Lots of happenings

Life has been consistently busy for the last two months.
In August I ran a 1 1/2 day class for beaded ball 'Ruby's Treasure" which was successful. Also I completed the first in the year long banner series (an applique set). Did more stitching on Odyssey and have nearly completed the outside stitching, started sewing on the black beads and purchased some suitable bronze beads.
September saw stitching on Odyssey (only have the bottom to finish now as well as the beads). Nearly completed a square on 'Walk on the wild side', and started to finish two needle books. One will be a gift for Christmas and one for Erin I hope.
This month has seen me start the next banner (snowman) in time for Christmas, make a spider ornament for swapping and commence my triffid for creative stitchers.
I have been busy with swap bot over the past couple of months mostly with postcard swaps but I have done a white Christmas decoration and a Halloween decoration. Next on the list is a prayer flag and some more Christmas decorations. I also have done a little bit of zentangle as well as won a prize on zentangle.com.

Creative Stitchers this month saw us printing fabric so hoping that I have some pieces that I can use. I have to make a prayer flag so that will be my starting point. Card making has continued with a night each month and making of several cards each time. I have been making a few more and now trying to use the Project life from Stamping Up. As I am a demonstrator I need to be familiar. If you want to see it go here. You can order it online by entering me as your demonstrator.

On the social front I have been to rugby with mum and dad several times and may go again this weekend as Taranaki have made the semi finals (top of the pile in ITM cup). I went to Wellington with Shellie to see WOW (World of Wearable Art) and Sole Mio. Both great events. Been to see lots of movies and really enjoyed 100 foot journey. Other things still happening are meetings, and more meetings, theatre trust, WI Conference, Durham WI and guild. Still it is good to be busy.

I have been doing a little bit of beading and made a decoration for the Hawera A&P show so now have to get on with the next items. Also Sonia has asked me to attend Eltham Ladies night with her in December so I will need to make some more snap trays and bags to sell. I will make six of each I think as if they don't sell I can give them away.

Winners at last!!

Just a short note to say that the country is celebrating today as the world's biggest stadium held its collective breaths until 11pm last night when the final whistle was blown in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. 4 million New Zealanders gave a collective hurrah as Ritchie McCaw and his boys led the country home to the William Webb Ellis Trophy Champions. 24 years ago we won the inaugural cup in Auckland and it seems like Auckland is a lucky place.
Diane

busy holidays

Well another holiday break has nearly finished and I have had a busy time, catching up with friends, rugby world cup is nearly over and some of the planned projects are done. The holidays started with a trip to Wanganui to take a canvas class in making a needle book or book cover which was loads of fun and inspiring as well.

Members enjoying a break at wonderful Payne's Palace Beach Retreat.

Last weekend was the annual Central Taranaki Embroidery Guild retreat to Opunake where we had ten people undertake a project from Stitch magazine - a winter sky. It was loads of fun and I have mostly completed mine as well as completed most of the bargello section from canvas two on Walk on the Wild Side. Nothing further has been done on this canvas this week but I expect to get some done when watching the rugby final tomorrow night.

Ten of the stitched projects from the weekend. My piece is the bottom right sunset piece.

The reason no stitching this week is a new toy - I am the proud owner of an IPOD Touch and it has been loads of fun loading stuff onto it (took me four hours last night to get my music from one ipod to the other) and I have nearly got all the music ready to go plus some new stuff to listen to tomorrow.

Erin's roll

One project I have finished this holidays is the needleroll or lavender roll for my neice Erin. hopefully my brother will get it and be able to take it home with him on monday. I started this as my plane piece on our trip to USA last year and finished it this year with Erin's name on it.

Projects started (and hopefully finished) is the porject bag using my sudoku piece. I went to Maree's today and she stitched (I was gofer) and it was halfway there. Then late afternoon I went to marilyns and we started on a table runner for a christmas gift for our cousin. I have quilted half of it so can complete it tomorrow night when I go to feed the cat and then start one for my friend for christmas. Tomorrow morning I am going to start Marilyn's knitting bag and if it is fine weed some more of the garden.
I have finally got the stones ordered for the pebble garden and I was hoping that they would arrive before the weekend it is fine that they will be here next week and I can get to it each night.
I will report on more of my holiday break in the next post (possilby with more pictures of completed works)
Diane

Chocolate Buffet and Rugby



One plateful of yummy chocolate goodies. the raspberry mousse was kate's favourite.

I went to Wellington with Suzie and Kate last weekend for the chocolate buffet at the Amora Hotel. It was yummy but the pina colada white chocolate mousse finished me off and I could not eat any more. Did not even try everything but the things I tried were delicious. The nicest was the chocolate and Guinness mousse plus I really enjoyed the hot chilli chocolate drink. The white chocolate drink was not so nice.


Even the decorations were made out of chocolate.

The high light when we were there was the Argentinian team came in from their training so Kate got a coupleof photos.

BUT - the bonus - we parked the car at the Intercontinental and who was there but the Australian Rugby team so we had a photo with some of the players. Kate got photos with Quayde Cooper which she was thrilled about.