Colourful Stashbusting

I decided the other day to just use up some cotton yarns.  Needed to replenish my kitchen cloths with some new ones.  So here they are...  well actually there are some missing as mum has them already.  I had fun using up stuff.  In fact, I go to the point of just using till it runs out regardless of whether it goes along the whole row or now.  There are a couple of narrow ones, a couple with some shorter rows on the end.  

Yarns there are Lily Sugar'n'Cream, Anchor Magic Line & Mission Falls.  There were full balls of the Painted Desert Sugar'n'Cream & that did 2.5 cloths.  Not bad.  I edged the one in the front with some plain boring cotton that I had that kind of matched.  I had a couple of partial balls of that stuff too & the Magicline which I just used till it ran out.  Easy.  & who cares about the size or stitches missing when they are for me anyway!  I don't care.  I don't reckon any of the boys in this house will notice anything odd about them!  

& now I feel good as I have used up stuff again.  It doesn't like there is anything gone but I know there is at least!  lol

Storms All Round

I don't know about where you are but we have had some crazy wet weather for a few weeks now.  Weird stormy weather often just little thunder & lightning, but lots & lots of rain...  & I mean lots.  The water is receding I think finally, all around town.  It wasn't flooded here but it was wet.  Sodden.  To be expected.  It's going to be strange to see the paddocks & ditches not full of water!  

As a result of the indoor days, I have been knitting up a storm too!  So much so that I had to have a little break in between.  I was over doing it on my shoulders of course.  So make myself feel ill & need of massage the knots out.  Also I had poked a bunch of holes in my finger with the knitting needles.  Yeah tragic I know.  But gee, it just wasn't going away cos I just kept stabbing myself in the same spot over & over again.  Keeps you awake anyway!  :-)  

I did get a bit of crochet done for a change.  I had got well behind in the CAL squares recently.  I did one square in my new colours & really wasn't loving it.  So I was reluctant to do more.  But I just decided one day to just get on with it as some of the CAL girls really liked the colours.  So I did another.  

Manny Anne's Square - not my favourite & a lot of fussy pattern writing for little effect as far as I was concerned. 

Harriett's Square - I liked this one - well the centre anyhow.  It was after the grey edge that I realised that is was the light green that I didn't like.  But since I had a few done with green already I thought I had better keep it going.  

Squaring the Big Circle - OK. 

Simple 10 petal square - like this one.  I did get a bit befuddled over reading the pattern for the bit on top of the centre (the grey bit!).  I was over thinking again.  If that is at all possible for me to do!  

Shells & Waves - Nah, didn't fancy this at all.  Too fussy a pattern again for what it is.  

Ok, so I have a hand full done now.  Will do a few more.  It doesn't need to be a big blanket.  I am hoping the black edges & joining will make a difference to it.  But the point of the CAL is to do some that others suggest & often it is what you wouldn't pick to do yourself so it is nice to try out some other stuff.  I have enjoyed it all the same.  

Currently sidetracked on to a little stash busting on small stuff which is good fun too.  

Happy Weekend!

August Is Nearly Over?

The time is just flying by...  We've been a crazy bunch this month.  I had every intention of blogging this jumper last month.  I actually finished it on the 30th July I think so I thought, I had the chance to get one more post in for July.  But nope, nothing...  I haven't touched this place all month almost!  Goodness, so slack.  

Anyway, ta-dah, I did knit myself a jumper & I do even wear it!  I thought I would be way too hot in it at times, but with the sudden cold we've had the last couple of weeks, it's been great.  All details here on Ravelry...

I must admit I spend more time on Ravelry these days than some places.  But also I am knitting yet another piece for myself so that is slow going.  Much slower knitting adult sizes than the kids ones...  But I need to stop knitting for the boys for now.  They have way too much.  In fact, mum is knitting something for them which they won't be in for maybe 2 years.  We had recycled yarn to use.  Found a good pattern at patternfish that I can't get here in Aussie & off she goes.  (it was a Sirdar pattern.   Sounds simple to get but nope, not all the patterns are made available in Australia.  They don't bring all of them in.  I see them in the catalogue at work & try to get them in but can't.  So I got a particular one online instead!)  

