Celebrating something fun

If you follow me on face book you might remember a photo that I shared a little while back about a secret project I was working on.  Well I finally finished it and can reveal what I was making.

I'm not one just to share straight away so how about a little reminder?

Here was my original teaser photo...

And a close up of the finished piece...

And my finished piece in it's new environment...

A few months ago I joined Yarn Corner, an online group that creates pieces for yarn bombing. The group was commissioned by one of the local councils to 'yarn bomb' 85 trees along one of it's avenues in celebration of International Yarn Bombing Day.  As this was my first 'yarn bombing' piece I wasn't sure how it would turn out or even if I had made it to the correct size but in the end it all turned out fine.

I would also like to shout out a HUGE thank you to the ladies & gents who put up the installation.  I wasn't able to help out but many other people gave up their time to put together a wonderful piece of art installation.

Anna
XO

PS. A BIG THANK YOU to Bali from Yarn Corner for letting me use her photos. :)

She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

A little while ago I was asked by one of my managers at work if I could make a crochet blanket for one of the ladies that were leaving to have a baby.  It would be a present on behalf of the organisation. 

If you know me by now you would know that this was the best thing I could do.  How I love to make things for little ones.  And the best thing about it was that this lady knew that she was having a little girl (this meant that half my indecisiveness of what colours to use was gone).

I ummed and aarrd about colours and then did the same all over again when deciding on what style of blanket to make.  I knew that I wanted it to be a crochet one but what style and pattern.  On a few of the blogs I follow I had been seeing this clam shell pattern around a bit and decided it was a sign.

I ordered wool from Bendigo Woollen Mill and patiently waited for it to arrive so I could begin...

 

 



 And here it is the finished product...

 

It took me a little while to get the rhythm of the pattern going but once I got the hang of it, it was really simply.  And I must say how happy I am with how it turned out.

 

"Dear L, I hope you like your present and may it always

keep your little one warm".

 

Anna

XO

 

Yarn Experimentation

I like giving new things a go and when I came across this 'dyeing your own wool' on Pinterest I knew straight away that I just had to try it.  The colour combinations that Lee had created just had me in awe.  I am usually not one for variegated wool but I just couldn’t stop looking at all the beautiful combinations.

Lee’s post was very straight forward and I already had everything on hand except one thing.  And this is not a little thing, it’s the main ingredient.  Where was I going to get Kool-Aid from? Being from the Southern Hemisphere it is not something that is easily accessible.  I tried several different places but no luck, I thought I might have to somehow purchase it from overseas but would anyone send me some considering I only wanted a few packets and not a massive order.  

And then the Universe came to my aid. 

A new confectionary shop has just opened up in a local shopping centre and this place has everything from everywhere, including Kool-Aid (and what a range!).  I decided to get one of everything and when I went to pay for them the lady at the cashier asked if I liked them (as I had so many), I don’t think she believed me when I said I wasn’t actually going to drink them but dye wool instead.

So now I was set.  A few basic tools, instructions in hand and off I went. 

 

First things first, putting the yarn into useable hanks (like my low tech method?)

 

This is me at my first attempt, bit by bit. 

 

The hardest part is waiting the 10-15 minutes between each colour application.  But in the end it is all worth it.

Here is my first attempt,

 

 

And then I just couldn’t help myself and I had to have a few more goes.

 

Now the next decision is to decide on what I am going to make with my dyed wool; beanies, booties, gloves...

I've been a little scared of the whole dye your own wool process but this has just been the most fun thing ever.  Would love to see your creations if you decide to give it a go.

Anna
XO

 

Family holidays

Hello all, 

Yes it does feel like I have been absent from the blogging word of late, but I have had a good reason.  My family and I finally went on a well deserved holiday.  It’s been just shy of 15years since we went on our last holiday.  Yes I know that’s pretty bad and hopefully it won’t be that long for the next one. 

So my time before we left was spent busily making stuff for our holiday as we were heading to Tasmania (the cold part of Australia).  I made lots of nice things to keep us warm but in the end the weather was just beautiful, sunny and warm, no need at all for beanies, scarves, gloves and cowls.  I don’t think they even left our suitcase. Here's some photos of our time away...

The Boat House at Cradle Mountain.

Looking out across the bay from Sarah island.

The old church at Port Arthur.

Jumping waves ninja style at Swansea.

Beach finds at Swansea.

Looking out across to Wine Glass bay.

Rain forest walk at Columbia Falls.

We had such a fantastic time doing the touristy things that I may have even been too busy to do the crafty things (she says in a hush tone).  I did get to squeeze in a little but definitely not a lot.  Although I did buy myself a few little crafty gifts along the way (new and op shop variety).

So lets do a little show and tell:

• I bought two pure wool blankets (a single and double), not sure if I want to use them as a quilt backing or cut them up for softies and hot water bottle covers, or even just leave them as they are with some crochet edging added.

• One of the best embroidered doilies that I have, the embroidery is in excellent condition and there are no stains or tears.  I fell in love the minute I saw it.

• I picked up two sets of knitting needles; Art viva and a handmade set.

• Another pure wool blanket, baby crib size for 50 cents (could not pass that up).

• A cute little bird brooch and hair tie by Elliot my Dear.

• Another little ceramic Easter Bunny. I might have a slight addiction to these.

