Crochet Musings

Its been over a week since I blogged so I thought I'd finish off the month by showing you what I've been up to for the last few days.

At the moment I'm in the state of mind that I really can't decide what I want to make so have been getting some inspiration from the internet and what other people are doing. I watched this video and thought it was a great way to smarten up an ordinary beanie so decided to give it a try .....

I quite like the effect and will be doing a few more like this for my charity donations.

Then on to Ravelry and after browsing for an hour or so found these cute fingerless mitts which are so easy and I absolutely love them. Had to modify the pattern for our Australian 8ply and I used Totem 8ply for this pair ..

And for no other reason than 'just because I can', I played around with these just for fun.

Have to confess I got carried away with all that stocking stitch on the little baby's hat and it actually turned out a wee bit longer than it should but I suppose the brim could be turned up a bit more.

What will be on the hook/needles next? Who knows. I do have a baby blanket to finish for a baby due in September so perhaps I should get on to that.

Oh, before I finish this post, its been ages since I've shown you a picture of my favourite little man ... doesn't he look smart in his school uniform? The picture isn't the best quality as my daughter took it on her iPhone, posted it on FB ... and I pinched it from there.

Home at Last .. Still Recovering .. and Catching Up

Well, what an eventful few weeks. Thank goodness our K4C Confab was held when it was as a week later the area was hit by dreadful storms followed by floods all down the mid north coast. If the apartment I stayed in at Coffs Harbour had been vacant the week after I was due to leave I might still be stranded up there as I did enquire as to the availability with the idea of staying on a little longer. As it was I got stranded at Tuncurry (visiting family) for longer than I'd planned, due to flooding around Taree and had to cancel my visit to a friend at Toukley.

Have a look at the caravan park at Woolgoolga a week after Confab ..


and Taree ..



I was able to get in a good bit of knitting and crochet time which was lovely. Here's some of the things I made while stranded at Tuncurry.



I did promise you a few more pics of the K4C Confab so to finish off, here are just a couple .. first of all, morning tea on the Saturday

and a couple from the dinner on Saturday night ..




Did you notice the flowers are knitted and their stems are knitting needles. There was so much work involved in the preparation of things for this event and Kerry, our wonderful organiser, and her helpers deserve a huge pat on the back for everything they did to make our first ever confab the great success and memorable occasion that it was. Well done Kerry !! The koala was just one of many Australian animals that added to the room decorations .. there was also a kookaburra, wombat, emu, and probably more that I can't recall at the moment. These were all knitted by one of our members and her mother.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's blog posts over the past few weeks but because of difficult connections at times, was unable to leave comments. You guys are my inspiration and I thank you for being such great cyber friends. Now, before I finish this post .. one of my latest 'best friends' wants to say goodbye .....


Have a great day
xoxox

And then he Kissed Me

Today I was kissed like I've never been kissed before .......... and I LOVED IT !!!





If you ever visit Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales, you simply must visit the Pet Porpoise Pool. The love, respect and trust between the dolphins, seals and the humans (both staff and visitors) is so obvious. Before their show, I had fun interacting with the dolphins in their play pool where we played fetch with their soccer balls and tickled them under their chins.



Words cannot describe how I feel about these incredible, very special animals and I'm so glad I visited them today for something I'll fondly remember always.

There are many other species at the park and of course I took lots of photos. I'll leave you with this one that tickles my fancy - I wonder what that bird on the right is thinking ?

What I learnt at Confab

10 Things I learnt at Confab

1. K4C members are the most fantastic, wonderful, fun-loving bunch of people.

2. Trying things you've never had the confidence to try before can be easier than you think.

3. Kerry is an amazing powerhouse of energy.

4. With love, support and determination, you can overcome difficult, and what seem impossible obstacles.

5. Helping others is very rewarding.

6. Knitting bingo is a heap of fun and puts a whole new meaning to psso.

7. Sharing is caring and you can always use another ball of yarn.

8. Worrying about your diet at confab is not a good idea - you're not going to win!

9. 2012 confab will be held in Gippsland, Victoria.

10. Kerry, Gavin, Pam and Des deserve a medal for all their hard work in organising and turning this dream into a fantastic, memorable event.

If you want to know more about Knit4Charities click here.

As a newsletter is being prepared, I can't post any more confab pictures here until the newsletter is published on the K4C group site. In the meantime, here's a picture taken from the front of my apartment at Coffs Harbour where I'm staying for the next week. Although its winter, the days are lovely and warm here and I'm loving it !!

Confab Day 2

Just a wonderful, fantastic day and this is how I feel ..



so ... I'm sorry but you'll have to wait for all the news and pics.

G'nite !!!!

Confab Day 1

After waiting such a long time for this day, I have to say it was so lovely to meet 28 fellow Knit4Charities members plus Pam and Kerry. Today we met at 4pm for registration, a get to know you session and a casual meal. Kerry and her wonderful helpers did a magnificent job of putting together our confab bags which contained such an array of absolutely fantastic goodies. There was much fun, laughter and chatter as we 'met' each other in the flesh at long last. For members who were unable to attend this year, I took a few photos to share with you. The first pic is our Confab bags and the KAL bag - no idea what we'll be making but our homework tonight is the first 40 rows. The second pic shows one of the six tables of excited members checking out the contents.




Kerry then gave us a rundown of what to expect tomorrow and announced the venue for next year's confab to be held at Wallaby Rise which is nestled among 107 acres of natural bushland and opposite beautiful Lake Glenmaggie, 30 minutes drive from Traralgon in the Gippsland area of Victoria.



I'm sorry if the quality of these pictures isn't too good but I left a few items at home and am working with what I have at hand.

Some of you will know Jane from Papillongold who designed a lovely square which is now known as the Rejoicing Square - here's a pic of Jane giving Kerry a rug she has made with these squares for one of our charities.



And here's a close-up ..



Di Jones brought her beautiful cathedral window afghan to show us .. isn't this gorgeous



Now I must get on with my homework (40 rows) and try to get some sleep as we have a 7.45am start tomorrow !! Last night in the motel carpark, a car alarm went off at 3am and woke EVERYBODY - I do hope that doesn't happen again tonight.

One day to Confab

Well, the time has come at last and I've arrived in Woolgoolga on the north coast of New South Wales for our Knit4Charities confab which officially starts tomorrow, although a few of us early arrivers will be getting together for dinner (and bingo) tonight at the club across the road from the motel where I'm staying for the next three nights.



I know there are a few fellow K4C members who read my blog so I'll try to keep you up to date on the activities during the next few days.

Weather-wise its rather dull but in spite of the weather, I'm sure things will brighten up while we're all here and Woolgoolga will never be the same !!!