Saturday, May 10, 2014

A5 journal cover

IMG_0321 I must like this fabric, I have it in the pink colourway to!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

November Retreat

Starting retreat with a bit of a tummy upset  wasn’t planned, but a good time was had eventually and I did manage to sew up a storm though not many photo’s were taken this year.

The View This shot was from last year, although the countryside was not as green this year, the view was still beautiful and yes, there was some lovely Brown Brothers Moscato consumed again !

IMG_0199 I was taken with a bag I had made that Margaret was making (x2) but using a smaller block size. I like the little block finished size & have it to do again on my ‘one day’ list.

IMG_0198 One girl turned into this IMG_0201 into this. Soft pretty colours.

IMG_0200 Another lady was working on a great bag from this magazine which had several really good bag patterns in it.

I cut and sewed up 30 blocks for a quilt and quilted two small quilts which are yet to have the binding hand sewn down as I hurt my wrist on my return and am ‘out of action’ as such.

Photo’s of my completed finishes to follow – maybe next blog post?

Saturday, September 14, 2013

A little bit creative

14 Sept 2013 (2)

I began teaching myself to crochet. That’s the zig-zag rug underway, my first project. Then in typical fashion I got a little side tracked, making some baby booties whilst expanding on my crochet learning.  They were a small achievable project while still learning. Problem though is making two the same i.e. keeping the tension the same. Not easily done I can tell you!!!

The two sewing projects in the photo are also small achievable projects I’ve recently completed. With time at a premium I keep things small these days though I do have a rather large quilt on the go which I  plan to work more on at retreat in November.  It hasn’t seen the light of day since last retreat in May. 

Until next time….bye for now

Saturday, August 10, 2013

European Adventure

June & July 2013 hubby & I visited Dubai, Austria, Germany & France

IMG_1808We saw ruins

IMG_1861Castles

 

IMG_1709CathedralsIMG_1749

IMG_2077IMG_2070

The Eiffel Tower

IMG_2002Arc de Triomphe

 

IMG_2101Monets Garden

IMG_1774passed through more than 70 locks on 3 river systems

IMG_1919 for 18 amazing days on a river cruise then…

IMG_2314Travelled France in an RV

IMG_2223along stunning roads through beautiful countryside

IMG_2273watched a leg of Le Tour de France in the French alps

IMG_2329and enjoyed every last second!

It’s going to be hard to top this trip, but we’re up for the challenge Smile

Sharon

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Canada & Alaska August Sept 2012

 

I’ve been so busy since returning from our amazing holiday. Here is a snapshot…

IMG_0157Vancouver, we loved it hereP8251126Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journey, AMAZING!Gold Leaf 006Banff, fantastic and pristine

IMG_0576Fairmont Banff Springs, where we stayed and taken from the gondola

IMG_0530…and from the opposite direction as we took to the river on a raft.

IMG_0560Some of the wildlife, so cute!

IMG_0664Lake Louise at dawn

IMG_0745Lake Louise later in the day. Hired a canoe and had a fantastic afternoon on the lake.

IMG_0858Jasper, so pretty.

IMG_0808We took a walk on the Athabasca Glacier at minus 10 and it was fabulousIMG_0815

IMG_0996Whistler from high up on Whistler Mtn

IMG_0990We rode the The Peak to Peak Gondola

IMG_0786we saw a BIG bear!

IMG_1021Butchart Garden, Victoria BC was beautiful

IMG_1179Victoria BC, capital of Canada

IMG_1219Our ship MS Volendam docked at Skagway

IMG_1279Inside passage, Alaska. Breathtaking, a very “ Titanic” feeling floating amongst the icebergs.

And on our return……

IMG_1305IMG_1329IMG_1326

our baby turned 18.  See, it’s been a busy time !

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Heart Pouches & Bitty Baskets

Long weekend off to a good start.  A few times I have turned up to the Gym without my headphones, which renders me deaf to the TV’s. When I forget my specs or contacts I’m left blind as well!  So when I saw an online tutorial by Erin Erickson I knew I had to make one….three Heart Pouches! 

P9291208My earphones will tuck away nicely in these.

The sewing today didn’t stop there…..

When we were holidaying in Alaska, I picked up the Bitty Baskets pattern from a Ketchikan patchwork store.  From 2 fat quarters I made these 4 baskets.

P9291211

Monday, August 20, 2012

Champion effort

P8191082

On the weekend, our daughter rode the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer,

Cassandra and 1518 riders took to the road, 200km in two days to  Wivenhoe Dam from Brisbane (& back) and raised $5.2M for this amazing cause.

There was barely a dry eye in the massive crowd at day break when the rider-less bike  was wheeled to the start line as a symbol for all those who fought and lost their battle…..

We’re so proud of our girl for her mammoth effort to help change the lives of so many.

Monday, July 30, 2012

By Special Request

My youngest daughter commented that she liked 3 of the bags in my collection. Three elements of each of those bags to be exact and could I combine each of those aspects into a bag for her!

A couple of weekends of planning and sewing, this was the result.

IMG_0033 The pretty purple fabric isn’t shown at it’s best in this photo but you get the general idea of the outcome. The owl was hand drawn from the design on her PJ pants!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

June 2012 Retreat

 

Earlier this month I attended a wonderful retreat with 15 other like minded girls.

P6111028 The main building where we laughed, ate and sewed up a storm.

P6111030 Our Cabin, which had 3 twin single ensuited rooms complete with shared kitchenette and lounge / dining room. I shared with new friend Jeanette.

P6111035 This was what I made on the 3 day weekend. Five small make-up bags, a new handbag in browns and the big squares bag which was a project several of us did.  Oh, and I made the little owl purse to, my own creation that one.

P6111032 Here are Sue (all the way from NZ), Deb & Julie hard at work. Who said we ate, laughed and had too much fun?  See, we were working!

P6171063 On my arrival at home, I found my ‘cheeky’ boy had found a new friend too.