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.
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.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
20 MINUTES A DAY - Update
A little each day, sometimes 3 lots of 20 mins in one day. Some days it felt like the world was conspiring against me, phones ringing, visiting calling, dog pestering. But I got there. Here we are Vicky, challenge flower number two finished. Okay so it isn't the parrot tulip I intended to do. I doodled with threads, tweaked a basic crewel design and this is what was created. Yes, I did enjoy it, yes I did forget about the world outside for a while, yes I did forget to do dinner one night and yes I did have moments where I just had to do one more stitch and one more and one more. It was only when the last stitch was in that I realised that the overall design was actually tulip shaped.
So, Vicky whats the next flower going to be.
Sorry the picture quality is off, I've got my camera instructions out and going to try and figure out how to do it better. Some days I get them perfect, others I can't seem to just get it right.
So, Vicky whats the next flower going to be.
Sorry the picture quality is off, I've got my camera instructions out and going to try and figure out how to do it better. Some days I get them perfect, others I can't seem to just get it right. Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunny Wednesday
Hurrah.......we have blue skies at last. Still windy but everythings finally drying out. Got the washing on the line for the first time in weeks.
Inspired by Vicky at Angelsey Allsorts and Her Geoffrey I thought I'd show you my froggie. He's a regular visitor to our place, occassionally ventures into the house and occassionally wraps himself round my ankles at 2 a.m. when the dog decides she wants to go out. We have little apple green tree-frogs with red bellys and big tree frogs, all protected. He's a real cutie, but I draw the line at sitting on my clean washing (or the toilet bowl). Sometimes he sits in the down pipe and croaks away which of course echoes like mad and sounds like a whole army up the pipe.
I love the way the flash caught his eyes, he looks like some mutant sliding down the back wall over the potting table. He'd actually been hiding in a plant pot and I don't know who got the bigger shock, me or him. He jumped higher though. Monday, February 1, 2010
2 a.m. FROGS
The sun came out for a short while yesterday afternoon so feeling a tiny bit energetic I walked down to the servo for fuel for the mower. There we were chatting away while she filled the can for me when we realised we were getting wet feet. I'd sprung a leak. So that was an extra $12.00 for a new can, $3.00 worth of petrol spilled all over the floor and $5.00 to fill up the new can. Not a happy jan. I'd filled up over a week ago and had noticed the other day that the can was empty. I'd accused my son of taking the fuel for his car.
Oh dear, better go apologise.
I started the mowing on the driveway side just to make it look a bit neater, the holiday home next door really needs doing but the owners are in Japan and I don't know what they want me to do. I mowed a bit round the back of the house and then stopped for a rest. Then after an hour I got stuck into it again. Matt came home and said he would finish it off for me the next day.I didn't mind doing it but I realise that maybe its something I should leave to the boys.
Mum just phoned from the UK so I've not got chance to even mention the 2 a., frog. Maybe later.
Got to meet friends over in the next town for morning tea. Goota dash
jan
Oh dear, better go apologise.
I started the mowing on the driveway side just to make it look a bit neater, the holiday home next door really needs doing but the owners are in Japan and I don't know what they want me to do. I mowed a bit round the back of the house and then stopped for a rest. Then after an hour I got stuck into it again. Matt came home and said he would finish it off for me the next day.I didn't mind doing it but I realise that maybe its something I should leave to the boys.
Mum just phoned from the UK so I've not got chance to even mention the 2 a., frog. Maybe later.
Got to meet friends over in the next town for morning tea. Goota dash
jan
Sunday, January 31, 2010
WET AND WILD SUNDAY
......it certainly is. Not a day for going out, its a day for staying home and being creative. That is if I can get my act in gear. I've been very good with the 20 mins a day, I can crochet one strawberry and get it all finished in 20 mins. Once I get going I find it hard to stop - I just need to get going thats all. The 20 mins helps me do that.
On Tuesday I got a crochet book from the library and made a comment about I'd whip up a few of the things in it and they could have a display on the shelves. "What a great idea" was the reply. OOOps, mouth running away from me again, I really should think things through before I say anything. It fitted in quite nicely with my 20 mins a day and I soon had a orchard of fruit, couldn't stop myself. So this is what I did this week when I got bored. Last night I played around with motifs from the 250 Crochet Motif Book and using a rose as a base made up this pot holder, I was going to make it up into a cushion but got bored with it so I folded the corners to the back stitched them up to make a double fabric and there we have it. This took the last half of The Bill and the first half of Taggert last night.
I haven't been and bought new yarn, I really should, I actually have to despite saying I wouldn't buy any more till the yarn box was decimated. But (what an excuse and its a valid one ) if I submit the ami doll design I have to put in what yarns I used and since the ami's were made with scraps that I am not sure of the origins, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go to the craft shop and buy more. The stash box is getting down, though, the lid still won't stay on of its own accord yet so theres a way to go. I've been making flowers and leaves with the smallest balls of yarn and just throw them into a box when done. I felted a few that were made with wool to make into brooches when the mood hits.
