mopping up...tears and a bit of silliness

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I've been able to do over the last three days is sit glued to the tv watching the flood coverage...weeping along with a mountain of Queenslanders, who are indeed a mob to be proud of...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbvLr5xKDgWJBEyODMsr86WwLz6sMqj_xbNh48EqA8rHZxx7nKp9dtVbedBhyphenhyphen5IFS9d1rtjuVvfC8aDlUgtsFjs_HmBq-1A4GiFFQ4XKiBgdSddEe0VSaIleOK25Yi9ymzBIrUdToNd8c/s1600/brisbane+floods2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbvLr5xKDgWJBEyODMsr86WwLz6sMqj_xbNh48EqA8rHZxx7nKp9dtVbedBhyphenhyphen5IFS9d1rtjuVvfC8aDlUgtsFjs_HmBq-1A4GiFFQ4XKiBgdSddEe0VSaIleOK25Yi9ymzBIrUdToNd8c/s400/brisbane+floods2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and knitting dishcloths! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCTs780RkBJ7iMXQOEQYZwg9MMckrMw511SoBv4RHcp0kVYDbnZu_74LPO2v0XTva8DqUQOAHFE3WT2sU-oPycZnbamdTOXKiJ1DppQHOnVkoTnzFBNCW_4ksxnOxeyjqpEjlZCmGcHnf/s1600/dishcloths+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCTs780RkBJ7iMXQOEQYZwg9MMckrMw511SoBv4RHcp0kVYDbnZu_74LPO2v0XTva8DqUQOAHFE3WT2sU-oPycZnbamdTOXKiJ1DppQHOnVkoTnzFBNCW_4ksxnOxeyjqpEjlZCmGcHnf/s640/dishcloths+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I kid you not. Don't laugh...they're very absorbent. Perhaps I should send them to Queensland :) And no, I don't knit them with calligraphy brushes!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZM02N1PNKbBg8AaNRG5x7Z6XqlsMCHKRuoMKVgX0OYRrKL3VIfGvB6pcFzlW-Yg8iq-9b78ttXS0wVSX4A7fg4WXOPAOsrI3KF3AFCp8D9Uwg3MPtpJ2_SujeR0mGGtsp3TBnDs8RyPYO/s1600/dishcloths+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZM02N1PNKbBg8AaNRG5x7Z6XqlsMCHKRuoMKVgX0OYRrKL3VIfGvB6pcFzlW-Yg8iq-9b78ttXS0wVSX4A7fg4WXOPAOsrI3KF3AFCp8D9Uwg3MPtpJ2_SujeR0mGGtsp3TBnDs8RyPYO/s640/dishcloths+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's going to be an awful lot of Chux needed to mop up this lot isn't there?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQg5UEdVUSR4PxBZ7RXDCK-jAVQJQx9tKJIB_AFr-aVmh1xXXyuivj-fOKDxXIe3ZcUzTVGXSDhgpGy0IAFWB0yANqeD2G-FDhQsWbazaCwxNixmYs0geneOAeb1zUhsVPnxAI3MOcgru/s1600/brisbane+floods3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQg5UEdVUSR4PxBZ7RXDCK-jAVQJQx9tKJIB_AFr-aVmh1xXXyuivj-fOKDxXIe3ZcUzTVGXSDhgpGy0IAFWB0yANqeD2G-FDhQsWbazaCwxNixmYs0geneOAeb1zUhsVPnxAI3MOcgru/s640/brisbane+floods3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wish I was closer so that I could help in some practical, hands on way. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have lived in Brisbane three times in my life due to Army postings and it's the city where my kids were born, so I have a very soft spot for it.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoliEELn1fewebnR9m3j9UUJtTATmX1HeAvcIdsqYlAy7gU7_lQKvKQYBVpVB2XACBS5MW3OLyS3tSTVvghJT2iGSM-E7gYY4bLWtnjZlffKii_cOQDICUb50MFY0W2D930j1N1h8Mpkw/s1600/brisbane+floods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoliEELn1fewebnR9m3j9UUJtTATmX1HeAvcIdsqYlAy7gU7_lQKvKQYBVpVB2XACBS5MW3OLyS3tSTVvghJT2iGSM-E7gYY4bLWtnjZlffKii_cOQDICUb50MFY0W2D930j1N1h8Mpkw/s400/brisbane+floods.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just quietly, I'm a bit chuffed with the dishcloth pattern. I dreamed it up all by myself after much trial and error. There was a lovely black one too but I gave it to Richard.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZup0P-6E4f-7wzLdfWTFjWTGRzYMfxCBGaqLr-PFZtYUn5GGFQjXpwv2D7wanoZ3BFAFE6D3GnC5UMB7d1A73T3Bkud_JeqjzttfYFwJzzjMo-T-Pga4AMKNYqTyj9s6BMH3j3Yfk6jV/s1600/dishcloths+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZup0P-6E4f-7wzLdfWTFjWTGRzYMfxCBGaqLr-PFZtYUn5GGFQjXpwv2D7wanoZ3BFAFE6D3GnC5UMB7d1A73T3Bkud_JeqjzttfYFwJzzjMo-T-Pga4AMKNYqTyj9s6BMH3j3Yfk6jV/s640/dishcloths+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many photos of the floods in The Australian newspaper's <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/galleries">galleries page</a>. The photos of Grantham are particularly heartbreaking. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's never too late to donate to the Premier's Fund...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html">click here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...the clean up bill will be just that...billions. And all extremities crossed for <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/queensland-floods/goondiwindi-mayor-confident-levees-will-hold-as-flood-peak-nears/story-fn7iwx3v-1225987541658">Goondiwindi</a> which is holding its collective breath at the moment.</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">p.s. I used to knit them like this...double cotton so they are very thick...but perhaps too thick to dry out quickly enough for dishwashing and mopping up...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...they'll probably end up joined together as a rug for the vampire slayer!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYTc49RBzzWTcFzktI3hw_S6jC1TxoBcEdYJJALp3DSorI0z5P-k0kDYXyj0fFIgg0CpDehmUvp7lfecS_vHKblVxqhueoLP0fqok_zMOZ99xDDi2mkaFBX7lwDBl884HURG_p4D1EFYQ/s1600/dishcloths+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYTc49RBzzWTcFzktI3hw_S6jC1TxoBcEdYJJALp3DSorI0z5P-k0kDYXyj0fFIgg0CpDehmUvp7lfecS_vHKblVxqhueoLP0fqok_zMOZ99xDDi2mkaFBX7lwDBl884HURG_p4D1EFYQ/s640/dishcloths+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

mopping up...tears and a bit of silliness

All I've been able to do over the last three days is sit glued to the tv watching the flood coverage...weeping along with a mountain of ...

