Let them drink tea

Update

2011-10-18T19:23:00.001+11:00

Very disappointed with my modcloth stuff. Don't think the sizing chart is accurate, and the quality is not impressive. meh.

Frock me

2011-10-09T20:01:00.005+11:00

Today, from my permanent spot on the couch, I indulged in some dress shopping from ModCloth. I'm pretty sure everyone is familiar with their variety of gorgeous clothes. They seem to have a good range of sizes too, so I thought I'd take a gamble and order a frock or two, including this one:

[Dress pic from ModCloth's site, obviously that's the frock in a Size 2 or something.]

I'm somewhat concerned though, as I fear after paying the ridiculously large postage ($30 US!) they won't fit my fat arse and it will be a case of this:

Wait and see, I guess.
....

In other news I've done a few rows of my crochet jumper and am not liking it. The edges and colour joins look too messy, and I'm not sure if I want to pursue it. I might show it to the Knitting Knazi and see what she advises. I'm not feeling optimistic.

Molly was very pleased with her cross stitch

2011-10-08T22:46:00.002+11:00

source

Hooray

2011-10-07T08:08:00.005+11:00

Further to this post of mine, finding this post of Amanda Palmer's made me chuckle this morning.
Although the 'keep calm' amusement was overshadowed by her confirmation that the Dresden Dolls are touring next year. Hooray!!

And here's a gratutious AFP photo from same blog post:
While we're on the subject of Amanda Palmer related thingys, (if you recall this post), last night Hubert bought home Vegemite flavoured potato chips from the supermarket. Given that I hadn't been fond of the meat pie flavoured chips, the pizza or the bacon ones, I was dubious. However, Vegemite chips were just like a vegemite sandwich ~ only crunchy ~ and all scoffed accordingly. Buy some. If you like Vegemite that is.

More "this"

2011-10-06T08:40:00.000+11:00

Further to this post, I got this message on FB last night:

[wants you to know].. that it's time to STOP going through the motions of living, and START living. Are you willing to do that now? Or are you going to wait until all life energy drains out of you and your loved ones who are trying to support you at this very moment? You were not born to follow rules and regulations. Living starts with dreaming. So dream, dream friend, and let dreams show you the path to your bliss.

Death paste

2011-10-05T08:15:00.001+11:00

death paste, originally uploaded by crafty & devious.

Oh no I didn't make this. But it is pure awesomeness!
More so if you're familar with this song:

PS. I quite like Vegemite...but only a thin scrape, with butter, and I have to be in the mood.

Hmm...

2011-10-04T13:32:00.001+11:00

...this quote just popped up on my FB feed from something or other:

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Does that mean when you're not looking in the same direction the love goes?
I don't know.

Oh my giddy aunt!

2011-10-03T20:08:00.002+11:00

Delilah the Beautiful, by Badbird, originally uploaded by giddy99.

Sometimes you find something on Flickr that really inspires you. I can't believe I hadn't found this girl's photos before! In this case it's the embroidery by Giddy99... I have no idea who she is, if she blogs, or anything really, other than that she lives in the USA and her embroidery is PHENOMENAL!! This gorgeous version of Badbird's Delilah pattern puts my weak effort to shame.

life

2011-10-02T20:46:00.002+11:00

This

2011-10-01T22:57:00.000+10:00

was a "horoscope" that a FB application gave me at random one day last week. I copied it into a draft post at the time, because it spoke to me in a spooky sort of fashion.

"Today God wants you to know that humans learn only by trial and error, and that includes you. You've got to live life, not think about it. Step into the midst of things, try and fail and learn and stand up again. The question is not whether you will or will not make mistakes - you will. The question is do you want to learn and grow, or do you want to shrink back and be stuck? Take that step you've been avoiding. You can succeed, or you can get feedback that it didn't work, but in either case you are sure to feel alive."

Even FB is trying to tell me to get out of my rut. Argh!

At the moment

2011-09-30T11:52:00.004+10:00

...With New York's Favorite Beer, originally uploaded by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick?.

I am so glad it's Friday again. I seem to be dragging myself through each week. Hubert suggests that I make some goals to give me some focus and something to work towards, so that's on my list of things to do.

...
No bowling this weekend, that was last Saturday night...it's one of my new favourite things to do. I'm not sure why, unlike the photo I don't have a colour coordinated bowling outfit, don't do leaps of joy, and certainly don't drink beer whilst bowling. Perhaps adopting all these practices will improve my game? Maybe the appeal is that I just enjoy smashing things down. Most of the time. When I actually hit the pins, that is.
...

Been thinking of another name for the blog...haven't got anything yet. Meh. The only thing I can't thought of, I can't really use, as it's a bit inappropriate. My friend the Knitting Knazi was telling me how her boyfriend has a tattoo (one of many) on his arm that says "Hello fuckers". What a delightful name for the blog, thought I. Maybe it would look lovely as an embroidered blog header.

...

Just finished reading this book, as I bought it here for $5. If you ask me, is it good? I'd say with all sincerity "Yes, you should read it", but at the same time, I didn't really enjoy it, and couldn't "connect" with the author. Oprah would probably say "Oh you're not ready for it yet, or you don't want to change blah blah" but I think it's more a case of "One man's meat is another man's poison"...well in this case, not quite poison, but maybe I'd prefer the chicken or fish to the meat. It should be noted that I recently started reading a Deepak Chopra book on death and abandoned it three quarters of the way through because I thought it was both boring and uninspiring. Also I didn't feel that his examples were logically proving his arguments. I don't know if Deepak is chicken, fish or maybe even lentils. My favourite "improve yourself" type book that I've read in the past year is this one.

The other thing I'm reading in bed is this...and golly it's slow. I enjoy a nice Agatha Christie novel on the tram, and was hoping the autobiography would discuss her writing process in more detail, but it's more like "around the same time that we were holidaying in Torquay, I worked on 'The Man in the Brown Suit', and it was eventually ready for the publishers." Hence, it gets me in a very sleepy mood before bed each night.

...

In other news, I bought Hubert this as a pressie.

He had a guitar years ago, and had to sell it... he told me that he was told at the time something to the effect of "You should grow up now anyway". This made me both indignant and sad. I found the guitar on ebay, so it was a bit of a bargain. One of my ambitions it to learn the piano, and Hubert has offered to give me a hand with that. Wonder if he realises what he's gotten himself in for?

...

