Holidays - but not for me

I used to love school holidays. They meant sleeping in, staying in pj's, watching dvd's, having fun. But now that I am a working woman school holidays make me cranky. I am reminded daily that these luxurious holiday pursuits are a thing of the past and I get very close to having childlike tantrums, especially when the sunshine is as beautiful as today. Don't get me wrong I really love my work - when I get there! But the beautiful Miss Whizzme now a confident 8 year old has been helping me enjoy the holidays a little more this week.

I have received breakfast & the perfect cup of tea in bed, enjoyed a cuddle with Wally the wonder dog and had stories, pictures and all manner of gifts bestowed upon me. So I am going back to loving school holidays, because life is too short to have regrets.

routine - a dirty word!

For those of you that are kind enough to put up with irregular blogging at this little site, it will come as no surprise that once again there has been quite a time gap between posts. I have decided that the expectation of having a routine for our family is just asking too much, and that really we should just embrace our chaotic approach to life! I guess those of you who know the Whizzme clan well will be sniggering at the fact I have even attempted to talk about routine! Ok, ok - denial no longer for us. I have in fact decided to out myself as a chronoptimist and Miss Whizzme has the hallmarks of one too- much to Mr Whizzme's frustration. Now that I have that out in the open; I hope all of you read my ramblings will better understand the erratic nature of them!

Moving on....

A quick update for the past month.

- the market stall didn't happen in June, (don't even get me started!!) but I will be at Elwood Market on the 1st August. My wonderful sister is coming over to help me (she's the organised one).

- I still haven't updated the shop - so don't bother going there!

- Worked extra days at PANDA.

- The Whizzme clan have just got back from another visit to Adelaide.

This week are back at school (Miss Whizzme), back to work (Mr Whizzme), back to market prep (me)...

holidays

How rude me to bugger off like that without leaving you a note! Well, there goes the first new years resolution! Miss Whizzme and I have been hanging out at the beach with friends and family. But all this holidaying can really take its toll. LOL!

We are now back home, once again enjoying our still new to us house and yard.  I am slowly getting things organised in my craft room.  I wouldn't ever tell him so but Mr Whizzme was right - I have a LOT of craft crap!  I requested some shelves to be built like this, and also an entry storage system like this.  Plans and measurements supplied by me are currently hung on the wall and are much admired by both of us.  There has been a lot of mumbling from Mr Whizzme about how it will be constructed.  It isn't always good when one procrastinator is married to another!

Miss Whizzme was delighted that at least one of her favourite dolls received a new outfit.  That is Imogen on the left sporting her new pink tunic blouse and matching summer pants.  Mika had to be satisfied with her dress from two years ago. sigh!

However, you must excuse me again because holidays are not quite over, and although most days have seen me screaming about school not starting soon enough, today has started on a bright and gorgeous note so I am going to grab it while I can.

That, and I must repaint my toes - what was I thinking buying this yellow?

sunny? - more like fungused!!

Progress

is being made on all fronts.  We have boxed, and boxed, and boxed until the house is now bare essentials.  I always admire people who have the minimalist look, but I just don't know how they do it.  I am already missing my books and fabrics.  There is no eye candy to tempt me with, and no inspiration to catch my interest.  This said progress is being made and I am getting some other projects finished, slowly promised items are finding their way to new owners.  Currently the Whizzme clan are holidaying at a (more than generous) friends house while said friends are away.  In our absence the house is being primped and (hopefully) we will be shooting photos next Friday.

 

Miss Whizzme has coped amazingly well with all this upheaval, and even dealt well with being told she could have only a handful of toys and books left unpacked*.  Wally on the other hand is very out of sorts and has been sticking closely to me - I think he is afraid he might get packed next!

 

Finally, it wouldn't be right if I wasn't starting another project!  A short trip to Spotlight with Miss Whizzme after school, and we are now creating our own set of round wooden place mats.  I couldn't find the paints in our friends house so we are using some beautiful Aquarelles.  That is my place mat progress pictured.  Should keep as busy for a short while now school holidays have begun for us too.  I hope you are all enjoying the warm wind of change here in Melbourne, and thank you for all your warm wishes on our house purchase.  Now, Miss Whizzme is calling me to her cafe'.  I hope there are milkshakes on the menu...

