broderie

the broderie office

 

just

 

scroll

 

down

 

down

 

down

 

and keep going

 

come on

 

down

 

down

 

 

 

 

you are nearly there !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i often say i'm 'in the office', but when i think about it most rooms in my house are part of the office or i guess just part of the life we choose ! how about you ?

here are some little views of some of the corners, the 'stuff' i live with !

things i love that remind me of those i love and have loved

 

boxes of inspiration, i do love a good box, i like to keep them, you never know when you may need it ! these ones though are specifically kept for keeping some of my threads in

photos of family and loved friends and other bits in my old printers block drawer

and just things i love

'time changes all things', sure does and thankfully the clock still keeps ticking ! though from this picture of some of my little clocks the time is all different, one is right, one is slow and a couple need new batteries ! bit like life really !

near my computer

and just other bits here and there

and i also see the joy of some of my stitching friends when a project they have been working on is completed, simone had show and tell on monday night. a quilt she did as a block of the month, with a little help from me choosing colours and simple stitching for her to do, is now ready to put the binding on. here are a few views !

it was monday night and i could not get a good photo of the whole quilt which has been custom quilted by machine and really does look lovely. well done simone !

(p.s. i found this photo taken before it was sent off to be quilted)

 

and these lovely red tulips for me, thanks gloria !

must go and do some sewing, show you soon !

(sorry about the beginning, i don't know what happened, but i could not get rid of the space ! you are at the end now)

 

1st of the month

well i woke and august was here, a new page on the calendar !

and yes, i have a red bird hanging over this one

the picture on the calendar for august reminded me of the friends who gather to share and show inspiration in all the many homes all round the world

i bought these little books while i was in hobart recently to add to my collection, the character on the 'inspiration' one could be me, with a bird on my head ! through this way of communicating on blogs and flickr etc. people everywhere enjoy their pursuits and share it

the sewing girls are coming tonight ! i will see what they have been up to !

 

hobart house sale

 

 

for more photos

http://www.diysell.com.au/realestate/detail.asp?PropID=P17812&loc=Pontville+Real+Estate

if you are looking for real estate in hobart, tasmania ( the island state of australia ), then this property could be just what you want ! i can personally recommend it as a very well built and comfortable family home, with lots of open spaces to move and live in, a gorgeous garden, and plenty of land. follow the link for all the details. for anyone needing a large space for a studio or office for a home based business, or just a space for yourself, the room upstairs is just the answer! if not for you, then maybe a friend is looking for such a property. 

a date i remember

i woke yesterday and went through my normal routine, checked a few things, my emails etc.,and wandered down a path i was not intending to go. i went shopping, i was influenced, i was weak, i rang a friend, no she was not ironing, i should have been, there was a small window of opportunity, we would go and we did. spoilt ourselves.

i just did 'need' a bit more fabric !!!!!!!!!!!!!

some 'reproduction' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so returned to somerset and now i am happy !!!!!! 

who, i wonder was the person who led me down this path. she cannot have all the fabric. i think it is a good thing that we live in different states! so i will make a nice cup of tea and think more about my next adventure.

a couple of my sewing friends have also made a big pincushion

and there is alot of cutting of little bits, there is a challenge on, a friendly one, but it will be interesting to see how different these all turn out, no time limit, using scraps!!!

and returning to shopping!

today, march 2nd is a date to remember in our family, my brother (deceased) was married and years later it was also the date that my mother died. mum would have been so interested in all that i do and have done over the years, it is 24 years today! she would have enjoyed the shopping trip yesterday!

 

and i am flying today to hobart to spend some days with my cousins and family and friends down there, from one comfortable nest to another.

 

happy days !!!!!!!!   

however you look at it!

this chair has been part of my 'family circle' for many years, well loved, well worn and nearly sent to the place all old chairs go, the naturestrip! however i rang the local upholsterer, said a few words and asked a few questions, a couple of weeks ago he came and picked up the old girl ! with some fabric in hand, i then went to the same upholsterer and looked at some of his bits of fabric, left over bits. he looked at me with a strange sort of look, as though i was really off on another planet and you may also think that, but i am very pleased with the result and even he thinks it is good.

the other side of the cushion is a different fabric also, so i can flip it and have another differnt look. what do you think? i am happy!

a friend came at the weekend with  'heart in hand' and 'on her chest', on sunday she did some serious dusting and vacuuming for me, while i measured, cut and tore some of her fabric and added some of mine, had my foot on the pedal and machined happily! what a good friend she was, a funny friend she is, a supportive friend, an old friend, just like the chair, been around along time, a comfortable friend. i loved how you helped me, you will all have to wait to see what i created for her. thankyou friend!!!!!!!!!

   

creative days

there were the wonderful creations of nature, we saw this one, it was really special ! look at the echidna i posted about 2 days ago

this beautiful summer evening sky, the promise of another lovely day to follow

some things i have started

there is alot more to this

i have had mistletoe on my mind

and these birds will come flying back as a cushion soon for jan

and the humble teatowel shines again !

and i have told you before that i am often spoilt, my friend lyn made this for me! a small pocket of boutis work, very spoilt again!

and we like all these old boys that lie around in the garden at phillip island

and back to nature doing its thing with these old bits

and a piece of wood and seeds sculpture

and times up, the bell is ringing for me to go to bed.

while i have been doing this post, i have been drawing and fussy cutting, i could keep going but i had better curl up and go to sleep, just like my friend here! this is the phillip island cat, charles, who belongs to my friend.

and i am fortunate that these words have always rung true for me

'home is a feeling

of peace, comfort and satisfaction.

a sanctuary to rest, heal and refresh'.

and i am also fortunate that i have several places where i feel this.

