A mini break

I love nothing more then getting away with my family.  We decided that a mini break was in order (before the madness of Christmas and postings)

We packed the camper trailer and headed off to the beach.  Baden was less then impressed that this beach was nothing like our last holiday to the beach.  Lucky for us we stayed at a Big4 and had use of the indoor heated pool.

I love spending time with these two (and my husband who spent most of the weekend on the phone dealing with work stuff, it appeared no-one else seemed to care that we were on a mini vacation)

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

My Creative Space | A finished shawlette

A finished shawlette marks the first completed Christmas gift.  I have wanted to knit this pattern for a while.  I read reports that it was an easy to follow pattern.  I was doing well until I decided to knit 3 complete repeats instead of 2 and a half before the final lace chart.

It feels great to have something completed, wrapped and ready to gift and I think that I will make myself one next year.

I always have grand plans of making lots of my gifts.  But in reality that never happens as I am neck deep in packing boxes.

I'm going to keep a running tally on Christmas Gifts this year.  I'm also interested in what extra things I will have to purchase along the way.  I'm certain that I have enough fabric and yarn in this house to make most of my gifts.

Cost:
Pattern: 198 yds of heaven = free
Yarn: 85grams of Araucania Solid Worsted / 10 ply, $16 (been in stash over a year) = $0
Total: + $16

 Don't forget to pop over here.  There is still lots of neon rope fun to be seen.

The Retreat

When Abbe started talking about setting up a Retreat, my ears pricked.

I planted the seed with a group of crafty girls that I had met on my SIT weekends and the rest is history.

What resulted was a wonderful weekend of knitting, sewing, quilting, pattern drafting, skill sharing,

 

 fabric and supply sharing.

... and lets not forget about the food.

or the wine.

 And we flopped into comfortable beds (complete with electric blankets to warm the crafty bones and cute handmade quilts)
 

 
The little details are not forgotten and if you feel like a bubble bath, then there is one of those too.
 

So crafty friends,  What are you waiting for.  Get a group of friends together and book in for a weekend of laughs, fun and friendship.

I will be back tomorrow to share with you what I finished on the weekend.

Back

Did you miss me?  I fell of the Blogtoberfest wagon.  But I have a very good excuse that I am certain half of the crafty readers that I know will be jealous of.

I escaped to the country (well I live in the country, just a different area of it) and went here.  Met up with seven other crafty friends and had a fantastic weekend.

 A photo snapped on Sunday afternoon. We are missing one and her cute little helper

I'll be back later to tell you all about it.  But now I have to go and unpack my car.

1/52

I came across a new to me weekly blog post a few weeks ago.  A portrait of your child/ren once a week, every week for a year.  By the end you have 52 photos of your little ones to look back on and cherish.

I've decided to join in on the fun.  I have not nearly taken enough photos of my little ones this year and as they growing at lightning speed I really should capture them more.

Amelia:  A quick snap taken before school.  You were meant to be brushing your hair, instead I find you playing with your little gnome fairies.  

Baden: On the run in the backyard, enjoying the first few days of daylight savings. 

My Creative Space Day #11

I have cast on the first of the Christmas gifts.

It feels good to have something in progress for the silly season.  I always have huge plans of making most of our gifts but then get busy with packing or heading away for Christmas.

This year we are staying put and I can not wait.  I'm looking forward to decorating the house and opening presents under the tree.

 

Are you making gifts for Christmas?  For more crafty happenings make sure you pop over and check out this extensive list.
And if you are stopping by from Blogtoberfest.  Please do leave a message so I can pop by and say hi back.  Ihave had so many visits this week and only a handful of comments, please don't be shy (I have even turned off word verification for you)