May The Cloth Be With You

Helloooooooooooooo and a tweet tweet

2010-07-10T18:20:00.005+10:00

yep, I'm still kickin! How the months go by. In those months I have begun an apprenticeship in Textile design, with the best boss in the world, my Mum. I'm sure there are lots of exciting things to come, busy but exciting.

Here are a few textile art birds nests that are going up on etsy. Each handmade by me. The little ones are rings and the bigger ones are brooches. For the full description, you know where to go...

Things that irk me

2010-04-13T19:30:00.002+10:00

I have a lot of time to contemplate in my car. Something about being on the road that calms me, especially when I'm driving up to my Mum's house through the rolling hills of potato country. The sun radiates accross the patchwork hills and it makes me appreciate how lucky I am to be living so close to so much beauty. And then.... I see a figure in the distance, strolling along side the road. Their companion by their side and I think 'oh how nice to be meandering through the country side with faithful companion panting along side'. As I near the two figures, one taller and one small and furry, I take in the picture as you would a still frame of a postcard set against the lush green background. It's not until I get within focus distance that the dog, at that very moment decides to stop, crouch down in that rather uncomfortable looking way and push for almighty while the poor owner just has to wait there.

I know they can't help it, that when 'nature calls' it is enevitable but I really do think that they plan it. How else could a dog have better timing? They must wait not only for the only car, in fifteen minutes to drive by, but know the exact distance at which human eyesight gains focus.

This happened to me today and to be honest, it dampened my day. Here I was having a euphoric, inner peace moment. I didn't know whether to laugh or if I was going to throw up in my mouth a little bit. For me, it's on par for cringe factor with a dog that humps your leg!

If I ever own a dog, and I would like to. I like dogs, I just really really really don't like seeing a dog pooing. Sorry to all the dog people out there, I can't help it. Some people vomit at the sight of other people vomiting, me, I'm fine. I can hold hair back and wipe chunks. But don't ask me to take a dog for a walk.

It just came to me and I had to get it out, I apologise for any vulgar images I may have caused you to conjure.

My Prize and an award

2010-03-31T06:59:00.003+11:00

Emails are great, don't get me wrong. The instant connectivity and all that but... NOTHING beats having something solid that's travelled from one doorstep to another, passed from hand to hand. Last week, I received my own bundle of touchable goodness from Handmade Heaven. I was spoiled with the brooch I chose created by Sophie Isobel Designs, as well as some gorgie porgie puddin pie bubba chennile button hair pins, the latest issue of Mixtape and Peekaboo zines. Try getting all that down your wires Mr. Computer!!!

Thank you so much for this prize Liesa, you are too generous!

Like I said, don't get me wrong about the technologies, because I received this from Buy Design and am pleasantly surprised. You see, this little blog of mine does funny things to my head (although I must say that it isn't hard to do funny things to my head). I've come to realise that you just can't trust me to be reliable with the technologies. It's the same with my mobile phone, network sites like facebook and even returning messages on the telephone. People say "didn't you get my message?" Whether it be via any of the mentioned. The answer is "probably, but the tiny wires from these devises that you assume are connected to my brain sometimes cannot find the server".

Likewise with my blog, I assume that whatever I post is going down wires, but not necessarily ending up anywhere, or if it does reach it's destination that like me, peoples servers have crashed.

What is the point to my erratic ramblings??? In short, Sometimes I wonder what the bloody hell is the point of all this? Who cares about my crap? And then my inbox speaks to me, it says "people do read, people do care about your crap and they even find you amusing, kudos to you kid". With instant communication comes instant gratification. ie: The warm and fuzzies.

Even though I don't reply to all your comments, please know that every single one gets through to my server. I've mentioned it in passing, that I have depression, and if I'm having a bad day or a rough trot, I go to my special little folder of comments and upload to help curb my downlow-d.
It's a case of "a little bit of flattery goes a long way". So boy was I flattered when I got this:

To accept this award, I tell you 5 things I love and nominate 5 blogs I love in the circle of friends spirit...

1. First and foremost, I love my family and friends.
2. A very close second is chocolate (if my life was a cadbury add and everyone was made of chocolate I would probably eat aforementioned, and then myself)
3. I love a warm bed and warm cuddles.
4. I love singing in the car, I go off like a frog in a sock and probably sound like one too.
5. I love sunshine, I'm a vitamin D junkie.

5 blogs and why...

1. Hoppo Bumpo - I love this girl! She never fails to make me laugh till I nearly pee myself.
2. Curly Pops - So bright and fun! As well as kind and helpful.
3. Her Library Adventures - One word INSPIRING!!! and kind, lovely, cute.....
4. The house of Mirth - I love her style, she could definitely turn a sow's ear into a silk purse!
5. Cinderberry Stitches - Adorable, sweet and so bubbly it's contagious!

Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-03-17T09:07:00.001+11:00

I have exciting news! I won the Handmade Heaven giveaway YAY!!! It's going to be so much fun choosing my goodie! I get so excited about winning things, it's like the prize has chosen me and I feel really special.

So in the spirit of luck and winning, here is another gorgeous giveaway that everyone should enter and maybe the prize will chose you! So pop over to Grosgrain and rub a Buddha's belly for luck (or your own if you don't have a Buddha handy)

Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Scarfy thingamabobbies: trial part 1

2010-03-16T21:12:00.006+11:00

I was dying last Thursday. Mum was helping me, encouraging me, tutoring me on just how to do it. Get it.... hardy ha ha

Anyway, here is the result. Inspired by 6 stranded embroidery thread by Cottage Garden Threads - no. 505 Bush Christmas

There are endless ways you can wear it. As well as the styles below, you can detain would be burglars, naughty children and smart arse husbands, not forgetting getting yourself in all sorts of tangles.

Once perfected, these will be in my etsy store Needleye

To celebrate, I'll be having a competition and the winner will get to chose the thread they would like their scarfythingamabobbie inspired by. So pop over to Needleye and start thinking about which thread you are.

Red Stools

2010-03-12T14:14:00.004+11:00

DO NOT GOOGLE "Red stools" if you would like inspiration on decorating second hand wooden sitting on variety 'red stools'. If you have a medical condition that entails vibrant descriptions of multi coloured poo, then go for it. You'll get all the information you need. Trust me....

These are the kinds of stools I had in mind. My gorgeous Mum found them at a garage sale next door to her house. She didn't even know about my desperation for two stools to sit under our wall mounted bench. I had been searching high and low, every opp shop and second hand furniture store in the area came up lacking. I'd put the word out to all my friends to keep their eyes open for me. All except Mum, who I'd not mentioned it to at all. That's the weird bit, the power of the Trojo. (Treasure mojo, mentioned here)

So when I almost fell over with envy at her recently acquired stools, she said the four words I was secretly (maybe not so) wanting to hear "You can have them". Then I went from almost falling over with envy to almost peeing myself with excitement.

Before

After
Sprayed gloss red by my spunky hubster and cover made by yours truly.

I paper pieced some different scraps of corduroy, thrifted curtains and cottons into hexagons and quilted the top. Using the old cover as a guide and the piping from the old covers, I made this snuggly fitting, removable cover. One down, one more to go. I think I'll change it up and do something different for the other one.

Handmade Heaven : Litterally

2010-03-12T13:50:00.002+11:00

There once was a little piece of heaven that fell down to earth, it fell from a creative angels workshop. It now resides as a building and draws in all things handmade, it's known as Handmade Heaven. Here are some of my favorite things from there, and a giveaway to so that you or I, may have our own little piece of handmade heaven.

To enter the giveaway, click here.......here......no here....... no really here.....gotchagen

WARNING: vent ahead

2010-03-04T18:10:00.002+11:00

This vent is about one of the most stupid things I could possibly think to vent about. The world in dissaray you ask? No. Commercialism corrupting our children? No. Disgruntled checkout chicks? No.

MILK CRATES. What could possibly be pissing me off about milk crates you ask?

The fact that all I would like is a few milk crates to use this great tutorial by Paint In My Hair for undercover milk crates for my 3 children that share the same room.

I had big plans for using the metal lockers that I purchased for $7.50 each and am going to sand and inhale paint fumes if it kills me so they can have a room to feel at home in and a place to store their clothes. My vision was to put the two lockers at either end of the 6ft wall and run a rod in between them to hang clothes on, place a shelf on top and a curtain at the front. I thought that the undercover milk crate would be perfect to sit atop the shelf for their toys and things. Personalise some so they can have a little bit of ownership in their world that is so constantly crashed by siblings.

So I placed a little free add on our local web provider homepage classifieds asking for anyone who might have spare milk crates lying around, on the off chance that a farmer or random person trawling the classifieds says "well, actually I have a few in the shed that aren't doing anything".

This is the reply I get:
"Just a brief reminder in case you are not aware all Paul\'s , Parmalat , and Sandhurst Dairy branded crates are the property of Parmalat and can not be traded or sold , if you get any of these crates you should contact us immediately and we will arrange for the collection."

For real? For *expletive* real?

