the barbarian horde

year of projects chapter one

2011-07-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

ok, I'm joining a blogging/get your knitting ass organised group on rav. Now Im hopless at blogging (I keep swearing I'll get better then the next post is about 2-3 months after that, if Im lucky) so we will see how well this goes, dont hold your breath hehe.

my july 1-9 list:

Penny's blankie (Penny's first birthday is the 10th july)
Penny's Sunrise Beanie (for her to wear to bendi)

lets just see how I go shall we :)

getting rid of the old, bring in the new.

2011-01-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

well, I made the purchase of a lifetime. Salvos is where I got this new wall unit from and its perfect.
I suggest they probably retail for about $1000 or more when new? Well it was at the salvos for $599 (yes we have an expensive salvos, but we wont get into that) and even with my health care card savings of 20% on tuesday, its still $480 and I didnt have that to spare at the time.
So I wait a few weeks forgetting about it, surely its gone right? NO (yay!) and its reduced in price (yay again!) so grabbed it. $260 after using my health care card. YAY bigtime.

lets see pics.
this is the abhorrent mess we had before.

then we need to clear it all out and break down that horrible green unit, that was SUPER glued as well as hidden countersunk screwed, man this was a nightmare to disassemble.

everything all gone, ready to pick up new unit tomorrow morning.

does this NOT look heaps better!! I love it and only $260!!

solid pine, even the base of the drawers.

our lounge room might just end up respectable after all.

I'm a very happy little Vegemite :D

oh and do you wonder where those dollfies went? hehehe, awesomeness!!!!!

our new backyard funhouse...

2011-01-11T20:21:00.000-08:00

I thought being that we now have 6 kids and have not done this up till now, we should buy/build a cubby house.
I will never endeavour to do this again. On the instructions it said 5-7 hours for 2 men. it REALLY took 18 hours for 4 people.
anyway, the kids can hardly be kept out of it, so its a hit which was the intent :)

Levelled out ground in the backyard

Boxes it all came in, everything all tucked in :)

Introducing.........PEEPS!

2011-01-11T16:52:00.000-08:00

of course in the sewing of these, Lilli felt the need to obtain Rose and Violet went to Penny, so William, Joe and Lady are going to be auctioned off to raise more funds for flood victims.

LINK TO AUCTIONS HERE

Let me introduce William, he's a pretty shy guy, will need cuddles lots.

Here we have Joe, Joe is a pretty cool fellow, not much bothers him, he says he doesn't "need" cuddles, but I feel that just what he tells people hehe.

This is Lady, shes a very kind and welcoming old soul, she has longer hair and it keeps getting in her eyes and annoying her, but she lives with it lol.

This is Rose, a bit of a ragamuffin, keep getting into trouble with her sister Violet. she blames Violet, but we know Rose is the ring leader lol.

This is Violet, shes a follower, not so good since her sister brings her into all kinds of trouble, but shes the smallest and looks up to Rose.

Rose and Violet, they have been adopted by Lilli and Penny, they can't be separated, so 2 sisters for 2 sisters!

Peeps are made of quality cord, quilters cotton and embellish materials. Safety eyes and acrylic felt make the faces and are filled with new polyfil.

Facebook, love it and loath it.....

2011-01-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

I love Facebook, I can keep up to date with all my friends and family and keep them up to date nice and easily like. A pretty good idea, and has been celebrated worldwide as a way for people to meet and stay connected.

But facebook, you have grieved me. Why do you regard breastfeeding at a sexual thing to hide away? Why is it naughty and obscene? Are we not a society trying to promote natural motherhood?

I personally have had a rough breastfeeding journey. After 6 kids, you'd think I'd have this thing down pat, but alas no, its been a tough and trying ride. The longest is 3 months, I wish it had flourished.
Support groups are the be all for most parents. In our conformity competitive society, online support is ultimate.

