Trying something new

Life has been hectic and I have let a lot of things slip, not just my blogging.  I've not even been creating that much, just doing my chores, seeing lots of people and eventually wearing myself out!  Then I read a blog last night whose author said she is only going to blog once a week, on the same evening each week, as she is so busy; she also said she was telling her readers what to expect so there were no surprises.  I thought this was a pretty good idea and began thinking about when my ideal blogging day would be to make sure I get it done.  So I have decided to give it a go at the weekends for now.  My excuse for not blogging before was that I'm too tired from work but as I have the weekends free it would seem sensible to try then.  And here we are.

At the moment I am determined to finish some projects before moving onto new ones - I'm just amazed at how many works in progress I have lying around!  This is one that's been in the making for several years - back when I was doing my 'granny a day' which if I'm not mistaken was back in 2009!  Bit of a shocker when you can put dates on projects :)

 

Blogtoberfest Day 17 - I'm back! Blogtoberfest days 14, 15, 16 never to be ...

Here we are again.

I made a conscious decision not to blog back on Tuesday as it was late and I was tired and had nothing in particular to write about.  But then life got in the way, a few things happened and I just didn't have any time to write, though probably had lots to write about - although you wouldn't want to read it!

Today has been my first 'normal' day this last half of the week!  I've been sewing today with my crafty friends, and starting a new crochet project. I'm making a blanket with no real plan in mind, inspired by my new 'blog crush' Dottie Angel - in her world, everything is just 'peachy' and I love it!

Have you done anything peachy today?

A little corner ...

This is my favourite corner of the lounge room.  It's my unofficial front room studio :)  It's really the lamp table, but I think it looks more interesting now I've commandeered it!

A pile of crochet, a Playmobil duel and a glass of wine - what more could you ask for?  :)

Welcome to my world ...

A cold remedy, Me-Made-May 2014 and a question of vintage ... or not ...

Firstly, I've lost track of the days before I leave for the UK ...

Secondly, I'm sitting here sipping the best cold elixir ever as I write this.  I was going to reach for the ibuprofen because of sinus pain, when a friend offered to make me a honey and apple cider vinegar drink.  Oh my word!  It really worked and I didn't needto reach for the pills ... a simple recipe, 1tbs honey, 1tbs apple cider vinegar in a mug, then fill up with hot water and stir.  Sip away!  Much, much tastier than a Lemsip (yeuch!)

This blasted cold is the reason for my having lost my blogging mojo for the past couple of days.  I was off work yesterday and just slept the whole day instead, which to be honest was probably the best medicine.

So I have another me-made-May item to share with you as well.  It's another splice skirt! I love them so much.  I was even looking at quilting fabrics the other day, imagining which ones would go together in another splice rather than which quilting project I want to do next :)  Quilting fabrics are just so beautiful aren't they? 

And of course, I've been working on my crochet fusion blanket.  Using my beautiful and faithful old 100 Classica Husqvarna machine.  Seeing as it was bought for me nearly 24 years ago, can I class it as vintage yet?

Fusion Blanket - sewing and crochet - yay!

Yesterday was day 26 of my blog countdown challenge, so today must be 27!  Yikes, that magical number 70 will be here before I know it!

I had training for work yesterday, a fantastic day learning all about nurturing youth, very thought-provoking but also exhausting - hence I went to bed early instead of blogging.  My brain was already stretched to the max!

Today has been a typical day for catching up with chores, but I also had time to catch up with my crafty crew for a natter and a cuppa.  It's my weekly sanity :)  I'm sure the girls don't know quite how much they keep my feet on the ground.  My project is the fusion blanket - part sewing, part crochet - totally beautiful!

This one is for my daughter who has set me a challenge to finish it before we leave for the UK.  Not sure how that one is going to go ... check out these blogs (here and here) who inspired us to start the journey.  (Thank you Little Miss Shabby and Sewing Daisies)

Me-Made-May 2014 ...

day 3 of my countdown! (or should it be count-up as I'm counting from 1-80??)

making my feet lovely and cosy ...

These pics are for my niece.  They feature my Totoro slippers, which were a present from my lovely daughter :)  Totoro is a wood spirit ... Google him, I'm sure we'll be talking more about him before long ...

Looking like possums caught in the camera flash light! ...

I made a pledge today for Me-Made-May 14 - very basically it's a chance to show and tell your handmade items, be they sewn, crocheted or knitted clothes and/or accessories.  You don't need to sew a brand new wardrobe!  You can simply get an idea of what you like to wear, and maybe what you will want to make in the future.  There's still enough time to join up in certain parts of the world, so here's the link ... as usual I've left it to the last minute!



But here's my pledge:

'I, Lara, of 'Create for Life' blog, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavour to wear 3-4 me-made items of clothing and/or accessories each week for the duration of May 2014 (which will hopefully help me see what is missing from my wardrobe and inspiring future makes!)'

Let's see how I go ... have you joined in the fun?

