161

Woo what a day... for that matter what a week... Today I see the world has lost a great entertainer whether you liked Micheal Jackson or not he gave so much to the world with his music... we also see the passing of Farrah Fawcett after her very public & brave battle with cancer - I don't think there would be many who didn't know her smile, her teeth & her 'hair'... there are rumors flying around that other greats have pasted today as well but time will tell...

I have also had a rather hectic week myself with my dear old 93 year old Mum having fallen again the day before her birthday last week & ending up in hospital over the weekend. She is fighting to stay with us but we thought she was going to go & be with Dad the other day. I've had my youngest daughter's birthday over the w/e, mine this week as well, but no one feeling at all like celebrating. Our eldest daughter arrived with her boys to visit with Nanna[Mum] but they have had to go, so we are to follow them now & stay bush for a few days over stocktake time.

Can anyone tell me if life ever settles to a lesser pace??? On the brighter side of things I have been to the doctors/hospital myself to have treatment on my shoulder so am anxious to get out there into our garden & trim a few shrubs, do some gardening & finish off some outside projects while my injected shoulder has little pain but I also have the weather against me[raining so often] so must not be meant to be... yet.

Eldest Grandie took this photo of me through a wet/rainy window...

I've been keeping my hands busy with crochet & I've made/crocheted my little mate, Gilly[our toy poodle] a cute jacket that looks like a singlet top & her mate Snowy a frilly jacket so they are looking rather smick at present. Sorry the photos aren't the clearest but these girls don't like to keep still for long...

And here's that thing... So what do you think it looks like???

160

Brrr it sure is cold at present... these mornings are hard to get motivated & the evenings are feeling cooler earlier in the day but the Sun is Shining & the weather is fine... it's cold cause it's winter here Down Under & we must be thankful that we don't get snow so why complain... well I think I must be pretty thin blooded or something, cause I'm feeling it this winter... NO it is not old age either, so you just keep that laughing to yourself, OK...
I've working away on a few things here & there but the weeks seem to be blurring into each other without too much effort... I have made another batch of Postcards for my international PostCrossing exchange. They take time to make but I do enjoy the creativity it involves plus I enjoy studying up on the different subjects/images I use so I can tell PostCrossing folks some interesting facts - I like to feel I'm a ambassador for Australia.

I made this case for one of my daughter's cell phones as she wanted to give her old phone sock to her son.

This is what I did with some of the flowers I've made... I have sewn them onto a piece of felt then attached a brooch back & a hair pin... I think they look quite smart & not too grandma-ish...

Now this is something that has been keeping me busy for a few weeks on & off... What is it??? Well it's nearly finished... then I can show you it... but I'm thinking it keep growing &now it's telling me it wants something else added so we will all be wondering I think...

Angle Messages... Try not to be affected by the words & attitudes of others. Instead, calmly consider you own words & attitude.

159

Ohh what wonderful weather we are having - it is offically winter here, it is mild but that's OK with me... not into having to wear heavy jumpers, etc...

I have had a lovely few days away on a Carer's Retreat up the north coast & then when I got home I had enough time to check the mail, wash & have a wee rest - well retreats can tire you out, you know - then off to the first Textile Art Festival - ohh how fantastic... right up my alley that's for sure... A festival/fair of all the textile arts... such as fibre, fabric & yarns & all the things that go with these textile/feely arts... Plus lots of lovely 'eye candy'... walls of displays/installations... plenty to get the creative juices overflowing with inspiration...

To say I enjoyed the Textile Art Festival would be a slight understatement but I really feel that it's a Festival that is catering for the more touchy feely arts - no matter what 'new' name they have for it these days...

I found this great feel good meditation [for want of a better explanation] on another couple of blogs. Do click on the link it will start your month of June out on the right foot for you, I'm sure... be patient as it does take a min or so to upload but well worth the wait... http://lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

158

What a wonderful day I had yesterday... thanks to Art4Sol, living on the other side of the world, for pointing me in the right direction... I got to do a great workshop with Prudence Mapstone here in Brisbane... Prudence's specialises in Free-Form Crochet & has written several books about it + travels the world teaching - I feel honoured that she was home again to be able to do a workshop with her. Here is her blog of a Scrumble a Week...

We have the first Textile Arts Festival in Queensland this Fri - Sun & Prudence is here to have a stand there & then go on to do other Craft & Quilt shows in Oz. I'm looking forward to going to this the first Textile Arts Festival a festival of Fibre, Yarn & Fabric... do have a looksee at it...

The one thing I wanted to learn for sure was how to do the bullion stitch so was ecstatic when I finally got to do it... not a master at it for sure but, with practice I'll get better...

