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