Thanks for the depend.

Front man in the band.

(Grim Fandango's you can like them on face book and freak him out)

Too cool for school.

16

Recently purchased and took a sandwich toaster to school to toast other kids sandwiches

(for a price)

Incredible indignation at its confiscation.

Incredible indignation at most things....

Agreed (for a price) to do some test sewing.

because, as he said - "I have mad-as skillz"

"Mum ! Why doesn't your sewing machine go around corners"

Cue some instruction and lots of "I knew that "

"Wow this is cool"

"I totally rock this sewing shit"

"mum.... Mum..... F#%* My hair is caught in your sewing machine"

(quietly wetting myself with laughter in the corner)

Friday night

It was a big night at Chez Ric rac on Friday night night. The one remaining teenager was out and the scene was setMr Ric-rac could not stop smiling and I had something very very special planned

yep, Nikki's Book !

While Mr Ric-rac headed off to the boy-cave to watch football, I poured a glass of something yummy and settled in. I had dressed for the occasion in unmatched pyjamas, chenille dressing gown and socks.( I know Nikki would approve) Of course, you guys know that I know Nikki, we frequently sewjourn together where I even saw some of these projects get worked and tweaked and photographed. Rumour has it I even pattern tested something for this book. But do not think I'll be letting that friendship get in the way of a hard-hitting warts and all review ! So I have actually read this book cover to cover, I started with the dedication and finished at the photo credits. The thing I love about this book is that is almost a journey in itself. You can start at the beginning with a cute little zipper rose and work your way through the book until you are whipping up your own pattern-free clothing. Of course , depending on where you are with your skill levels , you can just jump in half way through and learn some new techniques.

Actually I think the techniques and tips are the best thing about this book - I am always in awe of the stuff we learn from Nikki at sewjourn - she often had an easier , faster and DEFINITELY NEATER way doing things, and she always has a gadget to help. The book explains some helpful gadgets and has a whole chapter on techniques.There is heaps to learn in that chapter. (She even shares the magic 3cm rule) If I picked this book up for a flick through in a book shop , I'd be impressed with the amount of step by step photos, I'd smile at the writing style - informative and friendly and then as I progressed through the book, I'd begin to imagine making some of the projects and then I'd get to the pattern free clothing section and my wallet would be out as I headed to the counter.

Then as I put the book on the counter, I'd tell the surly young man with the stapled-on eyebrow I'd say "This is a great book, actually its written by a friend of mine"

"She's an author you know" and I'd smile as he put it in a bag and sticky-taped it shut

and I'd think to myself, "Holy shit Nikki, it's a real-life actual book"

(Oh and the word on the crafty street is that Nikki's book is sneaking onto her stall at AQC next week !)

Heavens to Betsy !

As sometimes happens in blogland - an innocent comment can travel a long way. Some time ago I left a comment over on The Long Thread , admiring some beautiful wool.

A few days later I got an email from Erica saying she would like to send me some of the beautiful Heaven to Betsy Wool - I demurred only slightly before saying "YES PLEASE". Time passed and no squishy package arrived in my letterbox...however a HUGE box thumped on the back verandah reading....

Oh man ! Opening that box required some serious clenching of the lady-muscles. It was packed to the brim with delicious wool. I couldn't quite believe it and may have mentioned the word craftgasm once or twice.

but you can see why can't you, this wool is just beautiful. It is so soft and just perfectly woolly. Go and check out the far better photos at Heaven To Betsy...My favourite is probably Ferngully, but I love rustic Rooster as well and Hot Potato is destined to become a scarf ! These wools have been screaming SOFTIES at me for more than a week.

But really ! I can hardly keep all this for myself so I held a retrospective giveaway and Maree, Kirsty and Maxabella will all be getting a squishy parcel soon.

and everyone else ? You guys get a little down loadable pattern and tutorial to make some little birds of your own, its up there on the sidebar.