I really really do not want to go shopping today, only the temptation of meeting a friend for coffee in town is enticing me. Its wet out there, its miserable and theres more to come. If the roads on the coast get cut off with floods, as they are very likely to do then the food lorries can't get up here so while I have the energy I'd better get in there and do things. I need soft toy fill as well, I bought the last few bags that Crazy's had before they closed down and now I'm down to enough to stuff a hand. I hope I can get some as I'm on a roll with these dolls and hope to get them off to the mags next week. The storms are getting worse here, I've never known thunder and lightning like it. The Transformer outside my friends house about 7 klms away took a direct hit the other night and she narrowly missed being hit as a bolt of lightning shot through her house, she lost her computer and the electrics to all the plug sockets in the back of her house burnt out. They don't usually start till about 3 in the arvy, so I get the dinner started and all the chores in and out done before then, then I curl up with my craft or a book on the sofa with the dog pressed as close to me as she can get and watch the storms build up.
I rearranged the books shelves yesterday, dusted and polished so I can actually see and smell that I have been busy.I'm into table runners at the moment, I've picked a few up at garage sales and op-shops with the intent to do something with them. The book stand in the main living area is only very narrow so I want to make one for the top of there. I might crochet one in white, I keep the family photo's on there and there is a white mirror over it. Well better get off, got to go get petrol first.
Jan
Crochet, Embroidery, Family History, Decluttering, and the occasional rant and rave about Telco's, idiotic drivers, and the world in general. Peppered with life's everyday little hiccups, pleasantries and amusing anecdotes.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
BORED
Me getting bored is a dangerous thing. Who knows what I can get up to. I've done double my 20 mins crafting today, the washings on and the breakfast pots washed. Dinners planned and I'm restless. I'm actually looking at paint charts - now you should be worried. I tinkered around with a piccy of some of the flowers i crocheted and made a pretty piccy for the blog head. I love playing around with piccys though I have no idea what I am doing.
I need to get the pattern finished for the ami dolls so I can submit them to the magazine. I am getting so slack again at finishing things off. I'm half way through another doll just to make sure the pattern is okay, a few tweaks here and there and it should be done. I haven't even started the polyanthus/primrosey embroidery yet - I found a nice cross stich tulip design when I was tidying up the wardrobe so I'm working on a trim for a nice pink handtowel.
I think I am finally nearing the end of my decluttering. Now all I have to do is rearrange all the stuff that is left. The book cases need redoing. I did get rid of a few books for the garage sale so things just need moving around a bit. I'm going to start on the entrance area. I
I need to get the pattern finished for the ami dolls so I can submit them to the magazine. I am getting so slack again at finishing things off. I'm half way through another doll just to make sure the pattern is okay, a few tweaks here and there and it should be done. I haven't even started the polyanthus/primrosey embroidery yet - I found a nice cross stich tulip design when I was tidying up the wardrobe so I'm working on a trim for a nice pink handtowel.
I think I am finally nearing the end of my decluttering. Now all I have to do is rearrange all the stuff that is left. The book cases need redoing. I did get rid of a few books for the garage sale so things just need moving around a bit. I'm going to start on the entrance area. I
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines day
Well there won't be any cards, flowers or choccies coming my way this year. No man on the horizon for me. I'm just too fussy. I like being on my own (when I'm allowed to be). I really don't think I want to go through all the hassles of building a new relationship up. But if it happens it happens and if he's rich as well - then maybe I'll make the effort.
But for now I LOVE ME, there are parts that I have fallen out with though, but I'm sure I can learn to love them - grey hairs, wrinkles, saggy bits.
My youngest and his girlfriend dropped in last night on their way home from riding motorbikes and quad bikes all over the hills, muddy, bruised and very happy and very tired. I was worried about them driving down the mountain range late at night but Linda had to get back so we fed them, poured coffee into Ryan and off they went.
I'm going to settle down today to watch the winter games, I used to like the Luge but after that poor Georgian luger was horrifically killed I think I'll give that one a miss. I hope they do ban it. It showed the arial view of the Luge track on the news last night, its hard to imagine travelling along it at 148+ klms, with really no control at all. I didn't think they would show the actual moment of impact, I thought they were just showing another Luger on the track. Prayers and thought go out to his poor family.
