knitting for love and sanity

goodbye to winter

2011-10-29T00:10:00.002+11:00

so how's the knitting going?????

2011-08-06T20:52:00.008+10:00

Oh my!

Well that would be THE QUESTION really.

The Louise Harding cardi has been knitted... and partly sewn up... still a work in progress...

The Bear Jacket is having it's hood knitted and then just needs sewing up...

The Digger Jumper is still very much a work in progress...

But I am still in a holding pattern... I really really really need to finish some of these 12 UFOs. I keep buying yarn, and I have so many other projects planned, but I really can't embrace the joy of the new without completing something first.

The sad truth is that I have started two new knitted toys. Oh how guilty I feel... I don't have a clean conscience. What are they I hear you ask... why a wombat and a rocket... a very orange and lime green rocket...

The rocket pattern is from here. The wombat came as a Panda kit, which Mr S and I bought on a road trip to Beechworth earlier this year. We stopped in at the Wangaratta Woollen Mills Factory Shop on the way and bought some black mohair to make this (eventually) and the wombat.

I know what it looks like... but this really is a rocket under construction...

Helleborus orientalis

2011-08-06T09:35:00.013+10:00

Winter in the garden is one of my favorite times. I think because so many plants are asleep, it can appear as if times are lean. I think that that focuses attention on any flowers, berries, coloured leaves or interesting shapes that are on display. Whether it is the architectural framework of a deciduous tree or the flowers from winter bulbs.

I have been enjoying Galanthus sp, Iris reticulata, species Hyacinth and various Narcissus hybrids.

But one of my favorites is the hellebore. I grow many different species, but the Helleborus orientalis hybrids are the most eye catching. I have been picking a few of the flowers and bringing them inside to float in bowls.

While many good varieties are now available, mine mostly came as plants from Ian Collier, Peter Leigh, Otto Fauser or from seed from Jim and Jenny Archibald and Blackthorn.

Let them eat cake!

2011-08-05T21:58:00.008+10:00

As a child I loved baking cakes, and as an adult I still enjoy it. There is something so nourishing to the soul about the process of creating a cake.

Over the last little while, I have gone cake mad... encouraged in part by Mr S, who it turns out loves to cook too.

I bought a startburst bundt tin from Target (of all places) for an extremely modest price. Certainly, if I compare the cost to some of the Nordic Ware tins, the price differential is staggering. While I love my daisy tin, I think the startburst is great too... even if it turns out not to have quite the longevity.

I used it to cook a Chocolate and Vanilla Marble Cake. The recipe comes from one of several new books I have. This one is called 'Mmmm... Chocolate'. Sadly there is no author credit, but this cake, using only 70g of butter and one egg (but real chocolate and cream) is moist and delicious!

I have always wanted to make a pineapple upside down cake. When I bought Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Express' cookbook I had the right incentive. I have a rule that if I buy a cookbook or magazine, then I should be prepared to make at least one thing from it. I don't religiously stick to that rule (that's how you know it's a rule, right? cause it gets broken!!), but I'm glad I did. This cake is so so easy, not to mention delicious.

And finally, from the 'Bourke Street Bakery' by Paul Allam and David Mcguinness, a really scrummy chocolate cake, with a chocolate mouse filling. the cake itself has potato flour, sour cream, buttermilk as well as all the usual stuff. The book suggests piling raspberries and icing sugar on the top, but I iced it with chocolate ganache. Unbelievably good.

2011-08-04T21:28:00.003+10:00

Continuing on my obsession with chocolate chip cookies.... I made several batches for Mr S' school carnival... which truth be told was a little while ago now. I am just catching up on my blogging... and this is when the pictures below were taken... but I made them again a few weekends ago and froze batches, which I am now baking as required for school lunches. I cooked one batch last Monday morning as I scooted around ironing clothes, making breakfast and generally doing the early morning panic thing. So so so so so good.

The recipe is so simple.

Mix 125g of softened butter and 1 1/4cups of brown sugar together. Stir in 1 egg and some vanilla essence. Sift in 1 1/2 cups of plain flour, 1/2 tspn of baking powder and mix to combine. Lastly mix in a bag of chocolate chips (the more the better... well pretty much...). Roll into balls and cook in a moderate oven for 10 - 15 mins.... Voila

PS - How do you like my mixing bowl... I have always always always wanted a set of these Mason Cash traditional English mixing bowls... and I finally splurged. There is a very sweet little shop in Mornington that sells them, along with many other delights.... cornish ware, Villoroy & Boch... mmmmmmm...

Chocolate Chip Cookies - for me!!

2011-05-16T10:05:00.002+10:00

I have gone insanely mad for there chocolate chip cookies. The recipe is from Bill Grainger. Very easy and super scrum.

12 naughty little secrets

2011-01-30T16:51:00.002+11:00

The new year is a time for reflection and resolutions. One of mine is to finish off a few of those irritating knitting projects that just lie around unfinished.

I HATE unfinished projects with a passion. So much so that I can barely acknowledge their existence.

I like to think of myself as 'task orientated', a 'finisher'. Projects that just languish half completed annoy me to my core. I would rather rip them out and use the yarn for something else, than leave it sitting half knitted in a bag somewhere.

But there is another part of me that hates to admit failure. Incomplete projects just reek of it, and I can't stand that either. So if I think there is even a glimmer of hope that the project can be resurrected, then I would prefer to think that it is just taking a 'little rest' and I will get back to it shortly... even if shortly means several years!

So here is my confession... I have at least 12 of these naughty little secrets, which I have been brooding on for some time. My commitment to myself is that this year I will either finish them or I will rip them! I want the slate clean.

Here they are:

Pink Waffle Socks

I finished one sock and was worried I wouldn't have enough yarn to finish the second. I need to just get on and find out! No use dying wondering.

Green Leaf Socks

This is a lovely lace pattern. I dropped a stitch and couldn't easily work out how to fix the problem. So I just put them to one side. I need to rip them back a few rows and start again.

Mr S' Brown Merino 3 or ply jumper

I finished the back. It took me ages to knit it and then I wasn't sure I liked it. It was also miles too big for Mr S at the time. Now it would be perfect, and going back to it now, I actually quite like pattern.

Lucinda Guy Digger Jumper for Mr S

I finished the back, but I am worried that I don't have enough of the main colour to finish it. I should just get on with it and stop fussing!

Rainbow Jumper for Mr S

I hate it! He loves it... it will make a fun jumper for running around in the backyard playing. I have one more sleeve to finish and then I have to sew it up.

Bear Jacket for Mr S

This will be a great jacket for winter - nice and thick. All knitting finished... well except for the hood... and then I just need to sew it up...

White Terrier

This is an Alan Dart pattern. I hate knitting with Sirdar Snowflake and I hate synthetic yarns... but I think the little white West Highland Terrier could be cute...

Penguin
I just have to sew on the beak, wings and sew up the back... less than 90 mins work!

Snake and Mouse

I have the yarn... I need to dye some yellow... and I have already cast on... just not very far advanced...

Purple, brown and green teacosy

I know I have enough cosies - but I love them... I should just finish this one too...

Daffodil teacosy

I just have to get too on this one as well...

Louise Harding Jacket

I was going to finish this during the Christmas holidays! Really!!! I had procrastinated cause I though I wouldn't have enough yarn... but now I know I do... so no more excuses... Right!

on being domestic

2011-01-26T08:48:00.002+11:00

Well another year begins...

Christmas was fab... and one of the best things about it is leftovers...

I made this frittata several times using cooked vegetables and ham/chicken/turkey...

needless to say it was delicious!

and while on holidays I did lots of baking. I have been wanting to make this fresh apricot slice. It's a Bill Granger recipe. Also delicious.

and the garden progresses - I have started to make the front garden. It will be a double mixed border filled with perennials, bulbs and shrubs, with a Crateagus tanacetifolia.

and the first flowers to be cut from the garden... so lovely to have fresh flowers...

so much

2010-12-28T17:53:00.006+11:00

I have been a bad bad blogger... yet again... I am beginning to see a pattern!

So much has happened since June.... so here is a potted catchup...

My team at work made cupcakes for the RSPCA Cup Cake Day - we raised $174 - not a bad effort

Mr S had a birthday and I made him a rainbow cake with insane icing - he loved it.

and I finally moved into my house.... unbelieveable!

since then I have been starting the garden.... it will be a long haul.... but at least it is starting to vaguely look like one. It started as a buiding site, with rubble, piles of earth and long grass. A very kind and generous English friend, who was staying with me, mowed, dug, tillered, cut down trees and generally tidied up. Charley, the guy with the excavator, who lives down the street, gave me a bigger flat area in front of the side terrace. I sowed grass seed and have started a vege patch.... still a long way to go.

my birthday

2010-08-26T22:08:00.001+10:00

Election Day in Melbourne

2010-08-21T21:26:00.007+10:00

Election Days are some of my favorites...

In Australia, unlike the US or the UK, they are always on a Saturday. And unlike almost anywhere else in the democratic world, we have compulsory voting - well compulsory 'getting your name ticked off the roll' anyway!

All across the nation at schools, churches and other public places there were election booths. They often have a fete like atmosphere! Small stalls selling trash and treasure, jam, backyard produce, cakes... all a delight!

At our local booth, Mr S spotted a game in the trash and treasure stall. We are now the proud owners of "Crazy Crab' for the grand cost of $2! It is such a fun game. I foresee hours and hours of fun!!

And now at 9.30pm at night, I am sitting watching the election coverage on the ABC. God I love it!!! It is such fun watching the drama as the votes are counted.

Counting Down....

2010-06-27T20:29:00.006+10:00

25th - home having fun - tick... complete

26th - out and about having fun - tick... complete

27th - home having fun - tick... complete

28th - work.... soon to be ticked...

29th - work...

and then......

This isn't exactly how my birthday will look, as it is mid winter here... still I love gardens and eating out doors... and maybe my new garden will look like this.

Edwina would be proud!

2010-06-26T20:45:00.004+10:00

Edwina the Dinosaur, that is!

She is a firm favorite of Mr S' and she just loves making chocolate chip cookies for everyone... even Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie!

Every time we read it, I get roped into making chocolate chip cookies. I have tried several recipes, but so far the one that I used today is the best. They are extremely moreish. Way too good unfortunately.

I used both white and dark chocolate.

As usual, Mr S supervised and lent a hand with some of the weighing, tipping and mixing. He is also a dab hand at licking the spoon!

The recipe comes from Tanya Ramsay's Family Kitchen . I am not a great Gordon Ramsay fan (too much anger for my taste), but Tania's recipes (particularly with little ones in mind) are really very good. The book is highly recommended.

The Briars

2010-06-26T16:45:00.003+10:00

Mr S and I went for a walk in the woodland at The Briars today. It was a cold day, only about 13C, and we didn't go far. Less than a kilometre there and back. We visited two bird hides, didn't see much however, just one lone duck swimming on the lagoon in the wetlands.

Prior to starting off, we swung by the Visitor Centre and got a very friendly reception from the Ranger on Duty. She spent some time with Mr S, showing him the stick insects she had on display and the 3D model of the property, including the route of the walk she recommended for us. There was a stuffed wombat and live long necked tortioses too, both of which captured Mr S' imagination. Particularly, as we are reading Wombat Stew at the moment.

Although I tend to think of these things as a bit naff, seen through Mr S' eyes, it was very exciting.

I loved this lichen. It was just dripping from the Meleleuca in one small section. I guess the environmental conditions for it were just perfect in that little spot. It was very wet and very protected from any winds.

On a better day, I think Mr S and I will have another go. Next time I might take his push bike, so when he gets sick of walking I can push him along.

When he gets older I will take him up to the house and see all the Bonaparte treasures. But he is a little young for that yet.

It's my party...

2010-06-25T11:35:00.002+10:00

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

I just love that song - every birthday I think about it.

I am currently planning my birthday festival. I have taken leave next Wednesday and Thursday - and given I have Friday off already - it means I don't go back to work until the following Monday 5 July - yeah!!!

I think on Wednesday Mr S and I will have lunch together in the city at one of my favorite restaurants and go to the latest exhibition at the NGV. Afternoon tea somewhere else with great cakes - maybe Acland Street or Babka in Brunswick Street? Then a 6 o'clock play "Wombat Stew", followed by dinner somewhere nice too...

I think I will make myself a birthday cake on Thursday... something really special!

Perhaps something out of my favorite birthday cake book I think

I have made the four layered chocolate cake on the cover before - it was delicious. So might give that another go?

And on the weekend have dinner with my brothers and their family! Not sure where, but somewhere family friendly.

2010-06-23T23:13:00.002+10:00

I desperately need to restart my vege garden. So on Sunday afternoon Mr S and I went to Heronswood. I also thought it might almost be counted as part of my 20 mile radius quest! I guess it doesn't really, given that I have been there before, and the quest is about finding new things. But never-the-less we had a fab time and bought lots of new seeds. We had a great time choosing, and Mr S managed to get a freebie pack of carrot seeds!

