little woollie

My creative space.... another pincushion..

2012-02-29T23:28:00.000+11:00

Hello!

Soooo..... I finished my little mini granny squares make. The pattern for the squares is from the lovely The Royal Sisters blog, (I'm sure you all know it already), and I just made up a simple 9 mini square square, if you know what I mean!

Once again, a pretty frivolous thing that the world can do without, but I quite like my little puffy granny pincushion.

Made just like a cushion........

.....but fits in the palm of your hand!

I seem to have a bit of a thing for pincushions.....little and taking just the right amount of time to make to maintain my interest, what's not to love?

And I can almost convince myself it is a practical thing to make, useful even. Hahaha....

I do love these bright colours........

I think this would be nice in lots of different colour palettes, maybe all different shades of red/pink, or aquas and reds with a white border? hmmmm so many choices....

Anyway, have a great day!

Might join in with the others at our creative space today if I remember to link up!

Sunday crochet colour...

2012-02-26T10:41:00.000+11:00

Hello.

It's a very hot Sunday morning here. Windy and very hot. We are all having a slow start after a pretty sleepless night. This weekend has been our local Westernport Festival, a highlight on the calendar of all the kids and teenagers around here. There is a carnival with rides and lots of stalls and activities down at the foreshore and a parade down the main street. It is usually a great community event, but it has been such a hot weekend (over 40 degrees yesterday), I don't think as many people have gone to it.

The evening and night seemed to be the time to go and have a look, the fireworks last night was full of people. I love a fireworks display, and these were really beautiful, pretty impressive for a little community!

After the fireworks, a lot of the families take their young children home to bed and the teenagers take over the place, nothing too extreme, just having a bit of fun and pretty well behaved. I hope they were well behaved anyway, as my eldest was one of these kids this year, hanging out with his mates. They are all nice kids, so I am sure there were no problems. I will hear all about it later when he comes home from his mates place.

Anyway......... I have been trying to distract myself from worrying about teenage antics with a bit of crochet love.

This granny squares pattern is from the wonderful Royal Sisters blog. I am having fun with some tiny hooks (1.5mm) and embroidery thread. I had a little revelation the other day. I was looking for some more interesting colours in cotton thread, and realised I could use embroidery thread for crochet as well as needlework. So many colours!! Yay! The sky's the limit now!

Look at these lovely colourful cottons!

And here is the actual size of my squares all sewn together, quite small isn't it!

This is just the start of this little idea, I will show you what I am going to do with these when I see if it is going to work how I imagine.

So, have a good weekend, and stay cool if you are in Melbourne, we are in for a scorcher!

Summer bounty......

2012-02-22T21:58:00.000+11:00

tomatoes, tomatoes, everywhere!

(sorry you crafty ladies, this is a bit of a garden joy post today)

Sooooo..... we have heaps of these in the garden at the minute, I just love a good summer glut of tomatoes, beans, raspberries, or whatever really, it makes me feel like a good gardener and a little pleased with myself, if I am honest with you!! haha...

It's the reward at the end of the whole long process of sowing a seed, nurturing a seedling, feeding, caring and protecting a little plant till it grows more robust, then anxiously hoping the little fragile flowers were visited by the bees you encourage to frequent the vegie patch, then remembering to keep the watering even and abundant so the fruits/ vegetables swell and flourish and the plants stay healthy and can fend off the insects that want their share.........

A million things can upset this journey from seed to harvest. It is hard to maintain the vigilant attention your little plants require for the whole growing season.

This summer a bed of freshly sprouted carrots and spring onions that were just pushing their first leaves out, were fatally set back when we went away for the weekend and it was hot for a couple of days. Boo Hoo

My garden suffers from my sporadic attention, although I have tried very hard this summer to be more consistent in my vegie gardens. I have been pleased with my results - lots of tomatoes and other things, enough to mean we can get our vegies from home, for the most part, through out summer. Yay!

don't they look pretty!!!

After all that is the reason I garden in the first place, the joy of picking your own stuff!

OK enough gushing....I just love the garden!!

(kind of like I love crochet, I am an all or nothing type of girl)

And then you have to do something with it all. There is only so much you can eat and give away to other people (who have gluts of their own), before it starts to rot on your benches and leak all over the floor.

Apparently I am not to worry that they have risen in the jars - it means that they have made a good seal!

So that's what I did yesterday. Got out Mrs Fowler and preserved up a storm! Just chopped up tomatoes, but very satisfying all the same. There are a few jars of dark ones, which are my Black Russians, and the rest are Romas and Grosse Liss I think. 15 jars in total.

I have another lot ripening at the moment so I think I will be adding to this later in the week.

Anyhoo......there is a lot of this going on around these summer parts at the moment, just thought I'd give you a little peek into my kitchen and garden, show you what I've been up to, hope it wasn't too boring!

I am starting a new little bit of crochet too, so will show you all soon.

See ya!

Some thoughts on colour.......

2012-02-18T23:59:00.001+11:00

Soooooo........I've been thinking about colour and colour choices a bit lately. I kind of use the same old colours for lots of things I make, just because I like the way they look together. But maybe it's time to lash out and try something a bit different, maybe, maybe not.

I am trying to use up my stash yarns for things at the moment, and I don't always have the colour I am looking for, or I run out of the colour I need and have to make substitutions.

I usually just go out and buy more of what I want, but I am trying to conserve some money, and let's face it, all our money is going on bills and other living expenses right now, so I feel a bit self indulgent buying wool to feed my crafty habits!

Anyhoo, take these granny squares for example, they are for the big blogger blanket that Stocki is putting together (must get them in the mail !!), and needed to be made of cotton.

The cotton I use is not the brightest colour range (we don't seem to have the range of choice in cotton yarn that I see OS), so I like to add the red to my squares to give them a bit of spark. But I am down to my scrap balls of red! Only really enough for smallish rounds.

See this pale blue one? I really wanted to edge it in red, but didn't have enough, so the blue is the compromise. And I normally wouldn't use so much white, but you know what? I kinda like them!

I actually like the light feel of the pale green, pale blue, red and white combo so much I think I might make a cot blanket in a variation of this palette. Light and breezy and summery!

When I save some money for yarn shopping that is, of course! hahaha....

Anyway, just some random crochet/ colour thoughts tonight....what do you do when you run out of colours ? do you compromise ? make do? or do you wait until you have the right stuff to finish your piece just how you want it?

Hope you're having a great makey weekend!

Sunny morning....

2012-02-15T21:17:00.000+11:00

Hello.

Just a quick post today, taking a moment to enjoy a lovely summer morning the other day.

I have moved my little red table to catch the morning light and it is so nice sitting there for breakfast at the moment.

Hope you have a sunny day too!

PS Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the lovely ladies who have passed awards onto me recently, I am thrilled that you thought of my little old blog, and you are all so kind!

one a day...more squares

2012-02-14T22:00:00.000+11:00

Hello!

One a Day update - I actually made 9 squares this week but I can't remember which ones are the new ones to show you individually, oh well, they are all looking pretty similar now any way.

I think they look good all stacked up, there are 29 all together now, so my blanket is starting to grow!

.......and have a look at a behind the scenes shot, I haven't done any weaving-in-of-ends yet!! Must start that soon.

(Pattern Weekend in Stockholm by Debbie Stoller)

Have a great day!

Linking up with the other girls doing the one a day thing at Gingerbread Girl.

My place and yours...on the wall

2012-02-11T21:18:00.000+11:00

Hello. How's your weekend going?

As usual, the days seem to just whizz by, tomorrow we have a family birthday to go to, and then it will be the start of another week, I haven't really got into a good rhythm for school routine and 'school term stuff', I am still in summer holiday mode. Better snap out of that soon!

I am joining in over at Vic's Place for My Place And Yours today, trying to get back into a bit more regular blogging. The theme this week is 'On the Wall', so here is a bit of a look at what's on our walls.

I realise our house is quite colourful when I see these photos!!

Most of the things on our walls are paintings, I used to have other bits and pieces hanging around, but when we had the walls painted, I never got around to putting all the hooks back. It was 10 years ago, so I probably should get onto that!

I have dabbled in a bit of painting over the years, and this one above is supposed to be of snapdragons........ I seem to come back to a similar colour palette in everything I do, it's a bit too coordinated for my liking, but I seem to be drawn to a certain pool of colours no matter what I do!

.......I like these 2 abstract colour paintings that were rolled up in a corner of my aunts cupboard.

I think they are happy in their new life.

I also have a fair bit of the boys early artworks on the walls, I love Andre's Toucan that he drew with oil pastels (one of my favourite mediums) when he was in prep (about 5 years old)........

......More art from the boys down the hall.........

..........this one is of a bushfire, by Andre, (age7 or 8) pretty good huh?......

Unfortunately soon after this prolific period of creativity, the art from the boys dried up and I have nothing much after they were in early primary school. Must try to encourage them to get creative again.

Having said that, Jesse is doing Visual Communications and Design as a VCE subject for year 11 this year, and they do do art at school, but they don't do much at home anymore. Sigh.

Hopefully they will come back to creating things at some time in their lives, it is such a joyous outlet to have.

........This is a bit of my 'inspiration board' , unfortunately, it is looking a bit sparse, I've had to use a few cards for presents!

......and finally this is my port-holey mirror in our room, and you can see some of Gary's Doctor Who book collection in the reflection. Yes, there is plenty of colour in this place!

Hope you all have a fun day!

Bye.

One a day update....grannying on

2012-02-07T20:04:00.001+11:00

Hello.

It's Tuesday again, they come around quickly at the moment, so it's time for the One a Day update.

These are the 6 squares I got finished this week, one short, I know, but there are only so many hours in a day!

I am planning to do a few extra this week to catch up and give me some breathing space.

I did get to add some purple this week, it stands out a bit at the moment, but when I get a few more done I think it will look good. I also added a darker, bluer, green and an apple green to the mix, as I though it was getting a bit wishy washy. I'm happier now.

So here are all the squares so far, 20 in total.

...... and because I am such a fashionista, I thought I'd show you the stylish footwear I was wearing today - socks and sandals are always in fashion, right?? hahaha.... only around the house though, my family already know I am a lost cause, but I think I still have my friends bluffed! ( Or not, I really just wear whatever I want, or whatever is cleanest, my laundry system is out of control! But that is a whole other story.)

Linking up with the other girls over at Gingerbread Girl, have a look how their One a Day projects are progressing if you have a few minutes.

Have a great day!

Polkadot Square Pattern ( at last)

2012-02-02T17:18:00.002+11:00

Hello!

How are you going today? It's the last day of school holidays here and I am putting off ironing the school shirts that have sat in the ironing basket since before Christmas. I'll probably end up ironing them while the boys have their showers in the morning. Nothing like the last minute to get things done in my house!

So I am writing this instead. Much more important.

You might remember these polkadot squares that I crocheted a while ago? Or you may not.

Anyway, I have finally finished writing the pattern down and doing a little photo tutorial on how I made them. It is very simple, and you probably don't need a tutorial, but I thought it might help if you are just starting out in crochet.

I will put the pattern at the bottom of this post if you just want to skip straight to the concise version.

Ok here we go, happy hooking and good luck!

POLKADOT SQUARES

This is for a circle in a square type granny, using single crochet sts to create a nice solid piece. I didn't want it to be 'gappy'. It is easy too play around with colour combos and different stripey effects too.

I used a 3.5 mm hook and 8 ply Bendigo Knitting Mills Cotton in a variety of colours, but you could try this in any yarn I think.

