Ssshhhhh! Be Very Quiet!

This is about to be gifted to my good craftin' buddy OCC. Hope she likes it!

And yes Kel, I am still making you a bag, just keep changing my mind on colour and style. And yes Brownpants, you are also on my bag list, got a very funky design in mind for you. :)

I Feel Naked!

No, I really do. I didn't pack any knitting to bring to work today (Have work Christmas party tonite) and I fell very out of sorts. There is something comforting to know that you have knitting at hand if you should feel the need, and believe me I usually do!

Generally I meet OCC every lunch time at GJ's in N Syd to knit, whine about work and generally de-stress until we have to down sticks & go back to the mines. Bells, I know how you feel about the weird comments when you KIP, but we just get strange looks. I think people on the north side of the harbour bridge are too polite to talk, they just give you these quick glances and look away if you smile back. Odd bods! The only people who have ever spoken to us were a couple of Americans who just thought it was cool that we were knitting.

This week however, OCC has been away for work :( so I have been left to mope around the office. AND to top it all off I am going to miss the impromptu SNB at Brownpants's on Sunday as I will be kayaking with Action Man. :( :( It will be fun, but I hope my arms don't get too sore as I have to finish some knitting for xmas!!

I will have some more photos of goodies I have made in the next few days, cant post them until I give them to their new owners!!

My Knitting Epiphany!

So , I was driving to work today and thinking about knitting. Not a very safe thing to do, I should have been concentrating on the road (that was for the benefit of any work colleagues who may read this blog. HUGE safety culture in this organisation!). I was marvelling at my knitting skills, as I am currently knitting a lace shawl AND a cami with lace detail on the bottom (pattern courtesy of the lovely Nora). Then I remembered that it was only May 2005 that I learnt to knit.

You see I am a crocheter. Have been since I was 8. And I have sewed and embroidered etc since I can remember. My Mum was never into knitting, she does nearly every craft know to man, and is an extraordinary quilter, but not really into knitting. It was on a long Craft weekend away with some amazing girls, that I finally learned to knit. I laugh now as it took me 3 days to knit a beanie, one that I now whip up in a couple of hours!

So after driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge feeling like I was the worlds best knitter doing the "I am so great, I am so great, everyone loves me 'cos I am so great!" dance in my car (I will do live renditions , on request), I realised something. It is not that I am a super dooper fantastic knitter, I have just conquered my fear of the unknown in knitting. Where once I looked at cables and lace knitting and thought "That is so hard, I will never be able to do it", I now look at patterns and can break it down to the stitches. "Yep, I can k, p, yo, k2tog psso, I CAN do that!". Talk about an epiphany! I should write a book, or better still open a store! (nudge nudge wink wink on that one!).

I am still a committed crocheter, even though my love and appreciation of knitting has grown so much. In fact I will post some stuff I have been working on really soon.

But for now here is a picture of the Forest Canopy Shawl I am knitting. At the moment it is on straight needles (due to a lack of Bamboo circulars in my needle collection) and is about halfway done.




I am using Merino 4ply from The Knittery in the Grace colourway. The close up does not do the leaf pattern justice, it is just evidence of my poor photography!!

What the???

Well the last couple of weeks have been mad, work is out of control and it wont slow down until April 07! After all the whining about pursuing a career in HR I am beginning to wonder whether I have made the right choice! People can be so ungrateful, but that is another blog!!

