Yay, pressies!

Last week the Craft and Quilt Show was on at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center, so I worked there  for about 7 hours stretching over Thursday and Saturday for my friend Jane from The Fibre Hut.  For this time of doing what I love (selling fibre, demonstrating and talking about my passion to everyone) I got a free entry into the show as well as a little payment for my time. Whoo hoo!  So see the photo above of the drop spindle set?  That's what I treated myself to with the money (and a little extra out of my pocket).  Sorry the photo isn't very clear as my digital camera is busted so I have to use my mobile phone at the moment.  but aren't they beautiful?? They're so nice to use - weighted really well and not too big - even the biggest one.  Sigh..... :)

The other photo is the contents of a present sent to me by my lovely "Secret Pal" Charmaine in Singapore.  (yes, it was supposed to be a secret, but as I only know one person in Singapore, I know who sent it).  You see, I am part of a group of lovely ladies on Ravelry called the Knutty Knitters Unraveled Group, and we started doing a Secret pal swap, where we were all given a name and address of another person in the group and we had to send them a present anonamously (?spelling?), but as there was so few of us participating and we have all gotten to know each other so well, it was pretty easy to guess who our Pals are.  But aren't the little gifties fantastic?  if you can't tell what they are from the crappy photo - there is some matching writing paper/book marks/and envelopes (which have writing on them that I can't read! lol), some cover-with-fabric buttons and a gorgeous little hand-made bag with my name stitched on the front.   I feel special! Thank you Charmaine!!! :)

First Socks!!

I have finally knitted a pair of socks!  

And yes, all of you that told me they were easy, you were right.   I am so proud of them.  They are a bit loose around the ankle and cuff (The pattern was for a male's foot, & I guess males have larger calfs and ankles), but are great all the same.  A bit warm for the current weather, but I wore them for a while yesterday.  

Bring on the next pair! ;p

Some sad news:  Colleen of SpiffyKnits died over the weekend.  It is sad, but in a way a blessing as she did not suffer for long. Rest In Peace Colleen.

Some good news: I had a meeting with Rory's teacher and one of the Rainbow Room staff members about our Goals for Rory this term and how he is doing on the whole.  And I am very proud to report that he's doing great!!  Academically he is still not to a grade 4 level, but he is attempting to do everything by himself now, without referring to support aids unless he has to. He is also behaving better in general, his meltdowns are far smaller and fewer in number and he is participating in the classroom as much as any other child.  All in all, he is growing to be a very gentle, happy and mature boy.  I'm so proud!   

Sad news.

I can't write much, I need to go to bed as it is very late, but I needed to say that I am a sad tonight.  I am on a few different groups on Ravelry - a site for knitters and crocheters.  One of the groups I belong to is a discussion and support group for people who have had , need or will need in the future, an organ transplant, or have someone they love in that situation.   Tonight I found out that one of our regular members, Colleen of Spiffyknits, is dying of cancer.   She was diagnosed back in August and we have been communicating with her since her diagnosis.  She went into surgery back in August to have 60% of her liver removed (the cancer was thought to only be in her liver) and it was thought that all had gone well.  Although a pretty full-on course of chemo was recommended, it was thought she would recover well.  However, I have just read on the groups message board an update (from one of the other members) that aggressive cancer cells have been found all throughout Colleens' lymph nodes and now chemotherapy is no longer an option as they are so aggressive that the chemo would not work and could possibly accelerate the spread.  Unfortunately, there is nothing left to do but try to  make her more comfortable and for her to spend whatever time she has left with her young children, husband and close family. Her story and donation information can be found Here.    I know that being on such a group as this one, that I will probably have some of my new friends die, but this is the first and so is very hard.   Please, if you can, pray for Colleen and her family or at least send them supportive and loving vibes.  They need all the support they can get.   Will write again later.  Is very late and must try to sleep.  

Love and peace  - remember that everyone is special!