This pattern is in US. stitches, sorry UK ladies, for you, sc =dc, hdc =htr, dc =tr

round 1

First, Chain 4 and slip stitch to 1ch to make a ring/circle.

Rd 1 : Ch1 (counts as first st) then do 5 sc into ring.Sl st to first ch to close round. (6st in total)

Rd 2 : Ch1 (counts as first st) then 1 sc in same stitch, then 2 sc in each st to end. Sl st to first ch to close round. (12 st in total)

round 3

Rd 3 : Ch 1,* 2sc in next st, then 1sc in next, * , continue pattern around. Sl st in first ch to close round. (18 st in total)

round 4

Rd 4 : Ch 1, sc in next st, then * 2sc next st then sc in next 2st * continue pattern around. Sl st in first ch to close ring. (24 st in total)

round 5

Rd 5 : Ch 1, sc in next 2st, then *2sc in next st, then sc in next 3st * continue pattern around, sl st in first ch to close (30 st in total)

round 6, and changing colour step 1

Rd 6 : Ch 1, sc in next 3st, then *2sc in next st, then sc in next 4st * continue pattern around, sl st to close. (36 st in total)

I changed colour at the end of this round to add a stripe of dark blue for rd 7.

This is how I change colours so it is a subtle, smoothish join.

In the last sc of Rd 6, before you do the yarn over and pull through, change to the new colour....

changing colours step 2

...and pull it through the old colour loops. Pull the old colour yarn gently to tighten the stitch, and slip stitch in the first ch with the new colour to close the round. Continue with next round as normal.

changing colours step3

I leave the old colour still connected and just change back when I want a different stripe.

(does that make sense??)

round 7

Rd 7 : Ch 1, sc in next 4 st, then* 2sc in next st, then sc in next 5 st * continue pattern around, sl st to close, changing colour back to light blue at end of round. (42 st in total)

round 8

Rd 8 : Ch 1, sc in next 5 st, then *2sc in next st, then sc in next 6 st* continue pattern around, sl st to close round . (48 st in total) Bind off. ( inner circle completed)

round 9 pattern repeat x4

( Squaring up) Rd 9 : Join 3rd colour (green) in any stitch, to create the 4 corners of the square, repeat the following pattern 4 times - 3sc, then 3hdc, then 3dc in next st, then 3hdc, then 2sc.

Sl st to first ch that counted as first sc, to close round.

round 9 complete

This is how it is looking at this point. ^

round 10

Rd 10 :*2 sl st, then 4 sc, then 1hdc, then 4dc in next st, then 1 hdc, then 4sc, then 1 sl st,* do this 4 times , Sl st to first st to close.

round11 finished!!

Rd 11: ch 1, then sc around in all sts, except in each corner st where you do 2hdc,ch1,2hdc.

Bind off. And I think that is it!

Abbreviated pattern:

Ch4, join to 1st ch to make ring.

rd1: sc6 into ring

rd2: 2sc in each st all around (12 st)

rd3: 2 sc in next st, then 1sc in between, all around (18 st)

rd4: 2sc in next st, then 2sc in between, all around (24 st)

rd5: 2sc in next st, then 3sc in between, all around (30 st)

rd6: 2sc in next st, then 4sc in between, all around (36 st)

rd7: 2sc in next st, then 5sc in between, all around (42 st)

rd8: 2sc in next st, then 6sc in between, all around (48 st)

rd 9: (3sc, 3hdc, 3dc in next st, 3hdc, 2sc) x4

rd10: (2slst, 4sc,1hdc, 4dcin next st, 1hdc, 4sc, 1slst) x4

rd11: sc around ,with 2hdc,1ch,2hdc in each corner st. bind off.

--------------------------------------------

I hope you understand what I mean, I found it hard trying to write instructions, so it might be hard to follow. I hope not. Another thing, I also varied where I put the increases in my circles when I found it was getting too hexie shaped, as long as you keep the right number of sc in between increase stitches, you can put them anywhere.

To make a cushion cover, I made 16 of these and single crocheted them together, like patchwork.

Haven't finished the back yet, but will show you it when I'm done.

Please, if you find any mistakes in this, forgive me! And let me know and I will try and fix it up.

Have a great day!

more grannying

2012-01-31T22:41:00.002+11:00

It's Tuesday here, so it's time for the One a Day project update.

Here are this weeks squares with last weeks ones, so there are 14 in total.

Starting to make some progress!

I'm thinking of introducing some purple to the party, I'll do a few test squares and see how they fit with these guys, I hope they all play nice!

I'm joining in with Carole over at Gingerbread Girl for this blanket, have a look how the other peeps are getting along with their one a day things if you feel like it!

In other happenings it is my biggest boys 16th birthday day, we are very proud of him and the awesome person he is growing into, so happy, happy day to you Jesse!

Talk soon ( I am still slogging my way through writing a pattern for a couple of things to share with you all, sorry it is taking me sooooo long!)

Have a great day!

My Place And Yours....GREEN!!

2012-01-30T23:15:00.000+11:00

OK, I'm joining in with the girls over at Vic's Punky and Me and her meme 'My Place and Yours' today. How could I resist? The topic was GREEN!! One of my favourite colour bits of the spectrum!

So here we go, a gorgeous spring green here,

plenty of green at our place,

in small stuff,

found hanging around,

in from the outside,

still outside and not quite in,

fab fabrics,

on the walls,

in the kitchen, (all action here for a late night birthday bake up),

even the window frames don't miss out.

In fact every where I look here I find bits of green in all it's beautiful shades.

I might search out other colours in our place for something to do one day, and make a series of rainbow- at - home posts, might be a nice colourful series.

Have a look at the other guys MPAY green visions over at Vic's.

Have a great day, see you soon.

One a day project, and other stuff.

2012-01-24T13:38:00.000+11:00

hello. how is your day going?

Our summer holidays are nearly finished with the boys back to school late next week, and we have been lucky with a spate of lovely warm weather to end the break on, so have been enjoying the sun and heat swimming and relaxing, and just generally veging out. It will be a shock to the system getting up early again next week, so we are making the most of our last days of slothfulness. I have to say this is mostly on the kids part, I have actually been getting up and going to the gym in the morning and getting back before they surface!!

I have been doing a bit of hooky stuff too, it's all about the granny at the mo........

..........these are my first weeks worth of granny goodness for the 'one a day' project over at Gingerbread Girl. I have been very good and have actually got a head of myself and made a few extra this week, but I am only going to show 7 a week, in case I miss a day here or there, I have a bit of breathing room.......

I am enjoying this pattern and these colours, I think I want to make a bed spread size blanket for winter, so will need quite a lot of these squares, maybe 150 or so. That makes this about a 6 month project, so I'll see if I get bored with it or not.

I am also toying with adding another round of dcs to thicken the last colour of each square, might try it on a few and see what it looks like.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was up quite early (for me in holiday mode!) and the sun was bathing the vegie patch in this lovely light so I had to try and photograph it, doesn't do it justice though, but you get the idea.........

..........the sunflowers were kind of glowing with colour, brilliant!

One of my new dahlias has opened, and I was so excited to see what colour it would be, and it hasn't dissappointed! A lovely peachy pinky colour fading out to the edges, very happy.

.......And these are some hollyhocks that have also turned out to be a great colour, and I love how the sun changes the colour shining through the petals.

Anyhoo, that's all for now, we are off for a swim at the beach, it's getting hot!!

See you!

New Granny Love.....

2012-01-19T21:16:00.001+11:00

Hello. How has your week been going?

The holidays are flying by here, and with a bit of nice summer weather, we have been really enjoying our lazy days, relaxing, swimming, reading, and playing computer games ( the boys have been doing this, not me!).

I have been having a bit of a look around Ravelry for some pattern inspiration and I came across this lovely pattern Weekend in Stockholm Throw by Debbie Stoller. I think this might be my new project, nice and portable and a good way to use up all my half balls of wool.

It looks a lot flatter in the pattern picture, my centres are puffed up quite a bit. I've decided I like the added texture and dimension this gives my squares, so I am not going to worry about it.

I am thinking these would be lovely for a snuggly bed blanket, so lots of squares to make!

I am using a smaller 3.5mm hook for these squares as I like them nice and tight, and I couldn't find one that was the right size for my 8ply wool. I am also adding an extra colour change to my squares, so it will look quite different even though it is the same pattern.

I think I might join in the One-a-day Project over at Carole's Gingerbread Girl blog and post my progress once a week. I'll see how I go.

In other exciting news, I have figured out how to change my layout to let me put extra large photos in my posts! Yay! I learn something new every day! Next I have to learn how to stretch the header to fit the new width, baby steps here I think! haha...

Clare (my sister) and I joined our local gym last week, so my get fit and lose weight campaign is getting serious now! haha.... I have my work out from the trainer, and am trying to go each morning for an hour or so, so far so good. I can really feel all my muscles getting used to all this activity, it's not that I didn't exercise before, but I think I am using my body differently.

Anyhoo, I am off to the Australian Open tomorrow with Clare, to watch some great tennis and try and pick up some nifty tricks for my own game! Haha... should be a good day out.

Have a great day! See you soon.

weekend garden

2012-01-14T22:01:00.000+11:00

It has been a great day here.

Weatherwise, pretty cool and grey, with little bursts of sun, but we have got a lot done in the garden department. My dad came round, and he and Gary got rid of a big gorse bush on our fence line. We have a bush block next door to us that is quite bushy and grassy, (and maybe snakey) so we need to keep our fence line a bit under control. I went in and gave it a bit if a whipper snip and mow along the fence after they were finished, which tidied it up nicely.

My dahlias are flowering now and are such brilliant colours...

and there are still some gorgeous roses in flower like the beautiful pink and white Delbard one I have out the back.

.....and I love the sunflowers that are everywhere now!

I have planted some more snowpeas, a bed of mixed lettuce, and a couple of punnets of spring onions today too.

I sowed a few trays of french beans and lots of different salad greens the other day, and they are already germinating, so hopefully I should get a heap of little plants soon.

It felt good to work in the vegie patch, planning the plantings for the next few months, checking the progress of the tomatoes (looking good, not ripening just yet), and just doing a bit of daydreaming.

I have decided to take out 2 big fruit trees (a nectarine and an apricot) in the chicken run, the fruit has always been disappointing, and they are pretty huge now.

I planted this little row of fruit trees in honour of Max's birth 11 years ago, and they were a bit experimental, the cherry and snow apple are still good, the peach has been swamped by the nectarine and the apricot was not the best variety, so if I take 2 out I can put in a Moorpark apricot, and give the others some extra space.

Mum and dad have one of these in their garden and they are the most delicious apricots I have ever tasted! So I have been hacking back a huge amount of growth with my big pruners today as well.

Pruning is a lot of fun and it is hard to stop sometimes!

Now I just have to deal with the pile of cuttings.

I think a bonfire might be in store in the cooler months.

I got so involved in what I was doing, I forgot to pick Jesse up from work! Luckily he phoned me after 1/2 an hour or he would have been sitting there for ages.

Hope you are having a great weekend too!

Back on the wagon....

2012-01-09T21:21:00.000+11:00

Hello.

How are you going today?

I hava started some crochet for 2012! Yay!

This is a little cushion cover I started ages ago, and now I am trying to finish it, and write down the pattern to share with you guys.

Should have it finished soon.

..... I have been making little circles too, I was very enthusiastic about these for a few days, but now I can't really recapture the feeling and they are sitting unloved and I am not sure what I am going to make them into.

