genki and chips

The Unreliable Life of Harry the Valet

2012-01-14T14:20:00.000+11:00

The Unreliable Life of Harry the Valet: The Great Victorian Jewel Thief by Duncan Hamilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a fairly enjoyable read from the Victorian true crime genre. It was well-written and the story had a cohesive narrative, though occasionally I did have questions that were not explained or ignored in the text. Harry the Valet was a fascinating character and his love, or obsession, for his 'Gaity Girl' was beautifully expressed. I also enjoyed how the auhor gave the history of others appearing in the story, particularly the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, who must have been a very interesting woman in her time!

View all my reviews

I am...

2012-01-11T21:59:00.000+11:00

Sculpture by the Sea

Listening to: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens on BBC iPlayer

Eating: Sausages from the BBQ

Drinking: Home made alcoholic ginger beer, so yummy

Creating: pages for my new art journal (will be blogging about this soon)

Knitting: A simple scarf

Reading: The Unreliable Life of Harry the Valet: The Great Victorian Jewel Thief by Duncan Hamilton

Enjoying: the fairly slow start to the year - I'm back at work, but it is quiet

2012

2012-01-08T17:01:00.000+11:00

I'm glad to see 2012. Last year was a hard one for me, for personal reasons, and especially at the beginning of the year, I lost a lot of my passion for reading and crafting. I am determined to make this year great, so I am working through some goals to work through this year. Some of my goals are:

Running:

train for and hopefully complete a half-marathon
run 500km during the year

Reading:

use Good Reads to keep lists and record my reading
write occasional reviews of books
read 50 books

Sewing:

create a list of things I need, and sew then using my stash

Knitting

work through Year of Projects
go through all my yarn stash - designate projects for yarn, and update Ravelry

Blogging and Social Media:

blog at least once a week
sort out photos
no wasting time lurking on forums - either participate or get out!
use Ravelry, Good Reads and Google Reader to help prioritise my time, not waste it

I also have some writing, medical and organisational goals, including starting art jounaling.

It's been great to read through everyone else's goals and resolutions in blogland, I think this time of year is really positive!

Wow, 2012's first completed project!

2012-01-08T16:12:00.001+11:00

Today has been lovely. A sleep-in, followed by sorting through my yarn stash, knitting while listening to Cast-on, drinking tea I got for Christmas, and eating leftover Christmas cake. This is how I used to spend my weekends when we lived in England, but since being in Oz I just haven't done it. I'm going to try and make knitting a priority in my life in 2012, I get so much out of it. Including wearable knits!

I bought Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn in December 2004 to make Knitty's Tempting and started knitting it in early 2005. By 2006 it was a UFO, and I notice that in August 2008 I had decided I was never going to complete it, and even if I did, I probably wouldn't wear it. I queued Shalom (link to pattern PDF) by Meghan from Involving the Senses in Ravelry in October 2008, and looks like I started it in April 2009. I have never blogged or made any other record about this project. I think I started it one weekend, worked on it intensively for a week or so, then stopped.

Today, I went through my stash (one of my 2012 goals). I saw Shalom, and how little I needed to do. I finished it in 2 hours. I think the reason I stopped knitting was that I wasn't sure if there was enough yarn to make it. There definitely wasn't enough to make it full length, but I just knitted until I used all the yarn and it's a nice cropped length. It's not the most flattering garment, as it does stop right at my waist, but I think it will be great with skinny jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt.

The Shalom cardigan was on my Year of Projects list - so I can cross it off! I also did some knitting on a pair of socks, so I am going well so far.

2011 Summary

2012-01-03T14:57:00.000+11:00

1. Penguin, 2. throw cushions, 3. Echino Handbag1, 4. BobbleBlue back, 5. Ripple on Chair, 6. AppalachiaProgress, 7. Amigurumi bunny side, 8. WIPknitbag, 9. EnvyCloseUp

I thought I’d done hardly any crafting over 2011, but looking through my photos, I completed nine projects. I also started some UFOs that I will try and finish in the next few months, and I may have completed some other small projects that I didn't take photos of!

My favourite project was the Echino handbag, I used it allthe time, and still love the fabric. While in Japan last year, I picked up somemore Echino fabric in a more neutral colour, so I’m definitely going to makeanother bag, more like a tote.

I also in 2011:

took part in the Knitting and Crochet Blog week, and posted a blog post every day for a week
ran the City to Surf (a 14km run) and raised over $700 for the Cancer Council in memory of my dad who died at the beginning of the year
went on a fantastic trip to Fukuoka, Japan
started a new job
lost over 13kgs doing Weight Watchers
attended Brown Owls (my local craft group) meetings and
started regular Pilates classes

Two Aminekos and a Penguin in a Pear Tree

2011-12-21T21:43:00.000+11:00

Okay, there isn't really two Aminekos at the moment, and there is no pear tree...

I whipped up a little amigurumi penguin as a stocking filler for The Boy - cute, huh?

The instructions were a little difficult to follow, especially the beak, but Ravelry saved the day. I just looked at the forum posts tab on the pattern page, someone had had the exact problem as me, and someone else had explained what to do!

I finished him on my lunch break at work, and I forgot to bring stuffing, so I used a parcel pack scrunched up to stuff his head. Probably not the best solution, but it works! It's a bit lopsided and crunchy.

I've also been working on the Amineko bunny (seems weird calling it that, since Ami means knit/crochet and neko means cat...), all I have to do is one more ear, and sew on the legs. I'm seeing the two babies on Thursday (my birthday!) and there is no way I will finish the other one, but that's ok.

I'm a bit stressed due to a combination of being sick, deadlines at work, in-laws coming to stay and various Christmas things, I can't wait till Thursday, the beginning of my holidays! I'm hoping to do some knitting and organising for the new year, I want to be calmer and more organised with my free time.

Amineko without the neko

2011-12-10T17:10:00.000+11:00

I have a couple of new babies in my life (two of my closest friends), so I'm making crochet toys for them for Christmas. I am using this Amineko pattern, but instead of making a cat, I think I am going to make it a bunny.

I used this Planet June tutorial to work out how to do the magic loop to start off the crochet. I am using a 3mm hook, and Cleckheaton Country 8 ply for the main colour. So far the pattern is easy to follow, all single crochets, and I am hoping to get a lot done this weekend.

Although I've been busy, I managed to sew these cushions for our couch a couple of weeks ago. I just made up my own pattern, they have an envelope back. The fabric is this amazing Ikea fabric that we bought about a year ago...

I don't really have anywhere to put the sewing machine, so I sewed these with the machine on the floor, I certainly had to sit in an interesting position in order to use the foot pedal! Sorry the photo isn't very good - the weather has been so bad in Sydney recently, and when it is nice I am outside. They also definitely need an iron! But I love the fabric so much, and they are another thing off my 'to do' list.

Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks

2011-11-16T21:30:00.008+11:00

Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks by John Curran is a fascinating read for any fan of Agatha Christie. The discovery of her notebooks has led to an extremely interesting insight of her ideas and methods of writing.

It was amazing to read that often she did not have the murderer in mind while writing her mysteries, and notes scrawled through her notebooks try different murderers and motives to fit the plot. Christie also had recurring images or vignettes that she tried to fit into stories, but often had to discard these ideas, with some of them never being used. Many of her mysteries seemed to have started with a one-sentence idea that grows over the years.

The notebooks are mostly made up of quick jottings of ideas, these are rarely expanded into dialogue or more fully developed writing. They are scattered with packing lists, doodles, and diagrams, inserted between the barely legible writing.

As a huge Agatha Christie fan, and being interested in writing, I found these notebooks a fascinating glimpse into Agatha's plotting and ideas. At some stages, however, the book was slightly repetitive, though this would I expect reflect on the repetitiveness of Christie's notebooks. The bonus of two 'new' short stories was particularly exciting, as I have read all of her currently published novels and short stories.

Change of direction

2011-11-14T21:36:00.000+11:00

This blog has always been my 'craft' blog. I started it as a way to record my knitting progress and projects, and expanded into other crafts as I have learnt new skills. In fact, my first blog was called 'Just a Little Knit', and I created this new blog to incorporate sewing and other crafting.

There have been large gaps in my blogging. Not because my interest in craft has waned, but because either
a) I haven't been crafting or
b) I've been crafting, but not taking pictures and/or blogging

And of course I either feel guilty that I'm not actually creating things, or that I am creating things, but not keeping an accurate record of them. And in both cases, that I am neglecting my blog. No matter what, I think about craft every day, and am constantly planning projects in my mind, and reading all the other amazing blogs out there.

