Knitter and New Mum

Thank you Michelle!

2007-03-27T19:56:00.000+10:00

Thanks Michelle for my new blog!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I called you momo......your dog's name!!!! I'm still laughing at my error!

moved on! check out my new blog

2007-03-27T18:21:00.000+10:00

Its official I'm now retro mummy..............see you there...................................! thanks momo for the great blog! loooooooooooooooove it!

may I present to you...........the hoodie

2007-03-24T01:14:00.000+11:00

yes its done and just in the nick of time! Chloe's bday is tmrw morning and its just finished! the hood was confusing! I did it then unpicked it did it again unpicked it...........I think we have it! I'm not happy with the front as it rolls up a bit more than the back but hubby was very impressed and he doesn't get excited about my knitting very often!

I am in japanese craft book heaven! 3 from kinokuniya (I could have spent longer and more$$$$ but keira had had enough) plus 2 arrived in the post (photos to flickr this weekend!) I also treated myself to the new debbie bliss SIMPLY BABY and a cake decorating book by Peggy Porschen! I even decorated some cookies from her book tonight and they look great! I'm too tired to photograph them as its 1.17am and I still need to pack for tmrw and have everything ready!

We have a birthday party in the morning then a wedding in the afternoon at opposite ends of sydney.....hubby said I don't see why you're getting stressed about what to take and getting ready tmrw morning............ahhhhh the innocence!!!!!!!! its ok for him as he just gets his suit ready and shoes and socks and thats it! I need to pack for keira for the entire day and night as she's coming with us as well as myself plus there are presents, cameras.....well you know.......... a lot!

ok beddy byes now for me!!!!!!

still here.....still obsessed

2007-03-20T15:58:00.000+11:00

Well my new blog is still 'under development'....momo I can't wait to see what you've got for me.......

and so this is why I'm totally obsessed with japanese craft magazines...................they're so cute....I mean that little pink lunch bag and white bear............adorable!!!!! I've never seen anything like this here in a book or magazine and am trekking into the city this week to go to kinokuniya to hunt down some more! I've also seen yes asia have some great prices and free delivery too......

ok back to knitting....we have a 1st birthday on saturday and the little pink debbie bliss hoodie isn't done yet!!!!

packing and getting ready to move.....

2007-03-18T13:22:00.000+11:00

well I'm moving blogs!!!!! watch this space! I'm going to http://retromummy.blogspot.com as knitter and new mum is a bit of mouthful and my ebay store is also called retro mummy so I'll be sticking with that

I am totally obsessed with japanese sewing magazines and books at the moment! they are just so gorgeous and I want all of them but must exercise some self control!!!!!!!!!!! I've found this site which will just send you into the same obsessions as me http://www.craftlog.org/craftingjapanese/

now can someone please tell me how I can put a name and then when you click it you go to the website! I'm not very good at this blog stuff sometimes!

naughty shopper!

2007-03-16T21:22:00.000+11:00

Uh oh! I have just discovered japanese craft magazines and books and am very naughty in indulging by buying 2 tonight!!!!

I was celebrating making a bit of money on ebay but it has all gone now as I bought an issue of Cotton Time (I discovered it on this blog and now I think I may be hooked as everything is just too cute! molly chicken , Lynn you have a lovely blog and finished products!!!!)

and of course here is more of keira! her lastest trick is to shut her eyes in PREPARATION for the flash!!!! and here she is playing with her friend Billy on her playdate yesterday! Share Keira share!!! she has been feeding herself the past few days and its very cute....and very messy! I just let her go crazy at dinner and its bath time straight after

on the sewing front I started to make a pair of oven mitts this afternoon but my temperamental machine was not liking it so I'm taking them to mommy dearest on Sunday for a bit of help! I bought the pattern not realising all of the quilting across the mitts called free form I think! I'm going to do straight lines instead of their squiggles eventhough they look gorgeous!

oh and Spotlight decided that on the hottest day in a long while that the airconditioners wouldn't work! we were sweating and keira's hair stuck to her head and she was not happy till the cheese sandwich came out!

no wait.... there's more.....me

2007-03-12T22:23:00.000+11:00

well I better put up a picture of me and lovely keira.... isn't she cute! her first wedding and she has another in a fortnight! Then there's me and the lovely cath and judy my friends from school and uni.... it was so great to see them again...... they are in canberra and I'm in sydney and although it a few hours by car it seems we only get to see each other at special occasions like weddings!!!

photo overload!

2007-03-12T21:43:00.000+11:00

ok we've got keira as cute as pie with her dad! then her grandad!

then my gorgeous bolero! I just need to grow some boobs to fit it ( I started while b/feeding keira) but its cute and I have a butterfly brooch to fit it!

then we have today's purchases and a little nappy bag I've made for keira's friend chloe who turns 1! I'm going to make some cute hello kitty flanalette pj's to match and am also knitting a pink little debbie bliss hoodie with a beanie too!!! Phew thats a lot of things still to be made.

tmrw I'll put up some pictures of 2 gorgeous McCalls magazines from 1961 I won on eBayl! they are just too cute and one has a gorgeous chanel style fitted cardy to knit!!! I can't wait!

back to Love my Way on tv.....oh we have a japanese exchange student arriving in a few weeks for 6 weeks so the sewing room has moved to the front room and I'm hoping I might some cooking lessons although she is only 18 so lets see......

kitchen swap

2007-03-12T17:59:00.000+11:00

1. What colours are you kitchen - black granite benchtops and beechwood cupboards with hardwood floors!!! luckily we bought a house with a new kitchen!!!

