Weezie's Woolies

what to blog?

2010-03-15T19:26:00.002-07:00

Whenever I'm absent from bloglandia I always have trouble getting back into it. There is everyone else's blogs to catch up on. Then I just don't know where or how to start again. It's been a while, so I decided to just jump in and do anything. Looking through the photos I have stored up here in my computer, I decided to put up little M's birthday shots. Quite appropriate because that's pretty much where I left off. You will notice two things about the photos. One, there are no actual birthday action shots, we were totally washed out and had to cancel. M didn't mind, he had lots of mini celebrations over the following weeks. Secondly, my overzealous use of polaroiding. But it's so much fun! I must say, the cake tones lent themselves very well to it and almost look like a women's entertaining mag from the 70s

wha t

2010-03-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

2010-03-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

Good Food

2010-01-25T23:36:00.001-08:00

My good friend Simone gave me a subscription to Good Food magazine for my birthday last year. What a great idea for a gift! I had (and will have) the excitement of waiting for the next issue in the mail! Then when I finally open it, I always paw over the pages for quite some time, and finally I get to cook things......then eat them! These are from the Jan Feb issue 2010. The top is the Yogurt Pistachio cake (without the turkish delight cream) made for big M's birthday, the bottom photo is Creamy pesto chicken with roasted tomatoes. Yes, Reb, I'm still veggo, but the two men in my life aren't. Am thinking of doing a kiddy version of the yog. cake for little M's birthday cake too (yes we like it that much!)

Thanks Simone, and keep warm!

The best kind of Friday

2010-01-21T16:44:00.001-08:00

Michel's stretching partner.
A little bit of yoga.

And this is the view from our breakfast table this morning! A great way to start Friday. We live in a very small apartment, so our dining table (and yoga studio) is on the balcony. Fortunately the Brisbane climate allows for dining al fresco nearly all year round! I think there are maybe two months in winter that it's too cold (we could probably still eat out then, but are cold weather wusses). Have a great weekend everyone.

Just a quick little thing

2010-01-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

Gato Tomas

2010-01-13T21:38:00.000-08:00

Aren't these lovely prints by Gato Tomas? They were being sold at a tiny kiosk in Buenos Aires. I didn't get to purchase any, I really wanted the mozzie/bug one for M (BA was full of mozzies).

2010

2010-01-10T19:17:00.001-08:00

Well, that's it, all the climaxes are over! Christmas has had it's merry day, New Years too. We are back from our holidays. Michel is back to work today! I thought I'd write this quickly, as am too tempted to look at other peoples blogs than write my own. Here are a couple of photos of the millions taken. Will put some more up later. As you can see, Bariloche was breathtakingly beautiful! I did the appropriate Sound of Music songs and dance...... don't you worry sistas!

No, we didn't stay at the top photo! But the photo below was taken from our cabin! The time with Michel's parents went well too (no tension.....a first!). My only regret was not eating more chocolate......it was there, at my finger tips.....why didn't I eat more?!
but I did have some nice white wine..... and the tomatoes were out of this world!!

Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year

2009-12-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Riley, ready to go.

2009-12-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe I can squeeze another couple of posts in. Mainly because my sewing machine is broken!! Arghhhh! Going over to mum and dad's today for a bit of a sewing machine frenzy to get the last of the gang's sleeping bags done.

Well, Riley is all ready for his sleep over...birthday gift... to big Riley who is two on Sunday. I am really happy with how everything turned out. The lining of his sleeping bag is an old polar fleece baby blanket of M's. It was barely used by us and by it's previous owner, but too nice not to be used for something. Happy happy, I'm even happy with the size of the shoe box, the colour of the tissue paper (the only one they had, other than white), the card, the wrapping paper........happy happy happy!

Must email Hillary and tell her how much I enjoy making her dolls!

One crazy Santa's elf

2009-12-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hi, I can't say much! Got too much to do.

Am baking and sewing as well as the usual activities. I have sleeping bags to make for the gang (wanted to do back packs too, no time). Just to slow me down, I can't find my zip foot for the machine! So I am hand sewing them. Despite the time restrains, I'm actually enjoying the hive of activity. Don't they look cute? The little girl's dress material is from a breast feeding top of mine, I loved the fabric, but it just got too billowy now that we don't have boobie anymore. Thanks Hillary Lang, what a great pattern to make! Well, got to go, will be taking a break from the computer, and don't know if I'll get a chance to blog again. If I don't, Merry Christmas to you! All the best for a fruitful New Year! See you in Feb!

