it's beginning to look a bit like christmas....

We put up a tree this weekend. A dead branch actually. We have a christmas tree in a pot but it gets a bit sad if we bring it inside for too long and Archer was desperate for some decorations. It looks a little bit sparse in this photo but we are slowly adding more, today we made a yo-yo garland and strung some coloured popcorn together. Gingerbread cookies are on the agenda too, just not today - it's too too hot to turn the oven on. We had better not put too much on it, what a disaster it would be if the whole thing toppled over....

straight stitch only

My usual sewing machine went berserk this week. So I have had to use the old Singer machine, it limits me to straight stitch. Luckily for me I can still make my quilted stuff. That's a red zippered purse I made this morning. I love it! This one has a dodgy zip so I will keep it for myself but I will so be making more of these.

And this one's for sale.

a great way to start the day

with a good ol' boogie.

Friday, wip

I believe that Friday is the day for showing off works in progress. This is what I have been working on today.
Bags.

I opened an Etsy shop yesterday, just on a whim, and I only have one thing to put into it. So the lonely bag needs friends.

I love this fabric so much. I found it under my Nana's house years ago and it was pretty ratty but I've kept it because I thought it was so beautiful. This was just the perfect project for it, I think I managed to cut around all the stains and tears successfully. The print is called 'Isadora'.

And that's all I can manage to say at this point, it's Friday and I'm tired. I'm going to sit down with a cup of tea and another wip, the knitting, and watch Collectors on the ABC at 8 o'clock.

And remember to vote tomorrow!

pleased and annoyed

I tidied my fabric today, I'm so pleased with myself. I think I mentioned not too long ago that this day would never come. It seems pigs fly too. Admittedly, it isn't the entire amount of fabric I own. This is just what was in the dining room making that corner look cluttered and ugly, that one up there...... and down there is how it looks now. Ask me in a week or so if still looks like that! I'll probably make up some big fat lie about how the kids got into the cupboard and pulled everything out....

I'm also annoyed with myself. I forgot to take the camera to the wedding on the weekend. So there aren't any photos. I'm slowly getting over it, but I was so cross when I realised in the car on the way to town.
It really was a beautiful night though, had a great time - Erin knows how to organise a good party! And believe it or not, Ivy stayed awake ALL night, until 11 o'clock or something crazy like that. But she had fun!

Holy Silkworms Batman!

Told you I'd get it finished......
It really is very beautiful. I just hope it fits!
So, the pattern is I do from Knitty , I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk (beautiful but a bit painful) and 5mm Addi Turbo circular needles. All in all actually quite a fast knit, once I got going. There are a few areas in the pattern that could have been explained more thoroughly ( the increasing and decreasing for example) but if you are a knitter who can think and trust themselves to just make it up, not such a big problemo. Would I knit it again? No, I don't think so. But now I understand the shrug concept and construction I might make one with a different lace pattern. But probably not .
It's going to look beautiful on, with E's big red frock. I will have to make sure I get a photo!

because i could (should!) be knitting right now.

48 Things You Couldn't Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME?
Justine
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
The book, Justine. By Lawrence Durrell. I haven't read it. But my mum did.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Um, can't really remember- I cry all the time.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Errr..... cheese.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hope so, I want more friends. I'm nice, honestly.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
Nope, but this is a surrogate journal right?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Nope.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Porridge (also known as podgee at our house ) with brown sugar and cream.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Rarely. I don't have many shoes with laces.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes. I have given birth 3 times. That's tough, you need to be strong.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Green.
14. SHOE SIZE?
39.
15. RED OR PINK?
Do you mean red AND pink? Yes please.
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I put things off until the last minute.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My mum. She lives in Brisbane.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Nope.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black corduroy skirt, pink top and pink knee high socks with my beautiful pink shoes. It's a pink day today because the sky is very grey.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Vegemite toast.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Quiet. I can hear the fish tank bubbling beside me but that's all. No small people demanding my attention- bliss.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Today, tickled pink.
23. FAVOURITE SMELL?
Babies.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mum.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
No one thing with everyone, depends on the individual.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM?
As far as I can tell, she makes beautiful things!
27. FAVOURITE DRINK?
A good old cuppa thanks, no sugar, lots of milk. Although I have had a hankering for a nice Campari and orange juice lately.
28. FAVOURITE SPORT?
Nope.
29. EYE COLOUR?
Blue.
30. HAT SIZE?
Um, nope.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No.
32. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Christmas trifle.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
If that's all I have to choose from - happy endings.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I prefer the in betweens, spring and autumn. Growing up in Brisbane, they didn't really exist.
36. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs please.
37. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
See 32.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Dunno.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Really, I don't know.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
I have bookmarks in a few books. The most pressing is Dirt Music by Tim Winton, it's due back at the library soon.
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Scribbles, thanks Archer!
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
Tripping Over.
43. FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
Peace and quiet. And heavy rain on a corrugated iron roof.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Beatles I suppose.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
The Northern Territory
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
Waking up early and getting my children breakfast without complaining. Too much.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Mater Hospital, Brisbane. Funnily enough, where my first babe was born too.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I pinched it from Shula. Thanks.

