Sunday, June 28, 2009

Tweak Tweak



I accidentally left my (new) camera in the back of a hire car on Thursday as I made record time getting to the airport and checking in after a marathon work trip (new personal record negative 5 minutes to check in close and I still made it including oversize baggage) .

Bugger. Someone car cleaner got an ace tip that day.

I'd show you photos from the Sunday Craft Room, but I have no camera. I'd show you photos of my amazing score from Lulu Carter (she with the new chooks) but I have no camera. I'd show you photos of the scrumptious bake-orama results displayed ala Royal Easter Show style at today's Craft Room, but I have no camera. Sick of this yet?

Instead I did a little blog tweaking over there in the side bar. Nothing special, but you can find my recipes a bit easier now. And if you're ever trying to find me and I'm not about? I'm probably lunching with one of those ladies in that list over there.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Mittens, Oh My!



Well, technically just the one mitten, oh my.

This project snuck in between the crochet addiction. Equally addictive because it was in the round, I knew it would be off the needles quick-smart and it was more interesting than the garter stitch baby cardy I'm also knitting at the moment.



If the enjoyment continues I may even have a second mitten to show.

Pattern found on ravelry. I think I'll shorten the finger section next time.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

CA, that's Crocheters Anonymous for the uninitiated



Hi, my name's Sadieandlance and I'm a crochet-aholic.

My addiction started only about 2 and a half weeks ago when I got my first* taste. Here I am in the midst of my very first chains.

I just can't get enough of the hook and yarn combo. I'm neglecting my other projects


Those other inferior projects have been relegated to the car where I can't crochet because I have to watch what I'm doing and if I do that I risk getting car sick. And if I get car sick well then maybe there'll be less time for crochet.

All I can think about is my next loop.

While visiting Sadie last weekend she taught me to increase and decrease and now I've got competing loves - granny or zig zag.

And these aren't mine, but one simple word to Sadie and now my house is full of her beautiful crochet.


The bottom blanket is made from 'scraps' of Sadie's hand spun - as in spun by Sadie - and crocheted by my Great Aunt. Special.



Thanks for listening, it helps to share. I'll see you at the next CA meeting.


*ok so technically it was the fourth time I've attempted to learn to crochet. Each teacher equally talented with a hook. I feared I had a crochet disability and forewarned the talented teacher. "I always end up holding my hook like I'm knitting", "I can't understand which hole to go into" I get confused about how yarn over seems to be backwards to me" blah blah blah. She bravely persevered regardless. Lucky me.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Pimp My Ride



The Smurf's new love. He's capable of walking distances that make even me tired, as long as he's pushing this. The fabric wasn't exactly floating my boat - not that the Smurf cared - and so I decided to have a crack at a better cover. Churned out within an hour - from figuring out pattern pieces through to trimming the threads on the binding.

The stroller rolls faster now, obviously.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Community Service Announcement



This is a Community Service Announcement.


Visual: Woman carrying tired, whingey toddler on hip enters local super craft warehousey style shop. It's just after opening time so the shop is not too busy but it is very untidy and messy.


Woman wanders past the homewares section - stuff every, messy shelves stacked with cheap acrylic table ware etc


"I need a new rotary cutter, sweetie" woman says to toddler.


Woman steps around fabric tables with bolts sticking out and steps over piles of fabric bolts lying on the floor in the main walkway and ends up at the quilting section. Or does she?


"Here's the rotary cutters. Wow this is a bit confusing - I've never seen these brands before." she says.


Woman looks around and sees cutters all over the place, nothing with matching prices. She looks frustrated. She looks left and right across the shelves. She notices cutters spread all over the display. Only a couple have prices. None are familiar brands to her - and although she's no expert she's no novice either.


She looks behind her to her left and sees the Clover display - complete with many non-Clover brands displayed.


She walks away and catches a bunch busy looking staff holding clipboards and having some sort of impromptu and seemingly very important meeting in the middle of the aisles. They all sort of avoid her eye contact - despite the fact she's standing right in front of them.


"Sorry to bother you" says woman "but I wonder if you can help me with the rotary cutters, it's a bit confusing over there".


Staff appear mildy freaked out and have a look of "WTF is a rotary cutter" on their faces.


"Betty* can help you out with that, she's our quilting expert" young bloke staff member chirps helpfully.


"Thanks Betty, that's a relief" says the woman.


They walk to the "display" together. Betty looks mildly annoyed that she's been interrupted from what ever it was she was doing.


"Can you give me some advice on the difference between these rotary cutter brands?" woman says.


"Um what do you want to know" says Betty


"Do you have any experience or opinion about which one is the best? Do they do different things?" woman asks?


Toddler puts head down on shoulder of the woman and clearly becomes heavier for her to carry.


Betty looks very confused and uncomfortable.


"Well, " says Betty, "the more expensive the cutter the better".

"Oh, right" says the woman with an I could have told you that look. "So, what about blades and stuff", she asks?

"Same sort of thing" says Betty, "the more expensive the cutter the better".

"What about features?" the woman asks, shifting around uncomfortably.

Betty gives a little huff "like I said, the more expensive the better".

"Can you tell me about the Clover ones?" asks the woman.

"Clover" says Betty looking confused and restless.

They turn to the Clover display further down the aisle behind them, and the woman shows Betty the display confused display and continues to ask questions, Betty continues to look nothing like a quilting expert.

Fade to black.

TEXT white on black background:
This is a Community Service Announcement.
We don't recommend you go to craft warehousey type shop for a rotary cutter (or possibly even any other supplies).

Voice over: "This announcement is authorised by Sadieandlance of the "We care about you and your quality craft supplies council".

Fade to black.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Rain Craft

It's rainy again, which is OK with me. Last rainy day I settled in for some pattern tracing and cutting.


Which resulted in some nice piles of pattern pieces.



Now I'm off to make use of those piles and this pile.