An October Afternoon (In September)

On Tuesday I received my package of new October Afternoon papers, and yesterday I got down to work. I love October Afternoon so much! As far as I’m concerned, they can do no wrong. Fun, vibrant colours, retro prints and images… It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Anyway, soliloquy aside, I got down to it yesterday afternoon. I managed to get two layouts done, a personal best for a while now. The first is my August in review, which is about my move to Tassie. Of course – I don’t shut up about it while talking to other people, so why would I not harp on about it in my scrapbooking? I’ve used a terribly cute toy mirror that I bought from a craft show a couple of months ago, and also some flowers I’ve crafted from some scraps I had from a bag I’d made the other night. I was inspired by a friend who is in the process of making a rag rug, and have made the flowers in a similar fashion.

When I first saw these papers, I really dug them, but wasn’t sure what I’d use them for. There’s a total beach theme happening (funnily enough this range is called "Seaside"), and I wanted to continue that. However, being as fair skinned and temperamental as I am, I’m not much of a beachgoer. To me, the beach in summer is a whimsical and foreign concept… “You mean, you actually go out – in the SUN?!?”. Therefore, beach photos are a bit thin on the ground. But the other night I walked into my room, and glanced at the photos hanging above my bed. I have various photos of friends there, but the one that caught my eye was one of my friend Jake – at a beach. Late 2008, Jake and I went on an epic road trip that took us from Darwin to western Sydney, via Hervey Bay. This photo in particular was taken during our few days in Hervey Bay, when we’d gone exploring the locale. I’ve always really liked it because he didn’t know I was taking it, and thereby wasn’t able to be a smart ass and ruin the picture. I didn’t want to go over the top with the embellishments and go all girly on it (I think the checked background is quite masculine. I also didn’t think Jake would appreciate being on a feminine layout) so I’ve been relatively restrained. Plus I couldn’t find any other appropriate embellishments.

I can’t believe September is nearly over. I am going to be horribly clichéd here and say it – the year goes by so quickly! I’m quite eager for October to arrive though, as I’m going away on a craft weekend to Port Sorrell. “Where’s that?” you ask. I’m not sure. East somewhere. But anyway, I’ve been attending a weekly craft group called Stitch ‘N’ Bitch, and they’ve organised a lovely crafty weekend away. It involves a trip to the RSL, drinking, hopefully a tribute band, sewing, op-shopping, and general craftiness and gossiping. I’m very excited about the prospect of it, and have bought a dress pattern in preparation. I have no idea what else I’ll work on while I’m there, so I’m going to have to do some serious brainstorming over the next week. And also find some fabric to make my lovely 60’s swing dress from. Ahhhh, Stitch ‘N’ Bitch – where would I be without you?

I've added some extra pages to my blog, featuring Ye Olde stuff that I have crafted over the past year or so. Check it out!

The Little Things

Things that bug me:

• Loud eaters
• Small unidentified insects that crash land in my coffee before I’ve even had a chance to take a sip
• People who say “medium” strip instead of “median” strip
• Pretty much anything that happens within the first hour of me waking up

Things that don’t bug me:

• The orgiastic feast of vintage and awesomeness that is Mod Cloth. I spent quite some time browsing on their site last night, and really want… well, pretty much everything. I think you will too.

• Triumphant purchases from local markets – I bought this from a guy who told me not to pay attention to the prices on items. He’d beat his own price.

• Free dress patterns online – like this cute-as-a-button skirt from BurdaStyle.

PS. A big belated congratulations to my very talented friend Gill Lester, whose layout made the FRONT COVER of Scrapbook Creations this month! She’s one very clever girl.

Run Rabbit

So, I seem to have had a rabbit themed crafting week. My first project was a bag that I’ve made from some op-shop finds – a tea towel and a pillowcase. This particular project cost a grand total of…… $1. And not only did I get a bag from it, but I also managed to make a bow and a flower to dress it up a bit. Bargain!

My next project was another craft hoop. I found this terribly cute rabbit stencil and just had to use it on something. I’m also loving this polka-dot fabric that I’ve found (another op-shop conquest). It has an almost Alice In Wonderland theme type thing happening, which works for me.

Speaking of rabbits, one of the funniest things I’ve seen while I’ve been here was when I was driving back from Stanley. On the side of the road was a rooster going absolutely apoplectic at something – lots of wing flapping and squawking. I assumed it would be a chicken that would be the target of it’s ire, but no. It was a rabbit. This rabbit had the literal caught in the headlights look, and was darting from side to side, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I haven’t laughed that hard for a while.

I’ve been in the good old apple isle for a month now, and I have to say that I love it here. I’ve acclimatized quite well (I’ve always been a girl for layering up), I’ve met some awesome people, and I don’t even blink at the really bad ads on TV any more. Well ok, maybe I still do with a couple. But they’re so bad! I’ve never seen so many home-recorded things on TV that feature bogans. Otherwise, this place is great. There’s fabulous scenery wherever you go, plenty of wildlife (although some of it may have anger issues), a plethora of op-shops, and some great cafes. I’ve finally come home.

Mustard?! Don’t Let’s Be Silly

I am positively lusting over all things mustard coloured at the moment. It has that hint of vintage, with a twist of summer. I’ve been relatively restrained considering all of the awesome mustard things I’ve found – like a sugar bowl that matches a sugar bowl that I already have. Except it was, of course, mustard instead of blue. But I withheld, conscientious shopper that I am. Ahem.

Among the great mustard articles I’ve found, these are a couple of my favourites. This cute-as-a-button bag from Etsy. I always carry a tote bag, and manage to fill it most times. This bag is both big enough for all of the detritus that life seems to collect, and still completely awesome.

And of course, this collar from Hand Hook Yarn. I originally came across a picture of it in Frankie magazine (which happens to be the best magazine in the world), and did some internet sleuthing until I found where I could purchase such a rad item. I love these collars – they’re so unusual! But definitely cool.