"Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all" Douglas Adams

Monday 20 December 2010

Cones & Crepe

To compliment the lights (which really only look good at night) and so it looks fab for Saturday we have begun Operation Christmas Up The Deck.

Back to our childhoods, we have gathered pine cones and spray painted them silver, and have started to make paper chains with crepe paper.  Andrew has the sewing machine running hot whizzing up this and that.  
It will either look fantastic or crape I doubt there can be an in-between!


Crochet hook is still going strong - all the pressies are made, hurray! I tried to make a little summer cardigan (tried being the important word!)I've also tried crocheting flax. I think it's a great idea, I just need to work on it... quite a lot!  And after cleaning out my yarn stash I'm trying a cotton beach/market bag, this one of the 3 projects looks the most promising :-)

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Pegs as Angels

I'm loving the Australian Better Homes and Gardens Mag for stuff to do for Christmas!
I've spent the last 3 nights making peg doll angels - awww

As usual I thought I'd make one for the tree and now miraculously there is a whole family of them just waiting for their hair...

 I've also popped a couple of bags in the Felt shop - Yay for having the computer back and working properly :-) 


Wednesday 17 November 2010

samX 4 Xmas

Time to think about decorations for the holiday season at the office, and since George has left I took the chance to make samX (Xmas backwards :-) ) 


samX is a red and green dalek with extra sparkles and a bit of glitter to make him stand out from the rest of the yarn daleks.

Monday 15 November 2010

Inspiration

It's about time I got into my etsy bloggers team routine again.  I missed last month because of the laptop being stolen, and now with the new one there is no excuse!

The theme:
What item are you working on?? What is your inspiration for this piece??

Well I'm working on lots of stuff as usual, however my 'thing' at the moment is felting.  I'm really enjoying making things and popping them in the washing machine with an old towel and seeing how it comes out the other side.  I've had a couple of bombs, and a couple of dead cool things :-)



My inspiration comes from loads of places on the interweb, though mostly from the pictures of the fabulous and creative people on ravelry, Drops Design and interweavecrochet

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Specs & Stash

Too much time in front of the computer I think. 
Yep it's getting to that age when the specs are needed (hahaha not really, I've supposed to have worn them for quite a few years now and just ignored them!)
I wore them driving home tonight - and now I know why Andrew tells me off for travelling so close to the car in front!

I will be able to admire my new stash better though :-)


Oh the plans I have for this lovely selection of lambs wool and other wool!  My nephew helped me to wind the skeins in to balls at the weekend - I haven't been able to get Andrew to do that for ages, he's so over it :-)

(oh - And I have an idea for a George spin off, I'll let you know how it goes :-) )

Thursday 4 November 2010

Bye bye George

Today George the Fluffy Blue Dalek left his relm and is off to take over Wellington.
Thank you to the lovely person that bought George and helped out the people in shaky Christchurch
For the first time I feel a bit sad to say goodbye to something I've made
Awwww :-)

Thursday 21 October 2010

Anger

Anger doesn’t motivate me or feed my soul
I think that when I’m angry I probably look ugly
Angry people aren’t nice to be around; they zap you with their prickles
I don’t enjoy being angry, it takes effort and commitment, and I usually can’t be bothered

I’ve been a ball of angry prickles for more than 12 hours now
Ever since Andrew rang me to say we’d been burgled

The burglars were quite thoughtful
They didn’t make a mess, or disturb anything
They didn’t take anything that had sentimental value
In fact they only took the Telly, stereo, DVD player and computer
It’s just stuff
And yet I’m still angry at them


I wonder if they think that what they did, coming into our home uninvited and helping themselves to things that we’d worked hard for, was okay because they were polite about it?


I want to slap their stupid face!!

Sunday 17 October 2010

Cape Cod Cushions & Granny Squares

Last summer a lovely uncle made me a fab Cape Cod chair.  I managed to get it painted a nice bright blue before winter started and I bought some naked cushions for it. 

The clothing of the cushions meant the sewing machine again... and once again it was trial, error and procrastination over the many winter months.  Today I had an 'ah ha' moment.  "The cushions are going to be used outside so they don't have to be perfect!"

Voila! 2 messy patchwork cushion covers were created!


