman this morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqHH8TMF8I/AAAAAAAAAbA/z2EsI-Iehdw/s1600-h/mail+call.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqHH8TMF8I/AAAAAAAAAbA/z2EsI-Iehdw/s200/mail+call.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245153286541809602" /></a><br /><br />Pictured is my new Ravelry tote bag and a copy of the new Terry Pratchett book, which is actually a present for HusBeast. Shhh!<br /><br />Yeah, I'm on a book diet, and yeah, I really can't afford to be buying random stuff at the moment, but I did it anyway. Minus one gold star for me. <br /><br />A weekend of baking, ice cream making and meeting with friends is stretching before me. The weather is even picking up, which is worthy of celebration!<br /><br />The important question of the day is...do I move on to his second sock, or finish off this baby?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqKAkzgbBI/AAAAAAAAAbI/9nHoaVBMuTk/s1600-h/STR+Toes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMqKAkzgbBI/AAAAAAAAAbI/9nHoaVBMuTk/s200/STR+Toes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245156458510707730" /></a>GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-66788238737320774372008-09-11T13:19:00.003+01:002008-09-11T13:30:52.825+01:00Winter arrives earlyWe're in month two of Autumn, and Winter already seems to be trying to assert control.<br />Now I know that it rains most days, but I think the most telling factor (apart from my plans to go and buy some rain gear next week) is <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMkNs7ZGxNI/AAAAAAAAAaw/pRBzLQjn6g8/s1600-h/Image001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMkNs7ZGxNI/AAAAAAAAAaw/pRBzLQjn6g8/s200/Image001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244738306558051538" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is the Rainy Day Scarf that I knitted last year, and it has been brought out of storage already. It is one of the snuggliest things ever, and does a stellar job of keeping errant raindrops from finding my cleavage. Nothing wakes you up faster in the morning than a cold, fat drop of rain smacking into an unsuspecting boob!<br /><br />I was twice as glad of it this morning when I crawled out of bed. The play last night was great, but meant that we didn't get back to the in laws house (where we were staying) til after midnight, at which point we were both overcome with the munchies and had to rustle up some tea and toast. <br /><br />Today I'm a little rough around the edges as a result. <br />I've also been booked in to make the birthday cake of one of the girls in the office. We always have cake in the meeting room on a birthday, which is a great tradition I think. The bakery that we normally buy our cakes from has gone rapidly downhill of late though. We recently discovered that they don't even bake their own bread - they buy it in, ready sliced in bags! What the hell?!<br /><br />A lot of baking will be done this weekend, methinks.<br />Perhaps I can justify some new tins as a result?GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-28342587274563550772008-09-10T09:52:00.007+01:002008-09-10T10:18:16.633+01:00Breakfast of champions.The weather is improving slightly. By which I mean that I didn't get soaked to the skin on the way to work this morning. I even had time to stop and smell the roses...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeQR-ywPBI/AAAAAAAAAao/XB1F1KsIjLc/s1600-h/Image009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeQR-ywPBI/AAAAAAAAAao/XB1F1KsIjLc/s200/Image009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244318929684282386" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />...or whatever these not-roses are. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today is turning into a lazy day, and it's not even 10am. I didn't have the energy to go to the shop once I discovered the lack of milk in the office, so this morning saw me mainlining coffee and millionaire's shortbread. Tasty, but I'm waiting for the sugar crash already.<br /><br />My calves are still aching from ballet on Monday. Not that I'd admit this to anyone....apart from whoever reads this...yeah....<br />It's going well though. Two classes in and I'm doing better than I was after three years of it in Waterford. A little confidence goes a long way, it seems!<br /><br />Last night I had dinner cooked for me, which was a major novelty, and a delicious one at that. The evening then involved playing some cards, chatting about everything and anything, and getting some work done on the Galaxy sock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeOG1pLJGI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/7OdMWyVopFo/s1600-h/Image000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeOG1pLJGI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/7OdMWyVopFo/s200/Image000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244316539226367074" /></a><br />HusBeast has requested that I keep knitting until I run out of yarn. That means that each sock will have 210m (230 yards) of yarn in it. I may go blind. It seems that he's expecting there to be two socks in the pair as well. Men!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeO5wdZV8I/AAAAAAAAAaY/tvX6t17u_uI/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeO5wdZV8I/AAAAAAAAAaY/tvX6t17u_uI/s200/Image002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244317414008117186" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br />I am liking the way the yarn is patterning though.It might not be to everyones taste, but I think it's kind of funky.