We will remember them

 My Anzac story is very special and so I will tell it as the photos roll.
My Mum Joyce Watson married Donald Wyatt In  Chichester UK and they left for NZ the day after never  expecting to see their families again.
They came to farm where Don had been in his teens learning farming. My brother Ron was born and when he was just 21/2 yrs old he said goodbye to his Daddy who was off to fight in the NZ army.

 Here in Waiuku on 25th April we assembled at the memorial Hall then made our way to the cenotaph.
Don served in Egypt, Israel, and Italy where He was killed at the battle of Cassino.He never got to see his family again.

Its so good to see the young people honouring the fallen.This little group are the Young Seafarers.
 My Mum was given passage on a troop ship back to UK and the bossom of here family and it wasnt long before Dons brother Patrick who was in the RAF made a courtesy visit. He had been the anoying little brother when Mum and Don were courting.

 Now Pat was a handsome man in his uniform and very like his brother. They fell in love and were married.

 After the last post and speaches we march back to the hall for a service.
Joyce and Pat and my brother Ron honeymooned in Falmouth Cornwall where they met a little girl called Trillian and chose that name there and then for his future daughter.
After living in Selsey for 2yrs and the war far behind them they decided to come to NZ and settle and I was born shortly afterwards and duely named Trillian. My brother sadly died in 1997 very suddenly and poor Mum felt her Don had been lost all over again. Mum and Dad both joined Don and Ron in 2004. Together again.

So Anzac day is a very special rememberance day for me. Thankyou Lord for the blessings of my family.
I will always remember them with love and gratitude. Trills.

Back in the groove

 Well, after all our breaks away enjoying the long summer and my retreat its time to get back into some sort of routine and back into our normal rythm of life. The first event was Time Out. This is a community project put on by our church and it is a craft morning for young mums. Their little ones are cared for in the creche and the mums join us for some crafty fun. This was our first one of this year and M & S were in charge of the craft which was these lovely cake plates made of plastic plant saucers on plastic cup stands and decorated to our hearts desire.

 We provide all the materials and tools required along with morning tea.

 This was my attempt and Im ashamed to say is still unfinished. I couldnt decide whether to do the stand in the same paper which is a favourite of mine. What do you reckon.

 C did some lovely stencilling on hers using paper doilies.

 Ch is always slick and quick. A very crafty lady who has taken a few of our crafts for us including lovely scarves last Winter.

 The next event was Quilt group and here is J show and tell. She is such a prolific patchworker and is on a roll with her set in circles designs ever since we had a class on them in 2010. My attempt is still in the UFO bag.

 These are also set in circles of some lovely toile type figurines and J quilted as you go on this one in a recent class on this technique . Her large quilts are usually quilted by another lady on her longarm machine.

 As most of us just bring handwork to do on group days , I was thrilled to see J's wirlygig stars that I introduced to the group on a demo on English paper piecing a few years ago. After seeing a quilt in a mag I got my daughter to draw up the pattern for me on the computer then I gave out the pattern and quite a few have taken up the challenge.

 This wallhanging made by MM is exquisite. I just love poppies and could see it hanging above my bed. She does such beautiful work and quite a bit of it in 3D .

 MH showed her quilt started some time ago and with 12 blocks for the months of the year each depicting something special to her and her family. MH is also a very prolific quilter and has taught us many great tips and patterns.She is also in charge of our group project for this year.

 Those of us doing it all held up our first blocks as a group. This is my soft and pretty style

 and interpretation  and this is a picture of the patern. As you can see it is many different sized blocks with big variety of paterns incorporated in the whole. I t lends itself well to each person giving their own interpretation and style to their quilt so hopefully by next years exhibition there should be quite a line up  of interesting quilts from this. I did have a rush of enthusiasm and planned to do a bright one as well and even started a op shop shirt and tie one but havent got very far on that score.

 I did look at my jeans bag that I made over a year ago and decided it was looking a bit shabby and maybe I should look at making a new one so I rummaged around for some op shop buys that I had in mind for this purpose.

I love the colour of these childs trows and the corded design .

 Then there is these nice yellow jeans that I might have got into in my 30s but Im not even dreaming beyond that. They are my choice this time.

 I thought these little doilies looked cute on the front pockets so that is my starting point .

 Now chop off the legs. They will be used for the handles.

 And a fossick among my button collection led to some choices for decoration. I'll keep you in touch with the progress as and when as It is my turn to do the craft at Time out next month and there is quite a lot to prepare for my choice of project. More on that later too.

I'll leave you with a view of my untidy possie on the sofa surrounded by my various projects and leisure interest including stitching, hooking, reading etc.
Bye for now and blessings to you all, Trills

Beach Walk

 I'm still in retreat mode. This is my first morning all on my own in the bus and in the camp. All the campers and caravan owners left on the Tues as Wed meant school again etc. I like to sleep with the curtains open and wake up naturally with the light and I am sorry this picture does not do any justice to the glorious skies that greeted me. Bright coral edged clouds. It took my breath away.

