Good Kharma Bunny

Thank You

2007-08-06T14:46:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everybody for your kind words, comments and e-mails. It has been a great comfort to me and our families to read them so thank you again. The funeral will take place on Thursday and I take some strength knowing that her love and lively personality touched so many.

Simon

Alice Cox - The Good Kharma Bunny. 1974 - 2007.

2007-07-30T10:15:00.000+01:00

I really don't know how to start this. My name is Simon and I am Alice's husband. I thought you all should know that Alice passed away suddenly in the early hours of Sunday morning. We are coping the best we can and the kids are dealing with it well, little Emi doesn't really understand and Adam is being incredibly brave. We are currently surrounded by family and friends and I guess in the long run we will be fine. This blog, the contacts Alice made across the world due to this blog and the 'secret pals' she took part in meant a great deal to her and helped her through some difficult times so thank you all, you meant a lot to her. She was one of a kind and I will always miss her very much.
Thank you all
Simon

Bunny Boppin!!

2007-07-28T13:07:00.000+01:00

Dear All,
Oh so much to tell....
First a small apology to my secret pal for not posting these pickies sooner.
Not long ago I said I'd had my last package well I hadn't.
When I returned there was one waiting for me, It's a great package.
My secret pal was Juliet
She has a great blog with the most beautiful photographs, and she's very talented.
Look what I got.
emi loved the wool
I'm still slightly freaked by the CD, in a good way. Juliet you dont say why you included the cd.
It's odd cos I'd seen them at glastonbury ( on TV) and thought I must remember that name, and promptly forgot. I've soo enjoyed it. And I have a film of emi dancing to it if you want to see it.
The other things were lovely; wool and sweets in the theme of Sweetpea. I also got a beautiful pin all cleverly crafted by Juliet. It's lovely, I'm going to put it on my denim jacket, especially as I'm going out dancin tonight. thank you Juliet for all my lovely packages.

Other things that have happened this week...
I went to the Lutterworth Embroiderers guild summer BBQ.
Now I have to put a big shout out to the ladies cos apparently there are quite a few who read.
SO HELLOOOOOOO, make yourself known and comment, you dont have to have a blog to comment...... ( click on comment at the end of a post)
We are seriously considering a flash mob BBQ next yr, the weather is always terrible. Mum and I went to the workshop before the BBQ. Run by an amazing women called Alyssa Robinson, she was mums tutor for her city and guild and will be mum's tutor for her diploma ( starting in september!!!!!)
The workhop was fab, It was called TEXTURE; creating surfaces for stitch with heat and gloop, Alyssa showed us lots of pots of goo, textured goos and shrink plastics and rubbing things and I have nothing that would work of a photographic medium that I could show you. So instead I'm going to show you how talented Alyssa is by showing you her cloth doll that she won the midlands embroiderers competition with. She is a very talented woman.( I did ask if I could show it to you). This is Cherry she's a Bakewell tart.

Yesterday I went to another workshop, My only living threads workshop this time. It was "Think 3D" by Kathe Panting. It was very good and totally thinking outside the box.
We had to make structures using paper and bonda web and thin fabric. The structures were based on nature. I was very please with what I produced.

A sycamore seed ,
an Honesty seed head,
and a seed head from an unnamed weed in my garden.

Also whilst on the workshop I bumped into Bev from knitting4fun, who has her new batch of banana yarn in.... need I say more
oh and this morning I blitzed some of the garden, and tonight I'm going to the Ceroc freestyle in loughborough, very excited...

So I've not been idle

alxx

The bunny returns!!!!

2007-07-23T20:41:00.000+01:00

We're back!!!!!!!
we're fine, we've had a fab time.
just gonna post a couple of pickies and go to bed.
had a fab package from my secret palwhen I got back, who is no longer secret but I will do it and her more justice anon...
SO Wales 2007.....
So mr Tonka truck will be pleased to know that he is the most popular toy on the beach yet again this year, we had dads positively drooling as they went passed!!!
and to prove I do know the meaning of relaxing and quality time....( yes hats are a theme in our family)

and to enter into the whole theme of the weeks weather here in the uk..... emi today enters the most pink water nymph competition before going out.
I think she is a contender...
more very soon, and hopefully some textile news....
al xxx

In the words of Sir Cliff himself!

2007-07-12T13:03:00.000+01:00

"we're all going on a summer holiday......."
Life is just soooo manic
Actually I'm not sure what I've been doing...
ooohh went dancing, so much healthy fun,
Adam got a huge black eye from not playing kiss chase....
school sports day
Work
school summer fayre
Work
organising for the holiday...
Great grans birthday
Work
Children coming for tea after school.
Only having one car for a week
All good fun

wound my lace weight and banana yarn so I can take them on holiday.
actually I started the banana yarn and crocheted with my new wooden size ten crochet hook ( thank you)
And most importantly
I got my Prudence book,the freeform crochet book ( second edition), I cant look at it until we are on holiday else we wont get there.
now I have to decide if i need the handbags book as well!!
Going to wales for a week with my parents and the kids.
oooh and the colinette shop is on the way and on the way back!!
did I mention I was going on holiday....
see you when I get back
alx

a multitude of fab parcels

2007-07-03T18:12:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Having extracted my youngest, kicking and screaming from the computer, I have managed to post these.
First package I received was my Knitters treat exchange, all the way from kate in Australia.
There was a whole list of things;
A huge length of beautiful green thai cotton
A skein of bright green banana silk
a ball of jumbuck yarn
a Yarn magazine
a book called the koala who bounced ( very cool story, emi loved it)
a first edition coles magazine
some Lush bath salts, emi keeps picking it up and saying "me bubbles, me bubbles!!", hmm she is definitely my daughter.
needles, crochet hooks, buttons, chocolates, a colouring in book of australian plants and animals, a bag a kinky knits pattern book.
and a postacrd of a sock knitter
all so exciting, thank you so much.
I'm going to take it all on holiday with me and read and play with it all.
this wonderful package came from Kate at Bluemountainknits

then there was the my last secret pal package...

which was a lovely collection of things
a beautiful little manequin, which I'm hoping to display bracelets and things on,
...pins, always important,
lots of love heart sweets, adam is having lots of fun with these. He kept saying "find me find me" this pm and we kept saying no cant see you, and it took us ages to realise he was reading his sweet( pah parents).
I got a great pack of fimo, yes I too played alot with this as a kid, cant wait to make some beads and buttons with the kids.
a morehouse merino scarf kit with yarn and pattern, also going on holiday,
and a ball of gedifra filorosa a fab yarn that has every possible texture in it,in one ball. Might crochet a swirly scarf in it for fun.
and my pal had recently been to Barcelona and bought me a fab little magnet mug for the fridge and this beautiful fimble.
I'm so lucky. thank you very very much.
But I still dont know who you are!! go on give me clue.

So what a week, I'm going to go and lay it out on the floor and play!

Thank you both very much
al x

Soooo very lucky

2007-07-03T11:02:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I have received two wonderful parcels over the last few days
One from my knitter treat exchange and one from my secret pal.
I have taken the photos I just have to extract emi from cbeebies and fight with blogger to post them. Both of which are tricky!
So this is a quick one to say they have been received and I am over the moon with the generous contents.
I will try to post the photos later today.
al x

Flowers and Crochet

2007-06-28T15:46:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I have a few minutes, so I'm going to post some of the things I havent been able to post for the last month, because of the marking situation.Firstly I can tell you all about my Secret Pal 10 person that I spoiled.I spoiled Helen, who lives in Australia.

I've really enjoyed spoiling her, she' s a very talented knitter, who likes jewel colours and turkish delight amongst other things.

For one of her packages I did her a crocheted freeform bracelet which I could'nt tell you about because it would have given the whole thing away. So I have a few pickies.

I really must make some more of these.
Then I have some lovely flower pickies. I was given these by my good friend Amanda, whose boy, Cameron, I looked after whilst she gave birth to her lovely baby Lauren. I've not posted these sooner because I was going to post a picky of Lauren but haven't got around to taking one yet and Lauren is three weeks old!
Very kind of her. off to cord wind with the embroiderers guild tonight
al x

Almost done

2007-06-28T13:29:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Did I mention hubby was marking this month?
He marks AS level exam papers.
So for the month of June he locks himself away.
He's almost done!
But this year I think he's taken it a bit too far.
I think Emi has passed her AS in grubbiness with flying colours.
al x

hiding talents under very big piles of fabric!!

2007-06-24T12:45:00.000+01:00

Dear all ( and aunty het in argentina, or wherever you are now)
It's been a busy old week, on tuesday I went with mac's niece and MIL to the loughborough university school of art and designs' degree show and looked at woven, printed and mixed media textiles, and some jewellry, ceramics and furniture. very impressive, but did I feel old, they were soooo young. Emi would have fitted right in.
Yesterday was the fab day My sis and I went to see mums City and Guild exhibitionat tresham college in kettering. She has just finish a city n guilds in embroidery and is going to start a diploma in September!!!!
Now I am slightly biased but I thought it was one of the best there and really gave the diploma exhibtions a run for their money.
But see for yourself how talented she is, these pickies are also for the benefit of little sis who is off travelling again and will return to the uk in August.

First there was mums Doll
her book
and her whole exhibition
and the finally was this piece which is amazing.
and a pink bombshell came with us!
did I mention that mum was on the front cover of the kettering herald and post with her exhibition aswell ( mum was not amused, teehee)
gonna try and get a copy tomorrow!
very proud
what do you think aunty het?

al x

A little crochet fun

2007-06-18T20:35:00.000+01:00

dear all,
I really want to do some crochet....
too tired tonight to concentrate so I surfed instead.
So in terms of crochet what would I like to do
I really want to do some socks.... I think I should start small though ( maybe booties....)
Hmm maybe not.
there is this pattern on the crochetme website
I've also just downloaded some pattern pdfs from the fabulous Prudence Mapstone
I now have the
tip, the bullions and beyond and the fab fringes ( go to patterns)
I'm trying to track down her freeform book in the uk....watch this space
I also have some yummy yarn that is still sitting in the bag just crying out to be crocheted.
Mean while I may just go to bed, and try again tomorrow.
here are two pickies I just had to share
dodos a la crochet!!

and star wars the crochet version

fab!
feel inspired?
al x

A ply-split success

2007-06-18T11:54:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
So... my life may return to some semblence of order now.... (may be in denial)
I have taught my plysplit braiding workshop.
I think it went very well.
It's only now i realise I failed to take photos of the final samples and the ladies actually plysplitting.
They all produced three samples and seemed to enjoy it.
I did take a few photos
this was just some of my samples to show what could be done and these are the hundreds of cords that I had to prep before I could teach it. recognise the colours from, the previous post?
al x

did you miss me?

2007-06-13T13:40:00.000+01:00

Dear all, I am touched that you noticed that I'd not posted for a bit.
I had a bit of bloggers block.
and I've been busy busy!
I'm running a plysplit braiding course on saturday for the leicester weavers spinners and dyers, so i've been busy gettting things sorted for that.
I'll post more photos later but here are a few to tie you over.
First family ( well Emi)
Emi learnt some valuable skills this week, First she learnt how to use a mouse and can now quite happily navigate her way around the Cbeebies web site, could some one reminder her she's only 2 and a bit. and she also taught herself to use a cord winder, she'd seen mummy do it lots this week so she had a go.
I've also dyed lots of yummy Linen for the course.
more later when I've photographed it.
al x

ground force had nothing on us!