Oh well, I am sure I'll think of something eventually.

Have a good day!

Summer vegetable (recipe) love...

2012-01-07T22:53:00.000+11:00

There has been a severe lack of vegetables being eaten in our house recently, so I decided to make something that is very vegetabley and quite delicious too.

( Even though my boys won't eat this, very picky of them, it makes me feel better getting a good helping of vegies in)

It helps that the zucchinis in the garden are going mental doubling in size almost overnight, and this recipe can use a few of them.

I grew the garlic, zucchinis and pumpkin in the photo, but my tomatoes and capsicums are not quite ready and I haven't grown mushrooms before, so I bought these.

This is my version of a vegetable lasagna, it makes a big tray and feeds a lot!!

I thought I'd share it here, because it is yum, and pretty good for you, and uses up the zucchini glut, and just to be nice!

Ok enough rambling, heres how you make it....

My Vegetable Lasagna

8-10 tomatoes, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 onions chopped

2 red capsicums

1 butternut pumpkin

3-4 zucchini chopped up or sliced

8 large mushrooms, sliced or chopped up

Lasagna sheets

Cheese Layer:

4 cup milk

60gr butter

6 tbsp flour

1cup grated tasty/vintage cheese

1/4 cup grated parmasan

Cook the vegies:

Firstly, cut the pumpkin into quarters and take out the seeds.

Cut the capsicums into a few big pieces, discard the seeds.

Put the pumpkin and capsicum pieces onto an oven tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with olive oil. Put in a moderate oven to roast until the pumpkin is soft and the capsicum is nicely cooked and the skins come off easily. (about 40 minutes?)

While this is cooking, put garlic and onions in a big saucepan with a bit of oil, over medium heat, and cook until the garlic smells good, then add the tomatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms. Let this bubble away for a while, till all the vegies are soft and it is a nice stew-like consistancy. (If you think it needs more tomatoes, I sometimes add a tin of chopped tomatoes as well.)

Make the Cheese sauce:

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, add the flour and stir together, cook for 1 minute.

Take off heat and whisk in milk, one cup at a time, (this helps give you a nice smooth sauce)

Return to heat and stir/whisk continually till sauce thickens and bubbles.

Remove from heat and stir through cheeses.

Make up lasagna!

Layer sheets of pasta,

then half vegie stew,

then more pasta,

then half cheese sauce,

then a layer of scooped out roasted pumpkin flesh and roasted capsicum slices,

then pasta again ,

then rest of vegie stew,

then more pasta,

then lastly, top with rest of cheese sauce and spread over top, grate some more parmasan over it all and you are done!

Pop it in a moderate oven for 30-40 minutes until it looks nice and golden on top!

(You can also add a layer of blanched spinach /silverbeet /spinachbeet or basil leaves if you have room and want a green layer when you cut it, and a sweet potato roasted and sliced up, can be used instead of pumpkin)))

I think that is it, lots of veg in one delicious package! It looks a bit of a hassle when you write it down like this, but it is really pretty straight forward when you get into it.

Sorry about this pretty crappy photo, I am no food stylist!

See all the nice colourful layers? It really is much yummier than this picture looks.

Ok, got to go now and get into some crochet action,

I am trying to write a pattern for a cushion cover, so I hope it works out!

Have a great day!

Booky Inspiration -The Gentle Art of Knitting

2012-01-04T20:55:00.000+11:00

Hello.

This is something I got for Christmas from my mum, 'The Gentle Art of Knitting' by Jane Brocket, I was very happy!

I know I'm a bit late to the party, and many of you knitters would have this fabulous book already, but I thought I would share some of the ace things that caught my eye, and are on my to-do list for this year.

Have a peep at all this knitty, yarny eye candy......

...........cute little wash clothes...........

............love these blue and red gloves for winter...........

..........my favourite things, these cushions are a definite make this year, I think they are gorgeous!

...........a bit of a closer look, yep they are fab!!!

..........bunting love continues........

.........and I am going to have a go at stripey socks this year too......this pattern looks quite doable.......

......there's even a bit of crochet granny goodness in there too! A gorgeous flowery square, I think it would look great on our bed.......

.......so would this beautiful blanket that is made in long stripes then sewn together, very clever.....

.......LOVE this stitch.......

.....doesn't it look great in these cushions!.........

.........and some cute little purses that would make lovely presents. In fact all these projects would make great presents!

I had seen this book on a few other blogs and thought it had some lovely patterns in it (especially the round carnival cushions), but I was even happier when I got my own copy and saw all the other great things to make. I am very inspired to get out the needles and get clickety clacking!

It is going to be a very creative year round here.

Have you got this book? What other books get your creative streak fired up? Do you get inspired by things you see on the internet and books? (of course you do!!)

Have a great day!

some crafty double knitting

2012-01-03T20:31:00.004+11:00

Hello.

Thought I would show you something I have been working on recently. I have had a go at double knitting. I found this cute pattern on Ravelry and thought I'd give it a try. This is pretty nifty knitting where you use 2 strands of colour and the colour patterns are reversed on each side, so this side is pink background with red patterning, and the backside is red background with pink patterning.

My problem is that this is a very slow knitting experience for me. Very, very slow!!

I had a bit of trouble getting my head around the stitch and colour changes, it was quite the brain strain for a while! I had to really concentrate and make sure I am doing the right colour in the right spot, luckily this is just a potholder size piece or it could take all year! haha....

Once I got the hang of the method (thanks to some handy you tube instructions) it was a bit quicker, but not much. I am looking forward to some speedy crochet next, a couple of cushion backs should do the trick!

Have a great day!

Summer holidays, Point Leo

2012-01-02T21:55:00.002+11:00

main beach, Point Leo, Victoria

Hello. How are you today?

We are very hot!

Summer has really turned on today, it has been 43 degrees here, and it is still 33 degrees (9.00pm)!

We spent the day at Point Leo beach and at my parents place which is a short walk from the beach.

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

check out that sky!!

........Such a beautiful beach, it is usually a surf beach, but the last couple of days it has been very flat.......

max and andre catching waves

.........with just the odd small wave rolling through, just waiting to be caught......

andre

..........the rest of the time it was like this, crystal clear and cool and refreshing

........just perfect for floating around

jesse

.....it is a holiday area with a camping ground just over the sand dunes, but it is a great wide beach , so doesn't feel crowded.

max

........we are lucky that we can call this our 'local' beach, it's only 15 minutes from us.

We have other lovely beaches closer to home too, we are very lucky indeed.

gary

on the path

.............after a long swim we headed up the path to mum and dads place, (we call it The Resort), for a dip in the pool and a lovely cold bevvie on the banana lounge........

clare in relax mode

..........here is my sister, who had the same idea!

So that is how we spent this very hot day, dipping in and out of the sea and pool, lots of icy drinks, some friendly conversation and a good book, not a bad way to spend a holiday!

I hope you found somewhere cool if you are in Victoria too!

A New Year ....Possibilities!!

2012-01-01T23:37:00.000+11:00

Summer garden: elephant leeks in flower, so pretty

Happy New Year!

All the best for 2012, I hope it will be a year filled with happiness, creativity and fulfilment for everyone, whatever your personal dreams are, I hope this year brings them closer to reality.

sunflower joy

A few things I want to work on this year:

* I am hoping to get my productive garden working more consistently this year. I want a more even spread of vegies, not a glut of one thing and nothing of other stuff. so I will be trying to plant small amounts more often. I think they call it succession gardening. Being more self sufficient in our vegies is very doable, I just have to get some planning going and then actually do what I plan!!

tomatoes and basil loving the sun...

* I want to make a lot more of my own patterns for crochet stuff. I have a little book that I write my ideas in so they are not forgotten, this year I want to try and make a few more reality. I know that nothing is really original in a craft that has been around for as long as crocheting, but if I make up my own ideas, my own way, at least it will have my twist to it!

baby bean seedlings starting to take off....

*I'd like to say I will do a post a day on this blog, but I think I might get very boring and run out of stuff to write about and show you! Maybe I will try and blog at least every other day, even if it is just a photo and put more recipes and colour inspirations and book reviews and crafty ideas and useful plants. Maybe I won't run out of things to write about after all!!

little lettuce seedlings ready to pop into the garden...

* Might try and learn a few new skills this year too. Not sure what they are yet, but I am open to new experiences, maybe sour dough baking, screen printing, and stamp making.......we will see.

On a slightly different note, I see that Pip over at Meet me at Mikes is starting an interesting project

"A Year Of Good Things".

More good things happening in the world sounds like a good idea to me, I like it a lot!! You document one good thing you do each day for another person (or yourself), and that's it! Just spreading the good happy vibes out into the world must be worth a try, so I am going to join in and see how I go.

Maybe a weekly post to keep up to date.

Pip explains it much better over on her lovely happy spot here.

Do you have stuff you want to do this year?

Have you made a list or do you go with the flow and see how the year unfolds?

I might let things unfold a bit this year too, and see where it takes me!

Have a great day, see you soon!

Crochet in 2011

2011-12-29T09:47:00.001+11:00

Hello!

How was your Christmas?

Ours was great, lots of food, drink and good cheer.

And now we can relax into the summer holidays! Yay!

The boys are taking full advantage of the holiday lack of routines,

and are not getting up till 10.30 -11am,

they do love their beds, especially the older two now they are teenagers.

Might have something to do with staying up all hours playing Xbox.

I do find it quite frustrating that they won't go to bed and then they don't get up, but I am trying to let it go and not be too much of a witch. I just start some loud music mid morning and get on with things around here. They will be back at school in a few weeks and will have to get back to sensible hours then anyway.

Thought I'd make a couple of mosaics of my crochet makes in 2011, it is coming to that time of year, to look back and see what you have achieved over another 12 months, I am always surprised by what you can do in a year!

There were more bits and pieces I could have put in , but I haven't put photos of every project onto Flickr, so these are what I came up with.

I got a lovely book for Christmas with lots of things I want to make in it. I will do a post on it soon and show you, I am sure you will like it!

The new year is always so exciting, I always make heaps of plans and resolutions (that I rarely keep), I am making a list of crochet and knitting projects to try this coming year, and it is lots of fun!!

Anyhoo, must go and wake those boys of mine!! hehehe....

See you soon!

Merry Christmas to you...

2011-12-24T22:54:00.001+11:00

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season,

I hope you all have a lovely happy, restful, fun time,

Julie xxxxxxxxx

Best.Ever.Shortbread.

2011-12-20T19:13:00.001+11:00

Justwanted to share this recipe. It is the bestshortbread recipe and is the only one my mum and aunts make, it's a bit of afamily tradition........

Margie's Shortbread

225g butter (I usually melt the butter)

1/2 cup castor sugar

2 cups plain flour

3/4 cup ground rice (ground rice gives it a lovely, slightly grittytexture, so try and find it if you can, it's better than rice flour)

Mix all ingredients, press flat, or roll and cut out shapes. Cook in moderate oven (around 180 degrees c)

until pale (around 12 minutes)

That'sit, very simple, but so delicious and Christmassy!!

Enjoy.

polka dot progress.....

2011-12-19T18:09:00.000+11:00

.............polka dot square cushion progress.............

How are you all going at the moment, organised for Christmas? starting to panic a bit?

It is all systems go here, I've spent today shopping and have broken the back of my list, and I've ordered the pork for lunch. We got through our busy weekend, and had a lovely social time in the process and now the end is is sight!!

