Two Steps Forward, You Know The Drill

Is it the law of the universe that as soon as you say things are going well that they go a bit pear shaped? It seems to be the way of things at the moment. Skip this post if you can't be bothered with my trivial worries today.

Today at work I had one of those uncomfortable settling in moments with someone else in the office. Stupid. Nothing major, but uncomfortable all the same. I overreacted to a situation and they let me know it. I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling uncomfortable and worrying about what they thought of me. So stupid. Seriously, it was a tiny, tiny little thing.

I wish I could just let things go. I have so much trouble letting things go. I'm also have so much difficulty forgiving myself for not being perfect, for overreacting, for just being human. How I want to find my way with this. I crave some respite from overthinking and worry. I want a break from constantly worry about what people think about me. I want to be able to live a messy, happy human existence without constantly feeling embarrassed about things I say or do that are so small in the scheme of things.

If I had joined in This Is... last Sunday when you got to choose your own theme I would have posted This Is...What I Really, Really Want. I want to be healthy. I want my physical and emotional health back. I'm on the way. I'm doing all the right things. Chinese medicine, walking, being creative, listening to lots of music and getting back to healthy eating. This evening I added a nice gentle Hatha Yoga into the mix. In fact, I doubt I could be doing a better job than what I'm doing.

Days like today it just won't happen fast enough. Days like today I want to be untouchable. I want to be free of the self-doubt and self-consciousness. Days like today I can see all the things that I haven't managed to incorporate yet. I'm not reading and I want to be. I spend to much time blogging and don't dedicate time to other interests. I still eat too much chocolate. I'm sure you know how it goes.

One step back. It was only yesterday I was saying how cruisy everything was feeling.

That Curlypops!!!

She's a beauty. A little package of goodness arrived this morning.

Some flannel and a patterns for bibs. I have a couple of friends having babies soon. She also sent me the lovely green floral to match a blue floral she gave me when she came to visit. Most of my fabric stash is thanks to Ms Curlypops.

Ms L was most upset when the package arrived early this morning. She's expecting goodies from Amazon and is envious of all the lovely packages arriving for me.

Come! Join in the fun

The Abbotsford Convent has recently opened a contemporary art space called C3. Exhibitions change monthly and due to last minute hiccups an interesting exhibition is now going to take place in August and anyone can join in. It is happening quickly so read on and act fast if you want to join in.

The basis of the exhibition is founded in this idea:

"With digital cameras and the facebook/myspace/youtube phenomena, we are documenting our lives like never before. You can go online and see what your friends did last week, last night, last minute in any city or country in the world. Collections of photos on facebook are usually displayed in series, so you see an event unfolding in time and space. You can see someone's birthday party, a trip to the zoo or whatever. Generally people will take lots of images then whittle down the dodgy ones in-camera, until they have a set that tells the story. These sets can be portraits, landscapes, beautiful abstract blurry images or over-exposed nigh time flash pics... quick/instant/real... slow/considered/framed. Sometimes it is the unedited sets that contain the real story.

The gallery is looking for your Kodak moments in sets of 6 postcard sized photographs. The sets will be pinned to the wall in lines and sequences, following other peoples sets, and will be totally anonymous, in no kind of classified order. The beauty of this idea is that we really have no way of knowing the visual outcome of the work, or how people will view it, just that it will be a raw and curious collection."

You can submit us as many sets as you like. The gallery is asking that you either send/drop in your set(s) or email them to c3@abbotsfordconvent.com.au (hard copies are preferred as the gallery does not have a budget for this exhibition) A list of contributors will be displayed in the gallery, so you need to let them know if you want to be anonymous.

There is no restriction on what you submit, except for image size. Each image must be: Landscape format, 10cm x 15cm (4 x 6 inch). Here's an example of one set.

All images must be at the gallery by Tuesday August 5, or you can come down during the show and install on the spot.

Anyway, I thought I would share the love. Please feel free to join in and come down and check it out after August 6th when the exhibition begins. I'm going to contribute a set or two.

On My Desk - At Work

I don't usually work on Wednesdays at The Convent. I did today though so thought a glimpse of my work desk was appropriate.

The flowers were courtesy of my boss. Left over from a festival but she put a vase on everyone's desk. Nice, huh?

I'm really enjoying work at the moment. What I'm mostly loving about it is being part of a team. I haven't felt like part of a team for at least 3 years. I've felt extremely isolated. In some jobs this has been due to being in a role that really isolated me such as a management position. In one of my recent roles it was because I was working with an absolute bunch of cows (and yes I do hope you're reading this and know who you are). It is so nice to be on the same level as everyone and just one of the gang. I feel accepted where I am now and settled.

