Babushka For Matilda

A crocheted babushka for my little friend Matilda who will be 4 next month. I am actually organised and not cramming in a birthday gift make the night before, so usual for me. I've been wanting to make this cute little gal since I saw them over at Attic 24. They're from a really gorgeous book that's been sitting idle on my craft table for a little while. A book I often flick through and crave to make projects from but never really find the time at the right time, if you know what I mean, to actually get to it. And then I was inspired and reminded of the little babushka family when I saw this darling little babushka tile coaster at my local market. It was sitting there in the basket of coasters under a few others. It had been sitting there all day as I sat beside it at my own stall. I felt so lucky when I uncovered her, lucky that no one else had snapped her up. I had to have her for Matilda as my dear little friend has lovely babushka curtains in her room that her mamma made and I'm glad I remembered at the right moment. 

Oh, BTW,  the book is 'cute & easy crochet' by Nikki Trench (see the links below). A bargain buy from fishpond.com.au that has me wanting to crochet every project. 

I love hats, I want to make this one............

I love scarves, I want to make this one...........

I love bags, I don't have a crocheted bag, I want to make this one..........

See what I mean and there's loads more. Lovely colour palette, lovely photography and best of all, the pattern was very, very easy to follow. 

So now my dilemma is, do I settle for one little babushka, or make the whole family?? What do you think Em??

x Le x

 http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2011/10/cute-easy-crochet.html 

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Cute-and-Easy-Crochet-Nicki-Trench/9781907563201

3 Rows Forward, 4 Rows Back

It really is impossible to crochet this beautiful ripple blanket whilst doing anything else other concentrating on the job at hand. I've tried to sneak in rows before dinner or while the children are running around or while I'm on the phone. However justice cannot be done to the pattern when my attention is divided. I have pulled out way too many rows now to even bother trying multi-tasking whilst rippling away. So now I must dedicate very specific time to this blankie. Time when there will be no interruptions, no drinks to get or dinner to stir, no phone calls to take and no children about. Just me and my blankie, and then I may have some progress!

I am following other ripply blanket goodness on the One Crafty Mamma blog. Unfortunately this blogger app I have does not allow me to link other sites and I am about to do away with it because of that. But do look it up along with On Polkadot Lane where the lovely Kelly is rippling away in Upwey with a gorgeous ocean breeze colour theme. Or maybe it's the sky and the trees!

So far I have 50 and a bit rows of pure merino. It's a ripple of rainbow colours. Bright and vibrant and I'm hoping it looks good on our queen size bed. Thank goodness autumn has finally arrived and I actually feel like having my lap snuggled under rows of merino wool.
x Le x

Table For One

It's table for one this morning as I am all alone for breakfast today.

Ahhh, the serenity! It's quiet, almost too quiet without the little people running about. But I will take it while it's here and surrender to it. I've enjoyed the above breakky of poached eggs(compliments of our girls) on toast with avocado and our own rhubarb chutney which is delight in a jar thanks to Em's gorgeous rhubarb. As you can see by the jar label it was made almost a year ago and it has faired well in the jar. Now we know what it tastes like, it won't last long!!

I've decided to start on my long awaited bike basket bunting and I've had the idea to make a daisy chain and perhaps to alternate between daisy and a bunting flag. I love Em's bike bunting proportions, its just right. This daisy pattern is for a coaster size and I've tried to downsize it which has made the pattern quite tricky. It's rather tight and and I'm making it in a 4ply bamboo which has no stretch at all.so far there's five petals done and three to go. If I can love it by the end if this first flower I'll continue, otherwise it's back to researching just the right one!

The time had come to start blocking the Communtiy Crochet Blanket that has been slowly taking shape during our Quarterly Crafternoons . It's a free for all make a square in whatever colour and pattern and it will be joined together and displayed as a symbol of bringing together our community through crochet. It's been such fun watching everyone really enjoying the process and those new to crochet showing how far they've come with hook and yarn!

