I’ve got it again. Just in time really. On Tuesday I finally finished that birthday shawl I started WAAAY back in January. It was late for my friend’s birthday, BUT I did give her a bunch of flowers and some home made apricot jam on the day… which is OK right? 

 The yarn is from The Yarn Cafe. It is called Caress and is completely gorgeous. I’m very happy that there is some left over.Very very happy. The Yarn Cafe do beautiful hand dyed semi solids that are perfect for crochet. The pattern is Eva’s Shawl over on Ravelry. EASY peasy FREE pattern!

OK. Next  I’m totally going to make this free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn 

They are ‘tawashis’ little scrubbers for the kitchen sink. Cuteness in the kitchen is vital. Well for me it is. Yes, I own a Hello Kitty sandwich toaster.

And one of these gorgeous blankets designed by Alicia Paulson  is on the cards too. I’m planning on doing this one in the car.

Hmmmm, long weekend in Noosa crochet?? I think another newborn sized Roselette is on the cards. A wee bubby named Evie was born today and I’d love to make her one.  Now I’ve typed this I’d better do it!

Yeah, knitting is still elusive for me. One day I will conquer it. But today I’m a crocheter and happy about that.

And because I can’t resist…

The pink headband is a ‘crown’. She still loves putting her hand in drinks. Bless. I miss those floor boards, but I sure do love that little girl. xox

I’ve been eating birthday cake

Working on the shawl

Reading the ‘Bean’

Punctuated by many questions from the kids, frozen oranges, lovely visits from friends and SLEEP, that delicious past time.

I hope yours has been just as enjoyable!

So after seeing Vic’s post on Monday I started to panic. I haven’t made a softie!! I can hardly move in my sewing room!! there are half packed boxes everywhere!! THEN, I remembered a couple of little fellas I made way back at our old house. But where were they??? Well, in all my packing and sorting I found owly hiding in a box. I’m still not sure where the bunny is…

You might see me dashing to the post office this afternoon…. after gymnastics and before the mega-clean I need to do this evening… If you’re near Brunswick St over the weekend, make sure you get to Meet Me at Mikes, where all the softies will be on display in the window. Maybe even this guy!

xoxo

What am I wearing today? A smile for one, the sun is shining and we’ve been out and about. Thank goodness for spring! I’m wearing a white top that I’ve had for ages and never wear. Same goes for the bracelet. Look how dry our grass is, this is after winter

I was thrilled to find a copy of Crochet Today in our local newsagent. This is the first time they’ve stocked it and I’m impressed. The projects within are modern and do-able. I think the crochet bug has bitten again, assisted by the woolly parcel I received in the mail from the Yarn Cafe. I adore the orangey colour, it will look gorgeous on miss Zoe, and is super soft woolganic, mmmmm. I’m saving the other one until I can knit properly (I know, I know, I just need to practise), because I find the strong colour changes look so much better knitted. I’m dreaming of being able to knit one of Tikki’s patterns, they are just beautiful.

I love the dirty little feet peeking into shot.

You can find other delightful  peeps participating in watcha wearing wednesday over with dearFii…

So I mentioned a couple of days ago about my crisis of confidence in what I wear. I’ve thought about it and the problem is that I just don’t put any effort in anymore. We really don’t go anywhere fancy, but I would like to improve the way I’ve been dressing, because it does improve the way I’m feeling. Sooooo, I’m going to start joining in Watcha Wearing Wednesday, so at least on Wednesdays I’ll be more conscious. I’m not sure the best way to take a photo… Tate took this…

Pretty ordinary, I know, but I can only go up from here (I hope). Light cotton top bought in Kuranda near Cairns and favourite witchery jeans with daggy op shop jag cardi (didn’t wear this out) I promise something more exciting next week! With a better photo

I’ve decided to start a give away every week for as long as I’ve got goodies to give away (a long time, believe me). I’m thinking ‘Give Away Tuesday’ has a nice ring? I’ll sort out next Tuesday’s goody and include it in the blogtoberfest list. Exciting huh!! And finally, a 2 year old comedian to brighten your day. Thoroughly enjoying her cuppa of camomile, or perhaps just the camera… wearing her rainbow dress

Please note the santa mug they won’t let me discard   xox

Its no secret that I love strawberries. To eat and anything with a strawberry motif. My most beloved strawberry themed item is this apron. It is very well worn and almost falling apart but I still love it to bits. A long time ago before children, in the summer of 2000 I would wear it ‘half apron’ style to dance parties teamed with chunky strawberry hair bobbles I bought in japan and possibly red legwarmers. Cute huh? It was so much fun. Now I get excited over the little strawberry shaker that holds my bi carb…

I made this little girl’s apron for a swap a while ago. It had a matching bag too.

 We still haven’t planted the strawberry seedlings, but I’ve found some pots and will pick up some potting mix.  Here’s a few more strawberries…

And finally a Baa Bums soaker free to good home…. size Large I think? Here is is on Miss Zoe’s bottie… Leave a comment if you want it I’ll throw in a brand new Cute Tooshies Bamboo Delight nappy too. I’ll choose the winner randomly in the morning (if there’s more than one comment!) more freebies to come

xoxo

One itty bitty big toe, bitten by the biggest bull ant I have ever seen!  So last night I sent Zoe into the lounge to find her socks (she had been carrying them around), about a minute later I hear blood curdling screams. I run into the lounge to find her lying on the floor, a huge bull ant marching away. This is the first bull ant I’ve ever seen in our house! I try and squash the fellow with my slipper, which proves to be difficult on carpet while holding a screaming child. Thankfully ’he’ comes to the rescue saying “maybe it didn’t bite her, maybe she just got a fright”. We look at the toe…. it is red and swollen with definite pincer marks. It turns out baby Zoe knows about stomping on ants, and wasn’t afraid to have a crack at the big boy. Oh dear.

She woke this morning with no sign of the bite (see above), but plenty of ‘big ant’ stories for all.

Oh, and this delicious wool arrived in my mail box! From the lovely Lisa as part of a Ravelry swap.

It is seriously the softest wool ever and neeeeeeds to be something I can drape around my neck. Which is saying something, because I have a very itch sensitive neck. Lisa dyed and spun the wool just for me!

Lisa’s store is ‘Knot Your Nanna’s Knits’ over at Yarn Collective.  I’m very tempted to buy some of the lovely fleece ready to be spun, Mum has a spinning wheel and I think I need to have a go.

From tiKKi ~ a gorgeous Rainbow Dress for the girl. The knitting is perfect, the wool is soft and lovely and the fit on Zoe is beautiful! A lovely and thoughtful gift from a great friend Who humbles me with her crafty talents time and again.

Zoe adores the dress, she wore it all day today and reluctantly took it off to change into pjs tonight.

I hope to be able to knit one myself one day, but at the moment I can only knit plain and my tension is all over the shop. I think it might be a little while away, somehow. My grey ‘practise’ knitting sits forlorn near the front door. I’d better get some more practise in before my next lesson on Sunday…