morning ladies, thanks for your concern. I haven't been in here for a couple of days as we've been enjoying the company of hubbies "little boy" as we always call him - he's the younger of his two sons and is well over 6ft tall and I get on really well with him - no nasty step-mother here!

I haven't had to cook the last two nights as he's done a barbecue and grumps has really enjoyed it and eaten more than he has since he had his flying accident - he has lost 11kg and looks like a bag of bones so it's good to see him eating sausages and steak etc.

Sadly the little boy drives back to Auckland early tomorrow morning and flies back to Bangkok. No idea when we will see him again, but all the effort of tidying out the spare bedroom was worth it - most of the stuff just got shoved in the little spare bedroom, so my mission after he has gone is to deal with that. I had planned to throw the old barbecue out but Paul reckons it's a really good one, just needs a bit of a spruce up on the front panel - so I'm thinking maybe I can sand it off and paint it with "hammerite" paint. It would improve it's looks.

The gas bottle for the hob ran out last night (while I was cooking a crayfish) so he can help me change that today. It's a two person job as it involves squeezing the gas bottle through a gap between a block wall and a plastic pipe and the gap isn't big enough - it takes one person to push on the gas bottle and the other person to pull it from the other side, and at the same time gently push the pipe to one side. Then the gas bottle has to be carried up a step ladder onto a shelf. Good fun. It's always been on the "plan" to change it, but we never got that "round tuit" that we need.

Yesterday I planted some silverbeet plants and mowed one of the little lawns and the day before I put in some dwarf beans so fingers crossed that they are a success. My thumbs aren't all that green I'm afraid.

Better go, have to nip to town when stepson comes back from his run, and I have a tea cosy to finish for an auction closing tomorrow - it's sold but the lady wants it in a different colour combination, and fortunately she has bid on the one I have listed. I hate it when they ask for something in particular and then you never hear from them again after making it.

Enjoy your day - lovely here (sunny but not too hot). Happy knitting, crocheting and sewing!

Edited by kuaka at 10:42 am, Sat 15 Feb

kuaka - 2014-02-15 10:40:00

Morning (just!)
Trade me has finally let me leave a message - sometimes when I go to post a message there is no button to let me do it.
Great that you have had such a good visit kuaka,
I'm sure you won't notice the wool carole when knitted up with the lemon in between.
I was planning to spend all am in the garden but then heard that skeinz was having a sale so went over there and came back with a lovely lot of wool and a much lighter purse!

Now I must get outside - have a good day all

jayemtoo - 2014-02-15 11:57:00

Good that you can still use it Carole. I was just in the office looking for one of the colours for the fairy id missed. And discovered that some of the Marvel Stallion rose pink I got has the same numbers but are quite different.
While I was getting the red buttons for the tunic Im doing at the mo, I found 10 lovely pink buttons which will go very nicely with the Pink wool you sent me Carole. So that will make a tunic too.
Glad your having a lovely time Kuaka, Ive always said im not the wicked stepmother, I have wicked stepchildren. They chose to hate their father and have no contact. So I will stick to my opinion of them being the wicked ones.
Jayemtoo have you tried deleting cookies etc it may help things work a bit better on here.
Ill finish this tunic, Have cast off for the bodice bits now. so it wont take long and then back to the Fairy.
I was very good and avoided the Skeinz sale, since I ordered some from Deramores last night lol
Clear sky here now, had one short shower earlier. But its not hot so its lovely

popeye333 - 2014-02-15 12:46:00

jayemtoo - well done on the sales purchases - it's just as well I don't live near any places like skeinz or utiku or I'd always be broke. Weird that you can't always post on this thread - unless sometimes you are looking without being logged in.

kuaka - 2014-02-15 12:46:00

lol Kuaka, Skeinz is online so you can order from that. Was tempted to drive the hour and 1/2 but working this weekend so did an online order instead

raej2 - 2014-02-15 13:28:00

I know they're online but I thought you meant you had visited them in person - I think that could be disastrous for the purse!

kuaka - 2014-02-15 14:15:00

I think it's disastrous both ways, just went back online to order extra in case they ran out and I didn't order enough first time.

raej2 - 2014-02-15 14:32:00

Why do I never have the right amount of buttons lol.... I have finished another vest/tunic. I made it with both open shoulders. I should have left one closed and I would have enough buttons lol.
The good news is the next one I have plenty of buttons Yay lol..

