Purth Knit Witch

Coco Chanel

2012-01-31T14:24:00.000+08:00

January is close to being over. I confess to all you amazingly productive creative peeps, I haven't spent any time on any creative projects, but immersed myself in summer pursuits instead. Lots of swimming at the beach and in the pool at our villa in Bali (yes we had a luxurious week in Seminyak) - so soul renewing it was fabulous. I indulged in massages, manis and pedis, sundowner drinks by the ocean or pool, great food, snoozing, day spa-ing, some shopping, some tailor-made cowboy boot shopping, people watching. Absolutely divine. I feel like a thouroughly pampered pooch! I would head back to Bali any time. I now understand why people love it and go there over and over again. It was hot, really, really humid hot, with lots of drenching downpours that simply soothed away the heat with their noise and smell.

The heat back here in Perth has been absolutely stiffling, without the relief of rain, so lots of flopping watch movies over the weekends has happened! I'm sure I've watched more in this last month than I have in the entire past 2 years. Evenings at Somerville, the outdoor movie theatre that shows foreign films from December to April. A different one every week. It's a highlight of summer in Perth, sitting in deck chairs under the stars and rustling pines, soaking up foreign films, preceded by a picnic if you choose. DVD's etc on the couch at home

I became engrossed in a TV series called "True Blood" about mainstreaming vampires living in Louisiana. It is hilarious. Not usually my style at all. It's great watching an entire series at your leisure, without ads and episode after episode so it really flows. I don't watch commercial television, apart from cricket and tennis occasionally.

Anyway the real reason I was inspired to post was the movie "Coco Chanel" with Shirley Maclaine and Barbara Bobulova. I saw it for the first time on the weekend and loved it. Watching her creative journey was really heart-warming and if you haven't seen it and if you're a fashion history fan, I thoroughly recommend the movie. There are scenes where she is working on hats and then putting herself on the line, right out there with her creations and believing in herself. In another scene she is asked "why hats".....I can hear people thinking out loud when they see my bags..."? why bags" ...who knows why we're drawn to specific mediums, we just are us creative peeps. And we can jump from one to another to keep exploring and learning and buzzing!

I love hearing, watching other people's creative journeys as I just so get it. Fame follows some like Coco, however, fame didn't drive her, her creative passion did. Fame and fortune don't drive any creative people I know, their passion does. And I love that at that base level we're all the same.

Gratitude

2012-01-13T12:41:00.000+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ

Louie Schwartzberg is an award-winning cinematographer, director, and producer whose notable career spans more than three decades providing breathtaking imagery for feature films, television shows, documentaries and commercials...

My Kitchen

2012-01-10T09:40:00.000+08:00

My sister Angela who lives in Chicago, mentioned that I have never sent any photos of my new kitchen which celebrates its first anniversary this January, so I snapped the following photos on my phone and emailed them off to her.

Angela gave me the witch sign which I LOVE!

This side not finished - window yet to go in, but had to show you Christmas Tree Corner.

My cafe curtain for my "Mr Ed door". I swing the top half open to let the fresh air in.
I love this fabric... "Domestic Goddess".... I am so not!!

So there you have it... the hub of the house.

Going Gluten Free

2012-01-09T18:13:00.001+08:00

I've started the New Year on a gluten free diet - I started a week before Christmas. I've had health issues for so long now I don't remember how it is to feel truly well and energised. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an auto-immune disease. It was diagnosed after the birth of my second daugther over 16 years ago and I've been on thyroxine ever since. I have the slugg-iest metabolism around and I can't live without coffee. Lately though it's as though I have sleeping sickness. I have to nap at weekends and think I'll just put my feet up for 5 minutes and wake up 5 hours later. I was so tired at work one day I put my head down and fell asleep. I have a hoarse voice a lot and a slightly sore throat and swollen glands. I have acute bursitis in my back, hips and legs. I am sore to touch practically everywhere. My legs burn walking up a flight of stairs, my arms ache hanging out washing, my back aches standing cooking in the kitchen, walking around a shopping centre is exhausting, I don't have the mental capacity to make a shopping list or plan a menu. Things are dire. I have been seeing a naturopath who has diagnosed extreme adrenal fatigue. I have all the symptons of chronic fatigue. I am desperate to get well. I go to my GP who runs the blood tests and adjust my medication every 6-12 months and tells me I appear to be suffering or recovering from some low grade virus, but assures me the medication adjustment should help me out. I would scream except I don't have the energy.

So a few weeks ago in my desperation, I googled my (extremely common) condition and thought it was time to read up again and see what I can do to help myself or where to go for help. I feel ANCIENT in my forties - how I am going to feel in my eighties, if I make it to them?

I stumbled across a blog of another sufferer, sarah wilson, and read this from Nora Gedgaudas

The primary issue at hand is IMMUNE function (specifically, a need for immune modulation).

Most if not nearly all cases of autoimmune thyroid are profoundly tied to gluten sensitivity and/or celiac disease (either as an initiating or complicating issue). Avoiding ALL gluten and whatever cross-reactive compounds you have a sensitivity to should be 100%, immediate and permanent. Nearly all available testing for gluten sensitivity currently is quite unreliable…so if you think you aren’t gluten sensitive you may want to seriously reconsider revisiting this though more in depth testing. If it were me, I’d just assume an issue with gluten and avoid it like the plague.

Healing your gut is hugely important in this. It will be impossible, btw, without generating healthy glutathione levels.

It was a light bulb moment...when you feel this crappy you will try anything, so I am. So farThere is only one thing that has changed in the 3 weeks. My oedema (swelling of the ankles) has reduced and family members have commented on my slimmer ankles!! I still want coffee served intraveneously to function, but I am delighting in my slimmer ankles.

Here's a picture of a recent extreme case I had of oedema after a flight...

And here they are today....

This is the first I've read or heard of any connection between gluten and auto-immune disease!!! Why? In 16 years, not one person has ever suggested the connection or told me. Not one medico/endocronologist, naturopath...not one!! I've just felt pathetic and insane with my malaise and lethargy. All of it is explained by a high level of stress in my life...working full time, divorce, financial stress, etc etc. I am seriously hoping it helps. I know that it's not the only thing I need to do, but it is a start and it has given me the teeniest glimmer of hope for my future health.

Í've debated long and hard whether to discuss health here on my blog. I fear I will sound so whiny and miserable and pathetic, but I can't not mention this fact and spread the word. If you read this and know anyone with auto-immune disease tell them. They may already know, but they may not and it could be a vital tit-bit of information for them.

In my current exhausted state I've convinced myself that I'm useless at craft and don't know why I'm bothering. The creative joy has left me. That is the biggest sign of all that I am sick! Perhaps writing about it will release my feelings and free me up to snap out of it and get back creating.

My favourite Perth beach....

2012-01-04T10:01:00.000+08:00

is Port Beach in Fremantle. Every beach in Perth is divine...white sand, brilliantly clear sparkling water in the most divine colours and the water is so cool and refreshing. The Indian Ocean is a couple of degrees cooler than the Pacific which I grew up with on the East Coast. I'll never forget my first swim of the year way back in '93...I was 6 months pregnant with my eldest daughter and I waded in to the water to soothe my hot, swollen body. The coolness took my breath away and my tummy muscles tightened around my belly as if on instinct they were protecting my little girl...saying you're safe and warm in here! The coolness and the weightlessness are so soul calming. In the heat of Perth summers the water is insanely refreshing. It's such a contrast from the blistering heat we experience during our summers.

Yesterday I headed to my fave again... Port Beach. The water was strangely devoid of swimmers...helicopters were hovering... people were standing looking out at the water. Beach closed due to shark sightings. There have been more shark sightings this year than I can ever remember and with (sadly) a couple of deaths of surfers the patrols are not taking any chances with any sightings, even if they are the harmless variety. Yesterday there were 2 sharks - one harmless, the other a human eating variety, but they were nowhere to be seen and eventually the beach re-opened.

While it was closed I did brave the shallows though - a couple of very quick dip and rolls to cool down. And then snapped a few photos as I sat and lay there. The wind whipped up....last night as i opened my current novel in bed sand fell out everywhere! The wind had deposited sand in it as it lay on my towel! Perhaps this is why trashy throw away novels make the best beachy summer reads?

How I love summer days at the beach.

My view looking up

My view looking out...

Isn't it heaven?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T09:19:00.000+08:00

OMG!! December passed in such a rush. Our Christmas Day was lovely, and the week surrounding it wasn't dull. Trips to the hospital emergency room on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day with my elder daughter. On the mend now but suffering a nasty infection - she spent the night being pumped full of IV antibiotics. Then another day spent fixing tyres after my younger daughter - a learner driver - popped a tyre on a kerb! Consequently she had her first lesson in changing a tyre. She and I managed it together and B is very proud of herself.... "Girls Rock!!"

Now onto the second week of my Christmas break I'm hoping for a more relaxing finish to my holiday, although today started with poor Gypsy having one of her seizures on the floor beside my bed. I don't seem to by managing her medication well enough, but I've dosed her up now and hopefully she will have a restful day snoozing in her favourite spot on my bed. I'm worried she needs higher does of pills. The vet has said it will cause liver problems in the long term and her life will probably be shortened by being medicated. :((

The dog is on heat so is banished. That is a job for the next couple of months...off to the vet for her op! I braved the dog beach yesterday with her. I say braved because I have a love hate relationship with the dog beaches. It's so lovely watching all the dogs have such a frolicking good time, and the beach is so so beautiful, but it goes hand in hand with the dogs that run straight over you - the ones the owners have no control over because the hounds are just so so excited. I came home crunching sand between my teeth!! Tilly did a number 2 in the back of the ute on the way down!!! and then jumped and walked it all over the place. Then there's the ablutions of the dogs at the beach...right beside me yesterday. Picked up, but there's a lot that aren't picked up and lie hidden in the sand.

