Darn craft!

So there’s been much chat about mushrooms recently... not the tasty fungi type, but the wooden, darning type. I’ve been darning for nearly two weeks now, and I’ve found it strangely cathartic. It started because my husband is a devoted Bulldogs fan and they were playing for a berth in the finals on Friday night. He wanted to wear his entire Bulldogs outfit - including the 20 year old socks that had long since become NFFPV (not fit for public viewing) due to the large holes in the sole.


Who am I kidding, there was a small amount of sole between the holes. I own quite a lovely mushroom, and like many of my crafting items, it has been gleaned/gifted/stolen from my Nana.


This was not an item I thought I'd be using anytime soon. Under normal circumstances I'd be chucking the socks, not darning them. But a boy with a love of his Bulldog socks melted my stone heart. I just went straight to You Tube to get a tute, got a great one. Darned.

This is another pair I did - the bulldogs pair is rarely off his feet.

And the boy got his socks. It's probably the nicest thing I've done for the old stick for a while - and he was happy. Didn't help the Bulldogs though.

Darning was a really practical crafting activity - and I think that's what I've needed to do for a while. I don’t know if any of you caught my maniacal morning ramblings the other week (i deleted it now) , but I’ve been a bit overcome with the whole being creative thing recently, primarily because I think it polarises my feelings of inadequacy/inaction. That is - I do a whole lotta dreamin' and very little doin'. From the post:

As much as I love the online world I think that the 20 posts daily from Craft and Whip Up et al appear to me to be from one, super-crafting individual and serve to make me feel less adequate/productive as a crafter. The posts from parent hacker and life hacker don't give me tips but make me feel like there are just so many things I could improve because I'm so hopeless.So I'm going to pare down the blogreader to the blogs from individuals - because most people only finish a couple of things a month. I can rationalise that.

I took some action and took a heap of craft sites and put them into a folder on my Google reader called 'Not this month'. Its been really, really good. It reduces the 'noise' of all those competing demands in my head. I've only been doing it for 10 days but I think I've not read about 300 posts. And I think its helped me focus on the things I want to do, and put a bit of time to researching them, and then sticking to them

So i'm starting a little embroidery sampler. Progress photos soon.

It wobbled.

"How do you know the jelly is ready Lily?"
"Well, Mum, it just kind of wobbled when I looked at it"
"You didn't stick your finger in it, did you?"
"No Mum."

[Just placed her whole freakin' hand on it...]

I'm going in to get my bottom wisdom teeth removed tomorrow. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I've got lots of protein drinks and creamed rice and soup, and have got everything I need sorted so that if I'm out of action for a week then life will go on. The surgeon told me that women in their 30s have the slowest recovery time - but I'm hoping I'll be the exception to the rule and can then just use the two weeks sick leave for crafting. I've done a little embroidery and some knitting, but I'm a bit scatty about craft at the moment. Anyhoo, hoping I'll be back with you shortly.

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung here... although I did take this photo in August. But there is definitely a little bit of warmth in the air and things are popping out all over the place. It is only 14 degrees during the day, but the days are clear and that makes all the difference.

My blogging this time around might be a little more random. I might include a section of 'stuff that I just want to put out there' or 'thoughts irrelevant to the rest of the post'. Primarily because last time I blogged I was so concerned about each post being a well-crafted story that it took ten times longer than it should have to get stuff out. And while I love going back and reading those posts (and half the reason why I'm blogging again is because I realised how much I valued having those posts to go back and read) I don't think that the occasional typo or bad segue will reduce their readability.

So I bring you:

Random Thoughts

• I drove to Sydney on Monday and it was so lovely to see the fog rising over the windmills around Lake George.
• I sat behind a girl on a train who was blowing bubbles - it was a lovely thing to see on a train full of surly city folk.
• Paddy has started talking and one of his favourite words is bubble.
• Paddy won't say Mummy. He calls me, Lily and Nath 'Daddy'. It bugs me a bit.
  
• Lily had her first orientation day at big school today. That freaks me out.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement to come back and do this thing... I'll be back later with a few craft related endeavors.

Ok

So this is a trial get-back-together. I still have huge issues - and so do you. Let's give it a go.