procrastination knitting

I have no idea why I do it. When I have something that actually needs finishing by a deadline (yes, Erin, this would be your shrug!) I start something else. Don't panic E, I am going to get it done but there was something stopping me getting it finished with lots of time to spare. It could be because it makes me swear. I had to un-knit a couple of rows lastnight. It's a pain to un-knit lace.
This little jacket on the other hand was mindless and knitted all in one piece with very minimal shaping or sewing up.

The pattern is from a recent Debbie Bliss book, sorry I'm not getting up to go and find it, that I borrowed from the library. I used Cleckheaton Merino Supreme I got from Clegs for $2.95 a ball (sweet!) instead of Cashmerino Aran. 5mm needles, in the largest size - 12-24months I think. Love that chocolatey brown.

And then in true procastinator fashion I have been baking a bit too. Lemon meringue cupcakes on Sunday and this one, ginger cheesecake yesterday. So i will only just manage to get things done in time and be bursting the seams on my clothes. Excellent.

i collect

I have way more pretty glasses than I will ever use, but I can't help it, I feel a compulsion to acquire more. I always head to the glassware first at the op shop. And I don't like plain ones. Just printed. I really enjoy deciding which one to use when I have a drink and I find it interesting to see which ones visitors pick to drink from.
I love my collection.

really big gloves

Not really.....it's oven mitts. I'm quite proud of them actually. I traced the swanky Gold Coast souvenir oven mitt we have in out kitchen and made these as a housewarming present for Ez. I'm so excited to be going to visit at their brand new house tomorrow! I'll be bringing presents!!

Thanks so much for all the positive comments on the idea of selling the quilted patchwork bags! I think I will try to get a stall at the Rose Street Markets in the new year. Megan and i are going to see if we can share one- her beautiful jewellery and my bright handbags! Cross your fingers for us that we can get this one off the ground..... we have been tossing ideas like this around for years now!

it looks like a marshmallow

I finally got around to making more labels to sew into my *finished things*. The lovely miss Megan made a screen for me at her work so that I can just print my name straight onto tape. So effective and so cheap. I ran out ages ago but was too lazy to make more. Now that I have, I wonder why? I just suppose I didn't feel like making a mess, which is funny when I think about it, mess is the state my house is constantly in. What's the harm in a little bit more? And after all that, I didn't even make a mess!

To celebrate new labels I made another quilted handbag. I'm pretty pleased with this one. For some reason, unknown to me, the red and blue thing is still going on. I seem to have lots of blues and reds stashed away with my huge mess of fabric and scraps. I really should sort through the whole lot and organise it so that I can easily know what I have. What am I saying? That's not gonna happen! I will forever be digging around in my suitcases and boxes and secret hideyholes full of material to find just the right ones, "Aha! There it is, I thought I still had some of that!"

Anyway, back to the bag- the handles are made from some of the woolen blanket I dyed a while ago and I think they are just so perfect. The colour is a bit mottled but they feel right.

The highlight though? That button, it looks like a marshmallow!

I can see more of these bags in my future, maybe I should start selling them? You should see inside- the inside looks almost as good as the outside. I'll get a picture to show you...

worn out

look at those guys! this was the state of things at our house by 8pm lastnight. on Mondays the boys are allowed to put their pyjamas on and stay up late to watch Mythbusters. they didn't last very long- two little snoring boys!

and our friendly parrot has started coming back! we know he's the same one who used to visit because he has a crooked toe. Archer calls him Carrot and he is so tame and inquisitive that if he were given the chance i think he would come inside the house. he's a beauty, isn't he?

that's all today really. lots of crafty happenings over the past few days but no piccies yet. it is just about time for a nana- nap. ha! i wish!

