Can't Think of one

Well I had my assessment for the Tax Office on Friday, very intense , have no idea how I went. Hoping for a call up to start late November, but who knows they are recruiting for the next 12 months, and we all just were so glad it was over no one asked when we would hear anything.

Spent yesterday doing housework, today after getting up late I forgot about daylight saving, took Mum & Dad up to Bowen Mountain (it is so pretty up there) to a nursery specialising in old fashioned plants. It was a bit disappointing, as it was a bit overrun and the health of the plants wasn't the best. We had been meaning to go for the last twelve months, so had pretty high expectations. Anyway we then ventured over to Annangrove, and visited the Earth Mother Nursery mainly for lunch at the Cafe, very impressive,such a lovely atmosphere under the trees and water features, and the food, Yummmmm. Will be going back. The plants were lovely and healthy and set out very nicely. Nothing we wanted today but lunch made up for it.

On the way back I noticed we passed Virginia Farms, with much excitement from me, Mum had no idea what I was going on about (half deaf and in the back seat), it was too late to stop. Anyway we spotted more nurseries worth a visit close by, so will make another trip hopefully not to soon in the future. If I get the Tax Office job, nine day fortnight ,more time for such things. Here's hoping :)

One More Stage Passed

I passed my telephone interview and have to go for three hours of assessment and interview on Friday, hopefully this is the final stage to the process. I think I'll have to wait about three weeks for an answer though, as assessments don't finish till the 12/11. I chose the first day to get it over and done with.

I am happier with the Baby Hat, I x-stitched up the ladders in pink (the hat is cream) and added a few more stripes, this also helped the brim not roll up too much as it was doing. I've started another in some Patonyle sock yarn I had around, tried 4 3mm dpns, I don't know how anybody works on 3 needles. So swapped to 5 2.75mm, seems to be going alot better this time.

The weekend was spent sequining dance costumes, I was hoping to finish, so I didn't have to worry about it, got most done, but the last bits have to be done while being worn, so have to get my daughter between homework and study - she has exams next week.

I resisted a 20% spotlight sale, I practically drive past it on the way home, and they've even put in a roundabout to make it easier to get there, I'm very proud of myself.

The swatch , about a stitch out, meaning it will come out a bit bigger, think I'll go down a needle size.

Swatching

Swatching this

to make this


I have substituted a Busy Bee yarn for Patons Zhivago. It was in the 10 balls for $10 basket at spotlight. I have picked it up on my previous couple of visits but have put it back as even being nearly my favourite shade of purple I didn't have a project for it to justify the purchase. Just browsing through the Creative Knitting Annual spotted the above pattern which I was sure my daughter would like. So with 10 minutes to spare before picking her up from dancing, I dropped into spotlight to check out Zhivago. As it turns out it didn't have a price on it,so was no sure on purchasing it. I was lured back to the purple yarn only to realise it was the same composition as Zhivago. Well that was that, a done deal ,I needed 9 balls perfect.

The pattern is marked Advanced , given I'm having trouble with a stocking stitch baby cap, this is a bit out there, oh well take it slow. The yarn is very easy to work.

The Baby Hat is done, not happy , the ladders are still quite visible even after a wash. May try again with 3mm dpns or heaven forbid do it on straights.

Time Flys

Gee - 9 days since my last post. So here's a bit of an update:

Knitting - have ripped the baby hat I was attempting about six times,I gave round needles a go, nup no good , steel dpns nup too long and only a set of 4(I work my socks on 5 10cm bamboo dpns, 20cm was too awkward ). Swapped to a pattern with less stitches and 5 bamboo 15cm dpns( smoothed over with an emery board) and I'm getting somewhere. Have used 3.25mm think I would have better with 3mm but have discovered the Chinese sets from Ebay don't include 3mm, not impressed. There are ladders I'm not happy with, but I have a plan to hopefully cover them up. I think I have been generally distracted and not having much luck with my projects.

Job Hunting - made it to telephone interview stage with my last application, I find out next week whether I get to turn up to the assessment centre. Hopefully that's the last stage. I made a general application through a campaign for finance jobs in the Public Service and have been advised it has been passed onto for some departments to have a look at.

Dogs - our Schipperke Club held their spring specialty show last Sunday, I had to prepare all the prizes being trophy steward, it was a good day, enjoyed by all I think. Even my Jiminy was happy to be shown and examined by the judge this time out, she was a very nice lady though. Elliot came along for the outing and as per usual made lots of new friends, the possessive and territorial Jiminy was not impressed.

That's about it for now, back to the Baby Hat - I will not be beaten by it.

Elliot

A picture of Elliot as promised.

No time for knitting, the job app took me till 1am and them my computer froze when I wanted to submit it. Got up this morning to find the website saying applications were closed, I was very peeved as it not supposed to close till noon. Fortunately it was a technical error and they reopened it till Wednesday phew. Then when I got home I had to complete an timed online test. I'll be mighty disappointed if I don't get through the first stage.

Too tired to knit

Lace doesn't like me

Tried the lace pattern with two lots of multiples, made it to row 7 of 8 of the pattern before mucking it up. Only made it to row 3 before. I may have to put in on the back burner for awhile, as I need to get some baby stuff done. But I'm determined to get it right. Going to use bigger needles next time as the original pattern yarn calls for 3.25mm needles and the pattern uses 5mm. My yarn is for 4mm needles, so I might try 6 or 6.5mm, and use one less multiple.

My Jiminy Cricket finally got his championship, he doesn't like to show much. He escaped from our last house and was gone for 3 days before coming back home a few years ago. I think he had been chased in a crowded noisy place , as he gets nervous in crowded places and is very conscious of anyone coming up behind him. But it's very erratic sometimes he shows his pants off and completely calm. He enjoys the outing though, gets lots of individual attention.

My daughter's dog is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever, I'm saving some of his undercoat which is now coming out , might spin it , when I learn to spin.(pic later he's georgeous)

Must go , got another government job app to apply for with 5 yukky questions to answer so will be a late night if I'm to make it by cutoff.

I E-mailed to see how the other job application process is going last Friday 28/9 no response at all

Stash Building

All the thinking about new projects and the Spotlight sale has led to quite a bit of stash building, probably about 40 - 50 balls of yarn ( i haven't dared to count).

I am trying my first lace project, (Lion Brand Lacy Stole), certainly needs concentration. Ripped about six times so far. Have opted to do a big swatch to try and get it right.

Have to go.