A test page

I could only get black ink for my new stamp set, but first attempt was promising! I can't wait to start using these on cards, labels, notes, maybe even fabric... hopefully I can find red, green and blue ink too.

>> My latest link discoveries:

Georgie Love
All kinds of gorgeous handmade things for sale by local designers.
http://georgielove.com

Living Creatively
An online magazine with crafty projects and inspiration.
http://www.livingcreatively.com.au

Button Tree
Adorable vintage fabric badges!
http://www.buttontree.com.au

Buy Handmade
Pledge your commitment and add a button to your blog.
http://www.buyhandmade.org

On my desk

Sorry it's late! I've been out watching The Polyphonic Spree, and they were brilliant... but anyway, this was on my desk today - actually on a desk at Architectural Glassworks where I work once a week. Like the frankie background on my laptop? I do!

>> If you're a bit crafty, you could be interested in this post I found today.

A tag game

Thanks to CurlyPops, I've been tagged!

The rules:

1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Six random things about me:

1. I have lived in Wellington (New Zealand) and Brockport (New York, USA). If I could afford to live in New York City I would be there now!
2. I'm vegetarian, and love to cook when I get the time.
3. My boyfriend and I share a birthday (same date & year), which makes it easy to remember!
4. I often drink up to 6 cups of tea per day - my favourite is Earl Grey.
5. This game had bonus appeal since it involved making a list, and I am a list maker.
6. I like quirky television shows, indie music and arthouse films, but on the other hand I own all six seasons of Dawson's Creek, and basically the entire soundtrack.

Now, for the tagged ones:

August Street
Bird Print
daydream lily
flossy-p
Meet Me At Mikes
The Bird Bath

A baby blanket

Last night the stitch n' bitch made it's return (hence how I got those mittens finished), but most impressive was this cream baby blanket with knitted lace edging - it's going to be gorgeous!

A pair!

Probably the fastest project I've done so far! I can't take credit for the pattern, but I might make some modifications next time (like longer down the arms). Although this version I managed to make both mittens from one 50g ball of wool! Amazing.

>> Granny squares are coming next, I found some inspiration today...

Granny Square on Wikipedia
As usual, wikipedia comes through with the goods (simple explanation).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granny_square

Green Granny Square Blanket on Instructables
A huge project, can't imagine how long it must have taken.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Green-Granny-Square-Blanket/

Crafts on MarthaStewart.com
Worth a look for the miniature squares!
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/granny-squares

A set of stamps

I discovered this in Zakkaya (on Johnson Street, Fitzroy) today and couldn't leave without taking them home with me. How cute are those stamps?

A golden ending

You might see this newspaper-like poster around Melbourne - I've spotted it on Brunswick Street and Spencer Street so far - if you do, I suggest wandering over for a good read! It's a magazine of sorts (Is Not) and this is the last issue everrr.

An idea

I learnt how to crochet tonight (first attempt pictured in blue) and thought it would be a nice way to embellish my scarf, maybe with some crocheted flowers down one end. As you can see, right hand mitten is still in progress but this is next on the list... then granny squares!

An assortment of links

Sew, Mama, Sew!
Fabrics & patterns, with a shop section and blog too.
http://sewmamasew.com

Threadden
Sewing classes in North Melbourne, looks like fun.
http://threadden.com

Lantern Studios
Notebooks, journals, photo albums & such covered in lantern paper.
http://www.alexanderbrands.com/lantern

Design*Sponge
All kinds of DIY projects & ideas. Sign up for the design newsletter too.
http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/diy

Wise Craft
How to instructions for making a rice pillow - excellent winter warmth!
http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/2008/02/make-a-rice-pil.html

Noussnouss
Free pattern to make fabric envelopes in any material you like.
http://www.noussnouss.com/freepatterns/

>> Not sure which of these I've linked to before, but I thought they were all worth sharing. All links on Thousand Threads can be found on my del.icio.us page too.

