Amsterdam. Level, Property Ownership; ACHIEVED!!!

Posted on by ghotiindustries

That’s right! Not only have we bought our first property, we’ve bought it in Amsterdam! We signed the paperwork on Friday and then went out for a celebratory lunch of traditional Dutch croquettes (giant bitterballen ) and frietjes.

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Those of you following along on Twitter will have seen the pictures posted on Saturday of our new balcony view …

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original 1930’s fireplace …

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and my new shower curtain! (so very me!!!)

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But on Sunday the fun really began, as we headed out furniture shopping! Now, our stuff (which we have been parted from for nearly five months now) will be arriving on Tuesday. But we left a fair whack of stuff behind for many reasons. So now, we get to replace some of it with stuff that will fit where we will now be settling in.

We began by looking at bookshelves,

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and desks,

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before moving on to dining tables,

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comfy chairs,

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then there was this gorgeous side table,

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and of course, couches.

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So much to choose from! So many design decisions! And none of it needs to be bought immediately. We can take our time making our house, our home.

This will be our sixth move to our seventh residence of 2012. Wish us luck!

Oh My Goodness!

Posted on by ghotiindustries

The plans and organisation have paid off! We have a back yard again, and can now get someone in to fix the decking! There was four cubic meters of stuff hauled away to the tip, and a trunk load of stuff (books, clothing, board games) went to the local Vinnies.

The cull feels so good! Next to pull down all the stuff in the roof and assess!

In other news, I received the most wonderful card from the recipient of the Purple Percy Shawl, and she loved it! I’m so relieved and happy that it made it safely to her, and that she likes it!

Have some more local sites taken on the phone. The handiest camera I own!

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Organisation

Posted on by ghotiindustries

I have been getting organised. I know! Me! Who’d have thought?! But in spite of myself, I am working hard at a great purge of the household and its surplus items. Mainly because we have too many to fit within these walls, and I want to simplify my/our lifestyle. (Yes, Himself is in on the kick too.)

We have a great wall of things growing to go to Vinnies, and what seems to be an even greater mound out the back that will require a skip of some sort to remove it all. Yesterday I sorted and filed a stack of papers that was a foot high!

It’s very cleansing. The feeling of a great weight lifting as you realise that you don’t need these things that you’ve been hanging on to for all these years (moving with you with each consecutive move, taking up space in the moving vans and therefore costing you money…)

I have a wonderful theory that with all these extraneous distractions removed, I’ll have time to do all the other things I haven’t had time to do so far! Isn’t that a wonderful theory? I love theories! *grins*

Anyway; all of this leads to very boring photography. So here’s where I’m up to with knitting. I’m making the Crown Prince Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia.

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There are 7 of those crosses around the boarder. I’m using Filatura di Crosa Centlovaggi which is a cobweb weight yarn, on 3.5mm KnitPicks circulars.

Why I decided more nupps were in my future I’m not exactly sure. But it should be a stunning piece when completed! I may think about entering it in the Royal Easter Show for 2012 if the world doesn’t end!

Off to a roaring start!

Posted on by ghotiindustries

It’s a new year, it’s a fresh start, and as I do most years about this time, I’m culling all the clutter in the house (Himself and I may, or may not have hoarding tendencies). With the pulling down and storing of the xmas tree for the next 11 months, I have played some furniture tetris, and rearranged the living room to give us more space. The Studio is next! (Vinnies usually do quite well out of this process)

I hope everyone’s New Year celebrations were wonderful and you’ve begun the new year with a sense of purpose and determination! *grins* Our celebrations included Raspberry and Vodka martinis!

So far this year I find myself on a health kick, and I’ve lost 6 kilos since the beginning of December! Who loses weight over the holidays?!? Who though that having an iphone would help me lose weight?

I have put myself back in school and am studying for the first time in years! This could be interesting, as being a student was never my strong point; much as I love learning. First assignment is due, and I have to keep on track!

There is a new day job which is wonderful in it’s ability to pay me. Not to mention filling my afternoons, leaving my mornings free for study.

But I won’t be abandoning you little blog and my three faithful readers! I’ll still be able to regale you with all the crafty things I’m up to, and hopefully a little more information about what’s in store for the shop in the coming year!

And so this post isn’t completely dry, here’s a local hibiscus I spotted while getting fit

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And these are the socks I’m working on.

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Eye bleeding! Aren’t they?! *grins*