A blanket I may actually finish and a huge pile of delicious yarn!

Need I say more?!

Last night whilst watching episodes of Dilbert, I grabbed three balls of my unused Kmart yarn, a 6.5mm hook and got started on making (yet another) giant granny square blanket...I can't count the amount of times I've started on a blanket and not finished it! Why do I keep starting new ones then? It's the crocheters curse...I'm sure I can vouch for all of us when I say it's just the way it is! Anyhoo.. so it's raining outside today, I'm still sick (only 20 more days til my ultrasound! *insert extremely sarcastic face* I made the damn booking two weeks ago...apparantly if you're not pregnant...being in s***loads of pain in the pelvic area isn't on the priority appointment list...I'll fill you in more on that when I know more myself) I'm about to fetch myself a rather large and delicious bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes and some raisin toast OM NOM NOM and today I MIGHT just finished a blanket! I know...don't die of shock. It's super bright...I like it! Not really very summer-y but meh...it's providing therapy that I desperately need at the moment.

GUESS WHAT?! Remember me telling you last post that I was expecting a Lucy Pack? IT ARRIVED!!! Seriously the most amazing thing to arrive at your doorstep....WITH THE EXCEPTION OF...Tim Burton knocking and asking if you'd like to feature alongside Johnny Depp in his next film....HBO just popping round to ask if you'd like to be an extra in The Walking Dead....A 100kg  delivery of pop rocks and dairy milk chocolate...oh I could go on...... but ok, on the crochet-I-love-yarn-gimme-gimme-gimme side of things this was definately pretty amazing. Seriously, I opened the package AND LOOK WHAT I HAVE! *squeeeee*

Of course I have no idea what I'm going to do with it...*ponders*

And speaking on unfinished blankets...I added another two squares to my was-more-v's-please-blanket-and-is-now-a-bit-of-everything; the Butterfly Garden Square (in green) and the Birthday Flower Square (in purple). I was doing those yesterday too but got fed up trying to stick to patterns so I resorted my granny-blanket instead.

I have a feeling this particular blanket will be 'in progress' for a LOOOOONG time. Here's a sneaky peaky so far!

And with that I am off to make myself some breakfast...I think I've shared enough crochet with you for the time being! :o)

Wish me luck with my granny blanket!

MWAH

Newborn fox hat and nappy cover

Ta da! I managed to partially recreate something I found on Pinterest *yay me!* I had an hour to kill thismorning whilst waiting for a client so I sat in the park and made the hat...then this arvo I worked up the nappy cover and the tail! Hoorah! Another cute little crochet doodad to add to my ever growing photography prop collection ^.^ I just kind of made it up as I went (except for the nappy cover...I use THIS pattern for that bit) It was pretty straight forward...I've nailed newborn hat sizings with most hooks and yarn sizes which is a plus, the ears are a touch too big but that's probably just the perfectionist in me talking and the tail was just a matter of increasing and decreasing in the right places. Please don't ask me for the pattern though...as much as I would LOVE to write it all up and share it with you I don't want to infringe on anybody's copyright.

If you're crochet-savvy I'm sure you can work it out...as I said, it's pretty straight forward and you can give it your own personal touch :o) I could probably have worked the tail in sc to hide the filling....but I hate sc. I really do.

As for my collection, I'm quite happily making and crocheting away expanding that..I'm trying my best to keep my bits and pieces original, searching for unique yarns and things to give them a personal touch but on the odd occasion that I find something (such as on Pinterest) that is just too damn adorable I have to make it too ^.^ And speaking of yarn, I have 2 beautiful balls of blue/green Poems Sock Yarn on the way as well as a GORGEOUS 'Lucy Pack' of acrylic yarns with colours inspired by the beautiful Attic24 that Daina (hi Daina!!!) snaffled up and set aside for me! SQUEEEEEE


Yarn... I heart yarn.

Sarcasm Warning.

You know what's an awesome way to ensure that you spend every minute of every day on edge and ready to burst into tears at any given moment? Suddenly develop a mystery illness. It's fun really! You get to wait weeks to see a doctor, you get to be allergic to the pain meds they give you, you get to be in constant pain that is always there and just varies in degrees in severity, you get to have everyone who is a nurse/had something similar before/random strangers diagnose you with all sorts of weird and wonderful diseases and conditions, you don't get proper sleep, you can't eat/lie down/move without your pain increasing in various places and you get to deal with it on your own because no one in the town you live in gives a shit, and your poor husband doesn't know what to do with you because he feels like he can't help. Oh yeah, did I mention you get to feel light headed pretty much the whole time and feel like you're going to throw up at the drop of a hat?


