I have been so spoilt

Cheryl, my wonderful santa sack swap partner has well and truly spoilt me with lots of gifts.

The shoe bags are just wonderful and I can see will get a lot of use.  The pink scarf is just beautiful.  A knitting bag, fabric, ribbons, embroidered towel, face washer,  and lots of other treasures as well.

Wooden buttons from C'michael Cottage, I love these wooden buttons.

 I think Cheryl can read minds from afar as I had decided I was going to look for a neck warmer for next winter and now I have one.

  

I had so much fun opening all these presents and each one is treasured.

THANK YOU CHERYLL

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS

A Post Of Many Topics

Wow so much seems to have happened in the past month.  Health wise its not been good and I don't know why.  Late October my lower back muscles decided it was a good time to go into spasms. They chose Adelaide to do this and one morning I was so bad Max thought he would need to get the ambulance.  Its not much fun when you are in a little camper, sitting squashed between the cupboard and the seat and unable to move.  I still don't know what caused it, possibly a series of things.  It has taken about 6 weeks to get better.  So when my holidays ended and I went back to work, I only lasted 4.5 hours as I had developed a head cold and ended up having more time off work.  Now I thought things might get better but  oh no.  Saturday night we had our work Christmas dinner, it was a great night, food was excellent.  This morning I woke to find myself covered in itchy red spots.....the only thing I ate different was a prawn cocktail sauce.  I wonder what was in it cause whatever it was certainly doesn't like me.  Thats why I am lying here on the couch at 3.20am blogging.  I looked up home remedies on google and have now got a small bowl of bi-carb soda mixed with a little water sitting beside me and I can dab it on the itchy spots.  I am almost covered in this mixture now.  I had been using the good old calamine lotion but it just wasn't working too well.

There are some good things that have happened in the past few weeks also.  I received presents for my Santa Sack Swap.  I have been so spoilt as Cheryl has sent me so many little presents to put into the sack.
Thanks Cheryl, I look forward to opening them when you allow us to.

The dolls house has been built!  Ummm a piece or two left over.....not sure that was meant to happen. At the same time though there were a few pieces too short to fit where they should have.  Max was able to make new pieces but it was a little disappointing with what it cost me for the kit to have the amount of trouble we have had. Now I need to get stuck into the inside, I certainly have a lot of things ready to go into it.  Maybe this weekend I can put the carpet in.  I would love to get the Christmas room set up.

I have been making a few childrens eye spy quilts for presents.  Just need to complete the sewing of the binding and they will be ready to give away.

Also been x-stitching on my Bloom Where You Are Planted project.  Its been very relaxing.  I aim to have it finished by the end of next year or maybe halfway through the following year.

I have my little Christmas display up, its not very big but I love each item I have collected. The snowmen were made by my friend Michelle and they didn't last very long!

My little grand-daughter Eva is three months old now.   Eva has  hip dysplasia and is now wearing a harness 24/7. If you would like to read more about our beautiful Eva please visit http://foreverforeva.blogspot.com     Its at times like this I wish Steph lived closer so I could help her but at the same time I am happy they are in Melbourne close to where there are clinics and support groups.
My grandson Lalli now has his playhouse built.  He loves it and his wonderful mum has painted stripes inside.

I am extremely proud of both of my daughters who are wonderful, caring mums. I love you both heaps plus more.

Pink Hair

We all have best friends in our life and when one of them becomes ill we want to wrap them up, protect them and help them in any way, shape or form that is possible.  Five years ago this month one of my bestest friends had to have to a breast removed and then start the process of treatment.  I decided to show my support to her by dying my hair pink when she started losing hers.  While she was having her first treatment I was at the hairdressers and turned up to see her with pink hair.  She appreciated it heaps.  Five years on and she is in the clear.  During the whole time Maz kept her positive outlook and her sense of humour.  I didn't need to help her, she helped me. I love my friend Maz, am so proud of her and have become a better person because of the things she has taught me.  THANKS MAZ.

