Ponderings
Posted by: northviewau on: February 10, 2012
I must apologise for the lack of blog activity this year. A few weeks ago I wrote a post explaining my absence, however I did not realise that I did not actually post it and it’s been sitting there as a draft ever since. Here is some of what I said:
“If you are here because of Pintangle’s TAST, and you are wondering why I don’t have any photos up of my embroidery, then I can tell you I haven’t yet jumped in to it. I have been watching the fantastic work being done by other members who are posting their photos to the Facebook group. Unfortunately life has taken an unexpected turn in the past few weeks and I am not going to be able to start on time.
I need to be with a few different siblings while they face challenging personal battles. At first I thought I would only have one who needed support this month – time consuming, but plans could be made around the time needed. Now someone else needs support, and at the moment it looks like it will take considerable time and any plans I have will need to be changed (and changed and changed).”
Since I wrote that, a lot has changed. After many weeks of tests we finally have some definite answers, and it hasn’t been good news. The wild-card extra-points result has also thrown us for a loop, and now we are just waiting on a more definite confirmation of that result. So. Now we begin many months of treatment. We always seem to be waiting until next week’s appointment, and thinking how far away that seems.
Happy New Year
Posted by: northviewau on: December 31, 2011
- In: Chat
- Comments Off
There is only one hour left of 2011. It has been an interesting, and at times challenging, year for me.
2011 began full of frustration and pain. My mental outlook was very bleak just because it seemed that I just could not get a break, and I’d just improve one physical problem, when out of the blue some other part of me would require medical attention, investigation and a re-adjustment of attitude from me. I’m still working my way back to full strength, but the last couple of months have been heartening.
As I stated a couple of posts ago, I’ve had the vegetation in my garden removed. Next step is to have our retaining walls seen to, and maybe re-made. As it stands, no one in my family can visit us as our garden steps are too steep for them to manage. I’d like to see them easier to walk up (and wheel the garbage bins down). After that we’ll be replanting. In the front yard will be lots of bird-attracting Australian natives. In our back yard though, we’re considering going with a tropical feel. This is mainly because we plan to plant non-clumping bamboo as a screening plant since our yard is overlooked from a higher level – it’s like a goldfish bowl, and as a result we rarely sit on our back deck anymore.
I was rather overwhelmed when the tree removal firm left a huge mess behind, as well as all the roots. I feel they were deceptive when they quoted….. Anyway, part of the reason for wanting them to clean up and remove the roots was that I “knew” (and they knew as well) that I couldn’t do it. Since then I have put together a new garden bed at the home of one of my sisters. She can’t bend very well anymore and so my other sisters, and I, banded together to buy her some raised beds for Christmas. I provided the labour. Moving the new soil into the new beds wasn’t actually too hard, and I felt very empowered being able to do it. However when I went back another day to finish all the fiddly bits I found that harder on my body. Still, it has shown me that I can do “some” sorts of manual labour – now I just have to work out how hard to push it. I definitely have to do some work on the strength of my right hand – I won’t be winning any arm wrestles with it! LOL
The weather this year has been very damp. After a number of years of drought and water usage restrictions this has felt very strange. The summer so far has been quite cool as well. That has made it hard on my body. I started a few projects when the weather warmed up a bit, and then just had to put them to one side when it was necessary to put back on my winter clothes. I only just packed away my doona this summer – that’s how crazy the weather has been. Even now I have a shawl around my shoulders to ward off the chill.
Back in 1978 I bravely went to Stanton Library in North Sydney and became a member. Just a school membership since I’m just a young slip of a thing. Recently I went searching to see if any libraries offered e-book loans, since my local libraries didn’t (although they are considering it). It turned out that Stanton did, so once I found my original membership card (complete with Mum’s signature!!) I emailed them and asked if I could just renew it. Ummm, biggest problem was that 1978 was pre-computerisation. So no. I had to travel down and re-join. What a pleasant experience it was. Very helpful librarians. Now I can borrow e-books. It might stem the tide of Kindle books I’ve been reading. All those 99 cents add up after a while. One of my greatest “finds” this year has been Terry Odell. Her sister-in-law put me onto her books, and I’ve really enjoyed them. I suppose you could call them romances, but really, in most of her books the emphasis is on police procedures and detection.
