Brooches then trims.

What I should be doing is turning this bundle of wool into brooches for more end of year 'thank you' prezzies.

Even though its crochet work and I love to crochet, I never really want to make what I should be making.

The other day my wonderful friend Beck gave me this pile of old sheets and linens.

My head is full of ideas of what I can turn them into.

I'm not sure I can ever cut into this Holly Hobbie sheet though. Something about that girl makes me so happy.

For some reason this sheet, now dress, reminded me of the reason I wanted to learn to crochet in the first place.

Way back at the start of this year I had this idea to make crochet trims for the clothes I was sewing. So I learnt to crochet and then forgot all about the trims.

Until now.

But I am going to be good and put this future frill aside until I finish all the prezzies.

I really am!

Crocheted egg cosies & more.

I've been thinking about ways to decorate our market stall and make it look a bit festive for the last few farmers' markets of the year.

The egg cozy pattern out of the Vintage Crochet book that I bought in Melbourne last week, but haven't seen since we've been home, really appealed to me. I'm pretty sure this is what they looked like.

I love the button detail.

I made these two first but soon realized they aren't really the look I'm after. I think I might put them in the present pile.

I'm thinking about making a few more and then maybe some crochet bunting to replace the fabric ones.

I've also started another washer and just finished these two pot holders. Do you ever feel that crazy panic to make everything you want to make, so you have to do a bit of everything all at once?

A huge Happy 42nd Anniversary to my parents!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

No more school & a bit of baking.

The teachers' thank-you presents were finally finished late last night and then gifted this morning. One each for Indi and Jazzy's teachers and one for the music, art and Italian teachers.

I've got a few more to make but I work better under pressure, so I'll be making them at the last possible minute.

I love how these little stacks look.

I hope they understand the whole hand made wash cloth thing. Recently I was knitting one at a market and more than one person looked at me strangely when I told them what it was.

I had so many sewing plans for the last day before school holidays, but unfortunately Miss Pepper woke up from her nap just after I'd put the washing away, so not a lot got done.

Instead we made cup cakes.

And apricot and peach pies in these gorgeous little dishes we found at the op shop yesterday.

I hope you are having a lovely Thursday.

Owls, cottons and teachers' presents.

Look hoooooooooooooo arrived in the mail today.

A little while ago the lovely Leah admired one of the pot holders I had crocheted and asked if I wanted to do a swap. One of the most fun aspects of blogging for me so far is the swap, so I quickly accepted.

Can you imagine how much Indi, my owl lover, is going to adore these gorgeous, made from the softest thrifted jumper, little friends? I reckon there will be a bit of squealing. To be honest, there was a bit of squealing from me when I opened the package.

Thank you so, so much Leah, your work is divine, I'll pop your package in the post this afternoon.

I also got a package from Bendigo Woolen Mills. Nine more balls of their wonderful cotton (they were on sale!!!!) I love working with their cotton about as much as I love having them on display in the kitchen.

So today its all about catching up on the laundry and presents for the teachers as school finishes tomorrow. I've got a ridiculous amount still to make but I can't think of a better way to spend this afternoon. Washers and rose brooches here I come.

And maybe a few more cherries because they are so quick and easy to make, and because I always prefer making other things more than what I should be making.

I hope you are having a lovely Wednesday.

Love Kate

XX

Our 10 year honey moon.

Bren and I have just been away alone for a few days to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.

We'd been talking about it and looking forward to it, so when the time finally arrived I was scared it would fly past too quickly.

So I made two resolutions.

The first one was to try to stay in the moment.

Really experience the present rather than planning blog posts, replaying past conversations or making meal plans in my head. When we were walking down the street I wanted to notice the buildings we passed and the sounds my shoes made and the way the breeze felt on my skin. When we ate a meal I wanted to taste all the flavours and textures and listen to what Bren was saying or concentrate on what was in the newspapers.

And the second was to be in my physical body instead of in my head.

Remember that feeling when he/she first held your hand and your whole body was in that hand? You were so aware of every movement and touch and the rest of the world ceased to exist. Your skin tingled and you forgot all about that deadline or your shopping list.

We had two lovely days and two lovely nights and we're back and I feel like we've really been away. Time did not fly past too quickly and I feel like I've spent real time alone with my beautiful boy.

And now we're happily home again to the stories and laughter and madness that is our family.

Thanks so much to those who helped make it possible for us to take that time out and for making it extra special. We love you lots. XX

My place and yours - 5 minutes peace.

This week's theme queen Pilgrim wants to know;

Where do you retreat to for that sanity-regaining break? I am interested in what or where in your home is your sanctuary.

My home has no such place. I have no special chair or corner. I am talked to when I am in my bedroom, on my sewing machine or on the toilet. In fact the toilet is probably the joke telling or question asking place of choice, because whilst sitting there I am a captive audience.

My sanctuary is not a place, it is the contents of my red bag.

With a crochet hook in my hand and some cotton in my lap I can relax and unwind. I can be part of whatever it is that is going on but I can also be off in my own little world. If I am creating and my hands are busy, then I am ok.

For a peek into the sanctuaries of others, go and check out Pip's place.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.

Yesterday I sent these four little Kokeshi dolls off to Softies for Mirabel.

Today I got a package in the mail containing this gorgeous pouch and fabric I won over at Joanna's Chubby Hobby blog. I could not believe I had won when I saw that Joanna had 488 entries!

And today I am thinking a lot about love.

Ten years ago today Bren and I drove a tandem trailer full of hay bales (for seating) to a school camp site in Lillydale. That afternoon and night we played games and danced the night away with about 80 of our friends and the next morning set the place up for our wedding.

Ten years ago I was excited and nervous and overwhelmed.

Today I feel so lucky and blessed and loved and in love.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.