My Creative Space : Inky Bed Play

A Thursday where the skies are grey and the day is rather chilly, I'm sat on my bed with my journal, with the kids at kindy for the day, I've just breathed a sigh of relief at the quiet and had some fun with colours I don't usually use together, and I'm adoring them now!

I haven't played in my journal all week, so this was a welcome moment...I always forget how much creating in my journal calms me down to all the motherly life stressers, but as soon as my pencil hits that page...the stress blurs and there is just me and that page. It is truly bliss.




using muslin as my brush cleaner between colours...which I will then cut up to use in my artwork once I think its got enough soul...

on the other creative front, with my trip to Sydney on Tuesday I want a nice chunky wrap around knitted item...so Im knitting the pattern The Grey Loop and if you can't get access Ravelry and want to check the pattern out pop over here I however twisted mine and I'd knitted 10 rows or so before I discovered! so I chucked a small knitters tanty and went MEH! it will be twisted around my neck, who cares!!! and kept knitting hehe

so that is me for the week, be sure to pop in tomorrow for my installment of Friday pages, where I show off what I've been working on in my journal, and if time permits there will be a time lapse art vid embedded from my YouTube channel.
For more creative inspiration! check out the collective blog where you'll discover everyone else's spaces for the week. Our Creative Space
Take care,
see you guys tomorrow!
xx Courtney

knitting in my inbetween moments

after a little break to get a cold and get over it again Im finally feeling a little more like myself! My mailbox has been treated ever so lovingly these past weeks, so a post purely devoted to parcels of love from close and afar.

First up is a belated birthday present from the adorable Kata from Odd-ish Creations, this girl holds the key to my heart, with tea and knitting and being addicted to stationary and a yarn dyer! shes like a version of myself except on the other side of the world!

In the mail came delights such as, teas stitchmakers, stamps, yarn, knitpicks! and a project bag! this had it all! I Just adored every moment of the present.

The beautiful hand dyed yarn is already on the needles! with my first ever lace project, Im knitting myself a small shawl to use as a scarf, the pattern is the ADORABLE ysolda's Ishbel this pattern is taking the knitting world by storm!

a parcel that came on friday for me was a much awaited 400gram dye up by my good friend Lisa, from Not Your Nanna's Knits, a dyer and delishious spinner from oz who has fast become a lovely friend to call on in a time of need. We are going to embark on a knit-a-long together with our 400grams! making a Clapotis another cult knitters pattern! I need to dye her 400grams so we can start!

A magic jar swap came to my door filled with fabrics, buttons and of course YARN! below is my two skeins of yarn that are from the dyepot, vampires blood and enchanted wood, also in the photo is a beautiful gradient dye from the Jolly Jumbuck club, this was a gift from two anonymous ladies, but gosh its beautiful!

in other news, Im journalling again, as some may know I've kept a journal since I was 10ish I have a shelf of completed journals in my bedroom, I suddenly stopped just before having kids, and always missed it, I've tried several times to keep once since then, but failed ALOT lol, so I made my own, and will build it page by page, instead of having a million blank pages to taunt me, I will fill it at my pace. the beautiful teacup in this pic is also from Lisa, she told me it had a twin, and that she kept it so we could have tea telapathically since we leave that bit to far apart to have tea together in real time.

I am now of to wind all the winter club and year of colour wool up ready for dyeing! hopefully have it ready to be packed by next week an into the post!

I will post teaser photos up very soon...

tea and yarn

Courtney xx

little lovelies, and some squishy yarn

After much chatting and laughing on the phone, I was reminded how my blog was missed, so I got my battery charged and started photographing the beautifuls from my week. Alot has happened the past few days for the better, and Im excited that the tension in my shoulders has finally eased a little. 

I was so lucky to win a blog give away on Little Lovlies nook, and it arrived safely in my mail box a couple of days ago, with some adorable fabric buttons!!

she now lives in my vintage tea cup on my craft desk, and looks most cute there.

