Belonging.

Today we looked at the wonderful Jeannie Baker book, Belonging. This book has no words, but the amazing collages tell a wonderful story. Each time I sit down to look through this book I notice something new.

Treasures.

We bought the kids an IKEA storage box for any treasures they might collect on our trip.

They loved finding things to go in them on the beach, and in the bush.

Bex and a lie down.

Oh my gosh! Did I say I wanted to be one of those mothers? One who does crafting with their kids?

THREE HOURS!!! it has taken Sarah and I to make a bag for one of her friends. A bag!!

We should have stuck with one of these that we have made countless times before, but decided to try a new pattern from this book.

That gathered pocket thing, topped with velvet ribbon was tricky, and the strap took forever to turn inside out because it was so skinny.

I think I need a lie down now.

So lovely..

It is so lovely to be back in the world of craft blogs. I have spent hours over the past few days going through all my old favourites, and discovering a few new ones.

Motherguilt has been rearing her big ugly head as well, as I look at all the wonderful things others have been doing with their children. I used to be one of those mums before I got sick and went to bed for 10 weeks....

We will get back there again in time.

The kids did manage to find a few arty/crafty things to do while we were camping for 6 weeks though.

A giant turtle made on the beach...

Woodcarving and drawing by the campfire...

A shell necklace...
Some more sketching...

The boys are at cricket so Sarah and I are off to Spotlight to look for inspiration, and get some supplies for a few pressies we need to make, and then there is my planned 'Handmade Christmas' to start thinking about. Maybe the craftiness is on it's way back.

Five months...

A lot can happen in a person's life in 5 months.

I have been absent from the world of blogging and have returned to read of sorrow and joy in the lives of my blog friends. For one friend in particular there has been incredible tradgedy and heartache.... Rach I am so sorry.

Where have I been all this time?

In hospital, then in bed for months, then to Hong Kong, then part way around Australia on a long camping trip, all the while carrying a little person inside my tummy, who initially made me very sick, but is now making me pee all night.... and smile. He/she should be making an appearance in Jan.

I am hoping to get my crafty mojo back and get back to blogging about it all. Jo

Steamboat.

My mum gave me her old steamboat ages ago, and it has been gathering dust (decoratively) ever since.

My friend Lily who is Chinese was asking me about it last week when she saw it gathering dust on my shelf, and I had to admit that I have never used it.

She gave me a few instructions, and I began to warm to the idea.

Fast forward to this morning when I checked out a blog my sister recommended to me and BAM, the universe is pointing me in the Steamboat direction again.

I will HAVE to give it a go now. Stay tuned.