This cheerful humpty dumpty has been specially knitted for my blog "give away" on September 1st!
The current skull lace obsession has led me to ponder what goths would do at the seaside, and the idea of a mini-blog project was born. Here is day 1: the goth sand castle at dusk
Currently I am on a mission to knit new lace edgings for a well worn and much-loved cotton and linen summer cardigan, which now has huge holes on the cuffs and bottom. It occurred to me that I did not have to emulate the existing lace, but could knit something more me. My inner goth requested skulls lace, so I set about devising a skull edging of appropriate size. After all, it could not be that difficult: I'd dreamed up a skull humpty dumpty in April, and knitting lace is simply a matter of increasing and decreasing stitches to create holes in specific places. Quite a few attempts and experiments later, I decided that a better understanding of the construction of knitted lace would help, so I have embarked on making a lace sampler scarf. It is not creating the skull shapes which has been the problem, but figuring out a satisfactory openwork background to set them off, without making the lace edging too deep. Wish me luck!
New additions to my stashes of yarn and buttons: this fabulous 2 ply lace yarn came from Yarn to Knit . I was lucky enough to win a £10 voucher for the shop in the monthly draw from news letter subscribers, and then even luckier to be able to meet Martina in person at Of Cabbages and Kings, and so choose the yarn and button in real life.
Here is a group photo of the "class of summer 2010" humpty dumpties, all are going their separate ways after growing up together. They are a diverse mix of characters, who have had all sorts of fun and disagreements, chattering away in my work box and on the shelf. It will be fun to see where they set off to for the next stage of their lives via my etsy shop, Dragonfly Sky.
It may be August - one of the summer months in the UK - but chilly weather last Friday prompted the knitting of these delightfully squishy and warm "Grown Up Booties" from Ysolda Teague's "Whimsical Knits (see Summer Holiday post). I used some approximately aran weight, gorgeous tweedy wool that I bought from The Handweavers Studio . They were quick and very easy to knit, so the pattern is recommended. I am now working on another pair, this time with a plan to vary the toe area to better fit my natural bunion joint toes! A foot shape which although less common, is hereditary in my family.
It's August, and I am back from the very best kind of summer holiday in my view: music, friends, family and creativity. As anticipated, Womad was three days of marvellous and intriguing music from all over the world, including some favourites of mine: Salif Keita, Afro Celt Sound System, and Gil Scott Heron, plus great new discoveries: Toumast, The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain (just about visible over the heads of the crowd in my photo), and Imogen Heap. Also experienced the most squashed viewing conditions ever: in an odd billing decision, Rolf Harris was on stage in the Siam Tent: everyone it seemed, wanted to see him live! Well worth it: very entertaining set.
I made up for missing my regular evenings of knitting and chatting with StitchLondon by going to Knit Nation 2010 with kindred spirits Deadly Knitshade and The Fastener from the fabulous yarn spinners Knit The City. The vast range of gorgeous yarns, and all manner of knitty accessories was overwhelming! My purchases were restricted by a tight budget, so I just bought another two Addi Lace circular needles (which I use for knitting almost everything!), and Ysolda Teague's "Whimsical Knits". Ysolda very kindly signed the book for me, using my Ravelry name of dragonflyknit2. We also attended the very splendid Ravelry party, so I am now the proud possessor of the gorgeous project bag, and a Ravelry badge.
This week's Illustration Friday topic of "Diary" was irresistible, especially as I find myself constantly juggling the things I want to do, with things I have to do, and actually have time to do! It also gave me a perfect topic to play with and ease myself back into drawing as a habit, after a couple of weeks without the space to dream and draw.
I will be drawing again very soon: it was surprising to me to discover how much I need my own space to be able to dream and work. My friend is staying elsewhere now, so have my drawing table, etc back! I am also currently trying to find out what time of day is best for me for painting and drawing: something I had not thought about previously, but has been prompted by a book I am reading.
I next caught up with Mini-me at The Science Museum on June 30th, where she and 258 of her mini-person friends starred as an exhibit for one night only! This was another event organised by Stitch London. Mini-me is just under the letter "y". Much more information about the evening, and far better photos here - do take a look: all the mini-mes have developed lives of their own, which I find very interesting from a cultural perspective. Essentially, the mini-mes are dolls, and humans have been making them since pre-history: see a brief history by the Connecticut doll artists here. I don't know where mini-me will appear next, but am looking forward to seeing her again.
Posts will be a tad sporadic, because I currently have un-expected house guest. 
This wonderful KnitTheCity flyrate has been keeping me company since I rescued him from the pouring rain on Sunday May 2nd. He formed a part of the yarnstorm leading to the Pirate Castle at the Camden Crawl, and had lots of fantastic companions on the Saturday: regular pirates, mice, and fellow flyrates. When I returned to Camden on the Sunday he was all alone, and soaking wet, so taking him home seemed a good plan! He is also been a great reminder of happy times and companionship which has been so valuable to me over the past couple of weeks.
Not a lot of useful drawing and painting has occurred for the past month or so, because I have been very pre-occupied with urgently rearranging some day to day living arrangements. Drawing has continued, which has kept my eye and hand co-ordination up to speed, but not of the kind of quality I'd want to share! 
I suspect that I have not learnt to do photography properly before because there is so much to consider that I overwhelm myself with information. 
I did something similar here, with this sneak preview of the new members of the humpty clan.
