craftomatique

2010-01-10T21:25:00.001-08:00

umm- blogging took a backseat for a long time, during the past 18 months.
I've made a few things... but I am most proud of this one....
another baby, boy he'll be turning 1 in a few weeks. Our oldest is nearly 3 ! So, that is where all my time has gone. Babies, cooking , cleaning poopy and mommy groups... `

2008-07-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

As Tonya has been so busy as of late, I thought I would take the opportunity to share this classic headshot of our dear friend. I am not certain if I should be seeking permission from the Kathy Muller Agency, as I know this circa early eighties shot was taken at the height of Tonya's modeling career.

Share your love and adoration for our dear friend by sending your classic photos with any details to jonathan@jonathanwright.com. xoxo

2008-03-09T00:54:00.000-08:00

it's been a really hard month.

kainamu's grandpa-koro passed away on 20 february.

i'm also back to work full time, but kainamu is near in the creche at my work - so it 's not as horrible as i can imagine it might be if he were farther away. we are still adjusting to not having all of our days together.

he really loves dancing. he has 6 teeth now and is on the verge of walking. he loves his kitties and plays with them alot. he is also eating lots of new things- loves blueberries, vegemite and ice blocks.

check out these delicious purple Maori potatoes!! yum !! they are the most vibrant purple!

i've been making these japaense plush animal- they are really fun - my new stress relief.

2008-01-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

it's been a long time since i've blogged-oops

it's been busy, we were in hawai'i for a month.

kainamu is 9 months old , and in the last month while we were away, he got 4 teeth, started crawling , pulling himself up , eating cherrios by himself, he can say "mama" , "dada" and "nah-nah" when he is annoyed , irritated or tired!

we had the best time in hawaii. we caught up with lots of friends and relatives, but it was really too short.

2007-11-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

here's our little monkey in his pants that i knitted him,which i didn't think he'd get a chance to wear as i finished them a little late in the season..it's almost summer for us.. but we did have a cool day last week.

I also made a pair for his friend matthias, in mint (or is it green tea ice cream green?) and chocolate and started a striped vest/tank too.

they are going to meet each other in 5 weeks!! and matthias lives in the northern hemisphere and he should get some good use out of his pants.

And i had to included a pic of monkey in his french swim suit. we 've been going to swimming classes- or more like introduction to water classes. it's a salt water pool which has been great for his eczema!

2007-09-19T01:25:00.000-07:00

knitting pants for Kainamu , these are my first attempt- wool .., stars can do with some improvement.... but not too bad for a first attempt.

these are definitely for next year as it's finally getting warm and they are too big anyway.

I added a drawstring to them, but haven't taken a pic of that yet.

My next project is a pair for Matthias and pair of merino sewn pants for both of the munchkins- kainamu and matthias --

2007-09-02T01:20:00.000-07:00

SPRING IS HERE!! ( in New Zealand)

it was the first day of Spring - yesterday and we had fun taking these pictures.

I think we have his eczema fairly under control -he still has flare ups every week.

He got his first cold last week , had his first bites of solids-I fed him poi. And he started rolling over all by himself!!

I can't get over how quickly time is going by and he is already growing so fast!

Knitting wise- I am knitting a pair of orange pants with green stars- I guess it will be for next winter - or for a smaller friend -if they are too small . I am also knitting a great little sweater with a bamboo yarn that is soo cool, and I am going to try and make a little periwinkle romper thing to go with it. I 'll post pics of that later.

2007-08-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

WOW -it's been hectic.

we have had uncle jonathan visiting for a week ,which was awesome!!! he helped us discoverRJ licorice from LEvin. uncle jonathan is THE master swaddler...he knows how to administer the tightest inescapable swaddle in all of Aotearoa.

Kainamu also has had severe eczema, which has really sucked.. it started around the time jonathan was here and hit it's pinnacle when tasha arrived. it's under control ( i think , hope ) now. Aunty TAsha has been here for 3 weeks and is leaving on THursday.

2007-06-12T01:56:00.000-07:00

this is kainamu's friend ELOISE , this is the first time they met.

They were born 5 days apart and weighed almost the same!

2007-06-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

coooooool!!!!!

my friend Chaney made Kainamu this awesome recycled cashmere blanket--it's sooooooooooo warm and soft- i wish i could fit under it !!!

and uncle jonathan knitted this big seed stitch boarder with alternating knit and pearl squares blanket!! and made this super cool WELCOME KAINAMU glitter bat!!!

SOOOO COOL!!!

I am really enjoying being a mom - its the best thing !! i am so lucky .. i am blessed to have such wonderful friends , family and a healthy happy wee one!!

2007-06-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

kainamu is growing so fast- he is over 12 pounds now and is going through getting cradle crap cap and hormonal rashes ( mine i guess ?)

it 's winter here now, and is skin is adjusitng and getting dry.....

he is coo-ing and smiling !!

i am still obssessing on cloth diapers and keeping him warm..

I bought some merino wool jersey and i am going to make him some sleeping gowns and long shirt singlets..

i hgve a coverstitch machine that i haven't used for a few years- and i spent over an hour threading it and re-threading today-- piece -o -crap , i think .. i should have bought a better brand.. and i also lost the instruction manual -s that doesn't help.. anyway- hopefully- i can get that machine working so i can make a bunch of things for kainamu.

2007-05-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

i have some new obs sessions:

1. www.rubygloomtv.net

"THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE DARK SIDE"

this is the cutest cartoon I've ever seen-it's Goth, cute, funny and witty ....

go here to look at some clips

http://www.rubygloomtv.com/media.asp

2. cloth diapers - i bought this whole cloth nappy "system" and I've been waiting for him to grow enough to try them out and i am not pleased, they are really bulky and kainamu doesn't seem too happy either --the cloth diapers are bigger than his head!!!!and they are heavy .. i might have to wait til he grows a tad more-- but in the meantime..... i am bent on finding something that works and i am determined to use CLOTH.

i bought one of these cool - german DISANA tie front organic cotton nappies to test out..

they tie in the front - no elastic

http://www.disana.de/engl/produkte/wickeln/index.html

and you use them with a wool over pant -which i thought was totally stupid-- but wool is fantastic !!! the moisture just evaporates!! so - i am obsessed with all this wool baby things- it's perfect for NZ and now that it's nearly winter.. i am going to knit some soakers -over pants

this Tiny birds site -is great

http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/cloth-diapers.html

love the natural colored nappies - in brown!!! cool

and i am not obsessed compared to this lady.... and her diaper enthusiasm

http://diaperpages.com/soaker.php

and lastly --

http://milkscreen.com/how-does-it-work.php

so one can enjoy a glass or two of wine- that would be awesome - what a cool product!!

i wouldn't say that i'm obsessed with the milk screen -but i found it here--and this is a pretty cool site

http://www.theopinionatedparent.com/

2007-05-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

i love looking at this beautiful boy- i've been taking pics almost everyday..

he is a month old and weighs 10 pounds.. and has started smiling alot.

we are still trying to get on a sleeping schedule..

2007-04-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

wow - my friends erin and jan gave me the most bestest present ever-- a BREAST PUMP!!

this one is the so great!!!! and easy to use!!! i love it!!

auntie stacey bought kainamu this cool skull and crossbones sweater that is hand knitted and wool and really warm- i can't wait til he can wear it - i wish i could wear it!!!!!!-and limonge box- "first curl" HOW COOOOOOOOOOL is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have the greatest friends!!

my parents left on monday, that was really sad-they were such a support during the last 3 weeks- before , during and after baby's arrival . i can't imagine what it would have been like without them being here!

we are having alot of fun - getting on a schedule and actually i need to take a nap --RIGHT NOW!

not a lot of time for blogging

2007-04-09T17:24:00.001-07:00

our baby kainamu was born - 3 April at 2:41 pm weighing 7 lbs 7.4 oz.. after a long long delivery - 20 hours... we went for a natural water birth at a birth centre and ened up delivering via vontuse at the hospital- which it was all worth it it for this beauty filled bundle of love!!!

