Happy Birthday (Not So) Little Dude!

Happy Birthday Angus! 

I can't believe that you are almost an adult!
Have a wonderful day sweetpea!

Love you heaps

Mum 

xoxo

Lucky Me!

Angus has been in the mood to do some cooking and baking for the last couple of week. Silly me kept forgetting to take photos of what he has made. He's baked cakes, brownies and now a Honey Rice Bubble Slice. It's a bit too sweet for my liking. 

I was a very lucky girl too this week. My niece, Kylie, whom I have never met and who lives in England sent me this lovely necklace. It's so pretty. It's a shame that this photo doesn't show the blue of the pendant very well. It's more of a tardis blue (~_o) Just so I don't confuse you I do have two nieces called Kylie. One is my sisters daughter and the other one is my ex-hubby's niece. It does get confusing sometimes when we talk about either one.

I have another reason why I am lucky. Brodie cooked dinner for us last night. He was so proud of himself. The only thing I did was help with the timing of the dishes and placing everything on the plates. The rest he did himself. He cooked Pies and veg & I had two little hamburger patties and veg. Brodz did a great job too. 

I am so happy that the boys are willing to get into the kitchen now and cook things. I've enjoyed the break and we are reaping the benefits too (~_~) YUM~

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• the end of exams! Angus completed his last exam on Tuesday. All we need to do now is wait to see if he passed and whether he gets is intermediate VCAL certificate or not
• my Dad. He was in hospital for 3-4 days with gastric problems. I am so thankful that he is home now and is reasonably okay other than a bit of confusion but then again he is 85 so he isn't doing too bad
• sunny weather - it means the washing gets dried easily. There is nothing quite like your clothes drying outside in the sun (not that my clothesline gets much sun but it's still good)
• crocheting - I am so glad that my blanket is now complete (~_~)

What are you thankful for this week?

Finished Item - Crocheted Seaside Blanket

I was so engrossed in finishing my seaside blanket yesterday that I didn't do a blog post, oops.

I just completed yellow border before joining all the squares

In fact I did so much crocheting yesterday that my arm was very sore last night by the time I completed the blanket. Although it was worth every little ache that I had. It looks FANTASTIC! But then of course I am biased.

All I need to do now is sew in some of the ends and it's complete (~_~)

Once that's done I need to work out what my next project will be...

WIP - Crochet - Whale Applique

I finally finished my last square for my blanket over the weekend. I was inspired by a whale pattern I found HERE on a craft blog. Last night while watching the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special for the second time (which was fantastic btw) I began crocheting a yellow border around the squares. After all what goes with the two different shades of blue (water)? Yellow for sand of course.

Love and Marriage Quotes/Advice

I came across some great quotes last week on Love and Marriage. Since Mark & I will be celebrating our ♥ first wedding anniversary ♥ soon, next weekend, I thought that they were very appropriate for us.

WIP - Crochet - Whale Applique

I was looking for patterns of a crocheted whale and I did find a lot of wonderful patterns. Sadly most them were for toys or teeny little whales. So I decided to make up one of my own. I made a circle and went from there. I did need to pull apart the tail section once because it just didn't look right. I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out so far. All I need to do now is create the face.

WIP - Crochet - Fish and Sandcastle Applique

I finished both of these squares on Wednesday. I think I was on a crocheting spree (~_~)

The fished were based on a pattern I found on craftsy called Tropical Fish Applique.

The sandcastle was something I whipped up. I'm not sure that I actually like it but at least it looks like a sandcastle, right? 

Only one more square to go. Considering I have changed my ideas about what I wanted on each square I have no idea what to place on the last one. So far there has been a shell, jellyfish, a boat, a turtle, a starfish, a bucket and spade, fish and a sandcastle. I'm thinking maybe a whale. That looks fairly easy to do ...

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• surprising phone calls - the boys father rang me earlier this week. I hadn't heard from him in years. He just wanted to let me know how he was going and how the boys, Mark & I were. I have no idea what prompted his call but it was nice to hear from him.
• sunshine - it means the washing gets dried much faster and on the same day! If you know how cold and wet the weather can be in Victoria at times you'd think it was a good thing too (~_~)
• kids that are willing to help their Mum
• the pain in my shoulder/arm seems to be easing up a bit and I am extremely grateful for that. Although it does make me wonder if I am able to work out how to use my arm more carefully so that I don't always get that sharp stabbing pain. Whichever it is I am glad that it doesn't happen all the time.

What are you thankful for this week?

Crochet Memes

I snagged these from All Free Crochet Afghan Patterns Facebook page.

Crochet Patterns on Ravelry

I was going through my collection of saved patterns on Ravelry wondering what my next project might be. (I know I haven't finished the blanket yet) I thought I would share some of the patterns that I have in my ever growing library list.

Derek Bag by Lthingies (free ravelry download)

Owl Key Chain by Yarn Artists (free ravelry download)

E reader case by Lindsay Mayo (it's a freebie)

Amigurumi Kokeshi Doll by Tamica Passionfrye (freebie pattern)

Adipose Baby from Doctor Who by Jennifer Christensen (free ravelry download)

I am not sure if I will ever get around to making any of these but you never know (~_~) So many patterns so little time *sigh*

Baby Items Are Off In The Post

I posted off the baby cardigans to my niece this afternoon. The two knitted baby kinas (pattern by Muriela) and the two crocheted cardigans (patterns from Just Crochet). They are in two different sizes. I am hoping that they fit an 8lb baby. They should do :)

I know I've been making the seaside blanket but I really have enjoyed making the baby items much more than I realised. I don't know if I even want to go back to making the blanket right now. I only have three squares left to complete so maybe I need to psyche myself up to finish it. I really don't like leaving projects partially done. Someone please convince me that finishing the seaside blanket will be quick, easy and painless!