Wedding & Holiday Photos

October 20th 1984 I was married.  Now 27 years later on October 20th 2011 our daughter married a Scottish man.  It was the most beautiful wedding.

After the wedding my husband and I travelled to Adelaide to see my only living and favourite Uncle. I was lucky enough to spend three days with him and his wife.  I love my Uncle very much and each time I see him now he says it may be the last.  I hope I get to see him again though.

On our way home we went through Mt Gambier and seen the blue lake.  It really is a beautiful blue at the time of the year.

We spent a couple of days in Portland where I found a patchwork shop.  Of course it had to be visited for an hour, there was so much there and I managed to find a few things to buy.  

Nearby is Cape Bridgewater which has an area called The Petrified Forest which looks like a forest of tree trunks turned into rock.

In this same area is a huge windfarm.

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The next three days were spent on the Great Ocean Road which was so much nicer and more interesting than I though it would be.  I loved the whole area.  We went on a helicopter flight which was amazing.  It really gives a different view of the area and as a result we seen so much more.

The Grotto

London Bridge

View from the helicopter

Growing in the sand

As this is a big tourist area I guess people need reminding.

Another great thing we seen are the Koalas in their natural habitat.   I feel very fortunate to have seen these especially the Koala hanging on a branch feeding - beautiful.

Now today as I write this my husband has left on the boat to go back to Tasmania and I will fly home tomorrow.  We have had a great three weeks with the wedding, spending time with family, cuddling our  little granddaughter who has grown so much and seeing some more of our beautiful country.  Now to spend a week at home and I have big plans for making quilts.  Then it will be back to reality and work!  I don't want to think about that at the moment. 

New Granddaughter

I am now the proud grandma of a beautiful baby girl Eva Rose.  She was born 29th August weighing 6lb 6oz.  Now we have a very busy three year old grandson and a granddaugher.
I have a few patterns for little girl quilts so am looking forward to making them.

Dollhouse Treasures and Painting

Yesterday and today are treasured days off work.  I decided that I needed to try painting again.  I have also decided I really don't like painting.  However it had to be done and heres my effort.  My husband thought of the idea to put meat skewers through a milk bottle to hold the little pieces up to dry.  Its worked a treat. Now today I am going to have to get the blue paint out and do a bit to the roof.

I was so pleased to be home yesterday, the doorbell rang, I went out to answer it and there was no one there BUT there was a parcel.  I ripped into it as it was from America and packed extremely carefully were some dollhouse items.  I seem to have been waiting for this parcel for so long (its only been three weeks).  Here are the treasures I found in the box as well as some others I have purchased recently.

I went for a look in The Dollhouse Shop in town a couple of weeks ago and just couldn't resist putting a lay-by on.  I will have the most handsomest man as well as quite a few other treasures when I get to pay it off.  There is a lot more in there I would like to get one day but first I need to finish building.  I love all my little bits and am now thinking I might have to get another dollhouse as I keep changing themes. I can dream about another dollhouse...I have found it...from England only bout $2000.00.  See it is only a dream to have it. 

I have been doing other things as well. I am knitting a dress for my new granddaughter due in a couple of weeks time and have also made bags to go into The Samaritan Shoeboxes.

Hugs to all and as the Neil Diamond song goes ...."It's gonna be a good day today"

My thoughts about blogs

Today I have found a blog Single Dad Laughing (http://www.danoah.com/), its been going for a few years and there is so much to read on this blog that I will need to keep going back to it.

It has me thinking about all the different sorts of blogs and the incredible amount of information at our fingertips now.  The lives we can learn about and the people we feel like we know after reading their blogs and learning of their interests etc.  I will probably never meet any of the people whose blogs I like to read and get inspiration and ideas from but wow its great to, at a click, look at their blog  and know we are all human and have similar events happening in our lives no matter where in the world we are.

I travelled to Iceland in 2008 and in the town I was staying we came across some road works.  Not something exciting you may say but it made me realize that no matter what country we live in we have the same sort of things.  Our cultures may be different but everyone everywhere needs family, friends, roadworks, shops, businesses, public transport, houses, supermarkets, airports, the list goes on and on.

