It's Sew Me

Dresdens and a new treasure…

2012-01-31T12:53:00.001+13:00

I’m not sure where the summer holidays vanished to…they have disappeared really fast!Today is the first day of school for Miss Olivia and the boys and I are slowly easing ourselves back into our home schooling routine… We are familiarising ourselves with the work we have ahead of us and designing title pages and such(fun stuff) I have three teenagers home schooling and each one of them is doing something different this year… so if things get a little quiet around here you’ll know why!

Over the past week I have been working on the Dresden plate quilt and I have finished sewing all 12 of them so now I am all ready for the next step… And as I mentioned in my last post I have a new treasure…

Claire generously gave me this gorgeous mirror… and it’s just perfect here… I can see my hutch from the kitchen now and it makes the room feel much bigger…

Well my lunch break is over now, so I better go get my teacher hat back on…

Michelle

Wishing Well Flowers…

2012-01-26T18:13:00.001+13:00

There’s this cute little florist shop in town called 'Wishing Well Flowers' owned by the lovely and charming Katherine… she has just shifted into a new premises and it is gorgeous! There are lot’s of goodies here besides all the beautiful flowers and bouquets…

Please excuse the horrible photo’s (sorry Katherine) I was taking photo’s on my phone and it didn’t like the fluorescent lights!

If you are ever visiting Hawera make sure you drop in and say Hi… it is my favourite little shop in town!

And I have shamelessly stolen some of her ideas… which I will share in a future post…as well as my latest treasure… thanks Claire ;O)

Michelle

FNSI Results…

2012-01-21T19:45:00.001+13:00

Last night I managed to chain piece all those little dresden pieces and now they look like this…

Now all I need to do is turn them and give them a press… I think it’s going to take a while ;O) And I finished the machine quilting on this quilt… but I want to do a little bit of hand quilting on it before I call it finished…

Better get back to those Dresdens…

Michelle

FNSI

2012-01-20T19:07:00.001+13:00

I am joining in on the FNSI tonight… this is what I plan to work on…

I want to finish the machine quilting on this quilt… And I hope to turn these sweet little piles(240 pieces) into cute little Dresden plates…

As you can see on my sidebar I decided to join in on the Scrappy plate quilt along over at Bunny Hill Designs. I spent about an hour last night cutting them out and will chain piece as many as I can tonight…

Michelle

The Repurpose Challenge…

2012-01-14T19:38:00.001+13:00

Yesterday was our first get together at Nancy’s for the ‘Kindred Heart Stitchers’ and this month’s challenge was ‘to repurpose something’ and Wow did we do well… even if I do say so myself… Just look at it all…

I repurposed the doily bunting and the embroidery hoop, they were gifts to Michelle as it is her birthday this month… the embroidery hoop has little pockets to store bits in for her sewing room… I also repurposed the blackboard it originally had an ugly picture on it but on a trip to the Warehouse a few months ago I bought some chalkboard adhesive 3 sheets for 99c(thanks to Michelle for telling me about it!) Now I can use it to write a special quote on it :O)

Michelle made this gorgeous candle holder…

And Nancy repurposed some wire coat hangers into a bird feeder…

Nancy is Claire's Mum and isn’t this a great idea… I have plans to make one too! The feeder is an Op shop find… she also made one for Michelle for her birthday..

This is one of Claires repurposed projects it was originally part of a two tiered basket that broke… turned upside and put on a plate…it now becomes a cloche, how easy is that!

She also made bunting by threading ribbon through old postcards, if you look close enough you can see it in the first photo.

Nicky made this pretty note board from an old wire cooling tray…

A great idea to display precious mementoes'! And a three tiered cup cake holder that you can just see in the photo. There were many other projects too that I didn’t get a photo of(maybe Michelle did?)

It is always fun to see what we come up with… next months challenge is something for ‘Valentines Day’.

Nicky had a brilliant idea… each of us had to write down five things we wanted to have finished before January 2013 and then they were sealed away in an envelope which we will open again next year!

Nancy also showed us her notebooks, she is a list writer like me… but her notebooks are fabulous…kind of like a scrapbook they hold all sorts of things… a bucket list for the year… books she wants to read/has read… memories… photo’s… fabrics scraps from a project… magazine clippings… recipes…etc… it has inspired me to start one too!

And this is a photo of Claire’s oldest UFO that has come out of hiding…Lol She thinks she started it 16 years ago…

This might just be the year it gets finished! How old is your oldest UFO?

My Mum has a project which isn’t quite finished… I will show you photo’s as soon as she does! (Sew how is it going Mum, finished yet?)

Well I better head off and get a load of washing done and spend a little bit of time with my family the last three days have been very busy and I feel like I haven’t seen them all for a while…

Enjoy your weekend…

Blessings

Michelle

Exhausted…

2012-01-11T16:20:00.001+13:00

I have spent the day cleaning out the car shed, which also doubles as the laundry, and Stefan’s workshop, there is also a corner where our horsey daughter stores all her horsey gear, it is where the motocross bikes are kept, you will also find a few painting projects I should be working on, there is fishing gear and farm jackets/clothes etc I think you get the idea… it was a bit of a chaos in there but now…I can freely walk from one side of the shed to the other without tripping over anything ;O) Why didn’t I do this sooner it is wonderful… I do wonder how long it will last though…

I have been going through my UFO’s trying to pick one out for Friday… The Kindred Hearts Stitchers are getting together and we have to bring one project along that we want to finish this year… I think I need to print this sign off and put it above my sewing desk I am feeling more than a little overwhelmed with all the projects I found… needless to say I have found one I am determined to finish it is a BOM by Monica Poole called Precious Pieces… I have decided though instead of doing all 12 blocks I am just going to make 9… there is a lot of work in each block… some are pieced and some are applique…

So far I have only finished the 1st one and the 2nd and 3rd I have started…

I have also been busy with the Schnibbles quilt… and I’m pleased to say the top is finished and I hope to start quilting it next week…photo’s to come… Yesterday was such an icky day, I practiced a little free motion quilting and then decided to quilt this UFO…

I plan to stitch in the ditch in all the seams… and then maybe hand quilt some circles.

Well that is what is happening in my little corner of the world today… hope all is going well in yours…

Michelle

One UFO down…

2012-01-09T14:19:00.001+13:00

And many more to go! I actually finished this wall hanging the other day but am only just getting around to posting about it…

I ended up using some blueberry crumb cake charm squares for it instead of the original fabric I had chosen…

And I’m sew pleased I did…

The Kindred Heart Stitchers are meeting on Friday this week…we have to take along a project we want to finish this year… and help to hold each other accountable and get it done! Right now though I am off to sew a little more on this schnibbles quilt…

Michelle

Just random idea I thought I would share…

2012-01-09T09:55:00.001+13:00

I was just over visiting Peg who was wondering whether to finish a project because the dye in her threads ran when she washed it and left a mark behind… Well I suggested she might be able to tea stain it… but with a small difference… because her threads are red I thought maybe she could use a herbal tea to get a red tint! Then I thought there might be others out there that might benefit from this idea too!

Hope this helps Peg…

Michelle

Quilt-a-longs…

2012-01-06T11:57:00.001+13:00

In my travels(visiting blogs) I have come across sew many Quilt-a-longs I want to take part in… there is just too many to choose from… I would like to join in making these cute little Dresden's…

from Bunny Hill Designs

And Jenny from Elefantz has an adorable stitchery quilt(this one is on my list for sure!)

What about one to use up some of those scraps… you can visit Jodi here…

Or build some houses from scrap… there is a free pattern over here, thanks for sharing this one Maria :O) Check out her blog to see what Maria is up to!

And what about that Farmers Wife Quilt-along I’m already doing!

Lara shared this one on her blog this morning… I think maybe this is the one for me;O)

But if you want to learn some new embroidery stitches head on over to Sharon's and join in the Take a stitch Tuesdays. Thanks to Lis for sharing this one.

This one looks fun too though…Michelle May from The Raspberry Rabbits is hosting a quilt-a-long using felt applique… Hmmm…. decisions decisions…

I am sure there are many more out there… have you joined up for any? If so which ones?

Michelle

A New Year…

2012-01-04T16:06:00.001+13:00

And a clean slate…

Every time I start a new journal or note book I get a little excited by a fresh new page! Growing up I remember the joy of new school books…I always used my very bestest writing, but as the year progressed my writing would reflect my different moods, times when I was so excited about what I was writing it got quite messy(like my crafting corner;o)… sometimes when I was bored there wouldn’t be much to read, just a lot of doodling… sometimes it was just down right messy cos I just couldn’t be bothered! I wonder what this year has install…

I have been taking a wee blogging break… I have been enjoying the slower pace this time of year affords… I hope everyone of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!Everyone was well and truly spoilt in our house! I bought Stefan(DH) a new bass amp and we bought the kids a new piano/keyboard… we got rid of our old piano when we shifted here(18 months ago) as it had borer and the C key wouldn’t work! Hence there has been lot’s of jamming sessions around here… They want a set a drums now!

The kids also got one other pressie each(from us)… the horsey girl got new jumps(made by Stefan), the surfie boy got new riding gear for his dirt bike… the Jester got a compound bow… and Lolly got a new tent and a rip stik… So maybe you are wondering what I got…

Horsey girl and the Jester gave me these gorgeous Pip Studio cup and saucers… aren’t they beautiful! Surfie boy gave me a homemade voucher…for 1 hours help in the garden! I love it… very thoughtful! And Lolly got me some Flora tea, you can go here to have a look… I haven’t used it yet but I will! And she bought me my favourite gourmet Jelly beans! Stefan bought me a lovely new juicer that takes pride of place in my kitchen…

Told you we were spoilt!

I have been slowly updating my blog and have finally started adding recipes to the Recipe Page at the top of my blog so don’t forget to check that out if you are interested… Right back to enjoying that slower pace for a few more days… I’ll be back soon to show you what I have been up to…

Blessings

Michelle

PS A big ‘Welcome’ to my new followers, you have been noticed!

Christmas Wishes…

2011-12-22T17:14:00.001+13:00

Just dropping in to wish all my blog friends a wonderful fun filled holiday season…

Don’t forget to step back from all the hustle and bustle and find time to make some new memories to cherish…

Remember it won’t matter if your house isn’t perfect… if you don’t get the latest gadget…

Just enjoy what you do have and those around you and you’ll have the most wonderful time…

I will be taking a blogging break… to really focus on my family and their needs… and I’ll be back sometime in the New Year!