*Which is more than can be said for the sulkiness her mother has inflicted on others because of all her toys and books being packed away!!

silence

(photo by melvelez on flickr)

That's what you get when a group of mums go away together - blissful silence.  I think it is the complete but unsaid knowledge that talking can be kept to a minimum without anyone being offended!  Two days without, "mum can I?", "mum can you?", "mum I need you", "mum where's the?" is like a week's worth of a luxury spa retreat - in fact it might be even be worth more than that.  Then there are the added extra's of being able to make breakfast for one, reading the newspaper, having a leisurely shower, doing your toe nails without having to keep everything out the way of little fingers, eating dinner - sitting down - from start to finish, going to the toilet on your own, sleeping in, reading your book until late into the night, sleeping in, not having the kids shows on, not having someone flick through all the TV channels, not even having to have the TV on!  Of course there is then the social outings that mean you can wander in the really expensive shops without having to grab things before they hit the floor, or be continually saying "don't touch that", or "just a minute", or "mummy just wants to look at this".  Browsing is such a luxury event when mums no longer have kids in tow.  And can be combined with enjoying a take away coffee without having to buy all the extra's to keep everyone else quiet so you can at least down it before it gets cold. 

Not having to share the chocolate. 

The rest of the Whizzme clan have been visiting Adelaide, and so I am quickly posting this before the silence is broken.  But don't get me wrong, as much as I have loved these last two days spending time with 'the girls', drinking wine, gossiping, watching movies, reading mags.  I cannot wait to see my family.  Even just two days absence, I have missed people telling me they "love me" and wanting hugs.  I have missed hearing their new ideas and experiences from their day.  And I missed having someone cuddle into me, knowing it is a safe place to be - with mum.  But I know that by tomorrow morning the spell will have broken and the routine will return, so, excuse me while I go and just soak in those last few moments of silence.

book sale time

Updated: I have added more craft books and even some japanese craft magazines.

well now that you are well and truly sick of hearing me moan about my princess ways, I have decided to entice you with a book sale.  I have decided to cull my rather large craft book stash, and at the same time earn some money for my New York* spending fund.  So go take a look in my etsy shop.  There are several craft areas - knitting, quilting, sewing and even some japanese craft books.  I have only managed to upload a third of the pile, so keep checking back.

And here's the sweetner, if you buy any extra items after your first book from the shop you pay no more shipping. So the more you buy the more you save! 

Meanwhile, I am putting together a Pirate birthday party for a riot of 3 year olds.  Walk the plank, finding buried treasure, making hats and telescopes - let the riot begin!!  Surprisingly someone is paying me for this service - maybe a new job outlook?  hmm, will see how I feel after the party.  

Hope you all have a good week and don't forget to grab a bargain!

*I know you are all heartily sick of hearing about the whizzme clans holidays, but we are going to New York at the end of this year - spending money is crucial!!  I'm thinking of having a fabric sale next - so keep your eyes peeled!!

sulking

Ok I have to admit that we've been back for a week now and I haven't blogged yet because really I'm just going to show what "princesses" us Whizzme's really are! Because we have all had the sulks since we've been back.  Fiji was so good, soooo good that we have been so utterly spoilt (Sitting by the pool, outside our room, sipping cocktails, reading books and magazines*, snoozing, eating) the whole clan is now having trouble adjusting back to the reality of our lives.  I know "woe is us" - NOT!

So, in an effort to slap snap myself out of this horrible self indulgent sulking I have started trying to catch up on a week's worth of blogosphere happenings. Boy have you guys been busy or what?! Many, many wonderful things being made, that I am itching to get to all my projects again. 

