Tuesday 18 February 2014

Crochet goodness: Infinity scarf

I do realise that it seems a bit strange to be crocheting a scarf when it is still summer here in Brisbane and well over 30 degrees at that. However I do have a good excuse...I am preparing for our big trip to Tasmania at the start of winter this year!

I am so excited about seeing a bit more of our great big country and I have always wanted to see Tasmania. We will be there for three weeks and travelling all over this beautiful little state and I just know that I will need a lovely warm and woolly scarf.


Now I was lucky to have a skein and a half of Wool Ease chunky yarn leftover from another project and that was all I needed for this beautiful infinity scarf.

I followed this gorgeous pattern from Fiber Flux and was not disappointed. It was so easy to follow and if you are just starting out she even provides a step by step video.


It feels so cozy around my neck and I know it will be great for winter. It would also make a beautiful handmade gift that is quick to whip up but looks amazing (it seriously took me only a couple of hours).


If you are new to crochet then give this project a go, you will be amazed at how quickly this comes together. Yay for crochet!

Thursday 13 February 2014

The Little Grey Men

A big thanks to my Dad and Mum who instilled in me a love of books. They were the ones who introduced me to Enid Blyton. When I was a wee girl I loved loved loved 'The Folk of the Faraway Tree'. I remember wishing that I would come across the Faraway Tree when I was out and about. I still love the idea that the Faraway Tree is out there somewhere.

Recently I was reading a fiction novel by Marcia Willett when she mentioned a book called 'The Little Grey Men' by BB. It is about the last four gnomes in Britain. BB was the pseudonym on D.J. Watkins-Pitchford on a side note.


The book was first published in 1942 and is simply...brilliant. I really could not put it down. I needed to know how Cloudberry, Dodder, Baldmoney and Sneezewort finished their big adventure. They are the names of the last four gnomes in Britain by the way.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough and I know that you will love reading it yourself as much as to your children, nieces or nephews.

I bought the book on bookdepository.co.uk and was not really expecting too much but I had a lovely surprise and now I love to think that Cloudberry, Dodder, Baldmoney and Sneezewort are chatting by the fire in Oak Tree House by the bubbling Folly brook. Please read it when you get a moment...you will escape to a beautiful place.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Wheelbarrow garden planter

The super talented Luke has been at it again (with his trusty apprentice who tries really hard...me). He has been going crazy for pallet projects. Pallets are a really inexpensive way of getting great looking rustic timber with loads of character.


Many places give them away for free or talk with some local builders in your area and maybe they will be kind enough to give you some (remember ask with a smile). I also sometimes see businesses in industrial areas giving them away for free (it really helps to have a ute in these situations...we are very lucky in that respect).

One pallet project that I love is the wheelbarrow garden planter by Steve Ramsey.

Steve is a fantastic vlogger with a very helpful website. Luke used his plans to make this amazing planter for me.


You can even watch Steve himself make this super cute planter on his YouTube channel.

We have put the planter in our front yard and put a few annuals in there. I went with some classic petunias in purple and pink tones but I think any plant would look amazing. I am trying for a cottage garden theme so petunias are a cheap and cheerful way to achieve that look. Hopefully I can put a few plants in there that I have grown from cuttings but more on that sometime later in the blog.

If you are a handyman or woman give a pallet project a try and Steve will certainly give you some inspiration.