A summary of the week

A busy week this week and Chris finished holidays so the girls have really missed him and I've missed having some help with the girls. So it has been a week of readjustment for us all. The girls are not really girly girls (thank goodness - I was always really worried about dealing with that) they are really happy with their trucks and blocks, occasionally they will play with their dolls - but it never lasts long and they are tossed over their shoulders. I did feel kind of bad about this at the start of the week and buy them some little fairy dresses. They are wearing them now while they play happily with their blocks.
We have had another week of rainy weather so I thought I'd try and watch a few DVDs while the girls are napping and I can sew or knit at the same time. I finally watched Little Miss Sunshine this week and loved it and Chris and I just watched the finale of Lost - aghhh - I can't wait until February for more.
Just off to make Chilli Beef Ramen from the Wagamama cook book for dinner and finally more elephants and curly hair dolls - which will be in the shop soon.
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Knitting Needle Roll

Inspired by my success with my sewing case I thought I'd make a dpn case and use my new found love of bias binding - and it worked! I made enough slots to fit all my sock needles in plus a slot for scissors, tape measure and knitting needle gauge. Slowly everything is finding its own place in my craft area and hopefully I'll be able to find what I need without searching through every box first.

Monday Mosaic

1. flower-ific, 2. nuno felted scarf, 3. my summer tote, 4. Art and Maisy - Vintage Wool DOG FRIENDS COUPLE, 5. Mini Frida Kahlo head, 6. done!!, 7. Butterfly Number 6, 8. trapaça, 9. JuneABS Entry - Under the Ocean, 10. Queen Anne's Lace - Retro, 11. Atsuko, 12. Butterfly, Flutterby, 13. kad-b-4, 14. patchamania skirt o' orange blossomy sunshiney love, 15. Borboleta Psico - 22 x 23 cm, 16. Granger & Northrop Conjoined Jack Rabbits for Allison

Kylie Koala

I'm trying to make the best use of the last of the school holidays while Chris is home to help with the girls. I've finished a few orders and tried a few new things. I think the list of things to do is a tiny bit shorter (it keeps getting added to though).
I changed my koala pattern a bit last night - I think the shape of the face is definitely better - and found some grey wool to use for the body. Meet Kylie a happy little koala that can be found in the shop.

Sewing Kit

I have been meaning to make myself a sewing kit for ages and was really wishing I had when we were away last week. I'd packed scissors, needles and a tape measure, but couldn't manage to find anything when I needed it, so I finally made myself something to carry it all around in.
I have seen a few different ideas in Japanese craft magazines so using those for inspiration I made it the perfect size to fit my little scissors and made a little pincushion to go in it and it's the perfect size to fit into my handbag. I'm ready to sew anywhere at anytime.

Skirts

I made some new skirts for the girls yesterday. I always manage to put their sewing to the side thinking that I can get it done anytime and it never seems to get done. So I decided that the priority yesterday was to make something for them. They were so excited to have new skirts they would not take them off last night and they had to wear them this morning. You can't get a better thankyou than that.

I managed to find all sorts of linen pieces as I was cleaning my room the other day and started searching for great things to make using linen, I have seen such amazing bags, clothes and softies. So I started a Sewing with Linen flickr group for people who want to share what they make with linen. Come and join!

New Magazines

The clean organised craft room is not so clean and organised today, but I'm going to try and clean it up once a day. The fab ironing board cover is from IKEA, I had to quickly grab it as when I'm with Chris in IKEA I can only go off the walking path to get what is exactly on my list. Next time I think I'll organise to go there by myself.
Some good magazine finds. Interweave Felt from Bilby Yarns and Marie Claire Idees from Amazon Japan.

Clean Craft Room

We are back from a few days in Perth with Chris' parents to celebrate his Dad's birthday and then a few days at the farm where the girls could run free.
I am pretty sure Chris and my Mum didn't believe me when I said I was going to organise my sewing area and the spare room. I think they thought it was impossible. I spent the time away in Perth and on the farm planning how I could do it. It was all planned in my head and I had to do it as soon as we got home and Sunday night it was done. I know it may not look that organised, but for me this is as good as it will ever get. I went to IKEA and got a big shelf for fabrics, rearranged all the furniture and the spare bed can actually be used as a bed now.

This wonderful print came in the mail from Nebo Peklo last week and has found a spot on my wall just above my sewing machine.

I'm finally in to Ravelry - it's more amazing than I imagined!

Mosaic Monday

1. Rainbow Penguin, limited of 1 print!, 2. Untitled, 3. Flower Granny Squares, 4. Untitled, 5. “Winterdreams about summer”, 6. Beuford the Buffalo Love=Creature of July 2006, 7. seashell001, 8. Plans, 9. Flowers and felt, 10. Untitled, 11. Wild Curls, 12. needle felted snail family 2, 13. Rise..., 14. Beach Jacket, 15. Coussin mille fleurs, 16. thinking

Tagged

It's so cold. My toes are telling me to knit, knit, knit. So I've cast on for Juta's socks from Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush. I'm using Cherry Tree Hill in Old Rose.