• bean bag for Wally - has be the most complex patchwork bean bag cover anyone has ever considered making their dog!
• continue hand sewing liberty patches for Miss Whizzme's quilt - only @ 150 to go!! 
• recover the floor cushions - chosen the fabric - it's a start!
• rowan exchange knitted socks - so far have only swatched the wool.
• school uniform for Miss Whizzme's school's mascot doll - umm, found a pattern and knitted one tiny sock.
• finish hand stitching two more hoodie's for etsy - pinned and ready to sew
• break out Gocco for some trial runs - still sitting in box
• fix holes in Mr Whizzme' socks - sitting in laundry basket
• fix tags on Miss Whizzme's apron - sitting in laundry basket
• fix cushion cover from Grandma - sitting in laundry basket

Hmm, you might see that list is getting a little out of hand again - ahh, variety, the spice of life!  

* For those who are interested these are the books I read while we were in Fiji:

Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

1 star

Found this book disappointing. I did not engage with the characters, in fact I loathed him and really willed myself to finish the story. His insensitivity to anything around him I found frustrating and really didn't want to waste my time with him! A quick read that I know many have loved, but I am not one of them! Sorry best friend!! 

The Good Parents by Joan London

5 stars

I loved this book. Read it on holiday in Fiji so was a quick but really absorbing read. Loved all the characters and the way the moved in and out of the story from past to present. Liked it being set in Australia too. Easy to read, heart warming.

The Gardens of the Dead by William Brodrick

4 stars

Bought in Fiji - a wonderfully fast paced, engaging read. Lots of wonderful characters, twists and complexity. sometimes maybe a little too much! 

and a truckload of magazines!!

can it really be true?

not only am I here back blogging again - thanks for sticking with me!, but finally, finally I updated the shop. I know, I can't believe it either!! Bluey above is sporting one of the beanies, suits him don't you think?! But go check it out, there are hoodie's, pants for children and bags for mummies too. There is still more in progress so I hope to update again in a few weeks, but feel free to shop right now.

So....life has been good to the Whizzme household, and well, really I'm back just in time to tell you that we are off (What AGAIN?!) to Fiji next week for a little family bonding and oh, you know we might just relax a bit too. I have my stack of books packed and a few crafty, easy to tote projects. Unfortunately it hasn't left a whole lot of room for anything else, I'm having to prioritize and well not one of my strong points! I know I can hear you all crying for me!! I'll try and send you a postcard!

But really, Thanks again for coming back - it means a lot. 

And if you came via the Living Creatively - HI! please drop a comment and say hello.

P.s. yes the photo is digitally enhanced!

Snapshot

yes it has been a while.  So long in fact, that catching you up with all that has been entertaining the whizzme household of late would be overwhelming to have in one post, so here is just a snapshot.

• Finally cutting into the Liberty, after inspiration from here.
• Easter at home: family painting on Good Friday, eating well, lamb roast on Sunday, Ravelry, Miss Whizzme making her own softie, catching up with an old friend on Easter Monday.
  
• Panda: counseling, and finally a survey online for those of you who have used Panda before.
  
• Down the coast with some friends: time spent drawing, gossiping, eating well, trampolining, more drawing, making sock puppets, laughing, more drawing, a little crochet.
  
• Back home: cleaning up the chaos, making items for Miss Whizzme's party, uploading, washing, reminiscing.
  

Once the newly turned 6 year old returns to school next week I am hoping that posting will resume on a more regular basis.  Well anyway, the best laid plans and all that....

Bursting the bubble.

Yes we are back from the beach, sigh, and reality certainly slapped me in the face.  I decided to head back earlier than Mr and Miss Whizzme who made one last beach visit.  My plan was to have a few hours to myself to unpack and do a little more sewing. Ha! Reality had other plans for me. First discovery on driving in were the sheets on the line, hung out before we left which Mr Whizzme had forgotten to bring in, slap.  That should have been my indication that more reality was waiting, potatoes nearly growing out of the pantry, slap, food in the fridge providing bacterial samples, slap, Miss Whizzme's onion plant sitting in rank water making the house smell, slap, no washing done, slap, the bed unmade, slap.  On the upside after so much time away, I was awash with remembering just how much I love our little house!  And I did manage to get a bit of sewing done this afternoon.  Just to add to my grief though the camera has decided not to allow me to upload any of our holiday photos?!  Instead I have given you a shot of the chevron scarf finally finished. Before Christmas even.  Guess you will just have to wait for the holiday pics.  One more day and school starts.  I plan to practice getting up early tomorrow - new year's resolution: to at least make it to school on time (well most days anyway).

