Oooh I needed that!

I had the urge to scrap last night, and thanks to the lovely Rachel putting me together some page kits using my photos and a mix of mine and her stash (thank you lovely!) I steamed through four layouts! It felt great, I definitely needed and enjoyed that! I also got well on with a fifth but my mean husband wouldn't let me get the sewing machine out to finish it. It was only ten to midnight, I mean how rude!














Oh I am loving my iPhone, I snapped these pictures, Photoshopped them and uploaded them to my blog all from this slim, clever little device. How cool is that?!

As for the match yesterday, well, wow, it was awesome! What a sight walking into the packed stadium, it was like HD tv had come to life, so surreal. Anyway, I must be lucky as we smashed the opposition 4-1 which is almost unheard of for Leeds! Mind you, the other side, MK Dons, had three men sent off so that helped! Here are a couple of pics to add to my 'to scrap' pile, taken in Hipstamatic again but it really looks great here!










Been out exhibiting at a busy wedding fair all day, but got three appointments in the diary (one by yours truly!) and a baby portrait shoot booked to promote the re-launch of the studio so it's all good. Better get to bed as it will be a busy day at work tomorrow for sure (I have to go prop shopping at 9am for starters) and I'm shattered. Zzzzzzz.

Little update

Thought I better pop in and say hello seeing as it has been a few days and I don't want to fall down that slippery slope again!




I haven't been doing much scrapping or knitting this week (sorry Rach!) as I thought I'd better get started on the dozens and dozens of metres of fabric bunting I have to make for a family wedding in August. It seemed like ages away, but the lovely weather of late has reminded me that it's really not, plus I have so many triangles to stitch it's untrue!

I also wanted to share a few more Hipstamatic photos taken of my youngest Alex and my friend's little boy while playing in their garden yesterday. They are both such cheeky, playful little characters and make me chuckle :)

I must scrap these photos soon - soon as the hubby finally orders some printer ink, grrrrrr.

























I better go, I'm going to my first football match to see the mighty whites, ahem, Leeds United. Woo hoo! Just hope we can win, man do we neeeed a win right now!!!

X

Everything's looking posy

From My Blog Photos

Three days running, I know! But lucky for you guys blogging has become so quick and simple, and I don't even need to switch the computer/ laptop on! So you SHALL be hearing a lot more from me!

Anyway, I'm back to show you my latest little creation - a knitted flower head, which I knit up last night from a new Ravelry pattern and attached it to a thin wool band to wear on my head. It's so cute and comfy, and quite quick to make, I love it! My latest make has been inspired by my friend Rachel/reward, who has launched her own Folksy store of equally gorgeous knitted headbands - and I hope this pattern will be a new addition very soon. Check out her total gorgeousness at www.folksy.com/shops/thefunkybeau

Oh and my first day in my new job went well, spent learning new software, business blogging and brainstorming in a stress-free manner - not like any Monday I've ever known! Fingers crossed it continues once the ball really gets going!

Out to the Ings

From My Blog Photos

Had a lovely meal out with family today, followed by a fun walk round the nearby Fairburn Ings where I took much delight playing with my favourite of my nee iPhone apps Hipstamatic. Such a cool little tool! I used it to take all these photos.

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

From My Blog Photos

Ok, that was a lot of photos, sorry, but I just love them :)

Starting my new job tomorrow - will let you know how I get on!

Back... with a new look

It's been too long (sorry!) but I'm finally back having had a wonderful blog makeover courtesy of my lovely friend Rachel/reward (thank you hun!). Rachel has also helped me with all the layouts I have posted photos of in this post, which will hopefully kick-start me into scrapping much more often than I have been doing of late (I blame my new-found addiction to knitting - curling up on the sofa with a ball of wool is too easy!)

All the photos on these layouts were taken during our trip to Florida in February. We all had a great time, especially Harry - Disney World was made for five-year-olds!

So, what else have I been up to since my last post? Gosh, so much really! I finished my job as a newspaper reporter yesterday, which was a massively brave step, and will be starting work as pr and marketing 'expert' for my mum and her partner's wedding photography businesses on Monday. I'm so excited! I get to spend more time with the boys, work nearer to home in a much less impossible job, and will have more money leftover after childcare and petrol too.

