We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Well, actually we went yesterday. It was so much fun, despite the facility being fairly average, and very short on acurate signage. Lil loved the monkeys and all the fish, and freakin' ell there were some big fish. Especially the Murray Cod. Wow. She like the koala, but as far as animals go they're not very 'flashy' so she tired of it pretty quickly. For all you foreign folk, here's a snap of said koala.



In other news, I finished a felt picture. I saw a painting/illustration of something similar online somewhere ages ago and decided to try and recreate it. I'm pretty pleased. I think I'll put a pink and brown border on it too...





And a little hat that I've finished for Lil, all bar the icord which will pull the top together. Otherwise its just a tube. Which wouldn't be very warm.



And we're off to a farm this afternoon which should be a hoot. And then to walk Mum's dogs. Whow, talk about a few days full of fauna...

Woohoo

I just realised that I've just reached 1,000 hits. Although, to be honest, at least 100 are probably me... I've been fiddling with a new layout and with my less than professional html skills it a bit of a long haul. Anyway. Seeing as I'm posting for this momentous event I thought I'd post a WIP.

I'm doing the 'branching out' scarf from Knitty, and as a featured KAL on crafster. I don't mind it, in fact I love the pattern, but I don't think the variegated yarn really works with it (as with most 'lace' patterns). Especially after seeing Jejune's gorgeous purple one... The yarn was a hand-me-down from my mother; 40%Alpaca and 60% Acrylic.

We went to Jack's Crocodile Safari birthday party today and all I can say is 'WOW'. Jack's mum rocks. There was a blow up crocodile, crocodile crafts with scented pens and glitter glue, a rule that you had to eat three pieces of fruit before you ate the 'junk' food (which was toasted cheese crocodiles, fairy bread, crocodile biscuits and a packet of chips) WHICH ALL THE KIDS DID!, a crocodile piniata, pass the parcel, bubble blowing, and crocodile wrestling. Phew. But the pinnacle was the cake. A yummy chocolate mud cake, covered in 'mud' with two icing crocodiles on top. I wish I had the camera. They had soooo much fun!. And then the fabulous Ms M (aka Jack's mum) sat all the kids down and read them a crocodile story. Hands down the best themed party we've been to! Five gold stars Ms M!!

Anyway, Lil is having a sleep over with Nanny and Poppy tonight so I'm off to spend some quality time with the old man.

Finished!

Last night I finished the felt picture for our friend's son. I'm really happy with it. I had heaps of help with colour selection as my Nana and Pa and my sister and her boyfriend were over. I decided to back it with black felt so that if its not framed then they can pop it on a wall or whatever. Anyway, I loved doing it, and its a vast improvement from Lily's!

On another note, we had such a lovely day yesterday. It was a perfect winter's day - clear, no wind and toasty warm in the sun (although only 14 degrees). We had my Nana and Pa, my dad and his partner and sister and her boyfriend around and we all sat outside drinking coffee and eating yummy arvo tea. Lily was entertaining everyone with her interpretation of hopscotch (basically running up and down with little skips in between) and making everyone play football. It was lovely.

Hi ho

A couple of bits to report... My lovely daughter has started 'nit-ting'. I was delighted to see her click clacking away with her own [mismatched] needles and wool - and not happily unravelling my knitting!

In other news, I finished the bag mentioned earlier which I was so excited about because I was going to felt it. After I completed it I excitedly took 'before' photos so I could see the remarkable difference after I'd felted it...

Well... I now know that 'machine washable' means 'unfeltable'. Even if you wash it to within an inch of its life, then pour boiling water over it and beat it with a potato masher. So here's the after photo. Not that different really. Anyhoo, it doesn't look to bad and I'll probably use it as a grocery bag.

And I'm doing another felt picture for a particular little boy's birthday this weekend. I'll end up putting the little man's name in the tree area.

Oh, and my wonderful supervisor at work has announced she is leaving - within hours of me declaring on this very site that people had to stop leaving work so I didn't have to felt departure gifts. I must have jinxed myself.

Best away... mother is coming for dinner and the cupboard is bare...

Bits

Finished a cassowary for M at work today.

And mostly finished Lil's birthday present. Don't feel much like posting today...

More birthday goodness!

Today Lily got a package for Big L in Brisbane - and what a package! I didn't want to open it because it looked so beautiful.



But we did and found a gorgeous mini windmill with ladybugs all over, and some forget-me-not seeds. As always, Big L is the apitome of thoughtfulness and talent.

And we got a stunning jumper from Aunty M - handknitted no less! What a lucky chicken.

I've WIP to post, but I never seem to get home in time to photograph them in the natural light. Busy night tonight, making another present for a departing workmate. I wish we could hang on to staff!

Fiddling

I'm testing out a new banner. I've mucked around for about three hours trying to get it right, but its not pushing my buttons (or anyone else's - my sister and hubby were both underwhelmed). Thinking I might have to branch out. Try new colours. Something in green perhaps? Mmm...

Anyway, yesterday was great. Lil was in sensory overload, but I'm pretty sure she had a great time. The best thing was the cake. All the kids got a chance to blow out the candle and wack the bejesus out of it. The chocolate shell also protected the cake from child-spit (an unpleasant side effect of blowing out the candle) so the parents could eat cake free of contaminants. My friend M gave Lil the most beautiful little handbag - hand made with love - and 'Lily' sewn on the front. It was gorgeous. So many other wonderful presents too, lots of cds, clothes and toys. Lucky monkey. I've got some other photos to post, but as its 11.15 I'd better be getting to bed. Back to work tomorrow!

The Best Birthday Cake Ever!

How cool is this - the pinata cake! Thank you Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book!
More on the party tomorrow...

Busy Busy

It's Lil's 2nd birthday on Sunday so we're getting ready for a bit of a party (on Saturday). I've got the balloons with '2' on them, streamers, irritating whistles and appropriate loot for lolly bags (ie no lollies). And I'm making a little felt picture for her. This is what I've got so far.



It doesn't look too bad, but it will look better when all the creatures get some definition. Then I'm going to mount it on some board so we can hang it on her wall. Aww.

CADD...

Stands for Craft Attention Deficit Disorder... because I get all these ideas and have to try them immediately. There's no pacing oneself, or or remaining faithful to one task, there is just ideas and action. Sure it keeps ideas fresh, but it also means that I never get particularly skilled at anything. Oh well. I will shortly be proficient at the whale (below) because I'm making one for the lovely Jenna and a whale expert at work. Anyway So, with that in mind I give you (gentle reader)my two newest projects. One, a knitted bag that I will felt upon completion. I've never felted before, or knitted on a circular before, but it seems to be going ok. I figure any abberations will be hidden in the felting process.

And then there is the teeny tiny book. The cover is made from playing cards and the inside from a photo album someone gave me years and years and years ago. Covered the cards in felt and blanket stitched. I'm going to put a little flower motif on it too.

I'm also trying to make a little felt book (or picture depending on time issues) for Lil's birthday. I got all these ideas from craftster (knitting one from magknits) but I can't remember where. I think I put the links to the felt book on my wists but you'll have to find it yourself because I have important preparations to make for the State of Origin match. Go the Blues!