Spinning a Yarn

on my stressed out post. I have a cake lifter to make, a cake to ice and some bags to pack. After that it’s hit the road baby (in the morning.)

Sorry for my absence and lack of crafting and I will try and get some quiet moments to answer some questions and send emails (prehaps with margharita in hand) while on holiday.

Meanwhile, yesterday we did this.

(Part of the reason for the stress.)

Not sure how “here” I will be over the break. Merry Christmas to all.

I was going to post a wee tutorial for the simplest gift bag in the world, but I seem to have neglected to have taken a vital photograph.

I just made rum balls following last years recipe,(it’s under dec 06 in the archives if you can be bothered looking- I can’t be bothered linking, so I won’t be offended if you don’t.) and a hotch potch of a rocky road which looks god awful and probably more than one square will make you sick.

This morning I was feeling Christmas crafty cheer, this evening I just feel stressed, and that’s even with removing things from my list. I can’t even get it together to include a photo. Sorry!

It’s a little unconventional, but we picked up our christmas tree a couple of weeks ago at the beach. Pedro was very excited for me to be bringing a stick larger than him home with us. It’s been riding around in the back of the car with us for the last couple of weeks and today we got it up. It’s actually suspended from two well placed nails above the wee stained glass window in the lounge.

Which is good thing because aside from the “12 Days of Christmas” ornaments I have been making, and a slightly pathetic paper chain, we don’t have alot of decorations! The stained glass window adds a bit of bling.

I’m really loving the red/white embroidery- though I don’t know if I’ll get through all 12 days what with all the christmas making that’s left to go here.

Exam results came out yesterday. I now officially have a BSc, with majors in Biochemistry and Biology. Just to skite a little my marks for the year were B, B+, A- and A.

Last week the necklace I ordered from Lisa Leonard came. I opened it straight away but didn’t put it on- I didn’t want to tempt fate. (Her christmas ordering deadline is the 12th- I think- so it’s not too late to have a cute wee package sitting under the tree!)

Last night after I checked my results I put it straight on- it’s beautiful and I love it!

Michael came up with the clever wording when I was bandying around with words like acheive and reward. Isn’t he a sweetie?

This is my kind of job perk!!!

Black merino knit so fine it feels like cotton, (back) and alpaca knit (foreground)

A bag of the softest, finest merino (rescued from a rubbish bin!) and 50:50 alpaca/wool

Yesterday I had a tour around the fibre part of AgResearch. I know which section I’ll be looking in for my next job when my current contract runs out. They have everything- a scouring plant, carding and gilling machines, spinning machines, knitting and weaving, dying. From time to time the testing as giveaways of fabric and carpet samples. Great perks huh?!

I picked up a green linen napkin at the Salvation Army in the weekend. I cut it into 4 strips and have embroidered lavenders on each.

Add 4 fluffy white towels,

And a big bunch of lavender from the hedge which is drying inside, and you have gifts for all the grandmothers. (And slim chance of them checking the blog!)

Now back to the french knots!

We’re getting stuck into the lettuce and strawberries! Yum!