Cardie complete

It's finished and I love it. Here are a couple of photos taken at Kings Park yesterday.

YO in the morning sun

It's making progress.

Edited to add: just as I sat there and pressed 'post', it started to rain!! Bugger. Talk about spoiling the mood.

'Princess cardie' for the princess

I've begun my next project for in front of the TV, the Little Princess Cardie (a free pattern offered by Lion Brand) Its a swing style cardigan apparently suited for a beginner - that claim is about to be put to the test!

We don't get Lion Brand here so I chose some bamboo/cotton from Spotlight. It is so silky and soft. A bit challenging to work with as the fibres are almost like embroidery thread and are easy to split as your hook goes in and out but I seem to be getting the hang of it.

I'll keep you posted with my progress. Wish me luck!!

Granny square blanket finished!

I love it - it's heavy, warm and just the right size for the crib or your lap. It's supposed to be Tilly's but mum thinks the colours are more boy-like. What do you think? (BTW, the only photo where the colours are most true is the one of the blanket edges). Either way, the blanket goes with our leather couches.

Geeze tilly is hard to catch on film! You can see the best 2 of all my shots of her with her new blanket. I am no blogging queen.

Now, find me a new easy pattern jacq. I can only do granny squares so it will be a challenge. I've seen this pattern (http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/07/how-to-crochet-a-hexigon-baby-surprise-sweater.html) but would it suit tilly??

Sally bag

Although I'm guilty of it too, it makes me a wee bit sad to see someones beautiful crochet/knitting/craft being carted around in a reusable shopping bag. They do have their uses people, but a Coles bag should be kept for the supermarket!

After Auntie Sally came by last week to help watch the kids while I sewed up the baby bibs & another gift (in drafts to be posted soon!) with her beautiful crochet blanket in said grocery bag I thought I should remedy this.

Voilà! The 'Sally 'Bag'. Take one felted 100% pure Australian wool jumper, chop-chop-chop-it, embellish and there you have it. A roomy rather gorgeous bag ready for her next project.

I got all my inspiration for this design from this beautiful bag.

I said to Mark that I have problems letting go of many of my crafting endeavors and this one is particularly difficult as I've fallen in love with it as it came together. We're off to Dad's for lunch today so I had better drop it off to Sally before I find it filled with my crochet project!

Girly Headbands x2

What to make a 4 year old girl for her birthday?

Headbands - one for school (she has to wear only red) and one for everyday wear.

The zipper flower was made using one of the zillions of tutorials out there. I modge podged (is that a word?) the headband and covered it with some fabric. It seemed to work and hopefully will hold up. The inside of the headband is trimmed with felt for comfort.

The 2nd band has been in my WIP box for ages (I'm talking at least 1.5 years - whoops). Bec's mum or grandmother had a book on ribbon folding and showed me how to do it a long time ago. If she hasn't shown you on her blog how it's done and if you're interested, I'll make a quick tutorial for you Jacq.

Mark said the headbands were a big hit with the birthday girl. She and a friend wore them right out of the wrapping paper. Whew!

The best bibs

I love these bibs from Bec's tutorial. I've made some before and they make such a perfect gift (Well I think so, let's hope Amy agrees! Ha ha)

I made 2 yesterday after calling Auntie Sally to see if she would come down to mind the kids. Of course they went from whiney, clingy kids to perfect angels when Sally arrived. Good thing she bought her crocheting with her. She just sat at the kitchen table crocheting & making coffees while we chatted all afternoon. The kids played really happily by themselves - TYPICAL!

Thanks Sally. That was a fun & productive afternoon.

I made a third this morning because all my gear was still on the kitchen table and both kids were happily bopping around with their digital cameras (gotta love old broken technology - perfect for the dress-up box).

Aren't they great and don't you like my model. Now I want to make some for her too. She still uses giles's bib all the time.

Marshmallow men

Imagine a marshmallow & a freckle with some personality. Yummy!

Giles helped me make them while tilly was awake and the kitchen wasn't like a bomb hit it! This has to be super easy for that to happen.

Hardly worth a description but here we go.
1. Stick marshmallow on a Lolly stick.
2. Dip top 1/3 in melted milk chocolate.
3. Dip into hundreds & thousands.
4. Give him a smile with some writing gel, melted piped chocolate or edible pens.
5. Stick them in some polystyrene till they dry then eat.

Hmmm the possibilities are endless. I might make sone more for the birthday party we are going to this weekend.