A gauge! What the!

I've been discussing knitting a clapotis with sadieandlance for a while now. As usual, she gave me some very sensible advice: practice the stitches before you start. I'm usually waaaaaay too impatient for anything that organised, but I looked at the pattern a couple of moths ago and it totally confused me. So I put the yarn I had for it away (Der! Of course you buy the yarn before you're actually ready to knit something!) and did some other things. Until the other day. For some reason (I think it was a conversation we were having B?) I looked at the pattern and realised it actually made sense to me now - Hallelujah! So I knitted a practice version:

And it (kinda) worked! There was much joy and celebration. Hint: for this practice version I just knitted the first part of each section and not the repeats, so it means you can get to the section where you're dropping the stitches faster.
My joy was short lived, however. Upon walking in to retrieve the camera and share my joy with the world, I found this:

Sorry for the bad photo, the anger was fogging my vision. This may look relatively harmless, just some yarn lying on the ground, right? Wrong. While you've been away Kelly Albert has learnt a new trick. It's called "whacking yarn around every piece of furniture you possible can until it is so hopelessly tangled it's impossible to unwind." or WYAEPOFYPCUHTIU (ok so it has a slight identity problem). He's already done it several times, including to a very expensive ball of colinette yarn...
I absent-mindedly left this project on the table while I was knitting the gauge and voila! Destruction. Hang on a minute...Maybe that's the problem. It's the craft goddess expressing her frustration at the production of said gauge! But that would mean that Albert is/was momentarily the craft goddess incarnate....
Well he's not sleeping with us tonight. He's been sleeping in JD's crotch lately, and there ain't no way I'm sharin' that pieca pie with another chicky-babe! (ohmygod what did I just say? I'm turning in to flipping Mark Holden. Shame on me! Shame!)
XXX

Fridge Cake

Hurry up it's almost gone!

Post 102

Hardly significant, post 102 but I'm laying claim to it - it's all mine mwahahaha.

Anyway, HEY where'd you all go??? Hanging out doing real life crafty stuff without me in Sydney aren't you? Well not you Kel, you're off the hook - or perhaps you'd like to join me on my out-of-towner sookfest.

Hmm now did one of you come into the study and borrow my camera? I did such a good job on cleaning the study (lie: it's actually still a work in progress - just don't look beyond the desk to the floor) that I can't find where I put the camera. The irony is that the desk top is clean of all it's clutter - but I never had trouble finding the camera when the clutter was still there on the desk (you saw it Shazmina you can attest to the piled upon pile state of the mess).

Anyway I wanna take a photo of my leftover hummingbird cake that's sitting regally on my lovely white ceramic cake platter in the fridge - but alas no camera. So, you'll just have to take my word for it - CRS (Cake Related Surprise) of the Hummingbird variety was enjoyed last night after a meal of good ole corned beef and vegies - shared at the last minute with 2 lovely friends of ours who we really do enjoy spending time with - but I couldn't help feeling sad that there was no corned beef left over to make sandwiches with for today's lunch...which in my opinion is the best part of any such meat boiling (doesn't that sound disgusting) /roasting (ahh yes that sounds much yummier) activities.

But I digress - back to imagining my Hummingbird cake please friends (and you'd better be enjoying your imaginary cake -afterall it had two whole bloody bananas in it - do you know how expensive that is??!). It has cream cheese icing and is sprinkled with crushed walnuts. There's plenty of leftovers to go round - even after I sent our friends the corned beef stealers home with half the leftover cake.

3 More Sleeps!

Dear Kel,

It is only fitting that, as this blog is to keep in touch with Peregrina Kel, you made the 100th post. You rock!!! :)

I am starting to get even more excited (is that possible?) about SNB on Sunday! I have many, and I mean many projects that I could bring on Sunday. I think my theme is going to be Eliza, our newest member, because I have one really cute project in mind to make for her, and it is not clothing!!! Although I do have wool set aside for a really cute cardigan for her, but that may have to wait until next winter!!

