May 2011

I have recovered from the 'fall' and the shoulder is still giving me twinges periodically. Perhaps just getting older?
I am having trouble on my website with contacting me...try directly at
annevanderkley@optusnet.com.au

Sorry for the inconvenience

Stash busting

I have been busy creating chaos in my house, as I pull out an overwhelming embarrassment of riches, tidying up so that I can start with at least getting rid of any duplicates of 'stuff'

We have polished wooden floors, wonderful for cleaning up after a creative session.

Busily cutting circles of fabric STR (surplus to requirements) for re-purposing as Suffolk Puffs, I dropped and slipped on one piece, upended boxes of already tidy-as-I-went threads,stablisers,beads, ribbons, braids etc., etc.,...you name it, I sent it flying! Of course I hadn't put the lids back on the plastic tubs as I was going to catalogue the goodies. And I don't know whether at my age I have fallen over or reached that dubious place of having 'had a fall'

Severely wrenched my shoulder and a back muscle, in pain +++ now for 2 days. Giving analgesics and anti-inflammatories a work out also.

The 'tidy up' is still all over the place, worse than ever as my hubby made our dining area (using the table no less) safe by clearing everything to one side on pain of death that he throw anything out yet!

I am almost back to being able to laugh about it, mingled with trickles of tears of pain if I laugh too hard(!!)...my computer chair is the most comfortable seat I can manage for any length of time.

I am going to have a sale of 'embarrassingly excess to requirements" (or should that be painfully in excess) at home in the next month or so, with some of the funds to go to our flood stricken fellow Aussies

Festive Season

Doesn't the year just gallop at this time (and has the horse bolted?)
We are having Christmas breakfast with our daughter and her partner...she has taken the reigns this year (keeping to the equine flavour of the post) and then we are home alone!
Our son is in China still studying post grad, but now looking for work in Shanghai. The outlaws are all involved with their immediate offspring and the upspring (my MIL) is going interstate.
I plan to sit down for a long read, some snoozing, and having a languid day overall.
This and the next week are consumed with 'must catch up before Xmas' events. Why, oh why don't we spread the cheer a little further over the year before I start my bah humbug feeling?
For all those celebrating whatever...enjoy the moment. And from me and mine to you and yours, have a good and safe time. And share a happy thought with me and those around you.

2 in a day?

No, just me accidentally hitting the wrong button!

December

Yes I have been off the airwaves for entirely personal reasons. Think I am on top of most of it now.
Just where has this year gone?

Off'n'on

Have been backwards and forwards from the old to the new computer.
Because I went to Windows 7 and 64 bit encryption for my new CS5 software, I have been updating drivers and lots of stuff (!!!) that I really did not want to have to play around with...what price progress?
I will say I love my new large monitor; I can survive without specs when I need to.And watching movies (sewing related of course) is fantastic.
Now I just have to work out what I have done to my font on the blog............mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

3 days in a row!!

Well, my endeavours to date are starting to pay off with the new computer. I'm not welded to the seat yet, and have successfully transferred much of my data from the laptop...that's success in my language!

Can't work out iTunes yet....you know how Apples like Apples and not PCs: can still play what I have on my iPhone...do I really want to have another interface?????
In between, am creating a magazine project for next year.
I think some people are truly surprised when they realize just how far out you work to publishing deadlines and schedules. It is always a bit weird working in woolen fabrics in the middle of summer for a winter project.
Anyway, back to the other demand of the day

Sucker for punishment!

Bear with me for a few days while I work out which end is up--me or the computer!

Re-installing programmes has its moments ( as well as those things I should not say out loud). My Internet security is telling me it's on-no it's not-yes it is....get the drift? And it won't work with the browser I had, so more time spent on that particular time wasting exercise.

Why do I do it????????????????????????

Updating my Blogging Skills

Playing with the new computer ...

Challenges of one kind and another

Am backing up all my computer files at the moment before I have a new one installed. Am going back to a desk top with 2 monitors this time so that I can get up and racing in new software and drawing programmes, in preparation for more  professional eBooks.

What a challenge!!!!!!!!!!!   Cleaning up my current workspace has unearthed some now vintage software: did I really buy Encyclopaedia Britannica on disc? And boxes of floppy discs and an external disc drive.

I won't admit to some of the other stuff I have! I was looking at just what pre dated Google and how astonishingly far we have come technologically in such a short time.

If I am unavailable or eBooks are ordered, bear with me until I work out what's what.

URGHHHHHHHHH...why do I do it to myself?

The domino effect

I have had my own annus horribulus this year, with some of the older members of the family deciding to exit to another (hopefully better) place and working on some relationships and family things. YUK, YUK, YUK!

Then the flu...down for 7 days in bed, up too soon of course and then a second round of recovery.

2 uncles interstate in the last 2 weeks! Always a chance to catch up with extended family but more sadly, I am sure I have seen some of the oldies for the last time. I am usually a glass half full person, but the glass has been pretty empty recently!

However, I am back working again, doing some of those things that were on my agenda "some" time ago. Moving forward again.

