Not much progress on the kitchen

Well, that's not totally true. Progress has been made, just not as much as I would have liked. The old stove has been removed - I don't know why I put up with it for so long. I've painted the walls and cleaned the floor. This is the old floor.

Before you say what a nice patchwork pattern it would make let me remind you that I hate brown and am not fond of orange. I have disliked these tiles ever since I moved here 11 years ago. I can't believe it is taking me so long to change them.

Anyway, I won't have an opportunity to replace the tiles until next week, so they are still there, in all their 'glory'. Yuck.

Thanks for all the comments on my previous post. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who is a plunger! It's always a treat to receive comments from blog readers. Thanks for taking the time to do so.

Planner or plunger

Such a glorious day in Sydney today. After a foggy start, the sun is shining and and the temperatures are mild. All is well.

Except... I'm going to have a small rant. Just a short one, I promise.

According to the selection criteria for an upcoming contemporary quilt textiles exhibition, details of the design progression and colours, including sketches and drawings are required as part of the entry. When did it become taken for granted that sketches and drawings are an essential part of the quilt design process? Who decided this is the only way that creativity can come to fruition? What if I don't work that way - can't I enter my quilt?

I've been interested in Kathleen Loomis's thoughtful posts about planning and plunging (here, here and here), which started over a week ago. As a writer, I've always been a plunger and that is usually the same approach I take to my textile work. So when I received the entry form for this exhibition yesterday, that particular selection criteria stood out.

We really shouldn't assume that everyone works in the same way or that one approach is better than another.

I'm loving

Gorgeous photography and fascinating stories of gardeners who have created flourishing and productive kitchen gardens bursting with produce. Just wonderful.

It's a dreary day

here today. There's a cold wind coming from the south and very little sun. Yesterday's outing for lunch and sewing with a friend was cancelled due to sickness in the family and tonight's dinner with another friend is cancelled due to her Dad's hospitalisation.

I burned my lunch today - it was a spectacular sight to see the top part of my bread roll burst into flames under the grill. Not only did it fill the kitchen with smoke very quickly, but it resulted in a toasted sandwich without the top layer of bread. Challenging to eat.

Tomorrow the old stove will be disconnected and removed from my kitchen. This is something I have procrastinated about for years. Painting will be next and then new tiles on the floor (I've had them for a few months!). Only after I finish that work can I buy and organise installation of a new stove. Guess I'll be using the microwave in the meantime.

So while everything is in process on this dreary day, I snapped a photo of my Japanese maple tree in its autumnal glory to brighten the outlook. This is for you, Stephanie.

A life in frocks

Kelly Doust of The Crafty Minx fame is visiting a nearby library to talk about her new book - A Life in Frocks.

The book is about the ‘divine obsession’ - a woman’s love for clothes. In particular, it is a personal exploration of the significance of clothes, filtered through one woman’s lifelong sartorial infatuation.

So, if you'd like to meet Kelly, the talk is on Monday 16 May at 10.30am at West Ryde library, 2 Graf Avenue. (That's in Sydney for those of you who are elsewhere.) Bookings are essential - phone 9952 8352. Oh, and it's free!

Oh yum!

 




What an easily pleased person I am. My fat quarter bundles of Kona solids arrived today from Hancock's of Paducah and I am happily admiring the glorious colour combinations I have on my sewing table.

Lots of potential projects here....