SP11 Package #1! :-D

So! My first SP11 package came! …. A week and a half ago. I’m a bad blogger and totally failed to post about it til now, but I did email my pal and gush a lot. *g* Also… I now, totally accidentally, know who she is! It’s because (a) she’s on my blogroll and Ravelry friends-list, (b) she really doesn’t live very far away from me, so even though all she put for a return address was a postcode, I recognised which town it was…. and (c) my suspicions were aroused because her real name was written on the little card that came with the scrummy hand-painted yarn she’d got me. So I asked her, and yes, it turns out she’s Janey. It’s kind of hilarious, because I was having such fun with the mystery aspect – not that knowing who she is has spoiled anything. But it’s fairly ironic that all those factors came together like that and gave it away. *g* Especially since I’m a relative newbie to the knit-blogging community and don’t know all that many people!

But anyway, on to the best bit: the PRESENTS! *mercenary* ;-)

Inside the box

I like the anticipation almost as much as the opening them up, so I took the box into my bedroom and sat on the bed to open it. When I opened it up, the gifts inside were beautifully wrapped in purple tissue paper and ribbon. So I carefully prodded them for a little while, and then took them out of the box and laid them on the bed…

Wrapped pressies

Oooooo, exciting! Then there was some more prodding, and eventually, I started opening them. *g* Of course, the Xandermog had to come and investigate.

Xander investigates the pressies

But there wasn’t anything edible for him, so he soon lost interest ;-) So, what did I get?

SP11 package 1

From the back: Thorntons fudge (omg yum: that didn’t last long!!). A wibbly-wobbly pen… because it has purple hair and therefore made Janey think of me! Thorntons strawberries and cream toffee (once again, yum!). Two balls of Debbie Bliss SoHo, because she’d noticed I haven’t yet tried any felting projects – and I do want to, so yay! A skein of gorgeous black and purple hand-painted sock yarn from Gemini Knits. A dinky little sheep notepad (cute!). A set of 2.5mm Brittany birch DPNS!!! An absolutely charming book of sheep pictures and verse. And last but certainly not least (except in size *g*), three of the cutest little sheep stitch markers in the WORLD. As you can see, they’re tiny – they’re for small needles too, so perfect for sock knitting. Yay! So here’s bigger pic of them. Look at their little faces!

Tiny wickle sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeps!

Isn’t that awesome? I don’t know what I love the most… the yarn, the sweets, the stationary / sheepy things are all brilliant, and the sock yarn just couldn’t be better colours for me! But I think perhaps the adorable stitch markers, and the DPNs which were on my mental luxury wishlist (and which I admit, I’ve spent an awful lot of time just stroking!) have to come out on top. Just! Janey, you’re the best pal ever – THANK YOU!! :-D

Gratuitous Catspam! (And SP11 things)

The cuteness of Xander... follow the link to the photo album to see the full sized version

Xandermog! So! Cute!!

In SP11 news, I’ve been having lots of fun. Both my upstream and downstream pals are lovely (*waves to Miss.Teri*) and I’m told that my first package should be with me tomorrow. *bounce* I really hope my downstream pal likes her package. I really did enjoy putting it together, though I felt like I should have put something handmade in… but then I had a last minute brainwave and put a little something together. :-) There are a couple of other things that sort of count, too, and I do have plans for the next two parcels. I don’t really do any handicrafts other than knitting, so that kind of limits me there. But my plan is to play to my strengths – I may not be able to sew well, or anything, but there are creative things I can do. Like, um, stuff. And things. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll think of something! But like I said, I’m happy with the first parcel so with a bit of luck my pal will be too. :-)

Now, I shall go back to knitting, and plotting parcel no.2. Mwahahahah….

