Just a minute... in October

August Street had the idea to give a summary of your doings once a month, and called it just a minute. Given that tomorrow marks the end of October, I'm just in time!

Reading... lots of back issues of Golden Hands. Self described as a "knitting, dressmaking & needlecraft guide"(dated 1962). Photos coming soon, it's vintage gold!

Watching... season one of Buffy! I decided it was finally time so I've embarked on the challenge to watch the whole series, start to finish.

Listening... to the new Jolie Holland album, The Living and The Dead. And Cat Power.

Eating... more fruit and salads, and getting fresh food from the market on Sunday. Of course, there are also plenty of muffins, coffee and dark chocolate being consumed in between.

Sewing... up green velvet cushions for my kitchen chairs. As a first real sewing project I don't have unrealistic expectations but I hope they're usable!

Learning... how to crochet the edges for my granny squares and join them together. Haven't quite mastered it yet but YouTube has been an invaluable resource.

Help!

Nerdy blogger question alert. Does anyone know why my images now seem to appear oversized, and cutting off on the right hand side? I'm pretty sure none of my settings have changed... I'm stuck!

On my desk

Today I bought all the necessary items for a Corpse Bride halloween costume... for $16!
~ white ballet dress (possibly children's size but I'll squeeze in somehow)
~ long white slip skirt
~ lacy white sleeveless top
~ delicate white shawl, serving as my veil
~ miscellaneous pieces of lace for hair & whatever else

Can't wait to put it all together! That's what's on my desk today.

Las Vegas (aka Flemington)

Discovered: on the weekend. Actually it would've been quite hard to miss! The liars weren't even really open, or selling beer, kebabs, pizza or pasta...

Pretty in pink

Spring makes me feel like change, so I'm dumping the "a" from my post titles, amongst other things. These babies are growing really well... from seedlings, to buds, and now full bloom!

A cushion project

A week without blogging seemed like a very long time! I finally made it to Thread Den yesterday and picked up a roll of green velvet (along with some foam from Clark Rubber) to sew up some cushions for my kitchen chairs. Not entirely sure if they're going to work out... I'm only half way through the first one, but so far so good.

A short break

I've taken a few days off blogging, and may take a few more... I wish I could say I was spending time in the fresh country air, but unfortunately this photo was taken over a year ago. Alas, it's just the general feeling that I'm too busy with everything all at once and something had to give. Hopefully not for long!

>> Worst timing ever since it's still Blogtoberfest! But it looks like there are plenty of others out there who have it covered. Back soon.

A Blogtoberfest fave Friday!

One of my favourite songs is "The Con" by Canadian duo Tegan & Sara (from their most recent album). I've probably listened to it at least 87 times.

>> Thanks to Blog Portion for the theme, and Big Cat's Emporium for Blogtoberfest!

A closer look

This isn't really about gardening but it's in my garden so I figure near enough is good enough (see post label). I was torn between my new ladybug friend, and a furry caterpillar, hence I did some fancy photoshopping and ta-daaah - a split photo!

>> As if "photoshopping" isn't a real word. The spell checker and I seem to disagree.

On my desk

I thought I'd seen the last of my storage boxes but there was apparently one more with the Husqvarna video handbook inside! Would have been even better a few months ago... still, hope it works.

>> Belatedly converting this to an on my desk post since I forgot yesterday, whoops!

A tired Tuesday

I can't stop plugging my matchbox collection... at least until I figure out what to do with them! (or, ahem, get cracking on other projects that I've drawn up in my journal of ideas then done nothing further about)

>> Also, I found out today that my roast vegetable salad recipe is now on WhyVeg.com, along with some others that look pretty tasty.

A set of squares

YouTube is full of inspiration - I learnt how to crochet edges for my granny squares thanks to this video, and am almost up to joining them all together. Look how far they've come!

An egyptian piece

There's some pretty cool street art around Fitzroy. Enough to warrant a new post label!

A beautiful day

A new bag

I was quick to snap up this gorgeous bag handmade by CurlyPops! It took it's first outing today to a park for lunch in the sun. Sunny days and cute bags absolutely go hand in hand.

>> My mouth is still a bit sore from the surprise wisdom tooth removal yesterday, but painkillers and naps are helping lots...

An extraction

I unexpectedly had a wisdom tooth out today (not the actual reason I went to the dentist), so I'm destined for soup and DVDs tonight. Might try to finish my mini crochet project too (So on my desk = on my couch... again).

A naughty treat

Sometimes the simple things are the best - like icecream with strawberries and chocolate sauce (the same one I make to go on pancakes, or basically anything that could use a cocoalicious addition).

>> To make your hot chocolate sauce: in a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup each of sugar, cocoa & water. Stir over low heat until simmering (add a little more/less water as necessary for 'sauce' consistency). Mix in a tiny bit of butter before serving.

A relief

I started watching Dexter when it came on TV back in July, then came upon the whole of season one on DVD, followed promptly by season two. I've been completely obsessed, trying to second guess the next episode, fearing for my favourite characters and even having bizarre Dexter-esque nightmares! So I finally watched the last episode last night, which was satisfying ...and kind of a relief (but that won't stop me from chasing down season three sooner or later).

>> Just made it in time for Day 6 of Blogtoberfest, with almost an hour to spare!

A market

I picked up lots of fresh fruit and veg from the Queen Vic Market today, which I should really do every weekend! You might not be able to tell from the photo, but these were pretty much the biggest potatoes I've ever seen.

A day in the sun

I'm trying to post something every day for Blogtoberfest, but actually not spending as much time on the computer this week - it's just too sunny and warm!

A groupie

Off to see The Mad Feeling at Idgaff tonight! Happy Friday!

A blogtoberfest!

1. madeinaustralia, 2. tops, 3. blacktree, 4. rosaritobeachhotel, 5. jollyox, 6. kontiki, 7. breakthehamburgerhabit, 8. barramundiinn, 9. brownpalacehotelworldmap

I just added some matchbox photos to my flickr set. Must be over half way through them, but still more to come! (mosaic making link is here)

>> Big Cat's Emporium is hosting Blogtoberfest, which I am mainly attracted to by the name, but also because it's a challenge to ensure every day of October is posted upon. So far so good!

On my desk

Temporarily on my desk is this gorgeous photo album (seen close up), which is soon to be given away as a present for travel photos. I can't go on enough about Kami, where I bought it, especially the secret sale room out the back - goldmine!

>> In other news, the crochet squares are still in progress and soon will be joined together as some sort of heat pad or table runner, I think.

A first for me

It's been almost a month since I planted these on my windowsill, and today I came home to find one of the buds has started opening! Having never been a gardener until now, I was a little anxious that they wouldn't grow... I think I've found my green thumb.