The top photo shows all our work together & the other photos are of the scrumble I did at the workshop + some close ups... still need to work on keeping it flat but I was thrill with my first effort.

Here is what I made when I got home...

Angel Message... Asking without giving invites dissatisfaction. Giving without asking leads to contentment.

157

Gosh everywhere I look on the net lately I've come across someone, somewhere, read/learning/doing Hyperbolic Crochet... some even call it FreeForming crochet but, I really think it is a Crochet of it's own, this thing called Hyperbolic Crochet. Have you seen the video of Margaret Wertheim from the Institute for Figuring talking about Hyperbolic Crochet - Crocheting a Coral Reef...

Now I might not know too much about mathematics[even had to look up how to spell that correctly] but I do know about bringing awareness to our World Famous Coral Reef along the coastline of Queensland & northern NSW - the Great Barrier Reef and how we must protect it, even protecting it from ourselves, our rubbish etc... Our reef is precious to our country & I'm sure to other countries that have their own reef systems. So do go have a look see at this video... I'm sure like me you will want to see it a few times to really absorb it all & when you have the time also look at the gallery area of the Institute for Figuring.

Sydney is having it's own instillation of a Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef in August 09 & many people the world over are contributing too it as has been done in other countries. They are working hard to put it all together in time & are holding workshops each month - wish I lived closer.

I've been working on some Hyperbolic crochet myself... just hyperbolic crochet flowers at present, to show but I am also working on some crocheted coral reef matter as well... if you are into crochet why not make something & send it along... I guarantee, you will have lots of fun making crochet reefs... Go on, have a Go... I dare you too....

Angel Messages... from the book by Juan Nakamori

Today's Message... You are protected this very moment, always & forever.

Take comfort in this & live your life in harmony with your Higher Self.

156

Well I'm determined to post something today... even if it's only a whinge... ha ha

Can't believe it is so long since I last posted but we have been up visiting the Grandie Boys again for about a week but came home with the 'dog's disease' - cold/flu, whatever you want to call it, all I know is it makes life very miserable so I have been hiding out in front of the cp just surfing...

We have have just got back from the quack[she really is the loveliest doctor one could ask for...] took the old boy along as well - he is sicker than me but it must be a 'boy' thing he wasn't going to the doc so when I said I was... amazingly he said he would come too... 'Men'... ya just gotta love 'em or you would k... 'em... anyway we are all dosed up so should be back on track in a few days... I have lots to tell you & show you too...

Thanks for stopping by my blog & leaving me comments I do really appreciate them each & everyone, even when I'm a slacko... I've had some folks say how lovely the purple flowered plant was I showed you last time... It is growing beautifully at my eldest daughter's... she took it outta it's pots & put it in the garden where is seems so very happy. I have mine in pots but I think they would like some new soil. The purple flower has a edge of white & the leaves are a lovely green... it is known here by two names Geisha Girl or China Doll - I have been told that one is the pot sort & the other the shrub size but me t'inks they are one & the same just grows to where you plant it. Here is a little write-up on it.

I do hope all the Mum's out there had a lovely Mother's Day... I know I did & of course I was very spoilt by one & all. This is what I had when I had coffee just before Mother's Day when I just 'had' to go get a few more 'craft' supplies before visiting the Grandie Boys again. It was a chocolate mud-cake cupcake & it tasted as good as it looked too... although it would be a waste on me this week...

I bought this lovely book a while ago & I love to read the messages out of it... it's just one of those books you just open to whatever page comes & it will be the right message... I thought I would share some of the messages with you from time to time...

The book is by Juan Nakamori... Angel Messages...

Today's Message:... Instead of angrily doling out blame, try to offer gentle encouragement. Do this regardless of whether you are dealing with yourself or others....

155

I think they call people like me a Slacko... cause I’ve not blogged in a while… but there again life does get more interesting in the ‘real’ from time to time…

We have had a lovely week away visiting the Grandees, celebrating the eldest Grandee’s birthday & spending Anzac Day with them. Sadly the Birthday Boy wasn’t able to march with Pa this year with his broken ankle but there is always next year…
On the other days I was able to do some crochet. Yes ‘crochet’…
I’m getting tired of lugging soo much stuff when we go to visit. It is so nice & quite, while there [our daughter lives in a little country town], I do so love to sew, paint or whatever takes my mood at the time but, like I say lugging it all is a pain but so is organising ‘myself’ to know 'what'. It’s lovely to be home again; surprisingly the weather has turned cooler while we have been away…

