The Bashful Owl

Today: the day that was...

2012-01-23T03:19:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those busy days where I simply didn't have time to stop and think. I got to work and ran and ran and ran. People to see, emails weren't sending externally, clients were unwell and needed urgent attention, tensions were increased all around. Lunch was a sneaky half packed of raspberry flavoured m&ms I really should have shared, with a banana scoffed down as a second thought. But when life gets like this, you just get through - don't you.

Running, huffing and complaining don't help. Snapping at a colleague is unhelpful also. Stressing about emails - why bother?

What does help? What was my life line today?

Only answering the phone calls coming in if paged to do so. Or during a designated half hour time frame twice during the day.

Eating those m&ms and enjoying them.

Getting a job application in and feeling proud!

Cycling home at a leisurely pace.

Playing netball and whipping our opponents.

Having the fella make a stellar healthy dinner of chicken soft tacos.

Watering my garden, taking time to smell the tomatoes and zucchinis.

Gosh, if only all challenges were so easily solved. If only all days were fixable! But tomorrow is a new day, more work to be done, feeling calm and having space to have another dose of perspective.

Speaking of perspective - what a view? Using a super ap which knits together images to create panoramas, this phone is sunset over the beautiful country side of Scone in rural NSW. We travelled to the area for a friend's wedding, and had the absolute privilege of staying on the bride's family farm overnight. Their property looking out over the hills, the sun was setting and the sky was fluid, mesmerising and seemingly untouchable. What a beautiful end to a day.

Hope your day has ended well, perhaps with a cup of tea (or gin and tonic).

Musings...

2012-01-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Loving: riding my push bike, getting my lunch daily from pickings in the garden, using the fella's mac, holidays at the beach

Making: a Thomas the Tank Engine knitted jumper for a stellar nephew

Drinking: english breakfast tea with milk and half a vanilla sugar

Wearing: clothes for the hot Melbs weather, and my lovely new Gorman sandals

Hearing: the chooks brood in the backyard

Doing: job applications - looking at applying for a senior job

Enjoying: the Australian Open

Sweating: not the small stuff! Rather on my daily bike ride in the super lovely summer weather

Anticipating: the end of my current read - 1Q84 by Murakami

Wishing: for more time to craft

How about you?

The end is the beginning...

2012-01-01T03:57:00.000-08:00

New years often suggest new starts, or at least a chance to consider what went wrong and what you hope to change. It is an exciting time, but it does not have to be the only time for new things. New things an happen at any time. A new hair cut perhaps, a new book to read, a new coffee shop to discover, an opportunity to make a new friend, to love a new person, to welcome the new morning, to start a new habit, to consider a new craft project

NEWNESS.

The sound of it is fresh and crisp, like clean sheets just off the washing line.

So, what is new for you? What are your plans for this new year? What do you hope to start? What do you need to say a goodbye to in order that the new thing starts?

New for me is my garden, is being a careful knitter, using pinterest, the extra cat, being a train traveller, cooking rabbit for lunch, enjoying being calm, saying no to television.

About this new business, I have been trying to get my technology circle working, and consequently I am loving Pinterest. In the process i have discovered beautiful images though a scandi lady named Klara. I have also gotten back to the design files. lovely blogs, lovely images, lovely creativity, lovely homes. Nice.

The last say for 2011

2011-12-30T22:44:00.001-08:00

Post-Christmas, the lights are still up. And tonight it is anticipated there will be lights and amazing visual displays all around. Brilliant! How I love fireworks. How I love celebrations. Wonderful to welcome in the new year.

How will you celebrate?

We have a bottle of bubbly set aside. We have plans to ponder the new year as it rolls in. We are considering joining the masses in the city. But should we go to a suburban barbecue to whistle away the hours, in the company of old friends...

Happy New Year.

Christmas blessings, with a twist

2011-12-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

A last bit of post-Christmas joy and laughter, and a fitting way to re-enter the blogging business at the end of the year.

What a mix this video is - muppets, Jesus, Queen...

Street arting it up...

2011-01-21T19:14:00.000-08:00

This blog has been in hiatus while the world takes second. Lace to the demands being placed on me with work. A lot of my clients are not so well at the moment, and I have been sitting with a lot of their worries. We are also orientating new staff, which means increased work load in the short term. but this happens, doesn't it? And not just to me, but to most out there in the wild world. So this week is time out, a chance to do some "soul searching" as one of my clients put it this week.

Thus today finds me in our Nation's capitol, seated by a fountain outside of the National Gallery of Australia. The sun has been momentarily covered by cloud, a breeze is passing through and I'm under the illusion that the temperature has dropped. The coffee here is decent, sculptures are dotted around the gardens. Families and couples are seated around me catching up on life, discussing the woes of the real estate market, browsing through their purchases.

I've just finished in the Gallery. The space is cool and light. Guards sit in comfortable chairs, seemingly unimpressed by the beauty that surrounds them. What an amazing space, what precious works of art.

OT, consider yourself aware...

2011-01-10T03:08:00.000-08:00

This makes me chuckle to no end! I'm an OT and I love it. Hope this tells you that I am not a physio, nor do I work in OH&S as is often assumed. Thanks go out to my cousin who has recently graduated as an OT also, she forwarded this on...

2011-01-09T03:05:00.000-08:00

Late night post to the rescue... Are you up past your bed time? Longing for a little nap, for some rest and revitalisation? I am. Tired old me. Lots has been happening, too much indeed. So much that all I can do is sit and pat the cat. There is something about pets... They are calming, great companions, and for my the cat helps me to be quiet and still. Spending five minutes stroking his smooth fur with slow me right down and give me great pleasure. And then when he starts to purr, his bliss is my bliss. Yes, I have power with the cat! I can make his day simply by spending a short period of quality time with him, by rubbing his chin, by itching his hind quarters. Ahhh.

Anyway, this post started as a lament for my bed. And I've not gotten there, nor have I stayed on the topic of such. Rather gone on to rave about the benefits of pets. Strange! I must be tired.

How about a pick me up? Cup of Melbourne Breakfast tea perhaps? From the warm depths of a post covered by an outlandish cosie, sure to be piping hot hours (!) after brewing?

This cosie was the end of the Christmas gifties that I needed to make. Well almost, the second last. It gave me so much pleasure to make this cosie, as it was specifically requested. Someone actually wanted one of my creations! And it wasn't just my husband being very thankful for socks. This was made with intention, anticipate of the joy it would bring, and also love. Pattern came from the quirky book Really Wild Tea Cosies, wool is the opal sock yarn. My particular ball was pull apart by a cat - not mine - who took much delight in the novelty of playing will an object so unfamiliar to it.

In rolls the new year...

2011-01-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

Today I pulled down the Christmas tree. I could have strung it out for longer, maybe a few more days. But after all Epiphany is today, the 6th of January... that is, the day the wise men saw Jesus as a child, signaling the end of the advent period and an appropriate time to take down the tree.

Really I pulled it down as we have guests coming to stay tomorrow and would benefit from being able to eat at the dining table. With the tree taken down you can pull the table out from the wall and seat a few bodies. Oh how I love Christmas decorations thought!

So here is my last taste of Christmas until 01.12.2011, the earliest date I allow myself to put the tree up on!

Christmas blessings...

2010-12-27T15:20:00.001-08:00

Although this is a few days late, and my posts have been far and few between... Merry Christmas! Hope you had a lovely day, celebrating with family and maybe even pondering why the holiday exists.

We were stuffed to the gills.

We went to midnight church.

We were given far too many gifts.

We spent quality time with our nephews.

We were delighted when loved ones appreciated homemade gifts.

We caught up with family not often seen.

We praised God for his son Jesus's birth.

What did you do?

I'm no nanna!

2010-11-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

Glancing back over my blog of the past year, I sense that the nanna within me have really come to the forefront. As quite frankly there has been too much knitting. One project after the other, and with very nanna-ish themes too - I mean, tea cozies? And jumpers that are too big for the intended wearer? And handmade socks? Gosh, think I've aged 50 years!

So to reinforce that I'm not a nanna, to make myself feel a little better about it all here is a very oddly amusing clip that was on Rage yesterday. Although I didn't pay much attention to the breadth of the lyrics, the key lines have been running over and over in my mind and have been making me chuckle!

I've got love for you...

Woollen lovelies in the post...

2010-11-23T02:57:00.000-08:00

More wool, more knitting. And some crochet too! I'm really getting into the woolly crafts. These balls are destined for lots of things, like bags, leg warmers, woolly mittens and probably something for a new little niece/nephew that is busting to pop out any time soon.

Yet again trusty Bendigo Woollen Mills has delivered. The wool took around 7 days to arrive, but I did order it over a public holiday (Cup Day). But postage is free if you spend over $30, and I bought 8 balls so easily spent over this amount. I find it great value for money (around $12 for 200 g), the product is made locally and thus is ethically and environmentally preferred by me. The range of colours is enough for most of your standard projects too. I'm happy to tout their products any time...

Jesse's jumper...

2010-11-16T02:34:00.000-08:00

The largest knitting project I have ever attempted is now complete! A jumper perfectly too large to a little nephew of mine. Just in time (well a little early really) for his birthday. Each year as he gets older, I knit him a larger jumper. One day I will be making a jumper from grown ups at this rate... The wool is trusty Bendigo Woollen Mills. I love that you are delivered big balls of wool, in 200 g lots. Two balls was more than enough for this 3 year old's jumper, and I have a little left over for some granny squares. The colour is more blue than the photos represent, with flecks of tan, cream and coffee throughout. The pattern is from a book that I bought a number of years ago - patern's probably... I've found it to be a good basics book for baby things, and this jumper is the fourth pattern I've used from it.

This project tested my persistence. I was able to work at and complete a project that took a number of weeks rather than a few days. Usually I will give up, become bored with the knitting and move on to something quick and more instantly satisfying. So I am really stoked about this. The project also solidified skills in cables. Nothing too fancy, just a plait style pattern which is effective and adds detail to a very plain jumper.

On to the next knitting thing now... More Christmas gifties to come.

What have you been making lately?

Beachy weekends...

2010-11-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we went away with friends. And it was wonderful. Drove down the Mornington Peninsular, to a little place called Blairgowrie. We were staying one street back from the surf beach, in a giant house. Aren't friends generous to organise such a holiday? Weather was wonderful, which meant going to the local monthly market was a must. Afterwards I went for a stroll along the bay beach while the fella went swimming.

I love wondering along the beach. I enjoy getting sandy and having the cuff of my jeans become a little wet. I hunt for shells, for tumbled glass, for worn pieces of wood. I snap photos, wrinkle my nose up a seaweed and dream of doing this every day.

It was a great time to catch up with some friends we simply have not seen for years. I am excited about renewing old friendships... and feel very chilled after my mini-break for the weekend.

How have you relaxed lately?

Crocheted posie...

2010-11-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

Sweet little broches?

Or sewen along the top of a bag?

Or placed on a little hat for a wee girl?

Or in a bowl, ready to be admired or picked up and touched?

Or incorporated into granny squares (I have to learn how to make these)?

Or tags and decoration for gifts?

A cozy, rosey posie...

2010-10-27T03:09:00.000-07:00

1. Crocheted Flowers, 2. Crocheted Flower, 3. Lovely flowers crochet pattern, 4. Crocheted Flower - Carnation, 5. Crocheted 5-petal buttons, 6. Crocheted 5-petal flower button array, 7. Card with the Crocheted Flower Brooch, 8. crochet flower, 9. Super happy crochet flowers!

Where did photo one and two go? As a flickr-ignorarmus I simply could not move on my favourites list to get other images in that don't mind being shared.

Camera as still vanished in our house. One went to Canada with my mum. The other is simply gone. We took it to the beach a few weeks ago, did not use it but somehow have lost it. So I can't take photos of all the crochet flowers I've been whipping up. Three so far, in pink, red and an avocado green. Instead, enjoy the lovely florals made by others.

Aren't they clever?

Lovely things and some Little Red...

2010-10-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

Can't find the camera, where has it gone?

