The Year that was.......

2009 was a year of many contrasts, sadness and changes.  Contrasts especially in the weather...from floods in Queensland to bushfires here in Victoria.  Along with the fires and floods saw much sadness as the loss became a reality for many people....loss of loved ones, homes and a feeling of security.  For me personally, I had change in the way of a new job, most unexpected but which has been a real blessing and joy.  The thing which I keep remembering is that God is in control of all that happens in our lives and world.  Whilst we may not understand why certain things happen, it is a real comfort to know that my heavenly Father has all things in his hands and knows exactly what and why things are allowed.  I continue to feel secure in this knowledge and pray that you too might know this reasurrance in your own lives.

Wishing you all a most blessed 2010....

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a most joyful and happy Christmas....and may you be blessed as you spend time with loved ones celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

DPP Day 24...More Christmas pressies

I made these for my friend in WA...Hi there Sue....hoping you like them...you should have them by now...the best thing is that my dressmakers mannequin can model them for me which makes taking photos of these sorts of things soooooo much easier....

The brooch was inspired by a post on Heather Bailey's blog here...talk about maximum effect for minimum effort....know what I'll be making more of next Christmas....

DPP Day 23

Yesterday on my home visits I went into the Hills and couldn't resist this photo opportunity....it is in Sassafras and is a lovely little antique & collectibles shop....the photo doesn't really do it justice....

DPP...Day 22

I have been busy making more Christmas presents...these are canvases which my Niece and Nephew can hang their artworks and drawings....

DPP Day 21

So, this is my first ever attempt at making a Gingerbread House....and quite possibly my last....not quite the enjoyable process which I had envisaged....it has a distinct lean....however, I have to remind myself of some words of wisdom which my father loves to impart....and that is that a blind man would be very happy to see it...and the recipients were very happy with it....I filled it with chocolates....what do you think?

DPP Day 20

DPP Days 18 & 19

Well, there is nothing like killing 2 birds with one stone....I have been struggling to find photos to post....but went for a drive today and took a few shots.  One is of some really interesting architecture amongst some of the wineries in my local area.  This first photo is looking back towards one of the berry farms where I have been buying my raspberries.

DPP Day 17...Nativity

Dpp Day 16...Advent Calendar

This is my new Advent Calendar I have made this year....the colours fit in well with my general decor...for those who know me well, they know I love Blue and White...and at Christmas I just need to add a splash of silver to add a bit of bling!!!  I actually haven't put anything in the drawers....perhaps next year!!

DPP Day 15..Christmas Decorating

Day 14...Yummm....Cupcakes

Day 13...Happy Birthday

From my niece's Birthday party today.....

Day 12...Birthday Cake Fun

My Niece turns 4 this week and I recently bought the "ABC Book of Childrens Cakes".  My niece was looking through it one day and actually chose this cake (and no I didn't do ANY prompting)...so I have spent this afternoon decorating the cake for her little party tomorrow.....

Dpp Day 11...Angels we have heard on high

Day 10.....Helping others

Recently I was thrilled to be asked to help Leanne with some stitiching for her new block of the month....I was so delighted to give her a hand and this is a little part of the block which I stitched....I am so looking forward to starting this new BOM....it is just LOVELY!!!  Thanks Leanne for the priviledge and trust you showed in allowing me to help.

DPP Day 9...Yummmmm

For me, Christmas also means Summer and the onset of Berries galore....and raspberries would have to be my favourite....I am also lucky enough to be within a short drive to the local berry farms to be able to buy these or pick my own fresh from the farm gate....

DPP...Day 8...more gifts

DPP...Day 7..Gifts

DPP...Day 6..More Christmas preparation

DPP...Day 5...Preparing for Christmas

DPP...Day 4

Watch out....I'm coming to tickle you

Photo..Day 3

This lovely couple are visitors to my home and enjoy the tasty morsels of seed I put out for them....they are also incredibly tame....beautiful

Photo a day....day 2

Photo a day in December

I have set myself a challenge from this website/blog....to take a photo a day from the 1st to the 25th AND share it on my blog....quite a challenge for me as I rarely can keep to this sort of thing....so I'll see how I go.

This is my first photo...I did promise to show this a couple of weeks ago....a full size dressmakers mannequin which I have wanted since I was quite a young thing and was visiting friends of my parents who had one in their home....I have dreamed of getting one for many a year...

My Place and yours.....Collections

The theme for this week is "collections" and how could I resist posting on this topic....I have too many collections....fabric, buttons, cooking gadgets, paper, books and thse list goes on and on....but I have two favourite collections which I would share here....most of my friends will be able to guess my first collection....my sheep....and that is how I came by the name of my blog....
So here are a couple of photos of some of my flock!!!

