I Made a Book!

I think I mentioned a little while ago that I had published an ebook on kindle - well, it is now in actual paperback *seriously big grin*

Look!

It's a children's book about a magical teddy bear who helps kids through tough times - all around the world. I'm so proud of it, and I've had some lovely amazon reviews:

Sensitive, emotional and highly imaginative - a must for all ages.

Skilfully written with a heart warming story.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A heart-warming story. Lovely to sit and read with your little ones at bed time over one or two evenings

I have a facebook page for The Adventures of Brown Ben, just in case you might be interested in learning more/keeping up to date with news etc. And that's also the best place to get in touch if you'd like to order a copy. 

Oh, yeah, information that is useful:

The book is £4.95, p&p (according to Royal Mail's calculator) is £1.10 in the UK, and 50% of the profits from the book are being donated to The Children's Trust - an amazing charity. 

Anyway, I just wanted to share, because this is the coolest thing! Ok, so it's time to stop blowing my trumpet, but I'm just seriously excited that I wrote a book, and now it is in my hands *grins*

Toronto

When I was posting about my latest yarn purchases, I totally forgot to mention another new yarn I have (I discovered it in my "special yarns" box and it reminded me).

And then I wondered why the hell I hadn't thought about posting my trip to Toronto before now!

The plan started last year. I mentioned ages and ages ago that I participated in a knitting competition in Ravelry, called Nerd Wars. Well, I joined Team Impala (fans of the TV show Supernatural) and quickly became firm friends with my teammates.

So much so, that when it was suggested that those who could make it try and attend a Supernatural convention in Toronto, I decided why not?!

Plans changed a few times, thanks to money and flights and general organisation, but I ended up flying to New York, spending an afternoon there (and then sleeping over at team captain's place) and then driving to Toronto, picking up another team mate on the way.

We even managed to find time to stop at Niagara Falls - somewhere I have always wanted to go *grins*

We got there as the sun was setting, and it was sooooooooo beautiful.

I then spent 3 days in Toronto, at the convention, getting to hang out with friends I'd known online for close to 2 years. And had my picture taken with Phoenix (one of my lovely team mates) and Misha Collins, who is as lovely in the flesh as you might think. 

And hey, a picture of me that contains a knitted item where the picture wasn't taken specifically to show off the item *laughs*

One thing I also wanted out of my trip was to buy some American junk food and some dishcloth cotton (when I discovered that Walmart has the cotton for about $1, and I pay A LOT more than that here). I'd mentioned both missions to my team, so captain and I stopped for a supply run on the way, and then lovely teammate TKS bought a huge bag of cotton for me *grins*

My haul (oh yeah, also bought Caron Simply Soft, because I really like it)

The cotton from lovely teammate

And the junk food:

While we had some downtime in Toronto, we stopped at 2 yarn shops. I bought some pretty fibre:

And the beautiful yarn at the top was another gift from lovely teammate. 

Wow, this post turned out a lot longer than I had planned - that's what happens when I don't post for a while, I end up with lots to say! And have apparently decided "lovely" is the only descriptor I'm using today *laughs*

Oh, Yeah, Blogging... ;)

Recently I got a lovely email telling me that I had been recognised as one of the top 50 crafting blogs in the UK, by Homecrafts.

In fact, I'm at number 5... 5! Wow.

Which gave me a bit of a kick up the backside to actually post something, can't really justify it otherwise! So here I am *smiles* I'm glad, because I have missed this, and also a little apprehensive - it's been a few months since I last posted and I'm a bit rusty.

I have actually crafted loads since I last posted, and need to have a mammoth "taking pictures of FOs, new yarn and WIPs" session (you know me, I hate posting without pictures). Which, if I'm completely honest, has been putting me off blogging... I stopped posting when I had nothing to write about, but now I have so much to write about I'm completely overwhelmed.

Gotta start somewhere though!

So, here's a bunch of pictures of yarn. Obviously in the months since I last posted, I have purchased yarn. What sort of knitting blog would this be if I hadn't? *laughs*

MadelineTosh in the most amazing orange (of course) I can't wait to use this, but I can't use it until the perfect pattern appears to me.

Countess Ablaze - I actually have a whole post's worth to say about this, but for now just look at how pretty it is ;)

Discontinued yarn I was sent as a random act of kindness. So squishy, just how I like it :)

Slightly fuzzy, sort of red, destined to be a scarf or shawl for a bit of winter colour

Debbie Bliss Andes - alpaca and silk (my favourite combination). I wouldn't normally buy it, it's a bit pricey, but I had a gift voucher and it was reduced. Who could say no to that?!

Bizarrely purple chunky acrylic. Not quite sure why I bought it, cunning boyfriend is not a fan of the colour, but it's turning into a reasonable blanket, so I'm calling it a win ;)

To be honest, that's probably the tip of the iceberg for new yarn, I have at least 4 other skeins that I haven't taken pictures of, but I think it's good for now *laughs*

Anyway, no promises on when I'll next post, but as I have a case of start-itis at the moment maybe I'll be more inclined ;)