Finished!

I have finally finished my cushion! It has certainly taken me long enough. Around 2 years I think!

The finished cushion....so soft!

It's made from cashere-merino blend aran yarn (Debbie Bliss make) so it wasn't cheap...about £5 a ball but it's such lovely yarn and it's so soft. I have a baby jumper pattern to knit for my niece so I will probably get some more of this wool for that. I only need 3 balls of it so not too much money to spend! My next project is a jumper for myself out of Aran yarn. The pattern calls for the same as I used for the cushion but as I need 13 balls I opted for a slightly cheaper version without the cashmere. I might consider making some more cushions out of the same wool as pressies for people. My aim is to practice my shaping as I haven't tried making clothes before.

I have a week off work now. 9 blissful, work-free days where I can pretty much do anything I want to, lie ahead of me! Fabulous!

I am determined to finish my moss-stich cushion once and for all and make a start on something new. Most likely this will be a simple boyfriend jumper so I can practice shaping. So far I have only knitted blocks and cushions so I really want to start something more complex. I have found a funnel neck jumper pattern which uses the same cashmere-merino wool that I used to make my cushion. It is beautiful wool and a jumper made out of it would be lovely.

My nearly-finished cushion

Once I have mastered the simple shaping, I have a project in mind for my baby niece. I always said I would knit something for her. She is nearly one year old so it would be nice to make her a cardigan or jumper. I have a Debbie Bliss baby book so I might as well get some use out of it.

Rainbows!!

I finally went back to Rainbows yesterday. I am training to be a unit leader as part of my experience with children for whatever course I apply for next year and it's so much fun. It was a long day though. I didn't get home until 9pm as we had a planning session after the meeting and I had to walk home. It is up to me to plan a craft for the 9th February. Potato painting! Should be interesting. I guess I will have to cut out the potatoes before the meeting so they don't have time to go manky!

It's freezing cold again. I have to admit I do like it when it's sunny and frosty. Proper winter time! I hate when the weather is damp and grey. I now have more inspiration to knit something cosy. I bought Knit Today magazine which is pretty good for £4.99. There were some free cable needles with it so can't wait to give that a try. The next issue has free double ended sock needles! Might have to buy that on Tuesday along with some wool once I've decided on my next project. Maybe some mug warmers!

I really must learn how to blog this stuff properly. Time to trawl the internet for tips methinks!

Back to normal

I was up at 6.30 this morning for work. My hours are 8am until 4pm which I love as I am a morning person and am happy to go into work early and finish early. My nightmare job would involve sitting in an office until 8pm. I can't think of anything worse! Work was good today. I am getting more involved in the system changes happening. This is possibly due to an outburst of mine last week when I cried with frustration! As it is I am struggling to be recognised for the work I am doing outside of my team. It is nigh on impossible to make yourself heard sometimes even with the backing of my manager. I am excited to be able to help lead a change project soon but even more happy at the thought of my week off next week!

Anyway, enough of my work day. I made it to the gym at 4pm and spent 45 minutes in there working on my legs, arms and abs. I worked hard, upping my weights a bit but I need to do more cardio. I plan on adding in some swimming and maybe a spin class. I loved the cycling we did at Center Parcs and I really want to get my abs more toned again! I have a plan to up my gym sessions and I hope to be able to do 6 days a week doing some sort of activity at the leisure centre.

I cooked one of Jamie Olivers pasta dishes tonight. 30 minute meals is an awesome book and is going on my list right now! The meals are so simple and use some brilliant ingredients that I wouldn't normally use. Love It! I am going to use my Food Doctor book too and get back into my healthy eating and homely Jess mode! I love all things home and am such a geek when it comes to home maintenance books. Ij've been so lazy recently though and my flat is a bit of a tip so this weekend will be quiet me time and housework time. My flat is going to sparkle and I might even go shopping for some wool to knit something for the house! A project for my week off, yay!

Also to do on my week off:

• Catch up with my sister on her wedding plans
• Cook some lovely things and practice my icing skills

I'm sure I will think of some more before long.

xx

Start of my blog

I am posting this on the day I arrive back from a weekend away at Center Parcs. It was a great weekend away and I got to meet new people and re-connect with friends. It got me thinking about what I want to do with my life and so I have set up this blog. I want to keep a diary and this seems to be the best way to do it. I'm not too concerned whether people read it or not but I want to use it as a chronicle, write in it everyday and hopefully it will help me make my dreams come true! Wishful thinking I know but, who knows!

It's almost like a new years resolution but not. I do want to sort out my goals this year. Mostly the one to become a teacher. I really want to be a Primary school teacher. I love volunteering for the Girl Guides, I am a leader-in-training with the Rainbows so that will probably turn up a lot on this blog. So will my adventures in knitting! Sad I know but I love it and want to finally finish my throw and cushion covers I have started.

So to conclude my first blog. I'm not overly sure what I want this blog to be about but I am going to use it as a diary, put at least one entry in a day and use it mainly to track my pursuits and goals. It might be boring for everyone else in the world of blogs but hopefully it will help me.

Night. xx