Live has been busy too.  School & work schedule isn't crazy but busy enough.  We've all been sick.  Having sick children is one of the most exhausting things ever I think.  It really is.  But they are both well now.  Us parents just take longer to get over the same things, probably because we are coughed & sneezed etc on from each of the kids!  

There has been a lot of this going on...

BJ is just obsessed...  the things he comes out with some days.  He has been using the camera to take pictures when he creates stuff.  It's fun to look at.  (got to love digital cameras!)  

Stay warm!  Winter is nearly over!  

Ferry Cross The Mersey

Last day of the holidays today.  BJ doesn't go to school Monday at all & usually we have swimming on but it was a nice day to just do something special.  We went on a ferry.  A little ferry across the river.  BJ had been on it a few years back with his grandparents.  DJ hadn't yet.  He was a bit confused, amazed, fascinated...  & I fortunately didn't get seasick just for that little ride.  lol  

We went over the river, walked 2 blocks up to this park where we had a good play, walked the plank, had snacks & fun!  Then walked back to the river & waited for the ferry to come back over to pick us up for the return ride.  Nice.  A nice winter time activity that amused little ones enough without a great deal of fanfare.  

Back to school & regular routine once again tomorrow.  Have a great week!  

Birthday Boy

Boy I am a bad mother.  

I didn't post the wee one's second birthday pictures.  OK, I wasn't well that week & things have been crazy since.  It's holidays remember!  Well we had a little birthday party with all the parents the other week.  It was low key, with just a casserole dinner & cake.  

It took him a little while to work out it was for him but he did enjoy the attention eventually!  

He's growing up way too fast!  

Holiday Fun

Well we've had quite a time lately.  Busy as usual, but even with holidays it doesn't seem to have let up.  I've worked my 2 days as usual & they boys have a nice break from me that day.  lol  

Got this bit of knitting done the other week.  A nice beanie in an aran tweed for Stu.  It's really thick & warm.  It took one ball.  Darn it.  I was over prepared with 3.  So now I have 2 left of course.  So 2 more beanies the same?  We'll see...  Not this week anyway.

We had pouring rain all day yesterday & today was looking much the same.  So when I friend told me she as going to the play place I did decide it was necessary for morning entertainment.  The boys had a great time.  The place was busy of course being holidays but they all came out unscathed!  It is difficult to get a still picture of DJ.  He just can't stay still for a second!  

After a treat of a Happy Meal for lunch on the way home DJ was thankfully ready for a sleep.  Phew...  BJ wanted to paint.  & with the easel.  & outside.  Yes Boss.  So here he sat for over an hour painting his masterpiece.  It was the first time I had seen him draw such detail.  He's come along way since starting school that is for sure...  Oh on the first picture you can see it more clearly, but that black person in the middle is him painting on an easel.  lol  Less is more, but he kept adding & adding.  It was fun watching.  

That little black thing just there by the blue sky (well what colour did I expect the sky to be?) is a treasure chest.  It is of course the treasure at the end of the rainbow!   Dad on the right playing music.  DJ on the left, Me under the tree.  Awesome!  

Work tomorrow but hopefully the couple of days after that we will find some more fun to do!  I have a couple of ideas but will have to wait & see how wintery our days are.  

More Showing Off!

 I have also been busy knitting for Christmas!  Yay for that!  

Cowls are my new favourite accessory & as I sent one to a friend in England last year for Christmas she told me how great it was.  I said I would do another.  So well, I did 2.  OK, it's her birthday the day after Christmas so one for each.  

Dewdrop Cowl was nice to do.  It's an 8ply Magic Garden Buttons which they have gone & discontinued.  How dare they!  I love it.  

Then I had to try this new 100% wool from Schoppell Woolle.  They do the very cool Zauberballs in a sock yarn & just brought out the wool version.  Only problem is that it made me a bit sneezy.  Oh well.  It was a nice knit though this Botanical Cowl & I will definitely do it again.  Didn't take long either.  I love the colours in it & it's warm as can be.  (well for the brief moment I tried it!)