Happy Birthday to my Mum today

I still can't see photos when I'm writing a new post so will have to do one at a time. My Mum is 78 today and look no grey hair! I've been trying to ring her since 8am but she's engaged. Since Dad passed away Mum is never at home or always on the phone. She dines out often with friends, goes on bus trips, looks after the neighbours cat (while they're at work he stays at Mum's - lucky cat) and she helps out at the Op Shop three times a week and she's happy. I hope I'm that busy when I'm 78.

I'll just have to keep trying to get through. It's raining and blowing here in the Hutt today so I'm happy. I CAN stay in my sewing room and not feel guilty. Haha. I have picked up several DVD's from the Library to keep me entertained including 4 Catherine Cookson movies. Tonight I'm off to Kelvin Cruickshank off Sensing Murder. I've been before and he's wonderful. It's so healing for everyone just knowing that the ones you've loved and lost are happy and well. Maybe he'll choose me tonight and tell me that I'm not insane when there's funny things have happened when I've been thinking of my Dad. ???!!!!

PS what a wasted day for sewing but a lovely one. I managed to find the phone no for the radio station Mum listens to and they played a song especially for her. Yeah, well she didn't want them to know but I've never done as I'm told!! Then a friend from work arrived unexpectedly which was neat. Her first time to my house and she's lovely. Before she left another colleague arrived and so at 4 pm I started sewing and at 5.30 I had to leave to meet up with my ride to KC tonight. He is absolutely amazing. None of my 'spirits' came through but the whole experience is so healing that everyone in the audience gains comfort from it I'm sure.

Whats up with my blog

Eek something is wrong with my blog. I downloaded these photos but it's all in script.. what have I done?? I can't see the photos on Edit Posts?? I must have done something when I changed my profile ????? I am techno phobic... eeekkk... Can anyone suggest something??
These photos are of my grandson George who is 14 years old this weekend. Of course the photo is an old one but it was his birthday then too and he is so cute. To think he could be learning to drive in a year... oh I feel ancient now!!
Another photo is a piece I've decided to complete for a friends farewell present.. I'm not sure what to do with it now. Whether to cut it up and frame small squares on a dark background or frame it as it is.. ANY IDEAS PLease!! The other two photos are of my garden which is between the house and the driveway. My lovely lovely neighbours have been tidying up their garden and replanting. So they've recycled and given me most of these plants. It looks gorgeous... I am so lucky to have these people next door. They want me to stay here forever .... but wait till I have a party one day... oh yeah right!!

My HAND bag so far

Just a sneak peek at my bag for the local club challenge. This is one side with my hand in blue, and two of my friends and this is the inside of the bag. Yes, it's square. I've got a pocket for a 12" ruler, a pocket for a magazine and a pocket for anything else. They're still to be sewn on but I've got a few little buttons to sew on the hands first. I then have to make straps and I'm hoping to work out how to sew two more hands on them so that'll make them HANDles!!

Another giveaway with lots of yummy pressies to choose from.. Go and visit

http://dyecandy.blogspot.com/ to win some gorgeous hand dyed fabrics or other goodies.

Nice people

I had a fabulous day yesterday. Firstly I'd organised a dress up at work for Black Friday. No superstition in it, just a team building fun day. Several, not all, made a real effort and became Vampires and gremlins, witches and then there was the solicitor who pinned a sign on his black jersey "Scary all the time"! Haha. There were two bottles of wine for the winners.. and the boss presented one to me for organising it.. Wow.. I gave him a x on the cheek, after all it made me feel great!

Then in the mail was a parcel from an appreciative client .. a box of scorched almonds wrapped in HORSE wrapping paper. The sol's present was in pussy wrapping paper ... hmmm My nickname was Horse!! Noo noo noo noo...

And to top it all off I got a gorgeous email from one of my colleagues with a big Thank You for Being You! done in photos of his family in each letter.

Went to monthly sewing night and really enjoyed it.. (the glass of wine at work might have helped) but a few more ladies came and introduced themselves, and admired my work.

All in all it was a fantastic day because I felt 'appreciated'.

I'll put up some photos later. Back to THE BAG!

Mobile Phone Withdrawal

Seems like ages since I"ve been in to check blogs.. so busy sewing my bag.. changing my mind.. resewing.. unpicking.. but it's looking good.

My daughter has a daily column on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Six-Week-Mobile-Free-Zone

She has decided to try and go without her mobile for 6 weeks and is only up to Day 3 and feeling really cut off. Not sure I'd miss mine but I don't get many messages .. use it mainly for the time and making calls when I'm lost or want to call in and see someone and as a calender for birthdays.

Nette uses hers a lot more.. it's her diary, She can look at her work email and appointments. She's got heaps of friends and she's young. I think even though she's finding it hard she'll make it because she's stubborn so if anyone says she won't make it SHE WILL!

Sorry this is short and sweet but I only have two weeks left to finish this bag! I often wonder why I start these projects but in the end I'll be really pleased.

More Treasure

Yesterday I had nothing to do at lunchtime so ventured into an interior design store near work. I'd seen a rack of $5 sample fabric swatches through the window... do I need it... ??*** So $5 later ..... haha.. couldn't help myself... I had all these fabulous bits and pieces.. of course I've pulled them all apart and washed the sticky paper off the back... There's heaps here to make some scrappy bags and look I can use more of the gorgeous buttonsI've acquired lately. Or this using 5 inch squares... And today..I went back and bought a larger swatch of Sanderson fabric which will go with them all and this. My friend Carol recently made a bag out of similar fabric (it is a black.. photo isn't great)

I MUST NOT GO BACK TO THAT SHOP .. I MUST NOT GO BACK TO THAT SHOP!!! he he.

Visiting and Wombling

I've had a fabulous time over the weekend catching up with friends, my daughter, my Mum and seeing the play. It was "Taking Off" written by Roger Hall but directed by my daughter and it was a very real performance. It sure must have been a lot of hard work for the cast as there was noone to bounce your lines off.. four women telling their own stories about their mid life OE but all on the one stage.

And during the visits I fossicked through friends button jars and came up with a few for my bag project... these are 'rings' wink wink....I'm entering a challenge so can't let out too many secrets!!!
I love this top one... This bottom one is beautiful but I might try and clean it a little. Thats a NZ 20c beside them.

These ones are gorgeous too and will make beautiful 'rings'.

And here's some of my acquisitions today. They're all different .. I certainly don't need them all for this project but I'm planning on a little wall hanging to showcase some of them .. later.