Monday 30 July 2012

Keeping in touch

Julia's Grandmother is on holidays at the moment, and has been sending Julia postcards from various places on her travels. 

Julia decided that she wanted to send Gran a letter, so she got busy one morning and created this masterpiece.


Gran was on her way to Scotland, so Julia drew a Scottish mountain and a bagpipe player. We scanned her letter and sent it by email. 

There are many ways to keep in touch, but so often it seems to be just for a fleeting moment. Letters can be read and re-read, kept and treasured. Letter writing is an art that should be encouraged! 

Christine xx

Sunday 29 July 2012

Collaborate for a Cause 2012 - it's on right now!


The auction is underway and there are so many lovely handmade collaborations listed - you should take a look! 

My crochet pieces have been incorporated into the most fabulous pieces! Here are the finished Mini-Me Handcrafts collaborations:


This gorgeous set of 2 x pillowcases & matching cushion cover was created by my wonderful friend Jac from Jac & Skeet featuring my crocheted edging and flowers.


This beautiful dress was created by my incredibly talented friend Tracey from Sugar an SpiceThis is a size 2-3 handmade "Neveah" dress with ribbon sash and corset style back featuring my crocheted applique heart.

All money raised from auction of both of these collaborations will be going to Raising Hope for Brittany to assist with disabled equipment and medical treatment for Brittany - a beautiful 15 year old girl who has an acquired hypoxic brain injury.


Please take a look at Raising Hope for Brittany on Facebook. Every little bit helps to make a difference and a postive impact on Brittany's life.

This Facebook charity auction will finish tonight Sunday July 29th at 8pm AEST. Bidding has been very generous so far! You can find out more on Facebook at Collaborate for a Cause and the auction album can be found here.

Christine xx

Wednesday 25 July 2012

The Gallery - Street Photography


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Street Photography.

Photos of public places like streets, parks and beaches, also known as social documentary and environmental photography.


San Francisco is alive in the streets of Chinatown.

The day may be grey but the brightly coloured decorations strung festively across the road can be seen all the way up the hill. There are so many people, all moving along the footpaths; it's very easy to get moved along with the wave or cause a jam just by stopping to look in a window.

Christine xx

Monday 23 July 2012

Delicious chocolate cake - dairy and egg free!

I like to bake something special to share with friends when they come to my house. I have quite a few easy recipes that I can usually whip up quickly, like pikelets, brownies or muffins. 

But some friends have various food allergies, which gives me a bit of a challenge.


Last week I made this dairy and egg free chocolate cake. You can find the recipe here. I used icing sugar mixture, cocoa and a bit of water for the icing.

The cake was moist and delicious and you wouldn't know it was milk and egg free. I will definitely be making this again, for all my friends who visit!

Christine xx

Wednesday 18 July 2012

The Gallery - Planes, Trains & Automobiles


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

When we visited Austria in 2005, we used quite a few modes of travel to get around the country. Some of my favourites were the Fiaker traditional horse carriages in Vienna, a Danube boat ride, funicular railways, cable car and quite a few bus trips. Here are some snaps of our journey by plane, train and automobile...


One of our first views of Austria, taken from the back seat of a taxi. Travelling into Vienna from the airport. 


Beautiful green views travelling by train from Graz to Vienna.


A patchwork view from the plane as we ascend for the journey home. 

Christine xx

Monday 16 July 2012

Mini-Me Handcrafts - How to make Teeny Tiny Beanies

I have had a lot of hits on my blog post about making beanies for premmie babies, so I thought I would share my "secret" pattern. 


You can find the basic pattern I use at Oodles for Noodles. Carrie has very kindly provided a tutorial to assist with making different sizes and you can download it too. Thanks Carrie!

I make mine in four sizes using DK yarn and a 4.0mm crochet hook. 

Christine xx

Wednesday 11 July 2012

The Gallery - Food


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Food.


This is a recent collection of crochet play food which I have made. Lots of lovely food including fruit, vegetables, cakes, chocolates, sushi and donuts - delicious!

Christine xx

Monday 9 July 2012

School holidays

School holidays are here again and Julia and I have so many things planned! 

Living in Canberra makes it very easy to find lots to do.


We have a day planned at the National Library, with games and a movie showing. Julia had a school excursion to Questacon last term, so of course she wants to go back these holidays. We may also get time to visit the Canberra Space Centre at Tidbinbilla and The Royal Australian Mint.


There are several stage shows on, and we have chosen to go and see "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "The Bugalugs Bum Thief". There is a circus in town, so we will be heading to that too.

Julia loves to come along and help with the grocery shopping. My local supermarket has mini trolleys which she hasn't outgrown yet, so she is looking forward to helping, and choosing some holiday treats of course!


And to top it all off, lunch in the city with Dad and a "shopping spree" to spend her hard earned pocket money. 

Two very busy weeks ahead! 

Christine xx

Wednesday 4 July 2012

The Gallery - The Everyday


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is The Everyday. 


An untouched photo; a random, everyday shot. 

This not the sort of photo which usually makes it into a photo album, shared on a blog, or even printed to stick on a fridge. But it's a photo of memories - the concentration of my solitary child, the newness of the garden, the warmth of a summer day. 

Christine xx

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Birthday month is over - I should take down the cards now...


This is the final week of the June photo a day challenge from Fat Mum Slim


22. From a high angle 
Looking down on moss covering the cracks along a rock wall. 


23. Movement 
Cinderella pirouettes inside Julia's jewellery box - her special treasures are kept safe inside. 


24. On my mind 
Thinking of my Mum... she is having a fabulous time cruising! Julia loves receiving mail and postcards are really special. 


25. Something cute 
These mini pin cushion jars are so cute - I crocheted them using bright cotton yarn. 


26. Where I shop 
I do most of my shopping online, except for groceries. I don't mind wheeling a trolley around the supermarket. 


27. Bathroom 
Bright clips and ribbons adorn the bathroom. 


28. On the shelf 
My birthday cards are still decorating the bookshelf. 


29. Soft 
I crocheted this soft baby blanket using traditional granny squares and medallion centered squares with a simple scallop edging. 


30. A friend 
Lollipop waits patiently in the car for Julia while she is at school. 

Christine xx

Monday 2 July 2012

Six months

Half a year gone already! Where did that time go?

It's time for stocktaking, accounting and tax returns. I have worksheets to reconcile and new worksheets to prepare.

Winter is well and truly here. Mornings are cold and regularly minus-something, misty and frosty.

Instead of saying "Julia is five", I now find myself saying "Julia is five and a half".


And although I am now a day late, July 1st is Canada Day. However, we are 14 hours ahead here, so it is still Canada Day in Canada. So Happy Canada Day to all!

Christine xx