<br /><br />My STR sock is coming along as well, but very slowly. Mostly I get a couple of rounds done on the train before I doze off, needles in hand. I am not a morning person, especially once the evenings and mornings are darkening. The exception is if there's somewhere fun to go the next day. I can be up at 5am, all bright eyed and bushy tailed if I'm going on holidays or something. On a "school" morning, it's all I can do to crawl out of bed at 7.30am...<br /><br />This evening has somehow managed to turn from plans for a bit of entertainment to a casual date night. I'll be leaving work at 5pm, and HusBeast will be waiting for me. We'll make our way to <a href="http://www.wagamama.com/">Wagamama's</a> for some food, then on to the main event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeQDJ9n20I/AAAAAAAAAag/ghW057F2u9k/s1600-h/Image003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMeQDJ9n20I/AAAAAAAAAag/ghW057F2u9k/s200/Image003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244318674984622914" /></a><br /><br /><br />Wahoo!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-40767130122225952752008-09-05T16:12:00.003+01:002008-09-05T16:22:50.399+01:00May the road rise to meet youAnother weekend creeps up and slaps me 'round the back of the head. It's almost as naive as being surprised to be rained on as I walked to work this morning.<br /><br />For all my "going to knit night" talk yesterday, I failed to make my way to Blackrock. Mostly I blame HusBeast and Nugely. I was planning on saying hello to them briefly after work, then heading off. Instead I ended up knitting up a storm in the pub, with a seemingly bottomless pint of Guinness in front of me. Overall, not a bad evening!<br /><br />I did manage to get the heel turned on the Galaxy sock for HusBeast<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMFNjG3hUfI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7tk-d6Ayv5k/s1600-h/Image038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SMFNjG3hUfI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7tk-d6Ayv5k/s200/Image038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242556706770211314" /></a><br /><br />He's happy with them, at least. Or will be once he gets to wear them. He was even evangalising in the pub last night. I was asked the magic question "why would you be bothered knitting socks, ffs?". Before I had a chance to answer, he jumped in with "handmade socks rock. Get with the programme!". <br /><br />It's amazing how something like that can encourage you to knit faster!<br /><br />Well, I'm hitting the road in a few minutes and visiting my parents and cat for the weekend. I've actually remembered to bring a measuring tape, which is a good thing. I've been comissioned to do a few handknits, so getting people's stats would be a very good start.<br /><br />Being paid to knit! How fricking cool is that!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-18780249155763370982008-09-04T16:01:00.004+01:002008-09-04T16:35:46.282+01:00Tinned meatI was rather thrilled and flattered to log on to my email this morning and see many, many blog comments. I was slightly confused, and a little irrated when they all turned out to be spam. Spam in the form of poetry, but still spam.<br /><br />Does anyone else remember that episode of Clarissa Explains It All where Clarissa and Sam were conducting chemistry experiments using the "gooky stuff off the outside of spam"? <br /><br />My mind is working in some strange days today. I blame it entirely on the fact that I completely overslept this morning, resulting in having to get from bed to front door in ten minutes. Things have been a little fuzzy on the edges ever since. <br /><br />That, and my experience with scary Dora last night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL_6jSD8uSI/AAAAAAAAAZY/pIHEGPZ7F5c/s1600-h/Image039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL_6jSD8uSI/AAAAAAAAAZY/pIHEGPZ7F5c/s200/Image039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242183975333312802" /></a><br /><br />This is scary Dora. She is no ordinary Dora doll. <br />Take a look at the photo on the bottom right of the box. That's a 5 year old girl standing beside this ginormous doll. Age on box says 3+, but I think that all this doll would so is scare the living daylights out of the average toddler. Sure there's endless comic potential, but really....it creeps me out. Kind of like the Good Guy dolls, only bigger.<br /><br />Moving swiftly along...<br /><br />Tonight is Knit Night in This is knit. To avoid the risk of being thought of as the crazy lady who only knits socks, I've brought something else along this time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL_7FvcgcaI/AAAAAAAAAZg/55HXeOaaLxM/s1600-h/Image041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL_7FvcgcaI/AAAAAAAAAZg/55HXeOaaLxM/s200/Image041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242184567336497570" /></a><br /><br />This was my train knitting this morning. A little cumbersome, but I really want to get this thing done soon. Time is not entirely on my side. It's another of the genius One Skein Wonders from <a href="http://www.glampyre.com">Stefanie Japel</a> - the difference this time is that I'm turning it into a vaguely long sleeved number.<br /><br />The yarn is the delicious Dyed Cotton from <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com">Blue Sky Alpacas</a>. It's heavenly. I didn't think it was possible for cotton to be such a pleasure to knit with. It comes in some fabulous colourways as well. This particular lot was bought in <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl">Purl Soho</a> at the beginning of the year. I got three skeins, which is perfect for making the long sleeved OSW with. Might even have enough left for a calorimetry.