what's On Your Table - Tuesday.

Just look at those colours! You wouldn't think we had it cold and grey here today at all. I am working on a little project and it seems to be lookin' like it's going to work out just nicely, even if I do say so myself. Oh and yes, that is white elastic you can see that I am currently working into my last row of yellow.

Hmmmm, interesting, but I am unable to reveal just yet. What I can reveal to you, however, is how to make a beautiful perfect every time granny circle. All you have to do is go Here for a full and very simple step by step tutorial by the very lovely and ultra-mega-wonderful Alice. Make sure you say hi, I just know she would love that.

Enough chatter from me here now, I am off to do the 'rounds' lol of all my lovely blog friends and see what they have been up to these last few days.

So tell me, what's on your table this Tuesday?

Sunday - Check!

Do you find yourself sitting down of an evening when the little ones are snuggled into bed, picking up your glass of wine, cup of tea, knitting, crochet, or book, feeling your shoulders relax and drop, feeling the tension of the day dissolve with that first sip of wine/tea, feeling the rush and bustle of the day drift away with that first hooking of yarn over needle, or the first sentence of the new page in your book. You know what I am talking about don't you - yes you do.

Then . . . . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . . . . here it comes . . . . . . . . . . it's galloping. . . . . . . . firstly. . . . . . . . in the very distance. . . . . . . . but you cannot escape . . . . . . getting louder. . . . . . and . . . . closer. . . . and . . . . gathering speed . . the gap is closing fast. . .and *BANG* there is no gap, it's there inside your head, a thousand of them galloping around caught in that holding yard of your brain, unable to break free, those thousand and one things to be done that need to be done, you cannot get them out, you shake your head, you sip your wine faster, hoping they break free, they are so noisy now. Cracking their hind legs against the holding pen of your mind, the whites of their eyes flashing angry, ears pinned back, wanting to be free.

Ahhhhhh, stuff it, wine down, crochet down, gotta make a list - gotta write it on paper, partially released.

So with that, today was pretty much a breeze and I managed to check most of my galloping runaways plus enjoy a lovely day with my family.

Here are some of the things I (and we) did today.

From the list,

uniforms ✓

wrap preschool fathers day gifts ✓

complete jumper ✓

banana cake and choc slice ✓

laundry ✓

newsletter ✓

prepare study notes ✓

. . . . here are items still outstanding on list,

make rocky road ☐

complete book week costumes ☐

chair covers ☐

Kellie scarf ☐

make book marks ☐

I do have an excuse for the book week costumes. I make sure the boys assist, even in a small way. Ultimately, it's their costumes, their book parade, I don't think it's right for Mum to do the lot, besides the whole process is good for them, they learn to plan and organise themselves, they learn to take notes and pay attention to what they need for their supplies, they solve little problems along the way when things don't stick or look how they plan, however, today it was way too sunny and lovely outside to be stuck indoors choring over glue and paint and papers and stuff, so we will do them after homework the next 2 afternoons.

. . . . and here are some things that weren't on the list, but made the day so special. Took some stale bread down to the creek to feed the fish, wandered round our local markets and along the jetty - phooey that I didn't take my camera, the water was the prettiest shades of a soft lime green through to aqua, blue and almost violet. (Thoughts of a crochet ripple blanket beginning to emerge in these exact colours) Relaxed on the grass and listened to live music at markets and did a spot of people watching, bought a coriander plant for our garden. Managed to do a bit more of my little fellow's beanie, completed my circle crochet from last night's post, however, not happy Jan, going to undo and start again. Watched my boys play handball.

wandered around our garden, and picked these pretty daisies that make me smile so much.

a completed jumper - this is the checked item on list one - woo hoo, it's wrapped and ready to post to our little nephew, who is now 1. Sorry about the disguised milo tin, that is my button storage, well actually it's one of my button storage tins, lol. Also apologies for chair legs, I love a glass top table, but not for times like this. Lucky the floor is clean today.

. . . . and a Mum's day is just not complete without there being the school sock matching puzzle. There is a spot in our lounge room that is just perfect for school sock matching. Yes, believe it or not, it's true. It's right near the window, out of the way of the general traffic, perfect in the late afternoon when navy blue is a crappy colour for socks.

