Madness and insanity .... finally some peace and joy

Yes I m still here, no I didn't drop off the face of the planet, although to be honest I have felt very much that I have been very tied up in my own little world. Even Instagram has only had cursory check in s of late.  Why ???  . . . . . I don't know a thousand reasons . . . .  none really great or earths shaking. Just busy busy busy . . . . 

the lead up to Christmas has been Insane. work has been very busy and pretty exhausting. and I have been busy with lot's of secret sewing and knitting.  But somehow I managed to finish these gorgeous little bags ready to be gifted to all the lovely ladies that my husband works with . . . .

my girlies at work pouted that Mr Googy's work colleagues get  my hand made goodies and they don't . . . maybe if they are very good maybe next year.

for some reason my love of all things yarn has really come through strongly this second half of the year and I have been knitting knitting knitting. this rather oddly shaped thing is a shawl, designed by Truly Myrtle, which I made for my youngest daughter. My eldest got the same shawl just in a very light cream.  these shawls took several attempts to get right and to be honest i was none to thrilled with this one, until I did the magical blocking thing . . . . . Oh My what a difference blocking made it was like a good massage the whole thing just seem to relax and stretch out like a cat in them morning.

I was thrilled when I wrapped them as gifts and the girls adored them.

It's been interesting becoming addicted to yarn projects, it's like a whole new language and world has opened up and I have felt that feeling of being obsessed with a project again.
it's not that I don't love my stitching I still do I m just enjoying what I am doing right now
which I guess is what being creative is about
it's just going where you heart leads

the Christmas tree went up as it does most years with my whole family here together, we laughed and sang and nibbled on some of the amazing goodies that mr googy always seems to find or cook for us and we , in our annual tradition watched "Love actually"

Some members of the family just found a quiet spot to lay when ever the opportunity presented itself.

I made this nifty little bag, especially for my knitting and it was already and packed for Christmas Eve cast on, which is apparently a bit of thing Knitters do , not sure why . . . . .

but on Christmas Eve, once all the pre Christmas prep was done and the eating was done, we had played some games and we finally had a chance to quieten down for a bit of a rest 

my mum and I curled up on the lounge to watch a few episodes of Mrs Browns Boys and I started my  Christmas cast on project

the "Rain on Princes street " shawl by Melanie Berg

the yarn is by the amazing Circus Tonic Handmade

 it took several attempts before I was happy with it, I think it had more to do with the bubbles I had consumed than the complexity of the pattern

it also probably had a lot to do with the joy of sitting there watching my mum laugh from the very depth of her belly, I think it has been a very long time since I have seen her so full of joy and it made me feel very happy, it is something I will etch in my memory forever.

Christmas Morning greeted us warm and sunny, a perfect Australian Christmas morning.

Again my family were all together, including my mum.

I got lot's of lovely things and we had a pretty quiet relaxing day

I made some super yummy ginger bread buttons for serviette rings and

we had a lovely Christmas lunch, lots of yummy food and finally I feel like all the madness and insanity were over and the peace and joy have finally arrived.

I love Christmas but it's such a busy time of the year with so much going on

that often Boxing Day is probably the most relaxing day of the year . . .  lol

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to hearing all your adventures in the new year

and sharing myn with you

Au Revoir

Googy Girl