Chaotic Jupiter

Shrinky fun

2011-12-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

I decided to be crafty today, and in the midst of one idea I had another great one. I got back into the shrinky dink! I mostly just tinkered and drew up a few designs. Some have become brooches and some, Xmas decorations (well, at least that's how I am using them at the moment.


Milly Molly Mandy


Grug

Before

After

Milly Molly Mandy

Grug

Reindeer

Tree, Mushroom and Squirrel

Mexican Wrestling Mask

Where's Wally and Max (Where the Wild Things Are)

After

All today's creations

Jack Christmas decoration

Mexican Wrestling Mask decoration

Max decoration

The rest are being made into brooches, so once they are dry I will take some piccies. Just have to decide which one I will wear tonight now!

In my usual style...

2011-09-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

...I decided to randomly begin another project. This one is inspired by the work of Doe-c-Doe

B'day Goodies

2011-09-11T02:11:00.000-07:00

It was my b'day a few weeks ago and I scored some cool goodies. Thought I would share. Annoyingly, my point and shoot camera seems to have a blob in it and I can't get rid of it....so please ignore the blob!

My parents very kindly got me a piece of furniture for my place- a sideboard from Ikea to match my bookcases. I went to work one day and when I got home that night, voila, I almost bumped right into it! They snuck in and built it whilst I was out.

I have already moved my magazines and cook books into it.

They also got me this cool metal A. Mum and I are pondering whether to paint it...

Some of my friends also gave me some lovely gifts...

A Grug cake from Dave. I seriously did not want to cut him, I wanted to keep him forever!

Cool badge of dodgy looking character from Thouraya

Awesome bag from Elaine. She picked the colours and design personally!

A sweet little typewriter tote from Thouraya

The back of the tote...love the fabric

Lovely birdy and bead necklace from Brooke

Two of my favourite b'day cards were....

Funky

You can't see the writing, but I am sure it says Millie on there

I also decided to get myself a little gift. I am off to the US for work (and a bit of pleasure) in a few weeks. Whenever I go overseas I read WAAAAAAY too many books which means WAAAAAY too much luggage. So I have taken the plunge and got myself one of these.....

A KINDLE!

I have been a bit loathed to get one of these. I like REAL books with REAL paper. And I will continue to buy real books. But, for the purposes of travel, this seemed like a much more realistic thing to carry around. Last time I went to the UK I think I came back with 6 books, and when I was in Hawaii over 8 books. This is not good for luggage weight, and given I am heading to New York as part of my trip, I can think of other things to fill my luggage with (although, granted, books will probably still be something I buy!).

Ugly Doll creations

2011-09-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's been a while! I seem to say that every post I make. I guess sadly I don't get a whole lot of time to sew :( I did, however, create some goodies a few months ago that I have been wanting to share. I actually wanted to share at the time, but as some of these were gifts, I was a bit worried the recipients would see them. Anyway, I got inspired one afternoon when trying to think of something small I could make a friend for their birthday. My thoughts as usual went to embroidery, and then I have an epiphany! Maybe I could do more than embroider. Maybe I could incorporate felt. Quite coincidentally I found a stash of leftover felts in my sewing boxes and shazam, an idea was born.

My friend is a fan of Ugly Dolls, and so it's from here the idea was born (and multiplied once my first effort turned out so well!).

The Making of Ice Bat

Pinning

Stitching

Smile!

Eyes would be nice

Ta-da! Ice Bat done

So the success of the Ice Bat Ugly Doll led me onto other adventures (it's amazing what one can do when they are trying to avoid doing proper work!). So I made a few friends for Ice Bat (well, temporary friends, given Ice Bat was destined for my friend).

Ugly Dog (although I argue it is more like a cat)

Jeero

My first three Ugly Dolls

Pretty happy!

So I made some more....

Tray

Wedgehead

Occasional embroidery activities...

2011-07-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been slack with the blog, but I am still occasionally finding time to craft. Not much time, what with work being so busy, but I better than nothing!

At the moment the main project is embroidering some Prints Charming panels to make into a quilt.

Did anyone else go to the craft show? What did you think?

Darling Harbour after the craft show

I was restrained this year (given I still have items from past craft shows I am yet to make!). My favourite find of the day though was this great Viewfinder material. Think I will make it into a bag....

So many craft ideas, so little time *sigh*. I really need to write a proper list of all the projects and potential projects I have going. Which reminds me, I need to get back into making jewellery too!

Til next time....

Alyce

Shrinky Dink and other things

2011-02-20T01:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have been crafting, although admittedly things have slowed down a little with the onset of a new semester *sigh*

This weekend though I have burned through a lot. I am sure come tomorrow morning I will feel guilty for not having spent the time doing work stuff, but oh well, I am happy with what I have made this weekend.

My first task was to make some gifts for a colleague who hosted me in Queensland last weekend. She picked me up from the airport, let me stay at her place, then dropped me back again. Super nice! I decided to do a cat stitchery for her daughter, who's room I stayed in....

I actually really like how this turned out

And for my friend/colleague I made a necklace, modelled a little on one that I made myself a few year ago, but with a few different beads.

Then today I went to see The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in Newtown with another friend. On our walk we spotted some cool graffiti

And an awesome railway fence message, which seemed to be made from shoelaces, flowers and coloured soft drink cans.

Tonight I finally got onto a project I have been meaning to do for ages. Some shrinky dink pendants. I decided to give it a go by tracing some sublime stitching patterns. First up was the Day of the Dead skull. Loving it!

Then I tried some birdies...

They turned out okay, but one really wanted a bendy tail feather. It was a good experiment to try anyway, so next time I know to avoid really skinny sections. I might turn these into brooches if I get my butt into gear.

So all in all, quite an inadvertently crafty weekend!

Music's What I Need to Keep My Sanity

2011-01-30T01:08:00.000-08:00

That blog title comes from a line in a song from my favourite band 311. There's a random piece of trivia for you. And the reason why I mention it is that this week has been music filled. On Thursday I went to the Big Day Out. I am definitely getting old, many things about festivals make me grumpy. But I will focus on the positives, which were seeing Sia and the Deftones, amongst others. Some piccies.

I think this was during Lupe Fiasco's set

Sia's set. Wish I got a better pic. Her stage set up was awesomely crafty, inspired by granny squares!

Lazers

Rides which I avoid, as I don't want to die

During Rammstein's set. Can't see much here

I also went to see the Deftones do their own show on Friday night, which was pretty damn good if I do say so myself!

I have managed to continue being crafty (in a non criminal way) during the week too.

Used a fair bit of floss on this one

I also picked up this cool necklace at Tree of Life whilst perusing for gifts. Isn't it always the way, when you are looking for gifts for other people, you find stuff for yourself and nothing for them. Anyway, I think is going to inspire some jewellery ideas, so stay tuned for those!

And tonight I decided to be all homely and cook Mushroom and Spinach pastries. God knows, once teaching starts back at work I probably will find cooking a foreign concept (let's hope though I leave the office earlier more often this year). Tonight I tried something healthy. Although, with the pastry, cream and butter that was required, perhaps it wasn't really that healthy after all!

Nom nom nom

And to end today's post, a mandatory shot of my cat Millie

Done

2011-01-22T23:08:00.000-08:00

The clean up job is done. This is how the room looks at the moment. I still have the mattress to get rid of, so that will have temporary status in the craft room until it is gone

I also need to vacuum and put up the pictures you can see on top of the bookcase, but otherwise all the hard stuff has been finished.

Organising my sewing room

2011-01-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

Ever since moving into my new apartment (*cue song from Custard*) I have been trying to make it look all nice and pretty. Unfortunately I had an ongoing dilemma with some furniture, which has meant everything has looked half finished, and my progress has been hampered in completing 'the look'. Anyway, my furniture issue is now sorted (it's amazing how quickly things get done when you actually have time off work) and I have started working on my spare room. Initially this room had a single bed in it and my random sewing junk, but I have decided now to turn it into a dedicated study/sewing/craft room. First things first was to get a new table for the room, so off to ikea I went and this is what I got...

VIKA GRUVAN/ VIKA FAGERLID desk

Now I am onto the fun task of tidying the sewing room. Hopefully I get it done by the end of the day. Here is the before shot...well, almost before. I did move some things before taking this, but you get the idea.

Lots of junk...

So now I need to get inspired to organise everything *sigh*

I don't think the bed is going to fit in there anymore, which is fine. It seems kinda silly to have the room being half filled by something that gets used by visitors maybe a few times a year. I do have a strategy, however, for when I do have guests. My parents have these pretty nifty blow up double beds, so that is what I will use instead. Otherwise, there is also the lounge, which is pretty comfy to sleep on (says the experienced arvo couch napper).

Oh, and this is my next project- stitching on these Prints Charming prints (you can buy the same print HERE if you like them).

Better get started on these

Back to craft room organising.....after lunch maybe

Stitching fancy

2011-01-17T20:22:00.000-08:00

Finished another project last night. This one was something I should have done ages ago. Probably two craft shows ago I bought some prints from Prints Charming. This one was sitting around, and I got inspired to get to work on it. I purchased some threads recently to match the table runner I made AGES ago. The reason I did this is because I am going to make some cushions for my lounge and want to do some stitcheries on some of them with the same colour theme. Anyway, I thought I might use the same threads on this little number, and then hang it on the wall. I quite like how it turned out. I just came up with random ideas and went with them.

