WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Zebra Applique

Ta Da! I have now completed the last applique for my zoo blanket. I know I should've added more stripes but I was sewing this all together in 39C heat. I think sometimes less is more, right? The zebra still looks good (~_~)
Anyway, the blanket is coming along nicely ☺ All I need to do now is put a border around all the squares, join them together and then put a border around the whole thing. I am thinking of using grey and dark green for the borders. It should look okay.

You can find the zebra pattern HERE on Ravelry.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• a working air-conditioner - we have had some hot weather again and will be expecting more again over the weekend
• cool changes - a small reprieve before it heats up again
• my crochet - I am loving how my new blanket is looking. I am very, very close to finishing.
• surviving another round of Summer school holidays. School started back today and Angus began Year 12. I cannot believe that it's his last year of high school!!! Where has that time gone??

What are you thankful for this week?

Oh That's Punny

snagged from Facebook

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Turtle Applique

I finished the turtle the other day. I think this one looks better than the previous ones I have made. At least he looks happy, right? I love how Teri's patterns are so easy to whip up. Only one more square to go.

You can find the pattern HERE on Ravelry.

New Knitting & Crochet Patterns I like

I have stumbled across some very lovely crochet and knitting patterns recently. There are so many talented designers out there who create such beautiful stuff. Here are just some of the ones I have found.

flower garden afghan from all free crochet

Knitted lavender and lace throw from red heart

Knitted All in One baby top by Marianna

crocheted converse slippers by Mun Tekema

Minion Stuart by Aradiya Toys

I have to admit I find the minions such cute little things. I have watched both Despicable Me and Despicable me 2 over the past few weeks. One day I will finally get around to making one of these little creatures. They are so cute!

All of these patterns are on my ever growing to do list. 

It's Australia Day!

photo from australiaday.org.au 

It's Australia Day today. Happy Birthday!

To celebrate we are going to a barbecue tomorrow (we're at Church today) with some of the members from Mark's Ham Radio Club. We had a barbie with them last year too although it depends on the weather. Last year it was unseasonably cold, this time round it looks like it will be a hot day of 34C (91F). I can only hope that the weather bureau gets it wrong and it is cooler. Cross your fingers for us please.

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Panda Applique

Another square finished ☺I think I may have over done the crocheting and sewing because my warm/wrist has been very sore for the past couple of days. But that's what pain killers are for, right? I do love how this one turned out though. This panda is a real cutie!

The pattern for the Panda can be found HERE on Ravelry.

Do You THINK Before You Speak?

snagged from Facebook

I quite often remember hearing Mum and Dad telling us kids to "think before you speak" when I was growing up. I know my brother or my niece would often say something that they perhaps shouldn't have. I know I was guilty of it too from time to time. Goodness knows I have said it to my boys often enough.

With Brodie having Aspergers the words are usually out of his mouth before his brain has even kicked into gear. Although I had to admit that he has improved a great deal over the years. We used to try and get Brodie to think of a traffic light before he did something. The RED was to help him STOP before he spoke or did something. They YELLOW was to get him to THINK about what he wanted to say or do before he continued and whether it would be a good or bad thing ie: if it might possibly make someone upset or happy about what he wanted to say or do. The GREEN was DO but only if he thought it was okay to do so. I don't think it worked all the time but it certainly helped.

I just wonder how many of the younger generation (especially those on Facebook) who don't always think before they speak, well place a status update or comment on a post, would benefit from THINKING or going through the TRAFFIC LIGHTS before they post something online. The amount of times I have seen what I would consider to be 'dirty laundry' or just plain old potty mouth posts appear in my stream just blows my mind. I know I could unfriend these people but it's difficult when it is family. How do you explain to the relatives that you no longer have a niece or nephew as a friend due to their inability to think? I guess I shall just continue filtering or hiding what they post.

