GARDENING AND SWAPPING

 

I have found muscles and joints that didn't exist before yesterday!!!

 

8 bags of green rubbish cleaned out of mums pothouse and side garden!! This is why I know I have new joints and muscles today!!

 

Pothouse nice and clean and accessible. Still have to get heaps of potting mix to repot quite a few plants and to top up some pots.

 

My gardening offsider, Little Nathan, head down b... up in mums side garden. We couldn't walk down there without fighting the branches etc. I let the hose just run for half an hour in 4 different spots - the water just soaked away - mum hasn't been able to do anything for about 5 weeks and probably won't be able to do much outside again - so I have the job of getting the front and back gardens into shape (more soil, mulching and watering systems) as she loves to look out and see her plants.

 

 

These hibiscus flowers are on the one bush - it flowers for months every year and always has whole white and whole pink flowers - sometimes even 2 toned. It has been in the garden for about 20 years and catches the eye of everyone - especially if you park in the driveway next to it and have to climb out through the branches!!! I actually was twisting out the drivers window to get these photos - it would have been much easier to reverse the car back and get out!!!

 

On their way to someone somewhere in Australia - my Australia day Swap presents - this tested the brain cells - that was until I have seen what others have sent and I wonder if I have any brain cells working at all!!! Something for each letter of Australia - so easy when you see others efforts!!!

You can read all about Julie's Australia Day Swap HERE - I am all organised for the 2016 Australia day Swap Julie!!

 

Pledgging, Partying and sewing!!

 My first complete start and finish for 2015!!!

 

The January project for the SAL 2015.

 

Completed stitchery made into a gift bag!

 

I am participating in this again this year

There is only a few days left to sign up - which you can do HERE This is great way of finding wonderful new to you blogs and make those beautiful blog friendships!!

 

 

Shimika had another stay over and made another pillow case - she is the 3 child in a family of 4 girls and 2 boys - I think she gets lost in amongst all the goings on at home - she likes coming to stay as she has our full attention and gets to do some of the things she likes and there isn't time for at home.

 

Swap Pledge!!!

 

I, Kerrie - Channelbank Creations

.. will try my utmost...

· To always swap on time.

· To always email a THANK YOU to my partner.

· To be considerate and thoughtful when choosing a gift.

· To give my partner the quality of gift that I would like to receive.

· To communicate when it’s required.

· To NEVER over commit and let a partner down.

· To advise the swap mama when I receive my gift.

 

This I sewomly pledge....

 

 

 



Back Into The Grind!

 

24th December 2014 came and I shut down anything that required me to exert any energy!!! Christmas Day was spent at home - we went from being on our own to having one son and family for lunch, another son and partner during the afternoon and a third son and tribe (6 kids) for dinner. It was still a quiet and lazy day which we both needed. Boxing day I spent in bed because Rheis and Ollie in true Christmas spirit shared their tummy bug with me that they had the day before xmas!!!

 

Since then I have done a lot of nothing much. Staying home and doing a bit of sorting (doesn't matter how much I get rid of there is still a lot that can go), spending a lot of time with mum as she has been quite ill but is on the mend now.

 

So some photos of my shut down time!!

 

 

The extent of my Christmas decorating this year - two little displays in the loungeroom featuring the beautiful swap gifts that Peg and Illene made for me!! Thank you ladies!

 

Not much to pack away this year!!

 

 

Stewing fresh apricots for the freezer - jam to come next.

 

This why I hate summer - see that - 3.30pm and 47deg under our back porch; 6pm and it had dropped to 44deg!! This was on the 2nd Jan. I truly am a winter person - cool, damp and dreary that's me!!

 

 

A fresh ripe peach off our own tree - planted 18 months ago - we had enough to last Greg and I one week!!!

 

The only sewing I have done since well before Christmas - Granddaughter Shamika stayed overnight and wanted to make something - so a pillowcase it was. She was only half way through making it when Nathan came to pick her up so I finished it for her. She and her eldest sister are coming to stay overnight through the week so I guess I will be doing some more sewing!! I have decided from this little effort that I will make a pile of novelty pillowslips for the birthday box this year - the kids love them.

 

I have been doing a couple of rows a day on this crochet blanket - I started it 2 years ago but Adam's pup tangled up the big ball of wool and I couldn't be bothered doing anything with it back then. I sat and spent 2 hours untangling the wool and have started working on it again. I am using 2 yarns of 8ply so it is heavy and a little slower going than what I am used to.

