What did I do today?

Today was a rather busy day with comings and goings. Monday and Tuesday I work at home, but it opens me up to more distractions LOL.

First thing was a blood test at 7.30 am. I HATE needles. One of the worst things about being pregnant with the boys was knowing I would have to have regular blood tests. Although I went through pregnancy number one with no immunity to Rubella. I had had this as a child and thought I was automatically immune.......but you can lose your immunity. That was scarier than needles and I avoided crowds. Great excuse to get out of the grocery shopping each week.  I combined that trip with stocking up on bread from the bakery and sneaking books back before the library opened. 

Later on I did an emergency mini grocery shop, posted parcels and detoured to my 2 favourite op-shops. Picked up an interesting book for my sister Mrs HMM who is into genealogy.

When I got home I spent the rest of the day attached to the sewing machine.

My faithful Elna workhorse.

It's lucky I love to sew as I have a rather large order of Baby Born clothes I am working on for a kindergarten. I don't feel I can do any of "my stuff" until it's done. Chipping away at it, one outfit at a time.

I plan on sitting down to watch Desperate Housewives and knit a few rows.

Have a great Monday evening!

Goodbye from Spock our kitten, one of our five cats....eeek!!

Hooray for Friday!!

You've got to love Fridays!! I only work 3 days a week- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but I still love them. Today I posted 2 orders I have been working on sewing over the last week or so. One for a woman who has rediscovered her CPK doll and one for a little girl. I also included a little mystery gift as well. I hope they have fun playing with their new clothes.

Baby Alive Order

CPK Order

I always wanted to be able to paint or draw, but I can't do either. So I have translated my artistic frustration into sewing dolls clothes, knitting and cross stitch. I need to do something each day that lasts longer than the housework.

After work I got to hang out with my lovely sister Mrs HMM. We are trying to plan a craft afternoon tea each Friday after school pick up. Today she was working on a cross stitch and I was knitting a hot pink jacket for my Blythe doll. Blythe is a new member to the family and I'm in love LOL.

Mrs HMM also bought my Mollie Makes magazine which she gets put aside at her local book shop. Special treat this month is a delicious calendar. We pored over the inspiring crafty contributors, hoping some may rub off on us.......

Mollie Makes Issue Eight

Bonus Calendar

Well I'm off to have a straighten up in my craft room, so I can be productive tomorrow. I am very spoilt to have my own room in the house which is just for me. Although I'd hate to say how far my craft supplies would explode around the house if I didn't. Wishing you all a great start to the weekend!! 

Don't you just love home baking!!

Well last night I found myself with nothing in the tins for school lunches the next day. Don't you just love being able to whip up a batch of biscuits? I was using the oven for home made pizzas, so I pulled out the trusty Edmonds book and made a batch of Hokey Pokey Biscuits.

Yumm, Hokey Pokey Biscuits from the Edmonds book

Recipe for Hokey Pokey Biscuits:

125 g butter                                   1.5 cups white flour

1/2 cup sugar                                 1 t baking soda

1 T golden syrup

1 T milk 

Combine butter, sugar, golden syrup and milk in a pot. Heat until butter is melted and mixture nearly boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm. Sift dry ingredients and add to cooled mixture. Stir well. Roll into small balls and flatten with floured fork.

Bake at 180'C for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Watch them disappear LOL.

March 2012 NZ Gardener magazine

My copy of the this months New Zealand Gardener magazine arrived in the post yesterday. I love this magazine and recommend it to all gardeners, just starting or experts. You can use your Fly Buys to purchase a subscription. Once it's opened it will be consumed from cover to cover until next months arrives. I get a bit overwhelmed with everybodys garden abilities, but I figure everybody has to start somewhere, right? 

6 Felt Decorations from Feltworks Dimension Kit

As promised here are all 6 of my finished felt decorations. They were a delight and a challenge to complete, but well worth it. They came in a Feltworks kit from Dimensions. I have a felt garland to work on, but I'm trying to inspire sister Mrs HMM to join me in my pain.

January Challenge Brittercup Designs Michelle M Lash

Here is my January decoration from my darling Sister's year long challenge for the two of us. My 11 year old Niece is also participating as well. Inspiring that it has started her on her stitching journey in life, who knows where it will lead. I was probably about her age when I started my love affair with all things crafty.

Well, time to go and put the tea on for the family. I have the TV reserved for 9.30 pm, when I'll sit down and relax in front of Project Runway. About the only programme I watch and can't miss. So off to "make it work"...........

A year on from the February 22nd Quake

Christchurch Cathedral Before Earthquakes

 

Christchurch Cathedral After Earthquakes

Well, it's been one year on from the devasting quake that rocked our world here in Christchurch. Our poor old house has stood up remarkably well considering what she's been through. We are some of the lucky ones with hopefully only cosmetic damage and a chimney which had to be removed. After the February quake we suffered liquefaction which kind strangers helped us shovel up. My boys have had to share their school with another school, but still got to go to their own school.

On the day of the quake my eldest son had just come home from school and I didn't work that day. My youngest son was with my sister and her family, so I felt sure he would be safe. At the time your mind races and you go into survival mode. Where's the husband, will Mum be ok. Sister, brother,  brother in law and their children, are they OK? People you work with, what's happened to them? Then it's the practicalities of dealing with no power, phone, water and therefore toilet. Trying to contact people. Marvelling at the liquefaction you are seeing for the first time.  

A year on my Sister and Mother are still living with the uncertainty of what will happen to their homes. This adds stress to their every day lives not knowing and being able to plan for a future at the moment. It is very frustrating not being able to help them get the answers they need.

I think you become more grateful for the things you previously took for granted and thankful for what you do have. All our family and friends survived, both my husband and my jobs are OK. Our home is repairable and our neighbourhood hasn't changed too much.

When I look at the CDB in town, I feel sad for the buildings that have been destroyed, but they are only buildings. Christchurch has fortitude and we will rebuild and be better and stronger than before. Out of the ashes........

I say a special prayer for the people who have lost loved ones, homes, jobs and their way of life through these cruel quakes. I also extend a huge thank you to everybody in New Zealand and around the world who took the time to care.

 

My sister says I'm boring LOL

Felt Christmas Ornaments

Well my little sister Mrs HDM (see side bar) says I'm boring because I haven't blogged for such a long time. She has checked me out each day since my first post way back in September 2011 and found me sadly lacking. With her finally starting her own blog I have decided to be brave and rejoin the world of blog. Can't be outdone by your little sister!

This year she has started us on the exciting journey of stitching Christmas ornaments. She has been very organised and set out 12 for this year, one for each month. These are to be a secret to me and at the beginning of each month a new project will be revealed.

This has also had the added bonus of making me want to finish some of many of the unfinished projects I have had lying (hidden) around the house. I have been in craft denial for too long. I hope to blog about the Chritmas ornaments as I finish them and my UFOs at the same time.

Above is 4 of a set of 6 cute felt decorations that have been living here for about 2 years. I have now finished them and I will post an updated picture soon.

Jennifer Pudney Embroidery

 This is a jennifer Pudney embroidery which managed to hide out for probably 10 years. It feels so good to have it finished and framed.



I'll update you on the Christmas ornaments soon.