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things that should be getting done that aren't...and a peek of the white living room

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I <s>have,</s> <s>had</s> ok still do have great plans for my long holiday break. There is so much I want to do around the house...but I am laid low with the stupid flu or cold, or whatever it is. It's made me completely lethargic, is driving me nuts and all I feel capable of doing is watching bad TV and knitting dishcloths! At least I'm not out shopping!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtGn6hgJMdDA3jn6-Zl6perW39RDCw_ujLY8tHBv0nB-HUBqN0SRXzqPM10rnMr7l3Shci0fqDDGd6PCQNh1Qiig5HYQB9MOMKGV5J9TF-BcKv8jy3hTTGJ8QLmXOWPjgC4Er0JiV1iT8/s1600/bottom+of+bedroom+002_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtGn6hgJMdDA3jn6-Zl6perW39RDCw_ujLY8tHBv0nB-HUBqN0SRXzqPM10rnMr7l3Shci0fqDDGd6PCQNh1Qiig5HYQB9MOMKGV5J9TF-BcKv8jy3hTTGJ8QLmXOWPjgC4Er0JiV1iT8/s640/bottom+of+bedroom+002_picnik.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Case in point...this is the bottom part of my bedroom. It had a really, really ugly built in desk that <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/does-term-biting-off-more-than-you-can_15.html">I ripped out</a> almost a year ago now. I have had the <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-to-do-while-waiting-for-plasterer.html">plastering done</a>, but that's where its all stopped. This </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><s>needs to</s></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> must be painted white to match the top half...I think it's the window trim that's stopping me!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1SvklUhp4FqhfIBEq9R9clqlXJfi5nauL1xpf_sJ35fEUSj-bvDyi7Y3UIJyB39fIw2k6-5AZBNgbpnQj8tlBKSHMPCv6IvNEiPAgOv6cC9hngAtfg1j9xpf-8CWSJsoAnzPxngbT3UG/s1600/granny+blanket+and+tablecloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1SvklUhp4FqhfIBEq9R9clqlXJfi5nauL1xpf_sJ35fEUSj-bvDyi7Y3UIJyB39fIw2k6-5AZBNgbpnQj8tlBKSHMPCv6IvNEiPAgOv6cC9hngAtfg1j9xpf-8CWSJsoAnzPxngbT3UG/s640/granny+blanket+and+tablecloth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the plus side, I did score that fabulous granny blanket you see on the chair crocheted by my great grandma quite a long time ago, and this beautiful hand embroidered and crocheted tablecloth done by her as well. I pinched it when I cleaned out mum's linen cupboard when I visited at Christmas. Bounty from doing a good deed :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6OcARf8g5cJ-0KSSl_7hwxn8JZqAfzYu0uBaywTTlliHUR8LflPbuMf5FHxQdd0iAoAKrQWe7Z2WK1XuEmA0uzjocLWj4y3qf504b-c7o4f1TQV4qPT59_IIzsjM_GrpLRHfrbq1vn5n/s1600/chandeliers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6OcARf8g5cJ-0KSSl_7hwxn8JZqAfzYu0uBaywTTlliHUR8LflPbuMf5FHxQdd0iAoAKrQWe7Z2WK1XuEmA0uzjocLWj4y3qf504b-c7o4f1TQV4qPT59_IIzsjM_GrpLRHfrbq1vn5n/s640/chandeliers+2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And even though my house is not at its best right now (a bit like me) I thought you might like a peek of the newly painted living room and the chandeliers that have finally made it to the ceiling and not the floor where they were stored! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj293PztxJz4VxYIbQKqZQo_HnyTBrFJqOIV_XHdRJz22-ECDnH7jDXeKM395XzIZlkCSz5o-SwvvdhKo-uFESKjKdyB9LN_7T9CzBxiMyj5-IAnW8q9X_TkUsrc2Xzp1R1qJZBThYVENkT/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj293PztxJz4VxYIbQKqZQo_HnyTBrFJqOIV_XHdRJz22-ECDnH7jDXeKM395XzIZlkCSz5o-SwvvdhKo-uFESKjKdyB9LN_7T9CzBxiMyj5-IAnW8q9X_TkUsrc2Xzp1R1qJZBThYVENkT/s640/living+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll do proper photos later...styled 'n all like I know you like them...that is, photos without the TV remote perched on the arm of my sofa and the cushions in the right place! And I might do a before and after...I think you'll see quite a difference. Oh yeah, and I also have big plans for painting a few canvases as well...when I'm well :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, back off to the cricket now (that's how you know I'm sick...I'm watching the cricket...the men in white coats will be arriving soon I'm sure!)</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

things that should be getting done that aren't...and a peek of the white living room

I have, had  ok still do have great plans for my long holiday break. There is so much I want to do around the house...but I am laid low wit...

