Busy, busy, busy...

Best laid plans and all that. :( 

Have been too busy camping, taxi-ing children to various outings and playdates and shopping for school camp to get to the blog lately. Will try harder. *promise*

Not that camping wasn't fun! The lovely Neurum Creek Bush Retreat out near Woodford is a fantastic place for kids  - beautiful creek, bike tracks, walking paths, swimming hole, open fires and even movie night on Saturdays.

However, I think we'll pack the tent away for a few months now that the cold weather (I can hear all the Southerners sniggering) is here.

See - I even had to wear my new scarf! (Still very chuffed to have learned a new skill - can't you tell?)


P.S. " Isn't it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists? "  Kelvin Throop III

Amy Butler-ised

My Sweet Harmony handbag is finished!

It was a bit fiddly (lots of prep - eewwww) and I was wishing I didn't choose patterns that needed matching, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. 

There are a few tweaks I will make next time (like altering the placement of the magnetic snaps, lowering the phone pocket slightly and cutting the lining about 1cm smaller than the exterior) to get a more professional finish. 

The lining isn't very snug. :(

I'm on the lookout for another fabric combination - this time I need something with black in it! I have been meaning to make a bag for using with black shoes and /or pants for ages. I keep getting distracted by pretty things that are green and brown and aqua...and green... and turquoise...and lemon...*focus!* I want something non-directional, maybe a modern floral. Got any suggestions?

In other news, the knitting is going well. I hope to have a new scarf to take camping this weekend. Very proud of myself - seems you can teach an old dog new tricks!

And here's a sneak peak of my current project - it's very 'long'. *snigger*

Will post when it's done. But not till after camping. Getting the thermal underwear ready right now.

P.S. Camping:  The art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet.  ~Author Unknown

A Wonderful Weekend Away...

I know Friday is really late to be posting about the past weekend, but whaddaya gonna do? I work fulltime and run after 3 kids, so this is the first chance I've had to even look at the few photos I took (let alone unpack) since I got home on Sunday evening.

Not that it wasn't worth it - it was great! A really nice mix of 8 women of different ages and personalities plus wonderful hosts made for a fun, laughter-filled, relaxing and inspiring time at our Twilight2Twilight craft retreat in Esk.

I did some papercrafting...

a bit of sewing...

                                                                                              (The Amy Butler bag is coming along nicely.)

started to learn to knit...

                                                                                      (though I have a long way to go with this new skill...)

ate lots of this...

                                             (photo coutesy of Tamara from Twilight2Twilight)

had a view of scenes like this...

and had plenty of these type of moments!

                                                                                 (Don't you luuuurve our glorious slippers from the Esk markets?)

 I even got to share Mothers' Day with my Mum for the first time in ages, which made up for the fact that I had to wait until that evening to see my own kids. (Poor me! I don't know how I stood the sleeping in and having food prepared for me and all that time to myself. I know you can sympathize.)

When I did finally get home, I was presented with some lovely handmade cards from the small ones, and some nice gifts.

They all bought gifts from the Mothers' Day stall at school, and despite the range of items available, I ended up with 3 oil lamps, 2 of which are identical. Must be genetic!

And my wonderful hubby D got me a great new retro kitchen scale - just what I wanted. How did he know? It's almost like I went shopping myself the week before! 'Nuff said.

                                                             (Mmmmmmm. Shiny.)

Hope all is well in your worlds'! Mine is a pretty happy place right now.

Isn't it wonderful what a little break from the everyday can do?


P.S. "The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on."  ~Elbert Hubbard

Mummy Bragging...

Just wanted to show you something great made by my youngest...

It's an Anzac Day poster showing "Soldiers' Work" (the theme for this year) which was entered into the Pine Rivers RSL poster competition for Year 1-3. Obviously, the soldier is holding a hammer, a brick and a bucket of mortar because he's rebuliding a village house that was damaged, while the helicopter brings more building materials

and the tank guards the town. (Not that I had to have it explained, of couse. Mothers know these things.)

The best thing is that it was not only me who thought it was great - he won!

We attened the Anzac Day service at Kallangur last Sunday

After the service, he was presented with his cetificate and a cheque for $150! We had one very proud 6-year-old (and Mum and Dad).

He was convinced to donate a small part of the winnings (he chose the Guide Dogs) but most of the rest went on this...

Which he sepent the entire day yesterday building and playing with...

Ta-da! We are both so proud.

P.S. “Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.” Paul Bryant