I've moved

I'm not happy with Blogger, so I've moved. Everything can now be found at ...


http://sewscrapmuse.wordpress.com/

see you there!

Progress

Arezzo with dress converted to blue

Stitching has taken a back seat this week. Training plus my birthday on Monday, cadets and plantingTuesday, more training Wednesday and walking last night has meant today is my only stitching time. Lots of reading tho!

We have nearly finished the retaining wall (just the capping for extra seating) hence the planting - now have Liriope Silver Dragon (from Dianes as the chain stores don't carry and wouldn't order) lining both sides of the driveway and Carex varieties lining where the path meets the retaining wall. And a beautiful Boysenberry Brulee to train up the post that the shade sails will connect to http://www.edible.co.nz/fruits.php?fruitid=51 It sounds odd when reading the description and parentage, but also yummy.

Next garden project (as we will be waiting on the soil delivery so can't buy or plant the remaining fruit trees I want) is a pallet wall garden for the herbs and strawberrys that will be fixed to the brick wall between the ranch slider and lounge window. Did discover that the local Palmers (Glen Eden) is closing this weekend but their specials match the day-to-day pricing at Rogers. That means the only "local" places are Kings or Dianes in the back of Henderson Valley. Dianes is great for local knowledge - I can ask anything and don't feel stupid at all!

Liriope Silver Dragon

mature Carex Cormans Green - mine are tiny!

This weekend I am looking at migrating the blog to WordPress as Blogger is really annoying me - but will post the link.

and posted from Bloggeroid

Saturday's game day

Si and the kids doing their cheer. Love under six grade.

posted from Bloggeroid

Two more sleeps

to Dawn Service!

Tonight we went to the War Memorial Museum to watch the restored film. It's becoming a bit of a tradition, but you have to be in quick as its only shown for a few nights.

This year's shows some of the WWI soldiers marching in desert & field conditions, socialising, and being transported to war. Hearing them joke and knowing how few came home? Chills.

posted from Bloggeroid

Movie World

there are bits and pieces of Movie World that we loved, and bits we all hated (going backwards on the Wild, Wild West ride, the very loud Asians pushing at every queue). The boys highlight wasn't meeting Batman (picture) but watching the driving show. Very clever, very loud, very slick.

posted from Bloggeroid

Stitching

2014 saw the start of a big creativity phase. So far, I've...

• started and completed Teresa Wentzler's Stretch (her dragon logo) and a little Christmas ornament is ready to finish as a hanging ornament. 

Stretch

• I also added some beads to Misty, one of the TW Rocking Horses. I think she's ready to frame now.

  

  detail from Misty

• attended an embroidery class with Zeb, a new friend (who I'm sure will get me in lots of trouble and laughs in years to come). I'm fairly confident with about ten stitches now.

My StitchSmith owl. Yet to be completed. Cause I'm lazy.

• started and completed Nora Corbett's Santa's Sleigh AND AM TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH IT, so much so that I have acquired six of her reindeer patterns.  

  

  The Sleigh, nearly completed (some beading was still to be done at this point)

• started Nora Corbett's Arezzo, setting the bar high in making this my first colour conversion (hate the dress colour and the lilac roses, and have made the leaves darker) and my first "over 1", meaning over the one thread not the usual two. Squintville, here I come. Not sure if this is truly an NC or a Mirabilia design, but it's pretty and delicate.

Nora Corbett's Arezzo

I've also stitched quite a few Christmas ornaments (starting early, but there is a lot of downtime while you're waiting at league training and for reports to run) and made a cushion cover from a Pintrest image. Check out my NYC envelope cushion! 

birthday wishes

so I'm nearly 40. Si has been asking for ideas, Louise asks if I want a party. I really don't know but this is my current short list...

1. time alone! To nap, to read, to stitch, to wander the beach.
2. Mirabilia's Stargazer chart and beads. That's here: http://www.123stitch.com/item/Mirabilia-Designs-Stargazer-The-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/06-1285 I have the perfect fabric already.
   
3. another trip to Sea World - I could spend several hours at that lagoon. My own fish tank can't quite compare. Yet. I do have a shark! 
   
   
   
4. patience to finish Arezzo. Over 1 might not have been the best choice but now I do know the technique and limitations for when I need to do over 1 on a larger design. 
5. another Sheltie. I promised Si I wouldn't buy one. I never promised I wouldn't accept one! This is Robbie, adopted from a puppy mill by one of the FIL's friends. He's gorgeous. 

so it's been a while

Until very recently, I've been using Facebook a lot. An awful lot. It keeps me in touch with 99% of my family & friends, it enables me (look, a book! must add that to my TBR pile) and makes me laugh. I can look back on photos and know what we were doing (altho I haven't done much in the albums lately) BUT...

sometimes it isn't as good as journaling can be. Sometimes I just need to write and write and write...

and as Dad and Mum don't use facebook, they aren't in the loop like they should be. HI MUM! HI DAD!

