Christmas and London

Trying a couple more days of posting. 

27 January: an early start but we should have been earlier. Could not find the petrol station and a wrong turn later we were rushing to check in and get to the gate. Boarded the flight easily but discovered when we got to London no luggage. Took an Uber to the hotel and our driver was most informative. Went past areas that when I lived in London you would not have wanted to be near. Met Stephanie and Virginia as we were checking in. 

Decided as it was a good day the we would walk across the London bridge and along waterfront to the shard. I wanted to take Erin up there. It was really good views so pleased we did that. Met the girls at the bottom and tried pastries from the bakery. Very yummy. A tube ride to bond street and oxford street was at our feet. Visited selfridges, M&S as well as a few other shops. Along regent street to the end and piccadilly was next stop. The obligatory photos and onto Leicester square. By this time hunger was starting and we found Garfunkel’s where we all chose fish and chips for Friday night tea. A bus then walk back to the hotel. No luggage yet. 

26 January: Black Forest trifle for dinner today then all into the car for a drive past the farm and Abbey St Bathans. Saw Joy Dobie at the carol service and her children are lovely. Our drive ended up in Eyemouth for a walk but no ice cream. Not as cold as the time came with Stephanie. The sea was very calm and there seemed to be a few people around for holiday time. Upstairs after tea to pack and make arrangements for the morning. 

Christmas Day: had a stocking from Santa outside our doors this morning. Breakfast was porridge again which I didn’t have any sugar on. Erin and I opened our stockings after breakfast. I have a lovely apron made from thistle fabric. We smartened up and got dinner preparations on the way including googling a recipe for chestnuts and Brussel sprouts. That was my department and it was very tasty if I say so myself. Gillian and George arrived about midday with lots of exciting items as they wandered past the window. Lunch was pork roast with accompanying veges and served in the dining room again. After pudding we retired to the lounge for a second lot of parcels. Watt received a set of golf clubs for him to use in his retirement. Visitors left about five and we had a quick tea and tried to convince watt to watch the news. Another family Christmas.

Scotland 2019

Trying to get online and update the adventures to date. I have posted photos to Instagram and some to face book as well. 

Enjoy the short notes.

24 December : walk into Duns to buy tea but bought gloves first. Bollards covered in knitting were fun. David and Muriel arrived for lunch so we had cold meat and salads with roulade for dessert. Was a great day to sit and talk in front of the fire. Evening event was the carol service at Cranshaws for the district churches followed by mince pies and shortbread. 

23 December: Edinburgh by train and the castle tour which was fabulous then met David for Italian for lunch and a walk through the Christmas markets before catching train back to Dunbar and drive home. A late tea of soup which was nice. 

22 December : had a bit of sleep in after a very busy day yesterday getting to the new house. Heather gave us a tour of the new house and what they have changed and left as it was. The house was built about 1850 and has wonderful views from the front and back. Went to Longformacus for the carol service in the evening and it was followed by drinks and shortbread. A wonderful start to the Christmas season.

20 to 21 December: a early start with Terry picking me up for the trip to New Plymouth. Sat with Debbie and Brent Rawlinson for coffee. Trip good to Auckland. Met Stephanie and waited for nearly an hour for Cathay to open. Wandered the departure area and finally boarded for first flight. Got to Hong Kong and had to transit then get new boarding passes for next flight. Arrived at Gatwick and got through customs okay. Booked onto the next flight and then found a coffee shop to wait for Mark to arrive. Flight to Edinburgh was fine with dry weather when I got there. Met by David and taken to Winchburg where I had lunch, shower and sleep. David took me back to airport where we met Erin from her flight and got the car for the drive to Duns.

A long time missing

celebration dinner

One of my aims this year was to blog at least once a month but I find that a third of the year has gone and nothing written. It's been a busy start to the year with my brother and his wife visiting for my dad's birthday and a celebration weekend in Wellington. It was really fun and we had a wonderful time with them here and they had a great trip down the south island for his 60th birthday.



Stitching has been continuing and a new project has come along but more on that later. Night class is still going and we are doing a tiny tin of treasures project this term hopefully. Some photos of that are here:

             

 Next project on the go is the piece for Taranaki Creative Stitchers: I was given Kenya as my county but quite a difficult one. There is no definite style of embroidery or stitching (only ndebele beading stitch could be called african) so I am exploring the african aesthetic and hopefully will produce a piece for the october exhibition.  As part of this process I have been doing some machine embroidery and made this couple of birthday cards which I will sell or use. I have also been making some christmas decorations using a similar technique so once they are finished they will get photographed. If successful I will make a few for the end of year Percys Place shop.

Card making has also been featuring and a neighbour is hosting the occasional afternoon of card making so I am taking advantage and going. I then come home and use a bit more of the card/Stampin Up stash so here are some that I have created (tiny gift cards) for Mackays Pharmacy to sell. Its been a great way to use up some of the stash and I am trying to do more.