And in crocheting crafts this week...  behold the granny square made in to a tea pot cosy, the ultimate in kitsch :-)

Saturday 9 October 2010

Hooks Are Hot

I've got loads of projects on at the moment, Christmas pressies and that sort of thing (some of them for people who may or may not read the blog so I'm not telling what I'm making ;-) )

I recently bought some lovely bright red NZ lambswool from my new favourite yarn store in the Hawkes Bay. I wanted to make something for myself and it had to be something that would be quickish to make, otherwise it would end up in the cupboard with other half finished 'things for me'.  

It started off as a kind of 70's vest/long waistcoat and because I'm so crap at following patterns it's morphed into a mini poncho (after about 5 attempts to make something that a) fits and b) I'd wear out in public). 
  
I think it'll be fab at work in the air conditioning, not too warm, just enough to keep the chill off.


The competition at Pollock is a bit of a creative fizzer.  The theme is Lifeforms, Andrew thinks it should be something clever and eye catching. I wanted to do a flying saucer mobile with little green men and he thought it was a bit obvious.  So apart from sending George the Dalek along, I've come to a standstill in that particular creative process.  The next one they are having is the Family, that might be an easier theme, though I am open to any thoughts.... :-)

Monday 4 October 2010

Sport - A four letter word with an extra letter

New Zealand is a ‘rugby nation’
All rugby players are demi-gods
We have heroes for soccer, car racing, golf, hockey, cricket, netball, softball, basketball, lawn bowls, surfing, skiing, cycling, and any other pastime that is called sport.

I don’t like sport
I don’t enjoy playing it, I'm not competitive enough
I don’t enjoy watching it, I was a rugby widow which means I've watched enough to last a life time
I do my best to avoid it on the telly, like most reality TV :-)

Except…

Just yesterday in New Delhi, the 2010 Commonwealth Games started!
71 countries and over 6000 athletes have all got together and that means track and field!

I love track and field, all that running and jumping and throwing, it makes me want to run around the car park and hurdle fences

In the spirit of spring I’ve joined a 10000 steps a day challenge through work and am now attached at the hip to my pedometer.

Will it keep up with me when I’m pretending to be John Walker, Peter Snell, Murray Halberg or Lorraine Moller?

Since I run around the car park and hurdle fences in my head, watching the real athletes in awe whilst lying on the couch with my crochet hook, the real question is will I ever get to 10000 steps in a day!

Sunday 26 September 2010

Picnic up the Penninsula

Finally!  A weekend day that's not too windy or rainy :-)
Awhitu Peninsula is a lovely place to spend the day with a picnic

Love those cabbage trees!

Lots of fab Tea Tree Koru's

Where the Manukau harbour meets the Tasman Sea.
Australia is out there somewhere...

There's a kind of arts and crafts exhibition/competition at Pollock next month, I'd like to become inspired enough to enter :-)

Saturday 25 September 2010

Like a dog with a bone...

I sometimes get it into my head that I Absolutely Have To make a certain thing. 
Usually it's something I've never done before, have no idea how to actually do it and it often involves the sewing machine.  This is the really unfortunate part, because as much as I'd love to enjoy sewing, we just don't get on. 

So on Monday I got it into my head that I wanted to make a skirt (probably the fault of someones blog I read :-) ) this idea then mutated into a circle skirt.  I searched  "how to make a circle skirt" and I was away.

I started well with the measuring and cutting...

And finished spectacularly...

Luckily I haven't let you get close enough to see the mess that is supposed to be a rolled hem and the waistband is a bit of a joke.
Will I ever wear it out in public?  Maybe; if everything else is in the wash.
Am I over my obsession?  The result was almost passable so unfortunately I don't think so!

Thursday 16 September 2010

George Felt like Helping Out

www.felt.co.nz has opened a temporary shop to donate handmade items. The proceeds are to go to the New Zealand Red Cross, who are doing loads of fab things in Christchurch to help out those affected by the big earthquake.  George felt like he wanted to help out, and here a few of the loads of other fab people who also felt the same.