2. What is your favourite appliance....mmmmmm a hard one! I guess the one I use most are my handbeaters....till dh buys me a kitchen aid I have to get by with the kambrook beaters!!!

3. What do you love cooking most...I'm a baker from way back!!! I love cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownies, if its sweet I'm bakin' it!

4. What item would you love the most from your swap partner...suprise me! I looooove suprises! oh and my favourite colour is pink...any shade .....pink......

mmmm new debbie bliss book and warm cookies

2007-02-27T11:51:00.000+11:00

well I just found this new debbie bliss book released called summer! wow...doesn't matter we are about to enter winter but I want this book....look at this gorgeous vest! I'm a debbie bliss fan from way back.....well ok 4 years ago when living in london

I'm also feeling a little full after eating 4 warm anzac cookies I baked for mothers group today!

oh dear keira has just woken and its lunch time! more photos tonight from my real knitting I promise but I couldn't help but share this photo

Happy Birthday to me.....31 candles

2007-02-26T15:02:00.000+11:00

Well it was yesterday but I forgot to blog!!!!!! I also can't load photos on to my computer till I reload the software so you'll have to make do with a picture of the cardigan I'm knitting for one of keira's friends 1st birthday! it is soooo cute

We had a lovely day with a long breakie down at manly right down on the water, some shopping and some sewing and knitting! i finished 2 nappy bags and a beanie and hubby looked after keira all day! the night before had been a gorgeous wedding (photos I promise) so we were pooped!!!

I've been enjoying getting things done now that keira naps for at least 2 hours in the afternoon....mind you she is now eating a cruskit at 3pm and won't sleep right now so I've been speaking to soon!

We're trying for baby no. 2 and ran into our lovely OB down at breakie yesterday so hoping thats a sign from the universe that baby is coming soon into our lives!!! I just can't wait to see keira with a little brother or sister as she just loves other kids so much! I can wait for the extra nappies and lack of sleep and weight gain of course!

Oh and can you believe that keira is 9 months old today....where has the time gone....I'm only now getting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes and my old jeans are still a couple of kilo's away!

happy knitting

Bad day....

2007-02-07T22:50:00.000+11:00

I was having so many lovely happy days with keira and today was a bad day, tears and no sleep (keira not me) ! I don't know what was wrong but she was all over the place! I think today put me back in the real world and remember that she is just a little person and can't always be on the go with her mummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in my knitting world, my short sleeved bolero is coming along nicely and just finishing the left front then I'm ready to do finish it off with a ribbed neckline! wahoo! its been a bit of a quick knit but I've been too busy to finish! Now I'm ready to tackle the long sleeved version next week in a lovely shade of blue!

in my plastic world, I'm now a manager and really enjoying looking after and helping others get started but not the extra expectations of attending all these different meetings! I was expected to go a meeting tonight but had to say no keira comes first and if she's not sleeping in her own cot she won't be sleeping there! I've asked for day time meetings once a month but for the few workers it needs to be at night....so guess what....none of the mummies could go!!! hmmmmmm thats my vent for the night! I was made to feel bad for putting keira first...whatever happens family is first!

jealous............

2007-01-25T15:49:00.000+11:00

well look what my lovely grandma donated..... to my mum and myself but I'll be keeping at them my house since I have more room (he he he )

I am so in love with these patterns I don't know where to begin! I read through them last nights and so many I love and don't you love the lady's hairdo - I think her name is Beryl don't you think (sorry if you are called Beryl)

Well its been busy! Keira is a tear away on the floors and moving non stop but is so exhausted from a day of deliveries, phone calls and the mall she's sleeping for 2 hours! wahoo

I'm typing dressed up and made up for a night out with .... my husband's work..........all accountants but with my exciting social life its a great excuse to put on make-up and a nice outfit! I've also stopped b/feeding so can enjoy a glass or two

back to my patterns.....jealous......

do I ever finish anything........

2007-01-17T21:55:00.000+11:00

I am bad, really bad, I start so many projects and never finish them! ok my mums jo sharp jumper is done, phew, and finished for this winter and this is my latest project, the gorgeous bolero from jo sharp 2, I'm doing it in lilac cotton from bendigo mills, loving it! easy to knit and just ordered more yarn for a long sleeve version in blue. I was up in bed knitting till 1.30 this morning and set myself the very achievable goal of wearing it at my birthday next month!

on the homefront its been hot hot hot with this weather! keira has learnt to commando crawl around the room and suddenly everything is interesting to her! we're off to swimming tmrw and will be nice to be in the water myself

weight is coming off and lost 5.7kgs so far and more to go, a wedding invitation for my lovely friend Harry in february has motivated me to shift a few more kgs before the day. Although I'm always busy and doing things I can't wait for the wedding and a social event......that involves dressing up

righto off to do the dishes and bottles and clean up today's mess

Cute stuff

2007-01-05T18:25:00.000+11:00

Here is keira in all her glory!!!! eating (ignore the afternoon mess - I promise I clean up before I go to bed) and modelling her lovely new tiered skirt! I had a little help from my mum to finish it off - she came over to help me with the bags and took over the skirt too - she loves to sew and made me the greatest clothes when I was growing up.

We had a great day enjoying a lovely lunch by the beach and a bit of fabric shopping before spotlights sale ends.

off for our evening walk which is the only way to get keira off to sleep.....................

