tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19445747526920150752024-03-14T23:41:58.544+11:00Knitting, Music, & FamilyClarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-43108868443152967422016-05-18T17:34:00.003+10:002016-05-22T09:12:20.729+10:00Minty Apple FishIn the coming weeks and months, I am going to be launching a new business.<br />
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Minty Apple Fish.</div>
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That's the name of the business.</div>
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At first, I will knit and crochet toys to sell at markets and online and will accept commissions. My goal is to use 100% wool (sheep and alpaca) hand-dyed with natural dyes.</div>
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Then, I will expand into larger-scale dying as well as spinning alpaca fleece to sell at markets and online. I will use fleece from my own alpacas and plan to establish a small-time alpaca breeding program. I will also buy local alpaca fleece. </div>
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Later, when I get enough capital and exposure, I hope to find a brick-and-mortar location in Wyong (it's an up-and-coming place - even has it's own coffee roasting business!) where I can sell my creations, my own hand-dyed and spun wool, the hand-dyed and spun wool of local Central Coast and Newcastle fibre artists as well as high-quality commercial yarns. I will use this space as a studio to dye, spin, knit and crochet and will offer classes. </div>
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So that's the plan. If you are interested in commissioning me to make something (or know someone who might want to commission something), please send me an email: clare.thornley@gmail.com.</div>
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Watch this space.<br />
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Remember the name.<br />
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Minty Apple Fish.<br />
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P.S. If you need ideas, check out ravelry.com. I'd love to make you almost anything featured there. For something more specific, check out patterns by Susan B Anderson for toys, Tin Can Knits and Kate Davies Designs for things to wear, and Moogly for crocheted items. I'd love to work with you to create something special for you or for you to give as a gift.<br />
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-14375470296705391682016-04-07T15:15:00.002+10:002016-04-07T15:21:46.328+10:00Dabbling in designUntil a few months ago, I would have been the first person to tell you that I do not have "an eye for design".<br />
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That was, until, my boss asked me to throw together a poster for an event our department was doing - something that was too last-minute for the marketing department at our school to have a crack at. Although that first attempt was rather basic, I found that I enjoyed the creative design work and continued to dabble in creating posters, programs and flyers for events. Using the resources at unsplash.com (check them out - absolutely amazing free hi-res photos available for <u style="font-style: italic;">any</u> use), I started volunteering to design the promotional materials that we needed at work. Here is a sampling of my most recent things:<br />
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(P.S. As a professional courtesy, please do not reproduce these images as your own...)Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-23135550257025058742014-11-08T14:07:00.001+11:002014-11-08T14:07:08.313+11:00Two more birthday parties = Two more gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys have been invited to two birthday parties this month. The first one is tomorrow, and both boys have been invited. It is a Minion Disco Party! We haven't seen <i>Despicable Me </i>yet - but have plans to watch it tonight. Even though the boys haven't seen Minion movies, they both know about those crazy characters and LOVE Pharrell William's song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-GLuydiMe4" target="_blank">Happy</a>."<br />
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Since it is a Minion party, I knew I needed to make something Minion-inspired. I was going to make another <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/another-birthday-gift-crochet-minion.html" target="_blank">pencil case</a> like I did for a party we went to last month, but then I saw these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minion-mitts-fingerless-gloves" target="_blank">fingerless mitts</a> and knew they would be the perfect gift. I adapted the pattern to use 8-ply (DK weight) yarn and a size G crochet hook, but otherwise I followed it as written. The result was the perfect size for a pre-schooler!<br />
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I'm so pleased with the way they turned out. Here they are, modelled by Desmond...<br />
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If I make them again, I will make the cuff in a rib stitch so they are easier for little hands to put on.<br />
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In a couple of weeks, Vincent is going to another party - this one is at the local bowling alley. Vincent helped me pick out a pattern from Rebecca Danger's <i>The Big Book of Knitted Monsters</i>. The one he selected, Tony - the toy-box monster, looks remarkably like a bowling ball!<br />
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I hope that both boys will like their handmade toys!</div>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-4289064324284482032014-10-12T14:50:00.000+11:002014-10-12T14:50:35.998+11:00Another birthday gift - Crochet Minion Pencil Case (from Petals to Picots)This weekend, Vincent was invited to another birthday party. This time, it was a 6th birthday party for one of the first boys he made friends with at daycare-preschool when we <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/our-big-move.html" target="_blank">moved here from the US</a> two-and-a-half years ago. (Has it really been that long??) Last year, I made his friend this <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/so-ive-been-bit-busy.html" target="_blank">snake</a>, which was apparently a big hit. Since this friend is now in kindy, we don't see him as often as we used to. I wasn't sure what to make him for a gift - I wanted to do something special, but didn't really want to give him another toy. Then, I remembered that his mum said that one of his favorite songs was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOWDb2TBYDg" target="_blank">"Happy"</a> by Pharrell Williams - the theme song from"Despicable Me." We haven't seen the movie, but my boys really like that song.<br />
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So I did a quick search for minion patterns - there are lots of cute hat patterns out there, but since it is now coming into summer here in Sydney, I didn't really want to make a hat. Then, I came across this great <a href="http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/08/crochet-minion-pencil-case/" target="_blank">pattern</a> for a crocheted minion pencil case by Kara at Petals to Picots. I really like her patterns - they are cute and useful. And her patterns are very clearly written and easy to follow. I made some of her apple cozies for teacher gifts at the end of last year (for the pattern for one, <a href="http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/08/apple-crochet-cozy/" target="_blank">see here</a> and then scroll down to links for the other apple cozy patterns - I love the monster ones! I have pictures of mine somewhere, but I can't find them right now...)<br />
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Making adjustments in hook size and stitch count to account for the DK yarn I used, I made my very own minion pencil case.<br />
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I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It worked up quickly and it was fun to do something different. Hopefully, the birthday boy will like it too.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-48177271105860511882014-09-28T14:27:00.001+10:002014-09-28T14:27:38.504+10:00R2-D2 HatThis weekend, Vincent was invited to a birthday party for one of his preschool friends. It was a Star Wars-themed birthday party. Since we don't own any Star Wars stuff, I thought I'd make Vincent a hat to wear to the party. There are lots of Star Wars patterns out there, but Vincent and I decided on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/star-wars-droid-beanies" target="_blank">this cute R2-D2 hat pattern</a>. I adapted it to suit DK (8-ply) yarn (the most widely available yarn here in Australia) and changed a few of the elements of the pattern (like the vertical white lines). It is just a basic crochet bucket hat with a few embellishments, but it it resembles R2-D2. And, I figured that if we ended up not being that "into" Star Wars, it would at least look like a robot hat.<br />
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He was the only R2-D2 at the party. There were four Darth Vaders, a couple of Luke Skywalkers, one Princess Leia, and a Spiderman.<br />
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Then, of course, there was the matter of a gift for Vincent's friend. I tend to make birthday gifts, so Vincent and I decided I would make a R2-D2 hat for his friend as well.<br />
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And, of course, Desmond didn't want to be left out. So I made one for him too!<br />
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Three R2-D2 hats in less than a week - I think that might be some sort of record!<br />
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Until the invite came, Star Wars hadn't hit our house yet. But in the last week, Vincent has become much more interested in it. Yesterday, he drew this picture of Star Wars characters and ships.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st row (L-R): Storm Trooper, Darth Vader, R2-D2, C3P0<br />
2nd row (L-R): Death Star, Millennium Falcon, and two different spaceships/fighter jets </td></tr>
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I think this is just the start of the next "big thing" for the boys. (And I'm just waiting until Vincent realises that there are Star Wars Legos!)<br />
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I would be happy to make and sell these hats (or other hats/toys/accessories/sweaters/etc) to order. Please send me a message if you are interested and we can work out the details.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-9770088323307176392014-09-04T15:34:00.000+10:002014-09-04T15:34:22.574+10:00Temperature Blanket PatternSome of my knitting/crocheting/fiber arts friends have asked me for the pattern for the Sydney-Decorah Temperature Blanket. (For posts about how this blanket as come to be, see <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/the-sydney-decorah-daily-temperature.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/update-on-my-sydney-decorah-temperature.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/a-long-overdue-blanket-update.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) It is basically a bunch of mitered squares that are knit-together-as-you-go. I got the idea for this type of pattern from <a href="http://knittingsuna.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/mitered-square-blanket-pattern.html" target="_blank">this website</a>, and I made a few modifications to so that the squares would work for my project.<br />
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Today, I had some time to type up the pattern. <b><u>It has not been tested</u></b>. But I thought I might as well put it out there. So, if you find any errors, please let me know.<br />
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As I am just over halfway through the blanket, I have not yet worked out how I will do the border around the outside of the blanket (thus incorporating the temperatures of the last five days of the year). As I decide the border, I will update the pattern.<br />
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In the meanwhile, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r6_0lHXit4KZsDMxQdO2G9tNVhArOJqHJdsJALGhno4/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here is the pattern</a>. If you do make this blanket, I'd love it if you would share a photo of it with me. And all the standard "rules" apply - please treat this pattern and the associated pictures as you would want your own to be treated...in other words, please don't sell the pattern as your own and don't use my photos without permission. However, you may sell any finished items. Happy Knitting!<br />
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-6195217504269028332014-08-31T12:15:00.003+10:002014-08-31T12:15:56.700+10:00A long overdue blanket update...Ok - I admit it.<br />
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I am waaaaay behind on my <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/the-sydney-decorah-daily-temperature.html" target="_blank">temperature blanket</a>.<br />
