New Stash, Knitting and more

Hello again, well, it's been a few weeks since my last post and what a time it's been. After two and a half years, covid finally got me and wow, it was terrible. Two weeks later and I'm almost feeling back to my normal self. Fortunately, Glenn and Hannah remain well, for now anyway.

I had a little parcel arrive from 123 Stitch in the US recently, this was my first order from there in quite awhile due to the mailing restrictions we had here in New Zealand for several months.

A few charts from my wish list, thread drops and a bundle of threads needed to kit up some new projects.

Our bathroom is coming along and most of the walls that have been lined are now painted, and Glenn has made a start on the floor tiling.  The next part is to replace the toilet, which is now going to happen when Hannah and I are away in Christchurch next month.  Fingers crossed, the new bathroom sink and drawers will go in then too.  

Winter is well and truly here in New Zealand, and we've some miserable bleak weather lately. My knitting needles are back out and I've been making hand warmers and cotton dish cloths for gifts.

I bought some of this lovely and soft merino from my local craft shop so I could cast on this new hat pattern.

This will be a gift for my sister in law's birthday early next month.  This yarn is lovely to knit and I'm enjoying the pattern - Silverwood Hat by Rachy Knits, can be purchased on Ravelry. 

See you soon x

A Merry Pair and Bathroom Update

This was such a fun stitch - such bright, happy colours, and sparkly beads and sequins.  This kit by Satsuma Street was from the Silver Needle's Stitching Circle Club and after quite a delay, finally arrived in the letter box a few weeks ago.  

I think I'll have to buy a few of the other ornaments designs, they all look so cute!

Next time I get a chance to sit at my sewing machine I'll make it into a small pillow using the supplies included in the kit by Lois from Lady Dot Creates - so pretty.

 

As I mentioned last time, we have quite a few renovation projects happening in our house.  We received news last week that our permit has been granted for the new fire place to be installed, not sure when this will be happening.

The other big job on the go is the redo of our shower/toilet and this is major - new ceiling, new shower, new toilet, new hand basin and vanity, and new wall paneling all to go in.  Glenn is carrying out most of this work himself, with help from his Dad, and work to be done by our plumber and electrician.

So here's Week 1's progress:

Several years ago we had two major water leaks happen, one in the ceiling and one in the wall behind the toilet.

Here's Week 2's: some of the paneling in (what a job lifting it in!)

Our new shower was installed Saturday so it's either been showers in the camper van or across the road at my parents. Glenn gets to try it out tonight!

Hannah, my Mum and I went along to see the new Top Gun Maverick movie and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Have a good week, see you soon x

This week's Stitching Round Up

This year, for the first time in quite a few years, I decided not to participate in Stitchmaynia, but instead, focus on getting some good progress made on a few of my already started projects. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have already seen these progress pics.

Lois Stocking by Shepherds Bush- I don't think I've stitched on this since last winter!  I'd better get a move on with it as I have plans to stitch another two stocking designs this year.

I've now almost finished the 2021 Christmas stitch along by the Tiny Modernist, this has been a fun project to stitch.

Back at the start of May I did start a new sampler, This is the Day by Plum Street Samplers. I just love the colours in this design.  I'm using most of the recommended threads and some cream linen.

A little parcel arrived during the week - these are the mini scissors by Cohana. I'd been on the lookout for these for quite some time so when I came across a NZ stockist, I couldn't add them to the shopping cart quick enough!

We've had some very mild and sunny weather here this week but it looks like wind and rain are coming for the weekend.  I've got lots of gardening jobs to do but they may have to wait for another weekend. Glenn has started work on our second bathroom, we're replacing the ceiling, shower and toilet, and also, he has been remodeling the cupboard in the hallway where our hot water cylinder used to be as we've recently switched over to gas. It's going to be wonderful to have additional storage shelves.  Another home project in future weeks is replacing our existing fire place and relocating the new one to another part of our lounge.  I'll share some update pics next week.

Have a fun weekend - see you soon xx

Red Bird Sampler & day out in Napier

 Hello friends, the week has flown by for one reason or another and very little stitching happened but it's been a great week - busy at work, catching up with friends and family, and also celebrating Hannah's 14th birthday.

I did manage a few stitches on this lovely project - I love the colours in the design, especially the red thread.

We had a super fun afternoon in Napier on Sunday with Hannah and her two besties. Napier is about an hour north of our town. Glenn and I left the girls to their shopping and we took a walk around the shops too as Glenn needed to purchase a new phone, and I had my first Starbucks drink in absolute ages, lol. 

Then we took the girls up to the Bluff Hill look out, where the views on Sunday afternoon were amazing. 

A few snaps taken along the Marine Parade - the Soundshell, viewing platform, Tom Parker fountain and memorial gardens.

We finished our day with a lovely dinner at one of our favourite restaurants, also a perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day, no cooking for me, lol.

See you soon xx