A skirt for me

With all of the things that seem to happen at this time of year and all of the places that you tend to go, I thought that I really needed to have something nice for me to wear!I have been seeing lots of skirts getting around blogs of recent weeks and when I saw this on Ethel loves Fred and I thought perfect. I have actually had the pattern sitting in a box for maybe 12 months now because I thought that it would look to full on my small frame. Claire was kind enough to let me know what she did to make it look not so full - Thanks Claire.

My grandmother sent this material down last time Mum and Dad came to visit and I really wanted to show her that I do actually make something with what she sends me. So what do you think? I dont think that I would have actually chosen the fabric had I seen it on the bolt - but it looks nice made up.

And I am pleased that some how (out of pure luck) I managed not to have a big blue flower right on my behind! (opps and you can see the petty coat in that photo - but only because of the angle (I was doing self portraits again)And I will add this one in - cause I like the clouds. I have not worn a shirt tucked in for so many years - but as I was walking through Myers the other day I saw that all of the models had theres tucked in - so it must be the fashion - right?

Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

Ahh the first of December yesterday - where oh where has this year gone. In a blink of an eye it is that time of year again - And I am so not ready.

Last year I made an Advent Tree for Amelia and I was all organised for the 1st of December. This year I keep on thinking that December starts on the 11th of December after the kids and I fly up to Queensland and have stopped off in Canberra to catch the Wiggles in concert.

I am seeing some lovely advent calenders around blogland. Go and checkout this and this. But I am really leaning towards this idea that I have seen over at Pea Soup. Why have I never thought to do this at home. We do it every year as part of the church services in the lead up to Christmas and I think that Amelia would get alot out of it - so I am going to be super organised next year.

So, I thought that I had better do something Christmassy with Amelia (considering that I am not going to put the Christmas tree up this year as we will not be home to enjoy it) I saw these the other day and it took me back to doing them as a child with my Nan's old Womens Weekly' s. So with Amelia's help (I folded the page and she scored it) we made these!

Plum Puddings!
Look at these - Fit in your hot little hand. And best of all they will not add inches to your waist line!
See told you I was hooked on making food at the moment.

Cooked Breakfast! I'm cooking breakfast! How do you have your Eggs? And would you like one piece of Bacon or two? All cooked on the BBQ.Tim said that it was very clever - but he likes his eggs scrabbled - now there's a challenge for me!

The idea came from here - I am still having issues converting American patterns to English crochet - so I just sort of winged it and made it up as I went.

The Makings of a Salad Sandwich!

I also played around with the ham and have come up with square shoulder ham - what do you think?
Mouth watering! I also have breakfast and dessert - stay tuned.

To Have and To Hold... On Saturday we attending the wedding of Chris to Cindy.

Thankyou for allowing us to be part of this special and joyous day.

A break from Christmas Crafting!

We are heading to a wedding on the weekend and Amelia is going to help out and hand out bubbles and fans to the guests. As the colours for everything in the wedding is Red, White and Black I thought that it would be a little odd with Amelia wearing a Pink dress.

I had seen a dress that I liked here and here and remembered Novy mentioning that Sandi Hendersons Analise dress was similar to what she had made.

So with that information under my belt I ducked over to Crafty Mamas and bought it. Five days later I present to you...

Well a sneak peak anyway.

I will take lots of photos at the wedding tomorrow.

Now to find some shoes and make something to go in her hair (cause pink just won't cut it)

Playing around!

I was sitting looking at the toys on Ravelry the other night and thought 'I could make that'

So with the inspiration on Rav and Flickr I sat down with a crochet hook and set to work.

A few nights of crocheting, head scratching and lots of frogging, this is the result:

2 x pieces of White Bread measuring approx 14cm long x 10cm high
1 x slice of ham (probably more like Devon)
1 x lettuce leaf
1 x slice of tomato
1 x slice of beetroot
1 x slice of swiss cheese
2 x onion rings
3 x slices of cucumber
It sounds a little like the very hungry caterpillar doesn't it.

I could get very addicted to making crochet food!

* Inspiration from here, here, and here. And there are alot of people making felt ones around at the moment too!

A Little Bit of Pink!

Another thing off of my Christmas List:(I could have smiled - maybe it looks better on Bethal!)

Pattern: Asymmetrical Neck Cozy by Miryha Runnerstrom

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8ply

Needles: 5mm
Started: November 1st 2008

Finished: November 10th 2008

And another little piece of Pink goodness - After seeing Jodie's knit on her blog the other day I could not help but cast it on.It really is teeny tiny - but I do think that it looks cute on Strawberry Shortcake, so Amelia might just get it in among her Christmas gifts. I think that I will do some for charity knitting though - as it really did not take very long ans looks super cute.