So, what have I been up to? Well here goes.....
Two weeks ago, I stuffed up at work. I had a deadline for producing information for our bonus (I like to call it Yarn money!!) in February. Had 2 weeks to do it and the day before it was due I thought I should double check the instructions to make sure I hadnt missed anything before submitting the work. Realised I hadnt done a huge chunk of it (thanks to skimming over the instructions initially) so had to do it all in 24 hours! Monday night at 7.30pm I accidentally deleted everything I worked on. Called the helpdesk (in India) hysterical and nearly in tears, and they told me it would take 2 days to retrieve it (from the IT helpdesk in Malaysia) and it would be quicker to redo it. So I went home.
So on Tuesday I came in at 7am, got it all done (again) before the 3pm deadline. Submitted it for authorisation and went home.
Then on Wednesday I came in to work as normal, feeling pretty pleased with myself, opened my emails to find that there had been a system error and we had to delete our worksheets and start again! Only problem was that because I had submitted the original work, I had to wait 2 days for the helpdesk to delete the work so I could start again. Third time lucky, it was finally done by the end of the week. Until Stage 2 of the process that is!

So that week was crazy but funny, if that makes sense??

In amongst it all I went through a "I am too tired to knit" stage but have now got my craft mojo back! It is funny though, even though I was reallly busy and too tired to craft, I still made time to read my favorite blogs (Brownpants, Sadieandlance, Blackdog knits & Bels), guess I am really a bit of a blog voyeur!

ps. I have photos at home, but thought I would take a 5 minute break to tell you all what I have been up to. I really do promise to blog again very soon!
GAME ON CRAFT STARS!

I heart Jo Sharp!

So, I spent Saturday with one of my good crafting' buddies OCC and finally realised why I was having a problem with the Bendigo Mills 8ply cotton.

IT IS NOT 8 PLY PEOPLE!

It is in fact slightly bigger than 4 ply, but essentially should only be used in patterns for 4ply cotton yarn. I know this because I compared it to the Panda Regal 4ply cotton that I use for Crocheting and it was THE SAME SIZE! Is it a conspiracy?? I don't know, but the lesson is, don't buy anything from a bargain bin at a Craft fair. You have been warned!

The other reason I know that it is not 8ply is because today my beeooottiful Jo Sharp DK Cotton yarn turned up! It is the most luscious yarn I have seen, that is since my Lorna's Laces order turned up!! :)
And here it is, Jo Sharp DK Cotton in Orchid, yum! I am going to knit the Beaded Cami from Black Dog knits. Cant wait to get started!

Further updates on my progress will of course be posted soon! (Along with photos of my work in progress(es)!). :)

I Give up!

My efforts to keep up with the PROLIFIC output of Ms Brownpants have come a cropper. I am really good at starting multiple projects, but still having difficulty completing. ALTHOUGH I am channeling the completer/finisher goddess, so I have made significant progress.

I have recently cast on these two projects:

1. The Print o' the Wave Stole by Eunny Jang . I am using Lorna's Laces in Seaside (how fitting). It is a beautiful design, but may take a little while to complete (I have to pick up stitches, hundreds of the buggers!)
2. Bolero, from Jo Sharp Knit Issue 2. I am using 8 ply cotton from Bendigo Wool mills (not impressed with this yarn). Feels like it will take FOREVER.

And then there are all my UFO's to consider (updated list to be posted soon), and then there are my wish list projects (another huge list) and the Christmas presents (Biggest list yet!!).

I am also having the debate (in my head) about when it is appropriate to:

1. knit in front of new partner
2. knit something for new partner
3. demand new partner contribute to my craft budget (ok, that may take years!).

I have been seeing someone for 3 months, have told him I knit but have yet to do items 1 to 3 in his presence. Any thoughts, suggestions would be most appreciated!

And don t even get me started on knitting socks! I so want to do that, maybe next month.............................

Sister Beanie

So I am totally channeling the completer/finisher goddess these days. Or maybe I am just picking easy projects! :)
Tonite I finished the beanie for sister, and doesnt it look great. Ok, the photo is a little blurry and you get a picture of me as well, only because the beanie looks better on a head than free standing!



The pattern is by Anna, you can find it at annarella.co.uk. I used some yarn I picked up somewhere, a while ago because it was unusual colours. It is a cotton/acrylic blend, which is good because sister doesnt like wool 'cos it is scratchy. Dont worry, I have had this chat with her:
"yes poor quality wool can be itchy, but I use good quality wool. Just check my credit card receipts!". To which sister replied "You dont know my body, I know my body and I know what makes it itch!". As you may have guessed she is not a knitter!