Dear Blog

Dear Blog
I kind of miss you. I'm toying with the idea of us getting back together.
Love
Twitchy

I've hit 10,000!

Random Integer generator says number six is the winner! Sadie and Lance! I'll contact you poppet...




Thanks to you folk, I've been hit 10,000 times... which is incidentally how I feel this week. So to win a little present from me just leave me a joke or a link to a site or something that will make me laugh.

60 and 3 and 1 away...

I'm:

• 60 hits away from my 10,000 hit.


• 3 posts away from my 100th post (well, 2 now) and


• Just under a month away from my 3 year blogiversary.

100 posts in three years isn't very much I know, only around 30 posts a year, but I did seem to have a lot on during that time in retrospect. As a celebration of these amazing feats I will be having a little give-away. Three, in fact. One for each of these milestones. The prizes will be in consultation with the winner, but may include one of the many bits and bobs i've spent the last three years doing, such as: embroidery, sewing, felt toys/pictures or any of the things on my old flickr set... http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomes707/sets/72157594313903946/

Entry is by un-stalking, I mean, commenting, on a post that I'll do for each of those three events. I will announce a winner based on a number generator. So stay tuned!

P.S I'd post images, but blogger won't let me...

Meme

Via Kim

What’s your favorite color gummy bear?
Can't tell you the last time I had one... Who would buy them when there was chocolate covered licorice to be had?

What is the sexiest part of the opposite sex’s body?
The 'crease' between leg and torso

Have you ever made up/sang a song for someone you cared about?
Yes. Wrote and recorded a song for Nath. And I sing to the kids every night. Our hit list includes;

• You are my sunshine
• Morningtown ride
• Once upon a dream
• Beautiful world
• Over the rainbow
• Wonderful world
• Unforgettable
  
• Lullaby
• Lots of Carpenters, and Beatles and John Denver, and whatever I've heard on the radio.
  

Ever had a song sang about/for you?
Yes. My boyfriend in year 10 wrote me a song, and then came to a party and sang it to me. I was mortified. In retrospect I'm amazed he had the balls to do it.

Is there a baby in the room with you right now?
Nope. He's in another room.

Do you know how to dance?
Year ago I did tap and jazz, and was a ballet-class drop out. I'd love to do salsa or something now...

Where do you sing the most, in the car, the shower or other?
I'll sing anywhere. But mostly in the kids bedroom I guess.

What is your favorite thing that is green?
Feijoas. Yum. Yum.

What did your last text message say?
Love you. Pretty sure it was from my husband... ;-)

Boxers, briefs or boxer briefs?
Care factor - 0 If he's comfy I'm happy.

What is your middle name? Tineke. It's Dutch.

What is the way to your heart?
Through my stomach. But its taken now.

What do you smell like?
Joy perfume, children, and Benson and Hedges.

What’s in your pocket?
nothing - i'm in my pjs

Anything in your mouth?
only teeth and my tongue

Ever hurt yourself playing Wii?
Nope. Only been and observer.

Do you have freckles?
Lots - although i'd have had lots more if my mother hadn't been a sun-conscious red-head. Thanks Mum.

How many languages can you say “Hello” in?
A couple. Most of which i've picked up from children's television.

What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
Angelina Ballerina goes to sea. Seriously. I was a DVD just being played in the theatre. And Lil hates AB. So do I. I did get some knitting done though.

Ever jumped/fallen/been pushed in a pool with your clothes on?
No.

Are you wearing any clothes that you wore yesterday?
Yep. My jammies.

Are you in love with someone right now?
Yep.

What’s the last thing you watched on TV?
Watching Law and Order right now.

Who is your daddy and what does he do?
Sep. He's retired.

Can you do the alphabet in sign language?
No. We use a couple of signs for eat, drink and more with Paddy. We'd been using two signs that we thought were thank you and eat - until my sister found out that they were 'f*ck you' and 'prostitute'. Not that he would have known the difference. But it could have been embarrassing for him later in life when thanking a deaf colleague for lunch....

Do you wear glasses?
Only once a month when I give my eyes a rest from the day/night contacts.

What can you hear right now?
Thunder.

Did you feel better or worse or the same yesterday?
Worse. I think I'm getting the flu...

Ever been overseas?
Yes. Not since before Lil was born though.

