JenPen

Baby Boy's Blanket

2012-01-24T17:05:00.000+11:00

As you probably know, we do a lot of pink here. Sometimes purple, but mostly pink. I know that this may change on the future as my girls grow bigger, but at the moment, it's pink most of the time.
However, there is a new cousin arriving soon and this one may like blue better. So after a short enjoyable trip away from pink, here is the finished blanket.

I really enjoyed working with the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, but it was a little splitty sometimes. I don't know if that was due to the way I crochet or just this yarn.

I'm really happy with the simple stripes and the final blue border finishes it nicely.

It is rows of triple with a single border. Lovely.

Beginning of 2012

2012-01-17T15:58:00.000+11:00

I have had a little break from my blog while I was busy up to Christmas and enjoying a quiet holiday after.

I didn't really get the things done that I wanted to for the Christmas challenge, but I did do other things.

I made a gingerbread house with a group of mums from the girls school. I was happy to be invited along to join in to their group.

I also knitted a pillow for christmas from the Debbie Bliss magazine. It is lovely but not photographed yet.

I am working on a cross stitch with Christmas words on it. I'm about half way through it now. It has been a while since I have done a cross stitch and I really enjoy following along with the pattern and having a project to work on in front of the TV.

We went to the Carols in the domain with a few families. The girls loved the fireworks the most.

Lastly I am crocheting a blanket for my new nephew who is arriving some time next month.

I chose two colours of the Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino and it is lovely.

I am looking forward to this year, I have enrolled in a uni course so I can teach here in NSW. Hopefully I can complete the papers this year and be teaching next year. My three year NZ degree is not enough to meet the four year requirement.

Happy New Year to all of you.

My Christmas Challenge list

2011-11-08T21:08:00.000+11:00

Well I might be a little late, but better than never!

This is what I would like to complete before Christmas this year.

Some decorations ...

All from Fa la la Felt by Amanda Carestio.

And some gifts ...

From Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs.

And I would like to make some headbands with crochet flowers on them from here ...

Hopefully I can fit all this in!!

See other lists and participants here.

The Christmas Challenge

2011-10-26T09:53:00.000+11:00

I'm joining Polka Dot Daze in her Christmas Challenge.

I think Christmas is a great time for crafting. I love making handmade gifts and decorations.

You should join us here to see what we get up to for Christmas.

Dolls Houses

2011-10-13T14:25:00.000+11:00

On that last day of the school holidays, I bought the monkeys very cute dolls houses. They came in a little book like a magazine and you folded them out and stuck them together with little tabs.

Thank goodness I can put together Ikea furniture, read directions, and can work visually. It took almost an hour to get them up and I have to say I was thinking "What did I get myself into!!"

But we persevered and they are lovely. The monkeys were able to put together most of the furniture themselves with only a little help from me.

They are now living on the dining table, I'm not sure where they will live after that.

Don't you love the little clothes hanging up? Very cute.

Liberty

2011-10-10T10:24:00.000+11:00

When I was in London in June, I was lucky to get time away from sightseeing to go the Liberty Shop. I have grown up with a love of Liberty and their beautiful fabric. It is always hard to find here and so to be there surrounded by Liberty things was wonderful. I also didn't know that the Liberty shop is four floors and sells all sorts of other things like rugs and cosmetics.

So I was also very lucky for my Mum to give me this wonderful book.

She said she saw it in the book shop and knew that I would love it and I do. It is filled with fabric and lovely projects to use their fabric.

I did buy some Liberty fabric when I was in their shop, I also bought some cards and a tray. I could have stayed in there for hours.

Thanks Mum for the lovely book.

I have also added to my books lately with these ones.

I saw this online and my monkeys made the little knitted owls from here. It has some other lovely projects that they want to make too, like the little doll.

This knitting technique looked so interesting I thought I better give it a try. Luckily it has great instructions!

I'm hoping to make some summer dresses out of this one. Loads of ideas and easy instructions.

I really love books and have quite a library of knitting, sewing, quilting and crafty books and I love them all.

Granny Stripe Blanket Finished

2011-10-08T15:28:00.000+11:00

It is finished!!

I really enjoyed this project and love the finished product too. I completed 4 rows of each colour, so 68 rows altogether. I then added two single crochet rows in blue for the border. It is a great lap blanket and the monkeys have already tried it out.

I ordered the Special double knit by Stylecraft here, all 17 balls of it. It even comes in a special pack with all the colours that Lucy from Attic 24 used.

Love it.

Treat for the Monkeys

2011-10-04T11:21:00.000+11:00

On the last day of the long weekend, the monkeys were lucky and went to the local mall with Dad for sushi lunch.

The mall always has little stalls in the holidays to tempt kids. The painted plasterwork is there most holidays and I always say no, but not Dad. He was a sweety and let the monkeys paint one each.

They were over the moon!

I loved these when I was little too.

Granny Stripe cont.

2011-10-03T10:12:00.000+11:00

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying making the granny stripe blanket.

We have had an extra day off today, as it is a long weekend and the weather has been less than pleasant! It has rained, blown a gale and we have had lightning and thunder.

Perfect weather for staying inside, keeping warm and working on your Granny Stripe Blanket (or if you are my hubby, watching sport!). The monkeys keep asking how big it is going to be, in other words, when will you be finished. I think that will be when the trouble starts. They both want it, but they will have to share it with me too.

Swimming

2011-09-29T13:17:00.000+10:00

This is where we have been spending some of our school holidays. At a holiday swim programme.

The monkeys have been enjoying themselves and are very tired!

It's a nice place to shelter from all the rain we have been having here.

Granny Stripe Blanket

2011-09-28T22:05:00.000+10:00

I always enjoy reading the Attic 24 blog and love the colourful creations that Lucy makes. So after an inspiring look at her blog I ordered some of the yarn from the UK to complete the Granny Stripe Blanket.