A big thank you to Reb!

2009-12-06T20:21:00.001-08:00

Look at what I got in the post?!!!

Thank you so much for the gorgeous photo Rebecca! I was secretly hoping that I would receive one of your super photos one day! Don't know where to put it yet, but we are going to have a putting up of pictures session soon. Until then it is on display in the living room. I also love the presentation, the lovely paper, the lovely ribbon and the very cute card!!

Caution!

2009-12-03T02:57:00.001-08:00

Danger signs don't have to be ugly or boring. I spotted this one getting off the ferry, and I find it kinda funky!

Eye spy Christmas wishes

2009-11-30T14:58:00.001-08:00

So I'm being a bit greedy and having three wishes...... but I'm willing to share them!

Here they are:

HEALTH (Top)

What represents health better than a fat, breast fed baby (plus I had to squeeze a bub photo in somewhere). I can't remember how old he was there, 4 months maybe?

HAPPINESS (middle)

I saw these beautiful flowers on our walk yesterday, they were like an instant joy fix.....and smelled soooo good!

FRUITFULNESS (bottom)

I like all three, but this one is my favourite at the moment! A fruitful 2010 would be great! The photo was taken....ohhh so long ago in Ecuador. Ecuador is so colourful, there is a great culture of murals, should have taken more photos! Please excuse top, a gift from mother in law.

So health, happiness, fruitfulness to me and mine, and you and yours (and I'd like some perfume from Perfect Potion too)

Thanks for the theme! And see more eye and spyers at bug and pop

upcycle bibs

2009-11-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

I don't have my camera at home, it was left at mum and dad's on the weekend. This is not a bad thing, as I have so many old ideas to stick into my virtual scrap book!

I loathe to throw out anything of little M's. It's all so tiny and cute, and yes, gasp, it means he is growing up! So I had a few t-shirts that were either too grubby or small for my little fatty to wear.

I was flipping through A Ervilha Cor de Rosa website (I love her site) when I found somthing she had written on converting t-shirts to bibs! I thought I can do that! And that I did, right away! I am very happy with the results, as I have got much more milage out of the ts! I should have bound the edges in some way, I didn't, and I think it would have given the bibs a more finished, professional look.

I now have lots of hot pink loops hanging in M's closet, an old t-shirt of mine, which has been cut up for other purposes.

Ps I hope daddy doesn't see this post, climbing on the sofa back is verboten....we will get into a lot of trouble!

pps thanks to Kate and Simone for the baking vibes! They worked! Both slices were very nice...especially the Almond, orange and carrot one!

Eye Spy-Joy

2009-11-22T17:25:00.000-08:00

My apologies to all those squeamish! I did try to choose a less blood and lardy photo to put up.

This would have to be the most joyous moment in my life! Little M was born on a rainy Wednesday. I remember that it was raining because it was the first of the rain that filled the dams (08). We had been waiting for both M and the rain for what seemed such a long time. I had a large window in the ward, and would sit and watch the rain fall, while holding my little slimy one! The pregnancy had been a tough one, bad acid reflux, itchiness and the possibility of him being still born meant that I hadn't slept much in a long time (still haven't actually), the stress of whether we should induce, all came to an end, when he chose to come out early! The joy of holding a healthy little boy was indescribable!

Thanks Tara for such a wonderful choice for eye spy. And as always thanks to Cindy for being the hostess.

Rebecca

2009-11-16T13:45:00.001-08:00

I think you would like this site. Little worlds!

Bake-a-rama!

2009-11-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

This week is going to be a mega bake off. I have the weekly bread, M's play group Christmas party, and my birthday!

So far, not so good! I made the bread....... see the bread above? That was last weeks, now imagine a steam roller going over them, or better still, cow pats, that was this week! Thankfully they tasted nice and had nice crumb, they were perfect for dips, not for sarnies!

Last night I baked M's little biscuits from a new recipe (I know, I know).....terrible! It was so late, I couldn't start a new batch. I have most certainly not taken a photo! So I have just covered them in little cream cheese rosettes. I even considered buying a packet of Tim Tams on the way there!

So later on in the week I will bake bars for my birthday. New recipes (I know, I know) one is for luscious lemon bars, the other is for almond, orange and carrot bars. They sound good, don't they?! All recipes (except the bread) are from a new book I bought, Cookies, Brownies, Bars and Biscuits by Catherine Atkinson (I think she compiled them). The bread is cucumber pickle juice and rye. It's a Dan Lepard recipe from a book I borrowed from the library. I don't remember the name of the book, very sorry!

