an under the lemon tree list

I am one of those people who wants things to happen. And dreams about it happening. But doesn't really put the planning into how to make it happen. Hmmmm - sometimes it (whatever this it is I'm talking about?) happens on it's own, mostly it just doesn't happen.

So, with the year already half gone and disappeared, I've decided now is a good a time as any to change 35 years of training to be a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type girl. AND MAKE SOME PLANS!

You don't really want to hear them all. Plans are plans. But some, can I share some? Here goes:

+ garden. Get it happening and growing again. It was such a beautiful and nourishing place for me to be, and so good to gather our dinner ingredients and share country goodness with our city family.

+ learn my big (expensive) camera. How to make it work to it's best. Often times I'm finding my photos are massive file sizes, but fuzzy resolution. So disappointing. 

+ spend more time using my real real (film) camera. Is it even possible to get film anymore?

+ dedicate time for connecting and gathering with other creatives. Monthly? Is that too often? 

+ Write that big list of jobs around the house and land and make them happen. 

+ have more photos taken of me, with my family. Be happy with the photos taken of me (that's a hard one sometimes.. any excellent "make-me-look-better-than-a-model" type of photographers out there?).

+ baking and cooking :: bread, wholesome sweets for my little ones, overcoming my "irrational fear" of preserving and canning.

+ weekly dedicated planned crafting / making time with my little ones. 

+ more walking on and around our land. Exploring time and time again. 

Ah. That's a few for now. Good to start with giant leaps isn't it. Just do it all at once, no baby steps or anything. Yep. Life solved. Go forth and be fantastic now that I have my list. Uh Huh!?

How are you at list making? 

Do you make and follow? 

Or make a list of the things you've already done, so you can cross that off?

Here's to an excellent, exciting, exploring, enticing week for you all. xxx

{oh, and I think I just realised the lemon tree significance - ok, I must make lemonade or maybe lemon curd or preserved lemons out of life}.

things i am doing

They are all playing Lego. Do you know / like / remember that noise of scraping through the Lego box? Oh, it's a sound from childhood for me. It makes me super happy that my husband loves Lego as much as I did; actually more. He was a Lego champion. He enjoys spending hours with the kids sitting on the floor scraping through the box to find the perfect piece of Lego to add to the construction. He teaches the kids about building and how to make strength in their makings. It's a good thing. 

{though, did you know that there are giant garbage patches of Lego and plastic spread across our Oceans? Crazy scary isn't that! Best to buy your Lego from Ebay or at op-shops, or make sure to pass your Lego down to the next generation - maybe the neighbours or your niece or nephew. Girls love Lego too, you know!}

That's what they're doing. 

What I am doing is this: {not all at once, of course!}

Business by Design - helping push me and giving me some extra tips.

Making a new website - new things, new beginnings, new ideas, new motivation.

Adding this to my to-do plan list - this is the year of dedicated blogging around here!

Re-reading this, and re-doing it all

Planning some tutorials for this blog - anything you want to see that I make? Let me know. 

Sending love and thoughts and hopeful wishes to all those near the bush fires.

Taking notice of the wonderful things in my life. 

Counting my blessings. 

Aiming to do daily yoga, with my little one beside me. She does naked yoga - my mama would have loved that!

Also, deciding what I might nibble for second breakfast/snack/lunch today........

That's what I'm doing...... What are you doing?

reminder to self

have fun and do these things. this week. and breathe.
+ make some bundles of fabric and leaves and flowers and put them in a dye pot. do it. and then wait a week and see what comes out.
+ crochet some little socklet foot things for myself. to keep my feetsies warm on the cold mornings.
+ finish the t-shirt crochet rug for our kitchen floor. maybe start one for Mishi in her play corner
+ plant some new flowers. just because
+ write in my journal.
+ do a drawing, maybe some watercolour painting
+ take some photos
+ go for a walk. maybe in the morning. maybe in the afternoon. maybe with the kids. maybe by myself.
+ sit by the fire with my man and just chat.
+ crochet some more beach or creek rocks. because i like doing that!