But...I've decided to include my other love - reading - in this blog. This means that I can keep up my blogging however I spend my time, as I can always fit in some reading. When blogging about books, I don't have to worry so much about progress shots, which I always stress about with my knitting!

These photos were taken between Bondi and Turramurra Beach, at the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. I try to go every year, there is always something amazing!

Echino Handbag - I love it!

2011-09-17T19:00:00.000+10:00

I've been working on this bag for the past few weeks. I bought this Echino fabric a couple of years ago at a craft show from Kelani Fabrics. I bought two meters, intending to make a skirt, but then was too scared to cut into it. I love Echino fabrics designed by Etsuko Furuya, I have a little tote bag that I have been using every day, and I realised that I would get a a lot more use out of a bag than a skirt. Especially since I haven't really sewn any clothes that I have liked enough to wear!So at the craft show this year, I bought the Panel Bag pattern by Nicole Mallalieu Design. The pattern was a little pricey, but absolutely fantastic. It comes with a little booklet that takes you step by step, with lots of pictures, and different options so you can customise the bag. I used an Amy Butler fabric I had in my small fabric stash as the lining, so have two beautiful fabrics that I adore. The bag did take a long time to cut out all the pattern pieces from the paper pattern, then the fabric and interfacing. I chose to interface the whole bag to make it a bit more sturdy. The actual sewing was quite straight forward, with a little bit of hand sewing, and a couple of tricky parts when I was sewing through quite a few layers. I ended up using a denim needle in my machine, which helped a lot. There is also a lot of top-stitching, so I had to make sure that was straight and even. There is a zipper pocket on one side, the instructions were great here, so it was fairly simple to insert. On the other side of the lining I put in the three pockets, so I should have a place for everything!I used the bag this morning for the first time and it is perfect. Nice and big to shove everything in, but light-weight. The reason I haven't been using my handbags recently is beacuse they are all feel quite heavy bythe end of the day, and my back starts to ache, but that didn't happen today.We are going to Japan in 10 days, I canb't wait to take my new bag, and maybe buy some more Echino!

Stacks of blocks

2011-08-08T20:35:00.001+10:00

I've been making more circles for my crochet blanket.

I'm making them in random colour order, but trying to keep the colour usage fairly even.

I've started to join them into squares, they are each bordered in white.

The colours make me happy!

WIP Wednesday Aidez

2011-07-27T17:55:00.000+10:00

This is the back of Aidez. I am really only working on it on weekends, I'm training for the City2Surf, a 14km run. So most days after work, I go for a run, cook dinner, eat, and by then am a little tired to focus on knitting a big project. In the evenings I'm working on crochet squares for a blanket. I am enjoying knitting Aidez when I do it though, the cables are fun and it's growing fast!

On the weekend I went to my Mum's local craft store. It had a great selection of books and patterns. As I still haven't decided on a fair isle jumper, I was looking for a pattern for that, and I found a great one in Cleckheaton 950. Unfortunately, I can't find a photo of it online, but I'll take one later. It's quite Christmassy, which is exactly what I was looking for!

Even though I feel like I haven't been knitting much recently, tomorrow I get to do it at work! I work at a school, and the students are working on knitting squares for Wrap with Love, a charity that makes blankets out of donated squares. I'm going to check it out, and maybe help some students to cast on. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids knit!

Aidez

2011-07-10T19:14:00.001+10:00

This is a progress report on my year of projects!

I've been working on Aidez this weekend. It's lots of fun with some new cables that I haven't done before. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the back. I was having so much fun knitting it this afternoon that I forgot to take a photo before it got dark!

I'm using Cascade Eco, which I ordered from WEBS. I love the smell, it's like sheep! It feels so nice as well.

So this is a photo of my swatch. It's not even an exciting swatch with cables, it's just stocking stitch. I promise I've done more than this!

WIP Wednesday: Baudelaire

2011-07-06T21:17:00.001+10:00

Yes, I've started on my 2nd sock! I'm much happier with the toe this time, the pattern uses a figure 8 cast on, and I used this tutorial from A Gathering of Wool. It shows how to do this cast on using Magic Loop, which is how I knit my socks. This tutorial was really helpful in getting my stitches looking nice and neat. This is my first time knitting toe up socks, and the first time using the figure 8 cast on. I do like toe up, as you can check the length of the leg of the sock. I'm always worried that I'll run out of yarn, so tend to do them a bit shorter than I'd like.

I've been working on this sock on my lunch break at work, I can get a few rows in each day so hopefully I can get some momentum going and actually finish a pair of socks!

To see other WIPs, check out Tami's Amis Blog

A Year of Projects

2011-07-02T10:50:00.000+10:00

I read about this on Crafts From the Cwtch and it seemed like just the thing to get me organised for the next year.

Basically it is just working out my knitting (and crocheting) goals for the year, posting a list, and then every Sunday posting about my progress. I'm using my Rav queue and my UFO pile as a starter for my list.

Aidez, a cabled cardigan (I've JUST cast on this)
Moonlight Sonata Scarf
Some mittens or gloves for myself, maybe Bella's Mittens or Wine and Roses Mitts. These are completely different, so I could do both!
A slouch hat for myself, I like a few: Slouchy Copy Cat Hat, From Norway with Love,
A Fair Isle sweater, maybe Autumn Rose Pullover, Bonbon,
Owls sweater
Beer Gloves
Finish at least 2 pairs of socks ( I have about 5 unfinished socks hanging around!)
Finish Shalom, or use the yarn (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran) for something else

As I only read about this last night, I'm sure I'll be updating this list over the next week.

My Creative Space

2011-06-30T18:53:00.000+10:00

I've started crocheting a new blanket Flowers in the Snow. It's so pretty! I'm using an acrylic yarn - Creative Basics Polly 8ply yarn. It just had the nicest colours, and will gorgeous edged in the white.

I'm using the tutorial and instructions on Solvieg's blog (link above), which are really clear. She uses lots of pictures to illustrate each step.

I've also started swatching for Aidez, and will be working on that over the weekend

Check out other creative places here

Tea Time

2011-06-28T20:52:00.000+10:00

I always go the craft expos and fairs in Sydney. I always tell myself I will do a talk, class or workshop. I never do.

But I read Amy's (Badskirt) blog post and decided to take her advice. Screen printing is something I've never done, and unlikely to try by myself, it's not like embroidery or knitting, where you don't need many specialized tools to start. I also liked how you could take home a completeted useful object (a tea towel).

Louise Snook was a fantastic teacher, very patient and inspirational. She made some suggestions, like adding the word "tea" to my design.

The most difficult part of the workshop was planning and creating my design. Most of the other people did abstract designs, but I don't think I'm very good at that. The actual screen painting was lots of fun, I'm so glad I joined in. I'll definitely take part in more classes and workshops from now on!

Rainy Long Weekend

2011-06-13T19:56:00.000+10:00

It's a long weekend here in Australia, and it's pretty cold and miserable.

Saturday was busy, I headed into the World Wide Knit in Public Day in Sydney, watched Pirates of the Caribbean 4 in 3D, and then we wandered around the city checking out the amazing light sculptures for the Sydney VIVID light festival. Lots of buildings, including the Opera House, have light patterns beamed on to them, it is so cool. The Fire Dance at Campbell Cove was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, they had fire jets to choreographed to the sound of music. I absolutely loved it!

I finally joined Pinterest and played on that all morning, it's a great way of keeping inspirational pics together, I just need to find more boards to follow. If you're on Pinterest, please let me know in the comments so I can follow you!

Today will be spent doing pleasant things:

Walking: In my gumboots to the library

Eating: Porridge with golden syrup
Knitting: Appalachia hat
Blocking: Lace Ribbon Scarf
Reading: Started Early, Took my Dog
Drinking: Tea

Bobble Blue - FINISHED!

2011-06-03T15:01:00.002+10:00

Bobble Blue has been a long time coming. I first fell in love with the pattern when I lived in England in 2006. I had a subscription to Interweave Knits given to me that year, and the picture of the model sitting outside the cafe in her bright blue Bobble Blue tempted me.