Tilly is so incredibly excited in the car, the whole car rocks around as she leaps in circles all the way along the ride. Holding her on the lead is exhausting and you come back with rope burn on your hands. Any tips on training a blind dog, gladly welcomed. Trust me food doesn't work!! She goes ballistic trying to find the treat!

Anyway here's a couple of pictures of Gypsy sound asleep on the kitchen bench....

Mirrors how one often feels after the over indulgence in food over the festive period, don't you think?

That's exactly how I would like to spend a few days before the return to the out of control treadmill of my life......

Christmas in Australia!

2011-12-16T16:52:00.003+08:00

Somewhere on the road around Townsville. Taken today by my sister, Helen, making a long drive from Cairns, Queensland, to Birregurra, Victoria. She hopes to make it in 3 days. She is moving to Doha, Qatar for 3 years. Another destination to add to my travel list.

Fantastic to see the Christmas Spirit alive in the middle of nowhere!

Snow

2011-12-14T18:06:00.003+08:00

I think a lot about snow. I don't know why this is so, because I live in a snowless zone of the world. I have experienced snow and found it to be truly magical. I simply marvel at the way it transforms a view. I would love to live where it snows. I'd love to wake up to that magical transformation. I love the smell of snow, sparkling snow in sunlight. It's soft, silent, flurriness as it falls. I imagine sitting in a window and looking out and never growing tired of the view. Marvelling at trees, mountains, fields, cottages hidden under snow. I imagine sitting and crafting, cooking, reading in my snow covered cottage. Friends crunching up the drive or path to visit. Talking off their wellies or shoes and scarves and welcoming them inside with warm drinks and delicious bakings. I love the idea of the warmth inside the house nestled in amongst the coldness of the outdoors - I can feel it glowing and oozing comraderie. I imagine walking in it, my cheeks and nose ruddied by the cold, hearing if crunch underneath, sinking in my wellies across fields, shaking branches and having snow rain down on me, leaving footprints (like you do in the sand here).

I've had 5 wintery, snowy Christmases and been absolutely thrilled by every one of them. It fascinates me as an Australian growing up with hot summery Christmases year upon year why I dream of snow and wintery landscapes, when it is not my norm? Am I displaced? Shall I go and live in the Northern Hemisphere again and live through more cold winters. So many people emigrate here for the weather...why am I thinking the exact opposite? People crave my Australian lifestyle/weather. Is it a case of wanting what you don't have. Do people who move away from snow miss it? Do people who live with it, love it, hate it? I know people whinge about it and it has its ugly side in slushy, mushy traffic snow. But I've even found that fun... I have never tired of it when I've lived in northwest Iowa or the UK over those 5 winters. Today I was googling snow images and the ones here are some that I found courtesy of Google images....

Imagine skiing across that!

If you love snow leave a footprint and say hi and let me know what you love about snow let's share snow joy...x

look what I found today - http://sbmillefeuilles.blogspot.com/ - this post about winter and including a wonderful picture of a girl dreaming of snow!!!

Lavender Hearts

2011-12-12T07:14:00.001+08:00

December is rushing away from me at a very scary rate of knots....the tree is up, I've been to a carol service, one parcel has gone, the fruit is (still) soaking for the Christmas cake.... a few gifts have been made... not a scrap of shopping has been done, no menu decided upon.....and this is my first post for the month! Doesn't sound too bad when I list it like this, but I'm not feeling organised at all. 8 more days of work until we break until the 9th of January....

Yesterday I stole a couple of hours at my sewing machine and made up these lavender pouches. I've used scraps of fabric of which I have an abundance!! No surprise there! Family and friends are all going to get a couple for Christmas, either as their gift or adjunct to. I am staying true to my using up resources commitment. It is amazing what I've found stashed away in all the different boxes that have been packed away for years while we renovated (the still-in-progress 7 year renovation). I am slowly sorting them into 1. rubbish, 2. garage sale 3. usable/giveable! I will be free of clutter and junk. I will, I will, I will....

It was so lovely to sit at my machine for a couple of hours and I'm planning on getting quite a lot of sewing time in on my break. Finally making headway on several quilts and aprons I have planned. Also a couple of bags....I am really excited about being at home for a couple of weeks. Normally I long to get away, but I think thanks to our European adventure, I'm happy to hang in Perth and my home and the beach!

Group shot of heart shaped lavender pouches

A pretty floral ....

Amy Butler scraps

Oh my, oh my!

2011-11-28T15:42:00.001+08:00

I'm having palpitations! Look at this Christmas tree skirt from anthropologie!! So exciting - it has caused major creative stimulation of the brain. For years I have had the odd thought of making a Christmas tree shirt. I've seen some gorgeous ones in shops, none I've felt compelled to buy, because I really want mine to be home made. I've been accumulating Christmas fabric for years now with no particular projects in mind. I've used some of it to creatively drape around the bottom of the tree for the pressies to sit on which has been perfectly fine....every year I choose something different and if the pets have a field day with it - it's no stress - just wash it and fold it an put it away again. But I never ever thought of a knitted or crocheted one!! It was a slap to the forehead - this is my style! Doh! So now the journey begins, pattern, style, colours..... There's no time frame, no pressure...I am in my year of deleting wool reserves so no new wool can be purchased, but that's fine - I can design and plan away which is such an exciting part of the creative process. I'm all tingly!

Thank you Anthropolgie - I do love you!

Please share any other Christmas Tree Skirts or links to - I am on a mission to look at what wonderfully crafty blogland has to reveal...here's one I found today on a short blog browse The Hood: A Christmas Tree Skirt over at Fresh Lemons; so inspiring and providing lots of food for thought and idea generation for my own skirt. I mean how serendipitous is that!!! Spooky!

Just had to share....

2011-11-25T15:31:00.001+08:00

http://foxesoffancy.com/collections/frontpage/products/market-to-market-stripey-tote

the photos make them look so yummy don't you think?...

Sunday Outing: Coffee and Cake....

2011-11-22T19:42:00.001+08:00

On Sunday I headed out for cake and coffee with a couple of my besties. I took them over and introduced them to the delights of Sherbert Bake Shop in Maylands. We each indulged in a delicious cake from their amazing selection of made-on-the-premise goodies and a terrific flat white coffee and nattered away an hour or so. My chocolate and almond cake was so so yummy it will be hard to go past it on my next visit. Oh the angst ...the same again or try something new...

The shop has a lovely retro vintage shabby chic vibe going on

As you can see I wasted no time tucking into mine....I did order first ....!!!

Perth has no end of great coffee shops - and I am on a mission to discover and go to them all....... so far this rates in the top 5!

A new bag is on the needles

2011-11-20T09:21:00.001+08:00

Lately I've had lots of new bag style ideas swimming around in my little brain. Colours, dimensions, names, patterns, yarns. It's a total creative buzz high!! It's consuming me and I can't knit fast enough to see them all into fruition!! I knit a row and look at the colours and just get more excited as it grows and evolves into my vision. Ah I love the creative process, it makes me feel alive and like skipping everywhere!!!

There's a couple on the needles, but this is the one I'm concentrating on... here's a sneak peak. It will change so much between now and being finished and that is so exciting...exactly what will it look like finished ... will the felting process fuse it and transform it as I imagine. I won't know 'til it's done, so I'd better get back to the knitting!!!

It already looks different....I'm using up all the scraps... Project Delete Wool Reserves is making progress.

Our day in Aix en Provence

2011-11-15T19:35:00.001+08:00

Nice to meet you Mr Cezanne! I love the idea of time travel - wouldn't it be fabulous to be able to sit and have a chat with people you admire from history. Not a new idea, I know, but I love the idea. Perhaps I could have been an artist's muse! Ha! I loved "Lost in Austen" and I must see Midnight in Paris before it finishes at the cinema. Roaming around Aix En Provence I lost myself in visualisation and imaginings of Cezanne in the cafes, walking the streets, echos of voices passionately discussing brush strokes etc....

An exhibition on Australia at the local museum.

Back to the ship for a well earned liquid refreshment to accompany my baguette - the best baguette EVER! Hiding in the bag is the cheese and fresh raspberries!

Pottery Barn Quilts

2011-11-14T21:15:00.001+08:00

I dream of a house filled with quilts. Every room to have its own quilt and/or crocheted or knitted throw. For years now I've watched the inspiration rooms on the Pottery Barn website. Every one of their bedrooms looks so inviting. They present beautifully, if not a little unrealistic for this little black duck. I don't think I can ever live their reality - I'm way too messy.

There's a formula to their rooms I think... great looking bed, lots of pillows, bedside tables usually piled with an enticing stack of books, walls adorned with interesting finds or artwork - (I love the giant buttons), a sensational lamp and great light in the photo and evidence of a cuppa. They just sing to me, relax and loose yourself in the comfort and luxury that I am - your bedroom, your haven. A bit different to my reality...I do try to make my bed everyday but I forget as my mind screams coffeeeeee and I stumble to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Yes I am working towards my bedroom evoking all these positive feelings, but there always seems to be a pile of discarded clothes, odd shoes, towel, handbags....perhaps I'll share a photo, perhaps not!

Anyway I digress, I'm not doing too badly, there's a quilt for 4 rooms. Perhaps one day I'll manage a B&B and it will give me an excuse to dress up more beds, or maybe there's a job going somewhere for a bed dresser... eh, Pottery Barn?? Quilts supplied.

But aren't some of these quilts just fantastic. PB have embraced American quilt history - you can watch a video on their website. They've collaborated with the American Craft and Folk Museums, Gee's Bends and Denyse Schmidt, I love how they are so proud of their quilting heritage.

