After wanting one of these for as long as I can remember, My wonderful Hubbie bought me one for Christmas........ which I christened in the Murray River on Christmas afternoon!

On Christmas Day I finally got to open my SSCS from  Andrea     in the UK  .

  I absolutely love my gift!  What a gorgeous  cushion cover, and check out the little handy pouch, which I've already been using plus a 2014 diary in such a perfect size. Thankyou so very much Andrea for all the time and effort you put into my gift.  I also received the wonderful little crocheted santa decoration which I showed you in an earlier post, that will be cherished each year.
Stacey got to finally see the shoe quilt I made for her, and yes, she did love it............

We had a lovely Christmas day, and also a wonderful Boxing Day catching up with friends........ and now I have the urge to begin getting my house tidied up, cupboards pulled out, cleaned and sorted....... there are lots of things here that I want to sort through so I can simplify my home, to have it more organised and streamlined to make it easy to keep clean and enjoy ........ but it seems like perhaps I must be the only one that is in need of doing this LOL  I blogged about it on my other Blog  and mentioned about this challenge I'd be taking on.......  lol , so it seems I must be the only person in blogland that is needing to declutter, sort and reclean cupboards and such, which means I really do need to get underway with this!  Talk with you all later, Hugs Sharm

Friday Night Sew In

Although I haven't always managed to meet the monthly Friday Night sew In, it has proven to be very helpful in getting projects worked on.  This time, I'm happy to say that I have finished the little lap quilt for my daughter in time to get it under the Christmas tree!   I've incorporated items on it from 4 generations......brooches, earrings and a baby hair tie ( that is now 24 yrs old) have all been added in some way to the shoes I've appliqued to the quilt!  I'm really happy with the way it has come out and since I know she does not visit blog land at all, I feel confident I can share it with all of you and you will keep it secret till she opens the parcel on Christmas Day!

Aussie Celebrations

If your an Aussie, then you are going to love the Australia Day Swap that Jewells is organising.  To see the details of it, go and visit with her Here.   Since I've been leaving comments everywhere saying that I plan to be having some fun taking part in swaps in 2014, Well, I'm definitely in this one!!  It will be my first swap for 2014......

Secret Sewing

There's been some secret sewing going on in an attempt to get a nice girlie lap quilt made up for the 24 yr old DD.  Since she lives At home with us and this cottage here in Bundalong is on the smaller side, it's not easy trying to hide away on my few days at home to get it made up.......even more so with her off work at present!  Still, bit by little bit I've managed to get the blocks all appliqued and put together.  I just have to finish the binding and then I'll be adding the bling to it.  So here is a small snippet.....I'll show you the finished look, hopefully within the week! 

Thankyou

Lots of Christmas cards and little gifts are beginning to arrive here and I want to say Thankyou to all of you!  The SSCS arrived today!!!! I was soooooo excited  to see it and to find out where it was sent from!  Thankyou to Andrea from the UK, I love the snowman decoration, and I have the other gift  sitting under the Christmas tree to wait till Christmas morning to be opened!  I've had a very quick look at your blog and love the crochet you've done!!



I also received this  tree decoration from Chris who was my Kris Kringle in a tree decoration swap.  It is totally me, I just love this little bird with his santa hat to bits!

In fact my tree is housing another couple of new decorations this year.......check out the little handmade chook sent to me from another chook lover.....it's filled with spices!!    I think it will be finding a place to sit in the kitchen once Christmas is over lol.........
And my little reindeer Santa hanging in the branches has come from another new friendship formed this year.....Thankyou Liz!

My secret sewing for dear daughter continues with only a couple weeks left till Christmas.....just hoping I can get it completed in time....the pressure is on!!!  I can give you a sneak look here, cause I know she doesn't visit blog land lol......... well maybe not, since she is hanging around the computer lol
Big hugs and thank you,
Sharm

December is Here!

The 1st of December is our official day for putting up the Christmas Tree around here!  It's now a family tradition, and I do think its kinda nice how we have managed to make some little family traditions over the years that now mean so much to our children!

Another family tradition is the advent calendar......... next year I hope to have some handmade ones done as I bought some panels the other week and plan to make one up for the cottage, our Sons family and our daughter as she will be moving out of home sometime during next year.  The eldest son is still single and not so much into advent calendars these days lol............