2007-03-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

13 days til our due date!! wonder if he'll be early or late?

mom and dad come on the 27th.

i am still at work -part time - the replacement hasn't started and there is so much that needs to be done. i am hoping to go in on wednesday and that's it - on friday they had a good bye lunch for me at work - it was really nice!! i got three pairs of PJS!! and a new bathroom!!!!

i have been going to pregnant yoga class which has been awesome!!!!!

i am really getting excited!! i can't wait to meet our little man!!!

2007-02-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

my feet and toes are pregnant too... they are so swollen and fat.. I was painting my toe nails red- hence the yellow nail syndrome - but i can't reach - i can't reach comfortably enough to take off all the nail polish!! less than 4 weeks left... i am still at work for a few more days this week and a little bit next week- i am really wanting to be done..

and finally while i was taking pics of my fat feet - honey cat was being so cute- his little chin!!!

okay i am getting delirious!!

2007-02-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

long time no blog--oops

it's been really busy at work and i've been really tired..not much crafting going on- just eating , sleeping and working...

paul has finished his doctorate -but is revising and revising..and also fractured his foot in three places last night at touch rugby.... i decided to take the day off- i have 2 weeks left of work and 5 weeks til baby is due.

we had our last prenatal class on Monday, and I'll be starting prenatal yoga on thursday,which is really cool and after baby arrives there is a special class for mom and babies on saturdays - too cool!! very excited that i found these classes..
better late than never. i've been swimming still, but only managing once a week.

this is one of my favorite cereals here in NZ, BUGS IN MUD - like coco kripsies.. with vanilla soy milk - yum

also, glennis from my work gave me somewhere around 100 old style nappy/diapers squares !!!! cool huh?? there are a million and one ways to fold these , this is a great site for that http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/Advice/Instructions.asp?InstructionID=2&index=4
and a ton of uses for them!! so that was great!!!

2007-02-05T22:06:00.000-08:00

belly update- 33 weeks and feeling very huge and ready to pop- almost...
my parents sent a bunch of baby things, sooooo cool!! i am soooo lucky- I love all the carters stuff -they don't have that brand here ......
i have 3 more weeks of work left - which kind of scares me. i like working - it's makes the time go by faster..
my friend jesse called from California today- it was really good to catch up - I don't have alot of friends here.. and i really appreciate my old long time friends that I have..
today is Waitangi Day , we didn't do much...
i 'm getting more and more tired ..lately.........

2007-02-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

another ultrasound - 31 weeks - which was taken few weeks ago.... the last 3/d ultrasound was 28 weeks- and they lost the images and forgot to send them to me on a disc..
so - they said they would do it over again for free!!! this time we got a DVD of baby moving and a CD of pics..unfortunately baby was hiding again in his placenta pillow and the sonographer spent 20 minutes trying to take his picture.. this is the best one - she said he was sucking his thumb-i can barely make it out.

he looks like my hubby to me-
7 weeks to go... not too much longer to go - it's all starting to go by quite quickly.
i am excited to meet our little fellow!!

2007-01-22T20:53:00.000-08:00

I am such a lucky girl!!! i was craving LAU LAu for months- and today was my lucky day.. a woman came into my work to register for weaving class and she was from Hawai'i and we got to talking and of course we were talking about food- and local food that we both missed and food you can make here. and she brought up LAU LAU --which i have be craving!!!!!
she has found a local source for luau leaves ( which are taro leaves) and made lau lau and had some in her freezer and brought me some!!!!!!!! how cool is that!!!!!!!!!!!!

- i was suppose to go swimming after work - but those lau lau were calling me - i ate one - ONOOOOOOoooooooo and i might share with hubby or maybe not- I think the baby likes it more than hubby anyway--

my nesting-maternal thing is really kicked into high gear now- because why else would i get excited about diapers- or nappies as they call them here in NZ ........
by the way other baby words that are different here are:
diapers=nappies
binky=dummy
crib=cot
nipple=teat
stroller=pram
baby = bub

anyway- I have found the coolest baby stuff supplier here in NZ, Aroha at Plush baby ..
I got my cloth nappies,-real nappies" covers and a bunch of organic baby toiletries- Eco products from her . I didn't put the toiletries in the pics - like shampoo- lavender - massage oil - and soaps... and then i went out grocery shopping and bought all those other things in the pic- sterlising tabs, breast pads, newborn diapers for the first week, baby wipes-- i feel much better and more prepared - though i have tons of time.

and lastly - the other pic of my Aby- he caught a little friend - bird and was playing with him -not hurting the little bird for hours- I am pretty sure the bird could fly away as it did a few times ( well not fly away totally - but flew around and landed again) and then Honey came along - and ripped the bird to shreds-very sad- but i wasn't going to touch the bird either way--

2007-01-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

oops - i missed a week posting---
getting back to the work groove was harder than i thought!

yesterday some little boys knocked on the doors with strawberries for sale -all these for only $5.... my belly is 38.5 inches - not growing too fast... some days he is more active than others

some good news - i am getting another 3/d ultra sound on monday- the ultrasound place lost the images that they were suppose to burn on a CD-- so i am happy i get an another chance to see him!!!

i finished the cashmere- cotton baby blanket that i started ages ago, kind of anti- climatic because it took so long!!!

i also made some gifts for my best friend jonathan- to aid his knitting obsession - i wouldn't say what all I made and got him type because he might read this before his box gets to him - i only mailed it 5 days ago.. he is the one that i made the skull and cross bones knitting bag-- so this is a case for this circular needles- but i didn't like the stitching in one place on this - so i kept this one for myself and made another for him with black stitching .. ..

i am also excited for my secret pal to get her gift-- she is an incredible spinner - she has spun mass amounts with only a drop hand spindle and has recently bought a spining wheel.. one of the things i got her- was a bunch of washed and combed wool sliver for her to spin from a small farm in Wairarapa NZ that raise a breed called , "Gotland " and the cool thing was - not only the story about the farm and the people that own it - but a pic of the actual sheep that the sliver that she'll spin came from !! the wool is a really pretty grey-- i hope she likes it - i thought was soo cool.

2007-01-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

we had a 3/d ultrasound yesterday...
it was different than i thought- it was only 10-15 minutes long and it wasn't 4/d - which is real time- - they took 2/d scans and captured the images and then switch to 3/d... baby was asleep and at first had his face completely smooshed into the placenta.. and looked really funny. i moved around a little and we got this picture--it's not bad, but it still looks a bit strange! that blob by his forehead is his placenta pillow!

12 weeks to go ...... i am trying to enjoy the journey and not concentrate too much right now on the arrival...

i have been sewing alot - today i'll finish the 10 zippered 24" x 26" cushions for the sofas and the curtain trim.. and if i'm lucky i 'll get to go for a walk or a swim.. my energy is really limited ...not sure what it is -- the weather has changed too-it's gotten really sunny and hot...

3 more days of "vacation" - i have to make it productive.