BTW all the above images are from the Pottery Barn website either recently or saved to my inspiration file over the years - I am not responsible for any of the images and am not pretending to be!

Desiderata

2011-11-09T14:49:00.000+08:00

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

My paternal Grandma had a copy of this on the back door of her loo, so I grew up reading it over and over again, whenever I visited her and the loo! I have my own copy now - somewhere - I must put it up on my inspiration board. It never fails to make me take a deep breath in and out and relax about my state of affairs. I think it grounds me. I never heard Grandma utter a bad word about anyone, and she seemed so at home in her own skin - a smile and a funny quip were constantly forthcoming too. She was a gem or as someone said at her funeral - "a national treasure". Oh Thelly May - so many admiral qualities - thanks for the Desiderata legacy - you did always manage to ground me! Oh and she made the best Green Tomato Pickles EVER!!!

(Where did this post come from? A work colleague and I were talking today about philosophies and sayings etc and it just occured to me how much Desiderata had been a part of my life, so I just thought I'd share)

Paris! A Visual Feast!

2011-11-07T21:30:00.000+08:00

Le Tour Eiffel - View from Above

Macaroons!

Montmartre

Frog's Legs!

Fabric shops abounded

Crepes!

Traffic at the Arc de Triomphe!

Dreams do come true! Me and my girls at the Eiffel Tower - Very special!

Parents on tour!

Cafe Lunch!

Look at those cheeses!!

Berry nice!

Snails

Decision Stress ... which ones to get...!!!

Lollipops!

Bread and wine! It's all good!

Aix en Provence - Footsteps of Cezanne

2011-11-05T09:50:00.000+08:00

The final port of call on the cruise was Marseilles which I decided to bypass in favour of Aix en Provence http://en.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-en-provence.htm, a town a short drive away and birthplace of Cezanne, an artist I love. What a charming town!! From the port, we caught a taxi to the Marseilles bus station and then a local bus "up the hill". The bus dropped us near the centre fountain. The first statue we came across was of Cezanne himself where I realised we'd forgotten the camera!! Luckily we were travelling with friends who were so accommodating and took lots of photos of my favourite bits and pieces (more doors, cobblestones and lamp-posts!), so I will end up with a record of my visit.

Armed with a map of Cezanne's haunts we walked in his footsteps for the day, meandering around the town past cafes and houses where he frequented. Stopped for a fantastic lunch on the main street - the wine in Europe is so light and easy to drink! (And it's the cheapest beverage!) We came across the market - unbelievable and it's there every day!!

I insisted on buying a baguette and walking around with it just to feel like a local. I bought a cheese and punnet of fresh raspberries (yes, perth-ites, fresh raspberries for about 3 aussie dollars!! - note for non Perth people - not possible to do here! You are lucky to get fresh blueberries at extortionist prices, otherwise we rely on frozen berries and fyi blackberries are on the no-grow/pest/banned list here. Imagine my excitement when I stumbled across a couple of late blackberries with my cousin Sarah in the woods at Welwyn Garden City!!!) to take back to the ship and have with our evening cocktail! Deee-lightful-deee-vine!

Now I want to go back and study French in Aix en Provence! My bucket list includes learning at least one foreign language. I learnt German at school and have studied French and Spanish at different times. I am hopeless at French pronunciation!! Absolutely pathetic. Here are my bucket list language ideas - German in Vienna, Spanish in Madrid or Seville and French in Aix en Provence. I'm also interested to learn Arabic...perhaps Casablanca?! Although my sister is moving to Qatar, so who knows! I would love to be multi-lingual!

So it was a gorgeous day. And I have this lovely French throw to remind me of it. I spied a little shop with wonderful homewares so ducked in and in all of 5 mins, picked a throw, paid for it and left - by then we were needing to get back to the ship. So here are pictures of the detail. It is covering the sofa in my mezzanine space - it's a perfect fit!

Scrappy Hexie Patchwork Quilt Progress Report

2011-11-04T11:15:00.003+08:00

Recently I took all my hexies over to a friend's house and put them up on her design wall to have a look at my progress. It was very exciting stepping back and seeing it all - it's so different than spreading them over the bed or floor. It's now been 21 months in the making (probably at least that to go!!) I haven't stitched a stich in months, but am keen to make a bit more headway over summer. I'd like it to be big enough for a queen bed. The pattern is completely random. I toy with the idea of a second one with a pattern to it, or one made from my Liberty Tana Lawn stash, but that's a way in the future (possible) project.

I started using scrap fabric from all the quilts I've made to date, then I visited my mum who gave my hexies my grandmother had made in the 80s and 90s that hadn't made it into any of the quilts she made before she passed away, so I've added those in too. Mum also gave me some old pieces of fabric from dresses we had as children so I've put those in as well. It's fast becoming a nostalgia quilt! Typical of me. I'm very sentimental in many ways.

Contemporary Crochet - Pumpkin anyone?

2011-11-01T20:39:00.002+08:00

I get such a buzz from seeing crafts used in retail any where - hark back to my touche crochet post. Here is a jewelley shop in Paris using crochet veg in their window display! Isn't it fun?

I saw lots of crochet brooches for sale in London as part of the 5 a day healthy eating campaign. I think it was seeing it in mainstream retail outlets that was so cool. It's not something you would see here - I don't think - but correct me if I'm wrong. Don't get me wrong you can buy crochet brooches and all sorts at our wonderful handmade fairs but not in retail chain stores. Perhaps it's coming, but I'm not sure - I felt generally there is a greater freedom of expression, call it quirkiness, individuality to expressing oneself via fashion in Europe. We seem more conformist here? Maybe it's simply the larger population and climate compared with us? Perhaps it's our new, young country - still emerging and forming its identity. My daughters commented on it to though too and loved it and happily embraced it.

And that really had absolutely nothing to do with halloween!! just coincidence there's a crochet pumpkin in my day after halloween post!!! I don't even know how subliminal I am.

Linocut

2011-10-29T12:28:00.000+08:00

I love linocuts and woodcuts. It's funny how we're just drawn to certain things. I always have been - from high school art classes to present day. So I've done a couple of weekend workshops at the Fremantle Arts Centre in linocut. So fun!. The apple above is the result of one workshop. I've printed up about 30 tea towels in various configurations - all over designs to motifs randomly placed. I'm using them as gifts - part of my "using up reserves" pledge! So lookout friends and family - one is headed your way this Christmas!

On the subject of tea towels, another one of my great loves! I have quite a collection and can't resist them. My favourite Perth homewares shop "Bed, Bath and Table" always has a wonderful selection. In saying that I have resisted purchasing any at all this year (mmmm - just made the mental connection....is that why I've made my own?), but when we head to Europe in 3 weeks, I may not be able to resist a couple of souvenir versions!! My lovely neighbour Rachael, returned from London with a gift for me of Cath Kidston tea towels! How did she know! They are much coveted and yet to be used.

Pattern Inspiration

2011-10-28T21:10:00.001+08:00

When I look around I see pattern everywhere. Our trip was rich in pattern and here are just a few pictures taken on our travels. Pompeii was an amazing source palette photo opportunity. I was issuing instructions to the girls to take photos (I was sacked)! But the mosaics, the streets, the tiles, staircases. I want to turn them into a quilt so that I can wrap myself up and take myself back there in my mind until I can venture back for real....

A day of firsts

2011-10-24T22:10:00.000+08:00

First Breakfast at Paul in South Kensington

First tube ride - Gloucester Rd to Camden Town

First of many stunning hanging baskets

First (and only) lock

First (of endless!) cobblestones

Travels

2011-10-20T18:00:00.001+08:00

I don't know where to start with photos from our European adventure. Every moment was precious... so many sights, smells, tastes to just soak up. London was absolutely amazing - the weather was a freak Indian summer with glorious sunshine and blue skies. Flower baskets still hanging everyone and crowds gathering outside pubs and cafes of an evening. It was magnificent. Its parks were stunning with so many flowers still out and deckchairs to sit in, with squirrels scurrying around. Everyday was jam packed and still we didn't begin to scratch the surface of all London has to offer. These taxis were calling to me and my girls - in fact they were screaming stay, stay, stay!

The food everywhere was delicious... I think we sampled every gelato shop we passed in Italy - at the very least we went in to admire and drool over the display and check on all the flavours on offer so we didn't miss any. The job became too big and we missed heaps. Georgia and I voted the best to be seaside in Messina, Sicily. It was to die for and being our last Italian stop, we went back for seconds!

I've long had a love affair with donkeys - since my first visit to Greece when I was 14. I just love their faces and for some reason they just make me laugh. Their nature can be so contrary! I had an hilarious riding experience on them in Eqypt, riding out to the Valley of the Kings. My donkey completely went at its own pace, there was absolutely no controlling it... it ambled exactly when it wanted to and galloped at precisely the moment it wanted to, so I was never with the group - I was either way out in front or way way out the back. I laughed 'til I cried. Another time I woke up in a paddock in Crete with one licking my toe. All my encounters have been interesting and never dull. So imagine my thrill and squeals when we came across several around Mallorca! All the memories came flooding back.

It's all in the details as the expression goes... the lamps on the streets, the cobblestones, the shutters, doorways, the bollards!! Everywhere oozes charm and history and layers of time. It was sheer heaven. I'll be back with more as I re-live my holiday through the 1000's of photos.

Inspiration for my latest quilt

2011-08-30T23:09:00.000+08:00

Isn't this fabric divine? Well me thinks so! So much so I think it needs its very own quilt based around it... a tribute to yet another divine fabric design. I've begun with a fat quarter square in the middle and started stripping around it.. and here are the first 4 rounds...and I'm in heaven...

loving it, getting right into it - it's looking so luscious!