Instead, I'm inspired by snuggling up in the rainy weather, by winning netball tonight (!), by generous sisters who have given me early gifties of money towards new crafting, by luscious chai tea at the 1000 pound bend, by Little Red.

Enjoy the tunes, although I've not listened to the words closely I think this song makes me happy.

What has been tickling your fancy lately?

Giving of gifts...

2010-10-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

Jo and Matt's Cushion # 2.

Pattern: Jo Sharp

Wool: Bendigo Woollen Mills, Rustic Graphite

Needles: 4 mm

Are you a gift maker? Are you a gift giver? Some people are, others just don't think of it. Some give gifts just because... they saw something that was just you, they couldn't resist, they just wanted to show their love. These people are treasures, aren't they? One of my sisters is like this. Tell her what you like and she will look out for it everywhere. Very generous. One of my good friends is also like this. Whenever I've seen her recently she has had something for me. Be it wool for knitting, some glass apple bowls, a pair of purple leopard print socks. Loveliness!

Gifties often brightens the receivers day. And it should give the giver a warm glow too. And if you are a gift maker, well the joy can be ongoing. Starts with the glint of an idea, something to make just for the right person... before being made, wrapped and given with glee. Making, making to give. Trying to do this at the moment. So the above cushion has been made with plans to give to a sister getting married. It was very quick to knit up, with a simple but effective cable adding texture.

On the needles at the moment is a jumper for my nephew. Needs to be done for his birthday which falls around Christmas. And then there are some Chrissie gifts also...

Better get crafting!

Down at the local... library

2010-10-12T04:10:00.000-07:00

Lovely image from Whipup.net - with instructions for making this libary bag too!

Do you ever frequent your local? Yep, your local. It's full of colourful characters, of stories being told. How I love the library.

We try to go every fortnight, often after work and before a coffee. We search the shelves for hidden treasure, things we never considered reading. And we return to old favourites, much loved and borrowed often. Plus the local has a dvd collection, magazines to rival MagNation, wireless net, and all the facilities you need to create a zine! And if you make a zine using library resources, the library will add it to their collection.

The most recent library adventure resulting in a wide variety of books. A crafting book - Weekend Sewing - which has a shirt dress I'm keen to try as well as some trusty looking day bags that would make great gifts. A book about the history of sushi in the USA, some Alexander McCall Smith for general loveliness, a story set in Tehran prior to its radical change in the 70s (not sure of dates, have to read it to know when the country became closed). Also a simply amazing book which is inspiring me to bake, aptly called Baked.

What have you be reading lately?

Sitting, watching, waiting, wishing...

2010-10-05T00:57:00.000-07:00

Cool Cardi - on my wishlist to knit. Thanks Pickles!

Also on my wishlist - leg warmers. They look perfect for bike riding. Pickles again.

Back into blogging and still enjoying trawling the net for lovely things. There is so much goodness, creating, though and overall beautiful things to be found. One link with take you to a whole new place, with discoveries to be had. I find myself truely engrossed, reading post after post after post written by clever creative types. Hurrah for you who are the creative ones, you smart things you!

What to be found:

A stellar Norweigan duo, who knit, supply patterns and also sell wool. Check them out at Pickles.

More Scandi goodness, this time a fabric printing lady from Sweden who has just been to her summer house with the family - Fine Little Day. The images make me swoon, and long for extended summer breaks, for light that lingers into impossible hours, for a place to get away to...

The Textured Leaf has some wonderful reading, and I found a fellow Melbourne woman who creates, and has lots of kids, but somehow seems to always be making something! I'm mega impressed Ms 1/4".

And then there is cooking goodness - ever faithfully delicious Joy, methodical and meticulous the Closet "cooker" (I'm not sure Kevin would approve of being called that though...).

What lovely things have you discovered lately?

Upstream

2010-10-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

A simply beautiful, wistful, nostalgic and thought-filled film.

Why are you at sea?

Cabled creations...

2010-09-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

Jo and Matt's Cushion #1.

Pattern: Jo Sharp, Cabled Cushion

Wool: Bendigo Wollen Mills, Rustic Sandstone 8 ply

Needles: 4 mm

Knitting has been a real passion and time consumer for me this year! And I have loved it. And my skills have grown phenominally. So much so, I can now cable! I solidified my cabling skills by knitting a cushion for my sister and her fiance. Never thought I would make cushions - surely there is too much knitting involved, they get sat on, or used as trays when eating in front of the telly. But it knitted up so well. Lovely cushion, if I can say so myself. Perfect for a Chrissie gift. Perfect for a new home. Have you ever thought of knitting a cushion?

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?

2010-09-27T01:56:00.000-07:00

Back to blogging, back to basics?

As per most bloggers, life has gotten busy and away from me. And then I started avoiding blogging, cause I felt guilty for my absence, for my lack of prioritising the land of on-line. How foolish! How head-in-the-sand! Cause why am I blogging anyway? Good question, it certainly got me thinking. I don't wish to blog out of obligations, out of resentment. There are plenty of other things in life that I feel guilty about, so why have "hobbies" that make me cringe...

At first I stopped a few months ago because we were busy. We were moving, I was flat out with work, we had no internet. Then I got even more busy and stopped having time to blog-trawl. And flicking through the loveliness of others certainly inspired me to both create, photograph and blog. So when I no longer had time to linger over other's words and images, I found it harder to write. Gosh, I've missed blog trawling!

Hurrah for Whip-Up! Today I followed link after link, finding delicious knitting patterns to try. And discovering new blogs, well new to me. There are some amazingly creative people out there! Who use beautiful resources! Who take light-filled images that make me glow with happiness when staring at them. So I feel like I'm back in the game. Loveliness!

So, what is next? Will I blog again? Or perhaps spend time doing the following:

Taking more photos

Some gardening - tomatoes and lettuce if you please

Time to start a new knitting project

Finish off a quilt

Hang my fairy-lights

Dream up gifts to make for Christmas

Perfecting my baking skills...

Hopefully all of the above, with some blogging thrown in too!

Lovely pinkness!

Twinkle toes...

2010-07-10T19:45:00.001-07:00

More socks completed. This time in luscious Pear Tree yarn. 100% merino, wimsically dyed an array of colours. Snug under my boots. Perfect for trotting around the house in. Or warming one's toes next to the fire (make that a mini bar heater).

100s & 1000s socks
Pattern: Ravelry
Wool: Pear Tree Yarn 4 ply "100s & 1000s"
Needles: 3.25 mm double pointed

Knit one, knit another...

2010-07-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

One pair of socks are completed!

One of my goals is to improve my knitting skills. And this will take a life-time to reach the master knitter level. So why not start now? I've been setting myself some knitting challenges. Circular needles... children's garments... socks. Socks are staples in the knitting world really. But prior to now, I'd not made them. I'd enjoyed the benefits of knitted socks, care of relatives with superior knitting experience. They are more warm, more durable than purchased socks. They work perfectly under boots, or when you are having a country weekend away and need to rug up. Surely I could make some...

I found knitting on double-pointed needles a challenge. And with an injured finger from sport, all the more challenging. But it certainly was an achievable task. Not quick, but not too hard. Fiddly really. With all these needles pointing in all sorts of directions. The fella wanted a plain pattern though (that is, no pattern) which significantly reduced the amount of fussing that needed to occur. Thus although time consuming to knit, there were not too bad.

Have you ever knitted socks? What sort?

Pete's Socks
Pattern: Ravelry
Wool: Opal "Ron" 4 ply wool cotton blend
Needles: 3.25 mm double pointed set of 4, steel

The art deco man...

2010-06-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Iconic.

Melbourne.

Read a quote saying that Melbourne is full of institutions which no longer exist. It was said by the man from Patterson's Cakes, who is closing the family business after 94 years. And Patterson's is an institution. So sad. But this fella, with his death-rattling roller coasters, remains open. Family fun for all.

Just for giggles...

2010-06-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

And the real baked good is...

In my tummy.

Found these various "food items" in a number of shops in the past few weeks. The "food as craft" or "crafted food" idea has been around for a while. It made me giggle to see these examples though.

Which reminds me, I have a felt sushi kit that I should whip out and stitch up some time...

The cat got cross

2010-06-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Knitting away.

Distracted by the French Open tennis.

Made a mistake - increased my stitches too much.

Sock too big.

The cat got cross.

Simply can't appreciate his moment of glory as the Cat in the Hat.

Drats.

Winter wondering...

2010-06-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

Winter has hit Melbourne, do you agree?

The mornings are dark and foreboding. The sun dares to peak out when it is feeling brave, but overall hides behind the low clouds. The temperature is only just over 10* C, meaning one needs to rug up, to find gloves hidden in the depths of the cupboard, snuggle into slippers and ugg boots, long for a warm hand-knitted scarf. People are wearing black more black than is expected for Melbourne, and often look more than a little cross in the morning. I'm one of those cross-lookers, I must admit. It is hard to get out into the cold, to be bold enough to open the front door and experience the weather before the day has gotten going.

How will I get though? I am asking myself this more often than I should. It is only early June, just the second week of winter. I calculate that it won't be consistently warm, bone-nourishingly warm until November even December. And then only for a few days... Oh, for some weather that is laced with the sun, which encourages you to throw open the doors and windows, which necessitates sandals and sunhats. Oh, I can dream...

Winter, putting up with the cold has to have some benefits though. Like jumping into a bed warmed by a hottie (be that a loved one, a cat or even a hot water bottle). Purchasing new tights which you know will hug your legs all day long. Drinking whole pots of brewed tea, wrapping your fingers around mugs of the stuff with glee. Making vats of winter stews, full of root vegetables and meat that longs to be cooked low and slow. Walking amongst the last of the fallen leaves, and seeing the sun emerge from between the branches of bear trees. Knitting up things that keep you warm, like socks, and scarves, and hats, and rugs... Snuggling under patchwork quilts that were made with love and intended for cold nights such as these.

What do you love about winter?

Knitting on the round...

2010-06-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

What I hope to achieve:

Where I am up to:

This project is not fun! I am finding the socks tedious! Too many needles. Too fine a ball of wool. Too slow going. At least, this was my attitude a few days ago. Yesterday I conquered the heel, and the leg it knitting up just fine. Now I'm loving my sock and keen to make its twin. This beautiful wool is called 100s and 1000s and is from the Pear Tree Yarn Shop. They were exhibiting at the Stitches and Craft Fair, and I was demonstrating with their wool while volunteering. It is so soft, made from 100% merino and knits up well. I simply couldn't resist this ball with its vivid colouring. Hurrah!

Graffitied tunnel of dreams...

2010-06-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

Walking home from work, I travel under a giant intersection that has been exploited to the max. How I love this graffitied tunnel! Daily I see some new detail within it. Currently I'm keen on the blue section at one entrance, with bats, dragons, hot air balloons and a friendly alien.

There is beauty in these images. And creativity too.

Knitting for netball...

2010-05-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

Whipped up a headband and finished it in the past week. Used up scraps of wool from a tea cozie made recently. Endeavouring to keep my ears warm while playing netball outside on a Melbourne night. So chilly! What better solution than a snowflake patterned headband to warm those frozen ears...
I used to pattern from a tea cozie book, doubled it and removed a few stitches to get a pattern I preferred. Also lined it with a plain stocking stitch, in order to ensure no bobby pins get caught in the back of the fairisle patterning. It is amazingly warm and makes playing netty outdoors in bone-chilling winds more tolerable. Now I need a solution for when it rains...

The Nordic Festival

2010-05-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, our family went for an adventure in the country. The car was packed, an itinerary was agreed on, accommodation booked and off we went to Warburton. Only just over an hour from Melbs, Warburton is a little town in the east, nestled in amongst the hills. The sky was clear and still. The country side was gloriously changing from green to orange with deciduous trees. The leaves on numerous grape vines were going this way also. It was gloriously relaxing and felt like a holiday.

