Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The Tiny Modernist Mystery Sampler

 For the past few years I've signed up the Tiny Modernist's mystery Christmas Sampler. It starts on the 1st September each year with the first part of the chart being released, then parts 2, 3 and 4 follow through until December.  

It soon becomes a "non mystery" though, as I can never keep up with the parts being released ha ha.

I have totally enjoyed stitching this fun design and the colours used are so bright and cheery.  I made this my focus piece late February and have pretty much only stitched on this during the week, with smaller projects on the weekend.



I think this will make a lovely Christmas cushion so I will take it along to my local sewing shop to match up some backing fabric.

Fabric used was 32 count Prehistoric linen by Fox & Rabbit and the recommended DMC threads.

See you soon x

Thursday, March 07, 2024

A few finishes, family and sunflowers

 Hello friends

I have a couple of finishes to show today, these were both stitched last year and I made them into ornaments last week.  

A Classic Christmas by Hands on Designs, stitched on 32 count vintage mocha, made into a pillow, Lady Dot chenille trim.





Joyful Santa, 2022 Annual ornament by Homespun Elegance, stitched on 32 count cream belfast linen, made into a pillow, Lady Dot chenille trim.


My other sewing job last week, ribbons for our ballerina's new pointe shoes. Hannah recently had the opportunity to have a ballet class with some of the members of the Royal New Zealand ballet company, a great experience for her.



As it's been awhile, here's Mr Diesel, the goodest boy. Last weekend Glenn went away on a fishing weekend and Diesel was a bit sad, he sat by this window for quite some time after he left. 



We recently had our lovely nieces, Alice and Sally, come to stay for a few nights with us, and Buddy their black labrador. It was so good to spend some time with the girls, and Diesel had so much fun with Buddy. 



Some days I get to do some really fun things at my work, and this week we took our clients out to a local sunflower field.  It was the perfect weather for viewing sunflowers, they were amazing. We got some awesome photos of everyone.






On our way back into town we stopped at the scenic lookout, where you view our town, Waipukurau, beside the Tuki Tuki river.



I made many wishes in this wishing well as a kid ha ha.



See you soon x

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Welcome to the North Pole

Sorting out some photo files on my computer, I realised I hadn't share any photos of this cute design which I finished stitching at the end of December.

Welcome to the North Pole by Primrose Cottage Stitches, stitched on 32 count platinum belfast linen with the recommended DMC threads. 





Such a cute project, I'm not sure how I'll fully finish this one yet so into the finishing box for now.

See you soon x




Monday, February 19, 2024

Weekend things

Hello friends, I hope you enjoyed your weekend. I spent a few hours on Saturday morning with a friend as we browsed a local market - there were over 60 stalls, lots of food vendors and entertainment. There was also a Highland dancing competition and a sevens rugby competition all happening in the same area so our little town was busy!  The rest of the weekend was spent gardening, in the swimming pool as it was so hot, and catching up with friends.

Last week I had a spur of the moment start, and then finish a few days later - Valentine's Day Quaker by Primrose Cottage. 


I used 32 count white belfast linen and Classic Colorworks Ripe Melon.


I love that you can purchase these designs as pdf charts. I've also purchased the Winter and Christmas Quaker, and Sip Stitch Repeat patterns as well. 


What else for today - my current books to read, I've been reading a lot lately, and have had a few library reserves come in. I've been enjoying several books by Sarah J Maas, I've never been much of a fantasy reader but that has changed with these series. 


We enjoyed a couple of nights at Pourere Beach recently, the weather was pretty good, and it was lovely to get back out there, only a 45 minute trip from home.




Whittakers, my favourite NZ chocolate company, have released a new limited edition chocolate block, and of course I had to try it. It's a bit different, I do quite like the hint of orange in it.

It's been awhile since I did any baking so I enjoyed making some blueberry muffins and savoury scones the other day. 





Glenn was able to get more house painting done before it got to hot, he's now completed this wall outside our bathroom and laundry. Very happy with the colour we picked out.

Have a wonderful week, See you soon x

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Time for a WIP Parade

Hello friends, recently I decided to get out all my projects and have an ironing session so I can share a WIP Parade. Loading up these photos, I've realised I didn't get a current progress pic of the Shepherd's Bush stocking I have on the go, Martha. It's been awhile since I lasted stitched on it but will share an update another time.

First up, is a new start I had during my summer holidays, Christmas Parade by Cottage Garden Samplings. Featuring Santa and his forest friends, I couldn't resist this design.  I'm using 32 count Fossil Fox & Rabbit linen and the recommended threads. I had so much trouble stitching Santa's beard, I had to restitch parts of it several times!

Another start I had in early December, The Light of Winter by Brenda Gervais. Stitching on 36 count Ballet Slippers by Fox & Rabbit using the recommended threads. Sadly, I haven't picked this up since so must get back to it one day soon.


Humming of the Bees by Blackbird Designs, started September 2022, stitching on 36 count vintage mocha Belfast linen, using recommended threads, another project I haven't worked on for ages.