my lovely new blouse

it's a bit scrunchy, just off the clothesline. i really like this top a lot. the pattern is Vogue 2654, the fabric is Liberty cotton lawn. can you believe i bought the fabric for $10 a metre? i know, so cheap! i've seen it cost $50 a metre! and the gorgeous vintage buttons, how cute are they?
this was a really fun pattern to sew, had a few challenging bits, but not so challenging that they upset me, you know what i mean? just stuff like matching up gathering, pretty easy over all, maybe a better word would be fiddly.
and it's fantastic to wear, i will be making this again. and then maybe again!

the dirt tastes good today

mmm-n-mmm-n-mmm plllllghhh. and then try some more.





and these are the red and blue pants, cute yes?

progress report

i have been knitting away on a few things, no finished projects to show, just works in progress. i did finish a pair of socks and a scarf last weekend but they weren't all that exciting and i didn't remember to photograph them. oh well, i need to remember to take the photos!!
plugging away on the I Do shrug for Erin. i have to admit, it's looking better than i thought it was. looking at the photo gives me a little bit of perspective. sweet. the Debbie Bliss silk is lovely to feel, slightly annoying to knit with but worth it i think.

and i like to have a pair of socks on the go to keep in my bag, knit in the car, on the train etc. just finished the gusset on the first of a pair of Embossed Leaves socks from the winter 2005 Interweave Knits. the yarn is called On-line Supercool. i love this wool. i bought it last year from a shop in Brisbane and now i can't get more from anywhere. this is leftovers from a wee baby cardigan i made.

the pattern is pretty gorgeous, and the heel. it's the best heel i've ever turned, not even the hint of a hole. love that. see?

i got to sew on the weekend too. such a luxury. i finished a couple of things. yay for me! on saturday morning i finished off a blouse for myself, just in time to wear to uncle Gavan's birthday party. i really cut it fine, had to sew the buttons on in the car. i'll show you as soon as i can get a good photo.

sunday seemed to be a bit of a blue and red day. the fabric i used for this cute kimonoesque top for Ivy is from my childhood. i have a really vivid memory of my mum covering a brick to use as a doorstop with it. it looks very cute on the babe, it's a little bit grubby in the photo because she wore it today.

and pants, cute blue and red pants. with a pocket. because babies need pockets.

thankyou jenny and paul, you crazy kids!

you know what? i am a lucky lady with some very excellent friends!
out of the blue this week a parcel was chucked (quite literally) at my front door by the Parcel Delivery Contractor For Australia Post Who Makes All My Parcels Smell Of Cigarette Smoke (that's his official title).
i was so excited to see that it had come all the way from Jenny in Brisbane and i had to fight Archer for the privilege of tearing it open. what did i find inside? a rather hilarious knitting book that they found in an op shop and made Jenny and Paul think of me! shucks guys, even though we rarely get to see eachother you do know me awfully well, don't you? i suppose i probably am pretty predictable.

even before i opened it Jenny had added a note to the back of the envelope mentioning the uncomfortable baby on page 91. oh the poor wee babe, and all in the name of fashion!

and then in her letter Jenny mentioned a few of the garments, this one offends her. i must say it is rather shocking. is this woman pulling her hair to stop her thinking about how tight her pants are?

this is one she also mentioned, i was thinking that i really should knit you something from the book as a thankyou Jen, maybe this? the Batwing!

but then there is this, it has detachable sleeves! gah!

for me i think i might may just have to knit this 'lively duo'. it will loook fabulous when i next go to the nightclub, sorry, niteclub.

but for the kids? how can i not?

thanks again Jenny and Paul! you do realise Paul that Jenny lays the blame squarely on you, she claims that you found the book! good one!

when i grow up

the boys and i were discussing future aspirations over breakfast thismorning. turns out, Archer is deadset on being a girl when he grows up. "a growed up girl mum!"
and Finn, who was planning on being a radiologist a few weeks ago now wants to be an archaeologist. but he is very wise in adding that he still has lots of time to decide so he might change his mind again!
Ivy can't talk yet so i'm not certain of her plans for the future. watching her lurch around the house using her newly discovered walking talents, i'd say she was planning on being a drunken sailor. but i could be wrong.

