Finished Things

A lovely morning of making, doing, knitting and tea-drinking with Kate and Diva. Blustery outside and cosy in, with sleepy cats on the sofa and a Sophie Dahl cooking DVD in the background. Domestic bliss!

I have finished the blanket for my little niece's first birthday on Saturday.

We are driving up to Auckland for the weekend to see her.

The blanket is lovely and chunky and soft, perfect for little fingers to grab and cuddle!

I have also finished my cardigan!

I'm feeling very pleased with myself!

Happy Wednesday xxx

In a Spin

Just LOOK at my new toy!!

A serendipitous find at a weekend market, bought for a disgustingly low price! When I was little I remember being absolutely fascinated by my Aunt's spinning wheel, and I've always wanted one. I'm literally jumping for joy! Now I have to learn how to use it. I've had a look at some online tutorials, and although it doesn't look too complicated, I'm sure it will take lots and lots of practise to get it right.

Pet Day at school last week. Cleo and Spencer took their cats Piglet and Nutmeg, who won 3rd and 4th Best Cat in the Universe (or Omokoroa anyway)...

...I'm not sure how thrilled they were about it...

There was also a cake decorating competition. Spencer made this cake depicting the Rena leaking oil all over the place, kind of clever I thought!

He won 3rd place! The Rena is now a total shipwreck, very tasty...!

Cleo won 1st place for her little plasticine creation. What clever little monkeys they are!

Well, I'm off to the library to find books about spinning, hooray!!

Have a lovely week xxx

Three Amigos

It's a windy, cloudy Saturday in Tauranga. Cleo went to play with her friends next door - where we live that means over three fences and a couple of paddocks - while I scuttled about tidying the house in preparation for The Husband's return from a business trip. I wouldn't want him to think I had been sitting around on my bum knitting for three days, which of course I have!

The sight of three happy little people running up a hill with a kite filled me with joy and gratitude for the simple things in life - green grass and good friends. I sent a heartfelt Thank You to the Powers-That-Be.

Have a great day!

Thoughts of a milkmaid

Today I completed the third dress in my Seven New Frocks project (see left). 

Made over two afternoons, using four men's business shirts from the op-shop, at a total cost of $8.50!

I just need a bonnet, a pail and a cow...

xxx

Symmetry

Look! SOCKS!! I finished the second one. It was Remarkably Painless. They are very comfy. Hmmm...matching socks though....not like me at all! The teenager has now requested a pair. In Purple.

Small is coming home from camp today, I can't wait to see her, it's been unnaturally quiet around here! 

Happy Friday xxxx

Creative Overload

I seem to have rather a lot of projects on the go at the moment.

There's my Seven New Frocks project. I'm not sure if this pattern counts as a 'frock' exactly...

...and this one is a bit of a cheat as I made it years ago and it's now too big, so I'm going to chop it up and revamp it.

I've fallen in love with this one, although I haven't even bought the pattern or fabric yet!

Next in the project list is this blanket for my little niece who is turning one in a few weeks. 

And this cardigan which I can't seem to put down, it's so enjoyable to knit! The wool is from Creative Outlet in Tauranga, hand-dyed in beautiful tourmaline colours. The pattern is from Ravelry.

I am going to be a very busy bee!!

Have Blanket, Will Travel

Well, I packed my little daughter off to camp this morning, complete with NEARLY finished blanket! I got the body of it all stitched together, but ran out of time for the smaller squares around the edges. Still, it's big enough and blankety enough to keep Small warm in her wee camp bed.