Have a Heart....

I am feeling somewhat chuffed with myself....I have been designing!
I found this heart motif pattern in my copy of Vogue Knitting and immediately my mind went into overdrive.
You know from the last post that I just had to have some red yarn as I felt these would be a Valentines pair of socks. Alice came to my rescue and offered me several different red sock yarns, her advice was excellent and the final choice is perfect. Hand Maiden, Casbah. Thanks Alice.
These socks had to be made toe up, not my favourite method of sock making but I love a challenge. The reason they had to be made toe up was because of the direction of the knitting of the heart motif. Also, I had to convert the motif to be knitted in the round, upside down would have sent me to the funny farm! I loved the little nobble stitch too, it sort of broke up the monotony (nice word!)of doing plain stocking stitch. All that is left for me to do now is to finish writing this pattern up. The heel is very interesting, its a flap worked upwards and it works well. I have found the actual red to be a bit tricky to photograph, it is rather richer than you can see here.

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We went to Ikea on Saturday, these gorgeous cushions/pillows inspired me.
We bought 5 of these baskets and two more of the plastic boxes to fit in our square holes...
I so need to sort this place out.
Look at that horrid wall and skirting board, it has needed painting since we moved in almost three years ago (where did that time go to?) We never thought we'd be here this long, we thought six months might do it! hah!!
Anyway, I thought I would share with you some before photos and then when it is painted and sorted I will post photos again so you can admire and be amazed at the difference. Just you lot try and give me a bit of thought when I am emptying all the shelves and cupboards so the sideboards and drawers and dresser can be moved away from the wall. Where on earth will I put it all? Then I have to wash it all down, good exercise for my shoulder! It will be great if visitors pop in when we are in such a state, usually I squirm at the chaos of this place in the presence of visitors, but I will just say casually 'Sorry about the mess, we're redecorating'....ahhh and relax!
More tea Vicar?