{Somewhere Over the Rainbow}

It's been a while since I have had a finished knit off of the needles. 

This was on the needles for three months and I am in love with it. 

The pattern is by Julia Stanfield (aka Just One WIP) and is called Western Hills - The Blanket and what's better, it is free. 

This is the second time I have knitted this blanket and it is quickly becoming my go-to baby gift at the moment.  It takes a little longer to finish, but the end result is worth it.  There have also been requests for one in an adult sized one, I somehow don't think that it will be on a set of knees for this winter but is certainly something to aim towards. 

The yarn in this one was a hand dyed pack that I purchased 2 years ago by Red Ridinghood Yarns, the colours are amazing. I'm currently attempting to knit from my stash, so the only thing purchased was the white from Bendigo Woollen Mills.

 

There are more knits on the needles at the moment as it has cooled down somewhat and again I remind myself that I should be more organised, mybe next year.
 
What is on your needles at the moment?
Have you been doing anything crafty?

Don't...

...stand still around here at the moment.  You may be put into a bag, thrown out, rehomed or popped in the Charity bin.

With every move comes the clean up.  I am being ruthless this time.  On the hit list this week is the acrylic wool and the linen cupboard.

I did not take a before photo but I am very happy with my after result.

I have a cupboard like this one here.  Infact, it could easily be mine.  More on that later.  It only felt like yesterday that we were packing up and moving to Brisbane, that is until you come across how much the little people have grown in the time we have been here.

Joining in with the fun over at Tinniegirl and failing to visiting all that is on the list.  How is everyone else going?

In my creative space...

...I am creating a rainbow today.

The colours are devine and is making me want to knit and knit some more.

 It is Crystal Palace Mini Mochi and I think that it is the softest wool I have ever knitted with.  This scarf will be the first to make it's way into the Christmas Present box (if Amelia doesn't claim it before then)
Mini Mochi is available from Yarn Over for those that may be interested in getting themselves a little colour onto their needles or hook.

For more colourful and creative spaces grab a cuppa and hop on over to Our Creative Spaces.

Jennie has also featured a little of my creative fix it skills on her blog today.  Lucky me, three mentions on her blog in a week.  
And one of my knits is featured over at Ingrids today (I am a popular girls today) Thanks so much girls.

No-one...

was there to stop me...

I guess I have some knitting to do.  Fingers crossed that we do get that southern posting.


Will pop back in with pattern plans.

Crochet Blanket

A little love on its way out to Laidley Kindergarten.

When I heard that this Kinder had muddy waters through there Kinder my heart broke.  I know first hand how hard it is to establish a centre and the years it takes to collect and make resources.

Hoping that this little blanket will bring a much needed smile to some little ones when they eventually get back into their centre, they have started the year in the High School Hall.

Pattern is Summer Garden Granny by Lucy of Attic24 and used left over yarn.  A great stashbuster, I might have to do some more and get rid of some of the yarn that I have lying around here.

Stash is not Stash...

if it is gifted.

A gift from the lovely Steph,  I am so blessed to have found such a wonderful friend.

...if it is not for you (this will be turned into a shawl for my grandmother)

...if it is going to be gifted as part of a swap

... if it was purchased from a fair

... if it was purchased from an open day.

...if it is prize yarn

Biggan 8ply x 2balls as part of their monthly comp on Ravelry

...if it is the next project on the needles...

... Humm... The boxes are now filled to the brim and overflowing with yarny goodness. Best go knit.

Matchy Matchy

for a friends new born little girl and her bigger sister.

Febusave

Have you heard about Febusave?

 I signed up towards the beginning of the month and have been meaning to do a post on it all month.  So here I am almost at the end, so I may as well do a round up for you and so I have a copy for myself for reference in the future.

I made a deal with myself this year that I would not spend money on wool or material that I did not need.  I even walked in to Spotlight the other day and only walked out with elastic and three meters of cord.The credit card, storage boxes and my husband are all thanking me. (Could have saved up to about $100 as all of the summer stock was marked down this month)

Tangled Yarns have been trying hard to get me to part with my money with 10% off a special thing every Friday. Although I did make a purchase this Friday - but there is a certain husband having a birthday next month and I have plans for it straight away (well as soon as I have it in my hot little hands) (Saving of about $200 - there has been a few things that have tempted me, Sorry Kelly)

We have not had takeaway for the month. We did go out for dinner the other night - but that was a special treat.  We have done a few different things that have been fun.  Picnic dinner with home made pizza on the lounge room floor.  A play and bbq at the park. (the potential to be once a week and then lunch after church $200)

We went camping.  A cheap family holiday and everyone had fun.  And when we looked at it, Yes we had the extra cost of a tank of fuel, but if we did stay home we would have ended up at a shopping centre and bought something that we really did not need and then lunch.

