Nearly the 11th hour...

As usual I am running behind - this time with my Feb '6x4 lives'. So this afternoon I started with some bits I had in my 'smalls bag' - that is the bag with all my off cuts. I decided to put into practice all I have learnt so far from sharonb's classes. Um... yep I know - I have a very horizontal line on a very colourful piece of fabric - but I have a plan to soften it - but you will have to wait and see. I think what has surprised me most with all of this, is that I have taken to it so quickly, and my love affair with the buttons - the last thing I thought I would like. I bought some more yesterday at my favorite op-shop. I hope to do some more actual stitching tomorrow...

Naked block...

Here is my CQ block for sharonb's on-line classes. How different it looks in the scan than 'in the flesh' so to speak. Straight away I can see a couple of areas that might prove a challenge - this could get very interesting. But I guess that is what it is about - the learning curve. I am eager to create another block so that may head next weeks ' to do' list. I realise however what I do need are some good scissors.

Saturday...

Well between not getting the part time position at A & R and having my op cancelled too this week I am beginning to wonder what I have done. There is an old fashioned term I could use which explains bad luck but it is racist so even in this way I won't use it. But I do wonder. Today I do feel a little down coupled with the heat we have experienced over the last few days enough I say enough - I am over it!!!!!

But then I cast my mind to those grieving parents in Mildura and that poor chap whose life was suddenly cut short while travelling on a suburban train two days ago - and I count my blessings.

I also think of my gift that arrived in the mail earlier this week and about the person who created it I feel a smile tweaking at the side of my mouth. Really I haven't too much to whinge about and I know that I will get through this difficult patch...

We have had wonderful rain through the early hours of the morning and it is deliciously cool. I am hopeful that it shall remain like that for a little while...

Off to do the days doings...

Disappointed...

I have just had notification that my planned op for Monday has been cancelled until possibly the 4th of April - whilst I appreciate that a far more urgent case than mine has been slotted in - I am disappointed that for a second time something has gone pear shaped...

Calidore you shouldn't have...

... but I am so pleased that you did!!!!! I love it!!!!! Thankyou so much but there was really no need - I was pleased to be able to assist you in your bread baking endeavours. You chose well as not only do I love those shades but I also love pansies.

I was sitting at the sewing machine with my 'homework' when E bought in the mail. Seeing your gift made me all the more glad to be doing these classes as I know that I too soon will be able to make lovely things such as your gift to me.

Thursday...

I have been busy over the last couple of days... Firstly there was the bookshelf to reorganise and while most of it is done there are still some loose ends. Everyone who has seen it so far has been most impressed - and all for nothing - which I think is the most impressive part!!!!

Yesterday I took the plunge and pierced my blocks for sharonb's class. I have still a little to go to complete it then I will photograph it. My thoughts on it so far - this could become quite an obsession!!! Looking at it whole there would be things I might do differently next time - however being my first block I am happy with it. I am now looking forward to the 'next bit' I have already been 'trialing' bits to see what they are going to look like. I perhaps feel like when I used to do decorative painting - the first coat of paint or first sketches were great to do but I used to love doing the fiddly bits - the painted embellishments. This was when my painting would take on a life - a personality, so to speak. This was when I could really hear 'the voice' of what I was painting. I felt like I was in this intuitive space where it seemed effortless and the painting evolved through my brush. Mind you in this space was also where time didn't exsist and the hours would 'wing' by. A very similiar thing happened when I was stitching M's piece - remember when I said I had a 'talking button' - well, it was almost as though that button dictated the rest of the piece. Ok, ok , ok - enough - otherwise I will end up in a backto front dressing down and being taken away... I can only put it down to having an over active imagination...

I went for a job interview on Tuesday. I am well aware that I won't be offered the job as they wanted someone to start next week. While I am disappointed in one way I am confident that something else will turn up once my op is behind me.

M rang last night from Spain. She and D are having a wonderful time - doing what one does best on holidays. It doesn't stop me missing her though...

Well I am off to finish my block and do some more housework type activities before I start work. Gee I wish I could win Tattslotto...

Hunting and gathering...

I think I am taking this 'hunting and gathering' to new heights... On Saturday night we, P,E and I, went for a casual stroll around the neighbourhood. Just around the corner, literally, there standing on the nature strip (verge) was a set of book shelves - well strictly speaking, shelving space which must have been part of a modular desk. P and I looked at each other with the same thought - E just shook her head in disbelief and walked on. Immediately in my mind I started to rearrange the house to fit the shelves in. Our house seems to be in a perpetual state of 'arrangement' or 'transistion to or from'. To cut a very long story short - we bought the shelves home and they are now in the hall way full of my craft books and magazines - P did suggest that just because now I have more room I don't need to find things to fill it up. The original bookshelf that held all that stuff before is now (and I think was much the same as the new bookshelf, but smaller) sitting on my desk and adding extra storage space to my computer area. Today's task - if I choose to accept it- is to finish filling both of them - now that could be 'mission impossible'. I did conclude though that I (we) have a few books!!!!! Once the transformation is done I will post a couple of photos.

