Bits and Pieces

So what have I been up to for the past month??...bits and pieces. Working, gardening, cursing my new oven cause it's to hot and a little wee bit of sewing.

Mainly things have been swap items.

  First up was my Xmas in July swap from Pauline for TOMG's Christmas In July Swap

I sent Pauline these for her gift



Then our for our Craft Forum 6 1/2" block swap I received these from Sharyn

and to Penny I sent these

Then to Alex over at the  Quilting Block Swap Australia 2 I sent this Baby Bunting block. 

And these are the last two blocks I have made for Our Craft Forums Mystery Charm Squares Block of the Month.

And finally can not forget Snowy.  He is a year old now.

Oh....one last thing.  We have the Namibian Rugby World Cup Team here in Gisborne training at the moment and yesterday had a session at the Trampoline Club for a couple of hours.  They are a fantastic team and there would have been no way the All Blacks would have been as much fun and friendly as these guys.

Xmas In July Mug Rug Sent

Thanks to Sue, I have a photo what I sent to her for the Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap for the Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia Blog

A New Zealand National Age Group Champion

What an exciting weekend Kristen has just had.  We were away up in Auckland for the 2011 Gymsport NZ National Championships which she competed Trampoline in for the Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay region.  Going into them she was a strong contender for a placing, however there were some South Islander girls quite good as well, including one who has been competing in the International group this year.

First day Kristen had to compete both Double-mini Trampoline and Syncronised Trampoline so a long day.

First up was the 15-16yr Double-mini.  Kristen pulled of two great passes and managed to be going into finals 2nd placed.  Unfortunately in the finals some off the top girls crashed in their passes and couldn't catch up to the top girls and then the girl coming first also did not do her passes right, so even with Kristen landing in the yellow square (long explanation) and instantly losing 0.9 of her mark she still won confincingly.

So a happy girl.

1st Double-Mini Trampoline

Then onto 17yr+ Syncro Trampolining that evening.  Even though the girls had been there all day waiting for this they done well.  Only 2 pairs were competing so a medal definately, but which one?  Kristen was freaking out as the other pair were doing such higher skills than her and her partner and was settling for 2nd place.  But when they competed you could definately see who was the better...big skills or not.  Again another title won easily and way ahead of the other girls.  So again a happy girl with two NZ titles to her name.

1st Syncronised Trampoline

Then roll on Sunday and 15-16yr Individual Tramp.  Kristen knew it was going to be sheer luck getting a medal in this one, though she was aiming for one.  Other years she hadn't even made the finals, but we knew this year she would.  After her set routine, she was coming 7th so knew she would have to do a good voluntary rountine to even get into the top 3.  Well she done it and was coming 3rd going into finals.  A very excited girl she was.  Her Vol routine was not as good in finals, but as the top 3 girls were miles ahead of the rest she was a definate medal prospect, but again which one?  The girl coming 2nd (who competed in the international group all year) pulled off a fantastic routine and though Kirsten was 0.1 behind her going into finals there was no way she was going to beat her, so we were settling on 3rd when the girl coming 1st hit the end of the mat.  2nd place was Kristen's and the girl who hit the end still managed to come third, as  previously said the girls were a long way ahead of the rest.

So yet again another happy girl.



2nd Individual Trampoline



So in the end Kristen came home with two NZ titles and a second place.

1st Double-Mini Trampoline

So Much Excitement.....

Just back last night from an exciting weekend, which I will post about later on when photo's are off my camera.  But on the way home waiting at the airport to come back to Gisborne, the All Blacks arrived.  When we were told, my friend and I took off and I got my taken with Sonny Bill Williams...he is so better looking in real life.  And me so hot and flustered and a bit ragged after a long day....

Some Little Things

Oh I can't believe it's been a few weeks since I posted last.  Have been busy at work as I picked up a couple of shifts.  Won't be doing that again for a while.  Whenever I do something always goes haywire and these times it did.  Especially the day I decided to pick up a shift and it was a short change one.  Turned to custard the evening before and the next morning wasn't any better.  Well they are over now and I am yet again on annual leave.

As I have been quite busy obviously not much has been happening sewing wise.  However I have managed to send a couple of things and receive a couple of things.  Unfortunately some I have sent I did not take a photo of which is not like me at all.

First up, over at Our Craft Forum I am in a 6 1/2" block swap.  Each month we make 4 blocks in our partners colour choice and of the block which is chosen for us to make for the month. This month I sent to Sharyn and she wanted brights.

I chose blue as my colour choice and this is what Penny is sending to me. They will arrive any day now in the mail.

