Monday, May 28, 2012

A bit of a refresh and a new project!


So, I get bored easily, so I decided the blog needed a little sprucing up. What do you think? I'm totes in love with grey and teal at the moment, can't you tell LOL and of course good old chevron!

I'm trying to teach myself a bit of HTML to go outside the template limits which blogger provides. It's a lot of trial and error but it's fun when things work out the way you envisage them!

I would love to hear what you think of my new outfit, leave a comment below (I love comments hehe)

In the wee hours of last night I stumbled across the best tutorials I've seen I think in forever! Paula is such a great teacher, she explains things clearly, goes nice and slow and doesn't confuse me, (which I know isn't hard but hey! LOL) Paula has a website, which is cleverly called, Crochet hooks you. On there you can find heaps of tutorials (mostly if not all on youtube, which for me is great as I learn better seeing someone do something rather than reading a pattern). She focuses mainly on beginners and easy skill levels and she's Australian! As you can tell I am a little excited to have found Crochet hooks you and I hope you are too! Be sure to stop by her site, you won't be disappointed! Also don't forget to subscribe to the Youtube channel!

Now onto the project, now my hand has had a few days to recover from the 6 weeks of granny square making, it's time, I wanted something that was still beginner friendly but still a challenge and I found it. Those of you who follow my pinterest may have noticed a theme with my pinning, I've been searching for the perfect crochet bowl tutorial, and I found one on Paula's Youtube channel, yay!

Here's the first of four videos (it's only a two part series but it's over 4 video's, if that makes sense.)




  Part 1 (video 2) || Part 2 (video 1) || Part 2 (video 2)

I can't wait to get started, and hopefully It doesn't take me long before I have some cute crochet bowls to show you! 

Till then...

TTFN!



Saturday, May 26, 2012

Crochet Terms UK v's US

I just did this quickly for your reference.





1st crochet project complete and I'm hooked ;)

I've finally actually finished something I started. It's taken me almost 6 weeks but it's done. Granted it's one of the easiest crochet projects to make but I am pretty darn proud of myself! Oh and I think I may have just mastered the art of double crochet!

Here's a instagram photo journey for your viewing pleasure. (I'm planning on taking better pics for my next project, ones that show's the progression a little better.)

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Soaking
Blocking

 It's still drying, I'm hoping it will be done by bed time! It turned out bigger than I thought it was going to, It covers our Queen size bed (only the top, not the sides but still!)

Now I'm onto my next project. I tried my hand at these cute flowers this afternoon, I think I was using UK terminology, but the tutorial was in US??? Anyway the petals didn't turn out as round as they did in the picture. But I will try the american way and see if that goes any better!

I'm also going to get my yarn bag made up, will out up a tutorial in the next few days on how I made mine. It's going to be based on a simple zipper pouch but with a few extras.

I hope your staying warm and dry wherever you are.

TNT...

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Do you forgive, but not forget?

I've been struggling with the notion of forgiving those who have hurt me or done things so utterly terrible you wouldn't think there would be enough forgiveness in the world! I feel I have a lot of hate in me. To look at me from the outside one would say I am bubbly and friendly and perhaps happy, but the truth is, inside I am a ball of anger and hate.



The main cause of my anger is towards the Dr's that are responsible for my babies death. A part of me want's to let go, but then a bigger part of me wants to rip their heads off (OK so perhaps a little melodramatic). The fact I have never got an apology from said Dr's, yes the hospital admitted fault but I was never told two simple word 'I'm sorry'. Our lives have been DRAMATICALLY affected by these Dr's bad decision. I don't know if I can muster the strength to give forgiveness. I know no matter how much anger I hold it won't bring my baby back, but I feel if I forgive them they are let off and they shouldn't be.


Is this possible?

Another reason for my anger is actions made by people I considered my close friends. I was deeply hurt by actions made by them and while I miss their friendship I'm not sure if I can forgive and forget.

Can you really forgive? Can you just say, hurtful actions towards me won't affect me any more. Or is it a big fat giant con? Have you forgiven someone? Have you been able to move on, get over it? Is forgiveness the key to freedom?



I would love to hear your thoughts.

TNT...



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Call out for product review !

Do you have a product you would like an honest review of? It can be anything from a craft pattern to home appliance. If you've just muttered yes in your head well I'm your girl!