And to celebrate I bought home my latest book - I had seen it over on J's blog and the front cover alone 'hooked' me so of course I ordered it in at work. I love the white on white application or for that matter any colour which is multi layered or repeated. Lots of ideas from this book - me thinks.

sharonb's classes - the first one so far is fantastic. She has me thinking outside of the square - which for this Virgo who likes things 'just so' is an ask. I can only see bright waters ahead - my soul is fairly drinking up this experience. Sometimes, we cling to the old because it is what we know, when in fact it is long past its 'used by date' - and I have been doing that for a little while now- not enjoying what I have been doing but unsure where to go next. That creative side of myself is fitting to explode with possibilities now it has been 'given the reins'. LOL - I said to P that not only do I need more shelves - I need more room - a room of one's own. Now where can I put up the sewing machine permanetely???? I am fortunate I have someone who is as supportive as P in my life -who just moves things to one side when he wants to sit on a chair or use the table to eat his meal from. Eat, I said - who has time to eat!!!!! But these classes are just what the docter ordered so to speak - and as I have my surgery next week - they have come right at the right time - as my mind is certainly elsewhere. I even woke up in the middle of the night thinking about fabric and colour wheels.

Speaking of J again. I was touched to read her blog as she continues the story of the maiden - which came about because of the CQ blocks which have been created by her young daughter M.
J is quite the wordsmith and the story bought a tear to my eye as I read it.

We had an email from M&D they are in Spain. M has taken flamenco classes every day and D has wandered the fresh food markets and taking photos. Both of them doing what they loved to do.

Well I am off 'to do'. Have an enjoyable day/night everyone...

More op shop...

While on a very quick visit to a op shop this morning I found these two books amongst their craft bits. I have always been interested in Assisi work but I was amazed to see the one on Lagartera embroidery. There had been a discussion about this on sharonb's blog earlier in the week.

The price stickers on these two suggests the age they are. They are is immaculate condition - perhaps whoever originally bought them never used them -other than to look. Now have I ever been guilty of doing that - never!!!!

My image posting skills have a lot to be desired but I hope that you can get the general drift... The first three images from the top of the page are Assisi embroidery and the last three close to text are Lagartera embroidery. I actually thought that there were some similarities between them

M's block is now packed up and ready to go on the next leg of its journey. New Zealand is the block's next port of call before being homeward bound. I shall post it early next week.

M's block...

This time the block is the right way around - thanks to P and his trusty camera. I hope this gives you a better look at the block and less of a crick in the neck. Nothing like things being put into their right perspective to give a true account of what they really are.

Last night I felt a little lost - it is just about the first time I wasn't leaning over M's block with needle and thread in hand. For all the handstitching you can see there is quite a bit you can't -as I have pulled it out!!!! Because this was my very first piece I floundered there for a while wondering what to do with it. Despite feeling that I also felt very excited to (i) be part of this (ii) to be ACTULLY doing it. I have loved CQ for ages but never been game enough to have a go. J's open request regarding M's block for some reason caught me off guard and I thought that I would like to contribute in some small way if the block made Australian shores. In my mind at that time it was going to be a piece of cross stitch - something I could do and was manageable. But somewhere between that thought and the 'doing' of the block my thoughts changed dramatically. I have had the best time - I feel like I have discovered my 'pot of gold' - I think it is because it satisfies me on a number of levels - my hunting and collecting and definetely my freedom of expression side to name two. Here I don't have any rules to follow - the world is my oyster so to speak. I know I have not even 'scratched the surface' - but what I have 'scratched' I am more than happy with.

I am pleased with the overall effect on the block. My only concern if any, was that I have made it 'too pretty'. M's request of colour and content were adheredto but I did add lots of bits and that may not be what she wants. Also I had never done anything like this before so as you can imagine the learning curve was a steep one. But in saying that I also had a tremendous sense of peace as I sat and stitched - almost a meditation. LOL - the down side was that if I was watching the telly as well I kept losing the plot literally as well as laterally.

Now nothing is safe - I cruise the bead kiosk we have at Doncaster like a shark around bathers. I stand as almost in a trance as I eye off the beads and wonder whether another couple 'might not hurt'. And well as for the op shops - if I thought I spent time in them before - I will have to invent time for me to adequately cover my 'browsing'.

