Saturday, September 8, 2012

Seasons Change.


Dear Friends,
Joyce is at a cross roads.
There is a change of season.
Fresh challenges ahead.
If I don't try them out, I will never, never know.
Joyce still does live here.
Joyce still loves to blog.
So I am sort of moving with the flow.
Floating on the breeze.
Letting it lead me.
Checking out the view from another angle.
I have a new blog.
It's not quite so personal.
More to do with my making-ness journey.
Not everyone is on facebook.
Not everyone can see my creations.
I am not ready for a website - yet.
I have so much to learn.
But not in a hurry to learn it.
Just letting the process of learning land upon me.
As everything has a season.
As everything has a reason.
I float on the breeze.
Let it take me where it will.

Thank you for my introduction to blogging here at Joyce Lives Here.  
Each and everyone of you have inspired me, to blog more, to make more, to share more.
Many new friends have been made here.  I so love that.

I am going to attach your blogs to my new one and follow you from there.
All you have to do is comment below with your current blog (I have quite a few blogs that I notice have not been updated for the longest time, and so not sure if they still are being used).  When you comment below, I will add your blog to my new blog so's I can follow you.  

My new blog is Just Joyce.  It's a little bit of handmade in your everyday.
Thank you and bless.  
xx

Friday, August 31, 2012

Day 31

Day 31

Farewell Winter.

Thank you for your beauty.


It's also my Take a Moment Friday.
I don't have anything to quote today, 
so just enjoy the moment and take a little breath.

Have a wonderful weekend at your place.

xx






Thursday, August 30, 2012

Day 30



Day 30

Memories.

Favourites.

Colour.

Love it.

xx


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Day 29

Day 29

Finger knitting.

On a mission.

We are going to teach as many people as we know.

They are going to help us.

Then we are going to make it into a coil rug.

The coil rug will then be donated to the Children's ward
of our local hospital.  

So far we have taught a bunch of people to finger knit.

They think it is cool now too.

And -

some of them took some yarn to school and taught their friends.

We think they are cool.  

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

xx






Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Day 28

Day 18

Flowers in my hair.

xx

Monday, August 27, 2012

Day 27

Day 27

Measuring.

Finger knitting.

We love it.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

xx

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Day 26

Day 26

To market, to market,
 but there is no pig.

This is my table at my fourth Made With Love Market.

These markets are four times per year, and just perfect for me.

It was a fabulous day.
Surrounded by fabulous people.
Helped by my fabulous family.
Put together by our fabulous Market Angels.

It was fabulous!

xx


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Day 25

Day 25

The last game of soccer for season 2012.

The legs of champions.

True.

Each and every pair of legs you see here - Champions.

The other team were short 2 x players.  

Three of our players took turns in wearing the other teams jersey to even up the numbers.

Told you they are Champions.  

The future needs these kiddies, 'cause that's what it should be about,
helping your mate, no matter who they are or where they come from.

The future is bright with beautiful people.

Thank you little Tigers - Thank you.

xx





Friday, August 24, 2012

Day 24


In every outthrust headland, 
in every curving beach, 
in every grain of sand,
there is the story of the earth.

- Rachel Carson -

Day 24 and take a moment Friday.

Happy weekending at your place.
xx

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Day 23

Day 23

I smell spring.

It dances on the breeze.

It tickles the buds and leaves.

Happy Thursday Friends.

xx

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Day 22

Day 22

I missed yesterday.
It was *ugg*
but I am better now.
I had some pasta sprinkled with parmesan cheese for dinner.
It was yummy.
It stayed in my tummy.
YaY!

Today is more market stock that I am tagging tonight.
Towel holders.

I like towel holders.

Thanks for stopping by.

xx

Monday, August 20, 2012

Day 20

Day 20

Crochet flowers.

Bring on Spring!

These will be for sale at my next market on Sunday.

They have nothing on the backs of them, so you can be creative too.
Use them when wrapping your next gift, pin on a cardi, sew some onto the tops of your socks,
attach a few in a posy to your library bag, use with your cardmaking/scrapbooking, thread a bobby pin through them and attach to your pony tail, decorate a pretty party table with them scattered like confetti.

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

xx

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Day 19

Day 19

Love new crayons.

Beautiful, rainbow crayons.

Oh the pictures my boys will create with these crayons.

Happy Sunday evening at your place.

xx

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Day 18



Day 18

Flowers.

