Current projects

Hi friends, well you could say my yarn mojo has returned - it's been several years since I had both a crochet project and knitted socks on the go at the same time, and I am thoroughly enjoying working on each.  My reading lunchtime break has been replaced by one or another, even if it's only twenty minutes or so, I can get a row of crochet done or a few rows on the sock. 

My new crochet project is the Summer Vintage blanket by Amanda Hurrell, Eight by Six on Instagram and Facebook.  I purchased the Yarnsmiths cotton/linen yarn from the Wool Warehouse in the UK, and it arrived here to New Zealand in just a week's time.  Took me a minute or two to try to remember how to do a treble stitch, ha ha.  

Gorgeous colours. I did forget to add the lighter yellow, Buttercup, to my order, but never mind.

Over the past week I've knitted the heel and now onto the foot part of these socks 

For many years, during May, I'd participate in Stitchmaynia, starting several new projects throughout the month of May. This was so much fun, deciding what to stitch, kitting up each project.  This year I decided to do a "WIP" May, and hunted out one of my oldest wips, Lizzie Kate's Christmas ABCs.  I couldn't even say when I started this design.  It's actually my second time stitching as the first time I stitched it and gifted it to my Mum.  

The fabric is 32 count Mint belfast linen and most of the recommended threads.  

The other WIP project that I'm currently focusing on is Martha's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush, another project I've not stitched on in ages. 

Last week I ordered some ultra firm stabliser from Rainbow Stash for some new project folders and added these cute fat quarters and a thread holder to my order. 

Last weekend I spent Saturday with some friends - I couldn't decide what to work on so took everything ha ha.

Two little projects finished completely: a freebie from Primrose Cottage Stitches

Hope anchors the Soul, also by Primrose Cottage Stitches, made into a scissor fob.

Many thanks for stopping by, see you soon x

Wild wet weather

Hi friends, 

What a stretch of wild weather we’re having at the moment. Just last weekend we were under a cyclone warning, and now this week the North Island is being hammered by heavy rain. It looks like this weather is set to stick around for a few more days yet, and with the temperatures dropping, you can really feel winter is on it's way.

My latest finish depicts the weather perfectly, Mr Bunny sheltering his chicks from the rain :)

I couldn't resist starting this new Teresa Kogut chart, Spring Rain, when it arrived. Stitched on 32 count vintage mocha linen using most of the called for threads. 

Another Mill Hill Santa completed for the collection.  The back stitching in this design almost drove me crazy!

I love seeing what the free stitch Friday design is going to be in the Primrose Cottage Stitches newsletter each month. This time it was another Sweetly Sayin' design, a little sampler all about stitching.  This photo has come out quite dark so doesn't show the colour of the fabric very well,  Pewter Lugana. 

One of my friends and I have been getting together to work on some of the Lori Holt bag panels. We've been having a good time, and lots of laughs, as we work out the best method for us to put the panels together. We've both been using Elizabeth Ann Can Stitch's project bag tutorial on You tube and have made a few adjustments, including using iron on stabiliser and lining fabrics.   Not sure what I'm going to do with 16 new project bags, ha ha. 

I had a birthday earlier in the month and it was good timing as the fabric I'd ordered for my own fabric of the month club arrived from Helen, That Crafty Kiwi.  This month I chose 40 count White Clay by Fox and Rabbit, and added the cutest needle minder and a pink Nurge frame to the order. 

A parcel also came from Elizabeth at Stitch NZ, with some fabric and threads, and also a tacky bill, which might make the beading on the Mill Hill Santas a little easier, and prevent beads from going everywhere!

The day of my birthday I also received my recent order from 123 Stitch, containing some Nashville releases and wish list charts, and the red Aztec linen in the next photo. 

Isn't it great when designers offer PDF charts - instant gratification, and awesome for international stitchers.  I purchased Peace on Earth, and several others, from Teresa, Kitten Stitcher, as soon as the chart was listed in her site. Peace on Earth has been on my wish list for two years since it was first released as a retreat exclusive.   I started it on the weekend so when I've made some decent progress I'll share a pic. 

Birthday bubbles using a special glass gifted by my niece Zoe a few years ago.

Another lovely mail delivery,  a new Glasshouse candle and fragrance to enjoy over the coming months.

I had the nicest day with my stitching friends recently. We’ve been meeting up more often this year, and it’s been wonderful to enjoy that time together.  Kath treated me to some new accessories, which I just love:

I also received a little gift in the mail from my dear friend Elizabeth, 

This wooden needlebook is so sweet.

I'll be back soon with a couple of new projects, and some new books too.  Have a great week.

See you soon x

All Sorts

Hello friends, 

another week nearly over, and it seems the days are just zipping on by lately.  We've been enjoying some really nice weather  - I love the weather at this time of the year, cooler mornings and evenings but gorgeous sunny days, hopefully it stays this way for a bit longer into autumn. It's also crazy to think that Easter is just around the corner now. This year we are heading away over the Easter break for a big family catch up with Glenn's Dad's side of the family up north.  We've hired a house for a couple of days with Paul, Jude and the girls, and then will have a night at Taupo on our way home, which we are also looking forward to, as we haven't been there for several years.  

