vessel wednesday: morning tea

I haven't posted a vessel for a while- due to my finding a lack of exciting vessels up to the calibre of the other vessels people have been sharing, and lack of decent light. Decent light is an ongoing problem at this time of year, but I also realise that just because I take some of the vessels around here for granted, doesn't mean that they don't warrant sharing with others.

This mug is one of my favorites. I have a collection of them, about 8 I think, all with different glazes, but the same shape, all procured over a number of years by myself and my family. They originate from Lindgren Pottery in Canada. Whenever we (on the Australian limb of the family tree) visit my Canadian relatives during their summer, it invariably involves a few weeks at the lake, some walks and canoeing in Algonquin Park, and a trip to Lindgren Pottery to pick up another mug or two. Last year when my Aunt visited for our wedding, it was a pleasant surprise for her to drink from such a familiar looking mug to the ones she has at her home on the other side of the world.

Also in the photo are the fruits of some baking efforts yesterday. I was in the mood for baking something biscuity, with a bit of lemon, but was suffering from lack of some essential ingredients (like eggs) and lack of desire to walk to the shop for supplies in the windy wintry weather we're having. Eater to the rescue: Janet's Mum's Yo-yo's to be precise. I highly recommend them, and am looking forward to delving into the Eater archives to sample some of the other recipes. They're exactly my kind of food- simple, tasty and easy to make. Real food. Beautifully photographed, clearly written and with stories behind them too. Do have a look yourself.

Thanks also for all the tips and ideas to help Baby C get a wriggle on. I'm sure it's just a case of time- I take after my mum on the physical side of things generally (complete with lack of coordination), and both my brother and I were late. So we're hanging in there, and trying not to get too focused on counting the days. Rest assured it will get a mention here when we have something to show you!

Coaxing

I thought about getting someone to write an eviction notice, but settled instead for a day of fabric deliberations, followed by a day of pattern making, cutting and sewing, and then a few days dawdling over finishing touches, to complete a sling, in the hopes that this will tempt Baby C out from it's current abode and into the big wide world.

Estimated Due Dates come and go, eager family members call "just to see how you are", and well meaning friends ask if I'm "over it yet" (No. I'm not over it. I'm still pregnant in fact. See? Here's my belly. I'll let you know when I'm over it.... Oh, you really meant how am I feeling? Well I'm feeling more and more like a beached whale. Thanks for asking.)

I'm certainly over sewing now. That's it. It involves too much brain power and physical activity. I've packed the machines, fabric and patterns back into the cupboard. Instead I am beached (quite comfortably) on the sofa wtih my feet up, watching DVD's and knitting furiously on my Sunrise Circle Jacket. In just a few afternoons worth of knitting I'm now about half way through the right front, and after that there's just the back to go. Maybe I'll be able to finish it before the baby arrives...

Vital Statistics:
Pattern: no printed pattern. I copied the dimensions of a friend's sling and drafted a pattern up from that.
Materials: 1m each Echino "Lady bugs" (in Claret), and Lecien "My Folklore" Snowflakes (in Black), some quilt wadding to pad the edge against my body, a couple of open ended zips to provide some length adjustments, and a bit of velcro for a cover for the zippered section.

More pics at Flickr here.

Grandma's squares

A while back I started admiring the granny squares people were crocheting, and turning into beautiful bags and quilts (see some fresh ones here and here). My crochet skills are next to none, but I'm sure if I were to sit down with a specific project or two, appropriate supplies and a friend who actually knows what they're doing, I could create some of my own. But why bother when a grandma-to-be offers to crochet a granny square blanket for the baby? I gave her some yarns from my stash basket- Jo Sharp 8ply pure wools and various other yarn leftovers in greens, oranges, reds and browns- and she added some of her own, creating this gorgeous blanket.



More pictures at Flickr here.

refashioned rectangles

A bit of refashioning has been going on behind the scenes- nothing major, but aiming to make good use of things that were available, hiding in my (or a friend's) cupboard. I do feel slightly virtuous in not spending a fortune in baby stores on new rectangles of fabric- in keeping with our general aim this year to live a little more compactly.

