Wednesday, September 29, 2010

World's smallest stop motion animation on Sharon B's blog

My online friend Sharon Boggon has the knack of finding the most incredible articles online, and we're very lucky that she shares them with us. The post this morning features the world's smallest stop motion animation, made with some incredible technology that is helping diagnose illnesses in remote areas of the world. Intrigued now?
Have a look here and enjoy.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Spring cleaning

What prompts us to look inwards and evaluate our lives at certain points in time? I'm not sure if it's because Spring ( a time of renewal of Life) has arrived here in Australia, or that it's only 12 weeks to Christmas and another birthday for me. Or is it because my youngest child has turned 25 and I'm feeling suddenly much older! I'm preparing my Curriculum Vitae for the Guild to apply for an embroidery course I'm thinking of taking and that has made me look at what I've achieved so far (or not) as well. This is my 200th post on this blog.

Time has certainly flown past lately, and it's even more obvious when I look at current photos of the grandkids. Riley has just turned 2, and is a dear little chap. He helped celebrate Auntie Bron's 25th birthday last weekend and I was able to snap this photo.


Doesn't he look all grown up?

Amelie at 21 months old is blossoming too. She comes to granny daycare with me for 2 days per week and is going to be in her mum's bridal party (we hope) with Riley in early November.



Amelie and Mum in the ballpit at Riley's birthday party in August

I've been madly Spring cleaning, well sorting out some accumulated junk rather than actual cleaning. I finally got my new rebuilt laundry finished with a large expensive custom made storage cupboard but haven't filled it yet, I need to sort out some other rooms first. I sold my space-wasting industrial sewing machine back to the supplier for spare parts. I wasn't really using it due to my neck and hand problems anyway. While all the contents of the sewing room were moved so that the removal chaps could get at the machine, I bought a set of shelves which was assembled and duly installed in there and filled up ! I found things I'd forgotten I had bought, saved and made. Some more drawers will be the next purchase, unless I can make the time to sort out a partly filled chest of drawers which may fit in the sewing room...

I definitely think it's Spring motivating me to look at things with fresh eyes. I've decided to apply to take an intermediate embroidery course over 2 years. I took a version of the course 7 years ago but feel I didn't give it the attention I could have at the time, between work and family committments I wasted a lot of time. Older and wiser,I think I'm ready to try again with renewed enthusiasm.

On Friday 1st October I'll be drawing a name from the hat for my Blogiversary giveaway, and each comment posted up until then will earn one ticket in the draw. I'll have to make a bumper prize now, considering 2 "special events" have co-incided.

Friday, September 17, 2010

A little giveaway to say Happy Blogiversary to myself !


Project worked by 2 kids in my stitching class in May

I can't believe it was 4 years ago last Sunday that I began blogging about my life and interests. So many things have happened around me over the years and my world has changed mostly for the better in that time. The highlights (and lowlights) included becoming a grandmother here and here, hubby being treated successfully for 2 minor heart attacks, and forced renovations after a house fire. My dear sister-in-law is now in remission from Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)which developed about 2 years ago. Professionally I've semi-retired from costume making except for special customers and have been concentrating on volunteering at historic houses in my area where my dressmaking skills have been put to good use. I also led a team who made reproduction convict women's clothing for a very successful exhibition called "Women Transported" which is touring the east coast of Australia. For my post on that see my costume blog here I continue to swap fabric ATC in my online quilting group and am currently convenor of the Embroiderers' Guild junior group YTFG and co-leader of a local Club. Right now I'm seriously considering whether to take another 2 year intermediate course at the Guild with the ultimate goal of becoming an accredited childrens' tutor. Lastly I can't forget that I'm providing my granddaughter Amelie daycare for 2 days per week while her mum goes to work, and I hope she's enjoying it as much as I am. I'm certainly getting lots of exercise on those 2 days with a little person in the house, LOL.

I had intended to announce a little giveaway in the week before my blogiversary, but got distracted and the date slipped quietly by. It's not too late to celebrate though, so if you'd like to say "hi" in a comment I'll conduct a little draw at the end of the month and send the lucky winner a little parcel. I'll include something handmade by me of course, and perhaps some stash enhancers? Please no anonymous comments, and I'm happy to mail overseas.