What's on the design wall (floor)?

I'm determined to write a blog post tonight.  It's been awhile.  No excuses.  I got immersed in some novels, which takes my attention away from anything else until they're read (The Green Rider series by Kristin Britain if you're curious).  And I've been doing a locum stint for the past two weeks for a local self-employed midwife (glad it's over and I didn't even have to catch any babies, 24/7 on-call is a major stress).  I've also been working away on my two Taupo Symposium exhibition entries.  They're done and sent off and I know they've received them because my credit card bill shows the entry fee already!  Last, but not least, I was printing up fabric for my handprinted fabric swap: III - all sent off by the deadline and I've received one fat quarter in the mail already - thanks Holly!

Then we've had Easter weekend.  The kids get Good Friday off, right through to the Tuesday (tomorrow).  We've had a visit from the three little girl cousins and there were only a few meltdowns, mostly they are old enough for harmonious interaction.

So this morning I was left at a loose end.  No major projects with deadlines, my two kids and one cousin playing happily.  I rummaged around and came up with my Creme Brulee quilt, and when I laid it out on my design wall floor, I realised I'd forgotten I had all the rows together and I just needed to work on the sashing.  Yay!  

Wild Puss thought he'd add his influence to decision on the final layout.  Why do cats always want to sit on whatever it is you're working on?  And they don't listen to you when you tell them to get off either.  

And then the little *^&%# came charging out from under the table, pounced on the middle of the blocks and skidded them into a mess!

I have the evidence, Cat!  You can't pull that innocent, I-didn't-do-it expression on me!

I thought I'd have the whole top put together today, but unfortunately the little darlings (humans, not cats) demanded some attention and entertainment.  And being their Mother I gave in.

So Happy Easter to you all.  

Everything has it's positives and negatives.

Today we are inside hiding from the atrocious weather - rain and wind, which is always a fun combination when you combine it with five children.  Yes, I said five!

My sister in law and her three girls have moved up here from Hamilton for this school term (3 months or so). They want to spend time with my father in law, who is not well.  So they are living in our rental house, which is next door to the parents in law and so far the kids have settled into school well and are having lots of fun playing with their cousins.

But my SIL has to go back to Hamilton now and again for work and this week coming up is one of those now and agains.  Consequently I have five kids today and four for the rest of the week (one will be heading off to stay with the parents in law as we can't fit five kids in the car).


And then tomorrow is my little girls first full day of school!  My husband and I keep marvelling at how fast time has flown, how big she is now, how easy it will be with both kids heading off in the same direction on the same day etc etc.


So I haven't had much time to quilt today, but the electronic baby sitter has just been switched on (DVD player) and so I thought I'd squeeze in this post with a photo of a couple of wall hangings I'm making.  These are made with the positive/negative applique method and are patterns I've designed myself.  


Now I must go and start on the four school lunches for tomorrow!

Chaos at my house.

School holidays have been keeping me busy. How on earth home-schooling Mama's and Mama's who don't use daycare survive, I just don't know! Mind you, I haven't a husband presently. He's taken his testosterone and gone to shoot red deer somewhere (I'm not 100% sure where, and I'm not 100% sure when he'll be back either). I've also had a niece for two nights and then later the whole package of aunty and three nieces for another two nights.

The cheeky redhead is the niece who came to stay and is also turning seven very shortly. She gave me the ultimate compliment about my carrots, "They taste MUCH better than the supermarket ones!"

To cut a long story short - I'm apologising for my lack of blogging lately (I know you all wait with bated breath!).



But last night I had complete silence for a couple of hours after the children went to bed and today it's just me and my two, so I'm feeling a little less stressed and I'm actually accomplishing a few things.



We're baking a huge dairy-free chocolate cake for the birthday of one of the above nieces. If it turns out to be a good recipe I'll post it here. We're also hanging around waiting for the water truck to arrive (I said the morning - earlier the better - and it's now 1.30pm!). I've finally had to buy water, even though it's showering today, it's just not enough. I'm intermittently working on a few WIP's; my mother-in-law's batik quilt, and a pillowcase birthday present for that said niece again.


I'll be back again soon, I've got lots to blog about. See you later!

Secret Garden

When we went to Hamilton recently, we stayed with my Sister in Law.

She is a wonderful person, slightly eccentric, has a house jammed full of treasures and people and has three little daughters who are best friends with their cousins.

I love her garden. It always inspires me when I go there. It’s nothing fancy, just a small backyard. But it is full of what I want for my place. Little spaces, tucked away corners, a mix of vege gardens, lawn and rambling wilderness. It’s PERFECT for children to play in.

Hidden nooks and crannies. A safe, sheltered haven.

Although I did try and convince her that she could fit in a few chooks ;)