I did a blog post about The Yarn Cafe not too long ago, the lovely Elissa and I are doing a swap between us two dyers, its nice to get some coloured yarn in the mail, you get so much natural its a nice change. In the post last week was 200grams of this beautiful colourway, 'Twilight' which is utterly lovely and is waiting to be turned into something really pretty, just not sure what yet! I keep looking for patterns but nothings jumped out at me yet.  I need to send hers off soon, its just been so crazy around my house I barely have time to write blog posts!

on my list of swaps and things, I worked on this little number for a close girlfriend's new little girl. I hope she likes it, Im rather taken with it once it was finished. the cherry blossoms make me smile, I made matching handwarmers and a facewasher to go with the parcel. I hope it arrives and is adored.

The blankie will RETURN! Ive decided to knit a square a night no matter what, they take me 30 mins so thats nothing in the scheme of things.

keep your eyes peeled!

I now have a little girl screaming at me! so I'd best go entertain her and get the last of my house tidy for my parents, they are coming over for chinese tonight.

Tea and Yarn

Courtney xx

lookin in the garage for sales in inside my bag!

A lovely sunday evening, I should be by the fire, but I am here at my little computer updating my poor neglected blog! I was ment to put my name down for creative space, and do an inside my handbag post as the lovely Sophie did, but I had a sick little boy attached to me like a magnet, so Im posting up my bag and a few lovelys I've been given lately.

My current handbag was given to me a few years ago, by miss sophie herself, she bought this beautiful velvet embroidered bag from paris and gifted it to me when she came back to england. It is by far one of my favourite bags I have ever owned. It is one of those bags, that has a soul.

Inside is a mixture of my life as an artists, my life as a mum and my life as a knitter.

A pair of fingerless gloves for my little elijah, a family friend bought them for his hands, mummy doesnt have much spare time on her hands lol so I was greatful someone remembered my children need woolies too! even though Im a knitter, I spend far too much time knitting for others, my little ones get the short end of the stick! oh and my Brown Owls keyring on my house keys!

inside my handbag, no matter the bag, is my notions clutch, filled with evreything I  need to finish projects on the go - knitting needles, needle case for my pins and yarn needle, crochet hooks, scissors pens, stitch markers you name it, its probably in there in a nook

a collection of notebooks, I have been a notebook hoarder my entire life, and even at the age of 25 I seem to collect more in my bag as I get older. My to do list, a cute notebook that I keep colourways in when I go out, underneath all of them is my current knitting book Im reading - Yarn Harlot.

My leather journal, although it seems to get put to the back of my mind, I still carry it around so the leather gets a lived in feeling. I must wrote more in it! I seem to write my life on this blog instead of the pages of my journal...note to self - write in your paper journal.

My DPN case, for all my shorter more precious needles this is a matching acessorie to my green knitters bag, but it comes along for the ride every bag change, the just in case needles!

and of course, my current project gets packed into a project bag and squished into my handbag! you never know when you'll have a moment to knit! all small moments = a finished object.

Now onto the lovelies I have been given in the last few days! Today at the markets, I was gifted with this beautiful Vietnam lotus flower teaset. with a teapot and 6 beautiful cups and saucers, I squeeled in delight when I  opened the box. My lovely friend who gifted me with the beautiful pink and copper teacups for my birthday won me over yet again with this! found in the corner of a garage sale, the entire china set was sold for a mere $10! It is now being used every morning for my husbands and my breakfast tea. It is utterly stunning! every cup and teapot has a lotus flower in a darker colour. 

My mum gifted this to me last weekend, I had eyed it off several times during the day, but had no money to purchase the beautiful box myself, my mum went of silently for a walk and came back with it in her market bag. It was a mothers day present...for her daughter. It sits on my bed side table so I can see it everyday. Its enchanted with little red riding hood!

the inside of the box.

a little yarny goodness, I am in a swap group on Ravelry, and I was gifted these beautiful Malabrigo lace skeins! two shades of green, so soft to the touch, these will be made into an Ishbel Scarf for myself. I havent knitted for me in a very long time! which reminds me, its time I knitted a few squares for my blanket! 

enjoy your sunday night, keep warm and smile.

Tea and Yarn 

Courtney xx

Store Stocking!

The Inner Stitch has been dancing in the dyepots! with colourways from all walks of life, with yarn bases such as organic merino and bfl, there is a little something for every knitter! Some colourways have an added 50gram option if you want a solid to match! Get your hands on an Inner Stitch Box of magic tricks! Where every stitch is an adventure!