On a mini-break over that summer to Pembrokeshire in Wales, I visited an Angora goat farm, Blueberry Angora, which sold yarn direct to the public, and I bought enough for a sweater in a gorgeous maroon colour (called Russet Red). It was so fun to visit the farm, I got to meet the little goats that contributed to my yarn! The yarn was a little scratchy, but fine to knit with and I would mostly wear this knit over a turtle neck or long sleeved top.

I started knitting, and loved doing the cables and bobbles, so much fun to see them pop! Then we traveled for four months and moved to Australia. Bobble Blue was put in the bottom of a box. Finally I had inspiration to finish the last few bits – picking up stitches for the collar, and seaming it together, and blocking. I even bought some buttons, which was the last thing to do. But I wasn’t sure about the buttons, so I didn’t sew them on.

Another move, across town this time, instead of across countries, and I was inspired to finally finish it off. I bought different buttons, and sewed them on. It was done!

It is now a bit too big for me, I’ve lost weight since I first started it, but I I’m still really pleased. It’s not the most flattering garment, but it is so warm and the perfect thing to wear in a Sydney Winter, when it’s not quite cold enough for a coat.

I’ve got one more sweater with a similar story (started in England, complete except for inserting a zipper). Poor Rosedale, it was actually finished, except I sewed the wrong type of zipper into it, so once I unzipped it I couldn’t zip it up again. I have finally bought a new zipper, so that is my goal for next week!

Details

Started: October 2006
Yarn: 6 skeins of Russet Red Aran, 80% Angora, 20% wool, bought August 2006
Pattern: Bobble Blue, Interweave Knits
Completed knitting : February 2009
Sewed on buttons: May 2011

To check out other finished things, check out Tami Ami's blog!

Finished Project - Ripple!

2011-05-28T09:11:00.001+10:00

Yay, I finished my Ripple crochet blanket! It's the perfect size for on my lap when I sit on the couch.

It's a great pattern to do while watching TV, as it is so easy. If I made a mistake in the ripple pattern, I would adjust the next row accordingly.

The details:

Pattern: I used a pattern by SusanB I found on Ravelry, Easy Ripple Afghan
Yarn: A cheap 8ply 100% wool, Sheperds Colour 4 Me. I used 3 50g skeins of 5 colours.

To see other Finished Object Friday projects, check out Tami Ami's Blog

Work-in-Progress Wednesday: Appalachia

2011-05-18T16:47:00.002+10:00

I've cast on for a new project! And, no, I haven't finished those socks...

It's a knit hat, Appalachia, by Bear Ears. I'm using Noro Kureyon Sock and Patonyle for the main solid. A fun knit so far with my beloved Noro, though it's going very slow, because I don't know how to do stranded knitting. So I just drop and pick up each colour as I need it. I know I should practise two hands, but it feels too awkward!

I'm doing it as a KAL in Ravelry, which is spurring me on.

I've started back at a new job, so am having less time to blog and craft, but I'm starting to get used to my new schedule. I get a proper lunch break, so have taken knitting a few times, and I'm going to try to make that a habit.

To check out other Work-In-Progress Wednesdays, click on Tami's Amis and Other Creations

In other news, I'm looking forward to the next Brown Owls meeting on Friday night. I'm glad the meetings are becoming regular again and seeing the old faces.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T07:23:00.000+10:00

Nearly time to go back to work

2011-04-21T09:57:00.000+10:00

I'm really glad I've started blogging regularly. One of the major reasons is I am currently a lady of leisure! I quit my job that was taking up way too much time, and have been spending time at home. During this time I've participated in Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, iHanna's Postcard Swap and worked on a few projects. I've been able to go to Brown Owls meetings and meet friends for lunch or dinner.

I've found a new job though, and am starting back after the Easter Break.

My new job starts early and finishes early, so I'm hoping I can continue blogging and crafting.

In fact my goal is to finish this pair of Baudelaire socks. We are going away for the Easter long, long weekend, and I want to do a lot of work on these socks!

Wool Addiction - Yarn store review

2011-04-19T09:46:00.000+10:00

On the weekend we visited Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands, for a wedding. While there, I managed to fit in a trip to the yarn store, Wool Addiction. I actually grew up in Bowral, so I was very interested to see what the new shop was like. It was amazing!

Wool Addiction is one of the nicest yarn stores I have seen in Australia. It is big, there is lots of room to walk around and display the yarn. It is a nice, light, store, with big windows. It had a good range of yarns, at good prices. Some of the yarns I saw were Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, Aslan Trends, and a big selection of Noro. The staff were pleasant and helpful. I was asked once if I needed help, then left free to browse. When I was making my purchase, the woman raved over the colour, and asked me what I would use it for. I also asked about classes and workshops, and was given some info, and told to check out the website for upcoming stuff.

I'm going to try and do a class or workshop, because I'd love to go back! It is definitely worth a trip to Bowral, especially as Bowral is such a pretty day trip from Sydney with lots of cafes, lovely gift and homeware shops.

I did accidently buy some sock yarn, it was so beautiful and I hadn't seen the brand before. So I have made myself start working again on my Baudelaire socks
.

Info: Yummy by Fibra Natura, 100% Superwash Merino Wool. It is 130g - 370 yards, and it's pot dyed. The colour is 41360, a gorgeous blend of purples.

Has anyone else been to any good yarn/craft shops in NSW recently?

Weaving in Ends

2011-04-14T17:00:00.000+10:00

I've finished my Ripple blanket!

Now I just have to weave in the ends...

Cute Amigurumi Easter Bunny

2011-04-11T10:00:00.001+10:00

I saw this tutorial on Craft to make a crochet amigurumi style bunny. It inspired me to finally try one out. I have a Japanese book on amigurumi, and have tried a few free tutes before, but just never got it.

I sat down on Saturday night, and started it in a cream cotton I had in my stash. It kept splitting and I got through the head before realising I wouldn't have enough for the whole toy. So I dug through my stash and found some old brown yarn (not sure what brand, I bought it in Japan, I know it's 100% wool, but that's all), and finished it on Sunday.

I think it looks really cute, I'm sending it off to The Boy's sister for her birthday/ Easter.

If you look closely, you can see the ears are slightly different, I must have missed a row somewhere, but I think it adds to its "homemade" appeal!

Completed postcards for iHanna's Postcard Swap!

2011-04-08T10:15:00.000+10:00

Okay, after days of creating mess, I've finished all my postcards for the handmade postcard swap on iHanna's Blog.

They were quite labour-intensive! I first went through all my old magazines and cut out and pictures with interesting colours, patterns or textures. Then I tore those into small pieces and sorted out by colour. I sketched basic designs as a plan, then pasted each torn up piece individually on to the postcard using Clag glue. With two of the postcards, I was losing motivation and inspiration with the mosaic style, so I instead, I pasted larger pieces in a patchwork style, with little pictures on top, using colours as a theme.

In the end, I'm pleased with how they turned out, I haven't done paper craft since highschool/uni, so it was a new craft method for me. I have always loved mosaics and that was obviously a big inspiration for me. I will post them out today, my postcards are going all over the world!

There is a Flickr group if you'd like to see what other people have been creating!

My Creative Space - and my 1st postcard!

2011-04-07T10:45:00.000+10:00

My first postcard in the iHanna Postcard Swap from A Bird in the Hand

I have been very busy making postcards for the iHanna Postcard swap. I have the addresses for ten people to send postcards to, and will be getting ten handmade postcards sent to me!

I found the first one in my letterbox yesterday afternoon, isn't it gorgeous! You can see the others she made at A Bird in the Hand. It makes me feel a bit embarrassed about my own. I have been working on them a bit everyday this week, and am hoping to finish them today.

My creative space is the lounge room floor:

My idea was to create mosaic pictures with torn out scraps from magazines. I started putting the little scraps in shoebox lids, but quickly ran out of room, and am now using the floor. Of course, little pieces of paper are being tracked through the apartment....

I should be finished them all by today, and tomorrow I'll do a post showing the completed postcards! If you'd like to see more handmade postcards, check out iHanna's blog post.

If you'd like to see more creative spaces, check out Kootoyoo

My Knitting and Crochet Time - 2KCBWDAY7

2011-04-03T15:03:00.002+10:00

My Knitting and Crochet time by Polyvore

I've made a Polyvore set illustrating my knitting and crochet time. I would usually wear jeans and a T-shirt, and maybe a cardigan or hoodie if it's cold. I like to knit sitting on the couch in our loungeroom, looking out at our courtyard with little colourful snapdragons. I like to glance at my tropical fish, swimming in the tank,which is next to the couch. I get distracted by books and the internet!

