Saturday, December 27, 2014

What I Posted!


Just a couple of gifts l sent off to my partner Sharyn for the SSS.   Silly me didn't take a picture of all the goodies together.

Made her a stocking and filled it with treats.

Two hand towels, coat hanger cover, knitted slippers a scarf , Chicken  pin cushion.
Think there may have been a couple of Christmas Decorations for the tree also.

Had such a great time making everything.
Such a fun event.

Cruise New Zealand Port 5


Akaroa Harbour:  what a beautiful place to visit. Could see myself sitting back looking at this view everyday.

Activities in the area: Tranz Alpine Express, Arthur's pass, International Antarctic Centre, Canterbury Plains, Waimakarri River, The Giant's House, Hector's dolphins and of course the town its self.


Quaint little coastal town.
Modern townhouses mixed with old worldly charm.

Such a peaceful inlet surrounded by lush green mountains. About 3 hours coach trip from Christchurch.
Which apparently is still struggling to recover.

 St Patrick's church.
Street Performer: Very clever magic tricks and comedy, sat and enjoyed the show out of the fresh NZ air.  The prices in the local stores skyrocket when the boats come through.
Streets have great statues sprinkled around town. Lovely parks and gardens.
This was the only way on and off the ship. A 15 min ride by tenders, quite an experience. You didn't want to be outside or near the entrance as it was cold and the splashing from the boat, well you would get wet.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Santa Sack Swap 2014.


 These are the lovely goodies that came in the post for the Santa Sack Swap. 1. Arm chair caddy.
2. Diary with pen.
3. Two Flat Fats. Which will be perfect for my granddaughters fat quarter bag.
 4. A small purse to hold many little sewing bits.
 5. Santa Sack Bag for transporting wine to friends houses.
 6. Last but not least this lovely Christmas table runner, which is sitting on the entry hall table, to greet all who come through.
Thank you Chez for hosting such a wonderful event.

 Thank you Sharyn for your lovely thoughtful gifts.

Little Peach House.


So very lucky to have won this lovely embroidery hanging (Little Peach House)  from Mac Donald's Patch  for her blogs 5th Birthday giveaway celebrations.    Such a gorgeous little gift.
Sorry l did not post sooner but life has been busy here.  At the moment the little hanging is sitting on my bakers stand in the family room.  Thank You again Christine.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Christmas Stockings For Christmas.


 As everything l seem to do lately,  l start making someone a gift, then turns in to making many of the same gifts for others. Just wish l knew before l start. Then l could have an assembly line going.  The first three Christmas stockings were made for my new Grandchildren.

The next two are made for my nephews who live on the Mornington  Peninsular in Victoria. I have recently made outfits for their sisters.  So l thought it only fitting that they should also receive something in the mail.




This one was made for a friends Grandchild who also lives in Melbourne.  I am still waiting on pompoms or ric rac to complete the last four for the boys.


All six are pictured here before they are sent on there way. Hopefully before Christmas.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Quiet Night With Friends

 Quiet night sitting sewing watching television whilst electrical storm was in full force. The light show went on for hours, pity there was no real rain.
We desperately need rain here the grass is crunching beneath our feet.

Feel for the farmers out there trying to feed their stock. Nothing green to see here.

Any way l pulled out this project which l had forgotten l had.  Now that l have been reacquainted l am determined to complete, asap.       Hope you all got something started or completed.




Thursday, November 20, 2014

Ruby's Little Christmas Dress.

Little Miss Ruby will be receiving her new sun dress just in time for Christmas day. She will look adorable.
Made from left over fabric from Grace's dress.

The Pattern is a Kookaburra Design called Sunday Dress.

I found the dress to use quite a bit of  fabric.  l would tend to reduce the amount of gathering, it is a lot and makes the dress waist a tad bulky.  In the larger sizes.
But simple and easy to put together. As you can see from previous post you can add your own individual touches.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Cruise New Zealand 4th Port.


Arrived Wellington  ready to go, walked into town from port about 15 mins.

This ball is hanging outside Information center. Can not remember the name or why it has been placed there. But looked really cool just the same.

Went to the Museum (Papa Museum of New Zealand) spent at least 1 hour there could have stay longer but we are on a time limit.

Despite the steep hills, the city can be explored on foot, Kelburn cable car, stairways and foot paths climb the slopes from the city center. We chose to ride the cable car to the top.   Looking out at this great view from the botanical gardens.

 Instead of returning by cable car we decide to walk through the gardens to the bottom at least 30-40 mins.  As long as you follow the red line.