The good thing about her aversion to wool is that I get to try different yarns out, so that I can make her things. Guess I shouldnt complain!

Rediscovering My Stash

October has been good to me. I have been on a really tight budget, due to those big bills like Car rego. Being paid monthly doesn't help either!! All these things have conspired to make me rediscover my stash, and let me tell you I have some amazing stuff! And below is just a really small part of it that has captured my attention so far!

Reading Black Dog Knits blog, caused me to remember the embroidery patterns I bought from Sublime Stitching Sadie and Lance I don't think I have paid you for them yet??). So I guess maybe I didn't buy them??!!??



Must get onto that and polish up my very rusty skills. My Mum taught me how to embroider, along with sewing, when I was a wee baby girl. I remember being 6 or 7 with my own battery operated scissors and little sewing machine, making dolls clothes with seams on the outside! Also remember cutting sisters hair with those scissors, too easy! I must get a project going with some of those patterns.

And then there is the 600g of 8ply cotton that I bought from the Bendigo Wool Mill stand at the Craft and Quilt fair in Sydney in July. I think I finally have found the project for it! Yay! I bought Jo Sharp Knit issue 2 today and it had a Bolero pattern in it, which would look great in this yarn.

AND it looks like I will have enough left over for something else as well!! Double Yay!

And finally, my one splurge for the month was some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Seaside, how yummy is it! Well worth taking my lunch to work for 4 weeks and cutting back on coffees!!

These little babies don't have a project, yet! I was really impressed by Brown Pants shawl that she made from the LL Shepherd sock in bittersweet, so my preference would be to knit a shawl (rectangular) with them. Let me know if you have seen any rectangular lace shawl patterns anywhere, I would love to get my hands on a pattern.

So, there you have it! I can thoroughly recommend rediscovering your stash, it is just a pity that I only ever do it when funds are tight!

Mental note, look at stash once a month, even if it is just to admire how big and yummy it is!!

Wanna join my gang??

Well the mini SNB with my crafty sista's yesterday was a huge success!
In attendance was Brownpants, OCC and a special guest appearance by the AMAZING Sadie and Lance. This is the woman who brought us all together, who I constantly thank for introducing me to the craft goddesses that I spend time (and waaaaaaay too much money!) with.
So we ate, and crafted. Occ and I spent 12 hours crafting yesterday (although I came home and kept going until 12.30am)
I HAVE GOT MY MOJO BACK!! YAY TO ME!!!

This is what we ate for Morning tea, courtesy of OCC, DELICIOUSNESS!



This is what we ate for lunch, in honour of the founder of AADC, Sadie and Lance



On a completer finisher note, I completed two things yesterday. Part of a present for a special crafty Ladieee (sorry no photo of that one yet!) and one of my unfinished projects. Yep you heard it first, right here. I COMPLETED a project off my list.
And here is the proof:

I am on a bit of a beanie kick at the moment. I have been trying to find or design a beanie for my sister who has beautiful long dreadlocks. She lives in London, so it is coming into prime beanie season and as a crocheter/knitter I have always wanted to make her one. If you have any suggestions or ideas let me know!

Well, it is now Sunday and I am trying to get ready for work tomorrow and decide what is to be my new travelling project. So many on the list and so little time to do them all!!

Ciao for now..................

Just a quick one!

And I am sure we have all heard that before!
I am having a little snb get together at my place tomorrow. Brownpants, OCC and my new work buddy Debs are all coming over to admire my improved craft space, and to show off all their completed projects.

Update and photos of our day coming your way soon!

I am a Buzzy Bee!

Said with an NZ accent of course! Do you recognise him?? He sits on my computer, fiercely protecting my hershey kisses!