2006-12-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

i got another package from my SECRET PAL!!!! some beautiful silk blend chenille, which i 've never seen- and silk blend multi colored yarn that feels really beautiful ! both from JAPAN - really cool and some LUSH angel yumy um soap!!! and best of all some yellow cotton for the baby!! that will be my next project!!! thank you , secret pal for oyur thoughtful presents!!!!!!

here is an update of my projects so far this week- i haven't been as productive as i would have liked.. even though i 've been off for 5 days!! today i WILL be more productive..i need to finish covering the million cushions in the lounge ( that's what they call a living room here) and the sheer curtains in the baby /spare room - and some other long lingering nesting projects.

one finished peg doll .. and the puchicollective bendy kitty- for our niece ruth ..
and some embroidered onesies for Leonie's expected in june baby -- a Maori design koru/tewhaiwhai and a fern ( which is like a NZ national symbol).. ..

hopefully i'll post more progression later .....

2006-12-20T23:49:00.000-08:00

looking forward to vacation time to comemence- less than 24 hours !!!!!!!

this an update- made this felt poodle from
www.puchicollective.com for my mom -who has a poodle- isn't it cute--the pattern was even smaller than this version- and i want to make the bendy cat too ...
the wrap -shawl for my mom's bday-23 december - it's all done and on it's way to hawai'i.. too bad you can't really see the color- it's like a grey -lavender -sage-y variegated color-- and my belly at 26 weeks.....
still need to finish a bunch of baby gifts- i mailed my friend erin her baby's things- i should have taken a pics of the hats.. and carrier i made- oh well --next time ...

2006-12-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

here they are clothes peg dolls!!

they aren't done yet-

stage one

2006-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

BAKE- a-THON
i made noreweign
x-mas bread- YULEKAKA -yulekake... though it didn't come out like Mom's - it still was good .... toasted with butter.....

and then i made blueberry muffins on Sunday-- and they were really yummy -and bad for you ...i really wanted to make the crumbl-y top kind of muffin-which is pure butter- sugar and flour-totally fattening !!
i am not sure if it 's being pregnant , but i am sooo into baking right now!!!! next week - X-mas cookies..i am thinking gingerbread . my friend's daughter wanted to bake together - i think ginger bread and decorating would be really fun!

i started to make some peg/clothespin dolls too for my little nieces and cousins-- -this first batch might be for my girlfriends -- they are more like 1920's tarts! they aren't done yet, i still have to dress them.... i painted on underwear, needed to let the first layer dry and add some more details ... and i want to make some hula peg /clothespin dolls too.
they are so much fun! this is stage one - i 'll post more as i progress

looking forward to our 2 week holiday off from work --only one and a half weeks to go!!! we aren't doing anything special this year for the holidays... i am going to miss not going home. hopefully i 'll get to do lots of sewing and making things ......

the pregnancy is going well, i went swimming again today and went for an hour long walk yesterday ,which by the end of it was getting a little tired. i really want to keep exercising .. .it's hard to keep motivated.... 3 more weeks til the 3/d ultrasound! i am so excited !!!

can't seem to upload pics of dolls-will do it tomorrow

2006-12-06T23:15:00.000-08:00

Summer is here and so are the berries. yesterday at the grocery store , i bought some blackberries and raspberries.. and today a guy from a near by berry farm came by to sell these beauties- which are beautiful and perfect AND delicious.. the punnets were full -i ate half the amount WAS in them..... i am making smoothies every morning with yogurt, bananas, berries, apple juice and flax seed oil ( to make the baby's brain smart!hahhah)
i love berries!!!!
this is a little Maori doll that my friend Maraea gave me today!!! ( she's the one who gave us the x-mas tree too!) isn't this a great doll ???- she has a moko - tattoo on her chin and greenstone - pounamu hei tiki on her neck and korowai /cloak with REAL feathers...she is beautiful. i named her Princess Puawai.. she makes me happy.
i want to make some blueberries muffins!!

2006-12-05T01:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't upload these for some reason for the last post
my dble pillow- my boppy pillow and fake tree and ABy and belly-24 weeks

2006-12-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

i 've really started to pop out only 16 weeks left- that's seems like a long time!

my friend at work gave me a fake tree, it's our first x-mas tree, ABY, the cat loves it!!! it even came with lights and decorations -- instant-a- tree. i've never had a x-mas tree , because i usually go home for X-mas.

yesterday - i made eggnog because they don't sell it in NZ-- maybe because i t's summer. but i like cold egg nog-- i ruined the first batch - burnt it - i thought i turned the oven off but i turned it on high !! Honey , the cat -was wanting to be fed and wanted some affection - i got distracted and didn't notice it was on high- i tried to save the curdled custard- but the burnt taste prevaded and i had to throw out the batch - wasted 2 litres of milk and 7 free range eggs-

in trying to get into the NZ christmas spirit and because husband likes fruitcake...
i also made cold oven christmas cake- it's takes 4.5 hours to cook in a low temp oven.......it was done baking at a quarter til midnight!! i had some today it's really good... for some reason i was surprised- i didn't think i liked Xmas cake/fruitcake... i am now a fan. Actually -= i do like one version on X-mas fruitcake that Mom makes- Noreweign Yulekaka -- that will be next weekend.

the cold oven x-mas cake called for a half a teaspoon of GLYCERINE., i was perplexed. but i figured out why-i think .... people make their cakes now, but eat them in a month. no freezing - you let it "Age" hence the preservative of the glycerine--
this morning , before i made that connection or was told about the wating for a month to eat it- froze one loaf-- i guess i should take it out and let it ferment.

i also spent much of saturday working on pilllows- i hadn't even realised the theme - i made a new case for my SMOOSHIE pillowm it' s filled with tiny ( like the size of geains of sand) soft polyurethane or stryroform balls very very tiny. and the cats poked holes in the spandex and the little filling balls were coming out everywhere-- very diiffcult to clean up .. so it's sat in a plastic bag for months--- i made a cotton lycra cover-it's my new best friend!!!! - it soo smooshy -i took it to work today for my back and brought it home to use it at night .
i also made a double pillow case -and long one with a a divider in the middle. They don't have the long body pillows here-so this was the closest i could do - i use two feather pillows in it .. still need to perfect it though.. they are a little far a part.....
and finally that u- shaped thing is called a"boppy" or a "breast friend" hahaha it' s a breast feeding pillow- i made a fleece-y cover for it..
and that's about it for me

2006-12-02T17:26:00.000-08:00

these are a few of my favorite things!!
DZ double salt licorice from Denmark- yummy!!! they give you dog breath though.... and HORLICKs Malt tablets- I absolutely L-O-V-E these--

when i was little we use to be able to b uy little glass bottles with red caps of these horlicks malt tablets and then they disappeared-- and then around the 80's I found them again in big bottles--and now the only place i found them was in chinatown in hawai'i - with malayasian writing ( weird) marketed as a health thing.

I love both of these!! i need to not wat as many salt licorice because i don't want to start retaining water...

and of course my kitties.. and EGG NOG!!! i was having a craving for eggnog - in a carton -i don't care-- went to the market and guess what?? they don't do eggnog in New Zealand.. because it's summer here??? i was meet with strange looks and laughter when i inquired... must be an american thing they said.. people here LOVE fruitcake- english thing ??? but not eggnog?? i got a recipe from mom and am going to make some today....yum yum!

and my grandmother sent me a package-- with some vintage shell buttons- on their original cards too !! how cool!! and some vintage embroidered linen curtains --really beautiful not sure what to do with them yet...

2006-11-25T00:21:00.000-08:00

i tried to upload these with the other photos and couldn't do it
more pics of matakana island- the fire pit and view of mainland from matakana.
and a pic of my view of mybelly last weekend - 22 weeks from last weekend...