I have cloth bummed my kids in the last 4 years, having a large and supportive online community to encourage me when I felt like tossing it in. The same is to be said about breastfeeding. I would have given up way before had it not been for online support groups, and facebook, you reach many people, you have a responsibility to the world when you create this "social networking" avenue.

I really do suggest Facebook, women have the power of the gab, don't make you the thing we are winging about.

KnitMeter

2011-01-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

lets get this stash knitted!!
I really need to take a pic of all of it, its quite stunning to drool over lol

when they are sleeping....

2010-12-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

they are so beautiful....

6 of them...

2010-11-14T22:31:00.001-08:00

I have 6 of them, these juvenile terrorists who have taken over my home. They are the reason I don't sleep at night, stay up worrying about their future and wonder if we do them right. 6 of them, 6 minds to help develop, 6 hearts to help grow, 6 bodies to help nourish.

A big ask for I was never the maternal type, raised by even less of a maternal type.
I look at my eldest son, I'm proud beyond what I could imagine, I look at my second son. He makes mistakes, but in the grand scheme they will be considered unimportant, and I adore the kid, I really do, he keeps me awake with worry, but I'm sure he good heart will see him through. My third son is a joy, and an amazement, I'm sure ASIO will break the door down in a few years as his computer skills are brilliant, but he is an adventurer, and his cheeky nature better not get too out of hand. the princess, a joy we never thought possible a girl in the mix of all these boys. She is a bossy ballerina, and I am constantly amazed by her, her carefree spirit Im jealous of. The last boy in the mix, the cheeky little crazy guy who has a laugh that brings the house down, he is adorable, and knows it. Then we have junior princess, wriggling in the baby carrier as I speak doesn't take much to gain everyone's attention, she is adorable and I wonder where her life will take her, how we can aid in whatever she chooses to pursue, she is a stunner and she will soon know it.

These are my children, grown from me and my husband who after many years of slapstick comedy, we are still fighting strong where others have fallen, I love them and I'd never have it any other way

2010-11-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

ok back to writing a new knitting pattern, Ive had something in mind and now knitting it, its not turning out as I thought, but its gt my interest anyway, its different and I like it :)

need to rethink how to apply it though....

2010-10-29T14:44:00.001-07:00

Lilli's new dress. Shes so happy with this dress, and it cost a total of $6 at the local op shop :D
what a find!! she looks awesome in it too!

Closing down sale!!

2010-05-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

Closing down sale for:
the drop zone
Cherry Blossom
and
Barrette Babe!!

come see our clearance stock at barrette babe!!

HEAPS OF STOCK TO CLEAR!!

2010-04-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

Having a big wool sell-out on rav this weekend!!!!
will be loading more up tomorrow, too mush yarn man, too much yarn hehehe.

RAV TRADE AREA

V's-Beanie recipe

2010-04-08T21:34:00.002-07:00

ok, I really don't have a name for this beanie, but I've been knitting them

for years, so now with Vincent's being the last one knit, he gets the name :)
this hat fits a 1 year old as well as the 7 year old in the picture.

Ingredients:
***************
use any standard 8ply wool 70-80g should accommodate very well. (will work with 10ply as well)
darning needle
5mm circular needles, 40cms length

Method:
***************
cast on 84 (size with fit approx 7yrs.)
knit 2xrib for 10 rows.
knit stockingette for 50 rows.
place stitches onto two dpn's and graft the two rows together using your preferred method(makes a
cleaner seam)
alternatively, you can cast off and seam this line using a darning needle.
now once that is done, secure all threads within the beanie and you have the choice of adding pom poms or tassels.

For this beanie I'm making tassels.

2010-03-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

ok, this is my recipe for Circ Bunnies!!
they are quiet, but when you are done, they need cuddles as they get a little traumatised from being stuffed.

