My Thursday

I don't usually post much about day to day stuff ... but yesterday seems worth making an exception for especially as I wanted to thank Curlypops for the lift to the train station. She couldn't know at the time what a good samaritan she was ... and my story will give her an idea of exactly how welcome that lift was.

The day started out well ... I thought I'd frock up for the Northern Craft Bonanza, and I picked out a vintage 70s nylon dress reasoning it'll be cool later and it'll help keep me warm. And I wore my cute patent shoes I haven't worn in months.


Mistake. I was overdressed in every way for the building evacuation ... which I'd forgot. I work on the 44th floor ... but at least I had flat black shoes to change into. So, 20 minutes of winding clockwise down the stairs saw me out of the building ... with shaking legs and a head full of cotton wool (low blood sugar).

I resisted the urge to head for sugar as I was off to lunch within the hour and I didn't want to spoil my appetite. We had a Section send off for a colleague who'll be greatly missed at the Money Order Office (MOO) in Melbourne. The price is in inverse proportion to the portion but the food is seriously good and I was pretty mellow after a half glass of red.

By the time 5.30pm hit I was tossing up ... will I, won't I, will I ... go to the Northern Craft Bonanza? I was feeling pretty tired but I was frocked up and wanted to go ... and I did. When I got to Croxton train station I nearly got on the next train heading back to town ... but I am nothing but stubborn and kept going. (Last night I was telling Trudi and Nikki this about me in the context of knitting but it pretty well applies to everything!).

Here's the crappy part of the day ... I'd put my patent heels back on and my ankles felt weak so I thought it would be easier to walk in my bare feet. I really need to take a note not to think when my head's full of cotton wool because I managed to scrape two of my toes, one of which looks really gruesome.


I had a great night ... I always do. I barely noticed my thighs and toes. If I wasn't telling this story I'm sure nobody would even either.

But by the end of the night there wasn't a hope of me walking the 30 minutes or so to the tram stop, and here's where the wonderful Cam comes in and where I'll thank her again because I got a lift with Cam to Melbourne Central Station. There's no way I could have walked for more than five minutes ... I almost phoned Miss C to pick me up from my local station because I wasn't sure I could walk the four minutes home.

Thanks Cam.

Good things: My Creative Space

I’ve been sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of My Creative Space ... because I’ve been creating! Yes ... after so long not doing anything I have actually been doing something.

Knitting: I've started the lace scarf at least five times. This sounds bad but there's been such a huge learning curve like tension and learning the pattern so I now feel as though these are behind me ... and the rest is scarf! And I now have my seating issues on the train sorted out and about an hour per day to get some work done.


Wall plaque: I’ve had these papers for so long and I’ve been longing to do something with them. They’re so elegant and timeless ... and by the Australian firm Kaiser Scrapbooking. Their stuff is so nice.

Cushion: I’ve been promising myself to get to this for so long ... and on the weekend I picked up some vintage buttons from Cheeky Little Monsters at the Daylesford Makers’ Market. The buttons are amazing ... and Tania's stuff was really cute but I don’t have any littlies to buy for any more.


How's your crafty week been?

PS If you're interested in all things creative ... pop over to kootoyoo for more crafty spaces.

Good things: What's Hot and What's Not

Another day I'm asking myself "Where has my life gone?" because all I can this is "It's hump day again". Not complaining ... very happy! Hooray ... because it's time for What's Hot and What's Not.

What's Hot

Three day week. That's right. I had Monday off and have Friday off on a flex ... and it's still hump day today. The middle of a three day week. I'm really celebrating that.

NCB. It's Northern Craft Bonanza week and tomorrow is our crafty get together. It's always fun and it doesn't matter how late I stay out because I have Friday off! See above.

Early rising. I'm loving getting up early and I'm almost (but not quite) in an early to bed pattern. I feel so much more rested and it's so much easier to cope with the day. That, and eating well too.

