A Life of Contrast

I had planned to write this post when I got back from Summit in February and then life got in the way!

One of the things I love about my Creative Memories business is that it adds contrast to my life.  At least twice a year I find myself doing things that are a break away from my everyday.  This year Summit (our leadership conference) was held in Manly, Sydney.

I am a country girl. I could never live in Sydney, but, as a place to visit, Sydney has a great vibe and a lot going for it and I LOVE being a tourist in Sydney!

One of my bestest buddies in the whole wide world lives in Sydney so it was great to fly in early (and stay a little later) to catch up with her little family.

We caught the commuter train into Circular Quay and she pointed me in the right direction to catch the Manly Ferry.  I was sooooo excited (in fact I think I amused the German tourist beside me very much!)

This Summit was all about stepping outside of your comfort zone so we were all given saris for a night of Bollywood dancing.  Part of my challenge was to get inked - just a semi-permanent but still something I would not normally do! Do you like my bluebird of happiness?

We did some confronting training on personality/character dominance and I learned that I have zero dominance (which is not always a great characteristic in a leader and something I really need to work on - I do tend to get pushed around a fair bit and tend to need to learn to say no occasionally!)

For our Gala Dinner evening there was more pushing of boundaries with a 6 course French Degustation (not something I would ever normally do!)  My comfort levels will only stretch so far so I do have to confess that I couldn't eat the rare-cooked baby quail or the rare veal cutlet but I did eat seared raw tuna (and quite enjoyed it!)

And then, after a lovely Sunday on Manly beach with my friend, and a lazy lunch in an Irish pub at the Rocks, it was back home to my own dear family and Planet Reality.

This is what my lunch looked like Monday, and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.  If you are a stay at home mummy with little people I would really urge you to find something that adds some contrast to your life.  It doesn't have to be Creative Memories, but anything that occasionally gives you the chance to step outside of your ordinary life.  For me, Creative Memories gives me an outlet to indulge in public speaking (something I really enjoy - probably my only adrenalin rush!), it gives me the opportunity to help others, to leave a legacy of album making for my children, to mix with other adults (and have "grown up" conversations!) and to see other women grow and blossom in their own businesses.  All of this alongside my most important Mummy role.  It makes me happy!

Here's to a life of contrast!
Have a great week!
Nell
xxx

Scrapping up a storm

Creative Memories had a virtual crop on Facebook this weekend. 1700 scrappers all having fun.  The super awesome Chris Lothian shared some new sketches with us and my friend Maddy Dunster made gorgeous cards and gift boxes (check out you tube: scrapping with Maddy)  Thought I would share a bit of what I was up to!  Unfortunately the plum jam didn't get done, and neither did the washing, but I think it was time well spent LOL.  So which one is your favourite?
Have a great week!
Nell
xxx

Settling into the New Year

Well, the two big cherubs have settled back into school - both have new classrooms and new teachers but felt comfortable enough at school that they were not phased in the least.

Maddie and I are settling into a slower pace.  Glorious days filled together pottering.  I am happy in the knowledge that there will be gardening, and crafting, and stories and tickles and the odd baby cino.  Right now it seems to be quite a lot about knitting.  I know. Knitting. In Adelaide. In Summer.  It is kind of odd I admit but I am like a woman obsessed!  I have finished another sock.  I have made progress on LightSpeed and Maddie's Debbie Bliss Pinafore, and I have almost finished the first panel of Hannah's poncho.

I finished this in just a few days.  Mobius cowls are intriguing to knit - especially as I am not maths brained enough to work it out so each round is as intriguing as the last!

There has also been plenty of scrapping (February Birthday range is awesome!)  The plan is to get 2012 totally done with by the end of February (no mean feat when the kids each have an album and we have a family album and a Christmas album!)  My friend Amy was even my first "guest designer" - head over to www.bananarunkin.blogspot to check her layout out!

Happy Monday! Have an awesome week!
Nell
xxx

Good Stuff

Oh holidays I love you!
There has been lots of good stuff here lately.

A spontaneous trip to the local op shop for a copy of "Black Beauty" unearthed some great treasures including a new summer handbag (still with the tissue paper in it) a kids weaving loom, books for all three children, 2 new summer skirts for me and a cute 50c dress for Maddie, 2 balls of 50c wool for my Tassie hats project, a set of vintage glasses and a couple of cute china plates, some 20c zips for more humbug bags, a cute red and white checked tablecloth and a yummy basket perfect for showing off my skeins or knitting projects.

There has been LOTS more knitting!  My friend Lea-Anne and her lovely daughter came over last week and   Lea-Anne was playing the part of my conscience and making me finish things!  This is the Tassie hat collection so far.  I have had fun playing with odd snippets of leftovers to mix and match combos.

I have become re-inspired to keep knitting my Lightening Speed - only about 21 rows from the end now!

And in between all the crumbs, sibling rivalry wars, clutter and chaos there has been lots of dramatic play!  There have been sleepovers, puppet shows, countless iceblocks, water play, swimming, lazy t.v. watching, fashion parades and play dates. Tomorrow the cherubs head off to Granny's for a few days and I start back at work and so begins another school year..
Happy remainder of the holidays to you!
Nell

Support for Tassie

Tasmania needs our help!
Calling all of my quilty, knitty friends!

I am catching up with one of my Tassie friends in February and hope to be able to pass over a parcel of hand-knits.  When I visited in July of last year it was FREEZING so I am sure those that have lost everything would appreciate some handknits.  I am thinking beanies and mittens but you can seriously do whatever you think will be helpful.

They are also asking for quillows and quilts for the kids and teenagers.  I've never made a quillow before but I am hoping to whip up a few little quilts.

So what do you say? Wanna help me?

Passing on a passion, sharing a skill..

My big kids have been wanting me to teach them to knit for a long time so we decided today was the day.

I first tried to learn to knit when I was about 8. My Mum tried to teach me but she couldn't make it stick so I taught myself when I was 9 and have loved it ever since.  I learned to knit with acrylic wool on slippery metal needles.  Call me a yarn snob but I was determined that I wanted my children to love the "feeling" of knitting as much as the knitting itself so we went with small wooden needles and 100% wool.

I don't think any of my cherubs will learn to knit proficiently in an afternoon but they are all making good progress and I am so proud of them!

Latest spinning:

This is some sparkly "purple pizzazz" that  Hannah has taken to learn to knit with.

And this soft cloud of fluff is "Lucy" 50% angora bunny and 50% merino - my knitters fingers are just itching to knit it up!

I've also been enjoying the holidays doing some scrapping.  These are my two new favourites using the new "P.S. I Love You" range.

Happy Wednesday!
Keep smiling,

Nell

Endings and beginnings

What a lovely lazy New Year's Day.  Last night I finished Lil and Will, bringing the total to 7 quilts for 2012.

Today I finished my MIL's sock, her scarf (which has only needed 3 rows and the fringe since last August!!!) this little baby jacket  (which I suspect would look better on a baby) and this sweet little rainbow hat for a friend's little rainbow baby.

Then, because it is the dawn of a whole new year and I was feeling reckless I cast on Hannah's poncho and this sweet little dress bodice from the Debbie  Bliss magazine that I borrowed from our library.
I felt good because both of these projects will come from my stash (and I will start the year really trying to shop from my stash!)
Hope you had a great start to your new year too!