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All was going well, and at one point in April, I was completely caught up. Then I got behind again and decided to take the blanket and yarn with me to the US when the boys and I went to visit my family in June/July. I was on track to getting caught up when I ran out of orange yarn. The mild winter in Sydney and cooler summer in Iowa resulted in an insane number of totally orange squares (days where the temperatures in Sydney and Decorah were within the same 5-degree range: 21-25 degrees Celsius). I had underestimated the amount of orange yarn I would need.<br />
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Right.<br />
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After we came back to Sydney in early July, I started working on the blanket again, trying to get caught up. But I then made the decision to start on Christmas presents so I would not be in a rush to get things made right before the holidays. So I've been working on a variety of smaller projects that will be gifts for family members and teachers. (Lots of cute things that I can't post pictures of here - don't want to ruin any surprises!!) And I've been working on the blanket here and there.<br />
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The end of July marked the half-way mark for the rows on the blanket. And I finally knit up those squares about two weeks. It is amazing to see the blanket half finished. There is a lot more red, orange and yellow than I had expected - the temperatures in Sydney this winter have been nearly constant and there has been little variations in the daily high temps in Decorah. Even though I reached this milestone several days ago, I kept forgetting to take some photos of the blanket. Of course, it doesn't help that it has been raining and raining and raining and raining - not good photo-taking weather.<br />
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At any rate, here is the blanket at the halfway mark. I'm pretty pleased with how it is turning out. (The light yellow looks like white in the photos).<br />
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And I am kind of excited to see that the <a href="http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/08/26/farmers-almanac-winter" target="_blank">Farmer's Almanac</a> is predicting a harsh winter for the Upper Midwest (sorry Iowa folks!!) That means lots of blue (there are three shades in my colour scheme) and grey and hopefully some purple (for the REALLY cold days). I'm crossing my fingers that Sydney has a few hot days in December and January so I get the opportunity to work some pink into the blanket as well.<br />
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The last day for the blanket will be 30 January 2015. That seems like a long time from now, but it's not. Hopefully, I will be able to get caught up on the blanket now that I am almost finished with Christmas presents.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-59536875687769818652014-05-07T15:42:00.000+10:002014-05-07T15:42:34.874+10:00Lego StorageUntil about a month ago, my boys had a casual interest in Lego, but it was nothing really more than that. When my family came to visit last year, my mom brought along the Legos that my sister and I had played with when we were kids. My boys would occasionally take them out and play with them, building fighter jets and houses and stuff, but nothing very organised or serious.<br />
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Then, for his fifth birthday at the start of April, Vincent got four different sets of Lego. And just like that, Lego obsession hit our house.<br />
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We now had lots of different sets of Lego and nowhere to put them. We had one tub that served as the storage for the Legos from when I was a kid, but it was difficult to see all of the pieces and find the one exact piece that was needed for a project. The Legos were being left out on the dinner table with projects in various stages of completion. Pieces were getting lost, stepped on (ouch!) and Vincent was frustrated because he was struggling to find the pieces he was looking for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Lego storage system.</td></tr>
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I knew we had to find a new storage solution. I decided I wanted one that was compact (our house is not very big), easily transportable (so Vincent could take his Legos on playdates or to his grandparents' or cousins' houses) and organised in such a way that was efficient and straight forward. We don't have heaps and heaps of Lego - but we have enough that it was starting to get out of hand.<br />
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I searched online for some ideas and came across one that sounded perfect (of course, now I can't find the link...) This mother used a tool box with removeable compartments for her son to store his Lego bricks and accessories. That sounded perfect to me.<br />
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So off I went to Bunnings (that is the Australian equivelant to Home Depot or Lowes). And I found the perfect <a href="http://www.bunnings.com.au/tactix-570-x-305-x-165mm-cantilever-tool-box-_p5820718" target="_blank">tool box</a> for about $30. There are several small compartments that are the perfect size for storing the Lego bricks. And they are removable, which is great for when you need to dump them out to find a specific piece. There is also a big storage compartment in the bottom part of the tool box - perfect for storing the instruction books, smaller finished projects and half-finished creations.<br />
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In that same blog post I mentioned earlier, the writer mentioned that she used paint chips to color code the storage compartments. I thought this was a great idea - so I picked up several while I was at Bunnings.<br />
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It has taken some organising and re-organising of the colors in each bin but I think we have now managed to get things settled in the new Lego-sorter-storage-tool-box. Vincent absolutely loves it. Although it is a bit big for him, he is able to carry it, which he thinks is great.<br />
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This was definitely a parenting win!</div>
Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-8799561432075342212014-04-09T12:21:00.000+10:002014-04-09T12:21:11.052+10:00Update on my Sydney-Decorah Temperature Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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31 March marked the end of two months and four rows on my temperature blanket. I am pretty excited by how the blanket is progressing. I am about a week behind, but have been collecting the temperature data for Sydney and Decorah for each day.<br />
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The weather in Sydney has been pretty consistent - that's why there is lots of orange and red on the blanket. But - fortunately for me! - the weather in Decorah has been all over the place in the past two months. That is what is providing the color variation in the blanket.<br />
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Just to remind you - each square is a day and the colors in that square are determined by the high temperatures in Sydney, Australia (where I currently live) and Decorah, Iowa (where I grew up). And I am going to be recording this temperature data for an entire year. I began on my birthday, 31 January. The end result will be twenty-four rows of fifteen squares (360 days) with the temperatures of the remaining five days represented in a border around the blanket. [And yes - I will type of the pattern one of these days...]<br />
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I have come up with fifteen temperature ranges and have assigned a color to each. The outer most color in each square represents the Sydney temperature and the other color is representative of Decorah's temperature for that same calenar day.<br />
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Here are the temperature ranges (in degrees Celcius) and the corresponding colors:<br />
below -25 = dark purple (none of that yet!)<br />
-24 - -20 = light purple (none of that yet either)<br />
-19 - -15 = grey (a few days were that cold in Decorah since 31 January)<br />
-14 - -10 = dark blue<br />
-9 - -5 = royal blue<br />
-4 - 0 = light blue<br />
1 - 5 = dark green<br />
6 - 10 = light green<br />
11 - 15 = light yellow (finally some warmer days in Decorah near the end of row 4!)<br />
16 - 20 = dark yellow (this is the only color that has been used for both Decorah and Sydney, but on separate days)<br />
21 - 25 = orange (lots and lots of this for Sydney)<br />
26 - 30 = red (lots of this color too)<br />
31 - 35 = dark red (only one day has been this warm in Sydney since 31 January)<br />
36 - 40 = dark pink (hopefully next summer!)<br />
above 41 = light pink (hopefully not too many of these days next summer...)<br />
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And here are some photos of how the blanket is progressing...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is finally starting to warm up in Decorah!! [represented by the progression of dark green and light green to light yellow and dark yellow]</td></tr>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-86348720316840890332014-02-26T20:49:00.000+11:002014-02-26T20:49:23.454+11:00The Sydney-Decorah Daily Temperature BlanketMy recent knitting and crocheting projects have mostly involved toys, accessories (scarves, fingerless gloves, etc), little hearts, little stars, bunting, apple cozies and baby clothes (NOT for me...I am going to be an auntie!!). I have been looking to do something for myself and have been wanting to make a blanket.<br />
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I have been inspired by all of the beautiful colorwork by Lucy at <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Attic24</a> (check out <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2010/07/the-granny-stripe-tadah.html" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2008/08/the-ripple-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2009/08/big-blanket-tadah.html" target="_blank">this</a>). I like granny squares, but the thought of sewing all of those squares together makes my blood run cold. I tried making one of her ripple afghans, but it just didn't sit well with me. (By the way, I LOVE her pattern for <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-bunting-triangles.html" target="_blank">Granny Bunting Triangles</a> and can't wait to try her recipe for <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2014/01/artisan-bread.html" target="_blank">crusty no-knead bread</a>.)<br />
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Then I came across <a href="http://400squareftliving.blogspot.ca/2013/01/knitting-my-year-in-temperatures-scarf.html" target="_blank">this idea</a> for a temperature scarf. What a great idea - assign a different color to a different temperature range. Then record the maximum temperature for each day of the year and knit a row for each day. Fantastic! Except that one of the joys of living in Sydney is that there is not much variation in the daily maximum temperature - sure there are days of extreme heat and relative cold, but not much in the way of variation.<br />
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That is when I came up with the idea to do a dual temperature scarf - for each day I would record the maximum temperature for Sydney and Decorah, Iowa (my hometown). Then I would get lots of color variation (a la Lucy from Attic24) and end up with something for me. Great.<br />
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I decided that the first day would be my birthday (31 January) and that I would record the data for an entire year. So this scarf would be a record of the maximum temperatures of Sydney and Decorah for the 36th year of my life.<br />
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So I worked out my color chart, bought my yarn, worked out a gage, made a plan and started recording the temperatures for Sydney and Decorah.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinputlicmKR2wyD0VkMZm0zi6zBH8_b0dPjeS3wiMw6sPyxStq-M6u1E7yLYNku3T6OEj3EN4pq9pq3NbEMLFfPhu2c3OWEvoEnGhw3eCYh9HGgFwrvnjIIR20ZuIoZpXR8NyikLseZkYr/s1600/IMAG1725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinputlicmKR2wyD0VkMZm0zi6zBH8_b0dPjeS3wiMw6sPyxStq-M6u1E7yLYNku3T6OEj3EN4pq9pq3NbEMLFfPhu2c3OWEvoEnGhw3eCYh9HGgFwrvnjIIR20ZuIoZpXR8NyikLseZkYr/s1600/IMAG1725.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose DK (8-ply) yarn for my blanket. The dark purple corresponds with the coldest temps (-25C). The further right you go, the warmer the temperatures. The light pink on the right is for the hottest temperatures (41+C).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkhfO6wqf5Au0YROaGQpV5qw5CFh4l2TZiq6p6czsKlRihWhltDua10xhyEEsJsjXq1A2-UBvaTXzv_MeWZE83rOO7anwqgS7qA0tNsTC4N1T7sUWv9ZRjyUip_TpbxV4dpmjB8f-G9KG/s1600/IMAG1740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkhfO6wqf5Au0YROaGQpV5qw5CFh4l2TZiq6p6czsKlRihWhltDua10xhyEEsJsjXq1A2-UBvaTXzv_MeWZE83rOO7anwqgS7qA0tNsTC4N1T7sUWv9ZRjyUip_TpbxV4dpmjB8f-G9KG/s1600/IMAG1740.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my color-temperature chart, in degrees Celsius.</td></tr>
