tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88476910859225438752024-03-27T18:30:34.298+11:00Playing in the AtticTrudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-76793399912619323392018-10-22T11:40:00.000+11:002018-10-22T11:40:02.878+11:00Playing in the Attic - Ballarat<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hello</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Playing in the Attic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">10.00 - 4.00 Wednesday - Saturday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">119a Sturt Street Ballarat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">0428 580 309</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Playing in the Attic is a burst of colour in the form of whimsy and quirkiness; it is a curious extraordinarium of all wondrous things, sourced locally and globally, to encourage creativity!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Playing in the Attic is situated at the entrance to the iconic Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, in the main street of Ballarat (opposite the Titanic Band Rotunda). To make sure you have the right building, look out for Minerva at the top!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope to see you soon and we can chat about</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">colour and art and journaling and lino printing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">and design and all sorts of gorgeousness!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-20187547648979317492014-09-01T14:38:00.001+10:002014-09-01T14:38:22.574+10:00Ikea Makeover<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little hello to anyone who may still be popping into Playing in the Attic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk storage. We have major storage issues in our house. We have kitchen cupboards and that's it! Over the years we've lived here, we have had to purchase six wardrobes, we've had to convert a CD cabinet into a bathroom cabinet, purchased 4 bookcases and still we have things in boxes ... you getting the idea? A shopping trip to Ikea was needed to deal with a small storage issue in my artsy/craftsy room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Drag home two very heavy Ikea boxes, get in touch with our inner flat-pack-maker and off we go. Now is it just us or do other people make mistakes at Ikea between showroom floor and warehouse aisle? The cupboard was made up, all looking good, getting excited to be able to create a bit of order, open up the second box, the box that has the doors in it, the solid doors so that the innards of the cupboard can't be seen and what do we have ... glass doors!! How did that happen? We photographed the numbers on Girl 1's mobile phone, we went to the right aisle, we saw the cupboard, saw the box for the doors .... whatever! Not entirely happy with the end result.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0Eb9NEKuGI/VAPyLeg3o2I/AAAAAAAAFqU/5zqkwJt0UdE/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0Eb9NEKuGI/VAPyLeg3o2I/AAAAAAAAFqU/5zqkwJt0UdE/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B004.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fortunately a little piece of happy inspiration occurred, and under the bed I scurried to my rolled up paper supply. Yes folks, that's what's under my bed. And as I've shared this with you, what's under yours?!!! Here you go, you didn't believe me? I have Christmas wrapping paper, posters, gift paper for special use, I have Chinese brush paintings (from a course I did years ago) etc. etc., you get the idea. Excuse the dust!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7uHEiQrH8/VAPyxk5qMnI/AAAAAAAAFqc/YVGeEtl-Bhk/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7uHEiQrH8/VAPyxk5qMnI/AAAAAAAAFqc/YVGeEtl-Bhk/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Found the Ideal Piece of Paper. This is a piece of wrapping paper purchased at one of my favourite shops in Melbourne. Il Papiro sits in the heart of Melbourne's laneways, in Degraves Street. It's a joy simply to walk in the door and take in all the beautiful stationery from Florence. Take a look, isn't it stunning?!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DksJY4-a9fA/VAPzRPMrLlI/AAAAAAAAFqk/9IIUWbTXc1I/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DksJY4-a9fA/VAPzRPMrLlI/AAAAAAAAFqk/9IIUWbTXc1I/s1600/2014%2Bunfiled%2B002.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, with brush and jar of Mod Podge at hand, off I went slapping glue happily all over the place and now I love my Ikea cupboard. Very individual. Very me. Very much hiding what's inside. And just a little bit Italian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay, now where did I put my ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ciao Bellas!! Trudy x </span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-87879325387777856162014-06-02T11:16:00.000+10:002014-06-02T11:16:55.329+10:00Instagram-itis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRwim_JVQSU/U4vKlK87cVI/AAAAAAAAFnM/gHK-lkA-GLI/s1600/Bush+Walks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRwim_JVQSU/U4vKlK87cVI/AAAAAAAAFnM/gHK-lkA-GLI/s1600/Bush+Walks.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there such a condition? Instagram-itis. Because if there is, I think I've got it!! I resisted for such a long time. I didn't need another *gadget* to play with, I didn't need another time-stealer.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that said, I was just a tad envious of the Instagram chatter I was hearing ... after all I love photography and I'm a visual kinda girl. It seems a natural progression for me : cut and paste in scrapbooks, collect beautiful images on Pinterest, share photos and be inspired by others on Instagram.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now, when I finish a book I photograph it and share it on Instagram!! And this was such a jolly fun read. If you haven't yet read it, do yourself a favour and jump right in. I think there may be a movie on the horizon too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there's been a lot of fun things happening here at Playing in the Attic to capture and share on Instagram. Loom Bands for one. Has this craze reached your shores? Apparently it's the biggest craze since Barbie, because even the boys love making them as much as the girls. We have a loom band for every occasion here!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There has been a huge chunk of time taken up by patting, cuddling, brushing, feeding, walking, playing, photographing and poop-collection of these two adorable girls who are growing before our very eyes. I just don't get other things done, because I look at them and have an overwhelming need to cuddle them!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vzPFTfvg8A/U4vL5jlGu4I/AAAAAAAAFnk/yjDEvk9knQI/s1600/Zelda+and+Iris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vzPFTfvg8A/U4vL5jlGu4I/AAAAAAAAFnk/yjDEvk9knQI/s1600/Zelda+and+Iris.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There has been a bit of catch up of the crochet-kind as we are now in Winter and there is a promise that this will be finished Very Soon. This Winter in fact. Every night (well, almost) there is another square added to the stack!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And of course there has been work, and a birthday celebration, baking and some fog. I think that pretty much sums up my life at the moment. All photographed. All Instagrammed. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CXAXIPvDb8/U4vNtSfUuGI/AAAAAAAAFn8/4bOV7lk7kM4/s1600/Zoe%2527s+Birthday+Table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CXAXIPvDb8/U4vNtSfUuGI/AAAAAAAAFn8/4bOV7lk7kM4/s1600/Zoe%2527s+Birthday+Table.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3oV5irQ1Jqw/U4vOD7Mp3DI/AAAAAAAAFoA/VFFVGzFMqDo/s1600/Zoe+and+Margot+baking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3oV5irQ1Jqw/U4vOD7Mp3DI/AAAAAAAAFoA/VFFVGzFMqDo/s1600/Zoe+and+Margot+baking.JPG" height="640" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you would like to follow me on Instagram, I am Playing in the Attic. Perhaps I'll see you there?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy your day!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Trudy </span></div>
Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-77475129934904072782014-03-19T17:08:00.001+11:002014-03-19T17:08:35.136+11:00The Book of Questions<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many moons ago I started this project, the Book of Questions, and thought you might like to take a peek at its progress. I was inspired by the work of <a href="http://www.ornamental.typepad.com/">Nina Bagley</a>, and had lots of cabinet cards tucked away from years of collecting. It always saddens me to think these beautiful photographs are no longer with their families, but I do adore them and even if I don't know the names and the stories behind them I will recreate something!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQSlcxgMr1c/UykcQ4L8t0I/AAAAAAAAFj0/_s4QvBS6Is8/s1600/Book+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQSlcxgMr1c/UykcQ4L8t0I/AAAAAAAAFj0/_s4QvBS6Is8/s1600/Book+4.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The idea was to find a question to fit each photo, and that has definitely been the fun part, because I love words so much! On the backs (where the question goes) I've applied scrapbooking paper, and with my trusty calligraphy pen and my rusty calligraphy skills, I've started writing out the questions.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y8r3nzXYj4/UykhU2Lyk0I/AAAAAAAAFk0/8pxDZ5IDk2M/s1600/Book+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y8r3nzXYj4/UykhU2Lyk0I/AAAAAAAAFk0/8pxDZ5IDk2M/s1600/Book+9.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There was a possible alternative here : Can melancholia be a symptom of tight corsets?! The next cabinet card is from Paisley, Scotland so could very well be an ancestor of mine. He's dashing enough, might claim him anyway!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A couple more, just in case you're still with me on this!! I've put the question on the photo, but it will be done like the others above, handwritten with pen and ink on the opposite side to the photo.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_AA4VcP5wE/Uykf_sUKSEI/AAAAAAAAFko/P_qOpgtfIe4/s1600/Book+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_AA4VcP5wE/Uykf_sUKSEI/AAAAAAAAFko/P_qOpgtfIe4/s1600/Book+7.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have twenty of these gorgeous cabinet cards, so you can imagine how thick The Book of Questions will be by the time it's all done. Binding is going to be a bit tricky, but I have this idea in mind, once I've got over punching the eyelets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What project are you enjoying most right now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
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<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-50849453698468434552014-03-10T17:06:00.002+11:002014-03-10T17:06:59.055+11:00Zelda and Iris<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been a family with a big puppy hole in our hearts for a long time and it was agreed that it was time to have another pooch in the house. There were lots of chats about breeds, because we couldn't imagine another white Labrador, we couldn't simply replace our adorable old girl. We talked about German Shepherds. We talked about one Labrador, one German Shepherd and suddenly it was not one dog but two! And then we thought it might be easier to have two Labradors, and maybe we <i>could </i>have a white and a black? And then the litter was born and the girls were all black, so two black girls it is!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj4XuXN7U7A/Ux1NpDS2AGI/AAAAAAAAFgo/uJGmS_65hyY/s1600/Pup+Collars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj4XuXN7U7A/Ux1NpDS2AGI/AAAAAAAAFgo/uJGmS_65hyY/s1600/Pup+Collars.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was many a long list made with names on it. There were polls, there was voting until it was finally decided that the pups would be called Zelda and Iris. We have a quirky little tradition in our home that our pups are given the names of authors. Aggie was Agatha Christie, Banjo was Banjo Patterson and soon we will have Zelda (Fitzgerald) and Iris (Murdoch). And I say soon because we don't have the puppies yet, but the Countdown Has Begun!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had to make the very big trek across the state of Victoria to go back to where Aggie came from. We know this breeder and love her dogs, and we had some choosing to do. We had a stopover in Lexton, at the Pyrennes Family Hotel.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8lOjwXeWPLI/Ux1OwuoyZEI/AAAAAAAAFgw/MJUTcAqtHFk/s1600/lexton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8lOjwXeWPLI/Ux1OwuoyZEI/AAAAAAAAFgw/MJUTcAqtHFk/s1600/lexton.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lexton is a place with a tiny population now, but where my grandfather's grandfather was born, so we had a bit of a look around the place trying to imagine what it would have been like. I love rustic, falling down places. I love to make up stories and imagine the people who may have lived there. Maybe when my great great grandfather was just a boy he walked by this house? Played with the kids who lived there? Stole apples from their trees?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xN_DDGAOANA/Ux1Pp_jHugI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Ptlx2wKSD9w/s1600/rustic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xN_DDGAOANA/Ux1Pp_jHugI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Ptlx2wKSD9w/s1600/rustic.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the puppies. So there we were, puppies all around us and a choice had to be made!! Can you imagine ... I wanted to bring them all home!! The girls chose one each. They realised this was a very important decision resting on their young shoulders, a decision not to be made lightly; much care had to be taken and many cuddles had to be had. I'm swooning just thinking about those gorgeous little balls of black loveliness. [Please remind me of that feeling when they've destroyed another tree/shrub/rubber hose and when they're chewing on the house/the furniture/my toes].</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without further ado, this is Zelda ...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDlRv3pkJok/Ux1KrlBdO2I/AAAAAAAAFgU/SmqPUqDfph4/s1600/pups+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDlRv3pkJok/Ux1KrlBdO2I/AAAAAAAAFgU/SmqPUqDfph4/s1600/pups+3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this is Iris ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And they'll be home with us soon ... b</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ut not quite soon enough! Aren't they adorable!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepare yourself for a slight onslaught of puppy photos over the next few months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a happy day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
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<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-82462653165307942572014-01-29T21:56:00.001+11:002014-01-29T21:56:47.648+11:00She<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She hadn't been making anything of the crafty type for such a long time but had mastered the art of cotton-reel balancing and felt that was a small achievement worthy of sharing.</span><br />
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<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-37102348097023796832014-01-23T16:12:00.005+11:002014-01-23T16:12:52.325+11:00Postcards from Sydney<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been Sydneysiders for a week! It was to be a relaxing break away from the routine, but turned into a mad frenzy of seeing and doing all that Sydney has to offer. We walked the coastal route from Bronte (above) to the world-famous Bondi Beach (below).</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ6VBRpuLZ8/UuCiwIH1LoI/AAAAAAAAFdc/xMMifZLgt6A/s1600/Sydney+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ6VBRpuLZ8/UuCiwIH1LoI/AAAAAAAAFdc/xMMifZLgt6A/s1600/Sydney+8.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We saw a magic show at the Opera House (my youngest is a magician-in-the-making).</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTzf8AyILW0/Ut-wmjNAjjI/AAAAAAAAFcg/ID5MRyTSR1A/s1600/Sydney+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTzf8AyILW0/Ut-wmjNAjjI/AAAAAAAAFcg/ID5MRyTSR1A/s1600/Sydney+6.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was the *first to spot the Bridge* game whenever we were on a train, bus or ferry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sydney Festival was on so we had the opportunity of going to a couple of shows, we went to the movies, markets and galleries. It was a buzz of excitement and a fabulous way to end the school holidays.