Sweet Fabric [Search results for running

  • The Kootoyoo Marathon - a year long run...

    The Kootoyoo Marathon - a year long run...

    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.

    21 days to make it – 3 days to break it?

    .

  • How to make a corner bookmark...

    How to make a corner bookmark...
    bookmark

    x marks the spot
    Magnetic Corner Bookmark
    a tutorial

    Gather your supplies:
    Embroidery floss, scrap cardboard (a used cereal box is ideal), calico, scissors, craft knife, needle, fade out marker, adhesive backed magnetic tape.

    Step 1:
    Take a deep breath…there’s a bit of maths here.
    Prepare your templates.
    Cut a 13cm (5.1 inches) square from scrap cardboard
    Cut a right angle triangle measuring: 7.5cm (2.95 inches) x 7.5cm (2.95 inches) with a hypotenuse of 10.5cm (4.13 inches).

    Step 2:
    Cut your magnetic tape to fit & stick it to the triangles so that they come together neatly. Set aside for later.

    Step 3:
    Using your square template as a guide cut out your calico. Leave a seam allowance outside the template of approximately 1.5 cm (3/4 inch).

    Step 4:
    Press your calico square around your cardboard template.

    013

    Begin by pressing the corners as pictured above.

    014

    Next press each of the sides as pictured. This removes a lot of the bulk in the corners & will keep the folds nice & neat.

    Step 5:
    Remove the cardboard template & fold the square in half to form a triangle.

    017

    Press. Fold in half again & press.

    Step 6:

    xtemplate

    Print this template or just trace/draw your own "x".

    018

    Unfold your pressed triangle & positioned it right side up. Whip out your fade out marker, check your folds carefully & mark your “x” where you would like it positioned on the face of the book mark. You need to make sure that you mark your “x” in the left hand (or 9 o’clock) triangle of your square. Just bear in mind that the centre seam will run parallel to the spine of the book.

    Step 7:
    Stitch your “x”. Gift…use a speedy stitch like running or back stitch.

    Step 8:

    020

    Once you’ve finished stitching your design place your work face down on the ironing board & repress the folds.

    Step 9:

    022

    Position your triangle shapes (magnet side down) inside the seams & fold in half.

    Step 10:

    023

    Pin to secure.

    Step 11:

    024

    Running stitch along each of the short sides of your triangle.

    Step 12:

    027

    Once you’ve completed the running stitch – make the final fold & remove your pin. Now blanket stitch the short side closed to form your “cuff”.

    You’re finished & ready to gift.

    ...

    Would you like the premium how to? There are lots more images, printable templates & some extra tips too. All for less that the price of a coffee & delivered to your inbox. CDs & kits also available - over here.

  • How to dream...

    How to dream...

    image source

    while you're awake.

    I don't remember my night time dreams often & I really wish I did.

    So, I've done my best to recreate the dream during my waking hours & I thought I'd share.

    Many of you know that I run (& run & run & run). I get up early & I don't miss a day.

    I have my best ideas when I run & often if something has me stumped then the problem will be solved on the run too.

    Serious athletes call it "The Zone". I don't care about peak performance or improving my time. I run to dream. What's more I don't think you need to run to dream awake.

    Here are my tips:

    -You need to make time.

    -Get out in the fresh air.

    -If you can run - do. If you're not a runner then walk.

    -Unplug. People can't believe I don't listen to anything while I run but I reckon you need to let your mind go blank.

    -Push it. I need to have gone about 5kms before the dream kicks in. For you it might be shorter (or longer).

    -If your dream starts to turn into a nightmare...stop!


    This is why I run. Not for glory, not for achieving personal bests, its for times like this when everything comes together creating a feeling like no other. I'm fully engaged, living in the moment, enjoying every moment. Knowing that this experience is repeatable is what keeps me going out for more. As I said at the start few sporting experiences can match running in The Zone. From here


    I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street.
    Neil Armstrong
    Sorry Neil - I intend to use up every last beat on the run.

    Are you moving it like mike?

    OR maybe running with and/or supporting Jhoanna and Anna - they are both raising funds for their charity of choice?

  • Leaving the chaos behind...

    Leaving the chaos behind...
    Kootoyoo Music Boxes - Aunty Cookie

    & heading to Canberra with Shannon and a few Aunty Cookie music boxes too.

    "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run"

    I'm so running ... running from the disaster that is our abandoned life in the old house & hoping that The Date & The Smalls might have everything done by the time I get back ... I fancy myself as very clever.

    I'm excited about...

    - catching up with Nan.
    - just worrying about myself.
    - laughing.

    See you here or on Sunday here.

  • Today I ran on autopilot...

    Today I ran on autopilot...

    Friday is my big run day. The route begins the same as my regular run & then instead of turning back for home I continue & turn & wind & weave.

