How I out Hermione'd Hermione.

Yesterday I had a fabby day at Uni.

It started in a mild panic. I'd got into the studio at 8.30 only to have to turn around and run home because I'd forgotten my photographs that I needed for my project review later in the day. Stupidly they were still in my printer tray, inches away from where I'd picked up something else that morning. Amazingly my eyes must have slipped past them. Anyway, I picked them up and ran back to Uni in time to make it to my 9.15 appointment I have on a Thursday. An hour and a bit later I went back to the studio to find out which review group I was in and what time we were meeting. Oh joy! It wasn't until 1.30 so I had so time to get me stuff together.

So at 1.30, 5 of my course mates and I sat down around the table and did our show-and-tell.
The first girl went up and hadn't produced a mood board which was a requirement for the meeting. Fee told her in no uncertain terms that if she was a designer, she'd be sacked. That simple. I immediately planned. I hadn't got a mood board either but there was a good reason.

They went round the rest of the group and then it was my turn. Why is it I always seem to be last? School sports teams have left their mark. So, I sat there and faced Fee.
"OK I don't have a mood board because when I started to research this, it seemed to head in lots of directions and I didn't want to overcrowd it so I wanted to ask for some guidance".

"That's a mature answer" responded Fee and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I started by telling them my quote and then how I brain stormed. "It immediately fired ideas of breaking rules and anarchy. I felt that traffic signs represented this really well so I started by taking photos of signs". Showed the photos."Then I noticed some graffiti which of course is breaking the rules but also a way of writing" more photos and photocopied images. "I really like the line quality of this particular graffiti piece" nods of approval and a small discussion on types of graffit. "At the same time I was considering writing and wanted to explore types of writing - alphabets, runes, pictograms, that kind of thing, so I went off to the British Museum yesterday and had a look at the Asia and Islamic section". More nods and smiles from tutors. "I really like this image you've photocopied from a book" said DT, holding up a a large, single word in Arabic. "Yeah I did too. In fact that made me think of fractals so I've been looking at those too which fits nicely with the quote because fractals occur at the point where order and chaos meet". At this point I'm trying to ignore the whispers that were travelling around the table. Fee and DT both understood my mood board dilemma but the DT told me that the amount of work I generated meant that I could produce 3 - 1 for each aspect. "Oh! Can I do that?" Apparently this is a rule you're allowed to break!.

But wait because I've saved the best till last. We talked about fractals and patterns and I mentioned that I was intrigued at what would happen if you broke up a pattern. "I'm knitting this lace scarf for a friend for Yule, so I copied the pattern, cut up the individual lines and then pulled them at random and knitted them.". Fee takes my research book where my piece of knitting has been attached and starts to examine it. "So where did this come from?" she enquired. "The pattern. These are the rows and then I recorded the order in which I knitted them". Fee looked at me with a look mixed with shock, awe, disbelief and excitement. "So did you knit this?" she enquired. "Yeah" I replied matter of factly. At this point the whispering started again. "That's kind of as far as I got". We then spent a good 5 - 10 minutes talking about chaos and the ideas I'd generated.

The group broke up with ideas of how to develope our individual projects. And I went for a smoke. It's Thursday, I'm allowed. One of the others came out and joined me. "Oh my God how much work have you done?!" at this point I felt uncomfortable. I work hard but really don't like to draw attention to it. It's just how I work. It's not special or weird. It just is. "I just researched my quote. We've had 3 days so it's a reasonable amount of work for that length of time. Plus I don't have TV so I need to do something of an evening". Kel looked at me with some understanding and less fear. "Plus you can knit. Fee loved that. She thinks you're great". Again with the discomfort. "erm .... I'm not sure that's true but cheers". Then Fee came out and joined us. She was really excited about that fact that I knit and we talked some more about disrupting patterns.

I went home last night on a little cloud of happiness. I'm so glad that knitting was my first rotation.

x

Irony

Today I went back to Uni after a week off for "reading". (Or in my case cracking through the Yule knitting). Last night I received an email from my course tutor, telling me that I (and the rest of my group) will be starting our knit rotation. Can you imagine how distressed I was at the news? 7 weeks of knitting. Bugger.

This morning we met our tutor - Fee - and received our brief. Each of us picked a quote of of a "hat" (actually it was a plastic wallet but the principle's the same) and this will form the basis of our project. So what was my quote?

"If they give you ruled paper, write the other way!"

So can you see why this made me smile? It's about breaking rules. ME?! Fee gave some starting points for everyone specific to their quote and she immediately said "So you can think about breaking rules, anarchy and not conforming". I couldn't help but grin at the irony and yet my mind is brimming with ideas.

