New Years Eve 2013

Our year began with floods and isolation (post here) and ends in drought ... still feeding the cattle and awaiting the rain to fill the dams, tanks and grow the grasses.

We celebrated the wonderful wedding of DS and DIL in April, (post here) who I will now on refer to as Mr and Mrs C.

In July I promised myself that any ball of wool entering my home would be used and not hidden away in a stash. Pleased to say that only the large variegated mauve ball is left over.

This bundle is a different matter. I think I may have used two of the variegated balls.

But I did spend a lot of time all year complaining that I had no time for craft or sewing so that could be the reason. At least once the cooler weather rolls around I'll have some wool to get knitting with straight away.

So as the hour hand ticks around towards midnight on this last day of 2013 (7.5 hours away) I would like to wish all my lovely friends and wonderful family a

 Happy New Year 

May 2014 be all you want it to be and more.

FNSI and the Dishes are Done!

Just as well Santa Clause 3 was on the TV last night. I had something to watch while finishing off this dishcloth.

Then a quick pic this morning and into the gift bag. Our family have gathered today to enjoy Christmas celebrations as we can't all be together next Wednesday. Everyone's down for the regulation nap after lunch so I thought I'd grab a moment here to catch up on some FNSI activites. 

Thank you Wendy and  Merry Christmas to all.  >^..^<

CTTY and FNSI

Busy, busy, busy!

Tonight I'm linking up with Anthea for a final CTTY. Last night I knitted the last row and cast off on this blue dishcloth.

Then today at our final patchwork day for 2013 I started this next dishcloth. One for DD and one for DIL as stocking fillers. I'll knit another dishcloth of each pattern and the girls can have them soon after Christmas...I am no speed knitter.

With this in mind I am also joining up with Wendy for FNSI this Friday night. I still have to tidy up the front room for visitors coming but I'm sure they won't mind if I sit down with some knitting Friday night. 

Happy Christmas Sewing/Knitting/Creating     >^..^<

1 Xmas Item A Month All Wrapped Up

Good morning to all my fellow 1 Xmas Item Elves, blogging friends and to those who may be visiting for the first time. Well the 15th December is here or almost here depending where in this wonderful world you may blog from .... time for our last sharing of Christmas goodies if you are like me and still had a few more to finish off this month.

My first finish was to add 4 buttons each to these 4 little fabric baskets. They will be filled with yummies and sent home with mum, DD and DIL (and 1 for myself of course).

This is the second scissor keep I made and remembered to take a pic this time before wrapping.

What I forgot to take a picture of was 6 Christmas Cards I made with a bead tree on the front .... still have more of those on my 'to make' list. Speaking of trees, I have a sweet new ornament hanging on my tree thanks to lovely Fiona.

My 'Christmas' Swag is hanging in the dining room and I finally cleared off the dining room table last night and added some cheery red decor.

A big Thank You to all the Elves who created in the Christmas Workshop throughout the year. It has been lots of fun sharing all the gorgeous finishes big and small each month. I'm sure like me you have so many more ideas to try and I am looking forward to more merry-ment and magic in 2014.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Oh What A Feeling!

Saturday lunch and just hung the last load of washing on the line and brought in the first few loads already dry. Also been for a drive up the paddock helping hubby put some feed out for the cows ... we keep missing out on the good rain that's going around. But the best feeling is that I don't have to try and get everything done in 2 days because starting Monday I'm on official school holidays ... woohoo!!! When someone says that I am "on holidays", I like to politely say "No, I just get to change jobs for a few weeks".

After a town day yesterday I'm also happy to report that all the Christmas shopping is complete, except for one last grocery shop to top up a few things. Now to finish wrapping and get them under the tree ready for next Saturday. Our family is getting together for Christmas Lunch as DD will be working through Christmas. Just one more secret gift to finish making and a couple more dish cloths if I can get the knitting needles clicking in time.

I hope everyone's plans are coming together and remember to take time to enjoy!

These 2 dropped in for a visit late yesterday afternoon ... pretty sure this is the first time I've seen them.

See you tomorrow for our extra '1 Xmas Item A Month' show and tell.     >^..^<

FNWF

First Friday of the month ... time to sign up for a great night in with friends.

Christmas Business

First order of business is the 2 lucky 1 Xmas Item Elves who have won a small prize. My apologies for taking a week to finally visit all your busy workshops ... so much lovely eye candy to see. I do hope you are now enjoying gathering all your goodies and wrapping ready for gift giving or decorating your homes with your projects.