As I have already said that I have a couple of themes running through my mind - but for the moment I intend to concentrate on the on-line classes I am taking with sharonb. I have just sat and read through the first lesson and I am, apart from feeling a little in awe, so glad that I again took the plunge and signed up for these classes. It seems that one part of my life is coming together and giving me some satisfaction and a sense of purpose, this coupled with an underlying sense of excitement makes me feel somewhat alive again.

My hands are itching to get started again - I think I am well and truely 'lost' to this CQing lark...

M's block...

Here it is - sideways... Completed!!!!! I will get P to take a photo of it when he gets home... But you can get some idea of what it looks like. I am pleased with it considering it is my first attempt at CQ. I hope that you like it M...

Another book...

A & R are having a sale... There is quite an electic range of books - everything from text books to coffee table books and anything in between. I found this as I was doing a tidy up. Yep, like I need another book... But here it is... I think what swayed me was that it was Australian... Not that I needed much swaying...

Not quite a month...

Yesterday I looked back in my diary to see how long I have had M's block... It is just shy of one month - 19th Jan- but it does seem longer... I have nearly completed it - just needs a little tweaking and it shall be on its way... I am hoping to have it posted on Monday...

I am pleased with what I have done and the learning curve has been huge... But I have learnt one thing - if my gut instinct says 'put it there' I do... Instead of, trying something else - only to find it didn't work and I have to then carefully unpick and redo... But it is all part of the plan - its not what you get right you remember - it is what you got wrong that stays in your mind...

I have a couple of ideas brewing on the back burner for future CQ's - one to do with a little Rowan Dean stitchery I bought at the op shop... I am thinking of making that the centre block and then CQ around it... And the other is an angel block - I am unsure of the makeup of that one but it hovers on the edge of my mind... Now mind you these two are only going to be 'one block wonders' as I feel small is the way to go at the moment... I want to experiment with different themes and application of stitches and endeavour to expand my horizons... I think by making small manageable blocks will be the way to satisfy all these aspects..

M & D are enjoying their time overseas... They both loved France and despite what they have heard found that on the whole the people were both friendly and helpful... They travelled to Champagne and Burgundy tasting the wine and enjoying the countryside... Now onto Spain...

Well enough from me - I am off to tweak M's block some more before I head off to work...

More pretties...

We went shopping this morning to buy fruit and vegies... But of course I couldn't go passed the op. shop which yeilded the buttons... Then I went onto the Craft and Wedding warehouse in Ringwood. Thankfully I am on a strict budget otherwise nothing would be safe. I had a delightful 3/4 hour wander which yeilded the rest of 'the pretties'.

This CQ is becoming an addictive, time consuming, and bower bird activity - and I love it!!!!!! It has given me more ideas for M's block - so back to work...

Busy,busy,busy...

I am have hit a bit of 'a dead spot' with M's block... I know exactly what I want but cannot for the life of me find it... I have decided to put the block aside for a couple of days as I think I have 'exhausted' myself trying to 'catch it'... I am mindful that the day draws closer for my op and I want M's block to be out the door well and truly by then... That leaves me a little over a week to get it done and on its way. Silly really, I have only one small corner to go and I am finished but whatever I put there just doesn't look right.. I have the feeling a visit to my sister's stash is going to be the answer... As soon as it is completed I shall post a photo of it...

sharonb's on line classes also start at the end of next week and I want the 'decks cleared' so to speak to begin those... I believe that Adelaide M's block is heading my way very shortly... Plus I want to have Feb '6x4 lives' contribution done - that is going to be fun to do as I already have a design in mind - but again it is in pinks - vibrant pinks... LOL and I am not a pink person by any stretch... Well at least I won't be bored with all these projects I have lined up... And yes, I still have some FISH to catch... And I think that I am also doing a fibre art card swap with the craft forum... I think all this might call for a list of some sort to keep it under control...

I am very excited about sharonb's classes - I feel like a little kid making sure that I have all the right things to start with... I know that I am going to learn so much and which will extend beyond my horizons as I know them... Even with M's block I feel I have come a long way and I have a feeling I know what isn't working with it at the moment - but time will tell if I can 'manipulate' that...

On the whole though I am looking forward with my op out of the way the I can then get my life on track again..

My 'birthday'...

I nearly forgot - today is my first birthday. On this date a year ago 'the blank page 'was born. And they said it wouldn't last...

I'm hooked...