However, Scruffy is well versed in what they mean, and he has his very own!!

So with the Christmas Tree up, the Christmas Cards have been getting written and a lot have

already been posted out........... none leave the Booth household until the 1st of December at the earliest lol.    I've been kept busy getting some little crocheted coasters made up to pop into some of the Christmas cards.  I've actually made an extra 7 purple ones by now as well, but didn't take photos before they went into the cards.

Secret sewing for dear daughter continues, so unfortunately there are no flowers getting done just yet.
Well, I best go and continue on with things..... the start of December is always a busy time around here, but lots of fun!

November nearly Over!

Well now, since I last blogged, I have managed to get out my Secret Santa which was being run by Chookyblue.  It's been posted off to a far off destination overseas and until my partner receives it and opens it up I'm afraid I can't really share what's in the package................

How the time has flown since we got back from our Holidays!  Pete and I both had the good part of a week still to go before heading back to work, and while I had thought I'd get lots of sewing and sorting done, I had forgotten that when dear hubbie is also on days off, that usually means I take on the Jacaroo and apprentice drill................ I'm sure some of you know just what I'm talking about here............. so, I helped with some fencing, clearing, running off in the car to pick up this, that and the other, assisted with the numerous calls for "just come and hold this for a minute",  which most good wives know that means I'm about to loose at least an hour from what I'm in the midst of doing LOL   Anyhow my dear hubbie achieved some things that did need doing and the back fence being replaced with colourbond has given us some lovely extra privacy and has also cut down on the wind that used to come ripping through the back!!  It's so lovely to have that private back yard feel!

In the meantime there was a lot of excitement when I had 2 large boxes arrive here the other day...... prizes from the 12 week programme hero award that I had won...... I had no idea what was coming and WOW...... absolutely amazed, definitely spoilt and I'm certainly enjoying trying out all the new appliances and gadgets!!   I'm certainly feeling like its already Christmas!  and Very blessed!!

Scarlets little chicks have been growing well and with 3 of them looking like they just might be up and coming roosters, it was time to say goodbye to these 3 who were headed back to the fellow where the eggs came from!  He had asked that if there were any roosters if he could possibly have them if I was not wanting them........ so rather than me continue to feed them and keep them in the

little chook house which was going to get mighty tight for space, I decided I would say goodbye to them now.  So they got to come to me to work to the hospital office (only in the country!!!) and we listened to all the cheaping from them until they were collected later in the morning LOL
Scarlet still has 4 of her chicks with her,  no doubt making it a little easier for her to find the extra food around the garden, and not to mention I'm sure they have a bit more room under her wings at night now !

I'm also busy doing some very secret sewing for dear daughter for Christmas, and since she doesn't tend to read blogs, I''m pretty safe in mentioning it, but I won't show any pics just yet......  But I can show you another different Christmas decoration I've finished for a kris kringle Christmas decoration swap on a Facebook Group.  I'm quite happy with how it turned out, so plan to do a couple more of these.....

Well, now I must go and get ready as I have a friend coming over today for some crochet fun....
Take care,   Sharm

Back from Holidays

Its amazing how rested you can become in such a short time when things just go well!  My last post I shared some  of Glenlyon Dam..... and I thought I'd share just a little more, plus a flower for Wednesday.  Here I am in Lyn's Home (my penfriend from Tenterfield), working on my One Flower Wednesday Hexies

When we stayed with our friends Colleen and Brendan in Brisbane, their cat cuddles took a liking to Pete.  Everytime Pete was around, Cuddles was right there with him!  Not bad for somebody who is not usually a cat person LOL

 Then the biggest surprise came when I received notification to say I had been nominated, and won a Hero Award
I had been taking part in the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation Program, and set up a Facebook Group for those girls over 50yrs that were doing it as well.   I was unable to make it to Sydney to receive the award on stage , but luckily the girls from Brisbane had organised a time for us to meet up in person at Southbank! 

 Nice Time out in the boat fishing............. shame we didn't catch anything!

But we did see this eagles nest high up in the gum trees above one of the large banks in a  secluded area of the lake.

But all good things must come to an end, and before long it was time to make the trip back home. Coming back we went via the New England Highway Until we got to here and then turned towards the Newell!  With so many signs to various places, I thought of all my blogging friends, my Facebook Friends, My Snail Mail friends that live in so many different places, and waved to those of you whose towns we saw signs to.

