Cinderberry Stitches

Daybook 10

For today...August 30, 2011

Outside my window...chill in the air, grey sky - I am very much looking forward to the start of Spring (Sept 1st), watching the flowers pop up and feeling the warmth of the sunshine again.

I am thinking...about how long it has been between blog posts,  I guess from my absence you can guess things have been a little crazy in the house lately.....good kind of crazy, fabric, family, late night sewing.

From the studio...I have a collection of stitchery's growing in the studio waiting to meet my 1st fabric line, due to land on my doorstep in the next week or two.  I still have a good many more sketched and waiting patiently for me to play catch up.

I am wearing....house clothes, the kind of clothes you need to change out of before going down the street.  I believe they have bits of stray threads clinging from them, generally in the places you can't see.

I am remembering....to keep calm and carry on.

I have just started reading...the things I wrote this morning on my daily planner list, ticking those that I have completed and hoping to stick to my new 'organise me' system.  Reading Isabelle chapters from my favorite Enid Blyton book The Enchanted Wood, loving it.

I am hoping.....as I mentioned last time - you know me, I am always hoping and dreaming.  Seriously though, I hope the cleaning and cooking fairy visits me this week.

Around the house....I see toys, fabric, sewing bits, dress ups, crumbs, our home is well lived in today and that is ok (I am remembering to keep calm and carry on).

I am going....to dinner with the Family tonight, so you see - the cooking fairy is real afterall.

One of my favorite things....is the sound of children giggling.  There is nothing better, not a worry in the world.

What I have loved most about today....it's just another day.

From my picture journal...these were snapped during my last pattern photoshoot (last week) my assistant quite enjoyed popping her head into the shot at just the right moment.

Her name is cheeky.

And when the photoshoot is all wrapped up it's time for chillaxing.....

Till then,

Natalie

Daybook 9

For today...July 21, 2011

Outside my window...grey sky, wet, windy and very cold.  Welcome to Winter in our hometown.

I am thinking...about Quilt Market and all the things that will happen between now and then.

From the kitchen...I am standing and writing to you watching my little one create, it was pencils and crayons now painting with fingers and brushes.  Rainy days can be fun and messy.

I am wearing....my cosy clothes.

I am remembering....how much fun it is to watch classic movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I have just started reading....good question, I need to find a really good book - one I can't put down, like the Hunger Games.

I am hoping.....ahhh - you know me, I am always hoping and dreaming up something new.

Around the house....heater is on and warming our home, ABCkids is keeping us amused between painting and crafting.

I am going....to hand stitch all night.

One of my favorite things....is a really good cup of brewed tea.

What I have loved most about today....most definately the cuddles from my girl.

From my picture journal...

*Love*

*Sweet Love*

Till then,

Natalie xo

Glance back at 2010

I have decided that this year will be the first time in many that I take a break over December - January of course I will pop my head back in before Christmas then it is time to relax and spend time with the Family before my feet hit the ground running in 2011.

2010 has been a big year.

2011 will be bigger.

I learned - it was fun to spend a weekend with my feet in the mud.

I found - I liked mangoes despite the smell of them.

I laughed - at so many things.

I celebrated - for dreams coming true.

I cried - for the same reason I celebrated.

I travelled - to USA.

I spent - hours, days, weeks with my sketch book and pencil.

I watched - my daughter grow.

I put - ears on an egg for Easter.

I made - stuff.

I dreamed.

In January I went missing... gone quilting the sign said, February I was pattern drafting while during March I found the amazing benefits of mud. Between you and I - I finally cracked it in April.  Flat Nat came to my rescue in May, I never knew a girl could be so popular.  June...ummm Christmas in July, right!?  I spent a good portion of July with my sketch book wondering if my drawings would ever see the light of day. Then August appeared out of no where, it was the month we looked at life through a piece of bread crust it was fun.  During September, I fondled fabric - I would highly recommend it.  I printed new cards in October hopped on a Qantas plane by myself and flew to USA, it was awesome even if I did get stuck in LA on the way home.  I was (and still am) exhausted in November but market time = new designs and why sleep when you can stitch?  A few weeks ago I found myself in December, and here we are getting ready for Christmas, again.

 

Have you glanced back at your year yet?

Till then,

Natalie x

 

Ps...thanks to JonaG (Fabritopia) for the link to Mosaic Maker!

A letter to Dad

Happy Fathers Day xo

Love Isabelle & I

Some days

There are some days when things don't go to plan.

Sewing gets put to one side. 

Days when I say Play-doh more than sew.

When it is fun to make a mess,

and put paint in places paint shouldn't go.

When we use potatoes for crafting not cooking.

And when feet just want to join in too (because they can).

Days when looking at life through your crust make you giggle.

When playing with your food is kind of fun.

And tea parties at Nanny's are a necessity you can not live without.

 

When meeting a big white rabbit at a special party is the most exciting thing...ever.

So exciting we look at this photo everyday,

because it makes her smile.

And days when these little toes turn me to mush because I know they won't be little forever.

There are some days when things don't go to plan.

Sewing gets put to one side for 'another day'.

I guess that makes sense,

and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Till then,

Natalie x

Daybook 8

For today...May 5, 2010

Outside my window...the sun is beginning to go down, grey clouds are drifting in maybe we will get some rain tonight.

I am thinking...it has been too long since my last Daybook post and how nice it is to sit and think for a while about the simple things.

