annarella | handmade : beaded stitch markers and original hand knits, london

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monday, 29 may 2006

Because life is just too short!

I have been having a good spring clean as of late, and having come to the conclusion that life is just too short, I have decided to list some yarns for which I don't have a specific project in mind up on eBay. A lot of it is stuff I bought right when I took up knitting and since then my tastes have evolved, so I can't see myself using them up. I shall be adding some more items over the next few days.
They're all starting at 99p! Happy bidding!

sunday, 28 may 2006

And the winner is...

It's official: I'm shattered! Just come back home from a few hours out cycling (more about that later) and remembered I had to draw a winner for May's competition.

Here we have Ferdie picking the winner...

...Roberta!!!

Congratulations for being my very first winner! That's soooo exciting!! I'll get in touch with you later to get your mailing address, but should you read this entry before I've had a chance to email you, do feel free to contact me :)

This was so much fun that I've decided to run monthly competitions as a way of saying thanks to all the lovely bloggers out there. I'm already thinking about what to have in June's giveaway... stand by for more on that in June...

A Sunday afternoon in and around the Docklands

So, why am I so bloody tired now? Well, seeing as this was the "best" of the bank holiday weekend days, according to the BBC, weather-wise, we decided to take advantage of the brief pause in the late pissing-down trend, and go out for a bike ride earlier today. Objective of the day: Docklands. As soon as we got to the Greenwich foot tunnel we were greeted by the wonderful news that the lifts weren't working at either ends. Shrieks of joy escaped us at the prospect of carrying our bikes up and down the 100,000 steps... not fair, I tell you. But we did it anyway.

And it was such a fun ride, we had an idea of where to go once arrived at the other shore (Island Gardens), our aim being that of getting to Canada Tower - and yes to prove we made it I took a picture of the building, but given that I was standing way too close to it, coupled with the fact that I'm a short-arse, you can't actually see the pyramid top, but I promise it is there!!

Then we cycled and cycled and cycled some more - it is such a pretty area, it must be a right ball living by the water (I'll find out sooner or later) in a glass building... oh well...

At the end of it all, my spanking new bike computer (thanks eBay!) informed us we'd cycled for 24.1 km!! That's what I call a result! :)

Now I'm off to recover and give my legs a rest in front of the last episodes of Everybody hates Chris xx

friday, 26 may 2006

Blue squares for Justin

Thanks to Dee's latest newsletter, I came across Warming Grace, an awe-inspiring project run by a lady called Cynthia, who collects knitted or crocheted squares and makes blankets for children dealing with cancer.

At the moment she's collecting blue squares (5" side, if you want to participate, please do!) for Justin, after reading his story, I just knew I had to do something to help, so I dug out blue yarn from my stash and unsurprisingly only found one ball of Rowan Handknit cotton (sorry, but blue doesn't ever feature in my colour palette) and quickly crocheted three squares. I would have done more, but that was all the blue yarn I had available. I've used a plain trebles and double crochet motif, as time is of the essence here, and I didn't think it wise starting faffing around with granny squares and the likes... knowing me, it would have ended up in my ever growing WIPs pile... Cynthia, if you're reading this, they're on their way to you as I type this.

Lacy sweater

I have temporarily put Very Berry on hold, as having used up all the Araucania yarn I had, I am now searching for some contrast yarn to knit the body. I am leaning towards Jaeger Extrafine Merino DK in a dark purple colourway #991, but we'll see...

Meanwhile, I was feeling really rough yesterday, so I took the day off work, and tried to rest and take it easy (was aching all over, not quite sure why). I felt quite restless and hated the idea of wasting an entire day laying down, so I made a start on a sweater I have been wanting to knit for months. It' the Lacy sweater with peplum from Rebecca #30 which I'm knitting in the yarn called for, GGH Savanna, a soft mix of alpaca, linen, wool and a little polyamide, but it's really so soft and fluffy. I started on the sleeves yesterday, and although the lace pattern is pretty straightforward, it must have been my not feeling well, as I had to fudge the first few rows 4 times before finally getting it right. And I have to say, without my faithful stitch markers I really wouldn't have gone very far! I got halfway through the sleeves by the end of the day (knitting them both at the same time), and it seems to be coming along quite nicely. I really like the bell shaped sleeves and the pretty diamond lace pattern.

Update: completed 31.05.06!! Whoo hoo!!

May giveaway

Just a quick reminder to say that there's only one day left to enter my May giveaway, so don't forget to leave a comment on that post before the end of tomorrow (Sat). The winner will be announced on Sunday. Good luck! :) x

monday, 22 may 2006

FOR SALE: 100g cashmere yarn CUSTOM DYED especially for you

STOP PRESS!! STOP PRESS!! STOP PRESS!!
As many of you know, I will be running Race for Life in July in aid of Cancer Research UK. Well, I hear you say, what has this got to do with knitting?? Well, it has, because I have just received a wonderfully generous offer by the fab Dee at Posh Yarn who's donated 100g of custom dyed cashmere yarn (enough for a pair of socks) in support of my fundraising.

