Yes I am still around, yes I have neglected my blog and my knitting.

I was really busy finishing my uni work and a deferred assessment, both of which are now complete. Only one semester to go and then I’m done with my degree.

Then I had a really negative experience with an indie seller which caused me to find one thing (gasp!) I don’t like about Ravelry. As a result of not spending time on Ravelry I have been somewhat uninterested in knitting. Just plodding along with a stockinette cardi, not looking at new stuff.

I had a birthday, uneventful but nice and quiet. Then three weeks ago both a cyst and a tendon in my leg ruptured and I’ve been on crutches ever since. Specialist appointment in a week, must be patient.

So all in all I haven’t really had anything positive to say, but since I expect my online activity to be little over the coming weeks just wanted to update. Here’s hoping the second half of the year goes better! :D

Wow, it has been such a busy end to the year. My job has always been insanely busy and stressful, but particularly in the last 18 months as my workload almost doubled and our staff has been reduced. I’ve been in this job for eight years now and the first six or so were great, but now there is so much drama, in-fighting and politics that I can’t say I enjoy it much any more. It has become quite the negative force in my life and while I try to stop stressing about the things that are out of my control (which I find very difficult because of the crappy consequences those things have on my job and the people I’m helping to employ), I think it may be time to move on to something new.

On a happier note, I finished my final web design project for uni which scored me 81% and a very nice letter from the exams board (even though I have no exams!) to congratulate me so I’m quite happy with that. I have one more year of uni so I can finish two units that I missed due to scheduling conflicts and one unit that I deferred. The end is in sight!

Despite this worry I had a nice quiet Christmas with my mum and sister, who both spoiled me with lovely presents including these yummy merino/silk yarns from Lush Yarn. The blue is called Washed Away and the pink/red is called Raspberry Jam. At this stage I’m planning on using both for shawls since I’m participating in the 10 Shawls in 2010 Group at Ravelry. Bring on midnight so I can cast on for my first project!

As I stood outside taking these photos the kitties wanted to have a go too, so I finish 2009 with these gratuitous kitty pics of Gwen and Erin.

Have a great new years everyone and I’ll see you in 2010!

The random number generator has spoken and the winner of the buyster lighting gift voucher is:

Jessica!

Thank you everyone for entering :)

Kate from One Flew Over is hosting the Make7 CAL. The aim is to make 7 squares from Jan Eaton’s 200 Crochet Blocks book before the end of January.

These are my first three, done in sock yarn from Lush Yarn and The Knittery on a 3.75mm hook.

#65 Patriotic Sunburst

#9 Arcadia

# Briar Rose

These could certainly use some blocking to make them actually square, but I’m going to wait til I’ve put them all together in a large cushion cover before I block the whole thing.

If you’re into crochet and have the book, head over to the Make7 CAL or Flickr Group to join in.

P.S. The giveaway ends in a few hours, so there is still time to enter!

Only two days left until the giveaway for a $50 buyster lighting voucher is drawn, it’s not too late to enter. Just leave a comment on the giveaway post.