I love yarn sales! You end up with yarn you have no clue what to do with. The challange is given and must be faced. This time the wicked sale had tempeted me to buy three, yes three, 25 g skeins of different coloured Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere. These tinsy tiny skeins are good for nothing at all. Unless used together. I tried the Lacy Scarf from the Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere book (yep also scored in the sale). Didn't work. So I thought of making the ribbed had, without the big over flap, also from the book. It turned out huge. Now I have a big head for a woman, but not THAT big. So I ripped it and then started again. In the end I guess it's not even remotely like the pattern from the book. So I will claim it now as my own. The simple ribbed hat or (as that name is too boring) the Sweet Cashmere Hat!
And this is the result:
The pattern for the Sweet Cashmere Hat!
3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (colours used: 14, 13 and 4) 5.5 mm needles
Cast on 86 in pink and join in the round, place marker. Knit one round *Switch to second colour (blue), knit two rounds Switch to third colour (green), knit two rounds Switch to first colour (pink), knit two rounds* Repeat from * to * for 12.5 cm (circa 5 inch), finishing with third colour. Deacreases (keep switching colour ever two rounds): switch to colour one k1, *place marker, k2tog, k13* (repeat 6 times), k1. K all switch to colour two K1, *k2tog, k12* (repeat 6 times), k1 K all switch to colour three K1 *k2tog, k11* (repeat 6 times), k1 K all switch to colour one K1, *k2tog, k10* (repeat 6 times), k1 And so on until.. K1 *k2tog* (repeat 6 times), k1 You now should have 8 stitches on your needles. Cut yarn leaving at 10 cm (4 inch). Threat the tail through the remaining stitches and take them off the needles Before pulling tight I push the tail through the hole in the middle so it ends up on the inside. Then I pull the tail so the gap closes. Now weave in the ends.
Taaaatattatata!!! Your super soft nice cashmere hat. I love it so much I used it for my new blog design. I wear it very often, sometimes indoors as it's super comfy and warm (but not hot). A little luxioury goes a long way!
I'll make this a stand alone download pattern soon :D
A few weeks ago I posted some Sad News. My friend and colleague Charlotte had lost her baby girl Mira. Now Charlotte has bravely told everyone at work what happend and she gave premission to publish it on my blog. Why? Because it might save another baby's life. So please take a few moments to read this and tell people. Even if you read/hear this once, the moment it happens to you it will trigger and save lives. I'm sure of it.
photo from Riley Photography
Charlotte's mail:
I know I haven’t spoken much about what happened on the night my baby daughter Mira died as it's been too painful for me to keep reliving it. But now we have a few answers, I'm breaking my silence in the hope that this post may help to raise awareness.
After Mira was born, I developed tonsilitis and was kept in hospital for 4 days under observation and so they could give me antibiotics. There were a few delays as the maternity ward was so busy, and I ended up getting worse rather than better. On the day I left hospital, I developed my first ever cold sore. I asked the midwife who was looking after me if there was any treatment or if it was dangerous. She told me it was just because I was rundown after the birth and lack of sleep from being in a ward full of screaming babies (not Mira, of course - she was always so good and never cried ;-) ). There wasn't any treatment as it was a viral infection and it would just go away on its own. It did - it disappeared after a day - almost as quickly as it had come, and I didn't think anything more about it until after Mira died and it was suggested as a possible cause.
Anyway, Mira seemed perfectly healthy when she was born and a very placid, peaceful, content baby. She hardly ever cried, but we just thought we were lucky and that she was laid back, chilled out half-Egyptian baby! We settled her in well at home, and were loving every minute of being a new little family of three. Even up until the day before she died, we were unaware that there was anything even slightly wrong with her. She wasn't feeding very well, but we were told this was quite normal in newborns and that she'd settle into a pattern before too long and that it was nothing to worry about.
