A Nice Day Off

Today I was suppose to be working the afternoon shift at the hospital, but as all was quiet there, I was lucky enough to be offered annual leave which I quickly said yes to.  Once hubby found out he thought we should do something so we went for a drive up the coast to Tokomaru Bay and had a walk along the old wharf there.

It was a lovely drive and I have not been up that way for a while now so enjoyed it.  Best of all was that the day was a gorgeous winters day

FNSI Update

Last night I joined in with the girls for FNSI.  I worked on a stitchery for a swap I am in so can not show you much.  I have used Cottage Country Threads Golden Elm to stitch this. 
Now all I have left is to sew it up and post off next week. This week I also have received some more things in the mail. First some lovely books from The Book Depository.  I enjoyed Lynette Andersons Stitch It For Christmas book so had to get the Autumn and Spring ones too along with a Jelly Roll book by Carolyn Forster

Then I have been reading only good things about Missouri Star Quilt Company so had to have a look and they have great daily specials I discovered, so obviously placed an order and I am very pleased with the service.

The Weeds Jelly Roll I got as the daily special and I had to order a Downton Abbey Jelly Roll too with the other fabric pictured.

What Did I Do For FNWF?

On Friday evening I joined in with FNWF and I finally got something accomplished.

I traced and stitched up this stitchery, which when completed is going to someone very late. 

The photos are not that great as using a camera I am not use to, but I used the thread is Jacaranda from Cottage Country Threads

I went and got some material to stitch it up so keep an eye out for the finished product.

End of May & NewFO Challenge

Well I have been bad and not started anything on my list yet.  My crafting mojo has for the last couple of months gone walkabout, however it is coming back.

Not quite a quilting project, but my next passion which is cross stitch and on my list is Celtic Christmas.  All supplies have now been purchased and ready to go on a frame.

I also have purchased some more material to start a couple of quilts I have seen in a couple of books and they are on their way in the mail.

Two More Days Until A Christmas Swap Sign Up Opens....Yay!!

June 1st is the day the sign ups open again for this fab swap.

Go on over to the Santa Sack Swap blog to look at all details.
This will be my third year signing up as I have had so much fun the previous two swaps.
What I received in 2012
and then in 2013

So go on over and join up from Sunday.

A Bargain New Book For Me

I went into town a couple of days ago and had a look in a couple of bookshops.  In one bookshop which had 30% off, I found a book I wanted, but working it out I thought I will get it cheaper still from the Book Depository.  I then went down to the next bookshop and had a look around and they had 50% off blue dotted books. So I went through the large pile of craft book and right down the bottom I found the same book I wanted and worked it out it was cheaper by about $3 than the Book Depository so got it.  My bargain of the day I thought.
So what was it you ask?

Now to hunt for some Jelly Rolls.

My May Blocks Have All Arrived

My blocks for the month of May have arrived and haven't I been spoilt

First up is my 6"QBSA blocks from Carolyn

Then the lovely Jan sent me this one for the CQBSA. I have a little project in plan for this one so keep an eye out for it.

For the PPBS I received these two blocks from Helen

And finally Anna sent me not one but two blocks for QBSA

FNSI Result & A SewMamaSew Giveaway Winner

Yay, we have a winner of the two little charms packs I was giving away.  But first, last night a participated in FNSI which Wendy from Sugarlane Designs hosted.  Lately I have been a bit lapse in my cross stitching, well any type of craft so this gave me the motivation to do something.  Also joining a few Cross Stitch groups on Facebook has motivated me.  The lovely work people are doing.
I have been doing the Sheep Virtues series and this is the one I have nearly finished.  So I stitched away at it, then got all excited because yay just had the sheep to do.  But alas I have misplaced my Ercu and spent a good time looking for it.  I know I have it, but the point is where is my safe place.  I may just have to go and purchase some more I think when in town next. It may look wonky but it is just a bit loose on the top.  Note: I will find my Ercu!!!

Now on to the winner of my SewMamaSew giveaway.  I loved all your comments and where you would love to go for a holiday.  A few wanted to do a Cruise to Alaska which is my next destination...though I must say seeing the word Tuscany a few times is nearly changing my mind. Less than 48 hours now until I am in Fiji.....exciting!!!
So who is the winner of these two mini charm packs?

Drum roll please.......

 Well done Alexis from Cinnamonchip.  Off to email you shortly for your snail mail addy

Thank you everyone for entering.  

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Again I am joining in the Sew Mama Sew giveaway.  I was not going to this time as I am of to Fiji on Monday but thought it will be over by then and I am on Annual leave now as of yesterday.,,,yay.... so have time to hold one. So what am I giving away? These two 2 1/2" Mini Charms packs.  I just received these in the last week from the Fat Quarter Shop as part of the Moda Mini Charm Club I am in and get four of these lovely Charm Packs each month

There are four chances to enter: 

1. Leave a comment where you would love to holiday.

2. Comment if you follow or are a new follower on Instagram.
3. Comment if you follow or are a new follower on Bloglovin.

4. Another comment if you follow or are a new follower on Twitter.

I will leave the giveaway open till May 16th New Zealand time, and off course I will post internationally.
oppps I got the date wrong.  Will stay open until May 17th NZ time
Please do remember to make sure I can contact you or I will have to redraw.

Finally visit SewMamaSew for more giveaways here

Happy Mother's Day

A Biscuit Tin

Yesterday while getting the weekly groceries I came across this tin of biscuits.  When I see tins that commemorate something I usually try and buy one and this one was a must.  You can read a bit more about the ANZACs in this post

Also my April Christmas block from Rosemary for CQBSA arrived and it is lovely

Some Items In The Mail

Alas, I did not get to do anything for FNWF, even though I had good intentions.. Hopefully next month I will.
However I have just received some goodies in the mail and the first one is Gail Pans Simply Christmas 2014.  I ordered this from Fabric Patch and it was shipped super fast to me here in New Zealand.  I am looking forward to making some things out of this one.

I then got my order from Vicki at The Pickledish Patch. Some lovely Summertime Friends fabric by Lynette Anderson.

Then I have received my April Blocks from Julieanne for the QBSA

What will this week bring me I wonder??

Oh How The Grass Is Green

After another long summer and being brown all over again, in the last month we have had a lot of rain here and we are nice and green again.   The workers have been hard at it the last couple of weeks and put up a new fence in the paddock by the house and hubby put some nice red Herefords in there to chew out the now long green grass.

We are still warm here and have had no fire going, but the heat pump for a short burst only twice so far.  I think when it does decide to get cold it will be very cold.

Let's Get Stitched - Hokitika, New Zealand, 3, 4, 5 October 2014.

Miche'le from By Hoki Quilts is hosting Let's Get Stitched on October 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2014.  It is going to be a fun weekend and all my tickets & accommodation are already booked.  If you have never been to the West Coast of New Zealand now is the time to see it.  It is open to anyone and everyone from far and near and if you would like to go head over to Michele's Facebook page you can get a booking form sent to you and all the details.
I do hope you will come and it will be great to see some people from the blogging land there.
Here are some pictures of where you will be headed.