I started with the pink and went from there

In progress

The final product. Thought I would make the pic bigger so you can see the detail

I actually took these photos in daylight for once, which seems to really help the products look better. Note to self: try to avoid taking photos of finishing products in the middle of the night when I complete them!

Funnily I came across some old photos when loading these ones onto my computer. The story goes, my little point and shoot ran out of batteries. I got really lazy and didn't get around to charging them again, and then I got a new phone with a fancy camera in it, so I decided to use that for my pics instead. It then turned out that it was a major drama to load the phone camera pics onto my computer, so I went back to the trusty point and shoot. Anyway, what a boring story! The point being, in doing this, I came across the very few crafty activities I participated in last year. One was the Sue Spargo class in Bathurst in August. I think mum has more pics, but these are the ones I took (can't show them all, as we were not allowed to load pics of her projects, they are only for personal use)

The gifts for each class member

Mum in action

Making badges. My birdy

I love wool!

Mum's birdy


Final product (mine)

And here is a photo I took of the Melbourne Finders Keepers Markets, which I dropped into in October, during my flying visit to Melbourne. I liked it much better than the Sydney one (probably because the last Sydney one I attended felt like we were sardines in a can)

Was this a good idea? As if I am not already busy enough

2011-01-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

Today I signed up for THIS exciting looking Block of the Month from Prints Charming. It is being 'hosted' (is that the right explanation for it?!) by Addicted 2 Fabric in Canberra. I got the second last spot, with the patterns to be posted to me. Canberra is just a tad too far to travel for this one!

I realised after posting my last blog that there were a couple of jewellery items I made as presents for people that I forgot to take photos of! :( Bummer. Oh well, maybe I can take some snaps if/when I ever spot the recipients wearing the items.

In other news, I just found out there is a craft store not far from me. Well, not 100% a craft store. I think it's a fashion/clothing store that also holds some classes on sewing. I must have driven past it dozens of times since I moved to my new place and didn't realise it existed until I got a random email from one of the owners asking if I could tell our Brown Owls members about it.

Speaking of Brown Owls, Amelie and Atticus and I decided on meeting dates for the first half of the year. You can find details HERE.

I think it is time now to add a random picture to brighten up this post.....

'Fred the Head', my office mascot, looks on in awe at the paperweight Mum made for me.

Off to the new Calico and Ivy store tomorrow (no buying, I promise). Happy sewing adventures!

Some secret activities

2011-01-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

I had to keep some of these latest projects secret because certain recipients might see this blog and the surprise would be spoilt. I have actually enjoyed this latest venture- embroidered button brooches! I bought some kits way back when I was living in Bathurst and they sat stagnant until a few weeks ago when I was inspired to freestyle some designs on linen after catching up on all the embroidery blogs I have missed in the past year. I think I am going to keep the french knot one for myself. The red, grey, white and black design was part of Amelie and Atticus's Christmas gift...and the pink one, well the recipient is TBC.

Early beginnings

Random continuations

Hmm better backdrop needed. This was my first effort...not bad

Second brooch.....the back. Quite scary

French knots....lots of knots

Finished product

Quite happy with these

Not sure why I only had the one photo of the red and black one on the left. That was the one I have gifted

After (IMHO) the success of those 3, I went to Spotlight and Lincraft to hunt down some more button kits. Geez, talk about a mission! I eventually found a few packs at Spotlight Rockdale (bigger sized and looked like old stock given the beaten up boxes they were in), so I grabbed them all. Maybe I need to go back to Bathurst to find more there!

I also finished the Grug stitchery for my friend. If you recall I was just waiting for her to have the baby so I could write his/her name in the apple. Well, on new years day, some 13 days after her due date, my friend gave birth to baby boy Keenan.


The finished product!

I think she liked it. I got a bit lazy with the freehanding of the name, but I figured it could be a little rustic given the rest of the content...as long as Grug looks good that's all that matters!

This past week I was lucky enough to get some little gifts of my own....from my Mum! Check out the yummy fabric!

I like Mum's idea of embroidering over the flowers here

Close up

Owwwwwwls

And, part of my Christmas present from Amelie and Atticus

DEXTER! Everyone's favourite serial killer

LOVE IT! Yes I am weird, okay

More Crafty Adventures

2010-12-30T04:44:00.000-08:00

At the rate I am going, returning to work next week does not sound like a fun thing. I admit, I am feeling a bit restless and antsy being at home (and I am actively avoiding doing any work, apart from occasionally checking emails and being thankful no dramas are emerging there). What I have managed to do is a bit more sewing. I have SO many projects to do, I really need to sit down and write down everything I need to do. Perhaps in doing so I will also stop myself from buying more stuff and creating new projects for myself, thus exacerbating the problem! Although I must say, having too much craft to do is a way better problem than having too much work to do!

So anyway, a few more photo updates from my recent project, a series of stitcheries from So September (who I also mentioned last blog)

Quite liking my French knots!


I also took my stitching to the local Gloria Jeans.

Oh, I forgot to ask, how was everyone's Christmas? Mine was good, managed to get some nice gifts and things, as well as giving some pretty decent gifts (in my humble opinion). I also took the time to annoy Millie whilst I was at my parents.

I am not sure...

...she was too impressed...

...with the...

...tree sticker on her head

I was highly entertained though of course, which is the most important thing!
Xmas seems to come upon us faster and faster each year. A sure sign I am getting old, as much as I don't really think I am old. But it is great catching up with familiar faces and celebrating the end to another year

I also have been doing some tidying around the place.

My floss is getting a little more organised for a change...

And I also finally put up the awesome framed 311 posters one of my friends gave me for Xmas...

Despite this, I have a continuing dilemma: my book pile seems to be growing larger, rather than smaller.

And that doesn't even show all the books I have yet to read!

I just finished two books in the last couple of days. Jonathan Franzen's 'The Corrections' and Paul Auster's 'Sunset Park'.

Image from crimealwayspays.blogspot.com

Image from The Guardian website

I must say I wasn't as impressed with The Corrections as I hoped I would be. I found all of the characters REALLY annoying! I just wanted it to end. Sunset Park was good, but all too brief. It felt like such a small snapshot of the characters he presented. There was way too much missing, I was left wanting more. The next cab of the rank is Paul Theroux's 'The Family Arsenal', which I picked up at the bookstore at work before Xmas (because, you know, I needed another book to read).

Image from letsbuyit.co.uk

Today I just had to get out of the house, so I took myself into Newtown, stopped into Berkelouw Books, and shouted myself lunch in the cafe

Chicken caesar salad and a book. Double yum

Okay, I am rambling a bit, and I promised myself an early night, so I think I will end blogging now. Fingers crossed I fall asleep before 4am, unlike last night! Tomorrow morning is a trip into Ikea to scope out a craft/work desk for my spare room. Yay!

Christmas Jewellery Gifts

2010-12-18T03:15:00.000-08:00

Along with my embroidery I have also managed to find some time for making jewellery (usually between the hours of 7pm and 2am....yes, not good for my bad sleeping patterns).

I am getting together a good stock of presents for some of my friends and colleagues

And here are a few of my creations in closer detail...

A necklace for my work colleague Leanne, who wears a lot of red and black

Closer detail of the main feature of the necklace

A bracelet that I think I will give to my friend Brooke. I really like this one. I have another to make up in blue stones.....will be so tempted to keep it for myself!

What it looks like on

A necklace for my work colleague Jane

How it looks on

A bracelet I am going to give to Eileen from work

The bracelet has a little bell thing on it, wondering if that will be annoying!

Some earrings. Still deciding who will get these. I made another pair with silver metal instead of this dull silver for a friend to give to another friend.

I like these earrings too. Again, still deciding who will get them.

Another pair that doesn't have an owner yet.

And I made this bracelet in class last Monday at The Bead Room. Was not too hard to make either. Still deciding who will get it.

As you can see from this post and the previous posting, I think the past 2 weeks is the most productive I have been in all of 2010! I hope it is a trend I can continue into 2011. Fingers crossed for a bit more free time. I am realistic though and realise I may not be quite so luck. We will see.

Before I go I will post a few piccies I took at the Muse gig a couple of weeks ago.

Stitcheries and Brown Owls

2010-12-18T02:51:00.000-08:00

Isn't technology annoying sometimes?! I had all these grand plans to update my blog in the last week as I was making my latest creations. I have this new fancy phone, so I thought transferring images would be easy......NOT SO! For some reason the only way I can manage to transfer my files at the moment is either by emailing them from my phone to myself (probably expensive given how many pics I took) or via bluetooth to my computer. I tried to do the whole USB thing, but then my mac was trying to make me pay for some phone connection thing. Anyway, needless to say I am well and truely confused. I will have to charge my trusty old camera and just use that, this phone thing isn't worth the trouble!