Valentines swap, lecture and my night

2007-01-04T10:35:00.000+11:00

For the valentines sewing swap, keira is a size 0/1, weighs 8kgs and 70cm long!!!!! I love pink any shade and lilacs and little florals are lovely too - not a big fan of massive love hearts or too flashy stuff.

well it was a quiet night just tacking my tiered skirt together and put the elastic in so when visitors have gone and my TW party is done I'll be in the backroom sewing it up and putting up a picture!!!!!!! keira was an angel but we have discovered a third top tooth coming through!! ahhhh she's being so good considering

oh and my whinge.......I got a lecture from the clinic nurse about not even thinking about a 2nd baby till keira is 2. she went on and on about how I would neglect keira etc so listened then spoke to my aunt who is a child psychologist who works with babies and mums with PND and she couldn't believe I got such a talk .....my rationale is they are so understaffed at the clinic she probably didn't want another baby in the area! anyway in one ear and out the other

off to play with keira now.............she's discovering dust and bits of fluff on the floor and trying to eat it all!

How did you spend new years eve?

2007-01-02T06:18:00.000+11:00

I've been asked so many times how did I spend new years eve - sewing!!!!!!!!!!! I was very happy to have the time while hubby watched tv, had a beer and read the papers. this is what I made
but can you see my little mistake.....yep bottom left hand corner.....I'm such a novice I didn't check the material before I cut out and sewed the bag and lo and behold I start to sew the lining and realise the fabric has a flaw in it!!!!!

I've decided to add some cute sequins or something but I'm not happy! I bought the fabric from spotlight and think its very retro - the pattern is the Amy Butler diaper bag. I'm also finishing a 3 tiered skirt for keira today and hope to have that up tmrw!

In other matters hubby and I have decided to try for baby no. 2 - are we crazy or what! I think because keira is such an angel and it took us year to get pregnant! I'm very excited but hope I can keep the crafts up!!! I just bought the Jo Sharp knit 2 book (last one so I had to grab it) and hope I can make a couple of things. We also have 4 expectant mums in our midst so thats a great excuse to get knitting

oh and here is a bit of keira, she's really growing up isn't she

Merry Christmas and my latest project

2006-12-28T21:49:00.000+11:00

This is my latest project - the bag in the top left corner which has lovely baubles!!!! I love doing it but am stuck on the baubles and off to my knitting mentor - nana - for some help this weekend!!!

my absence has been explained by tupperware, christmas and just being busy! I'm now cutting down my tupperwaring and want more craft time. I've been loading up on yarn, material and some patterns for sewing and can't wait to get stuck into it!

I look forward to catching up on lots of blogs adn read whats been happening.

Keira is growing at a fast rate and lots of fun! she loves all her food , anything, eats anything and loves playtime. She got too spoilt at xmas and is just getting back into routine after a week at grandma jill's in melbourne. Her top teeth are coming in and are more traumatic than the bottom ones have been and we have to take an afternoon walk to calm her down and get her down to sleep - its quite convenient that spotlight is on our way to the beach so its quite common to stop by for a few things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

righto off to catch up...................
Corrie:)

not another craft.....

2006-11-20T21:14:00.000+11:00

Well its been a busy weekend!

I met the lovely Belinda and Claudine on Friday who came armed with lovely presents!!!! All I had were my TW catalogues - we need a catch up before xmas! it was great - I left wanting to get my sewing machine out and also get started on some socks!

Saturday and sunday were a blur and there has been no knitting! none whatsoever - keira needs more clothes (ok she has enough) but I am hanging out to make a dress for her so I got some great material and am ready this weekend to get cracking on to it!!! hubby is worried......more crafts entering this house

its record breaker week in TW so I'm flat chat preparing for that and lots of catalogues to stamp! I have now reached the point where I must start selling some of the stuff I've bought for my display as I keep buying and buying - knew this would happen!!!

I can explain!

2006-10-30T15:12:00.000+11:00

This is why I've been absent! the first is very cute with her 2 teeth! mind you she is grissling now and resisting afternoon nap after too much excitement meeting her daddy for lunch! isn't she looking older

the second reason is my first lace project and scarf exchange! I am a teensy weensy bit late finishing it close to the due date but my lovely pal was understanding on account of the lace part! I love it! blocked it this morning and off to the post office I go!

wow lace really is tricky with a 5 month old but what a joy to look at! better shots to come once my pal receives it!!!

can't wait to catch up on blogging..................what have I missed!!!!!!!!!1

taking a moment out of my day!

2006-10-14T06:04:00.000+10:00

well its nearly 6am and keira decided to wake up at 5am happy and cheery and ready to play! So much has happened, she has her 2 front teeth - I hear this is early and we've given her a little baby rice which she just loves and wants more! she's going to be a hearty eater like her mum. We also started her on cloth nappies, lovely fitted ones and she loves them - the washing isn't too much more and hope it stays that way!

knitting has been restricted to my scarf exchange project, I've done 20cm and need to keep working on it! its coming along nicely but slowly! lace is hard!!!!!!!!!

been busy doing my tupperware parties and 2 more next week then a rest before 7 parties in november! the cooking theme is working really well and I'm enjoying it at the moment!!!!!!

righto off to check some blogs and see what I've been missing

camera trouble

2006-10-03T10:13:00.000+10:00

we have camera trouble so stick with me!!!here's an older photo of keira (well 2 weeks ago)

I am struggling with my lace scarf for the scarf exchange, its a joke now about how many times I've started - over 20- has anyone heard of a lifeline and what is it and will it help me!!! I'm losing my sanity over this scarf and I'm determined. i can't even say the simple pattern I'm doing because I slipped up and let my partner know my name in a sign off on one of our friendly emails

on the homefront, hubby in dublin on a p... up ...oops I meant a conference for his work - yeah right! meanwhile I have the baby! he needs a PA though as his credit card/atm card expired the day before he flew out and he didn't receive a new one - hope the bank comes through for him!

dear little keira had her needles today as I was holding her legs down the bottom lip went on and by the second leg she was screaming - it hurts me more than her let me tell you - now she's resting

in the kitchen today we did a white chocolate raspberry loaf for mothers group, mmmmm so yummy!!!!

