A Bowl of Cherries

Cherries are one of the joys of Christmas in Australia.

They are only in season for a few short weeks. 

Christmas Smiles

A bright, Christmas star light
suspended from a string of smaller Christmas lights
on display in Lobethal, South Australia
24 December 2017

Merry Christmas!

 May your day be
happy and bright.

For some extra Christmas cheer, let me introduce you to a crafty character that is bound to 'put a smile on your dial.'

An Awesome Craft Bag!

Front of Bag
Lift the flap to access the
large outside pocket.

I've been so busy with petitions and parades that there has barely been any time for blogging so today I will keep it short and sweet (yeah, yeah, you've heard that before), I promise!

Have a look at this awesome craft bag that a family member gave me for my birthday earlier this year.  If you are wondering what to get a crafty friend for Christmas, you could do a lot worse than this; after all, you can never have too many bags to store and tote your crochet projects.

Access All Areas: Disability Pride Parade

Today is the International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD).

A white placard with purple writing
"Access-A'laide NOW!"

It is a United Nations sanctioned day celebrated internationally which "aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability."

I celebrated by participating in my first ever public rally! A Disability Pride Parade through the streets of Adelaide, South Australia.

Access All Areas: Petition Power (Part 1)

AdelaideMetro rail car

It may not be a hyperspace bypass, but it is threatening the independence and access to transport for many people in my local community:   an extension of my local railway line (which is a good thing) but, in the process, my local railway station will be permanently removed (a devastating outcome).

International symbol for disability
 in crochet
 

You may remember this was mentioned in a previous blog post "Battling Bureaucracy" (3 Nov. 2017) and today I have news of developments in my fight to maintain access and equity for people in my neighbourhood, especially for people with disabilities for whom the station will be a huge loss and profoundly affect lives.

Fun at the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale (Part 2)

"The devil is in the details."

There's nothing like an exhibition to inspire creativity.  

At the Onkaparinga Arts Centre, the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale 

gave plenty of design ideas for crocheted hats. 

The attention to detail in finishing can turn an average hat 

into something extraordinary.

From left to right: knitted and felted handspun wool with 'dreadies' by Alexis Morrison, red mohair jester hat by Sharyn Brady & white hat with polka dot veil and black flower by Kaye Oliver.

 

Let's look at the different finishing techniques on display at 'Beanies to Berets'. It is amazing how a simple embellishment can provide style and character to handmade creations.

Access All Areas: Making Waves

Last Friday morning, it was exciting to be  'making waves' at Brighton Beach in many ways:
water waves in Gulf St Vincent and
social and radio waves with
ABC Radio Adelaide!

Battling Bureaucracy

So much to blog about, so little happening on the blog!
 
It’s not for want of trying but my attention has been temporarily diverted to bigger bureaucratic battles.

Volunteering at Maker Faire Adelaide 2017

… it's coming …

… it's nearly time …

for this year's

Maker Faire Adelaide! 

Postcard for Maker Faire Adelaide on Sunday November 5, 2017

Royal Adelaide Show Results 2017

Here are my entries for the 2017 Royal Adelaide Show:

(From left:) Mini Backpack, "Love My Green & Gold" broomstick lace rainbow scarf, "Wine Grapes" tea towel top and "Fantasy Floral" silk mohair scarf.

Crows Family Day

Families and fans enjoying the sun.

On Sunday, the Adelaide Crows team returned home from Melbourne.  

Adelaide Oval was open for the 'Crows Family Day' which is a chance for the supporters to welcome the boys home and thank them for their hard work all season.

A Crows Yarn

It's Grand Final day in the AFL world.
(Australian Football League)

My team, the Adelaide Crows are playing.

I have found the perfect yarn!

New Baby, New Blanket

Another brand new gorgeous baby has joined the family circle.

With every new baby, must come a new crocheted blanket!

Delayed Decisions and Finished at Last!

"Wine Grapes Tea Towel Top"
designed and made by Jodiebodie.
Nov 2015–Aug 2017

This tea towel top is one of those 'secret projects' mentioned last month in "Too Soon to Tell"
(Lupey Loops blog entry, 20 August 2017).

It is my own design and it took ages to finish, mainly because of slow decision-making– agonising over the choice of pattern for the border.

Fun at the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale (Part 1)

There were so many amazing handmade hats at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre's 'Beanies to Berets' Exhibition that I kept going back to have another look
(and touch and try on).   

It was a super place to find a piece of wearable art to call your very own.  There were beanies and berets to please everyone, from the most conservative to the artistic and crazy-coloured! 

"Joy"
Crocheted by Sharyn Brady


 

Poppy-tunities to Participate

Hello to you and welcome!

Lupey Loops has received plenty of new visitors recently.  

A Quickie!

G'day! G'day!

It's about time I popped my head in here! 

