Yes, yes, I know.....

It's been a while, I know. For a long time I thought that all I wanted in the whole world was a little bloggie to call my own. Then, when I finally put one together, I kinda lost interest. Apparently I have the stick-to-it-iveness of a 2 year old.
But hey, I've been missing it a little. So I figured I'd say hi, and see if the love was re-ignited.

Topic number one for today is allergies. I haz dem. I never used to haz dem, but apparently something in my respiratory system broke about 6 months ago and now I am allergic to AIR!!! I spend a huge amount of time blowing my nose noisily. My gp did eventually find something that works for me, but, of course, it is horribly expensive and causes blocked Eustacian tubes (don't even ask- I lost the will to live over that one) if I use it too much. Plus, I am stubborn. Right now it is autumn here, and I am still snuffling. I vacuum regularly, I don't go near the cat (poor thing), I have cut out dairy products....and still I am snuffling!!!! It is pissing me off, and somehow I have it in my mind that if I don't give in to it amd start medicating myself to within an inch of my life, like I did during spring and summer, then it will all go away.
Thus far....not so much. So I snuffle.

Topic number two for today is the fact that my tolerance for this hick, backwoods suburb has reached an all time low. I announced to The Kid the other day that we are officially Getting Out Of Dodge. He was overjoyed. We both agreed that we are urban dwellers, rather than semi-rural dwellers. I just want to be somewhere where I can get a decent soy latte and wear a capelet and fingerless mitts without the neighbours coming onto their porches to point and stare and phone their relatives. I am sick of the bored, violent teenagers driving terrifyingly modified cars up and down my street. I am sick of the lack of art galleries and bookshops. I am sick of waiting for public transport that never arrives. I am sick of the racism, both blatant and implied. I was telling this to my GP the other day, and to my complete suprise she totally agreed with me. She said she put off buying a house for 7 extra years just so she could get something in a suburb that wasn't like this one. I will probably have to live in a kennel, but at least it will be a kennel that has a decent coffeeshop near by.

Topic number 3 for today (and the last, I think) is my yarn love. It's getting out of control. For ages I was the sort of knitter who only bought the yarn I was about to use, or needed for a particular project. Buying yarn I didn't have any immediate plans for just caused me too much stress- I felt it ticking away, just waiting for me to use it. But then something happened. I think I started loving yarn for yarns sake. Now I can't stop buying it. Don't misunderstand me, I don't feel guilty. I am just running out of space.
Thats my problem. it's not yarn, it's storage space.

Look at one of my most recent purchases.




It's a fingering weight sock yarn called Butternut Squash by Woolhunter. I really think it does look just like pumpkin blossoms, too. Haven't made anything with it yet. For now, it just sits on my coffee table looking pretty.

Soon, verra, verra soon.......

Rain, wattle blossom and sweater clips....

Typical Melbourne winter day.



Although, after the horrific summer we just survived, it's not like I'd complain about the rain. And, in any case, when it's not raining there is always the wattle blossom to admire.




It's lovely, isn't it? Like frothy sunshine. That particular wattle is called Coottamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana). Believe it or not, in this part of the country it's considered an environmental weed because it seeds so easily. Still pretty though.

Anyhoo....I got a gorgeous little parcel in the mail today- my latest ebay acquisition. I haven't posted about jewelry for ages, so I thought I'd showcase my little collection of sweater clips.
Sweater clips were a 1950's thing- 2 clips joined by a chain were used to keep a cardigan carelessly, yet stylishly, flung over ones shoulders without slipping off. I remember my mother wearing them, althou sadly, I never inherited any of hers. They can be as plain or as gaudy as it pleased the wearer, and I rather like them.

Classy.




Flowery.




Fluffy (these are the ones I got today- they were advertised as being made with tufts of mink, but I have no way of knowing if thats true.)





Happy Wednesday!!

ps- predictable the stranded work socks did not go well, although it was more about my yarn choice than anything else. I think I may have my knitting/crocheting mojo back, so new projects soon.

I have a terrible cold.......

....and I'm being a complete baby about it. But really, it's a nasty one. Going through tissues at an alarming rate, sneezing attacks, can't taste anything (except chocolate or chilli- hey, at least thats one positive), and am subject to sudden nap attacks every hour or so. I feel like 8 different types of revolting, and feeling very sorry for myself indeed.

So, you'd think I would be getting a fair amount of knitting done, right? Well, sort of. After the unexpected triumph that was my Aestlight Shawl (Rav link) I decided to give my rather neglected Kingscot Cardigan some love. Sadly my ability to concentrate for more than 10 seconds has been compromised quite considerably. Usually I start at the beginning of a pattern and just work my way through as written. This time.....


I got half way up the back and decided that I didn't like the way I did the decreases after the ribbing. Messy. But I lack the constitutional fortitude to rip back and re- do right now. So I slung it on some scrap yarn to be dealt with later. Then I did the ribbing for both the fronts. Cos, hey, its just ribbing, right? Then I thought, well maybe I'll just give one of the fronts a red hot go, and 3 days later I am up to the armhole. Now I'm thinking about doing the other side up to the same point, but seeing as I'm only managing a row or two at a time before I need a nap....I give up. To my Kingscot Cardigan I say- I'll deal with you later!

So instead, I've been working on my Ten Stitch Blanket. Easy, mindless, soothing, and its now big enough that it keeps me warm while I'm doing it. Bonus!

