Author Archives: paulainauckland

OLW updated

Posted in OLW by

I decided to go with Serenity. It’s close to Peace, but it’s the attitude that I want to express.

I’ve been sitting on the class notes for a couple of days, thinking on things while I work away around the house, in the garden and so on. Here’s my result – and yes, I know there is a blank. I’m not sure what to write under “invitation”. Not yet, anyway.

2015-01-04 21.23.162015-01-04 21.23.23

 

I also need to take a photo of me and slot it into the gap on the cover page.

I did lose my attitude today tho – grocery shopping at Countdown and what do I spy?

2015-01-04 13.22.32

Really? Jesus was only just born!

Saturday Share

Posted in family, Saturday Share by

Tonight’s share isn’t crafty. Instead it is one of the trailers we saw tonight when we treated Z and M to Night At The Museum 3. We all laughed so it’s a must see for our family.

I love Pixar!

Inside Out Trailer 2 UK http://youtu.be/_MC3XuMvsDI

we rewarded the boys. In two days we’ve gone thru nearly two pails of fence paint and we are about 3/4 of the total done. Awesome work by my team. No one has yet been painted either, second win!

If you’re wondering why the Screaming Teen didn’t go to the movies, he ditched us for his aunt. Wah.

Travelling Bunny – a finish & a giveaway

Posted in Smalls SAL, stitching patterns by

If you’ve been following for a while you might remember that I was SOOOOOO excited to win the opportunity to host The Travelling Bunny in his world circumnavigation. Bunny waited patiently until January first – and he’s my first stitching piece of 2015.
image

Me being me, I did convert a few things. Fabric was the natural/taupe 25ct Lugana. His coat is 3790, his tummy & tail in 613, the background is 3865. His eyes are Mill Hill 02014 and the stamens are 02002 added with 677. The flower and the greens are as per the chart. I need to rummage for some fabric to stitch him into an ornie – but I have until the last Wed of the month before check-in so I’m good.

Bunny now needs to move on – he didn’t get residency and he’s packing his bags. He’s been travelling since May 2011 – yes, that long! check out Chiara’s blog category – http://thegreytail.wordpress.com/category/travelling-pattern/ – along with a rotating bag of goodies.

So – if you have a blog, and you want to participate, COMMENT on this post by January 27th, New Zealand time. I’ll announce the next host when I post my Smalls SAL post on the 28th. It’ll be cool to see where in the world he ends up next!

 

You Can Quote Me – Creativity

Posted in work, You Can Quote ME by

I’m a firm believer that if you’re busy but organised, it’s easy to add things to your pile and get them done. I also believe that creative people get more done. Think of a writer, an artist, a musician, your local butcher – creativity springs out everywhere and if you’re creative, it’s up to you to help populate the ideas in the people around you.

creativity

 

A really easy way is to add something to a workmate’s wall, stick something on the office fridge, leave some new pencils/felts and a colouring book or two on the lunchroom table. Creativity is therapy, and creativity is contagious!

Let me know what you did & what the reaction was! More fun if you can do this secretly 🙂

WIP Wednesday – the TUSAL

Posted in embroidery, Mirabilia, Nora Corbett, stitching patterns, Teresa Wentzler, WIPocalypse by

TUSAL? ORT? I didn’t formally join the Totally Useless Stitch A Long this year but I loved the idea of it. I found a Moccona jar, scoffed down the coffee and this is the result…chock full of ORTS.

2014-12-30 21.22.53

Looking at the layers I can see where I was this year, and it’s a tangible reminder of what I have accomplished in 2014 (especially given that I haven’t found the $$ to frame most of what I finished). Starting off with Teresa Wentzler’s Stretch, moving on to the Nora Corbett Sleigh (my fav of this year), a few minis, the start of Mirabilia’s Stargazer, a start to Mediterranean Mermaid, some more mini’s, three NC birds that are completed, Lou’s Letter Fairy and the start of the Reindeer. I love the glints of the metallic Kreinik that shine thru.

