Gone sock mad!

How beautiful, how buoyant,

and glad is morning!

-L.E. Landon, The Book of Beauty.

Another great week has

just zipped by and I have managed

to get many things done.

I did do something silly though, I have lost my car

keys! I have Pixie's set of keys but still

cannot find my own. Pixie went to pick the boys

up from school and I yelled out to him that I

would come with him. I put my keys down and

immediately thought 'that is a silly place to leave

them'. And what do you know, they're missing.

If anyone has a psychic mind please let

me know where I put them.

Today I quickly whipped up some curtains

for Cory and Pixie's go kart trailer. The material

had been given to me a while ago and has now

come in very handy. The material had to be thick

to help keep the warmth in the sleeping compartments.

Yes! the trailer has beds.

I have now used a bit more of my material stash.

I have also knitted socks this week. I found a cute

pattern on the net that could be downloaded.

I knitted the socks from a big reel of wool that I had

found at the Op shop. It is a plum colour and very

soft wool.

I fell hard for the pattern itself. Very easy pattern indeed. If

you would like to try them, go to Kala's blog. They are called

Laizy Maizy socks.

After making these socks I went for a quick

trip with Pixie to the craft shop. While Pix looked for

what he wanted I found more wool.

The brand is Lara Lamb and though I have never

knitted with this wool before, I'm willing to

give it a go. It feels nice and soft. It is a 4ply wool

and I can't wait to start.

And....er....while I was at it, I spotted some lovely

baby wool. I need this for my show item.

I'm happy to say that I think My friend Dianne has also

got the knitting bug. While visiting her up in Geraldton

we had a discussion about knitting. And a phone today

confirmed there will be some knitting up her way. Good

on you Dianne.

As the weather is chilly out my way, I think I better go

and do some knitting. My house is full of boys, the

fire is going nicely....all I need now are my knitting

needles and a cup of tea. Kind regards, Anita.

Easy Sunday

        A seed hidden in the heart
of an apple is an orchard invisible.
-Welsh proverb.

I'm having a fairly

cushy day today.

Pixie and Cory are at gokarts,

Brandon has a friend over

and me....I am having

a sewing day.

Last night I stitched up the

black cardigan I knitted while on

holidays.

I had already made this cardigan in

grey and loved it so much, I had to knit

it again in black. My winter wardrobe

centres around black, so I felt that

this cardigan would mix and match.

I have used 8 ply wool and really

enjoyed casting on about 285 stitches

and knitted like mad. The bottom part of

the cardigan is K5, P5, with a crocheted

cord to finish it off. I am a bit

annoyed with myself as I have forgotten

what knitting book I found this pattern in. I will try to retrace my steps and find
the title of the book.

On Saturday I went for a visit to the

lovely Op shop in town and found....

I couldn't believe my eyes. A huge reel of

sock wool. I suppose there are going to be

lots of grey socks around this house!

I found 2 books plus the wool for $4.00.

I also went to visit Bev and exchanged a

paper bag challenge with her. We

have exchanged paper bags with fabric, ric rac

or lace, and 5 buttons. We will make each

other something nice.

I can't wait to see what we both come

up with.

Today is the last day of my holidays and

I'm looking forward to going back

to work. I love staying home and I love

my job, so I have best of both

worlds.

Hope you all have a great week and take care. Kind regards, Anita.

Enjoying my holidays

Doing good is the only certainly 

 happy action of a man's life.

-Sir Philip Sidney

Since I'm on holidays, I have the chance

to slide in a quick post and share with

you some of my finished projects.

Today I decided to use up some scraps of

material that have been given to me. I thought a
nice placemat was long overdue.

The strips are about 11/2 inch wide x 6 inch long, happened

to find some nice green to bind the edges with..

how lucky was that!

I rather like all the colours here.

I found some leftover Powder puff wool as well and decided

that I could get a beanie out of the leftovers...I managed to

squeeze 2 out, but have given one away already.

This has got to be one of the softest brands

of wool on the market. It is a baby wool and

certainly is soft to the touch.

I am really enjoying my holidays and they come to an end

soon, so on Monday it's back to work.

Which is great as well!

I have finished lots of things that I was

hoping to get done, some sewing, knitting.....er....and

cleaning. It was fantastic to see Di and the boys

again up in Geraldton, had a great time with the

boys as well. Pixie also had time off over the

break, so having him home was fun. Sharing a cup

of tea and coffee in the afternoon with hubby

is just priceless. Had someone to pick on as well...lol.

He loves it.

I'm off now to trace some angel patterns. Catch you next

time. Kind regards, Anita.

Coastal trip

The rules of a friendship are

simple and true. Do unto your

 friends as you'd have them do.

We have just returned from a short trip

up the coast of Western Australia.

We went to a place called Geraldton, a

4-5 hour drive from home (depending

on which one of us is driving).

On the way up there I got to do a good

spot of knitting. I made a grey cardigan

a short time ago and fell in love with

it so much, I had to have it in black as well.

Unfortunately you can't see the pattern too well but

the bottom section of the cardigan is knit 5, purl 5 and done in one piece until the underarms. I have used an 8ply wool and there are 253 stitches on the needles at one time!

While on our journey I just had to share

some pictures with you. Along the trip to Geraldton

there are many ruins, partial and restored buildings

along the way. The highway is dotted with old homesteads and buildings of the past.

I always have a good look at this one, I would

love to know some of its history.

This is one half of the house, and unfortunately the
vandals have done some writing on the walls. Lovely big old stones with timber window frames. Typical that the chimney is still standing.

There seems to be lots of small rooms and doors to the outside...perhaps a row of living quarters?

