Rag rug action

Aren't blog archives interesting...I knew I hadn't made much progress on my rag rug for awhile...I flicked back to have a bit of a look (which is where those labels, which I haven't really ever got into the habit of using, would come in really handy)- anyway I was surprised to see that this picture is ummm, rather similar to the one below, taken tonight...oops (while it may not be obvious to the naked eye, there has been a little more plaiting action happen!). I was also surprised to see that I wrote the post nearly a year ago- 28th January 2011. Like I said, oops!

What would move 'one' forward on a project that has been met with such apathy? Why, solidarity, of course.


So there I am, reading Jodie's news the other day when I see a lovely picture at the bottom of her blog post, a rag rug- those fond 'rag rug love' feelings make me smile and think of my own poor neglected pile of raggy braids...before I know it, Jodie has declared not only is she making one, but she's discovered heaps of others are keen too and all of a sudden I've been caught up in the whirlwind of a 'rag rug along'. 


Actually, that's not strictly true- my response has been far from whirl wind like, but I tell you, some of these other rag ruggers, well, they get things done. There is talk of techniques, methods, ripping or cutting, ironing or folding (which may be where I realised sometimes instructions might be useful). Not just talk either-action (eg, this one involves a crochet hook, and this one, an amazing needle). Having seen these and the progress that's been made, I think that my naive idea of making a big plait and sewing it together may not be the wisest, strongest, easiest, most effective method. I will have to reconsider my rag rug options!


I am looking forward to see lots of rag rugs. So far mine has got a fair bit of white in it, which is an old sheet, the green is a dress of my grandma's (at least, I think that's where it came from). I really quite like the 'Little House on the Prairie'-ness of it all.


It's still school holidays here for another week and abit and we have been enjoying some pretty nice family times, including the odd board game..or twenty!
I tell you what, this was the best 50 cents I have spent in awhile- thank you op shop- "The Game of Life" (I may have been the happiest to find this because it's one of those- 'oh, I really wanted that when I was a kid' games, involving abit of nostalgia!). 

I did make a comment during the game that it's actually not that much like my life, and I don't necessarily agree with the title- there are no squares saying 'your peach tree is loaded and the fruit are going to rot if you don't stop and pick them- miss a turn", or "you have got up early and fed the pigs, move forward 2 spaces". And then, within a few quick spins, I had had twin girls, followed by another baby girl, which made me think, oh, well, it does bear some vague resemblance to at least bits of some peoples lives!


If you are super observant (or have amazing eyes) you might notice the dvd I borrowed from the library- that was inspired by Lara (it's North and South, I also borrowed Pride and Prejudice). 
Can you guess where I was sitting? See that hooking action on 'screen right', yep, still enamoured with learning to crochet.

She's got it, yeah baby, she's got it!

If you are over the age of...what? say, 37 (?), you might be busting out some neat Bananarama moves after reading that title...well, join me as I dance around celebrating the fact that, however late I might be, I am finally coming to the granny square party. There are a few technical issues to sort out (namely starting a new row, changing colour & reading instructions) but that's neither here nor there...at least I am finally on the right track. Now, I was warned that it might be addictive...so see ya later...that hook is whispering my name Sent from Yahoo!7 Mail on Android

Project 5 and some little sewing

This little dress was started at Sewjourn, which feels like AGES age, it was finished shortly after but I haven't blogged about it because I wanted to wait till I met the recipient (Isabel), and gave it to her (well, her mother, really) before I blogged about it. Isobel flew over the Pacific for a few weeks in December, I met her briefly and had a cuddle- she's very lovely (I meant to ask her mum if I can put a photo of her up here, but haven't yet- I will edit this to add one once I have spoken to Nat).

