It's zipper time.

I finished the knitted part of the bag last night. Now it's time to make the fabric lining. I know it seems like I'm making a fuss about inserting a zip, but it's been almost 20 years since I did such a thing and at the time I was following a dress pattern.
This time I'll be doing it on the wing! I'm sure it will be fine. I don't start work until 4pm today, so plenty of time time to find my sewing table and get stuck in.
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Of course as soon as I had finished sewing up said baggie I cast about for another project. I have two WIPs sat beside my armchair, but instead of picking one of those I set to casting on a new project! Another gift, for another friend. I'll show that when there is a little more than 5 rows of stocking stitch. LOL
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I was asked yesterday if I would make a quilt for someone. I don't usually do requests, because I then put pressure on myself and it takes all the pleasure out of the process, look at how long I've procrastinated over Mother's elephants and assorted fabrics! But I do want to do this request. Now I feel guilty, I've only used half of mother's stash of fabrics, I have a quilt for Freya stalled on the sewing room floor, not to mention at least three other project boxes all sat patiently awaiting my attention. Then of course there are the two, no three, no four knitting projects and two cross stitch WIPs sat patiently too. I fully intend to return to and complete each and every one of them, so refuse to call them UFOs. They are all WIPs. Maybe one of the WIP quilts could be gifted as the request, she's not fussy, any colour will do so long as it keeps her warm, but I had this idea and I want to try it out......
I lay awake thinking about this last night and promised myself that I would finish at least three items before I am allowed any new starts. ON ANY OF MY CRAFTS. If I line the bag today, that's one item down.

Frosty Rooftops

These beautiful clear sunny days we've been getting, mean cold frosty nights. I popped my head and the camera out of our skylights this morning. There was so much frost settled on them, that was the only way I would see the world.
The early morning sun was so pretty, but my photography skills only stretched to a hazy shot over the roof tops.

In just a few minutes the sun has started to melt the frost and this rooftop is getting blacker by the moment.

A day off today. Except I'm volunteering with one of the service users. You know how sometimes there are people you'd go out of your way to help?

When I get home, I'll knit. I'm onto the handles of the bag now. It'll be time for that zip soon.

Take care.

Harbourside Happenings.

I promised I'd take my camera when I went for milk yesterday. It was a lovely day, lots of sunshine. Where I stopped here to take this image I was in the shade of a converted warehouse.
It was cold in the shadows, but the moment I stepped into the sun, my black coat absorbed the heat and I was cosy again. The warehouse is apartments now, but I remember seeing great bales of wool being hoisted in and out all ready to be exported. I'll try to remember to get a picture of that another time.
Look how still the water was. Here I'm looking across the harbour to the ship yard. Not the huge yards you'd see in Belfast or on the Tyne, but still a working yard. That vessel on the slip has been there for a couple of years, she's undergoing a complete refit. If you follow the water to the left of this picture you go upriver, under a bridge and into the nature reserve. If you go to the right, there is another arm to the harbour, a footpath along it leads to a public park with a childrens playground and boating lake. Aerial map of Ramsey showing the harbour layout.

Some of the resident wildlife saw me lingering and arrived all hopeful and expectant.

There are several varieties of water fowl who make their home on and around our harbour. We have a large population of ducks and there are always several swans about too.

There are also some regular visitors depending on the season, including more swans, (They are mute swans) and various breeds of geese. Herons nest up river and are frequently seen fishing in the harbour as are cormorants.

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Could you use a laugh? A quick cheer up? Look here to see what this guy got up to on a sleep over.
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Well that's me and my news. I'm off to knit. Have a good day.

What pushes your buttons?

I couldn't sleep last night. I flopped about like a landed fish until just after 2am, then gave up and got up. My mind was busy with work stuff. Busy, busy, busy. Getting out of bed helped, I made myself a cuppa and blog surfed until about 5.30 am, then curled up on the sofa and slept until my Hunney peeped in at me, he didn't mean to wake me.
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So, since my Hunney woke me, I finally took time to sew the buttons onto the shocking pink cardigan.
They are sooooo pretty. Last night I finished the second panel of the bag so I've blocked it this morning. Also last night I cast on the side and bottom piece, they are knit as one, from the top of one side, around the bottom to the top of the other side. Maybe before I go into work today I can begin construction on the bag lining. Or maybe I'll save that zip for a day when I've had a good nights sleep.
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It's a beautiful day outside, beaming with sunshine, but I spy a good frost out there too. I do have to go out for milk, I'll take my camera and go the scenic route. Later, when things have warmed up a little.

Jury Service!

I was picked to attend for Jury service today. But wasn't selected to stay for the trial. I feel a bit let down, it would have been interesting to see how things work in the real world. (The stuff I took part in today is never shown on TV.) But I'm also not terribly disappointed, what a pain it could have been. That's me off the hook for a couple of years anyway.
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In keeping with the more serious side of my life, I hunted all over town the other day for wooden curtain rings an essential element in my latest knitted creation. Not a one to be had, well I could have had 2 dozen!! But not four, on their own. Whats a girl to do?
I improvised, I went back to the crafty shop and picked up plastic rings,

Which I covered using yarn B.

I finished one panel and have the second one up to the fourth bobble. This could be a real fun and quick knit if work didn't keep getting in the way.

(Essential footwear. ;-p) I think I mentioned that the pattern calls for a knitted lining, but I have a fat quarter here that will go very nicely with yarn B and while I was getting the rings, I also purchased a zipper. I haven't put a zip into something for over twenty years, this should be interesting. LOL If you don't want to learn any new words, don't come near my house the day I try that.

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Days off continue to be few and far between at the moment, between the 'winter vomiting bug' and people leaving, we're a bit short of staff. That aside today I committed to stop looking for another job and take on new challenges within my current role. (Yes that's right, once I was dismissed by the court, I went into work.) Some time later in the year I get to go away and take part in a 4 day training course. (Janice, Keith mentioned the first week in June, I do hope he's winding me up, he knows I've had that time booked for two years!) The course will enable me to grow within my current health and safety role and to deliver the health and safety training for the whole team here on the Isle of Man. I'm sure other things will stem from the course too. So, looking forward again, instead of elsewhere. It feels good.