It's been a busy few weeks around here, lots going on and lots of happy events to attend.  Good friends of ours got married several weeks ago, one of my uncles turned 80 years old, and then last weekend, we went to the wedding of one of our school friends, which was an amazing weekend, so wonderful catching up with all our good friends.  Hannah's school year is well underway, and she has had lots on too, this year she was chosen as a House Leader, so there's been extra activities she's been involved with. 

This year I've joined Cathy from Hands on Designs' Patreon ornament club and have the first two month's designs now stitched.  

I'm using 32 count natural linen and the recommended DMCs.

My current lunch break project is some sock knitting, these socks have been on the go for ages, and I did have to reverse quite a few rows as I'd made a major muck up in the heel part. 

New Mill Hill Santa in progress, because apparently I’m addicted to stitching them!

I recently renewed my lapsed subscription to the Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher magazine, and I’m so glad I did — this sweet Crocette a Gogo design immediately caught my eye and I started it straight away!

During 2026, I'd decided to create my own fabric of the month club, where I purchase a fat quarter of linen each month, whatever colour or count, and February and March choice's recently arrived from Helen at That Crafty Kiwi.  February's choice was 36 count Dust Bunny by Fox and Rabbit, which I'm intending to use for this newly purchased Stacy Nash design.

March's choice was 40 count Saltbush by Fox and Rabbit, and as it couldn't travel alone, ha ha, I added this cute Primrose Cottage design to my order.

I haven’t ordered from 123 Stitch in ages, so I’ve got some fun new stash coming — a mix of Nashville releases, wish‑list charts, plus some threads and fabric from a NZ stitching store.  Photos to come!

This week at work we’ve been treated to some beautiful dahlias from one of my staff member’s gardens. They’re brightened the place up so much, absolutely lovely.

See you soon xx

Primrose Cottage Stitches Finishes, and Walks

Hi Friends, 

Two recent finishes to share this morning. Nativity Quaker by Primrose Cottage Stitches was a fun stitch, lots of stitching in this little design and I had quite a bit of reverse stitching to do one day as my placement of the Noel word was completely out, ha ha.

Stitched on 32 count lambswool linen using DMC threads, I used some Lady Dot Creates ric rac for the trim of the pillow. 

I had been thinking for awhile that I needed to put a fob on this little pair of red scissors, before they fell down the side of the couch!  This cute Valentine's Day chart was a perfect stitch, finished in a couple of hours. It's charted in Colour and Cotton threads so I picked a selection of Classic Colourworks threads from my stash.  

Stitched on 32 count New Dawn linen by Countrystitch, and the trim was made with DMC 760.

Earlier in the week we enjoyed a morning walk with Diesel, along one of our favourite limestone tracks on the stop banks by our local river, the Tuki Tuki.  

 

Diesel loves to have a splash around in the cold water and a big drink before we head back to the car.  He's then tuckered out for the rest of the day!

See you soon x

A few finishes, beach weekend and more

Hello friends. 

Wow, what a wild few days it’s been. High winds and heavy continuous rain have caused so much damage around New Zealand. Our main street even flooded during one of last week’s downpours, and several shops were hit hard. My workplace didn’t escape it either — one of our rooms is still drying out a week later. Such unpredictable weather for this time of year!

After all that wild weather, it's meant more time for cross stitching. I’ve actually made some good progress on my current projects, and even spent some time at my sewing machine.  

This little cutie, Sweetly Sayn', was included in one of the weekly newsletters from Primrose Cottage Stitches, I used some pretty Tilda fabric for the backing and some Lady Dot Creates chenille for the trim. 

Another fully completed project, Stitching Quaker, also by Primrose Cottage Stitches. This was stitched during 2025, fabric was 32 count ice blue Lugana and I used the recommended DMC threads.

Cathy from Hands on Designs is offering an ornament club through Patreon this year, and I've joined in on the fun.  This month's ornament is called Sweets for Santa and I'm using the recommended fabric, 32 count raw Belfast, and threads. 

Now for a couple of finishes from my holiday stitching.

Candy Cane Santa by Mill Hill - I love stitching these designs and hope to get another on underway soon.

This next design has a lot of stitches!  Deer Santa by Stitching with the Housewives, stitched on 32 count black Lugana fabric and DMCs. Not sure yet how I will finish this design.

We did get away earlier in the month, heading to Porangahau Beach over Waitangi weekend. It was a wonderful few days, sunny and hot, and we really enjoyed the break.  The fishing went well too so we enjoyed fresh fish, and homemade fries for dinner one night.

We had some very special visitors come out to see us one day, my uncle Paul and cousin Chelsea, from Melbourne. They were in NZ for a family reunion and it was awesome to see them, it's been a good few years since our last catch up. 

Even though it was a cold windy day, we went to Hastings and Napier on Sunday to get out for a few hours and stopped by a cafe I haven't been to in a very long time, Westerman's, this one used to be a favourite of Glenn's Mum.  My coffee and brunch, Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, was delicious.

Diesel enjoys the cold weather as he gets to snuggle up and snooze the day away zzzzzzzzzzz

Have a happy week, see you soon x