Hope your all having a great weekend Just unpicked a jumper, to knit up into dolls clothes. What a mission, but got it finished. SO knitting for me this week. Have a great day all.

dilligaf_dah - 2015-12-06 12:09:00

Good idea repurposing the yarn into something Dili.. Im sure the recipitant will love them.

popeye333 - 2015-12-06 12:42:00

morning wet here sewing today. all day hope a lot come

carolev - 2015-12-07 06:32:00

Hi
Very cold day here today and increasing fog as the day progressed which added to the penetrating cold. Went out this pm - well wrapped up - to Murano island to see a boat parade just to find that it was actually yesterday but not to mind as it had an interesting walk and ferry rides and we saw a couple of very old churches and a lot of glass (this is the island which makes the venetian glass).

Finding time to fit in some knitting have finished a couple of cowls and made one fingerless glove for nieces's Christmas present so have the next one to do now.
We went to the mainland yesterday and found a lovely shop selling material and all sorts of accessories but not wool, will need to keep looking.

jayemtoo - 2015-12-07 07:20:00

morning ladies :) lmao kuaka, I do the same thing and knit two together when I have one stitch over and I can't find the error.

I like the idea of reusing an old jumpers wool for dolls clothes dilligaf, sometimes unpicked wool/yarn isn't the best so this is a great way of using it.

We're home now, didn't get home until quite late at night. The Furry One is ignoring me as he can smell our daughter's staffy on me. Completely ignored me when we picked him up last evening and not too fussed on me this morning either. He even slept on MrK's side of the bed which he never does. Guess I have been told in no uncertain terms lol.

Have a few things to do today then I might pick my knitting up again. Back into knitting baby things for a friend who is expecting.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 7:25 am, Mon 7 Dec

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-07 07:25:00

Morning everyone.
Bring some winter home with you Jayemtoo lol... How long are you there for?
Yup I do will decrease if I cant find the mistake.
Ive finished sewing up the baby things and a cardy. It fits me but is not long enough for my liking.

Started sewing in ends on 48 squares I was given to make a blanket. Then Ill lay it out and see what type of design I can get

My girl is soo good, shes not even touching the Christmas tree. She glances at it but doesn't touch.

Oh Kiwimade aren't terriers sulky when they think their place has been taken.. Im sure meal time will change things.

Lawn boys due this morning, and we are going to tell them if they cant fit us in, the week of Christmas not to worry. we don't have people coming that things have to look nice for.

Have a fab day all

Edited by popeye333 at 8:10 am, Mon 7 Dec

popeye333 - 2015-12-07 08:09:00

Morning ladies, well it's cooler here this morning, and looks like it's raining further up the harbour at Opua, I believe there's a ship in and a market on today (might be wrong) but it would be good to be there selling scarves, beanies, tea cosies etc, but I'm not so never mind.

Jayemtoo, did you actually go to the glass works, we did a tour of it when I was there and it was fascinating. I bought my mum an ashtray which she had for years before she dropped it and broke it. She was quite upset. Also did a tour of "Burano" (I think) where they make the lace, that was awesome too - couldn't afford to buy any though.

Puss was in disgrace yesterday, she caught a tui, I don't think she killed it, it's wings were flapping as she high-tailed it over the fence and into the bush but it only took me a few seconds to run round to the front of the house to try to head her back home, and she didn't have it then, I think it flapped it's wings so much she dropped it and it flew away. Fingers crossed.

I went wrong last night on the shawl I'm doing, and had to tink half a row, got to the end of the row and it wasn't right, looked at the pattern, and I'd forgotten to make a stitch either side of the centre knit stitch!

I got the roll of curtain fabric out yesterday afternoon, placed it on the floor on top of the rolls of lining which have sat there for weeks, and that was as far as I got. I really must make an effort soon, mind you, I also need to get stuck in to some gardening, decisions, decisions. Meantime I think it's breakfast time.

Have a super day everyone.

Edited by kuaka at 9:24 am, Mon 7 Dec

kuaka - 2015-12-07 09:21:00

We went to the glass works, Burano and other touristy places last time we were here 3 years ago. This time we are being more like "locals" - doing the market shopping, taking 3 yr old to school etc. we are planning some short trips to areas we have not seen before

jayemtoo - 2015-12-07 10:16:00

Morning everyone
A bit gloomy out there.

Yesterday I finally weeded under the raspberry and passion fruit vines. The raspberry for its first time has two new spines, its easily 5 years old if not more.
And to my Utter surprise theres heaps of tiny wee passionfruit plants growing. So I put out a call for containers, of which Im getting this week.. Will sell the plants from home. Make a little bit of pocket money.