Completed Regia socks

Finished Regia socks: click for larger picture! I’m only just getting around to uploading my photos, but I finished these socks… um… a couple of weeks ago now, I think. You will notice that the cat refused to get out of the frame – see below for an even better example of that. *g*
Anyhow, these were made in Regia’s ‘Mini Ringel Color’ shade #5217, which as you can see is nice and bright! I made them with 2.5mm DPNs using a basic sock pattern that I got free with some Opal yarn ages ago, although slightly modified since I made them longer (to the top of my calves) so they’d go well under my DMs. Therefore it needed to be a bit wider at the top – I actually cast on 6 extra stitches and decreased further on down, but I think in future I should just start with larger needles. The finished socks are a bit stiff feeling… not too tightly knitted, but the yarn itself. I think they’ll soften up after they’ve been washed though, as my Opal ones certainly have.
In other news, this time I’m trying posting using w.bloggar – let’s see how it goes…
Now back to the sock pics:

Continue reading “Completed Regia socks”

Another kittycat update: Went back

Another kittycat update: Went back to the vet yesterday, and the wound is doing well. He’s had the drainage tube taken out of it, so just another week to go now before the stitches are hopefully taken out. He has to keep the plastic head collar on, but he’s used to manouvering around the house … Continue reading “Another kittycat update: Went back”

Another kittycat update: Went back to the vet yesterday, and the wound is doing well. He’s had the drainage tube taken out of it, so just another week to go now before the stitches are hopefully taken out. He has to keep the plastic head collar on, but he’s used to manouvering around the house with it on now, and I think the restricted vision is stopping him from trying to jump anything too high, so that’s good. Otherwise, he’s clearly feeling much better :-)

As for me, well, I was somewhat more out of it yesterday. Mmm, that’s probably a bit of an underestimation. But this morning I went to the docs and got my prescription. I also asked for some hayfever tablets. I’ve always had Claritin before, which are non-drowsy ones, but I’d forgotten that I hadn’t had hayfever tabs from this doctor. So he’s given me something different (no doubt his ‘brand of choice’). When I read the label, they “may cause drowsiness”. *sigh* So how am I supposed to tell if I’m feeling better now I’ve got my meds back again, if they do? I’ve really had enough of this whole drowsy thing. Maybe I should have specified non-drowsy ones, but isn’t it common sense that if I have to take these most days for a few months a year, I’d rather not have ones that knock me out?! LOL. Not that I have any idea if they will have that kind of effect. Guess I’ll have to try changing my pill popping fun (blah, *yawn*) to dinner time rather than breakfast, just in case. Sounds like a plan to me.

Kittycat update: Over the weekend

Kittycat update: Over the weekend he started to brighten up a bit, and get used to his head collar, which was good :-) Unfortunately, he got so used to the collar, that he managed to twist himself so that he could reach the wound and tubes. So by yesterday morning, he was feeling all yucky … Continue reading “Kittycat update: Over the weekend”

Kittycat update: Over the weekend he started to brighten up a bit, and get used to his head collar, which was good :-) Unfortunately, he got so used to the collar, that he managed to twist himself so that he could reach the wound and tubes. So by yesterday morning, he was feeling all yucky again because he’d irritated it, so it was back to the vet for a check up, an antibiotic jab, and some cream stuff to put on his tummy around the tubes. He was off his food most of yesterday, but by late evening he’d perked right up again, and went back to stuffing his face. Hehehe. Hopefully the tubes will be coming out tomorrow, now, but we shall see.

The owner of the dog came round on Saturday evening, and he’s going to pay half the vet bills for Xandermog (the dog did also have some scratches, as did the owner from when he’d tried to catch Xander… his hand was actually a bit swollen, so he was going to the Dr to get checked out). Which will help. I just hope Xander stops worrying the tubes / stitches – don’t want him to have another set-back, daft cat!

I’m somewhat spacey myself at the moment, cos what with one thing and another, I forgot to get a new prescription for my meds. Nice one. But I shall just have to deal with that for a few days, I guess. Going to the Dr on Thursday, so with a bit of luck I’ll be back to myself by the weekend – I certainly hope so, cos Alan’s coming up to visit over the bank holiday now. Hoorah! :-)

And finally, it’s time for This or That Tuesday once again. This time the theme’s childhood toys / games:

1. CandyLand or Chutes and Ladders?
No clue what CandyLand is. And hey, it’s Snakes and Ladders! *g* Which was always a big fave with me :-)

2. Barbie or GI Joe?
*sigh* Gotta admit. Barbie. I had …. seven, I think. Plus a couple of Kens, Skipper, the horses, and various accessories. Funny thing is, I really wasn’t into dolls in general. Have no idea where the Barbie obsession came from.

