2014 The Year That Sort of Was!!

I looked back to the post I did here.  It had some NY resolutions or sort of resolutions.  Thought I should review those and see how I went.

1. No more Not so many yarn purchases. (sort of did ok, but if I had to be honest....I failed)
2. Pilates twice a week. (started off doing it at home once a week and by the time I started in my new job.....all went out the window....fail)
3. Buy that damn bicycle I've been wanting to buy before Summer finishes. (In my quest to save money I am renovating my current bicycle)
4. Lose that last 10 or so kilos.....I managed to get 6.5 off before Christmas, so I'd like to have the remaining 10 off by December....slow and steady. (didn't lose but didn't gain....so that's a win in my book)
5. Finally learn to run and enjoy it.....Couch to 5K, here I come. (Yep can do that, although an Achilles injury in October has put a stop to any running for the time being so it's back to walking)
6. Finish all the woolly works in progress before I start any more. (Big Fail)
7. Have at least 4 more knitted patterns completed before end of year. (Fail, although I have 2 scheduled for the end of January, so almost there....sort of!)
8. Save more money. (Yep, earning more allows you to save more....and I've managed to set up some saving schemes/extra superannuation for my retirement, thanks to my accountant, so that's a win)
9. Don't waste so much food. (Not sure about this, but I know I haven't been eating as much!!)
10. Comment more on other peoples blogs, facebook pages and the like....I know it makes me so happy when someone leaves me a comment, so I'm going to make sure I do it more to others this year.(I started off well, but once I got into the swing of my new job in May.....Fail)
11. Smile randomly at someone in the street everyday. (This one wasn't hard, I just smiled randomly at passengers on my tram.....you smile at someone they'll smile right back, even if it is a half hearted smile)
12. Be HAPPY! (I think I ended up the year a lot happier than I started out, although some people do question this as I'm not one of those people that is outwardly smiling all of the time, more introvert, than extrovert  I've made some new friends, met some wonderful people at my work who make me laugh  on a daily basis, and yeah I'm really looking forward to 2015).

All up I've had a good year.....I love my job.  I was out for dinner with one of my new found friends last week just before Christmas, and I said to him that I never thought I would find a job that I love, and I do like driving trams......who knew!!  It's so nice to go to work every day knowing that you like what you do.....I had a week off before Christmas, and by the end of the 8 days off, I was looking forward to going back to work....so that says something.

I guess the only thing that has disappointed me a little is the neglect of dover & madden so to speak.  My time is now spent focusing on my full time job, it does take a lot of my time....I'm at work for at least 9 hours every day, or 5/6 days a week, and I'm pretty much exhausted still, both physically and mentally when I get home, so d&m stuff now gets left or ignored a lot....although I am pattern writing and it does look as if my next pattern(s) will be out by the end of January.

Anyway I'm off to work now, I guess for the first time in a few years I'll be out on NYE albeit working.  I'll leave you with some of my favourite images from this year.

Happy New Year to you all, may 2015 be everything you wish it to be.

Be happy, be healthy and most of all be kind.


Vicki x

Time keeps on Slippin'

I never intended to stay away for so long......and now it's marching on towards Christmas.  I've been in my job now for 6 months, where has the time gone?

Once again this blog post sees me with no news, or progression on pattern writing.  Full time work is really just that.....full time, with what always seems as no let up.  Trying to always catch up on sleep before catching up with anything, anyone or anybody!

I have made one decision that has turned out to be a good one.....a cleaner.  This has freed up a little bit of time for me and for the first time in what seems like months, I have started to finish some long overdue knitting as well as just knitting items, because I can.  Also a large stash of white Fuzzy Wuzzy came my way via Canada, so I spent a few nights knitting up little Kitty Kat hats....some of which are still available in my Etsy store.....there will be some more to come as I have a lot of this yarn to knit down.

I also spent a considerable amount of what little time I had throwing, donating, gifting and selling off furniture, clothes, books and crockery, as well as throwing years of long held sentimental items.....I just felt it was time to let all of these things go.  I've refreshed some of these items.....new sofa,  bed, chairs, storage for my stuff as well as wool and some new bed linen(s), with a few more things to come, but it is true what they say, you do feel lighter when you're not smothered in stuff and clutter......well I do anyway, and it was a good decision in the end.  Even though it sort of didn't feel totally right at the time.