Now I haven't seen Em for ages and I have been busting to show her my ripply rainbow stripes but I guess I'm going to show you first........

Here it is!!! I'm sooooo in love with it. I now have all 11 colours worked in and I really, REALLY, really LOVE IT!! There's now 22 rows and it's getting quite heavy. We've had soaring temperatures of over 40c but I still do a row here and there. I cant resist it as it pokes out of my crochet bag begging to be added to. As Lucy said, this pattern has such a rythym, a hypnotic effect overcomes and it's wonderful getting lost for a while in colourful stitches of treble crochet.
:-) :-). :-). :-)

Bits And Pieces

We survived the christmas rush and now we can slow down a little bit. There's time for leisurely breakfasts with the kids and no school lunches to make for another month!
It's beautiful here in the valley. I find myself alone outside on a breezy summer morning though the fire rating is extreme for today and I am deciding whether we stay home or head out to B's mums'. If the wind springs up and the temperature predicted is 41c, it will be scary. But now is so lovely.

I've been making something for Em.
I'm nearly done.
The pieces are complete but they need to be blocked and then sewn together.
It's only something small.

I'll show you soon. I was hoping to finish it yesterday but we had such fun at home. Our above pictured breakfast was an all pitch in effort. Little R cut the shapes from the bread and popped them in the pan. I flipped them and he cracked the eggs into the holes. And no shell! Toasty, golden man in a hole complete with runny yolks eaten with such enjoyment. Kids love to eat what they have had a hand in cooking. Meanwhile Little S rumaged through the bottom drawer where I keep all the cookie cutters and plastic molds just for her to play with while I'm cooking. I let her stir and measure though she is so eager to help it's sometimes an un-help!!

Speaking of cooking I had a cake pan disaster New Years Eve. I love baking and I'm pretty good at it most of the time but we were invited to a friends for dinner. The first time we'd been for such an occassion. Just a bbq and I bring dessert. I'd imagined a glorious chocolate cake enrobed in glossy chocolate glaze spilling a plethora of big, fat, shiny cherries. Instead it stuck like crazy to the bundt tin and I lost half of it. Tried to stick it back together. Made the ganache for the top and ended up with this................................................................

A big fat gloppy mess of a thing that I was not happy with. No time to change it or amke something else, I piled cherries all over it and we named it The New Years Eve Disaster Cake! It went down a treat, we all loved it and vowed to make it every year! I rarely last midnight either so we decided to pop our party poppers at 10pm and celebrate with the kiwis over in New Zealand and call it a night. I think we'll do that every year too!
















I

Something In The Making

I'm making something for you Em. A surprise. Something I discovered you need when we stayed at your place the other night. Something that may come in handy. Something you may like alot. Something in our new fav colour. Something for you because you're wonderful.

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Oh It Gets Worse!

It gets much worse!
So I THOUGHT I had it sussed but wait, there's more!
I got up before everyone else this morning. The birds are chirpping, I went to bed early in anticipation of a busy day. I'm going to the Lark super sale today with a gorgeous friend, a girls day out. Thought I'd have a bit of quiet crochet time and began to restructure my red rows and came across some bits that just weren't right.
Ok, so it goes like this.....actually here's the link to lovely Lucy's Attic 24 blog, right here. See her very clear pictures and instructions? Previously I mentioned this pattern works in fours and the rises and falls land on top of each other in each row and that was the problem. In the first row of my fourth colour, they didn't- a sign that I had missed something along the way.
Holy Moly I sat here and counted each stitch and WAHLA! I traced it back to this....

The very first orange row!
You know with each mistake I am beginning to understand the pattern more and that's just what I want to learn.
At the start of the orange you can see there is a 'v' which is made up of 3 chain and 1 treble in the same stitch. After that there should be 4 treble but I have only 3 and, THAT my friends is my mistake. It has pulled every other set forward and it has had a knock on
effect from there on. A big sigh from me and a pile of unravelled wool that looks like noodles.