Circ bunnies recipe
*******************

ingredients
**********
8ply
30cm circs
4mm tips
**********

method
**********
Cast On 50sts
k 45 rows

k10, place these stitches on a stitch holder, k25, place last 10 stitches onto stitch holder.

purl 1 row
knit 1 row
repeat 10 times.
to make 20 rows.

cast off.

repeat other side.

graft centre stitches together
(kitchen stitch or otherwise)

sew in seams, leave opening at base for stuffing.
close after stuffing.

make pom pom for tail in contrast colour and then with same wool, detail bunnie with eyes and nose.

don't bake them as they tend to scream.

Enjoy!!

2010-02-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

ok, I will be making my tute over the next couple of days. I have found a way to make a funky, CHEAP nappy, that can reduce the amount of fabric you use and waste and yet still be VERY absorbent and contain as much as you need. Also standard nappies can be day or night nappies!! just add in another booster! Nappies can be made as a sized nappy or I will be adding in a pattern when I figure out how, to make a One size nappy. Any fabric design can be sewn to the back, or embroidery, or any funkyish thing you want. I tend to use micro-fleece as an inner, but suede cloth or even flannel to keep all cotton is ok. This is not particularly a trim nappy as you sew a three fold booster (hemp bamboo, cotton) and the nappy accommodates this.

this is the picture gallery of some I have made, Tutorial to follow soon!!

the new year, the 2010 me.

2010-01-02T02:40:00.000-08:00

this year is about me taking the time to be me. Im halving the content of our house, Im making the space for us, to be us.
I'm also partaking in Carolyn's sensational challenge!!!
I love it, I'm so in with bells and stuff, hehe.

as she wrote:
For 2010 I thought that it would be great for us who sew to be challenged a little or a lot- depending on what takes your interest.

So each month I will be posting a challenge. Each month you (the blogger) can sign up for the challenge. It would be fun to blog about your challenge thought the month, but its not essential

You can participate each month, or just for one month, depending on what your life is throwing at you at the time.

The first sign up will be in the first (starting the 1st) of each month, and ‘presenting’ your projects will be in the last week of each month. (again there are no rules)

But remember… it is to challenge you. So if you think “oh no I cant insert zips” maybe that’s the month that you sign up so that you can learn.

At the end of the month blog your project, even if its still a WIP. There will also be a flickr group (WIP) so that you can scroll through projects quickly- or if you want to join in but dont have a blog.

I will try and include free patterns and tutorials to help you along your way. Im still learning too!

There will also be some free giveaways at random times!

The challenges are:

January: something for me
February: something in knit
March: softie
April: something lined
May: enclosed zip
June something self designed or drafted.
July: something with pleats
August: hand embroidery/ smocking
September: bag
October: refashioned (visit your op-shop and create something new!)
November: Something for the Christmas tree
December: sharpen your skills on one of the challenges!

2009-12-09T21:22:00.000-08:00

mmm woolganic woolly goodness postal delivery :)
adding pics soon!

2009-12-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

ok, well, now Im just sitting and knitting.
Ive closed the stores for the year, so needing time off, and knitting.
Ive dyed this wonderful 200g of mudge 8ply into a stunning (if I must say so myself) rainbow gradient. Going to be knitted into a starghan for the new bub.

2009-11-22T16:31:00.001-08:00

well we have a new cherrybub on the way, I should be due july, so its all pretty wow!!
feeling seedy, off to rest.

2009-11-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

our little chickkie babes. The last one to hatch was the bottom yellow one. Was VERY cold outside last night, so brought them in, mums still sitting on about 5 more eggs.

1st two to hatch and mumma, and more eggs.
ok, new chikkie babes!!

2009-11-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

Last night (1:30am) some drunken idiot ran into our fence. Dh heard the screetch and collision , ran out to check to see if our poor cherry of a car was ok (luckily its fine) and was just in time to see a white sedan reverse off the fence and speed off. We called the police and reported it.
If he came in any harder the car would not have been so lucky.

this is what some drunken driver did last night

ours is the house that didnt have the letterbox, that was next door

pushed the fence 3 metres along into itself.