Edited to add: please take the slapping here as tongue in cheek!  really being home is ok!

no reality for me thanks

That's right we are still at the beach, and having some wonderful weather which means that beach exploring is a must everyday. So our days are filled with lots of sun, sand, water, shells, crab spotting and even glimpses of fish.

But my nights are spent concentrating on creating winter for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap while watching the Australian Open.




Such a contrast has led me to step outside my comfort zone with quilting and try something different. This is just a peek as really I am not ready for the reality of daily life, back to the beach for me.... see you soon.

what happened to lazy summer days?

The whizzme clan is still hanging out here in Adelaide. It is absolutely scorching hot here which you would think (well I did) meant that you could laze around reading books, using the pool and generally just taking it easy. No, not US. We have to be either visiting people, eating and drinking with people, or visiting, eating, drinking and talking with people. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing all my friends and family, and eating and drinking is usually quite a favourite past time - not to mention my ability to talk. But when the weather man is saying it is over 40 degrees outside, and not a whole lot cooler inside I think go slow should be the order of the day. I have decided that we are just a debacle, so I'll guess I'll just have to live with it!!

Today, is the first day since Christmas Eve I have been able to sneak away, find a cool quiet location and fire up my little broadband lifeline. I am being as quiet as a mouse while the others are out in the pool. Feverishly reading and catching up on as much as possible. So, quickly before the wet wild brigade find me some business to attend to: I had forgotten to wish everyone the best in this brand new year, and to say thank you to all of you who stop by. My new year's resolution is to be better at getting back to those of you who to take the time to comment, but given my inability to be resolute about any past resolutions I apologise now to you if this doesn't happen. I do have the best of intentions. Now I really must get back to my reading, you have all been up to so much while I've been offline. And as I have no photo's uploaded to share, here are some inspiring images I have come across today.

1. White vinyl bird applique pouch, 2. Hexagonlove, 3. Feliz Natal a todos / Merry Christmas to all, 4. piggies back end, 5. reindeer 7, 6. Kup Kup artworks, 7. Handmade Soaps, 8. Dahlias, 9. gingerbread house

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

back on the chain gang...

ok, so it's not quite that bad. Although, I wasn't going to post until the house was in order, but given that we have now been back 5 days and it is hard to gauge any progress I thought it I'd better post before you Mum sends out the search party! It's a good thing that you cannot see the washing still to be done, the roomful of washing to be folded and put away, the beds to be made, dishes to be scrubbed, bills to be paid let alone the emails to be answered, all now added to my pages of the ever growing 'Must get this done soon' list.  Instead I will fill your eyes with the good times from our holidays.

For me this meant a lot of time enjoying this

finishing some projects

spending a lot of time at the beach with Miss L

and other lovely family pursuits that can be found at Phillip Island.

For Miss L a large part of the holiday was enjoyed by collecting jellyfish from the shoreline (hundreds of them, all about coin size) and then releasing them into an appropriately surveyed rock pool.  Thank goodness my only involvement in this daily project was pointing the oozy little creatures out with my toe. ick!  When we were able to drag Miss L away from the beach, it was to spend over an hour in the animal farm holding her favourite adoptee guinea pig. Sheesh!  

The upside of this activity being that Miss L is now intent on being allowed to have her own guinea pig, and so is attempting to prove her ability to be responsible.  I am of course milking this situation for all its worth using this as a perfect time for her to learn tidying up, putting away, packing school bags etc. etc.  We will see how long this lasts.

For Mr Whizzme it meant mainly spending much cherished time with his girls.

Since returning

- I have started the training course to become a telephone counsellor at PANDA

- joined my often partner in crime into guilting inspiring each other with joint gym sessions

- got about 1/3 done of both chevron scarf versions

- started the Christmas shopping

- organised the next sewing session for shop goodies.