2007-05-29T18:37:00.000+01:00

So this weekend we blitzed the garden!
and not just a little bit
As you all know it's not easy to garden and watch small kids, so ours has got a little out of hand over the last few years. Our garden is allegedly 150ft long and about 20ft wide.
It doesnt look that big cos of the mass of vegetation.
SO we called in a lot of favours and alot of aunts and uncles and friends came and helped us out on the condition that I would feed them!
there are virtually no photos of the event, a shame but everyone was very busy.
thank you everyone again.
we filled a very large skip and could do it again.
The best photos that came out of the event is courtesy of big aunt em.
this was our site manager!
the next day mum and I dyed some yarn, thats what I'm about to do wind it all back into balls! fun
take care
al x

No really it's meant to be like that

2007-05-28T16:17:00.000+01:00

Hello,
Apparently according to blogger I've not posted since the 15th.... Well I apologise it's been a little bit manic. what day is it today??
I've got absolutely no idea of the date! But I know I got paid so it must be after the 25th!!
Any way....
I've got textiley bits and non textiley bits to tell.
First I've been crocheting after a bit of a braiding overload.
I decided to try a pattern, cos I can freeform, but there is a skill to reading a pattern. SO I purchased a pattern from woolly Wormhead
It should look like this. Now in Woolly Wormheads defence It's not her fault that I'm rubbish at reading patterns. It made perfect sense after I'd asked a few people.

So TAKE ONE
The wool I used is from my fab secret pal, I got 4 balls so was able to start again without destroying my first attempt!!
This was the first attempt, I totally missread the pattern and did five stitches into one stitch and then did 2, instead of doing two into one stitch and then a single double into the next five! apparently...
Hence the beautiful ruffles!!I thought it might improve so I kept going, and when I got to the second ball I gave in, and my wonderful Hubby said " but you do freeform....." taking out the rude parts of the response I said "but this was supposed to be something!!!!"
I really like it...

TAKE 2
So I sat my MIL down and said help, and started again!!
and this was the result....
It actually does what it says on the tin!
The only problem being it's supposed to fit me... but I have a very big head! The lesson here is DO A TENSION SQUARE" yes I know I should but I have so little time to do anything....
Can you tell adam didnt want his picky taken!
It sort of fits Emi So I need to adapt it a bit and them I'm going to start again and do one for me.
In the mean time disaster struck
arghhhh my number five hook.
what am I to do..... may be I'm too much of a novice to use plastic hooks.
Back to making cords for the next course I'm doing!!!!! more arghhhh
More on the rest of the last few weeks later
al x

B's beeeeaaaddddddsssssssssssss

2007-05-14T19:43:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
SO a few of my mates are heavily into making glass beads at the mo.
"B" who has a live journal thing ( I think) I'll add the address tomorrow when I get it.
And Molten Ivy who just hides her light under a very big bush ( you know who you are!) Come and join us on the blog side, you know you want to.
Any way,
B doesn't hide her amazing talent and we have recently done a little buisness transaction.
I asked her to make some beads for me to braid with and she wanted a braiding disc the deal was done and we traded the balance in beads.....
I couldnt believe what I got in the deal.So the following are just yummy, I had some help with the photography can you tell.
aren't they great!
I dont want to use them though they are just two yummy, can I do them justice?
AL

sp10 goodies

2007-05-12T21:15:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I got a lovely package from my sp10 pal last week. I got a pack of lovely purple threads and 2 books
one on embroidered bags and one one merino knitting. They are both great. I've had a quick flick through both ( time has only allowed that) really fancy the shaped bags.
ironically jenny rolfe has just joined our local emboiderers guild so I could get the bag one signed!!
thank you, thank you thank you.
al
x

A great adventure!

2007-05-12T18:28:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I'm back, did you miss me?
So I didnt quite manage to use the Wifi at the hotel, too exhausted.
But I have got pickies of my great adventure.
It's the first time my wage earning job has really featured here, but the pickies are too good not to include.
Some of you will know, I'm an archivist in my other life, I gather and catalogue photographs for a large quarrying company Aggregate Industries ( go to company history if you want to see what I do ish( I'm the side kick)). We have over 400 site in the uk alone and they all have a vivid and long history, I try to document them through the photographs that are found, some dating back to the 1870s
These few days I've been helping out with an open day at one of our devon quarries. Partly as an archivist because we are in the process of writing about this quarry for a book and I also helped out with the 400 school children ( gulp) that were being shown around.
So firstly I had to get down to Devon..... I was given a pool car which I then gave back, I like my cars in working order, so they gave me this one..... I think they were trying to make a point, but if they were it totally backfired, I've had lots of fun and my boy loves it.
And just to give you a taster of the modern day archivist out in the community.... can you see why they dont let me out very often? do I look cold and wet?
I promise sp10 and beads tomorrow, off to watch eurovision song contest and sleep.

Al x

I should be so lucky!!!!!

2007-05-09T20:42:00.000+01:00

I am I am
Now bear with me...
I have had some lovely presents in the last 24hrs.
I got 2 fab books and some lovely threads from my secret pal. more info to come
and I got some wonderful hand made glass beads from "B".
But I've also done a workshop today and I'm going down to devon for two days tomorrow for work so It's all a bit manic. I have the pickies and I just need to down load them. But as I need some sleep and I am in a hotel for 2 nights with Wifi I will try to post them tomorrow.
Thank you, Thank you Thank you. See you tomorrow down south.
al xx

country bumpkin, who me...?

2007-05-03T21:30:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I've been to the big city...

seriously out of my comfort zone.

But I did the tube, I even surprised myself.

I went for a seminar and had a few hours to kill,

I did try to do textiles, wool and beads... but failed

so I did Covent Garden and china town and the Royal academy of art.

The Royal academy of art had a fab exhibition on The unknown Monet.

It was great standing really fairly close to a Monet thinking wow.

I dont really do art much ( time?!?) but I can appreciate it when I do.

But the thing that really does it for me apart from textiles are buildings

I just love big buildings they really blow my minds. Somebody built these with their hands probably 200yrs ago wow al x!

ROAARRRRR!

2007-04-28T10:09:00.000+01:00

"Roar Roar Roar"
is the sound that has been echoing around our house this week...
I got a fab ecard from my knittertreater who asked me to acknowledge the e-card.
got it!!
and she's sent a postcard ( not got yet)
and she's sent my parcel sea mail cos it was heavy.....wow how exciting
cant wait.
my secret pal got her first package and loved it hooorrrraaah, but It did have to go through quarantine... apparently I passed. very funny.
al x

hooray for freeform crochet

2007-04-23T12:05:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Taking a little break from Braiding to do some crochet.
I cant show what I've done until my secret pal gets her prezzies.
But until then The freeform crochet group I am part of has got an online exhibition, go and have a look there is some beautiful bits ( what is the collective term for alot of freeform crochet?) possibly a scrumble. well go and look at the scrumbles....
I'm also getting the itch to dye some more yarn.... it's pickies like this that do it

al x

A felted commision

2007-04-20T17:26:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
You know how I always stay safe and use nice plain colours, well this is a prime example.
I love felting, just have trouble fitting it in with all he other stuff I love. I like having an end point so with this in mind the item below was created.
I have been commissioned by aunty big em to make her a felted camera case.
The problem with commissions is you never know if they are going to like it until they see it.
So aunty big em, this is the first try, if you dont like the colours I can do a bluey one or a more pinky one. I got a little carried away with the colours. I will not be insulted if you dont want this one cos I can do lots with it if it's not your scene.
one side is swirly and one is spotty
I had fun with it can you tell.
lots of love al x

A mixed groove

2007-04-13T21:07:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Just sitting back chillin......
Sorry? was that me?
Yup just sitting back and chilling, bloggin catchin a tune...
I've got a bag of summer fruit thornton chocs ( bought for me by my yummy boy)
a mug of hot water...... well i like it,
and Ray Lamontague in concert on the telly, he's definitely my singer of the moment, I cant get enough of his music, and there he is on the telly whilst i'm baby sitting, perfick.
so This weekend is a music weekend, ray tonight and tmorrow si and I and my mum and dad are going to see Kate Rusby, a very cool folk singer. I've worked out the last concert I went to I was 8 week pregnant with adam, that must be almost 6 yrs...... very excited.
On a textiley front, I went to the living threads textile exhibition today, there was some beautiful things there, and this amazing lady doing felting called Julie turner.
I'd met her before at a workshop. It was nice to meet her again, I was so close to buying one of her beautiful felted bags.
I've also been thinking about the new crochet magazine thats come out in america Interweave crochet, linked to the interweave knit magazine that has a good reputation in the USA. It looks interesting.
anyway enough for tonight.
off to feel the groove
al x

can you tell what it is yet?

2007-04-10T11:55:00.000+01:00

SO many pictures so little time.....
This is a picture heavy post
This is the most exciting, look what my fabulous hubby bought for me for easter!!!
aaaahhhhhhhhhh so very exciting a whole meter of Amy Butler fabric!!!!!
he's just laughed at me cos I only got it in the post an hour ago and have already posted about it!!! that exciting!! ( !!!)
Then one of my favorite flowers of spring a magnolia. taken last week.
Then my daft cat Moscow pretending to be the dormouse from Alice in wonderland, he got in of his own accord I promise.
Then a drawing of an elephant on our terrace by my boy
and finally my husbands birthday cake!! do you think I used too much cream in the four tiers!! In my defence it was a wholemeal sponge, so it had some healthy elements, sprinkles by my fab children, he didnt seem to mind them being pink. Do you think we are on holiday? ( back to work tmrw,buurrgghh)
Lots of yarny love
al x

sooo very lucky

2007-04-08T08:09:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Happy easter for all who do easter in a religious or chocolately way.
I'm still here doing holiday.
I got a fab package from my secret pal on monday, I'm sorry for the delay in posting pickies secret pal, It's a holiday thing.
But needless to say I have looked at them every day and shown them to lots of people this week.
There was lots of lovely stuff, I got some debbi bliss soho and a texere yarn silk pack. I got a beautiful john lewis note pad, which is far to good for my messy ramblings. The kids, hubby and I all got chocolate and I got lots of lovely smellies.
still thinking what to do with the wool. I might have to crochet something from my happy hooker book.I'm not used to having so much wool for a project so It's very exciting.
I'm very lucky. Thank you very much. ( oooh to many verys)
I'm off to wrestle a giant chocolate rabbit off Emi.....
al x

Holiday yey!!

2007-04-01T12:13:00.000+01:00

Dear All, Welcome to the goodkharmabunny on holiday.
We've all broken up for a weeks holiday, the boys have two weeks.
Last week didnt improve with hubby going to the speech therapist, which was fine, except he isnt allowed to say a word until tuesday, like complete silence.........
And I had to go back for another MRI on friday, cos they missed a bit, or the other excuse was that they changed their minds what they wanted.
but that is all behind us now, we have finally hit holiday, and it started well.
Mum and i went to an exhibition at the NEC yesterday called "sewing for pleasure"
SO we spent the day there and spent alot..... ( pickies later) but I couldnt find find any Amy Butler fabric anywhere, in fact no one had heard of her.........
Then we came home and mum and dad whilst the quiet one and i went out for supper, then this morning mum cooked us all a full english breakfast... wow what a 24hrs.
I'm only slightly bleary this morning.
On a different note thank you everyone for your wonderful comments about the website, I'm soo glad you like it.
the only problem is that most of my hits have been via my blog and I've now done another post, so my blatant website promotion is below, however there is a link to the good kharma bunny website on the right hand side!!!!!--------->------------->------------>
more later... off to suggest a pub visit to hubby.
al x

The Good Kharma Bunny web site!!

