Reading and Listening

Sometimes I feel the gap left by my identical twin's move to Canberra more keenly than other times. I miss her dearly, for she is not only my sister, but my best friend. She is also my creative partner in crime, and together we visit galleries, museums, poetry readings, markets, fairs and book shops. Neither of us has been able to find a suitable replacement since her interstate shift. Despite talking daily, face timing and letter writing, there is still a Fiona sized gap. As a result, I often feel a need to inject a little extra creative conversation and company in to my days, particularly as I work from home in the company of my little ones.

One way I have been filling the void is with books, magazines and podcasts. I picked up the Frankie and womankind magazines while in Yamba, and have become quite enamored by womankind - an ad free women's magazine with a focus on arts and culture. While the lovely Pippa recommended the podcast The New Normal - in which Emma and Tess chat with creative mothers about their life, work and family - and the website Creative Women's Circle; from which I brought 'Conversations with Creative Women' Volume one and two. I find reading about successful women who have followed their creative dreams so very interesting and inspiring, particularly when they are Australian and it seems they were once not so removed from my current situation.

I have been listening to audio book again lately, having newly discovered the joys of Borrow Box, which allows me to borrow audio books from my local library and download them on my phone, without even leaving home. I listen to a lot of podcasts and books while I work at the bench or knit. Even while I do the dishes or sweep the floor! Recently I fell in love with How to Paint a Dead Man. A wonderfully woven tale with four protagonists in different eras who are dealing with similar themes of love, loss and art in their lives, which are entwined. (Not one to listen to around children, due to the inclusion of sex scenes.) But a thoughtful, moving and beautifully written novel nonetheless. I have also been listening to a book I have long loved, The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain deBotton. Listening to a book one has previously read brings with it a new level of appreciation. Read or spoken, this is the kind of book you can revisit many times, for it covers the work of several great minds from history and applies their philosophies to our modern lives and every day dilemmas; such as a lack of money, anxiety and the pain of love.

There is another pile of books next to my bed currently, which I hope to find time for soon.
But tell me, what have you been reading and listening to?

Yarn Along

Monday afternoon I found my frankie magazine waiting in my letter box, which is always a joy. This time though there was something a little bit extra special about my frankie. This issue has an embossed cover, featuring an endearing collection of embroidered images, to celebrate the 50th issue. To complete the cleverness, the inside cover features the back of the stitching (which is very neat I must say.) Upon my first excited flick through, the magazine fell open to a story about one of my favourite bloggers and her darling family, Kate of Foxs Lane. I had been wondering in recent times if perhaps I was growing a little too old for Frankie and if I would continue my subscription. I think they may have won me back.

In terms of knitting I have been flicking back and forth between the In Threes and Camilla Babe knits for Emerson.  I have also been day dreaming about knitting this farmer fox softie pattern as her Christmas gift, though I wonder if my skill level is up to the challenge. Or if I would have it knit in time. Perhaps for her first birthday in February?

I'm really excited about the Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap. Thanks to all those who have signed up. If you are still thinking about it, you have until Sunday to add your name to the list. All the details are here.

-

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn along

True to my promise last week of finishing projects before embarking on any more, Emerson's blanket has been completed, and more rows have also been added to the cabled hot water bottle cozy. I sort of feel like I'm knitting knitting knitting and not getting any further with this one right now. The raglan sweater is still waiting in the knitting basket and more yarn may have arrived in the mail... However, I shall endeavor to continue keeping my promise.

Also in the mail some much anticipated and enjoyable reading - *bespoke*, taproot and frankie.

What are you knitting or reading at the moment?

-

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

+

New parks to explore. Pine cones to collect. Frankie in the mail. Playing in the garden. Feeling more positive.

+

The mail man certainly showed the letter box a little love when he handed these over yesterday. The latest issue of Frankie and look! Hand knitted booties! Hot off the needles of the lovely Nell, direct from the UK. Such a lucky girl am I, I won these sweet pom pom booties in a joint giveaway between Nell's shop 'Happy Circus' and the inspiring blog, 'The Beetle Shack.' These little darlings have been packed away with my growing collection of handmade items for the bump. Thank you ladies!

In other very exciting news, Susie from Flowerpress interviewed me for the her Australian makers series of 'Show and Tell'. You can see the interview over at here blog here. Thanks so much Susie! What a thoughtful and generous introduction. It was my pleasure!

+

Loving...

 Free Frankie Wallpaper to decorate your desktop.

+

Feeling grateful for good friends, days out, library books, magazine subscriptions, craft shopping, a napping toddler and inspiration for new projects. Now, where to start... 

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.

My Creative Space...

I have five pages of emails that I have not as yet responded to.

I have a baby who will only fall asleep in my arms.

I have a large pile of laundry waiting for me.

I have a doll quilt swap piece to finish.

And then Frankie arrives in the mail...

Must.finish.things.bofore.reading.magazine...

More creative spaces here.

The good, the bad and the ugly...

At night.

When the baby is asleep and dinner has been eaten.

I have time to sit down and pick up needle and thread. Hooking is not currently an option as I am in need of another ball of cotton.

So yesterday it had stopped raining and a trip to Spotlight for supplies was absolutely necessary.

As was trip into a not so local op-shop.

Seriously, absolutely necessary. I'm telling you.

-

I bagged this bargain. Possibly because Cohen started crying when we got to the counter and the lady was keen to be rid of us. She took one look at my crafty pile and said "$5 love". Bargain right?

Wool, sewing book, two brand new Australian tea towels and another one of these... Then to Spotlight. And guess what. They did not have more of the cotton I had previously brought. Your surprised, right?

What's a girl to do? I didn't have any choice. I had to buy these five balls of cotton and these five balls of pure wool for $2 each. I see another scarf in my future... And of course these buttons for 0.80c. They were calling out my name while I was in line at the check out. I was in a good mood. I hadn't gotten the intended cotton, but I had grabbed some bargains. I got home and the first edition of my Frankie magazine subscription was waiting for me. Yay... but... what... I opened it up. The plastic envelope it had been in had a few tears in it... I tried to look through the magazine...

Good mood vanished.

Magazine all but unreadable. $8.50 worth of soggy stuck together, tearing paper. The ink running and staining my hands.

What's a girl to do?

Probably no more magazine subscriptions for me.

:(

Edit: PS. Did you know that if you subscribe to a magazine and it gets damaged in the post they will send you another one? I called to cancel my subscription and explained why and now they are sending me another copy. Fingers crossed it makes it! :)