Ive joined the rows on the blanket. Just have to put them together now. Its only a small blanket. Ill get my friend to ask the lady who gave it to me if there is any more wool. Cos I don't even think Ill get an edging put on it.

Lawn boys didn't turn up yesterday, they are probably flat out Id say.

Have a fab day all

popeye333 - 2015-12-08 07:59:00

morning ladies :) Sounds like you are having a wonderful time jayemtoo!

Am braving town this morning and having a look around. Christmas shopping for dad and son is hard, might end up with the old standby of clothes at this rate.

The bigger cotton crochet snowflakes I made have had a good soaking in PVA glue to stiffen them as starch just wasn't strong enough. Am going to send them to our daughter for their Christmas tree. I might make a few more as they were quick and easy to make.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-08 07:59:00

Morning ladies, kiwimade, do you dilute the pva glue or leave it "whole"?

Another gloomy day, windy and overcast and not particularly warm. Yesterday I was cold so we put the heat pump on for a while. It's not that the temperature is particularly low, but the humidity has dropped so it feels much colder. So much for summer.

Put my lettuce, marigold and petunias in yesterday. Today I have a stack of ironing to do and the car needs washing, so that's my morning taken care of and then I'm out this afternoon. Knitting will have to wait till this evening.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2015-12-08 09:17:00

just left it 'whole' kuaka and it worked! Have spent some time this morning trimming the excess PVA away but it definitely worked. Put some glad wrap on my big heavy chopping board, spread the PVA on the plastic then put the crochet on top of the glue and made sure it was all rubbed in. Messy but fun lol. Then peeled the glad wrap away when it was all dry (or semi dry for the bigger pieces) and trimmed the excess away. Put some cotton strands for hanging back on with a bead for some as extra weight and voila! Will post pics here when I have uploaded them.

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-08 09:53:00

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/431222008.jpg

here you go :)

Right-o, time for a cuppa :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-08 10:03:00

They are cool Kiwimade. And yes it would be fun lol.. Sometimes messes are the best thing..

Really windy here now.

popeye333 - 2015-12-08 12:14:00

really nice kiwimade. been sewing all day got a big order

carolev - 2015-12-08 16:44:00

Well done on the order Carole.

I just sold $70 worth of toys, so Im chuffed with that. Twice what the lady was going to buy, but I made sure I tempted her lol..

popeye333 - 2015-12-08 18:12:00

Could someone please tell me what size needles you knit 10ply on. Thank you.

grant151 - 2015-12-08 18:28:00

I use 5 mm to 5.5 mm to get the suggested gauge, It really depends on how loose or tight your knitting is. Often the ball band will give you an indication of suggested needle size.

nanasee1 - 2015-12-08 19:02:00

Hi
Love the "snow flakes" Kiwimade.
Thats great sale Popeye you must be a real good salesman to get the buyer to buy more than they intended to.
Grant151 probably anything from 4.5mm to 5.5mm depending on what is being made and your knitting tension.

Spent the morning at the local laundromat doing a huge pile of washing - sheets and towels mainly. With the short days and constant fogginess things take ages to dry when hung outside.
Then this pm we took the ferry to a small island where there is an Armenian Monestary and had a very interesting tour around it they have a museum with interesting ancient artefacts and manuscripts. It is an area which most tourists don't know about so not many people visiting and there is only the one ferry each day going to the island which the public can use.
Now relaxing for the evening so will get on with the second glove I am knitting for Niece's Christmas present.

jayemtoo - 2015-12-09 06:07:00

morning nice day no news very down

carolev - 2015-12-09 06:54:00

morning ladies :) Lovely to hear of your adventures jayemtoo, one day I will get to Venice! Well done popeye on the sales :)

Lawns to mow this morning and the car to clean as our students begin arriving tomorrow.

Will knit this afternoon I think.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-09 07:55:00

Morning everyone.
Love hearing of your trip Jayemtoo, its like having a virtual holiday without the expense of leaving home lol.

I was pleased with my sale, she had said she wanted $25 worth so I nearly tripled that. lol..
My stepfather always said I could sell ice cubes to eskimos !!

A lady is coming this morning to bring me some more pots for the passionfruit. Shes going to risk taking a couple so tiny. But Ill keep her name and if they die Ill give her more when they are bigger.

Ill get more done on the blanket today. didn't do anything yesterday.

Have a fab day

popeye333 - 2015-12-09 09:15:00

lawns are mowed, wanted to get it all done before the day got too hot and my antihistamine was at it's peak. Time for a cuppa!