that sounds like a good and lovely full week, doesn't it. what will you be doing this week?

just three things

there is an endless list of things to do. not an actual list. but the list of wants.....
like all the books you ever want to read - well that's never going to happen is it.
and, i have to realise, i'm never going to see all the instagram images that come through my feed.
or read all the blog posts or see all the beautiful pinned images on pinterest.

and there's many many more wants. like where to visit. what countries. what far vast adventures to go on. or adventures around the corner. everyday there's things i missed out on.

so. instead of having this endless list and feeling like i'm always behind. or that i'm never going get there.do that.read this.eat this.... well - i decided that i'm going to set just three things. (of course, i'll probably expand it to mean just three things for that particular medium, or three more things that relate to that, but i think that's ok too).

here's my three creatives things i want to do/learn this year ::
:: really and actually make a quilt. maybe it will even have hand quilting on it. maybe it won't. my boy really wants me to make one for me. i'm collecting blues and indigos, but i think i need to collect more actively so that i can start making. it's coming on winter here - i really should get it made before the cold cold. care to swap me some deep blues fabric for ....... well, what. what would you swap for?
:: i want to do some proper plant dyeing. i've been loving the solar dyeing i'm doing in glass jars sitting in the sunshine. but i want to get focused on doing more and more and more. lots of little bits is good. maybe one big bit too. with some friends too - wouldn't that be lovely. an indigo dye pot. oh yes. that's what i want.
:: learn to knit. i have the most delicious knitting book i got last year. i do really want to make myself a coat or a jumper or just something from it. knitting is so different to crochet - more versatile. i think. anyway. i want (re)learn to knit. maybe i'll even make something with my own plant dyed yarn. for next winter - i know my limitations!

what are your three things? they could be for just right now, you can change your mind......

weekly list

I think that if I put it all down here, then I may hold myself more accountable to getting it done. Do you think?

Anyway, here's my weekly planning list. {A short while ago I moved myself out of my office in the small side room, and moved the kids play room in. I still haven't totally finished setting up my new office space in our front room - which means I have nothing hanging on walls to put my planning lists on - so I'm putting it here}.

Sunday ~ This morning I finished tidying the kids play room (yet again! Mishi has hit the "cutting paper into a million pieces and leaving all over the house" stage, which is quite annoying to constantly pick up). This afternoon I need to continue tidying their bedroom - which is a crazy mess at the moment. I'd like Sam to come home (from his weekend away) to a tidy, clutter-free, clean, happy house. Space to live and think and work.

Tonight I'm going to cut some pieces out for some new sewing I've got to get working on.

Monday ~ We have go down the street (to the local suburb), to post some parcels. And also look at a little empty shop for something special I'm planning with a friend (more on this later). We also have to head out to the dreaded Spotlight, to buy a long dolls needle to finish making my Disco-Bots (more on these later, when they're all finished). These Bots have been in the works for a tad too long, and I need them finished before the next kindy day (Friday), as these are meant to be kindy friends.

We're also going to try and squeeze in some watercolour painting time - but that will depend on how slow the service line is at the fabric shop.

Then we'll pick Sam up when he gets back into town, after his long drive home.

Tuesday ~ I'm hoping to spend the day sewing. Making something for Craft Hope's Haiti shop. (I'll let you know once I've sent the details off to Jade). And also some new projects for wholesale accounts and my online store. Or - perhaps we'll spend the day just hanging out and playing and chatting, as a family (Sam has a week off work, which will be lovely).

Wednesday ~ We're heading to the State Library for a day of fun with the kids. My older sister and her two creatures will be visiting for a few days. Between my younger sister and her creature, my older sister and me there will be five kids and three adults. Lots of fun!

Thursday ~ We're all (eight of us) going to see the English National Ballet perform Angelina Ballerina. We plan on dressing up, and having a beautiful day out at the ballet. Picnics and performers. {Some new picnic placemats might need to be sewn in advance for this event}.

Friday ~ The kids will be at kindy. I'll spend the day sewing and working on new designs.