All yarns are up for preview at the moment, they will go live tomorrow night 8pm NSW time.

Heres a few up for sale

Irish Jig - 8ply BFL

Eskimo Kiss 4ply organic merino sock

Magic Carpet - 8ply Organic Merino

Pop Fizz - 8ply Organic Merino 

The Inner Stitch

My Creative Space

An afternoon away from yarn, who would think my creative space wouldnt be about dyeing today! although my life does revolve around the dyepot and my little business I thought it was time to take a moment to enjoy the things I dont get to do often! like embroider, and play with my small and quint fabric stash. Im making a few little gifts for friends and penpals, and for once its not a skein of hand dyed yarn.

My sewing box is as messy as they come, with things thrown everywhere and tapemeasure with a life of its own, I can never find it when I need it! Im making a few little pin cushions and a few little embroiderd buttons with the word knit on it to work as brooches. 

One of the fabrics I love is this one, it will become something for a friend, Id like a little project bag out of it, but my sewing machine and I dont love eachother to any degree! this is where I wished I was a seamstress and not a knitter. The skein of yarn is a custom for a sweet girl called Lisa. 
 I hope she likes it. It makes me smile, its a soft stage dance  that turns into a vibrant salsa. I ended up talking  yarn anyway! hehe cant keep a good dyer down.

For more creative spaces, Pop on over to Kootoyoo's Blog to discover a hive of creative spaces.

Tea and Yarn

Courtney

little forget me nots.

I creep through my days lately, feeling lazy and glutonous with my time, wanting more for myself, instead of wishing I was 9 people. I was reminded tonight not to lose passion for the things that I love, to take time for myself. To embrace that corner of the day just for little old me. I think we spend a lot of our time filling it with things to do when the simple things get a little lost amongst the clutter. I want to take time for a few simple things so late at night.

To wake up in the morning knowing its not your turn to get up to the kids and to just read whatever is on the bed side table or above you.

To spend the afternoon with my mum, my sister and a close family friend, just drinking tea and being able to knit for more than a row or two. I daydreamed most of this afternoon away, but it was still beautiful to be still in my own daydream. 

To spend the last part of the evening with a glass of wine, chocolate and my husband, who has taken so much of my crazy craft woman vibe the past few months, I dont know how he puts up with me! but I adore him all the more for sticking by me through it all. I get lost in my fireplace, they are hypnotic and oh so beautiful to watch.

Small and significant post, take a little moment....and document it.

Tea and Yarn

Courtney xx

My Creative Space late again lol

Another creeper thursday, Im late again, but its ok the fact of the matter is, I made it! Some of you who have seen mums post know we have been unwell! and a few personal crisis later and Im back in the world...I've been MIA for a week! Soph thought I was dead hehe but alas here I am, with a bucket load of pretties.

On my desk atm is Yarn, seems to be a theme..maybe I have an addiction! I've been playing in the dyepots and dyeing up yarn club and dreaming up a few new things that will be released very soon. A little late for my 1 year of blogging! which was yesterday (giveaway on the way aswell keep your eyes peeled) 

Here are a few little odds and ends that have emerged from the cauldron.

'Toxic Watermelon' - She has a home all the way in the USA!

and 'Lock and Key Princess' - She also has a home, same lady all love! Another two to be sent off never to see me again! gosh this yarn is like my children! Well children that get put in the mircrowave and hung out to dry but children no less! 

also on my desk are some yarnies goodnesses! I won a blog giveaway from the delightful Peta's Blog 
this beautiful scarf which I adore!! and this project bag hit my doorstep! I love good project bag. its now pride of place in my handbag with blanket yarn in it for knitting on the go! speaking of the adorable blanket! The donations have touched my heart.

this was just one days worth of yarn from all different women! I love scraps! and when Im dont, I shall pass them on to other blanket knitters in need!

For more creative spaces Check out Kootoyoo's Blog jump in and have a look around!

Tea and yarn

Courtney xx

Late Creative Space!

I didnt want to miss out, so I scurried into my space to take photos! I did take some of my morning space, and then my evening - go me being so overly organised for once! My space started early this morning, when it was my sleep in! I decided to stay quiet in bed and get a little work done on my blanket, which is becoming a great love affair between said blanket and myself. 

