Home»Archive for May, 2011

My Water Baby

May 31st, 2011 Leave a comment

Ever since Jake broke his leg last year walkies have been shorter to allow him to rebuild his strength.  Gradually he’s been out for longer periods of time and playtime hasn’t been happening as it used to.  I’ve just been scared of him hurting himself again.

All those worries washed away over our weekend away.  He coped fine with being out all day and the highlight for him was probably playing in the sea.

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He’s always been a real water baby and seeing him jumping about in the waves was fantastic. 

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Of course there was lots of shaking himself off (much of which ended up over us) and he was covered in salt for the rest of the day.  That said he’s a dog and allowed a bad hair day if he wants one hehe…

My First Airshow

May 30th, 2011 Leave a comment

A little while ago I mentioned that I’d never been to an air show.  So Mr B suggested we visit the Southend-on-Sea Air Show which was on this past weekend.

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Saturday was a little miserable weather wise, but Sunday made up for it.  We walked along the beach with the dogs who enjoyed playing chicken with the waves.  I got a couple of shots of Jake in the water and the look of surprise and joy as the waves tumbled over him was priceless. 

The highlight however, was without a doubt seeing the Red Arrows.

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They really were amazing.  I’ve seen them on TV in the past but nothing prepares you for the real thing.  I’ll post some more shots of them soon, but right now I’m off to soak in the bath after a long but fun weekend.

What did you do at work this morning?

May 26th, 2011 1 Comment

I blew things up!  Ok, not really….  but it was fun anyway.

In case you really have to know and haven’t worked it out, that’s a cd in a microwave.  I also put a light bulb in there and blew up two eggs Smile  See there was some blowing up after all hehe…  Some days I just love my job!

100 and what to say?

May 25th, 2011 2 Comments

Well this is my 100th blog post and I’ve been trying to figure out what to say.  I thought about a give away, but haven’t got round to photographing the prizes.  Then I thought about sharing with you the new hat I’ve made (I also designed it but don’t get excited it’s not that flash), trouble is I haven’t worked out how to photograph the back of my head.

Then I remembered that I’ve had a little bit of a revamp and bingo.  I can talk about that.

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Here is the new background it all it’s glory, that is without a post stuck over the top.

Yup, it’s one of my images and is actually dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) floating on water.  I just love the patterns it makes as it skitters about!  I’ve also changed the blog name from Fantasia Yarns to just Fantasia.  Since I’m not just talking about yarn and yarn related things, I though the title should reflect this.  Hope you like the changes…

Some new socks…..

May 22nd, 2011 Leave a comment

I’ve recently embarked on knitting patterned socks. Normally I tend to do plain socks as repetitive tv knitting but hey we all need a change at times.

I’ve now completed a couple and come up against the age old problem of how do you photograph your own feet! You all know what I’m talking about and it’s practically impossible to do with a SLR. Enter the camera on my iPod.

Both the patterns are by cookie a and are from the Sock Innovation book. The one above is Wanida done in one of my own Fantasia yarns.

This one is Sunshine but I’m afraid I can’t remember where I got the yarn from.

I put my foot in it today…

May 16th, 2011 2 Comments

Yesterday I visited Layer Marney Tower here in Essex.  My friend Miss C is Head Gardener there and I eagerly joined one of her guided tours.  She showed us many beautiful plants and trees including a fab Sequoia tree.  I checked with her and it’s actually Sequoiadendron Giganteum aka the Wellingtonia Tree.

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By volume these big beasties grow to be the largest trees in the world.  This means that one day a choice will need to be made between this wonderful tree and the Church building it has been planted beside.  This strapping specimen is probably only 100 years old and as such a mere baby.  You’ve got to wonder why it was planted so close to a building!

At this point – awed by this amazing creation of nature, I happened to mumble to a group of ladies next to me that I thought I’d choose the tree.  Harrumphing, stern looks and tutting followed and a very offended voice informed, ‘You have to save the Church, always the Church.’  Oh my I think I put my foot in it……

Change is coming…

May 15th, 2011 Leave a comment

I’ve decided to make some changes to the blog.  When I started writing I envisaged a blog about yarn dyeing and knitting.  However, as it’s evolved it’s changed to include many other things.    I think the blog should reflect that.

My friend Maytheweed has been talking about how she wants her blog to be ‘her place on the web’.  I think she’s right so over the next few weeks I’m hoping to update the graphics and give it an overhaul.  Tonight I changed the name from Fantasia Yarns to simply Fantasia.  I don’t think this affects the blog address though, so hopefully there will be no linking problems.

Anyway please bear with me if the blog goes a little doolally as I get it all sorted……

And now for something a little different…

May 12th, 2011 Leave a comment

Remember my trip to Cambridge Botanic Garden?  While there I came across this little brick hut.  I’m not sure what it’s for, probably something mundane like hiding unsightly power supplies or something, but it looked so pretty I just had to photograph it.  However, something was bothering me.  It just wasn’t quite right and it took me a while to work out what it was.

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This fairy tale hut in the woods with it’s ivy, weather worn woodwork and peeling paint belonged in an old black and white movie.  Perhaps a silver screen version of a tale from the Brothers Grim, complete with over the top acting and the dialogue popping up for everyone to read.  The heroine blissfully wandering through the peaceful woods with a flowing cloak and basket, unaware of the impending danger. 

Of course now I’m trying to work out if the hut is her refuge or part of her doom……

Cambridge Botanic Garden

May 10th, 2011 1 Comment

A little while ago I visited the Botanic Garden in Cambridge for half a day.  I was rather excited about this after my fabulous day at the Durham Botanic Garden a while back.  Naturally I packed my camera for the day and planned on editing all the photographs then showing you all in one go.

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It’s not quite worked out like that.  Mainly because life has taken over and robbed me of the time to sit and go through all the shots.  So here are just a few.

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There was a beautiful lake area where you could sit and watch the world go by.

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Some of the small flowers were the most captivating.

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There were also lots of glasshouses, both hot and cold.  Wandering through them you should definitely look up.  By my feet were the pretty orchids from a few posts back and above my head this lovely glass ceiling.  I hate to say it but this is one of my favourite shots of the day.  I just love that style of architecture.

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And you should also look back.  The path winding it’s way through these bamboo was the route I took out of the garden.  I glanced back and loved the way the light was coming through them.

Maybe my life will calm down soon and I’ll get the edit the rest to show you……

A walk with the dogs….

May 9th, 2011 Leave a comment

It’s hot and muggy here in North Essex.  Not the lovely sunshine which inspires you to go and play in the garden, but the oppressive strength sapping heat that simply makes me want to sleep.

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In this sort of weather I often head to the woods with the dogs.  It’s cooler and the dogs love it.  Yesterday I took my iPod with me as I wanted to try out a new app which helps you make panoramas.

So here is the stream at Dedham which the dogs love to visit.  The water is beautifully clear and it’s always cool.  What more could you want?

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