Travel with me

Have been marking time this week, getting lots of goodies ready for my teaching stint in Victoria (Aus) in February. I have 8 out of 9 days in a row in and around Hall's Gap. Check it out (Where's Anne and click on the link) as I think there are still a few spots left in some classes.
Am looking forward to my meandering drive south, via some of my favourite places...the organic licorice/chocolate factory (Green Grove) in Junee, staying and playing with a friend in Wagga Wagga, organic bakery in Uranquinty, lunch with my cousin in Talgarno, via Wangaratta and wineries/cheeseries/olive groves, overnighting somewhere rural, always fun in those small country towns and then meandering down to the Grampians and Hall's Gap.
Check out Google maps if you want to have a metaphoric journey with me. Yes, I know it's 3 weeks off, but I really love going bush.
Am back to my packing and preparing goodies...a ton of work, believe me! But worth the time investment for the outcomes.

Little bugs

When I had 330 emails in my spam folder (from the same Viagra seller!) the other day, I decided blogging and working at the computer was not a great option! I suspect it was my fault, going to reply to what I thought was a known address...who knows? I keep saying if it was a sewing machine or overlocker I could sort it.
My computer has been sick with a virus and has had computer medication but I think it still has a malingering bug.
Some emails addressed to me at anne@annevanderkley.com are reading as gibberish, so if you have signed up to my newsletter I might not have picked up the email. In that instance, try emailing me at annevanderkley@optusnet.com.au
Will have to talk to my computer gurus again about this...but I tried to make my deadline for blogging!!

New Year

First and belatedly foremost, a Happy New Year to you all.
Is it really January 12th already?
I never make resolutions, because when I used to, I did as I do in life & try to do too much, disappointing everyone but namely myself.
So, the infrequent blogger is going to try and blog a couple of times a week (is that safe??).
I have had the pleasure of seeing my friend Judith from the US for a short time while she was in NSW...she is a tireless traveller with an energy that puts me to shame. We met over sewing machines in Naples, Florida, a stunning part of the world. Judith is now accomplishing fantastic work with beading and Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and is inspiring me a little too much already....do I have time to take on another pursuit?
Sadly, the Downunder from Upover trip will not happen this year. Let's blame the gods of too busy rather than the economy so we all feel OK about it.
And I was going to visit some of my favourite but unknown places....ahh, another day.
So blog #1 is done.One achievement at least!

Heating Up

Back from Adelaide on Monday evening...I love the smaller shows, a real intimacy about them that just does not happen at the larger shows.
Of course, Adelaide decided to heat up just in time for the fair and is getting increasingly hot this week just as I return to Sydney and wait for the heat to catch up with me here!
I caught up with some family I had not seen or spent that much time with in years: my 83 year old aunt told me stories about the family that had me in tears of laughter and really lightened up a heavy year.
Am getting back to work slowly with a few magazine articles on the horizon as well as being the cover girl for the current issue of Machine Embroidery and Textile Art (Vol 16, #4) with an ultra-fine wool made into a ruana and 3D leaves as well as painted leaves. Thoroughly enjoyed making this one! Titled Wrapt in Oz

Here today, gone tomorrow

Yes, the willow-the-wisp is back after being missing in action most of October, consumed with finishing up estates and all the other things that must be attended as the family baton is being passed to the next generation. It is quite a consideration being in the 'frontline' now.
I have been also involved at a committee level (shades of last man standing syndrome) with ATASDA, the fantastic textile group I belong to
www.atasda.org.au
and am off to Adelaide tomorrow as part of the ATASDA team promoting textiles at the Exotica exhibition. Hence the title of this blog. Come and say 'hello' if you are going to be at the Adelaide showgrounds over the duration of the show (Thurs-Sun).
After all that, at it with a vengeance when I return to Sydney next week.
I am staying with my lovely old aunt...I don't think she has either a computer or the internet, so I will be missing in action for a little while yet.

Quiet Time

Have been off the blogwaves since last week. My FIL passed away last Thursday so we have been out of the loop and under the radar for a few days

Not hiding, working!

Got back to Sydney and did the usual, took a week to get over my PHD (post holiday depression!). A friend of mine and I both agree, the highs of the holiday are never the same for the folks at home... Coupled with my FIL's condition, the joy of our holiday is hard going at the moment...it takes a while to get back into the swing of everything once more and then a 21st on top of that.
We had a fabulous night at Emad's, a Lebanese restaurant in Sydney with family and friends. Plain good fun!
Now sort of/kind of trying to get everything done a little bit at a time each day with all the extra travel we are doing between sick beds and home. Bear with me once more for the next little while please.

Beijing

Back in Beijing by ourselves was good, but we really missed both our son's company and his communication skills. We did manage to navigate our way on the underground, back to the silk/pearl markets for a final shopping fling.
Have been quiet...my FIL has gone into a hospice and will probably not return home. We are doing quite some running around and looking after my MIL at the moment. Yes, it's THAT sort of year

Inner Mongolia...still

We ate at a Chinese 'chain' for lunch (3pm mind you) and I admired our very young waitresses hair band: it was immediately taken off her head and presented to me! Our son has written to the restaurant group thanking her for her kindness...all employees have a staff number, a truly good idea. And the food we had was spectacular once more....wish we had chain food as good as this in my hometown. My China trip sounds like an adventure for foodaholics and I truly think it could be such a trip for serious foodies.
Big siesta and very late dinner finished our last full day in Inner Mongolia.
Before we flew out we went to an ancient temple and then an amazing modern arts museum/precinct. Hopefully the Chinese will not destroy all their history in the name of progress. Back to another amazingly modern airport: we were early for our flight and unlike anywhere else I have been, they readily changed our very cheap priced tickets for seats on the earlier flight!!!!!!
Very mixed feeling when we got back to Beijing and our son went back to TianJin and we caught our cab to the city for our last 2 days