cushion misadventures.

on saturday night, after a long day at work, i FINALLY had enough length on my cushion cover to cast off and sew it together. it was a truly exiting moment, this knitted creation i'd been working on for what seemed like an eternity, would finally resemble what it was meant to!
well that was until i actually got down to sewing it together that is... what a nightmare! it was not how i wanted it to turn out at all! it looked truly heinous and was NOT something i wanted to send to anyone! my dream of this turned into this...




what a nightmare! so i did what any other person in my position would do... had a whinge on twitter, stalked around the house muttering to myself like a crazy person, flopping down on the bed in an exasperated fashion and burying my head under a pillow or two.
after a few deep breaths, i calmed myself enough to think logically and came up with the genius idea to have a lurk of my swap partners blog and that was where inspiration hit!



inspired by her blog, a machine embroidered birdcage motif cushion cover (sans bird, no putting birds on anything here thank you!).
i do hope you like it kirrily! just don't look too closely at the embroidery and construction ok?


i'm off to the post office now, via the deli and the card shop for some lovely goodies to pop in with it!
big thanks to vic for organising everything and making sure that everyone is on track and therefore no one misses out! amazing work!
there's also a page for all the completed cushions here if you want to look at everyones creations!

also, if you've not got much planned tonight and you're in the eastern suburbs (or you like to travel), tonight is the first night of SAY (stitch and yarn), organised by the lovely karen. i'm going to bake some lovely biscuits to take along once i get back from my posting adventures. might see you there!

checking the mailbox.

i love to check the mailbox, especially when things like this can be found in there!
i quite literally started jumping up and down when i could see this large package in my mailbox, i knew exactly what was in it too...



a cushion cover! made especially for me by the lovely miriam! i shoved a cushion in it quick sticks and gave it a big hug! my word, it's VERY soft and cuddly! thanks so much miriam! i LOVE it!
i've popped it on my armchair, where i sit and do most of my knitting and crochet so it'll get sooooooooooo much use!



miriam also popped a little something extra in, this gorgeous concertina book! it looks like it's made from an old story book cover and the paper inside is DIVINE! i'll have to think of something very special to put inside!
thanks again miriam!



now i'd best be off, i've still got a cushion cover to finish and send away myself!
happy hump day!

and we're back.

you know how when you can't do something, you want to do it all the more? that's what i was like yesterday! knowing that i couldn't blog meant that i had about 5 blog posts running around in my head, dying to come out! such is the way of human existence i suppose! anywho, on to the good stuff!

i've been working my little fingers off to desperately try and get lea's blankie all finished and done with and i'm getting pretty excited as it's getting quite close! would you like a look?



i wanted to take the picture measured on the bed, but there was someone in it! in any case, it's the perfect length for me at the moment, i can crochet onto it and it stretches all the way down my legs and over my toes, keeping me nice and toasty.
i think i'm going to try and get at least another 20 rows on it and then start on the edge. very excited to have the end in sight on this project as i have lots more to do this month!

like a cushion! the deadline is creeping up fast and i feel a bit like i'm getting nowhere! can't believe how many people are already finished!



i think i'm almost halfway to having the cushion cover proper done, then i need to crochet for it too! lots of work to go still, and some learning too. i think i'm going to try some buttonholes! figured that would be a good way to keep a cushion insert in (and an excuse to buy/destash some buttons...)

hope your weekend is going well!

may days.

so the inevitable happened, it's may. the days keep trickling by at a rate that is a little alarming.
won't you slow down days?
anywho, what are your plans for may?

my may will be very crafty i think! lots and lots of wooly, crafty things to do, and maybe even some sewing too!
on the creative to-do list this month, lea's blankie (the aim is to have it finished by the end of the month, we'll see how that goes...), more beanies (i finished this one off on the weekend, 3 to go now!), a test knit (which incidentally, is a beanie), some baby presents (one is getting quite close to due, need to pull my finger out...) and finally a cushion (or two).
which reminds me, my giveaway ended on sunday and i was wayyy too peed off at my computer to try and use it (i can't type a thing anymore, not a thing! starting to save for a new one...) so without further ado, the winner is

lyndel!

congratulations to you! i'll be knitting and crocheting (yes, the cushion has both, not great at choosing between the two) you a cushion cover up as well! and look,



i've even made a start! after two tension swatches knitted up on the train, i cast on and managed to get a few rows done too, only 85 cms or so left to knit up, twice ha ha!
yes, i will most definitely be a busy bee this month but for now, i've got to go and be a busy bee in the kitchen. the dishes are piled high and i need some of them to cook dinner. the call of housework *sigh*.
hope your month is a wonderful one!

easter diy.

apparently (well according to bunnings ads...), the easter long weekend is a fantastic time to get some of those diy projects done that you've been putting off.
i think it might have been the (not so subliminal) advertising at work but last night i decided to get in on some of this diy action. i thought i'd make a start on something i've been putting off since we pretty much moved in... the bathroom cabinet (warning: gruesome picture)



yes, that is duct tape. and mold. and some very tacky wallpaper with clear contact over the top.
needless to say it was a NIGHTMARE to strip back. but i got it done. and then i sanded it all and cleaned it! it was a particularly productive night last night... probably would have gotten it all done too, if k-mart still stocked house paint.
in any case, i waited til bunnings was open today and bought some paint and ta-da!



the first coat is done! looks much better in my books. one or two more coats and i'll be able to put everything back in where it belongs (and out of the box in my bedroom...)
the next challenge will be to pretty up the front of the mirror...



yes, more duct tape. by the end of this i think i'll be ready to throttle the person who decided duct tape was a good framing solution. actually i think i'm already there...

i'm off to trawl ravelry for a cushion pattern, to knit or crochet, that is the question?
are you joining in with vic's cushion swap?



sign up is closed now and we've all been sent the address and blog address of the person we're sending our cushion to, i think i might have a bit of a browse of my cushion receiver so i can (hopefully) make one she'll like!

and you know what? because this is my 200th blog post, i'll make you one of you one too!
leave a comment on this post and i'll draw a winner this sunday (1/5) at 8pm. just one comment per person please!
so even if you missed out on the cushion swap sign up, you could still get a cushion!