Well gotta go and wrap the Christmas present! Please send baking vibes this way!

Eye Spy-Adventures (of the imagination)

2009-11-15T12:19:00.001-08:00

Cow looked pretty nervous..... Sheep waved hello to freedom, as the animals flew safely over the meat factories and away to greener pastures. What a great escape plan from the man on the outside, Farmer Joe.

As crafty mums, and crafters in general, I'm sure we all love to collect every cardboard tube, roll or box (egg cartons are my fav). Over the past three months little M's imagination has just taken off (bad pun, which I shouldn't have pointed out!) I love to watch him transform boxes into houses, ferries, cars tunnels, horses.. you name it really! He really does have some fantastic adventures for such a little fella.

With Christmas on it's way, and all the junk mail with it's glossy toy adverts, I find it very hard not to jump on the next bus and high tail it to Target to buy the complete Little People barn yard set, or Dora the Explorer adventure hide out for my little angel!

I have to take a deep breath and remember that these toys are not necessary for adventure, and that kids are very resourceful when it comes to play. I saw a really great documentary on ABC a while ago called Consuming Kids. It made the point that kids don't make things as much as they used to, you can buy everything ready made. I had a doll house (which I absolutely loved) set up on the first three shelves of my closet. Mum and I made it together, it was one of the biggest highlights of my childhood holidays! Would it have been the same if it had come in a big box? I don't know.

I'm not saying that I won't buy my little one anything ready made for Christmas, but will try to keep a healthy balance. For as long as I can!!

Look to Cindy for more experiences.

Happy adventures everyone!

Eye Spy-Adventures

2009-11-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

It's not Sunday yet, but the weekends are usually very hectic around here so I'm posting the Sunday Eye Spy theme now. Photo thanks to Emma from one of her many trips around the world.

And the theme is.... (drum roll)... Adventures, big or small, near or far.

Remember to check in with Cindy so that we can all see what adventures you want to share. I will be doing my official eye spy adventures after the weekend craziness subsides.

Hope you enjoy it!

Teeny tiny stitches

2009-11-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

I hate to harp on, but I do love hand sewing. One of the reasons is that I love to look back at the teeny tiny stitches I have sewn. I don't know how this reflects on my personality, I'm not really a tiny detail kind of person. I love the stitches in knitting too. With this in mind, I realise that I have never really done any thick wool, large needle knitting. It has all been small, and I really get a kick from all of these tiny stitches making up the whole.

On a less philosophical note, I am making two more Archie & Olives for M's little friends. I love Hillary Lang's style of doll. I could go on making them for ever. I have lots of little arms and legs at the moment, all waiting to be stuffed and sealed.

Eye Spy-Gadget

2009-11-09T01:50:00.000-08:00

Gadgets. Great idea Kellie. At first I admit that I thought that I didn't really use them! Then I thought a little harder and I now have three.

The top one is the coffee machine. Where would I be without my morning coffee? Well, still here, but a very grumpy mummy. We wake at 5.00 am (we live in Queensland and have a 21 monther) so a good cup is neeeded. I had managed to wean myself off coffee using the nescafe instant coffee methadone programme. But when big M brought this wonderful gadget home one morning, it was back to the hard stuff. Oh how I love my morning coffee.

Middle pic, super scissors! I was such a bad cutter outer of patterns until these came into my life. Then it dawned on me, you need a sharp pair of scissors!! I love how these lie flat when you cut. My Tintin in Tibet agenda from 1994 is actually where I keep my recipes.

Bottom pic curvy needle, sticky round needle gripper thing and carpet thread (from mum's stash bought in the 60s). Ok, I don't know if any are classified as gadgets, but I got to love them last night as I repaired the push chair seat with denim....and it looks very spiffy.

To see our hostess of Eye Spy visit Bugandpop

70s fun for everyone

2009-11-04T13:48:00.001-08:00

The last box from mum and dad's loft. Imagine my joy at finding my paper dolls, I would say they would be late 70s. I loved them and thought that they were very exotic (don't know why, I think they are French) and took real care of them. As a result they are in very good condition.

