I've moved

I'm not happy with Blogger, so I've moved. Everything can now be found at ...


http://sewscrapmuse.wordpress.com/

see you there!

Progress

Arezzo with dress converted to blue

Stitching has taken a back seat this week. Training plus my birthday on Monday, cadets and plantingTuesday, more training Wednesday and walking last night has meant today is my only stitching time. Lots of reading tho!

We have nearly finished the retaining wall (just the capping for extra seating) hence the planting - now have Liriope Silver Dragon (from Dianes as the chain stores don't carry and wouldn't order) lining both sides of the driveway and Carex varieties lining where the path meets the retaining wall. And a beautiful Boysenberry Brulee to train up the post that the shade sails will connect to http://www.edible.co.nz/fruits.php?fruitid=51 It sounds odd when reading the description and parentage, but also yummy.

Next garden project (as we will be waiting on the soil delivery so can't buy or plant the remaining fruit trees I want) is a pallet wall garden for the herbs and strawberrys that will be fixed to the brick wall between the ranch slider and lounge window. Did discover that the local Palmers (Glen Eden) is closing this weekend but their specials match the day-to-day pricing at Rogers. That means the only "local" places are Kings or Dianes in the back of Henderson Valley. Dianes is great for local knowledge - I can ask anything and don't feel stupid at all!

Liriope Silver Dragon

mature Carex Cormans Green - mine are tiny!

This weekend I am looking at migrating the blog to WordPress as Blogger is really annoying me - but will post the link.

and posted from Bloggeroid

Saturday's game day

Si and the kids doing their cheer. Love under six grade.

posted from Bloggeroid

Two more sleeps

to Dawn Service!

Tonight we went to the War Memorial Museum to watch the restored film. It's becoming a bit of a tradition, but you have to be in quick as its only shown for a few nights.

This year's shows some of the WWI soldiers marching in desert & field conditions, socialising, and being transported to war. Hearing them joke and knowing how few came home? Chills.

posted from Bloggeroid

Movie World

there are bits and pieces of Movie World that we loved, and bits we all hated (going backwards on the Wild, Wild West ride, the very loud Asians pushing at every queue). The boys highlight wasn't meeting Batman (picture) but watching the driving show. Very clever, very loud, very slick.

posted from Bloggeroid

Stitching

2014 saw the start of a big creativity phase. So far, I've...

• started and completed Teresa Wentzler's Stretch (her dragon logo) and a little Christmas ornament is ready to finish as a hanging ornament. 

Stretch

• I also added some beads to Misty, one of the TW Rocking Horses. I think she's ready to frame now.

  

  detail from Misty

• attended an embroidery class with Zeb, a new friend (who I'm sure will get me in lots of trouble and laughs in years to come). I'm fairly confident with about ten stitches now.

My StitchSmith owl. Yet to be completed. Cause I'm lazy.

• started and completed Nora Corbett's Santa's Sleigh AND AM TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH IT, so much so that I have acquired six of her reindeer patterns.  

  

  The Sleigh, nearly completed (some beading was still to be done at this point)

• started Nora Corbett's Arezzo, setting the bar high in making this my first colour conversion (hate the dress colour and the lilac roses, and have made the leaves darker) and my first "over 1", meaning over the one thread not the usual two. Squintville, here I come. Not sure if this is truly an NC or a Mirabilia design, but it's pretty and delicate.

Nora Corbett's Arezzo

I've also stitched quite a few Christmas ornaments (starting early, but there is a lot of downtime while you're waiting at league training and for reports to run) and made a cushion cover from a Pintrest image. Check out my NYC envelope cushion! 

birthday wishes

so I'm nearly 40. Si has been asking for ideas, Louise asks if I want a party. I really don't know but this is my current short list...

1. time alone! To nap, to read, to stitch, to wander the beach.
2. Mirabilia's Stargazer chart and beads. That's here: http://www.123stitch.com/item/Mirabilia-Designs-Stargazer-The-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/06-1285 I have the perfect fabric already.
   
3. another trip to Sea World - I could spend several hours at that lagoon. My own fish tank can't quite compare. Yet. I do have a shark! 
   
   
   
4. patience to finish Arezzo. Over 1 might not have been the best choice but now I do know the technique and limitations for when I need to do over 1 on a larger design. 
5. another Sheltie. I promised Si I wouldn't buy one. I never promised I wouldn't accept one! This is Robbie, adopted from a puppy mill by one of the FIL's friends. He's gorgeous.