There go my visions I had gotten so excited about. Now I fear that if I happen to come across any milk crates, I may have the milk crate sheriff on my doorstep. I see them storming my house in full black swat team garb and tipping out all my children's toys while they cry in their beds. Does a plastic crate justify this, I think not. Does it justify me getting so peeved, I think not.

Now that it's off my chest, I feel redeemed. My search for 10 milk crates is also redeemed. I cry rebellion. I shall not buy over priced weak forged plastic containers from a retail outlet!

Vent over, bottle of beer opened, chocolate being consumed. I am at peace...

Reno dress

2010-03-03T18:25:00.006+11:00

If fitting with all the renovations we have going on in our house, I am renovating some of my wardrobe.

This skirt somehow seduced me, it's huge (could smuggle all my children under it into the movies huge, I almost reconsidered renovating it). It was in the puff daddy bin (or was that 50 cent ? hardy ha ha).

I had this top given to me, again, I could smuggle watermelons in it for the kids to snack on while watching their free movie. But, I really like the rouging and shirring.

I removed the sleeves and lower half leaving me with the bodice. I reduced it to fit and rolled the hems to add the ruffle to the outside of the strap. Then I fed elastic through the waistband and flat felled the bodice to the skirt. The carnation like flower is made from the cut off sleeves and just pins on so I can wear a thick belt with it if I like. (sending out my trojo to find a nice thick dark leather belt that will go perfectly with this dress, in the bottom of a box preferably marked one dollar or under)

It looks less saggy off the hanger and on some curves, (small half mangoes rather than watermelons). Sorry about the terrible photo below, the remote for the camera went walkabout and I feel too silly getting dh to take model shots, and anyway, you might end up only seeing half mangoes.

With my thrifted brown ankle boots that don't really look like puppy dogs (I just couldn't be bothered tying them up properly). So there's a bit of leg there but not enough to see the whole fruit salad when I bend down to the kids.

This reminds me of a carnation, what do you think?

Just putting it out there to the thrifting universe. A belt like this.
Come to me...
Come to me...
Come to me...

image via sweet tooth vintage on etsy

I love my shopping list and there's nothing on it.

2010-03-03T16:39:00.003+11:00

I never thought I would here myself say "I don't want to write a shopping list", purely because I love filling in pre lined, pre titled lists of any form. My new Shopping list that came free with the latest edition of The notebook magazine is just too cute to draw on. I will break it in soon, it's just so pretty the way it is, all crisp and clean. The words 'toilet paper' and 'dunny cleaner' just do not belong on something so lovely.

I put adhesive magnets on the cardboard backing of the pad so it would stick to the fridge.

three memo catch up

2010-03-01T15:21:00.006+11:00

Sunday: Flea Market Finds (to play along or check out other terrific flea market finds, see the button over there --> )

I had a quiet treasure hunting week this week, but quality certainly conquered quantity. I've had my trojo (treasure mojo) out for a mirror to sit on a chest of draws for my bedroom. Lookie what I found on the floor leaning against a wall like a precious wallflower just waiting for me to pick up and waltz around the opp shop floor.

Sorry about the bad photo. I tried to get a photo without a wonky me and I end up with a photo of a wonky photo of me.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up two world globe bookends that my trojo had been pining for since missing out on an auction for an identical pair on ebay.

Monday: Simple Woman's daybook Week 6

Outside my window... Long, Long, Long lawns
I am thinking... How am I going to get this paint off my hands without turps?
I am thankful for... Freedom
From the kitchen... Baked trout
I am wearing... Jeans, Hubsters old work shirt.
I am creating... A fawn stitchery.
I am going... To pick up my toothlessly grinning school girl soon.
I am reading... Nothing at the moment but I know something is going to bite me on the bum to get lost in soon.
I am hearing... Olivia on ABC
Around the house... priming the locker ready for an undercoat.
One of my favorite things... A freshly made, tucked in so tight you can hardly breath bed and snuggling in it with my hot water bottle hubster.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Having the locker in the house by the end of the week.
Here is picture I am sharing...

a cowboy monkey?

At my house: (to join in and see what's happening in other necks of the woods, pop over here)

One of the lockers is stripped, sanded, de rusted and primed ready for undercoat.

Wordie Birdies

2010-02-27T09:39:00.003+11:00

Now that my baby girl has started school, I'd like to bring the learning home as much as possible. i made some wordie birdies for the fridge door and every week we change the words. I googled 'bird silhouette' and drew them onto the back of some chalkboard contact. Next for the fridge is some of these great display frames by lillybee.

