Curiouser and Curiouser

I've had my nose in The Hunger Games books.... I saw the movie and although I was upset at the thought of any city being so cruel (yeah I know it's just the movies, so I'm trying to calm down), I was nothing less of curious to find out what happens next... OH!

So, after reading the first book I managed to get my hands on the second, no less than 24 hours ago.  Now I have finished the second book and my head hurts.  But - on to the third I must go!  And I will, indeed.

I really like the story.  At first, having watched the movie first, I was sickened.  But I did become curiouser and curiouser as friends of mine talked about the books with enthusiasm.

On a completely different note...  I went to a wedding not so long ago.  It was the wedding of a couple of dear friends of mine.  I not only went to the wedding, but I participated.  It was SO much fun!

The bride has asked my husband and I if we would sing the song that the bridal party would walk up the aisle to.  I was so excited and gladly accepted.

You see, my husband is amazing.  He plays guitar (and all sorts of other musical things) and sings.  I used to, and still can, play the bass guitar.  I love love love to sing.

We didn't know if we would have much in the way of a sound system, because the wedding was in the woods.  That's another story if it's own, but I assure you, it was so lovely and romantic!  So, armed with his accoustic guitar and lovely singing voice and me with just my voice, we sang a sweet song.  It was terrific.  That's all.

And here are some photos of my shoes.  I'm kind of giggling about the build-up to these photos.  It's all about the shoes, right?

Top right, my pyjamas!

Just kidding.  Well, kind of.  I wore these same shoes three years ago on the day of my wedding.  They've had a little bit of wear since and got pretty scuffed up on the tips of the toes so I painted them.  Just roughly, with a simple white paint to cover the brown/dirty-looking scruffy marks.

And, because the wedding was in the woods, I didn't want to be losing my shoes and accidentally step in a  dog-turd (there were a few of those around), I tied them on with ribbons.

And here is what my son wore on his feet.

xo

My Precious Rose Bud - How to Make Your Own Shadow-box.

I'll have to write a story about it sometime, but the day Roy proposed, the moment he proposed, he presented me with a beautiful red, velvel-like rosebud.  It had a long stem with several leaves.  It was early January, 2009.

It's now 2012, three years later.  And you know what?  I dried that rose and hung on to it for dear life.  I kept it in a cup or vase on our table or benchtop everywhere we have lived since.  That's four house-moves, or five if you count the two or three weeks just before the big day where I was out of my flat and staying at a friends until we were married.

I had even kept the roses that Roy gave me on the date that we had our first kiss.  Those ones weren't doing very well, most of the dried petals had fallen out so it was time to finally let them go a few months ago.

But this 'proposal rose' was not going anywhere.  It still looked perfect.  It had dried beautifully.  One leaf was still remaining, the red petals turned to a deep, burnt velvet colour.

For a long time I had been thinking of how I was going to keep it safe, away from danger.  One day it struck me - put it in a shadow box and hang it on the wall.

But not just any shadow box would do.  It had to be long enough to fit the whole length of the stem, and deep enough to not crush the bud.  I had it in my thoughts every week, what could I do, especially without spending much or any money on it.

I was sitting in our lounge when it clicked.  Upstairs, tucked away in my organised piles, I knew exactly where it was, I had a canvas which I had begun to paint a picture on.  It was nowhere near finished and, to be honest, I had lost the inspiration to finish it.  Alas, it was the perfect size for my rose.  Long and deep.  I just had to figure out how to make it into a shadow box.

Here's what I came up with after I found a stash of the right fabric in the closet.  I got out my staple gun, craft knife, needle and thread and got to work.

So the canvas was going to have bumble bees flying all over it, with smiley faces.

Cut the canvas off the frame, I cut it here so there would be minimal
fabric showing after it was all ripped off.

I sliced only on one side of the staples so there wouldn't be any left-over bits of canvas to fly around and make a mess.  The canvas ripped out quite easily.

You might find more staples, do the same, slice beside them but only on one side.

Bare frame, looking good.

Uh oh, the frame doesn't sit flush - never fear, it gets covered by the fabric.

Time to play around a bit.

Ok, so I didn't add any pics of how to attach the fabric... it was pretty complicated so I missed it out - an easier option would be to paint the frame and/or papier mache it first, that would fill in the gaps in the corners.  But, basically cut a strip that's wide enough to wrap all around the frame plus about 3 inches.  And cut it longer than the frame by about 3-4 inches too.  Staple it on the back first and wrap it through the center and around out-wards.  As it comes through, shuffle it around on the corners and fold it in here and there....

Sew the corner gaps with a simple running stitch.  Don't stop at the first corner, keep going all around to the back, then tie off the thread.

Finished fabricating... haha.

Remember the painted canvas - don't throw it out or damage it!  Probably should have mentioned that earlier.  I cut the edges off where it wrapped around the frame and cut it back about one inch all around.  Then, in pic above, you can see I've stapled it onto the BACK of the frame.   Staples are about 1.5 inches apart.

