How sweet it is

The knitting stuff

I've started a new project and it's not lace. In fact, it's small blue cotton bag, that I'm making as a kind of a wrapping for a pair of socks that I made for a Christmas present. The French are really good at wrapping presents. The wrapping is normally so lovely that you just don't want to unwrap the present.

So rather than give a pair of sock, I'm wrapping them in a a little bead bag. Now the problem is....

I was feeling a bit mingy and I bought the cheaper beads when I was in NY. The Japanese beads were $3.00 more, so I bought the ones made in Hong Kong. The hitch is (and there is always a hitch), the beads are a little more irregular in shape and the aperture runs from big to tiny. So it took me about 2 hours to thread 700 beads.

OK , if I knit very fast, I might get a picture up before I go to bed.

Now, my Secret Pal 2 is a real sweetheart. I mean her name is Valentina, so I mean that figuratively as well as literally. She sent me another little present. (really should not spoil me like this). See that scarf book? Well, it's true all scarves are not created equal. I've lusted after this book since reading Froggy's review. My bookcase groaned (what another knitting book!). My husband groaned (the E numbers.. you can't possibly drink that stuff, then later, DYE...what do you mean DYE in my kitchen) and me, well, I was like the cat with the cream. Thanks Valentina. ... you are soooo kind.

More from my sister's wedding

This picture I display for Amelia. Amelia was a real trooper when I was in NY, she voluntarily went shopping with me for my shower favours for me sister. I didn't want to break the bank and preferred to get something nice, even if it meant a smaller quantity.

In the end, we went to l'Occitane. I bought large packs of 15 guest soaps (they were so yummy) and 30 little things of Shea Butter. I asked for raffia and cellophane and spent about 3 hours wrapping these.

In the UK, people don't really do the Hen (Batchoerlette) Party, Spa Day and bridal shower. It's all a lot more low key. The key differences from each of these parties are different. For example, the shower is a proper party that you can invite the mother of the bride and groom. No raunchy games and strippers.... You can even invite the boss. While it's usually done in someone's home, due to the number of people travelling, we had to hold it in a restaurant since it was so close to the wedding date.

Here's the cake.

The cake - it's got a tiramisu filling. Yum!

Spa Day is really between the bride and her bridal party. It's just a girls' day out. You all get pampered and treat the bride to something fun and relaxing.

Hen Party is a wild night out. No, I'm afraid we opted out of this one.

Posted by atu at November 24, 2004 08:52 PM