On a lighter note I'm trying to find photo's of all my past craft work, I lost a lot when my puter crashed but I have a lot of 'real' photographs in a suitcase I can scan. Despite losing my mojo I have been quite busy these last couple of months. In fact when I look at all the stuff I have made in the past 9 months I am amazed. Not bad for someone who isn't feeling crafty. I was forced into it though and if thats what I can do when I'm not in the mood what can I achieve when the mood finally does hit.
These gloves I knit before last winter, first attempt and I was quite pleased with them. I used the itchy grey vintage wool and since they've been worn in and washed a few times they are not too itchy and have softened up. They'll probably last a few years since there probably only a couple of weeks of really cold weather in our winter. 
....and this little beauty is the first sock I knitted, the second one looks pretty good as well. First time I had knitted on four needles, took a while to get the hang of it, needles flying everywhere, the poor dog diving for cover every five minutes but I mastered it in the end, turning a heel and doing the toes were easier than I expected and I will definately be doing another pair ready for this winter, might be a bit braver and do a patterned one.
But for now I LOVE ME, there are parts that I have fallen out with though, but I'm sure I can learn to love them - grey hairs, wrinkles, saggy bits.
My youngest and his girlfriend dropped in last night on their way home from riding motorbikes and quad bikes all over the hills, muddy, bruised and very happy and very tired. I was worried about them driving down the mountain range late at night but Linda had to get back so we fed them, poured coffee into Ryan and off they went.
I'm going to settle down today to watch the winter games, I used to like the Luge but after that poor Georgian luger was horrifically killed I think I'll give that one a miss. I hope they do ban it. It showed the arial view of the Luge track on the news last night, its hard to imagine travelling along it at 148+ klms, with really no control at all. I didn't think they would show the actual moment of impact, I thought they were just showing another Luger on the track. Prayers and thought go out to his poor family.
On a lighter note I'm trying to find photo's of all my past craft work, I lost a lot when my puter crashed but I have a lot of 'real' photographs in a suitcase I can scan. Despite losing my mojo I have been quite busy these last couple of months. In fact when I look at all the stuff I have made in the past 9 months I am amazed. Not bad for someone who isn't feeling crafty. I was forced into it though and if thats what I can do when I'm not in the mood what can I achieve when the mood finally does hit.
These gloves I knit before last winter, first attempt and I was quite pleased with them. I used the itchy grey vintage wool and since they've been worn in and washed a few times they are not too itchy and have softened up. They'll probably last a few years since there probably only a couple of weeks of really cold weather in our winter. 
....and this little beauty is the first sock I knitted, the second one looks pretty good as well. First time I had knitted on four needles, took a while to get the hang of it, needles flying everywhere, the poor dog diving for cover every five minutes but I mastered it in the end, turning a heel and doing the toes were easier than I expected and I will definately be doing another pair ready for this winter, might be a bit braver and do a patterned one. The weather is fine at the moment but storm clouds are around, the monsoon rains will probably wait till this arvy so I want to try and get the lawns around the house done while the grass is still dry. Now, do I have brekky first or after I've mowed. Looking at the dark clouds that have just come over and the way the birds are behaving outside I might be better rushing out now and getting it done. The weather here is very unpredictable at the best of times but with all these 'worst/wettest/hottest/driest/snowiest/coldest etc weather since' patterns around the world who knows what its going to do. But there again I might just go into the kitchen and make myself a bacon butty, hopefully the aroma of cooking bacon might waft through the house and waken my son and he might get out there and get the lawns done. We live in hope.
