Some of the bits n pieces Im using to decorate my seaside hook book.  I left the coaster there on the table because gallons of coffee go into every creation LOL  Ive taken out my first pics because they were too repetitive.... I think progress photos from this step on will be better.  I really love this hook book!

Second pic : for the needle book Im stacking some shell shapes.

Second pic : I lost the shell shape when I stuffed it for a pin cushion... but then I "quilted" and added runs of beads and now the shell shape is coming along nicely.  Ive some tiny "real" shells and sand to sew at the bottom.

Second pic : my crochet hook holder page is coming along nicely.  Will people want more than 6 or 7 hooks here?  I have so many crochet hooks... should I make another page?  Im just not sure... and Im not sure if I have another page in my brain to create.  Im using Tunisian crochet inside out to make the sea garden hook holders.

I have my first cleaning job - getting back into it.  People are moving and they need a cleaner for that final clean.  Lots of work and hopefully a great reference.  Im really wanting good feedback and hopefully through their friends and family the word will spread around that Im wanting to work and that I do a great job!!

Peter is taking the bookings.... we advertised at the plaza this week.  RACV insured us for a great price... we have $5M liability cover.  Now if I can just earn enough money to keep the electricity on LOL.

My office skills apparently are irrelevant and certainly not worth anything today.  Im enrolled to complete a Cert III in Aged Care.  Im a bit in shock and dont really know how to feel.  My first "positive" thought is that at least I might have a job and heaps of people work in jobs they dont like.  I hope I find more positives.

I think Im going to try and build up a cleaning business.  I would much rather clean toilets and wash down walls ready for painting.  But Im a little scared that Im not good enough for that either.  Very confusing couple of days.

Wish me luck.... Im off with resume in hand to get a job.  Well I need a job so I can support my small business growth.  At least there are jobs around.... I anticipate 5 years of working 2 jobs... then success.  Too optimistic?  I think not.  :)

Finished screen frame for peacock fabrics.  Every photo makes the screens look an odd shape.... they are straight and square... I promise!!!    LOL

I use one of my screens as a hanger / design board... its big and its great... keeps everything in shape.

I decided to cut circles (roughly cut lol) to puff up the trees... which Im hand quilting... its puffing out nicely... taking a long time... but its growing (excuse the pun)

I absolutely love EQ7.  Well Ive drawn it up after my first thoughts were put on paper (pc) years ago.  Now.... can I make it?  Should I decide on the binding once Ive made the top?

A man Ive known all my life has passed away after being terribly ill from working with asbestos many years ago.

You dont want to put private things all over the net... especially when the family is grieving.  But I just wanted to make a note here to remember him.

He was such a lovely man always eager to smile and say hello.  He and his family were very kind to me.  Such a support when we four lost our mum... wow... nearly 20 years ago now. 

I didnt know a lot about him really when it comes right down to it I guess we werent great great friends... except that he lived a life of love and service and that ripple effect that comes from people like him... well it surrounds you and holds you and washes over you.... and in a way you are left feeling like you really do know each other.

I believe in God and the new earth and the resurrection and I believe I will see this man again.  So for me at least... it is ... "See you soon.  I hope it is sooner rather than later.  You will be missed."

http://www.bamboofabricstore.com.au/

They are in Australia and they sell great wadding.  They will sell you a sample.  It is fine stuff... quilts and drapes really really well.  Ive heaps on its way!!!

 Arrived today.  Hand quilting 6 different pieces for the dress screen and Ive enough fabric for 2 sofa throws (quilts).  I really love the feather design in the stripe.

My girl has been away on holidays for one week.  Tomorrow she comes home.  My heart will be back together.  It is good for her to experience new things but Ive felt a big piece missing here at home.  People always say it... but it is true.... it just doesnt seem like Ive had her around for 18 years.  I dont even remember most of it.  Just glad she is my girl.

BOOK REVIEW
"an impossible marriage"

The book begins with Christine dreading a visit with an old girl friend she hasnt seen for a long time.  I think many of us can relate ... dreading a little bit seeing someone who might make us feel we need to give account for how our life worked out.  Decisions and actions that seemed logical to us at the time might not seem acceptable to another person who knows part of the story, some of the people, and who will judge us.

Christine takes us back to when she was a single young woman, working, and begins to tell her story.  I guess working through people and events that brought her to where she met Ned.  She falls in love with Ned who is an older man.  They marry and have one son, Mark.  They fall out of love.  I think it is an interesting part of the story that Ned wouldnt give Christine a divorce.  And then suddenly (you have to wait till the end for an explanation) Ned gives in and consents to a divorce.

At the end of the book we are privy to Christine's visit with her friend Iris.  At this visit Iris gives Christine the reason for Ned suddenly changing his mind and consenting to divorce.

Dont you hate it when a "girl friend" has the inside gossip on why your marriage was dismantled?

I didnt mind this book.  I would have liked more of it to be about the life Christine and Ned had together.  The story moved along nicely, it wasnt boring.  I finished the book feeling like I knew the main characters quite well - even though it isnt a very long story.  For me living in 2012 it gave some insights into how people thought and lived at the time of the story.  It was first published in 1954 as far as I can tell.