Dibble dabble doodling

Here I am Piper sitting in Mt Eden again while daughter on jollies. Just a short week, but I must have all my crafty needs to hand.

And I'm afraid to say, that when I land in her lounge with all my stuff, the room quickly comes to resemble a bomb sight. Those plastic bags are from today's shopping foray. You want to see?

OK!! You asked!

This little pile came from the local thrift store on Sat, five minutes after I arrived, well almost. A few doilies of course, a sweet little jug, the feathers are on a pillow case of heavy cotton which I immediately thought would make a good bag, or maybe two. And a few pretty cards.

Next please! Is from the dollar store where I popped in to get ideas for Kerry's big O!! Birthday coming up. The coloured metallic ribbon is for a secret mission for which I need a stapler. Can't find one here SI it will have to wait till I get home, and the scrap book for a drawing I had in mind following mindful thoughts yesterday. Can't find any colour pencils here either. Plenty of paints and other crafty stuff. Oh well, another mission on hold.

The pearls were the main thing I was shopping for, and I found them in Geoff's Emporium.

Along with a lot of other delishimos, like self adhesive fabric, linen flags, and vintage lace. As you can see, I am already experimenting.

Also from there, some yarn for the ripple blanket Jin has ordered for her birthday in July. And I am trying to stock up my general craft supplies, so you see paint rollers, and very useful sticks and things.

There was also a vintage shop with antiques etc. AB FAB!! MOUTHWATERING! Hold your bag close so you don't knock anything down, kind of place. Found a few small treasures. Doilies, green glass, and jugs.

This one goes with a set of containers waiting for another shelf installation so they can go on show.

This dainty little one made in what was Chechoslovakia. Sooo sweet, this will be added to my vignette in the spare room.

This book looked intriguing for me with my Saxon roots. A lot of old English, set in very old East Anglia.

The pearls were for this. I dabbled away with the plastic ring from around a jar and some bright yarn last evening. Decided to add a little heart, then thought a pearl at its centre would just finish it off. 

Now I have been digging around for other rings. As you can see, the green one has luggy thingys on it so not sure how it will turn out and can't find anything to cut them off. But the big white one is perfeck.

I think I'll try this humongous ball of gelato yarn found at the red shed last week.

Yes! Very gelato rainbow coloured, this one. Not sure?

I start by just double crocheting around till ring is full. No counting.

Round one done.

I had to finish the second round before I could explain. I started with a double crochet into first dc of first row. Miss one dc then four trebles into next dc. Miss one dc. Dc into next dc. And so on. As I didn't count the first round of dc, one can't be sure where it ends So I just fudge it, using any gap to form the loop of twenty chain, and I left a long tail in case I need it when attaching any centre decoration. Not sure whether to make a flower or use a crystal Angel I have at home. We'll see.

I will continue to dibble and dabble at the various missions to hand, like joining these squares that go back nearly two years.

Finishing the words on this first attempt at hoop art, started last winter.

Try to figure out how to mount my giant mandala in this hoop, found at emporium today.

Or rootle around in my blue suitcase and the numberless missions buried there.

Oh the joys of a crafter!

Meanwhile Piper is keeping a dubious eye on me from the window sill. She's not sure about all my mess, but all will be forgiven when I open the fridge for her dinner, and then she will curl up next to me in bed for the night.

Hope you are finding delights in your days, and many blessings. Love, Trills.xx

Thrifty Treasures.

Last Saturday Janet needed to go pick up a trade me find, so I tagged along. A couple of guys were clearing out their Mothers house, as she had gone into a home. People were coming and going with their trade me treasures and the garage floor was littered with stuff nit listed,YET! So we asked if we could fossick around.

Well! I scored the dear lady's sewing baskets with their treasures of old cottons, and bits and bobs.

Do any of you remember those flower basket needle packs. A couple of old tins, more bits and bobs.

And of course the baskets.

Such fond memories.

And this fellow. A plastic Tiki.

But this one is special. On the back you may just be able to see the words, "FLY TEAL". This was NZ's first commercial airline which became Air NZ. Well My Dad worked there. From the Early days with the flying boats, which he had flown in Britain during the war. He was based at Mechanics Bay and was still with them when they became Air NZ, up until 1973, playing a big part as an instrument technician.

