The Great Zoo of China

One of my greatest and longest running passions in life is reading.

For as long as I could remember my favourite companion was a book. Whenever we would go out I would take a book with me and my mother takes great joy in retelling a story of how, instead of cleaning my room or doing jobs, she would find me hiding in a cupboard with a torch and a book.

I reread favourite books over and and over again, the characters like old friends that I am visiting. When at other peoples houses I am drawn to their bookshelves to see what they have. The merest whiff of a book store piques my interest and I have to be quite strict on myself to curb my spending.

One of the most recent books I have read is 'The Great Zoo of China' by Matthew Reilly.

It is amazing. It is Matthew Reilly in all his glorious, action packed splendour. It is not a book that can be read casually. Picked up and put down on multiple occasions, a few pages here, a chapter there. It is a book to be devoured. To be inhaled in great chunks. It is a book that required you to turn off your phone, lock your doors and assemble snacks because there is no way you want to put it down for any reason.

Like all of Matthew Reilly's books it is well researched, action packed and wonderfully written, with just a hint of the fantastical. As soon as I had finished, I want to flip back to page one and start again.

That is the mark of a truly great read.

Colour Theory

Fabric. Over the past few years and especially recently, it has become one of the joys in my life.

Non-sewing/crafting people may not get it but there is something so joyful and beautiful about a crisp stack of fabric in fabulous colours, just begging to be unfurled and turned into something amazing.

I buy a lot of my fabrics online and seeing that parcel waiting for me in the post box can turn a bad day good and a good day even better.

There is something about the possibilities, the potential that is so exciting. It could be turned into a bag, a hat, a snuggly quilt for a new bub or just about anything. The list is endless.

Selecting fabrics for my projects is by far my favourite part of the process. My problem then lies in that I love my fabric so much I get scared and don't want to use it. What if I cut it up and make a mistake. What if I pair those fabrics together but the finished product doesn't look good. what if I stuff up the sewing and kill the entire project. I guess I am just a chicken. I'm a little ashamed to admit that there is more than one bundle of fabric in my stash that I am yet to use because I can't bear to use it. What if...what if...what if....!!

The other dark side of my fabric obsession is the buying of the fabric.

I have used the excuse of my new "Blossom Jam" adventure to buy fabric and "build my stash'. But I have to stop, for no other reason than I'm running out of storage room!

I know that my fabric stash is nowhere near the size of some of my more advanced sewing/quilting friends but I think I need to draw the line soon.

Saying that....I bought more fabric! Ooops!!

I take comfort in the fact that I know I am not the only one of my sewing/quilting/crafting friends that repeatedly says 'I cannot buy any more fabric for a while....oohh look that is gorgeous, I'll have 2 yards'

It's a sickness!!

One of my most recent acquisitions in my stash building fever is the beautiful 'Color Theory' by V & Co. for Moda Fabrics from the Fat Quarter Shop.

Something about the colours just called to me and I was not disappointed.

Now I just have to have the courage to cut it up and make something amazing!

Word for the Month: Prepare

For many, especially those going back to school, January was the month to prepare. Prepare books, prepare uniforms, prepare lunches and prepare to send off their little ones, some for the very first time. 

But for me, February is my month to prepare. Prepare for changes and challenges. Prepare myself mentally and prepare myself physically. 

To me, being prepared means being organised. I did a lot of organising in January, mainly due to the arrival of the remainder of my stuff/junk from storage. 

Who knew I had accumulated so much!! Due to moving around and bring quite transient these last few years I had not realised that I had so much...stuff. And that's what it is. Stuff. Of course there is useful stuff and rubbish stuff and fun stuff and even stuff that belongs to others. But there it all is....stuff. 

So now the challenge is to weed out the rubbish and somehow get the rest into our house. Thankfully I have a very understanding Gorgeous Man (GM) who is very (ok, somewhat) tolerant of me almost completely taking over the various storage spaces in our house. I have even...gasp...used some space in the shed!!!

