When Your Children Grow up and Leave Home

I've been trying to get photos from Brianna of Aaron's Lanyard Parade or something just so I know somethin of what they're up to over there. Not that I'm nosy...or anything like that...so...
I pinched them off facebook!

But they are really sweet and I only took ones that had to do with Brianna and Aaron. The ones of him and his mum are personal. Nothing to do with me.

This is after the parade.


And the first Cheeseburger after about 6 weeks - just like Tony Stark :)


Brianna and Aaron in their first kitchen in their first home together. Sigh.

I wish I had a relationship with Aaron like I have with Ben, my eldest, or even not as close as Ben, like I have with David my brother. We don't agree on a lot of topics but we don't keep rubbing each others nose in it every time we meet. I always hoped I'd have a close relationship with my only daughter's partner and it makes me really sad that I don't. Especially since there are a lot of things I like about him and that I think he's acchieved HEAPS getting through the first part of his officer training. That takes no small amount of guts!
Oh well. I'm pleased that Brianna's happy though. I'd sacrifice a lot for that. Actually...I already have.

Finally, some of my Handspun!

I've had all the fibre club fibres from EGMTK's spun up and waiting to be used for ages but since most of them were only about 100g worth it's been difficult thinking of what to turn them into. At least I've finally created something with the fibre "Canopy", 50% Polwarth and 50% Bamboo. A small scarflette called "Pimpelliese"

Probably one of the nicest shawl/scarf patterns I've knit to date! The lace edge is incorporated into the actual scarf so tyou don't have to sew it on after, making it a lovely single piece of fabric with no inhibiter to it's stretch by unnecessary seams.
I washed and blocked it, the points came out lovely and the colours are really pretty. Feels great on and looks great. Very happy :)




Happy Knitting :)

My Pine Table

I've been wanting something to put over my pine dining table because we're kind of hard on it (it has lots of "character marks") and something that would be easier to clean since the bunps and scratches tend to collect dirt when you try and wipe it off.
So last Wednesday, while in Albany I went to Spotlight and bought 2 meters of clear vinyl and 1.5 meters of plastic matting that looks like crochet.

Took it all home.
After I cleaned the table carefully and positioned the plastic matting right down the center of the table, like a table runner and then I lay out the vinyl over it, cut off the excess and then stapled it to the underside of the table with an ordinary staple! Fortunately pine is a soft wood and I didn't have anything else. Also I hate dangling edges on table covers. Eased it over the corners. If I ever come across better fasteners or a more powerful stapler I might restaple the thing but it works so far :)


I've very happy with the results. My table not only looks pretty but it's protected and easier to clean and I don't have change and wash the table runner. And I think it only cost me about $30 and the time to get in on the table. Brilliant!


Project declared a resounding sucess :)

Okay, burning through my knitting queue!

I have been going through the projects I've got on my Ravelry queue and am very pleased with some and glad I've given some a go but will never do again. I've completed three in the last week and a half.
Leaf Lace Shirt-Really loved this pattern. Was simple to follow and completely seamless! I also got to use some of my recycled yarn, this one from a huge jumper I got from the op shop and unravelled and made something I will actually wear!


Cotton Potholder-Interesting. Used 5mm needles and doule stranded the cotton. Not really in love with this but it has now been conquered and I can move on!


Cabled Cowl-Another unravelled jumper gave itself to this worthy project. Was really pleased how well the cables worked, crisp and clear, just how you want them. My only real problem with this is the neck material doesn't seem to know what to do with itself. I haven't yet figured out how to get it to sit right.


I've finished another bulky hat which is blocking and drying at the moment and I've cast on another project. I'm addicted! My fingertips are cracking up under the pressure but I don't care. It is so fulfilling to be able to tick each project off one by one. Ahhh, lovely!
Anyway, I'm off to keep going and if need be put my finger guards on to stop poking holes in my fingers.
Happy Knitting :)

What Projects have I completed?

I have finished quite a few projects, especially since I started going through my ravelry queue :)
I was going to say a little about them but now I can't get this picture thing to go away from my new layout and our download for the month has been used up. So for now I'll just put up a quick montage.
Happy knitting :)

Back from the Abyss!

I've been off this for ages for one reason or another but it really is a good place for me to lay out what I've done over the week and the last week has been busy!
Brianna has flown to Canberra to be with her beloved and he's had his Lanyard parade and passed the first stage of his Officer training in the Army. They've got a lot in front of them but I'm sure they'll manage. I just miss my little girl, that's all. We went out and had a nice lunch with her the day she flew out



She arrived in Canberra, tired but unbowed and with her luggage so she was very impressed. She and Aaron are beginning to get together the things they'll need for their house so Brianna's having a ball. Sniff.
I've also completed quite a few projects as I work my way through my queue list on Ravelry. I need to go and upload my latest, the Celtic Tote from Interweave Knits. I am very proud that I accomplished this one. I've never done much cable work and certainly not to this degree. So happy!


Happy Knitting :)

When there doesn't seem to be anything to say.

I haven't written lately because I've felt a bit depressed and useless and it's all I can do to talk much less write.
Not that I stopped knitting! I did finish stuff.
I finally completed the vest I was doing although I'm still of two minds whether to unravel the bottom edge and replace the ribbing with garter stitch. I think it would hang better












Also finished my little neices set. Really wish I had a pic of her in it but haven't got it yet! Was a little concerned at how bright it turned out.












And I've started a simple shawl for my dear daughter to take away with her when she joins her partner in Canberra once the army finish his solitary training. Canberra's a long way from here and I don't like actually thinking about it much but I will have the shawl finished by September when she'll be getting ready to head off.
And we now have a diagnosis for my youngest son, Jordan.












Yes, he has Aspergers. (no real surprise to me!) and so now we're going through all the hoops to see what we can get to help him around his individually wired brain!
All in all, nothing to be depressed about, is there?
I feel just a little overwhelmed so...
I think I'll just keep knitting.