colour 2

A recent sunny afternoon gave us the opportunity to get out of the house for a wee adventure.

Lush winter coat.

The view of our beautiful little settlement as I settle down for some serious knitting, reading and quiet-ish time while the kids play at our local playground.

Off to explore the undergrowth and look for the rabbits that live under there.

My thrifted $2 Pacific style yarn basket full of odds and sods that have come my way over the years. I visited Spotlight to grab a few balls of bright colours that were needed to make my work pop. I had a lot of earthy colours.

I surprised myself by purchasing acrylic. I stood them umming and ahhhing because the difference in price is really big and gave in as the small amount of money in my account dictated. Images of my grandmother unrolling jerseys and the natural-fibres exclusives' including myself, had me in a real fuddle. Wherever possible, in the past, I've used natural fibres because they feel better, last longer and are made using processes that are kinder to the planet. Not only that but if you finally no longer need them, they breakdown quickly. And its nicer to wear real wool, silk, linen, etc.

Acrylic, horrid stuff to wear but affordable for my small homeware projects and on our small income, that was the best way forward for me. I'm hoping that some trips to the op shops and Savemart will help me out. I need more in the colour department however I am quite happy to mix things up and use new with old, acrylic with real wool. Mostly though my wool has come from op shops, friends and the free table at our monthly craft up. All that colour makes me so happy.

A spot of knitting while the kids play on the playground. This is Jane Brocket's frilly bloomer coat hanger pattern knit on my circular needles. I'm a fan of circular needles. Very practical when travelling as you can't lose a needle and your work doesn't fall off the needles either.

The following images are taken from Jane Brocket's wonderful book "The Gentle Art of Knitting" which inspired my previous posts makings.

I love those cushions and colourways. Pacific Island folk have always used these kinds of colourways as have Mexicans. I want those cushions but can you imagine how long it would take if it takes me a day and a half to complete a coat hanger!

I swear I am going to Mexico one day. I will go for the festival Dia de los muertos, The Day of the dead. I will visit Frida Kahlo's home and look at art and textile collections. I shall buy lots of kitsch religious icons, skulls and Day of the Dead memorabilia and Mexican oilcloth. I will wear a shawl in the evening, bright red lipstick and flowers in my hair. I shall drink tequila and listen to mariachi bands and dance the night away. My camera will also have a happy time snapping shots of colourful houses and costumes, and places. Not forgetting my love of burro. I dream about having my own donkeys one day. I love stubborn old mules. Random huh.

Some more projects I love. This tweedy tea cosy with pops of colour on top. Until Mexico, I shall drink tea from decorated pots, wearing my colourful apron and sitting in my colourful home. Well, its my plan anyway. I'm not quite sure how three lads feature in it. No wonder I feel a bit potty sometimes, I am two people living in one body.

I will wear wonderful vintage dresses. These are Jane's wonderful coat hangers that inspired me on my coat hanger frenzy. See, you didn't know you wanted one until you saw these either, did you?! hmmm. ;)

Knitted bunting. I recently received another knitted bunting from my dear friend Betty-Ann for my little vintage style market stalls I have from time to time. Its glorious and has lots of colour. You might think bunting is 'pants' (a phrase oft used by my favourite blogger Dottie Angel) because its been done to the death, but I find it cheerful. It makes me happy.

That's the thing about personal style. You're not dictated to by trends but by your own sense of joy and passion. If you want to wear bright red skinny jeans when no one else is, I think you should. Just because it makes you happy. I say bollocks to trends. Just do, wear and make what makes you happy.

In the meantime, Craft 2.0 in the city is in two weeks. I shall be sure to take lots of photos of my stall set up and post them for you to see. Come on down and see what I've been up to and snaffle yourself some vintage lovelies. There's lots of wonderful makers there who are passionate about handmade. There'll be plenty of things to make everyone happy. Come and find someone a great gift or something for your home. I have it on good advice that there will be lots of lovely potholders and hangers available too. ;)

I adore colour. I can't get enough of it. Today my youngest son is wearing a knitted stripey jersey like the blanket illustrated above. Enough said. Thanks Jane for a lovely book full of wonderful images. I have loved knitting but this got me in my own zone and love for vintage-inspired handmade homewares. Coolio.

My sons' baby quilt is now one of our picnic/park blankets since he moved to his big bed. I can't quite bear to part with it yet. Its such a happy reminder of him and now its getting a second life. The wind is quite cold here and so it provides some much needed warmth should my boys want to settle down with a book and a sandwich. I doubt it but I'm prepared.

Slowly down now. Must be time to head home.

My sons bring the real colour to my life. Filling it with meaning, noise, mess (ahem) and love. They are still my favourite creations. And I guess in the big picture of things, that's a good thing.

NB: For more inspiration you can visit Yarnstorm, Jane Brocket's blog. She also has a few other books out including The Gentle Art of Domesticity which I also enjoyed.