Today's Projects

Today, in between ironing, cleaning bathrooms, washing, making hats and pillowcases for Coulter & Coulter, I actually managed to get a couple of my own projects done. I decided I wanted to use for myself one of the vintage furnishing fabrics I acquired for Coulter & Coulter. I dithered a bit about what to make, cushions or a skirt. In the end I managed with a bit of pattern squishing to get one skirt, see below, and two cushion fronts cut out and ready to sew. The first item of clothing I have made for myself for years and years. I really enjoyed drafting the pattern from scratch and having it turn out exactly as I wanted. Now if there was an easy way to get rid of my spare tyres live would be slightly more perfect.

I also had time to sew up another cushion I have had cut out ready to go for weeks. The fabric I used is the last piece of one of my favourite Ikea fabrics.

That really can't be that comfortable!

At my front door is a wood basket full of twisty willow twigs. This morning there seemed to be a bit of a commotion out there. I could not see anything when I first glanced to see what was going on.
Then something in the bottom of the basket twitched. Mad Rana the cat had decided to sleep in among the twigs, almost as if she had made herself a nest, daft cat.

Evening Stroll

I love this time of year when the evenings draw out, and I can go for a walk after clearing the tea dishes.

Pretty Little Things

On my treks around Op Shops looking for bargains, I have come across a couple of pretty little things. Which I have to sneak into our house. The first one is a very useful pretty thing. Only $2 for the pretty tin box full of pencils.

The second one is a neat little Italian trinket box another $2.

And to match the trinket box, found in a totally different Op Shop, a tiny little thing for putting my earrings in.

And last but not least, a tiny little jug from Holy Island. I could not resist. Who would have thought that, in an Op Shop in Napier, I would find a jug all the way from Northumberland. Another $2.

Today's Daisy and Springing into action - yeah right

Last week my car broke down, well it did not really break down, it just made a very, very loud squealing noise continuously. I am very lucky I can work at home, so getting to work is not an issue. Usually I drive my son to school, for a couple of days I had to walk him to school and back. And I really, really enjoyed it.

Snow capped mountains.

Blossom on the magnolias.

And young green leaves that have just unfurled. How could I not enjoy it. I vowed to do it again even after my car was fixed. That was a week ago and life has taken over once more, there has just not been enough time. Next week I hope there will be.

Sunset in a Spring garden

Although my garden does not have stunning views of lakes and mountains, that we enjoyed last weekend, there is nothing like a Spring Evening as the sun sets. Just wandering around my garden and seeing whats starting to appear again.

Enjoying the golden light filtering through branches.

The calla lillies and the helebores I planted last year are flowering and look amazing.

The flowering quince is also looking amazing as usual.

Just in case you have not had enough snaps of Taupo........

While waiting for Peter I took some more snaps of the lake.

And some of its inhabitants.

And more views. Ok, think I am finished now, you will be glad to hear.

Chilling, chilling, chilling and more chilling

An amazing view, don't you think. Wouldn't it be great to just spend the weekend sitting looking at it. That's exactly what I have been doing this weekend. Peter had to attend a conference in Taupo and some friends of ours lent us their holiday home for the weekend.
Above is the view from the bedroom, I could really get used to waking up to this every morning.
On the estate around the house there were lots of amazing walks down to the lake shore.
There was even a small friendly dog called Rusty to accompany us on our walk.

We meandered along the side of the lake.

Through the native trees.

With even more glimpses of the lake.

Peered into small caves.

Then sat in the evenings watching the sunset drinking a glass of wine.

All my stresses just flowed away, I was so relaxed.

So relaxed that while I was waiting for Peter to finish his conference, I sat in the bar of the hotel drinking wine and doing nothing. Two things I have never done. I have never ever gone into a bar by myself. And I never ever sit and do nothing. I was really impressed with myself that I could manage the sitting still and actually enjoy it.

Todays Daisy

Today's daisies, knitted daisies, have popped up on trees around Napier. A bit of knitting graffiti has been going on.

Even a knitted mermaid.

An alien looking piece of knitting.

And at the end of the street a welcome to any Canadians that are in Napier for the Rugby World Cup.

Wrong time

Opposite the building I work in one of the pohutukawa trees is in full bloom. The rest will probably not bloom till Christmas.

Todays Daisies - Enjoying Winter Sunshine

I really enjoyed the sunshine at lunchtime, so did the daisies, the butterflies and the bees.

Random Napier Windows

Some random Napier windows, just because.