kitty's kaboodle

too cute...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000

I've finally captured the second little cow in our paddock. I was quite delighted to find him so close to the fence. Such a sweet face. & yes, in case you were wondering... I often walk around the property with my camera just incase.
Have a lovely Monday.

weather forecast...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:36:00 +0000

More rain is predicted this week at the farm, colourful rainbow rain that is.
I've been working on this mobile for a while now, coming back to it when inspiration struck. I'm still umming & ahhing over how I shall hang it, so it's not quite finished yet. Should I use fishing line or ribbon do you think? The edges of the cloud & droplets have been finished with a blanket stitch & the droplets are attached with a crocheted chain stitch using a itty bitty hook. It was a bit labour intensive, I must say.
I'm quite pleased with how it has turned out, perhaps it will be a good gift to make for friends babies too.

On the topic of real rain, we have had an awful lot this weekend. We've spent all weekend indoors; watching Clint Eastwood movies, crocheting (me) & making music (Sam). When the rain eases up, I'll be back under the willow tree sipping lemon cordial & crafting away. I can't wait.

lunch for one...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:29:00 +0000

The boy has gone uptown & I have the whole farm to myself. I'm up to the same ol' tricks, just pottering about doin stuff around the house.

I did whip myself up a thai salad for lunch though. Super simple & a tasty dressing. I don't have alot of asian ingredients in my pantry, so I substituted a few things.
Here's the ingredients I used:
2 tsp fish sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp sambal oelek
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tiny clove of garlic, crushed

Followed up with a crunchy pink lady. Now I'm off to do something crafty.

more...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:26:00 +0000

I've finished a few more stars, I now have enough for my little garland. Tomorrow I shall search for some ribbon or such to hang them from, as my stash is not offering up any inspiration. I quite like these little stars, perhaps I need to make some more... to adorn presents & perhaps a gum tree branch over christmas.

We've also had another delivery in the paddock. The second cow gave birth late last night & it is also super cute. I just can't get close enough to capture it on camera, she's evasive this one.
I've spent lots of hours under our big willow tree lately. It keeps quite cool under there & the breeze is lovely through the branches.
Here's a little belly shot, 19 weeks today! I felt the first strong kicks this morning too. I was lying in bed with a little weight on my tummy, when I felt 4 kicks in a row. I took the hint pretty quickly & rolled over. I could imagine it saying "Mum... you're squashing me!".
For some reason, the dogs always get in the photo too. We didn't make them sit there, they do it on their own accord. Funny boys.

a little steer...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:25:00 +0000

Born this morning in our top paddock, starting to find his feet. Doesn't he just make you smile.

time for making...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Oh wow, it feels so wonderful to sit & make. I call it soul therapy... cheapest therapy I've ever had.
After a terribly emotional nights sleep, which didn't consist of much sleep at all (pregnancy is really starting to kick in, hormones & all), I woke feeling like my eyeballs had exploded in my head. So many tears over stuff that is happening, or might happen, or probably won't ever happen even in a hundred years. I got so worked up, I felt sick. It's amazing the rubbish your mind can drum up in the dark of the night with no rational. This morning the boy comforted me, rationalising my irrational thoughts & calming my mind. He's been wonderful all day too, making me cups of tea, sharing bikkies & sitting with me in the sun whilst we ate our lunch. I feel very lucky to have him & I know he's going to make the best dad.
This afternoon I decided that I'm going to make up for my crafting dry spell. I've promised myself to do something crafty every day. Perhaps it may be just small & I haven't set myself a timeline either, but I figured it was a start.
Today's crafting is some crochet stars made with scraps of wool from the leftover stash. I had decided I wanted to make a star & after a few attempts I decided it would be easier to just google it. I found this great tutorial & picked it up straight away. I think after a few more, I'll string them up into a garland to hang above the mantle. You should have a go too, they're super easy.

lots to do...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:28:00 +0000

There's so much to do on our little farmlet. Now that we've slowed down from our recent galavanting, we're making time for some simple chores. The glorious weather we've been having makes the tasks more enjoyable too. Today we were in the garden.

For the husband there was alot of mowing to be done, as there was at least an acre of grass that was almost two feet high. He also chainsawed a heap of dead branches for firewood & made a neat pile by the back door.

For me it was all about washing clothes & cleaning & a spot of gardening. I weeded a patch of our garden that was getting a little out of control. I still have half the patch to go, but I feel after putting down wet newspaper & mulch I am gaining the upper hand.

