OMG! doesn't time fly when you're having fun! LOL

I can't believe it's nearly a week since I posted! Doesn't time just fly when your unemployed and pottering about at home!! hahaha
I have been busy, and I'll be back soon to tell you about it, but in the mean time here is a link to Wild Onion Studio for a tutorial on how to make a carry bag from a used unwanted tee shirt! Way cool, and very GREEN!

Back soon,
Carole

A perfect Sunday!

Well, what do you think???
This is the 2009 block of the month I joined at the end of last year. I know, I know, I'm not finished the last one, but I'm nearly there, and I intend to work between both of them as they are both very different.
Now before I go any further, I have to just mention that I am not good with the hand stitching, I have never been a hand stitcher. I like to do all my sewing with the machine, that way it's finished nice and fast!
This block of the month quilt has quite a lot of hand stitching in it, nothing major, lots of small bits really. But I decided I wanted to learn something different with each quilt I make. So here goes!! I'm not sure if it has a name, as I can't seem to find one, but the centre panel reads "May your heart make you grateful for the simple things." You can see more blocks on Leanne's blog which is where I got this complete pic from below. (you can get an idea of how much hand stitching is required! GULP!)


There are 10 blocks to the quilt, and all the DMC cottons and the fabric came with the first block. Nearly all the fabrics were floral which I just adore! However I must admit to swapping a few with some of mine. I have been collecting floral fabric some quite some time now, and some are just way nicer than the ones in the kit. I really love this green one with the wee rose buds on it!

Anyway, my thinking is that I could make up some of the blocks and then take them away on holiday with me and I can sit and do the hand stitching. So my first 2 small "mini blocks" have been done and will get sewn together once I finish the stitching. There are 6 pieces that need hand stitches on them in this block alone!
Then decided I had better get off to the library and see if I can find a book on embroidery stitches, as the pattern was calling for, things like Circular Blanket Stitch! Good Grief!! I can say with a good deal of confidence that I know how to do back stitch and running stitch! This Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches is really great! I think I need to find a copy of my very own to keep.

So today I have mastered the circular blanket stitch or blanket stitch pinwheel as the book called it, and I have also learned how to do a lazy daisy stitch! I'm secretly impressed!! LOL

mmmmm ... I wonder if it's really necessary to stop and cook tea ... I'm sure I'm on a roll!! LOL
Carole :)

A night out!

We went to the speedway last night. We watched the side cars and the under 21 solos racing. I used to go a lot as a kid with my Dad. I haven't been for nearly 30 years. What an experience! I loved it!
The noise, the dust in your eyes, the smell, the spills, the hot dogs and hot chips!

What fun!
Carole ;)

Stunning NZ scenes on your gift cards.

Sometimes you want a plain card to send a message, let someone know you're thinking of them.
Here is a range of cards with distinctly New Zealand images, for every occasion.
Buy them singularly or tied in a bundle of 10, 1 of each design.

These can be purchased from my etsy store or if you are in NZ drop me an email.

Carole ;)

my feline kids at play.....

This is Buddy. For those who don't know, we have 2 cats, Wednesday and Buddy. They are just over a year old and are brother and sister. Buddy is a typical boy, he's always in your face, and always looking for trouble. Wednesday on the other hand is very proper and quiet. You will all remember her from the photos I posted of the little (and not so little) gifts she brings me each night.
They like to follow me out into the garden, just to keep an eye on me. Guess who demands the attention???
At first I thought it quite cute that Buddy would come and sit on my knee and chat while I was sitting on the grass.
However, he then got playful and now I have puncture marks all over my leg!!!

Here's Wednesday, she's content to sit back and watch the goings on.....
but you know what's going to happen next!

Buddy is such a bully! He often sneaks up on her and fights. Brothers eh! She'll get her own back one day!

Carole ;)

May you all have the very best in 2009!

A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL 2009 TO YOU ALL!

Well it's here! A very quiet arrival. We normally go into the middle of town to "The Square" to celebrate the arrival of the new year with several thousand others. There are lots of entertainers, and a huge booze free party. This year there weren't any good bands coming, and the weather was not so nice with wind and frequent showers, so we stayed at home. I was in good company tho, I had Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music team to keep me amused (for the 20th time), and Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley.

Have any of you made new years resolutions? I have made 2.

1. To loose a little weight and increase my fitness level, (one's too high and the other's too low!! lol).

2. To get some art work published in a magazine.

Actually I've got lots of other things I need/want to achieve this year, and I guess starting with a new job would be the first. I'm getting bored being at home all the time, and although there is always lots to do to keep me busy, even a part time job would be great, mixing with people.
Then there is my garden to develop, ongoing really. I want to get my McKenna Ryan quilt finished, (only 2 blocks to go). Then I've got 2 quilts I would like to make for myself, but am being strict on myself, and I am not to make a start on them yet, (old NY resolution, have no more than 2 projects on the go at any given time, that way they all get finished!)

I made a couple of bags from the fabric I bought recently. A larger carry bag which will come in handy, and a small over the shoulder bag for taking to the library, I usually only need my library card and my purse and car keys, and my arms are usually filled with books!

I also cooked some beetroot yesterday and bottled it this morning. Not a large amount, but filled 3 jars which is plenty for us as I'm the only one who eats it. I love it on sandwhiches. (I also have lovely pink hands now!)