UPDATE: 12.59 - well fat chance of that happening, he's gone off to Kuranda to see a mate, I got out the mower and made a start, done half of the back lawn and half of the driveway side of the house. Pulled out my 100 weeds a day, hung out the washing, put 100 crosses in a crossstitch, had my bacon butty, just about to have my fourth coffee of the day and then defrost something for dinner tonight, might put yesterdays washing away if I get a burst of energy after my coffee. No-one could call me lazy, so I'm going to plonk myself down soon and just take it easy for the rest of the day.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Stars of the Show
These beauties first made light of day on Crochetvilles CAL (Crochet A Long), I started off learning the pattern with a 6 point, then 12 and then 24 (which I won't be doing again anytime soon) They became very addictive and I'm think that maybe I could do a rainbow one with all my yarn stash, just a little baby 6 point.. I did follow the original pattern but then after making a few serendiptidous mistakes went my own way with them. .jpg)
Most of the yarn used was already in my stash and I think I only had to buy a couple of hundred gram balls for the 24 point one. I love the varigated yarn thats in the middle of the 12 point and the outer edges of the blue one, unfortunately I can't get that one any more. Its funny because I didn't like it when I bought it but needed a more masculine yarn, it crocheted up really well but the craft shop in town decided at the same time I wanted more that they weren't going to stock wool anymore and were just going to be beading, patchwork and scrapping. A new shop has opened up that supplies all the old dears for their charity knitting and she will order in small amounts but looking through the Magnum books this one seems to have been discontinued. I live in hope that perhaps I'll find some on my garage saling and op-shop forays.
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Most of the yarn used was already in my stash and I think I only had to buy a couple of hundred gram balls for the 24 point one. I love the varigated yarn thats in the middle of the 12 point and the outer edges of the blue one, unfortunately I can't get that one any more. Its funny because I didn't like it when I bought it but needed a more masculine yarn, it crocheted up really well but the craft shop in town decided at the same time I wanted more that they weren't going to stock wool anymore and were just going to be beading, patchwork and scrapping. A new shop has opened up that supplies all the old dears for their charity knitting and she will order in small amounts but looking through the Magnum books this one seems to have been discontinued. I live in hope that perhaps I'll find some on my garage saling and op-shop forays. 
I'm trying to arrange a play date with my friend, we need to catch up, I really do need to vacumm though before I do anything else and wash a few blankets, if I'm lucky I might get stuff out on the line for a few hours. The storms have been starting early these days but if I get a couple of hours drying time that should get everything dried.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hex quilts
Since I've been looking at blogs with hexagon quilts on I thought I'd show you my little offerings. I had a mad passionate affair briefly with hexagon quilts a few years ago. This was the first one. I also started collecting rose patterned fabric at this time. From this little darling I went onto bigger things, but just before you scroll down make a guess on how big you think this quilt is. Okay so then I started my lifetimes work. My late hubby would patiently follow me around craft shops, garage sales and op-shops on my hunt for rose patterned fabric, he would be amazed as each evening I would sit cutting up old chrissy cards to make the templates and then spend the next evening watching me cutting fussy cutting up perfectly good metres of fabric, then he would mumble something about womens logic as he watched me sewing it all back up again. We joked that it would never be finished until we were pensioners. It started off a hexagon, then it went star shaped and then back to a larger hex with the addition of smaller hexagon pieced hexs. Not quite sure how it ended up diamond shaped, it took on a mind of its own and I managed to slowly get it into a rectangle shape. Other things took over our lives, the unfinished quilt occassionally brought out by a proud hubby for a show and tell session. But it didn't get finished, there were over 7000 mini hexs in that quilt, all stitched by hand over a period of about 8 years. The quilt made its final trip into the outside world a few days after my beloved passed away. I gave it to the undertaker and he wrapped by husband in it. He probably thought it was very strange, but that quilt was made out of memories and I had plenty to spare so I gave it with love. I still have a few of the hexs left and might one day make a small wall quilt. When laid flat on the floor and standing over it looking down it had a very strange effect, very hypnotic so it was called the gypsy rose mandala quilt.
I'm finally getting to the end of the de-cluttering in the craft room. I decided that the tapestry frames had to go and a quilting frame. I found a quilt, dusty and full of spider poo and gubbins. I really should clean it up and finish it once and for all. Its a dresden plate, started when I was pregnant with my second son 23 years ago, the bets were on at quilting class wether the quilt or the baby would get finished first. I'm quite sure that if Matt had decided to arrive on time and not 2 months early I would have finished the quilt. Every so often I get it out and put a few more stitches in, its embellished with embroidery and hand stippled quilted. Hopefully i can finish it for when matt has kids and since there isn't even a current girlfriend on the horizon I reckon I've plenty of time. You can the first hex quilt hanging on the rail over the single bed in the craft room.
