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I’ve had my eye on one of these “sewing chairs” for a while, and I’ve finally ordered and collected mine.  For as long as I’ve been sewing at the sewing machine I’ve used a dining chair.  Over the years things have slowly got more difficult, especially over the last year or so with my back problems.  So I thought it would be sensible to get a dedicated, adjustable sewing chair.  I’m still experimenting with the best height for me, and I’m pleased that I can move the chair, on castors, right up close to ...

Last weekend was spent away in the caravan at a rally, and the weather was wet, wet, wet, with just a few fine spells in the mix.  But the ground was sodden, my shoes were covered in mud, guess I should buy myself a pair of gumboots, otherwise known as Wellington boots for those who don't know what I’m talking about.    No wind though, so that was a blessing.  We didn't go too far, just up the coast to Foxton Beach.  Gemma came along too, of course.  No dogs are allowed in this camp, I'm not ...

The new month is almost here, and orange has been declared the colour for August for those taking part in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I decided to start on my butterfly Puss in the Corner blocks, so had a rummage around in my bag of butterfly fabrics.  Surprise, surprise, I found three fabrics with orange butterflies, so these three blocks were cut, pinned and stitched.  Wonder how many of these blocks I have made, I wondered?  A quick count told me that I had made 21 blocks, how about that.  Another three blocks and  I’ll have enough to assemble ...

Inspired by Janice who made a couple of small pouches recently to pop into her bag, I made something similar to slip my sunglasses into. These used to roll about in my handbag and I was concerned that they would come into contact with keys and get scratched.  After a bit of thought, this is what I came up with.  Thanks for the idea Janice.

Little bag for my sunglasses

Today was a lovely calm and sunny day, a little cool, but it was sheltered enough to spend an hour outside sitting under the archgola.   This is an ideal place ...

While we were away on our two concurrent caravan rallies, there certainly was plenty going on.  We arrived at Esk Valley Camp to find the ground wet and very boggy after a lot of rain.  New members Peter and Ruth got bogged down well and truly so a group of of good keen blokes pushed and pushed trying to get the motorhome out of the holes it was digging itself in.  That didn't work, so Robin was called in to tow the van out onto (hopefully) drier ground.

Robin to the rescue

Luckily the warm and cosy club room ...

I finished knitting two pair of variegated burgundy socks a month or so ago, one pair for me and a birthday pair for my old school friend Merilyn.  These have now been gifted, and I was determined not to wear my pair until this had happened.  Merilyn is an excellent knitter, and an accomplished spinner as well – something I have never tried, although it does look quite a soothing task to do.   I’m so pleased she liked her gift, and I don't think she has knitted socks herself.

One pair for her and one pair for me

We ...

Isn't there a song which says that?  It’s certainly true in my part of the world, wind, rain, thunder and lightning, snow down to low altitudes and even some hail is promised!  It’s a good day to stay inside, I think.  We started off the day with a nice warming bowl of porridge, served with brown sugar and cream, the only way to eat it, we think.  I may well have Scottish blood in my veins but I enjoy my porridge a lot more titivated up than the real Scots porridge eaters do.  With a full tummy ...

It’s been a busy old time these last several days.  I was booked in for my annual mammogram in Palmy and we had a caravan rally to attend the following day.  So to cut down on all the extra driving to and fro we decided to take the caravan and stay in a rural POP (Park over Property) on Wednesday for two nights while we attended my appointment and carry on to the rally from there.  That worked out well.  Gemma enjoys coming away with us and was rather intrigued with the cattle she could see out the window ...

Today I've been concentrating on yellow four patches for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge sewing.  This project has been carried over from last year, when I discovered a bag of four patch units I had stitched up for another project, whatever that was.  And I had an awful lot yellow ones to play with this month.  So I stitched some into the blocks at the top, not sure of the name, but I know  I saw the idea on RSC some time ago.  Then two more four patch blocks were framed, so that’s two projects I’m working on ...