In other news, still trying to overcome my fear of "rolling". Let's hope I get there. This girl is encouraging me lots.
...

Happy Friday, whatever you're up to this weekend.

Kittens

2011-09-28T13:35:00.001+10:00

Rosemary, Peter and Leo with kittens at Mt Eliza, originally uploaded by State Library of Victoria Collections.

Is this a kitten race? Who knows? But proof everyone loves a kitten!

Source : Photographer unknown, possibly Una or Violet Teague.
Gift of Ms Felicity Druce through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, in memory of Una Sybella Teague, Kenric Teague 2009.

The Clarke Sisters

2011-09-27T20:28:00.000+10:00

The afternoon world, the bees have stung the softball girls.
The midnight world, the crystal ball down the wooden hall.
The treehouse stands, their early childhood, were treehouse plans.
And right above,

The Clarke Sisters, handed down to love.
Handed down to love. Handed down to love.

Bit o'crochet

2011-09-25T19:55:00.006+10:00

Today during a somewhat aimless wander in Lincraft, I bought this pattern book:

There's also a crochet blankie pattern in there, and a granny square one too. I know the rest of blogland seems to be madly in love with granny squares, but no, I don't really want to make a cardi trimmed with them, or a scarf, or slippers.

But each to their own.

What I did start is the long stripey v-neck jumper...which basically looks like a straight multi-coloured blankie worked in treble. The yarn is somewhat yummy. Of course, it remains to be seen if I will actually finish it.

This afternoon

2011-09-22T14:38:00.004+10:00

Not well, so am at home pottering about in a lacklustre fashion.

There is tea:

Finally finished (?) a little wall hanging, yes a Sublime Stitching artist series one:

In situ next to roadside chair:

Apologies for the awful photos, the light in here is not so good at the moment, and I'm just using the iThingy.

for Jodie

2011-09-17T16:06:00.003+10:00

Following on for yesterday's post, here's a couple of the uncensored ones...

Sorry to anyone easily offended. Hehehee...

And last but not least:

amusing myself

2011-09-16T20:17:00.003+10:00

This was one of the ones without the f word in it.
Found this poster generator via Buttontree Lane. Cheers.

dainty

2011-09-16T13:36:00.000+10:00

Found via Facebook.

So...

2011-09-14T15:42:00.003+10:00

I'm off to post some parcels, and I stop into Typo to get some deco tape to make the boxes extra secure. And I come out with this. Oh dear. I am a bit pleased with the Yellow Submarine though.

[I bought the hoop artwork because when I was fussing over where to live, Hubert would say that to me. I'm going to attempt to embroider over it.]

Acquired

2011-09-13T14:19:00.004+10:00

Man and woman on a Malvern Star abreast tandem bicycle, c. 1930s, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

[source]

A wee yellow pushie, that is.

now you're really livin'

2011-09-11T17:21:00.000+10:00

Rant

2011-09-11T15:35:00.005+10:00

Hubert and I just returned from a trip to our local Savers...mostly with books as they're the only thing that one can afford there. Is it just me, or WHAT THE HELL are Savers thinking? Old CDs that I used to have in my collection (for example Mechanical Animals, and Mellon Collie) $7.99 each. What?? I could go to JB Hi Fi and buy them for $10 brand new. So they stayed there. Oh look, vintage 30s Grindley dinner plates, a design I would have loved to own called "Acacia Bloom"...$9.99 each. So for the 3 dinner plates and 5 breakfast plates, ah, 80 bucks?! A cute pair of shoes, hmm my size, fit too...$14.99. Nah. I bought a couple of old Agathas for 99cents each, and two old Kylie concert programs for my sis. Savers, you can FRO, because you're beyond ridiculous now.

Random blog content #2

2011-09-06T12:06:00.003+10:00

rides1, originally uploaded by drewzel.

Today I am peeved as I went to get the showbag guide out of the work paper, and someone has pinched it! Before it even got to our office...and even wrapped the papers back up to look like they'd been untouched. Colour me disgusted. Now my plans to peruse the showbags and plan imaginary purchases are thwarted. Grr.

However, all is not lost as I messaged Hubert who has a copy of today's Herald Sun for me to plunder. He sent me a message back "we can go if you like". Hmm, a quandry, to show or not to show? There are animals and showbags. (Like like) There is craft to um, err, wonder at. (Like) There is fairy floss. (Like) There are rides and lots of people. (Do not like.)

PS. yes, I can hear you thinking "Wow, tackling the big issues of our time there Drewzel." To which I say, yes, I know, but I'm really not capable of anything much at the moment. I don't want to think any more. Maybe I can rename the blog "Vacuous and Mundane"?

Random blog content

2011-09-06T08:52:00.003+10:00

Ninja wants to know, so it's mini interview time. In the chair today is Chris, who was in the right place at the right time.

Q1. why do you live where you do

Q2. favourite song ever

Q3. purpose of life

Q4. julia gillard?

Q5. strawberry or chocolate.

the end.

1.because I live where I love and I love where I live

2. Am I ever gonna see your face again (no way get fucked fuck off)

3. The annual ute muster and B&S ball

4. would be a top root

5. VB

I trust you are suitably enlightened now. Thank you.

Om nom nom

2011-09-04T14:14:00.002+10:00

Sunday brekky, this was joined by hashbrowns 3 minutes later. Ta Hubert.

Father's day

2011-09-04T12:59:00.003+10:00

We've still got him around, I'm fortunate.

Oh Daiso!

2011-09-03T17:06:00.006+10:00

As we were in Templestowe for a family lunch today, I suggested to Hubert that we go to Shoppingtown for a look. My master plan was to go to Daiso, as I'd been promising myself I'd go and check it out for ages now. So after feeling a bit lost in a panoply of shops (as I hadn't been there for years) we found it, and it was as 2 dollar-ariffic as I had hoped. Of course, our green friends should turn away now, because basically it's full of plastic crap. But it's fun crap, with kawaii characters, untranslatable packaging, and random stuff for kitchen and bathroom stuff that I'd never think to do in the first place (eyelid glue?!) Hubert obligingly carried the basket for me and said at the checkout "I think you've got about XX bucks worth of crap", and he was only 9 dollars under my final total. Oh dear. But my kawaii urge/Japanese goods fetish has been satisfied for a while, and now the kitchen has four new chair cushions made out of cute Japanese fabric (bunnies, turtles and dragonflies) as well as a bunny table runner. (Apparently it was a hand towel, but I'm sticking with table runner.)

