HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Well, Christmas is almost here and things have been busy with church activities, making gifts and now to the cooking. I am also now officially on HOLIDAY!!! Yay!! No plans, just going to spend some lovely time at home, maybe catch up on some sewing projects and spend time with family and friends.

I wish you all a most wonderful and Blessed Christmas...thanks for joining me these past months on my blogging journey.

"Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Birthday Fun

One of the best things that has happened for me in the past few years is the arrival of my niece and nephew....To say that I simply adore them would be an understatement..and as the son of one of my dear friends said to me after Kate was born, being an Aunty is the next best thing to being a Mummy...what an encouragement that was!...so Kate turns 3 tomorrow and today was her little party.

So to help out a little with the catering I made these.....

These are made using "tic toc" biscuits, marshmallows, "Lifesaver's" cut in half and chocolate buddies and freckles on top to look like a cuppaccino.
and of course a photo of the Birthday girl herself....HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Kate

Christmas Decorating

Here I have included some photo's of my Christmas Decorating effort around my home. As those of you who know me well, you know I am totally a blue girl. I just don't seem to be able to get away from it, especially when it comes to decorating. So my Christmas colours have to include blue and silver and white...I love the way others use the more traditional colours for their decorating, but I guess I am most comfy with my blue!

So here is my Christmas Tree....
and don't you just LOVE this....it is a Christmas Card all the way from Japan....apparently the Japanese are totally into cards and stationery..it is from my friend Sue who recently visited Japan...thanks Sue....I just love it!!!and here are my advent candles....with Angels...I bought this ring last year from a shop in Warburton which sells the most wonderful Danish home decorating items....I originally bought sheep for it and the great thing is that you can mix and match the "ornaments"
Hope you have enjoyed a few of the things which currently decorate my home at Christmas.

Bird update and other things

Well, the bird update is this...I ended up finding the missing bird, so then had to deal with two of them...we straigtened up the nest and put a picnic plate underneath and taped it so that if one of them fell out of the nest again, they wouldn't fall to the ground....so today, the chicks are still in their nest....but sadly I haven't seen the parents!!

This year I have been participating in a swap through one of the internet groups I belong to...It is called an "Angel/Mortal" (secret) swap...whereby we are allocated an angel who sends us stuff, and we in turn (also an angel) send things to our mortal...throughout the year we give hints and sometimes send our mortals on a wild goose chase...but by the end of the year we reveal ourselves to each other and let our respective mortals know our identity. So I have had the most wonderful Angel this year...we just seemed to hit it off right from the start and have been regularly emailing and chattting over the phone since. So, my dear Angel Sue, came to Melbourne this past week and we spent Friday together. I think I picked Sue (wearing her Angel wings) up from the station shortly after 9am and said good-bye to her at about 10.30pm....we did not stop chatting...it was such a lovely lovely day....so thanks Sue for your wonderful new friendship....as a little thanks for her generosity and friendship throughout the year, I made the following for her.... they are probably three of my most favourite patterns and ones which I myself use all the time....so I hope she enjoys them....

Well, that is all for now....stay tuned during the week where I will show you my Christmas Tree and other Christmas decorating around the place.

Have a great week.

WILDLIFE WARRIOR !!

One of the lovely things about living where I live is the abundant bird and other native wildlife which I have the blessing and delight of coming into contact with on a fairly regular basis.

This past week has been a particularly busy one....firstly I have had a nest of the New Holland Honeyeater in the tree just outside my loungeroom window. The eggs hatched earlier in the week and I have been enjoying the parents feeding their young ones. Anyway, this morning when I got up and went to see what they were up to, they were not in the nest, but on the ground near their tree. I phoned the wonderful staff at Healesville Sanctuary to see what they thought I should do. Their advice was to put them back in the nest and to watch to see what happened. So I called on my trusty friend Lucy who is a wonderful wildlife lover and she came and helped me return them to the nest. Sadly, one of them fell out again...so I was on the phone to Healesville and to cut an already too long story short, I drove to Healesville with said chick in shoebox. I will add here, that all the while the chicks were on the ground, the parents only seemed to be interested to feed one of them. It was the one which the parents weren't feeding which ended up on the ground again. So, Healesville Vet fed the chick some crickets dipped in nectar....NOTE: Stop reading this now if you have a weak stomach !!...the vet picked off the crickets head and legs, dipped their bodies in nectar and popped them in the chicks mouth one by one...and boy was this little guy hungry...so the vet suggested I bring the chick home and try to put it back in the nest...so I came home and guess what....the other chick is out of the nest and I can't find it....urrgggggghhhh...now what? I call my friend Lucy who says she'll come around again and help pop this other chick in the nest...so I am writing this whilst I wait.