One of the best things to come out of this year was to ditch Bigpond dial-up. I’ve switched to a different ISP and I’m using a dongle. OH!!! THE SPEED!!! I can see pictures……and videos even! I’m being dragged into this century! I’m resisting every new change foisted upon me though. Just to keep it real. 
Happy New Year to you, where ever you are!
Pintangle TAST
Posted by: northviewau on: December 1, 2011
I recently heard about a challenge called TAST. This has run in previous years on Pintangle‘s website, but I have just signed up to participate in 2012. “Take A Stitch Tuesday” will run each week, where we are given an embroidery stitch to execute….and then do something creative with. Take a photo of the finished sample, and then share it with the other participants.
Hopefully I won’t be too daunted by the very talented other participants, or the ones who “have to be first”.
Ginger
Posted by: northviewau on: November 22, 2011
- In: Gardening
- Comments Off
I’m having some men come in with chainsaws, trimmers, root grinders and leaf blowers in a few days time, so I’ve been taking this opportunity to assess what I want to keep in the garden and what can go. Since they’ll be working on top of my bulb bed, I decided it was a good time to lift them, and then replant them in March (our autumn) when I have a greater vision of where they’d do best. In one bed, a few years ago I had planted some ginger. It was nestled under the cover of the rampant lemongrass. I saw that it did shoot last summer, but then died down. I had assumed it was dead, and didn’t go and investigate (mostly because I was whacked out on pain killers, and couldn’t care less!). The lemongrass is getting the chop, so while I was working on that bed I thought I would see if I still had ginger growing.
It appears I did. Yum, who’s for a stir fry? Ginger – $19.98kg. Street value – $1.20.
Dear Santa
Posted by: northviewau on: October 31, 2011
Dear Santa
I have been a good girl this year! Honest!
I would really love to find this awesome book by Sarai Mitnick in my stocking this year. Sarai is the talent behind Colette Patterns, and provides excellent instruction on her blog on the technical aspects of making her patterns (but also tailoring and dressmaking in general). Bear in mind that you may be able to find it at a better deal (look at Fishpond, Booktopia, or Book Depository) as free worldwide shipping deals may mean you don’t have to use Amazon. LOL.
I remember looking at some of the course-work my mother completed for her dressmaking course back in the early 1940′s and I suspect that this is the background of Sarai - a good technical, and drafting background followed by a lot of experience. Of course, I don’t remember the ’40s but during the 60′s and 70′s I was intrigued by the tiny scale garments that were tucked into the drawers of Mum’s treadle machine.
Another great book to own would be this one. I wonder who I know who likes to wear frocks?? wink I’m thinking that some sort of dressmakers dummy would be an asset to getting a good fit though.
with much love from
Northviewau ♥♥♥
Beeyewty
Posted by: northviewau on: October 24, 2011
Today I took my shaggy old self down to the beeyewty parla. LOL. Yes, it was a hopeless case! As usual. Anyway, at least I am no longer impersonating that sheep dog, Ralph, that was always outwitting the wolf/coyote (??) on the old 1960′s cartoon. I’d go for a haircut more often, but I find it to usually be a traumatic experience. The warmer weather means that I either get it cut…or I suffocate. Plus if it gets too long these days, then my neck suffers from the weight of it.
While I was waiting for the bus home I noticed that the thermometer on the car yard said it was 35C (95F). Luckily there was a breeze, and it wasn’t completely dry, so it didn’t seem that warm but I was happy to get into the air conditioned bus. Tomorrow we resume our less than spectacular spring weather this year with more cloud, showers, clearing showers, chance of rain…..and lower temperatures.
