more family fun

Things have been happening since Saturday. Sunday we hired cars and had a great day driving around the island and although the kids were not allowed to go surfing they did get onto a beach. Tried out the local supermarket for lunch and they had an awesome selection of food items. We drove around some of the neighborhoods looking at the houses and found a holiday home idea for our family. A floor for every family, built down the hillside. Mj and mum thought that was a great idea.

Monday we went over to the Hanauma Bay so the kids could go snorkeling and swimming. It was cloudy when we got there but the sun came out and the clouds kept washing away.Cathy and I walked along to the end of the beach and while walking along could see the fish in the shallows. It was amazing and lots of different ones. Some were quite big. Walked back and got the rest of the adults to come and have a look as well.

When we got back to the hotel Marilyn, Cathy and most of the kids went off to the Ala Moana shopping Centre and did their thing. We met up with Ewan and Mj at the pool bar and the boys (Ewan, dad and Alex) went to the airport to get terry who was flying in from the Augusta Masters tournament.

Mum, MJ and I went off to a little restaurant for dinner and had a great night. The wine was almost dearer than the food but it was fun and we stayed until they just about bought out the vacuum cleaners.

Tuesday was the big exciting day. Marilyn and all the kids were off at 5am to go to the Big Island to see the lava park and volcanoes. It was a wet day for them but they evidently enjoyed it.

The remainder had a leisurely breakfast at the Peets coffee, Ewan and Terry organized a car, dad and I went to the post office to post all the cards and then the shopping began. Ewan drove mum and I to the needlepoint, etc shop which was really nice. We then got a taxi to the Ala Moana Centre and did the shopping thing. Found a few things to try on but nothing really grabbed me. Mum got a nice black silk/wool top for winter and I got a spatula. Caught the bus back to the hotel where we met up with the family. Cathy and I went to the gym for an hour – go me. Back up and to the pool bar after a refreshing shower. Dinner at IL Lupino just across from the Sheraton. I had the lobster risotto which was nice. Another expensive dinner but not my turn.

Everyone still asleep this morning, just seen Mj who has lost Ewan but did buy me a coffee so that was okay.

To the top

Busy day two. Got up early and took dad to gym so put him on the treadmill for ten then onto the bike for ten. He did well. Went to breakfast then to the apple store with Ewan and the guy made it work again yeah. Wandered along the shops with mum and Marilyn tried on numerous togs but either need boobs four inches higher or a longer body. Got into international market and did some serious non clothes shopping which was fun.
Lunch at the rum fire in the hotel and then onto the activity portion of the day. Taxis to Diamond Head Park and start the walk up. Mum and dad got all but to the top. I did the last bit twice as Marilyn went up with Ewan but not to the top. Back to hotel and it's happy hour.

Well I am off again on another holiday. This time the family (extended) are all meeting at the beach. Most of our joint holidays are at a beach or have swimming involved. This time the beach is in Hawaii and we are at Waikiki. I will not be trying the surfing although I am sure the children will. Alice has got a week of events planned so we should get to see several of the main attractions, do some shopping (Sarah and Alice are ready to shop) and even do the beach thing. Stephanie has been so she has been giving me some advice on some of the things to see and do. Marilyn and thought we were flying business class – that is what is says on our itinerary but Stephanie checked my booking and it says economy. Thought I did not pay enough. Oh well business class will have to wait a month or so.


Alice is devastated that she is not flying business class as the last two trips she has had to Ewan’s have been in the business or premium economy which is great but she is not paying for it.

We are flying on Air Pacific so that is another airline to add to the list. I am wondering about lists at the moment and have seen on another blog 101 things in 1001 days. It sounds like a great thing to do but at the moment I can’t even think of one thing to do.

Having a fun evening with Stephanie as she is house minding for the long weekend while her sister is at her mum’s for Easter. We sat up just like we were still on holiday, planning the next excursion.