Picture o' tons o' crap:

Ninja approves of this black cat notebook that I bought for my sis:

Here we've got some peony bath salts (in the box with the girl), bear shaped pump bottle, wooden based pincushion, pink bento box, and various notebooks. You can see the green bunny seat cushion underneath.

The beauty section is good fun too, with lots of little travel bottles and baggies, and all the false eyelashes you'd ever want (in my case, none). Plus I bought myself some concealer and eyebrow "glue". And for fans of Kawaii stationery, there's lots of supercutesy bits and bobs. I think we'll take Miss C for a visit when she's in town next. They also had crockery, mugs, plastic containers, cleaning products and and all your other useful two dollar type stuff. Hubert was pleased to find some filter bags for making his herbal tea. And I grabbed some innersoles and foot patches. So I'd definitely recommend a visit if you are inclined towards some Japanese frippery.

More tatt-ery

2011-09-02T11:40:00.000+10:00

[source]

No, I'm not rushing out to get my Spikey dog tattooed onto me, I just thought that this was pretty cool.

minus mandrills

2011-09-01T12:05:00.007+10:00

This blog is always minus mandrills...actually I don't like primates much at all really. Anyway, last weekend we journeyed to Adelaide for a visit to Hubert's daughter and very much enjoyed seeing her. Can't say I really enjoy the outer Northern suburbs of Adelaide, but that's by the by. One of the joyous things about Adelaide is that their zoo has not one, but two species of tapir! This of course, probably does not excite you, as you have have to be a tapir lover, and I'm guessing that the mandrill fanclub has more members than the tapir lovers, but I am not bothered by this. I was excited. And that's all that counts.

The tapirs remained indifferent to my presence, the Malayan ones (above) content to stay dozing under their fig tree. The Brazilian tapirs only perked up when a keeper bought them some leafy matter to munch on.

before

after

But nevertheless, I had seen real live tapirs! Cheers all round.

PS. the other big attraction at the Adelaide Zoo are the giant pandas, Wang Wang and Funi. They are very cute. But they don't have proboscises. Proboscides?!

like

2011-09-01T11:58:00.002+10:00

I found this blog post via a link on Pip's blog. And really liked this pic.

Long time, no tea

2011-09-01T11:49:00.004+10:00

Indeed, the casual observer will note that the blog has been quiet. This is because I've been uninspired, uncrafty and unmotivated. It's been Winter. Bunker down. Some happy things have happened, life has gone on, a terribly tragic thing has happened, which I must confess has made me re-evaluate many aspects of life.

But anyway, today is the first day of Spring, so let's see if I can attempt to blog again.

tapircraft

2011-05-05T14:13:00.000+10:00

Once upon a time, the lovely Ruth drew a tapir, and it was cute. So Steph offered to embroider it for her. And some time around Easter, a tapir pillowcase was born. And Ruth was pleased. And Steph was happy.

yes

2011-05-05T11:49:00.000+10:00

Source: google.nl via Nichola on Pinterest

in my mind

2011-04-05T20:00:00.002+10:00

Swimmers

2011-03-24T20:34:00.002+11:00

Swimmers during learn to swim week, at a suburban swimming pool, probably Wellington region, ca 1939, originally uploaded by National Library NZ on The Commons.

No special reason for posting this one, other than I like it. It's certainly not swimming weather right now. It's a bit b&w around here lately on the blog, unlike my life. I'm trying to avoid the 'flu kicking in, so have been hiding on the couch under my blankie all day. No crafting has been achieved though...I've just been a big blob. Actually not much crafting has been done at all lately, I appear to have lost my mojo.

Can I rename it?

2011-03-23T12:38:00.007+11:00

Apparently there's an old town for sale - Joadja NSW....

[above image from here]

This was in the paper today, and immediately the idea appealed to me. I'd love to have my own town, albeit a ghost town in the middle of nowhere.
The town's history goes that a cattle grazer's son discovered shale in the area and began mining in 1874.

"The Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company was formed in 1877. They built a refinery, a railway line to Mittagong (which operated from 1880 to 1903) and began to erect a town for their employees. Coal was also mined with railway trucks being hauled up the steep inclines by rope.

Joadja's population passed 400 in 1879, well in excess of other Southern Highlands towns. A post office opened in 1878. There was soon a theatre, a store, a butcher's, a bakery and a school of arts. Joadja was also one of the first towns in the colony to be connected to the outside world by telephone The miners were largely experienced men from Scotland, perhaps enticed by the Scottish manager. They were housed in cottages made of local bricks.

In 1878 the employees extracted 5200 tons of shale. With the introduction of a mechanical coal-cutter in 1881 (the first to be used in NSW) output doubled to 28 000 tons in 1882. By 1890 it had increased to nearly 37 000 tons. However, reserves dwindled and went into a sharp decline after 1893. Employees were laid off. The post office closed in 1900 and operations ceased in 1903. The company closed and destroyed the plant and a fire swept through the town. A few residents stayed on to work orchards originally established by the mining company. The property was sold in 1911. Attempts were made to reestablish operations in the 1920s and 1930s but to no avail and Joadja became a ghost town." {quoted from above link}

Apparently "the only way into Joadja was the white knuckle railway line, which ran down a 45-degree slope. The mine closed in 1906. Picture is of the mine at Joadja in the 1800s." I don't think that this is still the only way into town, but it would definitely keep the door to door marketers away when you're trying to eat your dinner. Or we could put them here...

No idea who this family are, I got the picture from the cover of this book, which is now out of print. I wonder who they are and what happened to them?

Included, a cemetery to call your own.

[Image from here]

Although my Google search suggested that there might be some resident "ghosts"...

This one can be my house:
Now I just need an odd $3 million or so...

[pics from here unless otherwise credited]

Experiments

2011-03-21T21:22:00.001+11:00

Trying to conquer a fear. Results inconclusive.

More tattoo love

2011-03-20T21:59:00.002+11:00

My Tea Party (finished!) by Sunny Buick, originally uploaded by mrswaves.

Tea and a cupcake!
What's not to love?

[No this isn't mine, I'm still wishfully thinking about a new tatt.]

This makes me happy

2011-03-19T17:14:00.001+11:00

Click photo for source.

Sometimes

2011-03-19T16:33:00.002+11:00

...I wonder if this blog has done it's dash... I just happened on a quote on another blog, where the author said "I have had very little inclination to blog. Sometimes there is just too little, or too much to say."
Just reading my posts over the past 6 months on here, and they bore even me. Sigh.

