anita meade - simple.creative.life

A new hobby for my boys....

Here's what they were up to while I was cooking dinner the other night......

 

Jayden playing his DS - not so unusual. Corey absorbed in his new hobby - knitting - now that is something to behold. I had an insane moment last weekend and offered to teach him to knit. I thought it would keep him occupied and therefore I could knit in peace. But no! Every 45 seconds I hear "MUM! I need help, I've got a hole" or "my stitches fell off the hook" or "I need you to start off the row" or just "I think there is something wrong".........bless him! I am proud of how he has taken to it, and he really is making good progress.  Not sure if his "scarf" will ever be long enough to wear, but he's having fun along the way. Just look at that sweet, contented face......

 

Jayden had a go too, but his concentration span is no longer than a commercial break in the Friday night football telecast! Maybe he'll pick it up again some time.....when his DS battery goes flat :)

Crocheting like a crazy woman.

 Well, the love affair with crochet continues.....I can't get enough of it! To paraphrase my dear friend Joylene, crochet and knitting are like "meditation with sticks and wool"! I wholeheartedly agree. Here's what I've been making recently......

       

       

       

  

Busy stuff hey?! I've enjoyed every minute of it! What better way to pass the time when the weather is cold and wet, and you just want to curl up on the couch under your quilt? The hats are all for sale in my little Madeit shop, Anita Meade Creations. The granny square rug is just for me and will be a work in progress for a while. I plan to pick it up between other projects and it will come together slowly. I've made about 36 squares so far. I just love those rich colours, and the black border makes them stand out beautifully. I'm sure I will post more photos of my progress as I go along.

    I'm off to watch the kids at their school swimming lessons now, so I'll sign off. Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been creating. Happy Friday! Love Anita. xxx

 

What's been going on over here?

Well, it's called the Flu - not sure which variety, but my poor hubby has had it big time. He had Wednesday and Thursday off work last week, tried to go in Friday but only lasted 3 hours and he had to come home because he was too sick. Unfortunately we missed our niece Kelly's engagement party on Friday night. He was just too sick to go out in the cold, plus we didn't want to spread whatever he's got to the whole family etc.  He spent the whole weekend on the couch and yesterday as well. He has gone back to work this morning, but is still not 100%. I think he was starting to go nuts being stuck at home, feeling lousy. Hopefully he is on the road to recovery. This flu season has been nasty, and whether or not it is the "swine flu" that everyone has had (and who knows because they're really not testing for it unless you're in a high-risk group) it has had a huge impact this year. So many people we know have had been really unwell, and have missed a big chunk of work or school. Looking forward to seeing the back of flu season!

In other news, Jayden has lost his 5th tooth this week, the first of his top teeth to fall out. He's talking with a bit of a lisp at the moment, as he gets used to the gap. He looks so cute....check it out;

     

He's growing up so fast. Can't believe how big he is getting. And what a lovely boy he is too.....if I do say so myself! (I may be a tad biased....just a tad.....)

Here is Jayden with his cheeky brother Corey (never one to miss out on a photo opportunity!):

  

Health-wise, I've been struggling this week. Having a bit of a "fibro-flare". (Otherwise known as a flare up of my fibromyalgia symptoms). Not sure what to put it down to....could be the flu virus still floating around, the cold weather, my hormones, something I ate......etc etc etc. As you can see, it is hard to pinpoint the cause of a flare-up....and even harder to try to get better! I just have to be patient, take care of myself and wait for the "good days" to roll around again.

I've been thinking about the future and what I want to do in the longer term. I probably won't go back to nursing - there are lots of reasons not to - but mainly, I'm just not well enough for such a demanding job. Not sure what direction I want to head in......I guess with my health the way it is, a desk-type job would be best for me at the moment - although I'm less than inspired by the thought. Have thought of going back to study part-time - maybe I could do a Grad. Dip. - but I'm not sure what I'd want to study.......Any bright ideas you have would be much appreciated! Hmmmm, I'm still a bit lost, but I'm sure I will sort it out eventually. Whatever happens, a tattslotto win would certainly take the pressure off a bit! Does anyone have connections who could make that happen??