The perfect Kitchen Aid Accessory

2011-08-25T21:50:00.000+08:00

Tonight when I was out and about running some errands with my girls...I or rather we found the PERFECT accessory for my kitchen aid....

the heel or the wedge....

summer or winter...

aren't they just to die for....

all I need now is the perfect apron, a bit of red lippy and you have one domestic goddess - ha I wish!!

Blue and Brown

2011-08-24T20:21:00.000+08:00

Make the world go round and round ....and up and down. Another finished top. Backing and wadding are set to go. It's another big one. This one was a free downloadable pattern from designer Valori Wells "Olive Rose" http://www.valoriwells.com/downloads.php. Sorry peeps photo is bad as per usuarl....

When All Else Fails Bake A Cake...

2011-08-20T13:26:00.000+08:00

And this is what I use...my ice blue kitchen aid. It stands proudly on the kitchen bench, knowing it holds a special place in my heart and a key to de-stressing me. It can sense when I need to don the apron, gather ingredients and fill the house with divine aromas. It catches my eye and winks and just says..."Suse you know you need me", or "I'll help" or "come on let's have some fun" or "that cup of tea just needs something extra"... Its instinct is amazing, truly spooky even. Sometimes it knows the baking just isn't enough - it's a really good rolling on floor belly laugh that's required and it does things like take me through the motions of baking.. to present the biggest fail of a baking episode .....like when we thought a light and lemony angel cake was just the ticket and out of the oven came this beautiful smelling round cake that twisted and covorted and deflated in front of me to look like a dry and wheezened old coconut ring biscuit. The transformation was jaw dropping! I disguised "it" as best I could with the icing making it look like an oversized donut! All the time just laughing my tush off. My 2 baking buddies June and Donna also laughed and laughed at it. Perfect is just overrated. Yes there is sheer joy in eating and sharing a delicious cake, but there can be pure happiness is mistakes too.

Quilt Reveal - Floral Parade - My Version

2011-08-16T05:41:00.000+08:00

So how to photograph this large quilt...engage 2 teenagers to drop it over the mezzanine balustrade whilst mother climbs on kitchen bench to be at right height and angle to get it in, dodging cat that wants a piece of the action...result?...poor...but you get the idea. I'm really happy with the quilt top...not the photo of said quilt top, but the quilt top itself. I used the fabric range "Nouveau" by Sentimental Studios for Moda. I've had it in my stash for a little while. The pattern, as mentioned previously, is Kaffe Fassett's Floral Parade. I first read the pattern and counted the number of fabrics - about 20 and thought OMG imagine going out and buying the fabric to make that quilt...not in my budget, but I've got away with less because I've used one colour only for the "framing". Now to decide about the backing - 7.5 metres...calico perhaps?

Bags for Sale...?

2011-08-15T20:42:00.002+08:00

Stripey Uni Tote with shoulder straps and large wooden button

To Market To Market Large Stripey Bag

Miss Grey Mist lined with Liberty Tana Lawn, with wooden flower button.

Here are a few bags from my collection, left over from my days of market stalls. I'm taking them to a local shop http://www.foxesoffancy.com/ to show the girls to see if they might like to stock them for me. I popped into the shop the other day - I just came across it whilst out for a jaunt with my crafty friend for coffee and fabric ooooh-ggling. A wonderful shop supporting locals artists and craftspeople.

Anyhoo, I have a crate full of bags and thought it might be the time to part with them, I'd better record them photographically first. Just in case I ever get orders....

Miss Ochre Purple

Back in the Saddle

2011-08-10T13:25:00.000+08:00

Yee Haa! Giddy Up!.....I lurve this fabric honey. I have me a few peeces of it that I'm a gonna turn into just the sweeetest lil ol quilt that a gal just hankers to curl up unda and have me some wild amazing dream rides... Oh sugar, juz watch this space...I'll be bringing ya''ll some progress posts - and I don't mean the fence kind- so ya''ll come back now ya hear.......

Happiness is ....

2011-08-03T17:10:00.001+08:00

a pussy cat sleeping on a quilt.....

Stitched with Love

2011-08-01T20:37:00.000+08:00

I used to wear this dress...as a young girl. It's a backless summer halterneck that mum made for me. My sister had one similar - that was typical. We are only 17 months apart and 2 girls, so 2 of everything was made - mine was always blue and Helen's was pink. I grew up declaring I hated pink, pink was for girls and I wasn't a typical girl. Funny when I look back because now I'm so happy being a girl, but I didn't wear pink until I was an adult. No siree no way. Now I love it...but I digress. I love this dress, the red apple pocket. It's on a small mannequin in my studio mezzanine space so I see it every day. Thank you to my mother and her mother Gan, for all my handmade clothes..(except the jeans Gan - didn't love them!!) I loved wearing this dress - perfect for the hot queensland summers I grew up in. I look at the dress and it evokes my carefree days, barefoot and playing cubbies and games all the time - we were always outside. I became a typical teenager and longed for store bought clothes like everyone else. I've long since snapped out of that and realised how lucky I was for all my beautiful clothes, some of them made to my precise wishes. And the legacy of my clever craftful mother and grandmother is my love and appreciation of handmade. I know everything I wore was stitched with love. I was wearing love all the time. How blessed was i?

Project Delete Wool Reserves

2011-07-25T19:54:00.000+08:00

Here's my latest crochet rug. Just random stripes of all the left over bits of wool from other projects. I have so many balls in a cupboard that I decided I had to use them all up before I purchased any more. Not actually that easy - I yearn to buy yarn - but no, in this time of economising I am turning my resources into useful items for the home. I can't tell you how much pleasure I gain from hooking away for short bursts of time. A little bit of thought goes into which colour to use next but not much. I can't decide how big to make it - it was going to be single bed size, but when I stretched it over my bed the other day - I think I want it to be big enough to fit across my queen size bed? It's just such a happy project and I get a really good feeling every time I see it, so why not drape it over by queen size bed? There's certainl plenty of wool for that and I think, just maybe there'll even be enough for a tea cosy or two when I'm done- something I've not got 'round to doing yet. My yarn yearning will just have to wait patiently until I've passed this little self imposed challenge!!

Almost together

2011-07-12T17:43:00.000+08:00

So I've taken a few pics of my latest quilt laid out, so that I can rework the layout. It's such a large quilt it's tricky to get high enough to view. It's on my crafty space floor for now, so I can play around with it. The ladder might come out tonight so I can get a bit higher to look down on it. It's a very gentle quilt, me thinks. It's the first time I've used any plain fabric in a quilt. I like and I think it adds to its '"gentleness". Back to moving the blocks around....ttfn x

Mosaic?

2011-07-11T12:55:00.000+08:00

On a recent trip to Margaret River I came across this mosaic in a wine cellar. I have been contemplating using a wall in the en-suite as a mosaic feature wall, then I talk myself out of it, because of the time it would take me and would any fun be overshadowed by my lack of time to devote to it. I've just had the main bathroom tiled and made operational within 4 days (after 3 and a half years of no shower and/or bath in the house) and it is very tempting to get the en-suite done as quickly as possible. But then I see a mosaic like this and think, mmm I'd really like to do it. I've thought about replicating a vintage travel poster - something like the glamorous Sea World formation water skiers, or other bathing beauties - something a little light and flirty. Me thinks I'll just keep procrastinating and pondering some more....

Touche Crochet!

2011-07-05T13:34:00.000+08:00

Look at this shop display! It was in a local Sportsgirl shop the other day when I was out shopping - the back drop had the old "MAKE DO AND MEND" slogan up and the shop now includes a recycled/vintage fashion range. I loved the display. Makes me just want to whip out the crochet, right there, right now! Forget the shopping and start hooking away. No home is complete without some crochet draped around somewhere. For that reason I love looking at www.attic24.typepad.com and seeing the house draped in colourful crochet. Crochet might be in the shops right now - but is was never, ever out with me!

Floral Parade Quilt

2011-07-03T18:27:00.004+08:00

One of my current quilts is my version of Kaffe Fassett's Floral Parade Quilt from his book Quilts in the Sun. I've chosen a plain border - I'm rather hoping the effect is a little like looking through a window or even at a window. It will be a lot quieter than Kaffe's quilt and I'm using a lesser number of fabrics so it will repeat a bit more. Every block is very nearly done - just 4 to go. Then the fun of arranging them. Apologies for the poor photography (again)!

Back of Quilt

2011-07-02T22:15:00.001+08:00

Here's the back of Quilt 6!

Quilt Number 6

2011-07-01T10:38:00.003+08:00

I have such trouble taking good pics of my quilts. This is my 6th FINISHED quilt! About to be posted to my niece in Cairns - oh - just realised I haven't taken a pic of the back fabric - must do that - it is apples - Milly's favourite fruit. This weekend I'm going to finish another quilt top and do some crochet. I think it's set to be a wet one so bring on a homey time. The girls are at their dad's so it's me and the dog and the cat....oooh luscious! Music, baking and some relaxing under my other finished quilts with some inspiring books. Some great soup and crusty bread - life is good xx

Quilt Number 5

2011-06-30T10:09:00.003+08:00

My black and white +1 in a crazy nine patch. I wasn't sure about it - now it's done I LOVE IT!

Life in Road Signs

2011-06-29T13:01:00.003+08:00

I am at a crossroads in my life. A relationship is ending and I'm not sure about what will happen next. I'm feeling very directionless. I've ridden the bumps and dips, cried buckets, dreamt of running away, wanted someone to tell me what to do, questioned everything I feel and every decision I've ever made. For some reason I found myself googling road signs...detour, lane ends, wrong way go back, one way, give way, steep decline, slow down. They seem so appropriate for me right now and gave me a giggle. Perhaps I need to put some up around the house as a reminder that even when we get lost, go the long way, take the scenic route, get stuck in traffic, get bogged or the car breaks down we do end up at where we wanted to get to...... and it's about the journey and the old enjoy the ride adage!