Chair love again

2011-01-31T11:48:00.004+11:00

We all know the interwebz is full of crafty people and arty people doing good stuff. Sometimes I stumble across something that inspires me. This blog ~ Flourish and Blume ~ does, which I found this morning via Ink and Spindle.
Bummer that they're in Lismore, so far away. 'Cause they could really enable my found-roadside-chair fetish. (Note that I walked past one last week and left it on the nature strip. A 60s vinyl studded boxy type armchair no less. Sigh.)
Anyway, I really love this piece :
Yes that's hand drawn and then embroidered. Yum.
Image from this post here.
It makes me want to stitch all over my generic Ikea sofa. But never fear, I won't take that project on, as I know I'll never finish it.
I'll just keep drooling over their blog. (Flourish and Blume that is.)

Want

2011-01-31T11:33:00.003+11:00

I found these letterpress posters via Ms Cate's blog.
I want this one.

I can relate, in fact it might be the new blog name for a while.

More love

2011-01-23T16:23:00.004+11:00

Went to see this fella last night. Most of Australia have no idea who he is, but I seriously adore him.
Apart from being a great songwriter, singer and musician, he engages with the audience in a way I've never encountered before. I went to get an autograph after the show (Hubert had to push me to, I was too shy) and I'm sure I babbled something non-sensical to him, although I do remember shaking his hand and telling him he should move himself and his elderly parents to Australia.
Seriously who could not love a guy that:
- tells you stories about how his Hawthorn beanie started a fight at a Geelong gig, resulting in someone's tit flying out of their top
- sings you a song called "Hand Job on the Church Bus" and gets you to join in with singing and gestures during the chorus
- nipple rubs an audience member
- plays poems and songs from his iphone that his 81 year dad has sent him
and
- makes us all hug our neighbour during the final song.
Love the Poltz.

Like

2011-01-20T12:26:00.001+11:00

so swollen, originally uploaded by theloneknitta.

Now there's someone who is committed to their knitting!

Does anyone know?

2011-01-20T12:19:00.001+11:00

If anyone around Melbourne runs any sort of evening crafty get togethers any more a la Brown Owls? No, I'm not putting my hand up to organise anything, because we all know I'm CRAP at that (but always happy to help someone that has their shit together, unlike me). But I wouldn't mind going to a regular one to get out and about and do crafty stuff... plus I can't have them at my house as Hubert needs to get rid of me sometimes so that he can study in peace.

Any suggestions?

I agree

2011-01-10T12:08:00.003+11:00

"home is where my dog is", originally uploaded by monkeyandsquirrel.

I love this. Big time.

Although perhaps it should be "Home is where my dog is..."

~ chewing up things in the backyard

~ snorfing under the backdoor to get in

~ skidding on the polished floorboards

~ dropping the odd stinky fart

~ chasing the cats up and down the hallway

~ living in hope that any food in the house ends up in his mouth

~ looking for hugs from his humans

~ snoring on the rug on his back with his legs in the air.

Resolve

2011-01-10T11:14:00.005+11:00

It's the time of year for everyone to list what they want to resolve, plan to do or achieve for the coming year. I thought I should list some... but, um... err...I was a bit stumped.

So as a result of a bit of FB discussion and some flailing around, I've come up with:

- achieve some level of competence in my uke playing (may have to join these guys)
- learn to skate
- attend more live gigs (at least one a month)
- get a new tattoo (the only thing ever stopping me for this one is money...so it's "save some money and")
- replace some of my worn out clothes (yes I'm the person who wears things until they're threadbare "just around the house" and then "nips off to the shops", not caring that they look like a bag lady)
- start applying for new jobs...and hopefully get one
- be able to reach the bath plug (this one is deliberately obscure...don't ask just yet)
- go to a Yoga class
- organise somewhere to sell all those darn pillowcases I keep embroidering (I really don't want to run a crafty business anymore, but it would be still nice to get some stuff out there)

Okay, that's it for now. Any suggestions?

[wee guitar in pic from here. You know you want one.]

New digs

2011-01-04T12:04:00.002+11:00

For the curious, here is a piccy (from the estate agents' site) of the new villa. Yes, it is actually this cute and tidy (due to the fact that the owner comes and does the garden for us.) I'm not sure when it was built, guessing late 1940s? So now we're out of Frankytown, which leaves me with mixed feelings, but I knew I had to get out of there, as I'd been there too long and it had too many memories that were doing my head in.
So I guess my new hobby will be complaining about freaks on the 86 tram.

PS. Back to work today, not thrilled about that fact.

Edit - added the house piccy...it was there when I scheduled this post yesterday but obviously went walkabout. Sorry folks.

Why, hello

2011-01-03T11:47:00.002+11:00

Yes, it's been a long time between posts. A few things have kept me from blogging or doing anything exciting in general:
~ the CBFs
~ goddamn work relocating me to the city - was meaning 3+ hours travel time every day
~ consequently, searching for a new rental
~ moving house
~ the CBFs
and
~ nothing much to say really.

Anyway, time to wish you a Happy New Year, and as the last couple of years (for me) have been a bit crappy, I'm hoping this one will be a good'un.

Right now

2010-10-31T15:28:00.004+11:00

I haven't been blogging much, as have a few things going on, and not really good ones, somewhat unsettling things. Combined with the fact that the internet is basically shickered for the rest of our billing cycle, I haven't been reading blogs much lately, as nothing really loads, especially the photos.
So I'll blog again when everything settles down a bit, at least Hubert and all the animals are well.

In the meantime, I've started knitting as stress release, and just finished reading a memoir by Madonna's brother, which, although he's actually gracious about everything, confirms my suspicion that she's a self-obsessed egotistical monster. Anyway, the knitting - on Friday I was left to my own devices while the fella was at the nautropath, and so I ended up in the wool shop, buying this pattern, and the wool in a musk pink shade to get started:

Not that the photo is very clear, but it's just a basic stocking stitch top...supposed to be easy. That fact didn't stop me from having to pull out everything I'd done yesterday, as I'd messed up the decreases, doing them every 4th row instead of 12th (yes looking at the directions for the wrong size.) I guess it remains to be seen if I'll finish this one (no?) but in the meantime it's keeping me busy. And I need that at the moment.

Okay

2010-10-19T12:23:00.003+11:00

...so this made me laugh this morning.