Back to school.... Wardrobe solutions

2010-02-23T13:51:00.002+11:00

Check out these babies! They take me back to when I had photos of the hubster and I in our early years taped inside my locker getting me through my school days, thinking of when i'd see him next. Fast forward about ten years and here's me, having a classigasm (like a thriftgasm but from a classified add). $30 for a double AND people A.N.D two singles!!! They were all going to be for the kids room but when I picked them up and saw the double locker I just knew it needed to be painted cherry red with white inlays behind the doors. Can you see it, I can! I have just the spot for it in my lounge/entry/computer/craft room.

Why do cats always have to inconspicously lick themselves in the background of photos? It's like they go "hehehe the human won't notice until she goes to post the photo on her blog and then it'll be too late. She won't be bothered to take another one, lazy humans bwahaha". Maybe not but if you knew our cats, you would understand the mind games they can play! We have a knack of always ending up with the crazy animals.

Now to steel wool, prime and spray my little excited heart out! Stay tuned.

At our house

2010-02-22T07:03:00.002+11:00

I'm playing along with Buttons By Lou Lou. This week has seen me baking bread for the first time. I love the smell of hot bread and a big fat slice with heaps of butter and homemade boysenberry jam is even better.

The yeast doing it's thing, like magic.

I get to use my thrifted sifter (try saying that ten times in a row with your mouth full of marshmellows)

Here she is, my bum loaf baby in the oven ready to cook after lots of kneading and two risings.

mmmmmm can you smell that warm bread aroma?

first slice is for the cook, the yummy crunchy crust laden with artery clogging butter (I'm a risk taker) and Pa's Boysenberry Jam purchased at the local farmers market.

Bon Appetit

Flea Market Finds

2010-02-19T10:50:00.004+11:00

They come from many places, Flea Markets, Swap meets, Opportunity shops, thrift stores, second hand stores, hand me downs, side of the road, junk yards and hard waste collection days. They are treasures, more valuable to me than their sticky dot or hand written price tags say.

Her Library Adventures has invited one and all to share their Flea Market Finds and I am sharing some things I found at my local this morning.

A funky little plate for my wall plate collection that will eventually, actually go on a wall. An old ice cream scoop with worn out handle, imagine how many scoops she's got under her belt! A corer that I intend to use as a holepokeroutera for jam biccies and last but not least, a pot strainer. I had a moment when I saw this, a thriftgasm if you would.

An enamel now to be fruit bowl in my favorite cherry red.

A lovely little tin that once had fudge, but will now sit on my dressing table for my jewelery. Perfect little roses on a teeny pillowcase. All this for $3.70!!! Heaven.

Simple Womens day book: Week 4

2010-02-15T07:53:00.004+11:00

There must have been a nasty cat loose in our house for our mouse died. I never knew how much I loved our mouse, it just sat there with it's long tail and little infa red light blinking. Now we have a new mouse which I won't take for granted.

Simple Womens day book: Week 4

Outside my window... Soft mist blanketing as far as the eye can see.
I am thinking... Of being left with only one baby today, the big kids are at kinder and school. The opp shops are calling my name!
I am thankful for... Our teeny tiny little house full of character, shoe box it may be but it keeps us warm, sheltered and close.
From the kitchen...My first batch of tomato sauce from my home grown cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano, onion and garlic.
I am (going to be) wearing... Jeans, big snuggly cardigan.
I am creating...mucous, and lots of it. Achoooooooooooooooooooo
I am going...To do the school run (and oh, look at that, there's an opp shop on the way home)
I am reading... The bridge to holy cross and The summer garden. The latter was emotionally enriched, I was laughing, crying, swooning, hoping and lots more. Beautifully written and thoroughly irriputadownable.
I am hearing... Muuuuuuum, can I have Jelly slice for breakfast???
Around the house... Grouting tiles in the kitchen.
One of my favorite things... morning bed (why is it always so much comfier in the morning rather than evening. So hard to leave)
A few plans for the rest of the week... Most of the above, again and again and then some.
Here is picture I am sharing... Birdie stitchery using Cottage garden threads 'Spring Gully' and 'Ixia'

Needleye is go

2010-02-04T18:41:00.003+11:00

I'm adding some threads to Needleye as we speak!!! I only have a few individually listed but if you'd like any others just let me know.

To come are patterns, kits and even some ready made bits and pieces. I'm very much excited!

Here's a pretty picture to get your taste(stitchy)buds salivating....

Something new...

2010-01-31T08:35:00.010+11:00

I'm trying something new and I hope it goes okay. I'm setting up an ETSY shop!

I will be selling Cottage Garden Threads, Patterns, some ready made things here and there, kits and mini kits.

But, be patient with me as I work it all out :)

Introducing...(Drumroll please)
NEEDLEYE

There are now 65 delicious threads in the range, so yummy it's hard to pick a favorite!

