Thought I’d pop in and do a little Thirfted Tuesday post :-) Though I didn’t find this beauty – the ever resourceful and clever Kootoyoo discovered this gem in an op-shop and sent it over.

It’s a drop-dead amazing hand made quilt top (sorry the photos don’t do it justice – I blame super gloomy weather conditions):

Kirsty sent it to me thinking that I could use some of those wonderfully paper pieced bits for Peg Bear tummies. Such a great idea though I will admit I will have a very, very hard time cutting into this (I feel compelled to frame it up and stick it up on the wall!).

Thanks so much Kirsty! I heart it big time!

Speaking of Kirsty, being a well-seasoned runner she recently posted this about getting into ‘the zone‘ when running. As a novice runner still struggling with putting one foot in front of the other, I am looking forward to truly experiencing ‘the zone’ whilst on a run – I have seen glimpses of it on my longer runs but then I suddenly realise how tired I am and it disappears just as quickly :-)

I’ve also started using another link Kirsty provided a few months ago – Map My Run. It’s a great way of keeping track of runs like day, time, duration, distance, route and other variables. Very handy if you have joined up for Pip’s Move It Like Mike group – there is also a Map My Walk, Map My Ride, and Map My Fitness.

And speaking of running – anyone joined the Melbourne Makers team yet for the Run Melbourne? Remember, you can walk OR run . . . no guarantees on what the weather will be like but it will be fun! :-) Early registration closes June 12th.

Thank you to those who have donated towards the $1000 goal for the Mirabel Foundation. Your support has been amazing. Current total is $445 – we are getting there! Anyone willing and able to push it up a little more, closer to the $500 mark? :-) If so, please clickety-click here.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! We’ve enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing long-weekend . . . always makes it hard to think about getting up for work again tomorrow!

I finished up this little gal and will be posting her off to Craft Hope’s Casa Bernabe Orphanage project:

Here’s a sneak peek at the amazing collection of dolls the project has received so far: Craft Hope Update

Thanks to Eren and the Craft Hope gang for organising this awesome project and providing the craft community with the opportunity to make a small friend for a very special child :-)

{image credit: “Coffee Art” by Gilfer}

I have been sewing and making stuff this week although it doesn’t seem like it from this week’s posts :-) . I have realised that going back to full-time work means very little opportunity to take decent photos at home – too much chaos in the morning getting the kids ready for the day and too dark at night when I get home. So I expect there will be much picture taking over the weekend :-)

A couple of One Red Robin-related things from this past week:

>> A Ruby Doll swap has been organised over on Swap Bot by one of their members – details are here if you are interested in being involved.

>> The Mama Matryoshka and Baby sewing pattern was officially launched by Pattern Press at the Quilt & Craft Fair in Sydney this past week. They are now available to purchase online over at the Haby Goddess over here. Hopefully, they will also be available at my current pattern stockists in the coming weeks.

And good stuff from online travels:

>> Pip has started the “Move it Like Mike” challenge to encourage regular exercise – join in here.

>> Having two young, wriggly kids has made eating out as a family a somewhat hit-and-miss experience. Same deal with you? Craftzine posted up a few hints on activities to do when eating out with kids. Chronicle Books blog also posted some good tips on the same topic here.

>> The newest issue of my favourite online magazine at the moment is up – Parasol Issue 3. Packed with an amazing and inspirational set of artists.

>> These photos of Piódão, one of the most famous historical villages of Portugal, by Chocolate a Chuva officially puts Portugal on my “Countries I Will do my Darndest to Visit before I Die” list – right under Japan.

>> Stamps, stamp-making, and hunting down stamping supplies now on the mind thanks to Mel.

>> I will leave you Heidi’s photo of her wonderful crocheted flower cushion.

{image credit: My Paper Crane}

Happy weekend (and long weekend to all Aussies)!

* Refers to Kate Miller Heidke’s song of the same name, which I can’t seem to shake out of my head at the moment. Also refers to this blasted cold I can’t seem to shake off either!

{image credit: “Joy of Running” by Shikharesh}

Please consider joining Anna Laura and I, and the Melbourne Makers team on Sunday, June 28 for the Run Melbourne! You don’t have to be a pro runner (ahem, I am a case in point!) but just willing and able to enjoy a run or walk in the city.

We all know how hard it is to fit exercise into our schedule, especially when the weather has turned so, so cold. But here is a great opportunity to move out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to walk or run 5km (or more if you want to!) – perhaps the kick start you are looking for to get into a regular better-health plan. I guarantee you that it is an extremely rewarding moment and a huge boost when you cross that finish line, knowing that you have given it your best and kept at it to the end.