Two of the chickens kindly assisted me. After clearing out the base of the camelia, Lacey & Ruby felt it was the perfect opportunity to score some grubs. It was all going swimmingly until they decided to scratch up my freshly laid straw. I wasn't having a bar of that, so they were swiftly shooed away.
Was your sunday peaceful & rewarding too? I hope so.

pottering...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Just enjoying the afternoon with some roses picked from the garden, a chat to mum & a bit of drawing. I should probably stop daydreaming now & think about cooking some tea. Perhaps we'll have risotto, that's always a winner.
Saturday afternoon wishes to you all.

it's all a blur...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:23:00 +0000

Well the past month has been extremely hectic, So here's the parts I can remember...

For three weeks in a row, we we're in melbourne everyday packing up the husband's workshop. Two weeks in, we thought we were finished... then they decided we had to demolish the rooms. Aaaargh! What a stress. Driving an hour & a half each way doesn't make it much fun either. We did manage to catch up with friends & family along the way, that made the journeys more bearable.
The boys taking down the sign
Straight after that, we drove to winton for the boy to compete in the last round of the race season. He races an old datsun in the under 2 litre sports sedans. He came first in his class for the weekend & championship & second overall for the weekend. I really am so proud of him. He raced his little heart out & he really is very good. When he made his little speech at the trophy presentation, he thanked me for all my support & hard work in the pit. I couldn't help but cry. That turned the last three weeks into nothing & made the weekend trek well worthwhile.
After arriving home, the real estate told us we had to paint the walls aswell. So on monday, we traipsed back into town to get that done & boy do I hope that is the end of it.
Tuesday saw us jetting up to port macquarie... what for? I hear you ask... Well, we were to pick up a 1954 Austin truck & drive it home. Yes, you did hear correctly. We drove an ancient truck 1400 kms, all the way home! With only one minor hiccup within the first 20 minutes on the road, the rest of the trip was a breeze. I do love the south coast of n.s.w, it was lovely to see it again.
The truck has been named Lady Jane Austin (I know she spelt her name with an 'e', but for the sake of the truck... let's use an 'i') & she shall be fitted out like a 50's caravan/winnebago. It's a little project for the husband & wife to work on together. I'll do the interior stuff & he can do the engine & exterior stuff. I can't wait to go on a road trip when she's all done up.

our cute little (big) truck

But now I am home & home I shall stay for a while. I'm worn out & tired & in need of recuperation. As you can tell, the recurring theme of the past month has been all about helping the husband. I don't mind this, as he is quite wonderful & very appreciative. However, I have realised that to keep me sane... I must invest in me too.
So the next month is about me. Not in a selfish way, just in a way that means I can have time to do the things I love. Time to sew & knit & crochet & bake & garden & read & learn & just potter about. For it is all of these things that contribute to my general well-being.
Oh, it's lovely to be back.

I hope everyone is well & happy. Have a terrific weekend!

spiderweb on my back porch, captured on a quick dash out the door

busy...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:10:00 +0000

Hello there! Yep, I'm still here... just really busy.

We've been packing down the husband's old workshop & boy is it time consuming. So much stuff!
I haven't had any time to do anything else. So there is no crafty goodness to show, no delicious baked treats & nothing happening in the garden either. Luckily, the end is near & normal programming shall resume shortly.
I should also say that it hasn't been all hard work. Last weekend we went to a 30th, a 60th, lunch with a friend & a wedding! I've never been so social in my life.
Part of shutting down the workshop is selling our beloved truck. If you know anyone who would be interested in our 1948 M series bedford... it's listed here. Here it is ripping around our top paddock.

on a roll...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:12:00 +0000

I know it still doesn't look like much, but there has been great progress on the baby cardigan front. I've managed to increase several times & even the casting on extra stitches didn't phase me. I sat infront of the fire last night (yes, it's still cold), I slowed my breathing & with the hum of the fire in the background, I found my knitting zen. Everything was calm & purposeful & had a lovely rhythm. I do hope I can find this place again, it was very nice & relaxing.

my place & yours :: on the shelf...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:40:00 +0000

I've had a very overwhelming & hectic weekend, involving a horribly cantankerous pig, a few grumpy customers at work, a sore back & very little sleep. I'm trying not to think about it too much, so this is all I shall say about it. I do hope your weekend was lovely & smooth sailing.

