So much yarn, so little time.

Seaside Snow

2012-02-10T14:46:00.002Z

Our proposed house-move to the sea is *still* in the "proposed" stage, so we drove to Broomhill Sands today to walk by the sea.

It was odd seeing snow on the beach, seashells just look WRONG in the snow!

Weirdest of all was seeing the tideline in snow, in the next photo you can see the wavy line where the sea reached. I don't understand why the snow hasn't melted. The council puts salt and sand on the roads to clear the snow - and surely seawater is salty? Why hasn't it melted? Where's Professor Brian Cox when I need him to explain stuff?

Snow!

2012-02-06T13:52:00.012Z

We don't get a lot of snow in the south east of the UK, so when the first fall arrived overnight on Saturday we knew we had to get out there and enjoy it.

I love the way the snow softens the edges in some ways... but then

these trees look like they've been highlighted!

The fence reminds me of fake snow sprayed in windows at Christmas.
Nothing fake here though.

I was pleased with the "framing" around the sheep in this next shot

Wish I could say this was my garden pond, but it's the local trout farm.

I love the way the snow is coating each and every surface it could find here!

Texture!!!

Our local area is beautiful all year round, but I especially enjoy it under snow.

The sun is already working its magic and much of the snow has gone now. I'm glad I enjoyed it!

Surprise!

2011-12-28T12:20:00.003Z

I had a parcel this morning from America - from my lovely meerkat collectors Jen and Grace!

I'd been asked who my favourite Disney character was and replied "Beauty and the Beast", due to an unfortunate incident many years ago when my daughter was tiny and flushed her "Beauty and the Beast" watch down the loo. Anyway - I'd thought no more about it till this morning, when the parcel arrived...

Look at my hat! Isn't it amazing? I can hardly believe they make Micky Mouse "ears" with a nice cup of British tea, UK flag and a beef-eaters hat...but the back even has NiftyKnits embroidered on so nobody is in any doubt who it belongs to!

I had my first cup of tea of the day in my new mug, but think the popcorn/nut/chock/crisp/caramel delights need to wait until after lunch. Don't want to sugar-rush this early in the day!

Clearly this is a day when I just *had* to wear a disney shirt :-)

Big big thanks to Jen and Grace, that was so sweet of you!

What a wonderful world

2011-12-24T12:17:00.002Z

(turn your sound on)

Cats with thumbs

2011-12-11T09:20:00.002Z

Just saw this advert for the first time and came straight to youtube to find it again - puuuurfect!

Farm Open Day

2011-12-03T14:42:00.002Z

Silcocks Organic Farm, just up the lane from our house:

Jackdaws!

2011-11-30T12:01:00.006Z

Every morning I can be spotted filling the birdfeeders - usually before my own breakfast. If I don't go out straight away the sparrows in the hedge get louder and louder, as if they're telling me off!

The sparrows are usually the first visitors, closely followed by the starlings who then squabble over the first baths of the day.

We also have a robin, a pair of ringed doves and a family of wood pigeons: they are ground feeders and rely on picking up the bits that the others knock down. A flock of 7 or 8 jackdaws turn up when they see the commotion. Until recently, they also fed from the ground. They're quite striking birds, with pale eyes and a grey neck.

This one seemed to be wondering about the source of the "manna from heaven"...

Then one morning, one of them decided they're not too big to go straight to the source, and we've now bought a stronger birdfeeder. The previous one has vanished altogether, whether they actually flew off with it I don't know - but it's not in the garden!

The bird feeders were originally intended for the resident families of blue tits and great tits, but they wait until the noisy early crowd have moved on and refuse to be photographed. This week we've seen our first pair of goldfinches, exquisite little birds that I really hope I can photograph. Do you feed the birds? Who is your favourite?

King Lear MeerKat

2011-11-29T19:02:00.004Z

Many many moons ago I studied English Literature A level, and King Lear was one of our set texts. Little did I realise way back then that one day I would be commissioned to knit the noble king - meerkatted!

My commission went one step further, however: not *just* King Lear, but Sir Derek Jacobi's King Lear!

He's now on his way across the pond to his new home, but I begged leave to share him with you, along with a few of the quotes I learned so many years ago to sprinkle into my essays!

"Every inch a king."
- William Shakespeare, King Lear, 4.6.109

"O! let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven;
Keep me in temper; I would not be mad!"
- William Shakespeare, King Lear, 1.5.51

"Striving to better, oft we mar what's well."
- William Shakespeare, King Lear, 1.4.346

I liked this quote as I'm often guilty of not stopping soon enough, but keeping on and on trying to improve something that is fine already!

For Lear's coronet I used strands of embroidery floss and knitting yarn, some plaited, some woven, with a few autumnal leaf and bloom beads threaded through. I deliberately added in some "loose ends" to add to the rustic appearance and illustrate the unravelling of poor Lear's mind.

Deep, aren't I? ;-)

Many thanks for such a fun commission!

Murmuration of starlings

2011-11-28T14:26:00.005Z

We were thrilled to see the starlings "doing their thing" in Brighton recently, and I was snapping frantically as we hurried towards their roosting place on the (remains of) the Western Pier.

Naturally, when we got near enough for a decent photo, they settled down to sleep - but it was great to see them swooping and swirling in the sky, moving as one, even though I was not able to get the fabulous shots I wanted!

You can see the starlings performing on video here , courtesy of the RSPB.

And finally - MrNifty snapped a photo of me with a halo (it's the new Brighton Wheel)

At the beach with ... Professor Brian Cox!

2011-11-25T15:39:00.011Z

What a surprise!

We went for a walk along the beach at Camber, East Sussex - a gorgeous Autumn morning.

I was snapping the waves and the seagulls when we spotted a group of people clustered around a professional-looking camera. I turned to MrNifty and said (apropos of nothing) "If that's Professor Brian Cox he's on my list, OK?"

As we got nearer - OMG it really WAS Professor Brian Cox *swoon* (click on the pics to enlarge)

This is one of several circles in the sand he drew - according to the roadie they didn't have the budget for a helicopter, just a stick to draw with.

He certainly worked that stick hard though, he drew quite a few circles before settling on a camera-worthy version.

This last is my favourite photo - random dog-walkers wandered straight through the middle of the shot and the dog actually dropped his ball at the feet of the man himself, who kicked it for him. I *knew* I should have obtained a dog...

Moving on...

2011-11-24T09:33:00.006Z

Many of you will know we've been trying to sell our house and relocate to the seaside - well, today is the day we finally give up on that dream for now.

It's been 7 months, we've had two "definite" buyers who have each dropped out. The first lost their own buyers, and the second was wooed away by another (slightly bigger) house in our street suddenly appearing for sale at £15,000 less than ours. Frankly, I'd have chosen that one too! After such a long time of keeping the house spotless, being relentlessly positive and finding somewhere to buy (twice!) we need a break. We'll try again when the market settles down (hollow laughter)

So - we're whistling along with the Monty Python boys "always look on the bright side of life" (nsfw)

I'm also concentrating on getting ready for Christmas! There are still plenty of meerkats in stock in each of my shops: Payvment Zibbet Etsy Folksy

and ... I've been knitting teeny weeny stockings, so until I run out all meerkat orders will come with a stocking for him/her to hang up for Santa!

Guess who I'm seeing tomorrow?

2011-11-14T15:13:00.002Z

YES!

Last time I saw this band it was at Bournemouth Winter Gardens, 1973 I think, the Topographic Oceans tour ... a school trip!

Sadly Rick Wakeman isn't at this gig, but he's being replaced by his son which I think is quite a nice touch. Just discovered Jon Anderson isn't going to be there either :-( but it'll still be fun, a blast from the past.

the "new" lineup talk about this year's album - I'm pleased to hear the new singer has a touch of Jon about him.

Checkmate!

2011-11-10T13:23:00.006Z

It's not often I splash out my hard-knitted cash on anything that isn't strictly necessary, but I had to have this:

It's a medieval style chess set, inspired by the famous Isle of Lewis chessmen. According to Wiki they were discovered in 1831 and were 12th century! You'll have to go to the British Museum in London, or the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, to see the originals, but you can buy these fabulous hand-made replicas from Ogg the Clever.

My tatty card chess board does not do them justice, so I'm gong to try to sweet talk my aunt. She has a lovely chess table which she's left to me in her will, but I clearly need it now ;-) The table (I must take a pic next time I visit) was handmade by my grandfather who was a master carpenter and builder and these pieces will look stunning on it.

Ogg the Clever has other versions too, I strongly recommend a visit to his shop. He says: "Each set is hand cast, painted, stained and lacquered to give a durable high quality result yet still retaining a certain ceramic and antique finish. They also all have hand cut soft felt bottoms, lucky things! The colours for this set are Moroccan Red for the dark and antique stone for the light.

The king is approx four inches in height which makes it a little higher than the ordinary Lewis sets and would suit a standard tournament board (not included I'm afraid) with squares about two inches or more."

Like I said - my aunt's table will be perfect! The fine details are amazing, it's like standing in an old church admiring the carving on the tombs (yep, my idea of good day out!)

Last Posting dates!

2011-11-05T11:27:00.005Z

It's official - the Christmas rush is underway! I only have the one pair of hands, so if I need to knit to order for you, the earlier you order the better, you can find my shops here :-)

According to Royal Mail, the last dates for shipping from the UK in time for Christmas are as follows (but PLEASE allow longer, especially if you need to ship your parcel on again to the lucky recipient!)

Mon 5th December: South & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Far East (including Japan), Australia and New Zealand

Fri 9th December: Eastern Europe, USA and Canada

Mon 12th December: Western Europe

UK - 20th December but I expect my fingers will have been worn to the bone long before then!

Look what I won!

2011-11-03T14:32:00.004Z

I was browsing for merchandising material last week, wondering about ordering some badges, when I came across a competition run by Awesome Merchandise. I can't resist trying for freebies, so I set to work. The task was to write a poem about (funnily enough) Awesome Merchandise.