And I found a pamphlet about Mornington Peninsula Gardens - so Ashcombe Maze at Red Hill and the RBG's Australian Garden at Cranbourne are now on the list!

And Mr S had a lovely time running around - just being free and happy!

And we made friends with the scary Garden Monster!

The best chocolate pudding I have ever made!

2010-06-18T22:23:00.005+10:00

I jest not!

This pudding is seriously good.

And dead easy to make!

How could that be?

It is a melt and mix batter, scoop it into a baking dish, press in the broken up pieces of a Caramello block of chocolate, cover it all in a mix or cocoa powder and brown sugar, and finally pour hot water over it and whack it in the oven. 40 mins later... self saucing gooey chocolate pudding!

(Edit: I should have mentioned that this recipe is on the cover of the July 2010 issue of the Super Food Ideas magazine. Their photo is much more artful, with the pudding sprinkled with icing sugar and raspberries! We did actually eat this with raspberries, and they did add something to the taste.)

I love winter...

2010-06-18T14:20:00.004+10:00

Well, I love winter... sometimes, to be more accurate.

I have spent the last day or so moaning about how cold I am... but I went out into the garden today and all that cold weather has triggered a winter collection of wonders.

the first of the winter Galanthus

I am a bit of a galanthophile... I am tempted to say 'snowdropper' but it wouldn't be accurate. Funny thing is, I didn't know about snowdroppers until I became interested in galanthus... the things you find out!

Winter Cheer is one of the oldest Kniphofia's in cultivation. I love the other common name 'Red Hot Poker'. I would sometimes give anything to be able to poke some people with something red and hot. I have a list of people in my mind who could quite frankly do with a damn good poke. It conjurers up the images of medieval torture... Can you tell I have had a difficult week?

I also found the last of an autumn flowering clematis called 'Freckles' for obvious reasons.

The seed heads are just forming and in a few weeks they will be fluffy balls of woolly charm. I think clematis has a split personality. On the one hand the flowers are very serious and elegant, and on the other the seed heads are full of fun. Any way the progress of this plant from flower to seed is delightful to follow, and in the middle of winter something to look forward too.

I also found this Angel's Trumpet - I just can't remember off hand if it is a Datura or a .... something beginning with 'B'... I will come back and edit the post when I recall the name, which is bound to be later tonight. I am very fond of orange in winter. I dislike it in the garden during summer. At that time of the year I want cool colours... but in winter I love a warmer palate.

(Edit: Brugmansia sanguinea - told you I would remember :) )

Lastly I found a lovely little pot of Cyclamen coum. Last year this little pot was crammed with flowers. It is just too early to tell what will happen this year. The flowers are just appearing. But they are very sweet.

Saturday Night

2010-06-14T12:20:00.003+10:00

I took myself off to Bell Shakespeare's King Lear on Saturday night. It was terrific. I have never seen King Lear before and I'm glad I did. I love Bell Shakespeare's productions. Very elegant. Very dramatic in a minimalist kind of way. I had never seen John Bell act before. He is very powerful and sexy. I really believed his characterisation.

It was a bit weird going by myself. I was going to go with my very good friend Felicity, but her back is playing up and I didn't want to hassle her. There will be lots of other times.

My brother and sister-in-law minded Mr S. He had a terrific time with his cousins. I went back and stayed over night, and most of the next day. My sister-in-law is a great cook and very generous. Lots of good food and company. A lovely holiday weekend. :)

20 mile radius

2010-06-11T11:15:00.002+10:00

Listening to Cast On the other day made me think about exploring my own local neighborhood.

I have lived on the Mornington Peninsula for some years. I do 'kinda' know it. Some of the restaurants, wineries, beaches, shops, some of the other attractions (Herronswood, The Maze, parts of the national park, Seawinds). But do I really know the area?? Not really... not deeply...

So I thought I might do some more exploring - under some catagories:

* food and wine
* natural environment
* built environment
* art and craft

I have done some initial research and it turns out there are heaps of things I have never done - but there are also heaps of things I haven't done for a long time.

For instance I have never been to the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park in Langwarrin, nor have I ever visited Mulberry Hill, home of Joan Lindsay (of Picnic at Hanging Rock fame)and now owned by the National Trust. I haven't been to the Red Hill Brewery and I haven't walked the complete artists trail between Portsea and Sorrento. And while I have been to the Mornington Regional Art Gallery, I haven't visited for quite a while...

So I am going to make a list. But the rule is I have to visit one new or old local thing every weekend and make a post about it! For at least the next few months

Podcasts and other things

2010-06-10T21:02:00.004+10:00

Now that I have an iPhone, I have been listening again to the podcasts by Brenda Dayne called Cast On.

She is funny and incisive. If you have experience either knitting or creating things then you will probably appreciate just how sharp her observations are. I spent the hour laughing and nodding. It is a great mix of art and the practical. Anyway it is highly recommended.

The lastes issue - number 91 - is called How to be a Poet. It is a reference to Wendell Berry's poem of the same name.

I have also cast on myself for the first time in 2010! W...whooooo!

A very modest winter hat for Mr S. I am modifying a Debbie Bliss pattern to make it - a rolled rim with a stalk ending. I am knitting it in Sublime's Cashmere Merino Silk DK in dark navy. It feels beautiful. I have used it before. The down side is it is fiddly to knit with, particularly difficult to achieve an even surface and it doesn't wear so well either. But it is lovely and soft and will be great for a hat. It is for kindergarten.

Cup Cakes

2010-06-06T12:16:00.003+10:00

I seriously love cup cakes. Not the highly stylised ones that fill glossy magazines and are the subject of monographs, but the old fashioned honest ones from my childhood. Just a bit bigger than bite sized. Modest. With icing and sprinkles or cherries.

I used to make the Women's Weekly version. They are lovely, but ask you to sift the flour 3 times!! They make light little cakes, but they are a bit fussy to make.

Recently I discovered a new recipe in Tessa Kiros' Apples for Jam. It is dead easy to make. A basic but very rich and thick butter cake batter. The little cakes keep for up to 6 days - if you can stop from eating them.

Mr S and I had a good time making them yesterday. He helped with measuring, pouring, and mixing. Although there were a few arguments, mainly about who was in control of the spoon, not pouring the flour everywhere and not banging the scales! I am such a spoil sport! :)

My New Backyard

2010-06-04T11:48:00.002+10:00

I am starting to imagine what I might do with my new garden...

The soil is very sandy. I haven't done a pH test yet, but at best it will be neutral, but more likely to be alkaline. I will need to do this before I buy more plants.I have already got a small collection of bits and pieces. I have dug up some things from my current garden, and I need to take lots more cuttings.

I am thinking of having a silver pear hedge down the fence line (Pyrus nivalis). And keeping the colour range to silver/white, blue/purple and yellow/orange... but in reality I will probably slip a bit... I already have some red plants... Camellia 'Tinsie' and some red Alister Clarke roses - Nancy Heywood and a few others.

I really like Nancy Power as a designer. She does lots of Californian gardens.

I like the combination of formal and wild. But of course my garden will be different. There is a slope that I have to deal with for a start. So I am busy imagining and planning at this stage. It is a daunting task. But enjoyable too I think.

vote for me :)

2010-05-27T21:40:00.003+10:00

I have just noticed that you can vote for entries in the Laura Ashley competition!

So if you feel inclined, I would appreciate it if you could vote for me here

http://www.photoartgallery.com/competition/lauraashley#d89af7e9-6f34-48ff-9126-49a21366c693

:)

Heronswood

2010-05-23T17:31:00.005+10:00

Mr S and I visited Heronswood last Sunday. It was a quick, late afternoon visit. We took an impromptu afternoon tea picinic (scones from Brumby's and Nudie Smoothes from the supermarket).

We had a lovely time wandering around the grounds. Mr S doing more running than wandering truth be told.

And they have some marvelous plants to look at.

Salvia 'White Velour'

Coreopsis sp.

German Potato Salad

2010-05-23T10:09:00.003+10:00

This is seriously yummy.

It was sent to me by an American friend with a German mom

8-10 potatoes
1 large regular onion
1 cucumber
1 teaspoon celery seed
mayonnaise
salt & pepper to taste

Boil potatoes and peel while still hot, then slice in bowl and set aside.

Finely dice the onion and add to bowl with potatoes.

Peel cucumber and slice on a four sided grater then by hand squeeze out any juice and add to bowl with potatoes. Add celery seed and mayonnaise to desired consistency. Add salt & pepper to taste. With wooden spoon mix all together.

Then chill in refrigerator and serve cold.

My New House

2010-05-22T18:50:00.005+10:00

I am in the process of building my first very own house! I would like to tell you that it is exciting, but in fact it is a deeply worrying process.

I want it to be beautiful. I want it to be comfortable. I want it to be a home.

But at the moment, what I have is a set of expensive and fairly boring problems that have to be solved before I can move in... getting the septic wired up and connected (pipes from the house to the tank and electrical pump not included in original quote), storm water (nobody mentioned that where I am building doesn't have a storm water system, so each house needs to have it's own), retaining walls, gas and telephone connections... the list is endless (and I haven't even mentioned the non-essentials such as fencing, a front gate to keep Mr S inside, or a made drive way.... GULP)...

And then there is the inside - carpeting or other flooring, curtains/blinds, light fittings, flywire screens, security door and locks... all not included in the house contract... DOUBLE GULP...

I just feel like everything is extremely out of control at the moment.

I was in Laura Ashley yesterday, dreaming about how I would like my new living room to look, and I saw they had a competition to win a new living room make over... so I have entered!!! I never win anything, so I don't actually hold out any hope... but it is nice to dream...

This is the photo that I submitted of my new living room. At the rate things are going, it is destined to remain like this for some time to come!

I am really missing my old furniture. Most of it is currently packed away in a storage facility as my current house is so small, and Mr S needs some room to play and whizz about.

I can't wait for it to be unpacked. This blackwood side board was owned by my grandmother. I think it is probably about 90 years old and is in need of restoration. But I love it very much and can't wait to get it back. :)

My lighthouse..

2010-05-20T20:22:00.005+10:00

well not quite mine - but I wish it was mine....

I just love lighthouses. The mystery, the romance, the loneliness...

I have been thinking of doing something with the theme - not quite sure yet - but here are a few ideas that I have come across...

from:

http://www.knittingknonsense.com/lighthousecloth.html

or perhaps:

Nautical Lighthouse Cushion by Jo Fulham

at Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45658367/nautical-lighthouse-cushion-by-jo-fulham?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=lighthouses&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T20:40:00.004+10:00

Mother's Day is a bitter sweet day for me. I think about my mother quite a bit. All the memories - the funny, the sad, the big moments and the everyday. I didn't visit her grave today. I wouldn't have stopped crying if I had. She died a long time ago now, but the pain of loss is still real. I think about her every single day. She walks beside me. I often reflect on how she would react to something or what she might say or think about a particular issue.

But it is too indulgent to only think about such things. So, on a happier note I made a cake for Mr S' grandmother and we went for a visit.

It is a very good Cherry Cake which I have been making since I was a little girl. It is a very good butter cake with chopped glace cherries and a milk icing. Making this cake was entirely intentional. As I made it, I thought about growing up and learning to cook in my mother's kitchen. She was an excellent cook, with many recipe books that I spent hours pouring over as a child. This recipe comes from one of these books. It has stains on some of the pages. It is a good indication of where her popular recipes might be located.

And the cake was delicious!

Basically the recipe is:

Cream together 6oz (175g) of butter and 3/4 cup of caster sugar and then mix in 3 eggs (one at a time). Sift in 3/4 cup of self raising flour, stir in 3 tablespoons of milk and then sift in a further 3/4 cup of plain flour. Lastly stir in 4 oz (125g) of chopped glace cherries. Pour the batter into a ring tin (buttered of course) and cook in a moderate oven for about 30 mins. (cooking time depends on the tin - in a normal round cake tin it will take longer)

The icing is a nob of butter, icing sugar and enough milk to make a stiff paste.

Oh, and this is what my son made me:

I'll make a 'crafty' boy of him yet!!!

Upside Down Pear Cake

2010-05-07T00:43:00.003+10:00

Mr S and I made this cake recently. I can't tell you how delicious it is! Super Yummy. And Super Easy to make.

It is the first upside down cake I have made. The toffee syrup really makes it, but the pears are just delicious too. Pears rock!

Here is the recipe:

1 cup sugar
⅓ cup water
3 firm pears
2 large eggs
⅓ cup raw sugar
tsp vanilla essence
Zest of one orange
Zest of one lemon
100g unsalted butter, melted
1 cup self-raising flour

Method

Preheat fan-forced oven to 170C (190C conventional). Grease a 20-centimetre cake tin with removable base and line the bottom with baking paper. Put sugar and water in a small saucepan and warm gently until sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and cook until the liquid is a light caramel colour. Pour into the tin and swirl around to cover the base.

Peel, core and quarter pears and arrange on top of the caramel, with points facing towards the centre.

Beat eggs with raw sugar, vanilla, orange and lemon zest. Add melted butter. Mix in flour. Place spoonfuls of batter over the top of the pears and gently spread, so as not to disturb the pears.

Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes or until the cake is set in the centre. Remove from oven and turn out on to a plate while the cake is still hot.Serves 6

My Saturdays

2010-04-19T10:53:00.008+10:00

Every Saturday I do the same thing...

The rhythm and the constancy is a comfort. So much in my life is like a rollercoaster. To have something simple and repetitive... ah, the relief...

I wake up. Have breakfast and a cup of tea. Listen to music, read the paper, surf the internet.

Then I go to pilates. There is a lovely studio in Mornington, staffed by physiotherapists. My teacher is excellent - both supportive and encouraging (important for someone like me who lacks balance and coordination!!) and she pushes me along! Compared to where I started, I can see a vast improvement in my ability and strength. And surprise surprise... no more back pain! Miracle.

I do have to laugh to myself though, every time I use one of these machines - a 'reformer'! lol

Afterward, lunch!

Mr S and I nearly always go to the same cafe, called Coffee Traders. It is tiny, but they do good coffee.

... and we pretty much order the same thing week to week: latte, old fashion lemonade, banana bread toast and tomato and avocado toast. (Have I ever mentioned that I like toast?)

Later we go shopping - I love walking up and down Main Street (even the name is a killer!).

Homewares (even someone who sells Cornishware - one of my favorites).

Shoes...

yarn, clothes, jewellery, sheets, lingerie, books, flowers, food... what more could a girl ask for?

Sorrento

2010-04-16T20:39:00.008+10:00

Mr S and I had a lovely morning in Sorrento today.

We had morning tea at "'The Baths" restaurant, right on the foreshore. It's a nice place - even if they did burn the coffee. They got the cake and lemonade spider right! We sat and watched the ferry leave for Queenscliff and then walked over to the Bandstand, and then onto the pier where the ferry docks.

By the time we got there the next ferry was arriving, much to the delight of Mr S. We watched it back in and disgorge its load of trucks, cars and pedestrians.

Walking back to the car, we saw spider crabs and tiny fish swimming in the water. A very gentle and rewarding morning.

Good Morning Teacosy

2009-04-04T17:07:00.008+11:00

Here is the pattern for the Good Morning tea cosy. I called it this as I hope that it's excess 'bright happiness' will help even the most recalcitrant breakfaster off to a good morning.

You will need:

4 balls of Patons Jet (new Jet 70% wool and 30% Alpaca) (ball band tension is 16st per 10cm)
6mm circular needle (60cm long)
set of 6mm double point needles
coloured wool felt and matching embroidery thread for decoration (I used Papoose wool felt from Colour of Australia in South Melbourne and DMC Cotton Perle thread in weight 5. Winterwood also have nice wool felt.)
30cm cotton fabric for lining and matching sewing thread

Cast on 134 stitches in the round using 6mm needles. Place a stitch marker at the start/end if you wish.

Note: the ball band suggests 5.5mm to give correct tension. I always knit items I am intending to felt a little bit looser than I would normally knit.

Knit 6 rows in garter stitch (normally on two needles this would mean knitting every row, but in the round this requires knitting the first row and purling the second row, and repeating these two rows for required amount).

Commence stocking stitch (knitting in the round means that you can knit every row to obtain stocking stitch, rather than the knit / purl alternative rows required when you knit on two needles).

Knit in stocking stitch for approximately 59 rows, or until work measures 10 inches or 25 cm from beginning (including garter stitch rows).

On the last row place a stitch marker between the 67th and 68th stitch (ie half way around).

Start top shaping:

Note: at some point during the shaping of the top the reducing number of stitches will make it too uncomfortable to continue on the circular needle and you will need to change to a set of double pointed needles.

Round 1: *slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over, knit to 2 stitches before stitch marker (63 stitches in Round 1, note that this number will decrease by 2 every time this round is repeated in following rows), knit 2 together.* Repeat between * and * for the second half of the round.

Round 2: Knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2, three times more (8 rows all together) (118 stitches remaining).

Round 9 and 10: repeat Round 1

Round 11: Knit

Repeat rounds 9 to 11, two more times (9 rows all together) (94 stitches remaining).

Round 18: repeat round 1

Repeat round 18, fourteen more times (15 rows all together) (34 stitches remaining).

Round 33: *Knit 2 together, K1* repeat between * and * to one stitch remains K1. (22 stitches).

Cast off.

To finish:

Sew together top (I used matress stitch). Weave in any loose threads.

Felt in the washing machine and dry flat.

Notes on felting:

This piece looked HUGE before I felted it!

I put my teacosy in a front loader using a normal wash cycle with normal detergent at 40 deg c. I also put the fabric for the lining in to wash and pre-shrink too. It felted perfectly in one cycle. But different yarns felt at different rates and I also know that other people recommend a hotter wash (ie 60 deg c) and/or putting more items in to help with the felting. For this project I didn't find that was necessary.

Decoration:

I used felt cut outs and appliqued them onto the teacosy using blanket stitch. I used fern stitch in the centre of the leaves. The centres of the flowers are felt balls cut in two.

You could use different or similar shapes to make your own design. There are plenty of books that offer templates, but you can also use items around the house and garden as templates. For instance, my leaves are from rose leaves.

You could also use embroidery with thick thread or yarn to decorate it.

I used a different design on the back:

Lining:

I used the cosy as the template for the lining. I traced around it onto kitchen baking paper and then added about 5mm for a seam allowance. I sewed it up using about a 75mm seam allowance (because the lining needs to be smaller). I needed to fiddle a bit to get the right fit and then I tacked it to the cosy all the way round the seam, so it fitted in snugly. I then tacked up the bottom edge hem.

If you have any questions or find any mistakes in the above pattern please email me. Much thanks.

a whole lot of stuff

2009-03-28T18:47:00.008+11:00

It's been some weeks since my last blog post. Lots of life, not much time for recording.

I've discovered etsy, via Ravelry. Nice Pear Studio advertised. I was tempted by the pictures, had a look and ended up buying! Janice was very very helpful. She had never posted internationally before. But went out of her way to make it all happen. Here is one of two sock yarns I bought:

It's called Cherry Blossom and was hand dyed by Janice.

And of course I have been busy knitting up a few things for the Red Hill Show. I entered four items this year: a toy, socks, a teacosy and a toddler's cardigan. I was lucky enough to pick up three firsts this year and a second for the cardigan.

I love the feeling of participating in a community event. It's quite special to see your handmade items displayed regardless of whether they have received a gong or not. It' s really interesting to see what other people are making too, including k girl. I think we have both entered various bits and pieces for the last three years. Long may it continue!

Last year my plum pudding teacosy didn't get a place. I think it's a great teacosy and very amusing. I love the leaves and berries on the top. This year my cosy got first place. I love this one just as much as last year's one. They are very different but they both had an equal level of skill and effort invested in them. I cannot really work out the judging. Ranking items must be difficult, because beyond a certain level of skill and complexity which can be assessed, how do you differentiate? I think that there must be a certain amount of subjectivity, but who knows.

I knitted it in Patons Jet and then felted it. It felted brilliantly in one go! I then sewed on felt flowers and leaves. I'm only learning to embroider - hand sewing is really not my skill - but I really want to be better, so I am trying to find opportunities to practise.

Here is the back:

And here is the orange aran cardigan with hood. It's an amalgam of two patterns plus a some of my own invention. I learnt a lot about design by knitting it. It's knitted in Naturally's Loyal DK. 100% wool and machine washable. The inspiration is a Zoe Mellor pattern called Robin Hood Jacket which is knitted in Rowan Cork. It's a discontinued chunky weight yarn. So to produce something close required dramatic changes. I'm pleased with the result and I think it'll be great as a winter woolly for Mr S.

And the socks - they are knitted in Tofutsies soy blend yarn. The pattern is a basic lace. The socks are a modified version of Rainy Day Socks. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. I used a different weight of yarn and really just used the construction method I always use (cuff down).

And I entered the hedgehog. It's knitted from a Fiber Trend pattern and is felted too.

So very very terrible

2009-02-09T22:44:00.003+11:00

The Victorian Bushfires are shocking. There are no words...

At this stage nobody knows what the death toll will finally be or how many houses will finally be lost. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families and friends.

Like most people I have cried for all the pain and suffering. Not only for the people, but for the animals - pets, livestock and wildlife.

There are no words...

Red Felted Phone Purse

2009-01-25T12:00:00.004+11:00

I wanted to know if Paton's Jet (12 ply Wool / Alpaca - 16st in 10cm) would felt. I was just going to just knit a test square, then I thought why not make something small and useful instead? I have always wanted a little purse to keep my mobile phone and headset safe and together. So that is what I knitted.

I cast on 24 st using 6mm needles.

I knitted the first 6 rows as garter stitch, then changed to stocking stitch. I knitted about 38 - 40 cm in stocking stitch (you can adjust the exact length to fit what you are going to put in it - allowing for shrinkage when the item felts. Width wise this purse would also fit my camera, but I would probably knit another 10cm in length). Then I knitted another 6 rows of garter to finish.

I sewed up the side seams using mattress stitch leaving approximately 7 cm for the flap (but you can adjust this too). Then I crochet two loops for the buttons using chain stitch - about 10 stitches. I sewed the loops on.

Then I washed it in the machine. I put it in with other things to help felt it more quickly. This only took one wash, but different yarns felt at different rates. I have run some yarns through the machine more than 6 or 7 times. Just depends...

Then found some suitable buttons that fitted the felted loops, sewed them on, and it was finished!

No more scratches on my phone!

2009-01-24T23:14:00.003+11:00

I am obsessing about my yarn stash at the moment...

When I started knitting again I declared that I would not 'stockpile' yarn. I'd buy something, knit it and then buy something else.

But it doesn't work that way. Knitting is about imagining new projects. It's what keeps me knitting (apart from the inner calm it brings once you are submerged in the rhythm, oh and the end products!).

Imagining the new, leaves you vulnerable to temptation. I could explain it as a formula:

yarn temptation (new/ different/ interesting yarn, on sale yarn, yarn you have always lusted after) + money = more stash

In psychological terms I could dub it the 'Bower Bird Phenomena'

As one of my new year resolutions, I did a quick review of what was actually in my stash... OMG. I've pulled out yarn for at least 4 jumpers / cardigans for Mr S, which if I don't knit for this winter I won't have enough yarn to finish the project... Sound familiar?

At the same time as talking to my self about self discipline, hair shirts and a bit of self flagellation for breaking my original commitment, I was tempted... again. Here is how far I fallen in January.
I walked past Cleggs on Elizabeth Street. Big mistake. They have a big sale at the moment. I guess I don't really need to say any more... but just to demonstrate the complete lack of self will I showed, let me out line exactly what I bought:

blue mohair for a cardigan
8ply Cleckheaton Country for a cardigan and a jumper
same 8 ply for two toys: a farm and little animals; and a donkey

And then I passed the Mornington Wool Shop's sale table (which I always give the once over), I noticed 8 balls of oxford grey wool in 12 ply. Mmmm.... another great cardigan for Mr S in the making... so yes I bought that too.

And then I visited The Sewing Box in Rosebud... grey Jet for a long jacket for winter, red Jet for a mobile phone purse and tea cosy, and Heritage Alpaca in creamy white for a scarf...

I'm completely insane.

A Retrospective

2009-01-03T11:15:00.004+11:00

Inspired by Textile Seahorse's mosaic of 2008 projects, I have made my own too.

I finished 14 knitted items in 2008.

Not my most prolific year, but a respectable effort.

Mostly toys and clothes for Mr S. But that reflects my focus at the moment. So not surprising really. (Oh, and the sheep is a mistake - it was finished in 2007, but I'm not redoing the mosaic! It wasn't difficult to do, using flickr toys, but it took too long with a child pulling at my sleeve wanting attention.)

Anyway it's nice, and a little bit satisfying, to see them all in one place.

The Last Day of The Year

2008-12-31T22:12:00.004+11:00

Well here we are... the end of 2008.

I find it difficult to believe that I've been back at work for over a year. I find it even more difficult to believe that I have a two year old son. I feel very privileged. So lucky, I sometimes have to pinch myself.

2008? It was OK. Nothing to complain about at all.

Oh, and to finish the year I finished a project! Yippee! Hooray!

Erika Knight's Stitch Cushion from Classic Knits at Home. I'm happy.

The buttons come from Buttonmania, one of their sales I think.

And here is how it looks on the sofa.

The Friendship Tree

2008-12-30T09:47:00.008+11:00

A few days before Christmas my office had its Christmas lunch at a pub on High Street, Northcote. I'd only driven down High Street before - never stopped. It's a bit of a find. The new Brunswick Street. All types of interesting shops and eating places are popping up. The kind of quirky places that used to make Brunswick Street interesting, but are now being forced out because of high rents.

One place in particular caught my attention, The Friendship Tree. It sells Steiner inspired toys. Lots of wool felt and wood. They also sell some craft books and wool felt to make your own creations. Two types of felt in fact - machine and hand made - in really good colours.

