34 years ago...

A husband offered a wife an over locker for her birthday, and I said no thanks! (I can't justify the cost). However the darling man did score huge Brownie points as he vacuumed the house before breakfast (buttermilk pancakes!)

I am going to enjoy having Mum and Dad here, and day one of the school hols with both kids.

Blue skies, coffee machine on, new quilting toys from hubby, new plants in the garden care of Mum, and all is right with the world! The phone has not stopped ringing, and I feel very spoiled!

34... Nearly closer to 40 than 30!

Yes, another post...!

I know - a lot for one day - but I know that I will not be posting for a week as parents coming up to visit, school term ends Friday, etc. I'm getting "my fix" before the computer is permanently logged onto the Lego or ABC kids sites.

Just wanted to show an old pic of the progress of the Panda yarn cardigan. The back is now nearly complete, and the remaining wool is wrapped for my birthday next week!

It's hard to photograph the colour - in some light it's charcoal, others green, in this pic more olive. Enjoying knitting it (procrastinating away from the aged socks you see).

I also pulled out the round-nose pliers to make these glass beads into some earrings to wear yesterday.

Finally some more finished items to prove that the craft element of the blog is maintained. These are for a friend's 8-year-old daughter - lucky her name is Olivia. ;-P



j

Quilt Number 1 nearly finished

A while ago (so long ago I am embarrassed to link), I started I-Spy quilts for each of the kids. I sewed the tops and was procrastinating (moi?) until this weekend, when the sad cow-eyes of Master 6 guilted me into almost-completing the quilt. Just need to do the binding, and it will be done!

Miss 2 was not impressed - she wants hers done now!

My muse for the weekend - this stunning bunch of poppies, which kept me going. Flowers are so uplifting - poppies some of the best for me.

And unrelated, a painting from the minimalist Miss 2 - mysterious!

j

Dieter's Lamington?

Knitting does funny things to funny people... I saw some flecked, chocolatey wool at the local, and had to knit a lamington... It has a rattle inside it for a baby toy.

Now I admit that:

(a) I appear to have too much time on my hands (that's what happens when you don't clean, wash clothes, shop, or cook for a few days...)

(b) Strange things amuse me.

(c) I procrastinate more than your average bear.

However I am pleased that there's a project that I have actually finished! Yay!

j

Best of pre-loved this week...

Had a lovely time with Eilleen recently perusing the local Salvos and Vinnies. (Game has both boards and all pieces still!)

Magnetic oven mitt still in wrapper!

Patons Wool Craft - has lots of useful diagrams and instructions:

Saw some fabric for this lovely peep, got some vintage pillowcases for this one, and a few bibs and bobs for myself!

Lovely.



j

Can't post..... sewing.

Gotta love a cleaned and oiled Janome (me ol' Jan). She's kept me busy since the weekend. Nothing electronic or super or too automatic either, but a great buddy.

The only problem is, there is this 30cm strip that I can't stop using..... I love it! I think I'm a bit obsessed...

Bib for Miss 12 pound

Trim on the pants for Miss 2

Applique to cover a stained tee

What else can I make?

I know...

But I need a button...

Which will I choose?

I know!

Another pin-cushion - must mean I can keep sewing!

j

Sometimes it just sucks

I am sorry. I feel for you. I cannot imagine your pain.

x

When the going gets tough - the tough get sewing

I have had tonsilitis all week, however have only just had time to notice. Mother-martyrdom prevented me from giving in to it. I say Mother-martyrdom, as I at least recognise the 'quality' I see in others, which is the 'life must go on', "I don't have time to be sick" mantra. I had made commitments to people, had babysitting to perform, hubby was away...)

In a last ditch effort to have some time to myself, nurture my heart, and find my sewjo, I hooked up with a dear friend and had an afternoon of childless sewing.

Let me set the scene.

An abandoned dining room, now permanently set up with:
Sewing machine and overlocker.
SIX large plastic storage boxes of fabrics.
TWO large plastic storage boxes of patterns.

MORE of both in the spare wardrobe.

Bottomless cups of tea.

Sliding Doors on in the background (mmm, John Hannah).

Table for cutting patterns.

Ironing station for pressing seams.

NO kids to disturb.

Magnificent cantaloupe/rockmelon (depending in which side of the Murray you grew up on).

Sushi train for dinner, (no rice paper rolls...)


Mamma Mia at the movies for dessert (yes, I went back for seconds).



Beautiful day.

Results:

One top cut out (me, the Simplicity 3835 that's all the rage ATM)
Two tops from start to finish (her)
One pair of pants cut and sewed (me)
One bib (me, for a friend's recent TWELVE POUND fourth child!)
Four items mended (us)

And the best night's sleep in ages.

Thanks K for a soulful day.

x

Rice paper rolls

I have blogged before about my dear friend TLK and her darling daughter. M is also 2, and a friend of Miss 2.

Photo by Bells

We met up today for coffee, during which the blog-less TLK told me something that made me nearly spit out my coffee.

Last night, TLK made rice-paper rolls. I thought M would love these, as she's not averse to eating, particularly carrots, cucumber, and anything else!


However they were not appealing to M, who unwrapped them, tipped out all the contents, and promptly used the rice paper wrapper to blow her nose.

Mmmm, rice paper rolls!

Thanks Angela!

Angela was my team captain in the Tour de France Knit-Along in July. She was so supportive and encouraging. As I quick-stepped up to the wrist warmer challenge, she sent me this lovely parcel! The book and pen are from Yarnies, and the cards are hand made. The daisy sticker glows in the dark too, so I found out last night, which made me smile!

Thanks Ange!

j

Bon Bonne Maman

Mmmm, mini jam jars for my handbag (just in case there's a stray scone...)

This you have to try...

Bought this at Supabarn to share with hubby last night...

Pity he was away...

Never eat ice cream from the tub whilst watching tv... NCIS was really improved by the offering though!

When the tub was empty, I crocheted myself a little brooch from a bamboo/cotton blend,

And took inspiration from the lovely resurrection fern and crocheted a little vase for the grape hyacinths near my front door! Love this - more to come I think!

Op-Shop Up-load

Pack of 6 vintage hankies, still in original packaging. $1.

Best of Abba - sheet music $4 (they knew they had something good!)

Knitting and crochet for dolls houses 50c

Complete weaving loom $1 in box.

100% Australian cotton vintage Summer frock (Nan called these frocks, not dresses) $2
Perfect to lose weight for (old size 16, my guess is that it's today's 12-14).

I really need an intervention... Just because I like-ie like it, does not mean I needy need it. (Repeat often Jess...)

j

Welcome to the house of fun...

Master 6 wanted help making biscuits (cookies) on the weekend. When they were cool he iced them.

I boiled the kettle and got ready for a cuppa to go with my bikkie, thinking what a great . That's when I saw this:

The kid who sells his paper planes now sells snacks!


He's sold them all (to me, his dad, and his Grandma), except for the freebies he gifted to Miss 2 ("she's got no money yet Mum!").

Gotta love the little man. The money went towards his latest Lego purchase.

This is....

It's been a while since I played along...

This is... what I do when I get a spare ten minutes...

Sleep, or

Have a cuppa, or

'Phone a friend!

(Although as my friends can attest, I rarely get ten minutes to myself!!)

What do you do?

Have a great day - J