A New Toy

Anybody that knows me knows I like gadgets. Doesn't matter if its techie gadget, stitching, knitting anything gadgety I like.

We (thats the Royal we) have been thinking about replacing the laptop for some time. We've had it for a couple of years and have never been really happy with it. It was always slow, even though all it ever did was go on the internet really. It had 2 hard drives in 2 years and was really noisy.

So, Ive done a bit of research and bought a few mags to help decide which one might be best. I considered an Apple one as well, even though I've never used and Apple pc or laptop. The more I read, the more they seemed the most reliable, so, thats what we've done. Bought an Apple MacBook.

So far so good. Weve got an Apple store in Sheffield and the assistant was about the best one we've seen when we've bought something like this. He knew we'd never used an Apple before so he gave us some advice and a demo lasting about 15 minutes. Usually, you go and buy something like this and they try and pressure you into buy extra cover and never really explain anything about the product you're about to spend so much money on.

When we got it home, setting up was easy. Turned it on. The assistant had already registred the laptop in our name. It picked up our wireless connection straight away. That was it. Done. It took less than 5 minutes. We bought a pc a few months ago and that took much longer to set up. There were a few updates to download, which is to be expected as software changes so quickly.

For the first time ever, we're wireless. The laptop before was always going through the mains, the battery life wasn't very good. It had a wireless mouse, but needed to be plugged into a USB (1) port, so that was the 2 wires. Then the 'wireless' thing that got us on the internet was also on a wire plugged into the other USB port.

Now, we have no wires. Only the one that plugs in is the mains (which is like a magnet that goes in the socket), and the battery lasts much longer. Its got bluetooth, so I can transfer pics from my phone straight to it, and music from the laptop to the phone!

I hope its not going to let us down, so far though, we're happy. Even hubby has been using it and he hardly used the other one.

This means I haven't done much knitting since Thursday. I've still got a half done sock to do, a Zombie and to start another sock to match the one I finished on holiday. I was also supposed to be starting a knitalong on a forum for another pair of the 'Fetching' wrist warmers from Knitty. But, I can't find the yarn. I'll have to have another good rumage round.

Oh, one last thing. I finished Lego Star Wars 2 on the XBox 360. It was good and probably the only game i've finished, although there is other stuff, I have completed all the episodes.

Thats it, time to go. Hopefully I'll have done something practical next time I post!

New Finishes

My knitty bug is still well and truly biting. I did start a cross stitch a couple of weeks ago, but while I did enjoy it, I couldn't help but think I could be doing some knitting!

Last week, I went to the hospital about my eye. When I had them tested a few months ago, they thought there was something wrong with my right eye. After 3 months of worrying , everything seems to be ok. They want me to go back in January just for another look because there was something they could see but hopefully nothing to worry about.

So, back to the knitting.

First, a sock. The yarn and pattern is from a Hipknits sock club. Its only the 3rd sock I've ever done and I'm quite happy with it. I haven't stitched the toe up yet, I've got to look up how to do a Kitchener stitch to
finish it off.
















The second finish it a Curious Critter from Curious Yarns. I only started him yesterday and finished him today. There is enough for me to do another one, which I've said I'd do for my friend's son. This one has had different names already today. Terry was the first choice followed by Clive and then Shaun (as in Shaun of the Dead!) so we'll see which one we think will be best!

We've got the rest of the week off work. We had a few days at the coast (which is why so much as been done!) Tomorrow we're going to see my Grandad, Thursday is hubby's birthday and I've got a couple of things planned he doesn't know about. Friday, we've got to go back to the caravan. I thought there wasn't a lot of stuff in the car earlier when we packed it up. Thats because we left the case behind!! I'd put it in the cupboard while i finished cleaning and stuff and forgot to get it back out again!! Oh well, never mind.

I'm off now to find out how to finish off this sock then I can start the next one! I'll update again soon.

Finished!

I actually finished this earlier in the week but I just haven't got round to posting pics.

I'm very happy with it. I think the Lorna's Laces is a lot softer than the Hipknits yarn and I love the colour.

I'm going to do some stitching next as I haven't done any for a while. I decided on a map of Egypt for somebody for Christmas. I've had the kit for years in my stash and the person I'm doing it for is really interested in that sort of stuff so hope she'll like it.

I'll post pics when there's something to show!

Technical Hitch

Just when I thought I'd got things the way I wanted, they went wrong!

I had a message from somebody on a Forum I go to that they were having problems getting on the blog and it was closing IE down every time she opened the it. Well, things seemed to be ok at this end. I don't use Internet Explorer, I use Mozzilla Firefox as my browser so it all looked ok.

My friend on MSN tried it for me and she had the same problem, but I could still open it up ok. Anyway, I tried IE and the same thing happened. I also noticed that the links and profile were right down the bottom of the page for some reason.

So, I've spent a couple of hours this morning having a bit of a play and trying to get things right again. I've taken off some of the buttons I added the other day in case they were the problem. Things look ok on Firefox, but the links are still at the bottom of the page on IE

I'd appreciate your feedback, so if you can leave a comment when you've done that'd be great!

Made Some Changes

Well, I've been having a bit of a play and added some new links and stuff to the side bit of the blog.

Links to some of my favourite knitty and stitchy stores online, some blogs I read, not all crafty ones (but mostly!) and some podcasts.

I will add a few other bits eventually, I'm enjoying tinkering with the different settings, not that I know what I'm doing, but its good to see the changes when they work!

More pics

Ok, so I've only been knitting about a year, but my first hobby is cross stitch. I started it when I was at school, well with tapestries and have got a very good stash over the years! Here are a few pics of some of the things I've done. Believe me, there are lots more, but either I haven't got them, or just haven't taken any pics yet!









My favourite designs are ones by Lavender & Lace and Michael Powell, but i've done ones by lots of others. The mammouth one I've had going for a few years now is the St Petersberg design by Thea Gouverneur. I love doing it but there is lots of work involved!

Sunday's Update

Its going well so far. I'm now on the 3rd section and halfway on the 3rd repeat row. I remember not enjoying this bit so much because it was just the same 12 rows 12 times!!
I've dropped the first 2 stitches so far and rather than leaving the fun bit to the end and unravelling all the stitches together, I'm doing it as I go on because it took ages to do last time!

Update

Here is a pic of the Clapotis so far. I'm on row 4 of the 12th repeat on section 2, so hopefully I should have this section finished tonight.





I think i mentioned somewhere that the ball I wound up unravlled more or less as soon as I picked it up, so I'm still trying to un tangle it while I go which is slowing me down a bit. Yes, I have been tempted just to cut a bit off and start again, but I haven't!!