Advent Joyce

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Advent.  

It is a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus.  

A time of repentance, a time to reflect.

For me it is a time to be mindful.
Mindful of self.
Mindful of others.
Clearing the clutter from the inside.

I am going to take control of my stress levels.

It is totally up to me, what and who I allow into my life, and maybe by me taking control of my surroundings and what energies I accept from those around me, then I can begin to share my own positive and less stressed energy for calm.
That does not mean pushing people away from me, it just means when they dump on me, to nod politely, help them if they ask/want it, but not to absorb their negativity into myself.
To try and leave them feeling better, to try to share positive energy towards them.
Sort of like how a tree absorbs carbon dioxide and then emits oxygen.
(my way for words is ugg and iewww) *ahem*

Understanding that by stressing about 'all the things I have to do', does not make the task easier, it just fills my head with more crap.  It's pointless crap too.  If the job/task is not done, then get over it, tomorrow is there.  Look at what I HAVE achieved TODAY!  

Starting with my family.  

Taking time out, shutting out the negative, shutting out the rush.

Welcoming the calm, taking control, and what we allow in.

Cleansing my thoughts, tidying up my mind space, dusting out the unwanted energy,

baking batches of calm, that I can share with those around me.  

Extending the above to my workspace and colleagues.

Sharing the positive and calm with the children in the classroom.
By my actions and reactions, hopefully all positive and good, the children also learn to be calm, and keep stress out of their own little lives.  

Instead of absorbing the commercial Christmas,

 I am going to begin to exude, in simple things.  

A hug.

A 'how are you?'

Sitting in quiet.

Taking control of ME.

I am queen of my castle.
My castle is my whole self.
It's up to ME.

Happy first day of Summer Southern Hemisphere.

Hugs to you.  

Handmade

I love to make.  

  It's what makes me the me that I am.  

It's why I was born with fingers.

It's in the blood that runs through my body.

It's in the little particles of oxygen that get sucked in through my nose.

If I didn't make, then I would not be me.

I love it.

I love the texture.

I love the preparing.

I love the colours.

I love the planning.

I love the variety.

I love the shapes.

I love the thoughts.

I love the beginning,

and,

I love the ending.

For years I have made for family and friends and taken custom orders for items, but it was only December 2011 that I took the plunge and booked my own table at a very unique Made With Love Markets locally.

It was the beginning of something wonderful.

I am part of an ever growing community of some of the most amazing and gifted crafters, artists and market organisers in this most beautiful region of the Mid North Coast of NSW.

It is such an honour - I am having the time of my life.  

 Thank you to the ever growing surge of lovers of handmade.

Thank you for being part of my 'dreams come true'.

Thank you for loving items made by hand.

Cinderella knew what she was saying when she said,

'A dream is a wish your heart makes.'

xx

A is for Apron

I like my aprons.

I like them alot.

So I made some aprons,

To share in my 'shop'.

These little cuties are for sale.  AUD$10.00 each, excluding postage.

If you would like one, just pop me an email at frangapani04@yahoo.com.au

or you can find me on facebook at  Just Joyce

The first three aprons are full aprons with no pocket.

The last apron is a half apron with a little embroidered vintage kerchief pocket and braid trim.

Happy baking and cooking to you all.

xx

Everyone's A Winner Baby!

I cannot help myself.

There were a stack of bags I had packed up to take to the local charity store.

Instead of being a good girl and just dropping off the items, I went inside.

Yes.

I went inside, and look what ended up coming home with me!

It's a win win - they get stuff - I get stuff.

xx

A Rainbow Bouquet

How to put the icing on the cake of the day?

Come home from work to find a parcel from the postie had been delivered.

Here is some of what it contains - it's a bouquet of beautiful felt.

Thank you Sandie and Narissa from Winterwood Steiner Inspired Toys

Oh such beautiful colours.  

*happy dance*

xx

Grateful October - Day 31

Grateful today for the first Poppy of the season has bloomed in my little garden.  

