A handful of fun

Recently I was asked if I could make some finger puppets as a present for a little one.  "Of course" I said.  I am always up for a challenge that involves me getting to craft my heart out and create something new.  But the ideas and the options kept flowing, and eventually I had to stop planning and actually start making something.  So I did and here is the final product.  Something nice and toasty to keep little fingers warm and little faces smiling.

Let me introduce you to the gang: Frog, Bear, Pig, Chook and Rabbit (or as they sometimes like to be known: Mr Frog, B. Bear, Snortta, Chooka and Hops).

Anna
XO

Something for my Little O

I like making things.  Any reason I could find to make something for someone I would.  If you had a baby I would make something for you, if you had a birthday I would make something for you, even if it was for no reason other than that I thought you might like it, then I would still make something for you. 

A few months after I had my own Little O, I realised that I had made so many things for other people's children that I hadn't really made anything for him.  And yes it's taken me almost a year and a half but I have finally made something for him... a nice warm winter blanket.  I have made quite a few of this style of blanket for friends babies (thank you Lucy from Attic 24 for a wonderful pattern.  See here for more details http://attic24.typepad.com),  and I always meant to make him one it was just me getting around to it that was the problem.  I had purchased the wool several months back and I finally decided in March that I was going to make it and that it had to be done before winter.  So I started and when ever I had time I would whip it out and crochet.  I just loved the repetitiveness of the pattern.  It was almost like going into a meditative state, instead of repeating a small mantra, I would repeat the stitch over and over again.

My favorite moment in making this blanket would have to have been about half an hour after I took this photo.  Little O climbed up onto the couch next to me, put a pillow up one end of the couch, laid down, putting his feet over my lap and pulled the part of the blanket that I had made up over him.  So while one end was keeping him warm, I was still making the blanket from the other.  I am still new to this whole Mummy business but I must admit that this moment really melted my heart.  I hope to get many more moments like these.

Anna
XO

The final product



I really like how this edging turned out.  I ended up doing three rows of double crochet or single crochet (depending on what side of the world you are from), but working into the back loop only.



A closer look at that edging.

Better late then never...Photos of the Mumsnbubs Market

It's amazing how much you can miss using your camera in every day life when it is not working properly.  I have finally been able to retrieve my photos off our camera so I can now share them with you all.
(The photos aren't off the best quality, especially when you have the sun rising up directly behind your stall and you are trying to take photos, it can make it a little difficult, but I am sure you can get the gist of it all).

I was worried about how I would display some of my items (especially the bunting), but when I arrived I had a really good position right between a sign post and a tree so I was able to hang quite a few lengths of bunting behind my stall (so people could see how they looked hung up).

Anna

XO

How do you celebrate your birthday? You have a Pirate Party!

My newphew just celebrated his 4th birthday and the theme of his party was pirates.  How could I not make something for him...



Arrr...Pirate bunting



Happy Birthday B!  I hope you had a fantastic day!
Love Aunty Anna
xo

What a lovely day for a market...

A BIG Thank you to everyone who came to visit my little market stall yesterday.  It was wonderful having so many people stop and have a chat (and even purchasing a thing or too).  I had so many people go "Oh is that crochet, I remember when my Nanna/Mum/Aunty used to do that.  But it looks so different to what they used to do".  I like to think of it now as funky Nanna crochet, still the basics but with a bit of funkiness added. 

Photos still to come.

Anna
XO

Esme Rudy at MUMSnBUBS Family Market Sunday 20th March

I like to help out and support local ventures.  I am a big fan of our local farmers market and when I saw the advert for this I couldn't help but get a little excited.  All my reasons of excitement seemed to revolve around what I could possibly buy for my little man and then it came to me...maybe I should do another Esme Rudy stall.  After all the positive feedback I received regarding the stall I did at the Maroondah Federation Estate celebrations, why not do it again?  I did enjoy the last one.  So the decision was made, my fees have been paid and I am busily getting prepared for Sunday.  And what a great charity to support.

I hope to see you there.

Anna
XO

Goodbye Summer, Hello Winter

I am not a summer kind of person.  My summer's are spent making sure I cover every inch of me in sunscreen and when I go out that I have a hat and either have a long sleeve shirt on or am able to sit in the shade all day.  I am one of those fair skinned, freckle kind of people.  You won't find many of us out in the hot sun, we are mainly indoors trying to get away from the sun.  I hardly ever venture to the beach (there's very little shade there) and I have an aversion to sand (but that's another issue for another time). 

So now that summer is officially over and the weather has cooled down quite a bit, I am in heaven.  My ideal day (weather wise) is when you wake up in the morning and the day is bright, the sun is shining but it's cool, and the morning dew is still all around.  You dress warmly, putting on layers and making sure you have the most important accessories, your scarf and beanie. 

What type of weather person are you?

Anna
XO