Better get on to doing our Tax returns.....hopefully that will boost the bank account up a bit. My to-do list is a long one as usual. But first I think some lunch, a cuppa and a bit of Oprah might be in order. Thanks for stopping by! Love Anita. xxx

Making Merry Monday #10

Well I'm definitely on the late side with this one, but here it is finally.

I've incorporated Stampin' Up! products with other goodies from my stash for this one. What do you think?

 

Have you guessed which colour scheme I'm loving for Christmas cards so far this year?

Here's what I've used:

DSP: Holiday Treasures

Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Best Yet

Ribbon: Riding Hood Red double stripe

Other: Shipping tag, buttons, border punch

I will be back later this evening with a general catch up post. Thanks for popping in to see today's Christmas creation. Love Anita. xxx

Up too late again.....

Why, oh why do I stay up until 1 in the morning? I know I'm going to be overcome with fatigue and fibro-fog tomorrow.....But oh, how I love to make stuff! Can't help it! And I just love how quiet the house is late at night. I have made no less than 5 cards in the last 3 hours....and I love every single one. Can't show you though, because it is time to go to bed.....

You'll have to come and see them later on...

Nighty-night......Love Anita. xxx

Some cards from the weekend....

Here's a couple of cards I made for birthdays last weekend.

The first one was for a little girls 6th birthday party that Corey went to. The theme of the party was fairies and elves, but I thought a butterfly might be equally appealing. As you might guess, I used the left over negative shape from my die cut butterflies seen in a recent post. Waste not, want not! I think it's so pretty.  I love making girly cards, probably because very few of my scrapbook pages are even remotely girly! The story of my life.....(lol!)

 

I also made this pretty crocheted flower and button brooch for the birthday girl. I think I will have to make one for me too.....or maybe several in lots of pretty colours.....yep, just another project to add to the list!

The second card is for a very special 10 year old. Bet you can't guess who! I tried to get a grungy, boyish feel to this card. The grey "netting" behind the letters was created with my fabulous new Cuttlebug. Very handy.......

 

In other crafty news, I have been "granny-squaring" like a mad woman. How addictive is crochet?!! So calming to the soul! I have had a flare-up of the flu (which I thought was long gone) and have been feeling pretty lousy the last couple of days, so I have indulged in little more than sitting and crocheting granny squares. That and having long, foggy sleeps.  I will show you some photos of my lovely crocheted squares soon, I promise. (Some of you may not find that promise all that exciting. Others will be waiting with baited breath.....my kindred spirits)

Off to bed now......although Danny also has the flu, and has been snoring like a chainsaw, so I'm not sure how much sleep I'll get. Wish me luck!

                                   Love Anita. xxx

New items in my little Madeit shop...

Hi everyone,

Remember these luscious discloths I've been knitting?

     

       

      

      

Just wanted to let you know I've listed three sets over in my little Madeit shop. Once you've used a pure cotton handknitted dishcloth it is hard to go back. It makes cleaning up those daily messes just a little more pleasant :) They also make wonderful washcloths in the bathroom - I find the waffle texture great for cleaning dirt off little boys knees! They're lovely and thick, and best of all, because they are 100% cotton, they can be thrown in the washer and drier.

I've also put some of my handmade cards ON SALE, and I will be listing some more items over the next week or so, so check back regularly to see what little gems I have on offer.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great Tuesday!

                            Love Anita. xxx

Making Merry Monday #9

Hi there everyone! Welcome to this weeks MMM post. I have used the super-cute Holiday Line-up stamp set this week. With this card I wanted to show you how you can use these images for a quick card without watercolouring the entire image. I stamped the reindeer with Chocolate Chip ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock and I only coloured in Rudolph's nose. This makes it a feature and with this particular image I felt that it was important to make Rudolph really stand out. I mean, it's no wonder he's the only merry reindeer! Check out that shiny red nose! In the second photo you can see how I've added Crystal Effects to his nose to make it shine.

