Is this the thread for craft news? Because - for you serious knitters - I got a catalogue from Dover books and they have new editions of three Alice Starmore books. One on Fair Isle knits, one on Aran, and one with charts for color knitting.

"I can give you tips. English tips." (/Lloyd Dobler)

Happy anniversary, House of Reason!

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Had a busy weekend. Mom's in town, staying with her oldest brother this time (she spent her last trip in with me for my surgery). It's his 80th b-day next month, so we had an early party for him yesterday. I wanted to spend a little time over the weekend talking about what I'm planning for our trip to England with my mom, but she didn't want me to talk about it in front of Uncle Bill, since about half of the money for the trip will be coming from the money he gives the family at the end of the year from the sale of the family farm several years ago (the disbursement is never large, but it really helps out with small bills/expenses), and she didn't want me to admit to him that I'm relying on that cash this year. I don't think he'd really care, but she's worried he might be a bit touchy on the subject.

She did suggest to him that, if he wants those of my generation knowing what's going on with the money, maybe he should have one of us cousins from each of his siblings that had kids form a small committee to learn about the financial dealings. Mom put my name forward since my company is all about tax law and since I'm the only one of my siblings to be still in the area. I wouldn't mind doing something like that (it'd be interesting, that's for sure!), but not until after Jan. 1, because I'm really swamped between work and school and Christmas present making.

It was fun seeing all of my aunts and uncles, as well as one of my cousins (he drove my uncle out from Indiana). They were all really sweet about my weight loss. I did tell Bill that if I didn't already have my cat, I would have catnapped his and taken him home with me--Garfield is the sweetest marmalade tomcat!! I've got pics of him sprawled over my shoe (with my foot still inside), rubbing his face and neck all over it and hugging it. He slept with me on Saturday night, purring like a Harley motorcycle.

Is this the thread for craft news?

I believe that is Minearverse. Crafts, soaps, and character deaths.

aha! a thread I don't usually read. Thanks!

Toddson - that is very interesting.

ETA: did you seem the nice looking stranded work in the new Vogue knitting?

How do I pronounce "Stuyvesant?"

Sty-vuh-sent.

Where would you go shopping right now in London?

Liberty of London.

Harvey Nichols

Fortnum and Masons.

Past Times.

All the museum gift shops.

Portobello Road (on Saturday)

Oh, and Lush of course. (They have different products than the US stores).

thanks!