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aTl6R2XR2Y/Ut-wz5NgB5I/AAAAAAAAFco/APzS8Vywszs/s1600/Sydney+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aTl6R2XR2Y/Ut-wz5NgB5I/AAAAAAAAFco/APzS8Vywszs/s1600/Sydney+3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyJlDAPX1xc/UuCd6yzFrDI/AAAAAAAAFdA/_t-fmKxxmt8/s1600/Sydney+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyJlDAPX1xc/UuCd6yzFrDI/AAAAAAAAFdA/_t-fmKxxmt8/s1600/Sydney+5.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RISItluRrhU/UuCeAKp1irI/AAAAAAAAFdI/Q1uMRMP46z4/s1600/Sydney+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RISItluRrhU/UuCeAKp1irI/AAAAAAAAFdI/Q1uMRMP46z4/s1600/Sydney+4.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHeOwvJTlgA/UuCeGzDzg7I/AAAAAAAAFdQ/qiS10RsafhQ/s1600/Sydney+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHeOwvJTlgA/UuCeGzDzg7I/AAAAAAAAFdQ/qiS10RsafhQ/s1600/Sydney+10.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is always so inspiring to travel, to soak up new surroundings, to go to galleries and marvel at the artworks, to sample different food and then it's fabulous to flop in the pool at the end of each long, tiring but enjoyable day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it's all systems *go* to prepare two girls for their school year ahead.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy your day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span></span><br />
<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-13946846700984233072014-01-22T21:57:00.000+11:002014-01-22T21:57:20.754+11:00Heralding in the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it too late to herald in the new year? I know we're into the third week of the year, but I feel like my feet haven't hit the ground since the clock ticked over into the new year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013 has been contemplated, mulled over, written about, and packaged up ready for this exciting new year to begin. I do love the very beginning of a new year. So much potential. Potential for doing things differently. To learn from the mistakes of the year that has finished, and to rejoice in the things we may have got right, making sure there is room for more of the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I've jumped in boots and all into this new year. I have so many exciting plans, small, but exciting!! Plans to connect with friends through creative projects, plans for puppies to join our family, plans for de-cluttering on a major scale (inspired by a blogger who gave away one item a day for 365 days!), plans for a visit to a yoga retreat with a buddy, plans to finish lots of projects, plans to renovate a room, plans, plans, plans ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about you? Do you have exciting plans for the year ahead? Are you already on your way with them? And I know I'm a bit late with this but I wish you a fabulous 2014!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Photos : Stained Glass Windows from our local Hall.</i></span></div>
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Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-26849806582086042612013-12-28T09:38:00.001+11:002013-12-28T09:38:19.533+11:00Happily Pinterest-ing Along<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have I mentioned to you before how much I love Pinterest? How I love collecting amazing and beautiful images? Yes I have. I know this, but sometimes things just have to be said over again. I don't have oodles and oodles of images, but the ones I do have I just adore and I can lose myself in!! Thought I might share a few recent favourites with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd like to invite you over. No need to give you an exact address. We're the last house down the unmade road, over the slight rise and then beyond the old shed with the fallen in roof. Park at the gate and walk up to the side door. Excuse the squeak (must get that seen to). Sorry there's no path, but the weather hasn't been too bad lately so there shouldn't be much mud about. You could bring your gumboots, if you like. No harm in throwing them in the back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do come inside. Oh, you've brought homemade jam? How gorgeous of you! Raspberry, my favourite. Do sit down, you must be a bit weary. Hopefully the cushions make that hard little seat a bit more comfortable. Sugar in your tea?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which cup? Do you have a preference? I rather like these little mustard flowery ones, but do choose. I think it's rather important to have just the right cup, don't you? Now, you said yes to sugar?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't feel like the long drive home I've set up the spare room for you, just in case. It has a lovely outlook. I'll just grab that basket of wool out of your way. You'd like to do some granny squares? Yes, that's fine, brilliant in fact. I'll put the jug on again and we can settle into some happy playing with wool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for visiting! Come any time. I'm always here!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo sources :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>ana-rosa.tumblr.com</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>danglingconversations.tumblr.com</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>firstyouhavetorowalittleboat.tumblr.com</i></span> </span><br />
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<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-49180253634993413332013-12-23T21:04:00.000+11:002013-12-23T21:04:16.000+11:00Vietnam<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been a little jaunt to Vietnam in recent times. A family wedding. A fun holiday. Adventures were had in this beautiful country filled with different sights and sounds and smells. We took it all in and had a fabulous time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with family, festivities and a little quiet time too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-86555807510230613622013-11-08T18:23:00.003+11:002013-11-08T18:23:48.398+11:0020 minute Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was with such purpose that I awoke to start this day. I had decided to divide my free hours into blocks of 20 minutes, three blocks an hour, between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm. In other words 18 segments of time in which to <em>get things done</em>! It wasn't going to be all work and no play ... where's the fun in that? It was to be a dizzy mix of work and play. I made a list before I began.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The above photo of my kitchen bench and window sill shows a calm, clean and tidy scene complete with a freshly baked banana loaf (thanks to Girl 1 who started baking at 6.00 am before school, one for her Uncle and one for us!) But have a look at the scene before I gave it 20 minutes of my day. A </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">drooping rose, dishes drying, bits and bobs where they shouldn't be ... a general mess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the idea is you make a list of what you want to accomplish and then intersperse these jobs with fun things like reading, playing the piano, making a birthday card, having some on-line time, whatever takes your fancy really. Spend 20 minutes with a chore/task/job, then 20 minutes of fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I feel rather reluctant to show the state of my bedside table, complete with a substantial layer of dust, another wilted flower, jewellery not put away etc, but then I couldn't show you what a mere 20 minutes from 10.00 until 10.20 changed it into!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The after photo :</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My desk was not useable. There was not a square inch in which to work on, so 11.20 - 11.40 this mess became a much calmer space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The after photo :</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you getting the idea? Are you thinking you may want to try this some time? It works a treat if you can keep it up!! And you can constantly reward yourself with something nice to do. This is the spot behind my bedroom door. It was much tidier when I had a little cabinet here but with the recent room shuffle it has found a new home and my things were packed into a box and displayed very badly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twenty minutes later, and calmness reigns again. Ah, deep breath.