So, head over to eBay and place your bid, starting bid is only 99p! Yes, that's right, 100g cashmere yarn starting at 99p, how can you resist?

So, go over there and bid now, I'll still be here when you get back. Promise :)

saturday, 20 may 2006

Weekend giveaway!

Like these handmade Millefiori glass earrings? Then leave me a comment to win them!

I have made way too many earrings lately, and having only two ears makes it rather unpractical for me to wear them all. So, I'm giving these away to one lucky person whose name will be randomly chosen amongst all who'll leave a comment on this post by next Saturday (27th May 2006).

Please read if you have sensitive skin or allergies: the ear wire is stainless steel, all the other metal bits are silver plated, the accent round beads are hematite coloured glass beads and the daisy shaped feature bead is Millefiori glass.

Good luck! :) And have a great weekend xx

PS: I'm pretty sure I don't need to add this, but for the ill-thinking 'uns out there: these earrings are absolutely brand new, just come out of annarella's magic cauldron and have of course never been worn. There, this should have cleared up any doubts ;)

Update: this competition is now closed and has been won by Roberta - read more about it here.

friday, 19 may 2006

Stitch markers!

Ok, so while my knitting is being seriously neglected (...oops!), I've been busy making loads more stitch markers. I've just introduced some new classy and, yes, rather posh, Millefiori glass stitch markers. Want some? Let me know!

More Millefiori glass designs will be added next week.

Hope you'll like them :)

wednesday, 17 may 2006

My Race for Life number is here!

This is soooo exciting! Got my number the other day, just can't wait for race day.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful sponsors who've donated to Cancer Research UK, every time a new donation comes through I'm sincerely moved by all the generosity you peeps keep on showing. Thank you!

And if you don't know what I'm talking about, go and sponsor me, go on, you know you want to...

Yes, yes, I do still knit...

For those of you who have began doubting whether I actually go anywhere near sticks and string these days, I'm happy to report that in those spare 30 seconds I get every day, I have been making a top-down sweater using some gorgeous yarn gifted to me by Mary. Look at those colours, doesn't your mouth water just seeing all those pretty pretty hues? However, as I don't have enough for the entire sweater, I'm having to combine it with something else. I need 21st/10cm and am thinking of a purpley-winey colourway... any suggestions welcome! xx

And whilst on the subject of yarny goodies... this must be the most amazing thing I've ever come across: Habu Paper Moire, a textural yarn which I'm given to understand can be moulded and shaped into sculptures once it's been knit... is this cool or what? Thank you so much Jen, I absolutely love your gift! Now I can't wait to get stuck in it :D

tuesday, 16 may 2006

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

Dear Secret Pal, this is for you :) So sorry for the delay in posting this, as you know the original one got wiped off when the catastrophe hit. If you would like to know anything else about me, please do feel free to ask me! :)