The review will be non bias and free, all I ask is I keep what ever item I am reviewing/testing.



I will post about it on this blog for all to see.

No matter how small a product you think you have I would love to hear from you. All suggestions will be considered.

Drop me an email.

I look froward to hearing from you!

TNT



Friday, May 18, 2012

Such an awesome google reader tip!

Becky from Infarantly Creative posted on her blog one of the best tips I've heard in a long time, and surprisingly it isn't a craft related!




I don't know if its just me but as much as I love love love having all my favourite blogs in one place on google reader but I hated not seeing the whole blog. Yeah I could have clicked through to the blog, and I have done that on many occasions but with limited time, it just ain't always doable. Then Becky's fabulous tip came along!

You can check the post on Becky's blog here, there are also a couple of other hot tips, so take note!

To find out what I'm talking about scroll to number 3 on the list of "must have's".

While you're there you can check out all Becky's thrifty and amazing road kill rescues (and I'm not talking flat animals) and refurbishments. She's so talented and an inspiration to me.

Till next time...






Eastside Crafters and more…

Tuesday just gone was the Eastside Crafters monthly get together and we had two new peeps join which is awesome! I so enjoy ESC nights as it gets me out of the house (and away from being a Mum and Wife) for a few hours which I think is a good thing for everyone to do now and then for sure. But the time always goes so quickly. I swear I could sit there for hours chatting (and eating) and crafting away.

Have you thought about coming? If so you should defiantly try and make it. We're a friendly bunch and love meeting new like minded crafty peeps in the community. And not only is it a great social outlet it's a great place business networking. Feel free hand your business cards around. A number of our members have crafty business, here are but a few of them...

Baby Chilli

Stoked Creations

India's Closet

Two Little Blue Birds

Apple Seed

Cloth for Comfort

Our next meet up is on Tue 19th June, 7.45pm - 10pm, it only costs $5 which covers rental of the hall which is heated/air conditioned and well appointed with comfy chairs and large tables to spread out on. You can also bring you're sewing machine or laptop if you so desire, there are many power points situated around the room. Tea and Coffee is supplied and we all bring something delicious to munch away on.

We hold out group in the Community room/hall at Lilydale Lake, it's situated at the playground end of the lake, there is plenty of parking right in front of the hall so you don't have to lug you're crafty wares a long distance. It's a disable friendly building with ramps and generous doorways.

I am considering in the future to perhaps hold a whole day group one Saturday or Sunday to allow those who can't make our night groups as well as be able to fully relax and enjoy many hours of crafting goodness, I'll look at if it's possible and let you all know if it's a go!

I wish I had some photo’s to share but I get so wrapped up in talking and crafting I forget! Next month I will make it my mission to take some snaps!

Till next time…

Friday, May 11, 2012

Freebie for the crocheters

Are you a bit of a hooker? No I don't mean THAT kind of hooker (Not that there's anything wrong with that, everyone has to make their way through life ;)) I mean do you crochet? I've started and have almost finished my first blanket! It's just one giant granny square but it's a start. I can't wait to give a chevron pattern a go, I know surprise surprise :P

Anyway I thought I would offer this wee freebie for those who want it. It's A4 but you could make it smaller if you like. Just click the download button under which ever poster you would like (or both) and print away.

Enjoy!

NB: For some reason when you view the these in media fire (where you download them from) the font is all black but it downloads with the blue, not sure why that happens, but it's fine.





 Till next time....

p.s don't forget the giveaway I've got going, you can see about it here!


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

So I've changed my mind....again....

I've decided to change tack again.

I've gone off Atomic Gracie, I don't know what it was but something just wasn't right. So I've decided to call my little design business Two Little Blue Birds and I would love you all sosososo much if you would check out my fan page and like away. I'm in the process of transferring everything over from the other page but it shouldn't take long.

Here's the logo I designed for myself, what do you think?

WDYT?

And to celebrate the makeover I'm going to do a wee giveaway, more details will be here tomorrow!




Till next time...


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Something I need to get out...

I don't go to counselling, or have a therapist. I did try it once but found I couldn't handle the emotional roller-coaster you go on every session, not to mention having to rehash bad situations you've had in you're life over and over again. So I am going to use my blog to put my feeling and some secrets out into the open to somehow "heal" or "come to terms" with past events. I need to get this out of my head and my heart.