<br /><br />While the dyed cotton is now available over here in Europe, like many other American yarns it is stupidly expensive compared to retail price in the States. This vexes me. I am a big "support your LYS" person, but it can be hard at times when it's literally half the price for me to order and have it delivered from the U.S.<br /><br />I realise that all LYSs need to turn a healthy profit in order to keep being a LYS and not another empty building. That goes without saying. I also realise that shipping large boxes of yarn to another continent is expensive, as are import duties. (Books, in my experience, have exactly the same problem). Something is not balancing somewhere along the line. <br /><br />My mother had her own business for years. Some of the stock that she was buying cost her more at wholesale prices than I saw it on retail shelves in New York. I'm not talking a few cents either. <br /><br />Is tax really to blame for the discrepancy?<br />If it is, then the government are getting a bloody ginormous slice of the pie, aren't they?GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-28200483752614838342008-09-03T10:38:00.010+01:002008-09-03T11:07:33.084+01:00The Truth, as we know itTo say that I've never had a more tiring 4 day weekend would probably be true. To say that it was absolutely made of pure WIN would also be the case.<br /><br />Friday morning saw myself and HusBeast heading off on a coach to <a href="http://www.electricpicnic.ie">Electric Picnic</a>. Now I don't usually do music festivals, as I'm past the stage where I think wasted 16 year olds are "cute", but that would be implying that EP was just a music festival. Fact is, it's a million times better. <br /><br />Over the course of the weekend, we saw only a handful of bands. We checked out Oppenheimer, The Gossip, Franz Ferdinand and The Sex Pistols. What did we actually get up to? <br /><br />There was an arthouse cinema....a theatre<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cAZe6hJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/a_gyL7v2bT0/s1600-h/Image023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cAZe6hJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/a_gyL7v2bT0/s200/Image023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241728178216141970" /></a><br /><br />...various places where you could strut your stuff, including <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cLNR3yNI/AAAAAAAAAYo/VBL6wpAd_LQ/s1600-h/Image024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cLNR3yNI/AAAAAAAAAYo/VBL6wpAd_LQ/s200/Image024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241728363918772434" /></a><br /><br />You could have your aura cleansed, get a massage, go to yoga, learn how to insulate your house using hemp and reduce your carbon footprint, eat at organic and solar powered tea rooms. It was like a music and arts festival at a hippy commune, but with less sweat and patchouli than you'd expect. There was a carnival with side shows, and the coolest "circus" in the world<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cz4xfrfI/AAAAAAAAAYw/kEU325NDIpQ/s1600-h/Image030.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5cz4xfrfI/AAAAAAAAAYw/kEU325NDIpQ/s200/Image030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241729062788902386" /></a><br /><br /><br />in the form of Lucent Dossier.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To be honest, I could have spent the whole weekend there, not seen any bands, and still not have gotten around to everything. I even got some knitting done<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5dLO508UI/AAAAAAAAAY4/15Gv9h9WMDA/s1600-h/Image026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5dLO508UI/AAAAAAAAAY4/15Gv9h9WMDA/s200/Image026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241729463866421570" /></a><br /><br />Sock for HusBeast in Regia Galaxy, which is pretty cool. The fabulous Lisa of <a href="http://www.thisisknit.ie">This Is Knit</a> brought along enough supplies to keep even the most finicky fibre fanatic busy, and knitting classes were held over the weekend. <br /><br />One of the coolest events of the weekend was the Temple of Truth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5dzi9t8CI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SV72RoBPxns/s1600-h/Image018.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5dzi9t8CI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SV72RoBPxns/s200/Image018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241730156446216226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5d40TBUJI/AAAAAAAAAZI/n2KJulPpfro/s1600-h/Image019.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5d40TBUJI/AAAAAAAAAZI/n2KJulPpfro/s200/Image019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241730246998315154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This fabulous structure was created for the weekend. Anyone passing was invited in to look around, take a pen or other writing implement, and add the name of a deceased loved one to the walls. Walking around inside and reading the inscriptions was amazingly touching. It was a point of ultimate serenity in the chaos of the festival; the title of Temple was truly deserved.