I’ve sent off the squares that I knitted for Container Love in New Zealand. They are attempting to cover a shipping container with knitted squares. The containers are being used as barriers against rock fall in the Port Hills near Christchurch. The containers are spectacularly ugly, but the locals are glad to have them. Covering one container is a worthwhile community project to lift spirits, and help strengthen community ties. I was happy to help with this, although I am usually all about knitting to keep people warm. Yes, I’ve been working on some hats, and I’ve completed enough squares for a blanket for Wrap With Love…just have to sew it together one day.
For my regular readers (who have to keep checking back to see if I’ve posted anything, or if I’m lost in the Amazon or something), I’ve managed to conquer my blog settings and provide you with a linky over there —–> so that you can get my very witty and interesting blog posts via email. Posts may become more regular if I can get my new dongle sorted out. It is surprisingly speedy, considering Optus claimed that there was no coverage in my area…..however I have to ring them later, and I suspect that will be 2 – 3 hours of my life that I could have spent doing better things. I DON’T WANNA RING THEM…WAHHHH.
I took some photos in my garden this morning. I noticed that my white bottlebrush was flowering. It has never done very well, unfortunately not getting the type of shade it prefers, but every few years it puts on a show – it might have enjoyed all the rain that has fallen this year?! My hippeastrums are also in full flower. 15 years ago we had one bulb that we discovered in the back yard. I moved it into a flower bed and it has been multiplying ever since. Very large, showy flowers and that orangey red colour very nearly glows in the dark.
Spring Has Sprung
Posted by: northviewau on: September 20, 2011
Life has been busy for the past couple of weeks – which is a good thing! The weather has warmed up, and my body seems to be cooperating with me for the time being.
A few weeks ago I delved into my sewing cupboard and pulled out the fabrics that I wanted to use in a couple of projects. First off I made a bag using this tutorial from Ric Rac. Part of my problem with sewing is that I can’t make a committment to fabrics. This time I just used what I had, and did it anyway! Having said that, I might need to change the lining fabric at some point in the future. My strap turned out too wide for me as well, so I will have to remake that. Now if you are thinking that I am unhappy with the bag, let me tell you that I use it, and I am not ashamed to be seen with it – it would just be awesome, rather than just OK, if I fixed those things. LOL. So no photo of the bag just now.
While I had all my sewing things out I took the opportunity to make some patterns from existing clothes using a roll of light interfacing that I have for that purpose. This went well, and now I just need to cut out the fabric. I also made interfacing copies of some paper pattern pieces. I have a skirt pattern that I will be making for my sister, and I will be making a toile first to ensure a good fit. I have a heap of fabric to choose from, and I have some ideas to alter the pattern to suit her needs better. So, eventually, there will be some sewing photos to come.
On September 2 I went by bus to Blueberries. This quilting shop was having a Spring Fair over a couple of days and it was necessary for me to go on the Friday since I was going to a birthday party on the Saturday (dang, choices! Bag sewing class…or family birthday party?? sigh) Busways is an odd company. They had a strange reason for not letting me buy a transfer ticket, which is cheaper, so the return journey ended up costing me $15.20! Luckily I didn’t actually buy anything at the shop…although I have plans to go back. My main pleasure in my day out was that I was able to go on the bus, and make changes, and didn’t have to take my walking stick. I couldn’t walk very well for a few days afterward, which was mainly due to standing around waiting at bus stops, but it was very encouraging at how well the day went. I never know when my Achilles is going to let me down, and I can’t hang on in moving buses because of my shoulder and hand.
As I said, I went to a birthday party the next day. It was at Belmont, and I had heard that there was a great fabric shop tucked away in a side street there – Block and Roll. Sis and I found it, and had a great time there. We plan to go back! Sis bought some lovely Indian cotton in sage green stripes, and also some brown Vera Bradley flowered fabric that is enough to make a shopping bag.