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-09 10:03:00

I played yarn chicken today. I got the rows put together and thought well I reckon it will be close.
So started the border in the original colour wool.
I got to the end of the round with one treble left and about 2 inches of wool. so it got a sneaky double crochet and finished off. And you can barely tell lol.

I knew it would be close.

And I thought I had to give it back to the lady who did the squares, so she could give it to CMA but she gave it to me and told me to sell it if I didn't know anyone that could use it.

Ill do photos in the next few days. In my free time without MrP

popeye333 - 2015-12-09 17:37:00

morning

carolev - 2015-12-10 07:03:00

Morning everyone.
The first part of the day for us lol.. will go and get some groceries, then come home and put MrPs walker etc in the car, have a slightly earlier lunch and take him up to Middlemore.

Then Ill be doing a bit of meat shopping on my way home.

Going to be interesting to see how Missy acts without her daddy being here.

I wanted to start a really pretty blanket last night. Knitted. but unfortunately it doesn't tell you how many stitches to cast on lol... Im assuming its a printing error. So Ill have a looky online later and see if I can find it.

Have a fab day all

popeye333 - 2015-12-10 07:42:00

morning ladies :) Good luck to MrP, popeye. You did well with that sneaky double crochet lol, love it when things like that work out. I think there are a lot of patterns out there that hasn't been checked before publishing. Hopefully you can find it online again or even work it out from the pattern.

Our students arrive this afternoon and another group Saturday afternoon so a busy few days for us. Need to whizz round and do housework and pop into the supermarket for a few things. Somehow I doubt I will be knitting today.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-10 08:18:00

Morning ladies, overcast here but not as cool as the last few days. Mr K has a doctors appointment this afternoon, be interesting to see what she has to say to him as he hasn't been for the blood tests that he was supposed to have back in July or August, so she won't be impressed with that, and last time he saw her she told him to "start future planning". Hmmmm. Well he's still here, but he's getting thinner and thinner.

No plans for the day. I've almost finished the tea cosy which was ordered but I'm not very happy with it, it's enormous. True it does fit right over the pot, so no gaps for the handle and spout but still it looks huge. I'll post a pic when I have finished it. Then I have to find another project.

I still haven't cut my son's curtains out, I washed the floor so that I could do them, and now the floor will need washing again.

I got the Christmas tree out last night, so might put that up this morning as I don't feel like doing anything much. That will at least brighten the place up a bit and cheer us up.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2015-12-10 09:09:00

Ciao
All the best to Mr P. and hope the Drs visit goes ok for Mr K.
It will be fun with the different students Kiwimade

Been a lovely day here today which is lovely as yesterday was thick fog all day. We went for a long walk along the waterfront from St Marks square this am and it got pleasantly warm. It is very nice with so few tourists around.
Then this pm sister and I took the ferry to the bus depot then a bus to a large shopping mall on the mainland. We managed to get all that was on our list at the supermarket - it takes a bit longer trying to work out just what we are buying, we have learnt quickly that "offerta" means a bargain.

Started a cowl yesterday doing it circular and it is supposed to have a twist in it but of course when I want a twist no way did I get one whereas if I hadn't wanted it twisted probably it would have.

jayemtoo - 2015-12-11 06:54:00

morning very busy sewing but did finish a sleeve of jumper

carolev - 2015-12-11 07:08:00

Morning ladies, very dull overcast morning here and looks like rain - and it probably will seeing as I've just been out and watered the garden as everything was wilting yesterday afternoon, and I had intended to do it after tea but forgot all about it.

Still haven't finished this wretched giant tea cosy, will try to finish it today. Yesterday someone I knew phoned and wanted to buy something for a baby, course everything I had was girlie or pink and she wanted something plain white or blue. Only white thing I had was a cot blanket which I'd made yonks ago so I let her have it for less than half what I'd priced it at. I had tried to sell it on the market when I did the stall, (I think I started it when my daughter was pregnant and the baby is coming up 12) so time it was moved on!

I like having several things on the go at the same time, so I think I will make a couple of baby singlets, just to have on hand just in case I get any locals wanting something.

My tree is up and half decorated, it's got the lights and tinsel on but not the balls. I looked at the supermarket bag full of balls and couldn't be bothered yesterday - maybe today, although I quite like it the way it is.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2015-12-11 08:06:00

Morning everyone
A light misty rain this morning.

I will phone MrP shortly.. And then I have a few things to get done before I go pick him up.

Missy dashed into the lounge this morning to where MrP sits and he wasn't there. I think she realises hes not here now lol.