A couple of months ago I asked myself the question - Will I ever find work that I enjoy in an environment that I like and that pays a wage that I am happy with. It seems the answer is yes. YIPPEE!!!

I'll be back later. I have a fun surprise for you all.

Evidence

I'm not ready for the weekend to end tonight. I need more time. Some days more than others.

I have a lovely crafternoon with Curlypops. She came over for a crochet lesson, coffee and chatter. I wasn't feeling particularly crafty so don't have anything to show for myself except this.

A lesson in how to use a bias tape maker. I like it. It's on the shopping list.

A lonely Wagon Wheel. I'll get to you later my friend.

There's been a little bit of other crafting going on around here too. I joined in a Cupcake and Tea Swap over at Rachel Rabbit and my goodies are almost ready to go. My swap is for Molly Cupcakes who said she likes pink, pink and pink. I think I got it covered.

Then there's this little number which is going to be a gift for my friend's daughter. I think it's pretty cute.

I'm ready for a challenge beyond the simple tote now. Perhaps a pocket or a bag with a more interesting shape. First, shopping trip to Spotlight for some solid coloured fabrics to go with all the lovely prints that Curlypops has given me.

I'm definitely in need of a full day of crafting and sewing. In fact I'm probably in need of a few of them. I'm not very good at taking time out like that. It's something I want to practice over the next little while though. Booking time for myself and treating it like any other commitment. I had a date with myself recently and took myself out for shopping and dinner. It was wonderful. It's great to spend time alone. Now I need to learn how to do it at home.

Anyway, I finished off the evening with a little bit of cooking. Ms L made a roast last night so tonight I made lamb and mushroom pie with the left overs.

Delicious.

Back to work tomorrow. It's not a bad thought at all. Just a little too soon this weekend.

Love Fridays

I've got my tracky pants and slippers on, the house to myself, the ingredients for home made pizza and the sewing machine ready to go. What's not to love?

Play along if you like. Put a post on your blog and tell us why you love Fridays. Go visit these bloggers - they said they were going to play along too. Curlypops, Reenie-Su, Kimono Reincarnate, Maybe it was Patches and My Super Tuesday.

The Family Who Blogs Together

This Is... What Makes Me Happy Today

My IPOD Shuffle is finally out of its box and loaded with music.
Happy travels for me!

On My Desk - Catching Up With Me

I missed Wednesday's On My Desk. I didn't have much to show anyway.

Today is a different story. I have been cutting up a storm with my new rotary cutter, quilters ruler and my new found sewing skills. I have 3 tote bags and two crochet needle holders ready to sew.


I've set myself up with a little design book so I can keep my sewing notes and patterns together. It feels very serious and fancy.

It's a pity I have to work tomorrow and won't be able to spend the day sewing. However, I am thankfully starting to feel settled at work. I've been there about 7 weeks now and I feel like I've got to know people a little bit and them me. I'm also starting to get to know the job and take some ownership of it which feels really good. It's still very early days but I think it's going to be a good place to work and the role is going to suit me well. I feel like I have it in good perspective. I don't expect it to be good every minute of every day but more want it to be good overall. It's a different way of approaching work for me and feels much healthier.

While the intellectual/emotional settling in has required some attention, the physical environment has been an absolute joy. Every day it is a pleasure to be at work and experience what it has to offer. In the course of one day I can see, hear and feel art, animals, magnificent gardens, stunning architecture, the river, bluebirds, laughter and such an incredible variety of people. I am loving the diversity of the place and the way winter sits like a blanket over it all. It's a place that has a rhythm and a heart and getting to know it is like uncovering a treasure. I will try and post some more pictures for you all this week.

Life has been a challenge over the last couple of months. I've alluded to it in some posts but mostly I feel that I have reduced my blog to snippets and occasional craft. There's a part of me that has been missing. Some difficult experiences have led me to question so many things about myself and to spend a whole lot of time worrying way too much about what other people think of me. It's been a combination of feeling totally out of my comfort zone in a new work environment, along with the emotional pimple and some other stuff mostly created and perpetuated by me as a result of the main causes. Now that I am finally relaxing in to work I've been able to let go of the other crap and get back to being my more usual self. Happy.

On Friday night I took myself out on a date. It was the first time in a while that I've hung out with me out there in the world. Shopping and dinner. It was lovely. Today I went grocery shopping and filled the house with healthy food for the first time in a while. I had a lovely dinner and a wonderful afternoon and evening hanging out with Ms L.

The other thing that's happened this week is that I've become a PT Cruiser. No, I'm not a car. I'm a public transport user. It's good. I like it. You can enjoy the world a lot more when you aren't driving and have time to take it all in. It also slows you down as you have to go with the flow more and do a lot more waiting. And of course, heaps more walking which is great for both my body and soul.

