Me? Running? Oh yes it is true. Some of you already know that I am the last person to do any exercise. But things are different now. Thanks to Mary, who totally convinced me to run, I decided to run 5k for a charity.
I will be running for WWF (the panda charity). I want to raise money for those who work so hard to help and save animals and environment. I want to live on a planet which is beautiful and full of biodiversity. So 5km is a start. I will update on the progress in later post.

Photo taken by Mary: Claire and Me. So happy to meet her for the first time!

Last week, Mary and I visited a book launch for Easy Kids Knits by talented Claire Montgomery at Loop London. A really lovely book full of nice patterns. There are lots of patterns for up to 10 year-old which are often difficult to find. I already have an eye for one of the cable jumper for my niece. I got my book signed (yay!). She has a lovely hand-writing

If you are ever in London, Ottolenghi restaurant is a must go place to eat. If I can, I will buy 20 of these tart and eat in one go. I just love this so much.

We then went to Ottolenghi for a “light” (yeah right) meal. The above tart is my favourite (I would say all-time) dessert. It’s a passion fruit merange tart. While we were having the dinner, we got a phone call from Loop saying that both of us won a price!!!!! How lucky are we?
On the way back in the underground we couldn’t stop but smile

I should have taken this shawl the other way round. I designed it so that it looks like rain drops (i.e. line in the middle and rain droplets, then smaller droplets (not knitted yet).

Oh, yes and I have been knitting quite a bit. The above is a shawl which I recently started. Once I block it, you should be able to see the pattern well. Until then it is a little squashed. Long way to go though!

Phew, I am ready for my coffee…
Have a good week and see you on Friday

We are half way through 2009. Can you believe it? Last year I made a promise to myself that I will make a clothes for myself. Since I have been totally inspired by Ruth from Two Hippos and Jo from Today We Are for their dress making skills, I have finally copied the pattern on to a paper. This is a BIG step for me In July I am hoping to finish it.
The other thing which will be finished by July is my new crochet tote. The above photo is a sneak preview of the bag. It is not quite finished yet. This pattern will have lots of photos (as per usual) and a video tutorial. I really enjoy making the patterns and video tutorials but it’s always weird listing to your own recorded voice!
Just wanna show you this tin… (I LOVE this one). I collect vintage tins. They are going to be my new charity projects for this winter in addition to my Charity Purse Making Kits. The details will be given later on this summer.
Also, there is a new bakery in Greenwich called Rhodes. If you are ever around, do visit. Highly recommended. They are the UK’s first company to sell coffee in a 100% biodegradable cup and a lid.
Good new is that Mittens now have a pendant attachment on his collar. I believe it has his home address in it (when I tried to check it, he didn’t like it and pulled his neck away). I am so relived that he has a home. He still visits us but at least I know he has a home

I have been working really hard on these during April… and they are ready!
I thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce a knitted purse kit / pattern as there aren’t many available in the market at the moment.
… may be no one has tried?
… may be it looks difficult to make?
… who knows!
They are super duper unique and special. I think anyone who try this kit would totally enjoy it!
The kit can be purchased from my shop and you can read more information about it.

WHY SO SPECIAL?:

• It requires combination of both and knitting and sewing skills. It would keep you totally occupied. It is just so fun to make.
• You will be knitting with wonderful rustic British Shetland tweed yarn.
• The purses are simply so cute!

ABOUT THIS GORGEOUS TWEED YARN:

• I am a huge fan of tweed yarns.
• They are visually satisfying to knit with lots of specs of colours within one colorway.
• Tweed yarns have a wonderful texture when knitted.
• OK, they are not the softest yarn available but they make great purses and other accessories because of its texture.

IDEAL FOR:

• those who like varieties and challenges (and I know you all are! )
  
• those who loves to knit and sew

There are also two video tutorials (here and here) to follow to help you making the purse
Hope you like these purses
Phew, I am off to enjoy my Bank Holiday weekend! Have a wonderful weekend to you.

P.S. I will be reviewing a gorgeous vintage knitting book sometime next week. I know you will fall in love with it ♥

Hope you are all having / had a great Easter weekend! Wesley and I had a really good one
My best friend Maria and her fiancee Jan came over on Saturday. She baked yummy scones and brownies which we ate. We walked to the O2 (formerly known as the Millennium Dome) to see the Star Wars exhibition…. We saw Chewbacca taken away….
Last year, I found an odd parsley plant growing in the bush on the way to the O2 (photo below is taken then). We were wondering if it is still there….
… and there is!!!!! ;D I was so happy to say hello to this odd parsley. He has grown bigger!
The thing was that my digital camera ran out of battery because I kept taking silly photos of parsley and other things… and I could not take a photo of my favourite Ewoks!
Craft wise, it has been very active. I have been making more cosmetic purses with tweed and felted fabrics with crochet flowers on them. It is very satisfying (and at the same time scary) to knit something yourself and felt it!! But I am very please with the outcome.
Also the cosmetic purse kit has been selected for the Gift Guide for new mothers on Etsy (thank you!)
Happy Easter everyone!

Thank you for your such a kind word from the last post. It really made me feel so supported and I am finally recovering. I feel alive again! Honestly I was so ill that I thought I would never get better. The last time I was seriously ill was in 2006 according to my med record. I guess I did well for 2 years without flu.
It has been nearly a week since I went outside. W took me to the ecology park behind our flat for a fresh air and feed the bird as usual. Today there was a new face… Mr Squirrel. He was brave and was standing right next to me when I was feeding the bird (obviously used to humans).
Cute… I thought. Then I remembered reading our community newsletter about “squirrel attack” in the park.
Not cute anymore….
So I threw a piece of bread away so that he would go and fetch it (so that I can run away!).
…Then this big black bird ate it!!!
The angry squirrel climbed onto the tree where the bird was…
… and nearly got him!
What a drama! All I could think was how to remove angry squirrel on my head should he attack me. It was good that the attention was re-directed to this bird.
Anyway, I have been behind my craft schedule. I must first finish off my customers’ orders. Thank you for being so patient with me. I will do a good job!
I also wanted to show you my newest creations. It is on my Etsy shop at the moment.
It is knitted with British Shetland yarn. It is wonderfully textured, solid and so cute! I am planning to produce a pattern for this purse. Hopefully it will be done soon.

IT and knitting seem to go quite well. Starting from Ravelry, there are many many great knitting sites out there.
Here are 5 my very favourite knitting links. They are really useful and hope you like them!

1. Tatao – Both Japanese and English. Comprehensive information about knitting in general. There are lots of projects you can knit, tutorials, international needle conversions, software. A MUST CHECK.

2. The Brioche Stitch – There is no other site for brioche stitches as detailed as this one. I love this site. I have learnt so much about different brioche stitches and techniques. You will love it too.

3. TECHknitting – A blog about all the knitting techniques. I don’t know how she does the illustrations but they are really good. Very useful.

4. Purlbee – From Purlsoho. There are lots and lots of beautiful and fun projects (both knitting and sewing) you can do. I LOVE this tulip socks!!!! Gosh, I wish I were living in either the US or Canada. I could knit all day with Koigu yarns!

5. Knittinghelp.com – Many great knitting tips and help videos. They are also on twitter. I am following them now.

While I am busy knitting and sewing, my sister sent me this photo of my niece with newly made crochet cape. Isn’t she beautiful?