Now that I am feeling better about my no more neglected blog I will return to the 877 posts still to be read in bloglines, the 15 commentors I still have to reply too and probably the washing.

off again

I think I mentioned a few posts ago that the Whizzme family is not that good at staying still for too long, so tomorrow Miss L and I are off to Rye for a few nights, then Friday the whole Whizzme clan (including the black one) are heading down to Phillip Island for 9 nights.  This has meant that my sewing plans have met some serious snags and I am currently hand-piecing and quilting in a frenzy to get my seasonal quilt finished.  It has nothing to do with the fact that I leave things until the last minute - nothing to do with that at all!

I must say a HUGE thank you to all your wonderful feedback I have received of late - it has me blushing with pride.  Mr Whizzme liked the fact that Dani had finally cracked my secret - I am a crazy lady wielding knitting needles  - sorry if I have ruined any illusions you may have had of my awesome multi-tasking skills - HA!

Also another awed thank you to those of you that snapped up my Aunty Cookie tote's so quickly.  When I get my hand's on some more of Shannon's fabric I will try to stitch a few more.  

In the meantime please excuse me if I do not visit in the next little while or I'm late to reply to your comments, I'll be at the beach....

chevroning

the whizzme family don't like to stay still for too long, so we popped over to Sydney on Sunday to see one of our nephew's confirmed.I managed to convince R (or Mr whizzme as he is now known) that even for only 24 hours it was very important to bring along my knitting and hence we would have to check in our baggage! sheesh! Miss L complained it wasn't long enough (we only stayed 24 hours) but managed a dip into the sea, lashings of hot chocolate and to bring home a bag of lego.

Thanks everyone for the lovely feedback on my little bag experiment. I am currently still getting back to everyone. But this post is to show you the progress of the Chevron so far (or the knitting project that came to Sydney). I oohed and aahed over the lovely chevron scarves Alex of Moonstitches knitted. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Even though I had no Koigu I thought one of my *cough* many luscious hand dyed skeins might be suitable. I picked out this beautiful alpaca yarn from Becreatif.

However, after a few rows it wasn't making me gooey with pleasure. I purchased these lovely Koigu's from Purl, so cast on again. Nope - not that either.

(sorry forgot to photograph this version so just trust me ok? it wasn't working!)

I dug around in my stash and found a lonely skein of Koigu (KPPPM P511L) so I combined that with the KPPPM from Purl. This is it so far - ick!

who knew this was going to be so bloody complicated! (and yeah I bite my nails)

I have since purchased the following Koigu's from ebay - hmmm, what should I try next?

or maybe I should combine my alpaca with this another colourway from Becreatif?

any suggestions you have would be most appreciated.

I am also on a Koigu hunt, as I want to try the Babette Blanket next (always one for a bandwagon!!). If you have any Koigu skeins in your stash looking for a new home and you would like to do a swap, please email me whizzme(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au

While I ponder the chevron dilemma the hexagons continue, maybe photos of mine by the next post. I also have some more purchases to share and there will be another giveaway this month, so stay alert!

catching up

(the post could also have been link bonanza - you have been warned!)
well with the lurgy all but gone it is time for me to knuckle down and get this blog here up to date! Firstly the little holiday was a lovely break for our small family. We stayed at a cosy old house in a small little town, Stanley. The heating was on, and the fridge provided local produce for breakfast. We stopped on the way up on Friday in Beechworth to purchase more local produce for dinner - sensational. Saturday we ambled our way to Rutherglen, did some antiquing before venturing to All Saints Estate for a sumptuous lunch, wine tasting and more local produce buying. Sunday after sitting around the fire and playing games we headed up to Mt Buffalo to partake of some snow play. Miss L and I made a snow woman (very p.c.!) and R and Miss L did some tobogganing, while I watched with a comforting cup of homemade soup. It lightly snowed while we were there, which was magic. Before we knew it was Monday and time to be heading home. We did managed to stop in Beechworth so I could make some small purchases from The Ardent Alpaca,
and we could enjoy the Beechworth Bakery and Beechworth Sweet Shop. Some wine and cheese tasting stops before getting home and falling in to bed. (Holiday photos can be found here).