Now before I get started this is probably going to upset some and may be a little too honest for some so I won't be offended if you walk away now....

OK so I guess I need to start at the very beginning.

On the 7th of June 2006 I went into labour two days before my due date. I was in a lot of pain but being my first pregnancy and labour I assumed it was normal. We put off going into hospital for a few hours, I tried to sleep but eventually the pain got unbearable. So we set off. Once we were checked in, I had some gas which took the edge off but I wanted the epi. I lasted 5 hours with just gas and they finally agreed I could have the epi. Finally I was somewhat pain free. I could rest while my body did it's thing. Eventually (about 8 hours later) it was time to push. As I still had the epi I couldn't really feel the contractions, instead I was pushing as per the midwifes instruction. Then all of a sudden my world and life changed for ever....

Something went wrong, all of a sudden I could hear urgency and slight panic in the Dr's voice. They said they would have to cut me which they did but still no baby, then they pressed the "button". Dr's and nurses came for everywhere. My birthing suite shrunk dramatically. I was told there was an emergency and they needed to get the baby out ASAP. Before I knew it I was in an theatre being put under a general anaesthetic.

The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery. The first thing that came out of my mouth was "Is she OK?" The Nurse/Midwife said she's fine and in the Special Care Nursery. She didn't say much else. After I had "recovered" I was taken to the SCN where Mr Musing was already with our beautiful girl. She looked like an angel. She was perfect. She had long arms and legs, a head full of hair, and a face like a cherub. I met my girl and spent a few precious moments with her and her Daddy. We were a family. I was taken back to my room where I could finally rest. I was exhausted. I had been in labour for over 24 hours and had major surgery. Everyone went home for a rest of their own, all was good with the world and that's when my world crumbled for the second time that day. Someone came in (I can't remember if it was a nurse or dr) they told me something was wrong and Lily (our girl) was very sick. They asked to get someone back in to be with me, I told them not to worry as they were exhausted but they were very insistent.  From that moment on things become a blur. She was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital here in Melbourne where she underwent life saving procedures. Which as it turned out were in vain. Our little girl passed away in my arms 3 days after her birth. Many tears were shed, memories made, hugs given. It was over.

In the weeks following her death were spent organising our first child funeral, something no parent should ever have to do. My Sister was a pillar of strength. I don't know if I could have held it together if it weren't for her.

After her funeral, life started to go back to how it was. But for me, life just felt wrong. I felt like I was the ghost walking among the living. I didn't have a place. I couldn't bare the though of returning to work. I couldn't bare being in society. I needed to help myself. I did this by shopping. I shopped and shopped and shopped. I didn't buy anything special, just stuff. But when I bought the stuff I felt better. It took my mind off all the crap I/ We had just been through. I was walking around in a fog.

We were trying to get pregnant again, and after 3 months I was. I could focus my attentions on something other than shopping to appease my emotions.

Along with the shopping I also ignored most of the bills that came into the household. We very quickly were being harassed by debt collectors for balance owed. I ran away even more. When I was 6 months pregnant I finally realised enough was enough. I wanted everything to be sorted before the new baby, a boy, was here. With only 1 income coming in we couldn't afford to pay back who we owed. There wasn't a bank who would help us with our money matters so we made the very hard decision to accept bankruptcy for my debts and take out a debt agreement for M's debts. It was our only choice.

So our debts were wiped but of course I am still now (almost 7 years later) being affected by our decision.

A few months later our beautiful boy was born, he was perfect in every way, he was our beacon of hope. We brought him home we were finally happy....

Then our ASSHOLE of a landlord decided to make our life a living misery and we were basically kicked out. Only we had no savings to rent again. So we were forced to move in with my family where we've been for the past 4 years. Oh yeah and don't forget Mr M was diagnosed with a life changing condition and had to leave his job. Our only car bit the dust and of course we couldn't/can't afford to buy a new one.

So as you can see our world has been turned upside down and inside out over the past several years.

I'm not saying good things haven't happened along the way, but it just feels like it's never ending. I want something positive to happen something life changing for the good to happen. But we are stuck and I don't see a way of getting unstuck.

I'm not sure what else to say, but I'm glad I said it.



