Sweet Fabric:
clever people

When I read I switch of completely. I plonk myself down & read & read like a woman possessed until the book is finished. I'm sure it's not the healthiest way to devour literature & consequently I don't read as much as I'd like ... my family needs feeding after all.

I was sent Like Being a Wife (a collection of short stories) last year & found it to be the perfect antidote to my obsessive nature. I took the book a story by story just when I had a few moments ... very civilised.

The wet, windy and grey few days in Queensland meant that I had the luxury of having absolutely nothing to do. I spent a lazy afternoon finishing Like Being a Wife by Australian author Catherine Harris.

Catherine writes beautifully. She is witty & wordy & wonderful. I highly recommend this work of fiction to you all.

Giant thumbs up Catherine.

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Catherine Harris interviewed.

Like Being a Wife from the publisher.

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Just look at that INCH high stack of full size pattern pieces from Pip Lincolne's new book!

Always one to appreciate the details...imagine my excitement when I opened the pattern envelope at the front of the book & was greeted with this pile of deliciousness.

I'm still unsure what I'm going to make but I'm fairly certain it will involve the ponies.

See you tomoz with a (hopefully finished) something from Sew La Tea Do.

PS: Hooray for Pip for totally getting off her butt & making stuff happen.

I am the very proud owner of a Victoria Mason Granny Square ring. I love it!

I shall be sporting this little baby at the Finders Keepers on Sunday (& quite likely until my dying day).

Are you going? I'm just a little bit excited about the whole event. I've been lucky enough to get an advance showing of the wares of both Victoria & Shannon. I think it's going to be a ripping weekend.

Vic has a very special Finders only offer which you should absolutely know all about...

Maybe see you Sunday? I'll be helping out Shannon (& chewing the fat with the Mikes crew).

These are the best hooks in the universe. Perfect slipability & pretty colours too. I got them from meet me at mikes on Saturday.

I had a lovely weekend. I had the sticks out while the girls puzzled in the craft room, got whipped at scrabble, hooked a bit. Yesterday I saw Making it Handmade which left me feeling more excited about making stuff and about the fabulous people who actually get off their butts and make an ace documentary about it. Terrific effort Anna Brownfield.

It's Leonie's wrap.

I hooked it like Michelle, Kate & Tania ... I'm way to slow on the sticks.

I followed Leonie's directions for the measuring but I left it a bit shy of where I want it to sit as I expect it to drop with wear over the next couple of days.

I'm calling it the Chameleon because it looks completely different in different light & depending what you're wearing underneath (or if you stand against a rust wall I've discovered).

Just as I did with the slashed vest, the armholes are set a little higher to give more flexibility. It can be worn upside down, inside out & round about. You can check that out here.

Details...
Yarn - Cleckheaton Coutry Paintbox 8 ply Col: 31
Hook - 9mm (yep 9 - I was going for drape)
Stitch - I used double crochet (Aus/UK) or US single crochet

Edited to add: I used 6 balls & my wrap was 23 inches x 34 inches

Happy weekend all.

for some hand piecing.

I know I've blathered on before about how I like to have kits for new projects. Each "in progress" is carefully kitted up in it's own bag/box/basket waiting patiently for the mood to strike.

I've been plotting & planning the hand piecing for a few weeks & now I have my pin ring I'm ready to begin.

You can make a pin ring too...Kellie will show you how.

Yesterday I went to breakfast at Design Made Trade.

After a casual but informative talk with hosted by Pip & Lucy & a cup of tea we wandered around and had a look at the exhibitors.

A couple of highlights for me were...

cocoon fires
I'm totally saving up for one of those!

yellow diva
In particular the m series & the non series ottoman for all seasons & the m series mcl chaise (which is nothing like the one I just bought on ebay & everything like what I really want).

craft victoria
Fabulous to have craft vic included this year.

hookturn
Sensational reusable coffee cups that look just like a takeaway cup...cute.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend I think it's worth the visit. It's great to see the stuff that super clever designery type people are up to. It gives you all sorts of great ideas for your own makings.

you bet!

Nikki promised it would be. True to form the pattern is comprehensively written & offers loads of tips and tricks to make the construction run smoothly. The Beret is offered in multiple sizes & styles.

I chose the full crown version & I think it's rather magnifique. I've already received an "& me too" request.

You'll be able to make yourself one of these beauties in the very near future. Keep your eye keenly plastered on You Sew Girl. It's a ripper (that's the kootoyoo stamp of approval/official seal/thumbs up).

The pic last week gave everyone such a giggle - I've done my best to back it up for you all. I had planned to reproduce this shot but it proved impossible.

onegirlhercameraandnoremote

Today marks the return to school for the smalls.

I really enjoyed the Noticing project and plan to continue it. Maybe quietly on Flickr & maybe here too...we'll see.

I'm back into the swing of all things crafty too. Amazingly, I'm following instructions. Usually, I would have a look, read ahead, cut corners where I could & sort of adapt the instructions to suit my style. I probably wouldn't have bothered with the tracing & just hacked straight into the original pattern...oh horror!

But as I've been charged with testing responsibility I thought I better do it right!

Noticed elsewhere:
divine knitted beanie

isn't it just begging to be opened?

Of course, I'm way too chicken for that kind of thing. It was all I could do to summon the courage to take the pic.

Noticed elsewhere:
beautiful greeting cards

Well here it is! The Granny Square necklace by Victoria Mason. As amazing as it looks in this photo - it's so much better in real life. Just how Victoria has managed to make it drape & curl is beyond me.

You might remember that Victoria asked me to crochet her a tiny square & if you follow her blog (& you should because she's so amazingly generous with her process) you will have seen it develop further...

here, here & here.

Victoria's work is incredible, every piece she makes has a beautiful story behind it & the attention paid to every step of the process is beyond compare.

Victoria has given this to me to pass on to one of you! Amazing!

These are brand spanking new (not yet available for sale) & this one is a one-off. Vic was trialling enamel colours and has settled for a couple of different combinations for the "for sale" pieces.

How lucky you would be to wear this piece around your neck? Want to be an early adopter? Comment away people & we'll draw a winner Monday night.

Thank you Victoria for including me in the creation of this piece, for being so clever, for being so generous & just generally for being ACE.

Comments now closed 10:44pm Monday 17 May. Winner announced Tuesday 18 May. Thanks.