This granny square blanket was originally named "The Ugly Blanket" but after your encouragement here, it was renamed "The Retro Caravan Blanket" (or The Retro Blanket for short).

For some reason I keep thinking of the old TV test pattern.

Now all I need is a retro caravan to go with my blanket.

Amazing what you can make out of your wool scraps isn't it!!

To check out my other finished crochet blankets (and the traditional "Yay, I've finished so lets do a crazy photo" pic, click on the photos below...

This week started out with my youngest son breaking his thumb, then Symon coming down with strep throat.  Life was rather busy and chaotic, but then suddenly our 'dramas' paled in comparison with the horrific circumstances that many are experiencing in Christchurch after the latest earthquake.

I think most of us in New Zealand (and many overseas) have been in a state of shock as we sit and watch the news.  Strangely, (and despite having many more urgent things to do) I have found myself often sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the live coverage of the quake on the news and crocheting (in between tending to my dear man-sick males of course).



Seriously, crocheting is soooo therapeutic.

We have cried as sad news has been reported, clapped with joy at the footage of live people being pulled from the rubble, and prayed earnestly for these precious people in Christchurch.

Thankfully there are many ways that we can help (see here and Gail is doing something awesome here) - it's the least we can do.

Tomorrow, I am looking forward to my Things I'm Loving post, because seriously... despite the devastation and sorrow, there are many things that I am thankful for.  Hoping you will join in too.

Regular news updates here.

Keep praying.

xoxo

For more crafty makings go here.
Joining in here with my Creative Space.

I had a "light-bulb moment" today - and if you are a craft nerd, pay attention. 

For some strange reason I decided to start on another crochet blanket yesterday (remember the Giant Granny Square blanket).  I think it was a combination of inspiration from Attic24, and also the fact that crafting helps keep me sane. 

When the kids are going crazy, the bird is squawking, dinner is overdue and the washing pile looks like a monster, hiding somewhere and hooking a few rows helps to calm my nerves (wow - I really do sound like an addict).

But I don't just want to have to hide away to craft, it's really nice to be able to take it with you when you go visit friends and family, when you are out at a park or beach... it's not just something to be done behind the secret curtain.

The problem is that some of us crafting peeps are a bit shy when it comes to doing our thing in public... especially if we experience a bit of taunting from the "non-crafters" out there in the world (remember my crochet persecution?).  I know there are others out there - so I came up with a plan!

I have made myself a goal for over the next little while, and I want you all to feel free to get involved.  I am going to make crafting in public cool again (hehee) and you guys are all welcome to join in!!!

I have created a flickr group for the photo's to be added to, or else you can email me your photo and I will post them right here on my blog.

The details are all here on the flickr group: Craft Nerds Going Public! but remember, photo's of you crafting at your Nana's house aren't counted!

Looking forward to recording my journey - and seeing some of you get involved too!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I'm still wondering what we call this year... 10, zero10, twenty10 or do we have to say 2010 every time?

I'm not really a 'new year resolutions' kind of girl, but I do think each new year is a good time to think about the year before and the year ahead, taking stock of how things have been and how I would like them to be - things I can change, work on, commit to - and of course, things I can be thankful to God for.

Here's a glance (essay might be more fitting) at my highlights and special moments during 2009...

Miss 5's first ride on a horse (she was Miss 4 back then and totally horse obsessed), hanging with the family at the beach over summer (and here), making yummy things, the birthing of Flannelgraph (only the coolest Christian fiction review site around), making my paisley peg apron and the best highlight of all, Miss 2 getting grommits (and finally being able to hear the birds singing outside).

Recycling stuff when crafting, finding a way to help after the tragic Victorian Bushfires, getting hold of some really old slides of my Dad during his young surfing days, road trips, reminding myself of the importance of 'special time' with our kids, reminicing,  and my baby turning 2 years old!

March

Taking time out for myself with other mums, my Dad turning 60 years old, finally finishing my first ever quilt (otherwise known as 'the quilt of doom') and starting to make these, the arrival of our puppy, cracking up at all your comments re my giant washing pile, and I am so thankful to God that this accident wasn't as major as it could have been.

Celebrating 13 years of marriage to my awesome hubby, making two Topsy Turvy Dolls for my girls, a great Easter outreach, turning more jeans into totes, learning to find joy in the drudgery of life, remembering how to crochet again... and then getting Crochet Persecution!

May

Miss 4 turning 5 and going off to school, me being spoilt (ahem) on Mother's Day, learning to crochet a beanie, being suspected as a drug smuggler (hehe), making my crochet bag, and my lovely Nana passing away.

June

Celebrating the birthday's of my eldest son, husband and mummy (and her party with the 'poop' surprise), finding out that apparently my armpits are really hairy, and getting crafty with making scarves, sugar cookies and crocheting beanies galore.

July

I discovered how much I love crumble,  celebrated my lovely Mum & Dad-in-law's 70th birthdays, finally got a half-decent photo of all of Us, enjoyed watching the kid's pyjama dance party, and worked on the never ending 'fruit salad' blankey.

August
Went on the coolest road trip,  found out that my children weren't as perfect as I'd thought,  celebrated Grandad's birthday, finally finished the flower crochet cushion, had a much needed crazy family meal, and missed someone special while he was away.

Septepmber

Was chuffed to be mentioned on Felt, found my very own secret hiding place and also my own creative place, ate way too much chocolate and had some much needed time out with him .


October

We had a couple of minor accidents in the family resulting in little scars, created cheap holiday fun, beautiful friends were married, Master 10 joined a basketball team (and I discovered how annoying I could be on the sideline), we farewelled our special Narnia, and  Master 8 had his birthday with a green puffle cake!

November

My family had our annual reunion/get-together, Zoo hour reared it's ugly head in our home, I got the Making bug again and again, we went on a drive through history, the kids learnt to say farewell to their pet and I turned another year older wiser!

December

December was packed with heaps of Christmas fun and celebrations, including a Christmas Haangi, our family's Big Day Out, meeting up with Blogging friends, catching up with precious friends, Christmas crafts, Peppermint Bark and of course Christmas surprises.

Whew - what a year!  So much to be thankful for - and so much to look forward to ahead.

Happy New Year - hoping that yours is filled with God's peace, love and hope.

Currently I am working on a couple of things...

Firstly, two quilts for the girls, made from left over bits of material. Did I ever think I would be the sort of person to make a quilt? No! Do I even know what I am doing? Not at all! I would appreciate any tips from quilting experts out there... especially regarding using the darning foot on my machine to do some 'free motion' patterns on the quilt.

Anyways... what are you currently working on?