After my initial jubilation at having a (seemingly) working keyboard yesterday, the reappearance of the gremlins, just as I was getting into the swing of posting, left me deflated. I abandoned Blogland, and went to get myself some lunch, instead.
By afternoon, the call of the computer won again. I decided to browse the Internet for keyboards, and soon found a similar one to mine on Amazon. It was offered free of postage, so I decided to text N0. 1 Son, and explain that I could save him the hassle of coming over to deliver his 'spare' one, if I were to order from them. I'd hardly sent the text, when the mobile rang with an incoming call. 'Hello, Ma!' came Son's cheerful greeting. 'Don't click the 'Buy' button - there's a keyboard just about to come through your front door - listen!' - Quick toot of car horn - ' I'm right outside!'
Saved by the bell - sorry, car horn!
I'd not expected him to make it over here before about Tuesday, as he'd been helping some friends with electrical wiring for a food and wine bank holiday special, where Raymond Blanc was to do a cookery demonstration, displayed on plasma screens so the audience could have a good view of the proceedings. Once this was set up, he'd also offered to help one of said friends move house, and we all know what that can be like! So it was an unexpected pleasure in many ways, to find he was about to walk in here. Bless his little cotton socks...or wool, or acrylic...and definitely no longer little, come to think of it. Isn't he a sweetie? Happily, I added to his 'sweetness' by plying him with tea and biscuits ( from a luckily well stocked biscuit barrel - it doesn't often get to be in that voluptuous state - it's mostly full of crumbs only. If I don't refill it, I can't indulge. The current lapse was really a holiday special.)
I'd enjoyed an alternative playtime, while the 'space bug' ruled - making a couple of Amigurumi. For the uninitiated these are small, crochet dolls, or animals, and I'd been eager to try creating a few, once I saw the possibilities. Amazon books on the subject first caught my attention a while back, and last week I'd succumbed and sent for one, as I have an enormous stash of yarn begging to be used...
An extremely tiny, white teddy (first project) made his exit in son's shirt pocket yesterday, peeking his weeny nose over the top as he surveyed the world for the first time. With a fine yarn and small hook, he was only about three inches tall when completed. I don't intend to repeat this mini-sized wonder - once was enough; there is a limit to eyesight and patience.
However, there was a jolly looking duckling, in a slightly larger pattern, and I crocheted happily away, only needing to stuff and sew him up today. Hmm. Went quite well, until I suddenly noticed I'd inverted head and body; head was larger than body, as designed, but I'd reverted to the usual ratio, where body tends to be larger. This meant I managed to sew his legs into the middle of his forehead before I realised my mistake. Not good. It took me a good half an hour to rectify my mistake, as when I sew things together, I don't mean them ever to fall apart. Before stitching them back in the correct place, I thought I'd take time out to share my latest idiocy with Blogworld. Please note, Sniffles and Smiles, creativity with balls of wool, hooks and sewing needles can leave just as much margin for error as cookery or washing covers...
Your son is a sweetie indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are soooo talented!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Nice to know some other's make mistakes like I sometimes do when crocheting. I to don't sew it to come apart. I got a book from Amazon called, Amigurumi World by Paula Rimoli. So far I've only made a little duck and an elephant.
ReplyDeleteA biscuit barrel sounds better than a cookie jar somehow. My fondness for Britishisms is probably accounted for by genetics. :)
ReplyDeleteLucky you for having a kind, caring son. Lucky him for having a Ma who raised him that way. :)
ReplyDeleteHow delightfully loving! And fiercely intuitive of your son!
ReplyDeleteClever boy! He knows just what to do to make mom's life easier.
ReplyDeletelovely son. i have one of those little dolls - my friend gave it to me.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for the little crochet dolls. They can be addictive. I have an entire crochet nativity scene done by a lady at my brother's church who just couldn't stop once she started. Plus one little white duck.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jinksy...I'm going to try soaking it in cold water, and stretching it again...I've got it stretch enough to cover, but not fully...and some of the stitching is tearing...the cushions came out a bright white instead of the off-white they were...so, I have a job still ahead...but don't plan to tackle it until after my in-laws' visit...for fear I'll make it worse...Your ideas are great, and I will certainly try as you suggest! Thank you for your kindness. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!! ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteAmigurumi. What a curious term. Lucky your fingers don't tire and can feel useful until the computer is back in action.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Jinksy!!! I'll try again...It was slightly damp the first time, and I tried ironing it and got it to stretch some...but started to worry when the stitching started tearing, and didn't dare try to stretch it further...I got it on, but it doesn't fully cover on the sides or back...and the cushions are a bit smaller as well. Thank you so much for this wonderful post,btw. If YOU can make a mistake with your beautiful craft, then perhaps there is hope for me...:-) You are a wonderful friend!!! I'm so glad we've met! ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteAww.. I love your son! He sounds wonderful! LOL! And I love the discription of the teeny bear! LOL! Jenni
ReplyDeleteI won't dare to repeat that word you wrote to describe the art of making the tiny beasts, but I would have loved to have seen the little teddy in your son's top pocket, Jinks!
ReplyDeleteOh, and Raymond Blanc, of course... ;)
Glad to see the replacement keyboard isn't producing s p a c e s everywhere!
ReplyDeleteFor those interested, the 'one of a kind' three inch teddy now officially named Arthur, invoked a few smiles from a number of shop staff en route to his new home.
He now happily shares a spot on my desk with Mr Messy, Bagpuss and one of the singing mice from the mouse organ! (I guess that would only make sense to the UK Bagpuss viewers??!!)
Perhaps I could coax the mouse into a bout of 'we will find it, we will bind it, we will stick it with glue, glue, glue...' and get the old keyboard back to its former working glory! Second thoughts, perhaps its already stuck with glue or similar so maybe thats not such a great idea!
And yes, not so little socks... walking boot specials as it happens! x
What a great son!
ReplyDelete