Just a Minute..... in September

Watching:

I thought the best way to work out what I'm watching is to check what I've been taping on my IQ lately:

The Real Housewives of New York
Wife Swap USA
Dexter
NCIS (new episodes from this week finally)
Sarah's Summer House
The Unsellables
Design Star
Property Ladder
Build a New Life
Grand Designs

I'm sensing a theme with my tv watching antics.....

.... and I've added a couplef newbies - Glee and Nurse Jackie - so far so good.


Eating:

Chocolate chocolate chocolate - there hasn't been much healthy eating this month. I'm sitting on the couch at the moment with a bowl of white chocolate and macadamia nut biccies. Need I say more?


Listening:

I made some new CD purchases this month. I'm still old school when it comes to music. I want to be able to actually buy something tangible (the cd), I don't want to download it. So, I'm one of the not very many people that still trundles down to the cd shop!

Kate Miller-Heidke - Curiouser
Lisa Mitchell - Wonder
Newton Faulkner - Rebuilt by Humans


Preparing:

I have three markets coming up before christmas so I'm bunkering down and trying to get lots of stock ready. I also have a secret which I can't spill just yet.....


Making:

I entered the Loz and Dinny challenge at a really late stage, so I spent a few hours this weekend making my entry. You'll have to come back on Tuesday for the big reveal......and I'm blaming someone else for my entry and regretting a photo that may end up on the blog!


Reading:

I'm halfway through Watch Me Disappear by Jill Dawson. It's a really enjoyable read.... I should be finished in a couple of weeks hopefully. I only have about 3 hours of reading time pencilled into the schedule every three weeks which is why I'm so slow at finishing novels.


Time to go and eat some of those biccies - make sure to visit Jen at August Street and check out who else is playing along. You might just discover a new favourite blog!

Just a minute..... in August

Photos: A sneaky peek of my progress on the Quilt Project

Time certainly flies when you're having fun. August has been full of highlights, and not many lowlights - it's all been high energy, get up and go (or as high energy and get up and go as I can actually get). Luckily, I really enjoy being busy.

Watching:

There hasn't been much tv watching this month. I tape all of my favourite shows on IQ, and then fast forward the ads while watching them. It saves me so much time.

I'm still loving Project Runway Australia. I think Anthony is my favourite - mainly for personality, I don't think I could actually wear any of his creations. I also really like William's creations, and if I was to choose the person who makes the prettiest outfits, I'd go with Lauren. I actually wish Kelly was still there, just for the bitchiness!

The other show I really love and can't miss is Sarah's House on How To. I wish she'd come over to my house and make it over.


Making:

• I've been working on some ideas for the Quilt Project. I haven't got the final design decided just yet, but I want to include lots of different textural elements. I've just got to try to work out how on earth it's all going to come together, and not look like a mess, by September 20th.
  
• I'm still working on Doiley Brooches - they're going to make their debut next Saturday at Made'n'Thornbury.
  
• I've made lots and lots of handbags this month (at least 10 at last count), kids satchels, baby wraps, bibs, chefs hats, brooches, aprons, and a specs case.
• Today, I repaired the side seams of my BIL's work trousers, and tomorrow I'm hemming curtains (not the type of making that makes my heart sing), but it's the type of making that has to be done.
  

Eating:

• I still haven't found my baking mojo (it's because my kitchen only has one powerpoint, which makes it extremely difficult to use appliances), but I did make a nice chocolate pud (which I ate all by myself), and a packet mix chocolate cake (which I shared).
• I bought myself a mega pack of tim tams today, so that should get me through the week.

Reading:

• Reading took a back seat this month. I did read one book which was sort of autobiographical, but it wasn't actually good enough for me to bother blogging about.
• I also bought WHO magazine (that's a story for tomorrow) today. I never ever buy magazines anymore (except Mixtapezine) as my house ends up being filled with clutter when I can't bear to throw them away.