Here's my entry (I know, it's not exactly Poet Laureate)

Banner, badge, keyring or card?
I can’t choose, it’s just too hard!
Caps would be cool, or maybe fridge magnets
I could even order some customised drumsticks

Lighters to wave at arms’ length at gigs
Or for hardened smokers, to light your cigs
Mugs for my coffee, picks for guitars
Mirrors for admiring myself from afar

Posters, postcards, stickers and shirts
There’s so much choice it almost hurts
Zipper pulls, flyers, canvas prints for my art
You’re awesome (you knew that!) you’re the one that I *heart*!

I didn't win (I know, you're surprised) but I did get a goody bag:

I have to say I'm impressed with the range and the quality. It's been 30 years or more since I last needed a lighter, and I confess I nearly set fire to myself trying out my freebie - yep, I held it upside down!

Thanks Awesome Merchandise!
I recommend keeping an eye on their facebook page in case they have any more competitions coming up.

something new, something old...

2011-10-30T16:01:00.004Z

nope, nothing for weddings, despite the misleading title!

Something old is a coupon code for Zibbet, it expires tomorrow so if you have been thinking about adding a meerkat or two to your shopping cart, use this code to get 15% off at checkout. All my Zibbet stock is "ready to ship", and the code is: IBTE03

Something new - due to be listed in all my shops during next week - a range of Christmas tree hanging decorations (all with meerkats, naturally!)

The first one went into Etsy today, he's hanging on a blue icicle!

I've also been adding bead eyes to my meerkat brooches this weekend:

They're also available as keychains, this one is only in Payvment so far. Don't forget there is an automatic 15% discount from that shop if you've "liked" my facebook business page.

Trek fun

2011-10-23T10:20:00.000+01:00

New facebook shop!

2011-10-22T10:05:00.005+01:00

keychain
Yay for another place to find meerkatty goodness!

I've been hard at work this last week uploading (or is it downloading? I'm never sure!) meerkats into my new payvment shop on facebook.

Everything there will be ready-to-ship and if you've "liked" my page you get an automatic 15% discount. Prices are in lovely British ££££ and shipping is a standard £2, or £3 overseas.

brooch
New - and so far unique to facebook - are my tiny meerkat brooches and keychain! Most of your favourites will be there, but if the one you want is missing please get in touch and I'll stick it on my to-knit list.

Find my new shop by clicking HERE

Creative descriptions 101

2011-10-16T13:44:00.008+01:00

So - having spent all that time last month editing for relevancy on Etsy they've now thrown another spanner in the works. Tara Gentile wrote a guest blog for Etsy which has got me thinking along new tracks - and begging for help!

I had previously thought my pictures dealt with the cute, while my words described the practical issues that a picture can't explain - how big it is, what it's made of, the fact that I wire my meerkats so they're not suitable for children.

Tara said sellers and buyers look at descriptions from different perspectives, and that a buyer wants to know how buying my product will enhance their life.

That's a pretty big ask...but I passed it on to my facebook friends. I'd already seen many Etsy descriptions describing critters who are "up for adoption" or "seeking good homes" and frankly that sort of thing really isn't me.

I challenged Chris, from Pickled Jamjars Creative Writing to write a new description for poor Alice in Wonderland Meerkat. She's been renewed several times but hasn't found a home *sobs glitter tears*

Here's what I'd originally written:

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I a handknitted Meerkat when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?'

Designed & knit in the clean, fresh, country air in Kent, the Garden of England (no cigarette, perfume or pet odors) Alice has been transformed into a Niftyknits original meerkat. She's around 7" tall (18cm) and wears a beautiful blue dress with full lacy petticoat. On her head she wears (of course) an Alice band.

Her outfit is complete with stripy stockings and bright red shoes.

None of Alice's clothes are removable. Like all Niftyknits meerkats she is made to my own pattern. Her back legs and tail have been wired to allow her to stand freely in the typical "tripod" stance.

***READY TO SHIP***

She is not suitable for small children due to small parts.

More meerkats ;

Meerkat greeting cards ;

Niftyknits Meerkats are wrapped in tissue paper and come with a signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity and a special edition Niftyknits fridge magnet.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

So - that was me. Not very interesting, practical and very repetitive if you've read several listings. This is what Chris suggested:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Oh, well hello I'm Alice, isn't my hair divine? I simply MUST tell you about this adventure I just had... You will believe me? Won't you? It simply wasn't a dream, I'm quite sure!

I saw this rabbit you see... Oh? It was white, with a watch! And absolutely had to had to follow him. And I fell. Oh how far and fast. Down and down. Where? A rabbit hole of course! Didn't I say?

And I found my self in a wonderful land... Called Wonderland! And there was a dodo, and twins, and spectacle birds, and a caterpillar, and a mad hatter, and I got big, and then small, and then big, and oh, oh, oh.... What did you say? I'm speaking too fast?

Well there is simply one solution! I will just have to come home and tell you!

******************************************************************************

Well just look at me! My hair, my little blue dress, and my collars, and petticoats, and tights and shoes, oh my shoes are to die for! Oh I'm doing it again! Aren't I? I'll show you when I arrive, please do have some tea on for me! Assam, milk, two sugar lumps! Oh and I adore shortbread if you have any? See you in a week or two!

******************************************************************************

and then my original "practical stuff" to finish. What do you think? Funnily enough Alice expired yesterday (no, not the actual Alice, the listing) so I'm about to edit her. Of course if she now sells I'll owe Chris commission ;-)

Here's Alice (edited to add she already had 2113 views, 39 admirers and has been in 9 Treasury lists (from before I made the changes), it'll be interesting to see what difference the changes make)

'Tis the season!

2011-10-12T16:55:00.002+01:00

Yes I know it's early...but a meerkat is for life, not just for Christmas! (pssst - turn your speakers on)

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

the north wind doth blow...

2011-10-08T14:35:00.010+01:00

Actually, I don't know which way the wind was blowing, but there was plenty of it on Wednesday at Broomhill Sands. Still no progress on moving home to the coast, so we're making do with lots of days out.

It wasn't exactly warm, but I stand by the Scandinavian proverb: There's no such thing as bad weather, only incorrect clothing.

These two guys were up and away in no time. From our perspective, it sometimes seemed as if the many surfers were bound to crash!

The kite surfers frequently lifted off the sea completely, but never when I was pointing the camera in their direction.

The gulls also seemed to be enjoying the wind, taking off effortlessly (as long as they were facing in the correct direction!) This one was picking up shellfish, flying up,dropping it down to the beach to crack open then retrieving his lunch.

I really liked the patterns the sea made in the sand as it retreated.

This next pattern would make a nice lacy knitted shawl!

Most of all - apart from enjoying watching all those surfers - we enjoyed feeling alone with nature.

A beach is for life, not just for summer!

New Meerkat Trekkie fan photos!

2011-10-04T12:00:00.003+01:00

My friend and meerkat-collector Barry has been to another convention!

Here's Barry introducing Jennifer Lien to meerkats Kes and Neelix

Armin Shimerman meeting meerkat Quark:

Trekkie meerkats are available from my shops on Etsy and Zibbet

and there are even more MeerTrekkie fan photos on my fanpage

Live long, and prosper!

Which reminds me...did you know I bought a Tshirt from the wonderful Leonard Nimoy's Etsy shop? You don't want to see a photo, do you? Really? Ok then...

My goodness we're careful in the UK

2011-09-27T10:33:00.005+01:00

I love wildflowers, let's see what's on the back of the packet...

hmmm - clover and soda, anyone?

Etsy relevancy - trying to become more relevant!

2011-09-05T15:08:00.008+01:00

Let me state from the start I am a long way from being an expert. This is just some notes on *MY* journey towards becoming more relevant since the recent changes. I'd be more than happy to hear your own thoughts - especially if your own investigation has reached entirely different conclusions.

I'm trying to think like a buyer.

When a buyer comes to Etsy, there are several ways to search. I think the main two ways are directly into the search bar, or by looking into categories. (Of course, we also hope to be found by people searching google - and that's a whole other story).

Search (not categories)

The key here seems to be to use the right words at the beginning of your title, and the right pairs or groupings of words. By "right words" I mean you need to try to match what your buyer is searching for. Etsy has changed the rules about "one tag, one word" because of relevancy, so if someone searches for "meerkat chef" and I have "Meerkat chef" at the beginning of my title, and as a tag, I will be more relevant than if I had "meerkat" as one tag and "chef" as another.

Looking at my shop stats has shown me which of my various tags are being successfully used by people who have found my shop. I have seen people on the forums saying they're switching to using those tags more and more - but I'd say almost the opposite. I'm more interested in the people who are NOT yet finding me.

Not surprisingly, many people find me using the term "star trek meerkat" but I think they probably already know about me. If I type "star trek meerkat" into the search bar it turns up 21 items - and guess what? They're all mine!

What about those people who've never heard of my work, and don't even know a star trek meerkat exists - but who may well like one if they find it by accident?

I brainstormed other possible searches for the same characters: star trek animals, scifi animal, science fiction animal, animal character and made sure I would be found on each of those searches by tweaking my tags and titles - and then on to the other meerkats. Yes, it's a long slow job.

Search by categories

Now this opens up a whole new can of beans. Obviously I'd like to be found in as many different categories as possible, so I've been investigating where my kats might fit.

Only ONE main top-level category can be chosen, but it seems you can then have as many sub-categories as you can fit (from that same top level category)

Browsing through "Categories" with a particular meerkat in mind makes it clear how complex this all is!

His top-level category could be "Art". This then gives 12 sub-categories, of which I think I could use "Fiber Art" or "Sculpture".

"Fiber Art" gives 9 sub-sub categories - Art Doll, Knitting, and Soft Sculpture are all possibilities.

If I'd gone with Sculpture, I could now select Animal or Fiber.

On the other hand - maybe I don't like Art as a top level.