2007-03-25T14:26:00.000+01:00

It's official The Good Kharma Bunny Website is live!
Surprise!!
It's all very exciting
let me know what you think
al xx

shhh it's a secret!!

2007-03-24T16:34:00.000Z

Something very exciting is going to happen this week,
I'll tell you later,
it's very exciting!
mean while I thought i would throw in a few photos to distract you.
(emi will hate me for this )
al x

knitting treat

2007-03-23T16:52:00.000Z

Dear all,
We have received our Secretpals 10s, it's all going well, Hi to floozy who is treating me, she seems to be as mad as me, cool. And I cant tell you who I'm treating... but I'm going to sew for pleasure next week to buy lots of yummy things for her.
as a side thought...
I have succumbed... part of this is all your fault , some of you said I deserved a treat after this week so I did kinda, I'm treating someone else.
I have signed up for another knitting exchange.
The knitters treat exchange
Looks like it's going to be fun. This one is a one off exchange, not spread over three months like secret pal, and is a little smaller.
So here are my answers to the all important questions
1) My favorite yarn? Banana yarn/ aran weight silk, noro (any)
2) My least favorite? Lace weight yarn scares me, actually anything thinner than four ply.
3) The first thing I do when I enter a new yarn shop? take a deep breath and look at the prices of the luxury yarns, silk/ noro/louisa harding then go and find something I can afford . then I look for all the yarns I don't recognise and decide which to treat myself with. To demonstrate...I recently went into a new yarn shop and bought 3 balls of rowan cotton denim, and two impulsive louisa harding grace- silk wool.
4) What other crafts do I do/ would like to do? I braid and felt, I would like more time to do all the things I already do.
5) What magazines do I subscribe to? Yarn forward, I buy simply knitting quite often, and my mum and I share her subsciption to Selvedge.
6)Magazines in order of preference; Crochet,Knitting, Home, other Craft, Food, Garden, fashion, celebrity gossip.
7) What items do I like to knit/ crochet? accessories, easy quick stuff
8)Am I allergic to anything? ironing! apart from that no
9) What do I like to smell of? lemon, and lavender, I also got bought the new Stella Mcartney block perfume for mothers day so I smell of that at the moment
10) Your favorite way to relax? a long hot bath or crafting in front of the telly, or sleep, it's friday I have few need in life other than sleep.
11)Your stood outside a victorian tea shop, a italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery, a dainty tea room, which do you go into first? the italian cafe, I'm sure I was an italian mama in a former life
12)what do you come out with? after I've had a large italian hot chocolate and a italian pastry, probably indigestion, or some italian chocolate
13)where to next? the bakery to buy cream cakes, for afternoon tea at home, after I have found a yarn shop!!
14)Words of wisdom for your pal? dear pal I have had a bad week this week, bear with me, I may try to answer these again next week, my mantra is it will all be fine. apparently I say it alot.
or always carry a toothbrush and toothpaste in your bag at all times
or never tell a polar bear he looks fat
or yey it's friday
please ask any more questions, but i cant guarantee how sane the answers will be!
al x

Still alive, or medical ramblings

2007-03-23T11:33:00.000Z

Dear all,
Thank you for everyone's concern, the MRI went fine yesterday. I dont get my results until the end of July, unless they find anything yucky. I think this is unlikely. Not overly worried, just want rid of my headaches.
Musings on the MRI;
So you take everything off that has metal in it, no jewellry, belts etc...you feel so bare
and then they say quietly " you'll have to take your bra off" you find yourself saying thats fine and then spend ten minutes thinking uplifting thoughts. Thank goodness you have to lie down for a MRI.
I knew it wasnt going to pleasant, but being the mother of 2 ( Csections and epidurals) I thought I could probably handle it as no pain was involved.......
So they place headphones on you and a big plastic frame over your head and wheel you into the big plastic polo. Words cannot explain how loud it is even with headphones on.
But lying down for 40 minutes was great.
The frame has a mirror in it so you can watch them doing your scans, and your feet. so not as claustrophobic as it could have been. Although watching the man who did the injection pick his nose for ten minutes was the low point of the scan. And he had no sense of humour, they inject a dye to see the veins, and I trying to keep calm and well humoured asked if he was going to make me glow in the dark... he didn't even smirk..
Whilst in there you do find your mind wandering. So I will share a little wandering.
The best analogue of what the MRI sounds like will really make sense to terry pratchett fans...
all I could think of was these little elves with big hammers running around banging loudly.
The other thought was the filling tomorrow is going to hurt more than this!!
and it did! although my dentist is the best ever and you hardly feel a thing.
So to conclude the week from hell is over!!!!!!!!
hoorah.
No more medical ramblings for ages I promise.
Thank you again for all you concern.
al x

so much to tell and alot of crochet!

2007-03-18T20:16:00.000Z

Dear all,
I have so much to tell and I had no pickies to illustrate, so had to go and take them. so a quick post has taken me 1 1/2 hrs argh.
I shall not give excuses for lack of posting, well maybe a little bit;
my hubby is off with no voice! ( he's a teacher)
my number 2 support has been to new zealand for 2 weeks, my mil has just flown out to st lucia...
it's all go...
SO recently
1) I have been on a Aly sn Midgelow Marsden (who runs the beetroot tree, and wrote this book), workshop on angelina fibre, very exciting... still work in progress
2) bought three tunisian crochet hooks off ebay, a 4mm, 8mm and a very beautifull 20mm wooden one ( the yarn is for scale)

3a) went to blackberry yarns in mountsorrel and didnt buy anything!
3b) went to the yarn shop in Beeston, with mac's niece, you have never seen so much yarn in one place, ooohhh and spent a bit! bought Rowan cotton jeans and some Louisa Harding Grace silk wool. pure impulse buys!!
4) crocheted a scarf!! from the happy hooker book, using the gotland hand spun that I got for sp9

5) crocheted a head band!! to restrain the hair that is getting longer
6) been on a crochet workshop and learnt that I can crochet, yey! this is my crochet stitch template
!
7) realised how much I am in denial about the advanced kumihimo workshop I'm running in May, luckily I did realise it with 9 weeks to go!
8) featured twice in the braid society newsletter, yey!

Also this next week I have a week from hell, you know those week when you know it's not going to be pretty!
we have
monday My car booked in to fix the washers, I just realised I didn't tell you ( or did I) I HAVE A NEW CAR ( pickies when it's day time)
tuesday Bupa appointment for hubby's voice!
wednesday work!
thursday, brain scan for me yey! just to see if I have a brain from the excess yarn thing ( or to get rid of my headaches)
friday a big filling for me!!!!!
But it's ok mum get back tomorrow!! phew, does she know whats she's coming back to... ( no!)

more soon
al x

Happy Mothers day!!

2007-03-18T20:10:00.000Z

To all you mums out there
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
You do a wonderful job,
from supporting us young mums to bringing up those young kids.
We do a great job and long may it continue.
Lots of love
me x

yummy yummy!!

2007-03-09T13:11:00.000Z

Dear all,
I've introduced you to the concept of Yarn P*rn, well I think I have a new one Fabric P*rn.
Have a look at this one
Amy Butlers fabric is beyond delicious, the web site takes a long while to down load ( because of the o.t.t. front page) but it's worth the wait. I like this one ( full bloom)
I think I got to it through her studio.
There is alot of Amy Butler Fat quarters on Ebay , but still cant afford it.
The fact that I would struggle to do anything with it is irrelevant.
very nice
Enjoy
al x

I love the internet

2007-03-08T12:56:00.000Z

Dear all,
Site for the day is home of the sampler
This is a very cool idea.
The company ( as I understand it) gets contributions from people who want to promote their stuff, magazines, crafty stuff etc. they then send it out in boxes to those who have subscribed, about a tenner a month. It's time specific, they send out an email when it's time to subcribe and you have to subscribe quickly.
If you go and look at the contributors it looks really cool. It's american, but they do post internationally.
I think it's a very cool idea. ( I know I already said it)

Al x

another felting triumph!

2007-03-06T13:09:00.001Z

Dear all,
Several years ago my mum bought me a skein of Colinette prism
It's a wool/cotton mix, well its wool with cotton around it in a contrasting colour.
It's a beautiful yarn, but as ever it sat in the stash for a long time waiting a suitable project.
A month ago I went on a knitted/ felted accessories course run by Living threads and Bev from Knitting4fun.
I decided to knit a belt, now most of you know my knitting skills are slim on the best of days. But i was determined, so I knitted four rows of garter and then a few rows of lace stitch.
it was about four inched wide before felting and is now about 2 inches.
I knitted it very long cos I was going to felt it. I put yarn wrapped washers on the end for adornment. It came out better than I could ever expected. All it needs now is a clasp or pin to hold it. very exciting.
this is before felting
and this is post felting.
What do you think? not bad for a beginner!
off to rescue my felted pingpong balls from a excitable kitten and a two yr old!!!
for all those who noticed the little questionaire/blogger blip, I sorted it!!
al x

sp10 more fun questions

2007-03-05T14:26:00.000Z

Dear all,
I thought I might ask a few pertinent questions that might assist in the whole sp10 things details previously posted).
Please feel free to post your answers even if you are not a sp10'er
There may be a prize for the best answers, yarn dying is on hold for march due to a lack of grandparents! ( trust me they are crucial to the process) so a prize would be sent in April!

Whilst I was typing.... my family decided to answer the questions themselves with some interesting answers!

So the questions should you (and your family) choose to answer them.......

1)What is your favorite smell?
2)What is your most favorite (reassuring) texture
3)What is your favorite cake?
4)What is your favorite pudding?
5)What is your favorite fruit?
6)What is the colour of your sofa?
7) What is your favorite animal?
8) What is your favorite animal group?

These are the answers from the good kharma bunny family contingency!!!

Adam's answers ( 5 yrs)
red roses
sand paper
birthday cake
lolly pops or icecream ( along as its' melted)
pear
red with little squares on
a kitten
Fish

Daddy's answers ( not telling )
mummy (thats me! not his mum!!)
furry
eclair
apple pie
pineapple
purple
tiger
Birds

emi's answers (2 yrs )
food
icky ( her bear)
chocolate
any ,or icecream
banana
blue!
moo, meaow, twit tewoo, baaa.
Mammals

My answers! ( oh my am I really 33yrs old)
Dove soap and clean hair
Clean brushed cotton Pyjamas and clean cotton sheets
Chocolate cake or mum's lemon cake
sponge pudding and custard
fresh apricots
it's burgundy honest (not sure where the others live!!) perhaps the question should be what colour do your family think your sofa is?!
Cat!
Birds!

The cats were too busy scrapping to deign a answer!

Enjoy

al x

where wool comes from?!

2007-03-01T12:39:00.000Z

Dear all,

A little thing to make you smile from the Crochet me people.

