A Wee Zebra Came to Stay

Yes it did.  Look at her.  Isn't she just gorgeous?  It was love at first sight for me.  And I think the feeling might be mutual, I'm not sure.  She's very shy, doesn't say much, and likes hanging out with me ... what can I say?  Perfect match really!! 

It's a piece by Sophie Digard.  You've heard of her, right?  Amazingly talented Parisian knit wear designer, and colourist who makes swoon-worthy items.  I almost hyper-ventilate when I see any of her creations.  Her colours are simply stunning.  Her work is amazing.  And actually, truth beknown, I just want to eat it all up.  So to think I could invite this wee zebra to hang out with me, how could I not?  My-oh-my I couldn't walk away from her, and that's how she came to stay at our house.  Do you need a closer look at those teeny tiny crochet stitches and beautiful colours?

Of course that band of velvet teal right next to the mustard won me over in a second.  My favourist, bestest colours of all time!!  One more peek?

Okay, enough already ... just wanted to share.

What's making you happy today?

Trudy

Zebra adopted from L'uccello during the Open Studios evening at the Nicholas Building, Melbourne.

Encouraged to come home with me by my cous', not that I needed much encouragement at all!!

Teeny Tiny Flowers

Before you know it, Easter is going to be upon us, so I'm attempting to be just a little bit organised with a spot of Easter decorating in the form of a garland.  No standing on the dais shouting out that I've finished, that I'm in the lead, no no because this is the very beginning of a very small project.  But a Very Small Project is definitely all I can manage just at the moment.

So I gathered around me a collection of Easter coloured wool and found the easiest of patterns to make a wee small flower.  I soon had the attention of my ten year old girl who offered to help and we were on our way.

I'm thinking this will be soft and floaty, maybe with a little gingham bow tied on every here and there, but we'll see as it goes along.  As I said, the very beginning, but I did want to share with you my crochet love of these teeny tiny flowers.  Maybe you would like to make a crochet garland too?

Have a lovely day.
Trudy

Giddy with Excitement

I absolutely love how a change of routine can make you giddy with excitement for something that once happened so frequently it was taken for granted, and that is a day to oneself to do with exactly as one pleases!!

I went to bed last night going over all the options in my head for what today would hold.  I knew I wanted a home day, no driving in the car, and I simply was not entertaining any thoughts of being in touch with my inner Domestic Goddess.  No way!  The house, I thought, was relatively clean and tidy, the washing of clothes was pretty much up to the minute, so all those thoughts were pushed aside.  This was going to be a guilt-free day!  A day for taking it easy.  And who better to learn from than this one.

Girls up, washed, dressed, fed and out the door by 8.30 with a "Have a fabulous day.  Love you!"  And then seven whole hours stretched out ahead of me, to play with, to fill exactly how I pleased.  What to do first?  Get dressed, or lounge around in my pyjamas all day?  Be completely decadent and watch a movie, read a book, flip through magazine pages.  Crochet, knit, cut fabric, quilt, take photos, sort through family history?  I'd love it if you came over and we could have a cup of tea and do a spot of crafting together.

The bed was made because I didn't want the temptation of sneaking back there, then after doing time on the computer catching up on some lovely blog visiting, and some serious family history catching-up, crochet on the couch with my pooch and an episode or two of "Offspring" finally won out.  No guilt.

And now I feel refreshed and ready to go again.  Sometimes we just need a bit of time to do something or nothing or whatever takes our fancy.  It certainly worked wonders for this little black duck!!

Thanks for popping in.
Trudy

Tea and Woolly Pursuits

How wonderful the blogging community is.  It is such a pleasure to meet lovely people through blogging, and one in particular is the gorgeous Alison from Hill & Vale.  Alison makes her own blend of Chai Tea and offered to send me a sample after I had left her a very silly comment on her blog!  When her package arrived I thought perhaps she had something a bit mixed up because look at the size of this parcel ... enough tea to quench the thirst of a hall full of CWA ladies!  Beautifully presented in a vintage linen tea towel with a map of Australia and some rather grizzly Aussie animals, and a card of instructions to help me blend the perfect cup of tea.

I was wrong because look what was within the wrapping of linen, a beautifully mismatched china tea cup and saucer!  How lucky am I?  What a surprise!  Lovely china makes a cup of tea taste Even Better.

Thank you so much Alison!  Your gift was a delight and your tea is absolutely delicious!   Lovely to have a quiet cuppa in amongst the shenanigans of school holiday activities.  And I haven't forgotten you, I am on the lookout for a lovely return surprise to have arrive in your letterbox ... soon!

And woolly pursuits you ask?  Yes, more squares have been added into the mix, and the number is growing.  They get laid out on the bed and admired far too often ... if only I applied myself a little more to their actual making!

Girl 2 is very excited by the progress, but keeps mentioning the need for more pink!  So more pink there will be, after all it will be her very own snuggly blanket for her very own [pink] room.

