Shiver Me Timbers!

Hi!
Well I've had quite an odd couple of weeks, culminating in an appointment with a cardiologist this coming Tuesday :/ (more about that later).
Firstly about my trip to Sydney - I flew down (and back) in a turboprop!

The Rock 'n' Roll Markets didn't quite go according to plan. Rhiannon came down with a migraine on Saturday night. A full on, knock em down one. She vomited so much she ended up vomiting blood (sorry, perhaps a bit too much info!). I briefly thought about doing the markets on my own but she was so ill I didn't want to leave her. Thank goodness that by late Sunday she was feeling more human again.

I spent the week mostly relaxing, doing a bit of sewing and reading. Eddie, Rhiannon's gallant guard cat was there to keep me company through the days while Rhiannon was at work:

You can see by his expression he takes his job very seriously. And while on the subject of animals, this is Jersey, Erin's new lady's chihuahua (did I spell that right?)

Very cute and very tiny!

I'm not sure whether I mentioned or not, but I've started doing an on line makeup artist course with Erin Shaw Academy. With most modules, as well as answering a questionnaire you have to submit before and after photos of actual makeups. The module I've just completed is Day Look. Rhiannon was my model and here's the before and after pix:

During the week in Sydney I started getting pains in my chest and feeling very tired. I've had these pains occasionally before but they've never been quite as bad or stayed for so long. I kept it quiet while I was in Sydney and tried to keep it quiet once I got back home, but apparently I'm looking quite pale plus having to "have a little lie down" gave it away. I saw my doctor who did an ECG and got me in for an urgent appointment with a cardiologist (next Tuesday) as well as putting me on a few medications. I must admit I am pretty nervous about it, plus $250.00 payable on the day doesn't exactly thrill me. Hopefully though it will all prove to have been a bit of a storm in a teacup (fingers crossed)

Till next time,
Robyn x

All Packed And Ready To Go

I'm going to Sydney on Friday for a week. This time I'm flying down. I usually get the train which takes about 6 hours. The flight is only one hour and ten minutes. I couldn't afford to do this everytime I go down, since I do this every two months, to coincide with the Rock 'n' Roll Markets and I usually stay down for a week to catch up with my girls, but this time I'm treating myself!

My Fluff Mermaid Luggage Tag. Fluff have the cutest stuff!

I'm getting packing down to a fine art. I'm getting to know what I'm likely to use and what I'm not. I used to bring extra stuff "just in case", but these days I'm quite ruthless. I'm even able to keep my makeup bag to a reasonable size by deciding on a colour scheme for the week (this time it's smoky but subtle grey eyeshadow, with liner, mascara and lashes of course, and two shades of red lipstick). 

Something I always need, wherever I go is 1. Something to read. and 2. Something to make. This is one area that used to get out of hand. I used to take a choice of books, and whatever projects I was currently working on. This time I've got that under control too. My something to read arrived in the mail today:

Wartime Housewife by Biff Raven-Hill.

I've had a little peak and can't wait to get into it!

With my something to make I decided on something that was small in size that I could easily pick up and put down. When I make something, as pattern weights I usually use anything I can find (such as the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails bottle you'll see in the photos). I decided to make myself some pattern weights. I'm not sure what I will fill them with yet, probably lentils? But I'll do that after I get back. I had a fat quarter roll of fabric I bought ages ago because I liked the design. I decided to use that. I cut out 3"x3" squares. I'm not sure how many I have, but I used up the whole thing. I've packed it with a small pair of scissors, some thread and a little container with some pins and needles and I'm ready to go.

Note the Hard As Nails pattern weight.

My fat quarter's worth of squares.

Just a bit of trivia... before she was married my Mum was a milliner(ess?). She worked for a family business in Sydney. The company was Leutenegger. It looks like they are still in business after all these years!

When I come back I have quite a bit of sewing to do. My Sew For Victory blouse, my new Cruisin' Down The River blouse and matching hat for a start. I'll be able to use my new pattern weights. Yay!

Till next time,

Robyn x