Enough of this laziness!

I'm surprised Shell isn't yelling at me again to update my blog! I've been so lazy of late I know. It's about to change! Well.. there's a new post today anyway lol. I make no promises... I find myself spending more and more time offline now ;)

Holiday RAOK'sÿ
Vicki - Washington state
Shell - New South Wales
Texas Elf
UK Christmas Angel
Wisconsin Elf

This was more than I ever, ever imagined when completing the wishlist! I am astounded at people's generosity and kindess. It is such a humbling feeling to open the letterbox and find a package with my name on it. Someone took the time to think of me? That same someone then decided I was worthy of gifting? And best of all, the only anonymous RAOK is from the dear elf in WI. The other 4 I am now friends with. How awesome is that! Now.. for piccies!

From Vicki we got 4 separate lots of mail! The first was many items for Jessi, some crochet cotton and a pattern book for me, 2 dresses for Jessi. The second a Christmas card for me, then a parcel for me containing a gorgeous pink shawl which I am yet to photograph as well as chocolates, candy corn, and a calendar. Last but by no means least a Santa Letter to Jessi which she just adores!

Many weeks ago Shell sent Jessi and I Christmas presents. These weren't at all associated with the Crochetville RAOK, she sent them because she wanted to. The tatting book is something I linked her while chatting one day. I forgot the auction, she didn't! She bought it for me!! The Christmas card with Forever Friends on the front was surprising as I love them a lot, and she didn't know that. I was so very glad she included one of her 4ply cotton doilies. She is always making them and talking about them, now I am lucky enough to own one! Stickers for Jessi and I and then 2 Shirley Barber fairies puzzles for Jess. I love Shirly Barber fairies too! Shell knows me so well..

Today we got a small RAOK package from an Elf in Texas. She thought Jessi would like the "make your own" journal, and she is very right! As soon as Jessi comes home from our nannas I will sit down and craft with her. I love the little calendars, they're so cute! She also asked to be penpals. Yet another new friend thanks to Crochetville!! I love that place! Thank you elf in Texas (she has asked to remain anonymous, please respect that).

Now... above you see a very large collage of a LOT of items! These all came from one very special friend in the UK. She knows I really enjoy tatting and emailing one day she asked me what kind of shuttles I had and what I liked. If I was a selfish person I would have then realised she was asking the appropriate questions to gift me. The truth of the matter is it never crossed my mind! Even as I opened the envelope I was still clueless as to what it contained. Fighting the sticky tape holding the lid on the tin closed I was wondering what secrets lie inside. As the lid came off and I gently set it aside I was agape! Not only was I in disbelief how many items fit in such a small tin, but the items that lay in wait... FIVE shuttles. 5! And the two wooden ones are Gergia Seitz!! I had seen them online many, many times. Never did I think 'I' would have one, let alone 2!! The Boye plastic shuttle was so unusual to me that I studied it quite lengthely. I have a couple of the small plastic clover hooks. Until Now they've been my favourite. I've already started using the Boye metal hook and I must say I LOVE IT! It has a very nice weight, slim line. It's just wonderful! The little hooks are perfect for the joins. The one with the amethyst handle is to link to your pinky, ready to use as needed. The wooden fan-like item is a picot guage. It is intended to make your picots more uniform in size. I am having some trouble grasping its use! I needed/wanted embroidery scissors and made myself NOT buy them a few months ago, so these are perfect! And lastly, the blue 'thread' shown with the scissors is a little floss thingy I have seen used to help tuck your ends in neatly. Tatting is so small that the ends can pose a real problem. I know I have seen this floss in use somewhere online, so I will have to look it up and practice. There was also a crocheted snowflake for Jessi!