Dolls and miniatures gives me even more possibilities to play with! Sub categories include animals, art doll, miniature, plush, soft sculpture, fantasy, anthropomorphic, figurines, geekery, weird, scifi - and it goes on.

The BIG ISSUE here is that tags for categories and sub-categories must be exact. So even though it's now fine for me to use "scifi animal" as a tag, because a buyer might use that phrase in a search and therefore I'd be more relevant - that tag will NOT mean I show up in the scifi or animals SubCategory. To do that, I need separate tags for each sub cat - one for scifi and and one for animals. It also matters, apparently, whether you put animal or animals with an "s".

Confused yet? Me too. So what I'm now trying to do is use some tags that focus on category searches and some that focus on "general" searches.

Anecdotal evidence suggests relevancy is also helped by being included in treasuries and favourites - so a few tags need reserving for that too! My treasury inclusions are often team-based, so I need to tag for teams, and colours, and themes...

And in my odd moments, I actually try to get some knitting done...

As I said in the beginning - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

*edited to add - handmadeology has a free download with relevancy checklist - click here

Shaggy dog tales

2011-08-24T17:04:00.004+01:00

Sassy
We're not known as dog-lovers, MrNifty and myself, but recently we've had a couple of close encounters!

Shaggy dog tale one:

On Monday in Herne Bay we were walking along the shore between house-viewings when we spotted someone/something swimming quite a way out, heading firmly diagonally away from the beach. As we got nearer we realised it was a dog, and a couple of young boys were calling to it. We didn't want to get involved - talking to kids who aren't your own isn't exactly popular these days.

We watched for a few minutes, then an old chap came along on a mobility scooter. He said the dog had been out there for half an hour or more. We asked the kids if they'd like us to ring the coastguard, or their parents, but they said the dog always comes back.

We walked on, turning back to look every now and then. Suddenly we heard the old man shouting at the kids that it was up to them, they had to go in the water to save the dog, it wouldn't last much longer - were they CHICKENS?

So we phoned the coastguards who said on no account let the children enter the water and that they'd be along.

We walked back, told them what we'd done - and then another family came along. In moments the father had stripped off and plunged into the water and swam out towards the dog...at which point his wife told us he was epileptic...

Fortunately it all ended happily, he caught up with the dog and turned it ashore, and then the coastguard arrived - but how badly could it have gone wrong?

The coastguard told us always always phone and report any similar situation - so I pass it on to you. In the UK dial 999 and ask for coastguard - let them decide what is necessary. They told us they've never lost a dog at sea yet, but they've lost several people who have attempted and failed to rescue dogs.

Sasha

Shaggy dog tale two was the very next day! We'd gone out walking locally, and almost immediately a dog started following us. It had a collar, but no contact details. Our planed route was through farm fields with sheep, so we tried to make it stay away. Someone in a garden said "Oh he's a nomad, he'll probably follow you, he's always out on his own"...and sure enough he did follow us, through several fields and finally on to a road which was supposed to take us home!

Fortunately, as we live in a farming area we soon found a piece of farming twine and made a lead, led the daft dog back to where we'd found it and this time we were able to give it the slip.

Patience and sunsets

2011-08-23T10:23:00.005+01:00

We had a hard day house-hunting yesterday, nothing much had gone right. We'd pre-booked 6 appointments, driven the hour or so to our potential new town and discovered 3 of the appointments had fallen through: someone had gone on holiday, one had sold, blah blah blah.

We managed to view a few more fortunately, but none seem as though they might be "the one".

One vendor was doing all she could to put us off...presumably it's her ex who is pushing for sale. Shades of Monty Python...
"Can we open the patio door?"
"It's broken"
"Is this an electric fire?"
"It's broken"
"What's this stain on the ceiling?"
"It's where the roof leaks"

Another property looked OK until we spotted the next-door neighbour with a queue of broken cars that he was doing up inches away from the house...noisily!

We had decided to eat in a wine bar we'd read good reviews for...guess what? It was closed.

So we thought we'd have fish and chips on the seafront...so it started to rain heavily! After fish and chips INSIDE, the rain eased off so we walked down the coast hoping for a decent sunset to finish the day on a good note.

Hmmm - nothing special. Maybe it'll get better?

OK I suppose - let's go home.

We started back towards the car, our backs now turned to the sunset. After a short while the light changed and we turned around... (you can enlarge the pics by clicking on them)

This last is my favourite, I love how the sun is reflected on the edges of the beach huts and path, showing the lines of perspective so clearly.

SO I guess the lesson for today is that it isn't over till it's over!

Star Trek and Monty Python in one, what's not to love?

2011-08-21T17:02:00.000+01:00

Pond life

2011-08-20T16:26:00.003+01:00

One of the things I'll really miss when we move is our pond.

Today I watched snails swimming along the surface UPSIDE DOWN which is ridiculous. It looks like they're pulling themselves along just on the surface tension of the water.

Next one isn't so nice - the water boatmen have been drowning tiny froglets and then snacking on them :-( MrNifty says it's nature's way but I prefer frogs to water boatmen.

We have tiny baby newts!

Don't know what this is, a larva of something or other, maybe a beetle? It's not a dragonfly or damselfly larva. It's wandering around with one end at the surface, breathing I assume. It's an inch or so long and I certainly didn't want it on my hand!

Even the meerkats like the pond :-)

FisherMeerkat

Why do I do it?

2011-08-11T16:03:00.001+01:00

(thanks to xkcd.com for the image)

Folkestone Triennial: the making of my favourite piece!

2011-08-08T12:06:00.000+01:00

I blogged last month about my stroll around Folkestone looking at the Triennial Art, and was later contacted with details of how the wonderful knitted wall came into being. Many thanks to Inferential Grin for permission to share their story and fabulous photos! I also got back on my favourite soapbox (What is Art?)...but more of that later!

The intention was to organise a community project that included rather than excluded the people of Folkestone and this was a beautiful project to launch. There were a few sleepless nights worrying about the amount of creations that would be received, but there were plenty from as far afield as Liverpool and France.

The knitted wall is actually two installations, "Flower Power" and "Sea Change". The slide show that follows has a *lot* of photos, but I found the process fascinating (and awe-inspiring!)

You may remember that part of my difficulty in deciding "What is Art?" is my feeling that to be "Art" rather than "craft" there needs to be a message - well, turns out this has not one but two!

Each flower, stem and leaf in "Flower Power" represents someone affected by domestic abuse in our communities.

'Sea Change' encourages us to look at the beauty of the place where we live.

There have been consequences! The Purl Queens have been invited to take part in yarn bombing for the Rugby World Cup which they have been busy making for, and a yarn shop in Canterbury have asked them to cover their building. It has been an extremely positive experience and has brought lots of people together in a lovely community way. We think Moda has become the most photographed building in Folkestone now and it makes us all very proud to be part of something beautiful.

This 'yarn bomb' is just one of many local artworks, made possible through the Fringe which is completely self funded. The exhibition continues through August and September (details on the website here) so if you're not too far from Folkestone, go go go!

Meanwhile...back to "What is Art?"

I apologised to Purl Queen for saying the knitted wall wasn't Art, explaining that I thought part of my reason was that I'm a knitter. So if *I* could knit flowers too - then it wasn't Art. With hindsight that sounds a bit like traditional British self-deprecation! More to come ... and I've changed my mind. How can a work of such beauty, skill and purpose *not* be Art?

wordle

2011-08-06T10:01:00.013+01:00

I've been working on SEO - or trying to. My goodness it's boring. I did find one tool that made it more fun though - I used it ages ago but had forgotten all about wordle.

I'm hopingI'll be able to see if or how they differ for each of my shops. Here's my Etsy cloud (you can make the pictures bigger by clicking on them):

Some words are bigger: that's because I've used them more often. No surprise that "meerkat" figures loud and large, but I was surprised by "cigarette" and "perfume" top and centre. They've been picked up from my announcement that my knits will not smell of pets or tobacco or perfume.

Folksy:

"Flower" is looming large because I've let my folksy shop dwindle rather, only 20 or so items here now - and it's favouring the flower pincushion, probably because I published free instructions.

and finally Zibbet:

I suspect the Zibbet feed is working on different information, because it's showing my section names. I'm puzzled by "yarn-strain", bottom centre. What on earth was I talking about?

Make your own wordle here. In case you're wondering how I put pics of my wordles on here, I used "print screen" to turn them into jpg files.

Look what I won!

2011-07-30T14:55:00.004+01:00

I'm a big fan of blog giveaways - and you can't win unless you enter, so I enter LOTS!

I was lucky enough to win these fun earrings from the poetess wug and they just came today, sailing all the way across the pond. They came beautifully packaged and boxed and tied with a ribbon (yes, I really should have photographed that, but I was too keen to see the earrings!)

I love Debbie's philosophy expressed in her profile: "I give so much attention to my projects that are made from LEFTOVER yarn is because of a desire not to waste materials in a world that seems to want to throw everything away and move on to the next and newest thing..." I agree - I get extra joy when I finish a project using yarn or buttons and beads from my stash, I feel "worthy" somehow!

Please check out Debbie's shop wuglyees and stop by her blog and enjoy her musings - complete with poems. Who knows, you might be the next winner...

More MeerTrekkies going boldly to a Star Trek Convention!

2011-07-23T16:43:00.006+01:00

Barry is my best customer - he takes his meerkats to meet their real-life counterparts at SciFiCons!

Here are the latest stars:

Meerkats Chekov and Data meet Walter Koenig who of course played Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov

MeerTrekkies meet Brent Spiner who played Lieutenant Commander Data.

If you missed the pics of previous meerkats at conventions click here, and just in case anyone makes the usual mistake - no, I'm not the handsome tall chap with the meerkats. That's Barry. I'm short and female!

Star Trek Meerkats available from my shops at Zibbet Etsy or Folksy

Customer service?... and we're people magnets AGAIN!

2011-07-22T18:02:00.006+01:00

Mr Nifty and I were hospital visiting yesterday, his 94 year old mother is enduring being patronised by medics like the stoic that ladies of her generation inevitably are.