I've been tagged by Samantha - so here it is

A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.

B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I need a coffee when i get up and some quiet time to check the internet.

2. Chris thinks I have a bad habit of never rinsing my coffee cup.

3. I like things neat and tidy - but this doesn't happen often and when it does it doesn't last long.

4. I love lists - I write them for everything.

5. I have piles of books everywhere, I can't go away without taking piles of books with me - I never know what I want to read next.

6.I like to drink Scotch and Dry Ginger and don't care if people think it's just for old people.

7. I swear too much, which I am trying to cut down on (but I've found it's almost impossible not to swear when John Howard is on the TV) as the girls are good mimics and Chris thinks I owe the swear jar a lot of money.

8. I have never played nursery rhymes in the car. The girls are just going to have to like my music - there hasn't been any complaints yet.

I'm tagging these eight people who don't think have been tagged yet.

Sue

Jo

Jennifer

Di

Gabrielle

Melissa

Dizzyjadey

Fiona

Red and Denim Bag

I finally got around to ordering some of the wonderful fabric from Kirinco. I am so glad I did - it is wonderful. It inspired me to make this bag. The red works perfectly with denim. I think I need to try some her new designs and colours and I definitely think I need to try some fabric from Aunty Cookie - I'll be on the look out for her new designs in September.
This photo was taken in the small patch of sun today. I know I shouldn't whinge about having rain seeing we need it so much, but I think this is the tenth day in a row that the washing hasn't dried and I'm a bit sick of my house looking like a laundry and I'd like to let the girls outside to burn off some energy. Whinge over, I'm still so greatful we have hot water, the novelty hasn't worn off yet.

Curly Hair Doll

It is the start of the school holidays here today. Something I've been looking forward to as it means Chris is home and we can each get some time to do our own thing. The girls are always happier too as Daddy is not gone all day. It was wearing a bit thin this week having them walk around saying "Daddy's gone. Daddy's at work". Umm hello I'm kind of fun too!
We don't have a lot planned - just a few days away to visit all the grandparents and then back here to chill for the rest of the time. Today was a pretty good start to the holidays Chris took the girls out for milkshakes today (no wonder they think he's fun) and I made a new doll with hair inspired by their curls.

Blue Bags

There hasn't been much blue sky this week, but there has been plenty of blue sewing. These are slowly being added to the shop.
I have no idea where these lovely sock yarns have been for the past 3 months. They were ordered from SSYC in March and promptly sent and then they disappeared only to turn up in perfect condition 3 months later. They were worth the wait and Allison at SSYC was amazing and so helpful. I think that you can really tell how good the customer service is when something doesn't go quite right and they were fantastic. If you want sock yarn I highly recommend them.

Socks for Dad

It feels like I have been knitting the second sock for my Dad for ever. I am so glad they are finished and I can cast on some new socks. I always seem to get more excited about what I am going to knit next rather than what I am knitting. These were made from Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport. The colour is Black Watch and I used 3.25mm needles and based on a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks, I did a 3 by 1 rib pattern.
It is always funny to see how the striping and patterns come out on socks that are made with skeins from exactly the same dye lot. I am pretty sure each skein is 70g and I have about 40g left so I know I can get a pair of men's socks out of 100g.

Mosaic Monday

1. romantic girl, 2. Blue Butterfly, 3. Grandma's Flower Garden, 4. Zebras, 5. Blue sky, 6. B52 cardigan, 7. Bound to be that way, 8. detail2, 9. sock clogs, 10. Babushka dolls, 11. Birdie + Brooches, 12. poppies, 13. Ziggy Zag, 14. flourish, 15. colours, 16. Dung Beetle

Ode to the Hot Water System

If I could write poetry I would write an ode to my new hot water system. Our old one had been slowly dying for months and it was such a gradual thing I don't think we realised until the last few weeks when the water was almost cold. Now it is hot, I think hot might be an understatement, it's boiling. I can't believe how happy hot water makes me.

The other things making me happy today are these proteas from our playgroup cake stall. Have a great weekend everyone.

The winner is ...

A big thankyou to everyone who left a comment and gave me ideas of fun things to do with two year olds. I have so many ideas, we shouldn't ever be bored again. I did a very scientific draw - wrote out everyone's name and put them in a bowl and Chris drew a name out. The winner of the bag and book is Melissa!
We did some baking for the playgroup cake stall tomorrow. Anzacs and Chocolate Chip and Golden Syrup biscuits. Here is the recipe for the latter - the measurements are only approximate - I'm not big on measuring.

Chocolate Chip and Golden Syrup Biscuits
2/3 cup brown sugar
125g butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup SR flour
2 tbsp golden syrup
2/3 cup choc chips ( I prefer the dark chocolate ones, but any will do)
Cream the butter and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients. Form into little balls and bake at 180 degrees C for 10-15 minutes, until they start to brown.

Etsy Treasury

I am loving all your ideas of fun things to do with two year olds - keep them coming! I will draw the winner of the bag and book tomorrow night.
I managed to snag a Treasury list on Etsy - the theme is blue.