Sunday, May 6, 2012

Clover Stack and Store Bobbin Tower {Product Review}

I've had a few people ask me about the Clover Stack and Store Bobbin Tower (say that three times fast!). So I'll put a quick review on my blog for everyone to see.

Product

Clover Stack and Store Bobbin Tower

What it looks like










Item Description from Clover Website


Keep your bobbins organized! This innovative tool neatly organizes up to 30 bobbins. It can hold any type of bobbin and secures threads -- no more tangles! Conveniently see all your thread colors at a glance.

Note from Nancy: "I had a drawer filled with loose bobbins -- what a mess! Now I have my bobbins neatly organized next to my sewing machine. What a great organizer!"



My Review


I do really like this product, at first I was a bit sceptical, I thought it was a bit gimmicky and would turn out to be another of those things you think will be helpful and handy but are a waste of money and take up space but I was wrong, there are a couple of things I like and dislike. It's made of a soft silicone (I think) so it is kind of rubbery and bounces LOL. I think you can add levels to house as many bobbins as you desire.

Pro's


  • Easy to use, just slip the bobbin into the clasps and you're done.
  • It can hold lots of different size bobbins (more than I actually own LOL)
  • Compact, is tall rather than long so takes up less space in sewing box.



Con's


  • Cost, You could purchase other case type holders at your local craft store for a third of the price. (In saying that I am a bit of a tight ass so to others it may be totally reasonable!).


  • The base always falls off of mine. Not sure if this happens to all of them or just mine but it's annoying. It doesn't affect the purpose of the product it's just annoying.


  • The ends of the thread do get tangled and hang out despite the product description stating it secures threads. But mine lives in my sewing box where it get's thrown about a bit so perhaps if it lived on a sewing table the tangles wouldn't happen.


  • Colour, I would love to see it come in other colour combo's, I know it isn't much of a con but, lets face it, I like pink and would love my crafty supplies to be pink hehe.


Where can you purchase it from



I bought mine from Tracey at Four frogs on a log. And highly recommend you do to! (Direct link)

I hope you enjoyed my review, I look forward to bringing you more in the future.

NB: This was a totally unbiased and unpaid review, I have not received any form of payment be it monetary or product for this review.

If you would like me to review your product or have a suggestion of what you would like reviewed please email me.




Saturday, May 5, 2012

It's party time.

Liam's mum also known as Lynda from Stoked Creations came to me asking for some help with an image on an invite she'd found, I being me couldn't help myself and added a few little things and this was the final result. For those WOC (With out children) the dude is Fireman Sam.



I'm working on some cupcake toppers and other little party printables which I might giveaway after the party!

Friday, May 4, 2012

On the hook!

OK so I know it's bee A.G.E.S since I posted last and I do apologise. Life has been a bit cray cray, it all started about 7 weeks ago, I went into hospital with suspected appendicitis, I spent 3 days in hospital, two of which were fasting, but it turned out it wasn't my appendix, what it was we'll probably never know! Then about 2 weeks later Mr Musing went into hospital with, guess what, suspected appendicitis! His turned out to be more serious, it was diverticulitis. After about 4 days of fasting, IV antibiotics and rest he was able to come home. Then my father who had been ill for a number of weeks already was admitted to hospital to have his meds adjusted, leaving after 12 days! Fun fact, between the three of us we all stayed on all three ward levels of the hospital! But we're all on the mend now thanks goodness!

Something I've been working on in my spare time the past few months has been crochet! I have FINALLY conquered the granny square.

PJ's, a dog and crochet to me is a good time!
Progress shot.
Cushion front using pretty verigated yarn.
Little rug I bought from the Ladies Auxiliary at the hospital.
My Great Aunt made this for my Nana, it now lives on my bed.

I'm loving crochet I must say, it's such an easy portable craft, I've got my "crochet bag" with all my yarns and hooks, so much fun! I can't wait to flex my crochet muscles a little and try something new crochet wise, I want to try something in a round.

I've had a few people ask which tutes I've used to learn so here are some links...

This is a great step by step video lessons on beginning crochet. Dana is a great teacher!

Bugaloospoodle has put together some great video's also, worth a look! 

I've also just found Bethintexas1 youtube channel. 

If you have any link to tutes feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll check them out!

That's all from me today, I will try not to leave my next post as long, I promise!!!

Till next time...

xg




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Locations of Site Visitors
 

Template by BloggerCandy.com