because I can't help myself.....

Because I can't help myself....I have been searching for photos of really 'stand out' funky crochet pieces.....and wow did I find some. The lovely Lidia Luz from Brazil does some really amazing work....I love the way she uses colour.

You can check out more of her work on her blog....lidialuz.blogspot.com. One day I will progress from my beanie, wrist warmers and granny squares.....can't wait.....I am quite impatient when it comes to crocheting...I want to do more now...

Let me know if you know of any other stand out crochet artists.....
Take care ♥Jo

My Monday's and Tuesday's are like no other....

I love Mondays and Tuesdays.....I work from home on these days and I am home alone. I never have enough time to do all I want/need to do and so have learnt the art of 'List making' so I don't waste a minute.

The music is either up loud or off depending on what "I" feel like. We always have music on in this house so peace and quiet is usually my preference although for some reason today it is 'on and loud'....I don't know why.
The photos above are of a pile of my hand dyed wool felt.....which I worked on yesterday.....doesn't it look so pretty?
Today I have been painting wool for an order for 'Treasure House'....the shop at Noosa Pengari Steiner School and making about 40 felting kits as I have fallen so far behind with these.

I have only finished the rainbow packs and the pinky/purpley packs....lots more to do.
Well I best get back to it before I have to do the usual Tuesday afternoon pickup from school and drop off at circus and soccer training....

Before I go....here is what is Happening this week...
Reading: the latest mammoth issue of Frankie Magazine
Working on: what seems like a million felting kits
Lovin': my new addiction.....crocheting...I have just finished my first beanie...it doesn't fit anyones head in this house but I am sure there is a head out there that it does fit.
Also Lovin': early morning walks and afternoon walks with Puddles, the dog and sometimes with Sasha, the son.
Eating: chocolate bullets...can't help myself.
Hope to hear from you soon ♥ Jo
And here is a photo of my above mentioned walking partners.

my new addiction.....

Crochet has become my new addiction....yes I know it could be worse and much more expensive so I am quite happy about it. Lucky I have pretty much a never ending supply of pure wool as I paint it myself but books....there are so many of them. I have been tempted to buy a couple.....and will show you them when they arrive. I learnt to crochet when I was a child....I can still remember the pale pink and white baby wool blanket I crocheted when I was about 10. I have no idea what happened to it.
So I was very excited last week when I learnt how to do other stitches. Last Saturday at the MILK and HONEY CRAFT MARKET, Mary one of the other stall holders showed me how to do the double stitch and I was off......I created round, rectangle, frilly bits with chain and kept pulling it apart to do more. I was hooked, so to speak.
So you can imagine my excitement and happiness when I finished my first pair of wrist warmers. (at almost midnight because I couldn't put them down). I used a 5mm bamboo crochet hook and 8ply hand painted Autumn Rainbow wool and it took less than 50gms. Check them out.....what do you think?

Coincidently, another stall holder at our market, Helle Jorgensen was offering crochet workshops starting yesterday and running for three Saturdays for two hours learning how to make flowers and experimental and freeform crochet techniques......yah!!!! so of course I just had to go. I went along with Julia (another amazing, creative friend) and this is one of my new creations.

Just a quick look at Helle's gorgeous studio in Murwillumbah and her amazing creations. Helle works alot crocheting with plastic bags and receives them from all over the world so she has an amazing selection of colours. On her blog there is even a PLASTIC BAG YARN TUTORIAL....check it out and you can also see more of her photos on her blog too.

And just in case you are in the area and want to join in the fun, here is Helle's workshop poster.

Oh if only I could just sit in the sun today and crochet and crochet......fortunately/unfortunately I have more painting of wool to do so it will have to wait. I will show you more soon.
Am I the only one who is crochet mad at the moment? (or maybe just mad)
Have a lovely day and would love to hear from you ♥Jo

this week behind my camera....

      If you leave your door open in our house when no one is looking you

         might just find a little surprise on your bed when you come back

                                       as Kare did......eggs anyone??

                              Bare feet on the earth......nothing better!!!

         painting, painting and more painting....here I am painting rainbow
                wool felt to sell as is and also to make into my craft kits

                               sunny days at the beach with the family ♥

 and here is a sneak at my shop....I will do a whole post on it very soon
                                         ....I love my shop♥

                            
Life is busy, wonderful and a little cold and wet at the moment, but that doesn't stop the fun...
AT THIS MOMENT....I am....
Reading: The Happiness Project (still...I have been for a few weeks now)
WORKING ON: finishing off my tax....yah
LOVING: my crocheting....I have just learnt a new stitch and now have officially moved past granny squares...Yah again
Making: lots and lots of my craft kits because I am way behind.

Hope you are keeping busy too....what is taking up all of your time?

♥Jo

nice things to check out.....

via scrapps flea market etsy shop here

via scrapps flea market etsy shop here

via scrapps flea market etsy shop here

via scrapps flea market etsy shop here

wow....I have just come across these beautiful prints by Adelaide artist Kate Mason. The originals are handmade collages and include lots of her favourite collage elements including paint, patterned paper, old book paper, napkins, painting decoration and fabric.

