Friday, December 18, 2015

Yip -- I sure did start another project

naughts and crosses quilt pattern.
 So it is the end of the year. I am tired. Do I finish one of the 1000's of projects I have? Definitely not, so much more interesting to start yet another thing. It relaxes me. 
All around the web and in magazines etc I have been seeing the naughts and crosses - XO - Tic Tac Toe quilt. So many different versions depending on the material you use.  
I have a great fondness for quilts that use a cross pattern so love that this puts the cross on point. I wanted one colour as the background and I love grey. Ros over at Sew Delicious has made the block and it looks so different to mine. And it appeals to the frugal side. The extra's you cut off every block, I sew a seam to make them into a half square triangle before cutting them off and it so each cross I make I get another block for yet another quilt!!! I followed the trail on her blog to find the pattern - you can find it here at Blossom Heart Quilts. They used it for a theme month against violence.
I was thinking of the red cross  and the fantastic job they do with the NZ Blood Service. So I made two blocks red. I do not have any other reds really, shame. My husband now gives blood and although the direct link does not happen, others who give blood in Australia are keeping gorgeous Kerryn well, alive and living a good life. 

It also looks a bit like Christmas colours.



Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Summer camping, something for everyone in the family


The boys finished school on Thursday and so Friday lunch time we headed out for the weekend camping. This is what Christmas and the holidays is about for us. There was a bit of everything for everyone this weekend.



Barkers raspberry jam
Lots of fresh produce from the Geraldine Farmers Market, the butcher and Barkers.
hiding in the bunk

Hiding in dark corners to keep the light of the screens, as well as swimming and lots of walking. 
 Family time talking.

Just what we needed. And we missed the hail, the tornados and rain. Well done I say!!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Finally feeling like Christmas... The Elf arrived with the presents

After school last week we finally go down to the serious business of Christmas. I put Pandora Christmas station on and the boys and I got down to work.

Well.... the reality is Jakob was putting Pandora on as I needed help and Eli appeared out of the blue announcing Santa had arrived!! (first picture) so I was laughing. Then five minutes later all I heard was "quick quick it is itching like mad". I rushed to the lounge to see the tinsel, not on the tree as instructed, but on Eli. Took a quick photo before we all had to untinsel him and it must have been seriously itchy as it left him very red around the torso.



The tree was dressed - yes it is small but we figure that where Jesus lived it is mainly Olive trees to so we use that, with various decorations made over the years. Presents under, and may I say that Mr Aaron Schulz somehow has the bulk of them!! The nativity scene is up and it is one that is added to, advent calendar style, during the run up to Christmas.


Then it was onto making teacher and friend gifts for school. Lining up the candy canes, the kit kats etc and production line started. Then the last wee treat to show it really is Christmas came in the form of the first raspberry. Yummy yum yum






A gorgeous break in Rarotonga

Woo hoo, A holiday with no kids for 11 days. Bliss, relaxing and warm! BTW it was an early 20th wedding anniversary present to ourselves....