Blessings

Michelle

Shabby lounge room…

2011-12-16T22:47:00.001+13:00

I thought I would treat you all to a peek at my friend Claire’s new lounge room…the Kindred Heart Stitchers popped in for a visit to see the newly decorated room earlier this week… it is amazing… it went from this…sorry Nicky it was the only photo I had that kinda shows what it looked like before…

See the dark walls and the wood panels… well now it looks like this…

Isn’t it beautiful… I’ll let the photo’s speak for themselves…

I could quite happily while away the hours here with a cuppa or two…

And I better not forget a photo of the beautiful tree that Nancy made just for me…

Cute huh? Thank you sew much Nancy I love it!

Sweet Blessings…

Michelle

Catching up…

2011-12-15T22:55:00.001+13:00

I’m back… a bit later than planned, but life’s a little busy at the moment… as I’m sure it is for everyone… so where was I? That’s right… Family Camp… As a Church we have an annual camp and it is so good to get away for a few days of fun and fellowship around the Word… At the end of the weekend it is hard to leave our little sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the world… it has taken me a few days to catch up on sleep… well to tell the truth I had a little nap with my niece this afternoon Ok so what else has been happening… Monday was our Kindred Heart Stitchers Christmas party… we each made some Cookies to share…

Don’t they look fabulous!

We also made a decoration for someone, mine was for my Mum :o) but I forgot to take a photo of it… hopefully tomorrow I will take a photo of the one Nancy made for me… Nicky made a delicious hot dip baked inside a bread crust for starters and a lasagne for lunch… mmmmmm! Then we went on a tour of her beautiful home…

This cot has been made into a sofa for her girls room… clever idea!

And doesn’t this chair look inviting… very sweet

This cute cabinet has been repurposed into extra storage for her bathroom… I am not sure why but I didn’t actually take many pictures of her home I think I was to busy oohing and aahing … Lol If you would like to see more Michelle has some more on her blog…

The rest of the week has been taken up with end of school activities and such… and as of this afternoon we are now in holiday mode… yeah!

Be back soon…

Michelle

Craft Fair Goodies…

2011-12-07T13:54:00.001+13:00

I’m back to share a few of my goodies I bought at the craft fair during the weekend, I can’t show you everything because some of them are for gifts! This is my favourite purchase of the day…

Isn’t she beautiful?

And this lovely blue and white mosaic heart…

I would really like to learn how to do mosaics… I have several chipped/cracked plates waiting in the car shed for just such a project :o) Have you made anything?

I also found this cute little needle holder, perfect for travelling…

This is my new friend Nicky’s stall…the following photo’s were taken on my new phone and I think they turned out great…

Nicky was selling wax smellies for candle burners… I just had to get one of each ;o) and they smell so lovely… I bought a couple of pretties from her for gifts too… :O)

Olivia and I enjoyed an icecream for lunch in the rose garden…

It is looking very pretty this time of year…

The week is flying past so fast… it’s been pretty busy, lot’s happening but not much sewing :O( I wont be posting again for a week or so… we have a family camp this weekend that I need to prepare for and Monday is our Kindred Heart Stitchers group that I need to prepare for and Wednesday is School Prize Giving and the end of year concert… Whew I’m tired just thinking about it!

Until then…

Sweet Blessings

Michelle

That’s My Girl!…

2011-12-05T09:16:00.001+13:00

Yesterday my daughter Ruth competed in the Taranaki All Breeds Show for the first time… and came home with all these ribbons! That’s my girl… :OD

I am so proud of her! I just had to write a little post ;O) Here she is back in ‘Poppy’s’ stall giving her a well deserved treat…

She got 4 first places, 3 second places, a third place and a reserved Champion! Here’s an action shot…

She did so well… my daughter has had no professional training, she is totally self taught…

I will be back later to share what I got up to over the weekend…

Sweet Blessings

Michelle

A WIP…

2011-12-02T16:09:00.001+13:00

Today I worked on this WIP I started last week…

It’s called Hot Cross… from Carrie Nelson’s ‘Schnibbles times two’ book…

It just needs the outer pieced border… but I have to wait for the rest of the charm squares to arrive in the post ;o) While I was taking this photo I thought I would show you some of my Petunia’s in the tyres…

They really seem to like it in there… :O) Today has been such a lovely day… the sun is shining and there is a gentle breeze blowing… just wonderful! DH and the kids went down to the beach leaving me to sew in peace… while DH caught us fresh fish for tea… and it’s Friday… wonderful… and tomorrow I am going to the annual Arts in the Park… there will be lot’s of craft stalls… food… and fun! What’s happening in your little corner of the world today?

Sweet Blessings…

Michelle

Working on another UFO…

2011-11-28T21:40:00.001+13:00

I pulled out another UFO over the weekend to work on… this time it’s a stitchery project from an old Country Threads Magazine…

The photo’s a little dark (that’s what happens when you take photo’s at night time…) I only have a few colonial knots left to do and then I can start to sew it all together :O) I already had my fabrics all picked out but have had a change of heart and have decided to use my new Blueberry Crumb Cake fabrics… Hopefully I will finish this one up this week and it wont be relegated back to the UFO pile this time!

Yesterday was our 18th Wedding Anniversary… I have now been married for half my life! I’ll save you the math… I was 18 when I got married Lol I guess that tells you my age as well! It makes me wonder what you all think… being married so young…

We celebrated by going out to a local Indian Restaurant for tea… and the children had to stay home and cook for themselves!

Michelle

A lazy Saturday…

2011-11-26T17:30:00.001+13:00

My day started off with the best kind of mail :O) I won a giveaway from Lara at Sew Many Stitches Later there was a lot of oohing and aahing coming out of my kitchen when I opened it that everyone came running to see too!

Lara picked out the prettiest fat quarters for me, some cute ribbons, some needles(always need these) and made the cutest little pincushion and just look at these cute magnets…

Not to mention my very first Christmas card :OD

I am sew happy with my goodies, thank you Lara!

Yesterday we had visitors for lunch and they bought us a lovely big bunch of rhubarb…

Rhubarb crumble for pudding tonight… Yum! And I’m sure there will be plenty left to have some on my breakfast in the morning!

I finished sewing down the binding on this baby quilt today and it was impossible to take a photo outside as you can see… we have had so much wind this week, great for the washing but not much else…

So we attempted an inside shot…

Not much better I’m afraid… here’s a close up of the quilting and the colour is a bit better… I will try and take some better photo’s next week ;O)

So that’s another UFO I can tick off the list!

I have also picked some hydrangeas for drying…

I dipped the ends in boiling water to seal them before putting them in cold water this is supposed to stop them from going droopy…We’ll see…

Well it’s that time of day again… I better go cook the family some dinner, steak on the BBQ tonight nice and easy… the perfect way to end a lazy day…

Michelle

Pet cows, some gardening and a finish…

2011-11-16T12:46:00.001+13:00

The cows are around the house this morning and the friendly ones like to come up for a scratch…

and some cuddles…

It was a beautiful day yesterday and I ventured out into the garden… my Mum had given me some plants last week and they really needed to be planted… I ended up creating a new garden for some of them…

The plants are called ‘Blueberry and Lime Jam’ Petunia’s and should make a lovely summer display :o) Thanks Mum!

My completed ‘Tis the Season’ Christmas runner for my hutch…

I tried to take photos outside but it is just too wild and windy today… spring weather can be so fickle… It is the first time I have done prairie points and am quite happy with the way they turned out…

I have mentioned it before but this corner of our lounge has always bugged me… it is a wood box that juts out into the room and takes up precious room… I have been wanting to make a feature out of for some time and utilise the space but have been unsure on what to do with it! But I now have a plan(still in the beginning stages but a plan none the less!)… it involves the above pram(a bargain at less that half price:O) and a couple of ‘Butterscotch and Rose’ charm packs…

The postie kindly delivered them this morning along with some ‘Blueberry Crumb Cake’…

Great for the waistline!!! My fingers are itching to make something with them but first I really should get the rest of those plants in the garden…

Have a grand day…

Michelle

Busy day on the farm…

2011-11-14T14:48:00.001+13:00

Here it is my finished project for our monthly challenge…I bought the wreath from one of the gardens I visited last week… it was intended for my front door but I think it is too pretty to put it out there so I guess I’ll have to make another one!

Its a busy day on the farm today… this morning I helped Stefan(DH) vaccinate our calves… and we have lots of silage going in the pit… the tractors have been coming…

and going all day…

This afternoon we have a herd test… and we have to cover the silage pit once it’s all in… Stefan’s Dad is here too he is spraying weeds on the farm… gotta give him something to do now he’s retired and keep him out of my dear Mum in laws hair for a few hours Lol

I’m off to pick Miss Lolly up from school… Enjoy your day!

Michelle

An early start…

2011-11-12T21:43:00.001+13:00

I had an early start this morning my dear son who shall remain nameless and whose turn it was to milk this morning came and woke me up to tell me there was no power and emergency services had just rushed past… there went any thought of a wee Saturday morning sleep in… Lol But what to do when there is no power at 4.30 in the morning… it’s dark… the alarm beeps every five minutes to let us know the powers out… can’t read… cant bake… cant do any housework… can’t sew… it made me realise how dependant we are on modern technology… so what did I do? I just curled up in bed and waited for the power to come back on…and must’ve drifted back to sleep cos I woke again about 6.45…

On Thursday we had our Kindred Heart Stitchers day at Michelle’s… Hope she doesn’t mind but I thought I’d share a few picks of her garden… isn’t this a lovely welcome(above)

She has done an amazing job… there is lot’s of bits and pieces to see…

Our challenge theme for the month was to make something with a heart… it could be anything as long as there was a heart on it somewhere… I am not sure why(maybe it was all the chin wagging) but I only got a few photo’s…

Claire made a heart shaped lemon and rose flavoured cake filled with fresh cream and strawberries… it was delicious! And a cute decorated candle holder.

Nicky made this gorgeous doll…

Michelle made a heart out of doilies… very clever… I didn’t get a picture of it but if you pop over and visit her blog I’m sure she’ll have some photo’s to share.

Here’s Claire wearing one of the doily bowls Michelle made for us… aren’t the fabulous!