Today has been absolutely manic at work. I have heaps on at the moment but always lurve to be given more work, particularly with a 1/2 hours notice to interview and set up aptitude tests for a candidate!

Anywho, I survived and decided I needed to take a 10 minute sanity break. Not much to report on the craft front I am afraid. I realised today that with OCC overseas my completer/finisher mojo has gone. Need to get motivated though, I have a few things to finish in a hurry. Luckily there is a long weekend this weekend so I should be able to knock a few things off my list. All I have to do is remember to stop adding projects to it! :)

Looking forward to starting the Clap(otis)-a-thon with Brown Pants, Sadie and Lance and OCC (I am sure she will be in it!). At this stage we are looking at a November start, so we will be Clapping-a-long in Spring/early Summer 'cos we are craft rebels! Thats right the AADC grrls dont down sticks because of 30+ degree heat!

ok, rambling now and my 10 minutes are up, so I will get back to my metrics and spreadsheets now................

craft ya real soon!

Aarrrrggggghhhhh Me hearty!

My pirate name is:

Iron Mary Flint

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Pssst! Over here!!!!!

Lots to tell, or rather not tell. I have been off the radar for a little while as there has been some developments in other parts of Shazmina's life, which I wont discuss here. Most of you know what I am talking about! :) Needless to say it would be better off in a whole other type of blog!

So craftwise, I have been working on a project for a friend that I miss alot. It meant starting a project that was not on either my started list or my potential project list, but it is worth getting even further behind. Here is the delicious wool I am using.


Lambs Pride Worsted, in Clematis (purple), Oatmeal, Seafoam and Fuschia. Yum!


The weather is starting to get warmer (I heart spring in Sydney!), so I am even less motivated to complete the Skully jumper. I am also procrastinating as I have to pick up stitches around the armhole to start the sleeve. Yuk, picking up stitches, that is so not my favorite thing to do.

Now there is an idea for a blog, how to get over procrastinating from doing the really fiddly, crappy and annoying knitting stuf. Hmmmmm will have to ponder on that one! :)

OMG! Finisher/Completer Update

SUPRISE! I have finished a project. This is a tea cozy for Mrs Bendi, made in Noro Kureyon 88. It is actually for a 2 cup tea pot so it will fit better than the one in this photo.

Who said I never complete anything???!

ps. Finished one project and got another to add to the list. Benjamin and Brettly want one, seems I cant get a project off my list without replacing it with another!

Shazmina's Craft Shame File!

Flowers for you!
I mentioned a few posts ago that I was going to catalogue my unfinished Craft as a salute to my AADC. This list may shock you, however I am sure that those who know me will not be suprised.
Here goes.

Projects in Progress. Otherwise known as The Shame File

1. Skully jumper - Sleeves to go
2. Tea Cozy - last inch to go, the decrease part and then the sewing together.
3. Penguin - New project for Miss Eliza. Have just started knitting the body, so a long way to go.
4. Bag - sewing together, lining and the handle to go.
5. Umbilical Baby Beanie - half completed.
6. Baby cardigan - Only Back completed.
7. Sari yarn bag - lining and handle to go. This project stalled 12 months ago.
8. Devil Beanie - (Adult size) Horns and tails on the ear flaps to go. Another project that stalled 12 months ago.
9. Crochet Bag - For Kel. This project stalled as a result of a craft related injury (CRI) and is only 1/4 done. I have made a promise to myslef to complete for Kel's return to Australia.

I am sure there are more, but these are all I can remember at present!

Projects yet to be started. A whole other category and my constant Temptation!

