Daisy

For those of you who follow me on Facebook you will have seen progress of a little doll I am making for Maia.

She is rather cute, and has been named Daisy… which suits her, I think 🙂

The pattern is a free one; Yun Shu… you can find it here on Ravelry. She is very easy to make, the pattern is lovely and clear with lots of photos. I made a few modifications to her so I could make her clothes that Maia could take on an off rather than crocheted in place.

I am working on making her a bedroom box – inspired by this lovely creation made by the incredibly talented Beth from By Hook By Hand, and Im also slowly making progress on her wardrobe. More on that soon…

Any crafting (including sock progress!) has been a bit slow going because we have had lots of bugs in our house of late, the children and I have all been sick for what seems like weeks. It’s mid winter here so I guess that’s just par for the course, but it doesn’t make it any more enjoyable. Fingers crossed we are on top of it now and will be able to enjoy the coming (and last) week of the school holidays.

So what’s happening in your world? What are you working on?

J xox

More socks…

I’ve finished another pair of socks. Sock making is really lovely, the effortlessly magical way the wool creates its stripy pattern continues to fascinate me 🙂
Child number one is very happy with them…Of course, as I’m sure those of you with children know, that means I am being asked on an almost hourly basis how I’m progressing on the socks I’ve promised to make for child number two:Not too badly, I reply…As I laze with my feet up and knit away the hours, pausing only to nibble on feijoas (notice anything in the spoon?), and smell the sweet scent of this beautiful blue hyacinth… Then I wake up from that daydream, roused by the call to get back to preparing breakfast/lunch/dinner/ washing laundry/ cleaning/ work/ finding some lost doodad/ chauffeuring children to music/ friends/ sports –  did I mention I’m coaching a soccer team now too?

So yes Carter, I’m working on your socks love, they’ll be finished… soon, I promise.

J xx

Giving pottery a go

Thank you for all the lovely comments about my last post, I feel so blessed with your kindness 🙂 The weather is still all over the show, and while its no weather for tomatoes or cucumbers, most of the garden is looking gorgeous, and this weekend I have three roses, and my peony coming into bloom – lets hope there’s not too much wind! I’m sure there will be more flower photos soon!

What’s the perfect way to spend a wet Saturday? At the local pottery workshop open day! The children tried their hand at throwing a pot on the wheel, free form clay sculpture and raku glaze.  It was a first experience with clay for them and they both had so much fun. One of the (many) unexpected joys of motherhood is seeing my children experience something new for the first time, especially when they adore it! I have to admit I was itching to have a go myself, pottery is something I have always wanted to explore more and I think today’s visit has convinced me to sign up for classes next term!

 

Here’s a couple of little video’s, Maia building her pot on the pottery wheel:

And Carter building his:

What are you up to this weekend? Have you tried any new crafty experiences lately? Much love, Janette xox

 

In my world

Here’s a few random little snippets from my world recently…

We are now mid-spring here in New Zealand and the weather is warming up. My garden is growing at warp speed – more on that soon. Its a rare occasion to see Tui in my garden, but this week there were a couple sipping on flax flowers. Birds, you will note, are well outside my photographic expertise!

Speaking of flowers, Carter expressed his inner floral artist at school for their gala event. He had such a proud Mummy! Here’s his sand saucer;

Buttonhole arrangement:

Miniature garden:

And glitter jar/upside down jar arrangement:

Walking on the beach, with toes out – much more palatable now the weather is warming up, hmmm might need to dig out some nail polish!

Drinking lots of smoothies… mostly berries, sometimes with greens, but always with added chia (don’t blend them)!

Carter the spider:

Maia doing her best impression of a sculpture:

Tillandsias hanging in my window… the best low maintenance pot plants, driftwood and macrame optional!

The building (and rebuilding) of fairy houses is in full swing: 

As well as raising seeds and planting seedlings like crazy, I’m propagating a variety of plants… this is my kitchen windowsill, and I’m happy to report that every eastern and southern windowsill in our house is also home to a large number of small jars with lots of other potential plants for my garden!

Our crochet loving cat (actually I think its the wool he loves!)

Finally, here’s a shot of a little blue crochet (one of two projects) I have on the go… more on that soon 🙂

What’s happening in your world? xxxoooxxxx

Crochet snakes

Carter requested a snake pleasssssssse…

But once I made one it was hard to ssssstop!

It was alssso hard to stop thinking up silly snaky alliterations!

So I gave in…

So sssssorry!

So if you want to make one sweet sneaky snake, or six…

You can find the superb simple sweet and not at all silly scaly or scary crochet snake pattern right here.

The only change I made to the pattern was to  insert a couple of pipe cleaners wound together (and the ends bent over so they don’t poke out) inside each snake to make them nice a twistable 🙂

 

Busy…

There’s been a bit going on around here recently, here’s a few snaps of things from my world just now.

I am…

♥ Loving my new project (more on that soon!)…♥ Reading, a lot… winter really is the time for reading. Ive recently read this, and this and this…. I’d recommend them all 🙂

♥ Admiring this orchid because it just keeps on blooming and blooming…♥ Smiling. Don’t you love birthday cards? (yes, last week I celebrated another year passing…)♥ Baking, like reading, is something that seems to happen more when its cold (the oven warms up the house, the smell warms up the soul!), brownies… and slices for lunchboxes, try this one (pic below) or this one. Yum!♥ Enjoying this amazing bromeliad… it has the most beautiful flower don’t you think? Just one of the many signs that spring is on her way!♥ Wearing my green shawl, yes I have been wearing it (and loving it!)…♥ Reminded that although spring is nearly here, winter hasn’t quite let go her grip yet… we’ve had so many frosts the garden is looking very sad. I’ve also had to resort to planting seedlings inside cut off milk bottle to stop the chickens scratching them up and/or eating completely!

♥ Traveling… is a necessity of my job and there has been a fair bit of flying of late. At least the weather has been gorgeous, so the flights have been full of spectacular sights…

♥ Grateful that my Mum can come and help out on those hectic days when I have to be away…  it makes life so much easier when Nana comes and does all the school (and trampoline and swimming…) pick ups and drop offs, the children love it and I really appreciate one less thing to worry about.

♥ Arranging my new printers tray, which has become home to an eclectic miniature collection… each day the children find something more to add to it.♥ Cherishing my girl and this now toothless grin – the big new tooth is growing in so that smile is never going to be the same again! Time seems to be passing by so quickly just now, I can barely keep up!

I wonder what you are loving, baking, crocheting, arranging, reading, wearing, enjoying, thinking, smiling about and doing?

Lots of love, Janette xox