My computer has been having some woes in the past month. My old monitor died and I had to go and get a new one. Then Microsoft had some massive updates available – I’m only on dial-up so that took a couple of days, especially with all the restarts. Now I have a massive anti-virus update sitting there, and I’ve tried to get it downloaded but it’s bigger than the 85MB I can do in a day. I think I’m going to have to get a dongle to deal with this problem.
While I have been sitting around waiting for my computer I have had some knitting that I cast on a year ago sitting nearby. In a couple of days I finished two charity hats. This caused me to delve into the massive vacuum bags of wool that I had stored away, and pull out a heap of thick wool that I really can’t use for hats. I am knitting these up into blanket squares for charity. It’s thicker than Wrap With Love ask for, but phooey, I’ll just give them the finished blanket anyway! Last night on Facebook I also heard about a charity project in New Zealand who are asking for squares. They intend to cover some shipping containers in Sumner that are being used to stop rock falls from causing further damage. Sumner had a lot of damage in the earthquakes, and the ongoing aftershocks continue to cause rock falls and further weakening of the cliff faces. Meanwhile the pretty town is full of rusty shipping containers….so a boost to spirits by “yarn-bombing” them. This type of community project is one I can get behind.
For a number of months now I have been exploring FODMAPS. This is a relatively new area of research into food intolerance - in this case short-chain carbohydrates and their effect on the large intestine if they are malabsorbed in the small intestine. One of the things that I have reduced in my diet is wheat. Wheat is in a whole lot of things, but it’s not supposed to matter when it is a small amount like when it is a thickener in a sauce. I haven’t been eating bread for a while, but sometimes you just would like the convenience of a sandwich! I have been overjoyed to find this recipe on the Healthy Living How To blog. I was sceptical before I made my first one, but now I am sold. I made my first one using LSA as I have mentioned in the comments on that blog, but I used a one cup ramekin. This left me with a high round “bread roll”. I did make a sandwich out of it, and it was scrumptious. However I can never leave anything alone! The next batch I made I used the recipe as written (having ground up my almonds) but I used a round dish that measures 5″ across. I just cooked it a little longer. I was then able to slice my “bun” into two slices and I had a great sandwich. I have since toasted some, but I like it untoasted. I’m only having one or two sandwiches a week, but it has made it easier if I need to go out somewhere and want to take my food with me. Almost like I’m normal or something….
Perhaps you’d like to hear about the lasagna I made using Vietnamese spring roll wrappers?? LOL
My yard has been suffering from neglect for a couple of years now, and it looks it. With the warmer weather, and some free time for Sis, we’ve started to tackle it bit by bit. My old vege patch, which is now totally shaded, is weeded and covered in newspapers and sugar cane mulch. We’ve found this to be a good way of suppressing weeds. At the front of the bed I have a heap of Italian parsley which had self seeded in amongst the weeds. I also cut down the bay tree with my hand saw…. I’ve planted in some pots two tomato plants – one red, one yellow along with some different basils, and some pansies for Sis. I am hoping to get some more herbs, and I am going to plant some nasturtium seeds - I love nasturtiums in salads. Shortly we are going to have to get the tree guys out to give us a quote and some advice. As well as being over-shadowed in the back yard we are having trouble with tree roots and suckers. It’s bad enough that we are going to have to pull down our back deck and pergola, which is buckled on one corner. We just don’t know what we will be able to put back there.
The paving has been partly weeded. We can’t spray weedkiller because we have lizards, skinks and gheckos running everywhere. It’s the season for lurve out there, and they are being pretty rambunctious and territorial. Here’s a pic of my blue-tongue lizard. He has lived in the wall of my house for a number of years now. The noise of him scrabbling in his nest on the top of my lounge room windows is a bit annoying, but I really don’t mind. He spends his afternoons in this sunny spot, unless I annoy him by walking around out there.