Lunch was scrumptious too… Michelle made a bacon and egg pie, homemade sausage rolls with filo pastry and a salad… can’t forget the homemade Sally Lunn either :O)

I will share my project next time… hopefully along with another couple of finishes! :O)

Michelle

Emeralds and rubies…

2011-11-08T20:04:00.001+13:00

I visited some more gardens on Sunday but I forgot to put the SD card in the camera… duh! So that’s it for the garden festival photo’s… until next year…

I have had a very creative weekend… I played with lots of pretty things… creating this months challenge project… and I am so happy with the way it’s turned out… :O) Here’s a sneak peek…

I also finished the binding on this dolls quilt from Kathleen Tracy’s book ‘The Civil War Sewing Circle’…

It reminds of of sparkling jewels… emeralds and rubies…

sapphires and opals…

I am in the process of sewing the binding down on a baby quilt… and I am working on finishing a wee runner for Christmas, I was about to sew it together when I noticed I hadn’t quite finished the stitchery… Lol But it is almost done :O) I seem to be on a finishing spree… it will be so good to be able to tick these off the list!

Happy stitching…

Michelle

More garden photo’s…

2011-11-04T22:01:00.001+13:00

Have you had enough garden photo’s yet? I do have to warn you there are a LOT of photo’s in this post ;O) …Yesterday I visited another garden this time in Stratford… There were lot’s of little pathways here there and everywhere… lot’s of little rooms to explore…

Mountside – Imaginative fun garden with a touch of fantasy. Features include an intriguing variety of formal and informal rooms, plant combinations with ponga structures hung with wisteria and clematis, a new stumpery and outstanding topiary. Browse in the fernery displaying orchids or play giant chequerboard games. (Excerpt from Garden Festival Book)

DH came with me to the next garden…

I like to visit this garden every year it is one of my favourites and there’s the added bonus of plants for sale :OD

‘Oakley Garden’ – Jenny has used her formal background in landscape design and horticulture, combined with a love of gardening to create her large family garden. Situated 2km from the coast, the established shelter creates a haven from the elements. Garden rooms are linked with hedge-lined paths. Features include brick walls and pillars, cottage style plantings, early flowering roses, vegetable potager and stunning hanging baskets. Complimentary tea and coffee. (Excerpt from Garden Festival Book)

I bought quite a few plants from these two gardens… now I have to find somewhere to put them… Lol I bought 2 climbing roses ‘Anais Segales’ and ‘Souvenir’ they are both pictured above. I bought a raspberry plant(I have wanted one for ages :O) and two different coloured Heuchera’s…

Below top left is a honeywort (not sure of it’s proper name) bottom left is a geranium and on the right are rhodohypoxis…

Not pictured are Solomon's Seal and another plant I can’t quite remember it’s name… yet ;o) And lastly this Hydrangea…

I am hopeless at remembering names so that is why I have recorded them here! Only two more days of the festival left…not sure if I will get to visit any more gardens maybe one tomorrow if I can sneak it in…

Hopefully next week I will have some quilty finishes to share :O)

Enjoy your weekend…

Michelle

Snap and more gardens…

2011-11-03T22:27:00.001+13:00

Yesterday I picked up Claire and my niece(I was on babysitting duty:o) and we drove up to New Plymouth/Waitara area to visit some gardens… we met my Mum at the first garden… ‘Margaret’s Garden’…

As you can see from this rose it had been raining… I didn’t get many good photo’s in this garden but it was beautiful!

I bought a plant from here too… can’t remember what it is now…will take photo’s of my buys tomorrow(hopefully) and share all my goodies… Since we were sooo close to Waitara we made a slight detour to the Corso Op Shop… I bought a couple of things and Claire found a whole box of treasures! Mine are already in the process of being upcycled… then we headed to ‘Big Jim’s Cafe for an early lunch before going to ‘Ann and Vince’s’ Garden(the owners of ‘Big Jim’s Garden Centre)

Guessing from the amount of photos I took of this garden you could be right in assuming it was a favourite… both for the house and the garden… Let’s follow Claire…

I could picture myself living here quite easily…

See that quilt on the bed? Ann quilt’s in her spare time… Lol

I could just imagine eating breakfast here while enjoying the garden…

My dream home would have a veranda just like this! And it would have a potager garden too…

They had a lot of white in there gardens which I thought looked quite stunning…

Snap! You know the name of our group is ‘Kindred Hearts stitchers’ well it goes beyond that we even dress the same… by pure coincidence! When I arrived to pick Claire up this is what we were wearing… totally unplanned(I have a black top on under my jacket too)… Claire suggested she go change… but I thought it was kinda cute… we got the odd stare, everyone probably thought we were a little crazy and they are probably right!

From a quiet country house to an inner city house… ‘La Rosaleda’

A rose lover’s paradise, featuring over 300 hundred old fashioned roses. This romantic English style garden has been created over the last seven years by Coleen who has a passion for vintage roses and perennials. Wend your way through both formal and informal areas and enjoy the wafting fragrance. (excerpt from garden festival booklet)

Little Dot had fallen asleep in the car, then was unceremoniously plonked in her stroller and stayed asleep until it was time to leave! Unfortunately we didn’t get to visit all the gardens we wanted to before it was time to head home again… but we had had a fabulous day!

I visited more gardens today but today’s photo’s will be for another post…hopefully tomorrow…

Keep Smiling…

Michelle

Dunlop's Garden…

2011-10-31T22:35:00.001+13:00

The garden we visited today saw us take a walk just down the road to our next door neighbours Jan and Ross Dunlop (Ross is the local mayor) I have admired the house from afar…

but today I had the privilege of seeing it up close :OD

Keep walking past the house and onto the expansive back lawn and tennis court…

The view of the back of the house from the tennis court…(swimming pool and changing shed just to the left) The french doors on the right was added on and this is where the kitchen can now be found…

From there we walked through the bush track to the lookout…

And then through the lovely old wrought iron gates to the wool shed…

The wool shed was fill of memorabilia from the past… and also had a brief description of the history of the property…

No garden visiting tomorrow… tomorrow we are cleaning up the section at the workers house in preparation for a relief milker… and after all the hard work is done I will get to go visit some on Wednesday with the Kindred Heart Stitchers’ and my lovely Mum…

Keep smiling…

Michelle

Garden Festival…

2011-10-29T21:59:00.001+13:00

Each year about this time we have a regional Garden Festival, it’s one of my favourite times of the year… the festival started yesterday and goes until next Sunday and I aim to get around as many as I can this year… This afternoon I managed to get to three gardens… would you like to take a stroll with me?… The first garden I visited was in the Hawera township, I have lived in this area all my life and didn’t even know it was here, Lol

First here is a brief description from the Festival Book…

GRAVETYE

This five acre property, once ‘The Woolshed Paddock’ is now in it’s sixth year of development, with formal gardens, deciduous trees and room to graze stock. Several features radiate from the house, which include a lime walk, laburnum arch, reflection pool and enclosed vegetable garden interspersed with sweeping lawns. Hedges define each garden which contain topiary and plantings of iris, lavender and roses.

A lot of symmetry in this garden and lots and lots of lawn, even with a ride on it would take hours to mow! But I liked the overall effect. The second garden I visited was…

PUKETARATA

Natives, rhodos, roses, hydrangeas, shrubs, herbs, perennial's and fruit trees under planted with daffodils, box hedging, and an abundance of bird life gives Puketarata diversity and charm. This is a large country garden set into the landscape adjacent to the 400 year old Puketarata Pa. Views of a borrowed landscape from a haha across a planted gully, and the mountain.

Can you see a wooden door built into the side of the hill? Any ideas what it might be? I’ll let you know at the end of this post… The last garden was…

OLIVER GARDEN

Two acres of immaculate garden, designed around mature trees and incorporating many rhododendrons , azaleas and wisterias. Sunken garden, maples and lakeside areas add interest to this well maintained garden…

Unfortunately I didn’t get many photo’s of this garden as my camera battery decided it would be a good time to go flat and the sky started to cloud over with big black rain clouds! The trees were stunning though and the garden was very peaceful to wander through. I really liked the way they have fenced the property, it would have taken a lot of work but the results were amazing. It was a good opportunity to play with my camera a wee bit, I am slowly(very slowly) learning everything it can do, this is my favourite shot of the day…

Even though I cut the top of the stem off…

For the next week or so I will be blogging about my garden rambles so if you are not really a garden person or not that interested please feel free to pass on through…

Did you come up with any ideas about what might be behind that door? Curiosity got the better of me last year when I visited and I just had to ask…

It’s a wine cellar! Did you guess correctly?

Michelle

Labour Day…

2011-10-24T13:42:00.001+13:00

The holidays have come to an end… though we have one extra day off as today is Labour Day but come tomorrow it will be back into school mode :O( The weather hasn’t been the greatest but I love it when the kids use their imaginations and create their own fun…

Here’s ‘Lolly’ with her new teapot(it used to be mine;O) playing ladies… and my fridge has been turned into a pony paddock, Lol Today the weather has cleared and they have been out building swords and shields… and while they have been playing creatively outside, I have been playing creatively inside…

I have finished quilting the pink and green table runner for the hutch… just need to decide what fabric to use for the binding. Speaking of binding I have just received a baby quilt back from my LAQ so that will need to be done too.

And I thought I better show you my Tilda finishes for the month… a wee little angel wings pillow…

And a big poofy pillow…

I am sew happy with the way it has turned out…

Better go the day has suddenly disappeared on me… DH is on a road trip today with DS1, they have gone to pick up a new dirt bike and I am on farm duties…

Enjoy your day…

Michelle

Grow garden grow…

2011-10-24T13:14:00.001+13:00

On Thursday I spent most of the day out in the garden the aim was to weed the vege garden but I managed to do everything but! Lol …instead I sowed some seeds… I planted some plants… I sprayed under the fences and along the edges… redesigned a garden edging…cleaned up the shed where everything just gets dumped… restacked what wood we had left… raked up all the wood chips into a pile… etc… The beans have grown heaps since last week…

Here is DH finishing off the bean frame… Isn’t he a good lad? He is actually smiling in this pic, our conversation went like this… “You are not going to put that photo on your blog are you?” Me… “Yeah of course!” Him… Oh no your not!” Me “Oh Yes I just have!” Lol.

The other day when Gail and I went to the afternoon tea party she bought me a belated birthday present for the garden…

Meet Percy and Peggy Pukeko! Thanks Gail they have added some quirkiness to my garden and I smile each time I see them!

