I know I've mentioned before that I am terrible at pushing myself.
There's absolutely nothing "store front" about me. I can't sell my stuff & I can't sell my self. I'm all warehouse baby. I need people around me to give me a gentle nudge (or huge kick in the pants) to get me going.
Imagine my delight when I received an email from lovely Jeana Marie telling me to apply to share at Feeling Stitchy. Jeana Marie is studying my dream course & makes really clever & interesting things herself. My favourites here, here & here.
So I've packed up my embroidery gear & headed over here. I'll be sharing stuff over at Feeling Stitchy one day a week. I think it's going to be fun & it will surely keep me on track.
I hope you'll pop on over to Feeling Stitchy. There are some amazing projects shared in that space. Thanks Jeana Marie & thanks Floresita for having me.
Today it's one year since I pulled the blogging runners on & took my first step out onto the track.
Actually, the first step was taken sometime in 2005. That step was one taken my many others and it landed me fair & square in the middle of lovely Loobylu. I walked silently alongside Claire for a good long time & was hugely impressed when she began cross training.
Occasionally I took a stroll with Nichola and her lovely sidebar mates and Justine’s iPod seemed to be loaded with all the right tunes.
Late in 2006 when I was out for my stroll I tripped over this. Pip was setting a cracking pace & I loved running beside her.
In the middle of last year Pip stopped running to grab a Gatorade & issued an invitation. “Crochet yourself some laces for those Asics Kirst. You’ll need them if you’re going to run with me”.
I'm a huge fan of the run but I was a complete novice at running a journal of any kind. I knew I was going to need a training program if I was going to have any chance at all.
The program went something like this…
1. Post everyday for 21 days. Make the habit. Effortless, just like running on the flat.
2. If that goes well…make sure you return comments. A bit more tricky, running on sand (made more difficult by my cranky coach who only woke periodically from napping in the arm chair to deliver the message!)
3. Speak up…if you like something, say so. Nice & easy, running down hill with the wind behind me.
I think once I’d found my stride & was comfortably running in the zone I got a bit cocky & made this rule…
4. Post everyday for 1 year! This is probably the hill that’s been the toughest to climb.
Some days have felt like a sprint to the finish, a few have felt like a monotonous treadmill run, others have felt like a hill climb of epic proportions & I’m pretty sure on at least a couple I’ve limped into the first aid tent!
But I’ve done it. I’ve crossed the finish line & I think I’ve run a pretty good race.
I’m knackered though…I’ve tried really hard & given it my all.
So, if you've been spurring me on, cheering & supporting...
OR thinking I’m crazy as you watched from the comfort of your sofa...
OR if you've run a few kilometres with me...
OR kept the sugar levels high with beautiful eye candy...
OR most importantly, if you were there with me when the starter’s gun went off & been running hard with me the whole way,
THANK YOU!
Recovery is important. You’ve got to rest after a big race. I’m giving myself a few days off.
last night has given me another chance to blabber on about community.
Brown Owl's crafty clubhouse was a lovely relaxed but busy space last night.
Everyone brought their own projects to work on & we had a bit of show & tell too. It was wonderful - all those women with different skills & interests happily sharing their knowledge & resources. That's what I'm talking about!
Samantha Mathis said it best...
I have a dream of my own And it's mine all mine alone Its been my friend since I was just a girl It has a life it has a heart It has a soul and it's a part Of everything this woman gives the world
And it's a big dream Big enough to share Like a rainbow, hanging in the air And I thank God, for making it come true Makes me think maybe God's a woman too Makes me think maybe God's a woman too
There's a full moon tonight And I'm bathing in its light Naked as the day that I was born There is no shame beneath this sky I have kissed the past good bye And mended up my broken heart so torn
With a sweet sound only I can make And it gets stronger With every breath I take And it's all apart of making me feel new Makes me think maybe God's a woman too Makes me think maybe God's a woman too.
Thank you fabulous Brown Owls near & far for contributing & sharing.
Did you know that I'm part of the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap? It was organised an embarrassingly long time ago by the gorgeous Kate.
In true kootoyoo style I've left it & left it & left it some more. Don't get me wrong...there's been plenty of think time & in my head the finished quilt is really, really beautiful. In reality I have one (yep 1) block pieced and another cut out. Not a fabulous start eh?
No more new anythings until this piece is finished so I'm going to share my in progress shots. If you catch me wandering off course do you reckon you'd prompt me with a comment like "Hey Kirst, haven't seen much on the white quilt front...what's up with that?".
