Don't worry

Be happy

 

I'm thinking our summer and Mother Nature is joining forces in our parts and giving us a hard time!!! We had a weird summer thunderstorm here yesterday that left us without power for around 3 and a half hours. I checked on Heather across the other side of town and she was ok. That little moo cow had her power back on after only a short time. Moooooo!

We were getting a bit concerned about all the food in the fridge and freezer, our temperature was about 39C. But you know what? Keep calm.......it is all good now.

Last time I blogged, I told you about the whopping big snake we had....well, sadly we came to the conclusion that one reason we were getting bigger snakes coming in was because of all of our chickens. So with a heavy heart we found them all a new home out on a farm. 

                                                              

Thanks to Jim, Lisa and the kids for taking our chooks and Chester. I had to text Lisa a few hours later to see how they were and she kindly sent me a couple of pics.

On a happier note I have finally finished my beaded dolls. These little girls are off to the Tourist Centre to be sold. I really dig the fabrics I purchased, so bright and happy.

 \                                    Other items off to market are: 


                   Cute little covered coat hangers

                            Knitted cotton hats

                  Knitted headbands for newborns

                  Knitted hot water bottle covers

This little cotton cutie is still on the go. It is a free pattern here. I have knitted it using a cotton yarn, but I believe the pattern is for an 8 ply yarn. It is a knitted from the top down pattern, and that suits me just fine because there is not much in the way of stitching up.

Today's plan of attack is to get some sewing done before it gets too hot. I am going to make some more ruffle bags to sell and one is already sold even before I've made it. lol
                                                                
I'm also going to do some silent prayers for our Aussie friends down south in Western Australia at Yarloop. They've suffered a devastating fire that has wiped the town out and the fire is still on the go. In fact, across Australia the bushfires are burning away. 

Regards,  Anita.

Welcome 2016

Welcome 2016!!!

Another new year has rolled in to offer us new challenges, projects, memories and fun. Let's see how that pans out for us all! I'm hoping for a fantastic year of creating, learning and whatever else comes my way.

What better way to start the year than with some of my hilarious work mates. 

 These gals are gems, love them heaps.

My aim for the holidays was to get a good start on winter stock for the markets and I've stuck to my guns here. Come and have a squiz at what I've been up to.....

A cute sweater for a 2 year old, knitted in 8 ply yarn, using size 8 needles.

 A close up for you to see the simple pattern.

 This cute little newborn cardigan knitted also in an 8 ply yarn.

  I had some leftover yellow cotton so I thought I would knit up a little face washer and crochet a delicate edge around it. 

 Had enough left over to crochet a small flower to add to the collection.

 A couple of sweet baby hats. 

 More proof that I'm also sticking to the promise I publicly declared about doing other crafts than just knitting!!! LOL A crocheted yoke to go with some fabric. I will show and tell this when I have finished the project.

 Some of my favourites....beaded dolls in the making. 

 Ah and of course....knitted baby bootees. You knew that was coming hey? 

 Love the groovy fabrics? I'm hoping to turn this stash into ruffle bags. Give me some cool days so I can bash my sewing machine to bits, and churn these beauties out.

 Oh my!! Where did this yarn stash come from??? lol I have to own up, Cory and I went to Midland and stopped in at Spotlight. There was a great sale on, so we had to buy. lol 

 Now, I've decided to try to redo the backyard and put out some potted plants. Wish me luck with this as I'm not sure how successful I'm going to be.

  I don't sound confident you say?

 One guess why.........

 

 I've left the ickiest story for last....On Tuesday I was standing on the other side of this tin gate, about 6 inches away. On this side of the gate, is a very big snake coming towards me. 

This same gate is where Milo always stands up on if I'm down the chook yard. 

If I yell out for help, Milo will run to the gate.

If Milo sees the snake he will run to the gate.

Milo is now coming towards the gate because he sees me. What do I do? I throw the egg I have just collected from the chook house and Milo chases it. 

I hitch the fence and grab Milo.

I don't know where the snake is now, I've lost sight of it. Is it still in our yard under the wood heap? I don't know....and I still don't know.

My Aussie bloggers...please be aware of snakes, they're out.

On that freaky note, I'm out of here. I have to.....er.....go and feed the chooks. lol

Ciao, Anita.

Finally.....Good morning and hello. Our internet and phones have been out of action for ages now, so there's been no blogging for ages. I'm sorry for not replying to comments, Christmas wishes etc, and I have just found my mountain of emails (all asking where have I been). The computer I usually do my blogging on has decided not to turn back on and this computer doesn't have all my super fonts on it. Whaa whaa.

Good news is......I'm on holidays and I've whipped my sewing room to death already. I have promised to make good use of these holidays, in the way of getting winter stock ready for next year's markets. I have made so many 2 year old boy sweaters already and I'm heaps happy with myself. Heather and I were swamped last year at the markets and constant requests for knitted boy sweaters. Well we're onto it. 

My latest creation is this cute little mug rug to sell at the tourist centre. I have done a little bit of stitching, used the last of some very pretty fabric that I have loved and stitched a little circle for the bottom of the cup. I'm onto the next mug rug now.

This is the next one

I couldn't help myself......I made some cute little headbands for newborns. Click here for the pattern. 

