Looking inwards

I guess it's interesting, but probably not all that surprising, that so many of us are feeling the same way in this political, global, humanitarian point in time. After my Mum proof read my blog the other day we discussed what I would do if people left aggressive or negative comments. Would I delete them, respond to them or just leave them there as part of the conversation but try not take them to heart.

I often worry about responses to my more personal posts, but thankfully this time I needn't have. Thankfully there was not one single #firstworldproblem type comment, nothing angry or bitter and nothing that I had to worry about letting into my heart. If anything it made me feel better knowing that I wasn't all alone.

So with the knowledge that we are so many of us feeling a bit off balance at the moment, I thought I might share a technique that my Chinese doctor taught me, a way to find my centre and move forward.

This practise works well when you do it several times throughout the day. For me it works to attach it to something I do regularly but not too often, I do it when I check my Fitbit.

Every time I check how many steps I've walked so far, maybe six or seven times a day, I stop where I am, close my eyes if I can, focus inwards, take a few big deep breaths, scan my body and state of mind and then I ask myself;

How am I feeling?

I give myself a quick, one word answer. Nothing complicated, just a word that describes the way I'm feeling in my body or in my state of mind. Words like peaceful, anxious, inspired, stuck, restless, sensitive, motivated, stretched, strong, teary, chaotic, concerned, powerless, loved and lucky are some of those that have come up for me over the past few months.

And then straight away I asks myself;

What do I need?

Again just a quick one or two word answer is all that I am looking inwards for. Quiet, direction, light, exercise, peace, colour, time, patience, order, acceptance, space, a house in the tropics, strength, resilience and kindness come up for me often.

I have no answers to the hardest questions, but this little practice helps give me clarity and direction. A few extra tools in my toolbox to help me move on and live a creative, soul filled life instead of falling in a heap too often.


I hope you have a colourful, love filled weekend honey bunches.

Lots-a-love

xx


Gloves (pattern and details Ravelled here) swapped for beautiful beakers by Adriana Christianson.

knits and knots and natters

The other day I went looking for a bag of green flecked wool that I knew I had but couldn't remember where I'd put. I searched high and then I searched low and found it under my bed with a bunch of other bits and pieces of the woolly persuasion including the start of a granny hottie that I hooked up last year. Fancy that! I fully remember making that red one but I wonder why I started and then stopped this green one. I'd better finish it off don't you think.


After I found the green wool I cast on some Emerald Fingerless Mittens to swap with a potter for some beakers. It feels a bit funny to be making something for someone I've never even met in real life but a bit fun all the same. I hope she likes them.


In the middle of all this I turned around in my desk chair one day and contemplated the stacks of vintage sheets that I have been collecting but neglecting for years. Piles of them all neatly folded and colour coded. I thought about cutting out and sewing a dress for someone but it's not really sundress weather. So I pulled some down, tore off some 3cm lengths, found a 10mm hook, crocheted a 26 chain stitches and started a rag rug.

The beginning was quick and fun but then it started hurting my hands and curling up at the edges so I took a break. It's so cold and there's so much knitting to be done that I can't really afford to hurt myself right now. Or ever. I think I've got a 15mm hook around here somewhere that might help  to make it looser and easier.

If you were an oversized crochet hook where would you hide from me?


The minute before I put my rag rug aside to rest it occurred to me that my time would probably be better spent making something woolly and wearable. In these crazy cold days something that protects against the chilliness must be valued higher than something pretty, every single time.

So I systematically searched through my stash, found three bandless balls of something that looked 12plyish, found a pattern on Ravelry, swatched and cast on. And despite the fact that Indi said I would never wear that colour, I knitted on.

It was a quick knit and after about two nights I found myself nearing the end of the first ball which in turn made me happy and then concerned. Happy because I could imagine myself wearing my thick, cuddly cardi by the end of the week. And then concerned because there was no way I was a third of the way into the knit and yet here I was a third of the way into my wool.

That's when I realised I had underestimated the amount of yarn I would need. And I got out the kitchen scales and weighed it all up and realised that I was right, I was way under. Oops. I'm so used to knitting 8ply that I had forgotten that the same weight of 12ply would give me less length. And being wool from the Bendigo Woollen Mills back-room I knew there wasn't much chance of getting any more. Bum!