I have also been delegated the job of running a blog for Cottage Garden Threads so pop by and see what's happening.

If you'd like to see the threads in action, check out some of these links...
Leanne Beasley - Down in the garden
Brenda Ryan - Fairies with Attitude
Brenda Ryan - William Morris Roses
Me - Keep calm and mother on.
Jan Kerton - Pears, other pears
Gail Pan - Pretty things
Natalie Ross in stitches - The flower pot people

Simple Womens day book: Week 2

2010-01-25T07:12:00.003+11:00

Simple Womens day book: Week 2

Outside my window...Gold kissed clouds, birds chirping and *cringe* there goes Freddy, cockadoodledooing his little heart out.
I am thinking... Of my dentist appointment this morning.
I am thankful for...Living in a blessed country.
From the kitchen...Anzac biscuits for breakfast.
I am wearing...jeans, singlet, very fine knit long sleeve top and ugg boots.
I am creating...Stitchery of a busy mum.
I am going...To the dentist at nine.
I am reading...Waiting on the second two novels in the bronze horseman series to come in the mail.
I am hearing...Mum, I can't find any dry knickers.
Around the house... I'd like to see the floor again today.
One of my favorite things...A cup of peppermint, lemon balm and lemon thyme tea I'm about to pick from my garden.
A few plans for the rest of the week...Getting ready for the big first day of school next week.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Mia, Mac and G-pa

Simple Womens day book: Week 1

2010-01-18T10:46:00.005+11:00

Whilst cruising my morning blogs and sipping my morning tea, I was inspired by Cinderberry Stitches to start a Simple Woman's day book.

You could take this one of two ways: That I am a simple woman or that it's a daybook about simple things. Either way, this will be fun!

Click here to join in

FOR TODAY
18/01/10...

Outside my window...raindrops twinkling like gems on tree leaves
I am thinking... wake up wake up wake up
I am thankful for...having cuddly sleep in's with Mac
From the kitchen...a strange smell coming from the fridge
I am wearing...dressing gown and ugg boots
I am creating...a border for my embroidery design
I am going...For a cuppa with a girlfriend so the kids can have a play with her kids
I am reading...Just finished the Bronze Horseman and am still moved by it. Very endearing and I was unable to put it down for three days. I'm going to be seeking out the Authors other novels.
I am hoping...for a calm day.
I am hearing...MUM MUM MUM MUM MUMMMMMMMMMMMMMY
Around the house... Must clean out the fridge
One of my favorite things...a hot shower that I'm about to have
A few plans for the rest of the week...creating, enjoying and loving
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

It's been almost a year

The dottie angel challenge

2010-01-13T10:25:00.005+11:00

I'm in, are you? Starting date is today: 1/01/2010

Sneek Peek

2010-01-11T21:34:00.005+11:00

If you related to my last two posts then you will absolutely relate to my first independent stitchery design. I am using Cottage Garden Threads, as you might know are my Mother's kick ass variegated embroidery threads.

revisiting - a soppy post

2010-01-11T10:44:00.002+11:00

This one is from June 08 and I stand by every word.

I want to say thank you to my Mum, who will probably never read this but I hope she knows already.

Thank you Mum for for nurturing my creativity, for holding my hand and walking me through the countryside. For re threading my needle and recovering my dropped knitting stitched over and over again. I once thought that because you didn't sit down with me and help me with my homework that you didn't care. I forgot about all the times that you sat with me and taught me to create. Maybe because this was so natural for us, this was our way to think and just be. You did all that you could to spur on my creativity, even though you were busy and tired.

I remember snipping and tearing meter after meter of calico for you to dye, this taught me that you don't have to cut a woven fabric, that using strength in the right way and at the right point is a good thing. Crawling around on the floor, pinning and tacking a quilt on taught me that the result depends on the preparation. I can hear you saying to me "if you're going to do something, you might as well do it properly".

I can still feel your warmth behind me as you lean over my shoulder and teach me how to guide the fabric through my sewing machine with gentleness and subtle guidance. It is that gentleness and subtle guidance that I tap into when I have Mia and Wil on each knee at the sewing machine or when we are painting and collecting treasures at the park.

Thank you Mum for educating me, encouraging me to do what I loved. For not disregarding my desire to create. Without you, I would not be me.

Anew

2010-01-11T10:25:00.002+11:00

I'm back. Did you miss me? I missed me. Parts of me went walkabout in the latter half of last year. They went through dark patches, scary patches but not altogether deprived of brightness. So I'm taking the brightness into the new year and leaving the rest behind.