Enjoy

al x

she can't be 2 already! (gotta love smarties)

2007-02-27T12:11:00.000Z

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear emi louuuuuu
Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!
al x

A ray of sunshine!

2007-02-25T08:43:00.001Z

sunflowers, originally uploaded by Mama Grouch.

Need I say more.
thank you mama grouch.
al x

And the winner is!!

2007-02-25T08:34:00.000Z

Dear all,
Sorry for the delay in posting the results.
The winner for her wonderfull collection of rays of sunshine is;
MAMA GROUCH !!!!!!
A skein of hand dyed linen will be winging its way to her shortly.
Thank you all for entering they were all great.
If you've not been and looked at the final collection please do.
Take care,
off to organise a two year old girls birthday party aaaahhhhhhh!
al x

ooooohhhhhh crochet

2007-02-21T12:48:00.000Z

Dear all,
whilst looking on my favorites, I can across a file called inspiration, the problem with this file is it doesnt get looked at very often, so I found this in there. I was right it is very inspirational.
For all those crocheters out there, I give you Prudence Mapstone.
( she's in australia), all her work is beautiful, I just have to work out now how to get the books. She does have some downloadable books which look fab, but Amazon was no help. I have emailed her to find out of any uk suppliers.
enjoy
al x
Thank you for the heads up mac's niece, all sorted now

I laughed and Laughed and laughed

2007-02-18T20:36:00.000Z

First a warning, for all those women trying not to feel broody, don't, I repeat don't watch
Hubby is looking very worried,
I want one!!
You've got to check this out.
Mama Grouch's ever talented and beautiful baby ( watch the video) I'm so proud of him, even Si laughed lots...
and a link from her blog to this ( the video is a bit down the page)..
I haven't laughed so much for ages,
Enjoy
al x

Competition nudge

2007-02-18T20:17:00.000Z

Dear all,
Just to remind you that the deadline for the competition is midnight on the 20th of Feb.
The rules are below.
I'm not sure if I mentioned it on the blog ,but you can enter four pickies each!
They are looking really good.
Even if your not entering go along and have look.
I've linked to the same place twice cos I couldn't decide where to put the link, humour me.
al x

SP10 Questionaire

2007-02-16T19:52:00.000Z

Dear all,
It took me about three days to fill out my sp 10 questionaire, just beacause....
but because of that... dearest blogger posted it below cheery bear!
its down there if you want it now, I'll sort out a questionaire tag tomorrow
al x

more cheery bear

2007-02-15T16:49:00.001Z

emi and cheery bear singing, originally uploaded by goodkharmabunny.

to continue the theme, this is obviously Emi and cheery bear singing!

Adam and cheery bear

2007-02-15T16:48:00.001Z

Adam and cheery bear, originally uploaded by goodkharmabunny.

Meet cheery bear, each weekend the kids in adam's class take it in turns to take cheery bear home with them and get to write about their adventures. We got him all half term. This is adam and cheery bear doing snow drops!!

SP10 Questionaire

2007-02-15T08:38:00.000Z

Dear All,
It's that time again, I've signed up for SP10 ( secret pal 10), for those unfamiliar with this go to the blog, it's basically an anonymous spoiling thing. For SP9 I spoiled Gill, and had lots of fun doing it, I'm not sure who I've been spoilt by cos she's still spoiling me!!

The first part of the secret pal is the questionaire, this gives your spoiler an idea of what you like/dislike, so here's mine.

1) what is you favorite yarn and least favorite yarn?
I tend to like chunky yarns, and linen, and hemp, aran silk and sari silk, banana yarn and Noro.
anything lacey frightens me!

2) what do you use to store you needles/hooks in? A large plastic box and a Rowan carrier bag, I have a plan to make a knitting needle roll, I just need to gather the material and the time. I'm not entirely sure as to the wearabouts of my crochet hooks, that's a job for this evening.

3)How long have you been knittin/crocheting, what level are you?
I'm definitely a beginner, I love knitting but I think I'm a better crocheter. I have a fab support team though, co my MIL is an ace knitter.

4) do you have an amazon wish list? yes here!

5)what is your favorite scent?
I love lavender, rose, sandlewood, geranium rosemary etc

6)do you have a sweet tooth? yes yes yes! I love chocolate, especially dark choc. I love thorntons and chocolate raisins. did I mention I loved chocolate.

7) what other crafts do you you do, do you spin?
I can spin, I crochet, felt, braid, paint, draw, dye yarn and fabric. does disorganisation count as a craft ( it should)

8)What music do you like, can you do MP3s
into madeline peroux, scissor sisters, kaiser chiefs, ray la montague, at the mo.

9) favorite and least favorite colours
I like purples, burgundys, jade, browns ( chocolately, of course), sage greens, I also like bright mixes, I dont really have a dislike, althought I'm not sure I do pastels

10) family situation? pets?
Chaotic! a fab and understanding hubby called Si, two kids; Adam (5yrs) and Emi ( 2yrs) and lenny the cat ( 8yrs) and Moscow the mad kitten ( 10 wks)

11) Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens, ponchos?
I permanently wear hats and scarves, I'm getting into mittens and arm warmers. Ponchos and me dont mix, one of us is the wrong shape!

12)What are you favorite items to knit?
easy ones! I like knitting bags and felting them, I'm just starting to get the hang of knitting but get easily frustrated. It's a time and money thing

13) what are you knitting right now?
trying to knit a scarf, with dropped stitches in!!! and crocheting a scarf, from teh happy hooker book.

14) do you like home made gifts?
love them!

15)straight or circular needles, bamboo, aluminium or plastic/.
straight and circular, bamboo and plastic, love qurky plastic crochet hooks

16) Do you own a yarn winder/ swift? I have a yarn winder and a ball winder

17) how old if you oldest UFO?
In terms of knitted/ crochet about a year, I have a crochet scarf that is barely started

18) favorite holiday?
bit too post-christmas to say christmas, bit to close to birthdays to say birthdays. I like valentines day. I just like giving.

19) is there anything you collect? I accumulate yarn and equipment, and ideas of things I would like to do.

20) any books, yarns, needles, patterns you are dying to have? do you have any subscriptions?
I have a subscription to yarn forward and a digital subscription to Craft ( might have to make that a paper one though, it makes my eyes go funny if I read it for to long).
I have my eyes on tunisian crochet hooks and tunisian crochet cables at the moment, thick ones though. I love Noro, aran silk, and Colinette yarn but tend not to be able to justify it. I also like buttons and indian bells. I'm also looking to get the prudence mapstone books on freeform knitting and crochet. I also seem to have cravings for anything by Amy Butler at the moment.

21) are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I just want to be able to knit and crochet!!
I also seem to be coming around to wanting to sew, i got the crafters companion for xmas and there are some yummy things in there I would like to try.

22) are you a sock knitter? what are you foot measurements?
No though it looks like fun, I dont think my knitting is quite there yet I'm a uk size 6. I would love some knitted socks though.

23) when is your birthday? 25th January

Happy Valentine's day

2007-02-14T10:16:00.000Z

Lots of good kharma bunny love to you all!

al x

you are my sunshine!

2007-02-13T19:47:00.000Z

Dear all,
After jody's excellent suggestion I have set up a flickr group for our sunshine pictures, so please feel free to add your little rays of sunshine.
To remind you the competition is for the best sunshine picture.
The deadline is the 20th of February ( this may move is we get on a roll).
The prize is a skein of Good Kharma Bunny hand dyed Linen!
Get entering those pickies. Most people seem to have a flickr account, if not it's really easy and free to do, if not you can email them to me and I will post them for you.
I better find a photo to add!
al x

tip toe through the snow drops

2007-02-11T13:34:00.000Z

I think I forgot to mention I got another package from my secret pal 9 on tuesday.
I got some yummy chocolate covered seeds and raisins, would show but eaten them.
and adam got a fab hat,
This is him looking peeky earlier in the week
and this is him a few minutes ago communing with the snow drops at the bottom of our garden, with a little bit more colour in his cheeks.
thank you secret pal.
al x

A crochet cocoon

2007-02-09T13:53:00.000Z

As well as sunshine this is what we all need a crocheted cocoon,
wake me up when it's spring.
this ( if it works ) came from the Crochet me magazine.
fab or what?!? had to share.
al x

COMPETITION TIME

2007-02-09T11:20:00.000Z

Dear all,
I cant believe the last competition I did was almost this time last year!
I think it's time for a new one!
Much as I love the snow, it is very cool, but what I would really like right now is a bit of sunshine.
All the television programmes yesterday were asking for snowy pictures, not me.
I want a picture with a little bit of sunshine!
The best will get a skein of hand dyed linen, as dyed by yours truely.
Deadline is 20th of February, a quick turn around but I need the sunshine now!!!
spread the word ,the good kharma bunny has a competition going with a prize!
(ooh details, smallish jpg pls to goodkharmabunny at tiscali dot co dot uk)
as a side thought has anyone got any mother remedies for rattly chests?
al x

ply split course

2007-02-06T11:38:00.001Z

Dear all,
Just to remind you, i'm running a ply split braiding course on Feb 24th, the details are here.
Here are a few more pickies of ply split in action, just to wet your appetite.
al x

A Good Kharma Bunny, good kharma day

2007-02-04T19:16:00.000Z

Dear all,
Some pay for a day at a spa other go on city breaks etc...
Not me, Us lot need a break, too many bugs and bad nights.
I finally gave in today, we should have done the monthly shop this morning, but after another bad night with poorly kids, we gave in.
If you cant beat the bugs join them, kinda. It is true I have felt rubbish today but not really poorly, but so as not to loose another week, with me poorly instead, we had a day off.
We had hot chocolate and home made pancakes and fruit salad for breakfast.
then Emi and I had a leisurely bath, lots of bubbles.
Then once up and dressed we watched Mary Poppins 1 and a 1/2 times, Lunch interveened during the first time.
Adam is now singing supercalafragilistic...... you get the jist.
Whilst this was all happening , I also had a lovely conversation with a few online weavers spinners and dyers about Tunisian crochet hooks.
The online WSD workshop this month is Crochet, cool.
I also kept knitting my belt from yesterdays course, pickies to follow soon. lets just say its colinette and bit lacey.
And just because I dont want you to think my domestic goddess hat was slippping we did hoover down stairs as a team effort. Adam should be back at school tomorrow, so some semblence of normality should return.
There was team effort on supper as well.
kids all asleep by 7.30pm yey.
the only thing that could blow this domestic bliss, is emi's cough and Moscow chasing a balloon.
comic timing.... POP Cough!
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
OOOooooohhhh you'll like this, I've been saving it for such a day!
introducing my home grown butter nut squash. I grew this!!!!
hmm illusion shattered, small but perfectly formed.