I have decided I am going to deck my office out in groovy artwork by local and overseas artists, so I am purchasing a couple tonight....tell me what you think ♥ Jo

great magazine for all you crafty ones..

I received my LIVING CRAFTS Magazine in the mail last week....I love it!!! 

Living Crafts (an American magazine) provides craft enthusiasts with the information, ideas, and inspiration they need to support their desire for self-sufficiency, sustainability and a natural lifestyle. In each issue there are projects for the entire family, including fun crafts for parents and children to do together.

Their readers are people who consciously choose natural materials for their handwork projects because of aesthetics, quality, personal health and the environment. Living Crafts aims to inform and inspire readers to choose Mother Nature’s supplies whether they create their own or buy ready-made handwork.

Each issue focuses on a season of the year, bringing ideas and the how-to for projects that are in harmony with nature to create a seasonal rhythm at home. 

A 1 year subscription (4 issues) is USD $21.95 and a 2 year subscription (8 issues) is USD $28. You can click through here to order.      

                                                                                                                  
In this issue there is a 12 page article about the leading brands of organic fabric companies, where they are produced, where they are printed and their certification. Also cool patterns for neck pillows and eye patches and an article showing you how to make simple wooden boats with children. As well as a 'how-to' on felting our fleece instead of spinning it....all you need is some roving (or fleece) 

I get real joy out of receiving a magazine in the mail....I love to put on the kettle and find a warm spot outside and see what I can find. What about you????


                                                              ♥♥ Jo

Chocolate mousse anyone?????.....

I know I shouldn't BUT.... it is a bit of a yummy treat!!! My youngest Sasha returned from his class camp to the snow on Saturday so had an extra day off on Monday to rest....."Rest, what is that" says Sasha...."lets make Chocolate Mousse" and "build bike jumps". You may remember his contribution to my birthday dinner a couple of weeks back....chocolate covered strawberries....mmmm, there seems to be a common thread here! He does like to cook and he especially likes to cook sweets. Luckily he also likes to cook yummy healthy food too.....but not today......today is chocolate mousse day. We have the best Pizza place in town called 'Milk and Honey' and they just happen to do the best chocolate mousse so he was trying to copy it. After doing his research, checking out all the recipe books we have, he decided on the Donna Hay recipe. 

Here goes....give it a try and tell me what you think....

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

All you need is 200g (7oz) dark good quality chocolate, chopped

75g (2 and half oz) butter chopped

4 eggs, separated

1 cup (8 fl oz) single or pouring cream

2 tablespoons icing (confectioner's) sugar

 Place the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl and add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating until well combined. Set aside.

Place the cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form. Set aside.

Place the egg whites in a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Sift over the icing sugar and whisk until the mixture is thick and glossy. Gently fold the cream through the chocolate mixture, then fold the egg whites through. 

Spoon into bowls and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Serve with fresh berries if desired. Serves 6-8.

It just went too quick.....even before I could capture some happy pics....sorry. Do you have a special dessert treat in your family??

Hope to hear from you soon ♥ Jo

how cool is this.....

I came across this interesting little video today....check it out...can't wait for more!!!

Let me know what you think ♥Jo

Craft Victoria and Bandit Films presents the first episode in a series of short films on individual Melbourne artists and craft makers.

Nicholas Jones is a Melbourne-based sculptor who uses books and printed paper to make works which question the manner in which books are ‘read'.

craft tv: Nicholas Jones from Craft Victoria on Vimeo.

new delivery just arrived.....eeBoo children's games

I love it when I receive deliveries in my shop......it is like having a birthday, opening the parcels and not completely remembering what was ordered, it is always exciting. Just a few days ago I received a parcel full of new and gorgeous children's puzzles and games from the brand eeBoo......I especially love the illustrations on all the puzzles.

eeBoo is a boutique toy manufacturer that specialises in useful, beautiful and well-made educational games and gifts. Their products are sold in both specialty toy shops and high-end gift shops as well as Museum stores, bookstores, art supply stores and other non-big box venues such as Indigo Inspirations.

eeBoo creates refreshing toys and gifts that are 100% original (no licences) and they commission their artwork from well-known and well-loved children's book illustrators. Everything they make is meant for wholesome individual or family play. Many of their games and activities are based on old-fashioned formats which eeBoo re-invents with cheerful artwork and contemporary design.

Literacy, story telling, drawing, imaginative play and basic maths are among the skills that eeBoo products encourage. Not only are the toys durable.....they are beautiful to look at and are my favourite "things" in my shop at the moment....

I have just added a Shop to my blog that you can click through to and buy MY MUST HAVE FAVOURITE ITEMS and these eeBoo products are the first to be added.....here.

After another eeBoo product??? just let me know and I will order it in for you.

Next time I will give you a little look at my Indigo Shop....hope to hear from you soon ♥Jo