Wishing you a happy day/weekend/week.
Trudy

Reverb 12 Ends

A little crochet update to end the year, and the last of Kat's Reverb 12 questions.  I'm having so much fun with this new blanket and even though the colours are not what I usually work with, they are a refreshing and fun change.  Girl 2 loves the colours, but does keep slipping in other brighter colours and I keep the balance with cream!  This could be dazzling by the time it's finished.

What daunted me and how am I going to overcome those fears in 2013?
I think one of my greatest fears is that I'm not going to get done everything I hope to get done, and the only way to overcome this is to get in and do it and do it now!  In a nutshell.

What word did you select to be your travelling companion in 2012?
I've never selected a word to accompany a year, even though I do rather like the idea of it.  I think I've been daunted by a single word influencing my entire year, or not choosing the right word, so I've thought about selecting a word a month (or a little longer if needs be).  So a list of words is required.  How I love a bit of list making!  45 words later, I'm bamboozled as to which word I should choose to start me off for the year ... adventure, achieve, balance, expand, notice, stretch, sparkle, wonder.  All fabulous words that sing to me.  Will sit quietly and choose one.  Are you going to choose a word as your travelling companion in 2013?

What can you celebrate now about you?
I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend.  I am creative, and find inspiration at every turn.  I have had moments when I have sparkled and shined, and others that have been bleak, but the combination of all these moments have brought me to who I am now.  I celebrate all that I have done and welcome what is still to be achieved [and secretly applaud that I can even write this paragraph and send it out into the world].

Where are you now?
I am at the very end of a busy, eventful year and I love sorting it all through and packaging it up to reflect on, but right now I'm too exciting about all the new and wonderful possibilities that are in store for this new year coming.  I have already booked in for yoga and piano lessons.  I will be taking a new role within our family business that is exciting.  My eldest daughter is starting secondary school, youngest in Grade 5.  Oh, and I will be feeling fabulous due to all those walks I'll be taking!!!

 

Wishing you a wonderful last day of 2012.

Trudy

Crochet and Questions

What was the most important thing you learned in 2012?
I learned that life is fragile.  And although I probably knew this deep down already, this lesson was given to me once again, up close and way too personal.  Things can be taken away from us so easily so, without living in fear of this happening, we should acknowledge all that we have and be grateful and sing and dance more.

What tingled your tastebuds?
It really doesn't take much to tingle my tastebuds.  I'm such a sweet-tooth, so you name it, Sticky Date Pudding, Lemon Meringue Pie, Pear Tart.  Uh-oh, I'm feeling a dessert coming on ...

Who inspired you?
I am constantly inspired by people and places, by words and images, but the sun and the rain.  I'm inspired by the blogs I follow, by my friends, my partner, my family, my children.  I can be aimlessly wandering through a day and happen upon a picture, phrase, feeling and it can have me sketching or writing a poem or painting my toenails.  I love being inspired to do, to play, to have a go.  So, in answer to the question, not one person, but constant inspiration.  Inspiration is a favourite of mine.  To be inspired.  To feel inspired.  To act upon some found inspiration.  To hopefully inspire others.

How did you make a difference?
I pondered this question.  It was tossed around and around in my head, and I didn't come up with an answer, so I threw this question to my family.    Girl 2 said immediately "You made us happy".  Hubby said "You pulled me through".  And Girl 1, like me, shrugged.  Of course, it got me thinking that I should have made a difference.  What could I have done to make a difference ... to my life, to my family, to my friends?  I'll throw that question over to you.

What colour best represents the year you had in 2012?
I'm not a negative person, so it's never going to be black or a dark and gloomy colour.  There is always light and positivity so I'm thinking my year was blues and greens and pinks.  And if I wanted to invite a particular colour into my life it would be yellow and by that I don't mean paint the walls or to wear yellow (because that has never worked for me!), but to find more of a lightness.

How did you nourish yourself?
I'm a bit of a *soak in the bath* person.  I like to light a candle or two, pour something nice into the water, block out the day-to-day life stuff and breathe deeply.  I also did a weekly yoga class for half of the year and I've already booked in for next year.  I read a lot which is a lovely nourishing activity.  For the coming year I know that I must move more!  I think daily walks will be my aim.  You can see I'm not totally committed to this idea yet, even using the word "think", but hey, it's a start!

What was lost and what was found?
Time was lost.  Time when I didn't focus well enough and time slipped away.  Time which was wasted on television or too much internet hopping, or dithering.  So, although I can't find more time in 2013, I aim to find more focussed use of my time.  I want every moment to be filled with family and friends and creativity and peacefulness (oh, and daily walks!)

As you can see from my photos in this post, I've started a new blanket of squares!  Thanks so much for all your comments on my last post.  I read all your words of encouragement and that was all I needed to begin.  A few more colours have been added to the mix, because Girl 2 thought it needed a few more bright colours.  More pinks.  And purple.  And yellow!!  It will be a blanket of 72 squares for her bed.  And a few different patterns.  Lots of fun.