Hexies are doing' it for themselves....

2011-06-24T17:17:00.001+08:00

It's coming along....how exciting!!

Kaffe Fassett

2011-03-08T21:17:00.003+08:00

Last week I went along to hear Kaffe Fassett speak. I have admired Kaffe since the 1980s when I first heard of him whilst living in the UK. I felt I'd found a kindred spirit as I longed to knit in vibrant colours and move away from very "traditional" knitting and Kaffe was paving the way being completely innovative in his approach to the creative process where wool was concerned. I admired him for many reasons, his use of colour and pattern and turning the knitting world on its head with a great injection of energetic colours and designs. This was my first experience of sitting and listening to him - of sitting and listening to any designer I've admired. It was a very low key casual chat about his creative process and how he draws inspiration from the world around him, from tiles at the local underpass to road works to nature to shapes. The projected images drew gasps and sighs from the audience. I felt so completely normal sitting there!! I was amongst those people who just "get it". They too see a quilt or other creative project as they enter a bathroom and see a particular configuration of tiles, or a repetition of colour and objects in a shop window. I had never seen a knitted picture (I make my own) and Kaffe has made them too! It was so reassuring to listen to him talk about his creative life. He's a lucky man to be living such a creative life and able to make a living out of it. I'd taken along one of my Kaffe books for the book signing and was looking forward to meeting him. Unfortunately I found that a very deflating experience after the talk. He was so disengaged. He didn't ask your name, just signed your book, handed it back and looked to the next person. I've been to several book signings and always engaged with the author, so I was very disappointed. Perhaps a sign of his age and fatigue from 2 months on the road and the heat in Perth? Anyway I'm glad I've seen him - it's something I can cross off the list - but I wouldn't pay again.

Summer rain

2011-02-10T21:24:00.003+08:00

The heat this summer in Perth has been unbearable. I can't wait for winter and I dream of living in a cold climate. The heat just immobilises me. It's oppressive. Luckily it's not humid - I really wouldn't cope. A few days ago we were treated to some summer rain - pretty unusual for January. I didn't hesitate to get out in it and get soaked to the skin - absolutely positively soaked to the bone!! I danced around the garden in pure sheer glorious delight and felt young again. Young as in stomping around in puddles, laughing and giggly in the tropical downpours I grew up with in Brisvegas. Oh how I wish my sisters were there to join in! We'd play for hours building dams at the bottom of gutter downpipes,hold our hands out until they filled with rain water and then take gulps of the delicious flavoured water. Jump and watch the earth squelch between our toes. Probably why Singing in the Rain is one of my all time favourite movies.

My very own Elvis

2011-02-06T18:28:00.005+08:00

One of my favourite childhood memories is of my Dad singing and dancing to Elvis. Often after dinner he would put on records and sing along and dance like Elvis. Karaoke long before there was a name for it!! I would laugh and sing and then he pull me and my sister up to dance with him teaching us how to dance rock and roll In those moments I was mesmerised by him. He could have been a star! I thought he was the most fun and talented dad! I would be laughing and giggling and completely caught up in the fun. I never wanted those nights to end! Dad sang a lot. In those days we spent a lot of time in the car, especially in the summer holidays when we'd drive from the Gold Coast to Sydney. And Dad and all of us would sing for hours on the drive to pass the time. His signature tune was "The Red, Red, Robin.."

Every summer in the seventies I spent 2 weeks at Kirra with my Grandma, who owned Tondarra, a block of holiday flats. I loved the beach and the balmy evenings, running around with all the other kids at night playing hide and seek. Getting up every morning and walking to the corner shop for my chocolate milk in a mini milk bottle. Days spent at the beach, visiting Santaland, Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, the chair lift and the original Sea World. We'd have a tomato sandwich for lunch - or corned beef and pickle and a glass of cordial. Evenings we'd play cards or as I said run around the yard. You never could get the sand off your feet - and someone would always be sweeping up the sand. At some stage there would be an Elvis flick on tv and we'd all watch it and snooze the heat of the afternoon away. Blue Hawaii is my all time fave...from the first time I saw it, I loved it and dreamed of visiting Hawaii (I still haven't) and sitting beachside at a bar drinking a cocktail out of a pineapple with some elaborate garnish. I found this fabric panel online and it was a no brainer! I've stretched it over a canvas and hung it in the living room. Mostly it brings a smile to my face or on days like today - I'm a bit overcome with nostalgia and missing those musical times with my dad. I can't believe he's been gone for nearly 4 years. I can still hear him singing my song "If you knew Susie, like I know Susie" and "KKKKatie, Beautiful Katie" He had a song for each of us. When my daughter Georgia - his first grandchild was born - he rang the delivery room and sang "Hey there Georgie Girl" down the phone to her. It was so special. Thanks for the music Dad, you are my own very special elvis xxxx

Pet participation at Christmas

2011-01-29T15:27:00.003+08:00

Boy did we have fun!!

More from George

2011-01-29T15:18:00.001+08:00

A couple more of the tree....

Thanks to George

2011-01-29T15:06:00.003+08:00

Flicking through photos with my daughter George, little did I know she had taken her own Christmas photos on the day we put the tree up. And being a much better photographer than me, she took a decent few. Here's the view past the customary mince pies and eggnog that we enjoy as we decorate and admire our handiwork and the "magicalness" of a twinkling tree. It is without a doubt one of my all time favourite things...a sparkly tree at night.

Decorations

2011-01-27T21:23:00.001+08:00

Decorations

2011-01-27T21:18:00.001+08:00

Christmas cake

2011-01-27T21:08:00.002+08:00

Little Birdie

2011-01-27T21:01:00.003+08:00

This is one of a set of 2 I bought at Ikea. The photo doesn't do it justice. I love them they are a delicate tin very scandinavian which is a style I love.

Soft spot for bunnies

2011-01-27T20:53:00.002+08:00

Another bunny - I have a set of six of these little wooden treasures.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

2011-01-26T17:53:00.002+08:00

Looks like I'll have to wait until next year for a decent tree photo :(

Rockettes Rock

2011-01-26T17:44:00.002+08:00

Guess who's been to New York, New York!

Kitten decs

2011-01-26T17:36:00.001+08:00

furry friends

2011-01-26T17:30:00.001+08:00

A little knitted treasure...

2011-01-26T17:23:00.002+08:00

Here's one of my handmade ones

Red, Red Robin

2011-01-26T16:54:00.002+08:00

The Red Red Robin goes bob, bob, bobbin along, singing his sweet song.

2011-01-26T16:48:00.002+08:00

And another of my oldest and most precious!

Toy Soldier

2011-01-26T16:44:00.001+08:00

And another

2011-01-26T16:38:00.001+08:00

Here's one of my oldest decorations - I've had it since I was a baby.

Christmas tree

2011-01-26T10:36:00.002+08:00

So here is where I started trying to take a photo of my tree that did it justice?

Christmas decs

2011-01-25T23:14:00.004+08:00

I've just tried to upload imags of my christmas tree decorations but it won't work. I can only do one tonight. So here's the first in a series...perhaps? I don't know we'll see what the computer will let me do tomorrow?

Maya's quilt

2011-01-24T20:39:00.005+08:00

These photos aren't great but you get the gist...my latest finished quilt for my niece Maya. Just the binding to finish on her big sister's quilt and I can do a 'ta dah' on it as well.....

Who rules in our house...?

2010-11-14T22:31:00.004+08:00

This is what I found when i went to bed the other night!! I thought the dog had been awfully quiet!! Blissfully asleep on my pillow taking my spot in the bed..with my partner oblivious!! For those of you who haven't been introduced to our special pets - this is Matilda "Tilly" our 2 year old completely blind dog. She's been blind from birth, but there's nothing wrong with her finding her way to all the places she shouldn't be, although in this instance she's exactly where she thinks she should be!!

Bad boss syndrome

2010-11-13T21:29:00.003+08:00

Me thinks I might need to read this book. I left a job yesterday - my 3rd in 2 years. I was working for A COW - a very small minded one or is that an oxy moron - anyway she was a moron. I have had 2 years of really really bad workplace bosses. #1 the psycho coke addict. He used to talk and make no sense at all. God help you if you asked a question or for an explanation of a strategy. He'd target people at meetings - i think he thought it was inclusivity but you'd be sitting there listening making notes and then suddenly you'd be asked this random question. He snif at your response (because he sniffed all the time and had a permanent head cold for the 6 months I was there) I mean most of us were more intelligent than him so we all knew he was doing coke and who in their right minds sends 20 emails to 1 staff member between 2 and 3 am? Anyway I've blogged about him before. He just treated people as expendable. He didnt' invest any resources in them or work through anything. People came and went every week. The record was apparently 24 hours. One walked out calling him a pig - wish I'd seen that! Then I decided it was time for something with no pressure - so I was offered a job at the local fruit and veg. The unhappiest place in the world to work. Very few happy full timers there! Nice to see some people taking pride in their jobs and their work so seriously but when you get in trouble for the way you pack 7 oranges into a bucket me thinks nah not for me ..time to move on. And when the boss swears at 16 year olds because he's forgotten to tell them their roster. Staff turnover there was second to bad boss #1. He was a moody moody bastard - really miserable. Then there's job number 3 where I've been for the last 9 months. Sales are up 45% on the same period last year, not a word of thanks or praise. Begrudingly paid me every fortnight and always a day or 2 late because she was too busy to do our pays. I think the last one was professional jealousy. A grateful client brought me flowers one day - I should have known when she dumped them in the bin after a few days when they started to wilt slightly. Then a second client did the same thing as a thank you. I knew I was a goner then!! Yesterday as I left she looked up from a desk and said I'm really sorry I haven't acknowledged today at all (my last day) - I mean here's a card and pushed it over to me with the most pathetic words in it. It was a slap in the face. I mean for the first time in 5 years she had a week's holiday and the business ran like clockwork. I could manage it completely and had far more product knowledge and industry experience than her. I just wanted to look her in the eye and tell her what a pathetic cow she is. Anyways it has only reinforced that it's been so the right decision to move on ...I hope!! Fingers crossed I can report good things on the blog in 6 months time. I won't say a word before then as I just want to settle in and see how things unfold. I am acutely aware that the common denominator in the last 3 jobs has been me so I'm doing a bit of soul searching and examining my work ethic and capabilities, however, not having any feedback from anyone other than customers makes it hard. But all the feedback from clients and customers was incredibly positive so I'll take solace in that. It struck me too that with all these bad bosses - it's just bad manners on a really basic level most of them have so little courtesy to their employees. They think that by employing you and paying you they are doing you a favour. None of them appreciate that it cuts both ways and offering encouragement, praise, courtesy they may actually get loyalty and respect. None of my recent bosses in the last 2 years have earned my respect beyond the fact that I admire they have the unenviable task of running a business and managing staff. The only thing I've learnt from them is how not to do things. Bring on the next boss and a positive work experience.

