Parcels in the Post

Yummy I got a present today. A while ago I won a prize for naming a calf 'Greycie' on Highway Cottage blog and I chose NZ fat quarters. here they are.. Tui's and my favourite design that I used in George's quilt for the sashings. I don't have much left so it's really great to have more of it. They go really well together. I can use them next year to make pressie's for my sister to take overseas again.

Off to Steph's tonight.. it's Wednesday and we sew but I'm not sure if I should be. My shoulders and neck are so sore today. Work is the pits. I wish I wasn't on the computer all day... even though I take breaks there's no end to it.

Two more sleeps and I'm off to Palmy... home.... friends... fun... can't wait!

The Little Things in Life

What a FABULOUS weekend it's been here weatherwise. Wow, I've got washing dry, I've had windows open , the sun has been shining for most of the last three days. It's been a holiday today in New Zealand and I'm sad it's over!!! We've had so much rain and cold weather, the sun always makes me feel happy and motivated.

Today I had my neighbours over for a cup of coffee and 3 hours later they went home!

We talked and talked. It was really neat to get to know them better. they want me to stay here forever!! Middle aged, single and quiet has to be better than flatmates, booze and parties huh!

We watched two tui's in the camelia tree just outside the lounge window. They come every day but usually late morning, or in the afternoon. I think they are getting the nectar out of the flowers so I will miss them when they stop coming. Their colours are so beautiful. Often they will sit on a branch and look at the window. I have tried to take a photo but they are too fast.

The roses in my front garden are in bud, and my rose "In loving memory" is growing well. There are no buds yet but fingers crossed. Mum was given this rose when my Dad died but the rose sulked for weeks and I thought it was going to die too. But I bought it with me and it's survived.

I've made progress on my scrappy quilt. I could have got carried away on it tonight. I had laid out the last 15 blocks... all ready to chain piece, had them all stacked ready to go and I knocked them off the desk. (something tells me I didn't need to do any more sewing tonight... everything in moderation.

Here they are all sorted out again!

I've worked out the pattern for my bag... just have to wait for more hands now (my friends' hands in fabric that is). I will make some 'little' bear paw blocks tomorrow to go around the top of the bag. Bear Paw is the clubs logo block. And the words Hand of Friendship are also on logo. It's a challenge.. to make a bag with their logo on front!! It's the little label in the front of the photo.

Four more sleeps and I'm off to Palmy to see my friend Carol and then to watch my daughters play. Nette, Mum and I will go out for dinner first and then to the show. I was in my daughter's first two plays she directed about . Steel Magnolias - made famous by Dolly Parton, and Social Climbers, a Roger Hall play. I loved the experience. It gave me a lot of self esteem, pride and strength. In fact I'm really happy acting - it's easy compared to being myself in front of others!. I know this play is going to be a success .. I think this is No 4 for Nette and I am so proud of her!

"Yes, Mum I am looking after myself!"

Selvege blog had pictures of a label quilt blocks made from old labels out of jackets, shirts etc... so I flicked over to http://empirebom.blogspot.com/ to look at the quilt made by Karen Griska. It really looks wicked. But take a look at all the buttons in the sashings.. eeekkk..

I'm taking everything a little slowly today. A bit of sewing, a break, then a bit of gardening, been to the library, bit more sewing, outside in the sun, watched DVD, bit more cutting and sewing and now checking blogs.. I'm watchingt FINDING NEMO???? (I love children's movies) and soon I'm going to work out how many more squares I need for my batik beauty. My wrists, elbows and shoulders have been very sore the last 3 days and I've been getting pins and needles in my hand .. been here done this before so have to behave. Work is so busy but I am not going to let it ruin my hands .. I NEED THEM TO SEW!

More breaks and now I'm going to have another one! Tomorrow I am going to start the bag but I wanted to make progress on the batik before I started another project.

Six more sleeps and I'm off to PN to catch up with friends for the night, and then to see Taking Off.. a Roger Hall play directed by none other than MY DAUGHTER!!! Oh my god, she never stops... I am so proud of her.