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuswRjutttE/UnxudCPhjsI/AAAAAAAAFYw/i-9XDufccRg/s1600/Door+4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuswRjutttE/UnxudCPhjsI/AAAAAAAAFYw/i-9XDufccRg/s640/Door+4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't really think I could keep the momentum up for six hours, that was a tall order and when the phone call came through from hubby to go and have a late lunch together, my 20 minute day came to an end. But I achieved so much, so many pockets of the house are free of clutter and tidied or washed. And I had the chance to play the piano, read a book and do some things at my lovely cleared desk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of books, after almost seven years of living in this house, we have purchased a book case and some of my books have been unpacked. It's a treasure trove of bookish memories. Just revisited Catherine Gaskin for a bit of romance and history, and now I'm re-reading "The Photograph". Sometimes it's good not to have a brilliant memory as this book is very familiar but I can't remember what happens in the end!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy Weekend,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span><br />
Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-77836837568171647952013-10-30T09:35:00.001+11:002013-10-30T09:35:44.712+11:00Self Indulgent Blog Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw-f-XXRRMA/UnA2vANTFnI/AAAAAAAAFXk/Ry4LRT9k-28/s1600/Nina+Hamnett+by+Roger+Fry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw-f-XXRRMA/UnA2vANTFnI/AAAAAAAAFXk/Ry4LRT9k-28/s640/Nina+Hamnett+by+Roger+Fry.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nina Hamnett by Roger Fry</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">breakfast in bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">handmade cards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wrapped gifts with oodles of sticky tape</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">warm blueberry muffins</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lunch out with my man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dinner with my family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a curry and a wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a candle or two</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bliss</span></div>
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Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-6577375002969781392013-10-22T16:42:00.000+11:002013-10-22T16:42:09.521+11:00Shoe Dilemma<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the bottom of my wardrobe I keep all my shoes in shoe boxes. Makes sense, right? I thought I knew what was in every box (there isn't many) but recently I needed to remind myself because we went to a wedding and I needed *shoes*.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To my horror and dismay one box was empty and three pairs of shoes no longer fit. Yes, three pairs! Do you know what happens to your feet as you get older? Have you heard? They get wider. Brilliant. That it should happen just now ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So my not-so-amazing shoe collection is *kapow* just like that, three pairs of shoes down. This is not good. And what I'm left with is work shoes, runners (which hardly see the light of day), slippers, boots, jazz shoes (I still have my jazz shoes?! from that time in my far away past when I went to jazz classes, which was at least a million years ago), my *always got a pair of red* shoes and summer Birkenstocks. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Not a dress shoe in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I confess, while I adore this type of shoe ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A part of me is mourning the loss of this particular pair of shoes ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out those heels. Heels use to be an everyday affair. Heels and short skirts and off to work I'd go!! Anyway, enough with the shoes, we went to a wedding; you wanna see the bride and groom? My gorgeous nephew and his beautiful wife.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSbjyv38sTc/UmYFL7XM3rI/AAAAAAAAFXI/YvEXDiz9qG0/s1600/Wed+3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSbjyv38sTc/UmYFL7XM3rI/AAAAAAAAFXI/YvEXDiz9qG0/s640/Wed+3a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wedding Part I - Melbourne, Part II - Hanoi, and yes, we're going!! There will be stories to tell, soon, not just yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-58841431635817647362013-10-18T10:20:00.000+11:002013-10-18T10:20:06.732+11:00The Great Room Juggle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been a juggling of rooms at No. 16. Girl 1 and Girl 2 thought it would be really, really special (in fact, awesome) to have their own bedrooms now that they are thirteen and eleven, and to decorate their rooms themselves. So off we went to make it happen. Not an easy task. Not an overnight change, but indeed weeks and weeks in the making.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a result, we now have a very green room. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmRFKPNEkio/UlcWYa_1voI/AAAAAAAAFV8/3My-xz0OVeA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmRFKPNEkio/UlcWYa_1voI/AAAAAAAAFV8/3My-xz0OVeA/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+green.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we have a very pink room. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auvLgNsHzxc/UlcWpsjFC-I/AAAAAAAAFWE/hp1lLurAL7c/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auvLgNsHzxc/UlcWpsjFC-I/AAAAAAAAFWE/hp1lLurAL7c/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+pink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To say the girls have enjoyed decorating their rooms is an understatement. They've had an absolute ball. We even had a shopping trip to Ikea during the holidays to pick up some bits and bobs to complete their rooms. The most amazing outcome has been the constant tidying and vacuuming of their rooms!!! Witness the Happy Mum doing the Happy Dance!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I've packed up my *make and do room* and gone into their old bedroom and now need to start all over again with making a room look like a creative space and not a bedroom. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was rather nice to relocate my special books.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bj1KMwi9As/UlKWD8VFIpI/AAAAAAAAFUk/0GQxFgyUQ3E/s1600/Mix+018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bj1KMwi9As/UlKWD8VFIpI/AAAAAAAAFUk/0GQxFgyUQ3E/s640/Mix+018a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To hang a special little piece of mine next to two little girls who were left behind as a reminder of whose room it once was.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEIvlpyLaB0/UlKWWRqM8LI/AAAAAAAAFUs/OBcsHQ9hMYo/s1600/Mix+005a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEIvlpyLaB0/UlKWWRqM8LI/AAAAAAAAFUs/OBcsHQ9hMYo/s640/Mix+005a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To finally hang an old school map that has lived under a bed for at least a year or more (or even more?) waiting for the perfect place to hang it. And to turn an ordinary, everyday bed into a day bed. A place to think, dream or drift off when the sun shines through the window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5DiHLKM1eg/UlKWvEXmQoI/AAAAAAAAFU0/YtV2Og1_X9A/s1600/Mix+022a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5DiHLKM1eg/UlKWvEXmQoI/AAAAAAAAFU0/YtV2Og1_X9A/s640/Mix+022a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what I still have to do is deal with all the things that don't fit anywhere yet. Yikes, I need a magic cupboard! One that looks like a normal sized cupboard on the outside but has unlimited space inside, because just look at what I'm still dealing with here. I need to de-clutter. I need to let go. I <em>need</em> to let go. I need to <em>let go!</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmRDIbiQyUs/UlKXKTsf9MI/AAAAAAAAFU8/gKM0rUzyOdw/s1600/Mix+038a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmRDIbiQyUs/UlKXKTsf9MI/AAAAAAAAFU8/gKM0rUzyOdw/s640/Mix+038a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the important things have been done. My baskets of crochet squares and unfinished blankets are looking very pretty!!