pencil rolls and journal covers

another party this weekend, so a pencil roll and journal was requested.

the batting I had on hand was a little thicker than needed for a journal cover, but it turned out ok.

what I particularly like about this set ........

is it is all repurposed from one of lil sis's cute dresses.

next to it is a thrifted pillowcase I was going to use as well, but I got it all out of the dress. even the white in the pencil roll and the inside of the journal cover is the lining from the dress.

Jodie

Mountain Grannys

Today I found myself with almost two hours to my self, alone in the car. No I hadn't broken down.

Fortunately I was well prepared.

I had printed out Lucy's instructions for "Summer Garden Granny Squares", so with that and my basket of yarn I was ready.

I make no secret of the fact I work slow, so having the opportunity to sit uninterrupted (except for one mobile phone call - incoming) I think I got a handle on it.

To quote Lucy, Ta-Dah!

I am so pleased.

I think I like the dark green centre and white outer the best. I am going to make enough for a cushion but if yarn stock allows I will also make a cushion out of the other colour way :)

What truly amazes me is they are the same size! I haven't mastered the centre 'bobble stitch" but I can only get better.

So why was I alone in the car? Mr P had a job in the hinterland and he invited me to tag along. I think it all took a little longer than he expected, but all things considered, I didn't mind.

The scenery was gorgeous! This is one outlook. From the other side you look over the coast and the ocean. Unfortunately AFTER we drove past the lookout on that side, I realised I should have got him to stop so I could take a pic! The view above, is taken from the car park of the General Store below.

Love this sign that was just near the white car in the above photo Sure hope that white car belongs to Dena!

(Parking for Dena's General Store only! Disobedient vehicles will be mulched and returned to the earth)

We had our lunch here at the General Store, and how perfect! Those are crocheted blankets on the verandah. Inside there were scarves and beanies!

Speaking of scarves (!), Mr P's is done.

Unfortunately so are Parramatta for the season, he tells me.

Just some ends to be woven in. We are away this weekend, where potentially he may actually have the opportunity to wear it, so I will get onto it.

Jodie

I had a birthday during the week......

and my gift from Mr P and the girls was something I have been wanting for a while........



a manual typewriter!

why you ask?
to use when card making and scrapbooking.

Ironically, this is a more modern typewriter and the font is a bit computer like, than the rounded typewriter text.

The girls had never seen one.

We have all had so much fun on it we used up the ribbon!
Yes you can still buy them, we are just waiting for it to arrive.

I am not one to name 'things' but I have the strong urge to christen HER Ollie.

and here is an interesting tidbit, a sign of the times....

"Typewriter and case made in Western Germany"

Jodie

Trucks.....

is the theme over on Snappy Friends this week. we we spent the weekend at the track which made it a bit easier.

Love the pic below, taken by Mr P. Tyres locked up just before the kitty litter!

Jodie

latest find

I have to admit that I enjoy a bit of op shopping as I call it, or thrifting. with my recent interest in crocheting and appreciation for the work that goes into it, I couldn't walk past this BIG blanket. It was in the "animal blankets all $4" bin! I asked the guy working there, is it REALLY $4! he said yes, it has a stain on it. We only sell them as animal blankets if they are stained.

just to show the size of this thing I layed it out on our queen sized bed.

see how it skims the floor on this side,

well over on the other side it is hanging on the floor!

there is a little damage - the centre of this square is starting to unravel so I will mend it before I wash it.

see you have to look close.......

once I have mended this, I will look hard for the stain and be sure to get it out in the wash! When I got to the register the woman serving said "some one's doggy will be warm tonight!" I just smiled because our spoilt dog sleeps inside this time of year, on a floor cushion beside my side of the bed.

This blanket is destined for the car, to be well used on cold drives and picnics. To whom ever worked on it and made such a large blanket, Thank you! We will give it plenty of use and care.

Jodie

Blender Piklets?

we get through alot of piklets in this house. they are a quick and easy afternoon tea. normally I make them with a whisk and two Pyrex jugs, a 500ml one for the wet ingredients and a litre one for the dry. Then it is easy to pour the batter into the pan.

so today I decided to try something a little different. I dumped all the ingredients into the blender.

whizzed it all together and poured it in the pan. Excellent results!

yesterday was a holiday for school kids so miss paradise whipped up a batch herself.....

they were almost as good as mine!

Jodie

Home Alone!

well, except for my watchdog of course!

it is grey and rainy today, although everything looks lush and green.

I thought I would take the time to share some finishes with you.

I am happy to report that both my daughters have a scarf made by me!

Miss Paradise loves her, and wears it with pride.

Little sis doesn't wear hers, in fact to take this photo I had to dig it out of the dress up box!

and here is Mr P's Parramatta Birthday Scarf.

still a WIP and I am almost out of yarn. Hope to get out to see if I can get some more as it isn't long enough yet. I gave up on being arty and going for the vertical strips. This is horizontal and traditional :)

Ok, back to it!

Jodie

Today!

is the first of August!

I didn't blog once in July!

In fact in July, I didn't download the photos from my cameras.

I filled the memory card on both!
(both would be the little snappy, snappy in my hand bag as well as the 'good' camera)

We were on school holidays for two weeks in July and we had the busiest holidays we have ever had. Normally we go to the park, and go to the beach... lots... but this time we went to the movies twice, had one on one days with Nanny, caught up with friends, went to tennis camp and the specialist of all is a certain little someone turned SIX!



the big deal about being six, is you need two hands to show your age when someone asks how old you are!

you can't have a birthday without some friends to help you celebrate.

so we invited a few.
just to come for afternoon tea and some games.....
not for a PARTY.

parties are hard work and this mother can get very stressed.

so they played, and they ate and I took some pics of them,
and then they scrapbooked the pics and I put it in a frame and that was their take home goodies.

at the end of it all, I wiped the table and vaccuumed the floor.

there were 4 little girls that thought I was a legend.

and two mum's inparticular were very impressed :)




ahhhhh, it good to be back!

Jodie