I have been very organised and have been managing to stick to a menu. This is great and I still have a long way to go.  The next task is to work out where I can use the rest of the greek yogurt or celery etc before it gets forgotten in the fridge and goes off.  This also means that I am not at the shops all of the time and tempted by other things.
Another thing that I have been doing is taking a lunch box with treats in it from home.  So when the kids start with the "Mum, I'm hungry" they have something to eat and I am not grabbing something extra. (Savings unknow -  but feels good)

I have found a great local butcher and fruit and vege shop (who offer vouchers that you print off and take in eg.Monday and Tuesday - 10% off of your fresh produce) and the freezer is stocked with meat (if you need mince or silverside I am your girl (I grabbed both for $3.99 a kilo last week and have 5kg of each in the freezer)  We also have a milk man that drives past twice a week and if I know that I am close to running out of milk I grab it off of him.  It is a little more expensive (we are only talking about 10 or 20 cents, but by the time I get the kids in the car and drive to the closest shop it would cost me more than that in fuel) (Savings from shopping on a Mon or Tuesday $20 for the month + meat savings + fuel)

I have not managed to get to the local knitting group for the past few weeks due to DH's work and AGM meetings for different things.  The $15 that I would have spent of a coffee and cake has been going away in a little spot for safe keeping (I am hoping to get to a crafty meetup with other mums in a few months)  (Savings of $60)

Dh has been taking his lunch to work a few times a week (left overs or salads and cold cuts) (A saving of approx $100)
I am also a huge iced coffee drinker and instead of buying a premixed one I have bought a bottle of bickfords iced coffee mix and make my own at home before heading out. (Savings of approx $15)

I am also enjoying finding activities to do with the kids that cost nothing or very little.  There is a Kidsports program here that is run once a week and is funded by the council.  There is a large variety of parks around us and many libraries (not only free aircon on a hot day, but I have also borrowed a large selection of the Burda Style Mags, and I have managed to take them back on time thanks to signing up for the email notification that lets me know that they are due back in the next three days as the fines are a killer)

So, I think that I have done well (rather we have done well as a family)  I would like to keep doing this for the year and see how much we can save.  A family holiday to the snow would be nice in a year or two and how nice would it be if I funded it all on the little extra savings that I can make here and there) And lets not forget about the Happy Points (will do a post on those a little later)

Blogtoberfest #9 - In...In...In...

And I was doing so well.

This year I have made an effort to knit from the stash - and I was doing so well until we drove through Bendigo on Monday on the way home and somehow the car drove itself to Bendigo Woollen Mill (with Tim's help)

In my defence, most of it is ear marked with projects to get on the needles in the next month (and I do have a very long drive up to QLD at the end of the month that will require a project or two)

Bendigo Luxury in 4ply - ear marked for a Bloom, a newborn jacket and something for my Mum

And these were sitting there calling out to me - I just had to grab them - Bendi sock wool $4 for 50g. And you can never have too much sock yarn - these will become socks for the boys in my life.

Best keep moving for the day. Have a little man that is being like a worm on my lap - he can not sit still today, and doesn't want me to sit here.

I was doing so well...

and then I walked into a few opshops!


Opps - there goes the stash diet - bad bad girl - I will hit the back of my wrists for you all - that did not stop me.


800grams of Bendigo 4ply Cotton - I am going to attempt to over dye this with Dylon Dyes - wish me luck


and 1000grams - yes 1kg of Bendigo 4ply in a cream


Not 100% sure what these will be turned into just yet - but we are moving north and cotton attire is an essential. If not it will make good cheap bags. At $1 per 50g how could one leave it just sitting there.


On a recent trip to Tim's parents I managed to be in the opshop at the right time andd picked up a stack of Enid's books


and a few more knitting patterns - not that I need more ideas - I have so many things in my Ravelry list it is not funny.

My Creative Space and All About ME...

I have visitors in my creative space at the moment. Down where the sewing machine foot should be. Best move them on so I can get sewing. If you would like to see other creative spaces (more exciting than mine!) be sure to pop over to Kootoyoo

I have been knitting up a wee bit of a storm of late haven't I. So I have descided that May is going to be MY MONTH!

Sewing and Knitting for me - lets see how many things (if any) I get completed and how many things for others I end up doing.

I have started a jumper for me with a lovely 8 cable up the sides in the front and back. I actually bought the yarn for this in 2007 and started a project for me and then read the instructions and I was going to be a ball or two short. So I frogged it and have now after all this time descided that I should make something with it.

I also have visions of casting on a pair of socks, a vest, a scarf and maybe even a pair of gloves. Would also love to get Lady Feb Sweater on the needles as well - but we will see.