The stack entails (top to bottom):
1. cream cottom muslin wraps [some of the 6 or so that I made from some fabric in the stash. In a former life they served as make-shift curtains, bull-dog clipped to the window frame, before I got hold of something more permanent in my old apartment]
2. orange cotton flanelette wraps [donated by a friend, originally apricot-ish colour, now dyed a rich orange]
3. red cotton interlock wraps [suggested by another friend, as a more effective wrapping for a squirmy baby. Fabric from Cutting Edge, with overlocked edges by me]
4. a white cotton interlock wrap [as per the red, but only one because there wasn't much fabric left on the roll!]
5. a couple of navy cotton flanelette wraps [made by me before interlock was suggested]
6. two cotton cellular blankets (does anyone know why they're called that?) [donated by a friend, originally pale pink, now dyed purple]

The purple will hopefully coordinate nicely with a quilt I'm working on- it's half made, but hasn't had much attention in the last fortnight.

Actually I'm a bit over it. It evolved as it went, with a few annoying hiccups, some seam ripping, and changes in direction as a result of pregnancy brain combined with scissors. I'm also not convinced we'll need it - there's the beautiful one that Al sent me, plus both prospective grandmothers have been busy making quilts too. But I do love the fabric- crisp white cotton with machine embroidered feathers in deep chocolate brown- and I have had of fun playing with rik-rak and ribbon trims. I'm just not looking forward to the quilting (I've never quilted before! hand or machine...) and binding process. Oh well, I suppose it will make a nice break from changing nappies...

Baseball

I have a mounting pile of finished objects to show- best I get on with it before I get caught up in finishing off the baby production project:

Julia put me onto the fact that there is a cute baby sweater in Knit 2 Together a while ago. When I started maternity leave, one of the first things I did was head to my local library (City of Glen Eira for those locals interested in borrowing it too), where I found a very fresh and new looking copy on the shelves. Great book I have to say, there's a few things I wouldn't mind knitting from it- I can see I'll be borrowing it again some time..


The Vital Statistics:
Pattern: Baby Baseball Tee from Knit 2 Together
Yarn: Marta's 8 ply pure wool (mmm, luscious almost-black variegated shade that reminds me of squashed ripe blackberries and blueberries)
Needles: 4mm Bamboo straights
Pattern comments and modifications:
I knitted it all in one colour (rather than two), and without the front pocket (which is cute, but I just couldn't be bothered). Because I was knitting it all in one colour, rather than knitting the garter neck edge on each piece, I kept the stitches on a holder and knitted the neck band as one once I'd joined the shoulder seams.
The pattern is sadly available in one size only- infant (3 months). It would be so cute on a toddler, especially with the mittens- I have to say I thought that mittens with a separate thumb probably aren't that necessary for a 3 month old. I do have yarn left over, so I suppose I could make them... But other projects are lined up waiting attention.

Like knitting the other pieces of my Sunrise Circle Jacket, finishing my Hourglass, and making something with this yarn from Lynne, a soon to depart member of the Melbourne S'n'B, whose riotous colour sense matches her cheery smile.

Not everything Lynne dyes is to my colour taste, but recently she dyed some gorgeous variegated purples and I was pleased to beat the other S'n'B members to two delightful hanks of her sock yarn- the debate is whether I make them into socks for me, or knit up some other baby clothes with it. Right now I'm thinking socks for me...

pieces of fluff

Angora booties are done. They're a little bundle of divine fluffiness, and were a pleasure to knit.

The Vital Statistics:
Pattern: Angora Baby Booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: One ball of Bouton D'or 100% Angora Infeutrable (a mere 10 grams (34 metres) of pure bunny goodness), colour Burgundy.
Needles: 4mm Clover bamboo DPN's
Pattern comments:
A quick and interesting knit, with different techniques- "double knitting" was easy (although I've been told you MUST slip the stitches purlwise, or else it doesn't work), and I did a 3 needle bind off for the first time ever. When I read through it I thought the pattern was written a bit strangely, but I just followed the instructions and it all made sense and worked out fine.