I bought a book, Feltcraft: Making Dolls, Gifts and Toys by Petra Berger, and a family of little pink pigs for Mr S. He adores them and has played with them quite a bit.

Happy Christmas

2008-12-26T17:19:00.009+11:00

Mr S and I have been doing quite a bit of Christmas reading. One of his favorite's is Willow at Christmas by Camilla Ashforth. The story of this very loving and gentle bear has captured his imagination.

So I bought him his own Willow for Christmas (aka 'Little Ted' from Playschool). But Willow needed a hat. So this afternoon I whipped one up.

Willow's Hat Pattern

Designed to fit a 31cm head.

Requirements:

1 ball of Shepherd Lambswool Felted in Red (band info: knits to 16.5cm gauge on 5.5mm needles). You will need less than 1/3 of a skein.

scraps of Sirdar Snowflake Chunky in White

5.5mm and 6mm needles (I'm a tight knitter)

Pattern:

Cast on 50st on 5.5mm needles.

Rib 1x1 for 4 rows in Red Lambswool.

Change to Snowflake. Knit 2 rows.

Change back to Red Lambswool and 6mm needles.

Using stocking stitch, knit 6 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 9 st) 5 times. (45 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Then stocking stitch the following 4 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 8 st) 5 times. (40 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Then stocking stitch the following 4 rows.

Next row: (Knit 2 tog, knit 7 st) 5 times. (35 stitches)

Next row: Purl.

Keep repeating the following two decreasing rows, reducing the number of stitches between the knit 2 tog stitch, until 5 stitches remain. Run yarn through remaining 5 stitches and pull tight. Sew up back seam using mattress stitch.

Sew a few strands of Snowflake to the top of the hat. Secure them by tying them together.

Here is the original watercolour that inspired the hat:

We also finally put up our Christmas Tree. We went to the Stumpy Gully Road Christmas Tree Farm, which was a bit of an adventure in itself. It's the first time I've had a 'real' cut tree since I was probably about four or five. I'm pretty excited about it.

Many of the decorations are handmade (knitted, sewn etc), but I've also invested pretty heavily in a new collection of so called 'shatter proof' (read plastic) baubles!

I have many glass and china decorations, but with a two year old on the loose they are all safely put away in a box. Still the tree looks bright and happy enough. I'm pleased.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Stuff

2008-12-13T15:03:00.003+11:00

We have had a very Christmas orientated week.

Mr S' Christmas concert on Tuesday - watching 2 year olds singing 'Jingle Bells' is very amusing indeed! Organised chaos at best.

On Wednesday, Mr S' grandmother (who still does volunteer teaching at the local primary school) had her Christmas concert. Robert took him. They had a lovely time.

And then on Friday the mandatory visit to the city. We caught the train. Everything about trains is fascinating for Mr S - even waiting on the platform.

The Myer windows were fab. This year the theme is 'How Santa Really Works' - based on the Alan Snow book of the same name. Mr S loved it. I bought the book for him a week earlier and we have been reading it. Although much of the detail is too complex for him, he understands the basic concepts.

Then we visited Santa. Followed shortly afterwards by Mr S falling asleep.

It was a big day.

We still don't have a Christmas tree and I'm only half way though my shopping, but things are pretty under control.

I'm also pressing on with the orange aran hoodie for Mr S. Nearly finished the back. Looking good. Photos soon.

The Beach

2008-11-30T10:44:00.004+11:00

With the first day of summer looming tomorrow, my thoughts turn to the beach.

Mr S and I spent a lovely 30 minutes one evening last week sitting on this seat and observing the beach.

There was much to see. People walking their dogs. Seagulls wheeling in the sky and stalking each other across the sand. And a ship moving up the bay towards The Heads.

Mr S was in his PJs, so I didn't want him running around, but he had lots of enjoyment sitting with his mummy. There was also a fair bit of jumping on the seat! He is very talkative, so there were lots of words to explore. And watching the dogs was a highlight. Since Mil has left us, Mr S has become very very interested in other dogs.

Cookie Monster... Where are you??

2008-11-14T16:16:00.004+11:00

Mmmm... Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I've never made them before. But Mr S' has been watching Sesame Street and reading Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Williams - two very different things - but both featuring chocolate chip cookies. He has been talking about them for weeks, so I thought it was about time we made some. The project filled in some time while waiting for lunch to cook today. He had alot of fun touching all the ingredients, mixing and rolling cookie dough. It also meant that I had a ready made second course! He is terribly excited about the finished product and they taste pretty good too.

I know there are probably a thousand recipes for them, but we used Donna Hay's recipe from Modern Classics Book 2. It's the volume that has all the baking in it- cookies, biscuits, slices, cakes, desserts, hot puddings, pies and tarts! I've made other things from it and it's good. Although I often find her cakes a bit dry and the oven times are too quick for my oven.

I have also started knitting Mr S a cardigan with a hood for next winter. (I know they're called hoodies, and I should be 'cool' and use the word, but I can't stand it. Don't know why). After a couple of false starts, fiddling around with different patterns and stitches, I am on my way and quite pleased with the pattern that is emerging.

I'm using Zoe Mellor's Robin Hood Jacket as my inspiration. The pattern is in Zoe Mellor's The Big Book of Kids' Knits 50 Designs for babies and toddlers. But this pattern is for 14ply Rowan Cork, which is unfortunately discontinued. Most 14plys are pretty bulky and heavy. Cork wasn't heavy because of its construction. But since I can't get Cork, and I don't want to use another 14ply yarn, I am using Naturally's Loyal. It's a DK weight, 100% wool, machine washable yarn.

The down side is that using DK means that I am having to do lots of pattern modifications to make the thing work. I have also ribbed the bottom and I'll probably rib the button hole band (maybe?). The Zoe Mellor pattern uses moss stitch. Still, so far so good. And I love the orange!

More chocolate cake too...

2008-11-06T23:03:00.004+11:00

My recent reminiscence about Bill Granger's chocolate cake in 'Simply Bill' led to me hunting out the recipe and making the cake again. It's a good cake. Sound. Probably not the best chocolate cake that I have ever made or eaten, but good. It's easy and quick to make if the butter is really soft. Great icing (chocolate and sour cream).

By way of comparison, the chocolate cake I made for Mr S' birthday was much richer and moister.

Mr S had a great time helping me icing it and sprinkling mini M&Ms over the top. He needs to have more sprinkling practice! Sprinkling very quickly became pushing the M&Ms into the chocolate. Mr S' side of the cake is a bit mucky. But a fun time was had by all.

More sewing...

2008-11-02T18:58:00.005+11:00

It could be some kind of fabric vortex, but no, it's actually a photo of the lining inside Mr S' new pajama bag.

Having dusted off my sewing machine, I got a rush of blood and made Mr S the PJ bag today. Mr S loves the pandas. He originally saw it in Amitie and was so excited. He pointed it out to me, as I hadn't seen it. I hope he keeps loving it.

What Mr S and I have been up to!

2008-11-01T11:53:00.016+11:00

I used to have regular contact with someone who would always ask, without fail, what I had done since we last met. I could never remember anything particularly interesting or noteworthy. Just stuff. It didn't matter, because the question was really only a ploy to enable them launch into a long list of really fab things they had done or were planning to do. The conversation always left me feeling dissatisfied and reflecting that I must be a really boring person... I don't really think I am boring. It just took me a while to work out that it's just that I don't treat my life like a 'to do list'.

I think of my life as something more organic. Continuous and evolving. I tend to live intensely in the moment, enjoying it for what it is. For instance, every work day morning Mr S runs to the car declaring at the top of his voice that he is 'running'. I love that moment. The photo above attempts to capture it. But by putting it into words, the moment seems some how diminished - smaller than when it happens. It's difficult to convey the feeling of intense pleasure experienced in that moment.

I think less about events and milestones. It's not that I don't reflect about the past or think about the future, it's just that when I do, I think less about the detail, and more about the overview. I'm more interested in the 'grand narrative', less about the individual events, which on the surface can appear disjointed and without particular meaning.

So I tend to push to the back of my mind quite quickly the granular specifics about 'what have I been doing'. That can make blogging (or diary writing for that matter), quite a test. These mediums tend to focus on events. An item that has been made, a meeting, an outing... It was only when I down uploaded a batch of photos this morning that I realised just how much I had done in the last month or so, which I hadn't shared on the blog. So here it is... What Mr S and I have been up to!...

I finally finished Mr S' textured cardigan to match the hat that I showed you a few posts ago. It's a Sirdar pattern. Gosh they do nice things for little boys. I have a stack of their patterns for 0 - 10 years that I am hoping to knit through in the future. Unfortunately the uploaded photo isn't as clear as it is on my computer. I don't know why. The buttons are wooden elephants, which come from Sunspun. My favorite yarn shop.

And the garden is chugging along into Spring. Roses Roses Roses. And a few other things too.

I love this rose (below) - Rosa chinensis mutabilis. I think Rix and Philips in their book on Roses, describe the flowers as butterfly like. I agree.

And lots of woodland plants - foxgloves, assorted apiaceae and the like. My dream garden would be a clearing carved out of a dense wood. Moist, shady.... mmmm. I think that's why I like Beatrix Potter so much.

A few weeks ago now, Mr S and I went to the Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show. It's an annual event. City meets country. Lots of animals; dog trials; craft displays; show bags; fair rides.

The biggest highlight for Mr S was sitting on a tractor that was on display.

Not sure how the salesman viewed it. As much as I love Mr S, I felt that buying one was a tad excessive! So we had to disappoint the poor salesman.

He still talks about it (Mr S, not the salesman). Whenever we see a tractor, he points to the cab / drivers seat and says "I sitting in there."

The second highlight was the train trip there and back. It was a long ride - over an hour each way. I wasn't sure how he would deal with it. But his fascination with trains kept him sustained. He loved it.

We also recently took him to his first theatre experience - The Wiggles' "Dorothy the Dinosaur Show". Again we weren't sure how he would deal with sitting in a theatre for about an hour, but he loved that too. He is very keen on their music, so he danced and jumped his way through an hour of singing.

Here he is with his grandmother.

In the last week I have pieced together the top for Mr S' new quilt. I haven't used my sewing machine in over 3 years, so I felt very virtuous! The quilt contains lots of Japanese fabric, which Superbuzzy sell online. Next step is putting on the borders.

Spring and Fabric

2008-10-24T21:33:00.007+11:00

All of a sudden it's spring. The garden is still a weedy mess, but there is plenty happening. Bulbs such as species gladiolus are in full bloom, a few daffodils are still around and lilies are in bud. Roses are going crazy and the iris are doing their thing.

I love my garden. I just don't have alot of time for it right now. And I feel guilty about that. Sometimes so guilty I can't even look. But this afternoon, sitting in the sun watching Mr S play in his sandpit, the garden glowed. And I was in love again.

Earlier today I did a trip down memory lane. Mr S loves trains, so we caught a train to Bentleigh. I walked up and down Centre Road. An old stamping ground for me. First time for Mr S. He may have visited Amitie before (flying visit in the car), but it was his first stroll down Centre Road or visit to Benn's Books, one of the book stores from my childhood.

I really want to make a quilt for Mr S. I have bought some bits and pieces for a couple of different quilts, but not enough to finish anything, and no plan. Today I saw a quilt that I loved. Of course they didn't have the fabric anymore, but I bought something similar. It's easy, you just cut up 20cm strips and sew them together, edge them and hand quilt. It's the hand quilting that is really special. Waves, elephants, houses... you use the motifs from the fabrics. I think I can do this quite quickly. Tonight I washed the fabrics.

And I bought fabric for a pajama bag. Mr S saw the fabric. He let out a scream... "PANDA". The blue spotty fabric will be the lining.

The Cake

2008-10-19T11:26:00.008+11:00

Well together Mr S and I chose a cake.

It was the three layer chocolate cake that is on the cover of Kathryn Kleinman's 'Birthday Cakes' (see post below).

Wow, it's a rich cake. 10oz /375g of butter, 23/4 cups of brown sugar, 11/2 cups of cocoa, 3 eggs... and it tastes wonderful. It's the darkest chocolate cake I have ever made. Almost a devil chocolate cake. The frosting wasn't quite as successful. I don't know what went wrong but I was way too sloppy. And as you might see from the picture, the assembly didn't quite happen as I had imagined. Partly because I was rushing and had to put it together while the cake was still warm, partly because of the frosting and partly because in the rush I broke the middle layer in half when I picked it up - oops!

Still, despite the visual challenge, it was pretty good to eat! I just looked at it and laughed at the slightly askew presentation!

Anyway, birthday cake is about taste and love. Right? There was lots and lots of love that was mixed in to it - so it must have been good.

Oh, and the candles were a hit! The first time Mr S has tried to blow out candles. He was mesmerized.

Party Party Party

2008-10-14T22:34:00.005+11:00

I haven't been blogging recently, partly because I'm not in a finishing phase at the moment (I have eight projects going at the moment! Yikes! How did that happen?), and partly 'cause I've just been so amazingly busy.