Here it is after 11.00 pm and I am still up... Why??? Because the idea which has been niggling on the edge of my brain for the last few hours has finally made itself clear. So what am I doing?? Fluffying around with bits of material trying to make free form flowers - what else!!!!! I have been idly thinking about my Feb. contribution for '6x4 lives' and for some reason a piece of hot pink tulle - a scrap from my sister - popped into my mind. There it 'sat' waiting for me to discover why it was there - then bingo it came together. Hence I am sitting here trying to make flowers... Someone should have warned me this was going to be addictive... Why wasn't I told??????

Talking buttons...

Now that I have the fibre art card for Jan. is out of the way I have, as promised, started on M's block... It is funny how you start out with one idea and for me it seems - head straight off in the opposite direction...

So far I am pleased with what I have accomplished and I am trying not to get too carried away with it... I have even had a go at dyeing the piece of lace I have chosen for it... Now that my paints and brushes have been bought 'out of retirement' it could become very scary!!!!! I think perhaps that time I spent with Gabrielle Swain has had an everlasting effect on me... LOL - plus there is a little story formulating as I go - it seems as though the character which I chose for the block has taken on a voice - just what one needs really - a talking button...

But talk it does - telling me all about the block... No - my sanity is not in question - I am as sane as the next CQer... But somehow I don't think that is any validation...

Airports & fibre art...

As I write this M & D are sky high winging their way to London... We drove them to the airport this afternoon - D could barely contain his excitement - M was less so, she was more on the nervous side...

Me? Well, while I am concerned that they are travelling to the other side of the world while there is so much unrest - I figure that it is never going to be perfectly calm...

They will be gone for the best part of six weeks... I am sure there will be lots of photos, emails and phone calls...

My January fibre art for '6x4 lives' is finished and posted over on their site... I added a couple of othere bits... I think it would be more 'finished' if the edges had braid... Until I see something which 'catches my eye' it will remain like it is...

Missed deadline - '6 x 4 lives'...

'6X4 lives' I have missed the Jan. deadline - but I have persevered nevertheless.. The gum leaves got the flick - I decided that I was trying to be too perfect... They just 'didn't happen'fast enough for me. Perhaps they will feature in future '6x4' month... But what I did accomplish something. I rummaged around and picked some things at random and made a start. I used some pink through to deep red variegated DMC thread and some pink beads I found in my bits and pieces..

I also had bought this book from the op-shop as it had coloured illustrations of some stitches and while it didn't offer actual projects it did offer lots of ideas. At $3.00 I thought buying it was worth the risk - joking here!!!!

It had chain stitch constructed into a circle so I decide on a whim to do that too... The circle idea probably comes from my doodling - I tend to doodle circles, swans, and heart chains while I talk on the phone. Sometimes these circles 'grow' into other things - snails, shells etc. This circle takes in some elements of my dooling - obviously the circle and the straight lines nearly always feature in my doodles.

That led me to thinking about the beads and how they reminded me of bubbles... What is the connection between the three? LOL - I don't know - perhaps just shows the working of my mind. Don't answer that!!!!

Have you ever noticed how bubbles cling? They free float but also clump together on the edge of things... Now what you are about to see is not finished and you have to use ALL of your imagination...

As I got going it started to 'grow' in front of me... Now while the variegated thread doesn't really thrill me - the beading does... The photo doesn't show it - but I 'stacked' the beads so they would become 3D... I wanted to give the impression of how bubbles sit on top of each other... I wanted some of the beads to 'float' on their own and some to clump together... I wanted to suggest the idea of the bubbles coming up from within something...

The straight stitches from the middle of the circle I created for two reasons (i) to give perspective (ii) to give depth... I don't know if I am talking about the same thing here - but I know what I mean... You probably can't see the few gold beads or the metallic thread - I wanted the eye to 'travel' around the piece and with the pink metallic thread I wanted to give the impression of light touching something that was slippery... The metallic thread is wound lightly around the straight stitches helped me achieve that.

The bits that don't work for me are the deeper coloured 'circles' near the upper edges - they destroy the depth factor...

But - let me get a grip here - I decided to do participate in '6x4' to explore, push and extend my boundaries and that is what I doing - so I guess in a way the piece did work for me as I did all those things in 'little step' ways... But most of all - I really enjoyed 'the doing'!!!!

When I finish it I will 'torment' you with another photo. I have set myself a deadline - otherwise it will join the long line of unfinished.. Besides I want to start Feb's contribution. I seem to have gleaned an idea for that as well by looking at a container of potpourri which is made up of australian seed pots - all wonderful shapes - enough said.

M's block is also coming together in my mind. G from Patra's Place kindly donated some lace from her stash for my project - and a piece of that 'spoke' to me. This has taken me a little away from my original idea but still is in keeping with M's favourite things. I am itching to get started and once I have cut the final thread on the above project M's block is next in line. Busy, busy, busy... :-)}