Oh! The memories.

Another treasure was these glorious enamel pots, maybe for the bus. We were happy with our treasures, and on a roll, so headed for the thrift stores.

More doilies and linens for my collection. Luvly juvly!

Other recent finds gather around on available serfaces. Green glass jar, fun mugs, a darling cup and saucer.

Let's have a closer look. Isn't it sooo sweet. Possibly from one of those little coffee sets of old.

I love this old pot holder, made from vintage fabrics. I wonder when it was made and about the lady who made it and her life. It is stained with use. I have soaked, washed and pressed it and so it will stay in tact as a treasure.

And what about this little treasure. A beautifully crocheted edge but very crudely embroidered. Was it someone's first attempt at embroidery, or someone maybe disabled in some way, who was being helped and guided. When I first held it I thought I might unpick it and reimbroider it, but on reflection I have decided I will treasure it and it's secret story.

I was super thrilled with this $2 tin. Such a pretty scene of English village. What treasures shall I store in it?

Three little jugs. One old English, one Crown Lynn, and one of no great significance, but they are equal in my jug loving heart.

There is no room left on these shelves. I obviously need more shelves.

Oh! And I almost forgot this eye catcher. I have plans for this , can I say retro plant hanger. 

Time will tell.

Now I must get down to something constructive.

Clear the decks and crack on, Trills. You have a quilt to finish, and another to make. Not to mention so many other intentions and creations. CRACK ON GIRL!! It's already February! Aaaaaagh!!

Blessings dear friends, love Trills.xx

A Special Beach

Once upon a time, my parents lived in this little house on the Awhitu peninsula. My brother and his family used to live there but they bought the section next door.

And my brother built this house, so my parents bought the old one. They were just across the road from a new regional park and Dad got a job there as a ranger.

During his time there Dad planted many trees including the ones each side of this pic. As you can see already the view is lovely and there is water.

Yes! There are two wonderful beaches in the park, with a tiny Island you can walk to at low tide.

The long white sandy beaches are wonderful and it was a lovely high tide when we arrived on Tues mid morning. Straight in for our first swim of this Summer. 

The cool clear water was sooo refreshing as we lolled about trying to work up an appetite.

There were a few others enjoying this treasure, but it certainly was not crowded.

I sheltered under a small tree while we had lunch and a read.

I kid you not. They go most places with me, where I think there might be book browsing time.

Wisdom on collected. Mmmm! Actually very encouraging and forgiving for me.

I gaze at these walls in Tifs house so often in wonder. I have no walls, so am planning on a small space of wall in my studio.

Kerry has gone back for seconds. I'm not going to be left out!

The tide is receding, the sun is scorching, I think we need more shade.

Along there, across the small creek. Now the tide has receded we can cross over there.

AAAH ! That's better. Now to just relax in the cool under these awesome branches that have stretched out here for yonks.

Let's reminisce a little. Our youngest was only  year old whe Mum and Dad moved here. The park wasn't properly opened at that time so we had the place to ourselves. Many school holidays were spent here. This world really was our oyster, complete with shining pearl.

We swam, we walked the many paths through bush and along the seaside and across the mud flats at low tide. We fished, we forraged, we played, from dawn till dusk. Then Dad would smoke or cook the days catch.

Just like this little family, today, have found a tiny sandbar Island to have an adventure on.

Some others are hoping to find some shell fish, but I think the beds a rather depleted these days.

We'll just lay back under this wonderful canopy and savour the memories. 

And maybe read another chapter of my book. Do you like the title. "The Cure For Death By Lightening".

A rather good novel actually, set in outback America, post WWII .

Well....It's time to crunch the shells under our feet and make our way back to the car park.

Along the path where the trees and flax were planted by Dad.

Across the little stream that feeds the wetland sanctuary.

Up the lovely path shaded by the native bush.

One last glance at a wonderful slice of heaven that we have had the privalidged of being part of. There have been family gatherings big and small in the park. We have camped in the very basic but beautiful campsite. Soooo many rich memories here along with my folks ashes. Where else could they be?

We'll be back again soon, you bet!

Hope you enjoyed our day at our special beach.

Many blessings, love, Trills,xx