Anyway, I have done a LOT in the past week or so, so I have decided to split my endeavours into a couple of blogs. This one I will document some of the stitcheries I have been doing as presents for Xmas. I am still working on others, so I will post about them when I am done, but for the time being you can see what I have gotten up to.

I will start with my absolute FAVOURITE stitchery.

I stitched here....

.....And I stitched there (there being at basketball whilst I was waiting for our game)

And I finally came up with the final product.....it's GRUG!

To be honest, this one turned out MUCH better than I was expecting. It isn't 100% finished. As much as I want to be selfish and keep this one for me, I am going to give it to my friend Christine when she has her baby (which is due tomorrow). So the plan is that in the apple I will stitch the name of the baby (or its first initial if the name is too long), and then I will stitch the DOB etc to the right of the tree.

Apart from my Grug triumph, I have completed a few other random stitcheries that have been sitting in my things-to-do pile for a while.

I can't even remember where I sourced the patterns. I think it might have been from The Red Thread at a craft show in Rosehill, but I have never seen them on her site, so maybe I am wrong. I haven't decided what I am actually going to do with them yet, but I am sure eventually I will figure something out.

I have also started doing some Xmas stitcheries to give away as gifts. I got the patterns for these from So September who has a really awesome etsy store that I only just discovered (and I may have made multiple purchases....oops). I am giving away these to some work colleagues.

I also have one more design I am working on, so will post that when it's done (it's a peace dove). I am just putting these designs in embroidery hoops (as you can see in the last couple of pics) and attaching some ribbon so they can be used as ornaments. I hope people work out that's what they are meant for.

The best thing about this project has been that I have FINALLY worked out how to do stem stitch. As a stab stitcher, I never got my head around stem stitch, but I recently came across a great tutorial by Early Bird Special when I was going through all the blogs I have missed this year (there is still a long way to go on that catch up task). Anyway, I realised that there is a cheat way of doing stem stitch! I feel like I have just entered a whole new world now that I can do the stitch. I feel like a real embroiderer now! Quite sad that this has probably been the most exciting discovery of my week haha

So, there you go, you have now seen what I have been up to the past couple of weeks in terms of my embroideries.

Before I go on to write a new post about my jewellery making adventures I will leave you with some pictures of nature from Hazelhurst Gallery gardens. We met at the gardens last weekend for the final Brown Owls Shire event for the year (and the first one I have been to in about 3 months!). I think I need to visit the gardens again with my DSLR. There were SO many dragonflies around there that I would love to chase and get some photos of.

And finally, a few lovely gifts from the Brown Owls Kris Kringle swap

I'm Back!

2010-12-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

Well at least I hope I am. Mum has been bugging me to get back onto my blog for ages. And I have been meaning to...honestly. But it has been one hell of a year, and time for craft has been incredibly limited. With the move, buying a place, the new job and all the time and energy that entails, my regular crafty pursuits (along with any socialising and semblance of a life outside of work), fell by the wayside. Things have eased a little with work in the last week or so, which is why I feel like I can make a slow re-entry into my blog again! I haven't even managed to keep up with my fave craft blogs since about March, so I dread to think how many posts I have missed!

So I have a few projects I have been working on that I can share, but some of them are Xmas gifts, so I don't want to give anything away! As a substitute I present you with a photo of the newest addition to my living space. My very own Grug doll!

Is it pathetic that such a toy excites me? I do think I find joy in the strangest of things at times.

Actually, there are a few little goodies I have hanging around in my place which I think I should photograph for the blog one day.

Also, another funny photo for you. Today I caught up with a couple of my ex-students, who are now both in the police force. One of the guys had a few sheets of very dodgy horse stickers (motivational stickers for recording how often he goes to the gym...yes, weird, but a kinda weird that I can relate to). Anyway, he decided to adorn my phone with one of the stickers. I like to call it Black Beauty, after that movie from looooong ago. Everytime I see this sticker now I am going to crack up.

We may have practice how I should hold my phone whilst talking on it so that everyone can see my fantastic sticker....

Time to bid this posting farewell. I need to practice getting to bed at a more reasonable time so I don't feel like sleeping in every morning now that teaching is over for the semester. Next blog I promise to share the fruits of my creative labour....which reminds me, I need to charge my camera batteries or there won't be much to show!

'Til next time........

Snow

2010-04-01T04:03:00.000-07:00

Got to see some snow on my last day at Keele

YAY

And one more awesome image to show you. I took a photo of a local church, and my friend Tracey played around with the photo and made it aged and lovely! I think I will print it up for my office

Time to log off now and pack up and head back to London and Heathrow. My bag is going to be so heavy, I just know it....and I haven't even purchased that much (sorry peeps, pretty much got no presents for anyone. Stupid work overseas trips ruining any spending/shopping plans).

See you on the flipside

Almost home

2010-03-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

So I have about hmmmm 5 days until I leave the UK for home. YAY!

I HATED it here the first couple of days, but after that it seems to have turned out to be quite a productive trip. I have met some 'heavy hitters' in the criminology world, and I have even set up a collaborative research project with my biggest criminology icon. Okay, that sounds stalkerish, but seriously, it is a good thing!

I feel so out of the loop with crafty stuff. I am sitting here going through all the blogs I have missed over recent weeks, and I feel like I have been evil for not keeping tabs. I am not sure I will be able to get through my blog reader anytime soon! Oh well.

My own craftiness has also suffered sadly, despite bringing some projects to do. I might pull one thing out tonight though, and if I can finish it in the next couple of days I may gift it to my work host here (depends how it turns out).

Reading wise I have been semi- productive. I have read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so I shall be seeing the movie when I return (the reviews have been good). I also read Louis Theroux's book....love that man! Now I am reading the second Larsson book, and I may have purchased some other books. Even though I have absolutely no room in my luggage. Somehow I am sure I will be able to carry everything.....without breaking my back or arms...I hope!

Anyway, back to blogs. I will have to speed read.

I shall leave you with a few photos from the trip....

Hanging with John

Shaking hands with a lion. I am pretty daring like that

Until next time.........

Not dead....yet

2010-03-09T02:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have reached a slackness of unforeseen proportions. Between the holiday, new job and now a trip to the UK the blog (and also my blog reading) has suffered. I am so busy I may just overtake myself. So, never fear, the plan is once I return from the UK and get settled (will this involve buying a place?!?! I hope so) then I will get back into the blog swing of things, and no doubt spend weeks on end reading all the blog postings I have missed. I feel so empty without bloggy-ness.....

And the UK trip is for work, so sadly it is less exciting than it sounds (and a lot colder than I would like!)

See you in a couple of weeks

2010-02-04T05:23:00.000-08:00

Last night on the blow up mattress!

Off to Hawaii tomorrow....woohoo. Might actually get some sleep, which I am severely lacking.

See you when I return

Empty

2010-02-03T00:57:00.000-08:00

As I write this, I am currently sitting in a very very empty house. Yep, the removalists have come and gone, the cleaner has come and gone, and the carpets are all clean. I have the following items with which to amuse myself:

1 blow up mattress
1 bedsheet
1 small fleece throw
1 pillow... See More
1 suitcase, semi packed with clothes for my trip
1 rack with my clothes
assorted random items and toiletries
1 laptop

The other night I had the pleasure of listening to myself chew dinner whilst staring at the wall. Last night I went and terrorised a work mate and his family.

I am sure there is probably some lesson in meditation or living the simple life in all of this. But it is a tad weird. Or maybe it is weirder that I feel all alone without that tv noise in the background. Tonight I have put some tunes on though. Currently listening to the new eels cd (yes I managed to find it, thank god!). And it is very brilliant, so go get a copy. $20 at JB Hifi, what a steal.

All this nothingness could be dangerous. I am resisting the urge to log onto booko and purchase some books. I also must not venture onto itunes and get more music....as much as I may feel I need more new music for my Hawaiian holiday (and incidently it is pretty much exactly 48 hours until my flight..woohoo).

So what will the next 48 hours bring? My final day at work, my final rental inspection, desperate attempts to fill my car with all the leftover 'essential' items that are currently littering my kitchen floor and my car boot, a few goodbyes, my last game of mixed netball, last minute work stuff.

But through all of this I will....

The Gentle Rant

Ok, I lie, I probably won't, but given how tired I am, I may be forced into sleepy submission. My brain has had so many thoughts that I don't think I will sleep properly until the flight....I am just praying I don't feel the urge to talk in my sleep or sleepwalk when I do sleep on the plane (yes, I do both of these things, and and thus glad that I paid extra for the single room option, I don't need to be sharing that stuff with some random on my tour).

Oh, and on a final note, Thouraya and I have become the proud owners(?) of a Brown Owls chapter, broadly covering the Sutherland/Mortdale region of Sydney. So if you, or anyone you know, lives in that general vicinity and wants to join the group, let me know. The plan is to meet about once a month, at various venues to be decided. The group will partake in crafty activities and other nerdy, yet thoroughly enjoyable, stuff.

Packing is not fun....

2010-01-29T04:57:00.000-08:00

That is all.

Tracey is Awesome!