She became ill very suddenly, and although she had been seen by two doctors and a midwife on the day she died, nobody realised she was actually a very sick little girl. Her symptoms were so non-specific - poor feeding, restlessness, a slightly sticky eye - conditions seen in thousands of newborn babies and more often than not absolutely no cause for concern. What we didn’t know was that possibly even before birth, an infection was creeping its way through all of her internal organs and only became apparent when it was about to totally overwhelm her tiny body.
Five weeks later, we've just had the results from Mira's post mortem - the cause of death was disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus 1, contracted during or at the time of birth, with staphylococcus aureus septicemia as the secondary cause of death. What this means in plain English is that she died from the common cold sore virus that is present in 85% of adults. Only 6 babies a year die from this here in the UK, it's so so rare it's almost unheard of.
My GP told me yesterday that because it was my first ever cold sore, I wouldn't have had any antibodies in my blood to pass onto Mira before the birth and that was why she wasn't protected and so vulnerable. They said it was so rare for me to be developing my first ever cold sore at my age, which is why the midwives wouldn't have thought it was any risk at all to my baby.
So, sorry for such a long mail, but I just wanted to pass this information on. We had never heard anything about this before - and nor had any of the doctors or health professionals who saw Mira before she died.
I want people to know about this danger - I know it won't bring Mira back, but I wish I'd been aware of the devastating consequences of cold sores.
Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might benefit from being aware of this tragedy.
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Charlotte is still not sleeping very well, which is understandable. She's a very strong and brave woman that has gone through a lot lately. I'd like to thank her so so so much. I never had a cold soar and didn't know it was so dangerous. Thank you Charlotte.
I (and I'm sure many of you) wish her all the best this year and hope she will recover and heal. Bless you Charlotte! *Big Big HUG*
As you might have noticed Happy Living has a new look. I decided to make a header for my blog. It's been inspired by my new Cashmere hat. More on that project soon! I hope you like it.
*note: most links are to Ravelry, you can't see page: become a member... Where have you been!! Ravelry is a must!
I've had such a good December, also knitting wise. From mom and dad I got One Skein (finaly) and it's great. At the moment of writing I've got the Petal Bib from the book on the needles. So far I'm really enjoying the project. In the Ravelry que you will also find the bath mat from this book. I spotted this version from eudaemonist on Rav and love the colour. Perfect!
Finally on the bookshelf
In the January sales I picked up 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere, which I made into a lovely soft hat (a post on that project soon!). I also bought the book Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (as it was less than £4). And I used the Ribbed Beanie pattern as inspiration for my hat. There are many patterns I like in this book. The Moss Stitch Beanie is high on my list as is the lacy scarf.
I always seem to be knitting these. I've made seven now and I must say I never get enough. They are sooooo easy and so cute. The smallest size (for newborn) takes half a skein of Rowan Cashsoft DK (baby) so I can make two little ones. It's done in no time and I knit them in the round because I hate sewing up.
Jelly Beanie for Zoë's girl
This time I make a lilac one for Zoë, who's expecting a girl. The colour was inspired by her baby bedroom. She made it lilac with silver stars stamped on the walls. Ain't that nice! I can't wait to see it!
Jelly Beanie for Jo's boy
The second one I made for Jo, another colleague (like Zoë) and now the mom of a little baby boy. She didn't know what sex the baby would be so she mentioned mint green. I think it will look lovely. Soon it will be posted to her home address where hopefully it will be used to keep baby's head warm.
During the Christmas holiday's I was a little bored and so I took the most cheerful yarn I could find and started knitting. I always wanted to make fingerless gloves, but never completed a set (or even got halfway). So I decided to give it another go. The result is fabulous if I say so myself. These Voodoo For Me Fingerless Gloves are a dream. They give a hint of colour and happiness when I wear my black coat and are practical to. I always (and I do mean ALWAYS) listen to my iPod when I go to work. If you wear gloves you can't operate the bloody thing. The wheal is touch sensitive, so the fingerless gloves are a dream for that too!
Modelled by Louisa: the Voodoo Gloves
Details(link to Ravelry) Project Name: Voodoo For Me Pattern: Voodoo Wrist Warmers by Bonne Marie Burns Craft Needles: 5.5 mm (US 9) Yarn: Debbie Bliss SoHo Amount: 1.2 skeins = 80 m (86.4 yards)
Voodoo For Me gloves...
