Organised Chaos

 I owe the biggest, most belated thank you to Kali of

POPPY LANE

I won a giveaway she hosted way back in, hmm.. March? Yes, I have been a BAD blogger! I am so glad she emailed me to tell me of my fortune, as I had been such a bad blogger I wasn't even reading blogs! There is one item missing from the above photo, a lovely quilted notebook folder. Which I coveted and used right away. Jessica tried sneaking off with the little pink purse (which is for her) and I made her return it until I had taken photos.. ummah that I did not do the same for myself! I will photograph it soon!! I love everything! The fabric used for the little zippered pouch and pocket tissue case is soooo sweet, and those coathangers, omg gorgeous! The little round wooden things are buttons, aren't they sweet? Knowing me I will always be "saving them for good" then in 4yrs time wonder why I never used them. I'm terrible like that. Whether I am reading blogs, or recieve a RAOK like this, one of the first things I do is "OMG!! I have that fabric!". I have no idea why, it seems so stupid. But each and everytime I catch myself doing it. The only fabric I have which Kali used above is the tiny pink and white spotted poplin. I LOVE all the corduroy she used, it's so soft. Check out her blog, she does lovely work and shares tutorials for some of it.

I don't think winter and I really get along. I feel so drained all the time. That said, I feel worse in summer! Hmm.. So I haven't really completed anything. Infact, I've spent so much time with a friend that everything at home has been very neglected. Now I am trying to spend more time at home, she is feeling neglected. Does anyone see the trend here? It's no win no matter what I do.

Jessi had her first ever fringe (bangs) cut into her hair

Jessi's new fringe makes her look a lot older. Well, she is 7 and I guess to her that is very "big girl" but wow.. My own mum didn't even recognise her for a few moments. That made Jess very sad but it highlighted how one small alteration causes such a drastic effect. Her skin's looking a bit nasty again but she's been generally very healthy. She hasn't had any serious problems with her asthma this winter!! We still run backwards and forwards to Perth far too frequently to keep a check on how the immunosuppressants are going in her system. They (currently azathioprine) have some nasty side effects which we've managed to avoid. Jess has finally caught up in school and is now reading with the top of her class. Over the last 2yrs she missed so much due to her health that I was worried she'd lag for some time but she's a determined lil thing and works hard. She likes school. Last week she tumbled, head first, off her monkeybars. Now, that was a little scary! I didn't see it happen but I ran to her when I heard her screaming and when she told me what happened I was a bit wary as she said "my legs feel weak". I took her to the hospital, they went into "neck/back damage" mode and had her in a makeshift neck cuff (small sandbags as we weren't sure what the paediatric neck cuff was made of). She was fine, she is fine. Kids fall down. A lot of people are moving away from town and she's having to say goodbye to a lot of friends. It's been quite disruptive.

We celebrated a first birthday party for Tian (Tee-arn) and my-oh-my was Jessica jealous! We spent a good 2 days with June and Tian setting up the party and Jessi misbehaved so bad! She's usually such a delightful little person. But it soon became obvious an attack of the greeneyed monsted was in hand. She hasn't had a party since she was 4, and she let us all know it!! Because we live in a small town and you're lucky if the supermarket has milk in stock, we found decorations for Tian's cake and the cake decorating activity June wanted the child guests to do, Jess and I spent hours one night at June's dining room table separating licorice allsorts and using tiny tiny cutters to cut out shapes, and I sliced fruitsticks to create little flower shapes. June also had a kids pizza topping activity, and finger painting. Look at what Jessica did to her dress! It was only a $6 opshop (thrift) dress, but it was in great condition and we both loved it. It's now a dig-in-the-dirt-to-your-lil-hearts-content-dress. Not to worry, it's only a piece of clothing and is easily replaced. She wasn't very impressed about me recording the moment!

  

Above: I am still unable to tame Blogger! Grr! Stupid photos.

A scrapbook page sitting on my desk. Nothing is glued down, I can't decide where I am going with it. Believe it or not, it's been on my desk about 3 weeks and toyed with one or twice. Blergh!

