Showing my Optimism

My Polymyalgia Rheumatica has flared up hugely and I am feeling a wee bit sorry for myself. It is especially sore in my neck and I am having trouble holding me head up at times, so back onto the Prednisone (which I hate with a passion ) and lots of positive thinking.

There are so many others so much worse than I am so ........

Also I have just seen an ad on television for a new series on "Call The Midwife" going to be starting so woohoo that's something to look forward too.

Also of course how could I not share these.

The one on the left we were sent at Easter and the one on the right was this weekend.

How could anyone feel miserable seeing this little poppet.

Take care all,

Love Deb

March Catch up.

Well it's been a busy few weeks since I last wrote. I started my new job and am loving it. I was a bit unsure if I had done the right thing for the first week or so as I thought I was going to be bored, but now I am in the swing of things I actually want to tell the woman teaching me to disappear and leave me to it as I am feeling great with everything. Honestly I know this sounds terrible but its not rocket science!!
I am filling in for the receptionist the week after Easter and really looking forward to doing that. I did it for a day last week when she was sick and loved it. I like the interaction with the patients and the staff. Nothing better than passing on a smile and a laugh especially when people come in through the door and you can tell they are apprehensive about their visit.

So all in all new job progressing well-----tick.

A couple of weeks ago we had the Chinese Lantern Festival on in town. We didn't go in to see them in the evening when they were all lit up but here are some photos of the displays the next day. They were amazing although they are all getting a wee bit old now and you can see a few repairs need doing to them,

They were so colourful. There were lots of families in looking at them and the little kids were fascinated.

Speaking of littlies, here are a few updates of our Surrogate Grandy, Harper. These were taken this week showing off her two teeth.

The one above she is such a poser. We are so lucky that Siobhan sends the snap chats to us.

Well that's about us for another few weeks, so I'll leave you with this photo of our weekend routine when Bill and I do the grocery shopping. Normally before we do it we stop at our favourite Cafe and enjoy this. Bill has a cheese scone & I'm a date girl. So yummy.

Hugs Deb. xxx

A Catch up.

hello there, well no excuses, yes I know its been forever but well that's life and I suppose we just have to take it or leave it don't we?

Now I was sitting here this morning having got up a bit later than usual because I am on holiday , having a week off in between jobs.

Yes I am so excited (I think, maybe a bit nervous also) but I have finally left my job as administrator in a District Nursing environment, which as silly as it sounds I loved and I enjoyed the people I worked with but there was no thanks for anything you did, even acknowledgement. If people had even said Thank you I think life would have been different.

So when the opportunity came up for me to work with my old boss, well it was like it was meant to be. So to cut a long story short I start work back at the hospital on Monday.

But that is not what I was going to tell you about, slight detour off subject. I was going to talk about sleeping in as adults.

Our son works night shift so sleeps during the day. Our daughter has just started nursing and at the moment she is on evening shift. So in the morning once her partner goes to work she comes home to do things and get herself organised for her day. Well I don't know about other Mum's but if she comes home and I am still in bed I feel so guilty. Ridiculous. Like she is giving me the evil eye lol.

I know I shouldn't feel like this but I feel like I should be up doing things around the house etc. Why do Mum's carry this sort of guilt on their shoulders. I can't wait for her and her partner to get a house together full time. (must remember to ask for the key back lol)

Anyway so in the long time hibernation of this blogger during the summer which has been amazingly hot here in Christchurch, what have I been doing you ask? Great question!

Well I have been cross stitching my wee heart out, I have set myself a task to do a cross stitch for my brother and S.I.L as it is their 70th birthdays this year, and I thought they might like them.
So I have finished my SIL's (although not pressed, please forgive my tardiness).

SIL is a prolific stitcher, quilter, thread painter, embroider etc. Very talented. Her birthday is in July so she is done and dusted. Brothers is in November so haven't started his yet.

Now I am finishing my nephews "Lightening MCQueen" car which I started when he was born (he is 5 in July) . So I am busy I promise.

Also I must show you this that I was given my a dear friend who left work the same day I did. She is going to live on the West Coast where her and husband have a home and they are going to retire over there.

Isn't it beautiful. It is going to go on the outside of our house. I so love it. She makes the most amazing mosaic's. I couldn't believe it when she gave it to me, very overwhelming.