I adjusted the pattern to include a thumb instead of just a hole.
Instructions: work on circular needles CO: 32, work in k2, p2 for 13.5 cm (5.5 inch), put 8 sts on needle holder and knit back 1 row on the main section (so instead working in a circle this one row you work back the way you came). Join in the round again and follow the previous row. From now on you will work inside out. Work in pattern for 5.5 cm (2 inch) and cast off.
Put the 8 thumb stitches from stitch holder back on needles, pick up 4 stitches on the section above the thumb so you have twelve stitches on needles. Rejoin yarn and work in pattern (k2,p2) in the round for 2.5 cm (1 inch). Cast off 12 sts. Work in ends at voila: your wristwarmers with thumbs. Easy peasy.
I'll soon make another pair for Louisa, the poor Aussie freezing her b*tt off here in cold cold England...
I've started my 'healthy living' plan on January 4th. The plan is to be healthy when I turn 30 in September. I tried starting in December, but that was an insane idea (see old blog post: Healthy Living, update 1). So a new fresh start when everyone is in 'diet mode' anyway.
I made a good start by only eating healthy, but the first 3 days I was very hungry. Sorry correction: I felt very hungry. I wasn't in need of more calories, but I wanted them. Especially on Sunday, after going to the gym, I felt I could eat a horse (<-the equivalent in cake). I made my homemade Lasagna that day and every bit I went: mmmm nice, food is nice! Until my boyfriend told me off. On Monday I ached all over. The lesson I took on Sunday was Body Combat, which I love. So I gave it my all and my all wasn't used to that no more. So on Monday my all protested continually with every move I made and every breath I took. I feared to feel worse on Tuesday, but it was much better and I started to feel like I'd more energy.
Body Combat, from Les Mills.
On Wednesday I went to the gym again for Legs, Bum, Tums or something like that (I always have trouble saying it right, substituting the tums for thumbs and mixing up the order). It was hell, but I felt proud I did it. Not to sore on Thursday.
Today I weighted myself again and the result is a good one. Lost 0.6 kg :) That is a very good amount. Not too much (loosing to much too quick makes you put on easier) and not too little (we do want results in the end). A good start!
Start weight: 87.4 kg End of Week 1: 86.8 kg (-0.6 kg)
If you haven't heard about The Secret they you've either been living in a cave or been in outer space. It was all the buzz in 2007. However if you don't KNOW what The Secret is, then I can't blame you. It's all a bit vague and unless you actually see the DVD or read the book (listen to the audiobook) it must be foggy as to what this 'secret' actually is. So I've decided to shed some light on the subject and take it out of the ridiculous that it has positioned itself into and into the realm of usefullness. Let me explain.
There once was a woman called Ronda Bryne who was well miserable. Then all of a sudden she wasn't anymore. In fact she got everything she could ever wish for. This was because she found an old book that told of the secret. So she decided to make a dvd and write a book about this secret, sharing it with all the world (well if you pay that is) and make lots of money. Her wish became true because lots of people can't resist a secret.
The Secret...
So what is The Secret. Well, the basic concept is that you get what you ask for. From the Universe that is. So if you are a negative thinker then you get negativity and if you are a positive thinker you get whatever you desire. This is a law, some call it The Law of Attraction (more about this below). You attract things all the time and that is the secret. Now all you have to do is think about what you DO want and you get it... get it?
So I just explained the concept to you in a paragraph, so what else is in this book, 90 min DVD you say? Well not that much. You see the concept is explained again and again and again by various people with example etc. I saw the DVD in September at a friends house. And I came to the conclusion that A. it was a lot of bullocks and B. it wasn't! What I mean is that the general concept was good, but the presentation very American. It reminded me of old fashion shop tv where they used to smile their whiter than white smiles and proclaim: "It's an AMAZIN' DISCOVERY". The Secret falls in the same category. The over the top positiveness makes you gag. See the announcement trailer via iTunes and decide for yourself!