We decided to eat out before the long drive home, but the pub we had chosen is next to the racecourse, so had a "guard" on the gate to make sure we weren't just trying to get free parking by charging us £10 (refundable against a meal).

Not too much of a problem, we thought, as we wanted to eat. After the expected wait, two meals approached...but Mr Nifty's was not what he'd ordered. There was much discussion amongst the waiters - which we could hear! Oh yes, we'd definitely ordered that....but we hadn't. Not a good start.

They'd left my meal on the table, so we started sharing the chips while we waited for them to sort out the problem. The chef came over, and explained at length that he'd have to remove my meal as Mr Nifty's needed cooking from scratch and of course we'd want to eat together.

At this point, an offer of a free starter (or a drink) would have been welcome...but no.

So we waited.

The waiters continued to discuss the "fact" that we'd definitely ordered the dish we hadn't ordered.

The restaurant section was almost empty...but another "table for 2" arrived...and guess where they were seated? RIGHT NEXT TO US! Why?

Our meals came, they were ok. We ate, we left.

Guess how big a tip we left?

I decided this would be a lesson in customer service ... how not to do it!

We're people magnets

2011-07-13T17:52:00.004+01:00

Mr Nifty and I are desperate to move to the sea, but the property market isn't exactly buoyant right now. So while we're waiting for that elusive house-buyer, we have lots and lots of days out.

(click on pic to enlarge)

Today we walked along the cliffs at St Margarets Bay, just along from the famous white cliffs of Dover. not many people about - but while we picnicked, the people in the distance approached and sat down close enough to touch. WHY?!?!?!?!?! See all that empty countryside? What's so special about where we're sitting?

As I say - we're people magnets.

Folkestone Triennial - is it ART?

2011-07-10T19:16:00.017+01:00

So we're back to an old favourite - what is "Art"? I rambled about Banksy way back in May so you'll know I'm not exactly qualified as an expert - I'm not even sure what I like, and even less sure about what I think is "Art"!

However, I'm always up for a day at the sea, so we headed off to Folkestone to check out their Triennial which runs till September 25th. We wandered around looking at installations (with a brief break for a picnic by the sea, of course) and didn't manage to see everything in almost 5 hours - so be prepared! There is a map showing the permanent exhibits and those that are new for this year, but the first piece I spotted was neither, and had no "label" telling me who it was by. I liked it though - especially as it had a conveniently meerkat-sized nostril!

We straight away hit my "problem" with Art. I like this - Folkestone is surrounded by farmland and of course the harbour, so an animal with steampunk-like components seemed very apt to me. But I don't know what the artist intended. I believe Art is a collaboration, a communication between Artist and Audience. I'm not even quite sure what I mean by that though! I suppose i mean there needs to be a message of some sort - but is what I *think* I've understood by the piece the same message that the Artist was intending? And does it matter anyway?

The next piece didn't seem to be on the map either, but as a knitter I loved it and I'm not sure it needs to say anything more than knitting is fun!
*edited* I've just been advised that the next piece is 'Yarn Bomb' by Purl Queens for the Folkestone Triennial Fringe. It's a communal art project for the Inferential Grin - The Triennial Fringe which is organised and funded by the 'Johnny Cotter Gallery' and the building landlord. Thank you Purl Queens and Inferential Grin :-)

We knew we had to see the Folkestone Mermaid by Cornelia Parker, but I was disappointed to only see her from the back. Maybe the front aspect can be seen when the tide is out.

It's beautiful I think - though I've read quite a few negative comments mostly based around "how can it be a mermaid, where's her tail?" and I know that's the first thing many children would ask. When I read how it was made, I had more questions still.

This is taken from Kentonline, you can read the full article here :

"Painting quick setting latex on to her body and then plastering over the top, Cornelia cast Georgina’s back first, then did her front, legs and arms and finally her head. All the while Georgina had to sit motionless, striking the same pose on a granite rock."

So - back to my "What is Art?" question. Cornelia has used Georgina's actual body, and the pose from the Copenhagen mermaid. So is it Art? And who is the artist? Seems to be that Georgina (the model) has done a lot of the work! (No offence intended to Cornelia - I think it's lovely, I'm just trying to understand my own confusion)

I was really pleased to hear Cornelia say: "I like that about Art, that it's very hard to understand what it's for." I don't feel quite so inadequate now!

The next piece threw me completely. I had read that there were several Tracey Emin pieces, but only realised I was looking at one when I saw someone else taking a photo.

Had it not been for the other photographer, I would have seen this as a genuine lost baby shoe. Her other pieces are similar, there's a mitten on a railing

a little cardigan

and others. But why? To me, the knitted pieces in particular looked as if they were actual garments dipped in plaster of paris - though actually they're bronzes. They're quite fun because they fooled me at first, I thought they were real. I've often seen lost baby clothes that a kind passerby has picked up and displayed prominently in the hope that they're found - but is it Art?

This is the description from the website: "Tracey Emin’s art is one of disclosure, using events from her personal life as inspiration for her work. ‘Baby Things’, Emin’s perfect bronze simulacra of baby clothes can be found tucked underneath benches, hanging from railings and lying by a kerb. Exuding an aura of the forlorn and dejected, they are poignant reminders of Folkestone’s high teenage pregnancy rate, which is similar to that of Margate, Emin’s home town."

Sorry - can't see it. I would never have understood that without reading about it.

There are so many many more pieces - but we rather liked this one because we could *do* something. It's also the only piece that resulted in a conversation with other people.

From the website: "Dolven’s installation features a 16th-century tenor bell from Scraptoft Church in Leicestershire, which had been removed for not being in tune with the others. It will be suspended from a steel cable strung between two 20m high steel beams, placed 30m apart. The bell can be rung by visitors using a traditional rope bell-pull."

The poor lady who'd got there before us thought she'd broken it - she hadn't seen the sign that said you have to wait two minutes between pulls!

The website also explains "Since the 1990s Norwegian artist A K Dolven has worked with the idea of being at odds with one’s surroundings" so maybe that's why I liked this - I'm at odds with Art!

Real live meerkats!

2011-07-07T10:09:00.008+01:00

We went to Drusillas a few weeks ago, the meerkats were determined to sleep through most of our visit but we did manage to find them awake briefly!

I like this next pic - they're either playing at being bookends or it's a pushmepullyou meerkat!

I wonder what you have to do to get to be the one in the middle?
He'll certainly be warm!

Ouch! I hurt my paw!

There is a crawl tunnel (child size!) which emerges in a perspex viewing bubble - it was a bit of a struggle, but I made it in there.

Didn't trample on too many children. Sadly, too many of them had scratched their little names on the perspex for it to be very good for viewing.

Andre Rieu - my aunt's musical hero!

2011-07-06T16:57:00.005+01:00

My aunt has an ever-growing collection of DVDs featuring charismatic Dutch Violinist Andre Rieu and his orchestra. She asked me to look up the prices of tickets to his concerts...and I was staggered to see some seats are ONE THOUSAND POUNDS!

So we won't be attending, not unless there is a lottery win quite soon ;-)

But I did the next best thing... meerkatted him!

Can you tell which is which?

Andre Rieu Meerkat (and much more) can be found in my Zibbet shop, and this week you can get 20% discount by entering a code HYVWE7 at checkout. 20% off any item (or items!), $10 minimum, in my Zibbet shop only *click here*

Wimbledon Weekend

2011-07-01T09:27:00.006+01:00

Who better to commentate on the finals than your very own Tennis Ace Meerkat? I'm including a free matching greeting card this year, and have updated the Kat (by popular request) so that his clothes are removable. Don't ask...

See more pics in my Zibbet shop

Want to upcycle those little glass dessert pots?

2011-06-28T09:03:00.000+01:00

Or maybe you just want an excuse to buy more? In case you haven't fallen for Gu desserts (really?), you could use any similar sized jar. They are about 3 inches across.
I love a bargain, so I've been indulging in some special offer desserts that come in little glass jars - but now I have a stash of little glass jars! I can't bring myself to throw them away and I've already seen quite a few in charity shops, so I decided it was time to think of a way to use them *drumroll* so I've got a couple of free patterns for you!

The jars are a perfect size for storing little bits and bobs, but have no lids. I've designed pin cushions which fit snuggly over the rim of the jar and keeping the contents safe at the same time. They don't take much yarn and are quick and easy to knit.

I've added flowers made on my flower loom, but you could use buttons, beads or shop-bought flowers - anything you fancy!

This pattern is for the pink/purple version. I like the contrasting colours, and it's a good stash-buster!

I used double-knit yarn and UK size 9 needles (3.75mm US size 5), but it's not too important. It's knitted in rows, and uses stocking stitch (1st row knit, 2nd row purl). All increasing is by knitting into front and back of same stitch, all decreasing is by knitting 2 together. You'll also need some filling - cotton wool would do if you don't have toy filling) and a short length of cord elastic.

Cast on 5 stitches in your main colour.
row 1: increase by knitting into front and back of next stitch (I'll call this "inc 1" in future), repeat to end = 10 stitches
row 2: purl
row 3: (K1, inc1) repeat to end = 15 stitches
row 4: purl
row 5: (K2, inc 1) repeat to end = 20 stitches
row 6: purl
row 7: (K3, inc 1) repeat to end = 25 stitches
row 8: purl
row 9: (K4, inc1) repeat to end = 30 stitches
row 10: purl
row 11: (K5, inc1) repeat to end = 35 stitches
row 12: purl
row 13: (K6, inc1) repeat to end = 40 stitches
row 14: purl
row 15: (K7, inc1) repeat to end = 45 stitches
row 16: purl
row 17: (K8, inc1) repeat to end = 50 stitches

Then work 3 rows stocking stitch. This will give you a height of about 4 inches including an inch and a half of jar. If you want it to be taller, work more rows.

