Grateful

Grateful for Minimalism, Op Shops, & Clever People!

Look what I made!! Ok, technically I didn't actually make it, but an unknown clever and patient person did, and I am so very grateful for it!

As mentioned in my previous post, we went camping last week, but I think I forgot to mention that come night time, it was freezing! Oh yes, and the tent we bought last summer..not so good in the cold weather.  But mostly, due to my husband's minimalist approach (to everything) and a complete lack of room in the car, we didn't take enough blankets, so I certainly froze my tooshy off that first night, ending up with an extra 2 layers of clothes on.  As luck would have it, the nearest town was but a fifteen minute drive away, so off we went the next morning (my sister-and-law and I), on a mission to gather warm blankets for the remaining two nights of our camping trip (chocolate too, along with water, bread and other stuff you're supposed to take along apparently).

Within about one minute of entering the town's local op shop, I snapped up a couple of handy beige flannel blankets, but when my sister-in-law pointed out this crochet one, I have to admit, I hesitated at first.  I've had all intentions of crocheting one myself, did I really want to buy one someone else made?  Hmmph, who was I kidding? I'm still struggling to finish a granny square cushion I started at the beginning of winter!  Needless to say I relented, and purchased the piece of snuggly, retro goodness, glad I did too, it is lovely to snuggle under with my first coffee in the morning, the kids adore it too.

Even though some other clever, patient person crocheted the blanket (thankyou whoever you are), it no longer feels like someone else's blanket.  The smell of campfire has replaced the smell of mothballs (can't bring myself to wash it yet, plus I have enough washing to do as it is at the moment), and there's memories in there too, stories, from our wonderful camping trip. Oh, and I will make one of my own..one day!

What are you grateful for this week?

Joining in with Maxabella over at Kidspot for 52 Weeks Of Grateful

xSam

The Absent Blogger

Lately, I feel like I've faded into the background of the blogging world.  

My blog has been so quiet, I haven't been posting or leaving comments very often, I've wanted to, tried many times, how I miss it, but it just hasn't happened.   

I wish I had more time to read your blogs,  I think about you all often, and wonder what you're all up to, 

So many things have taken my focus lately, including those dreaded winter bugs, which are still lingering. 

With the time I've have to spare I try to keep things running in the household, not sure I'm doing such a great job of that at the moment either.

I'm sure this is all temporary though..

Lots of decisions are being made,  staying focussed on what I believe in, 

how this is reflected in what I do, where I want to go, 

and working with what I have.

I hope you understand and still tune in to my blog when you can, as sparse as my posts may be of late. 

 There is an exciting venture in the making, which I can't wait to share with you when the time comes..

We're off camping for a few days tomorrow, so I will be forced to cut ties with my computer, switch off and just be with my family...

 I think this is much needed right now.

I really don't like the number of I's used in this post, as it's not all about..well ..you know!

Have you been absent from blogging for any length of time?  Have you lost followers from this absence or found that people just lost interest in your blog? I'd love to hear from you, even just a Hello!

By the way, the above photo is of the mountain "The Ship's Stern", which is located in the Lamingong NP, Qld, taken by my husband on a bushwalk he went on recently with a  group, not bad for a point and shoot camera!

Open For Business

Open for business

Well hello there! Seems I took an extended and unscheduled break from blogging, I really don't know where the time goes, but I do know that I missed blogging and visiting all of your lovely blogs!   

Here's a few things I've learned over the past month or so:

- Starting up a business takes way longer than expected - I'm starting to wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew!  Have I dived in too quick? Maybe, but then it's all part of the adventure right? 

- Nothing gets done once your little one drops their daytime nap, in fact it's better to get out of the  house rather than be driven nuts having everything pulled out and thrown on the floor as you're trying to tidy up the house.  And if I think I can get some quiet time to myself, I'm just asking for trouble, so it goes without saying that blogging has gone out the window during the day.

- Sleep is good and necessary, as I've learned since going to bed at a half-decent time (so again, no blogging).

- Birthdays are really "birthweeks", there's the actual birthday, then there's cakes to be baked for school or daycare, then of course the family get togethers.  So with both of my kids' birthdays within two weeks of eachother, this has been kind of a busy time for us!

- And lastly, how filthy is my house? How have I let things go like this?..the glass doors, through which I saw clearly..once!  So what am I doing here then, blogging?  Hmm, I guess I'm going to have to step things up a notch if I'm to become a work from home mum!