And also whilst I have been away we had a wee visit from young Miss Harper (who I made the pink quilt for). Her and her Mum and Dad came over from Aussie for a week. Now I know I am a bit biased but she is a poppet. Always smiley, just love her to bits. Almost 6 mths old now.

The photo above is Harper with one of her Aunties who obviously loves her to bits.

 And this photo is my Bill with Harper when we all went out for breakfast the morning before they left to go home. Her Mum is so kind and sends snap chats everyday of her to keep Auntie Deb happy. I so envy my girlfriend and her husband (Knickers - girlfriends name is Nik & Grandad Brent, don't you love it)

And another wee task I have now is to make another pink quilt for one of Harper's Aunties (not the one in the photo) who is due in June. It's an exciting world.  I know of 5 women who are all expecting about the same time and are all having girls, its a woman's world ladies.

On that note I'll love you and leave you and hope it won't be so long next time in between chats.

hugs Deb. x

No I didn't run away and hide..................

.......as tempting as it was.

A couple of weekends ago myself and my very good girlfriend decided to have an "us" weekend.

We choose to go over to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula which is approximately an hour from Christchurch. 

So off we went. I picked Jennie up and she loaded her bits and bobs into the car and we chatted away on our way to rest and relaxation, we were pumped and ready.

It's a really lovely drive over to Akaroa and half way we stopped at a well known hotel called the Hilltop. Coffee time and feet up. I was in the zone!

We stopped there for awhile and then off we went again. It was such a beautiful day, we were blessed with the weather the whole weekend in fact.

So we arrived and look at this view..........

   Akaroa is where the French settled when they arrived in NZ. The photos below show you the main street with all of the wee shops. They were really lovely. A clothing shop....

A tiny bistro.......

A gorgeous wee cafe where we had brunch..........

The local butcher......amazing small goods made here.

 Then walking along the street we came across this HUGE Aloe Vera plant. It was massive. I wish I had broken some off and bought some home now. Apparently people have broken bits off and its just grows back bigger.

 It truly was a fabulous weekend. We stayed in the most lovely motel and will have absolutely no hesitation in going back there and now we'll even ask for the specific room we had. It was made for 2 girls. We had a queen bed each and in a room of our own. Talk about bliss for those few nana naps we had in the afternoon.

Craft wise I knitted and did a small amount of cross stitch but the light wasn't quite bright enough. Jennie did the most beautiful snowmen in red work, they were so lovely. And we were soooo relaxed we didn't even go out on the town (yeah right!!) for dinner. We stayed home and enjoyed some lovely cheeses, crackers and of course the mandatory potato chip, dip and glass of wine. We drank a lot of tea and coffee and ate gingernut biscuits

Gosh writing this makes me realise I must sort out another weekend with Jennie, it can only be good for us I'm sure.

I received these beautiful scissors in the mail a couple of weeks ago from Lynn@ Happiness is Cross Stitching. They arrived in the lovely little bee pouch in the photo. Aren't they gorgeous? Oh yes I did order the cross stitch pattern also for my "one day" file. I love little scissors. Lynn has an Etsy shop and I bought them from her there. If you're interested look at her blog for the link.

Hope you are all having lovely stitchy moments,
Deb

The last week,

Well another two quilts have been sandwiched and are ready for me to attack them. I actually looked through my box of UFO's because I have been so motivated and I do not have as many as I thought. Believe it or not I only have two UFO's left, I obviously had more flimsies. I really can't believe how motivated I have been and as I said it is all down to spending a weekend with my wonderful friend Shiree. (And maybe the steroids I am taking for my Polymyalgia help....lol)

I have also been knitting a little cardigan for a great nephew's 1st birthday in November. I am loving this pattern.

 Bill and I celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary yesterday 25.09.17.
 I can't believe its been that long, it really feels like just the other day.

And when I arrived home from work there was the most wonderful surprise from the Postie for me from my gorgeous friend Gwendolyne in the USA. She is such a kind soul and  has a huge giving heart.
Anyway this is what was waiting for me in the most adorable post bag (I wish we had lovely decorative Post Bags in NZ)

Isn't this just the scrummiest? It is from Jera Brandvig from Quilting in the Rain blog, it's her new fabric range "La Conner". So beautiful and the scissors , oh be still my beating heart, aren't they so cute. When I discovered Jera's blog it was so funny as I sat at home watching her "Quilt-as-you-go" video (which by the way is so worth watching) and then the next morning I had an email from Gwen asking if I had seen this new blog she had found, and yep I need say no more. So over the emails we ohhhhed and ahhhhhhed about her beautiful fabrics and how much we both really took to this range.

