The return + +

 Yep, thats me, off for a walk. DH is 'very supportive' of me losing weight and sugested I might walk our road. Well we just love that encouragement so I thought I'd raz him by wearing my jolly bed socks that I had grabbed in the early hours when I was awoken with cramp. We laugh a lot thank goodness and I giggled all the way down the road. I cant believe it's a fortnight since my last post.  Its been a busy fortnight so lets go back.

 DH arrived home from his 6 day trek, very dusty, dirty and happy after driving his tractor over many rough metal roads and over farmland and down on the west coast beaches near Waitomo. He and his 2 companions from this club met up with a large number from the local club down there so there were about 20 of them. Yes there were enough spuds and onions.

 Needless to say it was a very different line of washing from my last post and this was one of three lots.

 Earlier that day I had gone to Quilt group, and here we are, though this was after some had left so it looks a bit spare, but we do usually have about 20 -30 ladies and one man there.

 This  group were concentrating on making sissor keepers.Not something I was into.

 You can see where I am sitting with my bright crochet. We bring allsorts of things to do. You can just see Joan in the distance at right. This lovely lady has hands that are so crooked and twisted with arthritis but

 she does this most amazing embroidery. We always have a corner of her incredible work at our bienial show. Amy the lady on the left was engrossed in this book I had brought in to show her. Il show you shortly.

 And next to me Ruthina was piecing these twisted stars over papers. This was something I saw in a mag some years ago when we had our shop and My daughter drew up the pattern on the computer for me then I did a class on English Paper Piecing which I am quite passionate about and have many UFOs of different shapes as I will be busy on one project and another catches my eye and I have to try it. Il show you them all one day.

 Show and tell brings out the big quilts like this one . I was very thrilled to see how some fabric I sold in my garage sale had been used. This was a Jinny Beyer border print left over from the shop. Almost a whole bolt of it which I certainly did not need. I thought it was stunning, but the photo doesnt do it justice.

 My contribution to show and tell wa this daffodill I crocheted following Lucy,s pattern on Attic 24.

Home again I indulged in my favourite luch at the moment. Sliced French bread spread with cracked peper pate and camembert cheese and green tea though apple cider would have been nice. I,m rather partial to cider.

 Out to the swing seat with my favourite book of the moment. Granny Chic. This is it. Have you seen it or indulged in a copy of your own. I highly recomend it for all those who love vintage makes.

 Now theres an idea for all those doilies i have gathered.

 and another. I am now on the lookout for any old lampshades. There are patchwork ones too.

 This is on my to do list. The background is those cream doilies and traycloths. Ive got many of those..

 And I love this and the pieced versions.

 And how about the inside of Rachels caravan, and the outside is patched as well. I showed it to DH but he was not about to let me loose on our bus though he does want the area around the back window redone. Its wallpapered and he says after 20 years it reminds him of turkey bottoms though when he ever had the oportunity to study a turkeys bottom I dont know as we have never had one in the house let alone on the table or in the garden even. So I am buzzing with ideas to arty crafty the area under his very conservative eye.Whatch this space.

 As I sat on the swing with my lunch and book I had a visit from our little friend, a young blackbird with a droopy wing. He or she has been comming ever since its mother brought it to feed on the cat pellets left out for Emmy. If the bowl is empty it will badger us till we refill it. The cats just watch or ignor it. They are not bird catchers. Emmy can bee lying just inches from the bowl and when the bird comes she might lift her head and murmur a greeting then lie down again.

 Casper is quite happy with his new toy.

Emmy came to me to ask when her Daddy will be home. Today sometime sweetie.
Well that was then and quite a bit has happened since then but that will have to wait till my next post.
Thankyou for your comments and encouragement. Blessings, Trills.xx

Gala Booty

 I'mgoing back to Saturday now when my friends Janet and Rosemary and I went to a local school Gala. Janet is a garage sale queen and I tag along sometimes but there was none this morning and the Gala was advertising a white elephant stall which turned out to be their whole school hall filled with wonders that others no longer wanted. Now here is my haul. 2 pictures of maps, one of Europe and the other an olde world one. 2 chintz feather comforters and lets take a closer look

 An old picnic basket which I intend to line and use for my stitching, doilies to add to my collection, a couple of lampshades which I intend to do marvelous things to ( as in granny chic), A little vase, I think Chinese, but I just loved its 3 chubby legs and curly handles.

 Here's a closeup of the chintz comforter fabric. Isn't it sooo pretty. Somehow I will have to unpick them very carefully and I think outside as the feathers are already escaping through the holes.I only want the fabric.

 Did you notice this lovely item on the floor. A very charming  pincushion and thread holder. I'm thrilled with my booty.

 Now as I said I have a collection of doilies and especially lately I have combed many op shops and added to the hoard so I thought I would do a soak in nappy wash to hopefully remove any stains and cleanthem.