2010-01-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

I just got back from visiting my friend Tracey and I just had to share these photos with you. Tracey made me a lovely bracelet which she gave me today. It is chain maille (I think there was a specific name for the pattern, but of course I cannot remember it!) and it has some cool beads/charms attached to it. I absolutely love it!

Tracey is one of the nicest and most giving people I have ever met, and I am going to miss her when I leave Bathurst next week (yes, next week, time is going too fast!!!!). We met when I signed up for some classes at the local bead store, where Tracey takes classes. She is so creative and I am pretty sure I have stolen many cool jewellery ideas from her. She is also very talented in other crafty pursuits (including crochet, I am so jealous) and I can only wish I was as innovative as her.

Anyway, I plan to catch up with Tracey once more before I leave, but I am pretty sure that will not be the last we see of eachother. I will continue to bug you Tracey, and I will force you to come down to Sydney to come to the craft show with me :)

Thanks for my wonderful bracelet Tracey!!!!!

It's Done!

2010-01-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

The tablecloth is done. I went ahead and added those extra bits. I am sure I could probably try and iron this better, and the photos aren't brilliant, but hopefully it looks good enough. I think I will get some more shots on Thursday when I give it to work at my farewell morning tea.

Kinda looks like a rainbow that fell out of the sky

The finished product, displayed on the only flat surface in the house (my tables are full of crap because of packing)

The centre is definitely my fave part

Tablecloth Progress

2010-01-25T00:41:00.000-08:00

I am progressing well with the tablecloth. I have spent a few late nights stitching away, and thanks to Mum's help I am further along with things than I would have been (unfortunately I do not have enough hands to do everything at once). Whilst I was stitching Mum helped with appliquing the design onto the middle of the tablecloth and putting the ric rac on.
At the moment I am doing some french knots on the ric rac, then I am stitching on the corner embroideries. Despite Mum's protests that this will be enough, I am pondering putting another lot of stitching between the centre skull embroidery and the corners....just to spice it up a little. I think the design lends itself to being gaudy, so it can't hurt to add some more stitching to the piece. What do you think?

Early stitches

Quite liking the satin stitching

The centre piece

The next lot to stitch on

The best thing about this photo is my monkey toes....

As for the tablecloth, still looks bare I think

Close up of flower

Close up of skull

Doing the french knots

I can't wait til I am finished so I can show you the final thing. It has to be done by Thursday morning, so stay tuned for the results.

Music Lovin'

2010-01-19T21:53:00.000-08:00

I want this.....NOW

Image from CD Leaks

Mr E (aka Mark Oliver Everett) is an absolute genius. I would probably marry him if I could. He seems like someone who likes his alone time, just like me, so I think that could work out well for us <3

Image from BBC

If you have not read E's bio, Things the Grandchildren Should Know, get yourself a copy right this second! It has to be one of my favourite books. The book is witty, honest and downright beautiful. I had to physically slow my reading down so I didn't finish the whole thing in one night.

Image from Bookgeeks

The book has the same title as one of the Eels' songs, and you can listen to a live version of the song here

Grand plans

2010-01-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about what I can make for people at work with my leaving. I am not sure if it is customary for the person leaving to share gifts, but I dunno, it makes sense to me in some strange way. Anyway, time is running short to make individual gifts for people, so in case I don't get those done, I came up with a marvellous plan. I am going to make a tablecloth! Yep, an embroidered tablecloth. The idea came to me last night when I jumped on etsy and got over excited and purchased a lot of embroidery patterns. At work we have a lot of morning teas (don't think I will get any of those at the new place!) and as part of the official and fancy morning teas (e.g. the ones where we have new staff, or staff leaving, that sort of thing) tablecloths are often put out as a sign that the morning tea is special. So I decided what better way to say goodbye and thank you to everyone than to make a tablecloth that they can use!

I had a few pattern ideas, but the one I settled with was this one from Polka and Bloom

Image from Polka and Bloom

Isn't is lovely?!? I have already gone and got some fabric and DMC thread to make it. Too bad all my craft stuff is at my parents place in Sydney!! Bummer. Having spoken to Michelle at The Home Patch, she recommended that I applique the embroidery onto the cloth, so I got myself some red ric rac which I am going to put behind it to make it all pretty. Here are the supplied so far...

The pattern

All the pretty colours. The fabric is at the back too, a bit hard to see but it's a linen

Hopefully I can get started on this on Friday when I am in Sydney for the weekend. The plan is to finish it by next week, as I have my farewell morning tea at work on Thursday, so what better time to give back. The earlier I get it done the better too, as I actually should probably do that thing called packing. I have stalled a little, and I just can't bring myself to close up the boxes with my books and dvds in them. I may not see them for months again, and it doesn't feel right to lock them away like that!

Books and pics

2010-01-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

Whilst my sewing takes a backseat because of my impending move, I thought I would entertain you with some recent photos I have taken, and some musings about books read. I am going through a real book phase. I think it is an escapism thing, stops me thinking about other stuff. I know I have a list of my recent reads elsewhere on the blog (which reminds me, I must update those!), but I must say that of the books I have read this year, I definitely recommend The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

I couldn't put it down and it prompted me to buy Zusak's other book, The Messenger. I don't think it is as good as The Book Thief, but I enjoyed it as well.

My next challenge is to work out which books to take to Hawaii with me. Anyone got any recommendations??

Now onto some pics. These are some random things I have photographed in the past couple of weeks.

View from the wedding venue on Saturday

Ladybeetle

Reading in bed on a hot night

Another Quiet One From Me

2010-01-18T03:53:00.000-08:00

My bro got married on the weekend, so I was off doing bridesmaidly type duties (which means I did very little).

Congrats to Chris and Raquel.

I Ain't Been Doin' Much Craft...

2010-01-12T00:14:00.000-08:00

But I have been getting a bit of reading done

I Want One of These...or ALL of these

2010-01-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

I just spotted this on a random blog I came across. Can I have one please?!

YUMMYYYYYY!!!!

all pics via we are all seeking something (who got them via you are my fave)

Can Cats be Trained

2010-01-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

My mum certainly thinks so. I just think Millie is smart, and she will do ANYTHING to get fed.

Nope, don't look at me, I don't have any food for you

At least she is cute

What I Like About Xmas

2010-01-04T00:50:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is Christmas Eve. Every year we spend it with some family friends, who are actually more like family. The two families take turns in hosting Christmas Eve festivities. This year it was the turn of Aunty Diane and Uncle Phil. Their house always looks amazing at Christmas, it feels like I have stepped into some sort of fairytale when I look at all the decorations in the place. This year I decided to take some photos of some of the decorations. I am sure they won't mind me sharing.

Scrooge

The tree and my dad and sister looking like they are having a great time! Haha

And some of my favourite ornaments! Alice in Wonderland!!!

And more decorations...and cakes

Whilst I was taking photos I had some visitors

Kimmy...

And Kath...(yes they were named after the show!)

Is it sad...

2010-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

...that I keep opening Blogger in the vain hope that someone has written a new blog to distract me

Came across this amazing wind farm whilst on the road to Cervantes in WA

Procrastination

2010-01-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

It's a Sunday, I have work to do, and yet I insist on procrastinating. This procrastination has resulted in me trying to 'spiffy up' my blog page. What do you think? I am not sure about it yet. I also seem incapable of mastering how to get my header photo to stretch the length of the header banner space. Oh well! I did add a new feature of the books I have read, or am about to embark on reading for this year. Wish I had kept lists for what I have read over my lifetime, that would be interesting.

Now I have done that I can go back to watching the cricket...oh yeh, and doing that work stuff I am meant to be doing. Or maybe it is arvo nap time..... hmmmmm.

A little picture to end my post

I took this at The Pinnacles in WA during my trip a few weeks ago. If procrastination takes hold again I might share some more pics from the trip

Chrissy gifts

2010-01-02T01:09:00.000-08:00

I didn't want to post these before Xmas, just in case the receivers saw the blog, but here are the very few things I managed to make in time for Xmas gifts. I was pretty slack this year. Not intentionally, but with the job and the move and all that stuff, I just plain ran out of time to put much thought or effort into making presents for people. What I did manage to make though was....

This necklace for the work secretary....

This rosary for my Dad. I think he was surprised I made it....

And this pendant necklace for the lovely Brona, one of the PhD students at work. This year was her first Aussie Xmas.

2010 shall be interesting with my move. Thinking of starting a Brown Owls chapter with Amelie and Atticus. Any other takers? Would love to meet some new crafty people. The chapter will be around Sydney, the Shire/St George region most likely.

What's Hot and What's Not Wednesday

2009-12-30T02:05:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh Christmas time. So much fodder for WH&WN Wednesdays! I thought it was about time for a random posting.