Sounds fantastic right! I don't know why everybody doesn't do it! You can wait two weeks for an ultrasound because being in pain isn't as important to get checked out as being pregnant (and yes they will tell you that over the phone) so you have to wait, and if you're thinking about going to Emergency? Don't bother; you're not bleeding, you're not half dead and you're obviously not important enough for anyone to look at...so you go home in tears wondering how to make yourself worse so someone will consider you worth their time.

So here you are, at home, alone, tired and sick and angry and completely over it and you're wondering why you bothered to get out of bed thismorning.

A most unexpected suprise

You know those times in your life when nothing seems to be going anywhere... when you're in pain and sick and the doctor isn't sure what's causing it, those times when you can hardly bring yourself to get out of bed in the morning because you can't think of anything useful to do? Those times when you're sure there are wonderful things happening in other people's lives but not in yours ... just those times when you're down and not a thought in your head is of happier times ahead.

I felt like that today, I was in bed at 4.20pm in the afternoon as not only was I exhausted for no real reason but I'd just had enough... I'd tried taking some photos outside for fun but didn't get the buzz, I thought about doing some housework but didn't, I even tried to crochet but found even making the simplest of projects wasn't  working out...

Until there was a knock at the door. I ignored it, if it was my husband coming home he had a key and would be in any second to give me a hug. But the door didn't open. The knock came again, the dogs leaped off their little nest on the bed beside me to bark at the possible intruder but still I didn't move. The dogs wouldn't stop barking so eventually I got up just to see what was going on; I open the door and I find a large, tightly packed but light parcel sitting at my front door.

A confused thought crossed my mind, I wasn't expecting any parcels... I pick it up, bring it inside, sit it down on the coffee table and see that it reads...

Desperately I turn the package over and over in my hands looking for the name of sender, looking for someone to thank but all I find is 'a fellow secret granny'. Instantly I know that someone in our crochet group there is a very VERY sneaky lady who was kind and generous enough to send me a suprise package in the post! Either this is one HUGE granny square from my round 10 granny or.....

YARN!!!!!

lots and lots of YARN!

What a suprise!!!

Secret granny, I don't know who you are...I don't know why you thought of me and I don't know why you decided I was worthy of your sweet gift of yarny awesome sauce but from the bottom of my heart THANKYOU!!!  I will ensure that your beautiful gifts are made into something special...

What would I do without my darling 'grannies' and their neverending support and kindness? Secret granny, you are an angel! What a lucky girl I am :o)

The newborn quirky bean baby hat!

 

 

 

Newborn quirky bean baby hat pattern:

In pink....
Magic ring, ch 2.
Round 1: 9 dc into ring. Sl st to top of first dc to join (and throughout), ch 2
Round 2: 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to join, ch 2
Round 3 and 4: 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Change to green....
Round 5: Ch2, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Change to pink...
Round 6 and 7: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Change to green...
Round 8: Ch 2, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st* around. Sl st to join.

Change to pink...
Round 9: Ch 2, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next. *1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st* around. Sl st to join.
Round 10: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around.

Change to green....
Round 11: Ch 2, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st* around. Sl st to join.
Round 12: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around.

Change to pink...
Round 13: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around.
Round 14: Ch 2, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st* around. Sl st to join.
Round 15: Ch 2, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in each of next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st* around. Sl st to join.

Change to green...
Round 16: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Weave a pink ribbon through bottom dcs and tie a bow in the front.... I kinda just made it up as I went, I'll be using it as a photo prop but it would make a cute baby shower gift...it's kinda an elf hat and kinda not ^.^ Anyhoo enjoy! Any questions, as always please ask away! It was honestly a spur of the moment creation so if there is a problem in the pattern let me know and I shall right the wrongs :o)

P.s For personal use only. Pattern not to be copied/reproduced. Finished project not to be sold. You can pin the pattern, and you can link to it on your blog etc but if you do please email me and let me know :o)

I seeeee yooou haha sorry... it's the eye of Sauron

Sorry for the lack of crafty posts recently guys!! I've been feeling a bit 'whats the point' with it lately and resisting the urge to have a rather long blog-rant about it. Anyhoo, I've been kept busy with my photography lately, some of it good some of it not-so-good. The eye of Sauron is always upon me, as are his spies (euphemism for shitty people) and I just haven't felt inspired to do anything! Nooo, that's not me being paranoid...well perhaps just a little...but mostly that a) no one will probably see it b) no one will probably care c) it's probably already been done WHOOPS it's turning into a rant! END RANT END RAAANT!

Source: thelivingmoon.com via Miguel on Pinterest

HA! see? Now the eye of Sauron is on you too!