This rose is part of a massive bouquet that was handed to me
by our little soccer team.  

It was so big that I had to carry it in the crook of my elbow, because my
hand could not fit around the base of the bouquet it was THAT heavy.

Lucky for me it was really sunny.
Cause I had my sunnies on.
There was a bit of sun in my eyes and 
the water started coming out.
*sniff*

They are the most awesome group of kids - ever!
Their parents are the most fabulous parents - ever!

I truly have been spoilt.

Thanks for stopping by my place today,
have a wonderful Saturday at your place.

xx







Friday, August 17, 2012

Day 17

Day 17

So looking forward to long summer days.

Today brings us to another Friday.
A reminder to me to stop for a moment.
Just a small moment to breathe.
Have you stopped to take a breath today?



My little quote for today -

There's no other love like the love for a brother.
There's no other love like the love from a brother.
- Astrid Alauda - 

Thanks for stopping by my place today.
Happy weekend to you.

xx




Thursday, August 16, 2012

Day 16

Day 16.

Thursday bliss.

Just check out those colours.

All of them delivered to me!

Let the rainbow making begin!

Thanks for stopping by my place today,
have a lovely evening at your place.

xx

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Day 15


Day 15

Satin flowers.

Preparing for my next markets between working and Mum.

The countdown.

11 sleeps til the next market.

Not long.

Not long at all.

Thanks for stopping by my place.

Have a lovely evening at your place.

Back to the flowers for me.

xx



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Day 14

Day 14.

Colour cards.

Love 'em.

Absolutely love 'em.

This one arrived in the post today.  

Mini wants to order one of each colour for his finger knitting.

That's my boy!  

Thanks for stopping by my place tonight.

xx

Monday, August 13, 2012

Day 13

Day 13

Rainbow tags for my scarves.

Happy rainbow Monday to you.

xx

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Day 12


Day 12.

Happy 34th birthday little Bro.  
xx

So I broke the one single rule that I gave myself for the Photo A Day August.

'No peoples faces'.

1 rule - broken.

Snap.

In half.

It was worth it.

Today is a special day.

I love the person that this face belongs to.

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

xx





Saturday, August 11, 2012

Day 11

Day 11.

Saturday
=
Soccer.
 Canteen.
Cheering.
Serving.
Wind snapped.
Shivering.
Cold.
Home.
Hot, hot hotness shower.
Into warm snuggle wear.

Love my owl tights.  
Love thawing out at the back window.
Love being home.

What are you loving about your Saturday?  
Has the weekend begun for you now too?

Thanks for stopping by my place.

xx

Friday, August 10, 2012

Day 10

Day 10.

Crochet/denim flower combo. 

I like denim.
I like crochet.
I like flowers.


Tis also Take a Moment Friday. . . . . 

Here is one from Confucius.

It does not matter how slow you go
so long as you do not stop.

Thank you for stopping by my place tonight.

xx


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Day 9

Day 9

Warm hands.

I like warm hands.

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

I hope your hands are lovely and warm too.

 xx

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Day 8

Day 8

Numbers.

We are surrounded by them.

Money.

Time.

Measurement.

Quantity.

Sequence.

I am sure there are many I have missed out on.

Thanks for stopping by my place today. 
Have a wonderful Wednesday evening at your place.

xx

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Day 7

Day 7

I love colour charts.

I placed an order for more yarn. 

There were colours that I don't already have.
Some ordered by my customers for stuff that they want me to make for them.
So I HAD to order more, and while I was there, I ordered some other colours, you know, just in case.

It was fun choosing the colours.

Now I just have to wait for my postie to bring it to me.  

Hurry please postie my friend.  

Thanks for stopping by my place today.

Happy Tuesday to you.

xx

Monday, August 6, 2012

Day 6

Day 6

Boats that bring in our fresh fish.  
I love fresh fish.

I got to spend the day with my hubbie today.
Just the two of us together.

I think it's been about two years since we have just hung out together (minus kids) for a while.
Last year for bank holiday I was working.  I do remember a function last year that we attended, you know, with a full table of people - it was a 'work thing', so I am not going to count that one at all.

Today it was just he and me.
We went out for lunch by the water then we walked along the water just where this photo was taken.  
No wonder I love blue and green together so much.
The water sparkled, the sky shimmered, we held hands.

We are all home together for dinner tonight too.  
It's a fabulous day.  

