Learning lately

I often find I hear aphorisms or sentiments and agree with them with my head, then really learn them from experience, then forget them and have to learn them again. Tell me I'm not alone in this? These are a few of those lessons that I have been reminded of lately.

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Maintaining balance is just as difficult as finding it.

There are two types of gratitude; 'thinking' gratitude and 'feeling' gratitude. One originates in your logical mind and one is a heartfelt surge of emotion. Both are important, but you will long remember the 'feeling' kind of gratitude.

Give thanks with words and actions when you feel gratitude towards people.

There is good if you look for it.

Think happy, be happy.

Pick the right battles.

Learn the lesson.

Stay in touch.

Be present.

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Perhaps you have a similar list? What else would you add?

17/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: Practicing his golf swing with Dada, in the late afternoon light.

Emerson: Growing as quickly as the weeds, in the morning light.

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1. Progress in the kitchen - the cabinets are in, the electrical and plastering has now been done, next week the doors and stone bench tops will be fitted - Hooray!

2. The cutest kitchen helper - out of the frying pan and in to the pot?

3. A wonderful visit to Threads and More's new abode at Indooroopilly, where I scored these magazines for $5 each - so much lovely yarn too

4. Waste not, want not - sharing the Rosella love with friends who make jam - can't wait to make jam in my new kitchen!

5. The little shoe monster strikes again

6. First slippers for the shoe monster

7. Going 'home' - twenty five years later

8. Always time for tea - especially when partaking in an op-shopping adventure with two children

Our days are a little strange as we live without a kitchen and live with the white plaster dust of renovating. (I'd forgotten about that white dust.) There are dishes on the bathroom sink, a toaster on the tv cabinet and tradies coming and going as progress is made. It's an exciting sort of mess to live in, full of promise. I am excited at the prospect of getting to know my new kitchen and unpacking my collections. Finding a home for the plates, glasses and vases. I think a little kitchen party will be in order once it is complete.

Tonight though I am looking forward to book club - lovely ladies, a great book and a glass or two of wine (of course.)

What are your plans this Friday evening?

16/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: The water was so cold. Children seem immune to such things though when there is fun to be had.

Emerson: Oh so serious, she contemplates her brother on the flying fox.

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I have been Winter shopping for these two little/big people, my 'pigeon pair,' and have discovered a strange optical illusion. Size one onesies look so BIG. Size four shirts similarly look rather too large. I can't believe that they will really fit them. And their new slippers? Surely their feet are too small to fit in those shoes? What is it about Motherhood that distorts ones vision? They really don't seem so grown up until I hold those new items up to them and realise that the sizes are right. Perhaps it is just me.

I am struggling a little with the thought of no more tiny baby clothes in the house. I keep boxing up the outgrown clothes, unsure what to do with them. I don't seem able to part with them yet. The bassinet, the tiny socks, the muslin wraps. I can't decide if I am done yet, though my husband is so certain that he is. How did you decide? Did you just know? Any words of advice?

Oh how they have suddenly grown.

Going away

Packing the girl: hand knits, overalls, vintage dresses, tights and onesies.

Packing the boy: stripes, Star Wars and Soccer boots.

Packing the Mama: knitting, camera, books, stripes, embroidery.

My two little ones have followed me from room to room this morning as I fold clothes, gather bits and pieces and pack our ports. Packing is exciting business. Next, to finish packing up the kitchen. At present all the cupboards are empty save half the pantry, the dining table is covered in glass and crockery and I'm waiting on a few more boxes. 

Today will be the last time I see my old peach kitchen. The little ones and I are leaving Dada at home to demolish and supervise, and we shall come home to a new kitchen (sans stone bench top, which will be installed a week later.) In the meantime we three are staying with family, well out of the way of the construction zone.

Did I mention that I am super excited about my new kitchen! An all white kitchen in fact. A dream come true.

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The shop will stay open as normal, as I am taking my pieces and packaging box with me. 

On my bench

On my bench at the moment is the growing collection of pearl jewellery for the Mother's day shop update. There is also some large gemstones I'm considering for my next collection - Citrine, Madagascan quartz, Ametrine. The white box sitting on top of my sketchbook holds all my packing supplies - old knitting patterns for wrapping, envelopes, scissors, washi tape, pens, business cards and the like - so I can pack sales for postage in my studio, or bring the box upstairs to package them up when the kids are in bed. 

Those cream coloured seed packets are how I keep my stock, and works in progress, organised. The details and prices of everything in the packet are written on the back, a quick sketch of the design, the name and price go on the front, while all the necessary pieces are inside. The dish at the front there is home to metal off cuts, which always come in handy. When I get too many they are melted down again. 

What does your bench or desk look like at present? What are you working on? Is it neat, or messy? How do you keep things organised?

A pincushion story

I brought my favourite pincushion from Tiny Happy three years ago. Hand embroidered linen, vintage floral backing and ric-rac. I love Melissa's work. That beautiful pincushion lived on my sewing table. Over Easter it fell victim to my sister's dog, Angel. From floor, to lounge, to table she climbed, and took only the pincushion. Despite the fact it was full of pins, the dear old staffy nibbled the back open and ruined the front. A trail of stuffing lead me to the discovery. 

Unbeknownst to me, Fiona contacted Melissa from Tiny Happy and explained the situation. Yesterday a very special little something came in the mail from Angel, Fiona and Melissa.

A pretty special pincushion I think.