Newcastle Craft and Sewing Show
Posted by: northviewau on: August 19, 2011
My sis and I drove up to Newcastle to attend the Craft and Sewing Show yesterday. Navigation was once again hindered by a 15 year old map – I think I will just go and get a new one regardless of how the old one is supposedly “perfectly OK”. LOL.
Parking ended up being $7. This seems slightly ridiculous, as it was a paddock and not an undercover carpark. I caught the train up last time I went to this show so I was unaware they were being greedy in this respect. $14 to get into the actual show. I sort of resent the entry fee into what is essentially a shopping experience, however at least that cost is known in advance, plus I understand their overheads etc. I can still grumble – that’s free!
Layout-wise they didn’t have as many vendors so there was more space…except for the Guilds. They crammed them into a little corner in half-size booths. I think it will be a total crush on the weekend when all these people try to stop by “their guild” and have a chat. I might have been inclined to stop at the Machine Knitters table but they were right in the corner, and even with my walking stick (ok, ok, I didn’t really poke anyone to get out of my way) I couldn’t get up to the table.
The vendors were mainly papercrafts and quilting. The beading vendors didn’t look inspiring and some of them seemed to be selling nasty ready-made jewellery of the type seen at Morisset Markets. Knitting and crochet were covered by Prudence Mapstone and By Lynette, with some of the quilting vendors selling bits and pieces (let’s just ignore the fun fur). We strolled around all the booths before going back to the ones that had what we wanted. The lovely Prudence was away teaching her class when we came back, however her hubby sold me some Habu silk.
We then walked over to By Lynette where I had seen Louisa Harding Grace in some lovely purples. Shop assistant seemed a bit alarmed that we were handling the stock – I think she wanted to rip it from our grasp, but being hand-painted I wanted a particular skein. ATTITUDE like that kills off repeat custom…if you know what I mean.
After that we scurried away to BeBe Bold. Pardon me while I wave my hands around excitedly, and talk really, really loud. In my last blog post I showed you a picture of a sewing kit I received for Christmas. BeBe Bold, it turns out, sells this brand. It’s not easy to come by here as it is Japanese. They have other kits, but they had a book containing the patterns for not only the sheep, but over 50 toys. Some are wee little things like acorns, others are larger. I am very excited to have this book. I am grinning ear to ear! Sis was really wanting to buy some of BeBe Bold’s fabric as well, but didn’t want to be frivolous and wasteful. We managed to get around this by getting her a coin purse form. Then she had to look at.every.piece.of.fabric.they.had once she discovered that they didn’t have anymore of the cute little moose fabric. She finally picked one, so now she can make a very useful little coin purse for herself.
BeBe Bold also have Japenese crochet books and some wool. I wasn’t tempted because my eyes were full of the Olympus sewing things, but it’s something to consider for the future – when I get back to knitting and need more wool.
Felt bad about leaving the craft show after only two hours (and that time included queueing for, and drinking coffee) but there wasn’t much point in staying. We could have taken some classes or attended some seminars, but there wasn’t anything that was really up our alley.
We decided that we would go down to Belmont and have a look around the shops, and then have lunch overlooking Lake Macquarie. Went to a couple of op shops in Belmont, and I managed to score some Busy Needles (crafty type booklet from the 80′s) and a few metres of some pretty blue fabric. Everywhere we went we could smell awfully wonderful smells – sort of made our cheese and tomato sandwiches seem rather dull. After buying some nice coffees (Cafe Macquarie) we parked in the car and watched the waves and the seagulls. And ate our boring sandwiches!
When I arrived home I had to make Sis’s phone talk to my computer so that I could retrieve the photos off it. Now that I have all that set up we might come up with some worthwhile photos. The photos that were taken prior to yesterday were rather strange – lots of feet, and a few that I suspect were of the inside of her handbag. Here is a nice one of her new armchair prior to it actually being hers. LOL.