What's Hot

Catching up on lost sleep for the year over the Christmas break
Books. Yep, they still rate up there. Just finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Highly recommended! Next few on the list include 'For the Term of His Natural Life' (Chrissy gift from the lovely James) and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (a loan from Darren). I also have a few more floating around in my place to read, if I haven't packed them
Moving back to the city! Yep, gonna be awesome living back in Sydney

What's Not

Getting too much sleep and eating too much over the break. I think catching up on sleep is actually not conducive to my energy levels (which are crap at the best of times!). I feel like I have been hit by a truck most of the time
Agreeing to do a book review for an academic journal at this time of year. Why, why, why did I say yes?!?! This thing is hanging over my head and is due Jan 16. I am still up to reading the intro, so god knows what the hell I will be able to review of it!
Packing. My place is a mess and I keep dreaming I won't get everything done in time for the removals. The other crap thing is trying to organise all the moving stuff, such as carpet cleaning, internet, storage, blah blah blah. On top of that I also have to find a place to live in (staying at the parentals initially)

I think there are lots more things, but I can't think of them now. Not falling asleep until 4am is affecting my already dull brain!

Once a Slacker, Always a Slacker

2009-12-15T03:27:00.000-08:00

Yep, that slacker is me! It has been a whole month and I haven't posted. But I do have a letter from my Mum. Well, not quite, but I do have excuses (when do I never have an excuse really?!)

So it has been a strange month. I think I mentioned in my last blog that I was off to Perth for work. Well, I did that, went to a conference which was good, and hung out with my bro and his fiance. Also went on a little road trip with my friend Elaine up to Cervantes, Jurien Bay and the Pinnacles. I would have added some piccies, but as you will shortly see, it is picture overload in this blog!

When I got back from WA I got notice that I had been shortlisted for a job. With a weeks notice I had to prepare a detailed presentation and prepare for the interview (it was practically a full day process), all whilst trying to tell as few people as possible as I REALLY wanted the job. So I went to the interview, thought I bombed out on part of it, came home thinking I would hear either way in a week or something. Given my lack of sleep, I had a little nap, but was woken about 6:30pm by my mobile ringing. I didn't recognise the number, but I thought I better answer. Anyway, much to my surprise it was the Dean from the university I was applying to offering me the job!!!!!!!! So of course I was very excited, as the job will bring me back to Sydney, but also more than a little sad because of all the good stuff in Bathurst that I will be leaving behind. Apart from work and the friends I have there, I also have my wonderful crafty friends, and my non-work friends who I met whilst playing netball. All in all the past 2-3 weeks have been really surreal! The coming challenges will be Christmas (nope, I haven't bought ANY presents yet, so I am pretty screwed), packing, moving, my Hawaii trip, and starting the new job (which is 2 days after I get back from Hawaii!). I certainly wouldn't feel myself if I wasn't insanely and hectically busy!

But, in all of that craziness I have actually managed to be a little bit crafty too. My bank of photos below are testament to this. So let me go through these for you...

First, remember AGES ago I did a stitchery at the dodgy Rosehill craft show? It sat idle for ages, until I made a bet with a mate who is a drummer. Either way the bet went, he was getting the drum stitchery, all I had to do was actually frame it. And didn't it turn out pretty?

And I even made the back pretty! He was pretty stoked with it (unless he was lying to me, as really, how many men are thrilled by crafty gifts?!)

My next item was actually finished by Mum, as I was lazy and let her do it. It was my Santa softie thing that I also started a LONG time ago at the Christine Book class at the Home Patch. It was my first decoration on my Christmas tree!

Tonight, in my last sewing class for the year, I also finished my wall hanging! Yay. So pretty. When I get my new place in Sydney it will be hung with pride near my matching table runner.

I also had a bit of time left in class tonight, so I sewed and stuff another oldie I got at the craft show, a Red Thread Sweetie Petite. All that is left to do is sew up the bottom...

Earlier this week (actually, yesterday to be precise) I finished my wool felt Christmas baubles. I love them. I think I have actually forgotten to take a photo of one of the baubles here, but these are the ones I did manage to photograph, taking pride of place on my tree! I love them, so they better not be thrown out when I die!

Another addition to my Christmas tree was this cute little ornament from Mum. Love it :)

And tonight one of the lovely ladies at sewing gave us ornaments she made herself! Another perfect tree decoration...

So my tree is looking pretty snazzy now. All I need is some tinsel and a star for the top. And maybe a few more ornaments....as you will soon see, I am working on those still

On Sunday Mum and I did a punchneedle class at the Home Patch. Wow, how fun is punchneedle....and EASY! It was a good day and I have been inspired to perhaps turn some stitchery ideas into punchneedle creations.

This one is going to eventually be turned into an ornament for my tree. I should probably attempt to do that before Christmas...

I also made a star, which I think could also become an ornament...

And speaking of ornaments, I am still going on embroidering these things....they might be on the tree for next year at the rate I am going!

I did most of those whilst I was in Perth (or on the plane to/from Perth). The challenge is to come up with a variety of embroidery designs. I think I need to expand my range!

Anyway, so hopefully that little run down just about makes up for the month long silence. I can't promise I will blog much over the coming months. Hopefully I will get some in before I move. I better make sure I don't pack my sewing stuff into storage otherwise there will definitely be no craftiness!

Well, it is late so I think it's time to get back to watching The Bachelor hahahaha.

Oh, and don't even get me started on books. I have read a few, but to give you the low down, my current book is called Mathilda Savitch. Weird, interesting, and I can't wait to see how it ends. With any luck I will finish it tonight (last night's attempt failed when I fell asleep, book in hand).

Until next time.........

All you need is....

2009-11-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

Love....and Coca Cola

From a Coca Cola addict

Two posts in two days!

2009-11-17T03:59:00.000-08:00

I was pretty productive in class tonight, so I thought I would share my results. My wall hanging is almost done (yay!).

As you can see I finished the borders around the stitcheries and sewed on the patchwork sections. It is all very bright. I am wondering if it is ugly....so hard to judge given I have been looking at this fabric for months!

And I have selected the fabric for my border and backing. Dots! Apologies for the colours, taking photos indoors at night doesn't really represent the true look of the work. Maybe one day I will actually get home from work before dark so I can take a decent natural light photo! Then again, I am probably just dreaming.....

I wonder if I will get any time to finish this before I go to WA....hmmmm.......almost tempted to keep going tonight, but Ladette to Lady is very distracting!

Gozleme and other things

2009-11-16T01:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I should be working on a presentation I have to give for work tomorrow, but it has been a while since my last update, so I thought I should add some piccies of what I have been up to.

Mum and I have had a slight obsession with gozleme for a little while now, and have been meaning to try and make some ourselves for almost as long. Well, last week mum decided to put her talents to good use and make some! Of course I turned up just in time to eat it

The filling- lamb mince mix, spinach, feta

Mum made the dough

Frying it up

The finished product! Yum yum. I managed to gulp it down pretty fast! There was even enough for leftovers for Saturday lunch. Thanks mum!

Onto other things now. Millie the cat is definitely in the crazy season (well, crazier than normal, if that is possible). I think she is hunting birds here...

Back to craft. I have been progressing well with my christmas baubles. I have sewn half of them, and after that all I need to do is stuff them and make the bit to hang them from my tree. Which reminds me, I should take a photo of my new tree (although it is a tad sad looking at the moment, it has no decorations).

There is an interesting story behind the tree. I spotted this cute little 3 foot tree when the Christmas stuff first came out. It was $55, which I thought wasn't too bad. Anyway, fast track a few weeks and I was at a particular store (names removed of course), and decided I was gonna get me that tree! So up to the counter I go (they obviously do not just leave boxes of the trees lying around for self service). So I wait...and I wait, whilst some lady decides to have a conversation with a friend. When she finally decides she is bored enough to serve me and I ask for the tree. To cut a long story short, it seems all a little bit too hard for her to just get me the tree, so I leave the store and tell her don't bother. The next day I was at another shop (yes, I shop a lot) from the same chain. In I wander, not really thinking about the tree at all, and what appears before my eyes, but the tree, on sale, 30% off! Woohoo, tree now costs something like $34. Needless to say I was quite happy about this. So to the woman who made things difficult, I saved myself 30% because of you! It must have been fate.

Anyway, I digree. Craft again. I have been working on my wall hanging in class. Tomorrow I reckon I will be pretty close to finishing it off in patchwork class. All I really need to do is sew a couple of borders round the stitcherys, attach the patchwork squares, and do the back. Will update after tomorrow night to let you know how I go with that.

So a few things are coming together, which means I may actually progress onto some new projects. I am off to WA for about 10 days on Friday, so I will take some sewing with me (and reading- currently reading Anna Karenina!) and see what I can get through.

Until next time....

Reading and more reading

2009-11-01T01:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finished reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Yay, I liked it! Although I didn't like the end. I definitely recommend it though to anyone who likes a little philosophy in their novels (e.g Sophie's World style).

I may have gone a little overboard collecting my next lot of books though. I did some purchasing yesterday and today. My first buy was the new Paul Auster novel, Invisible...

The other books I got were Roger Rogerson's bio (it's for the criminologist in me) as well as Jane Eyre (thanks Tho, I blame you for that) and Anna Karenina (after it got a mention in the Hedgehog). The last two both only cost me $8 each, so I thought that was a pretty good deal!

Anyway, just a short one this time, have to get back to watching Wuthering Heights on ABC. It's the last half of the mini series.

