Holidays - but not for me

I used to love school holidays. They meant sleeping in, staying in pj's, watching dvd's, having fun. But now that I am a working woman school holidays make me cranky. I am reminded daily that these luxurious holiday pursuits are a thing of the past and I get very close to having childlike tantrums, especially when the sunshine is as beautiful as today. Don't get me wrong I really love my work - when I get there! But the beautiful Miss Whizzme now a confident 8 year old has been helping me enjoy the holidays a little more this week.

I have received breakfast & the perfect cup of tea in bed, enjoyed a cuddle with Wally the wonder dog and had stories, pictures and all manner of gifts bestowed upon me. So I am going back to loving school holidays, because life is too short to have regrets.

Progress

is being made on all fronts.  We have boxed, and boxed, and boxed until the house is now bare essentials.  I always admire people who have the minimalist look, but I just don't know how they do it.  I am already missing my books and fabrics.  There is no eye candy to tempt me with, and no inspiration to catch my interest.  This said progress is being made and I am getting some other projects finished, slowly promised items are finding their way to new owners.  Currently the Whizzme clan are holidaying at a (more than generous) friends house while said friends are away.  In our absence the house is being primped and (hopefully) we will be shooting photos next Friday.

 

Miss Whizzme has coped amazingly well with all this upheaval, and even dealt well with being told she could have only a handful of toys and books left unpacked*.  Wally on the other hand is very out of sorts and has been sticking closely to me - I think he is afraid he might get packed next!

 

Finally, it wouldn't be right if I wasn't starting another project!  A short trip to Spotlight with Miss Whizzme after school, and we are now creating our own set of round wooden place mats.  I couldn't find the paints in our friends house so we are using some beautiful Aquarelles.  That is my place mat progress pictured.  Should keep as busy for a short while now school holidays have begun for us too.  I hope you are all enjoying the warm wind of change here in Melbourne, and thank you for all your warm wishes on our house purchase.  Now, Miss Whizzme is calling me to her cafe'.  I hope there are milkshakes on the menu...

*Which is more than can be said for the sulkiness her mother has inflicted on others because of all her toys and books being packed away!!

so far so good

well a week of school down and we have not been late... so far!  Miss Whizzme has settled in well, and is enjoying being back with her friends.  That her first question to me on the way to school on the first day was "how late are we Mum?" was not the most amusing moment, but the following day when we arrived extraordinarily early and she asked "is it lunch time Mum?" even I had to admit that her expectations of us getting back into routine were pretty low!  

It took most of last week to finish all the final unpacking, washing, putting away that coming back from holidays brings, so I was much encouraged this week to think I might get some sewing done.  Unfortunately, I miss calculated just how long it was going to take to finish the winter edition for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap - a few days late - sorry partner.  But it is finally in the post - phew!  Now on to the mobile swap - I have some ideas but not ready to share them yet.  So instead I will share the new project I have started for 2008.

I have wanted to create a ripple blanket ever since I saw one on Alicia's blog.  While we were at the beach my sister was finishing off the throw from Erika Knight's Simple Crochet book.  It looked so wonderful, and moved along so quickly that I immediately abandoned everything else, took out my odd balls of 4-ply cotton and started.  It is now being allocated as a single bed throw for Miss Whizzme's bed.  The odd balls of 4-ply cotton I have (and I have quite a few) make me think about new colour combinations as I crochet, rather than working it all out beforehand.  I really have no idea how long my cotton will last, but I am determined not to have to buy any yarn for this project.  It is currently being carried every where I go, as it is quite addicted once you get started, and easily picked up when stuck in traffic, waiting for school to finish, waiting for a Dr.'s appointment, sitting in front of the tv.  In fact, it even went to the swimming centre with me on Monday, when I took Miss Whizzme and her friend there for a swim after school since the weather was so swelteringly hot.  The photo you see is actually my progress up until then, as I had planned to post Monday night (dreaming!) so there are even more rows now.  The joys of a project that is mediating but progressive enough that you can see it growing.  I also managed to finally up load all the holiday photos, but now need to sort them, so no more pics just yet.  Might be my weekend project, especially as I have so many great op shop finds to show, and finished projects, yes, you read that right - finished projects!  I am still basking in my own glory of that.  Hope your week has been great so far... back again soon.

oh help!

or how nothing goes to plan part 2

Yes the chaos in the Whizzme household continues.  8 nightdresses were made, finally, after me literally sitting up all night to finish them.  It also involved a lot of swearing at the sewing machine! (and I forgot to take photos - arrgh). In between nightdresses I managed a quick alteration of this dress, so that her highness would be appropriately attired for dress up day.  