After adding pics to the 1 Xmas Item page and checking my list I have some great news. Six wonderful Elves made at least one item each month from January to November. Those names went into my lovely new fabric scraps tin and .... (Bells jingling) .... the lucky winner is Noela of  Quilty Bits from the Blue Room.

These 6 names then remained in the tin for a 2nd chance and everyone else's names were also added to the tin .... (more bells jingling) .... the next lucky winner is Shez of Enjoying Life.

Congratulations to Noela, Shez and all the merry Elves who made gifts or decorations throughout the year. It's been lovely to pop over for a visit and see all your amazing projects. Big or small, many or few, every one is made with love and will bring cheer to Christmas. Thank you for being part of this happy little group and I look forward to what 2014 may bring.

Second order of business? Yesterday was the 1st of December so it was time to start wondering which boxes contained which decorations and add a little festive cheer around the house. I've already noticed some lovely trees going up and tinsel being hung so here are my little Christmas corners.

 Good thing we don't need the chimney in summer.

My little forrest.

 'Tis The Season'

Merry Christmas to all.   >^..^<

1 Xmas Item - One Month and Counting

As the 25th rolls round once more it can't be ignored anymore ...

there's only one month till Christmas.

After all my early preparation throughout the year I still feel like I've almost run out of time with projects still to finish. However I do have a couple of small gift items to share. 

Four scissor fobs have been safely tucked away so I just had to finish the last 2 on the right and 1 on the bottom. 

These little fabric baskets just need red buttons sewn at the top of each corner but did I have the buttons purchased ready?  Don't be silly .... that would mean I'm organised. One for mum, DD, DIL and myself.

Oh, you have the camera out. Is this my good side?

So the time has arrived for all the lovely Elves to share what you have been creating ready for the big event. This will be our last official month for 1 Xmas Item and once I've checked and double checked my list I'll be doing a draw for a little giveaway to celebrate a great year of decoration and gift making. I would really appreciate it if you could either leave a comment here or email me once you have posted.

If you're like me and still have a few more things to finish off, maybe we can have an extra "Show and Tell" on the 15th December to wrap things up. Hope you are feeling a little less stressed about having handmade goodies ready ... Merry Christmas and thank you for sewing along with us.

Friday Night Snooze - In

After putting groceries away and having dinner, I sat down in the chair and .... dozed off! So my FNSI was like yesterday evenings storm clouds ... all talk and no action!

Maybe tonight.   >^..^<

FNSI

I seem to be always squeezing things in at the last minute. Just been over to Wendy's to link up for Friday Night Sew In ... there's still time if you hurry :o)

We finally scored some rain yesterday, 40mm of beautiful wet stuff .... still only half of what they got in town but better than nothing that's for sure. More storms are brewing in the south so fingers crossed. I hope if you're still waiting for rain that your turn comes very soon too and that there's more follow-on rain for us all.

>^..^<

Sunday Snapshots

Put an empty box down and it doesn't stay empty for long.

Wonder what she's thinking?

Amazing what an overnight watering can do. 

Wasn't good for the tank though....ooops! Lucky it's dam water.

My FNWF didn't go the way I'd planned. I started off with some hand applique on Red Delicious but my left thumb and pointer finger protested. Then hubby needed some  tractor parts "Googled". When I got back to my sewing I tried using a hoop but it just wasn't working for me .... oh well .... there's always next time.

Enjoy your Sunday     >^..^<

FNWF

Welcome to NOVEMBER and a fun Friday.  Time to get dinner started so it can cook itself while I get ready for some stitching with friends.

If you haven't already and would like to join in ... slip over to Cheryll's place to sign up. I think I'll be doing some hand applique but I could change my mind yet.

>^..^<

Breakfast on the Hop

We've been trying to keep a strip of green grass around our home. Not only does it make the hot dry weather a little more bearable, but it's a buffer in case of fire.

This family plucked up their courage and decided to dine out yesterday morning on our green grass. I snuck out onto our verandah with camera poised ready.

They're not the only ones taking advantage ... a pair of hares have been spotted and also several wild ducks. As evident by the quantity of deposits (droppings) left around the ground, this is not their first visit either ... oh well.