Looking forward to:

• Made'n'Thornbury next Saturday September 5th.
• A weekend away in November to co-incide with a visit to the next Daylesford Makers Market on November 28th.
• The inaugural Northside Makers Market coming up in October.

The final task for August:

• Tomorrow (with help from some lovely friends), the vertical blinds are coming down and I'm putting up lovely wooden curtain rods and block out curtains for my sliding doors. Not only will they look much prettier, but I'm hoping that they'll save me some money on my electricity bill..... can't wait!

For more of Just a Minute, or to join in the monthly fun, head on over and visit Jen at August Street.

Just a minute in July....errr August

I missed the end of July because I was far too busy eating nice Turkish food for dinner with Tinniegirl, but I didn't want to miss out on the monthly Just a Minute wrap so her 'tis:

Watching:

I was completly addicted to Masterchef. I would time my dinner so that I could sit down and eat at 7PM and watch Masterchef (and secretly wish that I was eating whatever they were cooking - especially if it was a dessert), so now I'm a little lost.....

I'm so glad that Project Runway Australia has resumed for the year. I love all the bitchy remarks between the contestants, and Henry is a hoot! Of course, being crafty, I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to watch sewing on tv.

I can't forget Brothers and Sisters..... is there anyone else who wants to save Rob Lowe from his on screen marriage woes?

Making:

Lots and lots of stuff this month.... it's all been a bit of a blur. There have been handbags, drawstring bags, brooches, purses, tea towel aprons, pants, trackie daks, bibs, blankies.

Sometimes, I tend to wonder what I actually do all day, until I actually sit down and review the previous month. I actually do make quite a lot of stuff.

If you saw my house at the moment.... it's like a craft supplies bomb exploded - bits and pieces all everywhere. Lucky I don't have a family that needs a dinner table to eat meals on!

Eating:

Yummy turkish food lastnight - a few packets of tim tams during the month. I did manage to have capsicum dip and barbecue shapes for tea one night (after all, capsicum is healthy - right?). My sister also found me a big packet of Colvan Chicken Chips at IGA last week. They were our absolute favourite back in our younger (and much more silly) days. I haven't seen Colvan chips for years.

Reading:

I finished The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl. It was a great read, and even more funny that she started out as a blogger.

I've nearly finished The Bad Mothers Handbook by Kate Long. It's another great chick book - easy to read and funny as well.

I;ve just borrowed my sister copy of AWW with Magda on the cover. I'm not very happy with Magda since she announced on A Current Affair (which I really shouldn't watch because it's rubbish), that being obese was like being disabled. I'm sure that if she had to deal with a lifelong disability, or spoke to families with disabled children, then she might just regret that statement.
OK - off my soapbox now.

Listening:

To Ministry of Sound Chill Out Sessions compilations - I have all of them from the previous ten years or so. It's great sewing music. I need to head to a CD shop to pick up the latest offering, Uncovered.

Planning:

To actually make some stock for my next Made'n'Thornbury market on September 5th.

Experimenting:

With lots of different fabrics and textures - still not sure if my ideas will come to fruition.

Dreaming:

Of fibre and fabric and texture and colour.... all melding into one.

Looking forward to:

One of my girlfriends having a new little bubba very very soon!


Play along with Just a Minute next month by joining up over at August Street.

Just a minute.... in June

Eating

My sister has been staying a couple of nights a week this month while she has been working in Melbourne, so we've been taking it in turns to cook dinner. I'd forgotten how nice it is to sit on the couch and let someone else cook!
Of course, when I really can't be bothered, I just head to my older sisters - there's always plenty of food in their house. I dropped in just in time for Tacos last week - yum.
I can't forget my favourite takeway from the local Turkish restaurant - I just call and ask for a number 9 - marinated lamb fillet, char grilled, and served with a yoghurt and tomato sauce on top of toasted turkish bread....mmmmmm

Oh and lots of chocolate of course - still eating Peppermint Frogs, but also Nestle Crunch

Watching

I'm so happy that I have Foxtel again! I can IQ all of my favourite shows and watch them when I want (and fast forward through all of the annoying ad breaks) - bliss!