Anywho, lots to do and organise before then. As I have finally admitted to myself (and others) that I am a control freak, I am trying not to freak out about all the things out of my control between now and Sunday (I will fill you in then) including making trash dip for the first time and hoping it turns out like Sadie nd Lance's!

ooh and Kel, saw your boyfriend last night. He is still as cute and funny as ever!

Toodles for now
Shazmina

Is this the 100th post?

OOOOO, i couldnt resist the glory of the 100th post!

I wish I could come to snb this weekend! I miss my crafty chicks!

Love the look of your tomato soup Bee. Will try that one. Am into all things tomato right now. They are everywhere and mostly homegrown and taaaaaaaasty!

OCC - I have been seeing your twions everywhere over here. Keeps making me look twice.

So, this isnt crafty but is a project of sorts. In Italy I decided to do a gelati tour sticking to the same flavours to assist in making easier comparisons. In 1998 I did the lemon sorbet, mango sorbet and fragola tour. THis year I delighted in trying choc, mint choc and choc chip! hmmmm, life is tough when you have to work like this. I also made a committment that I would have a gelati every day to keep my hand in.

Then i was tempted by the devil himself and HAD to try the limoncello, fragola, choc combo! WOW! It was worth jeoparising the research for that!

I walked into a wool shop in Florence and wracked my brain for the wool that Brown pants was looking for but couldnt recall..... so I fondled a few balls and tried to channell the powers of teh usiverse for the brand name. The lady in the shop was very helpful right up to the moment where I said that I couldnt buy anything. The very next ball that I stroked, she lifted her hand and siad something in ITalian that rougfhly translated to " Dont touch the balls lady unless you show me the money!"

BUT, the wool isnt terrible expensive and not terribly different to what Ive seen in Aus. Maybe in more specialised places that I havent found yet.

Im continuing my little squares and they are proving to be very handy on the train journeys. Also ensures that noone wants to sit next to you so you can stretch out a little. Maybe ill just pick up cotton where i can and eventually will have a wee blanket made.....

Ok, chickas, best get out there and see this bustly, sweaty town of Barcelona. Feeling a little tired and ready to see some familiar faces in Madrid. THink today will be a casual shopping day. I found my fantasy handbag yesterday in a market stall after not seeing anything close in all of the bag shops in ITaly, so will rtake that as a good shopping omen.

Love you all and happy stitchn´
Sabiha

4 More sleeps!

Until the SNB at Kristie's. YAY!!!

I am very excited, although I have a lot of preparation to do before then. As some of it is secret squirrel business you will have to wait until Sunday to find out! :)

I was planning to make Trash Dip in honour of Sadie and Lance, but am trying to figure how to fit in time to actually make it. Will see what can be done on Sunday......

Not much else to tell at the moment, will catch you all up on the goings on on Sunday.
Shazmina

reporting in

Dear Kel,

Glad to see we've corrupted you and you're back into the knitting despite your adventure!

I have nothing to report other than the fact that I am reporting in. I have been travelling for work and I am completely buggered. I ambitously packed a small supply of craft (mini felt projects) but didn't even get it out of my bag. Oh well.

Oh I am nearly finished another pair of slippers.

Although not a craft photo perse here's one anyway...crappy I know but I'm trying!


I felt like crap when I got home last week (four days of nothing but aircondioning, bad food and fluro light will do that to a grrl) so I made a fresh tomato soup - pretty much just tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper. Yum. I feel better now, almost.

Love Bee

PS I noticed we're nearly at our 100th post - who will it be, who will it be? Hardly likely me given I'm not doing much craft right now.

hot head instructions?

ciao bellas
Sice my last post I have had a few train rides and made some wee squares from my bargain basement wool. Great to have the sticks clicking again!

BUT, as Aus warms up I will start getting colder and thought I would knit me one of them thar hothead beanies!

BUT, I dont remember the pattern but I do recall that we had come up with needle sizes/stitches that suited us more than the snb ones!

Bee - perhaps you have it - do you mind posting it for me? Im craving some more projects ;-)

Love to you all
Kel

where oh where has my craft mojo gone?

