when inspiration motivates me

Yesterday I was sitting at my sewing machine, stitching a little bit more on the pair of pants (for Ari) that have been taking oh way too long. Sam and Ari were sitting in the room with me, Mishi was asleep. I looked up at the sweet little wooden postcards that I bought recently from a shop in the Valley.

Right then and there I abandoned the sewing, and jumped up to save the lovely cards, that were curling up due to the rain we've been having. You see they are made from thin slithers of wood. Please check them out here, such fun designs and they use sustainably harvested wood. There are heaps more designs that I like.

I remembered that we had two second-hand wooden frames, that we bought ages ago. Using some thick blue Indian cotton (from Ikea, a while ago, via my fabric cupboard), I decided to frame the postcards. I did it very quickly, and not worrying too much about neatness - I just cut the fabric and taped it using double-sided sticky tape. And the postcards themselves are just sitting on top of the fabric.

And boy, don't they look good. Leaning against the shelf in our kitchen - where we've enjoyed looking at our birthday cards this whole week. Not perfectly straight in the frames, it doesn't matter. I did it all in less than 15minutes. No procrastinating or thinking about it, or waiting until the kids were asleep - or I had better equipment. I just jumped up and did it. While Sam vacuumed the floors and Ari sat beside me asking what I was doing.

I can see them sitting in the kitchen, when I look up the hallway from the couch in the lounge room. They look finished, and 'real', and I enjoy walking into the kitchen and seeing them. We don't have many framed photos or artwork in our house, or hooks on the wall to hang things. So, having something framed looks more finished and professional that just the bits of paper normally stuck up randomly.

Yes, more shots of the red kitchen. But, I love that red kitchen. And soon, we may not be here. So, I'm going to take as many red kitchen photos as I can. It's not the red that we originally wanted, the paint shop mixed it wrong, so the trim doesn't match - we already changed it once, and doing it again seems too daunting for Sam, who did the massive job on his own last time.

Things about my house I really hate, dislike, want to hide and change. But when I look at my home, there are so many things that I love. There really is a big difference between a house and a home. When we move I don't think I'll miss this house, but I'll miss this home.

So, you see, when the inspiration hits me sometimes it motivates me too. I wish this happened more often. Maybe then I'd be one of those people who actually got stuff achieved!

etsy beginnings

You may have noticed that new Etsy shop located on the right of my blog. Well, that's mine! It's all going slowly, uploading and photographing and writing the little bits of info, and mainly the making of the things. That's always slow. But I slip into my sewing chair any moment I can spare (time and energy), and sew a stitch here or there, cut a few pieces, pin some more together, plan the next project.

I love the little moments when I can get to indulge in my sewing. Sometimes it's for myself only, or for the kids - I really like making things for them, and happily for me, they like it too. Only this past week I made a new bag, that was planned for me, and Ari declared it his, before I even could finish it. He wears it proudly - with makes me happy. (And slightly eases the guilt at still not having completed his turtle).

And sometimes, just sometimes, I manage to sew a little bit for markets (yes, I've had two now, and am thinking about more), and then extra bits of sewing for this little store I have been planning to open up.

So, please go and have a look at the little things I have been creating. I am eager for any feedback or ideas or criticism (constructive?) you have about my designs, sewing, fabrics, ideas. And you experienced Etsy-iers, please - if you have any help to offer on how to make it easier, or better, or promote it more. I'm open to anything.

PS - with this slow internet speed I'm dealing with. (Photos loading slowly on your blogs, etc, etc). I have been visiting you, but haven't been able to leave comments when I've wanted. Be back with that next month, I hope!

Also, I want to thank all of you for the lovely comments and support about my crashing waves post. It means so much to me that I have this supportive network of (women) friends out there who are experiencing similar things, and sharing love and stories and offering help and that amazing blog support.

You may have also noticed the new links on the left. My friends who create and craft and do. Please check them out. These are some local crafters starting their businesses (or newly in business), or doing little sidelines while still working full/part-time. If you see your name there, maybe you want to add me to your links?

30

Well, it's happened. I've passed that milestone - and fairly easily too. I'm thirty now. Friday just past was my birthday. I've wanted to write here lately, but internet speed is too slow for me to bother*.

So, yes, anyway. Now I'm 30! I was wondering if it really was something so scary or wonderful or different. Does being thirty mean that I have to be a real grown-up? If so, I'm not sure that I'm quite qualified for that role. I mean, yes, I have kids, a mortgage, a two-car family, and all the rest that makes me a grown up. I know that everyone feels like a kid or adolescent still - even those beautifully wise 'older' people.

