WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket - Tiger Applique

Another square finished for zoo blanket no. 3

Only 5 more squares to go.

What is Your Super Power?

Mine is Crochet (~_o) 

Freebie VW Pattern Link

How cute are these cushion covers? Someone share the link to the pattern on Facebook. 

What a clever designers the Yarn Twins from Yarnovations are.

You can find the pattern HERE on the Ravelry website or just go HERE to their website.

WIP - Crochet - Zoo Blanket No.3 - Lion Applique

I completed Leo the lion for my zoo blanket. I think it looks pretty pleased with himself. Although that being said I still think he looks a little bit like Winnie the Pooh.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• rain
• hearing the CFA declare the fire at the open cut mine in Morwell/Hazelwood as safe after it had been burning for 45 days. There are still some crew watching for any hot spots but it sure is good to know that it's safe for the local residents
• hearing little kids saying their prayers, they are super cute and ask for the sweetest things.
• being relatively pain free when crocheting - that's always a bonus (~_~)
• sleeping in. Last Friday Angus didn't need to go to work placement as the business had a rostered day off which meant I didn't need to wake up at 6 am 

What are you thankful for this week?

Purple Day March 26th - Raising Epilepsy Awareness

snagged from Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook

I support purple day because Mark and Brodie have epilepsy. Thankfully their epilepsy is well under control. Neither of them have had a seizure in a very long time. It's such a relief and a blessing to know that they are okay and that the medication they are taking is doing it's job. 

If you wish to find out more about purple day you can check out their website HERE

They have some super cute plush animals for sale. I just love their teddy bear and elephant. Of course I totally LOVE the colour PURPLE! So anything purple is very appealing to me. If you get the chance go check their online store.

Crochet - Zoo Blanket No.3 + other stuff

I've been busy running around taking Brodie to a couple of appointments today. I did however get the chance to buy some more yarn while we were out. I went into one shop specifically to get some crayons for my little Sunbeam class at Church. Did I mention that I was now a teacher in Primary? I had my first lesson with the little ones last weekend. It's going to be a challenge. I just hope that I am up to it. 

Anyway back to the shop .. I spotted some yarn as soon as we walked in and I grabbed a few lovely colours. I think I did very well. I only grabbed 8 balls of yarn. I could have snapped up a hole lot more but I was very well behaved, this time (~_o)

I have managed to make a start on the animals for my new zoo blanket. I think the panda turned out nicely. It's been slow going mainly because I get side-tracked with other things (o_0) oh well at least I have managed to get some crocheting done. I am crossing my fingers now in the hope that I am able to do some crocheting tonight.

Feeling Frustrated

I mentioned a month ago about how I saw a surgeon in regards to my carpal tunnel. He was to send a referral to a neurology clinic so that I could get a nerve conduction test done. I gave them a couple of weeks so that they could receive the referral, have a doctor check it out (the doctor only checks the referrals once a week from what I was told which is a bit silly if you ask me) and for them to phone me in regards to an appointment time.

When two weeks were up so I phoned them. They said they didn't receive the referral. I phoned the surgeons room and asked them to resend the referral. Then I waited to hear from the clinic. Nothing happened.

This morning I phoned the neurology clinic again. Sorry there is no referral here in your name. I asked for a fax number then phoned the surgeons room to let them know they never received it. All good or so I thought. I phoned the neurology clinic and they confirmed that they got the referral this time BUT there was a problem. It was addressed to a specific doctor who no longer works at that clinic and they couldn't accept it. I made my yet another call back to the surgeons office and asked them to please change the name on the referral to the name of the clinic. I guess I should phone the neurology clinic again to see if that was acceptable.

It turns out that the referral was sent twice before but to another office altogether. It's no wonder I never received a call in regards to an appointment. If I don't get a call soon I am just going to give up on this and put up with the pain I get from my hands and arms.

Look After Yourself

I snagged this from Facebook.

Crochet Humour

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• Angus and how he has let me use his desktop computer while I don't have one
• beautiful weather. We have had some lovely cooling rain and so gloriously sunny days. Fantastic autumn weather
• having the funds available to purchase a new desktop computer. I just need to wait for it to arrive in the post.
• my crochet. It always makes me happy when I know what I am making. Sometimes it can be difficult working out what to make next.
• that we have all now had our flu shots for the year. It's better to be safe than sorry.

What are you thankful for this week?

New Crochet Project

I started a new project on Saturday afternoon. It will probably be no surprise as to what I am making. It's another zoo blanket. One of my visiting teachers is expecting a new grandchild in about 5 weeks time. I am hoping that I will have this blanket finished before the baby arrives.

The green is very bright. Almost like a fluoro green. I have made 5 squares already.

I had been looking for a yarn bowl but I haven't been able to find a seller here in Australia so I decided to use a 'yarn bucket' instead. It's better than having the yarn rolling all over the floor, right?

I am currently making my first yellow square. Only 3 more to go and I can start on the animals (~_~)

RIP Isis

My computer, Isis, is dead. Well it got stuck in a boot loop and when I tried to fix it she was stuck on the start up screen. I am so not happy :( My computer had been playing up for a while and Mark wanted to reinstall windows and he did say that my computer should be the next one to be upgraded.

Mark and I looked on ebay to find a replacement. Thankfully we managed to find one that was in my price range. We are just waiting to hear back from the seller to get the final total so I can pay for the computer and a copy of Windows 7.

I am just grateful that I have a netbook to use while I wait for my replacement. Hopefully it will arrive by the end of the week. Cross your fingers and toes for me.

