Hywel's thoughts, ideas and inventions

For those that don't know; my son Hywel has Asberger's syndrome. This is a form of Autism which means that for him, sounds are louder, colours brighter and feelings much stronger and harder to control.

However, this is not to bring you all down or make you feel sorry for him; on the contrary, he sees the world a little different to most people and as a result has some great thoughts, ideas and inventions that I would like to share with you over the next few weeks.

My absolute favorite is this one:-

At the beginning of films and TV shows, the producers are required by law in this country to warn you of any flashing images before you begin to watch them. As we all know, these repeated flashing images can cause Epileptic seizures in some children. Very serious and scary stuff and not to be taken lightly.

Well, Hywel's idea is that the local councils (or highway departments) should also be forced, by law, to erect signposts on roads that are lined by trees. These signposts should say

"WARNING! This road may contain sun flashing through the trees that may cause Epileptic seizures"

At first I laughed, but the more I think about it; that flash, flash, flash that you get on a sunny day is just like a strobing light. Hmm maybe I should write to my council member.

Go to your kitchen, open a drawer, any drawer, what are the first 3 things you see?

This was the question asked on the Cafemom forum today.

Hmm, interesting question, well I rushed to the kitchen to see; my drawers are always in need of a clear out anyway.

Item 1 one of those little plastic circle thingies with legs that they put in the pizza box to stop the topping from touching the lid; why would I have washed and kept that? OK I've officially "outed" myself as a hoarder!

Item 2 Plasters. yes a much used box. Usually MY fingers on tins (amazingly I never cut myself on knives - wierd huh?)

Item 3 A knitting needle. Actually this is a real cooking impliment. I use it to poke cakes with to see if they are done yet. If it comes out sticky they need a little longer; if it comes out clean the cake is done.

Conclusion; Yes it's time to clear out the drawers again.
Among the "also founds" were McDonald's toys, fridge magnets, paper clips and googly eyes.

No wonder I can never find a spoon when I need one!

Now it's your turn; go see what is in your drawers that shouldn't be.

What are you knitting Eddy?

Well, the year rushes on and my original challenge of making 52 items in 52 weeks is still running. At our last count we had 29
Well I've joined some online knitting groups ,challenges and swaps so that's more excuses to make more goodies.

I'm making a quilt cover (knitted) for my daughter's bed with the help of a ravelry.com group called Welshmille's KAL (That's Knit A Long). We are all sent the same squares every week which we make in our own colours and yarns to make a unique blanket. I can't count this one as done yet as it will go on until just before Christmas. The end blanket will be 7 long squares by 7 squares wide. so far I have 12 squares - so quite a bit to go yet then.

I joined another group in which we will be swapping little amigurumis. Yes another Japanese knitting term. Knitted or crocheted stuffed creatures; usually animals but can be inanimate objects with faces too (like cupcakes or bananas) I made a sweet little dragon with wings. I made a big mistake on him and sewed up the head before adding the safety eyes. as knitters will know safety eyes have a disc at the back to keep them on so I couldn't use them! But no panic, my local yarn shop found me the most beautiful buttons to use instead. Twinkly little jewel eyes. So he counts - Hurray 30 items! I love round numbers.

I also made this sweet little Chihuahua. I thought he would be small as the pattern I used did not give a finished size. But he is 12" tall - that's almost bigger than a real one! = 31 items

For my shop I made some zodiac creatures. Cancer the crab and Leo the Lion were my first ones, I'll be adding more as the year goes on. Leo sold straight away! What fun. I will make another straight away; it wouldn't do to have a gap in my zodiac. I also must make more owl cushion pals as I have sold 3 out of the 5 I made. I do love sales though - they keep me in yarn :) = 33 items

Now for what I'm working on next; I have made this little drawing of a hyena/african wild dog/alsation. Well I haven't quite made up my mind what he will be yet. So I'm going to make a little pattern for a knitted version of him. I've written patterns before, they are available free on itunes.com You will have to tell me if the finished item looks anything like the original sketch when it is done.

