80 candles make the fire alarm go off

All the amazing candles - 80!!!

Setting off the smoke alarm

The campervan crew

Only Duncan missing - he was in England

My father had his 80th birthday in September. As many of us as could hopped on planes, got in cars or campervans and went up. The official party was in the morning, then a casual family day was had. In the evening Dad was presented with his 2nd birthday cake of the day. But so many candles that we set the smoke alarm off even before they started being blown out.

Montana-Rose was 6

Eli and Jorja playing - I really liked this photo of them

Mark supervising the shaky logs (and making it harder!)

Of course a cake. A pair of ballet slippers. Well done Anna

Up cycle a T-shirt into a party dress

This up-cycling project was slightly more extravagant than usual. I got the T-shirt free from an St Vincent de Paul op shop as it had a stain down the front. Thankfully a little sunlight soap, a wash and line dry later, it was all clean. I purchased quite a lot of good quality washable tulle and could not resist the pink sequin as I could see that it would go so well with the shirt. The underskirt was an off cut or lining that was on the sale / get rid of table at Fabric Vision. The sequin band around the hips was from the Salvation Army Op shop in Northlands for $1.

The result was a niece so happy with her 6th birthday present that she went and got out of her party dress and put my creation on. Thankfully it was hard wearing - I had not anticipated it being dragged in the dust on the first wearing!!!

Huge Snails

As previously blogged about - we give the boys extra money for snails and slugs found in the garden. A very organic form of pest destruction. Today it rained and on their way in from school they found this enormous snail by the gate.

Making Flags and Bunting for the Rugby World Cup

Well cup fever is here. We had lovely weather last week and the boys started painting checkered flags (black and white) and black ferns to hang up in their rooms for the world cup. We just used acrylic black paint. The boys had a great time and it has inspired a bit of painting over the week.

Still on the finishing streak

I have made some "kiwana" bunting for my UK friend. Finally finished after sitting around for a long time.

What happens at Sunday School on a sunny day

getting up was easy but sitting on top was a bit precarious for some

some had problems getting down, so Aaron's arms at the ready

After all the snow and cold yesterday was warm and fantastic. So Aaron and I decided to hold Sunday School outside. A bit of running around games first, then a study and then onto making crowns as the activity. Afterwards there was a lot of climbing happening, both on the pagoda and up trees.

The first seeds sprouting for the new season

Well two weeks ago I sowed a pile of seeds. Knowing this to be optimistic but I just couldn't resist. Inspite of three days of snow and some incredibly chilly weather after I have sprouts!!! The little container is a pile of mizuna to cut and use in salads just as new leaves. In the big container is my mix for mescalin salad - some red and green bok choy, coriander, red lettuce. All things quite cold hardy and yummy in another four weeks we will be having summer salad.

I planted some presprouted cauliflower in amongst what is my new strawberry bed. I had a big clean out of the old strawberry bed which has been going strong for 9 years. But have decided to reduce that in size and slowly phase out whilst starting somewhere new. The new season's broad beans are in the back of the bed and I am looking forward to broad bean humus.Yum.

Lemon Honey - yummy yummy

Or for those from the UK - lemon curd. Snowing again!!! Incredible that we have had two big snows in three weeks, when normally we only get snow about every four years. To think that I had just gotten very optimistic and sown some seeds in the glasshouse last week.
The lemons are from Margo and Warwicks tree. Always good to cook when it's cold. I had made a pavlova that went terribly wrong (I have never ever had that happen before) and there were egg yolks left over from that.
I also tried making it in the microwave. Just giving it short bursts. It worked really well.

A Finished Christmas Present

Front

Back

I have finished my second Christmas present. A pin cushion for my friend Kris in the UK. Somehow when I stitched it up I got it a bit lopsided. It is not my best - issues with centering of stitching etc. But I was inspired by Leanne Beasley's magazine "Vignette" which had a pin cushion for remembrance in it. Anyway. My design and my way. Using recycled linen from an old linen shirt, and cosmo threads.

Another almost finished project

A couple of months ago I showed the beginning of a quilt using "strings". Well while I was away on my annual quilting retreat (absolutely fantastic three day weekend!!) I finished the quilt top. Picture does not do it justice. I am really please with it. Now for the pining out and quilting.