What to do with them? I had kept them all these years for my daughter. I now have a car mad son who would probably never be interested in paper dolls....apart from various forms of paper doll folding and tearing. Anyway to cut a long story short, my friend Rebecca loves all things retro, it was her birthday last week, and she makes special collages from retro paper dolls. All this added up to posting them to her. I figured if she couldn't use them in her collages, she could at least get a night of tipsy fun (bottom photo) playing with the wardrobe, as Emma and I did one evening with a bottle of red (and yes I know it's rude to play with someone's present before giving it to them).

I still know I have a farm yard and lots of model horses up in the loft......but I think the doll finds were the most exciting!

Eye Spy-Shoes

2009-11-01T20:32:00.001-08:00

Hmmmmm this would have been a no brainer a few years ago, when I had a shoe lover's problem. Actually it would have been very, very hard, as I had soooo many shoes that I loved, that I wouldn't have been able to choose. Back in Brisbane, I know there are cool shoe shops around...... but they are very expensive, and so in a one salary household, my shoe thing stopped. Nowadays, it's hand me downs (excellent ones......5 pairs! including cow boy boots and yellow jellies! from Simone) and the occasional splurge. These sparkly red slippers have been put away for next season, it's bear (grrrr) foot in the house for summer! Every girl should have a pair of sparkly/red or both shoes! Oh, if you love shoes, you need to check this girl's flicker photos out, she has tonnes of fantastic shoes! This is one pair in particular I would love to get my feet into!

Happy Birthday To You!

2009-10-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

It's my very talented friend's 40th today!!! This is the Rebecca of Purely Decorative and of the lovely felt blanket below. She is also Rebecca who is exhibiting her photography (the dinosaur) soon! Happy Birthday Reb ....... do you really think you are getting any better at this?

Eye Spy-Cuddly

2009-10-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

Am I allowed two pics? We have lots of cuddly things in our house. I am not built for speed, am built for cuddles! Yes the little bub is cuddly, but I am actually featuring the wonderful, snugly felt baby blanket made by my dear friend Rebecca. The design reminds of me of the ocean and the sky. The top is Marcus wrapped in the sky, the second is the little red lobster swimming in the ocean. Reb, we had it out again this winter, very loved and very worn around the feet! He tucks his toes in and rubs....has done it since he was this size!

To get some more cuddles head on over to bug and pop......join in!

He is finished!

2009-10-22T14:47:00.001-07:00

.....and after this quick photo shoot, he was put away for Christmas. Two more to go! I have the fabric so can start asap. Still have to do the boring curtains though. The dolls remind me of Charlie and Lola with the wonderful patterns! I would like to do a C & L one, would have to work on the faces though, to make them more C & L like.

Check out these cute designs being sold by Rosa Pomar. I particularly like the cup with the house and the shingles!

Eye spy-bed

2009-10-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hello, this eye spy sounds like fun!

For everyone else (ie Reb and Em) see bug and pop's website (with extra guinea pig shots!)

Here is our son's future bed/guest bed. We were given it, and judging by the orginal fabric cover, it is from the 70s (see groovy mattress bottom, bottom photo) ...... then it was given a taste of the 80s with some pale green material. Now, it's covered in 00s. Considering it was free (thanks Sarah), it took a lot of effort to get (convincing husband, co-ordinating moveing to mum and dad's for storeage, convincing mum to hold it, co-ordinating moving here, convincing dad to lend me his super duper staple gun) the choosing of the fabric and actual doing took little effort and no time at all! It was all worth it though!

Time to get stuffed

2009-10-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Little Bruno Brun (Archie from weewonderfuls) is coming along very well. Cut out, limbs and hair hand sewn (I think it's the knitter in me, don't like sitting in front of the machine, and something about machines make the moment all too instant)....the bottom was a bugger (rude pun, ooppps!) to sew up and was half hand machine sewn! Now to be stuffed and embroidered.

Rosemary Laing

2009-10-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

Have a google images at this talented woman!! Can't figure out how to copy and paste from internet, so it's just this I'm afraid Rosemary Laing google images. I saw a couple of pictures from her 'prostrate your horses' exhibition at UQ (yes, UQ now has a really good gallery). Reb, you would love her, that is if you don't already know about her. My fav are her landscapes and the flight photos (the ones with the bits of paper flying around and in particular the one with no bits of paper flying around).

Siesta

2009-10-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

A little break from our bike ride along the river.

Down from the loft

2009-10-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Mum and Dad had insulation put in last week, so that meant all of the boxes stored up there had to come down. I had about three boxes, one of which had toys from my childhood. Here was my fav early 80s dolls house. It was all there, the little plates, shoes, radio, lamp, and of course bean bag. I remember buying it and the wait to get it home and put it together seemed unbearable. I'm keeping it at mum and dad's so that Marcus and Amelia (adopted grandchild) can get as much joy with it as I did. Deep down I wish I could still play with it, well, I still will!