Anyway,  all that aside, I finally have my own madeit store open and would love for you to pay a visit over here.  I'm also in the process of setting up my own webpage which will feature an extended range of items, handmade along with lot of other unique goodies from various places.

In the meantime, I can be found "frolicking"on facebook so why don't you join me there, drop me a line and keep updated on new products and giveaways. 

Now I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what you've all been up to!

xSam



My Creative Space

Working on a few designs for my online store opening up soon.  The personalised name cushion is going to my nephew as a christening present, but I'll be whipping up a few more for my shop, I just love the three little pigs fabric and I'm really enjoying hand embroidery at the moment.  

I'm hoping to get this store open very soon, but there's still a little work to be done, a few things to nut out, it's all very exciting, daunting, but very exciting!

The idea of being able to work from home sounds good to me, it means I can do more of what I love, work around the kids and be home for them. Too good to be true? Maybe..well atleast I'll have fun trying!


Tell me, do you work from home? Any tips for me, just starting out in this business?

Joining in with My Creative Space over at Village Voices today.

xSam

Grateful

Grateful for pets and the kindness that they bring out in my kids.

Lately I've caught quite a few moments that made me stop and smile and just feel so grateful..moments where my kids are being so gentle and loving with their pets.  

I have to admit that since having children, our pets have kind of taken a back seat.  Not to mention how they've put up with their fair share of tail pulling, chasing and general noise from the kids, but lately I've really noticed my kid's have developed a very special relationship with their pets.  They are forever checking up on their furry friends, making sure they have enough food and water, that the dog has his warm jacket on, and often let him inside to warm up (well afterall, the cat gets to be inside whenever he pleases).  

I often catch the kids enjoying quiet moments having a chat with their furry friends and patting them gently, worrying about them if they are sick or injured, which restores my faith in their kind and caring spirits. 

It really warms my heart to see the trust that the kids have built up with their pets, the love that they express and the satisfaction that it brings them to be with their pets.

I admit that I have often questioned whether we made the right decision of having pets, with the responsibility, extra work and costs involved, but I just can't imagine our life without them, or how my children would learn the valuable lessons of friendship, kindness and responsibility that come with owning a pet.

Joining in with villagevoices for a Grateful reunion today, why not pop over there?

xSam

  

My Creative Space - Completed Granny Square Cushion

You may remember I was working on a spiderman granny cushion for my son last year.  I decided against applying a spiderman applique to it (couldn't find one anyway), however, I couldn't decide or find the right buttons for it.  So it's been floating buttonless around the house for months, and really annoying me as the insert keeps hanging out and getting pulled out by the kids.  Well I finally found some buttons and finished it off this week.  

I'm still not sure that I like the wooden buttons but I think they do enhance the vintage feel and are practical for fitting through the large holes.  I could have sewn up the opening, but this way the cover can be removed and washed.

This is one of my first granny square projects, and being impatient as I can often be, I made the mistake of not sewing in some of the ends, so please don't look too closely..I had to go back and fix up those loose ends..BIG Lesson for me - Don't cut corners, it just means going back and fixing later (that's if it's not too late and hasn't become unravelled or lost it's shape).

So have you tied up any loose ends this week? Maybe you finished something that you've been putting off.  

Joining in with lots of clever and crafty folk over at My Creative Space today.

xSam

And The Winner Is..

It was one of those mornings, lots of arguing, yelling and teasing, all before breakfast..   


However, after enjoying some lovely free range eggs from my mother-in-law, numerous coffees, and some fresh air at soccer, things are starting to look up!    


So now it's time to draw the winner of my giveaway!
Little one assisted with much enthusiasm..

and the winner is..

Congratulations Miss Mandy from A Little Space Like Home! 
Please email me your address at samantha.hardt@bigpond.com so I can send out your prize right away!


Thank you for all your lovely bloggy birthday wishes, 
and thanks for entering my giveaway!

The sun is shining, and although we don't have any set plans for the weekend, this is how it's looking so far:

 I'm off to look for a new (pre-loved) sewing machine this afternoon 
 Family Wii night tonight (suggested by my son)
If the weather is kind, a little country drive tomorrow
A little baking 
A roast dinner
A little crochet
Loads of washing (but lets not think about that)
Plenty of snuggles, hot choccy & lazing around in pj's (hopefully)


What's your weekend looking like?

xSam