<br /><br /><br />In the wee hours of Monday morning, the entire structure was set alight, and burned to the ground. <br /><br />Now <i>that</i> is art. <br /><br />Yesterday I managed to drag myself out of bed by the hair and get in to work on time. Nothing short of a minor miracle, as my mother would say. If she could have seen me, I'm sure she'd also have described as a miracle the sheer volume of coffee I was able to plug into my body over the course of the day. <br /><br />Today is a bit better. Then again, any day that starts with Socks That Rock is a better day than the one before<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5fq9dd3mI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CNdLn5yajAc/s1600-h/Image037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SL5fq9dd3mI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CNdLn5yajAc/s200/Image037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241732207963135586" /></a><br /><br />I realise that this brings me up to three *gasp* WIP's, not including the hibernated cardigan. I have not abandoned the Galaxy socks. They're just at that annoying stage that require measuring every couple of rounds before I can get my heel turning on. Not exactly what I want to be doing on a measuring tape-less train. <br /><br />The discussion has come up several times - STR versus Collinette Jitterbug. Are the rumours true? Are they basically the same yarn? Considering that I have just started a STR sock, and have large volumes of Jitterbug in my stash, I think that it's time we here at The GaietyGirl Blog conducted a vaguely scientific experiment....<br /><br />...by which I mean I'll get some compare and contrast going on, complete with pictures. It may not settle the arguement once and for all, but it may help. Plus I'll have two pairs of socks at the end of it, which is never a bad thing.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-74689465796616140522008-08-26T16:21:00.001+01:002008-08-26T16:23:01.377+01:00Nothing succeeds like excessLast night I went back to ballet. The girl I share a desk with at work goes, and roped me in to "trying it out". I had an absolute blast, despite being entirely out of condition as I haven't danced in about 4 years.<br /><br />So Mondays are no longer for whiskey. They're for ballet and then running like an idiot to catch the train!<br /><br />Today was a good mail day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SLQfr27gFjI/AAAAAAAAAYY/yOUC7apHrOo/s1600-h/Image014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SLQfr27gFjI/AAAAAAAAAYY/yOUC7apHrOo/s200/Image014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238847104878646834" /></a><br />Always a wonderful thing to happen on a Tuesday.<br /><br />My copy of Interweave knits appears to have arrived as well, but at my neighbours house. When I changed my address with IK, they saved it as number five instead of number fifteen. Oops!<br /><br />The wonderfully spectacular news of the week, nay, the month, is that I got an email today telling me that I've been one of the lucky people to win a place in the <a href="http://rohrspatzundwollmeise.de">Wollmeise</a> sock club! I'm absolutely over the moon. I've yet to own a skein of Wollmeise, as I always miss the updates (they sell out in seconds).<br /><br />This has been a fantastic yarn month. I have a skein of Socks That Rock waiting to be cast on at home, my first <a href="http://www.getknitted.com/acatalog/Sock_Club.html"> Get Knitted Lorna's Laces sock club</a> installment is waiting for me in my parents house, and now I get to play with some Wollmeise.<br /><br />Really, I need to start knitting faster. I've gotten an embarassingly small amount done since I moved house, and if I don't get cracking on it I will end up with a mountain of sock yarn that will last 'til next century.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-61568643614773648732008-08-22T12:26:00.007+01:002008-08-22T12:45:26.411+01:00Smells like (post) teen spiritYup, another week slips by and work takes over from my ability to get a post done. Sorry!<br />Still, I have a few goodies for you at least. Or for me, more accurately.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6jC1piQiI/AAAAAAAAAXw/DtXsFUjejgg/s1600-h/Image007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6jC1piQiI/AAAAAAAAAXw/DtXsFUjejgg/s200/Image007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237302685834822178" /></a><br /><br />Look what arrived this week!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6jKJOG4jI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ybyE5A0hV7E/s1600-h/Image008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6jKJOG4jI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ybyE5A0hV7E/s200/Image008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237302811347575346" /></a><br /><br />Yup, it's an amazingly crap photo, but I'm still working off my camera phone as I can't afford to replace my digital camera.<br /><br />The little bottles contain wonderousness from <a href="http://www.blooddrop.com">Blood Drop</a>. This was my first indie perfumer purchase, and I'm over the moon with it. Not only do I smell good enough to eat, Astrid threw in some glorious freebies as well. I can see myself making many, many repeat purchases from her. <br /><br />The scents, in no particular order, are:<br />The Zodiac club, Bisou, Devonshire Cottare, Ruffles, Bustles and Corsets, Miou miou. My freebies were Cafe Zazou (which may well be my new favourite scent ever), Merci8 and Cinema Noir. I haven't been able to find the last two scents on the website, so I'm guessing they were discontinued or specials. Merci8 will be used sparingly, as I'll cry when it runs out. I also got a very generous sample size of body cream in Killing Time in Taipei.<br /><br />Overall, BloodDrop is made of win. Excellent customer service and fantastic scents. You can't go wrong!