Where am I?

Well, between homeschooling, housework, and ALL that knitting, I am really finding it hard to find time to post. At the risk of boring you all with more knitting, those of you who are interested can go find me on RAVELRY (thank you Anne, I now have another online obsession LOL) which I admit has been coming before blogging when it comes to computer time.

I have been busy adding a few of my recent projects to my page and am still learning my way around over there. If you knit or crochet and are not a member already, you should join. There are loads of free patterns and its also nice to see how other peoples projects have turned out that you have made yourself. I am called Karismaknits on there if you want to add me as a friend or check out my handywork.



The weather has been constantly rainy round here this past week so the kids have been driving me nuts as they miss their usual outings. We all function much better when we have some outside play. (me included). My poor garden is drowning, the dogs are miserable as our usual walk in the bush has been replaced with sparse road walks. (too muddy and as Miko likes to swim, I don't think so!) There have been the usual bouts of coughs and colds with the constant changes in temperature. So I have been making lots of soup and herbal teas to go round.

Zak has been drawing like mad the past week and has also tried his hand at knitting. He is knitting a scarf in the left over wool from the Purple slippers and doing really well. He is getting neater as he goes along. I will try and take a picture later. He was making jokes that he felt like a granny sitting in front of the fire with his knitting. LOL

Anyway I am going back to mine, there are only so many hours in the day and I would like to get a little more done before dinner! Hope you are all well.

Hugs and smoochies xoxoxox

Peanuts Knit Report.......

Hello Hello, Its been pretty cold down here lately and all the mama's and even the nana have gone mad with the knitting needles! Seriously! Don't you think Im rugged up enough? They got together yesterday for a knitting circle! I thought I might show you some of what they are doing.

Aunty Karisma started knitting this jumper for me ages ago and then she ran out of wool! She was pretty excited today when she went hunting through her stash and found another ball of this wool hiding in the back. She said maybe I can even have a matching hat now!


Nana is knitting this outfit for me! Its really pretty and very soft.



My mummy has just learned to knit and she is knitting this scarf for her friends little girl who is seven years old. Its very pretty don't you think?


Aunty Karisma has been knitting a cardigan for my cousin Cameragirl but when she went hunting in her stash she found some really cool purple wool.


Our friend Indica Rose asked Aunty Karisma to make her some slippers a while ago and she really wanted purple ones so Aunty Karisma thought she would knit a little and see how it came out! She ended up knitting the slippers while we were here. It took a while so I had a little nap....

and the boys played a game.....

This is how they turned out.......

Do you like them? I do! I think I shall try them on!

What? What do you mean they are not for me?

Awwwww.....Aunty K says they are for Indica Rose who said that she would also like some green in her slippers, Aunty K said she was pretty specific! So she crocheted green around the edges and made some flowers for the front! Hope she likes them!

If not, I know someone who does!
Have a great day everyone!
Hugs and smoochies xoxoxox

Newsflash! (A mummy brag......)

Tomorrow night, our oldest girl Ashlee (aka Cameragirl) and her friend Emily are showing off some of their designs in Sydney at Bar Europa! So if you are into fashion and in the area....Go check it out...........

JUDITH JOAN
PRESENTS
UNDERGROUND
COUTURE

Join us for the
debut of Underground
FASHION in the new
hotspot BAR EUROPA.
Organised for the fashion
industry, by the fashion industry!


BAR EUROPA basement of
82-88 Elizabeth street Sydney

Entry $5 for non-guestlists,
Complimentary Glass of BUBBLES on
arrival between 6pm-8pm

Opening night 26th May 2010
Show begins at 8pm

$5 BUBBLES
ALL NIGHT

Hehe! No not these kind of bubbles but this dress might just be there!

Hugs and smoochies xoxoxox

Warm Winter Woollies........

WARNING: This blog has been hijacked by a knitting monster!



CONFESSIONS: Since I posted last week, I have knitted up 5 pairs of those fingerless gloves, crocheted a couple of rounds of a blanket for TBF and started on a cardigan pattern, yes my fingers are sore, but it has become a bit addictive and I can't help it!


With winter fast approaching (well really its already here!), it has been so comfy and natural to just curl up in front of a warm fire surrounded by soft squishy beautiful wool.

Cameragirl has been asking me for a couple of years to knit her a nice lacy cardigan in pure wool. Previously I had been unable to find the right wool at the right price to do so, it was going at $7 and I thought that it was a bit steep for a cardigan. (I know you avid knitters would not think so but keeping in mind we have a large family + I am a bit of a scrooge when it comes to spending money when its not for books anyway LOL) So imagine my surprise when I was looking for wool for the gloves and found this beautiful pure Australian wool for just $2.99 at Spotlight. Even better, when I decided it passed muster and would be great for the long awaited cardigan, it went on special and I only paid $2.25 a ball. BARGAIN! (So in my usual fashion, I cleaned them out of their pink balls of which there were 15 and hoped it would be enough).



