AHHHH! MY FIRST POST OF 2017.

So far this year it has been "HOT", and I'm not enjoying.

I was going to try and post on Tuesday, but the day got away from us.  We went off on a shop hop for me, to buy some bias tape, ribbon, iron pellon & a few other bits for some sewing I wanted do.  It was successful, but I didn't get to the computer at all.
Now for a few Christmas finishes.

2 styrofoam balls I decorated.

The little Xmas tree hubby made now painted & glue glittered to look like tinsel?

I took down the Christmas wall quilt and replaced it with this one.  Think I showed it in the making some time back and it is now completely finished.  I can't stand back far enough in this house to take a good photo, so this is as good as it gets.

Pansies Galore.

What am I keeping in this bag?

Said bag from a Co-op store in North Yorkshire.

Why, it's my cupcake rug!!  The body of it is finished and now I've the borders to do, but it is way too warm to over my knees in this weather, so will come out when it is slightly cooler.

My beautiful pastel rug.

I've been cutting out a few things (a couple I can't show yet, though one I've given away, but forgot to take a photo), and have done some sewing.  YAY!!  I've 2 children's aprons to get done, but did this for myself today.

A knitting needle case & crochet hook case.

These fabrics came from my stash, but did have to purchase the dusty green ribbon.  Tonight I'm going to sew press studs to the end of each flap, which isn't in the pattern, but as I picked one up awkwardly & all the hooks fell out, I think it maybe a good idea.

Hey, ladies, does anyone have one of these and have you used it?

I bought this many years ago to entertain my granddaughter when she visited, but we never used it and it's been sitting in the bottom of my storage footstool.  Will I have a go?

That is about it for today.  I thought I'd taken a photo of something hubby made me, but I can't find it, so that can be another day.  I've had a great day, chatting with my childhood friend, sewing and clearing out the footstool.  Hope you've had a good Friday too.

Take care all and huggles from Susan.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wishing everyone who reads me a very "Happy New Year".

Very soon here in Oz, the fireworks will start.  The first lot at 9pm for children & us oldies, so we can head to bed at a decent hour.  I do believe that people far and wide can watch them on TV & watch us see the new year in before it is finished for you.

What have I been up to since Christmas.  Not a lot, as it's been so hot and muggy.  We also had wild weather on Thursday and scored 35mm in our rain gauge in a few hours.  Some areas of Melbourne had flash flooding, with quite a bit of damage.  That same morning our hard flooring looked like this...

The humidity was so high, that our floors were wet all day.   They announced later that we'd had a 4 consecutive day record of it being so high.

I've been picking blueberries.....

That is an older style Tupperware cake container and  is the second one of these I've filled along with smaller containers, and I've nowhere finished yet.
I've started freezing, giving some away and selling to our local greengrocer.

What to do on a hot day, when everything you touch is damp and sticky.  Colouring in is good, especially after you've shouted yourself a new battery operated sharpener.  I didn't get it finished, but had good fun for a while.

Tidying.....

This cupboard where I keep my fabric stash, was slightly messy & now looks much better.  Forgot to take a photo before I started.

And it all started as I was looking for fabrics to start some sewing.  All will be revealed as they are finished.ion

TOMORROW.

This cake I baked today (Orange & blueberry), will go to our Car Club New Years Day picnic lunch on the lawn.  We are also having a Motacana, so should be a lot of fun.  I'm leaving you with one last picture of tomorrow's to do's.  

This has taken waaay...... longer than expected, as the pictures keep moving themselves all over the place and it's doing my head in.

Take care all, have a great New Years Eve and see you in 2017.

Huggles to all, Susan.

The cards will be removed and sorted.

ADVENT CALENDAR 24th

Linking up with Hawthorn and Julie for the Advent Calendar.

DAY 24

A familiar sign here in Oz.  Outside a MacDonalds.

Finishing up for the Advent Calendar this year and what better way for an Aussie girl (well old lady) to wish everyone Merry Christmas, than with some very down under greetings.  I have sourced these from the internet, as I definitely can't draw, but I don't think I'm doing anything illegal.

Two more bits, that I think are a typical way we celebrate here in Oz.

What a typical backyard would have looked like as I was growing up.  The rotary clothes hoist, cockatoos screeching, the cricket all set up, the good old  paling fence and a very blue sky.

                                                         AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS.

                 BEER FOR SANTA OR MILK & MINCE TART, CARROTS for REINDEER,
                                                               FLIES, FLIES,
,       ,                            SUN, SURF &  SAND,    BACKYARD CRICKET,
                       CROISSANTS FOR BREAKY,     DESSERTS OF CHEESECAKE or PAVLOVA,
                 HAM & SALAD,   FLIES, SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY,   PRAWNS ON THE BARBIE,
                            SINGLET, SHORTS & THONGS,   ESKIES FULL,   FLIES,
                             CYCLONE WARNINGS,   CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT,  
  BOXING DAY CRICKET TEST MATCH, SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE, BUSHFIRE WARNINGS

OK, enough of me being silly and I'll be having a short break and be back with you for New Year.
Hope you've enjoyed the Numbers and my wafflings, old & new, little snippets of craft and just being me.

