Sweet Fabric [Search results for happy] 

Hello!

Pip's posting happy things this week.

I've a lot to thank her for & you can read a bit about that here & here too. Her blog is 3 today, it's one of the few blogs I've read religiously for it's entire life & it's a space I really enjoy. Mikes is happy ... I like happy.

These things in the little shadow box make me happy & do you see that ghostly shape though the window? That's The Date ... he makes me enormously happy.

Not really sure if these guys are happy or running for their lives...

I'm a glass half full kind of girl so I'm ... choosing to see them as happy ... choosing happy for me & for my lovely family too ... & choosing a happy weekend for you all.

The lovely Fiona listed 3 things making her happy this week.

It's been a good week so I'm playing too.

1. Mothers Little Helper chocolate is making me happy. I'm normally not a huge dark chocolate fan but this is really good! Best of all dark chocolate is really good for you...what with all those anti-oxidants. They've even got a happy website.

2. Smart guys getting exciting about codes & the future of advertising makes me happy.

3. Lovely welcome home cards from the smalls made me really happy.
.

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we dont we might as well lay down and die
You and i
ABBA

During 2008 I've been inspired, changed, shaped, encouraged, befriended, touched, moved & helped by so many of my real life & online friends. I really wanted to take the time to list my desert island blogs for this year...

meet me at mikes
kaotic kraft kuties
loobylu
bricolagelife
allsorts
angry chicken
soulemama
bluebirdbaby
hop skip jump
maya*made
thornberry
pigeon pair
ric rac
h&b
three buttons
boobook sausage dogs
one red robin
you SEW girl
design for mankind
62 cherry
potty mouth mama
earl & cookie

There are many more (of course) but I wanted to keep this list absolutely "overnight bag" rather than a trunk full of goodness. I do note the top heavy Melbourne girls. I love the locals & it really does prove that "in the flesh" is best.

& the people on this list too.

Happy New Year.

May the pretty drinks flow tonight & the next year overflow with good stuff.

Making this day happy...

having the date back home
coffee with a lovely friend
a nice clean house
the smell of eucalyptus
watching the kids walk down the street to school
neatly folded washing
bulk "crafting" for Thursday Evening (I've posted details in the sidebar if you're interested).

Image story: I've never even had a drag of a cigarette but these holders make me so happy & actually make me consider taking up the habit. This was a gift from a very good friend. Thrifted in Clunes. So happy.

This is... hosted by Angela. Theme from Jacinta.

I try to keep this space happy. I talk alot about the small things that I appreciate & make me happy. I know I've raved a bit before about the smalls, the date & the extended family. It really is true...love is all you need.

So...what makes me "happy" is 2 date made Capiroska. Chatty, relaxed, giggly... it's a pretty fun version of me.
.

I've always been a fan! Mikes are into happy too.

Making this day happy...

mango for lunch
the sound of the date's car turning into our street
chicken & chips for dinner
helpful kids
thrifted pillowcasey loveliness
balmy evening

You can do it too!
Today is your day!

How
It seems that the mulberry granny shrug has inspired a few of you to have a crack yourself. That's super exciting & exactly why this patch of web space exists. Over the weekend Lara & I have worked together to present to you the whole box & dice for the granny shrug enthusiast.

There's something for everyone. This is the master class...for lovely folk who like to follow a pattern, or maybe you need the visual (like me) or perhaps you'd like to watch a dinky video.

If you know how to make a granny square then you know how to make this shrug. Just crochet yourself a couple of lovely granny hexagons.

You can just skip over the "instructions" & make the granny exactly as you always do. Maybe you slip across to the next chain space...ripper knock yourself out. There is no "right" way to make it.

You'll just end up with a lovely curly hexagon...good, that's great...exactly what we want. Just keep checking your sizing after each round to decide when you're done.

Mine have been 9 rounds (in the Wilderness) but depending on your tension & hook size yours might be 8 or 10 or more. Keep folding the curly hex in on itself until you're confident that the fit will be right for you.

the pattern
My very favourite crocheter is Lara. She's one of the reasons I picked up the hook in the first place. She likes to be good at stuff & works hard to make sure she gets things right. Well, guess what? She's written a fabulous, fabulous pattern (it might not have posted yet...be patient) for you to print & keep. And spared you all from my effort at a written explanation. Thank you Lara, you're the very best & it was lovely to share the making of the how to with you.

& the video
Just so you know it was really hard to crochet standing up stradling a tripod & keeping (or trying) the crochet in the frame.

