cooking morning- berries fresh off the tree

This morning hubby picked red currants off the tree and we made red currant jelly/jam. We covered the tree this year with netting and didn't lose any to the birds.

Tassie tiger satchel for our New Zealand trip

Hubby and I are planning a trip to N.Z. in February, stopping off at Oatlands this week on the way home we popped into Oatlands hand made and I just couldn't resist this satchel to take away with me. It is made by madeit.com.au/stalley
very appropriate for a tasmanian to carry around don't you think with the tassie tiger on the front.

Have a great christmas everyone

My little grandson and baby on the way christmas stocking hanging, how exciting, have a beautiful christmas everyone with your lovely families. Happy blogging too.

wedding anniversary - 34 happy years

This saturday we are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary, goodness my poor Mum and Dad trying to get a wedding organised a week before christmas! What was I thinking? It was such a beautiful day celebrated at our parents home after the church service - a day to remember - everyone had a lovely day.

very appropriate for christmas

Lazy sunday mornings

There's nothing nicer than sitting reading the sunday papers and eating a nice fresh piece or two of home made date loaf.

Wow what a lovely thank you

I received these beautiful flowers today from parents of a child in my care - what a beautiful thank you and one which I certainly do appreciate. I thought getting paid was enough for caring for someones precious little one.

christmas port balls

Every christmas I make port balls. You need one good quality christmas cake (in Australia I use the large Lions fruit cake) crumble the whole cake up in to a large bowl and pour half a cup of port all over give it a good stir, leave for a week covered in the fridge. Then take out and roll into balls and dip in a good quality dark chocolate, set in the fridge and enjoy when all your friends pop around. They are delicious. As shown in the pic I am only up to the stage of soaking, when I roll them into balls I will post :)

Getting into the christmas spirit

Today the daycare children and I made a christmas bunting and then decorated a pelmet above the playroom door. This way little fingers aren't able to touch everything and everyone can admire our pretty display. I know it is early but to the children it is very exciting. I wonder if Chrisartist recognises the cute Santa she gave me many years ago - it came from her Play Centre she ran, I take great care of him and he comes out every year for my day care children.

Tall ships festival

Lovely sculptures at Salamanca Market in Hobart commemorating the Tall Ships festival in 1998, it is just lovely wandering around Salamanca and also watching the children fascinated with these tall ships.

Tea cup pin cushion

I have always admired the cute little tea cup pin cushions, so I tried one myself, don't think it will win any prizes, but I think it is pretty cute and very handy next to my sewing machine, anyone have any tips on what to put in the cup, as the soft filling kept trying to pop out and it was a bit tricky to keep down.

I woke up and needed to make an apron!

I must be feeling christmassy - when I woke this morning I needed to make an apron, so while eating brekky I got out all my scraps and put together this nice bright christmas apron, now when I cook goodies it will put me in the festive mood. Didn't need to buy a thing, now I know why I save every scrap and don't throw them out. I made it reversible, bright green material with red apples all over.

I made a book

I bought a panel from spotlight, followed the instructions carefully and the end result a cloth book for my grandson. I was delighted with how it turned out and can't wait to give it to him. I am sure an eighteen month old will love the animals on every page. Not counting the front and back there are ten pages of animals.

A watch from Venice

Today my lovely sister (chrisartist) and I had lunch for my birthday which was last week, she surprised me with this beautiful watch all the way from Venice! I have three lovely Venetian glass necklaces so I was over the moon to get a watch that will go so nicely with my necklaces. Also some very cute gift tags in a cute little bottle.
I love the card an original of Chris's taken in Paris and aptly named " Lunch in Paris 2009" Thanks so much Chris xxxx

Christmas sewing

With christmas on the way I made a start on a few little christmas pressies

A stocking for my little grandson and aprons to giveaway to little girls, I will have to search for boy material!

Do you know what this says?

I came across thes gorgeous pants yesterday in a little op shop boutique, brand new hand made and couldn't resist them, I love the colour, fit and style. Just don't know what the writing says, can anyone help? I'm just hoping it is something nice!

post for my birthday

I am having a birthday on sunday and today in the post a lovely parcel arrived and two hand made cards, isn't it lovely that people take the time to think of some-one else? I'll be catching up with Chrisartist next friday at the raspberry farm too, yum. But on sunday just a nice quiet day with my family :)

There is a baby on the way

I am delighted to say I am going to be a Nanna again.(More on that later when I can shout it to the world!) So today I decided on making a little quilt, using colours which will suit either a boy or a girl. Flanelette on the reverside side, with a lovely soft padding inside the quilt.

A rose for my Mum

This beautiful rose was planted when my Dear Mum passed away, today it had it's very first flower for the season. :)

a morning of bib making

I made a few baby bibs this morning,(in between popping out my front door and watching the Burnie Ten foot race run past, how did they do it? It ws hailing at one stage) the bibs are all reversible, and I am sure will come in handy.

sewing day

I used some of Chris's lovely tape she bought me overseas and made her a cushion to remind her of her travels.

Lovely presents from Christines overseas trip

My lovely sister Chris returned from a month away overseas and over a lovely lunch today at the Raspberry farm I unwrapped my beautiful presents.

First my hubby's beautiful Murano glass bottle opener from Venice, it is so pretty.

Then for me some beautiful material from http://www.themakeryonline.co.uk/ (but of course mine is straight from the shop The makery Emporium in Bath U.K.!) lucky lucky me. I can't wait to make a bag out of the piece with tea cups! Haven't got any further thinking with the other two pieces, but give me time!

Lovely ribbon and wow won't they be put to good use. How cute is the one that reads "made with love" I won't know what to use first. Thanks again Chris - I am so excited.

Can you see the finished bag made with the pretty tea cup material and I added the little pin which just about sums up how much I do love my tea.