Some culprits I know.

Happiness is something to

love, something to do and

something to hope for.

-William Blake.

I work with some ratbags! Monday was our first day back at work and so I set up all the book stands, filled them with books, unpacked all my toys and one toy is missing. Mr. Octopus has been kidnapped!! No-one is coming forward to own up but a letter has been dropped off....

The buttons are actually off Mr. Octopus. Someone is in real trouble. I have warned them all that I can sew calico dolls and have pins at home, just don't let me get a lock of their hair!! lol. There is some skulduggery going on around here. In the meantime I have had a swap with Sue and this is what she sent me....

A cute bunting with my nickname on it 'Dragon'. It is a fun nickname I earned while working at the town library. It was fun doing the swap with Sue and I love the colours she used to make the bunting. Thanks Sue. I made Sue a knitted elephant and sent it off with a couple of extra goodies. I love the card Sue sent me. Though, my photography skills have let me down again!

 Of course, I can't go a day without some knitting. This is a favourite baby cardigan that I have knitted over and over again. I have taken a photo of the back of the cardigan to show you the pattern on the yoke. I have knitted the cardigan in four ply and just need to find some cute pink buttons.

I am surprised that I feel so happy today, a visit to the dentist can always shake you up. I had to have a tooth extracted as it was just a food catcher and was being a nuisance, so out it came. My lovely dentist asked me how long it had been since I had a tooth pulled. My response to him was 1885!! He struggled getting it out as it had roots that spread out everywhere! It was a monster but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. So I'm all happy. Hey, hope you all get a heap of sewing and knitting done over the weekend and stay happy. Kind regards, Anita.



Busy holidays

It's not about

counting the years....but

making the years count.

-Michelle Amand.

My husband and sons have driven off together for a bit of 'mantime'. Oh boy! I thought I would show you what I have been up to the last few days. I have finished making another Mammy doll and she turned out really cute. The material I used was from a shopping spree Heather and I went on several months ago to a farm near Meckering.

Mammy still needs hair and maybe a ripped piece of material to tie on her head and some shoe laces. I'm going to make a couple more dolls in the next few days. During these holidays I have also been given a big bag of wool from one of my lovely friends. It is full of 8 ply mixed colours. I can think of a few good things I can make from this stash.

 I had to laugh today, I go out the backyard to find all the boys together huddled around Brandon's car. A new exhaust system is being fitted and they're all excited about that....give me wool any day!

I have attacked some of the 100 weeds that have sprung up in our yard this winter, and millions of nasturtium's are also popping up.

I had myself a visit to the craft shop a couple of days ago and just couldn't resist buying the baby wool. There are a couple more babies about to come into the world soon, so I can knit up a few cardigans for them.

The school my boys attend will be holding a quiz night, and it's been hard work organising everything to make the night a success. This is my first time being involved in a quiz night, but it should be a great night. That has kept me on the trot these holidays. The local businesses have been very supportive and lots of lovely gifts donated.

I have met up with several friends over these holidays and enjoyed ourselves going out to the local cafes around the town. We are off to the city tomorrow for a spot of shopping, lots of craft shops down that way!! Hope you all have a great weekend and take care. Kind regards, Anita.



A quick post

If I had a flower for

every time I thought

of you, I could walk

in my garden forever.

-Alfred Tennyson

Coo-ee! It's lovely and sunny out our way today. I have just come

inside from doing some weeding and thought I would sneak in a

quick post. My adorable friend Heather joined me for an overdue cup of tea on Tuesday and gave me a couple of copies of Homespun. I haven't been the same since!! lol. The minute Heather stepped out the yard, I was cutting out material, pinning things together and was on my way. What got me all excited was Chookie Dee.

 I fell in love with the eyes, this chook looks a little bit like a bandit. Which is the opinion some of my friends have about me.
Hmmm? I also love the red buttons on the knee caps. The edition I found Chookie Dee in is No.97 (Vol12.6). The blue issue.

You all would realize that Chookie Dee is going to live in the library. Oh and on the sewing scene I found a great free download on the net for these dolls. They're called Silly girl dolls. Just click here for the pattern. Have fun with her. Love the eyes.



