Quilt Blocks

Playing catch up before the end of the year on the block swaps.

For the swap the local girls started on Ravelry, some half square triangles in a 9 patch block.

For Abbe in Around the Block, who requested stacked rectangles in her green and grey fabrics.

For Sheridan, the bee leader in Around the Block, who requested Mondrian style blocks.  This is very striking and will be wonderful as a quilt top!



Man's Best Friend

This is Sam.  I got her as a pup in 2000.

She always came at a run if you called her.  She would bounce like a puppy with excitement when she saw you and would nudge at your hand for a pat.  She never jumped up and got you dirty.

She was great with the kids.  They loved her and she let them pull her hair and pat her with a thump.  Blue calls all dogs 'Sam' and tells them to 'sit' because of her.

She loved the water and would always swim, even when I thought it was too cold.  She loved rounding up the horses, chickens and possums, but never worked stock in a way which would be useful.

She was scared of thunder and would come inside during a storm even though she was strictly an outside dog.  In this house she could open the front door and would let herself in with the first distant rumble of thunder and would be found under my sewing table.

She will be missed.  A lot.

Christmas Clothes and Kids Swap

Awhile ago I posted about what Possum received in the Kids Craft Swap.  Yesterday's post contained Blue's swap package and he now has some fun 'special mail' too.

A wooden car he is playing with as I type.  Some iron on transfers which I need to buy some new tees for and some frog stickers.  I am excited about trying out the transfers, I have never used them before! 

Thanks Marie :)

Yesterday I blogged the Santa Photo.  This is the dress I made that Possum is wearing.

It is the Make it Perfect Pinny #1 which is the same pattern I used the year before.  I love that it lets me use a variety of fabrics.  Once again I modified it by adding buttons to the straps instead of leaving them as ties.

I didn't make Blue new shorts as last years still fit him.  I feel a tad guilty so might make him a new pair in time for Christmas Day.



The Santa Photo

Next year, remind me to smile...

Advent 12-14

Advent activities are still underway.

The 12th was a fun craft day.  I left Possum with glue, paper, crayons and strange bendy pencils.  She coloured and stuck while I sat there knitting.  Blue had a turn colouring so fun was had by all.

Monday the 13th was 'cook something fun' so we put on aprons and made White Christmas. 

Today, the 14th, was 'build a cubby inside day'.  We lined up chairs and covered them like a tent with blankets.  We all have spent time in there today and to add to the fun had to picnic outside for lunch due to the chairs being busy.

Japan

If you have a friend who is going on a shopping holiday in Japan, don't be shy, ask her to pick you up something...

You will be very glad you did!

A Kokeshi from Kyoto, thank you Sheridan, she is perfect!

Boy Knitting

When Tikki mentioned a mystery knit-a-long I knew I would take part.  I have knit a few of her patterns and really like them so this was exciting.  The KAL concept grew until all of a sudden there was going to be a boy version and a girl version to keep everyone happy.  About 250 people signed up which is amazing.

I wanted to knit both the boy Fratello, and the girl Sorello but life got in the way and my Sorello is waiting with just the neckband finished.  I will get back to it soon.

The Fratello is a wonderful pattern.  Just enough detail to keep it interesting and still quick and easy.

I have not knit as many things for Blue as I would like so this was doubly good.

I bought this wool on our Trip to Bendigo in September so it is a back room bargain.

The colour is Guava and I think it is wonderful.

I knit the size 2 so it will be ready next Autumn.

I really like it!

These patterns will both be offered for sale soon if you missed out on the KAL fun.