Watson and the devil of a day

Poor Watson has had a day of it. We had a 45 minute drive to the groomer this morning; a bath and blow-dry and then the dreaded clippers. He has once again been transformed from a scruffable bundle to a handsome poodle-dog. He sits so beautifully tall and proud (not that he is that tall). But then we had the trip to the vet-doctor this afternoon for annual vaccinations and the heart-worm needle. She also plucked his ears out and checked to make sure all was well deep down in his ear canals. But I think the thermometer up his rear end was the final indignity. He is asleep at my feet now. It's all been a bit exhausting.

I find it best to go off and have a coffee, leaving the groomer to do her business. I spent a whole hour with my knitting, a big cappucino and an almond friand. It was busy, but not so busy that I felt guilty in taking up a whole table and two chairs. It was a wonderful panacea to the hurry of life; knowing that I had the simple pleasure of time to sit and knit and think and let my mind wander wherever-it-will.

I am on to my second entrelac sock, and have almost completed the trickiest bit. It's nearly time to work the heel and knit on down to the toe. I'm thinking of trying something a little more complex for my next set of socks; Farmer McGregor, a pattern from my Socktopus book by Alice Yu.

It's good to have aspirations ... but I might be calling on my knitting gurus for this lot! Be warned y'all. :)

Watson picks a winner - the broochy giveaway

I thought it would kind of be a novel idea for Waston, my black miniature poodle puppy to pick out the winner for my first little Stitchitybits giveaway, and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I know I am unashamedly biased, but I think he was an absolute star ... [I hope the video works]

And the winner of the pretty brooch is ...

Rebecca Fantini! I announced this on facebook yesterday because I am having intermittent laptoppy issues and getting pics onto blogger using the iPad was somehow not do-able. We have already been in touch and I can't wait to get her little pressie on it's way. :)

This was a bit of a fun thing to do, and thank you to everyone who participated. I'm still a bit of a newbie at all this, and hopefully I'll have more of a clue about what I'm doing next time around.

x x x x x 

After my day spent in time management training last Friday I have had a huge think about all the "stuff" that I do, and all the "stuff" that I want to do, and all the "stuff" that I manage and have yet to manage around my house (that's a LOT of "stuff").  The diary is now hitting the "to do" list, and the "project list" has become so heavily populated that I fully understand why I have been feeling so very overcrowded. This proverbial horse is now aiming to be in front of the cart instead of the other way around.

I have been able to block out at least six extra hours in the week for creative time, and all the boring household stuff has been neatly scheduled into the gaps of time that often get wasted. I've even allocated time for project development and research tasks. My diary has morphed into a folder with divider tabs and stationery pockets. I have space for envelopes and stamps and somewhere to keep my tax receipts. Kind of like a Filofax (but of the home-made budget variety).

So far it's working out really well and I am feeling more hopeful about making my work and creative time more effective.

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Now for an update on the soldier socks: The pattern called for No. 15 needles, but bearing in mind that it was written in 1915 I have had trouble finding a conversation chart anywhere that listed that needle size. However, somewhere I came across a reference to this size equating to 2mm needles, so that is what I chose to use. After knitting a few inches of ribbing I was getting worried that they might be too small for a grown man. So I frogged them today while Watson was getting his way overdue makeover at the groomers, and now I am working them up on 3mm pins. There are 81 stitches in the round, and with 4-ply yarn I think it will be just about right.

Poor Watson is feeling somewhat more naked that when he left the house this morning. He is snuggled on the sofa and has effectively buried himself under the cushions. I am aware of his accusative glances concerning my role in his being wrangled out of the bath (which he loves) and onto the drying and cutting table (which he hates). But he does look much more like the beautiful poodle that he is (and he smells delicious also).

Lots of puppy cuddles in store this evening, with the fervent hope of forgiveness and absolution. I certainly hope so.

Evie xxx