So why Warburton you ask... For an inaugural Scandinavian Festival! Who would have thought? Certainly not me. I didn't really have any idea that this sort of thing occurred. But a few months ago I was going to the Nord Living shop on Glenferrie Road to purchase a gift for a baby shower, and sure enough the proprietor asked if I was going to the festival. With the details scribbled down and plans being hatched, I discovered more. Not only was there to be a smorgasbord dinner prepared by a Danish chef, but viking re-enactments, a film festival, vodka tasting, two art exhibitions, an opportunity to discover one's Nordic roots, lectures on social policy in Scandinavia and a market. Oh, I am quivering with excitement just recalling it all!

So we explored the town and found great cake and some nifty second-hand shops. We ate Swedish meatballs and Danish open sandwiches. We purchased Finnish glass wear. We spoke with women dressed in Norwegian traditional costume. We made friends with fellow scandies, and discovered where in Melbs to by lenkisauna (sausage to eat when having a sauna). What a weekend.

As for crafting up there, a number of stalls at the markets had beautiful crafted things. I did feel too cheeky to take pictures of their creations though... So imaging an army of comical vikings, made from felt and faces obscured by wispy woollen beards around 15 centimeters tall. Or hand-knitted hats featuring Nordic designs. Lovely!

For some Scandinavian links I picked up over the weekend, try the following:

Fine by Nature - Finnish textiles shop in Warburton
100 Hats - hats and creations with Scandinavian designs
Nordic Festival information - where we went, the program, etc...
The Mud Factory - Swedish bicycles and Scandi-inspired ceramics
Nord Living - Scandi shop in Melbourne

Scandi-ing about on the weekend...

2010-05-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

Images from a Scandi weekend away. More details to follow...

Melbourne town glimpses...

2010-05-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just some images from my wondering around Melbourne town. The fella and I took some time one day to explore, smell the roses and enjoy the finer things in life. It was great and took us around some interesting 'burbs.

These images depict things I am keen on - found objects being reused, interesting bold graphic images being used as graffiti, Art Deco landmarks.

What great and quirky things are in your neighbourhoods?

Holidays are over...

2010-05-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just some images from our few days away last week. We made the most of a week off between jobs and went bush. The air was so still. The bush was fresh and largely untouched. We pitched the tent and made lovely fires. There is something about cooking outdoors, isn't there? We walked up big hills, drove up some too. We enjoyed the wildlife, such as this cheeky rosella who explored my handbag.

Back to the city now. And off to a new job! I think blogging this morning is my way of avoiding getting on with things... Time is ticking, off I go to get ready.

Cozies completed yet again...

2010-05-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

Start of a week off work - well half way through now. Loving the break between one job and the next. Loving having time to sleep in. To meet up with people for coffee. To get some odd jobs done. To have a late lunch down the street with the fella. To watch MasterChef re-runs until my eyes water and my mouth is locked open in disbelief and greed around what has just been created. To take time for the small things, like watering my plants and enjoying the cat's company. To finish off projects before starting something new - I bought some great items from the S&C Fair.

So for some show and tell, a little bragging if you don't mind. I have finished my first cozie from Loani Prior's Really Wild Tea Cozies. It's the floral one, that is a little out of control on the top. This was conceptually a challenge, as knitting it involved using two sets of circular needles which revolved around the work as it grew. Once I had mastered this, things turned out okay and I was able to be quite quick with my building of the cozie's body. The cozie is self-lined also, and consequently really snug.

The second cozie is a simply completed giftie for my sister-in-law. A few years ago I bought her a lilac teapot. For her birthday this year, why not dress the cozie and add a few quality packets of tea for good measure? I hope she is a tea drinker... Otherwise, oh well. Although I've chosen terribly similarly toned wool for this project, I love the effect of the snowflake on the background. The pattern is soft and makes me pretend I'm at a ski lodge. I've knitted up a contrasting cozie of the same pattern, with green background and brown snowflakes. It is striking and very Scandinavian.

And lastly, some chocolate chip biscuits for afternoon tea. Hastily consumed by the fella while he whipped me at a game of Seafarers of Catan. Drats!

A sweet little cozie knitted up by my nana.

Mums and Mother's Day

2010-05-09T16:11:00.001-07:00

Us girls and mum. Sorry sisters for the terrible photo! It was the only one I could find with all of us.

Mums. Don't you love them?

I sure do. So as a late tipping of my hat to Mother's Day, I want to say hi mum. You are a star!

My mum inspired me with a love of craft.

She has encouraged me to be patient and follow the instructions. Not that I do this, but I know it will work if I only did.

She has always endeavoured to give handmade gifts at Christmas, although sometimes we got them at Easter instead when they were finished.

She has brought up five kids, and we have turned out okay.

She used to bake biscuits for when we got home from school.

She put up with pets, although she could not stand them.

She is compassionate and generous with her time.

She will do the jobs I don't like - such as washing my wedding dress or winding wool into balls.

She is lovely! I do believe she is.

Hurrah for mums!

And grandmothers!
And important women in our lives.

The granny square itch...

2010-05-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

In the lead up to the stitches and craft fair, I descided to give the crochet patterns a trial. I was volunteering for two days on the knitting bar. I wasn't feeling too confident with my crochetting ability, as primarily I love knitting. But I had heard that some of the projects would involve crochet. And boy am I glad I did the practice runs, as the crochet projects were so popular! It seemed that most people were keen on learning how to trebble, chain and form a slip stitch. Given that my skill level with crochet is basic at best, I feel quite intimidated really. I can do what needs to be done, but nothing more really. And can I instruct someone else on how to crochet? Well, I needed to on Friday and Saturday.

So in preparation I crochetted a floral twist (as per my previous blog entry), a fortune cookie and a granny square. And the grannys have sucked me in! What can you do with one granny square after all? Make a lone coaster perhaps, but little else. Four would be a set of coasters, sixteen would make a cushion cover, make enough and you have a scalf. Even more and a granny rug. Where should I end? So I've caught the bug. The granny bug. Oh, and I'm loving it.

This granny square addiction is not new. I've been through this faze before. And made a lumpy little lap rug. It is one of my more ugly creations. I think it should be bequeathed to the cat.

And others have inspired with the granny square. Such as "a granny a day" challenge by people such as Pip from Meet Me At Mikes. With flickr groups dedicated to grannys. With new crafters wanting to make treasures similar to those their own grannys made!

Given that patterns are freely available on line, I don't feel too bad giving instructions for these. They don't come from me, rather were available at the S&C Fair. Hopefully this is not a breach of copy right. If it is, let me know and I will remove the pattern. I think the instructions are generic enough to be given to you lovely bunch though.

Simple Granny Square.

Chain five, join into a circle with a slip stitch.

Round 1: Chain up four. 3 x treble into the centre of the circle, chain 1. Repeat twice. 2 x treble, join to the third space of the chain of four with a slip stitch.

Round 2: Change colours into a one chain space, chain up three. 2 x treble into this space, chain one, 3 x trebles into this space, chain one. Skip over round 1 set of trebles, into the next chain space 3 x trebles, chain one, 3 x trebles, chain one. Repeat from "skip over" twice more. Join into the third space of the chain of three with a slip stitch.

Round 3. Change colours into a one chain corner space, chain up three. 2 x trebles into this space, chain one, 3 x trebles into this space, chain one. Skip over round 2 set of trebles, into the next chain space (will be in the centre of the side you are working on) 3 x trebles, chain one. Skip over the next round 2 set of trebles, into the next chain space (will be a corner), 3 x trebles, chain one, 3 x trebles, chain one. Repeat from "skip over round 2 set of trebles... centre of the side you are working on" twice more. Join into the third space of the chain of three with a slip stitch.

You are finished, well done!

A change is as good as... a crafternoon.

2010-05-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

A floral twist crochetted up for the S&C Fair - I needed to practice my trebbles and double crochets!

There has been a lot happening at our place. Most significantly, I've quit my job and am now on a week's holiday before starting the new one. I work as an occupational therapist, and simply love my profession. I love how practical it is. I love how creative it is. The philosophy of OT fits with my value system and beliefs as well. It is about enabling people with skills to get on with what they want to so. It recognises that spirituality is core in who people are and how they function. It recognises what makes people strong and encourages them to build resilience around this.

So when we moved back to Melbs, I had work which was great. But after only a few weeks I realised it wasn't for me. It may have been only a few days after starting that I figured this out. It wasn't a bad job, it just didn't fit with what I love about being an OT. What to do? I had a contract for 12 months, so there certainly was no sense of obligation from my employer. But should I leave after so short a period? And what about the important thing, like the fact the pay was the best I will get for a long time in this job that I didn't like. It was hard to way up the short-term gains, like money and security and familiarity, with what I wanted to long term.

So I was brave, applied for a few things and offers of interviews came flooding in. But the job I took was just the one I was after. I get to work with people who experience enduring mental health issues. I get to work with them around establishing goals for recovery and getting on with life. Can't wait! My last day of the old job was on Thursday, so I've got a week off to rest, clean the house, go on adventures and craft.

Speaking of craft, the Stitches and Craft Fair has been on since Wednesday in Melbourne town. Come along and participate in a craft bar. You can learn how to knit, or stitch, or refashion clothing. What fun!

Other thing have been happening too. Lots of pasta eating, MasterChef watching, netball playing. What fun times...

Lovely things considered on a Saturday morning...

2010-04-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

A bird on a bicycle, how lovely, how Melbourne (a gift to myself to celebrate being back in town).

Lovely things to cherish:

the fella learning to knit

the cat running away from the vaccuum cleaner

coffee on a Saturday morning

birds, beach finds and blog give-a-ways (thanks Sara)

bags of oranges from the markets, waiting to be turned into jam

lily season

a clean house

knitting until you have finished a project

watching Masterchef when you are too sick to go to work

Spanish chocolate with a hint of cinnamon

Douglas and Hope's Melbourne canvas tote

watching Rage and Video Hits until they end

baking bread, with dried fruit and spices

What lovely things do you cherish?

Oriental lilies in abundance at the markets, I couldn't resist taking some home.

A beautiful bird, a warrior found at St Kilda beach and a print from In the Light of the Sun.

The fella's efforts at knitting - he is getting there!

Getting to know and love my town.

2010-04-21T15:18:00.001-07:00

Out and about my local area recently, getting to know my town and the streets near by. I've discovered parks with bbqs. I've stumbled along a bmx bike track with crazy looking hills. A pomegranate tree was also spotted. And heaps of old lovely houses. And out of the way coffee shops. And buildings transformed for new purposes.

But remnants of the old uses of the buildings remain. Such as in these signs. Like them?

My maiden name was mercer, which means one who deals in fine cloth or linen. It is from the French and is linked with textiles.

And in the fantastic stationary store next to the scene of my morning coffee, these little fellas were poking about. Delicious.

Inspired to knit like crazy.

2010-04-14T03:59:00.000-07:00

Image from www.birds-n-yearn.com

Simply loving knitting at the moment. I'm yet to start a project beyond tea cozies for the year, but slowing working up to something massive! Such as a lovely owl yoked jumper from a lovely lady living in Scotland. Do you think I could do it?

Image from www.needled.wordpress.com/designs

Reading the owl pattern lady's blog, I feel really inspired. She knits. Amongst other things. But knits she does. She sees someone wearing a nice cardie will look at it for a while and then whip it up over a few weeks. How incredible! I think I'd like to aspire to this level of knitting adeptness. It would be incredible.

But currently I'm not even keen to finish off the last bit of crochet on my most recent cozie. All I have to do is finish off the handle opening. Maybe tonight...

Sanity slipping though my fingers...

2010-04-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Lots of changes are afoot here in our place. Change, as good as a holiday. For me, I don't mind new adventures. Others though resist change, dig their heels in and won't budge. My cat is such a sort. He won't move, not if he doesn't want to. He makes his wee little body as heavy as possible and simply wont let go. One of my girlfriends has admitted to being the same. One big change at a time, and preferably followed by two years of adjusting time.