This is a photo of the little guy (or gal) waiting to be put back in the nest (again!).

So to my story from earlier in the week...I was driving back to Healesville from a home visit and am drving along the major road into the town when across the road is waddling one of these little guys...

yes it is an Echidna (or spiny anteater)....another cute (despite the spikes) Aussie native animal...and strangely enough, in the same family as the Platypus... So, the cars are slowing down and swerving to miss the little guy....so I just HAVE to stop...the thought of seeing him on my way home semi flattened was not a thought I wanted to contemplate....so I pulled over to the side and hopped out of the car....all the while watching that I didn't get squashed under a car myself...not a pretty sight!...and helped him along his merry ant-eating way....the number of cars banked back along Maroondah Highway was a sight to behold...so that is a little of my excitement for the week...will be back again to update you on the birds and my wonderful Friday. Till then..

Sneak Peek to Christmas and other stuff

Well, I have been totally inspired and motivated to make some little things for Christmas gifts. My friends and I generally don't exchange large gifts as that is not why we celebrate Christmas. But generally I like to give a little token to my close friends as a way of sharing the spirit of Christmas. So here is a sneak peek of what I have been making this year....I usually try and do everything the same with a few minor differences. Sometimes I make biscuits, but I am being slack this year and have bought something else yummy to go in them. I will also be making some little stitchery tags to go with these...but you will have to wait to see these as I haven't started stitching these yet.....My friend Sue sent me the idea and a couple of prototypes for these little pyramid bags (thanks Sue!)...they are just SO cute....I can see myself making many of these in the future...

I have also made this little quilt to send to someone to help another person out....why is it that the things I really really like I find hard to part with!!!

And then, there is this little wall hanging....I am hoping that the person who I sent it to has received it....It was lots of fun to make and I hope it helps to remind her of the times she loves to spend at the beach in summer....it is made with one of my favourite range of fabrics from a few years back called "Seaside Rose"...The pattern is from Leanne Beasley's first book "Living the Dream". I like the look of it hanging up with a cute little "fishermans Basket" I bought from an Op Shop some time back....I made the hanging rack myself...

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely relaxing weekend...see you soon

Thankful

Hi all....well this post is sort of a hi to all the bloggers in America who are celebrating Thanksgiving today/tomorrow. My friend Amy over here has been encouraging her readers to list what we are thankful/grateful for throughout the month of November and I must say, that I have found it to be a very encouraging and uplifting thing to do. It is often so easy to focus on the neagtive things going on throughout the world...I mean, even the news tends to have a negative rather than positive slant.

From my understanding, Thanksgiving came about from giving thanks for a plentiful harvest and for abundant blessings. (I am happy to be corrected if I am off track by those who do actually celebrate Thanksgiving)
So today I am going to say a big THANKS to those of you in the US whose blogs I read and get so much encouragement from. I wish you all a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING....I hope you have a blessed day with your loved ones.

Today I am thankful for:

• new friends and contacts made through blogging and other internet groups, particularly my Yarra Valley Scquilters friends
• old and faithful friends who have supported and loved me through thick and thin
• the plentiful supply of food we have available...may it continue to be so
• the promise of continued rain....
• new life happening just outside my loungeroom window by way of a nesting honeyeater
• and so so much more....

"...For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deuteronomy 16:15

Happy 1st Birthday Fun & More Fabric Dyeing

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY THOMAS

......It is my nephew's first birthday today and yesterday he had a little party with his family....this is just one of his lovely Birthday pressies from his Opa and Nanna...Tom's Daddy (my Brother) is a Firefighter....I wonder who will have more fun with this, Tom or his Dad???? He was pretty happy with all the buttons on it which make lights and noises happen!!


This photo is my latest Fabric Dyeing effort from the weekend...my friend Barb came around on Saturday to finish off our Wax Dyeing....we didn't really achieve the results we had hoped for...but it was only our first attempt....the 2 smaller pieces are what I did using the wax.....I must admit, I am REALLY happy with the large piece of fabric....I think I need to come up with a special project to use this piece....What do YOU think???

Home a Haven: End of Day 4

Well, not much to report about this day as far as fun goes....however, I am hoping to make these patterns up for my niece which will be fun and then it will be fun to see her reaction....her most common exclamation is "gorgeous"...she is nearly three!!!
And then tomorrow my friend Barb is coming around and we are going to do some more fabric dyeing!!! Stay tuned for the results.

Making Your Home a Haven: Fun...

I still don't know what I might do to achieve this challenge (if you can call it that) today....I have woken very early for me (hence the 5.30am post)....as it was a warm night and I couldn't get back to sleep.....I'll be ready to nap by the time I get to work LOL.

