The Art of Choosing Your Audience

Recently I posted about my uncertainty about giving handmade gifts and the reception they might attract. I received some fabulous feedback, insightful commentry and lots of cyber hugs. It was swell.

But I've moved on. My best audience is right in front of me and there is no better recipient of a handmade gift than a nearly 3 year old Smurf.

He pestered these mittens right off the needles.


Then wore his new hat around all afternoon despite being inside on a rainy day and then insisted it replace his much cherished pink beanie (also a well received knit) on daily outings.


Stats:
Hat - like these
Mittens - fudged by me and based on 'Later Gator Mitten' measurements in Stitch n Bitch Nation

Book Pimp

I'm a book pimp. Seriously. Mostly it's this book. I know I've told you about it before, but I can't help myself. I'm gaining quite a reputation among my friends. I make bread for them when they come over for dinner. Then I blab on and on about it's virtues and thrust the book into their hands as they leave, to take home and try out for themselves.

But they all love it.

So, yeah, book pimp -but the good kind OK.

On the Ways of the Op Shop

Did I tell you the one about how good the Op Shop Gods have already been to me in Canberra?

I mostly gave up op shopping in Sydney, other than occassionally popping in, with no expectations, to my local Vinnies and the Tempe tip.

Op shopping wasn't exactly on my mind when we moved to Canberra...until we discovered that when you wear coats every day a coat rack is in order*. So, I began stalking my old hunting grounds only to find they are as fertile as I remembered (we've lived here before).

It's been mostly about the usual discoveries. I found clothes - great clothes, the (plastic) tins above (hello $2 for the set), a gorgeous vintage Mikasa plate and various smurfy treasures.

But how about a knitting machine,



complete with ribber** and



knit radar***



In immaculate complete condition, about 26 punch cards****, full instruction booklets,



machine knitting newsletter from 1973 - still in original addressed envelopes and a wool winder for oh, gee say $40?

And I'm not even keeping it (but I am keeping the wool winder). I conspired with my now-machine-knitting-obsessed partner in knitting machine hunting. And I couldn't be happier to live vicariously through her adventures. Besides, while dragging Mum about on my crazy KM adventures, she revealed to me that I in fact have a knitting machine (it belonged to Sadie). Whoop!

Op Shop Gods I kneal down before you and give thanks.

*Still waiting to find the right coat rack
**Didn't know what that was before the KM adventure
***That either
****Nup nor that. Lucky my partner got straight into obsessive research and could enlighten me.