Join up before June 12th to take advantage of the early bird registration and then head on over to Anna Laura’s over here and let her know so that she can add you to the Melbourne Makers team.

It is not compulsory to fund raise for a charity through the run but you do have the option to do so.

Thank you to those of you who have generously given towards the goal to raise $1000 for the Mirabel Foundation. I received a lovely email from the Foundation last week:

“Hi Jhoanna,
Thanks so much for offering your support to Mirabel and nominating us as your charity for your entry in Run Melbourne. Your support makes an enormous difference, not only by raising funds but also awareness for children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to their parents drug use and the work that we do.

From everyone at Mirabel, we wish you happy training & best of luck on the day.”

There are 25 days left until the run and the window for making a donation closes. The current total is $295 – is there anyone willing to tip it over the $300 mark? Please click here if you’re able to help.

Updated 04/06/09: WOW!!! What a response! THANK YOU ♥ ! The current total is now $395 – is there anyone willing to tip it over the $400 mark? Please click here if you’re able to help.

Updated 05/06/09: WOW, WOW, WOW!!! THANK YOU ♥ ! The current total is now $420. Please click here if you’re able to help inch us up to the $500 mark.

Read about the Mirabel Foundation here.

I noticed that Cam and Leisl participated in Jenaveve’s Just a Minute meme for May – what a great idea! So here’s a quick summary of what I got up to in May:

(Cheery Chimp sample in progress)

Making
… samples, samples, samples. May was all about making samples of my softie patterns for retailers/trade shows. I also have an unfinished dress that seems to be calling out to be me every time I walk into my craft room. I think Annabel was my favourite softie from this past month :-)

Reading
… mostly magazines, and online websites on craft, faith, and family. In May, I also participated in my first ever running event so I started reading up on running – trying to find ways to increase endurance and build stamina with a goal of being able to run at least 10km by the end of the year. I would love to get back in to my (many) unfinished books that sit on my bed-side table – perhaps something to think about doing this month too :-)

Watching
… “House” – well, when it was still on the tube. It is the only show I really made sure I watched every week. I’ve also been watching a lot of Playschool, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Bernard episodes on DVD with the girls. I’m not keen on any other shows on TV at the moment.  Though I think that if we had Foxtel, it would be a completely different story – I would never leave the couch!

Listening
…to a playlist on the ipod that I play when I run. This past month it included tunes from the Black Eyed Peas, Ah Rahman, Fatboy Slim, Paramore, The Script, and Gotye amongst others.

Cooking
… I’m no chef (I think I have mentioned previously how much I dislike cooking!) but I am trying my best to make sure I cook something healthy for the family, especially the two girls. It finally struck me how much junk they were eating throughout the week and how I can change things around if I actually set aside more time to cook. They have no qualms about eating fruit but it is painful (p.a.i.n.f.u.l) to try and feed them vegies.

So I bought “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld (yes Jerry’s wifey), which has been fantastic because it has shown me how I can hide vegies like carrots, celery, sweet potato, parsnip, etc in things like mac-&-cheese and spag bol! The girls have enjoyed what I’ve made from the book so far and are none the wiser about all those vegies they are eating – hehe!

I also bought “Everyday in the Kitchen“. I’ve been making the really quick meals which involve, meat, veg, noodles and a wok :-) but I hope to try some of the other more time-intensive meals in the coming month. Such a comprehensive, straightforward and enjoyable cookbook. I have also made a few loaves of the banana and choc-chip bread I blogged over here since it has been very popular with the family (and visiting extended family!).

Why don’t you join in on Jenaveve’s meme too? Let me know if you do!

My weekday morning ritual is to be up at 5:30am. I spend some time reading my devotional – for those of you who are not familiar with this book, it is basically a book containing verses/passages from the Bible with a reflection about the passage, and there is one for each day of the year.

I thought today’s was particularly pertinent given that I start my first full-time week back at work today. The verse was: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)”

And the reflection went something like this: “We set ourselves up for misery or joy by the mindest we have towards the things in our life . . . For example, when we look at our schedule today it may seem that there is far  too much to do. But if we choose the mindest that God will help us through it, we will enjoy watching everything fall in to place . . . Refuse to dread what must be done.”

I then head off to the gym or go for a run (depending on the weather) and am back home just when everyone starts waking up (after which chaos ensues!). I find that this small morning ritual wakes up my mind, spirit and body, and I am ready to face the day ahead.

Thanks to Angie for the theme this week. More morning rituals over here.

Happy June everyone! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!