And so it begins. I was hoping to show my luscious rows to Alicia today. If I can get a bit more time while the little ones are sleeping I may make some headway. It's all good!

I am learning.
I am happy.
I am crocheting.
xx Le xx

OH NOOOOO!

I have learnt a very big lesson this morning. Last night I popped into bed with a cup of tea, covers up, the children soundly sleeping and my rows of ripples upon my lap. I was adding a new colour and after much discussion with B, who is my colour consultant, we decided upon the bright red.

Oh I was so comfy in bed! I had the Ipad too, checking emails, looking at Pinterest, messaging Em who too was crocheting. Very soon between ripply red rows and all of the above, it was 11.30pm and my eyes were tired. I got to the end of the row and realised I had one stitch too many and THOUGHT I had traced it back to not too far away. Fixed it, turned off the light and drifted off.

MORNING- I snuck out of bed in the quiet to begin the fourth colour, a gorgeous deep red and made it through about half way and thoguht, hhmmmm, something not quite right.
You see this pattern works on rises and falls and in lots of four. It's quite easy and very rhythmical BUT you do need to count. It goes like this........
4 treble, 2 treble in each of the next 2 stitches, 4 treble, 2 treble together in each of the next 2 stitches, 4 treble, etc etc. The 2 trebles in the 2 stitches make the rise and the 2 trebles together make the fall. See if you can see closer here....

My mistake lays in that first red row right between the head and the tail of the crochet hook. I have 8 trebles between each set of rise and fall, not the 4 required and that little iddy biddy error right there has mucked up, ever so slightly, the next 3 rows of 1.5metre crochet. Aaaaahhhhhh, hear me scream......

My little man was up with me and he took great joy in unravelling the rows.

Row after row of unravelling and winding. Nevermind, lesson learned. Crochet and crochet only. I'll try again tonight!
xx Le xx

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Quickity Quick

It's so so late and I really should be in bed but I am sooooo excited I have finally started a project, a long term project, that I have been wanting to start since I began crocheting a couple of years ago. It's a blanket of rippley stripes in cheery bright colours to put a little spark into each and every day.

And look here, it actually takes shape really quickly. I love that about crochet, results are immediate and when you're a time poor mamma, there's few things better than instant crafty results.

I began with 224 chains in a happy, sunny yellow and it took about 45mins to finish the first row. I'm using a beautiful wool called Zara and if I could get my very sore legs off the chair, I'd happily get the tag that's on the other side of the lounge room and give the details! That will have to wait as this post is going out quickity quick so I can go to sleep. My legs are sore because my son's school buddy's mum and I have started a little exercise regime after school while the kids run around. A little run, some squats, some sit ups and some skipping. Our first session was monday afternoon and today is tuesday, I AM SO SORE!

Anyhow, back to the crochet, I think this blankie could be my next crochet addiction!
Here's a peek of the colours I have to choose from.....ahh sweet woolly dreams... Nighty Night
xx Le xx

International Crochet Day Catch Up

Its been a busy time no doubt. Lots of creativity going on and between school holidays, work, crochet workshops and catching up with the girls, there's not been much time for anything else. Oh and yes we have discovered Pinterest! OMG! What a magnificent time spender! I have had many nights that I could have been blogging or actually creating something but I have chosen to be totally absorbed with wonderful imagery and inspiration way into the wee hours of the morning. It's SO fantastic! I must be careful though to ensure a balance.
And I really must get the birthday blogging done. It's nearly been a whole year since our retreat. It's coming, it really is.

But for now there is so much happening day to day and I have many 'oh I must blog that moments' yet none actually make it! Anyhow, lets get on with it. The bunting above was a gift for my friend's birthday. They have just renovated a caravan with original 70's turquiose vinyl upholstery. What else would you need but bunting! The wool is beautiful Bendigo Wool Mills pure wool which was very very cheap at a local sale and a joy to crochet with.