This blog is very funny if you're fond of roller derby.

Love

2010-10-18T18:49:00.002+11:00

Just stumbled upon this tattoo, thanks to this girl.
Love it.

[source]

It's Friday

2010-10-15T13:54:00.003+11:00

Chagrin Roller Rink - Chagrin Falls, Ohio, originally uploaded by What Makes The Pie Shops Tick?.

This fact makes me very happy! It's a rainy day, but I don't mind, as I'm looking forward to:
~ getting some decent sleep (haven't been sleeping well all week, maybe I can catch up on the weekend)
~ doing some embroidery...and I bet I'll start something new. Bad me.
~ meeting my best friend's new doggy.
~ playing with some stationery for my letter writing escapade.
~ hanging with the Hubert.
~ SSRD bout tomorrow night. Hooray for local (to me) Derby.
~ watching some DVDs and generally being a sloth.
No other exciting plans, because until next pay I don't have a brass razoo.
Hope you have a great weekend, whatever you get up to!

Can anyone help?

2010-10-15T10:00:00.003+11:00

Ingrid's Haven is a non-profit cat shelter in Victoria, an hour's drive from Melbourne. Many cats and kittens areavailable for adoption ... all from death row at the pound, rescued and cared for by Ingrid until new loving homes can be found. All Haven cats and kittens are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea treated. Ingrid does not accept surrenders from individuals. Ingrid's Haven is a no-kill shelter.
Ingrid needs your help right now, as she says:
"The Haven is facing some difficult times as we have been given notice on our rental property.Our landlord wants to move back in after 10 years but this has put us in an awkward position to find somewhere else to live with the cats, horses and dogs before Christmas. What will happen is yet unclear but the Haven cats are safe, I will do anything in my power to continue my shelter but I am a bit shell shocked at the moment as we are not in a poistion to buy a property but will have to find somewhere again to rent.

I urge everyone to spread the word that I need as many cats as possible to find homes before the big move as this will make it easier for all but the same rules as always apply, everlasting safe homes and the cost for the cats will remain as I still need to pay for their vet care, past and present."

If anyone can afford to donate a few dollars their way, it would be greatly appreciated.

Letters

2010-10-13T19:21:00.009+11:00

Soldiers Writing Letters Home, originally uploaded by Smithsonian Institution.

Rereading some old posts today on here, I came across this one. It's still true.

Then whilst idly blog surfing, I found this post. Read it, it's awesome.

Then I found this project.

Facebook Snail Mail: Noel Maguigad, originally uploaded by spudart.

And so, thought I, if nothing else, I'll write some postcards, and as people have suggested, try and do this on a Friday. So that they have some Monday morning mail joy.

(Snail) Mail, originally uploaded by martinstelbrink.

Want a postcard from me? Drop me your addy at drewzel@rocketmail.com.

In the meantime, I'll try and fire some cards out to people in the universe, just so they get something tactile and pretty.

Letter Writing Can Be Fun!, originally uploaded by Emerald2810.

Tea (of course)

2010-10-11T13:11:00.000+11:00

So further to this post, I still haven't got my cupcake tattoo, although I have decided on a design...just need to find the right place on the body to put it, and find the money to pay for it. (None of that spare at the moment.)
The other thing I want, as mentioned here, is a teapot tattoo.
A quick google for teapot tattoo gave me these examples:

A black and white one

This lovely teapot.

And this one.

None of these are actually what I'm after, but I just liked them. So my search continues...

Some happy things

2010-10-10T14:51:00.008+11:00

...to balance out that last post, I do have some happy things from the past week:

~ "spring" cleaning the loungroom and rearranging the furniture. Hubert reckons the energy is better here now. I might even try and take a farty photo or two when the afternoon sun comes in:

~ playing with a favourite friend and having dog lurve.

[Spike and Leroy @ Holly's place]

~ a good movie

['Eat Pray Love' photos copyright big arsed movie studios or whoever]

~ borrowing lots of CDs that I want to hear from the library, including Grinderman, Washington and Funkadelic.

~ cupcakes and BBQ noms

[made by me, om nom nom]

~ the sunny weather.

...and you worry

2010-10-10T14:10:00.004+11:00

This morning I had bad dreams. Silly really, the situation had no resemblance to my life, and I'm not sure it actually meant anything at all. But you wake up and want to cry.
And you can't shake that feeling off. I've been veging on the couch, reading blogs, looking at Facebook, and trying not to cry. And he's brought me tea, toast, potato salad, and now a cupcake. Played with the dog and been silly. I've laughed at his jokes, while tears run out of my eyes. I can't stop them.
And I worry. That I'm too hard to live with. That'll he'll get sick of it. That he'll say (just like the last one did) "I don't like living with a sad sack."
So I try and hold it in.
And I worry.

Sunny days

2010-10-06T21:31:00.001+11:00

Nothing much to say today apart from how much I'm enjoying the current Spring weather. I like lots of warm sunshine and even a stormy night.
And here's a picture I found on Tumblr, just beause I like it.

Highway to Hell

2010-10-03T19:17:00.001+11:00

Highway to Hell, originally uploaded by egenerica.

I nodded off during the Grand Final yesterday (boo! Collingwood!) but I sure didn't snooze during the Derby. I've given up taking (read- attempting to take) photos during a bout, so I'll just borrow one from Flickr.

Lost

2010-09-27T12:08:00.003+10:00

Yesterday I had a moment (in the bathroom no less.) It occurred to me that where I'm living right now is not home. It's a pleasant enough house, and I love the garden...but it's not me. I didn't really acknowledge until recently the strong effect my environment has on me, but I do know now it's very important. I need to move out of this town and to a house that feels like home. I know people say home is where you make it, but if you try and try and it's still not right, then you have to change something. So I'm back to bellyaching about trying to find somewhere to "be me". I don't know where it is yet. But I've got another person, 3 cats and a dog along for the ride now too.

[not my place]

Monday Monday

2010-09-27T10:46:00.004+10:00

Dear Blogworld,
It's been 2 months since my last confession.

MsCheesePlease reminded me of the existence of blogs this morning (via Facebook, of course. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...if you really want to get any idea of what I'm up to, FB friend me.) ...What's a blog, said I.

Apparently "It's that thing you used to like to do but then it became stressful and mostly just a painful obligation so the longer you don't blog, the more guilty you feel about it and the harder it becomes to start up again."