Keeping Crafty

2009-10-26T02:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a busy couple of weeks. I have been holding off blogging in the belief that I haven't actually done anything worth blogging about, but when I went to download all my photos I realised that despite all my work stuff, I have actually been relatively productive craft wise. I haven't even managed to add any photos on the progess of my wall hanging project (I have cut all the patchwork blocks, just need to put the strips together and make it look pretty).

Anyway, here is a rundown of what I have done and taken piccies of.

Yesterday I went to the Christine Book sewing get together, held at Mamre House. It was perfect crafty weather (i.e. wet and a little cool). The theme for this years get together was blue birds, and upon spotting some hints of the day on Marg Low's blog, I couldn't say no when my mum asked me to go along with her.

We were pretty spoilt for choice on the day. We had a bunch of projects to choose from...

Isn't the display pretty?!

If only we could take these goodies....lovely birdies!

I had my eye on a few projects, but I thought I would go for the stitchery heart and bird button, as the example below shows....

We did manage to get given patterns for everything else, so I got myself some fabric and buttons to do one of these tags somewhere down the track (yes, I know I promised myself I would not buy any more projects...but I did!)

We also got an awesome goodies bag on the day, which as well as the patterns for everything included....

This birdie button by Theodora Cleave designs

A pattern from the Home Patch (hmm, Xmas present idea?!)

Some yummy bird fabric!

Christine's bluebird patterns

and Marg Low's patterns.....so nice!

I have progressed pretty well with my chosen project, almost finished all the stitching...

Just doing the little crosses

Apart from that, I have also been working on my Christmas wool baubles. I cut all the bits out and have managed to make a mess at mums with my work...

I have finished the stitching of 3 of the 6 feature pieces. I don't think it will take me long to finish these off, if I find the time!

I also got some nice little presents on the weekend too from Aunty Diane. She just returned from the UK where she was cleaning up her Aunt's place (she passed away recently), and she came across these finds. One is a dragonfly brooch, and the other pieces are bakelite buttons! They are so cool. I am not sure how I am going to use these things yet, whether it will be for jewellery or on something crafty, but I can't wait.

So all in all I have managed to progress with a few projects. Multi-tasking, how talented of me! Haha

Hopefully the next blog I can show some finished pieces!

What's Hot and What's Not Wednesday

2009-10-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

Loobylu has started a great Wednesday tradition, the What's Hot and What's Not Wednesday list. This week I thought I would do my own post on the topic. I am sure I have some more 'hot' and 'not' ideas, but these ones will do for now...

HOT

Finally getting some sleep last night. For the past two weeks I haven't fallen asleep until after 2am. Last night I was asleep by 10pm and slept til 8am!
Reading. I am half way through my current book club book, The Time Traveller's Wife. Not sure what I think of it yet, and it will be interesting to see how it translates onto the big screen. After I finish that I will either start on the Harry Potter series, or read The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Wool felt. I have said it before and I will say it again, wool felt rocks (well, and making stuff with it, that is pretty cool too)
The little bowl my friend bought back for me from NZ for my b'day (she was very forward thinking seeing as she went to NZ at the beginning of the year). I should take a photo of it and post it, it is just so cute. Perfect colour, perfect style
DVDs. I recently finished Season 1 of True Blood, I have Dexter Season 3 to finish
Booko. There is nothing better than ordering books online and discovering a package at the doorstep a few days later
Blogs. They are my daily comfort and inspiration. I read many of them, every day, and I get jealous at all the cool things people make and all the wonderful original ideas that I see

NOT

Washing up. I hate it with a passion
Taking out the bins. Yes, it is bin night tonight, and it is too cold to take the trek up the hill to put my bin out. I must though, as it is pretty full.
Work. It has been insanely busy and frustrating lately.
Hair. If I didn't have hair I would not have to wake up an hour earlier in the mornings to wash and dry it. It would also not take me over an hour to straighten it when I want straight hair (it's naturally curly)
My addiction to coca cola. It must stop. I have tried to quit a number of times. I am so pathetic!
The cold. Yep, it's cold in Bathurst again. At least make it snow so that the cold has a purpose! Although there is a HOT thing to emerge from this, and that is curling up in bed at night.

Pin cushions galore!!!

2009-10-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

Looks like I am not the only one in the family addicted to wool. Here are some of my mothers creations and works in progress....

I think my father is a little puzzled as to why mum needs to make (and keep!) so many pincushions.

As promised, here are some photos of my finished pin cushions. The leaf/bird one is filled with silica sand, and the flower pot one is filled with crushed walnut shells

I have also made some more progress with my wall hanging. In fact I have finished the stitchery part. Next is the hard bit, the cutting and sewing of the patchwork that frames the stitchery. I think I might leave that until patchwork class starts back in a couple of weeks! Knowing me I would totally stuff up the pattern

Until next time...

Millie

2009-10-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, you will be aware of my infamous cat, Millie. For those of you who don't know me, I think it is time for a small photographic tribute to Millie, as I don't think she has got a mention yet on the blog. Given that my bio proudly claims that I am to become a Crazy Cat Lady in the future, it is only fitting that you get to see that maybe I will not be the only crazy one in that equation...

First up, Millie in the sink. These pics always make me laugh. As a kitten she used to literally drink from the running taps in the bathrooms. We seem to have weened her off that though. She now has her own little outdoor water fountain to drink from

Yep, just chillin'

Car roofs are another fave

Beds are pretty comfy

She seems to think squeezing into small places is fun. And yes, there were flowers underneath her in this pot. Dad was none too impressed!

The dirtiest habit of all is her regular dirt rolls. When she does this she looks like a horse when it rolls in dirt

The bird hunter

Hangin' with my homie

Tonight's project

2009-10-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a bit of a lesson in pain. Weaving a lot of wire around a tiny knitting needle is not good for the thumbs. Lucky I don't really have to use them much to type!

Unfortunately I didn't get any action shots whilst in class (too busy concentrating on how to make the wire S shaped sections of the necklace). Of course, being the slow poke that I am, I didn't finish my project in class, so I bought the pieces home to finish it off. I think I will let the photos speak for themselves...

And the final product!

The question now is. Do I keep it for me?! Or do I give it away? My greedy inner voice is telling me to keep it. I think I will ponder that one a little longer...

More wool...and some books

2009-09-30T03:47:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I have mentioned my reading, so I thought I would do a mega book update. Currently I am reading The Northern Clemency...

I am quite enjoying it, I am about half way through, and wondering where the book will go. It doesn't have traditional chapters per se, more books within the book. The narrative jumps between characters, which was initially a bit odd, but I think it will all come to a point. More updates when I am done.

Today I also made some purchases. I read about a book on another blog, and on a whim I ducked down to the local bookstore at lunch to see if they had it. They did, so I bought it. I can't wait to read it, but I have been informed by a certain someone that I must read Harry Potter first (not to mention the next book club book which I will find out next week!).

In the mail today I also received some nerdy books. My research is in the area of the police and the media, so I am pretty chuffed to get some new texts from the UK about crime and the media. It is really making me think though that I need to write an Australian text on this topic area, because there simply isn't anything out there. Hmm another one on the to-do list (which seems to get longer, not shorter, much like my craft to-do list!).

Slightly moving towards crafty things now. I thought I would show the cool bag my bro got me for my b'day (a late gift). How cool is it?! I reckon it would be pretty easy to make too. Something to file in the ideas list (I think I will need to write a list of my lists)....

Okay, onto craftiness seriously now. In sewing this week I continued on with my stitchery. I seem to be going quite slow on this one, but I think it is because I have so much going on. Anyway, as you can see, I am getting there....

I have also been continuing with my wool felt pin cushion. Over the weekend I did some more embellishment on the big leaves. I also put in a little branch for the birdie to sit on, just so he is comfy you know.....

Tonight I think I finally finished my design (well, apart from actually putting the pin cushion together!). I put in some little leaves and berries for the branch

My love for wool felt grows. I have already purchased a Christmas bauble kit from The Home Patch

Oh dear, yet more projects!

I am also buying some Sue Spargo patterns. I will post some pics of what I get once I pick them up on Friday.

So all in all, I am keeping busy and still managing to get some craftiness done, despite the insanity going on at work.

Tomorrow night is jewellery class, so hopefully I will have some more treasures to report on!

Woven earrings... yay!

2009-09-24T06:59:00.001-07:00

I was so excited about tonight's jewellery project I had to blog as soon as I was done. I was a bit slow in class, so I had to bring the rest home to finish them off.

Basically tonight I made wire earrings, wrapped with DMC thread. Below is a little attempt at an action shot of the floss weaving part....

This is with the three floss colours wound on....threads to be trimmed and cap to be made and put over the top to cover the messy bits......

I put a bit of glue between the messy bits and the caps, just to secure them a little. This photo is the drying stage

Me testing the final product out on my ears. Yes these ones are for me, but I have more versions I want to do up, when I get time....

And here they are! I love them, I am totally wearing them to work tomorrow!

Can't wait to get some more done :)

Time to go pack for work and trip home tomorrow.

And on a final note.....

