the wool sanctuary

Unravel, Weight Watchers, and Off to Bed

My mouth was watering because I had been starving myself before getting weighed at Weight Watchers and It occurred to me that I might be able to spit 1lb of weight out before I was weighed. I put a glass on the scales and spat into it. Unfortunately after 23 spits the scales had not registered any change and then switched off. It wasn't until Thursday night that Gayna (cuckoob) showed me what 1lb of liquid looked like that I realised it was never going to work.

This is my pyjama case, it is knitted in Big Wool and only took me a day to knit. It is available on my website to buy as a download pattern or as a kit. Ok, that's the sales pitch over with. This morning I witnessed the bullying of a heron. I have binoculars on my kitchen table to indulge in my new hobby, taken up after turning 40, birdwatching. Today I was extremly excited to see a heron land in the top of a tree, I took out my binoculars to admire him. He had only been sat at the top of the tree for less than a minute when he was under attack from two magpies and a gang of aggressive seagulls. They kept diving at him. He only moved to duck when they swooped on him. I called the RSPB and left a message, asking for advice as what to do. Feeling helpless, I imagined how I could help him, a gun would frighten him as well as the other birds, could I climb the tree? could I coax him down with some muesli, or a milky way to bring him inside and protect him?

He eventually flew away when a magpie crept up on him and pushed him off his branch. He was followed by an angry mob of seagulls. 'it is nature' I kept telling myself, but surely it is nature that me, a human being witnessing this would want to get involved. I felt better when the RSPB returned my call and said that had a fight broken out the heron would have won. Thank you RSPB, I will be making a donation for your prompt service.

I have been crocheting, I am on my fourth granny square blanket. I have done one for Little Ettie, one for Auntie Elsie and one for Claire Turnbull, the next one is going to be for me. It is very addictive. I finished my third one at Meadowgate 4. A post of all of its own is required for Meadowgate 4.

Does anyone else hate 'Question of Sport'? I almost find it embarassing to watch. Not funny! My windscreen exploded on the way back from Unravel. Something hit me when I overtook a car in the middle lane. I heard this almighty bang, it reminded me of when a member of a biker gang shot another biker from another gang, not from the back of a sexy Harley Davidson bike, I think he was in a Vauxhall Cavalier at the time- naff. Anyway, I digress, an hour later the window exploded, it frightened the life out of me. I was in the middle lane doing 70mph. I thought the sunroof had gone. I was showered with glass. I was unhurt just in shock.

Unravel was great. I was on my own and it was sooooooooo busy. My good friend Jeanette Sloans' husband made me lunch everyday and brought me cups of coffee, he was A MAZE ING. I stayed with Claire and Stuart in Horsham, like I do each year. They look after me so well. I love spending time with them.

I love this picture of them.

 

Happy Happy Happy - Today!!!

I am so happy today. I once read an article in New Scientist. It was an interview with a doctor who was studying 'happiness'. He pointed out that as humans we are not meant to be happy all the time, otherwise how would we be able to appreciate when good things happen. We just assume everyone else is happy because people pretend and book shops are full of self help books for making us happy, making us feel like everyone else is happy except us. I am happy today. It is as a result of making a difficult decision yesterday and feeling relieved once it was made and because for the first weekend in who knows how long, I am spending a weekend loving my flat, my home, my wool sanctuary, my wool.

I have been cleaning my lounge, knitting watching Becket with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. It was brill. Not even accidently using my new toothbrush (Colgate 360 degrees Pro- Relief Sensitive) to clean the window frames of my lounge windows upset me or washing my blinds and shrinking them. I am just so happy today. I am enjoying it whilst it lasts, let's face it, it isn't going to last forever, but the happiness doctor says that is ok so I am not fretting about it.

My tempoary happiness has also given me some physical strength I didn't know I had. When I went to get petrol the man in front of me on the forecourt had broken down so I, single handedly pushed him into a parking bay, I reckong I could have picked up his car and carried it out of the way of the forecourt over my head if I had needed to do so.

I opened my Secret Santa present this morning from my Instagram friend. Apparently I was supposed to open it on Christmas Eve but I had forgotten the rules and opened it today. I had five presents all hand made. I opened the biggest one last and screamed when I did. I bl**dy love it. This has got to be the best surprise present I have ever had. Look!!!!