 A good idea to do it while DH away. My heart bleeds for the drought stricken lawn and indeed the whole country especially the farmers and their animals.

 One last look at my crooked clothesline full of loveliness. A tree fell on it some yearsago when hundreds of pine trees grew close to the house, but thats another story.

 More delicate ones I didn't want to put pegs on , I draped over the railing on a piece of toweling.

 And still more on a sheet over the clothes horse in the spare room.

 Such beautiful delicate things that someone sometime ago put a lot of time and talent into. I hope to put them to some wonderful purposes.

 Some are comercially made but they are all trasured by this maybe crazy gatherer. I have many plans and ideas. I just have to live several lifetimes.

Now after several hours of coping with my tempermental computer my lovely moggies and I with say goodbye for today. Till next time , blessings to all who drop by, Trills x

Blessings

 Following my last post as I reclined on my swing seat. I finished my coffee, looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly 3.30. Time to get going down to our local beach for a church gathering, and there they all were. A happy expectant crowd gathered for a baptism event. It was high tide but this beach is very shallow being on the inner Manukau Harbour. The safe beach for families. I'll take you to our other more dramatic beach another day.

 Nine young people were baptised in turn by Pastors Lloyd and Guy. Then It was Lillians turn.

 Dearest Lillian is in her 80s and a joy and blessing to our church family. She joined her Son and Daughter-in-law some years ago, from Wales and quickly became a member of our church family. As she was helped down the rough stone steps, I was reminded of a moment 45yrs ago when I sat there with my first Son Greg and dangled his 3mnth old feet in the water. In those days My Aunt and Uncle owned the motor camp just behind the park. The camp is still there but their quaint cottage has been replaced by a modern house. My Aunt is now 97yrs old and living in the neighbouring town in a retirement village. She only gave up driving a few years ago, bless her.

 Anyway, back to Lillian. With her mop cap on to preserve her hairdo she braved the water and received her baptism like a trouper, then raised her fist in triumph.

 Then they all gathered to share and celebrate with prayer

 and praise, and worship

Then a special word and gift from Pastor Amanda.
Now we may look a very casual group for a church and the Pastors young, but the Love and Spirit and fellowship are RICH. We are Cornerstone  Assembly of God church Waiuku, and we worship in a school hall, and join in activities in our own smaller building daily. I am so blessed to belong to this family. PLT
Blessings to you all, Trills

Hello again

 I have finally got myself into gear again after months of busyness and stresses with getting the house ready to sell . No, it hasn't sold yet so we are still up in the main house and have rented out the cottage in the meantime. And now you see the last photo taken of my lovely Buffy. Little did I know that a few days later he was to make his last visit to the vet. He now lies beneath a seedling cherry tree in the cottage garden.


We are now left with our two tabbies, Emmy and Casper and they are great mates.

 

 We now find ourselves is the midst of a very sunny summer and have managed a few days away in our bus, Emmylou. This was at Orua bay camp on the Awhitu peninsular not far from home but such a lovely place we were quite content to be not too far from home with all thats going on at the moment.

 Of course I took a hooky project and just loved my time under the tree in my lounger draped in one completed rug while working on number 2.

 We did swim and walked and at the far end of the beach found this jandel tree. Evidently a local artist started it and the novelty caught on and more and more were added. I love it.

 Yep! I love the quirky and quintessentially Kiwiana aspect of this work of art.

 Another angle looking back along the beach.

 Now this is my darling hubby on his favourite toy, just taking off on another tractor trek. Heading southward with some mates on their toys, each towing their sleeping accomadation with them.

 This is DHs  home away from home. All a man needs . Hes happy as Larry, whoever Larry is or was.

 A closer look. front left are a sack of spuds and a sack of onions from a local grower. They will hopefully be enough to feed the 20 or so guys who will be together with their toys making their way to Marakopa on the west coast.

 A kiss goodbye and hes on his way. See you next week honey. Have fun and stay safe.

 Meanwhile I do have a project or two on the go. This is another ripple rug. A very large one for our new bedroom when we finally move into the cottage.

 I have experimented with some fluffy yarn that was just the right colour but it is tricky to crochet with.

 Its very hard to see the loops to hook into . But slowly does it and it helps to have something white behind it .

 I also found this lovely soft goldy lemon to go with it too at a local garage sale. More about them in anothe post.

 The aim is that the rug will lie over the end of the bed which will be adorned with a new patchwork quilt with this as the main fabric. Don't you think they go well together.

Now I have exhausted myself. My aging computer is so slow and also needs a rest, so I will make one of my special coffees and retire to my favourite swing seat on the terrace where the nearby tree is now shading it and pat myself on the back for finally getting back to my blog.
Cheers everyone and thankyou for your encouragement. Blessings, Trills.