Australian/UK terminology

Yarn
You've got a HUGE amount of flexibility here. You want to achieve a good deal of chunkiness & you'll just adjust your number of rounds accordingly so pick something that suits your style. I did make the suggestion the other day to use stash yarns crocheted together to make up the chunky style yourself.

I used Patons "Wilderness" 14ply. I like it...A LOT. It's a blend so purists might like to check out other options but I think it's just the perfect yarn for the job. Here's why... (& where to buy too).

OR you can have a go with 2 balls of 8 ply held together or whatever else takes your fancy. You'll just adjust your number of rounds according to tension & fit. Go nuts. Lara's using two strands of 12ply & is very happy with the result.

Hook
I'd say 15mm. I'm really happy with the result I'm getting with the 15mm hook. You need it to be loose so that you get a nice drape with the finished "fabric". We're not going for sturdy here folks...we want the pretty drape.

Making Up
I switched to a 2.65mm hook & just used double crochet up the centre back seam.

Then I doubled along the top sleeve seams & single crocheted along the back of the neck opening to give extra strength.

Again if you know how to do it your own way...do that. It will be great.

What, haven't had enough? Here's the steak knife! A round by round for the visual learner.
How to make a granny shrugView more presentations from kootoyoo.

Other Stuff
There's a flickr group. If you make a shrug we'd love to have it added to the group.

HAC class? There have been a couple of requests for a HAC class for the shrug. If you still think you need it or would like to make it up with a bunch of other girls over tea & biscuits, I'd be happy to run it over two evenings. If you're keen please email me kootoyooATgmailDOTcom & if we get enough interest we'll go ahead.

Making this day happy...

the sound of the rain
my uncanny ability to buy fits-like-a-glove jeans from the Oppy
getting stuff done
raw edges
crafty ironing (not houseworky ironing)
making plans
the promise of a pretty drink in about 3 hours

the popcorn.

I think this looks cuter. Don't eat the popcorn though...the last thing you want is a mouth full of Tarzan's Grip.

And now for the gifting part...

I fashioned this gift from tin cans I'd saved but it would work just as well using a milk carton (in fact, now I think of it that would probably work even better...darn it). Then I embroidered the popcorn piece & the red stripe once. Next, I scanned & mucked around with it in publisher until I was happy with the placement.

Anyway...if you'd like to make a cute gift box for a movie ticket & popcorn gift then head over & pick up the jpegs sized & ready to print:

surround
& lid (if you don't want to go with the real popcorn like I did).

Then adhere to your chosen recycled container.

...I had to have a go with the milk carton - I'm happy.

Absolutely basic "present wrapping" construction - no words required...

Happy, happy boys at our place.

The kids & I crafted this banner yesterday morning before the game & here it is featured at the MCG.

A big day for the Hawks & a really big day for Shane Crawford.

I had to be content to watch on the TV with the girls.

The big girl & I had a chat about the merits of Brad Sewell. I told her I'd happily leave the date for him. Big girl looked at me with eyes rolling skyward & said "What on earth makes you think that he'd leave whoever he's with for you". She's nothing if not realistic.

11 years ago I was holding this beautiful soul & I felt completely fulfilled.

I'm so so proud of the young lady this gorgeous girl is becoming. Thank you baby - you've blazed the trail. There's a bit of "off road" bumpiness at times, but it's always an adventure. Happy Happy Birthday.

Making this day happy...

- being here this morning.
- running past my Year 9 campus, primary school, the house I grew up in & my kindergarten. I'm so local & loving it.
- sweet kids helping prepare for my market stall next week.
- my gorgeous thrifted shirt.
- being aware & being reminded that even when things aren't perfect we are so very lucky. The big picture is what it's all about.

I'm going to leave you with a thought from the kids kinder teacher. Sage advice for us all...

"Will this matter in 2 years? If not - don't sweat it now"

In preparation for the notebook exercise I stitched "THE nice list". I was so happy with the way this stitchery turned out & was a little reluctant to tear into it & glue it to the notebook.

I told myself not to be a baby & just proceeded ... big mistake. I waited for the glue to dry & still hated the way it looked. I felt I'd "ruined" my hard work. So I ripped it from the notebook & gave it a good soak in hot water. It's still a little stiff but perfectly usable for something a little more substantial.

Then I decided to make my next go something more solid that would hold the glue a little better. I worked for hours on that little bird (vintage New Idea? transfer). Once he was finished I knew there was no way I was going to coat him in glue! I do have plans for him which may involve this girl.

The third effort was the little fish from this morning. I was speedie quick & most happy to coat him & stick him to that little notebook.

PS: Have you been tracking me? I've been a bit slow the last couple of days but there really are some beautiful links on that list.