2006-11-22T22:23:00.000-08:00

the roses are going off in the yard- tons of beautful roses- i didn't do any planting of other flowers like i usually do or veggies - so this is all we have. but it's still really nice.
i haven't been sewing and knitting - because i've been x-mAs stressing - not really but i want to get the things together to send overseas soon - or it will be late--as always..
and work has been ........tiring . last night we had a work function that was all day all the way into the night .. it was cool , it was our regional induction hui .. and the Maori King - came and ate with us and there was lots of singing and
kapa haka
performances .. the baby likes singing i think - because he gets active when we sing or others around are singing. at work ,we have kapa haka every week for about an hour and a half , but i don't always go because i am stressing out trying to get stuff done..when i do go - i am so happy that i did.. so i am going to make a commitment to go from now til baby arrives.

random pics , my friend jane recently burnt me a CD of pics from our last year's staff /work retreat we had on Matakana Island. We stayed on a marae and it was so beautiful - it was the first time i'd seen the ocean in a long time - as we live in land a bit-it's about 2 hours to the closest beach ...seeing the ocean made me feel very happy. and we had fresh pipis from the ocean at every meal ... and the kitchen was great!! in a marae you have a big eating house and kitchen and everything is done communally... cooking - eating - cleaning up- washing up.. the kitchen had a great fire pit that you can see ...
and a pic of my studious hubby - who is
in the home stretch of his studies - he's due to finish when baby is due!

i am very excited for the weekend- as once again i plan to SEW- but will it come to be???

2006-11-16T00:31:00.000-08:00

i've been concentrating on making baby wraps of different sorts and baby slings. and pregnant lady clothes.. though i am not that big- 36 inches around my opu...at my piko ...and 64 kilos.. i can't wear any of my old clothes save for a few dresses. my entire weekend i am devoting to sewing - first time in a long time- it's just been knitting and crocheting..
I have a few friends that preggers or just had babies-- actually more than a few like 10 people i know- which is cool -- so i want to make gifts for everyone especially now while i have time.
and x-mas is around the corner- which i keep forgeting - because it's getting warmer here and summer is almost here in the southern hemisphere- and it's taking me awhile to get use to WARM - HUMID equals X-mas , cold foggy rain = june and july... so i am completely behind with making anything for x-mas.

anyway - just working alot and try to swim as much as possible- will post some pics this weekend.

2006-11-07T23:10:00.000-08:00

here are some pics of my ever expanding belly... and my sweet kitties.. i love them.. though yesterday i came home and there were feathers all over the house ... paul had come home and picked up the dead bird or bird parts and deposed of them and left . so by the time i came home it was just millions of feathers everywhere!!!! fun to clean up!
slowly working on the baby blanket, but now i want to make a little hat for my friend's erin and jan's baby- that is due in April - May. i am either going to crochet a little chenille frog hat or a stripey one- haven't decided yet ,but i'll make it a little bigger so he can wear it in winter 2007 ...

2006-11-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

IT'S A BOY - here is a pic of the wee one - 20 weeks in utero...
we went for an ultra sound and found out it's a boy!!!
i still can't believe sometimes that i am pregnant - and half way there !!!
today i went to work - got stressed- bought a huge new bra at lunch time and then went for a swim at the indoor pool - which was really lovely and DE-stressing..
i am going to bed now

2006-10-31T20:57:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

i made the severed fingers and added some color - so i could call them witch's fingers - everything was going good ....until i baked them..
they turned into MUPPET FINGERS-- perhaps the love child of kermit frog and miss piggy!!!!!

2006-10-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

finally finished sage's little pants , the other day.
the tail is removable and the waistband is adjustable with a polka dot tab.
i am also posting a pic of my progress on cotton/cashmere baby blanket for our baby.

this morning i woke up and took a good brisk walk around the event centre by our house. they are having a big show on .. and the was equistrain riders - a circus , carnival.. sheep and sheep herders---dogs-- and more horses and a bunch more tents....... maybe i 'll remember to bring the camera tomorrow morning and take some pics.. it's pretty cool - made the walk interesting for sure..
.then i came home and did some preggie pilates and got winded and didn't finish "the set" ..whatever- some is better than nothing.
i am going to make some severed finger cookies now.....though i forgot to buy baking/parchment paper, i hope that doesn't make to much of a difference... we will see...
i love the weekends!!!!!!!!

2006-10-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

here are my wonderful secret pal goodies!!!! i was having such a hard time posting them last night . my secret pal ROCKS!!!

2006-10-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES - TRIED FOR AN HOUR TO UPLOAD PICS- WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW

super cool !!! i got a package from my secret pal - in the UK .... wow - that was so quick!!
i got a great knitting magazine that i am slowly savoring ... polka dot needle case--tooo coool!! , yarn-- very cool cotton - in a deep red-- and an reall y interswting multi colored /textured yarn that goes perfect with the Rowan yarn!!!! and some really cool- ribbon-y yarn .. and amongst all the goodies were little fall leaves and SPIDERS - I absoltuely ADORE!!! and a little crocheted blue flower - it looks vintage.. all wrapped in purple!!!!!!!WOW- thank you secret pal!!! i love this exchange!!!!!

on another note , the preganancy going well - i need to take some pics ...
we finished the spare/baby room , i still need to make sheers for the windows, but i finished the curtains. kind of ..... the lounge area...kind of done .... i have picked out all the fabrics finally and need to sew... one day soon.

also finished and wrapped SAGE's little devil pants ..i'll post that tomorrow. they came out really cute and she'll have room to grow.

and pics of the progression of baby blanket. in 2 weeks we should be able to see if we are having a boy or girl and then i can start making baby stuff - it's hard to pick androgenous stuff-- i like sewing alot - it's a little more instanteous than knitting .

i talked to tamara - sage's mom last night and that was really good to connect with her. it gets lonely here in NZ sometimes . after i got off the phone i realised we've been friends for 25 years - that is frighteningly funny....

the other highlight was i finally got off my butt and went to the pools today - for the first time ever. pretty cool - they have 3 huge pools indoors and a gym upstairs ( which is far too expensive - $12 a session or $170 for 3 months!!!)that over looks the pools and a big pool outside (only $2 top swim).. it's still a little cold out so the outside pool isn't opened yet. i did a few laps and splashed around - practiced all my different strokes and i feel really good. i borrowed a aqua yoga pregnancy book from the library and need to review the exercises.. but this swimming is definitely for me - i wish i started it ages ago!!!

2006-10-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ALMOST HALLOWEEN!! too baD they don't really celebrate it here-- no kids trick or treating - or at least in my city... I love Halloween--
this a bat i made years ago- the other thing i want to re-find the recipe and make are this great "finger cookies" sugar cookies - you make them into finger shapes - i added green food coloring to make them look like witch's fingers..and then on the tip you add an almond - blanched almonds- they look like nails and i painted them with red food coloring - they are soooo cool- i am going to make them this week and will post a pic.. even if i can't find the recipe i'll try with a basic sugar cookie recipe and will post if they taste okay..

2006-10-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

these are the pants for little sage formerly of tipilandia in canada..... here is pic of sage and her mama tamara. I finally finished knitting them , sewing them together and I crocheted a little scallop edge, folded over the top edge to make a casing for the elastic, which i am going to make elastic with an adjustable tab and buttons.. and the final detail i need to add is the TAIL... la piece d la resistance!!! though, i am think i'll crochet it rather then knit it - i am not comfortable knitting a heart shape ( it's suppose to be like a devil tail)
the legs were suppose to be boot cut - but increased too much so they are bell bottoms -they still look cute
i hope to finish them soon probably before HAlloween ... but they might still be a bit big for her..
i thought about lining them in fleece- but decide they would get used more unlined...

