Weekends Away

 Has it really been that long since I was last here!! Where does the time go?? And more to the point what have I been doing? I have completed a few rows of knitting, did trace a pattern on my new light box but that was as far as I got, have fabric ready to cut out for a quilt, in the process of de-cluttering my sewing room - still ongoing - I came across a few "works in progress", discovered a X-stitch pattern I'd like to start...... but have no photos to share of any creativity - this time! 
But..... I did have a couple of weekends away - very rare in these days of not going too far. On the October long weekend I travelled up to Bundanoon (Southern Highlands) to visit my sister  as our other sister from the North Coast was there as well so gave us all a chance to spend some time together.... Bundanoon had a "Scarecrow Festival" so we took a drive around checking some of them out...

Linda taking a rest in the lovely garden behind the Bundanoon Memorial Hall.......

Enjoying lunch in Vivien's garden (took a while to get this "selfie" just right - arms aren't always long enough!

About a week ago decided to take a few days off work ..... just have a mini holiday at home but did pop up to Bundanoon again and from there Vivien and I drove to Sydney for the day to celebrate Dad's 98th birthday with the rest of the family.... 

Apart from patchwork shops my other favourite is Bunnings and after a visit during my mini holiday and leaving with a trolley full of plants most of my days off at home were then spent in the garden - another "work in progress" ! The end result was lots of colour and was rewarded by seeing happy bees and butterflies! My azaleas, which I do nothing with, were so thick with flowers this year you couldn't even see the green leaves!   

Well, that's about it for now...... next time I should have some photos of what I have been stitching while de-cluttering of my sewing room continues - I'm sure I could set up my own haberdashery shop - so much "stuff"!!! And on that note I'll share the following which I came across - somewhere! 

Happy Stitching

Asta

The Weekend Before This one!

Well.... I really am a bit behind......can't let last weekend go unnoticed - particularly as it was what I call my "birthday" weekend - why not celebrate for the whole weekend when one's birthday falls on a Friday!! 
Lovely flowers were received from both my girls.....

.....and arrived just before I headed off to the Southern Highlands to spend the weekend with my sister and brother-in-law (the flowers came with me!)..... Their front porch and yard still had a Wintry feel and look about it but as always was very warm and welcoming inside!

Saturday morning was enjoyed visiting the Exeter markets....love these country markets! 

Followed by a lovely lunch at Burrawang.... the old general store now serving as a very welcoming and up-market cafe.......and yes!....it was rather cold outside! 

And....what better way to finish off a very tasty lunch but with a pot of tea and a good old-fashioned crushed weetbix and  marshmallow slice! Though no-one I've spoken to remembers such a slice... is that giving away my age!! 

Sunday morning  ..... and Bundanoon was celebrating - the 150th anniversary of their railway station... the small village was the place to be.... with speeches, unveiling a replica of the old gas lamp (with a light bulb!), a parade of vintage cars, and some interesting locals! 

All too soon the weekend came to an end and it was time to leave the Southern Highlands... with the promise of Spring around the corner as sunny daffodils start to appear......

During the previous week presents had been arriving from fellow members of the Fat Quarter Birthday Swap.....and on arriving home after my weekend away I finally opened them.....some lovely fabrics and gifts! Thank you to all.....

This weekend has been rather quiet.... belated birthday lunch out with a dear friend yesterday and today has been spent "pottering" around at home.... no creativity to show this time but am waiting for the quilt to come back from being quilted and then will be busy sewing on the binding..... 

Happy Stitching

Asta

A New Year!

Well, here we are nearly 2 weeks into the New Year....... and I'd better catch up before time does get away.... 

Bundanoon welcomed the family for Xmas 2015 - at my sister Vivien's place

 Xmas Day and here's the family adorned with various "decorations" - courtesy of my other sister Linda! - the only ones missing were my 2 - Hayley and Megan. 

 We all enjoyed the following week at Bundanoon with shopping at Bowral, a visit to Berkerlouw Books near Berrima and a drive to Robertson - what a great find this (massive) shop was - full of 2nd hand goods and new giftwear....

This nifty basket was one of my finds.... a sewing basket?.... 

.....or a basket for Dora?......

 

And....lunch at the Burrawang Hotel

 another day it was lunch at the good old Primula Cafe in Bundanoon

 We had leisurely days too and even though my stitching never came out of the bag I did enjoy some reading time and finished this book....

 the same author as "Under the Tuscan Sun" but this is a memoir of her early life growing up in the Southern States of America and the influence it had on her life.

Then it was back home for a friends' New Years Eve wedding at a local beach....

 ...and just a few days later the rain started! It rained for 3 days straight so what better way to spend indoors but start a quilt! This one being a present for the newly married couple.... batik fabrics that I had bought many years ago were just waiting for such a project....

These soon became.....

this...with a little help (?)  from a couple of  furry family members - now just waiting to be quilted ........

Another book finished during the wet weather - the first John Grisham book I've read and really enjoyed it 

 Fabrics were also cut out ready for my next project...book pillows for triplets I know who are about to celebrate their 1st birthday! 

And....finally the house was un-decorated - the Xmas tree has been put away, the Santa collection has been added to with a couples as gifts, one from Sweden sent by Megan, some bought while away including another pair of salt & pepper shakers..... 

..but they are all packed away now for another year........

Well, it's back to work tomorrow :( .... have had a lovely couple of weeks off - the rain didn't even dampen the spirits! I actually switched the Xmas tree lights back on to make everything a bit more "cheery"....not that it wasn't cosy being inside....just a bit dark and gloomy! 

That's about it from me at the moment - hope 2016 is a happy and healthy one for all my readers - with lots of creative hours!

Happy Stitching

Asta

Catch Up

A visit to my sister's place at Bundanoon a couple of weekends ago - catching up with mum and dad as well who were also visiting from Sydney..... Vivien, mum and I hit the Bowral shops for a bit of retail therapy.... and they don't even have a patchwork shop! Followed by a leisurely afternoon back "home" - enjoying a cup of tea and starting a new book - the film starts shortly and I prefer to read the book before seeing the movie!

 A stroll around my sister's garden.... she has one of those wonderful rambling sort of gardens.....

Saturday night and it was time to head down to the local Bundanoon hall and listen to a wonderful piano recital by Gerard Willems it was amazing! The "Arts Bundanoon" group bring in musicians to play at their local hall...... the poster on one of the shop windows....

And a photo of mum with Gerard.... she is a retired piano teacher (retired t 80!) and was "over the moon" after having a chat with Gerard!

 I had taken stitching to do but returned Sunday with not a stitch been done!

And must mention that my dad pictured here with mum celebrated his 93rd birthday during this past week! A real milestone and still going strong!

A week later and this book is finished...  a thoroughly enjoyable book with a surprise ending! ... now to wait for the movie. 

Also have been to see the movie"Oddball" what a great "feel-good" Australian movie based on true events! 
 ...and I am back to the Nature's Journey quilt which I haven't touched for couple of weeks - just seemed to have lost interest in it for a while - just needed a break? - anyway, I am back enjoying the "journey" again and there should be more regular updates on the progress! 

That's about it for now....
Happy Stitching
Asta