The last day of 2012

Hello dear readers...

I like to reflect the year on this day.  It has been a much more stable year compared to 2011 which is rather nice.  Trying to think of the highlights - which are many - the most recent - for me personally - is removing sky diving off my bucket list.  That was one awesome ride (thanks Hamish!).

I have had a good crafty year as well and picked my Civil War Quilt up just before Christmas.  I would like to finish my UFO (I blogged about it some *ahem* ago) and my Sue Spargo project (it seems such a shame to not).  I will also finish another Christmas Stocking for the eldest boy.  I continue with my scrapbooking but in 2013 will be furiously attempting Project Life.  I know there will be a few projects slipped in but these must will be done.

I am not sure where I am going with the blog.  I seem to be stalking lots of blogs, Face Booking lots and pinteresting abit.  I would love to spend less time in front of this screen.  It is a catch-22 with the craving for ideas (pinterest/blogs), the need to be in touch with friends (FB) and interest/reassurance I gain from blogs.

I have been doing yoga weekly for almost two years now and would really like to do it almost daily.  This is a priority issue.  I would like to read more.  My book/magazine pile on my bed side table is ridiculous.  Exercises more - I do have plans to join a weekly Barrosa class.  And finally tenacity for more time in the garden.  It is not large - very manageable size just seems to slip the radar all to often.  I guess 2013 is fitting all these things in.

Bring on 2013.

Tell me it looks like a rose.

I have had this idea in my head for a while and finally I make it.

It turned out heaps better than I thought.  Don't you love that.

Though next time I will make the rose smaller on the skirt - don't you think?  Do you think I need to add a hem the same colour as the rose?

See someone else trying to model discretely as well?

Please SPONSOR me.  I seriously need to raise a lot more!  Jump date is 25th of this month (take a deep breath Sarah)

My 13 year old shames my stitching

13 yo: Mum

Me: yes gorgeous

13 yo:  I have to do textiles.  You know like you do, sewing, knitting etc - it is going to be sooo boring.

Me: (biting my tongue) oh okay.  You might be surprised?

13 yo: ha ha I DON'T think so Mum!

a week later...

13yo: Mum

Me: Yes

13yo: Look what I did in textiles - we did a back stitch and sewed on a button till it was secure.  We just had to do two boxes.

Me: (having a look at it and gasping) OH my gosh that is SO GOOD!

13yo: (grinning)

Me:  your stitch lengths are perfect!  I find that really hard to do (no I really REALLY do).

13yo: (pft) that is really easy mum. It was really good and this week we are doing applique on a bag and stitching it down next week.  

One - He has learned some crafty technical words and two - he said 'it was really good'. 

I could not be prouder that he is putting my stitching to shame.

Oh and I want to meet this teacher.  She must rock.  Maybe she can convert my 13 year old?  How cool would that be?

Please sponsor me!  I am really need to raise my funds!  Every little bit counts. 

JUMP out of a plane?

There is a new cause which I think needs our support.

Support For Mums

"Support for Mums is a not-for-profit organisation that will assist mums and their families through circumstantial crisis.  Circumstantial crisis may include high risk/difficult pregnancy, an unwell baby or child, unwell immediate family member.  Perinatal depression or any crisis that inhibits a family carry out day-to-day tasks."

To do my bit to help this charity I am needing to raise money to jump out of a plane.

Yup tandem skydive.

You want to see me do it huh!

PLEASE can you click on this link (or the button on the side bar) and add a few dollars so I hit the target to jump!

I promise I will share the whole event here!

Thanks to Segway Tasmania who is sponsoring my flight to Victoria to jump.

Reporting in...

I have some goals for October.  I want to get some projects moving...

Goal 1.  To scrap at least five layouts a week for October.  This means I will get through a big chunk of memories to record.

Goal 2.  To finish this stocking cross stitch so it will be complete for my middle son this Christmas.  Oh la la I just LOVE the threads.

That is it.  What are your goals for October?

