Earth Sampler

First I would like to say thank you to all the lovely people who sent me emails of condolences for the passing of my grandmother. I think I have sent all of you an email of thanks. My family and myself appreciate all the sentiments and that your thoughts and prayers were with us during this time.

Well, well, well! My missing threads finally came in and I was able to finish the last few numbers of Earth Sampler. I was on such a role and then I ran out of WDW Charcoal. It took several weeks for my order to come in and then I somehow lost my enthusiasm to finish. The other night I decided enough was enough and I pulled that baby out of the basket and finished it, yeah!!

Design: Earth Sampler

Designer: The Primitive Needle

Fabric: 40ct Natural linen by SewItAll

Thread: Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works

I received this chart from Karen when she had a giveaway on her blog. Now I would like to do the same here. If you would like to go into the draw for the chart "Earth Sampler" by The Primitive Needle, just leave a comment indicating that you would like to be entered in the draw. I will be drawing a name on the 21st November.


A few weeks ago I had read on Cheryl's blog that she was trying the Motivated Mums, chore planner. Now, I am terrible at getting my chores done and sometimes the house is quite disgraceful. So I downloaded the last few months of the year planner and I am giving it a trial to see how I go. I started on Sunday, and so far it seems to be working. The house is cleaner than ever before, but I have two whinging, whining children who seem to know when I need to get work done and are on a mission to make the house as messy as possible. The two follow me around wanting to be picked up and carried about, they pull things from the shelves and cupboards and spread them throughout the house. I love my kids to bits, but they can be so trying at times. Some chores take a long time, especially with three bathrooms in the house and with two kids, some chores need to be done a little more often than the planner suggests, but so far so good. The only things I can't seem to get done are the Sunday "Pamper Yourself" and the daily "Quiet Time". Oh well, can't win them all!

Lizzie Kate Exchange

I received my Lizzie Kate Exchange piece from Susan the other day. She stitched two cute Christmas pillows. Aurelia took one look at them, cuddled them and said "one for Amelie and one for me". These two pillows now reside in their respective rooms. Thank you Susan, both of these pillows are great and so well made, we all love them.

Now my exchange person should have received her Lizzie Kate piece by now, but I haven't heard anything from her. I don't think she reads my blog, so I think it's safe to show what I stitched.

Design: Summer ABC's

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Fabric: 28ct Lugana - Mushroom

Thread: DMC

Finish: Hanging Pillow

Much Loved

Sadly on Thursday my beautiful and kind Grandmother very suddenly and unexpectantly passed away. She was found collapsed in her home. I feel very sad for my father and his brother and sisters as both of their parents have passed away. I also feel sad for my girls because they won't get to really know their grandmother.

I have been thinking about her and trying to recall memories of spending time with her. They all seem to revolve around food and eating. She was the most amazing cook and would put on wonderful lunches and dinners for everyone. I fondly remember in the middle of winter standing at the stove, stirring the polenta for dinner. The wood stove going for both warmth and cooking. I also remember her spending many hours teaching me how to knit and do tapestries. She would also very patiently listen to me practice my piano lessons on her piano.

I remember my grandmother taking me shopping, to the zoo, to the city and to the local Italian clubs on a Sunday for lunch. I have so many great memories of long driving holidays to see relatives interstate, picnics on cold misty days in the Blue Mountains, picking chestnuts and the yummy food served at each and every gathering.

My Grandmother was so proud of her family. She had seven grandchildren, saw four of them get married and had two great-grand daughters. My Grandmother was the kindest, most loving, selfless person I have ever met. I know that she is in heaven at my Grandfather's side smiling down on us and watching over us.

Where does the time go?

Everyday has been so busy for me, I wake up, feed the kids, tidy their mess and before I know it, it's lunch time. So I feed the kids, tidy their mess and then it's time for preparing dinner. I feed the kids, tidy their mess, shower them and put them to bed. (Do you see a pattern!) This leaves me with so little stitching time. I usually stitch in the evening before bed, so I have only an hour or so at the moment.

We have also been having the brick dividing wall between our kitchen and lounge room rendered. The guys did a fantastic job and considering the floor was carpeted on the lounge room side, they hardly left a mark on the floor. What has been left is right next to the wall and will be easily vacuumed up once the wall has dried enough for the vacuum nozzle to touch the wall. Our house renovations are coming to an end, our ensuite should be done early next year, which will leave us with a little painting and then the new timber floors go down.

So this is all I have achieved recently. I have completed stitching my section of Deb's Emblem Of Love RR. She has chosen the loveliest pink linen and beautiful silks.

I also stitched this little piece for Terry for the Hooked On Exchanging Halloween exchange. It's a little portion of the Prairie Schooler Design "When Witches Go Riding". I have finished it into a long hanging pillow with a beaded border. I have to apologise to Terry as a few days after I posted the exchange, I realised I forgot to backstitch the pumpkin's teeth and the cat's whiskers. I still think it looks good though.