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17h4o5Cd6Gg/UlKcU7xQ6lI/AAAAAAAAFVM/BJ5Ammw57zQ/s1600/Mix+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17h4o5Cd6Gg/UlKcU7xQ6lI/AAAAAAAAFVM/BJ5Ammw57zQ/s640/Mix+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inSYW0LTWVM/UlKck8fHMBI/AAAAAAAAFVU/chSLrV5Zfh4/s1600/Mix+034a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inSYW0LTWVM/UlKck8fHMBI/AAAAAAAAFVU/chSLrV5Zfh4/s640/Mix+034a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a skill to be able to focus on the tiny details and block out the major mess surrounding those tiny, perfectly ordered details!! A skill I have in very limited amount. </span><em style="font-family: Arial;">Any storage hints and tips gratefully accepted.</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have a fabulous day and a wonderful weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-6896592783721187132013-10-11T09:27:00.001+11:002013-10-11T09:27:29.970+11:00A Wee Zebra Came to Stay<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNvas0ImVx8/UlJUzxWVSyI/AAAAAAAAFT8/Q-0ERf6A3LU/s1600/Zebra+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNvas0ImVx8/UlJUzxWVSyI/AAAAAAAAFT8/Q-0ERf6A3LU/s640/Zebra+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's a piece by Sophie Digard. You've heard of her, right? Amazingly talented </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Parisian knit wear designer, and colourist who makes swoon-worthy items. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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?</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rqUeZz5Pi0/UlJVv0IJvkI/AAAAAAAAFUE/8QNRQY4SPsA/s1600/Zebra+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rqUeZz5Pi0/UlJVv0IJvkI/AAAAAAAAFUE/8QNRQY4SPsA/s640/Zebra+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">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?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PboaGTiyeGk/UlKPj2EbB4I/AAAAAAAAFUU/DVoAsULOcjM/s1600/Zebra+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PboaGTiyeGk/UlKPj2EbB4I/AAAAAAAAFUU/DVoAsULOcjM/s640/Zebra+3.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, enough already ... just wanted to share.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's making you happy today?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Zebra adopted from L'uccello during the Open Studios evening at the Nicholas Building, Melbourne.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Encouraged to come home with me by my cous', not that I needed much encouragement at all!!</i></span></div>
Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-16744780850898445542013-10-08T16:48:00.001+11:002013-10-08T16:48:56.160+11:00She<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmR3XatL9Ko/UlKdvIXexKI/AAAAAAAAFVg/RkB5OfRL6d4/s1600/She+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmR3XatL9Ko/UlKdvIXexKI/AAAAAAAAFVg/RkB5OfRL6d4/s640/She+1.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She realised that sometimes it's not about the making, it's simply about the holding.</span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-10622425824574594592013-10-07T17:07:00.001+11:002013-10-07T17:07:05.707+11:00Make a Book Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpzq-T534P0/UlFF-6JrNII/AAAAAAAAFTg/Cm8ZNC0LYvw/s1600/Workshop+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpzq-T534P0/UlFF-6JrNII/AAAAAAAAFTg/Cm8ZNC0LYvw/s640/Workshop+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love making books! It is one of my most favourite things to do. When I spied an upcoming class being advertised in a local flyer, I knew I would have to take this opportunity to learn a new way of binding and jumped in boots and all. Our teacher had travelled from Melbourne to teach eight book-loving people in a room behind the Meeniyan Art Gallery.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owGPvoANtoQ/UlFEQlqz9XI/AAAAAAAAFS4/rA9kQqZSoYo/s1600/Workshop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owGPvoANtoQ/UlFEQlqz9XI/AAAAAAAAFS4/rA9kQqZSoYo/s640/Workshop+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down went the newspaper and out came the tools of trade. We got to play with ink and paint and wood blocks and beautiful handmade paper for six hours! It was So Much Fun. Here I am with my friend Jo who came along for the fun of it all and is now hooked on printing and stamping. Looking like serious artistic groovers, I hear you say!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Dgajlxbxmo/UlFEd8Vdz7I/AAAAAAAAFTA/alOHcmfijJg/s1600/Workshop+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Dgajlxbxmo/UlFEd8Vdz7I/AAAAAAAAFTA/alOHcmfijJg/s640/Workshop+1a.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The print below was made with a shell which had been sawn in half. Beautiful. We also used all sorts of different leaves.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcpQDTQqrek/UlFErpMO4mI/AAAAAAAAFTI/CkLmh3Vcxt4/s1600/Workshop+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcpQDTQqrek/UlFErpMO4mI/AAAAAAAAFTI/CkLmh3Vcxt4/s640/Workshop+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my book. Can you guess how this print was made? It kind of looks skeletal, don't you think? And the colours worked so beautifully on my draft page that I stitched it into my book. Isn't it always the way that the print you do on the beautiful handmade paper is not quite as perfect as the one you do as a practice run?!! Anyway, this print was made with a long piece of lino which had broken egg shells glued to it. I know, who would have thought? Then I double stamped it - green and dark brown - and got that not quite lined up effect which I rather liked!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUgs6y9oWRU/UlFFEQeNGpI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/Mga_9kZ9hTY/s1600/Workshop+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUgs6y9oWRU/UlFFEQeNGpI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/Mga_9kZ9hTY/s640/Workshop+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I brought my book home I decided to use it for inspirational thoughts about travel. "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step" by Lao Tzu and "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nice thoughts.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMFEQdOkIN8/UlFFdl4Ar6I/AAAAAAAAFTY/mLx_usXWxj4/s1600/Workshop+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMFEQdOkIN8/UlFFdl4Ar6I/AAAAAAAAFTY/mLx_usXWxj4/s640/Workshop+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Svm77J-4VPk/UlFJ8JSOHpI/AAAAAAAAFTs/yH42OAASEZQ/s1600/Workshop+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Svm77J-4VPk/UlFJ8JSOHpI/AAAAAAAAFTs/yH42OAASEZQ/s640/Workshop+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfectly good fun. And a book at the end of it all. I realise I haven't even shown you the binding which is called Coptic Binding, 'nother day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you like making books? Do you have a favourite paper to use, or a favourite stamp?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a Happy Day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-44030561159193793582013-09-22T13:17:00.002+10:002013-09-22T13:17:26.695+10:00A Bunch of Daffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1xFgMpbSc8/Uj5XkTQnPYI/AAAAAAAAFSA/Hq3-NaNjMsk/s1600/Daffs+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1xFgMpbSc8/Uj5XkTQnPYI/AAAAAAAAFSA/Hq3-NaNjMsk/s640/Daffs+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you just love a bunch of Daffs? They are such happy, happy, sunny flowers. They make you want to throw open the windows and let the sun stream in.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No3YuFLjBU8/Uj5Xufi9gwI/AAAAAAAAFSk/tfsx_vyR8Hs/s1600/Daffs+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No3YuFLjBU8/Uj5Xufi9gwI/AAAAAAAAFSk/tfsx_vyR8Hs/s640/Daffs+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They make you want to lay on the soft grass looking up at the sky and look for animals and palaces in the clouds. Or pack a picnic and find the perfect shady tree to sit under. Heck, they even make you want to read poetry out loud.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4diP6duAWyM/Uj5XoHChMBI/AAAAAAAAFSI/tbrVANtl5OA/s1600/Daffs+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4diP6duAWyM/Uj5XoHChMBI/AAAAAAAAFSI/tbrVANtl5OA/s640/Daffs+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They definitely make you want to throw off your cardy and get some sun on your shoulders. And pack your boots away and get your sandals out of the far corner of the cupboard. Time for painting toe nails!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KntvtDkP1L0/Uj5Xo9A8hcI/AAAAAAAAFSM/ImWPpddYrDk/s1600/Daffs+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KntvtDkP1L0/Uj5Xo9A8hcI/AAAAAAAAFSM/ImWPpddYrDk/s640/Daffs+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daffodils are such a symbol of nice days ahead, filled with salads and strawberries, the beach and barbecues. They say "Winter is finished with for this year". Yeah!!! We made it through another cold, grey Winter and here we are on the outskirts of Summer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTcppn_d-LY/Uj5Xsl7jsRI/AAAAAAAAFSY/eVt8cd3QYD4/s1600/Daffs+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTcppn_d-LY/Uj5Xsl7jsRI/AAAAAAAAFSY/eVt8cd3QYD4/s640/Daffs+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daffodils are simply bloomin' marvellous, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye, Trudy</span><br />