Gee, has it been busy for me lately. Phew!
Where does the time go? 

I was lamenting to an acquaintance yesterday that nap time,* takes a significant chunk out of the available hours to get things done. Unfortunately, that person didn't know me very well or appreciate the necessity of rest for my 'lupey' survival so I wasn't met with much sympathy!


Even if you don't see much happening online at Lupey Loops right now, there has been much happening behind the scenes:

Too Soon to Tell!

Do you want to know why you haven't seen any finished crochet here for a while?

I promise there are good reasons

—some can be shared and some need to wait—

but the main reason can be summed up in two words:

 

secret projects!

It won't be long until I can tell all. Meanwhile, here's something exciting that might give you a clue:

Out to Lunch!

How lovely! An invitation to a reunion lunch.

I'm on the phone straightaway.

Etsy Adelaide Community Market

It was a happy Saturday because I visited a market:
the Etsy Adelaide Community Market at Tonsley.

  
 

Crochet at AVCon

Last weekend was the weekend for pop culture festivals.

San Diego, USA hosted the massive Comic-Con convention and, at the same time, Adelaide, Australia had its own annual AVCon festival.

A Mum's Day Off

Wednesday is the one day in the week that has 

no appointments, no visitors, no support staff and

none of the offspring at home. 

The house is empty; no need to watch the clock. 

It is the perfect day of the week to have my 'day off' 

but I am beginning to wonder about today …

Maker Faire Adelaide 2017 Call for Makers

It's that time of year again and in case you hadn't realised, 

Maker Faire Adelaide have put out their 'Call for Makers' 

to participate in this year's event.  

Be quick! The deadline is 14 July 2017

You can find more information here:

http://adelaide.makerfaire.com/participate/cfm/

What will I do this year?

Shall I be an exhibitor again or offer a workshop?

Guessing Game Answer

Crochet ribbing and broomstick lace together.
Can you guess what it will become?

Last week, I shared this project prototype and invited everyone to guess what it would be.

Did you guess what I was crocheting with those circular knitting needles?

Crocheting with knitting needles?  
That seems a bit peculiar but it's true!

Happy Photos

If you think this blanket looks cute …

… you should meet its new owner!

Beanies to Berets Exhibition & Sale Now Open!

The Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale
is now open at the Onkaparinga Arts Centre,
Port Noarlunga, South Australia.

Some of the beanies and berets that will greet you on arrival.

Circular Broomsticks

Last week, I dashed out to buy some circular knitting needles…

New needle sets for the collection.
(L–R) 12 mm and 15 mm sizes, 80 cm length.

Broomstick Rainbow Finished for You

Continuous Scarf (Cowl) in Broomstick Lace
made by Jodiebodie, May 2017

BHG's Knitting & Crochet Collection 2017

Magazine Cover:
Better Homes & Gardens
Your Knitting & Crochet Collection
For you, him and the kids
 
 

 I couldn't help myself.  This year's Better Homes & Gardens annual Knitting & Crochet special issue was on display so I grabbed a copy to see what was being promoted in the Australian yarncrafting scene.

Its release coincided with Wool Week Australia which was from 13–21 May 2017.  Last year, I didn't see the annual special issue until August. It makes more sense to release it in May to give people time to make their winter warmers before the cold truly sets in.  This is my assessment of this year's magazine.

A Melancholy Mothers' Day

My children made me this card for Mothers' Day 2017.
The home-made ones are always the most precious,
don't you think?

The second Sunday in May is Mothers' Day in Australia.

While celebrating Mothers' Day with my own family last Sunday, there was another mum in my thoughts.

Mayday! Mayday! RAH, rah, rah!

"Get Well" flowers

It was a Mayday call on a Monday May Day morning that brought about the ambulance ride, through peak hour traffic, to a major city hospital.

A Quick Blanket Teaser!

A teddy bear square
with satin fabric

If you are following the progress of the baby blanket with the satin backing,  rest assured, progress is being made!



Sewing needle in hand, I'm pleased with the way the satin backing is joining the crocheted blanket and I shall leave you with a quick new picture:

Self-doubt & Sleeplessness on a Wednesday Morning

Morning light and the house is quiet.
 
I've been awake since at least 4 a.m. after tossing and turning for hours on the warmest April night since I don't know when. The temperature remained above 21° C (70° F) overnight which is unheard of, for this time of year.  

Easter always heralds beanie and scarf weather for me–why are we getting summer nights in autumn?

Breaches of Copyright in the Blogosphere

Today I discovered that material from this blog has been illegally copied and published on another web site without my permission. 

Save the Date: Maker Faire Adelaide 2017

I am delighted to confirm the next
Maker Faire Adelaide:
Sunday, 5 November, 2017
Tonsley, South Australia
10:00a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Maker Faire Adelaide 's 2017 postcard

Blue Skies and Blue Satin

Blue like the sky,
Pretty in the breeze.

