Warning: contains GIFs Basically what the title says! After years of waiting and applying and providing evidence and having multiple breakdowns because of it, I’m finally part of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme, basically now the only way for disabled people to access social supports in Australia). I received my “access request met” letter a few months ago, but couldn’t bring myself to announce it here in case it was some elaborate hoax. I’m still half certain that there is someone hiding behind the bushes out front, waiting for the day I expect a support to arrive so they can l ..read more

Log Cabin DishclothIt’s been 5 long months since I knitted last, and I really, truly, deeply, miss it. Knitting had been a constant in my life since I was a teen, and to not be able to keep my hands busy with needle and yarn has been a trying time. Knitting occupied my mind when I was anxious and soothed my through my trauma. It gave me something to do when I couldn’t do anything else but sit there. Now, I just have to sit and do nothing. No one really seems to know what’s going on with my right hand and wrist. After giving me the usual “medicine isn’t an exact science” speech, a hand surgeon ..read more

For those following along with my NDIS progress (or lack thereof), I was recently contacted by the NDIA internal review team to inform me that my review was beginning – 14 months after I submitted my request for a review, and over 2 years after initially applying for NDIS. The system works, right!?!? The internal review officer requested further “evidence” (god, how I hate that word) to their criteria of permanency and functional capacity, which, of course, was remarkably similar to what I had already submitted but was deemed insufficient. Anyway, I jumped through their hoops because what else ..read more

A while back, I mentioned the secondhand fabric collection that my friend Lauren had kindly sent me. After sewing a Burda Tie Front Blouse from the Swiss voile, I was eager to move onto this beautiful retro print fabric. And what better match for a brown bold floral than wide leg pants? Say hi to Patrick! Wearing my Named Paola Turtleneck Tee.My small stack of Ottobre magazines provided a pattern: #15. Modern classics – high rise pants, from their latest Spring/Summer 2/2019 Woman magazine. It was a current pattern at the time – I sewed these in March and have only photographed and blogged the ..read more

Unlike some sewists, my sewing output isn’t that great to warrant multiple garments per post. So you know when I do have a few creations together, they are super-simple makes. These two fit that description: easy-to-sew wardrobe staples made entirely from scraps. They were sewn way back in March (or earlier), and only photographed recently! Let’s start with the top. Back in 2016, I made a Tessuti Fave Top from the most snuggly, soft viscose/elastane jersey from The Remnant Warehouse.* The top didn’t work out (neither did their Mandy Boat Tee, which has been removed from my wardrobe – it’s som ..read more

In case you think I only read serious non-fiction, here are some entirely frivolous books I’ve read recently. Making Faces and Face Forward are instructional makeup books by the now deceased, internationally renowned makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. Amber Valletta as Gable and Lombard. Most images from Pinterest. Aucoin divides his books into sections, covering everything from tools and necessary makeup, basic makeup application, makeovers of everyday people and celebrities, visionary makeup looks, and transformations of one person into another (say, Tina Turner into Cleopatra). Alexandra von Für ..read more

Looking back at my photos, I realised that I bought some compression socks (and made a quick post on Instagram about them) many months ago, but they never made it to the blog. I’ve already written a fairly lengthy post on compression stockings, with reviews of everything from sports compression tights (2XUs, Skins etc) to Juzo compression stockings to cheap beige maternity stockings, so if you want to know the basics of compression garments for the treatment of POTS, head over there first. Black with coloured stars, red with hearts, grey with stripes, yellow and blue flowers wide calf. Althoug ..read more

This was an interim knit, made in April while deciding which jumper to knit this winter. And what better interim knit than a hat? I’ve made plenty of berets, cloches and caps before (see my Hats tag or Ravelry projects page for more), but my hat wardrobe was conspicuously lacking in beanies. So I turned to Kelbourne Woolens’ free hat pattern, the February Hat. Worn with my Rockcliffe Scarf, Blank Canvas Jumper and Grainline Archer shirt. The yarn I used was KnitPicks Swish DK, leftover from my Blank Canvas jumper. If you’re used to Australian merino yarns, this might feel a bit different. It i ..read more

I thought I’d share some more book reviews with you from my Instagram account (@siobhansimper, if you’re interested). Black Inc. books have been publishing anthologies in a Growing Up…In Australia series. The first published was Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia, and there have been many more after this (Growing Up African, Queer, Asian, with a Disabled anthology on the way too!). The first two I’ve read (Growing Up Aboriginal and Growing Up African) have been such fantastic reads that I’m determined to finish the series! Starting with Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia, edited by Anita Hei ..read more

Hello! As we’re now thoroughly into winter, I’ve been dreaming up knitting projects to keep me warm. I just finished an interim hat from scraps, which hopefully I will blog when I block it.* Next up is a jumper. After the success of knitting with Zealana Rimu, a beautifully soft 60% merino, 40% possum blend (more on possum yarn here), I decided to try for another Zealana yarn. I chose Zealana Kauri based largely on the gorgeous grey colourway. It’s a lightweight 4ply yarn, a blend of 60% merino, 30% possum and 10% silk. Soft, smooth and crisp with a furry halo and a bit of natural wonkiness w ..read more