Felt

I have been dyeing some new felt for elephants. I love the mottled colours. Especially the green. I might have to dye some yarn that green and knit myself a cardigan.

Milo for Edward

The girls have a new cousin called Edward. I have only seen pictures so far, but he his gorgeous. I had to cast on a Milo for him straight away. I love this pattern, it is so perfect for boys or girls and the pattern is so easy to follow and quick to knit.

Golden Wheat

Just as the sun has come out and Spring looks like it will be here soon I have finished my Golden Wheat Cardigan. I am pretty sure winter hasn't completely gone so I should be able to wear it a little this year. I used Bendigo 12 ply Rustic in Russet which is lovely colour and the yarn really softens up after you wash it.

Another Onion 2026 and a Review

Another dress/smock made using Onion pattern 2026. The black was jersey from Spotlight and the patterned fabric was on sale at Knitwit a few months ago.

A have almost finished To Die for: Is fashion wearing out the world by Lucy Siegle. I think this is a must read. It is a book about the toll that fashion has on the environment and on the people that work in the industry. If you have ever wondered how some chain stores can make clothes so cheaply the answers are here and they are not pretty. As I sewed the dress above I wondered where the cotton came from and crossed my fingers it wasn't picked by forced child labour in Uzbekhistan and wondered how it was dyed and printed and the impact on the environment.

This book has definitely made me think about what I will buy in the future and what questions I want to ask about where and how fabrics and clothes are made. I hope with more and more people doing the same that we will be able to find the answers to these questions.

Strawberry Skirt

Eva has taken to wearing skirts with everything. Over jeans, over leggings, under smocks, over her pyjamas. She discovered this very cute strawberry fabric in my stash (I think I found it ages ago on the bargain rack in Spotlight) so this morning we whipped up a new skirt.

Knitting and Crochet

I seem to have lost my crafting mojo the last few weeks. I am hoping it returns soon, I have lots of ideas, but no enthusiasm for actually doing them.
Eva and I have been cooking, reading and playing and there has been a little crocheting and knitting.
I have been slowly working on this blanket for the girls. Not really my colours, but this is exactly what they requested.
I am up to the arms on my Golden Wheat Cardigan. I really should get a move on and finish it so I can wear it while it is still winter.

Sewing and Reading

Slowly, slowly more blocks are being made.
The pile of books currently on the bedside table.

• To Die For - Is fashion wearing out the world? by Lucy Siegle. I have read the first chapter - I think it will be a very interesting book.


• Here on Earth by Tim Flannery


• Stolen Harvest by Vandana Shiva


• Music & Silence by Rose Tremain
  

Sandbox Pants

I have finished Eva's pants. Love this pattern for girls as well as boys.

It has finally stpped raining and I could take a picture of the new shelves on the verandah. Really cheap shelves and some spray paint from Bunnings and now I am not tripping over shoes every time I step out of the door.

Mermaid Doll

Clever Susie has been designing great craft activities for kids. I was lucky enough to win a mermaid doll and I knew Amelia would love it. They are available in Spotlight so Grace and I are going to go and choose a different one for her and then we are having a doll making afternoon.

I think I cut out these Sandbox pants to take to craft camp in May and just rediscovered them on my cutting table. Perfect as Evie has had a little growth spurt and is in need of more pants.

Sewing and Sickness

I had so many plans for last week, the first week back at school, but unfortunately sickness took over the house and not much was done at all. Luckily before it did I finished some platypii and they are on there way to Antipodean Love in Melbourne.
Crossing fingers everything can get back to some kind of normal this week.