 

 

And this is what I started on New Years Day!! I have been planning to do a Ripple Blanket for a long time so I am doing it now!! This I also do a couple of rows a day on - I have completed 2 colour sets now.

I have been cruising around everyone's blogs and watching everyone getting right into their stitching this year - some even finishing quilt tips and stitcheries. Not me, nope, this little black duck has really had a shut down period - but all of that is about to change!!!

 

 

I have joined Chooky's SAL - a new quilt from Anni at Hatched and Patched which hasn't been released yet - I am going to have to get myself organised to meet the monthly deadlines on this one.

I have also joined Cheryl's initial heart swap and Jewells' Aussie day Swap. That will keep me busy for a while I think.

 

 

This is the baby of the family - he was a bit bored on Christmas day and found my new camera - just a bit pleased with himself I think!!!

 

A selfie with dad who was snoozing away!

 

And poor little Sasha didn't know what was going on. I would often find selfies of this child when he was younger on my camera or phone!!

 

That about wraps it up for me. A busy week this week sorting out a couple more rooms and spending a fair bit of time with mum. I may even get a little sewing done - my sewing table is clear and I can actually walk into the room and just sit down and sew!! It happens sometimes.

Have a great week everyone!!

 

 

 

 

 



HAPPY CHHRISTMAS and 2015 SWAP SIGN UPS

 

So close to Christmas and tomorrow will be super busy - we have gone from being on our own all day to 3 of our sons and families coming to join us for a while. I think I have 2 for lunch so that will mean heaps more vegies and desert, and the other coming for dinner so that will mean heaps more salad and desert!!! Our eldest son has just moved 4 hrs away last weekend so they will be staying put for Christmas. It will be bittersweet for us all being the first Christmas without Naomi, but we will have 7 grandies to keep us all busy.

 

And it is that time of the year when some of our swap mummas are getting their registrations organised for their first swaps of 2015

 

VALENTINES DAY INITIAL HEART SWAP

 

Chez has put the call out for her yearly swap to start the year off. You can read all about it and register over HERE!!!

 

This is a great swap to start the year off with!!

 

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI! OI! OI!

 

Julie is again running her Australia Day Swap!! So if you want to play a part in some sort of good old "mate ship" and show some kindness to a fellow person and give some lovin' pop over to HERE and sign up!!!

 

Both swaps are a lot of fun!!!

 

To each and every one of my bloggy friends - thank you for all of your love, support and kind words and gestures through out 2014  and

 

my very best wishes for a happy, peaceful Christmas shared with loved ones and treasured friends!!

May 2015 bring to you Good Health, Much happiness, heaps of Fun and Lots of Laughter!!!!

 

 



MY SWAP PRESENTS FROM PEG

 

Soooooo SPOILT again!!! This time from the lovely PEG who was my Swap sender/partner in the 'Let's Stitch Together' Swap online group hosted by Marie (this is the groups last swap as the group is closing).

 

 

I remember commenting on Peg's blog post about this sewing machine cover - never thinking it would be coming my way!!! It is very comfortable in it's new home and doing it's job very well!!

 

3 delightful Christmas ornaments - now to find a place for them!!

And look at that stack of fabric!!! Beautiful coordinating prints and colours - the thinking cap is on - what can I make for myself from these!!!

 

Something yummy to eat - and I love soft jelly lollies!!!

A cute little snowman hanger/table topper and one of Peg's trademark covered journal/diaries (mine is 2015 diary - and I usually have three diaries in operation!!!)

 

A beautiful angel wall hanging; a sweet little pincushion with scissors in their own holder; some embroidery thread and a beautiful pattern.

 



 

And the wall hanging from the Gail Pan '..........................' book - all members of the group had to choose one of two designs and make a wall hanging for their partner. This is such a sweet design. 

I told you I was spoilt didn't I!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU dear Peg - I love them all.  I have been a little naughty and have opened all of the gifts - Karah wanted to see what I had received - she was very impressed!!

There was also a cup filled with coffee sachets (no photo because I forgot to take one!!) - it has been used several times and a couple of the sachets have already been used because I forgot to buy coffee yesterday!!

 

Rheis and I drove Karah to Coonabarabran on Saturday. We left here on Saturday morning at 4.45am and arrived back home at 7.15pm. A long day but it wasn't too bad - I didn't have to drive at all - Rheis did all of that - I can remember (because I do have some brain cells still working in my old age!!) being able to drive all day when my children were little; but those times have long gone - I get tired very quickly now. We stopped twice going up and twice coming back - bought ourselves something to eat and a drink and went and sat in a park for 20 mins - that broke the trip for us and made the travelling a bit easier.

