twoandsix

lemon and lime

A little dress for my niece, Ava.  Something wonderfully girly, a piece that will move and sway as she twirls and spins like a fairy. 

The moment I found this pattern, I knew it would be perfect for the summer dress I wanted to knit for her. The bamboo yarn is soft, silky and delicious.  The color - a fabulous combination of lemon and lime.  It's going to look stunning against her olive skin (Ziggy's skins is fair and pale in comparison to Ava's, but he did a great job modelling it for me - thankyou little man!!)

No modifications other than knitting it in the round.  It's a great pattern, thanks Sanne.

home

When a holiday comes to an end, emotions are always bitter-sweet.  Sadness, because it's time to say goodbye to loved ones and all the fun that a family holiday brings - mingled with a sense of excitement at knowing  you will soon be home, surrounded by familiar things, safe and sound.

As lovely as it is to go away...  it's always good to come home.

Flowers bloomed in our absence, and vases filled with blossoms from my parents garden greeted us as we walked in the door.  Since then, my little ones have had a delightful time picking flowers from our own garden - I'm finding tiny vessels filled with color all over the house!

I've finally caught up with the mountain of washing we brought home, all our snail mail has been opened and dealt with, and we're almost back into a rountine. Tomorrow, I will take a deep breath and lose myself in all of your beauty and inspiration.  I've missed your photos and words, and am looking forward to catching up with you all.

And then.... I must start thinking about Christmas!

two

Ziggy [] my baby boy [] my third boy [] my sixth child [] my last child [] our little miracle [] gives the best cuddles [] smiles with his mouth open [] laughs from his deep down in his belly [] loves to draw, especially all over the furniture [] won't walk outside on the grass without shoes [] sings along to the Spongebob Squarepants theme [] has a little friend at creche called Cameron [] would eat sultana's and grapes all day if I let him [] is quiet and thoughtful [] plays with his Matchbox cars for hours [] speaks so well, you can understand everything he says [] Tigger is his favorite stuffed toy [] still has a dummy [] has begun to drink milk - at last [] adores his daddy [] has never had a haircut [] loves to ride his bike, and play with a ball [] will sit on your lap and snuggle for as long as you care to have him there [] holds his ear when he get's tired or unwell [] loves to hold other peoples ears too [] has the best sense of humor [] would rather a bath than a shower [] giggles as he chases seagulls at the beach [] likes to swim in a pool, but not the ocean [] has one nap during the day, but still doesn't sleep all night []  when asked a question, he always replies, "no idea"! [] not interested in the idea of sitting on the potty [] he likes slippery dips at the park, but not the swings [] uses his soft, soothing voice when he talks to babies or animals [] loves to go for walks [] he can whisper, and count to ten.

Happy 2nd Birthday my sweet boy.

You are simply,  a Joy.

cotton seeds

A little something for Spring.  Not too warm.  Not to light.  But  j-u-s-t  right.

Sherheradie inspired me to create cotton seeds , after I fell in love with her seed stitch Nimbus neckwarmer.  Thankyou sherheradie x

Wonderfully versatile, it can be worn loose, wrapped around once, or twice - depending on your mood, or the weather.

Thankyou to my sweet Madison for being such a fun model this afternoon.  I usually have trouble getting her in front of the camera, but there was lots of laughter and silliness during our little session!

If you would like to make your own, then here's how:

DETAILS
Finished measurements:
70" / 180cm long x 7" / 36cm wide

Yarn
Any Aran weight yarn.  I've used Jo Sharp's Aran Cotton.  5 x 50gm balls.

Needles and Notions:
5.5mm  circular needles
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
Not important in this pattern.

Cast on 201 stitches.  Join the round.

Round 1: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end of round.
Round 2: *purl 1, knit 1*, repeat to end of round.

These two rounds create your seed stitch pattern.  Continue in seed stitch for 47 rounds.

Bind off.  I used Elizabeth Zimmermans sewn cast off.

Weave in ends.

Beautiful simplicty. Wrap your neck in cotton, and enjoy x

gently. quietly.

