Go back a little,

to leap further.

John Clarke

My! Where did that week go? Did I blink? Lol,  well I guess it really did happen just at a fast pace. I suppose when you’re having so much fun, time flies. My week was full of laughter, giggling, teasing and hard work .

I will show you what I have been up to this week....I made some little hanging pouches that have been filled with Bicarb of soda. Some are hanging in the go kart trailer to take away the strong fuel odour and guess what? It works. 

Hubby had done a net surf and found this idea, so we tried it. I added about ¾ cup of bicarb to a small pouch 2 in x 5 in long and made a strap to hang it.

Here are a few more

I had a bit of a knitting session. I thought I would make a start on a potato scallop scarf for winter. I might make a few of them up to sell, see how I feel after I’ve made this one.

I went to the local library and found this wonderful book on yoga......hoping to tone up the old stomach. Maybe I can get myself one stomach instead of having 4!!! lol

Watched a wonderful movie last night called  ‘The blind side’, truly a fantastic movie. Watch it you won’t be disappointed. It’s about a young homeless lad who is taken in by a family and is given the chance to play American football.  Actually it’s the real story of Michael Oher.

One of our friends gave us these super sized zucchini .

Love the colours!!!!

I made some of these cute little birds out of the new book in my library. The kids are going to have a great time making things from this book.....if they can get it off me!!! Lol

I have made the beaks a little different to the instructions in the book. I stitched the beaks instead of making felt ones. Temptation might see some of the kids pulling the beak off.....coz they can!!  Good luck trying to get these off.

I have been looking through some of the photo’s of the boys when they were small and just going back to their baby photo’s makes my heart want to burst with pride. Where have the years gone and why did they have to go so fast? It was fun taking the boys to the zoo, museums, parks, any of the kids places you can go, teaching them things, the laughs, all those wonderful things we get to do as parents. We always had another little chap with us through those years and I see his photo’s too. How much they have grown my three sons. How well they have done and how proud we are of all three...xxx.

I’m about to step out into my sewing shed to create some more magnificent and fun creations and possibly keep out of mischief (doubt that!). Wherever you all are, have a fantastic weekend, stay happy and drink lots of tea!!!!

Cheers, Anita.

Dreaming......

Venice, Doges Palace, courtyard.

The lily seed is buried in

the darkest, thickest mud,

grows through that pain and hardship and becomes the most beautiful shining flower,

tall, wise and strong from the experience.

Anon.

Hello to you all...finally! I’ve been having a few problems with blogger but have now worked it out!!

Ha Ha! I knew I’d give the last week of my holidays a good thrashing in the sewing shed!! Very pleased to say that my many projects I had on the go were successfully completed.  It was pretty hard to get myself going for my first day back at work but, as usual, once I got there and saw that group of ratbags, I loved it. Everyone was full of cheek, fun and stories. I did miss a couple of people that have moved on to other schools though.

Grab yourself a cup of tea and cruise around with me as I show you what I have been up to.......

A few new pieces to sell at the tourist centre. A chook appliquéd pot mat....

Birds in a nest stitchery,  that is also a carry pouch......

Rather cute!! Fun to make.

I was working on an Australian bushranger banner and have completed that but the photo turned out all blurred so I can’t show you the whole banner right now, but I can show you parts of it.....

The sheep in the paddock.....

The rolling hills.....

Ned Kelly’s homestead.....

Also for the library, I made a Fish banner that is about 90 cm x 60cm approximately.

All scraps of fish fabric that had no other use and could not possibly be thrown out!! Lol.

My new project that I have started on. You will have to wait for this before I tell you what it is.

Wonder what this will be?

I’ve been waiting for this bush to flower and I got a pleasant surprise this week. Finally, a flower, so delicate . I can’t tell you what the bush is but I’ve waited a long time for the flower. Lol.

The first time flowering!!

Can’t wait to see all the kids at school on Monday,. For Western Australia it will be the first week back at school. It’s always exciting to see the little pre primary kids...they’re so small!!! Something else that always amazes me is to see how much the kids have shot up over the school holidays.

