Weekend WIP Wind-up

I was aiming to finish off a few of the things on my WIP list over the weekend, and I actually succeeded at it! I am just a little bit chuffed with how speedily things worked up.

First off the ranks was the baby cloche. Actually, I made two. If you missed my previous post, I finished the one I started second, first! Here is the one I started out on.

I love this yarn for the hook. I have to say that I have knitted with it, but using it on the hook is just a rather delicious experience (and it's not even an expensive, fancy yarn!) The yarn is Panda Purla, color 6, which is the softest acrylic I've ever used - mixed with 15% alpaca. It feels lovely, and isn't scratchy or itchy at all. I'd link you straight to the yarn - but the link seems to be broken right now. Pattern and hook size are listed here)

I also finished up the heart garland that I started last weekend, but I will have to wait to take some photos of it so I can show you... tomorrow (hopefully the weather will co-operate for good lighting!). It's amazing what you can accomplish while watching a James Bond flick or two.

Baby Cloche

 I received news yesterday that my friends who are now living in NZ were here in Aus and had just had a little baby girl, so even though I had a different one on the hook, I spent the afternoon (and evening, because I pulled it half undone when it was almost finished as I wasn't happy with it!) making a new one and finishing it. I gifted it to them today along with a bag of my decadent home-made choc-chip cookies (you have to have a little contraband you know!).

We went up to the hospital this afternoon to see them, and she is the most gorgeous baby! Seriously. She is pretty at 2 days of age!!! I'd love to show you pictures, but since I didn't get permission from her Mummy and Daddy, I'd better not :) I put it on Little Clam's teddy instead to give you some idea ;)

Here are the stats...
Yarn - Panda Fancy in cream (52% wool, 48 nylon) 8 ply
Hook - 5mm (actually, I think it was a US I )
Pattern from here - aestheticnest I am LOVING her stuff!!!

My Creative Space - Hook Happiness

I'm a little hooked on yarn right now - which may be a bad thing, considering all the things that I have said that I would sew for family members!

The weekend saw me hooking up a few hearts. These will be for one of my little nieces - not sure which one yet! (I have one that will be one soon, and two more that are still living in a day spa - so to speak) The whole piece isn't finished yet - but I am hoping to rectify that on the weekend.

Monday saw Jellyfish and I making pavlova from scratch - he loved the process, and his daddy LOVED the finished result!!! (Not to mention his other parent... it was Go-oo-od!). He is getting right into the whole baking thing at the moment. I think I am going to have to schedule something each week that he can specifically help make. Mmmm.

I have been loving feed times with Little Clam in the past two days... This is what has been filling up my time while I feed him (Besides chatting with him, that is!) I have a few more to go before I am finished. They will be gifted later this year.

And lastly, I am so in love with this...

Can't wait to have this one finished so I can show you. The yarn feels delicious to work with. It is hooking up quite quickly, so hopefully in the next couple of days I will be able to do the big reveal on it ;) So far I have spent about 3 hours on it (It was at about 1.5 hours when I took the photo).

Still stitching the strawberry for Jess (I wasn't happy with it, so I ripped it out and am starting again), I have another crochet phone sock still going (I'm trying to make a crochet i-cord, but my hook is too small!) and I REALLY need to get back to knitting Jellyfish's beanie!!! Yikes!

This Week's Work in Progress (WIP) Stats


Total WIP: 6
New Projects: 3
Finished Projects: 0

Thanks to Describe Happy for the inspiration to do a Work in Progress Wednesday stat breakdown.
For more creative juice, head over to Koo tomorrow. 

Christchurch - the memories

Today was a shocker. Mr. Kelp came home at lunch and told me about the earthquake. Devastating. Sad. If you have never been there, Christchurch is a beautiful city... or at least it was. It's been 4 1/2 years since we were there (Half the time was for work for him, and all of it was a holiday for me). I have such good memories of my time there. I even considered moving there (and for those of you who know me - YES, even though it is super cold in winter!!!). I have friends that I was at college with who live there. Zara, Kyla & Artie, I hope you guys are all Ok.

Since we are being shown destroyed images of Christchurch, I thought I would share some of my own memories with you - some things to remind you of the beauty of the place, the fun, and resilience.

View from the old office

Lunchtime walk

Yep -that's me looking down the river on the street near where the former office 

was that Mr. Kelp was working in for the week.

Saturday arvo drive - summit rd.

 

Bumble Bee

These guys are so cute - big and bumbly. I love them. They just make me smile.

A walk in the woods

Punting on the Avon for my birthday

 Christchurch Cathedral

Outside window of the cathedral

Inner window

Inside the cathedral

Cool building  (I can't remember the name of it - and don't know where my brochure is)

Lunch time walk

Bridge inscribed with "Ovid non pro patria"

If anyone can translate this Latin quote - I'd love it!!!

Reflections

Can you imagine being picked up for a formal even from here?

A piece of  NY 9/11 a thank you to all the volunteers.

People of Christchurch, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May your resilience show through, your courage abound, and the support of others flow freely.