On getting stuff done.......

my front garden is in need of some serious attention!

Hello.

Well, it is nearly the end of October and Blogtoberfest, and I have to say I did not do very well at the 'post every day' bit.  Pretty damn poorly really!   I should know better that to commit to these things, but I like to be involved, even if it ends up in a half-arsed way.  

So hope I make the last post tomorrow, it would be nice to go out on a high note. 

I have noticed a few other interesting bloggy type things going on, and am tempted to join in those as well.  I might do a better job of keeping up this time! (but no promises!)

There is the Month of My Creative Spaces in November that might be just what my lack lustre creative mojo needs to get reignited.  I have not been feeling like making things recently, very unlike me, I have to say.  There has been a lot of things happening in real life that have left me feeling restless, unsettled and a tad anxious.  Life has also become super busy, with a heap of helping commitment for the school taking up a lot of time and mental energy. 

Not really conducive to quality creative output, and I feel like my crochet along has stalled due to lack of time for calm crocheting.  I really want to change that soon, I feel I am letting my little band of crochet-alongers down with such sparse posting, and am so sorry for that, I am going to try and settle tomorrow for some guilt free creative time and hook a few rows just for me.

 (and then post them for you!)

I also like to make a softie at  this time of year for the Softies for Mirabel charity here in Melbourne, I think it is a nice way to share a bit of creative love with kids who might not have much to smile about.

And I have joined the Christmas decoration swap over at Christina Lowry's lovely blog.  I have actually had an idea for this, so am trying to work up a prototype to see if it looks like I imagine in my head.  

So there is plenty to keep me busy at the moment, and I am sure I will bite off more than I can chew, but you know what they say, busy people get stuff done and something great might come out of it too!

Do you over commit to things?

Or do you know your limits?

Are you joining in the Month of Creative Spaces?

Softie wants new home....

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!

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

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!

Kitty Cat arrives....

I think I told you last post that I'm enjoying making toys at the moment, well here is another one! It's supposed to be a cat, hope you could tell! Maybe I'll call her Kitty Cat, not too original but whatever......


She is a bit bigger than Eddie Owl, and took a bit longer with the arms and legs, but fun to make!


....whiskers are a bit wonky....but what the hey.....


Who can believe all the rain we are having, and all the terrible flooding up north, so sad and terrifying. I hope everyone is safe and dry, with plenty of time to get out of the waters path.
Although it looks like some areas were taken completely by surprise, very scary. Mother Nature is certainly showing how wild and extreme she can be. Stay safe all you Queenslanders.

Little owl softie....

Hi there!

Meet Eddie Owl!

Here are some photos of my finished owl project, it was fun to make, as I didn't have a pattern (except for the sunburst granny square) and just made it up as I went.


Did a bit of embroidery around his face - you like?


.....standing up......


......back view with wings......

I am right into making toys at the moment and I have another made up critter nearly finished, so should be able to show you soon.

It's a pretty crappy day here, over cast and humid, so I am going to take the boys to spend some Christmas money, and then I might get a bit more hooky time in, sounds like a good plan to me!
Have a great day!

Madam is ready for new home.....

I've noticed that quite a few clever crafty lasses have been showing their contributions to the Softies for Mirabel appeal, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon too, and show you my 'knitted babe' that I have made to give to Pip at Meet me at Mikes for the appeal. She is quite a big girl with a nice frilly dress and cardi with a huge flower and spotty buttons, her hair is prone to dreadlocks if she's not careful! tee hee....



......Catching a few rays......


.....looking uber cool in her par-tay dress.......


.......action shot, ready to jump.......


.....and a formal indoor portrait.....


hope someone loves her and she finds a special new home!



(pattern from Knitted Babes by Claire Garland)

Have a great day! (it's so beautiful here today, perfect Spring day!)

My creative space #12........

......today I'm starting to think about a new project for Christmas. Involving snowflakes. I have found a heap of free patterns and I'm going to get cracking on making up a few. There are so many resources on the internet, it's just so ace! I'm loving working in this fine cotton at the moment and I think the snowflakes will work well in it.
It will probably be 35degrees here at Christmas, but I guess snowflakes are still a Christmassy motif. Also making more flowers for another flower vine.

I really don't know where this week has gone! I can't believe it's Thursday already! I have been on a little post-blogtober come down I think. It has also been Melbourne Cup week here, and I always find when the kids have a day off in the middle of the week somehow the whole week gets screwed up! We had a party at our place on Cup Day , so I spent Monday preparing, Tuesday partying ( we backed the trifecta!), and Wednesday cleaning up! So I hope you forgive me for a few days absence from blog land!

I have signed up for the Softies for Mirabel appeal over at Meet me at Mikes, so I 've got to get onto that as well. I have several almost done knitted babes, so this will be a good reason to finish them off!

Check out other creative places at Kirsty's .

Have a great Thursday!