Thursday 30 October 2008

Lemonade Anyone......

I love it when I feel as though I am having a productive week.

I think it is mostly due to my being quite organised this week. I really want to get some projects that have been in my mind for ages done and finished. So far this week I have achieved another of those. I think it may be time for some lists. That seems to work for me.

This is one project that has been in my cupboard for quite some time now. Well, at least the pattern has been. This is an edge on a set of sheets for our bed. I am so pleased with how it has turned out. Not so sure how it will go down with the other person who shares my bed though!!! All that frill!! It is a Crabapple Hill Studio pattern called Forget-Me-Not Bedding set.


I have had the "Hannah Bella" fabric in my cupboard leftover from the quilt "Angel Story". When I purchased this fabric I bought the full fat quarter set - all 50 or so pieces of it. I have made the full applique quilt, a baby size quilt and thought that this may use is up - well I think I could still made another dozen sheet edges or even another applique quilt with what I still have left.

There are 32 petals across the sheet and you only require a 3" square for each!!

I really love this range of fabrics, so it isn't so bad still having some leftover still.

One of my favourite places to visit is the Tender Centre. People take their unwanted bits there and it is open to a tendering process. Some people pay way too much for somethings - which I guess if you are a seller is great.

Just look at the great things I scored this weekend.

A great old suitcase for $12.



This lovely stool for $13.



I am not sure what I will do with the stool. I will paint the legs, but not sure what with the top - paint or fabric or oilcloth?

And, finally the best find ever!! Well, maybe not quite, but I am pretty excited.

I am fairly sure that these very cute decanters were around the $100 mark in the shops and I get this one for $24!!! It is in perfect condition and looks great in the kitchen!


Now I just need to find a great Lemonade recipe. Any out there among my blogging friends?

So far an enjoyable week! Best get onto some work in the office now and then hopefully something else fun to do!!

Saturday 25 October 2008

From the Vege Patch......


Some of the first summer harvest was picked this morning.
- Beetroot
- Beans
- Lettuce
- Squash
- Parsley
YUM!

A typical busy weekend happening here - work, ballet lesson, school function. Joy oh Joy!
So had better get going and ready for the next thing!

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Finished Needlecase.......

I have just finished my little Rosalie Quinlan project from the Glen Harrow Stitch-In. It's a sweet little needlecase. I actually finished the stitchery on the day but haven't had time to finish it off since. I have had a little time while waiting for children to start working on the project Leanne provided for us too!

The inside has some wool felt to keep the needles and a little stripey pocket on the other side. The little button strip is just decorative. I found the little red button in my Nana's button tin. Quite a good match I think!


It's so nice to have another productive day. I am so pleased that yesterday, I got Alexandra's ballet costume made for the end of year concert. I just have to get all the sequins glued to it yet. I usually enlist Mum to help with those as the glue just gets everywhere. We have quite a good system now using tweezers of all things!
This year they are doing The Little Mermaid. For ballet she is an Anglefish and for tap dancing a lifeguard. The anglefish costume was really easy and the tap one is to be hired from the studio - an easy year! Thank goodness.
Well, off now I still have a little time before the schoolbus comes!

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Foxgloves, Delphiniums & Roses......

Oh My! Look what I found. I just happened to be passing my favourite thrift shop yesterday and just had to pop in. I am so glad I did!!

I had purchased some lovely vintage crochet hankies and a beautiful damask table cloth and was about to leave when my eye caught this vision of lovliness!!

Sometimes in this particular shop some things are not for sale - display only!! I can never work it out. This little beauty was hanging behind the counter, so I asked if it was for sale and of course how much!


Much to my delight and surprise - $12. Well I couldn't leave this confection of satin and tulle there when my beautiful mannequin needed a new summer outfit.


So home the lovliness came with me. I keep fluffing and fiddling - adding the corsage and the "diamond" necklet!

Perfectly delicious!!!

I just love my foxgloves. They are flowering beautifully. Such amazing flowers.


Delphiniums reach for the sky.


Roses of all colours bursting into flower - how wonderful is the season of Spring.

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Glen Harrow Stitch-In

What a lovely weekend I have had at the Glen Harrow Spring Stitch-In. My dear friends and I flew to Melbourne on Friday morning. Hiring a car for the weekend we ventured into the inner city of Melbourne for the day. Bronny navigated and Gina drove - what a wonderful job they did between them. We wandered a little and then caught the inner city tram and did the loop around the city. What a beautiful place to visit, I hope I can go back soon and explore some more.

