Ponies, Sweaters & Cavies!

I found Peggy Sue quietly playing with her Christmas ponies this morning.  She is deciding what to call them. They remind me of the ponies in the New Forest, or Brumbies from stories I used to read as a child.

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Jacob has finally received his new sweater that I had been promising to make him, so that is one more thing ticked off my 'To Make' list.

It is a heavily modified pattern which I forgot to make notes as I went along, so will be interesting if I can repeat it at some stage!

He seems quite happy with it...

and tries out some of his 'moves'!  

Now for something different.

I have had guinea pigs since I was 7 years old, keeping them as pets, then to exhibit at shows and breed in New Zealand in my early twenties, again just as pets in my late twenties when I came to England to live and then in my late thirties, early forties to show and exhibit again until my Chronic pain problems put paid to that as it was too much work and I could no longer drive long distances.  I still keep what I call my 'old folks' though, and also board cavies for people when they go on holiday.  I have a website here  which really needs updating and something I must do very soon.  This shows some of the lovely piggies I have had and some of which we still have in their 'retirement'.  So I guess you could say I am a real fan of the lovely little animals and as such when I saw these...

the other day, how could I walk by?

Welcome to the family!

Now as for names they are still a work in progress they are either going to be called:

Geraldine, Gilbert, Gertrude & Georgie Guinea Pig

or

Clover, Chive, Cherry & Cosmos Cavy.

They will be living at Camellia Crescent, once their house has been built.

Christmas Presents - Quite a surprise!

The girls had a lovely Christmas

Peggy Sue was delighted to find a little box of crayons in her stocking

Melody, her little bear, takes a closer look

Peggy Sue will enjoy drawing and colouring in with these as she does so like to draw pictures.

As well as the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that Anne-Marie received she also had rather a surprise present.

They say great minds think alike and I had to have a little laugh to myself when I read Rosey's post here about what she got for Christmas...as Anne-Marie got exactly the same present!

What is in this black shaped box? Anne-Marie wonders...

Wow!  She exclaims.  A violin!

Without further ado, Anne-Marie gets it out of the case and with intense concentration attempts to hold and play it like she has seen other musicians do...

Trouble is it is not as easy as it looks... Ouch! exclaim Peggy Sue and Melody.  What is that horrible screeching sound?

It is NOT a horrible sound.  I think it is going to be lovely.  Anne-Marie says back to Peggy Sue.  

Perhaps it might be a good idea to have a look at the book first Anne-Marie and we will get you some lessons as well.

Lessons?  Asks Anne-Marie...Does that mean hard work? 

Well yes it does sweetheart, but anything worth doing is hard work and it will be worth it in the end when you can make and play enjoyable music.  Plus Rosey is going to be having lessons at the same time so if and when you ever get to meet each other you will be able to play duets together.

Anne-Marie likes the idea that Rosey is going to be having lessons as well, even if they are too far away from each other to have lessons together.  They will be able to keep in touch with each other to check on their progress.  What a surprise it was to find out that Rosey got a violin for her Christmas present as well!

Christmas Day

A couple of photos taken quickly on Christmas day of Anne-Marie & Peggy Sue, sitting amongst the Christmas teddies.  They arrive just before Christmas and then leave on the 12th day of Christmas... to return again the following year.

Anne-Marie is holding her two Christmas dolls Raggedy Ann and Andy

More photos of their Christmas gifts to come.

Two Christmas dolls

We all had a lovely family Christmas with my MIL and her partner coming round for a scrumptious Christmas dinner and then my Aunt and Uncle came round in the evening for Christmas tea.  It was the first time we have had Christmas here for a long time and I really loved the day.  It was good to be busy.

I was really lucky as I received two dolls for Christmas, so have two more lovely models to knit for.

The first was American Girl Historical doll Caroline, who has the most glorious blonde curly hair.   I can't wait to get her out of her dress though and make her something.  I might try the Lime Sherbert knitted dress that I made the other day on her, to see if it suits her.

My husband gave this lovely girl to me, isn't he a sweetheart?!