So I hope you all have a wonderful time this Christmas with family and friends, good food and laughter, and generally just a lovely merry time!! And I hope there are no fights, I know this stressful time of year can push relationships, so let's just relax and be nice to each other and let go of the little things!

I probably won't get to post again till after Christmas, the boys finish school in a couple of days and will be dominating computer time, so have a great day!!

PS I am really enjoying my advent swap pressies, I have been very spoilt, so Vickie thank you so much!

Slack me though, haven't taken any pictures, will try and do a big group shot at the end.

See ya !

An antidote to busy.......

2011-12-15T00:09:00.000+11:00

Well, it's that crazy busy time of year again, and we have lots to do in this house.

We were away for a few days last weekend, and had a nice family break, swimming and lounging around reading a great book (Book 2 of'A song of Ice and Fire' series, I love a good sci fi/ fantasy tale)

It was great, because this week is pretty hectic!....

All the usual end of year things and lots of Christmas catch ups and get togethers...... I think more socialising is crammed into these few weeks than six weeks in Winter...... all lots of fun and very enjoyable!

.......having said that, I am freaking out a little bit how I am going to fit in everything I need to do, I haven't bought any presents yet, but there is still a week or so to get that done.......

Today - Garden job in the morning (paid work, so very welcome), Catch up in afternoon with friends for a chat and drink, make meringues for school break up party for andre,

Friday-out all day on bike riding trip with Max's class, basketball Christmas party in evening,

Saturday - SummerHarvest lunch at Community garden (I am catering the lunch, luckily a small group only), Tennis Christmas BBQ in the evening (bringing some sort of salad)

Sunday- big extended family christmas party at my olds place (70 people, and I told mum I'd bring potstickers, fairy bread and cupcakes, and a salad if I had time),

....as well as these organised events, I have a lot of little admin type things that have to get done like booklists and biscuits for teachers, and running Jesse to his job and his friends places and having enough food in the house for extra kids........I am sure I am going to forget things, I do that even when we don't have this much on!!!

.......deep breath.....

I hope this doesn't sound whingy, I am happy we have lots on and am looking forward to see everyone,

I do like to enjoy the festive season, so I am trying to not get overwhelmed, but there is a lot of cooking coming up in the next few days!! haha...

I thought this is the perfect time to start a new bit of crochet, just the thing to unwind my frazzled brain.

So this is the start of my polka dot squares, I am going to make a cushion cover, it is hard to tell the size from these photos, but they are not that big, so I think 16 will make a good size cushion.

wouldn't mind a big blanket made of these either.......

I have seen some lovely circle in squares crochet blankets recently in blogland, there must be something in the air! ( Sorry, it's after midnight and I can't be bothered finding links to show you what I mean, I am a slack unit!)

I made this pattern up, as the ones I saw in other blogs used dcs (tr), and I wanted a nice dense weave using scs (dc), I am pretty happy with how it has turned out. I am sure I am not the only one who has made a pattern like this, but I didn't find one in my short little hunt on the internet, and it wasn't hard to figure out for myself.

Thinking of writing a little pattern and tutorial post if anyone would like to have a go themselves.

Probably after Christmas though!!

What have you got on at this time of year, are you busy, busy, busy or are things more cruisey at your place ?(lucky you!! haha..)

See you soon!

Swapping fun and thankyous.....

2011-12-08T10:35:00.001+11:00

My creative space today has not been provided by me, rather it is in the form of this gorgeous shopping bag that Tanya my Kris Kringler made and sent me as my present in the Haby Goddesses Kris Kringle swap. Aren't I lucky!! The fabric is gorgeous and I love it, thank you, thank you Tanya!!

Speaking of swaps, look at all the goodies I have opened in the Advent swap I am taking part in!!

Vickie, I am having a lot of fun with this and all the presents have been fab, thank you so much!! This photo is just some of the festive cheeriness I have opened so far. Good fun all round!

I am off to do some end of year cooking with Max's class this morning, then I want to get stuck into the garden this afternoon, it is a beautiful day here, and I have lots of seeds to plant. I feel a garden post coming up soon!

see you soon

Christmas (twig) tree..........

2011-12-06T20:25:00.001+11:00

Our Christmas twigs looking a bit forlorn and presentless.

It has been a full on week here, blogging got put on the back burner, but I am back into it now!

I am joining in with My Place and Yours over at the lovely Punky and Me for the first time today, I saw the theme was Christmas and thought I might as well jump on the band wagon!

We did the tree yesterday, I use the term 'tree' loosely, as it is kind of a sticky, leafless version of a tree. We are going for an airy, eclectic, whimsical Dr Seuss-y feel at our place this year, and this is how it turned out. You may laugh.

It is surprisingly tricky to find suitable twiggy branches that have enough little stubby bits to hang our assortment of children-made, me-made and trashy decorations. Very tricky indeed. I thought it would be easy as we live in a kind of bushy place, but gum trees don't make very good stubby branches, too smooth and not branchy enough, and the scrubby undergrowth doesn't yield much in the way of sticks at all.

So our stick collecting was a bit of a fail, I had to resort to the pruned bits of our flowering cherry tree and cut off all the dead leafy bits. But they do work well I think.

We were going to spray paint the sticks, but my son's spray paint stash was down to gold only and it wasn't a very nice shade (looks more like vomit green to me), so we have gone with the naturale colour scheme.

Had to wedge the star off to the side rather than the top, as this was the only bit of suitable Stick Intersection.

Looks good at night though.

Definitely lots of airy bits!......

.....and I think once I do some Christmas shopping and get a few pressies under it, it will look like the super freak tree that it is!! It will...I just know it.... I promise.....yes it will....I'm sure....

Oh well, the boys think it looks pretty interesting (it got the high praise of 'cool'), so that is the whole point of decorating the Christmas tree anyway, isn't it?

Hope your festive preparations are going well too!

Christmas star crafting.....

2011-11-30T16:21:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone!

I thought I'd show you what I have been making this week, something a bit Christmassy, as December is nearly here! It is a cute little knitted star, I am loving making these, the little diamonds are quite addictive and I love all the colour combo possibilities!

I was taking a bit of a look around blogland and came across the pattern for these stars

here at the lovely blog Dutch Blue, (now called The Dutch Sisters) of course I had to give it a try! I have kind of given it a Little Woollie touch, but it is pretty much the same pattern.

And then I noticed that Vanessa at Do You Mind If I Knit was making the same little diamonds, I'll be interested to see what she does with them, her work is always gorgeous!

I've really enjoyed dusting off the knitting needles for this one, so I thought I'd share my little side track into knitting.......

........so here are some of the little diamonds straight of the needles, lots of lovely colours! I am using 8ply pure wool for these in a variety of brands, it is a great pattern for using up little straggly bits of wool left over from other things.

.....I like the striped effect, so have made many stripey combinations.

........after a bit of blocking they hold their shape better.......

.......here are some of the colour combos I had fun playing around with (and have yet to finish)....

.....a Christmassy colourway..........

.......and here is the one I have sewn up so far, I didn't do matching colours for back and front, I like the mix of colours and stripes, I think they all go together .......

.............I decided to crochet my star together instead of sewing right around it, here it is all pinned up ready to be crocheted.......

............and here is the finished star! I am really pleased with how this worked out, and have lots more planned, they are fun, fun, fun!!

I popped 2 nice vintage buttons in the middle, one on each side, so I can hang these babies and let them twirl a bit, this way there is not really a back and a front.

Haven't got around to hanging it yet, but might do a bit of a bigger ta dah when I have finished a few more and can get a bit more of a massed effect, I envision a lovely dangley display of colourful stars, maybe in a window..........I have a heap of lovely 4ply wool that might be just the thing for some smaller ones too.....hmmmmm.

I have a few other Christmas decoration ideas to try out, so will show you how they turn out when I get around to them!

Back to the clickety clack of my needles, I think my crochet hook is getting jealous..haha

Have a great day!

Advent Swap......

2011-11-29T20:19:00.001+11:00

hello!

So, it's nearly December and look what arrived here the other day!

My advent swap parcel full of lovely packages, looking very festive and cheery, and with a whole heap of candy canes too!! The lovely Vickie from Vickies Crafting was my partner for this swap, and I think she has sent a gorgeous parcel of Christmassy happiness! Thank you so much!

I have to say the bloggy community is a pretty great one. When I started blogging, I never dreamed it would be such an inspiring, generous, sharing, and rewarding community of people with similar interests, experiences etc, spread all around the world but joined by the blogging experience. Just amazing!

Thank you once again Vickie! I will do a few showings through December of things as they get revealed I think!

Christmas crafting post coming soon! (just got to finish it first!)

Raspberry jam = yum!

2011-11-28T08:39:00.001+11:00

Hello!

How was your weekend?

From now till Christmas our weekends are looking pretty full, lots of catch ups and parties to attend, and all the end of year school things too, plus a birthday, so we will be busy, busy, busy!!

Saturday it just poured with rain, so I tried to do some housework and tidy the place up as we were having my in laws over for dinner. Nice pleasant evening, I cooked calamari again, and it was yum!

Yesterday the rain stopped, so I could pick the raspberries that were ready, I picked 1.7 kg!

Max was impressed! It has been a great crop so far this season, all up I have picked 3.9 kg, and there are plenty more to come.

I decided to make some jam from 1kg of these ones and max and Andre ate the rest, they are loving being able to gorge on raspberries.

.........very simple recipe, equal sugar to fruit and 2 tbsp lemon juice............

.....low heat till sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil for 15 - 20 minutes,.........

.....pour into sterilised jars while hot and seal!

........this is what I ended up with, 5 jars of homemade raspberry jam,

and I have to say it is pretty damn delicious!!

So I'm feeling quite the little home maker at the moment, loving my little self sufficient morning!

hope you had some fun on your weekend!

PS. Also did quite a bit of crafting, looking forward to showing you what's going on on this front very soon!

Bye.

My Creative Space....red and white......

2011-11-24T09:22:00.001+11:00

My creative space today is all about sewing in the loose ends on my red and white bunting and blocking the pieces and crocheting them all together.

This is my contribution to a Kris Kringle swap organised by The Haby Goddess, and it really needs to be finished today for the deadline! It is a mystery type swap, so I don't know yet who I have to send it to, it is fun making things for strangers, I just hope they like it!

I have also been making a bit of progress on my random stripey Christmas stocking, and with my swap things out of the way I should be able to get this finished this week. I'm thinking I will put a plain back on it maybe felt or some type of blanket material, I think one side of ultra busyness will be enough.

So, I am starting to make head way on my Christmas crafting, I just had a call from Gary at work, he has just checked our household budget for the next month and it is not looking great, so I am hoping handmade presents are going to be all the rage this year!! I am sure Max will love a crocheted Nintendo DS, haha....

If you have some time, have a look over here at the far more creative spaces of lots of others.

Have a great day!

Brown paper packages....

2011-11-22T15:33:00.001+11:00

Hello

I have finally gotten organised and finished getting my Advent Swap parcels together.

I was mulling over how to wrap them ( I know, I think about all the big issues here...haha), and decided to go with the brown paper and string look. I stamped my date cards to add a bit of colour. I think they look nice and rustic, I hope Vicki my swap partner likes them! They are currently winging their way to the Northern Territory, and should be there early next week.

So, one thing to cross off my to do list! Yay.

I have nearly finished my thing for the other Christmas swap I signed up for, but will show you that tomorrow when I take photos.

Just thought you might like to see the gorgeous colours of the self sown Shirley poppies in our garden at the moment......

so beautiful! They really glow in the late afternoon sun......