I am self taught with crochet and find it difficult to follow a pattern. But I found this one great to follow. I'm giving it a go with Stacey from Polka Dot Daze. We met today to work on it together (I had made a head start). I love meeting with other crafters and enjoy making stuff together, oh and also enjoying a cup of tea (or two) and a piece of chocolate cake!

I'm loving it.

Little Crochet Skirt

2011-09-26T12:31:00.000+10:00

After a quick visit to Spotlight for some fabric, I made a skirt for my little monkey. I found the pattern in Octobre and it is the first pattern I have used from this magazine. After deciphering the pattern from a puzzle of about fifty others, I found it very simple to make.

However I felt it needed something a little extra. So after some browsing in this book I was able to develop a plan. This book has great instructions on how to crochet onto fabric and I found them easy to follow. I did a chain stitch along the edge of the hem and then used that to crochet onto. Simple. I used # 22 pattern for this skirt.

Here is the finished product and little monkey is happy with her new skirt.

I think this would also look great on a white skirt with white crochet on the edge.

Cardigans

2011-09-22T10:40:00.000+10:00

A long time ago I decided that I would like to knit myself a cardigan that I could pop on at night when it got chilly. This was when we were living in New Zealand and it got pretty chilly at night. So I chose a pattern and some lovely wool and started. However, I love having more than one project on the go and pick up and put down my knitting for sometimes long periods.

Then I got stuck! I am an experienced knitter and can work out most things. But I got stuck on the collar and then got very frustrated. so I put down the cardigan and didn't pick it up again!

Of course I found it again and remembered why I wanted to knit it in the first place and we were on again. I thought about how I wanted it to look when I was finished and just knitted it that way. I have to knit the collar three times to get in right, but here it is.

I am happy with the final result. It just needs some buttons to be complete. Just in time for summer!

Pattern : Patons Book 1296 Textured Kimono Jacket

Yarn : Cleckheaton Country Naturals 8 ply

Colour : 1813 Blue with a brown fleck

I have also finished my daughter's Kina cardigan as well. It was a really easy knit on one circular needle in one piece. I bought cotton yarn so she can wear it this summer.

I think I will have to knit one for my other daughter too. Thank you RetroMummy for showing me this lovely pattern.

Pattern : Kina - Kids Tricots

Yarn : Moda Vera Sombre

Colour : Purple

New Toy

2011-09-19T16:27:00.000+10:00

I have been wanting to get something for a long time and finally last week I was able to get it!

I really enjoy making clothes and all sorts of little things for my girls and up till now I have been just using my machine. However, I wanted to get a more professional finish for their clothes and knew I had to get an overlocker to achieve this. I was so happy to get this one after talking to everyone I know who has an overlocker. I think people were getting a little sick of me asking loads of question!. I think this one will suit me just fine.

Lots of sewing ahead!

Little Owls

2011-09-12T22:50:00.000+10:00

I always love reading the Attic 24 Blog and saw a great project in this book that they were completing.

Both of my girls have been learning to knit. I had resisted asking them and they finally came to me and asked that I teach them. I cast on for them and they completed a few rows and then lost interest. It is hard to keep going to complete a whole project. But after showing them the little owls, they were hooked again and both managed to finish one off in a day (with some help from Mum).

We added Some felt wings too so they can fly. Little monkey has already started another one to be a little friend to her Owl. There is a little cat too in the book, perhaps we should try that one too.

After a quick trip to my local fabric shop, I pulled out a few of my Ottobre magazine and made a skirt for small monkey. I had a subscription to Ottobre for a while, but had not made anything from it before. I always love the designs, but struggle to find good fabric for the girls. Especially stretch fabric.

This is what faced me when I started:

Can you work out which one I should trace?? Crikey!! Luckily I managed to work it out and the very sparse directions to finish the skirt. I will take a photo of it tomorrow on the lucky girl.

Finished Quilt

2011-09-08T12:01:00.000+10:00

I have finished the baby girl quilt ready for the baby shower this Sunday.

I am really happy with the machine quilting that I was able to do on it. I am usually a hand quilting girl, but I wanted this to be more robust and able to go through the washing machine. I have only machine quilted a couple of times and this is definitely the best result. I am getting to know how to achieve a good result on my machine more easily.

The back is the same pink gingham as the border. I bought two metres of it, as I know I will use it in another project.

I bought the fabric at a lovely quilt shop in Killara. It was wonderful to find a shop with so much fabric that I would use and so close to where I live as well. The two ladies in the shop were so helpful and friendly too.

I am discovering lots of new shops close by. I went to a wool shop nearby this week to buy my favourite needles. I was happy to find them so close, as I had been buying them in Bowral and really needed to plan for those purchases!

I have started two new knitting projects (I get bored with just one on the go). One for myself and one for the bigger of my two monkeys.

Being new

2011-08-30T09:53:00.000+10:00

Since we have moved to Sydney things have been up and down. With new friends for the kids and ourselves. Lots of new situations and always being the new person. New at school, pilates, finding new shops, new markets, new blogs, new home and cars. We have been very lucky and met some wonderful people and reconnected with old friends.

Some days it is nice to be new, people are friendly and invite you places and include you in activities.

Some days it is hard, really hard.

You just want to be yourself with people that know your idiosyncrasies. You want to moan about how hard things are and feel comfortable moaning. You want to share you hobbies, likes and dislikes.

Today I was invited to a sewing group and I am not going to go. Not because I don't want to join this group, but I just don't want to be the new person again today. I will sew at home and try next week perhaps, when I am ready to be the new person again then.

This is what I am working on at home.

A baby girl quilt for a mum at school. I hope she likes pink!

Mathilda's Market

2011-08-28T11:52:00.000+10:00

I went off to Mathilda's Market yesterday with Bron. We had a great time and saw some lovely things that people had made. I'm haven't been to the Fox studio area since they have redeveloped it from the showgrounds. There is so much to do there - eat, shop and a really fun playground for kids. I think I will have to go back with the whole family one weekend.