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diy clay gift tags...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given that my living room is getting painted next week...and a host of electrical stuff will be going on as well...I'm not able to decorate the house for Christmas. Which is quite infuriating seeing this is the first year I've had a blog! So a wreath on the door and a garland or two will probably be the extent of yuletide decorating shenanigans at the tranquil townhouse. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never mind...my substitute for Christmas decorating has been to make these...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjc6_ysJwBMsgXKzLaJlWdiz7MqZbjUSxpDw_2OWZaBAUsPPy7mvTtmPds4v6oNHr6C9HV4nkO8_nqJQF4iv2Hj-gbdjbRCSW3lQXGc48HoPi9OlxL8jAxEsRQ0bCJWcfV6a6Y1Sqh3br/s1600/clay+gift+tags+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjc6_ysJwBMsgXKzLaJlWdiz7MqZbjUSxpDw_2OWZaBAUsPPy7mvTtmPds4v6oNHr6C9HV4nkO8_nqJQF4iv2Hj-gbdjbRCSW3lQXGc48HoPi9OlxL8jAxEsRQ0bCJWcfV6a6Y1Sqh3br/s640/clay+gift+tags+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 'peace' will be part of a garland, but I also thought it would be nice to make my own gift tags for Christmas presents...so I did that too. Here they are waiting to dry...takes 24 hours or so according to the packet :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZX0rx3U-TwBfwxKOExL-UKPYS1NYBsoanqT28aImkTI0-t2VLNw-GkFgK3P4ICLbz-UtYHkJhbNCWVPDuViG7_F34kju598h8hs4WasdQLMVJ2FlmmRKArMrhRSBmxWUhd6QiEycRGy2/s1600/clay+gift+tags+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZX0rx3U-TwBfwxKOExL-UKPYS1NYBsoanqT28aImkTI0-t2VLNw-GkFgK3P4ICLbz-UtYHkJhbNCWVPDuViG7_F34kju598h8hs4WasdQLMVJ2FlmmRKArMrhRSBmxWUhd6QiEycRGy2/s640/clay+gift+tags+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inspired by this magazine article (in December Home Beautiful)...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTDVwLJuf7mEq5baqHJTKbr9cNfbEBRdm8MnHVdnGCGvqOgB5tY9Np1ZRDXLePbb7ImDn4xwyPkkIsfP6SRzflSnZQUgR2JgCD74cXctku-harTFniJYtFmnCrrVdUMqihHGd_707lvVz/s1600/clay+gift+tags+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTDVwLJuf7mEq5baqHJTKbr9cNfbEBRdm8MnHVdnGCGvqOgB5tY9Np1ZRDXLePbb7ImDn4xwyPkkIsfP6SRzflSnZQUgR2JgCD74cXctku-harTFniJYtFmnCrrVdUMqihHGd_707lvVz/s640/clay+gift+tags+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...Nellie's <a href="http://mccarthydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/clay-tag-tutorial.html">clay tag tutorial</a>...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and <a href="http://marleyandlockyer.blogspot.com/">Ness's</a> examples...I thought, why not give it a go! So I did. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the bits and pieces...sorry, not a very glamorous shot of all the makings...but I was well and truly over it by the time I took that pic :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPDIBe4xvE749T1gDBH8GujagVCKbtVMY48nsUNaBW32BDSq8OvHfVgTJMrXSZhoyjeGc7QWdixPF-McNTYIWxaJ3_KTNxocNqAL3MJb61y-0FYe9BHWGXJR8_dqpXP87cgvDOoYjvOsa/s1600/clay+gift+tags+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPDIBe4xvE749T1gDBH8GujagVCKbtVMY48nsUNaBW32BDSq8OvHfVgTJMrXSZhoyjeGc7QWdixPF-McNTYIWxaJ3_KTNxocNqAL3MJb61y-0FYe9BHWGXJR8_dqpXP87cgvDOoYjvOsa/s640/clay+gift+tags+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The neutral colour DAS clay was much easier to use than the red...and I also used this Fimo light...which is certainly much lighter (but I forgot to take a photo)...it was pretty good to use as well. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrc1jn99jfDQlD2fU5YUiACF0FZkuYA4ior4JsE1htxML6mLodoOBnI_h0DqwXHdChwsY4l4w0PHUPlWdOaUA3ZxObgyyCdaVT0an7G6JLwEXV4ExbyH3r5aKReaGWLESaA-7LO_SwS8i/s1600/FimoAirLightModellingClayWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrc1jn99jfDQlD2fU5YUiACF0FZkuYA4ior4JsE1htxML6mLodoOBnI_h0DqwXHdChwsY4l4w0PHUPlWdOaUA3ZxObgyyCdaVT0an7G6JLwEXV4ExbyH3r5aKReaGWLESaA-7LO_SwS8i/s400/FimoAirLightModellingClayWhite.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just rolled the clay out with a rolling pin, cut out shapes with cookie cutters or in the case of the rectangular ones, a pizza cutter to cut the shape, and then used a variety of stamps and inks to press on to the shape. Make a hole with a bamboo skewer and it's done. Easy! I bought the clay from <a href="http://www.eckersleys.com.au/">Eckersley's Art and Craft</a>, some of the stamps from there as well, or from <a href="http://www.lincraft.com.au/">Lincraft</a>...and the pen (see below) from <a href="http://www.riotstores.com.au/">Riot Art</a>. I'm sure Spotlight would have all or most of this as well but I couldn't be bothered schlepping over to Queanbeyan!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently once they're dry you can smooth the rough edges with some steel wool, but an emery board would probably be good...and easier. I'll have to do that tonight once the tags are dry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTTc0ocy10eNtACpBIpGPcEDH9vTC_OdNzhvvHOF_HCmmTX3itTu30dO9qVWhGnrNFOkCh7jWu4JPCORC-PbBkUMM2OcEMzikxUc1fcKUib4AQDR10UB-wjQCQzxuHbqjLTlbZKAVcZm3/s1600/clay+gift+tags+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTTc0ocy10eNtACpBIpGPcEDH9vTC_OdNzhvvHOF_HCmmTX3itTu30dO9qVWhGnrNFOkCh7jWu4JPCORC-PbBkUMM2OcEMzikxUc1fcKUib4AQDR10UB-wjQCQzxuHbqjLTlbZKAVcZm3/s640/clay+gift+tags+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lovely girl at Riot Art assured me that this pen will write on the clay once it's dry. My intention is to do the whole to/from/with love etc thing on the back of each tag.  Because you never know...some of my family and friends might get a whole lot of presents from other clay tag making people, not just from me! Hard to believe I know :)</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">p.s. I'll be having a Christmas giveaway on Monday...might fling a few of these in :)</span>

diy clay gift tags...

