January

Our trip to the UK over Christmas was a bit of a disaster. Our flight out was delayed on the runway due to snow some 5 hours. Keeping a small tired little one happy in a stationery plane would be something close to hell. Once we got to England Baby Bunny got really ill (we were about to leave for the emergency room when the doctor said he would see her immediately), then I got sick, then my mother got sick, then my husband got sick ... do you see the pattern? Seeing my 9 month old being sick, being so listless - all she wanted to do was sleep ... well it was utterly heart breaking and rather took the shimmer out of Christmas.

We got home - all utterly jet lagged. It took Baby Bunny about a week to recover - and by this point (after 17 days of bad sleep) it took me another week to recover. Finally I feel about normal! So I have had little motivation to get off my bunny bottom and do anything but slouch in a heap during the quieter moments.

But I am working on another continuous cable blanket - here is a sneak peak at the pattern I am trying to work out ...... working out a 6 strand lattice cable pattern that goes seamlessly around corners is confusing me. And if that last sentence made no sense to you - then you see my point!

And I'm midway through a scrappy quilt ...... must use up every last piece of fabric! I really hope to have something of more substance to share with you soon. Hope you are all surviving the winter weather.

A look back on 2009

Where has 2009 gone?

Here are a few little highlights of my year.
I haven't achieved as much as I would like crafting wise - but the year been SO fulfilling in many other ways. I was so scared of becoming a mother - but now I can't imagine life without (what I consider to be - although I might be biased) the most lovely, peachy cheeked little girl ever (no no - I'm not biased at all!)

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for what I hope will be an exciting 2010 for all of us.

Continuous Cable Border

I'm really trying to write down my knitting patterns as I go but I find it really hard to be totally happy with them. I so want to be able to communicate clearly with someone how to make the pattern - but we all think/work so differently - I worry that my directions will frustrate or confuse.

Baby bunny has lots of new mobility skills (she has taken to rolling around everywhere and recently learnt to pull up.) I find my eyes have to be glued to her at all times so she doesn't find her way into the dogs toys (yum) or pulls anything off a table that land on her head (ouch). I have been finding that knitting is an easy thing for me to pick up and put down quickly. (Every peaceful moment is now a crafting moment.) Here she is inspecting my stitches.The border on this blanket is made using a a simple cable pattern. I joined the border to the blanket by knitting into stitches along the sides of the blanket and I joined the two ends of the border together using the three needle bind off technique.The same principle can be used with any pattern you care to use for a border. And the bonus is - no sewing is required! Do you like my fancy corners?

A Lucky Baby Bunny

Our dear friends had been trying for a baby and when they came to visit the baby bunny at only 10 days old - my friend held her and said 'perhaps you will be my good luck charm'. And her baby magic dust must have been powerful ... this weekend was their baby shower.

Baby Ella is due in December and I'm so thrilled for them and utterly thrilled that my baby bunny was their lucky charm. I inquired about a little pressie and a Rachael Rabbit play mat/picnic mat was requested.

I don't often say this (so it must be true) but my photos do not really do this justice. I haven't really done any sewing pieces since the baby bunny arrived. And this is almost flawless - I was quite pleased with it. I used House Collection fabric ...... I hand tied the quilt with tiny little crosses, it has a double layer of batting - so it is extra soft for Baby Ella's tummy time ...... I used beautiful velvet ric-rac given to me by Anne of Bunny Hill Designs, ...... the gift bag has felt letters ironed to it using that super sticky stuff.I think (hope) the mummy-to-be was pleased with it too.

Knitting Again

I had forgotten how calm and serene the world becomes when I knit.

I have been designing cable hats and I've been rather obsessed with making pretty patterns on the crown of the hats.
I just love knitting cables.I hope to post the patterns on my Ravelry page soon.

A little bunny update. She is now starting solids ... she loves peas, pears, prunes but she doesn't like peaches ... she grabs the spoon and swallows with great gusto ... it is awfully cute and terribly terribly messy ;-)

You Are Never to Young to Paint

Learning to paint ...What master pieces the baby bunny has made ...Once trimmed and signed they make the most adorable cards. We are SO proud of her first crafting project I'm not sure if we will ever be able to use the cards!!

AND I've found time to start knitting again ... I've forgotten just how much I love to knit.

Sewing Calendar

I was so pleased to receive my copy of the 2010 Sewing Calendar edited by Megan Smith and published by Accord. I was even more excited to see the Rachael Rabbit Simple Hot Water Bottle Cover featured on the inside cover ...... and our 3 little sewing projects in February, July & October.There are many wonderful crafters in the calendar - I was really honored to be asked to be a part of it.