As I said, I have got a bit organised including my fabrics and my crafting supplies but there is still a ways to go.

My goal is to use the month of Feb to finish off my organising so I can be prepared when things start getting crazy (crazier...?)

The other side of my preparedness is to prepare myself mentally. This means getting back into my meditation and reconnecting spiritually. 

I feel I have been been neglecting this aspect of my life for some time now and I am suffering for it. 

And lastly, I need to prepare physically. After spending nearly three years in a mining camp and the last year loved up in a new relationship, my healthy eating and exercise regime has been somewhat lax. So, back to the gym we go....

I'm baaaack!!!

Yes, I have returned once more to attempt my blog!! 

My last blog entry was in 2012 when I was travelling/backpacking through Europe. Wow. That was a long time ago.

All other things aside I have been to 5 more countries since then including Cambodia, Thailand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Spain.

Of course, so much has happened in the past 3 years and I couldn't possibly summarise it all so instead I will start fresh from 2015....

The beginning of this year has found me starting a new life as a small town girl in rural QLD. After nearly 3 years of FlyIn/FlyOut I found myself a nice country boy and decided to settle down.

To say the least, small town country life has been an experience. It is so different from what I am used to and I doubt I will ever fully get used to the politics that comes with living in a community of less that 1500 people.

I do love the country life though. It has introduced me to many new things including shooting (eeek) and changed my attitude towards life somewhat. I find it very strange when I go back to Brisbane or to the Coast and I get a little bit overwhelmed or it takes me a minute to reacclimatise myself to the noise, people, traffic and bustle.

2015 is going to be a big year for me. Well, I have big plans.

Not least of all, my plans for 2015 include starting 3 new businesses. Yes three. I know, it sounds crazy to me too.

I will finish my massage therapy study this year and once that is completed I will launch Wellness & Light Massage Therapy, here in town.

Thanks to my dear friend, the Little Red Hen, I have been inspired to turn my crafting desires into something somewhat profitable and I have plans to start a market stall and sell my crafts under the name Blossom Jam Creations.

And thirdly, through the encouragement and inspiration of my darling Lola Dee, I have become an Arbonne Consultant. For the time being this may not get a much focus as my other projects/businesses but it something interesting to have on the side, with the potential to expand later.

Because juggling all those balls just doesn't seem enough (!!!) I have also, somewhat hesitantly, joined Carrose Creations and her Finish It Fifteen Challenge (here). It is a challenge to finish 15 projects you have on the go.

While I cannot come up with 15 right now I'm sure they will present themselves soon enough. I can however come up with a few, one of which I have already finished!!

1. Danelle's Baby Quilt - Pink Tea (finished!)

2. Shannon's Baby Quilt - Jelly Jam

3. Ellie's Quilt - Ellie's Romp

4. Our bed quilt - Queen Alice Blues

5. Lap Quilt for Tiff - Tiffany's Thunder Buddy

6. Disappearing 9 Patch - Camp Comfort (Orange and Blue)

Hmmm...these all seem to be quilts....

I completely blame AJ for my quilting bug. 

I've also started to 'name' all of my quilts. This is so it is easier to refer to them (rather than 'the blue and orange one' or 'the pink and brown one' etc) plus it's fun to come up with the names.

Looking at it now I think it is hugely ambitious to think I can finish 6 quilts in one year!! Oh well, it's not called a challenge for nothing.

I have a small side note to my Finish It Fifteen. Because I will be madly sewing for my crafting business I can only include things on my FI15 list if I don't intend to sell it. 

Great, making it harder for myself....not so smart :P

I'll get better at taking photos...I promise...

Other personal goals this year include replacing the horrible lino our house with some lovely floorboards and getting a puppy. Along with the usual, get fitter, eat healthier, exercise more etc etc.

Keep an eye out for my quilting and crafting escapades, as I intend to blog my little heart out. The hardest part is remembering to take photos along the way!!

Until next time...