Anyway, hope your week is going well, see you later!

Crafty overload....

2011-11-18T17:19:00.001+11:00

hello.

How are you all going today?

I'm feeling a tad frustrated!

I have been spending a bit of time on Pinterest, and there are so many gorgeous inspiring things to look at, and all these ideas charging through my head, things I just have to make, and then I look at my work space and it is in this state! There is a big morning gone tidying this room up so I can start creating. Doh!

It seems that everything cluttering up the rest of the house was chucked in here during the Big Party Cleanup of 2011. ( I'll admit, most of the clutter has something to do with my latest crafty tangents, and I do tend to spread my making through out the house)

My poor sewing machine is kind of buried in the middle of all this stuff, and I need her to be in a nice spacious place ready to hum along, whipping up some cuteness.

I have posted these photos to make myself clean up, tomorrow morning is supposed to be stormy, so no gardening jobs to distract me! Just you wait for the 'after' photos!

This clean up could take awhile, so to make sure I don't forget all the lovely things I want to make here is a list to remind myself

*felted balls, then colourfully embroidered and made into Xmas decorations (must buy wool rovings)

*embroidery on calico/cotton/felt then cut out and stuffed and hung on a tree

*cute little wallet sewn from scraps of fabric (saw this in the Mollie Makes with the peas on front cover)

*in same vein, cute patchworky journal cover

* hybrid fabric and crochet pillow slips ( stripes of fabric and stripes of crochet in between, I think it will look better than it sounds!)

*soft toys from my thrifted blankets, elephant first

*cute little felt mice from pattern I bought the other day (must show you guys, soooo cute!)

* mini crochet squares for cushion cover

*crochet polka dot blanket (big project - probably 2012 I think)

*knitted coin purse

*crocheted lacy trims from Japanese book

*patchwork pillow slips for our bed, with cute crochet edges

*some paper mache creations

*knitted beekeeper blanket...............

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, I also have all my unfinished stuff to work on too, so definitely need to get my crafty mojo going!!

Do you have lots of ideas going around your head too?

There aren't enough hours in the day!

Have a great day!

My creative space.....stocking on the go

2011-11-17T12:20:00.001+11:00

Hello

My creative space today is about my Christmassy crochet that I want to try and finish soon.

This is the thing I have been working on recently ( well there are lots of other things on the go too, but I can't show you those as they are secret swappy stuff!)

It is my version of a granny chic stocking, a bit over the top, but I am liking how it is coming along.

I am onto the leg bit now, which should be quite quick, I am going to have some wider bands of colour here so I can embroider/sew some extra stuff on, just in case there isn't enough going on in it already! haha....

.......popped a few bobble rows in for good measure......

It is a bit slow going, as I am trying to write the pattern down as I go, and I have no idea how I am going to do the reverse side, I don't know how to crochet from the opposite direction.

Maybe one side will be fancy and one side will be plain, so you can change it depending on your mood!

Something to think about anyway.

I am joining in over here today, pop over and see what everyone else has been up to.

Have a great day!

PS. Thanks for the birthday wishes ladies, you are all so lovely!

Yum Yum......

2011-11-15T20:18:00.001+11:00

Hi there!

What have you been up to today?

It was my birthday today, although it feels like Saturday was my birthday with the party and all that.

I have had a lovely day with visits from my aunt and sister and nephew, and a great lunch with my mum and dad. I haven't really seen my husband much yet as I have been doing the basketball run this evening and he and Jesse play tennis tonight, but I'm sure we will catch up later this evening and watch an episode of 'The Living Dead', this new series he's found that we are getting a bit hooked on.

I have been very spoilt, and received lovely presents and cards from everyone, there was a bit of a build up to the big 40, and I feel very lucky in the life I lead.

Lucky with the people in it, lucky with the things I do, lucky in the place I live, lucky in the good health we have.

I hope the next 40 years are just as good!

Oh and to top it off, I picked our first 110gr of raspberries today! Yay! Delicious! They didn't last long, but there are plenty more where these came from! They looked so good I had to take a photo!

......I am starting to freak out a little with the fast approaching end of year busy time.......

I committed to a few Christmassy swaps and need to make some things for them, and deadlines are coming up quick!

And the calendar is filling up with social events and parties from now to Christmas, and there are lots of things I want to make for presents, and I wanted to fit in a Christmas giveaway too!! Eek...

Taking a deep breath, writing a list and checking it twice.

Have to prioritise, and just start on something, or finish off something properly!

I'll try and show you the progress on some of these makes, the ones not for swaps anyway.

Well, better go and get cracking on that Christmas list, the hook and yarn are calling!

Bye!

the one where we throw a party.....

2011-11-13T20:47:00.001+11:00

Hello there!

I have been absent from my blog and the computer in general this past week, and it feels like ages since I last posted, it has been a busy time at our place!

I am turning 40 this week, so we thought we would have a party (you know, any excuse... :) ).

This did entail a major house clean/declutter/garden makeover, etc, which turned into a huge task!

(Our house is usually quite untidy and messy and I tend to only get it in tip top condition for special occasions)

Luckily my fab parents and husband gave me lots of help to get things looking celebratory, and my family and friends came over last night and we had a great night!

Lots of chatting and catching up, eating and drinking, playing pool and some good music, and general funtimes!

............We hung some of these paper ball thingys..... think they will be up till after Christmas and continue with the party atmosphere.....

.........I made some big paper flowers for a colourful party garland..........

........we cracked out the special cups........ and filled them with some yummy drinks.....

.......colourful bendy straws to suck up a margarita or two...........

......received some lovely flowers....

.....and picked these guys from the garden......

(David Austin rose 'Jude the Obscure' - divine!!)

As part of the 'make the house presentable' operation, my dad put my painted papered box on the wall for me and I got a few of my crochet jars into it......

.....and found my ceramic bottles looked right at home on top.....

The garden is looking a treat too, but I don't have any pictures to show you, maybe a garden post coming soon.

I have a great family and lovely friends and they all made me feel very spoilt and lucky and loved, so it was an excellent way to say goodbye to my 30's and look forward to the next decade of living.

(Although not officially till this week)

Oh, and I got my hair cut again during the week and have gone shocking blonde, so much so that every time I catch my reflection, I get a little surprised shock, I look quite different!

I haven't had much crafting time recently, and I've missed it!! I have managed to start a little idea for something Christmassy. Now that the big do is history, I can get back to other fun things and hopefully have a few finished things to share soon!

Anyway, hope you all have had a great week too, and I am going to try and catch up on the recent bloggy happenings over the next few days.... see you later!

Softie wants new home....

2011-11-04T19:43:00.000+11:00

Hello!

Thought I'd show you my little softie doll that I crocheted for the Softies For Mirabel appeal.

(I am really getting stuck into finishing things at the moment!)

She's all dressed up ready for a new home!

And this is the thing I was working on last post, the partay dress!

I am very happy with how this turned out, it was the most fun part to make too.

I made the dress and the doll up as I went, and I think it looks ok.

..........bit of a freaky, starey face, she looks a bit ditzy I think, my embroidery skills could use some improvement.

.......just hanging around.....

........and with the other toys in the 'hood, just chillin' out....

Hope someone out there will love her.

I have a weekend of gardening and housework ahead of me so it was nice to get a finished project out of the way.

What have you got planned for the weekend?

Talk soon!

something new......

2011-11-02T22:11:00.000+11:00

Just a quick peek at something I'm working on at the mo........

should be finished soon!

Not out of the loop anymore........

2011-10-31T23:23:00.003+11:00

Hello.

I was is the newsagent today, and look what I found...... the Molly Makes magazine. It is the first time I have seen it anywhere round here, and it looks like we are a few months behind, but better late than never! Apparently they are getting 2 copies a month, so I had better be on my toes to make sure I can score one!

I liked the stories about the craftsters and their homes and work spaces, and all the crafty eye candy, like this page, wish we had a shop like this somewhere around here!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I have started my crochet doll, this is as far as I have got, time for arms and legs I think.

Cup Day tomorrow, lunch at mum and dad's place, Gary and I will try to pick a winner or 2, I am sure there will be a sweep to take part in as well. ( Last year Gary and I picked the trifecta for the Cup, very exciting!!). It is the only day of the year when we have a little punt, and it is kind of fun!

Hope you have a great day!

( Oh, and the last day of Blogtoberfest, Yay! I was not very good at it this year, lots of gaps, luckily back to normal transmission for November, so no self imposed guilt trips!)

look what I (re)discovered.....

2011-10-29T19:49:00.004+11:00

Today I have been tidying areas of my house that have been very neglected for a long time.

The amount of cobwebs and dust was a bit embarrassing!

Anyway, I was cleaning a shelf that had lots of my knitting stuff crammed in and I found (or rediscovered) this blanket I was knitting just before I learnt to crochet last year. Obviously once I got the crochet bug, my knitting took a back seat and I haven't done much with the needles since really.

But I was looking at all the lovely colours I have used in this and I think I should really get on and finish it.

So I have added to my 'projects on the go' list, much more respectable than shoved in a corner getting dusty and forgotten. I have forgotten the pattern though, so must have a hunt for it, it will probably turn up crammed in another shelf!

I have got quite a few things lined up to make at the moment. I have joined a couple of Christmas swaps, and need to make some things for those, and I have joined the 'Softies For Mirabel' Christmas craft appeal, and am making a softie for that.

More info about this over here at Meet Me At Mikes.

I have an idea for a doll of my own design, so we will see how it goes. (I actually have an idea for a dolls dress that I want to try, so have to make a doll to go with it!)

If it works out, I might make one each for my nieces, while they are still young enough for dolls.

(although I think you are never too old for a lovely doll!)

Tomorrow we are having a garden lunch at a friends place, hope the weather hold out for us, a very pleasant afternoon with good food, good friends, and a couple of nice cold bevvies, I am looking forward to it!

I am bringing salt and pepper deep fried calamari, Mum bought me a deep fryer recently, and it does calamari sooooo well!! Our friends live down the road from us so it should stay nice and hot and scrummy, perfect as a first course nibble!

Anyway, hope you have a good weekend and do something fun!

Bye!

Friday new things....

2011-10-28T22:50:00.002+11:00

Hi there.

What's been happening today?

Not much here. Just a normal old Friday that seems to have come around extra quick this week.

I went down to my parents place today and had a nice lunch and pottered in the garden a bit, we visited a strawberry farm in Red Hill only to find it doesn't open for the season till next week. Doh.

Andre is still home recovering from his op, (think - lots of computer time) I think he is looking very well and is definitely ready for school next week.

We have a kind of long weekend here, with the Melbourne Cup running on Tuesday and a public holiday, so lots of people take Monday off as well. Technically the boys have school, but lots of kids are away so not much is done as far as school work goes. I think my boys want to go to school, so it will just be a normal day for us. Still feels like a holiday though.

I'm going to spend the weekend trying to restore some order in a few rooms here, cleaning and tidying a big mess. And I should be able to fit in some crafting and cooking and gardening if I try hard!

Thought I would show you a couple of things I started yesterday (got a bit tired of the flower motif, so mixing it up a bit). The little shape at the top is my first attempt at a heart, I think with a few modifications it will be right for some cute Chrissy decorations.

Also started another cushion in the Bendigo cottons, felt like doing some rows, and something small was just the thing. Maybe another thing for Christmas?

Had a quick look in the Oppy on my way home and found these nice aqua, blue and lime check blankets. There were 2 single bed size, and a bit of a bargain, so I had to grab them.