(Schools know that last minute dress up days drive parents crazy - don't they?!) I then accompanied Mr Whizzme out to his work dinner that night, having no sleep and wearing my newest high heels (no pain no gain).  With no sleep and little practice at wearing such heels I managed to get through the night with no embarrassing moments (bit of a first for me and work dos).  

Yet, still no chance to relax, because I have chosen this hectic month to change just about every room of our house around!  Crazy? - you bet I am!!  Luckily Mr Whizzme is wise enough to know when it is best to humour is wife!  And, although the main moving is done, I am still sorting, culling and putting away all those books and other very important items we own.  The pile in the shed that is ear marked for our storage unit, is getting larger by the day, and the bag of items for the op shop is now beyond lifting.  Nothing like a spring clean in the middle of chaos I say!!  But now it's back to sewing a few more nightdresses, some craft packs, some costumes and maybe a shirt or two.  We leave for Adelaide next Thursday, so plenty of time!!

For those of you who have asked about PANDA, please see their website for more details.  And thank you for all your encouragement.  I am really enjoying adding this work to my life.  Not that it really feels like work.

Finally, I haven't forgotten the giveaway winner, who for November is

Blackie

Please email me (whizzme (at) bigpond (dot) net (dot)au) your snail mail address, and pant size required.

As for December, there just has to be a giveaway - so last chance to leave a comment and win for 2007.  And no matter if you are crafty or not, every one loves treats, so the December giveaway winner will be receiving a package of choccies and other treats.  Get your name in now!

what do you mean I didn't win?!

No, sis, you didn't - but - there is a bag of yarn heading your way as I write this - OK? :)
Sheesh! the pressure you can get from family!! Only joking.
As for everyone else, I won't keep you in suspense for much longer, but even if you didn't win this time I will be having another giveaway next month - craft books- and I know you all love them, so keep your eye out for it. So, the winners for this month are:


Please ladies send your snail mail details to whizzme(at)bigpond(dot)net(dot)au so I can pop these gifts in the post.
I was going to have a shop update to tempt those of you who weren't so lucky this round, but the light hasn't been great for photo sessions this week. My main task now for next week is to update the shop - I have a few things up my sleeves and um, clogging up the crafting area so I will let you ASAP.

Otherwise, Miss L this week has been keeping me busy with science. Yes, we have been donning our lab coats after school and playing with fire - literally! (all under supervision of course) In fact our experimentation has been so successful Miss L got to show a couple to her class - and suitable ooh's and aah's were given.

Which, reminds of me of this morning's little soiree where there was an abundance of oohing and aahing. I had a Tupperware party. Yes, I have always loved the plastic fantastic, and am now hocking everything to afford all the pieces i need want. Excited about the little hostess gift I received (shown below - egg separator, small sieve and funnel) Mostly, though I am trying not to eat all the leftover cake and biccies.

Speaking of which, Miss L is being quite insistent about my attendance at her tea party, so must go find my gloves and hat. And, so the school holiday's begin! Below are some things that have cheered my week. Hope yours has been a good one too.

-eating pizza at a new restaurant with Miss L and telling really dumb jokes.
-finding the latest little fabric mail out from Amitie in the mail.
-lying next to Miss L at bedtime and reading The Folk from the Faraway Tree
-having dinner with bestfriends as their leaving date gets closer (the dinner cheered me not the leaving date!)
-having an old friend from school email me about joining them on facebook
-watching a great off the wall movie (Thank you for not smoking) in the middle of the day while,
-knitting up odd's and end's into little finished projects
-applying to volunteer at panda

and a few links too
-admiring Jen Corace's artwork
-amazement at the Dirty Car artwork
-loving Bill Wadman's 365 portrait project
-spending too much time browsing on sk*rt