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Backtacking

I have been intending to post about the amazing parcel I received as part of Backtack since it arrived a few days before Christmas. But then Christmas got in the way, and now suddenly it's the end of January and I feel terrible that I haven't made mention of how lucky I have been. Large style lucky. Lovely Mary of (sadly, now defunct blog) Mamie Makes put together a parcel so generous and throughtful. Not to mention beautifully made. The craft Mary chose for me was crochet, and to that end she made a gorgeous wool tweed (my favourite!) bag and matching red crochet hook case to hold my projects. My photo doesn't do them justice, but both are beautifully quilted and lovely & sturdy. She also included lots of goodies to get me started like crochet hooks, lashings of wool (including some Noro and a ball of gorgeous super soft red yarn), plus ginger chocolates, One Good Bumblebee buttons and a great pincushion among other things. And the literature... well. Two copes of Martha Kids that I don't have, a copy of Interweave crochet (amazing - more on that one in another post), a vintage potholder pattern book and an invaluable crochet stitch guide book. Like I said, all wonderful and put together with much attention to detail. Again, thanks so much Mary.

On the subject of Backtack; it appears my parcel still hasn't arrived at its destination despite the fact that it was sent 3 months ago! How long before I give up on it & accept that it is lost?

Husky-do

A happy day! Finally, we trecked across town this morning and I picked up my new sewing machine. After posting late last year in need of guidance, I went into anal-retentive research overdrive. Eventually, thanks to the thoughtful responses and leads from you lovely folk (thanks so much again), I went with a Husqvarna Interlude 435. I had to stretch the budget a little, but managed to score this one marked down considerably in a post Christmas/ex-floor stock sale. I should add, that if anyone is looking to purchase a sewing machine, there is a great resource of machine reviews over at patternreview.com. It was here I fortuitously picked up a tip about Husqvarna pricing and how with these machines it really pays to call around all the dealers in your area. Hence the long drive across town this morning. But it was worth it; I suspect this might be the beginning of a beautiful relationship! ;)

In which I talk about the weather and some other stuff

I just spent about half a hour writing a lengthy post explaining why I haven't posted in a few days. About how it's been really hot and that I'm a total wuss in the heat. And also how it seems that Audrey has ditched her day sleep (oh, yes) and how I'm struggling with this new development. But then I read it back over and it just sounded like a whole bunch of needless complaining...

So instead, I'd just like to let you all know that I have updated my shop with three new toys: Sam, Ada and Daffodil. I love making these toys so much, and the fact that I have the opportunity sell them makes me grin innanely. I'm aiming to update every fortnight or so this year, and am in the process of setting up a mailing list for when I add new toys to the fold. If you are interested in being added to the mailing list, drop me a quick email (it's on the sidebar) - thanks!

Corners of my home

Since Amanda suggested the idea of posting pictures of corners of our homes, I've been looking at our bricks & mortar corners with different eyes. And it seems that lots of our corners also contain books. They are everywhere, and since we can't bear to part with any of them, we live with them! (Plus, I do like to look at them, all lined up; the colours of the spines look great together. Well stocked bookshelves bring such warmth to a home, although some might say clutter!) Anyhow, both Matt and I like to read. Well, actually he is a voracious reader and I am some kind of lapsed admirer of books. I used to read a lot more than I do now. I'd have lists of what I wanted to read, which authors to investigate. Over the last couple of years I have turned into a sporadic reader at best - I'll get hooked on a particular author and read everything of theirs I can get my hands on, or spend weeks just half-heartedly leafing through an old favourite. Or - more likely - I'll be spending time that I could be reading flicking through a magazine or clicking around on the internet. Which I love. But I also miss the feeling of being completely lost in a novel & forgetting what the time is because you're totally transported to another place. I'm not going to beat myself up about it - lordy, there are only so many hours in a day. But I am going to try to make a concerted effort this year to read more again. Emphasis on 'try'!

More corners here.

Again with the pink

This time however, it's not only a self-indulgent use of pink. Lolly cat here is made specifically for a little girl who loves the colour as much as me at the moment. Lolly's pinafore is made from some of the felted wool Lyn sent me. I almost flinched when I cut into it in that way that you do when you cut into a piece of fabric you love. I also made Lolly a pair of matching mittens because it's cold where she's going. Unlike here today: it's going to be over 30 until the weekend and it's so difficult to stay focussed on anything. My head is all over the place, including...

