b r e a t h e

Joyce is. . . . . . . .

Taking a moment to join in the checking out of the removal of another handmade link each morning as the countdown to Christmas continues.

Taking a moment to remember when we made these decorations a few years ago now, and loving they

have withstood the test of little fingers that decorate our tree each year, my big boy can almost reach the top branches of our tree now.  

Taking a moment to send our love to our family and friends that are close to our hearts, and remembering with love and a little sadness, those that are no longer with us in person.

Taking a moment to watch the breeze twirl the decorations, and sit and watch them spin.

Taking a moment to sit and rest.

Taking a moment to snuggle on the lounge.

Taking a moment to kiss little fingers.

Taking a moment to watch the clouds.

Take yourself a moment.

Take that breath. . . . . 

. . . . and . . . . . . 

. . . . . . let . . . . it . . . . go . . . .

Thanks so much for stopping by my place today.  

Have you taken yourself a moment today?  

What's yours?

Take care of you.

Make it Merry.

xx

Snapshots of the making kind.

Here is part of why Joyce has been rather blog absent of late.  

Going to try my best to keep it short, well as short as things go for a Joyce.  

Welcome to the making-ness.  

A custom order for a little friend - crochet beanie being modelled by Russell.

Markers of the book kind.  

Neck warmers (market stock)

Playing with fabrics, making brooches.  

'the boyfriend' scarf.  (market stock)

Hairbands aplenty.  (market stock)

wristies - to keep your wrists warm. (market stock)

monster birthday cake for my Mr Eggy-man.

ohhhhhh birthday party table making - soooo much fun!

cot/pram blankie.  (market stock)

a variety of roses, hair clip and brooch backings. (market stock)

Paper bags for my customers' goodies they purchased at the markets.  Even the customers that had a bag, when they saw these, they decided they needed a Joycie bag.  It was so much fun, I never realised such a small bag would bring so many smiles.

Part of my table set up at my very first ever market day on the 4th December 2011.  

I so love my little 'J' for Joyce.  Thank you for all the lovely comments on my 'J'.  

You can just see the moustachness in the background.  I was so shocked they were selling.

What fun to see people totally enjoying themselves with a little bit of moustache love.  

Denim hair elastics. (market stock)

Happy birthday my itty bitty minni.  First time using marshmallow fondant.  

Thank you to a very special lady - you know who you are my dear!  xx

Funny face biscuits sent to school to celebrate the birthdays to share with the class.  Using the pink marshmallows, just melted in the microwave.  woo hoo!

Joycie's coasties adorn wine glasses all over the Coast this Christmas.

These are currently all sold out!  How fabulous - spread the bling I say,

spread it far and wide.  There are more coming in 2012 but not these colours. (market stock)

My most recently finished lacy loveliness, winter wonderland scarf.  (market stock)

So that is what has kept Joyce busy lately.

Thanks so much for stopping by my place today.

May the creative-ness be flowing at your place.

b r e a t h e

"I dreamed I stood in a studio

and watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young childs mind

and they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher, the tools she used were books and music and art,

One was a parent, with a guiding hand and a gentle loving heart.

Each agreed they would have failed if they had worked alone,

for behind the parents stood the school, 

and behind the teacher, the home."

- unknown -

Dedicated to teachers everywhere.

Thank you for your support to our children in their learning journey for 2011.

Thank you for making learning so much fun.  

Thanks for stopping by my place today.  

Have a wonderful weekend at your place.

xx

b.r.e.a.t.h.e. . . .

Today you are you, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is youer than you.

- Dr Seuss -

Joyce is back.

 Joyce is sorry for her absent-ness.

 Joyce missed her blog-buddies.

Joyce needs her breathe moment.

Joyce wishes everyone a wonderful weekend.

Joyce has moustach-ness at her front door, please take one.

Sometimes a little moustach-ness is what gets us through the day.

Thanks so much for sticking 'round, and stopping by my place today.

Take a little moment for you.  

You deserve it.  

You are YOU, don't let anyone tell you, you are not you.  

It would be such a waste of a beautiful person if you become someone else.  

xx

Lest We Forget

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

Every Girl Should Have One.

It doesn't need to be big.

 It just has to be hers.

Her very own little nest egg.

Dedicated to my Grandma and Nanna.

xx

Bring back Groovy

Groovy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's back, it's in fashion, it's now and it's happening.  Wanna know why?  Cause I said so!!  Yup, that's why, Joyce said so.

She's feelin' groovy.

We are still school holiday-ing here, and it's now wind down mode.  School and work goes back Monday, we are 4 lazy, groovy, chillin' days away from hectic.  

It's only been 20 days since my last post and let's just say 'where did those 20 days go??'