I hope to be blogging a bit more now that my knitting has resumed, all my tupperware parties are organised for next 2 weeks so I can relax a bit this week till they start.

flat out

2006-09-25T19:54:00.000+10:00

phew still busy!!! enough time to take photos of keira of course and totally fallen behind in my soaps, no dr phil and don't know where the days go!

scarf for scarf swap is coming along nicely, ok I've only done 10 rows but lace knitting is hard....I accidentally let slip my name....apologised to my lovely partner and not posting what I'm doing.........but 1/2 the yarn still needs to be wound...oh well one day I'll find time.

how low can you go!

2006-09-17T21:22:00.000+10:00

gee the world can be a bad place! I was going out to the car to go to church this morning (yes I was being good) and saw something on the ground that matched the colour of my car - some b....y idiot had smashed our petrol cap off and scratched the side of our car!

it freaked me out!!!! I managed to file the police report and ring insurance then I lost it, started crying hysterically! so while this was going on hubby was loading his bags into a taxi to head to the airport to go to india - he saw my distressed state and stayed home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so I did some baking, anzac cookies and a caramel slice....mmmmmmm.........yum yum

on the knitting front I'm still winding some yarn for my scarf swap (I'm waaaaaaaaaaay behind everyone else), gosh its gorgeous and need to finish my mum's jumper before her french trip next monday!

MIA...

2006-09-11T20:03:00.000+10:00

wow its been a long time between posts! In between 2 lots of houseguests (2 more on their way this month), keira's cold and associated crankiness, hubby's late nights and weekends at work there has been no knitting, no crafts but lots of cleaning, washing, cooking, entertaining and more of the same again! I have now resorted to woollies homeshop and an organic box delivery each week and what a lifesaver!

phew! I am also hosting mothers group at my house tmrw for a bbq so just baked a yummy low fat cheesecake and about to get the vac and mop out and finish cleaning!

oh and add to that I'm trying to start selling certain plastic kitchen products as well!

sadly france is off, hubby had to say no after costs were rising and the free trip ended up over two grand plus spending money and a trip home that read nice-paris-london-tokyo-sydney with no hotels or beds in between and a bit too hard on a little girl!

off to read some blogs and catch up on what's been happening!

can't help myself!

2006-08-31T20:12:00.000+10:00

now in all of these pictures taken today keira looks angelic and I couldn't help it they are much more exciting than my knitting right now and I swear it looks like she's reading in that first one!! BUT she has just taken 1 1/2 hours to get to sleep with much screaming and carrying on - this is not my normal girl and I don't know what went wrong tonight! anyway she is now quiet and I'm happy :)

its a busy few days ahead starting tmrw with playgroup, an afternoon play date for keira, then family and an old family friend for dinner, sister and hubby both arriving saturday morning and then fathers day breakie on sunday- I'm tired just writing about it and it means I need lots of things cooked, house totally clean and no knitting! I've been scrapbooking and making cards this afternoon which was lovely but that's enough me time!!!!!!

lovin' those dishcloths

2006-08-29T09:43:00.000+10:00

Well lots of photos. First off is the sugar n cream ( 8 balls) I received yesterday! I really like knitting with this especially when you need to pick up stitches and they just stay there and don't move! next up is the first dishcloth I'm doing from dishcloth boutique and I think it looks like a block of chocolate, yum yum!

also here is my mum's jumper ready to finish and do the roll neck! its taken me way too long to do this jumper and I'm a bit embarrassed at how late it is however my mum thinks will be perfect for france and she loves it - but its a bit snug on her so hope it fits her when all done up!

hubby is over in miami all week for an insurance conference at boca raton, oh there are some great yarn stores near him but he says he won't have the time! oh well at least he is having fun and he saw raymonds mother from everyone loves raymond at the airport lounge and texted me to tell him - I went to text him back at 3.30am as I fed keira and dropped my little mobile on her head - omg she let out a shreiking cry for 1 minute that I've never heard and I panicked and started crying ( I do this quite a bit now) but then she started giggling and kicking her legs around so thank god I have a light little pop open mobile and she's resilient!!!!! won't do that again!

well its clean up day today so better get cracking on those floors

What I've learnt!

2006-08-24T18:59:00.000+10:00

Well its been a few days of learning!

Last night I learnt that you should always heat your husband's dinner! I told him to heat up the bread so he put a big tuna nicoise salad in the microwave for a minute or so till I realised what he'd done!

during the day I also learnt that lace knitting requires total concentration if you are doing it for the first time. This was my fourth attempt and then I tried again and keira woke up and I lost my place and it was all over! I've decided to do lace knitting at night once she is in beddy byes!

and here's my bolero progress so far - I'm loving it and the colour is going to be gorgeous with her little jeans!

thanks everyone for your comments on my creche episode- it makes me feel so much better and normal that I'm not overeacting!

this made my day!

