Milestone birthdays

My husband and I (wow, I sound like the queen) are celebrating a milestone birthday this year and enjoyed a party together. we don't really go all out for these things, but it was a great one. Our theme was 80s and everyone came all decked out.

We were joined by Smurfette and Smurf,

Top Gun,

Pat Rafter,

not one but two Rubik cubes,

several cast members of dynasty,

a member of Kiss (the one with the star),

Gordon Gecko (complete with brick phone),

and many others.

What a great night dancing to the 80s music too.

Backyard visitors

This is our nightly visitor. He or she usually hops in around dusk and is sometimes joined by one other.

No great photos, I know. But they are so hard to photograph as they are really camouflage against the bush. It's also terrible light at this time.

Aren't we lucky to have such great visitors?

Blanket for donation

Have you heard of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital Ethiopia?

This is a hospital in Ethiopia that helps women have life changing surgery after injuries sustained during childbirth. Many women travel great distances to receive their care and they rely on donations to survive.

They also give their patients a new dress and blanket to celebrate their new life after surgery. Many of these women are ostracised fro their village or community and this helps them make a new start with new things.

I made this blanket for them to send to their hospital and donated money to help them pay to send it over. I love the idea that a women will get my blanket and take it home with her somewhere in Ethiopia. I also took my girls to their shop in Turramurra, Sydney to show them what this organisation is doing for women on the other side of the world.

It is the same as my granny stripe but with wider stripes.

If you would like to see the great work they are doing go to http://hamlin.org.au and think about making a blanket yourself or making something for their shop to sell.

Fickle Blogger aka Busy Mum

I seem to be a fickle blogger who abandons my blog when life gets tough. It's not that I don't love being here, but trying to write reports for my full time year three class, and design a website for my part time uni subject, manage my family and everything else sometimes gets in the way. Wow, I'm tired after just writing that.

I do always find time for craft. It's just that it needs to fit in between all the stuff above. I know I am not alone with this juggle and I love all the components of my life, but perhaps there might be too many components.

Anyway here are some projects I have been working on lately.

Cotton Blend jumper for me with Americana DK

New Hexagon Blanket with Cascade 220 Heathers

My lovely girl dressed as Meg from Seven Little Australian (Book Week)

Blanket Love

I have to say that since I have started crocheting blankets I have really enjoyed it. They have also been enjoyed by the whole family. Here is my Granny stripe being loved by my youngest.

The latest creation is the same Granny Stripe, but with wider stripes and in a different order of colours.

Again I am using the Stylecraft Special DK, (what a great yarn) and I love the colours. I love sitting down in front of the TV and having a project that I don't have to concentrate on or follow a pattern.

I am also working on another project, but it is a surprise. I'll show you when it's finished and given to the recipient. 

Two Owls

I have really got organised finishing off projects over the holidays.

Here are the two owl pillows finished. One came from a Made it Kit that I got from Spotlight.

And the other was a pattern from Let's get crafting, Knitting and Crochet magazine issue 48. It came with needles and the yarn all together.

 They have already been loved by the family.

Crafting continues here

After a very bust term one, we have been enjoying the holidays and lots of craft. I have been loving having time to spend on projects new and old (in between the uni assignments).

A knitted cushion completed in two nights of knitting in front of the tv. Just have to get some filling and stitch on the eyes.

A new cardigan for my eldest knitted in variegated yarn. The colours are amazing which will be the highlight, not the endless rows of garter stitch. It is worked in one piece which I love, no sewing together at the end. 

Another blanket using the lovely DK Special by Stylecraft. I really enjoy using this yarn, it is so easy and the colours a lovely. I have a line of requests for blankets but think I might still keep this one to add to our stash at home. 

Granny Square Blanket

I've never really been a granny square fan. I always thought they were a little too 70s. But since seeing very colourful here and my niece loving her one, I gave it a go.

I love the result and it saves the fighting over the Granny Stripe!

I also bought a great new necklace when I was in Newtown, isn't it cute!

Baby Jumper finished

All done. I love this Sublime and this pattern. Lovely.

Preppie from Sublime, The second little Sublime hand knit book in baby cashmere merino silk.

The baby knitting continues

This is why I love baby knitting, one week later and I am blocking.

I love the texture of this knit, it's the third time I have knit it and I always enjoy it. I bought the buttons today and should have it finished by the weekend, ready to give to the lucky mummy of a number three.

Knitting for babies

I love knitting for little babies. You can knit things up so quickly and you know that a new little one is coming soon for someone.

I love this yarn too, it's worth every cent for a special baby knit. The back is finished and the font is already half done. 

I'm also onto the binding of the mini quilt. Purple!

Mini quilt

Working on a dolly's quilt for my daughter.

Into the swing of things

It's a new year (I know it has been for a while now) and everything is back on. Including working for me. I love my blog, but sometimes work, family, study all get in the way of being here.

So many people this year have shared their frustration of trying to keep all the balls in the air. I know that that includes me.

However, I did find time with my girls to try making lamingtons for Australia Day. Back when I was in high school, we had a fundraiser where we made lamingtons in the school hall. It was a hilarious combination of sponge cake, chocolate, coconut, teenage angst and the desire to make money for some high school need at the time. I remember it well. I'm not sure it would meet todays health and safety standards.

Our home version was a little less exciting, but perhaps a better product. I made sponge for the first time too. They were declared a success and promptly eaten by all. I'm not sure I feel the need to make them ever again.

Yum!