This is the start of the next project. Our guild is having a Casalguidi workshop in June and the preparation foundation needs to be stitched first. The colour is looking grey but it is very similar to DMC 504 colour so that will be fun.

Well that's the catch up and here's to a term two with a principal who is on sabbatical and an open evening that is not too far away and no organising started. Oh dear just another year at school.

update in time for christmas

beaded flower. really lovely

It has been several months since I have posted but I have been updating photos on my instagram account. In October I attended the Inpsirations sponsored stitching retreat "Beating Around The Bush" for the 10th Anniversary, with my sister. This was a fabulous week of three stitching classes - whitework with Jenny Adin-Christie, beading with Hazel Blomkamp and crewel embroidery with Margaret Light. I will endeavour to put photos of my work on here.

Ayrshire Whitework with Jenny Adin-Christie

one side of my needlecase

the whole experience was loads of fun and I really enjoyed meeting some teachers that i have read about and also discovering another aussie city in a new light. We went to the South Australian guild rooms and it would have been great to have had longer as it was so much to see.

Stephanie came over to join us for three days so we had fun driving around, visited barossa valley and Maggie Beer's farm and got the photo as well.

Quarterly Update

 Its been a busy few months and I have taken to working with felt for some of the time. A friend made the most delightful bookmark with a ladybird for me so I have taken this to a whole new level and created several for sale. These are at Percy's Place in Stratford or Eltham Honey as well.

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These crosses were created for a friend who is visiting South Africa and wants small gifts to take with her. I am sure the recipients will be delighted and will use them every day.

Unicorn - created for a granddaughters birthday 

 Bumblebees - did you know they are in short supply and one of my best friends has a honey business "Eltham Honey". These are for her to sell or keep, whichever she wants.

Mickey Mouse, the Owl, Cup of tea and hearts have all been done as presents for friends and family so I have the patterns and can create more as I go.

I have found a new way of stitching on felt and it is really neat and makes a nice edge. I also put a stiff lining so they should keep their shape for a while.

Next finish after 18 months is the Laura Perin Christmas Wreath. This is stitched using my stash threads and it has been loads of fun. I am hoping to mount it in a circle as a wreath that I can bring out each year. Hoping to get it finished in time for the November Art Society exhibition.

Latest starts. We have collected a number of these small bags from Air New Zealand over the years and I have been using them as small project bags. I saw a bigger one decorated in the style of Sue Spargo, so thought I would have a go. Here is the first bird one with pieces stitched and pinned ready to go. I am now ready to finish this one and will post it when done.

Busy months

Fiona's Birthday present. A project pocket.

Been a busy month so far with a few projects completed and others on the go. I made a project pocket for Fiona's birthday in this really lovely fabric and have a small needlebook to make to go with it. She was delighted with it so I was pleased.

Book marks for sale at Percy's Place

Next projects finished are more items for sale at Percy's Place. I have made about five book marks and have a couple more to make. I am hoping that these sell at the gallery as they have been fun to make but very time consuming.

I have also finished three perpetual poppies for Rhonda to sell, these are a new design shape from using the fluffy poppy that I made for myself last year. Hopefully these will be popular as well. It is coming up to ANZAC Day here in New Zealand so they should sell.

ANZAC Perpertual Poppy

 My last lot of crafting this month has been making some cards as I did not have any left. I needed a sympathy card and Jessica (from inkitupwithjessica.com) had a card which inspired me. I cut ten cards using purple and green card stock from my stash (so not the same colours as Jessica's) but go together okay. I used one of my favourite stamp sets for the flowers and also sassy saluatations for a couple. The top left card is from Jessica's web blog so I hope that she likes what I have done. I still have about five sets cut out to do but will make them another day.

Cards from recent day making. Top left was the inspiration card.

last project for the month is the Italian Love Affair for our embroidery guild. I am over half way with the Perugia embroidery and will start the Deruto next rather than the Byzantine one.

Will post pictures another day.

Anyway - one day left of the holiday break then a public holiday and back to work. My week off has become three days this holidays, but I have had time with friends and family so that has been good.

Houston. The kiwi is coming

Jan 10: a busy day. Up early and washing on even thought the weather looked dodgy. Meeting with Marilyn at the bank sorting out the parents took a while but no we are sorted. Got home and tried to do the final jobs but it all took a longer time than in the past. Packed the bag and only about 16 kegs so through a couple of extra things in. Weight at np, was 18.6 so very pleased. Got checked right through and up to lounge when I discovered that the the phone was on the bedroom floor. Amazing the staff at New Plymouth especially Gavin and managed to get hold of Marilyn a don get it back to me. I owe her big time now. A great flight to Auckland sitting next to a teacher from NPGHS. interesting discussion about the departures amongst the staff. 

Lounge in Auckland is very nice especially as it has a view now and so good. Enjoyed a peach Bellini and snacks as well as ordered a coffee on my app. Woohoo for technology. Looking forward to the upgraded flight and enjoying a couple of movies and a nice sleep. 

Weather forecast for Houston is currently 11deg so here’s hoping it gets no colder. 

Hopefully this is my plane