do you mind if i knit

Two rooms becoming one.

This is the wall that divides what was once the kitchen and the t.v. room. When I took this photograph, I was standing in the remains of the t.v. room............ willing that wall to disappear like magic and be done with, no mess preferable........ .......no magic wand was waved here.......... ........just the reality of sheer hard labour. These posts seemed painfully slow to take form at the time........... ............... or maybe I was just being unreasonably impatient............ ...........and how tantalising can the prospect of one small remaining section of wall ...........going away......... be? Sometimes it's difficult to keep things in perspective. It was worth the wait in the end. This opening up of space thing............. is ......................MAGIC!

And action!

I thought it was about time I showed you some shots of the works in progression. With each post I'm going to show the photographs from a particular point. I thought it might be easier to make sense of it all that way. The first few days seemed remarkably neat and tidy. The builders were digging holes for the foundations in which supporting pillars are going to sit, because this wall (and a second wall which I'm not showing in this post), are going to have huge openings in them, or maybe I should put it this way, most of two walls are going to be knocked down, and the pillars will support strong lintels, which in turn will keep our house from collapsing........... Where we once had a window seat, and a window looking on to the garden, we will have French Doors. Where we once had a door, we will have a wall. The other side of this wall will be the kitchen. And this area will be the sitting/dining room. The bit of wall to the left of the photograph will be the second partition wall to be demolished. These last couple of photographs were taken after the builders had left last night. And as I write this, I can hear their radio, and banging and crashing noises.......... I must go and offer them a cup of tea!

Wrapping rooms.

When I look at these images I feel calm. I feel calm because I'm casting my mind back to the peace and quiet before the storm and chaos of the builders arrival.................. Everything that can be covered has been wrapped, in an attempt to keep off the builders dust that seems to glide through the tiniest crack and settle where its not wanted. Even the chimney seems vulnerable to dust penetration............ When I was done with protecting all possible surfaces............. when I had satisfied myself that I had done all that was physically possible to prevent dust spreading, then I was able to step back and stare.......... ........ and wander through the rooms, marvelling at the effect of wrapping things. There was something magical about it. It brought to mind the work of Christo. I have never seen his work in real life, only the fabulous photographs. So by doing my own wrapping project, in my home, I think I am closer to understanding what Christo's work is about........ which is a wonderful revelation! As I was sealing up the stairs that link the basement to the upper floor, it felt symbolic............ this was the point of no return, it was a very final gesture. That was it, our house was going to be an unfamiliar place. It was going to be changed irrevocably. Something that has taken me time to adjust to, which I did not expect at all. Infact, as the bowels of the house are being disembowelled, I've started to have these strange aches and pains......... a pain in my knee that is quite ferocious, a crick in my neck that put me out of action for a day or so.......... and a numb feeling in my left arm. As with the injury I had with my hand, I can see the amusing side to all this. You hear of husbands experiencing pregnancy pains in sympathy with their wives........ well, I seem to be in tune with our house as part of it is being ripped apart....... I'm going through its face lift discomfort............. And yes, you have every right to declare that I am officially bonkers.

A knitted Union Jack .

My first Intarsia project........ this knitted Union Jack tank top for Hugo's 30th Birthday present. It is a Jeager pattern, knitted in the Jaeger yarn specified for the pattern, I'm afraid I can't remember the specifics of either yarn or pattern - my apologies. The process of Intarsia involves having a separate bobbin holding each different colour in one row. I think I was juggling twelve or thirteen different bobbins at some points. 'Challenging' springs to mind. Especially when various mistakes on different occasions led to quite a bit of ripping out. Actually, I recall getting out the scissors and just cutting it all back............ Intarsia involves twisting the different coloured threads around each other when changing colour, and if you're ripping work out...... well, it just becomes impossible........... or I haven't learnt the correct nifty technique to make it easier. So this really was a labour of love........ for my husband.......... my knitting group will be able to testify to the anguish involved in kniting this thing. Which brings me to one little teensy weensy fact. In the last year Hugo has worn it precisely once. And here's another teensy weeeeeeeensy fact: I have worn it precisely twice. After all, someone has to wear it................... So now it resides in my wardrobe. Oh, and there's one mistake that I left in. I'd just had enough of ripping out............. you've probably spotted it..........

Licking things into shape................

This little chap might make your day.

What lies behind the wall..........

