Sunday, February 27, 2011

pretty finds...

 
this gorgeous tin I plan to use as a jewellery box could not be more perfect!
handy bits and pieces...
and these sweet old books were a gift from a lady who thought I could put them to good use, perhaps they'll just join my collection to be read & thoroughly enjoyed...
I found this fabulous yarn on a clear out table for 50 cents & immediately could see it was destined for beautiful things.  I love it's texture & I love what it's becoming... 

visit Sophie for more great finds...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

grateful for...eleven

it's been eleven years that hubby & I have been married. As each anniversary comes around we can't help but look back, reminisce on how it all came to be.  Looking at photos, surrounded by our dearest friends & family.  We have a chuckle about how we 'hooked up'.  He asked me to dance at a reunion ball, I thought it was a pity dance, he couldn't believe I said yes.  I was forever single, waiting for my prince, he had just ended a relationship.  And right there on the dance floor, a surprising & unexpected magic...

Months passed & we came together again at a mutual friends birthday, went for a drive admired the stars, watched the sunrise holding hands, and talked all night but still had never kissed.  A couple of months on & we made sure we sought each other out at a christmas do.  We kissed & made a dinner date for the following night, boxing day 1993.  I almost cancelled, the weather was atrocious, my car not so reliable, and my nerves were getting the better of me, but in the end I went, and my parents didn't see me again for 3 days!  I called them from a local phone booth assured them I was fine, more than fine, in love!  Eighteen years on, and 11 years married, 3 beautiful, beautiful children, a life by the sea & we are happy...
Happy Anniversary beautiful husband, you are my world... 

visit maxabella loves for more gratefuls today...

Monday, February 21, 2011

making things...

snugly wrist warmers for the little guy...
this freezing cold day has been perfect for me...
so many little projects on the go...
and loving each & every one of them.  The perfect escape...

Sunday, February 20, 2011

grateful to decompress...

I'm grateful this weekend to decompress.  A little reading, some crochet on my nana couch... 

What a week it's been.  I've had painters painting, builders quoting, plumbers assessing, the electrician in and out.  I think I've had every tradesman you could ever possibly need through our place this week and it does not look good.  It seems our home is suddenly hugely in need of TLC, lots of maintenance & some really big jobs need to be done very soon.  It all happens at once I suppose, isn't that always the way?  I've been unable to sleep some nights worrying about the enormity of what needs doing, the urgency around it & the expense.  

By Friday I was feeling physically sick.  Thank goodness once again for my level headed, clear thinking hubby, who manages to look at things in a practical and not so hysterical way.  One thing at a time, we will manage.  For now decompress...

visit maxabella's for more grateful posts...

Friday, February 18, 2011

rules...


So it's a new school year.  A new school year always has it's share of teething problems, a settling in period.  New teachers, new classmates, more challenges and new rules....

I'm a rules girl, I always have been.  My big boy is definitely a rules boy.  This need for structure, order & rules must have kicked in at about 2yrs I'd say because as a baby he did NOT follow any rules & had this first time mama in a spin!  Though, as a toddler, when my girlfriends & I would catch up weekly with our babies & we'd laugh at how the big boy would be ensuring everyone was safe, doing the right thing, no standing on tables or chewing on small objects, not on his watch! We'd have a chuckle about how he'd grow up as the school monitor, the prefect in later years, and then the sensible chaperon in their teens...

As he grew, his need for order & structure continued.  We've had to throw caution to the wind a little, not get too bogged down with planning ahead, being a bit spontaneous as he was putting way too much pressure on himself.  He's a good kid, hates to ever do the wrong thing, would never intentionally do the wrong thing and last night my big boy broke down in tears, sobbing his little broken heart out because he was issued a 'blue' slip at school.  Apparently this new 'blue' slip is your first warning, and according to my boy when you get 3 'blue' slips the government has to be involved & parents are called to the principles office...and, well, we don't know what happens beyond that point! 

Absolutely devastated, my boy explained to me that he received the 'blue' slip for playing tiggy in a non-tiggy playing area.  A new rule.  A new rule that he was not aware of.  We talked about it in depth and he was eventually able to go to sleep feeling less criminal.  At what point do you go to the school and say something?  Rules are rules.  I understand that they are trying to be more forceful early on, but is this a little extreme?  One of my little grade 1 boys mates is so afraid of the new rules that he actually sits in the assembly area all lunch time to avoid doing anything wrong or being late!  