Im going to hit the oppy on Tuesday when it opens. They have both loose and packets of buttons. Very cheap. If I spend $5 Ill come home with Oodles lol
Going back to the fairy after Ive done MrPs insulin and had dinner.

popeye333 - 2014-02-15 15:59:00

Yes I did visit skeinz I usually walk over there for the exercise - it takes about 30 mins one way - but this morning i took the car just in case I had more than I could carry and was pleased that I did.

jayemtoo - 2014-02-15 16:04:00

Lovely evening here looking forward to my trip tomorrow to my sisters and pick up at Popeyes. Visited my grand daughter who is at respite this weekend,she is never very happy to go there .At last have finished a jumper I have been on a little while,just finishing a beanie to match.One of our knitters at group have been knitting little ponchos,think I will do one as it is only two strips.think I will turn radio on as tv is not to my liking.

jord37 - 2014-02-15 19:07:00

jayemtoo wrote:

Yes I did visit skeinz I usually walk over there for the exercise - it takes about 30 mins one way - but this morning i took the car just in case I had more than I could carry and was pleased that I did.

Soooooo you brought something ?

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-15 20:57:00

morning all. another sleepless night so got a lot of round 8 done, lucky this ball seems the same as last on, should I back this blanket or not??? did heaps of sewing yesterday love my new machine MrT says we got fog

carolev - 2014-02-16 06:47:00

good morning
Yes GMS I did buy something despite my good intentions not to but I have something in mind for all that I brought - I always have a project envisioned when I buy wool to justify buying it but unfortunately I can't always remember what it is by the time I get around to using the wool lol.

looks like being another nice day here so might get into the garden that I was supposed to do yesterday but managed to get side tracked from. I like the garden when I get into it but seem to be able to get onto other things before going out.
I do have to finish the front of the boys vest I am doing so I can have the needles for another project I want to start. Somehow I just can't get excited about this vest, it's for a 4 year old and not too keen on the colour but need to get it done as I know the boy will need it in winter.
Do others have things which they just can't get interested in doing once they have started?

Have a good day

jayemtoo - 2014-02-16 07:44:00

morning :) Yep, I've had that happen to me jayemtoo and the relief when I actually finished it lol.

Got all my plants transplanted except for a rose and then found another plant to move I had forgotten about. Have to leave it as it is just beginning to flower so will move it next month.

Still stitching away at the neck of this dragon, I worked out yesterday (as MrK made a comment, gee you haven't done much for two hours! cheeky buggar!) over 50 stitches there were 12 colour changes! So stop, start. stop, start... but I'm getting there.

If you back your blanket carole, wouldn't that make it quite heavy? Would help keep it's shape though.

Housework for me today, son has one more sleep before he moves into his flat tomorrow.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-16 08:21:00

Morning everyone
Sometimes I have a planned project when I buy wool, but that often gets changed. I had a three colour blanket planned but ended up using the green for my friends blanket.
Ohh the babies Mum loved the blanket so Im pleased about that. Will use it on the cot in the winter.

Popping up the road shortly for my usual sunday top up. Coke bread and Milk generally lol.
Then Ill come home and my back will be stratched enough to handle vaccumming.
Jord37 coming to pick up the blanket.. Funny that her sister only lives around a couple of corners from Us. Small world.
Ive done the 14 leaves and 4 of the roses for the fairy. Will get onto the body parts today.
Also started a Pink tunic vest in the wool Carole Sent. Soo pleased I have enough buttons to match.
Not a cloud in the sky here. Its my fave temp, 18.
I know what you mean Kiwimade about all the colour changes... It will be worth it in the end eh.
Let me guess. Mac cheese for dinner tonight with your Son? Made in bulk so he can take some with him tomorrow
Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-02-16 08:36:00

lol popeye, nope, had mac'n'cheese last night. He definitely has his favourites lol. Tonight son is shouting us dinner - which will probably be Chineese takeaways as a 'thanks Mum and Dad' :). We've just picked the trailer up so will start loading up today.