So I think I can do change. But stress, that's another matter. I worry, I am anxious. And I'm trying to have my character shaped so that this does not characterise me. Stress. Horrid stuff. Sure enough, with change has come stress for me. I'm moving to a new job in a number of weeks. Which is really exciting. But the week after I got the new job, the fella decided to quit his. Which means we have to move - as our flat is part of his employment package. And we will have half of our current income, which is fine except that I've not yet gotten a contract and I'm not the sort of person to ask how much money I will be paid to do something. All this to do in the next three weeks... STRESS. How I loath it.

Here are the strategies I'm attempting to implement to manage my stress, before I lose all of my hair...

1. Pray.

2. Tell the fella when I am stressed, so he can rub my back or make me a gin and tonic.

3. Read books I love, with stories that carry me away.

4. Limiting the time I look at real estate - too long and I become overwhelmed with the abundant options

5. Make a budget, and make financial choices that stick to the budget - e.g. no breakfast at the markets rather fresh fruit when we get home.

6. Exercise.

7. Knit up a storm.

8. Spend quality time with the kitty.

If you have any other tips, please let me know. I need to get over the habit of stressing.

On the plus side, just before I start the new job I've volunteered at the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Fair. I will be part of the knitting bar, whipping up a storm. Can't wait to be part of a few solid days of crafting with others who have a similar passion. Hurrah!

Curtains with sweet little birds for my room...

2010-03-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Why is it so hard to take photos of curtains - all the back-lighting.

Rental houses. Great things - living in amazing locations with minimal outlay, able to have things fixed without ongoing expenses. Bad things - having to move, often crappy things that you can't change, chronically terrible colour schemes. And I've not once lived in a rental home that has curtains either. Always blinds, cheap blinds. Yuck. And in cream or beige. Adding nothing to the character of the home, challenging to clean when we move, lifeless really.

But our current flat had one set of curtains! Ugly ones though. And a curtain rod that extends the entire length of the wall despite the window only being a quarter of the width. And four massive curtains covering the wall and the small window. What was I to do? Make some curtains of course.

I'd been eyeing this fabric off for some time. Found it featured in a design catalogue a few months ago and I'd been keen on a project to use it in. Fabric was easy to locate - from Ikea - and stupidly cheap to boot. I made sure that there was enough to cover the width of the window by at least double, and then added some more on for good measure. Full curtains require significantly more fabric, but with such thin fabric I really didn't think it was needed. All it took was the sewing room/study being cleared of boxes and some table surface being found. Then a day off, some good tunes and a pair of curtains was made. Hurrah! The tab tops were a little bit of work, but nothing taxing. Just some ironing and folding and pinning before sewing carefully. I was lazy and didn't remove the selvages as I thought this would be the easiest way to ensure a straight edge on them.

I have hung them in order for the fabric to drop before hemming. Now I just need to have time to finish them off, as they have been hanging so they drop for over two weeks! Ops...

How sweet is this fabric? How lovely is it against the beautiful plain trees on the street? I love that the fabric is soft and thin and simply defuses the light. No blocking out of the sun in my room if you please. And the simply illustrated images of those birds, with splodges of green... Can you tell I spent a few hours looking at this fabric fondly while sewing?

It was a real joy to make these curtains and consequently to make my rental flat feel like it is my home! It also made me long for the day when I can paint walls to match the curtains if I choose.

The tab tops while being pressed and sewn into place.

Friday, lightboxes and community-based craft...

2010-03-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Wondering what to get a Friday morning started with. Maybe some mellow guitar based lyricing. Mixed with craft if you will. The lightbox background of this clip is very sweet, with owls perching and flying fish. The transparency layering is very effective and makes for an interesting clip. Enjoy.

By the by, walking through the streets of in-Melbs and I've discovered a craft encouragement shop! Yep, it wants people to craft. Don't think it is about selling craft, or selling products. Rather about selling a love of craft to the community. I had a sticky beak in the window - a couch strewn with crafting off-casts, bunting, home made softies. It looked delicious. At the desk was a lady who looked like she had been crafting for many a year. Oh, why didn't I go in? Want to go on a craft excursion with me?

Cozies completed...

2010-03-24T04:06:00.000-07:00

Knitting is winding up. Getting a little sick of the tea cozie. More just needing new projects. So I've been cooking and enacting my domestic goddess skills - sour dough bread, olives soaking in brine, hot cross buns. And planting in pots on the balcony - sweet peas, lovely tasty peas and some spring onions. It has been really thrilling to see the shoots pop up a week after the seeds were sown. I find it so encouraging and a little touch of a miracle to see the plants growing. Give it a few weeks and we will be eating freshly grown spring onion tops - a.k.a garlic chives. Then a few months more and we will have peas! What amazing things can be grown in a pot with regular watering and a little sun shine.

Here is the final lot of current cozies... But perhaps I still have two more to make. One for the sister-in-law's birthday, the other for maybe a birthday for a particular bloke. And there is a sweet pattern of a mushroom covered cozie. I'd love one of those for me!

Maybe these finished projects will encourage me, and you too.

Maybe Martha...

2010-03-17T23:48:00.000-07:00

Lovely images from www.marthastewartliving.com

Is it just me, or do you have a secret desire to be in the audience of Martha Stewart? She is on telly around 4 p.m. ish. I've not figured out the exact time so I'm pleasantly surprised every time I find it on. Today she was featuring rescued dogs, who long to be loved outside of the RSPCA version that they have in America. Yesterday (on St Patrick's day) she featured valentine's Day. With super candy brownies and pop up kissing Valentine cards. Very sweet. Martha does not seem to get all that excited though. She is a little dry. But boy the show is crafty and creative. Cooking, craft, pets - delicious! Maybe one day I'll be on holiday in the US and get tickets to her show....

Cozies all cozied up...

2010-03-10T22:52:00.000-08:00

A holiday Kukaburra at Taggarty

A sweet little stich counter from the op shop and some precious tortoise shell needles from my nana.

I've been well and truly bitten by the tea cozie bug. And what a warm, itchy yet delicious bite it is!

Here are a few of my reflections on what I love about knitting cozies, but I have gotten a little carried away... They can be whipped up quickly, just in a few sessions really. They are appreciated as they are not every day things (but they should be). They give me an abundance of opportunities to try out new knitting techniques - such as intarsia knitting, which I am becoming a bit of a gun at now. Small, seemingly useless bits of will can be used up and maximised to their full potential. The finished product makes sensational gifts. And they are just so cozie!

I'm loving the book I bought, as mentioned previously. And recently I've had time on my hands, such as a weekend in the country to knit, knit, knit. Please enjoy this one finished project and the two works in progress. Flicking through my how-to cozie book, I've got around five more that I want to try out. And then there's that article in the most recent Mixed Tape zine about the amazing lady who makes her own cozie designs and then wins prizes at the Red Hill show. Oh, I could dream and knit for a very long time...

Well, I gave Con her super cozie, the one with the mega lining and sweet reverse knitted sheep. And despite her having a relatively big tea pot, the cozie was huge! And her pot's handles come from the top of the pot not the side. Drats! I think I need to come up with a plan for the good old top handle tea pot model. After all, I have one too that I use at work on cold days. I'm thinking two pieces, with no covering over the lid. Tight fitting too.

Lemon delights...

2010-03-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

With the amazing weather in Victoria recently, I think my lemon tree has grown overnight! Hurrah! I was quite apprehensive about buy the tree. After all, the poor thing would have to live in a pot and be exposed to endless exhaust fumes from a busy road. I also worried about the amount of sunlight it would receive, and whether its owners would be consistent in giving it some regular water and fertiliser. But oh, how I love lemons. Lemon butter, lemon slice, lemon cake, chicken and lemon, lemon in guacamole, in a white lady (that refreshingly sour cocktail), roasted with root veggies... Oh, I could go on.

No fruit so far, but new shoots which make me smile. Yep, those little redish brown shoots are new growth! They are my lemon tree getting bigger. I'm thrilled, and very surprised that it has not died. Any tips around growing successful lemons would be much appreciated.

A little tree dweller.

By the by, how sweet are these little biscuits? Ikea had some gems of cookie cutters, and who could resist a squirrel biscuit with a cup of tea? Or fantastic Mr Fox even? Perhaps iced in vibrant orange with a chocolate sprinkle tail...

Tea if you please...

2010-03-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

I'm on a bit of a tea cozie roll at the moment. First there was the delicious sea horse cozie. Then I started that bubbly purple and turquoise one and became frustrated with it - it remains on the needles in a vain hope of one day being completed. Then my girlfriend Con requested a sheep or tea cup embossed cozie. Now it is one for sis Sue, as mentioned. That one is done, but I used a thin acrylic for the main fabric. It was simply a matter of itching to start and using what was on hand. So my solution is to make a lining. Thicken up the fabric, increase the heat-retention properties, double up on coziness. Hurrah!

But Connie's is done, and I thought I could brag. It is the most intense cozie I have ever seen. The pattern was even more over the top. Knitted with two strands of wool, with a lining also made from double strands. Despite recommendations to do so, I chose to forgo adding stuffing between the layers. I also left off the white rose from the top of the cozie. Now all I need to do is package it up and give it with lots of love to Con. Then sit back and sip some tea if you please.

The extra layer - secret cozie lining (makes a stellar beanie).

Glenferrie Road wandering...

2010-03-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

Well my day off today has not been too crafty, but it has been one of discoveries. I went for a stroll down Glenferrie Road with my sister Sue and took in the sunshine and loveliness of it all. What did I discover?

One of the classics, Nordliving where I ordered a Finnish sticker for the car.

Some granny square prink leggings from Romance Was Born - think this dress by in stretchy pants.

Too much curry at Tandoori Express.

The second Tea Cozie book, following a request from Sue for a tea cozie. Who wouldn't want and I heart T cozie?

Plus scoring a generous offering of free clothes from the lovely sis. She is too kind.

After this great day, I'm keen to sew and craft and create. All I want to do is make some Scandi inspired things, contemplate an adorable stars and moon mobile that could be made, get out the needles and whip up that cozie, and perfect the granny square. Oh, drats... back to work tomorrow.

Crafting reflected

2010-02-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

While I am a creative person, I tend only to craft when I get an itch. It is perhaps not a part of my daily life simply just because. Well, maybe it is. But I don't feel as though I've always got a creative and inspirational idea. Or that I'm just whipping something up as a last minute giftie which will be just so perfect. Or that I'm planning the next home make over. Or that I can tailor the perfect shirt/skirt/bag. Does this make sense? Perhaps I'm a crafter who loves crafting but it takes a little effort.

Yep, think that's right. Like when I got into art school. I could have done it and would have loved it. But I reflected on the thought that there are so many people out there who love painting, who paint daily, who sacrifice comforts and nice things in life in order to paint. Was I one of those? Did I have the passion. Nope. So why take up a place that others will be devastated to miss out on? Sure, I still enjoyed painting but I'm not a naturally 100% painting person.

Given this is the case, how to I imbue more crafting into my life? Cause I do craft and create. I am a creative being, really I am. I just create in different ways. Like loving my herbs and watering them daily. Like making scrumptious bickies for my fella. Like knitting a tea cozie. How do I do this more though, how to I inspire myself to unpack the sewing room, to set up the machine? How do I scratch that itch. And it's driving me crazy...

By taking time out for the little things, that's how. By spending thirty minutes to decorate a giftie with a little something extra. I need to do this more often. Hurrah for hearts. Hurrah for wool. Hurrah for old ikea fabric. Hurrah for Matt and Fi's engagement party, and their upcoming wedding.

It's the little things in life...

2010-02-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

Where have I been? What have I been doing?

Crafternooning - craft, good friends, frenchie tunes, tasty treats.

Seeing flicks in great locations - the Moonlight Cinema and the Astor Theatre.

Drinking coffee, often - from my keep cup.

Working, working, working.

Whipping up some tasty treats - such as some double lemon delight biscuits and this luscious rhubarb.

Longing to pull out the sewing machine.

Knitting another cozy.

Thinking I'll go for a run and not quite getting there.

What have you been up to?

Bits and bobs that have made me happy!