Really what I should be telling you about is how International Crochet Day went! Can't believe it was a whole month ago and I have done absolutely no follow up whatsoever. To the left is a pile of wool donated by ADRA, a local church group. They donated 4 shopping bags fulll which provided more than enough yarn to get through the 2 workshops and the creation of a handful of squares to contribute to the Community Crochet Blanket Project.
I was so proud of the event which we estimated about 80 lovely people attended between 11am and 3pm on a midweek day. A big thank you to everyone who came, shared, created and learnt. And also those who baked, check out this for a cake stand....

There was everything from Luscious Lemon Cake, Strawberry Jam Slice and Chocolate, Fig and Amaretto Cake, mmm, mmmm. One thing I didn't anticipate was how much of a distraction the cake table would be to the little people who attended and I hope it wasn't too much trouble for the mammas who had to pry little hands away from chocolate icing whilst trying to crochet. Next year we'll put the cake table up on the stage!
The local paper came and took a few snaps that made it onto page 4.

There was a fantastic kids corner which I would love to make in my own kids rooms. Mim's comfy couch cushions drapped in crochet goodness and a basket-full of toys from home kept young ones and mums happy. We really wanted the event to be totally inclusive of everyone, big and little.

We had a great display of books from our local library which I didn't even have a chance to look at. Although I think I have borrowed them all over the last 2 years!


Unfortunately these photos are the only ones I took. They all happened in the 5 mins before we started and there was NO time after that. People were lining up outside and kept coming in a very consistant stream throughout the day.

I ran 2 beginners workshops throughout the day with such wonderful results! I did explain that it took me 4hrs of undivided attention for me to teach myself one sunny day on my deck. I had the Patons Learn To Crochet book on my lap, a youtube tutorial ready to go on the computer and a determination to complete a granny square. FOUR HOURS I say! I only hope those who participated went straight hom and kept practising.
Now we can look forward to our quarterly crafternoons once again supported by the local council's arts director. Once every 3months we will hold a similar gathering which will embrace all crafts. An opportunity for us to gather, learn, make, share and create. The first of these will be held on the 12th of december and it'll either be too late or just in time for christmas! I can't wait to see what everyone brings.
xx Le xx

International Crochet Day and Other Stuff

Can't believe I haven't mentioned International Crochet Day, Wednesday 12th September! I'm organising a free community event in my home town to celebrate the occasion and I'm hoping for a good turn out. I have no idea if there's going to be 5 or 55 people that show up! In any case I'm excited about what it could be. A day of encouraging people to crochet and teaching a few who would like to begin their own journey into the crochet world.
It's been difficult to begin new projects or to finish ongoing ones with a busy life and winter colds to deal with. I haven't even been taking that many photos.
We're in between technologies at the moment with the purchase of an ipad that takes great photos yet it doesn't come naturally to pick up and start taking shots for our blog.

Having said that, here's a pic of a project I'm working on for Little S's 2nd birthday coming up soon. Not that she needs another doll but I have enjoyed sitting peacefully and making each stitch very purposefully. Dolly now has all her arms and legs, they just need to be attached!

Here's some gorgeous yarn I bought from a little country trip we took a couple of months ago to see B's brother. A quick stop in Yea revealed two cute little spaces filled with beautiful hand dyed yarn and lovely handmade pieces. I have other photos but they're on the laptop. I'll put them on later. I have. No idea what I'll do with this yet but definately something spesh.

It was beautfiul weather that weekend. And here's their gorgeous country house. It was a foggy morning and the house was shrouded in a misty wrap. It burned off about mid-morning to reveal ab stunning sunny day. We planted trees for National Tree Planting Day by the river................