I really enjoyed choosing the fabric for this little Oliver and S "Ice Cream Social Dress". When I was in America, I stayed with Natasha for a few days and she took me to Mood in New York (now there's a store to be awe struck and overwhelmed by, it was pretty amazing). Nat likes fabric. I know she likes orange, and I wanted to include some of me in it- so it was the apples in tangerine, and in green -funny that you can have apples in tangerine and lime, really, huh. How appropriate that the fabric range it comes from is called 'Farmers Market' (designed by Sandi Henderson). 
I asked Nat's sister, Amy what colours Nat likes and she said something like 'vintagey type hues'- or that's what I took it as. So the floral and the pocket fabric completed the fabric choosing- and I forget what range either of those are from.
The other thing I made for little Izzy is project 5 from the Tanya and Nicole project- I didn't take a photo of it- oops. but Nikki did, it's over here. Nikki was generous with her interfacing knowledge- and it was SO GOOD to see her get her hands onto it and fold, bend, squash etc to see how the different interfacings responded (cause I like that inexact, it depends how it feels kind of style).  That was where I first made up a bit of a swatch pack for my different interfacings...and a new appreciation took hold (yep, I want to be the interfacing apprentice!).
So, there's a few older sewing projects...crafting with the girls on Saturday night so hopefully I will get something done and remember that sewing is my hobby and I love it...me and sewing have both been on holidays at this house- and not together!
I am back to work tomorrow, I have had such a nice break, relaxed, restorative. Ahhhh. 


Crochet update: thanks to those of you who pointed me towards the left handed crochet tutes on youtube- I was listening to one and my girl said- "Are you actually watching that video about how to crochet?", "Yep", she said "but you already know how to crochet" (she's seen my chain stitch- bless her!), I said "kind of, but I don't actually know alot, there's alot to learn" and she replied "you don't need to know everything, you know"

The little engine that could...

For those familiar with "The Little Engine that could", that certainly was one positive thinking engine, wasn't it? In the spirit of that little engine, here is todays crochet installment. Unfortunately no pattern was (able to be!) followed so I am not quite sure what this is...I just did everything in multiples of 3. 6 chain stitches, made a loop, 3 more chain stitches, went through the loop and did 3 of something else...then repeated that! One day I'll get to a granny square (I think I can, I think I can).

Progress?

I am really not sure if this can be called crochet, or crochet progress at all, but I took a photo because I have done something other than chain stitch today! Just what I have done, I'm not quite sure...are any of you proficient crocheters left handed by any chance...or are the 'success' odds stacked against me? On a totally randomly note, our neighbours are cooking a bbq and the most amazing smells are wafting over our fence. Sent from Yahoo!7 Mail on Android

the arrangement

We are lucky enough to live close by to great friends who are biodynamic dairy farmers. We have 'an arrangement', we swap our produce for their milk.
Sometimes the 'vegie box' is more abundant than others, sometimes it includes honey or jam and occasionally a cake or some bread. I feel really grateful to have such excellent quality milk, I do appreciate it. Mr. Apple has worked in the cowshed a reasonable amount, although not for a while, after his first few milkings he commented on how content and settled the cows seemed, really calm compared to other dairys he'd worked in. Our farmer friend is a pretty calm bloke, so the cows probably pick up his 'vibe'.

It's blackberry season here, I did a bit of jamming before Christmas but need to crank out the preserving pan again, we've put quite a few blackberries in the freezer- they'll be turned into cakes and muffins during the year.

We are spending our days kicking around home, hanging out- by ourselves and with friends, it's really nice. It was cooler this week so I baked bread and slow cooked lamb shanks for dinner (pretending it was Winter!). No craft has been done- I don't think I can count the ongoing 'mastery' of 'chain stitch' in my crochet...or complete failure to progress from there. I will be inspired by Lissanne though, because she 'got it' today...maybe I will get it...one day!

List review

In 2011, for the first time, I wrote a list. A list of things I would aspire to do/ be during the year. I really liked my list. I didn't print it out. I should have- it would have made it more of a 'working/ inspiring document' that it was- having said that- it was interesting to re read and see just how many of these I got done, and/ or still aspire to. I am going to right another list for 2012. Until then, let me 'check off' this one...

