Work

"You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Psalm 128:2

I'll quickly note that we are not proponents of "prosperity theology" at our place. I simply like this Scripture about enjoying the results of your hard work. I was stimulated to think about "work" when Jen tagged me. My paid work career began at 14 years old when I got a job at our local dairy to start saving for university. I worked part-time in a supermarket later in high school and did summer work at the aluminium factory my grandad worked at. While at Uni I did part-time work in the ragtrade which turned into a full-time job when I finished. I was made redundant after 6 months and went on the dole. Six months later I got a job with an international aid and development organisation where I stayed for 9 years, with a bit of part-time study thrown in for good measure. In the middle of that time I left and did social research for a department at the University of Auckland Medical School. I went back to part-time work with the aid agency when my first baby was 5 months old.

I finally quit paid work when 3 months pregnant with #2. Since then I've had the privilege of choosing to be at home learning with my kids. Honestly, I still struggle with many aspects of this choice but I'm grateful for this opportunity!

There are so many intangible aspects to unpaid mothering work that I revel in the tangible achievements of craft. This weekend...

Cotton Baby Bolero from One Skein.

Quick and easy re-useable fabric shopping bag that's been claimed by I5.

First...

Barbeque of this summer!!

(Look at those lily-white legs!)

Sunburn...oops, Mummy.
(Perhaps the sunscreen needed to be on more than just faces today?)

Actual Craft

So I don't just post pictures of stuff I'd like to do, here are a couple of actual completed projects. My avid reading of craft bloggers who manage their lives so much more efficiently than I, to churn out gorgeous projects, is a wee bit of a frustration. Less reading the blogs, more cutting the fabric, girl!

Meet "Gingey". I think she's named after the gingerbread man in Shrek? I5 made her on Saturday. First real fabric cutting (had a bit of trouble wielding the pinking shears), first buttons, first backstitch, first time using Mummy's sewing machine! Ok, she sat on my knee moving the fabric while I pedalled. I'm not quite up for allowing her a full licence yet.

Yes, I'm still procrastinating from my 4ply premmie knitting. 8ply baby knits are so very satisfying. (She's Crafty booties, One Skein Wonders picot edge hat, Alterknits rolled brim hat.)

Oops

Perhaps I shouldn't have increased my No Knead Bread mixture yesterday?

This event has strengthened my case to buy a big Mason Cash mixing bowl for my bread-making next week!

(Off to clean my hot water cylinder. Funny how the family are all eager to eat the bread but not clean up the mess it made!)

Frenetic Friday

Today is not a physically frenetic day but there is a lot racing around in my mind. I'm going to bung some of it here in the hope it will lighten the mental load, in the absence of Rescue Remedy or Gewurztraminer in the house;-)

1. Last night, Hubby & I went on a hot "Peak Oil" date to hear Richard Heinberg speaking. What a personable fellow as he delivered his grim message. He has clearly moved beyond the depression and stages of grief that people experience when they get to grips with Peak Oil, as he was able to present some positive outcomes to the whole deal. I wish he'd had more time to talk about Transition Towns as they really tickle my "Good Life" fancy!

2. Melissa's post about her new craft book reminded me that "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts" arrived in my box this week. The new book buzz is somewhat tarnished by the fact that NZ Post have lost my Thomas Jefferson Education and Encyclopedia of Country Living. Darn you all to heck, NZ Post!! Here are some of the projects that I'm dying to do for/with the kids:

3. I finished I5's yoga socks this morning. We may all do Pilates in front of the TV later...me with naked feet since I haven't managed to whip up a pair of socks for myself;-) Isn't that always the way with motherhood?

My Critters

My 8yr old butterfly

My 5yr old puppy

My 2.5yr old tiger

There was not enough crafting in the weekend to keep the mama happy. Combined with our Great Flood style weather it's made for a bit of a grumpy start to the week. I knitted one of my yoga socks (actually I'm doing Pilates in them) only to find it was too teeny for my very average feet. M8 is happy about that. Next pair I'll use 4mm needles. I've used a lovely Wool Company possum/merino blend double knit. I'm keen to try the sock yarn pair but need to find some I luff enough to fork out the cash for.

Isn't she pretty?

I think the time has come to finish the dishcloth procrastination and get back to the nappy cutting and premmie knitting.