And as you can see, we were back just in time for One Flower Wednesday........... this time with 3 lovely little flowers to show..... 

Enjoying Holidays

Hubbie and I are currently enjoying a much needed holiday! travelling around the countryside for 10 days or so.....

Almost ready to leave home

Coming into Moree, although most towns along the Newell Hwy have these silos present....

View from our cabin at Glenlyon Dam between Texax, QLD & Tenterfield, NSW.  Unfortunately we didn't manage to catch any fish, but the kangaroos were very tame .....  They came for a piece of bread each morning!

Also finally got to meet up in person with one of my snail mail pen pals..... This is Lyn in her lovely kitchen...... We got to spend a whole day together, chatting, gardening, and sewing.  The hubbies went out fishing together and we had a lovely meal with them that night!  Big Thankyou Lyn for your lovely hospitality and a wonderful time!

And so our holiday continues as we head to Brsbane to catch up briefly with family and just a couple of friends this time around.  Also for a special event that I will share with you next time.

Of course, my hand sewing is with me also. LOL

Settlement and a Request for Help

First off for those who have been wondering, stress in getting things done in time for a quick 37 day settlement for the house in Townsville that has been on the market for 3 1/2 yrs has kept me busy and stressed!!  However it is done and dusted and although we took a huge loss, we are thankful to be back to one mortgage!!!   I love our little cottage here in Bundalong in NE Vic!!

Now while all that's been going on, I've been busy with a,lovely group of other ladies who have all been on a weight loss and increase to health venture.  We are now starting a new phase and doing a virtual trek around Australia, but we are looking for some country townships between Geraldton, WA..... Through NT, and over to Innisfail in QLD. That have some smaller primary schools  or Homeschooling families,  who might be interested in receiving postcards from around Australia.  I need to get this sorted out quickly so if you know of any please let me know either by commenting here or by emailing. Me.       sharmshere@yahoo.com
Hugs sharm

Springtime at the Cottage

My nose definitely knows its springtime here at the cottage..... hayfever and sinus have me in a constant state of sneezing and snuffling.  Of course it does not help that there are spare blocks of land directly across the road with grass a metre high, all seeding and blowing like mad in the winds we have here at present!  Still, that's the down side of spring for me, but there are lots of ups as well........  like our very first hatching of chickens here at this cottage! 
 Even though I have bred chooks before, at this home we are unable to have roosters, and earlier on I had decided against letting the broodies have chickens, but this year I relented and got hold of some fertile eggs..... 7 out of 8 have hatched out and doesn't Mama Scarlett look so proud of her little brood! 











We even had a cute little visitor stop by to have a look..... We don't often see these types of parrots here, so it was great to be able to catch a photo of him

Not much sewing or crochet has been going on around here for the past few weeks, its been busy with other things like more birthday celebrations (daughter turning 24), Spring gardening, all the extra bits and details that have come with finally having a contract placed on the house back up in Townsville that was meant to sell 3 1/2 yrs ago when we were buying this home (bridging finance that lasted a much longer time than we ever could have imagined and has brought all sorts of complications with the crashing market up in Queensland!).  Here's hoping things settle down over the next couple of weeks before Pete and I head off on a little road trip of our own for a couple of weeks!

 

 

Family Time

Our son , DIL, and 3 grandchildren are down visiting with us for 4 days! They live in Townsville, the other end of Australia, and it's been a year since we've been able to see them, so we are really enjoying this time with them!

We have also done an ealy Christmas with them so we have the chance to give them gifts that cost to much to post!

Later today we will be celebrating my DH's 65 th birthday, and then having a couple more days before they live to start the drive back up.  They are enjoying stops along the way, and our dear DIL is finally getting to experience what Victoria is like.....she is loving the difference in the gardens, trees and landscape!

My late flower

Here is my one flower Wednesday....a little late getting posted as this week has been non stop!  This one has to do with the seasons of autumn and spring......

A Spinning Thursday!

After an early start with a trip into Wangaratta for a work breakfast meeting, I managed to get a

few errands done and a little shopping as I need to get a couple of gifts for when the son, DIL & grandies arrive down in a couple of weeks......... well, while looking I naturally found a lovely looking book that I just couldn't go past.... for me of course LOL

After that it was off to Corowa, another township not too far away that is also on the Murray River.  It is here that I have been lucky enough to be able to join in with a very talented bunch of ladies. 

