March...

 

It's officially Autumn. I want to exhale and welcome in my favourite season, but the heat is .... unbearable. 

Our Tibouchina has begun to flower , though, so that lessens the blow. 

 

Roman's birthday is 1 week away and he is getting very excited. He wants a giant Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich in lieu of a cake and Kalebs Mum is going to watch the little boys for a few hours while we take the two big boys to the Cinema. I think we'll see Sing or Moana, depending on times. I just love celebrating my kids birthdays and it's quite fun as they get older and the type of celebration changes a bit.

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Knitting:

 

A quick palate cleanser project. The Lottie Cowl by Carrie Bostick Hoge. I used some very old stash from Bendigo Woollen Mills in Luxury 10ply - Blue Denim. This was a very quick knit, taking me two evenings. It's for the 2 littlest boys. I've still got plenty of wool left over, so I'm not sure if I'll make another the same so they have one each or just do the other one in plain 2x2 ribbing. It's super cute on, just a bit hard to get a photo with one of them standing still!

~~ Shara ~~

Recent makings....

 

 

Using up my Noro stash. Originally I had started a feather and fan knitted Shawl, but was struggling to keep the pattern straight in my head and so I decided to frog it and made this crochet half moon instead. This shawl is going to be a gift as I've found the semi circle shape doesn't sit very well on me. This also means that the Moonlight Garden Shawl I had already started will go in the frog pile. I really do prefer the classic triangle Shawl shape. Regardless of all this, I think this Shawl turned out beautifully and I hope it will be well received. 

 

 

Leo was invited to his first birthday party! One of the girls from his class was turning 5 last weekend and had an awesome pool party with all her classmates. It was so much fun and I was so glad to go along with Leo while the three other boys stayed home with Dad. I wasn't totally sure what to buy for a little girl, and in the end I decided to make her this special little doll and necklace pouch. She really loved it and I discovered later that she is definitely a doll/baby kinda kid. I didn't use a pattern but I was heavily inspired by 

these dolls.

 

 

Last but not least, I finished sewing the buttons on Atti's Cardigan. This was his first time trying it on and I was a bit disappointed that the sleeves are a tad short. Being top down, it will be possible for me to undo the cast off and add some more, but I think shorter will be better this winter for my toddler boy. I'll definitely add extra for the following winter. 

** My Ravelry Page **

I have a few more finished objects that are awaiting buttons to be sewn on, I'll share them once there all completed. I've got a few works in progress but I'm taking my time now, I've had some RSI in my elbow and have found that since I've been knitting less this week it had really eased up. 

~~ Shara ~~

On Wednesdays...

 

On Wednesdays, Kaleb and I along with the littlest boys, pick the big boys up from school and go on a family date. After the beach we bought dinner out and ate our Fish and Chips at the park. But usually I get dinner in the slow cooker that morning and then it is ready to serve up as soon as we walk in the door.

 

 

 

So nice to just switch off and hang out together. 

~~ Shara ~~

Knitting (and reading!)

 

I'm back to monogamous knitting and am powering through all the projects I had recently cast on. It helps that they're mostly kid sized. I made a pair of these overalls in size 18-24 months for Caspian and they're still in good condition, so now Atticus will have 2 pairs for upcoming Autumn/Winter. They're perfect for outdoor play, especially as we can get quite the cold wind up on our mountain. 

It may seem a little silly, but I definitely feel less precious about the handknits for Atticus now that I don't have to "save" them for the next child. I really should never have worried about that type of thing anyway, as I can (and do) always knit more.

Pattern:

High Waisted Baby Overalls

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Chocolate Brown (Thankyou Victoria xx)

Size: 18-24 months

I tried to make a seemingly simple modification, but I miscalculated the leg length and they'll need to be worn with a rolled cuff. No big deal, though. 

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Miracle of miracles, I've started reading a book! And I've made it through to chapter 4 already.

 

It's no secret that I have struggled with mothering/parenting these last 12 months. Pretty much all of 2016 has been a write off. I must have bought this book in amongst all of that, knowing I needed some help. 

I'm not sure what I expected the book to be about, but it's all about Buddhism (ya think, Shara!!), and how those principles can be applied in your everyday life as a Mum. Now, I'm not Buddhist and I really know nothing about it, but I definitely have been able to glean a lot from the small amount I've already read. In particular, being present in the moment. That's something I'm focussing on for February. 

I'm making up some little cards I can put strategically around the house to give me little visual reminders.

I found this list:

 

So many of these things are hard to say out loud. But I know each and every one of them are true and important. 

Here's to a new year of looking after myself so I can look after them....

~~ Shara ~~

Making...

It's only 5 weeks until Roman's 9th birthday!

 I'm compiling a list of possible gifts I can make for him to go along with some new books, a hat & a set of headphones. He is still Pokemon mad, which makes it somewhat easier to choose gifts, throw in some How To Train Your Dragon and I think I'm good to go!