Now I was going to tell you about my ‘new’ adventure into ‘crochet’… Well it’s not really ‘new’ more like re-visited, as I’ve been crocheting since I was really quite young – I remember the first thing I really crocheted that was recognisable [to everyone, besides myself, that is…lol] was a ‘mod’ flower cap for my niece when she was about 4 or 5 so I must have been about 15 or 16 at the time. Mum says I was crocheting much younger than that but I’m wondering if my mind is slipping or hers???… ha ha anyway that still makes it over … well… a darn long time… ha ha thought you had got me didn’t you…
So what got me going again in such earnest, well I happened up Attic24’s blog – well worth your popping over to have a looksee at Lucy’s place. English Lucy of Attic24 is a whizz at crochet & takes the most wonderful photos too… so it has to be her fault I think… not that I need to blame anyone, as really, I had never given it all up… I usually do a bit each winter, but as our winter’s are so mild & short not too much gets done, let alone ‘finished’… if you know what I mean… lots of UFO’s - well not near as many as were at our old house.

I never knew there was such a wealth of crochet knowledge to be had until I started poking around on the net… free patterns galore too so I’ve been having a blast… Folks are crocheting all sorts of things from the usual doilies, rugs-afghans, beanies etc to Hypercolic crochet, Coral Reefs & exquisite jewellery – Man what mushroom have I been hiding under??? So enough for this time I’m off to do some hooking…

154

Well Easter is all over for another year... these school holidays are nearly done here in Qld so by next week all will be back to 'norm'... whatever/wherever 'norm' is these days...

This time next week we will be celebrating our eldest Grandson's 17th birthday... goodness that time has flown - poor fellow has a broken foot at present... not been his best year so far... but I know he is looking forward to his birthday with the gusto of youth.

I was driving over the Gateway this week & I was thrilled to see all these little Morris Minors driving north.

There were tradition coloured ones, wildly painted ones, real Girls ones as well was Boys ones, soft tops, utes & vans... fabulous to see them all, all looking their very best. Apparently they had their 14th Morris Minor National Rally here over Easter & this week is spent having a bit of a touring... Hope you all have a great time, as I noticed several were from Victoria, I was too busy looking at them all to notice the number plates until I ran outta cars... ohhh, how we love our little Morries... it all ends with a private viewing of a great collection of Morries in Toowoomba where the club first began 20 years ago... It was a shame that we never saw anything advertised or shown on the TV about the rally - we do watch the news every night but sadly these 'feel-good' events aren't newsworthy enough for TV news.

Did you notice this... umm must tell you about my new/re-newed adventure in craft... No, I never stop finding something else to do... just ask my hubby...

153

Here it is nearly in the middle of our Easter w/e... I do hope you are all having a wonderful Easter... celebrating as is appropriate for you... I've packed the eggs & they have been distributed to some of the Grandies with their socks... I often wonder what they will say in years to come ... 'our Grandie used to give us sock & a couple of chocolates each Easter... how boring...' but I know their parents are thankful of the socks & really we don't want them too have too much chocolate when it turns them into little [big] monsters... Now it looks like DH & me will have to finish off the last of the chocolate packets ... ummm... hope it won't turn us into monsters... ha ha
We have spent some time with family already... there will be more to come next week - all being well... I have a movie or too picked out already...

I've been doing a lot of blog surfing of late... I mean a real 'lot' in the last few months... seem to be in some sortta slump... I'm not really sad, just can't seem to get my lard a___ outta the chair & go make art or any kind, although I seem to have lots of ideas but actually accomplishing... well there seems to be an imaginary mountain to climb before I can start...

I know we all have these times - times of no mojo [but I have the ideas, so I don't really think it's that one] more like that Inner Critic saying 'you think you are 'that' good you can make 'that''... Yes I think it's more that Inner Critic that's inside my head- lately he seems to have taken over my whole being. I've noticed a lot of other bloggers seem to be going through the same dilemma of late... it got me thinking today - why today? you may ask... well, I woke after a reasonable sleep-in, feeling all refreshed & ready to face the world with more ideas but a way to accomplish my ideas as well, a way that pleased me & a way I know will work for me...

Like I was saying, I wonder why so many of us have these dilemmas at this present mo... could it be the lead-up to Easter - I mean the true Easter not the Easter Egg kind... death, rebirth - the birth of new critters... is it the death of our old ideas/work, that feeling of same old same old, wanting our Inner Critic to end his hold, the rebirth of new ideas & the means of making these new ideas into reality... to me, it seems to all fit... maybe I've been married to a Vietnam vet for too long... anticipating his down times & keeping him on an even keel...

No matter how it happens so long as we all get ourselves back on track... doing what feels right for us... End the reign of our Inner Critic...

Enjoy the rest of your Easter & Stay Safe...

152

Remember back In February we Celebrated OWOH organised by the lovely ever patient Lisa... My little giveaway quiltie was won by Katina over in USA ... what I did was take a photo of me getting it ready to post ....[well DH did]

And when it got to the other side of the world Katina got a photo taken of her receiving it ...