So back to fun...I guess one of the things I have done at home is set up one of the spare bedrooms as a "guest" room / toy room...I have toys and childrens books so that when I have little visitors, they can basically go and play in this room without having to be watched...and older children also enjoy it as they can be away from the adults if they want.

One fun thing which I get a lot of joy from is sewing, patchwork and other crafts...so tonight I may just sit down and do some stitching.

Hope you all have a fun and blessed day...see you tonight

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
(Psalm 126:2-3)

Home a Haven..Day 3 completed...Productive ++

Well, I have exceded my plans tonight...isn't it great when you achieve far more than you plan or even expect to....I even managed to make a reasonably healthy dinner...yay...thanks be to God!!!
so...I dusted this table and photos...and even changed the tablecloth...I think it brightens up the room...must remember to use it again....
















then I dusted AND polished this..I have not really done much polishing in the past...but it has come up really well...my parents elderly neighbours gave me the treadle machine for my 18th Birthday many years ago....It is one of my favourite pieces....and holds lots of memories as I learnt to sew on it...



















....also dusted this (and everything on it).... and I have managed to get this post done in plenty of time to have a bit of a relax....

Making Your Home a Haven: Cared for

OK, I am going to be real here and admit to something to you all in blogland... Last night I was feeling a bit discouraged because I was feeling that I don't have others all around me to make my Home a Haven for (apart from me....and sometimes I think, well, the mess only has an impact on me).

But then I read this....... (and this is written in the context of what people ate and drank back in new testament times), but I really believe it is also relevant to our times...and to other aspects of our lives...

"....whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)

This was a timely reminder for me that God is the provider of all things including my home...I need to be a good steward of all that he has blessed me with...

so to what I'll be doing when I get home from work tonight.... DUSTING!!! Oh I get so much dust around the place....and it is so satisfying when it is lovely and sparkly...this is just one area where I notice the dust....

see you tonight...have a blessed day....

Day 2 Completed...sort of!!

Well, I tried to clean my fridge and freezer after work....only managed to get the fridge done...it took so much longer than I anticipated....probably because it needed a better clean than I thought it would....I will hopefully finish of the job over the weekend. It has also been quite hot here today so probably not the best time to be having food out of the fridge for any length of time....

anyway, here are my before,

during......

and after

Hope you have managed to achieve whatever it is you set out to today....

Day 2...Make Your Home a Haven: Clean

Tomorrow I plan to clean my fridge and also my freezer...It has been an age since I gave it a really good clean...and as for the freezer....well, I wonder just how old some of the food in there is!!.

I also intend to ponder and pray on the Prayer of Consecration which Monica shared....I haven't read anything like it before.

"Create in me a pure (clean) heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me" Psalm 51:10

See you tomorrow....

Making Your Home a Haven: Tidy

This week I am hopefully going to post each day and the posts will be a little different to my usual crafty patchwork related ones. I really enjoy reading this blog on a regular basis. Monica has commenced a series this week entitled "Making Your Home a Haven". I just love this idea in so many ways. I haven't talked much about my faith on my blog...not because I am ashamed but mainly because I am still exploring how I want to develop my blog. So I have decided to go all out and participate in this series. I am actually starting this a day late because of the time differences!!

So I will also look on this as an opportunity to give my home and heart a bit of a "Spring Clean" albeit a late in the season one!

I love this scripture and pray that it will become more and more the way I live:

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)

Because I don't share my house with others, I tend to be a bit slack when it comes to putting things away. Then before I know it, I have great piles of stuff which I then get down about...so this week (and onwards) I hope to be more diligent with putting away things after I have used them, without becoming too obsessive about it!!!

So here is a "before" shot of just one area which needs a tidy....will post an "after" shot tonight when I am home from work.

Hope you have a blessed day!!!

Here is my 'after' photo which I promised....not that much difference (because I tend to like a bit of clutter) but I know is it MUCH tidier....I have also managed to tidy up a few other areas around the house which I had let get out of contol....so altogether a satisfying day...roll on tomorrow!!!

I love getting mail

Well, to say I love to receive mail would be an understatement....especially if it isn't bills!! As you would probably know, I have recently participated in the Stitcher's Angel Swap and I sent my parcel off to Yvonne the other week...So Friday I collected a box from the post office...

Carolin from Colorado Springs in the US sent me a wonderful package of such lovely things....three different bags...all so very handy...as most who know me, know how I love handmade bags

This is a close up of one of the bags (designed by Natalie of Cinderberry Stitches)

and this is a photo of everything...3 bags, a very clever "puzzle" ball, a notepad, tin of Gutterman threads and 2 cards of sheep buttons (so so cute!!!)

and of course I just HAD to include a close-up of the sheep buttons....I think they are just THE cutest I have EVER seen.....

