Summer Days and Hot hot hot days

We are having some very HOT weather this summer, and it is testing the garden . . . and the gardener.  I have been doing a LOT of watering, which is not usually so necessary where I live, as we usually have some rain here and there to tide us over.

This beautiful hydrangea must be in just the right spot, as it hasn't "drooped" at all, like some of my others. It is a very pretty one.

I have been experimenting with scraps, but am not quite happy with what I am achieving.  Could be my work space which I'll show you further in the post!

Just wondering if anyone else has a problem with "baskets" - I can't resist them.

Here is my work space - maybe I should tidy it up and I would have more room to work, and think and plan - that seems such a tedious task though - I'd rather be sewing.  MUM, I need your help!

Now this mother bird is having a final sit for the season.  I think it is too hot.  She has 5 eggs under there, and they were due to hatch yesterday.  There was nothing tonight, so I will keep a close watch tomorrow.  I have boiled some chicken eggs for them to feed to the babies, if they hatch.

This is one of the little babies from Christmas time.  They looked like little dinosaurs, and now all fluffy and cute.  They grow so quickly.  There's been 10 babies hatch and survive.  I've had a couple of fatalities - they don't all survive.

Another Christmas Baby!

Hardy Aggies - oldies, but goodies . . .

. . . and this was one of my "pot luck" roses I bought in the winter for $5.  I am thrilled with the flower. I think a Double Delight.

Vegi Garden make over tomorrow - expected temperature much lower

. . . a familiar sight at my back door - my Christmas Gloves have already worn a hole ~

. . . another Christmas Baby

Summer Knitting

My mum is the official "Queen of Machine Knitting"
I am very new to this hobby, but already I have my second machine.

At Christmas time I had lots and lots of lessons on how to drive this fancy machine.  It does all sorts of patterns and stitches, so I have lots of learning ahead.

Mum said I had to jump straight in and make a garment, so . . .

a waistcoat it was to be.  Lots of giggles, and late nights later, we came mighty close to finishing.

I still have to sew in a couple of loose ends.
I will post the finished garment sooooooon

Thanks to Marlene (the Queen's Accomplice) - for helping secure the new machine, and sharing so generously, some of her stash.

Images of an Australian Christmas

As I took these photos of our Australian Christmas, I wondered to myself, if the images were any different all around the world.  There is Christmas Craft - the Knitted Pudding that mum made, and is filled with little chocolates - a tradition that is a favourite with us all - treasured ornaments, shortbread, the salads with lunch and then the blooms from the garden . . . ooops, I missed the snoozing after lunch, the book reading and the table decorations!

 

 

 

 

 

Where we went for Christmas, it was HOT, but the blooms didn't disappoint.  I am blessed to come from a family of gardeners - just thinking, what would be a good collective noun for gardeners?  Any ideas??

Deck the Halls with Bells and Holly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaa

This little bird is signing off for Christmas and heading home to her mummy.
Wishing everyone a happy time with family and friends

Ta Daaa!

 

 

 

 

Here it is!  All finished and had a couple of trips into the world.
I like it - I like it
Work finished today and I am excited to be on HOLIDAYS!

It started with an old pair of boots

 Well, actually, it started with another bag I was making for a friend of a friend, for a Christmas Present.  I was so impressed with the new bag I'd made, that I started dreaming of a new one for me.  My current bag has flannellete panels, which is very Wintery . . . well, that's what I told myself for justification!

 I have been hoarding these old worn out boots from a couple of seasons ago. I loved them dearly, so tucked them away in the cupboard thinking that surely I could make something out of them one day.

 The day arrived this week.  I had a rush of inspiration and some new Liberty fabric that I couldn't resist.  I will post another picture of the finished product.  A few nights in the making and my Summer Edition Handbag will be complete.

 This is just a little taste of the other bag, just in case any sneaky peaky eyes are looking!!!

 . . . and I'm still madly obsessed with my birds.  Just fascinating to watch