Yarn Along

I have only progressed a few pages and a few rows since finishing the Camilla Babe last week. Instead of knitting and reading, I have been matching and emailing swap partners and crafting Christmas ornaments and gifts, which I am excited about sharing with you soon. I have an ornament tutorial almost ready to share with you tomorrow, (there's a sneak peek on Instagram) and some more gifts close to completion too.

I've been thinking about my all time favourite books too, trying to narrow it down to three, in a sort of "If I were stuck on a desert island" kind of way. It's so difficult to choose. I'm currently thinking perhaps Gatsby, The Book Thief and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Which three books come to mind for you?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

'Afternoon Tea' Beads

I could not wait to start stringing the beads I made. I wore mine all day yesterday and Emerson has been enthralled by them. Now if she is feeling fidgety while feeding she can play with the beads instead of pinching me. A definite win!

Thanks for your lovely comments about them too. I have put some in the shop if anyone is interested in a set for themselves or as a gift. I can also custom make them for you with your chosen colours and shapes.

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Ornament swappers! I emailed the last of the partner details last night. So if you haven't received an email from me and you think you should have, please email me and let me know.

Don't forget to keep your partner's details a secret until you send them your ornament, then you can reveal your identity (name, blog, email, whatever suits you) in a card or note with your decoration. I would love it if you sent me a photo of your finished ornament/s too, so I can make a mosaic of everyone's handiwork.

I have created a flickr account, so you can add images of your works in progress, inspiration mosaics and your finished pieces. It's here.

Quiltova has created a mosaic of decorations she likes to make the guess work easier for her partner.

Christmas crafting

My heart is set on as many of our Christmas gifts as possible being hand made, so the Christmas crafting has begun. Inspired by Pip's gorgeous necklaces, I spent a couple of hours rolling, making and baking beads yesterday afternoon, for some special people in my life. A rather satisfying way to spend an afternoon. I do think they are looking a bit cute. I can't wait to get some pretty string to thread them on and play with the combinations of colours and shapes. 

There may even be enough beads for a necklace for me...

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PS. November is looking like a creative month indeed, with the inspirational Kootoyoo initiating a month of my creative space. I will be playing along via Instagram. More details here.

Weekending

1. Making the most of the glut of cherry tomatoes
2. Preserving them too - these are frozen
3. Jacaranda's bring back many happy memories
4. My little artist playing with pastels
5. $5 bunches of poppies
6. The only place to sleep
7. Another stunning sunset

Eight months old

I am grateful for the reflection these monthly portraits inspire. In quieter moments I gather my thoughts about the month. About my charming eight month old, my little love. About sleepless nights and two teeth. About feeding her to sleep. About waiting, waiting, waiting before I move, so as not to wake her. About days and days spent holding and comforting her. Her little body perfect in my arms. Days that I wouldn't trade for anything. 

I think back too on the many smiles, the giggles and cackles. The way kisses on her soft little neck always make her smile with delight. The smiles that even a dummy can't hide. Those clever hands - holding spoons, grabbing so many noses, tipping over my bowl of pasta. Those kicking legs that love the bath water. That little tongue, lapping and la-ing, and experimenting with teeth and gums and sound. Those dimples on her chubby hands. Her head, like a puzzle piece, fitting in to my neck and shoulder.

About Emerson, eight months old and forever loved.

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One, two, three, four, five, six and seven months old.

I heart mail

These wonderful handmade goodies arrived in the mail this week as part of the Happiness Is... Giveaway I won over at 1000 Homes of Happiness. A cushion cover from frank and dolly's, a dress, shorts and hair ties from 5 star baby and a framed artwork by Kellie. (Unfortunately the glass didn't survive the posting.)

I am feeling happy indeed!

Yarn Along

Baby knits are so forgiving. Knit them too small and they make wonderful gifts, knit them too large and they just get put away a little longer. So shall be the case with this sweater. Intended for Emerson next Winter, it may be a Winter or two after that before she wears it. I had read a few comments on Ravelry about this pattern knitting up a little big. But I was shocked this morning, after weaving in the last end, to realise that the twelve month size I knitted actually fits Cohen. He turns four in two months.

Oh well, like I said, knits for little ones are so forgiving. I enjoyed knitting it and I'm pleased with the result, despite the size. I do believe I will knit it again. Though next time I will aim for it to be a lot smaller and a little longer, by adding an extra fan repeat at the bottom.

In terms of reading this week, Happier At Home is still the first book I reach for when I have a few moments, though those moments have been a bit scarce.