1. Suprise 1 - Have to purchase wool for a Ear warmer/head band thingo.
2. Suprise 2 - have decided on project (Crochet Flower scarf) and have pattern & wool. Just need to start!
3. Suprise 3 - Have pattern (Amigurumi) & yarn just need to start.
4. Captain Jack Sparrow Amigurumi - For my sister. No pattern, have to figure out how I will actually do it???
5. Cardigan - For my Mum, lavender wool/mohair.
6. Cotton Cardigan - For me.
7. Beanie - For non craft friend using Kaalund wool.
8. Fingerless gloves x 3 - Two for me (Marta's yarns & Noro), One for non craft friend.
9. Cardigan for Miss Eliza - In time for her first Birthday!
10. Tea Cozy - One for good buddy Sam.

Oh my Giddy Aunt! Maybe I should be a Lifetime member/Grand Poobah of the AADC???

okey dokey. Lots happening in Shazmina Land.

Firstly, I want to highly recommend Yarns online. Meaghan is an absolute craft goddess, she has helped me learn how to resize a pattern if you are using different wool and most importantly she provides the best customer service. I recently made an order and received the wrong wool (1 Skein). No biggie, I was happy to send it back and didnt need the right wool super urgently. Not only has Meaghan told me to keep the incorrect wool, she is sending the correct wool AND a little suprise! How cool is that! And now that I have one skein of Cascade 220, I will need to buy some more to make a new project. Absolute genius! So if you get a chance, check out Meaghan's wonderful store.

Skully update. Well there is nothing to update, it is still sleeveless (the missing ball of wool is for this purpose). I have been completing a tea cozy for Mrs Bendi and another suprise for a crafty friend. I will post pictures of both soon.

I received a copy of the Happy Hooker from the lovely craft grrrl, Brown Pants. Perfect timing as I had a particularly frustrating week and it was lovely to get a suprise to cheer me up. I heart Brown Pants! She is an amazing woman, I have learnt alot from her, particularly a new love of Billie Holiday and Howling Bells. What a combo!

Well that is all for now. Further updates as news occurs!

I dont respond to Peer Group Pressure!

Or maybe I do! :)

ok, so I have not been well and have not felt like updating my blog. I know, can you believe it??? NOT wanting to update your blog??? Anyways, here I am updating. Although I am photoless as I am at work (working hard!!!)

You will all be happy to know that even though I have not been blogging I have been crafting. I have completed the front of my big person jumper and have now started on the back. That is what a couple of sick days will do, give you plenty of time to knit.

OCC would be proud of me, I havent picked up a second project to work on when the jumper bores me. I keep thinking of all the other projects I have to finish and it just makes it impossible to start another.

The most startling news of all is that I am of biscuits!! The biscuit crazies has left me :( I no longer cruise past the biscuit barrell first thing in the morning! I have will power, I just choose not to use it!!

I make no promises (they get me in trouble! :) ) but I will endeavour to post some pictures soon!

Raspberries to you!

"insert sound effect here" plllleeehhhh!

I wont be coerced into posting on my blog!
OK, you know it is easy to have my arm twisted, and I feel very guilty that I have not posted in a while. I promise that this weekend I will post not only a description of my Melbourne trip and the goodies I acquired, but a list of all my unfinished projects.

There I said it, I have MULTIPLE unfinished projects. I will catalogue them and walk you through their completion.

BUT, I do hereby solemnly swear that I will always have a minimum of 5 projects on the go at any one time, OR I will renounce my AADC membership.
So help me the goddess of all that is crafty!

Shazmina Bendi

My Craft Cubby Hole

On the weekend my good buddy, Benjamina gave me a bookshelf. Well actually the temporary use of a bookshelf. Not something blog worthy, except it has enabled me to clean up my sunroom and create my very own craft cubbyhole! It is most exciting dont you think?


So here is the work table and computer (and some of my shoes).



Here is the bookshelf





And here are most of the shoes that Shazmina Bendi owns!







A trip to Ikea and a few final touches and this will be the best room in the house!!

Meerkats Rock!

So it has been a while since I have posted, as my friend Sadie and Lance has been reminding me. I have no new craft photos, but do have news.

