Spend Spend Spend!

So here we are again with only one week to go to half-term.  Where does the time go?  I can’t believe six weeks have flown by so quickly.  Last time I wrote I had just bought a ticket to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally.  Last year was my first time and I had so much fun I went back this year (hence the title!)

Here are some of my purchases:

There is some Fyberspates in there (Scrumptious Lace & Faery Wings)  also a skein of gorgeous Wollmeise Twin in some lovely shades of blue – I seemed to have a ‘blue day’.  The pink is also Fyberspates.  A new range called Gloucester Tweed, it’s sock weight and has little ‘bits’ in it.  I think it will knit up nicely – Jeni’s stuff usually does.  The very pale blue is some alpaca/cashmere lace that I bought to knit a Py Shawl with.  There was one on display and it was so beautifully delicate and light I thought I’d give it a go.  I have found a lovely half circular one on Ravelry which doesn’t look too complicated.  It can’t be any worse than Ifigenia anyway!

I also bought some needles, a little book of mini Christmas decorations and a ‘mystery’ box kit.  Well it’s not a mystery to me as I’ve already knit it but you never know, it might find it’s way into Santa’s secret swap box so I cannot reveal it’s contents!!  I did also buy a couple of other little bits that are definitely  going into Santa’s box so they are a no go area too!

I’ve just finished this Daisy Shawlette:

I quite enjoyed this one although it took me a while to finish.  I kind of lost my mojo and stuffed it at the bottom of my bag for a while!  The thing that gives me hope is I ended up with more stitches here than the Py shawl has!  If I’ve finished this I can finish that too.

I’ve also made these:

Just a simple pair of toe-up socks in one of the Harry Potter yarns – Draco I believe   Now, what else have I been up to?  I rejoined Slimming World at the beginning of term and so far have lost 11lbs – a necessary event as when it came to going back to school, none of my work trousers would do up!  They do now but are still a little too snug fitting for my liking.  The boys as usual are having more fun than their parents – Son no. 2 has gone off to Blue Peris in Wales today for a weeks activity holiday.  He comes back next Saturday in time for half-term.  Son no. 1 is off to Barcelona next Sunday for a week of fun in the sun with Explorer Scouts.  Needless to say poor old Mum & Dad get to stay at home as they have no money left!!

I shall leave you with a picture of the extravaganza of a birthday cake I made for Thomas – he had a fabulous 18th and managed to stay sober(ish) in spite of several outings to celebrate.

It tasted much nicer than a bought one!