I did think of Claire over at Sweet Birdy Love and her lovely upcycled blanket toys when I saw them! I have a few ideas for these, involving the sewing machine.

Not sure if they are wool or acrylic, does anyone know how to tell the difference?

Anyway, I'm sure they can be used for something fun, such nice colours!

OK better go and do something!

Have a great day!

My creative space...more pretty things...

2011-10-27T09:59:00.001+11:00

Hellooooo.

..............oops, a whole week since my last post, and in Blogtober as well, shame on me!

I have to declare a fail in the 'blog every day of October ' department, humble apologies!!

This week has been a bit crazy for us, hence the lack of blogging.

It's 'my creative space time' again already!

Firstly I'd like to give you all a big thank you for the amazing comments you left on my last post, I loved getting your opinions, and all the thought you lovely ladies put into them, I really appreciate your views! Thanks for your encouragement, excitement, and practical thoughts, it seems I am not the only one who has thought about opening a wool shop!

It gave me lots to think about, it seems some of the concerns I have about my wool shop, ie the location, would worry you too.

So, to cut a long story short, I have decided to knock back this particular shop, and look for one in a better location with more foot traffic and people around, and in the mean time I am going to start an online wool shop and sell some of the beautiful wool that I use here that may be hard to source overseas. My emphasis will be on gorgeous colour as that is a passion of mine. Hopefully by the time I find a suitable place, the online bit will be doing well and will give me more money to put into an ace shop! I should also have a good supply of wool ready to stock it straight away, as this was another concern I had, not having enough money to fully stock a great range of yarn at the start. So by starting out smaller with less overheads, I should have more money for the good stuff, the yarn!

So stay tuned, I don't know how long these things take to set up, but some time soon there should be a 'Little Woollie Makes' wool shop, in one form or another!!

Anyway, on to other things, I have spent 3 days this week away from home, sitting in a hospital ward with my middle son who had a bout of appendicitis, they ended up taking out his appendix, so now he has the rest of the week off school. He has recovered very quickly, and only has a tiny scar to show for it!

It is amazing how being in a hospital makes you feel cut off from the rest of the world, sort of in your own little time bubble, it is like a self contained little universe in there, you look out the window at the rest of the world going along normally, and you are just not part of it for a while. I have never had to spend time in a hospital before ( other than having babies), and I have to say the nurses and doctors were so fantastic with their care and cheerful attitude. Luckily our family is generally really healthy and we don't visit the doctor much, I really felt for families in there who obviously spend a lot of time in hospital and are very familiar with the system.

By the second day I was looking for something to pass the time ( we spent lots of time waiting for things), so got my crochet out and hooked some more flowery bits for my 'summer tablecloth'.

There was an art therapist at the hospital who was interested in what I was making, and said she might just have to persevere with learning crochet to make beautiful things like this. I was chuffed. The universal language of craftiness!! Good for the healing process I think.

I have 9 finished flowers now, I think I should weave in ends as I go so it won't be a huge task at the end. Must start doing that now!

Anyway, I wil try to be a good girl and finish Blogtober off proper like, with daily posts for the rest of the week.

Joining in over here today with very creative people.

See ya !

My creative space...pretty things..

2011-10-20T10:52:00.000+11:00

Today in my creative space, I have finally found a use for some lovely bright cotton I bought while we were on holiday.

These little doily things are pretty and cute and are in one of my Japanese crochet books, I have been meaning to give them a go for while, and got around to it last night.

I have no idea what the book is called, I haver seen it in Blogland quite a lot, but you can see the cover, I bought it from etsy, so if you google Japanese Crochet books you will probably find it pretty easily.

I'm thinking that lots of these in different colour combos sewn together would make a pretty funky tablecloth for summer...hmmm, I'll see how many I make before I get sick of them.

Joining in over here today, at Our Creative Spaces, lots of other creative stuff happening there!

I also wanted to chat about something else that I am thinking about, and ask a couple of questions.

Feel free not to read on here, but I would love to hear your opinions.

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the direction of my life, my children are getting older, although they are not grown up yet, and I feel that things are changing, they are more involved in their own lives and plans, and don't need me hovering around them all the time like they did when they were little . This is good. This is a natural progression, and is one that I feel is the result of the strong, secure family environment that we still have, they are making (some) decisions about their lives without too much input from us, and seem to be making good ones.

All this leads me to the point where I feel I have time to do something else with my own life. My family is still my first priority, but they are happy for me to do something that will make me happy, and they are even interested in what I'm planning!

Plus there is the practical side that we have been predominately a one income family, and our budget could do with some extra income.

With all this in mind I have been thinking about combining things I love, crafting, yarns, colour, and setting up a shop. An empty shop has come up for lease in our town, and I am seriously trying to work out how I can open a wool and haberdashery, crafty supplies type shop. There used to be one in town when I first moved here, but the woman retired and it shut.

It is in a bit of a quiet part of town though, so I am wondering if people will make the effort to seek me out, or if the LYS is a thing of the past? Should I sell online as well?

Also I hope to offer classes and spread the yarny love with lots of inspiring gorgeous yarns and examples of what you can do with crochet and knitting. I am not trying to make a fortune, (but a little income would be nice), I really think that being creative is so good for your soul and mental health, and I want to try and create somewhere people can indulge their creative passions. There are so many gorgeous materials out there, and our closest yarn shop is 30 minutes away, so I think (hope) it could be viable.

One reason I thought this could work is the amazing community of crafters that I have found since starting this blog, I never thought there would be so much interest in yarny type things until I started blogging, I thought I was a bit weird with my creative endeavours, but then I found i was not alone!!

So, a couple of questions

Do you buy yarn from your LYS or mostly online?

Do you buy luxury yarns for a special treat?

Do you think there is still a place for a traditional haberdashery and yarn shop in todays world?

Do you think people have time/want to learn new skills like crochet nowadays?

Sorry to bombard you, and for rambling, if you stopped reading ages ago, I can understand!

So, I am off to my ponderings, and I hope you have a great creative day!

Sunshiny day.....

2011-10-19T11:52:00.003+11:00

pink poppies getting blown around

Greetings from the garden today.

It is a fabulous day here and I just had to record whats going on in the garden. It has been so nice to have a year with normal rainfall, the garden has really taken off after so any years of drought.

So, sorry to bore you if you are not into gardens, but it is a nice colour hit anyway......

...there is lots of pink in the garden at the mo, lots of roses are starting to bloom, think I'll go and pick a vasefull, wish I could share the scent with you, it is really special.............

........pretty snapdragons......

The crap apple is spectacular, and covered with busy, buzzy bees.........

......this reddish brown iris has been gorgeous, heaps more flower spikes than last year.....

.....the poppies just keep on giving......

Some purple aquilegia, I love these flowers bobbing around in the wind......

......and, so excited, HEAPS od raspberries starting to form, those bees are really busy pollinating everything, so I'm hoping for a bumper crop!!

.....and there is still plenty of broccoli to be picked, unfortunately I am the only one who likes it in our house, so we have a bit of a broccoli glut! Anyone want some?

I really love Spring.

So much colour and life around, it's just ace.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on the stripey blanket, I didn't expect such a nice reaction, quite overwhelming! You guys are great! Now time to get onto something new......hmmmmm.....

Have a great sunshiny day!!

mixed stripey blanket - the end - TADAH!!!!

2011-10-16T17:24:00.000+11:00

OK here we go people, the stripey blanket all finished, wrapped up, complete!

Be warned quite a few photos in this post!

.....here it is on our bed.....

......I like it folded long ways too.......

........Stripe details....

.......it looks quite small folded on the bed, but here I am looking happy with myself, so you can see that it is bigger than I am!.....

I am very happy how this has finished up, pretty close to how I imagined it!

So a few facts for you all:

* the finished blanket weighs around 2kgs, so takes 20 100g balls of wool to make, no wonder it took a while!

*I used a variety of 100% 8ply wools in the blanket, brands include Colourworks, Cleckheaton Country 8ply, Bendigo Wool Mill, and some others that I can't remember.

These are the left over bits of the wools I used, I think all the colours are here, 18 in all I think!

*Sorry ladies, I made the pattern up as I went, so don't have a pattern to show you as such. I think part of this blanket's charm is the random nature of the pattern, so I think just have a go at varying the stitches and colours and see how you go.

It is lovely and cosy and warm, I am sure it will get lots of use next winter!

So that is the end of the Stripey Blanket, it's been quite an epic crochet adventure, and I thank you all for the lovely encouragement I have received along the way, I am happy so many of you like this blanket!

The edge that I ended up doing was quite plain, as there is already plenty going on in the main blanket I think!

Pleased to report that my anti weaving in edging seemed to work!

I ended up crocheting around in sc, then 4 rows of dc along each side that had all the loose yarns to weave in. Then I folded over the dc rows to form a casing for the yarn ends and sewed this edge down. Hey presto, yarn ends all safe and sound hidden inside the edge!

Hope that makes sense.

Have a great day!

Saturday

2011-10-15T22:19:00.002+11:00

Hello!

Just a quick post today, I couldn't miss 2 days in a row of Blogtober, I am already behind!

I am nearly finished the stripey blanket (last bit of sewing will be done when I'm finished here), so tomorrow will be the big reveal! (I hope!)

Today has kind of just petered away, can't really say what I got up to, nothing much, a bit of this , a bit of that, shopping, and other home things.

I have a heap of housework for tomorrow ( sooooo happy about that!), but it is only because I have let the house get a bit out of control, so no one really to blame but myself. Might try the Lucy at Attic 24 approach, and change my attitude to enjoying making the house clean and tidy. I'll try anyway!

Tomorrow I might tell you about my big plans too, and see what you think.

Tomorrow I am also going to do some baking, gardening, and start looking for my next crochet project. I've got a few ideas, but have not settled one one yet.

Max is waiting impatiently to get on the computer, so better stop this ramble here.

Have a great day!

My creative space....on the edge

2011-10-13T22:30:00.000+11:00

hello!

My creative space today is all about the edge of my stripey blanket. I am on the home stretch!

And my lazy non-weaving-in-of-the-threads edge is looking good I think.

Can you work out what I have done?

It is such a busy blanket that I wanted a nice plain border, so I have decided that the red and pink edges on the sides will be balanced by a nice neat row of single crochet on the top and bottom.

I feel the grand tah dah is not far away! Yay!

Joining in over here today, so go have a look at what everyone else is up to.

Have a great day!

PS. my secret project is looking like it is going to be a goer! Getting excited!!

Plans......

2011-10-12T23:51:00.002+11:00

Sooo.....what's been happening?

I have been in a bit of a limbo recently, I have some exciting plans that might actually become a reality, and it is a bit daunting.

I was telling my 11 year old about what's going on and he said

"so is this one dream Mum that you are actually going to do and not just talk about?"

Hmmmmm....... I think I have a reputation as a dreamer and a bit of a gunna.

I do have lots of ideas and schemes for things I could do, and different paths my life could take, I tend to talk them up for a few days and then they just slip back into the background of life, while everyday stuff is the actual life I lead.

So yes, I can understand when the boys look at me sceptically, I am sure they are thinking, there she goes again, off on another tangent.

But anyway, this is different. Exciting, a bit risky (not dangerous, but it might not work), and something I think will be really good for me and all my family. Something I have been toying with in various guises for quite a while.

My mum thinks I might be having a mid life thingy, maybe she's right. I think I have been avoiding making decisions about what to do with the next bit of my life, using the boys as an excuse to put off doing things. hmmmmm....... we will see what happens next!