We knew there was 'something' hidden behind the wall at one end of the kitchen, because the previous owner of our home gave us her photographs of all the work she had done to the house. The photographs showed us some 'evidence'. For a long time Hugo has been wanting to have a look behind that wall............. which could only reveal its secrets if Hugo got a saw and other heavy duty tools to it. We're going to be knocking walls down when we do the alterations, so this was the perfect time do some investigation. In the space of a long afternoon Hugo did a lot of bashing............... ............ and slowly revealed............ ............ a fireplace! A fireplace with a stone surround. After cleaning up the stone, and covering the area above the stone (which is just too much of a mess to save), we're going to put in a hearth, and a wood burning stove. So I present to you the first steps on our alterations journey. The builder was meant to be starting on Monday, but he is behind on a roofing job........ so hopefully he'll start middle of next week............... This is, of course, just the first in what will be a long line of hiccups no doubt.

The moment I have been dreading is approaching.

On 17th March the basement of our house will look as though a bomb has hit it. This is the moment I have been dreading. We won't have a kitchen........ there will be builder's dust everywhere........... and we're not too sure how long this upheaval will last. It's been years in the coming. Years of thinking and planning and saving. And now the moment of realisation is imminent. The builders might be arriving next Monday, but we have to clear the entire basement area before they turn up....... which is what we started to do over the weekend, and haven't finished yet. I'm feeling a bit weary. So, with the pressure of work, and the physicality of shifting 'stuff', I suspect my blogging over the next week, or so, is going to be erratic. I find that I need some time each day to relax and think about the posts for my blog, which is going to be thin on the ground. So I'm afraid that if you aren't interested in photos of walls and things being destroyed.......... a good portion of the content of my blog over the next few........... months(!)............ will bore you rigid. I can only apologise! On the other hand, taking a more positive point of view, if you like those 'before' and 'after' photos you see in interiors magazines, then the little journey our basement will be going on, might be fascinating for you! I hope I'll have at least a few moments to create some still lives, and have 'pretty' things on my blog, to contrast all the chaos in the house........

Crufts 2008 Obedience Champion.

This is Douglas in training for being the star of Crufts. "Douglas....... sit!" "Douglas sit and stand and trot to heel." "Douglas, have you no shame?" "Douglas................... ..I give up..........." Hugo and I were glued to the sofa, watching Crufts on the t.v. last night. Ellie and Douglas showed a distinct lack of interest, bordering on sniffiness, to the primped and preened canines parading across the television screen. We were completely baffled by their indifference......................

Scar Faces.

This is Rebecca, the first in my line-up of Scar Faces. Tommy is fourteen years old, and a bit of a joker. Dora is secretly a bit of a party animal. Madge is a career woman, works in fashion. Joe is Madge's brother, he makes sure his boss's shady dealings are dealt with. Lorna writes romantic novels. Pete wouldn't tell me what he does. And this is me, children's book illustrator.............. I think this could be a great game for a child, or adult, who has a scar............. especially if he or she is embarrassed by it. I couldn't resist playing around with imagery of my scar after the bandages came off, and the stitches taken out of this. Thankyou so much to everyone who has shown concern over the accident to my hand, and asked how it's doing, I've been really touched by your thoughtfulness. These pictures came about as a result of wondering how I was going to reveal the damage under the bandage........... my apologies if they have made you feel nauseous............

Even doggies have responsibilities..........

Did you know that one out of ten humans forget Mother's Day, but 100% of doggies never forget Mother's Day? You didn't know that? I have to admit, I did wonder what all that whispering was about in the kitchen, on Saturday night........... And at one point, Douglas came into the living room, his tail between his legs, plonked himself on the sofa, gave a big sigh, and said "It's not FAIR, Ellie always gets her own way". At the time I thought it better not to ask. Sunday morning, Mother's Day. Of course I wasn't not expecting anything.............. but you know how it is.......... one lives in hope. Hugo comes in with a cup of tea, and not far behind him are two little dogs, walking side-by-side, both holding on to an envelope. They sit at the same time, and look up at me, wagging their tails............ no arguments about who gets to present the envelope. I am delighted on opening the envelope, and say to Ellie and Douglas that it's wonderful to have such beautiful, thoughtful children. And of course, the rest of the day they are very well-behaved....... in honour of Mother's Day. Wouln't it be great if all this was true...............? Sadly, it's a little fantasy I've just dreamed up, all except the card.......... Wouldn't it be great if the rest was true though.............. I hope all you well deserving Mums out there were given lots of love and attention..........