Aha! thought I. I have no obligation, because no-one reads me anyway.
But decided to do a post all the same.

Sheer delight

2010-07-21T16:43:00.001+10:00

Skein stash, originally uploaded by virginia-blue.

Some eye candy for a Wintery arvo.

Stitched postcard swap

2010-07-21T12:29:00.003+10:00

Alas, I have no creative mojo at the moment, and after a couple of hours embroidering a clock that I later decided was crap and chucked away, this simple effort ending up being my stitched postcard:

Plus I was running late, but I hope my partner liked it.

The text is from the following quote, as the theme was Time:
“Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity.”

~Henry van Dyke

More on the swap over here.
In the meantime, I check the mail hoping that the post gremlins haven't devoured mine.

I very much liked

2010-07-21T11:55:00.002+10:00

this post on the Craftzine blog as I realise I'm not the only one who has a whole mess of FLOSS waiting to play with. And why I can never find the colour I want. Yay Jenny!

[photo from Craftzine]

It goes on

2010-07-20T15:59:00.001+10:00

Mount Gambier's Blue Lake, originally uploaded by natmeister.

I just realised that I haven't blogged for about a month. Mostly because I haven't felt that I've had anything to say. I still don't know where I'm at or where I'm going.

Went to Mount Gambier on the weekend for a look around. That picture isn't mine though - the Lake wasn't blue, just a dull grey colour. Hence I didn't take any photos, just wasn't in the mood. Mount Gambier is quiet and by my standards, a small place really. I think I need to go back in the warmer weather to get a good feel for the place.

Actually I still have nothing to say. I'll edit this later.

Still lusting

2010-07-20T13:09:00.005+10:00

after a Sunny Buick tattoo. Just too hard for me to decide what I want.
Here's a few of my faves from her site:

There's some incredibly cool ones of women and faces, but they're not really me. The last one here is really my fave, but I'm not really a knitting devotee. And I don't think I'd get a tattoo with hearts in it... something with a teapot though...hmm...

Some eye candy

2010-07-20T12:49:00.001+10:00

...to cheer me up today.

Image source

Stuff on my mind = almost incoherent babbling

2010-06-28T22:45:00.011+10:00

Such is my mood this week, I can't even be bothered thinking of an exciting title for this post. I haven't been in blog world too much of late, as work has been crazy busy and I don't do much beside Facebook on the puter in the evenings. Work is also trying to move my office into the CBD, and I fear the commuting will kill me (yes I know other people manage it, but I am not other people, and I've definitely been occupying a fragile mental space lately.) I thought I'd found a solution, and had a job interview last week, but alas, found out yesterday that I didn't get the job. Winter has definitely got me down, and the new place is proving to be most freezing and damp in this cold weather. I feel a bit directionless and uncertain. This is leading me to sleepless nights and general blahs. But Hubert and teh wee beasties have been keeping me sane and so I'm hanging in there.

[Miss Burton C Bell, gazing at Hubert.]

So that's the whingy crap. But there is good stuff too. Did I tell you that in true "have a crack" spirit, Hubert has proved to be most handy in the kitchen? Quite remarkable. He decides what he might be interested in making, looks up a recipe on the trusty interwebs, and off he goes. So far his efforts have been highly successful. Toad in the Hole was good, plus provided me with amusement. Sunday saw a super yummy Potato and Leek soup (no photos because I scoffed it all). One of the ways to my heart is indeed through my stomach.

This post made me laugh and laugh this morning. I can so relate, I've been there. Not any more though, again, I'm very lucky that the fella leaves me alone to do the house thing. However, I haven't made any progress on it so far. Last Monday I took all the pictures off the lounge room wall, moved them about for an hour (repeatedly) and then cracked the poos and put them back where I'd started. The house (which is supposed to be retro really) is getting a bit Nanna-fied. Although the big Queens of the Stone Age print would beg to differ. It seems that Ninja has finally grown out of his eat-the-palm-trees phase, so the house can again have pot plants.

[Portrait of the Ninja as a young hooligan.]

[Although these two are looking mighty suspicious.]

Last Thursday we went to Savers in the evening, and I bought NOTHING. Not a sausage. I left feeling rather unfulfilled. There was no vintage teatowels, pillowcases or reasonably priced china to be found. I hope this is not a trend. Not that I need more stuff really, I still have a whole heap of clothes, books, china and furniture at my old house to round up.

Speaking of furniture, this cupboard has been hiding in the shed since we moved in, and I feel it is nearly time to unearth it and install it in the casa. It needs a good clean and a coat of paint - most probably white. I think I'll leave the drawer liners as they are. But the writing really has to go. One drawer is marked "skivvies". I'm grateful I don't own any of those anymore.

Guess who gets the fun job of doing most of the work? No, not Ninja.

In crafty news, I've been stitching (embroidering) pillowcases (what a surprise!) and have decided to make a granny square cushion cover. Yesterday we* swapped my big 50s kitchen table for Hubert's small wood and white version, which fits the space much better. But I then decided that the kitchen chairs needs cushions/chair pads, preferably with granny square covers. This lovely tutorial gave me a new square design and off I went a-hookin'.

[camera hasn't picked up the true colours though. Damn this fluoro lighting.]

As usual, I'm having issues with the colours. Do I like the combo? How come I like the wool until I actually make the squares? ARGH! I really do think granny squares and I are not meant to be sometimes.

You know those blogs with the gorgeous, perfectly styled photos? This is not one of them. But I think you'd probably noticed this already. Thankfully, I now have a camera again (thanks to my mate Nat) so maybe the photos will improve. Can only hope.

I shall return ~ at some stage ~ with pfaffed up house photos and some completed craft. Yeah.

*the royal we of course. You know who does all the hard work around the Villa now.

Stuck in my head

2010-06-28T22:30:00.000+10:00

Taking and giving - two birthdays

2010-06-28T22:25:00.005+10:00

On Saturday, a couple of things struck me...well a couple of people illustrated to me the concepts of being a either giver or a taker in life.

Saturday arvo we attended a friend's 60th birthday. I was pleased to go because this man is a good person, always ready to drop everything and help a friend or relative out. (His wife is the same.) At speech time, what touched me was the real respect (and love) that all his friends and family had for him. He's worked long and hard to earn that respect. Today's his birthday, and I wish him many many more.