----- In other news... -----
I've been included in Kidspots Top 50 Bloggers which is hugely flattering. Considering this is a "just for fun" gig for me & there are heaps of professional writer types included I'm quite chuffed. Thanks a bunch Kidspot.
There's the opportunity there to win a holiday to Dunk Island which is pretty cool so maybe check out the list, see if you're favourites are there. If so - click to vote.
I've got to say that I think that the craft blog community is pretty under represented on the list. So many beautiful, thoughtful, productive, positive, creative women I love who haven't been represented.
A big hearty thanks to those of you who have voted for me & saved me from left-on-the-shelf embarrassment. Muchly appreciated. x
...So kiss me & smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go cause I'm leavin on a jet plane don't know when I'll be back again. John Denver
A list of blogs I visit from places faraway.
allsorts angry chicken area thrifty one belladia black.white.bliss bluebird baby bricolagelife chris piascik crafting a green world daily danny decor8 design for mankind dudecraft elsie marley frecklewonder freshly found geninne's art blog how about orange ink caravan matte stephens mayamade odette ny pia jane bijkerk pintame el dia please sir poppytalk sfgirlbybay simple lovely simple sparrow soulemama swiss miss the purl bee treefall design twelve 22 wee wonderfuls
This list is a work in progress & will be updated regularly.
You might also like to check out my: craft blog list ... melbourne my absolute favourites! craft blog list ... australia
We have been so lucky on our little break this year! We haven't had one bad day & have just spent a glorious afternoon at the foot of the lighthouse in the rockpools. The small girl gave me a sand bath which was really quite enjoyable.
But...I MUST work at remaining on holiday until the break is actually finished! I've tried really hard this year not to think about the packing up & going home until it was time to go.
I failed! Today, I've made all sorts of plans & began packing, cleaning & tidying. Packing me is notoriously ugly. I don't think I was too bad today but the date still had a dig at me.
I wonder why I do it? It's the same during the week too. I go really hard to get to Wednesday in good shape & then the rest of the week just runs away from me.
I've had a great time but I'm really looking forward to being home & to getting around to say hello to some lovely folk who've been stopping in to have a virtual cocktail with me on holiday.
Mum’s woken me up and made sure I’m dressed in my very best outfit.It’s a pale pink suede A line skirt with a raspberry coloured love heart pocket. The matching waistcoat is getting a bit small and is starting to pinch my underarms when I walk. The pinching reminds me that soon I will be too big to wear it – I don’t complain.
My hair is brushed and plaited. The plaits are thick and tight and even. I stretch myself so that I can check my appearance in the mirror. I feel a bit sorry that my hair elastics look so bad. I wish that I had some raspberry ribbon to cover the frayed ends of the hat elastic cut and tied by mum in haste one morning.
We make it to Tullamarine with time to spare and I swing and climb on the guard rail in the entrance hall.
Finally, Non comes through the doors from customs, I can’t remember what she’s wearing but her smile is almost as big as her suitcase. I’m so excited to see her, she’s been away far too long. She cups my face in her hands and then plants a kiss on my cheek and gives me a giant squeeze.
We struggle to the car with the suitcase. I’m trying hard not to imagine the presents inside that case. I don’t want to seem rude.
When we arrive home Mum puts the kettle on and Non sets to work unlocking the suitcase and sifting through her clothes and shopping. There are plenty of international treats for everyone. The clothes and dolls are lovely but what I’m aching for is a tiny little package. I’m starting to feel anxious. I can’t see anything small enough to be a charm.
Non carefully unfolds one of her jumpers and pulls out a little package wrapped in tissue. She presses it into my palm and tells me the story of how she selected the charm and then negotiated and finally purchased the little cupid in Rome.
This little thing will be taken by Non to Precious Metals and soldered to my bracelet alongside the other charms that have been gifted to me from places far away. I resolve it that moment to have charm bracelets for my own grand daughters.
It’s 11pm. I’ve been walking for 15 hours and I can feel the tears welling in my eyes again. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional this experience was going to be.
The soup I forced down an hour ago is making me feel sick and I wish I was home in bed. I’m painfully aware that I’ve only walked about 3 kilometres in the last hour and am trying to calculate in my jumbled mind how much longer it will be until we reach Mt Evelyn Reserve.
I’ve no idea where the rest of my team is, I’m just following the person in front and hoping that it’s Viv. The team thing is driving me insane, I just want to run ahead and make it be over. Of course, that’s not in the spirit of the event so I trudge on and hope that none of the others want to chat. I’ve got nothing to say and I’m worried that if I have to talk I’ll burst into tears.