BobWilson123 Videos and Crochet Helps

Clare aka BobWilson123 celebrated her 5th year on youtube recently where she shares crochet tutorials that she has created. Clare does an amazing job with her tutorials and explains things very clearly.

She also has a really great website with loads of freebies, such as her helpful charts for yarn and crochet hook size conversions, afghan blanket sizes and more. If you get the chance check out her youtube channel and her website.

Crochet Symbols and Directions Chart

I follow Moogly on Facebook and I also read their blog posts. I am always amazed at the amount of freebies that they find and share. There really has been some fantastic stuff.

Yesterday Moogly shared a link on Facebook to a freebie Crochet Symbols and Directions Chart from Dabbles and Babbles. It has both UK and US terminology on it. What an awesome find and well worth sharing.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• Cooler weather
• Rain - although we need a lot more. Especially for that fire in Morwell at the open cut mine which is still going. Although it has been listed as controlled it's now been four and a half weeks since it began
• being able to take Brodie to receive his Patriarchal Blessing
• finishing knitting that baby kina. I love how it looks now that it's complete
• finding bargains when you go shopping. I got two new nail polishes yesterday for the price of one and the colours are very pretty

What are you thankful for this week?

Finished Item - Knitted Baby Kina

Ta da! I managed to get around to sewing the ends in and sewing the buttons on the baby kina last night.  I really like the way it turned out. I have enough yarn left over to make another kina.

How To Peel A Banana The Easy Way

I had no idea that there was an easier way to peel bananas. After watching this video Angus and I had to try it out. It was soooooo much easier than opening the banana at the stem.

WIP - Knitted Baby Kina

Almost finished. I just need to sew in the ends, under the arms and add some buttons. The picture isn't the best because I used the camera in my tablet. I still haven't worked out how to make the picture brighter. Oh well. The colour looks so much nicer than what is shown.

Nerve Conduction Test

I was meant to have a nerve conduction test done which was organised by the surgeon I saw two weeks ago. The neurologist place that performs the test wants the referral first. So I left it for a while so that the surgeons office could send the referral off and all the paper work could be done.

Considering it has been two weeks and I haven't heard anything I phoned both the surgeons office and the neurology service. I was told the referral was sent two weeks ago but the neurology place never received it :/ Hopefully, now that I have phoned both places, the referral will to go to the correct address so that I can get this test done.

It will be interesting to see what the results are this time round. I had the same test done back in August of 2009. Now that I would be able to understand all the numbers involved in the test results at least the surgeon will have something to compare it to.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• being able to work out what my next craft project would be. Sometimes I find it very difficult to work out what to make. I am very thankful that I finally chose something and that I am enjoying making it
• cooler weather
• fire fighters - the CFA is still working very hard to extinguish that fire in the open cut mine near Morwell. Today is day 25 for this particular fire. They are hoping that it will be extinguished early next week. 
• helpful kids ♥ The boys have been taking turns washing the dishes at night. I have enjoyed the break ☺

What are you thankful for this week?

WIP - knitted baby kina

Slow and steady wins the race, right?  I am certainly going slowly that's for sure.  I will get there eventually.

WIP - Knitted Baby Kina

Last night I began a new project. A baby kina using Bernat baby Jacquards. It's the last ball of the self patterning yarn that I have. I really do love how this yarn looks once it's been knitted up.

There is only one problem with me knitting. I can only do a few rows at a time before my hands go numb *sigh* It would be nice to be able to knit for more than a few minutes at a time.

He's Such A Romantic

Mark gave me some flours tonight. Isn't he a romantic?!?! 

I love my geeky husband who has such a wicked sense of humour!

Crochet is Cool

Just like the picture states,  I was crocheting before it was cool.  In fact I have been crocheting for decades ;) Now it's a very popular thing but that's a very good thing.  It means that there are so many more talented people designing and sharing their ideas.  I ♥ crochet!

It's Officially Autumn!

Today is the official start of Autumn! You know what that means?! I survived another Summer! I really don't like summer. I just hate the heat. it's funny when you're a kid you love it. It means a long school holiday break, lazy days playing with friends, swimming, reading and just having fun! These days it means long HOT days in front of the air-conditioner and horribly high electricity bills! I am so glad that it is now Autumn. I am looking forward to seeing all the pretty coloured leaves on the trees and I know that cooler weather is on its way.

Speaking of cooler weather, it has been so helpful for the firefighters that are still fighting the fire at the coalmine in Morwell/Hazelwood. I cannot believe that today is day 20 and it is still burning. I drove Angus to work placement in Morwell yesterday morning. He starts at 7:30 am. We drive on the freeway right past the open cut mine on the way there. The smoke that is floating up from the pit looked so eerie and it smells horrible. I feel so bad for the people in Morwell who have to put up with this. It is just heart breaking knowing that they have to put up with the smell and smoke again.

The state government has offered families $500 to use towards accommodation if they want to get out of town. Not a lot of help really. It wont stretch very far for families. Get this they are SELLING not giving away masks for residents. I think they should be free for all who want them! I also think that any medical visits that are required as a result of the smoke (there is a lot of carbon monoxide being given off by the fire) should be free too but of course it isn't. It's been THREE weeks Mr Napthine (he's our state premier) get your act into gear and HELP these people. Mr Abbott, for crying out loud pull your finger out and OFFER the WHOLE town of Morwell free doctors visits if their illness is a direct result from the fire and smoke. HELP these people they need it!!

I could stay on this soapbox all day and rant about how bad things are and how little is being done about it but I wont. I'll just pray for more rain and that the firefighters are able to extinguish this fire and declare it safe.