Wednesday, January 16, 2008



Oh, I can't wait! We are going with some good friends, Marg and Jon, and will be staying here for two weeks.

Yay!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Mail from Alice Melvin

Earlier in the year I bought this from the very talented artist Alice Melvin. It was a gift to some dear friends who were moving interstate to Melbourne.

Today in the mail I received these wonderful stamps from Alice. They are so lovely, a limited edition (I have 72/100), such a fabulous gift to past purchases of her gorgeous illustrations.

I would highly recommend her work, lovely presentation and superb execution.


Tuesday, January 01, 2008

101 things in 1001 days...

Since moving house (twice since I first posted this), I have made some changes and managed to cross off a few. I only have 18 months to complete them :) - or at the very least give it a go!

Well, here it is finally, my list of 101 things to do or try in 1001 days - as inspired by Claudia .

1. In the spirit of Claudia’s list: Give away 50 things that I own to people who will appreciate them more than I do.
2. Read more novels – at the very least one a month.
3. Drink two litres of water a day.
4. Remember friends and family’s birthdays for a whole year.
5. Learn to do leadlighting.
6. Make a full sized quilt.
7. Sort through my wardrobe and get rid of things that don’t fit or I don’t wear.
8. Put together our wedding album and get it published or at bound professionally.
9. Attend a WEA course.
10. Make a pair of boots, ankle boots, summer thongs and going out shoes.
11. Make David a pair of shoes.
12. Engage in more swaps and blogging contributions.
13. Learn to massage (through a course).
14. Throw a dinner party for different friends every couple of months.
15. Start up the fortnightly knitting session we used to do.
16. Spend some time writing. Start small.
17. Make some dolls quilts.
18. When I’m feeling lazy – get off my butt and go for a walk or make something.
19. Make some of my own clothes.
20. Cook a new dish every week.
21. Design some items for Fox & Feathers.
22. Make gifts for people rather than buying them. Try for a purchase free (other than craft supplies!) Christmas 2006 or 2007.
23. Construct and furnish a dolls house.
24. Landscape the backyard.
25. Make a tailored jacket.
26. Start a drawing journal.
27. Speak to a friend on the phone – just to catch up – once a week.
28. Get the bikes fixed and go for rides around the port.
29. Be more thankful for my wonderful husband.
30. Go out for coffee more often with friends.
31. Travel overseas with David.
32. Restore copper birds from Nan’s friend.
33. Make Christmas ornaments.
34. Attend a wine appreciation course.
35. Frame my tapestries for the bedroom with Dad.
36. Make more use of the workshop.
37. Remove clutter from cupboards – be ruthless – get rid of things I don’t like.
38. Work with Mum and Lyss on some children’s books.
39. Listen to a couple of my old cds every week.
40. Buy an art book every month or so.
41. Investigate starting a hand made market. Encourage friends to participate.
42. Re-design and furnish our bedroom.
43. Design and stitch a cross stitch sampler.
44. Add to our family of two.
45. Try to worry less about my arthritis and get on with things.
46. Stop hoarding things – if I can use them – do it!
47. Eat less take out.
48. Worry less about money.
49. Make a sock monkey.
50. Have a massage once a month.
51. Learn how to use Illustrator.
52. Start another tapestry – maybe another peacock skirt.
53. Write more letters to friends far away.
54. Sort through the craft room and organise – this could take awhile.
55. Spend more time with family.
56. Organise my photographs.
57. Make some products for Gaslight.
58. Go kite flying with David.
59. Set up a screen printing frame.
60. Organise the shed.
61. Paint three large canvasses for the house.
62. Have my hair cut and learn to do it like a hair stylist.
63. Make some personalised stationery.
64. Go out for breakfast with friends.
65. Go to bed at a reasonable time on weeknights.
66. Limit myself to one magazine a week.
67. Knit a jumper.
68. Cross stitch an inspiration board.
69. Make some items and give away to a charity.
70. Finish suburbs mini quilts and stretch.
71. Create a zine.
72. Reach my goal weight of 65 kilos.
73. Experiment with some clay.
74. Hire someone to clean the house fortnightly.
75. Learn to use my overlocker properly.
76. Create a family tree with silhouettes.
77. Visit the zoo.
78. Make something new each week.
79. Organise my magazines.
80. Create an activity book and have it printed.
81. Pull out all the plants I don’t like in the front yard – save the ones I can for new homes and replace with ones I do like.
82. Learn how to use Flash.
83. Spend more time with my grandparents.
84. Write some poetry.
85. Start a bonsai tree.
86. Learn to play poker, hearts and other card games. I have trouble remembering rules.
87. Eat more healthy foods. Cut meat out of one or two days every week.
88. Cook a perfect risotto.
89. Try to finish projects before starting new ones.
90. Spend more time on my appearance.
91. Have more flowers in the house.
92. Play more board games.
93. Get contact lenses.
94. Learn about the intricacies of my blog ie. How to put an image in my header!
95. Find a design I really like or draw one to get as a tattoo.
96. Make some miniature items.
97. Purge my laptop of all the items that are consuming space and not needed.
98. Go to as many Fringe and Festival events as possible.
99. Be creative as much as possible.
100. Re-do the Spinning Pretty Website.
101. Sand and stain kitchen floorboards.