Spring porch sneak peak

All winter I've been dreaming about our spring porch. Now don't get me wrong I really LOVE winter in Canberra....as someone who was born in the tropics it is an absolute treat to me every year to HAVE to wear tights, gloves, scarves and of course own several proper coats.

But since our move in May I've been scheming, plotting and planning what our "porch" should look like, and for the last few months we've been steadily working towards it. Fingers crossed with another long weekend looming we'll have it done and all will be revealed.

On the sticks AGAIN!

Well friends I think I've finally managed it....to knit something that is.

You may recall my previous attempt at mastering this elusive craft last year. Well despite some initial enthusiasm and encouragement from crafty friends, I made poor progress past this little swatch. Casting on was still presenting great problems to me. It was just always loose and untidy. My actual knitting stitches on the other hand, were if I say so myself rather neat and tidy.

So I reverted back to a single needle cast on and voila. The other change that I made was following some sage advice from Kuka, I went for a 10-ply which I found much easier to start with.

So in the space of two evenings I have constructed the back of this little number (sorry for the blurry shot) and am spurred on to finish it so the girl-child can be wearing this over late winter and into spring. I will review the book that this pattern is from over the weekend.

Manifesto

Trust me when I say that limited time blogging of late has NOT meant limited computer time....it's just that I'm feeling a bit uninspired by myself and need to perve into other bloggers lives which just seem a little better than mine at the minute.

...not to worry for 40 or so USD on Etsy I can own this manifesto and tap into my core beliefs on good days...

...or this one for those not so good days...

BTW- I'm just fiddling with new blog designs, might help me with my mojo - what do you think?

Hausfrau Hiatus

First things first....a HUGE apology for the lag time since my announced "give away" and the draw....but not to draw it out any longer....by means of scrunched up pieces of paper in an empty tissue box and a quick draw by the girl child - the winner is Danielle. I'll try and send you a message through the ether but if you read this first can you please email me suzyhausfrau@gmail.com with your mailing details.

Secondly, there has been hausfrauness around here - a bit sporadic but nontheless there has been some....the first show and tell I have is a little crochet winter hat for the girl child. The pattern is on Ravelry and available as a free download. I did make a couple of changes. The first was to decrease every other row or so to get a more bucket shap, and secondly I didn't add the flowers as I was after a very toddler chic look....

Winter skirt

Over the last two weekends I made up this wintry wooly skirt. This is me posing before work today!

I searched around for a VERY basic pencil skirt pattern: no waistband, two side seams, a couple of darts and a zipper. I found this one from Burda Style (then BWOF) 02/09 Style 128 which was originally meant for lace pattern, but I think it did the job admirably.

It was quicker to sew than cut out, and the whole thing from start to finish would have taken two or so hours, except the overlocker had to go see the mechanic in the middle, It didn't survive being "washed" with milk too well apparently.

So details of the pattern again will be on my sidebar via Sewing Pattern Review...but things I learnt from sewing this are:
1. Using a walking foot for the wool boucle - worth it
2. Other recommendations from Sandra Betzina's Fabric Savvy such as the side seams and hem - worth it
3. Adding a touch of lace edging to the bottom of the lining - not necessary, but worth it
4. Comments from work colleagues all day - priceless!

...and don't forget to put your comments over here for a chance to win one of my bib sets in a giveaway...

Happy 100 Suzy!

Wow! I've reached the bloggerstone of 100 posts...and to celebrate I'm having my very first giveaway!

I'm giving away one set of these three unisex infant bibs . Leave a comment on this post and I'll use one of those random blogger tools to pick the winner. Just make sure you leave your comment by midnight Sunday 6th June (Australian Eastern Standard time)....

I know I've been a bit quiet of late, but I haven't been idle and I'll be sharing lots in the next few weeks.

Across the great divide...

I know a bit dramatic...but it REALLY felt like it.

Yup, we've spent the last month moving house...the problem was that in my (say that our) mind we're still at uni, driving from dig to dig with the rolled up futon in the front seat, so moving takes like a weekend or less.

Yup, we're deluded! Moving with two kids really sux! AND it takes WAY longer than a weekend!

...and I'm rather disappointed to report that I no longer sleep on a futon.

PS: picture flogged from someone....better cite it.