Pattern: Scalloped Lace Baby Cap
Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8ply

Needles: 4mm
Started: November 8th 2008

Finished: November 10th 2008

I know that it is only the beginning of the week - but there is so much to do between now and Friday. We have a wedding to attend on Saturday (which I still need to make the guest book for) We are heading to Tim's parents on Sunday - so that means that some of the sewing gifts have to be completed. A new born may be born while we are away, so I really should have that gift ready.

And I have been featured over on Kobie and Jemma's Blog Ollie Rose
Well, not me exactly - the little knitted dress that I made the other week. Go and check it out.

The race that stops a Nation

What is a mother to do on the morn of the race that stops the nation? Make her daughter a facinator of course!
My Mum had bought Amelia a little kit for me to make up and I have placed it in a very safe spot - hopefully I find it in time for next year.

I used this pattern

I am not a huge race watcher, but I always seemed drawn to the Melbourne Cup. Maybe it is Tim's job as every year we all get to dress up, put on a hat and go to a luncheon and watch the race. The best part is the kids are always involved which I love.

This is how our horse ended her day, how did yours go?

Photo Fun!

We went for a trip to the Botanical Gardens and I snapped a few photos using the macro function - and thought that I would share.

Peacock strutting his stuff - why are the males always the better looking birds?

Poppies

and recycled jeans love spotted - how cool is it!

How time flies...

Well that is a week and what do I have to prove for it. Humm - I have made a little progress, but was secretly hoping that I would have more to prove for my time.

This seems to be the reason that I have not done as much as first hoped.
Our darling, beloved, purebred (saying all of this cause I really do love her and would not have it another way) Jumped into the dam last Thursday night and tore her leg and chest open. She has jumped into that same dam at the same place every day - but it appears that some delightful children in the area with nothing better to do had dragged a 4by2 piece of timber and dumped it. DH was right behind her and carried her home. And two hours of surgery, an overnight hospital stay and what was going to be my new sewing machine money that I had been saving for she is home. But (there is always a but isn't there!) The delightful mutt darling bit off the stitches and we are now back to the very beginning of the healing process, needless to say she is now looking like something that has just landed from Mars!

Off the list:
Tim's socks are finished - unfortunately the foot is too tight (humm - my tension square for the rib compared to the stocking stitch is completely out. So, they will be keeping my feet warm next winter, not my first choice in colour, but in all reality who is going to see them under long pants and inside boots anyway?

Pattern: Globe Trotter Socks by Jodie Danenberg
Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal Musica

Needles: 2.25mm
Started: August 8th 2008

Finished: October 25th 2008

1 x tea cosy - finished and I am really happy with how it turned out. I have not stitched the lid in place (thought that I would check it against the recipients tea pot before doing that last final step (note to self: remember to pack spare wool and needle when packing bags to go away for Christmas) This one will be for my Nan, she is a lover of roses. Tim seems to think that she will not use a tea cosy in Mackay - but I beg to differ. (am only showing a sneak peak at this - if you would like to see it in full you will have to go and check it out on Raverly - Have to keep some surprise for Christmas Day!)

Pattern: Grand Purl Baa's Rosie Posy Tea Cosy
Flower: Simple Knitted Rose and Leaf
Yarn: Cleckheaton Country Naturals and Shepherd Colour 4 Me

Needles: 4.5mm Hook: 4mm
Started: October 24th 2008

Finished: October 25th 2008

I have also added to the list (I know I am hopeless) I seriously think that I have CADHD (Crafters AHDH) - there is sure to be a place to send me and like minded people.

Lots more to share and tell but that will leave it for another post.

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Just had to share this with you all. This very clever and talented lady is going to open up her own little store. She has made a few prototypes which she giving away.

So go and check out the bird feeding skirts - they are fantastic!

(hit the heading to be taken to the Grosgrain site!

Making a list and checking it twice!

As I promised myself, I now present you with the list - I hope that I am actually able to manage half of these things - if not, I will be buying handmade from someone to make myself feel a little better about not getting things made myself.

Tim - humm - maybe I will wrap up his socks for him. He has plans of making us a camping trailer next year - So I think that I will get him the how-to book that he has seen.

Washer and Library bag for Kinder x 2
Kindy bag
Dress
Skirt and Matching Tops x 4
Skorts and Matching tops x 1
MellyandMe bag
Crochet Blanket for dolls
Tshirt and Short sets
Knitted Beanies x 2
Knitted Slippers
Shirt with MM print appliqué x 2
Knitted Tea Cosy x 3 (finished 1)
Tissue Holder and Needle Case
Knitted Bag
Appliquéd Onesie/Tee x 2
Crayon Roll
Knitted Washers x 6 and handmade soap
Knitted Fruit and Vegetables
Knitted Neck Cozy
Handmade Jam and Relish
Make, Address, Send Christmas Cards
Write and Email Christmas Letter
Blanket stitch around Santa for Baden's Christmas Sack


and a few random things that I would like to get done before Christmas

Finish Tim's Socks Now mine because they are too small for him (opps!)
New skirts for ME

Links will be added when I get a chance and I am sure that I will add to this list as I think of other things that I would like to do. Am going to aim to have a few things crossed off each week - lets see how I go.

