Sweet Fabric:
Oops

↑Weave/ladder stitch from wrong side

↑Join as you go (liking this less than I thought I would)

↑Double crochet (front runner)

When I started my granny squares last year I decided that this would be a "go slow" project & that all the yarn would be Op Shop purchased.

I started running out of contrasting yarn about 30 squares in & have had to purchase bits & pieces along the way (I'm really not good at slow). I did have a huge Op Shop stash of nasty Panda acrylic which I've been finishing each round with. I ran out of that too...70 squares in.

On Saturday I went to purchase more & of course the dyelot is different & when the two dyelots lie next to each other the difference is quite obvious. I had a little tantrum & totallly dropped the ball with my granny a day. I've missed 2 of the last 3 days. Sorry Pip.

I had planned to "Join As You Go", making the biege the main colour & allowing the contrasting colours to "pop". If I go with this method (& not worry about the dyelot difference) I need 80 squares before I begin joining.

But now I just don't know. I think I'm liking the double crochet in a contrasting colour.

If I go with the other options I think I'll need at least 100 squares...

You've got to know when to hold them....
Know when to fold them...
Know when to walk away...
Know when to run...

OR just because you "can" doesn't mean you should!

I made this little guy for Craft Hope found via Loobylu.

The idea really touched me & I so wanted my doll to be utterly gorgeous & super squishy & cuddly. In an effort to make him "perfect" I decided to follow a pattern (this was mistake number 1). His arms & legs are way too long & his head is way too small & I had to stuff him too firmly so that his neck didn't flop. The only thing I like about this doll is his hair treatment which I made up!

My second mistake was using super soft expensive looking (but op shop purchased) stretch fabric which I then had to retrospectively interface! YIKES.

My obsessive, competitive nature won't allow me to be beaten (I prefer to think of it as "never say die").

I know I should run & leave this sort of thing to super clever people who actually have some talent (& for the time it's taken me I'd have been better purchasing from them & posting):

Jhoanna :: her shop
Fiona :: her shop
Victoria :: her shop
Michelle :: her shop

I've already cut out & interfaced & started the embroidery for my "no pattern" doll. I really hope he works!

the keys!

We made it back from the beach on Sunday without our house keys. We'd separated the car key to make things easier when we were down the beach & of course left Lonsdale without the house keys.

Luckily we'd left a spare key out in the garden so we could get ourselves, the kids, the dog & the overloaded car unpacked but we were locked out of the office (& the computer) & the laundry.

I feel I've forgotten more than just the keys in my rather hasty exit from Melbourne & this little patch of web space.

The reading list is long & I'm dying to find out what you've all been up to but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I think it's going to be a bit of a slow return. The wave of new posts is so inviting but the water feels a bit foreign & the view from the beach is pretty. I was forced to dip my toe in this afternoon to offer my congratulations & the water felt pretty good so I'll look forward to a few splashes in the shallows before I tackle the swell looming in deeper water.

One of my neighbours from childhood had a little boy recently.

I set about making a music box for him just like this one. I stained & printed the fabric. I lovingly stitched & assembled all the elements. Once complete, I imagined how this little gift might be treasured in years to come by a sweet little boy named Harry.

Then, just as I was about to wrap...something made me hesitate. I came downstairs & trawled back through the inbox only to discover the baby's name is HENRY!

So might I suggest that if you're expecting, that Harry is an excellent name for a boy ...

Oops...I missed it.

This is what was on my desk yesterday.

- Op Shopped seersucker
- Op Shopped books. Some of those colouring book pages will make great embroidery.
- Op Shopped apple salt & pepper shakers. I think that they look a bit halloweenish actually.
- Combi van in progress. The big girl is making it for her book report on "The Floods".

On my desk...the players
On my desk...fresh updates

I told Lara I was going to put this on Flickr "for her eyes only" to say thanks for being super specially good. BUT this girl said she'd post it on her blog if I did! You know she'd do it too. Safer here where I have some control!

It seems my big fat bogan wedding has been an item of interest to a few lovely folk.

This is me with my "I really (insert expletive) hate you" fake smile. My beautiful friend thinks that they taught fake smiling at my school. One of my very good friends from school is on Melbourne Radio & Trace reckons we have the same fake smile!

Reason for fake smile: Casual, relaxed, natural photography brief. Photographer turned up with an ironing board & tulle & made me do this!

Points to consider when critiquing the event.

1) I was 23
2) I was 23
3) I was 23

Thanks!

See more bogan shots here & here.

PS: I'd be pretty happy to trot the wedding dress out if anyone wants to host a wedding dress party!

PPS: I'm going to get the wedding video out - that's a real comedy!

See more images here

A couple of months ago I picked up an Avant card for Do it with Denim, a competition run in conjunction with Jeans for Genes & in support of Children's Medical Research Institute. The Institute is celebrating it's 50th birthday this year.

I got all inspired & made this to enter into the competition. It's what the broomstick needles were fashioned for & what this tease was all about.

My dear sweet friend modelled for me & I got all my stuff together ready for the entry...

Hausfrau
I have taken my inspiration from housewives of the 1950s for this project.

This garment has been constructed entirely by hand using handcrafts employed by a 1950’s housewife. The garment itself is knitted from hand cut strips of denim jeans (6 pairs) & the gold detail is crochet.

Many supporters of charitable organisations have been & continue to be housewives. They give their time to assist with labour & fundraising. I am proud to represent this group.

Hausfrau is a vest that can be worn at least 4 different ways.

....Then I re read the terms & conditions.

So, I haven't entered. BUT...Hausfrau will be worn to death by me & maybe Trace too. It wasn't a complete waste of time.

that got me thinking.

When I read this little bit in the Sunday Life magazine today it really got me wondering if I might be one of these people.

I have to admit to not always re-reading emails, checking grammar, spelling, punctuation & the like. I confess that more often that not when I send an email with an attachment I send before I've attached the file & then have to send an Oops email as well. I do use capitals but usually when I LOVE something.

I think that I have become too "quick to click" & I need to slow down & not just with the tap, tap tapping on the keyboard or the click, click, clicking with the mouse. I need to be more aware of my impact on other people.

I really hope that I haven't offended anyone.

that I love you?

My new favourite spot has trotted out another wonderful gift guide in the last 24 hours. I went on a little clicketty trip & ended up here. All the cards are so good but this one particularly appealed.

Chances are that if you've been insulted by me recently it's because you're pretty special.

Idiot is a term of endearment in our household.

Over use of the word has got the kids into trouble a couple of times but it hasn't stopped me splashing it around. It's especially reserved for people who are "so not wankers" & I'm sure (or somewhat confident at least) will not be offended.

It's a bit like pulling hair & pushing kids in the playground I think.