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The one thing I didn't take into account was all of the ends I would have to weave in. At the end of every. single. row. YIKES!!<br />
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Not to mention that it was going to be a very long scarf... two stripes for each day for an entire year... do the math... that's 730 rows.<br />
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Right. Time to come up with a new plan.<br />
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I started trawling <a href="http://ravelry.com/">ravelry.com</a> for ideas. I decided that blanket would be best. But I wanted something that would make use of my two-colors-a-day color scheme. Granny squares wouldn't really work - plus, I would have to sew them all together. Stripes might work, but it would be a bit mind numbing and I would have the same problem of having to sew the ends in at the end of every. single. row.<br />
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Then I came across <a href="http://knittingsuna.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/mitered-square-blanket-pattern.html" target="_blank">this idea</a> for a blanket made up of mitered squares. I realised that I could make one square for each day and each square would be made up of alternating stripes of the colors that corresponded with the maximum temperature for that day in Sydney and Decorah.<br />
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And, when you do a blanket made up of mitered squares, you have to join the squares as you go. It's part of the pattern.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pe8cDn_tVAMkWe6fNY0Pl9oa89WG-O2V4LaVBBdLeYY-VYWC40u3Wu6Bb5DOmeY2zQOkVPWDFfuIP5lylVodq7zKgSWCFJHDis1s9guBXGw5f49HbYF6LXHAmKRbn3F_6pP84pTPq4mV/s1600/IMAG1735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pe8cDn_tVAMkWe6fNY0Pl9oa89WG-O2V4LaVBBdLeYY-VYWC40u3Wu6Bb5DOmeY2zQOkVPWDFfuIP5lylVodq7zKgSWCFJHDis1s9guBXGw5f49HbYF6LXHAmKRbn3F_6pP84pTPq4mV/s1600/IMAG1735.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up picture of what the squares look like.</td></tr>
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And, if the starting color of the next square is the same as the starting color of the previous square, you just carry the color along - one less end to weave in.<br />
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So I had Paul do some math for me and he worked out that if I made 3-inch squares, then I could make a blanket that was 15 squares by 24 squares. That is 360 squares. Then the last 5 days of the year would be represented in a border around the blanket - 10 stripes in total. And the resulting blanket would be a decent size blanket.<br />
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And it would be colorful.<br />
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Yippee!!<br />
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I've just finished the 16th square (the end of the first row + the first square in the second row). Because of the false start with the scarf and a crazy bout of sickness, I am a bit behind. But I am really enjoying the pattern and the colorwork. It is also fun to see how the temperatures are changing (or not) for Sydney and Decorah.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jMWr9sKGBMbBouW00KQpc6n125zW_KMQoNG541DYIBk_ef8NvOxk4K9WToyQkds2tcjkTMyIYXLaJBl8gEDS8dgZTerZM7Y-AB6u0MEIz_p9DfLKnYMz_K3tzFMwk3PM3LKIOM68BVio/s1600/IMAG1742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jMWr9sKGBMbBouW00KQpc6n125zW_KMQoNG541DYIBk_ef8NvOxk4K9WToyQkds2tcjkTMyIYXLaJBl8gEDS8dgZTerZM7Y-AB6u0MEIz_p9DfLKnYMz_K3tzFMwk3PM3LKIOM68BVio/s1600/IMAG1742.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is sort of what the blanket looks like so far - I've finished the first row of 15 squares and have started the second row. Up to this point, it has been all orange and red for the Sydney colors. For Decorah, it's been 3 shades of blue and some grey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjxPdrhYlv2p9PxDJxJ5M1Ibs6Dm7WrE7RjwaTJlMlrOJriQYzXp0dOvDSyUnAricBbqbO2j1xCSbliE8BEV1bFmXSkpyjDHk6dreF5E4xI8sw3I-MYfPdGJGgrFybGIXijzHuFX2sw1y/s1600/IMAG1741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjxPdrhYlv2p9PxDJxJ5M1Ibs6Dm7WrE7RjwaTJlMlrOJriQYzXp0dOvDSyUnAricBbqbO2j1xCSbliE8BEV1bFmXSkpyjDHk6dreF5E4xI8sw3I-MYfPdGJGgrFybGIXijzHuFX2sw1y/s1600/IMAG1741.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my temperature data for Sydney and Decorah.</td></tr>
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At some point, I will write up a rough description of the pattern and how I am putting this all together.<br />
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<br />Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-27452963792278315582013-09-21T14:38:00.002+10:002013-09-21T14:38:36.857+10:00So, I've been a bit busy...Yes, I know it has been ages since I have written anything for this blog - almost 3 months! I thought it was high time to check back in and catch you up on what I have been up to (and maybe this will be the start of more regular blog posts! Although that is what I thought last time...)<div>
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The main reason I haven't posted anything here in a while is because I am working 3 (yes, THREE) jobs outside the home. Since January, I have been working three days a week as a secretary in a music department in a school here in Sydney. Then, in July, I was asked to teach a class in music and philosophy at one of the universities - for the term that started at the end of July! I am a "casual academic" (the Australian term for adjunct), and I have one lecture and lead three tutorials (the Australian version of recitation/labs/discussion sections) - and this all happens in one day (yes, it is a long day). But I LOVE it - I have 75 students and things have been going really well. A couple weeks after I started teaching, I was hired to be a research assistant (official title: "Research Officer" - it sounds like a carry a badge!) for one of the professors at this same university. So I have been doing that as well. And of course this is on top of being a mama and doing things "normal" mama things.</div>
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So, yes, I guess you could say that I've been busy.</div>
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But since knitting/crocheting is my "outlet," I have managed to find time to continue doing that as well. And it helps that I have a long commute (1 hour and 15 min one way) to my teaching gig. So, here are some of my more recent projects...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn50x4wExEYrpnKk2kngCAvyp3YmBm6ah6Hvb1Zeq8i04omxk3qqn_DVgML_LyAx0nW-Gs5trC2uvjLwiWrDQO1-2foqTH-xzrfGHG_jVwcmNxgCja6Ctmo4Wb9TCX4qNOo6LQ60Pwdxh/s1600/IMAG1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn50x4wExEYrpnKk2kngCAvyp3YmBm6ah6Hvb1Zeq8i04omxk3qqn_DVgML_LyAx0nW-Gs5trC2uvjLwiWrDQO1-2foqTH-xzrfGHG_jVwcmNxgCja6Ctmo4Wb9TCX4qNOo6LQ60Pwdxh/s1600/IMAG1187.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMFCTjr5EiM9RtXFPL4oM07Cg8wXydjP1UFqVQSOuul6TM9bh5dfNeAajeu_gzKLvcJUXtf6SGdh3H_0Gowem9GcaecgZS6VCyEZw9ZtkRBbFyPnjnHMKFioZ9wz4nC-8z16Y-LF5_Lsy/s1600/IMAG1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMFCTjr5EiM9RtXFPL4oM07Cg8wXydjP1UFqVQSOuul6TM9bh5dfNeAajeu_gzKLvcJUXtf6SGdh3H_0Gowem9GcaecgZS6VCyEZw9ZtkRBbFyPnjnHMKFioZ9wz4nC-8z16Y-LF5_Lsy/s1600/IMAG1188.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have made two versions of this snake for birthday presents for two of Vincent's preschool friends. This is the BEST snake pattern and is adapted from this <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2012/8/16/lauras-loop-striped-stockinette-snake.html" target="_blank">pattern</a> from The Purl Bee (there are so many amazing patterns on this website - all for free! Check out this <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/5/19/whits-knits-knit-octopus.html" target="_blank">octopus</a>, these <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/2/9/whits-knits-knit-hedgehogs.html" target="_blank">hedgehogs</a>, and this adorable <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/3/3/lauras-loop-bobble-sheep-pillow.html" target="_blank">sheep pillow</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqv94sz6wrK6UDh5-qtpBvgvi5NSdReOEyjI1wuIbNXn8hIKB_avd9DfU3xKcebuV-uqQUkpS_cujsSh4y3u9nfuCs_KZRI45A-L-C8Z_zUxJdSVGGazBqgKlaeC6xsuNrGpw5WwpAUeH/s1600/IMAG1314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqv94sz6wrK6UDh5-qtpBvgvi5NSdReOEyjI1wuIbNXn8hIKB_avd9DfU3xKcebuV-uqQUkpS_cujsSh4y3u9nfuCs_KZRI45A-L-C8Z_zUxJdSVGGazBqgKlaeC6xsuNrGpw5WwpAUeH/s1600/IMAG1314.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
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I made this cute owl lovey for a co-worker who is having a baby in a few weeks. It is from <a href="http://stitch11.com/owl-cuddle-lovey/" target="_blank">this pattern</a> from Stitch 11 (I really like her patterns, too. You may remember <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/vincent-preschool-and-new-crown.html" target="_blank">the crown</a> I made for Vincent. I have also made her <a href="http://stitch11.com/flowers-for-momma/" target="_blank">flower pattern</a> as gifts for Mother's Day.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX-e6XIZj2Fr5dRfwlE-z2yNlNWe7h9xr1lyWf13gYykTATdFakhsADkJSl_j-gCZCnwTCq4rA9qeZhpADNHWk3TOn4Qu188YIaqTSBvrud6sYrGfuc7nJ-YhDR_qjPGSpkuzH61KvMaI/s1600/IMAG1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX-e6XIZj2Fr5dRfwlE-z2yNlNWe7h9xr1lyWf13gYykTATdFakhsADkJSl_j-gCZCnwTCq4rA9qeZhpADNHWk3TOn4Qu188YIaqTSBvrud6sYrGfuc7nJ-YhDR_qjPGSpkuzH61KvMaI/s1600/IMAG1342.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrxYigqIzfHQIcyRZH-9L2mOwlk_oGSZN-TcVM5acxUjwGc1icSpmkEbsHsAq7e2bnlcRheS0ki3WHc5cPGPZZcfgGMSfJrmronFgpj9cQMn5qIRlHToPDBKcgX46HBgHwA_H1fdmh2RO/s1600/IMAG1343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrxYigqIzfHQIcyRZH-9L2mOwlk_oGSZN-TcVM5acxUjwGc1icSpmkEbsHsAq7e2bnlcRheS0ki3WHc5cPGPZZcfgGMSfJrmronFgpj9cQMn5qIRlHToPDBKcgX46HBgHwA_H1fdmh2RO/s1600/IMAG1343.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
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This year, daycare is putting together a team for our local Relay for Life. Last year, I made these <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/knitting-for-charity-mama-and-baby-koala.html" target="_blank">koalas</a> for the fund raising raffle. This year, I asked Vincent to help me pick out something to make. He picked this monster and also picked out the colors. Meet "Cecil, the Computer Monster" from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Knitted-Monsters-The/dp/1604680091" target="_blank">Rebecca Danger's </a><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Knitted-Monsters-The/dp/1604680091" target="_blank">Big Book of Knitted Monsters</a>.</i> I have made three or four monsters from this book - pretty mindless knitting, but the end result is so cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f2iCmdlA8r6i4eWk7NVBD6CFMAahq1Ekrnsx8LiwqfLpbppyPAHZjU4R6Z5dSlq3Kt18MR6wxCq01mW5Nwos9JXL8lRPTBHz9AOpZ6Cu6bPbIcejOnuja6fmbnw-NRwBQrO3nK8WJNTP/s1600/IMAG1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f2iCmdlA8r6i4eWk7NVBD6CFMAahq1Ekrnsx8LiwqfLpbppyPAHZjU4R6Z5dSlq3Kt18MR6wxCq01mW5Nwos9JXL8lRPTBHz9AOpZ6Cu6bPbIcejOnuja6fmbnw-NRwBQrO3nK8WJNTP/s1600/IMAG1357.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
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And I made this snake for Desmond's second birthday. It is from <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Susan B. Anderson</a>'s <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/itty-bitty-toys-susan-b-anderson/1100558746?ean=9781579653767&itm=1&usri=9781579653767" target="_blank">Itty Bitty Toys</a></i>. This is my main "go-to" toy pattern book - I have made several of the toys in this book (<a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/knitting-for-charity-mama-and-baby-koala.html" target="_blank">koala</a>, <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/holiday-gifts-part-4.html" target="_blank">wrap-me up puppies</a>, <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/holiday-gifts-part-1.html" target="_blank">lion/elephant</a>, <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/holiday-gifts-part-3.html" target="_blank">doll</a>, plus a couple other ones I don't have links for). This snake was easy and used up some leftover sock yarn I had lying around. Desmond seems to really like it as well!</div>
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I'm not sure what to work on next. I have started working on my Christmas presents list. But I was also thinking of maybe making something for myself (gasp!) But for course, as soon as I get started on something for myself, I'm sure Vincent will come to me and say, "Mama, can you please make me a [fill in the blank]." It will likely be something like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cora-the-cuttlefish" target="_blank">this</a> or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-space-shuttle" target="_blank">this</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87402137/octonauts-team-toys-crochet-patterns-pdf?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=octonauts+pattern&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">this</a>.</div>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-83283228013516202472013-06-25T21:10:00.001+10:002013-06-25T21:10:36.964+10:00Two Cute ToysI know I haven't posted anything for a while. I have been meaning to post some photos of our "new" house, but I haven't had an opportunity to sit and write. Things have been busy with work - and goodness knows that the boys always keep me busy! But I have been knitting - on the train, during my lunch break and in the evenings. Since it is winter here, I have been busy knitting fingerless gloves for Paul, the boys, and my nieces (as birthday gifts). I have also been "commissioned" to make a few gifts for my sister to give to her friends who are having children. I made two pairs of booties, a hat, and two cute toys. And those two toys turned out so adorable, I just had to share them<br />
