Monthly Archives: November 2014

The Penguins Party!

I’m a bit obsessed with penguins at the moment!

I saw the John Lewis advert last week (the beginning of November for heaven’s sake, far too early…but adorable all the same!)

…and in a parallel universe I would definitely have a pet penguin, Higgins would love a little friend.

However, it got me thinking about making something a bit different this year for my stall at the Two Rivers Trail Festive Fair.  With that in mind I’ve made some needlefelt penguins and I thought I’d drop in here for some opinions…

So here’s my little Penguin Party…

needlefelt penguinsAnd the question is, do I or don’t I add little knitted scarves, and would they be better with or without a hanger for the tree?  I’ve thought about too much and need a second opinion! What you think?

And finally thank you you for the lovely comments after my last post.  It’s so good to know you enjoy calling in to Planet Penny.  Higgins, as always, is basking in the admiration of his fans (and really doesn’t want to play second fiddle to some silly penguins!)  Back soon…x

Habits…and Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That!

I’ve got to admit to lots of bad habits and trying to conquer them is a WIP, but the one habit I don’t want to lose is the Blogging one and things have slipped badly just lately.  I’ve dived in with one or two on a set subject, but when I look back to when I first started writing here I realise I miss just turning up for a chat!

The main reason for my absence has been the ongoing concern about my mum.  The problems started back in August and look set to continue for a while yet.  She is now in the local rehabilitation hospital and her ankle has healed, but physio is set to be long and slow as she’s been in bed for so long.  Added to this, there have been various administration errors which have added to her distress which I have now taken up with our MP so this has been quite time consuming.

And coming up, we have our Two Rivers Trail Festive Fair.  It’s in less than two weeks…eek!  It’s the only fair I do these days.  I usually sell as I make rather than having a stall full of wares, so preparation takes a bit of time.

Two Rivers Trail Festive Fair

You can find out about the fair and the other artists taking part on the Two Rivers Trail website.  Last year’s fair, our first, was a huge success and took us quite by surprise!  This year we have a special guest  the well known author, TV presenter and explorer, Nick Crane from BBC’s ‘Coast’ opening the Fair, so if you happen to be in the area do come along.  It’s promising to be a great day out.

And Higgins!  I know there are some of you who like to find out about Higgins, and he is on fine form.

A bit fed up with the weather…

mini dachshund in red coat

…so he has decided that all watchdog activites should be conducted from the comfort of his own armchair…

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…when he’s not on bed testing duties…

2014-10-29 14.10.42

Planet Penny was always meant to be my happy place, and right now a happy place is where I need to be so I intend to be here more often.  I’ll certainly be along  with my fair preparations, the felting needle is red hot already!

I’ll see you very soon…x

 

The Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine Review

Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine

It’s always exciting to receive a parcel in the post, and when a copy of the brand new Simple Stylish Knitting magazine arrived in the post for me to review, along with some gorgeous yarn, I was very happy indeed!

I’ve been knitting on and off since I was a child, and it’s definitely like riding a bike, once you’ve learned the skill you never really lose it. People often say to me, ‘Ooh, I’d love to learn to knit’, but unfortunately, I can’t teach everyone!

So I’m always interested to see what there is about to set aspiring knitters off on the right track, and this new partwork, the Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine has really clear instructions covering all the basics.  And because each issue has the yarn and pattern to make a sample square in a new stitch every week, not only do you have everything you need to start straight away, by the time you’ve collected all the issues you’ve got a gorgeous patchwork blanket.

And, of course by then you’ll be an expert knitter!

I was also sent some lovely Rowan yarn to make the Mr Fox iPad Mini case…

Mr Fox iPad Casr from Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine

…and it’s here I have to confess to being completely useless at something which is supposed to be really easy.  Is it just me?  I’m rubbish at Swiss darning, or duplicate stitch.  I wouldn’t have been fazed in the slightest by knitting the fox head using the Intarsia method, but I made really heavy weather of stitching it on.   So despite my knitting credentials, I need to practice this one!

The magazine has three projects each week along the themes of Knits for Home, Knits to Wear and Knits to Give with some gorgeous patterns to look forward to…

Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine projects

…and from 20th October to the end of 2014 Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine have asked me to curate one of their boards on  Pinterest, (which is basically permission to have fun,isn’t it?)  Do call over and have a peek, and follow too if you like what you see.

If you want to make sure you get every issue and the binders to keep them in then it’s easy to get a subscription from the Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine website.

Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine free yarnFinally, hello and welcome to all the new blog followers.  It’s been a bit quiet round here lately but I’m looking forward to being back here more often and keeping you up to date with my little woolly world!

See you soon…x

Ed. to Add:  If you want to find out about the next two issues it’s here.

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