Then low and behold my dear friend sent me this fabulous gift and yes she has the same for herself.

My hands are itching to get working with this beauty.

Deb.xx

Surprise she said........

....... and then here she was.
Yes the owner of the Pink baby quilt decided to make her entrance into the world 10 days early on Saturday 16th September 2017, 5.39pm weighing 6lb 8oz, 49cm long.

So allow me to introduce to you-
                        Miss Harper Rose.

Harper Rose 16.09.17

The one above was taken not long after she was born

and below the next day. She is so comfortable isn't she and so totally gorgeous.

Harper Rose 17.09.17

Harper is friends of our's first grandchild. 

(just a wee bit jealous, lol)

Deb xx

A Proud Moment for our family.

Yesterday our daughter Beth graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. We could not be more proud of her. It has been 3 years of hard work, studying and working part time, she well and truly deserves it. So below are a few photos of our wonderful day celebrating with her.

Beth.

Beth & her partner Henry.

Beth and her Dad

Beth and I later in the day.

 Have a great day,
Deb xx

A finish A Long Time in the Making.

This is ten years of love in the making. Well not really. My Mum passed away in 2006 and I decided I wanted to make a memory quilt for her in 2007. These were colour's she loved and using Leanne Beasley's pattern seemed a natural choice. So I got to it and made the quilt top and then put it away as I didn't know what I wanted to do with the quilting of it. I had originally thought I may hand quilt it but as time passed I knew that wasn't going to happen.
So I put it in the hands of one of my GF's Shiree, and her big quilting machine and said to her to do what she felt was right. There was no pressure as I didn't want it rushed and I knew Shiree would do it with love.
I know it caused her some worry about what to do with it and how to quilt it but she made it beautiful. My Mum would love it. All that has to be done is put the hooks up so that I can hang it in our lounge wall. Funny but the love inside this quilt is like a warmth and I could feel it when I was binding it. I could feel Mum with me, watching me doing it. That's the best part of it, ever.
Thanks Mum, I will love you forever. xx



And below all finished! I know you are sick of see this but this is the last I promise. It's on it's way to Aussie now.


















So that's me for the first 3 days of this week that I have taken as holiday. Fingers crossed I may continue to get things finished.

Deb xx

A Slow week but nearly finished.

Last week was a bit slow as I was feeling a bit sore due to my Polymyalgia Rheumatica. This is a new diagnosis for me of about 4-5 weeks and I am still getting used to it although it's a good feeling knowing what the pain I have been having is. I have been having steroids and wow, the difference is truly amazing. I cannot believe the difference, so much better and now I have just been having break through pain and this affects my neck and shoulders where they feel really heavy and painful often with headaches. The other thing that has been happening is that my hands ache and my knuckles swell. Thankfully it doesn't last long. Probably from next week I will cut down to the next lower regime of the steroids until I find out if I will be able to come off them.

Anyway enough whinging.
I saw this on Facebook tonight and boy how exciting is this. September is National Sewing Month but because we are here in New Zealand I think it should be International Sewing Month so as far as I'm concerned it is. I know we don't need any excuses but hey this is a good one.

 Now I know I showed you the pink baby quilt below in my last post and I quilted it tonight and am just about to stitch on the binding and woohoo, Miss Pink is completed.

But I have only told you about making a Master Blue Quilt, so I am pretty thrilled that the top is all finished ready for quilting. I'm really pleased with it. I just used left over fabrics from one of the previous baby quilts I made for our great nephew.

 I must say though and I know we all experience it, "Why do those fluff balls who live in our homes insist on helping out whenever we are doing our sewing?"

Now I have been reading some brilliant books lately and recommend them to anyone to read.
The are by the author Nancy Turner.
Her first book is "These Is My Words" It is written in diary form but don't let that put you off at all, it really grips you from the beginning and is easy to read.

Her next one is "Sarah's Quilt" then " The Star Garden" and finally her new one is called "My Name is Resolute"

And finally isn't it lovely news about Princess Kate and Prince William announcing Baby # 3 is on its way. I know how thrilled you will be Gwen!!  So pleased for them both (mind you I think I may be in baby overload at present-lol) 

So happy sewing everyone,

Deb

Progressing really well....