Soooo hot already, not a cloud in the sky! Going to have a cuppa, help load this trailer, then get on with housework. THEN I can do my own thing!

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-16 10:51:00

Lol Kiwimade, I wasn't far off then ...

Have met Jord37 this morning a Truly Lovely lady. Finny thing tho she said her Sister lived in the street just a couple of corners away from Us. I thought Oh I know a lady who lives in that street. And Yes it was Jords sister. Such a small world lol.
Soo pleased you loved the Blanket and it was nice to be able to show you my little tunic vest thingees.
We will meet up again when we come up that way again, either for spotlight or the superclinic visits which we tend to do frequently.

Have done the legs and started an arm for the fairy. Will do more after Ive played on here for a while.

Its getting hot out there

popeye333 - 2014-02-16 12:25:00

It's a fabulous day here, our "little boy" left before 9, he flies out early this afternoon. Sad to see him go, I shed a few tears, he says he will be back in a few months, but to let him know if there's any reason for him to come earlier. Also says the eldest daughter who lives in Aussie is planning on a visit, she hasn't seen her dad for over 30 years. Funny that the daughter in Auckland can't seem to make it.

So I've stripped the bed and the sheets are almost dry again. Going to keep the spare bedroom tidy now and not clutter it up with tools and crafts, then all the time it's tidy I don't suppose anyone will come to stay.

Mr K has just dozed off in the chair, so I think I will go and sit out on the deck and enjoy the sunshine and the view, and do some crochet.

Have a great day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-02-16 12:34:00

Yep people only want to come and stay when the spare room is messy lol... No choice here now, we don't have a spare bed. Family bring their beds with them in the form of motorhomes lol.
Be carefull in the sun Kuaka its fierce out there, no clouds to difuse it at all.

Well I think Ill get back to the needles..

Have a good day

popeye333 - 2014-02-16 12:54:00

Having a fairly lazy day. In a few minutes I will take lappy off my knees and pick up my knitting. We are having a lazy tea....something on toast. We haven't had any toast for weeks. I also keep thinking that it is ages since I had marmalade.

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-16 15:32:00

Ours is going to be lazy too GMS.. bacon butties

popeye333 - 2014-02-16 16:22:00

Met Popeye this morning,yes she and my sister knew each other Popeyes better half and my sister had atalk while we discussed knitting and yarn. Very happy with blanket. Tired after drive. Sorting my next knitting venture.

jord37 - 2014-02-16 16:25:00

My dinner will be doggie bag from brother in law. Steak mashed potato pumpkin broccoli,and stewed tomato yummy.

jord37 - 2014-02-16 16:30:00

Oh Jord that's a handy treat bringing home a doggie bag. We just had our bacon butties and they were yumm.
Ive finished the flowers for the Fairy Yay.. now I can do the main body bits and she will be done in a few days.
But Ill do the pink Tunic tonight. Some no thinking knitting.

Enjoy your dinner and put your feet up.

popeye333 - 2014-02-16 17:42:00

I cooked some chicken kebabs on the barbecue along with some potatoes and onion, and we had salad and broccoli, so fairly easy. I managed to sit down and all asleep afterwards. Anyone would think I'm tired.

kuaka - 2014-02-16 19:32:00

Went over to say hi to sister and ended up knocking down the golden queen peaches - or at least the ones we could reach, it is an old tree and they were rather high, got 2 1/2 buckets though which are now stewed and in the freezer.