I'm also seriously addicted to Masterchef. I usually watch while I'm eating dinner and it always makes me hungry, especially when they make yummy desserts.

The other must see is Brothers and Sisters - can't miss it!

Reading

I finished High Potential - great book.
I've now started on The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl which I've borrowed from Tinniegirl - I'm loving it so far....

Making

You name it, I've probably made it this month.
Bags, scarves, pants, pencilcases, keychains, lanyards, keyrings, aprons... the list goes on - but if you haven't already guessed, I'm surrently just a little obsessed with making brooches.
I have some more crochet experimentation happening in the wings - keep an eye out for the next instalment.
Oh, and I managed to suprise myself by signing up for an outdoor market in the middle of winter!

Hoping

That the lurgy has been banished for the rest of winter - ENOUGH ALREADY!


Head on over and visite Jen to sign up and play along

Just a minute.....in May....

Reading

High Potential by Bec Carroll - this was a christmas pressie from ex-Mr CP, so I hadn't started reading it until now. It's actually a great story and I'm about two thirds of the way through.

Great easy read, chick story with a bit of ambition, friendship and love all thrown into the mix.

Eating

Far too much chocolate this month.... I think if I can count back correctly, I must have consumed at least three blocks of Cadbury Peppermint, a bag of Haighs Dark Chocolate Peppermint Frogs, some scrumptious chocolates from Koko Black, about ten small Cadbury bars from my nephews creche fundraising, and I topped it off with the block of Green and Blacks that Jemma sent me!


Then there were also various afternoon tea delights that consisted of tim tams, chocolate teddy bears, and chocolate scotch fingers. There was probably a box of TV snacks in there too.

Making

Lots of small bits of couch crafting during the month. The lurgy hit and zapped all of my crafty mojo early in the month, but I'm slowly getting back into it. I missed going along to some craft markets because of the lurgy which was a bit disappointing too. With my multiple medical problems, I'm trying to avoid crowds at the moment because the swine flu and the normal flu are on the rampage! I think there'll be quite a bit more couch crafting in front of the foxtel box this coming month.

Watching

I promised myself that I would save money and not get Foxtel installed when I moved.... but watching the drivel on commercial tv was killing me, especially when I was stuck sitting on the couch with the lurgy.

My Kruddy bonus finally arrived and I took advantage of the Happy EOFYS sale... so my $900 will pay for approximately 18 months of entertainment.

I've been catching up on all of my favourite shows - Selling Houses Australia, Martha, Various daft craft shows on How To, Suze Orman, Til Debt do us Part, Wife Swap, Come Dine With Me, etc etc (I could go on and on and on).


I'm addicted to Masterchef Australia now too. I love watching the masterclass episodes where they show how simple recipes can be used to create great food.

Now I'm thinking about food.... it's time for some vegemite toast!

For more Just a Minute - head over and visit Jen at August Street

Just a minute......in April

April has disappeared with the blink of an eye, and I've made it just in time for Just A Minute.



Reading:

Lots of craft books this month. I've been flicking through all of my old classics, and some that I borrowed, looking for some new inspiration. I have plans for new things I'd really like to try.
I had a hospital appointment today so I started reading Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr. It's a great read - funny and interesting. As per usual, I only had one chapter to go when I was finished and had to go home. I could have quite easily just stayed right there in the comfy chair and finished it!


Eating:

I think I must have polished off about 10kgs of chocolate this month..... between Easter, my new addiction to Peppermint Aero blocks (I can eat a whole block in one sitting - I blame the air bubbles), a re-kindled love for the old classis Nestle Crunch, The Chocolate Room and a newly discovered Patisserie in the main street of my suburb.



Making:

This month has been a sewing bonanza. There have been lots of aprons, and handbags, kids pressies, manbags, keyrings, lanyards.... but there are always many more things in my head just waiting for the right time.

