OMG Book Avalanche!!!

I've been waiting on the post man for ages, patiently (and not so patiently) but he just didn't arrive until late last week. In a single day I received the bulk order of Barb's book that we organised for the Aussie temari makers from America, a box of Japanese (Language) Temari books and replenishment KYO threads along with some special edition shades from Japan. I also got 2 flags from England for my DH's birthday (MUFC and Barcelona FC) and a delivery of 5 more flags from Melbourne, a soap making and a cookie decorating book from Fishpond (Aussie version of Amazon) and a huge box of supplies from Officeworks. It seemed like all I did was open the door and sign for parcels. Lucky me, I must have met every mail delivery person in my area, one fellow even got half way down the street before realising he had another parcel for me, I am amazed how everything seems to happen at once...

I am sorry for not posting anything on the blog but all this stock in and out, birthdays and my part time jobs and workshop prep has left no time at all for blogging for the last few weeks. This week my Mum decided to break/fracture/twist/tear the ligaments off  her ankle so Miho and I are playing catch-up/nurse. The hospital called yesterday while I was at Mum's and told me to cut off the cast because they thought the ankle wasn't actually fractured after all and because she has a DVT risk so they wanted it off quick smart and in a hurry. Wow cutting a cast off with a pair of blunt scissors... that was an experience I never thought I'd have!

On the bright side one of my suppliers sent me a little care package of threads to try out on my temari with a view to adding to our range. When I get time I will have a little stitch session to see what might work. I do have temari to share but it will have to wait again because the days are getting very short and are mostly overcast lately... not entirely suitable for photography.

How is everyone enjoying their new Temari book? Mine arrived, I went on a temporary strike so I could browse through it just once... it is very deluxe! I already have an idea of what I would like to start on.

It's not here yet Charlie Brown

A few months ago I put out a call to all Aussie temari makers (the ones I am in contact with anyway) about making a bulk order of Barbara Suess' new book. I have noticed some American temari makers have begun receiving their copies but ours are still en route. I know they are in the mail, so until they arrive here I will be crying by my empty mailbox until they arrive. Actually the books are coming in two large boxes which I imagine will need to be collected from the post office.

I have seen an electronic version of the book during a Skype meeting with Barb so I know it will be worth the wait. If you missed the chance to order with our group you will still be able to get a copy direct from Barb, she will probably even sign it if you ask nicely, here is the link. Also if you don't own a copy of her other books you might be able to grab them too.

My hubby forced me to clean out my crafting room today so there is room to fit my new temari book in there, assuming I ever put it down that is.

Happy Mother's Day

What a busy day we've had. Breakfast in bed with Mr W (luckily he sat on his Dad's side of the bed so the toast crumbs aren't on my side of the bed), followed by gifts. Then off to his Soccer match where we distributed 50 cupcakes to all the Mum's standing on the sidelines. I made them yesterday and 'employed' four of the siblings from a child in our (and another) team... I 'paid' them in cupcakes if they promised to say Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums as they went.

Then back home to get the dessert ready for lunch at my Mum's house. Cupcakes of course were one option but the main dessert was baked vanilla cheesecake with cream and mandarin segments. We were so late, arriving at 1:45pm, after getting held up by rubber-neckers* looking at an accident, a breakdown, road works, and every traffic light being red (there are almost 20 sets) all the way there. When we got there we were starving and so was everyone else. I made photo soaps for Mum and Miho. They got 4 each, all with a different picture, soap colour and scent. I forgot to take a photo, but trust me they were super cute. Mum gave us both a flat tin bucket to put our gardening seed into. Miho gave me a loofah that she grew in her garden (and I always thought they were from the ocean) and Miss D hand painted the wrapping paper.

At 5 we were cleaning up and heading home by 5:30 (this time we got green lights about half the time) and we had snappy toasted sandwiches for dinner.

What a lovely day! Hope you were able to be with the people you love today. Only 365 days until next Mother's Day.

I've misplaced the temari I made, but tomorrow I will find and photograph it... I promise!

* A rubber-necker:  Person who cranes, stains or otherwise awkwardly turns their head and stares while passing the scene of something interesting (usually morbid in nature).

