Mandy in Oz

Yep, I've been a slack blogger again, blah blah, slap on the wrist :P Anyway, I've been a little sidetracked - but not by crafty goodness this time. I've been cheating on my crafting.....with the gym. And the treadmill. Oh yes, I'm really getting around. It's been a long time (years in fact) since I last had a gym membership, but now that I've returned, I can remember just why I used to love it so much :) I've been having a fantastic time, and am feeling so much fitter and healthier. I'm even doing the C25k program (squeezing that time in on the treadmill *very* early in the morning). That's not to say that I haven't been doing any crafting - there has been some dyeing action, in preparation for my first ever 'production line' kind of crafting. I've cheated a little and have dyed up a few different colours, so my items won't be *identical*, just similar. Thankfully, I won't be the one deciding who gets what (hehehe ...

Yep, that's right - I'm a slack blogger. There, I said it. I have been doing quite a lot of *other* stuff though, which may redeem me a little. Not to mention, I haven't been feeling terribly great, of late. I had a somewhat disastrous experience with a dentist in mid December, the end result being that I now have damage to my inferior alveolar nerve :S Which basically means numbness, tingling, burning and pain in half of my chin, lower lip and teeth. The really bad bit? Feeling like my teeth are being crushed in a vise, a lot of the time. Oh yeah, and the occasional sensation of bugs crawling under my skin. Worse bit? This could last for 6 months, or 2 years, or forever. Though I'm hoping for a somewhat shorter time than forever, you know? Because that doesn't really bear thinking about now, does it? There has been some improvement lately, in that I can now make it through some days without having to resort to pain relief. lol. How awesome is that, I ...

Oh boy, it's full steam ahead on the Christmas crafting! I've done a heap of *making*, with loads more yet to do. But I'm not panicking..... *shifty eyes* Anyway, here's a bit of what I've been up to this weekend. Some dyeing that's currently batching, and some yarn for a swap. I think I'm in love with this one, which I've dubbed 'Dawn's first light'. It's soft and lovely. Wonder if it would be wrong to keep it for me?

how I love thee. I have a couple on the go currently ;) One I'm taking part in is within a great group on Ravelry - we always have the most awesome swaps, thoroughly enjoyable! And.....I've now also received a secret santa brief - I'm so excited! This one will be fun :P Here are some piccies of what I've been working on for my rav swap....anyone who is averse to yellow, you may like to look away.....right about now.

Once again, I'm in great company! Some beautiful work up for grabs tonight, currently previewing here Here is what I created for the stocking - two sets to celebrate the arrival of a new baby, with colours inspired by the elements and a mythical mother and child theme.

Another awesome giveaway from the lovely Corrie here !

A special opportunity has had me crafting my little heart out :P Here's some of the goodies I've been working on......some of these might just be spotted soon, at a stocking near you ;)