To the right you can see a small piece of tatting I have started. The pattern you see is in the book gifted by Shell, the shuttle from UK Christmas Angel and the cotton from a lovely lady at Crochetville whom I purchased it from. 'REAL' tatting cotton! I normally use crochet cotton. Tatting cotton is so much finer and it doesn't appear to separate or twist so much. A real Crochetville piece of art! *lol*

Thank you ladies for the smiles you have given me this Christmas! It's made a very bleak looking Christmas so much happier. All of you ladies deserve the best life has to offer, and I wish you and all my friends and family a fabulous 2007. Best wishes now and always. Oh, I almost forgot, the WI elf sent us a xmas card and a crocheted snowflake.

Shell n Jessi xxx

More silly questions!

I just copy pasted this from my Yahoo360 blog (private) since I can't craft I will inundate you with pointless info!! *evil cackle* I stole this one from Lucy at the Great Bookmark Exchange. This entry is dated 28th August 06! And the pic is the pic I had with it at Yahoo. Why change it! Cute pic too huh!! Nothing like me of course! hehe Very sad blogger doesn't have smilies. All my yahoo smilies just made the piece! hmph! Things in square parenthesises [] are added today

I have been blog browsing on blogspot cos I have joined a crochet forum and it seems everyone uses that particular blogger. Any how, came across this, thought it would fill in some time. enjoy...
1. FIRST NAME? Michelle
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, my mom's best friend and my paternal great-grandmother
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Hmm.. friday night
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I used to, but I use 'puters too much now so it's all skritchy-skretchy
5. YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? None of that processed ucky stuff (chicken pieces if I must answer)
6. KIDS? Just my Miss Jess
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Ah huh
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? This blog is the closest thing to it
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No, not a great deal
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I'd like to say I'm open to the suggestion.. but no, I don't think I could
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Crispix
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nah.. I don't even unbuckle my sandals
14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Banana
15. DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE A STRONG PERSON? I did, once upon a time
16. SHOE SIZE? 10-11
17. RED OR PINK? Pink
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My teeth (soon to be a thing of the past ) [now 100% a thing of the past!!!!!]
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My 2 best friends cos they live so far away (I've been lucky enough not to loose anyone too close. Just elderly friends and family. Yes I missed them but I appreciate what time I had with them more)
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Is always interesting, so if you're bored...
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING NOW? Chocolate Brown
22 YOU COULD BE 18 AGAIN WOULD YOU? Nah..
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Some guy who came in off the street needing assistance speaking to Department for Community Development (cos mum works for them and she is away and someone suggested he come here and see if I knew where she is. She isn't here so sucker me called the Kalgoorlie office for him)
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Metallic Blue
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Jasmine flowers in bloom
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED ON THE PHONE? My sister
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their smile
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON THAT SENT THIS TO YOU? Well.. I pinched it but she seems like a pretty cool gal from her blog [yeah Lucy!!! hoorah!]
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Iced Tea, Iced Coffee (Masters only) and Coca-cola
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Netball
31. EYE COLOR? Green/Blue (depending on the light and who is looking at them)
32. HAT SIZE? Hat..?? Yeah right! I haven't worn a hat since primary school
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nah, but am considering them
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Good ole home cooked roast
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATER? Over the Hedge (mum and I took Jessi while in Perth, her first time at a cinema)
36. SCARY MOVIE OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Ending
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Brown prints
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
39. HUGS OR KISSES? HUGS!
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Custard and banana
41. WHO WILL MOST LIKELY RESPOND? n/a
42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? n/a
43. WHAT BOOKS are you READING NOW? Ash: A secret history (yes.. still. haven't been reading much at all) [yes still... lol]
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't got one
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? CSI and CSI Miami
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Spring (daytime: birds etc, evenings: crickets, frogs etc)
47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Who? (*lol* ok so the only song I can think of is Yellow Submarine but I don't think that would be a very objective answer)
48. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Adelaide
49. WHAT IS YOU PRESENT OCCUPATION? Store Manager/Mother/Volunteer [no longer a store manager]
50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Norseman, West Aus
51. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Flogged it hehe

More pointless questions!

