Saturday, August 6, 2011

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.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

My little boy is now 6!!

He had a few friends around for a play and some party food. The big present is a flight to Wellington tomorrow and he is very excited. We played the flour game. None of the kids had played that before and it was a big hit.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Recycling- upcycling Merino Jersey


Well I have been doing my upcycling again. Two old Merino Jersey's from the Op Shop. Eli will not wear knitted wool as it is "too scratchy". So as Merino is soft I tried that - with what I think is great success. Eli wears it and thinks it is cool - certainly a good result. He loves the longer sleeves with the holes for his thumbs and it came in handy in the snow recently. I think this is what I am going to have to do for the next few years to get him to wear wool. I do not believe polar fleece to be as good as wool. So this cost $9.00 for the two ladies jerseys and about 2 hours of my time. Normally I just whip them up on the overlocker but I went all out and stitched as well as overlocked and finished it all correctly. Not bad hey.

Snow everywhere - First on the Lewis Pass and then at home

In the snow getting a good break in the journey

Our own back yard!!

Big snow fight going on.

Collecting the snow for the fight. 
We went to Motueka for a few days last week as Aaron had work there and we had not seen my parents for ages. Great trip. On the way up and the way back we only stopped once. At the Tarn at the beginning of the St James Walkway going into Cannibal Gorge. The lake was frozen over and we went skating on it and the snow was knee deep but icy. Thinking this was the only snow we would see meant we spent ages getting cold and having fun. BUT then we come home and have amazing soft lovely snow (which today has turned to very crunchy dangerous icy covered snow)

Another finished project

This is for my nephew Jack's 2nd birthday. I started with a his and a roar but then took two months to do the stitching for the dragon breath. Why is that?
The dragon pattern was from an Australian magazine - patchwork and stitching. Don't know volume number. I turned the bag into a backpack by adding two straps on the back of the bag. Filled with goodies for the long haul flight to England in September.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Boys

I walked inside at bedtime yesterday to find the boys trying to convince me that they should sleep in front of the fire. I said,"Not on a school night". Eli was on the cell to Dad who was saying that I should let them. Convenient for him when he is in Hamilton and not here at our house dealing with grumpy kids because they did not get enough sleep!

A very crowded knee

We have had the girls with us a bit lately as Dawn has not been well. On Monday night everyone, including the dog, wanted to be on Aaron's knee.


Looks like a full table.

A walk uphill and a soak in the outside bath

Last weekend we were privileged to be able to use our friends bach at the Hurunui river. On Saturday the weather was amazing and we climbed the huge hill behind the house. Well i only went about a 1/4 of the way but was really pleased as I actually managed to go uphill. But didn;t want to push it too far so Aaron and the boys went on to the top.


busy boys

Aaron near the top



As it was getting dark we decided to utilise the outside bath. Absolutely fantastic, though it took a bit of practise to keep the wood under your bottom so that you did not burn your behind!!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Eli and Talei at the Music festival

Eli and Talei all excited before it starts
Thursday night saw us all off to Rangiora for the choral festival. Eli and Talei were in the Kaiapoi School Junior Choir and had been practising hard all year. The festival was fantastic. We all really enjoyed the night. All the schools did great jobs with their items and the mass choir was very well done.
waiting while everyone was arriving. all chattering and excited

Mieke loves glasses

Mieke came to visit on Thursday and everytime you put the fake glasses on her she either giggled or got a huge grin. She is full of chat and giggly. Had a great time seeing her.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Yet another earthquake and another day off school

The end result
We will not talk about the continuing stress and uncertainty of earthquakes! But today found me taking my two kids to work. Thankfully work today was at my sisters house in Amberley. Off we all trotted (an hour late!). As a break in the middle we had tea and cup cakes. The boys spent ages and lots of concentration on decorating the cupcakes. Albie continually insisted that he was allowed to eat two!

total concentration on the task at hand

Having fun making one for Matthew

Satisfaction when eating

A gorgeous break in Rarotonga

Woo hoo, A holiday with no kids for 11 days. Bliss, relaxing and warm! BTW it was an early 20th wedding anniversary present to ourselves....