This morning, however, as I was snuffling my way through today's first box of tissues, I came across this lovely pattern. And I'm thinking, this might be an excellent pattern to indulge my love of red and light blue together.

The red and white would be the main colours, with a stripe of pale blue up near the cuff.
Alternatively, I could go with this combo...

.....but on second thought I might burn someone's retinas.
I must be insane- I can barely remember where the bathroom is and I'm contemplating stranded work socks.

This wont end well.

Things.

Things that are making me displeased.

1. I have a stomachache. I don't know why. Really, no idea. Unless my slatternly housekeeping ways have finally come back to bite me.
2. I've made a decision about my son's education that his school is not going to be very pleased about. I've talked it over with quite a few people who are giving me very positive feedback, but the time has come to inform the people who will be slightly horrified. I am not looking forward to this.
3. I keep forgetting that some people are just downright crooks. I'm not so naive that there are any recepts for Nigerian bridges on my credit card, but when people are charming, friendly and agree to do what I ask them, I usually believe them. This is becoming a serious character flaw. I need to toughen up a bit, but I really resent the necessity to do so.
4. Friends are falling like flies from various accidents and injuries. I feel helpless when all I can do is hold their hands and make sympathetic noises.
5. Mainstream media treats the public like idiots. I really, really resent this. Not just on my behalf, but on everyone else's, too.
6. I hate doing laundry, and I am really behind. Every time I turn a corner in my house I trip over a pile of dirty clothes. You'd think this would spur me on to get it done, but noooooo...
   

Things that please me.

1. My son is delighted about the decisions I have made about his education. He thinks I've given in, but what he doesn't seem to realize is that I believe in his instincts. Teenagers are not always wrong when they want something. I think he deserves a chance to make his own life decisions. I love my son to the moon and back and I want him to be happy.
2. I made a new pair of fingerless mitts. I love fingerless mitts, but especially when they are made of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino . I get a little frisson of pleasure every time I pull them on.

They are a lovely simple little pattern, and they are sinfully soft and lush.
3. My latest ebay purchase.

Today I'm wearing it with navy blue.

4. Today could be the day that my parcel from Canada arrives. I've been saying that for weeks now, but statistically, it must be getting truer by the minute. Beautiful handyed sockyarn from my dear friend Jodi, and the new issue of Interweave Crochet. Sigh. Can't wait. My nose is pressed to the window in anticipation.
5. In honour of Mother's Day over the weekend I took myself yarn shopping. Oh yes. Photos another time, but suffice for now to say that I staggered in my front door laden with purchases. Then I sat and played with it whilst eating Roses chocolates. Bliss! Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

So, ok, these lists were a good idea. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, but really, there are some lovely things in my life at the moment. It's not all bad. Think I'll go knit a bit now and think about counting my blessings.

Autumn In Melbourne.

I went for a walk this morning and remembered to take my camera. Autumn in Melbourne is lovely- a slight chill, but often sunny (although it was actually quite dark and gloomy this morning). I got some rather strange looks from people as I walked round and round trees trying to get good shots. At least, I think it was because I was taking photos. It may have been the luminous orange and pink bag that I have become so fond of.
Anyways, this is what I saw......



And some foliage just starting to turn.





A warning about the dangers of surburbia...

Some natives plants in flower..

Banksia.

Eucalypt

Leucodendron

My favourite native plant, the Pincushion Hakea (Hakea laurina).

So then, because I was digging this photography lark so much, I had a little stroll around my garden. Not that much happening, but a few little treasures.
The salvia is starting to come back after being all crispy and sad looking for months.


The ubiquitous daisy.


A really pretty Ivy Geranium.


The ever faithful red geranium that sits by my front door.


And Chrysanthemums!! Just in time for Mother's Day!!!!!

Daisies.

More later. Just thought you'd like something pretty to look at.

Loose Ends.

I've been all gung-ho about finishing up some long neglected wips. Specifically, the type of finishing up that includes getting out my sewing machine. I can sew quite competantly, I just don't love it, so it doesn't happen all that often. But when it does, I try and do as clean a sweep as I can.

Exhibit A


(Rav link)

I made this little shoulder bag ages ago, but it really needed lining before I could use it. Couldn't find a colour I like for ages, and then I was cleaning out my closet the other day and looky looky- an old tshirt that was stained past all reason on the front (spaghetti sauce I think). The perfect colour! Just looking at mandarin orange and fuschia together makes me cheerful.

Exhibit B

(Rav link)

I had made the body of the bag ages ago, just needed to sew it up and put in some lining. Starting to see a pattern emerge here? The lining looks fabulous I think, and for the first time I am glad of my slightly crappy photo skillz because you can't see the dodgy handsewing on the inside. Done and dusted.

Exhibit C

(Rav link)

I had entirely made this ages ago and had it hanging on the doorknob in the study. Excellent for hiding chocolate stashes in. But it also needed lining. Sigh. I didn't enjoy it, but its done and I got to use an old pair of brown linen pants that was languishing in the rag bag.

So I'm feeling a bit accomplished, really. Sure, the lounge room looks like a bomb hit it, and I've got bits of cotton everywhere, but whatever. I may reward myself with Tim Tams shortly.

How about a little bling to finish?

It's a citrine briolette pendant. It's not vintage, but it is close to the same colour as my eyes.