Lest We Forget

(Clicking on links will take you to more information)

Today is ANZAC Day here in New Zealand and Australia and it commemorates all New Zealanders and Australians killed in war and also honors returned servicemen and women.

The date marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the ANZACS – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

Thousands of men lost their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign.  Among the dead were 2721 New Zealanders - almost one in four of those who served on Gallipoli, 8500 Australians, 44,000 men from France and the British Empire and 87,000 Turks. 

ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Anzac Cove, during the height of operations in Turkey, 1915.

The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen around Anzac Day, 25 April.

In the early hours of this morning all around New Zealand there were dawn services and again there were services mid morning. There are always big turnouts with the younger generation now taking the places of the soldiers who fought and have now passed on, in the parade.

LEST WE FORGET

12" Mini Club Update - St Paddy's

I have been slack and did not post about the 12" Mini Quilt Swap I participated in over a month ago.  The theme was St Paddy's.

This was the Mini I sent to my partner Maria. I have snagged the picture of her blog which you can visit here.

And below this is what I received from De and you can visit her blog here.  I am still awaiting my hanger in the post (fingers crossed it is not missing).    When it arrives I have a special spot already for it.

Block Updates

Well blocks are finally done and off in the mail tomorrow and my new machine is going like a breeze. 

I will say sorry for the photos. They were taken of my phone so not the greatest.

First up will be the QBSA

 For my March swap I received this lovely Pinwheel block from Kerry

And this is Kerry's block.  The photo does not do it justice.  It is pale yellow and grey.

Then for my April block I am sending this Rail Fence block to Lorraine here in New Zealand.

Now for CQBSA

First my Friendship Star block to Dawnelle which was my March Block

And my April block that is going to Lori is the Pinwheel

Both blocks have been made with Judie Rothermels Spirit of Christmas Past, which is a really nice range.

Also here is my March Block from Dawnelle. I was actually lucky to receive two blocks from her.

Also this I have join the 6" Quilt Block Swap (6"QBS) and this month I had the lovely Robyn who wants any scrappy block with a hint of blue.

FNWF Results

On Firday Night just before I went to work doing the much loved Night Shift I participated in FNWF.  This time I worked on a couple of blocks for swaps I am in.

First is Dawnelles March block for CQBSA. I made her this Friendship Star using Judie Rothermels Spirit of Christmas Past range.

I also made Kerry's block for QBSA.  I made Birds In The Air for her and as the photo was taken on my photo so not that great quality you can not see it is grey and pale yellow.

18 Years Ago.....

Eighteen years ago on the 25th, I got married, but boy it does not feel like that long ago.  We now have two teenagers with one flying the coop this year if she gets into the Armed Forces and the other probably home for another 20 months before he goes out farming or he may stay at school for another year.

Also this week my sewing machine broke down, so I have ordered a new one and just waiting for it to arrive.  I have ordered the Janome MC4900QC.  It was the one I was looking at brand new before I bought my 2nd hand Janome MC9000.   Am so excited.  Still have my two basic Brother sewing machine packed away in the shed for a rainy day, though one I will give to Miss 17 one day. So for me no sewing currently, but will be soon.

Happy Birthday Kristen

My daughter Kristen is 17 yrs old today. My does time fly.  She is in her last year of school and has applied to go in the Armed Forces, which she is old enough to go in now.

Google Reader Is Closing

Yes Google Reader is closing on July 1st.  I do like this fast effortless way to read my blogs, but alas it will be no more.  So I have decided to read them through Bloglovin'.  I had signed up to this a long time ago but never used it.

I am also trying out Feedly but not enjoying it as much, but you can look at it yourself and see what you think.

So if you follow me through Google Reader, click on the button below and you can now follow on Bloglovin'

Giveaway Winner

 I have a winner for my giveaway.  Well done Vicki.

A Concert, A Zoo, A Block And A Swap

Last night I went to an epic concert.  I love Fun. and had said if they come to New Zealand I will go see them.  Well they came, I got tickets and I went, taking Kristen and Anthony with me.  Well all I can say is that they were awesome and if they come back I'll be back to watch them.

Before we went to the concert we obviously done some shopping, and we went to the Auckland Zoo.  We haven't been there since 2007 so I treated the kids.  The kids loved it and we had fabulous weather for it.

Now onto the crafty things.  Here in my February block I received from Ann for CQBSA

Another loved block.

Also I had an Angel send me a lovely parcel for the Cushion Cover swap over at the Sew Swapit Facebook  group I am part of.  

I absolutely love the colours.

Well that's all for now and don't forget tomorrow I am drawing my giveaway, so head over to this post and enter.

Edited to add that you may have read that Google Reader is going in a few months so I have exported all my blogs I am following over to BlogLovin to read them there.  You can also sign up and do this and follow my blog this way.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Teddies At Play

So I have bitten the bullet and signed up for my first monthly Block of the Month that I have ever paid for.  I have admired the work I have seen for the Teddies At Play stitchery and wanted to do it myself so done a Google search for a place in New Zealand and found Grandmother's Garden was holding it.

Now if you are in NZ want to join up, here is the Grandmother's Garden sign up.

I had a quick look and there are other overseas websites holding it too.

Cotton Onto Craft

Malle Country Crafts

The Stitching Post

Calico Crossroads Country Shop

The Patchwork Teahouse

It's Giveaway Time

Again I am participating in the Blog Hop Party with Giveaways hosted by Michele over at the Quilting Gallery.

This time I have two mini charm packs to giveaway to one winner.

To enter just leave one comment. Nice and simple.

If you follow me on one of those buttons to your right that would be great, but you don't need to.

Entries open until March 15th New Zealand time.

Entry open to everyone.

Remember to be a reply blogger or leave your email in your comment, as if I can not get hold of you I will redraw.

Finally go here and have a look at all the other great giveaways happening.

Another Cushion Cover

Another swap, another cushion cover.  This time I made this cover for Michele over at our Sew SwapIt group on Facebook.  I used just a simple disappearing 9-patch block and then quilted it.  Am hoping it has arrived by now and she likes it

And here is a photo of Ginda enjoying the shade and keeping out of the sunshine.

Finally, last Friday I had signed up to FNWF but unfortunately other things came up and did not get to do anything.  So may just have to make up for it next month.