In true AADC style my skully jumper has stalled. I am still to commence the sleeves...... BUT to be fair, I have only been able to pick up the needles last night. I have started on a tea cozy made out of Noro Kureyon (colour #88) for my Mum (Mrs Bendi). This is my bring to work project as it is alot less bulky than the jumper (that is my excuse anyway!). Also wanted to make somehting for Mrs Bendi as she is complaining about not receiving any of my craft (little does she know it is becuase I rarely finish anything!).

Looking forward to catching up with OCC tomorrow, she has been very busy with work and not in the office much this week, which is a bit of a blessing for her.
Well I better go and find something to do BESIDES dreaming of knitting!

Moop-me

I cut this out quite a while ago, but never actually got around to sewing it. Shazmina saw it in my sewing box the other day and said I should, but mostly I was inspired by sadieandlance's handiwork.

The patterns is from here (there are some gorgeous things on this site. very clever!) I made a few mistakes with this (i'm not good at fiddly sewing), but i'm going to gift it to someone that I think will appreciate it. I can see why you're in to this softie thing Bee.

The overalls have been passed on and they were very well received. Now they're off to Italy!

It pains me

But I thought you might like this, Shazmina. It's from here

Oh, you have changed man! You are not the same girl you once was.......

Ok NOW for the Skully update.........

I have FINISHED the front and back! That is right FINISHED them! BUT not only have I finished the front and back, I have mastered the 3 needle bind off AND have knitted the neck!!!! ONLY the sleeves to go! :) No photos as yet, I finished late last night and had to do the neck BO twice, so in the end I downed sticks and went to bed! Will take photos tonite and post. Today I am starting on some fingerless gloves from 2nd SNB book.

In related news, I think that OCC is having a bad influence on me. I am becoming a completer/finisher. Soon I will be kicked from the AADC committee! On the brighter side, I am being a bad influence on OCC, who now has multiple projects on the boil. Maybe there can be only one AADCer for every two crafters......... weird???!!

And here is my favourite biscuit that was found in the biccie barrel today.

ENJOY!

Tada!

I have finally finished the suffragette overalls. I'm not sure if this means I have my craft mojo back, but at least I am a finisher-completer, if briefly. Seams are done and ends are sewn in, but god it was painful. I wish you could just finish the knitting and 'poof' it's done. Well, one can dream... I got the pattern from here, and used jo sharp cotton purchased here. This pattern is very easy to knit, and I think they're very cute!

I am hoping that my current finisher complete status will rub off on these projects. They're so close to being finished, but I just can't motivate myself for that final bit. Possibly because I know i'll have to sew them up and weave in the ends. sigh. As an attempt to shame myself into finishing them, I am posting them here. Please feel free to harrass, cajole or simply bully me in to finishing them. All I have to do on this one it sew it together and do the seed stitch around the neck (then sew in the ends, but let's ignore that part, i'm trying to motivate not deter). I finished knitting this weeks ago, but it's just been sitting there.

All I have to do on this one is finish the sleeve, sew it up and add some buttons. And yes, it is knit from one side the the other - pretty cool ey! This has been sitting like this for weeks too.

With two projects nearly complete but not quite, of course I cast on another one! Ha! So now I need to finish this one too. It's the sari-silk bag from Knitty. I included a picture of the hyacinths just for you sadieandlance!

Right, am off to test the longevity of my completer-finisher powers. Wish me luck.

Gawsh! Is it Christmas?

Well, I walked in the door this afternoon and I had packages. Lots of packages! Guess that's what happens when you find a new craft hobby. A woman needs tools people! Especially when she locates some lovely brittany crochet hooks here.

While I was looking around (of course), i grabbed some cotton. Mmm.......cotton.

When I got the fabric in the picture above I got very obsessed about the colour combination. Amy butler does it to me every time. Anyway, i found similar colours in cotton, very cheap, on the same website, and had to get them. Yay!

I had to get the green as well becase I can never follow any instructions 100%. It's my tokenistic rebellion! Well, that and I heart lime green at the moment. Any green really come to think of it.

