Auckland Day project

It's always a good day when you get the house to yourself for long enough to get out the sewing machine! I made linen pillows from a remnant that I got in Christchurch from Kit and Caboodle.  I am very pleased!

A blissful Saturday to escape into my knitting

You have to love a Saturday that includes a one hour massage and Debbie Bliss on the knitting needles. I am completely unaffected by the rain and loving that my kids are old enough to entertain themselves.  I made blueberry buttermilk pancakes this morning, and got out the strawberry syrup and canned whip cream. I am guilt free for 3 hours or so!  

I did finish the vest that I spoke about in a recent post. Voila! I bought the yarn from South Seas Knitting in Westmere, Aucland. 

I am 3/4 finished a pair of socks which need fitting before I close off the toes; I have half a pair of denim Opal socks to finish; and I have just started a Debbie Bliss eyelet dress for a little girl named Anna. She is about 3 months old so I have started the 6-9 month size.  Just need a little pressure to get it finished for the winter.

Happy Saturday knitting to everyone!

Marilyn

Water, water everywhere....

It's a very humid, muggy day.  It's been raining for more than 24 hours and the river banks have started to over flow.  There's a river over our driveway so my dad and Bev decided not to risk being flood victims, and have gone to the airport for an early check in. They have been traveling since September when they left on a cruise for the South Pacific.  It's been four months and they are ready to get home to Vancouver.  Vancouver is a short 12 hour flight from Auckland - direct.  They will be at the airport for 6 hours before getting on the airplane! Too bad Bev packed her knitting in her suitcase!

We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed great food together. We will miss the fresh muffins, Bev!

Since I am always a little bit down when visitors and family leave us, I thought I would roam the net for some uplifting knitting blogs.  My first hit was Canadian favorite, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (aka Yarn Harlot).  She always has something yummy on her needles and is always funny to read.  She pointed me to Fiddlehead Mittens this time. On the Hello Yarn website. I'm almost finished two knitting projects. First, Silas' Blue Sky Alpaca Suri Merino vest, then Billie's Kaffe Fassett socks, then I might have to make some Fiddlehead Mittens!!!  You've got to love a good knitting blog to cheer you up!

Suzanne's Log Cabin Quilt and My Sampler

This is the log cabin quilt that Suzanne started about a year ago.  She had to stop because we were starting a sampler quilt.  Suzanne was determined to get back to work on this quilt. It goes beautifully in her bedroom.

My Sampler Quilt

Quilting Day

We had a wonderful day with our sewing machines. It's really humid here and we're sweating while crawling around on the floor pinning the quilts together but at the end of the day, we all came out with something to show for our labour!

Take a look at Karen's quilts.  She sandwiched them with batting and backing today.  You might notice the pins.  The bright one was started 5 years ago for Hannah who is 13.  The red and white is for Suzanne.  The soft pink one is for Karen's grandchildren! One day...

What's the name of this block?

 

Irish Chain

Crazy Quilt

Project, people, or paper?

Are you a project person?  My friends might think I am, considering all the things I have on the go.  Crafts are only the start.  I have started my degree three times and abondoned it to travel overseas.  I have so many ideas for projects.  For example, I bought a 4 drawer chest of drawers 5 years ago with the intention to shabby chic it and put it in the spare bedroom. I just listed it on trademe. Now, I'm thinking I should have painted it.  The sale fell through because the people thought it should be in better nick. Better nick for an antique Queen Anne style piece of furniture with dove tail drawers and a few scratches on the top.  Perhaps I'll do it; I've got nothing to lose.  Dreaming about these projects is sometimes good enough for me.  I have friends who say that if they dream it, they do it.  I remember telling Abigail that I wanted to paint the wall unit black or white.  She said that she would have done it a long time ago.  She's right. I should have.

I might be more of a people person, though? People pleaser, actually. I am happiest when I am around people and doing projects together.  Ask Suzanne and Karen.  That makes me a combination of a project and a people person. 

My husband, on the other hand, is a paper person. Computers and books! He is happiest when he has his nose buried in a book. I think my children are both the same. How boring!

So what are you? PROJECT, PEOPLE, or PAPER?

Craft Studio

My friend has recently renovated a cottage and has made it into a beautiful Knitting Studio. She has a beautiful collection of Vintage knitting patterns, framed, on display on the walls of her knitting studio.  I have been dreaming, ever since, of my own craft studio.  All I need is an old house to renovate, $$$ and a vision! OK, maybe I should double the budget and bring in a construction team.  Here's a beauty in my sister's friend's outback in Australia.  I am most excited about the stove!  Just kidding!

Vacation Results

Billie knitting with big circular needles. She's making a bath mat.

Camping is not for the faint-hearted.  When the wind comes, the tarp is noisy and sleep is lost. Remove the tarp, and you have rain. It's not as restful as you may think but fishing and knitting in the shade is very peaceful.  Watching sunsets like this is very relaxing.

Camping in the Bay of Islands

Here we are enjoying the warm weather of summer.  We're knitting, reading books, fishing, swimming, and eating well.  This is a treat to be able to get on the internet to update my blog.  Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of where we are and what we're doing.   My dad is knitting a bath mat. Well, he's trying...

New Year's Resolutions

I've never been good at making New Year's resolutions.  But this year, I'm going to make a list of goals.  Everyone has a different approach to New Year's and most people I ask don't bother. My friend at Struan Farm has a good idea; to make a list as opposed to one resolution to stop eating. Ha!

OK, here goes my list of goals:
1) This is a given, to spend more time with my family; especially my mom!
2) To be a better listener.  My husband will appreciate that one!
3) This will give you an idea of how much I hate to exercise - to walk more.
4) To eat out less; especially avoiding fast food/takeaways.
5) To finish my diploma in 2011.
6) To work less - much less by becoming more efficient with my time.
7) To give more time to society and the community.  This is my biggest challenge.
8) To remember birthdays and send more cards, especially to family and friends in Canada.
9) To redecorate my bedroom and make myself a french country quilt!
10 To knit a LOT more and finish what I start!