Work Work Work Toddler Toddler Toddler... doesn't leave much time for me.

I'm not complaining. I enjoy work, and I love my little one dearly. I wouldn't make different choices. But without stretching myself to breaking point, I cannot do everything. So logging on and blogging is just a bridge too far sometimes.

This post isn't about my knitting, it's about my party planning.

Mr S turns two very shortly. Wow! Unbelievable.

I have a party menu... but the big dilemma is the cake! Do I do a novelty cake - maybe a truck or a train, perhaps a panda - or do I just do a really good (read yummy) cake with really good candles??

I'm leaning towards the yummy, rather than the fancy at the moment.

I own a fantastic book "Birthday Cakes - Recipes and Memories from Celebrated Bakers" by Kathryn Kleinman.

It's an absolute pip! So many beautiful pictures, so many yummy recipes.

I'm very tempted to make the chocolate cake on the cover.

But I remembered a really good chocolate cake that I made some time ago - I went back into the archive on this blog and found the post - the cake picture is half way down. It's from Bill Granger's "Simply Bill". The icing was chocolate and sour cream. I put smarties on top. It was delicious.

I also came across another chocolate cake recipe in Tessa Kiros' "Apples for Jam".

It looks pretty good too. The cake uses both chocolate and cocoa. I recently made the cup cake recipe in this book. I can recommend it. I grew up using a Margaret Fulton recipe from the 1968 classic "Margaret Fulton's Cookbook". It's a good recipe, but it requires triple flour sifting! At the moment it falls into the bridge too far category.

I need to make a decision this week. Oh the dilemma! I'll get back to you on what I did...

Winter Hats

2008-08-23T13:50:00.006+10:00

It's been a cold winter for Melbourne. I've been busily knitting, but a bit slow about finishing anything. However, I have managed to complete two hats for my toddler. Ya!!

The first is made from Shepherd's Colour 4 Me in a good strong traditional red. It's 100% wool and knits up well. I used a Sirdar pattern (1682). I've also knitted a matching jacket - I just have one more side seam to sew on that, however it's been at that stage for well over a month!

The hat is nice. I added the stalk.

The second hat is really more of an old fashion 'helmet'. It's a Zoe Mellor pattern. It needs the tie to keep it on properly. It is designed to be close fitting and if not tied on it pops up. If I was knitting it again I'd knitted it a couple of sizes bigger and at least 3 cm longer so I could do away with the ties. I knitted it from Sublime Baby Cashmere, Silk, Merino DK. Super soft, but it does pill a bit. The hat also has a pompom!

I haven't been spending much time in the garden. Too cold and too difficult with Mr S. We did plant some bulb recently (they should have gone in during February!). Mr S now refers to the garden as a sandpit!

Despite the neglect, or maybe because of it there are some nice vignettes that have appeared naturally. Here lie the fruits of the Pseudocydonia nestling amongst decaying leaves.

We are still missing Mil very much. Mr S still asks about her and was very excited yesterday when he saw a picture of a blue heeler. She lives on in our hearts and our memories, but it is still very sad and painful.

Wishing you well on your journey

2008-07-08T21:50:00.005+10:00

We buried Mil today.

She is lying next to Chewton in the backyard. While I dug the grave, Robert and Mr S went and bought some lovely flowers. The lady at 'Bodaceous Blooms' in Dromana remembered Robert buying flowers for Chewton a few years ago. Buying flowers for dog funerals must be unusual. She gave Robert a substantial discount. Her gift to Mil. Very kind and generous.

We burnt some incense at the grave. We spoke about Mil's life, what she liked, funny incidents, what she meant to us, why we love her. We cried. But we are happy that we knew Mil. We think she had a good life. We hope she loved us. We think she did.

I don't know what happens when you die. Maybe you just die. Maybe there is something else. If there is I hope Mil is happy.

Thank you to everybody who has been kind and said lovely, supportive things.

We miss her terribly. No more tip tapping of paws on the floor boards. We are a dogless house for the first time in around 20 years. Very sad.

The Mil is dead, long live The Mil

2008-07-07T21:27:00.005+10:00

The Mil died today.

She wasn't well last night. The first inkling I had was a refusal of dinner. She had been OK during the afternoon. But last night she just wanted to lie down and pant. Mmmmm. Not good.

So she was taken to the vet first thing this morning.

He immediately diagnosed a stomach tumor that had exploded and was bleeding internally. He thought that she also had tumors in her spleen and liver.

I had no warning. I didn't know how ill she was. She was gruff, feisty, loving and slightly enigmatic to the end. She was probably in pain, but she was good at hiding her illness.

She was a good, tolerant dog. In 2006, following the birth of my son I did wonder how she would cope. But although she steadfastly ignored him for the first three months or so, she ended up interacting on a daily basis with good temper. As Mr S became more mobile she tolerated him, and in the end I think quite liked him. She allowed him to pat her, cuddle her and even pull her ears. She would even lie down for him. Pretty good for a 14 year old dog who didn't grow up with children.

The first three photos below were taken last April, just after she recovered from a mysterious illness.

Here she is having a cuddle in January 2006.

And at the beach January 2006.

And on 27 May 2008 with Mr S.

Love you Mil.

Oh what a mess

2008-06-13T21:59:00.002+10:00

I'm calling this Mr S' Dinosaur Cardigan. It's really Cleckheaton's 'Cardigan feature [ing] circular yoke and trims' (the trims look like dinosaur scales!).

I can get the back and one front to match but not the other front. I've counted lines, measured, pulled out, and re-knitted several times... all to no avail. It's a mess. I'm so so irritated. One last try and then...... I may get the scissors out!

Welcome Leo

2008-06-08T18:02:00.003+10:00

Well finally...

Leo looks kind of cute. I gave him a friendly face. Mr S loves him. He has a book with a reference to a 'soft furry lion' that 'goes roar roar roar' - we read it several times this afternoon, with Mr S clutching Mr Leo!

The pattern comes from the V&A website (as I have previously mentioned) and Mr Leo was knitted in Rowan Scottish Tweed 4ply.

17 Colours

2008-06-01T14:17:00.004+10:00

Seventeen colours!

I've finished the first colour repeat. Four more to go!

I figure that five repeats will give me about 180 - 190 cm in length.

I have several other 'nearly finished' projects banking back. All requiring sewing up and finishing. My least favorite part of making anything. I think because I don't rate my needlework skills very highly, so I'm usually fairly tense when I pick up a sewing needle. Generally not a good start to enjoying a task.

Never-the-less, I've finally finished the renovations of this simple Debbie Bliss jumper, which uses four strands of Marta's Yarn 2ply merino.

I knitted the jumper last year for Mr S. I made the 6mth size, but it never really fitted him properly. Too wide, arms too long. So he wore it once or twice only.

Now that it's getting colder, I'm looking at what jumpers Mr S has for this winter. I tried this jumper on him and width wise it is perfect, as is arm length. But it was ridiculously short. So I went to Marta's and bought a complementary colour way. I've knitted an extension. About 10cm. And tacked it on to bottom. It looks (I hope) like he is wearing layers.

This is a slightly better representation of the colour, although still not great. The actual colours are far richer. Never mind!

And my swap partner (SueChicago) has received her package. Yah!

A parcel

2008-05-27T12:50:00.003+10:00

I love receiving parcels.

When I agreed to participate in the 'Swapping Susans' activity, I think the prospect of receiving a box in the mail was one of the primary motivations. That, and perhaps making a new friend somewhere out in cyberland.

The rules: a minimum of 200g of yarn and something local. Sounds simple, but oh the agony of trying to choose something for someone else, when you only know fragments about them. The questionnaire helped but it only goes so far.

I received my swap partner's box in the mail last night. Thank you SueChicago aka Sue Who Knits.

In my parcel:

two skeins of Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock Yarn in colourway Pilsen
a skein of Mountain Colours Bearfoot in colourway Soap River
a mug from a LYS
an embroidered button
some handmade earrings
map of Chicago and key sites marked and a postcard
a letter explaining everything.

Everything in the parcel was wonderful. The sock yarns are the 'right' colours, the earrings suit me, the button and mug are great. A got a great deal of pleasure reading Sue's letter and map. I really appreciated the time and effort she had put in to assembling something for someone that she didn't really know. Even if she had known me for years, she couldn't have done better.

Now all I have to do is hope that her package arrives soon and that she likes what I have sent!

Here are some pictures of my booty

Pretty in Pink

2008-05-18T22:13:00.004+10:00

Well, I'm on to my twelfth colour. I think it's looking ok this time around.

But nothing is ever straight forward. I've now got a tension problem. The first six colours were done during summer, when my hands were hot and the wool didn't slide smoothly. So the tension is tighter. Now that it's cold, well the yarn's flowing freely and the tension is looser. Mmmmm.

Progress on other projects is steady:

Mr S' red cardi has a sleeve and collar to do - and then it's finished!
Leo Lion is sewn up, I need to to the finishing touches - embroider the face, sew on a tail and ears - and then it's finished too!

I've started a new winter hat for Mr S. It's from Zoe Mellor's "The Bid Book of Kids' Knits - 50 designs for babies and toddlers". It has ear flaps and cables.

Zoe Mellor's book is fab! There are lots of great patterns including a pirate jumper and a puppet theatre, with hand puppets.

Mmmmm... Autumn

2008-05-10T23:25:00.004+10:00

More Autumn Garden pictures.

Years ago there was a fashion to have 'your colours done'. I'm an autumn. I wonder if my fondness of this season has anything to do with loving the colours so much?

This kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) is a seedling. It always flowers once a year in late Autumn. It's one of the last things 'to do its stuff' before winter closes in.

And this is Pseudocydonia sinensis (pseudo quince). Great autumn colour. Gold with a touch of flame. Apparently you can use the fruits in the same way as a normal quince. I never have. But I guess I should - maybe next year. This year I'm just going to appreciate them on the tree, for their aesthetic value.

And this is Prunus 'Elvins' - the spring flowers on this are just stunning for about two weeks in October. All frothy pale pink. Then in Autumn, it gives again with great reds.

My house is about four houses in from the beach. There are houses, then a main road, then the foreshore and then the beach. The soil is very sandy, but surprisingly it's pH neutral. While I cannot grow many of the things that I would love to - primarily woodlanders that require moist peaty soil and really cold winters - I can grow quite a bit. It sometime surprises me how adaptable plants are.

If you look too closely at the pictures you'll see that I desperately need to do some tidy-up gardening. Since doing the baby thing I haven't been a very good gardener. I'll get back to it...

Strawberry and Blueberry Ripple

2008-05-03T14:37:00.007+10:00

I've bitten the bullet (so to speak) and unravelled about 10 colours of my ripple blanket. I cannot tell you how unhappy I was with it. The actually crocheting was fine, which is kind of what killed me about the whole sorry saga. But the colours! Ugg. Individually fine. Together, one horrible mess.

I knew I couldn't live with it. But I knew it was going to hurt unravelling so much. So, I procrastinated about taking action for weeks and weeks.

Finally, on Thursday night I did it. Here is how it used to look:

And now, well it's back to ripple ripple ripple! I've completed a further 1 1/2 colours. I refuse to say 're-done'. I think if I think about it in those terms I'm going to drag my feet, thinking that I am just going over old ground. I need to think about what I'm doing as new.

So, here is how it looks now:

I think that what helped me turn the corner was buying some new colours from Cleggs in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.

They had some Cleckheaton's Machine Wash 8ply Wool Crepe on sale for $2.50 a 50g ball in some good colours - pinks, mauve pinks, pinky red, and they had some other colours of Paton's Totem, which I hadn't seen before - specifically a soft grey blue purple colour. It's one of those colours, which in different lights appears different. Looking at it this moment, it looks like periwinkle.

I think what I am ending up with is a Strawberry and Blueberry Ripple!

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On a different topic, I have discovered Cast On. It's a pod cast about knitting, recorded by Brenda Dayne, who's an American living in Wales. I've only listened to 3 shows so far, but I think they are lovely. Bright, thoughtful, entertaining.

I listen to it on my laptop, but it's the first time I've started to think that maybe I do need an I-pod. Two people tried to give me one for Christmas, but I said I didn't want one. No use for one. I think I may have changed my mind.

I have Sue to thank for putting me on to it. I think I had read about Cast On before somewhere, but when I recently read Sue's blog, 'Sue who knits', I was convinced that I should at least have a listen. I think I'm hooked!

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And changing the subject again, I am also involved in my first 'swap' as a result of participating in one of the forum's on Ravelry - Susan Knits. We are all 'Swapping Susans'.

My swap partner is SueChicago - the same Sue mentioned above.

I already have a few ideas about what I might put in my swap package - the minimum requirement is something local and 200g of yarn.

Everyone participating in the swap had to fill in a questionnaire, so I have some clues as to what her general interests and tastes are. Mmmmm. Trying very hard to be thoughtful and send something she may like. Despite the vague anxiety, it's kind of fun though!

Autumn again

2008-05-02T22:39:00.005+10:00

I've just looked back at my last 'garden' post. It was last autumn.