2010-01-30T22:04:00.001-08:00

Launceston Marina
Originally uploaded by Kah Kit Yoong

A beautiful photo of Tassie for your viewing pleasure. Not my own photo unfortunately - I'm yet to unpack the camera.

Life continues to get more organised! Hurrah. Friday was a day off work, and was the rejuvenating lift that I needed - morning markets, hot bratwurst with sauerkraut, cups of tea with sisters, sister-in-law, mum and dad, house cleaning, repair men fixing things, coffee and red wine in St Kilda while reading the Big Issue. What a day - then off to Tassie that night. I felt so relaxed, the fella commented that I was happy (I take it I've been a grump lately!) and I had good friends to spend the weekend with.

As for crafting time, I need more in my life. But I'm getting plenty of book time (reading Sense and Sensibility), and a fair dose of the tennis too. I am looking forward to the crafternoon this Saturday! Which will give me some crafting hours, some cups of tea and some good chats.

But until then, I need to clean more. I need to organise the house - particularly the shared study/craft room. I need to do our grocery shopping as you can't get everything from the markets. I also need to spend some more time reading blogs, linking with people and loving the creative world that is online.

By the by, thanks so much to MMAMs for putting the crick-star up on their photo gallery in December. It was part of the meme that was running around the theme of "My Place and Yours". Now all I need to do is get the real Cricket back as our house is inhabitable at last.

New things contemplated

2010-01-18T03:14:00.000-08:00

A ball of creative potential - uncovered from the boxes in my house, exciting to rediscover what I own!

We have moved from one side of Aus to the other! We have stuffed out little flat to the gills (and it isn't that little really), have unpacked most of the boxes and started to explore the area. What a great place to live it is too! Not quite city, not quite beach, not quite fun-filled inner suburb. How I love it! The best of everything, My mum went so far as to say it is the place to live if you are moving to Melbs. So sweet of her.

In the midst of the busyness of moving, I've made some new crafting discoveries. Thanks to Laura, I've now visited Morris and Sons the wool shop. They were having a sale and I made some new purchases - a pink embroidery hoop and a tapestry for a special someone. Also purchased the Crafty Minx, a new craft/recycling book by an Aussie author. While the projects are not particularly challenging, I'm enjoying the book's layout and the author's choices of fabrics. Also bought some of the beautiful cloth-bound Penguin classics (Sense and Sensibility by Austen, Cranford by Gaskell), after being inspired by reading Persuasion. Poor Anne, overlooked and bullies by those around her, appreciated by a family she chose not to be part of, eventually securing the affection of her heart after rejecting him previously!

As for creating. Oh boy, it has been fun! No sewing, as the sewing/study is an absolute mess. But rather knitting tea cozies. A great project to learn a new knitting stitch. Not too big that you struggle for hours, but large enough to ensure practice ensues. Also achievable in a few days. And who doesn't want a cup of hot tea poured from a vessel protected by a band of golden sea horses? Tea cozie number two is currently underway. I've finished the garter stitch band, then I will learn how to gather/runch up my knitting to get a pleated effect. Chosen purple and blue for the project, simply as I've got two balls of each, the colours are not offensive together, and the resulting combination should be very easy to gift in the future.

Plus, looking forward to a meeting of fellow creating beings! A crafternoon is planned for a few weeks time. We are hoping to have a monthly get together of creating, with lots of tea and cakes too. I need to toute it amongst my circles and coordinate further with my sis-in-law. What will I create...

In the end...

2009-12-09T04:46:00.000-08:00

last...

bike ride home from work;

meal at the wharf;

night hugging the crick-star in Darwin;

face-to-face contact with my clients at work;

watching of $1 Tuesday videos from the local store;

Wednesday before we move to Melbs.

And the last chance to shriek when seeing a crocodile. Boy, I will miss freaking out every time I go near water!

Where I lay my hat... My place and yours...

2009-12-07T01:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a perfect MEME theme this week (thanks MMAM and Myrlte & Eunice)! Perfect as I'm about to pack up all my belongings and transport from one side of Aus to the other! Perfect as I will be living out of a suitcase for a month. Perfect as moving is an ideal time to re-think what treasures belong with you. Perfect as this upheaval is putting life in general in perspective. What do I want from a new place to live? What is important for a work-life balance? What is important for my relationships? What gives me peace? What looks after my mental health? What helps me love and serve others?

Is it stuff? Is it belonging? Is it spirituality? Is it security?

I'm not sure of answers, and thinking about things is making me listless. But I do know some things that are essential. Where I lay my hat has to do with the following things:

1. Where the fella is.

2. Where the Crick-star is.

3. Where I feel loved and can give lots of love.

What is important for keeping your hat hanging - with bells and ribbons on?

This is Mr Cricket, my little cat. He is not so little any more. But he still likes to hide in safe places.

My place's best feature, so nyoice!

2009-12-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

(a tropical lightning storm around 2 a.m. - so powerful, so beautiful, so Darwin)

What is unusual about my place? This is the question asked by Tony from Little Suitcase in the MMAM meme.

Lots of things really. But nothing that makes me cringe too much. And nothing that is really out of the ordinary. We live in a pretty standard apartment. Three bedrooms, an open plan living area, a decent sized balcony. Nothing strange there. We don't live up that high, just on the fifth floor. We get decent reception on the telly, can spy on the neighbours if needed but have sufficient privacy too. What is unusual is maybe where the house is, who else lives around, and that it is in a tropical climate.

We live in the middle of three apartment blocks, all of which have the same street number. This is unusual. You give directions to people and say "come to the middle tower". Lost tradies will approach you down stairs and say things like "where do I find unit 78?", as it could be in any of the three buildings. Our building is named after a war person, some guy who did something heroic. There is a picture of him next to the lift, with a spiel about his accomplishments. This is strange, maybe a little embarrassing also. And everyone who lives in these apartments works for the company the fella does. I really cringe about this, and certainly wouldn't say this is nyoice. If I'd known before we had moved here, I would have found alternative accommodation. But it hasn't worked out too badly.

But what is unusual, and the feature that I love is the view! We overlook the water, seeing the sun rise and set over the sea daily. There is a fishing boat marina just outside, and when a good haul comes in fireworks are set off on the boats. One such catch reached shore last night. It was spectacular to have fireworks exploding right outside our bedroom window. Oh, I will miss this. I've not lived so near to the ocean before and truly love sitting on my balcony and contemplating life. With a good book, a glass of red and the breeze lightly rustling through my pot plants. Please enjoy this unusual feature of my place, particularly as we are leaving it in only two weeks!

What's going on with me

2009-11-29T04:57:00.000-08:00

Making: a picnic backgammon set
Writing: job applications
Eating: healthy stuff
Drinking: good red wine
Thinking: about living in St Kilda
Planning: for the big move
Wishing: for some serenity
Loving: lightning, parties for two year old girls
Reading: not much - I need something new
Watching: Capitalism, a Love Story
Wanting: to go to bed now

But before I go, a picture of this funny looking dolly. She was at the Tip Shop when we went exploring there on Saturday. I think she is too scary for words. I could just imagine the horrors she gets up to at night. Surely there is a film about a discarded doll who goes on rampages after twilight sets in...

My collection, better late than never

2009-11-29T04:29:00.000-08:00

Life (well time anyway) seems to be slipping away from me. There is too much to do. In just over two weeks I will be moving from one side of Aus to the other. And I have to finish work, communicate with the removalists, plan where we will be staying along the way after we devise a route to take, buy Christmas goodies as we will be arriving on Christmas eve, orientate a new worker to my job, clean the mess we live in, encourage the cat that he will be okay on an aeroplane, apply for any job in Melbs that seams okay, etc!

So much to do, not enough time.

So the Meet Me At Mikes meme just got away before I knew it. I've not posted for the past couple of weeks, I've not trawled through the creative posts others have put up. Oh, so sad.

The theme of the past week was around collections, with this lady asking the question "What do you collect?". I collect junk, shoes, recipe books, board games, metal cigarette cases, dust. But most consistently I collect birds in the form of Christmas decorations. My ultimate plan is to one day have a tree just full of birds. And to tell you the truth, I sometimes put them up when it is the middle of the year. They are too lovely really to have hidden away. The bird thing started after the demise of my real bird, Hairy the Canary. He was a lovely little fellow, who died after dehydrating in the typically unseasonably hot Melbourne weather that sometimes hits. The gold papermache bird was purchased in memory of him. And the collecting took off from there.

Want to make me happy? Buy me a bird ornament thanks. What do you collect?

Welcome in...

2009-11-18T03:39:00.000-08:00

I saw the topic of Pip's meme just after it was posted on Saturday. But the week is getting away with me and I've not put anything up. Ops!

So here is my place, but only for the next four weeks as we are moving down south again. Hurrah! People keep telling me I will love the cold weather, wearing coats, drinking good and reasonably priced coffee, being able to buy shoes galore... Are they right? Probably. What I'm looking forward to is living near a beach that you can swim in without risking your life from three different kinds of dangerous animals. I'm looking forward to having a few bookstores! I'm looking forward to re-discovering some lane ways. I'm looking forward to having op shops that have things that are more than 30 years old in them.

But as for now, welcome to my place. I live on the fifth floor of an apartment building. The thing that I detest most about apartments is the area between the lift/stairs and your front door. They are so sterile and devoid of character. They are communal spaces, I know, but that doesn't mean they have to be ugly. Ours sure is though.

When you walk in the front door, you hit a wall. But then the kitchen opens up, and the open living area. As usual when I took these photos we were in a mess. There is panadol in the fruit bowl after all! But there are mangoes there too. This painting was done by me when I was in year 12. It was one of my major pieces and an image I love. I took some photos of a class mate, then painted her outline in a luscious salmon. Strangely this girl is now living in Darwin (we went to a ritzy-ditzy private girls school in Melbs) and selling hats made out of trucking canvases. I would have never have imagined this happening, ever.

When I come home, I generally kick of my shoes, turn up the fans and just be. I am a home body and love being with the fella, amongst our stuff and our cat. I like that home is messy but familiar. I love that it has character from our things and not only contains necessities but things I love too. I love that it is not just utilitarian (like my workplace), but comfortable and pleasurable. How I love coming home at the end of the day!

So thanks for looking through my place, or coming in the front door at least. Above is a sneak peak back through the door, perfect for seeing if the neighbours are around or if it is all clear to do an undie run to the rubbish chute!

Beautiful things to drool over...

2009-11-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

All images from NoteMaker, all products from the O-Check brand.

A while ago I discovered NoteMaker, a stationary supplied based in Melbs. They have an online shop, and also sell wholesale to stationers. They sell quality and quirk. They source well known European brands as well as those coming along in Asia. For some reason, Korea seems to be a good source of note paper, printed sticky tape, interesting cards and bits and bobs. This seems strange to me somehow...

One particular brand I've enjoyed is O-Check. NoteMaker have a great selection of their stuff, as do MagNation (how I love that store!). I tried to find a website, so check this out. But you need to be a wholesaler and purchase in bulk. Plus they are in Korea. So I will stick with ordering through NoteMaker, who have free postage if you spend a bit (great for Chrisie), deliver in only a few days, and my most recent purchase from them came in a sweetly printed calico drawstring bag.

NoteMaker also has a blog, for all things paper related. I was interested to learn more about the 100% recycled notebook options, and am looking into a diary for 2010 with a similar production philosophy. And then I'm thinking of making my diary a grey wool cover, with a little pocket for some business cards, a slip for a pen, and a red elastic fastener. Sounds cosy!

Introducing Archie

2009-11-09T03:28:00.000-08:00

Can I introduce you to my new friend? His name is Archibald. He doesn't mind if you call him Archie. He likes meeting people who are friendly, just like you!

He started life as a cardie, given away to the local Red Cross op shop.

He came home with me, flat packed you could say...

Before being transformed with the help of this book.

I like my new friend, despite his zombie eyes. Archie likes me too. He has made his new home on my bed, giving the fella some shivers as he peaks over the top cover of the fella's spine-tingling thriller. Maybe he needs a friend?