And you? What are you crafting or reading?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Lately

1 & 2. Thrifted round cushion and gum boots

3. So many choices

4. Egg and dairy free baking

5. My little helper is teething

Thanks to all those who joined in the Handmade Ornament Swap! Everyone who sent an email has been included (no matter if our time zones differed and the linky had closed. If you emailed me, you are in.) Sign up is closed now and 72 crafty folk are taking part. What a fantastic response! Even better than I had expected. Thanks everyone for sending through your details and for all your kind words. And thanks to everyone who helped spread the word. We have swappers from Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Portugal, Germany, Canada, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

I have begun matching up partners, which is a lengthy process. Each swapper needs a partner for their ornament and a second partner to receive an ornament from, so three people in total need to be matched. If they have chosen to make two ornaments that number goes up to five people. Then the variables such as national or international, likes and dislikes, come in to play. I've enjoyed reading all your likes and dislikes. I have noticed that pink and brown seem to be the most disliked; while traditional colours, embroidery and crochet top the most liked. Everyone will receive an email before the first of November with their partners details. 

I can't wait to see what everyone makes!

Christmas Ornament Tutorials & Swap details

L-R: DIY ornaments, clay birds,star decoration,
embroidered felt ornament, impressions in clay, smocked ornaments,
crochet snowflake, pinecone ornaments, folded ornaments.

Today is the last day to sign up for the handmade Christmas ornament swap! Thanks to all those who have put their names down and sent me their details. I have more names on the list than emails so far though! If you have signed up but haven't emailed me yet, please take a moment now to send me your address, likes, dislikes and the number of ornaments you wish to create/receive. Thank you!

There are so many beautiful and clever crafty Christmas ornament tutorials out there. I found those above after a short search and hope they will inspire or guide you as you start thinking about the ornaments you intend to make. Etsy has a list of 101 Handmade Ornament Tutorials. If you've posted an ornament tutorial on your blog before, please share it in the comments.

Once I have chased up everyone's details I will start partnering the swappers up, then email you your partners details. Don't forget to keep them a secret! 

At the end of the swap I will post another link list that you can add a link to your finished and received ornaments, so we can all have a look.

Fourth blogging anniversary

This morning I was pulling up the last of the carrots when I remembered that today marked my fourth blogging anniversary. I reflected on this as I continued my work; turning the soil, preparing the bed for new seeds and future carrots. Four years ago today I clicked 'Publish' for the first time and sent my first awkward post out into the world. Those seeds have grown and borne such rewarding fruit for me. So, happy anniversary dear blog, and thanks for sharing the journey with me friends.

Loved

There was a parcel in my letter box yesterday. The fist part of my 1000 Homes of Happiness giveaway win. Inside, wrapped beautifully, was a lovely crochet necklace made by the talented Mel at Loved Handmade. There were also little extra gifts, for Emerson and Cohen. Isn't Mel a bit naughty? Given that the little miss Emerson already has some beautiful bunting in her room, (and as she spends most nights in our bed) I've stolen borrowed this sweet vintage fabric bunting. It's like a big smile above our bed. Cohen loves his gift, which features a plane on one side and a helicopter on the other. He is such a boy that one. Planes, trucks, dinosaurs. He loves them all. And his favourite colour is blue. It's hanging on his bedroom door now and he keeps admiring it.

Feeling loved indeed.

Thanks so much Mel and Kellie!

Here and there

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I find working at home as a jeweller, while being a stay at home Mum with two little ones, quite difficult. Especially since my work requires sharp tools, fire, acid and extended periods of concentration. Finding the time to spend at the bench is a struggle. Between mothering, house work, the garden and all the other demands of daily life, a dose of teething baby and sleep deprivation too, I've hardly set saw to silver since Emerson's birth. But I am trying to carve out more time for my jewellery again. Once both my little ones are in school I intend to work from home each day. Until then I'd like to make a little room for this part of my creative side again. I'd like to finish up the commissions I have now and get back to making a few things for the shop. I have pearls from South Australia and cut stones from Africa that I am keen to work with. So the first step today is sorting, rearranging and de-cluttering my studio to make it a more workable space. Little by little I know I will get there.

I best get back to work while I have a toddler playing contentedly and a sleeping baby. Rather than share photo's of the sorting chaos, here's a little of what is happening upstairs.

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1 & 2. Coriander picked from the garden. I've never seen it in flower before, the flowers are sweet and delicate.
3. Our six cherry tomato plants are quite the prolific producers. We have been sharing the fruit with our friends and neighbours, as well as eating them cut in half, sprinkled with olive oil, salt and pepper and placed under the grill under they start to colour. Yum!
4. New seeds - daisy, rocket, pumpkin, beetroot and more cherry tomatoes - and a date with my garden planned this weekend.

Yarn Along

Monday afternoon I found my frankie magazine waiting in my letter box, which is always a joy. This time though there was something a little bit extra special about my frankie. This issue has an embossed cover, featuring an endearing collection of embroidered images, to celebrate the 50th issue. To complete the cleverness, the inside cover features the back of the stitching (which is very neat I must say.) Upon my first excited flick through, the magazine fell open to a story about one of my favourite bloggers and her darling family, Kate of Foxs Lane. I had been wondering in recent times if perhaps I was growing a little too old for Frankie and if I would continue my subscription. I think they may have won me back.