And also a dress - that I have the fabirc washed and ready for me to cut up and start.

And why is it my month - well it is my birthday and mothers day (of which I have to share them this year) Feeling a little jipped about that, But I am sure that I will get over it, expecially if I get my 1pm sleep in as requested (think I have bucklies and none of getting this as we are heading over to the inlaws for the weekend)

Stay tuned for more updates.

I Love Berries

I have finally stitched it all together. We went into town to get some buttons yesterday and I finished it last night.

Amelia's little face this morning was priceless when she saw it on the end of her bed all finished and ready for her to put on and wear to Preschool today.

Now I am a little sad that it has taken me so long to get this finished for her. It rides up a little at the front. If it drives me nuts I will frog the band and redo it. But at the moment it is finished and wearable.

Amelia got to choose the pattern. Apparently the stich looked like little berries - who was I to argue. I think that I am going to have my work cut out for me in future years as I think that this girl may have style.

Pattern: Vintage Patons Toddler Cardigan Book 673

Yarn: Cleckheaton Machinewash 5 Ply Crepe (gifted from my grandmother)
Needles: 3.75mm and 3mm needles

Started: Febuary 20th 2009
Finished: May 3rd 2009

Mods: None this time

Project notes: Found the yarn splitty and bouncy, If I make this again it will not be with a crepe wool - still have 6 balls to use up - not sure what it will become - maybe socks!

Cinderalla's Slipper's

Trying to find a slipper that fits Amelia's foot.

I think that socks would be easier! But I had fun trying so that is the main thing.

And the recipent is in LOVE with them.

Just look at the little photo shot - the postions were all her idea, my little foot model...

Take one and two - look at the size difference between the toddler and the child - I will do a little twicking of the pattern and see what I can work out now that I now where the heel starts etc. Or maybe just knit a pair in wool that is feltable.

Pattern: Twinkletoes by Chloe Sparkle (pattern free on knitty)
Yarn: Cheap Acrylic from a $2 shop (1 Ball in stash- approx 25g used)

Needles: 3.75mm DPN's
Started: April 26th 2009

Finished: April 30th 2009

More knitting off of the needles

Well these were not on the needles for very long at all.Cast on yesterday morning while watching the kids play in there little home corner - more on that later. And off this afternoon.How could I resist but put them on the bum that they are for. How cute is he. (and as you can see my the photos I did not even wait to lanolise them before putting them on - I needed to get a photo before the sun went down and got to cool)Pattern: Vanilla Soaker by Kelly Brooker (ravelry download pattern for a very affordable price)

Kelly Blogs as knit.so.quaint
Yarn: Red Cleckheaton 12ply (another ball and a bit from the stash - I am on a roll with this stash busting aren't I - it was an op shop find from some time ago)
Blue Cleckheaton 12ply

Needles: 4mm and 5mm
Started: April 19th 2009

Finished: April 20th 2009
Modifications: Not that I meant to but the ribbing in both the soaker and the waist band are a little longer than in the instructions - which actually works for the long rise on my little man.
Next time I think that I will knit the band in a 3.75mm. I really will have to add the tie in.
New Things Learnt: I have never done a cowyak before or a sewn bind off - what fun - will be doing these again.
I would recommend this and the longies pattern to any new knitter. It is not hard to understand the patterns and the only thing that you really need to get your head around is short rows (of which are explained in detail in both patterns)

Down by the Seashore!

That is where I would love to be! Humm - living 5hrs from a beach at the moment and next posting will more than likely not go down that close to the water in fear of being taken by a crocodile...

Anyway - Onto the knitting content.

I present you with Baden's new Longies.

I love how this wool knitted up When I started them I thought that I would only be putting Baden in them for bed - But I love them so much that it will be a shame to hide them away in a dark room of a night time LOL - These will see the light of day.

Received this pattern for Christmas from my non knitting SIL (do you think that it is maybe a hint that she would like a set for her little one!)

They are Ladybug Loops, by Anne McCrea. The rise is perfect and they fit a treat. Well done Anne, a job well done. I will definitely being making more of these for him this winter (well at least two more sets that will actually be made for bed!) You can get yourself a copy here. Go on - you know you want to.

Pattern: LadyBug Loops Longies (also come with a capri and shortie option)
Yarn: Knitspirations 12ply Merino
Patons Jet (1 Ball from stash)

Needles: 3.75mm and 5mm
Started: April 14th 2009

Finished: April 17th 2009 (would you believe that it took me almost 24 hours to knit the second leg - I keep stopping to look at the pooling and admire LOL)Modifications: None - Knitted a medium with a large rise. Garter stitch hem and K2tog Bind off. (I love the Bind off - I can not recall doing it before - will definitely be doing it again)