Babushka WIP

2010-10-31T08:12:00.003+08:00

Here's something I've been working for a new quilt. I've had the babushka fabric in my stash for a long while now. I fussy cut 25 dolls for the centre pieces and then stripped around them with 2 strips. Now I'm working on a plain around each one, them some more stripping. The one directly above is the furthest along. The quilt is evolving as it goes - I'm not working to any pattern, just playing around with strips and bits. We'll see where it goes and ends up.

Mezzanine Studio Space

2010-10-16T10:21:00.005+08:00

This is my studio space - it's a mezzanine floor in our extension. I adore it. I can't tell you how long I've dreamt of having space to work and not pack away - to have my precious and inspiring bits and bobs around me. And it really works - I come up here and move into another zone, not just physically but mentally as well. It is mostly a mess because working with fabric bits etc is messy. I give it a good tidy up every so often but it doesn't bother me - I work well in it. And that's exactly why I've wanted my own space to walk in and out without feeling any pressure that my creativeness imposes on anyone else in the house. See how the cat loves it too!

One less UFO

2010-10-13T22:50:00.004+08:00

Tonight I finished my third quilt - really truly finished it by putting the last stitch in the binding. It seemed to take forever on this one I don't know why...I mean it took me hours of hand stitching. I felt that absolute rush of excitement and joy and glow at the pure pleasure of looking at something I've created and finished. It's on the bed to sleep under tonight. It's been on the bed before with the binding half on half off and the needle hanging off it, but tonight is different - there's a whole new way of looking at my FINISHED quilt - no niggling thoughts of 'suse when are you going to get round to finishing it .. you better do it before you prick yourself in your sleep. I reckon I must like to live dangerously because that wasn't much of an incentive? Lucky the weather is still cool enough to warrant a quilt..... I put the last stitch in it tonight round at a friend's house - the gorgeous Margie who took the photo you can see. She is such a friend...I said I'm not leaving until it's done!! And she said go for it! It wasn't too late was it Margie? Thanks for sharing the joy of my completed quilt and being so appreciative of it!!

Gone to a new home

2010-10-05T07:32:00.003+08:00

My sister Helen came to visit recently which was very special as it was a few years since she'd been here. We've caught up on the east coast many times, but it was lovely to welcome her to my home. I did a bit of show and tell with craft projects, finished (hah, very few!), and wips - one of the wips was my crochet ripple which I was finishing a fluted edging on. Well Hellie fell in love with it! She LOVED it...so I said you can have it - for all those birthdays etc when I haven't sent pressies etc. I'll finish it and give it to you at Christmas. Anyways the visit ended as all good things do and Helen flew home to Cairns. The next day I got a call...chat chat chat and "oh by the way I took the rug!" I laughed and said Hellie it's not finished! There's probably still a crochet hook wrapped up in it! And I haven't woven in all the ends. She said, " no I love all the tassles - I love it just as it is and so do my girls...Maya came in from school and stopped dead in her tracks and exclaimed "Mum, where'd you get that AWESOME blanket?" (Hels had thrown it over the sofa). I just laughed and said well you better find the end and tie it off so it doesn't start unravelling!!

So there you go a WIP in my eyes was a finished work of art in someone else's eyes. I am thrilled it has gone to its new home where it is LOVED. And now I'll just have to make another one for my home. Big sigh! What a shame...NOT! I get to have the fun all over again!

778 done, 222 to go! Blooming hexies

2010-09-23T20:02:00.005+08:00

So I've counted them all up. I have made 778 so only 222 to go because i have it on good authority that you need 1000 to make a queen size quilt - that's my 1/1/2 inch hexies. This is the funnest project ever in the world right now. I never ever thought I'd like a hand sewing project so so much. but then I know lots of people out there in bloggy crafty land wouldn't be suprised by that they'd just think "uh, yeah" are you a slow learner or what....yes I am ...about the slowest in the world...Has anyone ever heard of that kid's book "Leo The Late Bloomer". I dont' remember much of the story perraps I'll find me a copy and refresh my memory - 'cos I reckon that's me - the latest bloomer ever!!! But baby am I BLOOMING!!!

Parallel lives??

2010-09-16T21:30:00.003+08:00

So this is my day so far...I set alarm for 6.30 am to ensure raising my daughter in enough time to take her to school for a test at 7.30 am. She is doing year 12 so is exhausted from everything she has had on. Wake her, make lunches and a coffee, put away dishes left to drip dry from last night. Feed the cat and give her her epilepsy tablets. Drive my daughter to school. Come home, get myself ready for work. With a few minutes to spare I jump online to pay bills due (yesterday was payday). Reply to a couple of emails (we have an insurance thing happening - the result of 3 burglaries this year). Drive to work. Arrive at work - dive right in. Very busy day at work in sales - grab a drive through burger at 3.30 on my way to see a client. Yep forgot my lunch - it's still sitting on the kitchen bench. Get back to office. Client arrives at 10 to 5. Finish with drop in at 5.30. Ring to cancel vet appointment as now too late. Ring my daughter to tell her I will be home in time to take her to dancing at 6. She is sitting outside playing with dog as she's forgotten to take keys. Run in, she changes and then dash out to dancing. Stop by coles to get 2 missing ingredients for dinner I am planning. Arrive home at 6.30. Greeted by partner "what are we doing for dinner". I tell him tonight's menu. He asks "where's G". I manage to say in a light tone "at dancing" (even though she's gone every Thursday night this year !!!!. I then prepare a delicious dinner. Greeted with "thank you dear" that was delicious". My dinner interrupted by phone call. Granny checking up on overseas daughter. Leave washing up as I realise need to pay another bill. Time to go and collect G. Lessons run over time. Kill time by deleting 135 messages on my phone. Arrive home to find washing up from dinner left for me to do. I wash up and tidy kitchen. Plan lunches for next day. Tell everyone (again) to not let the cat out tomorrow for re-scheduled vet appointment. Go to computer to check for emails from child away overseas. Must ring sister for her birthday next. Vent via blog.

His day. Arise and get to work after short play with dog and eating breakfast. Straight after work visit friends for beers. Arrive home and ask what's for dinner. Shower, sit on lounge whilst dinner is prepared. Compliment the cook. Sit on lounge watching tv for another 2-3 hours patting the dog. Retire to bed. Very tiring day.

That is the household routine most days.

My mother the artiste...

2010-08-30T20:55:00.005+08:00

Well I suppose I've blogged more this month than I have for many other months...does that count...am I slightly more back in the habit? I hope so...i don't know my life is busy although I still think I was time at times. Time is precious and not every day do I make the most of it. So much of it (my time) is dictated to with work, family, commitments and then sometimes I'm the kind of person that just needs to be for 5 minutes. Today I had 1/2 hour between a drop off and pick up so I got on the computer checked emails, read a few blogs then waiting for something to down load i played scrabble. 15 minutes later I was still trying to win a game against the computer and my mind is saying to me...susan stop your time is precious and here you are wasting it playing computer scrabble...what about all the creative projects you were going to do tonight...see you''re your own worst enemy...anyway I played for a while it's still open on my computer and now I beat myself up about wasting my precious time...I think I'm going mad or already mad...Anyway by coincidence the pic I've uploaded is one of my mum's creations. My mother - Christine West - of Birregurra is a textile artist. Her talents are boundless and she is a particularly wonderful felter. The hat is just one of many on display in her studio. She is so creative and inspriring and I doubt would get distracted by solitaire, but I will ask her and check with her on "Distractions from tasks on hand" and not just laborious houseworking tasks but genuine creative, fill my heart with energy and happiness projects. I'd be interested to hear from other struggling creatives - is that what I am? Do other people do the same - do they find themselves off on some irrelevant path when that's not where they want to be. Perhaps today it's a fatigue factor - I'm feeling tired and now going to head to bed and read?

View 2 Random stripes

2010-08-08T22:04:00.005+08:00

Another view of my zig a zag crochet throw. Not quite finished around the border - I'm doing a wavy edge..

Short and sweet tonight xx

oh-o missed a day

2010-08-07T20:24:00.006+08:00

Yesterday was very busy, can I make it up with 2 posts today? I worked and then last night we had the high school musical "Honk" - the story of the Ugly Duckling as a musical. It was brilliant - so fun and fresh. Bridget was part of the ensemble and had a small part as Father Swan. She was fabulous. And I just didn't have any puff left in me when we got home. Today has rather taken its toll as well. It's an emotional roller coaster at the moment with B leaving on Friday for the US - off for a cultural enrichment experience for 5 months. Lucky girl!

