Peace Sweet Peas

It's a Whole New World out there.

2011-12-22T22:43:00.001-07:00

Once again I am gainfully employed. Working as a librarian even. How's that for working the magic. I'm running a bookclub for 8-12 year olds. So got to get in the scene... ha. that will be the day. still reading up on my junior novels, checking out other blogs for tips on how to run tween book clubs (big tip... talk about the covers). posting to the library blog. Thinking big ideas. Need to learn how to use Gimp better (open source photo editing software.)

Library Camp Australia- We Have Lift-Off

2011-11-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Library Camp Australia- We Have Lift-Off

Please don't put Hitler in my group

2011-08-18T21:28:00.000-06:00

He is impossible to work with. Everyone is so scared of him that they just go along with whatever wacked-out idea he comes up with. People not only agree with everything he says, they go out of their way to come up with ideas that they think he would like. They are falling all over themselves to try and prove how good they are, and how hard they are working. Like Haycock reminds us this can be a time of chaos where we think we are working well as a group but really we’re gearing up to invade Russia.

Twenty years ago as an undergraduate, group work scared me. It always seemed like some A-type personality would take control of the project and leave me coasting along feeling guilty and incompetent.

My Aunt Deb recently took a graduate level course, which ate up her weekends with group work that she couldn’t stop complaining about; this was a vivid reminder of my dislike for group work. I admit as I try to decide what classes to take at SJSU, I wince when reading that a course involves group work.

My world was shaken then reading (I’m just too impatient to listen to the videos) Haycock and Irwin’s lectures about group work because they made me recognize the anti-group prejudices I have been harboring.

Top 5 things that have changed in the last 20 years that will make me better at group work.

5. Before if I was nervous about asking someone for a favor I would skirt around the issue hoping the person would volunteer – now I just ask.

4. I have to come the truly understand that conflict is a good thing – not without consequences but necessary nonetheless.

3. I drink coffee now.

2. Email lets me write my message (for example asking my husband to do a job) and then go back and insert the required “smoothing the way” (for example thanking him for all his hard work) into the beginning.

1. I understand that others can’t read my mind and that I really need to state upfront what I expect from any interaction.

Yes it is I the creature from the Black Lagoon

2011-08-14T07:35:00.000-06:00

Wow it has been a long time since I posted. This time I bring librarians. In a jello and mud wrestling competition who do you think would win: Moms, give-away bloggers or librarians? Actually I bet my Mom would win, she's got all those old "growing up on the farm" moves. Plus she makes up a large portion of my earlier readership.

The girls are all in bed and I got to start school work a whole hour earlier than last night. I turned 43 today. I was considering going out dancing but instead hubby and I are sitting side by side at the kitchen table doing school work on our computers. But fear not, I did go and get my eyebrow re-pierced today. I'm eating blueberry cake from IKEA and life is good.

Chocolate

2011-01-27T20:59:00.003-07:00

my favorite food and it is being given away over at AN APPLE A DAY

Chocolate

2011-01-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

my favorite food and it is being given away over at AN APPLE A DAY

Play dough

2010-12-09T21:59:00.002-07:00

My Organized Chaos is giving away an Elmo cool toy playdough. The girls have been really enjoying playing with a playdough picnic set that Emma got at a gift exchange at Sparks.

The Rice Baby $30 Guest Giveaway

2010-04-28T18:17:00.000-06:00

The Rice Baby $30 Guest Giveaway

2010-04-28T18:16:00.000-06:00

The Rice Baby $30 Guest Giveaway

Romeo and Mae Sewing Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-04-28T18:12:00.000-06:00

Romeo and Mae Sewing Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Funky Polkadot Giraffe $25 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-04-28T18:06:00.000-06:00

Funky Polkadot Giraffe $25 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

i knew it had been a long time but really...

2010-03-26T13:17:00.002-06:00

I keep burning it but i am enjoying it a lot.... Healthy Bread in 5 minutes a day.. which is a bit of a misnomer but really fun. I have one basic whole wheat in my fridge plus one spelt sunflower and one whole wheat banana with walnuts. The idea is you make a big batch of no knead bread that you can leave in the fridge for upto 2 weeks just taking a chunk when you want to cook it.

Baby Bees Boutique GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-01-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Baby Bees Boutique GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-12-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ever wondered what Survivor would look like with crafters?

2009-11-10T18:21:00.003-07:00

Well wonder no longer. And we all get to vote too! Plus the winner each week provides a tutorial in howto.

I've made a few things while being sick these last few weeks though it was pretty desperate when I had time to myself and I didn't even want to sew.

My most successful is the vest; my attempts to add ruffles to tshirts are still not where I want them. And due to the influence of My Mama made it the leaves go all around the back.

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-11-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sewing

2009-11-05T21:33:00.002-07:00

My bamboo fabric from Bamboo Wonders arrived today. i have no idea what i'm going to do with it. The ideas I had before it arrived don't seem to mesh with the reality of the fabric in hand but I'm sure I will think up something great. I bought lots so i have lots to play with. Some denim, some really super soft black jersey, natural knit and a pretty blue knit and an olive green "cottony" kind of piece. It is all so soft. I first came across the idea of bamboo as material when I was ordering non-wool fleeces to spin in Montreal at art school. The bamboo was so shiny and silky and soft. Also bloddy hard to spin I tell ya!

I'm thinking I may do some dye work wiwth some of this fabric. That was one class I couldn't take at art school being pregnant but that I find fascinating.

menno

2009-10-28T07:24:00.003-06:00

my latest project is making me feel very menno. I decided last winter that I needed ski pants.. the kids have them and I'm outside with them andmy legs get cold and sometimes wet so I looked but couldn't find anything I liked. So with all the felting and bits of leftover sweaters lying around... I took a pair of maternity overalls and split open the leg. Now I'm piecing together pieces of sweater felt and sewing them on the inside of the leg. Having a bit of a hard time getting it all to lay flat. After I line it I'm going to cover the wool with something soft to stop it being itchy and I may cover the outside with some water resistant fabric or maybe just on the bum and knees. So it's fun but feels somewhat foolish too. I did add some ruffles to a top in homage to her.

igloo

2009-10-28T07:20:00.001-06:00

a comment on mrs mittens made me curious what a fun project with milk jugs big, bigger, biggest

Vivi Reborn GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-21T21:47:00.000-06:00

Vivi Reborn GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Noah and Lilah GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-19T18:45:00.000-06:00

Noah and Lilah GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine

2009-10-17T21:09:00.005-06:00

finished my sweater project and whipped up some tshirt leg warmers and a few flowers. Also Emma's hair piece for the photo shoot. Spent a lot of time contemplating ruffles today. While watching "The House of Eliot" on DVD from the library.

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-14T22:12:00.000-06:00

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! must be seen to be believed.

What have I been up to

2009-10-14T20:03:00.002-06:00

I have been doing quite a lot but I have a crazy time ever posting anything about it. But here are some pictures of what I did today while the girls were at school and Miss H was indulging me.

Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-08T22:58:00.000-06:00

Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!