Now decrease back to 10 stitches following the same structure:
row 21: (K8, K2 tog) to end = 45 stitches
row 22: purl
row 23: (K7, K2 tog) to end = 40 stitches
row 24: purl
row 25: (K6, K2 tog) to end = 35 stitches
row 26: purl
row 27: (K5, K2 tog) to end = 30 stitches
row 28: purl
row 29: (K4, K2 tog) to end = 25 stitches
row 30: purl
row 31: (K3, K2 tog) to end = 20 stitches
row 32: purl
row 33: (K2, K2 tog) to end = 15 stitches
row 34: purl
row 35: (K1, K2 tog) to end = 10 stitches

Cut yarn leaving long end, thread on sewing needle and pull through last 10 stitches. Sew row ends together but stuff before fastening seam completely.

Take a few last stitches back and forth between top and bottom to draw into a slight doughnut shape, this helps to bulge out the "equator" and sit more snugly.

Now for the bottom strip.
Cast on 50 stitches (in contrasting colour if you wish)
row 1: knit
row 2: purl
row 3: knit
row 4: purl
row 5: purl *this is not a mistake! it will give a useful purl ridge for threading the elastic.
row 6: purl
row 7: knit
row 8: purl
cast off, leave a long end.

Fold in half at the purl ridge and stitch to form one double strip.

Now measure a length of elastic long enough to go round the rim of the jar and enough over to knot securely - around 12 inches should do it. Using a needle, thread the elastic in and out of the purl ridge (I said it'd be useful!).

Place on jar and knot to fit, then stitch the two ends of the strip together. You can tuck the knotted end of the elastic inside at this point if you remember!

With the other edge of the elasticated strip pointing up from the rim, seat the other section on top and stitch in place. This is what it looks like without the jar from underneath (note it's the other colour variation) - actually, it works well as a pincushion without the jar, but that rather defeats the point of my plan to upcycle them!

Finally, embellish and make beautiful and fill your jar with bits and bobs!

More free patterns (including the green cactus shown here) available on my patterns page *click here*

Can't knit? Buy one from my folksy shop

Cactus pincushion knitting pattern ...

2011-06-22T13:18:00.003+01:00

... to upcycle those little glass Gu jars you're hoarding!

I love a bargain, so I've been indulging in some special offer desserts that come in little glass jars - but now I have a stash of little glass jars! I can't bring myself to throw them away and I've already seen quite a few in charity shops, so I decided it was time to think of a way to use them *drumroll* so I've got a couple of free patterns for you! Please feel free to pass on the link and to make them for yourself or as gifts. The meerkats will not look kindly on anyone trying to pass the pattern off as their own, or offering my designs for sale.

The jars are a perfect size for storing little bits and bobs, but have no lids. I've designed pin cushions which fit snuggly over the rim of the jar and keeping the contents safe at the same time. They don't take much yarn and are quick and easy to knit.

I've added flowers made on my flower loom, but you could use buttons, beads or shop-bought flowers - anything you fancy!

I used double-knit yarn and UK size 9 needles (3.75mm US size 5), but it's not too important. It's knitted in rows, and uses stocking stitch (1st row knit, 2nd row purl). All increasing is by knitting into front and back of same stitch. You'll also need some filling (cotton wool or old washed tights would do if you don't have toy filling) and a short length of cord elastic.

Cast on 25 stitches.
row 1: knit (K)
row 2: purl (P) *note* I like to knit the 1st and last stitch of purl rows. It isn't essential but helps with sewing up. don't worry if you forget!
row 3: K
row 4: K
row 5: K
row 6: P

rows 3-6 form the pattern. Repeat 14 times more (or until it is wide enough to go round the rim of your jar), cast off leaving a long end to sew cast on and cast off edges together to form a tube.

Thread your elastic through the stitches at one end of the tube - this is where those knit stitches at the ends of the purl rows become useful.

Knot the elastic after checking it for size on the jar. Leave that section aside and knit the circular base:

Cast on 5
row 1: (knit into front and back of stitch) repeat to end = 10 stitches (I'll be calling this "inc 1")
row 2: Purl
row 3: (K1, inc 1) repeat to end = 15 stitches
row 4: Purl
row 5: (inc 1) repeat to end = 30 stitches
row 6: Purl
row 7: (K1, inc 1) repeat to end = 45 stitches
row 8: purl
cast off

Stitch edges together to make a rough circle.

The next part is the only slightly tricky bit - tricky for me to explain! Your tube should still be on the jar. Thinking of your jar as shoulders, and the tube of knitting as a long polo neck - now roll or push the polo neck down over the shoulders, revealing the top edge of the jar but keeping the lowest elasticated section of knit still in place. (Told you it was hard to explain!)

You are now going to stitch into place the lower circular base of your cactus, the bit that will stop your filling falling into the jar. In the picture below, I'm holding the jar with the rolled-down "polo neck" while stitching the circle. There's probably a better way to do this, but hey - it works! This *might* be why I'm not a pattern-writer.

Once that's in place, roll your polo-neck back up and stuff!

Draw a thread through the end stitches of what is now the top to close your cactus.

Embellish with buttons/flowers of your choice and fill your jar!

More Niftyknits patterns available here.

And if you don't fancy knitting, I've just listed them in my folksy shop *click here*

Who knows how long I've loved you?

2011-06-19T09:56:00.008+01:00

"Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to, I will.

For if I ever saw you
I didn't catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
Oh, you know, I will
I will."

Listened to this song this morning with the father of my children (It's Fathers Day, it was one of his gifts)

It doesn't "really" fit - we met in 1977 so I'm pretty familiar with his name by now - but it's such a sweet song. I turned to Etsy to make a treasury - but funnily enough there isn't much based around the White Album, so I used Sgt Pepper instead (and then found my two favourite pieces weren't even listed!) Here's the first...

Sgt Pepper Cats by QuernusCrafts

and here's the treasury:

'Listening to the Beatles with the father of our children on Fathers Day' by niftyknits

What could be better?

The Beatles Set dangercatdolls $70.00	The Beatles Sgt. Pe... thependantempo... $8.95	Beatles Guitar Pick... SurroundingsOn... $14.95	SALE Sgt Pepper'... MaskedRabbitCr... $39.99
Applause Sgt. Peppe... cohensgramma $35.00	John Lennon Mouse -... TheHouseOfMous... $35.00	Ringo Starr Sublimations $40.00	White Album, George... sanddan0593 $15.00
Sgt Pepper hartelart $30.00	Doll Clothes Beatle... enchanteddesig... $93.00	SALE St Pepper Lone... AtomicStitches $23.00	1960s Sgt. Pepper B... NeonMamacitaVi... $110.00
The Beatles Sgt. Pe... TNZsculptures $250.00	BEATLES - Sgt Peppe... itsourearth $24.99	Orange 70s Retro ... myclosetshelf $15.50	Beatles Sgt. Pepper... quiltnips $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

and my other favourite... sold by TheHouseOfMouse

So that's where wool comes from

2011-06-17T09:50:00.008+01:00

Our local farm Silcocks had an open day last weekend and we never have to think twice about sampling their hog roast.

I did feel a bit mean when I saw the cute piglets, but I'm not a veggie and Silcocks home-grown organic meat is delicious.

The shearer was hard at work in one of the barns. I hadn't realised he would work suspended in a sling, but I guess all the bending would wreck his back otherwise. He was very quick!

The shearer almost tripped as he moved to the next sheep - he'd actually already started shearing again by the time I'd taken the next shot of the departing sheep.

I like this shot - look at the sheep at the back, pondering whether they're next, and wondering what that chap is doing with their fleece!

Mmmmm, how cute are these little piglets?! They've just started using twitter (the farm, not the piglets), so if you want to find out when the next open farm Day is, I suggest following them here @silcocksfarm

UK Handmade feature!

2011-06-11T15:53:00.002+01:00

A few weeks ago Kirsten (yes, Graham the snail's very own Kirsten!) interviewed me for UK Handmade. You can read the article here *click* ...there's cake ;-)

Well, not actually cake. But there is a discount code :-)

Astounding Knits!

2011-06-09T08:14:00.011+01:00

I was contacted recently by the publishers of a new book "Astounding Knits!" who thought I might like to share it with you - all I can say is "Hands off!"

I knew I was going to enjoy it because the press release mentioned the wonderful aKNITomy.etsy whose knitted dissection specimens I've long admired. Whoever would have imagined that a disembowelled frog could be as cute as this?

There are other wonderful projects that are completely new to me, and some that I'm familiar with from flickr, facebook, blogs, websites. Some I've blogged about before- remember the Mersham knitted village? I bought one of those knitted houses, the photo below shows me holding it in front of the genuine house!

Here's the house itself. Formerly part of the fundraising village knitted by the local Women's Institute, I bought it when the collection was broken up. My knitted koala snuck into shot...

I wasn't surprised to see Althea Crome included, her tiny tiny sweaters are legendary! Coraline is one of my all-time favourite books, so I haven't seen the film for fear of it not living up to my imagination. There's no doubt, however, that her tiny sweater (designed and knitted by Althea of bugknits is all I'd hoped for.

I already knew about this amazing anatomically correct childbirth Education doll by CozyColeman.

We'd "met" in the Regretsy book last year which also featured my Meerkat Nativity.
There are links in the book so naturally I whiled away an hour or two looking at websites. I discovered what I thought was a pretty beaded bracelet, but it's much more - it's a knitting abacus by CozyColeman, a brilliant invention for anyone who needs to keep track of their rows and stitches.

Why didn't I think of that? (Funnily enough, I *kept* having that thought as I discovered more and more Astounding Knits!)

A knit that took me totally by surprise was Dave Cole's giant American flag, knitted using excavators. I am so glad he put this on youtube, the process is appropriately astounding!

I loved the Belgian Natural gas advert - again, seeing the process just adds to my enjoyment.

So many knits, so many different styles - I think you'll be as astounded as I am, whether you're a knitter or not! For your copy, more photos and links to many more of the featured artists visit astoundingknits.blogspot.com/

Meerkats boldly going to SciFi Convention!

