What's missing.......?

...my CAR!

We were robbed on Tuesday night! 

It turns out they were in the house while I was on the computer and the family were asleep! They waited for me to go inside to bed (11pm) before coming into the studio and then leaving in my car. It was the next morning that we realised and pieced together what had happened. The police didn't take long to locate my car, it was found in the next suburb, missing some personal items however no noticable damage. My biggest relief with the car being found was that it still contained ALL my sample garments...phew! Everything else is an inconvenience. We've had to put a stop on all bank accounts as they stole my handbag (where they obtained the spare car key from), we've had all the locks on the studio, house, shed and Dans car changed because they also took Dans car keys along with his mobile phone & wallet. 

As horrible as it all is we realise it could have played out alot differently (much worse)...for this we are thankful. The girls don't seem too affected by the ordeal however I know the ever vigilant teenager will be even more vigilant... and that's the hardest part for me to accept, that they were in the house while the girls were asleep...Yuk! 

Busy....

Here's a glimpse of what I've been looking at the past week, my sewing machine with a Blushouse dress under it! They're taking longer than anticipated (lined with invisible zips)...I'm not very good at estimating how long something will take to sew-up as I have trouble converting sewing-time into actual-time. I'll post a photo once I get them finished.

Workshops are going well with both venues not quite full and interestingly mostly accomplished Re-inventors booked in.  There's going to be some interesting garments come out of this lot of classes which I am determined not to forget to photograph. It's unfortunate that I don't have the lovely-reliable-competent Kylie available to take snaps, she's suffering with 'fat feet' (oh, the memories!), with only a couple of weeks left 'til baby arrives.

Very quiet here at the moment as family gone to Library so shall take the opportunity to do some more sewing...

It's the Little Things...

It's the little things in life that make all the difference...like two friends sharing a joke while playing dress-ups. I should have been out in the studio sewing up a storm rather than hanging out inside 'spying' on these two however they were so captivating....it's also a good thing to take the time to notice the small things. 

Workshops are back in full swing as of tomorrow and I can't wait! I'm full of great ideas and loads of enthusiasm after this holiday, I don't seem to be able to get enough of the sewing machine. I've made myself a couple of skirts and tops in anticipation of not only needing something new to show my regular & novice Re-inventers but the summer wardrobe needs a serious up-date. 

I'm busily sewing dresses for the lovely Georgina (Blushouse). I'm always excited to sew for Georgina as her designs & fabric choices are always so interesting/challenging. I've volunteered Eliza and I to help her out at Bazaar this year which I'm looking forward to as it will be an opportunity to spend some one-on-one quality time with the teenager in an environment we are both comfortable in...surrounded by beautiful clothes!

We're Back!

Hi,

we had the best time! 

The road trip both up & back was memorable for various reasons which I'll list in order of greatest impact.

• Wildflowers in every imaginable colour and they were EVERYWHERE!
• Road kill ie. LOTS of Kangaroos, some birds and one Emu.
• Wicked Vans with their funny sayings & graphic paint jobs, Road Trains indicating to let you know when safe to overtake & LOTS  of Grey Nomads in caravans heading south for summer.
• Beer Bottle Tree ie. small native tree on side of the road decorated with empty stubbies, typical Aussie humour as was the Santa on a motorbike stuck in a fence, a relic from Christmases long past.
• Incompetence at Caravan Park we stayed in on way up & back....I can laugh about it now!
  

The time spent at Shark Bay defies description, literally, you have to experience to believe it. We were more fortunate than most knowing & staying with Alison, who has lived & worked in the area for 20yrs, also there are less people visiting the area this time of year.

I'll list in order of greatest impact as I know one womans holiday isn't neccessarily anothers.

• My friend Alison.
• Waking every morning to the view from Alisons lounge.
• 4-wheel driving up to Cape Peron with Alison.
• Standing at Skip Jack Point watching schools of Sharks, Stingrays, Turtles & Cormorants feeding on the shimmering schools of Skipjack.
  
• Walking alongside a pod of Dolphins who were swimming a few feet from shore at Cape Peron when suddenly they took a sharp left & Ali pointed out we were now walking alongside an 8' Tiger Shark!
  
• Stella complaining about flies landing on her (to the point of near tears) but not the least perturbed by an 8' Tiger Shark in the vicinity while she snorkelled in the shallows! 
  
• Feeding and watching the Dolphins at Monkey Mia.
• 3hr trip on 60' Catamaran the 'Shotover' out to sea grass beds to watch Dugongs feeding.
  
• The superior quality, condition & presentation of the Tourist places ie. Ocean Park, Monkey Mia, Cape Peron Homestead. 
  
• Eating fresh crabs most days thanks to Bobby getting up at 4am every day.
  
• 

Needless to say we were reluctant to leave. With any luck it wont be TOO long before we can all 4 of us go up and share the magic of this unique part of Australia.

ps. Thanks Ali!

JPx

Stormpede to Shark Bay!

Morning,

Ye Ha! We're packed and ready for our holiday, or as Stella put it this morning "we're off on our Stormpede to Shark Bay today!". Stormpede 'cause it's raining and she's in a big hurry to get there. 

We're actually overnighting in Geraldton to break the trip up so we'll see Shark Bay and my dear friend Alison on Friday. I haven't booked us in anywhere for the return trip 'cause I dont want to think about the holiday coming to an end at this stage however we will return. We have to be back for start of school and workshops...secretly I'm thinking 10-11th Oct.

Bye, JPx