A Card Cuddle and Goodbye...

I have a 'Thinking of You' card to pop up here today. I made it recently for a special friend, one who I thought could use a little card cuddle!

I have used the reverse applique technique again here. I do love how it looks. The rest was very straightforward...and done in one of my favourite colour combos, light blue, purple and white (aka Baja Breeze, Vintage Violet and Whisper White [methinks]). Apparently this combo is also a hit with one of my favourite little crafting companions...who made a little card for her distance education teacher too!

Today was also a bit of a milestone for all of us...our last day on Lucey Blue (for now ;-). Thanks for taking care of us LB, you did a great job!

So, my next post will be written up on terra firma...a fact which is both exciting and sad to me at the same time. At least I will have all my crafting goodies (and my desk) back at my disposal!!

Have a great weekend,

Hooky Happenings

Yup, still crocheting up a storm here, so thought I'd share a quick pic or two....

It was blowing a gale on Sydney Harbour today and I didn't fancy my lovely blankie taking a swim, so it was modelled by Miss 7 (above), who desperately needs a hair cut!

I am well and truly into the second cycle of colours now. I did a quick calculation, and decided I'd need more yarn than I'd ordered, so I quickly hopped online. I ordered through Deramores again. The first package, the one I ordered on December 26th...arrived in the ACT last week...just over a week after I ordered...amazing! I haven't seen the contents yet, but I'm sure it will be all kinds of woolly wonderful!! I was also heartily chuffed that they still had Sublime on special...so yeah for Deramores...I'll definitely shop there again.

On another topic entirely...the very rocky beach in the background of these photos is called Washaway, and is on Dobroyd Head in Sydney Harbour, immediately opposite the Harbour mouth. We pulled up there this morning because the wind was from the west, and it is a very scenic and protected spot. As I was sitting on the bow and getting in a spot of crochet  (the smallest crew-member was getting in a few quick Zzzzzzs, and the older kids were absorbed in their epic Lego voyage to the moon) I began to notice the people on the beach, and a whole different meaning to the term 'scenic' began to dawn. We were anchored a fair distance offshore, but those shining, white buttocks were a dead giveaway, even at 100m. I quickly checked online, and apparently Washaway is not one of Sydney's three 'legal' naturist beaches...obviously someone had forgotten to mention this to the seven naturists I counted ashore (one article mentioned it once had been a nudie beach...and given its quiet, out-of-the-way locale, it's no wonder). Probably lucky for all, the swell precluded us landing ashore in the dinghy today...I had been trying to work out what I was going to say to the kids, and how funny a day it was going to turn out to be. I also did a quick double-check on the pics above, didn't want anyone copping an eyeful if they zoomed in to check out the stitches (or lack thereof ;-)!

Say It In...Black, White and Silver

I needed a card for an upcoming birthday, and I had recently seen the Annabelle Stamps challenge, Say It In...Black, White and Silver, which looked like fun!

So I decided to use that as a starting point for my card. I thought it'd be pretty straightforward, until I discovered I did not have any silver paper onboard, and my supply of black was seriously small...doh! I then had to ruminate on my problem for a while, and almost settled on embossed aluminium foil, until I found my large silver brads and formulated a plan....simple, but pleasing to my eye.

I have used the Stemmed Flowers stamp set for my flower stems and white twisted paper cord (I love twisted paper cord!) as an embellishment, both are from Annabelle Stamps.

Looking back on my card, I wouldn't use that same sentiment again. I'd like it to be something with a more whimsical or childlike style, my main panel reminds me of a chalkboard....so whimsy or childish seems like it would be a better fit. I'm not having much luck with sentiments of late, am I?

Toodles!

A Little Late Christmas Offering

Just a little Christmas card, a lot late. Better late than never? Who knows, but it is what it is!
This one was inspired by this lovely paper pieced Christmas card by Julie Marshall. Thanks for the inspiration Julie.

It was mostly a low fuss card, me likely that! There was an eanie weanie bit of fuss from me when I discovered at the last minute that I had pretty much neglected Christmas when it came to stocking Lucey Blue with crafty goodness. The Christmas sentiment that I have used here was the only one I could find. It would not have been my first choice...it kind of disappears in the patterned paper and I would have preferred a one-liner that was a little bigger and bolder...but beggars can not be choosers.

Okey dokey......that's all I have to say for now.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Another quick hooky update...

I have been trying to get in as much quiet, colourful, ripply, hooky down-time as I can right now because we depart Lucey Blue and head back to Canberra next weekend (after 8 wonderful months afloat), and after that it'll be all action stations as we unpack and return to land-life, work, school and housework (i.e. real life!!)....and my craft desk...hooray!

