5 Years ago

5 years ago I sat in the cusp of the blog world.....then I took a dive in....

I can't believe that this little space has lasted 5 years. I am sure when I started out with that first post on the 28th of January 2007 that I thought I might keep it up for a few months. But no, 5 years has passed and this space has continued to be my journal, allowing me to record my wanderings and all the woollie that has taken place, but much more than that - it has allowed me to make connections with so many great people, to learn new skills, use my craft to spread hope (Craft Hope - pop on over - project 16 has just launched)  and has in many ways opened up the world to me (through the blogs of others!) So I just wanted to say a big thank you to all you blog writers and blog readers out there for the continued inspiration, the friendships made, the crafty swaps engaged in.....and the opportunity to remember what I was doing in any given month for the last 5 years! 

There have been some woollie and some wanderings going on this month.....I promise...

I made an Owlet sweater from Kate Davies' lovely pattern....in fact I made 2 from one 400g ball of yarn. It's much greener than it looks in these photos - early morning winter light however bright it might seem, is not that great for taking photos.

I bought the pattern just before Christmas and by the 29th of December I had finished an 18-month size sweater and a 6 month size sweater. They knit up so quickly and best of all as they are knitted in the round, minimal sewing up. I think it took almost as long to sew on the 32 buttons for eyes as it did to knit.

In other woollie our Wednesday night knitting group ran a knitting and crochet class at the DCA in Dundee on Sunday afternoon - 12 people went home with new skills! Good day all round. My photo was used to publicize the class (not a picture of me you'll be pleased to know, but a photo I took).

 It was funny to see it in leaflets and on posters!

Wanderings have not taken me far this month.....a trip to Edinburgh for dinner at L'Escargot Blanc to celebrate a friend's birthday - and a great meal was had - it was their mystery menu so you don't know what you are getting but it was a great 3 courses. We had crostini with poached pear and goats cheese as a starter; a speciality from Lyon for the main course - a pork gayette - sort of meatball made of pork meat and pork liver; followed by Ile Flottante (floating island) for dessert which is a minimally cooked meringue which floats on a bed of creme anglais - light and delicious.

I've taken trips to the beach, to knitting group in Newburgh, to Dollar Glen with the National Trust where I spent the day happily playing in the mud......but with glorious sunrises and sunsets from my window - it's been hard to drag myself out!