Given that my living room is getting painted next week...and a host of electrical stuff will be going on as well...I'm not able to decor...

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my creative space...softies for mirabel

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a looooong time since I've made a toy!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtXfZFSNKs1mMVfYBVHdrGyjZ2waBtI0sF6UzzewslFSHTb4NmUy3loOzwwvLPTzNKvC_iodXt7qKUm46XSTM0YCLnxkLg5tm37P2IhWxvahcFA3IjzG4FL3WSwTybZYQ6NY8QnOBoBmE/s1600/softie+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtXfZFSNKs1mMVfYBVHdrGyjZ2waBtI0sF6UzzewslFSHTb4NmUy3loOzwwvLPTzNKvC_iodXt7qKUm46XSTM0YCLnxkLg5tm37P2IhWxvahcFA3IjzG4FL3WSwTybZYQ6NY8QnOBoBmE/s640/softie+front.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started this a few weeks ago thinking I'd whip it up in no time...but the embroidery took a little longer than I expected (why are all of my projects like this I wonder ??)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XH0meREUPUw2azMAPJU2aFIgrvMGPbafLN0iAsN2DOUW600TyR32v9_49WeyypYSNJ7g616S85y7VeNjwBNcYnGrGamXnFtK-Wti_ana4X4ayrN3esBfu6sBY7W57hFgPoYCLfnhEou0/s1600/softie+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XH0meREUPUw2azMAPJU2aFIgrvMGPbafLN0iAsN2DOUW600TyR32v9_49WeyypYSNJ7g616S85y7VeNjwBNcYnGrGamXnFtK-Wti_ana4X4ayrN3esBfu6sBY7W57hFgPoYCLfnhEou0/s640/softie+back.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of a button on his bottom I made a little pom pom! Please note that I made this from a kit I found at Spotlight. I'm not that clever!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lZj1UA-amlJqEh3dhoybCwIJfp0GUtv_DX_fK6gX5bvr5UDwf6qUJoR7jGcYf0fQWEPMmI3TQeA9jcKi_8L1qzj9XB3M_YOw8GqJ91z4hXdG1vjPHfFSBO6cAiFJW2Y-GlxTsoulnA6C/s1600/softie+on+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lZj1UA-amlJqEh3dhoybCwIJfp0GUtv_DX_fK6gX5bvr5UDwf6qUJoR7jGcYf0fQWEPMmI3TQeA9jcKi_8L1qzj9XB3M_YOw8GqJ91z4hXdG1vjPHfFSBO6cAiFJW2Y-GlxTsoulnA6C/s640/softie+on+table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, finished now and in the post today for the Softies for Mirabel appeal. Look at all the toys in the window at <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/">Meet me at Mikes</a>...awesome</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcmoUaQr-PBsJR4K3PhUhuUNXQfIKI-6fPy6x7C1eRydaBo1ub3Dom9qbLFlk13kosuyYszq-tVi1ZIZg3_4OiLev7pj3JXMiAseD3cIHt1SGF7NGvN0-hfMYFBPGBD-x7thbDt2M99y4/s1600/meet+me+at+mikes+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcmoUaQr-PBsJR4K3PhUhuUNXQfIKI-6fPy6x7C1eRydaBo1ub3Dom9qbLFlk13kosuyYszq-tVi1ZIZg3_4OiLev7pj3JXMiAseD3cIHt1SGF7NGvN0-hfMYFBPGBD-x7thbDt2M99y4/s640/meet+me+at+mikes+window.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2010/12/softies-for-mirabel-our-window-day-one.html">here</a> to find out more...it's not to late to get a toy in...and when you've done that head over to <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">Kootoyoo</a> for a bunch of creatives...and someone please make it stop raining!! So over it.</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my creative space...softies for mirabel

It's been a looooong time since I've made a toy! I started this a few weeks ago thinking I'd whip it up in no time...but the emb...

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my weekend ~ peaceful pottering