1. Jumper. I am still coming to terms with the 2 needle debacle. A little bit nervy about starting the intarsia pattern, but will muddle through.
2. Beanies. Have two to make, one for self and one for friend.
3. Fingerless gloves. For me, so that I can wear them while knitting.

In non-craft News.....
I have booked in for Speed Dating on the 20 July with my good budy Ms Mandie. We are both a bit nervous, but it should be alot of fun. The thought of speed dating makes me feel like a meerkat, on the look out for the predators on the savannah.

If all else fails, I am leaving the state on July 21 (only for 3 days) so I should be able to outrun the crazies!! :)
So that is me for now, catch ya soon!! Shazmina

ps meerkats are one of my all time favorite animals, they are cute and kooky!!

Craft Show Goodies

Last weekend was the Quilt and Craft show at Darling Harbour, tres excitement for the crafty ones in Sydney! Mrs Bendi came down from QLD and braved the cold weather for it. We had a great day at the show with Al, Brown Pants and the Bendi's. Below are some of the goodies that Shazmina made off with!
Bendigo Woolen Mills: Not a great photo, but I picked up some lavender 12 ply wool/Mohair to make a Jo Sharp cardigan for Mrs Bendi. Didnt have the heart to tell her about my condition (ADD) and the likelihood of her receiving said cardigan in next year! The moss green 8ply cotton is for another Jo Sharp cardigan pattern and I think I will knit it in spring/summer, might make a nice light weight project.

Hot Possum purchase: Mrs Bendi purchased the pattern and some Amy Butler Fat Quaters for Shazmina's Xmas present. I need to find some more fat quaters (love that term), material for backing and edging and then put Mrs Bendi to work!

After the quilt show Mrs Bendi gave Brown Pants a quilting tutorial. She was abit worried as Brown Pants was getting sicker by the minute, but all went well. Mrs Bendi is very Happy to bring another quilting convert into the fold!


Kaalund yarns purchase: And finally something I bought for myself. This yarn is beautifully hand dyed in Australia (Brisvegas) and the photos truly dont do them justice. They base their colours on the Australian bush, on the left is wisteria which is blue/green and purple and on the right is waterlily which is blue, green, purple and pink. It is a bulky weight, so I am going to make a beanie and maybe a scarf, havent quite decided yet.



So that is my haul from the craft show! Oh, I nearly forgot that I bought some circular needles as well.

Now if I could just complete some projects, all would be well! :)

Finally......Craft!

So here I am finally talking craft! No crazy Biscuitness today!!!!!

Current Projects:

Project 1: Knitted bag for sista Bendi. Status: incomplete. Needs to be sewn together and lining attached.


Project 2: Sprogwarmer Blankie Status: Final squares and backing to be sewn on.

And I had to include a photo of the Amigurumi Monsuta that jumped off my crochet hook and has made a new home with Sadie and Lance.


The Status of Project 3: Pirate Jumper, will be o in my next update!

Catchya then!

Shazmina

Biscuit Craziness!

So, I got the biggest suprise today. I went to collect the mail (I am the "go-to girl" at work) and I had a package from my good craftin' buddy Sadie and Lance (I really must learn how to put in a link).



Imagine my suprise when I opened it and saw these beauties!

BISCUITS!!! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! And let me tell you they are full of deliciousness! I do feel a little piggy as I did a raid on the biscuit barrel on my way back from the mail room. Oh well, I will have to eat them as well!!!

Viva la Biscuit!

Shazmina

aka Crazy Biscuit lady

Yoo Hoo! Over here!!

So, my good craftin' buddy Sadie and Lance, has noticed that I have not updated my blog in a while so here I am posting!!

And the reason for my silence? I have been experiencing some technical difficulties, I can't remember how to download photos from my camera to my computer so I am currently holding alot of piccies of craft waiting to be posted. That is my story, and I am sticking to it!

In the mean time, I remembered that I always carry a project to work, in case the mood strikes me and I have to knit, or in case I want to impress that cute boy on the train with my crafting. Ok, that has never happened, the seeing a cute guy on the train bit, I usually see them on the platform and then lose them when we get on the train (gee, I sound like a scary stalker now!).

