Nanna has a new toy

I have watched my grandson, Ashton, have a great time on his iPad and I decided that I would really like to have one. My daughter, grandsons and I went off to the Apple store with the intention of buying a black frame and blue cover. As soon as we saw the white one it was love at first sight and the pink cover just had to come home with me. I love love love my iPad and I know I will have so much fun with it. If I need help I can always get my grandson to help me.
I love digital scrapbooking and I just had to have the stencil of the lips on my photo. They are from a kit by Holliewood Studios at one of my favourite online shops Deviant Scrap.

Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm

We visited the Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm near Boonah, Queensland. What a wonderful time we had. The lavender was in bloom and just beautiful. The food was divine and the lavender icecream was absolutely delicious. A visit to the shop was a must and I came home with some lovely lavender soap and two French lavender plants. It was wonderful to visit such a beautiful place with my gorgeous grandsons (and their Mummy and Daddy). A day not to be forgotten.

CROCS

Our darling grandson, Ashton, now has a pair of Crocs just like his nanna. He wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a photo of him wearing them (hopefully later). I just love my Crocs and I even wear them to work - they are so comfortable and I am so thrilled that Ashton and I can have fun, fun, fun in our Crocs.

Our new grandson

We are so happy to welcome our new grandson Harrison - he is just so gorgeous. His big brother Ashton is thrilled to have a little brother. Mummy and Daddy are in seventh heaven (as are Nanna and Grandad and Uncle Richard and Aunty Ann in NY). How blessed we feel to have two wonderful, amazing and adorable grandsons and now we can have double hugs and cuddles.
                                ASHTON AND HARRISON - WE LOVE YOU HEAPS.

Festival of Sails

Festival of Sails is a local festival run in conjunction with the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race. It is held at Redcliffe's Sutton Beach on Good Friday. It was amazing - lots of people having a great time, lots of yummy food, live entertainment and beautiful Queensland weather.

 The view of the yachts was amazing and breathtaking. A perfect day. I did wonder though "where were all the seagulls?" and I found them .....

My favourite photo from our wonderful day was a photo of our grandson with his Daddy having a dip in the water. He had so much fun and for his Grandad and I this was the highlight of our day together.

Granny squares and Ripples

 

Crochet has always been such a joy for me. I have been hooking some ripple blankets and now I have reawakened my love of granny squares by making BIG granny squares. I am having such fun. I love all the magical colours and everytime I look at them I just have to smile. One of my grannies is for our grandson Ashton and the other is for his little brother who is due at the beginning of May. Joy, Joy, Joy.

A Beautiful Start to My Day

This beautiful butterfly came for a visit this morning. What grace and beauty to start my day. I haven't blogged over the last year but now I am only working part time I have time to enjoy myself and do all the things I never seemed to have the time for. I feel free and happy - I can go for a morning walk, learn more about my camera, see my darling grandson during the week, play, have fun and start a journal. What pleasures await me...tra la la la la.

Our gorgeous grandson

I can't believe that it has been six months since my last post. I have been busy seeing our wonderful grandson, Ashton, and his mummy and daddy , doing some online classes and even working on the weekend. I have promised myself this year that I will keep up my blog. I think though when you see the gorgeous photo above of our grandson Ashton, with his mummy taken a few months ago you will know why I haven't had that much time for blogging. He is just so happy, cute and adorable and his grandad and I love him so much.
I have just finished a wall hanging for his bedroom - the centre block from Noah and Friends. I realised that I was never going to finish the whole quilt while I was working full time. I will post a photo in my next post.

Happy Days

Our darling grandson is growing so quickly. Here he is at 10 weeks old looking just adorable in his very cute hat.
As it is getting colder it is a great time to start one of my many cross stitch projects. I am so enjoying stitching 'Little House Neighborhood' by Little House Needleworks. I got the beautiful Sajou scissors for my birthday and they are just a delight to use.

 I have been busy feeding my book addition. Here are a few of the books I have bought over the last months.
I have always admired Jude Hill of Spirit Cloth and I am so excited that I am starting her Spirit Cloth workshop this week. I know I am going to be inspired and challenged and I just can't wait to start the journey.

