Wedding plans

Tony and I finally have written permission from Severn Trent to have our wedding reception here:

It is The Bratch Pumping Station, in Wombourne near Wolverhampton.
A bit of History....
Following the mid nineteenth century cholera outbreaks in Bilston (1832, 1849 and 1857), the provision of pure drinking water became a legal requirement (Public Health Act 1848). After an unsuccessful start by using water pumped from mines, Bilston allowed neighbouring Wolverhampton to supply its water, both domestically and to industry. However, following a legal dispute with Wolverhampton Corporation over the costs of water supply, the Bratch Pumping Station was built in 1895 by Bilston Urban District Council to ensure an independent supply. The best site for water extraction was recommended to be from the underlying Bunter sand beds in the Bratch area, near Wombourne, some 6 or 7 miles from Bilston.

The water pumping station was formally opened in 1897, using two steam engines, called Alexandra and Victoria.
For some 60 years, from 1897 to 1960, steam engines pumped water through brick-lined wells from the Bunter sandstone about 160 feet below ground. It was then pumped to a purpose built reservoir some 3 ¾ miles away and 345 feet higher on the Wolverhampton/Bilston border whence it was distributed by gravity to Bilston. Steam pumping ceased in 1960, as electric pumps, backed up by emergency diesel engines, were introduced to continue the work.

"Victoria" has been restored to full working condition by the "Friends of the Bratch." The engine is "steamed" twice a year by The Friends, of which Tony is a member.
Here is the top of Victoria inside the pumping station (and a very excited Groom-to-be).



The building on the left below will house the wedding breakfast and the dancing later, we are hoping to set up outdoor furniture on the hardstanding outside in the hope that it will sunny enough on the 11th July to spend most of the day outside!

If anyone knows any good Indian caterers, Hog Roast people, furniture hire people, florists or wedding photographers in the West Midlands area please let me know - there is a lot of planning to do!

I'd better get on with my wedding shawl!
Here is a sneaky peak of the detailing on my dress. <

I can't decide if I want a triangular shawl, a rectangle, something that would sit better on my shoulders or possibly even a shrug. Endless hours of searching Ravelry haven't come up with anything I absolutely *must* make. I did see this picture on a fellow knitters blog and thought the shape of her shrug was perfect. In my head I wasnt something lightweight and lacy that covers just the tops of my arms and not too much of my back (as there is detailing on the back of my dress too) I am wondering if a top down raglan would work with a simple lace design - what do you think? Any thoughts/helpful hints greatfully received!

BillyBob's Blanket

My latest crochet blanket is finished!
Joseph (the bump formerly know as BillyBob) was born on the 20th January. My trapped nerve meant I couldn't really work on this for a few weeks but it is finally complete and will be sent off along with the rest of the "pampering package" I've put together for the new parents.

Started: 28th December 2008
Finished: 17th February 2009
Pattern: It is my own version of a motif from a Japanese crochet book. I used this pattern for my previous hexagon blanket. This time I made a few different variations on the original design, some have cluster stitches, some have bobbles. I would like to write up the pattern for the new motifs but am worried they are not different enough from the original. I think I may need to play around with a few more ideas first.
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4 ply in Sea Foam, Bluebottle, Suede, Spring, Weather and Dive. I used two balls of Bluebottle and Suede and one of all of the others.
Hook: 3.5mm
Comments: I have to thank Alice for the colour inspiration. I adored the colours she chose for her quilt and swiftly copied them!

The demolition begins

We started on the kitchen this weekend. Here is the only "before" photo I can find.
The photo is taken from the entrance to the kitchen. The wall on the right is clad in stained shiplap, to the left of the picture is the old boiler.
The part past the wooden shelves is an old 1980's extension which is falling away from the 1960's extension in the lounge. So, the back wall of the extension is coming down, to be replace with sliding doors across the whole of the back of the house. The kitchen will be a kitchen diner, in a L shape - what you can see in this picture, and then across the back of the house.
On the right hand wall in the above photo we want to put in a pantry, so imagine our surprise when the removal of the shiplap revealed this:

Some original 1930's tiles, and a doorway - exactly where we want the pantry door. This was obviously an original pantry - it was been turned into the downstairs bathroom when the house was converted into two flats.
I got to work with my crowbar

And now we have a door to our pantry!

We also took out the ceiling of the kitchen extension - and found yet more wasps nests.

All the kitchen units and the boiler are gone too.

A good weekends work - I have realised that you have too keep working to keep warm, especially when there is a blizzard outside.

UK Winter Warmers Swap parcel

There is still very little knitting or crochet to show around here. However my shoulder is much better and I have started crocheting again. I've been trying to keep away from the computer in the evenings too, hence the lack of blogging! This post is quite belated as these beautiful purple presents arrived in the post last week from Vickie my UK Swap pal.

In the previous round of UK swap I sent a parcel to Vickie, it must have been ok, because look at all of the wonderful things she me for my "Winter Warmers" themed parcel.