• What happens if I cut up lines of a knitting pattern and re-arrange them and then knit?
• I can explore writing and types - pictographs, runes, alphabets etc.
• Taking different types of rules and playing with them - The Highway Code, The Ten Commandments, Health & Safety.
• I could maybe do something with paper

At the moment I'm still at the research stage and I have until Thursday to generate as any ideas as I can. I also need to consider colour, structure and form.

If the quote makes you think of anything then feel free to share. There are no wrong answers.

x

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)

This is amazing.

Yarn, glorious yarn.

Yesterday I had the best day I've had in ages with the lovely Britswitch, It being Samhain and all, we planned to get together, give thanks for the past year and remember those who have gone before. It was beautiful to spend time with my friend and I always enjoy ritual with her - we just seem to understand what the other is thinking which makes for excellent work.

However, we had a few things to achieve before then. First I wanted to go to I Knit. I thought it would be best to go and play with wool, feel inspired and wind down after a quite hectic and intense week, especially before we moved into the main event later that evening. But mainly I wanted to go because I've been almost obsessed with it since I saw the profile for it in Stitch and Bitch London

I've been really good lately and have saved up some pennies. I also wanted to buy some pretty sock yarn for gifts for friends. (and no they won't be receiving socks!). We arrived (with a slight squee from me when I caught sight of the shop) and entered what is truly a knitting haven. Brits was very patient and let me scamper around like a small child in sweet shop, gasping over the gorgeous colourways and trying to decide which ones would suit which friends. Eventually I decided -

And then because I'd been so good I bought a little something for myself. I have no idea what I'll do with it but then that's the beauty of stash.

The lady who runs I Knit was really friendly and very helpful. As I went to the counter explaining that I need to buy these for gifts and I'd like these but I'm a poor student and not sure that my funds will stretch .... she gamely picked them all up and said "Well we can try and if not we'll just have to put some back and try again". I looked slightly astonished, embarrassed and relieved all at once. Catching my mixed expression, she assured me that she completely understood and had once "spent her gas and electric money at the wool expo at Ally Pally a few years ago". Suddenly I realised I'd found a friend.

But I Knit is more than a shop. (or opium den - take your pick). It's a haven, a sanctuary. It's a fully licenced bar with tables and chairs and a comfy sofa for you to sit and knit in peace. When the Goddess gives you such a gift, it's rude to ignore it.

Armed with a pair of DPNs (Double pointed needles. See I was determined to buy some wool!), I sat myself down, unfurled a skein and started to cast on some socks. But wait. The lady came over to me and said "It'd be easier if you wound that into a ball. We have a skeiner if you'd like to use it". I looked at the contraption that Heath Robinson would be proud of with some fear and said "Oh it's ok. To be honest I've never used one before and it looks a bit daunting". "Oh it's easy" she said "Come on" and with she had me by the hand and led me over to an expandable wooden drum. She slipped my skein over it, threaded the end onto a rotating bobbin and told me to turn the handle. And this is the result.

This wool will be made into socks for a friend. I sat in a state of complete and utter bliss. It was just the tonic I needed after such a challenging week. Knitters really are the nicest people.

We had a wonderful evening honouring and feast, singing and laughing.

I looked at my stash this morning and realised how appropriate it was that I bought wool yesterday. Samhain is a fire festival, an element associated with the spark of inspiration and creativity which is certainly true of knitting. However it is more than that. For me, as I knit, I remember my wonderful Grandmothers who taught me (with patience) that I can create something beautiful with two sticks and some string. I remember the thrill of learning to purl and realising that now my knitting was limitless. With just two stitches I could create all manner of textures, surfaces and patterns. As I knit I remember, honour and carry their spirits with me.

I wish all of you peace and happiness for the coming year. I hope that you find your own creative spark and that it brings you joy.

x

I'm good at .....

This week I had a tough time at Uni.

Monday started with me working in the studio until gone 6pm trying to finish my last of 5 sketchbooks. We were told they had to be done for the following day (and guess what? we didn't use them!) so of course I had to finish them. Eventually I had to leave the studio when my brain stopped working and I finished the sketchbook when I got there on Tuesday morning. My Lovely Boys and L sat me in the pub where I was surprisingly helpful in the pub quiz. Tuesday and Wednesday were OK. In fact Wednesday was great and I made more progress with my essay. And then I got to Thursday.

I bounded into the studio with enthusiasm for the day. We have our first assessment due in a couple of weeks and there has been a marked up-swing in the amount of work people are suddenly doing. (mainly due to the fact that a lot of them have been off with "flu" [hangovers] and are behind). I'm not being smug but I was pleased that my attendance has been constant because I knew that I'd have time to now tweak my sketchbook. So I had a chat with my tutor about the work I've produced. So far we're only looking at the line and colour work.