Little fingers.  Frame facing right-side-up.


A little trick to get the canvas tight and without any wobbles in it:  Spray the back (or in this case the front now) of the canvas with water, don't drench it, just a mist on it will do.  Hot water/steam is usually better but it all evaporates off anyway.  Leave it in a warm place to dry.  As it dries it will tighten up.  You can do this with any canvas in your home that might have dents in from being moved etc.

Screw in a couple of loops and tie some ribbon or string between them.  You don't need to make the ribbon loose, infact, it's better if the ribbon/string is firm, not extremely tight, but tight enough that it doesn't dangle loose on its own.


There is a small black 'mark' half way down the back of the photo above.  This is a small thread where I sewed the rose around the stem and through the canvas.  There are two 'ties' like this down the stem to hold it secure.

The finished product, ready to hang.


I don't want it to get dusty over time so, when I get around to it, I'll cover it entirely with clear cellophane.

Crochet with Wool

Wool happens to be really expensive.  And so nice to crochet and knit with.  And just awesome.  It's a hard job trying to find some wool that is beautiful AND cost effective - I need my arms and legs (doesn't cost an arm and a leg, get it?).

I was wandering aimlessly, seriously, aimlessly, through Spotlight a week or two ago just to see what I could see (is that an aim?).  I had dropped a friend off and had to pick her up later.  I had an hour to kill, so I went to Spotlight.  I headed upstairs while carrying my boy, wrong decision to begin with.

He is SO heavy.  'Naive-me' thought that I'd just get stronger as he grew bigger.  Turns out, he gets bigger and my arms get tired-er.  After carrying him for about ten minutes my collar bones feel like they've bent a little and my arms feel like they're about to drop off.  He weights almost ten kgs now.  Yeowch!

So, back to Spotlight, I was just wandering, minding my own business when all of a sudden, out of NOWHERE, I heard the most beautiful ball of wool call my name.  I turned and saw it.  Beautiful.  I was instantly inspired to make someTHING out of it, until I saw the ball of wool to it's left...

It reminded me of days gone by, where I would walk down the dusty, gravel road after the school bus had dropped me off (in the middle of nowhere, called Ngutunui, a road called Okoko Road I kid you not, google it) and watch the Rainbow Lorrikeets dance and sing in the eucalyptus trees that lined the road.  How beautiful were those birds!

Back to the wool.  It was cheaper than the first beautiful ball.  I couldn't resist.  It had to be mine.  Just one ball.  I fumbled with my wallet, sat the kiddo on the counter with my arms around him, tried to get my cards out and stop him from pulling the contents of my wallet out all over the counter.  I must have looked a bit like an octopus.

The first thing I could think of was to make a beanie, it looked so awesome, but as it unfolded I was gradually more and more unimpressed.

Here I was impressed.

Here, not so impressed.

So I unravelled it and turned it into a headband, crocheting in a different way to really show off the yummy way the wool slowly changes colour.  And, I had plenty spare to make some beautiful brooches.

Ok, so I made two brooches before I started the headband/ear warmer.

Preparation for blocking.

Look how every brooch is a totally different colour!  Aren't they just beautiful?  I like them alot, as you can tell.  Each one is about 3 inches wide, and I tell the truth, I 100% made up the pattern.

And amongst those photos I stopped to take a photo of Patrick's (the lady cat we have) water bowl.  I bought this bowl years and years ago for myself, somehow along the way it decided to be a cat bowl.  It has been turned over by our son at least three times, and he has enjoyed a cat biscuit or two while doing so.

Patrick's water and food bowls looking a tad empty.

Love.

Organised Piles

Back in the days of flatting, pre-marriage, I used to be a bit of  messy girl.

Ok, who am I kidding?  I still AM!  I am a mess-a-holic but I am getting better at being organised and I am truly beginning to appreciate tidiness and being able to find things quickly - like the top of our dining table.

One of my nice flatmates once told me that even though my room was always a mess, it was always in 'organised piles.'  I loved that description of it, because I really did know where [almost] everything was.

I'm not so good at remembering where everything is these days and I think it's because I have more on my hands to think about, a little crawler for one massive thing.  When I forget to put my keys back in the usual place, I run around the house like a headless chicken until I finally find them.  And it's only when I find them that I remember thinking, when I put them down, 'I mustn't forget that I've put them there.'  Duh.  I can see my Dad shaking his head at me and saying, 'You drip.'  If he ever were to read this blog, I almost guarantee that's what he would be thinking.

Here's a small look at my dining table.  For the tidy folk out there, please avert your eyes incase of horror (or terror?).

I've got my computer - everyday use, TL! magazine (bought especially for the puzzles and competitions), the stampy doodling, a big tapemeasure, our camera, a wobbly pencil, my pincushion, junkmail, the heatpump control and a few more things...

