Back to the Blog...

Where has the time flown?  I don't know about you but it feels like I have blinked and we are already at Easter.

One term into school and I finally feel like I am getting on top of things.  The young man started his formal school learning this year and is doing very well.  He has come such a long way over the past year with his language and social development and we are thrilled that he has a loving a nurturing teacher to continue that this year. 

I've gone back to work this year as well and am loving being back in my field of early childhood and making a difference in little people's lives.

I have been knitting (more on that later)  Requests from both kids are coming in thick and fast with the weather slowly changing.  I am also part of a fun new blog about travelling with kids.  Pop on over to Punch Bouggy Travel and say hi.

BlogtoberFest

  Offically late to this years BlogtoberFest.  Better late then never though and it might get me blogging and showing some of the things that are in the works and that I have finished in the past few months.

I can not believe that we are already into October.     To join in with the BlogtoberFest fun make sure you stop by Shells in the Bush's Blog.

On the mend...

... finally.  I think that I have managed to take getting sick to a whole new level.  What was a viral thing turned into a full blown sinus and ear infection and lets throw in tonsillitis while we are at it.  I have been on antibiotics for a few days now and feel so much better.

I also have a giveaway to draw.  Sorry about that.

My little helper agreed to letting me put the names in his Bob the Builder hat.

The winner is Leonie. Congratulations to you and looking forward to seeing what you turn it into.

Thanks to all of the other entry's.  I will have to have another knitted item give away in the new year before the chill of winter hits.

November...

Where on earth has the year gone???
We are now 5 weeks from moving.  Have I started any Christmas preparations??? NO
Have I started packing??? NO
I have alot to do in the next few weeks.

I am hoping that this Christmas Planner will help me out.

I purchased the PDF file from The Organised Housewife and hoping that with her help I might be organised (we can always dream)

I have also made a section for the move.  So everything can be together and get lost together.

Did you follow along with any of the Buy Nothing New Month in blogland.  I am thinking of joining the BNNM a month late, better late then never.  My aim for the month is not to buy anything new when it comes to Christmas presents, there are some things that I will have to buy for the men in my life (that is a whole other story that I may share one day)  But I know that I have enough fabric in my stash to make all of the girls in the family a little dress and thinking pj's for the boys.  I am also going to go through and use up pantry and freezer and fridge items, that includes all or most of the condiments.  It all helps in the packing and unpacking that will occur here in 5 weeks (eeekkkkk!)

If you would like your own little Christmas Elf to help you along the way - they are $14.95 and I think that it is the best money I have spent in a long time - I have done nothing - but feel so organised. Organised Housewife: Christmas Planner

I am also going to join in with The Christmas Challenge.

A giveaway to end Blogtoberfest

Well as you would have all noticed I have managed to fail Blogtoberfest this year in a big way.  What can I say,  School holidays and two weeks away did not help me in this cause.

Better luck next year.

As a thank you to those that visited and those of you that did such a great job in following along, joining in and the like I am celebrating for all of you with a little giveaway.

Just leave a comment before next Monday (November 7th) and I will draw it randomly (with the help of the little people in the house.

The prize, now that would be handy to know.  If you are a knitter (or crocheter) than I will send you 1 ball of Mini Mochi Intense Rainbow Yarn and some super cute buttons.

If you aren't of the yarny crafts then I will knit it into a Rainbow scarf for you (and the buttons).  Let me know in your comments what you would prefer.

Thea and Sami Studio and Shop Opening

Thea and Sami opened their studio doors on Saturday.

I was lucky enough to head over and visit without any little helpers and also managed to enjoy a wine and a chat to her lovely partner Voyt.

Thea and Dan showed how they work together to create meters and meters of handprinted fabric.  To say it was amazing is an understatement.

I would love to do one of Thea's workshops, working around DH is going to be a challenge (cross your fingers for me)  It looks like so much fun.

The space is amazing 

A drying machine and a cleaning area. Thea will be opening the studio pn a Saturdays and you can pop in and have a look and you maybe lucky to see past students working away using this amazing space.

I did not come home empty handed.  I purchased a print of the famous Brisbane Skyline.   I just have to get a frame for it now.  

Thea also blogs, make sure you go and have a look.

SIT Part 1...

Where have I been I guess you are thinking.

Well if you were in Sydney over the weekend you may have managed to meet me, see me shopping or even had a laugh with me during Sew it together

I had so much fun with 51 other crafty bloggers.  Meet up with some old friends and met some that I feel like I have known since 2005 and finally have a voice to the name and the blog.

 

Becky and I

I am going to break the weekend into different posts.  I have too many photos for one mega post and would like to take my time in remembering the weekend. 

Plans are already in the pipeline for SIT #3 in 2012.  A heads up - it will be in the winter months and it will be COLD!

For photos as they are uploaded by others, pop by flickr's Sew it Together page.

Seeing Brown, Orange and Yellow

In two weeks time I will sitting, chatting and laughing with a bunch of like minded crafty girls.

Some I know and others I have never met,  but have been on crafty forums with and commented on their blogs over the years.

