I am speechless..

WOW!!!! My wonderful, thougthful sister Linda has sent me some books that she felt I may be interested in having. Linda is the original crafter in our family, she sews beautiful gifts for our family, knits garments that are just exquisite and does lots of other things to fulfil her crafty passion. Over the years she has always encouraged me (mostly without success) to look into myself and pull out that sewing passion that she knows that I had when I was younger and she knows is in me waiting for the right time to surface. Last year my family bought me a sewing maching, as I had decided that now was the time for me to get back into sewing. Linda has shown a real interest in what I was sewing, and over the past few months I have been telling her that I wanted to make some "special" aprons, but was unsure how to begin, and what to start doing.

Today in the post I received two books called "Apron.ology", and I have to say they are absolutely gorgeous. I have just flicked through them and already my mind is going a million miles an hour with ideas. These are just a few of the designs that I have read about.
I have to stay focused, my immediate reaction is to start this weekend and make something up, but no, I have made a firm commitment to get Emma's dresses made and posted after Easter.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank You Linda.......The first one I make is for you.

P.S. Linda owns a store in Brisbane called Threads and More, visit her blog: http://www.threadsandmore.com.au

PPS. It's going to be sooo hard to get myself to work tomorrow....All I want to do is to make an apron, that looks like a piece of art

Taste from my past..

Over the years I have really missed the beautiful taste of fresh grapes, the grapes of my youth, freshly picked from my Uncles and Aunts vineyards in Henderson and Te Kauwhata, and the house grapes that my Dida (Grandfather) grew. These grapes were used for making red wine and were always big, purple, sweet and juicy.

Today, one of my work colleagues, brought me a punnet of Te Kauwahta grapes. She had assured me that these would be the grapes that I remembered, and she wasn't wrong.

Organically grown, and full of the sweet, musky flavour that I remember. As soon as I popped one in my mouth I was immediately taken back to those days over  late Summer/ early Autumn when we would be sent to run through the vines to chase the birds away, while my father played cards and drank wine with my Uncles in the Wine Cellar. We were never allowed in the Wine Cellar as children, but when I could I would sneek into that cool, dark room full of Oak Wine Barrels and take in the aroma of the wine in the barrels fermenting.

When the picking started we would eat as many grapes as we could. One of my favourite things to do would be to pop them into my mouth, squeeze the flesh from the inside of the grape, and store the skin in the side of my cheek. When I couldn't fit anymore grapes in my mouth I would chew all the skins up. By the time that I got to this stage the taste had changed from sweet and juicy, to musky and my lips would be stained purple-red from the skins.

I wish that we had" taste-a-vision", because this photo does not do them justice. Tomorrow I am going to go and get some more.

Headbands Project..

Found the tutorial for these headbands on "mmmcrafts" blog and thought I would give them a go this afternoon. They will match beautifully with some Summer outfits that I am going to start making for Emma over Easter.

Hope you like them Emma, they will be in the post very soon.

Mangawhai Walking Weekend..

How about two whole days spent with a wonderful group of ladies, the most stunning scenery, four hours on a guided walking tour (with stops where necessary for talkies from the guide), lots and lots of laughing and beautiful hot sunny weather.
Held once a year at Mangawhai, North of Auckland, this is one of the greatest ways to spend a weekend away. Whether it is as I did, with a group of ladies, or with family or friends - it is an experience not to be missed, there are so many choices of walks to do, including "Doggie" (where 32 dogs and owners went for an hours walk), Arts & Crafts, Foodie, Lookout to Lookout, these are just a few of the 12 options available. We all decided to do the Lookout to Lookout, which took us from the town, through bush to the estuary, up over hills to the Mangawhai surf beach.

Thanks Connie for inviting me, and thanks ladies for a wonderful time.  If you are wondering why I am looking so apprehensive, that's because I left my walking shoes at home and had to wear a pair of borrowed sandals that were a little small for me. And yes, I did get blisters, but a "Big Thank You" to Camp Mother for lending me her sandals. In the photo are from the left: Pauline (Camp Mother),
Zinta, Evelyn, Connie, Debbie, Jackie and me of course kneeling at the front.  This was at the start of the day.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Mangawhai Walking Weekend

I have just spent the weekend at a small coastal town 2.5 hours north from my home. I took so many photos it was hard for me to choose some for SSS. I am proud of these, as I am very much an amateur playing around with our little digital camera.  I love the sun rays shining through the trees onto the rocks. I was looking up the side of a cliff when I took this. The other photo was taken at the top of a bush walk that we did, looking through to the estuary.
                                                                                 

Projects 3 and 4 all set to go..

It has been many years since I have done any knitting, and now that I  have a bit more time on my hands I am going to knit something for myself. So here it is, my next project . The wool is an Angora, Wool, Nylon blend and is a beautiful soft grey colour. This will be my evening, keep my hands busy project.

My Easter Weekend project will be to make this dress for Emma for Summer. We have four days holiday here over Easter, so this will be a great time to get some sewing done.

So watch this space!!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Sunrise from Auckland New Zealand

This photo was taken at 6.30am,from our back door, beautiful pastel colours.

Project No. 2 .. is complete

Last night I made these very cute "Tea Cup Pincushions" out of some fabric I had left over and two cups that were originally candle holders. I "googled" the best and easiest way to get the candle wax out of the cup.  Thank goodness for Google...

And it turns out that the best way to get the wax out of any container is to place in the freezer for at least an hour, and then it just comes out...easy peasy...

Another reason for making the pincushions is that when I sew I have a bad habit of putting the pins in my shirt, then I forget about them and when I take my shirt off I end up scratching myself.

If you are interested the tutorial for the pincushion is on "my favourite project list" on my blog. I'm going to hunt out a vintage tea cup from our local Thrift shop, get some matching fabric and make one for Mothers Day.

Just when you think you have seen it all...

Today, on the way home from the village we saw a lady and her son walking their dog and their donkey!
I asked how she came to have a donkey, and she told me that she had bought him from her elderly neighbours six years ago. He had spent the previous 13 years living in a field on his own, with no contact with other animals or humans, and when she got him she had to teach him how to walk on the road without being frightened of everything and everyone.

Today he is a laid back totally cool dude! As you can see by the photos.

Family History Journal - My Home Makes Me Feel...

Grateful   -  when I know that there are people around the world who, through no fault of their own,  do not have a roof over their heads.

Relaxed -  this is the one place where we can be ourselves.

Memories - of so many good times had/ and still to be had with family and friends

Sad  - when I think of those who have enjoyed themselves in our home and are no longer with us.

Treasures - surrounded by the bits and pieces that make our house our home.

And remember, it doesn't matter how big or small, whether it is an old home or new one

"Home is where the heart is..."


These are a few of my favourite things:

Steve recuperating after surgery..

In December 2008, while Steve was playing Soccer,  he tripped and fell, and broke the radius bone in his left arm. It was such a random thing to happen, especially as Steve does motocross and snowboards,  The break required an operation where a plate was placed into his arm and screwed into the bone to hold the bone together to help it to heal.

Yesterday, 15 months later, Steve had surgery to remove the plate and screws. He was in surgery for an hour, stayed overnight and has come home to Waiuku to recuperate.
  As you can see it is very painful, and very swollen. He will be off work for a few weeks.