Pincushion Frenzy...

Sorry have been a little tardy with my posts...

Last weekend I decided to try out a pattern to make a pincushion that one of my Monday stitching friends gave me... well it was all a little addictive and TEN pincushions later...





I then spent a few nights stuffing, attaching ribbon and buttons - they have come up such a treat - the one finished above is the prototype and the one I like the best out of this batch - so this one will stay with me...

Then looking at my table in my wee study this morning decided it is tidy up day before I tackle any more projects at the dining room table...





Have a happy day.
Hugs

a few more test shots...

Sorry I hope that I don't bore you - though having so much fun experimenting with my new camera - though in all honest I think some night school classes in photography wouldn't go astray LOL...

Took the camera with me to watch Beck's basketball game - first time I've seen her play as DH has taken her to her first few games... wow I was impressed, she is really enjoying it - and by golly she got 10 of their points out of a total of 14 - they lost the game by 1 measely point ...



testing out the "sports" function... Beck's is the one who is centre photo and 'mainly focussed'.

the view from our lounge this evening looking towards the Tararua ranges - zoomed in as much as I could ... was such a stunningly beautiful day in Upper Hutt today - gorgeous blue sky, crisp chilly air, and snow on the ranges - perfect :)

Hope you have had a happy day too.
Hugs

A little stitching and photo taking...

Even though bad weather and spending time watching the Olympics on the telly took over most of the weekend, I have spent a little time working on the 2nd Block of Butterfly Garden - have finished the handstitching tonight, and have just starting the applique.

Here are some images from the new camera - she is wonderful, though full of bells and whistles that I need to learn, loaded the software onto the computer tonight so at least I can now download the photos to see how they are looking...

The weather has been extreme - from blue cloudy skys - to sudden hailstorms, we had the most wicked Thunder on Thursday night - it was so loud and it had our door to the front lawn rattling in its frame LOL.

Ain't this a hoot, new camera has a great shutter speed and thought it would be cute to try catching Quarry mid-yawn :)

Ohh Blogger is so slow uploading photo's tonight... am signing off now in frustration :( Hope you've had a happy Monday.

Hugs

Kiwi Chicks Rock...

It has to be said Kiwi Girls Rock - at last NZ has won some gold bling...

Was a heart stopping moment waiting to hear if Caroline and Georgina had won gold...

And then bless Valerie and her power and strength...

Yeah, you girls rock...

A weekend of eating...oh & shopping of the non quilt kind...

It has been a lovely weekend catching up with friends over dinner last night (we had a total of 13 adults & kids), cooked a delish leg of mutton last night - Junior Witch offered her wisdom earlier in the morning via witchphone and suggested sitting the meat on a bed of rosemary springs, thick slices of onion and garlic cloves (in an oven dish of course LOL) - this I did then liberally sprinked the top of the meat with crushed sea salt and black pepper, covered, then cooked really slow for 4 hours - half way through scooped up the juices and poured over the meat to help keep it tender - sorry didn't take any photo's - though it was absolutely scrummy... we also had chocolate self saucing pudding amongst many other scrummy dishes - mmm the tum was very full last night.

Today have done a little more stitching on Block 2 for Butterfly Garden - I promise to take photo's soon and post...

Talking about photo's... .... my fingers got an itching when surfing TradeMe today - have been scouting camera sites and checking what other people use for quite awhile - and came across a super deal today (well am hoping like crazy it is so please don't shatter my illusions LOL)... I've brought a 2nd hand - though the description swears it is new and unused & still under warranty - a Canon 400D - by checking other websites and other cameras of the same description it looks like I've saved at least $500 on the price (with all the gear that I've got in my buy) so I'm pretty stoked - now its just a case of waiting for the courier to deliver it... so I've pre-empted any birthday or christmas pressies with this purchase from hubby - however that is all good as I reckon its worth it, when you see a bargain you've got to take it :) That's my excuse anyway...

The other great thing I've done today is the video interview element of my module - so that is a relief - had to be a 20 min interview, sweet talked Kait to be my video producer and bribed one of Kait's girlfriends to be my 'client' - was a bit of fun.. though now we've got to edit it to make into one segment - we did a few takes - and then I've got to write up the assessment notes...

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend - we had SUNSHINE today - which was ooh so lovely - and the hills surrounding were covered in snow - love those kind of winter days and SO nice to have no RAIN...

Beck's is currently working on a project for school on Apples - and we found this image while googling images - now for those who know me will understand why I think this particular apple is butterfly/beautiful - how cool is that :)

My Cupcake and Tea Swap (kindly organised by RachaelRabbit) has safely arrived to Janice in USA - so I can now share with you the wee goodies I sent to her...

Now am off back to the couch to watch some tv with hubby whilst doing a little more stitching...

Hugs and have a wonderful week...

The weekend is almost over...

I had a lovely afternoon catching up with my friend, what is so nice is that we just picked up with the gossip and chatter like we had only seen each other yesterday, when in fact its probably been nearly two years... the sun even decided to shine for awhile, so we ventured out of the comfort of the cafe and browsed a few shops. Picked up a lovely bag of dried lavender which will be turned into some delicious wee gifts I think...

I have been working away on block 2 of the butterfly garden bom, however I haven't taken any pictures as yet...

...however I will leave a few photo's of young Beck's and her darling cat Licorice - who loves to share her breakfast every morning :)

Licorice's favourite spread on warm buttered toast - nutella (chocolate spread) - aaargh the whole family has a weakness for chocolate - furry family members as well LOL..

ChookyBlue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2008

Pop over to ChookyBlue's blog she has just set up her Secret Santa Christmas Swap (SSCS) 2008 - pop over to her blog to register and add the logo to your blog... This will be my first SSCS so I am really looking forward to who my secret swap partner will be - now to get thinking about the goodies one can make....

Am just about to pop out and have coffee with a friend I haven't seen for absolutely ages, it is another wet, cold misery day - so will be lovely to see her and have a few laughs...





Keep warm
Hugs