After that I knitted up some Small Fry Fingerless gloves for Pepper. Look at her cute little meditation hands.


Next up is socks. Wish me luck.

Or maybe I'll have to put all that on hold to knit with the smooshiest yarn ever that just arrived in Jodie's Jellywares Winter yarn club. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Decisions. Decisions.

So that's me all caught up creatively.
How about you? What've you been up to?

I hope you're feeling inspired and creative. I hope you've got a fun project on the go.

Ciao!

xx

For Indi...just because...

Because the sheet I need for the quilt backing is still in the washing machine.

Because I have a gazillion things to sew for the caravan and this is not one of them.

Because Miss Pepper is playing quietly alone in the other room.

Because I am the queen of procrastination.

Because the scraps in my bin looked way too cute to chuck out.

Because I haven't made you a pillow case or doona cover yet and you haven't complained.

Because I hate the vampire t'shirt you currently uses as a hottie cover.

Because I made one recently for The Hottie Challenge and still had the pattern.

Because it often feels like I have no idea when it comes to the parenting of a 10 year old girl.

Because you let me hold your hand all the way to school today.

Because life sometimes looks complicated for a ten year old girl.

Because I adore you and think you are so ace!

I hope you like it. x

And my super duper brooch package arrived.

Aren't I a lucky duck!

Thanks Flaming Nora!

Thanks Susie.

See ya later hot potata! x

In and Out.

Out: My FlowerPress Brooch swap.

My doily brooch, some small love heart brooches, some Australian animal chocolates, a little purse I made and a Foxs Lane card.

Out: The Green Sleeves dress,

...a little appliqued t'shirt (it's always nice to add a little surprise) and Foxs Lane card, all tied up with a vintage sheet selvage ribbon.

Out: The Second Blue Flower dress,

...a little t'shirt surprise, a Foxs Lane card, all tied up with a vintage sheet selvage ribbon.

In: The most divine doily tea towel from gorgeous Susie at Flower Press. It's a caravan prezzie. Hooray!! Thank you so much Susie, I adore it. xx

Out: A bunch of interchangeable circular knitting needles Mary lent me when I was trying to decide on a brand. How ace is blogland! Thanks Mary.

Out: A doily brooch and a couple of love heart brooches for Miss Jennie just because.

I often wonder if the post office people draw straws when they see me coming.

Have you had any fun mail lately? Hope so.

And be honest, were you hoping this post was about something a bit more exciting?

See ya! x

Brooched.

After much agonising and researching and procrastinating and planning, I am happy to report that I have finally finished my doily brooch for Susie's Flowerpress Brooch Swap.

But before you go thinking it was easy and straight forward, let me take you on a bit of a brooch journey.

First off I thought I'd make it out of bits and pieces from my Farmer Boy's shed.

When that didn't come together, I started crocheting a multi layered and petaled flower. When that looked like it was going to turn out enormous, I ditched that idea too. I hope to go back to it and finish it at some stage because it'll look great as a corsage on a bag or jacket, but not really a brooch.

Then while looking at pretty pictures on Ravelry one night I decided to make a doily brooch. And after looking at hundreds of doily patterns and not loving any of them, I made up my own.

Or at least I thought I did, but when I came home and did a Pinterest search I came up with this. It looks so similar to mine it's scary. Wow!

It seems my pattern might not have been so original after all.

I crocheted five small doilies yesterday on the train to Melbourne and back. It took me that many goes to get the size and shape and pattern I liked. But do you think I wrote it down as I went along so I knew what I had done? Nope! This silly billy had to guess and count the stitches each time.

When I had finally come up with a pattern I was happy with, I decided the cotton I had grabbed that morning was far too white, so we soaked the doilies in my Mum's tea pot and then in a salty vinegary solution to set the new colour.

Mmmmmuch better.

After that all that was left was to stitch it onto some denim, glue a circle of denim on the back to neaten it up and then the brooch pin.

Raveled here.

Woohooo, I'm mentally ticking brooch swap brooch off my mental list.

What's next? Some caravan sewing I think.

Have a fab weekend y'all.

Close, closer, closest.

There is chaos in my head. I wonder if you might help me with any answers you might have. Please. Just one or as many as you know the answers to. Thanks.

