39

So, this week saw me celebrate my 39th birthday.

39.

wow.

that means next year...yup, the Big One.

I didn't really feel up to having a big bash this year; it's been a very turbulent time in our family and it just didn't seem appropriate, so I spread the word that I was just after a quiet one and wasn't planning on doing anything, really.

As it turned out, a quiet one became one of my most lovely birthdays thus far, full of little unexpected surprises and moments of gratitude.

• At work, there was strawberry cheesecake and a lovely card.

• My girl rang the radio station and got the Breakfasters to send me a birthday call-out and they played Lucinda Williams for me.

• My girlfriend in Scotland sent me some wool, which I was particularly impressed with as she is a non-knitter!

• I found this album in our local second-hand music store. I've been looking for this for a couple of years on and off. For my 10th birthday I was given a portable cassette player (oh, how grown up did I feel?!) and my Nana gave me this album on cassette. I loved it so much, and played it again and again. It occurred to me as an adult that it was actually a pretty good compilation tape, and decided I needed to have it again for nostalgia.

• I bought myself a new frock with some birthday money, and wore it to a local theatre production friends of ours were in, then followed it up by heading out for drinks with my Derby sisters.

• and finally, went out for lunch with my knitty friends and then dinner with my mum, brother and sister-in-law.

All in all, not a bad way to start one's last year in one's 30's.

I feel like I should be making a list of "things I want to achieve before 40" or something, but instead I think I'm just going to sit back and relax, enjoy this time for what it is, and savour it all.

it's official

I passed my White Star skills test last week which, amongst other things, means I can register my Derby name!!


may I please introduce....

*** Sailor-Mouth Sadie ***

squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

nautical

I'm having a bit of a red-white-and-blue phase at the moment. i just can't seem to get enough of it. Here are a couple of the many examples of the phase!

platform espadrilles scored for $5 - brand new in box!

delicate applique earrings found at Byron Bay market,
for considerably more than $5 ;)

We had the most wonderful break in Byron this week just past; a much needed chance to regroup and recharge exhausted batteries. The days were filled with friends and laughter, lots of swimming, great food and (plenty of!) wine, and the beautiful wedding of two very special people.

When was the last time you went to a wedding where the reception was held in a bright red Bedouin tent and you get to pass the evening playing bongo drums with 50 other people instead of dance to "Oh what a night"?

catch ya!

I'm heading off to Byron Bay for some much needed R & R, sunshine, and a wedding!


see you when I'm all mellowed out.

because everyone else has one

Ishbel, that is.

Really, 3657 people can't be wrong. I'm using some of my beautiful baby alpaca from Donyale - colourway "Splat!". I don't think the colourway actually has an ! in it, but I always see it that way in my mind.

This yarn is bee-u-di-ful, can I just say? Soft as a.. well, baby alpaca, and a delight to knit with. Lucky I have another colourway stashed (Sir Walter) because I have plans, people, oh yes indeed!

and just a quick hurrah to all those participating in Blogtoberfest - you are amazing! Such stamina and commitment, I am exhausted merely trying to keep up with my bloglines. Today I quickly logged on to check a few before bed and someone had a very special event to share. Go check it out :)

when worlds collide

You all know by now that Roller Derby is my latest love, and my team is the newest addition to my tribe of like-minded people. At training, one of my Derby girls rolled over to me and handed me a bag; said she saw this and immediately knew who should have it.

Sorry the photo is so crappy, but it's a coffee cup with wool on it and it says "Knit one Sip one". Love it! That's my derby helmet and mouthguard with it.


We also did some promotion out the front of the cinemas, advertising the new Derby movie Whip It, and our league - South Sea Roller Derby. That's me in the middle, with D and M either side. (I had my stripy pirate knickers on, but only a special few got to see those!) Then we snuck our skates into the cinema so they could be part of it too - a Roller girl just isn't a Roller girl without her skates ;)


People who don't know me raise an eyebrow - from knitting to Roller Derby, how bizarre? Reality is, nothing could be further than the truth.

Knitters are fabulous and generous and cool. Derby girls are freakin' awesome and generous and cool. I think I've found my tribe.

and I've already been planning team wristwarmers and pirate-y knitted scarves in our team colours :)

something old, something new...

I made it! By the skin of my teeth, the deadline was met, and this special wedding bag was delivered on schedule.


I wanted to base this bag around the concept of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"

The "old" is the stitch pattern. Although this pattern is the Counterpane Accessories pouch from Handknit Holidays", the stitch pattern is based on a vintage one.

The "new" was the silk yarn - so luscious and soft. "Something borrowed" was my contribution in the creation. I was asked to make this, which I felt was like a borrowing of my craft, if that makes sense?


And of course, "something blue" was the sweet blue braid carefully stitched into the lining. If I had more time (and frankly, more embroidery skill!) I would have loved to feather-stitch this detail into the lining. I really think it would have added to the vintage feel and the hand crafted nature of the piece.

After searching Ravelry for ideas on the lining, I ended up making a zippered pouch to insert and attach to the knitted outer shell. I used interfacing to stiffen thick calico, then lined it inside and out with ivory satin. This made the bag much less floppy, and made for a much neater sewn edge next to the zip. A rather long tassel finished it off.

I'm so thrilled with the finished piece, and even though it meant leaving for Ballarat at 8.30am this morning (2 hour drive from my place), it was worth it!