Happy Easter

Hoping that the Easter Bunny (or Bilby) found you all today.

Amelia and Baden woke and had breakfast before a thud at the door and a flash from something furry though the window (they did not see him - he was too fast for them:)

Armed with their baskets from last year they went out to find what was hidden in the garden.

Eggs, Eggs and more Eggs before heading off to Church (the dress was loved and we recieved many comments and I had to lift a few jaws up off of the floor when they found out that I had indeed knitted it)

I finished knitting our little non-choc treat for the kids last night and both were thrilled with them.

Amelia's is a knitted mini-reversible Duck to Bunny  by Susan B. Anderson

And Baden's another pattern by Susan B. Anderson, the Rabbit. Complete with a tennis ball inside his stomach.  He has not put him down.

Both knitted in Spud and Chloe Sweater which is a blend and cotton in a 10ply.  It is lovely to knit with (these little creatures were actually a little test to see if I liked the yarn before buying enough to make a jumper for the little man)

Threads and More are the only stockists in Australia and also happen to be in Brisbane.

Hoping that everyone is enjoying their Easter Long Weekend.  We are heading west for a few days in search of a real life Bilby (not sure how sucessful we will be with the recent floods through) But I am sure that we will enjoy ourselves regardless.

The Pirate and his Princess

The kids were invited to a Pirates and Princess' Fancy Dress party yesterday and new costumes were required.

They both had a great time and Baden stayed dressed long enough to have his photo taken.

I tried freezer paper stenciling for the first time on the back of his vest. 

Amelia's dress was fiddly (I now know that I will be able to make a flower girls dress if ever required)  The sleeves need elastic in them (which I did not have at home and descided that I would just do it at a later date - considering that the dress did not exist until about 11pm on Friday night)

My Creative Space...

is full steam ahead this week.  I think that I would qualify for crazy crafting mumma awards if they were to ever start up.

We have had little rabbits jumping out of the oven and down toddlers mouths.  Baden has consumed his body weight of them today. The rest were packed up and Amelia took them along to Kinder to share with all of new little friends.

Preparing for a princess and pirates fancy dress party over the weekend.

A pile of goodies to be turned into a birthday present for the birthday girl

Rabbit's patiently waiting to be turned into bunting

Pointy sticks turning yarn into body parts for non-chocolate Easter treats.

and finally cuddles and kisses for this little man who is cutting his molar's (I was told by a wonderful old midwife when I had Amelia never to disturb a sleeping baby - he slept happily on the floor for two hours)

Fingers crossed I can get these all finished.

For more creative spaces be sure to check out the huge list over at Kootoyoo.

An Easter Rainbow

The dress is finished.  After a slight heart attack on Monday night (after I found Amelia in the spare bedroom with a pair of sissors helping to snip off the ends) it is blocked and wearable*

She has proudly announced that it is called her Easter Dress - so I guess I know what she will be wearing to Church come Sunday.

This is my first time knitting in Biggan and I must say that I am in love. The colours, the feel and the stitches are perfect and did I say colours.  There are 64 colours in there range now and they are the brightest you will find anywhere.  It is a little more expensive than your average 8ply 50gram ball - but did I mention the colours - go and have a look for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

The pattern is yet another by the talented Georgie (other wise know as Tikki)  happily named the Rainbow dress.  I am pleased that I knitted it in the stripe pattern for something extra special, but it looks just as nice knitted up in a semi, solid or varigated.  Here is the Ravelry link to the pattern if you so happen to have access (if not you best join - it is well worth the effort)

I am really enjoying these Knit Alongs through Tangled Yarns.  I know that I am meant to be working down the stash this year (and that is happening) but Kelly just happily sits and offers another gorgeous pattern and yarn each month.  I will be joining on for April and knitting my niece in NSW a bonnet.

* knitter will not be held responsible if said daughter one day happens to be out and finds herself wearing a mini dress home!

We were meant to have a play date with the lovely Steph today - but her little one was unwell. I am looking forward to finally getting together after Easter (we have been trying for a few weeks now) and I am thinking that I have just found a wonderful crafty friend the next suburb over.  Go and say Hi, Steph is new to blogging. But just look what she popped in for the kids. Thanks Steph - they did not last long at all.

Who's Bright Idea...

was it to do stripes?

I must admit, it does look great and Amelia has approved.  Here is a little sneak peak.

But these ends - oh my golly.  Going to sit and slowly do them so it can be blocked and photographed in time for Wednesdays cut off for the KAL.

Earth Hour

At 8.30pm tonight hundreds of millions of people from more than 120 countries and regions across every continent will come together for Earth Hour in a moment of unprecedented global unity to show the way forward on climate change.

As are many bloggers all over the world.  One, EcoMILF is turning off her appliances for a 24 hour period.  I had though of doing it - but being home alone with two tweenies this morning I have already turned on the TV for the morning cartoons and pushed the button on the kettle to enjoy a hot coffee.

The list continues, the toaster has been on.  I have put a load of washing in the machine, need to iron something to wear today and well the hair on my head needs help.

Add to that the phone that needs charging, the home phone that is always plugged in and the computer that I am sitting on.

When you make a list of it, it looks huge doesn' it- I could continue.

So today I am going to turn the computer off. We are heading out to the park and to a fete at a local school so we will walk.  I would like to go into the city and if we do that we will catch the train.

The dishwasher can be left off today as will the dryer and the floors can go dirty as the vacum and steam mop use that wonderful power source as well.

We are having a BBQ for dinner so using the nations natural gas source and the lights and appliances will be turned off for at least the hour between 8.30 and 9.30pm.

What have you got planned for Earth Hour.  If you would like to join and sign up for your chance to win a solar panel set up for your home, make sure you go here.

Friday Night Widows...

...please tell me that I am not alone.  Friday night at our house is all about football. Having lived in three states and two territories in the past seven years anything goes around here and throw in a good dose of Soccor (yes I know, it is known as Football now too!)  then my DH will watch almost anything.

With the NRL being in it's third week and AFL kicking off last night, I am guessing that alot of crafty women are getting alot of crafting done tonight. (Even my Mum wishes that she had a secon tv in the house so she could watch Better Homes and Gardens)

So what you think!  Should we start our own virtual Friday Night Craft Club? I will kick it off on the weekend after Easter - that will give me time to work out the little widget linky thing.  Don't be concerned about posting pictures from night time (unless you are of course lucky enough to own a light box) as I know that I for one get a lovely orange glow in night time photos and the flash - well enough said.  You can choose instead to show us what you are going to do on Friday or share wih us what you achieved over the weekend.

Tonight I have been working on the Rainbow dress - getting very exciting to be nearing the end - have to have it completed by the 31st to go into the draw for the KAL.  Nothing like a deadline to get me knitting.

Until then, shall it all be

Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars. 

picture taken from the net.