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Wow - what neglect on the blog front.
Lots of ups and downs are taking my energy away from the things I love (knitting included). Le sigh.

Taught a really great knitting workshop for the Cut + Paste Sustainable Craft Fest on Sunday. A lovely combination of queer crafters, sunshine on a roof top garden, tea and scones. Everyone picked up knitting really fast (my big fear was failing as a teacher) and it was nice to just chill and chat to people.

Still havent got my knitting-mojo back on which saddens me. I had to force myself to pick up the needles and make the stitches - the passion is missing at the moment.
Everything ebbs and flows, I know if I give it time it will come back.

On the house front, we've finally put up the last bit of hardi-flex = the house is now sealed. Hopefully we will be able to undercoat and paint this weekend sometime.

Doors - we have them!

The doors got put in yesterday and they look fabulous!

YAY!

Cat Mittens by Jorid Linvik

Pattern here...

These mittens were a drama for me - I had to frog and re-knit one of them due to gauge issues, and also snapped 3 of the DPNs, so in total took me about 3 months to finish.

Details:

Yarn - I used black Patonyle and over-dyed Merino Bambino (blue/yellow food colour).

Needles - 3mm DPNs

The Pattern:

No gauge is listed and that makes it a big PITA - took me three tries to get a nice fit, and even then they are a bit small (thank god Tania has small hands). If I was going to make again I would probably use 5ply and 3.5mm needles.

The instructions are a little vague, but I think thats because the english is a second language for the author.

The fairisle is really clever, and a lot of people have commented on the mittens as i've been knitting them (and already I have requests for more - will have to think about that).

I'm really happy now they are done and dusted, and glad the recipient likes them!

Gratuitous kitty photo!

House Renovations!!! Eep!

The Boi thought french doors in the kitchen, to open up onto a deck would be the way to go - and that we should do all the buildery type stuff ourselves. I had real reservations about doing this but it all came good in the end. It wasnt that hard either - I love that Fin is so capable (capable butches = yum!) and i'm feeling really confident about gyprocking the kitchen later on.

Onto the before and after pics! (big thanks to Kylie for the help on Saturday :D)


BEFORE
























DURING and AFTER







(this is what I came home to on Thurs)



















Next - the French Doors are being put in today, pictures to come soon! The full Flickr Set is here too BTW

Actual, honest-to-goodness finished stuff!

Yay!

Firstly - Merletto Mitts, for my sister's birthday.

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I used The Knittery Cashmerino Sock, cant remember the colourway though. The pattern was OK, had to do some mods for my own taste but otherwise really happy them.

Second - Spats!

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These were a bit of a bastard to make, but oh so fun to wear! Its inspired me to make a fetishy-circus performer outfit for Inquisition. The buttons on the side are decorative, and they lace up down the back - made out of PVC if anyone needs to know.

Baby Kimono!

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Also for my sister - she doesnt know if the spawn is a boy or a girl. Its the pattern from Habitual - best pattern ever!

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Gratuitous Kitty Photo

Latest Anti-Craft is up!

Sometimes AntiCraft is a bit hit and miss, but I think this issue is pretty awesome.
So much I want to make:
Gothic Lolita Apron!
Very appropriate embroidery!
Skull embroidery pincushion!

The pincushion idea is fabulous - I always loose my sewing/darning needles.

Hanky Panky

Tonight is the Femme Guild Hanky Panky Party at the Red Rattler (raising awareness of the Hanky Code amongst other things).

My contribution to the Guild was to sew hankies for sale - just basic little numbers in the most (mainstream) popular colours to sell and raise money.
Unfortunately, a friend who is performing needed 30 hankies for her show - in a string, to pull out of... well, nevermind. So every night (and some mornings) this week i've been sewing my fingers to the bone - but i'm done! Exhausted, but done.

My next mission is to nail down 100% what I want to wear tonight.
This might sound self-centred: since I always try and make a big effort people have come to expect it of me. Don't get me wrong - i love spectacle abd i love dressing up, but its stressful! Trying to think of a new outfit everytime, without having to buy a lot of new clothes is down right difficult sometimes.

And then sometimes you stumble on a site that makes it look so easy - DestroyX. Ouch! So much awesome hotness! Inspiration overload!

Just did my tax...

And worked out I get $115 back - not including deductions (thats another $300!).

Yay. Totally justified the $90 I just spent on this cincher from My Baby Jo.