Sorry to be so criptic, but I will write about what's going on soon if it all pans out .

Have a great day!

Colour hit..Nature does it best....

2011-10-10T23:05:00.000+11:00

Today I thought I'd give you a little feast of colour, something to lighten your heart and lift your mood!!

On our way back from Sydney , we went through Canberra, and Floriade happened to be on how lucky for me! We had a lovely hour stop and wandered through the tulips, and I happily clicked away on the camera, I think even the boys were impressed!

So heres a little taste of the colour fest that was Floriade!

Enjoy!

Have a great day!

Blanket on the couch...

2011-10-09T21:26:00.000+11:00

hello

Hope you had/are having a great weekend!

We didn't do much today, I got excited about a cool silver bullet caravan I found for sale on ebay, and then had to come back to earth, via my practical husband who kindly pointed out a) we don't have a spare $20000, and b) our car would never tow such a big, beautiful beast!

Sigh....a girl can dream.... one day this dream will be reality...haha

I have lots of wild dreams and schemes floating around my head at the moment, must tell you about some of them one day!

Anyway, on to more pressing matters.

I am determined to finish the stripey, colourful blanket this week!

I am onto the edge now, so the end is in sight. Yay!!

I am feeling very lazy and can't face weaving in all those ends, so I have come up with an edge method that I hope will mean I don't have to! If it works I will show you what I did, if it looks crappy, it's back to the drawing board! Haha...

Just a short post tonight, got to get cracking on that blanket !

See ya!

Floriferous!

2011-10-08T16:04:00.004+11:00

Hello

Today I have been revelling in the abundance of flowers in the garden at the moment and picking a few bunches for the table.

We have lilac that smells divine.......

...purple and white bearded iris, I think it is called 'Jesse's Song' this variety, it is my best flowering iris, I have quite a few different varieties but this one flowers the best. I counted 32 flower spikes in various clumps around the garden......

....and I made a little posy of different pink and red flowers, a few roses, snapdragons and some apple blossom, very pretty!...

They certainly brighten up the table and my day!

Tomorrow I am going to make some rustic climbing frames for beans and peas, so I will show you some pictures then. I am also going to plant sweetcorn, zucchinis, snap peas, lettuces, carrots and beetroot. It is great to be getting stuck into the garden again, I love the springtime!

Probably a gardening post tomorrow, so be warned!

Thank you for all the lovely responses to my flowery pincushion garland, you are all so kind, I am glad you like it! A couple of questions were asked about the wool and hook size, - I used 8 ply 100% wool, just used up various dribs and drabs, with a 3mm hook for the big ones, and 4ply wool with a 2.5mm hook for the smaller ones.

I am so happy if I have inspired anyone to have a go at these, so feel free to make the same!

Hope your weekend is going well!

Flowery (pincushion) garlandy thing....

2011-10-07T17:09:00.000+11:00

Hello there.....

So here is what I've done with my pincushions.....I guess they're not pincushions anymore!

As you can see, I made quite a few of these little things, (and these are only the ones I have got around to finishing, there are several more not sewn up yet)...........then just crocheted a bit of a leafy, green viney thing for joining them all together, and ta dah! one (or two) flowery hanging decorations!

...I decided to add a few random leaves in between, just because I like this the look of this little leaf.....

They were tricky to photograph, so in the end I chose to hang them of my gardening wardrobe rather than hanging from the ceiling,

Do you think they would make a cute addition to a retro inspired baby's nursery? Or little girl's room?

I do!

There is one with blues, reds, white and green, and one with more lime and watermelon, they all look quite similar in colours in the photos, but in real life the red/blues one is a much cooler palette.

Once again, I'm drawn to the totally useless, completely decorative object, but I am not going to apologise! I must say they make me pretty happy, and I am definitely making a few more to join these two.

Sorry about so many similar pics, I couldn't decide which ones to post, so just whacked the whole lot up.

Anyway, hope your day is going well, and you are getting up to some fun crafty mischief!!

(Last official day of school holidays here, so back to the old routines next week ,boo hoo!)

If you are interested in the pattern info for these pincushions, I have linked to it on my first post about these things here.

Finishing things

2011-10-06T20:31:00.000+11:00

Hello there

oops.... missed a post yesterday, so I'm already a bit behind for Blogtober, must try to catch up with an extra post at some stage.

Thank you for all the lovely comments left for my last post, it seems lots of people have been through the same experience and feel the same way as do, it really is a small world, no matter where we live the same human stories are being played out.

Today I am looking at the pincushions I have made recently and am hoping to link them up into a nice hanging garland. I was thinking of making a mobile out of them, but couldn't quite figure out how to start, and my sister suggested just making long single strand of flowers, that sounds good, so I am going to do that. Hoping it will look pretty.

Soooo.... pictures coming soon so you can check out how it finished up!

Have a great day!

Grandpa's place

2011-10-04T22:42:00.002+11:00

Hi There.

Today the boys and I helped my parents empty out my grandpa's flat. He is 93 and is no longer confident living by himself, so has moved to an assisted living type place, where all his needs are taken care of, cooking, cleaning, washing etc.

My grandpa is a funny old dear, he has lived in the same flat for the past 30 years, lived very frugally, with a definite routine to his days. He has lots of funny little habits. We think he kept hold of every piece of mail that had come through his hands. All the birthday cards we made him as kids, every receipt he ever received, every bill he ever paid, every letter he ever got, every piece of wrapping paper, he had stashed away somewhere in his little flat, mum even found a letter she wrote him on her honeymoon 43years ago!!

It was kind of nice seeing our family history all stored in this place, like a little slice of our lives as seen through his eyes, and what we all mean to him. It was also quite confronting and difficult to disassemble his life down to the bare bones of what he can take with him to his new home. Not very much at all.

A few photos, some clothes and his glasses and hearing aid batteries, and a few other odd and ends with sentimental value. His big stamp collection, put together over so many years will be divided up between his 3 children. Pretty much everything else was surplus to requirements, his furniture, all his meticulous records and papers, all his kitchen stuff, all his paints and painting supplies, all his handiwork (he liked to make things and improvise and fix stuff up), no one needs it in our family. In this material world, all our homes are already overflowing with the accumulation of our own lives.

What do you do with all the stuff gathered through life, things that have meaning and hold memories, but are not really needed anymore, it is not rubbish, it is just someone else's lifes collection.

It was difficult to sort through it all, and fascinating at the same time.

The boys were kept busy, discovering little tins full of this and that squirrelled away in the back of cupboards, stuff from the 'olden days' when every thing was kept 'just in case'.

Some new people in the flat above needed some book shelves, so we helped them out with grandpas shelves. Over the day we managed to empty out the flat till all that was left was a few indents in the carpet, and the cracks in the walls were plain to see. I am sure the owners will be doing some renovating before it is leased again.

We took some things to the op shop, who picked through the boxes and only took what they wanted.

It was hard rubbish collection time in the area, so a lot of things went on the nature strip, we had a lot of things go to new homes while we were bringing other things out, so at least some things will have another life.

I am glad grandpa wasn't with us today, I think I would hate to see my life's possessions having to be dealt with so practically. He would have found it very hard to watch and I know my mum found it a hard job to do. Some parts of getting old are really not nice.

I just had to save his table and chairs and their great retro vibe, the table has a cheery yellow laminex top in the same pattern as my little red table, and needs a bit of restoration work. The chairs are in bad shape, but I think they will look great with some new upholstery and a bit of love. Something that will always remind me of my grandpa, and he will be able to check out what I've done when he visits.I also kept a selection of his tools and a lovely old carpet bag type overnight bag that I grabbed from the skip, I can give these things a new life and make them useful again.

So that is that, the end of an era, of a life of independence, I guess this time will come for all of us, it has made me quite reflective though. Sorry for the slightly down tone of this post, it has been a bit of a confronting day.

I have to remember that although all his stuff has dispersed, he is still around to visit and chat with, and I must make more effort to see him while I can.

Hope you all are having a good day!!

Choccy meringues

2011-10-03T23:02:00.000+11:00

More cooking treats today. A very easy delicious meringue recipe that my son made at his kitchen lessons at school (our school was part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program).

My boys really like them. I have a big glut of eggs at the moment, so these are just the thing to use a few up.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUES

3 egg whites

1 cup castor sugar

50g chocolate chips

2 tblsp sifted cocoa

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Beat egg whites with electric mixer until frothy.

On high speed , slowly add sugar, beating until stiff.

Fold in chocolate, cocoa and essence, do not beat, mixture should be a bit streaky.

Drop spoonfuls of mixture on to trays lined with baking paper.

Bake in slow oven for 30 mins. Around 160 degrees C, but my oven is quite hot so I do 130 -140 degrees C.

Meringues should be dry on the outside but still soft on the inside.

Cool on tray before removing.

For Christmas lunch last year I made these for dessert (Xmas is in Summer here so we often have a light dessert). I popped one chocolate meringue on each plate and topped it with a dollop of cream, some fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and red currants), and a drizzle of strawberry puree, little mini pavlovas! You could also grate some chocolate over the top too. They were very popular and easy to prepare before hand and just assemble at the last minute, They have been requested again this year!!

Ok that's it for now, hope to have something crafty to show soon, but with the holidays still here this week, I am not getting a lot done, also I am reading a good book that is absorbing more time than it should!!

Have a great day!

Cooking....a special treat

2011-10-02T22:48:00.003+11:00

Today I thought I'd show you some cooking we did before we went away, I meant to post this a few weeks ago but you know how it is, things get in the way, and I didn't get around to it then, so I'll show you now, better late than never.

I was very pleased with how these turned out, very pleased indeed!!

We tend to have a bit of a sweet tooth in our house so......

once again we were looking through the Sweet Treats cook book, produced by the ace Frankie team, and found something delicious to have a go at.

Marshmallows.

A family favourite, I know you can buy them for $2 from the shop, but that's not the point is it?

I have had a go at marshmallows before, a different recipe, and they were ok but not great, sticky and hard to cut into shape and a bit too rubbery, not like a shop one.

So I was determined to get these ones right, soft and squishy and vanilla-ry, and I am happy to report we had success!!

Recently my hand held beater blew up, so armed with my super duper powerful new one, I whipped that marshmallow to a sticky, fluffy perfection confection!! Haha.....

The recipe was easy, but with a tiny bit tricky method, but I followed it to the letter, and it worked a treat! I find with lollies and chocolates it pays to be fussy with the instructions and do as they say with no short cuts.

Although, having said that, I did make one improvement, I wanted round/ish marshmallows not a slab cut into squares. So I made my own moulds for the marshmallow to set in using an egg pushed into a pan of flour. Each dollop of marshmallow took the shape of the egg and ended up fairly round, and the flour dusting meant they weren't sticky!

Pure genius!!

( I can't take the credit for this ace idea, I read it in a cooking article in the paper some time ago, and filed it away in the 'useful information' section of my head)

See how they look setting in their little flour egg moulds - so cute and delicious!

Max gave them the thumbs up, actually all the men in my house did, they did not last long, Gary was looking for more of them long after the last one had been scoffed!

Homemade lollies, you can't get better than that, I'll be making these again I'm sure.

Have a great day!

Back from the break.......

2011-10-01T22:01:00.002+10:00

Hi there

Well, we are back from our little holiday interstate and it is nice to be home. I quite like going away for a bit, but I really like coming home! Think I am a bit of a home body type.