I made a point of speaking to my big boys teacher this morning.  Panic set in just a bit as I knocked on the classroom door.  Am I being overprotective?  Should I just let the dust settle before I go on in & question the running of the school?  I went on in explaining how completely devastated my boy was to be in trouble, how he couldn't comprehend how he'd gone from being a class representative last year to a 'naughty' kid so quickly.  I don't like to complain, but when my child is so distressed, you have to do something, surely!  I explained that we have accepted this 'blue' slip, all be it a little extreme and I suggested they revisit the new school rules to ensure the kids are all very clear on the expectations. 

I love our school & I have been very supportive and really quite impressed with the changes that have been made and the emphasis on our school values, but the last thing you want is the good kids loosing faith in the system they've always taken such pride in...   

Thursday, February 17, 2011

my creative space..

...or not so much...
It seems creating has taken a backseat to the busyness of everyday life this week. I've had an overwhelming urge to get things done around here, tidy up loose ends, clean out closets, tackle the mending pile, even bake, lots of baking infact...
I feel a little bit like June Cleaver, perhaps without the calm & poise, and maybe with a lot more yelling at children with conveniently selective hearing.  I must say, it's a nice feeling to be organised, at least for now...
I found this gorgeous bamboo on a clearout table at one of my favourite little stores.  It's so lovely and soft and drapey, it'll be beautiful to wear though it's shocking to work with.  Due to the flatness of the yarn it tends to twist as I'm working so the constant stopping & unwinding is very time consuming.  Now I'm only halfway through and the roll has just about finished.  I'm not sure if I should buy another to continue or undo it and try something else...

For more productive creating than you've found here today, head on over to Kootoyoo...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

my creative space..up cycling

I found these coasters at the op shop this week & could not go past those delicious colours all  pinned together...
I'd recently chopped up an old thrifted table runner & made coasters out of it, but seeing as we never seem to use coasters around here, I've decided to crochet a chain & join them all together as a garland! 
I wish I could show you a picture of it strug up in my living room, but I can't get it all in the shot.  I am completely in LOVE with it!

visit Kootoyoo for more creative spaces...

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

autumn dreaming...

I know we are only half way through summer here in Australia, but I can not stop crocheting for cooler weather! And all my boys, including the Mr, have put in their orders already..
and one for me..
Also, I love this idea from Kelly Doust's The Crafty Kid, a brilliant & quick as a wink way to recyle those old wooly jumpers!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

grateful for...

a little time for me...
A visit to the lotus spa for a facial & hot stone massage was a lovely way to spend my saturday afternoon.  One of my gorgeous brothers had given me a gift voucher for christmas, so I saved it up and used it to pamper myself for my birthday...
grateful to lovely friends popping in with birthday wishes, hugs, flowers & gifts...
birthday clinks, delicious food, & the coldest February birthday I have ever known, offering a chance to wear my latest neckwarmer 2 months earlier than expected out in the sea breeze...

...and grateful for my stylish new camera that I'm having a whole lot of fun with today.  I have been completely & utterly overindulged with loads of love & good things & I am very grateful!

more grateful posts over at Maxabella Loves...

Thursday, February 3, 2011

my creative space...

..is getting back to reality, back to routine & the busyness of normality.  I knew it was coming, we've had six weeks to relax, unwind and prepare for a new school year, but it seems I have been so absorbed in holiday mode that I've left everything to the last minute.  I now have only today to get myself into gear.  The school books are still in the boot of the car where I dumped them hastily the day I bought them back in December.  Today I need to have everything labelled, shop for school lunches & get uniforms ready, which I hope still fit, since I haven't managed the time to buy new ones! 
I've made some fresh wooden bag tags for the two little guys, military aircraft was the theme they chose.  Apparently this is not an acceptable accessory for the big grade 4 boy.  No picture could convince him, star wars, harry potter, indianna jones, whatever he'd like! No, it seems the the big boy is finding his own groove, his own style & taste in things, sigh...

pop on over to Kirsty's for more creative spaces...