Also a pleasure (but having nothing to do with fluff) was the chatting indulged in at the Meet up in Melbourne yesterday- despite the weather turning drizzly and grey (the contingency venue worked out fine). There were about 10 of us, and conversation varied from babies to blogging to drooling all over Ellen's Japanese photos, Jen and Carolyn discovering they had met virtually before over Backtack II, Loretta mentioned some good books, Miss Eagle shared some thoughts on the place of religion and morals in today's society, Caroline gave us the inside scoop on copyright and plagiarism in the Melbourne tap community, and much more... a nice variety of treats were eaten too :). (I didn't take very good notes so I hope I've got the links right!)

Wardrobe refashioning inspirations

I don't have much in the way of wardrobe refashioning projects to show (although I do need to photograph several sewing projects), but I do have a few inspiring and stylish links to share. It's the best I can do on the refashioning front at the moment. These show what amazing, stylish and beautiful garments can be created with some imagination and experimentation (and in some cases a fair bit of skill and time!):

• AuH2O (via No Impact Man) is a shop in NY that sells only recycled and refashioned clothing. Check out their Apparel pics for some inspiration, including menswear.
• A really simple (no sewing!) and stylish dress refashioning project by fiftyRx3. Her blog is all about being sustainable + stylish.
• Absolutely beautiful baby clothes refashioned from vintage fabrics by Lutterlagkage in Denmark (via fiftyRx3). Unfortunately her site only in Danish -you could try Google translate or find out more about her and her work at her Flickr photos.
• Martin Margiela is a high end designer who (I just discovered, again via fiftyRx3) also has been refashioning for a while- Read this post for more info on his Artisanal collection, including some images- I love the pic of the black knitted vest that looks like it was made from a few different sweaters pieced together- and check out the designer's website for more pics (click on Collections, then Artisanal, then on the images to the right).

Hope you enjoy!

Eeek- two posts in one night.. and it's past my bed-time now...

Making, making, making...

It's amazing when you stop trying to trek all over town picking up "things we need", attending to paperwork chores, and catching up with every friend who doesn't work full time, how much time you get to make things (even allowing for naps and a batch or two of soup making). So there is much to photograph for show and tell- a variety of sewing and knitting.


First up, I wanted to create a little something as a birthday gift for a friend visiting from Hong Kong, with the lovely Japanese indigo prints (with a splash of red) that Amitie sent last month. I happened to have some red matching fabric in the stash (purchased a while back at Calico and Ivy in Perth), and some lining to match, but no appropriate zip. Being as I couldn't be bothered heading out just to get a zip, it called for something other than one of my standard box bags.

This drawstring pouch has a rectangular base, heavily interfaced (so it stands quite nicely), and patchwork outer, with a contrasting red interior and inside pocket (sorry, didn't think to photograph that before I wrapped it this morning) . It was quite simple to make- most time was spent umming and ahhhing over the fabrics, playing (quite indecisively) with the different patterns and piecing options. I'm quite pleased with it and contemplating making more (while I can..) - one or two for me, and a some for my very dusty Etsy shop...

But tomorrow I'll be indulging in some knitting in public- taking something warm to knit while I hang out at the bloggy meet in Flagstaff Gardens tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon from 2pm - the weather is looking cold, but (unless the baby decides the time is right between now and then!) I'll be there- hope to see you there too!

Simple Shoes

When I was chatting to OzKnitter at s'n'b on the weekend she asked me what I was going to knit next. I answered, quite confidently, "cotton dishcloths". I have yarn, I have a pattern, and I want some (Suse gave me one and I love it to bits. I want more of them).

But, I got distracted....

I cast on these simple baby shoes from Uniform Studio, with some Malabrigo (from Blossom). A clever pattern and a very quick knit. Walter invaded the photo shoot and demanded some attention. I think he liked the look of the shoes, and was wondering if they were for him. I offered to let him try them on but he declined, despite the fact that they look cat paw sized. Let's just hope the baby doesn't take after me in the foot size stakes. I'm estimating they may fit for a week... if we're lucky.

Vital Statistics:
Pattern: Simple Shoes from Uniform Studio
Yarn: Malabrigo in "Lettuce"
Needles: 5mm Addi metal DPN's
Pattern modifications and comments:
They came out really tiny (well, it was the wrong yarn, and I used smaller needles, so that wasn't really a surprise). I also tinkered with the wraps, from how the pattern is written- for the second wrap pick-up, I purled the wrap together with two stitches through the back loops (not the easiest of knitting maneouvres), which seemed to work OK for me, rather than picking up and knitting the wrap separately from the purl 2 tog (I'm guessing that probably doesn't make any sense unless you're in the process of knitting it up).