2006-10-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

SECRET PAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I am not a huge fan of acrylic. I love natural fibers - silk , wool , cashmere, cotton... i would love to try some of the new yarns - like soy and bamboo

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have some bags that I made and needle cases.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I'm an intermediate knitter .. I'm definitely not advanced- I like to do mindless knitting, like blankets , hats and stuff like that

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
YEs If you type in my email address (kiilani23.23@hotmail.com) it comes up http://www.amazon.com

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
lavender ... gardenia .. and oils -- but NOT patchouli or musk

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
i love chocolate and SALT licorice and malt and GREEN TEA ice CREAM

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

i sew - i embroider - though i haven't in a while. I like crocheting.... I like crafts of most types.. though i 'm not big on scraping

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
YES YES YES- I love music of all sorts - there is a list on my profile. i like groups like thievery corp - , nick cave, dead can dance , chet baker, 70's rock , zero 7 , female singers-

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

i like black , brown, dark reds - not orangey reds.. i like greens - but not mint green - not yellow

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

i am 16 weeks pregnant -due March 26 , I am married and have two awesome kitties. I live in NZ and miss my family and friends... in Hawaii and California.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes -

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to mindless knit.....scarves..hats..... gonna start some baby stuff

13. What are you knitting right now?
a blanket for the new baby in cashmere- cotton in lavender and white( not sure if it's a boy or girl yet). I'm about a third of the way done. and a pair of red knit pants from Stitch and Bitch Nation - for my friend Tamara's 7 month old . they are so cute they have a little tail!!! I 'm about 1/2 done.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
OF COURSE!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circulars!!!! I like bamboo !

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Somewhere in Hawai'i I have one in storage.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Yikes -- The three sweaters I talk about in the beginning of my blog- 6 yrs - 7 yrs- yikes

18. What is your favorite holiday
? I love Halloween -b ecause I love bats- and SPOOOKY - hahaha stuff. I was a little goth at heart.. They dont' really celebrate HAlloween here.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
vintage clothes esp. 1930's ( though it 's hard to find anything vintage here ) vintage trims - ribbons - and textiles!

2006-10-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last weekend and everyday after work this weekre-painting the lounge and the spare room - the lounge was a disgusting bright buttercup yellow - and it's now a muted sage-y green .. it looks so much better .
I have been planning this job for so long. I have picked up bits and pieces of fabric --because i have 12 cushions/pillows to cover.... and the fabric choice is limited here . I know what i want but can't find it in NZ.. i love my banana leaf fabric i got in hawaii.... but i didn't buy 10 yards, which i would need - i have only 4 or so..

we have the last coat to go on tonight -then we are done painting for while.

here is a pic of my horrible fabric choices - curtains need to be thermal lined because they cover french doors and they are needed to keep heat in .. .. everything is too tan and blah.. choice is limited..
anyway-- you can see the wall color in the background..

2006-09-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

This is Apumoana Marae in Rotorua.
All of our campus stayed at this marae. We were there for a national conference for two days.
This marae was so beautiful.

Spring is here. The weather has been beautiful.

we went to the midwife today and got to hear the baby's heart beat !

i have made progress on the blanket and baby pants for sage and will post pics this weekend!

2006-09-22T02:43:00.000-07:00

185 days til baby arrives.

got my first ultra sound last week. i was so surprised, to see baby move...seems silly to be surprised about that.

i am feeling alot less tired. i am thankful that it's the weekend.

still working on the knitted red pants for sage and baby blanket for the bun in the oven.

2006-09-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

There is a great pizza place here in New Zealand called HELL

when you call they say "welcome to hell" and their number is 0800 666 111-hahahha and if you are interested in their menu - http://www.hell.co.nz/

i am boring and always get the same thing a "limbo" blue cheese , mushroom, carmelised onions pizza sometimnes with olives and sometimes not.

they have other pizza named things like "lust" , "gluttony", "pride" - you get the picture.

all the kids that work there wear all black and wear head scarves-- and the restaurant painted all black inside and benches look like coffins.

but the new feature on their pizza box - threw me over the moon - the punch out coffin!!!! love it !!! except it was all grease-y as you can see.. but it 's a perfect little box to store your left overs in!!!

2006-09-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

working on lavender and white striped cashmere baby blanket - yarn courtesy of Jonathan.
and the red knit pants for my friend's baby -SAGE.

I am also posting a picture of a bunch of fabric I bought to make some summer dresses!! It's light weight cotton rayon jersey.. really nice draping .

It just turned spring here, it's still pretty cool though..but we've had more sun !!!

2006-08-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

here are some pics of Beauregarde in his sweater i made.
He finally got it after weeks -lost inthe post!!!

2006-08-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

my secret pal, Farrah is awesome!!!
i got my special package today and it was so exciting and cool!!
everything inside is wonderful!
from the beautiful card - which is so up my alley - art noveau and the red !!! to the yarn -- wonderful red and black chunky wool skeins and a pattern to use the yarn for- caplet ! tres cool!!
AND some really cool BROWNSHEEP sock yarn .....little T sticky pad...hello kitty sticker!!! - -even a stitch holder holder!!! which i definitely needed -as I just have my stitch holders thrown in with my needles.
and magazines -- which i am sooooo excited about-- i had a quick glance and i can't wait to devour them!!!! and ... a wonderful custom made striped knitting bag!!!!!! wow!!!!! it really felt like it was my birthday!!!
i especially liked the little notes that she included -- really wonderful !!
as you can see from the photos -even the box is loved.. by my cats....
THANK YOU SECRET PAL FARRAH - you made my first secret pal experience really wonderful!!!

2006-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

LEMON YOGURT CAKE

This is a really fast, easy yummy cake!!!!

125 g butter
1 c sugar
zest 2 lemons
3 eggs
1c flour sifted
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 c yogurt

pre heat oven 160 C fan forced (325F fan forced or 350 F regualr)
Combine butter sugar ,lemon zest - beat in eggs
Sift dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) and add
lastly mix in yogurt
Bake 45-50 minutes
SPOON- icing over cooled cake

ICING

Lemon zest and 1 c icing sugar (powdered sugar) and lemon juice.

2006-08-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I haven't progress with much as far as my wrap for my Mom, but the color of this yarn is so cool. i don't know if the picture does it justice..it's like green- lavender-y grey.. mohair - merino blend.

The other the project the red knit baby pants with tail from Stitch n Bitch Nation - for little Sage- is progressing slowly- I had to rip it out a few times. The yarn is totally different and needle size is totally different-and i must not have counted when i did my swatch because it was OFF!!
so I am working on those .

and I've gotten totally sidetracked - I am going to make a baby blanket - striped lavender and white - out of that great cashmerino yarn Jonthan got me. I was going to make a baby sweater, but I was thinking i get alot longer use and wear out of a blanket then - 2-3 months from a sweater.... and it seems a waste of beautiful, soft love to touch yarn..
so- i am on a search for a cool - easy-ish, slightly-mindless knitting pattern for a baby blanket.

Looking at these pics, they are funny- i t doesn't look like much progression in a week!!!!

Getting back into the groove of things after Hawai'i and getting back to work and the daily grind has proven tiring .

2006-08-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

I'm back in NZ. Hawai'i was super - spent lots of time with family and friends . I really miss it. It was hard to come back to the cold and rain and work. But it was good to see my husband. I can't believe how much I miss the sun and family. I got a little tan so that was good. I ate lots of food that I missed that you can't get here.. not just local food like poke(raw fish) and good sushi but cheese popcorn and Hagan Daaz ice cream.. my new favorite is MAYAN chocolate - chocolate with a swirl of fudge and cinnamon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Mom really liked the wrap I made for my grandmother , so I am going to the yarn store today! I am also in the middle of casting on a pair of red knit pants for my girlfriend's little munchkin - Sage - she is 5 months old . I am going to make those little red pants with the tail in STitich n bitch NAtion.. they are cute!! I got some really soft wool -bright red yarn. They'll be perfect for fall and winter in Canada.

