#6 A Crafty Granny...

Are you the only one that crafts in your family?

Or do you come from a long line of crafters???

I come from that long line.  My Grandmother was a Milliner.  I recall sitting on her back steps watching her work and the best part was visiting when she had a bride to be arrive to collect her head piece and the joy on her face when she tried it on.  Grandma, also made my veil for our wedding, I wanted a long one and could not find one anywhere and Grandma jumped at the chance to use her old skills to whip me up on.

My Grandfather was a Tailor,  I really think that this is a dying trade.  We all need someone who knows what they are doing to take up those pants that are too long, of which he still does.  Thanks Grandad.

My Nan is a crocheter.  She has not done anything for many years and I hope to change that. I am hoping to sit with her for a little over the Christmas break and crochet under her guidance.  I have purchased her some lovely yarn, some new nice crochet hooks for her hands and a cute little book and hope that it will encourage her to start something.

The crafty line continues beyond that with my Great Grandmother doing intricate embroidery that Mum recently found while helping my Grandparents to destash.

And my Mum.  Mum made all my clothes as a child and then went on to learn to quilt.  My children are now the recipients of many handmade things from Grandma.  One craft that she has never really got into is knitting.  She always says that I am the knitter and will leave it to me. But when she is travelling, knitting is something that is portable. 

The results of travels in the caravan has resulted in a gift for Amelia for her Birthday.

Thanks Grandma.

And I think that I may have finally got her away from the scary novelty yarns (it has taken me since 2003)

Last week she pumped out 4 neck cowls for her friends. 

Amelia and Baden modeled them before she took them home.

Now to convert her to circular knitting.  Will see if it takes me until 2017!

Do your children craft???  Mine are always drawing or playing with scraps of yarn and material that I give them. Playdough is often out as are the paints.

They often sit and watch as a swap parcel is opened to see if there is something in there for them! 

Would you be interested in a Kids Swap.  I am thinking of packages of little goodies being sent so they can have fun making things with maybe a little handmade thing in there from the mum or maybe the child themself, with a Christmas theme. 

What do you think.  Let me know.

#5 Lucky Me

I am late at blogging these. 

Look what arrived in the post for me

                                                                    photo and blog link

I love it and have been seen walking down the street with it and taken it off to knitting filled with my latest project.  Thanks Vic for organising the swap - I was so lucky to get what you made.

Also in the mail - a blog prize that I won a while ago and recieved the other week.  Some handdyed yarn, buttons and a needle keeper.  Thanks so much Jo - I love it all.



#4 At My House

We are having a home day. 

With all of the running around that was the happenings of last week and four trips to the airport I am happy to hang up the keys and stay at home.

I am going to turn these oranges into something before I create my own little fermenting lab.  What would you do with them? I have about 10 that need using and we are all orange juiced out.

I am also tackling a new pattern. This one is putting me out of my comfort zone.  It is a good thing though - nothing like thinking that you are a knitter and then you land a pattern that really throws you.  If I can pull this one off I think that I can officially call myself a 'real knitter'

For more happenings at other peoples homes.  Check in at Lou's.

#3 Flea Market Finds

I often look on and dream of joining in.  Since moving I have found it hard to find my groove in the opshopping department (possibly because they seem to be asking for alot more in them then what I have been able to get previously) 

Anyway - Mum and I hit Paddington the other day and I went in thinking that I would not find anything.  So was presently surprised when I stumbled upon these cute little tea cups for the grand total of $1. 

The kids have been enjoying there Milo or Sleepy Tea in them - it warms my heart and makes it sing just a little when I see them drinking from them.

For more wonderful finds Pop on over here.

#2 Set for a Yacht

This one has been sitting on the computer awaiting it's pattern release.  If you are on Ravelry you may have seen it pop up. 

Another test knit for the talented Elena and happily named Yacht Club Skirt, this pattern is part of her "Back to the Sea" Collection, so expect to see more.

Amelia loves this skirt and every where she wears it she has recieved comments and I have been asked where I bought it from (why is it so hard to believe that not everything is bought in a store with a label attached)

Knitting in Biggan Designs 8ply Merino it is lovely and soft and has fantastic drap. 

I have another test knit on the needles for Elena - but more on that later (I still have 29 posts to go this month)

#1 Let the fun begin...

I could not help myself.... 

What a great way to get me to blog again and to get my creative urge going.  I love Blogtoberfest and have participated for the past few years.  I find it beneficial for myself in the this little blogging world as I find new blogs and in return they find me.  I am also pushed to create something to share.

So here goes.  If you want to join in too pop on over to {tinniegirl} and join in the fun.

I thought that I would start it of with a few last photos of Amelia in her princess dress.

Pattern details:  McCall's Costumes M5494  Design D

Modifications:  I just did it all in a satin and then stretched elastic on the side seams and at the centre front and back after I hemmed it. 

I made the same dress earlier in the year and after one wear with the chiffon it had frayed at the bodice and I had to unpick it (re: cut it off)

We are slowly building up our Princess collection and now have Belle and Sleeping Beauty - fingers crossed we dont have any more fancy dress' for a little while.

A little girls creative space...

I have been creative this week.  But there has been a little girl who has been creative as well. 

Her Princess dress was made in the dark of the night and under top secret means.  She knew what she was getting,  well she hoped and prayed that she would get what she asked for and even told me the day before that I "had better sew it tonight!" Bless her.

She descided that PJ would require a new outfit for the occassion as well.  On Monday she sat and traced around her beloved bear and drafted a pattern.  My Mum helped her to cut it out. 

On Tuesday I cut out the material for her as she took photos in preparation for the blog post.

We then set up the machine and she helped to sew the dress.

An hour later and PJ was set for a party. 

With PJ sorted it meant that Mum had to sit and finish the dress for a Princess.  Make sure you grab a cuppa and hear over here.