My mum went to Japan and she bought me....

My mum went to Hong Kong and did a side trip to Tokyo with my aunty in May so I took this opportunity to get her to check out the crafty stuff. Normally whenever mum goes to Hong Kong, she would get me some little things that she knew I would like or need. I went to visit mum last week (she lives in QLD) with just a carry-on bag and came back with a checked in luggage!

This time, she got me this from Japan

and this,

and this,

 I know this looks pregnant like but it isn't when it is on, quite nice with leggings and boots...

and these!

The amigurumi books are cutest! The shoes are god sent as my current ones are just about had it and being a size 5, there aren't many choices. The two kits are really for mum and a girl never has enough crochet hooks (I didn't have these sizes) and the bag is just something that came with a magazine.

and these are Hong Kong

I love the enviro bags and there are just so many more choices there! Some yarn shop had a sale on so mum picked these up for me - how does she know what I needed?

I am so lucky huh..... I can't wait to rip open the bag kits, make some pom poms and for warmer weather to come so I can wear them tops!

Until next time...

BON JOVI LIVE ON STAGE: THE CIRCLE TOUR

http://www.showbiz.com.au/bonjovi/default.html

I got an email notifying me that Bon Jovi is touring in Australia later in the year so I thought I would click on it to check out the details. Oh dear, I nearly fell off the sofa... they are doing pre-sale promotion and the two "packages" available are $766.88 and $812.89!

The last Bon Jovi concert I went to was in 1995 at the end of my 3rd year of uni. Needless to say it was a lot cheaper then than today! Hmm... I can't help thinking that I won't be going to this year's concert.

Until next time...

Sockie success!

One sock done, another one to go. It is a bit bumpy and holey but I did it by knooking no less so I am pretty excited about this. The yarn I have used here is Patons Merino Deluxe DK in Chestnut colour. It is nice and warm. At the start I was worried that it was getting bigger and bigger as I was still getting used to the technique but it turned out to be the right size for me! Phew... Well, the challenge now is to make the 2nd one the same - I tend to have this nasty habit of making the "2nd one" different, be it the 2nd arm, 2nd leg or 2nd ear... Anyway, I will give it a go, especially now that I have nutted out the steps for a whole sock thanks to the Knooking group on Raverly.

The plan after this test run is to make a pair for hubby using the new Cleckheaton Country Silk 8 ply yarn I bought recently. Hopefully I will be quicker then.

Until next time... 

My first sock... knooking in process

After a couple of goes, my first sock is finally looking like a sock! I am even happier that I am knooking the sock - thanks to the lovely people in the Knooking group on Raverly. I do need to practise on the tension as the sock seems to be getting bigger but I am confident that it will fit hubby.

My first swatch

Not the SWATCH watch, I had them when I was a youngster. I am talking about a swatch in knitting terms. I made my first swatch using the knooking stitches today with the new knit pro interchangeable hook and cable. They are easier than I thought and happy that I picked them up as quickly as I did. Woohoo!

I dare say I have got the knit and purl stitches ok and keen to try making something now....

Some new purchases

Morris and Sons have been on sale since the start of this month... I have been so good but I finally couldn't help myself and stopped by this week.

I was pretty restrained as I would have got a lot more stuff. I have been eyeing the knit pro interchangeable crochet hooks for some time now (ever since I discovered knooking) so with the sales, these hooks are 20% off! The Cleckheaton Country Silk 8 ply was a surprise buy as I wasn't intending to buy anymore yarn but they were such a great deal, how could I possibly leave them behind (I got a pack of them for less than $35!

So I am planning to learn how to make some socks. I am still too chicken to make a garment for human although I have been looking at some cute tunic tops on Ravelry, one day I will pluck up enough courage to make a top for myself.

Hopefully I have done more crafty things this weekend!

ps - the kitchen renovation started this week and I have been taking pictures but still deciding if I should blog as we go or when we finish so we have before and after shots (I will sleep on that one for now)

More hair clips

I found these little clips in a 2 dollar shop the other day and I thought they would be perfect for my crochet flowers. They were only $1 for a pack of 10 - what a bargain!

A new look for my blog

Blogger has some templates so I thought I would try them out. I am quite proud that I managed to incorporate a different font to what are on offer. I hope it shows up okay on a different browser! I also need help with putting my little "logo" back but I am pretty happy with how it looks for now.

Super models

Meet my super models!!

The look of their faces really made my day!

Gone mad...about crochet flowers

Well this week, I have gone a little mad about crochet flowers and the result is this:

and this:

then these:

It all started last Sunday afternoon when I had finished one project (Woof Woof) and didn't want to start anything big cause the weekend was coming to a close. I looked at the Hello Kitty I made and thought I'd try another flower pattern, and another, and another....

So much fun - I think I will keep going. These flowers are easy to make and they are quick! Also I have found that I get to use different stitches which let me practice my crocheting skills. On the top of that there are few projects in the back of my mind bubbling away as I am still trying to work them out, making these flowers relaxes me. I want to have a go at making other hair accessories too - especially since the hot glue gun was nice to me today.

It did cross my mind that I don't have a little girl (the human kind) at home to make these things for but I have a few friends who do plus we have little nieces I can send these things to so all is not a waste!

Until next time, take care and blog soon!