Watching:

I'm a bit sad that The Biggest Loser has finished. There's something about that show that always makes me want to eat chocolate. I'm trying to get into Masterchef now as a 7PM replacement.
I'm missing all of my favourite Foxtel shows... after having Foxtel for the last ten years, I had forgotten just how pathetic commercial tv really can be, especially on weekends.
The upside is that now I'm watching a lot less television.

Looking Forward To:

Catching up with everyone at the market on Saturday, and then heading down to Sydney Rd Saturday night for a belated birthday celebration of delicious Turkish food with Tinniegirl and Ms L.

Just a minute..... in March

I nearly forgot again until I saw Jess's Post.

March 2009 will have to go down as one of the craziest months of my entire life!

• I moved out of my old house
• I moved in with my younger sister and brother in law
• My brother got married
• I moved out from my sisters house and into my new house
• I went to the Stitches and Craft show
• I had my very first stall at a craft market

All of that, on top of my normal everyday life was completely exhausting but also enjoyable (except for the moving house bit because that just sucked big time).

Watching

• Sadly, I no longer have Foxtel. I really miss all of my favourite shows, and not being able to just tape them and watch them whenever I feel like it. At the moment, the only must see tv is Brothers and Sisters, and I try to catch The Bold and the Beautiful at least twice a week (that's always enough to know what's happening). Channel 10 have now moved Dexter to some ridiculous ever changing time on a Sunday night. I'll have to just buy the DVD.

Reading

• I finally finished Knit Two. I don't want to give anything away but it seems to me that there may just be a third book in the wings

Eating

• I had a lovely piece of cake for afternoon tea today. I have some old bananas, so Flo's banana cake may be on the menu tomorrow.... or I could make fried bananas in toffee sauce and have it with ice-cream - yum!

Making

• A handbag for my Auntie. She's going overseas in May and she's requested a new handbag for the trip. I really want to make her a handbag with a zip closure as it's more secure for a trip like that.

Head on over to see Jen at August Street for much more of Just a Minute....

PS - I think she may still be on holidays!

Just a Minute.....in February

Well, February is nearly over already. Time flies when you're a busy bee! Just enough time for Just a Minute. Head over to visit Jen to play along.

Reading:

The Nanny Diaries - I'm almost finished but now I can't find the book. It's probably packed in a box somewhere.

Eating:

I'm about to have some brekky so I'm thinking about vegemite toast. I'm having a BBQ for tea tonight....yum.

Making:

Absolutely nothing at the moment. I'm about to go back to my old house to pick up my sewing supplies after breakfast. I can't guarantee that I'll actually use them in the next couple of weeks, but at least I'll be able to look at the pretty fabrics and dream.

Watching:

Series 2 of Dexter, and Brothers and Sisters, which are both on at the same time, and now I don't have Foxtel IQ anymore so I can't watch one and tape one..... huge dilemma!

I must also add that I'm extremely happy that Channel 10 came to their senses and moved The Bold and the Beautiful back to it's original timeslot. Of course, I'm addicted to The Biggest Loser again this year too.

Reminding:

Everyone that today is the last day of Organ Donor Awareness Week in Australia.
If you don't already know why I'm so passionate about this issue, then you can read my story here.
Just remember, that even if you register as a donor, your family has to make the final decision. You need to ensure that all of your family members are aware of your wishes.
You can visit the Medicare website to find all of the information that you need, and there are links to lots of other organisation as well. You can register online here.

Just a minute.....in January (just made it)!

January is about to end, so I've just made it in time for Just A Minute........

I had a lovely day out at Sewjourn today (photos haven't been downloaded yet), so tomorrow I'm going to sleep in, and then read lots of blog posts that I've missed during the heatwave, and just generally relax!


Reading:

I'm halfway through the follow up to Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs - Knit Two.
I've just borrowed some magazines and books from Tinniegirl - I'm really looking forward to reading 'Organising Your Craft Space'.... just what I need before I move house.

