mobblegobble

We went camping at Easter

And had a ball. Real camping - not caravan park camping. On a river.  I've never seen Dusts so comfortable - she was down at the bank fishing with her dad, prodding the carp, getting all muddy for fun, wandering around the bush, playing with all the dogs.  She's usually quite shy but she warmed up immediately to everyone (my uncle, cousins and their crew) - even showed some clever teflon-ing by getting my uncle his own biscut when he noticed hers with more than a hint of interest.  It was one of my dad's favourite things to do - and something my family did A LOT - so I am chuffed to bits that it's something we should all be able to do - I love camping.  And it's a leap of faith when you put 23 people together in a few tents around a campfire - you gotta just hope that they all get along. It was brilliant. Planning Queen came along with her crew too.  Highlights include: Easter Egg Hunt, Catching a few fish, Hanging with people I have known for almost all my life, having several drinks, being able to swim (just - it was murky but on a hot day - nothing beats a dip), no mobile phone for 4 days, sleeping in a tent and the ranger - this was a massive hit and very accomodating for the smaller kids (we had 7 aged 4 and under):

It's a long way but worth it.  We had a bit of drama on the 7 hr trip home - one of us didn't like the chips we had for lunch and had to get rid of them immediately.  We do a lot of car travelling so I hope this isn't the start of some kind of travel sickness.  It was just the once and she seemed to move on pretty quickly.  We'll wait and see.  Hope easter was breakful for everyone else.

Did you know that the Royal Children's Hospital is one of the Top 3 kid's hospitals in the world?

And I'm not surprised - We spent all day last Tuesday there and they were fantastic.  Dusty couldnt walk and her knee was swollen - they hit us with the works and fast.  Xrays, Bone scans, IV drips - the staff were all great and amongst the choas, you knew you were in the right spot to be taken care of.  (even our 2 yo who got dragged along got all the stickers, icypoles and wiggles action the sick kid got).  Although inconvenient in a busy (and short) week, very grounding experience to at the end of the day, take our kid home with a bottle of medicine (no bone infection, just in the tissue).  Thoughts to everyone who gets there and experiences times which far more emotional.

the Bride in the blue dress

two weekends ago we had a lovely weekend in halls gap with some old and dear friends - you know the ones that you used to live with in college at uni but you don't see that much these days.  It was awesome to catch up.  Also cause for celebration for Damage and I too as we have now been kissing only each other for 5 years!!!

This is my creation - better late than never

Hit me with your ribbon stick.  I think I am a couple behind but this is a couple of my favourite creations (not the kid in pink - someone else's creation), along with some ribbon wands we created the other day. 

We just used:

• a stick from the backyard
• some ribbon for flowing effect - the girls chose this when we were at snotlight earlier in the week
• stash ribbon to cover the stick and hold flowing ribbon in place.
• we also added some decorative beads to the ribbon end.

Of course the kids are most definitely my best creation. My own evolution since having them is amazing and never-ending.  You gotta love the gift that keeps on giving....

This is another of my favourite creations - it was my first applique/quilting attempt for my godson - each block has a meaning - Year of the Dog, Bull = Taurus starsign, Grapes are the mildura connection, Balloon wishing him travel and adventure, etc.  I was so happy with the result because its sooo personal and really stretched me into the phenomonen that is quilting and applique.

Threadery and Stitchiness

First ThreadDen sewing class last night - fabo.  Was recently stumped by hemming solution to stretch fabric dress I made my sister.   Julie gave me a few options - my favourite being the double needle - simple yet ever so effective.  Looked great on the bright purple leggings.

Today I was helping out with sublime stitching for pip and Living Creatively at the Stitches & Craft Show.  Met a swag of crafting royalty and got to hang out with fellow owl of brown-ness, Amy.  Great way to wag work if you ask me. I didn't get to have much of a look around but I did get to chat a lot and work on some stitching. Warning - photos are from the phone so no need to adjust your settings or stop swigging your whisky.

Picnic Anyone?

"Lunch" and "Dinner" hopping about near the stage - picking up all sorts of uber-handy crafty tips.

Do you think I need to fold some washing??

What a weekend - ahhh and thanks to the potplant elves.

I have squeezed in a smidgen of sewing - finishing up really - some mending, a skirt for Dusty, a bright red bear hood and tail.  But most of all we went swimming, took the mattress off in the back of the station wagon to the drive in, housey jobs, leisurely trike rides, visiting soon to slide off bestys and a lovely fat chook parma.  I love summer days when I get to hang out in my swimmers (not sure how everyone around me feels about that but it makes me think I am on holidays).

And, I love mystery kind, thoughtful, generous angels.  I am yet to discover who is responsible for making my day but THANKS - you rock (my potplant was stolen two weeks ago - someone has repotted some jade into another pot which was home to some dead mint - legends!!!)

This is

This is looking out my front door - this week's meme from Brooke.  And that is chantal's party going on in the middle of the road - lovely way to spend a saturday eve.  I love where I live!!!

Speaking of Security

Under quite harsh conditions (it was raining lightly) I gathered the troops this morning to mount a counter attack on invading militia. 

Earlier this week, the girls got all "I'll wear what she's wearing":

Long weekend coming up and apart from a few bits and pieces we are footloose and fancy free.  Yippee.  Enjoy the long weekend.

All the owls are brown...Security!!!

I had my very first Brown Owl's meeting on Monday.  I can't believe my luck really - I am in a craft club with lots of lovely crafty ladies.  Brown Owls even has its own clubhouse - in the corner of a clothing manufacturer - freakin' awesome!! Working towards my travel badge, I am a Seconder (and I will work out how to add button in very near future) and I can't wait to give the crochet needles a burn - I'm sure I will be much more successful at this than my extremely crap knitting effort to date. 

I noticed when I got home that the clubhouse might need whooop whoop alarms for lightfingered brown owls like me - I have lifted a hoop (which I will return asap):

U- Hu, some late mail - 'tis I - Cloud Forest Owl!!!  Yoo Hoo