5 more sleeps

it's the school holidays at the moment and i can tell you right now, there are 5 sleeps until school starts again. it isn't that i don't love having Finn home from school (and not having to think up new and exciting things to pack in his lunchbox) but the boys fight. a lot. it's really difficult to find something for them both to do- they can't agree on anything and when they do play a game together it's just about an all out brawl over who is the boss. unless said game involves running around the backyard showing all the world your bum, they think that is a fantastic game and they agree on that! 5 sleeps......
as a result of my mad house this fortnight not a lot has been achieved. no sewing whatsoever. if i even thought about getting out the sewing machine i'm sure the boys would fight over who got to pester me the most. so knitting is my salvation at the moment, in the calm hours after the squids are snoring in their beds i sit. and i knit.
i think i mentioned that some important knitting projects have arisen recently. first of all my father requested a couple of pairs of slippers for his sister's daughters. the older, 12 year old wanted red on the bottom and mid-blue on the top and the younger, who i think is about 8 or 9, wants sky blue. very specific, yes? so first up i've made the red and blues. they are the knit then felt ballerina slippers from Fiber Trends. great little pattern and knits up very quickly (love that).

i used Bendigo Woolen Mills Rustic and they came out of the machine very fuzzy. i hope i got the colours right! the other pair, in sky blue, will be from Knitty's Fuzzy Feet pattern. haven't started those yet! i have until Christmas!

more pressing is this:

this is going to be the I Do shrug, again from Knitty. it is for the lovely miss Erin to wear on her wedding day in November. i know, you think November, pretty warm, but as anybody who lives in Melbourne will tell you- you never know! i'm knitting it with Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, so lovely and soft and silky but gee whiz, it's hard to wind into a ball. and right now it just looks like a blob but keep your fingers crossed for me that once it's finished and blocked it will be transformed into a thing of great beauty (don't worry E, i'm sure it will!).

and the last project at the moment that needs finishing is my scarf for the mama made scarf swap at CraftyMamas. i think i was supposed to send it by last week but i am a little bit behind (i dyed the wool on the day of the deadline)! my partner has a slight Christmas obsession hence the colours. once it's nice and long i will chuck it in the washing machine to felt. i figure if she doesn't like it as a scarf it will make a great christmas decoration! ok, i'll show you the photo of that one later, blogger won't let me upload the photo right now. 5 more sleeps.

i love shoes

i've just found my perfect shoes. so shiny........ now i need to figure out how to get a pair!

clever lady

my sister in law, Shara, is a very clever lady. recently she opened up a shop on Etsy. i'm about to add the link to my sidebar. you should go and have a look. among many other talents she is a crocheting genius, it's nice to have someone i can go to for advice because my crochet skills are probably best described as remedial.on ya Shara!

egads, two weeks!

golly, isn't it typical that the living of life gets in the way of writing about the life but then when the opportunity arises, one has very little to say? hmm....
it's been a pretty busy couple of weeks for me. let's go all the way back to the start shall we? oh the knitting.... i had to rip out my progress on the Swallowtail Shawl due to an unfixable mistake, i just freeze when i mess up lace knitting, so ripping out and beginning again was the only option for me. i haven't got to the beginning again part yet. more urgent matters have arisen on the knitting horizon.
my mum also came down from Brisbane to stay for a week. it was so lovely to have her here, the kids adore their Neenie! i really miss not having my mum around but i am so glad that she promises to come back soon. soon, ok mum?
Archer had his 3rd birthday while mum was here,
Happy Birthday Sausage!! my funny little (big, mum!) chap.


we had a birthday party last weekend and Aunty Shara's friend, Mark, came in his Monster Truck!! Archer and Finn both got to have a ride around the block and i think that was even better than the birthday cake! Archer is still asking about when he might get to go for another ride in Mark's truck.
um, what else? i don't know.... i have the flu so my thinking is somewhat hindered due to the massive amounts of mucous taking up space in my head. i will come back again soon and hopefully have much more interesting things to tell you.

warm and sunny

that's the forecast for today. 22 degrees! the sad part is why that excites me the most: it's warm and sunny enough to wash the couch covers. thank the heavens (also known as Ikea in this case) for removable, washable couch covers. they are so grubby, they are always grubbier towards the end of winter than at any other time (well, unless they've been spewed on- but that's different, right?) of the year. it's nearly impossible to get them dry in the cold damp days. they need sun. and warmth. and when i wash them i need them to be done in one day, it's dangerous to leave the couch nude for too long! but the covers will be done today! hooray!


another reason to be looking forward to today is that i am having a visitor. Erin is coming over to play! goody! well must go- lots to do.



* the pictures are of the farm animals at Gulf Station on the weekend- oh wait, sorry, it's my kids.