Someone's junk is someone else's treasure!

WoW Finally a blue sky in Wellington but on a Work Day!!! Grrrr.. A friend dropped in her mother's sewing 'stuff' yesterday. Boxes of old fabric and bias binding and buttons and zips galore... hmmm what to keep!! She thought it was junk! But there was treasure... look at this Myra ... wooden cotton reels .. they are so cute (Myra collects them but her collection is amazing.. big ones.. small ones... all sorts)!

Remember these.. boxes of cottons. My Mum had heaps too.And there were buttons... a friend was shopping for a button and it reminded me to look through my collection....and add to them of course.

I picked up the pretty amber coloured one (in the middle) from the recycled arts made of London Glass (says so on the back)... isn't it gorgeous.. I will have to make something to show it off.. a bag maybe...

These are mostly buttons I've picked up at op shops and recycle shops. My friend's Mum also had lots of buckles.. she used to be a dressmaker and made wedding dresses and suits.

These are very old.

Leek and Bacon Tart Recipe

My guests loved the meal and they've just left so no sign of food poisoning haha. I get so nervous about entertaining but this recipe is so easy and they loved it.

For Helen here it is.
LEEK AND BACON TART.

Slice 3 medium potatoes into thick slices and boil until cooked but not mushy. Line a 28 cm tin with potatoes.

Brown 250 g bacon until crispy

Add 1 leek sliced and cook until tender

Layer bacon and leek on top of potatoes.

Beat 5 eggs with 1/2 cup cream and 1 tbs Old English Mustard, salt and pepper and pour over top of leeks and bacon.

Grate 1 cup of tasty cheese and layer on top.

Cook at 180 for 30 minutes.

This would feel 5 or 6 people depending on how many men were eating. I added two estra potatoes, a couple slices extra bacon, and an extra egg and I had enough for 3 of us for dinner, and enough for 3 meals in the freezer. Served it with Salad, pumpkin and kumera roasties and asparagus. Had Peach Crumble for dessert which was realy nice too.

One of the girls from work called in today on her way home from her mum's ... she bought all her mum's old treasures as she's no longer able to sew garments ,,, heaps of cotton reels, a lot of wooden ones which I just love..button beautiful old buttons... an assortment of buckles in all shapes and sizes.

I've decided on my entry for the challenge bag to be finished by end November. I'll give you one clue... It's going to be a Hand bag.

Well off to bed. Work tomorrow. Maybe we'll find out more4 about the restructuring tomorrow. Nighty night everyone.

Progress

"Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day"!!

Like NEVER!!

Slippers on again, trip to town cancelled, heater on, Andre Rieu DVD and more sewing.

Visitors tonight for dinner... eek.. but I have found a recipe that is easy and yummy.. Leek and Bacon Tart.. it is so nice... was going to have salad but maybe I'll do some roasties instead since it's cold. Dessert.. maybe a peach crumble.. simple but nice! (Oh that's what I need to go to town for... ) Later.

Here's the progress so far on the batik scrappy. Last night I rang my Uncle and while we're talking I shuffled them around..... sat down... reorganised... excellent ... I'm sure I'll do a bit more before it's finished. It doesn't look quite so bright now!

So back to my sewing room.. Vacumn and cooking this avo.

see you all later!

A lovely surprise

I worked late tonight but while I was there a text arrived from my dear friend Louise from Dannevirke. She wsas in Wellington for the night so I drove into the hotel where they were staying and I had a beautiful dinner with her. /first it was breads with dipping oils and spreads.. a beautiful salmon spread and a beetrood spread.. very pink ,very easy to spread and very moreous. I had lamb bamp with baby leeks, Free too which was wonderful and thank you Louise for thinknig of me. She's going to check in on the blog from time to time now.

But the worst news.. more restructuring. And yes it will affect our departments we've been told. so time will tell.. here we go again....