School has been really busy and this week rushed through with non-stop happenings. We had the annual Shakespeare Festival competition at our school and it was exciting to see all these students from other schools coming into our venue. It makes a change as we usually have to travel to New Plymouth to events. Relay 4 life was a wonderful time although we were ankle deep in the mud. All the kids really enjoyed themselves and I was very proud of myself as I walked a total of three hours which was good. There is a great report on our school blog www.shsinfo-centa.blogspot.com. I raised over $70 myself so that was above the target set for each person. Our final total donation will be known at the start of next term.

Dad and Rusty Barrett at Rusty's recent 80th birthday.

My prize winning exhibit at the North Taranaki Institute Arts Festival on 26 March.

Arts Festival for Institute

I went up to the arts festival today to check out my entries. I did quite well with my Christmas stocking beating mums which was fun as both of us thought her sequined one would win. Also got a piece of gold work into nationals (funny thing was I only finished it last night and wasn't even going to put it in). My dish cloth I crocheted did not rate but at least I can use it. My cushion was not rated but at least it made an entry and my coathanger came first as well. I was quite pleased as it was a project that had been hanging around for a while.
I will put some photos up tomorrow.

My coathanger and dishcloth

Mounted goldwork style piece done in copper threads.

Most amazing - Mum came home with the silver tray for me as I had the best in show. My name will be on their once - hers is on the tray six times.

Giveaways on blogs

Linda Kittmer has the most wonderful blog of beads, fabric and art journalling. she is offering this dvd as a blog giveaway if you post  a comment on her blog. go and have a look.
http://lindakittmer.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/great-beading-dvd-give-away.html

Just been to embroidery guild meeting and the pulled thread cushion decoration that members are making is fabulous. I would love to be doing it but I will post a picture of someone's when finished. I have finished the first panel of my four sided bag so here is a snap shot. It needs a little paint in the hair styles and to do the eyes but I did not have any black thread at the meeting.

My geisha (little fat ladies) first side of the bag.

I will be doing some blog hopping this week as part of swap-bot so I will post some exciting links I hope. It makes it fun to explore new and different blogs. Something I found today was eyelash beading. google it and see what happens.
have fun this week in beads,
Diane

Busy weeks

Life has been exceptionally busy for the past couple of weeks but I have been inspired to take part in a couple of swap-bot exchanges. Lots of fun I did a tea-bag swap, fabric swap and am currently doing a blog and christmas decoration swap. It is loads of fun to get envelopes in the mail and new tea to try. I find that this time of the year is best for me to swap but I want to try and do at least one every month this year. I have my christmas decoration to make this weekend and I am looking forward to cutting out all the leaves for the christmas wreath.
my two ideas for my christmas decoration.

 

I am busy stitching on thefelt  wall hanging for Neil and Cathy but do not think I will finish it before we go to Hawaii. only three weeks to go and six days on the beach. Stitching is continuing on my 15 sided biscornu for night class and I am managing to keep up while trying to learn the new stitch programme that I purchased for my computer. This weekend I would love to complete the instructions for "D's the Letter" but I will be at embroidery weekend for saturday then as part of the Relay 4 Life team for our school from 5pm on Saturday to Sunday afternoon.

I will post a picture of D's the letter when i get home as i do not have a copy at school.

More finishes

Finished my cushion. This is made from a silk material from J R Fitzgerald and Co, San Francisco and is a fully lined cover. It took me a number of goes to get it to work but only the inner seam to hand stitch. I was impressed with myself and unfortunately could not get the beaded fringe sewn on with the machine so hand stitched it later. I am really pleased with the use of the fabric and it looks quite neat.

Been stitching on my 15 sided biscornu so I have two squares completely finished and about 7 partly done which leaves 6 to go. Also have to get stitching on pieces for the Arts Festival and will have a little corn sack to make this week for the mice to come out of. I have also been writing my story about the village store so I hope it will be all right to put into the competition.

Went for a bike ride this morning and got nearly all the way to the school but ran out of puff. On the way home I pedalled more of the distance rather than letting the gradient and bike do the work so I was happy with that. Went out for a nice lunch and catch-up with friend Shellie and had the most delicious lemon slice at the Shakee Pear at the Stratford Pioneer Village. A great cafe and really busy today for sunday lunch.
Diane