pompoms...

I was making pompoms, 

as scarf trims & garlands.. 

but how does one resist wearing a pompom... 

or several....

dainty trims...

The sun is shining gloriously here today, aaahhh it's sure nice to thaw out a little...

My creative space has been bamboozled with loads of other things the last couple of weeks.  Today though, I am enjoying riffling through my tins looking for pretty trims to re-vamp a couple of gorgeous school tunics. 

I love a tunic.  They belong to two very sweet girls who have had a recent school uniform upgrade, however, they too love the old grey tunic & would like to be able to keep wearing them, so I'm going to try my best at a little re purposing love & make them perfectly wearable every other day! 

The possibilities are endless really, buttons, ric-rac, vintage lace, crocheted trims, my head is in a spin...

Enjoy some more creative spaces over here...

monday delirium...

revamping a thrifted chair

monday...really?? The last three nights I've had next to no sleep, the little guy's sick with croup.  I'm in my own little world of delirium today, but strangely upbeat!

Actually I did take a few hours off on Saturday night to celebrate a gorgeous friends birthday 70's style, with lots of colour, vinyl & fondue!  I think it's all the dancing that has gotten me through til now...

finally mounting a coat rack

A potter in the garden yesterday, tidying the place up a bit & getting odd jobs done...

raking up the last of our autumn leaves

lucky we did, 'cause it doesn't look like we're going to manage anything today other than lots cuddles.....

and hopefully a nap...

it's so wrong of me, but boy is it lovely to have the little guy with no voice! Oh my goodness the peace & quiet is bliss...

treading water...

Do you ever feel as a parent you are in way over your head?  I do.  Our big boy is only 9 and I know I've talked about the trials and tribulations of raising this gorgeous boy several times over the last few months, but boy oh boy, I really am worried about what the teenage years hold...

He's always been shy.  We were the ones you'd see at gymbaroo or music & movement sitting in the background not participating, just watching everyone else have a wonderful time.  I was always a shy kid so I understand it & I haven't forced him into being someone he is not or making him uncomfortable in a social environment.  He's always needed time to 'warm up' no matter where we might be...

Though now at 9yrs old, his shyness comes across as just plain rudeness.  When people say hello, he'll mutter a hello back that is barely audible and not make eye contact, and sometimes even pretend he hasn't seen someone he knows across the street yelling out to him.  It's not only the shyness, he  mopes about, never sharing much of what he did in a day, he gets angry at his brothers and his tone can actually be quite scathing.  He challenged me at school recently, we eyeballed each other,I couldn't believe he didn't break his gaze.  We've addressed all of these incidents when they occur, thank goodness for my level headed rational husband, man he's one amazing dad, my hero!  We've talked things through & made sure the boundaries are very clear, respect for others and all those important things...

Mostly I worry that maybe something really is wrong.  He talks about things when he's ready, so that's good.  But I fear that as he gets older he'll withdraw more & more.  I know it's probably being dramatic but it does cross my mind, and you know, you hear all those horrible stories...what if he is struggling, what if these are signs I should be reading into & doing something about...

I have brothers who love & adore my boys.  According to every book you read, and my own gut instinct, all boys need good role models & a mentor, someone other than dad as they get older, so we are very lucky.  All of them are willing & able so I think maybe now is the time to call on them.  Make time for them to hang out, it can only be good I'm sure of that...

my creative space...

rustic fairy light chandeliers for the outside...

A clever idea I spotted in a Better Homes & Garden mag, I think it'll be more effective in the night time.  All part of 'the secret mission', sshhh...

more creative spaces over here...

just quickly...

It seems that's all I say at the moment, "just quickly..." before I launch into some long winded explanation or ramble about the zillions of things spinning round in my head...

But really, just quickly I want to say a big HELLO! to a bunch of new people who are following my blog.  It seems the number has suddenly shot right up there in the blink of an eye & for some strange reason I can't see who you are.  I see the number on my dashboard but for the life of me blogger won't let me view your lovely pics or anything else about you.  So, "welcome" it is lovely to have you join me here at Loved & I hope to find you & pop round to see you all very soon...

It's the long weekend here again already, time is just zooming by! We have made way too many plans but looking forward to all of them, lucky last weekend was just a whole lot of nothing... 