I bought some fabric for myself and some for a friend who couldn't make it herself.

I got lots of info about crafters and I am looking forward to looking them up online!

Isn't that swimsuit lovely, the owner of the stall was wearing one while she was selling them!

I also bought a really cute pad of sticky notes. Too cute.

I finished my bunting and am happy with how it turned out. I have enough fabric to make another set too.

I'm looking forward to the next birthday party to put it up.

I love this fabric. It is modern, but still floral. Pinks and greens together always appeal to me and I am lucky to have two girls to sew for.

Mathilda's Market

2011-08-26T09:46:00.000+10:00

I'm off tomorrow with a new friend to Mathilda's Market. I have always wanted to go, but was never in Sydney at the right times. I will fill you in with all the lovely details and purchases soon!

New Friends

2011-08-24T11:38:00.022+10:00

I had a wonderful day at the Quilts for Queensland organised by Corrie. I met some other bloggers and crafty people. I even saw a mum from my girls' school who I didn't know was a blogger.

I am really busy with craft things at the moment. After attending a Polka Dot Daze's birthday party, I am going to make some bunting. Hers was lovely and I hope that I can achieve
something like that.

I am also working on a pillow for my little Monkey. After a trip to the craft shop together, she fell in love with a pillow kit and wanted to buy it, for me to make. I don't usually buy kits, preferring to make everything from scratch, but I bought it for her. Everything is included, even the needle! It is
looking lovely so far and is very easy.

Quilts for Queensland Day

2011-08-20T11:33:00.002+10:00

I'm going to this tomorrow -

retromummy.blogspot.com/2011/08/quilts-for-queensland-day-this-sunday.html

Should be nice to meet some other Sydney crafters.

Disaster

2011-08-17T11:53:00.003+10:00

We are renting our home while we settle into Sydney and it is an old huge house with a pool.

However, it is very damp and came with a de-humidifier (should have been a clue).

So today when I went into my cupboard where I keep all of my craft things, I found mould on the sea grass boxes that I keep my fabric!!

I have now taken everything out of the cupboard, put the de-humidifier into that room, wiped down all the shelves and hot washed all the fabric. Wow, what a morning.

This is what the chaos looked like.

At least I now know everything that I have in there and I found some old projects that I really need to finish. I did throw some things out. It was very hard but I'm glad that I have let some things go.

Hopefully there will be some more room in there and the mould won't return! Fingers crossed.

Knitting continues

2011-08-11T11:38:00.007+10:00

I have been busy with several project on the go.

I finished my scarf quite a while ago and have only just got onto blocking it. I always love this part of knitting, as it reveals the pattern so beautifully.

I really enjoyed working with this wool, it is soft and not scratchy. Just lovely.

I am also working on a quilt at the moment. After completing one each for my daughters, I am making one for myself. It combines pink, brown, green and yellow. I wanted something that I could pick up and then put away easily. It is quite complicated, but I am enjoying it.

I am enjoying the Sydney winter weather after so long in Auckland. It seems to be so much shorter. We had 25 last week, which was lovely!

Lots of changes

2011-07-22T09:37:00.022+10:00

Forgive me for my long absence, we have moved from New Zealand back to Sydney, Australia.

My husband has a new job and we are back with all of my family after 14 years in New Zealand.

I have still been busy creating things but not blogging about them. It takes a long time to get settled, settle kids into new schools and fill in all the paperwork!

But after meeting a blog friend who has also moved from NZ to Sydney, Stacey, I have got back onto my blog.

We have also squeezed in a fantastic trip to Europe (my first). Here a a few pictures of the amazing things that we saw. I can't wait for my next trip now!!

I am working on a new quilt and will have photos soon.

Next knitting project

2010-09-24T14:19:00.004+10:00

Here it is.

It is the Checkerboard Lace Scarf from here

The yarn and needles were bought here. What a lovely shop.

I think these are the best needles I have ever worked with. I don't think I can knit with anything else now.

The yarn is Mirosol Pina (80% Baby Alpaca, 20% Bamboo) in the colour 16 (that's a boring name).

I'm squeezing in some knitting between the next assignment (Empirical Stage of Research) and the marking work I am doing!

Little Monkey's Cardigan

2010-09-19T09:58:00.005+10:00

Here is the little monkey in her new cardigan. She really loves it and has worn it almost all the time except when at school (they have a uniform). I haven't managed to put the button on yet (as she has had it on the whole time).

Pattern: Bolero from Little Kisses (this book is full of really cute things) A great pattern to knit, although I didn't really enjoy adding the rib at the end. I don't really like knitting up from a finished edge and they needed loads of stitches from a small edge!

Yarn: Panda Magnum Soft 8ply (I don't usually knit in Acrylic, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money of this, and I wanted her to be able to wear it in spring)

The flower is from "100 Flowers to knit and crochet", it is a Scabious (A lot nicer than it's name). This book is wonderful with great patterns to follow.

I'm really pleased with the cardigan and I'm glad that she loves it too.

Little monkeys cardigan

2010-09-12T10:35:00.008+10:00

My Little monkey always complains that I don't make things for her, so I am making a very cute bolero cardigan. Of course it is pink.

This is the second thing I have made from this book. It has some lovely patterns for girls. I have made the cardigan on the front cover too for the girls kindy teacher who is having a much desired baby next month.

Essay writing

2010-08-31T07:33:00.002+10:00

I would really like to be finishing off this.

But instead I am finishing off the last five hundred words of a three thousand word essay on the Pre-Empirical Stage of Research.

Which would you rather?

Long time no see

2010-08-29T17:02:00.002+10:00

Can you tell that I have been working three jobs and studying part time?

I think you can by my absence. There have been small projects, trips away, and lots of work and study.

I hope to be back on the air soon with pictures.

