Handmade Christmas

My determination that this would be a handmade Christmas has made these last two weeks completely crazy! 

 

I have.....

 

• made pom-poms (and a huge mess) with my daughter's Year 1 class
• gritted my teeth as I knitting a slouchy beanie (one of three) in West Coast Eagles' colours for Mr D 
• bought some gorgeous handmade gifts from the Denmark Art Markets where my friends Laraine and Suki have a colourful stall filled with gorgeous garments and accessories they have made themselves - clever girls!
• crocheted seven Granny Stars for my seven 'star' students at work
• lunched with my knitting group at the (not so) Healthy Buddha (but it was very yummy)
• crocheted a pressie for my Mum - shhhh!
• cooked up a barrel load of tomato relish for more pressies
• won a brilliant giveaway from here
• waved to Santa at our street party
• consoled my uncontrollably sobbing Year 1 daughter as she farewelled her teacher, Mr D, on his last day
• had a little cry of my own on viewing the creatively poignant video he made of our children
• gone to dinner with my workmates where there was much cackling and Making Of Plans
• gone to G's Christmas outing with his work colleagues

and finally

• painted a last minute Name Painting order at the same time as trying to pack the car.

 

For, you see, we are off to the big bad city for our Christmas with my family.

 

Yee haw!!

 

Wishing you lots of joy and laughter these holidays, and an absolutely brilliant and productive New Year!

 

And take care!!
 

Sam xx

A day away

We had a brilliant day, yesterday. Just us; just our little family, out and about and exploring some stunning places nearby.

 

We walked along the beach in the rain, we clambered over rocks, we dried out when the sun re-emerged, we ate our picnic lunch and then went for a swim before it got cold again.

And when we arrived home, we washed off the sand, changed into warm and comfy dag-around-the-house-clothes, and snuggled together on the couch.

Refreshed, re-energised, reconnected.


A great day? I'll say!


I hope you all had a lovely weekend, too.

xx

Big Hearted Business Virtual Conference 2013

Latest wip - Lowlands Beach 40cm x 40cm

 

Have any of you heard of Big Hearted Business?

 

Big Hearted Business is the brainchild of musician Clare Bowditch (clever, clever lady!) and was established not so long ago with the intent to help creative people learn about business "in ways that make sense".

 

BHB have produced some wonderful podcasts that are available on their site - talks given by successful creative types sharing their stories and artistic career advice.

 

They even had a BHB Conference in March this year with more presentations by successful creative business types (more clever, clever people!), and happily, they filmed it all and recently released it as a Virtual Conference for paid subscribers.

 

And, oh, how marvellously fabulous it all is!

 

I listen as I paint. There are videos, too.

 

It's like having my own private cheer squad in the room. Hooray!

 

 

 

Do you listen to podcasts?

Can you recommend some good ones?

I'd love to hear.

 

 

Have a brilliant weekend.

 

xxx

 

 

Beanie Boys

I think the boys liked their Christmas beanies*.

What do you reckon?

Pattern found here (how I love ravelry.com!)


xx

*Early Christmas pressie giving - their family is heading to Europe on Friday.