2013 was pretty good to us. Sold one house, moved to the MILs for a while, then brought our new house. Fast - listed Sat morning, we viewed Sun afternoon, we brought Sunday afternoon. We've brought looking at the long term - ok school zones, lots of new buildings (pushing up the price already), close to public transport, close to the MIL and our daughter. We have managed to kill one of the two plants (possibly one for each of the house's birthdays?) but have gained back enough room for the massive trampoline down one end of the property and about the same at the front, just by filling in the drops where soil was dug out and moving the fences to the berm. I love how Si is so clever engineering wise. It will take a lot to move the new fence & retaining walls. I'm looking forward to selecting the fruit trees - proper plants, not just my roses and herbs!

2014 hasn't been so bad either. I'm on a contract with a well established company, the creative juices are flowing, we've squeezed in a family holiday, spent time with friends, and the house is reflective of who we are (and yes, Bran's room could rival a pigsty). All three boys are now playing league (Si & I are coaching Mase's team, which apart from a few unrealistic parents is great fun) and all are doing well at kindy/school. Mase is about to start 4 days a week at kindy, in prep for school - the "lasts" are starting to catch up. Si is now road cycling to make up for the fact he can't run (that achilles/plantar fascialitis is hell) and I enjoy walking with Zac. He's great company. Louise has started her own baking/catering company with a girlfriend and YUM they are already getting word of mouth jobs. 

Anyway, the next posts will be more specific. And hopefully frequent.

Picture: Mase after "helping" Louise with her fabulous chocolate cake 22 April 2014 - a preview of his pirate birthday later this year?

Happy Birthday Bran!

My eldest boy is now officially a teen. He's not yet out of the super hero phase & helped me with his cupcakes. Nom nom!

All is well in the world again...

After three days soaking in napisan and being re-stuffed, Mummy Tiggr can finally be reunited with her Mason. He is very happy with me. Bless!

Flooring

I can't say that I recommend this type of flooring, but it looks awesome once completed. Next time I'm going to chose something that inter-locks easy! And bonus, the mother-in-law is so happy with it. So this is my "create" for the week.

More destruction

Mase had a fantastic time today helping smash down the gib board. I guess all little boys have this somewhere in their genes.

Oooof

Today was a creative void, apart from imagining the changes I would make to the house we viewed. Part one would be getting rid of the carpet - it looks like the Jolly Green Giant sneezed. A lot.

Photo inspiration:

Cleaning Up

Some time ago, the laundry plumbing at the MIL's gave up the ghost. We found out when the wall between the laundry & toilet blew up-the skirting board looks awful.

So the plumber has been, and some twit has given her a quote to fix that is so far out it's not funny. Simon's solution is that we clear out everything so we can get a clear view. Hence the 7.5 cubic bin on the front lawn. It is amazing how big that space is. If we had the money I'd re-design the space and have a butler's pantry.

The sprinkling of rain is very welcome - it is hot work in this weather. I'm looking forward to the cricket tonight & some relaxing.

What the?!

Its nearly 2013. I haven't used this blog as I've been using Facebook to keep the creativity going. Clearly a fail, and I know a little too much about some people!

So I've already selected my word for next year. Create. On a budget, too. That will be impressive, no? It is a very good thing I've discovered Pinterest! I'm even machine sewing. My biological mother was good at sewing and used to pick anything I made apart verbally, so until last month it wasn't something I enjoyed. But I made Si a waistcoat for his fancy dress (Al Capone) and then a cupcake print apron (with pockets) that she loves, so now its something to enjoy.

Simon's word for me would be employment. I'm going to relax about that; Bran starts high school next year and Mase starts kindy. Zac will be one of a few year six in a combined 6/7/8 class and he'll find that hard going too. A job will come along at the right time.

And the photo below? That's Mase. Merry Christmas!

Writing Motherhood & PL updates

Based on (I think) an Ali Edwards recommendation I ordered Lisa Garrigues' Writing Motherhood. It's a workbook/course designed to get you to start writing again, even if it's just a quick journal each day, despite all the other pressures that might be on you. Of course I ordered the print version and then saw on the jacket that it's available as an ebook (oh whatever!) and it's great. Full of starters that you could use to write or conversate with. Brilliant.

  Bran adapted it for Sunday night. It was his birthday and thankfully (as we lost power in the storms) he'd decided to eat out at Fortuna Sky City. We have a tradition when we eat out - everyone takes turns in my notebook to write down their current favourites - which might be anything from TV show to breakfast cereal to toy to car, depending on who helps generate the list. Bran decided that we would journal on our Project Life cards and also the topic, which clearly, was Bran. His categories?