On my desk

Yes, just the one so far... and I'm yet to start the right hand, but very pleased with being half finished within a week of starting! That's new for me.

>> Edited for 'on my desk' since I forgot yesterday! More on Kootoyoo.

A paper paradise

Kami (Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) is just about my favourite shop in the world - full of journals, notebooks and photo albums covered with the most divine patterns and designs. If I had the money, I'd buy them all.

>> More Melbourne shops & markets in my Google map.

A cuff is a cuff

This is all I've done so far - a cuff! I'm very proud though, because the cables actually look how they're supposed to and it's not taking too long (the cold weather is fabulous motivation to knit quickly!). On the downside, I'll have a whole other hand to knit after this.

A new project

I've finally started the red fingerless mittens! It's my first attempt at knitting in the round (ie. on multiple needles) and making cables (the bumpy bits). After a few false starts it's coming along nicely... let's just hope I'm making the right size!

>> The pattern is called Fetching and can be found here in case anyone who wants to try their "hand" at it too.

A winters night

This photo was taken last winter at a B&B in Emerald. I've been hibernating the past few days, but venturing out tonight to see The Surly Mermaids at 303 in Northcote.

>> Also happening this weekend is the Melbourne Design Market in the Fed Square car park from 10am-5pm tomorrow.

A little cafe in a lane

I had a delicious vegetarian lasagna at this place in Hardware Lane last week. I tried to make one at home and it just wasn't as good... I'll try again soon and post the recipe if it works out.

>> Thanks to Lady Melbourne for my special mention today! She has fabulous style and elegance, I highly recommend you take a look (if you haven't already).

A very satisfying project

It's finally complete, after weeks of stopping and restarting... at least there's still plenty of winter left!

Stitch: moss (seed) stitch
Needles: size #5 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 1 ball brown acrylic (100g I think, 8 ply)
Pattern: Cast on 37 stitches. For the first row, repeat (k1, p1) until the end (final stitch will always be k1). Every row will be the same - starting with a knit stitch, and ending with a knit stitch. Knit the whole ball to the desired length. Cast off.

>> Abbreviations: k=knit, p=purl, number=STITCHES (eg. k1 = knit 1 stitch)

On my desk

Technically these clothes are on my bed, not desk, but I'm counting them as my task for today as they're destined for ebay! It's the beginning of a wardrobe overhaul - I really don't need all the things I have accumulated...

>> More on-my-desk-ers can be found here.

Just a minute... in July

I've joined a meme (thanks to August Street), so you'll be seeing a post like this once a month. I figured the middle of a month is as good a time as any to begin! Feel free to join in here.

Reading... The latest Frankie magazine. I tend to read it over & over until the next one comes out, finding an interesting new snippet or photo each time.

Watching... Dexter (Sunday nights on Channel 10). Very clever cop show - I'm hooked.

Listening... The new Death Cab For Cutie album is brilliant. My favourite song was "I will possess your heart", but others are rapidly growing on me as I replay.

Eating... Churros (spanish donuts) with the dark chocolate sauce. Seriously amazing.

Knitting... Still going on the brown moss stitch scarf, despite working on it daily. It's almost as tall as me now, but I'm keen to finish the ball of wool (so close!).

Learning... How to play harmonica. I bought a cheap one for practice, and started watching YouTube videos for instructions. Turns out it's actually quite tricky.

A girl in red

More great street art, this time in a Fitzroy laneway. Did you see the last one I found? Pretty cute too.

>> I originally envisaged Thousand Threads to be about knitting, with some naturally entwined elements of sewing, craft & art. I do still want to narrow my focus, but find myself interested in so many things... it's problematic. Would I rather be a "good" blogger, or inclusive? (I'm still deciding)

A Sunday sunset

The sky was amazing on Sunday evening. I'll have to pretend it had nothing to do with pollution and let it just be pretty.

