I did it!!!

Let us pursue what makes for

peace and for mutual upbuilding.

-Romans 14:19

It is with cheer that I can tell you....I managed to put my knitting needles down long enough to do some stitchery and sewing!! I think it must’ve been the cool weather we’ve had around here. It was very comfy sitting in the sewing shed having a great old time. My favourite crafts magazines are out there, so I pulled up a bit of bark (chair) and flicked through some of them. I came across this cute little pin and needle holder and just went for it.

So sweet

The original pattern had ric rac running down the side but as I have a love of buttons, I thought I would change it a little. It measures about 3 in x 7in and a very handy little accessory to have.

I recall making a pact with myself not to purchase any more yarn....well that went out the window on a recent trip to the craft shop. Couldn’t go by a great deal. Buy 3 balls get one for free and they only cost $4.60 each in the first place. I suspect I’ll be back buying more now. Lol

Managed to make a bit more progress on a wall quilt I have been working on for some time.

Stitched with love

Someone had given me this panel with backing and wadding, so I’ve started quilting it. That was part of my work yesterday in the shed. It’s amazing how much you can get done when the weather is cooler.

I text a friend yesterday to see if the stork had delivered her nephew....seems the stork’s GPS isn’t working....he’s lost, no delivery yet! Hang tight Ashlee.

A few pics of my childhood haunts being torn down...not very happy but at least I have some pics to look at and remind me.

 There used to be lots of sheep pens here..now it’s just a big nothing.

This makes me happy though.....the island of Burano, Italy.

See you all another time.

Cheers, Anita.

March Xmas Item a month

Boy, that month just flew by and here we are again for 1 Xmas Item a Month!!! I have a keen eye for little details at Christmas time so I adore touching up gift giving by presenting them in a fabric Christmas bag. So this month I worked on a new bag for this year’s stash.

I thought some nice stitchery wouldn’t go astray and I found some cute little Christmas print that I’d been itching to use. Candy canes are pretty cute too.

I’m off to join the other little elves and see what they’ve made this month. They’re a bunch of happy, fun crafty gals who always make super stuff and inspire me. Why not click here to see what they’ve made.

Have a great week and stay safe.

Cheers, Anita. 

Thoughts of winter.

There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,

but the laughter and the love of friends.

-Hilaire Belloc

Slowly but surely I have started to plough into the bag of wool a friend kindly gave me and there are some interesting yarns in there. A silky smooth brown coloured yarn came into mind, a bit tricky as to what ply it was. Not having the patience to knit up a sample to check the ply, I decided to have a go at a slouch pattern because I couldn’t really go wrong...if it doesn’t fit an adult it will fit a child......

Drats....it fits a child!! lol

 Lol  I will put this away to sell at the craft shop. Turned out lovely though. A nice cable pattern and one I enjoyed making. The yarn I was using was probably a 4 ply but I will dig up a bit of 8 ply and make this hat again.

Click here for the free pattern.

Also from the same exciting bag I found just one ball of this incredible yarn with many textures. Not enough to make a vest, I figured it would make a nice scarf, so I’ve whacked 10 sts on the needle and increased to 14 sts and away I go. It measures about 2 inches across and as I will double it up, I will make it fairly long.

Roll on winter!!

Unable to forget about knitting toys, Heather has kindly let me use one of her knitting books to check out some different toys to knit. A very helpful friend is Heather......always trying to help me get out of housework (or into trouble). It is a book that has been around for a while and they’re the ones I love the most.

Around our part of the world, the heat just doesn’t want to give up easy, but this week you can feel autumn is trying to push it’s way in. A little relief in the mornings for the poor old garden.

Some of my happy friends.

Have a lovely week my friends, each day is special and full of some sort of crafting projects to be made. Enjoy every sun rise, every beautiful breathe you take and be happy.

Cheers, Anita.

We've been yarn bombed!!

It is not what we take up, but what

we give up that makes us rich.

-Henry Ward Beecher

By golly....our little town has been yarn bombed!! All sights were focused on our mall on Saturday morning on these bollards that had magnificent colours all over them. I wonder who struck us? I had seen this done in a neighbouring town and had a little chuckle to myself, Mind you, there are a few scallywags around here that I would have my suspicions about.

I had a wonderful week of knitting and dragged out a favourite and easy pattern for baby bootees. This little pattern knits up very quickly and is knitted in 8 ply. 

I am using the stash of wool I had been given and a fair bit of it is single balls of 50gm, I thought bootees or mittens would use up the wool nicely and I can donate them to the hospital in town. I will be keeping a couple of pair for little Jack. Click here for the free pattern.