Lace Scarf

2010-01-21T15:45:00.006+11:00

Here is the next project to finish.

Last year I started my first ever lace project. It was Willoughby by Jared Flood. Wow he has some amazing designs. It was also the first time I bought a pattern off the internet. All went well and then for some unknown reason it got put in the cupboard and has only just made another appearance.

I loved knitting this scarf. The pattern was easy to follow for a lace novice like me (however I did start it a couple of times before I got it right). I'm really happy with the outcome too.

This is it being blocked. I can't remember where, but I saw someone using these foam square for blocking and I thought that was a pretty good idea. So I bought two packets at the cheap shop for 3 dollars each.

We will see how it ends up!

World Sweet World

2010-01-19T16:50:00.001+11:00

I have recently found a wonderful magazine which I love.

It is here http://worldsweetworld.com/. I struggled to find it but now know where I can get it regularly.

You should check it out. It is full of cool projects and information for crafty people.

Scarf and tomatoes

2010-01-18T11:15:00.006+11:00

I have decided to try and finish all those little project from last year that just never got finished. They somehow got put into the cupboard and didn't come out again.

This is the first one. A scarf for my husband. I used a lovely wool with cashmere in it and wanted it to be very masculine for him. I'm really happy with the finished product.

Every year we grow some veggies in our garden. This year we only put in a few things, but we always have tomatoes. You just can't get them like this from the shop. Don't they look so shiny and good!

On to the next unfinished project!!

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T08:23:00.011+11:00

I hope you are all enjoying the holidays. We have been lucky enought to have all the family arrive from Aus to stay with us, for the first time at Christmas.

What a wonderful time we all had. I hope you were able to have such a great time.

So much happening!

2009-12-16T16:02:00.008+11:00

There seems to be a lot going on since I was last here. A new job, holidays, birthdays, relatives visiting and a little one starting school.

Here are a few photos to show what I have been busy doing instead of blogging (some crafts have happened too).

Baking

2009-10-14T12:38:00.008+11:00

Yesterday I found some very cute biscuit cutters. My youngest has a great love of elephants and I knew she would love these.

So today while they are both out I thought I would make the cute little animals.

I love the recipe in this book and made them into animals instead of the alphabet.

They have a lovely honey flavour.

Finally the sun

2009-10-11T11:04:00.009+11:00

I have been knitting with the new wool that I bought at the craft show. I cast on three times and tried to find the best pattern to use. This is what I settled on, the Knotted Openwork Scarf by Wannietta Prescod (found on the internet of course).

I have nearly finished a shirt like the white on I made last year. I just need to work out how long I would like it and do the hem. The sleeves are long than the last one I made.

And I have finished an A line skirt. I live in these in summer. It's not the best photo, but its a stretch denim in a grey purple. It has lines through it and the camera didn't like that.

I bought the button when I was away at a fantastic shop in Berrima. I could spend a whole day in there looking at the buttons (in huge tubs), antique fabric, quilts, kitchen things, books, patterns and crockery galore! It really is amazing. I bought quite a few buttons and the knitting needles that I am knitting the scarf with (above).

We have been waiting all school holidays for the sun to come out and it has made an appearance on the last day. Back to school tomorrow.

Spanish Dancer

2009-10-07T16:56:00.006+11:00

Our little monkey fell in love with a dress up outfit at a friend's house. Of course it was bought overseas and I don't have any plans to travel to Spain in the near future.

So I borrowed the outfit and copied it.

Here is the finished product in pink rather than the traditional red.

Our little monkey is very pleased and has worn it all day today.

A trip back home and the school holidays has been keeping us busy.

I just love this style of house but I always think how cold would they be in winter?

While I was away I saw some beautiful craft things and was surprised that most of the wool that I looked at was from NZ. It seemed funny to go all that way to see something from home.

I've been knitting several projects and sewing clothes too. Sorry no interesting pictures of these.

Quilt and Craft Show

2009-09-15T11:56:00.015+10:00

On Sunday I was lucky to be able to go to the Quilt and Craft Show in Hamilton. I met my friend Julie and her sister in law and we spent over three hours there!

I was really impressed with this show. I have been to ones before and there was nothing that I loved. But this time I had a fantastic time. I saw things there that I haven't seen in NZ before and I saw a lot that was my style.

Here are the lovely things that I couldn't leave without.

Silken Straw from Alchemy Yarns. The colour is Voodoo (isn't that a great name for the colour).

Haiku Yarn from Alchemy Yarns. This has silk and mohair. I just loved the feel of this yarn and the colour (The night Air).

A wonderful book with really beautiful patterns for gifts by Rosalie Quinlan

A very interesting book about free form knitting and crochet bags by Prudence Mapstone.

And last but certainly not least some fabric. Lily Pond by Wendy Slotboom.

It was a great morning and very inspiring.

In the meantime , back to the lace knitting.

Lace Knitting

2009-09-08T11:24:00.007+10:00

I have started my first lace knitting. I have not really been interested in lace knitting until I saw this pattern.

I had to have it and I had the perfect wool too. I bought the PDF and was able to start straight away. Fantastic. I had to frog the first attempt as I kept losing my place and mucking up the pattern. But I am well on the way now.

Here I am sitting in the spring sun enjoying lace knitting.

This pattern is for a chunky lace using 8 ply wool, much more my style.

Little Monkeys Quilt

2009-09-04T14:01:00.009+10:00

I have finished my little monkey's quilt. I have been working on it for longer than I can remember but not longer than 5 years!! She will be starting school later in the year and I thought I should get it finished.

I loved quilting this one, I put loads of effort into the hand quilting. The colours are not as dull as the picture shows.

I have also been knitting baby socks. It seems that there are many babies arriving over the next few months and these are a wonderful gift. They only use a small amount of wool and they are quick to finish.

