Linking up with Janelle, Mardi and Yvette again for What I wore Wednesday. Another day, another park. It's a hard life I lead!!!
Today I realised that I have been so silly - I forgot that I own a really good tripod - why aren't I using it??? I set it up and tried to take a shot, unfortunately the top of it broke so I couldn't get a portrait shot (above is cropped) and the photo blurred pretty badly; by the time I realised it, I had already dismantled the tripod. Sigh. One week I promise I will deliver an OMG awesome self portrait!
Here is another shot, slightly clearer and not in black and white.
Today I am wearing:
Jeans Shorts - Target
White Tee - Kmart
Stripey Singlet - Kmart
And thongs. Because it was park day again today!
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Yesterday after posting my countdown list... I got to work in the sewing room. Listing things & publishing makes me more accountable, so I have now managed to sew the binding on the quilt & now just need to find 5 mins to sit and hand sew it down. I also came across a little piece of fabric that I had originally intended to turn into a scarf for my girls. As with most of my own creations if it doesn't work out to plan, I throw it aside... unfortunately I'm not to good without a patter. The 'scarf' was too short and too thick (I had added some batting as it was a cut off from the quilt I had just quilted) and it didn't sit right on the girls. A quick addition of thick elastic turned it into a funky headband. Lucky it sits under her hair as I put the elastic on AFTER the band was all sewed up. A little crochet flower (compliments of MIL) found in the bottom of a craft box and a wee button completed the headband. I love it.
Rue is modelling it with one of her new dresses I bought last week, this was in a bundle of clothes from an online forum I belong too. It is so adorably cute on her!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What I wore Wednesday + a little craft
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The final Countdown
A flashback to the 80's today... who didn't grow up listening to this calibre of music!! Feeling a little nostalgic this week as we are missing several bands / concerts that we'd have liked to attend (Alice Cooper, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Meatloaf) turns out there are far too many for finances and with some of them playing in 'festivals' the husband and I both agreed we were far too old to attend *sigh* it really sucks when you start feeling your age creep up! It's probably a good thing we aren't going, because there has been a lot of chatter on Facebook lately about my husbands old Mullet... (yes, apparently he donned the classic 80's Mullet, though it was more like an afro and YES it was WELL before he met me LOL) I was getting a bit worried he was wanting to relive his glory days and give her a revival... eeek!
This music today is fitting because I have so many countdowns to keep track of right now!* 4 Days until Blogtoberfest 2011 Are you getting excited? I am!
* 35 days until NaNoWriMo - THIS year I am committing to it... if all goes to plan
*46 days until Quilt Retreat (OMG I am so excited!!!)
* 90 days until Christmas!!! EEK!
* 96 days until my 365 is finished!
* 96 days until 2012 arrives! 2012... feels like just yesterday it was 1982 & I was heading off to pre-school, scary to think my baby girl will be heading to prep (aka pre-school)
Of course I am in usual fashion, completely under-prepared for all of these events, I will do as I normally do - jump right in and take a breath! The next few months will be a bang seeing out 2011 and I hope not in the literal sense, there is still far too many crafty things I need to consider! My crafty list is getting quite huge, rather than list everything - here's a few pressing things I would *like* finished before the year is out.
* Miss B's quilt ~ needs FMQ & binding (needed end of October)
* Quilt for Qld ~ needs binding (eeek Corrie is hoping to finish her's by end of September, hoping to be not far off that date!)
* Doll Quilt for the EBDQS ~ to be sent by 12th November (I am seriously stumped for ideas... though i did find some fabric that *may* be suitable)
* Gift bag goodies for our Quilt Retreat mid November * Quilt for Miss K ~ needs piecing
* Consider some Christmas gifts - handmade... because I can and to cut down on costs this year!
Funnily enough I'm not feeling too overwhelmed, head down bums in the air and I should be able to achieve some if not ALL of the list. Though I may start it tomorrow. Twas an early morning start this morning, I'm afraid no amount of this:
nor this: 
Will alleviate the black circles under my eyes from the night I had last night.
Bed after 11:30, struggled to fall asleep, woken at 2am (the girl), stumbled back to bed, struggled to fall asleep (again), woken at 5:45am (the girl... AGAIN) I am tired, grumpy and in need of a great big long Nanna Nap!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday snippets
Sneakers and gardening!
Cleaning leaves off trampoline
Choc-chip Oreo cupcakes - yummy!
Lazing around with the dog and child!
Happy Sunday to you!
Once again linking up to Cathy!
