Now he is six

But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.
A A Milne

Yesterday, my beautiful boy turned six. I can't believe the years have flown by so fast (and am in complete denial about reaching double numbers with his big sister later this year).

We celebrated with some presents,




Lego,




More lego,




And still more lego. I am not sure that the saying 'many hands make light work' applies when it comes to putting Lego together. I am also not sure that Grandad will ever volunteer for that job again.




A Nerf war with friends. Amazing how those darts just vanish....




A gingerbread house instead of a birthday cake.




And because Harry Potter had to make an appearance somewhere, and I always want a handmade by me gift in the mix, a couple of cushions. Heavily inspired by these ones that I saw for sale on Etsy.




I made a Harry one for my niece's birthday and the boy immediately requested his own 'and Malfoy to please mum'. I may have bitten off more than I can chew though, as the small girl has now requested a Dobby cushion.

Happy birthday gorgeous boy!

Making Ripples

A bit more than eighteen months after I started it, my circle-in-a-square blanket is finished. Well, almost finished. There are a few ends still to weave in.





While I still think the one that Jo and I made for our Grandmother a few years ago is stunning, I am quite happy with how this one turned out.




I hold Tania completely responsible for what happened next. As I finished the last of my edging, I looked into my basket and thought there was a fair bit of yarn left. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a ripple blanket started. I really should be further along but I seem to have to unravel two rows for every one I get right. Must pay more attention. This will be the perfect project for an upcoming camping trip.




We are also trialling a new paint colour, having lived with our bright blue walls for about as long as I can stand. We inherited the colour when we moved in, and the photo below really doesn't capture the full horror.




I think the new colour is much more relaxing, or will be when the whole room is done.

Quilted

I think I set some kind of personal record this week.  In less than one week I started and finished a quilt.

The pattern is Kate's Geometric Quilt pattern, which I love.  Simple, but oh so effective.  The fabric is Sandi Henderson's Secret Garden range, with a bit of linen thrown in.

Backed with some gorgeous Liberty.  The quilt was a present for a friend and was gifted today.

I am itching to make another one....

Basting away again in Margaritaville

Actually, there were no margaritas involved, which was probably a good thing,  but Jimmy Buffet was on high rotation on our road trip and is still stuck in my head.

I am working on a quilt for a friend's birthday.  Basting is my least favourite part of quilting - not just because it is tedious.  I am always worried that the backing won't be flat or some other crisis will occur.

Still, the basting is done.  Expect to see a finished quilt soon - her birthday is on Tuesday.

Summer Holiday

After seven thousand hours in the car yesterday, we arrived home from a trip to the Sunshine Coast to visit family. I think that I am more likely to opt for a tree change than a sea change (although no plans for either), but we had a lovely time Swimming at the pool


And the beach


Feeding elephants at Australia Zoo


Cooling off in the water mist


Watching Bindi Irwin feed a crocodile


Visiting the most amazing second hand bookstore - who knows what treasures might have been buried on those bottom shelves...


Where I found all three of the Willow Farm books for the small girl (and The Children of Willow Farm is the exact edition I had when I was younger) and a few of the St Clare's books for the big girl. Unfortunately we found the first and fourth and she wants to read them in order so I will have to hunt around for some more.


And of course seven thousand hours in the car does mean there was some time for car craft:


And of course, hanging out with the Queensland replies. Hope the new year has been full of family, fun and sunshine for you too.

Playing around

This week I have been playing with my fancy new DSLR camera that I got for Christmas. I still have a lot to learn.


Smallest girl with the amazing wooden barn that her grandad made for Christmas.








Loving that I can get such clear macro shots.








Sylvanian families and Lego were a big feature in our house this Christmas. It took me the best part of two days to put all the boy's Lego together.





And the continuous shot mode is awesome! Any photography tips for me? I would love to hear them.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your a safe and happy Christmas.


(And didn't I do a spectacular job of wrapping the guitar so you can't tell what it is).