I have planted Red Snap Dragons, pumpkin seeds, Aquilegia's(Granny Bonnets) and Red Bean Tree Seeds(don’t ask me what they are because I really don’t know do you?) I am guessing they are some sort of tree with bean like flowers!

I have planted Petunia’s in the tyres, I am looking forward to a lovely summer display!

So as you can see the garden is coming along slowly… It would be wonderful to have a more established garden but I am having fun creating new ones too from bits and pieces found on the farm… I found this old garden gate the other day…

Which I already have plans for :O)

What is happening in your gardens?

Michelle

Something in the air…

2011-10-20T20:35:00.001+13:00

I have lots of photo’s to share with you today… prepare to be inspired… On Tuesday we had our monthly crafty girls day at Claire’s… we have finally decided upon a name(I think) ‘Kindred Hearts Stitchers’ because we all like the same things… quilting, crafting, decorating, thrifting, cooking, being home makers…:o) Our challenge project was to make something out of one of the Tilda books… I drew the short straw and started off the show and tell… but since this is going to be a long post I’ll share mine next time ;O)

Michelle made these gorgeous Christmas decorations and stockings…

They are not quite finished but aren’t they cute and that rose fabric is gorgeous! Her son made the wooden skate for her, clever lad.

Nicky joined in the fun this time too and she has two adorable little girls! She brought along a couple of her creations to share and some of her thrifting treasures…

A plate stand made from pretty plates and vases with a sweet porcelain doll as the cherry on the top. Below she also made the wooden bobbin candle holder, very clever…

The rest are her latest thrifting finds, a vase, a candle holder(with an embroidered base) and a wee trinket box. The suitcases in the background are Claire’s :o)

Claire’s ‘Tilda’ project was this gorgeous jewellery mannequin can you spot it?

Let’s go in for a closer look…

She used a two tiered cake plate for the base, great idea for displaying bits and pieces! Then she lead us on a little tour of her house…even though we have visited many times before there is always something new to see! I think she has a little bit of spring fever, she has been cleaning out the linen closet and just look at the result…

Just beautiful… and everything in it’s place…we all agreed she needs new doors with latticed windows so she can admire them every time she walks past!

Each pile is wrapped in a pretty ribbon and labelled…

Then she showed off her pantry…

Mine would never stay this tidy ;o)… and all the jars have Cath Kidston labels!

And then when she starts to tap her fingers together and says “I have a cunning plan” you know you can expect to see her create something special…

A hurricane lamp wrapped up in a lovely old doiley…

Now isn’t that clever? And a just because photo of her vintage guest bedroom…

I want to make this quilt… :O) I also want one of these…

Isn’t it gorgeous? The heat from the candles make the whirligig spin…

Our new challenge is to make something to do with hearts, it can be anything as long as it has a heart on it…

After a day like this we all go home feeling so inspired to create…

What inspires you?

Michelle

An afternoon tea party…

2011-10-15T19:44:00.001+13:00

This afternoon my friend Gail and I visited Roz at the The Lodge Studio for an afternoon tea to celebrate her florist/gift shops first year! It was a delightful afternoon…fruit punch and nibbles… and of course there was cake…

We browsed the shop… so many goodies I wanted to bring home… We wandered in the garden…

Everywhere you turned there was something new to see…I have a new appreciation for driftwood…

Just a little bit of imagination and the good old kiwi no. 8 wire ;o) and it’s a harp… Next time I go to the beach I will be looking at drift wood in a whole new light…

Thank you Gail, Mum and Roz for a fun afternoon!

And congratulations Roz!

What fun things are you doing this weekend?

Michelle

First week of the holidays…

2011-10-14T17:21:00.001+13:00

The first week of the holidays has whizzed by so fast! My children have spent lot’s of time on the farm in between all the showers of rain and I have been puddling about the house just enjoying not having to be somewhere or be doing something I would rather not be doing. Oh I haven’t been lazy… well not too lazy… I have cleaned windows(yeah boring but now at least I can see out my kitchen windows again, Lol) I have milked too but the days have been mainly mine… I went visiting some old family friends with my Mum that we hadn’t seen in I don’t know how many years… and I am so pleased we did… it was kind of a random thing and we just did it… sometimes you lose contact with people who have been wonderful friends and when you met up again you just pick up where you left off… A lot of stories came out about some of the things my Mum used to get up to… Oh my! I have also pottered about in the garden this week and everything has just taken off with the rain, including the weeds… I planted runner beans last week and now look at them…

On the left you can see the cabbages and broccoli and on the right some celery. My new garden area is coming along, I hope to have a wee photo shoot soon to show you what I have done, here’s a little sneak peak so far…

Sweet Bella daisies! Today I have managed a wee bit of sewing for our monthly challenge… I have been using fabric from my stash…

I have been saving this butterfly fabric for something special :o) All will be revealed next week after our stitching day…

Happy stitching…

Michelle

Today…

2011-10-07T20:20:00.001+13:00

My kitchen was taken over by three teenagers today in an attempt to bake the best plate for supper! They have a youth meeting tonight… I am pleased I don’t have to sample all the delectable goodies, one it wouldn’t be very flattering for my figure and two I think I would be sick, Lol. The Jester made Rice bubble biscuits with marshmallow frosting…

And he left DH, Lolly and I one each for our supper, I had mine for dessert and they were very good;O) Ruffles made a chocolate brownie…

and the surfer boy made a chocolate cake with buttercream icing and grated white chocolate on top…

This afternoon I shopped my stash for some fabrics to make a quick strippy runner for my hutch and I got a little carried away cutting the strips and ended up with enough to make a bigger one for our kitchen table Lol

Ah… there is something sweet and refreshing about pinks and greens! I will be working on the runners tonight while I wait to go pick up the teenagers and see who won, Lol

It was the last day of school today for two whole weeks… I am looking forward to a slower change of pace:o) Though I do have a list of things I want to or rather need to do… cleaning the oven is high on that list but first I must focus on the runners… a girl has gotta have priorities right? ;O)

Keep smiling…

Michelle

PS Thought I would share this photo of Wilson, here he is sitting in the barrel for the car ride home(from Pet Day) as if he did this every day Lol…

The Jester had to drag him out when we got home… Lol

Spring Cleaning…

2011-10-05T08:52:00.001+13:00

My sewing room/bedroom had become a little messy, there were threads all over the floor, projects here there and everywhere! So I thought I better whizz the vacuum cleaner around and that would make it look better… and then I thought… oh I wonder what my dresser will look like if I do this…

And this…

And well it all snowballed from there really. The whole room ended up getting a spruce up even the windows and nets got a clean! When hubby came to bed last night he remarked that the room felt clean!!! I didn’t think it was that bad Lol! Please excuse the dresser it has seen better days… one day real soon I hope to get a new bedroom suite:O) Is that a big enough hint do you think? Wink Wink!

I got so carried away I almost forgot it was Pet Day today! Every year I tell myself… next year let someone else organise Pet Day… well I have delegated a number of responsibilities elsewhere which took a huge load off and everything has seemed to have fallen into place much better… but yesterday afternoon I had to whizz around to get MY responsibilities done Lol! Ruffles(DD1) will be taking Poppy for pony rides, Lolly(DD2) will be taking a lamb and all her creations we she finished off at the last minute last night! I got up early and made a brownie for the Cake Auction and The Jester(DS2) is making a Nutella Mug Cake…

Bad photo’s I know but you get the idea! The weather is very overcast this morning… fingers crossed it doesn’t rain. Enough procrastinating… I better go shower and dress…

Have a super duper day!

Michelle

It’s a beautiful day…

2011-09-30T16:05:00.001+13:00

It’s been such a beautiful day today, the sunshine is good for the soul! I have pottered about the house today catching up on odd jobs, this morning the boys and I went to Paper Plus(local bookshop) to see Wendyl Nissen who is doing a book tour for her new book…

I wouldn’t normally go to something like this but I am please I did, she was a lovely person inside and out and I learnt lot’s! I didn’t buy the book though as my children are pretty much all in their teens(when did that happen I’d like to know!) But I do have another book she wrote…

A Home Companion… it is written month by month so that is how I have been reading it, it has some amusing tales and full of lot’s of information and recipes.

Crafting has been on the back burner for a while now, so I don’t have anything much to share, life has been taken up with farm work, gardening, camp, housework, schooling etc but my fingers have been itching to do some stitching… hopefully next time I will have something to share…

Michelle

And then there were ten…

2011-09-19T20:43:00.001+12:00

I am slowly chugging along with my FWQ blocks… I really enjoy making these cute little blocks… here’s a picture of all 10 of them…

I know I am way behind with everyone else in the QAL… but I started late, that’s my excuse anyway… Over the weekend I quilted this little doll quilt…

I had started to quilt it by hand… but it was taking too long for me… I don’t think I’m a hand quilting kind of gal, don’t get me wrong I really like the look of hand quilting but I’ve never been much good at it… I did a class several years ago that was a bit of a disappointment, maybe I need to try another one or maybe I just need to keep practicing! But I am happy it’s almost done now… just the binding to go. The binding will have to wait a few days though as I am off on school camp this week with DD2… we are going to sleepover at the Napier Aquarium! I am looking forward to the break from my normal routine… though I can’t get away from all my jobs… I have been delegated camp cook again Lol And an added bonus I don’t have to drive this time… I get to travel with two other Mums and all the food, I plan to ride in the back with a good book or two…

I picked up this mag today… there is an article in here from The Hen House if you like vintage and thrifting you’ll like this blog… I will save it to read on the trip!

Have a super week…

Michelle

Today’s the day…

2011-09-15T19:31:00.001+12:00

In only a matter of moments… I will announce the winner of the giveaway!

But first… today was also our crafty girls day… it was here at my house this time and I am such a slacker I have no photos to show of Michelle or Claire's fabulous mod podge projects… maybe that’s because I am in denial as I didn’t get a project finished this month! Sad but true… but make sure you pop over and visit their blogs, and check out what they made. Though we did do some stitching today, Claire worked on a Jellyroll quilt, Michelle worked on a stitchery and I made this pretty pile of petals…

Our challenge for the month ahead is to make something from one of our Tilda books…

Ok let’s get to the part everyone is waiting for…

The winner is…

Jeanette

Congratulations Jeanette I will be emailing you shortly for your details and… thank you to all of you for your kind comments!!!

