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O-check notebook

This last week in particular, I've really noticed that Cohen has learnt so many new things each day. His little personality is really emerging too. It has inspired me to put pen to paper as often as possible to capture some of these new achievements and sweet moments for prosperity. I wish I had the forethought to start this project when he was born, or while I was pregnant. Better late than never though I think.

New projects require the right stationary and I found just the perfect thing online at NoteMaker. I just love these vintage inspired hard cover notebooks. (I want them all!)

Some excepts from our book so far -

While other children your age have long been interested in learning animal noises you have remained indifferent - until this week. Today Grandpa Bell taught you how to make chicken and rooster sounds, to add to your horse, pig and duck sounds. Now you can also moo, baa, mieow and woof with the best of them. Though my favourite is the rooster. Your cockadoodle do sounds like dooka dooka doo. So cute!

Last week when we went grocery shopping you gave an elderly lady waiting at the deli the shock of her life when you lent out of the trolley and tickled her, while saying 'tickle, tickle, tickle'. It was so very funny.

(By entering this discount code at the checkout, I also received a free pen, notebook and note paper.)

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I was beginning to develop a case of 'the blahs' this week, until my sister rudely lovingly brought me to my senses. You know 'the blahs'? When everything seems overwhelming and difficult? When you begin to feel sorry for yourself? When it is all too easy to focus on the negatives? The positives seeming too hard to come by. It's strange, the need to be continually reminded to count our blessings. I think I really 'know' it, then every now and then I loose a hold of it. Were I to get another tattoo I think I should get, "This too shall pass", as a constant reminder.

I do feel so much gratitude though. I'm grateful always for family who know me so very well. Grateful for catching up with old friends. Grateful for toddlers learning animal sounds and sounding so cute. Grateful for sleeping cats. Grateful for soothing knitting projects. Grateful for stacks of books, loaned to me by my dear sister. And I'm grateful for being reminded to be grateful.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

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PS. Cabled cushion blogged here, stripe blanket Raveled here. More creative spaces here.

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This little project has been thrown into my bag at the last moment many times lately, with a stolen stitch here and there while in the passenger seat, over a cup of tea, or any moments spent waiting. A ball of wool, a hook and the shawl are small additions to the dark depths of my nappy bag. There are only two rows of the pattern to memorise and both are super simple. 

Which adds up to one lovely finished shawl.

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Ravelry.

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If you take off a piece of your jewellery and turn it over in your hands, you will see there are numbers or letters stamped on it. Perhaps inside a ring, behind a pendant, on the butterfly of an earring, the catch of a bracelet, or the bottom of a charm. These stamps represent the fineness of the precious metals the piece is made from.

Most pure precious metals are too soft to wear well as items of jewellery and as a result they are alloyed. This means mixing them with other metals for strength, as well in some cases, for colour (such as rose and white gold.)

The purity of the metal is expressed as a percentage.  

Sterling Silver - 925 - 92.5% Pure Silver

9ct Gold - 375 - 37.5% Pure Gold

18ct Gold - 750 - 75% Pure Gold

22ct Gold - 916 - 91.6% Pure Gold

Jewellery may also be stamped with with letters, for instance 'SIL' for Silver or 'Plat' for Platinum.

Other stamps found on items of jewellery may be makers marks, used to signify the creator of an original artwork, or hallmarks, which identify everything from the City to the year a piece was made.

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Do you have any unusual markings on your jewellery? I'm only too happy to answer any questions you may have.

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New in the shop...

'Planting Seedlings' Brooch

Ginkgo Biloba

To my garden here translated,

Foliage of this eastern tree

Nourishes the initiated

With it's meaning's mystery.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The 'Planting Seedlings' Green Turquoise Brooch makes an enchanting addition to any seasonal activity. The brooch may well be worn while capturing a scene in a sketchbook, partaking in a botanical excursion, musing over a museum piece, or taking in the theater. Pin it to an upcycled tunic, a vintage dress or your favourite cardigan.

This one of a kind handmade piece features new and recycled sterling silver and contains a large oval green turquoise cabochon. The back of the piece reveals a hand cut ginkgo leaf. The natural patterns of the turquoise are also repeated in the hammered texture of the back plate.

