28
APR
spoiled rotten
Oooh, I am so very excited — check out the spoils from my recent shopping adventure! Can't wait to play!
06
FEB
crochet softie
My beautiful long-time mate Ali made this crochet softie for Erika. Isn't she a star? I have not been brave enough to try — to crochet a softie looks so hard! Aren't home-made gifts just tops? Love, love and more love. Peace out. xo
23
JAN
crochet monkey rattle
How gorgeous is this crochet monkey rattle? I just had to purchase when I spied it at Mathilda's Market in Malvern last year. From memory I was either very close to my due date, or overdue — hubby spotted quite a few stares and the odd person pointing at me and my enormous belly. Ah, those were the days...
28
OCT
baby blankie in progress
The little cot blanket I started is coming along nicely — finished the first two bands of colour (of four), just started on the third. It's lovely to have a little project to work on that doesn't involve much brain power. I'd really like to have the quilt finished first, given that winter is more than 6 months away and I probably won't need this little wooly blanket...
03
OCT
a quick project
...or so I hope. I know what you're thinking: why o' why am I starting a new project when I haven't finished the last? Because I am impatient! It's been so long since I'd picked up a pair of knitting needles, I was afraid I wouldn't remember how to knit. But, as they say, it's just like riding a bicycle. My hands remembered even if my brain didn't...
22
SEP
beautiful lass
This clip of Kimbra was filmed in an alleyway in Melbourne, and I think she is simply gorgeous.
16
SEP
old man river
I hope you're enjoying the sunshine today, m'sweet readers.
05
SEP
back on track…
After a frustratingly time-consuming set-back, 'Project Sunspot' is back on track. I had crocheted together about 25 rounds — 19 in the first strip, then rounded the corner to come back the other way — when I discovered the vague 'pattern' (read: trying to decipher stitches via pictures) I had been following didn't quite work as I had anticipated...
25
AUG
gotye’s got me…
There is something delightfully geeky about Gotye's music, so I'm sure he'd forgive me for the cheesiest of cheesy post titles. I love to bop along to this track in the car on a (almost!) spring day — it's just so full of sunshine!
11
JUL
sunspot crochet is a-go!
NOW I can take a deep breath and savour the moment — I'm almost there! The rounds are complete (with new Zara colours done and dusted; it did put me behind schedule, but I'm glad I bothered because they've added more blues and greens to the mix and made the overall size of the rug larger), now it's time to put them all together. It's lovely...
29
JUN
uh-oh, new colours
I was walking past Clegs on Elizabeth Street last week when I noticed they were having a big yarn sale. Lo and behold, they were stocking new colours from the Filatura Di Crosa Zara range. Just when I thought my sunspots were finished, time to whip out the crochet hook and make a few more rounds — 71 extra rounds...
31
MAY
dreamy…
Discovered this track on Triple J the other day... there is an element of Craig David about it, but I think it's dreamy nonetheless. You still got me.
05
APR
to my audience of one…
Love. love. love. Enjoy.
30
MAR
the sounds of summer…
Ok, so I think we've established that I'm not much chop in the music review stakes... so I'm not going to say much about my summer music fun: Cee-Lo Green's "Lady Killer". I wish I could share all tracks with you, because each one had me bopping along more than the last. I hope you enjoy...
28
MAR
the kings: on call
I am well behind the times — well, behind in my posting, anyway. I had been listening to the Kings (not so) new album 'Come Around Sundown' religiously (no pun intended) a couple of months back, and it's got some cracking tunes. It seems I'm a sucker for raspy-voiced crooners...
23
MAR
song bird
I've been wanting to tell you about the lovely new Adele album '21' for so long. I'm happy I was delayed however, because there are now You Tube vids to help me share. This album follows on from a past favourite, '19', on which there was much to sing along to. '21' didn't disappoint — this lovely lass is very talented at cranking out a...
19
JAN
wristworms
Love. Love. Love! I just had to share ‘wristworms’ with y’all. They are the work of Sandra Juto in Sweden and an absolute delight. I am particularly besotted with her ‘Buttcrack’ characters (Mr. Sunburn had me in stitches, no pun intended). Both the little wristwarmers and softies would make brilliant gifts — and of course you can buy online!...
