Damn BodyJam

Body Jam

There are 3 questions on the Les Mills site for this class - one on whether it's a good workout (will I look like Gerry Halliwell in "It's Raining Men"), one on what to wear (would Trinny and Susanna approve of Umbro soccer shorts?) and the other:

I'm worried that BODYJAM® might be too complicated for me. Will I be able to keep up?

Yes, you'll need to relax and just go with the music and the moves. We have a weekly technique class which teaches you slowly and systematically how to do the moves.

This is confusing. I thought it said, yes - you will keep up. BUT having done my second class on Sunday I see it actually reads, yes - it is too complicated for you.

Nothing beats your spirit up by re-experiencing the "dance fright" from your blue-light disco days than a dance class full of old, young, frumpy and fab Justine Timberlakes. Really I should have stayed on and drank wine with Knit Rangers - don't think that's going to get too complicated!

Maybe my mortgage-induced lack of nights in clubs is starting to have affect - maybe my dancing skills are gone and I'll have to resort to line-dancing.

Or maybe I never had any in the first place ........

Quilty Quilty Quilty!

Woohoo - I've finished Charlie's quilt! The photos above and below don't do it justice but I just couldn't find a bright enough area to picture it in before dishing it out to bubbs. I visited said quilt recipient last weekend on a crisp CHCH Saturday. She's grown since I saw her at Easter (funny that!) and now the quilt may have to become a wall hanging. She sleeps in a hammock-thingie in the lounge sometimes so my sister might use it then.

I did find out though that I got the DOB wrong - Charlie was born on 15th not 16th of Feb - my mobbie didn't register it right (something to do with my sister sending msgs at 2.30am in birthcare - such unreasonable hour to be up, I mean what was she doing!). Anyway I took it back and re-stitched 15 on the DOB. Hopefully we can see some "in-use" photos soon. I'll put more pics on flickr.

Above is one of the heart squares - I actually wish I had done all hearts now instead of random swatches. Below is my first ever swatch of crochet, and the quilt even has my first ever cable swatch (knock that one off the Jan 08 list!). I really enjoyed the stitching the lines (see below) through the centre to keep it in tact - goodness knows why but it was immensely satisfying - weird?! I'm really compelled to make another one, perhaps for my bed. I'm sure PJ will like it but not certain CH will enjoy a quilt. He's still a bit neurotic that crafting is for grannies only. Oh well maybe once I've finished all my other projects, started the other 10,000,000 in my head - just get in line Ms Quilter!

CH is off to Japan, Korea and China next week for work- that's pretty cool. I go to Singapore, Australia and very occasionally London for my work - soooo passe compared to CH (big exaggerated sigh :)! I know I'm lucky folks). I've tried to worm my way in as I've always wanted to see Japan - but partner-on-work-business-trip doesn't fly. So that turns to the other pretty cool thing - home alone week for me! All the vegie grub I want, MY channel choice doesn't require defending and knitting in bed with PJ under the covers is perfectly acceptable. Dinner could look like this every night:

-except I would have to triple my gym routine!

Hey, I saw God Defend NZ: The Last Resort at Soul on Sunday night - brillant doco and really made me think about how little I get involved in politics in NZ, and how important it is I do!

One cold day in Wellington

I like Wellington - it has such a better vibe than Auckland. Unfortunately there is no need for a little reinsurance broker down there so I'm reduced to short visits. In between meetings on Monday though I popped into Borders - who had such a vast craft book selection that I was forced to purchase! "The Home Guide to Craft" is CHOICE - full of brillantly easy to follow lessons from felt rugs, beading, paper mache and metal work. I'm full of motivation to print my own table cloths - I'm thinking of using some grainy linen and printing images of iconic native trees - white, greyish turquoise and mushy pea green! It also had my actual idea for the giant textured cushions I was going to do - the purchase was meant to be:

I've finished Charlie's quilt which was really fun in the end - very satisfying to sew the whole piece together. The use of a woollen blanket as the inner was great (albeit it a bit heavy) and I'm thinking of doing something for our spare beds. Am heading to Christchurch tomorrow to see Charlie and will post photos up of a warm, quilted Charlie!

There are a few projects sitting on the old suitcases (must show you a picture of these someday):

a) a second Debbie Bliss tank for JoeJoe - in a green/purple/teal Utiku yarn - cast on complete!
b) 4 x cushions for spare bedroom - 2 x Debbie Bliss Silk Cotton fronts knitted up just need to find the backing. Moss st swatch done for the chunky ones but not happy with it .... might look at following the pattern pictured above.
c) the new order for the baby beanies for "Rockabye Baby" store in Ashburton - is 3/4 complete
d) a jersey for CH - cannot get the gauge right for the Rowan pattern I like and am having to reconsider pattern choice grrrrr

Behave yourselves and have a lovely weekend ...

Softie people

I quite like a bit of Karen Walker now and then however the budget never allows for a proper feast. She designs very nice day wear including some not-so-fitting stuff which means it looks good on a 12-yr-old anaemic, gymnast AND me. It's girly, a bit grungy and a bit boho - my favourites. Even her jewellery range is great - I love the robot and runaway girl necklaces. Well she's got even cooler now and is into the softies craziness (I rate the little knitted caps on these girls - but talk about stick thin models ... :)):EON, which has the best looking NZ designed home gear around, even has softies in it's collection from Sweetpea this year. (And did you see the Standard Issue knitwear at EON - I really like the fingerless gloves.) I'm pretty keen to make a few softies myself and have a few cone-shaped ideas in mind. Just need to finish all other projects first!!