The rain is absolutely bucketing down. The Gortex jacket has been pushed beyond it’s capability and I’m soaked to the skin. I think it’s about 2 degrees and I can’t even imagine how cold it must be at the top of Mount Donna Buang. I’m aware that I can’t feel my lips, nose, fingers or toes. The pungent smell of soaked wool and sweat is overpowering and serves to reassure me that I do still have a nose.
I wriggle my toes in my hiking shoes. They are completely numb, I imagine that they must look like little prunes. With each step my socks squelch and the skin around my heel squeaks. I’m so thankful that the support team made me change out of my Asics. At least these shoes have got a bit of grip in the wet.
Each outward breath hits the light of my head torch and the rain. Until it clears I can see nothing. I’m just concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.
I imagine that every corner we round will be the last and am longing for the twinkling lights of the Checkpoint. I’ve only walked this section in daylight and my memory has failed me. I’m getting used to disappointment.
I was tagged ages ago by the lovely Chalk & Cheese. I'd decided today was the day & then Arthur's Circus tagged me too.
Seven is the number of rings I wear all the time. It's ridiculous for a girl with hands my size & I look like a mafia wife but I don't care.
Friday is my favourite day of the week - I run like a demon, drink with friends & fall in a heap.
I love mornings best of all. The crispness of the air makes me feel alive.
My favourite piece of jewellery is my wedding band. One of my school friends told me it would be & I didn't believe her. I was so in love with my engagement ring I couldn't imagine that a little piece of gold would be more treasured - but it is.
I've known the date since I was 12 years old & we've been together for more than half my life.
Grant Caroll made me remember than 7 8s are 56. He tortured me with that table in year 4 it's just about the only "times" I can remember - I was always bad at tables.
I'm a details girl see image above...7 pins & 7 spots on the toadstool.
As for tagging other players - if you want to play consider yourself tagged.
The little gold band was given to me by The Date 19 years ago. We'd been "going out" for five weeks and he gave it to me on the night of my Year 12 formal. I had the ring resized when we became engaged so that I could wear it on my little finger. I love it so much because he chose it and because it symbolises the very beginning of "us", when we were just kids.
The ball of wool was given to me by the very clever Victoria Mason. I've been lucky enough to spend some time with Vic in her studio. Seeing exactly how much work goes into each piece just makes me love her jewellery more. Every single step in the creation of her pieces is taken with love. Victoria only makes pieces of items that are special to her and her workmanship and dedication to her craft is awe inspiring.
The ball of wool is a must have for the yarny crafter in your life. She is giving away one ring & one necklace on her blog. Quick...it could be you. Click.
I’m sitting in the kitchen watching the minutes roll over on the digital oven clock. It’s only been three minutes since I last asked "Is it time yet?". I don’t want to bug Non but I’m just about bursting with anticipation.
I can’t sit still. The swivel chair I’m sitting on is moving constantly. Swivel left, swivel right, swivel left, swivel right. Non is busy preparing something at the kitchen bench and peers over her glasses at me. I know the constant motion is annoying her but I can’t help it.
I’m not sure how I successfully negotiated an afternoon alone at Non’s, but I’m feeling extremely pleased with myself. We can’t ever get the precious dolls out when the littler kids are around because of a recent breakage by Cal.
Finally, Non gives me a little nod. I’m up and out of my chair before she can change her mind.
I open the sliding door to the dining room. The air in the dining room is cold and moist and smells like a mixture of Mr Sheen and liqueur. I wrestle with the aluminium step ladder, being careful not to bump into the sideboard or the dining chairs.
I climb up the ladder and cup my hand under the olive green key tassel. I love the way it feels, heavy and soft at the same time. I turn the key in the lock of the glass doll cabinet.
The dolls have been collected from all around the world. They are just souvenir dolls but to me they are so precious. I’m sure it’s got something to do with the fact that they are stored up so high, under lock and key. Their glass and mahogany home is so decadent. Surely they must be worth an absolute fortune.
I carefully remove each one and lay them one at a time on the velvet runner on the sideboard. Once I’ve made my selection (always leaving the broken marketeer and his wagon behind), I lock the cabinet and carefully carry the little figures back to the kitchen.
The next hour is filled arranging and rearranging the dolls on the kitchen table and listening to the stories of where they were purchased. It’s clear from the way Non speaks that they really are valuable. They are memory anchors for her and memory makers for me. They well deserve to be treated with such care and respect.