Now of course I had to take some crafting with me - which was fortunate for Penelope, as Miss L decided on Saturday that she needed some more layers, especially if she was going to be hitting the slopes the next day. Of course I had my trusty little case of fabrics, needle, thread, buttons, elastic and scissors - ready for just such an occasion. Miss L decided that Penelope would be most warm if she wore all her clothes, and I think it makes a lovely ensemble. I am certain Penelope does as well as she hasn't taken them off yet!

My main project however was to finish my scrappy scarf, which I started on my bestfriending weekend away. Finished. I am very happy with the result - stripey, soft, goes with anything! and just the right length.I knitted this scarf on 4 needles, size 12 (4mm) with odds and ends of 4 ply from my stash. The majority of yarn is Rowan 4 ply or from Greta's yarns. I sewed the ends closed using Kitchener stitch which provides a neat and smooth finish. I made the dimensions and length up as I went along, but I noticed the other day that Interweave Knits as a free pattern for a similar looking ribbed scarf if you wanted to make one.

With all the time spent in bed last week, I was craving some crafting time. Lucky for me the Master Chef wanted to cook all weekend, and Miss L had a friend to play. So Saturday Miss L and Miss H and I spent a few hours making softies, with an idea from this book.
Although all the text is Japanese the pictures are easy to follow, and the girls had a lot of fun designing, choosing fabric and buttons and watching their softie come to life.

Although this little craft session with the girls required quite a bit of sewing from moi there were also several hours where the girls disappeared to play their own games, leaving me like the proverbial pig in pooh!

I managed to finish up quite a few WIP's that have been sitting around for quite some time but they are for a future post and shop update coming soon. I also mucked around with another idea from the Japanese craft book used for the girls softies. The book produced a cat and mouse balancing toy made from paper and wire. I decided that it would be nice if the cat and mouse were softies - so I set to work. It works a treat, and Miss L has spent quite some time seeing what objects they will happily balance on.

Next I put together my prototype bunny for an idea I have for the shop. It has been floating around in my head for ages, so it was great to finally get this one made. Meet Pebble. She is quite a shy little bunny, and only 15 cm tall, but I am hoping that as time goes by you will get to know her well.

Lastly, I decided to try something from one of the new books I have (there are a few, and that's a whole 'nother post). Having recently treated myself to a new wallet, I wanted to make something to hold all the extra cards I seem to have that usually bulk my purse up and make it hard to close. Jocelyn Worrall supplied the answer with her Accordian Wallet from 'simple gifts to stitch'.
This pattern was very easy to follow and came together really quickly, despite the pain of sewing oil cloth. I altered the pattern slightly so that my cards are vertical and provide more pockets. Even one for my moo cards. I'm not sold on the magnetic closure yet, but I'll give it a few outings before making any judgements.
Fabrics used are oilcloth from Sew Mama Sew (that particular one isn't there) and stripes from Amitie Textiles.

Now I am going to give the tote from the front cover a go. I have some great Aunty Cookie fabric which is dying to be used. And Moonstitches has enticed me with another of those beautiful chevron scarfs so I'm winding some yarn as you read - who doesn't need another project?!

P.s. Nanna and Poppa there is some photos for you here.

a little bit of this, a little bit of that

so Harry Potter is finished and I'm sad that now there will be no more, but I was satisfied with the ending - don't worry there will be no spoilers here - you'll have to read it for yourself. I guess I'll just wait for the movies now! Anyway, thanks everyone once again for entering the giveaway I wish you could all win, and I have even included an extra prize this month, because I have so many magazines taking up precious space, so here are the winners

please email me your address at whizzme(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au so I can send your goodies to you. And for those of you who didn't win this time, there is always next month's giveaway. However, as I do have so many magazines that need to go I have the following magazines available to anyone who is interested to swap or purchase, once again just email me: whizzme(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au.

Piecework issues:
2007-July/August, May/June, March/April, January/February
2006 all 5 issues
2005 - March/April
2003 - November/December

US Knitter's issues:
2006-Summer
2005-Spring, Winter, Fall, Summer
2004-Fall

UK Knitting issues:
2006-March
2005-November, August, April, March, February
2004-October/November, April/May, February/March, January/December
2003-October/November

Australian Creative Knitting issues:
1 to 10, 13 & 15

Now, on to some crafting items that were finished before Harry Potter arrived on the scene.