Blogtoberfest day 22 - been busy ...

What I've been up to today in between household chores :)

Preparing the Burda pattern I told you about the other day - the only drawback is I have to stick together 34 sheets of A4 paper to be able to trace off the pieces I need.

A bit more crochet on my yarn eater blankie ...

Didn't like the chores part, but enjoyed the craft!

Only read a few blogs tonight, numbers 136 - 140 - started a bit late!

My Creative Space: Crochet Along Show and Tell

Work in process

My lovely wool-eater CAL is going well - I've decided I don't need to go too mad as it's lasting for the whole year, and if I did more than one row per week, the blanket would be big enough to cover the house by the end of 2012.  I'm so loving the bright colours!  Though it is a tad hot to be doing ANY crochet at present - 37 degrees today and 39 forecast for tomorrow apparently.  YUCK!  Guess who will be taking the car to school?  I am just such a wimp when it's hot ...

Detail - yummy ...

roll on the time of year when I can snuggle up under my delicious crochet blankie ....

See what other delicacies are on offer in the crafty world of our creative spaces ...

Starting on my CAL (Crochet-along!)

Here are my first few rounds of the Sarah London crochet-along I mentioned in my last post.  It did take a few attempts, think I started too close to bedtime!  The great thing about crochet is that you only have to undo one stitch rather than a whole row, and you can see what you've done wrong very quickly because it just doesn't look right!  I've decided to use really bright colours to brighten up our lounge room in the winter, because despite the 42 degree day we had yesterday, it really does get fairly cold in the winter here.  Honest.

And it looks as good from the back ...

And I called the blanket a 'yarn-eater' when I think the pattern is actually called the 'wool-eater blanket', though I suppose I'm correct using yarn as I'm using my huge stash of acrylic yarn - and I'm going to try really hard not to buy any new stuff until it's absolutely necessary - when the yarn has all been eaten!

Back from hols ... Madora Bay Magic

Hello, did you miss me?  I certainly missed blogging about my endeavours, but totally enjoyed the relaxing time by the sea in Madora Bay.  Doesn't it look magical?

I also enjoyed not having access to any internet and being technology free for a while.  Just sewing hexies for a swap I've joined, reading books and being with the kids, blissful.  Though on my return I did have to do some catching up and found a crochet-along happening with Sarah London; if you go here you'll find the pattern for her yarn-eater blanket which looks amazing.  I'll be doing my crochet-along with a dear and special friend in the UK - it's heart-warming to know that everytime I pick up the crochet hook for a round I'll be thinking of her.  :)  And we'll keep each other accountable too, bet she'll do much more than me, she's become somewhat of a crochet whirlwind! 

Only a few more days of the holidays, then it's back to 'normal' - whatever that is!

My Creative Space: Poncho for a birthday girl

Well, I've been really busy creating for the past few days I'm pleased to say, but I can't share much of it here at the moment because it's either for a mystery activity or for someone who may read this blog before their big day!  However, I can share the little poncho I've hooked for my niece as she's not reading this blog yet (but I'm sure she will when she's old enough :))

I'm particularly proud of the two tone lilac and pink tassles!

It's knitted in acrylic 8 ply for ease of washing for her mum; I used a pattern from Spotlight (the 'Charmed Knits' mini booklet).  I used really pretty girly colours as she does love pink.  Best news is that it is incredibly quick to make up, you'll be able to make one in a weekend.  Winner!

and another pic, just because it's so pretty ... :)

A good day.

I woke up this morning for a coaching session, which was really wonderful.  It is such an honour to be witness to someone's story and a part of their journey, if only for a short while.  The session was also a good reminder of how much I enjoy connecting with people in this way, and that what I want to do with my life is coach and encourage others.  Sometimes I fall off the path and let 'fear' entice me away and find excuses for not doing what I really want to do.  So that reminder is a gift.

And look at what I've been creating - I've started to crochet a poncho for my niece.  It will be finished very soon - I love the speediness of crochet!  I'm not sure if you can make out the background very clearly, but it's a piece of hand quilting I started back in 2005!  I'm intending to complete projects this year ... :)

Here are my little crochet squares, being sorted into two halves so I can sew them together in a seemingly random, yet kind of organized manner!  I am trying to finish projects rather than constantly start new ones - completion is good too!

Woke up in the early hours of this morning thinking about a film I'd seen recently called 'Contagion'.  Rather than being purely about people catching a virus and it spreading quickly, it's also a brutally frank study of human behaviour.  Fascinating, thought-provoking and very scary as it shows us the shadow side of humanity (but also the honourable side).  I think New Year resolutions are a kind of contagion - we all catch the bug for making new resolutions, then destroy our self-esteem by not meeting the expectations we set for ourselves.  I would rather look at dreams and projects for the year ahead - if you can own the intention, and love what you want to do I believe you have more chance of staying the distance.  And the good thing about dreams is that they never go away - they may change shape and form as you develop, but that is brilliant!  My dream project for the year is to look at my roots - how my life in my homeland and subsequent new homes in other countries has shaped me.  I've been mulling it over for a few years since I came back from the UK with a load of old family photos and copies of documents.  Whilst I've been pretty slack at keeping up with the research on ancestry.com I feel like I can explore and express my discoveries through art, so that's what I'll be doing.  It's something I've been planning for a while, now it's time for action!  And of course I'll be documenting it here as I go ...