I listen to:

Triple J An Australian radio station

Cast on A knitting podcast by Brenda Dayne

So Frenchy, So Chic A CD collection of cool French tunes

I drink:

T2 Blue Mountains Loose leaf black tea with a hint of sweetness

Dr Stuarts Wild Fennel Tea Tea bags with a strong licorice flavour

........................................................................................

And so ends Knitting and Crochet Blog week. I've had a lot of fun, blogging every single day, and reading other people's blogs too. I've learnt that it doesn't take as long to create a blog post as I thought, so I should just get to it! My most popular topics were my easiest, which proves that you should blog about what you love! I knew my unfinished socks would be a popular post, as it was always a joke at my knitting group night, and although I struggled on the creative day, once I decided to just take photos of my gorgeous alpaca toy, it was easy and effective.

In fact, if you were one of the people that loved my cute little alpaca, I am going to make him a regular fetaure of my blog! Whenever I travel, I'll bring him along, and have some fun photos of him in front of landmarks and tourist attractions. It should be fun!

Something to Aspire to -2KCBWDAY6

2011-04-02T19:07:00.000+11:00

What I really aspire to is amazing fair isle or colourwork.

Recently I saw this Debbie Bliss Magazine (Issue 5), and was blown away by the sweater on the front.


V neck Fair Isle sweater by Debbie Bliss, Debbie Bliss Magazine Fall/Winter 2010

I've always loved this sweater from Interweave Knits:

Venezia Pullover by Eunny Jang, Interweave Knits, Winter 2006

These sweaters, and others like them, are so inspirational to me. I haven't done any colour work, so my goal for this winter is to learn, and make a hat. If that is successful, and I enjoy the technique, I will reward myself by purchasing the required yarn to knit one of these sweaters.

Have you seen any other Fair Isle style or colourwork sweater or cardigan patterns that you think I might like?

Check out other blog posts on this topic by Googling 2KCBWDAY6, or click here

And Now For Something Completely Different! - 2KCBWDAY5

2011-04-01T16:37:00.000+11:00

Who doesn't love alpaca?

Where are they now?

2011-04-01T09:21:00.000+11:00

These hats are hats that are no longer with us...Lost on the streets of distant countries.

The first hat, a simple cable beanie was knit for The Boy when we lived in Japan. I can't remember what pattern or yarn I used, and it was done before I had a blog, or even a knitting notebook, so I have no notes. It would have been one of my first projects. It was lost one evening, very sad...

The second beanie was knit without a pattern, just a basic hat, and random stripes according to how much yarn I had left. It was completed in England, for The Boy, and again, lost.

Now this sounds like The Boy is very irresponsible and disrespecting of hand-knitted goods. Quite the opposite. He is the most appreciative and supportive of my knitting and craft hobbies, and is always pleased and proud to wear something I knit him. I've heard him tell people (completely apropos of nothing) that the article he is wearing was knit by me. But everyone can lose hats, and this is proved by the fact that I too have lost one.

The third hat is the Cabled Newsboy Hat (Ravelry link) from Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. It was the first project I made that used knitting in the round and cables. I was so proud of myself, and I loved wearing it. The yarn was a Japanese yarn, Puppy brand, and had alpaca in it. It was so cozy and warm. I lost it one day when we were in London, I had lots of bags with me and was getting hot and flustered, I took it off and put it on the top of my handbag. I realised soon after that I had lost it, we looked in the streets and asked at the counter of shops we had been into but it was gone. I do wonder what happened to it.

I've always meant to knit another one, this might be the year I do. And the boy has had the same beanie that I knit for him as a replacement for the other, he's had it for years now and not managed to lose it!

Check out other blogs posting on this topic by clicking on this link or searching for 2KCBWDAY4 in google.

Tidy Mind,Tidy Stitches - 2KCBWDAY3

2011-03-31T09:30:00.000+11:00

My knitting organisation is non-existent at the moment. We moved back in September, and I still haven't actually organised my craft and knitting stuff. It is all kept in the corner of the spare room, but there is no order to the chaos.

So instead of just showing you a picture of clear plastic tubs overflowing with yarn, a little set of draws filled with notions, and piles of stuff currently in use, I thought I would show you my favourite organisation thing.

It is this little drawstring bag I made to keep in a small project, I use it to take my current pair of socks to my knitting nights, or on the bus. I fell in love with this knit themed fabric from Aunty Cookie. I have a metre of it, and all I've used is this tiny scrap. I want to one day make a super-dooper knitting bag and use this fabric as a feature.

Anyway, I try to keep in this bag a pair of small scissors, a tape measure, some stitch markers and a wool needle. Usually, these things have been taken out, and all that is in there currently is a tape measure and a couple of stitch markers rattling around in the bottom!

I really do love this little bag, every time I look at it, it makes me smile. Maybe I should make a few more, one for each currently unfinished sock (see last post!)?

Close up of Aunty Cookie Knit 1 fabric

Skill + 1UP - 2KCBWDAY2

2011-03-29T15:10:00.000+11:00

On day 2 of the Knitting and Crochet Blog week, we are talking about what skills we have learnt in the past year. This is a difficult post for me, because I don't think I have gained any new skills. In my first year of knitting I was pretty fearless, and tried cables, entrelac, lace, felting, using charts and working in the round. The following year I learnt to use the Magic Loop and knit socks,with all the skills that they entail (short rows, turning the heel, kitchener stitch and working on teeny tiny needles).

There is still a lot for me to learn but I have got to a level where I can do most things, so haven't taken the next step to keep challenging myself with new skills. This happpened when I was studying Japanese. I got to level where I could understand basic conversation and day-to-day topics, and make myself understood, so I lost motivation to keep going. I was nowhere near able to have a proper conversation with people, and had a lot to learn, but since I could get by, I stopped studying.

The skill I would most like to aquire is the ability to complete a project, especially a pair of socks. I have to date completed two pairs of socks.

These are the unfinished socks I found after diving in my stash bin for a couple of minutes. I'm pretty sure there is one or two more somewhere! I think the next pair I start will be two at a time, which would be a new skill, and hopefully result in a finished pair. You can see that I often get to the toe decreases and give up. Why? Because I see a new project, life gets busy, I forget where I'm up to in the pattern, hundreds of reasons, no, excuses.

Now that I've got these out and all together, I'm going to throw them in a basket, and try and work on some of them.

To see other blogs with posts about learning new skills, check out this link.

A Tale of Two Yarns

2011-03-28T18:56:00.001+11:00

My absolute favourite yarn is Noro. Noro Kureyon, Noro Silk Garden, Noro Sock... any Noro at all! I love the colours and colour changes in each skein, you never know what you are going to get!

Some people think that the yarn is rough. Well, it certainly isn't soft. And it can break easily. Sometimes there is a knot tying together two completely random colours. And sometimes there is just one ugly or weird colour among other gorgeous colours. But all of these faults is part of Noro's charm!

I've used it in quite a few different projects: socks, the booga bag, Rosedale sweater (99% completed, just need to put in the zipper, doh!) and a scarf. I just love knitting with it!

There hasn't really been a yarn that I've hated. Most yarn has a purpose, or a use somewhere, and it is up to us to find out how it would best be used. Sometimes the project we have in mind isn't right for the yarn, but there is something out there that is. Even cheapy acrylic looks good in afghans!

The only yarn I have sad feelings toward is this Rowan Summer Tweed:

I received it in a swap and absolutely loved it. Loved the colours, loved the feel and texture (it is a silk/cotton mix) but could just not find a project for it. I did a few swatches, but nothing was quite right. This was in the days before Ravelry, maybe now I would find something (actually I daren't look!). Anyway, in the end, after holding onto it for a few years, I moved from England to Australia, and I gave it to one of the girls in my knitting group (I gave away a lot of my small stash, just couldn't justify sending across to the other side of the world). I hope she made something beautiful with it.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week

2011-03-28T08:32:00.000+11:00

I'm participating in the Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. Each day there is a topic for blog posts, and lots of people are involved, so you can read lots of blogs with the same topics. Shoud be fun!

Envy Neck-warmer

2011-03-20T16:55:00.000+11:00

I wanted a quick, easy project and Envy fit the bill. It had everything I liked, seed stitch, cables, and was a really cute pattern. Check out the photos with the pattern, they are fantastic!