To make a fresh start, I am changing things around here so bear with me if it's a bit scattered for a bit. I tend to run on a scattered theme you'll notice, but I hope you'll hang on for the ride with me.

So in the spirit of renewing, I'll be revisiting some posts and letting go of others.

This one was back in May 08

I am sitting on a train to go home. I love home, I need home right now. I need grass and roads with no tram tracks in sight. My heart rate is finally slowing down knowing that I am on one straight line to home. I have done so many country things today, just call me Yokel.

God bless the city and all its buzzing productivity but GET ME HOME to power lines and nature strips.

I have had a great day with a fun, inspiring woman. I must say, Hollie - you can have your City living, I now realise how much of a country bumpkin I really am. Today's adventures have left me to ponder if my business is cut out to succeed. Ever since high school I have had this idea that if you are to be successful you must leave your nest and migrate to the city. School leavers were encouraged to flock to the city to earn a title behind their name. I saw alot of them today. The girl who sits opposite me textbook in hand, the title may as well be a foreign language to me.

The only title I ever wanted to earn was a degree in kisses, cuddles, scabs, tears, poo and snot. We weren't ever encouraged to pursue such a career path at school.

I wonder what that success is that we were pushed to achieve as soon as the school bell rang for the final time. Is it a dream to think that I can turn kisses, cuddles, scabs, tears, poo and snot into success? I giggle at the thought of a highly successful academic achiever being placed amongst the organised kayos of my household. Being appropriately suited up in unironed, dribbled on, breast milk stained, Vegemite toast adorned uniform. I have no doubt that if they were their own children and having been through the pregnancy, birth and toddlerhood they would be very capable. I am talking about plucking one bird from the flock and plonking them in a busy family household. I can see the reality TV show now "LIFE SWAP" I wonder how each of us would cope. I know that I would find it very hard to be placed in a high pressure work environment. The camera would zoom in on me gently rocking the parcels off to sleep in the mail trolley or consoling the water cooler because the other water cooler called it a bum face.

I am giving 'them' or me no more credit than the other, just recognising the huge juxtaposition of lives.

What would it be like to live a whole day in a highly successful executives unscuffed high heeled shoes? Would I enjoy the adult company and hot frothy cappuccinos that I crave everyday? Would they enjoy the giggles and laughter I get everyday? We would both have to deal with temper tantrums and selfishness. "Now people, this petty argument isn't contributing to a harmonious workplace, I think we need mediation" She says to the brother pulling the sister hair who is biting his arm. " Cut it out you two or I'll knock your heads together, you'll both go in the naughty corner and no telly for a week" I say to the bickering colleagues.

By wanting their success I think I am wanting the wrong thing. Maybe what I thought I wanted is something completely different to what I really want after all. Now that I think about it, I can't imagine getting the same inner peace from going to the bar for after work cocktails as I do tucking the kids in at night and kissing them on the forehead.

Next stop, Home sweet home. Next stop, to find out what my measure of success is.

thank you for reading if you have lasted this long

Introducing Rita

2009-03-31T23:08:00.004+11:00

My marvelous Nanna gifted me her mothers little elna sewing machine. It makes me very happy to know I am connected to my great grandmother through sewing. I hope she is watching over my shoulder proudly.

This little machine is amazing! It fits my needs perfectly - small, easily packed away so little fingers don't get at it but still able to be left out, it's own little tool box AND people, it fits my different feet from the janome!!! I needed a name for the elna that justifies her small but feitsy nature.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce ....
Rita

I had a spurt of inspiration while putting a milk bottle in the recycling bin today for some bling for Rita. Within three minutes Rita and I had matching pincushion bands using a bottle top, scrap, ball of wadding, ribbon, a couple of snaps, old tape measure and tarzan grip.

This was so quick, so easy and so giftable!

I only had one bottletop so I thought I'd make it intersnappable.

Anita Thus Far

2009-03-31T18:08:00.003+11:00

I have created a second blog for my little story about Anita. Thank you so much for everyone who has bugged me about doing more. I hope you like it as much as I am loving creating it. I'll be adding a chapter at a time, how quickly depends on how much you bug me :)

Anita Thus Far

xox Katie

That weird drawing...

2009-03-16T16:06:00.004+11:00

For those of you who were wondering what this drawing was actually of.....

Liesl of Hoppo Bumpo has let me steal this picture of her adorable son to solve the mystery. She totally inspired me to draw when she sent me a gift just because. Isn't she the sweetest!

