My Inspiration

I spent many a year renting and moving around Townsville,

and have always dreamt of hanging beautiful and inspiring pictures on my walls.

Even though I wasn't allowed to hang any,

I still collected a few for that far off idea of  "one day".

The funny thing is that I have owned my own house

for about 5 years now and I just can't seem to put one up!!!!!

It almost feels wrong to do it!!!

I just have to remember that here, I'M the landlord!!!!!

As mentioned in my profile, I started my craft journey with Folk-art Painting.

Many things I did as gifts, that I gave away without taking a photo of.

But I always wanted a little something for me that I could have out.

I have always had plans to do something big, but feel nervous about starting.

So, I tested the water with a miniature (7" x 5").

I have it on my computer desk, and gaze at it often.

I have always loved flowers,

and my Mum loves ginger jars.

So here we are, represented in a picture, together forever.

Love you Mum.

xx

How did you start your craft journey??

I would love to know!!!

Barb :)

What a Little Beast!!!

Here's one of my whimsical friends that inhabit the house.

He is often found in places other than where I have put him!!!

He's a friendly chap but leads others astray for a bit of good natured mischief.

He's a hip little beastie, he's got a mo-hawk that
goes down his back into his long tail.

I tried to give him what my Nephews call "a man chest",

but it just ended up looking like boobs!! LOL!

Don't tell him I said that!!!!

Still can't find his pattern

When it pops up I'll attach it.

More friends to come soon

Barb :)

Who's Idea Was It To Go Shopping!?!?!?!

The other day, someone asked me,

"Want to come to town? We can go to spotlight....." 

(If you listen carefully, you can actually hear the lure plop in the water!!!)

"Oh yes!, I can match some fabric for my flat Nat!!" I said.

It took a while, but I found 4 really sweet prints to make a likely match!

Good job hey???

AND..........

then I found this lovely small print and some Gingham to match!!!!!

How lucky am I????

AND.........

How can you resist these lovely, sweet,

conveniently, pre-cut Gingham rolls????

AND that really cute hot pink check!!!!!

I MUST HAVE THEM!!!

I MUST HAVE THEM ALL!!!

Please! Please!

Some one stop me now!!!

Just don't ask me to put any back!

LMAO!!!

PS: If you see me in spotlight, smack me on the wrist.

Hugs n Kisses

Barb

THE WINNER IS..............

Congratulations to Heather!!!!

You have won the wonderful set of

"Rosedaisy Alphabet" stitcheries

from Jenny of Elefantz!!!!!

I will be e-mailing you directly!!!!

If you have missed out,

you can also purchase the pattern from here !!!!

Thanks for all the fun everyone!!
Hugs n Kisses
Barb :)

The Rosedaisy Alphabet Giveaway!!

Jenny of Elefantz has designed the cutest set of
26 Rosedaisy Alphabet stitcheries! 

Each of the 26 stitcheries will fit inside a 5 inch square,

and feature blanket stitch applique plus

 simple backstitch and running stitch. 

You can frame them, feature them on gifts,
or even use all of the stitcheries in a quilt!

They are a set of beautiful stitcheries you will use again and again!!!!!

The giveaway is open worldwide.
·         Leave ONE comment only on this blog post, telling me which
‘rosedaisy’ alphabet letter you would stitch first and why.  
·         Make sure you leave an email or blog address so you can be 
                                   contacted if you win (otherwise a new winner will be drawn in your place).

There are four pdf pattern sets of Jenny’s “Rosedaisy Alphabet” to be won – one each at four different blogs. Visit all four blogs and leave your comment and you’ll have four chances to win!

If you can’t wait to see if you've won the giveaway,

you can purchase the full set now as a pdf download HERE in Jenny’s shop. 

The blogs are:

Jenny of Elefantz (of course!) 

Heather

Wendy

And right here !!!

The four winners will be drawn on Wednesday 17^th of March – St Patrick’s Day! 

Good luck everyone !!!!
Hugs n kisses
Barb :)

Friday Night With Friends :)

I am almost finished my Bramfield Manor stitchery by Gail Pan!!!

Have decided to use tiny chain stitch on all of the boarders.

I also have to decide what message to stitch in the gap above the house.

Gail used the alphabet, but I was thinking of something else.

Hope Gail doesn't mind that I have changed the pattern a bit!!!

I also enjoyed a yummy salad with some left over lemon pepper steak.

And for desert........

Does anyone remember this stuff??????

Mum used to make it when we were kids.

I always loved it!!!!

Some people call it tapioca, some call it sago pudding.

Either way it's got a lovely sticky bouncy texture.

I like mine sweet.

Hope you all had fun too!!

Barb :)

Apple Pie to die for !!!!

Yesterday I spent the most wonderful day with

two of my closest friends Heather and Michelle,

at the "Hervey's Range Heritage Tea Rooms".

I know it doesn't look like much, but it truly is a diamond in the rough.

This historical building is an original split log cabin built in the 1860's,

mainly for the trade of local working bullock teams

and coaches heading to the Gold Fields.

It was formerly known as the Eureka Hotel,

and is an important historical location in Townsville.

It's nestled high in the beautiful bush lands of Hervey's Range,

with many breath taking views looking out across the flat lands of Townsville. 

Yesterday we chose to sit under the shady trees at the

front of the building to enjoy the cool fresh breeze that

was washing in through the surrounding trees and bush.

I'm sure it was 5 degrees cooler than at home!

It felt like a spiritual and emotional cleanse from mother nature!!

It was such a lovely, relaxing and peaceful day.

It was full of relaxation, laughter and flashing! (private joke).

OH! Yes, better say we did some stitching too!!!

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast, sorry no pic

because I was so excited to eat it that I forgot to take one!!!

Followed (a few hours later) by this Apple pie to die for!!!

It was liberally spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves

and all those nice things that make you want to have a food coma!

That's why you have to have a coffee with it!!!!

After much giggling and cackling, dispersed with eating and stitching, we finally went home.

I think we all slept well last night!

Hope you had a nice day too.

Hugs n Kisses

Barb

YAY!!!! My threads have arrived!!!

In 2011 (I think??), I went to a stitching day in Cairns

with my Mum (Crafter in Crime - he he he).

We had a wonderful time, and met some other lovely ladies!

Lovely projects, lovely company, lovely scenery, AND lovely food!!

We have since been waiting for them to do another one.

In our goodies bag was this project by Gail Pan, and I loved it immediately!!

I went straight over to the thread display and chose this

gorgeous variegated thread by "Cottage Garden Threads".

It's called Peacock - number 1201.

The more I used it the more I loved it!!!

I then started to worry that I had only bought 1 skein!!
(That's all they had)

So I immediately stopped doing the project in case I couldn't get more,

I'm not sure why. I think I was scared to use it all up???

Just recently I was digging in a bag looking for something else

when I came across it and fell in love again.

The first thing I did was order another 4 skeins (wont catch me twice!!).

I don't know why I thought I needed 4, but that made me happy.

Thankfully, Erica Dekker from Under The Mulberry Tree  was able to oblige me, 

and now I'm off and stitching again!!

Not sure what to make of it yet, maybe a bag?, maybe something for a picture frame?

What would you do with it???

Hugs n Kisses

Barb