It made me reflect. I really love autumn. The mild days, some times warm, some times cool. The Chilly nights. Autumn is gentle. After the heat and harshness of summer and before the cold and harshness of winter.

I don't think I'd like autumn if it was perpetual. I like it because it's fleeting. Because it's a seduction. The hazy days are a caress.

And of course it's the beginning of the serious knitting season.

knitting goes on

2008-04-29T21:42:00.003+10:00

Knitting has a cycle.

You imagine, you choose, you plan, you purchase, you cast on, you experience excitement, you start to see the shape and texture, you get into a rhythm, you dig in for the long haul, you see the end ahead, you finish. And so the knitting goes on and on. Spreading love and warmth.

I've started a new red cardigan for Mr S. He should have it by the end of May, if not earlier. Ready for winter. The back is finished and I've nearly completed the left front.

And here is a detail. It's hard to photograph the red - it's so bright!

The pattern is Sirdar pattern 1682 - it's a shawl collar cardigan. I don't know if the stitch pattern has a name? Maybe some variation on a basket weave? If I had all the Barbara Walker books maybe I could tell you.

The yarn is Shepherd's "Colour 4 Me' 100% wool. It's just basic wool. I don't think it will be scratchy, it's meant to be for children, but it's not super soft. The pattern specifies 4 50g balls of Sirdar Tiny Tots DK. I bought 5 50g balls of Colour 4 Me.

Half way through the back I did the 'Oh my God, I don't have enough yarn' panic thing! I've gone and bought another 3 balls - a total of 8 now. I used 2 balls for the back, so I think 8 balls will do it. These 50g balls are 90m. I don't know the metreage of Tiny Tots, but I guess it has some acrylic in it, so it's probably a lot lighter and therefore has more length per weight.

It is machine washable however. Not that I'm likely to pop it in the machine.

All my knits are handwashed in eucalyptus wool wash. Spun dry. Hung out on an inside line. They all seem to survive the treatment.

ANZAC Day 2008 - Lest we forget

2008-04-25T22:49:00.005+10:00

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon

As a child I never quite got the full meaning of 'Lest we forget'. As an adult, I don't think it's just about remembering the individuals that fought in either of the world wars or any subsequent wars; or any of the events. It's about remembering the horror.

I have mixed feeling about the increasing popular enthusiasm about ANZAC Day. There was a time a few decades ago when it nearly slipped into oblivion. I think that that would have been a great shame. We should remember, but we shouldn't celebrate. We should commemorate, we should remember.

Today, I'm remembering not just the soldiers, but the knitters too. Those who 'knitted for victory'.

There is a little bit of Australian war knitting history on the Australians at War website

http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2

And if you want to know more about ANZAC Day itself, you can visit here http://www.acn.net.au/articles/anzac/

Two and a half years in the making!

2008-04-21T19:18:00.004+10:00

Wow, I cannot believe that I've actually finished these socks!

When I found them about a quarter finished amongst my stash I wondered what to do with them. The knitting was all fine, the pattern (just a basic 'vanilla' sock) was easy and I'd only put them down 'cause I'd found myself pregnant and other knitting projects became a higher priority... well what was stopping me?

The question was whether I was really interested in finishing them. Did I have the 'finishing drive' for this project? Or had it cooled? To finish a project, I think you need to be able to remember the thrill of starting, and to be carried along by the rhythm of the knitting itself and the momentum of completing finishing milestones of course!

Well ,they were a special request from Robert - some blue socks. So I kind of felt obliged to meet my commitment. And what else was I going to do with them? They were useless left as they were. If I wasn't going to finish them, I might as well be honest and just throw them out. Well I wasn't prepared to do that, so I did the only other thing possible... put my head down and finished them!

They are made from Sirdar's "Town and Country" Sock Yarn - wool and nylon mix. The yarn's ok. Not the softest sock yarn I've used, but nothing wrong with it. But I choose it for the colour - and that's perfect.

Big BIG BIG BIG Hurrah!

Ravelry

2008-04-13T19:56:00.004+10:00

Well like many other knitters and crocherers I've joined Ravelry.

What fun!

I have 171 favorite projects and I've joined 44 groups.

I've even set up a group!!!

I never thought that I'd be interested in a social networking site ('cause that's what it really is) - but, well never say never I guess!

What I'm amazed about is the energy that so many people have and some of the brilliant projects that people have completed (and shared). It's inspirational really.

On the (actual) knitting front - I still haven't quite finished Leo Lion :-( and I've progressed Robert's denim socks. I knew that I'd had them on the needles for some time, but it wasn't 'til I thought about it that I realised just how long. It was before I was pregnant. 'Cause once I knew I was, I dropped everything else and just did baby knitting. It's probably at least 2 1/2 years ago. I've now finished the first sock and I'm on to the second. I cannot remember how I knitted the first one exactly, so I keep referring back to it, a bit like a 3-D pattern. It will be nice to free the 2.5 bamboo dpns for another project!

Some more pink socks

2008-04-03T22:59:00.005+11:00

I confessed my (slight) obsession with pink socks some time ago (confession here)! Well, I've added another pair to my 'guilty pleasure' collection.

I have finally finished my pale pink Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino single cable socks. I'm wearing them as I write this post and I can feel all that knitted goodness just flowing up from my feet. Mmmmmmmm.

I had some unpicking to do on the first sock - I knitted it way too long and convinced myself that 'it's ok', so went on to finish it (including the kitchner stitch toe and all the ends sewn in). Well it wasn't ok at all. When I tried it on I just knew it was wrong and I would be unhappy if I left it as it was. But it took me a few days to work up to the point where I could cut off the top and wind it back to a reasonable length. I've now finished its mate. So another project off the UFO list! Thank goodness.

As you might be able to tell from the picture, I didn't exactly use the DB pattern. I used a different heel and toe finish.

I'm also getting closer to finishing Leo Lion. I've finished all the knitting, including the mane. It was very tricky to work out the loop stitch, which is used. It was different to the method in my stitch pattern book. Still after a few abortive attempts I finally got there. Maybe I will finish it on the weekend. Now that would be nice.

Red Hill Agricultural Show

2008-03-23T20:18:00.005+11:00

Well it was Red Hill Agricultural Show again on Saturday. I had been umming and arring for sometime about whether to put anything in this year or not. I've been quite disorganised this year. Run over by work, a caring for a 'always on the go' toddler and I guess just life in general.

In the end I put in three items.

This alpaca cardi has been on the needles for some time - well over six months anyway - I had changed the sizing, failed to record what I had done, and every time I picked it up I kept making mistakes that I had to pull out. Very frustrating. But I used the deadline of the Show to give me the final kick along to finish.

Anyway, it won a first prize, so I was quite pleased in the end.

I also finished the plum pudding tea cosy. I love it, but it didn't get a gong.

And lastly, Mr S' Sailor Sweater. It got a second prize. I'm quite pleased with it. The only criticism I have is that I don't really like the edges. If I knitted it again, I'd knit a garter stitch band. The yarn is Sublime's Baby DK (a mix of merino, cashmere, silk and microfiber). The yarn is gorgeous to feel, but is a bit of a trial to knit with. It splits quite easily and it's difficult to get an even surface.

More books for Susan

2008-03-05T21:43:00.002+11:00

20% off books? Yes please.

There was a sale at one of my bookshop haunts. Of course I couldn't resist.

I'm doing a lot of thinking about food at the moment. Having a toddler really makes me focus on what I'm cooking and what I would like Mr S to eat as he grows up. The spectre of childhood obesity is such a worry. In this fast food world with high sugar, salt and fat at every turn, raising a child who has a balanced diet is a challenge. I want a child that has an appreciation and enjoyment, even a love of food.

I don't want him to have 'hang ups' about food, but a healthy attitude. A 'French Women Don't Get Fat' kind of approach.

So, that brings me to why I bought four more cook books. They are all about celebrating good food.

Janet Ross and Michael Waterfield's Leaves from our Tuscan Kitchen was originally published in 1899 by Janet Ross (from the introduction she sounds marvelous). This 2006 edition was edited and added to by her great great nephew. It's full of delicious vegetable recipes. I just love vegetables - some of the suggestions are interesting, some are mouthwatering: Baked Potatoes with Juniper Berries, French Beans with a Fluffy Egg and Butter Sauce, Beetroot in Cream... mmmmmmm

Tessa Kiros' Apples for Jam - even if one never cooked a single thing from this book it would still be worth having just for the pictures and text. It's delightful. Each chapter has a colour theme. Tessa Kiros writes in her introduction "I have collected these recipes over the years. This is food for families, for young people, for old people, for children, for the child in all... for life. Some are recipes I remember from my own childhood, others are the food I want to cook now for my family." Yes Yes Yes!

Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Cooking with Kids. Stephanie Alexander is an icon. I'm lucky living in Melbourne that I've been able to taste some of her food at her various restaurants over the years.

Even though she is no longer part of the Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder, it's still a favorite lunch place. It's opposite the Epworth Hospital in Bridge Road, where my obstetrician practises, so when I was pregnant I often went there for a treat after an appointment. When I was feeling so very ill and nauseous, it was one of the few places I could eat. They were wonderful and very considerate. So it has a special place in my memory.

Kitchen Garden Cooking is a real treat. I have already started a small vegetable garden with Mr S, but I have much bigger plans. The book starts with the story of a real kitchen garden. The recipes are organised by seasons, so as you are growing and harvesting produce you can then find ways to use it. Broadbean, leek and fennel-top spring risotto; Lemon delicious pudding; Pumpkin and tomato gratin; Raspberry muffins. Yum Yum Yum.

Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - what a dreadful and pedestrian name - but some great recipes for little ones - who could resist a book with recipe titles like 'Mummy's Favourite Fish Pie' and an introduction to cheesecake for toddlers!

Now all I have to do is find time to use them. I guess for the modern working family, that's what weekends are for.

We have progress!!

2008-03-02T21:38:00.008+11:00

Work is all consuming at the moment. I'm even going in on my so called 'day off' at the moment and doing weekend reading. How easy it is to get sucked into the vortex.

But I'm gradually getting back on track with my crafty and creative life.

I've nearly finished the Sublime Sailor Jumper for Mr S. Yeah! Pictures of that next week. Maybe. Or maybe the week after...

And I'm making slow progress on my Ripple Blanket. But I think I hate the colours. I want bright colours. I want pink and minty green. But I think I've strayed. I'm thinking about ripping out at least the last 5 colours - may be more?

I've also made this little bag. The pattern comes from Rowan Knitting Magazine Number 31. I've had the fabric for some years (No 31 came out in 2002, so probably that long). I cut it out and slipped it in to the Magazine at least two years ago. Today I made it up!

While trying to find the photos to load onto the blog, I just found this photo again. It's Mr S' first birthday cake. I'm no cake decorator, but this turned out OK. Just a bit of fun! Makes me smile anyway.

UFOs - Out of Control

2008-02-14T22:22:00.006+11:00

OMG!!!

I'm feeling very very anxious.

I don't seem to be able to finish anything. Alternatively, I seem very good at starting things.

I'm normally pretty good at finishing items. But currently I have seven - that's 7 - I mean IIV - yes, one more than six and one less than eight... seven PROJECTS.

I know that others may well have more. But for me this is (almost) unprecedented.

How did this happen? Not sure. I can rationalize each one, but the real reason I think is that I'm feeling a bit ratty, scatty and generally a bit tatty. I think that this is being reflected in my knitting. I just cannot settle.

I think at the core of the problem is that I've gone back to work part time and I'm struggling with Mr S going into childcare for the first time.

Shown in the picture above is the start of some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino socks. I'm using a combination of the pattern in Debbie Bliss' 'Simple Living' and the Fleece Artist 'Basic Sock' pattern that comes on the wrapper of their merino sock yarn. But I've noticed a very similar cable sock pattern on Black Dog Designs.

The other blue knitting pictured is a jumper for Mr S using Sublime's Baby Cashmere Silk DK. It feels wonderful but doesn't knit up as evenly as wool and easily splits. I also have to make sure my nails are nicely filed, as any rough edges snag the yarn quite easily. The colour is 'Cuddle'!

My Ripple Blanket is progressing - I'm up to colour number nine - and will try to photograph it in daylight over the weekend. I think it's looking OK.

Of the other four projects, the teacosy needs decorations; the lion needs a mane, tail and ears; and the two other Mr S cardigans need some concentration to fix mistakes before I can proceed. Not really likely to happen given my current mood.

ripple ripple ripple

2008-02-03T22:47:00.000+11:00

It's addictive - ripple, ripple, ripple .... Crocheting isn't like knitting. There is a different rhythm. But the in / out movement of the hook is mesmerizing.

I've choosen 13 colours so far, but I'm only up to colour number 6. The driving force behind the project at the moment is wanting to see how all the colours look together. I'm not sure if I'll do a completely random colour pattern or a 16 row repeat (if I repeat it 6 times it should give me 160 cm in length - and then I'll have a square). I might repeat some of the colours as part of the 16 rows? Or maybe not? This uncertainty is part of the fun at the moment.

