The blogger

Not a perfect circle

I had crocheted these circles for a project but then decided not to go ahead with it. So now what to do with them? I made up a necklace for a friend.

A PrettyUgly-a-day

My target is to make a one PrettyUgly everyday this year. It's day 28 and I only have 23, hmm. How will it end? Working towards a show in November, hold thumbs.
Have run out of cotton and stuffings, I'll have to rush out and get lots more. Have some PrettyUglys waiting to take shape.

Doing the work

A garden table

I moved my garden table to another spot in the garden and 're-styled' it.

To do list 2014

I started placing notes for myself on the kitchen door of all the things I need to get done. More will be added of course. Last year I wrote them in a book and that's where they stayed. Now I hope that because I'm confronted with them everyday I'll get some done, hopefully all of it.
Here's to 2014 and getting things done ;-)

Kavady Festival

A colleague invited me to attend the Kavady Festival at the Melrose Temple on Sunday. She lent me a bright orange sari and I fitted right in. A gentle old man I met in the street on the way down reminded me to remove my sandals once I enter the temple grounds. The passion and devotion was lovely to witness. There was much preparation and then the procession moved a short distance through the streets and back to the temple.

Thai Poosam Kavady is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Murugan that is celebrated by Tamil people in South Africa. Kavady translates in Tamil language as a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole. The carrying of kavady symbolizes the carrying of one’s burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord.

Set in concrete

Spent some time at Vasco Hendriques on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful. Take a look and see.

Jill's garden

Went for morning tea and lemon meringue in Trish's aunt's garden. Bliss.

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? – Henry Ward Beecher

Books I read during the holidays.

Kitchen still life

Like a noose around my neck

Made this necklace with pullrings and cable ties last night. Wearing it to work today ;-)

Another gift from over the sea

So beautifully wrapped. Thanks, C. M'wah!

Postcard from Prague

Ten minutes

.. and voila! you have a meal. Yum.

Journey

This was part of my Christmas gift from my family. Journey (along an ordinary life). Very special and thoughtful. Thanks.

Threadbear, the bear

How lovely is this little bear? A gift to share with my nieces. Threadbear is looking forward to many adventures she can write about in her travel journal. Thanks T.

A bag of greens

A housewarming present for a friend - a few plants for the garden.

Making babies

A friend of mine bought me a book - We make dolls - and I have been so inspired. Spent the whole weekend making dolls. Although none have been made from the patterns in the book. I haven't named them yet and each will get a separate entry later this week so you can meet them properly ;-)

Secondary colours

Purple and orange are secondary colours mixed from primary colours. Red and blue make purple. Red and yellow make orange. 

Liquid lunch

The sunbirds are back in my garden.

PrettyUgly: Lambbertee

PrettyUgly: Elwhowease

Sleep over

Made up my spare bedroom for the girls so they can come over more often for a sleepover.

Bright day out

I bought bright, mismatched plates, bowls, cups and boxes, sewed a blanket and made up a picnic 'basket' for my nieces.

Christmas was so long ago

Christmas was so long ago and the Valentine's merchandise is already on display but I thought I'd just share it with you anyway. It was a lovely time spent with family.

This is my dining room table on Christmas eve.

My Christmas lights. The paper bags were outside and the table of candles was next to my Christmas tree.

My sister-in-law baked the best biscuits. They were so yummy. I think they were finished my Boxing Day. Boo hoo.

I made an upside down Christmas tree for the patio.

In full bloom

The 'Pride of India' is in full bloom. Cut a big bunch for my kitchen, lovely.

Table setting

Made this table cloth with matching serviettes for a friend's 'bistro' table in her kitchen courtyard. Bought the crockery to reflect the garden setting.

BlackJack

SPCA treasure!

Home for the holidays

During the festive season our company closed and we had two weeks off, bonus leave, not part of our annual leave. Thanks, MH, m'wah!
I spent all this time at home, it was wonderful. My family came to stay for a few day - it was so great - Christmas with family.
At one stage I hadn't left the house for 5 days. I didn't use my credit card for 8 days. Gasp!
I tidied up every room and got rid of everything I no longer used, liked or wanted. I slept a lot. I read. I hardly ever cooked ;-). I only sewed one thing. I rearranged the furniture and the cutlery drawers. I played with the dogs, and my nieces. Watched 3 seasons of Shameless and loved it. Stayed in my PJs for a day and a half. Spent the gift card in 10 seconds. Sat in the garden. Had Christmas biscuits with every cup of tea. It's been awesome.