They were planted for a reason, and every year, they flower.

xx

Grateful October - Day 30

Grateful that the last few weeks have had me feeling I have been viewing the world from this angle is now over and I am back on my feet again.  After a very brief meeting, I feel I have done what I can, and to leave the rest to the universe, it is now really quite out of my hands and I need to accept what comes.

'Put it out there' I was told, and so I did.  

(The photo above is of my Mini.  Just turned 1, and found that he was quite clever at his gymnastics on the glass-top coffee table at every opportunity he could find.  That chubby, giggly, cheeky little bubby will be 8 at the end of this year. xx)

xx

Grateful October - Day 29

Grateful for this place, and the people that live here.

xx

Grateful October - Day 28

Grateful today for hugs.

Hugs from my boys.

They are home from their lovely weekend away together.

I love that they love to hang out together.

I love that they have the most amazing Dad.

xx

Grateful October - Day 27

Grateful for the most comfy pair of jammie pants on the planet. 

Made by me from a vintage bed sheet.  Oh the softness!

Grateful for the time to stop and paint me pink.

Today I had two choices.  

1. Sulk and be all frustrated and uptight that my planned weekend was not co-operating with me because my body decided to be unwell.

2. Accept the fact that my body needs rest, respect my body and give it that rest, and don't feel guilty for doing so!

I chose number 2.  

I figured there was nobody here to see me perform number 1.

Also, number 1 would serve me no purpose in getting anything done or feeling any better.  Although there were bouts of guilt whilst performing number 2, I did it.  If there are not enough headbands at my next market, then that is too bad.  I will sell what I have.  It's not the last market on the planet, but I do only have one body.

I blew my nose, had a lovely hot shower, climbed into my fave jammie pants, spoke to my dear friend and rescheduled our lunch date, ignored the huge pile of fabric waiting to be cut and pinned and sewn.

Pulled out my felt and fabric scraps and got restful.

I also have happy pink toes that make me smile every time I look at them.

Smiling is good for your health!

What are you grateful for today?  

Do you have happy toes too?

xx

Grateful October - Day 26

Grateful today for flat lemonade - my tummy is very unhappy.

Grateful for my bed - my body hurts all over.

Grateful for my drawn blinds - the sun is too bright for my eyes.

Grateful for big, soft tissues - my nose is imitating Niagra Falls today.

Can someone play their littlest violin for me please.  *sniff*

I don't mean to sound so pathetic.  

xx

Grateful October - Day 25

Grateful for lego mini figures.  

xx

Grateful October - Day 24

Grateful today for wide brimmed hats and big, beautiful, chocolate brown eyes.

Grateful also for sometimes food.  Just look at that face - is he lovin' his lamington or what!!

This photo is of my itty bitty mini, a week before his second birthday.

xx

Grateful October - Day 23

Grateful today for my calculator and chocolate.  *phew*

Grateful October - Day 22

Grateful for Tupperware and sticky labels.

xx

Grateful October - Day 21

Grateful that we live in a land of plenty.

xx

Grateful October - Day 20

Grateful today for my little sewing machine.  

She is very, very old, but she still works.

She is my Janome My Style 20.

I love her still.

She has sewn for me, she has sewn for my boys, she has sewn for gifting,

she has sewn for charity, she has sewn for home, and she has sewn for friends.

xx

Grateful October - Day 19

*shhhhhh* 

*whispering mode*

Grateful for hidden pantry corners, up high.

Grateful for low crunch noise levels too.

p.s. ignoring claims of 'jumbo' and 'share'.  *pfft*

It's finders, keepers, eaters here today!

May your weekending be joyful.

xx

Grateful October - Day 18

Grateful today for the spaghetti bolognese batch I pulled out of the freezer that became our dinner tonight.

xx

Grateful October - Day 17

Grateful for the shade from big beautiful trees in the playground and my water bottle today.

Grateful for high ceilings and classrooms built from natural timbers.

Grateful and still in disbelief that I am actually being paid to work in such a beautiful environment, surrounded by amazing teachers and brilliant little minds.  I dare not blink, for fear it will disappear.

xx