Wednesday 30 September 2015

Coastal

Today I played hooky from the shop at lunchtime and went off to an Italian restaurant with my two friends, a pair of clucking Spanish mothers. Despite being very firmly Scottish, for a moment it all felt very Mediterranean, especially since the restaurant was showing Roman Holiday (with subtitles) on its TV screens.
























Coming home later in the day to a glorious sunset didn't do much to shake off the feeling that we were more Mediterranean sea than North sea.
























Fear not though, I hear wind and rain are predicted for the weekend, and normal service will resume.

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Outside

The outside of the new shop is starting to look rather cute. The new sign is up and we are filling up our window space. One of us likes the orange sign (me) and the other one doesn't (my business partner). It was meant to be custard yellow but came back from the printers decidedly orange. Since its apparently Autumn (it is really warm and sunny here again today), I think we should stick with the orange for a while and see if it grows on us.









Tuesday 22 September 2015

Its Autumn

And what does Autumn mean? Well to me it means YARN





























These are all Ice Yarns, very well priced and all currently in stock in the shop.

I am working on THIS from Ravelry.
























And my poppy corsage collection is ever growing.





Pop in and say 'hi' if you are passing.

Sew Over It
81 Meadowside
Dundee

Thursday 17 September 2015

Self Taught

I was listening to a talk today (church related), and the speaker was advising members of the church to be selective about which books they read. He was saying, that there are nearly 130 million original books in the world today, and assuming that only half of them are any good, its still not likely any of us could get through 150 million good books, so why even waste time reading bad books. Its something I have never really thought about before.

As a matter of curiosity, I had a look at my Amazon past orders, and this year alone I have purchased (for myself), 30 books. With this being week 38 of year its not quite a book a week but not far off it. I never feel guilty about spending money on books (I nearly always buy used), however a cursory glance over the titles of some of the books I have bought this year and I am wondering if I should feel guilty?

In the Bad Pile - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever
Kondo, Marie - Not bad per say, but how many books on housework does one person need? I never even got to chapter 3. -
How To Be Chic And Elegant: Tips From A French Woman Lecoeur, Marie-Anne - what can I say? It must have been a particularly bad week. -
Marry a Friend: Finding Someone to Marry Who Is Truly Right for You Smith, M. Blaine - Again, a low self esteem month week -
The 1940s House Norman Longmate - Nice pictures but otherwise totally pointless. -
How & Why You Should Wait On GOD For Your Husband: Blowing Ishmael's Cover Buckner-Kameni, Tiffany - Yeah, nuff said -
Lady in Waiting: Becoming God's Best While Waiting for Mr. Right (Expanded) Kendall, Jackie - Can you see a theme??? -
The Blood Sugar Solution: The Bestselling Programme for Preventing Diabetes, Losing Weight and Feeling Great Hyman, Mark - There is nothing here I couldnt get online and I tried this 'diet' for 2 weeks and put on 4lbs -
Clean & Lean Diet: The Bestselling Book on Achieving Your Perfect Body James Duigan - Anything that claims to give you a perfect anything with only a little effort is probably too good to be true -
The Official Sloane Ranger Diary: The First Guide to the Sloane Year (Harpers & Queen) Barr, Ann - Ok in my own defense I am having a 1980s themed birthday party this year and so this was technically research !

And seriously there are one or two other titles I wouldn't own up to (too cringeworthy). So I think there is a legitimate case here for being more selective in the future. In a feeble attempt to redeem myself I have to say, I have bought and am currently reading (to Oscar), the entire set of Narnia books.




Any 'good' book suggestions welcome.

Saturday 12 September 2015

Do You Have A Plan?

Have you heard the crazy biblical theories about the Shemitah of 2015? In case you are not familiar with it here is a link BLOOD MOONS AND THE SHEMITAH. It is fairly long in its descriptive, but the end result is a prediction that this month is going to be disastrous on a global level.

Whether that will prove to be true or not, I have no idea, however I do know that almost everyone I know is facing some sort of tougher than the norm, problem or trial.  Everyone I talk to is extraordinarily tired (this last week), and most people are attributing it to an abrupt change in the weather.

