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...