Al x

Yarn Booty

2007-02-02T19:31:00.000Z

Dear all,
I came across a fab blog the other day Anna's Yarn Mansion, she's one of the SP9ers.
She had a concept that appealed to me as lover of yarn. She frequently posts yarn p*rn, for people to get fixes, if you are that way inclined.
So once you've had a look at my birthday stash of Yarn p*rn go and say hello.
Firstly there are these fab gloves knitting by my ever talented MIL, the wool was Katia Nepal from Bev at Knitting4fun and the pattern came from funky chunky knitted ac cessories
Then there was a fab skein of Colinette from Bee at work
Then there was a multitude of lush newzealand wool from aunty het
and then I got a fab package from my secret pal, who should be revealed very soon, which included some sublime merino/angora mix with a Sublime pattern book and with enough yarn for a scarf, some hand spun Gotland, some Lush bath things that were already upstair by the time I took the picture and some dark choc with blackcurrant in, yum! All very much in my colours. Thank you SP.
So there you go a little Yarn P*rn for you to peruse.
Off knitting with Bev ( knitting4fun) tmrw, knitted accessories
take care
al x

my family and other animals

2007-01-30T19:19:00.000Z

Dear all,
It seems a lifetime.
Chaos theory was modelled on my family.
Before I start I would like to thank my secret pal for a fab package, I will post pickies tomorrow.
So... so much has happened, new arrivals and birthdays and five yr old parties.
so here is a montage to chaos
Firstly meet GKB, isn't he fab! this was a birthday present from my BIL and SIL, he's made of recycled yarns, and I think he sums up the good kharma bunny completely, thankyou T & S

I got my Anna Crutchley cord winder, I've not had a chance to play with it yet.
Then of course there is the small matter of our new arrival MOSCOW, brace yourself for some terribly cute kitten pickies.He's yummy and settling in really well.
Chaos theory reigned yesterday when in the space of a few hours EMI decided she could open stair gates and doors and moscow decided he could also climb over stair gates.... stair gates pose not threat to anyone then...( apart from adults!)
I finally had a lovely birthday, chaos just won for a while, with everyone having colds and working etc. My ever understanding hubby took me out for a lovely meal on friday night and I had a large brandy, which made my cold melt. I got some fab yarny prezzys, more tomorrow.
We also threw a five yr old party on sunday, a home made party not a one in a box, one with party games and pass the parcel. Big hit and it was fancy dress.. here's adam's, I'll show you one of me later when a I find a flattering one. No prizes for guessing who he was. chaos intervened again yesterday with adam getting a chest infection out of nowhere and having to have steroids and antibiotics... fun fun fun.

more tomorrow
lots of love
al x

this looks fun!

2007-01-24T19:33:00.000Z

Whilst perusing the web, like you do, I had a look at my secret pal hostesses blog, her name is Jody, and she's fab.
I thought I would point you in her direction because it looks like she had lots of fun on a workshop.
I followed the links and went all sorts of places. I thought you might like to to, cos it ends up with some cool photos
So I started at Jody's blog javajem
Them to mama E's blog, cos that was with whom she did the dyeing workshop
then I went to the flicker group that was set up as a result of the dyeing day course. if you click on more photos and view as a slide show....
It's a shame it all happened in the US, it looks like a lot of fun. alot of yarn and colour and a cool looking skein winder.
just a little web crawl...
off to make alot of ickle cakes to take into work tomorrow.
Al x

a Motherly moment!

2007-01-23T13:48:00.000Z

Humour me for a moment
My boy is five today!!!
I have a five year old boy!
my boy is five!
It doesn't matter which way I put it I still can't believe it, it doesn't seem possible.
No matter what you do,you find yourself doing the "what was I doing this time five years ago?"
As the years go one, I can look back and laugh. It all mellows with time.
It can't have been that bad, Emi's is two next month aaaarghhhhh.
And I'm picking up the kitten on saturday! ( yes I openly admit it is a denial thing for what I really want). You wait!
I love being a mum, even though its hard work.
This week is always mad in our house, which kinda ties in with what I was doing this time five years ago. Adam's birthday is today, cousin Bethans is tomorrow and mine is Thursday ( this is not a plug honest). So this time five years ago on thursday, I was in tears cos the nursing staff had just brought me a black forest gateau birthday cake, and a specialist had just decided to whisk me across a hospital for a chest xray in a wheel chair, cos I couldnt walk that far after the c section.
FUN.
I'd do it all again for another. Aren't hormones silly/stupid things.
OK silly motherly moment over until at least emi's birthday.
Did I mention I got a bead spinner for my birthday! pickies to follow.
Did I also mention we ( mac's niece and I ) are having a joint five yr olds party on sunday, aaaaaarghhhhhhhhh.
Emi's word of the day "DOG"!
lots of love
al x

Ply Split Braiding Course

2007-01-21T12:49:00.000Z

Dear All,
Some of you will already have seen the press release for my next few courses.
I thought it might be a good idea to show people what we will be doing on the plysplit braiding course.
This is what we are going to learn to do on the day.
Three types of pattern
the wave,
the oriental wave
and the spiral
we will also have a go at cord winding with two types of cord winder.
Now the information;
The course is on Saturday 24th of February
It's being held in shepshed ( loughborough, Leics)
The course is £15 and that includes some materials.
You will need to bring a packed lunch.
I'm also doing a kumihimo braiding course on Saturday April 28th
an advanced kumihimo braiding course on Saturday May 19th
and I'm running some basic hand felting courses in June.
If you want any more information or wish to book a place email me on goodkharmabunny at tiscali dot co dot uk ( sorry have to do it that way to avoid spam)
I hope to see you then
Al x

lots of fun!! winding!

2007-01-13T20:31:00.000Z

Dear all,
Lots of very exciting textiley stuff a happening!
I finally got around to spending some of the money I earnt over the last few courses, and like a good little entrepreneur (did I hear you lot laughing out there!?!?) I have ploughed it all back into the business!! the fact that I've wanted all of these things before I even started the courses is not the point!!!!!!!! I don't feel so guilty buying them cos I earnt the money. And for those coming on the courses you will be able to use them to, if your really good!!
SOO
This week I have bought a skein winder off ebay!!WHich is great cos it clamps to things,
from here
A ball winder from P & M Woolcraft
and ordered another cord winder, for my iminent ply split workshop ( aaaahhhh) from Anna Crutchley.
I've also ordered some beads for my advanced kumihimo workshop... more of that when I get them.
So the skein winder and ball winder arrived and we have had fun. the plan is put skein on skein winder and wind it on to the ball winder, hmmmm. It kinda works. Just as well no one took pickies..... and I couldnt curse cos adam was winding the ball winder, where there is a handle to wind there is a small boy to wind it. I couldnt have done it without him.
SO you can see we managed a few skeins. Practise is needed.
Off to tie down the house and hide the valuable before the kitten arrives next weekend.
al x
P.S I've just sent out the publicity for the next few good kharma courses. If anyone has a queries let me know.

lots of daft things

2007-01-06T20:04:00.000Z

I'm sure over the last few months there are lots of things that I've not told you.
Here's a couple...
I subscribed to Craft....... now it takes a lot to blow my mind but this did. it's crafty people doing daft things.
Did I also mention I was in the latest braid society newsletter, cant show you that but can show you me on the new braid society web site
Also on the Kumihimo yahoo group yesterday someone pointed in the direction of this fab site... armour for cats and mice.... mind blown again....
Yesterday I subscribed to the textile directory which is free digitally.... looks cool .lists all textile people in the uk ( think)
I've just ordered a skein winder and ball winder....
and I'm about to order another cord winder and place an order with shirley berlin for some very cool braiding bits......
It's all go....... I apologise for a repetition from previous messages, but it's all stuff that still cool.
off to write a plysplit workshop
aaaahhhhhh
lots of love al x

bling!!! puurrrrrr!

2007-01-02T20:09:00.000Z

I'm reminded of that great christmas classic,
"santa Baby"
(I think it was Marilyn Munroe)
and if I had the brain cells I would find it on the web and put a link in etc etc...
you will just have to imagine me singing it.... something about a sable under a tree.....
But as I had the tummy bug for new year followed by a hum dinger of migraine, the world is still a bit fuzzy and alot delicate. yey
The end of 2006 was a bit hard work in our household but we are determined that 2007 is going to be more fun.
we've got lots of birthdays soon and nanas going to see aunty het in new zealand, oh and there are more good kharma bunny courses on the cards, ( a press release will follow once I've written it) etc....

But why the santa quote I hear you ask.....
Well because of what i got for christmas.
I'm sure the song has a diamond ring in it somewhere.
I got a beautiful antique (second hand) 9ct gold sapphire and diamond ( they are there honest) ring!
it's the top one. The other two have a story as well.... the silver band is my husbands wedding ring, which when he lost a huge amount of weight ( marriage will do that to you) I offered to wear it for him. The other is another antique ring that I bought for me when I had Adam. some people have tattoos I have antique sapphire rings!!

I got lots of fab books as well for christmas, mainly about felting and knitting. I'll tell you more later. ooh and a hair drier thank you MIL, cos I borrowed hers before christmas and never gave it back. Did I mention I was growing my hair.....
The other exciting thing that happened last week was this chap
meet kitten, he's only three weeks old, aaaahhhhhhhh
He should be joining our household on the 21st of january aaahhhhh ( only should cos I dont like to jinx these sort of things)
we have provisional names but we cant say for definite that he's a boy just yet.
But I thought I'd give a sneek peek.
enough of my ramblings
lots of new year cheer and good kharma bunny vibes
al x

mine mine mine!!!

2006-12-29T17:14:00.000Z

And so Santa came to our house.....
It was an odd one as my little sis was away for the first time, not even a little bit away, all the way in christchurch New Zealand.
Adam definitley understood the concept of xmas and emi was right there behind him.
Emi's word of christmas was mine... mine... mine...
I think it is a good word to learn, althought the next concept to learn in the new year is sharing!!!
Christmas could never be said to be normal in our house, but can it be in any household with kids.
This year as well as het and her fella mark being away, My dearest hubby had a terrible tummy bug from the evening of the 25th to the evening of the 26th. that altered plans somewhat. Boxing day got postponed and we spent a lovely extra day at mums and the 27th at my mils.
And so to a couple of family pickies
This is adam opening his prezzy from aunty het and unky marc

THis is emi opening her prezzy from het and mark
THis is emi warming up to be the next delia with her fab new kitchen
The next two are a family tradition. Every year for the last 5 years we have humoured our mum and had a sisterly and grandchildren photo, they have had two of me pregnant and now have two of my children in. The first is last year, with a full compliment of sisters and kids. Unfortunatley this year we were a sister down so aunty het's side kicks "dog" and "bert" stood in and not to be out done Banana bear ( adam's ) ( back right) and Icky ( emi's) ( back left) had to be part as well. you have no idea how many of these have to be taken to get us all in the right place and smiling. So enough of my family christmas, I will bore you with wonderful textiley and glistening gem!!! prezzies next post.
Happy new year to you all I hope you had a good xmas.
Hope you like the photos aunty het.
lots of festive love and kisses
al x

I've been MEME'd

2006-12-18T22:36:00.000Z

Am I the only one who doesnt know what that stands for.
I understand the concept but not the abbreviations. I can usually figure it out.
Ah well I have been thingyed
The theme is 6 weird things about me, I'm then supposed to tag 6 other people, I'm not sure I know that many that will do it, but I will try.
First things first....
1, I dont drink tea or coffee, my main drink is Hot water. I like asking for it when I'm out. It really confuses people.
2, I love cheesey footballs. These are a terrible snack that only comes out in the uk at christmas.
It is a small savoury snak with a biscuit exterior in the shape of a football and the inside is a very strong cheesey substance.
3, sort of carrying on a theme... I stock piled cheesey footballs this year when they came into the shops and had four huge tubs in the pantry for a while. ( they were on by one get one free) Now if seems that my poor daughter has inherited my taste for the above terrible snack and my previously untouch stock pile is now under seige.
4, I cant watch anyone cleaning their teeth, it gives me goose bumps, like others cant stand nails on a black board. This has had to be partially overcome with the arrival of children, cos I gotta clean their teeth!
5, I love pickled onion monster munch!
6, I think the welsh accent is very sexy! I really dont know where this has come from, its a new thing. I think it was from spending too long in wales whilst doing my degree. I think they brain
washed me.... it might have been the beer.