The preliminary drawings for our big & exciting something (I haven't reduced the image so you can have a snoop & just see what that room on the right is - it makes me quite squirmy- eeeek).
A lovely Loobylu parcel in the post today & waiting on my desk when I got home from work.
My luscious crown the girls made me last year. The small crowned me when I was at the computer last night.
Blank Matryoshka. I've been wanting to have a crack at a set of these for a while now. This lovely girl is working on a set too.
The remains of the crochet baby blanket that the small has slept with, watched TV with & basically carted around with her for her entire life. It's name is Huky & it's the most revolting, manky old bit of string but loved more than anything! Jess will appreciate its importance.
All sorts of other little books, knick knacks & crafty supplies.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts on my community post from yesterday - they have been greatly appreciated.
Please excuse the awful pic - this daylight saving thing has thrown me a bit.
I try to keep this space happy. I talk alot about the small things that I appreciate & make me happy. I know I've raved a bit before about the smalls, the date & the extended family. It really is true...love is all you need.
So...what makes me "happy" is 2 date made Capiroska. Chatty, relaxed, giggly... it's a pretty fun version of me. .
Well here it is! The Granny Square necklace by Victoria Mason. As amazing as it looks in this photo - it's so much better in real life. Just how Victoria has managed to make it drape & curl is beyond me.
You might remember that Victoria asked me to crochet her a tiny square & if you follow her blog (& you should because she's so amazingly generous with her process) you will have seen it develop further...
here, here & here.
Victoria's work is incredible, every piece she makes has a beautiful story behind it & the attention paid to every step of the process is beyond compare.
Victoria has given this to me to pass on to one of you! Amazing!
These are brand spanking new (not yet available for sale) & this one is a one-off. Vic was trialling enamel colours and has settled for a couple of different combinations for the "for sale" pieces.
How lucky you would be to wear this piece around your neck? Want to be an early adopter? Comment away people & we'll draw a winner Monday night.
Thank you Victoria for including me in the creation of this piece, for being so clever, for being so generous & just generally for being ACE.
Comments now closed 10:44pm Monday 17 May. Winner announced Tuesday 18 May. Thanks.
I had to delete the post from yesterday, I tried to edit it & there must have been something wrong with the code. I figured it was the universe telling me not to post that map so I deleted it.
So that freak running in the all together did actually put the wind up me a bit. Today my run took me just about as far away from that park as it is possible to get on foot & without a compass.
I still think it is hilarious that anyone would get their kicks running without pants but now I'm feeling annoyed that I've allowed the idiot to get to me.
I reckon it'll be a good few weeks before I'll be in that neck of the woods again. I'll be spending much time here re-working some of my favourites. 51
I’ve got the heater going in the car and it’s nice & cosy. I have to force myself to turn off the engine. I’m staring across the road at the “manor” and willing myself to go in. I tell myself it’s too cold to get out of the car, acutely aware that’s not the real reason for my reluctance.
Non hasn’t recognised me for months. The visits are painful for me and I’m sure her as well. She’s not one of those sweet little old ladies who retain their social niceties and chat merrily about church, hydrangeas, cooking, suitcases and their cats. The visit isn't easy. I force the conversation and offer prompts.
Remember? Warm moccasins, hand knits, sweet treats, close cuddles, leather gloves, working together, imaginary games.
Remember? Pancakes, deep baths, silky pillowcases, strong perfume, daytime television, cross word puzzles, travel stories.
Remember? Tic Tocs, shared dreams, dinner parties, Max Bygraves, the garden, Pop, your girls….me?
Non doesn’t, she can’t.
Occasionally I see that she is searching the far reaches of her failing mind, but she comes up blank.
She stares straight through me. When she does speak she is often angry and argumentative. I can’t blame her, I’m sure I’d be the same. I suppress the urge to scream.
This is no way to live.
I leave feeling completely drained.
The grieving began long before she died. I do remember & I cherish.
This is a little something I made for a giggle & for you.
I'm hoping that I'll give Pickering (mine's safe for work folks - I promise) a run for his money & grace the back of toilet doors globally...nationally...locally...ok at least at Claire, Christie & Shazza's places because they encouraged me to take on this project in the first place.
I've been tinkering away on this for a couple of months...since you first got a laugh out of my noticing & beret shots. All crafty "disguises" have been fashioned by me, some especially for the project & some were just loitering about the house in various states of completion.