Ok, off to do some knitting now. Isn't she lovely. Made by a very clever lady at Lemon and Magnolia. Here is a link to her etsy shop. www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeandMagnolia xxx

It's been a ridiculously long time

Look, look, this is how long it has been since I wrote on here. Wenda has had a baby! This is baby Gwenda. She is so cute but stupid! I am so sorry that I have neglected my blog. I use that bloomin Instagram all the time on my iPhone, it is so much easier than posting on here.

Mother and baby doing well. Wenda has no idea how it happened!

I have had another birthday, I know it is getting to be a yearly occurrence. Oh dear! That seems to be the limit of my humour at the moment. I am now 41, it sounds better than 40. I feel the same but can't run as fast as I used to. I've never run properly, but if I need to, the chances are I would be outrun caught or overtaken.

The Wool Sanctguary Knit Club has been to Meadowgate again. Yes, Meadowgate 3 happened at the end of November and I have booked Meadowgate 4 for the beginning of February 2013. We just love the place so much. We went to Cowslip for Sunday lunch and to do a workshop on the Tuesday to make the Christmas trees in the picture above.

 
I bought some materials whilst I was there to do some hand quilting. Not sure what it is going to be, and I know it doesn't make sense. I was in a strange place on the last night at Meadowgate when I wrote 'jelly'.

I had the master bedroom again. The house is so beautiful, and warm, due to the underfloor heating. It is only a matter of time before I move the Wool Sanctuary into it and stay there forever. I wish. Actually, I don't wish, as I am expanding my business and my lovely home has more wool than ever. I have expanded from just the lounge onto the landing and am waiting for units so I can expand further into the bedrooms. I have never been happier.

I have started to put my yarn back on my website for sale. It is going to take some time but I will do it one range at a time. Tonight it has been the turn of Rowan Pure Wool DK. There are 27 gorgeous colours. I have tried to present them in a way that shows them off to their best and makes them hard to resist. I want them all to go to good homes where they will be cherished as they are here. The numbers on the balls are the shade number, I thought it was nicer to see them like that than in al ist or a boring square picture of a part of the ball.

They look like snooker balls, aren't they gorgeous? I feel so inspired just looking at them. I have just ordered in the WHOLE range of Drift, I love it. The book is called Winter Drift and the yarn is G- or- geous!!! That will live on my new shelves that will be in one of the bedrooms. I am going to make it so that when the knitters come to knit club they can either sit in the lounge, the kitchen or the bedroom, where it is a bit calmer, useful for if knitters have a headache or want to concentrate. They can even have a sleep on the bed if they like. I want the knitting experience at The Wool Sanctuary to be the best ever.

Knitting Bag, Zip, Christmas, Book Signing

Sewing in a zip. I was taught how to do this years ago in the design rooms at Rowan. I loved working there. Me and my friend Stella would work on garments all day, finishing them off to be photographed. Every lunch time, we would go downstairs into the basement where they used to keep all the yarn. We just couldn't get enough of it.

I had a bit of a tidy last night. It was well overdue. I had a large wool delivery but no room to put it away. Need to do some reorganising. I have to make room for some new lines I am stocking. Kid Classic, Lima etc. I am waiting for Sarah Brown to come and pick up my victorian sideboard, she is going to borrow it indefinitely. I will replace it with a large unit to hold more yarn. I can 't wait. Hurry up Sarah, i'm waiting!

Oh yes, here it comes. Itttttttssssssssssssssssss Christmas. I cannot wait. Drag it out as long as you like, you're not going to hear me complain. Why do people not like it starting in September? It is all over too quickly if you only celebrate on Christmas day. What is the harm? No one is making you buy lots of stuff, so just enjoy the sparkle and music. It is a happy time - be happy. I am no Grinch!!! I love that story. I cry my little eyes out when you get to the end bit. On Jo Wiley's show on Radio 1, they used to play a recording of Ja Rule reading the Grinch, it made me cry everytime- brilliant!!!

I did my first book signing the other night at the WI in Weston Super Mare. I had a great night and met some lovely knitters as well as having two portions of Fish and Chips and two pieces of cake. I took a banana with me to stop me eating anythign else but I just ate that too. I hope you are all coming to the Knitting and Stitching show in Alexander Palace, I will be signing my book on the Rowan stand. Come and see me. I love cuddling my customers. Is that wrong?

