Well that didn't last long....

I had great plans to blog regularly... and as soon as uni gets going, my plans fall to the wayside!! Oh well.. such is life! Pick up and move on... and just blog when I can!!

Our "Freshen Up 2016" has begun nicely. Our bedroom and ensuite was emptied out and we are now sleeping on the mattress on the lounge room floor. Hubby has been sanding the window sills and re-staining them. We have been choosing paint colors and addressing storage needs. This Easter long weekend, we intend to make the most of the public holidays by painting both ensuite and bedroom walls and ceilings.

(Our empty bedroom where our bed normally is)

I haven't been crafting a great deal, apart from the occassional piecing of my apple core quilt, and some quilting on my hexie quilt. I need to make a baby quilt for my hubby's cousin who is due to have a baby in the next month or so. I have the fabric sitting right here on my desk, waiting for a moment to get on with that! Perhaps inbetween coats of paint drying over Easter?

My BOM has not been happening. Neither has my cross-stitch. I have however started a new crochet project. Cold weather crept in like a thief, and we went from boiling hot to cold overnight!! Which reminded me that the kids need winter uniforms next term... and Mop needs a scarf. So I picked up my hook and began crocheting her a scarf.

I only have 4 weeks left of term, and then it will be school holidays. Maybe I can make up for my lack of crafting then? 

A crochet finish

For my birthday just gone I was given some cotton yarn to make myself something - which is a bit of a novelty! Thanks Mum!!

Anyway - I ran out of yarn for my stripey sampler that I have been doing and the exchange rate is far too woeful for me to buy more just yet from the US. So I needed a project. I pulled out the orange balls and began to make something for me to wear in the cool autumn months.

An infinity scarf!

The only problem with smaller projects is that they finish quickly. Next crochet project please!!

So many projects!

A few days ago the kids went back to school. The silence roars! I've been really busy while alone working on a few things.

1. I've started scripture journaling (digitally)

It gives me the opportunity to be creative each day plus spend time in the Word. I'm really loving this and loving what I am learning as I go along.

2. I've caught up with a few project life pages

3.  I've made headway with my Stripey Crochet blanket. I've been working on that while watching TV. My only issue with this is that I am running out of half of the colours - hoping I make it to the end alright.

4. I've finished the bunting for the Sunday School room at church. I seriously under-estimated how long it would take to make 20 meters of bunting!! I will show you a picture of that when it is hung up at the church.

5. I'm working on a quilty project for my Mum's birthday. I decided a few days ago that I would do that. Her birthday is in 9 days. Yes I am freaking out.

And in amongst all that - I have made headway into doing a big declutter - starting with the king of collections and mess himself - my son's room! 

Chunky washcloths

Part of a few Christmas presents....

I found this pattern on Pinterest and it was so incredibly simple. I used two strands of 8ply cotton and it is so thick and lovely. I think I want one or two for me!! 

It's beginning to look a lot like gift making time {part 2}

These are so fast to whip up, it's not funny!! But these lovelies will be stuffed with Dove Shea Butter soap and given as part of a Christmas gift to teachers and staff who deal with my kidlets. The crochet part of my gift is almost done!

It's beginning to look a lot like gift-making-time

I've been busy the last few days, crocheting up some wash cloths to go in a spa box for my kid's teachers. These are so easy to whip up and they feel really nice!

I better keep plugging away at them! Christmas is 5 weeks away... and school finishes in 2 and a half weeks!!

Eh why not?

Start another project that is. It's not like I have enough half finished projects laying around the place.

Ok so what's one more?

Here is a sneak peek of what I'm making. I'll tell you what it is when I show off the finished product! It's going to take me a little while, so don't hold your breath! 

It's been a sucky week....

Crafting has been non existent this week....

Here's why.

Reason #1. 
Hubby had a flu thing for two weeks - so he goes to the doctor because he isn't getting any better. Turns out he has some sort of pneumonia thing which strikes under 40's and he was really ill. We took a quick trip to the E.D because his oxygen levels low. Then he was taken to intensive care a few hours later because his oxygen levels were not improving.

(Hubby in ICU attached to about a million machines)

He stayed in hospital for most of the week. I couldn't concentrate on anything crafty because I was busy with the kids (two who were home with the flu) and anxious about hubby. I ended up exhausted as well because a certain kicking young lady was feeling insecure about Daddy not being home, and ended up sleeping with me. She thought that 4am was a great time to have a big chat. 

Reason #2

The stripey crochet blanket I am making is a pain in the rear end. The edges don't look even which is giving me ticks. My OCD does NOT like it. It's not because I am doing something wrong... it's the pattern and the stitches which don't work with my tension. I frogged it twice and that seemed to have sucked all creative energy out of me. I am beginning to wish I had never started it. BUT - it's a Christmas present AND a project for my crochet class so I need to continue. I just need to watch the pattern more closely.