I've joined in with pip & various others in my place & yours. These shelves sit above my sewing table, providing storage & inspiration. Here's a little run through of what's up there...
:: every issue of mixtape
:: various craft books for inspiration
:: old tins full of supplies, embroidery thread, cotton reels, quilting pins, buttons, wooden pegs and much more
:: old filing drawers full of zips & doilies,
:: canisters full of fabric scraps
:: watercolour pencils for doodling
That's pretty much it, give or take a little.

a verdict from the tin...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:42:00 +0000

Oops, I just realised I had put monday the 17th & today is actually the 19th. Goodness me. I should definately find those screws that have gone missing from my head since pregnancy.
Anyway, without further adieu... the two lovely winners of my pincushion giveaway are::
Beck from Dandelion
&
Tracey from Bountifully
Congratulations! I'll be in contact with you to get your addresses.

daydreaming...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:30:00 +0000

I've been a daydreamer lately. As alot of my time is spent feeling pregnant & tired, I feel this is quite a suitable way to pass the time.
Here's a few of my dreamings:
:: all the delicious ways of using our egg surplus once all of the girls are laying
:: if mum will make her awesome berry marscapone pavlova for christmas this year... it uses eggs
:: my christmas present list... can I achieve all of the pressies I wish to make
:: the list of items I wish to start making, perhaps to sell in a little online shop
:: thinking of possible names for our little one
:: if I'll score some more flannel sheets at the oppy this week... for my nappy making
:: of all the preserving I hope to be doing this summer... I recently scored 20 fowler jars at the oppy for just $10
:: of the sun coming out & the weather being warmer & wearing less than 4 layers at a time
That is most of it. There's so many daydreams floating around in my little head, it's awfully hard to catch them all to write down.
Have a Superb weekend everybody!

This is a shot of mum's pavlova. Isn't it just divine! I just want to frame it.

my creative space...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:25:00 +0000

I'm still working on the little project I started last week. These pretties are the second installment, waiting to be sewn up & attached. I can't wait til it's finished. Then I'll do the big reveal.
See more creative spaces over at Kootoyoo.

Have you entered my giveaway?

score...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:49:00 +0000

Who needs an oppy, when the tip gives just as good!
As we live in an area with no waste collection, so we take our rubbish to the tip ourselves. It has made us super conscious of the waste we produce & how we can cut down for the sake of the earth.
Our green waste is composted, alot of scraps go to the chooks & what they can't eat goes into the compost heap. We recycle as much as possible... whether that means taking it to the recycle centre or finding a new use for the container in the home, garden or shed. Care is taken to not use plastic bags when shopping, make better choices with product packaging & buying in bulk. With all of this put together, we only make one 10 litre bag of waste each week. More often than not, the bag doesn't even get full!
Now please don't get me wrong, I'm not preaching or saying how great we are... I'm just excited that simple steps are all it takes to changing the way we treat the earth.
My next step is to divert the water from the washing machine into a tank for garden watering. Not that we need it right now. Our three water tanks are overflowing & it just keeps raining. Winter has officially packed it's bags & moved to october, strange creature.
Well! wasn't that an outburst! I did get a little sidetracked. Now, where was I? Oh yes, the tip. Look what I found... an old pants hanger. There's a section of the tip where you can purchase unwanted goods for a few dollars here or there. So far in our travels, we've found an old kitchen chair, a vintage motorcycle helmut, a wheel barrow, a whipper snipper & various other items that I cannot recollect right now. And you should meet the old guy that runs it too. He's english & has the best silver twirled handle bar moustache I've ever seen. He spends his spare time curating the garden with various ornaments. Imagine Barbie, walking hand in hand with a dinousar over a bridge & through fields of succullents! Too funny.Have you entered my giveaway?

patiently knitting...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:06:00 +0000

Now, let me be honest here & tell you that I haven't knitted a thing over the last year. I've been all crochet a-go-go while my collection of knitting needles stand in their jug, looking glum. And, I also must warn you... that I've never knitted anything from a pattern or anything that involves increasing & decreasing... aaaargh! I just don't have the patience. But now my friends, I am throwing all fear aside & knitting a cardigan. It's a lovely little ribbed piece that was featured in the winter family circle. It's knitted all in one go, so no scary weird sections that I then have to wrangle together. As the cardigan is destined for my wee baby (when it comes out) two balls of 4 ply is all it requires, which is quite economical I think.
I've decided to make the newborn size, which means I have approximately 185 days to complete it. After starting three times already, I think I'm on a magnificent roll. Wish me luck!
That gorgeous fabric sitting underneath is from the latest amitie mail-out. It's just so pretty, I don't know what to make with it. Any ideas?