Started a small granny's favourite for a new great-niece in Australia, third daughter in the family. They live on a farm in Victoria there were bush fires about 15kms away which to me sounds quite close enough thank you and due to the fires the road to the nearest town was closed for a couple of days but fortunately baby decided to wait until the day the roads reopened before arriving.

Now for a bite of tea - homegrown tomato sandwiches I think will do tonight, then on with the carry.
Have a good evening all

jayemtoo - 2014-02-16 19:35:00

well have lazy man's dinner take aways . been sewing and knitting all afternoon.

carolev - 2014-02-16 20:53:00

Question pls. I am knitting with sirdar baby fairilse effect. I thought i had bought 5 balls for my grandaughters jersey. Just finished bak using the start of a second ball. Ooops looks like i bought 2 balls for a project for my newborn grand niece. Do you think as its a mixed colour wool that i wud get away with 3 balls not the same batch ?? I liv in the west and bought them inpukekohe wool shop. Thx

4teeandkay - 2014-02-16 21:59:00

nope I tried that and even if they have the same colour code they can be different in the way the colours fall and will look odd morning girls, sewing knitting shopping and housework for me today the floors need to see the vac and a mop too. I bought a beautiful dovet for grandkids bed . so had to find the bed under sewing junk to put it on , cream colour with poppies looks great better than micky mouse . so now washing the bed linen .I need to declutter my house or buy a bigger house . should I line the blanket I am knitting for bubba cot or not???

carolev - 2014-02-17 06:39:00

carolev - personally I wouldn't line the blanket, if the knitted part stretches or shrinks slightly when washed you will end up with a crinkled blanket that you won't be happy with. If it shrinks or stretches and it's not lined, it won't really matter.

Overcast here today. Might mow another of the lawns, and then do some of that dreaded housework, put clean sheets on the spare bed (and keep the room tidy) and start to tackle the smaller spare bedroom and see if I can get that tidied up - you never know, we might end up being able to accommodate more than one guest.

Have to pop to town to post a parcel (a trademe sale) but sadly there are no lotto winnings to collect. Just imagine how much wool you could buy if you scooped $20+ million!

I shall also do some crochet today, and try to finish another tea cosy which is almost finished and do some more on a knitted one. Going to be busy.

Have a great day everyone and happy knitting.

kuaka - 2014-02-17 07:29:00

morning ladies :) Today is the day son moves, the trailer is partially packed and he just needs to pack his electronic gear and clothes.

Have a bit more weeding to do in the garden but that can wait until tomorrow morning. I did all the housework yesterday except vacuuming so I could do son's room and daughter's room where all his gear was stored at the same time. So once his stuff is loaded up I'll whip round with the vacuum.

I thought I had finished the dragon's neck and part of it matched beautifully to the first quarter of the picture. But for some reason I was out on some of the rows so I'll fix it this afternoon. Won't take long to fix.

I'm halfway through the blanket I'm making and am happy so far. Making it in 'blocks', then strips, is much easier to manage.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-17 07:51:00

Morning everyone.
Sadly 4teeandkay the yarns tend to be way out even if they have the same numbers. Carole and I have both struck it lately with near enough the same colour wool.
Busy time for Kuaka and Kiwimade doing rooms etc . Just washing for me today, although I may throw the duster at the rooms.
Main body parts etc for the fairy today. And Im to the armholes of the Pink Tunic so will get that finished today too.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-02-17 09:04:00

Ha, love that expression popeye "throw the duster at the rooms" hehe - I tend to "frighten" my rooms with the duster.

kuaka - 2014-02-17 10:03:00

Trust me mine get scared too. Its not done often enough lol... Trouble is tho Im sitting here and I know I have missed the vcr lol.. Got distracted cos I have to be carefull when I dust or move Bobcats buzzy be. Im not allowed to touch that so was being careful. Its parked on the floor in front of the VCR (on the shelf above) lol

Edited by popeye333 at 12:29 pm, Mon 17 Feb

popeye333 - 2014-02-17 12:28:00

We must all be very busy...it is 9 hours since anyone posted.
I have grandkids coming in at 7 tomorrow morning as their Mum needs to be at tech by 8 and Dad starts work at 7. So it is off to bed I go.