• Favourite memory of Bran (mine is, I am reliably told, when he was born)
• Favourite Food to eat with Bran (he relaxed this somewhat and we were allowed to write down where we like to eat with Bran)
• Favourite TV show to watch with Bran (clearly some forward planning going on here) and lastly,
• Favourite Place to go with Bran

He was exactly right to choose to put these into our family PL album. I am finding more and more that we are looking back on these and it's a fantastic way to keep everything together. I know that the kids won't have their own albums, but when I die, they can copy these as needed. They'll have school reports, projects, awards, writing notes, tickets, postcards, letters - it's all in the one place and the pressure is off. I know that they will have the memories when I am gone. That's amazing peace of mind, considering how little I have. Altho Dad told me a tale on Christmas Day that I had to record - can't believe I did that! Well, in retrospect, maybe I can...

Promise - layouts will be up once I have the bucks to buy a printer cartridge. Those suckers are expensive.

And recieved an update from Jill. Back on the boat, making me jealous! And still dedicated to the Pirate Gag. Apparently the sword is an antique Iban head hunting sword (which runs me off into GoogleWorld). Awesome. I'd have that white one behind her (no, the BIG one). Bet I could get volunteers to crew it without too much hassle!

 

a little bit of awesome-ness

I sat down with Louise last night to view her NCEA results. She needed 80 credits (and had started the year off already with 19 art credits from 2009). Ploughed science, only passing chemistry but she’s passed everything else! 109 credits overall. We’re pretty chuffed.

One Little Word & Welcome 2011

Long time, no blog. I guess I allowed myself to get caught up in all the usual rush - Christmas, work, kids, work...I am happy that I kept relitively up-to-date with my Project Life 2010 (only have October and some photos to print and we are done!).

My One Little Word (an Ali Edwards thing) for 2011 is CONTROL. I want to have control at work, at home - keeping to deadlines ( I am pretty good at this anyway work-wise); keeping up to date with PL 2011 as I want this to be P365 and not have monthly highlights as I did for some of 2010; clean out my stash of unfinished projects and be realistic about what I might complete - this might be the time to be ruthless, especially on my stitching patterns; replace my paper books with eBooks - which is already underway; keep to a healthy diet despite the stresses; and any other goals that pop up along the way.

I think however I will be flexible with the PL thing. It is OK to do high-lights - the kids and Si have enjoyed looking back at what we have done, despite the fact that Simon is the biggest critic of the money I spent on that album (it's about $100 for all the components, with the additional outlay of an acid-free pen and photo priniting). Funny tho that he was the first one to tell me to pull it out on Saturday when we had guests over!

I have started to use the spare parts to get up-to-date on all the other digital photos - 2002 is complete apart from a print I am waiting on from Mum (hi Mum) - and 2003 is complete to August. It's amazing to see how much I can remember even before I get Si or the kids' input (gosh, Mase is going to be a mini-Bran all the way). This too is an album we're all getting a kick out of.

So anyway that's my goals. No resolutions, just Control. With a little bit of flex ;)

a very overdue update

Here's our man - hard to belive he's now 7 months old. He's walking around the furniture; eating heaps (still); starting to babble; kicks his legs furiously when he's excited to see someone or something; sleeps well if in his sleeping bag; loves Bear in the Big Blue House and just about anything else on Playhouse Disney but doesn't like Jonas Brothers (good taste, son!); loves swimming or baths but not getting out; his aunt and uncle, even tho A isn't too keen on the nappy business; adores his sister and will go to her even when she's grumpy; likes to push his dad out of bed and is now facing forward in the car. Likes playgroup some days and is not good at sharing if it's not with his brothers!

The others are all doing well - Lou is with us at the moment, taking some time out from the other household (which is not going down well, but what can you do?); Bran has started training and Zac starts tonight. Muster is also tonight so it'll be a late one.

Si is working at the Dockyard again; team leader of the sheetmetal shop where he did his time. He has two apprentices at the moment and I am encouraging them to give him heaps back.

As for me, I'm back at work and studying. Not too sure how things will fit, given home and work and league life, but we'll see how that goes. Have a Becky Higgins Project Life folder which is desperately in need of photos but up-to-date (gasp!) with journal cards. Even sent some with the SIL for them to do, so it will be a full-on family affair. Just the way I like it.

Other stuff

I forgot to say that Mason is nearly up and crawling (he's rocking, so we need to get those gates up pronto!). Zac and Bran can ride their new bikes with ease, and always remember their helmets. Bran also is showing awesome timing with the cricket bat he got from Nana & Grandad. He can heave it over the neighbours house. Oops.

This is Bran's sampler - an Alma Lynne Ark that I altered. Cause I always do.

This is Mason's - Sharon made it from a Maria van Scharrenburg kit. I had to finish off the bottom border but didn't touch it otherwise.

and this is a framed pencil sketch print I found in a Devonport op shop of a Selwyn-like church and graveyard. Si loves things like this. We found a gorgeous old church while roaming the other day - St Johns in Drury. Took some great shots with my new phone.