well, a time of busyness indeed, you will have to turn your head sideways to look at this one, the way I usually do to the usual things that I do on this lappie (Rowing Man's new toy) just aren't the same, and I cannot for the life of me turn this around.... but I finished this little stitchery last night, it is from an old Homespun magazine, looks like a Bronwyn Hayes design to me (I do hope that I am right about that!!)


.. these goodies (below) are winging their way across the waters, these are what I sent my swap partner for the Stitcher's Angel Swap, so if she hasn't received these already, they shouldn't be too far away from her post box.

these goodies are from Jenny's Stitchery Retreat, a few weeks ago - I have taken a little poetic license, and "done it my way" - I just love the little needle holder with one of Theodora Cleaves buttons, are they just so wonderful, she has such an amazing collection of these little charmers,

and this design was also one from the retreat, this is a Red Brolly Design by Bronwyn Hayes, it was part of a much bigger design, a lovely table runner, but I have just taken this small wee part of it for a little needle holder ..

to go with this lovely little dilly bag, for a dear friends birthday gift. She is a Halloween baby (yep her birthday is October 31st!), but she is currently holidaying in Melbourne, she headed off there for the Melbourne Cup races - lucky thing. So these goodies will be waiting on her doorstep when she gets back.

... and I have finally pieced Gail Pan's "A Christmas Wish" BOM, hmmm I wasn't too sure about this fabric, it is really lovely adorable fabric, but not sure how I feel about it beside the stitchery,

however, it does look better when you see the whole picture, or rather quilt...

which apparently, I am not showing you that block again... OOPS! and that gold block may need to be amended also! Hmmm... The things that you do not notice when you are busy stitching away, talking, and doing one or two other activities simultaneously...

Rowing man is busy constructing too, we went to the local (old local in Dunedin) garden centre on Sunday - and saw an "amazing just what we needed" planter box. So yesterday (back in Twizel now), we trotted of to the local building supplies (my my country town people are just so so helpful!), and came back with this (or rather it was delivered). Watch this space, 'cos I will show you the planter when it is finished. I plan to grow our veges in this (lettuce, silver beet, celery, herbs etc) for summer salads etc I even managed to coerce Rowing Man into bringing a trailer load of compost (very good soil now) from Dunedin - far too good to leave behind! You may well ask why I didn't just buy more here in Twizel, BUT I have been growing that compost now for several years, and it is just so so ready for MY garden! I have still left plenty for the new owners, not that I even know if they are keen gardeners or not...

and these goodies - well they will be goodies, when I have completely finished, they look quite different now, but this how they started off, are for the Christmas Advent Swap, run by Jo and Fiona. I cannot show you any more 'cos I know that my lovely swap partner Betsy, is hovering over this blog from time to time, and I just DO NOT want to spoil the surprise for her.

so this is all you get to see just for now, this all goes into the mail bag, maybe tomorrow otherwise I will wait 'til I get to town and post it Monday. Should take about a week Betsy, and then you shall have it, BUT you cannot start opening pressies until December 1st Betsy!!

catch ya next time, have fun!