I have learnt alot from this if no one else has.... If I'm talking about food this late at night, I must have indigestion for one.
And I've learnt something I kinda knew already... I need to get out more.
So to delegate this very fun tag I challenge
Mama grouch
Caged minutes
and quite contrary

Off to sort indigestion
al x

They let me out!!

2006-12-17T19:34:00.000Z

This is a little post just for my MIL
I got let out on friday to my works xmas do.
I cant remember the last time I got really tarted up (that may be a british term).
I even bought some new shoes, thanks to an investment from my grandmother.
I bought some stillettos!!!!! I mean I ask you.... a mother of two in very high heels!!
Well I dont usually but I had great fun wearing them. I even managed to dance for one dance, it nearly killed me but I did it!!
I dyed the silk velvet scarf and made the bracelet (plysplit) out of linen that I had dyed at the same time as the scarf!!
MIL told me she wanted a picky to prove I did it, so here you are..... me all glam.
al x

a new addition to the family!!!

2006-12-17T19:25:00.000Z

Dont panic....... for all those who know me quite well, no I'm not!!!!!!!!!!
I'd like to introduce you all to MURRAY.
He is a little shy but my kids soon made up for. He's settling in very well and is getting into the festive season, his manners are impecable.
He was a wonderful prezzy from Mama Grouch
She's the best.
The pickies back up the theory of never working with children, and now i can add sock creatures to the list.
Talking of new additions though.....
we're getting a kitten in the new year,aaaahhhhh.
trying not to think of the logistics of kids cats and kittens 'till the new year.
al x

Still here honest

2006-12-14T12:25:00.000Z

Hello world,
The good kharma bunny is still around. Only just got my boy back to school today, I've banned xmas until monday when I will finish all the unfinished stuff.
I've had two night sleep, so we're getting there.
I have two festive parties and a carol service and a kiddies party and visitors saturday pm, to pull in this weekend, so xmas is on hold.
I've posted all my important parcels to my SP9 and Mama Grouch and I've taken part in the online weavers spinner and dyers festive decoration exchange, so thats all posted.
My boy missed his xmas party and xmas lunch and carols, but it was lovely today when one of his class mates ran up to him and at the top of his voice said ADAM I REALLY MISSED YOU, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!!!!!
aaahhhhhh
And his teacher was really please to see him.
lots of season greetings
al x

just keep blogging

2006-12-04T12:25:00.000Z

I am here honest,
It never rains when it pours or something like that....
I'm sure all I have to say is poorly children.... walk in centres.... doctors... no sleep....
Never mind ,whilst one sleeps and the other gets a thomas fix, lets have some fun...
Here is the bag that I knitted with Bev from knitting4fun.com
I used Katia Nordic wool and 20mm circular needles.
I then felted it in the machine.
The intention was to make a bag with intentional holes in. It seems to have worked. It's quite a small bag and firm, it's possibly going to be a crochet hook holder.At the moment the hooks and bag seem to be missing each other, in the chaos that is my house.
That aside I'm trying to get into the christmas spirit,
SSSOOO what are your run up to christmas traditions?
My mum made some giant fabric advent calendars for my two kids and she fills them with little gifts.
I'm seriously thinking about making myself one with thornton chocolate sized pockets. hmmmm
I've bought emi some christmas lights for her room and adam's as well, it's going to be a twinkly christmas.
I make my own xmas cards, maybe I'm just mad....
I've just bought Miracle on 34th street and the Santa Clause1 & 2 which will give me somethingo watch whilst wrapping prezzies.
Tell me what your doing for the run up.
al x

Blurrrrghjgjjgjgj

2006-11-26T19:52:00.000Z

Dear all,
I apologise for the silence, I've been a really busy bunny, and what follows may not be overly coherent cos I'm very tired.
I'll give you the edited highlights, of a very hectic week.
This week we bought and collected (on friday) a new ( in a used sort of way) car,
But not before we had a week of being a one car family... which involved me working more hours cos I couldnt get home etc....
Tuesday mum and I dyed till we were blue in the hands....
Below is only one part of the day, dyed linen thread, the rest is a secret cos some of you will be getting them for prezzies.
Friday, mum and Emi and me did a preliminary xmas shop,
And then yesterday I did my biggest good kharma bunny workshop, it went very well.
Everyone seemed to enjoy it and come away with lots of samples.
So this is it now, with the workshops done for this year, it's the slippery slope to that holiday that we all love.... easter... did I miss one?
I got another domestice goddess badge today, I've made my christmas chutney. I decided to make twice the recipe.... hmm note to self for next year ... dont ... do it in two batches.... ( it doesnt all fit in one pan!!!!!)

Off to draw up action plan, and get the spread sheet out.... ( I jest not)... it's the only way I can do it.

al x

Will this week never end and lots of wool

2006-11-18T19:07:00.001Z

Dear All,
The week is almost over, only have to buy a car and take my boy to a party tomorrow and the week from hell will end.. HHOOORRRAAAHH.
Saying that I have had a good day, all be it with a little tooth ache.. I went on a workshop run by Bev from knitting4fun and Pauline Barke from Living threads.
The workshop was knitted felted bags. I had fun, because I'd bought some 20 mm circular needles recently and I wanted to knit something chunky with holes in. So I did. It's in the washing machine as we speak. I'll let you know.
My neck warmer got some interest and I said I would show the link to where I found it....
neck warmer
This is it... enjoy.
I also taught some lovely ladies, on Thursday, how to Braid. It went very well.
Take care
Al x

I love my dentist!

2006-11-14T16:58:00.000Z

You know those weeks when it's just not going to happen?!
This is one of those weeks!
Hubby's head fell off..... he gets dizzy spells.
The main family car got signed off...... we've got to buy a new one very very quickly.
and I now have a huge whole in my mouth... the only way to deal with the wisdom tooth that was giving me jip was to take it out.... so he did.
But my dentist is so brill I can't hold it against him at all. Although I did decide one thing, having a baby is easy compared to tooth extraction! Hubby looks worried.
I have been doing lot of textiley things this week but with the current situation, photogroahs will have to wait.
I went to the Lutterworth embroiderers guild textile extravaganza on Saturday, and got lots of positive comments about my work and my courses next year. which is very cool.
I'm teaching on friday again, and off to a knitting course on saturday.
such fun. more soon.
al x

New Braid society web site

2006-11-09T20:41:00.000Z

Dear all,
The Braid society new web site is up and running and looking wonderful.
I'm on it!!! my work is in techniques and my name is in tutors.
Welcome if you have come here from the web site. I've just posted below some of my new ply split braiding work. If you have any questions post a comment by clicking on the comment button at the bottom of a post or email me on goodkharmabunny at tiscali dot co dot uk.
al x

The triffid has legs!!!!!!!!!!

2006-11-09T19:51:00.000Z

Dear all,
I have my ply split braiding head on this week. I'm demonstrating 3D ply split at the Lutterworth embroiderers guild on saturday, so I thought I should have something to show.
I have some but now I have more.....

Having lots of fun trying out some of the techniques I've been storing in my brain for a while.
The best so far is my triffid or Hydra. It started out as a tree and then got a mind of its own, and then last night it grew feet. I'm really pleased with it.

I've also done a few more 3d bracelets the red one is knitting4fun's banana yarn and the pinky one is hipknits aran weight silk

and as a finale I've had a go at lattice work, not very 3D but just as tricky. I'm so pleased with it, but it took ages there's about 2 inches here and it took me 2 nights!!

I've also set the dates for the Second batch of courses I will be running in 2007. I wanted them sorted so I could publicise them on saturday.
For those interested the dates are
24th February
Plysplit braiding
28th April
Kumihimo braiding
19th May
Advanced kumihimo
june 2007
two dates for hand felting, to be arranged.
I'll post more info later, but let me know if you want more info now.
al x

secret pal goodies

2006-11-05T13:41:00.000Z

These are all the lovely goodies that Emi and I were lucky enough to get from my secret pal
They came like this

Emi reading the sock monkey card

and the unwrapped goodies, some hipknits yummy silk, some debbie bliss maya wool and some chocs and hand cream
guess which one Emi liked?!

And finally the reason why I've not posted this earlier ( have you ever tried to get a 2yrd old to pose!)
Emi in her beautiful hat, it took a while for her to warm to it, as it does for everything she wears
at the moment, but she wore it to school and to the fireworks, she looks wonderful in it.

The colour is perfect with her coat. You're a very talented secret pal.
Thank you again
Al x

secret pal 9 whoop!!

2006-10-31T20:07:00.000Z

Just a quicky cos hubby needs to get on the computer, but I got my first secret pal package and it fab.
thank you thank you thank you. It's wonderful. I love the colours and Emi loves her prezzy.
off to eat my choc.
I will post pickies tomorow.
al x

happy halloween! or BOO!

2006-10-31T19:54:00.000Z

Dear All,
Happy Halloween!
Or bah humbug as our town seems to be this year.
last year we had loads of very friendly trick or treaters this year hardly any!
such a shame coz I'd really tried to make an effort, The boy and emi had had their faces painted since about 3.30pm. we'd got the pumpkin lit we'd got lots of treats. even the one family that we usually visit wasnt answering the door.Never mind.
got some cool pickies tho.

We did it!!

2006-10-28T19:50:00.000+01:00

We did it!
The first course is under my belt and all with the help of my fab support team. Mum was on refreshments and money collection, and sister and mil were infultrating the crowd.
I think it went really well, I will have pickies soon.
I've had really good feedback so far, and everyone left smiling and with lots of samples.
more soon as too tired to type.
al x

A puzzler and Diwali expedition

2006-10-26T16:33:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
We're on holiday! and the plan to do nothing has worked very well. It helped that the boy was a bit poorly with an impressive cough, so we just stayed in for a few days doing housey things that have needed doing for a very long time.
I'm running my first big course on Saturday and everything seems to be all in place, I'm sure you can overplan something like this.
We had a lovely morning today and went to see the Diwali lights in Leicester, we bought lots of yummy things from the asian supermarket and some diwali sweets (now feel very sick). I also bought an outfit, a top, trousers and scarf in black cotton and lots of silver sequins all for £6!!!
It only needs a little tweek to make it perfect.
The puzzler of the week comes from an incident yesterday and a little forward thinking for xmas.
My Emi loves music and will happily dance to almost anything. You should have seen the family dancing to saturday night fever last night.
Yesterday in a cafe she started to jiggle whilst eating her lunch and I realised it was a classic Madonna track. I found myself saying this is madonna I'm sure you'll have alot of this in your music collection when your older.
So I'm thinking of buying her a cheap cd player for xmas and think I will buy her a few classic albums to get her jigging, the quesion is what? You know over the years there will be the odd terrible Barbie and high five cd, but I'd like to get her off to a good start, wouldn't you?....
The question is.....
What do you buy a small girl to get her music collection started??
Answers on a blog to me....
al x

I sold something!!