Decluttering
I have been decluttering for the past three years. Seriously that is, being ruthless and determined. A friend is having a garage sale to raise funds for our Relay for Life team so yet again I'm sorting out stuff for her. Over 100 craft magazines - I'm never going to make any of the stuff in there and they are just taking up room. Tapestry yarn in colours I would never use, I've kept a few skeins back for dolls hair but out the rest of them go, glasses to use as candle holders - out, lots of crafty bits I picked up at garage sales, never used - out they go. Clothes, bagged up for the op-shops. Where does it all come from, surely after all these years I should be getting to the end of it, my home should be neat and tidy, I'm only bringing in things that I know I will use.
Books I buy from the op-shops are read straight away and then passed on. The yarn stash is mysteriously re-growing. I keep finding odd small balls in strange places - why did I have a ball of lime green yarn in my underwear box. I opened a unused cupboard and found three unfinished projects hidden away - cardigans started for my grandkids three years ago, well at least I know the larger size will now fit the youngest - a wool scarf knitted in lacy panels, the yarn horrible and scratchy (it was vintage, never used and came from an old haberdashery shop), so I'll frog that and use it for felting, an embroidery that was meant to be finished four years ago, the child who's birth it was meant to celebrate nearly five years old.
I've decluttered friends and relationships, those past their best and those who have just faded away. Sometimes that happens, we outgrow them or they move away their lives taking a different path. I no longer worry that 'was it me', I've let then all go and moved on. Grateful to them though for the wonderful memories. I need to de-clutter a few more feelings that are not serving me well. Fear being a big one I can't seem to let go of, inadequacy another. My mind definately needs a good de-clutter, lots of unused stuff in there, locked away, very dusty and old-fashioned, very vintage.
So this is the year of the grand final de-clutter, the big one, the ultimate upheaval.
Thanks Tallis, the lillies are from my garden, rescued just before a big storm hit.
Jan
Books I buy from the op-shops are read straight away and then passed on. The yarn stash is mysteriously re-growing. I keep finding odd small balls in strange places - why did I have a ball of lime green yarn in my underwear box. I opened a unused cupboard and found three unfinished projects hidden away - cardigans started for my grandkids three years ago, well at least I know the larger size will now fit the youngest - a wool scarf knitted in lacy panels, the yarn horrible and scratchy (it was vintage, never used and came from an old haberdashery shop), so I'll frog that and use it for felting, an embroidery that was meant to be finished four years ago, the child who's birth it was meant to celebrate nearly five years old.
I've decluttered friends and relationships, those past their best and those who have just faded away. Sometimes that happens, we outgrow them or they move away their lives taking a different path. I no longer worry that 'was it me', I've let then all go and moved on. Grateful to them though for the wonderful memories. I need to de-clutter a few more feelings that are not serving me well. Fear being a big one I can't seem to let go of, inadequacy another. My mind definately needs a good de-clutter, lots of unused stuff in there, locked away, very dusty and old-fashioned, very vintage.
So this is the year of the grand final de-clutter, the big one, the ultimate upheaval.
Thanks Tallis, the lillies are from my garden, rescued just before a big storm hit.
Jan
Monday, February 8, 2010
CurlyPet - what every mum wants
My First Award
Thankyou Vicky for that, now I have to find out how to get it up on my blog so I can send it out to others.
Okay so here it is, now my part is to list five things which give me pleasure and then pass it on to five deserving bloggy friends.
http://michellsplace.blogspot.com/
http://vonlipisfavorites.blogspot.com/ - this will open your eyes to the world of Pyrex, believe me you'll be racing to your cupboards looking fro granny old hand me downs.
http://marmaladerose.blogspot.com/ - a wonderful post, join the 20 min a day challenge here, encourage those on this journey.
http://lalleescottage.blogspot.com/ - Check out the finds, lovely vintage, shabby things. I want to go stay in her guest room, without the cats of course.
Check out these wonderful blogs, give encouragement, leave a comment. Who knows where it will lead - a new pyrex collector, there are the most wonderful scrapbookers/vintage, shabby etc who are seriously tempting me to start a new craft. Look at my blog list, make a deal with yourself to look at one new blog a day and add it to your favourites. Try and make something from someones blog at least once a week. Believe me there are some excellent recipes out there, its worth the drool over the keyboards.