I’m off to sew a little now before bed…

Night Night…

Michelle

Blooms and blossoms…

2011-09-10T21:28:00.001+12:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day I ended up catching up with 3 friends from church before going out for lunch… I had a pearl barley chicken salad… yummy! Never tried one before but I will be searching out recipes to make my own. Before I knew it it was time to head home again and just so you know I didn’t entirely wag for the whole day or leave my DH in the lurch… DS1 helped with my morning chores(thanks M) and I came home and did the evening chores ;o)

My lovely friend sent these beautiful camellia blooms home with me! I did buy something… but will share all about that in another post as it’s for my monthly challenge :o)…

Today I have spent many happy hours out in the garden… over the last couple of days I have been raiding our farm workers cottage(no one is currently living there) and have started a new garden…

I know its a bit of a lopsided photo but this is an old feed trough… we are going to grow strawberries in it… I went shopping this afternoon and bought some strawberry mix to fill it with so it is now all ready for the strawberry plants(will get those tomorrow)…

To the left of this photo is some green netting I found, I am going to grow some sweet peas there… in the corner is a climber I found in the sale section of Mitre 10 a while ago and have used a piece from an old fence as a trellis… the plants you can see are bella daisies (at least I think that is what they are called;o) and if we go round a little bit further…

Some concrete tubs… I am going to plant some herbs in it… and DS1 has a plan for the bits and pieces of wood you can see… I have tried to do everything on a very tight budget, as the house is not ours I don’t want to spend much on the garden but I still like things to look pretty… there was no garden here at all when we shifted in but I am slowly getting there… though I couldn’t resist buying this gorgeous bush Magnolia… they said it doesn’t grow very big, let’s hope they’re right…

I am hoping I will be able to take it with us when the time comes for us to shift again…

There were no trees at all when we shifted here… and oh did I miss my flowering cherry trees the first spring… so last year I treated myself to one… ah the first buds are flowering! And I like to bring some spring indoors too…

I plan to revamp the vege garden next… but the weather has turned so I will have to wait a few days to start that project…

I also found this old garden gate that has yet to find a home…

If you’ve read right to the end… you’ve done well! Half the reason for this post is so I have a record of what I’ve done so far… I have a few recycling projects I want to do too, some with old tyres(we have lots, they are used as weights when we cover the silage pits) old plastic bottles, some old bricks… I will share them as I go along…

Have a great weekend…

Michelle

Wagging…

2011-09-09T10:02:00.001+12:00

wagging… ditching, jigging, dogging, bludging, skiving off… what term do you use to describe wagging school or in my case today wagging farm and housework? Yep that’s what I am doing today… I rang DH this morning to say I wouldn’t be in today! Instead I awoke early(can’t seem to sleep in on my mornings off, Lol) made myself a cuppa and made my new favourite block for my Farmers Wife Quilt…

I am sew happy with the way it turned out… I had to order some more fabrics for the FWQ as I am using jellyrolls and some blocks required pieces bigger than 2 1/2” and they finally arrived yesterday…

Mr Postman delivered some books too(last week…)

There are soooo many things I want to make in here, Tilda has a style I am really enjoying at the moment :o) I bought this one as well…

(Insert note to Georgie here… this is the book Claire made my gorgeous slippers from)

And the latest Jellyroll book by to add to my growing collection…

The Book Depository really is a dangerous place for me to visit…

As for the rest of my day I am off to meet a friend for lunch, do a little shopping and hopefully make a start on this months mod podge challenge… I hope you have a wonderful day planned as well!

Happy Friday…

Michelle

…and a giveaway…

2011-09-06T12:19:00.001+12:00

The hurrier I go… the behinder I get…

Life just seems to be flying by and I have just realised I am way past my three year blogaversary (that was way back on May the 4th!) and…this is my 247th post 47 posts over my 200th post mark and I’ve been thinking about having a little giveaway for a wee while so I thought why not?…

I have enjoyed meeting all my wonderful followers and even though I don’t have a huge blog following like some (maybe one day when I grow up to be a big blogger…Lol) I appreciate everyone of you and your comments… for sharing my creative journey… for inspiring me through your words and your own blogs… so without further ado I’m sure you’d like to see what is up for grabs…

‘Schnibbles times two… Jellyroll Sampler Quilts…(both these books are brand new and unused… I have my own copies of these)… A pretty notebook and matching pen… a few Cosmo threads… a brooch(I will make one in the colours of your choice) some buttons… and… of course some fabrics(not pictured) So if you would like to win just leave a comment and share something that’s been a blessing to you this week…

Oh… and because I like meeting new bloggers and friends if you spread the word about my giveaway and leave a comment telling me you have you can have another chance to win and if you are already a follower I will automatically add another entry for you!

Blessings…

Michelle

PS I will announce the winner on the 15th of September!

Hello Spring…

2011-09-02T12:38:00.001+12:00

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Yesterday was officially the first day of spring… and it feels like it at last… the birds are singing and flying to and fro… the cat has found a spot in the sun to sleep… and I have been pottering about the house with a renewed sense of vigour… I haven’t quite found the energy for spring cleaning the house yet but I think the hutch is a good place to start…

Out with the blue and in with…

something with a little more colour…

This is my new tea set(every little girl at heart needs a pretty tea set) Isn’t it pretty?

The green vases have been in the family for generations…

It still needs a few finishing touches but I am so happy with how it’s looking…

Oops please excuse the bits on the floor…;O) I would like to make a runner to go under the glass cloches… I have plenty of ideas just lack the time and motivation at the moment… my mojo seems to have disappeared maybe I will have to start spring cleaning sooner rather than later and try and find out where it’s hiding;oD… Oh and I found a fabulous idea on Pinterest the other day…

Now I can find all my measuring cups and spoons… and it makes a lovely display… I love walking into my kitchen and seeing them it makes me smile :o) These stocks make me smile too…

Freshly picked from the garden and Oh… they smell wonderful(Please ignore the dirty the dirty windows)

I have gained some new chooks too… our worker had some and can’t take them with him so we are looking after them until we decide what to do with them… I would love to keep them but our chook house just isn’t big enough… so for now they still live in an old shed at his place… I have been giving away eggs to friends and family… and still have some to spare…Lol Tomorrow we are having an early birthday lunch for Miss Lolly(DD2) just a couple of friends and family…

Better go do some birthday shopping… I might be in trouble if I don’t…

Happy Smiles…

Michelle

Tuesday Trip…

2011-08-25T10:36:00.001+12:00

I am still around… life is starting to settle down a wee bit.. we are still busy on the farm but are nearing the end of calving… so soon I may get to spend some time sewing… Unfortunately our worker has had to resign for health reasonsso between myself and our children we are taking on his job… DH has made a roster… so between three of us we will share the job of milking… and whatever else needs doing… so between home schooling and the farm and house work I have had little time for sewing…

I did manage a quick trip to New Plymouth on Tuesday(I had to do a job for DH and pick up some meat from the butchers) so I snuck into say Hi to Mum and Roz and Roz cute little shop…here if you are ever driving past make sure you call in and say Hi you wont regret it, it is a fabulous little shop and Roz is such a sweetie too…

Roz’s shop and garden will be open for the Garden Festival in October… this is a photo of her gorgeous house, I love the blue trim and just look at the sweet scallops…

DS2 got to be an orchardist and pick some lovely sweet tangelos…

That’s my lovely Mum holding the bag for him… The garden is just my sort of garden with little vignettes dotted here and there…

And little bridges…

And I couldn’t go there and not buy anything I bought another treasure for my hutch which I will share when I change my hutch for spring! In fact I have been picking up a few little things for my spring display lately…

I’ll hopefully be back soon with something quilty to share…Until then…Keep smiling!

Michelle

Cloche…

2011-08-19T12:00:00.001+12:00

Many of you have asked what a Cloche is? The dictionary says a Cloche (pronounced Klosh) is…

1 A close-fitting woman's hat with a bell like shape

2 A usually bell shaped cover used chiefly to protect plants from frost.

This is my interpretation of a cloche…

Last month I made a chicken wire cloche for Claire and Michelle and one of our challenges for the month was to decorate it, this is my attempt! Please use your imagination a little and picture the cloche on a pretty plate complete with birds nest and eggs(I just need to find one;o)… considering I made this the night before I think it’s come together really well…

And all us girls decorated our cloche with a bird theme… great minds think alike Lol!

Such a pretty brown bird! Oh and look a beautiful butterfly has flown down for a wee chat…

To see what the girls made popover and visit Michelle for more photos.

After a fabulous lunch of baked potatoes and salad followed by yummy truffles Claire declared we venture out into the freezing cold and go check out a few Op Shops…so we did!

I found this wooden stool(I plan to repaint it soon) and a cute egg box(I have plans for this too!)

I also found this cute candle holder…

Our two other challenges for the month was to finish a UFO… I finished a quilt top(I will take a photo when it’s not windy) and make something out a hanky, this time we all made something totally different… This is mine…

An origami dress… if you look real close you will see the mother of pearl buttons down the front… Claire made a fabric pinwheel and Michelle made a journal cover…

This months challenge is to make something with… modge podge! I have no idea what I am going to do yet… Do you have any ideas… Or better yet would you like to join us with this challenge I would love to see what you come up with!

Keep Smiling…

Michelle

B is for…

2011-08-16T21:07:00.001+12:00

Gosh it’s been a while since I last blogged… I didn’t mean for it to be sooo long but life has been crazy hectic… as you may be aware we are in the middle of calving… it’s my job to feed all the calves… and when the worker gets sick… well I am the fill in… he was off for a week and a bit… and now he’s off again… (he does have a legitimate illness and if he wasn’t such a good worker…) Anyway my days start at 5.30… yeah that’s am;o) milk the cows, feed the calves, go get the new calves and cows in then hopefully home for breakfast by 9-9.30, then my normal day begins… back out again by 3 to feed calves and whatever other jobs need doing… usually one of the kids milks in the evening :o) then home to cook tea and by then I am not feeling like doing much of anything…

But I do have a few things to share with you…

Here is a close up of my babushkas…

‘Big Sister’ Babushka(the wiser one!) with her nice warm polka dot scarf…

‘Middle Sister’ Babushka showing off all her bling…

and last but not least sweet ‘Little Sister’ Babushka…

I am really pleased with the way they turned out!