That was package #1, package #2 was just as exciting. It was lovely lorna's laces 4-ply sock yarn. I got it here. It was very reasonably priced, even with international postage. Socks here I come!

And package #3. What can I say other than Florence Broadhurst. oh my, florence broadhurst. How I have coveted thee. Many a time I have drooled at the pictures and thought 'one day...maybe.' And now, thanks to Applehead's advice, I have you. Ah, here's some high class fabric porn just for the ladies:

Only problem is now I want more!

Dia Del Los Muertos

That is Spanish for the Mexican Day of the Dead. Somewhat appropriate as I am knitting a skull inspired jumper and I purchased this cool bag in Melb. The designer was obviously inspired by this Mexican holiday! it is know my favorite knitting bag, best thing to store Skully in!!

I am absolutely motoring along with my jumper knitting, I must be a third of the way through the back. I heart bulky wool! It knits up so quickly, I just lurve it!!! OCC has helped alot with her praise at my devotion to one project, what would I do without her and Kristie saying how clever I am!!! :)

So now that I have posted 3 times in two days, POST A COMMENT!! I dares ya!!!!!

Yours in skulls and cross bones

Shazmina

I craft therfore I am!

ok kids, I have updated my own blog.
In craft news, I have finished the front of my pirate jumper (also known as Skully from the first snb book!). Looking to complete a few of my existing projects or perhaps start my fingerless glove project with my ball of magic yarn from Martas yarns.

Will keep you posted.................. eventually!!!!! :)

That is as good as it gets!
Shazmina

Sundays

I heart Sundays. Mr BrownPants isn't too keen on them though, he says I make him do too much houswork. I say he wouldn't mind if he wasn't so hung over. But I digress.

Sundays. In my wanderings around the garden I noticed a lovely smell (which very easily could have been a terrible smell given the cats like to 'use' the backyard). I eventually traced it to my flowering daphne. The winter garden continues to surprise me!

Daphne has such a powerful smell for such a small plant with petite flowers, you can smell it right through the backyard. It's such a noticeable smell I think most people associate it with a place or an event or a particuar time in their lives. I think I am one of only a few people who have no particular olfactory memory of daphne. We didn't have it in the garden when I was growing up and I don't remember ever 'knowing' it, other than that it was a plant (and the name of that chick from Frasier).

When I first got it I was chatting to MrBrownPants' mum (let's call her MrsD) about it and she was saying that she always associates it with the house she grew up in and her mother. Both MrsD and MrBrownPants adored their mum/grandma, and miss her very much, so the daphne became the GrandmaD-daphne. It sits right next to PopBrownPants' orchids in the garden. I love that little corner. Anyway, I was so inspired by this smell that I sat in the backyard for a while. See:


This leads me to the craft (oh my I really do digress!) On Friday I received my long awaited package from amazon, which included The Happy Hooker. The instructions in it were great, and some of the patterns are so cool, I sat down yesterday and started to crochet. I've always been pretty intimidated by crochet, it seems much more complex than knitting. I'd done some granny squares and simple shawls, but that was it. After i'd practiced all the single crochet, half-double crochet (yes, Sam, you would think it would just be single crochet!), double crochet and triple crochet I realised that I actually knew all of these stitches. I remember my grandma teaching me. I just never knew what they were called. I had so much fun I started making flowers. It is so much easier to make crocheted flowers than knitted ones. I think they look better too (the green one sitting on the book is one I made and you can see some other ones near the scissors).
Now I heart crochet. I mean it, I really, really heart crochet. Given that I already heart cotton, I can see that this is going to be a long, productive realationship.

As an added bonus, I now associate daphne with crochet flowers. Funny how we make up memories as we go. I know you've been making some lately Kel and they've been a little painful. I know better ones will come your way soon, if they're not already. XXX

My most recent craft explosion

After wearing Sadie and Lance's headband to master cables I have been using it all week to make sure I crafted my little but off in time for my sister's birthday (all finishing is powered by looming deadlines).

Now please don't start threatening me with expulsion from the AADC (Shazmina will tell you how many projects I have planned and not started, and wool still without a planned project), but I did have a bit of a craft explosion this week.