2006-08-22T11:01:00.000+10:00

wow look what arrived today! I wish my laceswap partner could hear my oohs and ahhs then 'oh my goodness more' as I discovered there was a second pattern and pair of addi's! I've been dying to get my hands on a pair and actually kept checking out a website for them so to receive not one but two pairs! well I'm over the moon! I just love it love it love it! they are going to the front of the knitting queue!!!

it really cheered me up as I had a bad morning!I've only used the creche at the gym a few times and I walked in to collect keira and heard screaming very distressed that sounded like her - sure enough she was and the lady was trying to rock her saying she's tired and she just started crying! I could see and smell that her nappy had leaked everywhere and she was telling me she was tired and needed a feed! I don't think so! I have never heard keira cry like this before and it made me cry! I changed her nappy and she got worse till she got a big cuddle and took about 5 minutes to calm down! I was so mad and upset at the same time I cried the whole way home! She is always such a happy good baby and we don't let her cry much so I walked out saying I'll never put her in there again and luckily was cancelling my membership next month!!!!! ok thanks for listening!

So I get home and there is the wonderful lace swap parcel from knittingnatty that just made my day - ok my month!

oh and now keira's happily playing on her mat and giggling away and there's a photo of us knitting on sunday as keira gets used to her big bed!!!

happy birthday justin!

2006-08-19T09:46:00.000+10:00

its hubby's birthday today, yeah 31, and older than me (just!)!!! He wanted plants and a home brew kit and I bought an ipod shuffle which he just LOVES!!!!!!!!!! we went out to lunch, mmmm I treated myself to the yummiest apple quince hazelnut crumble with vanilla creme anglaise - mmmmmmmmmmm soooooooo good - I love my desserts!

here is a picture of keira in another of nana shirley's knits, so cute this little one and she is now wearing the largest jumpers that nana thought would be for next year!!! what a big girl she is

this is also the bolero jacket that I had started then pulled out as hard to get the edging right! will try again. I also tried my hand at dpn's yesterday - big mistake as keira crying I was getting frustrated with the needles - I am sure it takes practice and patience so will try again!

and THANK YOU DONNI for teaching me how to add buttons! love it and you were right it was easy - thanks again!

mmmmm white chocolate mud cake

2006-08-17T23:27:00.000+10:00

Its 11.30pm and I'm awake -why ????? Well, its hubby's bday on saturday and he needs a cake for work and I am awake waiting for the white chocolate mud cake to cook! this cake is a winner and is iced with a white chocolate ganache and is pure indulgence! I'll photograph tmrw morning, mmmmmm, shame its going to work and not staying here!

its been a busy day organising keira's passport application, exercising, shopping, baking and looking after keira who poked her finger in her eye this morning and realised it hurts!!!

I also bit the bullet and bought some size 12 jeans today realising I won't be back into my size 6 ones for quite some time and I'm sick of my maternity ones! I tried them on with keira in the changeroom who was smiling as my big bottom was near her pram - cheeky girl - yes its big!. My friend was also over yesterday, looked at my wedding photos and said gee you were skinny - thanks - it was only 18 months ago but I really did eat up big when I was pregnant - it might explain why I loved being pregnant so much!

Tonight I started doing the little bolero from debbie bliss baby cashmerino 2 - oh its so cute in a dusty rose colour! I also ordered 8 balls of sugar n cream today in brown, hot pink and marble (I think?) and can't wait till it arrives - perfect for the dishcloth shuffle. I'm still waiting for my laceswap yarn to arrive - I ordered it over 2 weeks ago and getting a little edgy so sent a polite email off enquiring how long it should take - rest of the present is ready just need the most important component.....the yarn!

I might also try to add buttons to my blog tonight! Donni gave me comprehensive instructions that I looked at and put down for another time!!!!

well only 30 minutes left and I'm off to bed - thankfully the cake cools in the pan while I rest!

sucker for punishment!

2006-08-13T19:09:00.000+10:00

Wow, keira and I did it! The city to surf is behind us (photos tmrw!)
The whole race I said I'll never do it again ( I cannot begin to describe the road rage I encountered which was bl**dy ridiculous - every person who walked into my pram abused me, rolled their eyes, told me off, people behind would then tell me off!!!!) but I'm going to try and run it next year and my lovely parents have offered to walk keira with them and I've just signed up to do the 9km bridge run next month - omg I can only run for 10 minutes at the moment so this is a major challenge but I'm up for it! I figure I'll lose more of my keira weight!!!

Today was also a great day as my mum asked me to go to France, yes France on her school trip! she's a french teacher and had a student drop out of her trip so is taking keira and I with her! This will be a major operation with lots of planning to take a 4 month old baby to paris and the south of france but since we are picked up everywhere by coaches and have nice hotels I think we can do it - plus Keira is out and about all day everyday with me so I think we can do it - any tips on travelling with bubs - put them here!!!!!

one blog question - how to add buttons to my blog - I am now in the lace swap, dishcloth (thanks donni saw the button on your blog) and the scarf swap and would love to add buttons to my blog!

goodies in the mail!

2006-08-10T14:45:00.000+10:00

oh it was another good day for me via the postman! I received this lovely swap from nattychick, I just love the stitch markers with my initials on them and the gorgeous wool and choccies and hand stamped card! its all too good - thank you so much!

then I got my amazon books, wow, they are both so good! The lucinda guy book will def. challenge me but actually so will one skein as never tried felting but want to - one question - does it do bad things to your washing machine???? we have a lovely new one and don't want to damage it????

well its been a busy day with training this morning (we did sprints and something called the beep test !?!?! where you run back and forth and have to make the beep !) I'm exhausted but committed to do bikram tonight so will be pooped tonight! plus poor keira is out of routine today so she will be very pooped too as hasn't slept properly today BUT she did sleep 8pm to 3.30 am today which was the longest ever - good girl!

not bad for first effort!