Day 4 - Dreaming of sleep

2010-08-05T21:49:00.005+08:00

I have just made it today.... I'm dreaming of snoozing away like my sleeping pets...let me introduce our 2 very special members of the family. Firstly Gypsy the cat, she adopted us some years ago at the vet's guess at about the age of 6 months. She is the skittyist cat you'll ever meet. I think the result of severe trauma - she arrived without a tail and she is not a manx, she is a common domestic cat - I shudder to think how she lost her tail. Turns out she's also epileptic and is permanently medicated to avoid the terrifying fits she has which can propel her from the bed to a wall and then the floor. For some particular reason she took a shine to me, living in our front garden and appearing every night to me when I drove the car in the drive. After a couple of months I remember thinking ' there's that cat again...mmm I think she might be living here....yes I'm not the quickest of people, I took the plunge and offered food. It was weeks before she would come inside...but now she sleeps on my head at night (photo for another post) so she's well and truly relaxed at and home 5 years on.

Then Matilda arrived. The girls Chrissy pressie nearly 2 years ago - a gorgeous love at first sight (well for the humans anyway) lab/retriever pup. She was without a doubt the cutest puppy you will ever seen. the so cute the grannies stop the pram kinda cute and tell you what a beautiful baby you have. I thought that was only with babies but no it happened all the time at the park with Tilly - but I run away from the story. I sensed something wasn't quite right with out beautiful new bundle, she was very very clumsy....to cut a long story short ...she's blind...fully blind. I took her off to the eye specialist who confirmed the diagnosis. The pet shop refunded the full amount and we end up with the best dog in the whole wide world. She is so much fun and so lovable - she can keep you captivated for hours with her antics.

So we're the home for pets with special needs. (2 is plenty!)

Anyway Gypsy and I are off to bed....xx

Quilt #4 for me

2010-08-04T21:37:00.003+08:00

So here's another one of my quilts - it's not quite finished (it needs binding), but it's on the sofa bed ready and waiting for a VIP guest arriving late tonight. Yes we have a granny arriving for a 2 week stay. Yippeeee!

This quilt is really simple and quick to sew - it starts with a hero fat quarter and then just worked around in strips to whatever size you like - this fits my double bed sofa bed nicely. One big giant log cabin! I have a smaller version almost done for another VIP but it's a birthday surprise so has to stay hidden for a while longer.

I have a lot to learn about our digital camera - lots to improve on my technique. I love other peoples blogs for lots of different reasons but the overwhelming reason is the beautiful images that truly inspire and transport me.

Round and round the garden market totes

2010-08-03T21:00:00.005+08:00

Absence from blogland doesn't mean absence from craft and here's proof - 2 of my market totes. The earthy one inspired by the colours of the pilbara in the north of the state and the bumble bee (or jaundiced zebra as I like to call it) - inspired by ...well ...um ...I'm not sure exactly...just colour play really. I love picking up the skeins - starting with one and adding another and another, discarding one, trying another, until I have about 4 left cradled in my arms by then I'm in a frenzy of excitement and can't wait to cast on; then I can't wait for the first colour change, then the second....round and round the garden until the bag is finished. Then the metamorphis magic of felting them. They truly take on a whole new character - the original bag has melded into a new form. I love it! I positively skip and dance around the washing machine and as I shape and stuff them. I admire them from lots of angles at morning and night whilst they dry... I know I'm talking to those that understand - you do don't you?

I love the idea of going to my local farmer's market at Clontarf and coming home with them stuffed with organically grown goodies...can't you just see the celery and silverbeet and baguette sticking out the top? Freshly brewed and fragrant coffee in the other hand and a delicious bakery treat to enjoy when I get home.. what a perfect start to the weekend on a Saturday morning. My bags are for sale at my stall - not that I've had one for a while - but I think I'm getting inspired again to stock a stall.

More hexagons....

2010-07-28T18:18:00.003+08:00

Wow 2 days in a row and the post is working - here's a close up of my hexies - 1 1/2 inch - I'm working towards a queen size quilt. I think I'll need 1000 or so and I've done about 700. Tonight is craft night with others who share my love. Can't wait.

Hexies

2010-07-27T19:56:00.003+08:00

I beginning to think I'm not meant to blog...every time I go to post something doesn't work properly. I tried to post months ago about my hexies but the photos just wouldn't upload that day so I've been absent in disgust. I've worked through that now and thought I'd try again and Voila it works... aaaahhh go figure. I have been working on a hexagon quilt for at least 4 months. I started with incredible gusto however, a couple of other projects have recently taken over. I banged a quilt top together in a week and a crochet rug. All of them are GFC projects. Nothing new can be bought - i have to draw on all the resources I've acquired. Cash flow is at the worst it's been in 10 years since I was on the single parent pension and my ex wasn't contributing a thing. Losing my job and deciding to work 4 days to try and strike a balance with home, teenagers etc has seen the income dribble to a trickle! It's excruciating and my hand is being forced back to full time work in the not too distant future, much to my dismay. Anyway I've gone off on a complete tangent - it's the outlet of writing - it is such an outlet. Life has been incredibly cruel lately...I've been burgled 3 times this year and lost all my valuable jewellery amongst other stuff

Anyway crafty stuff... I'm loving the hand sewing of hexies. It has surprised me how much I love making them and watching them grow. Each one is pure joy. I love the few minutes I spend with each piece of fabric - revisiting the designs and colours. I love putting them in stacks and then playing laying them out in "flowers". I've done hundreds and sewn lots together then I've got on to another project of a quilt and another of binding another quilt and a crochet rug and it's all yummy and fun!

Life is like a box of chocolates...

2010-02-18T20:32:00.004+08:00

My new boss presented me with a gift to day - a celebration of me joining the company. I have never ever in all my working life been presented with a welcome gift. It was a box of chocolates. I am really touched. How sweet is that? A beautiful, simple gesture - it made me feel really warm and fuzzy and special Rembering the line from Forest Gump - life is like a bunch of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get... my new boss has told me everyday of my first week how well I'm doing. Contrast that to my last horror boss at Scoop Publishing who in 5 months was never able to say an encouraging word. Yes I believe I'm in the right place. So many decisions in life are a leap of faith - the outcome completely unpredictable - but I feel very reassured today that I have made a good decision and a positive step in my working life and can put the horror of the psycho boss down to experience.

Takes one odd molly to know one odd molly!

2010-02-17T21:18:00.006+08:00

I would love to design fabric and clothes and perhaps one day I will. I'm often reminded of my secret dream when I'm out shopping and everything seems the same and I'm confronted by chain store after chain store. The clothes are the same, the layout of the shop is the same, same, same same. Is there a secret society to clone the world? I'm so over it. I want originality/uniqueness/individuality/attention to detail. (I have one exception to chain stores - anthropolgie - But I've never been to one in a mall. Do they do that? I hope not.) Shopping malls are soul-less places. I much prefer strip shopping precincts - walking in and out of fresh air, stopping for coffees, meandering into side alleyways. Anyway I recently found a shop in Subiaco Perth, called Emporia, that has lots of different stuff. Before Christmas I bought a dress - the label Odd Molly - I love it. I googled the label and found the website and oooh and aaahed over everything. I'm going to seek it out when I need something new, now I know where to head. The dress pictured is another one I'd love to get my hands on..... And Odd Molly makes crochet garments look oh so tres chic!

Quilt #3 - Flea Market Fancy

2010-02-12T07:38:00.004+08:00

Here is quilt top number 3 - I used a fat quarter pack I bought eons ago in the Flea Market Fancy range of which I am a great fan. The pattern is from Material Obsession Book 1

which is inspiring. I'm backing it in the flea market fancy decor weight range fabric...yummm...which I just need to get around to. Yes the UFO pile towers over the FO pile...it's wonderful having so many options.. On another note I don't think my photos do their subjects justice, so many blogs have such beautiful images....not mine ...yet?!

New Start

2010-02-11T07:30:00.003+08:00

Today I begin a new job. I posted 11 months ago of my job loss. It has been an interesting time for me. I have explored a few different lines of employment - the steadiest was cashier at a local fruit/veg/continental supermarket. It offered great flexibility with hours which I really appreciated after years of 9-5 and I've loved my customers - they're with you for a minute and then gone! Only return when they need something else. Any problems I simply rang my bell and passed them over whilst I kept the line moving! Joy after years and years of troubleshooting for troublesome clients. The compromise for a role like this one though is cash flow - nothing like what I'm used to earning, and mind numbing repetitive work (again another plus after years of mental exhaustion). New year, new beginings I started looking for a new role to add to my list of life experiences and the universe has not let me down. Perfect school friendly hours 4 days a week back in the promotional products trade that I lived in for 9 years. I'm exciting to be doing something with new people, improving the cash flow and (hopefully) becoming a valued team member in a new environment. Interestingly I found my experience of last year had hurt me more than I'd admitted, but a new beginning like this one may be the healing experience I need. But then no expectations and an open mind is the best way to approach my new role. Wish me luck....

Black and white crazy nine patch

2010-02-10T08:08:00.009+08:00

Ages ago I was inspired to make a black and white quilt, so I started collecting the fabrics. I decided to make it in a crazy nine patch with the centre fabric having one contrasting colour - aqua. It is going to be an incredibly busy quilt me thinks. The visual effect reminds me of Bridget Riley's work - a lot of it makes your eyes go funny! It's so fun putting it together (isn't every quilt, that's why I'm addicted!)

And on another note - today I wished I lived in London again...why - look at this upcoming exhibition at the V&A http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/textiles/quilts-1700-2010/.