What I'm doing is not what I should be doing

2009-10-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have a long list of Christmas and birthday presents for Marcus and his growing number of friends under 5. I have started to make Marcus his Christmas present...I always make him something hand made for Christmas, birthday and Easter.

This is the beginning of Bruno Brun (Archie) from a weewonderfuls pattern I bought. I have made a few changes for our climate, shorts, t-shirt and bare feet! Soon to start sewing.

......what I should be doing? Makeshift curtains for our living room to stop the afternoon sun turning our living space into an oven! BORING! Please note the super purse that Simone made for me.

More use down your end!

2009-09-30T03:14:00.000-07:00

I made this scarf for James, now that he is living down your end of the world Reb. He has actually used it quite a bit! One day he wore it while we sweltered up here! The wool was given to me by James' "mother in law" so it's done the circle. The pattern is in Knitty. I love Knitty! It is a fun thing to knit, watching the waves appear as you go. It took me........a year to do! I started it in Ecuador last year when Marcus was sick in bed and so little. Once he started moving around I had to put it on hold until we had an apartment that we could have a light on in the living room and not have it shine in on the baby!!! Check out my lovely orange woven wrap that I bought in Chile. They were everywhere down there, why didn't I buy more?!

Kitsch cusine

2009-09-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

After Michel's dad ( a baker) pointed out how much crap they put in biscuits these days, I decided to make my own for our little emperador. I was really keen to get going on my bikkie batch a week when I found mum's Good Housekeeping's Cake Making (4th edition printed in 1953). It was awarded to her in 1959, she can't remember why. It's well worn, and it has very simple variations on different biscuits and cakes as well as tips. The great thing is that you don't need lots of fancy ingredients (unless you consider dripping as fancy..... a bit exotic these days) basically it's butter (or other fats) flour, and flavours. It does get fancy later, but am not into the big buffy pink things!! It's advertised as having coloured plates!!!

I have been working through the biscuit section, and may move onto basic cakes! We can't get past the "dam pops" (jam drops) though. They are egg free, this is before allergy free cooking, so I can give them to my non eggie friends.....we love them for the jam!!

2009-09-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

Just flippin about while my little mister builds towers.....he can spend hours doing this. And I found this printed fabric site.....I wish I had a tonne of money!

Can't say which one I love the most. But I know you love Nasturtiums, Reb.

Wednesday is South Bank day

2009-09-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is here, we hop on our bike and head off to South Bank for our morning splash! I don't know if you have seen this Reb. It is really wonderful and lots of artists have contributed to the water features. Our favs are the map of Brisbane rivers (in the blue) and the Map of the city (yellow). We like to stand were we used to live when M was born, and where we live now, and where daddy works! Sorry I've doubled up on one pic and can't figure out how to remove it without removing all. Days like these make me love, love, Brisbane life!

A new find

2009-09-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

This woman makes beautiful things, has some very original photo ideas.....and is a shoeaholic...a woman after my own heart!

http://in-my-pocket.blogspot.com/

Check out her flicker photos

car o rama continues

2009-09-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

.......... so, I over estimated on the car fabric for the bed and now have meters of the stuff! Here is a nappy bag I made. It fits three nappies and a flat wet wipes pack. The lining is an old business shirt of Michel's. He always buys very good quality cotton shirts for work, I always loathe to give them up once the cuffs and necks have gone. So I figure this is a good way to use all the really nice spare bits like the backs and fronts. I have to buy some velcro to close it, thus preventing everything falling out and swimming around in bag.

Stay tuned for more car fabric, as I am planning on making a few more bags, also recovering as much of Marcus' push chair as I can.

Car o rama

2009-09-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

I bought some bright fabric with different cars on it to recover Marcus' sun bed. The original cover was a very cool, but very stained orange 70s flower design, covered by a very 80s light green fabric. I was given it by a friend's sister. It took a lot of organising to move it, store it, get the staple gun, talk super clean hubby into taking it on, getting time away from Marcus to do it etc etc. I love it! So does he, and more importantly so does Marcus!!

cousins

2009-09-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

Below is a photo of us in the 70s. James and I have the boots on. I can't remember having the photo taken, but I remember grandma and grandad's garden! In particular the garden shed, it was grandad's wood work shed. I used to go in there with him and hammer things, I loved the smell, and whenever I am near wood shavings it takes me back to the happy times with him "working" on our visits to England.

cousins

2009-09-10T13:52:00.001-07:00

You can't beat a blog

2009-08-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in ages. One of the reasons being that I started to face book, but it's not the same. I want to feature my handmade stuff and talk about crafts, face book is too general.