If you were taking five people away on a caravan adventure for up to six months, how many sheet sets and towels would you take?

Do you sometimes wish your kids' friend's parents would just drop their kids off and leave so you could get on with what you were doing?

Did you have any idea that cutting fabric squares and then sewing them back together was such physical work? My back aches.

Do you prewash your fabric before you sew with it?

Do you ever read travel blogs?

Is there any way to join pinterest without having a twitter or facebook account?

Do you eat too much salt?

If you don't empty the washing machine and hang out the laundry, how long will the washing in the machine stay clean for before you have to wash it again? What's your record for amount of times washing the same load?

If you were completely up to date with the laundry, would there be enough room in the cupboards for all the clothes and manchester?

How is it possible that I ruined not one but two batches of cookies today by adding one tablespoon of bicarb instead of one teaspoon?

Would you eat carrot and coriander soup?

Do you take your camera every where you go?

Would you feel embarrassed if you were in a cafe and reached on the floor for your ball of wool only for the chair to come out from under you with a bang and for you to land on your bum with the biggest clatter?

Are your computer backups up to date?

If you had a three and a half year old and you went for a family bike ride, how would the three and a half year old be catered for? She is too big for a seat on the back, but probably a bit too unsteady for those handle and wheel contraptions behind the bike.

How come I know every single word to every single song on the So Fresh Hits of Winter 2011 cd, and yet I have no idea what music I like any more?

Why, when my to-do list is so long it almost induced a panic attack this morning, did I start a new crochet project to make myself feel better?

What excuse can I give a little one for the tooth fairy being over a week late?

What are you having for dinner tonight? Do your kids eat soup?

Do you have any questions you need the answers to?

Bye??

Feeling crappy.

This morning I'm sitting here feeling crappy.

Its Wednesday today and that means that for the past three days the soundtrack to my life has been the sound of poor little Pepper crying. It breaks my heart and at times has had me in tears too, but seriously, the noise.

I'm feeling crappy for the big girls who are desperate to get out of here and into the big wide world to go and do some stuff but instead are stuck at home again. I feel guilty that most of the time I can't play with them because their little sister is so needy.

I feel bad because Miss Pepper just wants to sit and snuggle with me but I am not great at sitting still for extended periods of time. If she'd let me knit then maybe...

I feel bad because I am so tired after all these nights of not sleeping that I am only doing the barest minimum around here and no one has clean undies and we are living on shortcut food.

I feel bad because Bren has so much work to do on the farm but I need him here with me to make marble runs with the girls and take turns with Pepper.

I feel bad because when I went in to Pepper in the night she started crying harder because she only wanted her Dad.

I feel guilty because I know that this will be over in a few days and I know how lucky I am and that I have no right to whinge.

I feel bad that it made me feel so happy to sew this dress yesterday when Bren took Pepper on a drive to the irrigation supplies shop. I loved working with these gorgeous vintage fabrics and sewing them into a dress for my soon to be shop.

I guess one funny thing to come out of all this was the look on my face, and my snort, and then the look on Indi's face, when the doctor told me Pepper has a severe case of coxsackie virus. Say it aloud and you'll see what I mean.

I am so lucky to have my farmer boy who makes me love heart lattes each morning and I am grateful that the sun has come out. Maybe we'll rug up and go for a walk.

Huge thanks to Jodie for this wonderful package of washer swap goodies that was waiting in my post office box to brighten my day yesterday. I love it all, its so sunny and springtimey. Thanks also to Jodie for organising another wonderful washer swap, its been great.

So what's going on with you this fine Wednesday morning?

I hope there's a bit of sunshine in your life today.

My creative space.

After I finished knitting the long, long rows of plain and purl for the green cardi, I felt like knitting something small and complicated. Something that would make me think and concentrate.

The Vineyard wash cloth fit the bill perfectly. Details here. I loved knitting this pattern of intricate intertwined little leaves that came together so quickly.

This wash cloth is getting packed up with some soap and some seeds and heading to my secret partner in Jodie's Spring Washer Swap. I hope she likes it.

And what's a girl to do when she can't possibly concentrate on intricate pattern but needs a project to keep her hands busy while out and about? Why crochet ric rac of course!