Wavy Crochet Love

2010-02-05T07:56:00.003+08:00

I've been absent from blogland during the renovation, but now I have a working camera (yeehaa) and a designated creative space (yeehaa, yeehaa) with working computer ( 3 x yeehaa) there is no stopping me. It is so so thrilling to walk up the stairs to MY PLACE. It is a truly beautiful area (photos to come). I'm transported to a wonderful, wonderful place every time I arrive. Whilst absent from blogging I haven't been absent from creative bits and pieces. Here is my latest crochet project. I'm just finishing the edges. It's a totally random colourway, I just let the yarn jump in where it wanted to. It was mega fun to make, snippets of joy time every moment I have spent on it - a wonderful distraction from the horrors of renovating. I've nearly used up all the bits on the random frill around the edge - which means a trip to my LYS for more stash building..can you feel me skipping?!

Quilt #2

2010-02-03T08:35:00.004+08:00

This is my second ever quilt top. I was inspired by our recycled brick feature fence/wall so I used Amy Butler's free Brick Path Quilt pattern from her website. I have gone for a bolder, wilder look using Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jacobs fabric which I love, love love. I feel so so happy everytime I look at this quilt top. I'm wandering through a beautiful, inspiring garden every time I look at it. I have a cottage in the garden which will be used to house visitors when the renovation is complete and I think this will find a home there looking out at my garden. I'm having it professionally quilted, even though I am practising my free motion quilting - I'm not confident enough yet to embark on a quilt top. The backing is an Anna Maria Horner fabric, - binding not yet decided. I'm finishing it more traditionally than Amy's pattern outlines as I want the soft pouffy feel when I wrap myself in it.

Inspiration from blogs

2010-02-01T07:39:00.004+08:00

I find other blogs truly inspiring - it is wonderful to see other people's creativeness. It is food for my soul. I love the photos, the visual feast blogs provide me. Some bloggers seem so prolific, I can't imagine how they fit it all in, when my own time for indulging my creativeness seems so limited but it fills me with hope that there will come a time in my life where I can devote more time to the things that make my heart sing. This morning I came across comfort stitching and her girl on a swing quilt. Looking at it takes me straight to a childhood memory of playing on swings - I love swings - the wooshing, the reaching for the sky looking up to the blue blue sky and treetops, swinging feels so free. Such a good feeling - I can hold that feeling with me all day and one day I might make my own girl on a swing quilt.

Renovation hardship

2010-01-28T08:14:00.004+08:00

Have I mentioned that I'm renovating and have been for 5 years? Mmm probably at some point, but then in blog land I've perhaps subconsciously put it out of my mind. It has not been fun or exciting as I thought it would be and well we won't mention the time frame will we...5 years!! With probably another 5 to go. I am no longer sane, I don't know what it's like to live in a proper house with an internal kitchen and bathroom - we have the ablution block like you would in a caravan park outside the house, and I now dream of moving to a fully completed flat that you lock and leave...sod the house - i resent it and the it's become the barrier to a lifestyle of any sorts. Trouble is to do that the house has to be finished...so it's a vicious circle I'm trapped in - can you feel my dilemma, my pain? Most of the work needs to be carried out by my carpenter partner, but there are lots of things I can do so I'm busy making lists to motivate me. Top of my lists are all the fabriccy, soft furnishing bits because that's where my true love and passion lies...so for fun I'm focussing on 3 lots of window coverings that can now be done. Cafe curtains for the kitchen window...even though there's no kitchen...it will feel so much more welcome when it does arrive!! Soft door curtains for french doors to our bedroom, even though there are no handles and they don't close properly and a curtain for the bedroom window, which needs to be replaced. it's the old adage for me ...focus on the positives...at least I have doors and windows to decorate?!! And I will need to spend time in fabric shops...mmm come to think of it...what renovation hardship?

Cliches to live by

2009-05-30T06:34:00.006+08:00

Well, never a dull moment is there? Or is it a "first time for everything" or "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger" or "where one door closes another opens"...all these sayings have run through my mind recently when my services were terminated by my employer due to the fact that I wasn't economically viable. I'd been in the position a total of 5 months after leaving a job of 9 years plus. Great timing ... right when the GFC (Global Financial Crisis - is it really?) hit. I can sure pick it!! Forty +, fired and fat...mmm sounds like a book title! Oh wait it is! Must read it or do I need to? I might write my own and add free and fabulous to the title. "A blessing in disguise". Absolutely! I would never have made such a momentous decision to throw in the towel when I have financial commitments that I do... school fees for 2 teenagers, mortgage, renovation, car payments. Too scary. But guess what? 3 months later, I'm still going!Yes my life is different, yes there is seriously less money coming in, yes I am happier.

I was determined to view this as the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been on the bones of my arse before (post divorce, flea of a self employed ex...you can imagine) and I've survived, so I know I can do it. I pledged to myself that this was the opportunity to follow dreams and live my life honouring my true core values - gone was the "when the girls finish school". (Aside - they LOVE having me around more.) Never again would I work for morally bankrupt people. I mean do you really want to hear about the $3000 handbag purchased for his wife and be told that this decision was extremely difficult but it was the difference between him losing everything? Yes there is anger in that statement, but there is also humour. I found a card in a shop that simply had "schmuck" written on the front. Did I laugh? You betcha...and no I didn't send it. Unfortunately, I have to admit the schmuck did me the biggest favour. Ain't that the way. I mean I'd love to have him kneecapped, and not just for my sake - for everyone that he has treated in this abysmal fashion. It's hard to fathom there hasn't been a class action against the man. Anyways now I'm getting sidetracked.

What am I doing now? Working in retail at a fruit and veg market and a fabric shop! AND making my bags for a market stall I'm having at perthupmarket.com.au. Doing a course in textile design, cooking and reading more and being more available for my beautiful girls.

A dear friend once said to me "do what you love and the money will follow" so I'm putting that theory to the test. I don't doubt that I'm resourceful, but in an age of consumerism, perhaps I've become too reliant on easy consumer fixes, so I'm putting my resourcefulness to the test and refining that skill again. I think of my maternal grandmother, who lived through war time England - she would be proud!

I've added a slide show titled tea cups (I collect demi tasse cups) ....don't you love "gran"?!

My Jackie O Range

2008-09-17T12:53:00.007+08:00

Okay, I've figured away 'round my dysfunctional camera - use the office one! This is what I've called my Jackie O bag. I've made about 6 of them (green, red and black not shown). Each one has its own button that I hand pick to suit the bag's personality. I've recorded the pattern for this one too so that I can remake them again and again and again. The pink one was the first. The button was a "find" in a vintage shop it Sydney. No more to be found - should have bought 2 of them! The bag sold at its first stall! I get so excited just thinking about other colours and trims. The red bag has a sparkly diamante belt buckle for a little bit of added bling!

Favourite Bag

2008-09-16T12:12:00.003+08:00

I love this bag. There was no pattern. I just picked a colour from my stash and cast on and went 'round and 'round changing the colours at random until I thought "right that's it" and cast off. I sold it before it was even finished as I took it as a UFO to work on whilst I ran the stall one day.

Me thinks I might make a few more. I've been without a camera for months now so getting photos of all projects has been an involved process so I haven't bothered most of the time. Luckily I had the foresight to borrow one to photograph this bag. I love the colours - I love just looking at the colours. Is it just me or do they sing?

This is living!

2008-07-23T07:00:00.003+08:00

Is this heaven or what? Here I am on my recent holiday to Cairns, North Queensland. I'm on the Barrier Reef Island of Green Island. After an amazing snorkel over coral looking at an endless array of divine tropical fish, I relaxed with a flat white and my knitting!!

Camp Kensington

2008-02-21T12:31:00.003+09:00

We're now in full demolition mode for our extension/renovation. Everything is coated in a fine layer of grit. I am happily accepting the dust and discomfort for it means PROGRESS. After 3 years of squeezing into a completely cute but inadequate home, we are growing it to suit. It is very very exciting. This pic was taken partway through the removal of the bathroom which has now completely disappeared. Fingers crossed the fine weather holds for our midnight trots to the outdoor loo!!

Sewing reluctance

2008-02-14T12:42:00.003+09:00

A few posts ago I put up a picture of the patchwork quilt I am making for my daughter. I have now tacked it together as the layout pictured. Now I need to start sewing but I am really nervous about making a mistake. This is my first attempt at a quilt and I think the fabric is so beautiful I might ruin the whole project by starting it. I know I need to just dive in and go for it. Should I set a deadline for myself? How best to push past this feeling. It's complete and utter fear of failure, which I think is so pathetic of me to let it stop me. It's a patchwork quilt for goodness' sake!!! And this is the room it's to go in...

Market Day

2008-02-12T13:53:00.001+09:00

This year I've realised a long held dream...a market stall! The first day was fantastic. It was a real thrill and a truly positive experience. The response to my bags and artwork was wonderful. Now I'm wondering why I waited so long. It has opened up a whole new creative phase which is a by-product I hadn't expected. I am truly inspired with ideas jumping all around in my brain. There simply aren't enough hours in a day at the moment.

Crumble Time

2007-08-16T16:51:00.001+08:00

After a bout of the dreaded lurgy I was feeling so much better I thought I'd make a special effort for dinner before my girls headed off for 5 nights with their father. Poor luvs! Ah well better them than me!! So a roast with all the trimmings followed by blueberry and apple crumble was the outcome. It just happened to be one of our coldest winter nights as well so it went over a treat. The crumble looked divine coming out of the oven with gooey edges bubbling away. Maybe it's the witch in me..although it was a gleeful chuckle as I proudly displayed and tempted the drooling household!

Patchwork thrill

2007-08-03T14:10:00.001+08:00

This is my latest craft project. A quilt for my daughter.