Reason #3

Painting and decorating has come to a grinding halt because of the flu that has plagued this house for nearly a month. It's frustrating to have no crafty space. I can't access my stuff easily, I can't sew at my desk because I have vital uni stuff stacked on it. I have to wait until hubby is feeling better before we can begin again. In the meantime, I just have to curb the frustration of having half the living areas of the house unusable and just take a deep breath.

Today is Sunday. It's a new day - a new week - and I can approach it with a new outlook if I choose to do so. Hubby is home from hospital and is now resting until he can resume work. The children are home from school which means I get to hang out with them and listen to their chatter and laughter. And spring has finally arrived, bringing beautiful warm temperatures and sunny days. This new week is looking amazing already!

Baby Blankie

And that's a wrap! This gorgeous baby blanket is finished and ready to sell or to pop into my stash for a baby shower present. Depends whichever comes first!

I'm pretty pleased with how it looks. I like that it isn't just pastels! It did take ages to make, and I don't think I would make it again. The time it took to make just isn't worth it. 

Now I need to finish the girl version I have got going!! I've been watching Mcleod's Daughters on Stan and it's a great way to keep my hands busy while I chill. I hope I finish the girly version before I get to the end of the series!

New crochet project

ANOTHER new project?

I can explain this one, I promise!!!

This is the next group project for my crochet class..... AND it is also a Christmas present for my Milly Moo.

Just LOVING the colours!!!

Ready for posting {commissioned project}

I can't get over how cute this beanie and scarf look all wrapped up in their little label. I may just be squeeeeeeing a bit!

School holiday crafting

Mum? Can you teach me to crochet?

I look at my 7 year old's big blue eyes. I hesitate.... She's only seven. It took me a whole afternoon to learn just one thing. She would get frustrated with her lack of process and give up. She held up a ball of yarn from her craft box eagerly. "I could make Bunny a scarf!"

I nodded, "I can teach you" and I head to my craft room to find a hook for her to use. I show her the basics: tension, how to hold the yarn, how to hold the hook and how to do a chain. 10 minutes later she is deftly and skillfully chaining.... alone.

How does she pick things up so darn fast!!???

The next day she was doing trebles like a pro. In fact they were so good, I couldn't tell the difference between mine and hers!

Last block

Since late last year I have been teaching a crochet class - my main students are some very cute retired ladies who have always wanted to learn crochet. Since beginning we have been working on a Granny Square sampler. This is the last block for the project.

Infinity scarf {commissioned project}

A friend of mine needed a scarf for her daughter for school. They have just moved to Victoria from the Pilbara (if you don't know what I am talking think moving to the North Pole from the dessert!)

So I made her a nice chunky and warm infinity scarf.

Hopefully it will keep her toasty warm!

WIP Baby blanket

I've been making a couple of blankets as either:
1. Baby/Baby shower pressies for the future OR
2. Items to sell for my friends to give as baby presents.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through each blanket.

I had the miseries.

Yesterday it was wet, cold and windy. Not my favourite kind of day!  I had a stinking headache and was exhausted - which means I needed a day of hibernation. So what does one do when hibernating?

I fired up a TV series on Stan that I haven't seen before, got out my new crochet hook and a selection of yarn and began hooking a new project.

This will be a baby blanket that I am hoping to sell. I quite like this colour combo!

Another beanie (commissioned project)

These seem to be quite popular! I still have a few more to make before I hit the end of my queue.

I love the colour of this one! A beautiful dark pink!

Headband

I've seen these things about and always wondered if they would keep my head warm. Well... they keep half of it warm - and certainly keep your ears warm!! But it also keeps the wild "just washed my hair" tresses in place and out of my face. I like it!!

I feel so cute in it!

I need to make lots more now and in different colours!!

I found this pattern on Pinterest.

Labels

I've been thinking about how to package or present the small crochet items I make for my friends. I wanted it to look like a "professional" handmade product. I found these cute little labels on Pinterest and printed them up on some of my scrapbooking paper that I have had lying around.

Here is a beanie that I have finished and packaged up.

It's so cute!!

I made up some washing instruction labels to stick on the back as well. I'm so pleased with how this looks and it gives it a little extra something!

Crochet is the best medicine

My body is fighting a lugie. I feel my head starting to fill and my throat feels scratchy - and MAN! I am tired!! So today has been made a day of rest. Which means a day of crochet!

I whipped this up and got a pattern ready for my students in my crochet class

Some squishy mail arrived today for my next project that I am doing with my crochet class. 

I love these colours!!!!

I've also been working on another commissioned charcoal beanie project and have a pink one on order as well. I also have a few other crochet projects on the go too. Crochet ADHD! It's perfect for a day in my armchair, with essential oils in the diffuser and a cup of tea to sip.