I have no idea what the words on this sign from Iceland say but I do understand the pictures.  So even if I cannot read another language on a blog, I can still learn something from the photos on the blog. 

For this post I would like to thank all the bloggers out there who look at or read my little blog.  I appreciate you taking the time to visit and love to read any comments left. I hope that you may find some sort of inspiration or at least take away something positive from your visit. 

I love spending time reading your blogs and learning more about each of you with each posting you make.  It’s the bestest (I know that’s not a word) way to brighten a cold wintery day. 

Hugs to Everyone

Purchases

Saturday 30th July I went to the Melbourne Quilt & Craft Show. I started off with a list of three items...a glove, batting tape and a x-stitch pattern.

When I first arrived there were so many people I couldn't get near the stalls so as I had all the time I wanted I decided to wander along the aisles and just take it all in. I found a few treasures on the way and noted the stalls I really wanted to go back to. 

Some small hangers I can use to make tiny quilts with for my dollhouse. The glove, tick one item off the list.

Scrapbooking pages which I will use one day.

Giggle buttons was a definite stall to return to and I had a lovely chat to the owner and made a few purchases.  

The pattern and fabric from Giggle Buttons, printable cotton so I can have a go at photos on fabric.
Batting Tape tick no 2 item off the list.

As the afternoon went on I found there was less people and so I searched for the stall with the quilting frame that uses your own machine.....I just had to have a touch and a little play.....I wasn't rushing into any decision....I had been thinking about it since I had seen it on my wander around.......SO I have a little play and its all so easy, smooth, good.....I did the right thing, rang home and was told to make the decision myself (I knew that would happen).....but it would have been nice to have had some help.  So after 5 hours of being at the fair I made the biggest purchase of a Happy Jack Quilting frame.  Well its on lay-by and I won't have it paid off for a few months but I have in my mind all the quilts I can make now in preparation for when it comes.  It is an Australian Design from Brindabella Quilting Systems. 

 

The frame I purchased comes with its own table, its not pictured on the website yet.

I didn't get to tick item no 3 off my list - x stitch pattern, couldn't find it.

After the whole afternoon at the craft fair it was nice to go home to my daughters place.  She had very kindly dropped me off and came back to pick me up.  We started the day off with pancakes at the Pancake Parlour and had the nicest pizza for dinner and watched chick flicks.  I really couldn't have had a better day.  Thanks Steph.  Next time I go to Melbourne I will be meeting my new granddaughter......about 4 weeks away.

Santa Sack Swap

This is the sack made for me by Cheryl....THANK YOU....it came with a lot of packages and I just can't resist the touching, poking, shaking etc to try and guess what they may contain.

In an earlier Post I put a photo up of the sack I made for Cheryl if you would like to take a look at it scroll down a couple of posts and you will find it.

Its so cold here the last few days and I would so love to see the snow fall here in town.  But as the town I live in is right on the sea its very rare for this to happen.  The last time snow fell here and laid on the ground was when my daughter was 1 in 1986.  Every year I hope for it to snow and these last few days are no different.....the cold is kinda nice in its own way.  It makes the air crisp and clear and as its just to cold to be outside I don't have to feel guilty about being in and working on my latest project.  If you are in the santa sack swap you will know this is also a secret project I am probably working on!

A small flat parcel has arrived

I came home yesterday, 30th June, and didn't even think to check the mail box.  Today as I was pulling out of the drive I saw something poking out of my letterbox, I was already running a little late for work so why not run a minute more late.  I found a small flat parcel, a magazine and two letters of no importance!  The choice to open or not to open.  Work won out though and I ran inside with my mail, threw it on the bench and left it....I had all day to think about it and wonder wonder wonder.  What a great way to start the new financial year, inside my little flat parcel was the following

My first Christmas package from Cookies & Cream.   I just had to share with you all.  Where can I fit this into my crafting schedule...will it be done for this Christmas....what new fabric will I need to buy to go with it or do I check out the stash to see what I have? So many questions and so much to think about it!