I have almost completed one cycle of all my ripply colours...that's my first major milestone, and I am very excited to see this much progress so quickly. Crochet does grow very fast...it is great for those with a short attention span (like me ;-).

You might have noticed the sunshine in the photo background (or maybe not...it's not that obvious now that I look at it here), and if you live in Sydney you'll know this photo was not taken today (which is cold, grey, overcast and windy....dismal is a good descriptive word. I even have sheepskin slippers on...IN SUMMER, at MIDDAY!!!!). This photo was taken yesterday afternoon as we bobbed quietly in Bantry Bay, Middle Harbour.

Aaaaaaany way, I just took a chocolate cake out of the oven...we were trying to warm the boat up and make it smell tasty (mission accomplished), and now it needs to be iced and decorated (the cake, not the boat) and someone has to suffer through that pain....so I'm going to be brave and volunteer...the things we do eh?

Have a great afternoon,

Just Add Scrapbooking Challenge #1

When I saw that Just Add Ink had started a new scrapbooking challenge I really, really, really wanted to play...but I have little in the way of scrapbooking supplies aboard Lucey Blue so rather sadly thought I'd miss the Just Add Scrapbooking Challenge #1. But this afternoon, as I was quietly crocheting in the cockpit (and the rest of the crew were either asleep or creating disastrous Lego landslides) I suddenly realised that I could probably digi-scrap a little offering, and I set about doing just that.

Now, please bear in mind that I have never digi-scrapped before, so this layout is rather basic (a FIRST in fact ;-)...but you have to start somewhere!

I have used Photoshop to create this layout. The beautiful digital papers are from the Jackie Digital Paper Pack by TracyAnnDigitalArt on Etsy. My ability to make shapes is very limited..hence you have round brads only. I could have made them square...but I saved that awesome trick for the next digi-layout I make...betcha can't wait ;-).

Have a great rest-of-the-week!

There's something going on around here...

...but it isn't papercraft! I have done some beading though (well actually, I did it just over a month ago while we were stopped in Bundaberg...and then I promptly wrapped them up and put them away). Today I thought it might be time to break them out as I have been debating whether I might pop a few pieces up on Etsy and see how I go. I might also think about it a bit more though. No good rushing into these things is it?!

The lovely lampwork focal beads in the bracelet are by Terry Belcher of Silverfish Designs on etsy. I bought them over  a year ago, and can't for the life of me work out why I haven't used them before now. I love them so much...simply gorgeous colours! Sooooo...maybe they won't make it to Etsy after all ;-).

While I'm here...just another quick update on my crochet blankie. It really is coming along swimmingly right now...

I also had a chance to drool over someone else's beautiful crochet creation today...check out Ange's gorgeous blanket here. I can't wait to see more of her crochet projects online! I hope some more of my cyber crafting buddies might also pop up some pics of their crochet projects...hint, hint ;-). I for one thought I might use Ange's lovely colour combo on a card design, so I've tagged it for that.

Ok.....gonna go watch an episode of Stargate Universe with hubby. Can't believe it isn't going to go past two seasons. I like it lots!

Have a good one.

Happy New Year...

Athol Bay off Taronga Zoo was a huge success for us. The fireworks were spectacular and the weather was perfect. We had my mum to stay with us for the two nights we were there, and we all had a lovely time. Even the rumours we had heard of boating/anchoring chaos did not eventuate. We had one small, expensive party boat turn up right next to us at the eleventh hour...but they had a private skipper aboard, and his pristine, creamy white Riviera was worth waaaaaaay more than Lucey Blue....so believe me, he went to great lengths (bow thrusters are a remarkable invention) to make sure he didn't touch us....not even a NYE kiss!

The kids loved the 9pm fireworks...but try as we might, there was no waking them for the midnight ones (heck even I had trouble getting up after my little nana nap ;-). Emily actually managed to walk out into the cockpit (wrapped in a blanket - it was FREEZING) with a bit of help from dad, but at some point just before the midnight fireworks started, she got up and wandered back inside, and put herself to bed. I doubt she was ever actually awake (she has no recollection of the event)!

On New Year's Day, we waited until everybody around us had departed (thereby ensuring that our anchor was not terminally joined to anyone else's when we pulled it up) and motored around to Chinaman's Beach where Nick and the kids went for a swim. Mum and I watched from the sidelines...and I got in a few more ripply rows too...

Today we are going to stock up on some more fresh food, and maybe go anchor in Quarantine Bay near North Head (so that Nick and the kids can go swimming again). They have discovered that those large grey noodley fenders I mentioned in yesterday's post are a LOT of fun to play with in the water

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Crochet and Fireworks

Just a quick pic to show you some of my crochet progress. It's coming along in ripples and rows!

