Making Memories: November 2009

Monday, 30 November 2009

Motivation Monday - Full Moons and Looking To the Future!

LOOK TO THE FUTURE - Sunday Herald Sun 29/11/2009 - Yasmin Boland www.moonology.com

There is something quite magical about a week of a full moon, such a cleansing energy in the air and a time to start all things afresh and with new enthusiasm and invigorating power. As I sat down and read the following article yesterday, I had already in my mind that it would be very befitting for Monday Motivation this week! Enjoy and Blessings xox

"This week's full moon is a great time to let bygones by bygones as well as make agreements ...

This is a power packed week with a full Moon and a Venus - Saturn link. If astrology is a guide to what's possible at any one time, then this week it's possible to leave the past behind and make a firm commitment to a new path.

The full Moon takes place on Wednesday at 5:30pm, so if you want to do a little "goodbye" ceremony to someone or something, do it around then!

At many spiritual (and not-so-spiritual) locations around the world, there are full Moon rituals every month. The Moon represents emotions and femininity and marks a climax in the monthly lunar calendar. It's as though evens lead up to the full Moon, and its' the energetic high point of the month, and once it's been and gone, life settles down and we start to move through the quieter pre-new Moon period.

The night of the full Moon is said to be very cleansing. Some people leave jewellery out overnight because it is said that it gets cleansed of any accumulated bad vibes, and charged up with protective lunar power.

The full moon this week, coupled with the positive link between Venus and Saturn, also makes it a particularly powerful time to lay down intentions regarding love and money over the coming four week.s

Venus is the planet of love and abundance, and Saturn is the planet that makes agreements and sticks to them ...

The other important point to note this week is that Venus is moving into the sign of Sagittarius on Wednesday. This is excellent news for people born under that sign, but it's also good news for anyone who's felt as though their situation regarding love or money has been a little too intense of late.

Venus's move into this light-hearted, cheery sign means we're all likely to find it a little easier to keep things light, even when talking about touch subjects connected to romance and finances. If in doubt this week when talking about love or money, bring some humour to the situation.

Blessings to you on this Full Moon ...

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Amy Butler - Birdie Sling

As soon as I saw this divine "Memoirs of a Geisha" range at Heather's Quilting Emporium, I couldn't resist using it to create the Birdie Sling by Amy Butler.

I did quite a lot of reading about the bag prior to starting, and also followed some useful advice like 1. using a reduced pattern size of 85%, 2. Using some linen/calico as the lining under the pleats so that they still maintain their soft look, but have enough structure. Both interior panels are interfaced along with the handle. A dog clip has been included to pop your keys on (isn't it annoying then they fall to the bottom of your bag?) This idea came from Jen over at I was told to get a hobby! The interior features pockets either side, one side has room for 4 pens and a small notepad, the other your mobile phone and wallet if you choose.

I was really happy with how they turned out, and they will be longingly missed by me as they have been made to thank Caleb's special Prep Teachers this year.

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Mega Christmas Giveaway - Hand Made Kids

Tis the season to be jolly ... well almost .. in a matter of days really ..

This is one Giveaway that is sure to grab your attention! Be sure to go and check out HAND MADE KIDS and enter such a wonderful giveaway!

It's beginning to feel a lot like christmas .. or it would .. if I were to win one of these beautiful prizes!!

Grandmother's Flower Garden Giveaway

What a divine range and what a gorgeous opportunity to go into the draw to win 12 fat quarters of this fabric!!! Awwwww .. Beautiful!!

So head on over to RETRO MUMMY

and enter this terrific giveaway! The festive season tis nearly upon us and imagine the creativity that could flow from such a fantastic prize!!

Once again, thank you Corrie, you generosity in prize giving is greatly appreciated!

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Motivation Monday on a Tuesday - Mind, Body and Soul

So I had the beautiful opportunity to visit the Mind, Body and Soul Exhibition in Melbourne on the weekend (hence explaining my absence for Monday,as I took an extended weekend of leave.)

I enjoy the Annual Pilgrimage to Melbourne for this event, knowing that as soon as I step inside the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, I am overcome with just a sense of calm. The ambient nature of the crowds attending, the soothing tones of soulful music, of course, often mixed in with an upbeat of tribal drums, crystals and medicinals of ancient times. There are stage performances, seminars and of course the opportunity for readings, numerology, tarot cards, mediumship and spiritual counselling.

This is an experience not to be missed, nor is it one to be rushed. Its' one where you just float along and be drawn to those exhibitor areas that are meant to be your experience for the day. Whether they hold a certain message for you or not, pends on what thoughts or questions you may come with subconsciously. It is crucial though to come with an open heart and an open mind, the day could be full of unexpected surprises that you never imagined would happen.

A spiritually oriented friend made this trek with me, she from the mountains, myself from the open plains. We found ourselves arriving outside the Brahma Kumaris - Raja Yoga Centre just as a meditation experience was to commence. You see, it is all about the timing ...

The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres Inc. (BKs), with over 50 teaching locations across Australia, offer people of all backgrounds an opportunity to deepen their understanding of universal spiritual principles and learn a range of spiritual skills through a variety of educational programmes. In its simplest definition, 'spirituality' means knowing how to live with meaning and purpose.

Remember you have the power to quieten your mind
to give you the peace and happiness you deserve.

Teaching others is best done with love.
Once the heart has understood, the mind opens.

It was lovely, I quickly relaxed, closed my eyes and let my inner mind listen to the soothing voice on the speakers. I just slid away on my own journey and when the time was finished, I was feeling very at peace and yearning for more.