<br /><br />If anyone is planning on making a purchase, leave a comment or mention my name in the order - there's a reference program, and the freebies are fantastic!<br /><br />Yeah....knitting has really been on the back burner of late. I'm still not finished the second Lana Grossa sock. I'm really struggling with it for some reason. I think it's something to do with the texture of the yarn. It's lovely as a piece of fabric, but only ok to knit with. This is a big thing for me, as I'm very much a process knitter.<br /><br />It might also have some small part to do with the fact that my last socks were Collinette Jitterbug. That stuff is just yum. Now that I have a skein of STR though, I might have to do some scientific-type compare and contrast, in an effort to finally answer the great question of "are they the same thing, basically?".<br /><br />Just because it's Friday, a couple of interesting shots I managed to take last weekend. First was at the local dog show. It was horrendous weather, and the pooches were trying everything to stay in out of it - with the notable exception of the Newfies, who went around splashing in puddles. <br /><br />This pup had a great seat:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6l7l3y1pI/AAAAAAAAAYA/POfuF0Orx4Q/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6l7l3y1pI/AAAAAAAAAYA/POfuF0Orx4Q/s200/Image002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237305859875460754" /></a><br /><br />Warm, dry, comfy, and with a great view of the bitches.<br /><br />My cat decided to voice his disapproval with our coming home smelling of doggy by adopting a vaguely acrobatic porn star pose. Silly kitty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6mTDi1_ZI/AAAAAAAAAYI/FSqOqwwhTFM/s1600-h/Image004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6mTDi1_ZI/AAAAAAAAAYI/FSqOqwwhTFM/s200/Image004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237306262977641874" /></a><br /><br />Back to work for me then. It's nearly the weekend, it's payday, and the town is exploding with artsy fartsy events. Even the phone exchanges are getting in on the action<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6ms_uOUgI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/b449napLXOY/s1600-h/Image000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SK6ms_uOUgI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/b449napLXOY/s200/Image000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237306708628230658" /></a><br /><br />Roll on 5.30pm!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-6527821182848528222008-08-18T16:14:00.008+01:002008-08-18T16:30:50.508+01:00Before and afterThursday evening was rather crap and depressing in the weather department<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmSrjfSqaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/5XG5T1rBiDA/s1600-h/Image010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmSrjfSqaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/5XG5T1rBiDA/s200/Image010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235877318753429922" /></a><br /><br />...and some happy-making strategies were required, which in this case, involved making hummus. I eat far too much of the stuff, and thought I might as well make my own, as I can get the seasonings exactly as I like them.<br /><br />The experiment went pretty well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmSKFpauXI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fJPlV_jknoY/s1600-h/Image014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmSKFpauXI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fJPlV_jknoY/s200/Image014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235876743807154546" /></a><br /><br />The downside? I thought that one can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) in the blender looked far to stingy, so added a second. I didn't factor in how much this would expand by once I'd added the oil and tahini. A litre of hummus, you say?<br /><br />Still, nothing like starting the weekend with a full belly, is there? Especially as the weather improved beyond all hope on Friday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmTSU1SeSI/AAAAAAAAAXY/vV636OWJYxQ/s1600-h/Image013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmTSU1SeSI/AAAAAAAAAXY/vV636OWJYxQ/s200/Image013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235877984834058530" /></a><br /><br />What a difference a day makes, eh? It really reminds me of the before and after shots on those cheesy makeover shows.<br /><br />In the same before and after vein, allow me to offer some advise:<br /><br />If you ever find yourself in Ireland, and travelling on our pretty mediocre(but improving) rail service, you might find yourself faced with one of these beasts<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmT2Wc9upI/AAAAAAAAAXg/_aFRrOJml4E/s1600-h/Image011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmT2Wc9upI/AAAAAAAAAXg/_aFRrOJml4E/s200/Image011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235878603744197266" /></a><br /><br />These are still seen far too frequently for my liking. Some of them have been around for 40-odd years, and they smell it, for the most part. I had the misfortune of travelling from Cork to Dublin on one a few years back. It was the coldest January we'd had in years, and there was no heating on the train. We ended up huddled together under stacks of coats, trying to keep warm, as our waterbottles froze before our eyes. <br />The summer edition also comes with a distinct lack of air con or opening windows, which can make that Friday evening train journey very hot and fragrant - in a bad way. <br /><br />Want the good news? These old jalopies are being phased out, and not a moment too soon. The new trains on the network are amazingly fancy creations from Taiwan and Korea, and are the shizzle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmU0r0sroI/AAAAAAAAAXo/zXODq_FLXUY/s1600-h/Image012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKmU0r0sroI/AAAAAAAAAXo/zXODq_FLXUY/s200/Image012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235879674632777346" /></a><br /><br />Hardly seems fair that this is my train for the twenty minute journey home, while people going to Galway get stuck on the orange monstrosity for 3+ hours....