I was in the "handmade item" group and Vickie made me a wonderful cowl, specifically to match my Meret, which it does, perfectly. It fits under my coat and has kept me toasty and warm in the snow this week. It's like having a polo-neck jumper that you can take off when you get indoors - why have I never worn one of these before?
I also got some knitpicks harmony DPNs, some DB Cashmerino Aran in a wonderful purple colour (I may make another cowl from this), some iced gems (the perfect Weight Watcher snack - only 1.5 points a bag) , some yummy options hot chocolate, wedding balloons (I must put these in a safe place and remember them in July) and finally a fabulous Good Housekeeping vintage knitting/stitch pattern book. Thank you Vickie for such a fabulous parcel.

In other non-knitting news, we finally got planning permission for the "new house". Tony started tearing down ceilings last weekend - apparently on a fact finding mission - he has been itching to start since the planners said yes! He found a cavity wall (not expected), some steel RSJ's )(thank goodness we were worried they might be wood) and quite a few nasty looking wasps nests. Yuck.

I forsee many weekends spent pulling down ceilings and removing plaster from walls in the near future.
P.s. I did buy the wedding dress. 5 months and 5 days to go :0)

The Letter G

There is no knitting to report - I've trapped a nerve in my neck and can't knit or crochet - so when I saw this post over at Natalie's blog, I thought it was perfect to get me back blogging.

The idea is that you ask in the comments for a letter and one is sent to you at random. You then blog about ten things you love beginning with that letter.

Natalie sent me the wonderfully curvy letter G

1. Goals
Football is an important part of my life. I've been a season ticket holder at Wolverhampton Wanderers for most of the last 15 years. This year I've seen lots of goals, and we are riding high at the top of the division. Fingers crossed we are still there at the end of the season. Goals make me happy :o)

2. Gardens and Gardening
I love having a garden. We now have lots of green grass where there was once mud and borders to plant in the spring. I am itching to get started.

3. Greenhouse


My greenhouse was a gift from our next door neighbour. It was her husbands retirement present from work in the early 1980's. It had been sitting doing nothing on the other side of the fence for about 15 years since he died. I am very happy to give it a new lease of life. Last year it supplied me with tomatoes, chillis and cucumbers - the chilli plants are overwintering in there at the moment - although I'm not sure how well they are doing, as it has been as low as -11 degrees in there according to the thermometer. Hmm.

4. Games
I love games, especially board games. Risk is a favourite but it is very hard to find who like to play! Tony refuses to play virtually anything except Mr & Mrs, which causes very amusing arguments. We played sardines on my 30th birthday - and lost my friend Kerry for what seemed like hours.

5. Gowns
I am in a quandry over gowns at the moment - I had my heart set on making my wedding dress, but I tried on the most magical dress with my bridesmaids at the weekend. It made me very happy and I think I may have to buy it.

6. Geography
I loved my Geography A level and I did a Geography degree at Sheffield university. Unfortunately I don't get to use much of it on a day to day basis - but I can still point out a good glacial feature like a Roche Moutonne or a Drumlin when we go to the Lake District!

7. Gloves
I haven't knit any yet, but I really want to.

8. Gnomes
Tomos and Denzel, they have to make you smile.

9. Goldfish
Just after university I bought my friend Cath two goldfish for her birthday. She called them Ruth & Cath. Ruth died, and then Cath was left with a goldfish called Cath - which made her seem particularly egocentric! It still makes me laugh to think of her explaining the whole story to anyone who wanted to know what her fish was called.
10. Groom
My groom-to-be is wonderful and I love him very much :o)


If you would like a letter, let me know in the comments and I'll send one over!

February Lady Sweater

Guess what? I have finally managed to make a garment that actually fits me! Wanna see?

Pattern: February Lady Sweater
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Cuarzo - 5 skeins
Needles: 5mm
Started: 29th September 2008
Finished: 15th January 2009
Comments: It fits! I am still a little shocked about that, depsite the fact I could try on as I went. I love it :o) Everyone at the Posh meet up yesterday loved it too - which made me very excited.
A great pattern, all apart from the maths needed to work out where to put the increases after the yoke. However you can use this great tool to work it all out for you!
The Malabrigo is gorgeous. I know it will pill, but hey you have to pay a price for that softness!
Do you want to see the buttons?

They are from House of Fraser
How about the side?

The back too? Ok, go on then!

Flitting

I've been flitting from project to project this week.
I finished the first Oolong sock on Monday. I am in love.

In love with the pattern - so stretchy, so lovely and so easy to remember. I am most certainly in love with the yarn- Hazel Knits Artisan Sock from Socktopus. Beautiful colour, sproigy, not too heavy. Gorgeous. I haven't cast on for number two yet, I'm saving that pleasure until I have finished a few other (more urgent) WIPs.
Like the current baby blanket:

I've got most of the middles done. I spent last Sunday working out combinations and permutations for my hexagon. I knew my A-Level maths would come in useful at some point!
I've also started on my UK Swap Winter Warmers project, Wickery by Woolly Wormhead.

In Pure Wool Aran. This is knit on smaller needles to get gauge, so the cables are a bit tough on my hands, but it is a great commuting project.
P.S. Don't forget you still have 5 days to enter the draw to win blogiversary prizes. If you can't afford to donate at the moment, but would like one of the books. Please leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do :o)