1. look into peoples eyes when I am talking to them- not in a creepy way, just give my attention -generally, I think, yes I did/ do this and want to continue
2. go outside more often - this one I needed written on my wall! I did go outside more, mostly for walks, I would like be go outside just to hang and out 'be'...
3. put things back where they belong after I have finished with them (hmm, be tidier)- hmm, depends who you ask I think. I actually tried to get rid of stuff so I had less to actually put away! Overall, I still aspire to this, and (sigh), it's a work in progress... 
4. finish my sentences (I tend to drift off, forgetting that there is a listener involved who can't necessarily read my thoughts) I think I am getting heaps better at this- slowing the thoughts down, and not assuming prior knowledge to the goings on in my head. But if I ever don't finish a sentence on you- please prompt me!
5. swim in the ocean. Swim anywhere, actually, but the ocean is always great. yep, I still love this- I swam in the ocean today actually. Brilliant.
6. walk 10km all in one go   gee, I forgot I wrote that- what was I thinking? Funny thing is, I did do this. My friend Cheryl and I participated in the Tat200 10km walk event. It was really fun., Cheryl made sure we kept the pace up! Aside from that, I also did two other walking 'events' with Karen. When I say 'with' what I mean is she was doing the 8km running events and because she's lovely, she hung around and waited for me and cheered me in as I did the 8km walking events (this time last year I don't think I even knew these events existed!). I am going to more of these kinds of things this year.
7. ride the Beechworth- Bright rail trail with our friends. tick. And it was fantastic and I would do it all over again, and hope we do
8. read a book every month (at least), and stretch myself in my choices of book -nah, I didn't do much reading last year. I still like reading and will aim for a book a month again!
9. make an effort to spend time with my friends - I don't think I spent enough time with friends this year. I was surprised when my crafty friend Carolyn said the other day that the reason we don't do more craft together is because I am the one who is always busy. She was surprised that I was surprised! I did get a weekend away with friends at Sewjourn which was pretty lovely. We didn't see as much of our family friends as we have in other years- but really, June- September were a bit of a write-off because the fruit trees were nuts this year! I have to work out balance here...
10. practice being in the present- be mindful- no need to drift off work in progress- next step- multi task less and have less tabs open on my computer screen at once
11. do something creative everyday fail. and when I am creative, I remember how much it grounds me and I need it. Still on the list!
12. make yoghurt instead of buying it nope, forgot it was on the list. Don't think I eat as much yoghurt as I used to!
13. write (and don't forget to post) letters regularly yes- although there was still a decent amount that didn't get posted.
14. have more hand made Christmas decorations than store bought forgot it was on the list, although, we probably did, it was thanks to the school age children, not their mother!
15. play with my children yep, but I am much better at this in the holidays. I didn't know I could be such a 'control freak' and need to have 'everything' sorted out before I could just stop and play. Carcassonne is a bit of a favourite. I definitely want to play more.
16. cook with my children ...about that 'control freak' thing. I did abit of cooking with the children, but not anything really to note.
17. listen to music- always enjoy it when I do, just forget to put it on yes, I bought myself a little ipod nano in July- Happy Birthday me- so I listen on that, mostly.
18. smile and laugh- a lot probably not as much as I would have liked, I had some fun and happy times but overall 2011 was a hard one that I was happy to see the back off.
19. take more photos (see number 3. give the camera a home so I can always find it!) yes, well, ahem, the camera hasn't even come on holidays with us this time (is this where I admit that I couldn't find it as we were packing!) My phone has a camera on it, though, so I do have some holiday photos
20. write a tutorial for my blog gee, I wonder what I thought I was going to write a tutorial about. I am open to suggestions!
21. make some collages one, the 9 year old and I each did one during a crafty session one day