As for the walking stick…well I have pinched nerve in my lower back. I hope. It should be better in a couple of days or so. I blame the weather!
New Year!
Posted by: northviewau on: December 31, 2010
Wow. Only a few short hours left of 2010. I won’t say this year has flown by. I wish it had seemed a whole lot shorter, in fact!
Reading over my last post from earlier in the year has been interesting. Maybe I should just re-post it, since it would save me writing this one?
We did manage to go away for a couple of days early in the year. We went to Forster/Tuncurry, and it’s a pity we could not have stayed longer. It seems like a lovely place.
Did I sew at all? No. Did I knit? There were some hats early on, and then I managed a bag (that I have not felted or lined yet) in September, before I was incapacitated again. Did I garden? No. I did clean the house this month though, due to the wonders of modern pharmacology!
I haven’t taken photos of the vintage fabrics, but one positive thing I did was to sort them into two piles. One is for keeps, and one is going to be made into things ie I’m willing to cut it up.
Again, I received a lovely book for Christmas (plus some Christmas money that promptly became an Amazon order), but I also received a great little Japanese kit for a sewn toy sheep. I hope to make him this year…..
I discovered who my true friends were this year. I have such a talent for collecting fair-weather-friends. I am so used to this, that I didn’t really notice at first that they were drifting away when the seas around me became a bit choppy. To the sweet folks who cared enough to enquire after my health, and gave offers of help, I thank you kindly. It reminds me that I don’t have to walk alone in troubled times. ♥
So my friends, all the best for the New Year, and I wish you health, wealth and happiness. Assuming I win the $30 million Lotto draw tonight, I will have some of each to spare…..
New Year
Posted by: northviewau on: January 14, 2010
It’s hard to say where the last two weeks have gone, but….Happy New Year!
I have been pondering what things must change in my life, so that I can have what I want, rather than meeting only the needs of everyone else. First step is to identify what I want! I want better health for a start. Injuring my leg was beyond my control, but I just have to continue on with the physiotherapy so that it becomes as strong and flexible as it can be. Allowing stress, and other people’s demands, to dictate my diet really has to stop. The easiest path is straight down the junk food aisle, so I need to find an effective way of not succumbing to this. I also want to re-introduce other crafts back into my life besides knitting. I have the materials, I have the equipment, so I should make a list of projects that are for me (not gifts for other people!!), and then just make them. Cut the fabric, and just make something!! Also, the jungle that is my garden needs a flame-thrower through it. The garden is something that I have put in the too-hard-basket for a few years now, as it becomes more shaded, less private, and full of the neighbour’s junk….
Going away for short breaks is also on the agenda this year. I say this every year! We nearly made it away for a few days last November. We were only going an hours drive north, and it just ended up being too awkward. We did manage to go for a day trip though, and visited some markets at Belmont on the way. I primarily went to see Gay, of Handmade Sewing, at the markets, as she sells Nicole Mallalieu Designs bag patterns. Gay is running a competition on her blog at the moment for a voucher,from Buyster , for the lighting of your choice, to the value of $80. What a great little prize. Most of the windows in my house face away from the sun, so any fine work definitely needs a lamp. Reading about Gay’s recent forays into fabric stores had me green with envy. I would love to take one of those Shopping Spree bus tours through some fabric stores, but I think it would be just overwhelming. I’d also probably have to mortgage the house….
While we were in Belmont, we visited a quirky little op shop. In one corner we found a box of vintage fabrics, that was $20 for the lot. I really must get some good photos of some of these fabrics. I am guessing that I’m not going to be game to cut most of them….
I received some fabulous books for Christmas, and they deserve a blog post on their own, so I’ll leave them for another day. Since Borders were giving us great discount vouchers during November and December, I also bought some other books as well. I also used some Christmas money to renew my digital subscription to Creative Knitting magazine. With the $AU in such good shape at the moment, it worked out to be really good value, with change left over.
