Monday, December 21, 2009

Madly Off Decorating



We've been madly decorating in all directions these last few days...



having survived the first nasty cold spell of the season...



and we're preparing for all the festivities of the week...



hoping the next year is sweet...



and we're all a little wiser.

My Mum made Elly part of the Dickensian Mice set by Alan Dart in honour of her first Christmas in her new place. She made six of the ten pieces (heck of a lot of work), and they turned out perfect.



Aren't they gorgeous?

On my needles, at the moment, is a quick knit for Ian's Christmas. Since I doubt he's reading my blog, I'll tell you it's this pattern from the new issue of Knitty.



I'm also partial to this and this from the same issue (but for me, not Ian), perhaps in the new year...



though I DO have an awful lot of half finished projects which I want to finish first.

I think I may have to plot a course for my knitting this year.



Also, the back splash was installed a couple of weeks ago. Our contractor put up a terrible struggle with me over my choice of tile. I believe he said at one point, "you don't want to ruin the kitchen now, when it looks so good." Can you imagine! It's a good thing I like him and have known him a very long time, otherwise I might have been insulted.

In the end, I got my way.

One by two inch pale green glass tiles installed in a brick-lay pattern.



He admits now it looks fantastic. Hoorah!

In a nod to the Christmas Ghost Story tradition, here's a walking ghoul singing a Christmas song...Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I Can't Believe It

It's happened.

The last of the tradesmen has just left.

The reno is over (at least as far as professionals are concerned).

There's still a bit of painting left for me to do, but well...

Wow! That was really something.

I'm currently treating myself to two things that have been missing all this time - silence and locked doors.

Amazing...will post some photos soon.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Almost Bloomin' Perfect



Lots of things around here are looking pretty good now...

though some things still aren't quite ready.



Small sections of the house are starting to look like their regular, tidy selves...




(note the bottle of Advil)...

and Christmas is just around the corner...







but don't be thinking I'm totally ready for the holidays. There are lots of decorations still packed up in their boxes.



Some rooms are very close to being finished, and just need a coat of paint to be ready to move into to,



while other rooms are up and running, though you'll note that everywhere you turn there's evidence of the "tradesman's touch"...



We DID get our stove delivered, sadly we have yet to get the gas line run...



maybe today, I don't know....

though, there are tiny sections of the house, that look honest-to-god finished...



and while the last touches are being but on the rooms, I've been getting everything as perfect as I can...



as for the sweater I was going to start and finish in the month of November, well, the front and back are done, I just need to make sleeves and a collar and sew the whole thing together.

I've been a tad distracted.

Please be patient while I chase perfection...