On Sunday Hannah died. She’d not been well for a while, but she was happy until Sunday. We took her to the Emergency Vet. They found a couple of “masses” on her liver and spleen. We’d apparently been treating the masses for a while with steroids (she was on them for a skin problem).

She and I had been together for 14 years and 4 months. She came to me at 5 weeks old. We slept, ate and travelled together. There were few thing I did in her lifetime without considering her first. I am going to miss her more than I can say. Walnut and Apollo are trying to comfort me and themselves.

She will no longer wake me to join me in bed when it gets too cold, or hunt rabbits on family holidays in Wales, but she will be with me.

Bye Bye Hannah.

Since September I have been volunteering at The Lowry. Its such a wonderful place to be and the people are always so cheerful that I’m really starting to feel creative (photographically) again.

With the night’s drawing in (note these photos were taken between 4:50pm and 4:55pm) I thought I’d look to the evening lighting at The Lowry and around Media City UK.

Just a few for now – was in a rush to get to a birthday party and had no tripod!

I had a great time. The prospect of dyeing my own yarn is now exciting rather than terrifying!

I’ve named mine – Tentacle, Purple Kisses and Heather.

With many thanks to Debbie (and hubby Pete!) and Baa Ram Ewe for having me today.

A few months ago I bought myself a new hand bag. It was faux leather, with enough space for most of my knitting projects and pockets that could hold smaller projects/books/needle rolls.

It fell apart in a few short weeks and I was left with only my flowery knitting bags or a purple cord bag that’s going bald. I spent a few days going through ebay/high street shops/Trafford Centre.

Couldn’t find anything close to what I wanted.

So in the end I thought I venture into sewing again. I took apart the bag I was replacing, made a pattern and strode forth with mum’s old Singer 6136 at my side. 

I started it a week or so ago. Now its ready to be abused in public.

Just got a few images to share.

When we went to see AFP we also saw Bitter Ruin. Georgia blew me away with her strong yet delicate voice. Bitter Ruin happen to have a single coming out next week.

Kian and I stayed over at the Royal Albion and on our day off, before coming home, went to Brighton’s aquarium. The sea turtles were amazing in size (27st and as big as my coffee table). (Yes, we took Captain Jack to see his cousin…)

Since getting back from Brighton I have been doing my training at The Lowry in Salford. It is a wonderful theatre. In the last month I have seen I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue (the stage version, not recording), The Unthanks, Dancing Shoes and today was Top Hat (it’s on until the 8th October and is a great musical). All have been thoroughly entertaining. Of the 12 shifts that I have to complete “shadowing” I have now done 8. I’ve got 2 more to do in the Lyric (the large theatre) and 2 more in the Quays (the medium theatre) before I become a a “full” VIP (I’ll get a red shirt, jumper and name tag!).

This month has been busy. Looking forward to October.

Just a few photos from last weekend’s BarCamp Nottingham. Ruby-Gem was doing a great job of looking sexy (also a great host as always)! As always wonderful to see friends and meet new folk! Good intro to Lace Making by Liz (HackSpace Nottingham member).

Nottingham hackspace is wonderful – great mix of workshops, social space and open spaces too. Thank you for having us and my masses of wool!

Also a big thank you to all of the sponsors – North 51, Esendex, The University of Nottingham Computer Science Department and The Brookson Enterprise Freelance Fair. Without them the event would never happen.

As promised (for Mum and a few other folks..) I have some pretty photos of my Elegance Scarf, designed by Anniken Allis. I picked up the wool and pattern at WoolFest2011

I took them last weekend at BarCamp Nottingham with Lally modelling. I hope you all agree she does a wonderful job!

Just a few photos from yesterday at WoolFest 2011.

Yesterday I went to WoolFest 2011, up in Cockermouth.

It involved 5hours of driving, parking in a field and coming home to hungry cats, but it was fantastic!

From Krafty Koala I bought a new roll for my Double Point needles (owl themed), owl stitch markers, “Ash Cloud” Sparkle sock yarn, “Lilac Dreams” 4ply, “Gail” shawl pattern and “Scroll lace scarf” pattern.

From Yarn Addict Anni (the designer of the Trinity shawl) I got Twinkletoes sock yarn, “Elegance scarf” pattern and “Fame handwarmers” pattern.

From Laughing Hens I got some baby alpaca 4ply.

From Toft I got a wrist warmers kit (awaiting the pattern – she’d sold out of it by late lunch on day one!).

From Wingham Wool Works I picked up 3 500g hanks of Guernsey 5-ply.

From DT Craft and Design I got a Kool Aid dyeing kit.

I also got a Woolfest 2011 Project bag. Surprisingly this holds all of the above!