I 'll post some pics in a few days.

2006-07-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of the wrap I made my grandmother and the abalone/paua pin I made. My sister is modeling it. My Tutu really loved it and the color.

I am having a great time with my family and going to beach . I plan to swim everyday before I leave, back to the winter and cold.

I was going to go to the Honolulu Stitch and Bitch onFriday night , but I got distracted with other things again. I also haven't even picked up my knitting for a week!!! I want to check out the yarn stores here, because we don't have all the selection in NZ that the US has. Only 5 days of sun and family- yikes!

2006-07-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

Home at last!!!
A few cousins are visiting from California and we all went hiking in Maunawili yesterday. It was beautiful. I am very happy to be back home, in the sun with family.
I haven't been knitting much though. I was going to the Honolulu Stitich and Bitch on Friday night but I got side tracked. I will go next Friday though, since I've nver been to a SNB before.

2006-07-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

2 more sleeps til I get to go home!!!
I am so excited!! I can't wait to jump in the ocean.
I have been sewing more than knitting.
I made hubby a computer bag thing to protect his new lap top. I am working on dress which I hope to finish today. I wanted make something to wear at home and that could with my red boots here..
I slowed down on the shawl/wrap for my Tutu because I figured I could knit on the plane ride...unlessI start a new project that is more portable and smaller..... ummm. I can't go tot the yarn store, andI have plenty of yarn here. those socks were fun!!! ummmmm??????
I did finish the green scarf- i like it !

2006-07-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

GREEN GREEN green!!!!
I had limited computer usage lately... but I have been knitting . I am on a green thing right now.
I started a moss green ribbon with some fluff ( it is acrylic though - yuck) scarf. It is tapered at the ends I am knotting it at the ends. It's just stockingnette stitch (5 mm needles) and then I'll do a little crochet boarder to keep it from rolling when I am done.

The other piece is a shawl/wrap I am making for my grandmother's 80 th b-day in a few weeks. She lives in Hawai'i and I was picturing her wearing it with her muu muu and I wanted to make something light and air-y. I bought the yarn - a NZ merino and mohair blend ( it only took me 35 minutes to decide on the color, which is a record for me - andif the store wasn't closing it would have been longer). I am knitting it in garter stitch - using size 11 needles. I am half way done -it's about 2 feet long. I think I will make a clasp /pin of some sort or buy this pin thing. The yarn store had these great carved KORU PIN -stick things.. so I was thinking of something like that or something to hold the wrap on. Maybe like a stich holder and put some beads on it???????

I really had hard time picking a color because my grandma /Tutu wears reds, yellows, purples and Hawaiian prints. None of the yarn that I wanted, this nubby- merino /mohair blend was the right colors- so I thought I'd pick something that would go with all the colors that she usually wears -even though I have never seen her in green.. I hope she likes it . I also thought the colors remind me of New Zealand. We will see.

I think I'll do some sewing today today- I have some mending , and some alterations for a friend. I really want to make this dress that I have material for though..... not enough hours in the day!

2006-06-27T02:25:00.000-07:00

This sweater is NOT for my kitty! it's for my friend, Jonathan's poodle Beauregarde. As you can see, Honey does care for it much, he is bigger than Beau - so it should fit. it's a turtleneck.. short sleeve fluffy sweater !!!hahah it makes me laugh looking at it!! it was really fun to knit!

I have been enjoying my salt licorice and maurisis tea that jonathan sent me.My other friend Erin sent me same cool soy bean mint honey shampoo samples, and face lotion and these OILS that are great!! Absinthe, Shiso and Cacao --which I really like it has orange and cacao bean smell .. Stacey also sent me another package of these soaps, candy, stripey tissues , hello kitty candy and another soap with vintage chinese 1930's girls , and another soap that you can't see in the picture but looks like a cicada .... I love things that smell good!! i love packaging ....

I had the day off work today and that was really great!! I loved it - though I stayed inside most of the day because it's freezing...it's winter and really cold. In the morning it's about 4 C!! Tomorrow I am going to start and finish a little cell phone bag for niece .. she wanted a stripe-y one..but I might do a mohair pink one- she likes pink.

My next project after that is to start a baby sweater with the cashmere,merino and microfibre yarn that jonathan go tme . it is soooo soft.. i have not seen anything like it here.....

2006-06-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

I am a lucky girl - I have the best friends and family ever. Sometimes living so far away I get lonely and sad.. but things like this make me happy and feel loved-
it was my b-day on23 May , but i got 2 presents a few days ago in the mail and also my sister brought me a present and .. i had to share .. it's not the material stuff but the fact that they know me so well --

my sister got me the coolest anitque chinese hat box ever!!! inside is another hat box!! the best thing is the designs-- in chinese - "fu" is bat-- it is also means "good luck " hence bats= good luck ... and i love bats !!!!! it's so wonderful -- it makes me happy to look at them!!!!

my best friend jonathan -- who has known me for 2 decades- scary... got me alll kinds of tonya things-- salt licorice, mauritis tea (okay i requested that) assam tea, some awesome merino ,silk and cashmere yarn in lavender and white !!! and a Cocteau TWins CD-- and this cool house bag and JEANSSSSSSSSS - which are very expensive here in NZ-- all wrapped sooo purrrr dee in pink and purple tulle -t ooooo cool --

and my friend stacey - sent me this amazing vintage deco hair brush, mirror and container -- I LOVEE IT!!!!
and then later i went ot the mail box and there was another package - from Stacey with soaps, and stripey tissues sosooooooooooooooooooo coool

2006-06-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

my sister and her BF - Tobias were here for a flash and they left day Monday and I've been sad.
We had a good short visit --too short- and it is really cold.
this is a picture of tasha and tobias and of a beautiful bag that tobias wove for us out of linen and cotton. It is a traditional Wampanong design . I love it !!

2006-06-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

this is me and my friend, the exercise ball . i have learned all sorts of fun and exciting ways to become fit and healthy.
i like to play on my exercise ball everyday.
playing in the garden next to the rose bush wasn't a good idea, as you can see from my patch in this picture.
this exercise is especially fun with the little massaging bumps. yeah!!! hahahahahahhahahahahahhah

no, really - the reason why i posted this is because my friend asked me why i didn't have any photos of me on this blog . the reason is i have only really unflattering and silly photos like this of myself... so there ...

2006-06-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

My sister and her BF are coming from Hawai'i on Tuesday, where it's nice hot and summer to NZ where it's winter and cold , so i crocheted them both hats.

My kitties are sooooo cute !!!!

I am getting sick this weekend and feeling yucky. I'm going to spend the ret of my day cleaning and re-knitting my sweater.
I decide to combine the pink and brown sweater and go back to my orignal idea of striped sweater. I will keep the sleeves all brown and re-knit the front and back. The fear of not having enough brown yarn has been holding me back.. pics soon , i hope

2006-06-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

yesterday we started staining our fence. It's raining today , so the rest will have to wait. and it's my husband's birthday, so I made as per his request a cheese cake .
I decided to post a picure of the socks- thatI finished--a few days ago ..
My new project is a sweater for Beau , my best friend's poodle. I bought some feathers yarn in maroon, and I bought some pink for my other friends Chiuaua (sp?). I went the our local craft store ,that sells material , house stuff and yarn... and they were having a sale . I bought 20 cm needles-- they are huge - wonder what i should make /use them for . they were only $3!!!! and they are bamboo. they were probably on sale because nobody knows what to use them for!!!!!