This is usually seen and performed while driving past the scene of an accident, or any other incident where there are police, firemen or ambulances with lots of flashing lights, this action results in slowing down the flow of traffic and occasionally causes another accident.

Huston we have a problem...

Today I had my first senior moment*, and boy was it a doozy*!

I had a 30 minute window of time to visit the post office before I picked Mr W up from school today. I went in and paid for my articles and headed back out the door. I glanced at my receipt and I noticed that one article of postage had been overcharged by more than $3, OK that isn't the end of the world or anything but I pay enough money in postage on a regular basis so I turned around and went back for a refund. (no this is not the senior moment)

After a 15 minute conversation with the post master they accepted that they screwed up and gave me the refund. I figured I must have been getting short on time so I raced out to the car, clicking my unlocking clicker as I got close to the drivers door. (senior moment coming up) I thought it was weird that the central locking didn't make that unlocking sound, but thought maybe I just didn't hear it or I was too far from the car to have heard it... so I pulled on the door handle but the car was locked. Weird! Oh well maybe this was Karma for hassling the Post Office. So I clicked the clicker again, still there was no familiar sound... and the door still didn't open when I pulled the handle.

(insert senior moment here) I tried this same sequence of clicking the clicker and pulling on the door handle about 3 more times before I got fairly frustrated and for reasons unknown glanced into the car... and then I discovered the car I was attempting to get into was not actually my car! Oh for shame! The car I was trying to get into was the same colour, make and model as mine... in fact it was even parked in the same spot I had parked my car in ... yesterday. My car was actually parked across the other side of the aisle.

Here is a diagram to complete the picture of my first senior moment.

Now attempted stealing of a motor vehicle would have been fun (not!) to explain my way out of had the real owner come along and seen me trying to get into their car... or worse a police officer!

At least I still have my sense of humour intact, I nearly choked on my dinner due to laughing so hard as I told DH and Mr W this story tonight. Mr W merely rolled his eyes and sighed, that took me back about 30 years to when I used to do that as a child.


Doozy: something bigger, more difficult or more spectacular than usual.
Senior moments are lapses of memory, logic or mental function which is atypical or unusual. The individual suffering the event, may not necessarily be advanced in age. Also related are the Brain Fart, Pregnant Pause or Menopausal Moment (depending on age and experience... and I guess gender) all relate to a brief moment of loss of transmission before returning to regular programming.

I have a new temari to share next time.

Temari Math Info Site is gone

Today I got a comment on this blog asking how to contact Debi A from the temarimathinfo and temaritrain sites. For many years these sites have been some of the go to destinations for all things temari.

Unfortunately for all of us Debi has shut off her websites. I actually could feel tears well up in my eyes when I saw that Debi's sites were gone. I have no idea how to contact Debi, I have emailed to the address I have of hers but it is a GMail account so she may not receive it.

I will work on removing all the links on this blog site (there are lots of them) but please be patient with any broken links that remain in the interim.

Debi, if you are still following blogs and happen to read this post... I want to thank you wholeheartedly for all your inspiration and kind guidance as I have stitched along my own temari journey thus far. I will always appreciate the wealth of information I gained from reading your sites and dearly miss the generous sharing of your temari knowledge. Best wishes to you for all your future ventures.

PS Debi, is there any chance of turning your temari calculator in to an iPhone app... I would definitely pay real cash money for that.

I have a new post in the works but it will be a few days before I can get the photos done (due to our wet, overcast weather forecasts) and ready to put up.

Koinobori and birthday

Last night we put up our Koinobori set. We did it in the dark and there was no wind so we couldn't see it fly. This morning I noticed we had put them on the inside line of the flag pole so they got caught up. Also the little fish (representing Mr W) couldn't fly because it was under the roof line. So I undid it all and fixed them up.

Now they are flying high over our front garden. What a happy sight!

It's May Day today (whatever that is... it's listed in my diary) but more importantly it is my Mum's birthday. We are off for a bite of lunch later today, but we'll have a family lunch on the weekend when all the family will be back together in Perth.

Here is a cupcake to take to lunch today, just one for the special birthday girl! Miss D helped make the flowers, leaves and the cupcakes yesterday. I made the little sign this morning and stuck it to a pick, Mum loves dragonflies.

Happy (undisclosed-th) Birthday Mum we love you!!!!