Our darling grandson

Here is our grandson, Ashton Stephen, not long after he was born. He has brought such joy to us all and I don't think we have stopped smiling since his birth. He is a very happy and contented baby and he likes lots of cuddles from his Nanna who absolutely adores him. Grandad has been very busy buying lots of Thomas the Tank Engine trains for when Ashton is a little bigger.
We are so thrilled that we now can be called Nanna and Grandad and as we look at Ashton we think of all the wonderful times ahead and I know the first time I hear him call me Nanna will be one of the most happiest times of my life.
WE LOVE YOU ASHTON. Lots and lots of love, Nanna and Grandad

Sparky's Owlet

I saw the most gorgeous owls on Craft Schmaft's blog made with socks. They are just gorgeous and I wanted to make one before our Grandson is born. I bought the kit for Cloudy the mini owl and I sat this morning and had a wonderful time making him. I just love him and I hope Sparky (the name we call our grandson before he is born) likes his little owlet. It was made with lots of love by Nanna.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I had a lovely day yesterday spending time with our daughter, Justine, baby clothes shopping. Oh what a joy it is to spend time looking (and buying) baby things. We just can't wait till March to see our already much loved grandson.
I did manage to stay awake till midnight last night so that I could send Happy Aussie New Year wishes to our son, Richard and his girlfriend Ann, in New York.
Being on holidays I have had a great time reading and watching the books and DVDs I got for Christmas. I love cooking books and here are two of them: Food Safari and The Thrifty Kitchen.
My favourite cooking book that I got is Monica Trapaga's 'She's Leaving Home'. I just loved this book, the drawings were wonderful and quirky and the recipes fabulous and I especially enjoyed reading about Monica's family.
I also got some DVD's and I have been enjoying myself watching the gorgeous Alex O'Loughlin in Moonlight and Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote.

A wonderful day

I had a wonderful day on Tuesday. Our daughter Justine, who is expecting a baby in March, had to come up to Brisbane to see her obstetrician so it was a great opportunity for us to do some serious baby shopping. We know that Justine is having a little boy so it was just great that we could buy 'boy' things. How could we resist a pirate themed mobile and a Lamaze dragon. By early afternoon we went to 'Room with Roses' cafe for a well deserved treat. The roses on the table, the beautiful table settings and the food were delightful. The passionfruit sponge was mouthwatering. Here is Justine with the baby bump looking so happy.

We are going to be grandparents

Patrick and I are going to be grandparents. Our daughter, Justine, and her husband, Andrew are expecting a baby in March. I don't think we have stopped smiling since they told us. This will be our first grandchild and we are so excited about this wonderful news. I spent a fantastic 5 days with Justine and Andrew in Sydney and I don't think they were many baby shops that we didn't visit. A whole new world of baby things has opened up to me.

I have started a baby quilt - Kookaburra Cottage's Noah and Friends - and I don't think I have enjoyed myself so much. I haven't finished the first block yet but here is a photo of Gerry the Giraffe (minus the butterfly). I think he is so cute.

My friend, Di, tells me that Nanna's are very special people and I can't wait to be a Nanna.

Great reads, snuggly crochet and a goodbye

It seems like ages since I last posted anything on my blog. I must admit that for the last few weekends (except when I have been working) I have spent my time reading - I blame the Logan City Library for acquiring such wonderful books. A few weekends ago I read 'Sweetness at the bottom of the pie' by Alan Bradley and this tops my favourite read for this year. What a wonderful book and one I couldn't put down. I am reading 'The Sting of Justice' by another of my favourite authors Cora Harrison. This is the third of the 'Mara, Brehon of Burren' series and I have enjoyed everyone one of them. A few weeks ago I read 'Silent on the Moor' by Deanna Raybourn, another favourite. I have to say that other than my family, my greatest joy is reading.
I am still so enjoying myself crocheting my wave stitch blankets. Since I last wrote I have started another wave stitch blanket this one with 2 rows (instead of 4) of the same colour. I just love the colours and it feels so snuggly as I am crocheting. Sadly the weather is starting to get warmer and soon my lovely blanket will have to be put away till next year.

At work we have had visiting our centre a PhD student, Nici from Austria. We will all be so sorry when she and her wonderful fiance, Andi, return home later this year. She is always so happy and it has been wonderful for me to chat with her and to find we both have a love of sewing and crochet. Nici and Andi actually got engaged whilst they were here which was very special. We will miss you Nici!

Happy Amelia Doll

I have been quite sick over the last couple of weeks so I have missed blogging and reading all my favourite blogs. I needed something to cheer me up and as always when I look at the work of Dot Christian I feel happy and sparkly. Dot was selling one of her Amelia dolls in her etsy shop createarian and I knew this gorgeous blue/green Amelia doll was just the thing to lift my spirits. The picture does not really show just how much she sparkles when the sun catches her. I must admit that I have her sitting on one of our lounges and whenever I look at her I have to smile. I also have one of Dot's birds which I love. Thanks Dot for your fabulous, uplifting and sparkling creations.