Thanks for dropping by and hope you all have an amazing week. May it be a week of much happiness and much stitching. Stay happy.

Cheers,  Anita.

1 Xmas Item a month

If I had a flower for

every time I thought

of you, I could walk

in my garden forever.

-Alfred Tennyson

Greetings to you all, my friendly blogger mates. I am so happy to have made it to get in on time to do 1 Xmas Item a month! Very happy indeed. I was lagging a bit last year, so I plan to get cracking with my Christmas projects this year. For my first Christmas item I made a cheeky little elf tree decoration. I stitched on his cute little mischief face (reminds me so much of Heather...oops!). Found some leftover material, Christmas string and a lovely bell. Check out blog for the gals who have also joined in on the fun.

On to a bit of creepy stuff......last Sunday it was terribly hot in my part of the world so my plan was to hose down the chooks and dog every hour. Later in the day I thought though it was very hot I wondered if the chooks had laid any eggs. I went down to the chook pen, and bless their hearts they had laid three eggs. While I was there I wondered if the chooks had gone to a new section of chook pen I had made for them. Got the fright of my life!! This is what I saw......

Both tangled up with each other, the bigger one strangling the smaller one.

They were found just behind the bushes to the left of the screen. Now, what do you think? Did they both have a big snake fight outside our yard and the bigger one dragged the smaller one in to start eating him under the nice cool bushes....or had one slithered in already and was having a happy time under the bushes and the other one also slithered in to our yard????Hmmmm.

I know very creepy, but you will probably think I’m mad when I share this with you. My first reaction was ‘I better get the camera and take a photo of the snakes in case they bite one of the kids (who were inside and unaware) and I will be able to show the hospital what type of snakes they were?????What!!!! I ran down to the house with the dog under my arms and grabbed the camera, told hubby we had snakes, and ran off to the chook pen. Why would I do that? We do some strange things when we get a fright.

Here are some creepy pictures.

Here is my big brave tiger laying out the snakes (who are now in snake heaven).

The big one is a tiger snake, not nice to get bitten by one of these and this one was 5 foot long and icky!! The smaller snake is a dugite and though it is small it packs a nasty punch and is lethal. I had been bitten by a snake myself many years ago and though that snake was only about 12 inches long I was very sick. So you can imagine my love of snakes....not.

 

I hope I haven’t made you all sick now!!! We walked around inside the house for the rest of the day being very suspicious of everything on the floor, in baskets, behind furniture...of everything really!! Lol You Aussie bloggers do be a little careful when you’re outside especially in this heat we’re having. If you’re out in the garden and you hear some rustling in the bushes, just drop what you’re doing and run like a mad man....who cares what anyone thinks!! Lol

I’m sssslithering off to visit the other gals who are doing 1 Xmas Item a Month now, can't wait to see their creations!!!

Have the best day ever!!!!

Cheers, Anita.

Saying goodbye doesn't have to be sad.

The difference between

stumbling blocks and

stepping stones

is how I use them.

Anon.

Well, a glorious good morning to everyone and how are you all? I had a super sleep in this morning and my batteries are fully charged. My holidays are coming to an end, so I am trying to cram in as much craft work now as I can. These holidays have been pretty amazing in many ways. I’ve had a few surprises that have made me feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride. From the fantastic news of my niece Lisa, having a baby boy, to the news of a super cool young friend of mine getting a transfer with her work.  I have discovered saying goodbye doesn’t have to be sad.

I also celebrated my birthday on the 17^th January and received many birthday wishes and gorgeous gifts. Here are a few things from Heather the feather.......

I was rather spoilt!!!

Heather and I went out to lunch together and as Heather gave me a huge bag of presents, I gave her a gift too....I made this cute little ruffle bag.

Just love the ruffles!!!

Interestingly or scarily enough, if you notice the button I used on the bag....

....it is the same button Heather put on the red alien as well. How scary is that? We think too much alike. What about this creation, what is it you ask? It is called a what-not.

Heather made this for me and it holds things like needles, pins, tape measure...all the things you need in emergencies.