Part of my journey has been to find some blogs about my last UK home on the Isle of Wight, and I found a lovely one called 'The Living Isle' with simply great writing and beautiful photos - I aspire to write as he does!  Check it out here ...

My Creative Space ...

I'm still plodding on with my teeny granny squares - I like to have a pot to chuck them in as I make them.  I found a slightly battered biscuit tin in the laundry, so I hammered out the worst dents and covered it in pretty wrapping paper ...

treasure revealed inside!

And look what the postie left on my doorstep today, a very cool amigurumi crochet calendar for 2012 by crochetme.  So fabulous you can even download all the patterns - looks like I'll have at least one crochet project a month for the next year :)

Check it out here to see other creative spaces ...

My Creative Space: hexies, squares and blankies

Here's my little offering for today - some more of my teeny tiny granny squares for the random multicoloured afghan I hope to make one day :)  I love these for summer crochet - no huge, heavy pieces of warm knitting sitting on my lap!  Another perfect project for summer small pieces is the hexipuff - discovered these during Blogtoberfest - little hexagons you knit in the round, then stuff with a little wadding before binding off!  (It's a project called the 'Beekeeper's Quilt')  I haven't stuffed any yet as I'm not sure I'll ever need anything that warm in Oz, but when I looked at Tiny Owl's site just to check out the finished item once again, for inspiration - it's gorgeous - I was tempted to fill a few as they are so perfectly squishy and squashy.  Might make good ornaments for the Christmas tree?

When the kids asked what I was going to do with all these hexipuffs and squares, I answered 'make blankets' and they rolled their eyes with a 'not more blankets' kind of look.  Well, I might as well admit it now - I am a blankie addict - I can't help myself.   They are so comfy and nuturing.  And I think imagining what the finished article will look and feel like is part of the fun.

See what other craft addicts are up to at Our Creative Spaces.  xx

A Creativity Quote

I've just finished reading "Knitting Through It: Inspiring Stories for Times of Trouble" compiled by Lela Nargi.  It's a collection of essays and stories by people who use knitting as a way to connect with others, to get them through tough times, to evoke memories, amongst other themes; and if like me, you love to share stories and hear other perspectives on life you will love this book.

One quote stuck with me and I'd like to share it now:

"Everything we create - pies, paintings, songs - resonates with our deepest needs as human beings, as creative beings, to make things of beauty and worth.  It's this act of creation that allows our souls to breathe, enables us to activate our spiritual selves and connect with nature."   
(From the essay 'Knitting My Urban Escape by Barbara DeMarco Barrett).

At the moment I'm working on another afghan, crocheting for all my life is worth.  When I'm feeling a bit scattered I've realized that crochet makes me feel as if I'm in control of something, I'm creating something that is real and I have a creation - if only a single square - in a very short time.  It keeps me grounded, and I like the structure it gives me when my mind is wondering off chasing my own original creative ideas that I can't quite grasp for the moment.  And you just thought crochet was good for keeping warm :)

Finally - completed another project from squares made in the Granny a Day Challenge 2010!

Oops - this should have been posted yesterday - must have got sidetracked!

Yesterday passed in a blur - myself and the Little Man had a cold and even the dog was ill.  I'm not sure who was the worst patient ;)   So, I waited until today to post the photo of my prize winning afghan!  It's petite but beautifully formed, and Little Man spent a good part of the day snuggled up underneath it, which I'll take as a vote of confidence!

Crochet-a-Rainbow update

Yesterday I sent off another package of granny squares for the Crochet-a-Rainbow project - taking it quite literally this time - look at the fantastic array of colours!  The project is on for the remainder of 2011 so if you feel like using up your stash of scraps, give it a go - you can make as few or as many as you like.

Crochet-a-Rainbow spreads to Christchurch and Japan

Just a quickie tonight to let you know that Crochet-a-Rainbow will now be sending granny square blankets to Christchurch and Japan, so if ever you needed a reason to use up your stash and crochet for a fantastically caring and compassionate reason this is it!  Visit Sarah London's site for more details.

Bless you!

A sea of crochet

OK - so my Granny a Day Challenge has changed into more of a Granny Every Few Days Challenge!  I've been catching up with my granny squares over the past couple of days - my next project to be finished is a black and coloured little number.  Crochet is a fantastic crafty activity as the weather gets warmer, especially when you're working with small squares, as there's no weight as such to make you feel stifled.  I really don't need anything else to make me grumpy when it's hot!  It makes my family a lot happier too :)