I am enjoying myself with this project a great deal! Even more so with the amazing view from the back of the boat. Yesterday we dropped our mooring in peaceful Middle Harbour and motored out into the fray that is Sydney Harbour. We checked out Farm Cove, which still had heaps of space, but decided we'd enjoy the view a little further back. So we joined a multitude of other boats already anchored in Athol Bay off Taronga Zoo.

Those big sausage shaped doovers on the bow are fenders, that we think we might need on hand as they bay gets more and more packed with boats. Smaller boats are coming now and anchoring in between the larger boats. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the wind does not change again, and send us all careening into each other!

I have decorated Lucey Blue with some of our Australia Day flags, and lots of other boats have flags and banners and plenty of colour flying too. It is very exciting to be this close in. Bring on the fireworks!

Happy New Year everybody!!
Sam.

Ripples on the water...

I've gone all hook happy here. I'm in a bit of a ripple rhapsody you might say. Crochet crazy? Definitely!!

I can't remember if I ever said much here, but I know I mentioned it (even if briefly), because I got two generous offers of crochet tuition from some fabulous stamping friends (thanks so much Patrice and Jocelyn...even if I haven't managed to take either of you up on your kind offer...yet ;-).

Before we set off sailing on Lucey Blue in May I had been inspired by Lucy of Attic24 to teach myself how to crochet (her excitement is highly contagious), so that I could make beautifully brilliant blankies like hers. So I got myself a 'how-to' book of crochet stitches, watched several online tutorials, got some el-cheapo yarn from Spotlight, mucked around with swatches of this, that and another, and kept my eye out for the perfect yarn. I even made myself a snazzy little purse to hold my crochet hooks, scissors, stitch counters and needle in.

One thing I have discovered of this fabulous hooky past-time, is that it is easily portable! Not like stamping and cardmaking at all! With stamping, I like to have ALL my things on hand, and if I've left a particular embellishment, ribbon or cardstock at home (and it is the thing I think I need to finish the card just so) then that is likely to annoy me a lot....a real lot! And we've already discussed here that I would have needed a second boat tied to the back of Lucey Blue to store all of my craft goodies on this voyage (a cruise liner may have been more appropriate in actual fact).

Anyhoo, not so with crochet. I have a  little pink and white tote bag that was a freebie during one of Clinique's promotions (I keep those bag for all sorts of things). This holds all my goodies in it. One of each colour of yarn I am using, my crochet purse, and my project (at least while it is small).

While we were away I started out small, and have made a scarf out of vertical stripes of treble stitch, using a nice cotton yarn (Moda Vera Sombre) that I picked up in Spotlight...

I did feel a bit silly crocheting on a boat, in the middle of a hot Whitsunday spring/summer....it actually felt like summer up there, not like Sydney...which currently feels like winter!!!!! But it was fun, and it was a good way to become well and truly familiar with treble stitch.

And now, I have started my gorgeous Ripply Blanket, and I am in love. I am using Lucy's awesome Neat Ripple Pattern...which you can check out for yourself here. It is such a great tutorial, even a complete novice like me can follow it.

I went up to a local yarn store last week and bought some yarn. The details are:
Name: Sublime (by Sirdar)
Type: Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk
Composition: 75% extra fine merino, 20% silk, 5% cashmere
Shades:
  0160 Rubadub
  0051 Button
  0002 Cuddle
  0245 Caterpillar
  0244 Ragdoll
  0243 Little Miss Plum
Weight/Length per ball: 50g/116m

Thankfully I only bought 2 balls of each of the above six colours at first, but then found it for almost $10/per ball cheaper online (ZOWIE CAVEY THAT'S A BIG SAVING)...so have ordered the rest online. I'll let you know how that purchase goes after it arrives. The little swatch above was made to test the pattern, and compare colours. I may make the actual blanket with a slightly different pattern of 2 rows/1 rows interlocking (like Lucy is currently using in another ripple blanket), but I'll experiment and see how it goes. I know my colours are not as varied and brilliant as Lucy's, but I love these colours, and I love distinct patterns.

And this is the start of my blanket...

I started with a chain of 283 stitches ([20 x 14] + 3). The chain, and the first row of treble stitches were hard work. Lots of counting and squinting and checking....but in an amazing Christmas miracle, I got my numbers right the first time, and didn't have to undo any of it! Now it seems to be plain sailing (no pun intended), and I am on my way. I am using a 4.0 mm Clover Bamboo hook...I really like the way the Bamboo feels.

It doesn't look like much all curled up here, but when you straighten it out, it looks big. I estimate I'll need about 35-40 balls to make a good size blanket (thank goodness for the discounted yarn eh?).

Ok....enough jabber from me. Back to my crochet while the kids are happily playing with Lego.
Have a great day.