Slow process

The last few weeks have definitely had their ups and downs!

I've had my hands full so haven't updated progress pics in a while. There are some below, but I will have to do another post soon as the boys have since built more. Once we had the wood, it's been happening quite quickly! This might be a long post, as I'm playing a bit of catch up. So grab a cuppa! 

Big news is that now we are all sharing a bedroom in Mum's tiny flat (yes, all four of us). One Queen size bed and two mattresses on the floor.  Most importantly, we are sharing one wardrobe. Gasp!

Surprisingly, we fit. It's an adjustment, for sure. But we are learning how to respect each other's space more, and how to pick up after ourselves, though of course some of us still struggle with that. Learning how to ask for "space", has been a really interesting life lesson. I think that when we do move into the caravan, we might even find it roomy!

Finances have been tight. Income we expected has not arrived yet, and we've had to constantly compromise and re-prioritise, as the renovations are costly and Geo is having to put other work on hold to finish the van. It's time-consuming, slow going (as he is doing all the work himself) and expensive. The pressure to finish it gets too much sometimes, and I really feel for him. But it is AMAZING what he is accomplishing. He is so clever, he even surprises himself with what he can do! We do have a deadline though, and it is really fast approaching. If its not finished soon ... well, we'll deal with that hurdle if and when we have to.

The Boy has been Daddy's shadow, going to the warehouse each day and helping to build and measure and plan and design and construct ..... the list goes on. If it all gets too much he rides his scooter outside, or the bike. And there just happens to be a park close by. Handy, that. ;) And look, a roof! :) There were some sore arms after that day. I only helped with two panels, and my arms were aching!

The Girl sometimes chooses to go to the warehouse to help too, but mostly she stays with me at Mum's,  walks the dog on the beach and is creating a TV show on her iPad using her Sylvanian Family toys. She is also learning crafts - and has hand-stitched some pretty yellow curtains for her toy caravan ... so cheery! She is reading lots and writing lots too, and will probably have finished all her school workbooks by the end of the month, but as she says, "It keeps my brain busy". Love.

I have been sewing every chance I get - which involves unpacking and setting up and then packing away everything every time. I was spoilt before with my own space for crafting, so it has been good for me and I find I am even more keen to pull the machine out now... go figure.

Loving having my coffee down by the water ... its amazing how every single day it looks totally different. This was taken the other day and the water was CRYSTAL clear. Spectacular. 

I have finished the bunk bed curtains, the curtain for the door, the doona covers and several cushion covers. I have been using the cushion covers as a practise to remember how to insert zips - its been awhile! I feel pretty confident now, so when I get the green light to purchase the upholstery fabric I can whip up the new seat covers in no time at all. We are using aluminium blinds for the windows so we can make the most of the views, but also so we don't get too cluttered up with "booffy" curtains. Pretty sure I just made that word up. ;) 

 I have also made a cover for our bed's headboard out of old jeans - lots of pockets and tabs for storage and hanging bits and bobs ... Can't wait to show you that when it's finished. Also used up a whole bunch of denim offcuts and cut them into triangles, then made a patchwork denim cushion cover! So cool. My first proper patchwork too. It's a bit rough,  I guess. Not quite perfect, but like true patchwork, it was made out of necessity and what was at hand. I love the fact that I made something beautiful out of scraps. It took a day to cut out, and  a day to sew, but was so rewarding. Think I might be addicted to patchwork when we get back! 

Of course, I am crocheting too. And knitting dishcloths. I love hand knitted dishcloths and facecloths. I'll show you them when I have a nice stack. Meanwhile ...

Here's something bright for you. 

I crocheted this mandala the other day. One of those rare moments when I was left alone for the morning and was free to let the creative juices flow ... and when I finished, I still had an hour and a half left ... so I thought it might look good felted. This is the result ...  a perfect colourful trivet! Thick and fuzzy. Great to jazz up the plain grey bench top that will be in our caravan kitchen. Might have to make matching oven mitts ....

But the most wonderful project I've finished is this ...

I finished my Blooming Flower Cushion!

Actually, it only took a few weeks. I just hadn't revealed it yet.  I really enjoyed making it. I love the colours! It was really hard to stop at 30cm wide. In fact I think it is over sized. And guess what, I'll tell you a little secret! It is stuffed with wool! Balls of wool! Enough for a blanket! That's why I'm making cushion covers, see. They are really just ways to hide my yarn stash. But shhh! Don't tell.

I have a few little creative jobs I'd like to finish, while there's time, but my mind is already turning to what to pack, and how to pack it. It's going to be tricky. Especially for a craft packrat like me.

Here's a few progress shots to keep you all happy. I'll try to add more later. :)

Plywood on the walls - walls! Apparently the curves were tricky. I can only imagine!

We had a great time painting the walls as a family. Lil and I did the cutting in, the boys did the rolling. So much fun. And of course, we finished it off with a family swim at the beach - with rainbows overhead! Magical.

Back to painting and sanding, sanding and painting. Meanwhile the old vinyl glue is still painstakingly being scraped off, piece by piece, using a heat gun and a scraper. Slowly but surely....

 This is known as "hamming it up" for the camera. :)

White and fresh! Ready for the floor.

Geof and the kids installed the floor. They said it was like a big jigsaw. Vinyl planks that looks like wood. Gives it a beachy feel, I think. Will be hardwearing and hide the dirt too. I just love it. And look, bunk frames and wardrobes, wiring is ready for the light fittings, and the oven frame and kitchen lower cabinet are being made in the photo below. All from scratch. Amazing. Geo, the builder. What can't he do? 

Promise, more pics to come soon.