Weekend of craft

2009-08-16T12:53:00.014+10:00

I have been busy around here with loads of crafting getting done.

I usually give away the things that I make and my own children sometimes miss out. So I made them a pencil roll. I fell in love with this material at the quilt shop on my last visit. I think the little birds are too cute.

I had a couple of little scraps left over and made a cover for my i phone too.

I'm also working on a quilt for myself. I have always made quilts for other people and this is the first one just for me.

The photos are not great, but I have now sewn it all together and will need to get some backing fabric.

I finished the needle holder as well.

New Bag

2009-08-09T09:21:00.011+10:00

Here is a new bag that I have made for a little friend's birthday. She wanted art supplies and I hope she will like it.

I have put a little sketch pad inside the bag so she has all she needs to do some drawing out and about.

I also made this bag with my sister and friend Jo when I was on holiday.

I really loved the dragonfly fabric and had to use it for a part of the bag.

It is full of library books.

Needle holder

2009-08-04T18:29:00.004+10:00

I have a terrible problem. I seem to be unable to keep my needles for more than a very short time before they disappear completely. I'm not sure what I do with them. They don't seem to lodge themselves in any feet or poke out from odd places.

I thought I better put an end to this phenomena and make myself a needle folder/holder. I got the idea from this fantastic book which I had to buy when I was in Borders on holiday.

Tonight I will be able to sew it all together with some wool pages inside to hold the runaway needles.

Still working on the giveaway!

Looong absence

2009-07-31T15:43:00.005+10:00

Firstly, I must apologise for the lengthy time away. It's not that I haven't been making loads of things, but I just haven't got around to putting them on here.

We had a lovely holiday with my family in the holidays. The monkeys love visiting their cousins and catching up.

We managed a trip to Taronga Zoo, can you believe this is the view from the Giraffes?

I was so lucky to be able to visit a good friend and fellow crafter Jo. We went to the Craft Depot, bought fabric and then went to her place to sew. That's a great day on holiday. Here I am at her sewing machine making a bag.

The monkeys had a wonderful time playing at her house.

I realised too that I have had this blog for one year! I must have to have a giveaway for that. I will have a think and put something in the next post.

It's good to be back.

Mother's Day

2009-05-12T15:19:00.002+10:00

I hope all the mothers out there had a lovely mother's day like me.

My seven year old daughter made me breakfast in bed. She prepared peanut butter toast, a glass of lemonade and lollies on the side of my plate. How cute. I wonder if this is what she would like everyday?

Wedding

2009-05-05T07:39:00.004+10:00

We had a fantastic time on the weekend at my sister in laws wedding.

The girls were flower girls and were very sweet. Who knew that a four year old could stand still for that long at the front of a church!

Here is the bride.

And here is my family Chris, me, Holly and Emma.

The dresses turned out very well. Emma managed to rip the tulle off her skirt while climbing under the tables at dinner time, but oh well. What can you do, she was having a great time. Holly danced with all the adults until the last song at 12.00am. She even pulled out the air guitar!!

Flower girl dresses

2009-04-25T15:03:00.003+10:00

My sister in law is getting married next week and the girls will be flower girls.

I have been making their dresses and a dress for my niece. She will be christened on the day too. They have been keeping me busy with not much else crafting going on.

But I did make an order at the Fat Quarter Shop. A very big luxury for me. Once you have converted the currency and added the postage I don't think it is very cheap, but they have the most fantastic fabric. I fell in love with this and bought the layer cake and then bought a little charm pack of this.

I made this bag from the charm pack. I lined it with yellow gingham.

Flower Bag and Scarf

2009-04-08T15:44:00.008+10:00

Here are the photos of the crochet bag. See how it looks a little saggy? Hopefully some fabric to line it will sort it out.

My husband decided that I needed to knit something for him. I think he is feeling neglected on the knitting front. So I bought some of this yarn as it has cashmere in it. It's really soft and lovely. Great masculine colours too.

I used a pattern from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. I just love this book and wish that we could get some wonderful yarn like they can get at Purl in Manhattan. (sigh)

Oh well one day I will have to go there and buy an enormous pile!!

The pattern that I based this on was the Child's Rainbow Scarf. I wanted to do a mistake rib scarf and this one was the easiest one to find. I added 8 stitches to make it a little wider as the yarn is not as chunky as the one in the book.

Busy Times

2009-04-07T16:43:00.004+10:00

It's the last week of the school term and on Thursday afternoon we will be on holidays. This part of the year always seems to rush by so quickly.

I have finished the crochet bag, but somehow forgot to take some photos of it. I love it, but the yarn that I used is very stretchy and it feels like it hangs down around my knees. I am going to line it with fabric to stabilise it (I hope).

I have finished another little bag from here . I just love how cute and little it turned out. I am now making on for my sister too.

So quick and easy!

New Phone

2009-03-16T08:15:00.003+11:00

I'm not one usually for gadgets and electronic things, but I have a new phone which I love.

It's a iphone and you can do everything on it (it would be nice if it made a cup of tea though!).

I've been working on a new bag from here. I think the colours are fantastic. This is how much I have done so far.

I decided to use Patons Smoothie DK. I found wonderful colours and it wears very well. I'm not an expert on crochet and found the pattern really easy to use too.

Holidays

2009-03-09T15:35:00.001+11:00

We were lucky to spend last week with family on holiday.

One down, One to go

2009-02-20T18:18:00.005+11:00

One sock has been finished, and a second cast on already.

I am also working on a cardigan for my nice. I am not putting on the lace, it's a little too much for me.

I always find it funny when I photograph things for my blog and they look completely different than in real life. The pink doesn't pop out as much as in the photo. It is much more even.

Sock knitting continues

2009-02-03T08:44:00.007+11:00

I know that it is summer and the weather has been beautiful, but I am knitting wool socks.

I really enjoy knitting socks and don't even mind the four needle juggle. I bought some great wool from the yarn queen online. Their service is great and the parcel was here very quickly. I even got a happy face stamp on my receipt.

