Sneak peak...

I finished Summers raggy quilt last night, clipped the edges, washed and dried it this morning, delivered it this afternoon and forgot to take a photo! To make up for my lapse I will share a sneak peak of the quilt I am designing...

Any guesses? Shh! Don't say anything yet there might be a giveaway when it's done to whoever can guess what it is!  So keep looking for clues in future posts, you never know when one might appear!

Now this is Jack, the newest addition to our zoo. Poppy has taken a liking to him, Jack is allowed to stand under her and even nuzzle her legs but she does not like sharing her carrots with him, she tried to chew and swallow extra fast, too funny!

And not to be left out Pebbles had to have her photo taken too!

Tomorrow is December! WOW! How did that happen?  When did that happen? Why did nobody tell me? Ok so maybe I should've seen the signs, Christmas decorations in shop windows, Christmas carols being played everywhere I go, Kids haranguing me "Mum Can you buy me...... for Christmas!  Whoa! I am so unorganised, but I still have a few weeks left, Right? time enough to finish a quilt for Dad, and a quilt for.... and another one for..... and a gift for a friend(not yet started!)oh and that other friend... OH! I better go no more procrastinating...

Time for a catch up...

November has flown past in a blur of activity. Nieces and nephews and friends have gone home and our house is slowly returning to normal(whatever normal is!) Stefan and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary at a lovely little place called Kingfisher Cottage. And I have started a quilt for my new little niece 'Summer'.

Kingfisher Cottage is a quaint little house nestled beside the Mangatoki River and surrounded with native bush. Absolutely charming! I am entertaining thoughts of getting a few friends together and have our very own quilt retreat there...

Such a gorgeous blue!

And here's a sneak peak of the baby quilt, it's very summery Lol!

I have more to share but i think that's enough for one post, see ya next time!

Buzz................

Whose that flitting flying through the week, whose that flitting flying through the day... It's me!!! I feel like a very busy bee this week, lot's happening and it's all good!  We have painted the ceiling in the entrance and laundry ready for the new lino to be laid today.  We actually had the lino laid about 6 months ago, but the workmanship left a lot to be desired...

I know some of you will be cringing and wondering What???? But yes this is what our new flooring looked like when it was finished! Pretty much every corner was messed up, now I'm not into naming names but I am just thankful that they are prepared to replace this. Now as we are only sharemilkers on this farm the house isn't really ours so we didn't get a choice in the original lino but this time I did! Because this is the area where everyone comes in and out our current lino shows every bit of dirt, dust etc. So this time I've chosen something a little darker to hide the grime.  Lol!  Lets hope this time the workmanship is of a better quality!  

I tried to take some sneak peak photo's of my new design I'm working on, but the weather is so grotty and I just couldn't take a decent photo without showing too much detail, but I am really enjoying the design process, I can't wait to show you all. 

Last night DD1 and I went to a hens party, there were maybe 30 of us, and boy was it fun! Sorry no photo's I was too busy laughing!  But I just have to share one of the games we played... We each had our handbags, and a list of items was called out and if we had that item in our bag we were awarded several points...  'Who has a mirror?'  only 2 people. 'Who has a cell phone?' nearly everyone. 'Who has a hairbrush?' well one young lady pulls out a meat tenderizer!!! I kid you not, 'Will this do' she says! I'm am still not sure exactly why but anyway! 'Who has a pair of scissors?' and the same young lady pulls out a pocket knife 'Does this count?'  Hmm remind me not to walk down a dark alley with her!  She is such a humourous young lady and yes those items were actually hers! But the bride to be had a lovely evening, and I got to catch up with my bridesmaid, she is back from England(where she is currently living) as her brother is the groom. Next weekend is our 16th wedding anniversary so it is so nice to have her back for a wee while.

Because of the upcoming wedding this weekend I have another niece coming to stay today, it will be wonderful to have her for a few days, her family are leaving to live in Perth at the end of the year so we are going to miss her/them heaps! A nephew is coming for the weekend as well, and maybe another couple of extra's, we may have to get the tent out to accommodate everyone!  But I can't wait It's going to be a great weekend!

It's here, It's here...

My stitcher's angel swap has arrived and I love all my pressies! Would you like to see? First I must thank my angel,  http://www.doreyr.blogspot.com/ The colours are just so me!!! She made these gorgeous coasters,  I'm not sure how she knew but I needed a coaster for my sewing room as I was using an old piece of cardboard and the other one I'm using beside my stitching chair...

And now I am on the lookout for a little basket so I can display these eggs nicely...

Oh and this bag is just perfect for keeping my threads and things in for my latest stitching project...

And a handy little notebook and cards...

And this fabulous little bag...

Thanks sew much Sharon, I feel sew spoilt!

Aww shucks...

