How to Use an EpiPen

Watch this, it only takes a few seconds.
It's easy to use an epipen. Remember to call 000 as well, and go straight to hospital.

embroidery and beads

I worked on this vintage-style bag while on a short break at Port Stephens, north of Sydney. It is crocheted from thick Aussie merino/alpaca/acrylic blend (INCA from Patons) using a smaller hook to provide firmness. The wrist strap is part of the basic bag piece so it is strong yet soft.
Then I embroidered flowers and leaves in a loose diagonal design, in various berry and wine shades, again in pure new Australian merino wool. Pretty, but it needed a little bit of sparkle. So I added tiny glass seed beads to highlight the flowers.
And lined it with hot pink fabric (because I hate dark bag linings, it's so hard to find anything!).

These little bags are perfect for day or evening, and easy to carry on your wrist. Roomy enough for coin purse, phone, ipod, lipstick, mirror. Available for sale in my etsy shop

Knitted puppies!

It had to happen - a cuff design featuring my dog, Frankie!

I've been knitting "frankie" designs for many years now - one was a pale blue jumper/sweater for my baby daughter, 12 years ago!

He's on a burgundy background here, let me know if you want the pattern for this and for any of my creations.

Tulips!

My dear DH bought some gorgeous orange tulips for my DD's recent birthday. So I was making this cuff, about to put in a traditional fair isle motif, and I thought "why not tulips?" They are such a simple shape, and so cheerful.

I do like cuffs. They have the impact of a wide bangle, and are far more comfortable. And you can co-ordinate them with a watch and bracelet. And a bangle too, if you want!

So here's the Tulip Cuff, with two vintage green buttons. I love it. It makes me smile.

But wait, there's more...

Yes I've been getting back into my Fair Isle knitting addiction, must be the cooler weather here in Sydney. Case in point: yesterday's wristwarmers.

And here's a variation:




Thought I'd try a bit of jacquard patterning, while I was waiting in the car at soccer training.

Here is a pattern I sketched, then charted by hand:

Then knitted into a swatch


My daughter loves it. It must be really good.

Awww, pretty!

Here are my new wristies, for sale in my etsy shop!

I had so much fun making these, and if I have to part with them, I'll have to make some more! Aren't they delicious!

Busy busy busy

The weather is still lousy and oh dear, I can't believe I haven't posted in SO LONG... I have been knitting and creating though, quite a lot, in fact. I plan to spend tomorrow photographing and uploading my newest designs (drum roll...)

Wristwarmers are featuring in my new items for my shop. And in the painting department, I have had a lesson with one of Australia's well-known traditional impressionist style painters, and learnt a lot. I have another life study to show you, in a completely different style from any of my previous works.

Meantime, the last few weeks? Okay, I'll itemise what I've done:
- nurse my 16 year old lame dog (frankie, the westie) back to health, isn't he cute!


- entertain my mother while she visited from interstate
- refurbish the lounge room, including painting the walls (!)
- paint and redecorate the upstairs bathroom (we call it the "powder room")
- host a 14th birthday party and take a group of 12 kids to a Japanese restaurant
- help my daughter prepare for her horse's first ever dressage event, (here is a closeup):



involving 2 hours riding and grooming most days, and 8 hours on the day before the event! First time is the hardest, after the 50th event, I'm sure we'll be a lot better at it!



Anyway, that's why I've been a bit lax on the computer front.