Category Archives: friends

Merry Christmas!

Posted in Christmas, family, food, friends by

I’m not planning on being online tomorrow, so #merrychristmas to you all! I hope you & your families have a wonderful day together.

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And if your cracker joke sucks, here’s one from Simon. “My mate was walking thru the cemetery & noticed four guys wandering around carrying a coffin. A few hours later he saw them again, still with the coffin. He said to me ‘I think they’ve lost the plot’.” Boom! #dadjokes

WIP Wednesday

Posted in Christmas, cross stitch, friends, grateful, house - gardens, me, Mirabilia, Nora Corbett by

It’s been an…uhh…weird Wednesday.

I got audited for the second part of my job today. Given that I practically invented the process, with minimal input, and I’m getting the outcome my boss wanted, I think I’m sound okay. But it was odd to explain my reasoning and go over scenarios with someone who is removed from the process. In a way I hope he comes up with some suggestions as I am not sure that I can’t refine the process somewhat.

Sarah was feeling as “done like a dinner” add I was so we went walking to Kings on the other side of Fowlds Park. She got advice about her magnolia and I brought herbs. I need more potting mix but the Bay & the Rue are in new pots where hopefully they can stay for a while. I also noticed my Little Bo Peep rose is covered in flowers.

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My Twitter secret santa arrived! Jinny must have paid attention. I have plans for the white one in particular; white kreinik and beads to make it shine. I’m waiting to see if Jen got hers (stalking TBH).

And on the stitching front, as you can see from the IG feed, I’ve got started on Mermaids of the Deep Blue. I did re-chart her hand as it looked odd.

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I think I’ll be onto her face just as soon as I finish with the skin on her chest.

What are you up to?

WIP Wednesday

Posted in cross stitch, friends, grateful, Mirabilia by

I’m still managing small portions of Persephone most days. She has an “armbow” and last night I found the edge of page one. Yay!

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Today I was totally spoilt by a stitching friend,  Andrea. This box arrived (to scale, that teddy I made sits 30cm high):

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And inside are the bits to make this!

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It’s a lap/desk stand. I’m so grateful and can’t wait to put it together.

Bonfire!

Posted in family, food, friends, grateful by

Last night was the Second Annual Tasker Bonfire, and like last year hosted by my FIL down at his Hobsonville farmlet.
Highlights: the boys (3 generations!) made a guy

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And carried it down to the fire

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Friends came over with their families. There were 9 kids from three 15 yo all the way down to Mase just kicking the balls around, making up stupid jokes and having a great time.

After dinner it was dark enough to light the fire.

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Perspective proves it really was that high to start with! But it soon came down enough to make steve-style smores; toast/burn/obliterate your marshmallows, slap between two Griffins chocolate this and eat. Nom nom.
Apart from sparklers and some other fancy stuff,

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no one was really interested in the fireworks. There was the noise from Whenuapai base but everyone was content to sit and be. And watch a neighbor release beautiful Chinese style lanterns.

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It was a good good night.

High 5 4 Friday!

Posted in cross stitch, family, friends, grateful, High Five For Friday, Mirabilia, round robin by

As it’s Thanksgiving period for my State-side friends, I thought this month’s High 5’s would be things I’m grateful for.

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Cross stitch can be so so satisfying. I finished the V (another goal crossed off!) and rocked straight into the international Mira RR piece. This is two days of Christmas Elegance.
Daylight savings means more play time. Z at Browns Bay.
Flu mess keep the crap at bay. But they do stop me from hitting post on the last entry!

But the most important thing this week is Baby M. He belongs to M, and is an absolute sign of faith and prayer. Born in early September at 30 weeks, he’s a fighter. He’s inspiring a group of us to praise God & keep praying for his family and the hospital staff. Please join us in prayer. Seeing faith in action is amazing.

WIP Wednesday

Posted in cross stitch, friends, grateful, round robin by

I’m full of flu but celebrating some highs, especially when I look at my October goals.
I finished Keely’s Angels, & that piece is already with the next (final) stitcher.
Yesterday I finished Lisa’s piece which had the Tattie Teddie theme. There’s a full day worth of backstitching there! Mine is the one on the right, with the pink sunflower.

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And I’m down to the last two threads on Kathryn’s piece. I really like the idea of this one, as a cushion perhaps? CrossStitcher magazine from Jan 2011, designed by Jacqui Pearce.

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I’m expecting to finish this one today, then I’ll be selecting the piece for the Mira RR. Yay! Love crossing off those goals.

Wowzers! Be in to win!

Posted in cross stitch, embroidery, freebies, friends, grateful, High Five For Friday, me, Smalls SAL, WIPocalypse by

UPDATE 29/10/15: This competition is now closed.

When I started blogging I didn’t think that anyone other than family would notice. I’ve been blessed by your feedback and comments, and now I’d like to pay it on!

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The prizes are:
A Lizzie*Kate snippet, Cross Stitcher in Residence plus goodies
OR another snippet,  Stitching Forever plus goodies
OR if you follow me because I read & you read, I’ll custom make you a book mark. It could be the design pictured here, or something else that depicts you or what you read (let’s keep it pg tho!).

So to enter, you need to be a blog follower and comment below with “snippet” or “bookmark”. If you comment with bookmark, let me know what genres/authors interest you, or a cross stitch designer or theme of you prefer. I’ll post wherever so this contest is open internationally.

Three winners will be announced on October 27th, two WIPocalypses away from today.

Good luck!

High 5 for Friday!

Posted in family, friends, grateful, High Five For Friday, me, round robin, stitching patterns, Teresa Wentzler, work by

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Visiting: today I’m meeting up with Angela from the NZ XS group. She lives very locally, on a farm. Looking forward to it!

Stitching: Blitzen, & incredibly curious about Angela’s choices for the RR. Plus must give Tapestry Cat some love. Watching the progress Theresa Wenztler is making on Illuminata is amazing. Designers don’t get enough kudos or money.

Pinning: lots of gorgeous things

Paying: bills. I’m grateful I have a good job that I enjoy and that enables me to help look after my family.

Watching: not a lot. Think I’ll have a NCIS binge. Yay for DVDs

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!