Bag Giveaway

I have been trying to think of new bag ideas, then remembered an old bag which I really liked. So my new bag is based on that one and I'm giving it away! I have been meaning to do this for ages as a thankyou to everyone out there who has inspired me.
So if you would like this bag and a book - Fog Linen work ISBN 4579209303 all you have to do is leave a comment by Thursday evening Western Australian time telling me a good, not to stressful activity to do with two year olds. I need some more ideas to keep the girls amused. And yes I'll post anywhere.

Rainy Weekend

We have had a nice rainy weekend. There were a few sunny bits where the girls could get out of the house so they didn't go crazy being stuck inside. To be really honest Chris took them out of the house and I could have some peace for a little bit so I didn't go crazy. I think a little peace and quiet is the one thing i really look forward to on the weekend. In my time alone I managed to get some sewing done. More wombats, platypuses and a bag.

First Haircut

The girls had their first haircut today. Not as traumatic as I thought it would be. It did require a walk in the rain to get there as Chris had the car, but I can't complain about having a decent rain as it is so needed here and the girls were nice and cosy in the pram anyway. Grace went first and had this look on her face the whole time, she didn't even try to move.

Even a packet of tiny teddies couldn't tempt Amelia to sit still. I took this picture in the 1 second she sat in the chair before she started screaming. So she sat on my lap and they managed to quickly cut her hair, but she couldn't be in on having water sprayed on her hair or having a bit of a blow dry, unlike Grace who loved that bit.

There was a good toy selection which made everyone happy. That and the treat of the tiny teddies.

A Little Less Craziness

Things are slightly less crazy here, actually I think it's only crazy when I am not organised, so I'm trying to be more organised. However the girls don't think this is a great idea - how much mess can they make? And their favourite word is 'no'. No they can't clean up, no they can't eat their dinner, no they don't want to get changed, no they can't give us a kiss and no they don't want to have a nap just now.
I have finished up a few things. Some flower yo-yos for hairclips. I got mine here.
Another bag - it is going to be sad to cut into the last of this fabric. I had some blue fabric the same which has all been used. I think these were nearly my favourite bits of fabric ever. Definitely top ten. Another giraffe. I actually made identical twins, one has gone to live with the sweetest little baby called Braydon.

Craziness

It seems like things have been crazy here this past week. I'm not sure where the time has gone and I'm not sure what I have been doing and it has been cold. We have a little house with floorboards that just always seems cold at the moment even when the fire is on.

This platypus is the only thing I have managed to sew this week. I think I might clean the sewing desk and maybe that will motivate me to sew some more.

A Busy Week

It's been a slightly busy, crazy week here. My sister and niece came for a visit and the girls loved it so much they keep calling and looking for them to make sure they are not hiding somewhere in the house.
We had a massive thunderstorm here yesterday which blew the filters on the internet, which we just got fixed and completely freaked the dog and the girls out - the storm freaked them out not the lack of internet which is what completely freaked me out.
So there has been no crafting this week, but I have recieved a lovely pile of old fabric from Mum's friend Lys. Here is just a bit of it, there is bits of linen and barkcloth in there so now I am inspired to go and do a bit of sewing.

Names

I've been tagged by Gabrielle to give the meaning of your kids’ names, and write about what or how or why you gave the name to your kids.

I don't think we thought about what Amelia and Grace meant. We just tried to find some names we could agree on, which was quite tricky. Everything I suggested was dismissed. I really wanted a Milly or a Molly, but Chris wouldn't agree. He seemed to like Amelia and didn't realise until after she was born that I would be calling her Milly. I think Grace was a name Chris suggested and it really grew on me. I don't think I ever realised how hard it would be for two people to agree on names.

If you feel like sharing I would love to hear your stories on naming your children.

I wasn't going to post a picture of the socks I'm making my Dad until I'd finished both, but that could take forever and I am so impressed I have finished one. Chris kindly modelled it for me - much easier to take pictures of socks when you aren't wearing them. I am using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Black Watch which is so soft - wonderful to knit with.

A little more spinning

Winter is here and that means colds and runny noses for the girls, but it hasn't been too bad and the girls slept much better last night. I have managed to do some more spinning. This is the other roving I bought a while ago. I like the colours and I think my spinning is slowly improving. Pre-drafting is definitely a good idea.

Orange Handspun

I finally spun something and actually made it into a skein, well rather two skeins. If you think this looks a bit thick and thin, tufty and overspun in places you should see the stuff that won't be shown here. I think this will make a very warm hat though.

I finished some more bags. One is for my sister and one for her friend and the other two are in the shop.

Birthdays

A quick summary of our weekend.

Getting my hair cut - Going out to the pub and dinner with friends - Going out to the Cidery and the girls behaving - My birthday today - Chris' birthday tomorrow - Perfect sunny weather, unfortunate as we really need rain here - Getting a birthday cake made for me - Having some time to myself - Spinning and sewing - Lamb Shanks for dinner - A Gocco from Mum . A pretty perfect weekend.