Stash deprevation: after a month

It has been a while since I have written and things seem to have been a bit crazy. The holiday break is over with a few activities to keep me entertained. Mum and I went on a coach trip to Pirongia Art and Craft Market which was fun. Would go again but possibly take the car so a later start could be made. While we were there we caught up with my cousin and her husband so that was nice. Our next outing was to take institute ladies for a day to teach them how to macrame. It was amazing how easy it was and the little group made it worthwhile. I think all the ladies enjoyed themselves and hopefully we get a few entries into the competition next year.

At the start of October mum and I went to Wellington to catch up with an old friend, Jennifer who has moved into a rest home in Johnsonville. While there Jenny gave me a number of her books, threads and other bits she is downsizing. I also was the recipient of the chair that she needlepointed a number of years ago and this is now in my sewing room as my sewing chair. She says it’s uncomfortable but it will make me stitch faster. While in Wellington we took David out for dinner on two nights at great restaurants, shopped at Nespresso, Pandora and Swarovski with a quick stop at the Christmas shop in Kirkcaldies. Lunch was had at Charley Noble’s which was lovely. Very nice, relaxed place to while away a couple of hours and drink champagne. Mum and I then walked along the waterfront to have a look at the "Scale of Our War" exhibition in Te Papa, an ice cream and the lonely purchase of a postcard at the gift shop. On our way home the following day we stopped to visit with Alice and took her to lunch in Palmerston North at the Joseph Street Kitchen. This was a wonderful place and a real find.

On the stitching front I have been busy with my stash wreath and although I did not get as much completed as I wanted I did get a few other things done or started. I have nearly completed another parcel and trying to stitch some of the surrounds so I don't leave the basketweave to the finish.

Projects I have started are my doll knitting (pink) so I will be able to return the pattern to its owner at some stage. I made these little brooches and also am making a few small gifts for my night class ladies if they all get completed. I also managed to knit another two coat hanger covers and make one up with two still to be made. This is a great project for institute nights as I can knit during the meetings. I have finished the bag insert stitching only in blue which I am hoping to give away as a gift (so now to make up the bag this weekend).

Stash deprivation continuing

Progress to date on the stash deprivation project. I have been trying to get one parcel a week done and so far seem to be keeping to this. using all sorts of threads for this has meant a bit of unstitching as some choices were unsuitable. I also have managed to stitch one parcel completely the wrong way but you will only notice when it is placed next door to another completed one.

As well as this project I have done a little on my Thracian embroidery, started a piece for a present for christmas and done several ATC and prayer flags for swap-bot. I had also nearly finished the rug I was knitting but discovered about six dropped stitches so had to undo a lot and have not really picked it up again. It will come back into the handwork rotation soon I am sure.

Along with stitching over the past month I have read two new authors, JR Ward (Maree says it will rot my brain) and Darynda Jones - funniest books for a while. This past weekend I was able to read the latest Jack Reacher novel "Make Me" which I thought was quite a bit mellower than some of the novels but a good ending. At the beginning of August we had a chocoholic night at book club which was great fun and I came home with a bottle of wine so that was nice. Thanks marilyn for the chocolate fountain.

Only four more weeks and it is holiday time so getting prepared to take macrame lessons with the ladies from institute.

Stash deprivation starts

Our night class group are starting on a group project and I am using the stash deprivation method to use up some of the fancy threads that I have. It is Laura Perin's Christmas wreath and I will be using some different ribbon and perks threads as I have these in my stash. First step was to grid the cavvas and last night the first stitches were put in. I am using a pebble perks, close colour match instead of the perle5. Going okay so far. 

Another busy week

It's been a busy first week of the holidays with a friends father in laws funeral and a 50th birthday party on the same day. Since then I have been at work, the dentist, visited with my brother who is out from California for a week and had a couple of card making, sewing sessions. Today I have nearly finished the third in the banner series (actually banner #10), made hoummas and small sausage pizza bites inspired by a TV programme.

Banner series from Grandmothers Garden

Cooking

Cards that Sonia and I made using the one sheet wonder template a. We a now working out how to do it as a Sunday class for my ladies. 

Twin fancy finished

Finally a beaded design finished this year. I saw a picture of this on pinterest and was not able to follow the links to find the pattern so decided to attempt it myself. It has taken a while and I think I would like to have a bigger difference in the ball sizes so am going to start another one which will a class for next year I hope. 

Next challenge is to learn macrame to take a class for institute for bracelet making. Mum and I will be taking it so I am going to make simple kits that people can then take home to make there own. I have decided that these will only be to make a sample not a whole bracelet as the number of people that do not finish is astounding. I will supply a could of patterns found for free on the internet as well.

Next up is the continuing of shady colours two. I have most of the centre done which is nice but we are starting a new project with night class this week, Laura Perin's Christmas Wreath. Three ladies will be stitching it so it will be great to see it come along. I have to get mum's and my canvas onto some bars so we can start.

An excitiment for today - I'm off to the Circus with Sonia. I know its not the russian or las vegas style but I am excited.

Weekend cooking

This weekend was a wonderful time spent with one of my best friends, Sonia. Saturday was a quick shopping and visiting trip to New Plymouth. Then home for a lunch and time to get Sonia's project life organised. Saturday night was roast dinner at Marilyn's celebrating mums birthday and David being home from university. I then went home to change into my beach dress for the school ball "the Beach Ball". It was loads of fun and the students were the best at dancing and having a good time. Lots of great dancers and the boys were certainly more into dancing than the girls. I was home in time to turn into Cinderella so that was good.

Sunday I was up early to back and cook lunch for Sonia who was coming to make cards. I made individual fudge cakes for supper on Thursday at institute, and more of them for school on Thursday for Fiona. The items in the square baking tins are potato puffs. These are my favourite lunch dish but does require cooking the potatoes the day before. Sonia really enjoyed lunch as I made quinoa salad as well so that was good.

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Below are the cards that we made. It was just from a card idea on Jessica Taylor's blog so we worked well and it was a fun afternoon. The cards were all just general ones and I am thinking about taking some to friends to sell. 

Nearly finished

Shady colours number 1 is finished. The last back stitching has been done and now it can be laced and off to get framed. I have started number two and am trying to stitch along with mum on the Monday nights. This piece is in green and purple so a bit different to go on the wall.
Also to be framed is walk on the wild side so I have read the finishing instructions and laced the back canvas onto the board. Woo hoo that is for this piece as they were started in Columbus seminar in 2010.
I will try and put the pictures from the ipad onto this blog.

Also since last posting I was given an opportunity to taste test a recipe and made a pad thai, using a packet. It was nice and easy to do. Only change I did was i put some slivered almonds as I don't have peanuts in my house. Just something I don't eat very much of.

Next event is the Woman's Institute Conference. Seven days to go and it will be all on. today I have made rhubarb and ginger jam but not happy with the second batch. I will see if it is set tomorrow and if not I will boil it again on Tuesday.

Stamping up have a new catalogue and there are a number of new items that I would like but will wait until later in the month to see what if tick twice. Going to also try and downsize some of my sets but it is hard as I love them all.