My baby blanket has been at a standstill.
The hold-up? Fabric to line the reverse side.

How hard do you think it could be to find some basic satin in pastel baby colours?

Put on a Happy Face

A happy teddy face.
What a cheeky grin!
  
 

I was in the middle of making faces when the news came through that baby might be born within 24 hours!

That will teach me to get distracted and procrastinate. The Teddy Blanket was not ready at all! 

Ear, Ear!

Ears!

Nine pairs of teddy bear ears.

The Teddy Blanket has ears!

Blocking for The Edge

"Kitty Blanket" pinned to shape
on a blocking board.
Crocheted by Jodiebodie 2010.
Pattern: "Purr-fection" by Candi Jensen
 
 
 

Blocking is a useful technique for giving a neat, professional finish to crocheted items.

Don't just leave it until the end of your crocheted project!  It is also handy during the making of a project.

This is especially true of anything that is made in sections; for example, individual motifs or garment pieces such as sleeves, backs and fronts.

As I block my crocheted squares, here are my tips for giving a blanket that
'finished edge'!

Photo-luminescent & Solar Yarns

This week I have come across a project that combines science, architecture and yarn in very exciting ways.

Last year, Maker Faire Adelaide sparked my imagination about combining modern technology with yarn and textiles; e.g. potential applications for conductive thread and sensor technology.

This year, the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1's Young Architects Program will present a project that takes these ideas to a whole new level and embodies many of the values and interests of Maker Faire participants; e.g. socially and environmentally responsive, use of recycled materials, robotics, digital design, 3D printer technology etc.

The Inevitable Time to Unwind

Moda Vera Marvel
8 ply acrylic (DK)
Colour: 1041 Lemon Sorbet

I've been meaning to tell you this for a while …

Health and household issues have held me back but I'm now here to tell you that … well … the inevitable happened.

I've found myself unwinding the lemon yellow tricot sampler introduced in "A Touch of Tricot" (13 February 2017) because I ran out of white yarn for the baby blanket!

Yarn Chicken

Always trust your instincts. That's what mothers tell us.

Stashbusting to a Deadline

You think you have all the time in the world …

the baby's due date is months away …

and then Expectant-Mum's-Best-Friend casually mentions that the pregnancy is already 37 weeks along …

37 weeks already !

(sound of shocked crochet hook crashing to the floor)

That's not much time at all until baby is due to arrive and I haven't even started on that blanket I plan to make for him!

A Touch of Tricot

People often think that tricot (or Tunisian crochet) means only this …

Afghan/Entrelac/Tunisian Simple Stitch in rainbow stripes of purple, pink, orange and yellow.

when tricot can actually be all this …

A sampler strip of twenty different tricot stitches in lemon yellow.

… and this …

A sampler strip of tricot lace stitches in lavender.

… and more!

Summer Scorcher

As usual, the weather waits until school term recommences in February before unleashing its full fury of 40+ degree heat (104+°F) on South Australia.

I'm laying low indoors, grateful to have an air-conditioner and praying that the power has not failed. Power failures in extreme temperatures are a common occurrence these days and the subject of much consternation.

It's been quiet on the Lupey Loops blogging front for a number of reasons.  I have blog posts in the planning stages but have put them on hold while I do the unthinkable: crochet to a deadline!  

Tour Down Under 2017 at Marvellous McLaren Vale

Setting up for the race.

An early arrival in McLaren Vale, South Australia for
Stage 5 of the Tour Down Under:

The main street is closed and everyone is setting up
for a great day of bike racing.

Park the car, start heading off,
then realise "I've forgotten the camera!"

Mobile phone to the rescue! The photos in this blog entry will be less about 'sports action' and more about the celebratory 'atmosphere'  in McLaren Vale, the heart of the Southern Vales wine region on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia.

Ready, Get Set for Victor Harbor & Tour Down Under 2017

Ready, set ...

Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur OAM prepares
to drop the flag for a rolling start to Stage 3!

Tour Down Under 2017 People's Choice Classic

People's Choice Classic
banner on Hutt Street.

It's the Tour Down Under
in Adelaide, South Australia!

It's a great thrill to have a
Grand Tour race in my home city.

It's an even greater thrill to be there!

Simple Crocheted Finger Puppets & Lupey Long-distance Gifts

Once upon a time, there were two little children, a girl and a boy. The girl was 2 years of age and her brother was almost 6 months old.

These darling children are very much loved by a large family with lots and lots of cousins–an ample supply of playmates.

The children have regular contact with most of their cousins but there are some that live more than 1000 kilometres away! (That's me and my family.)




Christmas and birthdays present a challenge when choosing 'long-distance' gifts. I'm here to share my pattern for crocheted finger puppets and to explain how they were the perfect choice for two young children and their cousins at Christmas (2016).