• And my most expensive buy a ball of the most beautiful Alpaca yarn.  It’s so fine (a 2 ply).  I am not sure if I will make a set of lace gloves or a shawl, or it may just be left as is so I can just hold it and gently rub against my face (yes I am one of those people).

(I did buy some yummy chocolates and fudge from Anvers, but really did you expect me to keep that for show and tell.  They was gone almost the minute we left the shop he...he..).

And finally a show and tell of the handmade, homemade variety, a special little Easter friend for Little O. Everyone please met Jenny-Benny (yes that is her/his name given by Little O).  Jenny-Benny’s pattern can be found here.








I had to quickly take this photo before the little hands came in and took the eggs away to be eaten.


I hope you all had a fantastic time celebrating Easter with your loved ones.

Anna
XO

Adventures to be had

In a few days time my parents will be going on a well deserved holiday, so this weekend we will be having a little 'goodbye' lunch with all the family.  Over the years I have made a few little things to adorn their caravan, so when I saw this pattern on Pinterest I knew that I had to make this for their next trip.  Something a little different to the usual crochet and knitting that I do, but something I still really enjoyed making.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get to indulge in all sorts of crafty goodness.

Anna
XO

What do you get if you cross a Triceratops with a kangaroo ?

A Tricera-hops.... ( I know bad joke, I couldn't help myself lol )

I have a little friend who is having their birthday this weekend. When I asked his Mum what could we get him for a present, she mentioned that he would love a toy dinosaur (especially if I could make him one). I have never attempted anything like this before, especially not in crochet. So I mentioned it to my fellow crafters one morning in craft group and the lovely Bebe Rouge (beberouge.wordpress.com) thought we could adapted her Dragon pattern. And here is the results. I hope you like your present Master R.

Anna
XO

Woolies for Tassie

I’m not usually one to make New Year resolutions, I feel that there shouldn’t just be one time in the year that you make the decisions to change your life for the better, it is something that should been done all throughout the year. But recently in Australia we had an act of Mother Nature that has affected many of us either physically, emotionally and spiritually. For me it was the later two.

In 2009 I had several close friends and knew of many more that were affected by the Black Saturday fires either losing their homes or coming incredibly close to doing so). The after effect of this, the human spirit that helps us to survive, to come together, to be a community that supports one another was just enormous and this year we are needing to draw on that strength again with the fires that have burnt through large areas of Tasmania.

I know that I can’t physically go down to Tasmania and help out but I know that I can help out in another way, a way that means something to me.

The Craft Hive in Hobart, Tasmania are asking for volunteers to give their time (and a little bit of their yarn stash) to crochet/knit squares that can be put together as blankets. I know that I won’t be able to make numerous blankets (as much as I wish I could) but I do know that I can give some of my time to make some squares. Squares that are made with love, ones that when put together with many more will form a blanket that will comfort someone, let them know that they are not alone.
 
So here is my contribution;

If you think you can spare some time to help out with this cause please visit The Craft Hive for more details.  And who knows if you decide to make a few squares too, maybe they might be joined next to mine to create a blanket of hope, support, and friendship for those in need.

Anna
xo

M.I.A

Wow, has it really been that long since my last post? That’s a bit naughty on my part. But it wasn’t like I was sitting there with idle hands, I have so much to share. Where to begin….hmmm….

I guess first and foremost I need to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year. I hope that you all enjoyed this special time and you spent it with loved ones, those that mean the most to you.

We had a very special Christmas this year in the world of Esme Rudy. I was very lucky to have spent it with my wonderful family (all 30 something of us). Yes you read that right, 30 plus relatives all together for 5 days in the one spot. This year I got to spend Christmas with some of my family who haven’t been together at this time of the year in over 10 years.  Four generations all together.

And of course when we all get together, celebrations are called for and when you are having a party, decorations are in order. Of course me being me, I couldn’t help myself, so I was in charge of this.

Using my favourite source of inspiration (Pinterest) I was overwhelmed with ideas but in the end I had my favourites. So here was our handmade, homemade Christmas…

                   Hung up above the fire place was our christmas Wreath.


Details on how to make the deer head can be found here.

       
          Our Christmas tree (wonderfully decorated by all the grandchildren) 



Details on how to make the Christmas tree can be found here.  The link to make the paper star on top of the tree can be found here.

                                 Mini stockings for all made by me.

    We decided not to have a chocolate advent calendar this year, so here is the Santa’s beard advent calendar that we used.

I did lots of cooking during the Christmas period as well. Cakes and biscuits but my favourite would have to have been the choc fudge balls and Cranberry, Pistachio, dark chocolate bark. Every time I made a batch of either they disappeared quicker than I could blink.

Also during this time there was lots of hooky and sewing time, gifts for other people and also a few little things for us;

                         An Owl wall hanging for a special little baby girl,

                                             A Little boy frog,

 

 

A Felt fairy for a special little niece,

 

                    Front door wreath for our home (inspired by Me Me Rose)

                   Peppa pig for Little O (I got to be a pattern tester for a
                                    wonderful friend Bebe Rouge)

Now it’s time to get stuck into all my new projects that I have been saving for the New Year.  Is it just me, do you have a list a mile long too?:)

Happy crafting everyone.

Anna
XO