I've also got two more swaps coming up for a sea creature. I don't want to do the same one twice so you will have to see how that turns out later too. ah yes better keep those needles clicking; Christmas is coming fast! yes, already over halfway through the year. What a Scary thought

Total so far = 33 items in 28 weeks - better step it up a notch; wouldn't want to get behind!

Happy Birthday Catswire

Today is the Birthday of one of my dearest online friends; Happy Birthday Catrin!

She lives in Germany with a husband and five truly crazy cats and has a really fun blog as well as superb shops called Catswire at Etsy, Artfire and Dawanda.

Catrin is so clever, she is able to crochet wire of different kinds to create the most wonderful jewelry

She also incorporates precious and semi-precious stones into many of her lovely wares.

Like this beautiful sardonyx in sterling silver with a sterling silver necklace too.

Don't worry if you prefer your jewelry a little more chunky; she can even crochet leather cord with copper wire to create amazing settings for her wonderful collection of super-pretty stones. (I do believe there is onyx in there too)

And do you know what makes it really special?

As a gift to us on her birthday, she has reduced the prices on many of her pieces by 15%.

If I were you, I'd pop over there sharpish before she changes her mind!

Knitting Challenge - Week 24

Ok so I bet you all thought I'd forgotten about this didn't you? Well here's a recap first;

In January I decided that I would knit one item for each week of the year; making 52 items in 52 weeks.

Last time I blogged about this it was 22nd April - week 16 and I'd done 23 items.
(I know, it's been a while) but I've still been working on it.


The next thing that happened was that I got sent this lovely illustration by my very good friend and very clever illustrator Trisha Rennea. she asked if I could make them a reality. She designs lots of adverts, avatars, logos, free downloads and planner sheets on her blog

I think the answer to that one is yes! so there you have five happy owl cushion pals to add to my tally. My maths is shoddy, but I make that...28


And then, just because sometimes you have GOT to be silly; I made this shark hat designed by the knitting ninja - Allison Mac Alister.

I entered it into an "item made for father's day" contest on the Artfire Cafemom Team's blog - and won! yeay, Now my Artfire rapidcart (a selection of items in my Artfire shop) will be shown on their blog for a whole week. Yippee

OK so that makes the total ...29.

Not bad for week 24.

What became of Squiffy?

Do you remember Squiffy? my new dinosaur puppet I made for sale on Artfire? and Dawanda

Well, I asked you all to vote on whether she needed ears or not. You can see from the poll opposite that you all voted overwhelmingly NO.

However, I did receive some feedback that her horns were not big enough. Well I couldn't make her nose horn any bigger; she's a little cross-eyed as it is (well so would you be with a horn on your nose) But I did upgrade her back horns. Now you can see them clearly over her eyes.

I also added detatchable arm rods so that you can use her with or without them. These rods have padded bases to make them safe for even young kids to use.


She is now up for sale on Artfire in my studio Eddy's Pressies. For those who prefer to pay in Euros, you can find her on Dawanda. But even though there is only one. Don't worry; You can email me at eddyspressies@gmail.com I will happily make one up for you in the colour of your choice. Maybe white horns? maybe green skin? It's up to you.

Oh dear, oh dear,

I haven't blogged in a long time. Oh naughty me.
Well, to make it up to you I have some great shopping news

You can go to either zazzle.com or zazzle.co.uk
(They are both running the same promotion - now that's unusual)

order anything - any price - any destination - and get free shipping

All you have to do is enter the code JUNESHIPFREE at the checkout to get your free delivery.

So go get all those things that you love but were put off by the combined shipping fees.

This lasts until June 30th so you still have lots of time to browse and select your favorite items

Breakdance Bunny by Eddy_G

Don't forget to visit my mugs too

School bus by Eddys_Mad_Mugs