Life List

2009-01-05T14:55:00.004+11:00

I am a list maker. There is a list for everything. To do list, to make list, to call list, to see list, Christmas list, birthday list, chores list, grocery list, I could even write a list for all the different profanities you can throw about in a day - if I really wanted to but I am down to my last roll of toilet paper. Usually things that I don't really like doing (eg: paying the bills or cleaning the toilet) get crossed off and the things I like to do (sewing, reading) get a tick. Once a task from the list is completed, whether ticked or crossed I feel a little swell of accomplishment.

With my renewed enthusiasm sparked by the new years eve fireworks I have decided I am going to make a list of things I would like to accomplish in my life. My Life List. If I can get a swell of accomplishment by crossing off "fold washing", then I want a Tsunami from ticking tasks on My Life List.

This list will be ever changing. I know that things I may want to do now will not hold as much ground as the things I will want to do in the future, the plan is to get them done before I reconsider.

I invite everyone to write your own life list, there are never enough things to achieve in one lifetime and never enough lifetime to achieve enough things. Let me know if you do, I might even steal some of your ideas ;)

My Life List

read one hundred books every year.
write a book.
illustrate a children's book.
build a house.
have a honeymoon.
volunteer for a charity.
Learn another language.
Study something.
Learn basic car mechanics.
Become familiar with world geography.
Get my dream tattoo

I've been Hoppo Bumpoed

2008-12-08T14:15:00.005+11:00

Thankyou Leisl, you are one of the gold nuggets I was talking about in my last post!

I had a scribble as soon as I received the gift you sent me. The sketching pencils are heaven to use.

This is for you and if you would like it, it's yours. I haven't quite plucked up the courage to post it to you yet.

Another little doodle
This is a quick sketch of Mia while she was sleeping in front of the telly, but she woke up before I could finish it.

Handmade christmas #3

2008-12-05T22:36:00.003+11:00

I started this present with just an apron in mind but it grew to be a whole little cooking set for each of my budding chef's. I can't wait to see them in action.

Handmade christmas #2 and how I did it

2008-12-05T07:24:00.006+11:00

Memory Game

Materials:
PVA glue
3 inch mdf squares 3mm thick
Paintbrush
rotary cutter
cutting mat
fabric scraps
fat quarter of fine or no pattern backing fabric

Step 1
cover one side of the blocks with PVA

Step 2
Put the two blocks glue side down on the wrong side of some scrap fabric. Using your rotary cutter, trim off excess fabric.

step3
Spread a layer of PVA over the top of the fabric.

step 4
Let them dry

step5
Repeat step one on the other side of the block then place them on the wrong side of the fat quarter. Trim excess with rotary cutter. Lining them up makes it easier to trim.

Here's some I prepared earlier

Each with matching drawstring bags. I used this wonderful tutorial from Curlypops. I'll be using it for lots more gifts too!

Handmade christmas #1

2008-12-05T07:10:00.002+11:00

Here is the almost finished dress for Mia, all that needs to be done is handstitching the lining in place and popping some covered snaps on the back opening. I used an opp shopped embroidered cot sheet in the skirt and it has a pettiskirt underneath to give it the puff factor. I also used a frifted 70's pattern which was really fun.

My little ariteeeest

2008-11-26T22:31:00.004+11:00

If you were ever to walk into a kindergarten and see the Mona Lisa in neon paint or a noodle collage, no doubt it would have been created by my little budding arteeeest. I am sheepish to show my art to the world but I'm tempted to make billboard size prints of Mia's artwork and hang it from every lightpost in town. Here is just a snippet of her works.

A teapot in water colour pencils and pen

A skyscraper in watercolour pencils and pen

My favorite little person, it's only about an inch tall

These snails make me smile every time I see them. The little ones down the bottom are when they are inside their shells

This is a flower man complete with seed teeth, check out the toes!

Holey Shirt Batman, it's a nightie

2008-11-01T14:26:00.008+11:00

I bent my rule of never buying old people pyjamas from the oppy and got these. If they did belong to old George then the poor fella must have keeled over at the thought of wearing poofy pink pj's because they are brand new. For all of $4 Mia has a new girly nightie and matching headband. Can you guess which parts are what?

A pillowcase, a fat quarter and a mystery pattern...

2008-10-18T14:04:00.005+11:00

Hmmmmmm, the title on this pattern sounded promising "Pinafore or Sundress". Inside was a set of immaculately traced pattern and curly hand written instructions. Then I found a sweet lilac and plum floral pillowcase and some self cover button cards. Marry them all together and this is the union that followed.

I fiddled around with the pattern a bit but it still holds the overall design.
Mia is such a skinny minny that it really suits her. I would like to do another one and add a few more ruffles and flounce.

Lauren Williams Handmade...

