Moving House

I know I've not posted for a while but, like I mentioned in my last post, I've been moving house.  Apart from uncovering the extent of my yarn addiction (and realising how much other crafting stuff I actually own) It's made me realise just how emotional leaving a home can be.

The Boyfriend and I first moved into that house when I came back from living in Spain in 2009.  I'd spent two years abroad and, although I loved it, I was looking forward to coming back home.  I was really nervous actually as I'd never cohabited with a partner before but I needn't have been as we found living together incredibly easy (thank goodness!).  I was also fortunate enough to gain an amazing step-daughter. Then started a whirlwind year of parties, nights in and good times.  The Boyfriend and I could throw a good party...

 



2010 was the year that things started to get special.  The Boyfriend became The Fiance and we started planning The Wedding.  The house was turned into a veritable sweat shop of craftiness as we made bunting, invitations, table runners, bouquets and button holes (more on those in a later post ;-p).  Our lovely little house had really become our home and was now dubbed Casa del Clap.  We also had another cracking party for my birthday where everyone had to wear a hat:

Last year was the year of the wedding.  The night before the wedding The Fiance stayed away with his friends and my girlies and I had a sleep over at the Casa.  I left my little house that morning and came back a married woman.  A little home all filled up with love.  Here's me and my Dad on my wedding day:

And now we get to this past 12 months.  We bought a dog, Morris, Lord of Disruption and Chief Yarn Tangler and we also found out we were expecting a Tiny Clap.  Lo and behold, the little Monkey arrived, and the Casa was filled to bursting with happiness and joy.  My little family are ace!

So, as The Husband and I picked up the last remaining yarn balls, dusted the last room and closed the last blind I shed a little tear.  There have been so many happy memories in our little Casa and I'll be sad to leave.  I know we're moving on to better things but it's still hard to leave a place where you've been so happy.  But then again they do say "home is were the heart is" so I know that wherever my little family is will be our home and I know that our new Casa will gain even more happy memories than the first official Casa del Clap.

 

Firstly, an admission...

I have a problem.  It's taken me a while to admit it but it's true.  At first I tried to keep it a secret but, having just moved house, it's true extent has come to light.  It's becoming a huge issue and I don't think even The Husband had any idea of the depths of my addiction. I'm going to say it out loud...

My name is Becky and I'm addicted to ...

Yarn.

That's right.  Yarn.

Honestly I didn't have any idea of how much of the stuff I actually owned until I had to pack it all.  Earthy, autumnal yarns of ochre, rust and olive.  Speckled arans ripe for cabled sweaters.  Bright, jewel-like double knits for fun cardigans and toys.  Snuggly, warm chunky yarns to make scarves, hats and bags and dainty 4-plys and laceweight yarns for socks, shawls and little gloves.

I had enough UFOs (unfinished objects) and WIPs (works in progress) on my needles and hooks to last for the next ten years, but then in May something happened to fuel my addiction even more.  I had a baby boy.  What a grand excuse to go yarn shopping.  The Husband couldn't even say no!

"Ooh, look at that cotton yarn!  It'd make a lovely cardigan for the little Monkey"
"What a lovely shade of blue!  I've got a baby pattern just right for that"

Et cetera, et cetera...

And so, with yarn pouring out from every cupboard, under the bed, and even in the kitchen, I have been forbidden to buy any new yarn until at least next summer and any patterns I have must be adapted to use yarn from THE STASH. (The Husband was very clever when he tackled this issue, complimenting me on my "amazing technical ability to adapt patterns").  I shall try my best of course but, hang on, I've just been comissioned to knit matching Christmas Sweaters for the Monkey and his cousin.  I'm going to need to pop to the knitting shop for that.  It's OK though, it's for the baby...