22. make mosaic steps for my garden yes, thanks for reminding me, list, they actually haven't been properly placed yet
23. start a hexagon quilt I started and finished a hexagon quilt- but that wasn't what I was referring too. I have started a hand pieced hexagon quilt, and I worked on it tonight actually. On my mums spare bed, she has two quilts- a hexagon one she did and a hexagon quilt my grandma made, I must take a photo to show you. I want to add my hexagon quilt to that pile!
24. finish a rag rug the rag rug is still in the unfinished projects pile, I still like it, but haven't worked on it for a while
25. exercise at least three times a week probably, overall I have. One of the 'most admirable' (!) exercise things I did (in my opinion) was do pilates once a week for the second half of the year- that's a big commitment for me!
26. go to bed earlier and get up earlier I need this one printed somewhere I will see it- it's 11.41pm as I type and the young boy will, no doubt wake up just after 6am and I will here him getting his breakfast and be annoyed a) that I am a light sleeper and b) that I went to bed so late.
27. own less books at the end of the year than at the start of the year yep. I my love affair with my library was reignited, when I realised I could basically order any book in from almost any library in Victoria and have it sent to my local- all over the internet with no fee attached. I have some recent Burda magazines to pick up when I get home, actually, yey! I have hardly bought any books, and I have dispatched quite a few, with more to go
28. use fresh herbs in my cooking I think I did do this more- but generally with the trusty hardy perenials like sage, thyme, rosemary, chives and less coriander and basil (because I was crap at watering them)
29. eat seasonally from the garden and don't whinge about having a hankering for broccoli or asparagus when it's not time! sort of, we've had some amazing fruit, as well as great garlic, spuds, asparagus and a few other things, but I think our garden was abit less abundant this year. The garderner may dispute this!
30. grow tulips great idea. Forgot it was on the list, I want to grow tuips this year!
31. sew some clothing for me gee, really- I was thinking this last January? I have progressed to patterns and fabric stage (wrap dress) and made some basic trackies for me
32. keep a 'thoughts to get back to' note book. And get back to them. HA- as if! That would get very full very quickly- surely the good ideas won't need to be written down 'to get back to'(?)
33. spend less time on the computer... yes, (this may be disputed)- but not by choice- we had dodgy probs with Telstra for several months interupting my computer usage. What I really need is 'wiser' use of my computer time.
34. attend the newly initiated 'first Sunday book club' with Mr. Apple (it's only us two!) fizzled- we got through one book, I think it just didn't become a habit- still aspired to though
35. Generally make time for, prioritise and nurture my close relationships I'd still like to do much better at this
36. drink more water I'd still like to do much better at this too!
37. do regular stretching or yoga Abovementioned pilates counts.
38. chuck stuff that I do not love or use out yes, and there's more to be chucked
39. keep a journal spasmodically successful
40. take the children to the snow bummer- forgot about this- surely in 2012 we can make it to the snow
41. go camping yes- for a couple of days post rail trail bike ride. And we have even been talking 'tent purchase' as a Christmas present (late, I realise that)
42. spend some time in silence each day no, but again, I think I need to, to collect myself each day.
43. eat when I am hungry, stop when I am full not always, but more frequently. Overall I would say that my 'eating behaviour' is alot better that it has been, I am eating breakfast most days (that's new for me), probably eating smaller portions and less food overall, without being 'obsessive'. I have lost a decent amount of weight in 2011...and still have a decent amount of weight to lose!
44. be generous that's a funny one to comment on myself- I am sure I can always be more generous
45. contribute to my community I could do more. I did my forth year on our School council and second year as President, which I will be very happily handing over in March!
46. be brave work in progress, that bravery thing, but I think I have been pretty damn brave at times this year