I am knitting another thing at the moment, but it is a gift and so I will show it after it has been given.

This year I only put in two tomato plants, but these are the fantastic results.

Pencil Roll

2009-01-29T11:49:00.012+11:00

I have wanted to make a pencil roll for a while after seeing them everywhere. A little friend's birthday was a good excuse to finally make one.

I have also finished my second monkey's birth sampler (Yes I am aware that she has just turned four). Good things take time.

This year I am trying to finish off old projects and use the mountain of lovely things in my craft cupboard. So far, so good.

Sewing

2009-01-21T11:03:00.010+11:00

There has been loads of sewing going on here at the moment.

I have had the fabric and pattern for this shirt for a while, but haven't got around to making it. However on the weekend I made it finally. I'm very happy with the result and it was a really easy pattern to follow.

I went to my sewing night last night. I am so lucky to have a wonderful group that I meet with every fortnight. We just bring along whatever we are working on and it usually a wide range of things. I started on a dolly quilt from the left over fabrics from my nieces quilt. It's now finished.

It has already been put to good use.

Don't they look comfy.

New Years Craft

2009-01-18T10:23:00.005+11:00

I have had a lovely break from everything really and have now got back into the swing of things.

I have picked up some knitting again and am working my way through it. I am working on a wrap type thing. Very descriptive. I am making it up as I go along. But I did get the cable pattern from the Debbie Bliss knitting magazine. Hopefully it will turn out as something I can drape over my shoulders in summer when the nighttime gets a little chilly. The wool is a cotton bamboo mix, just lovely.

My littlest monkey has gathered some flowers from the garden for me. How sweet.

While I have not done any crafty thing over the holidays, I did get stuck into some reading. I have read the new Wally Lamb book, World Without End by Ken Follett, and the lovely Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I would recommend them all.

Happy New Year

2009-01-14T16:38:00.006+11:00

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine. I was very lucky to spend it with family and friends. I think Christmas is always more exciting with kids. We woke up on Christmas morning to hear our two children finding their stockings full of goodies. What a wonderful sound.

Here is where we spend some of our holiday time. What more can I say.

I was also lucky to get a new camera for Christmas. Hopefully the quality of my photos will improve.

Christmas Stockings Completed

2008-12-20T16:34:00.005+11:00

Here they are. The Christmas Stockings, all finished.

I am pretty happy with how they turned out.

Here is Digby, he has grown and has had a hair cut. So cute!

Christmas Stockings

2008-12-15T15:10:00.004+11:00

I thought that I might like to make the girls a Christmas Stocking each. So I popped into Spotlight to check out the Christmas fabric. I'm not usually a big fan of Christmas fabric, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Weel both of those pictures should be the other way around. Oh dear what is happening with blogger? Hopefully you can turn you head to see the cute pictures of the trees and snowflakes on the top one.

I think I can make very nice stockings with these.

Tomorrow night I have my sewing group Christmas night. We are making a secret santa gift for someone in the group. I hope they like my one.

Dog Vs Tree

2008-12-13T08:30:00.004+11:00

What could these be?

Yes, they are the decorations I have made over the years, spending hours sewing on little pretty things to make the tree look lovely. Except the koala, he was given to me by my mum.

They have all met a sad fate with Digby the dog. Oh dear! Our Christmas tree now has a gap at the bottom were there are no decorations. Did this work, ah well, no. Digby seems to see this as a challenge to make him jump higher to the decorations!

We are working on it!

Gingerbread House

2008-12-11T14:33:00.006+11:00

My lovely sister in Sydney makes a gingerbread house every Christmas. If I still lived in Sydney I know I would go along with her, so I decided to make my own with the girls.

I bought a kit rather than trying to make the gingerbread myself. I though the first time, I didn't want to have to worry about that too.

It was great fun, the girls had fun popping on all the lollies and trying to eat the icing out of the bowl. We will definitely doing this again next Christmas.

December Rush

2008-12-09T07:14:00.005+11:00

It has been a busy time with birthdays, parties and jazz performances. Not all me though.

The biggest monkey had her first show and I have come to the conclusion, I am not a show mum. All of the rehearsals, make up and costume dramas were beyond me. I just wanted her to get on the stage and have a great time. And luckily she did, all the time with a huge smile on her cute little face.

I was my birthday last week. I was thoroughly spoilt with my husband taking the day off, taking me to lunch and giving me jewellery. What more could you ask for, really.

The Christmas knitting has been finished and will be popped in the post today to the recipient.

In fact almost all of the Christmas shopping has been completed. I hate the crowds that wander around the shops at Christmas time. I just want to get in and get what and want and get home to do some knitting or the like!!

We put up the Christmas tree with the monkeys.

The weather has been fantastic, very strange for this time of year. We even got out the water slide.
Who knew they throw rubber chickens for athletics day, fantastic!!

New Wool

2008-11-22T17:22:00.004+11:00

My Mum was very generous and bought me some wool from a shop near her home. She gave it to me on her recent visit.

Mum and I have very similar taste, so of course I think it is lovely. It's very soft.

I'm enjoying thinking about what I should knit with it. I'm also continuing knitting the secret Christmas present. I will have to finish that first.

Birthdays

2008-11-18T09:55:00.004+11:00

The craft fair was somewhat successful. I managed to sell some of my softies, bibs and brooches. I didn't sell any of my bags, which I was disappointed about. Many people did give me some lovely complements though. That was very nice.

We had an extra busy weekend, with Mum arriving for a visit and a very big 4 year old birthday party. Luckily the Auckland spring weather held and the sun shone. Here is the cake.

We also celebrated Kashin's birthday on Sunday. She is an elephant at the zoo which little monkey has fallen in love with. We even have our own Kashin at home to cuddle at bed time.