So, on my first entry in a very long time, I can tell you that I have only knitted a scarf (it took me roughly 2 years!) and last week I got sand in my camera, so no photos!!!!!! Despite all of this, I feel like I really want to start blogging again and using the little time I have to DO something.

I can, however put up some blogs that I have found and really like!

wee wonderfuls and a ervilha cor de rosa

I bought a pattern from wee wonderfuls.....will keep you posted.

Like a phoenix......

2008-10-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Reb!

Remember how I thought I had killed all my plants, including the indestructible bamboo? Well look here.... imagine my joy!

Ta-dah!

2008-09-24T01:25:00.000-07:00

Yes! I have completed the uncompleted..... the mystery gift! And yet when Reb receives it, she could still be mystified! So to put things straight: it is a tea cosy..... or a very large hat!

Park(ing) day

2008-09-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Friday! Spring has sprung so we met Emma and went to look for park(ing) spaces. Here are a few of the sites on West End. Reb you would have liked the veggie garden one. Emma's company had a great idea, they made a Brisbane Metro stop... with a metro linking the two sides of the the river and more. Unfortunately can't find a link or photo for that... will keep looking.

We had a nice lunch with a friend of Emma's and then took the city cat home!

All tuckered out

2008-09-15T01:57:00.001-07:00

All tuckered out and having a snooze in grandma's arms after the long walk.

Two days in the "countryside"

2008-09-15T01:42:00.000-07:00

Michel was out of town for a couple of days, so fatty and I packed up and moved to mum and dad's. It was nice to get out of town and Marcus loves their garden! I managed to do a bit of craft stuff, which included two birds for a birdie mobile. The birds were left with mum to be taken up next visit, as I'm supposed to be making scarves here at home. We also went for a walk (see photos). Yes, the flower is Lantana, a really vicious weed which is hated by all Queenslanders......but it really has such pretty flowers. In Chile and Ecuador it's used as decorative hedging.

Birdie mobile for the birdie girls

2008-09-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

I found this free cloth bird pattern from spoolsewing.com via glampyre knits. I know how much you two like the birdies. And it is really lovely!

I think I'll go through mum's chests of fabric......I'm sure she has scraps of liberty prints somewhere......blue peacock feathers if I remember rightly!

2008-09-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

It's still coming along

2008-09-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the long, long awaited next stage of the unknown birthday gift for Reb.

We are back from seeing the abuelos in Ecuador, Marcus has jet lag and is sleeping like a log, so I'm making the most of it and fiddling around on the computer!

How Long?.....my perfect creation

2008-05-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

So what have I been doing since i last wrote dear blog?

I think some photos will say it best.......also I only have one hand as other is holding the little fattilicious.

Is it a hat????

2007-11-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

Clue three: Again, you need to tilt the head to the right!!

Rebecca's second clue

2007-10-29T00:54:00.002-07:00

The stuff I've been waiting for...

2007-10-27T01:12:00.000-07:00

I love wet felt and commercial felt......and even the crochet isn't bad. This is the kind of fuzzy touchable jewelry that Ive been dreaming of! What is really weird is that this morning I dreamt I was felting and I made something similar to some of the beads on this site!!! I started something similar (not nearly as cool) about two years ago....now I'm inspired to get my arse into gear again!

Check out what I'm going on about: kjoo.etsy.com

Bye for now!

Yoga toes

2007-10-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Finished! The finished Blair witch project I was doing earlier. A yoga friend from work is going to live in Russia...she is moving in winter!! I thought she might like to keep her feet warm whilst doing yoga. The colour blue? What colour is Krishna?

What one should be doing.....

2007-10-15T02:32:00.001-07:00

I'm a naughty, naughty girl! I should be knitting socks......not blogging! One foot down, one to go! No photos Sorry!

Check out this fabric and wonderful bags, from http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_top.php

2007-09-29T22:07:00.001-07:00

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

blue blair witch project.

2007-09-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

I'm knitting some toe less socks for a yoga buddy who is going to live in Russia........in winter!

This is the cuff....still got to do all the tricky turning.............and then the patching up of holes that I create with my crap turns and moments of absent mindedness!!