Then came a problem I did not account for. Do you think I could find a pattern that suited both CG and myself. You see I insisted that if I was knitting an adult sized cardy it would have to a) be lacy, b) a bit of a challenge (I find plain knitting a bit boring) and c) be in 8ply wool as my hands get too sore with the smaller needles and wool.

Patons Diamond Lace Cardigan
(Bluebell 5ply Classic Elegance)
Experience Level 3 beehives with a P
(This means experienced knitter with Patience)

Well turns out I got most of it my way, after a long search for a suitable pattern, including hours of internet searching, raiding my mum and my aunties old knitting books to no avail. (I found quite a few I liked but CG did not like them). I ended up buying a new book (shock horror) but had to settle for 5ply as there were no suitable patterns in 8ply.

Next came the problem of how I would convert the pattern so it would come out the right size. There were many suggestions online, like using two patterns and then drawing up your graph to fit etc. I kind of had one of those light bulb moments and decided to try knitting up some of the pattern on smaller needles . Wallah, its perfect, not so great for my hands but the pattern is knitting up nicely. I just have to remember to stop knitting for a bit when my hand starts to hurt (about 20 years ago I had a bout of RSI so too much knitting kind of brings the pain back). I opted to go for a smaller size and smaller needles and just measure the length as we go so it fits her nicely. Heres hoping it works :-)

As for the Patience bit, well I think they need not have added that. The pattern is actually quite easy even though it is over 16 rows. There is only 8 to remember and once you do the first few rows you can see it easily to keep going! I LOVE IT! I should be able to knit it, even with distractions! Touch wood! LOL!

Here is the first ball of wool all knitted up, you can't see the pattern too well as I have it on short needles so cannot stretch it out properly..........

In between knitting I have been doing a little crochet as well, I bought this gorgeous wool before mothers day to knit my mum some socks, unfortunately it was too soft and kept coming apart so I have been playing with a little crochet to see how it would go. I was thinking of making a hat like the one up top there but just playing at the moment. (Apparently this wool is suitable for felting LOL, yes I agree as it keeps felting a bit as I go! I just love the colours). Mum ended up getting a pair of yellow socks in soft wool and some green ones in DK cotton.



I also took delivery of an awesome knitting book from Zoe Mueller, 50 pairs of baby bootees. Yay! I am looking forward to knitting up some of them. So many friends expecting babies so I need to keep the projects small. Have a great day/week everyone! I am going back to my knitting! :-)

Hugs and smoochies xoxoxoxxo

Knitting and Puzzles....

Wow its been a week since I found time to post all ready, how time flies..... Since then we went for a picnic in the park with some friends and it was there that I finished off this pair of fingerless gloves.



I was pretty much making it up as I went and opted to cast on 40 stitches (the wool was out of my stash and was acrylic...which I do not like) although they came up ok, I went out and bought some real wool and ended up knitting up another four pairs over the past few days and am half way through the fifth pair. The real wool knitted up much nicer and the basic pattern is this. ...

Cast on 36 stitches and knit 2 purl two for about two inches or to desired length to cover wrist. Then purl one row, (right side) and then work in stocking stitch or desired pattern to the length of your hand to just below the fingers. Purl one row to the front again and then knit 2 purl 2 for about one inch. Easy! I have not had time to take pictures of the rest, they were whisked away as soon as they were off the needles...Its been pretty cold down here this week!

I am currently searching for a cardigan pattern that I like to knit for Cameragirl. I have the wool but no pattern as yet! Fussy me! I want something lacy and interesting to knit A bit of a challenge would be nice.

Apart from knitting till my hands nearly dropped off, I have also been spending time in the garden ripping out all the back lawn. I am aiming to change it into more of a permaculture garden and intend to fence off that part of the yard completely so the dogs cannot destroy it. Thus far they have been pulling out what ever I plant so I will not plant anything till the fence is done.


TBF has been puzzle mad lately and after completing a 1,000 piece puzzle in a few days decided to tackle this one which I have had hiding in the cupboard for a couple of years. 1,500 pieces in about two days! Wow! Only one problem, one piece is missing! She finished it off and was most disappointed!



I would have loved to have framed this one, but with a piece missing its a bit pointless! Ah well, such is life! Now Im off to do some cooking and some more knitting! Have a great day everyone!

Hugs and smoochies xoxoxoxox

Stopping to breathe......

We have been pretty busy around here as usual. So busy in fact, that yesterday I tortured the children and said "Come on, we are off to the beach!" This was answered with the usual "I don't wanna........Do we have to? Can't we stay home? etc etc"

Of course I was very sympathetic (NOT) "Get in the car! I need to stop and breathe!"

Of course as is the normal scenario! They had an absolutely terrible time once they got there.

Walking along, skipping stones, sometimes chatting, sometimes silent, taking in all of natures glory without being distracted by technology.