Here is Kashin and her best friend Burma with their faces painted for the birthday party. The girls loved it and there were loads of fun things to do for the party. Well done Auckland Zoo, it was fantastic.

There are many craft things going on at the moment, but they are Christmas presents for people who may read the blog. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

New member of the family

2008-11-03T11:19:00.009+11:00

I have finished two more bags for the fair. I love the red one and am not sure I will be able to sell it.

I also looked at the cardigan I started and decided the pink was just too pink for me. I took it off the needles and cast on for a scarf each for the girls. It's much more their colour.

The pattern was from the knitting daily emails that I get. They usually want you to buy something from them, but there are some cool free things too.

And last but certainly not least here is our new puppy. He is the most gorgeous boy. He's a Cavoodle (cross between a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a Poodle). The girls love him and we do too!

New Bags

2008-10-21T07:54:00.001+11:00

I'm still sewing bags for the craft fair coming up. Here are some more that have been finished.

I think because I have girls, I am always drawn to the girl fabrics most of the time. I couldn't resist this car fabric though.

I love this pink spot, it looks great with the pink bugs!

Local Library

2008-10-17T07:48:00.000+11:00

I have been enjoying the local library lately, they seem to have an endless supply of books that I need to borrow.

These are the latest lot that I found yesterday. I really cherish books and usually want to own them. This ends up being a very expensive habit, so the library works well at reducing the cost.

This one is interesting, but I don't think I'll give it a go.

This has lovely scarf patterns.

I got totally confused by this, I would love to give it a go having two socks finished at the same time would be great.

Some nice patterns.

Love this book, it is great!!

My mum spun when I was little and the spinning wheel lived in the lounge until I broke it. Only now do I understand how mad my mum must have been. I would love to do some spinning and might have to get a spindle to start with.

New Knitting

2008-10-16T14:34:00.000+11:00

I found this magazine at the local shop and thought I had to buy it. Now I have cast on for a little summer cardigan in pink Smoothie.

We were very pleased to finally eat some of our cauliflower from the garden. They have been sitting there all winter doing nothing and then as soon as the weather warmed up we had two huge ones.

French Market Bag

2008-10-09T15:08:00.000+11:00

I thought I might have a go at felting, so I decided to make the French market bag.

I had some left over Cascade 200 from my Bluebell jumper and away I went. I love to knit on something that you don't have to think about. I was also knitting socks and following those patterns closely, so this one the good one to do when I didn't want to concentrate.

Then I popped it into the machine and this is how it came out.

I did want to take a photo before the machine, but the camera was out of batteries and I couldn't wait to see how it would look.

I used some different wool for the stripe and that didn't really felt at all. Look at the difference.

Of course I'm using it as a bag to hold my knitting.

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Don't forget that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month this month. Wear you pink ribbons with pride and remember all those lovely ladies who have lost the fight. Earlier this year I lost a friend to breast cancer and she was the same age as me with a small child.

Please check your breasts and give money to help stop any more mums, sisters, daughters, aunts and friends having to face this nasty cancer.

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After a long absence

2008-09-30T14:00:00.000+10:00

Oh dear this winter has hit our house hard and everyone has had something nasty. I am now almost over a sinus infection that refused to leave my head. Luckily after a month of antibiotics, it has given in.

I have still been busy doing other crafty things. What else do you do when you don't have enough energy to leave the house?

I finished my smoothie vest and am pretty happy with it. The arm holes are too big, I think. But I have got over that and am wearing it and enjoying it.

Here are my socks of kindness all finished. I really loved making these socks, they are lovely. I need to remember though, my feet are tiny and not all patterns for regular people will fit me. I may have to alter next time.

This is the new pair of socks in progress. Luckily the pattern has a small size for me. I'm working on the second one at the moment. I love this yarn! It has nylon in it and the finished sock is wonderful.

Lastly I have been busy preparing for my first craft fair. I have decided to give it a go in November and see if anyone would like to purchase some of my things. I will be selling bags, little soft toys, bibs and a couple of other small things.

Here are the bags getting ready to go.

I hope you're enjoying spring down here!

Boatneck Bluebell

2008-08-05T09:08:00.000+10:00

Well I have finished my jumper and I am really pleased with the result. The only thing that I am a little worried about is the wide neck. It is meant to be a boatneck, but it is very wide.

I enjoyed knitting this from the Fitted Knits book by Stafanie Japel. The pattern was very easy to follow and knitting the whole thing on a circular needle was great.

Man, taking your own photo is hard.

Smoothie

2008-07-24T07:47:00.000+10:00

This is the back of my vest knitted with Smoothie. I really like the colour as it is grey with a purple hint.

It is very easy to knit with and I am hoping to finish the front just as quickly.

Sewing afternoon

2008-07-18T15:06:00.000+10:00

I have been busy this afternoon sewing after a craft cupboard clean-up.

I decided to make a knitting needle holder for all of the sets I have. I made up a pattern and used this great fabric which always cheers me up.

Then I needed a bag to hold my new knitting project. I am knitting a vest from Smoothie DK. Not my usual choice as I normally pick wool, but it is going along nicely. Hopefully it won't be too warm for spring when it gets here. I love this fabric too.

Finished Scarf

2008-07-18T07:53:00.000+10:00

I have finished my drop stitch scarf and I am very happy with it. The wool is really soft and the pattern was easy to remember.

Our weather has been pretty cold and I am looking forward to being able to wear it soon.

Busy, Busy.

2008-07-13T18:01:00.001+10:00

I have been busy sewing for the little monkey who is obsessed with skirts and dresses. Hopefully she will like this one, as she is very fussy! It is made of corduroy and the pattern was so simple (Simplicity 5489 half price at Spotlight)

I was really lucky to receive some wonderful sewing things from my husband's gran. They included an amazing collection of buttons. I have used two from the collection on the dress. Thank you Judith for giving me such great treasures.

