A Little Anniversary Break

It was our 20th Anniversary on Wednesday and since we haven't had a holiday for probably 10 years, decided to spoil ourselves at Somewhere Unique at Wollombi. Only 2 hrs drive and a very lovely spot.

A very relaxing few days was had, very much needed with a teenager not working and forever needing money for dancing and hubby trying to set up business full time. She does wish to make a career of out it, but classes were seeming to become an excuse not to get a job. I suppose I've been a bit soft allowing her to follow her dreams. But now being 18 she really get some work experience and show how much she wants this dream. Anyway a kind friend gave her the funds to complete tickets to be a Stop /Slow sign person and we made it clear that you do not look a gift horse in the mouth and that she may need to sacrifice some classes to get some money together if she wishes to study full time. So courses are booked and we will go to the NSW Uni Open Day as well as ACPE which also offers Bachelor of Dance Ed.

Wollombi also has a Wool Store, lovely little shop in  a historic setting with top class yarn , Biggan , Jo Sharp, Filatura Di Crossa, Misti Alpaca and Noro etc. They have a full range of Addi and Knit Pro needles ( can see my Addi Click Set expanding). Lovely ladies and a web store to be open very shortly . Spoilt myself to this

Centolavaggi by  Filatura Di Crossa , it is devinely soft lace weight merino, and sets my challenge to myself to knit a lace shawl
Thinking of either Annis or Travelling Woman being first attempt at a lace shawl, but open to suggestions.

First Challenge to finish The Burnham Wood Capelet

A Birthday Cupcake

I have a friend at work named Joy (very aptly) she has a bright and bubbly personality. Her laughter from the other end of this office always brings a smile to my face and brightens my day. She loves bright colours, so I made her a  bright cupcake hat for her birthday. Enlarged this pattern.

Cadet Hat a Success and another Cupcake

Burnham Wood Capelet

So picked up the Capelet again, worked out where I was at, and then discovered why I put it down. Mistake in cable, so had to frog a few rows. Actually not that far to go but an increase of 100 stitches , 10 every 4 rows. Nothing more complicated to do. Just lacking concentration due to virus, luckily no infections , just feel lethargic with a persistent dry cough. Hubby came down with bad chest infection which set off his asthma, DD a head cold, so affecting people in different ways.

Hat Pics

The Cadet Hat complete, not sure how the peak will sit, no one to practice on. The cupcake finished but my friend ended up with an ectopic pregnancy so not a good idea to give at the moment. Not sure about the bee hat but a lady at work may like for her first grandchild expected soon. Working on a toddler size cupcake now. Enjoying just making them up as i go along , obviously inspired by lots of other people's work, but trying to work out hoe things are for myself. Thinking I really need to go back to Burnham Wood Capelet, it's  going to be a challenge to work out where I got up too, but could use my new Addis on it :-)

More little Hats

Have done another strawberry as work friend requested to give to a friend who just had a premmie baby.
Working on another cupcake for the lady who made my daughter's birthday cake, she was going to put as decoration for her work desk, but has just found out she is pregnant with her 2nd, so may get used yet. Will do another for my BF's daughter as well, and have had interest in a adult size one.  Want to make this for the the little son of the lady who made the cake, she wouldn't accept what I thought the cake was worth so I said she'll just have accept some knitted items to make up for it.

My Baby Girl is 18

My girl turned 18 today. So very proud of the beautiful caring young woman she is.

Good news for her last Friday , she has got a job working for a company delivering fitness training to primary school students. The unemployment issue as been a bone of contention for awhile (our only one , so can't complain too much). This enables her to continue with all her dancing being school hours. Just waiting to see how much work she will get when timetables are done.

Personally, my birthday presents finally arrived a week late, an Addi Click Interchangeable Needle Set and fully adjustable craft stand. Would have loved the Symphonie Rose Set by Knit Pro as they are very pretty, but reviews seem to indicate the Addi's were better to use, so went that way. With 18th Party organising haven't had time to try out yet.

If you're in Sydney and looking for party catering and like Pizza I can thoroughly recommend http://www.basickneadspizza.com.au. A lovely young couple and lovely pizzas, very good to deal with.

This is my daughter's cake, a friend at work took on this challenge with only months experience under her belt, needless to say we think she's awesome.