<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello lovely tranquil people...I do hope you had a terrific weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due to a great deal of this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCSNb4ZS6GJtuyNewte8SWFuo74Xhttci2k4uwUkhHICXQTdX4sh0W-Au97M11nAnnzl3R5oS4u5vRhSWsH5d9ulKdq_ZalhTCyoe16igE3VTcPkW3L3AE_BzMmu14yZnPPS55qB50tMf/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCSNb4ZS6GJtuyNewte8SWFuo74Xhttci2k4uwUkhHICXQTdX4sh0W-Au97M11nAnnzl3R5oS4u5vRhSWsH5d9ulKdq_ZalhTCyoe16igE3VTcPkW3L3AE_BzMmu14yZnPPS55qB50tMf/s640/rain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a lot of pottering about...literally...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lettuce, cherry tomatoes and lemon basil (I know, I hadn't heard of that one either!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UzoQ0aDm6nAW6XoF4Daw_NPLKq4hwUuIsfxkZWtNK0-_YL5N460t38K5pvaIFmb5NWymCKDJJa-NSHdzAYFEJ7dd_OTSzHKoaDC8At3zOloB3SuSt1pGTCbLA0PHNUxZku6zPkQPmCHS/s1600/pots+on+table+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UzoQ0aDm6nAW6XoF4Daw_NPLKq4hwUuIsfxkZWtNK0-_YL5N460t38K5pvaIFmb5NWymCKDJJa-NSHdzAYFEJ7dd_OTSzHKoaDC8At3zOloB3SuSt1pGTCbLA0PHNUxZku6zPkQPmCHS/s640/pots+on+table+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And <a href="http://mollysmaison.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a>, I promise to get the slayer a proper tag one day :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HpGuXhYtfS8yvMMU3TQArDHygisxu5DOYBcfXwAVKtGdW9LsKlEz0zMYLXR0SisTODw-quOIAYFYrR9cyRnV4ZKKqdxTfWABCnTRf_0ZmfHRUX3gF7lXqTmwIlwh6TgcuDoqnkx2kmj9/s1600/softie+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HpGuXhYtfS8yvMMU3TQArDHygisxu5DOYBcfXwAVKtGdW9LsKlEz0zMYLXR0SisTODw-quOIAYFYrR9cyRnV4ZKKqdxTfWABCnTRf_0ZmfHRUX3gF7lXqTmwIlwh6TgcuDoqnkx2kmj9/s640/softie+bunny.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started to make a softie from a kit I bought at Spotlight...for the <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2010/09/fourth-annual-softies-for-mirabel.html">Softies for Mirabel Project 2010</a> (I do hope a kit is acceptable!). These are for kids orphaned or abandoned due to their parents' drug addiction...a really good cause. Softies need to get to Melbourne by 7 December if you'd like to make one...check out the link for all the details.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've almost finished another pincushion...this one's hot pink...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEQfCPkMDyILef_VVrAmlO8MWsC89xvSoAON1fddzY890BTwmShPWlxcnMvoOQhybYrjhhP0-bOTYBo6Wnp-9Qh9VICQNBAdxbQk6-5a_fxvGB554jTic1_st_gpnuphST04slqz_PIMf/s1600/pink+pincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEQfCPkMDyILef_VVrAmlO8MWsC89xvSoAON1fddzY890BTwmShPWlxcnMvoOQhybYrjhhP0-bOTYBo6Wnp-9Qh9VICQNBAdxbQk6-5a_fxvGB554jTic1_st_gpnuphST04slqz_PIMf/s640/pink+pincushion.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and with the left over bits of the stuff you do the tapestry on (what <u>is</u> that called?), I made a couple of bookmarks...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIC4scVuX3e9kQe5DB6Z0mcXqL4AUQQqjL1iOabtyIROMQImjYjLvAxv4AA3rFhXw6LYx_Ya5URX3KOopDzBQQKAYULqNmFEobBp8EmC7n-RBQhSlvyhBwCHkQ1Zic1d6S8ja1fHi2dsBv/s1600/bookmark+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIC4scVuX3e9kQe5DB6Z0mcXqL4AUQQqjL1iOabtyIROMQImjYjLvAxv4AA3rFhXw6LYx_Ya5URX3KOopDzBQQKAYULqNmFEobBp8EmC7n-RBQhSlvyhBwCHkQ1Zic1d6S8ja1fHi2dsBv/s640/bookmark+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I tackled the huge pile of unread magazines that I have lying around...these are but a sample!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExIh7UaiHZJ04mOcQC6MDR98QDxJ_YB9GqvdL66kFaDbRw0F7krKXGmns0DZBAfLYNzGiu2Mehj3UF7uuv_xTwJvzBWU3hKWxCTgY-bGyTlm5hNknKREmL1hu2KYq4rpbJuZW44qvOc3o/s1600/magazines+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExIh7UaiHZJ04mOcQC6MDR98QDxJ_YB9GqvdL66kFaDbRw0F7krKXGmns0DZBAfLYNzGiu2Mehj3UF7uuv_xTwJvzBWU3hKWxCTgY-bGyTlm5hNknKREmL1hu2KYq4rpbJuZW44qvOc3o/s640/magazines+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...which leads me to the subject of that ghastly wall colour that I've allowed you a glimpse of...which I am pleased to say will be no more by 17 December. Tiny came through with a reasonable quote and his team arrive on the 13th for a week. Yes, there will be before and afters!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here are some scanned photos from one of the magazines that I managed to demolish...a fabulous Adelaide home in Belle magazine...love it to bits.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rJbiwURmQ0D1HNj9LXxLEmgerhY8G6jA4JWzqQcCLu1x3UxXM4kyNeS0zpAg6djVzSqyZc5ULfzvud1Jaos-bRl30KWt2ejbLLex827IT7tX4EZQ2fqZVsOvufJA_mNW-kXXfcVL64gb/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rJbiwURmQ0D1HNj9LXxLEmgerhY8G6jA4JWzqQcCLu1x3UxXM4kyNeS0zpAg6djVzSqyZc5ULfzvud1Jaos-bRl30KWt2ejbLLex827IT7tX4EZQ2fqZVsOvufJA_mNW-kXXfcVL64gb/s640/IMG.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROdBLiYZti0AMscHt1dld4lo55JkStEWZ0X19_2dArkaLI7FYU2OturEYLYqnyn2pBEqFdFgPKyX6No4OkcA4VadnXEJo5oTp_lS4UdbHW4D9SRO26Iju5xjIMMUR2-mqZDTLqVBfFdfL/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROdBLiYZti0AMscHt1dld4lo55JkStEWZ0X19_2dArkaLI7FYU2OturEYLYqnyn2pBEqFdFgPKyX6No4OkcA4VadnXEJo5oTp_lS4UdbHW4D9SRO26Iju5xjIMMUR2-mqZDTLqVBfFdfL/s640/IMG_0001.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxz4kmcuGt1QMVKbkgQcu2oSYH5d-Rjr3xMri5sQDFJXIbkWmFAGe2C6aAzGbaf5rj7Rsofb9olbFbMJUszSKyGjZdhMQtuh4e974kQ8k-59KhfppDAjtoaBYkfqD5jF1JHIpaP-3mdfeU/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxz4kmcuGt1QMVKbkgQcu2oSYH5d-Rjr3xMri5sQDFJXIbkWmFAGe2C6aAzGbaf5rj7Rsofb9olbFbMJUszSKyGjZdhMQtuh4e974kQ8k-59KhfppDAjtoaBYkfqD5jF1JHIpaP-3mdfeU/s640/IMG_0003.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HeznEkncz58HuCjsWlkGZDYyUdCOuvFdZmBX1yeY6yuKezCSzblYlzDUcUeMsHrtcjOxirvaRhartAD9o03iK9zoojoej8maiTcj5aYoX2a3J-0sZdRzdkY8X_5zsGwet3NyGYulWUCL/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HeznEkncz58HuCjsWlkGZDYyUdCOuvFdZmBX1yeY6yuKezCSzblYlzDUcUeMsHrtcjOxirvaRhartAD9o03iK9zoojoej8maiTcj5aYoX2a3J-0sZdRzdkY8X_5zsGwet3NyGYulWUCL/s640/IMG_0002.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I guess you could say I spent quite a bit of time sitting on my butt this weekend!! But (ha!) I was also a very lucky blogger and won a gorgeous book on <a href="http://honeynfizz.blogspot.com/">Simone's</a> blog yesterday...this one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLJT9H30IUhfVDHdJy9FYC9gRB9nfWUXekCQxe5-EgTzMkHI3ty1GKlTqAXsC6JwD0NL-7XgW6j6MSX7ORxoR73B3Mm-PMjyksHnDL8x3d37m1kbHkTGMBphH15NtNYwzU9xkoJIvCa2l/s1600/At_Home_with_White+from+Simone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLJT9H30IUhfVDHdJy9FYC9gRB9nfWUXekCQxe5-EgTzMkHI3ty1GKlTqAXsC6JwD0NL-7XgW6j6MSX7ORxoR73B3Mm-PMjyksHnDL8x3d37m1kbHkTGMBphH15NtNYwzU9xkoJIvCa2l/s400/At_Home_with_White+from+Simone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It will be very happy here I'm sure, especially when my walls are painted white :) Thank you so much Simone...go and say hi if you haven't already...<a href="http://honeynfizz.blogspot.com/">Honey and Fizz</a> is a blog full of gorgeousness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very warm hello and welcome to new readers. I really do hope you enjoy your visits. And lastly, but certainly not least...thank you so much for all your lovely comments about my post on <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/soul-food-fridayon-life-and-loss.html">Rose</a>. She truly was special.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