Also I received my lovely swap item from Kalani from the Handmade Gift Exchange- Craftholics Anonymous swap.  Aren't I a lucky girl. Miss 15 has already eyed up the necklaces for herself...lol

Then for the Mug Rug Swap v.2  I sent Jennifer this mug rug.  I hope she likes it.

And then for the Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap for the Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia Blog I received this lovely mug rug from Sue.  My one I sent is one I forgot to take a photo of.  Hopefully Sue does one for me.

I have also made an item for TOMG's Christmas in July Craft Swap but again forgot to take a photo of it before it was sent so hope Pauline also takes a photo.

Wow looking at what I have made makes me think I have done well with the little sewing I have done.  Now all that is left to make is my Mystery Charm BOM and my 12 1/2" block for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia II which on my side bar you can find a link to.

Oh and here is Snowy now...or should I say a couple of weeks ago.  He likes the mud here at the moment and is not so white currently.

Well better sign off and go and pick up Miss 15 from work and take her to her last Trampoline training before we fly up to Auckland for the 2011 Gymsport NZ National Championships starting on Friday.

Craftaholics Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange

I got a lovely email today that my partner Kalani from the USA received my gift and she has sent mine along in the mail. 

I made it out of a charm pack I had won in the SewMamaSew giveaway held back in May.  The colours are very nice.  Will post a piccie of my gift when I get it.

School Ball Night

Tonight is Kristen's School Ball.  With the dress & shoes all sorted, today was hair and makeup day.

 So the day started just before lunch.  Here is Kristen before we left home.  She did not like not wearing any makeup to town

Hair was first up, so armed with printed out photos from the internet she went along to the hairdresser hoping she could do what she wanted.  Luck was on her side and she got exactly what she wanted, with lots of bobby pins, ghd work and LOTs of hairspray.

A couple of hours later was the makeup girls doing their job, and once that was finished around to her friends place to finish getting ready for the preball get together and picking up their ball partners.

She is still there at the ball as I write and more photo's to come of her from other people yet.  I hope she is enjoying her night

Giveaway At Green Fairy Quilts

Green Fairy Quilts is having a giveaway so go here and enter.

Goodluck

Blocks, Blocks And More Blocks

In the last few days I have been doing some sewing and have made some more Civil War Love Letter Blocks and this months Mystery Charm BOM we are doing over at Our Craft Forum.  With some left over material I have made a Pinwheel block and will probably make a heat pad with it. Also I have being making some items for a couple of swaps I am in, which I won't post pictures of, until I my partners have them.

Civil War Blocks

Healthful Region

Jersey Boys

No Serious Fighting

Pleasant Campaign

Skirmishing, Cannon Firing and Uproar

Virginia Military Institute

Mystery Charm Square BOM

Block 5

Pinwheel Block

I thought I had posted about this one but see I have not.  This is the lovely Fabric Basket I received in a swap last month.  Isn't it gorgeous?

Also I have been receiving lots of lovely fabric in the mail.  Here is one package from Two Bees which is a lovely little site. Go and have a look I am sure you will love it too.



A Cold

So the rest of the family has had it, and now it is my turn.  I have a cold which I don't like.



and am using lots of these

However I did do some sewing today.  Will post pictures in the next couple of days.

A Winner!!!!

Thankyou everyone for entering my giveaway.  Here is the winner

Well Done Quiltin' Sandy

Emailing you shortly



Designer Swap - Vicki Tucek

Our Craft Forum has just finished another swap.  This time we had to make something designed by our lovely forum moderator and friend Vicki Tucek of The Pickledish Patch.  I used the pattern of her freebies page on her blog called 'It's A Lot Like Christmas Table Runner' and changed it into everyday use fabric instead of Xmas fabric.

Then from Geniene I received this lovely table runner and coasters also design by Vicki

Ain't they lovely

 

Also last week I received some more material for my Civil War Love Letter Quilt from

Autumn Rose Quilting

 

Some Classic New Zealand TV Ads

Just thinking of the good old days got me thinking of some of our good old ads that played on tv when I was young lass

Enjoy



North Island Champion

Yay! Not long home from the 2011 New Zealand North Island Trampoline Championships here in Gisborne and what a weekend.  Kristen got two titles along with the Gold medal in the 15-16yrs Double-Mini Trampoline and 17yr+  Syncronised Trampoline and Silver in the 15-16yr Individual Trampoline.  No photos as I spent the whole time marshalling and the last thing on my mind was photos.

Well Done Kristen!!