My once a year day

Just as well birthdays only come once a year. I had a wonderful day yesterday but rather than being TOO wordy, I'll just give you a little look at some of the things I did ....

After a quick visit to Spotlight to stash-up and use my 10% birthday discount and the $20 gift card I won at the Knit4Charities confab, it was off to lunch with my very good friend L to this great little place ..

... its like stepping back in time and I highly recommend it as an excellent eating place and a great place to browse. To find out more click here.

Received some lovely gifts from my girls ..

... this beautiful Lollypots bouquet (chocolate hearts) and some gorgeous yarn ..

My friend gave me a very pretty Australian china coffee mug, some delicious looking home-made marmalade and she also made me this very more-ish cake ..

Finally, it was out to dinner with the family to end a perfect day.

Crochet and knitting has been on the back burner for a couple of days so I really must get a move on so I'll have something to show for the blog-a-long post on Sunday.

Crochet Blog-a-Long update

Although we only started this on July 1, I thought that seeing as though its Sunday and we're updating each Sunday, I'd give you my first report. I decided that the first project from my list will be the Queen Anne's Lace scarf. Not much done so far but at least its a start ...

For this I'm using Panda Magnum 8ply with a 4.50mm hook. The pattern is a free Ravelry download. Its such a pretty pattern, very easy and works up quickly. Awhile back I made one in Noro Taiyo and that worked beautifully in this pattern.

Blog-a-Long ... A Year of Projects

I've joined a group of knitters and crocheters on Ravelry who have decided to run a year long personal challenge by committing to a certain number of projects and a public timeline. Today is the official start of Blog-a-Long and it will continue through to 1st July 2012. The idea is to either work your way through every pattern in a book or make up your own list of things you want to make during the next year (this will be my choice). I'll be posting about my progress every Sunday so if you're interested, please drop by to see how things are going. I have lots of odd balls of yarn that needs using so have selected things that hopefully will help in my de-stashing effort. I also need to allow time for additional ad-hoc projects that take my fancy and of course keep up with my charity items. Anyway, here's my list ....

Victorian Fingerless Mitts (probably a few pairs of these)
Baby's Blanket (needs to be finished by end of August)
Child's cardigan
Queen Anne's Lace Scarf
Slouchy Hat
Saroyan Scarf
Washer and Soap Sack
Urban Shells Beanie (adult size)
Baby Jacket and Hat set
Starburst Hotpad
Kitchen Pants Dishcloths
Past Times Striped Hat
Fragrant Frock Sachet (few for gifts)
Booties (several pairs)
Australian Tartan afghan (already started and really needs finishing .. has been a WIP for way too long)

Wish me luck.

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 !!