GO THE BULLDOGS!!!!! (I am sure I just jinxed them! Haha)

Wool techniques...and Grug

2009-09-23T02:14:00.001-07:00

First things first.........I met my 'hero' on Friday. The one and only GRUG!!!!

I managed to steal, I mean borrow, my friends kid, but I can't say she was too impressed with Grug. In fact, my attempt to take her close to Grug to get a photo resulted in her trembling in fear. I will convert her though!

Onto sewing now. Last Saturday I attended the 'Wool Techniques' class at The Home Patch with the lovely Michelle. It was a really fun class. We learnt some new stitches and techniques for working with wool, and discovered that really we are only limited by our creativity.

The is the 'template' of sorts we were working from, a sample sewn up by Michelle that we all envied. It is a pincushion, made of wool felts and wool threads....(and I am posting it especially for my fellow class members who shall remain nameless)

My incarnation of the pincushion varied a bit. I started by putting the leaves at a different angle....

The first leaf all sewn on...

It is quite an easy process to get started. To put the felt piece in place we just used a bit of UHU gluestick to keep it in place. The wool is so easy to work with, it's like the thread just disappears into the felt, and I really enjoy just whip stitching the felt shapes on. It has my mind ticking over about the possibilities. Pin cushions one day, who knows what the next?!?! (and really, who does know, I need to ponder on that one a little more before I can give you an answer!)

This shot shows how we used a little bit of ric rac behind the felt piece for effect...

But it was looking a little bare in the middle. So on advice from mum I added a little birdie....

I am not sure what else to do with the birdie. I am tempted to either embellish it, or embellish around it. I also have to embellish the orange and purple leaves still. I purchased some wool threads (so yummy), so I have plenty of options. I am wanting to do a bullion stitch somewhere on one of them. Yes, the next shot is of me with my two loves- stitching and sitting on my laptop (what you cannot see here is the tv in the background, the other staple in my evening diet)

It is still a work in progress. In fact, I think I might whip it out tonight and get sewing on it. I really recommend the class to anyone. I learnt some new stitches, and I really enjoyed working with the wool felt. I can't say I enjoy trying to thread wool thread through the eye of a needle though! Especially beading needles! Man, that was the worst part of the day I reckon.

And on a final nerdy note of another kind, yesterday I got to wear the funny looking hat finally....

And yes, you just address me as Doctor now, especially if you are related to me HAHAHAHA

Craftin' Crazy

2009-09-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

I am still alive and kicking! Work has been hectic (as usual) and whilst I have managed to keep up relatively well on the craft front, I haven't really had a chance to blog. By the time I get home I am pretty beat, so I have been putting off blogging for a week or two. So time to catch up on things. I have been productive with my stitcheries and my jewellery. First, to finally reveal the present I made for my friend Lori, an awesome chick who works, studies and has her little kidlets (with another on the way). She is amazing, and so I thought I would send her a little something to show her she is appreciated. Knowing she is a butterfly fan, here are the results.....

The earrings and...

The necklace.

As I mentioned the stitcheries are done....

And I even fit in some time for a workshop with Christine Book. Mum and I went along and it was a good day (despite my massive headache!). Below is the result of my hard work (much more fun than proper work).

Mum did the same pattern. We are going to turn them into softies and I guess use them as decorations at Christmas time.

And I have finally moved onto my next project. I showed the Cinderberry Stitches pattern in my last blog. Well, I have actually started on it, with much thanks to Michelle and her wonderful ability to help me choose colours. I have decided to do the patchwork bits in the same fabric as my table runner, so all I had to do was find the threads.

I also manage to master french knots!!!!!!!!!!!! No more cheating (well, until I forget how to do them again)

And onto the ladybeetles....

Oh, on a random note, Grug is coming to town!!!! SO excited. I am currently trying to negotiate stealing someone's child so I have an excuse to go and see him and get my photo with the great man himself!

Back to crafty things now.
Last night in beading I made this creation....

I think every time I look at it the colours look different. I wore it tonight to the movies, where I also got up to a little mischief....

Another craft show

2009-08-24T04:39:00.001-07:00

Yes, I went to the Stitches and Craft show at Rosehill on Saturday. Yes, there were some purchases made. Yes I have yet more projects to work on. Some of my purchases included....

This cute little doll kit....and stitchery patterns from red thread

A stitchery pattern from Kristen Doran

Ninjas!!!

And prints charming patterns

I also get involved in the stitching bar, where I chose to do my free pattern of a drum kit. I finished it on Sunday arvo, and I think I am going to give it to one of my friends who plays the drums...just need to decide which one!

And to finish tonight's blog, I will show you one of the many cool birthday presents I got. This one came from Elaine. It is an awesome apron!!!

Pin cushion

2009-08-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

I managed to work some more on my pincushion at patchwork class the other night. All the wool felt bits are done now, I just need to put it together.

I also decided on my next project. I decided to do the Creature Comforts block from Cinderberry Stitches. I ordered it on Sunday hoping it might arrive before patchwork on Tuesday (but it didn't, hence the pincushion work). I decided that I am going to make the squares around the stitchery using left over fabric from my table runner. The insipiration hit me while I was in bed on Saturday night, cause of the similarities between my fabrics and the original pattern. Anyway, my pattern arrived today (good birthday present) so I can start it next class, if not earlier.

Tonight was jewellery class and I made two pieces (well, 3 technically). I am going to give away what I made as presents. One item is for a lady at work, for her bday next week....and the others are really cool, but I can't show them, as they are for a special person who may potentially read this blog and I don't want the secret to be revealed just yet ;)

And to finish tonight's blog, here is a very lovely present I got tonight for my birthday from the wonderful and extremely talented Beadywitch...

I have already put my needles in it (they were previously located in my lounge, potentially a dangerous option). How yummy does it look?!

Oh, and one final one, Amelie and Atticus gave me some awesome stitchery patterns (including one of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland) for my b'day too so will post some piccies once I get round to stitching them up....

'Til next time................

Table Runner Over and Out

2009-08-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

It's done! I finally finished all the hand quilting on the table runner. It is not perfect, so don't look close, but I think it has come up okay for a first timer. The only problem I face now is trying to work out which table to run it on! I actually wish I had a chest of drawers in my room which I could put it on, then arrange my jewellery on top of. That would be the ideal location. Until then, I will leave it on the coffee table in my lounge room so I can stare at it when I get bored.

I think I may have also worked out what I want to do next....another completely new project of course (the ones waiting in the wings can wait a bit longer!). Last night I was looking at the Cinderberry Stitches blog and got really excited about two patterns...

The Tail Feathers Quilt

and....

Creature Comforts

Hopefully I can manage to get hold of one of them (maybe at the Stitches and Craft show next weekend?!?!) and make them. I find the stitcheries really cute.

Onto books now, and I just managed to pick up the next selection for my Book Club. We are reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides....

I will start on it once I have finished reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Can't wait to see the movie adaptation of it.

Still alive

2009-08-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, yes I have been slack. I have been partaking in some craftiness, but I have been too busy to take photos and write an update. I also hate taking pics of my work at night, cause the lights here are hopeless, but I never seem to get any free time during the day so night pics will have to do!

So since my last update I have been up to a fair bit. Patchwork classes resumed, and I bit the bullet and with some help from my wonderful teacher (I am saying this without prompting, of course she doesn't read this blog... :P) I managed to get a handle on hand quilting.

I did a bit of quilting on the ends and round the flowers, but decided last night I needed to put a bit more in by putting crosses over every second square.

Hopefully I can finish it before Tuesday's class so I can start on a new project!

As well as the quilting I have also been doing my usual Thursday jewellery classes. The last couple of weeks we have been working with chain mail designs. Last week I made a bracelet and some earrings.

Tonight we did some continuation of the chain mail type stuff. In all of these pieces we had to make all the jump rings (the round wire sections) by wrapping the wire around knitting needles. The bracelet I made tonight is a real fave. Made all the rings, then linked them, then threaded some beads through the middle. Could be a good present idea for Xmas

So all in all despite being hectically busy at work, I have managed to get a few projects done :) With any luck work will calm down a bit and I will finish my other half finished projects, including my pin cushion (I have been a bit slack!)

And one final picture to end the blog. This is the cool design the barrista put on the coffee when Mum, Dad and I went to dinner in Bathurst. How cool is it?!?!

Jewellery Done!

2009-07-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

As promised, some photos of the final product! I made this necklace for a friend of mine, Cat, to give to a friend of hers (confused yet?!). I think it turned out okay.

I would still like to find a way to make the pendant not as mosty looking, and clearer. I think I need to find some sort of resin to do that, I will keep working on it....

A few weeks ago now I also made up this little necklace for a friend of mine who had her birthday last week. I hope she liked it, I can never tell if people do or they are just being nice!

These features were made by wrapping wire around a knitting needle, then wrapping wire around the circle that made, then beating the wire flat. I ended up using the same technique on the necklace I made for the secretary at work

I didn't take any photos, but I attempt to crochet on the weekend with Amelie and Atticus. One problem which we didn't perceive earlier was that both she and I are lefties and my mum, the tutor for the day, is not! Regardless I think we managed to get the hang of the basic stitches. Next time round we are going to step it up a bit and attempt grannie squares!!!! Let's hope we can get that working AND have photo evidence for it.