Stole this from Vicki's blog. I dunno why I enjoy answering all these silly questions, but I do! Here goes..

RED
1. Closest red thing to you: perle cotton #5 (Coats Pelicano)
2. Last thing to make you angry: Jessica's daddy
3. Do you have a temper: ooh yeah
4. Are you a fan of romance: not the stories, but real life stuff I am all for!

ORANGE
1. Closest orange thing to you: a tissue box
2. Do you like to burn things: is this a trick question? *looks around cautiously*
3. Dress up for Halloween: Aussies don't do Halloween
4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person: usually? always!
5. Do you have anything against redheaded people: nope!!
6. Are you usually full of energy: no

YELLOW
1.Closest yellow thing: empty Calippo icey pole package
2. The happiest time[s] of your life: everything since my daughter came along, spending time with Kazza
3. Favorite holiday: Christmas
4. Are you a coward: depends
5. Do you burn or tan: burn then tan

GREEN
1. Closest green thing to you?: Aunt Lydias Caress Microfibre
2. Do you care about the environment: yeah
3. Are you jealous of anyone right now: probably
4. Are you a lucky person: I have a good life compared to many, I should feel lucky
5. Do you always want what you cant have: not always
6. Do you like being outdoors: yep
7. Are you Irish: I'm pretty sure my maternal grandfather was

BLUE
1. Closest blue thing to you: Jessie's halter dress/top I've been working on
2. Are you good at calming people down: usually
3. Do you like the sea: I do like it, but couldn't live there. always good for a holiday
4. What was the last thing that made you cry: the thought of losing Jessi
5. Are you a logical thinker: yup
6. Can you sleep easily: no

PURPLE
1. Last purple thing you saw: Jessi. she was wearing all purple and even managed to find a purple wand in her dress ups!
2. Like being treated to expensive things: it has its moments
3. Do you like mysterious things: no, i dont like secrets!
4. Favorite type of chocolate: Red Tulip easter egg choccies!
5. Ever met anyone in royalty: my Jessi sure thinks she's a princess, does that count? lol
6. Are you creative: yeah

PINK
1. Closest pink thing to you: my bra (lol, well it's true! my t-shirt if you prefer)
2. Do you like sweet things: yes and no. i find some things too sweet
3. Like play-fighting: not really
4. Are you sensitive: yes, and it can be a very easy weakness for others to find
5. Do you like music: yes

WHITE
1. Closest white thing to you: my skirt
2. Would you say you are innocent: me? umm.. *quick look around* of course I am!
3. Good at keeping the peace: I do my best
4. Do you like to play in the snow: *cries* never even seen snow!
5. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist: nope

BLACK
1. Closest black thing to you: a straw
2. Ever enjoy hurting people: NO!
3. Are you sophisticated or silly: neither really
4. Would you like to go to space: I dont think I would
5. Do you have a lot of secrets: not with my friends and family
6. What is your favorite color: pastels (pink, blue, purple mainly)
7. Does the color you wear affect your mood: no, but my mood affects the colour I wear

Nothing to Post

Yes, been rather quiet around here. I hurt my hand!! On the weekend I was out and I went to grab one of those waist height rounded door knobs on an inward swinging door, and some kids shoved it hard from the other side right at that moment. YEOUCH! It really hurt and I fought back tears so hard in front of those smug lil brats who were stifling laughs between asking "are you ok?". Gotta love 14-16yr olds. Not!

I sat back down and a while later got a glass full of ice and rubbed the ice over it. My pants were soaked where the ice was melting then dripping all over the place!! The next morning I could hardly move my thumb. It's getting better now but it still hurts to hold a pen and crochet is out of the question. Even typing has it's limits. It is soooo frustrating, being so close to christmas. I need to get some things made and finished etc etc. UGH! Oh well. Better stop typing before I only make it worse. Hopefully can update with something achieved soon! I am so annoyed right now.