Watching:

I loved watching Jalena Dokic in the Aussie Open. There's something about the fighting spirit from the underdog which I find amazing.
I'm also extremely happy that The Bold & The Beautiful has returned to its traditional time slot of 4.30PM. I always have a cup of tea at 4.30 and watch Bold.... I was very upset when channel 10 put my routine out of kilter!

Eating:

Lots and lots and lots of chocolate..... vanilla slice, pavlova. There was also some real food during the month although not as memorable.

Making:

Stock for a market stall!
Valentines themed softie for a Toy Society Valentines drop next month.

Join in Just a Minute by visiting Jen over at August Street

Just a minute......in September

Quick as a flash, September is coming to an end....so it's time for Just A Minute.

Reading
Some lovely craft magazines from Liesl...looking for some inspiration.

Watching
I watched the last episode in season one of Dexter. Can't wait for season two.
I haven't been watching much else apart from a few new episodes of Martha.

Listening
To all my spring / summer cd swaps. It's always great to get some exposure to new types of music that I don't nomally listen to.

Eating
Drowning myself in lots of chocolate and cake...always works wonders.

Making
Not much this month, I have to get back on the bandwagon...just waiting for the full on crafting mojo to return. I'm definitely getting out some craft supplies thisafternoon.

Looking
For a new place to live to start my new independant life. It must have a pool room....and a nice kitchen and bathroom wouldn't go astray either! It has to be all on one level, no stairs, a small courtyard (just enough for me and the cat), three bedrooms, and a garage.

Head on over and visit Jen to join in....

Just a minute.......in August

Sheesh...time flies when you're having fun.
August is nearly over already so it's high time for Just a Minute....

Reading

.....at the moment absolutely nothing except for about 150 blogs and the online newspaper. I have an appointment next week that lasts for a few hours (and so requires a book and MP3 player while sitting there). I'll be raiding the bookcase Wednesday night to see what I can find.

Listening

.....it's been a weird mix this week. I've listened to a few cd's while sewing...George, Kasey & Shane, Ministry of Sound (no rhyme nor reason nor theme nor consistency) with this lot.

I also listened to the Emily Martin podcast yesterday courtesy of the link that I found on Michelles blog.....then the weirdest thing happened today, I had the Sunday morning Marthathon going in the background while I was cutting up fabric in the kitchen, and they just so happened to replay the episode where Emily was featured.

Watching

.....well, I watched a lot of the Olympics (tv on in the background while doing other things). The channel 7 coverage was abysmal as per usual. When did Peter Colquhoun and Tom Williams become qualified to commentate sports like kayaking and BMX racing??? Why did we have to sit through so much mens gymnastics when there weren't even any aussies in the finals?

I'm still loving Project Runway Australia and Flipping Out and Dexter. Last weeks episode of Dexter was fantastic...looking forward to tonights!

Eating

.....I bought some nice Danish Butter cookies from the supermarket, they are lovely with a cup of tea in the afternoon. I really want to make some of the yummy carrot cake that Sherrin bought along to the Thornbury Sewing Bonanza. I bought the White Wings Organic flour that has the recipe on the back....but I just haven't got around to actually making them yet.

Making

.....with lots of encouragement from others, I'm currently making some baby items for The CurlyPops Shop and more kiddies pants for my nephews. I still need to make myself a bag with the beautiful piece of vintage fabric that I received from Cathy.

To join in Just a Minute, head over to visit Jen and sign up!

Sorry about the weird spacing...blogger is having a coniption!

The tree of happiness award...

I was bestowed the 'Tree of Happiness' award by Low GI Jen over at August Street last week and I haven't had a chance to sit down and think about it until now.....

I need to list 6 things that I'm happy about right now....thinking....thinking.....anyone have some good thinking music for me?

1. I have had an overlocker lesson and I'm not scared of it anymore.


2. I have lots of little crafty wip's and ufo's sitting in various places throughout the house (if you're wondering why that makes me happy, it's because lots of them are new crafts that I've only learned in the last few months....and learning a new craft makes me happy).


