The Mask

I work for a rather large, old, global company. You know the company, and I can guarantee that all of you own something that was either designed or made or has components that have been made by this company. It sometimes weirds me out how many things this company has invented, including fabrics, dyes for printing on fabrics, man made fibres, the list it seems is endless!

The best thing about working for a global company is that we often have people from other countries come and work in Australia with us. Being in HR I get to meet a lot of them, which I love. Yesterday we had a gentleman from our company in Mexico come and meet with us. He has immigrated to Australia and is hoping to come and work with us. As is the custom of many South American and Asian companies he presented us with a gift.

When I first saw this I didn't know what to think. Then I decided it reminded me of the mask Jim Carey wears in "The Mask", which instantly made me want to hold it up to my face!! :) I do like the colours of the stones used and the shape of the mask. And the generosity of someone giving a gift to people he has not met, made my day a little brighter!

And on the finisher front (again!) I made some wee little mittens for a newborn. They are for a good craftin' buddy who is preggers. Lots of fun to knit, although it felt strange to go back to small needles after 7mm!

All this finshing projects is making me feel a little weird!!

It went something like this...

12.30am today. Sitting on a couch at Gloria Jean's in North Sydney, our heroine (Shazmina Bendi) pulls out her knitting (current project a baby related surpirse!). She ponders life and how cute that boy is over the other side of the room. She puts on glasses and realises that he is not cute at all, so she takes them off and goes back to believing that there are attractive men in North Sydney.

She waits patiently for the arrival of her good crafting buddy, Al.

SB: Hey you are finally here! (Here being GJ's in N Sydney)

Al: Yeah just managed to get out. Where is your show & tell?

SB: Ok, here it is (with flourish, pull item from sportsgirl bag). But I need a favour, can you try on so I can take a photo for my blog?
Al: Sure ( Takes off scarf and puts on said item). The colour is great and it fits pretty well (over a collared work shirt).

SB: Well that's good, because I knit it for you.

Al: YOU WHAT?? OMG SHAZMINA IT'S GREAT! (continues swooning).

Quick Knit jacket, Jo Sharp Knit 3
Lambs pride Worsted, Chianti

And that my friends, is pretty much what happened at lunch today.

ps. I should also state, that I am not a saint. The reason I knitted the above jacket for Al, is as a return gift for a Jumper (Jo Sharp Knit 2) that she gave me.

Watch Where You're Craftin'!

And here is some more evidence of the "safety is paramount" culture at work. This is the view as you come out of the Ladies bathroom on my floor. Yep, they are mirrors!

So the weekend passed by with the completion of the Clap(otis), working on a cardigan, and doing some embroidery. All while watching some videos, including Nacho Libre which I adored, mainly because of the farting. I was in hysterics! A very silly movie, if you are in a very silly mood.

I have finally started on a project, with my Mum. It is for a friend, a belated Birthday surprise (and not baby related). And it wont take forever to complete, Mum has been cracking the whip from afar!! :)

I am enjoying the embroidery, it helps that I "acquired" a book from my Mum during my last visit. Very easy to follow pictures of all the stitches you could imagine and then some.

Is anyone else enjoying Monday as much as I have? I think it is because we have a public Holiday in Australia on Wednesday. Knowing there is a day off mid week makes anything bearable!

For those non-Aussies & Kiwis, the holiday is for Anzac Day. A day when we remember those who died in war and thank those who are still among us. This year I am celebrating Anzac Day by having a mini SNB with a friend. For me it will be a time to think about those women who stayed at home, kept the home fires burning, worked to keep the country running and knitted for the troops. Growing up an Army brat (and that is a whole other story!), I wondered if people realised how hard it is for the families of soldiers, when they are away from home, either on assignment or active duty, especially in wartime. You are kind of a part of it, you know what is going on, but the effects on you are not considered, if that makes sense. You just muddle through and try and make sense of it yourself.

So that is how my grandmother, Edna, met my grandfather, Alfred. She was working for Mastercraft (a confectionery company) and the company was putting together care packages to be sent to soldiers in WW2. Against the rules, she slipped in a note to the unknown soldier with a promise to write if he replied. And he did. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Inner Turmoil or Just an Excuse??

Reading Rose Red's blog got me thinking about my Myers Briggs Type (see her profile). I am an ENFP. So was Bill Clinton. Like Bill (or is it unlike Bill?? LOL), I did not have sexual relations with that woman. Unlike Bill Clinton I do not like cigars.

Anywho, I was reading a profile of my type and a few things jumped out at me. "ENFP's have a lot of ideas and initiative, and like to have lots of things going on at the same time."

So am I fighting my Type? Should I continue with multiple projects??? Is procrastination part of my nature??? Am I using MBTI to justify my NEED (And it is a burning NEED) to work on multiple projects at the same time? You bet!

The other funny thing about being ENFP is that this Type is often called a celebrator/Enthusiast. So now I know where all that gushing comes from!!


So here is a FO, one of a very few it seems! Forest Canopy Shawl I have made, for my Mum, from 4ply yarn from the Knittery (who doesnt love that site!). I think the colourway is Grace. My first, and so far only piece of lace I have knitted. Yes Jejune, you are so right. The Cherry Tree Hill would look great as this shawl........
mmmm new project.........