Sewing, new starts and books

Hi friends, 

More Lori Holt bags were finished this past weekend after a few hours at my sewing machine, I still have a few more to go from the two fabric panels. 

I love the colours in these ones. 

I started two new projects around my birthday earlier in the month - first up, A Daily Reminder by Brenda Gervais. I'd purchased this chart last year and then bought the fabric from Helen at That Crafty Kiwi, so it's been kitted for awhile.  The 36 count Arboreal fabric by Cedar River linen is a lot greener than this photo is showing.   

Another new start this month is Peace on Earth by Shakespeare's Peddler, I'm stitching this on 36 count Dust Bunny by Fox & Rabbit with the recommended threads. 

Two night's stitching:

This week I've finished the third ornament in the current series from the Hands on Designs, Plaid Tidings.  There'll be another design coming out sometime after the 1st May.

It’s been a little while since I talked about what I’m planning to read, but I’ve added a few new titles to my stack, all of which I’m really looking forward to.

That's it for today’s update — now to decide which book to open first, and which of the above stitching projects to work on later.

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

Easter Weekend

Easter this year saw us travel all the way up to Pukekohe for a long‑overdue catch‑up with Glenn’s Dad's side of the family. We hadn’t been there since October 2013 — far too long, and even though we saw some of the family at Glenn's dad's funeral service last March, some of the family we hadn't seen since Hannah was a baby.

It was awesome to revisit familiar spots, soak in the scenery, and even stop by the old Jamieson family farm. On one of the night's there was a gathering with 46 family members present, including the newest family member, aged 6 weeks old :) Lots of hugs, food, and laughter, a very special occasion.

We'd hired an air b & b at Karaka, the perfect spot for the weekend. 

We all fell in love with Glenn's aunty's new ragdoll kitten, little Chowder, he is absolutely gorgeous :)

We took the girls on a sight seeing trip around Pukekohe, a real mix of nostalgia and “wow, things have changed, and gosh, this is a busy place now". 

from the last time we visited :)  Glenn's Dad lived on the family farm at Buckland until he left home to train in his trade as a carpenter, the family farm being established in the early 1900's. There are no Jamiesons living along Jamieson Rd now.

The weather was perfect all Easter, asides from a few showers later on Saturday evening. 

From there, we headed back to Taupo for a night, and enjoyed a chilled out stay there, some more yummy food, a treat from Starbucks and a wander around in the sunshine. It was a very busy, lots of people out and about. 

A very meaningful Easter, reconnecting with family and making memories :)

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