This was really easy, only cast-on with 20 stitches and an easy cable patten. I didn't use a cable needle for it. I knit it on 8mm bamboo needles instead of 9mm, since that was what I had and I didn't want to buy another pair of needles, I don't knit bulky stuff very often.

I used Morris Fuel, which is a 100% bulky wool in a gorgeous bright purple, used just over one 50g skein. It isn't plied, but was easy to knit with, didn't split much, it looked like it may have broke if I pulled tightly, but I knit this very loosely since I was on smaller needle and I didn't have any problems.

I did make button holes, it is meant to have three big buttons, but I didn't have any suitable buttons in my stash. I've used this bright red flower brooch I got for Christmas for the time being, and I really like it. If I see some nice buttons, I'll grab them and put them on. I'm not sure whether to get buttons to match or to contrast the purple.

Don't look too closely, as you can see I haven't weaved in the ends yet!

My Creative Space

2011-03-17T09:10:00.002+11:00

My creative space is on the couch, in front of my laptop.

I am still working on the Baudelaire sock, I have just done the heel and am now starting on the leg. I am loving the lace pattern, now I have to start incorporating the cable as well.

The book I'm reading is Agatha Christie's autobiography. It is so interesting. I love the way she writes, and it is really evocative of time and place. I've just finished the section on her childhood (I suddenly noticed that I was already up to page 88 and she was still only seven years old!), I love all the information she provides, and explains how families lived their lives during that period (late 1800, early 1900s).

I bought this book at North Sydney Markets, the second-hand book variety was great! We went last weekend for the first time and I ended up buying two other books as well: The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh (which I have wanted for ages, I have a slight obsession with the Mitford sisters), and Love Among the Butterflies by Margaret Fontaine, excerpts from a diary written by a Victorian woman.

Check out other creative spaces at Kootoyoo!

Postcard Swap

2011-03-14T15:49:00.000+11:00

I've signed up for iHanna's postcard swap, I watched it last year, and have decided to go for it this year.

I love postcards, I still send them to people every time I have a trip. I think it's sad that no one send post cards anymore, I'd much rather receive a beautiful picture postcard from a friend who has gone overseas, than a crappy souvenir that I will keep in a box (cos I find it hard to throw away gifts!).

Anyway, I am looking forward to creating, sending and then receiving some postcards!

If you'd like to sign up, go to iHanna's blog and check out all the info. The sign up date is 18th of March, 2011, and the postcards are sent on 8th April.

Japan

2011-03-12T21:03:00.001+11:00

I can't believe the devastation in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami.

I lived in Japan for over two and a half years between 2002- 2005. I was on the JET programme, and lived in Fukuoka, Kyushu, which is in the south. So quite far away from where the disaster has happened, but still... the images bring back so many memories. My ''anxious' dream (you know, the dream you have when stressed or worried, some people dream of going to school naked or in their PJs, others running late for an important meeting or appointment, or of falling) has always been of watching a tsunami coming towards me, and not being able to escape. I've had this recurring dream since I was a child. So I can't watch too much of the footage as I find it absolutely horrifying.

I'm thinking of everyone in Japan, I don't pray, but I hope that Japan can get through this and my heart goes out to anyone affected by this.

Me with friends on my last night in Japan

Ripple

2011-03-12T18:51:00.001+11:00

I've been working on the Ripple Afghan for a while now, I wanted a bright blanket for my lap when sitting on the couch in winter. We try not to use much heat (and luckily in Sydney, don't really need much). So on cold winter nights, I like to snuggle up with a hot water bottle and a cup of tea.

The colours are so nice and bright, I'm sure they will cheer me up! I've got one more skein of each colour to go, and I've used 2 of each so far. I'm lazy at the moment, but I'll post the brand and colours when I've completed the blanket. I think its just superwash DK weight from Lincraft.

Baudelaire and tea

2011-03-08T20:29:00.000+11:00

I've been doing quite a bit of knitting, and I'm really enjoying it again, I think I got back my knitting mojo!

This is Baudelaire from Knitty:

The lace pattern is lots of fun; as usual, it took me a few attempts at the start, but now I've got it and am happily following the chart whle watching Lost in Austen on ABC iview. It's so lovely, the premise sounds a bit crazy (modern girl in love with Pride and Predjudice goes back in time and becomes involved with all the characters), but it is done really well, and has some really good moments in it, the casting is excellent too, even Mr Darcy. I actually like the Wickham in this one better than the BBC mini series. I found that Wickham was quite sleazy and although that is how he was in the novel, I thought he wouldn't have been that obvious, or Lizzy never would have fallen for him.

Anyway, back to knitting! The yarn so far is lovely to knit with, the slight changes in colour are gorgeous and add interest.

Hopefully this sock won't fall victim to 'one sock syndrome', I really feel like I am on a roll with it.

This is what it look like on my foot.

It was my first time to do the toe-up method, you can see it looks a bit pointy. That may not be so obvious when it's finished, but even if it's not, I don't mind, it is still a pretty sock and they are going to be used to wear indoors when it's cold anyway.

Embroidery project

2011-03-03T10:17:00.000+11:00

I've got so many projects on the go at the moment: Knitting socks, crocheting a blanket, and I've also started this embroidery.

I had to spend some time away from home, and left at very short notice, so I didn't have anything crafty to do. I have been wanting to try some embroidery recently, I did use to do it when I was very young. Mum used to sign us up to classes at the Embroiderer's Guild during school holidays, and I still have the bag I made.

Anyway, while I was away, I bought this kit, and started stitching. I'm not really loving the pattern, but I didn't have much choice. I am enjoying the stitching and seeing the picture emerge.

Making really little stitches is quite meditative, and definitely less thinking than when knitting or crocheting, as you don't have to keep referring back to a pattern or even try and work out where you are. Sometimes, I pick up a piece of knitting, and it takes me a few minutes to work out where I am. And then, sometimes the reason I stopped was because I made a mistake and was too tired to fix it. So I have to work out where I'm up to, what I did wrong, fix it, and THEN I can knit. So as you can imagine, this puts me off!

But with the embroidery, I just pick it up and go!

Baudelaire Socks

2011-03-02T16:05:00.002+11:00

I've cast on!

I'm knitting Baudelaire, designed by Cookie A. It's a free pattern from Knitty.

I'm using a beautiful yarn I bought in Sheffield, England over Christmas:

It is toe up, so that is a new method for me, have almost finished the toe, and looking forward to starting the lace pattern.

Things I liked this week

2011-03-01T13:43:00.000+11:00

This blog post in Gertie's New blog for Better Sewing about Fitting it all in. I love to hear how people with full time jobs fit in so much sewing/ craft and then time for blogging about it! One thing she mentions is that she goes to bed about midnight. Unfortunately, I can not function well on little sleep, I need to go to bed about 10-10.30!
This amazing time lapse amigurumi video from Craft. So cute and creative.
This info on Interfacing from U-handbag. This will be very useful when I start to design and create my perfect bag.

Back into knitting

2011-02-22T10:34:00.003+11:00

I have done so little knitting since I came back to Australia ( now over three years ago!). But recently I've ben getting the itch again. I have a pretty big stash of sock yarn, but find it difficult to finish a pair. I decided to knit a scarf instead and I tried the Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery on Knitty.

It's an easy lace pattern that's fun to knit, and I loved seeing which colour would make each stitch. I used Trekking XXL, which is a lovely sock yarn.

This is a close up of the pattern:

Here is the scarf in all its glory, I used the whole skein.

Now I just have to block it!

Updating my blog, and things I liked this week

2011-02-21T09:03:00.007+11:00

I have finally got back to this blog. I thought I'd start today by changing around templates etc, but Blogger have added new features, and what used to take me hours, took about 10 minutes! I still need to change my header, but for the moment it's fine.

I've also been adding some new blogs to my feed, if anyone has any good suggestions for sewing/knitting/general craft blogs, please let me know! I usually check Google Reader on my phone when I'm catching the bus or waiting for something. I star anything I like or want to look at more closely, then go through the starred items when I'm actually at my computer. It saves time, and helps me from feeling overwhelmed by all the unread items on my reader!

A few things I starred in my Google Reader this week:

New Liberty Fabrics, seen at a few places, but Meet Me at Mike's reminded me to check them out.

Gorgeous Oilcloth Placement from Purl Bee
Amazing Godzilla Quilt from Craft

Ottobre Autumn/ Winter 2009

2010-03-07T19:29:00.005+11:00

I just got this magazine, a late Christmas present. It is the first Ottobre magazine I've had a chance to look at.