The first pages were great and they were really encouraging and then ... it was less happy. There seemed to be a few pages that weren't working and it was suggested that they should just be removed as they wouldn't help me. I mumbled consent and out they came. And some more. And a couple more. In fact, of one day's work, 1 page of the original 4 remains. Ouch!

I wasn't happy. I wasn't angry with my tutor - she was right - I was just deflated. I looked at my work and could see exactly what they were telling me. And then I slightly freaked out at the amount of work I have to re-do.

Last night I went out for dinner, hung out with my Lovely Boys and Bre and had a couple of glasses of wine. I had a lovely sleep and a little lie-in. (8.30 is a lie-in isn't it?) and then had a leisurely breakfast. Over my third coffee, I mused over the work I had to do and then it occurred to me.

So I lost pages from my sketchbook. So what? I can add more pages till I can't close the book if I so desire as long as it's of a good quality. My book has been streamlined. Now I can enhance it. I can add mini sketchbooks inside (I'm good at making them) and make something truly individual. So some of my colour and line work needs to be improved. There are aspects of the 7 weeks that I'm bloody fantastic at. My 3d work and sculptures always seem to draw compliments from my DT and that is my first love anyway. It's part of the area that interests me the most. Drawing is just part of a process it is not the finished thing.

And there are plenty of things I can do really well.

I can knit. I can cook fabulous suppers. I make yummy cakes (I'm sat enjoying one as we speak!) I'm creative. I can problem solve. I can train people. I can listen. I can find my way around a new place with a good sense of direction. I can chant. I can roll my tongue. I can hold a reasonable conversation in Polish and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The thing is, most of those things I learnt and I can learn this too.

So my weekend will be working but with a huge proportion of play. I just need to hide the glitter from Jemima.

x

A Night With Albert

This evening we had a house outing to the Albert Hall to watch a performance o Carmina Burana. Of course this meant a fantastic photo opportunity for me!

We had a fantastic evening and the music was awe inspiring. As we walked back in a post gig haze, I spotted more things that I wanted to capture. The light and the structure of these buildings were as inspiring as the music.

x

Meme o meme

Better late than never. Roses set me this challenge and then I got caught up with Uni. Here goes -



1) My mother once: told me I had pretty eyes.



2) Never in my life: have I felt so free.



3) When I was five: I loved stopping at my Granny's without my sister



4) High school was/is: the reason counselling is necessary.



5) I will never forget: How loved I am.



6) I once met: The ideal man.



7) There's this person I know who: is a bad influence on me. Actually there are several.



8) Once, at a bar: My friend and I had the best night ever as we put a sizable dent in the bottle of Disaronno behind the bar and learned that the other person was actually really cool.



9) By noon I'm usually: in the studio.



10) Last night I: Enjoyed a film and some quality knitting with my housemate.



11) If only I had: belief.



12) Next time I go to church/temple: I'll try not to draw the windows.



13) Terri Schiavo: is who exactly?



14) I like: knitting, photography, my bed, quirky men, quantum mechanics.



15) When I turn my head left, I see ; my bed, rug box and a vase full of knitting needles.



16) When I turn my head right, I see: a pile of washing and my kite.



17) You know I'm lying when: my voice goes up an octave. Apparently.



18) In junior school: I was very quiet.



19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare: I'd be an extra.



20) By this time next year I: I'll be older. Anything else is a bonus.



21) A better name for me would be: Sarcastic.



22) I have a hard time understanding: Scousers.



23) If I ever go back to school: I'd be at Uni

24) You know I like you if: I'm sarcastic.

25) If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: Mummy G.

26) I hope that: I can one day relax.

27) Take my advice: find your own way.

28) My ideal breakfast is: pancakes.

29) A song I love but do not have is: "This Kiss".

30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: you bring a good book.

31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips and track stars: I love soft pink ones the best, are human, not as good as chunky chips, look better in a tracksuit than I do.

32) Why won't anyone: Realise I'm right?

33) If you spend the night at my house: I'll cook if you supply the wine.

34) I'd stop my wedding: Yes.

35) The world could do without: Torture.

36) I'd rather lick the belly of a roach than: go ten-pin bowling.

37) My favourite thing is: my capacity for favourite things.

38) Paper clips are more useful than: The majority of ex-boyfriends.

39) And by the way: I prefered "Under the Bridge".

40) The last time I was (really) drunk: Was the night before I went to Darlington. It numbed the pain of 2 platform changes.

41) My grandmother always: told us we should always use the loo when you see one. You never know when you'll see the next. A wise woman.

Anyone who wants to have a go at doing this is more than welcome. But let me know so I can have a snout.

x