green wool

 

I have been busy crafting these past few weeks, just not busy blogging.  I’m still working on finding that elusive balance between creating my ever evolving home and simply maintaining and running our family household, making versus buying, I’m always putting off purchases thinking ‘I can make that’, and then we go without, or I have it hanging over me as another chore, and then there’s quality time with the kids, time spent nurturing, teaching, developing and just plain having fun and still finding some time for me and the adults in my life….

 

True to form I have a few knitting projects on the go.  I haven’t started the Owls jumper, although now the weather has officially turned, a big woolly jumper holds enormous appeal.  I would love to whip up a few knits for the girls (Lachlan doesn’t seem as interested, would prefer his footy jumper) and I was blown away when my lovely cousin Clare called me yesterday to tell she has rediscovered knitting, and Matilda is to be the recipient of her handiwork.  Can’t wait!!

 

mrs darcy

 

I am rather addicted to Ravelry, and found this knit called MrsDarcy by Mary Weaver.   The pattern has been made up by 400 odd Ravelry bloggers, and whilst is has a few errata to deal with, there’s nothing that someone who’s knitted before, or can hold a knitted piece against a similar finished garment won’t work out for themselves.  And seeing as Mary has published this pattern for free and as a novice, I’m happy to say congratulations and a huge thankyou!

I’m knitting the last sleeve now, so hopefully the finished garment will be ready to show you before next weekend.

 

I’ve also made a coat for a friend’s little girl, but not wearing my blog hat at the time I didn’t take any photos.  pics to come later.  Amelia also has one in a different colourway that is nearly finished – definitely on the list for this week.

 

 Kitchen update…

kitchen update 4

 

The walls and ceiling are now white, and boy, was it like turning on a light.  I guess given all the work involved that was the result I was looking for!  The woodwork and cabinetry that has been painted only has one coat, so I still have a LOT of painting to do, but I’m getting there (inbetween my knitting).

The shelf is Lack from Ikea.  It’s the one where you can’t see any brackets, and after looking on the net when it didn’t go up as easily as I’d like, I discovered it’s notoriously hard to install, and without being fixed to studwork, no matter what wall fixings you use, it’ll only be weighted for 5kg.  Given that the shelf just fits the space, I couldn’t move to find studs, so it’ll be decorative only.  I’m also considering a few extra brackets on the top side of the shelf just to keep it level. (these shelves according to google have a habit of leaning forward).  I’ve also discovered that my tiling is WAY OFF being level, as is the benchtop, so I did my best with the shelf to get it to look level while not accentuating the inherited old house issues.

 

before after

You can see the biggest contrast against the white wall tiles.   And here is the new tap. 

None of the bottom cabinets have been painted yet.

 

kitchen update 3

 

Even with only one coat you can see the difference between the lovely ‘vanilla ice-cream’ and my new ‘white watsonia’.

Happy Mothers Day Mums!  and especially to you dear Molly xxx