B is also for buttons!!! The other day while in town I popped in quickly to a local craft shop where the owner waved a bag in front of my eyes knowing all to well I wouldn’t be able to resist…

These aren’t your average buttons are they? The rep had them in the bottom of his/her bag thinking no-one would ever what buttons this big… are you kidding??? I have thought of so many things I could make with these beauties… I can just imagine them on a knitted beanie(handmade of course!) with some flowers or…use them for wheels on a car(appliqued cushion perhaps)… my Mum suggested they would look great as a set of Draughts(with a quilted board) a bit more of an expensive option though or… they would look great as the centre of a cushion… what would you do with them???

We also have too new lambs, Boris and Larry…

I love to watch them jump and skip! This photo was taken today… as you can see it was a beautiful day! Would you believe two days earlier all you could see was snow! If you look closely just below the mountain many farms are still covered in snow…

As I write this another storm front has just arrived and with it the air temperature has dropped… more snow has been forecasted… it is going to be really hard getting out of my warm cosy bed in the morning! ;O) But I do have something to look forward to… I am meeting up with the girls for our monthly get together… we are going to Claire’s this time… I hope to be back sooner this time with an update and photo’s of our monthly challenges…

Keep smiling…

Michelle

Op Shop Hop pt 2…

2011-07-29T14:13:00.001+12:00

Well it’s been well over a week since our Op Shop Hop… things have been very busy here with school holidays, visitors and farm life… So let’s see how well I can remember and finish up the Op Shop Hop day… After lunch Mum took us to this cute little gift shop in Waitara…

(Photo courtesy of Michelle)

The shop is owned by Roz Liddell, you can go here to visit… the shop is set in park like grounds and is filled with all sorts of goodies and treasures inside… Roz also makes soy candles and she will fill any container for you…

I think this would look sweet as a candle holder don’t you? I bought some yummy almonds(thyme flavoured) for DH… a cute little notebook for DD2 and a horse handkerchief for DD1… I also bought another handkerchief for this months challenge which I will share more of in a future post… We then said goodbye to Roz and my Mum and headed in to New Plymouth for some more Op Shop shopping… the first one was a no go but the second one we all found a couple more goodies… I found a pretty plate to start off my new collection…I have been wanting to create a dinner set of mismatched plates like these…

And this gorgeous blue teapot looks right at home on my hutch…

Oops I did forget something… we also headed into ‘Briscoes’ and bought 3 of these…

Glass cloches… They are supposed to be used for filling with your favourite jam or spread but really you could fill them with allsorts of pretty things instead! Claire is using hers for flower arrangements, just add a little water and have one bloom floating on the top… me I’m not sure yet… yoyo’s perhaps… buttons… not sure. Any ideas?

Well that about sums up our day… the challenge we have given ourselves this month is to create something with our handkerchiefs, finish a UFO and decorate our cloches… hmm almost forgot to mention I made the girls a cloche each out of chicken wire;o)…

(Photo courtesy of Michelle… again)

Cant wait to see how the girls decorate theirs… though I still need to make one for me!

Michelle

Op Shop Hop and Babushka’s…

2011-07-26T20:46:00.001+12:00

I had an absolutely fabulous day, made so much better by the wonderful girls I went with!!! I was up before the birds… had the calves feed… before my nieces were dropped off for the day… my sister was stuck for a babysitter so DD1 babysat the older two and I took Summer(2) with me… Summer was amazing all day, that girl knows how to shop!

I arrived at Claire’s to find she had bought us a big bucket each to put all our goodies in…I would never have thought of it myself…

Mine was this lovely blue one! Then we drove to Stratford to met with Michelle and the first Op Shop where I bought this cute little doll cradle($2.50)…

I plan to give it a quick sand and a white coat of paint… and make a mattress and a teeny tiny quilt to fit! Next stop was Inglewood which was a bit of a disappointment… none of us found any goodies there… so next stop was Waitara… where we found a real treasure trove of goodies at Corso… this is what came home with me…

Two blue and white plates (20c each)

And this very pretty tray ($2 I think?) Next stop I found…

These cute little forks($10)… there were three but one was missing the little blue flowers and it has now found a home in my garden along with an old spoon I found outside the other day! I also found this sweet little bowl($1 I think?)…

I have plans for this too which I will share a bit later on… By now we are feeling a mite peckish so we head to my Mummy’s for lunch… She had made a yummy pumpkin soup, followed by Chocolate Mousse for dessert… Thanks Mum it was delicious!!! Then while we let our tummies settle we had show and tell…

These gorgeous Babushkas were our last months challenge… mine are the three on the left made out of ‘Bliss’ fabrics and Claire’s are the 5 beauties in the middle and Michelle’s three cuties on the right…I love them all! Then Michelle surprised us with some gifts she bought us on her recent trip to Australia… A cute babushka notebook…

A gorgeous Babushka pin…

A bouncy kangaroo pencil topper and a Babushka nail file…

Thank you sew much Michelle… I love them all! And if that wasn’t enough the girls surprised me with some lovely birthday pressies… Claire made me the lovely slippers from the previous post and Michelle bought me this beautiful cup…

Isn’t it the sweetest! But wait that’s not all… she also bought me this…

Just look at the top edge and the colour… oh my! And take a look inside…

Isn’t it beautiful? Michelle… I am sew happy with my lovely gifts, Thank you!

Well there is more but I think I have rambled on enough for now… stay tuned for Part 2…

Michelle

Let it snow…

2011-07-25T15:24:00.001+12:00

Look what we woke up to this morning…

I had a lovely friend who txt me this morning at 5.30 to let me know it was snowing and since I was then wide awake we decided to take a drive…

The last time it snowed like this in Hawera I was a little girl!

My sister was on her way home from work(her shift finished at 6am) and she and her daughter met us on our outing for an impromptu snowball fight! Then it was time to come home and feed the calves and boy were they happy to see me this morning!

After our morning chores we ventured out again this time we headed straight for the mountain but we couldn’t get through the gates as the roads were closed, so we found another place to have some fun… no photo’s of that though I was too busy throwing snowballs! Here are a couple a shots I thought you might enjoy…

Right… I’m off to feed the calves their supper…back soon…

Michelle

FNSI results…

2011-07-24T01:48:00.001+12:00

I finished sewing this baby quilt together and now I just need to add the borders…

A friend had a baby girl on my birthday and called her Olivia after my DD2, baby Olivia was born on the 7/7 and weighed 7lb 7oz, my Olivia was also their flower girl! So I thought a new quilt was in order… let’s hope I can finish it before she turns one!

I also made a start on another project, this one is part of a challenge… for our monthly girls group(we are searching for a name, any ideas?) we have to create something with a hanky, finish a UFO(mine’s the one above;o) and decorate our cloches’ (I made the girls a chicken wire cloche each, photo’s to come…) Anyway I can’t share much yet but here is a sneak peek…

I have lots more to share in the next few posts but let me just share my new slippers…

What do you think? Aren’t they the cutest! I love them so much I don’t want to wear them in case I get them dirty, Lol The lovely Claire made them for my birthday, from an old doily and guess what they fit too! By the way Claire has a blog, but she doesn’t post… Perhaps if you all go over and give her some encouragement she might start posting… ;o) I might get in trouble for this(I know she reads my blog, Hi Claire;o) And I know you would all enjoy her blog tremendously, she is a wonderful person, a great friend and a very talented quilter!

Next post I really will share all about our Op Shop Hop…

Michelle

Are you joining me for the FNSI…

2011-07-22T19:04:00.001+12:00

FNSI tonight…

are you joining in too? I plan to work on a UFO tonight…

I will share all about our op shop hop adventure next post…

Michelle

Some new treasures…

2011-07-19T20:18:00.001+12:00

I had a few minutes to spare yesterday in town so I ducked into ‘Willow’ and found these neat jars…

I might have to go back and buy a couple more, here’s a close-up…

Old style milk bottles with the words Dairy Milk by Heritage Company since 1810 and on the back please wash and return to Heritage Co.

And these gorgeous green ones have 1868 Honey written on them.

And just for fun, have you seen this book…

It is amazing! We got it out of the library the other day but it would make a great coffee table book, this is one of my favourites…

And yes it is made entirely out of food! The water is made from a sea of salmon, the trees I think are carrot tops the rocks are potatoes! Amazing huh! If you want to see more go here.

Only two more sleeps until Claire, Michelle and I go on our Great Op Shop Hop!

Michelle

Farmers Wife QAL…

2011-07-17T18:28:00.001+12:00

My Farmers Wife book arrived in the post this week and I managed to sneak enough time in to make 2 blocks…

I am using my Fig tree stash(jellyrolls) to make it. I will have to look at adding a few bigger pieces of fig tree fabrics to my stash as some of the pieces require a little bit more than 2 1/2” hence I used a green from my stash… I am not sure if I like it, is it too much? I would really appreciate your opinion please.

I wasn’t sure about this QAL but I really enjoyed sewing these 2 blocks, but we’ll see how it goes when I get to some of the harder blocks ;O)

And this pattern arrived too…

I plan to make this quilt for DS1, I just need to find some suitable fabrics…

It is also the school holidays at long last… life is still busy, but we are just living at a slower pace(does that make sense?) We have Jasmine(DD1’s friend) from retrobabooshka staying with us for the weekend and she makes the yummiest caramel slice! She can take over my kitchen anytime she likes;O)

Farm Update

Calving is well and truly underway, we have 73 cows in now.

I have about 40 babies(calves) to feed… at the moment

The weather has improved lot’s, we are having cold frosty mornings followed by crisp but sunny days and the ground is slowly starting to dry out!

This week I am meeting with the girls for our monthly get together and I have yet to finish the project we are are working on so I better scoot…

Enjoy your week…

Michelle

Just a wee bit windy!!!

2011-07-12T16:49:00.001+12:00

We had a little bit of excitement here this afternoon, a small tornado passed through our back yard…

snapping a post and blowing down part of our back fence! Now we have a wonderful view of mud! It also knocked over our wheelie bins(rubbish bins) and there is rubbish everywhere;o) DH cleaned up all the big branches that fell onto the road with the tractor before the emergency services arrived 30 minutes later Lol

Michelle

A few surprises…

2011-07-09T21:32:00.001+12:00

A big thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes you sent my way, I appreciate each and everyone of them! I received some lovely goodies…Lolly(DD2) bought be one of the most useful gifts…

A new travel mug… You have no idea how often I use it!

The day before my birthday a big box arrived in the post from my Dad, I was gobsmacked, because my Dad never buys presents, he usually sends money or gift vouchers. So I was intrigued to see what was in the box…

A porcelain doll… let’s just say I was suitably impressed! The photo doesn’t do her justice it is very hard to take good photo’s with the weather we are getting!