Anywho, here is a photo of my travel project. I am knitting the Umbilical cord hat from the first S'n"B book in the varigated Merino Bambino yarn that I bought from Spotlight B.B (before boycott). Kind of cute huh! Not sure who it is for yet, but will keep you posted.

Speaking of the Boycott, Shazmina's Mum is in agreement (right on sista!) she actually thinks it is "disgusting". She is becoming a political activist in her later years, having told Shazmina's Dad her views on WorkChoices (what choice?) legislation and Australia's involvement in Iraq. Lets just say you should never talk about politics or religion in the Bendi family! :)

So what is Shazmina working on now, I hear you say?? Well as she has always wanted to be a pirate, (arrrggghhh me hearty, raise the anchor and lets be off!) she is knitting a pirate jumper. Captain Jack Sparrow eat your heart out! Having been taught how to adjust a pattern for different yarn by the Yarn goddess at Yarns on Line, she has hit a minor obstacle (adjusting the intarsia pattern) which has slowed down production. But I will finish it, oh yes I will! I want to wear it during my trip to Melbourne to visit the cool kids, Sadie and Lance.

Will keep you updated on my pirate progress, and I will post again when I have the camera thing-a-ma-jiggy worked out!!

Viva la Craft! Shazmina

Honey Jumbles and Weekend Treasure

This, I promise, is the last in the biscuits of Australia series. It will definately be the last because my waistline and my cholesterol cant take anymore!!

This weekend will be busy for Shazmina, I have to complete the sprogwarmer blanket for our good craftin' buddy KT and her new bundle of joy. I also need to finish a bag I have been making. At present I am trying to knit the frill, 320 stitches!!! I am only half way through knitting the first row!! So that and cleaning my house in preparation for Mim's (that is my Mum) visit, will make for a pretty full on weekend!

My only other promise is to load some craft photos, so you will all realise that I am much more than the crazy biscuit lady!!! (mwa ha ha ha!)

The Biscuit Barrel spoke to me

And it said, Pillows!! EAT ME, you crazy Biscuit lady!
Who doesnt love Spicy Fruit Rolls??

Yep, I am OBSSESSED with biscuits! I must learn to resist..............................

Iced Vo Vo Follow up......

Otherwise known as "Did I make good on my promises?".

As I nibble on my Iced VoVo's I contemplate the last couple of days (gee, that sounds profound!).

So here is the update of my weekend.

SATURDAY. I went with my good craftin' buddy Brown Pants to watch her partner play Rugby. We sat in the park with our knitting and a bottle of cider (very chic!) and had a really lovely afternoon. I then was invited to dinner, where BRown Pants made divine Salmon Patties and we knitted, watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and ate! All in all a truly fabulous day!

SUNDAY. I made lunch for my downstairs neighbour and closeted crafter Benjamina, his partner Bretly and their friend David, Lord of Style and Good Taste. I made a delicious corned silverside, mash potato, cauliflower, veg and parsley sauce. Very Yummy!perfect Winter fare! I also did a spot of knitting to round off the day!

So, for once, I achieved all my craft and non-craft goals for the weekend. I feel as though I am truly shaking the non-completer/finisher tag!!

Stay tuned for updates of the crafty goings-on for this week!

Weekend Promises

I have decided that if I publish my crafting goals of what I will achieve on the weekend, then I am more likely to actually COMPLETE them!

Saturday I am catching up with my good crafting budy, Brown Pants to knit, drink coffee and watch her partner play Rugby. Ahhh now there is a day with some of my favorite things, coffee, knitting and watching fit men play Rugby!! So my aim is to get ever closer to finishing the bag I am making my sister and to start a shawl for my Mum. I have some new needles from the Wool Shack which arrived today and I am dying to make use of them!

