Attention Facebook-ers!

Finally the boredness (that's a noun) resulting from not wanting to clean or cook has resulted in me creating a facebook page for A Beautiful Ramble! (Hip Hip Hooray!)


If you're on facebook, please like it... there will be a giveaway when we reach 50 likes! (Don't ask me what the giveaway will actually be... but it will be good!)

 

Knitting, the Flood and You

I think every Australian and many people from overseas would be aware of the massive flooding that has been happening in Queensland Australia. Last I heard (which was several days ago), fifteen people had lost their lives. The story that leaves me in tears is of the 13 year old boy who insisted that his younger brother be rescued first. The 13 year old lost his life before rescuers could come back for him.

As you might imagine, there have been several funds set up which through which you can donate money. In an effort to raise money, my sister in law, Meika, has set up a raffle. The prize? A handknit (and she's a great knitter!) for your child. All you have to do is donate $5 to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, and leave a comment on this blog post with the receipt number of the donation.

 

The above picture is an example of the top that would be knitted for a little girl. If you have a boy, click through to Meika's blog to see pictures, and to get more information on how to enter. This really is a great fundraiser, and with only two entries so far, you have a good chance of winning!

Hello Lovelies!

I am overtired and hyped up, so I thought it would be a perfect time to write a blogpost! 

Hello! How've you all been? I'm simply wonderful, though my wrist is quite sore. I can also touch my toes now, because I have been doing pilates everyday since Monday. It is only a 20minute workout, but it's better than nothing! 

Today I have eaten only junk food. Donuts, pizza, lifesavers... it's been utterly delish.

There was also a little sad moment today, as I packaged up my sweet Gertrude to send her all the way to Portland, Oregon. And she's going Air Mail - pigs DO fly! haha

Here she is, just in case you forgot what she looks like:

Now she also has a blue dress with a yellow flower (like the original Penninah Pig). Every pig needs at least two dresses.

I love writing letters (even though my wrist is quite sore at the moment), and this is the letter which is tucked in the parcel which is travelling to a place far away from me:

November 17, 2010

        Dear [wonderful giveaway winner],

Here at least is your sweet pig, won by you way back at the start of October.

I have named her Gertrude (Gertie for short) but I’m sure she would be quite happy should you decide to give her a new name.

I do apologise for taking so long to make her, and I hope she arrives safe and sound at her new home well before Christmas (though she may cut it fine!).

If she gets dirty, she is perfectly happy to be put in a delicates bag or a pillowcase and put in the washing machine on the cold cycle. Clothes dryers, however, she detests, preferring instead to lie in the sun or near a heater until she is nice and dry.

I hope she becomes a treasured toy, played with often. You will see that she already has two dresses. She did tell me that she longed to have a princess dress, but I told her to be patient, saying that no doubt she would be made one once she reached her new home in America.

Enjoy!

Katherine xxx

Oh yes, I do hope that her new owners adore her!

Gertrude the Giveaway Pig

Life has a habit of speeding up just when you need it to slow down. 

That is my excuse for only just having finished making the pig for the Giveaway (back on October 2nd).

Would you like to meet her?

Her name is Gertrude, and she is very excited about travelling to America. 

I thought about making her a little suitcase with properties similar to Mary Poppins' carpet bag so that I could tuck myself inside and travel with her. My husband, however, insists that I stay here with him :(

As this little pig turned out much smaller than my original pig, I made a couple of adjustments to the dress as I made it: I replaced the double crochets with half double crochets, and in the second row increased to 36 instead of 40 hdcs total (notes are on the project's ravelry page). 

I hope that Gertrude will be very, very loved in her new home! I will miss her. I love all my crochet babies.

 

Giveaway Winner!

According to random.org the winner is comment number 2!

Congratulations, mamipdx!

Here is her pig-lovin' comment: 

"oh, pigs. i do adore pigs. i like their snouts and their cloven hooves and their curly-q tails and their sweet pale pink babies. this little creation is adorable! if i won it i would read 'if you give a pig a pancake' with my toddler, and this little piggy would be the star of the book. :-)
thank you!"

Mamipdx, an email has been sent your way.

I loved reading all the comments. I have to admit being slightly relieved that sweet Penninah is safe from all the bacon enthusiasts who commented. That said, I love bacon myself. I always cut up an extra rasher so I can pinch bits as I cook without feeling guilty.

The First Giveaway

This Giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway, giveaway (laalaLA laalaLA)!

But not just one, no... one a week!

Why? Well, what you prefer? One person to get one BIG prize, or several people to get smaller (but still totally worth it) prizes? I know which one I'd choose - unless of course I could be sure of winning the BIG prize...

Okay, the first giveaway is...

Yes, my sweet Penninah Pig. This is a picture of my prototype, so you won't get this-exact-one. Instead, you will receive a piggy made with you in mind. 

And she will have at least two dresses... see here for the original post (where you can see her sweet petticoat, too!).

And yes, she is a free pattern, but come on... how many of you would like her, but don't know how to crochet, or don't have time, or don't have the materials handy... this way, you comment, and if your comment is selected (hello random number generator!) she arrives in the mail, all ready to be played with, dressed and undressed, and (of course) admired at great length (she may be a little vain).

But that's not all... there will be some surprises tucked in there too :)

How to Enter

1. Post a comment telling me what you like most about pigs. One comment is enough (if you post multiple, only the first one will be included).

2. Become a follower... let me know in another comment. (Two entries so far!)

3. Let people know! Post on your blog about it, then come back here and write another comment, which includes a link back to your blog. (That's three!)

Please make sure that your comment/s link back to your blog (or include your email - I will never ever give it out or share it with anyone) so I can contact you if you win.

This giveaway is open to everyone, anywhere. It closes on Tuesday the 5th of October at midnight (EST). The winner will be announced this coming Wednesday, the 6th of October.

May a person who adores pigs win!