I love to see who receives my little quilties... Congratulations Katina...

Thought I would show you some more photos of the Grandies last visit ... I got a bit sunburnt on my arms [I did put suncream on, too] not to mention just inside of my shirt down my neck ... naughty, naughty I forgot there - you have to be so vigilant ... well my arms are only just peeling this week & that was nearly 3 weeks ago. We did have a great time in D's boat & a fab BBQ after with Birthday cake... yum.

Here is B after he washed & lost his big worm, he found a very large & fat skink lizard on the boat ramp ... but it wasn't too happy about being caught by little boys so was a bit bitey, so it soon got let go ... don't you love the extra hat ... just in case... Boys being boys - letting off steam - looks like half a dozen boys there with all those legs but, there's on 3... ha ha ... wonder why the magifining glass is there too???

I found a lovely bright & ever so colourful blog this last week & I'm so enjoying reading all 'Lucy's' going's on [not a different Lucy to my Lucy... OK ... clear as mud?]. She writes so well just like you are there having a conversation with her in her front garden BUT this Lucy has something to answer for ... she does the most beautiful bright & cheery crochet... but I won't go into that today ... I'd better go off & make DH some tea ...

Thankful for the World Postal System & little boys & their games ...

151

Well I'm over it ... I've been feeling rather sad, forlorn & just plain 'Old'... but there is nothing I can do about it so I'm moving on with life...

What am I over??? ... over having our beautiful eldest child turned 40, yes 40, I'll say it again 40 ... now I'm over it ... think she is a bit too ... lol

The time has gone far to quickly since she was this gorgeous little baby ... but she has grown into a beautiful woman that we are so proud of, with two wonderful sons that we so love. While looking for this photo I found so many more & have spent several days going through them all & re-living wonderful memories, even DH enjoyed the trip back in time. After doing this post I have to go back into the spare room & put everything back in the cupboard ... never mind it was fun.

It's amazing how many photos I have of those times but also how many photos I have that I really don't need anymore so many double-ups - I think I should add it to my 'to do list' & that's to spend a week going through these photos & deciding what stays & what goes ... scanning is always a great option as so many have gone such dreadful colours ... When we shifted here I brought 4 large plastic boxes full of photos & photo albums - they were the one thing I didn't want to loose ... our poor southern- state fire victims & our northern-flood victims lost it all - but they still have the memories within themselves but I'm sure as time goes on they will have such moments of sadness for these past-memories lost, no matter how 'blessed' they feel to have themselves & loved ones saved, it will still be a fleeting sadness.

Not much action has been happening in the Gyrlie Shed this week but I did manage to make a couple of dozen PostCards for my PostCrossing so that should see me through for a couple of weeks. I had a great day at the CraftFest yesterday with my friend L & we even entered the Apron Challenge - what fun that was ... apparently we will be in the photo gallery of CraftFest next week.

Thankful for having ways of keeping our memories in visual ways...

150

We have been having a rather busy time of late; sad week last week when DH lost his B-I-L but on the other side of the coin it was wonderful to see all the family again ... why is it always that way but I'm sure Karl would have loved the family all being together again.
I had my eldest daughter visit with the boys so we had a great w/e, as we haven't had her visit us in over 18mths. Our youngest with her family came over on Sat & her DH brought over his new boat so we got to go for a ride down our river. We've been here 6 years now & I've always wondered what was down along the banks so it was great to have a looksee. When we got back our youngest Grandie was a little bit disappointed that his big worm he found had got away when he went to give it a wash in the river ...
All kids love dirt & worms ... Thanks D. for the great boat ride...

Thankful for our great family ...

149

When we went to our Grandies birthday the other day before we left for home we drove down to the waterfront near where we used to live & had coffee over looking the jetty ... what a lovely end to a wonderful day ...

I've been having a go at painting faces on fabric in the last while ... it has been fun & another steep learning curve as I have never been able to draw faces let along paint faces before so I was quite pleased with my effort - they are not fantastic but I think they show some character. These faces are for some dolls I'm working on at present.

This week the last of my gifts I was so fortunate to have won on One World One Heart arrived ... see my lovely collection of gifts. Lisa was our wonderful hardworking host - Thank you Lisa for another yearly event of such great fun. The pendant fish-watch is from Imelda at Meldy's Blog, thanks Imelda, then the ceramic pendant beads from Gaea at Gaea's Ceramic Studio Blog, thanks Gaea they are all so lovely & last but certainly not least was the lovely bookmark from Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm - don't you just love that name ... thanks Sandra... Next time I will try & remember to show you the little quiltie I made for my winner, Katina - I know that Katina was very pleased to received it.

Thankful for the spirit of giving in our world