Sunday, August 31, 2008

Gingerbread

Chris made gingerbread with the girls yesterday. I can't remember the last time I ate gingerbread. I have always thought I didn't like it, but this was delicious.
Thanks Norma for the tip on the sock yarn sale - I did go and have a look - it is always good to find another great place to buy yarn.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Trip to the Playground

This is about the most exciting place you can take a three year old. We went to a birthday party there yesterday and all they have talked about this week is going to the playground. It rained a little bit, but that didn't stop them having a great time.
We went to Bunbury to do some shopping after as we were so close. It wasn't a case of it 'seeming like a good idea at the time'. I knew how it was going to be. Three children in and out of the car numerous times, on a sugar high after a birthday party shopping for things they didn't want. I'm glad it is over that's all I will say.
I finished spinning this roving. Still very thick and thin, but my spinning is slowly improving.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Jumping

Why sleep when you can blow raspberries and jump. And yes she really is as wide as she is tall, hence the new piggie pants. She needed something that was wide enough to go over cloth nappies, but not really long. They ended up needing to be rolled up a bit anyway.
Thanks for all your great ideas yesterday. It was a lot easier today. I went for bribery - chocolate cake and a trip to rent some DVDs. I don't think having a very smug twin sister helps on these occasions. She was quite bossy telling Grace to have her medicine knowing that she didn't have to have any.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Earache and Giraffes

Grace has an ear infection. I'm not sure what is worse for her - the pain or having to take her medicine. We have tried everything to get her to take it. Bribery, disguising it in a drink, syringing it into her mouth, but she is so stubborn and I know we have a few more days of this. Any suggestions on how to get a three year old to take antibiotics?
Finally photographed these giraffes for the shop.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Noro and Mushrooms

I was finally in Kojonup last week when The Loonypin was open. Luckily for my wallet I had 3 children with me so I was in and out of there in a few minutes with just one beautiful ball of Noro sock yarn.

The warm weather has meant finally the mushrooms in the mushroom box are growing. I thought it might entice the girls to tase them. The girls are quite excited, but won't even try the ones we have picked.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Baby Wraps

I thought I would share one of the very useful things I have bought for babies, as opposed to all the other stuff you buy that people tell you you'll need or baby shops try to sell you, most of it is never used and just clutters up your house until you eventually get rid of it.
Baby wraps have been so useful. I didn't use them much with the twins. Chris and I would wear one each when we were out together. With Eva I use them all the time. I could not imagine trying to shop without it. I stick her in the wrap and then I have both hands free to deal with the twins and push the trolley etc. Eva is really happy in there as she can see everything and can have a little nap if she wants to. My favourite sling is this one in the picture, a Storchenwiege. It is really strong and not stretchy. I find the stretchy ones end up hanging down too low and then my back hurts, but with this one once she is in and you are comfortable you stay that way. The more you wear one the quicker and easier it is to put on and put the baby in.

Friday, August 22, 2008

To the Farm

The girls and I made a quick overnight visit to my sister's place so the cousins could play and catch up. They have great fun together and they all were exhausted today. It was a very peaceful drive home.
I made some little shoes for my niece out of some of my favourite Amy Butler fabric from a few years ago. This pattern again, but I enlarged all the pieces slightly.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

More Dyeing

I feel more human this week. The sun has been out and everyone has recovered from their colds, coughs and other germs so we have been able to get out and about.
I thought I could nearly smell spring yesterday, but then it turned cold and rained last night, but it's made me think about new ideas and projects which unfortunately means some cleaning and organising is in order which is a bit overwhelming when I look around my house. I think I will have to just do a small spot everyday and then the thought of it hopefully won't make my head explode.
I managed to get some more dyeing done after they had all gone to bed the other night. I love mixing colours up and seeing how they turn out. I seem to have more sock yarn then I'll ever knit so I have some for sale over here.

Hand Dyed Yarn

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Coughs, colds and conjungtivitis

It has been a week of coughs, colds and conjungtivitis and I am glad it is over. So thankyou to Picklebums and Stitching at Stone Cottage for the lovely Brilliante Weblog awards. You have made my week. I was going to pass them on, but I am typing with one hand and holding Eva (who learnt to roll over this week!). So I am awarding awards to everyone who has a blog for being so inspiring and giving me interesting things to read while I feed Eva.
Here is my really attractive family this Sunday morning watching the swimming on the TV.

A little spinning from yesterday. This roving has been patiently waiting to be spun for over 2 years and it is spinning up beautifully.



Thursday, August 14, 2008

Pencil Rolls and Fabric

More pencil cases for presents using the pattern from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. I'd forgotten I had half made these before I had Eva so I felt like I had been really productive after only half an hours sewing.

New fabric - I think the girls love it as much as I do. It is Pop Garden by Heather Bailey.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Spring Forward

I have finished another sock. Now I have four single socks. Definitely a case of second sockitis.



Monday, August 11, 2008

More Softies

I was very excited to find this in the mail today! I had seen it on the blogs of a few contributers last week, but mail to WA is so slow. I was even more excited to see my little dog Elsie on the cover. It really is a wonderful book with great softie patterns and so well put together.
Elsie the little dog.
There is also a pattern for Maisie in there. Both toys have now been taken by the girls and are part of some game they are playing along with Hector.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Spring Forward Socks

I started some Spring Forward socks a few weeks ago, but forgot to post them. I am using the yarn I dyed and am really happy with how they are knitting up.
That is all my craft news. I'm trying to be positive that my sneezing doesn't mean I am catching the cold the girls' have and hopefully I can get some sewing done this weekend.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Crazy

This week has been crazy and I don't think it is slowing down anytime soon. Crazy in a good way. Good friends are moving up north and have been staying a couple of days as their house has been packed up and the girls are so excited to have them here. They are going to be so devastated when they leave. Mum is coming tomorrow so they will be hyped up again.
In the middle of the craziness I have found time for a little sewing as everything just seems a little better when you can calmly do five minutes of sewing.


Monday, August 04, 2008

Yarn Dyeing

My yarn dyeing from last week. I've been putting off posting these as I just can't seem to photograph yarn and I thought I would try and get some better ones, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Sock Yarn

Corina - thanks for your comment and questions about dressing twins. You didn't leave an email address so I'll answer here. I do try to buy things in twos, not neccessarily the same - I actually prefer similiar not the same - just a personal preference. I will buy two of the same if they want the same clothes otherwise I get different colours and they get to choose which colour they want. Grace has a thing for green so she usually gets to have green and Milly really likes red. I just have a one stack of t-shirts and they share them, the same with socks, singlets etc. I do make two of everything when I make things. the girls usually help to choose the fabric I use. I am sure all of this will change as they get older but it seems to work for now. If you have more questions just email me and we can talk twins.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Smile

I thought getting Eva to smile for the camera would be easier than getting the other girls to smile yesterday. I was wrong, but I managed it in the end.
Modifications: 72 stitches and 5.75" long before I started decreasing.
Malabrigo in lettuce
4.5mm needles

Friday, August 01, 2008

Corduroy Jackets

I managed to finish the jackets for Grace and Milly last night. I am quite happy with how they turned out as I didn't use a pattern and had a few problems fitting the sleeve to the body. The hood is a bit pointier than I thought it would be, but it stays on.
I think it would have been better if I didn't tell them to smile for the camera.