Very handy.

So what else have I been up to this week???....

My neighbour Lorraine gave me these goodies to use....

A banner to use in the library for displays...

An Australian Bushranger banner in the making.

This is going to fit the size of a free standing pin up board. A trip to the local library, some wonderful books.

I have had countless emails about this Christmas puddings that I had knitted and posted about a little while back.

I made some of things puddings as instructed in the pattern but also made some as ornaments and added a crocheted circle and filled them with toy stuffing. I will share the pattern with you and these will be good for the gals that join in the 1 Xmas Item a Month.

That’s it for me today folks....I’m off to stitch away at my bush ranger banner. Have a terrific week ahead and enjoy each glorious day.

Cheers, Anita.

Christmas pudding pattern.
25gms of white or cream for pudding top
25 gms of brown for pudding. Size 10 needles.
Cast on 28 sts in brown.
Row 1: Increase into each stitch (56sts)
Row 2: Purl
Continue in stocking stitch for 10 rows
Row 13: k2 brown, k2 w, *k5 b, k2 w, * repeat last 3 sts brown
Row 14: Purl previous colour pattern
Row 15: k1 brown, *k4 w, k3 b, repeat to last 2 sts, k2b
Row 16: Purl previous colour pattern
Row 17: *k6 w, k1 b, * to end
Row 18: Purl previous colour pattern
Row 19: Knit white
Row 20: Purl white
Row 21: k3 tog, to end (k2tog at end)
Row 22: Purl 2tog to end (k3 tog)
Draw up and fasten off. Join side seams, turn right side out and fill with sweets, nuts or whatever.
Decorate with a holly sprig. Place on foil cup and wrap in cello.
* If making a pudding ornament, make a circle to fit over covering of base of pudding. You could sew a felt circle, crochet or knit a circle and attach. Fill with toy stuffing instead of sweets and sew circle on. Have fun!!

It's hot, hot, hot.

Peace does not mean to be

In a place where there is no

Noise, trouble or hard work,

Peace means to be

In the midst of all those things

And still be calm in your heart.

That is the real meaning of Peace.

-Anon.

Hello to you all on this sweltering morning! The weather man told us yesterday that we would be in for 46C today and he wasn’t kidding!! Lol At 8am I checked the gauge and yep, it is already 41C. The garden has been watered, along with the tree branches for the birds, chooks let out for an early morning scratch, before it gets too hot, washing brought in and folded and now we stay inside as much as possible.

I took some pics of some bird life hanging around our yard this morning, the poor things are in for a hot day.

The little mudlarks appear similar to our magpies but are smaller in size.

I had to click the camera quickly to catch this shot of a honey bird checking out the flowers, as they are very fast.

 Hoping my shade house survives the heat today!!

 

This week I found a fantastic crochet book at the local library and found inspiration from one of the patterns.

This is what I’m making right now. It will be a cushion cover, crocheted in 8 ply yarns.

The best thing about this project is using up those really small lengths of yarn, the ones that aren’t big enough for a whole granny square but can be used for smaller sections of one.

A doll in the making,

 I still have to make her face and add clothing. She will probably come to the library with me.

As hot as it is I can’t help but get cracking on stitching up these crocheted squares that a work mate gave me.

All the squares are done differently, and in different colours, but it will be a mighty fine blanket when it’s finished.

Some of my favourite things.....

This is one of my favourite miniature teapots, I just love it.

And a dear little wall hanging made out of ceramics from Heather the feather.

And of course.....

Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum, Italy.

 

It was lovely sharing some time with you and hope you had a nice time visiting my blog this morning. I need to buzz off now and decide if I’m going to bother my husband (a wonderful pastime for me and richly rewarding, in my eyes!!), or will I start plodding around doing bits of housework? I think I’ve decided already. Lol Fun a fantastic Sunday, stay happy and safe.

Cheers, Anita.

Happiness simply wants

What you already have.

