Random Stripes

 I am knitting my second pair of socks for the year.  I know I still haven't finished the first pair, but I have to say I'm getting there....

Here they are in black/white because in reality they are a bright pink colour which is awful to photograph.  It is such a lovely pattern but it does require quite a degree of concentration which means knitting time is limited unless I want to be frogging them a lot.

 So I've started a second pair, after all I have challenged myself to doing 12 pairs in 2012.  They are plain, simple, just round and round we go.


I bought this yummy bunch of Mini Skeins a while ago, all in Autumn colours and they are perfect for this project.  The plan was to make two mismatched stripey socks with the same cuff, heel flap and toe.   Should be easy right!     

 I am now finding out what a control freak I am!   It is so hard to be random about these socks. I started out by looking at all the different skeins and sorting them into two piles (one for each sock) but it was supposed to be mismatched so that was doing my head in.  Now after taking a deep breath,  I just reach into the bowl and whatever comes out is next in line. It has been a real challenge for me to let go of the selection process and trust that the overall effect of random stripes will win over the colour choices in the end.

This is how far I have got.  What do you think?  Are you with me that the randomness will win out in the end?

How about you, are you a control freak like me or do you just let if flow?






                                  

Saturday Smile

  

 

 

 

Valentine Swap Goodness

I little while ago I joined in with Natural Suburbia's Valentine Swap.  I was lucky enough to be teamed up with the lovely Christina from Fruits of Heart  would you like to see what she sent me?


Of course you would....


Let me just say before the reveal that Christina is a very talented fibre artist and her felt work is extraordinary.  I am so lucky to have been gifted by her.

Beautifully wrapped and look at those heart buttons....

lots of goodies inside...

Christina made the felt for this little purse herself!  and isn't the bookmark gorgeous....

Did you notice the little owl button?  My favourite!  And inside the little purse with the adorable heart button for closure were some pretty special needles, just perfect for sewing in ends and grafting my knitting together....

A little heart trivet for my coffee mug, pattern courtesy of Linda at Natural Suburbia....

And finally my absolute favourite,               'Loving Granny'
Isn't she perfect, just makes you think of all the nice things that come with Grandma's.  
I am amazed at how Christina has made her so alive.  I should have taken a photo of her hair from behind because it is exquisite. All done up in a roll and looks so real.  How does she do that with just felting needles?


Thank you so much Christina for a lovely Valentines Swap parcel.  I feel very spoilt and all of it is treasured.


I had packaged up my parcel and sent it away before I realised that I didn't have any photos (blame the school holidays) but funnily enough I also made a little felt pocket and embroidered it with little felt flowers for Christina and put it in a little organza bag.....great minds think alike  :-)




Finally here is a bit of fun for all you Valentine's Lovers....

Over here we will be having a Birthday so hearts all round for everyone, even if it isn't cool at 11 to have heart on your birthday! (the party is on Friday at the local pool and I have promised not a heart will be in sight)

Favourite Things Friday

 I had a little help around here today....

 and some quality control....

  ok both PJ legs are the same  :-)

How could you resist a little face like that?


Joining Mrs P for Favourite Things Friday 

Hindsight is 20/20

Yesterday I put down my complicated socks that I have been knitting and cranked up the sewing machine.  I had bought some lovely Retro Fabric from Spotlight ages ago with the intention of making some pretty snazzy new Pyjamas.

I did everything correctly, just like my mum taught me. Even if I did have to ring her and check that I was doing it right (thanks Mum  xx )  My brain has a lot of trouble thinking back to front especially when it comes to sewing....


- pre washed and ironed the fabric 
- made a pattern from my 'old faithfuls' which I realised are now 10yrs old, no wonder they were getting a bit thin in the seat!
- ironed and pinned all the seams
- zig-zag the raw edges ( no overlocker here )
- proper waistband for the elastic
- even figured out how to add the extra length of fabric on the legs so there were no raw seams inside.  I even went to the extra trouble to make sure both those pieces were the same so that they wouldn't look mis-matched!

                     (sorry for the blurry photo)

Ta Dah!   Don't you just love that fabric.

Now can you see where I went wrong?  

Bugger and some other tasteful expletives were used when I realised!     They are still cool PJ's though and I love them   :-)

* for those of you who are not fabulous quilters and couldn't pick the mistake I didn't cut and turn the back piece of fabric before I cut the pattern so one leg has the elephants UPSIDE DOWN!   I kinda like it that way now because I don't have to turn my head to look at the cuteness.  The next pair  will be better  ;-)

Saturday Smile

Favourite Things Friday

Some time ago in some bushland south of Cairns my husband and his good mate were cutting timber from fallen trees.  They found a 'huge' fallen tree and were able to cut quite an amount into slabs using a 5ft chain saw mill.  Billy kept a large slab  and some pieces that could be turned into legs.  The wood was then left in a shed to season.


30 years later it was brought out to see daylight and a friend of ours has turned it into this lovely table  The timber is Brown Beech.  It has the look of Red Cedar but is a harder wood.


It is my favourite this week, isn't it awesome!  Big enough for all of us and more AND just the right height for my crafting....

Pop over to Quilting in my Pyjamas to see some more Favourites   :-)