Busy Bee!

Where does the time go??!! I've just worked out that I should be okay to do all the things I want to do if I have about another six lifetimes at my disposal or, failing that, I suppose I could make do with five at a push. I'm sorry that I haven't had time to drop by people's blogs for a few days as I've been so busy but that's next on my list of 'to dos' and it's one of the few 'to dos' that I really enjoy! Thanks for all the comments on my last post and I think I'd better start by answering questions that were asked as I don't seem to have had time to do that either! So, here goes.

Kelly asked if I had a wire jig. Well, Kelly, no I didn't have one but I do now and thanks for bringing their existence to my attention! LOL

Piglottie asked if Stash had any Handmaiden Seasilk. Yes, they did but not a lot when I looked as I'm told it had been flying off the shelves. They did say they'd be getting some more in though.

Piglottie also asked about my e-Shop. I'm hoping to work on it this weekend and get it up and running in the next week or so and I'm so excited that some of you have expressed interest in the jewellery and offered me so much encouragement. Peeps, you're the best! As soon as it's up and running, I'll let you all know my website address.

Now, just look what came in the post today! This is the beautiful spindle that I received from Stacey!


It's called 'Tribal Sun' and Stacey also included some instructions on how to spin and a very generous amount of fibre for me to practice with in my favourite colours. Thank you so much, Stacey! (This is where I do my enabling bit!) As well as the wonderful spindle designs she has in her shop, 'Made by Ewe', she has lots of yummy handspun yarn, too, so why not go have a look see?!

I also bought something that I've been intending to buy for some time and that's a Colour Wheel as I think it'll be invaluable for both knitting and jewellery designs.


One of the latest pieces I've made is this 'Rainbow' Necklace which is much prettier in reality than the photograph shows and is made from eight different colours of Swarovski Crystal Bicones interspersed with silver spacers and Gutermann beads with a star pendant as a focal centrepiece.


The star pendant I felt complimented the rainbow theme of the varicoloured crystals because, although it isn't exactly a light catcher, it does change colour as you turn it this way and that. No matter how many photos I took, none could quite capture the light reflection of the Swarovski Crystals or the subtle changes in colour of the star pendant.

As I said, I also bought a wire jig but, at present, it seems easier shaping the wire with the round nosed pliers as before and certainly easier with them at the moment to get uniform shapes/sizes. I suppose it's just practice, practice, practice. I made these practice earrings (left) on the jig but I'm not at all happy with them.

Despite the old adage that it's a bad workman who blames his tools, part of the problem is that I actually DO need the right tools now that I'm going into things in more depth so I think I shall have to make one or two more investments. It would also be somewhat helpful to use the gauge of wire that is recommended for the jig but I didn't have any and figured that the wire I was using would probably work out cheaper for practicing with as I was bound not to get it right first time!

Now, just to prove that this is still a knitting blog, I finished all the pieces for the Rapunzel baby cardi and they're now blocking on the kitchen table (hopefully they'll be blocked by the time DH sits down to dinner or else he'll just have to share the table with Rapunzul! LOL


The front and neck bands have now to be knitted in one piece on a 2.75mm circular needle which I didn't have so DH has kindly bought me one today in London in his lunch break. As the edges were so curled (being stocking stitch) I thought it might be easier to give it a blocking before doing the finishing. I got some lovely flower shaped buttons for it from C&H Fabrics and I also still need ribbon to slot through the eyelets of the edging.

I've finished the front (or back as they're identical) of the long top, too, but Blogger has decided I've had enough photos for today so you'll just have to wait to see that one.

Now, all I have to do is go get dinner ready and then water the troughs and pots in the garden after another sweltering hot day here in the Garden of England! Then I can relax and go blog visiting.