I have been planning to build a ferret enclosure for sometime now, i even bought a second hand playpen off ebay to build a ferret temple!! but the project hasn't evolved yet, so I came across this beautiful timber cat enclosure...and I just bought it!!!! I have been saving up for a while, because I want to provide an outdoor area for Elroy to get fresh air and have fun. It is not for him to live in, and is only for days when it is below 24degrees Celsius and not too cold either. I'm hoping it will provide more enrichment for Elroy (even though he has a lot already!! he gets the run of the house most days, we play games together, tug of war and digs in mum's outdoor pots on his lead (ummm i mean i the garden...hehe) on his lead. Here are the pics from the ad:












I have all these plans to close in part of the indoor area sheltered from the wind and make it comfy with hammocks and hidey holes and sleeping areas (with venthilation). Then I'm going to add tunnels and different levels, as well as a ball pitt, a swing hanging basket, and maybe a box of sand to dig in. PLUS the best part of all is...I'm going to adopt a friend for Elroy!!!!!!!! hooray!!! I'm so happy about that. I feel another furry friend will enrich Elroy's life, encourage being social, and also provide a loving home for another rescue ferret.

I'll update my LJ with pics before and after the ferret enclosure make over! As well as the adoption process of choosing a friend for Elroy! (may be a few weeks away yet). :)

 
Inspecting the table tennis court


Ball boy Elroy!


Sleep in!


Dreamland

Here are some homemade toys I've made to give Elroy on Xmas Day (his first ever Christmas!!). I used the left-over felt from my plum pudding costume.

Ying & Yang Toy

The Ying & Yang toy is hand sewn and uses non-toxic glue. I cut out a red circle and black circle, then added the white design on top.On the inside I have sewn into place some tough but thin plastic (from a drink bottle seal) that makes crackling noises when pinched (or bitten by ferret chompers). I have another toy that has plastic under the material which drives Elroy bonkers (in a good way) because he loves the sound. The woolen stuffing was from old wool I had lying around so I could make it look more 3D. It was designed to be a flat-ish disc though so that Elroy could easily pick it up in his mouth, chomp at the crackling bits inside for the noise and run away with it.




Kooky Rabbit

This rabbit toy I started a while ago, forgot about and just finished. It was a bit more rushed and uses black material instead of black felt which is fraying but it has turned out pretty well. I cleaned a small plastic ball with a bell inside that Elroy doesn't use and placed it inside with the wool yarn stuffing. The floppy ears will be easy for Elroy to bite on to and to drag the bunny to his hiding spots. Everything was hand sewn together or uses non-toxic water based glue. I used one of the white pom poms from the xmas materials as a tail.  Once I give these to Elroy it will be a few months before I find them again! (that's if he likes them fingers crossed).

This is a catch up taster review for my LiveJournal that I experienced a week or so ago..it's a good one!

Bikram Yoga. I thought "yeah I can do that"! I am reasonably fit, flexible (sort of) and enjoy the heat. But the thing is, Bikram Yoga is done in 37degree heat. The kind of heat where within minutes you can feel your clothes getting damp, your hair starts to frizz, and after a class you look like you've simultaneously gotten sunburnt while rolling around in puddles.

90 mins in a 37 degree heated room doing 26 yoga postures. Everything was going fine at first… I love heat (I think I'm cold blooded or something), I had drunk the required 2-3 litres of water during the day and I had a positive can-do attitude. I thought “what were my friends complaining about and why did they walk out?” then after half an hour - I knew. I felt MEGA nauseous for about 20 mins - a sign of the condition of my body and toxins being released. I thought I was pretty healthy - vegetarian, eat as natural ingredients and balanced diet as I can. But I think this was a wake up call that perhaps I was making myself believe I was healthier than I am in reality.

