Have been asked ...

An acquaintance asked me recently if I would consider putting some of work into kit form, for others to tackle.  I've been pondering over this and just cannot work out how I would do so with my older designs as some of the items (such as the gold diamond pattern in middle) is no longer available.

So, I have promised that I would create some new 'versions' in kit form - shall be interesting to see what I come up with!  Writing instructions would have to be the largest task at hand, simple enough for individuals to understand, yet be concise. 

Also, I spend so much time in my stash playing with colours, laces, beads, trinkets, etc and normally end up procrastinating along the way, far more than I ever should.  Actually, I think I am considerably worse in my craft-work than I am/was when I was studying!  

It will be interesting to see what I come up with.... 

...time will tell!

Its been so hot....

It has been terribly hot - today Jesse got to play in his paddle pool and loved every minute of it!  Tomorrow is expected to be the same high temperatures, so another day 'indoors' enjoying the air-conditioning...

Earlier in the day, Jesse starting falling asleep in his Jolly Jumper, it was SO funny - better still, I managed to get him on the video camera, as I'd been filming him earlier.  The filming was not the best, as all I could do was laugh .... 'memories', they really are so precious!

Unpacking a Pile of Inspiration...

Last night I was curled up in the lounge ..... turned the TV off, and plucked out my 'thoughts journal', something I have not done for some time. Actually, it has been years to be honest, I just checked the date of my last entry and not quite game enough to mention that date on my blog!  

I have some wonderful ideas floating about in my head of creativity and cannot wait for them to be put into action!! I drew diagrams and points of interest, mentioned items to use, fabrics, laces, colours. Ohhh exciting, I cannot wait to start...

The above photo is the start of my unpacking, the kitchen table has been swallowed with all my treasures!  I have a feeling for a little while, we will be sharing dinner over the kitchen bench...


The below photo, is a drawer of my favourite items.  Julia gifted me the beautiful (purple) needle-case some years ago and I use it religiously and keep a variety of 'stash' in there for emergency 'fix ups' - buttons, threads, needles, scissors, and so forth.  


And... Bear gifted me the beautiful little 'purse' (red), all beautifully beaded, which normally hangs in my bedroom, though Malinki took a liking to it, so it was placed away for safe keeping...  

My 'butterfly' block pokes its head out to inspire me, I need to complete that set of blocks - I have no idea where the others are as yet, but no doubt will find them in yet another storage box. 

My table is covered with a stunning quilt, which Catherine lovingly made for my 40th birthday.  It is treasured very much, and always brings back memories of the friendship we once shared. 

...and... the heart, made by Susan, one of my many 'worldwide' swapping partners in the Chain of Hearts group, some years ago.  I created some lavender satchels out of the 100's of hearts I have.  However, I beaded the 'hanging point' on several of the hearts... then one 'said cat'  maliciously attacked this heart, and it is in need of repair. I never did pick the beads up, the vacuum cleaner did! LOL


This 'drawer' holds some of my most cherished items, but most importantly, it is the beautiful memories associated, with each and every 'piece' within the drawer - the people, the friendships, the creations made with so much love... 

"my special memories"
 

And, now I'd like to think, when time allows me time to escape the busy lifestyle of being a "Mother" again, that I will start the journey into my creative side once more....

something, I have missed so very much....

Relocation... Settling In....

It has been a huge venture moving over to Western Australia, and we are slowly settling into our new home and surroundings. Our home is in an estate of a group of 16 houses, which weave up a paved driveway.  Very hard to explain, but its lovely!

The photo above and below is the beach at the end of our driveway.  It was a beautiful stormy day when I took the photograph above, a cyclone had taken place further up the coast, and we were gifted with much needed rain!

Above is the "Water Park" for the children on the foreshore of Geraldton.  There is also a massive park next to it and each time we have been there, its been full of children!  All through this area, the children can push buttons (so many everywhere) and water will spurt out in fountains, either from the ground or other areas.  When I go next to take Jesse for a 'splash', I'll get more photos.  These ones were taken on my phone (and weather was not the best), as at the time my digital camera was missing!