3. I'm drinking a hot milo (anything chocolatey makes me happy).


4. I have lots of little crafty adventures booked in this month (Mixtogether, Brown Owls, Thornbury Sewing Bonanza).


5. Vegemite Toast


6. My nephews

Sorry for taking so long Jen...I hope you'll forgive me!

Now I need to bestow this award on to 6 more deserving bloggers....so I choose Steph, Cathy, Michelle, Hollie, Belinda, and Serena....

Just a minute......in July

I'm playing along with 'Just a Minute' over at Jen's August Street Blog....... join in, it's a bit of monthly fun!

Reading
Sadly, not much....I still haven't finished Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I've been a little slack.

Eating
Multigrain Vegemite toast every day for breakfast....if I miss it for breakfast then I sometimes have it for lunch instead. I always cook a healthy dinner to make up for it!
I must have some type of chocolate every day (I count hot milo before bed as a chocolate fix too).

Listening
To the new Ministry of Sound compilation album Anthems 1991-2008. It's taking me back to my uni days when I worked in a nightclub. It's great driving music in the car.

Drinking
Still too much caffeine every day but I have a cut off time of 3.30 now.

Making
Too many things at once......scarves, granny squares, journals, bags. I need to go back to one project at a time.

Watching
I am loving Project Runway Australia. I was really nervous about the Aussie edition just in case it was a horribly pathetic copy of the original......of course it's a copy of the original, but it's fantastic. All the guys are hilariously melodramatic, and I love it that all the contestants hate Helen and she doesn't care! The only thing I miss is that Kristy Hinze doesn't say 'auf wiedersein' like Heidi!

I'm also loving the show Flipping Out which is on Arena straight after PRA.....that Lewis guy is nutty and funny!

I can't help but watch Dexter Sunday nights even though it freaks me out.....and can't miss Flight of the Conchords straight after. I really need to go and buy it on DVD because I've missed too many episodes (it's on way toooooo late)! I love their NZ accents and I love Jemaine's lamb chops.

I can't miss the Amazing Race finale tonight too. I am not googling that to add a link because I don't want to find out who wins!

I woke up thismorning to find that those pesky owls have been flying around the kitchen again overnight!

Just a minute......in June

Phew! Just made it!

I'm joining in a new meme over at Jen's August Street blog.

From Jens post

Interested in joining the 'Just a minute...' meme?

Pretty easy really - pick any day of the month to post (maybe when you can't think of a thing to blog about!) and give us a handful of highlights beginning with an action, like: reading... or eating...Give it a title, 'Just a minute... in (insert month)' so others can find them easily in your post list.Throw in a couple of pics if you feel like it.

Oh, and send me a note so I can keep a running list of players.

Enjoy!

So here goes:

Watching....... I actually went to the movies on the weekend and saw 'Don't Mess with the Zohan'. It was absolutely ridiculous, and completely far fetched but I laughed my little tushie (how do spell that word? I was trying to avoid typing bum) off. If you're a fan of Adam Sandler movies, then you'll love it. Definitely not one for the kiddies though!

I just watched the Project Runway finale and my favourite designer won so I'm really happy! The best bit is that I didn't find out who won until I actually watched it...there was no PR googling and definitely no watching Entertainment Tonight or other such show in case of spoilers.

I'm almost too scared to admit it but I have happened to watch far too many episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful lately. Plastic Donna is scaring me!

Reading.........The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. This is the book that Corrie gave me to read and I'm loving it so far. I just googled and found out that it's being adapted into a movie starring Julia Roberts.

Eating...........Chocolate - my nephews school is having a fundraising drive so I've been eating Cherry Ripe, Picnic, Time Out, and Mint Chip Chocolate. Thisafternoon I also ate the yummiest custard slice ever from one of the local bakeries.

Listening.......to the new Vanessa Amorosi album...I really like it.

Drinking........too much coffee and tea - it's keeping me awake at night.

Making..........another scarf and dreaming about all the things on my list that I still want to make.

Changing.......lots of nappies but getting lots of hugs in return......