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First up, Susan B. Anderson's "<a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2009/07/ribbit-free-pattern/" target="_blank">Ribbit</a>." Not only is this frog simply adorable, it is also very fun - because inside his body is a bouncy rubber ball. So he hops like a frog!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi704kpzUswMP6QNaTkSPWSg6PRTCiMvh4CwgcRUTKzUE40r_fyoODY6GnTWWVnqnanCKOdhnr5yJbABhFyQE5zGM_M5Y34ebZWER0VD7Dvxqm2vL7-fLK7ZpCEBIYiaUDrmf1ej2bitcN4/s1600/IMAG1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi704kpzUswMP6QNaTkSPWSg6PRTCiMvh4CwgcRUTKzUE40r_fyoODY6GnTWWVnqnanCKOdhnr5yJbABhFyQE5zGM_M5Y34ebZWER0VD7Dvxqm2vL7-fLK7ZpCEBIYiaUDrmf1ej2bitcN4/s1600/IMAG1093.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRQ8fA5MHGaB9V8wjoJsRv2mgPqEIBOfPE5E5O7vZSQJ5F8FRAoZmt1Z7akQKHsAkLodBkltAZ5pEgIdfjMqxxMHaWG7WODQql42ZugoGaWTBTTYGEA5kDKUUVJLncTZEzJPuE3mZfh14/s1600/IMAG1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRQ8fA5MHGaB9V8wjoJsRv2mgPqEIBOfPE5E5O7vZSQJ5F8FRAoZmt1Z7akQKHsAkLodBkltAZ5pEgIdfjMqxxMHaWG7WODQql42ZugoGaWTBTTYGEA5kDKUUVJLncTZEzJPuE3mZfh14/s1600/IMAG1094.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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Second, using the same yarn as the frog, I made the caterpillar from Eric Carle's <i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRptUZHjPe1cyTH4QHYD8qR9tzVIiqUKCjMAaed899ExDHbnNfNqMgdvYMgg3Hb4AS6-ffhfMY6_f19RZNUfZYLM9iAIJIbwUr3IGJvC9lYcSrzKXHGyEGhQ0kjo_Z5eMJLdChe30qX6k/s1600/IMAG1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRptUZHjPe1cyTH4QHYD8qR9tzVIiqUKCjMAaed899ExDHbnNfNqMgdvYMgg3Hb4AS6-ffhfMY6_f19RZNUfZYLM9iAIJIbwUr3IGJvC9lYcSrzKXHGyEGhQ0kjo_Z5eMJLdChe30qX6k/s1600/IMAG1095.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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I followed this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hes-hungry-caterpillar" target="_blank">pattern</a> but made my own adjustments to more closely match Eric Carle's caterpillar: I made the antennae purple and added feet (because, as Vincent pointed out, the caterpillar in the book has 6 feet). I also crocheted the eyes and nose rather than cutting them out of felt. I think the result is a very close resemblance to Carle's famous caterpillar. (And if you are a fan of the book, there are several adorable patters for toys and baby clothes based on this book - have a look <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-crochet-pattern" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caterpillar-who-was-hungry-lovey" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caterpillar-ate-an-apple-hat--the-very-hungry-caterpillar-inspired" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBsDMsxpyPAGLxG1TvukQ8KhiDyzBGTJ-ea_7rkVS2zqJbWJX6zLy_CtHc1KVeYGuu4YHwiwjPAdYRNUfPchnNC01jBS3vbH2sAb4KMOAZxElg4lqwU1vwf-2ya9Z_j5p2NkGR86hUo_U/s1600/IMAG1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBsDMsxpyPAGLxG1TvukQ8KhiDyzBGTJ-ea_7rkVS2zqJbWJX6zLy_CtHc1KVeYGuu4YHwiwjPAdYRNUfPchnNC01jBS3vbH2sAb4KMOAZxElg4lqwU1vwf-2ya9Z_j5p2NkGR86hUo_U/s1600/IMAG1096.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am now finishing up the fingerless gloves for my youngest niece, who will be turning 9 in July. I also am going to make something for the raffle for the Relay for Life at our daycare. And maybe it is because of the cool and rainy winter weather we have been having here, I am really yearning to make a colorful afghan. I have been so inspired by Lucy at <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Attic 24</a> and am thinking that I might try to make an afghan similar to <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/12/interlocking-ripple-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">this one</a> or maybe <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2010/07/the-granny-stripe-tadah.html" target="_blank">this one</a> next. I also have been working on a pile of granny squares for a blanket - and granny squares make a great project to work on during my commute and over my lunch break at work. So I think I might take a break from short projects like toys and fingerless gloves and work on some longer-term projects for a while...at least until Vincent and Desmond ask me to make another toy animal for them to add to their collection (like this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocodile-5" target="_blank">crocodile</a> or this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stanley-snake" target="_blank">snake</a> or this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knit-lobster" target="_blank">lobster</a> or even <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/octonaut---captain-barnacles" target="_blank">Captain Barnacles</a> from the<i> </i>Octonauts!)Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-32864673518314419172013-05-19T20:17:00.000+10:002013-05-19T20:17:40.494+10:00The Manta RaysVincent is very interested in ocean stuff. I'm not really sure how it started - when we lived in Minnesota, we had annual passes to the <a href="http://mnzoo.org/" target="_blank">Minnesota Zoo</a>. He used to love the aquarium wing and the coral reef section of the tropics. He loves to watch documentaries about underwater creatures. He gets very excited about visits to the <a href="http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/" target="_blank">Sydney Aquarium</a> and <a href="http://www.manlysealifesanctuary.com.au/" target="_blank">Manly Sealife Sanctuary</a> - in fact, since we got our annual pass about a month ago that gives us unlimited entry to these two attractions and 9 other places, we have already been to the aquarium twice and the sanctuary once (and are planning a second visit on Monday!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent LOVES going to the Sydney Aquarium!</td></tr>
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Wales, sharks, and rays are his favourite - he knows all of the different types of these animals and is always asking questions to learn more. We hunt out the shark and whale books at the library to bring home. I also printed out some fact sheets and photos of sharks and whales and had them laminated.<br />
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And he likes to do this pretend-play activity that he made up call "playing oceans." He assigns each of us an animal (all of the fun is in the planning - we never actually play anything....) It goes something like this:<br />
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Vincent: "Let's play oceans. Daddy, you can be the tiger shark. Mama, what do you want to be? You can be a dugong. And Desmond can be the baby tiger shark. And I'll be the big brother tiger shark."<br />
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Less than five minutes later, we are all different animals...minke whales, lemon sharks, sting rays, manta rays, blue whales, northern right whales...the list goes on and on and on.<br />
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For his birthday in April, I made him a shark pencil case from <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/shark-time-pouch/" target="_blank">this</a> great pattern from <a href="http://mooglyblog.com/">mooglyblog.com</a> <i>(by the way - I LOVE this site for free crochet patters. Plus, she lives in Iowa!)</i> He loves it. So I decided that I needed to make him another underwater animal, and I came across <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manta-ray" target="_blank">this</a> very cute pattern for a manta ray. And, I have learned that if I make something for Vincent, I need to make one for Desmond as well. So I made two manta rays.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desmond's manta ray is purple and Vincent's is black.</td></tr>
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The pattern is pretty quick to crochet. Plus the safety eyes add a extra-cuteness to the animal. And it has this really great feature of using pipe cleaners in the tail and across the fins so that you can bend the ray in different ways. Of course, the pipe cleaners in my boys' rays snapped after a few twists of the tail. But they are still cute! Both boys loves their manta rays!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNcYJ6vF4EHecsXmAynGq0xeCcdJtkPxVIBJfZkldEP6e3ONaqsuLwkbYYHENCWoBIcpMtugFBzpVFE7RTGYWoR1XkuldpjzymMeUDIHrYplV0lnDmUTU5NSlhlQIdqH_qZzDre7NueDb/s1600/IMAG1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNcYJ6vF4EHecsXmAynGq0xeCcdJtkPxVIBJfZkldEP6e3ONaqsuLwkbYYHENCWoBIcpMtugFBzpVFE7RTGYWoR1XkuldpjzymMeUDIHrYplV0lnDmUTU5NSlhlQIdqH_qZzDre7NueDb/s1600/IMAG1024.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvJon_dg6HWvTdsl19S5006Vu3Osum5ZmitDLdpXKyH9A3e7EvBs0DVtdj6zX6DVS37mI4v-xj_jcGQEtO6JYA5esuLvS3oLcFUnpbx0eyJSVNQPmTJnOOnhQqli_UNaEFcx5AgWtMDUr/s1600/IMAG1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvJon_dg6HWvTdsl19S5006Vu3Osum5ZmitDLdpXKyH9A3e7EvBs0DVtdj6zX6DVS37mI4v-xj_jcGQEtO6JYA5esuLvS3oLcFUnpbx0eyJSVNQPmTJnOOnhQqli_UNaEFcx5AgWtMDUr/s1600/IMAG1027.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(That green sweater that Vincent is wearing was made by my grandma for me to wear when I was his age!)</td></tr>
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I am now moving on to some other projects - baby gifts and birthday gifts and a granny square project that will be donated to the fund-raising raffle for the Relay for Life at the boys' daycare. But I am hoping that I might have some time in the next few months to attempt <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hazel-the-humpback-whale" target="_blank">this amazing humpback whale</a> for Vincent.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-80599238794953027472013-03-31T16:28:00.000+11:002013-03-31T16:28:04.256+11:00Easter in Australia<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hot cross buns.</i></div>
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<i>Hot cross buns.</i></div>
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<i>One a penny, two a penny --</i></div>
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<i>Hot cross buns.</i></div>
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I remember singing this song as a kid growing up in Iowa. I had no idea what hot cross buns were. I thought they were just some sort of made up thing. I mean, who would put a hot cross on a bun? Or why would the buns be hot and cross - did they not like steamy weather? And why sing about pennies?</div>
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Then, when I first moved to Australia ten years ago, Paul introduced me to a delicious Easter tradition: hot cross buns. He was amazed that I had never eaten one. I told him that I thought they were only something from a children's nursery rhyme. Then I had a revelation -- hot cross buns are a yummy baked item that make their annual appearance at Easter. They are hot. They have a cross on the top (a nod to the Christian origins of the Easter holiday). They usually have small bits of fruit in side (like raisins). And they are delicious - especially with a nice scrapping of butter on them. In the weeks leading up to Easter, these sweet rolls start showing up on the shelves of bakeries. In fact, I bought a half-dozen of them on Saturday - baked fresh (and they did not cost "one a penny" or "two a penny" - rather, they were six for $3.)</div>
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Since first living in Sydney more than a decade ago and then marrying an Australian, I have come to realize that even though Australian culture and society is in many ways similar to my experiences in the USA, there are lots of differences - often in ways that I would never imagine. Variations in Easter traditions serve as excellent examples of these unexpected differences. And hot cross buns are at the top of the list.</div>
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First, it is probably worth while to give a bit of perspective of where I am coming from. I was raised Catholic, and each year Mom, Dad, Laura and I celebrated Easter with my grandma and grandpa (and small extended family) in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. As a young girl, in the weeks leading up to the holiday, my grandma would take my sister and me shopping for an Easter dress and Easter hat.</div>