I got a nice, new book. The plan has always been to do some vege gardening. Our house is on a 1/4acre block so we have the room, but do I have the mojo? Moving right along..

Tian's actual 1st birthday present, still a pile of fabric. I have a pattern in a Handmade magazine for a teddy bear made from towelling nappies (diapers) or old towels. June had some cloth nappies that had worn thin and happily gave me a couple without questions. My friends kindly picked me up some Parisian Essence on a trip to Kalgoorlie (they found it easily in Woolworths) and I used an entire bottle to dye the nappies. I added in some vinegar then rinsed with Epsom Salts. Will see if that helps set the colour any. Tian's bday was 10th July.. the photo was taken today, 15th August.. SHHH!

Jessi took this photo of my stepfather and I putting together her cubby house? Did I ever blog about this? I don't recall. Anyways, the house is together, the frame is together. Those 2 pieces still need connecting and the slide and rockwall to be added to complete it. This was bought for xmas 09. Yes, it's now Aug 2010 and she still can't use it.. again with SHHH

So, that's kinda what I have been up to (or not) of late. I have some hyacinths from a friend in bloom which make me smile. She gave them to me the night before she moved away. I have some other bulbs in the ground that seem to be sprouting and an order in for more. I have to go away for 2 weeks at the end of the month and I am really looking forward to it. Work's been a complete and utter nightmare and as pathetic as this is to admit, I don't want to work anymore. I stick it out, but I am beginning to despise it and the more I feel that way the sicker I feel. It's not been fun. My cousins are all pregnant again. By Feb 2011 my four cousins (they all live locally so they're friends too) will have 11 kids between them ranging in age from 12 to newborn and it includes 1 set of twins. My sister and I only have the one each. She's sort of sworn off kids but I've wanted another for so long now. Jessi does too. Well, she wants a brother or a sister lol She can wait at least 15yrs before she has a child of her own!

Once more I find myself glad I didn't share this blog with a bunch of real life people/friends/family. I feel so censored all the time at facebook and such that it's nice to have this outlet.

Capes and cakes

One incomplete scrapbook page. The bottom left corner needs something, I just can't work out what! But as it's been sitting idly on my desk for a week or so now and still no bright ideas, here it is. Kaisercraft Argentella papers & pearls, stash lace and trim, shabby "melted" flower with an old odd button in its centre, franchville brads and a little white flower out of a card making kit, and some black ink (office style! lol no fancy scrapbook/paper craft inks in this household). Inspired by this layout, found on pencillines.com

I actually used that teal trim on a skirt I made Jessi. I got her to choose from 2 different blue/teal fabrics knowing I wanted to use that trim. She looks at the finish skirt, namely the trim, and says "don't you have that in a different colour?". Erm.. no! *lol* Kids!!

This is the lil cape I want to make Jessi, and the fabrics I have chosen for it. Jess loves BRIGHT! The brighter the better. She makes me cringe.. but if I want her to wear it then I can at least start with something she might enjoy. Mum says "but it wont match anything she wears". So what? She's 7.. like anything she wears matches anyhow. Unless she's in her school uniform ;) The pink paisley fabric selvage reades "Watercolor Memories by Fabri-Quilt Inc Design #9635" and I do like it a lot.. just wonder if it's tooooo much on a big project like the cape. I don't recall where or when I got the fluffy cream stuff. Probably in a remnant bin somewhere. It's so deliciously snuggly I'd rather make a pillow case out of it so I can snuggle it!! The pattern, Simplicity 5480 is dated 1973. I think the term "vintage" is well and truly over used online, so I will not call this a vintage pattern!

Here are the baby shoes mentioned in my last post. I really enjoy sewing baby booties, usually from free patterns! They're all so similar to those being sold it doesn't make sense to me to buy patterns. But I splurged a lil this last week and bought a couple, including some of the "big 3" (Simplicity, Butterick etc). The brown suede is something I picked up in a thrift store and lined with a fabric my mum gave me from an old craft group we had locally (selvage reads "Marcus Bros Textiles Inc"). I love the little creamy flowery fabric, I think it would make adorable Amy Butler Kimono style pyjamas!! I don't have her book though. Anyways, simply lined with cream flannelette.