And, below is a series of photographs of Jesse and Malinki who happily play together 'often'.  Last night after dinner, Jesse was playing with some paper (more like ripping it into shreds, and thus why dummy is in mouth, so he did not eat it) and Malinki joined in on the fun. Personally I find it amazing how gentle Jesse is with Malinki and vice versa. 

Malinki has a paper fetish ever since she was s small kitten.  We will throw the ball of paper and she will fetch it for hours, upon hours.  Often, she will find a receipt sitting on the bedside cupboard, and will drop it on either John's and my 'face' when we are sleeping, wanting to play!  LOL  We make sure no paper is laying around in the bedroom now!!!

I should also add, that Jesse does not have a lazy eye, his eyelid nerves on his right eye, were damaged when he was born.  In time, it will hopefully be corrected via surgery (something I am not looking forwards to).  I suppose if the world, was not so judgemental with differences, then possibly we would not put him through surgery.  However, as Jesse is growing, it is becoming apparent it will affect his eyesight.

...and to me, and his Dad, he's still perfect in every way! :-) 

I'm a Grandma...

Tyeson James arrived on the 30th of December, weighing in at 7lb 9ozs - beautiful son to my daughter Amanda.  

I'm now a proud Grandmother, and have a cute as a button Grandson!!!

A New Year Has Arrived, and stories to tell....

And, it is time, for 'me' to put some of my dreams and aspirations for 2011 into place!

This is my beautiful son, Jesse-James, taken on Christmas morning. Lots of lovely gifts, though Jesse and Ms Malinki (cat) had a lot more fun 'together' with the packaging/paper, and pinching baubles off the Christmas tree.

Jesse and Malinki have a special bond, its something I have not experienced before - where Jesse is, Malinki is never far away, if not right next to him. Malinki is often found guarding his room! She has many unusual (to me) attributes, that resemble a dog and many a time has warned John and myself of impending danger.

So, I will share 'one' of the tales of Ms Malinki 'today' as I truly think it is 'special'...

New Years Eve my partner, John was working the night shift, and as he went off to work I was outside pulling some weeds up and enjoying the cool sea breeze. Jesse was inside playing with his zoo train, enjoying all the animal noises it makes. He started to grizzle a little, so I went to go inside - the door was locked! John and his great big clumsy hands had half snibbed the door lock (as I discovered when I finally got into the house). Immediately I hit 'sheer panic' mode. Its 7pm, we live in a small estate where most people were away or out celebrating the soon to arrive new year - I didn't know a soul in the area from only moving a month ago. My phone was inside! I ran around the house checking all the doors and windows for a means of getting into the house - all locked. My heart was pounding so hard as I could hear Jesse calling for his Mum - it seriously was nearly the worst feeling I have ever felt and describing it is near impossible. I had opened the front door before going outside to the let the breeze in, though the security door was locked. I peered in through the door, talking to Jesse and trying to calm him down - Malinki yawned and stretched from her lazy perch on the couch and came over to the door to me, and I am sure she sensed my distress as she let out the most sorrowful howl. Jesse was by now quite upset, and Malinki went over to him and curled up by his side (she normally stays just out of his reach).

I ran next door to my neighbour, Ron and thank goodness he was home. When I explained what had happened, he was as concerned as I was. We grabbed a knife and headed back to the security door, looking at it and trying to work out how we would open it as neither of our hands would fit through the security pattern of metal. Ron cut the fly-wire, and tried getting the knife to push the latch across. In the end, I squeezed my hand through the security screen - took off a lot of skin, and was badly bruised and swollen. Amazing what you can do at times!

In the time we were doing this, Malinki kept trying to amuse Jesse, licking his face, moving all over him, sitting in front of him trying to entice Jesse into playing with her tail and collar and making all these soft crooning noises (which I'd never heard before). As soon as we entered back into the house, she gave a cry (of relief perhaps?) and climbed back onto 'her' chair to lazily curl up once more.

The above photo is of Malinki, taken a few months before we moved, proudly sitting in Jesse's bumbo seat.

I know Ms Malinki was caring for Jesse, as weird as it sounds, and this is not the first incident.

Hopefully sooner, than later, I will share some more stories of what takes place in my life, with my partner, my son, my Malinki and my creations...

Happy New Year to all those that stumble over my blog, may dreams, wishes, hopes, aspirations be everything you desire for 2011!