Sunday, January 20, 2008

Wool and Fur and Herbs and Stuff


I bought some lovely ivory pure wool to knit an afghan for a keepsake birthday gift for my daughter. I originally wanted to try the Great American Aran Afghan but I can`t figure out the patterns unfortunately. I`m trying to teach myself to cable knit and that`s for an experienced knitter I`ve realized. So I found a nice aran free pattern on the web as you see above.

The cable strip I`m leaving because I haven`t done it right. These next pics are the back and front of the cable part. The middle cables aren`t twisted properly as you can see, so I`ve placed them on a stitch holder for now.


Teddy sleeps here all the time now. Hopefully he`ll get more exercise in the warmer weather again. But whenever I sit down....

Here he comes. He comes over to be patted but for some reason wants to stand. Stand on my knee or my shoulder or climb up my back. It really can be a nuisance when I`m trying to knit. But he`s old and won`t be around for many more years sadly, so I don`t have the heart to ignore him. Pat pat, cuddle cuddle, Teddy..

Someone is jealous.....

Angus naps this time luckily. He can be on the spot for knitting quite frequently....

That other window in the frontroom sure makes a difference to the natural sunlight. I`m so happy I can have some live plants and even a couple of herbs. The rosemary has stayed strong and healthy so far, although the one stalk of purple basil finally flopped over so I used it in a sauce. And the Italian Parsley and Oregano is doing great. My Mum was tossing out the gold painted bust, so I thought I`d stick it on the floor..

Almost overnight this sage shot up like mad. Too bad I don`t use as much sage as other herbs. I`m sure that it will be the fullest in the garden next year. I`ll have to make sure to grow much more basil.

I had made too many curtains out of this fabric. Preferred the sheers by themselves in the end except for the big window. So I`ve pinned (for now) this chair with it instead. Ignore the weird arms. It will be sewn to shape...eventually. Balances out the room better I think....

The quilt I brought back from the Oswaldtwistle Mill in Lancashire 9 years ago needed a good wash. And whilst it was away off the bed.....

And later when it was put back on the bed.....

Okay guys,how am I supposed to fit? Spread out....

Ahhhhhh...that`s better.

If you`ve been here long ago, you may remember this pic.I`ve got the toile and the pillow fabric and some trim so far. Ply wood and wood trims and paints will eventually recreate in some odd way, this bed hopefully.
But how, I wonder, will I ever be able to maintain my what I like to call "storybook sexy bed" with animals all over it? LOL

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I`m not sure when next I`ll be posting,they get few and far between these days sometimes. But I`ll be visiting :)

18 comments:

Rick Rockhill said...

really fun pics today! Its very cool that you are knitting an afgan, looks so cozy. I honestly cherish the ones my great grandmother made for me.

I know what you mean about the "kids" on the bed. I can't change the sheets without Owen jumping up and getting in the middle of it all. ::sigh::

Elvis has eyes that melt me!

Pearl C. Pritchard said...

You know... your animal pictures are terrific. You really capture their characters... which are very sweet.

Love that bed. Are you going to make the head and foot boards?!

It's you know who! said...

That's very pretty, what a nice mother you are making that for her! Are you going to get one of those "handmade by mother" or something little tags to sew into it?

Your animals are so cute, and lucky to have such a nice place to live, and to have you. :)

Ellee Seymour said...

You are a great knitter, your daughter will look beautiful. And it's always nice to see your happy, furry friends again.

zuzu said...

=^..^= Tea ::giggle::

When you figure out the secret of storybook beds without animals piled upon (should there be a secret) please share ...

Then again, I must ask ... would it truly be a storybook ending without the animals happy? I'm searching for that between where we are all doing the dance of joy ...

Until then, the bed? It's a furfest.

(and I think I need the storybook one in your picture too!)

=^..^= love, zU
(w/two kittens, one large cat and dog in her lap)

Gledwood said...

Your doggie is so entertaining and characterful...

hey that stuff... though it's too good bc it's homemade... looks like the kinda stuff you get from Paddery Borrn (sorry ~::~ accidental phonetic transcription of name: POTTERY BARN... I only know about that from the time in Friends they probably pd $1million to the producers of friends to have Phoebe and Rachel mention their business about 25 times in one episode ... so can YOU tell me as I was cacking myself over the crap name Pottery Barn DOES really exist ~ right? OR is the website a spoof too~?!?

Rowan said...

Love the series of pics of Elvis, Teddy and Angus. It's sad to think of Teddy getting old, you give him all the pats and cuddles that you can.
Lots of people seem to be struggling to blog regularly at the moment including me. Need to get back into commenting regularly too, feel more like hibernating than anything!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I'm pretty darn impressed with the knitting! It looks so pretty. Is there no end to your talent??

That bed is awesome! I can't even imagine trying to create something like that. Well, yes I can. I just can't imagine my husband not trying to commit me when I tell him about it. lol It's beautiful, though.

You be sure to tell Elvis I'll make room for him over at my house. Sydney the Wonder Dog might be a little put out at first to share the bed with another dog, but he'll get used to it! (I still love how Elvis looks at the camera like he's actually posing. lol).

Kari

blessings said...

That bed IS a dream bed! I love it. And the fabric for your curtains and chair is lovely too. I just went up and checked the tag on my rocker. This probably won't be any help but it says "Valflora - Linenfold - Made by Chicago Textile Corp." Blessings.. Polly

Deana said...

You have the sweetest pictures! Your dog just kills me with those big eyes. Like the cats are taking all the love. Mine does me the same way...oh they have it so rough. And your knitting is beautiful. I don't know anything about it but I do know that your pattern is lovely.

Christine Boles said...

"Storybook sexy"~ I love it!

Julie said...

What a wonderful bed! I dunno, my dogs and my husband totally destroy my storybook cottage look every day.

Thanks for all the pet photos!

Julie

Pear tree cottage! said...

Tea, so lovely to be visitng your home here today, I am sure winter has you locked in that very warm cozy place and with all the animal family looking well and happy along side you too. (please tell Elvis my Makita the blue healer took a very close look today at his photo!)

I too do not get to blog as much as I would like to at the moment but with summer here and working as well what can I say the garden seat beckons me! every free moment I have (smiles)

So dear friend may this find you with much happiness in your heart.
Always Lee-ann

It's you know who! said...

You've been tagged! Please come out come out whereever you are. lol :)

One Crabapple said...

That was a long way to get knitting to have to start again....too bad ! I hate that !

I always think of Theo when I come here and hope for news of him. My girl is the same age and when you posted that time about having to keep him brushed and how he mainly sleeps and loves to be loved now...I could so relate. And tonight ha ! Again, Daisy stays on the ottoman most of the time in front of the fire. We have a fire most days just because she loves it so much and it seems to ease the aches in her bones.

The curtains are gorgeous fabric and I was not sure what you meant. Send them this way if you really don't like em / want them !!!

The sage reachinf for the light is sweet. Hope you are staying warm. It seems you are - Inside and Out.

Love, S

Heather said...

Wonderful post! I love all the pictures you included! (I'm in love with your bookcase - the one in the sage picture.)

Rosie said...

love all the photos of your animals - I know how you feel about Teddy, I feel exactly the same about our cat Tommy - we managed to save him last year but he is getting frail again and needs lots of sitting on laps and comforting. Glad to see you back blogging after your break :)

Judypatooote said...

That is too cute...Elvis and Angus sharing the bed.... your knittings looks good....I could never figure out the cable stitch.....