Thanks for stopping by my little place today.  
I hope your Monday has been full of wonderful.

xx


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Day 5

Day 5.

Inspiration.

Love blue, lime and white.

 Blocks of solid colour look fabulous.

I have cast on.

Do you have flashes of inspiration that tap you on the shoulder when you least expect it?
Would you like to share them here?

Thanks so much for stopping by.

xx

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Day 4

Day 4

Internet hiccups!

Sorted.

Verified.

Thanks Mr Service Provider.  

Thank you for stopping by my place tonight.
Sorry it's a bit late - Lots of soccer, lots of sun, lots of lovely people in my day today, and now a computer that is doing just fine.  

Enjoy your evening.

xx

Friday, August 3, 2012

Day 3

It's a Jenga Garage.

Pupil free day today, a rare day at home means catch up for Mum and a jammie day for my boys.  
They love their jammie days and there has been lots of car play, cubby house play, and a spot of reading.  They still have the whole afternoon stretching sunnily ahead of them.  

Today is also Friday, my take a moment Friday, so I will incorporate that here too.

hmmmm, thinking, thinking. . . . . . . . . . 
ok with the help of my boys today, they have chosen a Dr. Seuss quote, how apt for today.

Fun is good.

Thanks to my boys for this little quote for today.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a fabulous Friday at your place too.  

xx

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Day 2


Shadow girl meets lone leaf.


I love shadows.
I love leaves.
I love leaf shadows.
I love shadows shaped like leaves.


Did you know that the word 'leaves' is a Homonym?
You have 'leaves' as in pretty, normally green, attachments to trees, shrubs and other plants, then you have 'leaves' as in some sort of departure, as in a train pulling out of the station or a person removing themselves from the room, or quitting a job.  Oh there are lots of ways to use the word 'leaves'.

Thanks so much for stopping by my place.
have a lovely evening at your place.

jj xx




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Photo A Day for August 2012

Photo a day seems to be really popular.  I used to love checking out where everyone was at, it's a lovely way to connect when we don't live around the corner.

For the last 31 days of winter, I am also going to do my own photo a day challenge.  The only rule is that there are no photos of peoples faces.  No other rules.

You are also more than welcome to join in, please let me know and stick your link in your comment.

There are a few reasons for doing this and they are - get back to my blog - pull out the camera to capture a moment of each day - reconnect with my blogging community - slow down even just for a moment of each day and really 'see' what surrounds me instead of barging through the day with a full toilet roll bolt of 'things that need to be done'.

Day 1.  
Full moon.  
Thank you for peeking out behind those clouds just for me tonight.  
My inspiration for this project.  

Thanks for stopping by my place tonight, have a wonderful evening at your place.

xx

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Carbon Tax Woes? Joyce to the rescue!

Have you heard the news Australia?  The Carbon Tax comes into effect from July 1, 2012.  There are all sorts of worries and concerns about our groceries going up, our school fees going up, our holiday accommodation going up, our local sports clubs registrations going up, our balls of wool going up.  It's all just going up, and up, and sometimes it goes up and up, up!  

We know Dr Seuss' book claims It's a good day for Up!  but not this kind of up.  

So let me help you bring some of the up, back down a little bit to a slightly and hopefully more comfortable level of up, if that is possible at all.

On a more mature and grown up note, please check here for some very good ways to beat the carbon tax (other than with a very big stick).

And the following are some of my, how to keep warm without needing heaters, tips I thought I would share with you. . . . . 

You cannot beat the snuggle better than a scarf around the neck.  When not in use, place in your draw with a sachet of dried lavender, so that when you snuggle it around your neck, the gentle calming scent keeps you relaxed through your day.  Or use any number of favourite dried and scented flowers that make your day wonderful.


They say that heat rises, well keep a lid on it will you, don't waste that precious energy your body has been working so hard to make to keep you warm and have it all escape out the top of your head, or in some cases the ears!  


Stuck in front of a computer most of your day?  Then love your wrists by putting on a bit of warmness to stop the ache and the cold.  


Save money in the kitchen by having a bake up day.  Turning on your oven just for one item is such a waste of heat, so make the most of it, crank it up and set up a production line.  Not only are you filling your kitchen with yummy treats, you are keeping warm at the same time.

You could even have more fun with this by inviting some friends over and sharing the spoils of the bake up, hmmmm some lovely cocktails would certainly assist in the warming of the inside too.  What a fun afternoon!


