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  1. New Kitten

    May 11, 2012 by cat

    Well you may have seen on Twitter and/or Facebook that this week Kian and I got a new addition to our little family. Walnut is slowly coming back from “What the flipping hell do you think you’re bringing into MY HOUSE?!” to “I do not want to share!” Hopefully she’ll get to “ohh can we play all night and keep them up?” in the next week or so.

    She was named Fay by Bolton & Bury Cat Rescue, but we’re currently trying to find something that fits with her better. She’s far too excitable to be “Fay”. Give us name suggestions for her!


  2. Bye Bye Apollo

    March 29, 2012 by cat

    This was not the next blog post I was expecting to write.

    On Tuesday I wasn’t very well. I had a bath in the middle of the night, and as usual, both the cats came to check on me (well see if they could have an early breakfast). That was between 3 and 5am. The day went on as a slow day, until I got a knock on the door at about noon. One of the lady’s from the allotments across the road came over to ask me if Apollo lived here. She had found him under a bush just inside the allotments. So I wandered over and she was right. He apparently had a lie down in a favoured spot and not got back up.

    She and another lady told me tales of Apollo’s charming exploits. They told me of his Sunday afternoon’s in their greenhouse, and his own chair, of the number of people that loved his attention and of him trying to get the frogs in the ponds. We brought him home and wrapped him up and let Walnut see him, before going to the vet.

    Our vet looked him over to check that it wasn’t poison or trauma. She thinks that his heart simply gave out.

    He was 6years old nearly 7. He came to me as a sweet 3 month old 6 years ago. He was shy and unsure of himself, people ,and other cats when he came to me. By the number of neighbours that have spoken to us since he was found, I can happily say he became a much loved, charming tom.

    I will miss him joining us in the middle of the bed, or sleeping on his back next to me on the sofa. He was a loving and caring little boy. Goodbye my friend, Apollo.


  3. Bye Bye Hannah

    February 8, 2012 by cat

    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.


  4. Lowry Lights

    November 6, 2011 by cat

    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!


  5. Debbie Tomkies Dye Workshop

    November 6, 2011 by cat

    Today I went to Baa Ram Ewe, Leeds for a dyeing workshop by Debbie Tomkies of DT Craft and Design. This was my second play with dyeing yarn. Earlier this week I used one of Debbie’s Koolaid dyeing kits (I’ll get some photos of those later in the week). I did this workshop with three lovely ladies – all made superb use of the yarns and dyes to great effect!

    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.


  6. New bag

    October 24, 2011 by cat

    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.


  7. BarCamp Blackpool 3

    October 17, 2011 by cat

    Over the weekend was Barcamp Blackpool. It was amazing fun. It was great to get together with friends and make new acquaintances. I even learnt about new things (spring/neap tides being dictated by lunar movements)! New games were played (The Thing – a simplified Werewolf – just Infected and Humans).

    Just got a few images to share.


  8. Brighton Adventure and Fun of September

    September 28, 2011 by cat

    At the beginning of the month I took Kian away to Brighton for a little adventure. I went to see Amanda Fucking Palmer and Kian went to see a client.

    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.


  9. BarCamp Nottingham

    July 29, 2011 by cat

    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.


  10. Elegance Scarf

    July 29, 2011 by cat

    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!