So thanks again Carolin, and thank you Helen for organising such a fun swap...Now I need to get back to some of the other major projects I have on the go at the moment....ahh...so much fabric so little time!!!

Hoping you are all having a wonderful weekend....hugs and blessings, Lisa

By the way...can anyone tell me how I stop having one letter of a word end up on the next line? I still really have limited skills in the whole layout of this blog thing!!!!

Fabric Dyeing

My friend Barb and I got together on Monday to do some fabric dyeing...it was a very drizzly day....certainly not the best for dyeing fabric....but we are very thankful for the rain....so anyhow, we soldiered on....we were on a mission....having purchased many many metres of PFD (Prepared for Dyeing) white homespun and having read about batik style dyeing with Soy Wax in the latest Quilting Arts Magazine....nothing was going to stop us.... Thankfully my verandah accommodated our need for being outside but under cover.

So, we went from this......

to this....

and finally this....

this is using the soy wax

and then from this......

to this....(photo taken today....blue skies +++)

and this..............

and this.........

and also this.....Barb took this pile home

to become this........ (thanks for emailing the photo Barb....just what my post needed!!!)

.....and at the end of a lovely day, this was what greeted me in the sky......

Now to decide what I am going to do with all of my lovely new fabric.....ahhhh decisions decisions!!!

A little quilt is finished!

Well, here is my latest completed project "Orange". It is for the "Another Little Quilt Swap"....I can't say who it is for as it is a secret. But I will be posting it early next week as there are a couple of friends who I want to show it off to....I am really pleased with how it has turned out. There are some really lovely little quilts being made for the swap. Check them out here.
I am also really looking forward to seeing my quilt whenever it arrives.

Hope you are all having a good week....

It's on its way to.........

Well, this week I have posted this bundle of goodies to....... hmmmmm....I wonder who it could be for? I can give one hint....it has had to travel a long way from Oz!!! These are the goodies I made for the Stitchers Angel Swap held over the past couple of months. I have had such fun making what I think are some lovely little stitching items to make sewing even more enjoyable. I used the fabrics from Heather Bailey's first range of fabrics called "Freshcut" along with some lovely natural linen fabric which I regularly need to stock up on as I just love to make projects with it. Thanks to Helen from Hugs and Kisses for organising the swap...I am also looking forward to seeing what comes in the mail in a little while....and getting to know my Angel.

I have also been working on the quilt for this swap....I love the vibrancy of the blue and orange together...I will post a photo once the quilt is completed..and no the oranges won't be included...I am hoping to stamp them with paint...I don't really think customs would allow the quilt through if I stuck them on!!!

On a non sewing related note, my Mum celebrates her Birthday this weekend. I wish her a very happy day on Sunday and all of my love....Bless you Mum...xxx

Lovely times with friends

Well, the past few weeks have been busy and hard. I had a cold which laid me low for a little while. Last weekend I had a lovely couple of days away with some of my patchwork friends at Tootgarook on the Morninton Peninsula....we had a weekend of stitching, eating, chatting, and generally relaxing...which was just what I needed....On top of that, the weather was absolutely stunning... here you can see us enjoying the outdoors for one of our lunches....I love this signwriting on this window.....says it all don't you think?...I would add coffee to the sentiment also!!

The beach photos are of Rye pier...

then on Friday I went to......
STITCH-IN AT GLENHARROW
which is Leanne Beasley's and Rosalie Quinlan's annual "Stitch In" at the beautiful Glenharrow in Belgrave (in the Dandenongs east of Melbourne). Once again we were totally spoilt with wonderful weather, stunning views, scrumptious food, delightful company and beautiful surroundings....I may have to make this a double or even triple post as I took sooooo many photos and just can't decide which ones to include....these are of Leanne and Rosie, a couple of the buildings within Glenharrow and some of the girls projects....

..then within the surrounds of Glenharrow are the gardens....

These are one of my favourite Australian Native plants, the Waratah.....don't you think they are stunning?

as I mentioned..the food was absolutely delish!!!! and decadent...and plentiful.....

and then there were all the lovely ladies and Leanne and Rosies projects decorating the "Barn", which is the main area for get togethers at Glenharrow....(L-R...Deb, Me (Lisa), Leanne and Mary)

and more photos from the day......

Leanne and Rosie drawing door prizes....and three very different versions of Leanne's "Butterfly Garden" Block of the month

and now to be a total bore...I just had to pop this photo in of my niece which I took today when we went out with her cousin for "bubbaccinos"....it was taken after the Bubblegum gelati, bubbaccino, marshmallow and tiny teddy!!!