This 'n' that!

That news I was waiting on? 

I had applied for a promotion at work. I wasn't sure if I really wanted it, but encouraged by comments from my colleagues I threw my hat in, to see what would happen.

I talked myself into and out of the position while I waited to see if I would be considered.

By the time of the interview I was in the 'out of' mode! LOL

But sat the interview anyway.

I didn't get the job and felt a huge load lifted off and a feeling of Phew!! when I found out.

So I'm ok with it and delighted that another colleague did get the position.

I'm sure she will be just fine in her new role.

*

Quilting on the latest Kiwiana quilt is progressing slowly.

I do a little here and there.

I was just finishing up for the day when Debbie arrived yesterday.

Less than an hour should see the quilting completed, then I just need to find something to bind it with.

Black I think, as there is black in the back and quite a bit in the front too!

*

I've also been busy with Sleepy again.

I had an ear infection last week and was struggling with noise.

So the sewing/quilting machines were a no go!

So it was nice to sit quietly with sleepy and make some progress with her.

This is where she was at when I picked her up, for the first time in over a month, possibly even two months!!

 And below you see where she is at now.

that blue area I have just started is supposed to have lots of beads in it, but as I opted to omit the beads, that has slowed me down a little as I have to decide which thread colour to substitute.

 It's a day off work today, so I plan to spend more time with her again this afternoon.

*

Yesterday was a really busy day.

The house was like a Chinese laundry! It is again today too!!

I also did some baking as well as playing with my quilt frame.

Then entertained Debbie and family with a huge roast of beef in the evening.

Debs made a lovely apple cake.

Sorry, no pics, we ate it all!

Waiting........

You know when you are waiting for something,

Time drags by so slowly,

You can't settle to anything much,

You prowl around the house looking for something to do, but nothing satisfies?

Well that's where I'm at just now...

Last Friday I was told, ..

"We should be in a position to get back to you with our decision by next Friday"

Seriously? A whole week?

Sigh.

It wasn't so bad when I had someone home to occupy me.

Or when I had to go to work, that kept me busy.

But a day off!

It's not even gardening weather.

I tried to sew, but can't settle to that.

In the end I found myself having a tidy up in my cross stitch charts.

Well I did have some new ones to put away.

Bad blogger, I forgot to photograph them! LOL

Anyhooo!

My chart and kit storage went from this blue box.

All shoved in higgledy- piggledy.

 To all of this!

The blue box still holds all of my kitted projects. (Except one)

The red expanding folder houses all of my Mirabilia, Lavender and lace, Butternut Road and Nora Corbett charts.

The mauve expanding folder holds all the odds and ends of charts.

The wee stacking box holds the next project in line.

That of course is subject to change at any time!!

Depending on my moods and the seasons and time passing and well, just because I'm a woman and we are expected to change our minds!

I think I'll go and put a movie on and cross stitch.

Who knows, if I manage to get settled, a mile away from the phone, it just might ring.

But it is only Monday.....

As promised!

Pictures of my cute wee car.

 It is a beautiful sunny day here in Timaru, perfect for taking a drive and getting some pictures of my wee car.

I headed into the scenic reserve that cuts through the center of town.

Everyone else is at work, so no pic of me in the driving seat just yet, but you get a look anyway.

 This big old tree certainly makes her live up to her name.

Wee car!

*

It's not all been driving around having fun in the sun.

On Monday I put all the kiwi charms together, after some trimming and substitutions!

 And today I made a start here.

No quilt batting, just another pretty fleecy backing and a meander to help me become accustomed to using the frame.

Kiwiana Again!

Well done to those of you who guessed that my big secret project was learning to drive!

Like I mentioned, at 46 I'm a little older than most novice drivers, but I'm loving it.

Yes, I have my own wee car and I will post some pictures just as soon as I take some!

*

So, back to the crafty stuff and the name of this post!

I'm off again with more Kiwiana fabrics.

Just big old I spy squares. (The ones I bought in Geraldine on my birthday).

Easy and fun and a good one to use as a practice piece on my quilting frame.

Just playing about with the layout here, I think I'm happy with it as is, so may get the sewing machine cover off later today.

*

A colleague had her camera out at a recent staff night out and was taking snaps of the evening.

 I asked her to include a couple of Tony and I as we don't have many pictures of us together.

He was winning millions!

Shame it was only play money.

And because she is beautiful.

A pic of my grand daughter Faith.

In a pretty dress and wellies!

Ta da!

That big project I've been hinting about?

All finished!

Phew! What a week.

It has been a busy week here in my world.

Not one but 4 birthdays!!

And extra shifts at work!

You probably remember that my birthday is about now, but did you know Debbie and her daughter Ash have their birthdays this week too? And also one of the Asian students who lodges with Deb and her family also had a birthday this week. Like I said, busy!

So amid all of my work hours this week, Tony and I scored a day off together. It was a beautiful sunny day even if it did start with a -5 frost! (((Shiverrrrrr)))

We drove up to Geraldine. Where we visited the very important and first stop on the list The Pin Tin Quilting shop.

I've visited there quite a few times now, with Debs and with Tony.

Maybe it was because I had Tony with me...... I was very well behaved and purchased only this charm pack of Kiwiana fabrics to make an eye spy quilt.

I used a voucher I had won on a previous visit to pay for half of it too! 

We ate lunch at the Berry barn before visiting the cheese shop and the alpaca yarn store!

*

Yesterday, (Saturday) Debbie, myself and Lee all hopped into Debbies car and we drove to The Quilting Shed. This was my second visit to this out of the way, well off the beaten path, but very lovely quilt store. For Debbie and Lee it was a first.

Again I was quite well behaved. Two remnants and a bag pattern.

Debbie spent a few pennies too!

Lee is not a quilter, she very much enjoys her crochet and some knitting. We agreed that next time we all three go out for the day, we will be sure to include a yarn store or two.

After a lovely lunch at Riverstone Kitchen  We looked around the gift shops where Debbie found more fabric, Lee found cushion covers and I found this pretty pinwheel. 

we then went into Oamaru and visited another cheese shop, before heading home for the usual Saturday gathering. I had left a Venison Goulash in the crock pot and made Ash my lovely Cauliflower and cheese sauce. Debs had two birthday cakes, the BBQ was roaring and we all ate too much and enjoyed it!!

Sorry no pictures.

Like I said, we ate it!

 *

 Amid all the other nice things that happened this week, I had a windfall from the tax man!

Not a huge rebate, but enough to treat myself to these two cross stitch patterns.

I won them on Trade-me. (Kiwi ebay)

Oh! And I must show you my gift from my lovely husband.

 I had mentioned a few weeks ago that my mobile phone was getting tired and I might like a new one for Christmas.

 So he bought me one for my birthday! LOL

Complete with cute cover.

It was all set up and ready to go.

And DD provided me with the perfect picture to use as wall paper!

Did I find time to craft mid all of that?

Yes.

I made three more crochet flowers!!

LOL

This next week looks to be just as busy.

I have extra hours at work planned already!

Still making flowers.

Where time permits.