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.

Sock it to you!

Well I have a bad case of sockitis happening here! Have started two sets of which one of each is still sitting on the needles unfinished and not keeping anyones feet warm.

So in the hope of getting one set finished on Tim's feet I made myself a little bag to carry them in and not get tangled and recked in the bottom of my daily bag with all the other bits and pieces I seem to have lost in the bottom!

The pattern is available free from Crazy Lanea

The fabric is Aunty Cookie and was purchased from Meet Me at Mikes last year. I love it and would love to get my hands on some more.

A little bit of sewing!

I thought that this deserved it's own post

I DID SEWING!

Yes don't fall off of your chairs, I actually managed to sit at the sewing machine and start and finish something. It feels so good and oh it has been so long since I have been able to say that.

So here is a twirling skirt for Amelia.

The pattern is Little Hip Skirt from Favourite Things
The material was an opshop find from last year and I teamed it with yellow and white polkadot fabric.

Next time I make it I will sew the elastic into the back piece only, making it a smooth front waist band.