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!

Thrifted - practical and charming

These sweet old cups were 50 cents each. The crane was made for Cohen by a man at the op-shop to keep him amused.

Hand knitted baby dresses, $1 each.

These hand knits 50c - $1 each.

This tricky looking girls hand knitted top was $3.

Charming, cheap and practical. The rewards of buying what we need second hand. 

Thrifting sisters

I am finding that thrifting with two children presents more challenges. (Mothers who have been here before me will no doubt be nodding their heads, or perhaps laughing a little.) Navigating the nap, feeding and snack schedule's, as well as buckling and unbuckling two children from the car, makes any kind of shopping more of a mission than it was previously. 

Wearing one in a sling and chasing after the other, I've noticed that I am scanning the shelves, answering Cohen's running list of questions, juggling my finds and rocking the baby, simultaneously. This is where op-shopping with ones twin sister becomes an especially attractive invitation. Two sets of hands are indeed better than one. Thank you dear Fiona.

So it is with thanks to my sister that my romance with old coat hangers continues. No longer shall our woollen clothing be slipping from plastic hangers and be found at the bottom of the closet. And, at a dollar a bundle at the op-shop, they are cheaper as well as cuter than their plastic counterparts.

Without her second set of toddler watching eyes, I may have missed this sweet $3 vintage baby tunic. Judging from the tag I'm guessing it is from the late 70's or early 80's? I find 'Orlon' sounds more appealing than 'acrylic,' don't you?

It's a shame however that Fiona is only available weekends...

Thrifty, crafty, rainy days

When our plans for fruit and veg shopping at the markets were washed out yesterday, my sister Fiona and I undertook a little wander through a craft shop, an op-shop and an independant fruit and veg shop instead. My goodies from the day included a cute hand knit baby cardigan for $3, a vintage knitting pattern featuring men in hand knits discussing a riffle (thrown in for free), a bundle of lovely old covered hangers for $2, a white (wool storage) basket for 50c, some great old Tupperware in perfect condition and $2 a piece, as well as wool for two new projects. 

I couldn't wait to start playing with the Noro-like Moda Vera yarn, casting on another Age of Brass and Steam kerchief yesterday afternoon, this time for Fiona. I am enjoying watching the colours unfold with each row. High on my to-do list is learning how to knit socks, which meant of course that I could justify buying the Noir sock yarn above, given it was reduced from $12 to $5 a ball. Another project added to the queue...

Any thrifting, crafting or rain for you this weekend?

+

When faced with difficult decisions, knitting surely is a wonderful aid to processing your thoughts. Though I'm yet to come to a final conclusion, I feel more calm about the question at hand. And in the meantime, I have completed my first ever raglan cardigan for Cohen. 

I couldn't be more pleased with it. Modesty aside, I do believe it is the very best thing I have yet knitted. Never did I think myself able to complete something like this. I am truly amazed at how much I have learnt and how my knitting has improved these past twelve months. One step at a time.

-

Pattern: 'George' from Jaeger Handknits JB29 by Martin Storey

Yarn: Moda Vera Pure Wool 8 ply in Mustard

Buttons: Thifted, woven leather, metal shanked buttons

(I stitched the spare button to the inside seam of the cardigan, just in case Cohen looses one.)

Ravelry.

+

New sofa approval

Today's thrifty finds

Cohen's self portrait with hair

Book club reading

Yesterday I was stood on our back deck, overlooking the work going on below, as palm trees are cut down and carted away to make way for fruit trees. I found myself lost in thought regarding our plans and dreams and how far we have come this past year. Last year selling our house to move away from the coast and closer to the City was just a dream. As was overcoming my thyroid problems and becoming pregnant, or buying a high set house with a big yard and room for a studio underneath. Together Dave and I have traversed many obstacles. We worked hard. We stay focused. We supported each other. And now, here we are, living those dreams.