My place and yours - secret weapon revealed!

2009-11-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

My secret weapon is not crafty. It is kitcheny. Yep, I love to bake. I love the rewards that come from baking. I love passing recipes on to colleagues. I love being on morning tea and needing to come up with the goods. My secret weapon is now around a year old. She was a birthday giftie from the fella. And I love her with a passion. In the event of a cyclone, I would rescue her along with the cat. She mixes so smoothly. She takes the muscle out of bread making. She whips up the lightest icing. Oh Ruby Red, I love you!

Thanks Pip for the ongoing My Place and Yours Meme. Thanks My Bricole for this week's theme. I'm enjoying taking part.

Sick days and skirts

2009-11-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I called in sick to work, and immediately felt better. I must have needed a mental health day! I worked and cleaned all morning, baked a few goodies such as a chocolate-vodka fruit cake, and then sat in front of the sewing machine. I stitched a few cows... I really should put those picies up... and then needed a change.

Some fabric I've previously contemplated caught my eye. Should I risk it and make a skirt? My garment sewing adventures usually result in disappointment. I'm not careful enough. I don't follow instructions. My instincts kick in, and they are not honed when it comes to clothes. So I copied a simple skirt bought from Cotton On, and got cutting.

Inspiration skirt
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

I am happy with the result, although I made it for a slightly more chubby me. The waste band needs taking in by around five centimetres. Otherwise I'm really pleased with myself for making something that I actually wear and enjoy. Usually I feel too embarrassed to give my hand-made clothes to the op shop.

Hand made skirt
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

And when wearing this skirt, I've found these hand created earings work a treat. They are sweet, dangily and very tactile. The resin pink beads are so smooth to touch...

Earings to wear with a green skirt
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Raceday get up

2009-11-05T00:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not one for the horses. I don't like getting to much sun. I am somehow too sensible to gamble. I don't enjoy drinking too much champagne. But I do like hats. And head wear in general. I also like dresses. And boys looking dapper. And nice high heals. And a filly. And the luciousness of racing silks. Maybe I should like the races. What about you?

Fa cinator
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Since leaving Melbs two years ago, I have found that I've done more on Melbourne Cup Day than when I lived there. People take the afternoon off work to have lunch and watch the race. Sweaps abound. Hats are sold out. And I made a facinator. My facinator is simple, in that I just sewed stuff on that I bought from Spotlight. But it is fussy, with feathers, velvetine leaves, lacy trims, bits and bobs. The green is very me, and the brown adds depth and anchors it into my hair well making the green bits glow. Will I ever wear it in Melbourne? Probably not.

Facinator details 2
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Facinator details 1
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Blog HQ contemplated...

2009-11-04T03:47:00.000-08:00

Bit behind with the blogging this week. My bestie Ris and her fella Dave came up for a tropical adventure. So I powered through five days without spending time in front of the computer. It was wonderful.

By the by, isn't the Territory spectacular! Who wouldn't want to swim in this waterhole?

Who wouldn't sip bubbly while lounging next to this shore line and fading sky?

Who wouldn't giggle when confronted with such a silly croc?

But back to the blogging. MMAM's meme this week is the theme of Blogging HQ thanks to a creative type called Ninon. If I can get my hands on it, I prefer to use the lappie for my blogging. I love sitting on this arm chair with the retro snail cushion protecting my knees from the comp's radiation.

But if needed, I will work in the study. Hurrah for the corkboard, and for all those who drank wine to donate to the corkboard making cause. Corks are hard to find nowdays, and this was made around 6 years ago before stelvin tops were made mainstream.

Just before blogging this, I completed an inventory of the items we want moved down south in less that 45 days. So my blog-constructing space will change... and a change is meant to be as good as a holiday. But a move is one of the most stressful things one can do in life. So my solution is to get into the crafting with a passion. Posts about creativity will follow, I promise. I'm also wanting to do things to spoil myself and relieve the tension that is building up in my thoughts. Like get my hair cut this weekend, spend some time shoe shopping, riding my pushie to work, reading my newest cook books (thanks so much Miss Maudry!).

Red around the house

2009-10-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

I've been inspired to create lately. But I'm struggling with the time. Where does it go? When I get home from work, it seems to be 10 p.m. before I realise. There is so much I want to do but don't have time for.

One simple creative exploit I've gotten up to was inspired by a meme I've been part of. The meme is in my last post, and shares bits of your home with others. So I checked out my home and took some happy snaps. The photos are a mix of made, found and bought items. Some I love and treasure. Some I stumbled upon while taking the pictures. But all are red. Ah, red... Such an inspirational colour for me. It is somewhat gender neutral. It goes with brown and green (the fella's preferences), and is okay with pink too at a pinch. It wears well, is classic and classy.

Red inspiration
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

1. Red cake tins, 2. Red sewing bits, 3. Red toes and the cat, 4. Red softie legs, 5. Red twinkle toes, 6. Red sewing scissors, 7. Red sewing threads, 8. Red quick-unpick, 9. Red rebound book back, 10. Red cushions, 11. Red Swedish Mustard, 12. Red tropical flowers

By the bed "My place and yours"

2009-10-24T19:11:00.001-07:00

By the bed "My place and yours"
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Week 2 of the "My Place and Yours" meme from Meet Me at Mikes. This week I was taken aback to realise how much extra stuff I deposit next to my bed. And how I don't remove it once it is there. For example, I've got some panadine forte there, from a knee operation that I have over two months ago. And I didn't need the pain killers after it anyway. Plus there are some hair bands there, and I now have short hair... I think I need to clean up a little.

What I love about my bedside is more clear in the picie at the top. I just love my lamp, with it's "glass" base. I love the earring holder that is on the wall. My fella originally made it for me, constructing a standing frame taunt with mesh. But in time it's little legs got wobbly. So I was given a frame from Ris, added some pink silk behind the mesh and embellished it with a patch and fancy stitching. Now days I don't tend to wear dangling earrings, but love the tactile nature of such a precious creation.

Back to the mess, it contains some necessities. Such as the alarm clock, red nail polish (living in the tropics means year-round nice toes if you please), pearl studs, papaya all-purpose balm and a chunky bangle. And all within arm's reach.

By the bed details.
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

By the by, the book I'm reading is intense and amazing. Please check it out if you are feeling strong in your spirit and wanting a haunting, moving, enticing read. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

Penelope's weaving...

2009-10-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

I've been pondering my lack of knowledge around history and myths lately. After all, the education system is just not what it used to be! Children are not taught Latin as due course, nor was I learned in the history of ancient civilisations. And my awareness of Greek mythology is sorely lacking. So I've been visiting the library and uncovering sleeping gems.

Recently I've been reading a modern tale of Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus leaves his wife to fight in a battle to return Helen to her husband. But he does not return. As Penelope is an intelligent woman, she becomes prosperous in his absence. And that is when the suitors come knocking. All 120 or so of them want her hand (but mainly her riches and kingdom) in marriage. In order to dissuade them and remain faithful to her husband, she weaves a shroud and promises to marry the most valiant suitor when the shroud is completed. But each night it is unwoven, and thus never grows...

Dear Penelope was not beautiful, she did not insight wars or have hundreds of men die in her honour as her cousin Helen of Troy did. Rather she was known for her wits and her persistent faithfulness to her husband. And for her craft skills. Here is her take on the matter..

The teaching of crafts to girls has fallen out of fashion now, I understand, but luckily it had not in my day. It's always an advantage to have something to do with your hands. That way, if someone makes an inappropriate remark, you can pretend you haven't heard it. Then you don't have to answer. The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood.

Blogging games, I'm joining in...

2009-10-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hurrah, discovered blog-link funtimes care of Meet Me At Mikes.

I've not played these sorts of games before, and those involved seem like the nice sharing kind. But alas, we still don't have a great functioning camera. One has been interstate for about 6 weeks now being repaired. The other went in yesterday to a fantastically bespoke little store. We climbed up a flight of stairs in an undusted narrow passage. A carved red door was on the right, and behind it was a camera repair lady! She had shelf after shelf of SLR lenses. She had little buckets with caps and bolts and bits and pieces. She said she will tell us in a week if the camera can be repaired.

Back to the theme, my shelves are not as fun as the camera lady's. But here is a camera phone photo of my treasured things that are grouped together on a shelf.

My clever mum cross-stitched the eggplants for me. My darling sisters bought me the pink tea-pot (on the left) and cups. They discovered it in the Oxfam shop in Camberwell. So nice of them, and it was a great birthday gifty five (five!) years ago. The pink thermos gathers preposterous amounts of mould on it's cloth-covered cork stopper, but is perfect for transporting warm honeyed chai tea in. The little tea cup and saucer tucked behind is a treasured op shop find, one that made me wonder why someone felt the need to give it away. Lots of lovely things. Lots of pink, lots of love and lots of little details. Loveliness, on a shelf.

I hope I remember to participate next week...

Monday doings...

2009-10-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to get a lot done today. So far, a few loads of washing have gone into the machine and the first pot of coffee has been brewed. Although it was wonderful to have friends visiting, none of the usual house jobs got done. So today is the day. As much as a abhor cleaning, ironing, washing dishes, putting things away, vacuuming floors, removing cobwebs, etc, these tasks are necessities. And I've not yet employed that maid.

But in the midst of jobs, I'm hoping to do a number of more enjoyable tasks. Watching the end of Amelie perhaps before returning it to the library. Completing an inventory of items for removal for when we are moving down south soon. Working on the quilting of an ugly-but-perhaps-loved quilt. Finishing off a toy cow for my bestie's sister's baby. Wrapping some Christmas gifties and packing them into a "do not pack into the truck" box (we arrive in our new home on Christmas eve). Thinking about how to jazz up a filing cabinet... Sounds fun!

Some inspiration to get me though the morning's chores... and you through whatever is going on. Happy days...

Image from designspongeonline.com . This is an old before and after created by Abha. Not so sure about the flowers, but love the colour and the ideas...

Martha Stewart has a photo gallery of just about everything. This image is the first in her series of Christmas gift wrapping ideas. From this, they flow thick and fast. Oh for some pinking shiers.

Friends and fun-times

2009-10-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

We took yesterday off to spend time with friends from down South. It was a wonderful day, full of laughts, fun and silliness. We went and saw the spectacular jumping crocs on the Adelaide River, we swam at Florence Falls and dipped in the Buley Rockholes. Laksa for tea and a game of Risk topped it off. Hurrah! We really do live in an amazing part of Australia!

This morning coffee, conversation around copyright law relating to internet technology and some good video hits have hit things off. A taste the morning if you please....

Pst... I've finally figured out how to post YouTube vids. So stoked! Thanks to this blog post for making it happen, and to the Blog Doc for some tips too. In light of my success, any good YouTube vids that you recommend I peruse?

Strange things to embroider...

2009-10-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

Given that my last post was about feeling flat and uninspired, I can understand if people will worry with this one. But fear not, my mental health is good and I have been encouraged (thanks Maudry!). Rather, while trawling some blog or another I found these images. They were created by an army wife in the U.S. Given that it is Mental Health Week, I'm all for promoting destigmatisation of mental health issues. I'm also all for promoting craftiness. Will I be embroidering my favourite psychotropic drug onto some cutesie linnen? I think not. I will will smile and giggle when looking at these.

I just don't know what to do with myself...

2009-10-01T00:41:00.000-07:00

How does one find inspiration?

I'm going through a dry patch, and there does not appear to be much rain in sight. I can't be bothered reading, I can't complete any crafting, my healthy eating may be slipping, where has my solid night's sleep gone too?

So, I'm in a rut. Perhaps it was resigning from my job due to our move in a few months. Perhaps is not helping that I don't know where we will be in three months. Perhaps it is that my fella keeping coming home and then going away again unexpectedly. Perhaps it is that someone I worked with died suddenly in the context of tragedy. Ahhhhhhh! I need to get going, really I do.

