Lads and lasses

Inspired by bonnets and aprons and peaked caps.....

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

Rainy days......

Not only are the rainy days essential for the little vegie seedlings l planted on the gorgeous sunny spring days last week, they were also essential to direct me into my studio to complete my latest range of little wooden dolls.....

Litle skipping girls and boys and....

Little spring blossom girls!

Happy sunny spring days! X em

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!

Making choices.....

Oh Le, what to do, what to do... you've seen my studio of late and know l have work in progress just waiting and wanting to be finished... but it's one of those amazing spring days when the garden just beckons.... No decisions for little skipping girl though, she can just enjoy the day!

40th Retreat Day Four - Part One

SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST, 2012

God before we know it, it will be a year since we were the BIG 'four oh' and I'll still be writing about it!!! Here's my attempt before the kids return from swimming and it's all over!!

Em, Nanna Rose will be stylin' and the envy of all with that gorgeous necklet made especially for her. I must tell that I had a sneak peek in real life! Yes I snuck into your studio and spied it on your bench. All mossy green and beautifully layed out with a pretty birdy brooch. Was I tempted to pick it up, to even slip it over my head and feel it's snuggness? well of course I was but I didn't, I really didn't, I promise. I did touch it though and admire the feel of the yarn and beautifully made stitches. Oh what lovely hooky happiness it will bring to it's wearer.

So now to the beginning of day 4.

DAY 4 - PART ONE
SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER, 2011

oOOH A SLEEP IN, a REAL sleep in. No dogs a -barking, no babies a-cryin' (oh how I do miss my babies but there's NO guilt anymore, absolutely none THIS IS GREAT!!!) and an uninterrupted cuppa in bed, some pre-breaky idle hooky happiness and wondering thoughts about what in store for today.

We took a very wet and soggy walk through the Rye market and spied those colourful orangey proteas, so cheery. Umbrella's perched high above our heads? NO we didn't bring umberellas, just a flimsy wrap which got drenched as we dashed from market to op shop.

See this cute little shack- it's the op shop in Rye. It's were I score some red, 4ply,100% cotton with original wrapping and labels for a bargain and a woven beaded belt. I can't seem to resist honey no matter where the market so a jar of the golden stuff came home with me too.

             Market. Rain.

Coffee.

Rain.

Food.

Rain

Counting stitches.....

Just finished Nanna Rose's popcorn stitch necklet in time for her birthday and only had to restart it once to get the stitch count right! I used a ball of Rowan Felted Tweed in a lovely moss green and a no. 4 hook....
Ch 14
1st Row:
Miss 1 ch, 1 dc in each ch to end
(13 st).
2nd Row:
1dc, 1ch in first dc, *popcorn in next dc, 1tr in next dc, repeat from * to end.
3rd Row:
1ch, 1dc in first tr, *1dc in top of popcorn, 1dc in next tr, repeat from * to end, working last dc in turning chain.

Last 2 rows form the pattern, continue in pattern til scarf reaches desired length ( approx . 1 ball of wool).
Match one end to side of scarf and attach with running stitch.
Popcorn Stitch:
Work 5 treble in next stitch, draw up the last loop.
Remove hook from loop, then insert hook from back to front through 1st of 5 treble.
Replace hook through raised loop and draw through top of 1st treble.
Work 1ch to fasten.

Ta-dah!!

I created the pattern for the necklet based on the pattern for the Popcorn Bag in the Crochet Modern Vintage book by Panda. (Thanks Rach!)

Happy crocheting..... X em