I’m making the most of these lovely warm 25deg temperatures and spending some time outside on the patio under the Archgola.  Mornings and late afternoons are best, as the sun comes beating down in the middle of the day.  I like to take knitting or stitching outside and enjoy the pleasant warmth.  It’s so nice and warm I’ve even got my shorts on, that’s how nice it is!

A little knitting in the morning

With all the terrible happenings in Ukraine lately I’ve noticed some blue and yellow, the colour of Ukraine’s flag,  patchwork ...

We are home again after our recent trip to Hawkes Bay to attend my sister’s Kathleen’s Memorial Service.  Here are a few highlights of our time away.  What could be better than fish and chips for our evening meal the day we arrived?  The Filter Room was close by and consists of a cidery, restaurant, and also does take away fish and chips.  Just what we wanted.  We may have to go back next time and do a cider tasting, I think.  As we were waiting for our order to be cooked, Robin sat in front of a ...

These has been plenty of things planned for our ICA Rally while we have been touring around.  And today was one such outing that I have been so looking forward to.  A visit to K D’s Elvis Presley Museum in Hawera.  K D Wasley has been an avid collector of Elvis Presley records and memorabilia since the 1950s.  This was a real treat, and something I had been looking forward to with great anticipation.  I’ve been an Elvis fan ever since I heard him sing Love me Tender, when I was a young girl. 

We were warmly welcomed ...

We are away on another caravan trip, this time for three weeks, from Urenui in New Plymouth down to Waikanae with the ICA (International Caravan Assoc) group.  I’ve found time to do some handwork, stitching a little more on the tea towels I’m making for my grand-daughters.  I’ve got this far on the pink one, and still have the boy fish slice to stitch.

Tea towel stitchery

I’ve got my knitting bag with me, and thought it would be a good opportunity to start stitching up a pair of burgundy socks I completed a while ago ...

Over the long three day Wellington Anniversary Weekend, our Caravan Club was running the bi-annual Regional Rally, and we were joined by Wairarapa and Wainuiomata clubs.  This was held at Naenae College, the weather was  hot and sunny, and we were grateful to have several large shady trees to sit under.

Some of the vans at Naenae College

Our caravan club members

The highlight of the weekend, as far as I was concerned, was the mystery bus trip to Taylorville – I’d never been there before so it really was a complete mystery to me.  The bus arrived and we ...

Gemma took a visit to the vet recently for her annual vaccination.  We got the cat cage out early and left it in the sitting room, so she could sniff around and get used to it.  But there was no fooling our cat, in  her mind this cage is related to bad times ahead so she wasn’t at all keen being bundled inside and taken for a ride to the vets.

Hiding in the back

Her vaccination call-up had been delayed a few months due to Covid but it didn't matter too much, the vet assured us.  Only ...

I've enjoyed the slow stitching on my current project from Stitcher’s Revolution Camping Adventures, the iron on transfer is called “I Love Camping”.  This will be the middle section of  a pair of place mats to use in our caravan.  Featuring a cup of coffee, trees in the forest and the full moon rising over the mountains, it was very enjoyable to stitch.

Then they were trimmed to size, and borders added which features a leafy print.  I’ve had a rummage through my batting offcuts and will be stitching together two small franken-battings to suit.  And with ...

The Christmas quilts are down and put away, as are the other ornaments, so it was time to hang a fresh quilt over the sofa.  As the weather is nice and summery, I decided it was time to give my Aotearoa Blooming another chance to shine.  Designed by Jenny Hunter as applique patterns, featured in the New Zealand Quilter magazine some years ago, I decided to make my blocks as stitcheries.  The centre block showcases the pohutukawa, a large tree which bursts  into crimson red blossoms with yellow tips in the heat of summer, and is also known as the ...

On our last couple of days in Napier we called into the cutest little sweet shop around, visiting here is just like walking back into yesteryear.  Remember all those boiled sweets from days gone by? Lovingly displayed in large glass jars, every type of sweet imaginable.   We replenished our supplies of blackballs for him, and acid drops for her. 

Birdwood's Sweetshop

Where to next?  It was time to purchase some tasty fresh cherries.  I love them and we knew there was a roadside stall reasonably close by.  Robin doesn't care for them, so they are all mine!  And ...