Now gals, don't clag it, but I've done some crocheting as well!!! Eekkk! lol I have noticed the rage of clothing with crocheted bodice and fabric skirt. I think it's groovy and very cute on little girls. If you hack around on the net you will find heaps of free patterns. 

There is no pattern for this one though, I kinda made it up as I went. I will have to go back and write it down.lol

Meanwhile.....back in the sewing shed....some little beaded dolls are in the making. As soon as I finished blogging I'm racing out there to sew for a while. We're expecting 42 C today and we'll get it. lol

A beautiful gift from Heather the feather. My heart skipped beats when I unwrapped this Christmas gift. Heather joined us for Christmas lunch and was full of cheek and comments...but see how friendship balances? Cheek in one hand, a beautiful plate in another. lol

Well gals, I'm off to get a good start on some sewing before we boil here. I'm hoping for a fantastic New Year and I wish that for you all as well. 

Buon anno! Happy New Year

Ciao, Anita.

Leave the flurry to the masses:

Take your time and shine your glasses.

-Old Irish verse

Pretty much at this time of the year, I’m not sure if I’m winding up or winding down. Lol There’s is the excitement of preparing for Christmas, the knowledge that I have only four more working days before I go on summer break, buying and making gifts for my special people.....these are all the wind ups for me, I would think, but I also feel like I’m winding down with the above as well. Us girls are a funny species.

At this exciting time of year, I lovingly hang our Christmas wall quilt above my gorgeous old tea trolley laden with handmade Christmas dolls.

With sentiment running wild here, Cath Walker made this little cutie for me several years ago. I still put this little beauty out every year Cath, I think of you. Lol.

For a something a bit different this year, I found a groovy cup warmer that touched my sense of humour. No one and nothing is really safe from me. This is a free pattern and if you want to have a go at knitting it, click here.

During the week my son Brandon text me to say have a squiz at the sky......Mother Nature putting on a display. No it wasn’t the jet line left from any sort of air transport, the cloud was thicker by far for that. If you held your fingers about 4 inches apart and pointed them to the sky, that’s how thick this straight cloud was. 

Pretty cool I thought!

In a previous post I showed you the Peppa pig that I had knitted and she is much bigger than George turned out, but cute just the same. Clicking here will get you the pattern.

Shades of..........

Blue

I’ve decided that my main project over the holidays will be getting ahead with the winter stock for the markets. I know, it’s summer, it’s hot....but a knitting addict doesn’t stop for the weather. Lol...well not this one any way (nor does Heather the feather). Gosh, if I had to stop knitting because it was hot....well.....I’d turn into a neurotic raccoon!!!!

I’ve started with boys booties and beanies. Heather and I discovered that we just could not keep up with the demand for boys knitted items. So I’m getting ahead this time. It was our first season selling things at the markets, so we were really feeling our way around, just as we’re doing through the summer months right now. 

This ratbag is in trouble again. Another 2 bushes have been squashed and mysteriously disappeared from the yard. I think there’s more to that story.

milo

Well folks, I’m about to attack some housework, not that I want to. I’m still waiting for that lazy magic fairy to get here and do it Where is she? Lol

Enjoy your Sunday and stay happy.

Ciao, Anita.

Keep all that is good for your soul close to you

and everything else can just

stay away.

 After the fantastic night I had last night with my tribe of Ag Society friends.....I’m surprised I’m blogging this morning!! Lol Thanks you crazy bunch of larikans for a groovy night of fun and laughter.

Now I left you all last time with something to wonder about......What am I knitting in blue, white and gold? Here is my secret project........Banana's in Pyjamas. Especially made for my little nephew 

Hamish

 Have heaps of fun with Banana’s little man.

I have an old and favourite Play School book that has all the groovy characters from that program to knit. Soft toys are always the way to go for little kids, they love them.

I've done some sewing for the markets this week. 3 little summer skirts for 4 year girls. As our weather is so hot here in the summer, there is nothing like a light cotton skirt to wear. There are so many free patterns out there on the net that the world is your oyster when you choose a pattern.

 I’ve also had a crochet hook attached to my hands this week as I just had to try a pattern I found over at Attic 24. This is the start of the Blooming flower cushion and when I finish it it's going to be a charmer. Perhaps it can be for another special niece of mine? lol

 There is an absolutely fantastic tutorial on how to crochet this wonderful pattern, and take it from me.....anyone can do it. It is so simple. They’ve done a great job on the tutorial. Want to try it? Click here.

Yes and still on the go.....I did some sewing as well. I decided that some new Christmas gear was needed this year, and what nicer addition than a runner for my antique tea trolley. A groovy idea to use up some leftover fabrics as well.

This runner will be for the top shelf and I will make another for the bottom.

 Call me crazy if you like, but the other day I found a cute little pattern for these Chrissy decorations.....

Now I can’t find them again to share the pattern! Oops! I’ll keep looking. These actually start out as a circle and end up like this.

I’m sad to have to go but at least one day over the weekend must be clean up day.....not that I like the idea. I hope gals are all starting to gear up for Christmas. It’s such a fun time for me as I love looking at all the Chrissy ideas that start popping up on everyone’s blogs. Have a super week everyone.

Ciao, Anita.