If you follow the instructions of Ronda you will basicly end up like a loony. You have to act as if you already have what you are asking for. This can have pretty funny results... And it might work and you might 'have whatever you want', but another matter of huge proportions will pop up: will you be able to live with yourself? Not many intelligent people like to 'pretend' to be a complete idiot. Please read Emily Yoffe's article "I've Got The Secret". She tried it for two months and used this as a subtitle: "Human guinea pig: Humiliating myself for fun and profit". It's quite funny to read about her experience and informs you a bit more about what The Secret is all about. You can also listen to it.
The BIG problem I found with The Secret is that it's a lot of noise and very little information. And this is where we step away from the hype and approach the very usable basic concept to our own advantage. I got my hands on an audiobook of The Law of Attraction by Michael Losier. Which is also available in print. Where Ronda makes a hype, Michael just simply hands you tools to put in practise this Law (aka the secret).
The good stuff...
In the Law of Attraction Losier describes the concept in a more intellectual way than Ronda. He then proceeds with a four step plan. First you write down what you don't want. This is usually far easier then dicovering what you do want. With the 'don't want' list, you can now easily construct a 'do want' list, which is step 2. Then you use the 'do want' list and start formulating sentences in such a way that it's positive for you.
Example: step 2: I want to have a healthy body (see blog post Healthy Living, update 1) step 3a: I have a healthy body step 3b: I am in the process having a healthy body
3a is negative, as I'm not yet healthy, even though I'm eating right and going to the gym... I've got a long way to go and so this feels like a lie to me, which is negative. 3b is a better way to say it. It is true, I'm working hard on it and so it's positive and inspiring. Next, step 4, is allowing. You will be surpised how hard it is to allow yourself to get what you really want. One example he mentioned struck home with me!
I am Dutch and in The Netherlands people are a bit funny when it comes to money. They can be really tight and really generous. Independence from others is a must and therefor I always felt odd if someone gave me something. Lets say someone wants to buy me lunch. Well I can pay for my own and then there is the feeling of being in depth to this person for such a kind gesture, etc etc. Must better and easier to just say no! Right? Well no wrong. You see if I can't even except lunch from a good friend, how am I going to 'attract greater wealth' (in whatever form: monetairy, health, friendships, etc is all wealth). Two days later my colleague bought me lunch and man did I enjoy it :D
A compilation about Losier and his work.
In The Law of Attraction Losier explains each step in detail and takes the whole concept of The Secret from the ridiculous into the realm of usefull tools. You can even download the worksheets from Losier's website. I'm still working on my 'healthy body' desire statement, but it will soon be complete and I will post it on my blog.
I hope that you now will be able to use 'The Secret' for your own benefit and not miss Bryne's bank account. Don't misunderstand I think The Secret is not bad, just a bit useless... If you want to spend some money invest in the book by Losier. Far more useful. And if you are broke, visit thepiratebay.org for a torrent (only plays in itunes, use searchterm: losier), but buy his book or additional material when you got money from using his advice. It's only fair.
Time for showing off those Christmas presents that I made last year (so strange to say that!). Ofcourse some of my friends read my blog and therefor I didn't want to post about my projects before (as they could have guessed what was for whom). First in this series of posts is Mr. Eend (Mr. Duck in Dutch). Made for Mirte, a new little person, born on the 2nd of October 2007. She's a darling little girl and I started this project when she was still expected to make an appearance. I finished it off at the beginning of December, just before sending it off to the Netherlands.
Mr. Eend is one cuddly duck!
Project details (on Ravelry) pattern: Daphne Duck by Martin Storey (from Rowan Classic Bambino book) yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK Baby colours: 1x imp 803 and 1x limone 802 (I used 2 skeins of limone, because I didn't pay attention to gauge and I didn't have enough left to sew up. So I had to buy a new skein only to sew up... typical!) needles: 4mm (us 6)
Project notes: I started this project a while ago when I was still a new knitter. It was quite a challange to follow the pattern. I misunderstood several instructions. Mostly on the second side piece. Which I ripped back again and again until I got it right. I think I did the feet wrong, but I made them all the same so it didn't matter in the end. They look fine!