After those trechorous 20 minutes I got myself together and completed the class which I was really proud of (even though most of it was me lying like a squished starfish on the ground). Bikram Yoga is also testing the strength of your mind. I had vowed during that nausea that there was no way I was going back after that class. My mind was wanting to give up and my body wanted walk out. But you need to push through that and re-focus on the postures and try to stay calm. Towards the end of the class something strange and great happened! I had a feeling of absolute relaxation, my mind felt calm, no chitter chatter, and the tension I often carried in my gut was gone. Knowing that I was doing my body and mind a whole world of good by flushing out those toxins and releasing tension quickly changed my attitude.

I had been curious for a while about Bikram yoga. I definitely had mixed feelings about it afterwards. One of my friends who did it 3 times per week for about a year said it gets easier and the nausea goes away after 1 or 2 classes. I know that there are amazing health benefits with Bikram Yoga and I noticed changes in this friend of mine. She oozed healthiness, confidence and happiness. She had glowing clear skin, was really toned and seemed just generally calm and content.

On the hand, another of my friends tried Bikram Yoga once and walked out halfway because the heat was too much.  This was a REALLY bad idea because she went from really hot room to an air conditioned room - the whole day after she was having hot/cold flushes. Plus I don't think she drank 2 Litres of water throughout the day before the class (dehydration set in). So that's why they told me under no circumstances could I leave - even for the bathroom - in case you faint!

Overall Bikram Yoga for me was an interesting, torturous, calming and different experience. I'm happy I tried it. I am going to try a few more yoga styles and I'll let you know which style I stick to.


Here's a some info for anyone who wants to find out more

Bikram's Therapeutic Hatha / Raja Yoga is a series of 26 yoga stretching postures and breathing exercise taught in a 90 minute class. Each pose is a challenge based on one's personal abilities. The postures are done in the safe environment of a heated room so that deep penetration can relieve one's body resistance without risking injury.

By the end of a class session, each individual will have worked every muscle, tendon, joint, ligament, internal organ, and gland while systematically moving fresh, oxygenated blood to 100% of the body. The result is restoration of health to all systems. As you increase strength, flexibility, and balance in your body, you will be energized, you will revitalize your mind, and you will be working on eliminating conditions of stress produced by fast-paced lifestyles.

These postures work synergistically and cumulatively to put the body back on track and in balance. This yoga builds strength, balance, and flexibility by gently stretching and massaging the spine, muscles, tendons, joints, and all internal organs of the body. Lung capacity is expanded, leading to greater vitality. Bones are strengthened. Joints are opened and lubricated. Muscles are strengthened, toned and made more flexible. Regular practice of this series of postures results in the healing and repair of injuries and illnesses, weight loss, and peace of mind.

For testimonials, pregnancy guidelines, and other information regarding Bikram Yoga, please visit Bikram Choudhury's web site at: www.BikramYoga.com.

Ferrets are AWESOME. I have been researching like crazy the past few months and have decided I want to adopt a rescue ferret from my state's ferret society. Now I just have to convince my mum how great my idea is. I think she thinks I am 12 still. Swap the numbers around, that's more like it :). I have given mum lots of info and I think she is warming to the idea. Ferrets are a big commitment on one hand and high maintenance, but on the other, they are intelligent, hilariously entertaining, affectionate, mischieveous, and extremely inquisitive creatures. Have a look at this website for more info http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/topfew.html .

Here's some really quick info about ferrets (this info seems to have a discouraging slant to it though):

Ferrets

Ferrets can be great, fun pets but are high maintenance and require more time and attention than a dog or a cat.

They are not recommended as pets for very young children (under eight years old) unless older family members are helping to look after them.

Ferret law
Ferrets are banned as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory. In the ACT and Victoria, you need a licence to keep ferrets.

Ferret families

• Male ferrets are called "hobs", females are "jills" and youngsters are termed "kits".


