Warning, farm type blog post happening...

Hi blog buddies!
It's been a busy week here at our wee lifestyle block. There's been loads of exciting spring activities, and some sad ones.
One of the exciting things to happen over the last week was the arrival of two new lambs. It's lovely to see them bouncing around the paddocks.

But something else exciting happened this week too. Wait for it......

Introducing.....

Diana Ross and the Supremes!! Woo Hoo!!

And they sing some lovely songs, especially while they're sitting in their nest boxes!

And look what they give me each day....

But yesterday bought some sad news, and it's the part of having animals that I hate. One of our lovely friendly ewes went into labour but got into difficulty having her lamb. I needed to try and help her but couldn't find the legs to help pull the lamb out. In the end we had to call the vet, who not only managed to get one lamb out, but pulled 2 lambs out!
It was exciting that the lambs were still alive after the mother had had so much trouble during her labour, and it lasting for 8 hours or more.
But sadly she lost a lot of her internal organs and the vet had to put her down. I felt silly sitting in the middle of the paddock holding her head and crying.
I bought her 2 wee lambs inside and they slept the night in our laundry. A ewe lamb born first and a ram lamb.

I didn't expect the little one laying down to survive, he didn't seem too strong and wasn't very interested in drinking any milk. But this morning I got up at 4am and fed them and he drank a little milk. Then this morning they looked excited to be alive and I put them outside to enjoy the sun.

Then I made a small pen for them.

They seem quite happy, and they cuddle up to each other while they sleep.
What a joy.
Would you like to come help me bottle feed them?

I think my days are going to be busier for a while!
Hope you're all having a lovely weekend,
See you soon,
Carole x

some great finds for my class

In July next year I am teaching at National Quilt Symposium in Taupo. I am teaching my journal class, my free motion machine and hand embroidery class and an embellishment class. (the link is at the top of my blog on the right hand side)

I have started looking for exciting bits and bobs to take with me for my students to use. I found a whole card of this pretty lace and it will take dye well.

I also found this fabric which will make the best ever covers for journals! Isn't it gorgeous?

I think I may have to think about making goody bags for my students.
Have you ever attended a class and been given a goody bag? What sort of things were in it? And how many things were in it? I'd love to know if you have time to leave me a comment!

Carole x

A brand new Singer sewing machine...

photo by Nathalie

I'm the new owner of a brand new 'old' Singer sewing machine!
You might remember the QB5 girls are doing a zine challenge at the moment and my zine has been visiting with Nathalie. I thought I might show you a peek at the page that Nathalie did, what do you think? Isn't it FANTASTIC!!

Nathalie has more on her blog and you can visit her here...... take a look and let her know just how darn clever she is!

Thanks Nathalie!
Carole x

making old and vintage

I've taken lovely brand new fabrics and have been busy making them look old and vintagey looking for a project.
Mmmm, I think I'm nearly there.

Carole x

A snail mail pick-me-up

As you all know, I recently had a special girls weekend away with my daughter. We went to Hamilton, (about 7 hours drive north of where I live, for those not in NZ). I got to go to the Craft and Quilt Fair and then we drove to Auckland where we got to have cuddles with the new grandbaby, and see all of the kids and attend the Vintage Textile Fair where I Shane and I met up briefly. I got to visit with my grandfather who had no idea who I was, and stay a night with my parents. We had a lovely time.

However, what I didn't tell you, was that on the way home my car broke down. And if that wasn't bad enough, it broke down a second time for the very same reason. So it spent time in a garage twice during our trip resulting in us missing our stay in Taupo at the hot springs, and costing me a whopping $1,000.

And what's more the car was booked into the garage at home on the Friday after my return to have a new cambelt and water pump put in which cost another $1,000. I had a very depressing week last week as you can imagine!

But then in the mail on Saturday I discovered a package sent from America full of vintage laces, buttons and cotton! WOW! The laces were tatty and some were torn, just the way I like them, and some were stained, and I like them like that too.
My lovely lace merchant knows what make me happy.

I am so thankful for my friends, they listen to my troubles, they tell me about theirs, together we halve the load. They have the ability with very little effort to brighten an otherwise depressing day and they are capable of inspiring and motivating me.

They are so much apart of me.

Thank you. xxxx
Carole

Okay, so you do have odd collections, but...

...do you have a collection as weird as this one? I doubt it. Why on earth I would be collecting all the old plastic cotton reels I have no idea.
I chucked them out!!
How liberating! haha

Carole x

A few purchases...

Of course those of you who know me will know that I couldn't visit a craft fair and a textile fair without making a small purchase or two! My first purchase was some hand dyed muslin, lovely colours!

And just a couple of fat quarters! Very restrained. And then there were so many things to see at the textile fair that I had to be very very very restrained! LOL

Forty meters of rick rack, just what every girl needs. :)

A small purse sized tin with a few wooden cotton reels inside. It's a perfect size for popping in your bag with scissors, cotton and fabric.

A little pink crocheted coin purse that will just fit my coffee cards and a few coins.

And the most exciting purchase was this hand stitched framed landscape. All done in dark burgundy thread, it matches several landscapes I already have. I love these old works. Beautiful in their simple way.

Yes I know, you are probably thinking I have very odd tastes! But that's me.
I'm wondering what you collect that's just a bit odd?

Carole x

And this was the highlight of my weekend...

My wee granddaughter Neve. Here she is at 10 weeks, isn't she the cutest wee thing? She was wide awake for this visit and we got to have loads of cuddles.

Hope you all have a great weekend, I will be working in my sewing room to try and restore some order! lol

Carole x

you'll be wondering...

Our weekend is now but a memory but what a memory!
The Craft Fair and Quilt Show in Hamilton was great, so much to see.

And then the Vintage Textile Fair in Auckland. There was so much to touch and sort through, and so much to fall in love with!

And I managed to catch up briefly with Shane which was fun, but way too short.Sorry we couldn't have spent more time together, maybe next visit?

Lots of lace and linens, not always that cheap either. I had to be very strong.

So many people pushing to see what exciting things are on offer. But I think one of my favorite stalls had to be this one. Lots of vintage American quilt tops.

All from the 1830's and 1840's, all sizes, all stitched by hand. And all made from Feed sacks.

Apparently the farmers wives were always looking for fabric to sew with, and now and again used the feed sacks. Then someone discovered that if the sacks were made with more colourful fabrics, when the farmer had finished with them they were in high demand by wives for making quilts.
These are what all the reproduction fabrics are based on.

On Monday we were lucky enough to experience $12 Scallop night at Iguana in Hamilton.

The scallops got delivered to my table and I cooked them myself on a very hot stone. Melt in the mouth!

Back soon to show you the best part of the weekend......

Carole x

a girls weekend....

I'm going on a girls weekend!

And I'm going with my daughter.

We are going to a craft fair and a vintage textile fair 

and

we're going to visit my grandbaby again!!!

See you after the weekend xx

of course you all have one of these on your window, right?

Well if you haven't then you should! LOL All good stitchers have one.

I don't have a light box, can you tell?

It will end up having a very close relationship with this lovely vintage fabric :)

Are you all busy stitching?

Carole x