2011-06-03T09:51:00.005+01:00

Oh my - I'm so excited!

Do you remember when I told you about meerkat-fan Barry who took Scotty Meerkat to meet William Shatner?

You don't?

Here you are then *click here to see the photo*

Barry's just been to another convention - and just look!!!!

Photo above is Barry with LeVar Burton, who plays Geordi LaForge in Star Trek TNG and of course his mini-me Meerkat.

Next is the very lovely Nicole de Boer who plays Ezri Dax in Star Trek DS9 - she looks as if she quite likes being a meerkat!

And finally - LeVar again, this time with 3 MeerTrekies: Dr Beverly Crusher, Geordi, and Ezri. Both humans look like they're having fun! I can't thank Barry enough for getting (and sharing!) these photos, it's almost like I'm really there!

MeerTrekkies available from each of my shops, links at the top of the page or click here

Photography workshop

2011-06-01T14:29:00.012+01:00

I've just been listening to Etsy success photography workshop and thought I'd share it here (so I can find it again!)

Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com

etsy on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

funny birds - or a car wash?

2011-05-31T17:02:00.001+01:00

I always "expect the unexpected" in Brighton, especially at Festival time - but this stopped me in my tracks!

I wish I'd been there for the installation of this work "Droles d'oiseaux" as I now realise they were painted during a procession by boiler-suited house-painters standing on the roofs!

I just thought it was a new type of car wash...

I'm a poster-girl!

2011-05-30T09:55:00.003+01:00

You'd have to have been there, probably...but we spotted a poster for an upcoming beer festival. Looking closely, Mr Nifty and I are immortalized in the centre of the three bottom photos taken on a previous year! do you think they'll give us a free pint on the strength of that?

feed me, feeeeeed meeee!

2011-05-28T12:58:00.012+01:00

You can (in fact I insist!) click on each photo to enlarge it. Otherwise, basically, it's a lot of white and black birds with camouflaged chicks.

We went back to Rye Harbour Nature reserve to see if the chicks had hatched. Oh yes indeed they had - with a vengeance. My goodness they're noisy!

There was a constant coming and going of adult birds, fetching food. Each time a parent landed its chicks would surround the parent, chasing it round and round. Eventually the parent seemed to say "You kids are making me sick with all this chasing around" and then...yup, it'd throw up. And the kids would gulp down HUGE chunks of regurgitated food. Yum. The chick in the foreground of the picture above had herded its parent away from the other chicks so it got the whole meal. Resourceful - he'll go far!

The chick in the middle of the shot was jumping up and down flapping his pathetic little excuses for wings "Look mum, I'm flying!"

Can you see the three birds in the middle of the picture below? They're a different breed - and WE NOTICED! much slimmer, black cap instead of black head, red beaks - they're common terns, the others are black-headed gulls. *is birdspotter*

However - *is not **good** birdspotter* - don't know what this is, a duck of some sort I think, but he had a fine time trying to get this fish down his throat. Eyes bigger than beak.

New greeting cards!

2011-05-27T19:13:00.003+01:00

I really like designing cards, but I always want to make so many different ones that I end up with only 1 or 2 of each design - so if you want one of these, you'd better be quick! Only some of the new cards are listed so far today, and only on Zibbet at the moment.

Here's my greeting card section

Why?

2011-05-25T18:38:00.004+01:00

I'm accustomed to answering "What do you do?" but yesterday Megan Auman (business oracle!) suggested that "Why?" is the more important question.

She says "people don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it" and that got me thinking.

I'll have a cup of tea while you read her article here: http://www.craftmba.com/2011/05/17/standing-out-by-starting-with-why/

There are lots of answers of course.

One is that I pay my bills by selling my work :-)

But *why* do I do precisely what I do? Why do I knit meerkats, why do I put them in costumes? some of that is answered in my "About Me" page here, but the short answer is that I have found my niche. I started knitting all sorts of things, but it's the meerkats that people most often buy, and they like being able to "design their own". Many of my meerkats started life as commissions, some then find many more buyers, some don't.

Megan goes on to say that "companies that start with WHY – a belief, cause, or idea beyond what they make – build loyal fans for life"

I'd be stretching it a bit to say I have a belief or cause behind my kats, but I do have loyal repeat buyers. Maybe I do have a belief? I always say if it isn't fun, I won't do it. I like to think my sense of fun shows through - maybe it's that childlike enjoyment that keeps people coming back? Maybe it's that head-shaking wonder - what on earth will she make next?

I don't know - but as long as it continues to be fun for me and fun for you, here's to the future!

I'm still interested though - Why do you do what you do? Do you really care why people you buy from do what they do?

I'd love to hear your answers!

Foraging for sharks' teeth

2011-05-25T17:01:00.009+01:00

We went house-hunting again today, but as it was low tide we started off by visiting Beltinge beach, supposedly one of the best places in Britain to find fossil sharks teeth.

According to the article I linked to above, it's best to kneel or bend down. I soon discovered what happens when you sit on wet shingle!

We were not at all sure we'd find what we were looking for - but MrNifty found the first tooth very quickly, then (luckily!) I found one. We'd have been there all day if I hadn't been successful too! I photographed the first two in my wedding ring to show how tiny they are.

We had an uninvited guest at our picnic lunch:

After lunch we both managed to find another tooth before heading off househunting. You'll be pleased to hear I changed out of my wet shorts! It's quite amazing to think these teeth are from so very long ago - 54 million years according to my link !

Makes me feel quite young ;-)

here's hoping we can move to the sea sooooooon!

We're on an album cover!

2011-05-19T12:04:00.007+01:00

Now I *really* didn't expect this to happen, but a while back Malcolm from Talking Elephant saw my knitted Morris Dancers in my Niftyknits flickr photostream, and asked permission to use one on the cover. Naturally enough I leapt at the opportunity, and sent him some more!

Funnily enough it turns out Malcolm and I could have met at Tenterden Folk Festival where I used to have a craft stall, and he has a music stall. I shall certainly make a point of seeking him out this Autumn!

My little dancers are discontinued now (the meerkats took over) but I have just three Morris Dancers remaining in stock and on sale at greatly reduced prices in my zibbet shop *click here*

Moral? You never know who's watching you! Thanks Malcolm, I'm enjoying listening to the music :-)

We've been Gokked!

2011-05-16T09:42:00.004+01:00

I've been working hard at giving my site a makeover all weekend, what do you think?

*Pause for compliments* :-)

All those lovely new pages :-)

I've also been knitting new designs and preparing some new greetings cards for the printer...so watch this space!

Life without blogger?

2011-05-14T08:16:00.003+01:00

Goodness me it was stressy yesterday when blogger spontaneously exploded. Personally I think it was because my last post (which vanished for a day) featured Ming the Merciless Meerkat. Maybe blogger's meltdown was the beginning of the annihilation of the Earth?

If you were one of the many joining the panic on twitter or facebook, I recommend making sure you are following their updates!

Blogger buzz

@blogger on twitter

blogger status

blogger help forum

I'm going to be giving my blog a facelift over the next week or two, it's high time I used more of the available features. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you!

So far all I've done is switch to 3 columns (and one of those is empty as yet!) but I'm planning on getting more organised, creating more pages so my shop contact details are more accessible and generally decluttering.

I *might* separate out the blog posts into categories, but I'm not sure how easy that would be or even if it's worthwhile. I enjoy posting randomly, mostly because I don't usually enjoy reading blogs that are *only* about the particular blogger's craft and shop. I like to feel I'm getting to know someone through their blog - and I hope you do too!

FLASH! Aaaa aaaaa....

2011-05-12T17:20:00.000+01:00

"What should I wear to save the universe, Dale?"

*evil laugh*
"What fools these earthlings are!
One twiddle of my moustache and she'll be mine!"

"Get behind me Dale, I'll save you!"

"But Flash - you'll never get the stains out of that white shirt.
Wear the other one"

"Flash, I love you - but we only have 14 hours to save the world!"

At the moment, Flash and Dale are in my Zibbet store,
Ming is in my Etsy store. Cards coming soon!

Toast and otters - what's not to love?

2011-05-11T06:50:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Louloute and toast lovers everywhere - be safe, people.

Plants versus Zombies

2011-05-10T15:52:00.007+01:00

When I made some PvZ knits I thought I was addicted to the game - but I was a mere beginner. Now I *know* I'm addicted...

Only 12 times? Really?

I spend more time tending my Zen Garden than my real one.
Not *quite* a million dollars in the pot? (It won't go any further!)

Survival Endless is a little worrying, only 18 flags - maybe I'd better try again?

The last two Endless puzzles need more work too - I'm slacking.

They even have their own section in my Zibbet shop...scary! Click here

Oh yes, my son plays keyboards with his foot...

2011-05-07T10:08:00.003+01:00

LOL I attended many many music lessons with him when he was a kid, and I don't remember that technique. Great to see so much energy! Tim Booth has no spine, I swear - how on earth does he move like that?

Ooooh we got another parcel!

2011-05-05T16:00:00.001+01:00

*WARNING* not suitable for those of a nervous disposition ;-)

As you may have read, the meerkats were very excited recently when Graham the snail came visiting, so they were extremely pleased when the postman delivered a parcel. Maybe Graham is back?

As it was such a sunny day we took the parcel out to the decking.

I can see little pink ears! (it's not Graham the snail then!)

I think he's asleep, look at his little closed eyes - let's lift him out.

Oh good grief - a severed head! HELP! HELP!

Quick - get behind the box - I hear rustling - HELP!

Fortunately a Superhero was at hand - and as Axel the Executioner Mouse leapt out of his box Thor Meerkat stepped firmly forward, hammer poised to deal a deadly blow...

Luckily Niftyknits was also around (well, honestly - who do you think took the photos?) and lifted Axel and the severed head out of the way. After seeing he was poised above the pond, Axel promised he'd retire from executing, and only use his axe for chopping logs in future.