It's been a good few days of sewing and the progress on the pink baby quilt is good. I am busy doing the applique on it and hopefully will be putting it all together this weekend.

Not a very good photo but if you look really carefully you can see the flowers and the butterflies I am stitching on.

The weather of late has been beautiful and as I have said previously Spring feels in the air.

These daffodils are on the corner opposite where I work. I could not believe it, one day there was nothing and 2 days later here were all those beautiful nodding yellow heads.

And here we have the ruler of the roost, young Ron sitting at the window tonight wanting to be let in. He can become very demanding patting both his front paws on the window.

Now the other thing I would love to share, some of you probably know all about this website, I think I am always a bit slow on the uptake, but anyway...........

Quilting Land, this is well worth a look. Full of tutorials and patterns. It is very motivating so go and have a look.

Ow I forgot to tell you. Last week a dear friend and I went into one of our most favourite department stores in the city as we were invited to a celebration of 5 years of their Beauty Club. It was so lovely. It was also a bit of a launch party for their new cosmetic & fragrance brand "Tom Ford". Quite exciting for a little wee place like Christchurch. 

Anyway it was only a couple of hours in the evening. As we arrived we were all given champagne, fruit juice or water and they had some lovely birthday cakes to share also.

And when we left we were given goodies. Yes boy were we given goodies.

As we left these were what we were given, very exciting.

And when we got home and opened those beautifully present gifts...........

A small sample Tom Ford fragrance "Black Orchid" & a scrummy Tom Ford lipstick.

Then this was the box from Ballantynes Department Store and as you can see it was full of beautiful products and samples. Beth (daughter) fossicked through before I could and found herself some goodies for herself and her partner. She was extremely excited, lol. The rest of the lovely goodies I shared out among the girls at work and they were tickled pink. The companies were so generous I honestly couldn't believe it and had to email them to thank them. So, so generous.

A lovely week has been past, hope you have all had a lovely week.

Deb x

A Stumble.....

Friendship Of The Souls

by Lisa Teller

Have you ever felt like you knew someone a long, long time ago? Another place, another time, a friendship of the souls? Two people who share a bond for reasons neither know, A feeling that they were friends, a long, long time ago? Did they stumble onto each other by pure circumstance, Or was it fate and destiny that played a certain hand? Two souls intertwined, they are worlds apart, But the soul, it knows no difference, in matters of the heart. Somehow they are drawn together, fate has brought them back, Each living worlds apart, they journey separate paths. When this life is over, and a new life begins, Their souls will find each other, two souls that we call friends.

I came across this today and it made me think of my friends I have made through blogging. I hope you enjoy. xx

Hump Day

Well the middle of the week and already I feel exhausted. Let's hope the weekend comes around as quickly as the last one left us.
Last weekend we were blessed with truly beautiful weather. Very much Spring like and giving us a false sense of hope.
Bill and I started Sunday morning out with friends for breakfast. It was a glorious day as I said, the blossoms were breaking out everywhere. This tree in someones drive was beautiful.

 And I must admit I don't know why but every time the weather is like this, I always have this terrible urge to go Garden Centre visiting. Bill told me I have to wait a couple of weeks until I can instruct him on what plants I want in the pots on our deck, so I contained myself and just looked. The Polyanthus were so pretty all set out like this, the deep purple were stunning.

These little Violas were so little and sweet. They always remind me of Bill's Mum who used to say they looked like little smiley face's winking at her. They look lovely en masse don't they?



 Sewing over the weekend involved a lot of gathering of fabrics and ideas more than a lot of stitching.
I managed to put together the inside top of a baby quilt for friend's daughter, then sat there thinking what else I was going to do but determined not to over think it. I have edged it with plain white and now there will be a wee bit of hand stitching to do.












A friend from school of Jack's became a Dad on Sunday night and Jack thinks he would like a
"simple Blue " version to give to him and his partner for "Hank", so another gathering of fabrics is instore.

( I must admit I heard what they were calling this wee man I thought "wow" then thought what a great strong man's name. I know 27 years ago when we had Jack, my Mum had trouble calling him Jack for the first day or so then realised of course that her "poor wee man" was going to become an adult.)
Gosh I prattle on-sorry.
So today I will leave you with another wedding photo from our niece's wedding in June. Jaimee and Seth in front of the fire at the venue. Love this photo.

Deb x