Sunday, January 6, 2013

So not going to do it.........

....mention the weather ....except to say that every day of summer is one day closer to winter! ..but for now it is what it is and I will deal with it.......

I said goodbye to 2012 with some bubbly and chocolate......it was a pretty good year all things considered .....heres to more of the same in 2013.......


Rose wasn't very impressed with the whole seeing the New Year in thing.....I had to wake her up for the fireworks!

 
I went back to work last week after the Christmas/New Year break and as usual the lead up to Australia Day keeping me busy.....life has returned to as near normal as I can make it.....and I have  even achieved some stitching finishes for 2013!

For about 12 years I have belonged to a little group of girls who get together once a month so sit and sew or sometimes just sit and chat......we couldn't find a time that suited all of us to get together for our usual pre-Christmas lunch so it was a New Year lunch ysterday instead.....as usual it was a lovely catch up.  We always exchange gifts with the only stipulation being that some element of it is handmade......I should have pics of the gifts received......but didn't even think to take photos.....too busy gasbagging....

I (as usual) left my run until the last minute to get the gifts completed......but was pleased with the way they turned out......using some fabric purchased in New York I made place mats......

 
 
....and on Friday I found this cute pincushion pattern.......gotta love PDF patterns.....this meant it was in my hot little hands straight away and I made three of these on Friday night......The pattern is a Little Bites pattern from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co called Morsel....I love it...so many ways to make these up.....fun!
 

 
Here are the gift bags ready to go yesterday.....the little Amish minis were bought in Lancaster - I didn't make them!
 
 
I made a bit of a detour on the way home yesterday to stop off for a photo op.....the thing about living in a wine growing region is that at the height of summer when everything else is brown the vines are lovely and green......
 
 
This little guy has been making his way around various rooms of the house over the past few days ...he hadn't made it into the bedroom yet so I thoght I would re-locate him before he did......last thing I want/need  is a spider dropping off the ceiling in the middle of the night.....So on to the end of the broom he went and he was last seen scuttling away among the rocks in the garden......phew......spider re-location successful! 
 

 
Today has been spent in the sewing room cleaning and tidying ......I can see bench tops now ....not sure how long it will last....but I love "finding" things in the clean up and making a new pile of "next projects"! 
 
Til next time.............................Lorraine

20 comments:

Kris said...

It's all so beautiful!

Those pincushions must be an idea whose moment has come because I saw them the other day too. I'm so jealous of your tidy benches and pile of projects. I'm still muddling through an almost tidy room here. Almost, but not actually tidy. Have a great week!

May Britt said...

Love your little pincushion, have to look for that pattern. Want to make one or more :)

And that spider......yeaaaaak.......Luckily no spider is so big in Norway.

Joolz said...

"This little guy" she says!!!!! That is huuuuge!

I was enjoying the post right up to that last picture then I nearly had a heart attack! He would have been squished by my broom, not given an outdoor reprieve! Ugh!

You certainly made some lovely things as gifts and I bet they were appreciated.

Stay cool,

Joolz

Cardygirl said...

Love the placemats...when did you get those tags...sneaky! Stay cool dear friend and look out for spiders!

Susan said...

145 days til winter...but I'm not counting! Love your little pincushion, that pattern is popping up all over the place, and maybe at mine too soon. Cute goodie bags.

Karen said...

Wonderful placemats for your friends and with special fabric. Those little Amish mini's are adorable and look great on the bag - way to think ahead :). HOLY CRAP girl that spider gave me the shivers - YIKES - were you that calm when you say it lol.

Happy 2013

AnnieO said...

Wow, your friends are incredibly lucky with all the handmade goodies gifted them! Glad some sewing has been taking place amid the reshuffling in the workroom :) Pretty sights through your lens! Happy New Year indeed.

Sue SA said...

Ohh love the placemats and pin cushions! Both great gift ideas and I need to restock my gift box! However an Amish mini as an extra I am sure was well received!
Hmmm spider relocation doesnt happen in our house, but impressed you care for all creatures great and small.

Pat said...

Love the gifts you made. That spider is the biggest one I have eveer seen! There is no spider relocation at my house either!! Happy New year to you. I can't think of a better way to end one year and bring in the next than bubbly and chocolate.

Leanne said...

Lovely gifts. I love it when I come over the Willunga hill and see the vine all lovely and green. It is such a lovely drive. I went to Moonta last week brown all the way.

Vivian said...

Lucky friends to get these gift bags. They're wonderful, and you're so generous.
And the exact opposite of wonderful is that 8-legged guy! I'm not sure of his size, but he looks monstrous! Out is the garden is MUCH better than waiting to surprise you or Rose inside the house.

Cheryl said...

Yes, very lucky friends indeed. wonderful handmade goodies from you and represented from your travels. OMW.....that spider is HUGE!!!!! I'm running away fast!!

Lynda said...

Love the tags and the placemats you made. Hope your weather isn't too nasty. We're expecting 40+ tomorrow - pretty drastic for the south coast.

Deb R said...

Such lovely gifts!!! Love the pin cushion, now to find the pattern lol

Lady of the Cloth said...

That spider looks huge! How big was it.
Love the pin cushions

Katie said...

Yikes! That little guy doesn't look so little! :-)

FlourishingPalms said...

Ack! That's a mighty big spider! So glad you could coax it out. And love the view across your countryside. I could sit there and gaze for hours... with a glass of wine in hand, of course!

Lounging with a Latte said...

OMG that huntsman is huge...it wouldn't have lasted in our house...I'm a chicken when it comes to spiders!!

Fairy Floss Stitches said...

Great spider!...(he dosnt look little to me!).. Love the placemats in the NY fabric too Xx Lea

Anita said...

Love the placemats and the pincushion!! But YUK that spider! I wouldn't be able to relax knowing he was in the house!!