2006-08-09T15:10:00.000+10:00

well these are my first attempt at stitch markers and I'm pretty happy with them just need to work on the ends and wrapping them tighter around the top!!! any tips would be appreciated!

I came home today from the gym to find not 1 not 2 but 3 parcels - my wool from ebay- yeah! love them all but not sure on one wool, its opal petticoat 1339 so think they'll be socks to give away - does anyone have a good sock pattern they can recommend!!!!

well keira is resting and I'm about to clean the house, what fun for a wednesday afternoon!

Girls night in!

2006-08-05T14:39:00.000+10:00

Well, hubby is off in Melbourne this weekend helping his mum pack up her house and downsize so its just me and Keira hanging out at home tonight - notice how her hair keeps growing up!!! I can't control it!

So we are just vegging out and since I started the day with a bikram class I deserve it!!!

I also got my laceswap buddy so found some lovely wool already online and just deciding what pattern to go with it, this is fun!!!

this afternoon I also decided to clean out my knitting stash, inspired by Nattychick to swap some wool!!!!! I'm still going organising!!!

oh and the little hats (I also made a hot pink one) went down a treat, my new little neighbour is called Aysha and received the hats yesterday!!! her mum and dad visit her twice a day in the hospital and loved them especially as all the knitwear knitted for the premmies in hospital has to be returned!!!! its so nice to knit for someone else and give presents!

1 little hat done....

2006-08-02T09:46:00.000+10:00

Well I managed to do this little one as a variation on a pattern I had, thanks Donna I had a Cleckeaton book and just reduced the stitches - I have never done this before so I am impressed with the result!!! I'm going to check out some patterns on www.bevscountrypatterns.com which had oodles of patterns, thanks Meredith, and should have a nice little bundle of premmie knits! They are so quick and it looks like i hardly touched the ball of wool once I'd finished the hat!

Keira has just woken up after sleeping since 11am including her time in creche while I did yoga, yawn, I am getting used to bikram so the class I did today was a bit too relaxing for me and didn't work me too hard, plus 45mins is too short! Anyway back to bikram tomorrow!

Premmie patterns anyone?????

2006-08-01T18:16:00.000+10:00

wow, I just found out my neighbour had her baby 5 weeks early this week and she weighs a teeny weeny 1kg!

Wondering if anyone has/can recommend premmie patterns!?!?!?!? I've gone through all my books and have nothing! would appreciate some guidance!

saturday night in the kitchen!

2006-07-29T21:35:00.002+10:00

oh I remember when saturday nights were for going out - now they are about resting at home (but secretly I like this) and its been a busy night in my kitchen as we have a xmas in july lunch tmrw and I have made frittata (yes very christmassy but necessary for us non meat eaters), tiramisu (ok not for xmas but one of my specialties) and a pineapple rum fruit cake (that is still baking and smelling divine!!!).

I've emailed off my brownie recipe a few times this week but here it is, oh these really are good and I promise if you try them you will love them. I made them quite a bit towards the end of my pregnancy and it probably explains some of my weight gain!

150g dark chocolate
110g butter
2 eggs lightly beaten
225g caster sugar
110g self raising flour
50-100g pecans roughly chopped

melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Pour into bowl and add eggs, sugar, flour and pecans and mix well. Pour into lined baking tray (25cm square or smaller is best)and bake in 180 degrees oven for 30 minutes (or 25 minutes at 175 degrees if fan forced). Leave to cool a few minutes and cut into squares.

on the knitting front I did manage knitting up half the back of my mum's jumper today. I really want it finished so I can finish finish finish my millions of projects in my back room!

Books, books and more books

2006-07-28T15:05:00.000+10:00

Well, this morning I treated myself to 2 new cooking books at the shops which were on sale and then I was reading some blogs and saw the cutest pictures on knitter sue's blog, so I went to amazon and indulged in 3 new knitting books .....which I need like a hole in the head and won't be telling hubby about.

So I got 2 of Lucinda Guy's books, one is how to teach children to knit - I mean keira is only 9 weeks old- I think I'm a bit early and I also got One Skein.

I also took a picture of 2 projects that were meant to be for this winter since I complained I had no jumpers to fit - oh dear - they are still unfinished so maybe this will motivate me - I am so bad at finishing things off!!!!!!

I love the red JET cardi but I'm a silly girl and knitted it as an XXS thinking all my extra weight would just fall off feeding keira, well that hasn't worked so jumper might be for next winter, such a shame as love it!

mmm brownies and smiles!!!!

2006-07-25T11:54:00.000+10:00

well these are my famous chocolate brownies with yummy pecans for mothers group today! I said no I wouldn't eat any and I don't think the 3 I ate will help my weight loss!!!!

just after I made these yummy brownies keira decided that her poo would come out of her nappy and go everywhere so she needed a bath and then was all smiles on her playmat!!!! but I do love her smiles and playtime

today I am having a clean and get organised day! I would like that to extend to my knitting projects but have just decided to do the lace swap at www.laceswap.blogspot.com (been dying to do a swap) and a poncho for my sister in mohair and finish all my baby knitting for keira that should have been finished BEFORE she was born! oh well, too many projects so little time!

Motivated to knit!

2006-07-24T15:30:00.000+10:00

Now that i'm back online and reading everyone else's blogs I'm motivated!!!! Yeah!!!!!!

