Incantations

Pumpkin Pie


Owl Order

Leaf Lace

Weasley Red

Quaffle Waffle

Hallow 's Eve

Mad Hatter

Dragon Eyes

Crystal Meths

Trees Woods

Hermione Granger

Hogwarts Express

Burrow Down

Dobby Wax

Horcrux Harry

Ministry of funny walks!

Magic Wands

Sirius Black

Apple Dumpling

Juice Orange

Candle Snuffer

Ghost Train

Snake Skin

Wand Electric

Invisibility Cloak

Tent Pegs

Spell Bound

Umbridge Archers

Dursely Dudders

Prophet and loss!

New Term, New Pattern!

It's a new term at Hogwarts and already I am getting behind with my homework! Alas I have too many extra-curricular activities keeping me from my quill and parchment, so shan't be able to do the set homweork to get to know my classmates as it looks like a very time-consuming task. I have very much enjoyed reading all the messages I've received from fellow students who were giving the assignment the proper effort.

The last few days I have had various freinds and family staying with me as we were all attending a course of advanced magic together. Houseguests included my brother and his wife, a young cousin of ours, and a friend who flew over from Switzerland especially to be with us. It was lots of fun being with them and we all learned so much on the course.

Recently I published a new shawl pattern of which i am very proud. My dear sister, Lizzie Wychwood, knitted the sample and it was modeled (in my garden) by a good friend of ours.

Kit from Ambyr!

Ambyr's owl arrived on Monday with this fantastic kit. Alas, I have been so busy working and minding Lizzie's children and my children since then that now is the first opportunity I have had to take pictures to show you. Ambyr is a very patient and kind witch, and I thank her for her forbearance waiting for this, especially as I hate waiting myself for folk to post about kits I have sent!

Of course, Ambyr did a stunning job with the kit, having clearly done her homework about my preferences. This led to the most amazing handsewn project bag, done in my most favourite colour with a snakelike pattern. It is lined with a lovely acorn patterned fabric. :0)

Pictured with the bag are the yarns (Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in green and pinks) and a tea-cosy pattern to go with them. The yarn colours are 'avocado', 'carnation', and 'hollyberry'. Although I do love the cosy I hope you don't mind Ambyr if I do something of my own designing with this beautiful yarn?

As you can already see, Ambyr made a nature kit for me. Hence these very lovely fish and butterfly-inspired stitchmarkers (I adore butterflies!) that Ambyr made especially for me. Note that the fish are in Hogwarts House colours!

Ambyr also included some M&Ms, which the boys promptly helped me to eat. There is nature inspired food too - some gourmet shell pasta (included because Ambyr is in Shell Cottage). Other nature treats include the 'Sea Garden' hand cream and a Bonsai kit (Mr. Wigworthy will love growing this while I am not to be allowed near it as I am bad news for plants!), as well as some very welcome soak sachets (I love this product - so kind to wool, and very easy to use).

Ambyr, this is a most delightful kit for which I wholeheartedly thank you! You are so, so kind! :0)

World Record Holder?

On 23rd August I am part of a team of 8 spinners and knitters who are attempting to break the worls record for fastest time from sheep to sweater! We have the world's fastest knitter (yes, really!) on the team, and some renowned spinners, and, um, me! So we're going to do it, right? ;0)

Problem is, magical means are not permitted. We are not even allowed to wash and comb the fleece! So, I had a lesson earlier this week with a good friend of mine from Bradford Guild who is an expert in long-draw technique, the fastest way to spin by far. See, even though I first learned spinning nearly 25 years ago now, my usual worsted technique is known as 'inch-worm'! Anyway, Freyalyn got me going well, and by the end of the session I was spinning yards in seconds rather than minutes!
 
Freyalyn spinning (with a spindle) with another friend at Woolfest 2 years ago (Freyalyn is the witch facing us in this picture, if she hasn't wandered off that is...):

In Swap News I can reveal that I have now received three separate owl deliveries in the last week for Wisty's kit!