Today I did a little needle felted "Rowlet". Boy oh Boy, symmetry is quite difficult for me to achieve in this fibre art, but I let it go in the end and embraced that this little fellow is homemade and full of love! 

I'm hoping to wet felt a pokeball that opens and closes, so Rowlet will have a little home. 

 

 

It's pretty rare to get a photo (willingly) of my big boy, but he loves his littlest brother so much and when I saw him giving Atticus piggy back rides this morning, I couldn't resist asking for a picture.

Love them so much! 

~~ Shara ~~ 

Knit: Baby Bubble Bloomeralls

 

Autumn is just around the corner, right?! (though the heat is so torturous today, you wouldn't think so) and I've got so many cutie patootie knits finished or in progress for my little Atticus.

One of the cutest patterns around is the 

Baby Bubble Bloomeralls by Abby Belnap

And because I'm trying not to buy more yarn, I had an idea to take a few of my favourite colours and put them all together. 

The orange is 

Quince & Co Lark in "Nasturtium" & the stripes are Quince and Co Lark in "Honey" and Timber & Twine Harvest in "Sunflower"

What a great trio! Nasturtium, Honey & Sunflower. 

The adorable Koala coat hanger was found at the op shop. I keep it in my craft room for the purpose of displaying finished kids clothes. 

I'm currently working on some overalls and then I'll start a little romper- all patterns by 

Abby

Happy Knitting!

~~ Shara ~~

The little brothers....

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we wait for big brothers to finish their school day, little brothers take advantage of the deserted playground at school. 

I had a few people wonder whether I had made my little girls bonnet! Of course, I did make it and I reminded them that little boys can wear bonnets too ;)

~~ Shara ~~

Caspian's overalls from  

Redcreek Kids

 

Get Sh*t Done...

Maybe not the most appropriate title for a blog post.... but that definitely described my weekend. 

 

My improved & reorganised creative space. I always wish right towards the end, as I can see a space taking shape, that I had taken a before photo. This half of our sunroom, which has always been my sewing/yarn room, was chock full of so much stuff.

 It was so unorganised that I would spend all the time I had free for crafting, looking for tools or supplies that I needed to get started, and then not actually get to make anything. A 4mm circular needle - could never find one, even though I know I've got about 5. The regular pressed foot for my sewing machine - missing, even though I only took it off last weekend when I put my zipper foot on. Madness! 