Knit Club Tomorrow

It is Knit Club eve, excited as usual, still lots of tidying to do, but I really can't be bothered tonight. I will be up early tomorrow to sort everything out. Need to get coffee, salt and pepper bread and kitchen roll. Thought I would share that with you. I have just eaten some fruit, do I want weetabix tonight? Do I? Do I? No, no Weetabix tonight. I have been knitting with kidsilk haze stripe, I have had nothing good to say about self striping yarn until this beauty came along. I am knitting a cardigan in it, I love watching the colours change. Norah is going to give me such a hard time about it tomorrow at Knit Club, nothing gets past her. I have fitted a secret ejection seat into the armchair she sits in, any trouble and I am pressing that button.

Everything is good in the world when you knit red and white stripes, I don't know what it is about them but they are just so mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I am expanding the Wool Sanctuary. I am starting with having my website rebuilt and all my yarn listed on line to buy, but not just like any old boring website I am going to give you a good shopping experience. I am also increasing my range of yarn and getting more shelving to put it on. I love love love buying yarn, I love it even more when it is guilt free shopping. Always remember,

1. Yarn has no calories

2. It isn't bad for your health

3. It doesn't go off

4. It looks bloomin lovely

5. It is not heavy so you can buy lots and not hurt your back carrying it.

6. It is easy to smuggle into the house so your husband can't see how much you have bought.

7. It won't break when you drop it.

8. It won't hurt you if it falls on you.

9. It will keep you warm.

10. It comes in any colour you want.

Technology and Me

You would hear a lot more from me if I could work out how to post on here from my iPhone or iPad. It will let me do the text but not the pictures, I just don't understand. I am putting the wheels in motion to rebuild my website. It needs updating to give you all a much better experience whether you are just browsing or shopping. I want it a lot clearer with all my yarn on line. As much as I love every ball and hank I own, I have to keep reminding myself that this is a business and the more I sell the more I can buy to replace them.

Above is a picture of Me (chubby cheek Johnson, aka Suzie Beans, aka Suzie Johnson). This picture is taken from my book 'Janet Smith Can't Knit' I am wearing my Yvette scarf and hand warmers. They are both lined with black fleece. I love knitting eyes. I went to a Beryl Cook exhibition in Bristol a year ago and ever since I have had a thing about eyes. There is an eye cushion in the book too. Here is a picture of it.

Oh look it's Stuart with my eye cushion Beryl. My knitted eye cushion was designed and knitted in less than 3 days if I remember rightly, it is in my book too. It is knitted in Rowan Pure Wool DK. I am loving Rowans colours this year. Yellows and oranges are back, I just hope they stay. As a designer you need a good orange and a good yellow. Am I being a bit premature working on book 2? I can't help it, I love knitting and I love designing too. I love Weetabix at the moment as well and the Tesco cheap ones at 62p for 32 is a bargain. The only difference I can see from ordinary ones is their corners are less rounded. Sounds a bit like the Samsung vs Apple court case.

I am on my third Cherry Pie, no, no, no, not a real pie - with a lid on it. My scarf Cherry Pie. First knitted in pinks, then in petrol blue and rust, now in red and purple. A picture will be posted when it is fit to be photographed. I am designing a knitting bag too, I have knitted it, constructed it, deconstructed it and now mentally preparing myself for reconstructing it so it looks like a bag once again with a lining. Pictures to follow.

Me again with Cherry Pie from the book. Ok, I have had an email from Sharon Brant, I am going to be doing a book signing at the Knitting and Stitching Show, at John Lewis on Oxford Street and AND AND I will be on Create TV. I will let you know the dates as soon as I have them. Look at that last button my cardigan straining.

Our House, with Hettie, Rebecca Roundhill's gorgeous dog. A book of knitted giants has been rattling around in my head but would be so impractical. Big knits, big yarn, big money to buy yarn and big house needed to store big knitted items. What am I talking about? What drivel. I am sitting with my feet twisted inwards it is incredibly uncomfortable, why am I doing it? If you haven't bought my book yet then please buy it before it goes out of stock, I don't want you phoning me up crying your eyes out because it has sold out. Ok, off to look in the fridge.

Janet Smith Can't Knit - buy me buy me buy me

I have a bladder infection. But 'Janet Smith Can't Knit' will be here tomorrow morning and you can now preorder from the home page of my website www.thewoolsanctuary.com Only got 2,000 copies to sell as Rowan want 3,000 so get your hands on one before they all go. I will sign any if you want, I will write ANYTHING you want, except the words 'I love acrylic' coz I don't. Come on lets all get knitting!!! See if I can sell them all before my antibiotics run out.