What will work? Perhaps it could be the lovely letter my bestie Ris wrote to me that arrived today! Perhaps it will be finally finishing off this baby jumper for little Sam. Perhaps it will be dreaming of future renovations while perusing Design Sponge's blog. Perhaps going to a debriefing session around the death tomorrow will help. perhaps I just need to take some time out, read a good book and have some time talking with God. Perhaps we need a fixed and functional digital camera (will it ever be fixed?). Maybe gifts of love like Maudry's heart will help.

Any ideas...

Fantastic rediculousness craft-tastic

2009-09-15T03:46:00.001-07:00

Seriously silly. Seriously craft-tastic.
Hurrah for Frankie and nifty links.

Some things to chew over

2009-09-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

1. Why there was rain last night - it is the dry season after all;
2. Why I have no interest in reading poetry - thanks for that one Guy;
3. Whether I should get my hair cut like Lily Allen in the 22 video clip;
4. Why there is no water in the small pool at my house;
5. Where the recycling bins have gone;
6. Whether I'll wear this shirt after making some changes to it (was stained when washed with a blue dress, but too lovely to give away just yet);
7. Why French films are better;
8. Why red wine is better drunk from a big glass;
9. Why I felt so gumpshie about going out for drinks with a male work colleague;
10. Why Sundays are so lovely but always so short.

Aussie lovin

2009-09-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

Just some beautiful pictures of Australia. Oh it is lovely here. And you can never have enough sunsets....

So much to see...

2009-08-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, there is just so much happening on line! I think I'll brows for just twenty minutes, and before you know it two and a half hours have past. What's the deal? So I've descided that since I spend so much time looking, I really should use some good blog manners and be commenting too. If I find something lovely to look at, I should say so. Don't you think? It's only right really.

So. Lovely things I found lately?

Thanks to Maudrey, Love In Melbourne

A dedicated quilting lady at this spot

The cover art work from Florence and the Machine - anatomical drawings, flowers...

A forum for crafty types - thanks Pip

I promise to endeavour to comment on stuff, and let the world know that I care.

Meringue ice-cream, sort of...

2009-08-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

Since I found a few fabulous ice-cream recipes on Joy The Baker's blog, I've been really inspired to whip some up. And my love of home made ice-cream is growing as a result! Around six years ago, I was given an ice-cream maker as a Christmas giftie. It has had some use, particularly making Nigella's baci ice-cream from Forever Summer. I gave up for a few years though, particularly after one night's failed dinner party dessert. What should have been lush vanilla bean ice-cream turned into very expensive ordinary custard. It was exceptionally disappointing. And then last year during mango madness I experimented with mango sorbet. Again the results left something to be desired.

But thanks to Joy and the Kitchy Kitchen, I'm back into the ice-cream making mode. And loving it. I think I've mentioned this before, but recipes for peanut butter chocolate ice-cream and a cookie no-dough choc chip ice-cream have been winners. The cookie no-dough turned out to be a good butterscotchish/tasty flavour, rather than cookie per se. But the fella woofed it down.

So I've broadened my ice-cream horizons, read too many delicious magazines and made myself some meringue ice-cream. Well sort of. Loving the flavour, not so sure about the texture. I could have whipped it for longer perhaps. Or maybe the mixture needed thickening before churning. I think that's it. But post it I will, as I've got loads of it to eat and think I'll make it again.

I've scanned in the cover of the mag I found the recipe in. No camera. Yet again we have a broken camera, but this time I found the receipt. So it is off in the South being repaired. Hurrah for scanners!

Meringue Ice-Cream a.k.a. Cinnamon and Lemon Ice-Cream
Makes 1 L

2 c milk
150 ml thick cream
160 g white sugar
Peeled rind of 1 lemon
2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 eggwhites – 3 or even 2 would work though

If needed/using, place your ice-cream maker’s bowl into the freezer to chill, ideally overnight.

In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, 100 g sugar, rind and cinnamon. Heat over a medium heat, stirring to combine. Bring almost to the boil, remove from heat and leave to infuse for 1 hour.

Strain this mix, refrigerate until cool – ideally overnight.

Whisk eggwhites until stiff peaks form. Spoon in remaining 60 g sugar, one tablespoon at a time until the sugar dissolves in the whites. Gently fold ¼ of the eggwhite mix into the infused milk mix. Fold in remaining eggwhite mix.

Place mixture into the bowl of your ice-cream maker. Churn until it begins to set, around thirty minutes. Spoon into a freezer container, freeze until set. Alternatively, freeze until setting around the edges, remove from freezer and beat with an electric mixer to break up the crystals and make smooth ice-cream. Re-freeze and repeat two more times.

This would be delicious served with some poached pears or rehydrated dried apricots.

Adapted from Delicious September 2003.

Scandinavian dreaming...

2009-08-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

I was blog browsing the other day and found a delicious post or two from Wren Handmade. She had recently been to Denmark and Sweden and recalled tales of coffee, bicycles, pastel painted buildings, freezing swimming holes... It sounded divine. It also made me long for a Scandi adventure of my own. It also had me searching for my photos of a Finland adventure of a few years ago... Where are they on this computer?

My mother in law returned from Finland recently. She lived there until she met her Aussie husband while working on the Thai-Cambodian boarder. It is a true story of love and God bringing people together in his most perfect way. Anyhow, so there is a precious bit of Finland in my fella and thus by default in me too! Back to the mother in law. She spent some time in her home town in central Finland, looking after our ancient grandmother. She had saunas, ate sausages, danced under the midnight sun and made day-trips to Sweden. She also brought me back the most beautiful piece of Kalevala jewelry. Isn't it the sweetest? It is a piece of ancient design, inspired by fertility symbols of the Laps of 1000 AD. How I love it.

Fabric samples and what to do with them

2009-08-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

An early birthday gift came my way yesterday - only two months early. It was a beautiful 50cm piece of olive green owl fabric. Thanks Mum! So, what to do with it? Well, first I held it tight and ahhhhhhhed a little. Then a studied the cute little faces of the differing owls. Then I flicked through a few books and pondered making a bag. Then I stacked it up with another length of new fabric with a similar colour scheme. Then I ahhhhhhhhed a little more. Cushions perhaps? An apron trim. Pockets on a denim skirt. An owl even. What to do, what to do?

And the floral fabric? I'm in love with it. It was the inspiration for the pinwheel quilt I started in my dreaded patchwork class. I simply adore the addition of coral flowers and soft lilac on the green. Really, this metre of fabric should go into a quilt, but I can see a skirt forming. Oh, the tugs on my creative heart...

Today I plan to contemplate these important things a little more, while pouring over the new Frankie if it is out. My subscription has expired, and with current subscriptions of MixTape and Peppermint, I'm not sure I should be subscribing to anything new. Plus I'm keen on regularly reading InsideOut and Real Living at the moment. But as it is my last day of no-work-due-to-sore-knee, perhaps I'll splurge. buy sushi and read new magazines. Sounds like a nice afternoon, perhaps I'll do it snuggling under this old quilt?

If only every Monday started like this...

2009-08-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

I've got a few days off work due to having a knee investigation last week. Mum has come up from down south to look after me too. So today we spent the morning crafting quilts, drinking tea and flicking through old cooking magazines. It was wonderful.

Mum is finishing off the top of a quilt for my nephew the J-Man. He is eight months old, and the son of a die-hard trucking father. The quilt has trains and cars and planes on it. I can imagine my brother making engine noises to the J-Man while rocking him to sleep.

My project is the old-world star quilt. The quilting is 95% complete. I just have to get it done. I also have two quilt tops waiting for their turn.

And after all the magazine flicking, there is so much I want to cook. Chicken with rice vermicelli salad, baked olives, meringue ice cream, lamb with roast eggplant salad, cream cake, orange and poppy seed cake, chocolate and pistachio whirley-gig buns, pumpkin and prosciutto cannelloni...

How did I survive without....

2009-08-18T02:01:00.000-07:00

So, he did it again. Left me alone without technology that is. Yet again the fella is away and this time he took the laptop. Only being able to check email at work was infuriating! Plus I've got so much work to do I felt too guilty to blog-surf.

But I braved the maniacal German florist-cum-computer repair lady (surely this is a terrible combination and we should have never gone to this shop in the first place as she uses fake flowers). She had taken our desktop hostage and refused to cooperate. We were going to call the dodgy computer repair ombudsman. They must exists, surely....... But lack of technology, a malfunctioning DVD player and looming knee surgery compelled me to fork out the exorbitant amount of cash require to redeem the computer. I must say I do feel more gleeful than this girl.

She is from a cute little group of articles I found all around the theme of tips for nerdy girls. They are as follows:

How to look less nerdy in glasses

How to make a room look nerdy

How to be smart without being nerdy

How to like nerdy things without being a nerd.

For some reason I get the sense that some people have a problem with being nerdy. Not me, not that I'm that nerdy. I don't wear glasses, I didn't study chemistry at school or uni, I don't know pi to any decimal places, and I've only just gotten in to hyperlinks. My fella though is nerdy. He will even wear his sunglasses over his glasses when driving. Love him!

Crafting: a few cows for the herd, working on the final sleve of a jumper, contimplating some embroidery.

Some breakfast eye candy

2009-08-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'm desperate to get to work on time, but was distracted by these images of my recent creations. Yep, the fella is back with the camera and hopefully our upcoming trip down south will result in the decent camera being repaired. Until then, these substandard images are not too bad.

A pin cushion just for my quilting pins.

Pieces of the pinwheel quilt made at my recent sewing class.

I particularly like the deeper green fabric with the amethyst and coral flowers.

Possibly the ugliest thing I've made - colour wise, what was I thinking? Think the fella likes it though, so it may become a blokey quilt for our bed.

Hope your day is filled with creative things and beautiful textiles (and good coffee).

Design sponge and some divine design...

2009-08-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

Loving Design Sponge.

Loving the finnish house they featured. Loving Finnish and finnish design and rich lush gardens and antlers and saunas... Loving that I will see my mother-in-law this weekend, who recently returned from Finland. Looking forward to some Scandi food and some lovely gifties - thanks Kaisu in anticipation.

Check out the finnish blog that has even more lovely images here - wish I understood more of the language! Must learn, must get out the Soumi-Englanti dictionary...

Crafting and reading - getting a balance

2009-07-28T05:17:00.001-07:00

What I'm creating:

Back of a baby's jumper - front done, back and sleeves to go;

Udderly lovely cow from the Meet Me At Mikes book - one finished, another half cut out, more fabric purchased to make a few more (so many babies out there and no camera to take pics of the finished products);

Two quilt tops finished - can I be bothered quilting them?

Pincushion for my quilting pins - appliqued a brown bird onto some bright blue felt, perfect for stabbing and grabbing.

What I'm reading:

Wren handmade - linked from the design sponge blog, and will be crafting some DIY daily this week!

Spool sewing - can't believe I've not read their blog before, I'm so in love.

Udder handmade friends - the lady who designed the cute cow.

Recovery in mental health - a new work textbook that arrived today.

Overall I'm inspired to create and to change the world around me. I love reading what others are doing and am attempting to get the balance between wanting to create and needing to work. How I do love what I do though... hence being sucked in to the work text today.

One of my more blond moments...

2009-07-25T21:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to a cheese party. Friends Geoff and Hannah wanted to celebrate a number of special things, so organised a party on the beach for Saturday afternoon. Guests were encouraged to bring along beach things and a plate of cheese. Being a former deli-girl, I was eager and also amazed that I have never personally hosted a cheese party. Thursday afternoon I perused the local fine food establishment, hunting for a soft rind soft goats cheese. Milawa Cheese Factory make something similar, which I've previously covered in prosciutto and baked in the oven. It was the epitome of an indulgent dinner... Anyway, given that I now live in rural Australia the options were limited when it came to goats cheese. I did find a dutch semi-hard that was piquant enough to satisfy.

So, on to my silly mistake. I opted to bake a loaf of bread to go with the cheese. It was certainly a success and I've put the recipe for the two baguettes below. Thanks Martha Stewart and Nicky from work who lent me the cookbook. The instructions called for a baking stone to be heated in the oven. As I don't have a baking stone, I used a beautiful hand-crafted wooden chopping board. Ops. I have now a black board, with a hidden grain. I must remember, wood is combustible. Repeat after me "Wood is Combustible". So an inverted baking tray made do instead. The loaves were crusty on the bottom and cooked wonderfully though.