On that - I am going to give myself a little blogging break. I really really need to make a start on said list. We leave for holidays on the 9th December - so I really dont have that much time up my sleeve and would like to have most of this done before then (that being said I will have use of Mum and Grandma's machines)

Christmas Planning!

Can you believe that it is only 64 days till Christmas - where on earth has this year gone.

I have to get organized for Christmas. I had huge plans at the beginning of the year to start a list of what I was going to make through the year and be ready - Humm I am far from ready, I seriously think I need another 9 months...

So - I am going to update the list and print it out and will leave it somewhere that I will see it on a daily basis. (will also pop it on here so I can cross things off and update it - just so I can prove to you all that I will not get anything done and I am dreaming!)

But at the moment I am chasing this little man around the house, he is almost 9 months old and on the move! He is commando crawling and rolling everywhere, it is so cute - but boy he is going to be fast when he finds his knees.
And Amelia is learning to ride her bike - She is doing so well and we are both so proud of her.

Fiddling with Sticks

Ok - slap my hands now - I know that I am meant to be knitting these socks! They were promised to Tim for his snow trip - and then it became his fathers day present and I am going to promise myself that I am going to have them finished for him for Christmas (before if I can help it)

When I went to visit my friend yesterday in hospital and she had already left I though that I would knit up a little wash cloth. I would like to make a few of these. They are so quick and only took a few hours watching tv last night.

Pattern: Grannies Favourite Dishcloth

Yarn: Down to Earth #141b - Spotlight (Bamboo)

Needles: 4 mm
Started: October 19th 2008

Finished: October 19th 2008

A little knitting and a littl sewing!

I know that I am meant to be knitting Tim's socks - but could not help myself from casting on this cutie.
It really is a quick knit and the longest part of it was trying to work out the pleats (dont look too closely because I did a horrendous job at it) Next time I make one I will gather the skirt on.This is going to be a gift for a friends new born (I went to take it too her today but she had already left, opps!)

Pattern: The Two Summer Sundress by Natalie Larson

Yarn: Patons Washed Haze Aran

Needles: 4.5 mm
Started: October 18th 2008

Finished: October 19th 2008

TOOLS at the ready!

Amelia was invited to a little friends 2nd birthday on the weekend. A little boy - oh I love little boys but since mine is only little at the moment I don't really know what a 2 year old little man would like.

After a little head scratching I made this...

My ZoeBug Giveaway...

Amy is celebrating her Birthday, Happy 29th again!

For the occasion she is giving away two US$15 vouchers for her Etsy shop. To be in for your chance visit her Etsy site and tell her what you would most like to win in a comment over on her blog.

I would have to say that I would love a set of her little pushpins. They would be right at home on my noticeboard and help to keep my disorganized life looking like I sort of know what I am doing.

Photo credit to myzoebug etsy store

Good Luck. Hope you had a great day Amy - you share your birthday with someone else very special.

Happy Birthday, Mum.

Vintage Sheet Swap!

I participated in a swap on blog land - Meika saw the idea on Oh Fransson blog and thought that the idea was fab and wanted to join in the fun but it was a little too late - and so she thought of doing one here down under.

So I sent off 10 fat quarters and in return received these...
Thanks Meika for organizing this in the middle of moving. I know that the Holly Hobby Fabric is from Cass - if anyone else can see what they sent let me know and I will add a link.

Show Time

Recently the local show was on and I decided to put in a entry. A few of the girls at the knitting group descided that we would try and knit something, just to see and to give people something different to look at other than the pale lemon children's knits (now there is nothing wrong with nanna knits - we just wanted to liven the place up a little)

So here is my entry - I have knitted these before and they are super cute. Saartje's BootiesAs it turns out the judges must prefer pale lemon lace booties over these!

I also placed two cross stitches in and received 1st place (cross stitch smaller than 30cm) and 2nd (cross stitch larger than 30cm) Although it could also be classed as 1st and 2nd last as there was only three cross stitches in total at the show. So Kate and I have decided that now that we know what classes there are we are going to attempt to place an entry into each of the categories. (note to self - remember to keep ball bands) Humm - I wonder why craft is dwindling in numbers at the show. Go and check out Kate's entry - I am thinking that I might have to make one or two of these for Christmas presents for the Grannies.