Well, what a lot of words, and no photos!

I think it was worthwhile doing a list, despite lack of ongoing reference to it! It's interesting to reread (I wonder why making yoghurt got in my 'top 46'!)...I will ponder this years list and get something down- otherwise, before I know it, it will be December.

'Gone fishin'

Literally. I got abit exhausted at the end of the year, realised I wasn't going to finish everything a couple of days before Christmas, so stopped trying. Now we're at the beach, hanging out together. Nice! Sent from Yahoo!7 Mail on Android

the joy and the struggle

Hmmm, the Christmas season. 
I love the preparation for Christmas. I (generally) love baking, making and thinking of people I love as I think of gifts for them. 
I don't love trying to think of presents when I am uninspired... the "I'm only getting you this because I am expected to get you a present" present. I don't love creating handmade things and gifting them to unappreciative people who think I have taken the 'cheap' option by 'doing the homemade thing'. 


For anyone who doesn't know- many crafters don't necessarily craft for thrift now- my mum always made our clothes because it was cheaper (and I assume, for personal satisfaction!)- that isn't true these days. If I make myself a shirt, say, it will cost more that I could pick one up at a chainstore or op shop for, for sure. The pattern, the fabric, the time, the energy...it's not about thrift (it can be and that's pretty fun too)- it's about creativity and my spirit, as I have said here before.


I digress. What I don't love, is when gift has turned to expectation. Joy and celebration turns to stress and busy-ness. Thoughtfulness has turned to obligation. 
We don't get junk mail but I do see the piles that arrive at my work at this time of year- it's nuts. Really. And when did gifts for children get so massively out of proportion? In my opinion. I don't intend to judge other peoples practice, just expose the tension in my mind.
I could go on, this churns me up abit, but I wont.


I don't love so many people encouraging consumerism in my children- I don't like 'what do you want for Christmas?' but I dislike 'what are you getting for Christmas' even more. I have an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. If you have hung around here abit you may realise we live relatively simply. 


I don't want to drown my children in stuff (there bedrooms get messy enough as it is!). But I also don't want them to feel like they are (and we are) total freaks because they haven't got their own laptop, iphone, ipod touch, playstation, tv in their room... whatever. There's plenty of time for those things, isn't there? 


Sigh, I really struggle with this. I read an article about a bloke who is a professional 'declutterer'- or something like that- he said children's rooms are interesting, it's often the parents who want to hang on to the toys but as he encouraged them to get rid of some of the stuff in the kids bedrooms every single time he would witness a child come in to their clearer room and dance!


I don't really want to teach my children to value their possessions above their relationships, but I have never heard some random stranger ask 'who are you going to spend time with this Christmas'.  I also want to demonstrate generosity and thoughtfulness to my children; my discomfort with all the 'stuff' isn't just about the huge drain on financial resources (although- I don't think there's any need to go into further debt over your kids Christmas presents, just quietly!) I hope they see and value the time I spend making jam and understand that that is part of the gift.


At 9 and 11 I reckon my children are now at a more 'peer influenced' age, so how do we parent so they are not excluded from there peers whilst upholding our values and what we think is important. I don't know what gifts our children will be getting from us for Christmas. Our family present from the 'in law' side of the family is a family ticket to Puffing Billy. Great present, we are going to have our 'big day out' in January probably.


I find the comparisons hard too. What are your kids getting? What did you get? My kids get home grown fruit and vegies, parents who hang out with them a decent amount, meals around the table, family games...I can't wrap any of that and put it under a tree but they are some of the things we have decided are important. 


Another article I read recently was by a Palliative Care nurse who said that many peoples dying 'regrets' are remarkably similar- they wish they had spend time with their friends more, maintained a bit of silliness (!), gone  abit slower... and the one that challenges me- had the courage to live according to their convictions- be who they are- rather than live according to how they thought other people expected them to live.


What a big rant, I didn't intend to rave on, there's alot banging around up in my head today and no other adults around- so I chose to 'chat' to you!


I'd be really happy to have a conversation about this stuff- does anyone else on the planet find the excess difficult? Wonder how to 'do' balance? Or do you all love the Christmas spend up? Am I just over thinking it all? 

Pud

Christmas baking has commenced. I made over 50 of these for the volunteers at my work, boiled fruit cake made in muffin pans decorated to look like a pudding... not my usual kind of baking but they were well received. I also made gluten free mince pies, the filling was good (apparently, I don't eat the stuff) but I need to work on my gf sweet pastry. I have more to bake and sew before Christmas...I need to start a list! Sent from Yahoo!7 Mail on Android

Dotty

I have been really excited about my toiletry bag. I haven't wanted to show you because it was a present- but it's been given now, so it's show and tell time!