I did finish Gayle's pressie - here is the full package...



Then I indulged myself in a little more Japanese crafting. I wanted a brooch for Gayle and another for me, so I bought a heap and sold them to the girls at work. Now it looks like a lot, but it is just easier to do lots at once because I only have to clean up after myself once.

And I am still going on my own beanie (complete with cables). I'll post a pic of it once it gets big enough to tell what it is.

Friday Flowers

Friday flowers for everyone!

For sadieandlance because she's working so, so hard. And doing a great job as always, i'm sure

For Kel because she's posting more and we all love it (she can give them to Gunther from me if she likes, hahahahaha.)

For OCC cause she's doing cables! CABLES people!

For Katie Mac cause she's got one of the most important jobs of all.

And, for Sharon, and she knows why. I am still so, so sorry. (Don't worry everyone else, it's not serious. I'm just a bimbo).

You can have the leaf too Shaz. That's how sorry I am.

hmmmm, I have lapsed............

Hi chickadoodles! I will start by saying how much I LOVE this blog!! Have been having a giggle all morning. Feels like we are at a stitch and bitch because you all write like you talk, so feels very real..

Now as a backpacker I was meant to cast aside all luxury items and non essentials for the purpose of travelling lightly, but yesterday, after reading your posts, I lapsed....

I went into town and stumbled across a store with a lovely lady who wanted to show me every ball of wool she had.................... and with great restraint I chose a few from the bargain basket and some needles, so take the edge off my craft cravings....

Now, because I am a knitting moron I am only committing myself to easy squares BUT I suggest that I send them home and they can be the start of the next baby blanket that is required for the fertile ones amongst us.

I bought cotton and using 4 1/2 needles (ick, i know..... these arent my speciality!) and inthe interests of keeping it simple I am knitting 30 stitches and ?? rows...... Havent finished one yet, but will update when I do! but aiming for a square)

Of course I have dropped a stitch already so I have 29 stitches on my first square but as the spanish say..... "mas o menos" (more or less - he he..... my craft motto)

No I feel a little more involved in this blog and less of a voyeur...............

Love you all and thanks again for all the updates!

love kel

Garden Craft

I completely loose my yarn mojo in summer. So last summer, in the absence of a sewing machine, I started gardening. I became totally obsessed (for those seeking a timeline this pre-dated the ebay obsession and followed the George Eliot* obsession). Trips to bunnings, trips to flower power, trips to random nurseries took up every weekend and most afternoons. This went on until I ran out of space in the bakyard (I ran out of money long before that but persevered!) Kel was my design consultant throughout this whole process.

Garden Craft lasted until the start of bulb season, and then gracefully gave way to the cyclical beginnings of yarn season (and thus began the great baby cardigan explosion).

I got home a bit earlier than usual today, having finished the report i've been working on for the last six months, and it was light! So I wandered into the backyard. I had always thought that in winter gardens kind of died back and had a well-earned rest, preparing themselves for the excitement of spring. How wrong I was.

My grape hyacinths are starting to flower and they're the most vibrant purple. I wish I could get yarn in that colour! Hey, I just realised that they're purple and green, they're my suffragette flowers, they match the suffragette overalls! (Which I picked up again last night, finally, and will post on soon)

Looks like there's more in store too. The tulips have taken a lot longer to come up than everything else (i didn't refrigerate them, naughty naughty). I noticed they're just starting to peak through!

Must be because buzzy's giving them a helping hand by nesting them.

When I started gardening I made an off-hand remark to mum about orchid's being my favourite plant, but I didn't think i'd actually be able to look after them and they were too expensive anyway. Mum was kinda silent for a bit and then she told me that my grandfather loved orchids.
She had collected some of them after he died and kept them. She gave them to me for Christmas. I repotted them and have done my best to keep them alive. Turns out I haven't done too bad a job. They're blooming.

It had such a lovely feeling when I walked outside and saw this. This plant is my spoon.

*Remember at the height of this I was going to name my hypothetical girl-child George?