It was quite tough. I would make it again, but my skills as a knitter have increased over the last months so I think I would find it easier now. Also the end result was fantastic. It was a lovely soft squishy toy that has that old-fashion cool vibe over it. The yarn is great as it can be washed at 30 degrees. Something that is of great importance when the object is for kids.
A while back I purchased Boots' No.7 Protect and Perfect serum for the first time. And as I promised (see old P&P blog post) here is the review. The tiny tube is almost finished and I'm very unsure what to make of it. Let me explain...
I don't see any difference whatsoever. None at all. But seeing myself in the mirror every day might change my objectivity. Maybe I look like a baby but because the change was gratual I don't see it. Seriously I think I look pretty much the same. And this review would have conclude here where it not for an incedent that I must mention.
The Friday after Christmas I was off work, but my boyfriend had to go in and earn a living (as they say). So I walked down to the town center to meet him for lunch. At the end of our rendez-vous we popped into the supermarket to pick up some last minute things, amongst them a bottle of french brandy for the christmas pudding. We wanted to light it up that evening to celebrate new year. As his lunchbreak was nearly over he rushed off back to work and I queued up to pay. And then it happend. The boy behind the till subtely signalled a senior cashier. She came over and asked, very politely and understated, for some id. I grabbed my drivers license mumbling that I was 29 years old! She checked (I pointed out my year of birth 1978 and saw her make the mental calculation) and sold me the brandy. I mumbeled something like 'I guess it's a compliment!' and walked home. Stunned all the way. I was told that Waitrose, the supermarket in question, doesn't sell alcohol to under 21's. So that's a nine years difference. Still it's quite a gap and this hasn't happend to me for ages.
Another event now springs to mind. A new colleague thought I was younger too! She mentioned 25. Again that hasn't happend since I probably was 25. The question now arises... is it the Protect and Perfect serum or just plain stupid luck. I don't think I look younger than 29. Four years off is understandable though, but nine?!
New P&P products...
On the basis of these events I've decided to continue the use of the product and when my old creams are finished to try the new Protect and Perfect Day and Night creams too! Who knows I might end up looking 18 again!
Search for Protect and Perfect product on the Boots.com website to find the new products.
Santa has been very good to me this year. On my wishlist I had this necklace from my favorite jewelry store of the moment Pilgrim. Yes the one with Liv Tyler. My sweet sweet boyfriend was good enough to go out and get me this necklace (below) with pretty purple stones. It looks so nice! And what is more it's so meeeee. My nickname is Vier (which means four in Dutch) and vier is associated (by me) with a four leaf clover. Which in turn stands for luck. Soooo this is my new good luck necklace. It will remind me of taking oportunities and living life to the max. To luck!
A new year so time to drop in with a heavy topic: Climate Change.
It's either an elaborate plan to make us all spend money on bags for life and living carbon free OR it's basicly the end of life as we know it. I'm sure it's more complicated than that. Orrrrr it's simpeler than that. But I'll leave the explaing to someone else if you don't mind. You have to make up yourself and remember 'you have the choice!'
Lighting design and photos by Durham Marenghi, Fireworks by GroupeF, Courtesy of Jack Morton Worldwide
I hope every one had a great 2007 and hope you will have a fantastic 2008. May you all be healthy, wealthy, creative and happy!
For the last two weeks I've not been posting much. This because I've been busy and spend time with family and friends. My christmas has been great. I've been spoiled rotten and am quite happy too that my presents seem to be liked.
As it is the beginning of the new year I think I should once more talk about new years resolutions. The only big thing I decided on a month back (as you might know from my blog post: Healthy Living Update 1), but couldn't start as December in England is like being sucked into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I tell you the British obsession with chocolate is unbelievable. Anyway from next Sunday, January 6th, my week will turn to normal again and I will start my journey to become healthy before my 30th birthday.
More on resolutions later... Feel free to mention yours! I'm quite curious.