Sunday I am cooking lunch for my neighbour and his partner. If you have read Armistead Maupin's "Tale of the City" (which I highly recommend) you will get an idea of what the building I live in is like!We are having Silverside and vegetables, very "rustic" (ala jamie Oliver) and perfect for winter!

I also wanted to get started on another Amigurumi. I have an idea for a little monsuta, that is starting to take shape in my mind. Keep you posted on that one!

So there it is, Shazmina's goals for the weekend!

YUMMY!!!!

Dont you just love Biscuits?! I am reliving my childhood at work, every day we get sweet and savoury biscuits in our kitchen (yes we are spoilt). I just hang out for the days when the Hunderds and Thousands, Honey Jumbles and Iced Vo Vo's are in the biscuit tin!


I had another look at my friend Sadie and Lance's blog and realised that I need some photos of my crafting, if for no other purpose than to prove I do complete things! My biggest problem is that I tend to give the things I make away, I guess it is becuaseit makes me feel less guilty when I buy supplies!!!

I have managed to dig up a picture of a scarf and beanie that I crocheted for a swap. It was one of the first times I realised that my crafting was or good quality andappreciated! And that reminds me I will have to involve myself in a swap again soon!

I have many projects on the go at the moment, and as I got a digital camera for X-mas, I have no excuses. So I will keep you all updated about my craftin' progress.

Shazmina

I am soooooo Clever!

As you may have noticed, I have added some links to the side bar of my blog. They are a few of my favorite links, and include blogs belonging to some amazing people that I just happen to know! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Craft ADD and other important notes........

Because this is all about me, I think it is important that you know a few things about me.

(That's me! Well my new boots actually!)

I have Craft ADD! Admitting it is the first step to recovery! I have an annoying habit of starting really great projects and then getting bored (usually close to the end) and starting on something else. I am trying to break the habit, taking inspiration from some of my good crafting buddies, I am limiting myself to 2 projects at a time. The unfortunate thing is that I think my craft ADD is rubbing off on them!! Soon I will be the completer/finisher, when all around me have succumbed to the dark side!! mwa ha ha ha! (insert evil laugh here).

I am a craftster, out and proud! And I have it engraved on my iPod to prove it! I just LURVE to crochet/knit/sew, I get that from my Mum who is the most amazing crafty lady I know. She gave me my first sewing kit to make dolls clothes when I was 6. I made use of the scissors on my sisters hair (she needed a fringe) and as she was my crash test dummy for all things odd, she willingly obliged (that is my story and I am sticking to it!).

I am from a long line of crafty men and women! My sister is fabulous, she sews, makes jewellery, and is musical. She is my guru for all things funky and cool, a constant inspiration. Then there is my Mum. She quilts, sews, embroiders, cross stitches, paints, does Folk art, tapestry, she is just amazing. My Dad is into electronics by trade, but he can pretty much make anything and is into carpentry, metalwork and gardening. Then there are various Aunts and cousins, too many to mention!

I love Meena! Or Princess Meena, as she likes to be addressed!She is my cat, the strangest, most neurotic and fearless little cat. Somedays she thinks she is human and other days she thinks she is a dog. BUT she is never just a cat!

I love my friends! I will introduce you to them all, one by one. They are fabulous, wonderful, amazing people!

And finally, I love Elvis! Again, something I have to admit to it, accept it and move on! The perfect cure for a hangover is, Salt and Vinegar chips/crisps, powerade and watching an Elvis movie (while on your couch, curtains closed!). My good crafting buddy Brown Pants, gave me some material with Elvis pictures on it, which was extra special as I know she is not a fan ( I know hard to believe, hey!).

So that is mostly me in a nutshell! ENJOY!

Shazmina Bendi

Welcome to Shazmina Bendi designs......

Hello and welcome!

As this is the first post and I am new to blogging, I wont bore you with a long winded spiel on me, I will wait until post number two for that!

Take it easy!

Shazmina