3. Play-Doh or Silly Putty?
Play-Doh becauseittastednice. How I didn’t poison myself, I’ll never know. My brother had Silly Putty, though, and that was good fun too.

4. Lincoln Logs or Tinkertoys?
Neither. Again, never heard of the first, and the second – eh, was never interested.

5. The Game of Life or Monopoly?
Game of Life! Though I really do like Monopoly too. My fave ever board game, though, is Go For Broke. Heee! (And I’m so good at it too… hmm, maybe I should have thought more about the deeper meaning of that one before I went out into the big wide world….. *g*)

6. Etch-a-Sketch or Lite-Brite?
Etch-a-Sketch rules! Though once again, I dunno what the second one is.

7. The Slinky: metal or plastic?
Definitely metal – infinitely cooler, and anyway, it’s the real thing!

8. Easy-Bake Oven or Sno-Cone Machine?
Never had either, but if the Sno-Cone thingy was an ice-cream maker, then I always wanted one of those! Oh, Mr Frosty, that was probably the nearest equiv – I always wanted a Mr Frosty.

9. Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars?
Hot Wheels… not that I was really into cars, but that just always sounded so much cooler.

10. Spirograph or Paint-by-Numbers?
Spirograph, by a million miles. I think mine gradually got broken, but it made such funky zoomy patterns.

Kittens!!!! – it’s a random

Kittens!!!! – it’s a random kitten generator. Careful, though. You may suffer from cuteness overload. *g* And, randomly: 50 % My weblog owns 50 % of me.Does your weblog own you?

Kittens!!!! – it’s a random kitten generator. Careful, though. You may suffer from cuteness overload. *g*

And, randomly:

50 %


My weblog owns 50 % of me.
Does your weblog own you?

Calling all cat owners….. How

Calling all cat owners….. How long is your cat? D’you ever wonder about that when you see your cat stretched out as long as s/he’ll go? Then grab a tape measure and find out – inches or centimetres will do. My cat: Alexander Nose to Tail-base: 21 inches Nose to Tail-tip: 34 inches. Heh. Not … Continue reading “Calling all cat owners….. How”

Calling all cat owners…..

How long is your cat?
D’you ever wonder about that when you see your cat stretched out as long as s/he’ll go? Then grab a tape measure and find out – inches or centimetres will do.
My cat: Alexander
Nose to Tail-base: 21 inches
Nose to Tail-tip: 34 inches.

Heh. Not a small kitty, then. :-) But he’s so cuuuuuute!

Ahem. Things went a tad

Ahem. Things went a tad wonky for a while again. Actually, to be honest, things are still somewhat wonky, but I’ll live. The Heatherbunny is coming to stay for a few days from tomorrow, and then the parents will be up for a week after that, all of which should keep me on an even keel. Which’ll be nice.

Captain Kirk, ruler of Liberia? – this was sent to me by Inne the other day, and made me giggle. And then giggle some more. Presumably it’s some kind of commemorative thingy, but still – hee! Thanks for that, Inne :-)

And belatedly, my Blogger Inside questions. You can read Tinka’s answers to the questions I sent her here, and then you should really read the rest of the blog, cos it’s a damn good one.

So, here are the questions I was sent. With my answers to them. Obviously.

1. Buffy. What made you start watching the show in the first place (and by extension, what keeps you watching?).
Well…. I’d never seen the original movie, though I had it mentally bookmarked as one that I’d like to watch if I came across it. I’m pretty glad, however, that I didn’t see it before any of the series, cos it might well have put me off. *g* I saw an article on the upcoming TV series in SFX mag, and again mentally bookmarked it as something I might like to watch. Then one evening I rang my Mum, only for her to tell me that she couldn’t talk to me right then, cos Buffy was on. Oookeydoke. So I turned it on myself, and thoroughly enjoyed the episode (which was “The Witch”, one of the early Season 1 eps). My brother happened to have taped the first few eps, so he sent them to me, and I was hooked from then on. As for what kept me watching, well, that would be the interesting storylines, and ultimately I suppose the fact that the characters are well written enough that you become involved with them to an extent, want to know what will happen to them next. Not to mention the added bonus that is Spike. Mmmm, pretty :-)

2. What is your very first memory?
This one has actually stumped me. I honestly don’t know. I have memories of my Dad taking me up to London on the train when I was fairly small, I remember falling off the climbing frame at playschool and landing on my head (which could explain some things *snerk*), I remember falling backwards into the paddling pool in the back garden and being utterly outraged that my Mum laughed, and there are a few other things that I’m pretty certain are pre-brother (who was born when I was 4½), but I can’t pinpoint any one thing as being the earliest. Hmm.