It has a few cute patterns, particularly the tunic in this pic:

2010-02-28T21:26:00.003+11:00

On the weekend I went to the Kinokuniya Craft fair. It was pretty cool, small, but the stalls were good. I bought some fabric off Amy from badskirt, it's very cute with little deers on it.

I took advantage of the 20% off too, and bought this book.

Carry Me: 30 Boutique Bags to Sew by Yuka Koshizen

It's got some great bags in it. I really like Japanese design, but I sometimes find the style is a bit too simple and streamlined for me, I like bright colours and embellishment! This book seems to stike a balance - the projects are stylish, timeless, yet it would be easy to alter or change the style by using different fabrics or embellishments.

Schmancy Olmpic Challenge

2010-01-24T13:31:00.003+11:00

I've signed up for the Plush You! Schmancy Olympic Challenge. It looks like fun, I hope I can create something while watching my favourite sports at the Olympics!

Although I'm not really into sports, I love the Olympics. I worked at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the broadcast centre, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The vibe and atmosphere in Sydney was so amazing, I had such a fantastic time.

Hmm, I just have to decide whether I want to crochet, knit or sew a fun little plush!

Tea Wallet

2010-01-22T19:57:00.004+11:00

I did end up making some Christmas presents - I made this cute tea wallet.

I used this tutorial at Is it Naptime Yet?.
It was really clear and easy to follow.

I bought a sample pack of amazing T2 tea, but when I opened it to put some in the wallet, realised their packs are bigger than normal ones. Bugger!

Oh well, it still looked pretty!
Empty:

and closed:

New Year, New Start

2010-01-22T19:35:00.004+11:00

Okay, Christmas and New Year were ridiculously busy. Worked right up till Christmas Eve, went to Mum's for a few days, back at home for two days, in that time meeting my Dad for lunch, and packing for the following day when we went up to Port Macquarie, got back home on sunday, and back at work on Monday. Where it was full on - actually crazy busy! Whew!

But this week has been quieter, and I'm starting to feel better. I've handed in my notice at work, so am ready for some big changes this year.

Sometimes, when I don't blog for ages (I know I'm never what you may call a regular blogger, but stay with me here), I feel pressure to write an all emcompassing, catch-up post, which I never do, so I put it off and make the problem worse.

Anyway, I've got heaps to catch up with, so I'll starting small!

evernote

2010-01-21T12:12:00.003+11:00

The Boy recently showed me evernote. I'm only just starting out, but so far I'm finding it really useful. My bookmarks were getting crazy, and I could never find anything - this is better as you can save only a part of a page or website, and write a note, so you can remember why you wanted it!

New Look 6803

2009-12-05T15:18:00.001+11:00

Pattern Description:
Loose tunic dress with a obi-style belt. I made view A with E (the belt).

Pattern Sizing:
10 - 22, I used size 16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Mostly!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, very easy, even the pockets.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It was really fast and easy, it is the first thing I've completed and actually worn! It IS a lot bigger and loose than the picture indicates, but once worn with belt looked quite good, as that style with over-emphasized hips is quite trendy at the moment.

Fabric Used:
A cotton blend from Lincraft

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None. I did use a silver satin to make the back ofthe belt, it shows as a contrast around the edging.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I want to try view D, the kaftan one as a beach cover-up.

Conclusion:
I was really pleased with the way it turned out. I know it's not perfect, but I made it in one day and wore it to Ladies Day at the races. The best thing is, I told my friends I was making a dress, and they didn't realise for quite a while that I was wearing it!

I love it!

2009-11-17T20:55:00.003+11:00

Okay, I'm a bit behind, I've made a dress that I am so pleased with, and actually wore to the races, have done some more on my maxi-dress, and made a new camera cover.

I WILL blog about all these soon, with pics and details. But this is just a quick post about new Echino fabric! It really is my favourite, I love the colours and designs.

Check it out at Phat Fabric.

Wouldn't this be a gorgeous skirt?

Score!

2009-10-17T14:52:00.004+11:00

Today was our local Lions Festival.

I managed to pick up 6 books for $2.50, and a very 80s looking pattern for $1.

My Creative Space - one day late!

2009-10-16T21:41:00.005+11:00

My sewing table (the dining table that we never use!) is kinda covered with various boxes.

Play along with My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

RDO

2009-10-12T22:06:00.002+11:00

I did get a bit done this weekend, but not much craft or sewing. Lots of cleaning, including the oven and mould in the shower - lots of fun!

I've nearly finished cutting out my maxi-dress, and so am almost ready to actually start sewing! I'm a little nervous of starting, I think that's why I am procrastinating on it.

I've also downloaded some podcasts to listen to, I used to love Cast On. Brenda Dayne's podcasts are always so thought-provoking, educating, but INTERESTING! However, the past couple of years I've been doing a lot less knitting, and have stopped listening to it regularly. I've been wanting to find a new one, as I really enjoy listening to podcasts. I'll see what these others are like, and maybe do a review.

New Kettle

2009-10-11T22:29:00.002+11:00

Image from here

Yay! Now we can have tea! And hot water bottles!

Waiting for the weekend

2009-10-09T23:09:00.003+11:00

Well, I know it's Friday night, but I never really can do much on Friday nights, I always feel like they are a waste of time. Usually too exhuasted to do much, I may go to the gym, cook/help with dinner (or resort to takeaway), then spend the rest of the night reading blogs and mucking around on the internet. I guess I need the time to chill!

This yarn is Summer Tweed by Rowan - isn't it pretty? It's in my stash, along with lots of friends! I may sort out my yarn this weekend. And I'd like to go to Spotlight, and hopefully get some sewing done.

Fun at Brown Owls

2009-10-08T18:30:00.002+11:00

It is FREEZING today!

Had a great time as usual at Sydney Brown Owls last night.

Amy taught me to do the Magic Loop to start off my crochet!

I worked some more on my Noro Kureyon socks as well. I was going to put up a photo to show my progress, but my camera battery just died.

And now I'm off to yoga...

Long Weekend

2009-10-06T21:16:00.002+11:00

Okay, I know I am doing Blogtoberfest and have already missed a few days!

But I knew I probably would miss this long weekend. We visited friends in Terrigal on NSW Central Coast, and had a lovely time despite the rain!

The BBQ was very yummy.

I even managed to get some knitting done, as my friend is learning. It was nice to knit together!

Summer Wardrobe 2009-10

2009-10-02T10:46:00.005+10:00

These are the things I'd like to make for my Summer wardrobe, I'd like to get at least a couple done before we go to Hawaii on 23rd of November!

The Maxi dress I've already mentioned a couple of times on this blog, Simplicity 3503

A beach bag, maybe blue and white stripes?

I'd like to make at least one pretty dress for one or two of the special events I have coming up: good friends wedding- semi formal, beach wedding - casual, 60th birthday, 30th birthday, and Races. Also my own 30th is in December, but I'm not sure what I will do to celebrate yet! I'm thinking of one of the dresses from Burda in Burda 06/2009, dress 128

Denim shorts refashioned from a pair of jeans

A casual jersey/knit dress based on pattern from Sew U Home stretch by Wendy Mullin

A few cute cotton skirts, using A-line skirt pattern from Sew U by Wendy Mullin, including a plain black knee-length for work, and a weekend one, maybe out of some echino fabric like this one

Well, I think that is sufficiently ambitious!

My Creative Space

2009-10-01T07:30:00.001+10:00

If I'm going to be doing Blogtoberfest, I think I better do a few memes to keep me going.

My Creative Space by Kootoyoo is one I've seen around on a few blogs... I've avoided doing it, cos I don't really have a space, I just spread out my project on whatever couch I'm sitting on. I've been meaning to get a desk since I got my sewing machine, so I can set up an area where I can leave things out.

Who am I kidding - this has been on the floor since the weekend, we just walk around it!

Blogtoberfest

2009-09-30T21:16:00.002+10:00

I'm doing Blogtoberfest!

Details on TinnieGirl's blog. Found via Badskirt

I know, a little bit crazy, considering my lack of posting. But maybe it's just what I need!

Just a Minute

2009-09-29T10:03:00.005+10:00

Watching... Buffy season 2 and The Wire season 3. I never watched Buffy when it was on TV, but am really enjoying it! And The Wire is fantastic - Mum bought the first 4 on DVD, and we are slowly working our way through.