I'm also a bit taken by this random stripe generator. But so far I haven't found one that I really like. I keep hitting the refresh button to see what comes up next. That's addictive too.

Commitment

2008-01-27T12:48:00.001+11:00

Wow! Have I really made a commitment.

Any big project requires tenacity and staying power to complete. Once past the initial excitement of starting, the realisation starts to sink in that if you are going to finish, then you need to settle in for the long haul. For me, the prospect of finishing is ultimately what keeps me going. I make little milestones along the way to keep up my enthusiasm and give myself little rewards. Things like: "the first 10cm in length", "getting to the armhole", "changing colour"... That sort of thing.

This blanket is so big that the mini milestones are really important. There are 32 ripples in every row. Getting to 16 ripples is a BIG achievement! Changing colour every 2 rows? Gosh, that is stellar!!! (Boy, is this going to be a long 400 years).

To demonstrate the size, here are the first 4 rows (with the 5th in progress) laid out along the foot of the bed. I didn't think 160 cm sounded that much when I was starting this project! Think again.

And here is a detail. I'm rather pleased with my first crochet effort. The next big challenge is choosing colours. I've only got three so far. I think I might use my doona for inspiration and also this picture from The Blue Blog.

"Look Mum I can crochet!"

2008-01-25T15:31:00.000+11:00

I have made a number of abortive attempts at learning to crochet. It's something I really want to be able to do. But so far I've never stuck at it... well this time "things are going to be different"! (no really they are... really!)

I've done a test 'swatch' (no claiming that it's a square) to make sure I could do it, and now I'm going to start on a Ripple Blanket.

They seemed to be all the rage last year. Yarnstorm and Posie Gets Cozy did particularly good jobs. I desperately want one.

I have made 416 chain stitches (I hope). The finished blanket should measure about 160cm wide if my calculations are accurate! And in 400 years time it should be finished (only kidding - I really hope).

I'm waiting to go to Sunspun next week to buy more yarn for Leo Lion (one ball wasn't enough to complete the body - close, close I repeat, but no cigar) and Plum Pudding Tea Cosy (one ball wasn't enough to finish the tea cosy either) Damn, dash and bother - don't you hate that? I'm certainly very irritated.

I tried to be conservative and not over buy (which is what I usually do). I didn't want to have inconveniently small amounts left over that I couldn't really use on something else (what do you do with a single unused ball? Put it in the stash is the only use I've ever found). But that frugal attitude means that I now have to travel back up to town and use half a tank of fuel to buy the extra I need! (Idiot!!! Double idiot!!!!).

Grrrrrrrrr

2008-01-20T20:58:00.000+11:00

Progress on 'Leo Lion' (why are they all called Leo and Larry???).

Not yet 'Grrrrr-ing' - but getting there.

Need to get some more yarn to finish the tail and ears, and some darker yarn for the mane. Next week.....

This week, I'm going to start the Plum Pudding Tea Cosy.

New projects

2008-01-13T20:35:00.000+11:00

Yes, yes, yes! I've still got two unfinished Mr S cardigans on the needles, but I'm so sick of them and have to do unpicking and fiddling around with both of them. So, what's a girl to do? Buy new yarn of course!

A quick visit to Sunspun yesterday and 'hey presto' two new projects!

New Project 1 for 2008:

V&A Lion (see earlier post). Knitting it with Rowan's Scottish Tweed 4ply (Sh 018 - Thatch).

New Project 2 for 2008:

Plum Pudding Tea Cosy. I saw a picture of one in an English 'lifestyle' magazine some time ago and have been lusting after one ever since! I've bought a mixture of Rowan Scottish Tweed DK and Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed.

OMG

2008-01-11T23:19:00.000+11:00

Reading Peasoup tonight prompts me to share my own frustrations about the heat, January and the stupidity of people in general.

OK , I live in a 'tourist' area, so I guess I should just accept that people often leave their brain at home when they go on holidays. I should just get on with it. Right? I usually don't venture into places like Rosebud, Rye or Sorrento at this time of the year. It's hell. Better not to see what's happening.

But today I needed to go to The Sewing Box in Rosebud, so I weakened and went to the supermarket too (rather than drive some where 'safe'). OMG.

While I could recount many many many acts of utter rudeness and general stupidity, the highlight today was a 30 something male who drove out of the supermarket carpark the wrong way down the main shopping street so he could circle back into the carpark without going the long way around the block. He had to edge his way past cars going the right way. In disbelief, as he edged his way towards me, I flashed my lights at him. He wound down his window, so I wound down my and said "You're going the wrong way mate", to which he replied "So". Guess it summed up the situation perfectly.

I think I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

Late at night - hot again

2008-01-11T00:17:00.000+11:00

So, to fill in the time until exhaustion beats discomfort and I decide I can finally go to sleep, I'm blogging.

I'm just starting to think about new knitting projects for 2008 - on the To Do list so far are:

socks;
jumpers and cardigans for Mr S;
tea cozies;
knitted toys.

I recently bought some beautiful soft organic baby wool in a silvery browny grey (4 ply / sock weight) to knit Mr S a jumper of some kind. It comes from Mr S' Steiner teacher at Morningstar Crafts. It's just lovely to touch. I think I'll make him some kind of textured jumper - maybe a Debbie Bliss style fisherman's jumper?

I recently found this sock pattern via a link in a Knitter's Review article about the new Green Mountain Spinnery sock yarn (I just love her yarn reviews - really useful). I'm very tempted... but equally this sock pattern (Leaf Lace Socks) over at Tiennie's is really delicious too. Oh, the agony.

And do I make Mr S a pig, or an elephant or a lion??? I just love this lion from the V&A knitting website:

In gardening news: excitement reigned this evening when I got home - finally the Alpine Garden Society seed has arrived. Not that it's planting weather yet - far too hot - but all that potential wrapped in paper just waiting to get loose. As usual I ordered an eclectic mix of species - Digitalis, Paeonia, Lilium, Fritillaria, Erythronium etc... Bring on cooler weather!

And I know this looks like one of those dodgy UFO photos that turn out to be a Frisbee on a string, but REALLY this is a frog on the other side of the bathroom window. I have been hearing them sing BONK BONK BONK for a few weeks every night. To see it was a bit of a treat. I think it's a Pobblebonk. You can listen to a recording of its song on the Frog Watch website too.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-04T09:29:00.000+11:00

I've spent some time this year making toddler safe Christmas decorations. Here's a selection - I need to make at least four times as many as I currently have to properly fill the tree for next year - so one of my 2008 projects is already determined.

There are two basic methods: wool felt and embroidery; and knitting and embroidery.

Some of the books I found most helpful were Handknit Holidays, Sirdar's Advent Calendar and Christmas things to stitch and sew.

And my New Year's resolution: buy a better camera, I'm sick of this 'happy snap' version.

Some 2007 knitting

2008-01-02T22:47:00.000+11:00

Hats Hats... and...

... more hats...

And the red kimono cardigan (the picture is taken on the Sorrento / Queenscliff ferry).

Happy Christmas

2007-12-31T23:03:00.000+11:00

Well, why not... only a week late and on NYE!

It's 11.25pm on the Mornington Peninsula ... I'm safely tucked in my house, with the TV on, Mr S is asleep, and I'm quietly sweltering (it was 34 deg C last time I checked). While more police than you could shake a stick at are supposed to be 'locking down' the general area. All public feastivities are cancelled to discourage young visitors although how you could keep them away from the beach on such a night is a bit of a mystery to me. There was rioting in nearby Rye last year, so no repeat required. But there is enough illegal fireworks currently being let off to be make anyone happy! Bit premature, but that's the youth of today for you.

HAPPY 2008!

Such a long long time!

2007-12-31T13:01:00.000+11:00

Wow, can't believe it's been so long since I posted last.

Of course much has happened. I think I stopped cause life just got too chaotic and something had to give, otherwise I would have become miserable.

Mr S is now 14 months! How did that happen?

I've just looked at my last knitting pictures - both the navy Jo Sharp and 4ply red kimono style cardigans have been finished and worn and washed and worn and washed and worn and washed and worn and washed.... it has been a long time since I posted!

Several knitted hats were also completed.

I've knitted another cardigan since then too - Sublime's Brunch Coat - which Mr S wore to his christening in October. Here is the picture from the pattern book:

I'll try and post of a picture of MY version soon.

I've also been knitting toys and Christmas decorations. I want my tree to be full of things that Mr S can suck on, throw about and generally 'have a go' at, without endangering him.

No, it's not a cat

2007-05-28T22:46:00.000+10:00

Yes, it is a possum!

I came home this evening after dinner with the in-laws and discovered a new tenant. It had just walked in the backdoor. Mil didn't turn a hair and wasn't interested. Granddad to the rescue with a blanket and it was walked outside!

What's next! We have had a spate of animal home invasions. I'm expecting the foxes and rabbits next week.

Finally!

2007-05-27T21:35:00.000+10:00

Well, it's a few weeks since I posted. Life's been 'out of control' busy. Nothing disastrous, just busy. Every time I thought about blogging something happened to prevent me!

There has been slow progress on my projects. But finally the red rib cardi is almost finished. I just need to sew it up.

I don't think I will ever knit this again . I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it when it's finished BUT at the moment - Mmmmmmm. I just HATED the endless rib - rib - rib - rib - rib - rib - rib [well you get the idea].

I've also finished knitting the teal and orange hoodie, but it's half sewn up and in a state of visual disarray, so no picture til it's done! Hopefully very soon.

And now that I've finished knitting two items, I've allowed myself to cast on a couple of new things. I don't have strict rules about how many items I can have on the go at any one time, but one is not enough (I need to be able switch projects if I get fed up with something); two or three is manageable; and once I get to four or five I'm starting to feel out of control.

This winter hat for Mr S uses the Benambra Blue yarn that I bought at the Red Hill Show in March. It feels beautifully soft. It's a mix of wool and silk. It has some imperfections (fluffy slubby bits and some variations in thickness), so it suits a more rustic design. You couldn't knit the perfect twin set with it!

And this is the start of a cardigan for Mr S using Jo Sharp's DK Silkroad Tweed in navy. It's difficult to see the pattern, but it's a variation on the basketweave pattern. Mr S is in DESPERATE need of a navy cardigan. I'm hoping I can whiz this one up a bit more quickly than the two months it took to knit the red cardi!

On the domestic front:

Autumn in the garden is in full swing. These yellow kniphofias flower every year at this time. I have other kniphofias that flower during summer and winter. The leaves are turning colour and I'm feeling a bit sad. I love autumn, it's beautiful, but it feels like everything is dying. AND it's almost dark at 5pm!! YUK.

Mil seems fine. Her illness is a total mystery. The specialist vet has asked that I make contact with him at the end of May and suggested doing the heart tests again in a few months. The pictures are The Mil outside in the street. She loves going out side our house; it's a real treat for her. All the doggy smells. She can spend a long time with her nose firmly pressed to the ground!

So far Mr S is doing well with the introduction of food. The Organic Cookbook is a gem. I've cooked 'First Vegetables' and 'Cheesy Potato' - both delicious (even if I say so myself).

The times they are a-changin'

2007-05-07T19:23:00.000+10:00

Sigh!

He's growing up.

Now six and a half months. Cannot believe it. And it's now time to start introducing food.

I borrowed this book from the local library and I think I'll buy it - Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook. It's very good, with lots of tempting little dishes.

I've also had to buy bibs, bowls, spoons...

The 'Bunnykins' bowl was actually Robert's. It's nice that his son will eat from the same one.

And this morning Mr S had his first meal of organic rice cereal. He's currently in my arms sleeping off the effects [note: I started drafting this post over a week ago (27 April), just as Mil was becoming ill. I haven't had time to finish it til now. Since writing about the rice cereal we have also tried yoghurt and stewed fruit. All with great success.]

Mr S is wearing a Debbie Bliss jumper knitted with Marta's Yarn hand dyed 2ply used with 4 strands.

The high chair is a recent purchase. I really wanted the Stokke chair, but practical considerations won out. Apart from feeding, I need to use the chair to keep Mr S close to me while I cook, clean and shower too. So I needed one with wheels that can be moved easily from room to room. The one I chose also has a basket for storing bibs and toys and a table for playing on. I can lower it and remove the tray to sit him at the table to eat. The seat also has three positions (upright and two semi reclining positions), which is good at the moment when Mr S cannot sit for a long time. It's a Steelcraft. I'm pretty sure that my highchair was a Steelcraft too, which is a nice bit of symmetry.

Mil Update: She's looking much better. The specialist vet from Glen Waverly gave me a follow up call today. We are still in monitoring mode.

The Mil

2007-05-04T12:23:00.000+10:00

Well after a bumpy week, she appears a bit better today. But still no diagnosis.

This week we have been to the vet nearly every day. We have had x-rays, ultra sounds and ECGs! I drove up to Glen Waverly yesterday to the Melbourne Vet Referral Hospital for another expert opinion.

