Rummage

Nemesis: the reprise

I did a spot of community service pruning today. This time I steered clear of retirement villages and snaffled the odd branch as we walked in the reserve. Man, this Autumn thing has me just about jumping out of my skin.

For my international visitors (all 7 of you), Sydney is seriously lacking in the seasonal department. There's just Summer, Summer and the odd bit of Spring thrown in to make you break out the cardi for a few weeks.

Back to the pruning..I did hesitate momentarily, my secateurs poised tantalisingly close to some virginal tree-flesh. Is that my old friend nemesis there hovering behind the branch?

No sir, snip, snip, rustle, crash. Karmically speaking, I'm in the clear thought I lugging Autumn home.

Fast forward a few hours and I sit feverishly at my keyboard with a 39+ temperature nursing the gaping wound that was once my throat. I'm off to bed, hoping to be released on a good behaviour bond shortly.

PS I'm thinking of opening an online shop on account of the fact that I'm just about to leap back on the mortgage treadmill AND we're going to France/Tokyo in August...god forbid I am reduced to 'leche vitrine' - I've never been big on window licking/shopping..

I need some dollars so I thought I might have a rustle through the cupboard and see what I find...Just kidding, I'm thinking of putting together a comprehensive collection hand tailored  in polar fleece - down to the smalls. I'm telling you, I think I've hit on something there, it'll go off like a bomb here in Canberra under our current weather conditions. After taking Canberra by storm I'll move on to Tokyo, Paris, London..Cutting edge, that's me, or maybe that's the fever talking.

Seriously now, I'm thinking dolls, the odd frock, bits and bobs, some Canberran op-shop excellence. Are you in?

Good Evening Hubris, I'll be Your Nemesis for the Evening

Scene One: In which the sin of hubris is committed.

The loungeroom, mood lighting.

Me to the Frenchman in a boasty, overconfident tone:

"Quilting? Piffle. A complete dawdle. I'll have this done before you finish that cup of hippie tea."

I exit with a cocky strut to my step. Slow fade to black.

Scene Two: In which the act of Nemesis in enacted upon my sorry self.

The bedroom/sewing room/ironing room/apex of the bermuda triangle.

Me to the Pfaff in a high-pitched hysterical screech:

"F%^k! F^^k! F@#k! I bloody RIPPED the fabric!"

I exit at speed in search of an alcoholic beverage of some kind and a cut-throat to disembowel the remnants of the quilt. Slow fade to black.

FIN

Zazie Q & A

Sign: Aquarius with a Scorpio rising;

Occupation: Librarian;

Hobbies: Physical culture (regional ACT champion, 1985), bare-back horse riding and trainspotting;

Favourite Film: Down by Law, (it doesn't get any better than Tom Waits in a hair net);

If I wasn't wearing this I'd be in: Hotpants and a boobtube with belly-button accoutrements;

Favourite Novelist: Why, Raymond Queneau of course.

Millenium or Bust

I'm trying to break the land speed record for a blog post here because I want to finish this damn quilt prior to the next millenium or a cardiac arrest whichever comes first, (I thought quilting was suppposed to be calming)...

Voila some lovely presents from my sister and niece respectively:

..and some patchwork on the go:

Kimonos and Salt Shakers

Thanks for all the good wishes re the property purchase. This is just a quick one to let you know about an excellent online fabric store based here in Canberra. I've bought previously from KimoYes and their stuff is gorgeous. I just got an email to say that they have just received a new shipment so they have put a lot of their stuff on sale and they are giving away vintage kimono patchwork packs worth $20 to anyone who purchases over $50 on or before this Friday. Check it out here.

Aren't the salt and pepper shakers the business - bought at the fabulous Bargain Hunters in Queanbeyan for spare change. x

Chez Nous: Last Days=Hurrah!

Popped out the other day and bought a house. Just. Like. That. Tra la la.

After all the agonizing, sulking and general bad behaviour on my part, we went to an opening and made an offer which was accepted by the agent without blinking an eyelid. AND it has a pomegranate tree in the front yard. Hoot.

I'll spare you the details, suffice to say I am bloody stoked frightfully pleased.

We also spent a wee pocket of time in the big smoke and just quietly I'm not missing it. Friends and family, sure. The odd cafe or 7, a spot of breakfast at Bathers, furtive dashes to the fabric department at IKEA but beyond that rien, nada. I wanted to click my heels together, cartoon style when we crossed back over into the ACT. I guess that strikes me off the cool list forever but I can't help it, Canberra has worked it's way into my blood. Did I mention my raised vegetable beds? Lord sake, I'll be getting about in my parachute pants and permanent wave before you know it.

Hoping it is well with you. x

On Wobbly Heads & Folk Singers

I have just been relieved of two of the four children in my charge this evening and would like nothing better than to sink into bed with a cup of green tea and Antonia Fraser's forthright biography of Marie Antoinette (gone are the racy, halcyon days of g&t's & Jackie Collins by the bedside) . So what am I doing here hogging your bloglines? Can't keep away can I. I guess I like your company. This is just a quick one, really, to say thanks to Alix and Jodie - you crafting legends, you. And to post a few pictures from the day. Oh, and have you seen Adie loves Polly? Scrumptious stuff. Also, by chance I heard Kate Rusby's beautiful voice on the radio today - I love a folk singer with an accordion and mandolin thrown in for good measure. Put the three together and I'm usually sobbing before reaching the first chorus. Sook, I am. Going soft in my old age.

Enough blather, hope your weekend is restful.
xx to you.

Help!

I dabbled in a bit of petty theft of the Autumnal variety outside a retirement village today. I suppose I should feel guilty stealing from the old but there were so many trees with so many beautifully laden branches that I couldn't resist. I've taken to carrying a pair of secateurs with me in the car in case I see a particularly tantalizing branch. Let's just call it my civic duty when I see a tree in desperate need of a prune.

That's not what I wanted to talk to you about though. I need a bit of help - I'm making a doll for someone as a swap and I'm having problems with wobbly heads. Does anyone know if there is a trick to stuffing dolls so that they stay firm and don't flop about? I'm at the bottom of the class with this craft caper - as always your advice is greatly appreciated.
x

On the Make

Weekend that Was..

Craft from the Small People:

Thanks to Sarah and the Kiddley archives.

And the big:

Oh, and some haberdashery re-organisation:

Love to you and yours.

x