Wow ... it's been a worldwind here at Wildcraft Farm.
Monday 17 January was to be the start of a whole new working life, 5 minutes into my day and my great first day plans got put on hold (more about that later).
The past few months have seen such a wide range of emotions here, far too many to dwell on, but a very brief snapshot would include .... brain tumour, breast cancer x1, breast cancer x2, hospital visits, broken bones, death and extreme sadness. But also joy of a Grade 6 Graduation, plus small incidental things that we are now trying to focus on more.
I had planned on restarting Wildcraft Farm last week, and then we were rocked by the death of my friend of 27 years DIANE. I've never lost of a friend, and although we knew it was coming, no one wanted to think about the utter loss we would all feel. Her funeral was amazing, so many people, her kids spoke so well, it was clear that her life had such purpose and she had a clear goal JUST DO IT!
I knew how much she had impacted on my life, it was lovely to hear that so many felt the same way. So I left her funeral full of resolve, full of love for my friend and determination to pick myself up, dust myself off and to JUST DO IT!
So back to yesterday, I had spent many hours rearranging and tidying my office/workroom on Sunday, in preparation for all the work I wanted to get done. As just about everyone in the world would know, Australia has been hit with such extreme weather conditions, currently we are suffering in country Victoria (water won't drain away still, it's so hard for the workers to get in and help), but of course Queensland has not been off our television for more than a week.
I had planned on a trip to Queensland this week, but my friend Suzanne had advised that the humidity was extreme (and Jessica had her arm in a plaster cast - more on that to come) it would have been too uncomfortable for her (and me!). I had kept in touch with Suzanne each day, and then we lost contact. As she is in the Ipswich area it was very worrying, and I became (in Jessica's words) a stalker.
Left messages for her daily, then a couple of times a day as we started to get VERY worried about her. Thank goodness for Facebook, a little comment let everyone know that although she was trapped, she was okay.
Two years ago when I felt utter despair with the surrounding bush fires, and just had to do something (and all my blog friends around the world heard the call and were amazing), Suzanne was one of my great supporters. So I knew how she felt when she realised that she had the means, connections and know how to do something for her surrounding towns.
So back to yesterday, started at 10am here (sorry, but Jessica still on school holidays, so I'm on "flexi" time), at 10.05am I thought I would just do a check in to Suzanne (she also happens to be a customer!), and was greeted by a very determined woman on a mission. Our conversation was long, but by the end of it I had offered to design a project that will become part of some charity quilts to auction. So I set to work on doing a sketch, emailing that, then a final sketch ... that was "approved", and then tracing off to start stitching a sample quickly. These will hopefully all be ready to go by later today!
Everyone can help out, from the comfort of their armchair ... I can tell you from experience, that even helping in a small way can make you feel like you are contributing. Plus you can track your final works progress on line as it comes time to distribute the quilts.
So what Suzanne has planned is a little KIT that can be posted out to you, includes EVERYTHING, plus a return envelope. You can stitch up my gorgeous project (the style has been taken from one of my most popular designs FRIENDSHIP BREW), then return it to Suzanne, where it will be turned into a feature block in quilts they are making up in her store, these will then be handed out to the surrounding (and hopefully, further afield) community leaders to auction to raise very much needed funds. The cost of the little kit (including postage within Australia, just a little more for overseas postage) is only $10 - a small donation which could turn into so much more.
The link to find out more is
So I have some more stitching to do, planned on scheduling in my break and would return to start work again today ..... and then Farmer Rowe got home around midnight with the news that our driveway was completely blocked with a HUGE tree fallen across our pathway off the farm. So I am now waiting for a call to get dressed in my working clothes (farm work, not stitching work) and start helping chainsaw and stack and remove the wood, he thinks it will take 3 HOURS!!!!!!
So my day is looking a little shakey again, really hoped to get back on track, but then in the words of my dear friend, I will ... JUST DO IT!
So I hope your day goes a little more to plan, but if it doesn't, I'm learning to just roll with the punches, and as Jessica and I now say, if you wake up in the morning - It's a good day!!!
Talk to you very soon, off to get my work clothes on :( Janet x
PS - Of course there had to be a PS ..... one of our high points in the past few months has been Jessica's graduation from Grade 6, so I thought I would share a picture of my gorgeous girl. She has achieved, conquered and learnt so much, we just love her to bits!
Hi Janet,
It was good to see that you are on your blog again and that your business is starting again. you are a very talented lady and I am looking forward to seeing where your creativity takes you this year. I have been struggling myself last year and am planning things for this year. The first is a retreat in a place not far fron here. aquilting week end away. Thinking of you lots, lov Viv from Christchurch NZ
Posted by: Viv Granger | Tuesday, 18 January 2011 at 08:17 AM