So i'm onto the 2nd sleeve of this lovely jumper for my mum's birthday and she keeps asking how it's going and I say where do i find the time!!!!! but I do love the colour of this wool and the pattern is so simple that I can't wait to see it on her plus this wool is lovely to knit its alpaca kid lustre and gorgeously soft!

Perhaps if I start listing all my UFO's I'll be even more motivated to finish them including the jumpers I started for keira that are still on the needles!!!!!

Now that's what I call purple!

2006-07-22T19:48:00.000+10:00

Wow, how purple is this yarn! my nana bought it back from singapore for me and its bright as bright can be. I'm not normally into these fluffy feathery yarns but this one has long strands and is coming along nicely and will be good for when I can fit into my black leather jacket - its a size 6 so I have some time!

I also started on the sleeve of my mum's jumper so thats coming along too

keira and I spent the day without her dad who is working long hours in the office including weekends - she's started not to recognise him but then will smile for me - I secretly like this preference for mummy - he he he

tmrw I go for a 11km walk in preparation for the city to surf which I am doing next month with keira - anything to shift those kilos! oh and of course here is a photo of lovely keira in one of her little outfits!

Where does the time go????

2006-07-20T09:08:00.000+10:00

Well its been a busy 2 weeks since I posted! Keira is still growing, my knitting is still sitting there and life is a bit more normal in that Keira can settle herself, sleeps well and is gurgling, smiling and interested in looking at everything!

My Mum's birthday was 3 weeks ago and jumper still half done and my own jumpers are still to be finished off and I am sure I will get to it one day!

today we are getting keira's 8 week injections and she is so happy this morning I feel like a bad mummy so I will reward her afterwards with some toys at the Target sale and some pumpkin patch - perhaps I am just rewarding myself for being brave!

I am losing weight, 1.6kgs in the last 2 weeks and through no chocolate, bikram yoga, training with other mums and walking! I am into the seeds and dried fruit and just being healthy but the breastfeeding makes sure I eat lots and lots!

My nana made me this!

2006-07-04T09:11:00.000+10:00

Well this is Keira in one of her nana Shirley's knits! its very cute and keeping her warm and I think she is showing signs of loving knitting since she spent 9 months listening to the click clack of my needles!

Keira had a lovely baptism and slept through the whole thing! she was a little angel and just moved her mouth slightly when the water came down on her head!

We have mothers group today and a nice day at home on a rainy sydney day!

The green jumper for my mum's birthday is still waiting to be done, i've still only done back and one sleeve and must be made a priority since her birthday was yesterday!!!!!

What are the chances!!!!

2006-06-29T12:15:00.000+10:00

I got JET, yeah and same dyelot! what are the chances of that happening! miraculous! I am amazed!!!!! there were 2 balls left and hubby snatched them up, what a man!

Looking for Jet!

2006-06-28T13:54:00.000+10:00

Well here is Keira at 4 weeks! much more exciting than any of my knitting projects but not as relaxing! She is much more alert and wakes about 1am and 4am for feeds and is doing much better.... I am also doing much better letting her cry a little in her basinette and giving her the dummy to settle her off to sleep!

We spent this morning hunting down a ball of Jet in Colour 7 - does anyone have any scraps of this? I am finishing sleeve of cardigan, pattern said I needed 9 balls, I've used 11 and run out of wool!!!!!! oh my I've been to spotlight, kmart and sent hubby off to lincraft in city - I don't even care about different dyelot just need it to finish jumper!

anyway! its keira's christening this sunday and I'm still finishing the shopping and have to handwash her little matinee jacket which is 30 years old (and worn by me). I am hoping all my guests will help out with food and drink and the day runs smoothly!

I'm also going back to weight watchers next week as my bad habits must stop as I've put on weight since leaving hospital not lost it! uh oh!

This is how Keira sleeps!

2006-06-20T13:59:00.000+10:00

Ahhhhh a nice quiet moment with keira down for a nap! peace! This is how she falls asleep, no swaddling of her arms thank you very much. We were back to the doctors this morning for her golden staf but she is ok and apparently we all can have golden staf on our skin without being sick???? interesting.

Today we posted another of the debbie bliss baby cashmerino beanies off to Keira's cousin Will who lives in Hong Kong. We splurged on some baby cashmerino wool and it came up lovely! Of course I was in such a rush to post it this morning before he heads back home that I didn't even take a photo but thats the 3rd beanie I've finished and I'm proud I have the time!

Must go and do some washing now! If someone can tell me how to add links to other blogs that would be great!!!

Trendier than my mum!

2006-06-12T11:27:00.000+10:00

I have now realised Keira always looks better dressed and co-ordindated than me!!! my clothes are now an afterthought so I have decided (after watching a few episodes of what not to wear) that I need to organise wardrobe to make picking outfits easy!

Keira has been up most of the night but now sleeping happily! I managed to get half of Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino beanie done for Keira's first friend and hope to have it done this week in between finishing my last uni assignment -a poster to teach year 3/4 students how to write an information report!

well today is visitors day with people deciding today is best day to visit us and meet keira - tim tams are out and ready!!!! but I can't wait till 4pm when I might get a wee nap before night shift starts! my lovely hubby is back to work tmrw so back to reality this week!

Settling technique required

2006-06-07T13:44:00.000+10:00

Is there a magic technique to settle my little one!!!! we did have a good night with Keira only waking twice but its the getting back to sleep that kills us. we rock, pat, try a dummy, pick up and put down and when all else fails leave her for 3 minutes then pick up again!

she is now peacefully asleep and I managed 1/2 hour of knitting on my jo sharp cowl neck sweater for my mum! I am too lazy to take a photo of my progress as just getting online each day takes some planning!!!!