What would you do? Do you think before you post? I am sure you do. Do you unfriend or hide posts that are inappropriate? I would love to know.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• cooler weather - after last week's heatwave this week has been lovely
• finishing my Temple preparation classes. I'm pretty excited (and a little nervous) about going
• generous members in our ward. I was given a beautiful temple dress. I just need to adjust the hem and it will be perfect
• shopping - the boys and I went shopping yesterday (for fun not for groceries) and we found some great bargains
• showing great restraint while shopping. I only bought 7 balls of yarn
• being able to pick up Angus's school text books today - the new school year begins at the end of next week

What are you thankful for this week?

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Monkey Applique

I had a glorious sleep in this morning. I haven't slept in this late for a very long time. I must have needed the extra sleep ☺ Last night I completed another square for my zoo blanket. I quite like this cute and smiley monkey. Only 4 more squares to go then my blanket will be ready for the next stage.

You can find the monkey pattern HERE on Ravelry.

Dance in the Rain

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Ostrich Applique

I finished this square last night. I quite like the look of this ostrich. It was so easy to whip up too. You can find the pattern HERE on ravelry.

15 Reasons To Be Happy

I snagged this from my friend Mish on Facebook.

Sometimes a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can make all the difference!

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Snake Applique

I must have been crazy crocheting during that heatwave?!?! I finished making this snake square up on Thursday afternoon while watching The Day After Tomorrow which is my go to movie when the weather is stinking hot. Looking at a TV screen and seeing all of this ice and snow kind of helps me think of cool things. Plus I was sitting directly in front of the portable air-conditioner and that helped a great deal!

The pattern for the snake can be found HERE on Ravelry.

What Do You Do With Yourself? And Summer Heat *yuck*

When we caught up with Mark's Dad and Step-mum last month I was asked what I did as far as work was concerned. I had just heard the SIL talk about her new job and I thought what do I do? I felt awkward to be honest. I didn't know what to say. What do I actually do other than be a Mum and a carer? So I mentioned how I knit and crochet for charity.

Since that day I have though about what I actually do. I am a financial advisor, banker, fibre artist (knitter/crocheter), designer, chef, laundress, seamstress, chauffeur, personal assistant, trade assistant, housekeeper, cleaner, teacher, reader, listener, pharmacist, wife, mother and student. There are probably some more things that I could list that I just cannot think of right now.

Next time I get asked what I do I wont feel so bad when I say I am a Mum and Carer.

I just had to share the picture above. It seems so appropriate for this past weeks weather. Today is the 5th day of heatwave. For the past three days we have had temperatures in the 40's (over 102F) and today is no different. We are expecting a top of 44F (111F). Thank goodness there is a cool change which is meant to come in tonight. I just hope that it isn't a late change. I think after all this heat it would be lovely if the change arrived in the afternoon but knowing my luck that wont happen.

I am also hoping that this cool change brings lots of rain with no thunderstorms or strong winds. There have been quite a few bushfires about the state this week. The closest one to us is around 40km away (just under 25 miles). There was a lot of smoke blown our way but that cleared up last night. Thankfully that one was downgraded last night but residents were still under a watch and act warning. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that everyone stays safe wherever the fires are.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• airconditioning
• electricity bills that are in credit because it means I know that I wont get as much of a bill shock when I receive my next bill
• naps - always a good thing when the weather is hot
• old movies - there have been some really good old movies on this week. It's nice to see some of these old 'classics'
• kids that are too hot and bothered to argue. Anything that helps me keep my sanity is a good thing!

What are you thankful for this week? 

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Tiger Applique

My latest square is now finished. I've slowed down my crocheting a bit these past few days. The weather has turned shockingly hot. We are in the middle of a heatwave, albeit a small one, today is day three and I am finding it a bit much to crochet during the day. All I've wanted to do is sleep the day away but I haven't. We have had temperatures from 36+ C (96.8F) and much higher in other parts of the state.

Anyway, the tiger square is now complete and I am slowly working on the next square. The pattern can be found HERE on Ravelry.

Is your Glass Half Full?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? A Glass half full or a glass half empty person? I like to think of myself as an optimist although I am sure that I wear rose coloured glasses all too often. Last Sunday on our Ward newsletter there was a little article called Another way of seeing. I thought that it was great. A nice way of looking at things in a positive way. It ties in nicely with Thankful Thursday. Anyway, I brought the newsletter home so that I could copy and share it.