Small, easy and Quick Projects
Today I awoke with a crafty urge... we've been out nearly every day the past week & as study is out on the weekend with a little Miss 4 hanging out at my feet & thought processes for my writing difficult when she chatters away pretty much all of the day! I pulled out my new hot pink glue gun (what girl doesn't need a hot pink glue gun hey??? And proceeded to put the finishing touches to this little Mini Design Board ~ You can find the tutorial here and here
This is seriously a QUICK & very HANDY craft project! If you are into quilting and don't have room for a big board - I suggest you make yourself one of these! In particular the size I chose to do (8"x12") is perfect for 2 x Dear Jane Blocks (yes, remember that work in progress I started many moons ago!) I purchased the foam filled board from a local Art Store (a few dollars) and have just used a spare scrap of batting from one of the many quilt cutoffs in storage for that 'one day' project. The binding fabric is from Anna's bag of scraps. I have a 2nd all ready to bound, but decided to give the hot glue gun (and my burnt fingers a well deserved rest... note to future self - don't use too much glue and don't stick your finger in it - it BURNS!)
The best part of these - the blocks stick! This is holding it upside and it didn't fall.
Go check it out - and whip yourself up a couple!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
What I wore Wednesday
This morning I was feeling great and had every intention of wearing this denim skirt of mine with a red shirt. Then I got a text to say it was going to be a bit windy on the Island and as we were headed to the waterfront, I decided to change tops and popped on this old mulberry coloured shirt that sleeves go to my elbows (on anyone else it might have been a 3/4 sleeve... but I have abnormally long arms... and don't get me started on my legs!) as this shirt is fairly thin, it is not so much a 'wear outside of the house' top so I threw on my long grey singlet top over it.
I'm feeling rather frumpy and blah today & a bit sick, hence the weird look on my face.
Denim Skirt - Kmart (several seasons old)
Top - Target
Singlet top - Target (one of my usual bargains!)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Blythe Craft
Over the weekend ~ looking for something quick, easy and small to keep me occupied, I downloaded a few crochet patterns for the Blythe girls and got busy while the hubby was watching the footy. I whipped up two crochet beanies and had them finished before our show was over! They are so cute and so quick to do and best part is I can tell myself I am using up the wool stash (even if it's little bit by little bit) I can see myself doing an array of colours... perhaps one in every colour LOL
Here's a better photo of Ally modelling her new beanie with her new dress!!! Notice the hairbands... I got in trouble by Miss K for stealing HER hairbands (it's not like she has a box of 100!!!)
Sunday afternoon I attempted making a crochet top, but discovered the cotton I was using was far too thick (have remedied that with a quick stop at Spotlight earlier today) not to be defeated, I decided to trial a headband with flower. It's not the greatest as I got confused by the flower part and I think I needed one or two more chains in the band...
Then I decided she needed a matching skirt, so I whipped up the skirt from a piece of scrap I had lying around and decided she couldn't exactly go topless, so I totally whinged it with the top. Next time I will actually use pink thread, make it a wee bit longer & I also need to sew on a button (picked up at Spotlight today)
I've never been one for fiddly sewing - I had great intentions to make my daughter some clothes, but apart from a few items, I've never had the inclination to sit and sew anything remotely fiddly. These little clothes are giving me great patience as it is super fiddly and patience is something I've lacked over the last few years! I can see a few more outfits being added to the growing pile and looking on the smart side - my daughter will end up with a few for her barbies too :)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Camera issues... & blythe shopping
Aaaaah... I have things to share & show off, but am very annoyed at myself right now! I have two camera batteries for the DSLR and both are F.L.A.T - good one Car! I then pulled out my old Fujifilm and it died after taking ONE photo and when I tried connecting it to the Mac, the Macbook won't recognise the dock *sigh* I have other things to be getting on with so can't be sure I can be bothered with the iPhone, so I guess my sharing photos will have to wait until tomorrow. Which is probably a good thing - I really should be spending this time studying.
