Keep my coffee warm baby!

I don't know about you but I hate cold coffee, and always seems with coffee made in a plunger that by the time it has drawn to be strong enough to wake me up in the morning, it is also lukewarm. I found this free pattern on Ravelry, and it was a super-fast knit, using half a ball of natural unbleached wool yarn. It is so stylish, and practical too!

This would make a great gift, especially at the last minute.

I connect to these great linky parties.

Not-quite winter, not-quite summer

It's the time of the year in all parts of the world, except perhaps the tropics, where it's either moving (too slowly) into summer or (too quickly) into winter. I find these times of the year really difficult to dress for. I have put away all my bulky winter clothes, or else I haven't quite had the courage to get them all out yet.

This means that on those days when it is really nippy out there, I am usually under-dressed and don't enjoy myself because I am chilly. I made myself a scarf to remedy this situation. It is short, and compact, so easy to stash in your handbag. You can take it with you and grab it out when the sun goes down and the cold air suddenly rushes in. It is loosely knitted, very soft and comfortable and can be worn over a dress or a top. Most of all, it is feminine and doesn't really look like scarf, it looks more like a choker necklace made out of yarn!

The pattern is really interesting, a fisherman's rib and a knitted flower (I would recommend a circular needle for this, as it was hard work on double-pointed needles) and didn't take me long to knit. Find the pattern for free on Ravelry.

I used a cheap acrylic yarn for this, but I expect a cashmere or silk would be much more fabulous! It only takes one skein.

I bet you saw this on



or

Is it a boy or girl? I haven't got a clue. It will have to be Lime Green.

My latest project is a gift for a preggie friend who is not finding out the gender of her baby. The problem with this is that all the unisex gifts are white, or cream, and that's just so boring. I wanted to make something that matched the vibrant, fun and slightly zany personality of my friend. So I chose this free pattern from the fantastic free pattern-sharing site Ravelry, which I frequent far too often.

Perfect - something cute and modern, and quick too (don't ask me how many gifts have ended up unfinished in my bottom drawer because the baby grew too fast for me to keep up).

Then I needed to choose a colour. I wanted a yarn that was really special, preferably with cashmere (so that it had a luxury feel). I chose Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - a supersoft cashmere, merino blend, which looks a lot like cotton when knitted up. I chose colour no. 25, lime green. And what goes better with that than orange! Perfect for a boy or girl.

So I am in the middle of knitting up the second shoe. This first one took me an evening to make. Check back for the final result soon!

P.S. Booties finished!! Here is the final result. I am super-pleased with them.

Inspiration

I've moved into a new house, with space for a fabric, craft and yarn stash, a sewing table and a kitchen with a big space for kids to hang out while I cook. Creativity, here I come! The websites of these very talented ladies have got me inspired to get my blog going again.

Check out these beautiful pages with ideas to help you get through the most dreary of days or occasions.

This picture is from Vanessa Christenson's blog V and Co. which has a wonderful relaxed, slightly crazy feel which is how I like to go about most days, so her site fits well with me.

Click here to visit her blog.
I have not connected more with any blog than that of Simply Modern Mom, which has engaged me enough that it is one of the first things I look at each day and it really gets my brain oiled in right-hemisphere gear (iow creative!). What I like most about her site is that it is clean, uncluttered and yet SO beautiful. 
She is running a great project at the moment called Project 52: Date Nights - Dating my husband one week at a time. She is collaborating with women all over the world for date night ideas to last a year. I love that these women love their husbands enough to make the effort.

Tiffany Bird who writes the blog makes the most beautiful things like these crocheted hair clips. You can buy them in her shop.
Check out the sidebar for a link to Project 52: Date Night.

Finally, I have started my first tutorial - a hanging storage tunnel for my daughter's room, using quilting fabrics. Check in soon to see the full tutorial and result! I hope one day I will be able to have the impressive collection of work and writing that these lovely ladies have accomplished.