3. What will always get a laugh out of you?
[thumb:298:l]This is my first cat, Mr Worf. I’d had one of those instant pasta thingies, then stuck the empty pot in the bin. Worf obviously liked the smell, and went down the bin to have a taste. Only the pot got stuck on his head. So he started walking backwards, presumably with the assumption that the pot would stay still and he could pull free. Ah, no. I laughed a lot, then rescued him. Except I made the mistake of just putting the pot down on the floor, and he promptly stuck his head back in it. Got stuck, started walking backwards. That’s when I took this photo. Even better, I then took him and the pot (separately) into my flatmate’s room, and lo and behold, Worf did it again. Maybe you had to be there, but this pic will always crack me up.

4. LOTR – a story for geek guys, only appealing to girls because of the pretty Elf in the film. Discuss.
You know what? I’m actually not sure I know any guys who are fans in a big way. Of all the female fans I know, I think about 90% were fans of the book(s) long before the film went into production, and those of us who hadn’t read it were otherwise widely read in the ‘Epic fantasy’ genre. So perhaps what I’m trying to say is, it’s a story for geek boys and girls (or certainly fantasy fans *g*) which appeals to anyone who enjoys this kind of epic. The prettiness of the Elf (and the hobbits) in the film version certainly doesn’t detract from the story *g* and in fact brings an extra level of enjoyment to the whole experience – as, in fact, does the obvious and public enthusiasm of the actors for the film. However, I for one would have found the film just as amazing if the actors had been of the non-pretty variety. Had I not enjoyed the story itself, I very much doubt I would have been disposed to sit through three hours in the cinema, let alone go for multiple viewings. Each time I’ve watched, I’ve picked up new things that I missed before. Pretty elves and hobbits are very nice to stick posters of on my walls, but they ain’t the reason I’m counting the days til December.

5. Could you imagine ever living anywhere else but Britain?
Yep, I could. Certainly right now, I have no reason or particular desire to leave the country, but there are so many fabulous places in the world… the only real consideration is distance from my family, but thinking about it, there are parts of mainland Europe that are nearer to them than I am now. *g*

6. What made you start blogging?
The desire to ramble where other people might respond, I suppose. And also partly because I enjoy experimenting with / learning new things, and I wanted to have a play with Blogger. *g*

7. What CD would you put on in order to introduce yourself to a potential date?
Um. Hmmm. Good question. Would probably depend on my mood. I would think it’d be a choice between Meatloaf, Guns n Roses, Linkin Park, Offspring, Nine Simone, or the B52’s. Maybe. *g*

8. What can really, really put you off a person you have just met?
In a word, sliminess. That creepy too-friendly, over-familiar attitude. Ick.

9. What things do you always have in your fridge?
Skimmed milk, margerine, eggs, cheese, meat, vinegrette, mayonnaise and cat food. That all sounds oddly healthy, doesn’t it? Huh.

10. What word do you use far too often?
“Aaaanyway…..”

11. What’s your poison?
As in alcohol-wise? Baileys and Archers are faves. I can’t actually drink at the moment, though, so I guess it’s Coke or Pepsi right now.

12. You have both a LJ and a blog. How do you decide what goes where?
Well, when I started this blog, I intended it to be a general rambling space, with not too much babbling about fannish stuff. So I’ve tried to stick to that. With my LJ, just about everyone on my friends list there (and who lists me as a friend) I know from the BtVS fandom in one way or another. So in general my fannish stuff now goes there, because it’s more likely that the people reading will be interested. I hope! *g*

13. What makes a good fanfic?
Hah, the sixty million dollar question. Simple answer, I suppose, is good writing. All the little things like spelling and punctuation are as important in fanfic as in any other writing. Plus a well thought out plot where needed – which of course isn’t always necessary in fanfic if you’re writing, say, a vignette about the thoughts of a character during a scene from an episode. For fanfic specifically, what is needed is good characterisation – you’re writing about already established characters, so you need to try and capture them as best you can, to make them ‘believable’. This applies even more if you’re taking a character out of canon – say, writing a Spike/Xander relationship fic. There needs to be a good hook on which the audience can suspend their disbelief, as it were. Am I rambling now? I think that about covers it, though.