2006-05-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

my friend Stacey-(in middle) sent me these hilarious sites:

http://cuteoverload.com/

http://stuffonmycat.com/

and here is a picture of us and my sister in 1997 , yikes-

2006-05-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

Almost done on my second side of the socks- heading down to the toe... not too bad for a first attempt.

i realised today- i have alot of red shoes-

i like red shoes- i want more red shoes!
those other boots looked dark red when i ordered them- when they arrived they were more like pink.. i bought some suede dye-- red- but i noticed the zipper is more pink - so i might sell them - or dye them - but red or practial brown?

today-i am helping some people with their various sewing projecting- blind hemming 6 curtain panels- and later tonight - sewing a together part of a costume... i really want to sew a skirt.

2006-05-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

diamonds or snails???

most gals would prefer diamonds . but i prefer this snail ring, that i have been obsessing about since septmeber. my hubby got me it for my birthday--i love it -- i love it !!!!!!

my hand needs some moisturising.....
and i bought myself a red coat for my b-day because i 've been wanting one and it's winter .....and it 's much cuter on than it looks in the photo. i love it --

i started on the other side of the sock this morning !!!

2006-05-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

TA DA!!! pretty much finsihed with my first sock-- I just need to bind off !!! I love the way it fits around the heel- even though they aren't for me . Part deux - the second side should be alot faster than this one.

This week has been really busy . We had our nephew and two nieces staying with us for the week - it was great. Ruth and I both celebrated our birthdays - and had a party. She also has picked up knitting - she learned from her grandmother . she thinks it's eaiser to knit than crochet..... i got her her some new knitting needles with happy faces on the ends and a bunch of varigated feather yarn.

I'm going to finish my sock now and start on the second half!!!

2006-05-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

Pictures from our drive the other day-- NZ country side and my sock-- but i have made much more progress since this picture was taken.

2006-05-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

SECRET PAL-- thank you Farrah for my cool e card today!!!!!

yesterday - i went to the knitting store and got help with my sock heel turning - boy, am i a dork!!!

the problem that i was having is embarassing ... i basically read the pattern wrong over and over again.
the sock was divided 20 stitiches per needle ( 3 needles) then you changed 30 stitches on one needle and 15 on the other two - well i was suppose to purl 19 and turn on the 30 stitch needle- and i was so use to it having only have 20 stitcheson that needle- i was purling til the end- 29 stitiches . WHAT A DORKUS!!!
anyway i am jamming along now -- working down to the toe.....

we also drove for over 5 hours today and i 'll post some scenic pics of NZ country side next post.

2006-05-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm frustrated with the "turning the heel " portion of this sock . i have spent the last 2 days trying to figure it out . i have been online, looked thru my knitting books. it clicks and then - i get confused . i think it's because i knit from my right needle to my left? because i am left handed? it's doesn't look right. it's all slanting to one side only ...i have taken it out about 100 times and restarted.
i am stuck - i need to get pass this heel part TODAY! i think i might have to seek help for this.

already thinking about next pair of socks i want to try the 2 circular needles approach ....the DP - skewers are annoying .

i opened the back door to let the kitties play outside for a little while . it's cold today but the sun is out. A butterfly flew in the house and now she's stuck in here ... i have the door open- hopefully she'll fly out soon--the cats are freaking out.. i just got the butterfly to climb on a feather and released her.. but her wing dust is damaged....

2006-05-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited I got my secret pal information !! This is my first secret pal exchange and i am very excited!!!!!!

I also went to the yarn store- yikes- -I shouldn't have ... but I really wanted to try a pair of socks ( no -I haven't finished sweaters yet..) I am going to give these to my mom, i picked the colors for her. I 've never knitted anything on 2.5mm needles - I think they are smaller than satay skewers!!!

I am so excited about these socks- I am obssesed. Next week we are watching our 2 nieces and nephew for a week, so i am going to knit like a mad woman until then becauseI don't think I'll have a lot time next week.. besides it 's good knitting weather--- COLD.

It's autumn down here - nearly winter ....i am still getting use to : June = winter, December = summer. it's so disorientating!! it's been getting cold -15C ... what is that in Farenheit???? wore my coat yesterday...

2006-05-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

secret pal information questionnaire

I just got an email today - from secret pal 8 , to post this.
and i am a little worried as i am not onthe participants list and i don't know who my secret pal is yet... i am sure it will get sorted.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love natural fibres - and soft fibres. i like wool, cotton, silk mixes, angora. I dont like 100 % acrylic. I really don't like acrylic. I really like brown sheep wool "lamb's pride" the mohair mix-- the regular bulky or worsted. they don't have it here in.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a few bags that I've made. I have one for crohet hooks, one for big needles and one for skinny/ small needles and DPs.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned how to knit when I was about 14 yrs old- i'm 36 now but didn't really "get into it", but I was an avid crochet-er since 10 yrs old- and I found knitting hard. thru the years i picked up my knitting and made scarves etc a few times. I really started again in 2000 , when I was worked at crystal palace -- straw into gold- in berkeley,California. Then I stopped excpet for a few ponchos for friends. I am really starting to get into knitting again since i moved here to NZ - 2.5 yrs ago. i had never use patterns so that probably why i stuck to hats and scarves and ponchos. Crocheting , I've made purses , bags, hats, blankets- tons of stuff.. I just started using patterns. horray- makes life simple .. der! i found a copy of stitch n bitch at the library and that with elizabeth zimmerman's Knitting Around (from my days at straw into gold) i gained some confindence in patterns..
so -hence my 2 UFO sweaters.
so i'm a beginner in knitting and intermediate -advance in crocheting and sewing

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes at amazon.com and i started a froogle list
If you type in my email address it comes up
http://www.amazon.com
I tried to be all computer savvy and have a link here - but I haven't really mastered that. sorry.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
essential oils - currently wearing and like gardenia and white ginger is nice too
I like lavender, peony and rose ..

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
love sweet things- dark chocolate!
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have a hand spindle and used it a few times-- but that's a long process to make yarn ... I'd love to get a spinning wheel one day. I sew alot . I like emobroidery and crocheting.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love music all different music. Lately , I listen to http://www.kcrw.com/show/mb and streaming music- i like their show - "morning becomes ecelectic".

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I am so boring, i love black !!! and grey and browns..... I have started wearing a little more color since i've moved to NZ (everyone wears black here). I like jewel tones too --dark deep reds are my current color.. but i like dark oli-y greens, dark purples, navy... a little rusty orange - ..but mostly boring basic black. But i really like texture !!!!

I LOVE polka dots and stripes !!!!!!!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my one husband, 2 cats. We don't have kids yet, but fingers crossed- soon. All of my family is in Hawai'i and my friends are all in California.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, yes and ponchos - I dont' have one- but I have made about 6 for other people!!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don't have a favorite item so far, because I am just getting into reading patterns. Initally, i like knitting hats, scarves because they were easy and fast. I think I'll attempt a pair of socks -- after I complete my sweaters
13. What are you knitting right now?
I have 3 current knitting projects- 2 are on my blog and I haven't picked them up since that post because I am at the neck and arm hole shaping... i'm sacred .. but the weather is gettting cold and I'll need those sweaters.
I also have a dog sweater in an ice blue mohair started for my friends poodle.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YEs- who doesn't?
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circular- bamboo feels good. I want to try knitting on those glass needles too.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes- I have one (yarn winder) somewhere . It might be in my storage in Hawai'i.
17. How did you learn to knit?
An Auntie showed me
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
I'm so embarrassed- that would be that pink sweater on my blog, that i started in 2000 .. but it was packed away in storage from 2001 - 2003 .. (like that's an excuse) see question number 13 for why it's not done yet.. I WILL FINISH it ! I started on the brown one last month from scratch because i started thinking the bulky pink yarn wouldn't look good one me-( or was i subconsciously trying to avoid the arm and neckhole shaping ??)so the brown one will be finished first!!!! i am going to state here - I WILL FINISH THE BROWN SWEATER WITHIN 30 days!
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween- I love bats
20. Is there anything that you collect?
I am a collect -a -holic. But i 've had to curb my evil ways since i've moved here. I love old fabrics, books ( especially craft and sewing books) linens - like tea towels etc with needlework , clothes like 1900's - 1940's. and SHOES!!!! i love Shoes - ( terrible) i also like Hello Kitty - i 've been a fan or hers since 1976..scary that havne't outgrown her yet.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Subscriptions to NZ are too expensive ... or I would have a ton of them - knittting and otherwise. Books I am eye balling are on my amazon list...