As you can see by this beautiful plant below some flowers were beginning to come out to play in the sun.

The lushness of the ferns in the rain forest was exceptional. Looking down the cafe below.
The Bee Lady. 1994.

Alison Clouston (1957)

Displayed in the Civic Square as part of the Wellington International Festive of the Arts. The bee lady was donated to the city by an anonymous benefactor.  The bee lady was carved out of a eucalyptus (gumtree) that was blown down in a storm in the Blue Mountains (West Sydney).





The Parliament buildings crown a knoll near Lambton Quay. The 1922 Edwardian Parliament House and the 1897 neo-Gothic Library contrast with the Beehive - the Executive Wing. Which was opened by the Queen Elizabeth in 1977.








Even though we arrived to find that there were no tours of Parliament House, we were lucky enough to be there when the Speaker of the House was off to the Governors to be served with the warrants.

John Key and his party would be sworn back in the next day.

This made my Hubby's day.




Took a taxi to the top of Mt. Victoria.  As we needed to return back to the ship and running out of time once again.  Was a glorious view, pity we couldn't stay and soak it all in.

By the end of the day, l for one was glad to be driven back to the ship, as my feet and legs had been over walked this whole trip.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Sundresses For Little Angels.


 Another Sundress for the lovely Grace, my youngest niece.  She is going to look so pretty in pink.

The next dress is for the beautiful Miss Abbey my Granddaughter. Thought l would make her a patchwork sundress. Think it turned out really good, l also fully lined this dress.

Used up some of  my 3.5 inch scrap squares, always looking for ways to reduce my stock.  The best thing about making your own clothes is that they are one of a kind....some of the fabrics used in this dress are scraps from previous dresses made for her, wonder if she will notice.

Only two more dresses to make by the end of next week.



Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Sundress For Grace

Thought l would have a little play in my sewing room today.

Made this dress for my little niece Grace. I think it looks very summery.  Cut out a second one, will attempt to make it up on Friday night.  Pattern was purchased at the Quilting Angel last week.

Pattern is a Kookaburra Design.


Monday, November 10, 2014

Cruise New Zealand Port 3


 Napier Top Tastes Tour, remember this flyer. On every tour you seem to encounter a hiccup or two this was ours.  First we paid for a 3 hour tour, which would leave us with 2 hours at the end to look around town afterwards. Have a late lunch do some shopping etc.

My DH jokingly said to the driver upon hopping on the bus do we get a map, then said no need you know where we are going. hahaha!

Off we all went 30 people in the bus got a running commentary from the driver as we traveled along country roads, putting his interpretation of history.  That's right he was changing the history books as we went. We arrived at out first stop Cape Kidnappers all hoped off for a toilet stop  half hour into our trip.  Upon getting back on the bus he counted every one and said, lets get going. My hubby called out that two people were not on yet. Just as well he had taken note that the people opposite had not yet returned. With everyone now back on we continued our tour.


 The wine tasting next stop after a long scenic tour of more country side we arrived to view from the street the Craggy Range Winery photo stop only. (NO Taste). Was told they no longer do tastings. Wrong.
 Continued on we were heading up to the top of this mountain (Te mata peak) to view the whole area upon arriving at the gate were told that it had began to fog in and was now to dangerous to continue and would have to turn back. (No View)
At this rate we should arrive back an hour early.

 We drove into Hastings for city tour for yet another toilet stop.  We went to the strawberry farm. ( No Strawberries to taste). Drove straight past  Arataki Honey. (No Honey tasting). Silky Oaks Chocolate Factory. ( No Tasting).   Drove straight passed Mission Estate (Photo Stop).
Had a photo stop at the National Tobacco Company.  Thank goodness (No Tasting). hahaha. Historical building.  photo stop.
We arrived back an hour plus late had no time to look around town and get back to the ship before departing.  Tour took over 4 hours.
We were not happy so we went to cancel the next days tour which we had per paid for the following day in Wellington. After lengthy discussions we received a full refund for both tours.    Our bus driver had taken us on the wrong tour.


Saturday, November 8, 2014

FNWF. Productive Night.


Well had a productive night, manage to make not quite two Christmas stockings for the grandchildren. Have two more to go not sure who's name to put on the red and blue one. Is it suitable a fourteen year old or a four year old male. Will sort that one out later.
Thank you for the company last night really enjoyed catching up on all the gos. Catch you next time round. Don't forget to send me that recipe. lol.