I drove around Atherton yesterday looking for garage sales and didn't find one, which is good really since I didn't have any cash on me. So frustrating to find something and not have the money. Theres a really nice antiquey place outside town but its not open, I was going to call in on the way home just for a browse and a drool. Thwarted at every step. So I'll just placate myself by drooling over blogs.
Jan
I haven't been and bought new yarn, I really should, I actually have to despite saying I wouldn't buy any more till the yarn box was decimated. But (what an excuse and its a valid one ) if I submit the ami doll design I have to put in what yarns I used and since the ami's were made with scraps that I am not sure of the origins, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go to the craft shop and buy more. The stash box is getting down, though, the lid still won't stay on of its own accord yet so theres a way to go. I've been making flowers and leaves with the smallest balls of yarn and just throw them into a box when done. I felted a few that were made with wool to make into brooches when the mood hits.
I drove around Atherton yesterday looking for garage sales and didn't find one, which is good really since I didn't have any cash on me. So frustrating to find something and not have the money. Theres a really nice antiquey place outside town but its not open, I was going to call in on the way home just for a browse and a drool. Thwarted at every step. So I'll just placate myself by drooling over blogs.
Jan
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Handkerchief box
I found this pretty little hanky box this morning, its about 1 inch deep, burgundy covered board sides and the lid is covered by a etched and embossed tin sheet. It was so pretty and perfect for the hankies I bought for 5c each at an op-shop a few years ago. The lady in the op-shop wanted the grand sum of 50c for it and as I only had a $50 note on me she let me have it for nothing as I am a good customer. I rummaged around at the bottom of my bag and found 35c in change so I handed over that.
I haven't even crafted at all today so far, rushed into town and managed to round up enough money to pay the rego on the car for 6 months. Phoned Telstra and pleaded poverty and got an extension on the bill. I really should join the circus as my juggling skills are getting better. I've managed to pay a little of each bill to keep them all quiet and have till middle of Feb to pay the rest. With careful budgeting I should just make it.
All the departments I dealt with wanted to know why I couldn't pay with a credit card - cos I don't and won't have one. The only money I owe is for immediate bills. Why is that so strange. If I can't afford it I go without or if its something I really want I save up - by the time I have the money I usually find I no longer have a need or deisre for it.
Just realised I haven't had lunch yet and its 2.30 p.m. already. I was so good in the shop I hesitated over the chocolate, should I shouldn't I and I was so good and walked out with just bread and milk. I'm denying myself all the goodies and yet the weight still refuses to budge. I park the car the opposite end to town that I want and walk everywhere. I'm happy though that over christmas I didn't gain anything which is a plus. I think I'll just have a couple of crackers and a piece of low fat cheese and hang on till dinner.
Jan
I haven't even crafted at all today so far, rushed into town and managed to round up enough money to pay the rego on the car for 6 months. Phoned Telstra and pleaded poverty and got an extension on the bill. I really should join the circus as my juggling skills are getting better. I've managed to pay a little of each bill to keep them all quiet and have till middle of Feb to pay the rest. With careful budgeting I should just make it.
All the departments I dealt with wanted to know why I couldn't pay with a credit card - cos I don't and won't have one. The only money I owe is for immediate bills. Why is that so strange. If I can't afford it I go without or if its something I really want I save up - by the time I have the money I usually find I no longer have a need or deisre for it.
Just realised I haven't had lunch yet and its 2.30 p.m. already. I was so good in the shop I hesitated over the chocolate, should I shouldn't I and I was so good and walked out with just bread and milk. I'm denying myself all the goodies and yet the weight still refuses to budge. I park the car the opposite end to town that I want and walk everywhere. I'm happy though that over christmas I didn't gain anything which is a plus. I think I'll just have a couple of crackers and a piece of low fat cheese and hang on till dinner.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
20 mins a Day (Tulips)
Well, maybe not full blown parrot ones, but they are tulipish. I'm going for jacobean style, that could change but at the moment its going okay. I spent the day looking for stitch ideas and colours which of course led me off course. Found some stuff I had been looking for. 20 minutes extended into a couple of hours and since I was all fired up after the drawing out, scrapping, drawing out again I put the first few stitches in. It felt good knowing that all I needed to do was 20 minutes. I was allowing myself those 20 mins to craft anything after that was a bonus. No guilt over me time, no feeling that I had to do it. I still really would like to do the parrot one, but that would be a big job, one that would take me a while to do and I haven't found the right flower yet anyway. The design I'm doing now I feel could develop into one for submission. So when finished it will go into my design folder.
Nothing much else to tell today, still raining, grass is still growing like mad and I'm lounging about in my jami's as usual. School went back today after the long summer break. I don't have kids that young anymore but we live just a few hundred yards away from the little village school so now I have my time keeping back. I know when to eat lunch and when I should be getting dinner on etc.
Jan
Nothing much else to tell today, still raining, grass is still growing like mad and I'm lounging about in my jami's as usual. School went back today after the long summer break. I don't have kids that young anymore but we live just a few hundred yards away from the little village school so now I have my time keeping back. I know when to eat lunch and when I should be getting dinner on etc.
Jan
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