Sock Monkey

So I managed to get to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Sydney yesterday (was it yesterday, my weekend is a blur). THe kids were off at the Powerhouse Museum with their Daddy, so I had a good 2 hours to roam). I was surprised that I could have done with another half hour or so. Some of the work in the quilts on display were absolutely amazing...... some of those women noted how long they were working on them for...... 4 years!!! But truly amazing.

The only thing that disappoints me is that the quilting styles were still very traditional. I think they need a bit of young blood in there. Not that I don't appreciate the work that goes in to ANY quilt.

Anyway, while I was there I managed to spend some $$, not too much though. I picked up a kit to make 2 sock monkeys. One is almost complete (needs a pompom for his hat), but he had his photo taken anyway. I think he might need some pants too......

Eeeekkkkkk...... feeling a little bit special

My Mother-in-Law just returned from a trip to Europe. It was a whirlwind tour, but she made the most of it.
On her return, she presented me with this.....

She said it was for my birthday, Christmas, etc etc. I was getting a little bit excited.

So I opened up the protective bag and found this....


Pictures are bad, but it is a Christian Dior Black Patent New Lock bag. Not something I would ever buy for myself (well $$$ may have been an issue) but for some reason I love it. I have no idea when I will use it. But I will use it. My Sister-in-Law was given another bag from the range - equally as nice.

A lot of thoughts have been running through my head since my Mother-in-Law gave me the bag. It might sound strange, but I feel as though I am truly accepted into the family. I have been feeling this more and more over the past couple of years. It is hard to marry into any family I am sure, but is especially hard to marry into a Chinese family. Although my Mother-in-Law has never said so, I am sure she would have preferred that her son marry a Chinese girl, rather than a loud-ish Australian. She only has one daughter, so it is often difficult as the Daughter-in-Law to feel as valued as the daughter of the family. But I have been noticing the last few years that my sister-in-law and I are always given very similar presents. We are really treated equally.

Expensive gifts are not important to me, but I guess it is what is symbolises that is important to me.

She also gave me a Longchamp bag (which I did use today)..... I love it.

Something I Acquired....

This is not something I was ever looking for. As much as I love sewing, I am trying really hard not to add the already huge amount of 'stuff' we have in this house.

But about 2 years ago, while my husband and I were in the process of swapping houses with my mother-in-law, I came across this......




I have absolutely no idea of the history of it. I believe my ex-stepfather-in-law picked it up from a garage sale of some sort.... he was a massive hoarder. My mother-in-law had no use for it and was going to donate it to the Salvation Army. I just couldn't let her give it away.

So until last week it stood in a corner in the study. My husband insisted that we finally put it on display. So, for the most part it will be covered. But when special guests come over, we will whip the cover off....... haha, aren't they lucky!!