HAPPY NEW YEAR

       2013 is here so it's out with the old and in with the new!

                                 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

 

 

2012 has been good to us. We all had a good year with no major disasters or problems and we are looking forward to 2013.

 Bruce is starting a new job mid January so his resolution is to do a good job.

At the end of January Luke will be starting a new school and his resolution is to improve his grades. It will be an exciting and challenging time for them both .

Jack resolves to learn something new, maybe a language, a skill or a sport. Liam doesn't have a resolution, well not one that he telling us anyway.

 

I have both resolutions and goals for 2013. My two resolutions are  to:

 

 Be mindfull everyday in every way and practice daily meditation and Yoga

 

Live, love, laugh and have fun with family and friends 

 

 

My goals are many, I think they are doable and in no specific order they are:

 

Learn Spanish,

 

Spend less and live simply

 

Be happy and have fun 

 

Less wine, sugar and wheat-  more Bollinger

 

Attend a fortnightly Yoga class

 

Cook something new every 2 weeks

 

Sew more

 

Garden more

 

Market more

 

See a film monthly

 

Have a murder

 

Learn to Astral travel - for virtual holidays.

 

 

That's probably enough for 12 months and I will revist this post in June to see how my goals are progressing.

 

 

Carribean NYE Party 2012/13. Bruce, me and Jack
 

 

 

MERRY XMAS

WISHING a happy, and  joyous Christmas to all.

Enjoy this happy time with family and friends.

 Kate x

Ho, ho, ho.

BEAUTIFUL BATIK

 

Bali, in fact all  Indonesia is known for it's beautiful Batik and different styles are found in different areas. 

Batik shopping with two grumbling almost teenagers was not my original plan but I had to accept the reality.

It was hot and I mean hot and humid and when there is shop after shop stacked with fabric it can be a little, no rephrase, very overwhelming. Haggling is also expected everywhere in Bali , the exception being restaurants and once you have engaged in haggling you won't stop it. 

I have also realised that whilst I both love and covet beautiful fabric I am not a fabric hoarder. I can't shop for material if I don't have a vision in mind of what I want to make or if I can't "see" the fabric in something.

Anyway to cut a long story short my batik buying trip was successful and I settled on several pieces of batik from traditional to contemporary, painted to stamped.

 


Our Driver "Blue" was great, he pointed in the right direction to a reputable batik dealer and then to Ubud market.  the quality varies enormously so without a lot of homework or advice there is a fine line between being ripped off and getting a bargain. 

My pieces ranged between $5 and $20 for 2 meters. I am very happy with that.  

I do have ideas for each piece ranging from dresses to bags and beyond. To be posted soon....

HALF FAMILY HOLIDAY

 

Can you believe it, approx 12 hours before we were due to depart to Bali, Jack informed me had a sore back.

Jack had been saying for a few days that he had a sore throat but I was ignoring him and hoping it would pass, jack always seems to have a sore throat. Anyway I had a look at his back and horror it was covered in red welts and that was just the beginning.

Off we raced to the Dr who diagnosed an allergic reaction, high temp and a very swollen, red throat. The Dr also advised that unless he was much better inthe next 10 hrs or so and could equalise his ears, he was not to fly.

10 hrs later, he was worse. Bruce and I went into risk management mode and it was decided that it would work best if I travelled with Luke and Liam and Bruce stayed home with Jack.

Well that's how we rolled but the whole dynamic changed.

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Orchids were everywhere

Balinese Florist

beautiful tropical flowers

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2 minutes down this lane to...

The Yellow Flower Cafe

Yellow flowers

There were offerings to the Gods everywhere.

Jack was diagnosed with "Strep Throat' and was really sick for a week. Fortuneatley the travel insurance  will cover Bruce and Jack's ticket.

Bali is beautiful, lush and verdant. It was hot n steamy, like being in a sauna 24/7 but I love it. the boys took a while to get used to it and spent a lot of time in the pool.

It is very cheap to be in Bali, $5 will buy you a feast though there are expensive restaurants abround as well. Western food is avaiable and while it's Western Food in the East it's pretty good.


I can't wait to go back, next time with my whole family.

HOLIDAY

Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate

[Chorus:]

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice..... 

