Enlightenment

Yesterday was the last day of enlightenment in Durham. This was a light festival. It involved four main pieces of work attached to four of the many bridges in the town, as well as little pieces in shops and stuff.
I have always loved walking by the river in Durham it is one of those places that just feels right, a bit like the woods and going to the beach. Having grown up in Durham it also holds memories of different parts of my life, and every time Iam in the town I do try and get down to the river so this festival of lights on the bridges really appealed to me
So last night we went down to have a look, we where given our maps and glow sticks, and went to see the pieces. well after a brief stop for some fish and chips.
It was all spectacular to see the bridges all light up in different ways.
The first bridge was Elvet bridge this had two giant arches/gates. The images on the gates where taken from the cathedral with one being the sanctuary knocker, this piece also used the bamboo from the bridge that was recently on the Tyne.
The second bridge was Kingsgate, this is one of my not so favorite bridges it links up to part of the Union and is very concrete, although it do have its positives as well there are some nice views from it. For this bridges art work you had to go down the side of the bridge to see underneath it. The piece could be seen from the first bridge but only in a form similar to the photo from my phone.
up close it was lovely and very effective in its one colour.

The text is from St Bede and is in three languages, I also loved the reflection of this one in the water.
The third bridge was Prebends bridge witch is probably my favorite. There is no picture for this one as they did not come out well at all. From standing on the bridge you looked down to see floating in the water in green lights a picture of flowers it was lovely.
from this bridge you can also see the final bridge with its eyes. To get to the final bridge the path along the side of the river had been illuminated with lights.
The final bridge was Framwelgate Bridge this had two massive eyes suspended in the arch ways, possibly a bit eary after it just being Halloween but somehow suited this bridge and the setting

Raspberries and Orchids

Well despite the fact that that the weather has now decided that it is winter, and my mistreatment of these plants.
My raspberries have decided to ripen - they have been on the bush for a while, and despite being an autumn variety never expected any this year. So thees are officially the first edible thing to come from my garden, and tasted lovely

I then came in on Friday night to find that my orchid had decided to open another flower. I never expected this to live at all. It was an impulse buy from Lidl and has lived next to the kettle since arriving home - and obviously likes it there, it is also nice that this flower open just as the three that where already there where starting to fail. Have to excuse the quality of this photo the camera was accidiently on museum mode so everything goes slightly yellow

A present for my minstral

I decided to by her a present, so got her a distaff, purely for decorative purposes, but now its changed her and she needs a new name. her old one isn't right any more
Yes I know its a spinning wheel but

Hedgehog Mushroom

Well yesterday I went off on a fungi forage in Chopwell woods, we had nice weather and a guy who new his stuff. we also found a great big hedgehog mushroom (as well as several slightly smaller ones). So here is the giant mushroom

this of course was before he was fried in butter with garlic and put on to some toast.

Mrs Tidlewink

I have a new friend in my garden, and this time it is one that will help to get rid of all the slugs and snails. The picture aint brilliant I know but it was dark and I didnt want to scare her off.

My garden

I am now settled in my little flat, and most of the inside is sorted. So now I am turning my attention to the garden. At the moment this is the state of it.



This is a great improvement on the jungle it was, but still not brilliant.
The veg patch is starting to look like it could be planted, and each time I turn it over I uncover less junk which is good.
The other side, with regular attacks is slowly becoming more of a grass area. A few more attacks and I will sort out the boarder for the bulbs to go in ready for the spring. Although that is dependent on a bit of dry weather to cut the grass back again.
My problem now is the area in front of where the veg is going to go.

This part is plagued by tree roots and bits of trees that are trying to regrow, and a drain cover.
I have no idea what to do with this part of the garden. Other then fire to the trees that is, and now it is starting to bug me. Originally it was just going to be grass, then I thought about a herb garden now I just want rid of the trees. Any suggestions are most welcome though.

Reason, Season, or a Lifetime

The last couple of days have reminded me of this, what with seeing old friends, part of my life moving on and other bits staying still, and also a bit of reliving my youth, (Def Leppard was great the other night)
I carnt rember where I first heard it, I know it has been on office walls in a couple of places I have worked, I also dont know who wrote it but thought I would share it with you.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realise is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

youth

A true rambling think this may not make sence in the morning, but hay that is what hapens after 3 hr sleep then still being up at 1130.

