Sweet Mammy

A wise old owl

sat on an oak

the more he saw

the less he spoke

the less he spoke

the more he heard

why aren't we like

that wise old bird?

An old proverb

Today I have sat outside and enjoyed the warmth of the sun and relaxed with my stitching. I have finished my gorgeous Mammy doll and she's turned out wonderful.

 This sweet design came from an old edition of Homespun no.9
(Vol 3.1), and one doll I have always had intentions of making.
Mammy ends up being about 26 inches in height and very easy to make. I love the collar and pocket, which just has a touch of stitching around the edges to give it a warm feeling.

I have used leftover black wool for her hair and used colonial knots. I found some rather nice material for her dress and very pleased with how good she looks.

 I am not the only creative person in my household I must say. Each of us has a special talent. It seems that both of the boys have an artistic flair in the way of designing posters and different styles of writing. Brandon and Cory are both very gifted in this field and some of the things they design is incredible. My husbands talent is he is a good boy and does nothing wrong!! giggle giggle. Cory has a favourite hat and has started a hat trend at his school. He asked me to make a hat in the same style of his very favourite one......but in fluro green. I have to own up and say I did make the hat below, but I did feel like pulling my teeth out whilst making it. You see it had to be perfect.....'no it's too tight ; it has a bulge here ; the front flap is too big!!' Patience is a virtue and I didn't bite anyone while all the complaints were going on, and eventually the hat was made.

On to some more interesting things now.....during the week I made two more tea cosies and forgot to take photo's of them, 2 short scarves to sell and another few baby items.

Yesterday I went to an embroidery display at the arts society and was impressed with so many pieces of work made by a local craft group. Some of the works were made by women in their eighties and if you could have seen how intricate the work was, it would blow your socks off. I take my hat off to them, the work was so well done, I was impressed indeed. Sadly my camera was not charged up to take any photo's.

I'm off to attack my washing again now, it seems the washing never ends. Being such a sunny day it will not take long to dry. All the best for the coming week. Kind regards, Anita.



I want to bite my sewing machine!!!!

We shall never know

all the good that

a simple smile can do.

- Mother Teresa

I have been given the Versatile Blogger award from Dawn over at Quilts and pieces. Thanks sweetpea for choosing my blog and how funny to sit and think about seven things about myself that people might not know. After you all read the seven things I have selected about myself, you may all be a little concerned about me. Giggle giggle.

Seven things about myself.
1. I eat avocados like they are chocolate
2. I can't eat my tea if there is a pen or pencil on the table, it makes me feel ill. (strange but true)
3. I wear contact lenses - great when you are having a shower, you can see what you are washing!!
4. I love squeezing pimples - almost anybody's (LOL)
5. I am a prankster
6. At all times throughout my marriage, I have managed to turn my husband's hair grey and make it fall out in some patches.
7. When I see lights on in a house that has been vacant for a very long time, I get the biggest, buzziest warm feeling and I don't know why.

Now I have shared seven things with you about myself and you are probably thinking who is this cuckoo, well.....it's just me.

Over the week I have been making a Mammy doll and though the photo doesn't do it justice, she has turned out rather cute. I have used gingham blue and a dotty blue material for her dress and apron. She also has a headband in the matching colour. As always I have made some knickers for her, I can't cope if a doll doesn't have knickers on. Pretty good for me since, as a child, I always used to throw my knickers away because I couldn't stand to have them on. I used to chuck them to the chooks, flush them down the toilet, anything to get rid of them!!!! I don't do that now!!

This is what I was working on when my sewing machine decided to not work for me. Another Mammy doll, she is much bigger than the dolly shown above. The one above is about 30 inches high, this one is about 47 inches. I have used some lovely red printed material for her dress. I found the pattern in an old Homespun of mine.

She will have a stunning stitched collar and pretty heart shaped pocket attached to her. I will show her all finished in the next posting I do.

In the knitting department, I am almost on the homeward run with a teacosy that is looking real flash. I can't wait to show you...you won't have to wait long. Today being Sunday, I am going to finish all the chores that I should have done yesterday, however I was busy wanting to bite that sewing machine of mine. I reminded myself that patience is a virtue. Ha Ha.

Hope the rest of the weekend is fun for all of you. Kind regards, Anita.

By golly!

Many people will walk in

and out of your life,

but only true friends will

leave footprints in your heart.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

My tail has been wagging the last few days, very proud of

myself actually. A friend at work asked me to make her two

golliwogs and of course I said yes. Lovely Heather kindly let

me use her golliwog pattern book that she has had for ages.

The instructions in the book were very clear and easy to follow, however, as with the older patterns, there were lots of darts, pleats,

and tiny bits. When I made the doll up it was too small and I decided to make my own pattern. This is the result.