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-17 21:53:00

morning girls well sewing for me today, I bought a new overlocker yesterday even thow Mr T said No to it, kept it hidden till he gose to work. I made some dresses for day care and took them down to them , Keegan saw my car there and came looking for me , that was so so hard seeing him behind the window and knowing I could not cuddle him. so I left and parked around the corner and cried but the head lady down there told me not to blame a Auckland lady for what my daughter does, did more on my blanket wail talking to kuaka and watching telly. going for a nice massarge today Jon has magic hands,

carolev - 2014-02-18 06:54:00

Enjoy the massage Carol and also the new overlocker - it's so much fun getting new "toys" like that.
I've been wanting an ipad for a while but couldn't justify getting one until some bright person on FB said that they put all their patterns on a tablet instead of printing them off so now I have an excellent reason for an ipad so have started looking around lol

Have a good day with the grandies GMS. Going to be a hot day here today but I love the warmth.

jayemtoo - 2014-02-18 07:17:00

jayemtoo - I treated myself to an ipad last week. A friend "lent" me one late last year and then said to keep it, he didn't want it back, but it's a very old one and sometimes not very responsive. I've used it for a while and decided I could justify spoiling myself a bit. I got mine from Noel Leemings and used my true reward dollars which I get for using my Visa card, also had a $130 credit there for a modem I bought when mine got struck by lightning but then discovered the new modem was a dud, so I only had to physically pay $150. I just bought the ipad2 16gig (I think) so basically the cheapest one. Stepson said to get one with a sim card so I could use it as a phone too, but they are over $1100 and I really couldn't justify that. Course I spent $150 on a kindle a while back (including the case) which I have hardly used, and now I have the ipad I have downloaded the kindle app so possibly didn't need the kindle - having said that, the kindle is much smaller than the ipad so more suitable for reading in bed (except that the kindle isn't backlit so you still need some form of lighting). I opted not to get the ipad mini as I thought it might just be too small.

A friend of mine has been telling me for a couple of years that I need an ipad and I finally told her on Sunday that I've bought one. She phoned me yesterday and said hers had crashed and she's lost all her contacts so I shouldn't get one. Hmmmmm!

Anyway it's overcast today and threatening to rain, so pleased that I mowed another lawn yesterday and put the rubbish out last night so I don't have to trek down the road with it now. If it rains then it's a good excuse to sit and crochet. I've just started another tea cosy and then realised I have a crocheted one almost complete as well as a knitted one half done. Maybe I can finish the half done one and the almost done one today.

Yesterday I also started clearing the junk out of the little room which is off the billiard room, I might do a bit more today and see if I can clear enough space to move my industrial sewing machine into there, then once that's done I can start tidying up the workshop. It's a mission alright.

Have fun today ladies, happy knitting.

kuaka - 2014-02-18 08:12:00

I have a tablet but can't use it as we have no wifi so gave it to a friend it's a 10 inch and cost me $280 the grandkids all have them

carolev - 2014-02-18 08:33:00

morning ladies :) mmmmm.... I'll be 50 soon..... an ipad for my birthday? lol will have to think about it. I also want a sculpture for the garden as I have the perfect spot for one... damit I need a job lol.

It's overcast here so I'm going to get the lawns mowed before it rains and while it's cool(ish). Also have a TM parcel to send off for a sale I made yesterday.

MrK has taken my clothesline down as it collapsed not long ago and was being propped up by a wooden board. He has built me a new one and is going to put it up for me over the next day or two. if it rains I won't feel guilty using the dryer in the summer time.

Will get this part of my stitching finished today, joined the dragon's neck to it's body yesterday. I'll post a pic when I have finished the background as I will be halfway!