my weekend ~ peaceful pottering

Hello lovely tranquil people...I do hope you had a terrific weekend. Due to a great deal of this... There was a lot of pottering about...lit...

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my creative space...what I like to call a farmers' market tote

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend Chris and I have been doing a little collaborating...a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> bit of plotting, planning and putting together. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've sourced some very large Brazilian coffee sacks, and along with a cunning plan...we have made the first of what we hope will be lots of these...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWAZpP9ZREgBOcTjrWnFFiK4L0wrVJLIqjV2v6jgbPgbnMxEg09OLCJUL2ZFAwwQ2t2fCK8a9cW7ani6Asb7jZMNwDpEop8884fNMoBOcTST7TcF3_9gIkj3SZLObTmkc8wMrWKXBzwTh/s1600/coffee+sack+totes+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWAZpP9ZREgBOcTjrWnFFiK4L0wrVJLIqjV2v6jgbPgbnMxEg09OLCJUL2ZFAwwQ2t2fCK8a9cW7ani6Asb7jZMNwDpEop8884fNMoBOcTST7TcF3_9gIkj3SZLObTmkc8wMrWKXBzwTh/s640/coffee+sack+totes+close+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to think of them being flung over your shoulder and waltzed off to the local farmers' market...we have one just down the lane and over the road on a Sunday...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOI4seXK8itc7jKQINEATbgKGF8tP-JjyPO6tTPj9RgtgalVuPo7d2cGXx8d0pJ5VHF1ORPOTpXR4YbYj8Hl0V1_x4-R8tTwUNMS7Wij5fDVI6EiQYavkbrndhRi45bbP5Z4tUydtkWP/s1600/coffee+sack+totes+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcOI4seXK8itc7jKQINEATbgKGF8tP-JjyPO6tTPj9RgtgalVuPo7d2cGXx8d0pJ5VHF1ORPOTpXR4YbYj8Hl0V1_x4-R8tTwUNMS7Wij5fDVI6EiQYavkbrndhRi45bbP5Z4tUydtkWP/s640/coffee+sack+totes+020.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess you could use them for other things as well...a beach bag maybe, or for collecting firewood, but the vision was for veggies of all kinds nestling contentedly in the calico lining. Dead set romantic notion don't you think! Ignore the vampire slayer hogging the camera.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzRd2Ia7ZQzXKYm2FUkfHN8UAWekiVDFKFTGH2FtnfMKy7mrm1JnrVMcQya1Mb3KACwIKmT43aYksngajc7zSEUKIDV8wKGhWJB0CT7myDeC_fj7c46nw9ao5k6T9nH9sw54NI-7bktme/s1600/coffee+sack+totes+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzRd2Ia7ZQzXKYm2FUkfHN8UAWekiVDFKFTGH2FtnfMKy7mrm1JnrVMcQya1Mb3KACwIKmT43aYksngajc7zSEUKIDV8wKGhWJB0CT7myDeC_fj7c46nw9ao5k6T9nH9sw54NI-7bktme/s640/coffee+sack+totes+back.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a bit hard to get a good photo with the plastic outer...designed to stop the jute coming off all over your good market clobber...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLnSEYCs93Twx0RKAw1K80oB0XI_dKQcOD826DupuPrtz5xTqjDH2C3aMNIIAi8yLfRmjOOni9qMhv60KajdI2hDlKyNsJIsR_WhGpUKHOBJYZYEwktRW2VPzhnUAwJPEthLN7tvU3Qmk/s1600/coffee+sack+totes+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLnSEYCs93Twx0RKAw1K80oB0XI_dKQcOD826DupuPrtz5xTqjDH2C3aMNIIAi8yLfRmjOOni9qMhv60KajdI2hDlKyNsJIsR_WhGpUKHOBJYZYEwktRW2VPzhnUAwJPEthLN7tvU3Qmk/s640/coffee+sack+totes+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...or mad cats wanting to sit on it! </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YQPaq2_CmUlkrHSN8hnuPJDORZsLyvZJcflpcTUO3eukyGdU4-ffXcSedaPkAdDuQxv5skgX_bHKxjo1AEXMv8dQfPQjLh8orRX08_fZ_dIL9sm6Y7Bi4kbQyUDbBatIijku-vylo_o5/s1600/coffee+sack+totes+and+buffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YQPaq2_CmUlkrHSN8hnuPJDORZsLyvZJcflpcTUO3eukyGdU4-ffXcSedaPkAdDuQxv5skgX_bHKxjo1AEXMv8dQfPQjLh8orRX08_fZ_dIL9sm6Y7Bi4kbQyUDbBatIijku-vylo_o5/s640/coffee+sack+totes+and+buffy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No vampire slayers over at <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">Kootoyoo</a>.</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my creative space...what I like to call a farmers' market tote

My friend Chris and I have been doing a little collaborating...a  bit of plotting, planning and putting together.  We've sourced some ve...

