Kainga, where Roses bloom, life is lived at a gentler pace.Living Simply, doing all those good things like stitching, gardening, cooking and reading.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

"News from Kainga."

Hello,

A while back I found a wonderful blog with unusual crochet patterns. There are also knitting patterns if you are interested. I got very inspired and went and purchased ten balls of yarn. Let me just say that the yarn I used I would never use again. It was a bit hard and the blanket doesn't feel as soft as I would like. I used some of the cheapo yarn from the $2.00 plus shop in town. Some of the ladies from the crochet group had been using it and were loving working with it. I am glad I used it all up. I will be spending more money on yarn next time.


The pattern is called "Shell and V Stitch round ripple blanket" 


Not knowing how big the blanket would end up I was hoping and praying whilst doing the last round.  I ran out of yarn just 8 trebles from the end. I left it overnight. Then the next day decided to not purchase more yarn and just undo that final round and do a row of double crochet around the edge.  I ended up with 54 rounds of pattern and the final double crochet row. So the blanket is quite big.


I also made another "Kiwi" inspired Toiletry Bag. This one has the waterproof lining. I made the bag according to the size of the fabric I had. Great to use up the whole piece of fabric.


Now I have had this fabric in the stash for many years. When I bought the material I made a bag out of it.  So I got to and  made it into three tea towels. Let me say they have been put to good use since they have been made.


The embroidery machine has been put to work. I made two bookmarks. These are stitched out onto stabiliser that washes out so you are left with a beautiful bookmark.Great for popping into a Christmas card.


We had a wonderful Christmas day, spending a fair amount of time in the pool and inside in the air conditioner. Temperatures  since Christmas have been 41 and above. I think we are having 44 next Monday. Boxing Day saw us drop David of at the Airport. He and his friend Sav are Backpacking through Asia for the next month. We will be having another Christmas next month as Ainsley was working on site up north for Christmas Day so when she gets back we will have a special lunch with Ainsley and Julian.

With all this hot weather we have been experiencing our walking routine has been right out of whack  Seeing there was nothing to watch on TV last night Ian and I decided to go for a  walk at 7.30 pm. I only put on thongs because it was so hot and it would only be a short walk. Well we got to the bottom of the hill. Decisions were made Left or Right. We decided to go right as the next street we had to turn into was easier to walk down than up. We were walking along looking at Christmas lights on the other side of the street when I felt something go over my right foot.  I looked down expecting to see a weed. No it was a snake. My worst nightmare. Lucky I didn't step onto it. It slid over the footpath up a property owner's storm water pipe.I now realise this is how they end up in people's bathrooms. It was only very thin but about two feet long. I decided that the walk was over and and had a shower to wash of those snake germs. I will be wearing closed in shoes all the time even if it is going to be 44. Lesson well learnt.

Happy days.
Bev C

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

h what a shock i think i would have fainted when i saw that snake,glad it didnt bite you Bev.xx

Astrid said...

That's a lovely crochet pattern. Crocheting has never been my thing, except granny squares. :) Lovely bookmarks too and yes, why not turn some fabrics into tea towels. Not sure I had liked to meet a snake on my walk... We have had a few inside the kitchen, but fortunate they are harmless, not poisonous. Gosh! It's hot your side! We have about +30C with high humidity.
Enjoy the last days of the Holiday Season!

Christine M said...

Your blanket looks lovely. How disappointing for you though that the yarn wasn't very nice to work with. Lucky you weren't bitten Bev. Eeek! Luckily we haven't seen any around our place (yet). Once I found a baby snake in our kitchen/dining room. It was lucky that I saw it as it wrapped itself around Ginger's water bowl. We never found any other babies or the mother.

Dolores said...

Lovely blanket. Too bad about the yarn though. Bookmarks are always handy to have and I really don't think I could survive in those temperatures - never mind coming upon a snake during a walk.

Lounging with a Latte said...

Oh Bev, I can't imagine what that must have felt like having a snake go over your foot...I would have been washing their germs off in the shower for ages!! Glad it didn't bite you.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Lovely crochet. I am still eeking at the thought of 'Joe Blake' slithering over your foot. Big shower I would have thought.

marina said...

My goodness thankfully that snake only slithered over your foot!
glad you have had a great Christmas.

Simone de Klerk said...

Lovely projects you have been working on. Gulp. A snake. Just reading it already makes me shiver.
Have a lovely third Christmas day.

Maria said...

Like all the others, the thought of a snake sliding over my foot absolutely appals me...even just reading about it!
The blanket is lovely too! Some of the ladies in my knitting group 'swear' by using shampoo and conditioner to wash knitted garments etc that are a bit rough. They reckon it works every time.Worth a try perhaps??

barb's creations said...

Love the colour of your blanket,know all bout cheap wool (although mine wasn't that cheap) as I've been working on my red and white ripple for most of this year and finally washed it and the red bled so now I have a red and slightly pink tinged blanket now....not happy Jan and no amount of washing etc can change the outcome :(
EeEEek a snake! I'd have been in the shower washing those snake germs off for ages,how frightening for you! :) Barb.

Fiona said...

Oh Bev... I'm so scared of snakes.... aaaaaargg....
love the blanket...pity about the yarn ..... I'm sure your son will have a lot of fun and lucky you getting an extra Christmas...
Hugz

Wendy said...

Your new blanket is beautiful, lovely design. I don't think I would like to see snakes when walking too! Thankfully we don't have to worry about them in NZ! Wendy xx

Karen said...

Noooooo!! Not a snake! i am so pleased you are okay and were not bitten!
Love the crochet project and the embroidery!
NO MORE SNAKES!

Nicky said...

Your blanket is gorgeous Bev, I love both the colour and the design. 'One day' I must learn to crochet! When I hear stories like yours, I am grateful to live in a place without snakes and other bitey creatures!! Glad to hear no harm done....

Anthea said...

The blanket design is lovely Bev & you've done a great job of it.
Oh just the thought of that snake is giving me the creeps, blah!!
Hope your son has a great time travelling and stays safe & sensible. x

Sue said...

Keep cool Bev. I'm glad your Christmas was great.

Terriaw said...

Looks like you've kept busy and enjoyed a nice Christmas holiday. Of all people to have a s@#A%& go over their foot, it had to be you! Ugh! I would have screamed and shivered. How lucky for David to get to spend a month backpacking through Asia!

Lynda said...

Wow, that's hot! And you're still keeping so busy. I need to have a look for some bookmark designs - they look wonderful.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

OMG Bev what a shock but good idea to wear closed in shoes next time...Boy you are having it hot...we lately are lucky to get anything over 25 (sigh)...I need hot sunny days for a swim as I am a wuss! Love your blanket colour too!

trishie said...

Glad to hear the snake didn't bite you. That's must have been a scary experience.

Happy New Year! x

Unknown said...

Great to meet another crafter who has the same interests :)) I am an ex Sandgroper, from down Freo way.. 41 is getting a little to hot for me nowadays..So pleased you didn't step on the snake,they terrify me ..

Happy crafting to you all :))

Tanya Murray said...

Thanks for stopping by and saying Hi. I love meeting new bloggers and seeing what they are up to in their neck of the wood, and yours is certainly very crafty and some great ideas for Christmas (or anytime really) presents.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Beautiful crochet and wonderful ideas with your embroidery machine. Watch out for those snakes! Wishing you a very blessed New Year!

Sharon said...

Oh my! I can picture myself jumping and screaming if a snake went over my bare foot! So glad you didn't get bit!! Your projects are all so adorable!!