P.S.  Goals dont actually mean you will achieve (!!) rather you attempt at great lengths to achieve to feel some sort of progress and sense of satisfaction.

Some progress at last

Ages ago I blogged about the Civil War Quilt blocks from here... Finally I got some daylight hours to get to this stage.  The blocks were meant to finish at 8 1/2 inch...  A few to many did not (not just me suffered this!). 

 It is a relief to get to this point - they have been hanging around to be done like a bad smell.  I need to decide how I'm going to quilt it.  Do you know how quilts from the Civil War times were quilted?  I am going to try to replicate this using my sewing machine (I know I know). 

Sue Spargo at The Quilted Crow

A relaxing weekend stitching new stitches with Sherri and Jan and meeting people like Sue and Lizzie (your company rocked guys).  Sue Spargo was so keen to share her amazing skills and encourage creative breakthroughs.  Generous with her goodies and patience.  I am so looking forward to when she releases her stitches book (I know gasp!)

We got to play with some seriously cool decorative stitches...

Beading - I mean yum people yum!

Even way out stitching.  Cool ha?

Sherri's design which I copied because people - it was cool.

testing testing 1.2.3

Yup it still works.  

I feel like I am always being creative 

but then nothing to really show for it.

I have done my homework for the upcoming Sue Spargo workshop next weekend at The Quilted Crows.  Jan is coming and so is a very dear friend from the mainland.  We are going to have so.much.fun.  

I am loving watching the vegies grow and the plot provide us with extra goodness at meals.  I am also trailing Hilbarn.  Where food is sourced directly from local farmers and delivered to your door.  The first box I got made me deeply excited about real food.

Been scrapping lots.  Nice to actually finish something.

Have finished all my Civil War Blocks.  Ahmen.  Now I am in the process of getting them ship shape to put together.  This has been a big project.  I will finish it.  No UFO happening here.

I am not really a fiction reader - let alone a book so thick.  This book has a personal link so I am getting through it.  So close to the finish and seeing what happens.  Been enjoying it.

I aint going to blog about groundhog house work or toddler wrangling or sibiling rivary or daily grooming a big hairball.  What about you?  What is keeping you?

Tree skirt

Yea I know - it is not Christmas any time soon.  

I am sticking to my order of projects so here it is done.

Done!

I just love it

I really wanted to knit this .. just got a bit daunted... 

 Thanks to the ladies at CWA (Country Women's Association) I can tick it of the list - ye haw!  An AWSOME free pattern by Flinlknits (yup the same gal who designed the Little Mans jumper).  I am  now eyeing off her beret pattern.  

 

The Little Man trying a bit of hip shaking as well.

Unravelled

Sometimes undoing hours of craft is therapeutic... You may say a concerning level of analish... I like to think what I gift is at my best.  This person is so worth it.

dilemma

Our outside fire - which I am loving - nothing to do with the post...

I am always aiming to support local independent businesses/food growers and products.

But then this happens.

I need a certain product.  I look at my choices.  There are four.

The shops own brand for $2.00.  I look at the ingredients.  All recognisable and safe.  Nothing obscure or sus.

The other three...  only one was Australian owned but imported ingredients $7.00.  Obscure ingredients.  Other two from or owned by overseas companies.  Again $7.00 and obscure ingredients.

I choose the $2 one.  Even though it is owned by a huge money making company - totally against my buying ethics.  ALL ingredients were safe and it was value for money.  How could I justify more than three times the cost plus very obscure product list?

Can you tell it stumped me?  I feel the need to be sensible but I have not even began to scratch the surface on the effects this choice could result in.

What choice would you make?

Furiously

I am furiously knitting this little secret...

What are you doing?

Just one square?

Sally has initiated making a blanket for the Born to Knit Save the Children's blanket appeal.

Good stuff she is.

So why dont you go to her blog and sign yourself up.  

It is so easy and quick and for a good cause people.  

She has even given us ages to complete a block.

Go on!  Lets see who can make their square first?