This is for Ms Beccasauras for a little swap we did. A pair of Dortjes for a pile of crocheted ric rac.

And then there's the beginnings of another Olearia. I'm dying to see how the pattern looks in this multicolour yarn.

And finally, thanks so much for the gorgeous messages left here and on Ravelry about my green cardi. I appreciate and love reading each and every one. You guys are the best!

So what are you up to today?

I'm off to Kirsty's to check.

Happy Thursday y'all. X

Ella's skipping dress.

Not so long ago I wrote here about my passion for sewing. About how sewing just one seam can help make my world make a bit more sense.

But then just under a month ago two things happened:

1. I discovered and fell in love with knitting.
2. A little symbol came up on the screen of my sewing machine telling me that it needed to be serviced.

So I turned it off and walked away and knitted and didn't deal with the fact that I really had to book Nina Bernina in for a service.

The funny thing is that I didn't want to take her in for a service in the first place, because I couldn't bear to be without her for as long as it took. In actual fact it has been so much longer.

Today when I couldn't put it off any longer, I switched her on and the symbol was gone. I felt so grateful to her that she was letting me sew, that I promised to take her in for a service this week. And I will.

This skipping dress is made for a princess that lives in a patchworky castle. Check out what Andi made my Jazzy for her birthday as a swap. Isn't it the best!

This dress was made from bits of cord and vintage sheets from my stash, an op shopped zipper and bias binding and a crocheted by me motif and ric-rac. This time I stitched the Everything but the thread bit straight onto the binding.

Now I just hope it is pink enough for the princess.

Ok, now the sewing is done I can do a few rows/rounds of this before school pick up.

I hope your Monday is a funday. XX

Name tag swap!

Made by me and sent to Sophie of Her Heart My Hands.

Made by Ms Tinnie Girl, Cathy for me. Yay! How amazing is it!

I'm not sure I can wait til the Sew It Together dinner to wear it though.

Thanks Cathy!

Thanks so much Gypsy for organising the whole swaperama thang. I'm so looking forward to having a drink with you and the other name tag wearers on the night.

Blog land seems full of swaps at the moment.

I think my favourite part of a good swap is how it opens up the blogging community. How it encourages you to get to know the blogger you are creating for and then there is also the relationship formed with another blogger who made you your special gift.

Of course you can't forget the lovely package in the mail either.

I hope you are having a lovely sunny day. XX

Giving & receiving.

Today on the last official day of the Great Pin Cushion Swaperama I can't stop thinking about giving and receiving in blogland.

What type of giver are you?

Do you love to send little packages to perfect strangers?

Do you send exactly what is expected or do you like to add in some special little extras like packets of pins, bars of chocolates and other little goodies?

If you were in an op shop and saw something you know your blog friend would love, would you buy it and send it to them?

...I wonder.

And then how are you with receiving?

There are so many giveaways and swaps and competitions and pay it forwards in blogland, how does it make you feel to receive a package in the mail from someone you are never likely to meet in person?

I won the package above full of stunning goodies all adorned with Luisa's fabulous little people in a giveaway at her fashionfuscia blog. What a fantastic and generous prize! Thanks Luisa, I LOVE it all!

I feel happy about winning giveaways because I feel like I give as well as receive in blogland, but I do like to play by the tradition of mentioning it on my blog.

And then there are the random gifts, the just becauses.

The lovely Deb was at a garage sale recently when she spotted the yellow pot holder and knew that it had to come across the ocean to live with my pot holder collection. Before she sent it, she gathered all the amazing goodies in the above photo to keep it company.

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you I was overwhelmed and even a bit teary when I opened this package. What an wonderful and kind and generous thing to do. Thanks Deb.

One of the most amazing side effects of recording my crafty creations on my blog, has been the incredible friendships I have made. But one of the most unexpected lessons I am learning is how to say 'thank you' without feeling like I am always obliged to give something in return.

I got a gift in the mail from someone today who asked me not to mention it on my blog (hope this doesn't count) and not to give her anything in return.

That's a hard one.

Its fascinating isn't it?!

So where do you sit in this whole bloggy give and get adventure?

And before I leave you let me just say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you swappers out there for your kindness and thoughtfulness and generosity. Its been fun!

I hope you have a great weekend. XX