Next up is the sweet little Les Cheries Corolle Clara, now my other Corolle doll Chloe has a friend.  It is lovely to have another model this size to knit and sew for.  I think in the coming year I might try to sell some more of my doll clothes to see if I can earn a little 'pocket money'.

I love her red hair and cute little freckles.

Quite a little cutie.

Wasn't I spoilt?!

Christmas Eve - tucked up in bed

On Christmas Eve children all over the world hang their stockings and eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus....

Anne-Marie and Peggy Sue are no different.

Tucked up in bed with their stockings at the end of their bed and teddies tucked in with them, they have been quietly whispering to each other.  I wonder how long it will take them to get to sleep tonight?

Chrissy's Christmas Dress

In between making gingerbread biscuits, trifle, fruit salad and yorkshire puddings today I also managed to finish the dress Chrissy has decided to wear for Christmas day.

She has been busy checking that the Christmas stockings have been hung up...

As well as chatting to Father Christmas on his sleigh.

Long Sleeve Winter Dress

I thought I would try making one more dress out of the pretty self striping wool I had left, but this time adding long sleeves.  I'm quite proud of myself for attempting this as usually I am very much a follow the pattern person, but this pattern didn't have sleeves, so I had to make them up myself.

I left the sleeves for last measuring the size on Peggy Sue as I went along.

The first time I didn't quite get the sleeve length right, so undid the garter stitch rows and did a few more rows of stocking stitch.

The end result was very satisfying and a really nice fit.  I had to laugh when I saw this photo and the cheeky monkey reaching out to the candle...good thing it is lit!  I also think Anne-Marie is hoping she will get the next knitted dress!

I added buttons to the front for detail

I now feel like I have really made a proper winter dress for Peggy Sue with long sleeves.

A little grey party dress

I managed to sort out the problem with the grey dress and finished it last night.

I can change the ribbons as and when and threaded a Christmas ribbon through the dress today.

I think the next dress I knit after I have finished the pink one, should have long sleeves.

Making her bed and on my needles...

Now if only I could get the male folk of the family to make their beds like Peggy Sue is doing this morning!

She seems to be having a good conversation with her little bear...perhaps she is being reminded to empty her hot water bottle?

On my needles today:

There should only have been one dress...which I had hoped to be finished today, but I realised last night several rows deeper than shown above that I had purled some rows where I should have knitted so had to frog back to here.  So rather than do that while I was watching a DVD with my husband I thought I would start another ripple dress.

This time in pink!  I am hoping this will be Sasha size as I have used smaller needles.

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie has changed into her red dress again, I think she wants to wear this for Christmas...  I caught her sitting with this lovely expression today...I wonder what she is thinking about?

I have touched up her lips again, I think they are better this time.

Dressing gown & night dress.

On my list of things to make for Peggy Sue were a nightdress and dressing gown.  I remembered I had one of each of these that I bought some time ago for Sasha but had never used.  I wondered if they would fit Peggy Sue.  The nightdress is a little small under the arms, but does fit, although may well make her another one at some stage when I have the time.  Actually thinking about it, both a sleeveless and long sleeve nightie would be good.

I love to see her little toes peeking out

One in sepia tint with her bear.

The dressing gown fits well and is just like I had imagined.

It is so difficult taking a good photo in the dim light of the days that we are having.

How sweet...

I do like this sweet little girl a lot, but don't worry Anne-Marie isn't being neglected, she had her turn next...photos to come.

A knitted dress for Chrissy & new shoes for Peggy Sue

I finished the lime ripple dress this morning - I just had the garter stitch hem to do and then sew the buttons on.  It fits Chrissy well and I think she is pleased to have this dress.

She is still wearing her favourite boots which keep her feet lovely and snug and warm.

One more girl dressed for Christmas day.

I can't resist taking photos of Peggy Sue in her hat and coat.

She just looks so sweet in this I think.

I was delighted to discover that the purple Les Cheries shoes I had fitted her and go with her outfit perfectly.