 

Thanks Madonna,  a holiday is just what we need and it's almost time to head to beautiful Bali, specifically the artistic and cultural hub of Ubud.

Image courtesy Lonely Planet

Ubud, is located  in central Bali and is far removed from the drunken bikini scene of  the beachside Kuta area. We thought it would be nice to head to the hills as we are so spoilt with beautiful beaches  here in QLD.

My sons won't mind, as long WiFi is available, (LOL where isn't it these days?), they will be happy. I have checked the weather forecast and it will be a steamy 32 degrees most days and a balmy 24 in the evenings. Some rain is forecast but we are traveling before the wet season and I believe that when it rains in Ubud,in the wet season,  it really rains.  

As we are away for 10 days we will travel with carry on baggage, that's 7 kilos per person. In my opinion travelling light with carry on baggage is the only way to go. All the hassle and frustration of lost bags and waiting at the baggage carousel are eliminated, not to mention the lugging around of heavy bags. Mind you, it's easier to do in a hot climate as you don't need as many clothes and who really cares if you wear the same T-shirt three times in one week? Less is more and strategic packing is the key.

Having said that, coming home will be a different story. I have bought 2 checked in bag allowances for the return trip, these days you pay for everything.  My main plan is to purchase lots of beautiful, locally made Batik. A Batik class has also been suggested so that is something to think about.

That is all for now and my next post will be from be from Ubud, Bali -the Isle of the Gods.

HARVEST

Aubergine, eggplant, brinjal, whatever  you want to call  it - I love it.

I love the fruit and I love the colour. Aubergine sounds a little more fancy and whether it's baked, stewed, roasted, grilled or steamed it's divine.

 
An abundant vege garden takes a lot of work, a lot of water and a lot f mulch.  It's been very dry here for months and it's a case of survival of the fittest in my garden right now. The Aubergines are doing fine as are my Paw-Paws. They are only small but they are tasty and if  they stay on the tree too long possums or bats will get them before I do.
 

My 21 Day Meditation Challenge is now into day 8. I feel good, I practice my guided mediation each day and sometimes a little more.

My life is filled with abundance and I give thanks for the richness of my life - esp the Aubergines and plentiful paw -paws!

         

   

NOVEMBER

This week I have been finishing off bits n pieces of cotton/jersey stuff.

  I have come to the conclusion that this is not going to be low maintenance friendship. Sometimes it can take awhile to get to know someone so  I will persevere for a while and see have happens.

Meanwhile I have a pile of mending and alterations that is growing every day and I need to attend to that. If only I could access my sewing basket....

No obstacles to where CoCo wants to be.

Monday I start Deepak Chopra's 21 Day Meditation challenge. As a long term meditater I welcome this challenge. My personal practice is quite generic so it's always good to refresh and renew.

So many people say they don't have "time" to meditate. Rubbish! That's an excuse not a reason, it's just like brushing your teeth twice a day you just do it - just for a little longer.

Please join me

https://www.chopracentermeditation.com/Bestsellers/LandingPage.aspx?BookId=172

 

My meditation style

OCTOBER IS ALMOST OVER....

For the last week I have been experimenting with cotton jersey fabric. It's been hit and miss.

Books, tutorials and Google  have all been helpful but I just hanen't been able to get it right. I don't own a balll point needle. Do you need one? Some say yes, some say no. What about the overlocker?? Again some say "the only way to go" others say "no."

The biggest hurdle for me was why is my fabric puckering? 

Wrong side against the grain

Right side against the grain

E

Eventually I had a light bulb moment when I realised that you have to sew WITH the GRAIN, rather than against it. Sounds stupid I know but do you know hard it is to find the grain in a knit fabric???.

The wrong side sewing with the grain

The right side sewing with the grain.

Finished

Anyway, by this stage I was very low on fabric but I had to make one skirt. In the end it all came together.

Overlocking works too but whilst it is much quicker than a straight stretch stitch I dislike the bulk that it adds to the seams.

Overall I am happy with the finished skirt. I love this fabric. I like the shape of the skirt and it is so comfortable and easy to wear, just like your favorite T-shirt. I admit though that this fabric is both a learning experience and a challenge.