Baguettes

Starter:
7 oz flour
¾ cup warm water – plus a little more
¼ oz dried yeast

Dough:
7 ½ oz flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ tbs salt
1/3 cup warm water
Vegetable oil
Polenta

To make the starter: Combine ingredients in the bowl of your mixed, and combine with the paddle attachment until you have a thin batter. You may need more water that the ¾ cup. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to stand at room temperature for at least 12 hours.

To make the dough: Add the flour, salt and a little of the water to the starter. Attach the dough hook and mix of low speed for 3 minutes. Add more water, up to 1/3 cup if needed – I only used a tiny bit of water. Increase the mixer’s speed and kneed for a further 3 minutes. Turn out onto a floured surface and kneed lightly. The dough will be soft but not sticky. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for 1 hour to prove until doubled in size.

Return dough to the floured surface. Press gently into an oval. Fold the top third down, the bottom third up, then fold the sides in. Turn over so the folds are underneath and return it to the oiled bowl. Prove again for a further hour once covered. Why you fold it like this, I don’t know. But Martha recommended it and it worked.

Return dough again to the floured surface. Divide dough into two pieces. Gently shape into two ovals, cover with plastic wrap and leave for 20 minutes.

Sprinkle a long baking tray with polenta. Pre-heat the oven to 220⁰C, with a shelf in the bottom third of the oven in place for your baguettes to cook on.

With the long side of the oval facing you, fold the top third of one of the dough pieces down, the bottom third up. Roll into a long baguette shape. Repeat with the other dough. Cover with glad wrap and place in a warm spot to have a final prove for 30 minutes. Make four superficial slices into the tops of each baguette, and brush with vegetable oil if you want a more golden loaf. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until deliciously done.

These baguettes are chewy with a thick crust. They needs to be torn rather than cut and are perfect with cheese by the ocean.

It's show time!

2009-07-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

The local show is on this weekend, and will be fun for those who are going. For me, it means a short working week and a bonus day on the weekend to get things done. So lovely, so exciting. Now really the house should be cleaned from top to tail, but knowing me this isn't going to happen. Instead perhaps I will

Attend a BYO cheese party
Watch So You Think You Can Dance
Sew a quilt
Knit some more of a baby jumper
Sleep lots
Finish reading In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Eat pate
Perhaps get a bit more of the sun on my bones.
Sounds stella to me.

Ever entered anything into a show? My father entered some flowers he had grown into the church fare when I was sixteen on behalf of all of us kids. We won in abundance, but each prize was only twenty cents or so. Hardly worth it. A lady at work often enters some delicious baked goods. Got me thinking, what would I enter into the show...

Off to watch an environmentally friendly home design show. Thanks ABC.

Weekend creating...

2009-07-18T17:46:00.001-07:00

water quilt
Originally uploaded by columbialily

This weekend has been busy and inspirational. Waking up this morning I could smell the neighbour's toast, and it made me think that Sundays give you time to stop and make good breakfast, dwell over a pot of tea, read through a mountain of blogs/newspaper/new novels and get some crafting done. How I love these mornings! How I love this image that flickr came up with - the colours are so iridescent, the morning looks chilly. It reminds me of Melbourne mornings, and is a lifetime away from Darwin experiences.

I went along to a patchwork class yesterday. Both good and gumpshee things came from it. I had never participated in a class before, and was given the barest of instructions when I signed up. Consequently I arrived without an idea of what I wanted to make, without fabric and without the essential - my sewing machine. To an experienced craft-class participator, this may seem incredible! But I really didn't have a clue... So home I went to get some belongings. None the less, I ended up purchasing fabric to make what will now be a quilt. I was hoping to commence a new project, but certainly didn't expect it to be an olive, avocado and luscious pink pinwheel quilt. Pictures will follow when the fella returns the camera. I was encouraged though by the other quilters, particularly around my colour choice. There is now some question as to the boarders - to be bright pink or not... Anyway Dragonfly Fabics is the only patchwork shop in town and they have a good range of supplies. Certainly more tempting fabric than Spotlight does. The women who run the shop are experienced and more than willing to give advice. Check them out here.

So some bread is outside proving, I'm gulping down that pot of tea and just re-threaded a bobbin. I've got sewing to do, clothes to wash, a kitchen that could benefit from some elbow grease. How I love Sundays!

Blog browsing and killing time before he gets home.

2009-07-13T05:21:00.000-07:00

So my fella is away, for simply ages it seems. He's taken the ipod and the camera, but at least I have the car and the king-sized bed. When he goes I pig out on veggie food, and don't have to share those bottles of red. But I don't sleep soundly without him next to me, and miss the board game challenges we have...

At least I've got this boy for company. Hurrah for Mr Cricket!

So, what have I been doing? Well, I did get some of those things from the list completed. I baked my little heart out, and have discovered some new irresistible cookie. They are more like biscuits actually, perfect with a cup of tea. Find the recipe here. I've taken a reader's advice, and highly recommend that their little bottoms be covered in white chocolate. Simply delicious. I've also been sewing until my back aches and my fingers hurt. An ugly quilt is almost complete. Initially I thought the combination of avocado green, burnt orange and rich brown worked. Now on mass they look like a hang-over from the 70s. What was I thinking? But so much love and energy goes into a quilt, it has to grow on me. In consolation, I'm planning my next big sewing project. Thinking blue stars with yellow middles. Taking a class on the weekend on cutting triangles in order to prepare. It will be my first patchwork class, and I'm nervous. Hopefully everyone else isn't a mamma. Will a childless 20s chick fit in? Probably not, but my sewing skills will improve hugely. Plus it is great to get to know some of the local patchwork community.

Blogs I'm interested in:

Open - Melbs deliciousness, my fave smelly store was featured today!

Vegan and Vintage offshoot - Little Love Lost

And the source of the biscuit recipe - Joy the Baker. Has to be my favourite. Love baking and happen to have the middle name of Joy. One of my goals in life is to be a better baker after all. Told my fella this, who said I would just have to practice if I want to improve. He doesn't mind at all.

Received a beautiful silk badge corsage in the mail today from my crafty and creative friend Ris. Got to love her work. Images will be up at some stage, when the camera is either repaired or returned. Have to find some pics to liven this up after all...

Reading through the Half Blood Prince, in preparation from the film coming out on Wednesday. So sappy, but so excited. Until then muggles...

Happy sewing, baking, reading...

Midweek musings

2009-07-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Yet again I feel annoyed that my inspiration is stiffed by working 40 hours per week. I just feel like baking, sewing, watching films, finishing off projects and starting new ones. Trawling through other's blogs reinforces this. But instead I will be putting my head down and getting my work for the day done. Although I love what I do, it is a struggle at times. Particularly when there are so many other fun things I could be doing. (Now I've done this whinging this post sounds suspiciously like one I've done before).

So tonight, here's what I would love to do:

Made sausage rolls

Bake a banana and blueberry loaf

Trim the remaining squares of an orange and brown quilt I'm slowly piercing

Starting knitting a sapphire blue baby jumper for a friend's kid

Plan a yellow fabric project

Keep hand-quilting my star quilt (only three full rows of stars to go)

Finish reading "In cold blood" by Truman Capote

Start reading "Harry Potter and the half-blood prince"

Get a good night's sleep

Let's see what happens

p.s. no images until my hubby gets back from the bush with the camera. So sad...

Sunday reading list

2009-07-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

After a restless night's sleep, I thought perhaps the gym would be good. I go around three times per year, and it is only in our basement car park. I lasted eight minutes on the cross-trainer (I think that is what that contraption was!) before collapsing on the floor. The only solution was to come back upstairs and read my newest magazine!

Peppermint Magazine came out during the week, and was a wonderful surprise. I had subscribed months ago and not heard back from the publishers. I feared they had taken my money and run. That was me totally overreacting of course. My mind is still not made up about the mag - I'm wondering if it lacks a little something. But in saying that, it had a big article on the rise of handmade, and has a list of interested blogs who are concerned with creating, eco-ness, op-shop clothing, etc. So far I've been a fan of Vegan & Vintage and don't mind Little Green Stilettos.

Through my blog trawling, I followed a link to a link, etc and have found this fellow - Closet Cooking. His recipe for lemon and blueberry breakfast cake sounds delicious. I'm keen to read him more regularly and get on with the cooking.

Speaking of cooking, here's a recipe for the Orange and Chocolate Cake I dabbled with last week. It is a mix of a number of recipes, and a take on the traditional non-leaven orange cake of Jewish culinary traditions.

Everyday Ingredients Orange & Chocolate Cake

2 oranges
200 g melted butter or margarine
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cup self-raising flour
¼ cup cocoa powder

Beginning the night before ideally, place the two oranges into a saucepan & cover with water. Cover, bring to the boil & then simmer for 2 hours. Leave in the water until cool, ideally overnight – your house will smell delicious!

Pre-heat oven to 180⁰C. Line a round 23 cm (or so) cake tin with baking paper.

Remove the oranges from the water, quarter & place into the bowl of your food processor – skin & all. Process until no chunks remain. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl, process until well combined. Pour into cake tin. Bake in oven for 45 minutes. Test to see if cooked by piercing the cake with a skewer – will be free of batter if cooked. May need a further 10 minutes. Enjoy dusted with icing sugar. Some thick cream is nice too.

Saturday business

2009-07-03T22:17:00.001-07:00

Mt Martha boatshed, November 2008
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Today was a to-do day: clean the car parking space, go to the tip, have sushi for lunch with a friend, finished off some swaps, get enough sleep, wash the clothes, pack the dishwasher of hand wash the dirty dishes...

Some of these things go done. I went to the tip and discovered the tip shop. So exciting. I've been checking out the many before and after shots on the design sponge website, and felt so inspired to salvage something and repurpose it. Alas, not today. We currently don't have the space to work on big projects, and I just couldn't choose what to rescue. There was an appealing telescope that tempted me. As did some bronze light fittings. I found what could have been a perfect sewing chair, and a sewing/craft storage system. There were too many possibilities... The most exciting thing though was the free plant I picked up from the item disposal bins. In saying that it was free, I then went to the hardware store and spent almost $50 on a perfect pot and premium potting mix. Perhaps it was a more costly outing than I anticipated! At least the plant was free.

Today the weather is perfect in Darwin. I was perusing my photos, attempting to create space on the lappie and found this beautiful image. It would be perfect in Darwin - if only you could swim in the ocean. Oh well, Melbourne boatsheds and Darwin dreaming...

Happy weekend

Broome beachside reading... If only...

2009-07-01T20:29:00.001-07:00

Broome beachside reading...
Originally uploaded by the_bashful_owl

Sitting at work, wishing I was in Broome reading on Cable Beach!

I took this photo of my fella when we recently went on holiday to W.A. The nightly sunsets over the ocean were my absolute favourite part of what was a challenging trip. Can't you just smell the salty water and feel the sandy grit between the pages in your book?

Things are getting me down around here at the moment. I've got some challenges with work, am really missing my fella (who is away for an extended period), can't seem to get enough sleep, and don't have the time to craft. I'm longing for a holiday and some rest for my weary brain and body. So posting this photo gives me hope - beautiful places exist, there is always time to watch the sunset, holidays are precious, I will get rest again!

3/4" Handmade Yo-Yo's great for Doll House Bed Quilts

2009-06-27T18:52:00.003-07:00

3/4" Handmade Yo-Yo's great for Doll House Bed Quilts
Originally uploaded by nakpunar

handmade persian quilt

2009-06-27T18:52:00.001-07:00

handmade persian quilt
Originally uploaded by willbesoon

Quilts

2009-06-27T18:51:00.003-07:00

Quilts
Originally uploaded by Frangines

berries and cream

2009-06-27T18:51:00.001-07:00

berries and cream
Originally uploaded by fallsroad