I have been busy working on developing my garden, and it's starting to slowly look like a garden. I'm quite pleased with the progress really, even tho it is a bit slow. Here is what it looked like a few weeks ago.


And this is it now.....

Most of the bits in it have been cuttings scrounged from friends and seedlings given to me from Mum. But I have bought a few bits for it.



Well, thank you for dropping in to visit, c u soon!

Carole ;)

My bed hog - you know the type!

Just had to include a pic of my fav bed hog! Isn't he just the cutest!!!

Garden is turning into a jungle again!

See what I mean! However it is the most delightful smelling jungle to be in! Sweet peas! I have never grown them before, but this year decided to give them a go. They are climbing all over the broad beans. I have been picking bunches of them to have inside and giving bunches away.
There are also marrows, beetroot and lettuces growing in there somewhere!
My radishes are only small, but this is when I like to eat them! I can spend ages wandering round eating things in the garden. I have the radishes planted with baby carrots. We don't eat many carrots, but the baby carrots sounded quite nice.
Hope you are all having fun!
Carole

MERRY XMAS EVERYONE!!

I would like to wish all my treasured friends a very merry xmas! I feel very honoured and very wealthy to have you as friends.
May you enjoy a day filled with the joy of children's laughter, a day that brings surprise gifts and beautiful food, and a day to remember and be thankful for.

Carole x

The day before xmas.......

Today I have been working on my New Zealand quilt. I have finished all the quilting now, phew! I have made the binding and sewn it on, so now all I have to do is hand stitch that down and put a little label on the back with the date, name and his birthday on it.


This lovely little ATC arrived in my letter box, I totally forgot about it until I saw the envelope!! It was made by Doreen in Australia as a swap for one I made. It is felted and I love the colours! Thank you Doreen!
A couple of works of art arrived at my place recently. This hanger was made by Debbi in Australia, we did a swap, (you'll see my hanger in a previous post). This is lovely! It is a lovely dusty pink, she is a fab judge of colours, Debbi never fails to impress me!! Thanks Debbi, and I look forward to our challenges in 2009!

This is a wreath my daughter made for us. It is made of Tui shapes (our native bird) and fern fronds. I love it! A real New Zealand wreath! Thanks Catherine!! xx

Oh, and a wee bit of shopping..... I know I'm suppose to be on a shopping diet, lol, especially when it comes to crafting stuff, but I just couldn't help myself!! I saw this pattern in a mag and it looks very simple to make, and very effective. So I plan to make a couple after tomorrow is over.

Sorry, had to add this pic! LOL! I know you are probably all strawberried out, but they just keep coming! (Although with 3 days of rain, they are starting to rot. But picked this lot last night to have with our pavlova tomorrow!!)
This little fella sits in our tree each year, he's getting on a bit in years now!
Carole ;)

Aww shucks.....An award from Tracy!

Proximity Award

This award states that: This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends, they are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.
Thanks Tracy for thinking of me and visiting my blog!

One door closes, another opens.....I hope!!!

I am now officially unemployed! Last week after being on "special leave" from work for the last 5 weeks, the "issues" were resolved. I left.
After weeks of counselling, visits to doctors, stress leave from work, I left.
I am totally amazed at how much difference a change of staff can make in the work place. The people you work with, can make your work place an enjoyable place to be, or they can make it very unpleasant!

Now I face a whole new range of issues, what do I do next? Where do I go from here?
I was employed as a Community Services Officer, I spent a lot of time dealing with the community, but I also published a community newspaper. I took the photos, wrote the articles, did the editing, sold advertising and did all the design work. Work of this nature is pretty thin on the ground.
I think I will designate the month of Jan to preparing a CV. Then hit the "streets" beginning of Feb. At least then I won't have to compete with all the university students!

Wish me luck!

Here is a couple of pics of the quilt I have been working on. It is all ready for quilting now. What do you think? It is made using New Zealand fabrics.



Hope you've all had a great weekend!
Carole ;)

Yipppeeee! An award!!

The Marie Antoinette, A Real Person, A Real Award

Laura from over at Laura Kay's Place has been a kind soul and given me this award - which I might say I was very excited about!! Thank you Laura! (and I am thrilled you enjoy my blog enough to give me this!)

Rules of acceptance:
1. Put the logo on your blog
2.Place a link to the person who nominated you
3.Nominate 7 blogs to receive this award
4.Place a link to those blogs
5.Leave a message on their blogs to let them know they have been given this award

Now comes the exciting part...

doreen from doreeng.blogspot.com
leeanne from mixedmediamartyr.blogspot.com
joanie from joaniehoffman.blogspot.com
Jacq from jacqcfibers.blogspot.com

I know people are very busy at this time, so I've kept the passing on to a bare minimum!

Carole

First taste of summer!

Another little coin purse!

Yesterday we went for a drive out to Himitangi Beach, approximately 30 minutes drive from home on the west coast. I can't remember ever visiting this beach before.
The weather was fabulous, and everyone else had the same idea. There were cars parked along the sand, and kids on 4-wheeler bikes and not-so-little kids on motorbikes blatting along the beach.

The surf life saving patrols were on duty, and had their flags up. Then a couple of life savers took their boat out for a spin.

Some people were swimming, and some were fishing. Although I thought the water felt warm, I wasn't game enough to immerse my whole body under water!!

But it did feel really lovely, and I look forward to my next visit!

Carole ;)