Another knitting project of the week is this little gem called Kina. It is a free download from Ravelry. The pattern I used is a dolls size, but this one I knitted in 12 ply and has turned out big enough for a three year old. Click here for pattern.

 A trip to the local library and a treasure find!!! I just love shabby chic and there is nothing nicer than a hot cup of tea, soft lounge and flicking through some glorious pages of yumminess.

 Things that have warmed my heart this week.....

Knowing the hard road we’ve been on for months has almost come to an end

The smell of lavender

 A corner in the kitchen with some favourite ornaments

 Flowers taking in the warmth of the sun

Having our third son come live with us until he finishes Year 12

Remembering how happy I felt touching the entrance to Axel Munthe’s villa on the Island of Capri, Italy.

 The feeling of laughter as I tried to work out how they did this!!

 Remember to take time out for yourself. Keep the company of those who want to be near you......give the others the flick and don’t worry about them. lol

Sometimes we run too fast and miss the small important things. My mission has always been to be happy and intend to do so.

We are going to have a cooler day today so I have some fun time happening in that sewing shed of mine. Stay happy everyone.

Cheers, Anita.

Friday Night with Friends

Friday Night with Friends

Hooray! I made it in time to join the gals and Friday Night with Friends. Last night I made more progress on the mini quilt I am making and caught up on some fun stitching. I decided to add ric rac to the top and bottom of the quilt and of course, I always love the buttons. These are the fun buttons I added to the top....

Just love these buttons.....

And also the cute buttons on the bottom row. I hope to do some more of this project over the weekend.

...Got more buttons than Heather....lol

Another finish is this super cool baby blanket for little Jaxon. I just had to take a close up shot of how simple the pattern is, and knitted up very quickly as it is knitted in 8 ply.

 This is a free pattern available on Ravelry.

Special delivery soon!!!

Now that the blanket is finished, I have made a start on the jumpers for my tribe of nieces and nephews for this coming winter. Not that anyone around these parts are even thinking anything about warmth...it is still so hot her. Oh.....perhaps they are thinking how soon they would like the winter to come!! Lol

I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait long to get my fingers tucked into that bag of donated wool. These colours are all from the bag of goodies. I am pretty fond of the speckled cream.

These yarns are 8 ply and so nice to knit with.

I’m off to visit the other talented gals in the Friday Night with Friends group, they always are working on very cool stuff. Many thanks to Cheryll who organises this special night for us.

Be happy!

Cheers, Anita.

Enough already!!! lol

I wish you all the joy

that you could wish.

-William Shakespeare.

Buongiorno to you all! With the help of a kind friend.......I think I’ve licked my addiction with knitting those cute little birds. I knitted some more of those cute little addictive things and a nest to go with them......

A nest full of birds

On Friday night I reluctantly put my knitting needles down to go to an Ag. Society meeting and was given the biggest bag of wool you ever did see. Not having to be persuaded, I took this bag home with me.....I was so full of love about that! Lol. I love my friends.

Can’t say no to this.

This past week has really been a knit-a-thon for me, as that is what I did mostly in the way of craftwork. I did manage to put my birds down long enough to knit a short sleeved 3 ply baby jacket for my nephew Jaxon. I will be making my baby nieces and nephews a jumper for the coming winter,, and boy, didn’t that bag of wool come in handy right now.

Love this colour

Today I have made a start on a knitted blanket, one that I have made before and thoroughly enjoy knitting. I have chosen a colour that the young mum’s love and will be ideal for a baby boy. It is an 8ply yarn and lovely to knit with.

For Jaxon, with love.

We’re in for a scorcher today the weatherman tells us, so later on today....like sunset....I am going to weed around my favourite garden statue. I love sitting outside looking at this statue as it reminds me so much of the garden ornaments we saw in Italy.

I have made this to sell at the tourist centre, a cute little door hanger I found in one of those super great craft magazines. The finished size is about 7in x 5in and filled with pot pourri and toy filling. Super sweet and I love the colours together.

The chooks are out super early this morning for a scratch around and I couldn’t resist taking a shot at Chester my rooster. I love his bum end.....it always looks as though he’s had it kicked in. It’s a real stumpy tail end. He’s so funny to watch the big show off.

Right then gals, I hear the kettle calling out to me and I think the knitting needles have started to click without me. Have an incredibly fantastic weekend where ever you may be and love each day!!!

Cheers, Anita.