Thursday 9 September 2010

The Photo Story

You remember that scary looking Dalek (he's decided he's called George) - well I had to do a photo story for him for the competition.  Though I might share it :-)

George looks fluffy and camp looking… probably why he tries to prove that he’s tougher than the normal yarn Dalek….he is taking over his new realm with great enthusiasm.
No visitor dare have more than their fair share of biscuits at morning tea time
George is taking over any and all earth technology
He’s even practising hold up procedures so he can take control of the cash holding in NZ
George is taking delight at making sure all the earthlings complete their training as required
Learning of other Yarn Daleks out there George has commandered the photocopier to ensure all of mankind know of the Daleks demands

(thanks go to my fab group of Course participants this week that agreed to being photographed :-) )

Saturday 4 September 2010

Messy Afghan & Pretty Flower

I think that this is a Camelia. It's so pretty, the bush is outside the front door and has loads of buds on it :-)



I've done various things with the end bits of all the balls of yarn I've used, including making a couple of very colourful scarves.  The other day I had a message from Grandmother Carolyn on Zibbet telling me about (and showing me) a fab afghan that her grandmother had made from the odds and ends of yarn. It was very beautiful. 
So, erm.... here is the start of my much messier version!

I quite like it though :-)

Sunday 29 August 2010

Featuring Patch

The Etsy Blooger of the month is an incredibly busy lady - 3 shops and 2 blogs!
Patch lives in Thailand and is incredibly talented, and her shops are well worth a visit.
Some of my favourite things:


Supply Shop
Jewelry Shop




 And she can be found blogging here and here

Sunday 22 August 2010

Channelling the 70's.....

Specifically 70's tennis pro's.
I challenge you to keep a straight face :-)

Introducing my entry for the Etsy Hookers Team Challenge......

Saturday 21 August 2010

Sheep & Yarn

Our neighbours visited for lunch today
Awww they're so cute!

The EtsyHookers team is having a challenge, the last one I participated in was the inspiration behind the camouflage toilet roll cover doll. This challenge has an exercise theme. Remembering it gets to be listed in the JacBerKitsch shop I need to keep it kitsch.... the yarn I have to play with is brown, yellow and a kind of gold lame... (I'm giggling manically about the gold lame type yarn!)

Friday 13 August 2010

Books and Movies in a Carnival

Howdy Doody - It's a blog carnival time
the subjects:

1. It's back to school time...How are you preparing to get the kids or yourself back to school?
2. What was your favorite BOOK, MOVIE or GETAWAY SPOT over the summer?...


1 = no kids = no school, me working (also = no school)
2 = no summer!


So anywaysup reading and watching watching movies are 2 of my fav things to do along with crocheting.... and luckily you can do this in winter too :-)

We've loved watching the MidSummer Murders on DVD on a Sunday afternoon when it's pouring down outside and the fire is blazing (we get these in box sets from the library for a couple of dollars for the week) fabulous murder mysteries from the British countryside. And of course anything with Audrey in it is brill!

I love most books - and this winter I've discovered audio books and I've been listening to anything by James Patterson on the way to and from work (40 mins each way means a book in a week and a bit) again, thanks local Pukekohe Library :-)


My fav author also had a new book out which I love and tried to eeeeeeeek out and then I got all excited and finished it dead quick :-)


Sunday 8 August 2010

A Theme

If I was one of those people who loved to make one thing and do fab variations on it it would be so much easier to make my shops feel a bit more 'clean' looking :-)

The reality is I tend to go from kitsch to classy and back again (with some other slightly weird things in the middle!)

Granny Square mittens with fluro orange - tres Kitsch




Black cotton hairpin lace - very Victorian and feminine



Either way, they are starting to take over... I really need to go to the markets to sell some if it :-)

Tuesday 3 August 2010

The Aliens are coming!

Solar blast heading toward Earth




"Scientists have warned that a really big solar eruption could wreck satellites, power and communications grids"

It looks so pretty.
Luckily we have clouds tonight so I won't wake up blind
They aren't expecting meteors so I don't have to sneeze on the 'beings'
The giant turtle really hasn't farted
Good grief - I have been brain washed by hollywood and every sci-fi book I've ever read! :-D

Sunday 1 August 2010

The Favourite Jersey

My dad had a favourite green jersey that he got sometime in the 70's at the Edinburgh Wool Shop. Recently my mother got her way and it ended up in the rag bag. So I threw it in the washing machine and felted it. And voila, now it has been transformed into Pot Holders.

Finished off with a granny square on the other side to keep that 70's feel :-)

Monday 26 July 2010

Indulge me....

I've opened a new 'not totally crochet' related shop on Zibbet (this is just a Gill shop - I think I'm addicted to craftyness) and a new blog to match it, if you fancy a visit :-)http://broochnbauble.blogspot.com/ and I promise not to cross contaminate too often (I was going to say 'ever again' and changed my mind.... just incase!)



