Missed it!

I had my dutiful son Maxim18 take this photo last Tuesday as we drove out of Melbourne bound for Adelaide. I planned to blog about it when I got there. Never happened. Adelaide for me is like a vast black hole in which all time, strength of mind and energy are sucked from me. It's something to do with the 5am waking grandchildren, the fact that I need to catchup with family while I am there and the reasons I go there. This visit was to help Jess (picklesticks) and her family move house. It sounds like a fairly easy operation but when you add in three lively young kids (one extremely busy boy and that early riser girl) it's just not that simple. We also were there to help Molly20 move. We had a lovely time and I caught up with all my kids which was wonderful. Our daughter in law's mother is losing a battle with cancer at the moment and she is spending every available moment with her, understandably, so we didn't get to see her. These are dark days for our son and his wife, and her family.

So, I missed the end of February and the beginning of March, fortunately it all happened without any input from me. I am home now and my first job is to work on finishing the sewing room redo. I am sorely tempted to stay online and find out what the blogging world has been up to for the last week, but that won't get anything finished here, will it?

It's March

It is March already and today was even quite autumnal here in Melbourne. I am finding the weather here and my expectations of the weather very interesting. So far a Melbourne summer seems to be not as hot as an Adelaide summer. Of course, I don't really know if this Melbourne summer we have just experienced is typical or not. People say not, and then today I read that this summer has been Melbourne's wettest summer on record. Anyway, today was grey and rainy and cool. Pretty much my favourite kind of day, so typical or not I am quite liking Melbourne weather.

I have a few projects on the go. I signed up for a doll quilt swap and I am working secretly on that at the moment. I am making the quilt all by hand and I'm quite enjoying it. I am pleased with how it is turning out. I have been stitching as well and creating some fabric to make a bag. This seems to be taking me an incredibly long time. It is a bag that may never be made! Miss 20 has made herself a bag this week, ready for the new year at uni. She posted photos of it on our family blog (private) and it is gorgeous. She had her first day of honours today. (Did I mention that she graduated last year and is studying honours this year? She is so happy and excited!) Miss 18 is also back at uni too. She is in her second year now. Time just seems to be flying. Miss 18 has also been sewing. She has been creating notebook covers for the new uni year. They are just gorgeous and I am so pleased that my girls are not only busy sewing, but also designing their own creations. Miss 24 has been busy knitting as well. (She is such a great knitter!)

So, what am I expecting from March? A visit from Mrs 26 and her family (yes, that includes grandson and granddaughter) and hopefully some crafty finishes. Not too much. So I might just get it done as March speeds by me!

March. Autumn even.

March today. Autumn today. So glad we are heading away from summer and towards cooler weather. I have lots to do this month. Here's my March list.

• organise cupboards
• paper bag swap
• pies and tarts
• new block of the month
• practice machine quilting
• Miss 23's quilt
• class at the Patchwork Apple

Hardly looks long at all! Might do them all tomorrow before lunch I think! Oh! Something I didn't put on the list, going to see Northern lights. Can't wait! Photos to come. . . . . . . .

Hello March!!!

Hello March. Hello Autumn. Hello beginning of the end. (Of summer) Hooray! (Sorry Leanne, I can't wait for winter!) I am looking forward to this month. I painted a face on my doll today. It's okay. Now I have to name her. I am looking forward to new projects, new goals and new fun. I am going to see Jane at the patchapple this week to acquire new fabric! What a great week it will be!

Tuesday was Knitting Day

On Tuesday we went to a friend's house to knit. This is something we talk about doing, but haven't done for about 3 months. It was a wonderful day. The first thing we did was spread our knitting and latest knitting book finds all over the table.


I guess knitting day is just an excuse to catch up with each other, but I really enjoy all the knity goodness I learn too. I watched my friend "magic loop" a jumper she is knitting in the round. (Very cool. Seams are the worst and with magic loop you can avoid quite a few of them!) We all bring food for lunch. My friend made little quiches, I made soup and Mrs 23 (Picklesticks) made sticky date pudding. Yum!

None of the boys knitted. (Sometimes they do) They were too busy playing. Miss 11 embarked on her first ever knitting from a pattern. She is making some booties for her nephew. This is a big step. She was quite overwhelmed by the knitting language, but is persevering.

I am still working on the rug I'm knitting. I hit the halfway mark yesterday so it's going well.

I'm having trouble believing that it is March already. This year seems to be flying by. The kids are looking forward to easter, but I can't seem to get my head around it!