Sydney Weekend

A long weekend and a trip to Sydney, stopping at a lovely  park in Berry along the way

...........being a public holiday on the Friday my favourite embroidery shop and a patchwork shop I frequently visit on any trip between Sydney and home were closed - maybe a blessing in disguise?? Didn't even make it on the way home on the Sunday as they were shut by the time I was coming through....Oh No!!
The occasion for this Sydney weekend and for the family congregating at our parents place again was to celebrate my sister Linda's birthday with a Saturday morning brunch....... here we are with the birthday girl in the middle, our parents, my sister Vivien, her husband Graham and a very, very close family friend who is considered "family". 

And.... just to make sure we all keep the "innner child" within us alive - I made up lolly bags and our party "favours" were glow in the dark bracelets!

Now that my secret sewing has been gifted I can show you what I made.....an Anni Downs pattern......

the front......

the back......

the inside....

After an afternoon siesta a few of us headed into the city to see Vox Clamantis at the Sydney Recital Centre - the concert being part of the Sydney Festival and the group being Estonian (our family's heritage) made it a "must see"..... here we are enjoying pre-show drinks.....

The weekend wasn't over yet....a bit of retail therapy on Sunday morning for Linda & I - followed by a cup of tea - no photo we were too busy talking!! .....

The weekend over.... I headed home, Linda is staying for another week before heading back up the North Coast and Vivien and Graham are back home in the Southern Highlands....... till our next get together! 

I have some more secret sewing happening so will be back soon to update on the progress and "yarn" about anything else of interest!

Happy Stitching

Asta

The last couple of weekends...

Some lovely flowers inside...... and the last couple of weekends have been spent......

 ...... lunching at one of the delightful cafes in Mogo with a dear friend from Sydney....this was followed by some "retail therapy"! 

Another book has been finished - that's the 2nd one already this year!! 

And last Saturday I REALLY needed to pay a visit to my local patchwork shop -  Steph's Fabrics !

I did go with a purpose - I needed some fabric for one of my "secret" projects but it is lovely to wander around, get inspired - and then frustrated wishing you had so many more hours in the day!! 

Some more stitching did get done on my "secret" project..... and actually was finished but will reveal all when it has been "gifted"!

While I've been waiting for photos to download here I've started yet another "secret" project - but more on that later and meanwhile I will have to finish my 2nd "secret" stitching project.... all these secrets!! I do plan to start some projects for ME.... but they won't be secrets : ) 

And that's what I have been up to the last couple of weekends - apart from house work and some gardening - the latter leaving me with a swollen arm where something has bitten me - the gentleman next door has bee hives so I'm suspecting it may have been a bee!!

So.... till next weekend.....

Happy Stitching!

Asta

Happy New Year

Well, Christmas has come and gone..... and our (small) family did have a lovely Christmas this time spent in Sydney..... We celebrated in style.....

..... were entertained by one of my sisters.....

...... and who said you need "little ones" to enjoy bubbles.....

..... between days spent relaxing some of us decided to venture out to IKEA .... here enjoying well earned refreshments..... note we had a trolley and some of those BIG yellow bags!!

.....another day and another outing to a great book shop Constant Reader ..... a few more books to be added to my "to be read" bookcase!!

....there were outings to cafes and catching up with friends..... and time to do a bit of reading.....

New Year was spent in Sydney (watching the fire works on television) and the following week it was time to return home....  time to un-decorate the house.... but before all was packed away for another year one more photo - a new member of my Santa family (!) taking centre stage....this one came from England as part of my present from Megan.....

Over the last few days some "secret" stitching has been started.... but more of these 2 projects later......

And this week it's been a return to work..... holidays are over..... 

Hope 2018 is a happy and healthy one for my readers..... and may it be a "creative" one!! 

Happy Stitching

Asta