I dragged the little guy in to check out my "folio". He watched in horror as I flicked through the images & then we had this conversation...
Little guy: "Mum, this is terrible. Nobody is going to want this." Me: "It's free buddy." Little guy: "Even then Mum. Only your friends will look at it, because they'll feel sorry for you."
I'm confident that anyone who reads here regularly will enjoy the calendar & take it in the spirit in which it's intended. For any new-to-me folk who are saying to themselves "This girl's got a touch of the Warren Beattys about her." - well, there's something in there for you too. x
I know that a few people have problems with JS Kit & have had trouble with their service. Personally, I have had positive dealings with JS Kit support & am keen to continue with this system of commenting. Mainly because I think that the blogger comment system is less than ideal.
Why I like it...
-I like that I have the option/ability to respond to each comment. -I like that if used to full advantage I can click directly to a commenters site. -It's made me engage more with the folks that do leave comments on this site & afterall that's what it's all about eh?
I think that JS Kit is most beneficial if you actually sign up to it. It doesn't cost anything to register with JS Kit. They have a strict privacy policy & the site owner (me) doesn't actually have access to your email address...
-Then you have the option to receive my responses (or those of other commenters via email). -You can add a number of sites where people can visit you. It actually lists the name of the site so that people know where they are heading.
There are other options for logging in to leave a comment which are all fine but you may not see the benefits that I describe above.
Anyway, I just thought that I would include a how to as it seems a few people are stumped &/or confused when it comes to commenting using JS Kit.
...
I've said something or shown something that you'd like to make a comment about... Click "comment" This box will pop up. If you want to comment as a guest (& you don't have a blog) that's fine...just try to remember to type your name in the guest box so I know your name. <
OR you can sign in using one of the following in the drop down under the "From" Here's where you would choose "Blogger" or "my other site" or "JS Kit" . If you choose "Blogger" or "my other site", you still need to type your name where it currently says "Guest". You can also choose to upload an avatar but you won't receive email responses.
To get the most out of your comment... sign up to JS Kit (you only need to do this once)
If you do that your comment will look like this. I know it's Tania from Myrtle & Eunice before I even click. I recognise her icon (& I'm pretty glad she's stopped by). I can hover my mouse over Tania's name & I've got the option to visit her on her site if I like. You know I'm gunna because I'm loving what she's got to say & she's made it super easy for me. You should probably go & visit her too. She's good!
If you sign up to JS Kit you also have the option to change your avatar from your "comment box".
I hope this was helpful & I hope it might make commenting on kootoyoo a more valuable/fun experience.
The lovely Fiona listed 3 things making her happy this week.
It's been a good week so I'm playing too.
1. Mothers Little Helper chocolate is making me happy. I'm normally not a huge dark chocolate fan but this is really good! Best of all dark chocolate is really good for you...what with all those anti-oxidants. They've even got a happy website.
2. Smart guys getting exciting about codes & the future of advertising makes me happy.
3. Lovely welcome home cards from the smalls made me really happy. .
You might remember ages ago I got all inspired by this lovely girl & layed out my PJ quilt on the carpet.
I had the very best intentions of actually stitching it up BUT all the pieces got in the way & I had to pile them up again. Once that was done I lost all enthusiasm & they have sat in a nice neat pile ever since.
I've been slowly working on my granny square quilt/blanket & everytime I go to make up a new square I lay all the blocks out to see what I've got & what I need (or don't).
Then I stack them all up again.
So yesterday I made this piecing "quiver". I'm quite pleased. I've just safety pinned them on & then rolled the whole affair up & stowed it under the table in the pool room.
Be lazy with me...
I just used an old double bed doona cover & a couple of broomsticks from the hardware.
I layed the stick on top of the doona & "measured" the casing for each side. Pin & machine stitch into place.
& for the ties along the centre fold (wrong side of doona cover). Pin & machine stitch into place.
Then I marked lines for a cot sized quilt & a single bed quilt
& just ran lines of stitching. The doona cover I used had lines already printed on it ... a stroke of accidental genius.
Once all the machining was complete I fed the broomsticks into their casings & then I pinned my blocks to the doona cover.
Note: there's overhang at the top which I just folded down when ready to roll.
I folded in half so that the sticks met
& then rolled the sticks toward the mid line.
I tied the ribbon loosely & stored.
Disclaimer: This method would not be recommended by serious quilters I am quite sure...but it works for me.
Also: if you know of anything similar to this please let me know - I'd like to check it out.