Apple Snug

I was intent on utilizing the crotchet cottons I had purchased on my bicycle adventures some time ago, which I obtained at bargain basement prices. So my thought was to make a colourful scarf and mix colours. I had to purchase a smaller needle to accommodate the finer thread. Whilst buying a selection of needles I glanced at the price of similar cottons and almost choked- $10-$12 AU. The last time I had looked they were closer to $5-$6.
Made me feel happy that I have an abundant supply of colour waiting to be used.
Anyway I was going to make a scarf..
the pattern I thought I might utilize was out of a 1971 vogue book called Spinning Wheel
I was planning on 'bricking'the motifs so they didn't line up
This is the original pattern

I started out okay and formed the central flower in orange-yellow

But when changing colour I must have turned my work over and instead of the ensuing pattern laying flat it started to turn up. This I did not realize until later.
I really shouldn't crotchet into the wee small hours of the night!

I quite liked the scallop pattern that the edging was made from and decided to continue upwards and make a bag of some sort.
An apple bag of course.
Today is my younger sisters birthday and she will be receiving a totally frivolous apple snug. I'm sure she will appreciate it.. what woman whom turns 43 and asks for rollerblades for her birthday also wouldn't appreciate a totally silly gift? I'm sure we will both laugh while we sip champagne on her wonderful balcony over looking the farm. On that note I'll  be gone for a week staying in Canberra and Sydney part holiday part work. I will take plenty of snaps for show and tell later. Really looking forward to a catch up with little sis.

I'm still going to make the scarf. Better go shower and pack. Bye

Tail Endings

The first of my new years resolutions UFO jobs to be complete. After several hours of sewing in the spaghetti ends  I have finally finished my hexagon rug. YEH !!!
And here it is. Voilà .

 The underside

The Right Side

 The tail endings...well just a few.

Royal Show Adelaide

Even though the Royal Adelaide show was in September I feel the need to show the wonderful colourful and creative work that was on display in the pavilions. I was riffling through past photos quickly and felt the need to share this inspirational work.

 Kate and William even get a show in..

Pig racing always a must see

And pig diving??

A trashy display outside the haunted house...Toxic

 Fairies and angels

Ferriswheel

Dusk and all the bright lights

Up in the ferriswheel looking over the show

Better late than never!! I really do love the vibrancy of the flowered mannequins

Twenty Wishes

I have just finished reading a book called Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. Definitely an enjoyable quick read as I read the book in one day (well into the wee small hours of the night). It tells the tale of a group of women whom are widows at differing ages of life, whom enjoy each others company and set about to fulfil 20 wishes that they desire or have wanted to do but haven't allowed themselves the time to do. Its definitely not a to do list of chores but more small surprises and treats or sometimes larger goals that were always shelves away because of family commitments or lack of motivation. I like this idea and am going to start making my list, not necessarily things that will cost a lot of money but make small plans for myself.

1. This is a desire for the future - I would like to bike ride with my family on a 4-5 day trek. I'm not sure of the destination but think that's a  decision we could make together. I thought it would be a nice thing to do for my 50th birthday.
2. In the near future (about 6 months away I'd like to complete Amy's Ride. Its a 60 km bike ride so I need to start building up my fitness
3. I want to learn how to etch and have seen a course with a local college TAFE that I can enrol in
4. I think I would like to learn how to surf, but not while the kids are around. We have surf boards...
5. lose 20 kg weight, that's not an unrealistic goal but Ill try for 10kg first
That is all I can think of the moment but Ill add to it as I consider things more carefully- its not easy to know what you want

Underwater World

Jordana received an underwater camera for Christmas and recently went to Noarlunga Reef to try out the camera. Noarlunga reef is just south of Adelaide and is very accessible from the beach or nearby jetty. At low tide you can walk across the top of it (which Ben and his cousin Lachlan are doing). It is a no fishing area so there is plenty of sea life and fish around.

I like the closeness to the water in these photos. You can see how close the jetty and the reef are to each other.

 Dave, my  husband and friend Chris on Noarlunga beach.

Summer holidays dont you just love them