There was time for taking in the ground, the sky, the water.........

Time to negotiate the sharp rocks beneath our feet.......

To explore the rock pools........

Flirting with danger.........

There was time to take in a little reading......(but not much as we were too busy exploring!)

Time to learn that while this little guy might tickle your fingers.....

.....This slightly bigger guy packs a nasty pinch........

For just an hour we took the time to be quiet and enjoy the sunshine and then we walked back and had a quick swim before returning home where we all did what ever we felt like. Adem went back to his computer, Zak to his jigsaw puzzle (he is helping TBF do a big 1500 piece puzzle) and mama to her knitting.

We were surprised in the afternoon when an old friend dropped by who we have not seen in years! It was the perfect end to a quiet day!

Today the warm sun is still here but the cold southerly winds have picked up. Should we stay indoors? Not a chance! Today we are off to the park to meet up with our friends! Have a great day everyone!

Hugs and smoochies xoxoxoxoxox

This is me being the assertive parent........

What was that you were all saying about NOT GETTING A RAT?????

Yeah TC was not happy with one, she went ahead and got another one! Meet Sophia (the one on the right! .....she and Penelope are getting along just hunky dory!


Oh but they are both so adorable? Do you NOT think? I dare you! All you rodent haters! Go meet a baby rat and then tell us how you feel! Even SB the rodent irky man has let Penlope crawl up his arm and nestle in his hair! Yep! They are adorable little stinky girls! Yes they are!


Hugs and smoochies xoxoxoxoox

A Narrative Assignment - by Zak

Zak really does not like writing, so getting a piece of writing out of him in any form can be a challenge! This morning I was quiet amused when he presented me with this little assignment. (Little being the operative word here! We are generally lucky to get two sentences out of him!)

Narrative Plan

Theme or main message

* I need a rat!
* I could get a rat!
* Mum being mean!

Characters & Description, Where, When

* Mum hates rats coz they smell (not true)
* Zak loves rats coz there are some at home
* Year 1999 to year 2010

Complication and events

* Zak wants a rat!
* Zak really needs a rat!
* Mum Yells at Zak (???????????)
* Zak never gets a rat!

Resolution (turns out there isn't one LOL)

* Zak needs a rat but mums mean ........based on a true story.

Write your short story based on the plan you have made.....


One day Zak wants a rat but Mum won't let him have one. But he tries everything but Mum won't let him get one. But why? Zak say's because Mum says "Im a meany pants and I hate rats!" Zak says "I really need one" Mum says, " Nooooooooooooo".

Zak is really sad and wants a rat but he doesn't get one. The end!!!!!!

P.S. I want a rat........P L E A S E



NO sorry you cannot have a rat of your own! For the record, I am not being mean. TCs now has two rats, Penelope was cold by herself so TC went and got her a little friend who she named Sophia. They are great friends already and quite hilarious to watch. Zak is allowed full care of them all day so does not need another rat of his own. He also does not look after Nim (his axylotl) so is not ready for a another pet of his own!

Permaculture and Pets...

This morning I went with my friend Anna to check out a really great garden! Got loads of ideas and tips as well as a few cuttings from the lovely lady who lived there. She also had a bee hive and we bought some beautiful fresh honey from her. I have long been thinking that grass is waste of space and this ladies garden was a dream garden to me. No grass anywhere! I wish I had of taken my camera and a note pad to jot down ideas...she was a wealth of information!

So of course I spent the afternoon in my garden, pulling up grass and replanting plants that my norty puppies thought should be dug up. Just before I did that though, we went on a little shopping trip.

Zak wanted to plant a little cactus garden, so we purchased a few small cacti and he came home and made his little garden in a pot so the dogs could not get at it! This is only the start, he wants to add little statues and rocks to make it look prettier......


He took the pictures himself, this one has a funny story...He actually bought it for me for Mothers Day about two weeks ago. Its not Mothers day till next week and he could not stand the suspense so gave it to me and then promptly stole it back! LOL! He was so in love with it, which is why he wanted to make a garden to go with it. It is a very sweet little plant! I am hoping that this little garden will get him to take an interest in the bigger garden so he will help out more out there. We are thinking of adding a fish pond if he does take more interest.



Gemma on the other hand has been nagging all week for a new rat! As my long time readers know, our beloved Rupert passed away last year and the kids have all been really missing him. Gemma wanted a little girl and after much nagging at Mum and Dad all week, we finally caved. SB squirms at the thought of "rodents" but I have become quite fond of them myself and already find this new member of our ever growing family, just adorable!


So here she is... Little Miss Penelope......she is so tiny, Rupert was double the size when we got him. She is very affectionate and sweet........and a certain young man is quite taken with her too!


She of course came with her own palace, which she has been having fun exploring today, although she much prefers to be held and comforted as she is missing her siblings...poor little baby!


Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! Cold weather and all! Hugs and smoochies xoxox