* "Bb" from the alphabet series by Lazy Susan. It's every bit as good as "Aa" and in actual fact, second is really rather interesting. Thanks Girls.
* A wonderful package in the post from Leslie at Onegirl gathers. Not only did I receive the fabric that I ordered but also a few fabric steak knives (she even included a pillowcase - that's a girl who pays attention to detail). Thanks Leslie.
* Eeeek....my "new" Polaroid. My frustration caused by that pesky (but ever adorable) small has vanished. I meet Sherrin yesterday for coffee to collect the camera. It works beautifully so look forward to plenty-O-polaroids from me in the next couple-O-weeks. Thanks Sherrin.
* Empty Mint leaf dish. I didn't have the stop watch going but they disappeared pretty quickly!
* Flyer for Aurora Spa Retreat. I picked this up from a lovely cafe in Fitzroy when I dropped into my favourite shop today. I'm dreaming of water treatments, plush armchairs, peaceful music & squishy carpet.
* Sundry business cards for the inspiration board.
If you'd like to see On My Desk from some seriously talented people. You should pop in here & take a peak.
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
I told Lara I was going to put this on Flickr "for her eyes only" to say thanks for being super specially good. BUT this girl said she'd post it on her blog if I did! You know she'd do it too. Safer here where I have some control!
It seems my big fat bogan wedding has been an item of interest to a few lovely folk.
This is me with my "I really (insert expletive) hate you" fake smile. My beautiful friend thinks that they taught fake smiling at my school. One of my very good friends from school is on Melbourne Radio & Trace reckons we have the same fake smile!
Reason for fake smile: Casual, relaxed, natural photography brief. Photographer turned up with an ironing board & tulle & made me do this!
Points to consider when critiquing the event.
1) I was 23 2) I was 23 3) I was 23
Thanks!
See more bogan shots here & here.
PS: I'd be pretty happy to trot the wedding dress out if anyone wants to host a wedding dress party!
PPS: I'm going to get the wedding video out - that's a real comedy!
The lovely Cam from Curlypops (who is a huge blogging joy spreader) has spread the joy my way. Thanks Cam - you're really good.
As far as spreading the joy further...there are so many blogs I read & love but for today I'm giving the joy spreading love to this girl who ALWAYS make me smile.
Thanks to Steph for initiating the spread of the joy.
I'm on the fly - I've got a hot date with some crafty chicks tonight.
On my desk...
cookies, kittens & owlish bits.
Any new On my deskers? Let me know if you're playing too.
Update: lots & lots of lovely bloggers are playing. I'm out all day - will update the link list tonight. Thanks for playing & thanks to Angela for being my crafty kick in the pants.
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.
still more of the north sun. I'm soaking up every drop while it lasts.
Something old (the swappies) Something borrowed (the peek of quilted star) SomethingS new....
Jodie & I met quite by accident at the Design Market on Sunday & how lucky was I? Jodie had one of her darling little birds for me. It's so gorgeous - thank you.
Nikki's kit which I won recently on her blog. It's for the puffy purse. I'd had grand plans of making it last weekend & didn't get to it....I'm looking forward to the date with my machine - thanks Nikki.
& something blue (the left over 12 ply from my crack at these crochet flowers).
On my desk...the players.
Still undecided about the flaming dresses... thanks for your input - I'll keep you posted.
I'm sharing this pic of the smallest to help explain the love of the granny square. This image really is an archive - she's a big(ish) girl now.
Some of you may have heard this story already - if that's you feel free to find some fresh content in the sidebar (I've been inspired by Pip's recent housekeeping & done a bit of my own).
So...on with the story. We were given two bunny rug size granny blankets when the big girl was born.
I was unimpressed to say the least. Crocheted from Patons Feathersoft - I thought that they were pretty yick. Consequently they were used only to keep the lovely woollen blankets firmly tucked around our sleeping babes.
The smallest ferreted them out of the side of the cot when she was about 6 months old and she and the "Hucky" have been inseparable ever since.