Talking of the stash I have to admit it is getting down at long last.  I have made a number of things for charity lately and have used a lot of the stash.  Its a great feeling to be finally using the fabric for something that is going to be appreciated.  I have about 50 bags cut out ready to sew for Operation Shoe Boxes.  I make bags every year for this wonderful organisation, I imagine the children using their boxes until they break and then they have a bag to carry their treasures in.  Or maybe they give it to another family member who may have a use for it.....it doesn't matter what it is used for as long as it helps someone.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is a big day in our little house. I am hosting my daughters baby shower and there are about 21 people coming!  I am so looking forward to it and have had some wonderful family and friends help me with the organisation of it.  My daughter lives in Victoria so its great to have her home and to be able to celebrate a new baby who is due to come into the world in September. This is a present she has already received.  The red thing is a cigar for the dad to be.  I'm certain he will appreciate that.

Christmas Swap

Even though Cheryl hasn't seen her santa sack in real life I will post a photo of it here.  Cheryl yours is the one with the angel.  The other santa sack has been made by my friend Anne who is also in the swap.  I am not sure who her partner is.  One of the gifts I have been making has gone wrong and I had to start from almost scratch again.  I can't tell you what it is here, that would really spoil it for Cheryl.  I will sit down again though and get it made before December.

Pulled Apart

At the weekend we pulled the dolls house apart.  Surprisingly it came apart quite easily. After a visit to the Dollhouse Shop on Saturday morning and having had a look at the display model, we realised we had got it a little wrong.  Its looking great now, we are up to the roof.  Thankfully Max has been doing the majority of the building, I'm know I wouldn't be able to hold, glue and hammer all at once.  We have done well as a team and its good to work on something together. One thing I have learnt is I am not a good painter at all.  I eventually gave up completely on that part of the job.  There is still a lot of painting to go...guess Max will be doing that by himself!
A few weeks ago we lost our land cruiser as it decided to leave the road and have a rest on its side, now our daughters car has decided to leave the road, squeeze in between two trees and roll over.  Our grandson was also in the car, I am very thankful that neither one was hurt at all.  I pray for safety for my family and even though things sometimes happen I believe God is looking after them. We may have now lost two cars, but I know my prayers are being answered, in a different way to how I thought, but being answered all the same.

Blog Find

I have been looking around various blogs lately and tonight I have found this one
Simple Loving Thoughts
The posts are interesting and give you positive things to think about. 
The good thing about blog land is you never know who you have inspired, helped or encouraged today.  On Simple Loving Thoughts Lisa talks about secret acts of kindness.  It made me realise these are achievable in blog land, anyone in any part of the world can read something on our site, even if it just brings a smile to their face for the day something good has been achieved. It really is a secret act of kindness as we will probably never know who that particular person is and how we helped them.
My daughter also has a blog which I think is worth checking out Good Things Sometimes Come in Threes 

I am not a good gardener at all but I do have little surprises grow

every now and then.  This is one of them, self sown pansies.

Its been a while but things are getting done

Hi all who may read this, I know its been a while since I last blogged but I have been doing bits and pieces.  The doll house is now going together and I have learnt some valuable lessons along the way.  I had put the carpets in but needed to remove them so the floors and wall could lock in better.  I used fabrics as wallpaper for three rooms and am pretty impressed with the way they look.

At work we had a pillowcase challenge.  All the pillowcases are being donated to the childrens ward at the Burnie Hospital.  We ended up with about 50 so that was a good effort by all.  I didn't realize how easy they are to make and once I got going I found it a real enjoyable experience.  Especially also as I was listening to Anne of Green Gables audio book at the same time.

The x-stitch is coming along well, its very relaxing to have something else to think about when work has finished for the day.

Last of all a photo of our car that we no longer have.  Thankfully there was no one hurt when the car decided to take a little side trip and put itself on its side.