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. 

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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