<br /><br /><br />Naturally, the weather didn't hold for the weekend, but it's Ireland so we should be used to it. Somewhat. Flooding has hit various bits of the country, and I even resorted to pulling my wellies out of storage when I visited my parents at the weekend. They proved most useful, if a bit naff.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-86179163389230230782008-08-13T13:09:00.004+01:002008-08-13T14:16:51.366+01:00Further down the rabbit holeI love Alice in Wonderland. Absolutely love it. Have multiple copies of the books. Went to New York at New Years, and came home seriously considering opening a franchise of<a href="http://www.alicesteacup.com/"> Alices Tea Cup</a>. You'll understand my joy at finding the perfect mug then.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKLcyHHuyWI/AAAAAAAAAWc/R0pVeZaaUfw/s1600-h/Image009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKLcyHHuyWI/AAAAAAAAAWc/R0pVeZaaUfw/s200/Image009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233988470420982114" /></a><br /><br />Everyone loves an action shot!<br /><br />During a lunchtime wander around Avoca, I spotted this sitting on a small shelf on the stairs. There may have been squeeing, and running towards the till. The little tea filter inside was bought as well. It's in the shape of a teapot, which you may be able to make out, and came with a teeny little dish that it fits perfectly. No more dribbling tea all over the desk on the way to the bin for me!<br /><br />Yesterday continued to be made of win. I got home to find a parcel waiting for me. The fact that I had post (mail) was enough to cheer me up all by itself, as I got soaked to the skin walking the 200 yards from the station to my house. When I opened it....the squeeing could probably be heard in space.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKLdyr9IlcI/AAAAAAAAAWk/z_FtbTayh-w/s1600-h/Image005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKLdyr9IlcI/AAAAAAAAAWk/z_FtbTayh-w/s200/Image005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233989579820275138" /></a><br /><br />SP12 goodies, and how.<br />A fab spotty drawstring project bag (no more ziplocks for me!) and a skein of SOCKS THAT ROCK!!!!<br />While this may be a run of the mill thing for many of you, this is my first skein ever of this yarn. The colours are just perfect, and the urge to stick it straight down my bra was incredible.<br /><br />It's gonna take every bit of my willpower to finish my current sock and not just abandon it and start winding the beautious yarn into cakes. It will keep me company when HusBeast has me committed for getting "maybe a bit overexcited" about yarn. <br /><br />So thank you thank you thank you to my SP12 partner. You rock.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-77331309750802209152008-08-12T15:07:00.009+01:002008-08-12T15:22:24.575+01:00Ice, ice babyThe weekend was a very strange thing, involving the purchase of a bookcase, eating far too many brownies, and hiding from the rain of death.<br /><br />It also involved this<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGZydR65AI/AAAAAAAAAVk/zatzwCJn0yk/s1600-h/Image046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGZydR65AI/AAAAAAAAAVk/zatzwCJn0yk/s200/Image046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233633334113526786" /></a><br /><br />Popping the cherry, so to speak, of my ice cream maker. Such a brilliant wedding present, especially now that we have a freezer!<br /><br />Never one to do things the simple way, I started with coconut ice cream, which began by looking rather sad<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGac3F9DnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/_egFLQjApiI/s1600-h/Image047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGac3F9DnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/_egFLQjApiI/s200/Image047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233634062597164658" /></a><br /><br />but quickly progressed to <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGajIUjzvI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Sz09qfi9Igg/s1600-h/Image049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGajIUjzvI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Sz09qfi9Igg/s200/Image049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233634170301042418" /></a><br /><br />There are no finished photos, unfortunately, as it was devoured in record time. I'll make sure to document the next batch more fully.<br /><br />The sock travelled with me last night after work<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGbCLH9wPI/AAAAAAAAAV8/w-ZWcDm5dKA/s1600-h/Image050.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGbCLH9wPI/AAAAAAAAAV8/w-ZWcDm5dKA/s200/Image050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233634703629467890" /></a> and while it was deemed unsuitable as a candidate (couldn't even be bothered hiding the needles, for a start) was an amiable companion for the duration.