I'm contemplating making some more (maybe after I discover whether these will fit at all) by adding in a few extra stitches and rows. In the meantime, baby shoe making is set to continue- I've decided that before I get onto some dishcloths, and in between sewing exploits (which in my current brainless state seems to involve almost as much unpicking as sewing), next onto the knitting needles will be these:

I bought the angora before I leaving Wool Baa on Sunday (great venue for s'n'b meets- full of many, many temptations) to make the fluffy baby booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I'm sure they're impractical, but I'm intrigued by the double knitting technique. And the opportunity to knit some pure angora. Mmmmm...

Meet me in Melbourne

Only seven sleeps away. Details here.
(if you're coming along, grab a copy of the badge from Flickr to display on your blog)

all things sleep related

All I can think about right now seems to be sleep related.

There is the lack of sleep I have been getting- interrupted sleep, broken each time I roll over every night, or when I wake up and am unable to get back to sleep for a few hours (or if I'm really lucky, the rest of the night). I'm trying to think of this as training, and trying to make myself attempt less each day, because doing less is better than sleep-deprivation-induced-meltdown (ie, bursting into tears at the drop of a hat).

Then there are the cot sheets I made last week. It took me at least half a day to figure out how to cut down two pre-loved (great quality, but wrong size for our bed) sheets into two flat and fitted cot sheets. I'm sure the slow brain activity is just a side effect of the sleep deprivation. The fact that the sheets actually fit feels like a huge achievement. Most pleasingly, they look so perfect in the cot, I nice backdrop for the stunning quilt that I received from Al (with contributions from Blossom and Kirsty) this week.



Gee, you might actually think our study is going to house a baby soon, especially when you spot some of the other sweet baby gifts that have been arriving recently- a virtual shower from some blogging friends- and various pieces of baby paraphernalia borrowed from, or donated by others. Walter is gallantly ignoring it all, but has strategically adopted a new daytime nap spot in the baby's room...



And lastly there's baby sleeping sack that I managed to sew this week - far more taxing than the sheets I have to say. It feels like my sewing brain is napping, even if the rest of me isn't. The pattern was traced from a sleeping bag a friend has. There's another one, with a few differences (two layers of flanelette, no bottom opening and no bias binding at the neck) cut out and ready to be sewn together, and last night as a lay awake I mentally sewing my way through another style with sleeves. Maybe I'll get on to that today.

Or maybe my head and body will coordinate and let me have a nice long nap...

News Flash

We have Walter back.
He got under the floor of a house two doors down the road from us.
He's well, although he's very dirty, hungry and seems somewhat spooked by the experience.
We're relieved, a heck of a lot happier and we'll give in to whatever he desires right now (although we won't be letting him out for a while).

Thanks again to all who sent their sympathies, support and good wishes. They were really appreciated.

The waiting game

The waiting game seems endless. Walter's continued absence is a big distraction from waiting for the baby's arrival, but not in a good or welcome way. We're missing him a lot. I'm a walking bag of hormones at the moment, after all.
We've walked, door knocked, called over and over, phoned, and printed, folded and delivered about 200 lost notices. We've cried. We've tried not to blame ourselves, but it's hard not to think that we made him unhappy and unwittingly drove him away. We did find out where he's been getting extra snacks over the years, and they saw him the day after he disappeared. So we're hoping (but trying not to get our hopes up) that he goes back there again, and that they can catch him.
But waiting is hard. Thanks for all your good wishes and support.
While waiting, it's hard to focus my mind on something else, even though I have a long list of things I know I need to do.
I've managed to do a few things that you might be interested in: I finished the left front of Sunrise Circle (photo above) but I still need to knit the right front and back. I've knitted 5 infant socks and am left with a little scrap of yarn (Murphy's Law states that if I hadn't knitted the 5th one I would have lost three of them and been left with an odd sock). I've written up the pattern for the baby kimono and asked (told?) a friend to try knitting it because I'm not convinced it doesn't have some major and confusing flaw in it. So it will be available sometime soon. Until then, you'll just have to wait.