Are You Reddy?

Are you?

Wish I could say I was...

but that would be a fib :)

I've been playing round today

getting reddy...

Merry Christmas!

I probably should stop playing around now,

and go and get reddy  :)

See you next year

Jenny

Sweet Sixteen :)

I'm not entirely sure that applies to boys, does it??  But he sure was sweet way back then ...

Actually, he's still pretty sweet, just in a more ''blokey'' way :) Just like to know one thing, though - how did those 16 years go so fast?? Makes you think, doesn't it.  Happy birthday, Jake - may you achieve everything you work hard for, may you always live life with a sense of adventure, be truthful in all that you do, be kind to your friends and don't break too many bones when you are hurtling down mountains at ridiculous speeds!!! 

In between making beds and breakfasts, I've done a little more stitching - and I've finished the sampler - I love it:)) I'm thinking I might have a go at framing it myself - any tips?

While I was finishing off the sampler, I was thinking about my next project, as you do.  Way back, who knows when, certainly pre-Dunedin days, I started a gorgeous Lavender and Lace cross stitch called ''The Spirit of Christmas''.  I worked on it solidly for a few months, and then for some reason it got side lined.  Well, how's this for discipline - I found it, and I'm finishing it:)  When I pulled it from it's hidey place, I realised I still really loved it, and it definitely needed to be finished.  So that's what I've been working on for the past few nights. He's pretty gorgeous, don't you think! 

I think I may just have to stitch a little more on Santa right now :)  It's like a winter's day outside, the child is working, and I've got about an hour before I have to begin birthday dinner preparations.  So really, what else is there to do:)

See you
Jenny

Hearts and crosses.

I remember now one of the reasons I stopped doing cross stitch all the years ago - because it is horrendously addictive!!  But it's very very enjoyable, so I can forgive the addictiveness of it :)  This is where I'm at with my Stacy Nash Tribute to Summer sampler...

... so I'm just working around the floral border now, and then I get to choose another pattern to start :) 

Also made some wee Christmas hearts this week - some of them have Barbs gorgeous buttons on them, and the others, I played with words.  Hearts are just the most lovely shape to work with - anything with hearts is okay by me.

Tonight I get to go to the childs' senior prize giving ceremony - I was semi looking forward to it, until he told me that it will last for three hours!!!  THREE HOURS!!! Give me strength!!!  Do you think they would notice if I take my stitching??

See you,

Jenny

What can I say?

Ooops - what can I say?  The last time I was here, our boys in black were about to kick off the competition, and now they are about to close it!  Guess where I will be come 9 tomorrow night - bring it on!!

I had to laugh this morning - the child obviously did not have much to do last night. Instead of spending some quality time with his school books (I have been gently reminding him about a certain event happening in a few weeks time, called exams!!) he clearly decided that my lappie needed a facelift.  Normally I have a pretty flowery picture as my screensaver - you know, something to make you smile and think of summery days - well, this morning when I logged on - not a single pretty flower in sight!  Instead, an action shot of a mud-covered downhill rider, in full flight. Kinda feels like my lappie has been invaded or hi-jacked or something!! 

What between a very busy month at the B & B,  Jakes downhill race season in full swing, spring gardening and rugby games to watch (of course:) - there 'aint been a whole lot of time for stitching.  I did put a few sweet little hexies together for a new cushion for one of the guest rooms - I wanted pretty spring colours....

   ...and I made up some little lavender bags, using lavender I had cut from the garden last year, and decorated with a gorgeous little birdie by Barb ...

I've done a little more on the cross stitch - Stacy Nash's Tribute to Summer - it sat idle for a few weeks, but now I'm back into it - I pulled a colour out that I didn't like, and feel much happier with the look now.



Spring has been keeping me busy - there's more about that over on the cottage blog.  The growth is phenomenal and the colours extraordinary. And I so wish you could smell the perfume of the wisteria that is starting to bloom - it's heavenly...



We've been all over the place these last few weeks with the child and his bike - up here at Living Springs where he was given the dubious award of ''crash of the day'' - wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry about that one, but both he and the bike miraculously escaped relatively unharmed.  What about the views though - it's such an incredibly beautiful part of the country..