We are shaping this house into our home. Renovating, nesting, building. Planning on investing in solar panels and water tanks. Creating a garden for vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and chickens, so that we can live closer to nature, be in tune with our seasons and teach our children the same. I've made a connection with a lot of bloggers lately who are of a similar frame of mind. Who wish to slow down, spend less, live intentionally and appreciate more fully all that they have. It seems to be a reaction to a number of things. Our imprint on the environment, work/life balance, the cost of living, our dreams for our children's futures, to name but a few. I'm incredibly inspired by the likes of Rhonda, Kate, Amanda and Tania.

Already Cohen recognises basil and picks and eats it as we wander around the garden. Something I couldn't do until I was in my 20's. Living at the coast I felt I was in a sort of limbo, now I feel more purpose. I feel more at home and I am excited about the future. And in two months we shall be welcoming a new member to our family for which I am unimaginably grateful. 

I look forward to welcoming more change.
What are you looking forward to?

10 good things

A simple Christmas 

A pantry full of good food

The chance to just potter around the house and garden

New plants

Ticking the last things off the to-do list

A whole day to spend baking tomorrow if I so please

The Cooper St top I op-shopped yesterday, that fits my bump and shall be worn Christmas day

Rainy weather

All our photos up to date (finally) - printed, sorted, dated and in the albums

A little boy who can count to ten with me

+

The little man is growing up. Sometimes it takes me by surprise. As his imagination takes flight, so do his demands for independence. From refusing to wear certain clothes, to asking for specific toys to take to bed with him, he is becoming more aware of himself and his possessions. And sometimes that means tears when we leave a shop without something that he thinks should be his. Other times he gets an unexpected present and plays with it for days. Like this helmet the couple working at the op-shop gave him. He has been counting into the microphone, then sets off running. "One, two, one, GO!"

But as much as he is growing, he is still my little boy. The same little boy who still wants to fall back asleep laying in my arms when he has woken up too early from a nap. Little arm flung across my neck. Soft breath in my ear. Laying curled up beside me. And no matter how much he grows, my arms will always be open.

+

Cohen and I spent a lovely slow afternoon together wandering around our three favourite op-shops yesterday, searching for useful items for the house or baby. While I pushed the pram, Cohen played with his toy crane and chatted away and we both scanned the aisles. We came home with an small embroidered pillow slip, a hand knit cardigan, a Meakin jug that matches a bowl I own already, an old handmade cushion and some crochet and knitting booklets, the oldest dating from 1937. 

And just in case you were wondering about the blue cardigan, we actually aren't finding out the sex of the baby. I just find it difficult not to buy things like this sweet cardigan for $1. I am hedging my bets evenly by buying a few boy things and a few girl things when I see them. Given that family and friends are having or planning to have babies, I figure that none of these darling little clothes will go unloved.

+

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.

+

A thrifted gift from my sweet sister.
An addition to my sewing basket collection, which is sadly languishing in storage presently.
At least I now have this little darling to keep me company in the meantime.

-

More Flea Market Finds here.

+

Counting my op-shop blessings with these darling finds.

-

More Flea Market Finds here.

+

Enjoying a little op-shopping, while running errands. White jug, crochet hooks, table cloth. Who could resist?
And a sneak peek of a new piece in the works. The first in a collection that I'm quite excited about.

-

I'm also guest posting over here at Flower Press, a tutorial and photographs of my finished brooch for the brooch swap.

+

So many busy days of late, blurring one into another. 

Somewhere in there though, Cohen has named his cat softie 'Nana Cat'. 

He also carefully untied all the labelled tags I has just attached to the glass jars in the pantry. He then sat and watched as I retied them all, proudly pronouncing 'Ta-dah!' once I had finished. 

Cohen has also taken it upon himself to be responsible for feeding the cat, which means that several times a day the cats bowl is filled to the brim with biscuits. Our grumpy feline has found that the toddler may be useful to him after all.

Each morning Dave rises very early for work, while I stay warm beneath the blankets until Cohen wakes. The other morning though, I was tempted out into the crisp, dark morning to catch a glimpse of four planets, brightly peering out above the neighbours roof line.

So many little moments to put somewhere for safe keeping, to be rediscovered in the future.

+

Sometimes happiness can be measured by way of vintage craft finds.

-

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary my love.