Of course it's my next project from "You Sew Girl" for my Tanya and Nicole Challenge.

I wish you could feel it- it's 'crisp', not crunchy or stiff, or flimsy but suitably substantial...guess what...that would be the interfacing, I may be at risk of becoming a bit of an interfacing nerd! But I think it really does give it a wonderful finish. 
Lots of people who I have showed it off to have picked it up and felt it and commented about how smart it felt (I didn't bore them with too much about interfacing!). 
I found the pattern easy to understand and I am less daunted by zips than I used to be (the method of putting this one makes it accessible for anyone who can sew a straight line). I was thankful my machine doesn't tend to mind a bit of bulk at times and I found sewing the binding on was not problematic, but I am familiar with binding from my quilting- not that I have all those angles and turns when quilting. I machine sewed  both sides, and while I wasn't 100% happy with some bits I was happy to acknowledge that the 'overall effect' is what counts and don't think the dodgy bits were too noticeable- this is something that will improve with practice and I will get some more practice because I have three more on the go. Surprisingly both my children have put their orders in for one which was rather flattering- they are generally not overly forthcoming with praise or affection for some of my crafty projects!

Don't you love it when you have a gift that you reckon the giftee is going to love. These are some things I photographed while at her house on the weekend- see where I got my colour inspiration?

Making

Mondays and Wednesdays are my usual 'work outside the home'days. It can mean that I get over excited about Tuesday and try and cram too many things in. I will initially think, ahh, Tuesday, I can take it easy abit, and then, I will start 'taking it easy' and that will lead to me creating a massive list in my head about all the things I want to do.

Take today for example, today is the first day we have a pretty decent crop of apricots to pick- so I think- 'great idea, I'll make jam'. The apricots are now picked (not by me, I probably should mention, in the interests of full disclosure!). They are now waiting to be washed, cut up and made into jam.

And then I remember that the fruit I have soaking in (3 different types of) grog is ready to mince and go on to the next step of my fruit mince tarts for Christmas. So I have made the pastry and minced the fruit...and walked outside and realised it's really hot (and look up the forecast and it's going to be 36 degrees). So that's as much of that as I am going to do today because I am NOT putting my oven on in this weather.

The natural thought progression then moves onto hot weather, inside, creative pursuits and I think, yep, today I will make progress on my list of things to make before Christmas. That might involve; a library bag, 3 more toiletry bags, 3 nighties,, and a few other things. There has been action in the sewing room, not of which I am ready to show because they are all presents and I forget which relatives read or know about my blog and don't want to pre-empt the gift giving. 
What I can show you though, is the 'was going to be a gift' dress, I saw the intended recipient on the weekend and I think it will be too small. This is the second Oliver and S 'Ice Cream Social' dress I have made.
I vaguely remember a few years ago there was an ice cream dress bloggy sew along, well, not out of character for me I am a late comer to this pattern. I really enjoyed sewing it, it was the first Oliver and S pattern I have made and I have just bought two more I liked it so much.
I liked that I understood what it was  telling me to do (sometimes took a few reads, or me to clarify it with my sewing 'help desk', but, for example once Karen cleverly advised me that I was looking at the wrong page and a good trick she finds is to follow the instructions in order!). When I had to match up notches, there they were, in the right spot.

I enjoyed the detail of the 'v' on the pocket, not too tricky at all (amazing what following instructions can do for you!). I hadn't done that before. 

These are not my preferred choice of fabrics and colours, but that's okay, because I wont be wearing it. I did it with the intended recipient in mind she likes butterflies, pink, yellow, girly, pretty things. I do find it much easier to sew with fabric I love though, colours I love. I mean, this was okay but wasn't my favourite.


On that note, I might go and get on with all the days 'making'...I possibly should include- make the dinner, make the clothes clean and dry and folded, make the place abit more presentable generally- but I don't find that making half as much fun!