Now, thanks to Brown Owls (& a good friend) I'm totally up to speed on the Granny Square.
Want some more Granny Square links? Granny-Along on Flickr (thanks Fran) Grannyalong Blog
I'm boring myself with all the talk of the old house so lets just say I'm being creative in a whole other kind of way & leave it at that. This other creativity is going to keep me away from you all this week but I'll look forward to catching up with you all after next Tuesday...that's D Day. The photos are being taken then (at 7:30pm...pretentiously called a "Dusk shoot") & after that it's out of my hands & into the hands of the real estate guys.
Visit my favourite space from last week right here.
The kitchen is also my creative space this week but there's no cooking going on. I'm soaking the gas burners in Coke & hoping for the best.
Thanks for playing along & thanks also for popping in to other players to say hello. I like Thursday...it's friendly.
Look what arrived in yesterday's mail. Not one but two gorgeous pin cushions from lovely Sara. It was beautifully packaged with a whole swag of little treats including a mixtape of songs to sew by.
I've knicked the image from Sara because she'd done such a great job with her photo.
Thanks Sara for the pin cushionS & thanks Kate for organising. It was fun.
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.
This is my lived in pair of Skechers. My grown up DBs.
I'm a comfort girl.
I have absolutely flogged these. They were ready to be pitched before LAST winter but I can't find a replacement. They are old, falling apart, chewed by the dog & comfy as anything.
Yesterday I went to Mixtogether organised by the blogger formerly currently known as 62cherry & Nichola.
It was a lovely afternoon held at Amitie - Yikes that place is exquisite! If you're anywhere even remotely close to Amitie (or even 1/2 a days drive) get your butt over there - you won't regret it.
I was totally spoilt - I got the bag full of handmade loveliness made by the gorgeous KittyB. It was full to overflowing with beautiful, magnificently crafted goodness. My absolute favourite is the neck warmer - it's stunning Kitty I love it.
We worked on our signature blocks for the Mixtogether quilt & drank & ate. It was a gorgeous afternoon. Thanks girls.
The "dusk shoot" was last night. I think it went fine, we'll wait & see what arrives on email for approval.
I've bought myself a bit of time as the first open isn't until next Saturday. So today I plan to work on a little bit of stitching just for me. It will be worked in DMC 702 which is just about my favourite colour at the moment.
Embroidery on thrifted/opped sheeting.
I was lucky enough to pick up a big pile of hospital weight sheets from the Op Shop a couple of years ago & I'm still working my way through it.
Thanks all for playing along so nicely last week & I look forward to catching up with you.
Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.
Just as an aside...learning to touch type was the very best thing I ever did.
It doesn't rely on tension, hook size, type of yarn blah de blah.
You just need to worry about making sure the rectangle of fabric measures...
circumference x head height = super cute 'x' stitch beanie
I was lucky enough to have recipients easily lassoed by the measuring tape but if you're making for a gift you might like to refer to this excellent size chart found via google this afternoon. Thanks Bev.
How to make a crochet & cross stitch beanieView more presentations from kootoyoo.
I knew the heart wasn't going to fly so The Big Girl & I went for something très sophistiqué. The kid hasn't taken the beanie off since it was gifted. Both The Little Guy & The Date think it's fabulous (& those fellas are a tough craft audience).
There's a pdf here if that helps you out.
It goes without saying that you don't have to be able to crochet to make this beanie. You could follow the same formula & use some lovely wool jersey & the machine. That'd make it super quick.
I didn't take photos of my accessory gift! I'm hoping that Cathy will...
I received this fabulous denim bag with mushroom lining & little tin full of buttons from Cathy.
Fi's pincushion project was speedy & fun.
Thanks Nichola & Justine for the challenge. I really enjoyed the new beginnings. I think I'm falling in love with the rings - it could be a long term relationship.
PS: Are you tracking me? Lots of lovely blogs I've been visiting on my clicketty trips.