...and down to Bluff for the Secondary School Champs where he did good !!   And yes, we did go to the chip shop - how could we not - they are the best:)...

This weekend I am delighted that the race is right here in Dunedin - yah!!  I am not even going to think about what state he will come home in tonight after practising all day, cos we have had so much rain this week that I'm sure it will be a mud bath and he will be caked from head to toe in the stuff. 

Time to go - I am trying to decide if I will feel too guilty about sitting down in the middle of the day and doing some more of my cross stitch :))  It's just so lovely and peaceful, and there's no one in at the moment, so who would know:)

See you later
Jenny

Just a little bit of cross stitch

Today's the day - our boys in black kick off!!!  This has absolutely nothing to do with stitching, I know, but it's quite exciting if you like the game, and I do like rugby :)   So (and here's where the stitching part comes in) with a bit of luck I will get to spend some quality stitching time late at night watching the highlights.  Stitching time lately has been sadly lacking - just a little bit of cross stitch.  This wee sweetie is from a book I bought when we went to Oz a couple of months back and I made it up into a little needlecase.
 

And I've made a start of one of Stacy Nash's newest designs - a Tribute to Summer - I really love this sampler and can see it hanging perfectly in the Garden Room.

There's been a bit of stitchery happening too - but they are a little bit secret yet, so can't show you - very very cute though :) 

The child is off to Cyde this weekend, for his first race of the season.  The track he's riding is diabolical, though he tells me ''it's fine, Mum'' (huh!! - ''fine'' - since when did "fine" mean vertical drop over rocks, ledges and sheer mountainsides!!!), so in a sense, I'm glad that I won't be there to watch him this time - but on the other hand.....

Spring has been keeping me very busy in the garden - my gorgeous bluebells are just starting to bloom - I think they may be my favourite spring flower, although apple blossom is right up there too:)

This gorgeous wood pigeon visits often - well, maybe it's not the same one, but sure looks like the same one.  They love this tree - nibble away on the flowers and seeds for ages. 



It is the most amazing spring day here in Dunedin - I think I just might go make myself a cup of coffee and sit in the sunshine and do absolutely nothing for ten minutes.  Then I might think about what I should be doing, and sit for another ten minutes :)

Enjoy your day:)

Jenny

 







Garage Sale at Harrowset Hall Emporium

A quick post to the girls in and around Dunedin - don't forget the garage sale tomorrow - downstairs in the basement at Harrowset Hall Emporium (377 Princes Street, Dunedin).  This is going to be fun!!  But then, bargain shopping is always fun!!  Access to the basement is down the alleyway off Bond Street - the sale starts at 10.00 a.m. and goes until around 2.00 p.m.

I'll be there with baskets and baskets of fabric - all pre cut - mostly fat quarters - some halves - and all at super cheap prices.  Fat quarters are priced from $1.50 to $3.50.  There will be bags of trims and buttons as well - and some patterns.

And then there are the Harrowset Hall treasures - was down there today helping to set it up, and you should see bed linens and furnishing fabrics (drool worthy:), furniture and collectibles.  It's like an Aladdin's Cave :)) I have my eye on several items - well, it's a sale after all, and who can resist a bargain!!!

Gotta go - lots more fabric to cut tonight:)
See you tomorrow.
Jenny

A little more crochet

The blossom tree is flowering and winter is slipping away.

Been busy with the room makeovers these last couple of weeks, and am making progress.  So, it's nice to sit in the evenings with my crochet - it's easy, but relaxing.  I've made some wee flowers for the top of the round cushion...

... and I've been playing around with a hexagon shape - these are really fun to make and for me the bright colours are quite a change - am thinking this could be the next two year project, though, as it's probably going to end up blanket size.

Today I need to go make some curtains for the wardrobe doors - and a couple of cushions.  It's not so nice outside, so the perfect day for a few hours in the sewing room.

Or .... I could make a few more hexies:))

See you later

Jenny