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my creative space...two blue and white pincushions

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can I just indulge myself in a tiny bit of self congratulation please? It doesn't happen all that often. I am so happy with how my blue and white pincushions are looking. One complete...and some pretty flowers from the garden thrown in for good measure!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHMJeLs5pLmO8oxtfkwVty-I3QlxPr_gZjvZOWY8E7TFbZBEZJMXzJJsYJyrGZhYDlj9RzZ6P3HwoW6NFC-5PVdKv9ArH0Y2upsDQ3-RP-0PAbtuqDmm5EG7t8cyAJ3ZmepuSa2g426QQ/s1600/blue+and+white+pincushions+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHMJeLs5pLmO8oxtfkwVty-I3QlxPr_gZjvZOWY8E7TFbZBEZJMXzJJsYJyrGZhYDlj9RzZ6P3HwoW6NFC-5PVdKv9ArH0Y2upsDQ3-RP-0PAbtuqDmm5EG7t8cyAJ3ZmepuSa2g426QQ/s640/blue+and+white+pincushions+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm loving the freshness of the blue and white, and the thing that makes me happiest is that I designed a couple of the panels all by myself with some inspiration from a few rugs...who knew I could do that? I know it's not rocket science but hey, it's progress! Makes me want to do a lot more.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnds_J8gbUXAnrKFG7xFPIS8620fFsJ5CB2deLlsFPaSwbcU11jqSqtYM3wUtZFxcrYFyFjGFbhexHE8udgMK0Z4X7HzzLA0xiTmGk6ucTWRPMeECPsxkVP_a97z08akIAkJH2YIn126B/s1600/blue+and+white+pincushions+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnds_J8gbUXAnrKFG7xFPIS8620fFsJ5CB2deLlsFPaSwbcU11jqSqtYM3wUtZFxcrYFyFjGFbhexHE8udgMK0Z4X7HzzLA0xiTmGk6ucTWRPMeECPsxkVP_a97z08akIAkJH2YIn126B/s640/blue+and+white+pincushions+002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are for the lovely <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Kerri</a>, who's wonderful art and fabulous friendship is always inspiring me. I'm planning some different designs and colourways. They take time (and a whole lot of patience) to make but they're fun, and comforting in a granny doing needlepoint kind of way. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6tER4a9Jif1DUg8D9BBeELhFu6d61wsz7oIR5H2hipF6PxQPjIvUmMdTdD_IUsrwGzD1OYxdC6ID_6WB-dKXxXbY1_-F15hDvWFY75XnnBZxk6_OrgavkeZkg-pcgMr9DbpkdCf4A48/s1600/blue+and+white+pincushions+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6tER4a9Jif1DUg8D9BBeELhFu6d61wsz7oIR5H2hipF6PxQPjIvUmMdTdD_IUsrwGzD1OYxdC6ID_6WB-dKXxXbY1_-F15hDvWFY75XnnBZxk6_OrgavkeZkg-pcgMr9DbpkdCf4A48/s640/blue+and+white+pincushions+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I'd like to think that these little pincushions might one day become little bits of a family history, passed on through a couple of generations...wouldn't that be lovely? I do hope they don't fall apart!!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For creativity galore, head on over to <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">Kootoyoo</a> for Thursday's crafty links. Bet they don't have nightmares about unravelling stitches :)</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my creative space...two blue and white pincushions

Can I just indulge myself in a tiny bit of self congratulation please? It doesn't happen all that often. I am so happy with how my blue ...