Have a fab day all

popeye333 - 2015-12-11 08:41:00

morning all. no knitting been sewing , God I hate pain when will it stop.

carolev - 2015-12-12 07:39:00

Morning everyone

A grey gloomy day here. My friend and I are soo pleased we didn't book a stall for the market and santa parade today. It will definitely rain at some stage.

The drs think they have killed MrPs kidneys. They have to do some blood tests today, then over the next few days. And do a review on Wednesday. He may be home today, but it will depend if he has to go back for the review or if they can just ring him. If he has to go back, I will talk them into keeping him there. The travel is too hard on him.

No craft for me. Just too tired to think about it. .

Hope everyone is well and Happy

Have a fab day

popeye333 - 2015-12-12 08:42:00

Good Morning Ladies.
The sun out and it hot .Temp is 24 in our lounge.
Sorry to hear MrP not well. Hope they keep him in till it sorted popeye. You look after yourself.

Spend most of the last 24hrs on the bed or in lounge. Had this headcold now for last 3 or 4 days,No crafting again today.

Hope everyone enjoying their w/end.

sunflowers28 - 2015-12-12 10:59:00

Hi
Hope They sort out MrPs medical problems ok Popeye, take it easy if you can while he is being looked after in hospital.

Had a quieter day yesterday which we needed just went to the market and a bit of local shopping. As everything has to be carried here - no motorised vehicles on the islands - people tend to shop in smaller quantities, we all wander around with our trundlers when going to market.
The weather reached 4o C so nice to stay inside and got quite a bit of the cowl done.
Nephew and his family arrive today so no doubt noise levels will rise with another couple of kids here but all good fun. The 3 year old is getting excited tat catching up with her Kiwi cousins. She got me organised to play "schools'" with her yesterday but school is all in Italian which made it rather tricky for me so I had to quickly organise an English game, on the whole though she has it pretty well worked who to speak which language to.

Have a great day (or evening).

jayemtoo - 2015-12-12 19:58:00

morning ladies :) Finally managed to find time to post in here. It's been very busy with two groups of students, the first group of boys barely said a word to us. Polite, but very shy. The group of girls we have now make up for that though lol, giggly and very talkative. They want to practise their English as much as possible in a 'regular' family way. Today we are taking the girls to the beach (lots of squealing and laughing at that suggestion), picnic lunch (more squeals), they asked to go shopping so off to Bayfair we go, they also want to buy Manuka honey so will stop at Tauriko where there is a working hive you can see inside of, see cows being milked and a BBQ dinner for tea. I'm exhausted just thinking about it all lol but they are so much fun. They decorated our tree yesterday, don't think they had ever done that before, more squeals and giggles! The Furry One is in doggy seventh heaven as he is being adored by three teenage girls who have no idea how to say 'no' to him! Just what every Jack Russell wants for Christmas lol.

I did manage to get some crochet done, have started a C2c blanket (no brainer) for a pregnant friend's new baby.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:05 am, Sun 13 Dec

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-13 08:01:00

Morning everyone.
A dark wet humid one

Kiwimade you will be wiped out by tonight lol.. But the girls can keep the Furry one happy at least. Although he might want to sit and snuggle with his mum too.

MrP is home. He would have been happy to stay there if his roomy had been. They had fishing and motorbikes etc in common, along with the fact that the guy used to live here too.
We have to wait for bloods to see what the state of his kidneys are.

I started a babies beanie about Wednesday and I haven't done a stitch since. Not so tired today so will get to it later.

Im going to buy some mixed fruit when I get off here and make a Christmas cake, will make the sponge for the trifle, and maybe some Christmas snow. MrP said he wants a yummy Christmas since we never know what will happen next.
I can understand that. They have said there wont be a heart op now.. so he might as well enjoy himself.. within reason.

Have a fab day all. And Kiwimade be careful on the roads

popeye333 - 2015-12-13 08:51:00

morning all

carolev - 2015-12-13 09:19:00

morning all sunny day

carolev - 2015-12-14 06:43:00

Morning everyone

A mixed bag out there this morning.

Off to the drs this morning for a normal appointment and get pills.

I didn't bake yesterday, so maybe today or tomorrow...

I did finish the beanie I started. nice and easy pattern

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2015-12-14 07:32:00

morning all sewing today . shopping tomorrow boring life

carolev - 2015-12-15 06:47:00

morning ladies :) Was absolutely knackered yesterday lol, mind you hayfever didn't help matters.

