Afternoon Tea???

Anyone for afternoon tea? The kettle is boiling and

they are completely fat free .

Crafty week

The week in craft

Using up some of the huge amount of fabric I bought for the original Dick and Jane - I made

some more (just need to hand sew the covered bases in)

Zipper practise - just like exercise - I hate it but feel better afterwards

A bit of hooping - new bags . stay tuned

and me casting flirty wistful glances at Mr Gocco every five minutes !

Is this love?

I promised myself I wouldn't fall into another relationship.

I figured I had enough on my plate already and I didn't need the fuss or the worry. I should just be happy with what I already have and stop looking for more.

But you know slowly the feelings crept in until now I feel like a schoolgirl again.

My stomach has butterflies and I don't feel the need to eat. I have a stupid half grin on my face all the time. The kids have noticed and keep rolling their eyes at me.

But I can't help thinking what if it all goes wrong? Will I lose my confidence, what about my faith in myself?

It's just that there is so much potential...........I'll try to take it slow and not set my standards too high, keep my expectations reasonable but at the same time I want so much.

Secretly I am petrified but I know you guys won't judge me, won't snicker behind my back about the age difference or the slightly dishevelled appearance, or even the fact that that there were others before me. Ok so other times I have felt this way it didn't work out...yes I have made bad choices and yes I have suffered severe blows to the self esteem but this time will be different won't it, with this new love.........surely.

Wish us luck !!!!!!

Its all True !

On Monday, after I had almost forgotten about it . This gorgeous Japanese embroidery book dropped into my letter box.

I had a little look right away and then last night had a longer drooling look and a quick rustle through the embroidery threads (purchased last week in anticipation) and then.........................

I put it aside - for I am the type of girl who finishes each project to the letter. I am the type of girl who sews on the last button , irons the project and immediately puts it to use. I am the type of girl whose sewing room is clean and sparse and minimalist. I am the type of girl who has folders of projects she may like to attempt in the future, colour coded and catalogued according to genre and sub genre. I am the kind of girl who sees the joy and wisdom in taking a project slowly and thoughtfully and enjoying every stitch right to the last final stitch where she can sigh a little self-satisfied sigh before she starts the next project.

I am the type of girl who lies through her back teeth.

Poppy !!!

Hello ........

I'm Poppy and I am still full of pins. Jodie went Op-shopping all morning and left me like this. She came home with some new shelves and had to rearrange the whole sewing room to fit them in.

Then she went to buy fabric for my dress.......buy fabric? Have you seen this sewing room-she could clothe a nation with the fabric in this place.

I may never get finished....she has unfinshed things everywhere. Remember Beaker ? Well his wife still has no face and no front legs. I'm gettin' worried...................................

and the good bits......

The good things week include.................

Finishing off the baby quilt before the baby has even arrived (I am usually months and months behind). I consider this to be my first ever "real" quilt, in as much as it is not just squares sewn together. It is in fact only squares with circles on them sewn together but still a little more complex for me than normal. Much better as a quilt than an apron I think! I quilted every second square with different coloured thread.

Also got some great news from Emma of Ballarat Patchwork . She tells me they will be stocking the Dick and Jane range (in about July). I get first dibs so the rest of you will have to be quick !

Today I drafted a number of patterns for a little monkey - to go along with the quilt. I have a monkey obsession and have had for many years. I have made loads of sock monkeys of all persuasions but wanted to make something a little more substantial. Of course a monkey has been in my brain long enough for me to purchase exactly how many monkey suitable fabrics......

Only the top lot are really bought, all the rest is thrifted so surely they don't count...

Gearing up.

This weekend has been a sort of quiet one . I have done lots of cooking and sitting quietly (a rare event for me).

I have a funeral to go to tomorrow that is going to be very hard and the whole week ahead feels oppressive right now. I have been slowly sewing the binding on the babies quilt and thinking and being in turn, both sad and angry at the loss of a friend.

I worked a little umbrella on a new bag - this one will be my bag. It is kind of wintery and sparse, I really like it and I have really fallen for the art of embroidery. (I have never done any before).

Things will get better I know and I also know that lifes sucks sometimes. Right now I am off to the quiet couch with my hoop and thread and memories.