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On the day before Easter (and this is a tradition that my family in the States continues to do), we would all gather at my grandparents' house and sit around the kitchen table (protectively covered in a textured light tan paddled plastic tablecloth) and color dozens and dozens of hard-boiled eggs (of course, my grandmother never called them "hard-boiled" - they were "cooked" eggs). My grandparents had a collection of large wide-mouthed jars, white and pink waxy crayons, and a mess of those little wire egg dippers used to dip the eggs into the dye - all kept in an appropriately labelled cardboard box secured with a string. Each wide-mouth jar would get two color tablets from the Paas egg-dying kit (hopefully two tablets of the same color), vinegar and water. Then the coloring would begin.</div>
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There were (and still are) a few important rules. First, everybody in the family gets an egg with his or her name on it. So, using the waxy crayon, and saying something to the effect of "I've got [name's] egg," we would write a name on the egg and dip it into the dye. Some people, like my mom and dad, often ended up with two eggs - one with "Mom" or "Dad" on it and one with their actual name. And somebody, usually my dad, would make an egg for Frank - and there is no Frank in the family. When Paul joined the family and when the boys each had their first Easter, everybody made a big deal to ensure that each got their own personalized egg.</div>
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The second rule was that everybody have a turn at coloring eggs, even if it was just one or two eggs. This was something for everybody to do - a tradition for the whole family.</div>
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Laura was always the most creative - she would use layers of crayon and colors to get beautiful designs. And she always ended up with beautifully colored paper towels as well (we would dab off the excess color on paper towels). I am pretty sure that she saved several of those paper towels and used them in later projects. My aunt Barb, who has Down's Syndrome, tends to write lyrics from country music songs or narratives from past experiences on to her eggs. My dad's eggs were usually a bit silly or witty. And the rest of us just tried to make pretty eggs.</div>
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Easter dinner was usually Saturday night. I have vivid, mouth-watering memories of baked ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, crusty bread and real butter in a glass butter dish. Grandpa at the head of the table, Grandma on the side of the table closet to the kitchen so she could pop up if something was needed, the rest of us spread around the table. I always took for granted the fact that my grandmother could get all of the food on the table at the same time and all of it be nice and hot. Today, I am amazed by this feat.</div>
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When we went to bed on Saturday night at my grandparents' house, we always put our shoes out at the foot of our bed. Then, when we were woken up early the next morning (we always went to early Mass on Easter Sunday), the egg with our name on it miraculously appeared in one of the shoes. The Easter Bunny had visited during the night!</div>
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After getting dressed in our Easter clothes, we would race downstairs. First on the agenda: find our Easter baskets. My sister and I each had these lovely wicker baskets that we used year after year. Usually, the Easter Bunny hid the baskets behind one of the easy chairs in my grandparents' living room. Inside the baskets were small wrapped presents and some chocolate eggs. Then, the Easter egg hunt would begin in earnest. During the night, the Easter Bunny had hid all of the eggs throughout the downstairs of the house. And we had to find all of the eggs before leaving for church. There were some standard hiding spots - in the eagle wall hanging in the TV room, in the pot plants, inside Grandpa's desk, in the china cabinet. And to fuel us on our egg finding mission was a large plate of jelly beans, small chocolate eggs, and the most amazing egg-shaped truffle-like candies (inside were cream fillings flavored with maple, vanilla, chocolate, etc.) I always managed to sneak a few jelly beans - my personal favorite - each time I walked through the dinning room where Grandma had set the plate on the sideboard.</div>
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As we found each egg, we would put them in our baskets. As our baskets got full, Mom emptied them out into the empty egg cartons, slowly counting down how many eggs we had left to find before church. Most years, we found all of the eggs before piling in to two cars for the short ride to Blessed Sacrament. Some years, we had to find the last couple after we got home.</div>
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After church, we returned to my grandparents' house and commenced with the "Egg Cracking Championship" over a breakfast of toast, eggs, bacon, and candy. It wasn't until I was in high school that I realized that this tradition was unique to my family (and my extended family in Milwaukee). It goes like this: each person selects an egg that s/he believes will be a "champion." You then choose somebody to compete against. One person holds the egg pointy side up while the other person take the pointy side of her/his egg and taps it against the opponent's egg. One egg cracks. Then, the sides are swapped and the tapper becomes the "tappee" as the rounded sides are tapped against each other. Usually, one person's egg survives this experiences without cracking. That person's egg is declared the "winner" of that round and goes on to compete against the winner of another tapping competition. The "loser" gets to eat her/his egg. And so it continues. Often, an egg might survive 3 or 4 (or more!) rounds before cracking. That egg is declared a "champion."</div>
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More recently, since we discovered Vincent's egg allergy, we have changed this tradition a bit. During the last couple Easters (when we were still living in the States), we still colored eggs on Easter Saturday in at my grandpa's house in LaCrosse. But our Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning took place at my parents' house in Decorah. We put jelly beans and small toys in a dozen or so bright colored plastic Easter eggs, and the Easter Bunny (aka: my dad) hid them in the backyard of their house for Vincent to find.</div>
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So that, in a nutshell (or eggshell??) is a summary of my Easters growing up. I know it is a rather long and involved description, but I feel that in order for you to better understand my observations of Easter in Australia, you need to understand my experiences with Easter.</div>
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The differences between my experiences of Easter in the States and Easter in Australia stem, in general, from a couple of sources. First, much of Australian tradition is strongly rooted in English traditions, both secular and religious. Second, even though Easter is a holiday that celebrates rebirth, renewal, and - by extension - Spring, Easter is an autumn holiday in Australia. So, here is a list - in no particular order - of differences in how Easter is celebrated in Australia (specifically Sydney) and in the US (specifically the Midwest):</div>
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1. Hot cross buns.</div>
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2. I don't know anybody here who colors/dyes hard-boiled eggs.</div>
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3. Chocolate eggs and chocolate bunnies are the main Easter candy - Paul searched high and low to find me a small bag of jelly beans (and they weren't Brachs...)</div>
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4. There are no plastic Easter eggs to be found anywhere.</div>
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5. So, when kids do Easter egg hunts here, they are looking for chocolate eggs of all sizes that have been hidden (usually outside) by the Easter bunny.</div>
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6. Easter hats/bonnets are very popular for school kids - at daycare this week, the boys both decorated Easter hats and on Thursday they had an Easter Hat Parade, followed by a special afternoon tea.</div>
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7. Chocolate eggs and chocolate bunnies are everywhere!</div>
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8. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays - no work, no school. And on Good Friday, almost everything was closed - the grocery store, the shopping centre, etc. (I was at the shopping centre on Thursday night pick up a few things and the place was packed - it reminded me of people getting ready for a big snow storm by making one final trip to the store to stock up on everything they might need in case they can't get back for days and days.) In many ways, the Easter long weekend is comparable to the Thanksgiving weekend in the States - the only guaranteed four-day weekend during the year.</div>
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9. In the States, ham tends to be the traditional Easter dinner. But I'm not really sure what a "traditional" Easter dinner is. I know a lot of people here eat lamb on Easter and some people eat ham. We are going to a park and having a BBQ (i.e., sausages) with our family.</div>
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10. Did I mention the chocolate?? :)</div>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-57932670722648649742013-03-28T11:07:00.000+11:002013-03-28T11:18:01.947+11:00Bunnies for my boysWhen my sister and I were growing up, my grandma bought each of us a bunny figurine for Easter every year. Some of the bunnies were small and other were quite large. Some were life-like while others were more cartoonish. They were made from wood, porcelain, and fabric. I now have an amazing collection of bunny statuettes, thanks to the generosity of my grandmother. And each bunny comes wrapped in the memories of past Easters spent with my lovely grandma.<br />
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So, following Grandma's lead, I decided that - starting this year - I am going to knit or crochet bunnies for Vincent and Desmond each Easter. I decided this rather close to Easter this year - so the first bunny in their series needed to be easy and quick. I found the perfect pattern from <a href="http://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/nibble-nibble-hop-hop/" target="_blank">the green dragonfly</a>. They came together very quickly and I was able to scraps of yarn that I had lying around. I think they turned out pretty well (although the quality of these photos don't do them justice!) I think the grey one will be for Desmond and the brown one will be for Vincent (because it has yellow in it and yellow is his favourite colour).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DHr7d3nb59QuvNnayTkWrUJWTGOfD5m34DUXUirFVvaP62k5quUaUi48ZQZSCYD8jOTmO4pF0PVh3V3jfJFgZpbf1zR2LiHdwXFKXXqy3Q4EooxJpLSQ3SGW8JR-CKuEtDxBThe94qWw/s1600/IMAG0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DHr7d3nb59QuvNnayTkWrUJWTGOfD5m34DUXUirFVvaP62k5quUaUi48ZQZSCYD8jOTmO4pF0PVh3V3jfJFgZpbf1zR2LiHdwXFKXXqy3Q4EooxJpLSQ3SGW8JR-CKuEtDxBThe94qWw/s1600/IMAG0827.jpg" height="320" usa="true" width="191" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJbHHQfe6N2vkZ_ZeGWWjToQ3qCe1EQMz_hZEKbV9rUJVZkZEuJM7qyDS_20dL8v6e9Cg2EFo8ehsRxQIcBq46CemgQnEhRXwR3m58Dfxf_BejX8H4KPZteZEQCmh0ZvnS1BKBQZYR0d-/s1600/IMAG0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJbHHQfe6N2vkZ_ZeGWWjToQ3qCe1EQMz_hZEKbV9rUJVZkZEuJM7qyDS_20dL8v6e9Cg2EFo8ehsRxQIcBq46CemgQnEhRXwR3m58Dfxf_BejX8H4KPZteZEQCmh0ZvnS1BKBQZYR0d-/s1600/IMAG0826.jpg" height="320" usa="true" width="191" /></a></div>
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I'm sure that there will be lots of new bunny patterns to choose from next year - but I already have my eye on this <a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2010/03/mini-reversible-duck-to-bunny-free-pattern/" target="_blank">one</a> from Susan B. Anderson (I LOVE her patterns and have knit quite a few of her toys from her book <em>Itty Bitty Toys</em>).</div>
Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-40358693132543810222013-02-26T14:21:00.000+11:002013-02-26T15:07:38.764+11:00Our "not-so-sunny-not-very-beachy" sun and beach holiday weekendThis past weekend, we went on our first "holiday" weekend since Desmond was born. Together with a group of our good friends, we drove up the coast north of Sydney to Umina, a small beach town on the Central Coast. In January, two of our friends celebrated their 40th birthdays and it was decided that the best way to celebrate was for all of the families (7 families in total - 14 adults and 20 children between the ages of 17 months [Desmond] and 7th grade) to rent holiday cottages at the <a href="http://www.oceanbeachholidaypark.com.au/" target="_blank">Ocean Beach Holiday Park</a>.<br />
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It was a great plan in theory - we would all have cottages in close proximity to each other. The kids all know each other and really enjoy playing together. The holiday park has a great pool complex and some fun play areas. And the beach is a 2-minute walk away.</div>
