To crochet?

I finally finished the little crochet stool cover I have been working on. I started it a while back and almost finished, but changed my mind and started again. I love it!

I used the granny chevron pattern for this.

I've had a few people asking about patterns and telling me how much they would love to be able to crochet, so I decided I'd do a few tutorials. I've never done tutorials before, so I hope I can make it easy for you to get started and learn some cool patterns.

Watch this space and I'll see what I can come up with.

Do you know how to crochet?

Do you want to learn how to crochet?

Still the weekend

A lot of people complain about Mondays. Not me. I love Mondays.

I work Saturday and get Sunday & Monday off, so it's a part of my weekend really. And there's the added bonus of having the kids at school so I can get things done without hearing any whining.

The weekend was busy but pretty relaxed, which is how all weekends have been lately. I havn't wanted to go anywhere. I think the craziness of January is still playing with me.

A lot of housework was done, which is boring but I am very pleased now to feel organised. 

Ryleah had some birthday money to spend, so we went to our favourite shop Ruth's and she got herself a metal give way sign (she has a thing for signs!) and a vintage sewing machine.

Her love for all things old has started very young. 

I have been doing a lot of online research into some new stock for my shop. It's exciting stuff!
Looks like a trip to India might be in store. They have amazing textiles over there.

I have been baking too.

It keeps my kitchen warm on these crisp days.

There has been crochet, of course.

And some stitiching to decorate my bedroom.

And animal love to make it complete!

Today I think I'll make a banana cake.

How was your weekend?

Do you like Mondays?

Cold weather blues

This weather. Blergh.

Today is cold, it is raining, it is dark, it is miserable. There was even a rumble of thunder.

2 days ago it was perfect. 26 degrees, sunny, no clouds. Then this.

When we get to this time of year, I have very mixed feelings.

Some things I hate, and some things I love.

I hate how dark the house gets, and the fact that I have to turn lights on during the day.

I hate that it takes a lot of motivation to get me moving. The sun seems to be energy for me!

I hate having to go outside when it's raining, and the bottom of my pants get all wet (cos I'm short and all my pants are too long!)

I hate that I have to dry Alfie's paws everytime he comes back inside, or risk having muddy footprints all over the carpet.

I hate that I can't get any decent photos inside, due to my lacking in good equipment

But there are quite a few things I love about the colder weather.

I love dressing in thick cosy tights with layers upon layers of singlets, dresses, cardis and jackets.

I love having the fire lit inside, just seeing it makes the home feel cosier!

I love it when the sun peeks through during or after rain - it makes the wet leaves on our gum trees look all glittery! 

I love cooking hearty, wholesome meals and soups. And roasts!

I love getting into bed with freezing feet and feeling the warm sheets from the electric blanket.

I love putting on my most bogan clothes and gumboots and going outside to tackle some wintry jobs, like digging a trench into the dam to stop water pooling in the paddock (ok so that's only happened a couple of times, but it was very satisfying seeing the dam water rise afterwards!)

Bonfires, I love bonfires!

And of course crochet on the couch watching movies, always a winner!

No muddy paws yet!

It's good to think of these things when the weather brings you down.

What about you? Do you like this weather?

What do you like the most about the colder months?