Still worried, but relieved that nothing dreadful has been found.

Thank you to everybody for the well wishes.

'The Mil' in one of her favorite hidey holes

In the Wars

2007-04-29T22:16:00.000+10:00

Poor Mil (our aged and beloved blue heeler) - she has been in dog hospital all weekend with an extremely high temperature among other symptoms. I have just brought her home. It finishes a week of vet visits, with more to look forward to next week.

Last night I missed her terribly. I was surprised just how much I talk to her - I noticed because I kept starting to say something and of course she wasn't there! I'm also really aware of her in a spatial sense - I know it sounds strange, but I'm really conscious of where she 'is' in the house. Last night I found myself looking for her as I passed her usual haunts. I felt a real emptiness.

So pleased she's back. She's still not her bright happy self, but she's much improved from where she was on Saturday morning.

Bits and Pieces

2007-04-22T10:13:00.000+10:00

This arrived in the mail on Friday!

It's the Competition Schedule for the Royal Melbourne Show...

Should I, shouldn't I... maybe next year, maybe not...

Lots of indecision here.

It's always been my ambition to put in some entries to the Royal Melbourne Show. I grew up knowing that my paternal grandmother regularly won firsts and seconds for her spinning, weaving and knitting. She even had some of those extra special felt sashes. Mmmmmm. Need to think about this some more.

---------

Progress on my two knitting projects:

finished the back and front of the hoodie and have started the first sleeve
up to dividing the back and front for the neck of the red rib cardi

No picture as I thought that would be a bit boring - in fact the progress report itself isn't all that interesting. I'm just writing this because it makes me feel better.

----------

More nerines...

Last weekend I visited Peter Genet's farm at Gembrook. Among other things he grows fabulous nerines on a commerical scale. He sells the bulbs and flowers. It's a family thing. His father grew and bred them before him. He has a great collection.

Including some that were bred during WWII in the UK - called things like Bombardier and Spitfire!

The soil is well drained and they are grown on quite a steep slope. Peter is a wealth of information about growing them. He told us that recent research indicates that one of the most critical factors in determining flowering is soil temperature at or above 25 dec C for at least 6 weeks.

More shoes

2007-04-19T22:10:00.001+10:00

These little shoes look sweet but they don't stay on very well. The socks help, but I don't know if I dare take him out with them on.

The pattern is from Debbie Bliss. The yarn is 4ply Cleckheaton Baby wool.

Click Clack

2007-04-15T11:32:00.000+10:00

Progress is slow on the red rib cardi for Mr S. I keep telling myself it only 'feels slow' because I am knitting the whole thing in one piece, but I cannot stop myself from measuring it continually. The tape measure is my constant companion!

And I have started the hoodie for Mr S (based on the Sirdar pattern) using the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK. It is knitting up much quicker that the red cardi (the result of stocking stitch rather than rib, and DK rather than 4 ply - no surprises there). Normally I knit right on the given tension of a pattern using the specified needles but with this I'm knitting tighter - not sure if it's me or the yarn? I quite like the stripe. They are not the normal colours I would choose, but given that I had the orange already I think the teal/aqua goes with it quite well.

And I have bought these really cute shoes to go with it - orange suede Italian shoes! They are Mr S' first ones. I've also joined a new group blog about knitted toys - called .... Knitted Toys.

It has some really cute stuff on it and I really like the button.

I know it's Autumn 'cause...

2007-04-11T10:52:00.000+10:00

My garden is very important to me, but it's suffered very badly with the drought and neglect over the last two years. Last year during my pregnancy I was too ill to garden and this year I am back to my normal good health, but looking after Mr S has left me with no time.

There are weeds everywhere! It's way out of control. Now I like a bit of (what I would term) 'country style' (yes it's a euphemism)!!! One of my all time favourite books is Mirabel Osler's A Gentle Plea for Chaos.

It's a fab book and Mirabel Osler has a lovely voice - strong, independent, humorous, charming and calm. There is a tree house in the book that I would knock down and kill for.

But chaos is only attractive held on a short leash. My garden has slipped its leash and is running amuck! I'm actually quite embarrassed about its current state.

Still despite all that, there are still small vignettes that give joy...

The nerines, which come from my grandmother's garden (just ignore the grass), are my most favourite harbinger of Autumn.

As is Cyclamen hederifolium (hope you're still ignoring the weeds).

And the Glory Vine (which is totally out of control) is just beautiful. It was planted by Robert's grandmother. The purple flowers are Plectranthus ecklonii.

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T14:07:00.000+10:00

Meet the Easter Bunny!

This is one very big bunny!

And tasty too!

Project Specifications:

Pattern: Vintage Pattern 'The Rabbit Family' - Father Rabbit knitted

Yarn: Freedom 100% wool by Twilleys of Stamford (50g, 50m balls)

Needles: 8mm (yarn label specifies 10mm)

Notes: Father Rabbit took 7 balls (6 and a third really) knitted at a tension of 12st in 10cm

The mind turns slowly

2007-04-07T14:40:00.000+10:00

I bought these for Mr S

Which reminded me that I still had this - Shepherd 4ply Baby Wool

I'd bought it while knitting this

At the time I thought that I would make a jumper to match.

The problem is that even though I'm an orange lover, I'm just not sure that I like this shade?

I keep looking at it and feeling very guilty about the waste if I don't use it. But my knitting time is so heavily rationed at present, do I really want to use it knitting something I won't like? What a dilemma. Which means that the wool just sits around while I 'um and ah' about whether to cut my loss and move on, or stick with it and make the [beep beep beeeeeeeep] jumper...

Anyway, the purchase of those socks got me thinking...

So I purchased these to experiment with - Rowan 4ply Scottish Tweed and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK

And came up with these swatches

top few lines: Rowan Scottish Tweed and Shepherd 4ply knitted in stripes in single strand on 3.25mm needles
middle rows: Rowan Scottish Tweed and Shepherd 4ply knitted together initially on 4mm needles, then on 5mm needles
lower section: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Shepherd 4 ply (double strand) knitted in two types of stripes (two row and four row) on 4mm needles.

I quite like the lower section (using the Cashmerino and the orange 4ply doubled).

So I'm going to use these yarns and the stripes concept to make something like one of these Sirdar designs...

Child? What child?

2007-04-05T09:25:00.000+10:00

This is my knitting life every evening once Mr S has fallen asleep in my arms (won't fall asleep in his bed!).

I've seen some people knitting with bubs in slings, but Mr S knows the difference between a sling and arms. While he will quite happily go into his baby carrier when we are out walking or shopping, at home it's arms only thank you very much!

It's amazing how one learns to adapt, but this does slow me down and I don't think I can tackle aran patterns or intarsia (or at least I haven't tried yet).

As you can see I've started the red rib cardi and I've also finished knitting the rabbit (hopefully it will be finished by Easter).

Confessions

2007-04-02T10:49:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Stitches and Craft Show in Melbourne.

I spent a lovely afternoon wandering around, with Mr S in his baby carrier, examining all sorts of yarn, fabric, beads, thread... there was an interesting stand demonstrating punch embroidery, which I'd love to try sometime.

These kinds of events are a bit like a trash and treasure market... lots of trash, but treasure as well (and of course which is which is all in the eyes of the beholder).

Here's some of my treasure.

Hand dyed 5ply 100% wool from Fiberworks.

And three lots of sock yarn. On line (cotton/wool mix); Tofu tsies (wool, 'soysilk', cotton, chitin [from crab and shrimp shells]); and Jitterbug (merino wool). I think I was in a bit of a lolly mood looking at the colours.

The Tofu tsies came from a business that sells all kinds of unusual yarn including bamboo, organic cotton and organic wool - www.ecoyarns.com.au. This yarn's made by the South West Trading Company - www.soysilk.com. After trawling through the site I'm still not any the wiser about what 'soysilk' actually is.

"There's a bear in there..."

2007-03-30T18:33:00.000+10:00

... and a person as well [sorry Playschool].

It's turned cold and rainy, which is quite a shock to the system!

But the change has allowed Mr S to wear his bear suit for the first time.

Robert and I bought the yarn at Sunspun after a medical appointment when we were trying to get pregnant. So this little suit is full of meaning for me. All those hopes, dreams and longings fulfilled. What more could one ask for.

Pattern: Teddy Bear All-in-One from Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton

Easter's coming!

2007-03-26T19:28:00.000+10:00

But no Lent for me -no stash reduction commitments either! I'm a bad bad woman!!! Naughty, but nice (I hope)!!!

It's stash enhancement all the way!

I'll confess about my recent purchases at the Stitches and Craft Show another time. But last Thursday, after the relief of handing in my entries, I felt I needed a reward - so off to the LYS ...
I've been thinking about making an Easter Bunny for Mr S from this vintage pattern. It came from a very quirky shop in Mt Eliza, who still has the original (where this was photographed).

And so I've started...

The yarn is Freedom by Twilleys of Stamford. It's 100% wool and normally knits as 10st in 10cm on 10mm needles - but the pattern requires 12st in 10cm, so after fiddling around with tension squares I figured out I needed to use 8mm needles. Knitting a bit firmer for soft toys is better anyway.

I've also bought some red 4ply to make this lovely cardigan and hat for winter. It's a new Cleckheaton book that I bought at the Stitches and Craft Show at a reduced price.

Ok, now I'm dusted!

2007-03-24T19:35:00.000+11:00

The Red Hill Show's over for another year. It's typical of many country shows - lots of food and local produce stalls; some junk stalls with blow up toys and fuzzy hats; rides; wood chopping; livestock; and arts and crafts.

And of course vegetables - I like the chicken wire. Not sure, but think it was to stop all those feisty vegetables escaping!

And don't you love dahlias - I do actually, but I know they verge on blousy bad taste... some might say they slip over the edge.

The John Deere stand had baby peddle power tractors - Mr S just has to have one of these. The helpful man gave me the JD toy catalogue!

And the elephant in the room... how did the judging go?

Sheep did really well.

My cup cake tea cosy got a second.

Here's what it looks like with it's friend teapot.

Mrs McHugh's blanket also received a second.

The Jaeger jumper with the embroidered design received an honourable mention.

This is the baby jumper that received the first prize.

And here are my other jumpers, an unknown pink one and a lovely little cardigan knitted by kgirlknits. Kgirl also received a first for her tea cosy and a second for her booties. I'm glad we both got some gongs! Not that I think it really matters. Judging is partly about assessing skill, but there's a big subjective component. Different judges, and a high likelihood of different results. Getting a prize is nice, it adds to the fun, but not getting one doesn't take fun away.

I also came across some really lovely yarn by CarolineTaylor at Benambra Blue. She also does lovely soaps (no yarn on the website). The yarn is a beautiful soft mix of merino and silk. It's also hand dyed.

I fell in love with this little hat for Mr S.

Caroline wrote out the pattern on my bag! Very kind of her.

Although I loved the autumn tones of the original, blues look better on Mr S. I bought enough to make a matching cardigan or jumper - just have to decide on a pattern now.

Done but not dusted

2007-03-21T19:25:00.000+11:00

Well, after much activity I've finished and handed in nine items for the Red Hill Show. None are perfect, all have mistakes, all could have been done better... but they are FINISHED. Nothing like a deadline to push one along.

Pictured below are

Mr S' stripy shawl/blanket - I didn't have time to embroider the french knots, maybe I will when I get it back after the Show. The knitted front looks great, but the fabric back is a disappointment. It just doesn't sit right. But the i-cord edging is great. Sorry you cannot see it from the picture ; and

a Jaeger jumper for Mr S this winter. The design is swiss darned. It's the first time I've done this. After a few rows I wanted to pitch it! But I kept going, and while it's got tension issues and I stuffed up one row of the design, overall for a first go it's OK. I finished it at 2am this morning, praying with every stitch that Mr S would keep on sleeping!

A bit of fun!

2007-03-12T21:51:00.000+11:00

Here's my blog's library card.

Thanks Lisette for the link. Although I think others might have posted on this too??

And here is where you can make your own.

On more serious matters, I have realised that I have eight more days before entries are due at Red Hill. OMG... There is so so so much to do.

It's taken me three days just to pick up all the stitches around the edge of the blanket. Goodness knows how long the i-cord will take. Then there is sewing up and embroidering one more Mr S jumper... And then there are the three other items (two pairs of booties and a tea cosy) that I was so very foolhardy to think I could produce. Dream on McDuff!

I like doing Red Hill for a number of reasons - it's a bit of fun, the Show itself has a quaint old fashion community feel and it gives me a deadline to finish things by.

But I think the deadline gave me a rush of blood to my brain that created momentary insanity last Friday when I handed in my entry form. I didn't actually count the days I had to finish things, but it 'felt' like a long long way a way! I think I've been away from work too long! It 'felt' a long way a way?!?! Gesh!

Hey Presto

2007-03-09T22:08:00.001+11:00

... one sheep!

Well not quite that effortless, but ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you 'Sheep'!

I've also started the I-cord on Mr S' blanket. It's slow going, but I know I'm going to be much happier than if I'd used piping.