Also if you have a moment I do like this blog because she lets me say random stuff, and also check out her shop
this is not a teamy thing - just that Rebecca seems like a really cool chick and makes very funky gear that I'm crochet jealous of even though she hasn't been exposed to Dr Who

Saturday 24 July 2010

Yooo-hoooo... Exterminate Sweetie

Be prepared to quiver behind the couch.....


Though I'll bet you're quivering more with mirth than fear :-D

I had to have some help with the eye stalk and the whisk and plunger arms, the crochet kept curling, so I got some assistance from pipecleaners and wrapped them with silver ribbon yarn to make them a bit more sci-fi - apart from the whisk arm I wrapped that in more fluffy stuff :-)

Friday 23 July 2010

Day Walkers and Night Walkers

Getting back into my etsybloggers groove here is the featured blogger for the month of July:

There are 2 shops to browse through and I've named this post day walkers and night walkers because one the shops is Twighlight inspired and the other has fab photos (in the daytime)

http://sykin.etsy.com/ & http://nwwonders.etsy.com/


My sister and someof my friends are Twighlight addicts, I have yet to discover this delight, so my favourite is in the other shop :-), it reminds me of New Zealand beaches and conjures up all sorts of ideas of what to do with the drift wood :-)





There is also a very cool blog to compliment the shops and to learn about other Etsy shops which can be found here http://sykin-at-etsy.blogspot.com/

Sunday 18 July 2010

Into the groove

Finally, after months of change I feel like I'm getting back into the groove.

I had had some not very flattering feedback about the pictures of my tea cosy's in my Etsy shop, so I spent some time yesterday having a play...




I've also started to sort my shops out a bit:
Kitsch for your home at Etsy
Everything granny squares & scarfs at Zibbet
And in Felt, I'm thinking accessories.... have yet to figure that one out :-)

I've also joined Ravelry which is a crochet and knit community where I'm hoping to learn more crochet techniques.
My first assignment I signed on for is a 'Dalek a-long' - knit or crochet a Dalek during July. The 4 pages of instructions were doing my head in and were a great help starting the fire yesterday and so I'm winging it.
The story so far.....
I think he might turn out a bit camp with all of this fluff....

Monday 12 July 2010

Brrrrrrrr & A Dream Vacation

As I was driving to work this morning the ice was falling off my car and I was trying to compose my etsybloggers blog carnival entry for this month.
The current topics to choose from are:
1) It's summertime, a time to get away from it all. Do you have a dream vacation?
2) Are there any special (or not-so-special) traditions that you and your family do while away on trips?

Andrew and I have known each other for 2 ½ years so have yet to get content for number 2, and so even though we are in the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere Ihave chosen number 1

My fingers are tingling from the cold as I type, so my immediate thought is that my dream vacation includes lots of warm sun.
Then there is always my dream destination - Egypt, which I’ve
blogged about before
Then I put my positive hat on (it’s a nice warm crocheted one)
And I came up with this…
(Warning: The following paragraph may induce nausea in those slightly jaded by life or if you are hung over)
My dream holiday is one where Andrew and I have a ball
We enjoy spending time together,
We go for lovely walks in the countryside or on the beach
We eat delicious food
We relax by reading or being creative
We discover amazing new treasures
We go places we haven’t been before together
And you know what….. we can do that any day of the year, we just have to decide too

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Slippers, Sneezing & a Shawl

My sister is in her 3rd year of studying Ayurveda which is a type of medicine which originates in India. I have terrible allergies and so she has been helping be with my sneezing, and because she's still a student she doesn't charge. Which is not so good for her, and great for me :-)

As a thank you I've made her these amazing granny square slippers. Amazing because I can't decide if they are incredibly ugly, kitsch or cool!



Also I've dug out a hairpin crochet loom that I bent out of a piece of metal a few months ago when I discovered hairpin lace and am going to make myself a shawl. I hardly make things for myself, so this is a special treat :-)



Other things on my mind.... I need to do a blog carnival to keep in the Etsy Bloggers Team (which totally rocks!) and so I need to put myself in a summer holiday mood, and I'm finding it a little tough since it'e rained every weekend and we've had the fire blazing - fingers crossed for this weekend :-)

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