The only other thing I've done is to put up the Christmas tree......a new 3ft white tree, that sits of the side table filled with beautiful vintage ornaments that I've been buying and stashing over the last few years.....these ornaments weren't cheap but they are so lovely so I figured I needed to get a few extra weeks out of the tree.

Well that's all my news, I promise I won't stay away for too long next time.....fingers crossed the next post will be all about 2 new hat patterns....Purdey bonnet and Purdey earflap......which leads me to say as well how overwhelmed I've been with current pattern purchases.....Clover seems still to be the pattern of the moment, and I just marvel at the beauty of them all when I look at Instagram.....there is literally 100's of them using the tag #cloverearflaphat......so thank you to all who have purchased a pattern or two and I hope you'll all get just as much joy out of Purdey when it's out just before Christmas.

Thanks again


Vicki x

Winter Blues......

Well more like Winter browns.......It's been a little while since my last blog post but news is very slim....that's not a bad thing, no news is good news!

I've been work work working, of the tram driving variety and still not much of the wool based variety.  I don't know about anyone else but when you're not doing wool based work and you've previously had time to do lots of it, or at least find a small window of opportunity in every day, you sort of feel a little sad.....I know I do.  I miss it a lot.

I have started just knitting some little jumpers, sweaters and cardis for friends young ones, but a row or two a night is all I get to do....whereas once upon a time, I could have a jumper finished in a day or two.....ahhhhh!!  And don't get me started on the lack of crochet output, that's really taken a back seat.

Anyway I have got as far as getting all my wonderful photographers colour choices for the upcoming Purdey pattern, and pattern writing will commence on Sunday, come hell or high water.  I still have the end of September in my sights for a release.

Anyway again as I don't have much to tell, I'll leave you with some images I took when walking around my hood.....I sit on my backside most of the day so it's nice to get out and stretch my legs.....and also I hadn't picked up the camera in what seems like an age, so it was nice to be a bit snap happy.......You can definitely see the seasonal changes where I live.....everything is a bit brown at the moment, but Spring is in the air.

Hope you're all well.

Vx

Tracks.....

I hadn't meant to be away for so long, but time has just gotten away......June and July have completely flown by with little going on around here other than work of the full time variety and not the wool based variety.

I was saying to a colleague the other day that I don't remember any of my other full time jobs taking up as much time as this one I've just started.  I think it has something to do with the mental tiredness that is still overwhelming......so therefor when I get home, I haven't got the capability or the want of picking up wool based projects.  Lolling around has become a big part of my day when I'm not working!! 

I've got as far as just about finishing the Keaton winners hats and that's all.  Once they're done I'll be working on the next pattern.  The fact that I have no other knitting projects or orders for anyone should hopefully make pattern writing this time quite quick.......Fingers crossed!!

Anyway I really don't have much more news, I just wanted to pop by so you don't think I'm truly neglectful....it's not just my blog that has fallen by the way side, it's also FB, Instagram and Pinterest, but I promise that things will resume back to wool based news very shortly.

Hope you're all well.

Vx

KEATON WINNERS

Hi All,

I'll make this quick and hopefully be back with a long overdue post in the coming days......I'm officially a tram driver and now driving without a trainer.....and all seems great.  What I really wanted to do was to thank the 33 people that entered the giveaway, some here and some on Facebook.  There were 2 winners as promised. I used random.org to generate the two numbers and No 2 is Jemima who entered here via the blog.  I'll leave it to Jemima to contact me at doverandmadden@optusnet.com.au so we can organise your custom hat.  The other winner was a FB entrant who has claimed her prize over there.

Thanks for all your lovely well wishes about my new career.....so far so good.....Ding Ding!!

Vx

Update, Competition & Hello.......

Hi......it feels like an age since I was last here.  My social media posts have been few and far between as I move into my last week of Tram Driver training with an on board trainer before my last exam next week.  My days have really just been a complete blur of study and concentration on another level, tiredness that I never contemplated.....all brought on by mental fatigue......I don't think I've ever slept so well in my life and let me tell you sleep becomes the most important thing ever!