We were last month's mouse-winner from the blog of the House of Mouse - why not enter and see if you're as lucky as us? If you can't wait then head over to the House of Mouse and buy one!

Art? Graffiti? Banksy?

2011-05-04T13:29:00.000+01:00

While we were in Brighton this week our son suggested we went to see the Banksy on a pub wall near where he lives.

Brighton has loads of street art (or graffiti, depending on your point of view) and I've shared photos of it before *click here*

Banksy, however, is considered a *real* artist and commands very high prices - which got me thinking about "Art", as we wandered the streets looking for the Prince Albert pub, site of the "Art" in question.

First we spotted John Peel. He's especially famous in our family. Many many years ago (1983) at stupid o'clock in the morning he played a track by my brother, who was briefly with "Those Attractive Magnets". (Incidentally I still have a mint copy of "night life", feel free to make me an offer!)

I don't know who painted John Peel - neither do I know who painted this:

But this is what we'd come to see:

I've only just noticed my reflection in the policemen's trousers - do you think it adds to the image? Here it is again, without me!

As you see, it's been covered with perspex and framed because it'd been vandalised. Vandalised? Yes, apparently someone had painted graffiti on it...

Hmmm.

I don't know the back story - feel free to explain in a comment if you know. It is of course a political piece - Brighton is the gay capital of the UK and this image of gay policemen was painted in 2004. It wasn't until 2007 that uniformed gay policemen were allowed to take part in Brighton's Gay Pride march.

As I took my photo, a barman rolled out a barrel from the pub and stopped to chat. He explained that what I was photographing wasn't actually the "real" Banksy, it was a copy. The "real" one has been removed and is for sale!

This got my brain ticking further. Who "owns" street art? Presumably Banksy wasn't commissioned by the publican, I imagine he painted it as a statement and intended it for all to see and react to. To my mind, Art is a conversation between artist and audience - this is why I never understand so-called Art painted by elephants or copies of Old Masters. OK so maybe they're pretty, but there is no dialogue.

Leaving that aside - I was happily photographing a fake. And I wasn't the only photographer, even in the brief minute I stood there.

Who would get the money? I googled, and apparently it's likely to make a million pounds. The publican says it'll go to maintain the pub.

Does it matter that the one now on show is a fake? I wouldn't have known if the barman hadn't been feeling chatty. Would you have known?

The newest Banksy is apparently in London. Westminster Council removed the last one (it didn't have planning permission) so hurry up if you want to see it!

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Personally, I enjoy street art and think it brightens up our urban environment. I totally understand why the publican would want to capitalise on his luck - but at the same time I think the Art deserves to stay where it is for all to experience. At the same time though, I would have been just as happy with the copy because I wouldn't have known. But now...I *do* know. I don't like it when people copy my own work. But this isn't about what the Artist himself thinks, he hasn't (as far as I know) given an opinion. He's painted, expressed himself, moved on.

Street Art by its very nature is ephemeral. A Graffiti Artist knows the council may remove his work at any time. If he wanted it to be permanent, he'd buy a canvas, wouldn't he?

And yet - oh I don't know. What do YOU think? Just to confuse the issue still further - this was just around the corner!

Finally - Banksy is very very welcome to come paint on my walls as a million pounds would come in handy ;-)

Tim Booth in Brighton

2011-05-03T15:54:00.011+01:00

We were in Brighton last night, to see Tim Booth at the Komedia. We had a very special reason - our son, Dan, is part of Tim's tour line-up playing keyboards and sax.

Their set started surprisingly - instead of coming on stage, they processed in to "As far as I can see"...and being short, I couldn't see that much! You might be able to make out Tim in the hat, but naturally I was focussed in on Dan, in stripy top and waistcoat on the right playing a weird-looking harmonica (click on photos to enlarge)

Tonight they're in London, and then fly out to Greece. We're very proud of Dan for "living the dream" as a professional musician. Knowing how insecure I was at his age (26) it's great to see him so confident working with these guys - so much older, so much more experienced. *proud mum glow*

I'll end with two clips from youtube - one of Tim's tour band (yes, with Dan!) rehearsing, and the other of the support band Unkle Bob who we also enjoyed - thank you!

Tim's album is available of course click here - I was singing along by the third playing on our way home!

Royal Wedding again

2011-05-01T12:45:00.004+01:00

It took me a bit longer to restyle Kate, because I needed supplies - and of course the shops were shut!

I'm pretty pleased with the new version. I've added lace to the front of her skirt and all around the edge of the train, sleeves and bodice of course - given her hair, and a tiara and a much finer veil. Flowers are tiny white beads sewn to a leaf-green crochet base. *phew*

The real challenge was getting the veil/tiara combo to work whether the veil was forward or back, that took much head-scratching!

Royal Wedding Day!

2011-04-29T16:32:00.002+01:00

Yay!

And oh dear :-( I guessed the wrong uniform then!

I reknitted Wills busily all morning whilst glued to the telly...

Kate now has new white flowers, but her veil, tiara and lace overshirt thingy will have to wait until I have been to the shops tomorrow, my stash has let me down.

Watch this space.

I wasn't the only one to get it wrong - this is the balcony over our town hall!

Meerkats in the Press

2011-04-28T12:11:00.003+01:00

Got to love the headline!

I lost my favourite crochet hook but look what I found!

2011-04-24T11:14:00.012+01:00

I picked up my aunt from a hospital appointment last week, and of course took the latest project to finish while waiting. When we were back at her house I realised I'd lost my crochet hook :-(

"Oh I expect there is one in my knitting box" I was told. "Help yourself, I don't crochet any more."

The knitting box turned out to be a treasure trove, containing all the needles from my late grandmother as well. I sorted out all the crochet hooks...

The wooden handled hook is actually for hooking rugs, and one of the hooks is so fine that my aunt said it's probably from my great-grandmother, who used to make lace.

Then my aunt saw all the double-pointed needles and said I might as well have them too...

"in fact, take the lot - just leave me the two pairs I always use, and a stitch holder"...

"chuck that button box into your bag while you're at it..."

The buttons also came from my late grandmother, so some may well date back to WWII. I found the obligatory curtain hook (why do they always turn up in button boxes?) and a few buttons that caught my eye straight away...

Aren't these lovely? They remind me of a certain royal engagement ring!

I guess it might be time to open up NiftySupplies but first, let me show you what I was crocheting. I was chatting to a lovely lady on twitter last week, she sells European tableware in the States. I particularly liked a pattern called Alice so I thought I'd make a meerkat-sized version.

Available from Zibbet click here and Etsy click here

My new socks!

2011-04-20T09:53:00.002+01:00

Remember the lovely yarn I won from A Geek's Yarn?

I've knitted myself a pair of socks using a free pattern from Knitty (click here) (Please note this pattern is for personal use only.)

I love the yarn, it's so soft and the colours are amazing. I kept finding myself trying to predict what would be next! It's really easy to count rows as each stitch is a different colour from the one below or above.

The pattern was easy to follow too. I got a bit confused at one point but decided "Keep calm and knit on" was the way to go. I continued to knit in rib all the way down the front of the sock as I figured (correctly) that if I made a mistake in the shaping, the rib would still hug the sock into my foot.

There was a new technique to learn at the end - kitchener stitch, which is a fabulous invisible graft. I learn best from the written word, so I used this tutorial (click here) but there are many free videos if you google.

Thanks again, Tiffany, for my lovely yarn!

Nifty to dance at the Royal wedding

2011-04-18T08:38:00.000+01:00

Look what I read yesterday in the paper!

Can't say I've much experience with Bollywood dancing, but I'll give it a go.
In the meantime - have you seen this?

Birds in their little nests agree

2011-04-17T10:16:00.005+01:00

blackheaded gulls in Rye, East Sussed

Global domination!

2011-04-16T10:45:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I looked back at my orders to see where I've sent meerkats...

Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Norway, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, USA and of course UK!

Amazing - go meerkats!

I won a circus tent!

2011-04-15T11:37:00.006+01:00

Well - that's what the yarn is called ;-)
Isn't it gorgeous? I had a hard time choosing from Tiffany's shop "A Geek's Yarn", it's like a woolly rainbow in there!
I'm off to scour the internet for a sock pattern worthy of such loveliness, I'm going to knit something for *ME* for a change!

For those of you who are still nervous of buying from abroad, it was shipped from the States on Saturday, and is in my hands in the UK today, Friday, less than a week!

We've got a lookee-likee

2011-04-14T13:30:00.008+01:00

Remember the K Factor last year? Harry Hill Meerkat reached the final five of over TEN THOUSAND entrants, and has enjoyed being recognised and followed by paparazzi wherever he goes ;-)

Niftyknits has even been asked for an autograph...TWICE!

This week a book-shaped package arrived in the mail.

The book was a sweet reminder of the fun of the show.

The week everyone dressed as Harry Hill was of course a highlight for Harry Hill Meerkat!

We also loved "Dancing on Ice". Harry Hill Meerkat was partnered by Tommy Trundle, knitted from a vintage Alan Dart pattern which can still be found on ebay. Alan's other patterns are here: click!

The judges' decision ... Peter the wingless duck! Andy knitted Peter using a Jean Greenhowe pattern, available here: click!.

The book also includes some knitting patterns for "other versions" of some of the entrants, reknitted by the book's commissioned knitter. Here's their version of Harry Hill Meerkat:

If you'd like a genuine Niftyknits Harry Hill Meerkat though, you know where to find them!

Experimenting with my flower loom

2011-04-07T14:10:00.009+01:00

A while back I found some flower looms in a charity shop but it's taken me till now to get around to finding out how to use them. As you can see, there are retractable plates on the back holding the teeth. The plastic is quite brittle, not sure how long it'll last! I'd also prefer there to be a hole in the centre, but after all I only paid 50p!

I found a very helpful website here: http://www.knitting-and.com/small-looms/index.html and have been busy playing.