Books. I've been reading so much lately ... and my world seems to be filled with Florence Broadhurst for some reason. First it was a Gillian Armstrong documentary on the ABC and then a work colleague was reading a book on her that she thought I would enjoy. And I am ... she was the most amazing flamboyant woman who was the brainchild behind wallpaper still considered classic today.


What's Not

Shoes. All my shoes seem to be wearing out simultaneously and I'm in a flurry of resoling and reheeling ... and nowhere can I find the flat, square toed shoes I prefer to wear each day because of my massively wide flippers ... er, feet (I'm a D fitting)!

Detail. I can remember stuff that happened to me years ago ... my recollection for detail is the stuff of legend at work. But I'm not so good when working with too much detail. It overwhelms me and I spend most of my time thinking I've forgotten something. Fortunately, the tasks will soon be over and then I can move on ... phew!

Knitting. I got some knitting done ... but tore it out five times because it didn't look right. Then I discovered yesterday that the reason why I wasn't happy is because I've been doing it wrong and I'm not sure yet how to fix it.

WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT/GOOD THINGS

It's hump day (again) and time for What’s Hot & What’s Not front … and yet again mostly in the affirmative.

What’s been totally Hot
Northern Craft Bonanza. I went to my second ‘meeting’ and it's so good. The gals are so warm and friendly, their crafty projects are amazing … and I just feel welcomed in every way. We even had a swap and I took some upholstery fabric and vintage pillowcases/table cloth and brought home some quilting fabric. My quilting stash is looking amazing.

Chinese New Year. I went to my third Chinese New Year in about 4 years and I love it. As usual we stood on the top floor of the car park on the corner of Russell and Little Bourke, and literally had a bird’s eye view. I also stroked the dragon more than once so I’m expecting lots of luck.


Cross stitch. The Be My Valentine cross stitch panel is finished … and I finished it on Valentine’s Day. What could be more fitting.


6x6 scrapbook layouts. I’ve had a bunch of 8x8 layouts laying around forever and I was recently reminded (through Facebook) of a Victorian based charity that organises 6x6 layouts for underprivileged kids on camps. So this stash is being cut down to 6x6 and will soon be winging its way to Southern Cross Kids' Camps.


Electrical renovations. I scoured the house for electrical stuff that needs doing and Mr H and I shopped like crazy on Saturday afternoon. In the end we took advantage of the Beacon Lighting up to 50% sale for the light fittings and ceiling fans, and trawled Bunnings for the extractor fans and 4 sock outlet. A good afternoon’s work!

Op shopping bonanza. I had the best two days of op shopping with four shops canvassed and the maximum number of scrumptious knitting patterns and a little sheet music from the 1920s extracted. My little stash is looking lovely at the moment … and I have a decent number of lovely knitting patterns from the 1940s to 1980s to share over the coming weeks.

Yoga. I did yoga again on Monday and I feel so good after I’ve done it … totally energised and ready to take on the world. And knowing I feel like that is what keeps me going back (oh and paying for the term in advance), because I spend the first half hour wondering when the class will be over! I hope that reaction doesn’t last.

What’s totally Not hot
Dentist. I’d been experiencing some twinging in one tooth and figured it was the nerve and thought I’d better get it checked out. I got the thumbs up on that tooth, no work required, and from now on it’s just watch and wait … but the dentist found 2 new grey spots (which indicates decay) that are all but invisible except to the trained eye. Bummer!

Being disorganised. I’m starting to push and pull myself into new routines that will help me manage life better … but I hate having to work so hard to keep it all together. Why does it have to be like that? Why, why, why ... oh, oh I'm hearing Julius Sumner Miller again! LOL

FRIDAY KNITTING PATTERN/GOOD THINGS

I'm starting a new Friday blogging tradition ... Friday vintage knitting patterns.

I have quite a collection of these and a Friday post going to waste ... so why not.

My first is the cover from a F W Hughes pattern book for its Twinprufe yarn.


Aren't these both gorgeous? Some styles are just classic although I wonder how much pain goes into maintaining those waists?

PS If anybody's interested in any of the actual patterns let me know and I'll scan and email the one you're interested in.