The 'Planting Seedlings' Brooch features a 31x22mm oval cabochon cut Green Turquoise and is set in solid sterling silver and hallmarked 925. The back plate is hammer textured and saw pierced by hand with a ginkgo leaf motif. This piece will be posted in a drawstring pouch wrapped in bubble wrap for protection.

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I find it difficult, living between houses, without the normal reminders of self and past that we keep around us. Thankfully a little thrifting and knitting is keeping me in touch with my Christina-ness.

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A perfectly lovely gift from my dear sister. Carried back from Melbourne, in her suitcase, amongst other gifts for Cohen and myself. A Rosie poster and Rosie tea towel, complete with needle and thread. Though I'm really not sure whether to use it as a tea towel, cut it up as directed or hang it up on the wall. What would you do?

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Also loving the stitch your journey tea towel.

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Large bruised clouds are scattered across the sky today, whispering the possibility of more rain. Yesterday the rain became oh so loud, it sounded as if a kettle was boiling constantly. All activities were accompanied by a steady back ground beat of raindrops. The hard rain died down to a relaxing patter and urged me to pick up a book, lay down in bed and spend a day doing a whole lot of nothing. Such bliss.

Today has been quite the opposite. I've spent the day working at the jewellery bench filling orders and dreaming up new designs. Can't wait to get some new pieces added to the shop soon.

Hope your weekend has been just as lovely and productive.

My Creative Space

Fearless Fibers Hand Dyed Yarn

Crochet Pattern: Eva's Shawl

Ravelry

Buttons from Lincraft

Knitting Pattern: Pebble Vest

Ravelry

I have been keeping my hands busy during the cool evenings lately. Day dreaming with each stitch. Imagining paint colours, furniture placement and curtain fabric, as we wait for the contract to settle and the work to begin. I'm so excited to get started, but I shall also miss these lovely quiet evenings spent stitching.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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From the bench...

I love working on commissions. They make my heart race with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The lastest completed commisioned piece is this handmade Sterling Silver Pendant featuring the clients 11x9mm oval Amethyst in a four claw setting. Simple and elegant. The gem is the hero of the piece and the royal colour the focus.

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Right now...

making  and flying my first ever kite with this tutorial from maya*made, (so fantastic!)

knitting a Pebble vest with a free pattern from The Thrifty Knitter,

and finger painting with Cohen (who seems to be going through a 'black period.')

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Breathing in the river breeze on the weekend.

Late starts and early nights.

Family trips to the park.

And a little boy who is on the mend.

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The little one has not been well of late. We've been spending quiet days around the house, trying to keep him occupied. Thankfully blue glass pebbles can distract one from illness and provide endless possibilities with a little imagination.

I'm hoping for a relaxing weekend and a return to health. I think I'll give myself a little break and be back again on Monday.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

My Creative Space

My first handknitted sweater.

I'm still pinching myself that I actually knitted a sweater, or 'real clothing' as my husband calls it. I am so very pleased with how it has turned out. It's a size 3-4 and should be the perfect fit for Cohen next Winter. I love the simple design and cable pattern. And that collar! I can't believe how much easier it was to pick up the stitches around the neck this time.

Practice makes perfect afterall.

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Ravelry.

More Creative Spaces here.

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My knitting companions. One hungry toddler. One patient cat.



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I have long followed the delightful blog Gretchenmist. All the while enviously admiring Belinda Kemp's work, enjoying the behind the scene peeks into her creative process and the evolution of her creations. 

I always knew I would own one of those pieces in order to frame and hang it above my jewellery bench for added inspiration. A glimpse of her new work, in her creative space, was the last trace of persuasion necessary to have me entering my paypal details. And I'm so glad I did. It's simply beautiful. Arriving with an additional gift which shall also be framed and accompany it. 

Further reason why I can not wait to have my studio set up in our new house.

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New in the shop...

'Champagne Romance' Pendant

'All mankind loves a lover.'- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The marquise cut "Champagne Romance" pendant is perfectly suited for a cocktail party or a romantic evening rendezvou. Imagine wearing this claw set Ametrine with a vintage inspired drop-waisted flapper dress, or adding glamour to a Hepburn style black dress.

A one of a kind, handmade pendant by Christina Lowry. The "Champagne Romance" features a 22 x 10mm Marquise cut Ametrine, claw set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925.