Suede shoes pattern - Prudent Baby
though I deviated from the pattern and made them from fabric, lined and as they currently have no snaps/buttons they're also reversible (hidden seams)

Floral Kimono style booties - Homespun Threads
I didnt like these once finished. The LOOK good but were awkward to get on baby's feet. I didn't take the time to make them reversible/hide the seams

I got a package in the mail today from my dear friend LeAnna. I actually thought it was my Amazon.com order at first!! There is a Vogue Sewing book (brilliant reference material!), a Sew Beautiful magazine, Craft Style magazine, Craft Stylish Quick Stuff to make and Where Women Create. I've already read 3 of them! So many gorgeous projects.. so many more things on the "to make list".. will I ever live long enough? *lol* and LeAnna also included a yarn doily in a lovely white yarn with hints of palest pink. I must say, it has a gorgeous scent about it. Perhaps she used a fabric softener or something. As everything in my household is washed in super sensitive powders etc I probably forget the subtle scents of laundry soap.

I've done a little baking this week. I made banana muffins and a chocolate cake last weekend, and another chocolate cake tonight. The one from tonight will most likely be binned! It was a Betty Crocker "Devli's Food" cake and it's really really BLERGH! It had 3 eggs, 3/4cup water and 1/4cup vege oil.. and it bloodywell tastes like oil! It's so gross. I didn't realise it came with a packet of plastic icing (frosting). I say plastic, cos not only did it spread like plastic, look like plastic, it tastes pretty darn plasticy too! And "super moist".. erm.. NO! I will never buy Better Crocker again. Ok, so I should have made a chocolate cake from scratch. It's not like I didn't have the ingredients in the pantry... So anyways, once this one is tossed in the garbage bin I will make another Greens Chocolate Cake. Now there was a lovely, moist cake with a nice sweet yet firm icing. mmmmm!!!!!! In all reality I should NOT make cake, or sweets, or any other yummmmmy thing cos well.. with only Jessi and I in the house to eat it... ummah! But I have a real craving for cake at the moment and have barely touched chocolate or icecream or biscuits in ages.. so a lil indulgence is ok. I will just have to remember not to make anything again for a few months, minimum!

Using Jessica's camera this evening to take photos (where mine is, I have no idea..) I found a heap of pics she's taken since getting the cam for her bday in Feb. She has some outstanding pics!! If I get patient and spend some time in PS Elements and collage them, I will share with you. Blogger is horrible at photo uploads!

It's busy busy in my household right now!

For the first time in a long while I felt like making some Kelly doll clothes. All of these are my own originals, all crocheted off the top of my head at the time of picking up the hook. I love the overalls the most! The purple/white outfit I was going for a sporty outfit, maybe like a jogger or yoga or something but I don't think I quite got there. Will work on it a bit more and see what I come up with. The purple dress was just playing about and all of a sudden I had a skirt so I reattached where I started and made a top half too. Looks pretty dressy huh! Have been contemplating pattern writing as I really could use extra $$ (who couldn't!) but it's so daunting. I like to just crochet. I came across a hosting site I'd never seen before called www.esnips.com and in there I found wonderful folders full of tatting patterns. I especially like the work by Terri Dusenbury. This is 2 letters from her Butterfly Alphabet. Terri used a lot of joins in her work and as I am lazy and hate (make that despise!) sewing in ends I made both in one piece with a few extra split rings. The J is of course for Jessi and will probably be used on a scrapbook page in the not to distant future. It's made with an unknown size 20 thread and about 1.5" tall. The P is for Pauline, a lady on the tatting along thread I started at Crochetville as she liked the J so much. It's made with size 70 tatting thread and is only about 1" tall. Both are very cute!! I started to tat Jane Eborall's Large Sea Horse but realised my threads were two different sizes... oops *lol* Will go back to that one! I received the MOST AWESOME RAOK the other day (Random Act of Kindness) from some sneay fairy god-kitties at Crochetville. 17 skeins of Bernat Cottontots which I must say is sooooo lovely and soft, not to mention gorgeous colours plus a Kool Kids cottontots pattern booklet; 6pk Boye steel hooks; Scat cat Beanie Baby for Jessi; 12 pks of scrapbook stickers (too cool!!); and 33 scrapbook papers in a project protector! I am soooo overwhelmed and feel so lucky! I love so many of the papers and sat to scrap with them the other day only to decide my workspace was too untidy and I needed to do something about that first. I am looking for a knit pattern for the cottontots and goodness knows what I will make with it all. It's so nice I'de like tojust keep it to look at *lol* I also feel as though I must have made a very positive impression to someone on the 'Ville and that makes me feel very happy indeed!The above dragonfly will be my next tatting pattern if and when I write it up. I think I can make a few modifications to it before I share and writing it wont be fun! I will also modify it so there is a two wing "in flight" version and a 4 wing "specimin" version. I hope!

