Chrismas decorations and a little bit of chat.

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on the wreath. I had so much fun making it although I occasionally had to remind myself when I was eyeball deep in crocheted balls that one day, there would be an end in sight. Now it is hanging up on the door, I do spend a lot of time standing in front of it, then pretending to open it whenever anyone comes in the room.
Here are a couple of photos of other things I have been working on, a Christmas decoration for Archie's teacher and a pattern very much a work in progress. I have worked out though that if you put one stuffed ball into an incomplete ball, you end up with a head wearing a hood! I know I am supposed to be finishing presents and not starting new projects but it is just so hard.
I am now very much in the home stretch of Christmas prep. thank goodness. AND I am shocked to say, very much ready for school holidays too. The thought of rising early to hurry children off to school is becoming to hard. The whole family will be happy when the boys can sneak downstairs, watch a few cartoons and rummage through the pantry unguarded.

Better put some dinner on, I am so hungry all of a sudden I think I have become almost waif-like, or at least see-through.

A Wreath of Crocheted Balls.

Yay, it's done. I wish I could write more but I am running late for Christmas drinks. More tomorrow. XXOOXXOOXX.

Today is my mum's birthday...

Today is my mum's birthday and as I am in another country, I have spent the day sending her super-sonic hugs hoping they will ripple their way across the ocean to her. She is a good girl my mum - very lovely but also very funny with the odd moment of secret wickedness. Her present is running a little late so I thought if I included a smiling grandson in this post, the warmth of it might carry her through until the parcel arrives.

So Mum, I love you, I honestly do think you are the best Mum in the world, I feel proud when people tell me how much I look like you but... I would feel even prouder if they told me I have the same heart as you. Happy Birthday Mum!!!
P.S. The other photos are just a little bit of what I have been up to. More tomorrow.

Wry Koala Bags and Cotton Wool.

This is my favourite bag. My mum's friend made it for me when I was very little (screen printed and everything) and has remained a constant part of my life ever since. Every now and then when all of my other bags become morbidly obese with stuff, my wallet slips into this one, pushing past whatever project I am working on and becomes a town bag. I thought I would hand it onto the boys but they just don't seem to get the sentimentality of it so I have decided that it will be mine until the end of time. It's not often that someone makes a koala bag for you after all.
Archie thought I had better stick this mouse creature on the label. I think he was right.
And here is some cotton that arrived yesterday in the mail from South Seas Knitting. I think it is somewhere between a 10 and 12 ply and am thinking of all sorts of things to do with them. Something little that will come out big maybe.

Just Goodness.

Now that I am on my self-enforced quiet week, I am finding a bit of juice in living again. Having the head space to see sunlight dance through beads and hydrangeas and to enjoy an unfinished project perch on a table as it waits for me. I have even discovered that under all of the dirt and grit, my house is a really lovely place to live. The garden still has a few wild tendrils beckoning me although I am happy to let them wander as there is a little bit of magic to be had in that.

Sometimes we do just need to spend time with ourselves don't we...

I had better include a few details from my last post - the stamp was given to me by my cousin who just visited San Fransisco. The brand is Hero Arts and shouldn't be too hard to track down. The gorgeous blue lacy stuff was from a shop called 'Tail of the Yak' which was apparently amazing, she also bought me lots of ribbon from there too. I have to say, she spoilt me thoroughly and I will show more photos of all the bits and bobs another day.

I am really excited about the crochet above. In the thick of Christmas present making, I suddenly had the inspired and crazy idea of making placement settings for family. After a while though, I started going slightly mad and shoved it down to the end of the couch with a hiss. This morning cleaning up, a picture flashed through my head of a place mat with a comet-like tail streaking across the table. This way you could have a salad on it and then salad dressing on the next one and then salt or pepper or I don't know, mustard or something on the following. Can't wait to finish it now... and then make a salad.

Pompoms, Fabric and Stamps.

This week I am really not finding the balance between work, rest and soul space. The craziness of the year's end has somehow culminated in this particular week and as a result, I have turned into a pitiful blogger (let alone human being). There were all sorts of things I was going to say about each picture but I might save that for another time. Instead, I am going to relish listening to the rain outside, anticipate going to Hugo's end of year play tonight and breathe deeply.

We all have our moments of fatigue and madness don't we - and we get through them too. When I find myself in the middle of these times I slow right down for a few minutes and ask myself what advice would I give to a friend. My answer today was to spend next week (with the exception of Archie's athletics day) at home and say a very polite no to any invitations of delicious socialising that comes my way. It makes me feel as though I have a holiday coming my way. Have a cosy night.

Good Stuff Like Sweetpeas and Pom-poms...

My feet are beginning to touch the ground again after being in a golden bubble watching a new little life start working out what it is to be alive. I loved having my own babies but somehow, not being fatigued and bewildered by having given birth, it is just so much more fun watching a friend's baby being born.

So kind of back to normal today which was actually lovely. I am very much in the mode of Christmas present thinking so I finished a few bits and pieces and now am beginning to tackle a few decorations for the house. Because we have every second Christmas in Australia, it is really exciting having a New Zealand one where we can have a tree and get a little festive with friends. My latest little bit revolves around making lots of pom-poms (very quick with a pom-pom maker) and threading them onto waxed cotton. Better than tinsel any day (mind you, I really, really love tinsel...).
And then the other thing is finally sewing all of the crochet balls which I made a little while ago onto a knitted wreath. This one is going to be very good for doing in front of the T.V.

Oh dear, a toilet emergency, I had better go. Hope you have all had a good weekend.