Very tired. Very very tired.

Very tired. Very very tired. More caffeine now, please. Heard last night that the mother of a schoolfriend has died – not unexpected in the circumstances, but very sad nevertheless. Seems to be a little spate of it going about, you know. Dying. Among people I know / know of. Everybody else stay alive, now! … Continue reading “Very tired. Very very tired.”

Very tired. Very very tired. More caffeine now, please.

Heard last night that the mother of a schoolfriend has died – not unexpected in the circumstances, but very sad nevertheless. Seems to be a little spate of it going about, you know. Dying. Among people I know / know of. Everybody else stay alive, now! It’s getting depressing, and making me vaguely nervous. Yes, I know that’s stupid.

Reality check of the day – a hearse with no coffin (presumably on it’s way to pick one up or something), but full of black-clad undertakers…. laughing and chatting as they drove along. Strangely surreal, but also…. not.

However, contrary to the tone of this entry so far, I am feeling quite cheery today. If tired. *g* My Xander-kitty has a vets appointment this evening (must book taxi!) and I’ll be able to tell the vet how the epilepsy meds have perked him up. Technically, they should have made him a little dopier because they inhibit the electrical impulses to the brain (or something), and in some ways he is. But he must be feeling better in general, because he’s been running around the house, asking to go outside, exploring the area, and even playing with his toys! :-) He was actually pouncing last night, which I’ve never seen him do before. When you consider that when I got him from the shelter, he was terrified of the toys (and most things, really), that shows how much more confident he is now, as well. And he’s such a gorgeous cuddly purry mog – and huuuuuge! :-D

Brother is in Australia. *jealous* He’s in Brisbane at the mo, I think, but should be driving to Sydney soon. He’s gone for three weeks, finishing off with watching the Aussie Grand Prix. Parents have said they’ll disown him if he comes back with another tattoo. Probably a good thing he mentioned it first, and didn’t just go get one done, cos they mean it. Heh. Which reminds me, must make non-black bits hair red again tonight. And…. do stuff. Ugh. Really need more caffeine.

Damn cat. Had a nice

Damn cat. Had a nice lay in this morning, got up, was leisurely watching telly while the computer defragged, when through the cat flap pops Willow. With a poor little sparrow in her mouth. And oh yes, it’s still alive, and bleeding. Managed to get her to drop it, and slung her out into the … Continue reading “Damn cat. Had a nice”

Damn cat. Had a nice lay in this morning, got up, was leisurely watching telly while the computer defragged, when through the cat flap pops Willow. With a poor little sparrow in her mouth. And oh yes, it’s still alive, and bleeding. Managed to get her to drop it, and slung her out into the hall, but now I can’t catch the bird. Poor little thing, it must be terrified. So I’m leaving it where it’s hiding under the radiator for a bit, and hoping it won’t die. :-(

Meh, weather

It was such a lovely day today – all warm and sunny…… now, of course, there’s thunder and lightening, and it’s pissing it down. Oh well – April weather. Saw Mr Worf again earlier, too – he was sitting on the fence at the end of the garden. B saw him too, but when I … Continue reading “Meh, weather”

It was such a lovely day today – all warm and sunny…… now, of course, there’s thunder and lightening, and it’s pissing it down. Oh well – April weather. Saw Mr Worf again earlier, too – he was sitting on the fence at the end of the garden. B saw him too, but when I went outside, Willow ran after me (d’oh!!), and Worf legged it again. *sigh*

But anyway, The SPIKED Awards are now open for the second session. And I have a splash page up for my new domain, freaky.nu. Nothing else, yet, but I like the graphic. *g* Oh, and I finally managed to ftp into The Airlock this morning. Don’t know what’s been wrong with it! Tcha. Right then, I’ll get on with working on Tomb With a View. Go me…..