The boys are growing up so fast too. Harry is loving primary school and is a bundle of imaginative questions lately. Alex is his usual cheeky, clever self and coming on leaps and bounds. I'm very lucky. :)

So, seeing as Rachel has now shown me how to blog from my iPhone, I plan to blog a lot LOT more... watch this space!

Two-needle convertible fingerless mitts

Been busy with more knitting, although I really need to stop knitting pretty things for myself and get on with the Christmas presents I need to make. Hmmmmm easier said than done though!

These I made this week for the drive to and from work now it's getting colder. I need my fingers free to steer, but I wanted some cover for when I'm not driving. I had again spied something similar on the high street and wanted to make my own, but couldn't find a free pattern. So I made up my own and here it is. And even better, these babies are knit on two needles then sewn up, so the pattern is ideal for beginners or those who just find knitting in the round too fiddly. I have shared it on www.ravelry.com so if you use it please go share your photos, I'd love to see it in other colours :)

Two-needle convertible fingerless mitts

DK weight yarn

Needle size 4mm / US 6

Main mitt section

Cast on 40 stitches

Rows 1 to 5 - work in K2, P2 ribbing.

Continue in stockinette stitch until your work reaches the desired length (keep checking by placing it on your hand. My finished mitts are 9 inches, which I find covers my wrists right up to my knuckles.)

Then work the final 7 rows in K2, P2 ribbing.

Cast off.

Stitch the sides together using matress stitch, leaving a 2-3 inch gap for your thumb (again check the size and location as you go)

Thumb section

Cast on 17 stitches

Work in stockinette stitch for about 20 rows or 3 inches (a couple less if you have a shorter thumb or a couple more if you have a long thumb).

Break the yarn leaving a good tail and use a needle to pull the yarn through the live stitches, pull tight and secure. Then stitch the sides together.

Stitch the thumb section to the mitt section.

Mitt flap section

Cast on 42 stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch for about 3 inches, a little less for shorter fingers, a little more for longer fingers.

Then decrease as follows:

* K5, K2tog, repeat from * to end of row. Purl one row, knit one row, purl one row.

* K4, K2tog, repeat from * to end of row. Purl one row, knit one row, purl one row.

* K3, K2tog, repeat from * to end of row. Purl one row.

* K2, K2tog, repeat from * to end of row. Purl one row.

* K2tog, repeat from * to end of row. Purl one row.

Cast off leaving a long tail, sew a small loop at the tip for the button and sew down the sides. Then with one of the mitts on your hand, work out the position of the flap and sew to the mitt. Finally sew on a button in the right position and do it all again to make a second one.

Enjoy :)

Natalie x

Easy, chunky high street beret

I made up this knitted beret pattern after lusting after so many lush chunky wool hats in high street shops this autumn - but of course buying one wouldn't have been as much fun would it?

It's seriously warm, and so thick it actually slightly reduces your hearing while wearing it!

This is only my first pattern, so if you notice any mistakes or improvements, please let me know and I'll happily amend it.

Needles:
US Size 13 (9mm) circular needles with 16" cable

US Size 11 (8mm) circular needles with 16" cable

Yarns:
I used about one-and-a-quarter balls of Cygnet Seriously Chunky yarn, but any super chunky weight yarn would suit.

Notes:
Please note, beret is knit inside out, so if you're joining yarn, make sure the knots/tails stay on the outside as you'll turn it inside out once finished.

Pattern:

Using size 11 (8mm) needles, CO 44PM, join in the round

Row 1-5: * Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to the end

Row 6: * kf&b, repeat from * to the end (88 stitches)

Row 7: Change to size 13 (9mm) needles. *Knit 9, Purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 8-19: Repeat row 7

Row 20: *knit 4, k2tog, knit 3, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 21: *knit 3, k2tog, knit 3, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 22: *knit 2, k2tog, knit 3, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 23: *knit 2, k2tog, knit 2, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 24: *knit 1, k2tog, knit 2, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 25: *knit 1, k2tog, knit 1, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 26: *knit 1, k2tog, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 27: *k2tog, purl 1, repeat from * to the end

Row 28: *p2tog, repeat from * to the end

Repeat row 28 until about 6 stitches remain. Cut the yarn and using a large needle thread the tail through, pull tight, weave in the ends and you’re finished!