Will I persevere to make fiends with this wonderful fibre, make another skirt and so much more?

 Absolutely!

LIFE IN THE COLOUR I LOVE

GREEN is my favorite color, it's everywhere, there are so many different shades and I love them all.

Green is the color of peace but you can be"green with envy"it can mean raw, unripe, fresh, verdant or immature. The word green is very useful and the color is fresh, vibrant and soothing. This is a collage of some of the green to be seen  around my home.


I have been admiiring this Robert Kauffman fabric for awhile, it's quirky and fun and best of all it's green. I also love this Sew Serendipity Emmaline pattern.  I've made it several times, it's basically  no fail, the fit is good and it's easy.



My model is Audrey and my family bought her, for me, for my recent birthday. The perfect gift.

You will see much more of Audrey modelling my creations.

 These gorgeous bags aren't made by me. The tote and the clutch are made by my talented seamstress friend Sharron and the third was a gift from my friend Valerie. Note all three are green - these ladies know me well!

  

HIPPIES and WIDE LEG PANTS

HIPPEASTRUMS are one of my favorite Spring flowers, closely followed by this beautiful Orchid.

Hippies and Orchids are just like my  friends, beautiful, happy, low maintenance and always there year after year.


It has been school holidays and I have been fortunate enough to spend the time with my wonderful children, I had lots of plans but didn't get much done. I have spent my time doing some baking, tidying up some end sewing, reading and generally chilling out.



I did manage to make 2 pairs of wide leg pants. Again I morphed a pattern with a pair of wide leg pants that I already have. On it's own the pattern just wasn't quite right, too high in the waist and not wide enough in the leg. once married to the pants it  seemed to come together.



Simple stuff, straight seems, loose elastic waist and even looser drawstring waist on the striped pants. I used a striped linen and a super fine cotton, both are beautiful fabrics to work with and to wear,  cool and easy for summer.

DRAMA IN THE AFTERNOON

My  amazingly talented son Jack (15) submitted a play into QLD Theatre Company's Young  Playwrights Program. and was the finalist in his category. 

 

As part of his prize he had the choice of tickets to David Williamson's "Managing Carmen" production or Matthew Ryan's "Kelly". Personally I would have chosen the big budget, slick production of "Managing Carmen"over the low budget, young director and  young writer's "Kelly". 

Jack chose "Kelly" and it was his prize so I had to go with the flow.

We went to the matinee and I was pleasnantly surprised. "Kelly" was great! I love plays with few props and with only 3 actors it was a powerful 90 minutes of entertainment.  Lots of coarse language and some sexual themes but they enhanced the show rather than detracted from it. I reccomend "Kelly" to everyone. Cowards, murderers or heros? I'm not sure how I feel aboiut the kelly gang but definately bravo the actors, director and bravo Matthew Ryan.

http://www.queenslandtheatre.com.au/what-is-on/mainstage/kelly/

Meanwhile...back in the burbs, we have  all been enjoying the school holidays and it's almost been warm  enough for me to consider a dip in the pool.

 

Luke and Liam have both been making delicious cakes and desserts, all chocolate based, so a few laps of the pool will be required to manage my waistline!

BLACK and WHITE and ,,,,

  Red  

Color Meaning 

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

I love the contrast and the crispness of black and white, You can't go wrong, but....I also like a little injection of some colour and, well red is it! Lips, nails, shoes a funky ring or a bracelet just  add that bit of interest. I sourced these gorgeous Mary Jane T-bars via my friend from "My Button Cake". who recommended  goldenponies.net/category/shoes

Never have I had HANDMADE shoes just for me and if you want a handmade item, unique for you, ETSY is the first stop.

Where is the label? No matter the mail/shoes got through.

At a wedding.

SEPTEMBER SEWING

Since my last post I have merged two of my fave patterns new Look 6843 and my previous dress,Butterick 5415 into tunic length with a square neckline.

It was so easy to do I made two! No zips or closure and easy darts.The patterns  fit together as if they were made for one another and it is oh so comfy to wear over these light wide leg pants. I got the sizing right from the previous dress' but  the B&W one seems so much bigger than the blue/green. So much bigger in fact that I out darts in the back of the B&W??Ha, ha no matter it won't change my life.

.