Now I'm catching up on my blog. Real blogging. The kind I like. A bit of the real me - warts, fears, rambling thoughts and all. I was inspired by Project Incomplete and this post she wrote, and I'm always inspired by Two Cold Feet and her candour.

I'm eternally grateful to the blogging community for kind words, friendship, escape, inspiration and laughter. Thank you to you all.

Love Fridays

I do. I truly do. The world is my oyster on a Friday.

Today I'm Loving Fridays because it means two days of staying up late for this.

How about you? Do you Love Fridays? Play along then. Post a Love Fridays post on your blog each Friday. Tell the world of your love. Let me know if you are going to join in. We'll get a bit of a Meme going.

Everybody's Doing It

I'm doing it. Ms L is doing it. These girls are all doing it.

Crochet that is.

Everyone, everywhere seems to be crocheting.

I'm making good progress with my Mum's birthday present. These 4 squares below are the basis of the blanket I'm making.

Ms L has a stack of granny squares she's crocheted together ready to finish off.

Over at Flickr hundreds of people are doing it. Below is one of my favourite finds in the Flickr group.



Are you doing it?

I Made It Myself

Yep, all by myself. Not even a pattern. A Spoonful of Sugar had one on their blog. I showed it to Serena when she was here giving me a lesson and she said I could manage it. So I decided to give it a go. Turned out pretty good I think.

I'm totally addicted now. Let me sew, let me sew, let me sew. I can't get enough. This week's task is to cut out lots of totes and other goodies ready for a sewing frenzy on the weekend.

I Can Sew

Thanks to Serena for a lovely day of sewing and chatting. You're a great teacher. And now, I just want to sew up a storm. This won't be the last tote bag I assure you. I am raring to go.

The inaugural Thornbury sewing bonanza ended up being a quieter affair than originally planned, but a lovely one just the same. We missed Curlypops, Juddie and Starashan this time. However, I'll be planning another one very soon and hopefully everyone can make it. Let me know if you'd be interested in joining us.

Love Fridays

Press to giggle. Happy Friday everyone.

Tagged

I was tagged by Drewzel to share 7 songs I'm listening to right now. So here's a little mix that matches my mood today.

Thornbury Sewing Bonanza

Something very exciting is happening this weekend. The inaugural Thornbury Sewing Bonanza is taking place. Serena, Juddie and Curlypops are all coming along.

There's going to be sewing, snacking and chatting. What more could you need for a wonderful crafternoon.

I'm going to make a tote bag and maybe, just maybe I might get back to working on this quilt.

This is all hand pieced. I did a patchwork course about two years ago but had to drop out when life got a little too busy. I would love to get it finished some day and get back into patchwork.

As you can see I am not a total failure at sewing as my previous post might have suggested. It's the machines and the cutting and all the extra details that get me all intimidated. Not any more though. I will be a domestic sewing goddess in no time at all. Stay tuned.

On My Desk - Wednesday

Preparations for the Thornbury Sewing Bonanza happening this Saturday. It's going to be lots of fun. Come back tomorrow and read all about it.

I picked up the tin yesterday at one of my local op shops. Happy.

I'm Making A List and Checking It Twice

• Purchase Equipment - DONE
• Wash and Iron Fabrics - DONE
  
• Choose a Pattern - DONE
  
• Clean The House - DONE
• Set up sewing space - DONE
• Charge the camera batteries - DONE

The Thornbury Sewing Bonanza is coming to town. Come back soon. All will be revealed.

Don't Panic

The other day I was visiting Ethel Loves Fred and discovered Rule Number 3. Sometimes we need to remember the rules. When we can't remember though it's good to have a panic button.

Recipe for a lovely Weekend

Quiet Weekend, originally uploaded by bigcat33.

My Partner's Become A Hooker

My partner has just discovered crochet. This is a totally new experience to me after 8 years living with someone who hasn't showed a strong interest in craft and has always teased me a little about my large number of projects in progress. Anyway, she's doing a pretty good job for a beginner don't you think? One night she said I should teach her how to do some crochet, and away she went.

Post Note: Ms L says thanks for all the lovely comments. She's enjoyed getting them.

Thanks for the comments on the title of the post too. I was inspired by a post I saw some time ago called "Happy Hooker" but I can't find it now. If it was you let me know so I can give credit where it is due.

More On My Desk

He's naughty and he knows it. What to do when you want attention, or dinner.

On My Desk - Wednesday

A new project in the works. This is going to be my Mum's birthday present (in November) and my major winter project for this year.

Off the desk we have a finished project and a happy cat who now has his own blanky to keep him warm at night.