I have been doing stuff...really I have. My parentals are coming for a visit this weekend ^.^ Just out of the blue! I can't wait to see mumsy and father bear and the sibling units!! SQUEEEEEE we've been madly cleaning up our teensy little apartment so my family can see that I can take care of a living space *COUGH* at the last minute. Oh c'mon, don't give me that look! I bet you do the same! We bought a new vacuum recently and it's a BOSS! I reckon it would suck up my dog Spaz if he got too close, which of course he won't coz he's terrified of the thing (probably for that reason! DUH) so I've been able to do a proper clean YAY! Seriously I hate dog fur everywhere...I love my inside doggies, I truly do but dog fur is my (counts on fingers) 6th or 7th worst enemy!

Could you believe it? It's been warm here allll week and the day my parents are due to arrive and we're expecting snow...not that it was ACTUALLY snow, they predict it every year but it never happens. Sort of wish it would though, that would make some rad photos!!!!!

So yes, I have been doing stuff...here's a summary:

• Had our one year wedding anniversary, and it was lovely, thankyou for asking :o)
• I've been glueing sequins to a canvas
• I'm planning a giant GLITTER FEST
• I got dressed in Victorian garb and had a tea party in the park last week
• I was supposed to be at Roller Derby training this week but couldn't because I'm terrified of being on things that move (that's what SHE said! HA!)
• Yesterday I was so sick I thought I was going to die. Luckily though I didn't! Yay for me!
• I am still working on my handmade for Christmas thing, but I'm changing it from a tab on my blog (you'll notice it's missing) to a few posts instead, it's coming but I'm lazy
• I have to go to the doctor on Monday as I may have PCOS or endometriosis :(

Also...don't you reckon David Wenham is spunky? I think so.

 

Source: listal.com via David on Pinterest

Oh yeah... here's what I had for lunch..thought you might want to try it, it's pretty tasty. I guess it's a type of omelette.

In a bowl crack 3 eggs, add a handful of sliced mushies, a sprinkle of mixed herbs and pepper and a handful of grated cheese. Tip it all into a teeny saucepan (on medium heat with a tinsy bit of butter)

and leave it til the egg cooks through (10 minutes-ish). Flip it over, leave for another 5 minutes, tip it onto a plate and voila!

also it was just coincidence that my omelette thingy was the perfect size for my little plate ^.^ Cooking win!

 There! Til next time!



 

Playing with fire

 

 

Teeny Tiny Top Hat Crochet Pattern

Excuse the manic expression... today has pretty much sucked camel balls. As a result, I am now overtired, stressed and also somewhat evil-looking... but it's a cute little hat! It took me about and hour and a half to do this teeny tiny little project because my brain is fried, in reality though it only takes about 15-20 minutes...if that. Enjoy Beans! And I hope your day has made you feel less demonic!

You'll need
2 colours of 8ply acrylic
5mm hook
yarn needle
scissors

Starting with your first colour to make your hat:
Magic circle, 8 sc into ring. Sl st to close, ch1, 1 sc into sl st space.
Row 1: 2 sc in each st around. Sl st into first sc to join, ch1, 1 sc into sl st space.
Row 2: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next* repeat around. Sl st to join, ch1.
Row 3: In back loops only, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, sc2tog *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc2tog* sl st to join with first sc. ch 1.
Row 4: 1 sc in each st around. Sl st to join, ch1
Rows 5 to 9: 1 sc in each st around. Sl st to join, ch 2
Row 10: In front loops only, 2 hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st. Finish off with first colour. Weave in ends.

Hat band, use your second colour:
Ch 22, 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each st across. Finish off.
Wrap band around base of hat, sew together using ends.

Bobby pin it to your head, stick it to a headband or in the words of Bernard Black; nail it to a frisbee, and fling it over a rainbow! Measures about 6cm tall when completed.

Shambles rambles!

Being this busy is a whole new experience for me! And a good one! ... maybe it would be better if my head was screwed on properly like a normal persons? SO much stress these past few days, and it's bought on a new stress-symptom...REFLUX!! Arrrgh I hate it so much! *sigh* such is life. I am going through Quik-Eze quicker than I'd like :(

So things are pretty much in shambles at the moment, so much happening that I don't know which direction I'm pointed in and spend most of the time running in 7 different directions.... at the same time trying to achieve something. What is it I'm trying to achieve exactly? I don't know! I'm doing free photography sessions for the locals of Armidale, I'm not sure how much longer I can keep at it for free...I have SO many people and families booked in for the next few weeks it's just crazy!! My poor poor husband has been dragged all over town being a taxi for me and sticking around so the complete strangers I work with don't eat me. Hey it's a fear ok!? Hahaha yeah I know it's hilarious... the awkward girl with the social anxiety has chosen a career path that PURELY involves communicating with strangers for prolonged periods of time. I'm careful to warn people of my awkwardness beforehand, and things seem to work out ok ;)

