Irenenenene

I had this dresser since I was, I don't know, 10? And "beautified" it around 13.... Oh, boy! It was time for a make-over DIY Before And After => i noticed that wood darkens with age, so the circles remained. Bummer, but nonetheless I am very happy also with the drawers inside, since no more teensy tiny splinters get caught in my stockings... For the job I had borrowed a sander, but found that the only place to really do the job was in the shower (sorry, no balcony), the noise just became too much, so I wound up doing a lot of the sanding by hand. This was the elbow-grease part of the project, the varnishing was quick, and since I wanted a vynil sticker to go over teh light patches, which I had designed and gotten a quote for, I was not too worried about varnish. HOWEVER, once the company who cuts the stickers actually had done the work of re-tracing the design, they wanted to charge me double the original, albeit verbal quote. So, plan B sprung into action...

SO, in July I said I would tackle all those WIP pieces that I always wanted to do. Well, hahahaha I should have known that things do not turn out like they are planned in my head. I have sewn a pair of pants for myself, only to find that they were so tight that I had to make alterations even before I wore them. Not cool, so I gave them away. Another thing I did with them was to taper the leg, like is so in voge at the moment. That also turned out to be a not so good idea, since my legs are shaped all wrong for that type of style. (Sorry no pictures for that, it was just too awful for words) What I did finish, however, was another jersey Easy pattern and to follow, from an oldish magazine I also started on another jersey - am trying a different armhole/ sleeve shape. It's striped white, turquoise and chocolate brown. I added the brown because after starting I realised that the stripes would look too much like the Western Province Rugby team. (And I am NOT a rugby fan) I

No matter how often I see these things - it still blows my mind that anyone can move like this.

Taken from leadershipmoment.org: Transcript from the 28th of September 2012 "Achievement follows preparation. Talent just wants to jump into the action. Preparation positions talent to be highly effective. Talent and Preparation often leads to success. On the other hand, talent minus preparation often leads to disaster. Talent will often provide you with an opportunity for success but preparation is essential to achieve success. A famous General in WWII put it this way: The more you prepare in peace the less you bleed in war." Number two is from the book Shantaram by Gregory David Rogers : After living in the slum he witnessed a case of punishment on a few of the community members by the community, under the strict observation by the leader in that community. After the punishment had taken palce the leader said these words: "In this way is justice done, [....] because justice is a judgement that is both fair and forgiving. Justice is not done until everyone is satisfied

So, with the new year, and studying behind me, I decided to tackle all the WIP (Works in Progress) that had been lurking in my cupboard. Ok, so technically they were not even started, but the stash had grown to proportions that were becoming unmanagable for the space I had. Things did not turn out the way I anticipated, but I have shown you some finished projects already. Some more later I also thought that I could get away with sewing only my own things for a change, and did for a while, but then I accepted a few sewing jobs. Lo, and behold, in crept pattern issues and I had to redo parts. I was not a happy Irenenenenenene I also had other pattern issues with a pattern that I had used numerous times for myself. All of a sudden the pants were too tight and highly uncomfortable in the crotch. So, a wasted piece of clothing (actually fabric) is now hanging in my cupboard not going to be worn. (any takers for a pair of pants? I am happy to give them away! Hip measurement 100 cm and

:) :) :)

Since my brithday fell on a Sunday this year, I took advantage of the Cable Car offer to take a free ride. CLick on pictures for a bigger view.  The friends gather at the bottom. Happy belated BIrthday Yerusha :) Our little excursion was damatically cut short by the FREEEEEEEZING wind on to and the cold front moving in. Last cabel car down at 16h20 - well, we did not want to walk all the way, so that is what we did. Nevertheless, thanks Ryan, Gideon and Yerusha for making my day special and joining me on top.

In case you thought I was lazing around at home doing nothing :) These are going to be gifts - yes, I'm giving them away! I need the space in my cupboard.

A recent view from the landing of the stairs (so, technically not my window)  And I coloured some easter eggs :) Best colours? Red and Orange. Well, the orange had a yellow tablet as well so colour got quite bright. Happy Easter (belated)

I found these photos the other day on my camera. Knitted doily I made for my mommy. I knitted three or four while I was there, but only took a picture of one - please don't ask me why...

The year started off with a bang of busyness. At work I had to go back almost a year to a submission for a new programme we developed, losing three weeks of preparation. During that time I also got a job to make and grade a matric jacket. (the photos below are poor quality because they are not taken by me :) ) Also, the sewing wasn't doen by me either, so some quality issues in my mind.... I then proceded to sew a wardrobe for my friend TJ who is heading onto the mission field. Int eh process I could test my new machine (well, "new" because I have not really used it since I bought it in April last year) So, here is what I did: And I experimented with dying. Yes, these things all went in at the same time into the same die lot and this is what I got (the second shirt from the right was light blue and the dress on the far left was white). This jsut goes to show that there are no guarantees when the shop tells you "It's 100% cotton" hahaha

My cousin K, used to say on our Road TRIP : I wish we could bottle sunshine and send it overseas. Well, here is your answer :) (not a bottle, but a Jar - GENIUS!!) You can currently get them at the Design Indaba , or otherwise at their shop in Stellenbosch. I got myself some sunshine love :)