That same morning I received an email from a friend in response to one I'd sent earlier in the week, wishing him a happy birthday. I apologised for not getting the day exact due to my bad memory but wished him a great day all the same. The response was only "Yeh it's not until Monday." I was angry to the point of tears, as this person and I have had some ups and downs in the past, but I was trying to do the right thing and genuinely wish them well. I guess I'd like to think that he'd have the courtesy to say "Thank you" at least, but no. Today's his birthday, and all I can say is - rot in Hell arsehole.

I guess the point to all my babbling here, is that some people give themselves and their time, sincerely and reliably, while other people are just interested in themselves and what they can get from people. Probably not hard to guess which one I decided to end all further interaction with.

Happy things

2010-06-18T13:22:00.004+10:00

As it's Friday (which in itself is a happy thing), I'll list some happy things today:

~ new frock

~ some more yarn for the granny malarkey
(note - this granny square does not live anymore, I pulled it out)

~ catching up with friends on the weekend

~ two of my new fave blogs : this one and this one

~ going to see this girl tonight:

And I'd like to spend some time here:
Well that's Dottie Angel's couch, but I'll be spending some quality time with my own couch.

Enjoy your weekend!

Indeed

2010-06-15T15:27:00.003+10:00

Yes I know there's been a lot of photos lately, but that's where I'm at.

[source]

Some stitching I heart

2010-06-15T10:12:00.001+10:00

Dia Blow, originally uploaded by lagidgette.

The face is perfect!

Granny attack!

2010-06-11T09:49:00.001+10:00

, originally uploaded by sarah london textiles.

They're everywhere, I tell you.

Love this quote

2010-06-11T09:13:00.001+10:00

Farm Chicks 2010, originally uploaded by Trisha Brink Design.

I'd never heard this one before, but I do like it. Lots.

Legs need warmers

2010-06-09T16:38:00.002+10:00

I found this on a blog today. Or are they booties? But tables have legs, not feet. Hmm.

The post with the crappy photos

2010-06-07T13:44:00.005+10:00

My weekend was good ~ the usual fare: stitching, drinking, movies, hanging out, nom-ing. Rain. Wee bit o' shopping. Trip to Ballarat to watch a derby bout on Sunday.
I attempted to take some pics, but couldn't get Hubert's camera to co-operate with me. But here they are anyway:

Edit - added pic of Isis for Steph who commented.

I love all the Derby girls, they rock my socks.
And now, back to Monday...

Shameless Shorpy-ing

2010-06-07T12:12:00.001+10:00

Another photo just because I like it. "The Brox Sisters, New York, circa 1924."
Source.

Here's one for Ms Cate

2010-06-04T12:12:00.001+10:00

Bunny & Balloons 1, originally uploaded by Bustle & Sew.

Bunny! Love!

California : 1926

2010-06-03T16:40:00.003+10:00

I think this photo is charming.

Source - via the ever wonderful Shorpy blog.

Teacups and birdies...

2010-06-02T11:29:00.004+10:00

...are two of my favourite motifs. Judging by Etsy, they're also favourites of lots of other people. I stumbled across this print this morning and am currently coveting it:

Buy one here.

Speaking of faves, this is my new favourite eye-candy blog.

I have cake

2010-06-02T11:14:00.003+10:00

Yesterday I arrived home to find that Hubert had baked me a cake. This overwhelms me with goodness. So I had cake for my play lunch this morning:

Fluffy cake with gooey icing. Nom nom.

You know, I'm really going to miss my desk when I move out of this office. It's such a lovely big solid 70s number. Sigh.

And it's Winter

2010-06-01T17:06:00.001+10:00

, originally uploaded by DanielleT.

No surprise there. As I write this, I haven't left the office yet, and it's getting dark, dark. Those of us who live in a 9-5 world don't really thrill over Winter as it means getting out of bed in the cold and coming home in the dark. Right now I'm procrastinating over writing a job application (although I just checked and it doesn't close until the 7th June)... and thinking I should go home and play with wool and eat yummy food, and stay inside with loved ones by the heater, because that's what Winter should be about. Comfort.

Damn this work caper, sucking up all my free time. I've had an up and down day as I've been worrying about paying things on time and I know the money is coming, but I don't like mucking people around. (I'd make such a bad crook.) Worry is useless, non-productive, and hard to shake off. So I should go home, out into the cold and remind myself that I'm incredibly lucky to have a warm home and loved ones to go home to.

Goodnight.

I like this

2010-06-01T16:54:00.001+10:00

Found via here.

Another fave song

2010-05-31T20:52:00.000+10:00

Fave Faves

2010-05-31T09:29:00.007+10:00

Hooray for Pip! I need Five Faves to remind me that life is worth living on a Monday morning.
So here's mine:

1. This post...oh I love it. And I must borrow banjo man because for some reason he reminds me of Steve Poltz.

[Re the Poltz thing, Hubert would probably just tell you that's because I heart the Poltz too much.]

2. This chicken house.

3. Prints by this guy. Here's one:

4. Eurovision, Eurovision, Eurovision. All weekend.

5. Lou Reed.

Desert boots

2010-05-27T14:39:00.002+10:00

[image source]

...are good. Remember them?

Back in the early '80s I had a pair that I loved.

Wear desert boots, you're in good company:

Motorcycle optional.

Frock me!

2010-05-27T12:06:00.004+10:00

Winn's Department Store, Hunter St, Newcastle, 2 October 1953, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

I blame Toni (but in a good way) as she shared some great shopping links for those round of arse...I have a serious hankering for some new dresses. Festive and feminine would fit the bill. I'd also like to travel backwards in time and shop at some of these establishments.
I certain that this girl does.

Oh yes, I know I could try the sewing caper, but I'd like to hang onto what sanity I have left. For those of us who are lazy when it comes to clothes (much as I'd like to be excited about it), dresses are dreamy...you just pull one on, put on some shoes and you're done. Hurrah! More time for drinking tea, music, and dilettante crafting.

Holeproof hosiery display, 7 September 1948, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Kayser silk hosiery and gloves display (taken for Mr Guille, General Display Co), 19 September 1947, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Post

2010-05-27T10:58:00.002+10:00

Option 2, originally uploaded by ilustrista.

I'm sure I have some words to go with this illustration soon, but they haven't come to me yet. All I know is that I find this drawing terribly uplifting. And I need that right now.

I also amused myself with this today. I luvs me some heffalump antics.

Thankful

2010-05-26T12:23:00.004+10:00

, originally uploaded by mindazonaltal.