I've also learnt that eating well and exercise are paramount in a job that requires 100% focus at all times......hopefully that focus may roll over in to my procrastination of all things wooly and stop me jumping from one WIP to another!!.......Somehow I don't think it will.

I continue to knit my way through the last half dozen hat orders.  My days off like today are dedicated to knitting all day to get these completed.....I figure at the moment the housework can wait.....as long as I have a clean uniform for work, that's the main thing.

I've had a few queries already about releasing more patterns.....the answer is yes.  I have a baby blanket or two in the planning for the next patterns.  I just wanted a little break from the hats for now.....fingers crossed the blanket patterns will be completed by mid July.....and then I'll start working on my next hat pattern.

I still continue to be amazed at how well my patterns have been received.  Norwegians, Danes, Swedes and the French continue to knit my patterns at an amazing rate, and looking at so many of your little knitted d&m hats on Ravelry and blogs, makes me smile.

So that leads me to a KEATON competition that I promised......I am quite happy to knit 2 completed KEATON beanies for 2 lucky winners in colours and size of their choice from the colours I have in stock.

Keaton comes in 5 sizes so you are not limited to kids sizes if you win. You may want a beanie for yourself.  You can also have the choice of having it with a pom pom or without.  I'll happily send the completed beanies anywhere in the world.....as the competition is open to everyone.

All you have to do to enter is to either join my blog, like my Facebook page and do one other thing and that is to like one of the great photographers Facebook pages that have assisted me with Keaton photographs amongst others Sarah Brown Photography  and Lamb loves Fox

Sunday.......

Sunday.   It's so nice to wake up to a little bit of rain.  We're still receiving unseasonal warm weather here in Melbourne......and I'm talking T-Shirts and in some cases shorts (not me of course)......This week so the weather report says, should see Winter finally kick in, and I for one can't wait. 

Sorry it's been so un-newsworthy around these parts.  I've settled into the routine of my new full time job, and to say I've been mentally shattered is an understatement.  At the moment we're doing theory and my brain has gone into melt down.  Overloaded with information all in a good way, but in my mid-40's and not having done any real study since High School, I'm finding it hard to find my focus, therefore when I get home in the evening I'm reading, re-reading and re-reading again and again.

In between I'm trying to do some orders.....weekends for the time being have become quite precious, it's the only time that allows me to get my knit sticks out and I miss it......after being at home unemployed for 12 weeks, I've realised that I didn't make that good a use of my time......kicking myself now.

It's 9am on a Sunday morning as I write this post......my job for today.  2 hat orders to complete, an hour of study and a clean kitchen.  Better get to it.

My posts are going to become a little less frequent for the next month or so, whilst my further 5 weeks of study continue.....by that stage I'm sure I'll be itching for some creative woolly crochet business.

Thanks for stopping by.


Take care

Vx
 

Sauntering....

I sauntered off to the supermarket this morning.....it was too beautiful not to.  Just when we thought Winter was on our doorstep here in Melbourne....a week of 20+ temperatures beckon....sunshine and warmth....it's like the Indian Summer came back!!  I have the best walk to my local supermarket.....I do have one literally 100 metres up the road, but since I've been unemployed I've been walking to the bigger one around 20 minutes away and every time I walk it on a day like today I realise how great my hood is!

So the 20 minute walk to the supermarket and the 20 minutes back turned into 120 minutes....but it was worth it!


Cheers

Vx

Keaton....

My little Keaton Slouch Beanie is for sale.....yes I know for those of you that are in the Northern Hemisphere, you're pulling out your swim suits and shorts......but down here in Australia....we're rugging up!!

Anyway new little hat is available as a PDF download.....Ravelry only offers single downloads with no discounted rate, but over at Etsy there are combo deals for 2 & 3 patterns.

Keaton is available for a 12M toddler through to an adult....I gave my Keaton that I made myself on the weekend away to one of the photographers for my first adult photo shoot....oh I loved that hat.  Will just have to make myself another one or two.  Links for patterns are over at the side of the page.