'

Well I did say this would be a quick post, and I can't resist that sunshine outside. More weeding for me, after all the rain we've been having. The weekend is approaching also, cross our fingers for a bit of warm sunny weather. Hugs to you all.

Kind regards, Anita.

Holiday time

Go back a little,

to leap further.

-John Clarke

I can't believe the school holidays are here again!! It just seems like five seconds ago school started for term 2. It is our winter and these holidays will be used to sew some toys, knit a cardigan for myself and whatever pops up in the mean time. I found a cute little knitted elephant pattern on the net, I just had to make him/her. You can use any ply wool you like. This is mine.

When I make my next elephant I will use smaller needles. I used size 8 needles knitting this one and you can see the toy stuffing, so maybe size 9 needles would be better. The elephant even has a cute little plaited tail. Elephant only stands about 4 inches high. Like to make elephant? click here.

I haven't put my needles down much lately, today I finished a vintage child's bonnet. A favourite book of mine that I love dearly has many lovely patterns to knit including bears.

I need to check out my cupboard for some cream lace now to make the bonnet ties.

I made some yummy jam drop biscuits too but thought I better take a photo quick smart or there will only be crumbs left.

Well it's back to the sewing machine for me, I have two girls on the go and they're coming along nicely. It's pretty cold here today so I'm not moving too far outside. Maybe another piping hot cup of tea for good measure. Have a terrific weekend. Kind regards, Anita.

 

Softie toys

The most important

thing a father

can do for his children is

to love their mother.

Theodore Hesburgh

Happy Sunday to you all. I have had one big sewing weekend and now have lots of goodies to take to work with me......sneak to work with me. I have shifted in to my new library and now I need to add a few more toys to the collection. I found some nice softie patterns on the net during the week and thought I might test them out. One of the girls in my knitting group tenderly nagged me to make a blanket for her favourite toy in the library, so that's what all these toys are sitting on. The pink cat pattern is simple and easy to make. If you want to make the pink cat, click here.

I couldn't resist this little chick. She is adorable and about 4 and a half inches high. For this little chick pattern, click here. I didn't put ric rac on this chick, but I will on the next lot that I make!!!

Now this little guy in the photo below I did find him on the net as a free pattern, I just can't remember where. I know I drew him free hand, that's why I don't have the site address.

 I quite like birds, as it shows with the toys I made, and I also had to make Mr. Owl, below, from a Handmade magazine. I still have to put eyes on him, he looks a bit scary right now. The Handmade I found him in was Volume 25, No. 3. He'll be a real hoot in the library.

 I had so much time this weekend, that I continued to join scraps of material together, in a quest to finish this table cloth. I just find it very hard to throw away bits of material. I have it ingrained into me to never be wasteful, perhaps reading about life in the early days when women used up every bit of anything they had is etched in my mind as well.

I had the pleasure today of dropping off the premie baby items I knitted for a friend who can no longer knit. The beanie and bootees below were the last to be made. I read in an article that premie babies love bright colours and helps stimulate their minds. The friend I knitted these for wanted to pay me, however no money need exchange hands as she looked after my husband for years when he was younger. Now I have the pleasure of spoiling him.

Another interesting piece of information for you. The lady at our local craft shop attended a craft seminar where they learn the latest updates about the craft world. Apparently people are now starting to lean towards practical crafts, making items they can use, things such as bags, tea towels, making children's clothing and cloth nappies!!! Yay, help the environment. I was a bit staggered about this information because I wasn't aware the trend was changing. It has to do with the economic situation and many young people are now starting to make their own things. I'm thrilled to bits about the whole thing, perhaps more people will really appreciate handmade gifts now. I mean that in a nice way. I so enjoy receiving a gift that someone has spent time on making for me.

Well. enjoy what is left of the weekend. I am waiting for two of my boys to return from their go karting weekend, I miss them always when they go away. Brandon and I have spent a lovely quiet weekend at home, both nursing colds. We're on the mend and feeling much better. The fire has been burning away and it's toasty inside. Kind regards, Anita.