I'm not overly sure of myself, I can admit that much.. I guess I'll just get through these next few weeks the best I can and check out the results at the end! I'm trying my best to be as organised as possible, I have to be afterall! But it is very difficult for me considering that for four years I haven't REALLY had a lot of responsibilities when it came to keeping bookings, tracking names, details, calling people, getting places, being friendly and communicating effectively. Hell I don't know if I'm doing those things overly well but as I said it has been a while! My husband tells me I'm doing well, and that he's proud of me *blushes* for coming out of my shell. Mind you, he's been asking a little more consistantly recently regarding whenabouts I'm going to start charging for my photography...the time spent, the petrol, the calls, the editing, and the giving of photos on a cd free of charge is taking it's toll on our broke circumstances. I guess it's what you have to do though right! I'm not trained or qualified, so it makes sense to me to do it this way... I just don't know what the 'rules' are when it comes to these things.

Apparantly, as a general rule, people aren't QUITE as cruel, creepy rude and nasty as I percieve them to be! Well I'm sure some of them are (I've known a few!) but on the majority people are kind and understanding and just plain... nice! I'm trying not to feel TOO confident about this, as the Universe seems to have an aversion to me being TOO happy (or maybe it's just my perception? Meh...) but yes. There are nice people out there. Nice people who take time from their lives to help me build a portfolio. Nice people who are understanding of me and my funny ways. Nice people who understand that whilst they are doing me a favour by helping me out, I am also doing them one....and that's something I admire :o)


But that's enough rambling out me Mr. Blog! I just had thoughts in my head and they needed to be made sense of. I haven't abandoned those free crafty and cooking tutorials either! I have a few in the pipeline (is that the expression?) but just haven't the time to sit down and do them for you! I will I will I will I promise times infinity!

Crochet therapy

A new crochet project picked me up a little from the dark place I was in thismorning... who couldn't feel a little cheer with these bright colours and gorgeous pattern :o) If you'd like to give it a try, just search for the 'More V's Please' pattern on Ravelry. It's easy and looks so lovely in one coloured block or multicoloured...for my fellow yarn-addicts give it a try! It helped to take my mind off things for a while and just vege out... reality has come flying back and I think all I need now is a decent nights sleep and Quik-Eze! Heartburn for 3 days is driving me INSANE on top of everything else! Hell, everything else is probably causing the heartburn -.- Damn.

 Our Real Estate that we rent through kindly forgot to tell us that an odd 40 feet of our fence was being replaced over today and tomorrow so I went to work with hubby, holed up on the floor on the carpet and made some crochet magic happen. Then I came home and proceeded to drift slowly down hill and fade into my mental oblivion. Oh well! At least I got something done today!

A place in my mind

Welcome to the great unknown! The path you are about to take is packed with potholes, ravines, fallen logs, raining halibut, ravenous wolves, people who will hate you, people who will love you and people who just won't care. You will struggle, you will climb, claw, scratch, chew and limp your way at times; you will both fire a hand-canon and charge through the thicket brave, strong and true at times and you will be shot at, hide from the storm, take the hits and want to give up. Your thoughts are now your own worst enemy, you will feel both elated with every success and fall apart at the smallest dissappointment sometimes at the same time. One little comment can either send you soaring or crashing to the ground. The people around you can only support you at every other step, nomatter what they may say or do, this path is one you will take alone. No one can understand the struggles you will face.

You will learn to draw a line between cautious and paranoid. It will not always be clear, and it has the potential to break you apart. Sometimes you won't remember whether it was something someone said or whether it was simply all in your imagination. This WILL make your journey difficult. Your voice of reason will tell you that people can't be that cruel, perhaps they didn't mean it that way, perhaps you are overreacting. You will try to rationalise, but that voice of negativity will always push past and plant it's feet firmly. They DON'T care, they're just saying that, you know they're lying, they talk about you when you're not around...

You begin to question that voice, not in a rational way because the journey you take has no tolerance for reason. It will become your voice and eventually you will find you have no choice...it has consumed you and now it's all you are.

Leaving the house is impossible, you are too fat, too ugly and too unwelcome in the world. The world is a scary place, you're not sure who your friends are. You won't talk to anyone about this, why waste their time?


Today, this is me. Tomorrow may change, but I can't know. Welcome to the great unknown.