My blog is 1 year old today!

Mum and Dad rustled up a photo of me with the correct number of candles:

(actually my christening photo, shhh...)

This was my first post on my then-brand-new blog: Adventures in cardigan knitting. My Dad (a veteran gardening blogger) helped me set it all up.

I've since finished two cardigans (nearly!), lots of smaller knitting and crochet projects, seven new designs, and two revisions of older designs. I've moved to a new country, and seen koalas and lots of new birds. I've sung in a few concerts, joined a new choir, and attended the opera twice!

It's been a very eventful year. Blogging has been excellent for keeping my writing skills in use, giving me a record of my projects and thoughts, and most of all, for keeping my family and friends back in New Zealand up to date with my doings. Here's to all the adventures to come. :)

The end is in sight!

I finally got back to work on my green Cria cardigan, which has been languishing in its project bag since December while I worked on other things. I've been powering through the 'body' of it for the last week or so, making the most of the motivation while it lasts.

Crafter's chaos!

I have another few inches to go before binding off the hem, and then I'll just need to knit the pocket inners and sleeve cuffs, find some buttons, and I'll be done! I decided to go with short sleeves in the end, because they're just so cute. If all goes well, I'll finish just in time for autumn-cardigan weather. :)

Trying it on to check the fit (several inches of knitting ago)...

...And trying it on again today. I still adore the colour!

My '3D' crocheted blanket has also grown bigger, but I'm taking a break from it right now while I get the cardie done. I still have a couple more rows of squares and a border to go.

My squares are kinda wonky, but blocking will sort it out. :)

Icy goodness

Inspired by Melissa of tiny happy, I bought some ice-block moulds and am amusing myself coming up with flavours. I'm keen to try her Piña Colada combo, next time the moulds are free!

Here are two mini 'recipes' of my own. I found they weren't overly sweet (which suits me), but you might want to add more sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Each recipe makes enough for 6 ice-blocks.

Apple Cinnamon
1 tin apple slices/chunks (unsweetened)
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbsp brown sugar (or more, to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Coconut Rough
1 cup milk 
1/2 tin coconut cream
2 Tbsp drinking chocolate powder (or more, to taste)

Instructions: Whizz all ingredients in a blender, pour into ice-block moulds (leaving 1/2 inch at the top for expansion). Freeze for 4 hours.

Now if only I could figure out how to eat them without getting drips down my front... Obviously I have not yet outgrown the need for a bib. :p