I'm off to bed....it's late and I'm officially starting work on Thursday.....need to get the old body clock back on a 9-5 timeframe!!

Cheers

Vx

Jumping For Joy......

Little Lamb from Lamb Loves Fox jumping for joy.....She knows dover & madden's Keaton beanie pattern will be available on Wednesday at Etsy and Ravelry.

Etsy will have discounts for 2 & 3 pattern deals.  Ravelry only has single pattern purchases.  I'll let you know when it's ready to go.

Oh and I'm jumping for joy.....I start my new job on Thursday.


Have a good week.

Vx

Autumn Afternoons......

Today was just an Autumn afternoon out of the box, so much so I thought I should embrace the brilliance of it all.  Over to Albert Park Lake, up to the Aquatic Centre, back home via Middle Park, and just because I couldn't resist, I had to photograph the Pamela Anderson house.....yes it's a house.  Used to belong to a celebrity of sorts I guess, well he was an ex footballer from the 1970's....its now been sold several times over I believe, but no-one's been game to cover her up.....the house is sort of iconic really....everyone knows her!

I've also got some news on my little Keaton Beanie.....pattern hopefully should be available next week.....I've now extended the pattern through to an adult hat as well.....the little hats also turned up at Lamb Loves Fox HQ....and here is a little sneak peak.  You'll find the pattern here on Ravelry when it's ready to go.

That's it from me..... Vx

Colourfully Bored.....

You know you've got way too much time on your hands and you're starting to get a little bit bored after 8 weeks of unemployment and you start colour coding your bookshelves!!  It did end up serving a couple of purposes.  One was to sort and throw, lots of rubbish on those shelves let me tell you, years of junk....the other was just to make it look a little more fun, although the downside is I can't find a single thing.

All the DVD sets have been broken up, books that used to be sorted by category, such as craft and cooking....no longer, and CD's are all out of alphabetical order so I can't find anything.  I haven't even touched the black and white spined books yet.....I'm doing that today.  It did take forever and it will always be a work in progress....I've found a few more red spined books, which means moving everything down a bit.....maybe I'll just save that for another day.

Anyway, just as I was finishing up yesterday, I had some brilliant news......the job that I talked about here & here....the one with job security and all those other things that will serve me well as someone in her mid 40's......I got!!!  I'm back in the workforce on the 15th May.   You'll never guess what I'm going to be.....a Tram Driver, well a trainee Tram Driver for the interim......For those people that live, work, know and have travelled to Melbourne, know that we have a system of trams on our public transport network....well I'll be learning to ding ding that bell!!  One of a small percentage of women drivers, so I'm so excited....the days of working in offices and putting up with the sometimes bullshit that goes with it are over.....I'll get to see some of the beauty of Melbourne whilst doing my job.....and probably some of the seedier side as well!!

So I'm finishing up a few more orders I took, trying to get the Keaton Beanie pattern out....although Australia Post seem to have lost a parcel of hats for one of the photographers I use so that is an issue in itself.....and now just relishing the last 2 weeks I have left before a new chapter begins.

It's been an interesting process being unemployed.....money has been very tight, and I've suddenly realised that there are a lot of things I thought I could never do without, now I've realised I can.  As much as I have hated being unemployed it has taught me well, and for that I will be grateful, some lessons have been learnt.....I've also taken a keen interest in this blog Inked in Colour.....Sash and her daughter are spending no money of life's luxuries for 12 months.....it gave me some tips and inspiration whilst money just wasn't there.

Anyway that's my week really, I'm off to do some work and finish those shelves!


Enjoy your weekend.

Vx
 

Ps...I've just sorted the red book issue whilst looking at the photos....that rainbow book with the coloured spine....it's coming out to make way for the reds....maybe it can settle itself down with the greens on bottom shelf!!

Keaton is Coming......

I've pushed forward a new hat ...... Little Keaton should be ready in pattern form in around 12 days.....fingers crossed......Here is a little sneak peek....my first beanie.

There is a little more information here on Ravelry....but stay tuned.


Vx

Cardigans.....

Cardigan Hand Knitted Love over Easter, that's all.

Vx