Next up, Plum Street Samplers This Happy Morning, which was one of my birthday starts last April. This washed out photo is not really showing the colour of the linen correctly, which is 36 count Black Swan by Fox & Rabbit, using the recommended threads.

Oh Joyous Day by Blackbird Designs, started way back in September 2020, a stitch along with my friends Clare and Nicki, the fabric is 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus and using the recommended threads.


Winter Rose Manor by Brenda Gervais, also stitched on 36 count Wren by Picture this Plus, not too much to go now but why did I leave all the house stitching til last??

Merrily Merrily We Welcome Spring, fabric is 36 count Oaken linen by Picture this Plus. This has been on the go for a couple of years now.

Kringles by Little House Needleworks, started in 2020 during our first Covid lockdown, this has been quite neglected but I pull this out every now and then. Stitched on 32 count smokey white Belfast linen.

Wilhemina by Fox & Rabbit, which was a Patreon club chart last year, I'll try and finish this before this Easter. This chart is being released for the Nashville Market.



I also have the 2023 Tiny Modernist mystery Christmas stitch along on the go to, which I'll have an update for next time.  

Two other projects from my stitching basket, I've decided not to continue with so both have been "let go" - that felt good as I know I'm not interested in stitching the designs anymore.  

Do you have any stitching goals or plans for 2024? Are there any charts you are looking forward to being released during the Nashville Market? 

See you soon x

Wednesday, February 07, 2024

Three Finishes - all Christmasy

 Hello friends

at the start of my summer holidays, I picked out a couple of designs to kit up with the fabric and threads and get underway.  

Three of these are now finished:

Primrose Cottage - Christmas Trees and Stitching Please, stitched in 32 count unknown colour linen and recommended threads


Brenda Gervais - Cup of Christmas Cheer stitched on 36 ct Flax belfast linen with mostly recommended threads.



Stitching with the Housewives - December 25, stitched on 28 count Ash Rose Jobelan fabric with the recommended threads.



For now they'll be going into the box for finishing another day.

See you soon x

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Welcome to 2024 - a long over due catch up!

Happy 2024 to you - I hope you have had a great start to the year so far. I was planning to begin posting here again at the end of my summer holidays but unfortunately I ended up very sick for a week with covid, couldn't believe it was as bad as the first time I had it, but I'm fully recovered and back to good health. Then it was back to work, a weekend away and now its February, crazy how fast the weeks are going!

So a few snippets from our Christmas and New Year - we had a very lovely, low key family Christmas day this year as my sister in law was unwell with covid.  The weather had been very hot leading up to Christmas too and the day itself was roasting. My parents and Glenn's Dad came for a meal with us later in the day, which was just yum, all the usual treats including the annual brownie trifle.









Between Christmas and New Year we enjoyed some chilled out days but also spent time catching up on jobs and gardening around the house including a much needed sort out of our garage and two storage sheds. Such a good feeling to declutter and sell unwanted items.

On the 3rd January it was time to pack up the campervan and off we headed on a summer roadie with our friends Bruce and Alison.  We had an absolutely fantastic time travelling around the East coast of the North Island.

Day 1: Home - Napier - Wairoa - Opoutama (a beautiful freedom camping spot)






Day 2: Opoutama - Mahia - Gisborne - Tolaga Bay










Day 3: Tolaga Bay - Tokomaru Bay - Ruatoria - Te Araroa



Day 4: Te Araroa - Hicks Bay - Waihau Bay. Up and around the East Cape and now in the Bay of Plenty.



Day 5: Waihau Bay - Te Kaha - Opotiki. 





Found a motor camp with the fanciest bathrooms we've ever seen at a camping ground.




Day 6 - Opotiki to Ohope - a perfect spot for swimming, trying to catch  fish and watching the boats and water skiers in action.



Day 7: Ohope -Whakatane - Rotorua - Lake Okaro. A very tranquil spot by the lake.






Day 8: Lake Okaro - Taupo - Napier - Home.



We travelled over 1000kms on our trip and it was amazing - the people we met, the beautiful scenery, along with devastation still from the cyclone and other weather events during 2023. There's so much roading work to be done in the months and years ahead.  This was a big tick on our bucket list of places to visit around New Zealand. Bit of an eventful ending to our trip with a back tyre blowing out about 20km out of Taupo, so grateful for roadside assistance, and poor Diesel had to see the vet once we got home as he was unwell with a bad ear infection. 


We're loving the summer fruits available - nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots and all the berries especially strawberries.


Glenn was able to finish another project he'd been working throughout 2023 - our new outdoor cooking kitchen complete with a new inbuilt Weber barbeque. He designed and made the entire area himself and it's been put to great use already this summer.


We also enjoyed a day out in Napier recently, spending our Christmas money and vouchers.








Our summer garden is going great guns and so far we've harvested brocoli, tomatoes, lettuce, beans, radish, cabbage, and cucumbers.


Thankfully I was well enough last weekend to go with Glenn to Wellington as we'd booked concert tickets months ago to see the Foo Fighters.  We had a great weekend, and the concert was fantastic. 





Next time I'll have an update about what I've been stitching over the holiday break, and some stitching plans for 2024.

See you soon x



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