Thanks!

Thanks for all the crossed toes and fingers - it worked! There was no rain, no broken bodies (atleast not Jakes') and no broken bikes. A few bruises, yes, and some minor adjustments needed to the bike, but nothing major. And he did amazing!! We found the place very easily and I spent Saturday afternoon driving up and down the Port Hills, dodging a zillion other cyclists. I am amazed at the number of cyclists in Christchurch, and they all seem to be intent on biking UPHILL!!! It was pretty darned cold on and off most of the weekend, but there were patches of blue sky, and I'm sure that Jake did not notice for one moment that it was freezing!! On Sunday I was relieved of driving duty as the race organisers sorted that all out with their own shuttles, so Mum and I walked way up into the hills to watch. It was a decent hike uphill to the end of the track but atleast it warmed us up. This was taken from our watching possie, looking down the valley.

It makes me smile a little to think that he spend hours and hours and hours practising and in the end it takes less than two and a half minutes to race!!

We watched, we kept our fingers crossed, held our breath just a little as he came over some of the more ''interesting'' drops, and then smiled with relief as he crossed the finish line. 'Course he's as cool as a cucumber about it all - it's just me that gets a little nervous.

In between seeding and the race run, we had half an hour to fill in, so we wandered down to the end of the road where I'd noticed a little garden centre. It was gorgeous, but what was even more amazing was the gift shop that was attached to it. If you are ever in Christchurch, go here ..

... it's on Centaurus Road. Inside it is like an Aladdin's cave - I succumbed to temptation... ... have absolutely no idea what I might store in these fabulous little boxes, but that's irrelevant really! They look great just sitting on the cabinet at the moment. There was a coffee shop inside too and the food looked so delicious - this wonderful shop is definitely worth a visit. On the way up the hill, on Dyers Pass Road is another gorgeous shop that I sped into between runs (I was allowed 10 minutes - Huh!!) The Plane Tree - just divine - the most exquisite fabrics and antiques - go there too!

Had such a neat weekend - no stitchy stuff to show this post, but maybe in a few days.

Happy stitching!

Jenny

Cross you fingers please!

We're off to Christchurch later today - via Geraldine and an overnight stay with Mum and Dad. Will be catching up with family, some of the relly's, a couple of friends whom I haven't seen in far too long, and doing some more of this...

This was taken last weekend - Jake decided he would compete in the Oceania Championships here in Dunedin and he did awesome!! Very proud of him I am -he competed and bettered his own times, and most importantly, didn't come off and break anything!! To be honest, I have no idea how he finds the courage to come down the hill - I have walked up it many times and it is so steep in places that you almost want to grab onto something to pull yourself up. My heart is very much in my mouth when I see him coming - this is one very nutty sport! So this weekend, it's the NZ Open up in the Port Hills somewhere - no doubt we will find it when we arrive. It's supposed to be a wet weekend which isn't good - ''things'' tend to happen when the track is wet and it's much better for boy and machine if ''things'' don't happen. I'm crossing fingers and toes that they've got the weather forecast wrong.

I've been noticing a change in the air temperature lately, and the colour of the trees - have been doing a little tidying in the garden, but it's at that funny stage where it's winding down into it's winter spell. I am desperate for lots of gorgeous spring bulbs next year so went and bought a whole heap and have so far planted half. The other half will have to wait until next week.

Vero's block 6 had me hooked for a couple of days last week - isn't it lovely. Thanks Vero for another gorgeous block.

I thought I'd lay them all out and get a shot of the lot - just to see! (minus block 3 which is still languishing in the basket - screaming "pick me" each time I go near it) I am thinking this is going to be quite a large quilt as this is only half of the blocks, and none of the joining blocks which I have decided to leave until the end. Looking good though, I reckon.

Am right up to date with the Girls too - well nearly - these are the last three bits I've done, and there's just one more skinny rose strip to stitch and then piecing the last block together.

So, even though it's not quite finished, and even though I'm also stitching Brenda's quilt, I thought I could justify it to myself to start Down in the Garden. I'm using the Old Primrose Inn fabrics cos they are so soft and pretty.

I'm having a ball, with all the stitching projects I've got on the go at the moment - each night it's a matter of ''which one will it be tonight''. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for Jake this weekend - extra toes and fingers will be greatly appreciated.

Happy stitching

Jenny

The Garden Room for now...

I've been waiting to tell you about my latest project - and now I can! This gorgeous room is currently my ''Garden Room'' where guests stay ....

...but at the end of next month I'm going to convert it into my winter studio room where I'll spend part of the day working on samples and new projects, but also, it's going to be open for sales of the gorgeous new fabrics I've been using, buttons and threads, patterns and books, and other yummy things that happen to find their way onto the shelves. I'm really excited about it, and for a couple of months have been mentally planning how I'm going to set the room up. It's a such pretty room - gets the morning and afternoon sun. Don't you think this is just the perfect place to spend part of the day ''playing''.

Finally I managed to get some of my class samples finished - these are part of the Vintage Christmas Decorations classes that I'll run again this year. I had finished the linen coloured one and thought, hmmm, wonder what it would look like in redwork - I like! You know, if I was super organised ( I know, such a foreign concept for me) but if I was, a whole tree of these would look pretty neat I reckon. So, two versions of the snowflake....

...and then there was the birdie. I made the little black and white one first and then I spied the red and cream fabric and thought, hmmm, wonder what it would look like in red and cream. Yep, pretty happy with that little birdie too - so two versions of the birdie...

There are two more decorations to come - but I've got to stitch them first!

On the weekend I also finished an applique for the Angels Story quilt that I started with a friend, goodness only knows how many months ago - I think she has completed about eight blocks while I've just done the first! That's pretty pathetic on my part really - but hey, good things take time!

And speaking of good things, I have just finished stitching the first beautiful, gorgeous, fabulous block of Brenda Ryan's new quilt, Jane Austen's Bonnet...
... it's not hard to tell that I like this quilt is it! Think I'm in love with it! And with Pam's threads. So, I have two lovely days off next week and guess what I'll be doing - planting spring bulbs and stitching - maybe Christmas dec number 3, or maybe Jane Austen, or the Girls, or Leanne's new one, or Vero's next block - I'm spoilt for choice!

Happy stitching!

Jenny