I'll tell you where they went, they went fast, they went busy, and they went down the history line behind us.  We left a little trail of bits of us along the way through work, school, and play.  Bits of us that connected with bits of others that joined with others again, that form part of the fabric of what will become our memories and our past.  

I am glad to be back in blogland, I have some most groovy news to share with you all too.

It's now official, I am now a qualified Teachers Aide (special) - yup, that is not a typo, it's true!  I did it.  Yeah, big deal it's only a TAFE certificate - BUT IT'S GOT MY NAME ALL OVER IT.  School was tough for me, the whole way through, I just never 'got it'.  So at age 42, I am pretty pleased and a little surprised to have completed my course 3.5 months ahead of schedule.  

More news - I have booked and paid for my first ever market stall table - *shivers* - what am I getting myself into!! Be groovy Joyce, be groovy!!

I am excited and nervous and scared and giggly all at once about it.  It's the Made with Love Markets which are on the 4th December 2011.  I am currently making like a mad woman to prepare for the markets.  I have also been getting orders here and there, that I have been making and sending as well.  I will share pics of what I have made very soon, I also have a few items that I have sent out to some very trusted testers of which they are testing for me and will report back to me with their findings.  (thank you ladies for your invaluable assistance, I owe you forever).

The last piece of news is, I am now a year older.  I turned 42 this week and I love it.  I am not a fan of odd numbers, don't ask me why, I have no idea.  I was so happy to turn 42, and I just know it's going to be a magical year.  

I have a little fan page on facebook if you would like to stop by and see a few of the bits and pieces that I have been making and selling lately.  I haven't put much up lately, as I am currently donating a few dilly bags filled with hair ties for fundraising and working on them, plus I am trying to stock up on market items, and fill a few extra orders that have come in.

In a Joyce style nut-shell, that's me and mine for the last 20 days.  

So how are you and yours?  Are you feelin' groovy too?

Thanks so much for stopping by my place, enjoy the ride and have a wonderful rest of week at your place.  

xx

b.r.e.a.t.h.e. . . .

No stories, no adventures.


Not even a quote for today.


Just a moment, a quiet moment.


Don't forget to treat yourself to a moment to breathe.


Joyce will be back soon.


Take care of you.


xx

Red, Grey and Navy Scarf

An order placed by a friend.

She told me she likes red.

She said she wears lots of blue.

She is moving to a cooler climate.

I thought I would give it a shot.

I had her smiling face in my mind as I chose the colours.

She tried it on.

She loves it.

It warms her neck.

I love that she loves it.

She told me every time she wears it, she will think of me.

She made me feel all gooey inside.

I like feeling all gooey inside.

Hurrah for Spring

 May your days be sunny, 

may your days be warm,

may your garden be bursting with colour.

Bring on Spring!

Thanks so much for stopping by my place today.

Today's post has been brought to you by the letter 'S'.  

S is for Spring (in the Southern Hemisphere).

Now I just made it, I 'finished' you at last. . . . . . .

Don't-chya just love when something works?

Don't-chya just love when it looks and feels better than you thought it would?

I do.

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do. . . . . . . 

(yes, sung to Abba, notice the title of this post? - we are a little 'Abba-rish' tonight.) Actually I was a little bit MC Hammer earlier singing, not Hammer time, but choccie time - break it down.  *giggling* like a crazy lady.

This was made using the exact pattern instructions from Ravelry made by Heidi Hirtle.  Thanks again Heidi.  I just made this one longer and joined the ends for a loop-a-liscious lushness in blue.  I shall call you Jean.  

Jean has been sold.  I have a little page on facebook.  

It's called Just Joyce and you can check me out too if you want to.  I only started it up last night, so it's very brand new sort of new.  

 Have you made something lately that you just gotta share?  

You just can't conceal it, don't you see, can't you feel it?

Don't you too? I do, I do, I do, I do, I do. . . . . . . 

I would love to share another scarf in this pattern that I love.  Go check it out here just scroll down the page.  Don't you just love those colours!!

Come on, don't be shy, post it in my comments and I can come check you out too.  

Would love to see what you are making, so come on now, let's try it.

Thanks so much for stopping by my place today.

Have a wonderful day at your place.

xx

Book Week 2011 - Saturday

Got a good book?

You know, as in a really good book, that is being used for book review/share

at school and needs protection?

Then make a dust cover.

We had a disposable paper tablecloth in the craft box.  Yes, it was in the craft box because I would use them when my boys did craft.  If you are lucky, op shops and garage sales have also had them, but like I said, if you are lucky.  I am guessing this stuff gets snapped up very quickly, especially when it is still in its sealed packaging.  

So you open out your tablecloth, grab a pencil and trace the real dustcover.

cut it out. 

and wrap it around your good book.

If your book does not have a dust cover, then just measure your book and cut one out.  

