Summer holiday

Summer holidays, oh how I love them!  The teenagers are happily occupied with their friends in the camping ground and I rest and read and stitch and walk.  One of the things I appreciate most about our holiday is the complete break away from work and lists and responsibilities.  Then somewhere along the way I become ready to grab my diary and write lists of things I want to accomplish at home, things I didn't have the energy to do at the end of last year.  Once home I am refreshed and motivated to get my list done :)
My summer holiday stitching consisted of a red wool coat ornament for my January Christmas item, made from this kit, and my Chateau Hexagon quilt.  I am loving the addition of the rows of hexagons.  Now I'm up to block eight, stitching a row of pretty flowers.
Thanks again to Narelle for hosting the one Christmas item a month, this year we have a dedicated blog here.
I have lots of blog reading to catch up on, I will do my best to do that over the next few days :) Wendy xx

Friday night with friends

It feels like it's been ages since I joined in with Friday Night with Friends.  There is something special about joining in;  planning what to do and thinking of others all over the world stitching away, even though at different times.  I worked on block six of Chateau Hexagon and enjoyed it so much I finished it on Saturday then joined the six blocks together.  A big thank you to Cheryll for hosting us.

I wanted to hang Charlie's cross stitch today.  She hadn't left enough aida cloth around the cat for framing so I added a fabric border and now it is hanging in my craft corner in the bedroom.  I love how it looks.

Things will be a bit quiet around here for a bit as we go on holiday on Tuesday for ten days, our annual summer holiday at Papamoa beach.  My baking is done, my Chateau Hexagon blocks are prepped ready for lots of handstitching, now just to pack and clean house!! Wendy xx

A new year

Happy New Year to you all!  I love the fresh start of a new year, new diaries, new plans and new lists.  I believe I enjoy planning my projects as much as I do working on and completing them! (Diaries, plans and lists - the new year's wish list of a wild thing! - Paul - hubby)
I picked up my Chateau Hexagon blocks again and just finished the 5th block.  I have received the next three so I have plenty of stitching to carry on with.
I'm really keen to continue making a handmade wardrobe this year.  I completed two dresses in December, although to be honest one was mostly made in April and just needed finishing off.  And my first finish for the year was a simple sundress, made on Sunday using a lovely cotton and silk blend from Spotlight.
Charlie made me the gorgeous little cross stitch cat for Christmas.  There is something very special about receiving a hand made gift from your child so it was no surprise that it turned out to be one of my favourite gifts.  Wendy xx

Giving and receiving

I have some last Christmas things to share before the new year starts tomorrow.  Michelle and I have been partners for the year for Mrs Martin's Lets Celebrate swap and I have loved giving and receiving gifts with Michelle.  For the Christmas swap I made her a tablerunner, a Santa and a felt bird ornament: all the projects are from Marg Low's All Things Christmas book which I love.  Michelle gave me a Molly Makes magazine which is one of my favourite mags, some of her lovely patterns, threads, gorgeous little handmade ornaments and a beautiful button garland.  She definitely spoilt me again.
I also received a lovely package from Florence who sent me a Simply Vintage magazine, my other favourite mag, and some gorgeous little tree ornaments.  I have sent her a Homespun magazine in return but I'm not sure it has arrived yet.
These weeks after Christmas are some of my favourite of the whole year: the crazy, busyness has past, the city quietens down, and the usual tasks and work are on hold.  Just lovely. The last three photos are taken by my son and I thought he did a great job catching some images of our week, Wendy xx

Christmas week

Glorious sunshine;  Vintage project basket handy;  Sewing a navy skirt;  Making crochet flower coasters for work colleagues;  Choosing our Christmas tree;  Christmas tree meringues (original idea here but my meringue recipe);  Making platters for a fundraiser;  Last minute Christmas shopping;  Special Christmas church services and singing;  yes, it's Christmas!  Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas, filled with everything and everyone you love, with much love and best wishes, Wendy xx

 

Decembery again

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was writing about last year's December rush and here we are again ... this year has flown by!  My father in law gave us his piano recently and I bought a little white tree to sit on it to display my handmade ornaments.  It has become one of my favourite spots in our house.  I finally got the last of the decorations out today and also did some baking; shortbread and chocolate chip cookies.  The recipes are on my recipe page if you would like them.  It's starting to feel like Christmas (insert big smile).  Wendy xx

Bits and pieces

Anyone for ice cream?  My colleagues and I hosted a vintage ice cream afternoon tea for the people we share our office with and I made a crochet badge for each of us to wear.  The pattern is from the Mollie Makes magazine, issue 29.  This week I also altered my Truffle dress: after wearing it for a day I noticed the neckline still gaped a little so I hand sewed a tuck then added one of my mother's vintage buttons. I like the dress even more and it is nice to have a little bit of my dear mum with me as I wear it.  The rest of my sewing time has been Christmas projects.  Life seems to go a bit frantic here in December with all the end of year meetings, get together's and school presentations, not to mention work deadlines.  I am hoping by the end of next week things will start to slow down!  Wendy xx