Janet Smith Can't Knit but she will be round Wednesday

I have been reliably informed by Darren, my agent, that 'Janet Smith Can't Knit', will be here on Wednesday 1st August. I CANNOT WAIT. I will be having 1,000 delivered to me in person. So if anyone would like to visit me to purchase one then I would be delighted.

I will also be selling them on my website, but will need to work out postage and packing  before I can make that option available.

I will still be doing my car park car boot selling too, so once I have an idea where I am going to be, as I move round a lot, I will post it on here and if it is your area, come down in your mac, with a flask of coffee or tea and your knitting and buy a book and have a knit with me.

Sorry this post is so sensible and factual, I will get back to writing drivel once all 5,000 copies of my book have been sold. Actuall scrub that, drivel coming back - I can feel it!

Salt, Unwelcome Posts, My Book 'Janet Smith Can't Knit'

I have a problem with dispensing salt. I have a large salt, chili and pepper grinder, it grinds all three at the same time so not possible just to choose salt. I have a smaller grinder but the rock salt seems to come out in big chunks. I have a normal salt shaker but the salt won't come out of the hole. Do you think someone is trying to tell me something? Well I can answer that question. Yes they are. I have a problem with my leg. Can't remember if I have mentioned this before but I will tell you again. I get a deep pain in the centre of my left leg, top half. Followed by an electric shock from my knee to the middle of my leg ending in a spasm that lasts about 15 seconds. It is so painful that I scream when it happens. Anyway, the condition is caused by electrolytes leaking into the muscle due to dehydration. The doctor says I need to cut down on my salt.

Who keeps posting comments on my blog about 7 day belly bust diet, or Alzlopram etc. can you please stop it! Not sure if it is a virus. I don't know how to stop it. I had my hair cut today. It is just below my easr and I look like I have stepped out of the 1970s - I love it. Gordon's sister did it. She lives in Sheffield so it might be a while until I get it cut again.

My book went to the printers yesterday afternoon. Apparently it is a 10 day turn around so by the 22nd July I expect to be in possession of 2,000 books to sell. If you would like a copy then it will be for sale on my website, or you can come and see me. Or I have had this idea that I post some dates when I know I am going to be in different places in the country and I could organise a meet in a car park somewhere and sell books out of the back of my car. Do you think that is a good idea? I only have a mini so I don't think I could bring all 2,000 but I could fit a fair few in.

I am so so tired. Perhaps I am like Sampson, now that my hair has been cut I have lost all my strength. Knit Club this weekend. It is going to be a good one. We have Knit Club in the lounge and kitchen dining room. Crochet Club in the back bedroom and The Bristol Nail Factory in my office. I can't wait, as usual. Done most of my tidying, oh hang on, no that is not true, just looking round the room now and it looks messy, very messy. Bed now, can hardly see out of the one eye I have open. Good night xxx

I love Roses and knitting pin cushions

I want to make some rose soap or perfume. I have some beautiful roses in my front garden, my only garden, but I have a feeling it involves caustic soda, and that is dangerous. I once had a bit of an accident with Baby Bio. When I lived in one room I had lots of plants and I would keep a litre bottle of water by my bed to drink at night and one with water and baby bio in for the plants. You know what I am going to say don't you? Yes, I drank the one containing Baby Bio.

I swore I would never do this but I find myself knitting little pin cushions to sell on my stall. I can't stop knitting them. And for each one I could probably tell you what I was watching on TV when I knitted it.

I will keep knitting them until I get fed up then move onto something else. Let me show you my glasses cases and mobile phone covers too. Hang on.

It is looking likely that my book is going to print on 2nd July. I bet you are sick of hearing about it. Well I am sorry about that, but I am afraid that I might being going on about it for sometime until I have sold the 2,000 copies that I am going to have in my flat. It is going to be available to order on line on my website www.thewoolsancatuary.com and also to pick up from The Wool Sanctuary in person. Or come to the launch party, details to follow.

I am sorry, I have no idea why this is upside down. I would like to spend some time to sort it out but I have stuff to do still for the book and that takes priority. It might be a good time to see if you can still do a hand stand or a head stand- be safe!