So how did you do today? Did you check off your list? Did you lay new carpet? Did you wander down to the markets? Did you laze in bed? Did you drink cups of tea? Did you match navy socks? Did you invent something? Did you go fishing? Did you mow the lawn? Did you climb a tree? Did you make your bed? Did you pierce your nose? Did you eat your veges? Did you play handball? Did you write a letter?

Thanks for stopping by here this Sunday, I am back to the kitchen now to put some icing on my choc slice and have a piece of fresh from the oven banana cake. lol. hmmmmm banana cake.

See you at your place.

Vote 1 - Crochet Party

This is my Saturday night.

Three sick boys. Two just gone to bed, one rugged up on the lounge.

This nurse is going to put her feet up and rancho relaxo.

I did have plans for an election party, you know, put on the ABC, nibbles, bubbly, a bit of dance music and some friends over, however, due to germy ugg bug boys, plans have changed to Crochet Party for One.

It's all good, I will get a few things done that have been 'on the list' for a while now. This one in front here with the rainbow colours is totally inspired by Alice. Thank you my dear blogging friend for your stunning circles and colours. It's not quite granny circle pattern, but I want a closer crochet pattern for this project, however it's still in 'experiment' stage at the moment, and may just have to go to a vote to let the people decide. (People being my two boys, as it's ultimately for them). I just love these bright colours together, and hope to share completed photo of this one tomorrow. Go and check out Alice and Raymond, there is much sweetness to see, crochet flowers, coathanger covered lovin', circles, beanies, hand warmers, oh and so much more. Make sure you say hello, she is a lovely, lovely friend.

The peek of a knitting book in the top left I have just completed the band of a beanie for my youngest that he chose the yarn and pattern for. I shall share pics during daylight, as the yarn is a lovely dark teal/blue, and won't show at night.

Thanks for stopping by my place on this Saturday election night and I hope however you are spending your evening, that it's a relaxing one. Hey, I wonder if Julia and Tony are knitting something right now while watching the counted votes clicking up on their screens. You know, sort of like catching the bus or train, waiting at the dr. surgery or as a passenger in the car. oh. . maybe they have super mario on dsi. Yes, I said Tony knitting, I don't like to associate knitting and crochet to one gender only, that's just not fair. I just hope they keep their tension correct throughout tho.

What would be the name of your party if you had one?

*H* is for Heart

This is the fabulous find I mentioned in my op shop goodness post a few days ago, this is what I promised to share, and now I am sharing. This book was sitting amongst a pile of gardening books. No, I wasn't looking for gardening books at all, although I do love a good gardening book, however, it wasn't gardening book op shop day, it was crafty, yarn, linen op shop day.

Yes, you are seeing the correct price of my new book. One Aussie Dollar!

I heart this outfit. . . .

I also heart this outfit. . . . . .

and this. . . . .

of course I double heart this crochet loveliness. . . .

these cushions are totally heart worthy. . . . .

and OMG, I have landed in heaven, the ultimate ME item.

Yes, these are all patterns and that isn't even half of it, I just showed you some of the luscious goodness of this little treasure I scored this week.

I hope your Friday has been as wonderful as mine. I worked today at preschool.

I heart preschool.

Have a lovely weekend, surrounded by those you heart and those who heart you. It's good for the soul to be surrounded by stuff of the heart.

My Creative Space

A little ear. . . .

little grubs. . . .

a little snail. . . .

A little excited for book week parade. . . .

Pop on over to kootoyoo and check out all the other lovely creative spaces happening today. Join in the fun, I would love to see what you are creating too.

Vintage Fabrics - Yes Please!

Retro Age Vintage Fabrics is where all the above loveliness comes from, check them out, postage is minimal in Australia and the prices on these fabrics are hard to beat.

If you want to check out their blog and add it to your faves like me, pop on over to here.

I have only put up some of the wonderful fabrics that I covert. lol. Oh there is so much to see, you can decorate your home, as well as funk up your wardrobe.

I know, I was totally born in the wrong era, but I can live with that as long as there is fabric like this to wear. I am not into technical terms and dates of fabrics, where they were printed and by whom, I just see what I like and I like what I see.

*ding, ding* oh, excuse me, it's choccie-wine time - *giggle* enjoy your evening.

Blessings from Retro-Joyce.

Aunty Ducky.

you never forgot our birthdays,

you dedicated your life to your family,

you are the youngest in your family,

you are the last one to reach Heaven.

They are all waiting for you Aunty Ducky.

We love you.

x x