The best things in life are unseen.

That's why we close our eyes

when we kiss, laugh & dream.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Good morning beautiful people! Can you all hear that sobbing and crying?.....no?....possibly. Do not worry, for it is just me throwing all my toys out of my pram and having a cry because in a couple of days I return to work.😂

The only drawback to having so many weeks holiday is that it is twice as difficult to get back into work mode. I will say at one stage of my holidays I felt as though I had been away from work for about 6 months, so that is a good sign of feeling relaxed.

So many nice things have happened to me while being on holidays. One was the promise I kept to myself to make a good stock of items for the markets and I kept good to my word. Below is this cute Pug cushion that I have made for someone special who loves pugs. I found the free pattern on the Internet and used some delicate fabric that has sparkles on it as the back ground.

 I was gifted some lovely pink ribbon and I added this to the sides of the cushion. If you would like the template for this little pug, click here.

 Yes my ladies.....I did a bit of sewing. I shock you all with my ability to put my crochet hook and knitting needles down for five seconds. lol Previously I made two cushions and my little girl here was the third one I was still working on when I last posted.

This is a little bed cushion with a pocket on the back to store things in. Perhaps pyjamas's or special child's toys. When I get the sewing machine out it reminds me of how much pleasure sewing also gives me.

 I celebrated my 57th birthday during January and I had to show you this lovely gift Heather the feather bought for me. She has many tricks this lady. We were walking up a street in a near by town we were visiting, and as we walked by a cute shop I casually said "isn't that beautiful?" (pointing to this stand). The day of my birthday I unwrap this beautiful gift...the stand I had commented on was looking at me. Thank you Heather the feather 💖

 You knew knitting would appear sooner or later here didn't you? Woolly hats and messy bun hats were such a success at last year's markets so a fresh stock is needed. I have used all sorts of different textures, colours and ply of yarn. With happiness I am using my left over yarns and creating some very beautiful things. Different sizes for all ages are being made.

 Two cute little beaded doll brooches that I love to make. 💃💃💃

 My new bird bath for the front yard...purchased from birthday money. It has been so hot over here that I am putting as many containers of water for the wild life around the yard.

 A heavenly collection of baby booties in amazing colours. At the end of the market season last year we were shocked at how few baby booties and woolly hats we had left. A good indication though that they are good sellers. All year round we have success with these. People are loving knitted items again and I love that idea.

 You may remember that I sent a surprise parcel to Italy for Elisa's niece and nephew...I giggled to myself at how sneaky I was doing a surprise parcel and such a warm feeling for my soul when giving instead of receiving. 

It appears that Elisa has tricks of her own also. During the week I also receive a surprise parcel all the way from Italy. I was so delighted and my toes curled up when I looked at all the photo's in the 2019 calendar and letter I had received. There is just something special about a hand written note. Thank you Elisa, the calendar has a special place in la Cucina and I look at it every day. 

A poncho on the go, I've almost finished. These were also popular at the markets last year. The poncho seems to be making a come back!

Well my beautiful friends, it is time to go. I have written my post today and listened to the new cd by Andrea Bocelli - 'Si'. Oh it is magnificent. Music is such a wonderful thing; it takes you places. I know it puts me in such a gentle mood...probably why I didn't pick on Heather the feather or my husband while writing this post.😜😜😂😂

I crack myself up

Ciao, Anita.

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths. 🍒

Good morning and Buon giorno beautiful people 💗 I am crossing my fingers for a cooler day than we had yesterday😝...a mighty hot 41C!!💥 We are in our summer time after all, so I spent a fair bit of time out in the pool. We may only have a clapped out old above ground pool but it does the job of keeping us cool. lol

The hot weather has not stopped my creative streak though and I've had big heaps fun making some new little animal and girl pillows this week. I am still making some of these but I haven't finished the others so I will keep them for next time. I'm hoping these will be popular at the summer markets and even an on going idea through the winter months. These pillows have been made using cotton fabrics but using the warmer fabrics will be just as nice for the winter.

What does one do with small balls of yarn? We make stripy woolly hats and add a cute flower to it. The flower pattern is actually a new pattern that I have only just found, so I thought I'd give it a try. It is a nice sized flower for making it the focal point on the project. It is roughly 3 inches across.

 One of the things I love to make are little girl's bags. I love that you can use bits of fabrics to make stripes of colour and every bag is unique because there is really no strict order. There is a satisfaction in being able to use everything you have leftover and not just throw the bits out. I am like this with most things, many of this have that same feeling and it is something I remember my Mother always doing too.

A little while back I showed you 2 big bags of filling that someone gave me. The bags were so big that I gave one bag to Heather the feather, I've made 2 European pillows, stuffed some cushions and still have heaps left. I thought I would save some money and make new cushions for the kitchen (cucina) chairs. 

This took a small amount of time to make a template and then make the inserts, then came the hold up of finding some red fabric in my sewing shed. I almost threw all my toys out of my pram and had a sook 😭😭 because I couldn't not find any. I decided to go and do some ironing instead of howling like a spoiled child. I opened up the lid to the ironing basket and you won't believe it....3 metres of red fabric sitting there. lol
So below is a photo of my new red cucina cushions. 😁🍎🍎

How the world is a funny place....with some strange people in it. lol I stopped my crying when I found that fabric. Talking about ironing .....it is that time of morning and I have to start mine before it gets hot today. 
I wish you all a beautiful day and hope you all get to do some lovely things that make you happy.

A beautiful day to everyone! 🌻
Una bellissima giornata per tutti 🌻

Anita🌹