Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

I'm not feeling well and while I cough and sniff, and potter around the house, Jeff sings to me.

My Creative Space...

Although I am almost finished Cohen's second vest, I am still wondering if I was a little over confidant when deciding to alter the pattern so as to add a button band and soften the neck line. With only one side of the neck line left to complete, it shouldn't be long until I find out. Then decided whether to sew it up, or unravel it and remake the front again like the first one.

Even if I was a bit too eager, it is part of the learning process I would say.

More Creative Spaces here.

Loving...

More lovely fabric to add to the stash.

As well as buttons for Cohen's vest, which I hope to show you tomorrow.

I am loving having a peek into Emma's studio.

This post by the thought provoking Molly.

Dreaming of finding a vintage play kitchen too.

Coveting Nic's yardage designs.

And a line full of clean washing, a day of just pottering around the house listening to old cd's and the feel of fresh sheets.

What are you loving today?

When life (or a toddler)...

Gives you an entire packet of spilt flour...

Make play dough...

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If only all accidents could be so amusingly solved.

Lest We Forget...

ANZAC day is a day Australian and New Zealanders come together and remember those who served for their country and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Lucky Starr and my father.

Christmas 1965, Bein Hoa, Vietnam.

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I have been just so overwhelmed lately. You know how it can be.

Overwhelmed by chasing after an enthusiastic toddler and breaking up toddler antics, keeping a house clean, food cooked, clothes washed, animals fed, bins empty, nappies changed, petrol in the car, food in the trolley, emails to phone companies, phone calls to pay tolls, high chairs clean, cupboards child proofed, books back to the library, everyone happy.

Wondering constantly. Am I doing everything right? Why does my child do that and theirs doesn't? How will we afford that? What did she mean when she said that?

I have been so overwhelmed that I just need to leave friends and come home, so that the smallest things bring a lump to my throat and a tear to my eyes, so that I am just waiting for my little boy to have a nap so I can take refuge in some alone time, some quite time, some time to think time. And I think, this parenting thing is so hard. How do women have two, three, four babies and cope? Is it just me?

And then a friend of a friend says something to me and I chat to my Dr, and I find out.

It's not just being a mother. It's not lack of sleep. It's not nursing. It's not just trying to find balance, stay in control, clean during naps, hang clothes out and it rains. It's not just that. It's me, but it's my body. It's my thyroid.

It, like everything else in my life, seems to have sped up since becoming a parent.

But, unlike everything else, it can be diagnosed with blood tests and ultrasounds. Can be put on paper, can be discussed rationally, can wait wait wait to see a specialist and be treated.

I do get overwhelmed and yet I am so very happy. I am so very in love with my boys, my family, my life. I cherish being able to be such a huge part of my sons life.

And today friends visited, toddlers slept, the sun was out, the house was clean, the pantry is full and I am feeling optimistic, I know I can handle it if I feel overwhelmed again.

And I have a specialist appointment next month.

My Creative Space...

Finished Crochet Ripple cot blanket...

Ta-dah!

Ravelry.

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More Creative Spaces here.

Pin cushion swap...

Yesterday I cut, pinned and stitched until I heard the mail man linger at my mail box and joy leaped a little in my heart.

Three envelopes, one package and one magazine.

Cushion sewing abandoned.

Jodi made a knitted pincushion for me, as part of Kate's pin cushion swap. As a very novice knitter I am left marveling at Jodi's piece and unable to guess how she created it.

Jodi was also really thoughtful with the little presents that accompanied the pin cushion and I was really delighted to find a feed sack in with the fabric and pins.

Feed sack count now: 3.

Also in the mail and quickly being flicked through amongst the sewing, Frankie magazine.

Filled with lots of lovely bits and pieces, like Catherine Campbell's drawing and a tutorial from Pip.

Cushion sewing still sitting on dining table.

Crochet vest II...

Having made one vest, why not make two thought I?

Perhaps a button band, center front, would also be nice?

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Ravelry.

Congratulations Fiona!

We drove into the mountains, past windmills alive with rust, past natives swaying in the breeze as if to song, past dilapidated farm buildings more akin to a giants pile of pick up sticks than the sheds they had once been. We drove into the day and the next day we drove into the night. We drove with the mountain in our rear view mirror, heavy drops of rain assaulting the windshield while stars peered at themselves in the puddles.

And so we went, and so we would have gone anywhere, in celebration of my remarkable sister.

My sister graduated from her Masters degree, standing proudly in hat and gown again.

I have so much admiration for her achievements. The journey of her study has been a difficult road to travel at times. One can't take leave of life to concentrate on study. Life goes on. And it is the way that Fiona has handled life, her studies and herself that has been a constant inspiration for me. Congratulations my twin.

May the road to your Doctorate be smoother dear sister.

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Photos: Leaves in the concrete in the parking lot, French Feves from my sister and her sweet mother in law Clare, Moda cross stitch sampler fabric found at the Toowoomba craft markets, flowers and bees in Clare's garden.

Flea Market Finds...

My thrifted finds this week have been all about old worn enamel and linen table cloths. Table cloths that I think would make wonderful cushion covers, as inspired by the lovely TOAST cushions.

I can't wait to get a chance to get some more sewing done and hopefully some more thrifting this week too....

More Flea Market Finds here.

Toast Spring II 2010...

My oh so lovely TOAST catalog came in the mail this week. I think perhaps I would like to join in that picnic, or curl up with a book in that bed.

I do love to pour over the pages of the catalog and inspect the Royal Mail stamps on the back. I'm afraid though that it does make me want one of everything.

I shall just have to dream about buying a dress, a coat, a satchel or lovely basket.