Oh That Was Very Punny

Brodie had been rattling off some very funny and some not so funny one liners. Here are just some of the ones he told me:

The concert violinist believed in exercise, consequently, he was fit as a fiddle.

 

Shopaholics never die, they just sale away.

 

A pun spun with a good yarn gets fabricated!

 

I heard Einstein got along well with his parents ... relatively speaking.

He ate so much over the holidays that he decided to quit cold turkey.

He got most of them from Pun Of The Day. The things he does in the name of entertainment (~_~) I guess he could be doing worse.

Finished Item - Crocheted Baby Cardigan

Pattern JC01A

I finished the baby cardigan last night. I had a bit of a hard time trying to work out what buttons to place on the cardi. I don't know why I have such a difficult time about it but it seems to happen every time I make something that requires buttons. Maybe it's just me.

The pattern is one from Heather at Just Crochet. She makes some lovely items/patterns for babies and dolls. Nearly all of the baby things I crochet come from her patterns.

I'm hoping that my niece will love this. It's for her partners new gran-daughter. I should go put this with the baby kinas ready to post next week.

Crochet Finds

I have come across some amazing crochet patterns recently. I particularly like the Lady Edith Jacket. I would love to have something like that to wear but I don't think I would ever get around to making something like that for myself. A girl can dream though, right?

Lady Edith Jacket from the Interweave website

Crimson Cape from the Interweave website

Plumeria Flower pattern on Craftsy

Daisy Coaster Pattern on Craftsy

World Diabetes Day - Nov 14th

Image snapped from the International Diabetes Federation website

Today is World Diabetes Day. This day was chosen because it's the birthday of Frederick Banting. He along with Charles Best discovered insulin in 1921. Today is also an official United Nations World Health Day.

Did you know that:

• over 1 million Australians know that they have diabetes
• there are over 2 million Australians living with pre-diabetes
• there are around 280 new cases diagnosed every day in Australia
• hundreds of thousands have undiagnosed type 2diabetes

It's scary to think that so many people don't even know that have diabetes. It is also scary to know that it's a global epidemic. 

I believe raising awareness about diabetes is important. If just one person goes and gets their blood glucose level tested because they were prompted due to this campaign it's worth it. Knowledge is power and knowing about your health is a good thing.

Here are some useful links to learn either about World Diabetes Day or just diabetes in general:

Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia - Victoria

International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday

WIP - Crochet - more of the Baby Cardigan

this photo shows the colour more accurately

Here's what I have managed to complete on the baby cardigan so far. It's from a pattern by Heather from Just Crochet.

WIP - Crochet - Baby Cardigan

I am taking a break from making my blanket for the next few days.  My niece, Kylie,  has asked me to make a baby cardigan or two.  Her partners daughter has had a baby and would like me to make some pretty pink things for her. 

I have chosen this pretty pink yarn from Panda.  It's a shame that the colour isn't shown properly in this photo.

Life is Short

I snagged these from Facebook (~_~)

Happy Little Camper

Mark is off camping in the Alpine region for a few days. He sent me this photo last night in an email via his ham radio which means it wasn't sent through an internet connection. At least not at his end. 

There are 4 individual tents/trailers set up.

It's meant to snow up in the Alpine area this weekend. At least that's what the weather bureau has forecast. So far it has only been raining. Mark did say that he was enjoying himself so that's the main thing right? I just hope that if it does snow that he and his fellow campers remain safe and warm.

That spot marked A is where the campsite is

WIP - Crocheted Starfish & I've Added To My Yarn Stash

I finished this starfish Wednesday afternoon. It's based on the Starfish Dishcloth pattern by Lily Sugar'n Cream. I started following the pattern but I kind of got lost after the first lot of dark brown. So I thought I would just do as best as I can by just looking at the photo that's included in the pattern.

My cotton yarn arrived from the Bendigo Woollen Mills earlier this week. Look at the gorgeous colours!?! The colours are sky (blue), blush (pink), teal (green), regal (purple) and peach (orange). I have gladly added them to my stash and I am sure I will make some really beautiful items once I work out what project(s) I am going to use them for. I just like the fact that each ball of yarn is 200g in size (about 7 oz) and there are no joins!

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• sunshine - I've been able to do lots of washing and get it dry on the same day
• Mark - he just surprises me sometimes, in a good way, and I love him to bits for it
• Angus - he has been helpful even without being asked
• my skin - yes I know it is strange to be thankful for your skin but considering I have psoriasis my skin is kind of behaving itself right now. Although I am getting new spots and some of the ones I have are getting larger I am truly thankful for it not being any worse than it is. Severe Psoriasis can be extremely depressing and debilitating
• being reasonably pain free with my silly arm. It is still giving me lots of grief from time to time though *sigh*

What are you thankful for this week?

WIP - Crocheted Turtle

I completed my fourth square yesterday. Only five more squares to go. I used the same turtle pattern as I did for the zoo blanket I made. The pattern is by Teri Heathcote from Knot Your Nana's Crochet. I bought the pattern from HERE on Ravelry.

My Hubby

WIP - Crocheted Sail Boat Applique

Another square finished. I did follow a pattern for this one. It's by Lily/Sugar'n Cream and I found it HERE on ravelry. It didn't quite turn out how Lily's one did in her photo but it's close. At least it looks like a boat. 

I'm off to make a start on another square.

WIP - Crochet Jellyfish Applique

pattern available on craftsy by Golden Lucy Crafts

My second square for my seaside blanket is now complete.  These jellyfish turned out much nicer than the one I originally started. Now to work on my next square.

Look at the gorgeous flowers that my visiting teachers gave me last week when they visited. They smell divine. I meant to share the photos earlier. Wouldn't yarn in this colour be amazing!!