It is messy, but it's easy to tidy up.  Unfortunately the home for a few of these things is the table until further notice.  I'm searching out a good set of drawers to use for tools, crafty-stuff and stationery stuff.  So when that arrives (yet to be found for a bargain price online), I am going to feel a little more organised.

Welcome to my world.  Am I the only one out there who lives in untidiness?  Is it tragic?  I do have a plan for tidying it up.  It just involves time.  Am I being naughty by leaving stuff around?  Am I alone in the world or are there other people out there like me?

I try to tidy it up a little every day, but it goes back to being messy again.  I get out loads of stuff - I honestly do use nearly everything there each day.  Honest!

Just doodling...

I've been following a blog of an extremely crafty and creative lady.  She's SO creative and I don't know how she gets the energy to blog so often - every day - and have the time to make SO many neat, creative things, all the while going through chemo.  I stumbled upon it through pinterest and was hooked.  She is the creator of Choose Joy.

I was inspired by this post about making her own rubber-stamping.  And since then... I've been on the hunt for a proper lino-cutter and lino tiles to make my own.

All I could find (for a cheap price $5.50 total) was a pack of 4 erasers and a hobby knife.  I went to doodling, and came up with this for my first play...

You can see I tried it out on an old envelope first.  I made a 'Levi' stamp, then made a 'I <3' stamp.  Then I made a 'heart' stamp....

Then I made a love-stamp stamp.

How cute!

Crafting!

Do you remember how I mentioned that I have had this urge to organise a craft market?  Well!  A friend and I have put our heads together and have requested permission to use a particular site.  It's not quite in (or near) the CBD of Christchurch, but I'm fully ok with that.  It seemed a little tricky once I delved into all the fine-print that went along with that.

So I'll keep you all posted as to when and where it will be happening - just as soon as we get an official site.  I'll say this much - it will be in the Spring (here's hoping the site has been approved).  Woohoo!  Exciting!

I'll be honest with you, I've been missing blogging, but I've also been pretty tired lately.  I think it's a mix of burning the candle at both ends and being a mum.  We had our 3yr wedding anniversary last week, I got a huge bunch of flowers, they're still going strong.  The lillies opening up and infecting every corner of the house with such an intense aroma.  I love it!  I'm so glad I haven't been getting any hayfever effects from it.

Our gorgeous little boy is just as gorgeous as ever, crawling so fast and pulling himself up to a standing position on anything - my legs, the tv cabinet, the coffee table, the bedhead, his cot, I could keep going but you'll probably get bored.  His new favourite thing to do is bang on objects with his fist.  He bops along to Roy playing his guitar.  The little guy is awesome.

Do I love being a mum?  Yes.  Of course!  People often ask when we're thinking of having #2...

Well, I'll be honest.  ASAP.  JUST KIDDING!  I'm quite loving being mum of just one right now.  I think I do want more, no wait, I DO want more kiddos.  But for now, I'm happy being just my boy's mum.  We'll re-think in a while (because it really is a joint effort), but I can't put any time-frame on it.

Tehehe.  I remember a while ago I mentioned that I want to lose some weight... a lot, about 10kgs.  So far I'm just below what I was pre-pregnancy so I think that might leave me with only 4ish to go.  I haven't really tried very hard to be honest.  I do have breastfeeding to thank, I believe.  My 'everything' on my body is a different shape now.  My jeans don't fit quite the same, my bras too,  my tops, my socks.  Just joking about my socks.  My boobs went eNORmous after I gave birth, now they might be a bit smaller than before or just different.  Just part of being a Mum.

Photo?  Um.... here you go.

He sure loves his Marmite on toast!

Hollymayb

xo

Dedication

Jesus is the reason.  I hope you all had a lovely Easter.  You've probably seen a lot of posts about Easter, this one here from Paisley Jade is my favourite.

We had our son dedicated on Easter Sunday.  Both of our parents were there, my brother, Roy's brothers and one of his sisters were there too.  It was very short and sweet.  For anyone who has no idea what getting 'dedicated' means, I'll try to explain.

As part of our Christian faith, we believe it is important to dedicate our kids.  It's not a Baptism, it's not a Christening.  It's where we (Dad, Mum and child of any age) stand publicly, with our Pastor and with our church, and declare that we will do our best to raise our son in a bible-believing, bible-preaching church, and will show him Christ in the way we raise him, the way we live and the way we love him.  So that he might grow to know and understand the love of God on him and in his life, and that one day he might choose to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, for himself.  We are asked if we will do the above, and the church is asked if they will help us.  Everyone says, 'Yes, we do.'  Our Pastor prays for us and that is it.

It only took a few minutes.  It was over so much quicker than I expected.  Our son had a nap just before we went up onto the stage.  It melted my heart...

It was so awesome to have most of our family there with us.  Travelling from afar to gather together for our little boy.  It was very special.