What are your plans for today?
Finish this, and go to bed.

Do you bite your nails?
No. Only to trim them if they're too long.

Do you like your feet?
No. They're ugly and weird-looking. Most people agree. And they hurt most of the time.

Do you sleep well at night?
No. I have children. And until recently I had a bad bed. Now I've got a new, comfy bed - but I'm not often in it. I've actually begun to dread going to bed because I know its going to be shitty.

Conservation

Conservation through having smaller families - by Nola Stewart. This is a great brochure aimed at children which explains the world economy and how it effects the environment. First time that I've understood economics... Worth a look!

Coraline...

Coraline.

Man, I so want this movie to come out in Australia. But we're talking August until its here. Now I've not read the book, but I love the concept of the movie and I want it here now. French and Saunders, people!!! Six months is way too long to wait I say. There have been lots of promo type activities happening in the States and I want to be part of it [stamping foot, loudly]. As blog-land is my witness, I will not rest until I consume all things Coraline.

My little moochi did a mini box swap - wondering if any Aussies would be interested in doing the same?

Look Ma!

I'm posting from the laptop! In the kitchen... sooooo exciting!!!

"Unfortunately Naomi"

A meme via thornberry.

All you do is google “unfortunately, yourname” and see what comes up! Some of my favourites:

Unfortunately, Naomi has never participated in a legitimate anger management class. (True...)

Unfortunately, Naomi's hair is reminiscent of a Haitian hillside after 3 days of rain. (That's just unkind.)

Unfortunately, Naomi is only able to visit that pool for therapy twice a week. (Pool therapy hey? Sounds better than anger management classes!)

She is much easier to read than to listen to, unfortunately. Naomi, slow down, speak more smoothly, make people listen. (Sage advice.)

Unfortunately Naomi’s outfit did not impress us at all. (Fair cop - my 'style' is not often classified as impressive.)

and finally,

Unfortunately, Naomi had put all of her faith in her family and material things, and simply did not have much hope for the future. (From the book of Ruth.)

I love Knitty.

Especially because the patterns they churn out are always the 'wrong' season - which means we've got six months to knit the patterns and have them ready to go at the appropriate time. Instead of starting in spring, and finishing in Autumn.

I'm loving Topaz - might be my first foray into fair isle...


And decimal (although I'll never knit it)


Pioneer - I might have a go. Got some swanky possum/merino from when my mum went to NZ in scarlet. Although it may be a little unattractive on my 'curvy' frame.

Perhaps Hanne (which is strange and interesting all at once) would be better?

Flit and float might be the answer to the malabrigo lace-weight conundrum.
Steggie is cute and might be put away for when Paddles is a bit older.
Aeolian is stunning.

whatdoyareckon?

I try to take one day at a time...

but sometimes several days attack me at once.
This has been consistently the case lately, and although I still spend my days thinking 'I so have to blog this' I just don't seem to find the time. However, today we just got a new laptop, so maybe now I can blog without being stuck in the study and hence neglecting my children/husband/dinner/important television viewing or other maternal obligations. So. Maybe I'll see you around here again soon. I've got lots to tell. Nothing exciting really, but, you know, stuff.
Toodles.

Canberra Donations for Victorian Fire Appeal

This announcement is going around at the moment...
______________________________________________________________________
ALLIED PICKFORDS is arranging to transport any Canberra donations of clothing, toys, tinned food, furniture due to the tragedy with the bushfires in Victoria. Many of us lived through this 6 years ago, and can imagine not having any possessions except the clothes on your back.

The community support for Canberra from around Australia was incredible at the time - and we should now help Victoria.

If you have a spare ANYTHING - get it to Queanbeyan. The Allied Pickfords Depot is at 184 Gilmore Road, Queanbeyan - just go along Canberra Avenue past DFO and Gilmore Road is only a few kilometres away. The transportation is happening regularly - so there is not a cut off time.

If you can pack things into boxes, it will help. PLEASE HELP DISTRIBUTE THIS EMAIL TO ANY OF YOUR CANBERRA NETWORK.