You can breath a sigh of relief

I have finished it... It is the most wonky of wonky projects I have done.  Machined stitched the binding because lack of (cough cough) patience...

excuse the poor light photos.  I just had to take photos and post ASAP

shush kabam people!

Check the first ever zipper of any sorts sewn.

 You cannot see it ... that is why it is called invisible people...

Thanks to my boy for the supportive eye rolling when taking the shots.

Also the encouraging words of "Mum that's embarrassing."

Thanks Cam for the shove push to get on with making it!

It really will be ready this Christmas...

Really it will...

Did a little more the last few days. 

Do you avoid a task and then wonder why when it was so easy?

Ever seen a scary watermelon?

We were asked to bring something to share at one of the two (yes two!) parties the Little man 

was invited to yesterday.  I just could not help myself...  Idea seen on Pinterest from here.  

Colours...

This is outside my kitchen window.  I watch 

it change while the winter slowly descends around us.  

Isn't nature amazeballs...

More babies...

To keep some very new babies warm and sweet.

Yup its finished.  Rather pleased with myself.  See, I have never knitted something as complex as this.  AND he likes it... now.

It seems the waist is a bit tight - it is suppose to be size 4 and he is between one and two.

This pattern is SO easy to follow from Flint Knits.

Almost there!

This has been such a satisfying project.  

Actually should I say that before I finish?

Better go knit more.

No!

Famous word from this little one...

"NO!"

Come on lets go!

"NO"

Sit up for lunch

"NO!"

Time to head home

"NO!"

NO no no NO No No no NO!

I actually don't mind the no...  it is the tone and defiance that comes with it...

breath breath

I ignore when I can, pick up and carry when I can (and ignore the cries), get eye to eye and say "do not speak to mummy like that" or even sit him on time out.  Seriously people I WAS hoping the terrible twos was it and I was going to get the lovely threes (okay I do have five more weeks then it will be lovely threes).

What are you doing or did you do at these stages to get through with a calm mind (yes I am going back to yoga) and laid back attitude?  DO SHARE!

Life is getting away with me

It seems I have let life get away with me. You know that ongoing balancing act. I want to love what I do more. I want to do it with love rather than the frustration of the repetitive chores, deciding meals and child/preteen/teenrearing. Its a work in progress hey?

I have been crafting. I just have to snitch moments when I can...

I have made Marians Skirt. My girl friends sister was wearing a similar skirt, which she covered. I feel in love with it. She trusted me with her skirt and her book. I made my own skirt with denim from my neighbours stash (i know lucky me)... Now, another friend of mine saw it and wants to make one. Lets hope Marians skirt keeps being shared. She is good.

This is what 34 complete and 11 to-be-sewn civil war blocks looks like. Seven more to cut. Was going to have this done well and truly by now. Got distracted and have run low on some fabric. Will get back to it.

Working on this for the Little Man for winter. My biggest knitting project to date. Just loving it.

Been out in the garden a lot as well. I think we are close to getting it right.

Also reading this book for book club. It has actually got my attention.

We have been building up to the end of rowing season. Though I REALLY enjoyed the last camp/rowing weekend I am pleased it is the end of the season. Orienteering has also died down. Both boys did exceptionally well in the State competition. Wonder what they will do over winter. They both have changed 180 degrees with their sports/music this year.

The Little Man is a busy boy. Easter Chocolates = + activity and - ability to reason. His day sleeps are shortening (hummmmm). He still wont sit and watch TV (sob sob) even when I sit with him during Play School to catch my breath (argh). He is perfecting tantrums and testing who is boss (yes sireee).

It was rather freighting seeing how many pups Abby's age are needing homes at the dog home. Not surprising considering we are going through the phase at the moment. I see the potential - she just needs to learn the rules. Like another toddler in the house but she does not wear nappies and sheds despite daily grooming (which she totally hearts).

There is never enough moments in the day to do everything I would like!

Belated gift

A belated anniversary gift to dh. Finally finished it yesterday at Lets Get Stitched in Tassie day. Fee and Co did a great job. It was so nice to get such intimate time with designers learning new ideas. Oh and putting faces to blogs!