Books!

2009-07-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

I am a book nerd from waaaaaaay back. When I was in primary school I don't ever recall not having a book in hand. In fact, I spent most of my lunch times in the playground reading books and looking for 4 leaf clovers. Once I got into high school I tried out reading some fantasy books and non-fiction. Sadly, the last few years reading for pleasure fell a bit by the wayside. When you spend 24/7 living, thinking and breathing a PhD thesis, it is hard to find the time or energy to read books (well, non academic books). I did manage a few, but it hasn't been until this year that I have really gotten back into the swing of reading....and I am LOVING it!

I have a guilty secret to admit though. My latest pleasure has been reading the Twilight series.

It is oh so wrong, but also so addictive. The books themselves are not that well written, but there is just something about the story that sucks me in! I think I must be getting soft in my old age. Mainstream isn't really my thing usually, and I did resist the urge, but I relented at the insistence of my best friend. So I blame her hehehe. I am almost finished the whole series now. I am over half way through the final book and I just really want to know what happens! I forsee another late night under the covers tonight. In fact, I might head to bed soon and see how much I can get though! Then I can get onto the next books on the pile- Marley and Me (book club selection, I am not really looking forward to it!), White Tiger (loaned by Elaine), The Host (another Stephenie Meyer book, also a loan), The Painted Man (loaned by Andrew), Lovely Bones (yep, another loan), and I think there is something else there on the pile too which I have forgotten. Many many more late nights ahead!

I have always wanted a book room, or a library in my house (when I own one that is).

The idea of having a room filled floor to ceiling with books just fills me with glee! Of course a nice little bay window and a comfy seat is also a must. Even better would be if this room was in a circular room, kinda like a turret in a castle....

Ahhhh maybe one day I will get there. Sometimes I wonder if the images in my mind and the reality of my life will ever match!

Oh, I also finished that necklace I was making tonight. I haven't taken any photos yet, I will do that tomorrow and post them.....

BUT!

I found a major problem! When I put it all together I realised the lady at the shop gave me one bead which was the wrong colour!!!!! And to fix it would mean going back and getting a new one and also having to read-thread the whole necklace! I am not sure what to do. It is semi obvious....they are two different shades of blue. So I might send a picture to my friend tomorrow and ask her what she thinks. The perfectionist in me is telling me to remake the necklace...but I also need to post it ASAP.......arghhhhhhh

Anyway, reading time.............

Some Melbourne pics

2009-07-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

As promised, a few little shots from my Melbourne trip. Didn't get to take as many as I would have liked mainly due the fact I was worked to the bone whilst I was there. Okay, I may be being a little dramatic there, but I still was severely lacking in the free time element to my trip.

Brunswick Street park....

Federation Square

Cool artwork in the Flinders Street station arcade

Got the craft mojo back!

2009-07-16T03:34:00.001-07:00

Okay, well my mojo wasn't really gone as such...but I was otherwise occupied with work and my blog (and craft) was thus neglected. I can say I was too lax with craft though. Before I headed off to Melbourne last week I had a craft day with Amelie and Atticus. I was semi productive I guess. I managed to tack my table runner....

I am actually really scared of the hand quilting. I think I am going to cheat and do some bits on the machine because otherwise it is going to take me 10 years to finish this!

The other thing I worked on was my pincusion from The Home Patch. So far I have cut out all the tiny felt bits....

All I need to do now is iron them on and then whip stitch them. Hopefully it is easy enough! Guess you will see when I am done.

Tonight I am also working on another project. I am making a pendant for a friend of mine. I am going to make it into a necklace which she is giving to a friend for her b'day. Anyone who is my facebook friend would recognise this pendant, as I made a similar one earlier this year for my friend Christine.

Getting ready there

Fabric in, now to add the dragonfly charm

Drying time!

I hope I wake up in the morning and it all works out.

Anyway, a long blog, so I won't elaborate on my Melbourne trip this time, other than to say I paid a visit to Patchwork on Central Park and got some fabric for Amelie and Atticus, as well as myself....

I have no idea what I am going to make with it yet, but it's Alice in Wonderland design and it's COOL.

Time to go and read I think. Next time, a few piccies from Melbourne, and some talk about future projects and BOOKS!

I'm Back!

2009-07-13T02:10:00.000-07:00

I am back! I spent the past week doing work stuff in Melbourne, so blogging was impossible! I had a very tiring but fun time, and I made a few purchases and have been working on some crafty things, so I will be posting on those very soon, so stay tuned!

Coral creation

2009-07-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

Tonight was jewellery/beading night and another creation was born. I think my perfectionist streak made this take a little longer to make than it should have, but I managed to get it done by the end of the two hour class. The longest part of it was making the wire links with the coral beads (those are the three red beads you see every second link). To make them I wrapped the wire around a knitting needle and wire wrapped it, then the wire was beaten (in a loving way) with a hammer to give it that flat effect. I won't bother explaining the rest, I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

I really really like it and I am very tempted to keep it for myself, but I think I have been greedy lately keeping all my creations. Instead I think I might give it to the secretary at work. She has been a bit sick and I think it would really suit her and her fashion sense. I will keep note of the design though, as I wouldn't mind making it again for another friend, but maybe in purple.

Time to go and pack for my trip to Melbourne. I head off on Tuesday, but I am going via Sydney so I need to take everything with me tomorrow when I head down there. I feel very underprepared and disorganised!

If I don't post for a week, you will know why! There will be plenty of shopping to do in Melbourne. I hope to somehow make it to Meet Me at Mike's and Patchwork on Central Park, so I may return with crafty goodness :)

Alyce

Getting there!

2009-07-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

Last night I was very productive in my patchwork class and managed to sew together the final parts of my table runner....yay! I think the most time consuming part of the evening was trying to work out which fabric best suited the little triangle parts at the end of the piece! After much musing it was decided that the pink and grey/green/brown coloured fabric fit best. I also went for a plain homespun on the back, the same fabric as the creme background behind the felt features at either end of the runner. I think it has come up quite well....

I am up to the hard bit now, which is all the hand patchworking! I think it is going to take me longer than I was hoping, mostly because I want to make sure it looks good on the front AND back, which is painstaking. Basically what I need to do is running stitch diagonally across the patchwork squares, then around the felt feature and the triangle ends I need to just do a straight stitch. My perfectionist streak will not let me ignore the back (especially since the fabric is pale and I am using a greyish thread, hence it will be very visible to anyone who turns the table runner over). I think this one will be coming with me to Thouraya's place for our craft day!

In other crafty news I have started on Thouraya's craft/photography challenge. I have taken a couple of photos, but I am yet to decide how I will have a yellow themed craft project. Maybe I can do something at my beading class tomorrow night.

Back to quilting now. I hope it doesn't drive me too mental.

Alyce

Current Project

2009-06-29T05:52:00.001-07:00

So my current project which I am close to finishing is a table runner. It is my first 'proper' quilting/patchwork project. I started beginner patchwork classes earlier this year, just to learn the basic techniques, and in the continuning course we had to choose a project to work on. Classes are every second Tuesday, and I am really enjoying them, mostly because I get to chat with some nice people and see what everyone else is up to. It also means I have put time aside to be crafty, as sometimes I can get bogged down with work or getting lazy in front of the tv, which drags productivity levels down.

I am using a pattern (http://www.homepatch.com.au/proddetail.asp?prod=P0063%5FFunkyFlowerTableRunner&cat=392) from The Home Patch (http://www.homepatch.com.au/) for my table runner. The Home Patch is also the place where I do my classes. Rather than use the fabrics as per the pattern however, I picked my own funky fabrics. I am mostly using Amy Butler and Moda fabrics, which are probably some of my favourites at the moment. As you can see below, I think it is coming along quite well....

Being a 'stitchery freak' I do the stitches on my applique really really small as I do with my stitcheries. This is both a good and a bad thing. Good cause I think it looks really cool, but bad because I have been hand stitching these felt pieces on for almost 2 weeks now and I still am not done! I hope it looks effective when the whole thing is finished, given how long it has taken me to do. I will post some more updates tomorrow night after class. Hopefully I can almost get it to finishing point (minus the quilting, as I know there won't be enough time for that!).

Once I have finished with the table runner I have a few (okay, well a lot) of projects I want to work on. Many of the projects have emanated from purchases made at the Craft Show in Sydney a few weeks ago. The next thing I think I will do is my scarf, from a kit I purchased from Prints Charming (http://www.printscharming.com.au/)

It's a bit difficult to see the details, but trust me, it is going to look very funky! Can't wait to start it (might be a good idea to get it done while it is still winter also).

Anyway, so much more to say, but it is getting a tad late in the evening and my blogging skills are in significant decline. Hopefully I can improve in my next effort.

Alyce

The First Post

2009-06-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally made my first foray into the blogging world. The main purpose of this blog will be to share some of my crafty pursuits with friends and family, but from time to time I may share some of my other exploits (all legal ones of course).

I hope you enjoy the ride as I finally get a life post-PhD and rediscover my interest in all things handmade.

Alyce