In terms of knitting I have been flicking back and forth between the In Threes and Camilla Babe knits for Emerson.  I have also been day dreaming about knitting this farmer fox softie pattern as her Christmas gift, though I wonder if my skill level is up to the challenge. Or if I would have it knit in time. Perhaps for her first birthday in February?

I'm really excited about the Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap. Thanks to all those who have signed up. If you are still thinking about it, you have until Sunday to add your name to the list. All the details are here.

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Moments that shimmer

Do you ever have those moments where your heart seems to give a little burst and everything seems to shimmer? And for those few seconds you feel overwhelmed by love in such a positive way, like a surge of love that brings with it a feeling of clam? Recently I experienced it while laying Emerson down after she had fallen asleep in my arms. I watched her head slowly fall to one side on the mattress, her eyelids fluttering for a moment in that in between state where you're not sure if they will cry out and wake up, or settle and sleep. Her hand touched her face, as it is prone to do when she is very tired, and I knew she would sleep. As I watched her I felt a surge of emotion and in that instant there was an overflowing of love, contentment, gratitude, hope.

Another such moment I sat in bed, my children either side of me, as I read them a story. I recognised this moment as an image I held of motherhood long before I was a mother. Something I had yearned towards. An aspiration now fulfilled. The warm bodies and sleepy eyes beside me suddenly filled me with an immense and quiet joy. An intense wave washed over me, before the emotion receded. Everything was back to normal in a few moments, and my voice continued to rise and fall with the narrative.

I wonder what you call those moments?
Perhaps there is a word for it in another language?
Do you experience them too?

Handmade Ornament Swap Sign Up - Closed

Thank you for your interest and advice on the ornament swap! Let's get this swap underway. It will be open to everyone. You can choose to make one or two ornaments and will receive one or two ornaments in return. Partners will be kept a surprise. You can choose to post only within Australia, or Internationally.

Sign up will be open for a week, until Monday 21st October. Let's reach out to our community and get as many members involved as we can. Help spread the word! Add the button to your blog and link it to this post. Mention the swap on your blog or on facebook. Partner's details will be sent out to you on the 1st of November and you will have the whole month to make your ornament/s. Finished ornaments are to be posted on or before the 30th November. Any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.

Guidelines:

1. The swap is open to bloggers and non-bloggers, national and international. (Bloggers will be partnered with other bloggers, non-bloggers with non-bloggers.) Please only sign up if you can commit to sending an ornament. There is nothing worse than not receiving something in a swap when you have taken the time to make and send something.

2. To sign up for the swap, leave either a link to your blog at the bottom of this post, or you name in the comment section of this post, then email me at christina-lowry@hotmail.com with the folllowing-

Subject: Ornament Swap 2012.
Name:
Postal Address:
Blog/flicker/instagram etc. addresses: (So your partner can get to know you.)
Likes: Perhaps you collect vintage Santa's, or crochet baubles? Let you partner and myself know, so they get a feel of what to make you, and so I can match you up with a suitable partner.
Dislikes: Maybe it is a colour you can't stand, say pink, or you're terribly allergic to wool? This way I won't partner you up with a knitter who only knits in pink wool. :)
National or International. Are you happy to post overseas?
Number: one or two ornaments. If you choose two ornaments you will have two partners and receive two ornaments in return from two other people.

3. You will then receive an email with your partners details on the 1st of November. Keep these a secret! You will be receiving an ornament from a different swapper than who you are sending to. This way you will receive a surprise when your ornament arrives, but we can all share progress photos of our pieces on our blogs/ instagram / facebook etc. during the course of the month.

4. Make your ornament! It's up to you whether you want to design an original piece or use one of the wonderful tutorials you can find online. Share photos of your piece and tag your photo's with #ornamentswap12

5. Post your ornaments on the 30th of November, whether national or international. You can post before this date, but please use the last of the month as the due date for this project so that no one misses out! I want everyone to have their ornament/s before Christmas. Please include a note revealing your identity!

6. Keep your eye on your letter box. Share a pic of your house or Christmas tree sporting a beautiful handmade ornament.




Sign up now closed.

Weekending

Hastings Point, New South Wales

Family portrait

This pelican seemed pretty confidant that this fisherman was going to catch something and share it.

Our first camping trip was a success. Already we are planning our next trip. Fishing, swimming, exploring, a few toddler tantrums, a forgotten can opener and a baby keen on eating sand at any chance made for a fun and memorable long weekend. There was a little knitting and reading, though I traded them in on Saturday for an afternoon nap. Bliss.

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Thanks for the great response to the ornament swap idea. I'll post the guidelines and sign up page tomorrow.