 I started the day with a private little communion service. Its something special that I do sometimes when I find myself with a quiet still space of God time.

 The coral sky was a warning of the forecast rain for this day. Mind you with no radio or tv or papers I am not aware of the state of things beyond this special place and time . Anyway a walk is called for while there is still some sunshine and I chose the west end of the beach which has many baches and beach homes along it. Most of which can only be accessed by car when the tide is out.

 Beyond the sand is a rocky seascape . A wonderland for the gulls. The hill opposite are the Waitakere ranges of west Auckland.

 I do like the morning and afternoon shaddows that give a more slender image. One day .

 Im told that the original part of this house was originally the schoolhouse maybe about 100yrs ago.

 Im following the tracks of the morning traffic. Some folk live here permanently so must have to plan ahead carefully for shopping needs etc.

 Theres something special about this picture for me. It maybe not much more than a puddle but Id rather see the beauty of the rocks and reflections in the pool and a verse comes to mind. "He leadeth me beside still waters"

 Somewhere up there is a dwelling of some sort, someones special retreat.

 Boulders help to keep erosion at bay for many of the homes.

 A little grotto.

Now this cottage has special meaning for me. My neice J lived here for a time. It belongs to one of the original families on the peninsular and she was able to rent it for a few years. So our family Christmases were enjoyed here and I have very happy memories of our gatherings.

 Another view as we would have driven along the beach otherwise we left our cars on the road in the next pic and walked through a bush track carrying our gear.There is also a sad note to these memories as we lost my brother and only sibling in 1997, very suddenly leaving us all bereft.Heres to the good memories Ron. I miss you.

Here is where the road meets the beach.

 Im not venturing around the rocks today. Its slippery and the tide is coming in.

 And looking across the water I can see the rain falling on the hills. Its a glad sight with our drought conditions as these hills are the Auckland city catchment area and I hope it spreads further. I better retrace my steps.

 I quickened my pace but this typical Kiwi bach caught my eye. Dont you just want to wrap your arms around it and nurture it back to life. My imagination runs wild.

Oops. Passing traffic .

 Back in the warma nd dry bus there is plenty of reading to choose from and stitching and hot drinks.
And so my retreat followed this pattern for the next two days until DH returned and I followed him home.

 Hi Casper I'm home. He looks a bit miffed dont you think, like "Where do you think youve been"

Out the window a I glimpsed a joyful wellcome from this cacti. It sits in a corner of the deck until it floweres and now it gets pride of place on the outdoor table to be enjoyed to the full.
Now it is time to get back into the needs and joys of everyday life. What will it bring.
Till next time , blessings, Trills

Yoyos and shells

 Ok. This has not started out as planned. Somehow I have lost a couple of pictures anyway Il fill you in. Instead of a God Space retreat at the Friary where I usually go at least once a year I decided to take my retreat at Orua bay where we spent a few days earlier and I posted pics of that time. So, DH drove Emmylou out and I followed in his car so he could leave me there for a few days on my own. Yes I have driven the bus a few times under strict supervision but would not be keen to try on my own even if I was licienced to do so. After luch together and a walk on the beach I settled down to some God time. So special. After a while I decided to do some contemplative stitching. Something simple and rthymic that brings me into companionable silence with God. I set myself up on the bed

 with a fresh breeze flowing through the open back window and all I needed over and around me.

I make my yoyos with this wonderful yoyo maker from Clover and they come in different sizes and shapes to make hearts and flowers and butterflies, but you cant beat the good old circle. I thought you might like to see how it works.

 The fabric goes between the two pieces and they click together then trim around the edge leaving a little to turn over.

 Holding down this edge behind stitch through from behind and then back again so the thread goes across the little open space. Around you go till youre back where you started. Make your thread long and double and if you plan well it will do you two or even three times. With the larger maker that I am using it does use a lot of thread but I like to have it double for strength.

 Now click apart the templates and peal off the fabric. Its very easy.

 Then draw up the thread as for any yoyo. Heres where you can save some thread by keeping only a short end at the knot and pulling from the needle. Draw it up tight and knot securely

 and Bobs your uncle. It is such a pleasant process, easy to do in front of tele or as a mobile project.

 They are mounting up. Probably for more cushions or I am thinking larger things.

A walk along the beach was called for as the tide was receeding. and what jewels of nature would it have left behind.

 The colour  of this spongy thing caught my eye but I didnt want to touch it.

 It was a good walk and my hand slowly filled with pretty jewels left by the tide till It could hold no more.

 So it was time to retrace my steps. I had dug out these crocks that I bought in UK in 2008 and hadnt used much but I am loving them for beach walking. So easy to just wash out the sand .

After more quiet time and study it was time for a simple supper of tinned chicken and sprouts with French bread and a glass of wine. This was very special for me in this space. Very different from the Friary but with the camp ground empty but for the managers it was very quiet and a true blessing. What will the morning bring. Ile see you there. Blessings, Trills.x