I did manage to make a big veggie lasagne last night complete with cheese sauce and a spinach and ricotta layer so life hasn't totally stopped! But I must cut down on my biscuit consumption and daily dessert of a mini apple pie and ice-cream - it will be taking its toll on our waistlines!

We're home!

2006-06-03T16:34:00.000+10:00

Well we are home and learning to adjust to life with a new member of the family - who keeps us up, poos a lot and requires a lot of washing, walking, hugs and settling! I am typing and rocking the bassinette right now with my foot and hoping she falls asleep soon.

Here is little pic of her on our outings to the mall as we are just going through sheets and outfits faster than expected and thank goodness my lovely husband is doing the clothes, dishes, groceries and driving me everywhere! who knew what a catch I had! plus he gets up after her last morning feed at about 4am and settles her!

I managed to do 2 rows of knitting last night and still haven't had time for any day time naps! I am trying to make a beanie for my friend's bub and want it done by tuesday - could be too ambitious!

thank you everyone for the lovely comments and had hoped to reply personally to you all but just getting online has been a major achievment!!!!!

Keira Emilie

2006-05-28T17:37:00.000+10:00

She's here! Keira Emilie arrived 5.56pm Friday weighing 8lbs10oz, 54cm long with a head size of 37cm. C/section was scary as needed 2 spinals and lost 1litre of blood but was up and about next morning and feeling great today (am still on painkillers so let's see how I go tmrw!)

She is a big girl and good feeder and I am a little less scared of her and amazed at the amount of love we have for someone so little!

Knitting is on hold but I got the biggest box of handknitted jumpers, cardigans, hats, booties, mittens by my nana which is just lovely and I can't stop looking through!

Will be back later in the week!

4 hours to go

2006-05-26T10:54:00.000+10:00

Well, I've had my last meal for a day, a nice blueberry muffin and bottle of water. It was a bit hectic as were at the mall when I realised it was nearly 10.30 ahhhh so I ate and drank quickly!

Its been a good start to the day, I lost my plug this morning (but they say this can happen up to 2 weeks early) the wool arrived and I had to tell the delivery guy what great timing as I'm off to hospital today...in fact I wanted to tell everyone today is the day!!!!! hubby also gave me a quick pedicure, his first and he made me laugh by pretending to be a girl asking me did I know that branjelina is overdue too and having her baby in namibia! oh it made me laugh!

I also finished a little hot pink beanie in jaeger baby merino, ohhhh its so soft and the pattern is from baby cashmerino 2. I still have 1 1/2 balls of wool left so might make up a few more since I only started yesterday on it.

i've also started the cowl neck sweater in jo sharp KNIT in elderberry this morning , that alpaca kid lustre is beautiful and wool shack seemed to have the best price on it! I figure if I'm bumped back tonight I can knit happily away!

so watch out tmrw for a post of my lovely bub - we are still finalising middle name but am sure will have it by tonight

Tomorrow, tomorrow.....

2006-05-25T09:02:00.000+10:00

Well I can't believe the big day is tmrw. I went to the hospital yesterday to have the midwives ask how big was my husband as this baby feels big for my size and no wonder its not coming down and she's just floating around in there!!!!!!! I think she is like her dad because she is so relaxed with no need to rush out.

I managed a swim this morning, am going to try and get hair cut, finish the last sleeve on the JET jacket and check the post for my wool today !!!!! My nana has been up till 1am finishing her knitting for the baby so I think I might need a whole blog dedicated to my litle one and her lovely clothes!!!!!

Oh and I am so addicted to blogging and reading everyone else's! there is some amazing talent out there and I take lots of inspiration from some of you and hope I can keep up my knitting when bubs arrives!

4 days overdue (or 2 sleeps to go)

2006-05-24T13:35:00.000+10:00

Well only 2 sleeps to go and hope they pass quickly! In the meantime the sleeves are coming along and hope to finish them by tmrw night in between finalising uni assignments, cleaning the house and getting ready.

All the pregnancy books say I should be making stews and casseroles for my darling husband but he is looking forward to some take-away so there is no need!

Also looking forward to my jo sharp wool which should arrive tmrw just in time to take to hospital!

3 days overdue

2006-05-23T14:44:00.000+10:00

Well, its official! I go to hospital this friday for the c-section as bubs is too high to be induced - I think she has been enjoying my famous brownies too much! Here is a picture of me this morning before our trip to the dr.

I've put in a photo (I must work on my layout!) of the jumper I'm doing, I've never done Patons patterns until now and am finding different to the english patterns I am used to. Also the 2 little cute kimono tops are just adorable that I made last year but just have to finish making up and can't wait for bubs to wear!!! They are from one of Erika Knight's books.

well 3 sleeps to go!

2 days overdue

2006-05-22T08:57:00.000+10:00

Well my first post and a quick introduction!
That's me and my husband at our wedding back in 2004! We are now waiting for for our first baby to arrive and she's taking her time. We are back to the dr tmrw and will have a date fixed in!

To keep myself busy yesterday I did some baking and retrieved all of my wool and projects on the go - there were 7 WIP, 4 baby cardigans to make up, 1 ladies jumper to make up and I have a lovely jacket in Patons JET to finish. I also sorted out all my wool into 1 very large container and can't believe how much there was! lots of debbie bliss, some rowan, jaeger and aussie wools and lots of projects to start!!!!

Despite all this wool I just ordered some new wool today for the new Jo Sharp knit magazine which is great! I figure if baby isn't coming soon I can do some major knitting!