And the shoes are just too cute! My Mum has been on a knitting/crochet inspired frenzy and has decided to make a crochet dress to add to ‘Dolly’s’ wardrobe! Speaking of my Mum(Hi Mum!) she bought me some perfume and a lovely lemon scented soy candle. I bought her some new towels(that’s what she wanted!) and a couple of soup cups(she’s been wanting those too!) and a lovely jar(I bought one for me as well!) We went to Cobb n Co for tea and had a great time, afterwards we went back to my Aunty’s house and she had made me a big Afghan cookie and 5 smaller ones for the rest of the family, she’s a sweetie!

When I arrived home there was another surprise waiting for me from DS1, but he was already in bed so I had to wait til the morning… I was a good girl and didn’t peek! I was not expecting anything from him(just a hug!) so was really excited to see what he’d bought…

A recipe book stand! And didn’t he do a most excellent job? I love it! I feel so spoilt! I bought myself a little pressie too;o) Some fabrics from Denise Schmidt new line of fabrics…

Well that’s it folks, thanks for sticking around this long(if you have)

A quick farm update

We now have 14 cows in and lot’s of mud!!!

Michelle

I forgot…

2011-07-06T23:52:00.001+12:00

I had a very busy day the other day, went to school to do some PTA stuff picked up my daughter and headed home... I'd been home a wee while and said to DS1 where is DS2, his reply I don't know. Hmm so I called out to him a few times to no avail, so I txt DH to see if he knew where he was... his reply 'didn't he go with you?' And then it clicked, oh my I had indeed taken him to town with me and he had walked to the library from school. I couldn’t believe I had forgotten my own child… So I jumped in the car and whizzed back into town to pick him up, by this stage I am an hour later than the arranged pick time.

When I finally found him he was sitting in a corner quietly engrossed in a book and hadn’t even realised I was sooo late! Totally nonplussed;o) It gave us all quite a chuckle though! I don’t think I will live this one down in a hurry;o)

But here’s the thing I honestly just didn’t remember, I am not sure what to blame my memory lapse on, I did have a lot on that day, it was wet and cold and I just wanted to get back home or maybe it’s because I’m just another year older… tomorrow!

I share the day with my Mum, I was born on her birthday :O) So tomorrow I plan to head up to New Plymouth alone (yay no kids to worry about… forgetting, Lol) and we will go out for tea together to celebrate!

I have been so busy this week I haven’t done any stitching and things aren’t looking much better for the very near future… we now have 4 calves and counting! I am hoping to sneak in a couple more finishes before things get too busy on the farm, but if things get quiet around here you’ll know I’m not too far away…

Happy stitching…

Michelle

A gentle nudge…

2011-07-02T08:44:00.001+12:00

Thanks to Lara a gentle nudge was all it took for me to order this…

(I borrowed this photo from Angela just until my copy arrives ;o)

I have seen blocks popping up all over blogland and I really want to make this quilt, will I be able to commit myself for the long haul, I’m not sure but I will try! I have a little catching up to do now since I dithered around so much. Now I just have to choose what fabrics I’m going to use…;o) I think I am swaying towards 1930’s fabrics and doing each block in a specific colour… Or this could be the perfect quilt to make that Reproduction quilt I’ve been wanting to make for so long…

Anyway the book is on it’s way, if you want to check out the Quilt-a-long you can visit here or here.

Enjoy your weekend…

Michelle

Lunch with Lara…

2011-07-01T16:55:00.001+12:00

Yesterday I had the privilege to meet another Kiwi blogger, Lara. She was on a day trip to New Plymouth(for work), so we planned to squeeze in a quick lunch! We managed to squeeze in lunch, a visit to a quilt shop and a coffee before she had to head back to work.

And of course she was lovely that goes without saying doesn’t it? She has the most adorable little boys, works full time and manages to find time to make such beautiful quilts! If you haven’t been to visit her blog before you must pop over and say ‘Hi’

It’s the weekend again already! Lots of things are happening here, but I hope to find a few moments of calm amongst the chaos and finish another project or two!

On the Farm this Friday…

New milk vat going in today

We are puppy sitting this weekend Lolly(DD2) is loving it

Oh and we have our first calf! I am not ready for calving yet,I need to psyche myself up first, get the calf sheds, milk feeders and such ready… we officially start about the 15th of July and that’s going to come around pretty quick!

Better go DH and Ruffles have just arrived back home, DH took her for a drive in the car(she just got her learners!) so he may need a very strong coffee…

Have a great weekend…

Michelle

Catching up, a start and a finish…

2011-06-29T11:29:00.001+12:00

Last night I put together the table runner made from Natalie Birds ‘Tis the Season’ book, next step is to make the prairie points, but here it is so far…

It was supposed to have been finished last month(our monthly project with a couple of my stitching friends), oops no make that the month before! Gosh golly where does the time go! So I am 2 months behind;oS Hmm… but I have made a start on this months…

3 Tilda Babushkas designed by Tone Finanger, I am pleased with them so far, I think I will be able to get them finished on time. I just need to do their faces and stuff them. So that’s the catch up and the start, and now for the finish…

Please excuse the horrible photo, I have been trying to take a photo of this quilt for days now but it is blowing a gale outside and the light is just not co-operating ;oS It is a DNP made from two packs of Thimbleberries charm squares…

Bev has done a fantastic job of the quilting once again…

and I am delighted to have another UFO crossed off the list!

Now I’m off to work on those prairie points…

Happy Stitching…

Michelle

It’s only taken me a year…

2011-06-28T11:22:00.001+12:00

It’s only taken me a year to get around to making a new plastic bag holder for our new house, Lol

Not sure what took me so long, I finally made up my mind to just do it the other day when I found this gorgeous fabric, maybe that’s what I was waiting for… the perfect fabric!

While I was at it I made two…

I’m not sure whether I will use this one for storing rags in the cleaning cupboard or put it in the birthday box. It’s almost too good to be a rag bag, but I’m not sure I want to give it away either;O)

I had quite a productive weekend, I also finished the binding on my DNP quilt(photo’s to come). It was also DS2 14th birthday, here he is armed and dangerous …

He is also the family ‘Jester’ never a dull moment in our house!

I now have 3 teenagers aged 14, 15 and 16! Can you work that out? I had 3 children under 2 1/2 years of age, they were certainly busy times but I now look back on those years as fun times, well for the most part anyway!

My DD1 (Miss Ruffles) had to cook grass for her agriculture yesterday!

We made hay while the sun wasn’t shining! The smell throughout the house was very strong, sweet and icky, quite overpowering even with the windows open and the fan going!

Into the oven it goes…

It ended up dry and crispy(for those that want to know) and kind of burnt looking rather than a nice golden colour like hay, but we got the desired result! It has now been added to the compost pile:O)

I am having a lazy day today, it is cold outside and we are all warm and snug inside! I have a bit of school stuff to do with the boys and after that I am going to sew!

Enjoy your day

Michelle

Pretty in Pink…

2011-06-23T10:12:00.001+12:00

Last week I bought myself a pretty pink vintage vase…

And took a few photo’s…

Uploaded them to Picnik (it’s free by the way) and had lot’s of fun playing with special effects…

I think I got a little carried away…

But it sure was lot’s of fun! I love my vase it is so pretty and dainty! The stocks are from my garden and smell divine:O)

Enjoy Your Day!

Michelle

Stitching group…

2011-06-17T21:41:00.001+12:00

Wednesday was my monthly stitching day with Michelle and Claire. This time we went to Michelle’s house and oh my there was sew much to ooh and aah over, that I forgot to take pictures to share with you (shame on me, I know!) but you can pop over and visit her here instead! I do have one photo of our projects we worked on over the last month though…

Sorry not the best photo, Michelle’s quilt is on the left mine is the piggy in the middle and Claire’s is on the right. And I am pleased to report that I am not the only one who didn’t finish, Lol. We are all up to the quilting stage, so our plans for this month are to finish these quilts and make 3 Babushka dolls. Sounds easy enough;o)

Michelle made a tasty chicken and vegetable lasagne for lunch served with salad and bread rolls followed by peach pie and cream! Thanks Michelle it was delicious!

And… Michelle and Claire surprised me with some blue and white goodness for my hutch! Once again though I have no photo’s to share as I have been a busy bee for the last two days(I feel like I am being pulled in all sorts of directions at once!) I think I am almost caught up now though and will take some photo’s soon. Thanks for my goodies girls I feel very spoilt! I am already looking forward to next month!

Michelle

Quick and easy…

2011-06-13T18:42:00.001+12:00

Sometimes it’s nice to have a quick and easy project to work on…

The Autumn Picnic Candle Mat, the free pattern can be found right here

I have really enjoyed working with wool felt, I think there will be a few more wool projects in the near future…

I know Autumn is officially over but it is too cute not to leave out on display…

Does anyone know of a good source for wool felt? (specifically in NZ) I’d like to buy local after all we are outnumbered by the woolly creatures!

Michelle

No matter what…

2011-06-12T14:41:00.001+12:00

The sun came out from hiding yesterday so I took advantage of it and went outside to take some photo’s of my latest finish and another UFO to cross off the list…

I am really pleased with how it’s turned out…

It’s a Natalie Bird Design…

The fabrics were from a pack of 1/8’s I bought from Grandmothers Garden several years ago…

A few post ago I mentioned that I had claimed an old rusty tool box from my DH, it was used to store tools for fencing and stuff but I think I have put it too much better use;o)…

Last weekend I bought the trellis and DH attached it for me, it’s given the old woodshed a whole new look! At the moment the box is filled with daffodils for a lovely spring display until I decide what I want to grow up the trellis, a rose? or a geranium?, perhaps a clematis? Decisions decisions…

Michelle

15 Today….

2011-06-11T15:01:00.001+12:00

He’ll kill me but it will be sooo…. worth it!

Happy Birthday Son!

PS Please excuse our family’s sense of humor!

