Yes, I’m in a random mood again. So, here are 6 things I wish to share with you this Sunday…
1. Things have been so topsy turvy on my side of the sky lately. Weird events. Illnesses (me & my kids). Site issues. Work stuff. And goodness knows what else. So, I’m really feeling that I’m in dire need of some therapeutic moments. Thank goodness for journal writing. And Plurk. And Twitter. And when possible, art-making. And lately, sewing. I may not get to do much of them all. But, even a little bit helps.
2. Writing of weird events, last Friday night, my family and I went to our friends’ place to celebrate our good friend G’s birthday. We ended up watching the incredible Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics together. When we went home late that night, we found our side gate open and the security lights on. We were immediately alarmed. So, we called the police because we didn’t want to go in to the house, in case someone was in there. Just 15 minutes later (although the wait felt like forever!), the cops came and checked our house for us (cheers to our local Aussie police!). Everything was fine in the end. It seems like someone may have taken a peek in to the house, but may have been scared off due to our dog – and/or something else. In any case, it’s all good. But, it sure did give us a massive scare!
3. And yes, our household has caught the Olympic fever! We’ve been cheering on the Aussies. And, it was so, so exciting to watch swimmer and current glamour/golden girl Stephanie Rice win our first Olympic gold medal in Beijing. Looking forward to more. Even my 4.5 year old boy has decided he’d rather watch the Olympics and skip his usual favourite kids’ shows. He even keeps making us cheer for the Aussie athletes and singing the national anthem (yes, he knows ALL of the first part of “Advance Australia Fair” by heart!). Even carrying and waving an Aussie flag and shouting, “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!”
4. Since my first sewing attempts, I’ve managed to finish some more quick projects (made over the last 2 weeks or so):
This was meant to be a skirt, where I tried to test my elastic-inserting skills. Well, it turned out that it wasn’t so good. I was going to re-do the whole thing, but decided to make a bag instead…
This is my second attempt at an elastic skirt for my li’l girl. As you can see, I was successful this time around. I was really pleased with it. And, it didn’t take that long to finish. I even dared to sew a ribbon trim! She tested it out by wearing it on a shopping trip – and it didn’t fall down. Not even once! Yay! 
Here’s another bag that I tried to make, using a different idea that I had. I wanted it to be a book bag of sort. And, it’s the first one I made with a lining, using 2 different types of fabric. It wasn’t great, but ‘am still happy I finished it. Taught me a couple of things about making my own pattern. This bag already found a home with my friend. The first sewing project that I’ve given away as a gift (not including the stuff I’ve given to my kids, of course 
).
I’ll share more of my finished projects in the next few days.
5. I’m seriously considering a blog redesign. This time, I feel like I’m ready to move beyond the free WordPress templates available. As in, pay for a good design that will help to load this blog faster – and show more of what I want to express here at S Studio. I don’t have a massive budget. In fact, since this is the first time I’m really, really considering commissioning someone to do this, I’m a bit apprehensive on how it all will work out. Anyway, let’s see how it goes. And, if you’ve got any suggestions or recommendations for blog designers, I’d love to hear from you.
6. 52WoC Stuff: Yes, I’m going to conclude our 52WoC #24 (Flickr Fun) this week, and launch 52WoC #25. I’m also going to hold 52WoC Virtual Party #5 soon! The winner will receive: a Flickr Pro Account OR one of my gocco prints OR a $25 Cash-equivalent (payable via Paypal). Yep – the winner can choose one of those prizes.
For 52WoC Virtual Party #6, here are a couple of things up for grabs —
A red blank journal (lined)
and
A Set of Blank Notecards/Gift Cards.
Anyway, I hope you had a good weekend. And, here’s wishing you a great week ahead…
Kari (3)
Mitch Mitchell (3)
Connie (2)
eds (2)
Rachel Cotterill (2)
Anne (1)
bcylady (1)
Jazzille (1)
macy (1)
Mel W (1)
Wow! You are really getting into the sewing swing of things, bags are a cool idea. I hear you on the busy front, got a few things on my plate too, including a 3000 word essay to be written in the next 10 days. I stayed up till midnight Wed (so last minute!) sewing for my final elephant quilting class on Thursday, and then finished the whole elephant on the weekend. I will blog about it when I get home tonight and post pics
Reply
Shai Coggins reply on August 11th, 2008:
Hi, Nicola. Yes. I’ve definitely fallen in love with sewing. I find it really therapeutic & rewarding. I thought I’ll just be so frustrated with it, as I’m just teaching myself this skill. Never had anyone teach me properly, so it feels strange. But, ‘am really pleased with it. And wow – good luck with the essay. Looking forward to seeing your elephant quilt blog entry. Yay for you!
Reply
I’m glad to see your site up and running again. I don’t know how long it took to load as I clicked through from your Plurk link and kept reading there for a while longer.
Finding out someone has been in your house (even if only as far as your yard) is a terrible invasion of your private space isn’t it? We got used to people using our back yard as a way of avoiding the cops here but I’ll be glad to be gone. Hopefully your intruders came away from your place knowing you have several things in place to deter them and they won’t bother coming back.
I love your sewing projects! I always tell people who want to start sewing to make things they’ll actually use, rather than just sewing boring easy projects like pillow cases. I can’t wait to move into our new place so I can unpack my machines and fabric and get some sewing done.
I can’t really help on ideas for the blog redesign. If I come across an IT project I don’t have the skills for I go to Rent-a-coder and set up an auction there. I’ve gotten a company logo design there, a total business site redesign (I couldn’t figure out the e-commerce stuff myself) and a Flash intro to another site.
Reply
Shai Coggins reply on August 11th, 2008:
Hi, Melissa. Yes – definitely relieved to have the site back. Thanks for the idea on rent-a-coder. I might have a look. Do you have Web URL for it? Anyway, yikes on knowing that strangers go in to your yard regularly. That would really freak me out. Thank goodness you’re moving! And thanks – glad you think I’m on the right track with my sewing. That means a lot, coming from you.
I just know that I want to sew things I actually would enjoy – and feel happy with, whether it stays with me or I get to give ‘em away. So far, so good! 
Reply
The bags are just adorable! I wish I could sew. My grandma could sew like a master…..everything from quilts to Care Bears.
A new look for the blog sounds fun! I’ve been looking into it to, but so far haven’t found anything that fits my budget. I look forward to hearing about what sort of look you would like and who you will reward with the project.
Reply
Shai Coggins reply on August 11th, 2008:
Thanks, Kari. Glad you like ‘em. And wow – your Grandma sounds like an amazing sewing person.
I had that same wish of wanting to sew for the last couple of years (after many years of making myself believe that I *can’t* do it)… Then, as you know, a few weeks ago, I just decided to dive in head first. So, it’s possible. Just do it if it’s something you really want to do. Can’t regret learning a very useful skill like sewing, that’s for sure.
Yeah – it’s tough to find a good blog designer who you can work with AND will fit the budget. But, I’m crossing fingers at the moment. Will keep you all posted!
Reply
Hi Shai,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying sewing. I forgot to get back to you about the books; yeah, I reckon go for whichever book you feel is better for you. I think the one you mentioned has loads of photos and the Reader’s Digest one has a lot more illustrations & b&w photos. So go with how you receive instructions best.
Hope you can find someone willing to design your blog your way.
Reply
Shai Coggins reply on August 19th, 2008:
Thanks, Heather. That’s good to know. I wish I can see a “live” version of the Reader’s Digest book so I can see which one’s better for me. But, who knows? Maybe I’ll end up getting them both.
Reply