tsk tsk

good friends and no time

I have several blank panels in my house.
They were made by my friend's very talented father.

My intentions are to paint onto them, but I can't seem to get started. The usual issues of time are stopping me, but also I feel very nervous about starting anything because they are just so lovely as is. Maybe I could hang them just as they are.

Last month I celebrated a birthday and received some lovely presents from my friends. Two books that I can't wait to start are The Artist's Lunch by Alice McCormick and Sarah Rhodes and Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts. Lacy Crochet.

And as the air is cooling I am feeling a stronger need to crochet and quilt again. I better hurry as the cooler months come and go too quickly here.

swish swish

Saying good bye to winter. This morning the sun felt stronger at 6.36 than it usually does. I think winter is fading.

I'll miss winter.

I'll miss
Wearing my new boots. I bought adult size boots to replace my kids size ones from a few years ago.

I'll miss
Wearing my cords this year, more so than jeans. I've loved hearing the swish, swish sound they make when I walk.

I'll miss
Working on my blanket. I now have 32 and a half squares. I think I doubled my quantity since last winter. Soon my hands will be sweaty and hot.

I'll miss
The winter sun on my verandah. Not too hot, just right to warm our bodies after a cold start to the day. Soon it will be burning and humid and I will be trying to block it out.

I'll miss
Making soup. Tomato soup has been my favourtie this year. I added roasted capsicums, Worcestershire sauce and a splash of vodka for extra kick!

I really like our winters

the crochet bug strikes again

I've got the crochet bug again. I think working for Threads & More has done it to me. Everytime I go in for a meeting with the owner about her graphics work, I oohh and aghhh over the yarns and buttons, and often walk out with a few balls of lovely colours and textures. Plus the days are slowly getting milder here (well it is meant to be 28 C today...hardly mild!) I'm living in hope.

Monica from quilt while your ahead sent me some lovely treasures. We did a little impulsive swap after an exchange of emails where we talked about the triumphs of interpreting japanese craft magazines. I was impressed by one of her projects, so I decided to send some insipration her way. And in return I got a pile of goodies too, including this flower brooch and some lovely yarn in the most beautiful blues and greens.

First of all I wanted to make a hat from one of the patterns she had sent. Then I realised it just wasn't going to work...so I made this. My curly scarf to take on my trip with me. I added some loopy buttons so I can hang my glasses from them....if I don't look too much like a granny.

Then next on my, 'must try but  don't know if I'll ever finish list', is a freeform scarf/possible shawl/possible rug. I love the technique that Prudence Mapstone has mastered of making smaller motifs and then just sewing/crocheting them together. Working with all these different textures is quite fun. I'm going to try take a bamboo crochet hook on the plane with me so I can do some on the way. If they confiscate it, then so be it! I'll take some anti-histamines instead and try and catch up on plenty of sleep.

where are my glasses?

I'm picking up the kids today, so I quickly made a gift for mum last night to say thanks. I saw something similar to these necklaces in Threads and More and decided that I should get out my crochet hook and knitting spool and make one, or two as it seems, myself. I thought the circular beads would be good for her to hang her reading glasses from.

For my dad? Why are they so hard to buy/make for? I think some chocolates or cashew nuts will be fine.

For all those die hard Police and Sting fans, the concert was fantastic. I was even tragic enough to buy an overly priced t-shirt!

wine, crochet and open fires

We drove for three hours. Listened to a thousand questions on the way. Lit an open fire to keep ourselves warm. Celebrated a 70th birthday party for Zia Lucia (Aunty Lucy). Ate prosciutto, sopressa, gnocchi, cannoli and drank a little rosso vino. I even spoke some Italian. We drove through the bush to look at an empty creek bed. Tasted a little local vino. Raced through an Antique store whilst the kids ate fresh apples in the car. Bought some cacciatore, pecorino cheese and bolotti beans and crocheted in the car on the way home. It was a good weekend. How about you?

Edit: I didn't buy the food from the antique store just in case you were wondering. Sadly I left that shop empty handed, but proved to myself that I can do it.