<br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-51115213815167410332013-08-18T17:33:00.001+10:002013-08-18T17:33:34.313+10:00List of Random Things<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Peeps. It's been a while, sorry 'bout that. Definitely time for a bit of a catch up. I thought a list could be fun! Who can resist a good list? I love them. This one can be found at </span><a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/2013/08/taking-stock/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Me At Mikes</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> blog, if you'd like to make your own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Making</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A room for a gypsy party which required pulling bits and pieces from all over the house, but delighting in the squeal of a gaggle of gypsies as they went inside.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8o3goDdhndU/UhBYY9MaxnI/AAAAAAAAFQs/DyN4cFsQJmA/s1600/Birthdays+049a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8o3goDdhndU/UhBYY9MaxnI/AAAAAAAAFQs/DyN4cFsQJmA/s640/Birthdays+049a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooking</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmmm, tricky ... does popping a crumpet in the toaster count for cooking?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Drinking</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chai Latte in a new Kookaburra mug, given to me by my sweetheart to celebrate our meeting sixteen years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Reading</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just finished "After You'd Gone" by Maggie O'Farrell which was so terrific-a-read that I want to find another book by her, although "Wuthering Heights" is also calling. How could I have missed this one over the years? Recently found a lovely copy, illustrated by Ruben Toledo.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Katq2iYmDtY/UhBa0PPU_kI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9gVHxcaWriE/s1600/WH.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Katq2iYmDtY/UhBa0PPU_kI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9gVHxcaWriE/s640/WH.JPG" width="441" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wanting</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sky to be blue rather than fifty shades of grey. Okay, I know it's Winter but this wind, rain, sleet is Just Too Much!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Looking</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the mess that is our family room and wondering if we'll ever finish renovating this house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squash ... on the couch on a Friday night, our movie night. One couch facing the telly and four bottoms jostling for space. It's kinda fun until limbs go numb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wasting</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time. Deliberating, thinking, changing my mind, rather than just doing. Reminds me of a Nike ad ... Just Do It.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Sewing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand sewing a quilt dedicated to all the women in my family history, and loving the gentle art of making it stitch by slow stitch throughout this Winter.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OReXwWYrXIU/UhBbuc6HVWI/AAAAAAAAFRA/KiOo8osHmYU/s1600/Queen+of+Hearts+2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OReXwWYrXIU/UhBbuc6HVWI/AAAAAAAAFRA/KiOo8osHmYU/s640/Queen+of+Hearts+2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was slim enough and daring enough and young and gorgeous enough to wear a crochet skirt and look this good in it!! See it there, just peeking out from below the shirt?</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyaBCvR3fkY/UhBVGz2fsRI/AAAAAAAAFQg/OelhASds6s8/s1600/Crochet+Skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyaBCvR3fkY/UhBVGz2fsRI/AAAAAAAAFQg/OelhASds6s8/s640/Crochet+Skirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new range of macarons in our store and needing to try all the different flavours so that I can recommend them to others!! The raspberry is a current favourite, with the chocolate one very close behind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Waiting</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the electrician and the carpet layer to arrive to finish off my girl's room, then it's full steam ahead to set her up in her very own teenager room. Just think "green"!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Liking</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bright green wall in my daughter's room even though I didn't think I would.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wondering</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If a new puppy will make it a bit better. If a new puppy will fill the hole in our hearts this gorgeous girl has left us all with. So much a part of our lives for fourteen happy tail waggy years.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HY2XGZmJpTU/UhBeGm08xpI/AAAAAAAAFRM/UtZVpmWdTB8/s1600/15a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HY2XGZmJpTU/UhBeGm08xpI/AAAAAAAAFRM/UtZVpmWdTB8/s640/15a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Loving</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now having two consecutive days off in my working week, Friday followed by Saturday. Two days, what bliss!! Yippee!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.branchshop.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.25s; background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #ff3e96; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hoping</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That hanging some festive Union Jack bunting in the hallway will spur us on to make the rest of our home cheery and bright.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWISj3n2Pvs/UhBfRPfSwgI/AAAAAAAAFRU/ku5vkdYxs1o/s1600/Hall+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWISj3n2Pvs/UhBfRPfSwgI/AAAAAAAAFRU/ku5vkdYxs1o/s640/Hall+7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Marvelling</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the joy of children. Of their love of celebration and dance. Of being surrounded by friends and living in the moment. We can learn so much from children.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRidfK3jd3o/UhBg3vnMY-I/AAAAAAAAFRg/hK317pd_evo/s1600/Birthdays+088a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRidfK3jd3o/UhBg3vnMY-I/AAAAAAAAFRg/hK317pd_evo/s640/Birthdays+088a.