Box Swap

A little while ago, I joined a Box Swap organised by Cass. She filled a box full of crafty stuff, and sent it off to the list of players. When you got the box, you had to choose 3 things to keep, and put 3 things back in. This is what I have put in the box - some pattens, a little bit of fabric goodness, and a little needle case. ...this is what I took out - a little fabric bucket, some key chain thingies and a lovely Mother Goose book. The box is off and on it's way again, and this time is heading for Tasmania. Travel well little box, and enjoy the ride. Thanks Cass for organising it.
For those who enjoyed my picture of a grevillia on my last post, this is another one I found on my beach holiday weekend.
. . . and this was a beautiful Tea Tree flower.
8 degrees here tomorrow - brrrrrrr

Part One

Part One of my holidays is over. I have had my BIG trip home to the farm and it's not just me that loves to garden. I share the passion with both of my sisters and my mother.
This afternoon I head off for a "girls weekend" to a coastal shack.

In between times, I have prepared for planting a front fence (I ache all over) and am about to embark on the first coat of paint for a feature wall in my sewing room. I have told Mr Flowergarden that I only get a 2 week window of opportunity, so am going about 200 miles an hour on everything, much to his horror!! He is hiding out at his factory at every opportunity!
I love this grevillia from my sister's garden, and am going to plant one forthwith . . . if I can find a vacant spot somewhere.

Holidays

I have survived a 12 week term with my Grade Ones and now I have been rewarded with 2 glorious weeks of holidays - oh, the joys of being a teacher. I am heading north today with 3 children on board to visit Granny and Pa and my 2 sisters. See you when I get back...

The kindness of Bloggers

I've often read about the kindness of bloggers, and I have witnessed it first hand with M.Kate
A lovely parcel from Malaysia
A sarong from her cupboard that she thought I could use in my sewing projects rather than it sit unused in her cupboard.
Much appreciated

Buckets of fun

To my delight, yesterday, while I was deep in the depths of my sewing room, 2 of my children seemed to be happily getting along.

I was so excited when they called me out for a "show"

They had made all the characters and several backdrops and it was just fantastic.

Bravo!

While they were doing that, I was getting rather addicted to Jodies Sewing Buckets. They are just so easy to make, and I found this little birdie pattern in one of my (thousands of) magazines. I thought I'd give it a try.

This has changed my life . . .

Hands up who owns a slow cooker?

I have been wanting one for AGES and finally bought one. I can tell you now you get heaps more sewing time. I have put the dinner on already, and won't have to go back to the kitchen until it's tea time. Sorry to those who love cooking, but I would much prefer to be in my sewing room, or out in my garden.

Lucy Locket Quilt Swap

Can you imagine my surprise and delight when I went to the post office to collect an overseas parcel and then when I got home there was another overseas parcel waiting for me. Thanks go to Lucy and Clara for 2 lovely mini quilts. Lucy also sent me some ribbon bits which was great,

and some goodies were in with Clara's too. Thanks girls. It made for a great finish to a long week.

Lucy even inluded a little "chick chick" in the corner of hers, and I was very pleased to see it.
It occurred to me that I have forgotten to blog about Jodie and my Craft at Work challenge for a little while. Each Tuesday and Thursday we meet in the Library and do a little stitching to wrinkle out the stresses of the day.
As we are only able to complete this project "at work" we have both made little bags to carry our challenge work, and if we get really itchy fingers at home, we are allowed to embroider onto our bags. So far I have put 2 little birds on my bag, and last Tuesday I actually forgot to take my new stitching piece, so I started some more bag work.

As well as it being second last week of term, we had a special Warm and Fuzzy week with the staff. My buddy was a "train watcher" so I made this little bucket from Ric Rac's tutorial."I can't wait . . . for the weekend to begin . . ."

This is . . . where I create

Thanks to Michelle for this week's theme and the our Hostess Three Buttons

Just looking at my space in a collage, I am getting the feeling that it is quite a busy little place. Mr Flowergarden almost needs sunglasses to enter my room . . . and a strong cup of coffee. He only comes in on invitation and only every now and then.

Perhaps that's why I love to get out into my garden to have that contrast of peace and calm

Not that I'm not totally in peace surrounded by all my treasures and lots and lots of fabric!