............and the kids had wagon rides. Good old fashioned fun running about the paddocks, climbing trees, playing cubbies and picking oranges.
Now we would say that we live in a semi rural area but this is something else. There's a greater element of space here, it's flat and open. The sun streams through the kitchen window at 7am (we don't see the sun until 10 in winter) and the kids don't ask to watch tv! Love it!

A Little Show and Tell

I've been soooo desperate to write a post but I have been put off of late because our poor old and very slow computer can't handle much lately, particularly when it comes to uploading photos. I feel I've had so little time to be creative these school holidays - oh apart from making toilet roll binoculars, choc-chip cookies and cubby houses out of large Ikea boxes! We've had alot of fun and now I need to create something, a bigger crochet project. My brother has announced they are expecting a baby in february and I think I'd like to make a really lovely blankie. Something ripply perhaps, something soft and gorgeous. I'll start soon as it will take a while.

Em I feel like I haven't seen you in EVER!!! I laughed at your last post re beanie frustration- can't wait to chat about all your idle crafty holiday happiness and check out that necklet which looks gorgeous, any wonder you got comments! And that new crochet book by Erica Knight looks gorgeous. I laughed because I nearly bought it myself from fishpond.com.au, click right here to see it. I think we need a crafty crochet catch up real soon and a look at that book........please...............

In the meantime here's a couple of things I made before the school holidays happened upon us.

My first pair of fingerless gloves. They're so super soft and warm. I found this 4ply cashmere/merino blend at $4 a ball at the local bargain shop which has everything from glitter stickers to dog food! I used a half treble stitch for the hand bit and a pattern from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks for the wrist part. I wear them everywhere at the moment.

Next is my bangle from Mollie Makes Issue 15. It's chunky, it's funky. I love it! Made it in half an hour one night. It's 2 strands of pure wool and was a little tricky using front-post treble and back-post treble stitches but it turned out as it should. It's my new winter accessory.

Now I was given this beautiful skein of wool from a dear friend for my 40th and I've only just wound it into 2 equal balls. Any ideas what to make with it? It's quite thick with beautifully variegated colours, lovely handspun yarn deserves to be made into something amazing. I'm just not sure what yet!!! What do you think?????????????????????

x Le x

A footstool cover

It has taken hours, days, weeks, even months but l have finally completed a bigger project ( for me anyway). A crochet cover for the footstool l rescued off the nature strip at hard rubbish time.....

And my first ever beanie.......

Another cushion cover

May Days

 Sunny, shiny May Days. The sunshine was oh so glorious this month. The clearest blue skies, the chill in the air, the colours all around and the falling leaves. We had many wonderful moments throwing handfuls of colour in the air and giggling as leaves landed on our heads... 'more pease mum'

                                                                        but no crochet........

 Returning to the kitchen. The smells of baking, warm cinnamon and sweet appley goodness wafting through the house. Mmm, we return to cake; Sicilian Apple Cake. I've learned to make cake with one child on hip and one hand doing the rest! The result? An afternoon of delightful kitchen happiness, lots of sticky fingers and a beautiful afternoon tea

but no crochet.............

Crocheted yarn bombing in the local park ......... not my crochet

'FUN' watching long autumn shadows swinging in the park.....

 but still no crochet

My cumquat tree has broken it's 15 year drought and I have.....

A pocketful of sunshine.......... but no crochet!!

Rocket seeds planted perhaps a little too late, but fingers crossed x

Mamma's Little Helper -

Maggie Beer's Burnt Fig, Honeycomb and Caramel Icecream......mmmm

and I managed some crochet!!!

My first Beanie....... photo on the way!!

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EDITED TO ADD......

Here it 'tis! 100% pure wool, 2 strands, size 4 hook, 3hrs and lots of excitement later and we have a beanie. After much procrastination as I am prone to, I finally took a deep breath and just started. It was actually really easy and fits so snuggly on Little R's head, down over his ears and covers his neck........ oh so cozy for these cold winter days.