Design: When Witches Go Riding Book No. 148 (Top border portion only)
Designer: The Prairie Schooler
Fabric: 32ct Belfast linen - sand
Thread: DMC
Finish: Beaded hanging pillow

We had a very busy weekend this weekend past. On Saturday we had a look at some timber floors and decking. The prices vary incredibly, so we are now awaiting someone to come and measure everything up for us and give us a quote. We had to drive all the way into the city, so we thought it was a great opportunity to have an impromptu picnic by the water. A little fish and chips and a rug and we had two very happy girls.

On Sunday we celebrated my Dad's birthday by having a family Yum Cha lunch. We had a great time and as you can see by the photos, Amelie thought it was fantastic. She had a try of almost everything and enjoyed it all. While we were dining, a thunderstorm blew over and we had to try and make our way through the Sydney streets with a pram, one umbrella and torrential rain. My DH and I were soaked and not too happy, the girls, who were on the pram and under the umbrella thought it was the best time ever. I suppose that's kids for you.

Very unfortunate!

I saw this meme on Monique's blog and thought it might be a little bit of fun. Type your first name preceded by the word “unfortunately” into Google and see what comes up.

Here is a few of my favourite. Unfortunately Suzanne:

1. starved to death living in the tree
2. has had a calling of the conscience and she's come to look for Barsom in the forest
3. researched this was almost certainly meant seriously as a training flick for the wives of America
4. needs a man who wants her AND her offspring
5. repeatedly exhibits arrogance and pride, naively believing that her position is above others
6. friends and family were often anxious about inviting her to meals
7. the usual comment is, "you look different"
8. is already dating burly, Crazy Joe Davola
9. became pregnant as a teen and ended up marrying her baby's father
10. didn't get to benefit from any of it, which is too bad

I think the last one sums up the whole experience!!

Halloween Exchange

Yesterday morning, bright and early mind you, the postman delivered a parcel containing a Halloween exchange. Ellen sent me the most wonderful exchange package for the Hooked On Exchanging Halloween exchange. She stitched the cutest ornament and included some wonderful goodies. The design is by The Prairie Schooler and comes from last years JCS Halloween issue.

Aurelia was most fascinated that Ellen had sent "her" some lovely things, now who's exchange is it I ask. The trick or treat bag and the wooden Halloween ornament are now hanging in her room, but at least I managed to keep the stitched ornament. Thank you Ellen for making this such a fun and wonderful exchange.

I am involved in several other exchanges and Aurelia is already talking about the "things" she will keep for her own room. Talk about bossy!!

Last week I was very fortunate to have a happy dance. Not a stitching happy dance, but I think maybe even better. For the first time since Amelie was born, my ironing baskets are empty. Just before Amelie's party I decided to make one last go at getting it done and after many hours of ironing it's finished, but it all starts again this week. I have promised myself that I won't let it get that way ever again. Let's see how I go!

One Year Celebration!

Yesterday we celebrated Amelie's first birthday. It was a fantastic day, although a little cold and wet. I spent the whole morning cooking and we had a wonderful buffet lunch, yummy desserts and a great cake (which I didn't make this time). We had thirty one people at the party and everyone seemed to leave pretty happy. As usual Amelie was spoiled rotten with lots of gifts from everyone. She was so incredibly tired by the end of the day, she slept through the night for the very first time ever. I only wish she would keep it up for good, but I know that tonight will be back to two or three wake ups through the night.

I have been stitching a little, mostly on exchanges, but with all the party organisation going on, I just haven't had a lot of time.

Dust, Dust Everywhere!

This last week has not been a good week for us. The two girls and myself have all suffered the effects of a very nasty stomach flu that has been going around. We are all better now, but I tell you it really knocked me flat for a few days.

As the title of this post suggests, it's been very dusty around here this week. Not from renovations and not from a lack of house cleaning (although we won't discuss this topic). We have had some very unusual weather conditions, which has meant that red dust has blown from halfway across the country, leaving a red film over everything. Last Wednesday morning, this is the scene we woke up to.

I was able to clean most of the dust off the timber blinds and windowsills until we had another dust storm on Saturday morning. Not as bad as the last one, but enough to leave more dust around the place. Looks like a very busy week of cleaning and dusting!

During the week I also received my Friends Through Thread exchange from Nancy. She made this beautiful pinkeep/scissor & needle holder and a little bag that it can slide into. It's very cute! Nancy also spoiled me with all those other wonderful goodies. Thank you Nancy, this was a wonderful exchange and I really love the whole package you put together.

PS. If you remember I had a problem with a few pairs of Scissoroo scissors rusting? Well I contacted the company that they are made for and distributes them. They sent new ones out and even sent a prepaid envelope for me to send the rusty ones back. Now how's that for service!