AJ's Antics

It has taken 12 years but I quilted and gifted this bright log cabin picnic blanket last week. It was very well received and promptly christened with apple juice 😆

So I have these friends ... and they like to throw out crafty challenges... a lot! I've been involved in a few of them over the years and they have often kept me motivated through projects... and sometimes... well sometimes life gets in the way and other than an initial post or idea nothing I get done or finished.  And I'm ok with that. For me crafting isn't about being the best or finishing the most projects, or even finishing them at all. And while I do like to finish things, it is about the process and the journey along the way. The connection with like minded people, sharing in their excitment and their journey, as we talk about ideas and make suggestions, motivate each other and complain about our husbands complaining about our new found enthusiasm, which usually results in new craft supplies. And so 2019 is upon us and the girls have come up with a new project....or 20! 20 crafty endeavors, where each item on the list, involves that number of actual things. L...

I'm happy with the number of books I got through this year. Only a couple short of my goal. Here are my titles for 2018.

How cute are these blocks. I didn't think I'd like them but once they were together I can see how lovely a scrappy quilt would be. I'll show you my bee block next!

Sewing and book reading friends are the best! Despite the mommoth effort around organising things on the work and home front, heading away for the long weekend for our annual 'quilt camp' comes at exactly the right time each year. I loved having a road trip buddy this year. It gave us 4 hours of extra chatting time! I always leave feeling refreshed and not quite so overwhelmed with the long list of tasks that need finishing before the year is out. This year we added a book club element. We  posted books amongst ourselves before camp so that we could discuss them together. And boy was the discussion rich. It is nice to have your opinion heard in a valid and respectful way, dispite not always agreeing on what constitutes a 'good' book. We've picked our dates for next year... now to find the perfect book to swap! 

I'm testing out a blog post from my phone. It's where all my photos are stored so it makes sense to blog direct. I've been doing a little bit of sewing with some Bee Block swap with some friends. This swoon block was fairly epic and I see the appeal of the bigger block....less of them to make, but it wasn't my favourite thing to sew. I've spent more time on crochet this year, just for convenience. It's easy to pick it up for 10mins and put it down again when something or someone needs your attention.  We'll see how this blog post goes... it may become a regular thing. Drop me a comment if you've stop in to let me know your around!  Blog post number 1001 by the way! 

I don't think I've ever done 'One Little Word' before but I'm looking for something to hang on to this year. Something that grounds me but keeps me moving forward at the same time. As the new year ticked over I found myself adrift, a little lost about who I am and where I want to be. Life around me was moving on but I didn't feel connected to it. I was cranky at Christmas and disgruntled with New Year. I put on my semi-happy face and got on with it but you can't always fake it. You have to live life, love life....not just exist in it. And I think that is what I have been doing. Existing but not living and it has been going on for a little while now....most of 2017 at least. So this morning when I woke up, just as I opened my eyes, this word jumped out at me. I have never had that happen before and that's when I knew that this One Little Word was for me. I mulled over it during the day as I ran errands and got on with doing things. It hung there ...

Lots of books read to Aden added to my tally this year!

Noodlehead  has lots of fabulous bag patterns with one of my favourite being the 241 Tote which I've made a few times. One of her newest bags is the Makers Tote . This pattern was released at the end of November 2015 and I knew it would be perfect for my cross stitch. I've been keeping my cross stitch in a 'green' shopping bag, that after being carted back and forwards a bit it was looking a little lot worse for wear. Actually is was so badly torn it couldn't carry anything any more so I was getting kinda desperate. So with the holidays approaching and know I would have some sewing time up my sleeve, I looked for some fabric to use and of course got some feedback off my lovely sewing friends. The lovely Rachel from Barefoot crafter  is sewing along with me and she has chosen some lovely fabric too! I can't wait to see hers finished! There are 2 sizes in the pattern and I made the bigger one. Here are some progress shots The outside ...

I'm really pleased with the 30 books I've read this year.  A few of them are kids novels that I have read to my 6-year-old son and a couple of YA but I'm ok with that. My pick for the year would have to be 'The Storms of War' . I always enjoy reading these personal/family reflections on the World Wars. The book most outside of my normal comfort zone would have been 'Burial Rites' . It was nothing like I would normally read and I did quite enjoy it. Not exactly a cheerful book to read over Christmas but quite thought provoking and I have found my mind wondering for the last few weeks reflecting on the circumstances and how I would have reacted being in each of the characters places. The worst book I read in 2015 was definitely 'Little Miracles' . It was a difficult book to get into and I really should have stopped about a quarter of the way in but I persevered and then the end....well lets just say it ne...

  Reporting is done and the count down til the holidays has begun.   I'm trying to lessen the stress and enjoy the experience..... I'll let you know how that goes!

'Twas with a heavy heart I stitched some more of this beautiful city last night for #Saturdaynightcraftalong  Reminiscing about our holiday there almost 2 years ago....#peaceforparis

Miss Barefoot has set down a new challenge for the next 12 months...Actually sending mail via the post! You can read about it here and join in when ever you like! October saw her posting about a Splatter Paint note card and we couldn't resist getting out the paints and easel for a go. The boy had fun mixing colours and experimenting with different amounts of water to get a nice splatter. It was very messy and lots of fun! I'm glad I set him up outside! We turned these into cards for Teacher's Day at our school...so while we didn't technically post them, they have been delivered. If you want to see what Miss Barefoots splatter painting looks like and the next challenge for November check it out here .

Good friends are more precious than gold! A weekend away with laughter, and crafting and more laughter is just what my soul needed. I feel rejuvenated, re-set and ready to tackle the end of year count down. I can't thank the girls enough for their support and kindness. Oh and did I mention the goody bag!! Bring a few items and go home with a bag full of treasures! I started a new project, added more rows to my ripple and worked on a very old WIP that I'd like to finish for a Christmas gift. Thank you girls we must catch up again soon! And in case you noticed, yes I am/did fail miserably at Blogtober...and I'm Ok with that. :)