Please adore my tote bag, its my first every sewing experience years ago, with bag ladybug fabric and feral pink lace! Im still in awe that its travelled across the world and back, and not a single stitch is undone! It currently holds all the balls of yarn for my blanket...soon it will need to retire as Its getting rather full!

I then went on a shopping trip with my family and didnt get home till rather late! so while many hours have passed, I decided to knit by candlelight in my craft room to wind down from the rather busy daytrip! I think everyone goes a bit stupid around easter! The supermarkets were full of crazys!

As you can see my blanket yarn pile make a small mound, its most lovely to see! So many women have donated their scraps of 8ply merino to me, its been really touching, Im going to embroider their initials onto a square so I can honour their thoughtfulness onto something special of mine...because in all honestly, without their donations, my blanket wouldnt be what it is becoming...stunning.

and just for a little yarn perve, I purchased myself some lovely handspun yarn from a good friend of mine, she custom spun it for me! Meet Violent Violet, isnt she just devine!

and yes, I like to munch on yarn for breakfast hehe.

I am now going to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie, while knitting squares

pop on over to Kootoyoo's blog for more beautiful creative spaces!

Blog Watch - A nook in the Attic

Its been a little while since I made a blogwatch post, but I have been collecting my faves for future posts! Although this blog is only new to my favourite lists, I think I've read almost all her entries, as they are really touching and beautiful, not just to look at, but to read. Imagine a worth with stunning colour in every corner of your house, this adorable blog has splashes of stunning in every post, and I was drawn in like a moth to a rainbow bright flame.  Step into the crochet brilliance of Attic24

how can you not smile at the abundance of colour and perfection these blankets, granny squares, teacups and flowers. They are some of my most favourite images I've seen to date on a blog. I could literally print them for the walls of my craft room I adore them so much. It has made me ache for a basket full of brightly coloured solid balls of yarn and a crochet hook. Just so I too can make blankets like this.

Although I adore every image on this blog, it's not just the pictures that draw you in, her wonderful luscious stories are just a breath of fresh air, being a mum to two little ones myself, its always so lovely to read other mummy posts. The post on Yes Day made me smile at the absolute simplicity of making children happy. That we as parents have the ability to say yes, all the time if we want to. Even if you look at nothing else on her blog, please read yes day, its innocent and beautiful.

For now, I'll leave you with some more gorgeous photographs, this blog is as I said before, literally dripping with colour and muse dust! If you cant crochet, pick up a hook and start, if this isnt a wake up call for dormant crocheters I dont know what is. I now want to make my very first granny square blanket, and only wish it as beautiful as her work. Enjoy the loveliness that is Attic24

Tea and Yarn, and future bright blankets

Courtney 

xx

a delivery for me!

An afternoon of ideas, projects and all this inspiring and the postman arrives 5 mins before knock off time! now I would have posted a photo of everything in their lovely wrappers but I was totally waiting for this parcel, so I got a tad over excited and ripped it open with love. inside were these treasures. A knitter's inspired one of a kind all mine artwork...complete with vintage knitting needles! its filled with hidden meanings that as days go by maybe I will unravel, but for now, its on the wall in my craftroom. 

The card was adorable and man did I smile from ear to ear when I saw the image..took me a moment to focus on what they are doing...WINDING WOOL! its oh so lovely she is placed on my desk next to my beautiful card from mandy. Hooray Knitting cards for all! (well really only me)

within the layers of paper and lovelieness were two smaller gifts each equally lovely, a notebook that is perfect fo my handbag, I have two bigger versions of these delightful notebooks, one which I am currently using as my inspiration and ideas book. This little notebook is currently nestled in my olive green knitters bag. The little box of coloured pencils made me smile for reasons I wont share.

a book I have lusted after for SOOOOO long now, is this stunning book by Amanda Keeys

I've gone to buy this little adorable book for ages now and kept getting told off by soph to just leave it for now lol...and now i have a copy of my very own!!

all so beautiful in so many ways, Im very very thankful for such a lovely gift. Thankyou Miss Sophie.

Tea and Yarn

Courtney xx