Ah, and just for the record, I'm not usually this crap at posting, it's just that I've been incredibly busy of late...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
   I generally love soft buttery natural yarns. I am slightly sensitive to wool, and can't wear a lot yarns next to my skin, so for sweaters, arm-warmers, etc it'll have to be something really buttery. Ah, also love handpainted yarns. Alpaca, cashmere, merino (whoever said I was low maintenance?!).
   I definitely prefer wool to cotton.
   Weight-wise, I go for anything from worsted/aran to chunky/bulky (although prefer worsted/aran). Love the look of 4-ply garments, but mostly don't have the patience to juggle 3mm needles.
   What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
   Acrylics, chenille, scratchy itchy yarns, eyelash, fashion yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
   Glass jars and old mugs, I love looking at my needles every time I walk past my crafty corner :) Plus my SP7 made me a funky needles holder!
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
   I started knitting seriously in February 2005, but have been into it big time. I HAVE KNITTED a lot during this past year, and although I'm a bit of a fickle, I'm glad to see that my passion has only increased with time.
   Not quite sure how I'd define my level, I usually tend to underestimate my abilities, all I can say is that I'm not easily scared, and if there's something I like, I'll give it a shot especially if this means learning a new skill.
   Do feel free to browse my Gallery to see what I've been up to.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
   Yep, here goes.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
   Strawberries, cherries, blackberries, cranberries... before I list all the berries in existence, I'm a berries-gal. I'm also partial to vanilla, but prefer berries! Can't stand citrus, apple, lavander or rose scents (they remind me of cheap air-fresheners).
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
   Oh yes! But I'm on a diet at the moment so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not send me anything edible... I'm very weak-willed - thanks! :)
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
   I don't really have a lot of spare time, but when I do, I love creating beaded jewellery! I also make beaded stitch markers.
   Do you spin?
   I've only just started and I LOVE it!!!
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
   I mainly listen to Internet radios at work. My colleague puts the music on, I occasionally bob to it. The harder/louder the better. Definitely no rap/ hip-hop/ r&b. If no one's heard of it, I'd probably like it.
   Yes, can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
   I love black, hot pink/fuchsia, magenta, cranberry, crimson, orange/burnt orange, blood red (not bright), dark grey, purple (not lilac/lavander though!).
   Any colors you just can't stand?
   I can't stand any shade of: green (just makes me look ill!), blue, yellow, white. And NO pastels or muted colours either please!
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
    Living with boyfriend of 10+ years. No kids/pets. Would love a cat, but I'm resigned to the fact that ain't gonna happen!
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
    I love scarves and absolutely adore hats! Hats are the daddy! I don't think I have ever worn mittens, I think simply because I have never owned a pair. No ponchos for me, thanks very much!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
    If it suits me, anything! As long as it'll look good on me I'll give it a shot. I am results-driven, so I'll probably knit manically to get to wear something asap. I love knitting hats and also top-down sweaters in one piece.
13. What are you knitting right now?
    Mmm... where do I start? Have just started a top-down raglan sweater, provisionally named Very berry. That's all I'm concentrating on at the moment, the rest of my WIPs can wait!
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
    Yes! Anything made with love and not just thrown together at the last minute is always very well received and loved to death.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
    Straight (long) uns. I'm a 'needle under the arm' knitter, so I move much faster with straights, as long as they are long enough to go under my arm (is this even a sentence??). Circulars are more portable though, so they're good for knitting on the bus. Generally all needles have their purpose, so which ever fits the project better.
    Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
    I'm not fussed really, I'll knit with anything.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
    Own a winder (how did I live without one??) but not a swift.
17. How did you learn to knit?
    Either my mother or grandmother taught me the knit stitch. However, can't remember who of the two.
    Anything other than that I've taught myself through online tutorials or books. The Internet is absolutely fab to learn stuff if you have the will to put time into it. How was life before the Net? I can hardly remember... ;)
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
    Let's not even go there... one must look ahead to the future and not dwell too much in the past, right?
19. What is your favorite holiday?
    Christmas! One during which I would be relaxing, relaxing, relaxing, knitting, relaxing, relaxing, relaxing!
20. Is there anything that you collect?
    Ehm... dust! No, seriously, I like stashing on beads. Coming from a long line of hoarders and living in a tiny flat, I've rebelled against my nature, and restrained myself from accumulating any junk, other than yarn and beads.
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
    Well... if truth be told, Mary, from Secret Pal 6, introduced me to the most buttery and luxurious yarn I've ever worked with, KnitPicks Andean Silk... a dream yarn really! I'd love to get more of that to make myself a cropped cardi, or something like that, but unfortunately they don't deliver to the UK :( - I love their Sangria, Hollyberry and Cranberry colourways.
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
    Tubular cast-on. Have downloaded a bunch of instructions, got a rather comprehensive book, now just need to find the time to try it.
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
    Nope, not in a million years! As I always wear chunky boots/shoes, I can't bear the thought of trashing something I might have put hours of work into, it'd just break my heart. Definitely shop-bought socks for me!
    My feet are a tiny 34 or 35 depending on my mood.
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
    April 21st.

monday, 15 may 2006

Who stole my weekend?

So, where did it go?? Spent most of it shoe shopping (running shoes, that is), which was a rather enlightening experience during which I learned that my feet are two different lengths(!), the longest of which is a whopping 21.5cm!!!

A huge apology to my Secret Pal for not having re-posted the questionnaire yet, I've literally not turned on my computer this weekend. I PROMISE I'll post it asap. Thanks for your patience :)

thursday, 11 may 2006

If he says so...

On Sunday we happened to find ourselves thrown in Speakers' Corner (Hyde Park), full of nutters, wackos and religious fanatics, when this delightful oldish man emerged from the mob. I had to take a picture! :)

He really cracked me up!

I ended up, despite my best intentions, conversing with a group of blokes whose only aim was that of making me see the light... bless them! Meanwhile, only a few yards away, Ferdie was called a sinner, was accused of having a demon inside and duly informed that his path to hell was already paved... uhm... right-o...

Shots stolen from Selfridges windows

wednesday, 10 may 2006

The Internet goblin has been at it!

I was all serene this morning, minding my own business, going about my morning routine, when I remembered I had something to blog about, so I fired up Firefox, merrily typed in my url... and... uhm... everything was gone!!! Disappeared off the face of the earth!

It turns out that there was a mighty (but, as it often happens with computers, "unexplicable") explosion at annarella's HQ which wiped out the last three months of my blog life (if only it were so easy to go back in time in real life!) spitting mid-February's entries right in my face, as the "current"posts.

Either that, or I have slept solidly for 3 months, and only DREAMED of having blogged much more stuff (mmm... but my memories are so vivid... can't have been a dream...).

Oh, well, life goes on, and so will my amputee-blog!

In other news, some of you may know that after months of sitting on my bum, I am now training for Race for Life on 2nd July, for Cancer Research UK. So, why not support a worthy cause and I promise every time I feel like giving up, I'll give myself a good kick up the back side, go on, sponsor me now, every penny counts, so don't feel shy and dig deep in your pockets. Cheers xx