Back from Fiji

We had a wonderful time on our short break to Fiji. We didn't do a great deal, we just tried to relax as much as possible.

We did however go on a jungle cruise, a champagne sunset cruise on a 35ft catamaran, sea kayaking, paddle boating, a shopping trip into Nadi, lots of walking along the beach and around the resort, watching the evening entertainment and we had a trip to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant (beautiful).

Ronnie (my DH) has had his own business for two years, and in that time he has been reluctant to take a day off, let alone go on holiday. However, much to my wandering feet's pleasure he is already talking about future travel. I think Fiji has reignited his wandering feet too! Thank you Fiji!!



And what better way to end a holiday? I came home and there was some new stash waiting for me!! (I know, I know... I am supposed to be destashing!)



Happy stitching!

I am being a good girl...

Instead of a new start, I decided to dip into the UFO/WIP pile and have made some small progress on the Long Dog mystery sampler which I started in 2007.



There really aren't too many bands to go, so I'm hoping it will encourage me to just get on with finishing it!

My DH and I are currently looking for a section to build a house on, so I have been destashing and thinking about getting old projects finished up. When we moved house in March, there were many, many boxes labelled 'craft room'. I'd like to decrease that considerably for when we do find that elusive section!

Have a great week!

Progress halted

A big thank you to Gayle for coming to the rescue with my thread request. Progress has come to a halt now as I'm all out of thread.

If anyone else has this chart in their stash waiting to be stitched, I think it well underestimates the amount of thread needed. It was supposed to take 12 yards on 32 count, but I have already been through 20 yards. Make sure you have plenty of extra thread before you start, especially if your thread is not easy to lay your hands on.



Happy stitching!

Does anyone have...

...leftovers/half/a whole skein of Antique Red Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe thread they would like to swap for some threads/charts?

My niece is SIX months old today. Where did that time go? She also went for her first swimming lesson...



I am not sure that the novelty of posting cute photos of her will ever wear off, so readers and friends... you may have to bear with me :-)

Although I will have some travel photos to share soon. DH and I are off to Fiji in a few weeks. I can't wait to get away from all this wet and windy October weather.

Happy stitching!

New stash to counteract the destashing

I am doing a lot of destashing at the moment, but I couldn't resist Hootzi Humbug by Just Nan. I have long admired Just Nan's pretty pins... and I can say I am definitely not disappointed with my first!



There is not really a lot of progress on Live Simply, so I'll save the update photo for when there is something more substantial to show.

Thanks for those who shared their opinions on my last post about the OOP chart, they were much appreciated.

I see I have some new followers and commenters, I hope to pay a return visit to you all soon.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Opinions please

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What do you think is a fair price to pay for an out of print limited edition cross stitch chart?

What someone originally paid for it? Double? More? Put it on Ebay/Trade Me and let the buyers determine the price?


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So this is not a completely boring, photo-less, stitching-less post I've added another photo of Phoebe for baby photo lovers. Definitely my favourite photo I have taken of her so far.



I am distracted from my stitching at the moment (due to good things), but hope to get back into the swing of stitchy things soon!

Although I am having a little lull AND a serious destash at the moment, I did order something today - how cute is Hootzi Humbug from Just Nan?. I figured that even I, the non-finishy stitcher, could probably make a humbug. Hope I'm not wrong... 'cos I signed up for next year's four releases as well!

Stickability

I am so loving stitching this, as you can probably tell by the progress!



We love getting out and about, and most Sundays we usually take a day trip somewhere. Last Sunday we drove out to Castlepoint, which is a very remote township about two hours north of where I live. It was a gorgeous spring day, and the walk up to the lighthouse and beyond rewarded us with these amazing views!

On the way back we stopped at our favourite Wairarapa haunt 'The Big Apple' a fruit and vege stall. Not for fruit and vegies though, for real fruit ice cream. YUM!!!

As my beloved Great Aunt says 'it's not a bad life, is it?' :-)

A new start

I am all over the show with my stitching at the moment, so a new start it is!

This is Live Simply by Papillon Creations. I think I might stick with this one a while. I am using Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe thread in Antique Red, which I received in an awesome exchange from Nela a year or so ago. It is such a gorgeous colour.



Thanks for your nice comments on my last post, on my stitching and Phoebe.

My DH was high-fiving Phoebe on Sunday, and it looked several times like she was high-fiving him back. It turns out my sister has been trying to teach her to do this! It may well be sinking in.

Hope your week is going well!

Stitchie Witchie and an update

I recently saw Cathey's Stitchie Witchie finish, and fell in love. It has been a while since I stitched so enthusiastically, but I just loved the colours and cuteness of it!



I have also been working on Curly-Q Ewe now and then. I've had this kit for a while so it is about time I did something with it!



Next up is Whale House by Bent Creek. I stitched it a year or two ago, but decided to make it into a little cushion for my smalls basket last week... I think it turned out cute!



I also got my sewing machine out recently for a play. I haven't quite got Souvenir de Paris finished, the opening is only pinned shut and the charm (which I mentioned in an earlier post) needs to be attached. I winged the construction - it turned out OK-ish but I need to work on those corners (they're not very pointy).



I also finished Popcorn the bear into a little door knob hanger. Not that I will hang it on a door knob... with four cats around I don't think it would last long. LOL :-)



I'll finish off with another photo of my niece in her Jolly Jumper, just because she is so cute and I love her.



Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

As promised...

in my last post, here is a photo of my niece Phoebe in the hat that I knitted for her.