• A group is known as a "business"


• Ferrets are related to weasels, skunks, otters, badgers

Ferret life

• Ferrets sleep up to 20 hours a day and have a lifespan ranging from six to 10 years


• Ferrets are carnivores and have a similar diet to cats but are totally dependent on humans for food and water

Ferret Cents
A pair will cost more than $150 - ferrets are happiest when they have company.
Money needs to be spent on ferret-proofing the house and vet bills as young ferrets are accident prone and older ones illness-prone.

Ferret Business
You can house train your ferret but when it has to go, it has to go now and will pick a closer spot if the litter tray is not handy.

Ferret Smelly Facts
Ferrets exude a musky smell, much like their cousin the skunk. Bathing them does not lessen the smell, but making sure they have clean litter and bedding does help!

Ferret History
Ferrets were introduced to Australia by the early white settlers who used them to catch rats and rabbits.

http://www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/facts/ferret.htm

Calling all Aussie knitters!

A Plea from Rotary Overseas: Can You Help?

New born AIDS affected babies born on the African continent, many of which are sent home from hospital wrapped in newspaper for warmth, need your help. In order to help these tiny babies a group of concerned women have formed a Knitting Circle.

We are asking for your help in this effort to knit small jumpers for these babies.

You can help by either knitting or donating 8 ply wool or both.

Please only use 8 ply acrylic yarn to knit the pattern provided; bright colours preferred as these garments may never be washed.

Finished knitted jumpers can be arranged to be picked up or sent by calling this number (Victoria, Australia) Ken (03) 599 65 957. Then they will be sent to Africa.

If you are a knitter or even just starting out, this jumper pattern is relatively easy to knit (I had to get a bit of help with how to do ribbing and how to make the arms and neck hole) but if you know someone who is a good knitter they will know how to help on the tricky bits. It's actually really fun to do and if you pass this on to friends or family who may be interested it is great to have support from each other and see the progress.

http://www.aids.net.au/aids-global-malawi-20061104.htm


AIDS Baby Jumpers Knitting Pattern

Knitted all in one. Double knit wool is ideal (8 ply)
Size 5mm needles (tight knitters) or size 4.5mm needles (loose knitters)

Cast on 44 stitches

Work 18 rows in K2, P2 rib
Work 30 rows stocking stitch

Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows, at same time, change to
K2, P2 (for sleeve)
Rib 22 more rows

Next row: Rib 21 cast off 26 stitches Rib 21
Next row: Rib 21 cast on 26 stitches Rib 21

Work 22 rows in K2, P2 rib

Cast off 12 stitches at beginning of the next 2 rows

Work 30 rows stocking stitch
Work 18 Rows K2, P2 rib

Cast off

Please stick to pattern as it is proven to work. Stripes and bright colours are fine.
A big thank you from the tiny babies of Africa! 

I am juggling multiple creative projects right now and have gotten to that all too familiar point where I see the end in sight but end up putting the project down and starting my next creation I think of.

My most recent projects are:

Knitting jumpers for African AIDS babies (a photocopied knitting pattern I received passed on from a friend of a friend) My mum, nanna and aunty are also knitting them. Status: 3/4 finished - need Nanna's expertise on neck hole

Knitting a patchwork huge cushion for one of my closest friend's 21st birthday. Status: 1/2 finished

Trying Bikram Yoga (37 degree heat yoga omg!)

Past projects which I should finish:

A model cottage from 'Warhammer terrain' made from scratch (plywood, paint, flock, cardboard)
Status: 3/4 finished

projects I want to do:

In daydreaming stage of a woodwork project with my Pop: a ferret adventure playground! Status: idea
(Ferrets you ask? It isn't as random as it sounds :) I am about to adopt a rescue ferret in the next few weeks. I am super excited as I have been doing lots of research and it is finally getting closer. Btw I have thought a great deal about this and am ready for the commitment - not just 'another one of my ideas' as my family originally thought).

learn how to crochet

teach myself Hindi

Vinyasa Yoga

Volunteering in an International community program