One of my favourite authors

Kate White, also Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, is one of my favourite authors. Imagine my absolute delight when I received one of her books for my birthday from my son.
When I opened the book and saw what was written inside I think I screamed. I was just so excited to see that it had been signed by Kate.
I have to keep opening the book and reading what Kate wrote. May there be many more Bailey Weggins books to read, enjoy and delight. Many thanks to my son, his girlfriend Ann and to Kate for the bringing me such happiness. I can't stop smiling.

Rain, rain more rain and crochet

What a week it has been. So much rain fell over south east Queensland and so many homes have been flooded in Brisbane. My friend, Di, who has had a wonderful holiday touring New South Wales is trapped by the flood waters in northern NSW.
It was lovely to crochet at night and hear the rain on the roof (I felt sad for the possums who visit as they must have been very wet and cold). Peter (the female possum) came to sleep in the garage during the week so it was nice to know she was warm and dry for a few nights.
I have been inspired by quite a few English bloggers lately, my favourite one is Lucy's, who has the most colourful and fabulous crochet on her blog. Here is my latest work in progress - a wave stitch coverlet (it has been folded in three so it's a nice snuggly size). I am having a great time crocheting as it is so relaxing and I was thrilled when my daughter (who has a great blog Satsuki Designs) wants to learn how to crochet. She is a wonderful daughter, sewer, jewellery maker and hopefully now a crochet diva.As it is getting colder I can start some of my cross stitch projects. I have finally got my "Little House Neighborhood" pattern and I can't wait to start. I have seen it on quite a few blogs and it is just gorgeous. I love sampler designs so as soon as I get the threads I can start. I have a few Charles Wysocki cross stitch kits to finish and I also have quite a few of his jigsaws. I love naive art and the art of Charles Wysocki in particular.

Our daughter is coming for a visit soon which is wonderful and our son is enjoying himself in San Diego. It is my husband's birthday next week so I am looking forward to that, lots of books waiting for me at the library and an afternoon of sewing so I am very happy.

Maneki Neko, crocheting and birthday

Over the long weekend I finally stitched together the granny squares I made last winter. I think it will keep us nice and warm when it gets cold. I love bright colours and it was so nice to sit and crochet at night. Here is a close up of the blocks and on a bed - I hadn't realised just how big it was going to be. I have bought some beautiful crochet hooks on etsy so when I get them I will put them on my blog - they really are lovely and I can't wait to get them and start using them.

It was my birthday last month and I had a super day. I got to talk to my two children which was my best present of all. I had lunch and afternoon tea with friends and some lovely presents. Here are the fabulous things I got from my daughter even though I told her I didn't want anything.
I love and collect Maneki Nekos and here is a nodding one - she is solar powered so she pretty much nods the whole time - I love her. Isn't the Statue of Liberty fabulous - I love anything New York and this little lady has it all. The possum and cat mirror is so perfect as it reminds me of the possum who comes for a visit (we called him Peter until we saw her baby but we still call her Peter and I don't think she minds) and 'the cup' aceo which is just perfect.
Bookmarks are a great love of mine and I found some fabulous ones on etsy. Tigerpixie (Carrie) has a fabulous range of bookmarks and posters. When I ordered my fantasy cat bookmarks
I was lucky enough to win a poster from Carrie. I was so thrilled and when I received the poster I was so happy and I think when you see it you will see why. Is it absolutely fantastic. THANKS SO MUCH CARRIE. I LOVE IT.

Class with Sue Spargo

I still haven't come down from the high of meeting and attending a two day workshop with Sue Spargo. Sue is a fabulously talented, creative, and super person who was so happy to share her creative thoughts and inspire us with her magnificent quilts. It was also great to meet Sue's sister Wendy who had travelled to Australia with her. Here is a photo of Sue (and myself) and her magnificent Magnolia quilt which was the basis of our class.

The class was held at The Quilters' Store and Karen did a wonderful job. As always the shop was filled with many wonderful threads, fabrics and books to tempt us. I got a wonderful surprise for morning tea - it is my birthday this month and Karen came out with a birthday cake for another quilter and myself - you made my day Karen - many many thanks.
I made block #3 from Sue's book Magnolia. It was wonderful to see all the different interpretations of Sue's blocks and the use of many different fabrics and I especially enjoyed using wool felt. I will never forget Sue's wonderful African animals, birds, leaves etc all made with wool felt. I will always remember these two special days filled with creativity, laughs, learning, friendship and seeing Sue's art up close and personal. Thanks Sue, Wendy, Karen, all the girls in the shop and all the quilters I met.