WORK IN PROGRESS

I just thought I would share with you some of the things I am working on at the moment. The first one is a new idea I have been thinking about for some time and thought it was about time I had a go. It is going to be a cheeky monkey. I have seen images of these monkeys and fancied having a go at recreating one in crochet. I don't know if the finished item will look anything like a monkey. I will put a picture on here when I am finished.

The second one is another amigurumi sock monkey, I love these. The first one I made sold immediately, I have another for sale in my Etsy store. I think they are really cute and if you love sock monkeys they are a great way to keep one with you at all times.

WE HAVE OUR VISA!

I can't believe it, it has actually happened. We checked our online application and there it was 'Applicant Approved'. We now have our permanent residency visa for Australia. It has taken 4 months and 2 weeks to get which has surprised me as I always thought it took over 12 months. We have until September 2009 to validate the visa and 5 years to move over there. Hopefully it won't take too long to sell our house and we will be able to move there early next year. I think selling the house may prove harder than getting the visa as house sales have fallen dramatically. Fingers crossed that someone will fall in love with it, offer us the asking price and then we can start our new life in Australia.

MEET KEVIN THE KOALA

Amy, my daughter, has been asking me to make her a koala for some time. I finished one for her last week and then decided to make another, and here he is. I chose the name Kevin only because it started with a 'K'. I have yet to add the keyring to his head, I think he would look great hanging from a bag. He is not going into my Etsy shop straightaway as I have not decided if I want to sell him. If anyone would like to purchase one though, just get in touch with me either through my shop on Etsy or via this blog.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well it has come around again and today I am celebrating my birthday. This birthday may be the last one I spend in the UK. We have had an email from the agent who is dealing with our Australian visa application in which she tells us that we should have our grant letter in the next 1 - 2 weeks. I have such mixed emotions about our move to Australia. It is somewhere I have wanted to live for so long, but going there means leaving my son and daughter and my 2 grandchildren back here.

My daughter has just started her training to become a nurse and I am really hoping that once she has qualified they will join us in Australia. My son has always fancied moving over there so he too may join us. But of course then they have to make that decision because they will be leaving their dad and other family members back here.

Nowadays with the internet it is so much easier to keep in touch. I have an aunt in Australia who I am able to 'speak' to using MSN and, when it is working, use the webcam to see and speak to her.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who has dropped by my blog over the last few days and left comments for me about my aunt. They have been a great help and all are very much appreciated.

SAD TIME

My Aunt died on Saturday, 4 October. She was in hospital and the staff told us that she died peacefully in her sleep. She was 90 years old and a great lady. We will all miss her very much.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE