an artful life

This year so far has  found us moving back to our old hood for awhile before we head off to do more work in Indigenous Health in Broken Hill in the middle of the year.  Actually we are not quite completed the pack up, but in the next two weeks we will be.  I do love the area of the Highlands, but for various reasons it was right to move on.  But moving is always an emotional time for me and I do find myself being catatonic at times and overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness.  Thoughts such as "will I ever get my life together", "why am I always doing this" blah blah blah.

A saviour of working very part time and being at home with a little one is re-kindling one's creative side.  Actually I think I do most of my creative thinking wallowing around in my jim jams in the morning, feeling a bit feral, with wild looking hair and everything just hanging out, dogs scampering about and child demanding textas , scissors and weetbix.

I am still finishing off sewing and crochet projects from last year and trying not to start anything new.  Although inspiring books are piled high next to the bed.  I am completing a granny shrug from the vintage Panda book and my first little patchwork quilt.

Storage boxes have been re-discovered with my paints and pastels and brushes within.  Now that I  have crossed the line and doing the count down to fifty years young, I feel quite liberated.  My art dabblings are just for me and anything goes.

And thank goodness I have started reading a book.  It has been a post birth void in this regard.  I have only just started the story of Sunday Reed and her artful life in Heide.  I love a bit of history of what it was like in Australia for a woman.  Hard to believe young aristocratic Austraian women were still presented to the Royal Court in the early 1900's.

I would like a goal of reading a book a month.

Joining in with creative peeps here and also with dearest Felicity .  Click on image below for a literary feast.

Take care
x
j

my creative space

I have been spying lovely garlands and necklaces around blogland and have been learning some different hooky ways late at night.  Consistency with tension and finishing off are my stumbling blocks.  Little bit like life really.  Wouldn't it be great to have a little crochet buddy to sit down and learn properly.

   Little bunting pieces that I think I will gift to my sister.  She has had a rough time of late.  We will stay a few days in Leura on the way home to be with her.  Think I might cry  when I see her.

Off to explore other creative peeps here.

p.s sorry I was meaning to include the star pattern was adapted from Panda "Summer Crochet" pattern book.  They had it made into a thong  (Aussie version that is). Mmm maybe  not for me.  Made with Panda 4ply cotton.  The bunting is simply made using double crochet (UK) and decreasing the stitch after each row.  Easy peasy.  The flower pattern were found at amazing Lucy's blog, Attic 24.

Balance

A weekend away on Menindee lake had me thinking about my capacity. What am I really capable of doing?.  How much do I think I should work?  How to balance time alone and time with family. Time to craft and create and blog, and time just to hang out.  Taking life as it comes.

I decided on a softie project.  I was going to call him "Fred".  That was my nickname when I was a littlie.  But at times you make mistakes, take too long doing it, get all cramped up, it really is hard on your neck. Well I have since pulled him apart and started again.  You know what I thought, I really should be out there playing.  Fred is now rising from the ashes again, slowly.

Balancing aspiration with desire.  Being in the moment and planning for the future.  Having home cooked meals, a clean smelling house, a well exercised body and mind, a happy family and a reliable income.

Grateful to be even able to have these choices.  To ponder them.

Old Dan dog has been a sick boy.  A few weeks ago I really thought he would be leaving us.  He has pulled through, for now.  Danny boy was so happy to be swimming again.  I could see him smiling.

Thank goodness we have had family here the last week.  Hanging out together.  Sitting under the big open skies.  Helping to balance my thoughts and mood.  Love you guys.

How do you find balance in your life?  And thank you so much for dropping by.


xxx Jill

the silver city show

It was with some excitement as we anticipated the arrival of the Silver City Show.  But alas, I think these country fairs are not like they used to be in their heyday.  We planned to go in the morning with all the other families with babies and toddlers in strollers.  Except ours is never in one and runs crazily around from one tacky store to the next.  He had a ball.  First ever carnival ride and the must have face paint.

I did feel sorry for the nursery animals.  I had to tell the attendent that he must get those chickens out of the hot sun.  They were panting.  It occurred to me those baby animals have to stay there for the whole 3 days,  and from 10 am to 10 pm they have people and children trying to play with them and they get no sleep. Let alone the bright lights and the fireworks creating stress and fear.

But it is all supposed to be in good fun I know.


And also the cost.  A family of  four told me they spend $200 for the few hours they are there.   I won't even talk about the food stalls.

But you gotta love the pavillions of all the best craft, cakes, best vegies ( the caulifower won first prize) and all the school displays.

There was one decent stall that had second hand pieces.  I could have gone a bit silly, but we need to think how we are going to get all our things home.   However I could not go past some Bakerlite.  They were such a bargain.

The rest of our weekend has been popping around some local garage sales raising funds for Somalia.  Visiting the Train Museum, eating out and lazing in the park.  This afternoon we are going to the screening of Babies at the local cinema.  I have been finishing off my bunting and trying to pull it all together.  Thank you so much for your kind comments of encouragement.  I hope the lovely person  likes it.

Here's to having time to be with each other, making, eating, playing and being happy.

Much love

Jill
xxx

p.s.  I am having trouble with my internet and have been trying to visit many of my loved blogs but cannot load or sometimes comment.  I will keep trying. Hopefully see you soon.

my creative space

Staying up  a bit later each night and making some wonky crochet bunting pieces.  Experimenting to see if can come up with something for the pending bunting swap.  Just single crochet and not  adding a chain at each end they automatically turn into pretty bunting.  Who would have thought that wonky crochet could work?

                         More creative spaces  here