merry christmas everyone!

so what's atop of your tree...


I brought this lovely snow flake while up in Auckland.
Phil had his work Christmas party this weekend, so while he went to work on Friday, I shopped!

I have been wanting to share the photos of the house repaint and new carpet.
But the carpet was delayed because they measured the house wrong and one run was too short.
So by the time that was sorted we were heading for Wanganui to drop off the munchkins and then onto Auckland.
And somewhere in the middle I managed to delete all the before and after photos!

So it is safe to say I need a holiday - big time!
In light of this the kids have everything set out for the big jolly fella and his crew...

and apparently he needed an explanation as to what all this is for...

So from my family to yours
"we wish you a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year".


Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get our lives sorted.
I know the kids are sick of having to rummage into a box to find their clothes.
So once all is well and the house in a more livable state I can get some pictures for you to see.
Until then take care and be safe!

pink...

I am a very lucky lady...

he brought me pink gerberas.

post!

I love getting stuff in the post, who doesn't!



This is from Suse of Pea Soup.
Four delicious sea green and blue gray balls of yummyness!



We decided on our own little swap after she saw the stitch markers I had made for a friends birthday.
I love this yarn, and had first thought of using it for a gift.
But I don't think I can part with it and really should knit something for myself.

So now I have to decide what to do with it!
I keep going here to look at this lovely shawl knitted by Amanda at Jolie House.
It would be a first for me to knit something like that so I am a tad nervous so I think I will take my time with this project.
Lots and lots of cups of tea should help!

Indian Summer Shirt and Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another fabulous giveaway from Grosgrain.



I can so see Miss Ella in this gorgeous outfit, although I don't think her socks would stay up like that!

Indian Summer Shirt and Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

out of control !

OK so it would seem that the crochet bug really has his teeth well and truly in!
I still have to finish Ella's blanket, but I just can't seem to focus on one project at a time at the moment.
I must have about seven things that need to be finished, but no I have to start something new!

new bling!

My friend (aka the "Knitting Queen") uses these lovely plastic bread bag holder thingies as stitch markers.



She is a great knitter and has consistently perfect tension.
Even if she puts her work down for a couple of days, you can never tell.


So I'm sure you will agree that beautiful knitting needs beautiful stitch markers.

Luckily for her that it happens to be her birthday.
So I made her these.

Mothers Day!

I hope all the Mums out there are having or had a wonderful Mothers Day.



This year our Mums were sent some lovely "Linden Leaves - Gold Shimmer Dust".

I think it is perfect to brighten you up on a cold and wet winters day.


And I was very spoiled with a beautiful new knitting book:

and a packet of seeds for the garden:

I am pretty sure the seeds were paid with my darling Buttons pocket money, so they are extra special.

And yes I have already got yarn to knit that sweater on the cover for Ella, and this vest for Oliver:



Thank you my Munchkins for a lovely day!

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you are dreaming of Summer already, and love a pretty dress then check this out.



Kathleen at Grosgrain is a very talented sewer, and giving this lovely dress away to some lucky lady.

e & o in paint

Louisa has been painting again:

This time it is Ella and Oliver.
Love, love, love, just love!

Thank you my friend.

for anzac day

My very clever and ever so talented friend Louisa painted the pictures.
They are for our local Church newsletter for ANZAC Day.
(which isin't untill the 25th of April, but I can't wait that long to show these!)

I love them, the colours are fantastic and bright despite the sad content.
I especially love the mushrooms and wee Owls peeking out from behind them.
And I am always amassed at the speed in which she can turn out a painting.
I am certain the woman paints in her sleep!

Louisa is currently working on publishing a children's book.
I can't wait to she what she has done.
I will for sure be getting a copy, and will keep you posted on how to get one for yourself!

so very very bad!

Instead of finishing the already cast on projects below...



I in a mad knitting induced state cast on yet another project!
This one is a lovely Panda plum coloured crepe, which is so very soft.

But I digress...
this madness has to stop, I am in need of a serious intervention!

happy valentines day !

neglect for novels and knitting

I have been completely neglectful and "idle indeed" of my blog these holidays, and have let it go some what for reading Jane Austen novels and then following them up with the BBC movies!

With 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and Prejudice' read and watched, I am hungry for more!

Thanks to Miss Austen for her fantastic story telling and the BBC for their visual portrayal.

Love, love, love everything, especially the costumes and inside the buildings and outside the buildings, and the country side, the way they talked back then, oh well o.k just everything!



I would very much like a hat just like the one Marianne Dashwood is wearing.
And definitely the jacket Miss Elizabeth Bennet is wearing below...




In between reading and being glued to the t.v. I have managed to start and finish the first 2009 knitting project...



this wee puffy sleeved cardigan for Ella to wear to school.
( note how the puffy sleeves look like Miss Bennets! )






This lovely pattern is not one of mine, though I did have to modify the original to fit and to look a tad more little girlish.
You can find the pattern ( Minisweater ) for yourself in a more grown up style at Glampyre Knits, and best of all it is free!

look what came in the post!

When mail is too big to fit in our letter box the Postie leaves a note telling you to go here...

So at lunch time with I bolted down to the local Post Shop to collect a brown package.
Said package had traveled a long way and has also been throughly checked...

And I have to admit that I was a tad worried that I would find nothing inside!

So I was so very pleased to find this...

Can you see my lovely wee prize...

Isn't he the most adorable wee Reindeer ever!
Dasher was made by a very talented lady, not only is she a very clever crafter but also the best story teller ever.
Make sure to check out her wonderfully funny blog, and as always have a cup of fresh tea while you have a read.
Just make sure you swallow your drink before trying to laugh, or you too will have tea coming out your nose!

Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you again E.
I just love him!

more sewing

Here are the pictures of the Knitting Needle Roll I made for Miss Moore.

And I also painted and bejeweled a set of needles for her as well.

Now she has NO excuses for not knitting!