They are the Corowa Spinners and Weavers Group, and they are patiently teaching me the fine art of spinning!   After waiting 25 Yrs to be able to learn this art, I have been blessed with purchasing my own spinning wheel not so very long ago at the market for a song, and getting the guidance from these lovely ladies to work out my wheel, and use one of their wheels while mine awaits a little knob to keep the tension in check.  Thankyou girls!!

 And here is Mary, who has been spinning for 40yrs,  working right beside me where she can offer assistance each time I get tangled LOL.   On the way home I stopped in on a close friend to let her know how I went..... she just happens to live on sheep farm, so checked out the type of fleece Mary was getting me to use so that she can keep me some when they do the next lot of shearing!  I am so blessed to have such lovely people living around!
Hugs To all,   Sharm
 

Wednesday Flowers

Good Morning to you all!  As you might recall, I decided last week that it was indeed time to get back to working on my hexie flowers.... in particular those that I want to put together with the fabrics from my pen pal group which will end up as a table runner.  I managed to get 3 little flowers made up:

I'm not certain that this is such a great photo of them, but I have to use the ipad to take all my photos for now, until I can get myself a little camera again.  My old one died quite a number of months back.   Well I best get moving this morning as I have quite a bit on today.  Have a blessed day whatever you are doing.  Hugs  Sharm

Spring is Here

How lovely it is to be able to welcome Spring back!  The warmer days and being able to sit outside on the veranda to enjoy a cuppa, the sun and the garden............ I found this in a garden shop the other day..... it was just crying out to me to come and sit at my front door to welcome visitors! Yes, I'm afraid I need to take those pumpkins into the kitchen LOL

Unfortunately, with spring, the weeds also like to come, and so I've been spending a good deal of time out weeding...... which sometimes means that gardens get moved around....... I'm afraid I get easily distracted once I'm out in the garden, going from one area to another.  As you can see, I still have plenty of weeding to do and lots of fixing up...... like the wire over the pond so the kookaburras that come each evening to be fed by us..... stop fishing the goldfish out of my pond!!!! 

 The fruit trees are out in bloom - they always look so pretty.  Once the flowers die we will be waiting with baited breath to see if we get a good crop of fruit on each of them.  We have white nectarines, peach, apricot, blood plum and apple trees,  but some of these are only young and keep in mind we have only been here at the cottage for 3 1/2yrs, so the garden is still a work in progress............ particularly when one has to attend work for part of the week! 
 
 

The Mr has been busy getting his shed extended out to give him more room and to be able to pop in an old wood heater so that during next winter he will be able to use his shed without turning into an iceblock!  And how wonderful it is when the Mr ends up with more concrete than he needs......... every good wife knows that she should have an idea of just where that extra bit of concrete can go  (smile)........ right in front of the gate to my hen house !  Love it !

And now its time to go and get working on some hand sewing before the weekend disappears..... it seems to have a habit of doing that, have you noticed??
Hugs Sharm

Hexies for OFW

My snail mail group celebrated our anniversary this year by sending fabric swatches of various sizes. I decided that with the various sizes, Hexies would be the way to go. 

 The plan is to make them into a table runner somehow......then I stumbled into One Flower Wednesday!  I haven't taken part in this for about a year.....maybe it's even longer, so what a great way of using my Hexies for the table runner.....now these really should be already made into flowers to post for OFW, but since I'm already late, I didn't think anyone would be too upset this time, and it means I really have to keep in mind getting some of these flowers made up next Wednesday and watch my table runner begin to take shape!  Thanks Karen ( http://www.journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com.au) for hosting this.  I'm afraid I'm posting on the iPad and make the link auto.

Hugs to all,

Sharm

Friday Night Sew In

For those of you who might be wondering.... yes I did take part in the FNSI last night, however I decided I would post about it over on my other blog for a change...... so if you want to see more then head over   to   The 7 Pillars Home

Apart from some sewing, I also got my crocheted ripple afghan finished off................

I'm really happy with the way it has turned out, given it's my first time  making a ripple rug, and it's just so toasty warm and just the right size for popping over me while I watch TV or read a book!  Anyhow, grab yourself a cuppa and come on over to the The 7 Pillars home to visit me there

Hugs Sharm