Happy blogging
Okay so here it is, now my part is to list five things which give me pleasure and then pass it on to five deserving bloggy friends.1) Collecting(read hoarding here) - I must own up to being a buttonoholic, I love buttons, I have jars and jars and jars and jars. I did have over 250,000 before I had a big clear out, now maybe only about 150,000 (buttons not jars hahahah).I have antique glass ones, beautiful little enamalled stars reputed to have been from Queen Victorias dressmaker, celluloid, silver, bakelite, fifties, sixties, tiny up to Kirsty Allsops huge things. I have a big 50 litre box of loose buttons which is wonderful to just dive into. I promise a photo some day soon.
I also collect mustard pots, I have two wall cupboards full of them (well only nearly 50, theres room for a few more), I love the thrill of the chase. Again I'll post piccys someday.
2) Embroidery - my all time passion, I love threads, I love creating something that hopefully in a hundred years time will be on antique road show with a holographic Michael Aspel wondering over my fine stitches.
3) My family - really that should of been number 1 shouldn't it. From my sons to my grandkids, my wonderful in-laws and all my wonderful friends that are honourary family members - I love them all.
4) I love blogging, reading blogs, cruising blogs and creating blogs - from all corners of the globe sharing our passions, making friends and holding out the hand of friendship.
5) Reading - I love to read, biographies, cook books, chick books, murder mysteries, crafting, blogs, metaphysical, self help, history - anything with words in fact. I've even got a whole shelf dedicated to books on words. I draw the line though at military history books though despite having shelves full of them.
So who do I pass the award on to, so many wonderful deserving blogs out there and I have to pick five, hard call.
Why can't I turn off italics.
http://vonlipisfavorites.blogspot.com/ - this will open your eyes to the world of Pyrex, believe me you'll be racing to your cupboards looking fro granny old hand me downs.
http://marmaladerose.blogspot.com/ - a wonderful post, join the 20 min a day challenge here, encourage those on this journey.
http://lalleescottage.blogspot.com/ - Check out the finds, lovely vintage, shabby things. I want to go stay in her guest room, without the cats of course.
Check out these wonderful blogs, give encouragement, leave a comment. Who knows where it will lead - a new pyrex collector, there are the most wonderful scrapbookers/vintage, shabby etc who are seriously tempting me to start a new craft. Look at my blog list, make a deal with yourself to look at one new blog a day and add it to your favourites. Try and make something from someones blog at least once a week. Believe me there are some excellent recipes out there, its worth the drool over the keyboards.
Happy blogging
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A BIT DAFFY
Ouch
I decided yesterday that the sweet potatoes had to be dug up. Lots of greenery around but they didn't seem to be going down into the ground. So I ripped and pulled and dug up all the beautiful little things. There just the right size for roasting, just a quick wash and a scrub with a brush, a bit of oil and sprinkle a bit of seasoning on them, cook till crunchy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inner. Yum, theres only me likes them like that so I get to pig out. There were a few big ones and I suspect there a few more to dig out but it won't be me doing it. I'll leave one plant in and it will soon take over again. I found the ginger as well, i put the trowel through a piece of root and the pungent aroma came up out of the soil. I thought I'd lost it but closer inspection showed plenty of little knobs of new shoots, so I replanted it. After digging yesterday I hadn't realised that I'd got the biggest blister I have ever had on the palm of my hand - from the supposedly cushioned handle of the trowel. I tried again this morning while it was still cool outside to turn over the soil but it was just too hard. The mini tomatoes are next to go, the capsicums have a few fruit on that just need another week to get a bit bigger, keeping a close eye on them, the silverbeet is just about over. Garlic chives are ready for splitting and I noticed there are a few paw paw seedlings coming up. I've replanted two paw paws down the bottom of the garden and I might put these new ones down there as well. I've got tomato seedlings coming up all over the place, in the cracks in the paving, in plant pots, in the lawn. I haven't bought a tomato plant for years, I just oick them out and bung em in a big pot. The same with basil, i'm finding the little seedlings all over the place, so again they get put into a big pot. We use a lot of basil and I want to put more herbs in, I did have some coriander seeds somewhere. I lost the oregano, it was wet for it and the parsely as well. Somewhere I have chocolate mint and spearmint, I'll have to go sniffing around the garden for it. The Mother of All Herbs is just growing rampant, break a piece off, stick it in a pot and it takes straight away. Even leaves that fall off take off.