Anyway, we did go to a lovely beach, I think Australia really does beaches well, there are soooo many gorgeous stretches of sandy beach with clean salty surf that we area a bit spoilt for choice. We were at Umina Beach on the Central Coast of NSW a beautiful bit of beach.

..........With houses fronting right onto it, I think these were mostly holiday houses, I would have to live here full time I think if I had a house right on the beach, it's too good just for holidays.

The weather was not very warm and we did see a fair bit of rain, but on this nice afternoon at low tide it was a pretty idyllic place.

I was a bit surprised how suburban and touristy the area was; lots of people live around here, so it was nice to get to the beach and pretend we were the only ones around. We did a fair bit of beach walking, shopping, checking out other coastal suburbs, swimming in the pool (a bit warmer than the sea, but not much!), eating lots and general faffing around. The boys were a little lost without the computers to game on, facebook etc, but we managed to fill in the time and I think they had a good break too, they spend a lot of time in front of screens my boys, so a reality check was needed. We played in a bingo competition that Max really thought he would win (he didn't), and a family trivia night that we did win, and won a big tray of meat, lucky us (we are a family of hearty meat eaters, sorry if that offends anyone).

I did manage a lot of little bits of crochet as the weather was iffy, and will show you when I have got them all together, but it is more of the pin cushion theme if you are interested, they are so easy and portable, I have made a heap! Also read a great book, Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith, its been around for a while but I hadn't read it, great thriller set in Stalin era Russia, really interesting and I read it in a day! I'm going to go get the sequel tomorrow, I am hooked!

Ok that's all for now, but as I have signed up for Blogtoberfest again, I will be back tomorrow, and every day of October, with another gripping post!!

Hahaha....I hope.

Have a good one!

Just quickly, the winner is.......

2011-09-26T21:04:00.001+10:00

Hello everyone! Just a quick post today, I am trying to use an iPad for this and it is frustrating me, I just deleted a whole long post I wrote and I can't put pictures on either!! Doh! We are having a little holiday this week, so I will be back in proper blogging mode next week.Anyway, just wanted to tell you who won my give away cushion cover, my boys devised a complicated mathematical formula and we came up with a number, 108, and this comment was the winner, I think I counted right, and it is Penelope from L is for Love ! Congratulations Penelope, I will be in touch when we get back home.Thank you so much to all you fabulous people who entered my giveaway, sorry I can't send you all something! Hello to all the new peeps who have found me recently,(and to all the ace old ones too!!) lovely to meet you all, and I hope to get out around blog land and visit you all too soon!Have a great week everyone, talk soon!

My creative space....more pin cushions...

2011-09-22T09:17:00.001+10:00

My creative space today...............

I have been making more of these little pin cushions, they are quick and easy and have a really nice finish to them. I think the colour combinations are endless and there are quite a few more that I want to try out.

I love playing around with the colours!

I have got another idea for something a bit different for these pincushions, I am going to need a few more to see if it will work, but I'll show you the results of my playing soon.

They look a bit Japanese-y don't you think?

I have some fine baby wool that I am going to use and make some tiny ones too, so cute !

Have a great day!

Playing along over here today.

We had a fun weekend......

2011-09-18T22:58:00.001+10:00

Sooooo.......

How's your weekend been?

It's been busy round my neck of the woods!

Yesterday we had a bit of a going away party for some friends of ours who are leaving the area, 10 adults and a heap of kids, lots of food and drink, chatting, laughing, some music, and a bit of pool sharking made for a pretty enjoyable evening!

This was after the first Harvest Lunch at our Community Garden, and a basketball presentation afternoon, Gary took care of the basketball while I stayed home and cooked a few treats for the party, and tried to make the house presentable!

We dragged out our new summer chairs in all their colourful,stripey glory, it was a lovely afternoon weather wise so they had a good work out and were declared very comfortable!

-----------------------------------------------------

Had a wander round the garden today as well.....

.....checked on the seeds I planted a week or 2 ago, and they are doing well, lovely little snow pea plants........

.....climbing beans......

.......and mesclun lettuce, as well as zucchinis, sweetcorn, tomatoes, sugar peas, capsicums.

My sunflowers have germinated well too, so there should be plenty of colour in the garden this summer if all things go to plan! I sow my seeds in biodegradable pots that I can plant out pot and all, so there is no set back when they are planted into the the garden and I can grow them to a good size before transplanting. It seems to work well for me, we usually have lots of great veg growing amongst all the weeds! Although I don't know how things will go this year with my roaming chickens scratching every where they go!

....a few more garden pics....the artichoke patch, looking good....

.....and the raspberry row, high hopes for a bumper crop this summer!

....poppies are full of buds, really great range of lovely colours this year, so happy !

....and round the front the blossom trees are starting to look gorgeous

.....whites and deep pink of the flowering peach, my favourite I think!

Today was spent cleaning up the house after last night (washed a very tacky floor, yuk), and pottering in the garden, mum and dad visited with my aunt from the country, the boys generally mucked around, the eldest had work and the younger 2 were happy at home.

I am going to go and do a spot of crochet now, a good way to finish of a lovely weekend!

PS. Hello to all the new visitors to my blog, lots of you are coming from Lucy at attic24, so thanks Lucy for the referral, and great to meet you all! Thanks for dropping by, I hope I don't bore you with all my mundane wafflings!

Have a lovely day!!

my creative space... pincushion

2011-09-15T09:32:00.006+10:00

So I was looking around blogdom, and came across these gorgeous pincushions here, and after a few little linkys found a great pattern here, and of course, I had to make one of my own straight away!!

Isn't it cute? Very easy to make, I am picturing an explosion of different coloured pincushions, or I might turn them into dangley decorations, I do so love hanging bits and pieces!..........

Yes, there will definitely be more of theses appearing around here.

On another note, would you look at the size of this egg that one of my poor girls squeezed out today! The other eggs are all pretty big too, so you can see the difference! Wonder if it's a one off, or going to become the new standard, haha! It must be all the free ranging they do through the vegie patch, they do take all the choice pickings.

Playing along with the others at Our Creative Spaces today.

Have a great day!

PS Thank you so much for entering my little give away, and for all the lovely comments I have received about my cushion, you are all ace!! Think I might pop one of these little pin cushions in with it!

There is still heaps of time if you want to join in, just go here to check it out!

A little Ta Dah and a Thank You Give Away....

2011-09-12T16:04:00.002+10:00

Hello everyone, it feels like ages since I last posted, computer time is in high demand at our place and I seem to be at the bottom of the pecking order!

Sooooo.....anyway, remember the little bit of stripey crochet I was making last week? (Picture above if you don't know what I mean)......

Well, this is what I was making, a stripey cushion cover.

My husband is of the mind that cushions are extremely useless objects, but I disagree! You can never have too many cushions I say!

Although this is the first crocheted one I have made, so there were a few teething problems to work out.

I was going for a mini version of my stripey blanket, and used slightly simplified stitches

(couldn't fit in a row of bobbles in this one, but I think a series of different stripey patterns would look good don't you?)

I used my Bendigo cotton for this as I think the colours all work well together and I thought it would be less likely to pill up than wool.

I used some gorgeous green vintage buttons for the closure and I have to say I am pretty pleased with how they look.....it has worked out at about 45cm square....

..... this is the back side.....

.....and here you can see the nice contrast between the solid stripes on the back and the lacy rows on the front .....

So this is my retro-vintage inspired stripey cushion!! What do you think? I think the stripes translate well to a smaller item and a group of these would look very cheery!

And I have decided that seeing as there has been quite a bit of interest in my stripey blanket, this little stripey cushion cover might be a good thing to use as my give away!!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to do a give away as a thank you for all the lovely support you guys give me in my creative pursuits and to mark one year of blogging, so here it is!

If you would like to win my cushion cover and a few other little crafty treats, (to be shown at a later date, as I don't have them organised yet! haha!!) it is easy to enter.

Just leave a comment and I will draw a winner in 2 weeks.

It would be lovely if you could help me spread the word on your own blogs, but not an essential requirement.

So thank you very much for your interest in this little blog, and I hope you enter my give away!!

Have a great day!

mid week happenings......

2011-09-07T20:14:00.001+10:00

Hello!

What's been going on?

My week has been hurtling along quite pleasantly, the eldest has had exams and has been on and off school at odd times, we had a basketball semi final ( grand final in a fortnight), orthodontist appointments, one kept and one forgotten (doh!), night tennis in perfect still weather and a few other things.

I have been trying to get back into some fitness and have started at the gym (again), it is surprising how much time this takes out of the day! Must persevere though, got to fit into some bathers for summer!

Still got a bit of new crafting in too!

This is what I have started last night, I'm just showing you a sneak peak as I have something special in mind for this little scrap........I'll let you in on it soon! Hopefully I will get cracking on it tonight and have more to show tomorrow!

( as you can see I am still loving the stripe!)

On another note, I was having a little roam around blogland and came across this very interesting Advent Swap. I know Christmas is ages away, but I seem to find these fun things when sign ups are closed, so thought I would make an effort to get involved early. It seems that a lot of people are only sending within the UK due to postage costs, so I thought it would be good to give all the Australian peeps the heads up so some of us might join in and send to each other! Go have a look at it here if you are into swaps, it looks like a fun one. It's a lovely blog too, called Hookin with Laalaa.

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments recently, I really appreciate you all taking the time to say such nice things about my crochet, I am glad you all can enjoy my little colour trippings!

There are so many lovely, encouraging people out there, thank you so much for stopping by!!

A bit of colour for Sunday.....

2011-09-04T12:58:00.000+10:00

Hello.

How are you?

It's been a while since posts, I really haven't had much to share, life has been quite routine and that's not the best fodder for blogging. Also got a bit of a weird comment on my last post that put me off a bit I think, and made me really ponder what I will blog about.....anyhoo, this is a nice general crochet post, so should be pretty safe!

I have nearly finished the stripey blanket, like lots of things it is taking a bit longer than I thought to finish off. Every time I think I have made it big enough I put it on my bed to see how it looks and think maybe a couple more rows and it will just right!

I want to finish this one so I can get on with something new, so hopefully will be doing a ta dah in the next week or two.

Thought you might like a bit of a colour fix on this fine Sunday......

be warned, I have gone overboard with the photos, but I hope you enjoy!

This is the new bit I am doing at the moment.....I think it would make a nice edge pattern, what do you think?

Have a great day!

Happy weekend...

2011-08-28T21:18:00.005+10:00

What a gorgeous weekend!!

It is the last couple of days of winter, but we had a taste of things to come with a beautiful sunny, still day , just perfect for getting out in it!

So that's what we did.

My friend and I are golf widows most Saturdays, so I gave her a call and we took our boys for a great stroll along the beach.....

.......negotiating the creek wall without getting wet.....

.........we had the beach pretty much to ourselves.....

........couldn't keep the clothes on the kids, even though it was still quite chilly, Max had a bit of a dip, I guess there is no point going to the beach without getting wet.......

......digging the hole......

..........burying the littlest, heaps of fun!!

.....stopped for and icy pole at the corner shop on the way back......

..............and I had to show you one of my favourite houses down there, the cute little heart house, I'd love to live in house like this near the beach one day........

So all in all a lovely day.

I visited my grandpa and aunt this morning with my sister and nieces, and did a bit of sowing some summer seeds and chatting with the boys, and they did some cleaning up around here while I was out, which was much appreciated, so it was quite the busy weekend, you can fit a lot into 2 days when the weather is inspiring!

I hope you had a great weekend too!

What did you get up to?