West Coast New Zealand Trip

I had already been down in the West Coast area a couple of years ago so this time took hubby over to have a look.

We spent some time in the Hokitika area and were lucky it did not rain on the day we were there as the West Coast is known for their wet weather

We also went to the West Coast Tree Top climb which is something amazing to do

And then headed into the old Goldmining town of Ross afterwards

TransAlpine Rail Trip

I have just got back after a week in the South Island and while down there we spent a few days over on the West Coast and to get over there we caught the TransAlpine Train.  This trip around 4 hrs and we were lucky it was a relatively fine day, though cold if you went out on the viewing carriage which I did, but hubby did not.

We headed out at 8.15am on the first day.  This was our first big train ride with other just being commuter rides in the Wellington area previously

Going into the mountains it was a fine but cold morning

Once in the mountains you noted the low cloud

The stop at Arthurs Pass was a quick 5 minutes and yes cold 

This was the how close I got out on the way home ..... looking at the sign.... haha.  On the way back a few days later I wouldn't get out of the train as it was only 1 degrees celcius - to cold for this East Coast gal.

The view was clearer too, on the way home

A French General Table Runner

Earlier last year I was informed one of the girls in a Christmas swap did not received her gift, so I planned on sending her one.  As a lot of you probably know I was also in the middle of finishing my Thesis so was also put on the back burner.  I then planned on sending it to her for Christmas just been but again got delayed, then I though Lets Get Stitched Brisbane as a surprise.

I made my favorite table runner pattern again and this time with French Generals Pondicherry range

Also for Lets Get Stitched last month we had to make a needle case for our games night and this is the one I made and filled with goodies

Lets Get Stitched 2018

Last month I again headed over the ditch to join some girls for a fun weekend at Lets Get Stitched.  Again this time it was held in Brisbane.

I met up with a lot of the girls I had met over the previous three years and we had lots of fun.  Now what happens on Lets Get Stitched stays on Lets Get Stitched but here are a few photos of me with friends.

One of my highlights on the Friday bus trip was going to Nikki Tervo's shop and getting a photo with her too

I also brought my self a couple of her Mandala designs after seeing some of the girls ones

On Friday we had games night and lots of fun and prizes

On Saturday we had a free day to do what we wanted so myself and three girls went fabric shop shopping and then went and had a yummy lunch at the Salisbury Hotel

Sunday was then stitching day.  I seem to have a lot of pictures with the lovely Cheryll from Gone Stitchin'

And here is my room buddy De

FNWF Finish

Finally another Friday I was not working so got to join in with the girls for FNWF.  

So what did I get to make?

This little badge for a secret recipient at the annual Lets Get Stitched which this year is back in Brisbane.

Only 2 more sleeps to go and I will be back with the girls again.

Still Time to Sign Up for FNWF

Officially started my annual leave now, so have tonight free so have signed up to FNWF.

There is still time to sign up, so head over to HERE to join in with the fun

Goodness Me

Goodness me it has been nearly 2 months since my last post.  It has been so hot to really do anything here.  Humidity 2 weeks ago was at 99%.  I was very glad I was not working in our un-airconditioned hospital that day.

Though to hot do do really anything I have stitched some 1" hexi flowers and even made a block for the Quilting Block Swap Australia group I am in on Facebook

I have also made a secret gift for someone but will post that one next month after they receive it.

I have also been away to a few concerts in the last two months.

First up was Bryan Adams.  This concert was fabulous.  As a teenager I loved his music and still do, so was rap that I got to see him live

I went with a couple of friends from work, and when going to and from the concert on the buses that were provided, we were the naughty girls at the back of the bus lol

I then went to the Taupo Summer Concert and though George Thorogood and the Destroyers had to pull out, they were replaced by The Orchestra (ELO) and boy were they fantastic.  They were a great ending to a great concert, which also had Alanis Morrisette, Colin Hay and Fairground Saints.  Again I went with the same ratbags as my last concert with hubby in tow to doing the driving this time.

Then last weekend I went to see the greatest band out ...... QUEEN + Adam Lambert.  Now I thought Adele was the best concert I had ever been to, but Queen out done her.  

This time I left the other ratbags behind and went with Miss 21.

Amoung these concerts I also went to a wedding of some very good friends and my baby was one of the wedding cars.  He scrubbed up very well I must say.

HaPpY NeW YeAr

My SSCS Gift

On Christmas day I got to open my gift I received from Maria as part of Chookyblues SSCS.

I opened up my parcel from Maria last on Christmas Day and look at the looked hexagon bag she has stitched for me.

Inside were these decorations she has also made

And I also got this little pouch with none other than chocolates in it ..... yummy

I would like to thank Chookyblue for holding this fabulous swap again and also to Maria for the lovely gifts.

Another Christmas Swap Gift Sent

Another swap I participated in was one held in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap group on Facebook.

We were to make something with a hexagon in it.

I got to send to the lovely Sue Coleman in Australia, and I sent her this hexagon table mat.

As I have previously said on other blog posts, I was working over Xmas on nightshift and on our ward we bought some Christmas cheer this year by wearing some Christmas scrubs.

The patients loved them and some said the place was more cheerful for them over Christmas.

By my third night I was dead tired but still bringing the Christmas cheer with other nurses and doctors.

Now I have a few days off and back into it over New Years again.