A SMALL HOLIDAY ON ICE.

As the first frost came this morning, I was doing a bit of filing, and found this clipping from The Argos, of when I was asked to present a pair of knitted Ice Skates to British Ice Skating Champion Robin Cousins two years ago.  I've never told anyone this story because having stayed up all night knitting the seaquined size 9 skates, I had a fuzzy head, and I'm not sure if it really happened at all. Dressed in a purple polar neck, Robin cut a length of purple ribbon, to open the Creative Stitches Show, which displayed all the costumes he had ever worn, cutting a dash across the ice.  When he cut the ribbon, all the ladies clapped and a large appliqued Venus Fly Trap despensed some peanuts just next to us.  I gave him the skates, and he said 'thank you' and then put his arm around me and we had a little smile for the camera. 

PSYCHOSTITCHGEOGRAPHY 4.

Miss Smithies is knitting a shawl. Today she showed us her psycostitchgeography.  As you can see, it works in numerals of five with gaps and crosses. We haven't seen the garment yet, but we suspect it might be a fancy lace number. 

Miss Smithies, we hope to see you soon, x

CLEANING WINDOWS.

Louise cleaned the windows today.  She used purple Windolene and a yellow duster - a gorgeous combination.  

LORNA'S BEARS.

Lorna Ryan's mischievous bears are causing havoc in the shop.  This morning we caught them planning something with the elastic.

Adopt a mischievous bear for between £16-£40. 

MICHAEL SWAINE TURNS ON HIS HEALS.....

Good bye Michael Swaine. Thank you for coming to visit us and the people of Bethnal Green. Your San Fransiscan mojo and chocolate made our weekend.  You knocked on the door and when I opened it,  you strolled on in, like you belonged here. Out came your door knob darning stool, and we watched your lovely hands (because we all noticed you have lovely hands) get to work on our holes. 

We loved your poetry about bits of meat, and we are sorry you got so de- hydrated at the Knitting and Stitching Show. A kind lady taught us how to swiss darn and someone else gave you a Baker Light mushroom just like mine. You inspired me to mend, everything I can, and I hope you are mended now you are home. x

ARE YOUR BILLS BUGGING YOU?

Are your bills bugging you? 

Do butterflies come with the postman? 

Bring those final demands to Ciaran Bagley's show at Prick Your Finger this evening and we will try and make them fly away. Ciaran can also explain how to make a staircase to climb up and many other big and small paper suprises. See you there from 7!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOUISE!

Congratulations to our dear Louise for passing through another year of glamour and good times. 

Questioned about her birthday she said "It's all been marvelous."

Rosemary and I made her this hat. Louise has a soft spot for turbans and shells, but a loathing of polyester chenielle, and having rather a lot of polyester chenielle in the back room, we thought we would put it to good use. Rosemary made the turban shape on the knitting machine and I crocheted the shells, which go all the way round the hat. By adding a slight sparkle yarn to the chinielle, it took on a lovely crispy quality, which Louise wears so well.