More books to drool over...

I recently had this one from the library but didn't get a chance to do anything with it much & it had to go back of course. Greedy library! It's another lovely book though & included patterns in it of all the projects included.
I haven't had this one from the library yet as it is so new that they don't have it yet. I saw it in Picture Patchwork in Latrobe the other week. I looked at it only. Very good of me not to buy it on the spot. It was lovely.

This one I just picked up from the library yesterday. So I have a couple weeks to drool over this one. I am the first person to get it from the library too as it is only new in. So it is all new & pretty & clean. Hopefully I can keep it that way with out someone getting his little mitts on it! It too is a lovely book & includes patterns in it to make all the things inside. Hopefully I get all inspired soon to do some sewing again. I am still too sniffly to care much about anything but looking at pictures in it! lol

Our aspirations are wrapped up in books

Our inclinations are hidden in looks

Wrapped up in Books - Belle & Sebastian

Paper Clip Day

Did you know that today is Paper Clip day? I bet you didn't!

Fastening papers together started in the 13th century when a short length of ribbon was placed through parallel cuts in the upper left hand corner of pages. It was almost 600 years later before anybody improved on this ribbon fastener. In 1899, Johan Vaaler, an inventor in Norway, patented the paper clip - and it's been used in more ways than you think. During the five-year Nazi occupation of World War II, Norwegians weren't allowed to wear buttons imprinted with the king's initials. Loyal Norwegians wore paper clips to symbolized solidarity and oppose the occupation.

So there you go. You learn something new everyday.

There isn't much else to tell you today as we are all home sick & eating more chicken soup. I think I'm getting better as is Brandon, slowly. He has been quite unwell, poor thing. Stuart at least has the weekend now to get better as well. Nothing like some family time together!

Mandy

(Can you believe there are no songs about paper clips!)

Baby mine, don't you cry,

Baby mine, Dry your eyes

Rest your head close to my heart,

Never to part, baby of mine

Little one, when you play

Don't you mind what they say

Let those eyes sparkle and shine

Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew sweet little you,

They'd end up loving you too

All those same people who scold you

What they'd give just for the right to hold you

From your head down to your toes

You're not much, goodness knows

But you're so precious to me

Sweet as can be, baby of mine

Baby Mine - Alison Krauss

It's THE sock!

Ok, here IT is... the sock. I really did make it myself. No help from anyone, even though I was going to get help for the silly little heel bit, but I was doing the "I think I can, I think I can" trick. Actually it was more of a "I'm not going to let this sock beat me! I can do other stuff so I can do this. How hard can it be really!" We actually, it was tricky. The pattern wasn't very clear really. It was only that when Joan was knitting my other pair that she pointed out a couple of things to me that she had to do on it, & so I had to do that too somehow. Also I used some tutorials at different points on the net for info. That was right at the beginning actually cos I was getting so tangled in needles. But I got there in the end. I have a couple of wee holes on the heel sides but hey, I think it was pretty darned good for my first attempt. I didn't expect I would be able to even wear it but I think I will be able too.

So I have now started on the second one. & well, I am all in a tangle with those darned needles & trying not to twist up the knitting & stuff that they tell you you must be very careful of! It was worse this time than on the first one! Once you get a few rows going it isn't so bad. I think I have just about got the colours in the right place too so that the second one matches the first. I have started at least 5 times on different parts of the wool to get it close.

I don't know how much I will get done today as we are still a house of Colds so both BJ & I are a bit crappy. Oh well, that's life.

Stuart made us chicken soup last night so I guess that's what we are eating today!

Mandy

Black socks, they never get dirty,
The longer you wear them the stronger they get!
Sometimes I think I should wash them
But something keeps telling me
No, no, not yet!

Girl Scout song

Christmas Ornament in May?

Finally I have got back to some stitching. I needed to get my May ornament done for the JCS ornament challenge. This one turned out pretty cute really.

Brandon & I have both got little colds so we have been keeping home as much as possible. We don't want to share it around. Good chance to get some stuff done. Better get on to sock no. 2 now the ornament is done.

Mandy

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la la la la la

Rainbows...

Mandy

I can sing a rainbow,

Sing a rainbow,

Sing a rainbow too.

Mail Call!

We are a bit excited this morning, Brandon & I. The mailman delivered a parcel from Auntie Judy. It contained wool! So now I can knit a beanie for Brandon to match his scarf. Yay! Thanks so much to Auntie Judy for finding some of it at BigW for us.

The parcel also had a cute outfit for Brandon, so that was fun.

We love parcels.

A sock update today?

I am up to the toe part! Trying to shape & finish it. Should be fun - or not! We'll see I guess. That is today's challenge. Along with finishing cakes from yesterday! lol I know which will be easier!

Mandy

I got your letter from the postman just the other day

And so I decided to write you this song

Just to let you know, exactly the way I feel

To let you know my love's so real...

The Postman Song - B Stevie

Chocolate cake & party time!

Today we had a mini birthday party for Brandon. His Gran & Grandad are away for the next few months & miss his first birthday. These are my teddy bear cupcakes! This was Brandon's birthday cake today & good practice for me in cake decorating! They don't look so bad & boy were they yummy. I got the recipe out of the book Ladies, A Plate (as seen on previous blog entry). Best chocolate cake recipe I have found yet. They are the before picture anyway.

Here is the after.....

This is the first cake Brandon has had. Ok, he didn't actually eat much as just played with it. But we were happy to let him. We just changed his clothes & took the chair outside & hosed it down. Easy clean up. It was fun. Gran & Grandad enjoyed it I think.

On the knitting side of things, I am feeling quite clever. I am nearly done with a sock. I managed some how yesterday to turn the heel & all that jazz. Took a few tries as the pattern wasn't clear to me, but I undid & redid some & voila, a turned heel. I feel very pleased that I was able to manage it though it isn't quite perfect, hopefully the next sock will go better.

Mandy

Can I have another piece of chocolate cake

Tammy bakers got a lot on her plate

Can I buy another cheap picasso fake

Andy Warhol must be laughing in his grave

Chocolate Cake - Crowded House