Anon

Hello to you all. I woke up this morning to the strong smell of smoke, so I went to investigate straight away. Did I leave the iron on in the sewing shed and now it’s burnt down??? No....thank goodness, I’m sure all my teeth would fall out if that happened! Lol There seems to be some fire in the far distance but the strong winds have pushed them our way.

This week I have absolutely enjoyed myself with making toys from some fabulous books I have out from the local library and from my own library. Crafty Creatures is the kids book from my library and it arrived on the last day of school term. It has come home with me and I am having so much fun making things from it......

Cute teddy

(you can do it Ashlee)

I don’t usually put buttons on toys I make because if this goes in as a gift for a baby I would worry about the buttons coming off, so I hand stitch eyes and face parts with yarn instead. Still looks cute.

In the same book I made this ever so gorgeous pony. It was fun making this little guy and so simple. I especially love the tail and mane.

50 yards of fun is pretty fun to make from too! Just by using little scraps of yarn you can make these incredible creatures.

Too sweet!

The bodies on the two toys are the same but arms and legs are positioned differently. These will be going in to my library. I bet they’ll be loved.

I had a great time at the local library, just had to take these two books home with me as well. The book about Italy mentioned several places we visited and want to go back to.

My lovely Italy

A favourite pass time of mine....(sad but true)....is tipping out a heap of buttons and just staring at them.

 

I have more buttons than Heather...ha ha ha

Oh yes, I have some funny traits!! How about you guys? Anyone out there willing to admit they have a quirky little ‘thing’ that they enjoy doing? Love you to share with me. If you laugh at yourself, no-one else can touch you!! Lol

Now for something not so enjoyable....my youngest son & hubby have gone to the go kart track today so gingerly I am going to enter a man cave and clean the rotten thing out. I know – make them clean it themselves. It never happens on the great scale I need it to happen. So I’m going in armed with a light sabre, vacuum cleaner, cloths, food (in case I get lost for a couple of weeks), garbage bag and a compass to help me find the way out!!! Have an absolutely fab Sunday and hope everything is sweet.

Cheers, Anita.

                             Our gondola ride in Venice. See there's no hair on hubby's head? I told him that's what would happen if he married me....he didn't listen!! lol xx

If you always do

what you’ve always done

You’ll always get

what you’ve always got

Anthony Robbins.

A big happy good morning to you all, around here at Hayestackhayes bodies are just beginning to stir and it’s almost 10am!!! Last night was full of action with helicopters flying over looking for 2 escaped persons from the detention centre. One has been located and the other is still roaming around our town site somewhere.

Besides that action, someone had dropped off a knitting pattern for a plum pudding and for the life of me I didn’t know who did that but have since realised!! Lol. Have a look at these little cuties.....

 

I could eat these!! lol

They don’t use much yarn at all and I made two different kinds. The original pattern has no bottom and you actually fill the pudding with sweets wrapped in clear food wrap, a foil patty cup, and wrap the whole thing with cello as a gift. I made two of those and I thought it would be fun to also make some puddings with toy stuffing and crochet a bottom as a base. What do you think? I immediately shared with Heather and we made some on Christmas day. Just a good way to keep Heather out of trouble really!! Lol and I also sent the pattern to another friend, Ashlee, for her mum. Oh boy, I hope you got your lunch on Christmas day Ashlee.....I did send the pattern just before lunch time!!

Still full of Christmas spirit, I made a Christmas doll ornament to add to my tree. I had some gorgeous fabric left and had to make something out of it.

Sweet doll

Heather’s daughter Suzie sent me this rather cute little reindeer she made out of corks....how very clever it is. I’ve named the reindeer Heather by the way!!

Thanks Suez

I catalogued this cute new book into my library and had to try out a pattern I spotted. A cute little koala. I used 8 ply yarns and it knitted up in no time. It will end up at the library of course.

 

Fab book!!!

Koala blue

Some fantastic gifts I received for Christmas.......

Fabric is always the right thing for me.

Gorgeous cup from Heather the feather

I’m off to make some breakfast now as my tummy is grumbling like mad!! Have a terrific weekend and stay cool.

Cheers, Anita.