      

 

So here is my ingredients list for today's card:

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

DSP: Holiday Treasures

Stamp sets: Holiday Lineup, Warm Words

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red

Other: Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Hope you like this one. I have whipped up three of these today....my card stash is steadily growing. How is yours going? Thanks so much for popping in. See you again very soon.

                                   Love Anita. xxx

Guess who's got a Cuttlebug?

Yep, that'd be me! Finally got down to my LSS to spend the birthday gift voucher from my Mum and Dad. I have to say I just LOVE my newest toy. Have been having a blast trying it out. I have a handful of embossing folders and a couple of dies too. Stay tuned for lots of Cuttlebugged (is that a word?) creations over the next few weeks.

Here's some cards I made this morning. The Swiss dots embossing folder is destined to become a regular feature of my cards etc. It is my favourite so far..... I've used some retired DSP on these cards, Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon  and cardstock and of course the white cardstock as the base. The stamped sentiments are from Wonderful Words, and Occasional Greetings. I received the butterfly die in the mail a couple of days ago (internet shopping? who me? well, maybe just occasionally.......) Aren't butterflies just the prettiest creatures Mother Nature has given us? So soft and delicate.Anyway, here are my cards:

            

 

Thanks for dropping in today. I need to get on with a few chores now, even though I'd much rather keep playing in my craft room.....maybe if I'm quick with my "to-do" list I can get back in here before I have to pick the kids up from school. Have a great day! Love Anita. xxx

 

Making stuff from yarn....

    I guess it is no secret that I have been spending a lot of time with my crochet hook, knitting needles and various types of yarn lately. Thought you might like to have a look at some of the things I've been making.

This beanie is for my own beautiful boy Jayden. He came to the wool shop and chose this wool himself.

These beanies are for the kids of one of my very special friends. Will be dropping them off this week some time....sshhhhh!

 

Been making a few baby hats. Not sure who will receive these ones....handy to have on standby I guess......or I may put them in my Madeit shop.

 

While I was on the white theme I whipped up this headband. It, too may end up in my Madeit shop, or as a gift for someone. My hair is just not thick enough to pull this sort of thing off. It is gorgeous though. I love the idea of pretty, handmade headbands.

 

  

I also have a new obsession - hand-knitted cotton dishcloths. Although they are a tad too lovely to wipe up spilled weetbix off the table! lol! I just love their colour and texture. They can be used as washcloths in the bath too. And because they're cotton they can go in the washing machine and drier. I gave some of these to my Mum as a thankyou gift for having the boys last week. She is probably the only person I know who would love a dishcloth as a gift. Yep, she's a cleaning machine!

 

 

So that's what I've been making. I also knitted a beanie for my dad in a nice chunky rib pattern, but I forgot to photograph it before I gave it to him. Apparently it is great for those frosty mornings in Myrtleford at this time of year.

Jayden and Corey have just come back from a week up at Myrtleford. They had an absolute ball! Lots of going "up the bush" to get firewood. They also went fishing for the first time (didn't catch anything of course - my Dad has this uncanny ability to repel fish!)  It was lovely to have a break without the kids, but I sure am glad to have them home now. It is good for all of us to have a break from time to time.

 

While the kids were away Dan and I had a cosy, romantic weekend away down on the Mornington Peninsula at Red Hill. We stayed at this gorgeous bed and breakfast. We had a lovely time....of course the weather was pretty lousy, but we didn't mind just staying in and relaxing, knitting (me), playing the DS (Danny) and watching the footy and car racing on TV (both of us!). It was so wonderful to just be together....to reconnect and recharge our relationship. It is so very important to do in a marriage - even though I consider ours to be rock solid, taking the time to nurture it is always a worthwhile investment. We have reaffirmed that we are on the same page in our journey through life together. Our friendship and our love are stronger than ever.

 

Well that's what has been happening in my world. I'd love to hear what's been happening in your neck of the woods. Hope you are feeling happy and well today. Come and visit again soon.

 

                                Love Anita. xxx