2009-11-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

I have been a craftin!
outfit for Lilli for xmas day ((had to try it on her to see that it fit)nd due to how messy babies can be, 2 for quin hehehe.
more to come, just getting the time.

2009-11-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

ok, well we have a cherry-mad 2 year old. I suppose it was going to happen hey?
Well I have this product that will be launched in January (just ready for school!!)
and she wants one with cherries on it hehehe, my daughter, just got to love her!

my lace and cotton cherry has popped!!

2009-11-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

ok, so I've knitted now with lace!! and I've knitted lace with a cotton. and I know many have, but I haven't and I didn't hate it like I thought I would. The pattern is a TiKKi Tropical Lily and my DD looks great in it!! You will have to excuse her, shes a bit sweaty after a big day playing castles.

Swop Blog Sale

2009-10-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

Massive amount of nappies and clothing coming to the Swop Spot.
be sure toi check them out, HEAPS more to come and remember to check through the archive as some posts were only put up yesterday.
ALL MUST GO!

2009-10-20T15:45:00.001-07:00

Custom Alfa-Pals!!, these arrived at their destination so I thought I'd post them up now ;)
A for Apple and E for egg!!!

2009-10-19T22:03:00.001-07:00

ok, just to check if its all the comments, please try to reply to this post regarding the giveaway.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

2009-10-19T03:10:00.000-07:00

ok, I have a pretty cool new item launching on Friday at Cherry Blossom, and a very special WAHM, Samantha T has helped me out and a new stunning item will be up for grabs!!
We will be launching new key chains with the same design you see below!
To celebrate this I'm giving away a "Cherry Blossom" Pendant!!
Whoever comments on this post goes into the draw!! to get another ticket in the draw please post this promotion on your blog and email me at .
thanks and good luck to all!!

2009-09-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

selling a few my child dolls at the moment, check my facebook photo album!

ok I have a giveaway coming!!

2009-09-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Im super excited about this one!!
Im launching something really soon, so Im giving one away!!!
Ive decided I will have 4 major giveaways per year, one for each season, and each one will reflect the season we are going into! I love this!!

stay tuned!!

2009-09-19T16:23:00.001-07:00

The COUNTDOWN is OVER!! come and see CHERRY BLOSSOM!!
lots of Christmas ideas, lots of goodies!!
and lots more to come!!

2009-09-18T04:40:00.000-07:00

a new sneak peek maybe?

2009-09-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

oops!! again

2 days to go!!

Cherry Blossom? whats that?

2009-09-15T21:46:00.001-07:00

4 days to go, no sneak peek pics today.... hehe

2009-09-15T00:56:00.000-07:00

5 days to go..

sneak peek? oh I can play nice, hehehe, and this is not all to come!

2009-09-13T17:11:00.001-07:00

OOPS!!
6 days to go

2009-09-12T03:22:00.001-07:00

8 days to go.....

2009-09-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

9 days to go....

2009-09-10T02:27:00.001-07:00

10 day to go.......

red drop pads stocked!!

2009-09-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

As of last night, sorry about not posting here, I was soo tired.
some things have now sold, but there are still goodies to be scooped up!
and a FREE LOTTERY!!
come and see Red Drop Pads at Cloth Pad Shop !!

red drop pads stocking!!

2009-09-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

after a year in hiatus, I m stocking more pads and goodies for the sept hunt time.
Stocking will be on sunday night 6th September at 8pm, previewing from 2pm.
pics to come, some yummy fluffy goodies added into the bundle? what can it be?

pics to come....
Im such a tease!

2009-08-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

ok, I can play nice, more sneek peeking :D

Funky Klipee's

Stocking at barrette Babe!!

2009-08-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

Friday night at 7.30 products go live!!
here is a sneek peek of whats to come

funky fridge magnets

more pretty headbands

frazzle barrettes

and something a little spesh!

next step, cherry noir...

