The List

The fabulous fireworks are over, and all the Christmas decorations are back in their boxes for another twelve months. 

What is it about the start of a new year that drives us to make resolutions, or in my case, lists, some sort of agenda for the coming months?

New beginnings are always exciting.  What does the New Year mean for you?  For me 2013 will be a time to reassess my home, my situation, my health, - and my previous lists, to see what still needs to be done!

My word for last year was 'completion', and I did complete quite a few unfinished projects, and start some major new ones - painting the exterior of the house, and further garden design.  Looking back, I am happy with all that we accomplished, but, but, but, there is still more to do!

I am thinking that my word for 2013 should be 'simplify'.  Still on the de-cluttering course, and with personal and home harmony in mind, 'simplify' sums up what is required.  

Wish me luck!

Winter crafting

Remember all those crocheted granny squares I made while staying up late watching the Olympic Games?

I sewed them into a couple of cosy cushions.  They are quite cute and country, I think.

It is time to put away the knitting and crochet now the weather is warming up.  It is gardening time!

And then to tackle the dreaded Spring Cleaning!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We had a fabulous few days with the family at Sunnydale, all the usual Christmas madness, noise and joy, excitement, hugs and fun. Invited to a picnic at Kirra Station near Bingara, we managed to get well and truly bogged in a remote paddock, not one, but two 4WD vehicles down to the axles in smelly boggy mud! It took a while, but a strong chain and snatch strap, a trusty Triton and a huge effort finally got us all out and on to terra firma. We found a nice spot on the riverbank where the kids had fun in boats and kayaks, the adults relaxed and Tim strummed his sister's guitar...............very nice!

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Dennis found a quiet spot to sit on the riverbank away from all the noise and hustle, he looks very relaxed here......and he even caught a decent sized fish! Yay!

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Remember a while back,I showed you the fabric squares for Mardi's swap. Here is what I am doing with them. Making two king single sized quilts for the guest room. This is where I am at so far.......this one still needs its wadding, backing and border and the second one is not started yet, but I am stoked to have a project already underway so early in the year!
I have decided that my life needs de-cluttering so there will be no UFOs this year. Everything I start will be finished, or it becomes clutter...so it is completion, completion, completion. Plenty of UFOs still in the cupboards, they will see daylight this year too and be done with them....OR ELSE!

Looks like gremlins have attacked my post and I can't seem to get rid of them. Sorry about that! Will have to ask my blog guru for advice.

Projects this week and a layout.

'Not the Christmas angel'............I took this pic last year of my madcap son helping to trim the tree, and finally got around to scrapping it thanks to a challenge at Red Earth Scrapping. The angel wings are a Sarah Gladman design and the holly diecuts are a gift from Heather at Home and Scrapped.

Front windows finished and ready for painting!

This tired old purple stool had been in Mum's bathroom for thirty-plus years, so now, with a new fresh coat of paint it is living with me................Mini cat likes it!

Another UFO bites the dust!

Today's news

I had no idea it had been so long since I posted!

Been busy at the farm, builders have been and gone and left a big mess behind! Fairly typical! But I am so happy with my new BIG front windows.

I have sent off 100 fabric squares to Mardi for the quilt fabric swap, so I am anxiously waiting for the postman to bring my surprise fabric squares back to me. Woo hoo, I am going to factor in some sewing time after Christmas for sure.............might even get those few more UFOs done.

Christmas shopping is all finished and hidey holes found to keep things secret until the big day. Need to spend a day wrapping and sending cards, but apart from that I am done!

My lovely Garden Club ladies are coming here for the Christmas Party on Friday, so I am madly house cleaning, clearing building clutter and dusting, so that the place looks a bit respectable for them. Hope the weather stays nice.

Another UFO completed.

While clearing out the craft room I came across this whimsical piece of hand embroidery, that was just begging to escape from the box and be turned into something useful. Out came the sewing machine and another little cushion cover now graces my armchair in the sitting room.........

the verse says

'What more could the heart desire, in sunshine or in rain, than a quaint old cottage, in an little English lane'

I am happy to have one more UFO completed!

Colour challenge layout

The April colour challenge at Home and Scrapped was to use lime green, white and purple.

I used some of the pictures Penny gave me of the girls, while I was up there for the Easter hols.....thanks, Penny, photos of my gorgeous girls always make me smile.

I tried making flower centres from old zippers which I found at the local Vinnies for 50c each.

Today is rainy and bleak so I have decided to tackle yet another unfinished quilt which needs some hand quilting. I love to have a quilt on my knees to sew when the weather is chilly! I never quilt in the summer, it is far too hot for such things! My hands are now sore and achy, but quite a bit has been completed. I am thinking the rest might have to be done by machine! This will eventually belong to one of the grandchildren so the machine stitching might be up to more wear and tear.