Feeling so calm and energised (which was greatly required after my rather hectic week) I went on to having a lovely numerology / tarot / spiritual counselling reading with one of the clairvoyants, which was very positive and encouraging. Readings are often of a more personal nature, so I won't delve into the intricate details. This is the first year that I have come bearing no specific question, so it was nice, just to hear the light and "fluffy" aspects of my life right now. All is well, its' going just as it should and my journey continues on ...

Of course with a trip to the grand City of Melbourne, my friend and I couldn't resist the opportunity to see the next Twilight installment, New Moon, and this could be a complete blog entry on its' own (to which I may do further in the week.)

Likewise, no visit can go by without a little stop over at Spell Box, tucked away in Little Bourke Street or the Royal Arcade (off the Bourke Street Mall) The Arcade being of great decadent history in itself.

And a favourite for the kids, quite motivating in itself as well, was the Myer Christmas Window Display ...

Olivia's Christmas adventures in Olivia Helps with Christmas, a tale about a little pig and her family preparing for Christmas morning and the arrival of Santa Clause on the big day.

The display well worth a look if you are travelling to the grand city before Christmas this year ...

So all in all, I do feel quite refreshed and motivated for the coming week ahead!

Saturday, 14 November 2009

Make it Perfect - MEGA-GIVEAWAY

Toni over at Make it Perfect, is having a MEGA - GIVEAWAY!

There are some absolutely ENCHANTING items up for grabs .... including a beautiful Versatile Wrap Skirt made from Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric (one size fits all) or a Bloom set made from Sandi Henderson Ginger Blossom fabric (size 3) and a set of FOUR Make It Perfect patterns: Uptown Girl, Pinny #2, Pinny and Dinohunt Quilt.

But that's only for FIRST PRIZE!! You can also be in the draw to WIN WIN WIN ...

A set of THREE Make It Perfect patterns: Pinny #2, Pinny and Dinohunt Quilt plus The current edition of Homespun magazine (I have a pattern featured in this edition...more about that later) and 5 "scraps" of fabric from my stash - these are decent sized scraps, fat quarter size and bigger.

Never Fear, even if you don't win 1st or 2nd prize, you still have the chance to win a 3rd prize encompassing A Make It Perfect Dinohunt Quilt pattern and the current edition of Homespun magazine.

I do love Toni's designs, we've already made the FLIPSY SKIRT and PINNY, and have another pinny in motion with some gorgeous AB fabrics ... But we also have our eye especially on her new Blossom Twirly Skirt and Slumber Party Jammies to sew up soon! Likewise we eagerly await her newer patterns that are no doubt in the works too!!

Thank you Toni for having such a wonderful giveaway!

Wordless Weekend

Sunday, 8 November 2009

I love a Country Market ...

Gigaree is a small country town in Northern Victoria. You may not have even heard of it before, but it has the most delectable country market on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Its kind of nestled between Stanhope and Tongala/Kyabram, but well worth a visit to the market if you are in the region this particular weekend of the month.

The entire vibe of the market is so relaxing and you can't help but stroll at a leisurely pace and enjoy all the different stalls available to delight you. More so, its' not just about the stalls, its' also a very social occasion, the people that you meet and are able to have a leisurely chat with, whether this be someone known to you, or just another person enjoying the atmosphere of the market alongside with you. These are about bringing the wider community and region together, as well as highlighting the many talents of local providers.

I had been meaning to go for quite some time, so I spent the morning out with my parents and young Jaxon at my side, and found that stallholders were quite happy to have their merchandise photographed (I always ask, I just believe it is a common courtesy to do so.)

My first stop naturally is for fresh fruit and vegetable produce, I couldn't resist the apricots grown locally over at cobram and of course pink lady apples fresh from the orchard, as well as strawberries from a local strawberry patch. There is just something extra special about "fresh" fruit grown locally. I was amazed at the amount of people, the produce was just fantastic and prices straight from the farm, that's one amazing benefit of living in the country, farmer's markets. Its' a good "fruit break" week in this household this week!

Spring is a beautiful time in this area for commercially grown protea flowers and other native flora. I was just in awe of these giant protea's, aren't they divine. Its' a pity that these lovely natives aren't flowering around Christmas time in this region because they would make such a beautiful Christmas table centre-piece.

Then there are the children's tee-pees. This is a gorgeous stall and I often see them at our local country market in Echuca/Moama as well. I find the material is very eye-catching and of course always a favourite with the kids. Helen also sews divine aprons and embellishes baby singlets with gorgeous crocheted' flowers with button centrepiece. You can read more about here at her own site chickaboo8.webs.com or if you feel inclined to do so, I love the Child-Size Teepee Tent tutorial at Sew Mama Sew

Another stall that capture my eye was the artistry work on these saw blades. Jeannie Woodward is and original saw blade artist and is located in Shepparton, Victoria (0415 677 139) Her work is captivating and very inspiring.

Of course it's always nice to spy a quilt or two,or three. The lovely ladies from this stall are friends from Shepparton who enjoy getting together to quilt and socialise. They were having great success today with their tea cup pin cushions, which were very quaint!

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Sewing more Softies on a Monday

It was a perfect Monday evening to get down and finish the B's Mr Electron's!

The beautiful glow of the sun setting
to the west as I sat at my machine...

I decided rather than hand-sewing them together, I would just do a simple machine stitch which worked really well! And I happened to glance to my supplies and thought how cute a little button on each belt would look too (apples for the red belts and a cute little love heart for Jaxon's yellow belt.) .. Interestingly enough none of them wanted a lightning bolt, they felt they were just right how they were :)

Caleb (red), Jaida (purple), Jaxon (yellow)