2009-07-19T01:55:00.001-07:00

ok Barrette Babe is up and running. Next step is cherry noir.
I've wanted to get this up and running for the last year or so., so we are launching for the Great down under nappy hunt
dates for the next one are not up yet, but give them time :)

Barrette Babe Grand Opening

2009-07-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

ok Barrette Babe launched tonight. Didnt get a big response, but meh, we are new and its hopefully will get bigger and better once more wahms join. I am very tired now, been up since 5am and am going out tomorrow too.
night everyone ;)

Coming soon!! "Barrette Babe"

2009-07-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

coming soon from the hoard house is

Barrette Babe!!

launching THIS Friday from a yet to be disclosed location. see pics for what is yet to come!
there will be barrettes, barrette holders (for hanging on wall, gift bags, headbands, all kinds of goodies!!) and to top it off, an opening special of free post!!

keep your eyes peeled, only a few days away!!

2009-07-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

something new and exciting is coming from the horde homestead!!
lacy and lovely, what will it be, you will have to wait until next week to see!!
where is this being launched you ask? well that's a surprise too!!!
and patience, my dear patience hehehe

here are a few sneaky pics!!

2009-07-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

well Lillis pettiskirt arrived from Princess Ratbag!!
and its divine!!!! she didn't really get me when I told her to twirl, but hey, I'm sure at some stage she will discover the joy in that :D

2009-06-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

hard rubbish treasures :D
I couldnt help but score these when I saw them!! a cubby house! and a firetrap
cool!

2009-06-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

V-man turns 7 :)
our little man had a birthday at McDonalds in fern tree gully. Fun was had by all and he asked for a transformers cake which he was VERY happy with.
and look what he asked for with facepainting!! CHERRIES :D

to carry or not to carry?

2009-06-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

"pink angst" what do you think?

2009-05-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

I finished this crafty thing today :)
can't post a complete pic until its given to the little man on saturday :)

those very same friends cool as!!

2009-05-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

made me the happiest yesterday!! come see my goodies!!
for starters I have a sweet little cherry teacup pincushion (thats now my loungeroom one) and a Heather Bailey pincushion in cherries!!
then this! man this is super uber cool as, hehe
Its a folder for keeping all my recipes in, decked out in, you guessed it, CHERRIES!
its for turning our life into a healthy one. I can find good recipes and put them in here for safe keeping. Suitable for meal planning and everything!
if anyone is able to find that teapot in an actual teapot, please let me know, I'd love it!!

THANKS GIRLS!!

my friends the enablers.... lol

2009-05-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

We bought fatbeard the pirate a Nintedo Ds for his 37th yesterday. It is now all he will pay attention to pft!
but my parteners in crime made him the very spesh carrier for his one and only, lol, On the inside it has pockets for games :D
he is very happy indeed with it!

2009-05-20T20:07:00.001-07:00

PIF goodness!!
oh you got to love getting things in the mail you forgot were coming!

Can't you tell I LOOOve cherries

thanks so much to the WONDERFUL goddess Tam from blakeandboo

2009-05-20T20:02:00.001-07:00

well what a find!!
A My Child 88 Ultralong!
sorting through the e lost property out the back of a classroom at DS#3's school, walked back through the classroom to the door, spotted a hand poking 'out of the toybox!!
so after some negotiations about swapping a bundle of toys I have for her, shes now living here. Shes been played with by many a preppie, so shes dirty as buggery, but Im working hard to get her back to splendid :)

2009-05-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

well, Im doomed. I've been trying to knit this Oriental Lily pattern to no avail. Yes the knitting is going right, but the colours are ALL WRONG... comes out like an 80's reject knit :(
Don't get me wrong, I love the wool, but this is not what it was destined to be for sure.

trouble is I have this lush wool from the wonderful Anne over at Ladybug loops and Im thinking it would be perfect for the top, but Im currently knitting longies with it :( sure its just the waistband and a small bit of the bottom done, but I HATE frogging anything.
might just have to.....sook sook...