Have a wonderful Christmas, take care and sending lots of huggles your way.
Susan.

ADVENT CALENDAR 23rd

Linking up with Hawthorn and Julie for the Advent Calendar.

DAY 23.

Ah, number 23 just on the left.  This shop has now actually closed down, but I do love the picture of the man with the piano.  Mine is luckily what they call a cottage style and isn't too big.

Well, not actually crafting, but making my space to work a bit friendlier.  It didn't take too long, but did cut into my time, along with a little baking and tidying up.  

What it looks like now.

Bubs is now set up where I had the ordinary sewing machine, cutting table and ironing board.
That quilt is waiting to go on the machine.
I think after Xmas.

Bookcases still in same place.  Enough space too, as the walk through from kitchen area to spare bedrooms and laundry etc.
It seems to be working OK so far, although I've not used Bubs in months,it seems like.

The back bedroom is now where I sew.  Not much happening on that front yet.  After Christmas I have some plans to get lots done in the way of UFO's, my book and some other designs done too.  I've also an idea for a type of quiltalong, but won't be calling it that.  Watch this space.

Still some organising to do & the quilt on the ironing board is awaiting it's binding (already made now).

Looking to the other side.

I can't believe this Advent calendar is nearly over.  I've enjoyed the number bit, but definitely didn't do well with the crafty side.  Hope everyone isn't finding it too boring.
Take care all, Santa will soon be here.
Huggles, Susan.

ADVENT CALENDAR 22nd

Linking up with Hawthorn and Julie for the Advent Calendar.

DAY 22.

Has anybody an idea as to what this might be?

CRAFT......but not mine, "again".

Hubby has been playing with his new toy again.

Now, how come to oldies seem to have been so busy just lately?
Technical problems!
We sorted the computer with the new NBN system that our government are rolling out, "but" they've also switched off the 2G network and hubby's 2 year old mobile isn't compatible, so the last couple of days have been spent trying to sort that out.  We had to buy a new one.  Just what you need at Xmas.
Apart from that it's just doing bits "n" bobs in between the running around.  And to top it all, we are supposed to have 5 days over 30°, which we've not had so far this summer.  We've just had one day at a time, then a big drop in temperature the next day, so this will be a shock to the system.  Xmas day is going to be 35.

Take care all 
Susan.

ADVENT CALENDAR 21st

Linking up with Hawthorn and Julie for the Advent Calendar.

DAY 21.

Are we really this far already?  Again I've nothing to report on the crafty front, though I've made binding for a quilt I quilted "months ago", started painting my little timber tree hubby made for me, and finished moving all the furniture to the 4th bedroom, with a little help.
I think after our number reveal, we'll take a little coastal journey.  Hope you enjoy.

On our travels one day, I spotted a large advertising sign for Land for Sale, and noticed there was a Lot 21, so went to find it and,  "YAY", number 21.

SALTBURN & WHITBY.

The rail car at Saltburn that takes you to the top of the cliff.

Views from the top over part of the town.

We then traveled onto Whitby.

Whitby harbour looking towards the swing bridge.

The old abbey on the hill.

Famous Explorer.

Captain Cook's statue.

IT WASN'T OPEN!!!!!!!!

I always visit this shop when in UK, and this was the first time she was closed.  We didn't make a return visit to Whitby this time, but maybe one day.  

Oh, this wasn't very Christmassy, but I hope to do some more catchups with our UK trip over the next few months.  
Take care all,
Susan.

ADVENT CALENDAR 20th

Linking up with Hawthorn and Julie for the Advent Calendar.

DAY 20.

What else in Oz!

Now, to go with this photo above, I tried to do a You tube link, but can't.😞
If you type in SIX WHITE BOOMERS and watch a clip, I think that all my English blogpals, may enjoy.
Wish I knew how to do it and if you don't want the Rolfe Harris version, Peter Allen does a good one too.  The clip is the yellow one.

THE TREE.

My friend Jayne posted about her Xmas tree & I said I wasn't going to put ours up (haven't for several years due to a variety of reasons) and she said, "Take an hour out & do it".  So I did, though the photo isn't good, as this house is so dark.

Our fake tree, but lots of cute bits collected over many years.

OK, thank you for the messages to hubby and he isn't feeling to bad.  It was evidently an easy tooth to pull and he'll take it easy for the next few days and hopefully be better for Christmas day.
Take care all,
Susan.