S l o w l y.

I am beginning to emerge from the grey of Winter.  The colors and sweet fragrance of Spring revive my senses, and I am adift - floating towards warmth and promise.

I'm looking forward to meeting you there.

today....

.... was gloriously warm and sunny - it felt like Spring.  So, I made a flower for my sweet Eden.

I'm hoping a little color will cheer her up.  On Monday she is facing the first of many procedures to repair her broken front teeth. The dentist has been waiting for them to fully erupt, and it's been over six months since her accident.  Sadly, it's become clear that the nerve in one tooth has died.

If she is extra brave on Monday, and handles the first root canal surgery well, the dentist may even put the Bonds put on for her!  She's excited about having 'pretty' teeth again, but nervous about the needles and pain. 

I'm looking forward to taking a photo of her big new smile, but until then, we plan on having a gentle weekend and hope that the sun continues to shine for us.

Have a glorious weekend, and if you you'd like to make your own flower, you can find the pattern here.

a piece of me

My parcel has arrived. 

Beautifully bound in ruby red string - a promise of what lies inside:  a sweet note, and a piece of fabric - the foundation for what will become my contribution to Kirsty's Quilt Project. 

A block of embroidered Redwork of my own design, a little piece of me that will be joined together with little pieces of others.  A wonderful idea that I'm excited to be part of.

My design is yet to become a reality on paper, although I know exactly what it will be.  It's been a while since my embroidery needle has been threaded with red.

This is going to be fun!

pause for breath

Hello. I'm back.

I was gone a little longer than I anticipated, and have missed you all.  My brief adventure across the ocean with my beautiful friend was nothing short of divine, however, it made me aware of how tired - how terribly tired I was.  

When I came home, I gave myself permission to take a little break.  I've realised it's something I need to do every now and then.  I made time to sleep and dream.  I found time to refocus and refresh.  I held my sick baby, took my son for driving lessons, read magazines, sketched some new ideas and designs, watched DVD's and took photos - just for the pure pleasure of it.

I have some exciting things brewing on the horizon, and am looking forward to sharing them will you soon.  But until then, please try to find a small moment of your own to rest and dream, and maybe visit this wonderful space - there you will find "unspoken words" and the "beauty of life unveiled"

There is magic to be discovered all around us, if only we will take a moment, and [pause for breath].

i'll be right back...

I'm just about to turn off my computer and head out the door.  A girlfriend and I are going away for a couple of days - just because!

Just because we need some time-out from the craziness of our everyday lives.
Just because we are desperate for some sleep.
Just because we love all the same things, and can't wait to discover and experience some new and exciting treasures and places (well, new to us at least!!)

We've put everything in place to make sure things run smoothly at home without us - and although we'll miss our loved ones, we're sure we'll come back refreshed, and with a spring our in step!

So, if you see two really happy ladies wandering around Surry Hills tomorrow, please smile and say 'hello'!

come, walk with me

Put on your sweater and overcoat, and pull on your wellies.  Come, walk with me.  We won't go very far, just into my backyard for a few moments - just long enough to feel the icy air on our faces, and see our breath swirl before us as we exhale.

Slide your arm through mine and move in close, if we're careful we won't slip on the wet grass, but if we do, we can save each other from falling.

It's raining softly, the clouds hang heavy and low overhead. Droplets glisten on leaves and reflect the light - like tiny stars twinkling in a sea of green.  Our minds are clear and alert, and we tune into the magic that lies before us - the ordinary, the everyday, yes, but somehow today (maybe because we are sharing this moment together) everything appears more real, more vivid and more beautiful.  

We embrace the stillness and breathe without words.  With rain on our noses and eyelashes, we huddle a little closer together, and soak in each others warmth.  

We smile and head back inside, removing wet layers as we go.  The kettle is on and John is playing in the background.  Let's sit for a while.  We can sip our chai and flick through magazines.  We can talk some and laugh a lot, and maybe even cry - just a little.

Have a wonderful weekend x