What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. ~Cleveland Amory

Right now there's someone in my life whose kindness overwhelms me on a daily basis. And I'm grateful.

Chuckle

2010-05-26T10:50:00.003+10:00

Billy and Graham Green from the Salvation Army Camp practise a little deceit, Collaroy Beach, ca. 1940 / photographer unknown, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Eye Candy

2010-05-26T09:13:00.003+10:00

Found this pic via FB this morning. I know the gorgeous girl is supposed to be the lust object, but that loungeroom is making me all hot and bothered (ha).

Photo credits:
PRETTY CLEAN, HELENA HANDBASKET
Photo by Dynamite Dames
MUAH: Vintage Flair
Found here.

Post it note Tuesday aka things on my mind

2010-05-25T11:56:00.007+10:00

Today, being post it note Tuesday, has me thinking:

Considering a few things:
~am I blogging to a void?
~does that matter?

Fretting about:
~what's going to happen with my work...I really don't want to move into the city.
~has anyone rented my old flat yet?
~will I ever catch up with this money thing? I'm sick of people chasing me...grr.

Happy thoughts:
~buying some fabric from Ink & Spindle for bedroom curtain.
~Ask Alice's regular staffy posts.
~one of my best mates is now home from overseas.
~Hubert encouraging me to "just do it" when I was um-ing and err-ing over my commitment to granny blankie construction.

As my mate Chris says "It'll work out." so I guess I have to believe in that. At least there's more good than bad there!

Babblings on an Autumn Monday

2010-05-24T10:02:00.010+10:00

Oh it's Monday. I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning...but it's actually a nice mild day today. On FB this morning, I found this lovely photo on Frankie's newsfeed. It perked me up somewhat ~ not that I want be in the garden with my bottom in the air right now (give the poor girl some pants someone!), but a crochet blankie in the sun is always lovely.

Weekend roundup:
~ hung out with Hubert and "the kids" (that's the furry beasts for anyone who's interested)
~ underwhelmed by the selection of quilting fabrics at Spotlight on Friday evening...nothing got me excited. (Back to quilting shops and online fabric stores I think.)
~ watched footy on the teev
~ drank lots o' Scotch
~ did a bit of shopping at Savers on Saturday
~ found a bedside lamp (as aforementioned "kids" broke the other one)
~ more china kittehs & a
~ vintage suitcase (to keep knitting projects in)
~ slept in
~ had half arsed attempt at granny malarkey
~ ate bacon and eggs
~ went to Antique Shed in Mornington on Sunday - came home with a wee bookcase and some old records
~ ate meat loaf and roast veg
~ coveted artwork on RedBubble.com
~ drank coffee and ate cake
~ sewed patchwork pieces in wrong spot while drunk
~ didn't want it to end

[wee china animals at the Antique Centre. I want those orange kittehs.]

Craft wise, still working away on my directionless hexagon patchwork, which I'm blaming Corrie for. I've definitely got the ol' Crafty ADD at the moment, I can't focus on much right now. I may make one of these as I think Pip's tutorial is fab. And speaking of crochet, sure you've all probably seen these by now, but I feel compelled to put a pic here seeing as I can't buy any:

The other thing that's been on my mind is trying to make the house more "us"... or cosier, or more aesthetically pleasing...or something. It's still not right yet. This is what it looked like when I moved in:
Just to give you an idea of what we're working with. The walls are actually white and the carpet is a dark dark brown. (Actually this is an old old pic, I just realised that the venetian blind is gone and we have white curtains.) I'd love to cover a wall in aforeposted wallpaper, but my lovely landlords would be horrified. Plus the fact that I can't afford to buy anything really at the moment. The house was built in 1963, so I'm trying to focus on retro stuff. I'll try and post some pics later of how it's looking at the moment.

And this post probably gives you an idea of how scattered my brain is at the moment. Eep!

Like like

2010-05-19T11:24:00.002+10:00

I want this wallpaper. Oh yes.
[Found via here]

Poem

2010-05-18T15:21:00.000+10:00

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

- ee cummings

Post it note Tuesday

2010-05-18T09:41:00.003+10:00

Via links on Danimezza's side bar, I noticed a couple of people were doing "Post-it note Tuesdays".
The concept is here. I liked it so I'm playing along. Supahmommy's writing style makes me laugh too.

Reminder to self:

Monday Monday

2010-05-17T14:07:00.006+10:00

saturday crafting session, originally uploaded by retro mummy.

This morning I did indeed have Monday-itis and was getting bogged down by money and work woes...however a coffee with Hubert perked me up somewhat and reminded me what is important.

Like the rest of the local blogsphere I went to Sew It Together on the weekend, although I only attended the Saturday Crafting Session (and yes I've pinched Retro Mummy's pic because I didn't take any of my own). I think I managed to stitch about half a flowerstem and knit two rows as a whole room of crafting chicks chatting and making was a bit of a challenge for me. I caught up with some lovelies I haven't seen for a while and put a some faces to names, which was great. Definitely recommended for anyone who is interested in next year's event.

Sunday was late Mother's Day parental commitments, and later I managed to do a little bit of paper piecing patchwork. This is Corrie's fault as she had little kits at SIT and so I sewed away at one of those. I've lost my embrojo somewhat, so this gives me something new to play with (not that I need another project, let alone a patchwork one, as I have a 3/4 finished Amy Butler quilt top at the old house still to do.) But as I'm now back living around the corner from one of the sweetest patchwork shops ever, I'm a bit enthused by fabric again. I'm feeling rather flat at the moment, so I think my attitude to craft is sort of reflected in that. I'm a bit "meh". But this too will pass.

Ms Cate was next to me at SIT and was working on this fab piece of embroidery:

IMG_6331, originally uploaded by ric rac.

Cate is organising an exhibition for the Fringe Festival - 'Home is Where the Craft is'. Check this out if you're interested...I might pull my socks up a bit and contribute too.

PS. Thanks for all the lovely comments on my photo from Friday's post. You're all too kind xx

Without makeup

2010-05-14T10:48:00.003+10:00

Found via Ms Cate... "Bloggers Without Make up Day" ~ so here's random pic of me today, sans makeup. Actually this isn't a big deal for me, as I'm normally too lazy of late to care about slapping some on anyway. Hope I don't scare you too much, with my scars and bags and blue lips. But it is a valid point, that women should feel they can be themselves whatever they look like, and that makeup should be an optional enhancement and feel good tool, rather than a requirement.

Check out the other players here.