I entered in the second round of the Doll Quilt Swap. This is my finished quilt sent of to my partner.

I was very happy in the end result, which is hand pieced, embroidered and quilted. It isn't the original idea I had for this swap, that little mishap is still sitting waiting to be saved from "stupid thing" pile!
I received a beautiful quilt from Ros in the UK (who studies in the US).


A little project commissioned by Miss L when we were in Wangaratta - a poncho for her elephant. Yes, elephant's get cold too. As it happened I had just that day bought some sock wool and mum had picked up a poncho pattern, so with a little bit of swatch testing and guesstimating it wasn't long before Elle was sporting her new winter wear.


And here is proof of just how much my mother loves me! A wonderful cardigan from Knitscene, with some beautiful wool I purchased a year or two ago from La Lana.

It was originally planned for a shrug from Interweave Knits, but once the wool arrived I wasn't so sure anymore, and had never started. Mum and I flicked through patterns, worked out tensions, wound skeins, re-wound skeins trying to figure out how best to balance out the hand-dyed colours. Unfortunately I cannot show you the finished beautiful product, because my part of the project is the sewing up - ah yeah, any day now!!!

I have so many other projects that are in varying stages of chaos production, but the next two days will be spent sewing with some friends. Catch you soon....Oh and here is Miss L's latest photo shoot.

and, and, and, and...

and then we....and also.... this is what this post is going to be like, rambly, shambly, all over the place. bit like myself at the moment! So, I warn you now there will be no linking of one random piece to another, because really I have several things to show and tell and no intelligent or witty way to present them, so you are stuck with this! (It is also because I have started this a few times and had no luck so now you just get the quick and dirty version).

My new dish cloth (starting with the elegant!). Purchased from my favourite soap shop, which is very frenchesque.
The artist is swedish illustrator Lotta Glave Why aren't more dish cloth's this pretty? Has my brain ticking over about the possibilities of printing designs on to the wettex, but not sure how to get them waterproof - any suggestions? And you should see some of the other beautiful things Lotta has designed - I would like one of these please. (my birthday is only a few weeks away - hint, hint!)

Anyway, next I found this fantastic photo taken by Miss L, when I was downloading the latest photo's.

It is of our grape vine which covers the next door neighbour's wall, and presents a stunning wall of green in summer and spring, beautiful reds and yellows in autumn, and bareness in winter. But this photo has made me look at it differently, for its own beauty.

And, I think I mentioned Mum being here, finishing wip's for me (three cheers for Mum). So, Miss L, myself and Mum headed up to Wangaratta during the week to check out the Stitched Up Festival. It's about a 3 hour drive from Melbourne, so we decided to stay a couple of nights, so we could also check out the surrounding area. Although the festival itself was small and quaint, it was nice to visit. I would however, recommend visiting the Bendigo Sheep and Wool show rather than trouping up to Wangaratta - but that is just my opinion. We browsed for a while, then sat by the fire and added a few rows to their scarf knitting challenge. I would love to show you pictures, but photos were not allowed. Shame. If you do find yourself in this part of Victoria though, there were also a couple of good fabric/yarn shops which helped to add some new goodies to my stash.
Also, at the festival Miss L and I paid $2 each for a lucky dip. I got a little paper bag of brightly coloured fabric, and Miss L scored a little bag of green hued wool. She was so excited about all the knitting she could now do, now she had her own wool, that I was coerced into buying some children's knitting needles. Below is a photo of her progress. Not bad for a 5 year old.
She has since pronounced that "now I can knit" and has shown no further interest in adding any more stitches. oh well! As it is still school holidays I guess there are just far too many other things to be doing.

And school holidays is still my excuse for not finishing much lately, but starting several new things, running out of time on some due dates like the Doll Quilt and really just enjoying the complete haphazardness of our days. I have managed to add a few new scrap bundles to the shop - vintage japanese silk and some hand dyed yarn from Marta's, but everything else is on a FWE timeline (finish when ever!). I have'nt forgotten about this month's giveaway either, and am currently assessing my craft books - the give away pile isn't nearly as high as I had hoped! Oh well.