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

Pin cushions and pianos.

Well, now I know what ''peak'' season in the accommodation industry is all about - it's called February! My great giddy aunt - I have lost count of the linen I've laundered, the beds I've changed and the brekkies I've made over the past few weeks. But it's been amazing - so many people from all over the world have stayed. And I challenge anyone to make a bed quicker than I can!

This morning I woke to the most gorgeous sunrise - so I hauled myself out of bed, fumbled around for the camera and tip toed out onto the balcony to see what I could get. It was so beautiful, and it never fails to amaze me how quickly a sunrise or sunset changes and is gone.

Haven't had quite so much stitching time lately but this week I did start and finish block five of Vero's mystery quilt - I have to admit that once I start one of her blocks I become a little ''addicted'' for a couple of days until it's finished. I love the way it starts out ''raw'' and then changes as all the little details and finishing touches are added. This month, this block is my favourite.

I'm half way through the first block of Brenda's quilt - it is truly divine. I'll show you soon.

On Friday I did something that I haven't done in years! I was dusting upstairs - and no, thats not the ''something'' though it was starting to look a little obvious that I hadn't dusted in a few weeks and the girls were coming for stitching! Anyway, as I was dusting the piano I lifted the lid and ran my fingers across the keys. It really has been more than ten years, I would say, since I last touched a piano. So I found a very old piece of sheet music in the piano stool, and sat and started to play - pretty rusty for the first few lines of music, but then it all came back! How amazing, I thought - you don't forget. And it was lovely - not the way I was playing 'cos that wasn't the best - but it was just lovely to play again. The piano came with the house so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it has a fabulous tone, and I think I just might play a little more. Go and do something you haven't done for years and years - it gives you a real buzz, to know that you can still do it, and that you still like doing it! And you wonder why you ever stopped doing it! Oh, and the postie was good to me again this week - this was his treat for me - Robyn Pandolph's new Beach House range of fabric. Yum!!! Fat quarters and charm sqaures in the most heavenly pastel colours and prints.

The firewood saga continues... I was determined to have all my firewood delivered and stacked by the end of February and yesterday I realised that it was the 27th February!!! I had calculated I needed two more loads so I bit the bullet and got both loads at once. Seemed like a good idea at the time until I waltzed down the steps to see the biggest pile of firewood. It may not look so big in this photo....

... but believe me - it was BIG!!! For what seemed like hours we didn't even make a dent in it but then finally there was light at the end of the tunnel, or in this case, wood stack. We trudged up and down the steps and garden for four long hours, minus a few short jellybean revival breaks. A handful of giant jellybeans every so often eases the pain! So, now it's done - all neatly stacked and I only hope there is enough 'cos I don't want to do this again until this time next year. I have to be very honest and admit that I am feeling my age today - was a little sore first thing this morning - discovered a few muscles that I didn't know I had - cruel and unusual punishment it is!! It took a little more than jellybeans to encourage Jake to participate this time - when the load was delivered he just looked at me as if to say ''are you mad?'' and shook his head. Monetary enticement was called for!

I have a movie lined up for tonight - and stitching - finishing off a couple of things. Have a lovely stitchy week.

Jenny

Still sunny!

The last time I was here it was a glorious blue sunny sky day - same again today! Maybe I should be out there, in the garden, or just relaxing with a cuppa on the front porch. The second option sounds good - gathering strength for the next job on today's agenda - carting another load firewood up the stairs, and then up through the garden, and then stacking it up under the house (there are way too many ''ups'' there!). Yah - I can't wait until the delivery man turns up with it!! I have been a little cunning though and suggested that he deliver it mid to late afternoon - like about about after 3.00 p.m. Sorry Jake!

I've started to do a little work on some of this years classes. We did some vintage Christmas decorations last year, and they were fun. So I've decided to do another four this year. Have been thinking about what to do for ages, and I've finally settled on the next four. Here's the beginnings of three of the four...

... and part way through the snowflake....

Also, I've had fun stitching a garden for Barb's hollyhock buttons.....

... and it's finished up as another class project. I used a new range of fabrics - "Old Primrose Inn" by Blackbird Designs - gorgeous soft colours and old-fashioned florals.

Plenty of pockets to store absolutely everything.

The Gingham Girls got an outing, too. Have half finished block ten - this is such a pretty little block....

... and sweet lavender...

I have to show you a couple of things that the postie delivered this week cos they are gorgeous! The first parcel had a pile of buttons from House on the Hill - what do you think? Aren't they beautiful!

And then there was this! This is not my stitching but a picture of part of Brenda Ryan's most delicious new quilt, Jane Austen's Bonnets (this is one of my block of the month quilts this year). I'm going to be stitching this tonight - I know I shouldn't start something else quite yet, but this is completely irresistable - I just have to do a little!

Not quite finished with the postie yet - she also delivered a parcel from France - new cross-stitch patterns by Virginie Gousse. Her designs are truly exquisite -I just had to have them! It was so hard to choose just one to show you, but they will all on my website in a couple of days (http://www.thestitchery.co.nz)

So, the postie was good to me this week - a whole lot of goodies (and not too many bills!). Must scoot now, as the firewood will nearly be here - such fun awaits!!!

Happy stitching

Jenny

Glorious Sunshine!

It is the most gloriously sunny hot day today - this is what I'm seeing from my balcony - not a bad view really!

I should be in the garden this afternoon - have been attacking the front garden for the last couple of days - though I think ''wilderness'' is a more appropriate description for that part of the garden! I'm not sure you can really even see where I have been but I have discovered some of the healthiest specimens of thistles that I've ever seen! Prize winning numbers they were! It's a little too hot right now, though, so may go back to it later this afternoon.

Last night I finished block four of Vero's mystery quilt - it was such fun to stitch and I really really love it!

And today the postie brought me some of these...

...gorgeous new buttons from Theodora Cleave. I think I will have a little play with a couple of them tonight. Postie has brought me some very nice little parcels lately.

Isn't this the most amazing colour - these little lobelia are pretty hardy to survive in this planter as I often forget to water them - it doesn't seem to worry them though.

I think I've just been talked into taking someone over to Signal Hill for a few downhill runs! I suppose it's a way to avoid the ''wilderness'' for a little longer and I don't really mind driving up and down the hill half a dozen times as it's good ''thinking'' time - many a project has been sorted out in my head on that road!

So, I'm off to drive Mr Jake!

Happy stitching

Jenny

Stacy Nash Primitives

Look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday! While I was away last week I spent some time surfing the net, looking for gorgeous cross-stitch designers - Stacy Nash was one of the first I found and now her patterns have arrived. You should have seen me opening the box - oh so carefully - not!!! I couldn't wait to get it open to see the goodies - this picture does not do them justice - they are divine.

These are just a few - more on my website. Also, gorgeous little books of her designs, though these aren't quite on the website yet (!). Maybe later today (or tomorrow...)
I don't know about you but I love patterns and books that are beautifully presented - these little books have an opaque type of cover that is fastened with a ribbon. Probably sounds silly, but somehow it just seems that little bit more special undoing the ribbon and opening the pages - makes you think ''what secret treasures await''. And treasures there are!

I haven't done any cross stitch for such a long time, but over the past few months I've been seeing some incredibly beautiful work on the web and other blogs and it has sparked the old desire to cross stitch again. I even got out the linen a couple of weeks back and played around with an idea that's been floating around ''upstairs'' for a little while. I'll give you a peek soon (if it works!).

Off now to maybe finish block four of Vero's mystery quilt - it's very cute.

Happy stitching

Jenny