I've been busy sewing & crocheting some outfits for my Blythe girls, feeling a spot of guilt after doing some online shopping last week with 6 new outfits and then going a wee bit crazy in the sale that Janelle Wind had in her little online etsy store last night... it was a very stressful exercise for me. I had 2 outfits in my cart, went to paypal and by the time I remembered my password and then stuffed around with the account details - you see I didn't think I had quite enough in my papal designated account, which meant it would fall back on an OLD credit card that I have since ditched... way to go keeping my details updated *whoops* I then quickly entered my new credit card details and it rejected those as my DH used that credit card (shared card) against HIS paypal account earlier in the week and it wouldn't let me use it. I tried the other credit card and it wouldn't allow that one either because it was still registered under DH account for 3 days until he can remove it *sigh* so then I had to use the normal account listed. BY THE TIME I managed to do this, one of the outfits had been SOLD from under me. So I paid for one item, hotfooted it out to the office to get the online banking dongle thingy so I could double check I had enough funds. I had $2 to spare :o so I transferred some more $$$ then I went back to Esty absolutely ADAMANT I was going to get another item, I missed out on what I originally wanted, but I got a sweet little dress to match the Sweet little skirt. Very Stressful!!! But lots of fun! It sort of reminded me of the times I used to try getting some Bubblebubs nappies for Miss K (they would do mass stocking in one go and they would go QUICK) Though not nearly as quick as this sale last night!
At the end of all this running around, my DH in his infinite wisdom says why didn't you just use my Paypal account. Umm... I didn't even think of it and besides I didn't want him to see that I was spending money when I really should be saving money. But then I realised that with all my running around and pulling out credit cards left right and centre that he already had a pretty good idea that I was spending his money so I should have just used his Paypal account. *double sigh*
Today I've redeemed all my spending by making sure the house is spotless ;)
What can I say - I am such a good wife!!! ROFL
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Everyone needs a staffy!
Rue & Ally (the Blythes) were hounding me to get them a pet to make their home feel more like a well... home! Together we tossed around what we should buy them and went back and forth between a bird, a fish or a dog (or all three) but it was soon decided that a dog would suit them best. A medium sized dog who would make himself right at home and love them unconditionally was requested so we hit the classifieds and found this gorgeous little Staffy pup and bought him home.
He is so happy with his new abode and went running around sniffing all the new exciting smells!
He then decided to make himself at home with Rue on the couch...
Something tells me, he has been channelling the other Staffy in the house!!!
What I wore Wednesday - 14.09.11
Linking up with Janelle, Mardi and Yvette again this Wednesday with what I wore! I'm starting to think that Wednesday are probably NOT the best day for me to be sharing photos as we have mums group & usually head to the park - that means comfort wins over style!
Top - Black with Crocheted neckline ( a new buy at Big W yesterday for $5!!!)
Jeans - jag skinny leg (as shown previously, I did warn you there will be double ups!)
Shoes - Black and Pink Volleys
I really struggled with getting a self portrait again this week, check out those lilly white arms - shocking!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Today.... I must do
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- Write a weeky timetable - started...
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- Bake cookies (or buy some...)
- Sew another square on K's quilt
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Listing it here, so I can hold myself accountable!
ETA - 5:45pm and I have managed to complete most things on my to-do list. Yay me!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, September 12, 2011
EB {FB} DQ Swap - 2011
It’s that time of year again - I’ve participated the last 3 years and had so much fun doing so! This year I thought I’d do a blog post just for my secret partner, to give them some ideas on my rather eclectic taste in mini Quilts!
First up is my flickr Mosaic of favourite quilts. I also have another couple earmarked in my flickr faves if you want to check them out too.
As you can see - I love all sorts of quilts. I don’t have a particular style as such and I will pretty much love anything you make for me, be it traditionally pieced, modern, applique, funky, paper pieced, whimsical. I readily admit to being a bit partial to the vintage and retro style fabrics. Though the bright and modern styles sing out to me as well as the whimsical pieces. Pretty much - anything goes. To give you some idea of the quilts I already have on my walls & this years quilt will be added to the hanging collection - though I’m not exactly sure where it will fit in just yet…
This is the main wall above my sewing machine.
Left - Quilt made By Jade (I think it's Katie jump rope fabrics - delicious!) wonky squares - something I haven't managed to master yet!
Right - Dresden plate by Kaysca, this is delightful, hand stitched quilting around the full dresden plate and the most delightful hue of pinky vintagey feel fabrics complete with a chenille centre
In the middle are my newest addition of two hotties - Top by Lottielulu (not entirely surprisingly 2 of Ingrids quilts popped up in my flickr faves above!)
On the wall of my computer desk
A fabulous Helen special - my very own wonky house quilt in bright fabrics - love it!
Hopefully this post will help you somewhat in choosing something for me. Don't be afraid - just jump in and be assured I will love it... truly, I just love, love, love squishy mail!!!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
{Sunday Snippets}
The homegrown version today!