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needing</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A date night with my man. A day off painting a room together does not count for quality time together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Smelling</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The daphne as I come through the gate. Beautiful, beautiful perfume. So sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wearing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New black suede, lace up ankle boots which have been on my wish list for at least two Winters. I think of my great grandmothers every time I pull them on and draw them tight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Following</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lives, loves and losses of my favourite characters on my favourite show "Offspring" as another series comes to an end. Did I cry? Of course I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Noticing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That any day now our blossom tree will ... well, blossom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Knowing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll never have enough time to read all the magazines I'm bringing home from the newsagent, but not being able to resist anyway, and looking at the growing piles in my room and thinking I'm basically not very bright to keep doing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thinking</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a holiday later in the year. Planning, dreaming, learning new phrases, saving hard and wishing it was sooner rather than later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Bookmarking</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recipes!! Who would have thought? But yes, I bookmark recipes to make "one day". That day may not come soon, but I'll be ready with my supply of recipes (and my spatula)!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Opening</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bills, wishing they were letters. If anyone would like to drop me a happy note in the mail that would be lovely (P.O. Box 129 Foster, 3960, Victoria, Australia)!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Giggling</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a giggler. I laugh. And sometimes I laugh until I slap my hand on my thigh, but I don't think I've giggled since I was six.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Feeling</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slightly overwhelmed by everything I do and everything I don't do, and wondering if I'll ever be able to simply relax and go with the flow.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_-r6qDkzpM/UhB3LMXorbI/AAAAAAAAFRw/f25a4iDjFOE/s1600/Hobart+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_-r6qDkzpM/UhB3LMXorbI/AAAAAAAAFRw/f25a4iDjFOE/s640/Hobart+087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for popping in to see me. I'll be back on track catching up with you all soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye for now, Trudy</span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-77861339046239995002013-06-23T13:56:00.000+10:002013-06-23T13:56:53.918+10:00Time Out<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Away from the hustle and bustle of what is our life. Time for a walk, a talk, a getting back to nature, a picnic lunch. Breathing it all in and spotting the native wildlife along the way. Here, emus and kangaroos together doing what emus and kangaroos do best.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrAAx42-dp8/UcZhqclucAI/AAAAAAAAFOs/u3RDkiUWU7s/s1600/Prom+Walk+019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrAAx42-dp8/UcZhqclucAI/AAAAAAAAFOs/u3RDkiUWU7s/s640/Prom+Walk+019a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to see how pretty this emu is up close? Look at those lashes!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tpyHFw9zrk/UcZiohnzy0I/AAAAAAAAFO4/4M7jT8IT21Q/s1600/Prom+Walk+027a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tpyHFw9zrk/UcZiohnzy0I/AAAAAAAAFO4/4M7jT8IT21Q/s640/Prom+Walk+027a.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then she was off, and in your best Aussie accent please, : "she can't fly, but I'm telling you she can run the pants off a kangaroo"!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yHUyTfhmgU/UcZjN--4h9I/AAAAAAAAFPA/R-d92VU_i-0/s1600/Prom+Walk+024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yHUyTfhmgU/UcZjN--4h9I/AAAAAAAAFPA/R-d92VU_i-0/s640/Prom+Walk+024a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiding in the underbrush, was this cute, little wombat. She didn't want to come out and say g'day and that's okay. She was very busy doing that wombat thing that wombats do.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47XyUcX3OJU/UcZj9_BNetI/AAAAAAAAFPI/IiLyIRFF4u8/s1600/Prom+Walk+069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47XyUcX3OJU/UcZj9_BNetI/AAAAAAAAFPI/IiLyIRFF4u8/s640/Prom+Walk+069a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a cheeky little wallaby, nose to the sky, ears alert and not shy in the least, posing in fact for this photo!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgpE5jqDFf0/UcZmn05KEzI/AAAAAAAAFPY/17oOdOXe8kw/s1600/Prom+Walk+034a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgpE5jqDFf0/UcZmn05KEzI/AAAAAAAAFPY/17oOdOXe8kw/s640/Prom+Walk+034a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our walk took us to this point, and this is where we sat, eyes closed, feeling the breeze on our faces, and hearing the waves roll in. Bliss. There's nothing better than re-connecting with the earth, re-energising and appreciating all that is around us. Everything tends to fall into place. Priorities are re-shuffled.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwmF_ISOYFs/UcZm831yLBI/AAAAAAAAFPg/N3WUWtZx9Us/s1600/Prom+Walk+061a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwmF_ISOYFs/UcZm831yLBI/AAAAAAAAFPg/N3WUWtZx9Us/s640/Prom+Walk+061a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And always the thought, why don't we do this more often?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope you've had some outdoor time in this glorious Winter weather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-72440521094936939482013-06-05T13:21:00.003+10:002014-06-07T09:54:09.419+10:00The Garter Stitch Scarf<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing flash. Nothing fancy. Just a simple garter stitch scarf. For my hubby. Started last Winter when I was sitting with him in the hospital. I needed something simple to focus on, so what better than row upon row of mindless knit knit knitting!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifqyfOVkGoc/Ua3ItzhFwcI/AAAAAAAAFN0/48xUjcUp8lQ/s1600/Scarf+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifqyfOVkGoc/Ua3ItzhFwcI/AAAAAAAAFN0/48xUjcUp8lQ/s640/Scarf+4.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, why has it taken so long you may ask? 1. Other projects got in the way. 2. I got a full-time job. 3. I forgot about it. 4. I got tired of those rows of knit-knit stitch. 5. My daughters wanted a blanket each. 6 I took up piano lessons. 7. I've been reading a lot and I can't read and knit at the same time (sigh... wouldn't that be brilliant?) 8. It was no longer cold, wintery and scarf-like weather and seemed silly to knit a scarf in the summertime. 9. My daughters still want a blanket each. Is nine excuses enough?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBvxUvTRVPI/Ua3I8TKvO-I/AAAAAAAAFN8/ZfwwnfR0Oa8/s1600/Scarf+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBvxUvTRVPI/Ua3I8TKvO-I/AAAAAAAAFN8/ZfwwnfR0Oa8/s640/Scarf+2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, it's finished now, and you know what I love about a finished project? The main thing is that something that has been lovingly worked is ready for use, but I also love to cross a project off my Very Long List of Unfinished Projects!! I'm now ready to re-address The List and see What-Comes-Next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I love it when Girl 2 asks very politely if she could "please have a scarf just like Daddy's but with brighter colours?" And of course I will make her one, but I did suggest that perhaps I should finish her blanket first, so that's what my evenings are now filled with, bright and cheery crochet colours. Will share some new squares with you soon!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1shpWbbH64/Ua3JeUE3yzI/AAAAAAAAFOE/F_1o-rZw_y0/s1600/Scarf+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1shpWbbH64/Ua3JeUE3yzI/AAAAAAAAFOE/F_1o-rZw_y0/s640/Scarf+5.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I aspire to the cable stitch!!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYfKBWKo1TQ/Ua3J2vlaObI/AAAAAAAAFOM/5gXx8h8Lu-Y/s1600/Scarf+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYfKBWKo1TQ/Ua3J2vlaObI/AAAAAAAAFOM/5gXx8h8Lu-Y/s640/Scarf+1.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joVPJJSLphU/Ua3KKi5r_eI/AAAAAAAAFOU/NfoA3oTSRyo/s1600/Scarf+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joVPJJSLphU/Ua3KKi5r_eI/AAAAAAAAFOU/NfoA3oTSRyo/s640/Scarf+3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never a model about when you need one!