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Of course, the one thing you can't plan for is the weather.</div>
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From Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning, it rained. And not just a sprinkle here or there, but full-on, torrential rain. A "pour down" as I used to call it as a kid. The kind of storm where you start to think that building an ark might not be such a bad idea. And it was windy. We could hear the surf pounding from our cottage. There were short breaks in the storm, but the rain did not clear until Sunday morning.</div>
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Having said that, we did try to make the best of a wet situation. We went swimming in the pool in the rain. We went for a drive and played cricket under the cover of a pavilion. The kids watch videos and the grown-ups had a chance to catch up. We went out for a good dinner at the local club. And some of us (or so I am told) stayed up into the wee hours of Sunday morning playing cards and having a good time.</div>
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All-in-all, it was a good weekend. Having a holiday weekend away with two small children is always a challenge, but it was a lot fun being with our friends. One of the girls put it best when she said, "This is the best and worst holiday ever!"</div>
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Here are some photos of our weekend (click on the image to make it larger):</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmJ3R1NBiRIHtP9nxuN-r6ow0mylSnL-PhnzWbu9txqDHqShS5hlXQqFPDxEBV0zRpTc3pSnHysGj_rf6zuS9zWQzX_FyB32LiDe4oeqr87P7xfpFNaG15ghme9MEWqi6PX7kSEb1EESp/s1600/IMAG0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmJ3R1NBiRIHtP9nxuN-r6ow0mylSnL-PhnzWbu9txqDHqShS5hlXQqFPDxEBV0zRpTc3pSnHysGj_rf6zuS9zWQzX_FyB32LiDe4oeqr87P7xfpFNaG15ghme9MEWqi6PX7kSEb1EESp/s1600/IMAG0782.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cottage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-0EaQCd9J3Oojj-xwP_POy-QU8i1tAON7Ajb0ZqJc3qy0sI_-gJUgjWFdglAtpvLt6Hw-RUVsp2fJC_gFPcE5anIq058hiyO794YEgUyrJRi_Xc9GsWEHorPVPlQXgByFWJhyphenhyphensHqhs-b/s1600/IMAG0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-0EaQCd9J3Oojj-xwP_POy-QU8i1tAON7Ajb0ZqJc3qy0sI_-gJUgjWFdglAtpvLt6Hw-RUVsp2fJC_gFPcE5anIq058hiyO794YEgUyrJRi_Xc9GsWEHorPVPlQXgByFWJhyphenhyphensHqhs-b/s1600/IMAG0772.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rainy view from our cottage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EywvC4Nnxv6gVOHHpZZs5_1DNXvxPztpuTZda-fiPDAR_KNVbAywSVunVqlzgaOhAJNoyy3JTpJ-lwzsuNvygJAEGGgPbFw4YkLoBx0BqUQ7DAd6CV3VObaQYSvguDuWAzDaTswp6gi4/s1600/IMAG0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EywvC4Nnxv6gVOHHpZZs5_1DNXvxPztpuTZda-fiPDAR_KNVbAywSVunVqlzgaOhAJNoyy3JTpJ-lwzsuNvygJAEGGgPbFw4YkLoBx0BqUQ7DAd6CV3VObaQYSvguDuWAzDaTswp6gi4/s1600/IMAG0773.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a protected spot and enjoyed popsicles!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJXXY8dBlvy5FE0H15FUVdkYNG9xYY80ismRe0cRtW8s-56bK4_QovzWSLwOFWGJ_fVvESGEZpDlZ59e5mQljYfD804cGwCkeT1Lkp1AhJnJwcHCnSpWIj0AgYnE9i-s2hCBk1LK7CPsW/s1600/IMAG0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJXXY8dBlvy5FE0H15FUVdkYNG9xYY80ismRe0cRtW8s-56bK4_QovzWSLwOFWGJ_fVvESGEZpDlZ59e5mQljYfD804cGwCkeT1Lkp1AhJnJwcHCnSpWIj0AgYnE9i-s2hCBk1LK7CPsW/s1600/IMAG0774.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf28K41lsXtGqpsQPlCxwyvTVDMZPeL-BKvbYd0lzk-VJ7kZ2FPkFwJ-Yxc0JsVSMC-XY0tgaxcmKPxo4OGsaPA3yfJeHwAbD3we7EIBDJGAYMkSD-ciJ0wC8bwar9pF1qRjCpducfBN3T/s1600/IMAG0775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf28K41lsXtGqpsQPlCxwyvTVDMZPeL-BKvbYd0lzk-VJ7kZ2FPkFwJ-Yxc0JsVSMC-XY0tgaxcmKPxo4OGsaPA3yfJeHwAbD3we7EIBDJGAYMkSD-ciJ0wC8bwar9pF1qRjCpducfBN3T/s1600/IMAG0775.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent wasn't very impressed by all the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5Tpmy_0CZD1yrK3WQGm9IuAWlodU-drgSbY2xEPT3lWWPpSTKhBgm-djR_1dA5adGJHSySqV8OTNsVF3_szTHYwlwt0q9I4zW6AePnDKlB28LBdVPds9y_DBEhm8-LG01V1UmT5aRjfy/s1600/IMAG0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5Tpmy_0CZD1yrK3WQGm9IuAWlodU-drgSbY2xEPT3lWWPpSTKhBgm-djR_1dA5adGJHSySqV8OTNsVF3_szTHYwlwt0q9I4zW6AePnDKlB28LBdVPds9y_DBEhm8-LG01V1UmT5aRjfy/s1600/IMAG0771.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desmond all tuckered out </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWFIeA2qvVkO3uTS8_uOUAh5sG-Gy_DD9ox_JAQ3zwxcQl_ns7VHc-zTVlvde794NII8q5uLLyK4WwUZsIl1HTyzVIgVZBwZbEZFG_wYbSKqeiU3-iKwwfPXQKi45773Gil5nkug563a2/s1600/IMAG0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWFIeA2qvVkO3uTS8_uOUAh5sG-Gy_DD9ox_JAQ3zwxcQl_ns7VHc-zTVlvde794NII8q5uLLyK4WwUZsIl1HTyzVIgVZBwZbEZFG_wYbSKqeiU3-iKwwfPXQKi45773Gil5nkug563a2/s1600/IMAG0776.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surf pounding at Pearl Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFphLm_pYfFhIVntOIuTuiMutBs__PGaQLy9EeJXPOHF67bdZqrrtBW6ijZ8zWG33ISlNqlGPtlM0WfPGZO8psEnqbLk71iFrIJJVK8fK6GOAOuP-LWZVgsf0DvVWQpqheT6Mt02M8Z9T0/s1600/IMAG0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFphLm_pYfFhIVntOIuTuiMutBs__PGaQLy9EeJXPOHF67bdZqrrtBW6ijZ8zWG33ISlNqlGPtlM0WfPGZO8psEnqbLk71iFrIJJVK8fK6GOAOuP-LWZVgsf0DvVWQpqheT6Mt02M8Z9T0/s1600/IMAG0777.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing cricket under a pavilion at Patonga</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCayim8XKe32xfhXdeASYMovcDZB7sZNR8mYLLeMcpBfrD86k09GKVYap2HasITlhuLU5Lmupd2ClSoR_NEh3lQNdxh7EylWQPAKxslDBiOKdMPWMKZzbE-24j6phO9iwX8LGDMX2LjDqh/s1600/IMAG0780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCayim8XKe32xfhXdeASYMovcDZB7sZNR8mYLLeMcpBfrD86k09GKVYap2HasITlhuLU5Lmupd2ClSoR_NEh3lQNdxh7EylWQPAKxslDBiOKdMPWMKZzbE-24j6phO9iwX8LGDMX2LjDqh/s1600/IMAG0780.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Umina Beach on Sunday<br />
morning after the storm had cleared<br />
(looking east)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vKGXoDMXaTD5UR1e685Iy-pafa1nA7H-m8A2xxRBAsFdSNyUFCt8mG11dZwxAttK1wueFTv3e1oPC_8eZ7PMmPIThraxZ6TmIetyCAp2mRtvx3QWyeMopcknuuKIwLFXfeQfRz4DzkxK/s1600/IMAG0781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vKGXoDMXaTD5UR1e685Iy-pafa1nA7H-m8A2xxRBAsFdSNyUFCt8mG11dZwxAttK1wueFTv3e1oPC_8eZ7PMmPIThraxZ6TmIetyCAp2mRtvx3QWyeMopcknuuKIwLFXfeQfRz4DzkxK/s1600/IMAG0781.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from Umina Beach <br />
(looking east)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ym_uQc2yTsrinZzOMdHKdL1DbHPtDkFY1lNMs2Vk7cOuvVyfuApP5qIjBOmIUjXWodNwOXuYm8Whf-ukJK46AtHklIAt8HKNtCY3NvwoJQV9ZvGPdl8LzQcMDycIL2dok5PWwSAtfvzw/s1600/IMAG0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ym_uQc2yTsrinZzOMdHKdL1DbHPtDkFY1lNMs2Vk7cOuvVyfuApP5qIjBOmIUjXWodNwOXuYm8Whf-ukJK46AtHklIAt8HKNtCY3NvwoJQV9ZvGPdl8LzQcMDycIL2dok5PWwSAtfvzw/s1600/IMAG0783.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a fun time - maybe we will come back again <br />
(when it's not raining!) </td></tr>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-73143754010206651572013-01-20T19:40:00.001+11:002013-01-20T19:40:40.266+11:00My Knitting & Crocheting StaycationFor the past two weeks, the boys have been in full-time daycare, Paul has been at work, and I have been home - by myself! It has been great - very relaxing, rejuvenating, and relatively productive. It was just the break I needed before I start working 3 days a week this week (and the boys are home with me for the other 2 days). In addition to keep up with regular household chores <i>(i.e., laundry, vacuuming, laundry, cleaning the kitchen, laundry, cleaning out the car, and more laundry)</i>, I had lots of time to knit and crochet and watch a bit of "junky" TV - including the start of the new season of Downton Abbey - which, by the way is <u style="font-style: italic;">not</u> "junky" TV. (I also did a bit of work on an article I have been writing, but didn't quite get it finished). It was fantastic!<br />
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At the beginning of last week, I discovered two crocheting and knitting blogs: <a href="http://mooglyblog.com/">mooglyblog.com</a> and <a href="http://stitch11.com/">stitch11.com</a>. Both sites have loads of cute, practical and free patterns, as well as links to other cute, practical and free patterns. So, in addition to knitting and crocheting, I also spent time checking out these (and other) great sites and making mental lists of items to make for future birthday and Christmas gifts.<br />
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If you follow my blog, you will know that I started this knitting and crocheting marathon with <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/vincent-preschool-and-new-crown.html" target="_blank">a crown for Vincent</a> as a celebration for his first day of pre-school. He loved it and immediately requested one in blue for Desmond. And then, two days later, he told me, very politely, that the one I made for him was a bit too small and asked if I could make a bigger one. So I did - but it got a bit too big and is more like an ear warmer than a crown. Oh well - he can grow into it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxa371fz50j_RRPb_RRCk0WOn8d_HsgYzqmV1S1oEBG5BuwhXsGe-LJT59bYf7GKWFz9X68vGSxDbQT2tOtlZtM33DcODaPvj8TMMRGZcSMxFNrpOmOWuzKACdYi7r_NNXr3OrZcDEHf/s1600/IMAG0750_BURST002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxa371fz50j_RRPb_RRCk0WOn8d_HsgYzqmV1S1oEBG5BuwhXsGe-LJT59bYf7GKWFz9X68vGSxDbQT2tOtlZtM33DcODaPvj8TMMRGZcSMxFNrpOmOWuzKACdYi7r_NNXr3OrZcDEHf/s1600/IMAG0750_BURST002.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desmond's new blue crown.</td></tr>
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In addition, I started working on Vincent's birthday gifts (even though his birthday isn't until April). After spending time drooling over the great patterns on <a href="http://mooglyblog.com/">mooglyblog.com</a> and <a href="http://stitch11.com/">stitch11.com</a>, I chose this cool <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/shark-time-pouch/" target="_blank">shark pouch/pencil case</a> and this fun <a href="http://stitch11.com/snake-puppet/#more-367" target="_blank">snake puppet</a>. I still have to put the teeth, zipper and eyes on the shark (and I really have an aversion to putting in zippers...) and I still have to start the snake. But I think he will really like both!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDgoULY6Sx8zMVCyIekGRCDH2gzn5AFIYlZ2lGG8ayreJ-4H40WX01QN7iYtzOHt-XThWviwoL1JiCquA7jbpV14I4JCEUTwK-rLoyMW4zm6rlUiWmlIQ0uPtqcLgyt4RsXKOIus45ZA3/s1600/IMAG0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDgoULY6Sx8zMVCyIekGRCDH2gzn5AFIYlZ2lGG8ayreJ-4H40WX01QN7iYtzOHt-XThWviwoL1JiCquA7jbpV14I4JCEUTwK-rLoyMW4zm6rlUiWmlIQ0uPtqcLgyt4RsXKOIus45ZA3/s1600/IMAG0740.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the unfinished shark - looking a bit like a beached whale!</td></tr>
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The wife one of Paul's co-workers is expecting a baby soon, so I also made a pair of my "go-to" booties from Louisa Harding's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Knits-Babies-Louisa-Harding/dp/1596680105" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Natural Knits for Moms and Babies</a>. These booties are great - they are knit flat and seamed up the back and across the sole. Very quick to knit and use only a small amount of yarn - great for "stash-busting!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMTOEKlUkIFNYrM6Vb8Ouj7VQMBKyYJmD2lKvPHoTQhyphenhyphenVsCbIDFUi3cZyDOUEkXx12iLWJrvirxvA2gL5tv1CazwRHB7D6ETF0-u8eEBHwQGz6fQWQvKCV8z-tSaXx7wLbA8j-RNvdNMb/s1600/IMAG0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMTOEKlUkIFNYrM6Vb8Ouj7VQMBKyYJmD2lKvPHoTQhyphenhyphenVsCbIDFUi3cZyDOUEkXx12iLWJrvirxvA2gL5tv1CazwRHB7D6ETF0-u8eEBHwQGz6fQWQvKCV8z-tSaXx7wLbA8j-RNvdNMb/s1600/IMAG0739.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAPvjzMMwQgXZKEQq6Q64xStIkibYDm4YaeZdqQQumycrJ2P2gsBiOpkMTmZ6R38fG3Nyg92m3eWRwDk4WggLjl6OwaqvkqeQxF-5GTbhOMrGvstAhGe8VLUJbMHIVZCn8wgr2NwHA4bt/s1600/IMAG0736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAPvjzMMwQgXZKEQq6Q64xStIkibYDm4YaeZdqQQumycrJ2P2gsBiOpkMTmZ6R38fG3Nyg92m3eWRwDk4WggLjl6OwaqvkqeQxF-5GTbhOMrGvstAhGe8VLUJbMHIVZCn8wgr2NwHA4bt/s1600/IMAG0736.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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I spent most of the first part of this week working on the <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/" target="_blank">Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf</a> from mooglyblog.com for a friend. I had a few skeins of a highly textured yarn that ended up producing a lovely scarf/cowl/wrap. I was very pleased with the result!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ93oWO5msGgspJNID6Lx7NWBUDRjWzY0c39IkhFarM4lbrndl-l00MarkG4No8QgaPHMtj0Ft-fl3IX5PCreffpggigoERLSsRgXjHHuKbLyHycthLatcJq4aCfej9BsLP6crehv8bfp/s1600/IMAG0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ93oWO5msGgspJNID6Lx7NWBUDRjWzY0c39IkhFarM4lbrndl-l00MarkG4No8QgaPHMtj0Ft-fl3IX5PCreffpggigoERLSsRgXjHHuKbLyHycthLatcJq4aCfej9BsLP6crehv8bfp/s1600/IMAG0729.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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Finally, I have spent the last day or so working on a set of crocheted coasters for my father-in-law's birthday. He is a tough guy to buy for - but I thought that these <a href="http://crochet.about.com/od/vintage/ss/aa052606.htm" target="_blank">coasters</a> (also shown <a href="http://www.lululoves.co.uk/index.php/item/crochet-coasters" target="_blank">here</a>) would be great to keep in their camper-caravan for when he and my mother-in-law go touring around Australia! They are easy to make and the result is beautiful. Before I decided on using this variegated yarn for his set of coasters, I made a "test" coaster in a solid yarn - it is stunning! I think I will be making several sets in bold colours for Christmas gifts later this year! <i>(And in case you are a crocheter and interested in what materials I used for this project, I used an 8-ply or DK weight yarn and an F hook</i>.<i>)</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60UEW3P8aBLP8_5eNn7F48wN9zS7PtJsCJjizUJHT0Ot0q2pE9DLlrs5xgls5907ylBiPI-LTIwpwTz1IkqsYVXWsWDB3LWxjk0PXUjAZhsHXFxnW0p3pR_Q9jpux3TTh8KSjHSmcRVlV/s1600/IMAG0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60UEW3P8aBLP8_5eNn7F48wN9zS7PtJsCJjizUJHT0Ot0q2pE9DLlrs5xgls5907ylBiPI-LTIwpwTz1IkqsYVXWsWDB3LWxjk0PXUjAZhsHXFxnW0p3pR_Q9jpux3TTh8KSjHSmcRVlV/s1600/IMAG0731.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is one of the coasters I made for Paul's dad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpydbUmjj3GOLdDM-fSz2x4qeogghM7xk3Gs5lOBZfBo_9OZcmfPPiqz_kjR0-lo0Yqmirz51crSocWfU4snE-r3fye0u76bxu8_IdQBtTdDfb9cJL7sVJlnJd8kEnTD8EiHskWXsdvbF/s1600/IMAG0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpydbUmjj3GOLdDM-fSz2x4qeogghM7xk3Gs5lOBZfBo_9OZcmfPPiqz_kjR0-lo0Yqmirz51crSocWfU4snE-r3fye0u76bxu8_IdQBtTdDfb9cJL7sVJlnJd8kEnTD8EiHskWXsdvbF/s1600/IMAG0735.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the detail of the coaster - it is lovely!</td></tr>