Saturday + Sunday ~ As yet unplanned, but will probably include getting Ari ready for school (buying backpacks, making library bag if the fabric has arrived yet). Also, some housework may need to unfortunately be involved somewhere along the line... Perhaps even a visit down to my grandmas house (the kids' great-grandma), who we haven't seen for a teeny bit too long.

Does that sound like a week jam packed with too many things? Well, that's life at the moment. So much happening in my head, so much needing to happen every day.

Please don't think too badly of me if it doesn't all happen as planned. Life gets in the way much too often around here, and I can't always control what happens.

These photos are of the clean play room. I am hoping against all hope that it's clean tomorrow!

making a list :: checking it twice

Sorry to be a bit cliched with the heading. I don't normally like doing that sort of thing myself, but......this really is a Christmas List that I'm making.

I am back now from a long weekend visiting my Grandma, who lives at the beach. Looking from her veranda out towards the sparkling ocean, thoughts :: ideas :: inspirations :: wants :: longings :: feelings and hopes rattled about in my mind. Some of them formed into expectations and real hopes, aspirations. I have an almost tangible feel in my hands, my mind, my eyes that I can achieve everything I'm about to put on this list. Right now I feel so optimistic that I'm going to succeed in being able to complete and cross off this list. I feel that I will not need Plan B - but I'm going to write it anyway!

Long before I joined the Handmade Pledge, I have tried to be handmade, or less plastic and 'stuff, stuff, stuff'. Of course, that really hasn't been so successful over the years with new babies - the exciting first for Sam's family. Last year I did make the gifts we gave to my niece and nephews. This year, I :: intend :: on making all the gifts we give out. And if I can't get them made myself I would very much like them to be locally made, or at the very least ethically made. That one I know can be a definite back-up plan.

So, here goes :: (associated family members - please STOP reading NOW).

For all the kids (Ari, Mishi, Ash, Sidi, Rollie + Tal) ::

I plan on making quilts, or blanket things. This one a definite inspiration (actually everything Amanda does is!) - it looks to be a tiny bit simpler than a real patchwork quilt, which I have practically no experience with. More inspiration here, here, here (better stop linking, start planning, cutting, sewing!).

We don't give adult gifts on my side of the family, but we do with Sam's family. So for Sam's parents and his brother + girlfriend I aim on making placemats, hot pots, possibly matching serviettes too (all inspired from Bend the Rules). There's so much inspiration for these all around.

I would like to make something for my Grandma, though really don't know if that will happen or not. She would love a quilt, but I think aiming for some placemats or a little carry pouch for her magnifying glass (she has a degenerative eye cancer, and has quite bad vision) would be more achievable.

There are a few international friends who I really want to get something posted off to. Some bags and aprons for children, totes for the mamas. That sort of thing. There are at least two families (total five children), who would be most important for me to post something to.

Additionally, I have signed up for this Holiday Tradition Exchange. I have been partnered up with Tonya, and I really want to have/make the time to have a special swap for her. This is the first blogging swap for me, and I'm really excited. This year will be the first we have a Christmas tree at our house - previously children not old enough, and we visited family for Christmas. So, I feel this is the perfect time for starting some traditions in my family, learning about other traditions, making new friends. The ideas for this are forming, I just need to get the headspace to get it settled into a proper plan.

As well as all these ambitious gifts, I would like Ari to make some things to give friends and family. Books (which I have had in my head for ages now), paintings, drawings, some form of 'craft'.

The main back-up plan I feel I need is for the children's quilts. These I feel, sort of almost know, that possibly I won't be able to finish all of them. I would so love to, but I know myself and my life at the moment. I think I will need to call in a lot of child-minding to make the time. So, here's one back-up plan I spotted and love. I hope Stefani doesn't mind me copying. And this little pocket roll-up, which I have seen around a bit. These are cute, too. If anyone has any other ideas :: inspiration for children's gifts (aged from 9months up to 8 years), I would love any suggestions.

birthday making plans

It is Ari's birthday in a little over a month. We are giving him a bike, but I want to make a few little things for him this year. I have in mind some of these lovely little felt food-things, maybe vegetables + fruit, and a few treats and special things. He loves playing kitchen (house) and cooking so much, that I know he will really enjoy these. I have to head into town soon, to buy some sewing supplies! And then find the moments of quiet to cut and stitch - the inspiration is definitely out there. If anyone has hints or tips to help me out, I'd love to hear from you.