In the afternoon we drove out to the Dandenong Ranges to Glen Harrow. What a beautiful place it is. Something to look at and admire on every turn.

The vegetable/herb patch with the delightful dovecote was beautiful.




On Saturday morning we woke to the most lovely day and I was excited at the anticipation of our day to come - Stitching with Rosie and Leanne. Beautiful breakfast ingredients had been provided in our room. Oranges to squeeze, bacon, eggs, lovely coffee, sourdough bread. What a wonderful breakfast.

We slowly wandered over to the room where our day of stitching was to be held. Stopping along the way to admire unusual plants and flowers, taking pictures at every twist and turn.


So much thought and preparation had been put into our day. I felt so spoilt by the attention to detail by these two clever girls. It was almost surreal being there and seeing the samples of the patterns that we all love creating.

In each place a lovely little bag holding our two projects and patterns for the day. A sweet little bedside project from Leanne, a doiley, a stitchery to frame and a cover for a journal.

From Rosie a delightful little needlecase with a sweet stitchery on the front.

The food set before us all day was just wonderful. All manner of cakes, sweets, fruit and cheese for morning and afternoon tea and the most beautiful luncheon of cold meats, small quiche and the most devine salds were served.

We stitched and ate and stitched in the garden some more until late in the afternoon.



My dear friend Bronny and I stayed in the Gardeners Cottage. Even when arriving the dark and making my way through the gorgeous gate with the wisteria tumbling over it I sensed the attention to detail in this lovely place and was certainly not disappointed on arriving in the cottage.

The mountain air was cool and the fire was lit for our arrival. The cottage was decked out in the most wonderful antiques and old treasures. I was in heaven! The bedroom was in the attic and was just beautiful. Wonderful white embroidered sheets and pillowcases - fit for a princess - I certainly felt like one.

Morning certainly did not disappoint when peeking through the curtains for the first time - everything just as I thought it would be. Beautiful.

I so enjoyed wandering in the gardens - the gates were just beautiful - paths leading here and there - blossom trees in full bloom - roses with big fat buds - chickens, peacocks and peahens wandering and trees that would have stories of the last 100 years or more to tell.


Birdhouses, beautiful old fences, dovecotes, gates and places to sit at every turn. I am truly blessed to have been able to go for the weekend and have such a lovely time.

On Sunday we wandered through the mountains to such lovely little towns. We had the most delicious lunch at Miss Marples Tearoom. What a sweet little place, with wonderful food and a great atmosphere. Then it was time to find our way back to the airport.



Thank you to my friends for sharing such an adventure with me and to Barb for having a dream to share and making it happen.

I had a little stitching time last night and am so looking forward to finishing my projects.

It certainly was a most wonderful time at Glen Harrow.

Thursday 9 October 2008

Finally......

- New Hair Do
- Stitching Gear
- Suitcase Packed
- Camera Charged
- Plane Ticket
All Done
Well, that must be about it. I am off to Melbourne bright and early tomorrow and can't wait.
I will let you know how the wonderful "Stitch-In" at Glen Harrow with the lovely Leanne and Rosie went when I am home next week.
A Happy Weekend to everyone!
P.S. If Angela (anonomous comment) pops in to visit, please send me an email because you won the magazine!

Monday 6 October 2008

Too Long.....

Oh my, the weeks are just slipping by.
Our monthly internet allowance has been used up until this weekend, so I will not even attempt to post any pictures here tonight.
The children are back at school this week after their Spring holidays. It is just so scary to say, school finishes for the year next month!!
I am very excited about my weekend trip this week. It will be lovely to be with my friends in Melbourne for the weekend. I wonder what Rosie and Leanne have planned for us at the "Stitch-In".
I just wanted to pop into the land of Blog just for a minute tonight to announce
THE WINNER
of the Victoria Magazine!
It is Angela (anonymous comment) on the 25th September.
Congratulations Angela - could you please send me a quick email with your
postal address and I will get it away to you.
Angela told me she loves Roses and Lilac - beautiful!
I am looking forward to sharing some bits and pieces with my blog friends next week - when I have fast internet again. The joy of teenagers in the house!!
A Happy Week to Everyone!