12
JAN
summer tracks
Santa gave me Urthboy’s 2009 album Spitshine for Chrissy! (Santa is a little bit behind the times). I wanted to share with you the track Don’t Sideline Me (featuring the awesomely talented Lior) but I can’t find it on the Tube of You. But I am sure you will love the above Shruggin’ featuring Jane Tyrrell anyhoo. Also be sure to check out...
11
JAN
halfway there
Time to pat me on the back, folks! I finished my goal number of crochet rounds on Sunday — 208 — with no days to spare before returning to work! (I’ll admit that, yes, there was at least one day during my break that I wore my PJ’s all day). And yes, I am just a bit daunted by the thought of sewing all those ends in (but don’t they look pretty!)...
30
DEC
i’ve been busy
I have added to my collection of rounds (whilst watching just about every soppy girly movie I own), from the 31 I had when I first posted, to 94! (And just in case you’re Rainman, no — there isn’t 94 in this photo, I have done even more since I took this pic!). Thank you to Sharon who gave me extra encouragement by commenting on my first ‘sunspot’...
27
DEC
just a wee bit excited!
omg. OMG. The Espy is hosting an Urthboy gig in February! Need I say more? Probably the best darn Chrissy present of the year! Now, just need to wait 48 days... damnit! Get your tickets here, folks.
09
DEC
i would crochet for you…
Anybody who mentions crochet in song is alright by me. But Erykah Badu, my lady, you are a simply awesome...
25
NOV
in the round
This is a little project that I kind of made by accident. You see, I wanted to make a scarf in the round (kind of like a big cowl-neck warmer) but had never done it before. Linda (co-worker and knitter extraordinaire) said it was easy, but frankly, I didn’t believe her. She also says knitting socks is easy and they look like an absolute mo-fo...
17
NOV
a little bit of sunshine
This wee little project (ok, you’re right, it’s not little — it’s gargantuan), entitled ‘sun-spots’, has been put on the back-burner for... oh I don’t know, six months? (Oh, I know exactly when I started — I blogged about the wool I bought for the project here). Pathetic, I know. I think I’m daunted by the sheer size... plus, now that I’m out of practice...
02
NOV
some new, some old
I splurged at JB recently (‘tis a shame hubby sold our JB stocks) and picked up some new albums, as well as some golden oldies. One of the newbies in the bunch is a pearler from Cloud Control, Bliss Release. I can confidently say it is just beaut having on repeat for several hours, whilst reclining in the sun with two dogs on lap,...
22
AUG
the gruen transfer
Hubby and I have a PVR (records telly onto a hard-disk) and so we don't often watch live TV — and consequently don't see many advertisements. I did, however, spy this Kia ad the other day, and I hang my head in shame as I share it with you. I whole-heatedly apologise to those culturally sophisticated readers who enjoy...
20
AUG
font design
Back when I was in uni — a decade ago (urgh!) — I created my own usable font using Illustrator and font creation software. It was tops. Not that I can compete with the masters, of course, those absolute legends that designed the timeless fonts that are so common today. I feel the urge to do it all over again. I'd like to toy with handwritten fonts...
07
AUG
guilty, as charged
Cooking delicious food. Planning, booking and researching our Italy trip (countdown is on, friends!). Blogging. Working. Lounging about. Unfortunately, craft has taken a bit of a back seat in the last few weeks. After rushing to complete both Tahlia and Piper’s quilts before their birthdays, and then photographing them, I’ve been a little...
06
AUG
oh so inspired
I changed my route to work a couple months back. I substituted the Eastern Fwy for the Monash — further in distance, but freer moving traffic (most of the time!). The one thing I miss about my old route is waiting in the right turning lane from Punt Road on to Swan St, under the bridge. I would nearly miss the light change checking out...
03
AUG
hip hop hooray!
I dropped my car off at the mechanics for a service last week. As I was walking to Auburn station, searching for my train ticket with my head buried in my bag, the top of my left foot struck a traffic sign post that had been sawn off 20cm from the concrete in which it was set. (Luckily, I didn't hit it with my toe, otherwise I would have...
31
JUL
ta da!
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. This site looks remarkably similar to my old one. That’s, um, because it is. Alright, before you think me so lame that WordPress has defeated me, let me tell you my side of the story. WordPress has faults. Oh yes, that’s right. And they are: 1. If you use WordPress to host your site, you get all sorts of goodies...
15
JUL
a little dose of melancholy
... and then back to reality. I was on my way to the ‘Bloggers Breakfast’ at the State of Design festival this morning — running a little later than I would like — when these three tracks floated out of my stereo. All urgency was lost. It’s funny how music has the power to pick you up by your ankles, jiggle you about and pop you...