Trudy

But I Want To ...

I want to start something new.  I'm loving the Mixed Stitch Stripey Blanket, don't get me wrong, but I'm making such slow progress that I need something new.  Like that word, *need*?!

Look, it's growing, it definitely is, no doubt about it.  I sit and do a couple of rows and then I get excited and race into the bedroom, lay it out on the bed thinking surely I'm half way by now, but no, still only one third of the way.  Oh dear!

So you understand my dilemma ... I want to finish this blanket AND I want the thrill of choosing new colours and patterns, and mixing this colour with that.  I want to play and I want to make some squares.  And I'm being teased by these beauties, found on Pinterest.

Original source unknown.

Original source unknown.

 

Found on the blog, Babajezas Wundertute. Have a look here.

Aren't they scrumptious?  So, you're with me on this one, aren't you? You're going to support my *need* to start something new.  You're not going to mention that little tally I have going of unfinished projects are you?  You're not going to ask where November's finished project is, or December's?!!  Because look at the colours my little one wants me to use, for her bed in her new room.

What better time to start something new when there is so much to do I can't think straight!
Trudy

On the Craft Front

It's a lazy, sunny Saturday afternoon here.  Girl 1 is out working, Girl 2 has headphones on listening to her music, hubby is tackling a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of a town in Europe and I've been doing a little bit of crochet in the front garden.

Thought it was time we had an update on the craft front.  Mixed stitch stripey blanket coming along swimmingly.  Next stitch up is a repeat of the Chevron Stripe (the zig-zaggy one) which I'm going to do in mustard and deep teal.

One photo just doesn't seem enough, does it?!  Here's a couple more.  I'm thinking I'm about a quarter of the way through this blanket now.

And on the hexagon-front?  Another one finished, so now only 17 to go, and I've chosen the fabric for the next one and it's all cut out ready for the papery bit, so onwards and upwards.  Roses from the garden.  They're bloomin' gorgeous at the moment.

Wishing you a happy weekend.
Trudy

Crochet and Piano Playing

The day unfolded just as was hoped.  And just as it should every now and again.  There was a very relaxed start, time for a cuppa in bed with a book to finish, and later in the day a new one to start.  There was hours spent in pyjamas, and there was time left completely alone.

There was a lot of time spent jostling for a seat at the piano.  Lots of fun playing duets together, learning new tunes, playing them as fast as possible, or going over and over notes until they were just right.  We all played and it was nice to get to know our new-old piano.

 

And there has been some particular learning and practising of a very important tune, that will undoubtedly get a little bit of air-play next week!

 

 

And there was time for crochet.  I'm into the third row of the four-row pattern of the Catherine Wheel and I'm very happy to report there has been no undoing of rows.  Yeah!!  Time for a bit of a happy dance!  It's lovely watching as the colours and stitches start playing together.

How did you spend your Saturday?
Trudy

A Crafty Post

As promised, because deep down I think you like the crafty posts the best.  On my craft table at the moment there are three projects (I've hidden all the others, out of sight, out of mind ... it doesn't take much!!) so I can give these my focussed attention, and there has been a little bit of progress on each of them.  Not much, but a bit!

Firstly, here is a sneak peak at this month's project that I'd aiming to finish.  I don't want to give too much away, not just yet, but it's hand stitching which I love to do.  It's nice to be able to transport a project easily and sit quietly wherever you are, adding to it, tiny stitch by tiny stitch.

A bit of progress on hubby's scarf.  Hard to get too excited about this as we're into Spring and it's getting warmer every day.  I know it won't get used until next Winter now, so that's probably when it will get finished, hopefully just prior to the cold weather setting in.

And the reason the knitting is not progressing speedily is that I've been weilding the crochet hook.  Again two steps forward, one step back, and that's because I leap ahead thinking I know what I'm doing only to find that I actually don't.  It was starting to get that unwanted wavy look again.  Of course, I kept going because I thought it would all be okay, but then I thought I should do a stitch count (what a good idea, Trudy!) and found I had so many more stitches than I should have ... yikes!!  I then see my problem back four rows (oh yes, I'm always slow to pick up a mistake!!)  Instead of crocheting two stitches together, I did two stitches ... bloomin' well side by side.  What a ninny!!!!!

Anyway, I'm back on track with it and stop myself every time I daydream about this project becoming a scarf rather than a blanket.  But it would make a very snuggly scarf, don't you think?  And right now it's the perfect width.  Better get going on the next rows before I start wrapping it around my neck and heading out the door!

Rather like the look of a re-wound ball of wool.  Good really, because I'm seeing a few of those at the moment!

Seeya tomorrow in Blogtoberfest-land!
Enjoy your day, Trudy