More of my tatted dragonflies and a heap of lil fishes. I like both! Will be great on cards or scrapbook pages etc. The grey thing is a Kodak film canister lid for size reference. The fish pattern was found online somewhere.. Can't think of where at the moment.All pics [should] be clickable.

School, Birthdays and Pressies

I have been meaning to come and write up some news for a while, I just never seem to get here to do it! A lot has been happening, and when it isn't I'm trying to recouperrate or have been busy doing other things, like crochetig Barbie clothes for Jessi as part of her birthday present. I've collaged my photos as Blogger takes ages to upload pics. Click them to see better :) Lets start at the beginning, her first day of school!

SCHOOL GIRL

On January 31st Jessi had her first day of 4yr Old Kindy. She started at 8:45am and finished at 12:30pm. She was ever so excited and I was really worried she wouldn't like school as she is very shy.

These pics are at home, right before hopping in the car to go to school. She was NOT happy with mummy as she didn't want pictures, she wanted to get to school right THEN! She refused to smile, refused to cooperate and "hmph" and "ugh" the whole time. It was cute that she just wanted to get a move on! From here we went to my cousins house to borrow her digi cam, as these were taken on my video cam which has no flash. I was so scared of not getting good pics as this is an important milestone! (btw, the wooden step under her feet.. my front step? yeah you see it right? gone now! I stepped on it maybe Thursday/Friday last week and fell through it! lucky it was the very bottom step not the higher one. dad has replaced it with some industrial ones for the time being. My comfy lil pozzy is ruined *cries*)
Once we arrived at the school Jessi was much happier to pose. But just enough for mummy to be happy as she wanted to get inside! Her daddy came and met us at the school (oh another thing that's happened, he's moved to Adelaide *woohoo*). She looks sooooo cute in her uniform!! Such a tiny girl looking so big just cos of the shirt and shorts she's wearing. Very sad for mummy. But I left and I didn't cry, she didn't cry. It was lovely!!

She happily played with puzzles as soo s we got in the door. It took her about 10mins, but she soon wandered down into the little dress ups/kitchen/home corner. I knew she would as she adores that kind of thing. When she came home that afternoon she was soooo proud to show me her art work. She'd already decided it was for nanna and NOT happy when I said she could give the following weeks work to nanna, this is mummy's! So now every Monday and Wednesday from 8:45am to 3:05pm sees Jessi at kindy and mummy kind of lost!! I wish it were the 4 half days most schools do as she is coming home so irritable. It really is a long day for little people. She loves it though and that is brilliant. I am so proud of you Jess!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!

On Sunday (Feb 18th) Jessica turned 4. I just can't believe it. You know, we've been on our own 2yrs now and we do pretty well really. It was just after her 2nd bday I separated from my 1yr domestic relationship with Andrew. Anyways... She had a nice little party in a local park with a few friends and family. It was extremely pleasant! I got her a Barbie Horse as her "big present" as well as a stack of other Barbie items like clothes, shoes, Kelly dolls etc. She loves her Barbies right now. I like that, I can handle that. If it were Bratz I'd say no. She also had a LOT of Barbie clothes I made for her, as well as her knitted scarf. I am still very proud of the scarf :D She looked very cute in a dress her daddy gave her just before he left. It once belonged to his younger sister who is about 9. I had to fix up the embellishments as some were falling off, and sew up the straps as Jess is so tiny, but overall she looked like the little anegl she is.