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
??umm not that i can think of right now in knitting , but my blog skills need improvement.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
no- but I will be !!! I am a US size 8- wide-ish
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
23 May

2006-05-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

Finished projects!!
I finally finished the jonathan birthday project... and i'll mail it today...i used a kilt pin as a closure ( made 4 button holes for the pin to go thru) -- to go with the kilt obsession he has and add to the "tough" punk rock feeling - since that 's what he requested- a tough macho knitting bag... i should have made the project bags in polka dots and plaid to match the needle case and the lining of the bag... rather than the scary skull fabric i found -- oh well ( i didn't post pics of those)

and i finished my cloche- looks yuck. i ran out of yarn/thread. I need to rip it out and make the black band wider and bigger.. ugh... oh well...

2006-05-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

I am almost finished with my skull knitting bag for jonathan. I wanted to add a hard bottom so it will stand up on it's own and metal feet - so the bottom wont get dirty. I went to the hardware store on Friday afternoon after work and cut it on Saturday. I had to cover the hardboard and drill holes- and I am just about finshed.. tonight maybe......
but in the meantime, i had to start another project. I went to this great store called, "david's emporium" . They've got a little bit of everything - they buy alot of old stock. i went there to buy the feet for the bag and they had crochet thread -- little balls in this great red-- only 4 balls -on sale for $1.50 each..i couldn't resist.... so i am making a cloche .. these are pictures of my progress - i just have to finish the brim..

2006-05-02T02:12:00.000-07:00

here are some pics of some bags i made. i'll post some more pics of different bags later ... the pictures are not very clear.

i haven't met my jonathan b-day deadline...tomorrow maybe?

2006-05-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

is this horrific and sad or sweet and beatrix potter like?
are the cats playing with the butterfly or murdering it?

well i found butterfly parts all over the house the next day....

2006-04-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

L'inspiration n'est pas?

isn't this amazing -- it's Irish crochet 1908 ..
this picture is from a Taschen book "Fashion : A History form 18th to the 20th "- volume 2- from the Collection of the Kyoto Costume Museum.
I can't imagine making something so beautiful - let alone wearing this - or maybe i can...

2006-04-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

grey felt applique for bag- not finished yet

b-day card
starting the card -the wheel of faces...

i spent the day, well not the whole day... making my best friend - jonathan, a birthday card--
jonathan has been my best friend for over 20 years and lives in LA and was really obsessed with kilts and his Scottish hertitage-- and bought a kilt - a real one made in Scotland with his family tartan .. and I found this little tartan and jacket paper outfit and wanted to use it for his b-day card..

so I made a wheel of different faces and a window of pictures -- of him, one of his dog and people he likes- martha, elton john, dolly, liza -- I forgot oprah... oh well.. anyway-- you spin the wheel and see the different heads on top of the kilt wearing body......... and i sewed it together...

jonathan picked up knitting in december. he started knitting a beautiful cream scarf and requested a knitting bag .. and he asked it to be "tough" and he suggested the skull and crossbone motif.
so-this is what i have done... so far....

The skull and cross bone applique is grey- blue felt on black twill canvas which will be the body of the bag and i am lining it in navy polka dots.. . I got the applique design down and cut the bag out.. and now I am going to do a running stitch along the edges of the applique.. and need to finish sewing the bag. I also made two drawstring bags out of the only other skull and crossbone fabric I could find. I call them project bags ... I am a gemini and so i can never stick to one project - i have to have at least 3 going simutanteously-- hence - project bags to keep them separate and keep the fluffy white mohair from getting on black yarn -etc.. so - he too can start to be a neurotic knitter and have multiple projects going on - i have supplied him with 2 (maybe i 'll make more if i have time) . I am also making him a knitting needle case and it will be seam bias edged in tartan/plaid...

yikes time is running out - his b-day is 2 may-- and it will not gt there on time, but my plan is to have it finished on his b-day..... i better get back to it.

2006-04-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

ruth
this is our niece - i was teaching her to crochet.. as you can see, she has mastered the chain stitch!! she is wearing a hat that i intially for myself, but it looked much better on her. i threaded some thin elastic around the bottom to make it fit her head better and put a red bell at the end.

i started crocheting when i was about her age. i was fascinated with making bun covers to wear over my hair bun in ballet class... now that i think of it -i did have a cool wardrobe of ponchos, shawls and matching hats...

2006-04-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

my other kitty

this is my mean kitty -- well he's not mean he's grumpy..

i made this hat about 10 years ago in 1996- how scary-that was awhile ago-- when i was living in the bay area .. i actaully made quite a few - -i also made devil , frog , and bunny versions too...most ly for babies- but the kitties were a hit for all my girlfriends--they are crocheted...if anyone is interested I'll post pictures of the other versions..

2006-04-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

blah blah blah
These are my cats Aby-- half abyssinian and tabby and Honey .. they are both boys.
I can't say I did well with their names-- long story.

Today is ANZAC today and I worked on my brown sweater-- Tomorrow I am not working and will work on my friend Jonathan's b-day present- a skull and cross bone bag for his knitting. He had requested a "tough" bag for his newly acquired passion for knitting. He started knitting in December and was furiously knitting a scarf.. which he has since stopped- I am hoping this bag will renew his interest in his scarf.. I'll post some pictures of that.....

2006-04-14T03:04:00.000-07:00

finally have time to do some crafty bits...and to enjoy
my kitties-
my garden- which just needs to be ripped up and replanted
my knitting
my sewing
my painting-re painting the lounge
reading: R.I.P., SALAD cook books, just finsihed- Strangers- by Taichi Yamada
listening to KCRW online

and maybe make some jewlery..

"work does interfere with my pleasure" JWH quote

I am more of a sewing gal.. and I crochet lots...but I've recently picked up my knitting needles again.

I still a beginner knitter- I had been knitting mostly hats and scarves- I have started 2 sweaters simultanteously. The pink one I started in 2000 when I was living in Berkeley, California ...then I moved to Hawai'i and my knitting ceased -- too hot . I now live in NZ - I have picked up the pink sweater - which I started with no pattern and no idea what I was doing. I was hoping I'd figure out what to do when I knitted up to the arm hole area. Then I decidedi didn't think I'd look great in pink - so i started a brown version - but with a pattern which I've decided alter. i think i'm being industrious for my first sweater-- but I think it will work out and I'll wear no matter -even if one sleeve is longer!!!

These are some photos of my half finished sweaters- both are bell sleeved and the striped thing - was a start of a poncho -I actually completed a few of them a few years ago for my sister and friends.. but i included this in here because I am running out of brown yarn, and I have to pull the striped gonna be a poncho - so I can use the brown yarn from that - or I could also put a big pink stripe across the front--don't know...

Living in NZ - you 'd think wool yarn would be plentiful and cheap.. but apparently all the wool is exported. I am actually knitting yarn from the States. I shipped alot of yarn here because it's so expensive here for yarn.which they call "wool" even if it's acrylic-- which alot of yarn here is...