A really good week.

I really love to win something. I really do, because it's such a surprise! Well, I'd had above my desk on my office wall this ....

because I'd really love a new sewing machine and overlocker. Mine are over *gulp* 20 and *gasp* 15 years old, respectively. (That much time really can't have passed, can it!?) And they're looking - and sewing - a little bit worse for wear - even after being serviced several times. So some nice new ones would be so nice! Hence, the competition I entered!

Each time I looked up from my desk and noticed this little page I would imagine myself sewing with these lovely new machines and having a big smile on my face (represented by the less-than-artistic smiley face in the top corner!). You know, positive thinking, the law of attraction, and all that!

And you know what - I won!

Now, it was't the 1st Prize, and yet it was the 2nd Prize! And since this was the first time I'd tried an experiment like this before, I felt very chuffed and kind of amazed that I did so well! Imagine how well I'd do with this law-of-attraction stuff when I really get going!

And then....!

I went to Melbourne on Wednesday to secure 2 orders for my jewellery and check out 2 new suppliers.

Well, firstly going to Melbourne is always a pleasure. So the day is great already. Then I DID get my 2 orders and my 2 new suppliers turned out to be JUST what I was looking for and solved some major supply issues I was facing. Love it.

And, then there's tomorrow. Mother's Day. Now, anyone in Australia is going to be going 'Huh?' right now. But, you see, last Sunday (the OFFICIAL Mother's Day) I was lying in bed aching from head to foot and not sure whether I would ever feel the same again as my body battled it out with some random, horrid gastro bug. So! That wasn't Mother's Day. No! It's tomorrow. Just ask my two boys, they'll tell you!

Hope to have much fun (and flowers) to report tomorrow.

xxxxx

Well, what do I do now?

I've been pondering the next thing that I want to write in my lovely new blog and I've realised that I'm intimidated. Yes, you all (all those who's wonderful blogs I've been visiting over the past months) have set such a fabulously high standard of delight that I'm finding it hard to live up to.

Yes, I know I'm being emotionally indulgent. Yes, I know I'm showing my perfectionist side (I have an excuse, I'm a Virgo). Yes, I know I have to get over myself.

So, to get me over this slump, I'm going to share a photo of a little project I made. Bolstered by the sewn delights of Florence (of Flossie Teacakes splendour), I was inspired to get my neglected sewing machine out of its dark confinement, dust it off and sew a little something to stop our bedroom door from blowing shut.

And what a delight it was to flex those atrophied sewing muscles! I have spent so much time focusing on jewellery making that I'd forgotten how much joy can be experienced creating a little something from what was, just a short time ago, a flat piece of fabric. Amazing. I measured, I cut, I sewed, I screwed my eyes up in that "I think it'll look like that if I do this" kind of way. My boys even played their part, pressing the button for reverse with such delight. And low and behold, there it was, a little piece of something that

I made.

It even has a little piece of our new house in it too - or 3 to be exact - since I'd gone out into our garden, which is mostly made of sand, and found 3 shells to hang from the top. I guess our house must be built on what was once a beach, though we can't see it from where we are, and I love this feeling of time that those 3 shells brings to this new thing that not long ago was not there.

And now I've realised that I've written quite a lot, really. So now. I guess I'm getting over that intimidated feeling.....

Gulp, the first one...

Well now. Here it is. My blog.

Since reading so many wonderful blogs, mostly in the creative world, I've been moved to compose one of my own. Mostly to share the same kinds of thoughts and inspirations that I’ve encountered elsewhere and have given me so much amusement and joyful worldly connectedness (is that a word?).

I can only hope that I do half as good a job at connecting with others as those I’ve enjoyed sharing some cyber-time with.

I’m also looking forward to sharing some creative ideas with others. I love how generous many other crafters and artists and artisans are, and I want to be a part of this wonderful creative exchange. So here goes!