Having fun…

2011-06-09T22:32:00.001+12:00

This is what is happening in my little sewing corner tonight. And a sneak peak at a finished UFO…

Michelle

Moody Mountain…

2011-06-04T11:05:00.001+12:00

All week we have had the most beautiful days, full of glorious sunshine(not necessarily warm though) but almost perfect for tackling the jobs that need doing in the garden. I have been waiting all week for today(Saturday) so I can get out and do just that! But I should have known better the mountain did try and warn me yesterday…

Can you see the cloud that covers the mountain top? Well whenever that happens it is a sure sign that it is going to rain! And as I sit hear typing this sure enough there is rain pelting against the windows. But even knowing the mountain is almost always right, I ignored his warnings, still planning to get out into into the vege patch today, I even bought some more plants to plant! So next time the mountain puts on his woolly cap I will heed his warnings and plan for a cozy day inside;o)

Here’s a photo of Mt Taranaki as the sun is going down last night, I’m sure the next time he peeks out from behind the clouds there is going to be lot’s more snow!

And here is a photo of Mr Curly one of last years lambs, at the moment he is tied up outside the kitchen windows. When I’m in the kitchen he jumps up to get my attention hoping I might throw a yummy snack out to him!

He is a very affectionate fellow, and loves a good scratch!

Since the weather has packed up, my plans for the day will be to make a heart warming soup for lunch followed my some vitamin Q and a roast for tea! Sounds good doesn’t it!

Enjoy your weekend…

Michelle

Pottering…

2011-06-02T20:24:00.001+12:00

I didn't get to the basting stage the other night(oh my was that nearly a week ago!), I must have been very tired that night as I somehow managed to sew three blocks round the wrong way! Duh! It was rather funny because I had only seen two and asked my family if they could see what was wrong with the quilt and they pointed to one I hadn't seen, Lol. Never mind I have decided it can stay like it, the quilt made by the designer has one block turned the wrong way too, so that makes me feel a little better! I did find some time during the week to get it basted, now I just have to decide what thread to quilt it with.

I have been pottering in the garden this week. I stole my husbands old rusty toolbox he used to store farm tools and stuff in, and have planted some daffodil bulbs that were sprouting in an old bucket, (right where I had left them from last year as I didn’t know where I wanted to put them;o) The problem with our garden is that I want to do so much with it, but because the farm isn’t ours it’s probably not worth putting in too much effort. I couldn’t resist buying a Daphne bush though:o) I will try to take some photo’s of the garden tomorrow.

As you can see I have been shopping at the Book Depository again and bought this book I am hoping it will help me learn more about my camera. While browsing I couldn’t resist buying another 2 books…

especially since they were both on special and then the book depository sent me an email coupon with another 10% off!

Yesterday was officially the first day of winter, you wouldn’t have thought so though, they have been absolutely beautiful days, no clouds in the sky just lovely, but I think we’re going to get our first frost tonight.

Well I have a very early start in the morning, I have to be at my sisters house by 5.30 (yes that’s am) she asked if I would babysit for her so instead of waking the kids up and bringing them out to me I said I would go to them! Gosh I’m nice, Lol My day is jam packed with activities tomorrow, I am so pleased it is a long weekend this weekend, I plan to have a very relaxing one, what are your plans for the weekend?

Michelle

Baby Bunting

2011-05-27T17:12:00.001+12:00

I have been playing with bunting again, but this time I decided I wanted cute baby bunting…

Isn’t it adorable…

Originally I was going to make it out of fabric, but then I found this cute printable version over at allsorts, if you have never visited before make sure you go and have a look, oh and don’t forget to make yourself a cuppa first!

I also found this cute little dish at ‘Ethel Anne’s’ this week!

I found a few moments to play with my camera, this is the view from one of the windows in my kitchen, to the left is the mountain which is partly obscured by the hedge, out the other window to the right is the driveway. I love this view!

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks here at our place I think I have been out everyday apart from one! I am so feeling the need for a day at home to just potter to my hearts content, do a little sewing, maybe get my hands dirty and do some gardening, bake something sweet and chocolatey, spend some time with my family… I love being home do you?

Tonight we are having toastie sandwiches, nice and easy! Then I hope to get this top all sewn together…

who knows I might even get it basted!

Happy stitching…

Michelle

Scraps from my stash…

2011-05-22T22:58:00.001+12:00

As I mention in the last post I have already started on this months project, and the top is almost done. I am really happy with it so far as all the fabrics have come from my stash!

I also got my leaders enders project out again and have a nice wee pile of of blocks done on that too, I will share more photos in the next day or so.

Michelle

A girls day out…

2011-05-20T21:49:00.001+12:00

This was my third time getting together with the girls(the other Michelle, Jacqui, Claire and her Mum Nancy) and it is fast becoming one of the highlights of my month!

This time we visited Nancy’s lovely home and were absolutely spoilt! I ate far too much, but that’s OK cos everyone knows when the girls get together to stitch calories don’t count right? ;oS Her walls are covered in the most beautiful cross stitch!

Quilts on every bed and beautiful furniture…

Little reading corners…

And of course there was show and tell…

and lots of laughter! This is Michelle’s almost finished Tis the Season quilt, hasn’t it turned out lovely so crisp and fresh looking and…

Claire’s Tis the Season quilt all finished! If you read my previous post you will know my efforts were pretty dismal, I am slowly getting there though, one more stitchery to go!

It was also Claire’s birthday we celebrated 2 days early. Michelle made her this gorgeous candle jar…

I want one too! Hint hint(my birthday is coming up soon;o) And from another angle…

I made Claire some bunting, sorry but I forgot to take a photo of her with it but it is just like the one I made for Ruffles birthday here.

I have already started on this months project, I have chosen the fabrics, all from my stash I might add and have almost finished cutting it all out, so I am off to to some more and hopefully start sewing them together.

I found our girls day out very inspiring! What inspires you?

Happy stitching…

Michelle

It’s been a while…

2011-05-15T19:23:00.001+12:00

It’s been awhile since my last post, life is filled with all sorts of bits and pieces at the moment that seem to interfere with my creativeness! All I have to show for myself is a few Tis the Season stitcheries…

I have decided that while I enjoy doing these stitcheries that I will only do 5 of them and make a runner for my hutch, that way I might actually finish something instead of relegating it to the UFO pile!

I think the ‘Bliss’ range of fabrics has to be one of my favourites…

I have been using the Cosmo threads(Marble – Col No. 46) and they are very nice to stitch with.

I made one stitchery (using Col no. 8054) but it just doesn’t sing like the others, I think it would look better if I had some of the blue ‘Bliss’ range, but I haven’t got any;o( so I will just continue on using the red…

The mailman was very kind to me during the week, a lovely squishy parcel arrived with a ‘Buttercup’ jellyroll…

And 5 metres of just plain white…

Michelle

The Blue and White Collection…

2011-05-04T09:16:00.001+12:00

Michelle from All things rusty and fabric has an interesting post, What's in a name?

Head on over and check out her lovely display of pink china, just beautiful!

I thought I'd share a glimpse of my newly decorated hutch...

I haven't quite finished yet, I want to go shopping for a few more bits and pieces, but this is my winter hutch display, I already have plans for a spring hutch!

Michelle

Appreciation…

2011-05-01T15:52:00.001+12:00

I had to pop into town yesterday for a few things and as I past through the Saturday market stalls this caught my eye…

A beautiful crochet blanket, it is so soft and the colours look right at home on my sofa…

When I asked the lady how much it was she said it was on special for $35, down from $45. I couldn’t believe it, I thought about how much the wool would cost(yes it is mostly wool!)and then the time involved in making it, I knew it was a real bargain! I asked her how long it had taken her to make it her answer ‘Just a couple of nights dear’ Was she just being modest? I know for sure it would have taken me a lot longer than a couple of nights!

I left her with the reassurance that it would be going to a good home where it would be loved and appreciated for many years to come. You can’t really put a price on handmade can you, where each stitch is stitched with love!

Michelle

Seeing Double…

2011-04-30T15:28:00.001+12:00

Finally I have some photo’s to share of my latest quilts! I started these quilts sew long ago it is almost embarrassing;o) DH had requested a quilt to drape over his knees when we were in our old house to keep off the winter chills while sitting at the computer(We lived in a very large country homestead at the time). And I did start it straight away, he chose the fabrics I chose the pattern and somewhere along the way I decided to make one for me as well but in mirror image, I love the way they have turned out!

DH quilt now graces the back of his chair in the lounge, since we shifted into a much smaller well insulated house he no longer really needs one Lol! But at least he can’t say I haven’t made him one.

The photo’s were taken at a lovely little local park, where we had lunch and feed the ducks…

There were even a few Canadian geese, maybe this is a stopover on the way back to Canada for the summer! This goose was really quite friendly and would honk at us as if he was talking and bob his head up and down, he would also eat out of our hands.

Not the best photo but DH got to play with his new toy at the park too!

There that’s a better photo, its called a honeybee and it is not very easy to fly, I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed another turn any time soon;o}

It could turn out to be quite an expensive hobby, not that I am complaining at all, it just means I wont feel quite sew guilty about my hobby, Lol.

Back to the quilts, for the quilting I chose a paw print and different colour thread on each quilt(sew we can tell them apart).

Sew there you go His and Hers quilts! Lol

Now to decide which UFO to tackle next…

Wishing you a wonderful weekend…

Michelle

Sunshine and smiles…

2011-04-29T16:14:00.001+12:00

After a week of wet and windy weather the sun is shining today! Oh it feels so good!

The lovely sunshine isn’t the only thing I have to smile about today, I am also smiling because of this…

I made a random guess on this post and promptly forgot about it until I received an email a couple of days later! Woohoo! Thank you sew much Elizabeth I love my surprise! If you haven’t visited Elizabeth's blog before make sure you pop over and have a look.

This one is my favourite…

I think I have the perfect project in mind for them too! More on that later…

Right now I’m off to enjoy the lovely sunshine with my family.

Have fun…

Michelle

Just for fun…

2011-04-25T22:16:00.001+12:00

Recently I have come across a few new blogs and/or tutorials and thought I’d share them with you…

First up we have The quilted fish, with a cute diamond quilt tutorial. I want to make one out of my bliss fabrics

I have been wanting to make myself a candle mat for a wee while now and found this cute free pattern here.

Do you like to snuggle up with a good book? Check out these free books on KOBO you have to sign up but it doesn’t cost you anything.

And here’s a little something random, my teenagers want some(and so does their Mum!)Just click on this link… Shoe laces

Tomorrow I hope to go on a little photo shoot at a local park to photograph my latest quilts, providing the weather co-operates that is! It is very wet and blustery outside tonight, we have had a fair bit of rain over the weekend and while it’s been good weather to sit and stitch my Tis The Season blocks I’d like the sun to come back again!

Hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend!

Happy stitching

Michelle