My lovely snowflake runing around and enjoying life - hard to take a picture of yourself doing this
I like this picture
It reminds me of carefree days of youth where you enjoyed life to the full and questioned so much.
I know I go threw stages of remembering to live life to the full tale every chance going.
but sometimes as an adult you have other things that drain you and take you from your own life.
It is always important to remember what makes you happy, and have fun in your life sometimes you also have to learn when to leave things in your life that are draining and bad for you, and do the things that are good for you.
even when life is plotting against you there are always good things weather it is a picture like above, a call from a old friend, or a word from a loved one

Marianne Mobius Wrap

here is a close up of the shawl

Sisters wedding

Well another delayed post from my world.
Well another year and another little sister got married - belive me im getting sick of the when is it your turn questions,
So here is the happy couple


And almost a year on another picture of all six of us together - its is great getting us all together just don't happen that often these days. We have also let Ella into this one

A FO

I always seem to forget to post these, or forget to phot them or both. Some times however it is just not getting to the computer and getting on to blogger, so here is a cardi that I made for Ella.
It is in Baby bamboo, although the light in the picture isnt good enough to see the colours properly.

Sock Diary

Starting off
After one false start (me knitting in to the wrong part of my cast on) and being kindly shown a new way to cast on. My first sock started on the saterday of our weekend away. The sock then came for a trip to the pub, this however only cased problems to it. On the sunday it had an outing at the tea shop, although not for long. By the end of the weekend away I had the very top bit done. Slow going I know but I dont knit fast on two needles let alone four of the pointy things.

Getting Further
A little bit of knitting did happen during the week- but only in gaps at work. The crochet was feeling abandoned after a weekend with out being touched. However a nice long train trip proved just the ticket. One sock now in hibernation till I learn to do heels.
There is a slight problem of being able to tell where I'm changing needles but this is my first trip into the dpn world. On the whole I'm happy with progress so far.

Last weekend in Oxford

I had a good weekend, lots of good food and just being away from home. The buildings down their are lovely, but not they aint Durham but I would say that. We where only there a couple of days so didnt do much. The Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers where the only places we went round. well other then a bit of a walk round the collages.. It was great seeing in real life skelitons that I had studied in text books. The insect collections where also amazing. The Pit Rivers is an odd colection of just about every thing, all in cases of similar things. It was a lot to take in when you arnt expecting it. It was great just wandering around looking at things some so old but brilliently crafted. There was also a lot of textile crafts including a case of spindals. Not a good photo I know but it was dark in there and I didn't want to be using the flash.

Weekend away

Well this weekend was wonderfull, and I would like to thank all who where there for making it so with ther lovely company.
Sometimes you just need a stressfree weekend, with wonderfull company, good food, sandy beaches, and lots of wool.
Most pictures seem to be of the beach - very unlike me ;-).
however lots of fun was had and I started my socks with the aid of Pinkphish - when I get the time they are going to get their own entry- maby a mini diary of their own.

here are people felting

and the is the beach looking very atmospheric

My new niece

and the now big sister


arnt they lovely

What to do with a Thursday off

Well for me this disision was easy. My thursday off hapend to be the 3rd Thursday of the month.
the . Guild would be on. I have been wanting to get to the spinning and weaving guild for a long time now. Work has a tendancy to get in the way though.
Today I went.
I was a bit worried about how I would be accepted, would they be frindly? and could I turn up just with my drop spindle. (The car was at the garage and didn't want to public transport my sonata and it was at Sis)
Well they where all very friendly and welcoming, and before I knew it it was 1pm.
Although I didnt have my wheel I still learnt, and hopefully (when I can next make it ) will learn more from these lovely people.
Most importantly I was remindend that crafters with a love of their craft are always welcoming and happy to help.

Things that reapear

This may not happen to other people, perhaps because they/their family are more organised, or maby they just know where everything is. But do you ever sundenly just come across some thing you have forgoton about? This can then lead your memery down many a path.
But the other day I was sat in my sisters room and saw this
I mainly picked it up cos it was shiny and colours I like, but I made this. It was one of my first crochet with wire ventures.
My sister for her part has no idea where it came from it was made for a sister who no longer lives at home.
As I looked at it I realised that for all it aint perfect it aint bad either, it made me rember that I should be proud of things I make as a lot are good and deserve it

Some fo's

Well I decided as it has been a month I should maybe put some pictures of finished objects.
So first of all the motif web shawl I made for my sister.

This is before it went to my sisters for blocking but gives a good idea of what it is like.


Heres a close up of one motif
Again this was before blocking
As I am here this is also from the same Interweave Crochet magazine it is the Hot cross slouch beret, in my habit of crochet for other people and not myself at the moment this was for a friend at work.
Well other then these the only other half done stuff I have is for Snoph and her new brother/sister.
The reason for the lack of crochet is mainly to do with being more interested in spinning at the moment. this was not helped by buying myself a new flyer. Pictures of this will come.

My Winter Wonderland

I know after not blogging for so long I have a back log of crochet and stuff to post about but, me thinks that aint going to hapen in the near future. So here are some pitures from today



A robin happy after being feed, and this was how close I was no zoom lense




and a mini snowman