We have our own little problems arsing here and I seem to no sooner solve one problem than another one raises its head. I guess it does not help that it is a year ago yesterday my marriage went down the toilet.

Ah well, onward and upward we go, as they say. Naturally its tipping down with rain and fairly windy, so this Latter Day Saint has plans to watch some AMAZING SCOTTISH TV and to knit a huge pile of POPPIES, not exactly a plan against impending doom as such, more of a quiet Saturday night in.


source


Wednesday 9 September 2015

Free Pattern, Yesterday's Knit In A Night Neckwarmer






























Free Instructions

Using chunky yarn and 7mm straight pins cast on 30stitches
Row 1 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,
Row 2 - Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5,
Row 3 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,
Row 4 - Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5,
Row 5 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,

Row 6 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,
Row 7 - Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5,
Row 8 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,
Row 9 - Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5,
Row 10 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,

Repeat Rows 1 - 10 another 8 times (90 rows in total)

Row 91 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,
Row 92 - Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5 , Knit 5
Row 93 - Purl 5, Knit 2, yfwd, K2tog, Knit 1, Purl 5, Knit 3, yfwd, K2tog, Knit 1, Purl 5,
Row 95 - Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5, Knit 5, Purl 5,

Cast Off Knit Wise.

Fold the rectangle scarf as the picture above and place a pin in the right place to match up with button holes knitted on the last row.
Stitch on 2 medium to large buttons.
Thats you done!

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Knit In A Night Neckwarmer

Well, its turned a bit chilly here all of a sudden. It was still very much like summer until a few days ago and then bam, its Autumn. We are not quite at the woolly jumpers, wellies, bonfires and apple chutney stage yet but its not too far away.
Last night I had a wee rummage in the baskets of yarn under my bed and pulled out some chunky berry coloured wool, with sequins! I am 99% certain I bought the wool from Poundstretcher back in the springs and despite having some really lovely wool on order from Ice Yarns, I was in the mood to make up an easy pattern and get started right away, And so we have the 'Knit In A Night Neckwarmer'
































I think I will write the pattern up as a freebe on my shop blog, keep an eye out for it OVER THERE

Monday 7 September 2015

Don't Judge Me, I'm Doing My Best

The really hard part about becoming a single parent is being responsible for everyone and everything (in and around your home).
I cook, clean, do laundry, make snacks, do the school run, do the homework, pack the bags, read the scriptures, organize lifts, outings and family home evening. I do the ironing, pay the bills, decorate, do the DIY (although a friend in church does the shelf putting up), fill in about a gazillion forms, check teeth are cleaned, faces are washed and dirty clothes are in the laundry bag. Not to mention make beds, read stories, supervise bath time, pack swimming gear, do the grocery and every other type of shopping and pay for it. And, if that isnt enough, I have started my own business, with exactly 0 staff so again its all up to me.
I try really hard .............
To find the positives, to get everything done, to be awake and alert at relevant times, to be a mother who is present and a business owner who is giving a new business 100% and to be a Christlike Disciple of our Lord and give of my time and my compassion within my church.
Sometimes though.................
I fail. The apartment is a disaster zone, I am winging it in the shop and flying by the seat of my pants, I don't spend enough time with my family (both old and young), and I feel like my desire to serve Jesus Christ is much greater than my ability.
Please don't judge me though, I am doing my best and sometimes its all we can ever do.


Philippians 4:13

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.


Did I forget to say 'feed the cat'?




Sunday 6 September 2015

Quiet Time

After church we strive to do things which keep us connected to the Lord. Its not always easy with an older child and a smaller child who both desire to be connected to some sort of technology at all times. A stroll on the beach, and a fuss free dinner (fajita's), are great, but then what? This week I have a movie lined up, and some reading / activities at the ready. I guess the movie is 'technology' but so long as its wholesome I feel I am going some way to keeping us on track.






































What ever you do on the Sabbath I hope your day is blessed with peace and happiness.