We got to the park about 3pm, party wasn't until 4, but Jessi was getting so impatient! The photo in the top left was the reuslt of me asking her to get a nice photo of her in her pretty dress. She layed on the picnic rug, head down and deliberately pulled her hair over her eyes and said she didn't want one. After she finally got up she was just being cheeky about it all and I only managed to snap one or two pics where she wasn't scowling. She opted for a banana cake, and gosh was it yummy! Can't have a birthday without Dora, so of course she featured on the cake! The photo in the bottom right is Jessi rubbing ice on her noze. She got bit by a mozzie and had been playing with the ice for ages. It was cute :)

RAoK's

From an FGM in Liverpool, England I got 3 wonderful sheets of scrapping stickers, a card, a magnet, a butterfly bookmark and a 1.65mm crochet hook. All are perfect :) Thank you fgm

Vicki sent us a package which was supposed to be Jessi's birthday present. Looks more like it's for me than the girl :D Cotton in size 10 and 3, 4pks snaps, a pony and lollies for Jessi, a magnetic notepad, a Mary Engelbreit magnet and some "samples" of yarns :D Thanks Vicki, we love you!

Last but by NO MEANS LEAST a really fantastic RAoK from an FGM in Oklahoma! #10 crochet cotton, Peaches and Creme cotton, massive ball of WW yarn, 2 magazines, a DAV cookbook, a Crochet Pocket Refernce, 1.65mm/#7 crochet hook, BUTTONS!, and a little handbag, playing cards and lolly for Jessa. Ooooh, and choccies and tea for me! Thank you FGM, we really love it and I have already eaten all the choccies and put the hook and some cotton to good use!

Lend A Hand

Once upon a time I was a Brownie (Jr Girl Guide) and the Brownies motto is "Lend a Hand". I am remembering something about doing good deeds for others being drummed into us too. But I really wasn't a Brownie very long. Just after myself and a small group of girls got sworn in our dear leader left us. No one ever took it over :( But keeping in the Brownie spirit, when Clare @ Crochetville sent out a request for comfortghan squares I stepped up to the plate.

I was BITTERLY disapointed that to see as an Australian, Clare had very few responses. People on Crochetville are always asking for people to make squares of one thing or another. It is quite hard on the heart to see them get more than enough squares, and someone like Clare not get many responses, let alone actual squares. Is it just cos she is in Aus? I couldn't be sure. But my opinion on the topic is yes. People are fed soooo often "international postage is a killer" so without ever enquiring they just write it off. A 6" square would cost maybe $3-5 I am sure. I doubt that even, as it would fit into a A5 envelope and be charged letter rates. Anyways, I've never made blanket squares before and decided to give it a go. Knowing my impatience at things and the hate to repeat patterns I really wasn't overly confident. The first few squares I tried were NOT working in the slightest. I was very worried I would have to tell Clare I was unable to fulfill my offer. That would have saddened me further. But I did it!! I found a pattern that took my interest and got to it.

This is a great pattern. Thank goodness she posted so many photos as the written instructions weren't very clear. After the firt square was made I didn't need to look at the instructions further. I completely surprised myself by completing 8 squares!! I would have done more but I decided what little yarn is left should be sent with the squares so Clare can "finish" them as per the pattern if she chooses. I didn't do the final round to give her the option of not doing it at all, or doing it in her bordering colour to tie it all together. But if I throw in the yarn she has some options. I can't find a needle to sew in the ends..

The squares were made with blue 8ply and the purple a boucle type yarn, both were given to me and are unlablled. I used a 4.5mm hook and each square takes me not very long at all. Maybe 30mins? Hard to judge as I tend to crochet and chat/watch tv etc all at once.

this is the pattern http://undisthreadness.blogspot.com/
found using http://www.myhq.com/public/c/r/crochetpoet/