Lets Get Stitched 2020

Last month before this Covid-19 crisis reared its ugly head big time, I got to go to Hobart for the last Let's Get Stitched get together.

It was a good time and a sad time as I will not be seeing many of these gals again except online. We had a great time though.

The highlight of my shopping though was again going to Helen Stubbings shop The Quarter Inch and shopping to my hearts content and doing this again the following day.

Hubby still doesn't know how much I spent, but he knows that I spent a lot lol

Went to The Wicked Cheese Co. as well and tasted many cheeses, but didn't buy any as didn't want to risk border control on the way home.

Done the Richmond Bridge pics again, Tasmania's oldest bridge

Love this bridge going into Hobart

And Hobart

I did plan on going to Port Arthur as it was the only reason I went to  Australia a day early, but after the travel sickness I got, I flagged it and also glad I did as it was raining quite heavy on the day.  Told the hubby we are going back for a holiday together to do this and many more touristy things one day our selves.

Lockdown Woes

Wow I have not been here in over a year, but with this lockdown I am getting bored and twiddling my fingers though I really have things to do.  Problem is I have realised even with things to do, I have not got the oomph to do anything.

For me it is really 21 days now, as I had one day of freedom after been in isolation due to overseas travel as the lovely Prime Minister changed her rules on isolation a week after I got home, then after that one day freedom into lockdown.

But I am lucky too, as I as being a nurse I am an essential worker so still am getting paid and hubby is also one so we are still chugging along working as usual and seeing people in our work bubbles.  Best thing about me working is I still get real coffee at the hospital cafe that is open for us workers only ....whooop whooop.

In Gisborne we have had only one positive Covid-19 case so far.  Times like this are when you are happy you live in an isolated part of the country.  Also gives more time to get the hospital prepared.  I now work both the Covid ward and the Medical ward, but happy days so far ....we just waiting and hoping the crisis from overseas does not happen to New Zealand.  With Jacinda's rules I think we are going to be the luckiest Western Country in the world. 

This boy though is mighty happy his mummy and daddy are home more now as no travelling anywhere but to work and essential services.

So with this new era of our lives I may just start posting here again more.

OPAM 2018 Finishes + UFO's

How many finishes for 2018 did I complete .....18.  I didn't get something done every month but I still done well.

It is now 2019 and again I will join up when it opens up at the end of the month and try and aim for something once a month.

My UFO list on the side bar has also shrunk and I will try to get some of these finished this year.  However when I go and clean my very messy sewing room, I will be adding to this list ..... cringe..... it's very messy.

And I have already failed at this promise for this year

Couldn't resist JJ Crafts 2 weeks ago while in Napier.  Maybe I will reset and make Feb 1st the start of the year.

Did I Go To Another Concert?................

Oh yes I  did!!  Last week it was off to Toto, Jefferson Starship and New Zealand's own Dragon.

A great concert had ....yet again.

Jefferson Starship

Toto

Toto

 My friend Christine and I even survived the heat with reports it was up to 33 degrees.  That is hot for here.

Start of the night

Only problem was the sunblock I used was good but not excellent so I have tan lines half way up my lower legs which I have avoided so far this summer.  

But hey, we both survived the night, while we saw some that didn't fare so well.

Mid Concert

Concert End

Next concert ...... Eminem ....... can't wait, with a Hurricanes v's Brumbies Super Rugby game the night before ......role on March

Christmas Day Is Over and Done With

First of all a belated Merry Christmas to every one

This year Miss 22 and I also got our first Santa picture together.  Took us all these years to get one.  I do remember as a youngster she did not like Santa, my have times changed.

December has been a busy month for me, working and then going away to another concert .... Shania Twain this time ...... then doing a roadie with Miss 22 from Christchurch to Gisborne over 3 long days.

Shania was awesome and now I have only two more concerts on my list to go to.  One in January and then another in March.  I am concerted out now.

Down in Christchurch I got to go to the best Christmas shop called The Christmas Hut and bought my first Lemax Village item which is in its box till Christmas next year.

This Santa was huge in real life and at $3950 a bit out of my price range.

And also Miss 22 took me to a great Christmas light demonstration.  This is just a small collection of the lights and so dedicated we went in the rain.

Finally after travelling for three days we got home on Saturday just before the bad weather hit and had a days relaxation before I started the preparations for Christmas day including shopping at the supermarket and I must say I struck it lucky as it was not that bad the four times I went (3 because I forgot something).

I had a fail with my non-fail pavlova (a KIWI icon) so made another and only done a basic topping but it was still yummy

And what sewing have I done this month ...... only a block for QBSA.  The block is called Card Trick

Can't believe it is 2019 next week.  Where has the year gone?

I Went to Lef Leppard

As a teenager in the late 80's early 90's, I loved a few teen boopy bands like A-Ha, New Kids On The Block, Bros, however I also loved Def Leppard and loved and had played over and over their album Hysteria.

So when I heard Def Leppard were coming to New Zealand I snapped up a couple of tickets and counted down the months and finally headed to see them last week

,

Me and my friend Mereana before we headed of to the concert.

First up was the Scorpions.  I knew some of their songs and they were great from start to finish.  Very energetic as most are near on 70 years old.

And after the waiting, Def Leppard were finally on and they played from the start to the finish of the Hysteria album plus a few more afterwards from other albums.

I can say one thing ....... I have never been to a concert where I could not hear well after it for a while, but it was all worth it and another concert of my to do list.  Next month roll on Shania Twain!!

I Have Been on a Roll

Yesterday I showed you my placings I got at our local A&P show last month in the craft section.  While most things placed, some did not.

The premature article I donated to the local hospital so didn't get a photo of it before they whisked it away, but here are my other items.

This baby quilt pattern I found off Pinterest and is now going to my daughters friend for her first baby.  I really enjoyed making it and was an easy pattern.

My sprocket pillow I finished at the last minute

and knitted baby vest which I cursed a lot over as kept dropping stitches

So out of the fifteen articles I entered in the craft section only four did not place, so am a happy chappy.

More Craft Winnings

Earlier I showed you my baking and preserve winnings.  Now get ready for my sewing, knitting and cross stitch success.

Again I entered plenty of items and am quite chuffed with my results, one especially.

I got Best Overall in the Handcraft section with this table runner I made which also got first for a table center piece.  All points were perfect I was told and the sewing was great.

Here are all my craft placings this year. The most I have had and probably the most I have entered.

My first placings included this bag where I got the pattern from Gail Pan's Patchwork Loves Embroidery Too

A double-handed oven mitt

A premature baby quilt (no bigger than 1m x 1m)

The first Christmas stocking I also came first in.  The second John Deere stocking I came 2nd with

I finally framed this cross stitch and entered it, and it came 2nd in the cross stitch section

My wall hanging also got 2nd 

along with this knitting.  I hadn't knitted any baby stuff for 20 years until now

This scarf also got a 2nd

as did this beanie

And finally this cross stitch I finally framed came 3rd

I was quite happy with all my placings I got and placed for most things.  

What this space for my other entries which I never placed for but still got good feedback.  There are many talented people where I live.

Roll on 2019