Aww shucks isn't she cute!!! This new little blessing came into our lives on November 11th at 5.40am, 'Summer Sharon Southey' I can't wait to see the little person she becomes and the joy she will bring.  My sister and her partner now have 4 beautiful girls between them, some from other relationships(not my cuppa tea) but everyones happy! Skye(my niece) stayed with us all week and we were sad to see her go today, some of the things she came out with;0)))

Next week looks set to be rather hectic so I am trying to remember to pace myself and not go into meltdown mode!

My friends daughter is getting married next weekend, there is a kitchen tea to attend, baking to do, another niece coming to stay for a week, a friend of the boys coming to stay, new lino being laid in the laundry/hallway painting the ceiling in there too! I'm on transport for swimming, there's a sports trip too, must buy a new outfit, oh and a pressie, more baking for after wedding church reception, and so the list goes on...Lol

Margaret's Home and Garden...

Whew!!! What a whirlwind of a week it's been... I ended up taking transport for 2 school trips last week, spent 2 days visiting gardens, Saturday I had my applique class, Sunday was church and today we picked up a new additon to our zoo(more about that next post). My home and family are feeling a wee bit neglected!
My favourite part of the week though had to be visiting Margarets home and garden. I met Margaret in a quilting group I used to belong to a few years ago 'The Quirky Quilters' it was so nice to catch up with her again. We spent literally hours at her home and enjoyed every minute! The garden itself was predominantly a seaside garden until you got around the back. She has what I would call a potager garden, herbs galore, veges etc.
The Quirky Quilters had put on there own quilt show with crafts and quilts for sale as well. They also provided their own cafe in the American Style barn.  I had the most delicious lunch, spinach, feta and kumera scones and a cup of pumpkin soup both for only $2. Then...  we got to look through her home.  Wow!!! Now I did take my camera but I didn't take many photos as I was too busy being inspired!  A friend has taken some so I hope to get some more from her. So enough of my dribble...

The scullery...

Not one kitchen sink...

.

Not two kitchen sinks, but three kitchen sinks!!!

I have finally managed to upload some photos as you can see and I still have lots to post about so stay tuned...

Scrap busting project...

I have been trying to post for the last several days but for some reason I can't seem to download any photos:o((((  Most frustrating!!! So this post will just have to go photoless.
Last night my sisters' waters broke, a month early, this afternoon they are inducing her.  So I am eagerly awaiting news. We are looking after my niece while her Mum is in hospital and she is such a joy! Some of the things she comes out with are so cute!!! I haven't started a quilt for the wee bundle yet as they don't know what they are having, I figured I'd whip one as a Christmas Present.

A friend came to visit today, and we started yet another new project;oD  She brought some old wire coathangers that we molded into a heart shape, then using up some of my stash*grin* we cut thin strips of fabric. We then tied the strips around the heart shape to make a wreath. They are looking gorgeous!  We are also using small bits of ribbon and braids as well.  You actually need a lot of strips to cover one coathanger, but thats good! It means I can buy some of that lovely new fabric that has just arrived at Claires. My friend Gail is doing hers in pinks and purples and I'm using pink and greens. I will show photo's when they are finished.
I have so much to tell you, I hope DH can work out why I can't upload any photo's, so until then...

Take Care

Girls Day Out...

Today a group of us from church visited some Rhododendron Festival Gardens. Oh how I wish I could have such a garden! I didn't take as many photo's as I thought I did but here are a few of my favourites...

 

 

I can seriously see this as a craft studio, couldn't you?

 

 

 

Gardens are much nicer shared with friends.  We had lunch at a little garden called Kingfisher Cottage which is more like a retreat, a home away from home. It is our wedding anniversary at the end of the month so I might surprise DH and spend a night or so here. Totally secluded, a spa, all the mod cons and even the chance for a massage!

I will be MIA(missing in action) for the rest of the week, I have been asked to take transport for another school trip tomorrow to Wanganui(they have a quilt shop!) Friday Mum and I are going to visit a few gardens. Saturday I have an applique class, Sunday is church and a day of rest and boy am I going to need it!

Time Warp

Yesterday we went back in time 100 years to 1909! We visited Pioneer Village in Stratford for a school trip and the kids had to dress up in 1909 period clothing and re-enact a typical day. Two lovely young ladies...

The lads...

Time for school, where children were seen and not heard!!!

I had to take a picture of this, I hope you can read it or click on it to enlarge...

 

 Can you imagine it???  Hmm I still go with what I said the other day, we have a lot to be thankful for don't we?  Here are a few more of our travels in 1909...

The old slates

 

Feathers and ink

 

a rag rug

a yoyo quilt

 

 an old windmill

A cabin by the lake

We also made our own butter and went for a train ride 'Toot Toot'.  We had so much fun! 

Until next time

Take care and happy stitching...