Colour and life

1.Self seeded cherry tomatoes
2. Chilli - I planted two varieties of seeds, I think this is a rainbow chilli
3. A mass of baby chrysanthemums
4. Self seeded Black Russian Tomatoes
5. The sweet faces of violas
6. Potential
7. There will be another Rosella jam day soon
8. Pumpkin vine loving the compost pile

Autumn in the garden and there is much colour and life. Dahlias bloom in profusion  Sunflowers nod their large heads. Buds appear on the camellia - such a long wait until they blossom. Self seeded tomatoes have been left to their own devices, some undiscovered until their red fruit give them away. Eggplants grow heavy. Rosella continue to fruit. The odd strawberry can still be found. The runners spreading. The watermelon vine is dying back and one small melon waits with uncertainty as to whether it will ripen. The beds have been mulched, nut grass still sneaks through, seeds wait to be planted.

Long shadows stretch across the lawn in the afternoon. Emerson sits with the basket of pegs and upends it as I take the clothes off the line. Cohen finds sticks, kicks his ball, then follows me as I potter. I love this time of year. Not too hot and not too cold. The perfect time to be in the garden.

15/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: "If we eat cat biscuits, will we turn in to cats?"
Emerson: She, who smelt suspiciously of cat biscuits. 

'Hello Darling' - New In the Shop

'Hello Darling'


The initial sketch and the completed crocheted design


Pinned out on baking paper and cork, then painted with PVA glue

Ready to be sent for casting

My attempt at jewellery modelling

From sketch book to crochet, casting to finished piece, this pendant has come to life. 'Hello Darling' is a combination of my love of craft and silver-smithing. This necklace has been designed with craft lovers in mind. The piece is elegant and unique. The beauty lies in the contrasts between the delicate nature of the original crochet and the strength and durability of silver.   

The perfect addition to you favourite outfits, from a Peter Pan collar to a boat neckline, the 'Hello Darling' necklace will flatter and adorn throughout the seasons.

The final piece is the culmination of several steps. The process began with paper and pencil. I had in mind to saw pierce the design from a sheet of silver. Rie suggested trying to crochet it. After a few attempts I arrived at a crocheted version I was happy with and decided to have it cast and made into a necklace. This persented several difficulties that required creative thinking. In order to give the silk thread strength and set the shape, I carefully painted the piece with PVA glue after meticulously pinning it out. Once dry, I sent this still delicate piece off for casting. The casting company came up with a plan with me, as to the best way to make a mold of the thread and burn it out, then fill the cavity with molten sterling silver. This raw casting arrived with the courier and it took a full day to clean it up, polish it and finish the final piece.

This has been an experimental process, and while it has drawn on my experience as a crafter and jeweller, I've never married these two skills in this manner before. Each step was exciting and nerve racking, challenging and rewarding. I was filled with nervous excitement opening the parcel from the casting company. I was thrilled that the raw casting was better than I had anticipated.

I'm taking orders for this piece now, so that they are ready in time for Mothers day. I am also working on a shop update of approximately ten handmade pearl jewellery pieces which will be released by the 1st of May.

A cool change

It feels as if the cool nights are here to stay. I have been looking forward to Winter. It's a mild Winter we have here, no snow or frosts, but I love it nonetheless. I'm looking forward to blankets, snuggles, hot water bottles and wool. Clear nights, bare footed dashes to the bathroom and steamy bathroom windows. To Winter vegetables, soup and bottomless hot drinks. Empty beaches, beautiful sunsets and slow mornings. I'm looking forward to finding those patches of warm sunlight during cold days and soaking them up like a cat. I'm also looking forward to our new kitchen being installed this month (hooray!), a family holiday and our tenth wedding anniversary next month. I've come a long way from the twenty one year old bride I once was. 

But she loved Winter too.

Yarn Along

I have two projects on the needles at the moment. I dare not cast on any more until these are done, lest I am side tracked by another cushion or scarf. I have been alternating between the Larch cardigan and the Camilla blanket. The cardigan is taking shape now, which is encouraging me to continue. I have itchy fingers though to cast on a pair of socks. Any advice on a good sock pattern for beginners who have only one sock to their name? (I didn't like the pattern.)

My dear books have been all but abandoned of late, as I dedicate my 'spare' time to jewellery work and gardening. My Country Style magazine has not been neglected however, since arriving in my letter box. Such an inspiring read. I was pleased to see an article on ceramic artist Kim Wallace. I so love to see creative peoples work spaces and their works in progress.

What are you knitting and reading?

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Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.

Finding lovely

1. Glimpses - purple flowers over the neighbours fence

2. Jam day - twice as many jars of homemade Rosella jam this time, and more fruit on the plants. Also loving my new hutch, an ebay find. (The first batch.)

3. Baby things - especially Mama made ones

4. Mini quiche - puff pastry, silver beet from the garden and four eggs, yum

5. Making - I designed and crocheted this piece and set it with glue. It is now on it's way to have a mold made and be cast in sterling silver, in order to become a necklace. I'm nervous and excited. There are more pics and info on instagram. All being well the necklaces will be available for order in the shop soon.

6. Prints - a new addition to my studio walls and an excuse to go op-shopping once I can drive again, so as to find it a frame.

What loveliness have you found lately?

14/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: Happiest is he after following the instructions all by himself.

Emerson: Happiest is she with his Lego... 

My baby is walking! Since Wednesday. Those sweet, chubby legs took their first steps towards me unaided. Emerson then dove in to my arms with glee. The joy of those first steps in this Mama's heart! And the tear I shed too, as we left a little more of babyhood behind. By the time Dada came home the distance she could cover had increased and pride beamed from her dear face.

Precious, precious girl.