Also I have orders for garlands to complete, a 7yr old birthday party to plan, a costume to put together for a gorgeous ladies 70's housewife b'day party next week, presents for a set of twins & a spooky costume to make for the middle guy to wear to their party, and a top secret mission that I have set myself which I can't say too much about in case a certain someone happens to see it written here & then it will be a secret no more.  I have to say, given that I am the worlds biggest procrastinator, hence sitting here rambling on my blog, it is going to be one heck of a challenge pulling even one of these things off in time!

Though, having jot that all down here now my head does feel lighter & really if that's all I have going on right now I should consider myself blessed. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

it's official...

I'm addicted! I am totally & utterly addicted to this crochet caper!  To think that not more than a year ago I had no idea where to begin, just a burning desire to learn...

the piles keep growing, another project begins immediately after one has been finished, loads of thrifted & re-cycled balls of wool just waiting to be turned into warm winter goodness...

I love it! My work space is limited, but that's the great thing about crochet, it's compact & you can take it wherever you go...

However...hmmm..is it possible to get RSI crocheting?  Because right now my left wrist is so sore that the pain shoots right through me just to type this post...

When I casually mentioned it to Hubby this morning he said without hesitation "it's all the crocheting, you need to stop for a while.."

"what do you mean the crochet?!" I quickly reply, fraught "surely not, how can that be? No, I must have done something to it cleaning yesterday"... 

I may need to take a little time out, just to see...

Whatever did I do before crochet? Luckily I have set myself a top secret mission to keep me busy for now.  It involves mirror balls & LOTS of sparkly fairy lights...ssshhhhhh....

Pop on over here to see what everyone else has been up to...

today...

couch time was productive, I finished a gift for someone special..

Oh maaaannn is it cold here! I've just dropped my middle guy off at the school gate, a little guilty of the dump & run today, but I can't bring myself to get out of the car and stand around the playground til the bell goes, no matter how lovely the company of the other mamas..

The big boy rides off way too early to take himself to school, wearing shorts! I used to worry, but the fight is fruitless, he's happy this way, though it's mandatory he has on multiple upper layers..

I've picked up a large latte to bring home to enjoy with my breaky before I get stuck into cleaning this seriously neglected home of ours, perhaps just the inside for now..

Hubby wants to have stir fry for dinner, one of my least favourite dishes, but we'll be using the left over chicken from Sunday nights roast which was absolutely deluxe.  I do love making a single meal go further, it's become a bit of a challenge around here..

The little guy is tired after a rough night of growing pains, so it's a very quiet day for him.  He's happily watching ABC kids this morning, and I'm happy that he is.  Do your kids suffer growing pains?  I used to get them terribly as a child and in fact I still get a similar thing now, though the doctor believes it's something to do with pressure on the sciatic nerve.  I wonder is it the same for children..

In between all the waking up to soothe & stretch his legs, I had a frightening dream about my little guy last night. It was so disturbing and it made want to stay close to him all night, terrified about where it came from & what it might mean...

So it's a fairly quiet day here today, cleaning, laundry,grocery shopping & doing our best to stay warm.. 

I hope your Tuesday is off to a great start.  Have a lovely week all!

couch time...

things don't always go according to plan...

I had hoped to take myself for a pleasant Saturday drive up to Daylesford today, a bit of wander through the gorgeous streets, markets & country side all on my own, pleasing myself, doing what I love in my own sweet time.  But my head feels like a giant putty ball, my eyes are in & out of focus, I'm sick!  As much as I've tried to convince myself otherwise, the reality is I'm in no shape to drive...

So it's a bit of quiet hooking time tucked up on my nana couch with a warm lemon-y concoction & some mindless movie watching for now...

Our house is unusually peaceful.  All the boys doing their own thing, playing happily.  Hubby's catching up on some work, organising his week ahead before he spends the rest of the afternoon in the garden.  I do love these weekends (apart from the feeling crappy) when we are all just content at home, with no plans & nowhere we need to be.  I am grateful this week that we don't have anything we must do, sometimes a bit of couch time is exactly what we all need...

what are you grateful for this week? Pop on over to Maxabella's and join in..