I like frocks (or why I haven't posted in a while)

I was in an earthquake in Bali in October this year.

Of course it happened when it was my day on holiday to relax by myself whilst Mr Silly Gilly took the young one off on a day of adventure at a Safari Park. I don't do zoos or animal sanctuarys. When I do visit them, I just want to let all the animals out of their enclosures, hug them and tell them to run for their lives. But that's another post.

So there I was, having just finished watching a movie, trying to decide whether to have a massage or go for a swim. Big decision time. I was standing in the doorway of our room when the ground surged like a gentle wave. Up, then down. Nothing else but gee willakers, I knew that it had been an earthquake. I was mildly impressed that I had lived through an earthquake. Wait till I told my friends back home! Then 30 seconds later, all hell broke loose and the ground, buildings, trees, everything shook like a kid shaking a snow globe. It was the most frightening moment of my life, and like a mature adult I ran screaming into the most clear area I could find.

For the rest of the day I had the fortune of experiencing numerous aftershocks. I was terrified and didn't go back inside for hours. Mr Silly Gilly and the young one came back late in the day, safe and sound, luckily having experienced a much less drastic version of the quake. That night I could barely sleep and was constantly ready to bolt for my life.

But the quake did something. It shook me up. (Had to include that pun there.)

It made me absolutely terrified for my life. Then a few days later it made me focus on my life. It was a life changing moment. Albeit a moment of terror.

For so many, many years now I've always gabbled on about how I wished I'd lived when women got to wear big skirts, gloves, fancy dresses and hats every day. And the quake made me realise that I could focus on the 50's right now. I didn't have to dream or wish or wallow in the fact that I had been born in the 70's.

So that's where I've been. Building up my conviction to start living, wearing, working on 1950's vintage every day. Well, nearly every day. My wardrobe is somewhat limited right now but I'm working on correcting that.

So I'm back blogging, having been inspired by two fantastic writers, dooce and edenland, that I've always admired. I love their honesty and their wit. Oh and the earthquake.It's given me the proverbial kick up the derriere that I needed.

Back soon!

TGIF

 

 Lots of slobbery puppy love from Banjo to you. Wishing you a lovely weekend y'all.

Horse vs pony

Banjo my Pyrenean Mountain Dog is now 18 months old. Time flies when you are filling in craters in the backyard, wiping drool off high points on the walls and dealing with a bark that challenges the volume of a 747 (just as I typed that she woofed again - now she's psychic).

Pyreneans are a guardian breed of dog. That means life is good for them when they have someone to guard. Traditionally that meant some sheep, horses, chickens, goats, you name it, they'll guard it. The breed originates from France where they were left in the paddocks with the stock and the Pyreneans would guard the stock all night from foxes, wolves and grumpy things with big teeth. Then the dogs would sleep all day.

So not much exercise is required, not much food and lots of sleep. All of these things tick the happy boxes for me! But for Banjo, being a suburban backyard dog is not what she was bred to do. Of course, being a good dog owner, I thought it would be entertaining for her to start being introduced to some livestock.

First off this week, the local horses. In Adelaide, we are fortunate to have some parklands very close to the city where horse owners can agist their horses and fortunately for the rest of us, we get to be able to hang with the equine peeps whenever we like. I was so proud of Banjo when she met them. She was calm, didn't bark or get silly. Just very curious and wanted to get in there with the horses! Next on the list.... sheep.

And this Saturday Banjo and I are off to be tested as to whether Banjo is suitable to be a Therapy Dog. That means, if we pass, we will be volunteering as visitors to hospitals or nursing homes to spread a little dog love (and maybe a bit of drool too) to people who otherwise couldn't see a dog in their environment. Fingers and paws crossed we pass!!

Temporary absence

photo credit

Nothing much to see here.

Brain renovations are in progress but moving very slowly. Sometimes backwards.

Anyone know where the re-boot button is?

Do What You Love

Such simple but powerful words.

Whilst I couldn't sleep last night, I did some 4am blog reading. I stumbled across this treasure on Build A Little Biz. It got me thinking.

As a work at home mum, I juggle the 6 hours a day I have free whilst my daughter is at school and designate equal amounts of time to the housework and to my businesses. My time is precious and I would much rather be spending my time wisely during those 3 hours a day that I do have for my businesses.

I started Silly Gilly three years ago and have broadened my product scope during that time. But last night whilst reading this great article, a little light came on in my head. I need to focus on doing what I love and only that. I'm in business for myself for a reason. Not to do what I think other people want me to do. Or things that are quick and easy to produce. I need to be throwing myself into creating items that I love and be sure in the knowledge that that will show through in the end product.

So over the next week I will be clearing out items in the Silly Gilly store that, whilst they are beautiful items and perfectly great, don’t fit exactly where I would like to be heading with my brand.

First off my fleece hats and scarves are now on sale and reduced by 35%. Such a perfect time of the year to snap up a bargain to keep those cute little noggins warm!

Sweet Vintagey Goodness

I popped into the Nth Adelaide Vintage & Fashion Fair on Sunday and found a lovely little treasure trove of vintagey goodness to trawl through.

It was a quick but successful visit as I found a new member to add to my vintage planter collection that I spoke about last year. For $4! This little beauty isn't strictly a planter but I believe it's a milk jug that goes with a tea set similar to this.

And this new little treasure is sitting on my rapidly progressing Lone Star quilt. I'm using my precious collection of Momo Wonderland and hopefully it will turn out ok.... Have to admit I'm a little nervous just winging it and not following a pattern but so far so good.

Progress on Janelle Wind's Little Bluebirds

I started this quilt back in 2008. Wow. Three years ago! I loved the colour scheme of the red, aqua and white so very much and bought it as a monthly kit from Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delights.

I'm not much of an embroidery gal but thought the amount of stitchery on this quilt was achieveable. But what I did underestimate was how slow and challenging I would find the needle turn applique. I'm hopeless at it! So much to my dismay the quilt kit sat hibernating in my cupboard for 3 years. Until now.

Recently my genius friends suggested a whole new way to approach the applique which really inspired me again to get stuck into it. Why not raw edge applique the quilt in the same manner that Kellie Wulfson does? Of course!! So yesterday out it came and I achieved so much now that the mental road block of turned edge applique is far over the horizon.

There's lots more to come but I was so excited to get this far so quickly that I wanted to share it with you.