So today I ache all over, its a good ache though and while I feel guilty that I'm not doing anything at all today except bake a birthday brownie cake for my baby boy I'm going to force myself to do nothing.
My baby turns 21 tomorrow. He arrived after only a couple of hours in labour, two weeks overdue and facing the wrong way, the cord was round his neck and he wasn't breathing. Those few minutes when they tried to bring him back was the longest of our lives. I have never prayed so hard in all my life. The following 24 hours were crucial, if he survived then the chances of him being severly disabled were high, on day two he had to have a blood transfusion, he had swelling on the brain and they had to drain it. He had tubes in and out of his poor little body I finally got to hold him on day three. He was on phenobarbitone to keep him asleep and I longed for him to open his eyes. I kept myself busy, back and forth to the hospital, expressing milk not just for him but half the preemie baby ward. A local taxi service ferried the milk to the hospital free of charge when we couldn't make it in. He never cried, just a strange high pitched squeell, he grunted when he was touched as they reduced the pheno'b he was like a addict going cold turkey. Finally I was allowed to try and feed him myself, he latched on, opening his eyes for the first time, squinting into the light, at last we were able to introduce ourselves. We were allowed to bring him home when he was 3 weeks old, there were months of therapy and tests ahead of us. He was a bright happy baby, a little slow to reach the milestones but by two he had caught up. He was slow to talk but he is a man of few words anyway, he's turned into a wonderful young man as all my boys have, kind, generous, warm hearted, helpful, funny, hard working. At 13 he had his own lawn mowing business, he left school early, he might not be academic but he knows what he wants and he goes after it. He's a dare-devil, loves his offroad motorbiking, he's full of scars from accidents. He hates fuss - especially his mother fussing over him, he didn't want anything special doing for his birthday. We're not a family big on parties and making a fuss anyway. I'm just happy to get all my sons all grown up and happy. His 18th was overshadowed by his dads death a few weeks before. I'm sure wherever Mik is he'll be toasting his boys. They'll always be the boys, ma coyles boys.
So today I ache all over, its a good ache though and while I feel guilty that I'm not doing anything at all today except bake a birthday brownie cake for my baby boy I'm going to force myself to do nothing.
My baby turns 21 tomorrow. He arrived after only a couple of hours in labour, two weeks overdue and facing the wrong way, the cord was round his neck and he wasn't breathing. Those few minutes when they tried to bring him back was the longest of our lives. I have never prayed so hard in all my life. The following 24 hours were crucial, if he survived then the chances of him being severly disabled were high, on day two he had to have a blood transfusion, he had swelling on the brain and they had to drain it. He had tubes in and out of his poor little body I finally got to hold him on day three. He was on phenobarbitone to keep him asleep and I longed for him to open his eyes. I kept myself busy, back and forth to the hospital, expressing milk not just for him but half the preemie baby ward. A local taxi service ferried the milk to the hospital free of charge when we couldn't make it in. He never cried, just a strange high pitched squeell, he grunted when he was touched as they reduced the pheno'b he was like a addict going cold turkey. Finally I was allowed to try and feed him myself, he latched on, opening his eyes for the first time, squinting into the light, at last we were able to introduce ourselves. We were allowed to bring him home when he was 3 weeks old, there were months of therapy and tests ahead of us. He was a bright happy baby, a little slow to reach the milestones but by two he had caught up. He was slow to talk but he is a man of few words anyway, he's turned into a wonderful young man as all my boys have, kind, generous, warm hearted, helpful, funny, hard working. At 13 he had his own lawn mowing business, he left school early, he might not be academic but he knows what he wants and he goes after it. He's a dare-devil, loves his offroad motorbiking, he's full of scars from accidents. He hates fuss - especially his mother fussing over him, he didn't want anything special doing for his birthday. We're not a family big on parties and making a fuss anyway. I'm just happy to get all my sons all grown up and happy. His 18th was overshadowed by his dads death a few weeks before. I'm sure wherever Mik is he'll be toasting his boys. They'll always be the boys, ma coyles boys.
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