I have several different sizes, some round, some square - the bigger flower here is made on the square loom, and I just don't like it. Neither of them have enough "rows" of yarn, either - but it's all trial and improvement.

I soon discovered it is *not* as easy as I'd expected, and that some yarns just don't work out as well as I'd thought. I'd hoped to use my stash of fancy yarns which I rarely use for my meerkats - but turns out that for the moment, simple old acrylic is a lot easier to work with.

See what I mean (above)? The eyelash yarn just isn't holding the shape. I quite like the effect of the toning set below though. I tried using one strand of each of the yarns for one flower, and then decided to snip through each loop. I quite like the effect, rather like a flat pompom! They'd probably go together better with the same button, but I'm stash-busting.

Another experiment - this is a cotton yarn I'd knitted something in, didn't like and unpicked. The yarn is crinkly from having been knitted so I wasn't sure it'd work, but it gives extra interest to the flower I think.

I tried weaving in and out of each petal - had to make myself stop, it's quite addictive!

Now to decide what to do with them...

And if you'd like to see how a REAL professional works a flower loom, I recommend a trip to Ffflowers who seems to have no trouble at all with fancy yarns!

Plum Fizz flowers by ffflowers

She also sells gorgeous handmade wooden looms, so if you fancy a go, check her out!

Mothers Day sale 30% discount!

2011-04-04T10:19:00.003+01:00

Hope you all had a great Mothers Day UK - to celebrate, I'm offering a 30% coupon to use in my Zibbet shop, just till tomorrow.

The coupon will expire on Tuesday and cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons. Everything is ready to ship, minimum order $10***

Just use code QHTV0R at checkout and grab a bargain while you can. I'm not often this generous!

The Royal Wedding...Meerkat style!

2011-03-24T16:10:00.013Z

I don't know if you missed the news ;-) but Prince William is getting wed.

The Palace haven't released details of what anybody is wearing, and he has quite a few military uniforms to choose from.

HelloMagazine asked readers to vote, but I don't think they'll have the final say...

Deciding how to knit MeerkatKate was rather easier! She's wearing a stylish white off-the-shoulders dress which is much longer at the back, extending to a long train. She has a further train of sequined netting which is matched by her long veil. As these are hard times in the UK she has settled for a simple necklace of silver beads and a small posy of mixed wildflowers which she carries with her left hand in front to show off the engagement bling.

Whichever uniform Prince Willaim wears, he'll no doubt wear his Jubilee medal, the blue sash which shows he is a Knight of the Garter and the Star which shows he is a Royal serving member of the Armed Forces.

The Royal Meerkats are favouring the the Air Force uniform, with its longline belted tunic...

...or maybe the Royal Navy? You'll note he isn't wearing the sash here - the butler had spent a long time shining up the double-breasted buttons and he promised not to cover them up.

Available only at Zibbet at the moment (see more pics there) but will come to my Etsy and Folksy shops soon if you can wait!

my tadpoles are hatching!

2011-03-22T11:40:00.006Z

Well, sort of. The spawn is now at that "comma-shaped" stage, but a few very brave early taddies are wriggling free.

Met this little chap yesterday - look at that face!

Spring

2011-03-19T16:52:00.007Z

So many signs of spring in the Kent countryside today...

The first wood anemones of the year - the woods will be full of them soon.

celandine

lambs!

and the first butterflies of the year, sunning themselves with the primroses.

Fossil find!

2011-03-15T15:58:00.002Z

I've looked for fossils on the beach so many times over the years, never found a single one.

Today I found one in the garden! Maybe I'll be more inclined to weed amongst our pebbles in future.

The trials of the changing room

2011-03-13T10:42:00.001Z

Finally Graham had samples from The Nifty Snail Cozy™ range to try on.

Graham had admitted he was a football fan and is (of course) a Shelsea supporter, so Nifty made him a useful cozy with jingly bells (well, it's not easy holding a football rattle when you don't have any hands).

Graham is also very fond of parties so he tried a cozy that would really get him noticed. He wasn't entirely sure it was quite *him*, maybe it was more Maud's style?

Graham had mentioned that he might go to the coast on his travels, but was very worried about the seagulls. His lovely green shell would make him a tempting target.

Fortunately the Nifty Snail Cozy™ range includes cozies for every eventuality. Look closely at the next photo - it's quite uncanny how well-disguised Graham can be!

After the rigours of the changing room Graham needed a lie down before his journey home - enjoy your adventures Graham, we'll miss you!

Keep up with Graham's adventures on his facebook page and of course don't forget Niftyknits welcomes commissions - you name it, I'll knit it!

Another package through the letterbox

2011-03-12T10:00:00.001Z

Today is the day we expect Graham for breakfast, so you can imagine we were all avidly listening for the postman. (If you're not up to date with the adventures of Graham, check back for part 1 part 2 part 3

Is it?

Yes!

Graham was a little shell-shocked and not very steady on his foot after his journey, so he hitched a lift to the breakfast table. We'd been told he liked scones, but when he saw the porridge he decided that would make a nice change.

After breakfast we got down to millinery.

Graham had already said he thought the prototype hat was rather pointier than called-for, and as you can see he wasn't wrong!

The meerkats found a hat that was definitely larger

but its owner discovered her Easter bonnet was missing and wanted it back!

Graham is a decidedly masculine snail in any case, so he wasn't really in the market for floral accessories. He did rather like the colours of the prototype though, he's not a shy and retiring snail. Nifty got to work and came up with a larger version.

Graham loved his new Hi-Visibility Nifty Snail Cozy™ but wondered...as he was here...maybe...possibly...there might be some other cozies for days when he wasn't wanting to be *quite* so visible?

So while Graham practiced watching out for traffic, Nifty got to work.

A disappointment - but even more excitement!

2011-03-10T11:13:00.003Z

As you know, we're busy designing The Nifty Snail Cozy™ for our new commissioner, Graham. We sent Graham this photo of our model wearing the prototype:

and he said he likes the colours...but he feels it's just too pointy.

So that's the disappointment...but the excitement is that Graham is going to pop over, by snail mail, for a personal fitting!

It's not every day we can say we're looking forward to having a snail for breakfast tomorrow.

Who wrote to Niftyknits?

2011-03-09T10:44:00.014Z

Yesterday a letter popped through the Niftyknits letterbox. (If you missed the start of our new adventure, you can read about it here).

Hmmm - a new line. "The Nifty Snail Cozy™"? You name it, I can knit it - but what exactly is a Nifty Snail Cozy™? I guess it's like a hat - and we've got plenty of experience with hats!

There's even a welder's helmet today, hot off the needles last night!

They're not very "snaily" though. I wonder how big Graham is?

We could measure the picture on this card from quernuscrafts.co.uk but it might not be life-size. Let's try google:

Wow. That would take a lot of yarn. Maybe there is a snail in the garden? Here's one - but he's in the pond.

Maybe not. He's a bit damp for a modelling assignment. Pop him back.

We've found a snail! He's bound to be the same size as Graham.

Right let's get knitting! If you'd like to read about the adventures of Graham the snail, he has his own facebook page here and I'm sure would welcome some new friends. We'll be back tomorrow with a prototype of The Nifty Snail Cozy™

OOOH look what came through the letterbox!

2011-03-08T14:53:00.011Z

Hmmm. I don't know why they make letterboxes so high these days.

Still can't reach. Think I can see who it's addressed to though...Niftyknits!

Better fetch reinforcements.

Steady, steady...can you reach?

Oooops. You know what we need? A knight in shining armour.

Hurrah for St George and merry England!

Anything for a fair maiden, ma'am ;-)

So are we going to open it? I want to know who it's from!

So much yarn, so little time.

Seaside Snow

Snow!

Surprise!

What a wonderful world

Cats with thumbs

Farm Open Day

Jackdaws!

King Lear MeerKat

Murmuration of starlings

At the beach with ... Professor Brian Cox!

Moving on...

Guess who I'm seeing tomorrow?

Checkmate!

Last Posting dates!

Look what I won!

something new, something old...

Trek fun

New facebook shop!

Creative descriptions 101

'Tis the season!

the north wind doth blow...

New Meerkat Trekkie fan photos!

My goodness we're careful in the UK

Etsy relevancy - trying to become more relevant!

Shaggy dog tales

Patience and sunsets

Star Trek and Monty Python in one, what's not to love?

Pond life

Why do I do it?

Folkestone Triennial: the making of my favourite piece!

wordle

Look what I won!

More MeerTrekkies going boldly to a Star Trek Convention!

Customer service?... and we're people magnets AGAIN!

We're people magnets

Folkestone Triennial - is it ART?

Real live meerkats!

Andre Rieu - my aunt's musical hero!

Wimbledon Weekend

Want to upcycle those little glass dessert pots?

Cactus pincushion knitting pattern ...

Who knows how long I've loved you?

'Listening to the Beatles with the father of our children on Fathers Day' by niftyknits

What could be better?

So *that's* where wool comes from

UK Handmade feature!

Astounding Knits!

Meerkats boldly going to SciFi Convention!

Photography workshop

funny birds - or a car wash?

I'm a poster-girl!

feed me, feeeeeed meeee!

New greeting cards!

Why?

Foraging for sharks' teeth

We're on an album cover!

We've been Gokked!

Life without blogger?

FLASH! Aaaa aaaaa....

Toast and otters - what's not to love?

Plants versus Zombies

Oh yes, my son plays keyboards with his foot...

Ooooh we got another parcel!

Art? Graffiti? Banksy?

Tim Booth in Brighton

Royal Wedding *again*

Royal Wedding Day!

Meerkats in the Press

I lost my favourite crochet hook but look what I found!

My new socks!

Nifty to dance at the Royal wedding

Birds in their little nests agree

Global domination!

I won a circus tent!

We've got a lookee-likee

Experimenting with my flower loom

Mothers Day sale 30% discount!

The Royal Wedding...Meerkat style!

my tadpoles are hatching!

So that's where wool comes from

Royal Wedding again