Ornament Swap?

Snow day ornaments, Knitted stocking, 

Dala Horse, Ice Skating Afternoon

I started thinking about Christmas recently, as it always has a way of sneaking up on me. So I have been making lists, looking for inspiration and planning to make, or buy handmade, for as many of our gifts as possible. I want to support the makers of the blogs I read and admire, and share the products of their skills with the people I love. I've also been thinking about our blogging community and ways in which we can strengthen out ties, our sense of community, and reach out to crafters all over the world. I thought perhaps a crafty ornament swap would be a lovely way to share some creativity and 'meet' some new crafters. Crochet, knitting, quilting, embroidery, felting, fimo etc. - all crafts would be welcome.

Would you be interested?

Would you prefer to make one or two ornaments?

Do you think it would be nicer if the partners were kept secret so that the ornament was a surprise when it arrived?

Would a month be long enough for the making?

My Creative Space

Three years ago I left a comment about a brooch on a blog post (the last brooch). A post I found through My Creative Space. I inquired about the price. Kylie wasn't yet selling her beautiful wares, but she wanted me to have it anyway. And I still have it. Cohen was just a baby then. I remember nervously going to my first mother's group wearing that brooch for a bit of added confidence. I met one of my very good friends for the first time that day. She recalled a couple of years later that she had first noticed me because of my brooch.

A few months ago, Kylie saw a hot water bottle cozy I'd made and commissioned one for herself. It was a lovely compliment. I have been knitting away here and there and was pleased to stitch the buttons on yesterday. Just in time for Kylie's arrival home from a working/holiday to London, Berlin and Paris. I sifted though a tin of op-shopped buttons until I uncovered these. An old pair of metal Eiffel Tower buttons. They seemed just the thing. 

It seemed apt to post the finished cozy here too, in My Creative Space.

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More Creative Spaces here.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

A knitting project and a book. These will be the first two things I pack for our upcoming camping adventure. Two nights in a tent, next to the beach and the river, with my husband and two little ones. Our first real camping trip as a family. We're all excited. And while I fully intend upon immersing myself in the great outdoors, throwing in a line, treasure hunting on the beach and exploring the river, I am hopeful that there will also be time enough to accumulate a few more stitches and turn a few more pages too. 

Gretchen's second book, Happier at Home, arrived last week. I'm keen to get a little further in to the book. The opening chapter introduces her new resolutions, but also re-covers much of the subject matter in The Happiness Project, which would be beneficial to readers who haven't read the first book, or read it some time ago. However, having recently finished the first book, I experienced an urge to skip ahead. 

The In threes baby cardigan has been in my Ravelry queue for quite some time now, the yarn waiting in my basket. Despite once again telling myself to finish the projects that are currently on my needles (a blanket, a cardigan and a sweater) I could not resist casting on another project. To take away with us of course. I could not resist knitting a row or two (or 31) either.

What are you reading or knitting?

Do you have any tips for camping with children?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

With gratitude

Thank you friends for your generous and uplifting comments on my last post. Your positive responses reaffirmed those things that I am trying to achieve in this space, while making me feel warm and loved at the same time. I shall be making only a couple of small changes then, such as replying to comments individually via email as time allows, as I used to do. It's a wonderful way to continue the conversation. 

Perhaps one day Blogger will introduce an update to the current system, where the blog owner can reply to individual comments on the blog in the comments section, and the reply will also be sent via email to the comments author. Thus sharing the conversation with subsequent readers, but also meaning the comment authors don't need to check back on individual posts comments to see if they have received a reply.  

Once again, thank you for your kind words and encouragement, and for sharing this space with me.

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An unrelated image of my two little loves.

Your thoughts?

This blog is in part about documenting my everyday, but it's also about the conversation between myself and you, the reader. I value each comment left on my posts and still get excited when I check my emails and see new comments waiting to be read. I am always heartened to hear that I have inspired someone to try something new, start a new project, or pick up a book I have loved. I won't deny I am flattered when you like my projects, or compliment my photographs. And it's always reassuring to know that I'm not just talking to myself and to feel a part of a broader creative community than what I have access to locally. I have 'met' so many lovely people through blogging and making those connections is part of the real value of blogging for me. It's reassuring to know that there are others out there like me, with similar tastes and experiences.

Continuing this conversation, I wondered, is there any advice you would give on improving my blog? Anything you would see changed? Images too big or too small? Text hard to read? Too many children/ gardening/ knitting posts? What would you like to see or read more of? Is there anything you want to ask me? Anything you have wondered and wanted to know? I warmly welcome your questions, constructive criticism and advice! Many thanks in advance lovely readers.

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1. In the mail, double happiness
2. Mini Mums in the garden
3. I was the lucky winner of Carol's sweet giveaway. Thanks Carol!
4. Spring colour

Weekending

For a long time now I have been, almost religiously, posting six days a week to my blog. When I signed up for Blogtoberfest I intended to post each day, and only a week in I have already missed two days! Life is like that sometimes though, don't you find? The days have been busy, but my words seemed to have disappeared. I thought it better to bow out those days, rather than try and force something. I hope to be feeling more inspired this week.

Today we ventured to Tallebudgera creek, fishing rods in hand and full of optimism. The morning was beautiful. Cohen played in the water and the sand, just as I remember doing as a child. Emerson supervised proceedings, then dozed beneath her white cotton hat. And Dave and I attempted to catch our dinner, but once again left empty handed. This time I'm quite certain we left behind us some well fed puffer fish. I like the way fishing gives you permission to move slowly, keep your eye on the water, observe the tides and try to sense what is happening at the end of your line. It's also wonderful just to sit in the peace and quiet and absorb a little bit of nature with my family. 

How was your weekend?

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - SouleMama 

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Happy birthday my darling Dave. xx