My second collection is my little collection of dressmakers dummies/forms.... Not as many as my sheep, but some favourites....and I also recently purchased a full size one....will post a photo of this another day....to see lots of others collections, check out this here....Lisa

My Place and Yours...Blog HQ

Pip over at Meet me at Mike's is running  "My Place and Yours"...where someone each week is picked to choose a theme for the following week to share....I am a bit slow to get going with this but thought I'd share my own Blog HQ this week.  I have been really struggling with organisation around my home recently...especially with all of my craft stuff....believe me....I have WAY TOO MUCH...however, whenever I start to sort through some of it , I realise that I do need most of it because even though I may not use it every day, most of the stuff I do use throughout the year....so in an effort to get more organised, I bought a new desk...I had been using an old table which was quite functional, but really looked very untidy.
So here is my new computer set-up and where I spend lots of lovely time looking at all of the inspiring blogs out there....

I especially like that I have a slide-out desk top for the keyboard and mouse, and that the computer tower itself has its own shelf.  I guess the only think I would change is the size available for my printer.

This is my little collection of dressmakers mannequins...I recently bought myself a full-size one which I have been wanting for many many years...even before I began sewing....Will post a photo of this another time

The other great thing about the desk is that it has a magnetic whiteboard....these are a few of my favourite magnets.  The bottom three are covered in fabric and I bought them at the recent Northcote Makers market which I went to.

Finally I can add photos...HipHipHooray

Well, I have no idea what has been happening with my blog, but everytime I have gone to post some photos recently, I have have been unable to do so....I had just about reached the point where I figured that it might be time to close down my litle blog and take it as a sign that it wasn't what I was meant to be doing with my time....well, on checking again tonight, I see that I can (for the moment) do proper posts...so let's just see how I go!!!  I can't even recall what I wanted to post a photo about...  Let me think!!!!!
Oh yes, the stitchers angel swap I am in....here is what arrived a couple of weeks ago.....A most lovely Rosalie Quinlan angel....you might recall I made a heap of these last year...but this one is particularly lovely with the embroidery on her wings...and this very cute little ceramic token which says: "shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars"...anyway...thanks so much to my Angel who sent these...and sorry I haven't been able to thank you previously.....

And here are a few photos of what I have been busy making for the person I am an Angel to.....

Last weekend I also went to a market in Northcote and bought this lovely little collection: some buttons, fridge magnets, beautiful cards, really lovely wooden box, a fabbo brooch and a couple of notebooks made with old novel covers... we really are spoilt here in Melbourne for some wonderful hand made markets....

Problems with posting

I had intended to do a blog post this afternoon, however, I don't seem to be able to add photos so I will wait a day or 2 to see if the problem fixes itself....

MYSTERY MAIL

I came back from holiday last week to discover a larger than expected package in amongst the rest of the mail....and look what I received...

and some detail....my favourite things...the colour blue and sheep....

I am currently participating in this swap so I can only assume it is from my secret angel....so thanks to whoever she is....I just love my new additions to the kitchen....although they are too nice to use...so I am going to hang them where I can enjoy looking at them....

I have quite a busy week this week so in the next few days will try and post a few photos from my recent holiday in Queensland.

I also start a new job on Monday so I am feeling quite refreshed from my holiday and ready to take on lots of new challenges....chat again soon...Lisa

More busy-ness and activities

This weekend just past I spent a lovely time with dear friends celebrating their 40th Birthdays'. I was one of their Bridesmaids when they were married 17 years ago...so it was extra special to be able to celebrate their special day with them.

We drove to Port Fairy which is about a 4 hour drive from Melbourne and is on the West Coast of Victoria....such a beautiful area...

This is place we had our dinner...Merrijig Inn

and this is my selection of yummy food....we all were given a most delicious cauliflower soup in a tiny espresso cup for an appetizer.... and of course I just had to make a quilt for my friends....I have been wanting to make them one for some time. They are into quite modern things as far as decorating goes, so I really had to put my thinking cap on for this...but am quite delighted with the colours...and thankfully, they love the quilt. Not the best photo as I was still sewing the binding on as we drove to Port Fairy and this was taken on the bed at the place I was staying....

and finally.... a couple of photos of the most appropriate shop for me.....sheep AND blue and white

BUSY TIMES!!!

Well, I have been so busy recently that I think I need several posts to catch up....so firt things first....

I recently participated in this swap again and this is the parcel and quilt I received last week.....it is called Carrots and Cupcakes....thanks to Pippa...I LOVE it!!

A dear colleague from work recently left so I made this for her....the pattern is from Heather Bailey....I was so pleased with how it turned out..........I can definitely see myself making loads more of them for gifts..

My Brother and his family recently had a holiday up North and so I made these for my Niece and Nephew and filled them with things to occupy them on the plane....

Will try and do another post in the next day or two....