Another Way Of Seeing

I woke up early today excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or ... I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or ... I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or ... I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or ... I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or ... I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or ... I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or ... I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or ... eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have housework to do or ... I can appreciate that I have a place to call home.

Today stretches ahead of me waiting to be shaped. And here I am the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have. have a GREAT DAY ... unless you have other plans. Just remember, a 'Smile' will make the days go better.

                                                              by Don Lyon

Dust If You Must

This was on my Facebook wall a couple of times yesterday and I thought it seemed appropriate to me. There are many more important things to do other than dusting. I don't particularly like dusting but isn't that what kids are for? Doing some of those simple jobs you don't particularly like doing? Oh Boys ... I have a job for you (o_0)

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Lion Applique

I'm on a bit of a roll with these squares. Here my latest finished square. You can find the lion pattern HERE on ravelry. Personally I think the head looks like it could've been Winnie The Pooh instead of a lion. Maybe that's another project down the road ☺

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket - Hippo Applique

Here's my latest square. I think the hippo looks like it had been on a diet. It's definitely on the skinny side. Perhaps if I make another hippo applique I'll fatten it up ☺
You can find the pattern HERE on Ravelry.

WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket - Giraffe Applique

Slowly but surely I'm getting these squares done. You can find the giraffe applique HERE on Ravelry.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• my crochet (as always)
• cool weather. It's been lovely here and I am so thankful for that. Some of the other states have not been as fortunate as us and they have been sweltering in temperatures as high as 49C (120F). I hope they get a cool change soon.
• a clean home - we have all been busy doing a BIG clean up. The place looks so much nicer.
• school holidays and the fact that the boys can sleep in. It's been really quiet when they've been sleeping which is always a good thing!
• My Dad. Even though his memory is going and he has a hard time hearing people I am enjoying the fact that he is still around to talk with. ♥♥♥

What are you thankful for?

For My Boys

snagged from a Facebook share

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

He's 86 years young today!

My New Crochet Pattern Book

I bought a new pattern book on ebay last month and it finally arrived last Friday. I've been looking forward to receiving this book. I would LOVE to make some of the blankets in it. Wouldn't you? I mean look at the blankets in the pictures below?! Just beautiful! Of course this will have to wait until I have completed my zoo blanket.

WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket - Elephant Applique

I finished this elephant for the zoo blanket the other day. The link for this pattern by Teri Mitchell can be found HERE on Ravelry.

WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket No.2 P (part 4)

I decided to go with the salmon coloured yarn that I had in my stash for the last three squares. 

Since yesterday I managed to complete all three remaining squares AND my arm/wrist managed to survive without any pain. Always a bonus!

I think it the squares look pretty good (~_o)

All I need to do now is work out what animals should go on which square.

WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket 2 ~ Part 3

The three colours I have chosen so far for the blankets background

It's really slow going with this blanket. Making the squares seems to take such an awfully long time. Since I am making a larger blanket this time I still need to choose one more colour. I was thinking of this nice salmon coloured acrylic that I have in my yarn stash but I'm not too sure yet. 

Perhaps I need to spend less time on the computer and more time crocheting ☺ or maybe I could crochet more while at the computer. Either way I still have three more squares to complete once I have chosen what colour to make them in.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• a peaceful beginning to the new year
• cool weather and rain. It's been lovely and mild
• my crochet and how it keeps me sane
• for sons who show no interest in going out partying and getting drunk or even drinking alcohol at all

What are you thankful for this week?

Happy New Year 2014!!

I don't normally make new years resolutions. I think they can be pretty useless because most of the time you break them within the first month any way. When I came across this the other day on Facebook when Retro Mummy posted this I thought: Hey I can do most, it not all, of these things this year.

Although I will need to tweak this list it to suit me better. I no longer drink tea (only herbal tea now and then) so I would substitute the drink Caro instead. It's a caffeine free drink. I'm also adding MORE scripture reading.

Wish me luck!