2006-10-20T19:23:00.000+01:00

Just a quicky tonight.
Look what I did.
I was showing the braids to a lady at work and she likes the colours of one and asked me to make her a light pull for her bathroom.
So I did. It's a cord using hand dyed linen.
She picked the bead.
She was really pleased with it and paid me what I asked and a bit more.
ooohhh very excited.
Hope you like it.
More excitement in that my November braiding course is fully booked and I have quite a few for my October one.
Off to Weavers spinners and dyers tomorrow for a Crochet workshop, looking forward to it.
al x

well I did most of it!

2006-10-15T19:42:00.000+01:00

Dear all and secret pal!
So much has happened this week. This could be a long post bear with me!!
I got my secret pal and my pal. My husband will tell you that I am rubbish at keeping secrets, so this could be tricky.
But welcome pal, do ask if you have any questions.
I've started planning my gifts already for my pal, but I can't tell you about them, because that would give the game away!

I've done lots of family things.
Friday night I had a knit in with my MIL, and she finished my kneckwarmer. I think it was more painful for her to see me struggling with it than it was for me to knit it. I have not given in with knitting I have just learnt a few valuable lessons. I definitely had the wrong size needles for the yarn, which for a beginner was a bit of a problem, so mil took over and I sewed the buttons on. I did about 75% of it! And it's very very cool. It's a ball of Noro Kureyon, I may have to have another ball to have another go. It's lovely to wear. subtle as ever. ( i dont post me very often!)

It was my mums birthday on friday and we did a birthday weekend, we were going to go to a folk festival, but they priced us out of the market so we had a take in curry from our local excellent curry house. Now to those who know me this will be a surprise. I shouldn't eat curries, as I have a Hiatus Hernia which gives me indigestion if I eat various things such as citrus fruits or spicey food. But somethimes you have to live little and face to consequences. The meal was fabulous and I've not suffered that much which is cool.
I also crocheted my first flower from, the Happy hooker book. Which wasnt easy as it's in american and I can only just managed to remember the british names. And we'd plied my mil with wine so the crochet weas a bit blurry!
But with the fab help of my MIL and the heckling of my father and father in law, we got there.
Then we went out for sunday lunch today ( more food ) I might not eat for a long time.
Then I took Adam to his first big birthday party since he started school. Don't get me started about it, you'd be there a long time..... cost!!!!..... 38 children under 5!!!!....... I dont think I need to say more. The picky of the neck warmer and me was taken post party!!

Oooohhhh exciting news, my November course is fully booked!!!!!

and I have a few for the October one. aaaahhhhh better start planning again.
I back working 2 days a week as of this week and then I'm off for half term. Definitely in denial.

have fun
alx

Press release

2006-10-15T19:35:00.000+01:00

I have an announcement, my exceptionally talented sister has launched her website!
It contains fabulous handmade bags jewellery and accessories made by Bel (Isabel) and my mum (Anne).
So go along to www.isabelmaryrose.co.uk and let her know what you think.
al x

admissions of a beginner knitter

2006-10-08T19:55:00.000+01:00

So I admit I'm a beginner knitter, Everyone has to start somewhere, but I'm determined to succeed.
I got so frustrated last week, I took this picture!

My husband walked in and looked quizically at me...
I believe I said" I may not be able to knit But I can cook a mean muffin!

I've knitted three things this week, one worked!!! number 2 counts as a lesson learnt, the other is a AWIP ( annoying work in progress).
The lesson learnt was a hat for emi. The principle was good I wanted a unique hat for her to wear on the way to school to drop adam off. So I decided a square felted one would be cool, (extra warm). I had a skein of a lovely Noro yarn

and I knitted it fine and sewed it together fine

hmmm..... Then I felted it

the sides weren't long enough and the top was too big. It is now a very unique vessel, but Emi still insists on wearing it!

The second was a huge sucess, my black felted bag, with decoration. I am sooo pleased with it.
Emi loves any bag that I produce

the third, my mother in law has taken pitty on me and insisted I go to hers on friday for a knitin to sort me out!!
Is there any hope for me?
al x

tell me your secrets ( evil cackle!?!!?!!!!)

2006-10-08T16:20:00.000+01:00

The Heatherley at Yarn Yenta pointed out that Jody had suggested a few more questions for people to get to know one another for SP9.
I think I'm getting more nervous as the allocations get nearer, I feel like a SP virgin. I hope I will live up to the SP ethos. Thankyou to the Yarn Yenta for tips on SP ing.

1, favorite knitting spot?
In the car going somewhere that is a long way away. I cant do anything else but sit and knit, (listen to music and eat chocolate.)
Ideally with no kids in the car, but that's unlikely, so with lots to amuze the kids that doesnt need parental supervision.
2, If you could suddenly never knit again - -what would you do instead?
I'm guessing if I couldn't knit I would struggle to crochet, braid and felt so I would have to paint, draw and photograph. Probably plants and stone buildings.

3, If you could travel anywhere in the world- where would you go and why?
morocco/ marrakesh, I've never been, but I imagine the colours and the fabrics and the spices.
I have a vision of hot colours, oranges, reds, burnt siena, yellows.....
Why? well It would be exotic and exciting.

4, when you were little - what did you want to do when you grew up, are you doing it now?
I wanted to be an archaeologist. An Indiana Jones.... I took my dream almost as far as I could.... I got the degree and the MA in Archaeology, and then they told me I could work but they wouldnt pay me ( no money in archaeology).....I specialised in building archaeology ( I love buildings)
I'm now an archivist of photographs for a quarrying company who has the best collection of old industrial photographs. I only work two days a week and do family and textiles the rest of the week.
What do I want to be now... I want to be a textile artist, but dont we all?

5, what is your favorite flavour icecream?
tough one...
I love hagen daz strawberry cheesecake icecream, but my budget doesnt really allow.
I'm very happy with vanilla icecream with chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles.

OOhh a correction, I have been reminded that I have a UFO that is definitely more than Four months old , I have some wagon Wheel weaving that is about 16mths old, but it's not knitting so does it count? thank you caged minutes!!!
al x

Kumihimo Braiding

2006-10-05T21:33:00.000+01:00

kumihimo disc
Originally uploaded by goodkharmabunny.

Dear all,
For those who have shown interest in my courses recently this is what it's all about... a kumihimo disc.
If you click on my Flickr photo collection ( bottom right) you will be able to see lots of examples of kumihimo braids as well as some of my ply split braiding and felting.

Alice

Secret pal 9 questionaire

2006-10-02T20:29:00.000+01:00

Dear all, just so you don't all think I've completely lost it, I shall explain.
Over the next three months I am taking part in secret pal 9.
There are about 550 of us this time.....
The blog explains the concept alot better than I can...secretpal9
Basically you spoil someone (anonymously) and someone spoils you ( anonymously).
In order for your spoiler to get to know you, everyone has to fill in a questionaire.
So stand by to learn lots of things about me that many of you knew or didnt want to know.

1, Favourite yarn to knit with, and what fibres dont I like.
I love all yarns, I'm a bit scared by anything delicate or thinner than double knit, like mohair and 4ply. I tend towards chunky and natural. I like hemp and linen to do my braids with and I like nearly all the Noro yarns. I tend to buy alot of fantasy yarns ( hairy and acrylic) for knitting into felting wool and cords. I love silk yarns , but then who doesn't. I love banana yarn and sari silk, they make great cords. I love all of them.....

2, what do I use to store my needles/hooks in?
Crochet hooks currently in an old cigar box, knitting needles spread randomly around house (out of reach of small hands) (sorry)

3, How long have I been knitting, how did I learn, what level to I think I am.
I AM DEFINITELY A BEGINNER! But I'm trying very hard. I've been knitting about a year. my mum taught me and my mother in law is an excellent tutor in both knitting and crochet. mil is alot quicker than me aswell.

4, Do I have an amazon online wish list?
yes

5, Favourite scent?
Lavender, sandlewood, rosewood.

6, Do I have a sweet tooth? favourite candy?
Yes very, but I'm a dark dark chocolate girl, or milk chocolate if I've run out. dont do chewy sweets.

7, what other crafts/do it yourself things do I like, do I spin?
felting, braiding; ply split braiding and kumihimo braiding, dyeing, spinning, anything that involves yarn or fibre.

8, what music do i like? am I MP3 compatible
I'm not MP3 compatible. I like nina simone, elvis costello , david bowie, the Scissor sisters, madeline peroux etc.... very broad likes. ( ooohh apparently my computer is MP3 compatible)

9, favourite colours? I go for most colour combinations as long as it has some element of purple, burgundy, peuce pink, maroon. I also like turquoise/jade.
I dont really have any dislikes that I know of.

10, family situation? pets?
Manic, One ever understanding husband of eight years, a four and a half year old boy and a very cute pink girl, of one and a half. And a cat called Lenny!

11, Scarves, hats, mittens, or ponchos?
I don't function without a scarf (inside or out) and I dont go outside without a hat

12, favourite item to knit? easy ones, I mainly do bags , hats and scarves. I like to knit accessories. I do quick projects, so I finish them.

13, what am I knitting now? a hat for my little girl

14 do I like to receive hand made gifts?
I Love to.

15, straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
To early to say, although i seem to favour the circulars.

16, do I own a yarn winder or swift?
No, No

17, how old is your oldest UFO?
about four months

18, favourite holiday? Last year we had a lovely beach holiday to north Wales, with all the family. If I was been selfish I would say a quiet beach anywhere with my hubby, and a glass of red wine.
Or after reading other peoples answers christmas!

19, Do I collect anything?
yarn! Anything unusual that might be good in cords or knitted in for interest. my hubby says I dont have any room to collect anything else!
Stuff from the beach or bits from the walk to school, we have alot of conkers this week.
I seem to attract odd childrens socks. dont think that counts.

20, Any books, yarns, needles, patterns I want, what knitting subscription do I have?
I dont have any knitting subscriptions, I buy simply knitting sometimes, but find it frustrating cos I cant do alot of whats in it, or dont have to time. There are alot of books on my amazon list.

21, Any new techniques I would like to learn?
I think I need to master the basics first. Crochet seems to come easier to me than knitting. I keep thinking about knitting socks, but i think that may be a step to far. I've just managed to master knitting a seamless bag on two circular needles, so there is hope for me.

22, am i a sock knitter? foot size?
no I'm not, foot size uk 6 , not sure what other measurements you need.

23 birthday? 25th of January

hmm I feel completely bare and slightly insane!
al x

I did it my way

2006-09-28T20:24:00.000+01:00

Dear All,
I did it !!!!
I did my first proper official course in Kumihimo braiding
I've taught the local "Quilt together group" how to braid.
They were brilliant, so enthusiastic.
They had to be forced to take a tea break.
This is what the room looked like, can you see my giant kumihimo disc!!

These are the ladies hard at work

and these are the wonderful braids they produced.

Some were so efficient that they produced three samples in about two hours
A huge success.
Bring on the big courses!!
off to do something non braid related!!!
al x

bananas and sponsorship

2006-09-23T17:38:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
Just a couple of totally non craft related things for you ( well one is a bit)
The first is a boast
I couldn't resist taking these photographs of EMi eating a banana, how delicious?!

and the other are something I noticed last night whilst getting my threads ready for my workshop this week (aaaahhh)
I noticed that I had coorparate sponsors......

