by Kate on January 28, 2012
My brother and his wife, Tara are expecting their first child in July.
The kids are out at Mum and Dad’s this weekend so I thought it wise to get cracking on the handmade gift front.
We know they are cooking up a little girl so I went with some lovely aqua and peachy pink prints.
All frabics are from Calico & Ivy, with the exception of the flea market fancy print…that has been in the scrap basket for a while.
Simple meandering lines to quilt, machine bound for durability and it’s done.
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by Kate on January 27, 2012
Chris & I undertook this project together.
It was great to have some encouragement because for a while there, I wondered if I would ever get it finished.
The pattern itself is actually very simple but it is repetitive and gets a little tedious.
I’m glad I persevered though, the wrap (& wool) transforms with aggressive blocking.
When Mum saw this finished she remarked how lovely it is. Quite surprising really as I think most of my yarny projects are a little too ‘handmade’ looking for Mum’s taste.
Anyway, I’m glad she likes it and am thrilled to be giving it to her.
Project notes on ravelry.
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by Kate on January 26, 2012
I loved knitting this and I love the finished product even more.
Knit in the smallest size (1-4) and made for my cousin’s little girl, Pia who will be 1 in May. Although it will be a little big for Pia to begin with, she should get quite a lot of wear out this.
Maddie asked me to knit her one but after wearing it for five minutes proclaimed it was “too itchy”. I find that very hard to believe, the wool is lovely and soft, it was a real pleasure to knit with.
Pattern – Squishy Love by Amanda Keeys
Wool – Gems sport weight by Louet
Buttons – Pegs from all buttons great and small
Ravelry
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by Kate on January 24, 2012
We are on a beach mini-break and like every beach holiday of ours, the weather is less than ideal.
Before we left, I packed a knitting project and clearly remember thinking “I really should wind another ball but I am running out of time and really one should be enough, right?
Fifteen rounds from completing the project and I have run out of yarn.
*sigh*
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by Kate on January 19, 2012
At the beginning of the school holidays Maddie attended a craft workshop at Art Spark and for the last few weeks has been asking when she can learn to knit.
I’m not overly convinced I am up to take on the ‘knitting teacher’ role just yet so thought we should start off with something a little simpler.
Hello latch hook.
We trotted up to our local craft supply shop and both had a crash course in how to latch hook.
Maddie is nearly six and picked it up very easily, she is already asking where we can hang it once it is finished.
The mere thought of hanging a lurid blue shaggy wool fish in the house is making me anxious but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
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by Kate on January 16, 2012
I picked up this vintage blanket on ebay last year.
The colours are so much brighter than my usual taste but I think it is stunning.
It is a beautiful example of tunisian crochet, something I have not yet tried. I would love to hear if any of you know how to crochet this way.
Edited to add: Thanks to some lovely readers, I have been informed that this blanket may not be Tunisian crochet after all but normal crochet, the stitch being “Afghan”.
I did some hunting around and both methods look the same to me?! I will do some more digging and let you know x
You can find stitch information on the Afghan stitch here.
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by Kate on January 6, 2012
There have been some lovely geometric quilts popping up, some of my favorites are…
Kate made this one and it is her first ever quilt. Love the vintage sheets.
Jolene has used some gorgeous prints.
Cookie’s pretty in pink.
Love the vintage barkcloth print used in this one.
Lovely contemporary feel to this one.
I have been so inspired by the quilts popping up in the Flickr group that I have decided to make another one myself.
Am going to get cutting today.
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by Kate on January 3, 2012
It seems Sydney has finally decided to turn on a bit of Summer weather not that I am getting too excited. The bureau informs us that we are going to experience one of the coldest Summers in 50 years.
We headed down to Coledale, a great spot 50 minutes south of Sydney and given the drive it is always quieter than the city beaches.
I’m not much of a beach girl but I can certainly see the benefits of living by the sea, our drive home was filled with talk of a sea change…
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by Kate on January 2, 2012
For me, the start of a new year is all about looking at what has been and what may come.
2011 was a big year.
The start of school for Maddie
The start of daycare for Alfie
Two kid free days to myself
Sad goodbyes – *sob*
An interstate move
A school change for Maddie
Lack of daycare for Alfie and with it my two kid free days
A new job for J
Reconnecting with old friends and having my family close by
So much packed into one year.
After following Kate’s family trip around Australia, I realised that only good things can come from slowing down and savouring the moment a little more.
So if we are talking resoultions, I guess that is mine – slow down and enjoy the ride.
I’ll keep you posted.
Happy New Year!
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by Kate on December 19, 2011
A photobooth fail but you get the idea…
As is customary for me at this time of year, I am taking a little break from the Internet.
Time to relax and recharge.
So a BIG ‘Merry Christmas’! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you celebrate, you are surrounded by family and friends.
Thanks for all your continued support and I’m looking forward to “seeing” you in 2012 xx
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