2008-10-16T11:43:00.004+11:00

The postie god shined on my letterbox today!!! Thank you Lauren, they are more Divine than I imagined.

Go and have a look at Laurens blog with links to where you can purchase her deeeeevine goodies.

Look, my sad maple is actually alive and feeling very stylish adorned with this brooch/necklace which was a gift along with the matching pony holder. You have really spoilt me Lauren!!!

I absolutely adore these ponytail holders too. They are on nice thick hair ties perfect for my mane.

Soooo perty

My gosh I need some sun.

I never knew how hard it was to take a photo of the top of your own head until today. It's so worth the contortianism just to see how cute it is!

Thank you Thank you Thank you Lauren!

Angel in disguise...

2008-10-15T21:42:00.005+11:00

Today is proof that genuine kindness can come from the most unexpected places. Let me set the scene...

After school rush at the supermarket with a 4, 2 and 1 year old. That is enough to make you cringe but they were really well behaved. We zoomed around the supermarket in the one and only great big thumping, bright red, Mack truck trolley that seats three toddlers. So here's me, looking like the conductor of the playschool train complete with an on board chorus of compulsive useless and unhealthy junk shoppers.

All was going well and I thought I had conquered the "quick" trip to the shop, I had even calculated all the products to equal the balance I knew I had on my card. The checkout chick gave me the "your card hasn't worked" look and I was instantly flustered. Thank god she wasn't the gum chewing, nicotine stained finger, pursed lip, self titled "point of sale manager" type who would have announced it over the PA just to watch me squirm.

I quickly tried to find that part of my brain that is meant to remember how much I have in each bank account and where abouts in my pocket riddled purse the bloody cards are...needless to say, that part of my brain went AWOL a long time ago.

With the mathematical accuracy of this little cherub I tried a combination of cards, continued to get more flustered in between stopping Mia from squashing the bread, Mac from escaping the trolley seat and Wil from doing a kung fu combo right near the pyramid of toilet rolls.

In the meantime the checkout chick was being so patient, reassuring me that it was okay, to take my time. In the end I had to return a couple of things to the value of $18. Out came the washing powder and a watermelon. After fiddling around on her fancified register screen she put the washing powder and watermelon back in my trolley and whispered "don't worry, I'll pay for it". "no, no, no, I can't let you do that" I couldn't' let her do that. I was a complete stranger "too late, it's done" she smiled, god bless her cotton socks I could have reached over the counter and hugged her.

I got home and found the missing part of my brain via Internet banking. Whipped around our accounts, wrote a thank you card and jumped back in the car. A quick stop at the ATM and back to the supermarket. I wish I could have stuffed the card full of notes instead of just a twenty.

A simple little note saying "Thank you, if only there were more people like you in the world".

My children also learnt a great lesson today because when Mia asked me "why are we giving money to the girl?" I was proud to explain that when someone does something good for you it is very, very good to do good back.

previously made # 2 - Bears

2008-10-11T19:44:00.003+11:00

While visiting my Mum today I took a few snaps of some of the bears I have made. They live at Mum's house and she is happy to babysit until it is safe to come home. I worry that when they wander around the house at night that they will eat so many of the crumbs off the floor that they will get so fat and have little bear heart attacks.

St. Nick the Christmas bear

Roddy the lovable growly bear.

Bernard the scruffy bunny

This is Henrietta, I made her for mothers day for Mum. She is made out of some fabric I got for $1 a meter.

Terrance is made from an old fur coat, no animals were harmed as it was synthetic.

I've gone all pear shaped

2008-09-04T21:03:00.004+10:00

Today as I was clambering up my front steps looking and feeling like a packhorse with nappy bag, food bag and probably even a small country over one shoulder, child on hip and two others zooming between my legs I spotted.....my HEATHER BAILEY PACKAGE!!! I almost threw all that I had over the balcony but remembered how much I had to go through to get the one on my hip into this world. My fabric euphoria could wait at least until I could throw him in the door (to all gasping in disgust, it's called sarcasm and something you accumulate with each child)

So this afternoon I just had to make up a pear pincushion with the beautiful Heather Bailey pattern and fabrics.
It is stuffed with wood shaving to keep my pins sharp. Next time I think I might fuse it with a padded interfacing so it will hide all the lumps and bumps of the wood shavings.

Are these not the absolute cutest things! Now they finally have a home. Pin cushion bling by Gigi of Pinks and Needles.
Handy little needle holder within the leaf. The pincushion was so quick and easy to make! The most time consuming bit was stuffing it. I did it all while I had Mac on my lap, actually I don't think I put him down since I came in the door lol. You know how you just kind of forget that they are on your hip, or is that just me?!?