2009-05-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

Iv'e got way too many knitting projects in the running and a few on the cards to start. Why can't I have more arms or faster knitting techniques?
bleh

Introducing...... Space man.

2009-05-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

ok, I thought I'd introduce the family one by one.
This is spaceman, he's newly a teenager (we've yet for the joys of testosterone to truly kick in and turn him into a troll/hobbit like creature) and he's loving the notoriety I believe.
He's a bit of a space-nut, but at least he has an interest, hehe.
Year 8 at school, and doing great, not yet interested in girlies, but then again, like he is agoing to announce that to us. As the oldest kid of the clan, hes not really going to be totally nice to his younger brothers, but I guess we do ok with him.

2009-05-11T00:38:00.000-07:00

I finished the headband from the knit-a-long yipee!

oh and we now have two more chikkies :D
Little bubbas we picked up on freecycle., V's class will have egg hatching next tern, so even more chicks then too :D

2009-05-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

well we got a couple more chickens, well according to Lilli "chingens" hehe.
shes so cute, she was checking them out and clapping and giggling!
I will post pics soon of the new additions.

2009-05-05T02:07:00.000-07:00

ok, I've joined two "a-longs" a sew-a-long and a knit-a-long.
the sew-a-long is wild-flower-pincushion which is going to look uber cool :)
the knit-a-long is a headband of which I chose Calorimetry pattern out of the two on offer.
I wil post pics as they are done :D.

2009-05-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

ok, so the week is done, Quinten is now 9 weeks old, and Alex is 13. The youngest and the eldest.
We went out to dinner last night as Alex wanted to, and V actually walked through a crowded restaurant with his pants down to his ankles. Geez man, and no-one looked until Nick started yelling at him, so that was great too................NOT.
I've finished knitting Quin's wolly wrap, but I haven't taken any pics yet, so I will add them in the hext few days. I've started Lilli's longies, so that's going to be an endurance test hehe.

2009-05-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

well I finally finished the Deep Red tiKKi dress I'd been knitting. The 100g for the body was a little short, so its more like a top than an actuall dress, but Lilli is not too tall yet, so still may work as a dress, I've not tried it on her yet. Im very happy with how the two wool colour ways blended together, they are a perfect match for each other. I love Ladybug loops wool!

2009-04-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

ok my family is going to hate this decision I have made this morning. Its been coming for a while, and I have talked about it, so it can't be too big a shock to them.
From now on, if I cant make it, bake it, buy it at an op shop, only then (if its really needed) does it come into this house new. I want our family to be less consumption greedy. Our diet will be cleaned up heaps too.
I've decided its root vegies and core ingredients all the way now. Last night was a hearty beef stew with mash potatoes for dinner (yummy winter meal) and this morning has been porridge. Once the margarine is run out, I will change to butter. Cakes and everything foodwise, now gets made from scratch, so no packets anymore. As soon as the ones in the cupboard run out, thats it. I've just had enough of the impact we have.
I want to teach the kids where thin gs come form and the better alternative to live. We are a cloth nappy family alaredy, so this is just extending our nature based life further.

2009-04-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

ok, I have no pics here, must rectify that.
here is our newest addition Quinten Dexter.
cute as a button!
7.5 weeks old now, man that time has flown.

bloggy PIF goodness

2009-04-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

ok, So Ive joined the PIF world :)
from this page:

http://blakeandboo.blogspot.com/

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in...What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going.(just cut and paste this one if you like!, which I did)Ooooo! How exciting!

2009-04-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

ok day one of blog, let see how long this blog lasts for before its abandoned :)
well I have a mount foldmore to attend to, the kids are fighting over the wii, and the cat is winging at the door again, so good morning to you ! If anything at least Quinn is asleep in the sling.
Alex turns 13 on Monday. Geezz man, when did I become this old to have a teenager?
I can actually remember bringing that kid home from the hospital.
MMMmmmmm.......