So instead of my usual "tidy up", I actually organised... I put all my interchangeable needle tips back in the case, all the cables for those tips into a drawstring bag. All my DPNs into a jar, scissors all together - you get the idea!! Oh, I went in to that space so many times last night just to look. Isn't that a bit silly? But I was so proud of myself, because I got shit done. 

~~~~~~~

In knitting related news: I have finished so many project in January. But all of them require some type of finishing. Ends woven in or buttons sewn on (or both). I'm hoping to go button shopping tomorrow or the next day. Fingers crossed I find what I need. 

 

Hope you had a productive weekend too! 

~~ Shara ~~

...

 

Before school activities for students and little siblings.

 

At home activities for little Caspian. While Atticus naps, he paints or plays with playdough. On Friday he also napped with Atticus and for the first time in a very long time, I had two quiet hours to myself! Bliss. 

 

Friday afternoon, school parade. Leo (the tall one in the centre), on stage with his classmates receiving a certificate and a big applause for a "Fantastic First Week of Prep"....

Afterwards, he presented me with a sweet beaded bracelet he'd made me in class.

 

 

 

One of the draw cards of this school was that all the classrooms are set within a mass of gardens and trees. Everywhere you look is greenery. It's very beautiful. While in Roman's classroom on Friday afternoon, one of the kids pointed out a red bellied black snake, coiled up in the garden outside! (Edit: They are rarely fatal, but a bite does require medical attention. Australian children are well aware that all of our snakes require cautionary behaviour when found in the wild)

I am so pleased to report that both my boys had a great first week of school. Even Roman, who was very nervous about not knowing anyone. His teacher told me at the end of day one, that he was a great participator in the classroom and quickly found a couple of mates. And Leo told me on the way to the car that he had so much fun and could he go again tomorrow! I definitely breathed a sigh of relief....

It was definitely an adjustment to our usual slow pace of life and I know I was exhausted by Friday afternoon. I slept for 14 hours that night (Thankyou Atticus for only waking once!). I was surprised that Leo still woke up this morning at 5am, but he went quiet at about 10:30am and I found him asleep on his bed. It's now almost 1pm and he's still asleep. Pure exhaustion! 

~~ Shara ~~

Work in Progress: Kotori Jackets

 

One of my very favourite patterns for kids is the Kotori Jacket. A top down crochet garment that is super quick and easily customisable. You can have short or long sleeves, solid or striped, pockets or not. It's really cute on and works for boys and girls. 

I decided to have a striped yoke and solid body with short sleeves, perfect for our mild winters. I'm making one for Caspian (black) and one for Atticus (natural). I'll add wooden buttons once I'm done. 

Pattern: Kotori Jacket by Shara Lambeth 

Yarn: mixed colours and Bendigo Rustic (Cinder & Linen)

Size: 18 months & 3 years

They are so quick, I took this photo this morning and I'm already finished the light coloured one (except for buttons and sewing in ends!)

~~ Shara ~~

New Beginnings

 

A whole new direction for us this year. A path I was sure wasn't ever going to happen for us, but you can never really know the future or what challenges lay in your path. So, here we are. 

Leo began Prep today, and was pretty happy to be there. He has wonderful teachers and got straight into the playdough table.

Roman started Grade 3 and is in a mixed class of Grade 3 & 4. He was extremely nervous about not knowing any kids and wondering if he would know enough academically. However, he settled in fine and gave me a wave and a smile through the window as we left. 

I have mixed feelings, both relief and sadness. Relief, because the past 12 months have been very difficult for me and I've struggled through most days not really coping with what's on my plate. And sadness, because of course I'm going to miss them like crazy and wondering what they're up to all day. I can't wait to hug them tight when they get home!

So here's to new beginnings!

~~ Shara ~~

Knit: Ribbed Cardigan in Black

I finally talked Leo into a photo wearing his newly finished Cardigan. I really can't blame him, the weather is scorching hot right now. I had him stand under the air con, he flashed his best smile and I got a good one! Now I can put it away for Winter. 

 

Excuse the "dirty" face and buzzcut, someone was trying out a bit of body self expression this week and cut into his hair (very close to the skin!) and covered his whole body in drawings with black marker. It's slowly wearing off and hopefully will be gone by the time school begins next Monday! 

Pattern: School Cardigan by Georgie Nicholson

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8ply "Black"

Size: 8/9/10

So, now that's 2 cardigans finished and put away. 

The light grey cardigan for Caspian had the knitting portion finished this morning. It needs some ends sewn in and I've got to find some buttons. 

I made good progress last night and today on Atti's cardigan and I predict it won't take long as it's a size 2/3. 

 

While I'm definitely glad to be almost done with this pattern, I am still enjoying it. It's quite rhythmic and easy once you've done a couple. 

~~ Shara ~~

Knit: Bifrost Scarf

When the weather looks like this:

 

It's only natural that all my crafting time has gone into finishing this:

 

 

Pattern: Bifrost Scarf by Cate Carter-Evans

Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix Treasure Cakes

(This was a kit I purchased from Infinite Twist)

I made mine thinner and longer than the pattern called for and sewed the ends together to create a loopy scarf/cowl.

**********

~~ BIFROST ~~ 

In the prismatic colors that sparkle and bend,

Burns a fire so bright from beginning to end.

This burning bridge that is slightly curled,

Transports the Gods to all the nine worlds.

Each one of the Gods rides a wonderful steed,

Which races across colored bands at full speed .

Through Heimdall' s gate they ride to Urd' s spring,

To hold their court of justice each day at the Thing.

The bridge is quite strong, but it can indeed break,

For there is only so much weight that Bifrost can take.

When Surt, and his minions ride across the sky red to splatter,

Then Bifrost, the God's bridge to the worlds, will crack and shatter.

Glenn Bergen, Copyright, 2012.

The last day...

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot

 

 

Onto the sleeves...

School Cardigan by Georgie Nicholson

Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8ply "Stone"

Size: 4/5

Linen Bento Bag from Tiny Happy on Etsy

Decembers End....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December had passed by in a blur! 

Full of making, family gatherings (a lot of family gatherings!), Christmas, and unfortunately, plenty of sickness. 

While the month started out hot, we ended up having our coldest Christmas in 21 years. It was about 23 degrees Celsius at our house! (About 74f) ... I am absolutely not complaining though, it's been so nice to have many cooler days interspersed with the warm ones. 

I generally have no motivation to create during the summer months, and you're much more likely to find me moping about the house rather than being productive. However, I've kept a steady pace so far and even managed to finish Leo's cardigan and almost finish Caspian's cardigan. I've also done a lot of sewing, mostly Christmas related, decorations and such. I did manage to finish Atti's Waldorf doll that I had intended for his birthday back in July, and I made a tiny doll for Caspian as well who he has named "Little One"....

Kaleb has returned to work after 10 days off, 7 of which he was very unwell. And the rest of us are having a very quiet home week to recover from the busyness. We have no plans for New Year's Eve, such is life with little ones. Sleep is too precious to stay up til midnight "for fun".... ;)

I'm very ready to say goodbye to 2016, and have some big (quiet, slow) plans for 2017.

~ Shara ~