A new noticeboard

Many years ago I had made a noticeboard for Charlotte's room but it was now looking tired and uninspiring.  Charlie researched for ideas on the internet and found a style she liked.  We found a basic noticeboard that was large enough for us to make two so Josh gets one for his room as well.  Charlie enjoyed shopping for trimmings and we used a staple gun to attach everything.  She then found a tutorial for me to make her the fabric rose.  I'm really enjoying seeing her style develop and seeing her choose what treasures to have on display.  A friend made her the Charlie sign, I made her the Tilda cat some years ago, and she definitely wanted a photo of her beloved Nana and Granddad on display.
The cross stitch is the latest little project I have been working on for a friend.  It is a free pattern from here.  Now the part I struggle with, how to finish it!!  Wendy xx

April Christmas item

 After a summer of drought we are now in a state of constant rain.  I braved the weather this morning to get an outside photo but was soon chased inside by the rain starting again.  My April Christmas item is a Snow Pocket designed by Bunny Hill Designs and is a free pattern here.  I am linking with Narelle at Pins and Whiskers for the one Christmas item a month.  I am enjoying being part of this and it encourages me to use the Christmas patterns and kits I have collected over the years, Wendy xx

More Easter goodness and hearts

Just before we left for Queenstown some gorgeous mail arrived for me.  Michelle is my Let's Celebrate swap partner and she made me the loveliest fabric Easter eggs. I love that I will be able to pull these out each year for a little Easter display.  She also made me the gorgeous bag with handles.  I have decided it is too lovely to put away so it now sits with my sewing supplies.  Thanks so much Michelle.
I made the hearts on Sunday using the Simply Rouge book from House on the Hill company.  My white shelves needed something to hang from the bottom, what do you think?  Wendy xx

Queenstown

I really can't say enough about Queenstown and the surrounding area.  It's beautiful and cold and magical.  It feels so completely different from the North Island: huge mountains all around; barren landscape; icy breeze; clear blue water; and much less people! We noticed the cold as soon as we stepped off the plane, thankfully I had my winter coat!  We had such a fantastic time and I particularly loved the smaller towns like Arrowtown and Cromwell. That's not a great photo of the two of us but it is the only one of us together, taken on the gondola on the way up to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant.

On the sewing front, I have been stitching away on my Vignette quilt when I have the chance.  I am starting to  believe I will finish the two blocks I am working on!! Wendy xx

Charlie's quilt

I finished Charlie's quilt and it is on her bed in her sweet room.  The morning sunlight streams in bathing it in a soft pink glow.  The quilt pattern is Annie's Garden from the Material Obsession book by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.  Charlie chose the fabrics and helped choose many of the fabric combinations for the blocks. Hand appliquéd and machine pieced by me, beautifully quilted by Leeanne.  
We bought the cute little vintage dresser second hand and Charlie loves picking flowers for it and loves having her own mirror.  All we need now are new curtains and her room will be complete.  Just for you Charlie xx.
Twenty years ago today Paul and I married, don't we look young!  I feel constantly blessed to have Paul as my husband; he is my best friend, my rock and heaps of fun too.  We rarely have holidays away from the kids but we are this time.  Early Sunday morning we fly to Queenstown in the South Island for three nights.  I have never been before so it will be an exciting, wonderful time.  I just need to get through my list of jobs before then, Wendy xx