I know the photos are hard to see the project at its best... oh well. I saw this idea on Pinterest and cannot find the direct link... sorry

Sweet knitting

A friend is expecting her little one in seven weeks. I am rather pleased with how it turned out. Can surprise myself sometimes. Heart the colours.

Sweet isnt it?

Soon I head out to join the Lets Get Stitched gang for the Pizza Night and games. Wonder if I will keep up with the lots of them?

Getting to know me and vis versa

I saw this on CraftyRie and thought what the heck...

1. Make a list of 5 things that you can see without getting up......
ironing pile, mess, carpet that needs to be removed or cleaned, more mess and Abby resting on the floor.

2. How do you style your hair?
Usually I just brush and then twist at the back and hold it all together with a large clip. I am hair lazy

3. What are you wearing now?
Floral top, jeans (always it seems), socks (hate cold feet) and bathers underneath!

4. What are your top five favorite TV shows?
In no order - Packed to the Rafters, Silent Witness (please come back), Australian Stories, Umm and not sure don't get to watch enough TV.

5. What do you hear right now?
silence - weird usually this place hums... oh and of course the Little Man reading himself a story (I DO IT MUMMY he said)

6. Who was the last person you hugged?
My mum

7. What did you have for lunch?
well it is not lunch time yet and a bunch of us are all bringing sandwich fillings.

8. What did you do today?
woke up, cuddled the little man, wrangled school children to get to school on time (oh man), paid a aurora bill, cleaned up from breakfast and got ourselves ready to go to swimming and the house ready for everyone to come here after for a play and lunch!

9. Dog person or cat person?
both. yes it is possible.

10. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?
I am pretty happy with my name.

11. What was the last thing that you bought?
I don't remember things like that. No brain space for that!

12. If you could afford to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Europe... oh and Antarctica...

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?
All children at school, hopefully the long awaited renovation done, Oh gosh I don't know! Really I don't know. Sounds scary but I am not - I kinda like how I go with life and pick up as I go along... I am sure I will be doing lots of assisting, volunteer community stuff as well as trying desperately to get through my long to do craft list!

14. Where's your birthmark?
I think it is on my lower back.

15. What are you doing this weekend?
Hopefully Saturday doing more garden stuff (we cannot make our minds up), Attending Lets get Stitched evening and then day on Sunday - yay!

16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
Don't know actually...

17. How tired are you?
Do we really know what being tired is... or are we chronically tired we need to reassess what tired actually means... Now my little one has been sleeping through the night for a while now I don't live that sort of tired. My tired now is just trying to juggle lots of things with little emotional or head space...

18. What are you plans for the rest of the day?
Take the Little Man swimming, all come back here for play and early lunch, Little Man sleep while I clean up and do house/business stuff then afternoon tea for school boys. Pick 13 year old up and take him and friends to orienteering. All come home and the evening routine begins (fun yay... not).

19. What's your drink?
Water, Hot chocolate or Chai.

20. If you could buy anything, for no reason, with no budget, what would you buy?
Oh gosh, begin and finish the renovations, have a permanent chief, house keeper and gardener. Now that would be GOOD!!!!

back to reality...

Okay, you're turn, either copy & paste questions & your answers into the comment section or add it to your own blog & leave a link here in the comments section!

The Quilted Crow gathering

Yesterday I attended the Quilted Crow Autumn Gathering. The girls always manage to put on an amazing day. The decorations, setting and projects are always stunning. It was so nice to be amongst like minded ladies and feel the excitement of beautiful work. It was also especially nice to chat to the mainland ladies who flew for this special day. They were such great company. Looking forward to the Christmas gathering...

Our first!!!

"Look what we found mummy!"

"A baby egg"

The Little Man could not have been more delighted!

(do the happy dance)

I think I can needle turn...

p.r.e.t.t.y pleased with myself.

First attempt - not happy...

Nup not happy.

Jan showed me how to actually do it...

Ta da!

Now happy!