<br />Apart from the karmic bit, the other really cool thing about giving blood in Dublin is that once you're done, you're shunted to the cafe for complimentary tea/coffee/guinness/snackyness and this view <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGbhoqTWWI/AAAAAAAAAWE/fT0cX0PWxX0/s1600-h/Image051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGbhoqTWWI/AAAAAAAAAWE/fT0cX0PWxX0/s200/Image051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233635244134062434" /></a><br /><br />This is O' Connell Bridge - the heart of Dublin. Much prettier to look at than walk over though, due to it being August and therefore tourist-central.<br /><br />Two other random bits for you today. Firstly, the office oasis is coming on well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGcFUG0reI/AAAAAAAAAWM/D7ZQBulcnz4/s1600-h/Image052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGcFUG0reI/AAAAAAAAAWM/D7ZQBulcnz4/s200/Image052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233635857091833314" /></a><br /><br />Second.......you can tell me that this was made for banana storage all you want. I still think it looks like a sex toy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGcSCH4zxI/AAAAAAAAAWU/T7jVUfT5G94/s1600-h/Image055.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SKGcSCH4zxI/AAAAAAAAAWU/T7jVUfT5G94/s200/Image055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233636075602759442" /></a>GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-67855018386818114062008-08-08T15:15:00.008+01:002008-08-08T15:36:00.397+01:00Dyeing for the causeThis week has been absolute mayhem! I'm looking forward to a nice, mostly-calm weekend to round it all off.<br /><br />First off, Galway happened. Due to some technical problems, we ended up on the old orange and black train with the seat springs that sit in your arse. Only one way to handle a situation like that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxVufcQmfI/AAAAAAAAAU0/HBRdRsb6eZs/s1600-h/Image037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxVufcQmfI/AAAAAAAAAU0/HBRdRsb6eZs/s200/Image037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232151124300044786" /></a><br /><br />Not much knitting got done this week, overall, but I did get to do some dyeing. The first in my new house. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWFRnS6VI/AAAAAAAAAU8/1-_lwdvd68E/s1600-h/Image043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWFRnS6VI/AAAAAAAAAU8/1-_lwdvd68E/s200/Image043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232151515725228370" /></a><br /><br />I was rather pleased with the results. It's a custom job for a friend in the States, who loves aquas, teals and blues. The next piccies, while rather blurry, show the colour a bit better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWdJaF3pI/AAAAAAAAAVE/h6N2muk_8GQ/s1600-h/Image044.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWdJaF3pI/AAAAAAAAAVE/h6N2muk_8GQ/s200/Image044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232151925839224466" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWlAOjVNI/AAAAAAAAAVM/RnrZWctm_GI/s1600-h/Image045.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxWlAOjVNI/AAAAAAAAAVM/RnrZWctm_GI/s200/Image045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232152060813858002" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hrm....the lighting here is not my friend today. The yarn looks much cooler in real life, and is currently winging its way across the ocean. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Or, being more realistic, is in a bag in a postal depot somewhere in Dublin.<br /><br />I made it to knit night this week as well. Not to my local SnB, unfortunately, as public transport is conspiring against me, but out to Blackrock. For a change, I didn't buy any yarn! I think I deserve a medal for this, considering that Knit Night is held in a) the coolest yarn shop in Ireland and b) a new shipment of Brown Sheep had just arrived. Having resisted the urge to climb into a giant box of yarn, I felt a reward was in order. <I>Oh don't look at me like that!</i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxXsZRz3gI/AAAAAAAAAVU/c7-GBlknyvs/s1600-h/Image042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxXsZRz3gI/AAAAAAAAAVU/c7-GBlknyvs/s200/Image042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232153287309123074" /></a><br /><br />If I'm honest, I'm a bit lukewarm about the whole series of SnB books. I think they try a bit too hard to be cool and hip (or whatever buzz word is flavour of the month) and the patterns are a bit blah for me.<br />This book, however, is pretty much rocking my world. Having had not much more than a flick through, I had it up on the counter and bagged. There are at least 5 projects in it that I plan on making rather soon, and that's before I start bandaging my boobs down.<br /><br />Who am I kidding? I'll never be able to restrain the "twins", but that doesn't make this book any less cool. I think Debbie Stoller has really cracked it with this one, and has produced a book that contains some good and practical advise (of the sort that we don't want to hear, but need to) and a whole bunch of incredibly wearable patterns. Bravo Miss S. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />Now all I need to do is find a good hiding spot for it, so that the HusBeast doesn't get any ideas...<br /><br />To avoid the sock getting jealous, I have to add that I got the heel turned on the train home last night, and look forward to ignoring it for the weekend in favour of getting my baby yoda finished. Just don't tell the sock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxZlXnT7fI/AAAAAAAAAVc/gfhM2YcDloo/s1600-h/Image041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJxZlXnT7fI/AAAAAAAAAVc/gfhM2YcDloo/s200/Image041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232155365626605042" /></a><br /><br />It doesn't deal with rejection.GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-21638428764162942752008-07-31T09:41:00.004+01:002008-07-31T09:57:27.156+01:00Jeans, Interrupted.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF7FMxTCtI/AAAAAAAAAUU/5FAwndqStjk/s1600-h/Image036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF7FMxTCtI/AAAAAAAAAUU/5FAwndqStjk/s200/Image036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229095971611413202" /></a><br />There is nothing quite like having your jeans soaked most of the way to your knees, and having to sit in them all day at work. Bleurgh.<br /><br />It is once more, a "grand soft day" in Dublin. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF7WodyEvI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gqK6HFZoF3A/s1600-h/Image035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF7WodyEvI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gqK6HFZoF3A/s200/Image035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229096271103529714" /></a><br />You're probably wondering why, having lived in Ireland my entire life, I'm still surprised when summer isn't very...summery. Call it my eternal optimism. We're so close to a bank holiday weekend that I can taste it. I've mentally checked out of work until Tuesday already, and am looking forward to seeing some friends in the pub this evening. <br /><br />I'm also looking forward to rolling over in bed at 7am tomorrow, and going back to sleep. Nope, tomorrow I shall not be crawling out of bed and hanging around the train station<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF8Jsu5voI/AAAAAAAAAUs/WlHdCyu093E/s1600-h/Image034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJF8Jsu5voI/AAAAAAAAAUs/WlHdCyu093E/s200/Image034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229097148422405762" /></a><br /><br /><br />waiting for a train that could show up 5 minutes before or 20 after it's scheduled time. At some point in the afternoon though, I'll be heading for the city centre, and getting on a train to Galway. <br /><br />See, not only am I a knitter, but I'm a card-carrying nerd to boot. I go to things like <a href="http://www.gaelcon.com/index.html">this</a> and <a href="http://www.gencon.com/">this</a>, and engage in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_and_dragons">this</a> and <a href="http://www.sjgames.com/munchkin/munchkincthulhu/">this</a> too. I'm going to a convention for the weekend, which involves playing dress up, calling people morons but getting away with it cos it's "in character" and having more beverages of an alcoholic nature than is wise or advisable. w00t!<br /><br />I have booked my ticket for the hangover express on Monday. I'll chat to you after that!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125494656466146065.post-5526233113622348782008-07-30T16:00:00.004+01:002008-07-30T16:12:42.165+01:00Sock it to meSocks. I loveses them.<br /><br />I was intimidated by sock knitting for the longest time. Getting a sock started on DPNs is, to me, comparable to wrestling with an angry hedgehog. Then I discovered magic looping, and the rest is history.<br /><br />For me, socks are the perfect do-anywhere project. A sock fits quite nicely into any or all of the bags that I use on a daily basis. I can do it on the train, without worrying about elbowing the passenger next to me. I even manage to squeeze in a few rounds before starting work on occasion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJCC6u4lRqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/mQ1q_s9RBVQ/s1600-h/Image031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_OKvKcfm3a38/SJCC6u4lRqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/mQ1q_s9RBVQ/s200/Image031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228823112906524322" /></a><br /><br />Husbeast has gone from thinking that knitting is slightly odd and old lady-ish, to demanding to know when he's getting his next pair of socks. The whole thing is just made of win. <br /><br />The pair in the photo above are in Lana Grossa, and are knitting up very nicely. Here's where the problem comes in. I won't get to wear them for weeks. Sure, it's Ireland, and we're never more than 20 minutes from a shower of rain, but if I wear wool socks in this humidity, I might just sweat to death from the ground up.<br />While I love my birkies. they're not workable for wearing every single day.<br /><br />What's a girl to do?<br /><br />I bought one ball of TOFUtsies before the big move, and knitted a pair for myself, which are fantastic. The yarn is great, but incredibly thin (and a little expensive) so I can't see myself making a drawer full of them. What do knitters in actual hot climates do? Cotton yarn is practically non-existant here, with the exception of worsted weight and mercerised. <br /><br />I have a goal of getting to the stage where I only have handknitted socks. Sure, it might seem a little crazy, but it's just another small way I can give big box stores the metaphorical middle finger.<br /><br />Does anyone have any recommendations for yarn to make warm weather socks from? If it's machine washable on delicate/handwash/cool cycle, even better!GaietyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119917213641427481noreply@blogger.com2