Yesterday we woke to the wind blowing a gale, it was a beautiful day just so cold and windy. Getting some clothes off the line late in the afternoon, I noticed a branch of the mulberry tree was drooping low. I went to inspect and realised it had split off completely. There was no saving it. While Hubby sawed her off and into pieces to be taken to the dump, I collected any nearly ripe fruit.
So many branches on this one section and so many un-ripened mulberries *sob, sob* 
This is all I could collect and some are not quite ripe, so I'm crossing my fingers they will continue to ripen over the next few days. Otherwise I will just have to make do with what is left of the tree... and honestly this branch didn't even make a dent in it... we still have hundreds of berries. The girl and I were out picking them up off the ground today, staining our fingers red. Delicious!
I made a slice today. A passionfruit slice to be exact. You can find the recipe here, be sure to pop over and try it out it is truly divine & even better is when you use fruit straight off your own vine!
Moving away from the food photos... because I know how jealous you must be feeling of my green thumbs. And over to my hydrangeas. We have had a love/hate relationship this year gone past and I have only just now learnt I should have cut them back radically during the colder months. Too late now. This is a bud of flowers on the previously blue bush. It appears it has changed colour and I will need to either stick a rusted nail into the soil or have someone pee on it for me (oh I wish I had a little boy to task this too LOL)
A little camera play with my boy chasing flies (no he never catches any!) this involved me lying on the dirty tiles. Oh well. The things you do in the name of photography!
Playing with the dog. This is pre-jump. Be sure to check out my photography blog for the photo of the day - classic jumping action shot of the dog! 
Riding her bike. Around and around. Around some more.
It's been a pleasant Sunday and right now, I'm off to bake some cookies and re-organise my tupperware cupboard for the upteenth time. The joys of being a housewife!!!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Snapshots of Saturday
DH was at home today (rare for a Saturday) & it's been a lazy kind of day.
1. A little crochet... remember my promise just the other day about NOT starting anymore crochet blankets? Well it appears I can't keep promises! BUT this is using my stash of yarn only & I am all about knitting / crocheting through the stash, so it's all good right?
2. Reading... this one is for my course (well it has suggested reading more Australian Authors and this was the only book I could get my hands on at the shops) I am really enjoying reading 'real' books (well ones that don't have any vampires or fairies or warewolves LOL!)
3. Driving in hubbies car... first stop Fuel.
4. Relaxing in the back seat... yes she dressed herself today!
5. Sitting on the back deck of the boat... imaging the photo opportunities I will have once we are actually IN the passage - not long now!
6. Checking out the new bunk beds... if this bed was a bit longer, I would be definitely bags-ing it as mine! Check out those portholes!
7. Obligatory "dorothy" shoe shot... did I mention she dressed herself... yes that is purple & grey shirt, green skirt, brown & pink tights and red shoes. To be 4 again!!!
8. Driving home... approaching the bridge at Bribie.
So how was your day? I maybe back to play in the real Sunday Snippets tomorrow... we'll just see how the day pans out!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Jump around
I've spent the day - jumping from one thing to the next... It was one of those days that was all over the shop, but in a good way! I started the day with a 20min workout on the WII - Yoga (and for my first attempt, I was pretty chuffed at getting Yoga Trainer in the majority of moves with 1 or 2 Yoga Master as well :o ME!!!!) A little work for hubby an early (for me) lunch, followed by my first coffee of the day with a few chocolate biscuits watching Charmed. After resting up and getting my second wind from the coffee; I headed into my craft room where I proceeded to pop from one project to the next. I sewed some more squares for Miss K's quilt, I started to make a design board before the Hot Glue Gun DIED on me... (IF I ever finish it, I will share the link)
I then pulled out a cheap canvas I bought and started painting. Ok so don't laugh... the canvas is actually one for kids - but in my defence it does say Ages 4+ and I am well and truly old enough to do it (hee hee) it is a cute little picture of a fairy and I thought it would look cool on my daughters bedroom wall. I just forgot that I am not that good at painting - art journalling, no problem, it's supposed to be messy (which is my style) BUT this... eeek. It maybe looks as though a 4 year old may well have painted it LOL!
Anyway - it was fun and messy and just what I needed! I am not finished her yet, I hope to do that tomorrow - but my daughter thinks she is cute because "she is dressed in pink mum & I love pink!" For $4 - I figured I can't really go wrong (except for the whole 'can't paint...' issue)
Tonight I have spent some more time on the WII (this time on Fit games), spent some time writing and working on my first assignment.
