mini knitted stockings...

These ones are a little smaller than the one I made for my swap... I actually think they are a better size for a tree decoration, and of course - being smaller - they work up much quicker!

Click here for the free online pattern. You will need to scroll down the page a bit, and might find some other patterns of interest while you are there. In fact... there is an adorable snowman I might need to make if I can find the time! Maybe for next year...

I have made a few tiny modifications to the pattern. For one, I changed colour for each row... to achieve the crazy look I love! Then at the cuff end I worked in moss/seed stitch rather than garter stitch, just for a slightly different texture.


Here is the knitted piece.


But I prefer the 'wrong side' look.

Don't worry... I won't be sewing in all of those ends. Instead of lightly stuffing the stocking, I will leave then ends as they are... and they will form the 'stuffing'



I've used the white fluffy silver fleck yarn again... looks great in real life, but not much fun to photograph!

buttons...

I'm always dipping my fingers into my button collection. Sometimes I'm looking to finish off a particular project - but more often than not - I'm just playing around.

My collection is 'stored' in an old glass measuring jug, which sits on my desk. It's so tempting just to dip my fingers in and SWOOSH the buttons around. And I never resist the temptation! I allow myself to indulge...



At the moment, I have this thing about layering buttons. I don't seem to be capable of using a single button. I'm always wanting to go with the 'layer upon layer upon layer look' Somehow they just seem way more interesting that way!

I've been thinking about the eyes for the alien creature I am making for Master Nine. At first I was just going to use these large yellow buttons...



But then I started layering... and VOILA!




I think these will make fabulous alien eyes...

a tree decoration swap...

I made this stocking as part of a Christmas tree decoration swap. Unfortunately the white trim is a bit glarey in the photograph, but it is a fuzzy yarn with silver flecks through it. Because I worked it in a chunky yarn, it has come out a little on the large side for a tree decoration... but looks great hanging on a door handle.



The pattern is from this Christmas designs booklet by Jean Greenhowe. I know I have said this before, but I love Jean's knitting patterns. So much attention to detail... and the instructions are so clear. You can't go wrong! The holly was an afterthought... using felt from an old green jumper and some random red buttons.

I'm also working on the topsy turvy Cinderella doll from the same booklet. I have made her several times before... but always exactly as the pattern said to... right down to the colours used. This time I am making her in my own style... I've even included some crazy yarn! Should have some progress photos to share later this week.

saved...

It turns out that the old Christmas lights which I showed you yesterday, was not one continuous cable.... but that the cable was cut at each fitting. So I have lots of short lengths of cables.



Inside each cable is a bunch of fine copper wires. Certainly worth keeping - for a yet to be determined project! I'm not planning to strip them just yet. It may well turn out that I want to use them as they are... and they are easier to store in this state.



I've also saved these plastic rings... they'll come in handy, too... and for the moment they can live in my bead jar.

think before you throw

Oops... almost made a big mistake today...

We were sorting through some Christmas decorations, and came across an old set of lights which no longer work because of a wiring problem. I was ready to toss them, when Mr Goldfish said... "hang on a minute!"

First he collected all the globes, to use as replacements for our other sets of lights.

Then he handed me the cables... "you'll want to see what's inside here, won't you?"

Well... of course I do!!!!

meme

I don't usually respond to being tagged for this kind of thing... not sure why.

I think it always reminds me a bit of a chain letter scenario, and for some reason they give me the creeps... Hey! That can be fact #1!

So, here we go: I have been tagged by Heather Wardell

the rules:

1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs
4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

the facts:

• chain letters give me the creeps
• according to local water restrictions... I am only allowed to water my garden on tuesdays and saturdays, between the hours of 6am and 8am... which irks me like you wouldn't believe... because I always FORGET until it is too late... and then I have to wait another three or four days before I can water... and then I forget again... and... well... you can see where this is going, can't you?
• I love bad soapies
• totally addicted to diet coke
• am currently wondering what on earth possessed me to volunteer for the role of treasurer at our local kinder (and whether the compulsory POLICE CHECK will reveal anything interesting)
• love the smell of wet eucalypts
• have always wanted to build my own house... it would be a mud rendered straw bale construction, with loads of character... built and furnished using reclaimed/recycled/second-hand materials... and totally OFF GRID

and I am tagging:

• karen
• sam
• misha
• oh2122
  
• beccasaurus
• cat
• stramenda
  

a handmade christmas

We're trying something a little bit different in the Goldfish household this year...

OUR GIFTS TO ONE ANOTHER MUST BE HANDMADE

Not sure how it will work out, but the initial response from the children has been very positive.

I just got so fed up with hearing "I want" from them. Every single time there is an advertisement for a toy or game or piece of electronic equipment... one of them will pipe up saying "I WANT TO GET THAT"

Well... what I WANTED was for them to discover the joy of giving, as well as receiving. I WANTED them to focus on others... to think about a suitable gift for someone else... to spend time creating that gift.. and then experience the joy of giving it. I WANTED to take the focus away from high priced electronic 'must haves'... and get back to the basics.

I would love this to become a family tradition for us... but we'll have to see how it comes together first.

So I have been doing lots of brainstorming with the kids. Of course, we have been planning in secret... so it has the added benefit of me getting to spend one-on-one time with each child, which they love. They are so excited about the making process, so I'm hoping it will become something that they look forward to each year.

Now... all of this of course means that I must make their gifts, too.

Master Nine is into all things alien at the moment. So I suggested to him that he could make a playdough model, or draw a picture of an alien... and I would make it into a cuddle toy for him. He loved the idea, and has come up with this:



Just in case you are wondering... those bits sticking out the side are wings!

Now, of course mine won't look exactly like this model. It is simply my inspiration. Stay tuned to see how it comes together...