11
JUL
for the soul
I officially started my four-day week this week. Work has been busy and stressful of late, so on Friday I resolved to treat myself. It was such a beautiful day, clear blue skies and bright sunshine, though incredibly cold. Thus, I decided to drive to the Yarra Valley — to soak in some rays, treasure hunt in an antique store...
08
JUL
aww, feelin’ the love
Guess what, peeps? Because The Roots are such awesome and considerate lads, they released an album on my birthday! (Sorry it took me two weeks to discover this, guys). Album has been purchased, listening to commence immediately... as Molly would say: Do yourself a favour. They must’ve read my post yesterday...
07
JUL
sweeter than a plate of yams…
...with extra syrup. I doubt there is anything more comical than seeing (and hearing, for that matter) a skinny little middle-class white Aussie gal belting out the lyrics to a hip-hop song from the ghettoes of US of A. Well, I am happy to entertain the peak-hour Monash Freeway travellers, for some crackin’ songs demand such a performance...
06
JUL
collaboration
“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece” -- ‘tis one of my favourite quotes (not sure who said it though!). Early to bed tonight, goodnight...
27
JUN
desperately seeking sia
Ah, Sia. Need I say more? Well, probably not, but I shall. Sia’s latest album is a gem. The lighter, more upbeat tracks are quirky and so much fun, the melancholy tunes are beautiful and heart-felt. Is there anything this clever lass cannot do? Apparently not -- the album also features a cover of Madonna’s ‘Oh Father’ -- who’d have thunk it?...
20
JUN
blinked, and i missed it…
Where did the weekend go? Two days is not enough time to get anything done! I had so many (important!) things on my list ‘to-do’, and crossed off but a few. Unfortunately, ‘do the food shopping’ wasn’t one of them, so we may go hungry this week. I bought a few Sia albums today — her latest, plus a couple oldies that I’ve got a few tracks...
07
JUN
x times 2
Kiss her. It might be your last chance... I spied this print on my blog-trawling today, and thought it was just ace. Apparently the designer’s husband spotted this phrase graffiti’d somewhere, and it inspired her to make these posters. It makes me ponder the tragic little tale of the individual that scrawled it on a wall,...
29
MAY
spreading the crafty joy
I have a great job (mostly — ask me again when I’m stressed and under deadline!). I work in Melbourne for News Magazines, designing across the women’s titles (Country Style, Delicious, Donna Hay, Vogue Australia and Vogue Living, etc.). This week, News Magazines was invited into the offices of Mindshare,...
18
MAY
it’s been a long day
At the risk of sounding repetitive, Ray LaMontagne rocks. Okay now, before you get whingey, let me explain. It’s been a long day, and things ain’t been going my way, baby. So, what better remedy than belting out the lyrics to this boppy number on my way home from work? Mmm, that’s what I thought...
15
MAY
knit knit
About a year ago, my lovely Nan taught me to knit. Slow and oh-so-awkward at first, with each project my skill and speed improve. It will, however, take me until I reach Nan’s age to match her — she’s a machine! My first project was a scarf (of course) — I played with knit and purl to create...
04
MAY
somewhere over the rainbow
I have crochet fever. Since the lovely Carly taught me the basics, I have been thinking about little else. She spotted a beautiful granny square rug on a blog, which has been the inspiration for my purchasing wool in every colour in the rainbow. The idea is to put together rounds of three different colours,...
28
APR
real love for regina
I’m going to see Regina Spektor live with Melzy and Middle on Friday — yippeee! I can’t wait! She’s so odd and quirky, I love her!... Real love?... I hope so. Time will tell. For more info on the genius of Regina, visit Wikipedia...
27
APR
what i’m listening to
I originally posted this entry over a week ago, but felt the need to update. To be honest, I hadn’t actually watched the above video all the way through, just listened to the beautiful song. Now that I have, I want to distance myself from it — it’s a bit disturbing in parts! So, my advice to you, is to play the song and either scroll down...
24
APR
granny squares
Ok, I was going to share my crafty journey with you in chronological order, but I’m going to skip a few chapters, just this once (‘cos I’m so excited). On Friday, my mate Carlz (crazy monkey, you can read her blog here) taught me how to crochet granny squares! She was such a brilliant little teacher,...