OPAM February

I’ve joined up to OPAM again this year to get myself working on some UFOs and starting new projects.

For the month of February I made two bibs that I gave as a gift for a baby shower I went to in the weekend.  Such easy items too make.

Since my last update on my stitchery I started in January I haven’t done really much in the last month, just little bits but at least I have one Elf done 

 

Just A Little Bit Of Old News From 2020

As I was really slack on my blog last year I didn't post anything about my local A&P show entries.

I didn't take pictures of everything I entered but I sure did of my winnings below.

This is the cup and plate for my entries in the Preserves section for the most points.  I was pretty chuffed in getting this and caused a little upset as the same people had won it for many years.

I even had the husband from the winners in the previous years come up shake my hand and thank me as he won't have to polish the silverware again this year.

I have already got plans on trying to retain these but it is so hard to, but I have plans on trying to clean out the knitting and sewing section in 20 years time as this is even harder to get.  I won the Fruitcake cup the previous year (causing another slight upset).  

 

It's Sign Up Time For February FNSI

Yay another month has gone by again it is time to sign up for FNSI.  It will be great to relax and do this on Friday after a very busy week at work - don't you just love Covid-19 😡

Yes we have had a little outbreak in NZ and where I live we are back up to Level 2 until midnight tonight and then back to Level 1.....yay. 

Anyway as I said this Friday is FNSI again and if you want to sign up head over to Sugarlane Designs and sign up here and then from Saturday head over to the other blogs who have joined in and see what everyone else done

A Much Deserved Holiday Continued

 So yesterday you saw photos of my trip to Hamilton.  Once this part of the trip was completed, off to Cooks Beach in the Coromandel we went.

Day one there we went for a walk up to Shakespeare Cliff and the views down to Cooks Beach and Whitianga are amazing ( no photos as have many from previous trips), but nothing compares to Cathedral Cove we done a couple of days later after lazing about.

Now some of you many think to yourself it looks familiar.  If you have watched the movie Prince Caspian it will be, as this is where the children landed.

It was a little hike down and a far cry from the small dirt track I went down 14 yrs ago.  It was all tarsealed, so though steep in some places, it was easy to walk.

The beach at Cooks beach is beautiful too and we had a few swims before the cool weather set in, but a few walks down it we done.

Another day we caught the ferry from Ferry Landing and had a look around Whitianga and would you believe I restrained myself and walked past a quilting shop...... yes it was hard

If you ever have the chance if this ugly thing could Covid ever lets people from other countries travel freely again, I suggest get having a lazy stay in the Coromandel.  This is only a tiny snapshot what it has to offer.

 

A Much Deserved Holiday

 It has been a week since I have been home from my nearly two weeks away from home.  It was bliss.  Hubby was left behind as he had work commitments that included going away himself after initially being able to come, so I hitched a ride with my friend earlier than planned and first port of call was staying with her family in Hamilton.

Now I have been in Hamilton many many times, but have never been to the Hamilton Gardens so one day we went and had a look.

This is one thing I should have done years ago.  I had driven past it a lot, but I will be back as apparently there is always something being built.  I did not get pictures of the rose gardens unfortunately.  

A couple of days later we done a river cruise on the mighty Waikato River and it was again amazing though it was quite hot and off all places my knees got burnt.

So we were in Hamilton for a few days with a quick trip up to Auckland and then off to the ultimate destination ...... Cooks Beach.

Come back tomorrow for those pictures 😎

FNSI Results

Yay my first FNSI in a long time.

So this evening I had a look through my stash and found this kit I bought a couple of years ago and decided it was about time I started it

So I got everything I needed and sat in the lounge in front of the TV just as Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers started, and watched and stitched away for the whole movie

After 3 1/2 hrs this is how far I progressed

Not a bad effort for some who has lost, but may be gaining their sewing mojo back.

If you want to have a look at what other people done click here and go have a look.

It's FNSI time

 Its a new year and it has to better than 2020.  I am going to try and get my sewing mojo back and with three weeks annual leave from today what a better way to start it with ........ FNSI

I have not done much in crafting since the local A&P Show last year but over on Facebook I see Wendy from Sugarlane Designs was holding FNSI tonight so thought why not join as I haven't for quite a long time.

So head on over to her page and sign up to join in tonight for some stitching fun and check back tomorrow on everyone's blogs to see what was done.

I think I may also spend some time tiding up my blog too.

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