If you are not able to help with these sort of donations, Salvation Army and Red Cross have an appeal going:
http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp
https://www.salvationarmy.com.au/partners/donate.asp?oneoff=yes

When did you last laugh so hard...

that you cried? This image catches one of those moments. This is me and my bestie Lilly. She has an extremely talented photographer friend Hing Ang (http://www.flickr.com/photos/toadtheory/) who took some photos of us on Australia Day this year.

We've been friends for 20 years, since she was my billet for a music camp. We were little girls, then big girls, then young women, then women, and now wives and mothers. We have one thousand personal jokes and stories about things like camels in pants and partying till you die and the 'thilver thoverin'. We've traveled together, worked together, lived together for brief periods of time but we've never lived in the same city. She's a talented, funny, vibrant and loving person and she makes me laugh. I love her like I love my children - totally and unconditionally.

Gifties and stuff

I've kind of lost my blogging mojo so you get a picture post...

I made this seafoam scarf from the hacho I bought a while ago. I want to finish it off with some buttons - its more a cowl-length.

This was a beautiful surprise gift from Happy Spider for Lily, to go with the gorgeous hat she knitted for her a while ago. Lil's has insisted on wearing during the last couple of 38 degree days. Really.

And this was a stole that I started to knit with my cursed malabrigo lace weight. I've frogged it because even though it looks great, it was a bugger of a pattern to remember and it just wasn't flowing. I believe this skein is cursed because of cast on about eight projects with it, and none have pushed my buttons. I've now put it aside for a while.

Food for thought...

I'm a smoker. I don't like it. It never used to really bother me, but with the sense of mortality which comes from having dependents, I would love to quit. Anyway, yesterday as I was browsing the beautiful Malabrigo at yarnandkisses.com I realised that I could justify buying 3 balls of Malabrigo A WEEK if I quit smoking.

Photo credit: yarnandkisses.com

Yes, each packet of dirty, carcinogenic, smelly cigarettes costs about as much as a skein of Malabrigo.

That means, people, that I could buy 156 skeins a year.

So if we assume that I am talking about laceweight Malabrigo that is 430m per skein x 3 per week - 1290m per week or 67080m per year.

That is 151 times the yarn that Bells used for her Adamas Shawl. Or 167 times the yarn the Happy Spider used for her Nightsong Shawl.

So who agrees that this could be a good motivation for quitting????

Happy Birthday

In the midst of the end of year postings all around (one of which I'm dying to post) I would like to put a 'Happy Birthday' out into the ether for my beautiful little man Paterson, who turned 1 today.


I was frightened at having a boy. I didn't want to find out the sex because if it were male I didn't want my first reaction to my second child to be disappointment. I wanted a sister for Lil so she would have the relationship that I have with my sister. I didn't know what to do with a boy. Please don't bother pointing out all the logic flaws with this - I'm well aware of them. I was only a little sad when he was born, but only because Nathan hadn't decided against calling our son 'Paterson' as I had hoped he would (love you bub!).

But let me tell you, I could not love Paddy any more if I tried. He is a constant source of delight. His beautiful blue eyes light up when he smiles. He giggles uncontrollably at Lily's attempts at slapstick. He squeals when the 'kissing monster' gets him. He loves tackling and rough-housing - although his penchant for biting isn't making him a popular playmate at present. He eats like a child possessed. No one is safe while eating near him. He loves to bury his head in pillows. He loves to stand on all fours and look between his legs while resting on his head on the ground. He talks and goos and points at everything. He loves opening draws and closing doors. He loves de-furring Rosie the cat. He loves to push things - cars, vacuum cleaners, doorstops... Now he has teeth he loves making noise with his tongue against his teeth. And blowing raspberries. And of course biting. I love how he now deliberately puts his arm up around me neck; not just to hold on to me, but for a hug. And I kind of like that he still prefers to come to me when he's sad. Makes me feel needed, you know?

Anyhoo, I wrote this more for myself than anything. You say you'll remember this amazing spectacular moment in their lives - but then the next amazing spectacular moment comes along to replace it*.

So, Happy Birthday little man.

And Happy New Year to the rest of you; I'm a new year's eve grinch (which is why the universe made me have a child on NYE) so I'll think of you at 9.10 when I'm snuggled up in bed.

Naomi

*(except that I will always remember Lil saying 'Mum, when you die and I get older, can I wear your marrying dress?' a couple of days ago...)