First day of sightseeing

A leisurely start to the day saw us sleeping in until 8.30am so a bit of a rush to get to breakfast. We were then sorted and I drove us to Ewan's. Discussions on the day followed and saw Stephanie, Mj and I depart for the sightseeing tour. We started by driving up the coast to Sutro baths, past Cliff House and Louie's diner, where we stopped for a photo look and a coffee at the national parks shop. Back in the car and driving around the suburbs, Sea Cliff, Pacific heights, marina district and others. We ended up going by the kids school and stopped at St Mary's Cathedral but could not see in.

Next stop was lunch at the grove, which is an Erin hangout. Nice quick food, I had a chilli cheese dog which was not too spicy and lavender lemonade. More travelling and Stephanie were dropped off at Union square to catch the tram to ghiarerdelli square. A mistake and we were on the wrong tram when we got to fishermans wharf but we walked along and met MJ at Buena Vista for an Irish coffee. A nice drink out of the wind and fun watching the gentleman make about 12 in one go. Next a drive around the marina and park at the Golden Gate Bridge for our walk over. It was really pleasant walking and not too windy. Took some stunning sunset pictures so that will be good to see them when we get home. The bridge I have discovered is longer than I thought so it took us a good time to walk across and MJ  was worried we were lost. A drive home for dinner and steaks cooked on the bbq for tea. Watching TV passed the evening until 11.30 when Stephanie, MJ and I headed into town to see the fireworks. The roads were really empty and as we drove along the embarcadero they started. We just crushed along watching out the car windows, taking photos. A good display and home again, back to the hotel by 1 pm. A call to Marilyn and Virginia finished our New Year's Eve.

Another month gone!

Well the past month has been busy. The holidays went quickly with a bit of all sorts done around home and getting some of the major needlepoint projects done. I did not go to the Stampin up day as it was time away that I could not afford from home.

However, labour weekend saw me in wellington with Stephanie and Holly (see Stephanie’s blog for photos of our weekend). It was lovely and we had the most amazing summer like weather on the Saturday, nice on Sunday, raining on Monday but David came to breakfast with us so that was good.

Since then I have been stitching on walk on the wide side and started the Angelina fibre section. I have also been thinking about things to make to sell and for presents.

I have made a couple of luggage labels and they are quite fun. I gave one to Alice for her birthday this month as she is off to California for a short holiday before her last year of study.

Also I have been making a couple of prayer flags and here is the one that I posted off for a swap on swap-bot. This was great to make once I was started and thinking of doing a couple of bunting swags as well for Christmas to decorate the staffroom. I made bunting at the start of the year for the Amess house as we have been in charge of the social club this year.

Last weekend mum and Fiona came to stitch so we made up the kits for the guild Christmas party. On Sunday mum and I made a Christmas decoration, which was really nice. I am not making as many this year for presents so hope to have at least six done and that will be the end of them. Sometimes I think people don't appreciate them and then occasionally it is easier to buy something. This is always a dilemma for me as I like to make things but then get less in return. As we are off for Christmas I will have to make a couple to take with me. Who knows where we will be for Christmas.

Holly and I at botanic gardens.

A well photographed feature in Wellington airport.

Prayer flag - titled it a windmill of wishes as vanes are open to hold a small paper wish.

All posted

Over the past ten months mum and I have been stitching for ANY Auction. These are the pieces that have been sent back for this years auction in Chicago.

Egg stitched by me.

Xmas Deco beaded and stitched by Mum

 

Christmas deco stitched by Mum

Elf boot stitched by me.

The other piece that we have finished was on my last blog post. It is a cone which was loads of fun to stitch and showed me how much the choice of stitch affects the finished look.

I am hoping that they will be made up beautifully and sell for good prices at the auction. It has been fun stitching and I now have brought one of my canvases out with some inspiration for stitching.

The next project that we are making for our night class is going to be some of the projects from the Needlepoint Now magazine.


This picture below shows the display table from our recent embroidery guild meeting. We also had all the pieces for our guild challenge finished and on display. It will be exciting to see it made up by Lee for the conference in New Plymouth in July. Notice under the display my table runner that Marilyn helped me make. It is the french braid pattern and now lives on the TV cabinet in my lounge. The small rooster piece was another piece stitched by Liz Bartley and I have made into a snappy bag.

May 2014 Guild Display of finished pieces.

Another finish

I was so excited last night that I stayed up to put the last beads in. This piece has history. It was started by a member of our embroidery guild (Central Taranaki) who died at the start of 2010. Last year her husband gifted me with her stitch bags and supplies and this was in it. My night class had been stitching Laura Perins Floral Ribbons and Victorian Ribbons and I was about to start one of them. I decided that I would finish this piece and make it up.

At the weekend we had our regional embroidery retreat and I decided that I would take this piece and stitch everything that needed to be done except the beads. That would be my stitching for Monday night class and this piece would be done. It worked but after a lengthy discussion on the colour of the beads, opal disappeared, the greens were wrong, the pink was too wishy washy, we decided on silver pearl and raspberry. I did most of it during the class time but after all left I sat on the couch, watched my favourite programme “Person of Interest” and sewed on the final beads. It was 10.45 pm when I took out the pins holding it on and took the photo.

My decision now is what type of bag. I have been making snappy bags and don’t really need any more for myself so think I would like to make this into a pocket for a bigger bag that will hold a 14 inch frame. This may be the go but now to find material (is there any in the stash) and a pattern (I have a book).

The next exciting thing that has happened is my dad had his birthday yesterday and the birthday surprise was my brother arriving home at 9pm last night. Very exciting.

Done and conquered!

We did it!. The Tenix Round The Mountain Relay team of Beer and Bubbles completed the adventure, did not win any spot prizes but passed the finish line in style. Karen, Phill and I took just over 7 hours to ride around Mount Egmont on a nice sunny, slightly windy Taranaki day. Phill started the first leg, while Karen and I went supermarket shopping for beer and bubbles. Karen took over the ride at Okato and did the 35 kms in 1 hour 13 minutes. I took over from Opunake and a long while later I reached Kaponga (26 kms) where Phill zoomed off up hill to Pembroke Road School. This was when the head wind kicked in a bit but by 1pm Phill and Karen had swapped riders, Marilyn was most impressed with all of us, and Karen had the difficult task of riding the head wind to Inglewood.
Phill took over at Inglewood for the last 20km stretch so Karen and I raced to park the car and ride back to meet Phill a kilometre from the end with beer and bubbles in our pockets. Riding the last kilometre we were passed by a number of professional riders (zooming really fast - they started at 11am) but still we finished as a team and given a warm welcome by those waiting.

Another beautiful taranaki day - what a great view to keep me inspired.

Along the Opunake Road

Finished 26Kms under my belt!!!!!!!

Karen says are we on for next year already.