Don't know how to rotate the top photo......so just tilt your head to the right.

F Fs

2007-09-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

I found this foto of felted flowers...... I finished them a while ago.
They were going to be corsages/broaches for a pink tea party....but the pink tea party never happened...sniff sniff!

If you want to destroy my sweater.....

2007-09-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

.......pull this string as I walk away.

I'm pulling this apart....never really liked it, didn't fit well. I do however, love the wool, it's 100% pure and dyed by moi with lemon drink (tang like drink).

I'm not sure what I'll do with it.......but it would be nice to felt.

Shibi shibi shiboir do!

2007-09-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

More shibori! I especially like the bottom green one!

https://www.guild.com/artist/7086.html

I can't wait to see your wool tops Rebecca......have you ever thought about spinning? Not around, and around in your garden until you fall down, because I know you've done that....I've seen you!

kisses

Shibori......interesting stuff

2007-09-22T01:05:00.001-07:00

I'm doing some research on shibori knitting.....I first saw it and thought that it was felted bobbles....now I realise that its much, much more! I'm just popping this site here for the moment, and will continue looking for interesting sites.

http://racheliufer.blogspot.com/2006/09/shibori.html

Beautiful!!!

2007-09-20T00:33:00.000-07:00

Look what I found in the mail on Monday!! I'm a terror when it comes to checking the mail box.... Reb I reckon it must have been sitting there a couple of days! I Luurrrve snail mail, especially when it's as beautiful as this!

In fact Reb, I love the whole package! Are you going to sell cards like this on Esty? I hope so!

On the weekend I started sorting out all of my knitting patterns....lots were missing and very unorganised.....so I was thinking of making like a knitting scrap book. I think I'd make it with scrap paper (nice pieces) onto which I can stick interesting pics and wonderful cards I'll also include some plastic pockets for the patterns.....annnd I could bind it with......don't know...string maybe. Simone bought some hand made books at the markets with check them out for binding ideas.

Have been trying to work out pay pal.....a bit more complicated than I thought! I was going to splash out on a few new knitting patterns, but due to the whole system taking longer than I planned I bought India supermarket products instead......ghee, mung beans, banana chips...yummy.

It is nice to have a balcony Rebecca, but I think I'm going to have to bring in my poor bamboo, a strong dry wind is raging and its looking a little worse for wear!

Sunny days sitting on my balcony!

2007-09-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

The birds are singing, my neighbour's chimes are chiming, the sun is shining. I'm sitting here on my balcony sipping fizzy water watching the world go by, and impatiently waiting for my lettuce to grow.....I keep eating them and they are very bald!! Life is good! I love staying at home on the weekends! I met Simone for a juice yesterday and gave her a very, very belated birthday gift.......so now I can show you! It was my first attempt at felting anything larger than a bead! A good learning experience! I left the hem for Simone to do.......I cant cut straight lines!

Don't call it a come back! I bin here for years!

2007-09-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all
I've actually just made quite a nice t*********** can't say what, its for Simone's belated birthday present! It was my first attempt and am quite pleased! But sorry, no pictures yet....not until she gets it! But I can show you some earrings I made ages ago for Rebecca! The felted balls are quite nice as they are really light and don't weigh down your ears! So no slitty holes.. (why does that sound obscene?) for Reb...oh no! Just got to find the right photo.....they are all pretty crap as I was running out of light fast and had to hunt around in my bro's garden to find some! Chao!

sick and bored

2007-06-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm sick and bored, and having to spend the whole weekend in bed!

It's driving me crazy! I don't even feel like making anything. I spend most of my days wishing that I could spend the whole weekend at home, crafting away to my heart's content, and now that it happens, I'm absolutely drained of any creative feelings! Dare I say that I'm looking forward to work on Monday?!!

At least I still have you, my lovely Internet!

Reb,
Bec, Thor and Eve came over for morning tea yesterday! I really hadn't seen Bec in ages and it was my first time to meet Eve and Thor! I was so happy to see them!! Bec's mum only lives a couple of blocks away, so I'm hoping to see more of them in the future! I dragged out the old fancy dress photos of us all, Eve loved them!

Simone, I need blogging lessons, I still haven't figured out how to put up a list of links that I like. Hope you are feeling better, and see you this week!

A little language treat:
"Garnet" has its origins in the French word for pomegranate......forgotten it.....it then became "gernet" (Middle English) and somewhere along the way it became "garnet". I'm not a full on colour expert, but I have a feeling that the colour of a pomegranate is actually lighter than the colour garnet...What do you think?

