Holidays

Can't believe that I have been at my full time job for 12 months.  It really does seem like yesterday when I started.  I am on annual leave at the moment, all 38 blissful days.....I decided not to go away this year, so 5.5 weeks at home is quite challenging but I have managed to fill in the first 3 weeks quite easily.

Cooking, cleaning, knitting, coffee with friends, dinner with friends, catching up with family both in the country and by the sea, going to see my football team play, exercising, sleeping.....lots and lots of sleeping, shopping.....lots of shopping, pattern writing and just generally enjoying not working.

I've put together a whole bunch of photos I've taken whilst on hols, some on my DSLR, some on my phone, some snatched from my Instagram account, some snatched from others on Facebook.....thank you Lamb Loves Fox and thank you Kris.

And if you are waiting patiently for Purdey pattern to come along.....your wait is going to be a little longer.  Kris who does all my desk top publishing for all of my patterns, had an early arrival.  Welcome to the world Pippa Mae.  Purdey has been put back till Kris is ready, and I think this little bundle of gorgeousness is a valid excuse, don't you?

Victoria x

Put Your Right Foot In........

Baby Legwarmers as I call these.....stashing these gorgeous little long boots for some gifts for upcoming mothers.....I'm addicted to making them, although I have taken on a couple of international orders and still in the midst of pattern writing so I've had to stop myself from making a second pair.....and I'm mucking around with the sizing as well, want to make some of these for bigger bubs.  You'll find the pattern here and my pair here with some additional notes and amendments I made to the pattern.  What do you think, cute?


Bye, Vx

And Then There Were Four......

Busy knitting prototypes of Purdey bonnets & earflap hats......Subtle sizing changes mean a whole re-knit just to check.....and check again!  Luckily all these prototypes will go to photographers for modelling and sizing checks.  It looks like both patterns will go past my toddler age bracket and should hopefully fit up to or close to a 10 year old which is great for those who have young children & there will be 4 sizes in both hat patterns.

I've contacted my typist, formatter and desktop publisher and she'll start typing up the basic notes of the first Purdey pattern this weekend whilst I start taking the step by step photos.  I don't think we'll be finished by the end of January as promised but I should have the earflap hat well on the way.....that will be the first Purdey pattern as it's unisex whereas the bonnet is more female orientated......it seemed logical to do the hat  that all can use first.

Anyway just a little update for you all, it's back to the knitting for me and all the pretty colours!

Happy New Year by the way, hope you're all well into the swing of 2015.

Vx

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

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

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

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

Cardigans.....

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

Vx

Popping In.....

Thought I'd drop by and let you know I'm still here......Quite sick with a shocking cold that I can't seem to shake off, but still here.

I've been bunkering down at home the majority of the time with chicken soup and good wholesome hearty food to try and beat this dreaded lurgy.....10 days I've had it for now, and it is showing no signs of leaving!!

I have zip, zilch, zero news of any type so I've just popped up a pretty picture of some knit wear I was packing away to keep nice and clean.....don't you just love, texture and colour, so much love and satisfaction in that little pile of knits I can't tell you.

Anyway I'll be on my way, I've a medical appointment of a different type today, the one where they clamp part of your body in a vice like grip and x-ray.....it's an annual checkup based on family history......always makes me a little anxious though.

Oh and I went and saw The Grand Budapest Hotel last night.....I've heard so many people raving about it, I think I missed the memo, I just fidgeted, looked at my watch and did lots of mind wandering until it was over........But I saw All is Lost last week......bloody brilliant, although I knew there was a reason I hated boats!!

Anyway I'm looking forward to the Easter Break.  For some reason Easter is my favourite holiday, I think it stems from happy holidays as a child.....Happy memories.

Anyway that's it, I'm out of here!!

Enjoy, Vx

Spring Forward......Fall Back

I always use the American analogy of the seasonal change of clocks going forward and back....Spring Forward, Fall back......The clocks are finally going back this week, so Autumn is officially here....the leaves are changing, the late afternoon sun has that hazy softness about it....the air has got a little bit of a chill in it.....yeah!!

I don't have much news, I just thought I'd pop in to say hi and let you know I'm still officially unemployed....well unemployed in the sense that the job I referred to a few weeks ago, is still buzzing about.....it's a long process.  I had my second interview, which I passed and then this morning I've had a uniform fitting......and a complete medical and drug testing......there is something about weeing  in a cup with a witness watching that I'm never going to get used to!!  I guess if that all comes back ok, then hopefully I will get offered a job, but it still could be a number of months away.  We'll see, but I'm loving my time at home, even if I'm a little bit poorer financially, but a lot fuller in so many other ways.

I've managed to clean my little apartment from top to bottom, it's so ship shape and shiny, which just makes working at home soooooooo much easier.  I've sorted out my yarn stash, I've culled a huge amount of my wardrobe in anticipation of uniform wearing......I've replanted some little annuals for Winter.....the possums came and attacked the herbs again!!  I've got a weekend of knitting orders to finish, and then for the first time in 5 years......yes 5 years I will not have one single order on my books......and I'm half way through writing up my next pattern and I've mended a relationship with a family member, which meant a lot to me.  It's been a busy time.....oh yeah and dealing with a not very happy car, such bad timing, although I'm not driving off to work, so it hasn't been all that painful.....just forking over cash for repairs, has been the more painful part!!

So there you have it......I've been home for 5 weeks now, and I really don't know how I ever fitted work in......but I will say I am looking forward to getting out and about in the working world real soon.....I'll keep you updated.

Anyway I'm going to park my self on the sofa.....I've just had to replace the DVD player, I think it finally got worn out, so I have a few DVD series to commence and looking forward to a quiet weekend.  I hope yours is the same, if that's what you choose.

Vicki x

Camilla......Coming Soon

My next pattern wasn't going to be a hat, but after much consideration, I thought I'd get hats out first...other things later......So coming late April......Camilla Pixie Hat ©.   Here on Ravelry....I'll keep you updated.

Thanks Vx

Little Images

Thank you for your kind wishes about my job situation, I'm keeping everything crossed myself.....Yesterday afternoon, Katherine Heise from Lamb loves Fox sent through some images for me....Her delightful family has been quite unwell so her yummy images were delayed for the front cover of her copy of her Finley Pattern, but wasn't the wait worth it?  Cute as a button her little guy is.

I'd also made a little bonnet from from a Norwegian knitting pattern, that she also photographed.....yesterday was a good day, I love images popping into my Inbox.

I have one final order to complete today, and a few new Clover hat to make for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere Winter to knit.....I feel like the pressure is slightly off now.....oh and 2 blankets to finish which I'll share once they are completed.

Hope you're all well, thanks for stopping by.  I'm going to make the best of our glorious weather today.

ps.  Here are the out takes from Katherine's photo shoot.


Vic x

Testing, Testing, One, Two......Grey

Pattern number 3 is in the works.....and possibly number 4 at the same time.....This one is stumping me a little.  For something that will be quite basic, you need to make sure it does its job.   I have 4ply, 5ply, 8ply and 10ply for testing.  I have wool, shetland wool, alpaca, acrylic wool mix, organic merino for testing......what will I choose, which yarn will work the best......but my colour choice of all grey yarns is summing up my mood this week....I've gone from free and elated, to anxious and upset this week.  Job hunting is a full time job in itself.  I'm sure there is a job out there with my name on it......somewhere!

Vx

Finley....

This little hat pattern will be ready on Wednesday  NOW!!.  Right here Vx

Images courtesy of Sarah Brown Photography