Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Top Secret Projects

I haven't blogged for a few days for a couple of reasons. The main being that my babies have been getting teeth (my girl has got her second and my boy got his first 2 in one day!)... and have been very grizzly and needing lots of cuddles. But the other is that I am slowly working on a few projects but.... they are TOP SECRET!

Why are they top secret? Because they are presents for some of my special people who kindly indulge me and read my blog. And I can't go ruining their surprise. But I will tell you and show you as soon as I can.

I just wanted you to know that I am being a busy bee when I am not rubbing Bonjela on gums.

Stay tuned.....

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Totem's Fish

In my last post, I mentioned my friend Totem*, who has been (to say the least), not all that encouraging about my neckwarmer. In fact, to quote, she said "are you also going to knit leg warmers to go with that?". Hummmmm.... hurtful!

Now while she's not into neckwarmers or legwarmers, Totem is a little crafty, something she did not confess until after many cups of teas and hours sitting on her couch. For her girls' 1st birthday, she decided to make some fish to hang in their bedroom (she knows not to forget the ceiling!). Although based on something we saw in a shop, she made her own fishy shape, then hand stitched the eyes and machine sewed the fish together. It had been some years since she sat in front of a sewing machine and was a bit nervous, but shouldn't have been. She's doing a great job!

To finish them off, Totem is planning some fancy bead work on the ribbons... I'll ask if I can take a photo when they are finished and "swimming" in her girls' bedroom....






*Totem is not her real name but an affectionate acronym, made from my very early description of my new friend.... "The Other Twin Mum". But Totm didn't quite look right, so I added a word... "The Other Twin Excellent Mum" to get Totem. This was an easy fix because excellent she is!

Monday, March 23, 2009

No cold necks this Winter

I hate being cold and have always complained about being cold. When I was young, I spent many hours going back and forward with my Dad, turning the ducted heating up after he had turned it down. I don't sleep with 'just a sheet' in Summer, although I do go down to just one doona, instead of two. A friend once described my internal thermometer as having very little tolerance, up or down (yes, I'm not good in extreme heat either but let's leave that until another blog...!). Two years ago I got chilblains on my toes after being at a party in a shed in Winter. After seeing the doctor and getting my "chilblains diagnosis", I felt my extreme sensitivity to the cold had been vindicated and when I am now freezing, it is due to my "medical condition".

So that long intro was to explain to you why I am knitting a neck warmer..... for my medical condition. I was inspired by Philigry, a blog I enjoy reading. She knitted neckwarmers for herself and some friends and I wanted one. I found the pattern on the net, bought my wool, borrowed circular knitting needles and off I went!

I'm only 9 rows in but so far so good. I'll post a photo when I'm done and you'll see how you can keep your neck warm, while still looking very stylish!

(and I will say "I told you so".... you know who you are Totem!!!)

Friday, March 20, 2009

Don't forget the ceiling

I like the idea of my kids having something to look at when they are lying in bed. They had mobiles on their cots when they were tiny but I had to take them when I found my daughter using her newly found skill of sitting up to tug on one of the hanging toys. That could only end in disaster.

This is what I came up with...

I have a thing for stars so it was the obvious choice. I used coordinating material for each hanging, with the stars being slightly different shapes. To add something extra to look at (and some bling!), I put three clear beads on the ribbon between each star.

It seems to be a done thing that we hang, stick and hammer things onto bedroom walls for children to look at. When thinking about your baby's room or when buying a present for someone.... don't forget the ceiling!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Look what I found in my garden...

Look what I found in my garden this morning....


Well, that's not entirely true. I put them there to take a photo because they are just too cute! My very crafty and very clever sister Truj has discovered the wonderful world of felt. The animals she is making are just amazing (more pictures to come) but these echidnas are her latest creation. They are made by dry felting, using a pattern from Winterwood. I think they are just great!

Monday, March 16, 2009

My first blog entry.... finally!

If I'm going to be honest, it was the pressure of my "first blog entry" that has kept me from starting my blog earlier. What do I write? A lot? A little? Should I write about myself? Things I do? What if it's boring? Who's going to read it anyway? Why am I even worried? I really should be getting dinner ready.... Finally, I'd had enough! Enough of thinking about it and enough of worrying what to write. So here goes.

I'm Nikki and I spend my days with my gorgeous husband and my equally gorgeous, almost 10 month old twins. When my husband is busy and my babies are sleeping, I make things. All sorts of things. Practical things and fun things. Ialso read about other people making things on their blogs and get inspired by all the clever people out there. One day I want to be one of them!

So that's how this blog came about. A place for me to talk about the things I am making. I also expect that mixed in with my project adventures, will be stories about the adventures with my kids. After all, these are the things that fill my days!