We are still reading The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda.  My voice is back now, so we can hopefully find out what happens next.  

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

Today is Saturday, we like reading on Saturday.

Book Week Breather - Friday

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.

Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.

- Groucho Marx - 

No stories, no adventures, just a book week breather.

Be gentle on you.

Thanks so much for stopping by my place today.  

Book Week 2011 - Thursday

Mummy's read.

 If you are a Mumma that gets paid for the work you do - you would like this book.
If you are a Mumma that when she steps on those little lego headlight pieces and goes *$#%@@!!!!*^%#$ (!!!) *ahem* - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma that doesn't get paid for the work you do - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to one child, or many children - you would like this book.
If you are a Mumma that likes watching clouds, but haven't done it for so long, you worry you may have forgotten how - you would like this book.

 If you are a Mumma that travels, or a Mumma that stays home - you would like this book.
If you are a Mumma who can't remember the last time you visited the smallest room in the house without someone wanting you 'right now' or have someone in there with you - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to boys - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to girls - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma that likes chocolate - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to messy children - you would like this book.
If you are a Mumma who looks at the bathtub and says to it, 'I will fill you with pretty scented bubbles, surrounded by candles, with a glass of wine and favourite book and have you all to myself ONE DAY SOON' - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to noisy children - you would like this book.
If you are a Mumma to little arms that circle around your neck and make you melt - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma that doesn't know what to cook for dinner tonight - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma that has the phone number for the furthest boarding school you can find in the phonebook on a post-it note next to the phone and use that threat - you would like this book.

If you are a Mumma to the perfect child - you need to see a Doctor - a very special Doctor and then you need to get this book.
If you are a Mumma that wouldn't have it any other way - you would like this book.

This book belongs to a friend of mine, she has lent it to me to read.  I don't get alot of time to read for pleasure at the moment, but that will change very, very soon, and do I have lots of catching up to be done in the book reading for pleasure department!  


I like this book so much that I am going to get my own copy of it.  


Thanks for stopping by my place today.


Today is Thursday, we like reading on Thursday.  

Book Week 2011 - Wednesday

Do you like book parades?  

We do.

It's a whole celebration of books at our place, there is a process we go through for character selection.

Here is how it goes.

The boys pull out a selection of their favourite books.  We then go through them, reading them leading up to book week, talking about the characters they like and why they like them.  They then select some possible characters they would like to be.  

This year is different for us.  This year Eggy is in Year 3.  Years 3 to 6 do not participate in the parade, they do a book review instead.  It's a bit sad, because dressing up in character brings the book alive!  Eggy was a bit sad too, but he is ok now.  I did tell him we can have our own parade here at home, but he said it's not the same.  I do tend to agree with him.  I was thinking today that next year, I might have a book parade party at our house, you know, just because, and do it on the weekend, because book week is a whole week you know!  We can do book invites for the neighbours to come dressed as their favourite character - who knows, they might just like that idea.  It could be lots of fun.  

So back to this years book parade. . . . It's also different for Minnie this year too.  Instead of going through his favourite books, he come home and knew straight away the character he wanted to be.  There was no maybe about it baby.  He was certain that he wanted to be Big and Bad and he wanted to do some Huffing and Puffing all about the place.  Oh well, there will be no book culling pile this year.  Minnie is onto it pronto!  Go Minnie!

Pencil and paper for very important planning.    

Cutting and measuring and making goes 'ahead'.  

Stepping back to take a look at progress.  

Hmmmm, looking rather hungry here.  So far, so good.  

Don't you just love the silver tooth fillings!  Hmmmm Mr Wolf, a visit to the denist it seems.  Perhaps he needs to brush his teeth a bit better in future!

In the lines of keeping it simple, simple it is!

If you look closely enough, you will see his tail which is the tail he wore last year here as Dingo in Wombat Stew.  I do love a bit of a recycle.  I am noticing a bit of a canine pattern emerging here too, hmmmm, yes, I certainly do.

Be afraid.

 Be   V.E.R.Y    a.f.r.a.i.d.

What a wonderful book week parade was had at school today.  The best part was, I am in Year 1 on Wednesdays, so I got to help the children get into character.  It was so much fun.  I spent the morning learning with Little Red Riding Hood, Ben 10, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Pippi Longstocking, various princesses and fairies, Woody, pirates, The Saucepan Man, Sleeping Beauty, Where's Wally - that was soooo funny, the children kept saying 'Where's Wally - oh here he is!' and many more.  

I would just also like to share the fact that I became Aunty for the 8th time at 10.37pm last night.  Awwwwww a big welcome to the family to our newest little princess.  (xx)

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

Have a wonderful book reading Wednesday at your place.

 Today is Wednesday, we like reading on Wednesday.