I am thinking that the next trip will be over a few days and I will stop off and catch up with some of my bloggy friends on the way!! A little bit of socialising will make the trip much easier I am sure!!

 

That's it from me - have a great week everybody!!

SWAP TIME - it comes around so fast!!!

 

I have plodded my way through the last 6 months of this year - and the swaps I have been a part of have been hard work - that is until they have arrived at their destination (a bit late). And then I am on a high - especially after opening my swap parcels which of course have been here from well before the posting date!!

 

yesterday was opening day for the Secret Santa Swap hosted by CHERYL . My partner was ILLENE and wasn't I spoilt. A big fat parcel of swappy goodness!!!

 

 

Now see the scissors and fob.... well the fob is actually a brooch - now how clever is that!! Sweet pincushion and very handy needle case.

 

Beautiful covered pattern folder (I will need to make some more of these if I ever get my sewing room organised!!) with a pattern for a rather cute mug rug!!

 

Now get a look at this gorgeous bundle - scarf, tote bag and beautiful covered coat hanger - I do so love these (Karah thinks the scarf is the best because she loves purple and she has been wanting one of these scarves for a long time!! - I don't recall her name being on it though!).

 

 

And look at these delightful Christmas wall hangings!! Have you noticed there is a theme going on here - Illene has stalked my blog and knows I like the colour purple!!

 

 

Coccies, card, Christmas decoration and a candle (photo doesn't do that justice at all). Now haven't I been so very spoilt.

 

And Illene also packed a little gift for Karah too - a lovely little wooden owl that can be cross stitched PLUS this rather funny pig with lollies (you put the lollies in one end and they come out the other - I will let you decide which way they go!!) Karah was most impressed with the owl (she does have a little thing for them) and got the giggles over the pig!!!!

THANKYOU so much illene - I love it all - they are so beautiful and will be shown off to everyone I meet!!!

 

And these are what I sent Illene.

 

 

A recipe folder, pretty cup, jazzy scarf, xmas tea towel, a little book, and some chocolates.......plus

a sweet little purse pattern, a skinny pinny (pincushion), some beautiful soaps (which I nearly kept for myself they smelt so nice), a vintage linen hanky an applique tea towel and a little red pouch.

 

The pink and green key ring was Karah's little gift to Illene she made it herself).

 

I do have another swap (from Peg) to post about, but I will have to do that on Sunday - I am leaving at 4am tomorrow morning (with rheis, Ollie and Karah) to do a 14 hour round trip to meet Karah's dad so she can spend the next 3 weeks with him.

But first I have to go and peel vegies for 3 men, 3 kids and myself (trucks are being loaded with grain and hay and straw) - roast lam and baked vegies - I am hanging out for it dinner as I haven't had roast lamb for sooooooo long.

 

Have a great weekend everyone and I will be back next to post about the beautiful gifts that Peg sent me in the let's Stitch Together swap!!

 

 

 



HOT DAYS, PLAY WITH PURCHASES

This week it is in the mid thirties with showers predicted every day - I wish!!

We did get a heavy short shower late yesterday afternoon.

 

 

Had to take some photos so I can look at them to keep believing we did!

 

This is Jazzie, (Karah's best friend) who has 1 pup (Sasha). This hot humid weather has been a bit hard on Sasha so I have been bringing her inside in the cool of the aircon. Jazzie also has to come inside to keep an eye on her baby!! A close eye that is - even if the bed is too small for you!!

 

 

So today I have been playing with my purchases from our Bathurst Bloggers weekend!

 

 

Look at these beautiful fabrics - have lots of ideas for them - just have to find the time to get creating!!

 

I just couldn't help myself, I had to have one of every shade - I love using felt when I can find the time!

 

More patterns, braid and template. The patterns are for the felt above!

The top photo below are the goodies that I won in a give away on CHERYLL'S a while back. It didn't arrive in the post so Cheryll so very kindly brought this parcel along to the blog meet for me. Thank you Cheryll - I am just a little bit spoilt!

 

On the bottom of the lower photo is one of CHOOKY'S - she very generously gave one to each of us attending the meet in Bathurst. The 3 pieces of fabric were what I won in the lucky Foil Wrapped present Draws. I did start making tiny hexagons from 2 of the fabrics on the Saturday night in Bathurst - to be what I am not sure yet!

 

So not only did I have a fabulous weekend (and I want to repeat it every weekend) in the company of wonderful creative bloggers, I also had a great time shopping!!!