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This week was capped off with a night "away" with Paul. We went to North Sydney, had a yummy dinner at an Indian restaurant in McMahons Point, and spent the night in a boutique hotel in North Sydney - Paul's sister and her husband watched the boys for us :-)</div>
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It has been a glorious two-week "yarn-tastic" knitting and crocheting staycation. Just what this mama needed!</div>
Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-79641048106792143732013-01-08T08:54:00.000+11:002013-01-08T08:54:49.720+11:00Vincent, Preschool, and a New CrownYesterday was Vincent's first day of preschool. I know it is a bit of a cliche, but it is so hard to believe that he is old enough to be a preschooler! Of course, he didn't think it was any big deal - same daycare (different room), same teacher, same friends. But now, as he proudly told me, he is a Wallaby - no longer a Wombat.<br />
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<i>(At our daycare, each of the rooms is named after an Australian animal that, in my opinion, shares qualities with the kids in that room. The babies are Koalas, the toddlers are Platypuses, the two/three-year-olds are Kangaroos, the three/four-year-olds are Wombats, and the preschoolers are Wallabies.)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9BxgjTfTeClVSIEfyPwIMgtSSEJI_B0k4GQYgCNvE4aHWWLlXLEESicn8YbVZnnIz1EoRmVJGz0DGmwnu6X-qQhPNiqlQzmF7_EQp_MdC5H-iflN08LBEEcmSVWwv2AobETZ57nGfI3V/s1600/IMAG0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9BxgjTfTeClVSIEfyPwIMgtSSEJI_B0k4GQYgCNvE4aHWWLlXLEESicn8YbVZnnIz1EoRmVJGz0DGmwnu6X-qQhPNiqlQzmF7_EQp_MdC5H-iflN08LBEEcmSVWwv2AobETZ57nGfI3V/s1600/IMAG0721.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
To celebrate this preschool/Wallaby milestone, I decided to make Vincent a crown from a <a href="http://stitch11.com/for-the-king-of-your-castle/" target="_blank">great pattern</a> I found at <a href="http://stitch11.com/" target="_blank">Stitch11</a>. <i>(If you are a crocheter, be sure to check out this website - lots of fantastic patterns - I can't wait to make the <a href="http://stitch11.com/snake-puppet/" target="_blank">snake puppet</a> for Vincent's birthday and the <a href="http://stitch11.com/child-size-sock-monkey-hat/" target="_blank">monkey hats</a> for both boys!)</i> It was quick and easy - it only took took a couple of hours! The result is adorable, and I would definitely make it again (Vincent has already told me that I need to make one for Desmond in blue). I chose yellow not only because crowns are usually yellow, but because yellow is also Vincent's favourite colour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup4bYkmE397i-8Bi1tHdvR8yr7SBWB7lMzM1qEzBWHM8wHXbI2VjccgDyveIOGIkuAxZvWNpWZgZ2hNvDSLWX-84GIuCIUs6ja-LER4F_Q0veoxhUg1PP1JManHok8ABoDZkvk-kCvvGJ/s1600/IMAG0720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup4bYkmE397i-8Bi1tHdvR8yr7SBWB7lMzM1qEzBWHM8wHXbI2VjccgDyveIOGIkuAxZvWNpWZgZ2hNvDSLWX-84GIuCIUs6ja-LER4F_Q0veoxhUg1PP1JManHok8ABoDZkvk-kCvvGJ/s1600/IMAG0720.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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He loves it! He wears it at home, in the car, and wanted to wear it to preschool, but we decided that wouldn't be a good idea. But he won't wear it when he plays cricket ("Cricket players don't wear crowns, Mama!") I did take it to daycare with me yesterday afternoon when I picked the boys up so that he could show his teachers. One of them commented that it looked just a bit like the crown that Max wears in <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i>. Maybe a future Halloween costume?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPrz_Shl33dRxaIs6JmU5ByLqhrgeKX3SBldgySJukgtee_2YxoajkyzYeUb6TairfTqFW2o4m-3vz3_zcXOtaMqpnpb00NIEsNMj7s24GiomYYGHxXLDdlVBHwF4qvU0u0vrVFXPVALg/s1600/the-story-behind-where-the-wild-things-are-04-350-75.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPrz_Shl33dRxaIs6JmU5ByLqhrgeKX3SBldgySJukgtee_2YxoajkyzYeUb6TairfTqFW2o4m-3vz3_zcXOtaMqpnpb00NIEsNMj7s24GiomYYGHxXLDdlVBHwF4qvU0u0vrVFXPVALg/s1600/the-story-behind-where-the-wild-things-are-04-350-75.jpeg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: http://ourplana.blogspot.com.au</td></tr>
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<br />Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-38005684040496349272013-01-04T16:04:00.000+11:002013-01-04T16:04:27.930+11:00Holiday Gifts - Part 4In this final instalment of the gifts I made for Christmas 2012, I feature the presents we gave to our nieces.<br />
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For Lucy, aged 11, I chose a simple - yet bold - <a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pillow-talk" target="_blank">heart-shaped pillow pattern</a>. I selected a pink and purple variegated yarn in a dk weight and knit the pattern with two strands held together. She was pretty excited about the result (but I'm sure she would have been much more thrilled if I would have incorporated the logo for her favourite band, One Direction...)<br />
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Zoe is 8 and loves "little girl" things. I went back to my favourite book for toy patterns (<a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Susan B. Anderson</a>'s <i><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfbooks/book_display.cfm?ID=31248" target="_blank">Itty Bitty Toys</a></i>) and found a cute pattern called "wrap-me-up puppies." In her description about this pattern, Anderson writes, "All small children like to pretend to put their toys or dolls to bed." My boys don't seem to be into this, but when I mentioned this pattern to Zoe's mum, she told me that Zoe loves to do this sort of thing. So, I made Zoe a "wrap-me-up" puppy. Zoe has named the puppy "Coco."</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hi, My name is Zac.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway, I love American football even though I live in Australia. all my life. I got into football when my friend Harry told me about it about 1 1/2 years ago. He accidentally clicked on the Philadelphia Eagles homepage and I have been hooked since (because Harry supports the Vikings). I love watching the documentary "America’s Game” about the Super Bowl champions. Also I play football at lunch time with my friends. I like playing safety/ cornerback and qb, because I’m the only one who can throw (apart from my friend Danesh, who can throw huge passes). I’m not old enough to play football yet, you have to be 14 or 15, I’m only 13 >:( I like football because it’s the ultimate team sport and is a lot of fun to play. But it’s my 2nd favorite sport behind cricket (I’ve been playing since I was 4, go figure).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Zachary's "doodling" of the logos for all the<br />NFL teams (he drew these free-handed)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My favourite team is the Philadelphia Eagles and my favorite player is LeSean ‘Shady’ Mccoy. It’s too bad that he’s injured. The Eagles haven’t been doing too well lately but once we get all our injured players back and get </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">new coaches </b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and better secondary (safeties and CBs) and with Nick Foles doing nicely we will make the playoffs next year. Hopefully.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is Zachary with a cool Philadelphia Eagles<br />logo that he made out of wood!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have made some cool NFL and Eagles things over this year like: a poster, my own helmet made out of cardboard and a wooden Philadelphia Eagle logo! And during the school holidays (right now), I am drawing the logos of all the NFL teams. I am drawing them free-handed - and when I finished, my mum is going to frame them all and hang them in our house.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of many of the large NFL logos that<br />Zachary is drawing this summer.<br />It's worth noting that he is <b><u>not</u> </b>a Green Bay Packers fan!!</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading.</div>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-54791966912156887802012-12-17T14:16:00.001+11:002012-12-17T14:16:52.931+11:00Holiday Gifts - Part 3<i>In part 3 of my series of home made Christmas gifts, I share with you the adorable toy I made for Desmond.</i><br />
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As I have mentioned in previous posts, <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Susan B. Anderson</a>'s book, <i><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfbooks/book_display.cfm?ID=31248" target="_blank">Itty Bitty Toys</a></i>, as become my "go-to" book for knitted toys. And I found within its pages the perfect Christmas gift for Desmond. Our baby will be 15 months old on 21 December and is starting to develop his own personality. He likes to "perform" to see what sort of reaction he will get from me, his daddy or his big brother. But most of all, he seems to want whatever it is his brother has. And one thing that Vincent has is lots of stuffed animals and toys. So I knew that I would be making Desmond a knitted stuff toy for Christmas this year. I chose the baby doll from the "Baby Doll Set" and adapted it to make it gender appropriate.<br />
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<i>(Ok, so it is worth noting here that I am not at all opposed to boys playing with "girl" toys - in fact, I think it is a good idea. I don't really want to launch into a debate about boy toys vs girl toys vs gender neutral toys. Suffice it to say, although we have lots of trucks and dinosaurs and tools - traditionally categorized as "boy" toys, we also have lots of gender neutral toys and "girl" toys. And today at the library, Vincent picked up a book obviously marketed towards girls called "Ella Bella Ballerina." He held it all the way home and we have already read it twice. But I thought that Desmond would better identify with this little doll if I made it a boy rather than a girl.)</i><br />
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Meet Norman (Paul picked the name because we think he resembles a character from the children's cartoon series "Fireman Sam.")<br />
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Simple construction, not much sewing together or seaming at the end. I didn't do the ruffled pants, sundress, and hat with braids from the original pattern. Instead, I knit up some short overalls and gave him a healthy crop of yellow hair. I think he turned out pretty well - he is chunky and solid. Perfect for a little boy to play with.<br />
<br />Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-91174562483662633922012-12-13T14:43:00.000+11:002012-12-13T14:43:57.231+11:00Holiday gifts - part 2<i>Last week, I started a series of blog posts about the gifts I am making for Christmas this year. Today, I wanted share with you my gift idea for the boys' daycare teachers.</i><div>
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The boys have been attending daycare here in Australia since July - Vincent goes two days a week and Desmond just goes on Fridays. I wanted to do something simple - yet meaningful - for their teachers for Christmas. I decided to make each of them a dishcloth (there are six teachers in total - four in Desmond's room and two in Vincent's). I then wrapped the dishcloth around a candy cane to make it more festive. This turned out to be a super-easy project!</div>
