ok. so now it's monday....

WARNING:  gushing mummy post to follow...

but isn't he just cute cute cute!!!

well, I think so and he adores me so that's pretty spesh!!!

Anyhoo, apart from an overload of some rather cute pics of my little fellow and some randomgushiness about him growing up sooo very quickly, there is some crafty goodness to be had here. 

Firstly, I've probably oohed this before but check out this gorgeous shawl Tobias is on.  It's my mum's handiwork, and it is a very loved piece here.  It's the Heirloom Shawl, although I'm sure I've heard Mum refer to it as the Lady Di shawl.  Mum has knitted beautiful white shawls for each of her grandkiddy families; five in total. 
Those Ravellers out there may have noticed this cute little derriere popping up in their friends' page; I certainly hope so. The reason for that is that this pic of Toby graces a wonderful new soaker pattern; the Vanilla Soaker by Kelly Brooker. (rav link) I was lucky enough to test knit for Kelly and took these photos about a month ago when we still counted Toby's age in weeks; I think he was about 12 weeks there.  Kelly has just released this pattern so now I can share these cute pics.

It's a terrific little pattern, and one I'll be recommending for all beginners, as well as those seasoned knitters.  It has a wonderful ribbed crotch, but is without the one thing that sends many knitters batty when facing a ribbed crotch ~ there is no grafting!!!  It's also completely seamless; noice!!

It makes my day to see Toby's butt popping up all over Rav; so go on, go and queue the vanilla soaker now.

In case you're wondering; pattern specs:

Yarn: WOOLganic 8 ply merino in 'Gondwana'

Needles: 4mm and 2.75mm

Size: newborn

OK, so now here comes the ramblings of a mummy, look away if you need to.

For fear of jinxing myself, I haven't really said it before, but Tobias is an awesome bub. He's so settled, happy and content. He loves nothing more than to giggle or grin at you. Lately, his giggle is becoming a bit of a raucous almost shout as he discovers the power of vocalising LOUD!! It really does get every one's attention!!!

I remember when he was a little one, well littler than now, and I would get asked how he was going, and was I getting any sleep. There were people that seem almost annoyed or put out, when I said he was fabulous and very settled and yes, getting plenty of sleep. They'd almost huff and say, "that'll change at about 6 weeks".  What's with that?

Well, it did change. He just got more settled and content after six weeks!!

Anyway, my darling little Toby keep sleeping beautifully, smiling that sunshine smile, and laughing joy into my day. I love you.

Man, I can't believe how much he's grown in the month since these photos were taken, he has loads of new tricks now. But I think I'll save that for another post.... it's nearly Tuesday and I need to work on some of that Kauni yarn before sleeping.

awwww, he's cute!!

Stash Sunday

The more observant readers may notice that this post appears not on a Sunday. I had intended to post yesterday. While drooling over the Beetlebum carriers yesterday I stumbled across a Nappy Hunt icon by pure chance and it dawned on me that it was the first of March.  given the neglect this blog has felt of late, I promised myself to overload it with love and wit and generous dollops of crafty goodness. Alas, I failed on the first day... doesn't auger well really does it?  Oh well, we'll see how I go.

And for now, let's just pretend this was posted yesterday.

This gorgeous yarn is Kauni Effektgarn 8/2.  I love the beautiful rainbow gradient but being a shetland-type wool it is a little rough.  This 180grams is slowly being transformed into something very colourful, and dare I say it, gorgeous!
Progress pics to come soonish.

I'll be back later today with Monday's post ;)

magicline

On our last visit to the pint household i discovered a wonderful forgotten stash of magicline in Megsie's local Spotties. I resisted but she pounced and bought a little stash for me to knit for her. If you read her blog, you may have noticed her trying to keep me honest with this post.  

Well, indeedy do there is nothing like public accountability to get one cracking and so in no time at all a parcel was winging its way back to her.

  

Inside there was to be found:

Some dishcloths (which apparently are still to soft to use on dishes) 

and a Tropical Tully.

Even better, we got to catch up last weekend and I got to see it on Tully personally. 

Lost

The bushfires in Victoria... 

there has been so much blogging about this horrendous tragedy, so much outpourings of grief, shock and despair... I haven't blogged about it because I can't.  I really have nothing to add, I'm pretty much lost for words as to what to say or think. It just brings me to tears every time I think about it.   

It's so totally incomprehensible... I just feel so overwhelmed with sadness.  

Whole towns wiped out by fire.... I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like to be there. 

It's something no one should have to experience.

I'm doing what I can to help.  I need to help.

I'm involved with a little store Victorian Bushfire Relief over on ozebaby. (thank you Janie)  we're trying to raise money to donate to the victims of these bushfires. A number of WAHPs and crafty type people are donating items to be auctioned off. If you want to join us drop me an email at tikki@ozebaby.com.au   We've also got a couple of sister stores over at the Cloth Pad Shop and Yarn Collective, all raising money for the relief appeal who are also auctioning off donated items. 

Please help where you can. It is much needed.

copyright change on patterns

Just a quick post to point out that after advice, the copyright on my free knitting patterns has been changed. I will be in contact with all those whom I know have sold from them in the next little while.

altruism is great, a lovely dream, but the reality doesn't always equate.

previewing

Woohoo! I've finally been getting some sewing done. These were all cut out and ready to finish before Toby was born so it was good to finally finish them off. They're up and previewing in the store now and I'll send them live today some time. It feels really good to have something new in the store again.

And while I was uploading these last night, my big three year old was cleaning her room...voluntarily... without us knowing! She came to me last night and said, "Mum, I've got a surprise for you." She took me into her room and said, "Look, I put all my toys away," ever so proudly. My heart just about leapt out of my mouth I was so proud of my big girl. It bought a tear to my eyes, especially after she'd had her crazy pants on for most of the afternoon.

the logic of the rainbow child

I've been working a bit on the Rainbow Dress pattern, I'm making a few subtle changes to improve it a bit and adding some options to the pattern that people keep asking me how to do. I'm going to put the pattern into downloadable pdf form. Anyway, to do so I'm knitting a couple of Rainbow dresses to photograph with the different options. Lily will be scoring a couple, one will be for our new niece and one will be a surprise gift for a friend who has been very giving. And if Megsie has a girl, she'll be getting one too.

I bought this gorgeous yarn a while back from Jolly Jumbuck for just this purpose and had planned a black bodice with a black full ruffled hem. I told Lily what I was planning to knit and her response was, "Oh no Mum, I don't like black."
A little floored by this I asked, "Why not darling?"
"Because it's not in my name."
I wasn't quite sure what she meant by this and then it dawned on me, there's no black in a rainbow.

Can't argue with that logic.