Taking... my first sick day off work since I had mumps in Japan in 2005. My god that was painful!

Eating... Home made pad thai

Drinking... Bloody Marys!

Thinking... About the maxi dress that I want to make from this pattern: Simplicity 3503. I have the fabric mostly cut out, it is currently residing on the floor. Maybe I'll get to it today.

Reading... Agatha Christie murders (again!)

Listening... to Triple J

Hoping... that I am back to normal soon - I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired!

Look at August Street
for other Just a Minute blogging!

Block 1 - Babette

2009-09-29T09:38:00.005+10:00

I've actually not been too well for the past few weeks. One of the side-effects is that I can't really do anything that requires much thinking, or time. So I've mostly been working on Babette squares.

There are a lot of different granny squares of different sizes, but it's just the same stitch over and over again. But it's not as boring as you'd think, since making up the colour combinations is fun. The pattern uses Koigu Wool designs KPM, but I am using a comination of 8 ply yarns - Cleckheaton Country Naturals 8 ply, Spotlight Harvest Pure Wool and Spotlight 8 ply Pure Wool. I picked the colours by matching the Koigu colour names with a similar colour in the 8 ply yarns.

I have now completed Block 1 of the blanket (with lots of various squares from other blocks) and have now started to sew them together. I've never done this before, well, really this is my first proper crochet project, so I used the instructions in The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller.

Just a minute...in August

2009-08-31T20:33:00.005+10:00

I did do something like this a couple of weeks ago, but I'll try and do it every month. This is from August Street, it's a meme called 'Just a Minute'

Watching... Old Simpsons episodes
Reading... Hungry Hill by Daphne Du Maurier, one of my favourite authors.
Eating... natural Greek yogurt with raspberries and blueberries

Planning... our trip to Hawaii in November
Making... a lot of crochet squares for the Babette blanket

Sew Hip skirt

2009-08-29T14:46:00.003+10:00

I finished this skirt last week, it is from the Sew Hip magazine, in issue 8.

I'm fairly pleased with it as it is the first thing I've sewn that I could actually wear. It is the first time I've made button holes on my sewing machine and the first time to do pleats. I did stuff up the pleats by only making them half the size, which meant there were twice as many. I also think the skirt would half fit better if I had fit the waist band to my waist, instead of my hips (which is where I would usually wear my skirts). It is a bit boofy around the hips, which I really don't need, but I think that is caused from the extra pleats.

The instructions from Sew Hip were set out well and were very clear. There was no actual pattern, you just cut the fabric to measurements.

I used a fabric from a local fabric shop - My Hung in Hurstville. I think it was $7.50/metre and the pattern asked for 1 metre. It is bright and colourful, and has a shine to it. The buttons are plain navy and from My Hung too.

Hopefully I'll be brave enough to wear it, despite the mistakes, because it is still a pretty skirt.

Here is a full length pic, excuse my white legs and sock marks!

Stitches and Craft Show

2009-08-23T18:04:00.004+10:00

Today I went to the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show.

My purchases you can see above - I got the latest Mixtape Zine, and a glasses kit from Amitie.

Overall, the show was good - not as crowded as I expected, so I could actually look at any stall I wanted. The Incubater section was really inspirational - I saw a few stalls from blogs I read, and recognized a few from Finders Keepers.

The best thing about the show was the screening of the documentary Handmade Nation. I've wanted to get the book for a while now, and after seeing the movie, I think I will get it! It was really interesting to see all the different crafters and their reasons for creating. Most of their crafts were very 'non-traditional', and different to mainstream products, for instance, a latch-hook rug with a naked woman on it. I remember doing a butterfly when I was a kid! What was also interesting was hearing about the companies that acted as a go-between for the crafters and the customers.

I had just bought a coffee, to sit down and check the guide to see what I had missed when they announced a fashion parade from BurdaStyle so I watched that too, the clothes looked unique, yet fashionable and very professionally made - I hope to one day be close to that level!

I didn't do any of the craft bars or workshops, I had wanted to only be there for a couple of hours, and Handmade Nation was an hour itself. One more comment - I caught the free shuttle bus from Parramatta station. There was a sign at the exit to say catch it from Darcy Street, but once on Darcy street there were no signs for where the bus actually departed. I stood and waited with a group of people, all feeling a little nervous because we weren't sure we were in the right place. But the bus arrived and the bus driver was so friendly, saying hello to each of us and wishing us a good day!

2009-08-22T21:43:00.002+10:00

This is from Meet Me at Mikes!

Making : Babette crochet blanket
Cooking : nothing - eating leftovers!
Drinking : gin and tonic
Reading: Wild Mary - the life of Mary Wesley, by Patrick Marnham
Wanting: the new Frankie Magazine
Sewing: Skirt from Sew Hip magazine
Wishing: I could work part time so I could do more craft!
Enjoying: the gorgeous weather in WINTER!
Waiting: for the Stitches and Craft show (I'm going tomorrow)
Liking: these yoga socks - maybe they'll stop my cramps in class
Wondering: what I will make next
Loving: dip for dinner
Hoping: tomorrow will be another beautiful day
Marvelling: at my AMAZING bargain, the Sew U home stretch book for $6.95!
Needing: to sort out all my clothes
Smelling: coffee
Wearing: my warm hoodie
Thinking: about our trip to Hawaii!
Feeling: a bit more relaxed
Giggling: at my silly Boy - he always makes me smile!

plodding along

2009-08-17T17:34:00.002+10:00

I've been doing a lot of crocheting recently, working on theBabette Blanket from Interweave.

My Noro sock is still coming along, I'm now on the foot, so should just sit and do it for a few hours, that's all it would need!

Today I went into the city to pick up my passport (I lost it at the airport), and in a bargain book shop I found Sew U home stretch very cheap! I was so excited as this book was next on my to buy list, and I was even thinking about it this morning!

Felt mascot

2009-06-21T12:52:00.004+10:00

I've finally got a new camera, so will try to post more on this blog!

I have actually been doing a bit of crafting recently, I made this felt mascot, mostly to use in my header and avatars.

I just played around with felt, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, it makes me smile!

This weekend I've been knitting a new beanie for The Boy, sewing a dress for myself, and thinking about a cover for The Boy's DS.

I've got some photos of projects that I created just before my camera broke, so I wasn't able to get them on the computer.

This is a glasses case that I made with fabric, wadding, fusible interfacing, and sewed up on my sewing machine.

I also went to my first Brown owls meeting, and tried some paper piecing, which was really fun, but I keep on forgetting to take a photo of my first attempt - a hexagon flower.

Browsing patterns

2009-05-17T19:03:00.002+10:00

Simplicity 2892

Simplicity 4077
review

Simplicity 3620
review

Time to Buy a New Camera

2009-05-17T17:48:00.003+10:00

My camera broke!

That's one of the reasons I haven't posted in a while. I'd taken some photos, but they weren't uploading on the computer, I thought it might be the program.

But today I tried to take a photo (of a cute felt softie I made that is going to be my mascot), and it wouldn't turn on. I know it's not the batteries, 'cos I changed them just a couple of weeks ago, when we went up to the Blue Mountains. Oh well, it had a good innings, over three years old, and it's quite chunky. I have wanted a new one for a while now, and was waiting for a good reason.

On Saturday I went to the Finders Keepers markets. It was really good, with lots of amazing stuff, inspirational. I met up with a couple of Brown Owls for the first time, so it was nice to meet some new people, who like craft!

I mostly browsed, though I did buy the first two issues of Mixtape, I've really enjoyed reading them, and now want to explore new blogs, learn how to make soap, and lots of other fun stuff!

No Chocolate

2009-04-13T18:57:00.002+10:00

This year, I didn't give any chocolate Easter Eggs. Instead, I made these little felt badges.

Little scraps of felt, some bright coloured thread, brooch pins for the back, and a button. They were fun to make, I might make some more for next year!

Hot Cross Buns

2009-04-13T18:27:00.002+10:00

My Hot Cross Buns were pretty yummy this year, this is the second time I've made them. I used a recipe that The Boy's mum emailed us from last year, it's really simple using instant yeast.

Some other people have been making them too, check them out!

Meet Me At Mikes!

Loobylu

Sew Hip

2009-03-31T17:39:00.001+11:00

Today was my rostered day off (I get one every second Monday for working an extra hour every day), and I went into the city to have a look around.