I have been slowly going through all our things, mainly toys, and trying to rid ourselves of stuff. It accumulates too easily and quickly, and I know coming up to birthday and Christmas it will be added to by family members. This year I am going to ask for no plastic toys - possibly only one of those kids digital cameras, so he doesn't break ours but can show us his viewpoint of things a bit more.

Other ideas that having been sloshing about in my brain are what I'm going to make for the party bags. I'm not really keen on giving away a bag of lollies and plastic toys - just because that's what you should do. I'd like to make some banners/flags, and maybe a little bag or tote or maybe just a simple drawstring bag. These would also be cute, but totally out of my league at the moment (ability or time frame). Possibly some homemade playdough. And... hmmm. I'm not sure what else would/could go in, that I could make quantity of. I don't know how many kids we will invite, so not sure how many I'll need to make. Does anyone have any great party bag ideas to get me started??

Also, a bit of sewing for my niece and nephew planned for this week. My sewing machine has been sitting idly, patiently, waiting for this kitchen work to be closer to finished. And the hectic, sleepless, noisy days seem to be easing a little. Giving me more headspace, and - hopefully - more real space to get some work done. My mind is ticking over with plans of projects to start.

A very busy month ahead - if only I can produce what I have promised (myself) that I know I should be able to do. So, hopefully some photos of my work in a few days (....weeks).

listing...

My friend asked me the other night if I write lists of things I want to achieve (finish!). I used to when I worked as a manager in a retail store, before I had my babes. But, I don't actually do it when at home - what am I going to write ::wash up :: wash nappies :: put clothes away :: hug, play, tickle babes :: try to appease babes......
Well, no. Then, I'd generally not get anything crossed off!
But lists about thing I want to make, do, achieve. Is that too much tempting the depression of unfinished :: never started :: wish I was more dedicated? Or, could it perhaps be the start of finishing, learning how to do more (worthwhile) things with my time, starting all these little ideas that keep plaguing me :: rattle around in my tired, fuzzy mind.
So - here goes. I'm going to put a few out there and hopefully not be judged too harshly when I don't achieve them (all). And perhaps even nudged encouragingly along to finish. These are in no particular order (only the order that aforementioned brain thing spurts out).

:: Make some placemats + coasters. Inspirations here, here, here, + more others.

:: Finish Ashey's doona cover. Yes - I actually only have to hand stitch about five press studs along the bottom. I'm going to finish it tomorrow. (Are you reading this Sylve?)

::Make some more jarmie pants for Ari + for Mishi + possibly even for me.

::Sew curtains for our lounge room. We only have some little tied up bits of flowy fabric in our bedroom, and no curtains anywhere else in the house. (To my defence, I grew up in the bush with no neighbours and beautiful outside that we didn't need to cover up).

::Fix up the back room. A play::craft::hang-out room for us during the day would be lovely.

::Get wedding album together. It's coming up three year anniversary this August. (But a total of nine+ years being together).

::Get framed photos + Ari's artworks onto walls. (Sam... are you taking note?)

::Put all other photos into albums - general family, my overseas trip from years ago.

::Do more drawing, painting, journaling.

::Make an apron for myself. I've had an image in my head for a while now and would love to wear it while cooking.

::Also, make aprons for the kids for - cooking + painting smocks.

::Finish the door snake. It only needs to be stitched closed - currently being pegged in place (which Sam says he quite likes!).

So - I'm going to let you know how I go. Normally, I actually do better when "showing off" for someone. Don't take notice of my self sufficiency and being my own best friend!

Anyone else out there have some extra ideas of things::stuff I could add to my list. Or, lists of your own. I would love that little nudge when you see me dropping::drooping.