Menagerie

Image from here
On the weekend I saw Menagerie, an exhibition of contemporary sculptures of native animals by various Indigenous artists. I really enjoyed it. It's on at the Melbourne Museum until Feb 21. It was my first trip to the new museum, so I had a peak at Phar Lap, and got a little freaked out. He's very beautiful, but something about taxidermy creeps me out I think.

3rd Pot holder for Mum and Xmas stuff

I had started this one while I was procrastinating about whether to do the Vintage Rose Pot holder. And then felt well since I had started it and it was in her colours I may as well finish it and decided to do it with two different combos. I didn't finish this one in time though, I wrapped up the other two and gave them to her, and then finished this one later on Christmas day . ( I think she really likes them by the way)

Speaking of Christmas,it was a lovely day, (I forgot to take any photos) if not a bit full on. We did the big turkey/ham/stuffing/salads family thing all 35 of us! I love my big family dearly, but it can be a bit of hard work too , I'm a bit of a black sheep , and the only cousin now not in a relationship. Which can make me feel a little weird at times.

We all contribute something- I made this delicious salad again, but next year I think I'm going to make Xmas cookies, if not just for the excitement of using Mum's fabulous collection of cookie cutters. And also, I'm not a huge fan of mince pies, but love a dessert.

In the morning I went back home ( mum and dads, for presents and "us" time) which is always my favourite part of the day. I got very spoilt as usual!!!!

One of my favourite days of the year is Boxing Day, my dad goes the Cricket and Mum and I just hang out do exactly what we want to do, ready, crochet, talk if we want, but love just being together and not talking. It's a lovely thing to have with someone that.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and couple of days.

Happy Christmas!!!

Wishing you all the happiest Christmas.

lots of love

Jess xoxo and the bears

2nd Potholder

THank you ALL for your lovely comments about my last potholder, It really did make me feel soo much better.Yesterday I finished my 2nd potholder for Mum, the Vintage Rose Potholder which I had been inspired to do because of Kate's beautiful potholders.(Thanks Kate for the link). At first I had been a little reluctant to try this one, as much as I love it, because well I thought i wouldn't be able to do it. Although I crochet a lot, it's usually all in dc ( or single depending which country you're in) my knowledge in stitches is rather limited, and I so wanted to make Mum something really special. ( Mum's kitchen is green and white, with a little yellow so that is why they are all in those colours)

So I started 3 other different ones, always dreaming about making this one, and finally thought what the heck. So at the very least I've done it, which makes me feel a little good.

It seems I definetly am feted to make wonky things in general and so I'm going with it rather than fighting it. I actually finished it on Tuesday, but the pattern has a back bit, and after lots of umming and ahhhing I decided to make it and see what I thought that I would never know, but then when I put then together I liked it less, the lacy pattern was lost, so I abandoned it. A little annoying but well she's worth it. I just hopes she likes them!

Snowman love

Mr. Jaunty & Friends c/o scotty12869, originally uploaded by MADsLucky13.

At the moment I'm rather obsessed with Snowman, there is something wonderful about them, and they are often rather wonky ( and you know how I'm partial to a bit of wonk) I feel a new collection looming.
in the mean time, I'm browsing MadsLucky13's snowman collection set and my new favourite Flickr group There's No Man like a Snowman.

Christmas at home part 2

Back at my home (where I live) it's all a more thrown together, less beautiful and miss matchy. I got the little tree from the Op shop last year and it's decorated with a mix of things from various places, op shops etc and the beautiful Pooh bear decorations my sister got me ( my favourite ever) WHat can't fit on the tree I've hug in the window.

Christmas at home part one.

Last night I went home ( as in my mum and dad's) to decorate the Xmas tree. My mum also gets a real one, we go down and pick it up, Dad always gets in a bad mood, it's a bit of an annual event. It always seems like a bit of a deal, but then when it's up and decorated it's always worth it and the smell is amazing.

My mum has such beautiful ornaments,that have been around since I can remember, collected from all over - Cambridge MA, Geelong Vic, France etc.
I have my favourites that I must put up, sheep ( sheepy), the reindeer and the little knitted stocking are some.

Except the angel which I made, about 7 years ago I think.
It's so much fun and such a simple and innocent past time, it's always been like a kid again.
The pictures probably don't quite do it justice but it really looks beautiful.