Kristy tagged me. She wants to know 6 things that made me happy today. Actually she wanted to know last week but I was still at Slide Night.

So today these things have made me happy:

1. listening the the small girl on the phone receiving her birthday phone calls.
2. the smalls hugging each other.
3. walking along the street in the winter sun arm in arm with the big girl.
4. the date - he's especially good because he did the coffee run this morning.
5. the smell of eucalyptus oil.
6. the run.

I haven't forgotten the music meme. It's coming.

I won't tag anyone but if you'd like to play consider yourself tagged.
.

The door at Auntie Pat's is big & heavy.

I knock - a little melodious knock. "Come in", I hear. I think how cool it is that my eighty something Great Aunt is happy to have her door unlocked.

I let myself in.

Auntie Pat is all organised and ready for our knitting date. The radio is tuned to Magic 1278 and her current knitting project is laid out on the dining table.

I'm offered a cuppa and say yes to a cup of tea. Once the tea is made we settle ourselves at the table. Auntie Pat examines my homework. She's very happy with the way I'm knitting. She runs her fingers over my work and says softly "Mmm, yes, you're going to be a beautiful knitter Koo". I feel well pleased with this. I like to be good at stuff.

I've brought along the pattern as well as my 365 knitting stitches desk calendar. I hand the pattern over to Auntie Pat & ask ernestly if I should begin at January 1st or maybe today's date? "No", Auntie Pat says firmly. "Close that book." I do. "Right, now just open it up and work on whatever pattern it throws up." I do exactly that and open the book at the diagonal rib. Auntie Pat is pleased and tells me to get started.

I cast on using my thumb and Auntie Pat begins reading. We sit together in an easy silence, knitting and reading. "Islands in the stream" comes on the radio and I smile to myself. I don't think I've heard that song since 1987. I hum along happily.

Every now and then Auntie Pat offers a "interesting" or "hmmm, clever".

Very quickly the two hours is up. I pack my things and say my thank yous and goodbyes at the door. Once I start the car I'm tempted to tune the radio to 1278 but decide to save the Magic for Tuesdays with Auntie Pat.

according to the big girl...

She's the early adopter in our house.
She sets the pace & the other two follow along.
She's the mood ring too...if she's happy, we're all happy...if she's grumpy - you know the drill.

Today we had to go to Smiggle for a Secret Santa for school & the three of them wanted everything in the shop but badges were high on the "rad list".

The love o the badge was helped along on Saturday & now I've got to set to work on an uber cool bag on which to display the badge collection.

Such a lot of creating going on in my head lately but not so much with the hands. I'm hoping that this little experiment comes off. I'll be able to justify my crazy crafty happy dancing about it if it does.

The head creating is mainly about all things quilty. I got my copy of Fat Quarterly yesterday & let me tell you that little ezine(actually rather large - a huge 78 pages of goodness) has really got the mind ticking. Have you purchased Fat Quarterly? My favourite project was of course Kate's business shirt quilt. She gets two ticks from me on that one. Firstly because she's ace & secondly because of the reusing bizzo.

The new commenting system worked pretty well I think. I used the random number generator & asked for 60 numbers. It spat them out & I had a lovely time leap frogging around the list.

One of my favourite lily pads from last week was this one. I love her desk.

In the news: It's Cam's birthday today. She's one of the very first creative space players. Have a happy day Cam.

Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

Making this day happy...

sun shining
old lace
feeling connected
being able to buy recycled labels
sipping ginger beer
peeling glue from my fingers
looking at tin cans
looking at pencils
beautiful crochet by super clever girl

I'm loving revisiting the 2001 Diary but it seems I've actually got quite a bit to say & I can't wait another week to blurt it all out. So, I'm not even calling it butting in anymore.

I've been surprisingly productive on the crafting front.

I was a lucky winner at you SEW girl so long ago it's embarassing. I'm not sure why I was putting the making of the Puffy Purse off. Maybe my fear of instructions.

Just about all my crafting is just me making stuff up as I go along. So when I received the kit in the mail & there were lots & lots of words I think I freaked out a bit.

I can't say enough positive stuff about Nicole Mallalieu. The instructions were so easy to follow & although my fairly basic sewing skills were challenged at times she kept her cool & encouraged me to keep on keeping on.

Made from scraps of Japanese Kimono which were gifted to me way back in January. I'm very happy with the fabrics performed. The glue I used wasn't really up to the job (or I didn't use enough) but I'm super happy with my decision to go with a back stitch and no beads. There's certainly room for improvement (I'm not entirely sure I got the seam allowance quite right) & my puffy purse is a little wonky in places. BUT I'll have another go for sure & you should too.

Thank you so much Nikki.