- Even though I'm a very basic knitter, I'm loving the idea of the knitting olympics.
- I'd like to make some more clothes for Audrey. Very inspired by the beautiful clothes Eliza Gran makes for children & non-children!

Tickled pink

I'm not sure what is happening to me lately. First, there was the posting about dolls houses, and now everything I'm making is pink. These are my three newest toys: Kevin, Melba and Henrietta. Look at all that pink... even Kevin has a pink flower! I'm just loving these shades at the moment. I'm sure it will pass. Until then, these three are available here. Well, it's friday night. It's almost Audrey's bed time, and there is a bar of chocolate and a new homes magazine with my name on it. Have a good weekend!

Corners

A corner of my house near the front door. An often changing collection of favourite bits & bobs that make us happy as we pass in & out of the house. My grandfather made the table for us. On it lately: a wooden bowl given as a wedding gift, a beloved old blue/green ceramic bottle (it just has the letters WH scrawled on the bottom... I'm guessing it's home-made?), special family photos, singapore orchids, and a wooden hand model bought on holiday a few years ago at the MCA.

Thanks Amanda for the great idea. More corners here.

Pre-shrunk

Poking around the general craft section at the library the other day, I came across this little pearl: Dolls' Houses in Australia 1870-1950 (scroll down). The social history student in me that won't die snapped it up immediately, and I wasn't disappointed. It's full to the brim of beautiful close-up photos of, well, a whole lot of old dolls' houses. All in chronological order. Not only pretty to look at, but an interesting reflection on interiors and furnishings over a hundred year or so period. I love the little crocheted rugs in the one above from the early '50s (click for a close up). I also love this one from the '40s, and this one from the '30s.

I've never understood the doll house thing. But we bought one for Audrey for her last birthday and she loves it. Watching her play with hers, coupled with this lovely book, I think I finally 'get' it. If my interest for hadn't already been piqued, I think this house above (my favourite, 'Casa Mañana' from the '50s) would have probably sealed the deal. Forget playing... were it big enough I'd live in it!

Monkey-bloggy-versary

My first two monkeys for the new year are done. Cecil and Emerald. I finished them yesterday, which, co-incidentally was the one year anniversary of this here blog. So, they will have to stand as my blog birthday mascots. Of sorts. It's amazing to me that I'm still blogging-strong given that, when I step back & think about it, it still seems to me an odd kind of medium. Does it strike anyone else as odd - in a good way - that we share these little snippets of our lives for all to see? It's bizarre and wonderful at the same time. When I cast my mind back to a year ago I can't honestly recall exactly what I was hoping to achieve here: probably the opportunity to share the things I had made and been inspired by instead of just being a lurker on other blogs I enjoyed. Now blogging feels like writing a kind of open letter to a group of people I've never met but nonetheless feel so fond of. The crafty blogging community is so warm, generous and kind. I am so happy to be a part of it. Thankyou for continuing to let me play! :)

New year inspiration

I once read that in some cultures it is believed that the way you spend New Years Day is the way you will spend the forthcoming year. If that is true, I will spend this year cleaning out the bathroom cabinet (hmn, hope not), catching up with friends (much better!), and making lists like a woman posessed. Sometimes the spectre of a new year scares me a little - there is so much potential for all of life's possibilities which seems so overwhelming when you parcel it up into neat passages of time. Although I do enjoy the time to reflect and set a few goals.

The other thing I've been doing this new year so far is thinking about what inspires me. Today it's the Harry book we've been reading to Audrey, Orla Kiley (and her wonderful house that was in Livingetc July last year, just fabulous - did anyone else see that?), my Flickr favourites. This year I would like to try to stop to appreciate the simple things, spend more time with friends, and do lots more work on our house (that list is a mile long!). I'm hoping to finally make a proper quilt, take better photos (& remember to take the camera when we go out!), redesign my website, and work hard to try to get my wee toy-making cottage industry chugging a little more.

Of course, I'd have to say that once of my greatest inspirations these days is the blogs that I read and the friends that I've made since starting this blog. Happy New Year to everyone who stops by, reads & comments here. Your input is so warmly appreciated. I hope 2006 is every bit as inspiring, creative and wonderful as you wish.