Pincushion swap....

Finished and and in the post.

With some fabric and buttons to keep this little pear company.

Hope my partner likes it!

Thanks Kate for the swapping chance.

PS. I have joined Sarah's Great Apron Swap. The more the merrier I say. Don't you just love a good swap?

Thank you...

Flowers from a thoughtful friend.

Thank you Jane.

My Creative Space...

The cot blanket is a few nights on the lounge away from completion and I have been working on my pincushion for Kate's pincushion swap.

I upended the bag of fabric scraps from Jennifer and started cutting. Although rather than just cutting out the four pieces necessary for my pin cushion, I ended up with, oh, about 28 of those pear quarters in a pile. I just kept on finding more and more sweet fabric scraps of perfect size and kept on cutting. There is now a pile of pears parts waiting to be sewn up and have some finishing touches added...

Thank you for your comments about my lovely father in law, who is home from the hospital and recovering. Your kind words and thoughts mean so much.

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More Creative Spaces here.

Thinking of my dear father in law while he is in hospital and hoping for the best.

Autumn and a toddler in the garden...

Who needs a room full of toys when you have rocky paths in the garden?

Such fun for Cohen to crawl over, grab up in handfuls and of course, use to fill the dogs bowls.

They also bring me joy, as I watch my little boy exploring and enjoying playing in his backyard.

Flea Market Finds...

My father gave me two antique feedsack bags and with them, my love of feedsack cloth was born. hey are such lovely and fascinating pieces of our thrifty fabric heritage.

What I am secretly hoping is that on my flea market and thrifting adventures I find more feedsacks to add to the collection and eventually hand sew a quilt with them.

Do you know any good places to find vintage feedsacks?

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"If you would like to join in and play just post an image of your second hand find, whatever it may be or even something you that you are dreaming to find." - Sophie

More Flea Market Finds here.

Ripple...

I have been working on a ripple cot blanket for a friend who is due in a couple of weeks.

How rewarding has been to come back to the ripple pattern and find it that much easier this time around. A measure of improvement. So relaxing and enjoyable now. No need to look at the pattern once started.

The pots, pans and plates are piled high in the sink. All seats were full at the dining table last night. I successfully cooked some of the fish that Dave caught at Awoonga. But not before our dog made off with two lots of it that had been defrosting in the sun. A very happy dog was he.

We live and learn...

Off to clean the kitchen.

My goodness...

How did my sewing room go from reasonably tidy to unreasonably messy?

Some sort of disaster seems to have befallen my poor sewing room...

Thankfully a very brave friend came over today to help sort it all out and mind the children. Thanks again Erin, I needed a push to get started on it.

While sorting through all my craft supplies I realised just how many supplies, tools and pieces of fabric I have accumulated. It is mind blowing.

I also rediscovered these crochet squares that I found at an op-shop awhile ago. Once the room is done I think it is time to turn these lovely squares into something and focus on finishing a few UFO's.

My Creative Space...

The lake shawl has been sitting with me on the lounge of an evening and sleeping on the coffee table each night since we arrived home from camping. Last night I completed the edging and with it, the shawl.

I love this shawl and I love that just-finished-a-piece feeling too.

I will share more photos with you once it has been received by its intended owner.

On to the next project...

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More Creative Spaces here.

Goodmorning Autumn Sunshine...

How I have missed you.

Wool shopping...

Even when I go craft shopping meaning to buy some wool, it can be quite difficult to walk past the sale fabric and not stop and peruse those on offer.

And maybe one or two other things will catch my eye, so I don't buy as much yarn as I intended because that fabric really needs to be in my stash...

Do you know what I mean?

But eventually I do manage to make it to the yarn section and I browse each isle. I may end up in conversation with an elderly couple who wish to discuss their grandchild. I gaze at all the colours and find that I will still reach for navy, white and grey as I think they look lovely on a boy.

And I will drive home thinking about what it is I am going to make and how soon I will be able to make a start on it and what I will tell my husband if he asks about the fabric...

Easter at Awoonga..

We have spent the last three days camping out with my lovely parents on the banks of Lake Awoonga. Our tent was pitched beneath a mango tree in the Boynedale Bush Camp, only a few meters from the water. While the boys were out fishing for barramundi I had time to sit and crochet while watching as the sky and water change colours with the day.

Dave did catch a 109cm barramundi and two others got the better of him, while I got most of a shawl finished in between playing with Cohen and going for walks. It was difficult at times camping with a one year old. Especially a teething one who isn't fond of wearing hats. But with the help of my family I still found it all wonderfully relaxing. We came home tired after the 8 hour drive and yet I feel refreshed and ready to start working on a few new things...

Flea Market Finds...

I love dear little old bottles. There is something so lovely about them. Can you imagine a time when there was no plastic? Only glass and wood?

I have mentioned on my blog before that I have a collection of vintage and antique bottles that my father found in outback Australia. They sit on the cabinet in our entry and gather more years and more stories.

More flea market finds here.

What a difference a day makes...

During the season of crochet one piece makes its way off the hook as another one makes its way on. I though a library bag for my projects would be a great way to keep them organised and ready to pick up and go.

I used the fabric I brought the other day and sewed french seams. Now I have the perfect bag for keeping the pattern, yarn and crochet hook roll together.

How do you store your knitting ? crochet projects?

My Creative Space...

I have finished the vest for Cohen and I am quite pleased with my first piece of crocheted clothing.

I went up to a size 2-3 in the hope that it would fit him this year and next, but it is too large for him now. With any luck it will fit him next Winter and the one following.

Perhaps I should make another in a size 1-2...

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More creative spaces here.