Was very sorry to see out last group of students leave, they were wonderful. On Sunday we went over to Mt Maunganui (the weather cleared up for us), walked out to the blow hole (again for us lol) and the girls loved it. Tons of photos but it was just so beautiful with the moody sky and then the sun came out and the water was all sparkly. Then shopping at Bayfair Mall (omgggg... teenage girls and malls lol), then picnic lunch, saw the cows being milked, home, visit supermarket (they had to come with me and so it took over an hour to buy three things lol), BBQ dinner then Christmas carols at the wee 100 year old church down the road. Was knackered! Just before the girls left they gave us a gorgeous set of dipping bowls and chopsticks, they had already given us gifts when they arrived so this was a real surprise. I am picking up a few Japanese words too and the girls were very patient with me as they taught me :). I'm going to see if I can find some adult classes to learn basic Japanese.

I did manage to crochet a few more rows and my sewing basket came out to repair some Christmas decorations. The girls were fascinated by all the bits and bobs lol, pretty beads and ribbon and thread will always be a winner I think lol.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-15 07:19:00

Morning ladies, well I was knackered yesterday too as I rowed out to the boat and ran the motor, and then rowed back again. The dinghy is quite heavy to manhandle, and by the time I got home I just had time to shower and zap off to the doctor for a blood pressure check. It's up slightly. She said to go back again in a week's time.

Very disappointed that my Christmas tree lights have given up the ghost. I bought some really lovely ones 3 Christmases ago, they lasted about five days the first year and a bit longer the second year, then died, so I complained to Arlec (Australia) and they replaced them at the beginning of this year, so really brassed off that the replacements lasted only 3 days, probably a total of about 25 hours. I've emailed again but no response so far.

Christmas lunch today so going to bake a bacon and egg flan (sort of a pie without a top) and cut into squares, take some and leave some for grumps to have at lunchtime. That's the last of my Tuesday afternoon escapes then till 26th January.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2015-12-15 08:03:00

Morning everyone.
Sounds like you had a ball Kiwimade..

Ive got the ingredients ready for our Christmas cake. Boiling the fruit at the mo.. Then will throw that in the oven before I go to the med centre for my depo.
Not exactly happy about staying on that, but my hormones say I haven't finished menopause.. Ohh Happy days NOT lol.. so Ill go back on depo for a while. Thought I might get checked every couple of years, using my mammogram as a reminder to come off the depo and get checked lol.

I knitted another beanie yesterday.. Have to finish sewing it up today.. So cute, double ribbling them stocking stitch with contrasting garter stitch rows in it.

Gloomy day out there but no rain as yet.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2015-12-15 08:21:00

I thought I had 'finished all that' too popeye lol but it's not to be for a while yet. Oh well, something to look forward too!

Christmas shopping is done and dusted, am really chuffed as I came under budget too thanks to some sales. I've even bought daughter's birthday pressie as her birthday is pretty much straight after Christmas.
MrK has made a gorgeous photo frame out of old recycled rimu and has gone into town to see about the matting for the photo. He did something similar last year for one of his sisters and this year, sister number three asked him to do the same for her. Easy peasy present and he loves making them so a bonus there.

Been to Spotlight and bought some 4ply to crochet a pair of fingerless gloves for my dad's friend so will get onto those tonight after we have walked the new Waikato Expressway this afternoon (open day today).

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-15 14:18:00

Hi
Looks like you had a great time with the students Kiwimade.
How frustrating Kuaka if the lights fizzle out so quickly.
Still cold here - got up to 8oC yesterday but the fog seems to have gone for the time being.
Has been busy days with going to various places with Nephews family, certainly interesting seeing things through young people's eyes. They have gone ice skating this pm we went and checked it out the other afternoon but it is compulsory to wear gloves so we had an interesting trip to a large shopping complex on the mainland yesterday to get gloves. Also found a great bargain for parmigiana regiana so have stocked up on that to bring home.
Am making the most of the bit of peace while the others are out to start a pair of socks for the 3 yr old.

Interesting that the expressway is opening, it will make going past Cambridge so much easier, looking forward to using it on my way home when back in NZ.

jayemtoo - 2015-12-16 03:05:00

morning ladies :) yep jayemtoo, you will be driving on it when you come home as it opened for regular traffic at midnight. We walked a bit then took a bus to see the Karapiro Viaduct, wow, now that is some engineering!
I haven't been ice skating for years, wonder if I can still do it lol.

Thought I was feeling too smug about Christmas shopping, sis-in-law phoned and said they are having a secret Santa thing so need to buy a couple more cheap things.

I started a pair of crochet fingerless gloves last night for a friend of my Dad, will see how they turn out before I decide to give them to her for Christmas.

Today, lawns need mowing before it rains again so will get onto that early.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2015-12-16 06:48:00

morning all. sewing and shopping planed today

carolev - 2015-12-16 07:01:00

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carolev - 2015-12-16 07:01:00