a little giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:15:00 +0000

In the spirit of blogtoberfest, I'm hosting some giveaways throughout the month.
The first I shall start today.
I've been in pin cushion mode & these two lovelies are up for grabs. I will draw two winners, who will each receive a pin cushion & two fat quarters of the below fabrics. I'll also throw in some other, yet to be decided goodies.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this here post & I'll draw two winners next monday the 17th. I am also happy to post anywhere.
Good luck my dears.

layers...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Woohoo! Our girls have started laying, well one of them at least. Here's yesterday & todays efforts, both just under 50gm. The first one must have come as a bit of a shock. She had laid it right beside the driveway & when Samuel arrived home he found the cattle dog guarding it & looking very self important.
We're now going to celebrate with a boiled egg & soldiers each. Ooh I hope they're good.

from scraps...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:43:00 +0000

I'm learning to love leftovers... of fabric that is. It is to be found that they come in quite handy when one wishes to make a patchwork pin cushion. Finished off with a vintage button.

something to show...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Here's the quilt top I was nattering on about the other day. I'm going to bind it in a dark blue to even out the heaviness in the centre. I did use some vintage florals, so I hope they're not too girly for a little boy.
It was an effort to take a photo of, it's quite windy outside & too dark inside. This was take five. I'd like to thank my lovely husband who assisted, as long as he wasn't included in the shot.

tired...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Not much to say today, I'm very tired.
I caught up with some girlfriends for afternoon tea, which was lovely. I got to show off my growing bump & catch up on what's been going on.
On the way home, the boy & I picked up a bassinet & cot that we bought off ebay. Such a good bargain, $85 all up. I'm a frugal lady I am, no point in spending big money I say. And plus, I'd much rather buy second hand & look after the earth.
Well, that was alot more words than I thought I had. Must go to sleep now. Goodnight.
I leave you with some beautiful flowers in my garden.

letterpress love...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Have you checked out Bespoke Press lately? They've just finished a gorgeous range of letterpress prints by 10 different artists. You can purchase them in their shop or if you're really lucky you might win the whole set! Visit their blog to enter the giveaway. Here's one of my favourites. It's called “Geraldine & Walter In Love” & it's illustrated by Chrissy Lau.

works in progress...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:04:00 +0000

Yesterday I was very productive indeed, in the studio that is. Due to my pregnancy lethargy & a healing right hand, housework is very unappealing. Have you ever tried to wash dishes with 1 & a half hands, the right hand is also not not allowed to get wet. It is very frustrating & not very successful. So at the moment, my kitchen is a mess & I'm sticking to meditative, easy going crafts.
I pieced together a quilt top for my nephew, it's very red & blue & a little bit retro. I hope he & his mumma like it. I'll show a pic as soon as I can get a decent photo of the darn thing. I always forget how hard they are to photograph. I was on a mission when I was making it, I managed to sketch the design, cut all the pieces & sew it all up in just a few hours. I'm clearly not as pedantic as I used to be, it's a lovely feeling... less stressful. Ha ha.
I also started a little project for the nursery, here's a sneak peak. I'll give you an update tomorrow. I've completed the first part, just a few more pieces to finish. Can you guess what it will be?

oh lotta...

noreply@blogger.com (kitty) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:41:00 +0000

I purchased another craft book off fishpond. How can I resist when the prices are good & the shipping is free if you spend $50. So about once a month, I get a craft book for me & a interesting biography for the Samuel. We are both very happy when we see the postman coming down the drive. Apart from the fact that he's mildly scared of the dogs when they go running full pelt at him. You should see the look on his face! They're just excited, I always tell him.
Anyway... my latest purchase is Lotta's Simple sewing for baby. I've already bookmarked the projects I want to make. All I need now is to source some of the more specific fabrics & then away I go. I'll keep you updated with my progress. I figure I have six months, if I start now that is.bloomers

snuggler

nursing pillow

portable change mat

It's raining here again, we've had some hail too. I'm in my studio, looking out on it all. Playing with ideas & sorting through my fabrics. I think I'll start on a quilt top... I just have to decide which one.