Bye!

Put your back into it!

2007-06-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

While sitting around being sick, I found these photos of Michel (papa) and these super light sculptures. These balls are scattered around the city square and entrances to the new library....I love em, the knobbly bits look like the containers you use to drain cutlery. There are lights inside, and the little holes create a really lovely effect. I'll try to remember to take a photo of them at night.

Poppies

2007-06-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

Just a little felt poppy broach.

I'm experimenting with pink flowers. I'm going to a pink tea party next month and I'm going to make broaches or corsages for all of the girls...and maybe the boys too (depending on how quickly I get tired of it!)

Will keep you posted!

Go on......I know you want to touch......

2007-06-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

This yard is absolutely beautiful! It's made from spun silk saris, I bought it at a craft fair a while ago, and wanted to knit a tank on very large needles.....the tank almost looks like it's been knotted rather than knitted!

But, as always, whenever I knit for myself, the item doesn't turn out right. When hung, it stretched so much that it didn't fit on my shoulders, it passed them and dropped straight to the floor!

Fortunately, like most of my failed stuff, it makes a very nice scarf....the neck hole is very useful to pass the the scarf through and thus fasten it around my neck.

I confess, it's not actually this colour, our apartment is a bugger, unless I take photos in front of a certain window at a certain time of day, I have to use flash. This is a problem as our camera is a bugger, I'm sure our flash has been designed for search and rescue at sea, it's so bright it takes the colour out of everything! The real colour is still very, very nice.

Simone, see you soon. Reb, sorry to hear about your grandad, I have some very good memories of him with Josh and his ginger cake.

Happy Birthday Simone!

2007-06-19T03:42:00.000-07:00

You aren't here so I`ll have to eat it all!!

Have a great day Simone! Buy yourself something nice!.....nice boots, or handbag..ummmmm.

My balls, my balls, my lovely felt balls

2007-06-15T16:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some beautiful fellows! I just want to look at them and hold them all day! They do take a while to make. First I make the balls with soap and hot water. Then I needle felt the details on. I currently have only three red and blue balls done and have four more to go, then I'm going to make some kind of necklace.....maybe with some African silver beads...not sure yet. They are just so lovely and fuzzy and warm!

Our Blank Wall

2007-06-15T15:26:00.001-07:00

Hi Reb!

The fabric for the wall sounds lovely! As you can see, we now have some paintings up.

The photos aren't very good, as they are from my cel phone...but you get the idea.

The top photo is a before shot....before we had anything there.

You can also see the beginnings of my veggie patch.....its an old photo, I now have mint and parsely...not that it grows very big, due to lack of light!

The paintings were given to us by Michel's dad. A friend painted them for him. They are lovely, one is a scene from a typical northern France village square, the other is the artist's interpretation of Michel's dad's patisserie..I like it because there are lots of little cakes and pasteries in the window!

Simone......if you are out there! It's time to come home. You have been away long enough and I want you home! Everyday, when I walk past your flat, I wonder how you are doing and whether you are back yet!

Lovely old tribal jewelry

2007-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

The lay out isn't exactly as I had planned, but aren't they beauties?

Necklaces from (top to bottom left to right). A mix of beads from many countries in Africa, Burma (the Nagas who hunted heads), Africa again, and Islam.

I saw these while surfing looking for felting ideas for my beads.

ooops! I dropped a few stiches!

2007-06-03T01:57:00.000-07:00

I don't have any felt for you Reb, but I do have this scarf/wrap that I knitted from knitty.
If you wanna see more.....http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html

It took a while, and now that I've knit it, I'm waiting with baited breath for cool enough weather to wear it!!

Living it up

2007-05-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

My love is living it up in the Hunter Valley. I'm here ...... felting...yipeee! I would have liked to go to the Hunter Valley though. (Sigh) ........one day.

This isnt The Hunter Valley......but he is living it up!

why woolies?

2007-05-27T01:05:00.000-07:00

I blame my mother......as one does!

Mum's always been a sewer, and before I could walk, I was dragged around fabric shops. One of mum's fabric tests was rubbing her fingers over the fabrics, I guess I followed suit. In fact I think my brother was probably more of a super feeler than I! We used to have to take him round fabric stores everytime he lost his snugsy! We walked from roll to roll while he rubbed the fabric under his nose to test the warmth, texture and smell.....hummm!

I don't sew though, I just knit and fondle felt.