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a happy day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-41276548702475740452013-05-16T18:42:00.001+10:002013-05-16T18:42:39.250+10:00Autumn Days<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The days of May are rollicking by at a steady pace, heading straight for Winter. We're still getting beautiful blue skies, but with chilly winds that go right through to your bones there's no mistaking what month we're in. I was even seen out and about today wearing a very silly hat rather than risk getting a cold head. But I absolutely adore this time of year. Definitely my favourite. I love watching the leaves change colour and fall to the ground. And I'm getting into preparation mode for Winter, collecting acorns.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8gg8Xrd6WQ/UZSa9HsNEJI/AAAAAAAAFNk/SZV3TU6izyU/s1600/Autumn+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8gg8Xrd6WQ/UZSa9HsNEJI/AAAAAAAAFNk/SZV3TU6izyU/s640/Autumn+Collage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Desperate for some flowers in the house I went searching in the garden and was delighted to find a single magnolia and a couple of branches of crepe myrtle (slim pickin's at this house). Even so, I thought I could do something with them ... you know, plonk them in a vase with a little bit of water and a whole heap of hope for a lovely arrangement!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lk5maJkP5xg/UYo2xE5Zk6I/AAAAAAAAFL8/5l_S6LdUmZo/s1600/BeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lk5maJkP5xg/UYo2xE5Zk6I/AAAAAAAAFL8/5l_S6LdUmZo/s640/BeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And you know what? It worked. I'm loving that simple little Autumn arrangement.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2wgsWU3yxI/UYo4Ph20vKI/AAAAAAAAFMI/HYs-YWl7Hu4/s1600/BeeeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2wgsWU3yxI/UYo4Ph20vKI/AAAAAAAAFMI/HYs-YWl7Hu4/s640/BeeeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this chilly weather comes my love of working with wool, so an unfinished scarf from last year is almost done, and I'll share a picture with you soon, right after I've deleted it off my list of unfinished projects on my sidebar. And what a perfectly good time of year to finish a woolly scarf when it will get lots of use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hubby and I played truant today and went to a midday session of "Great Expectations". It always seems so decadent to go to the movies during the day when everyone else is at work!! Helena Bonham Carter was perfect as the jilted Miss Haversham. She took jilted to a whole new level. Very impressive.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mo4dvq0Xr8/UZSO2XgVhJI/AAAAAAAAFNU/wsAd8rjq8aw/s1600/BeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mo4dvq0Xr8/UZSO2XgVhJI/AAAAAAAAFNU/wsAd8rjq8aw/s640/BeFunky_Lomoart_1.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it's raining and getting dark, time to close the curtains, put some heat on and get into my snuggly-warm dressing gown and hunker down for the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you've had a happy Thursday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trudy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-58260851637416805622013-05-02T21:08:00.000+10:002013-05-02T21:08:07.305+10:00Back in the Saddle Again<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It often happens that I don't feel like crafting, or don't have the energy, or am overwhelmed by other things I need to do, or any number of other reasons and I really shouldn't fret, but I do feel a bit lost when my hands aren't busy doing something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been waiting to get all excited again by a particular project or other. Well, here I am, back in the saddle again! I decided to ignore all those pesky unfinished projects and embark on something brand, spanking new. Oh yes I did!! Just something small to get me started again. Something fun and colourful.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAcIa9GLfmU/UYD-1Zxsa2I/AAAAAAAAFLE/lmSvTN9-4V4/s1600/Bird+Stitch+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAcIa9GLfmU/UYD-1Zxsa2I/AAAAAAAAFLE/lmSvTN9-4V4/s640/Bird+Stitch+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is a gorgeous stitching kit by UK designer Nancy Nicholson which I simply Could Not Resist. I needed to have a bit of that beautiful design in my life and in our home. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G4cTR1bnZ0/UYD_E_4_AHI/AAAAAAAAFLM/BzAF0lsGYZA/s1600/Bird+Stitch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G4cTR1bnZ0/UYD_E_4_AHI/AAAAAAAAFLM/BzAF0lsGYZA/s640/Bird+Stitch+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This afternoon, after starting my day with a piano lesson and then sharing lunch with a dear friend who has a new house that needed exploring, there was a lovely half hour sitting outside in the most glorious warm sun, stitching while I waited for my girls to come home. This is what I have been missing, the gentle art of stitching, the slowing down of time, the concentration needed to put needle into fabric and pull thread through.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwBIvZVq7lo/UYD_WhtarpI/AAAAAAAAFLU/7dvoq4pGSTc/s1600/Bird+Stitch+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwBIvZVq7lo/UYD_WhtarpI/AAAAAAAAFLU/7dvoq4pGSTc/s640/Bird+Stitch+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I'm done stitching I think I'll make this into a cushion, with the bird as the central piece. I've already been flinging out pieces of fabric to find the perfect one to go with it, but of course I never seem to have just the right thing. More digging needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I love the fabric panel that came with the kit, detailing each stitch, that can be made into a little book. What a cute idea.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v53O-rXFU3k/UYEAGfkqhJI/AAAAAAAAFLk/4wfVudtgSfc/s1600/Bird+Stitch+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v53O-rXFU3k/UYEAGfkqhJI/AAAAAAAAFLk/4wfVudtgSfc/s640/Bird+Stitch+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you find time for a little stitching in the sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm off to catch up on some favourite blogs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-43948637912221152232013-04-10T21:52:00.000+10:002013-04-10T21:53:50.371+10:00She<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She knew the importance of matching accessories, but wondered if it really was necessary to have her lipstick and tiny red elephant match when she went out and about.</span><br />
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Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847691085922543875.post-2873724242942875632013-04-02T09:32:00.001+11:002013-04-02T09:32:03.668+11:00Would you?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you were told the moon was a balloon and you were the only one to see the string, would you pull it close? Would you be tempted to make friends with the man in the moon? And if you did and a small boy was standing at his window, scared because he'd had that same dream again of being chased by a tiger with a crown on it's head, through the jungle, and he saw you and he ran to his parents to tell them that he saw the moon slowly descending to earth, and they just tucked him back up in bed telling him shhhh, shhh it's just another dream, would you keep giving that string a gentle tug?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Or if you grew fairy wings would you fly up to the moon and tell the moon not to be lonely anymore because you were there and would visit often? Would you become friends with the moon and tell each other stories. Learn what it is like to be up in the night sky, and share with the moon what it is like being earthed, with daisies growing at your feet?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Beautiful cards in our store, illustrated by the very talented Lisa Falzon, which inspired a little bit of fantasy and thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope you've had a lovely Easter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don't tell anyone but I'm sitting up in bed eating chocolate!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trudy</span>Trudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333759430557550062noreply@blogger.com12