    Autopilot is so weird. I often arrive at places I've driven to with no recollection of how I got there. I haven't had that experience running until today. I turned for home when I should have kept going so I ended up running an extra kilometre. Then the butterfly effect...

    I was 6 minutes later getting to the garbage run. So I ran 1 km playing tag with the garbos inhaling fumes & garbage stench - yuck!

    I was later getting to Camberwell which meant my coffee shop man was in full swing & I wanted to stop.

    I was later getting to the main roads & I discovered that 6 minutes makes a big difference to the amount of traffic on the road.

    I was later getting home which meant I got caught in the rain - YAY. Rain is my absolute favourite thing in the whole world. I love it even more now because we never get it.

    Image taken by Pip. This is my favourite rainy day photo.

  • The week that was...

    The week that was...

    EXCITING
    Snippets from my week.

    I really enjoyed my delightful week last week & so I'm backing it up with exciting. Saturday is a bit of a slow day in the blog world & it seems like a good day to weekEND.

    The date & are in the preliminary stages of a very big project...exciting.

    Yesterday I ran in the pitch dark at 6am. I normally love running in the street-lit-Melbourne dark but running along the Promenade at Lonsdale is quite another thing. I scared myself silly...& then repeated the experience this morning...exciting.

    Today, the kids & I played Mini Golf. The date always wins & the small & I take turns in coming last. But, today I won...exciting.

    Out of town Op Shops turned up gold (again). I bought 40 Ladybirds for $5.00...exciting

    Hard working, talented, local & particularly lovely girls are being rewarded for their efforts & embarking on new crafty adventures...exciting.

    Care to suggest an adjective for next week? I'm game if you are.

  • The beauty of the 'burbs...update

    The beauty of the 'burbs...update

    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

  • Inside running...

    Inside running...
    Inside Running

    I know I've talked a bit about the run & the "zone" & the ideas.

    This year I'm trying to keep a log book of the run. I'm scribbling things down as soon as I get home...just for my own interest really. I'm keen to follow the Hansel & Gretel trail from first idea through a few runs & finally see it begin (or maybe not). I'm going to photograph it each day & either post here or on Flickr.

    So on today's run I thought a LOT about the laptop stand I'm building in my head & then later today I gathered a few bits & pieces from around the house to start work.

    Other random thoughts included floor rugs, sink mats, texture, geometric doodles I used to do in Primary School.

    I'm brainstorming ways to make our full-of-potential courtyard user friendly until we have some cash & thought maybe I might make a huge hessian "quilt" for it.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...

    Most of my creating this week has been in my head. I've been running & thinking & running & thinking & planning.

    I've got heaps of beginnings in the space today as well as the aftermath of somethings I've finished.

    Beginnings:
    Belt to go with this fabric to make a bag.
    Music box with a couple of "maybe" fabric choices one from Justine & one Opped.
    Vintage fabric purchases on from here & one for Handmade Help.

    Finishings:
    Names for embroidery - one which has been gifted & the other a collaborative effort.
    Scraps from the final touches on the bag for Art Fights Fire...what a night.

    Sundry:
    A mug that slipped throught the Op Shop ban because I knew she'd kill me if I didn't buy it (50c).
    Circle cutter.
    A caramello easter egg wrapper
    Screw driver fittings for the Baby Bosch
    A "business"/calling card

    Pop in and add your link if you're playing this week.

  • Choosing happy...

    Choosing happy...
    happy(?) people

    Not really sure if these guys are happy or running for their lives...

    I'm a glass half full kind of girl so I'm ... choosing to see them as happy ... choosing happy for me & for my lovely family too ... & choosing a happy weekend for you all.

  • Friday Archives...

    Friday Archives...

    Friday Archives hosted by Loobylu.

    Here I was thinking I was done with the archives & little treasures keep popping up.

    These tassles were made by my sister & me (attached to the scissors) in about 1991. Our gorgeous & super talented next door neighbour ran Saturday afternoon workshops for us all.

    Those Saturday afternoon memories are so vivid. All the women & girls in our little community (3 houses, 7 girls, 2 boys, 3 mothers, 1 father, 5 dogs, 1 cat & a lot of laughter), gathered at number 7 for long afternoons of stitching & giggling.

    It's a good life.

    * I'm back from Darwin...Thank you to all the wonderful people who left such lovely comments on my marathon post. I'm popping in for a cuppa, just running a little late.

  • Bossy mates are the very best...

    Bossy mates are the very best...
    Inside Running 003

    The post pretty drink edit by my bossiest mate gave me a giggle. I didn't notice it until I took the pic.

  • Crochet crisis...

    Crochet crisis...
  • The week that was...

    The week that was...
  • Running a few kilometres...

    Running a few kilometres...
  • It WAS ace...

    It WAS ace...
  • Does everything get...

    Does everything get...
  • Good people...

    Good people...
  • Say it like you...

    Say it like you...
  • Giving it our best...

    Giving it our best...