In my mind I'm still 23 or 24. That's how old I was when Mum died. So, somehow I don't think of myself as thirty, or even twenty nine. And I don't dress or act the way I perceive 'real grown-ups' behave.

I kept thinking that it wasn't going to be a really big milestone for me. I mean, I've experienced the death of my Mother - which is the most extreme thing I feel or know or experience. And the birth of my two children - which, also, is the most extreme thing I feel or know or experience. So, I guess I was thinking that I had already grown up in more ways that I wanted to.

But, on the day before my birthday I receive some really beautiful letters and a present from two of my Aunts and a close family friend - all who have been Mothering roles and figures in my life at some time or other. All who I have deep ingrained memories of, and love from and towards. It made me stop and think more about this birthday. And, of course, made me saddened that my own Mother wouldn't be ringing me or sharing the day or stories with me. Yet, made me happy to know that there were people who thought (knew) that this was a special day to be celebrated and remembered.

This glorious drawing is the card Ashey gave us for our birthday**. It's me, Ari on the swing, Mishi on the slide, and Sam with the great spiky hair. And then Sam's car - Blackie - on the end (looking a little like an elephant).

And on my birthday I received flowers; from a dear friend who lives in London; from my sister and nephew - picked from vacant streetlots. And cards and phone calls and presents and...... and I felt so loved and thought-about.

So, I guess, really it was / is a special time for me. To stop and think about the woman I am becoming. Without my Mother here, but with other mothers and friends and family, and people who know me and care about me. Thank you to all those people.

And thanks to the friends and family who helped me celebrate with a lovely fireside party at my sister's house. Watching me jump on the trampoline with my children, and singing birthday songs together, and laughing and talking and remembering and creating new memories.

*We have some friends staying and between all of us, have passed our monthly upload limits - so internet has been speed capped.

**Did I mention that Sam and I share a birthday? He's four years older than me. We actually met a week before my 20th birthday, ten years ago. Makes remembering each other's birthdays easy!

crashing waves and other dreams

Last night I dreamt that I was being washed over by a big crashing wave. We had all been sitting quietly, happily playing on the sand - looking at shells and digging and exploring in our own thoughts. And then suddenly a massive wave - over our heads. I couldn't keep afloat easily, I was holding both kids in my arms and struggling. People were around me; family members - Sam, Dad, other people; all trying to keep their heads above the water and away from the rocks. For some strange reason (okay, it as a dream - lots of strange things happen!); there were knives flashing through the water, and that was something else we had to be weary of.

When I got up this morning, with the dream still in my mind, I knew that I was about how I'm feeling with things :: life :: at the moment. The knives I'm not so sure about, little bit scared to delve into what they could mean. But the water over my head - trying to stay afloat, well that's pretty obvious.

There are lots of things I feel so waterlogged about, that I'm constantly playing chase with, trying to achieve and getting done. So many things I have promised - to myself or other people - that I'm very behind in. I think the most important person I feel I'm letting down is my little Ari.

I promised him a bunny a long time ago, and have run into a few issues with that. Then we talked about a turtle - a red one; as red is his favourite and turtles are his favourite. I keep promising that tomorrow it will be ready. Yet, somehow, I don't quit know where to start.

And the 100th Post prizes are still "in the works". Sorry everyone, but they will happen. I know it for sure, just not sure when. And I still haven't finished or posted these two swaps that are now more than a month overdue - I feel really bad about that.

And then, for myself. All those sewing things I keep planning and dreaming (and talking) about are happening much too slowly. The market I am hoping to have a stall at is next weekend and I don't have very much stock at all for it.

BUT :: in the past two weeks we have had some lovely days. And I have made a few things, for some special people. And my mind is still ticking over, and planning and dreaming................

A gift for a special friend's birthday.

Hand embroidered, zippered purse and

a hand stitched ribbon, button and yoyo bookmark. With some lovely soap.

With beads from the collection my Mum gave me years and years ago. That I have been too scared or tentative to delve into until now - slowly slowly.

Bread rolls for my family's dinner. LSA (linseed, sunflower and almond meal) makes a lovely addition to the plain organic white flour. Kneaded and rolled with love.

A new dress for my Mishi. Based on a dress that my Mum made for Sylvia when she was a little girl (25 years ago); and that I discovered when visiting my Dad a few months ago. I made another that was a little too big, but will be wonderful in Summer time! Alexander Henry Yellow Birdseed, with a green gosgrain ribbon - though it still needs a button at the back.

And beautiful sunlight and views and smiles and laughs and happiness at home and out and about with our loved ones.

And lots of treasures from Mother Earth.