Here are the spoils of my morning, double batch of anzac biscuits, one banana cake for the freezer, a double batch of choc/coconut slice, and a batch of rocky road.  Let's not talk about the wash up huh!  


                                          
Lastly, of course, the good old cuppa, (with or without a dash of something) no matter where you are, or who you are with, nothing says warm like a cuppa.  Wrap your hands around a lovely cuppa in your favourite mug and *ahhhhhh*.

There are some other ideas for keeping warm, and I am about to do one of them very soon.  Snuggle under a blanket with my two little monkeys and continue our reading of The Enchanted Wood.  

Of course, there are some cheeky ways to keep warm, but you all know what they are, lol, yes, yes you do, I can see that you do, because you are grinning right now.  So keep those carbon tax saving ways to yourself will you, well ok, then share them with a friend if you must.  lol.  Go on, off you go, and wipe that grin off your face!

What are your carbon tax saving secrets for this winter?  

Thanks so much for stopping by my place, keep warm and dry at your place.


xx




Friday, June 22, 2012

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 -

Thank you Dr. Seuss, I need this today.  

Funky Friday to you.
xx

Friday, June 1, 2012

b r e a t h e


Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson - 


It's Friday and the very first day of winter.
xx

Friday, May 25, 2012

b r e a t h e


Earth laughs in flowers.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson - 

My Friday moment is back!  
Happy Friday to you and yours.

xx


Monday, May 21, 2012

A Day In The Life Of Joyce

I did my third ever markets yesterday.  It was so much fun.  I met some lovely people and very talented stall holders.  I got to hug customers and fellow stall holders in person who I had only chatted to via the computer in the past.  I got to hug return customers and friends who come out to visit me.  
There were many, many conversations had throughout the day, lots of giggles and sharing of craft.
One of the repeated comments to me from customers was 'how on earth do you find the time to make all this stuff?'
'ummmm, I don't know, I just make it - I don't watch much tv and so I guess I make stuff, - it's just part of me, I can't not do it'.

So today, I thought I would share a Joyce day.  
This is what I did today, on my 'day off'.  
I lost my voice this morning, (but thankfully it it found its way back again), and despite feeling very tired, I got lots done, just by putting one foot in front of the other, taking the camera with me, there was no one to talk to, so my voice was well rested, and I managed to appreciate the day and tend to the gentle rhythm of home duties.  

Starting with sorting breakfast and lunches for my family and getting them out the door, taking my knitting to the bus stop.


There were 6 x loads of washing.

There were 2 x bathrooms to clean.

Floors were vacuumed.  The vacuum cleaner photo was just too boring, so I thought I would share instead 2 of my constant companions today, my slippers and my washing basket.  

Beautiful bright colours draining in the dish drainer.

A spot of knitting while waiting the last 2 minutes of another wash cycle.

Joyce being a little bit naughty, but sometimes, it's ok to be a little bit naughty.

Then there was waiting on hold on the phone, where I got my knitting out yet again and got a few rows done whilst waiting.  Sorting through remaining stock, I then took my knitting to the bus stop, walking and knitting, of course.  Sorry, forgot to get photos of this task, you will just have to believe me, or ask my neighbours who I met at the bus stop.

Afternoon tea, supplied by one of the lovely stall holders at the markets yesterday, (thank you Zoe - soooooo delish!) and time out to hear about my boys school day.

Watching my little Min drawing.  He is so intense and I just sit back with my knitting and he doesn't realise I am watching him draw.  Such a precious moment for me.

Listening to my big boy read.

Homework duties.

Vegies on the stove, and muffin mix about to be spooned into pattie cases.


hmmmmmmm, lunchbox love - muffins.  (recipe to share coming)


With washing folded, children snuggled into bed, kitchen cleaned and packed away, it's time for Joyce. Onto the computer, updating my orders, and new order enquiries, catching up with my big boy and best mate who is now home from work.
Out comes the order book and cast on the yarn for another set of wristies, complimented by a well earned drop of wine.

So there you have my day off.  

As mentioned in a previous post, I had some wonderful news to share, and share it I shall.
I have work for the rest of this term as a teacher aide at a primary school.  
It seems so unreal to say out loud, but there you go, I said it.  
Excited much!  I still cannot believe they asked me.
I am having the most wonderful time.  

Thank you for stopping by my place,
have a most wonderful week at your place.

Bless.  
xx