Swap Stuff

I have been busy working on pincushions for the current swap. These were all made from the Heather Bailey pattern and there were simple and quick to whip up so these get a big thumbs up from me.

I seem to have made a few extra.  I will have to keep myself one and am sure I can put the others to good use too.

I have also been working blocks for Around the Block quilting bee.  These wonky stars are for Bronwyn who sent out a selection of Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  This was bright and cheerful and just what I needed!

The tutorial I used for these blocks can be found here if you want to give some a try.

Moving on...

So I am not dwelling on unhappy thoughts I thought I would share some of the weekends highlights.   Over the weekend we spent 10 hours in the car but there were some good bits and the children tend to do better in the car than I.  Maybe I would like it better if someone packed new toys and books to keep me amused on a big trip?

The place we stayed on Saturday night was right on the water.  For the first time in ages I did not complain about being woken up early :)  I had fun taking photos of the sunrise using the manual settings.

We wandered along the Jetty and had fun watching boats and fish jumping in the water. 

There was paddling in the water and toes being wiggled in the sand.

There was even a stop to eat a picnic tea in the park so legs could be stretched.

I take it back...

...I thought every thing was ok, but the red tape has caught me out.

While council will let us build a house on the block we like if we do it quickly, their requirements clash with the needs of the Lands Department making things sticky, and more expensive.  There would be more survey costs, and more application fees and at the end of the day there is a strict time line to work to before the Draft Local Environment Plan is gazetted.

We decided to pull the plug.

Bugger :(

We have Lift Off

Photo credit Nasa

We are all systems go here with our Preliminary DA back from Council today*.

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems as it would appear that the draft LEP is about to be gazetted and after that point in time farms will have to be 800 hectares to qualify for a building entitlement.  Our block is only half of that so we have been told we are good for launch, but we have to get in quick.

I would also like to thank Susie, Lucy, Sam and David and Elliot from our local Council.  They are all helpful and wonderful.  Who knew such types could be found within such a place! 

And so it begins, even though it feels like it started 2 months ago...

* I did have to call, and cry, asking why was it still not back with us because it was going to cost us the block if we didn't here soon...

My Creative Space

The other day Little Blue wore these overalls.  I didn't like them because the button closure on the crotch made nappy changing a bugger. 

I was going to put them in the charity bin when I thought about a couple of clever and crafty ladies known to refashion clothes...

I decided to cut off the bottom crotch part of the overalls and sew on a ruffle all the way around.

I am pretty happy with the new bib and brace style dress that I have created!

I think it might be a little bit mermaid like, but paired with her favourite shoes the girl says it's ok.

For more creative spaces visit here.

Who wears the pants in our house?

More Bedtime Story pants for the girl made from old flannelette baby wraps.  She likes the pants more than the kimono tops so I bought some on sale long sleeve tees from Target for her to wear with them.

I will need some for the boy too, but who knows what size he will be when the weather gets chilly so I will wait and see.  Meanwhile, we are having fun watching the leaves turn and enjoying the Autumn weather. 

In other news I have been on the phone to our local Council who seem to think that this week will be the week that we find out if our Preliminary DA has been approved on the big block so I hope there is some exciting news soon. 

I hope it's approved, and there is no reason why it shouldn't be, because we were up there again today and Possum had fun playing in the dirt and told us that she would 'ride the sheep later' and she seemed quite taken with the idea.  There are numerous obstacles with her plan, not least of which is the fact that we don't own any sheep, and probably won't be able to afford any for awhile if we move...

Spicy Winter Pumpkin Loaf

This photo is pretty ordinary but don't let that put you off.  This is one of my favourite recipes and 5 seconds after snapping this shot Possum dived in and bit a chunk out of the side.  She then blamed it on the small giraffe she was playing with at the time...

This smells wonderful as it cooks and will be eaten VERY quickly.

Ingredients:

90g butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup SR flour

1/2 tsp bicarb

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 egg

1 cup mashed pumpkin

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Cream butter and suger.

Add egg and mix in.

Add pumpkin making sure it is drained well of water.

Add dry sifted ingredients and mix.

Pour into grease loaf pan.

Cook 50-60 mins.

Cool in tin for 5 mins then tip onto rack to cool further.

Suitable to freeze for later.

My Creative Space

QUESTION:  How much can a Pincushion Swap really cost when you have everything you need at home?

Surely it is just a question of postage...

ANSWER:  No, obviously a new pattern is needed, and a meter each of a couple of new fabrics while you are at it, I don't need new fabric but I couldn't leave them there...  I still have a month to go so it will be interesting to see what else I need between now and then! 

Some cute pins perhaps?

Visit Kirsty for more creative spaces.

I loved it when I started

When I first saw this pattern I thought it was the cutest thing I had seen. 

It seemed like a great pattern to try out the Bendigo Cotton I had bought during their sale.  I took it on the road with me over the Christmas holiday and by the time I had got home I was more than half finished, and sick of it....

I joined a Ravelry group 'March to the finish' which inspired me to unpack it again and keep knitting.  I finished it and discovered that I liked it again.  Thank Goodness :)  Possum likes it too so all is well.

The pattern is Avita as found on Ravelry.

It's Hard...

To get good photos of the children :(

They will not smile...

They move...

They Spit...

The focus is a bit soft (my fault)...

At least this one turned out well enough!

My Creative Space

My creative space has been a bit quiet lately so this is a good chance to show off a few Op-Shop finds.

I seem to be in love with the colour orange of late...

A table cloth I found some months ago.  I was really happy with it but the Mr thinks I am channeling a 50's housewife with this purchase.  It was only $2.00 and I really like it.

This print is two bright and cheerful curtains that will fit the laundry in the new house (touch wood to the move actually happening).  It might seem strange to buy new curtains for a house we don't own, but at $5.00 I will find a use for them even if we don't move!

For more creative spaces click over to Kootoyoo

Finally!

Something sewing related! 
The cooler weather combined with a clothing stocktake kick started my Winter sewing.

 

Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajamas in size 2 for the small girl.  These were slept in last night so pass the litmus test. 

The pants were made from a flannelette baby wrap and I have two more of those so there will be more pants soon, maybe even today :)  The top was made from one of her cot sheets which are no longer needed.

I didn't put the ties on the top.  I decided they would be painful for a small child.  I have a press stud on now but think I may add a large button instead...

Pretty in Pink

In an attempt to reclaim my tea cosy, I knit the girl of the house a new beanie.

Super cute with the ribbon and bow detail.

Full project details can be seen in my Ravelry Projects.

Why?

She has a new Beanie...

So why was she seen playing outside wearing my Tea Cosy?

More knitting

I am going to have to dig out the sewing machine for fear of this turning into a knitting only blog!

I am really proud of this little hat for the boy.  I knit it using my first homespun and it looks pretty good.

This roll brimmed hat is now the third pattern I have knit from this book, which is now a bit of a favourite with me.  I already have my eye on the pattern I am going to cast on next from here :)

I also finished the Textured Scarf I have been working on. 

Nice to be able to mark a few works in progress as complete! 

 Now to move onto the Avita top I have been hibernating for ages that I am starting to worry about the size of for Possum, she is growing faster than I am knitting this...

Autumn

Exposure Mode ~ Manual

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