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soul food friday...finding a focus (or just getting it done!)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been told a few times that I'm a doer. And that's true...up to a point. It might be more accurate to say that I'm a starter. I start lots of things. It's quite possible that I am guilty of having a short attention span or a low boredom threshold. Although I was told yesterday that I was very patient...that's because yesterday, believe me, it was very necessary!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm97jWR5Mr_FoTvQU00KdpxzCMI8RPBUwXZ_HreLMnZLM2QaMAxJSzK_Qhpj-PwBoQFxUI_t3y1OEfzHTP4S4mF0P0dRH3mjmUKo_CvYRgCYt7u9yDpuBweeYywMrmvF9L9cheZRsbLiAu/s1600/focus+tumblr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm97jWR5Mr_FoTvQU00KdpxzCMI8RPBUwXZ_HreLMnZLM2QaMAxJSzK_Qhpj-PwBoQFxUI_t3y1OEfzHTP4S4mF0P0dRH3mjmUKo_CvYRgCYt7u9yDpuBweeYywMrmvF9L9cheZRsbLiAu/s400/focus+tumblr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it has occurred to me lately that perhaps I need a focus. Perhaps all the trying my hand at this and that is distracting me from being really good, or at least a lot better at something, one thing...any bloody thing!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To illustrate: here are a few of the things that I have started and not quite finished...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzPEUmySuxneLQEhMcHD-miGqtLgNiQf0GZ0UozkdIyP5z7_mk0eOx_9TmhR9PUL8HORqvqeV6g3hJFu9nzVTDUr6nwXe1D5zIFRVjfC6xpIWK2IAM5-qdx5Ue5urJ602eySY7tuzbjUD/s1600/course+materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzPEUmySuxneLQEhMcHD-miGqtLgNiQf0GZ0UozkdIyP5z7_mk0eOx_9TmhR9PUL8HORqvqeV6g3hJFu9nzVTDUr6nwXe1D5zIFRVjfC6xpIWK2IAM5-qdx5Ue5urJ602eySY7tuzbjUD/s400/course+materials.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my design course (but to be fair, I have officially deferred while I sort a few things)  </span></li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCvkDCZakGUsNCGBetR0oinV_dPHuEa6FgcG2WzzvHqWny9UT6Z4V6anr-6rPMtq38TkM8iFWqDFBlUS2DQMJrX8lbHD18FGtJUIYVaW8pQOJh0eKw7kBSg3LegLRFxiWuzTEHUyQ-oMo/s1600/orange+box+crochet+squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCvkDCZakGUsNCGBetR0oinV_dPHuEa6FgcG2WzzvHqWny9UT6Z4V6anr-6rPMtq38TkM8iFWqDFBlUS2DQMJrX8lbHD18FGtJUIYVaW8pQOJh0eKw7kBSg3LegLRFxiWuzTEHUyQ-oMo/s640/orange+box+crochet+squares.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the crocheted blanket...all the squares are done, they just need to be put together (this may be because I'm not quite sure how to do it!)</span></li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh_eRacoflClPJY3OjTpsbnbaD2VEg6ZHukr6JsbD_DkCsGbs1YMj90SSnt5n-jtLd6I1HdhdVa_xloyhibKq9-aVRDKlCrU3X5HWF5AR7eEv18hGNaQttLyXbAyKffO9b44qo9gk16eD/s1600/silver+chair+and+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh_eRacoflClPJY3OjTpsbnbaD2VEg6ZHukr6JsbD_DkCsGbs1YMj90SSnt5n-jtLd6I1HdhdVa_xloyhibKq9-aVRDKlCrU3X5HWF5AR7eEv18hGNaQttLyXbAyKffO9b44qo9gk16eD/s640/silver+chair+and+mirror.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the silver chair...remember how it started off silver leafed and I did, to my credit, see the error of my ways and just paint it silver.  But have I reupholstered the seat yet? No I have not.</span></li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IbTxt6aunP5PYEDPHQdW2pnzEy1IIv-iCASirCY1zpBP7tw1NUrBoEx7Zqf5oH4s6W02JFVKpAcbq2AlWAI2nXrKeCUtsttUfDnHOWXzfXNBpuOHpUHREIOBmT_dH05WZ1h1iKSFb_xH/s1600/bedroom+rug+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IbTxt6aunP5PYEDPHQdW2pnzEy1IIv-iCASirCY1zpBP7tw1NUrBoEx7Zqf5oH4s6W02JFVKpAcbq2AlWAI2nXrKeCUtsttUfDnHOWXzfXNBpuOHpUHREIOBmT_dH05WZ1h1iKSFb_xH/s640/bedroom+rug+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the bottom part of my bedroom. I got the plastering done months ago, I bought a beautiful rug, the reading chair's been there for yonks...but have I painted it yet so that I can finally finish that room? The one room in the house that will actually be finished. Guilty as charged.</span></li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOH73conSYK30oQGOKp2zq1ajTfdRJl7TVN152DIp2baeuIiyRXRL7T35Qfyu2qXdM6ZIE_zEjRM85C9jpmWPmW7rl7wzGYdWLYsiOWqyPD9-ThMeQizdSxG3NGX7a4wjXZXGPW3SP0oi/s1600/study+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOH73conSYK30oQGOKp2zq1ajTfdRJl7TVN152DIp2baeuIiyRXRL7T35Qfyu2qXdM6ZIE_zEjRM85C9jpmWPmW7rl7wzGYdWLYsiOWqyPD9-ThMeQizdSxG3NGX7a4wjXZXGPW3SP0oi/s640/study+2.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/">Grace</a> and I did a parallel post on what colour I should paint my study to highlight the red accents that are in there. Have I done anything about that? Again, no. But I have decided on white, including painting the bookshelves. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The question is: what white?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note the 'stuff I need to deal with' file...that's now stashed somewhere under the desk so I don't need to see it!! This room has changed quite a bit since then, just not in the ways I need it to :)</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN0xEHq5ZCyXmrErt5ZlgKZknH43H-frMwOL70npp9IU89Q4VevrYfkiu8BE71kJhghegRIXg4rQ_lLvQ58CIYVhHGhNrv9rGAshJBAbk_0RupIblBROLrQ2auxCaHJqu6Gp-o4IrFCbS/s1600/chandelier+bits3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN0xEHq5ZCyXmrErt5ZlgKZknH43H-frMwOL70npp9IU89Q4VevrYfkiu8BE71kJhghegRIXg4rQ_lLvQ58CIYVhHGhNrv9rGAshJBAbk_0RupIblBROLrQ2auxCaHJqu6Gp-o4IrFCbS/s640/chandelier+bits3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li>Have the chandeliers sourced by the <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/ive-had-visit-from-chandelier-fairy.html">chandelier fairy</a> been put up? Afraid not, but I have decided where they'll go...I think. Now where's that electrician?</li></ul></div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9yNFST1ttYmbKdUlm9mBTf25VR77xh2LBW-LhVXqtu064sqEwY2djwvacLZX5SIrA6H5lchU9tMhgMyeCJ-dRy5TfQh2nnxTa6Z8POpIbxmpbpix_0JkkpUkI7OcWUYLFow-2fX0zhi_/s1600/writing+a+novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9yNFST1ttYmbKdUlm9mBTf25VR77xh2LBW-LhVXqtu064sqEwY2djwvacLZX5SIrA6H5lchU9tMhgMyeCJ-dRy5TfQh2nnxTa6Z8POpIbxmpbpix_0JkkpUkI7OcWUYLFow-2fX0zhi_/s400/writing+a+novel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and here's something REALLY funny. A few weeks ago I decided I'd write a novel. I kid you not. I've done three very impressive paragraphs. Silly bugger I am :)</span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure I'm not the only one with this lack of focus disease. Am I? What do you do to get stuff finished? I'd love to hear. But right now I'm off to tackle the blue and white tapestry pincushion commission...or maybe I'll go and pick up my new dining room chairs...yes, will definitely do that. Then there's the washing. I have a few new painting ideas...there's fabric galore just waiting to be made into cushions and bags...you can see my dilemma can't you!?! Sigh. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a lovely weekend everyone. I'll be back on Monday, hopefully with something that's finished!</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

soul food friday...finding a focus (or just getting it done!)

I've been told a few times that I'm a doer. And that's true...up to a point. It might be more accurate to say that I'm a sta...

Read more »