From the kitchen...I can smell dinner cooking, chicken & sweet potato coconut curry except I use pad thai paste rather than curry...trust me it is delicious.

I am wearing....tracksuit and sneakers, anything to keep me warm.

I am remembering...the reason why I should by chocolate each week.

I have just started reading...The Lovely Bones.

I am hoping...the weather will be fine this Sunday for Mother's Day.

Around the house....it's almost bed time for Isabelle so it is wind down time here, toys are packed away for another day and it's almost time for the reading chair.

I am going....to have a glass of red wine tonight with dinner.

One of my favorite things....is going to bookstores, although I rarely have time to read I have trouble going into one without leaving with something.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Sunday - Mother's Day I plan to attend my 1st Mothers Day Classic (4km walk) it is one of Australia's largest charity events and raises money for breast cancer research.  These are my reasons why.

From my picture journal...I love everything about this picture.

Till then,

Natalie x

Lest we forget

(Image source: Monkeyleader)

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest we forget

Daybook 7

FOR TODAY... April 1,2010

Outside my window... I can see our roses in bloom.

I am thinking... how much fun we had yesterday, playdate and party with 11 children = great times.

I am thankful for... waking in the morning, even if it is at 5am and before the crack of dawn.

I am wearing... my comfy clothes, no shoes.

I am remembering... how much fun you can have with Playdoh and a few crayons.

I am going... to the gym tonight.  Gym. (noun) the place you find muscles you never knew you had, then whinge about them the next day.

From the kitchen... spaghetti bolognaise is simmering, smells ok although I am no Pioneer Women.

I am creating... two new designs for a feature in Homespun Kids issue later this year.  I've got ducks and dolls on my mind.

I am wondering... if I should stock up on hot cross buns, just a few dozen+ to get me though to next year.  They are a great 3pm 'pick me up' and possibly the reason gym attendance has increased.

Noticing... how quiet it is here when the TV is not on.

Pondering these words... Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time - Thomas Merton.  I think the same applies to blogs.

Around the house... well, I blew the circuit breaker turning on the rangehood while cooking that spagbol we spoke about earlier.  So at the moment no tv, exhaust fan or music...I can almost hear myself think.

One of my favorite songs... Blackbird, Sarah McLachlan.

From my picture journal

 

Till then,

Natalie x

Daybook 6

For today... March 16,2010

Outside my window... it's a beautiful morning, watching little white butterflies dance from one rose bush to the next.

I am thinking... how incredibly tiny a tictac sized hummingbid bird egg is.

I am thankful for... hot cross buns.  The fruit kind, not the chocolate ones.

I am wearing... t-shirt and jeans with bare feet, choosing comfort over style and loving it.

I am remembering... how much I enjoy these daybook pages and just thinking about simple things that make you smile.

I am going... to spend time in the studio this afternoon, I have a few 'things' waiting for me and I can't wait to get started.  It might be another late creative night.

From the kitchen... the smell of hot cross buns is wafting, guaranteed to make you smile.

I am creating... something special for Inspired Stitches - I love it and can't wait to spill the beans.  If you have the chance, come and join me in Adelaide.

I am hoping... the week goes slowly so I can squeeze everything in, though it is already bursting at the seams.

I am hearing... silence, if I block out the kids tv channel, birds chirping, dishwasher, plane flying over head, email in box *ping*, dog barking and car driving past.  Yep, the 'silence' is lovely.

Noticing... how much I love this time of year, not too hot, not too cold but just right.

Pondering these words... "What's for dinner?"

I have just finished reading... 'Catherine's Gift - Inside the world of Dr Catherine Hamlin' by John Little.  An incredible book about the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and lives changed by the work they do.  

One of my favorite things... the smell for fresh cut grass on a warm day

From my picture journal

 

Till then,

Natalie x

Daybook 5

For today...February 17, 2010

Outside my window... I see blue sky, I love this part of the morning - the street is quiet and the morning sun is filtering through our lounge windows.

I am thinking...what I would like to accomplish today and realise there will not be enough hours in the day.

I am thankful for... warm days and cool nights.

I am wearing... grey t-shirt, trackpants and bare feet, my around home clothes.

I am remembering...I need to go and get sewing supplies this morning and run some errands, it appears my around home clothes will need to be changed shortly.

I am going... to spend some time this morning writing up pattern notes and deciphering my creative scribble and notes.

From the kitchen... the kettle has just boiled and toast is about to pop up any moment.

I am creating... a delightful mess.  I have a few projects in various stages of completion and sketches scattered around the place, I possibly could call it a disorganised mess but the word delightful sounds more creative.

I am hoping... for a little quiet time this afternoon so I can hide away in the studio for a while and sew, sew, sew.

I am hearing... tupperware fall out of the kitchen cupboard, according to our little one the plastic cupboard is way better than any toy.

I am wondering...  how many people have attempted a zip since my last posting.

Pondering these words... 'It's kind of fun to do the impossible' - Walt Disney

Around the house... time for a little speed cleaning 101.

I am reading... The Faraway Tree Collection by Enid Blyton.  I read them when I was a child and now reading them to Isabelle at sleep time, they were a favorite of mine when little.

One of my favorite things... chocolate M&M's though one is probably not enough.

From my picture journal thanks to my Dad, I wonder if the footsteps are coming or going?

(Kufstein, Austria)