Now I didn't come to this idea alone ... my inspiration comes from Lara's blog thornberry.

I met Lara for the first time at Thursday's Northern Craft Bonanza where she was finishing off the most amazing quilted cushion.


I'm still awestruck by this cushion cover.

Last night I thought I'd check out her blog ... and spent the rest of the night trawling through her archives.

Lara's the most amazing sewer and crocheter and quilter ... there's no end to her craftiness.

And during 2009 Lara turned out the most stunning range of children's clothing and quilts ... the list goes on forever.

Here are a few of my favourites ... complete with her cute kids doing the modelling.

Clare is the perfect model. There's hardly a shot of her not twirling joyously ... and if my mum had made me such amazing clothes I'd be hard pressed to stay still too! And check out my favourite outfit ... this combination of crocheted dress and pants. Double wow from me.

Lara's other daughter Stella looks so sweet in this crocheted sundress. Stella's not always so happy but she's definitely co-operating in this photo shoot ... maybe she's growing up Lara?

Which brings me to Lara's regular Friday posts ... of images from her vintage crochet pattern collection.

I don't crochet ... I have enough addictions at the moment ... but I really enjoyed looking at the patterns. The 1970s really seemed to be a hey day for crocheting, despite their need to become acquainted with a slip ... and given my knitting collection I thought people might enjoy seeing some of those.

Thanks Lara for the great idea ... I love your crochet collection, and I haven't even started on your gorgeous sewing pattern stash.

Good things/My Creative Space Thu 11 Feb 10

GOOD THINGS/MY CREATIVE SPACE - Northern Craft Bonanza
Woo hoo ... it's time to play My Creative Space again, one of my fave days of the week. Check out the other fab spaces over at Kootoyoo.

I went to my second Northern Craft Bonanza so my creative space for today is very compact ... my lap in fact. And even worse; it's as dull as dishwater because I’m still working on the same cross stitch I started three weeks ago (yawn! ho hum!) ... and please let me finish this very soon.

Because I shared a photo of my latest craft project yesterday, I'm going to post lots of pictures of others' portable creative spaces to share ... and because they're far more interesting than mine.

Curlypops was working on this gorgeous super cape for her nephew. All it needed was the finishing touch of his initial "M" on the star. Lucky nephew.



Betty Jo from Lino Forest was working on some more of her fab creations ... we got to see some one of a kind butterflies she'd made as a special order. I wish I'd got a couple of shots of them because they were amazing.



Check out Bec caught in action making a dishcloth. Oh, and if you think Bec looks elegant in her pretty dress and one of Betty Jo's owl necklaces ... you totally missed her shoes. They were the bomb.



We had one new visitor (Rachael?) ... says the newbie who's only been twice ... and she was working on the cutest skirt for her daughter. A crazy good mixture of recycled fabrics that her daughter will love. And check out the matching pincushion and etui (needle holder) ... very fancy.


Last of all, Lara was finishing off this quilted cushion. I don't think it matters if the pattern is somebody elses (after all imititation is only the highest form of flattery) because the choice of colours, the finish, the artistry is all yours ... and it rocks.


And that's what I think we all do in our own ways ... we create art.

Thanks guys for a great night.

Good things Thu 28 Jan 10

GOOD THINGS: Northern Craft Bonanza extravaganza
Tonight was my first visit to the Northern Craft Bonanza, a meeting (in lieu of a better word) of crafters to chat, chat, drink coffee ... and maybe get a little crafting done.

I met so many new people ... there must have been 20 or more women there, all doing something interesting. (There are photos over at The Craft Gypsy ... not mine. Next time I'll take my camera.)

There were knitters, broochmakers (Betty Jo), glass and camera holder makers(Curlypops) ... those are just a few and it'll be good to meet a few more of the crafters and see what they're making.

In talking to Betty Jo, an idea came on us to set up a swap ... no doubt others have a part of their stash they'd be happy to swap for something 'new'.

And, of course, I got to meet Cathy and collect my wish collage, which now sits on my bureau.


The collage in its pride of place on the bureau next to my bed.