I received my name badge in the mail yesterday, it is from little betty.  Thankyou Chrisy, I am looking forward to meeting you soon.

Here is a sneak at the one that is almost at it's new home (I realized that I have added an extra vowel to her name just before posting so had to start again - opps)

Also in the mail last week was a parcel from Jennie,  Thanks Jennie - I won a prize in a blog post many moons ago, it was worth the wait. Looking forward to working out what to make with it - thinking a new purse for me and a key chain for starters.

Baden's Adam

I keep forgetting to share the first finished knit for the year.

Baden missed out in the knits department last year and I made myself a promise that I would knit him more this year.  

The wonderful Becky picked up a bag (10balls) of discontinued 10ply cotton before Christmas and send me half of the bag.  Isn't she the sweetest friend to have.  Becky and I meet through a friend whilst we were both living in Wagga, little did we know that we already chatted on a forum to each other and we will be sharing a room at SIT in just over a month.

She also set a challenge.  To see who would finish the vest first.  She was the winner, pop over and check out the vest that she knitted for her little man.

 Thanks so much Becky.  You are a wonderful friend, see you soon.

All the pattern and yarn details can be found on Ravelry

2010...the year that was...

Knitting...

If you follow or visit this blog than you will already know that the knitting needles were smoking in 2010. 

I sat down and worked out how many things slipped off of the needles. Total count came to 70 wow - I know that I was busy but in my wildest dreams never thought that I had done that much.  No wonder comments included 'knitting queen' along the way.

In that I managed 35 beanies, 13 test knits, 45 gifts, 2 fundraisers and 3 things for me.

I set out the year wanting to take full advantage of being in a capitol city and I think that I did achieve that.  I lept in and took part in the 'I knit Brisbane'.  I also attended two knitting related workshops one being the Colourwork Workshop with Biggan Dups and most recently the Dying workshop with Kelly both of which were held at tangled Yarns.

Other things for the year included teaching myself to crochet and selling a few beanies through Steph of Mon Petite Poppet.  Thanks so much Steph for taking them along to market with you.  I also over came my fears of cables and now spend many an hour looking on Ravelry at amazing patterns.

 I will leave you with the last thing off of the needles for 2010.  A shawl for my Mum.  This was a year long project for me (one of two shawls in 2010) I love the end result but don't think that I will be rushing out to knit with black again in a hurry - it is not something that I could work on at night (being the hours that I get most of my knitting done)  For pattern details and a few more photos make sure you check out Ravelry

My Creative Space

Becky, said that she was busy over in her creative space today.

So I thought that I would share a few things that are going on here.  I am starting to think that I have too many things on the needles - but with Christmas fast approaching I am starting to stress a little - and if I have used up all of my needles I can't start anything else - Right???  Or maybe I could buy yet another interchangable cable!

So,  This knit is getting there - I should have left it alone while Baden was sick last week - But no.  After frogging back to where I was originally up to when he got sick - I am almost back to where I would like to be.

These devine colours are calling me to create something cute for an up and coming little bub who will live in this RoBoT inspired room.

And a little purple love. 

There is also a shawl, scarf and a few beanies on the needles - oh and then there is the crochet and sewing piles.  Lets not even talk about the pile of things that need fixing. 

Best run and get something finished and get this crafting under control...  

Join in the fun.

Day #27 Valentino

On Saturday I caught the train into the city and meet up with Marie.

Together we walked around, pointing, ohh and ahhing at the wonder that is Valentino.  What an amazingly talented man and designer. He really is the man behind the ruffles and bows.

On the way out I shouted myself a pattern making book.  Looking forward to sitting down and reading it soon. 

If you are thinking of going, go, and you best hurry - you only have until the 14th of November.

Spotty...

Thanks for the messages and emails from my last little post.

We are ok.  Just a little spotty.

The little man, and not so little Man* have managed to get Hand, Foot and Mouth.

I went for a shower and came out to this...

at least they think it is funny (between the tears and pain)

  

* The not so little Man in the house manages to get every childhood illness that the kids come home with. His immune system has gone back to infancy after his encounters with lightning.

#12 A Give Away

Would you like to be in with a chance to win a handmade crochet hook case? 

I have one of these cases, handmade by Gabrielle from American Yarns to giveaway.

This give away is a little different and is a find and search giveaway.

To be in for a chance.  You will have to follow the instructions and answer a few questions. Email your answers to Gabrielle, the first person with them all correct will be the lucky winner.

On your marks... get set...GO...

 1. What is the subject of her most recent blog post?

 2. There is a vintage pattern on Gabrielle's blog - what is it for?
 3. When is the snowflake class scheduled for?
 4. What is October/Novembers Kollage Yarns KAL Project?
 5. When did Gabrielle learn to Crochet?
 6. When is the Sit and Stitch group held at American Yarns?

 7. How much for a ball of Sugar and Cream Super Size?

 8. What colour is the Denise Interchangable Needle Kit that Gabrielle has in-stock?

 9. How much for a ball of Sweet Georgia Cashsilk Lace?

All the answers can be found in Gabrielle's BLOG and SHOP. 

Email address is  info@americanyarns.com.au

Oh and let me know if you enter:)