A hot breakfast for a cold morning

I'm finding these winter mornings a lot more bearable with a hearty breakfast, so this morning it was banana porridge! Not much to look at but super delicious. You'll need:
~ 1 cup of oats
~ 1 1/2 cups water
~ 1 banana
~ a splash of soy milk & drizzle of honey (to serve)

Then make it like this:
1. Put the oats and water in a small saucepan
2. Stir in the banana (sliced)
3. Keep stirring until it goes all thick and gluggy
4. Take it off the heat and pour into two bowls
5. Serve with soy milk & honey
6. Eat and feel instantly warmer!

A few days off

I have been battling a sore throat over the past few days, making it hard to feel particularly inspired. To review, my thoughts have been "Ouch, it feels like sandpaper" and "I wish I'd taken more vitamin C" and "When will it be summer already? I never get sick in summer".

Last night, despite the mild illness, I went to the East Brunswick Club to see theredsunband and came out in a much better mood! They were rad, and so were the tights being worn by the friends I went with.

A lovely day

Some days when you aren't looking to buy anything in particular, the best spontaneous purchases are made. Like today...

Jolie Holland Record ~ $10, Audiophile
"Perfect Pour" teapot with strainer ~ $30, T2
Harmonica ~ $15

On my desk

It's past midnight so that counts as Wednesday, right? I'm lucky enough to have yellow roses on my desk from a certain boy who I've shared 3 years with as of today. Kinda hokey, but I'm a bit like that <3

>> Other desk happenings can be found over on Kootoyoo!

A mexican fiesta

Too much food & not enough knitting? Yes, I know... but this was mexican food! The ingredients for this tasty vegetarian dinner were:
~ tortillas
~ refried beans
~ lettuce
~ tomato
~ avocado
~ grated tasty cheese (rennet free)
~ chunky tomato salsa
~ sour cream
~ jalapenos

>> The neverending brown scarf really is nearly finished (who knew moss stitch would take so much longer?)

A delicious desert

The pancakes were eaten before I thought to take a final photo! To make your own, you'll need:
~ 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
~ 2 tablespoons sugar
~ 2 eggs
~ 1 cup milk
~ 60g butter (melted)

Then what to do with it all?
1. Sift the flour & sugar into a large-ish bowl
2. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk & pre-melted butter
3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, then whisk until batter is smooth (add a splash more milk if necessary)
4. Cover & set aside for 20 minutes**
5. Heat a little butter in a frying pan & pour in about 1/4 cup of batter at a time, cooking for a few minutes on each side (time will vary depending on thickness of pancakes)

** I never have the patience for this, and it doesn't seem to matter. I believe it is an evil lie intended to make us wait unnecessarily for our pancakes.

>> These are best served with hot chocolate sauce! It's easy: in a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup each of sugar, cocoa & water. Stir over low heat until simmering (add a little more water if necessary for 'sauce' consistency). Mix in a tiny bit of butter before serving.

A recommendation list

1. Visit New York City (this photo taken was taken near Central Park)
2. Explore the artists work from The Jacky Winter Group
3. Read bizarre tips on Lifehacker
4. Get inspiration for DIY home projects in Ready Made Mag
5. Browse the stationery at Paper+Cup
6. Find knitting and sewing inspiration on Whip Up

A colour bar

When I first started this blog, I picked colours off my needle case to create the theme you see now. Naturally I assumed I would change my mind 10 times (per day) before sticking to anything; I'm usually quite indecisive. Somehow these colours have stuck, and I still love them!

On my desk

Today I picked up the embroidery plates for my sewing machine (I doubt that's the proper name for them). After having a quick play, I can see huge potential for future projects! I tried to write Thousand Threads with a script setting, but think I'll practice with lines and patterns first. Still can't believe what this machine can do. Wow.

>> This is my first contribution to On my desk! I'm off to read some others...

A terrific trio

There were actually more people stitch 'n bitch-ing last night but only three fit on the couch for a photo op. Check out the gorgeous scarves! We also have baby blankets & fingerless mittens coming soon...