THEN - I pulled the camera out and took some photos of my gorgeous boy. Why oh why, do Staffy's have to insist on a sad face :( he wasn't sad, not really... he was just trying to sleep and this was the expression mid *sigh* he is too cute!
Tonight is TV night & I may even do some more crochet! Do you have crazy Jump around days like mine? Or is it just me??
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Totally Random thoughts...
* It's time to Spring Clean, but you are realise you need to finish the massive de-clutter first. Why is it not known as Summer Cleaning???
* When MIL needs a ball of wool, you volunteer knowing you have one (or three) in your growing stash.
* Realising you HAVE TO knit and/or crochet through the tonne of wool on hand - especially if you can't bare to part with it & donate to charity
* Note to self: MUST NOT BUY MORE WOOL.
* Losing a small project of crochet that you swore was in the craft room, and knowing that if you Restart said project, it will turn up…
* Probably just after you get around to de-cluttering the craft room
* Washing the clothes and playing russian roulette with the sun and the clouds.
* Finding more wooly projects you forgot about and pulling them out to get stuck into again
* Realising that you have now started 4 (maybe 5) crochet blankets
* Note to self: That ripple crochet blanket can WAIT!
* Squishy mail in the form of backing for the new carebear quilt arrives, but you can't find the craft table to do any further work on it.
* Finding that missing crochet project and realising you hadn't done as much on it as first thought
* Hiding away in the craft room and scoffing the last donut before Miss 4 realises where you are
Bright Carebear Fabric in the mail, it suits the blocks beautifully! Would it be wrong to keep this one for ME??? LOL
Finding these crochet sample blocks (200 crochet blocks from Jan Eaton) and whipping up some more to make into a sampler blanket
How has your day been?
What I wore Wednesday - 7.09.11
In hiding {again} seriously I need to work out how to take a photograph of myself that does not require ten gallon of makeup (which I just don't bother with) to make me look less like I need another 20 hours more sleep ;)
Today was riding bikes in the park - ala casual! Unfortunately there was no thought process into my outfit at all today :(
Top - Target (several seasons ago) I'm getting bored with this top and think I will add it to the 'yard / home' shirts and look at purchasing some more.
Shorts - Denim short longs (or long shorts) again from Target & again several seasons old
Thongs - red (from target... surprise, surprise!)
Be sure to check out what the other girls are wearing today - Janelle, Mardi & Yvette
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Multiple Choice
Earlier today, I arrived home to find my husband had vacuumed the floors. I was very appreciative of this small gesture and I chose to ignore that he only did it because his folks were popping over for a coffee (& to check out out new games room) He said to me "you just need to do the mopping now" the way it works with my husbands logical mind is to complete housework first, then be free to do what I want. Logical - perhaps? Pain in the rear derriere - You betcha!
So imagine my horror (ok that's a huge over-exageration... I was maybe a wee bit shattered) to find that both mop pads were in the washing machine and I had just sprinkled powder all over them both! Whoops.
So I went to Facebook, putting a shout out to my friends on how to fix my Dilemna???
Went to do the mopping and realised both the covers are in the washing machine... what should I do???
a) make a new one for it
b) mop tomorrow
c) pretend I actually did mop & blame the dog for the dirty floors
I knew my husband would eventually read it and be shocked that the majority of my friends chose C (even those I know are really house proud!) one friend even came up with a D - Go have a glass of wine (smart girl that one ;) I also totally expected my (dear) husband to suggest using the other mop. The one that I have to push around and use some {eek, unheard of} muscle!!! Not to mention taking 3x the time than my trusted steam mop!
Of course, being a wee bit crafty (and clever) I decided to make my own mop cover - thinking it should be relatively fast, easy & perfect job.
Well I'm here to admit - this was probably not my best idea. I whipped it up in 10 mins using 2 layers of an old flat nappy & some yellow binding that I had lying around. A quick (& very dodgy) zig zag around the binding and two ties and we were ready to go.
At first it was slow as it took simply forever for the mop to generate enough steam to go through the two layers. Then it went straight through and saturated both layers PLUS the floors. We won't even mention the issue when the cover moved forward and I burnt my finger trying to re-adjust the cover LOL. Now half an hour later - my floors are sopping, the dog has walked all over them and admittedly they look about the same as they would had I chosen C (see above)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sunday snippets {in style}
Funky hairstyles!
Using up the stash, crochet style!
Reading fairy style
Playing UNO, little girl style (Aka cheating... & that was me & I still lost!!! These kids learn fast!)
Drinking coffee, brunch style (well this was yesterday)
It's been a lovely lazy style Sunday!
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