>^..^<

Happy 25th ... It's 1 Xmas Item Time

So who was it that turned the switch on the "wheels of life" up to Full Speed?  I'm looking forward to a little down time over the weekend to catch my breath ... after the overflowing washing basket is emptied and I give the house a quick tidy ... look out dust bunnies!

Just came home from a shopping day in town and raced outside with my Christmas Banner to take a photo before the light faded. Of course I actually had it finished at the start of the month but didn't get around to taking a pic till tonight. This will be going up in the house on December 1... when do you like to start your Christmas decorating?

I bought these cute buttons recently and added the sleigh to the left side and a reindeer between each letter.

Sometime over the weekend I'll pop over for a visit to see what my fellow elves have been creating this month. It's always fun to see all the beautiful gifts and decorations...thank you all for sharing.

Happy Christmas Sewing ... It's not long now    >^..^<

FNSI and Dust Bunnies Be Gone!

Finding relaxation in the evenings with wool and needles.  These 3 dust cloths were knitted from the 1 ball of varigated "Giggle" wool ... love how each has made it's own pattern.

Not sure where all the days are going but I just know that they're sneaking past me at a rate of knots. I missed the link to FNSI at Wendy's but luckily for me my knitting needles were in action Friday night. Working on another dish cloth this time. I'm using 2 balls of a varigated 4ply because I couldn't find an 8ply cotton...lucky the varigation in the colours matches up.

Gotta dash ... the sun has set and I've lots to do to get ready for another working week.

Happy relaxing     >^..^<

FNwF Result

A lovely night with bloggy friends, enjoying a little knitting. More dust clothes getting ready for stocking fillers.

Thankyou Cheryll for a relaxing evening.

We had a great day yesterday at a big family reunion. Dad has 3 brothers and 4 sisters so when everyone sat down to lunch with sons, daughters, inlaws, grandchildren and great grandchildren there was a sea of happy faces. I'm also thankful tomorrow is a public holiday as today seems to be a go-slow day.

If you're glued to the NRL Grand Final tonight...may your team be victorious. I'll be knitting :o)

>^..^<

Family, Friends and Fun

Monday after lunch hubby and I had a lovely surprise when DD and her Fiancé arrived to visit for a few days.  Then on Tuesday lunch DS and DIL also arrived for the afternoon and we all enjoyed a lovely family BBQ that night.

 

Wednesday was patchwork day for our little group so while I'm on school holidays, the ladies all came over to my home for a sewing day. It was so lovely to catch up with everyone as I haven't been able to attend our patchwork days this year due to work. I even surprised myself and have completed my Christmas Swag but a full reveal of that one will have to wait till the 25th for One Xmas Item A Month but here's an 'almost there' shot.

 

Wednesday was also mail day and I found a lovely parcel in the mailbox all the way from Peg. I was one of the lucky winners for August OPAM and get to have fun with these sweet goodies. Thankyou Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM...it's a great motivator to keep on sewing on :o)

Along with my prize parcel was another envelope containing some cute Christmas buttons I recently purchased. Santa and his reindeer are already stitched on to a project.



 

Today, Thursday, has been hot and sticky with the forecast of storms. Like many others we are getting desperate for good rain...the grass is crisp, the dams are getting low and our rainwater tanks are limited. I'm sure I could find some sewing to keep me inside if it's too wet to go out.

 

That must mean tomorrow is Friday and being the first Friday of the month it's time to join up with Cheryll and all her friends for . . . . . . .

Given that any plans I've made lately are more likely to be turned upside down, I'm hoping to get the knitting needles out and start on some more washcloths and dust cloths for Christmas.

Hope your weekend includes family, friends and fun.

>^..^<

Chillin'

What does one do when the temp is rising to heatwave levels?

Chill on the verandah with your sister of course. These two are rarely this close to each other except at meal times ... so this was a rare photo opportunity to get them both in the one picture.

And watching one of the dogs run past. No dog dares venture up here!

Rusty and his girls also get extra free range time when the weather is hot. We've been trying to keep a strip of green grass around the house with dam water. They love to pick and chase insects through the garden.

Rusty's a silkie and NOT showing his best angle.

As today is the last day of September I've taken a progress shot of my Red Delicious block. With some catching up here and there I have managed to equal one thread per day plus a couple extra.

Should be done and dusted by the end of October. This little tortoise keeps plodding on.

Happy Stitching     >^..^<