The knitting is going well too with the easy drop stitch scarf almost finished.

And the socks are coming along too. I think this pattern can be pretty confusing, but it might just be that I am not paying enough attention! I do think they will turn out really well.

I have also had a wonderful visit with family in Sydney for my brother in laws 40th birthday. It was a great party and so much fun to have time with my sister. Thank you for having me.

Socks and Toys

2008-06-24T07:55:00.000+10:00

I have finished little monkey's socks and she is happy to wear them. This is the second pairs of socks I have knitted from this pattern and it is really easy.

I have also been working on some new toys like my bunnies. Here are two new ones, a bear and pig. I'm not sure if they are quite right. I will keep working on them.

I am now starting on my own socks. Hopefully they will not be too big!! I am using smaller needles to make up for my loose knitting. I am attempting the Socks of Kindness with the Pink - Red Lorna's Laces wool. I found the pattern here.

Lots of news

2008-06-22T08:54:00.000+10:00

Well after having a little break from the posting, I have loads of news.

Ruby arrived yesterday on the shortest day of the year. Our new niece is just beautiful and very awake when we went to visit her. The little pink socks will be getting used now as the weather is just awful. It is really windy and the rain is coming down.

Our eldest monkey has lost her first tooth this week. She was horified but felt much better after the tooth fairy left her a small fortune (in 6 year old terms).

Here she is modelling her new socks that she wears to bed. They were made with the left over wool from the too big socks for me! My second pair of socks for other monkey is half finished. They are purple and I have made the top half longer as the pink ones fall off in the middle of the night.

Jumper almost finished

2008-06-08T12:00:00.000+10:00

I have been knitting a jumper for myself from the Fitted Knits book by Stephanie Japel. I have looked knitting it. It's the first time I have knitted with a circular needle and I liked it. It seemed to knit up very quickly and I am now on the second sleeve.

It will really need a block to sort out the rib at the waist and the arms.

I am trying to think about what to make with my new wool as well. I would like to knit myself some socks (that fit this time) and a cowl for winter. I think I will use the red wool for the socks and the blue for the cowl. What to do with the other wool?

Wool, wool and more wool

2008-06-05T12:08:00.000+10:00

We are back into life again after our trip to the Sunshine Coast for 6 days. I use the term "Sunshine" very loosely, as it rained every day we were there. But we still had a relaxing break away without the kids.

When I got back I had three parcels waiting for me. I don't know if everyone gets this excited about getting mail, but I love it. Especially when I already know what is inside.

Wool.

Socks and socks

2008-05-22T12:11:00.000+10:00

Another knitting project for the little baby on the way (not from me, but my sister in law). These are my first socks knitted on a set of needles. I am very happy with the results and I love the way you can knit one up in an evening.

The other sock story is not so successful. I started this sock for myself, but somewhere between the knitting and the needle choice they are now man sized. Do you think my husband would like my first pair of adult socks or the colour choice?

I seem to be loving knitting at the moment. I have a few projects on the go and I am looking for more. The weather has turned slightly cold and wool seems very appealing at the moment.

Baby Jumper

2008-05-15T11:52:00.000+10:00

I love knitting for new babies. It is so fast and I think little baby clothes are so cute. You always have more time to knit for other people's babies, as when you have your own, you are too busy to think about knitting (well maybe a couple of things were knitted).

So I have knitted for my sister in law's baby that is due next month. I saw this wool and had to have it and luckily I found the perfect little person to knit for. I will be giving it to her with the quilt on the weekend.

I even bought the matching buttons. This is the Vintage Utility Vest (don't ask me why it is called a vest, when it isn't a vest?!), from the The second little Sublime hand knit book. I have knitted the Beanie from this book about 4 times now and it is wonderful too. The wool has cashmere, merino and silk in it. What a pampered baby this will be!!

Baby Quilt

2008-05-14T13:35:00.000+10:00

My sister in law is having a baby next month and I asked her if she would like me to make a quilt for the cot. She did and so I made this one from Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love. It is called Baby Crackers.

I really love these two fabrics. Paisley is always my favourite. I machine quilted for the first time, with mixed results. I always hand quilt but I thought that would take too long and might not take the punishment of washing for a baby.

I hope she likes the finished product, her baby shower is this weekend.

P.S. I hope all of you who are mums had a wonderful day on Sunday, I did.

Bunnies

2008-05-09T15:57:00.000+10:00

There seem to be quite a few bunnies appearing around the house at the moment. The girl bunny with the red skirt appeared yesterday and has made herself right at home with her little friends.

Red Ski Jumper

2008-05-05T18:27:00.000+10:00

I have finished a jumper and for me this is always a big deal. This time I can't believe how fast I was able to knit this. I think I just didn't want it to drag out all winter.

I am really happy with the finished product. I blocked it and all the bumps in the fair isle smoothed out (thank goodness).

I would have to call it a 70's retro ski jumper.

Amazingly I have started my next jumper project too. This time I am knitting in all one piece from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel. I found it hard to choose which one to do, as there are loads of lovely ones. I'm learning along the way, as I have not knitted a whole jumper in one piece or with a circular needle. Good luck to me.

Autumn Morning

2008-05-02T06:21:00.001+10:00

I love it when the day starts out grey and raining and then the sun breaks out. Who would have thought that the sky could look like this after such a drab start. It makes you really love the bright colours around you.

2008-04-30T13:41:00.000+10:00

Here I am again with a couple more pictures of things I have made lately.

A bag that I made for my friend Rebecca, a bag for myself, a shirt/dress and some napkins (I love the fabric!).

First Post

2008-04-30T13:12:00.000+10:00

Welcome to my first post on my blog.

I would love this blog to be about my life with my family and my crafting adventures.

Here are a couple of things that I have made recently, I always seem to have so many things on the go at once. Gifts for friend and family or new ideas for myself.

Make sure you pop by to see any additions and read about what I'm up to.