Thursday, April 12, 2012

My Creative Space - Beanies x 4






Happy Easter Holidays!

I've been a bit quiet here lately but there has actually been a lot going on.

 It's been 8 weeks since we entered the gates of the Farmlet after our 3 month adventure around Australia in the caravan following the 2 year stint in Sydney. We've been busy settling in, unpacking and unwinding from all the change of the last few years. It already feels like we have been here forever. 

I always feel more settled with a move when there is a visit from some familiar faces and we have just had the in-laws from Alice Springs staying with us this last week. Timing couldn't have been more perfect as we were ready for a bit of a break. We have moved around a bit and lived away from extended family so have never had any day to day help with the kids. Whilst we enjoy being a self-sufficient family unit, when we do get some help we really appreciate it. So the arrival of the in-laws meant some much-needed sleeping-in as the kids gravitated to their grandparents in the mornings - pure bliss! My Mother-in-law cooked some meals and has a thing for clean kitchens - so there was no more waking up to a dirty kitchen in the mornings, you beauty! And my Father-in-law prefaces his visits with a request for me to prepare a list of jobs for him to do. I told him there was a list of "Lovely Chores" on the fridge and if he would like to have a look at that we would be most appreciative. In the end, he and the Pianoman got through quite a lot of items, some of which are just plain nasty. I'm talking about you grease trap! Does anyone else play reverse psychology with themselves and label chores "lovely' in the hope they are more likely to get done and be enjoyable?



Having the in-laws here also meant more time for me to finish off some things, like these beanies above. Before I started on Pips Granny-A-Day thingy, I thought I'd warm the fingers up with some knitting, since it had been so long since I've done anything creative. Having the four kids in four years saw an end to all things creative for me for a bit. However, the kids were most encouraging seeing me do something creative for the first time, "Gee Mum, you're really getting the hang of it!" and "You're getting better Mum, this one is sooooo much better then the first dodgy one you did!". So very encouraging. I did the blue one first with Blue Eyes happy to be the guinea pig. It really was a bit dodgy as I hadn't ever purled before and I lost track of where I was at and made a mess of the rim. He didn't care and loves it so much that he sleeps with it most nights and often nothing else. Miss Fancy chose pink and hers was much better but after doing two the same I got a bit bored and realised we would need something thicker for the Tassie winter. I then spotted the most simple pattern on the Martha Stewart website and made a yellow and grey beanie for the twins. These use a basic garter stitch but with 2 strands of Merino wool so they are super warm and snuggly. The boys love their 'cat hats'. So with my first ever beanies under my hat I can get on with finishing the little granny square blanket.

I'm linking up for the very first time with Our Creative Spaces.


17 comments :

  1. Those beanies look so cute...and simple too huh?...for a knitter that is. The view beyond looks even more enticing...i have to go google coal valley. I am visiting Bruny Island and the Huon Valley in the next couple of weeks hoping to fins the 'right' parcel of land....seems like you have! Lucky you...enjoy the settling in...gotta love those inlaws....(or outlaws as i commonly nickname them. You ARE lucky..mine would never come stay nor DO

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  2. The beanies are just gorgeous Mel, as are your little kidlets! So cute... and I love the backhanded compliments on your improvement, haha, leave it to kids to come out with what they're thinking every time.
    Your visit from the in-laws sounded lovely. I bet they love helping as much as you enjoy receiving it.
    I can't believe you've been back for two whole months now, time flies! xo

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  3. So cute, love those smiles on your kiddies faces. Wonderful to have an extra set of hands around to help. I adore your 'lovely' to do list.

    p.s - loving those autumn colours in the background.

    Kellie. xx

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  4. Oh Mel, you crafty minx! They are just fabulous, my friend. And thanks so much for having us over on Monday - it was so delightful. J x

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  5. How nice of Blue eyes to give all those words of encouragement. Good work on the beanies. How fantastic to have the in-laws there to help, I bet that sleep in was a dream.

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  6. Mel, how fantastic are those beanies!! So cute on your gorgeous kids too! Great work, again it makes me wish I had a creative bone in my body, but sadly no, I will continue to just admire!
    I've had Dad here for a week and he is slowly working his way through my list of jobs, I just may start titling it 'lovely chores', thanks for the idea.

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  7. Oh the cuteness!!
    So glad you got a hand around the place too.
    :-) xx

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  8. Great job Mel - the twins' ones are particularly cool.

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  9. I'll have to put remain cheerful at the bottom of my lists :-)
    Now how cute are those beanies! Love the 'cat' ones, I wonder if I could manage one with my very average knitting skills... hmm, need to find some super soft wool first. My last project apparently felt like carpet... oh dear.
    I'm planning a little hobart action in july and I know hats will be needed!

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    1. These are so easy peasy to make and I just used merino wool from spotlight. Here is the link http://www.marthastewart.com/870155/childs-knit-hat
      And a trip to Hobart - how exciting! You will definitely need the winter woollies here in July :-)

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  10. All the kids look so cute in those hats, well done you! Funny to think you have Easter in autumn ... the kind of thing ones 'knows' but doesn't normally think about, just how northern hemisphere all the Easter imagery is!

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  11. Hi Mel...we are looking to buy now to eventually move to in the next couple of years.
    We traveled extensively around September last year and now know the south east corner is where we would like to end up. We have a few places shortlisted, however only one that is really exciting us, given our criteria. Also we will be there for 'some' rest and recoop after a busy 6 months.
    The boys all look intent on watching your fil ready to dispose of the grease trap...something to look forward to boys...thats if they dont go live in the city at some stage. Some people (coming from the city) that visit this area i live in have never heard of a grease trap.

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  12. Love the cat hats. Thanks for the link to the pattern.. New beanies are on my to-do list. Hopefully I can make it happen before winter hits.

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    Replies
    1. Remy is 9 and we got him in Victoria (Ibiza Whippets near Daylesford) - there are not many breeders of solid Whippet colours so I always notice them. Jac is lovely - would be great to see some more pics of him :-D

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  14. Excellent work on the beanies - they look great - as are your photos. There is something lovely about ticking items off a 'lovely chore' list. I should really be doing some now... procrastinating, and what do I find? a post with a 'to do list'. Argh!

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