Son is loving his new flat, the house is quiet without him and MrK giving each other heaps lol.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:45 am, Tue 18 Feb

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-18 08:44:00

Morning everyone. Too hot for me already... I want to run away to Alaska.

I saw the girls mention putting their knitting patterns on the tablet. Must have a look into that. My tablet is only small but it would be good to prop on its stand (a cover stand type thing I got) and not have to print the patterns out.
I have taken a lot of patterns off the lappy and put on a usb for now.

Only have the hair left to do on the fairy. MrP was sick last night so I didn't get as much done as Id hoped. Did the body head and wings yesterday so not too bad.

Off to the oppy this morning to raid the button box bigtime.

We are going to have to make a decision one of these days. Its getting increasingly hard to shower MrP. Our shower is tiny. And he is just not coping getting that done. Either we will have to get a shower thing to go on the taps over the bath and use the stool in there. Or move to a house with a larger shower. Even the shower stool and a person is too much for the shower.

Ohh Carole you Norty lol.. I couldn't buy a large item like an overlocker without telling MrP. Even if it was my own money.

No rain clouds here.

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2014-02-18 09:01:00

I told Mr T I was getting it and he said NO but it's my money I have it hidden from him. had to put my best over locker in for a service yesterday so needed a new one

carolev - 2014-02-18 09:07:00

carolev wrote:

I told Mr T I was getting it and he said NO but it's my money I have it hidden from him. had to put my best over locker in for a service yesterday so needed a new one

haha - 'cos you couldn't wait while the other one was serviced!

kuaka - 2014-02-18 10:13:00

popeye - have you used your potato ricer yet, and if you have are they worth having - been thinking of getting one for a while, and now that Mr K is out of action it means we don't have mashed spuds at the moment 'cos I can never crush them fine enough so that I can whip them and get a nice fluffy mash

kuaka - 2014-02-18 10:14:00

Yes Kuaka I have and I love it. Means MrP doesn't have to mash them for me. And the mash is lovely.
I have a stainless steel one, and to be honest I wouldn't go with the plastic ones, cos they do take a lot of pressure.
I wash it and put it in the hotwater cupboard to make sure it all dries properly.

Been to oppy and got some buttons.Only a couple that had 7 of the same kind but I got lots of others for smaller needs. Spent $6-40 and got oodles lol. Went to the patchwork shop for some red ones. They have them from 10 censt each so handy to remember

popeye333 - 2014-02-18 12:06:00

Thanks Popeyes, I'll see what is listed on here as I doubt I'll be lucky enough to get one from the oppy

kuaka - 2014-02-18 13:36:00

They sound great popeye, I have to mash about 30-40 potatoes a night so think that may be a bit slow. Maybe worth trying when its just me and hubby.
Kuaka have you got a memory card in your i-pad, I have one in my tablet and save everything to that (just in case every thing crashes)

Edited by raej2 at 2:00 pm, Tue 18 Feb

raej2 - 2014-02-18 13:48:00

*kiwimade* I don't have a clothesline....mine son towed it away as I am not supposed to reach, stretch or lift. I use my dryer all of the time and I doubt whether it has added $15 per month onto my power bill.
Also being rather limited in energy etc I use frozen mashed potatoes. Yep I know that I have got lazy but I call it pacing myself.

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-18 14:26:00

I use the instances mash spuds from new world I have not boiled spuds for years did sewing for a friend today and knitting wail waiting for Jon

carolev - 2014-02-18 15:12:00

well so much for mowing the lawn lmao... posted my TM parcel then sat down to watch Brendan McCullum get his 300... I haven't been this excited about the cricket for years and am really enjoying this Indian tour. Lawns can wait until tomorrow as it has come out hot as heck now.

Only $15 a month GMS? now that's food for thought... and I would call it pacing yourself too. Sometimes we have to think smarter rather than work harder.

Cross stitch almost half way, nearly finished the background. I need a break though as the colours are very close to the ecru linen I'm using. I'm also starting to get pins and needles in my hands and arm as I stitch or knit.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-18 15:24:00