This has been really satisfying. I plan to use these threads to fill a Christmas ornie and I’ve already picked next year’s jar – a big, faceted whiskey decanter. Very Downton Abbey 🙂

Next year (it’s nearly here!) I’m planning on taking a photo with each WIPocalypse. Could be embarrassing…

One Little Word 2015

Posted in OLW by

I’ve been tossing up what word will fit. This is a (very) last minute decision to rejoin OLW; previously I haven’t stuck with it. Maybe past words haven’t been right; maybe I need to allow myself to evolve throughout the year.

Potential candidates were:

  • grow – thinking faith, work skills, craft skills
  • craft – this is kind of redundant. my only resolution for 2015 is to craft. I am not giving up chocolate.
  • move – because I won’t give up chocolate.
  • compass – chose a direction.
  • serenity – I am lacking it.

Serenity, I think, will be the right word. I desperately need to focus on this at home and at work.

serenity def

 

Examples? At work there is that one person who tries (even tho technically we are equals, time-wise we are not) to control what I do and where I am at. She came into my office, burst open the door and was so disgruntled to find me at my desk it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. But her other subterfuge is not funny and I don’t cope well with being belittled. Thankfully our boss is onto it but I expect further ructions.

At home there is the Screaming Teen and his behavior. The Not Teen and his complete lack of practicality. The 5YO and his habit of whining & crying when things don’t go his way. I need to let this wash over me. Think Zen. Think like that duck, peaceful on the surface but paddling like anything under the water.

Actually, I don’t want to be the duck. I want to be organised and coping, stable and peaceful and FUN. I think that if I am serene, this will lead to growth, craft and a direction. Moving will add to serenity, as walking/swimming are activities that calm my mind.

If you had a word for 2014, what was it? What should it have been? If you didn’t have one, what would it be now you’re at the end of the year?

Thanks for reading. x

 

EDIT: 8.30pm and I’ve had a brainfart. Maybe my word is similar – like Peace. I’m really excited for it to be Peace.

peace

Sunday Swim

Posted in DIY home, house - gardens, Project Life by

Today’s play time at the base pool was well earned.
*pantry cleaned out and reorganized (cheap chalkboard labels from Briscoes,  stampin’ up chalk pen equals revived tupperware)
*old laptop cleaned off and reset for Carol
*new laptop up and running for me, all software added and music synced
*tomorrow’s dinner cooked (roasting as I write this, but who cares if I call it in advance)
*two sets of Project Life cards culled to thirds, ready to send to my friend Paula who is about to start her PL adventure
*next year’s album purchased (half off at Harvey Norman) & I limited myself to only two card sets from there
*boysenberry checked, new shoots training to the wire on the post and fruit picked
*two Lego sets “supervisor status only”

image

Phew!

Saturday Share – DIY thread keeper

Posted in DIY home, freebies, Saturday Share by

This is a must-have for every stitcher – hand or machine! I keep a tidy pile that I take away every night when I cross stitch or embroider, but it’s completely another story if I take the machine out. Somehow organisation takes a back step to concentration, muttering, ironing, more muttering and (sometimes) a useable end product. I am however very good at curtains – not so good with clothes or more specifically, skirt hems. Handkerchief hems are my friend.

anyway – I saw this on Pintrest and think it’s a must-make. Like, now.

pincushion-thread-catcher

one of the better step-by-step posts is here: http://www.merrimentdesign.com/pincushion-thread-catcher.php

Let me know how yours goes! All going well, I’ll edit a pic in later 🙂

Boxing Day binge

Posted in DIY home by

It’s been a productive Boxing Day. In and out of the shops quickly; I’m the proud new owner of a HP laptop. Really really excited except I forgot to get the extra software. And I haven’t tried to load PSE on it yet.
image

Hit goal by swimming, hung the refurbished coat hook up (stolen from an old school room that was being demolished. I confused tho as I did the work but my handbag won’t fit?), recycled another two bags of unwanted clothing, ocked thru four loads of washing. Don’t worry too much tho, instead of cleaning their rooms to make room for new stash the boys have migrated plenty of stinky undies from under their beds to the laundry basket. No way I’m unemployed yet. Phew.