  

sewing at home and away

as many of you know, i go to hobart quite frequently, however this year, due to a few problems, i have been at home in melbourne over christmas and during january. i love watching the cricket and tennis, so have been amused and i have also enjoyed 'playing' with my stuff!!!

those of you who read linen and raspberry will know that jean also purchased from michelle yeo the pattern and templates for 'king david's crown', as i did just prior to christmas and we have talked about doing it together via our blogs. jean has done a post about it, so if any of you are interested to join us let us know and register your interest. i have collected my fabrics and have made a start also, i am hand piecing and fussy cutting, the blocks are simple to construct and most enjoyable to do, combining the colours and the prints. unlike jean, i have chosen my background and working with it as i go in a combination of reproduction fabrics and others where the colours appeal.

and so far, these are completed

these blocks are much brighter in real life, i think that in my playing with the photos i have lost the intensity of the colour somewhat, fairly true, just not as crisp!!!!

my other addiction over this time, has been adding to my piece using all the little bits of fabric usually cast aside. i showed you earlier in a previous post, but it is growing and i am loving the look

notice the 'pear in there' jean !!!!!!!!

 

back soon with some embroidery to show!

 
  

my christmas 'oh yes i was spoilt'

on christmas eve, you could say that i am a bit unsociable, but i love being at home and just quietly watching the carols on television. this is a tradition in melbourne, it is a live telecast from the music bowl and has been going for years and years. i always enjoy it!

this year it RAINED in melbourne on christmas eve, alot of the crowd would have been very wet, but 'carols by candlelight' goes on regardless.

father christmas sent me some lovely parcels and i was spoilt by so many friends and family.

these are very yummy, thanks father christmas!

thanks again father christmas!

get the derwents out for this, lots of fun with this!

and this lovely book from a good friend

lots of lovely hours and treats from this book will be enjoyed, i hope that you and your families enjoy 'joie de vivre'.

some other gifts from friends, can you see a theme at all, or do they all think i am 'away with the birds'!!!!!!!

thanks to these two friends, the 'partridge in a pear tree' card and this lovely little tree. as i said at the beginning i was very spoilt, very spoilt, lots of other bits to make me look gorgeous, smell gorgeous, gorgeous things to eat, chocolates! a plum pud from the family in hobart! pear bags! and this gorgeous pear cushion!

this was from my valet driver and his wife, both are good friends and as a 'pair' you have made my trips back and forth to hobart so much easier this year. i am so very grateful for the help of getting to the airport and back at the melbourne end. you know that i am, but i just wanted to say so here, so everyone knows! thanks sharyn and noel.

we sewing girls said goodbye yesterday to one of our 'dear old girls'! marlene's mum, olive o'leary, passed away just prior to christmas. olive often sat in on our sewing days and nights, she had a great spirit and i personally had alot of fun with her over the years, would sometimes 'grannysit' her and enjoyed her company. farewell to you olive and i hope that 'somewhere over the rainbow' you have a good time.

and i   

 
you all a very happy new year. i look forward to 2010, let us make it a year of friendship and caring, of happy times, of good health, of enjoyment, of sharing, of having time to smell the roses. 

and time to pursue the pastimes we enjoy, i have enjoyed the cricket, been quilting while watching, now it is time to get started on some new projects and add to some already started and maybe finish some too ! i will be back next year !  
 
 

going to hobart

if you are thinking about a holiday in tasmania or just going to hobart, as i often do, then this is worth looking at!!!!!!

hobart cottage, in south hobart is a lovely place to stay ! a colonial cottage with modern comfort and close to everything. it is self catering, or you can eat out at many local eateries in the area. this warm and comfortable little cottage has a wonderful back garden and you are encouraged to use the produce from the garden if that is your desire. it is simply a place to sit back and just smell the roses, if that is your desire also, because the garden has an abundance of roses. let me take you through the picture gallery of this little cottage that i would reccomend as a good place to stay, two nights minimum or longer if you want. contact deb and rob, you can email them welcome@hobartcottage.com .

general view of the garden and stone walls

a great spot to sit and read a book or do some stitching! i love how in this picture the different colours in the iron roof match so well with my favourite crab apple blossom.

the peony roses were in full bud !

the birds have there own room in the lush garden

the steps in the background go up to a lovely back deck, plenty of space to sit and enjoy the sun and the vista of the pretty garden

herbs and vegies to use if you want to cook

the cosy sitting room

this bed or this one, both bedrooms are well supplied with lovely linen and homely comforts

a well equipped kitchen and pantry with the basics and a sunny and bright back sitting and dining room, with french doors opening onto the rear deck

hope you enjoyed the pictorial view of hobart cottage and for those of you who don't live in australia, but who are readers of my blog, hobart is the major city of tasmania, the island state of australia. it is nestled on and around the derwent river, with lots of spectacular views and easy access to lots of places of interest. my friends, deb and rob are great hosts and everything is thought of, atmosphere, comfort and a place away from home for relaxation. bookings are essential, of course.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

sew is not all some of us do

as a group of friends who sew freqently together, there has been one of us who has had another project! one we have all been hearing bits about and have watched grow from the plans and the dreams up. a bit like starting a new quilt or an embroidery or a new cross stitch, gather a folder of all the things you need, some of the things you want and get to work !

this is the house that 'jack' built!!!! her real name is not jack of course, but for her son and daughter in law and two special grandsons, this is a dream come true.

as a group we have seen all the purchasing of fabric and the stitching that has been going on, busy fingers at work! we had an excursion today to see some of it in place and also see how this family are settling into their new home. it is certainly a lovely, practical, easy and calm space to live. well done!!!!!!