I have a friend who lives in Geraldton and everytime we visit, the boys go to race gokarts and I catch up with Dianne for some pleasant chit chat....gossip! We have been friends for a squillion years and never seem to run out of things to talk about.

On the Sunday Dianne, her boys and I went for a stroll to the markets in Geraldton. When we parked I noticed a stunning building right in front of me. The old building used to be the hospital. You won't believe what it is now.....

It is a back packers stop. I'm a bit cross that my camera played up as I took more photo's of this building and they didn't turn out. To the left of the photo, the building continues for a good stretch. To the right, a visitors centre.

I really enjoyed my visit catching up with Di and the boys, they are so funny. Brandon woke early this morning as he was very happy to be going home. Needless to say we left at around 6.30 am.

One of the great things about being back home is....our bed wasn't short sheeted while we were gone! A bit of a joke between my darling sister-in-law and us. Her bed was short sheeted a little while ago, so revenge is inevitable.

Have a great week and happy sewing. Kind regards, Anita.

Sliding one in

Cheerful company

shortens the miles.

-German proverb

I'm sliding a quick one in here.

I might be out of action for a few days

so I thought I would

quickly show you some of my

knitting .

This will be the second drop off

at the chemist for knitted items to go to

Guardian Angel. The little top made in 8 ply is for a

small child. Infact the arms are about 4 inches long!

Some little guy will be nice and

warm in it. Also made were a few more beanies.

This winter in Australia will be really

cold, so I figure that beanies will be

needed and appreciated.

You may have seen some of these colours before,

I am trying to reduce my stash of wool and

slowly it is happening. The top middle

beanie was knitted from Powder puff wool that

I purchased from Spotlight. It is so lovely to

knit with. The dark beanie is the same

colour as the little jumper shown above.

Now after saying I am trying to reduce my wool

stash, I have to confess....I went to

the craft shop today and purchased some

black 8 ply wool to knit myself a

cardigan!! ooops!

The weekend is just around the corner, I hope

you all enjoy it. Chat

with you soon. Kind regards, Anita.

Terrific Tuesday

Improve every opportunity to wonder

and worship, as a sunflower welcomes the light.

- Henry David Thoreau.

Well it's a terrific Tuesday here at the homestead! My boys are occupied and happy, had a nice walk this morning, even though the weather is pretty drab.....I don't usually do walks (rather ride) but Cory and I took Max for a walk. I am so excited that I have been able to get some stitching and sewing done. I told you about the Russian doll...

Heather had made this little beauty and my tongue hung out of my mouth and I started to drool. Had to make her. I did do a few changes though....she will be going to live in the library and with that in mind, I thought perhaps only 1 ribbon on her head and went along without the lace. I have also used corduroy instead of felt for the cape and used up scraps to make the front of her dress. I you want to make her she is in the Handmade Vol 25, no.10. Very quick and easy to make. I love her.

Have been able to finish some stitching as well, I'm a fair bit behind on that. This is part of the quilt Bev and I are making.

We are making different subjects towards the quilt. We have rows of chooks, hearts, trees and the next row is angels. It keeps us both out of trouble. Now having done some stitching and sewing I have also knitted up that lovely ball of wool purchased a few days ago. It has turned into a beanie for my niece who is expecting her third child. The wool brand is Cuddles 4 Me and it is beautiful to knit with.

I'm off to bake now for the hungry hoard of boys roaming around my house right now. Nothing like homemade cake! See you next time. Kind regards, Anita.

Lost and found

 The busy bee teaches us two lessons: one is

not to be idle, and the other is not to get stung.

-Early American proverb.

A while ago I found material and pattern to make a Noah's ark cushion.

I decided to take it home and make it up....

I found this at an Op shop, when I spotted it of course I couldn't believe my luck

nor could I leave it there for someone else!

I loved the colour of the material used on the back.

It's very pretty.

This morning Pixie and I went to the shops, and made a stop in at the craft shop

along the way. We went in to check out the wool. A lovely niece of mine

told me yesterday that she was expecting baby number 3. So with

excitement I had to check out the baby wool.

I haven't come across this wool before but it feels lovely and I take it to be a 4 ply, hence the

name of the wool Cuddles 4 me? I will take photo's of whatever I make out of it.

Also found, on a quick visit to the library was a book I had ordered in called Plush You. I am

really getting interested once again in making toys, and I figure with a new

library being built....there has to be new toys!

So I have shown you all the things I have found, now with a bit of sadness I will show

you something that is going to be lost.

This grand old girl is on the market, and loud whispers are that she will be knocked down

for something else.....

An old lady used to live here alone, and the block would have to be at least 1 acre. On the right

hand side is the drive way...

And on the other side is a huge old fashioned garden.

I just love the footpath through the garden.

The front is adorned with lovely features, old charm, gorgeous windows and the name of the house....

The house has been let go, so the amount of money you would need to renovate would be

through the roof. Which is sad, she is a grand old lady. I even cruised around the back

of the property and took some shots of the back.

I couldn't get the whole yard in this one photo, so you could perhaps imagine the size of the place.

It is unfortunate the house has been let go, could you imagine it in its day! In the next photo take

notice of the sheet of metal in the centre of the picture.....

That sheet of metal is covering a door. Yes...the lower floor of the house has what

is equal to another small unit underneath. A family could live

in the house and rent out the lower unit if they so desired.

I will be sad to see this place go, as our town has bit of a reputation for

pulling down old places and rebuilding model replacements.

At least I have these photo's to remember it by.

I think some people in my house are starving, so maybe I rattle around the

kitchen and make some lunch for the poor things. Have yourself a

great weekend and see you all soon.

Kind regards, Anita.