daisy chain

Out and About

I was happy to read in the local paper that there was an exhibition of sculptures by one of my favourite wood carver artists Robin Turner. 

Sadly, he had a stroke three years ago and is no longer able to create.

He made his artwork from recycled timber and iron. 

Some of his big birds are permanent fixtures at my local winery.

The exhibition was wonderful with many pieces on display that are privately owned as well as some other works of his.

I loved this chess set and stool..

There were some pieces for sale that were WAY to expensive for my budget.

And some that weren't.

So...I splurged on my very own little birdie.

And a most unusual clock that I love..

Robin used to frequent our once a month market where he'd sell his beads and buttons.

Each time I'd go I would have a chat to him and buy a few.

I still do-though now I chat to two women who have taken over his noworrybeads business.

I have a bit of a collection now..

They are handmade locally using collected Australian timber, tree prunings, seed pods, recycled wood from salvage and cast resin.

I enjoy getting out and about in my local area.

But not today...

It is very, very windy..

and I am NOT a big fan of wind.

It is good for one thing though..

drying my quilt that I made ages ago and has become quite grubby..

It will be back on the bed in no time!

Summer Daze

Well hello there...

I'm very much in relax mode.

And enjoying the slower pace.

Hanging around at home a lot.

 

And spending quality beach combing time.

On the hot, hot days I'd crochet in the airconditioning

and this...

has grown into this...

And I've started a simple quilt top with my favourite brights.

It felt good to get the machine going again.

I will have to get out of my habit of having an afternoon nap and staying up late.

As next week the lazy daze will come to a grinding halt!

Oh new school year are you here already?

 

In Relax Mode Now

This is one of my favourite times of the year.

All things Christmasy packed away. 

And the brand New Year is here.

Lazy summer holidays.

Our beach is much busier than usual and our morning walks have been full of fun surprises!

I really enjoyed making my Secret santa gift and ornament for Laila 

And receiving mine from Andrea

Lovely fun ornaments that make me smile:)

And a cute little purse and cheerful apron

Thank you so much Andrea-they are lovely and so well made.

Thank you once again to the wonderful Chooky Blue who brilliantly organises this swap each year with such skill and enthusiasm. I have been in every one so far and it has become part of my Christmas tradition now!

Have fun everyone and a Happy New Year to you:)

 

 

Report Writing Time

You know it is report writng time when...

• The house is cleaner than it's been for weeks
• All the washing is done, folded and put away
• Your toe nails are painted
• You've baked enough biscuits to last for two weeks-not just one

• You've churned out a stack of sausage rolls

• You've made your lunch and recess for tomorrow-and the next day
• You added extra mileage to your usual walk

• A lot of extra mileage

• Finishing your Secret Santa gift takes priority

• You have to take lots of photos of these flowers as they don't happen very often

• You finally finish the saga that has been consuming your reading time for months

George!!! What ARE you doing to us? (sob!)

Well Hello There

Not sure why I've been absent for so long....

I guess I've just been out of the blogging habit.

And of course holidays are the perfect way to get back into it.

I've finished this..

And have started another..

I always like to have a simple and therapeutic crochet project on the go.

Loving the spring days..

And we've had some amazing sunsets..

Ever feel like you're being watched?

Had a giggle at this sign at the market..

It was so nice and relaxing to go to the zoo with just my sister and not with a class full of 30 exhuberant 8 year olds!

The newborns were out and about enjoying the sun..

While the adults got on with the business of the day..

Hope to see you around a bit more often:)

Way Behind the Blogging Eight Ball

I have been a virtual blogging recluse.

I haven't even blog thanked (I have definitely email thanked)

my lovely Secret Santa Ulla for my beautiful gifts...

I was very lucky to have her as my Secret Santa for sure-thanks again Ulla:)

I haven't shown my Secret Santa gifts I made for Paula..

Or even really blog welcomed the New Year..

 But I have decided to get over it and just get on with it!

Holidays have been wonderful-busy socially but just wonderful.

I do so like the slower pace.

I have been crocheting in the air conditioning-something that I can do automatically without much thought..

It is good therapy to just go round and round and add another colour.

The walks have been happening and the swims..

And I seem to have been fiddling more with my iphone camera than my usual one..

I have had lots of lovely Lilies flowering..

And now I've been inspired by Ms Ric Rac extraordinaire to finally start a rag rug.

I bought a big fat crochet hook last year and now I've been busy tearing up sheets

and working out what to do.

Back to it!

Busy in a Good Way

Just like most people, the multitasking going on around here is a bit overwhelming at times.

In between doing these...

I have seven to go-yay!

And making Softies for a woman at school's soon to be born baby and two year old...

And doing very Secret Santa things...

I have been admiring my flowering something or other...

I think is a kind of Zygote cactus

That I got as a cutting from a friend along time ago.

It is fascinating to watch these weird looking buds..

Turn into something quite beautiful..

A bit like the story of the Ugly Duckling really..

The flowers only last a day or so.

It is tiring work being busy in a good way..

But there is always a bit of crochet therapy going on.

Hope you are keeping up with it all:)

 

 

School Holiday Project Done

I really wanted to finish putting my granny rug together.

It is so satisfying going from 126 of these...

Working through the piles, weaving in the ends..

Joining, joining...

The piles get smaller, the rows increase..

Until finally....

Yay!!!

You're done:)

What to do with Lemons

On my walk I pass a lovely house with a lovely garden quite frequently.

I have become friendly with the owners who travel up from the city every weekend.

I would even say that Michael is a friend of mine. He is 86 and quite amazing.

We have chats and a laugh and discuss all manner of subjects. He still flies his plane and is writing a book!

He tells me that the secret to his long and productive life is hard work! He is always in his garden digging and planting and designing.

He gave me some lemons and mentioned that a friend of his had made some lemon butter not that long ago but he didn"t have a chance to taste it because his wife scoffed it all!

So I decided to have a go at making some myself.

It turned out really delicious.

I popped on some labels and fancied up the lids a bit...

And hey presto-lemon butter (we always called it lemon curd in my house).

The cranes are still happening...

My students have been taking photos of their cranes with the school camera and I was very impressed with their photography skills-especially rhis one..

I have been madly edging my grannies with blue so I can finish this rug and start a new one!

Yikes-look at all those ends!

Looking forward to the holidays next week-yay:)

Crane Crazy

After reading this story to my class this week...

 
we have all gone crane crazy.

Every time I read this book the students respond so well and are so moved.

The depth of questions that come after it is astounding.

And so they wanted to learn how to make cranes and off course they want to make 1000:)

They have inspired me as I haven't made any cranes for awhile and I forgot how much I love doing them.

Many of them found their way out into the garden...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I think this one looks more like a pelican!

 
They are fun to play with at all stages of development..

 
 
I would love to do something like this one day (photo courtesy of flickr)..

 
Hmmmm! I'll put it on my list.