Witches Wishes

Knit or crochet or both?
Both, and prefer knitting.


Brands you would like to try but don't have easy access to:
Anything KnitPicks!

Favorite fibers/least favorite fibers
Love any natural fibre

Favorite colors/least favorite colors
Love all greens, also like soft dark pinks (blue side of the range). Hate orangey pinks and pale browns.

Yarn weight preferences
I love laceweights (don't get a green one though as I have several already!)
Also like worsted weight as we can't easily get that in the UK.

Favorite projects
Small ones!

Favorite gadgets
Cute or funky tape measures and knitting gauges
Favorite designers
Me!!!!!! LOL!
Kieran Foley ('knitlab' on Ravelry)
Nicky Epstein

Salty or Sweet or...?
Both!

Tea or Coffee or...?
Tea!

Allergies
Fur and dust

Other things you like, i.e., buttons, pens, fabric, stitchmarkers, etc.
Anything crafty, so all of the above!

Currently Craving
A Debra's Garden gauge
A small project bag
Vintage style notebooks
Anything Potter!

Where you might have wish lists (Loopy Ewe, Amazon, Etsy)
Amazon (my email address should find it)
Etsy favourites (I'm Rumpelstiltskin on etsy)

Spoiled Witch!

Yes, my package from Celestina Pettigrew arrived this morning. I was sitting outside at the back of the cottage (wrapped in a blanket because despite the June sunshine it is definitely a cool day) when a heavily laden owl fluttered down and halted beside my chair.

I was so excited to see the package, realising instantly who it was from. Celestina spoiled me royally last summer, and she has done it again! :0)

Check out the Ravenclaw wrappings:

Contents:

1) Green yarn (my favourite colour) a rubber stamp specially made for me with a heart flower and 'Ann Kingstone Designs' on it, a packet of treats, a beaded row counting gadget, and a Rita Skeeter kit.

Celestina very cleverly worked to meet my needs as a designe in this kit.

She used the rubber stamp to decorate the beaded counter:

  

This is a wonderful handmade notepad cover with pockets for colouring pencils (included) and containing a notepad of squared paper (Celestina has clearly realised that I do a lot of charting for my designs).

Check out the magical internal cover:

 A generous-sized Ravenclaw satchel bearing a beaitfully embroidered Ravenclaw crest.

Close-up of the crest for you - beautiful!

A very cute mini Ravenclaw sock (I love the patterning - well done Celestina!) on a mini-blocker and keyring fastened to a bag of goodies - various chocolates and a mini shell bottle (for perfume?):

And the Rita Skeeter kit - a newsboy hat, Rita-style glasses, Quick Quotes quill and notepad:

Celestina, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You!!!

Lonely Witch :0(

Mr. Wigworthy and the boys have gone camping without me!

They've gone off for a weekend of magical fun on a camp exclusively for wizards. They're well equipped, although their tent isn't quite up to the standard of the one the Weasleys biorrow from Mr. Perkins. Only two bedrooms and a very small kitchen area for the Wigworthys. Snug!!

The boys were particularly excited, especially as their cousin, Lizzie's son was going with them too. They are looking forward to all kinds of crazy activities - a wet and soapy slide, climbing, campfire singsongs, and a party, for which they had to take buns. I admit, I didn't make the buns myself but ordered them from Madam Puddifoot's teashop in Hogsmeade. She makes such delightful fairy cakes!

So, here I am, forlorn and forsaken! ;0)

Luckily I have the excitement of my meeting tomorrow with the Lord Mayor of Coventry to keep my spirits up. I've been madly preparing for it. A new hairdo, clothes laundered, knitting supplies bagged up, etc... I've even bought a wonderful artefact from Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment that will magically guide me to the location in Coventry of this stupendous event. I'll be sure to tell you full details of the meeting when I next write here. Until then, may you find pleasure in all of your stitches. :0)