 I wanted to keep a traditional look about the golliwogs and decided to make red coats with white shirts underneath. The pants were stripes and checks, with black wool for their hair. The pair stand about 9 inches, I believe, and I am so happy with how they turned out. I think the lady I made them for was very happy too, I'm sure she was going to lick them any second. lol. This lovely lady is into country style things, shabby chic and golliwogs, so she's a pretty good sort!! I must say that the book Heather gave me to use has knitting patterns in it too for golliwogs, so I'm going to knit some as well.

I realized that in the back ground is my old antique sewing machine, the sort you hand turn to make it work. I have used it many times when the power has been out, my sewing machine is out of action etc. It is wonderful to sew with.

I now have an order to knit a tea cosy for another lady, so I will be busy for a while. I'm also sewing some Mammy dolls to sell, it's all happening around here. Not long ago someone gave me this cute piece of material, I can't believe someone wouldn't want it. It's turned into a table cloth and now lives at the library.

We are all cheering around our neck of the woods, the rains have started and it is just beautiful to hear the rain. Crossing our fingers for our dear farmers in our community that they will have a bumper year with the crops. I had a phone call from Pixie today, saying he has a letter in his hands from the high our boys attend. Oh no!!! Oh yes, it was a letter of commendation. Brandon had the highest score in Math out of four classes!! We are both so proud of him. When Pixie and I went to Brandon and told him how proud we were of him, I'm sure I spotted his halo shine bright.

I'm going to make a nice cup of tea, start my knitting and listen to the sound of the rain coming down. All I need now is to convince my husband that the fire should really be lit!! That'll spin him out. Wishing you all a wonderful week, wherever you are. Kind regards, Anita.

Approach life

with a generous heart

and everything

you receive is a bonus.

-Comissa Fischer

The last week has had me clicking away fiercely with my knitting needles and the inability to put them down! When you see smoke coming off your knitting needles you know you're addicted to knitting. It's funny how a little bit of cool weather really puts you in the mood.

I have managed to complete my stitching in amongst all the knitting. My lovely 'knitting' bag is now ready to use.

The inside of the bag is lined in calico and I have made two pockets inside the bag to hold my knitting pattern and needle. I have also used a thick wadding to prevent my knitting needles from poking through the material. That sometimes happens. On each side of the bag is a little stitchery, the first one I had shown in a previous posting and this one below is a favourite saying of mine.

'Joy' is the middle name of a ratbag friend of mine, so it's very special to me. Now lately I have taken a fancy to scarves and have gone wild knitting some. I found a gorgeous pattern to knit a scarf and it is similar to feather and fan stitch. Very nice
and knitted in 8 ply.

This week I found a little treasure that I had misplaced for sometime. A sweet little knitted purse that I use for when I go to church and keep a stash of coin in there. It is knitted in a black cotton and trimmed with gold beads. The friend who made this for me has the patience of a saint. I am glad to have found it again. Another find is this packet of tags and buttons. Of course I was hunting for it ages ago and just could not find it for the life of me. Now it has been placed back where it belongs.



This afternoon I am making a start on some golliwogs for a friend. I have never made these precious guys before so it will be fun to see how they turn out. I love the olden days toys and it is a pity they aren't played with these days. The computer seems to have over taken most things now.

To all of you, have a great weekend. Our weather is looking a bit strange today, a cloudy and then sunny sky, cold wind and when it stops, feel very warm. Not really sure what to wear!! Kind regards, Anita.

Happy Mother's Day

It is better to be

defeated on principle

than to win on lies.

-Arthur Calwell.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there!! May your day be filled with all the love you can fit in. Pixie cooked me up a wonderful breakfast and I have had hugs and kisses from all my favourite gang. My lovely Heather has returned from her holiday in Queensland and it is so good to have her back with me. We caught up yesterday and had a nice long afternoon tea and of course, she was full of cheek. Heather and I celebrated Mother's day yesterday and today she is off to terrorize her family in the city. Do you love my little owl Heather gave to me?



The owl reminds me of a friend of mine that has just returned from Queensland.....oops!

I have been very busy getting stuck into my knitting and was very pleased with the finished short sleeved cardigan I knitted. It is a cute little pattern I found on the net and it is knitted in 8 ply. Because of the lace pattern, the finished item is very light and just right for those days when a long sleeved cardigan is a bit too hot.

Once again my photography skills haven't really done any justice to the cute pattern it really is but.....

 I had taken a book out from the library called Knitting year round (Better homes and garden) and found a lovely top to knit. It is made from a cotton and the front cable pattern is so easy to follow. If this turns out well I will stash it away in my show box and enter it in this years annual show.

Hmm. I think I can hear that kettle calling me and I am a bit parched!! Any excuse for a cup of tea. I'm planning to finish off some of my other projects today and generally just mooching around, doing Mother's Day stuff. I hope you all enjoy your day.

Kind regards, Anita.