Bits and Bobs

 Almost the end of another month and that means spring is almost here. We even had a spring like day on Saturday, the weather was lovely, which meant after the usual housework, catching up with washing and taking Hannah out for lunch and then to dancing, I spent a few happy hours outside. What a good feeling to be out in the sunshine, the lawns were mowed, our greenhouse was swept out and tidied up, and two vegetable gardens weeded.  I can't wait to get some vegetable seeds going in the greenhouse - lettuce, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, beans, etc hopefully ready to be planted out in late October.  The good weather continued yesterday morning meaning more gardening achieved and I was even able to get some house windows washed before the rain came again.  A very productive weekend.

Last night I finished stitching this cutie - I've had this design kitted since I first got the chart back in 2020 so not sure why I hadn't stitched it yet.

I've been using this Elizabeth Arden hand cream since my trip to Christchurch, one of my dancing mum friends recommended it. It's been fabulous over the winter months for my hands and I'll soon need to purchase some more.

A couple of knitting finishes last week - this hat knitted up quickly. I'll be trying it out tonight when we go out walking with Diesel.

Another pair of handwarmers for a gift. This yarn is so lovely and soft.

Our good boy, he looks gigantic in this photo with Hannah!

A new cook book arrived last week - Vanya Insull, VJ Cooks is a NZ food blogger and this is her second book. I just love her recipes, so easy and most ingredients are pantry staples.

Have a happy week!

See you soon xx

Some Recent Stitching Finishes

Finally some finished stitching to share - here are some of the little projects I've stitched on over the winter months.

Teresa Kogut - Dear Santa, from July's Patreon club, stitched on Fox & Rabbit linen.

2023 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand, stitched with Cottage Garden Thread Leather Bound on 32 count Heartland linen, button to attach.

Autumn Garden by the Scarlett House, a kit from the Silver Needle's Stitching Friends Circle club.

2022 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand, 32 count Heartland linen. 

This week I've found some time to do some sewing, yay, and I've made a project bag for a friend's birthday coming up in a few weeks. I've also started a Mini Patchwork Project Keeper, a pattern by Kari from Tiger Lily Designs, and have started making progress on getting some stitched Christmas ornaments completely finished. A good feeling to be backing at my sewing machine! 

See you soon xx

A Stitching Catch Up

Last Saturday I spent the day catching up with my dear stitching friends. It had been awhile since our last get together and it was really great to be able to share my new work space with the ladies. Our lovely friend Nicki couldn't make it this time due to family visiting so I hope to catch up with Nicki soon. 

I couldn't decide what specific project to work on so packed a bag filled with lots of different projects and my current knitting project.  I was happy to get some small progress made on Welcome to the North Pole, nearly finishing the second snowman on part three.

Kath's lovely hexies she's been making and these are Kath's photos she snapped during the day:

Such a happy time together, stitching away, chatting and catching up with each other's life happenings, yummy snacks of course, lots of hot cuppas, and lunch from the great bakery we have just down the street.  Looking forward to our next catch up already!

See you soon xx

Stitching update

Last night I finished this sweet design from Heart in Hand, the 2023 Collector's Heart.

I used the fabric and thread that came with the pattern. In the photo below, taken before I finished the design, the thread is showing up quite dark, it's a lot lighter in person.  This was a fun project to stitch.

I  finished three Stitching with the Housewives small ornament charts at the end of July. 

More for the finishing pile - it's getting bigger by the week but I hope to start working on that soon!

Can you see that snow? Our walk on Sunday was lovely in the sunshine but oh boy, there was a chill to the air.  

See you soon xx

The start of August

How did it get to be August already? The last few weeks have flown by and it now seems like ages ago since my holiday break.  It's been bitterly cold here this week, helped by a thick coating of snow on the ranges to the west of town.  But only a few more weeks of winter to get through, spring is just around the corner.

We've been finding some more walking spots to take Diesel out and this is the walking track just out of town called Lindsay Bush.  This reserve sadly suffered quite a lot of damage from the Cyclone back in February. In one of my photos you can see the bridge is no longer there, this got washed away and has yet to be replaced.

At the end of this track is the entrance to the Lindsay tunnel. I've never been in the tunnel myself but Glenn used to bike out here as a kid with friends to go through the tunnel. 

Our daphne has started flowering this week, my absolute favourite. I really miss the white daphne I used to pick at my in-laws old house. 

I haven't baked at all over the past few weeks but because it was Glenn's birthday this week, made these yummy chocolate chip cookies and an apple slice for dessert one night.

I don't have stitching photos to share today but I've been stitching away on a few small projects and ornaments to add to the pile to be completely finished.  

Have a happy weekend - see you soon xx