( Flora margarine and Clarks shoes)
AL x

p.s did you notice the late post beneath the press release, about the NEC, blogger snuck it in below it, even though I posted it a week after.

Press release for the braiding workshop

2006-09-18T12:15:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I'm pleased to announce two workshops to be run by the Good Kharma Bunny (thats me!)

The Good Kharma Bunny is looking to spread a knowledge of various textile techniques through a selection of one day courses, suitable for all abilities.

Japanese Braiding ( Kumihimo)

Sat 28th October 2006 10.30 to 4pm
and Sat 25th November 10.30 to 4pm

A beautiful technique for producing braids that can be used as cords, bag handles, jewellery and many more. It uses a simple, inexpensive and reusable bit of equipment with a wide variety of yarns to quickly produce some exciting braids.

The course will give a basic understanding of the method and you will produce several samples to go away with.
The course will be held in Shepshed, Leicestershire

There will be courses on Ply split braiding and hand felting in the new year.

If you would like further information please e-mail me at goodkharmabunny@tiscali.co.uk

Below are a few examples of the equipment and results you can achieve

Knitting and Stitching show NEC

2006-09-18T12:03:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
What a weekend.
I did a two day stint at the Knitting and stitching show. Not exhibiting, but absorbing ideas and techniques, and a little bit of " might you be interested in my courses"
I met lots of lovely people, and spent some money.... and I can justify all of it.
I bought some more fantasy yarns, from Uppingham yarns,
for the courses and some bodkins for finishing of braids.

I bought some fab buttons for my neck warmer from the Button company

I bought some gorgeous aran weight silk yarn from Hip knits.

I did a knitted flowers workshop with Kerrie

from Hip knits and had some lovely chats with her and Laura about their new venture Yarn Forward, which is going to be a quarterly magazine which thinks outside the box with yarns.... sounds just like me. So I just had to subscribe! especially as they were interested in my work. I cant wait for the first issue.
I also pre ordered the new Julie Hedges book on Ply split braiding. Should be interesting as there has only ever been one book on the subject.
I also had a good chat with Sandy Jesset from the braid society. She was very encouraging about my work, and suggested that I put my name on the tutors list next year. She also asked me to write a book review on the new Helen Deighan book on braiding.
I think it was well worth going for the two days.
You may also have noticed I hit 1,000 on my site meter!!!!!!!!
wow!
I would have posted this sooner but shall I just say BLOGGER!
al x

k2 p2, knit to end?

2006-09-14T21:33:00.000+01:00

(k2p2 knit to end?
arghhh, knitting doesn't come easily to me, but I'm determined not to be beaten, and I have a great teacher, my mum inlaw can knit, she makes my knitting look like a string vest. I'm getting better quickly, I'd like to add.)
dear all
I am here, had a blog block so going to brain storm this! and try harder over the weekend, promise
I'm launching the Good Kharma Bunny workshops.
More information over the weekend.
I'm knitting a neck warmer!
Found on the nubian Craftsers blog which led me to here Craftsters.org
I've signed up to Crafters cos it looked so cool.
I'm knitting a bag! black
I'm looking for a job again!
I'm going to the knitting and stitching show tomorrow and Saturday
I'm getting quite good at making pack lunches!
so much fun, so little time
taking Emi on a train for the first time tomorrow aaaahhhh
Thought you might like this
al x

Hook and roll

2006-09-03T19:44:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I've been a busy bee again.
Taught some pals to braid last night, and they loved it.
Made a friend a birthday bag. Happy Birthday aunty Catherine!I felted merino tops by hand and added some angelina fibres for a bit of glitz.
It had two flaps, seen below, which acts as a cool anti theft devise.

I've also purchased a new book, and for all those crocheters, and all those who cant yet, it's a must. Although I've had a few comments on the title the Happy Hooker!
The only disadvantage to it is it uses american crochet terms, and as I've only just managed to learn the english I may struggle, but it works from basics right up to some fab patterns.
The problem is that I have to do prep for my courses first before I can justify having a go.

I've also signed up for secret pal 9, very exciting. you basically treat a textile person for three months by sending anonymous presents, and someone send you some as well.

I also seem to have won a sock creature, hoorah, from mama grouch. cant wait!
off to prep
al x

Another giant leap for a textile artist!

2006-08-31T20:08:00.000+01:00

Hello all,
I'm still here, just busy.
Did domestic crises last week.... leaking roof, broken washing machine, broken car etc
most are resolved...ish
My boy started full time school today, aaaahhhhh. He had a good day and got two stickers, one for a good picture and one for smiling.
So I now have to do domestic goddess and do school uniforms and pack lunches. humpf.
We got so wet on the way to school today I had to come home and change.
On the textile front, I've booked my tickets for the Knitting and stitching show at the NEC. hoorah, and I'm takin Emi with me....
I visited Bev at Knitting4fun last week and spent a fab time buying yarns I didnt need

These are Bev's fab pure wool for felting

This was some louisa harding and debbie bliss

And I couldnt leave this delicious Noro yarn

I knitted my little girl a bag, cos I couldnt get my green one off her, and Bev gave her some lovely flower buttons to go on it.

And on the Good Kharma Bunny total domination front, I have booked a room to run some courses in Oct and Nov to teach Kumihimo and I'm teaching a Quilting group how to braid in Sept. Got to write the courses now!!!
I've also drafted out the layout for the website.
so much fun and no time .....
al x

a little less conversation a little more felting!

2006-08-23T19:47:00.000+01:00

Hmmm these musical quote things have got to stop.
I've been busy again!
I dont think I showed you the bag I made at the knitting and weaving workshop,

I went from.... couldn't figure out circular needles to .....knitting a bottom up seamless bag with two circular needles. The bag was made of pure knitting wool with sari silk threaded through. Then it was washed in the machine, it came out like an egg cup so had to be stretched alot.
I was so proud of myself.

I also went to the Leicestershire Weavers spinners and dyers felting day on saturday and made these. I'm afraid you might have to turn your head a bit, I haven't got the patience with blog tonight to try to turn them around. I was very please with the red and yellow bag, although it came out a bit hairy.

The blue and pink were going to be flowers but ended up as purses, it was fun, just messing about.

more soon
off to do some more braiding
al x

just a little more banana! and alot of other stuff

2006-08-12T19:50:00.000+01:00

I thought you might like to see my latest bracelet. I'm really excited by it!
It's made of banana yarn and ply split braided.
I've worn it everywhere this week.
I've even bought some more banana yarn to do another one.
I've had a really busy week this week, as I've helped man the embroiderers guild exhibition in Lutterworth, good fun, but exhausting. They put on a wonderful show and they sold alot to!
I've also done a workshop on monday,
been to work and stormed out of my job in pure rage on wednesday!
almost resigned on thursday
and am now having to think where I want to go next to earn some money,
got any jobs?
I also got my first course booked. I'm going to teach a course!!! in Kumihimo!
only slightly scarey.
SO you might see alot of kumihimo samples over the next few weeks.
oh and mum sold another bag today, thats two in a week, she's really doing well, she's exhibiting in two galleries at the mo, very clever bunny.

I need a lie down!!
al x

great fields of hemp!

2006-08-05T19:35:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to show this for a week or so.
It was taken at the silk paper workshop, the field is owned by a lady who owns the farm where we were, madam chairperson of the Lutterworth emboiderers guild.
She farms Hemp, industrial hemp, I think it's for cattle fodder. Because of it being industrial, it has no intoxicating properties, but when I took this it was after a heavy rain storm and it was steaming away to itself, I could't help thinking you aught to take a deep breath in case it was.
Hemp is such an under used resource you can get so much from it, the yarn especially is fab.
It looked so beautiful, a bit like the tops of a forest.

I've also included a picture of the card I made for mum and dad's card for their jade wedding anniversary.
I took an image and cut it up, stuck it down on another sheet and added to the picture with coloured pencil.
It's supposed to be a good technique if you want to look at colours instead of the image. I was pleased with it and mum loved it. hoorah.
al x

felted pots! more vessels

2006-08-03T14:53:00.000+01:00

Here is another thing I started and finished last weekend.
It started with a lovely ball of NORO kureyon wool,

Bought for me by my mum for mothers day.

I was going to knit it and felt it into a bag using circular needles.
I tried the circular needles and failed as I wanted a small bag and my needles were too long so I decided to crochet it.
I ended up crocheting two small vessels

and felted one by hand

and the other in the washing machine.
I then blocked them with a pop bottle filled with water.

This is how they turned out.

I'm really pleased with them
al x

A 3D Ply split Vessel

2006-08-03T14:32:00.000+01:00

So this is my very exciting finished project of the weekend.
I have finally finished my first ply split vessel, it was starting to become a thorn, but I needed to finish something for the exhibition. I couldn't decide which photo to put in cos it's different from every angle, so I put them all in.
It was made using hand dyed linen and uses both POT and SCOT ply split techniques.
I'm very pleased with it.
I blocked it, when finished, to make it stand up a bit more, and the only thing that fit was a can of WD40, My boy thinks it's a tree, but I think it make a great WD40 holder.
hope you like it ( maybe it's an octopus)
Oh by the way I'm on the Online Weavers spinners and dyers this month with some of my free form crochet ( link on right hand side of page) and we now have a blog page thanks to Leigh, in the links page.
al x

silk paper workshop

2006-08-01T19:28:00.000+01:00

So much has happened in the last few days, more to follow, but this workshop and the fact that I have to exhibit in the Lutterworth feast/art week next week pushed me to get a move on and finish a few projects and start a few as well.
The workshop was run by Lutterworth Embroiderers guild, it was their day workshop/BBQ.
I didn't do much but I did produce one piece.
It was good fun, not very yarny, I'll definitely have another go.
I'm at two workshops this weekend. One called knit and weave and one called knitty and proddy. Run by living threads( dont think there is a website) but its being taught in part by Bev Beattie from Knitting4fun. And she is bring her yarns with her, oh dear!

al x

Were we ever that young?

2006-07-31T19:45:00.000+01:00

Today is my eighth wedding anniversary!
hoorah!
We're gettting rid of the kids for a couple of hours and going for a picnic.
We've got no food and we don't know where we are going. Thats pretty good for us!
last year we did nothing, but we did have a six month old and three yr old to get in the way.
I thought I would celebrate the 8th by an arty picky. Various search engines say 8th is bronze or rubber or pottery or electrical appliance!
I'm going with bronze. all though rubber .... hmm....
I search flicker and google for a picky and then thought what about a wedding picky or two, for a giggle. ( no copyright either)
For all those included I apologise, and ask were we ever that young? ( it was only 8 yrs ago)
So much has happened. we now have a fab house and two fab children, we have had all sorts of family stuff, as you do, everyone seems happy and one of them is off travelling around the world for a year next week..... ( you know who you are).
I also apologise to both mums for not being in the pickys , but I'm sure you'll be glad.
Just two pickys
The first one should have a quote with it from Great Aunt June, " it's the only wedding I've been to where the husband has more touble with his hair than the bride"
The second was all my fab bridesmaids ( sisters in green and yellow and good friend in burgundy) and the best man and my dad. All looking so smart.
Too all, I promise next year I will do arty farty.
Stay tuned the good kharma bunny has been busy, textiles to follow and lots of them.
al x