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My "go-to" <a href="http://www.lakebreeze.org/knitting.htm">dishcloth pattern</a> is easy and quick to knit and makes a very durable and useful dishcloth. Plus, I discovered that I could almost an entire dishcloth on my commute to and from the city. I used <a href="http://www.sugarncream.com/">Lily's Sugar and Cream</a> cotton yarn - each ball of yarn makes 2 or 3 dishcloths (depending on the size of the ball of yarn) and size 7 needles. Here are the results --</div>
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-32721525827853621752012-12-06T14:29:00.001+11:002012-12-06T14:29:08.669+11:00Holiday Gifts - Part 1I know it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been busy applying for jobs, spending time with the boys, and working on Christmas gifts. Speaking of which, this post is the first in a series of the gifts I am making and giving this holiday season.<br />
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This year, I decided that all of the gifts that I/we give will be home made/handmade by me (well, not all gifts...the gift for my nephew Zachary isn't handmade - I couldn't find a Philadelphia Eagles knitting pattern...) Even the gifts from Santa will be handmade this year. Now, before you start calling me "Martha Stewart" or "Suzy Homemaker," let me explain my decision. First, I have found that it is much cheaper to make gifts than buy them. Second, by making all of my gifts, I can ensure that I can get exactly what I want for each person - and each gift is so much more personal. And finally, I genuinely enjoy making gifts - especially knitted/crocheted gifts.<br />
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So, I decided that it might be fun to share these gifts with you (the illustrious readers of my lowly blog). If you are expecting a gift from me, don't worry - I won't post your gift here until after you have received it. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.<br />
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First up - <b>Vincent's gift</b> --<br />
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Three of this year's gifts, including Vincent's, come from <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com.au/">Susan B. Anderson</a>'s book, <i><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfbooks/book_display.cfm?ID=31248">Itty Bitty Toys</a></i>. You may remember in September that I made the <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/knitting-for-charity-mama-and-baby-koala.html">mama and baby koala</a> from this book for a Relay for Life fund raiser at the boys' daycare. I have really been enjoying working with the patterns in this book - easy to follow, relatively quick to knit, and fun results!<br />
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For Vincent, I chose one of the five reversible toys featured in Anderson's book: the elephant and the lion.<br />
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Knit separately, each animal has several cute features. I love the elephant's trunk and tail and the lion's mane is adorable (but a bit time consuming to make).<br />
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The two animals are then sewn together, with one folded inside the other.</div>
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I think Vincent will really enjoy playing with this. I hope that it holds up to his rough play!!Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-78371338434727671422012-11-22T10:05:00.001+11:002012-11-22T10:05:43.433+11:00Six MonthsSix months ago today, we <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/our-big-move.html">moved</a> to Australia. On the morning of May 22, Paul, the boys, and I arrived at Sydney Airport with eight huge suitcases, several carry-ons, and two car seats. We moved into a <a href="http://mamaclare.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/our-house-is-quirky.html">quirky house</a>, generously furnished for us by our family and friends, and settled into our new life here.<br />
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In many ways, it feels like we have been here much longer than six months. The boys are now Australian citizens and they have settled in very well - they <u><b>love</b></u> spending time with their cousins, Auntie Barbara and Uncle Nick and Granny and Granddad. We found a great daycare for them, and Vincent has been thriving. It has been so wonderful to see our friends and their kids (and we are looking forward to having everybody - 14 adults and 20 kids - over at our house on Saturday for an American Thanksgiving celebration!) We have taken advantage of Medicare (the universal healthcare system) - it is such a relief to be able to take boys to the doctor and not have to pay anything to get excellent medical attention (yes, we do pay for through payroll taxes, but it nothing like the premiums and deductibles and office visit costs that we had to pay in the States).<br />
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And, no, the boys don't have Australian accents yet. Desmond really isn't talking and Vincent still sounds like an American three-year-old (although several Australianisms have crept into his vocabulary).<br />
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The house isn't any less quirky, and we will be moving when our lease is up in May. But we have put in a veggie garden (tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and heaps and heaps of butternut squash) and have adopted a family of lizards (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skink">skinks</a>) that live under our front steps and in our back patio - their names are Steve, Betty, and Mike (we think Steve and Betty are siblings and Betty is married to Mike). And we don't have any cockroaches yet (knock on wood) but we do have a sugar ant problem. Still, it is an ok house in a good location with a nice backyard.<br />
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And thanks to Skype, we video chat with my parents and sister quite frequently. In fact, the boys often eat their lunch and talk to Grandma and Grandpa at the same time. Both Vincent and Desmond <b style="text-decoration: underline;">love</b> chatting with their American grandparents and "playing" with them (this happens when I put the laptop on the floor - Desmond loves to crawl up to the computer and Vincent likes to show Grandma and Grandpa his trains).<br />
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I've had several people ask me how it was adjusting to living in Australia again after being gone for nearly ten years. It wasn't as difficult as I expected - perhaps because I was so focused on getting the boys settled and because I lived here before and knew what to expect. It also helps that I was able to get a driver's license and that Paul's family lives close by. The hardest part was suddenly becoming a full-time stay-at-home-mom after working three jobs (one full-time and two part-time) before we left Burnsville.<br />
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But there are days when I really miss the States. It's not a feeling of homesickness because my home is with my husband and boys - where ever that might be. This is more a feeling of missing my parents and sister and extended family in Minnesota and Wisconsin. And I often get a strong feeling of longing for the oddest things at the oddest times - like the leaves changing or the crisp feeling in the fall air or my mom's chocolate chip cookies or her apple crisp.<br />
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But all-in-all, I am glad we made the move. Paul is really enjoying his job - he has really grown into it and has made it his own. I had the wonderful opportunity to teach at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music this past term, but I am still looking for full-time work (anybody in Sydney need a musicologist??). Nonetheless, know that I am fortunate to have this time with my boys (even if they seriously try my patience every day).<br />
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Today also marks four weeks until my parents arrive in Sydney to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays with us. We are all looking forward to it - we are going to chop down a tree, have Christmas on the beach, and spend lots of time just being together.<br />
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Here's to the next six months.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944574752692015075.post-49324207849982487572012-11-06T08:24:00.001+11:002012-11-06T08:24:21.797+11:006 November 2012: two races that will stop two nationsOn Tuesday, 6 November all eyes in the US and Australia will focus on a race that will likely come down to the wire. In the US, that race is the Presidential Election. In Australia, it is the Melbourne Cup.<br />
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A horse race dating back to 1861, the Melbourne Cup is now one of the most important events on the Melbourne social calendar. Anybody who is anybody will be there, dressed to the nines - with the focus on the women's hats. In the state of Victoria, Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday - no work, no school. Across the rest of Australia, people often wear fancy dress to work and have a small party at race time.<br />
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I know we are talking about politics vs. horse racing, but the two are not as different as you might think.<br />
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<li>The participants in both have been preparing months - if not years - for this single day.</li>
<li>The jockeys and the presidential candidates are the "front men" for their respective teams/political parties.</li>
<li>Both races are marred by controversy. In the Melbourne Cup, one of the jockeys is under investigation for betting on another horse and jockey in 2010. In the US presidential race, controversy is the name of the game.</li>
<li>The amount of money spent by those involved is obscene - a few days ago, it was reported that the presidential candidates have spent <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-01/super-pacs-kept-romney-obama-even-in-1-billion-ad-race" target="_blank">$1 BILLION on a million advertisements</a> (most of them negative); last year, Australians bet more than <a href="http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-ugly-truth-of-spring-racing/" target="_blank">$140 million</a> on a race that only lasts 4 minutes. As <a href="http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-ugly-truth-of-spring-racing/">Sarah McKenzie</a> points out, <i><b>"To put this in perspective, Austrlia's total funding in response to the East Africa Food Crisis, in which over 13 million people are at risk, currently sits at $128 million."</b></i></li>
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Of course, there are also similarities that are far more shallow. For example, all fashion eyes have been and will be focussing on what the women wear.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole Kidman at Derby Day in Melbourne over the weekend (photo: Getty Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zPpp-0KJCcC7UjPdmFUeLmAIqu9OAPx-cJe2sZUR7wDSgTGTEX3oIWMb1ootb58a6tfpXPgUFYgMaz0CVt8q5-vuLZ0qJ92T84M9CGg-V2tySSenA0icYqUJcea_Qj5JIAOVMlk2epK4/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zPpp-0KJCcC7UjPdmFUeLmAIqu9OAPx-cJe2sZUR7wDSgTGTEX3oIWMb1ootb58a6tfpXPgUFYgMaz0CVt8q5-vuLZ0qJ92T84M9CGg-V2tySSenA0icYqUJcea_Qj5JIAOVMlk2epK4/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Lady Michelle Obama at the DNC (photo: usmagazine.com)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkQJFuwzrY1hcxsa1J_wFy9KV6NW387rQb1iLk9WOT8X8lZ21YcCZOckZ3nUNVTkKk5MKEQEeNjkgOtvvLLcnQCXA0JNzdjW4P8GS35cKzMul_6BLzzHDrm0hAxZXvT-xzCHDpEJMh7oQ/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkQJFuwzrY1hcxsa1J_wFy9KV6NW387rQb1iLk9WOT8X8lZ21YcCZOckZ3nUNVTkKk5MKEQEeNjkgOtvvLLcnQCXA0JNzdjW4P8GS35cKzMul_6BLzzHDrm0hAxZXvT-xzCHDpEJMh7oQ/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Romney and the fashion faux pas at the Presidential Debate (photo: usmagazine.com)</td></tr>
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And you have to admit that the names of this years' presidential candidates are unique (I'll bet George Washington never thought we'd be voting on guys named Barack and Mitt) - not unlike the names of the horses in this year's Melbourne Cup field: Dunaden, Jakkalberry, Voila Ici, Zabellionaire, and My Quest for Peace. <i>(I don't think the Romneys have a horse in the Melbourne Cup - that would be <u>way</u> too much excitement in the Romney house - or is that houses?? - for one day!)</i><br />
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Betting on the outcome of the US presidential election is illegal in the United States. But not in Australia. Right now, one Australian betting website has the odds in favor of the Democrats: an Obama win pays $1.22, while a Romney win will pay out $4.33. In the other race, Dunaden is the odds-on favorite for the Melbourne cup.<br />
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The second favorite to win is Americain. <br />
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How apropos.<br />
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Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18275406199448162713noreply@blogger.com0