I checked out the Lincraft which has re-opened in a new location in Sydney. It was much smaller, but pretty well laid out. I spent some time browsing the pattern books, which is my favourite thing to do in a fabric/haberdashery store if there isn’t a good fabric choice... which there wasn’t.

There is a little newsagency in Town Hall station, which always has the best selection of craft magazines. I usually buy Interweave Knits from there if I see it. Today I had a tough time choosing which magazine to buy – Interweave Knits plus either World of Burda or Vogue Sewing, both of which I have not read/ purchased before.

Just as I decided on World of Burda, I saw a new UK magazine, Sew Hip, and it seemed to have more stuff that I would actually enjoy, like softies and bags. I got the February 2009, Issue 3 edition, and really enjoyed it. It has profiles on a few different designers, some of whom I had come across in blogs, others whom I hadn’t heard of. Some of the patterns I particularly liked were the Jolie Cube bag, made up in bright fabrics, a hippo and an acorn softie, and Vintage Cloth Holdall.

It featured articles on Australians Kristen Doran and Shannon Lamden of Aunty Cookie. Book reviews, including an article about Japanese craft books and pattern reviews were interesting and helpful – they even reviewed my favourite Aranzi Aronzo’s The Cute Book!

This magazine was definitely worth buying, I’m going to keep a look out for future issues!

Spring! Well, actually, Autumn

2009-03-23T20:06:00.008+11:00

Here is my Bobble Blue, unblocked:

I bought these buttons on Saturday at Spotlight, I wasn't sure if they were too much, but I think they are absolutely gorgeous. I asked the Boy and my mum, they both thought they looked good on the Bobble Blue, so I'll sew them on, and see what it looks like. They were only $1 each. I also bought some plain grey buttons, in case I needed them ,and tried different combinations, such as using one bird button as a feature, or alternating them with plain buttons.

I made this tote bag on Saturday, it is lined with a pink fabic, it is so bright and cheery! All the American blogs and websites seem excited by Spring, so even though we are heading into Autumn, with this bag, I can pretend.

I'm actually looking forward to Autumn this year, hoping to spend more time knitting and sewing. Last year I read a lot of books, but I get to read an hour every day on the train, so I would like to spend my home time more creatively.

Woohoo!

2009-03-17T21:37:00.003+11:00

Have finished Bobble Blue from Interweave Knits, Spring 2006! All it needs is blocking and buttons.

Here is a photo of a butterfly in the butterfly gardens at The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. It was so beautiful, not only the butterflies, but all the amazing tropical flowers.

Tote Bag

2009-03-08T11:41:00.005+11:00

I sewed this tote bag out of the gorgeous Echino fabric. I absolutely love this fabric - the colours, the texture (it feels coarser, like linen), and the graphics, especially the tiger.

This bag will be used for all the stuff that doesn't fit in my handbag! I always need an extra bag for work, to put in my book, lunch, and travel mug of coffee.

I also put a little pocket in, for my weekly train ticket. For the pattern, I just traced the size of my tote bag I already use, and sewed it up. I used some plain pink cotton I had as lining - this fabic is from my university days, I wore it as a toga at a toga party! I finally found another use for it!

My Package Arrives!

2009-03-06T23:22:00.002+11:00

Today my order from Kelani Fabric arrived. It is the first time I've ordered fabric online, and I'm really pleased. The fabrics are beautiful, and I've already been busy sewing with one of them...

Nearing completion

2009-03-02T08:29:00.004+11:00

Had a pretty busy weekend, but managed to complete all the knitting of Bobble Blue from Interweave Knits. Now all there is to do is seaming, buttons and blocking. And darning a hole from a silverfish. That's right, as I picked it up, a silverfish came scuttling out (which I immediately killed), and I soon after discovered a hole. But I don't think it's too bad, just in one place, the ribbing of the collar. I've never seen a silverfish in our apartment before, but I'm going to have a big search now!

This photo is of a waterlily, one of my favourite flowers, it was taken in Vietnam. I love looking at waterlilies, or lotuses, rising out of the water. They often have a gorgeous coloured dragonly buzzing around. And it is always after a hot day of walking around temples that I come across a cool pool of water, with the waterlily flowering.

Craftfest

2009-02-26T19:06:00.002+11:00

I got a letter in the post about an upcoming craft show - Craftfest. It's on next weekend, March 6-8th at Homebush. I'm going to try and check it out on Sunday. If you sign up, you get a dollar off admission. I'm glad I got the letter, otherwise I never would have known about it till too late.

It looks like it is meant to be a younger, more trendy version of the Craft and Quilt fairs, I went to one last year at darling Harbour, it was fun, with heaps of booths and amazing quilts.

It also had an exhibition on Japanese fabric art and craft, which was inspirational!

Camera Cozy

2009-02-15T16:08:00.003+11:00

Today I finished the camera cozy I started a couple of weeks ago. I used this tutorial from Sew Mad. Although it wasn't too difficult, there were a few bits that I didnt understand, and took a while to work out. But finally, it is finished!

I used some quilting cotton that I bought from Spotlight for the outside, and the good ol' apron fabric for the lining.

Overall, I'm fairly pleased, I think this was a step up in my sewing skills. A few things I would change for next time:

1. Use thinner batting if possible
2. Make the closing flap longer (mine isn't long enough, and you can see the velcro)

I've also been working on Bobble Blue, the sweater I'm knitting. I was happily knitting away, thinking about how I should get back to knitting more, especially as I'm now at the stage where I can usually follow the pattern without having to stop and check how to do things all the time. And then, of course, I had to do buttonholes, which I've never done before. I tried to follow the instructions in the Interweave glossary, but it looks wrong the way I'm doing it, so I might look in my other books tomorrow.

Fabric Inspiration

2009-02-08T19:03:00.003+11:00

I went to Miranda Lincraft today, they were having a sale with 50% off all fabric and dress patterns. It was the first time I'd been there since I bought my sewing machine.

All I ended up buying was a dress pattern. The fabric was so... uninspiring.

This evening I spent some time looking online, and found some amazing Australian sites selling beautiful fabrics.

Duckcloth

Kelani Fabric

Calico and Ivy

These all had such gorgeous designs - this is what I've been looking for!

Chinese New Year

2009-02-02T19:16:00.002+11:00

Last night we went to the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade in Sydney. It was really fun watching the floats.

After the parade, we grabbed a green tea frappachino, and watched the fireworks down at Darling Harbour. I love fireworks, there is something about them that makes me happy!

Kitchen

2009-01-31T11:41:00.003+11:00

Here are the gifts I made for my sister.

The Apron is made with the same pattern I used to make The Boy's, and the oven mit is from a book I got for Christmas - Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. It's a great book with lots of lovely, simple projects.

Water Bottle Carrier

2009-01-24T20:36:00.004+11:00

We had a really busy Christmas and New Year, so today I took advantage of my free time, and made a water bottle carrier today, using this tutorial at Pink Chalk Studio

I had bought a new Sigg water bottle, and have wanted to make a cover for it since stumbling on that website.

It was relatively quick and easy, I used bits from the apron I made my sister, and other scraps from bag linings.

The handle is made out of a trimming I found at my local fabric store, which is where I also bought the main fabric.

I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out.

Christmas crafts

2008-12-15T21:13:00.007+11:00

Have been pretty busy the past few weeks, but this weekend had time to:

Make mince pies

Make a tree (using this link at Just Like Martha)

And make some Christmas cards

First sewing project

2008-11-10T08:49:00.002+11:00

Last weekend I bought a sewing machine, a Brother PS 53 from Spotlight Rockdale. So far I am finding it easy to use. While I was at Spotlight, I also bought some notions, a pattern for aprons and some fabric.

I started with an apron for The Boy, made out of this cool beer label print. The pattern was Mcalls 2947 and I used view F. It was pretty easy and quick – I started it on Sunday and finished it Monday evening after work. It fits well and looks good!

Now I’ve started another view from the same pattern, in a cute cupcake fabric for myself. This version is a little more difficult, and will take me longer.

This evening, while I was taking a break from the cutting, I made a cute little cupcake pincushion, based on these pincushions.

I have so many ideas and things I want to make!

New blog, first post

2008-11-08T20:34:00.000+11:00

I've decided to start a new blog. My old one was focused on knitting, but I want a more life based one, especially since I've just bought a sewing machine. I've also been reading a lot, so I'd like to blog about my other interests.