Today we.....

had fabulous day out at a friends home. 

The sort of day that on the drive home 

we always say 'lets do that again'.

Our family spending some quality time 

with another precious family who always

bless us with their hospitality, wit and laughter. 

 We have such a ball, sharing lunch and lots of chatting

and laughing till our sides hurt.

  Sharing together.....pure bliss!

Tonight I am sewing my blocks together on this 

 then adding borders ready to quilt.

Can't wait to finish it ready for Christmas.

Later this week I hope to share a design for you to stitch

in time to make it for Christmas.

remember the sneak peek in this post?

 Its almost done and then I'll share with you.

 Don't forget to pop past tomorrow for 

another block for our 'Out of the Box' BOM.

Another favorite of mine.... he he

 Have you loaded any pictures of completed blocks

to 'Out of the Box' Flckr,

 You still have little time and then tomorrow night

I will also draw the winner of my surprise giveaway!

 Happy Hugs

 Dawn x x x x

 

Sore back and Farmers Wife!

after I wrote this title I had to laugh...

some Farmers Wives have sore backs for all the hard work they do.

They sure do need a pat on the back at times,

for the things they do that us city gals don't do...

My husband was a farmer for a long time..

grew up on the farm, a pig farm, with hay and canola crops,

and wow after listening to him tell his stories.

They do such hard work, back breaking work that can be quite tiring.

I admire anyone who lives on the land now.

 This last week my back has been so sore,

 to the point where sitting or standing

for long periods hurt like ***CRAZY***

So after a wonderful visit with my Chiropractor

I will never let it get that bad again..

 Mel my Chiro had to massage the muscles

quite hard to release the hip joint..released after a push..LOL

and now I am just putting ice and heat on alternatively

to help it heal... 

Now I still can not sit or stand for long periods of time..

and am going to be more careful

when moving furniture around the house...he he

 So glad hubby decided to move to the city and stay, 

cos this chick ain't cut out to be a farmers wife...

But I can Dream and pretend and maybe join in a bit

 The Farmers Wife quilt caught my eye and as I love piecing quilts

 so decided to dream a little..... albeit a bit late.

FWQAL can joined anytime HERE!

 I have sewn about nine blocks so far and am thrilled

 have a look at the first five...

I am using a fat quarter pack I bought last year and love it...

of course its a Fig Tree fabric, 'Breakfast at Tiffany's 

and I love the look it creates.

Now to make some more soon to catch up.

Hope your getting to do a little sewing too!

   

 Sweet Cinnamon-y Hugs 

Dawn x x x x

We went to visit the Teddies

School Holidays and we were stuck for

something to do this afternoon.

A Friend suggested Here....

What a fabulous idea!!!!!!

Old Highercombe Hotel Museum( about 10mins away) for a 

Teddy Bear Fair...

Firstly we listened to the doorman

about what to do and look for in the museum.

 

We had to follow bear paw prints around the museum 

so we didn't get lost...

 

  Then we had tea and biscuits together at the cooks station...

 Then to climb the very steep stairs to the top

 (notice our teddies firmly under our arms

hang on Nobby and Cookie)

 

First stop was the Infirmary for a checkup...

 all teddies checked for injuries and illness's

Ours were are all good here.... we 'Love our Teddy's'

 

Then to visiting the schoolhouse for some aspiring young/old Teddies 

Exciting day as our Teddies were invited to a 

Birthday Party...yummo.

 Hip Hip Hooray...we sang too.. he he

 

 Then downstairs we went again where we had to salute the Teddies 

who'd been in service a long time...

so nice remembering those who have served... he he

 We also made some crafty items...

off course we did enjoy that part of the day

 When we left we went outside we saw 

an old fashioned post box... so nice...

(sign on post box...not for use) ..LOL 

 I love these old post box's...

reminds me of England when I was little...

 Hope you've had a lovely day today... we have.

Now for dinner and bed for some 

'Beary' tired little girls and Teddy's..

 Maybe some sewing time for mummy tonight!

Beary Happy

 Hugs Dawn x x x

A little innovation goes a long way.

I was amazed at a picture of this gorgeous bag

that was in my inbox this week...

Catherine from France sent Vicki and I a picture of the bag

she had made for a friend.
Using the stitcheries that are available each month 

 with our 'Out of the Box' BOM..... Catherine put them to good use.

You too can use them for whatever you wish

and Catherine made them into a bag..

 I love seeing others make up what they want out

out of the stitcheries. Have you loaded yours to Flckr
so you can go into the Surprise Giveaway!
 Be sure to get those 'Out of the Box' uploaded
to be in for chance to win one of TWO giveaways

Now just a little sneak peek...

 Ooh I love holly leaves and berries!

 And what might this be???

I know for sure its
 of things to come for Christmas!
 EEK, that word...CHRSITMAS
I so love Christmas and all its trimmings,
the love we share with each other,
the celebration of Jesus and all He
has done for us!
This year I planned to get ready early
with a few new hand sewn items.
 I will be sharing one of these with you very soon..
Have you started getting ready?
Have you written the list and planned what to make?
Not long to go.....5 months, 159 days, 22weeks.
Arrhh plenty of time you say...LOL
Time sure does go quick...
Well I have more than 22 items to make.
How many do you have to make?

Happy Stitching

 Sweet Hugs

Dawn x x x

A little bit of sunshine...brightens the day!

Today is nice and sunny but so so cold....brr brr

But I love the sunshiney rays beaming through my windows 

and the jonquils shining their beauty all around.

 

 It brightens my whole day ...

maybe cos it's my name sake...

My dad calls me his 'Sunshine'.....

and sings it too me too...LOL...remember that song?

 So what is this sunshine doing today....

 besides giving her no 1 Grandson

a cuddle as their coming over for lunch..

Also maybe giving no 2 Grandson 

a cyber cuddle again... yep thanks to Skype..

 have a look here...

this is my cyber cuddle with Thomas last night.... oh so lovely..

 I'm sure he'll get used to Nana cuddles over the net... he he

 

 I may get to finish a few sewing projects later tonight... 

so look out for a sneak peek soon of an exciting

Christmas project I want to share with you all.

But now I am off to enjoy some sunshine and 

do those household chores that need the sun,

like hanging a few loads of washing to dry...

 

Have a wonderfully Blessed day 

no matter where you are

or what the weather...

 

  Sweet Cinnamon-y Hugs

Dawn x x x

Byebye my dear Friend - we'll meet you over the Rainbow!

 Yesterday I said goodbye to a very special lady.

She was such a sweet sweet person.

 She loved life and all it had to offer

 She loved dancing and music especially Abba...LOL
We would chat for ages over tea (in her special cups) 

and biscuits (homemade of course)

She made everyone feel like they were just so special 

and they were all that mattered right then and there.

 Good bye my friend...

 You can shed a tear that she is gone...

...or you can smile because she lived!

You can close your eyes and pray she'll come back...

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left!

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

or you can be full of the love you shared!

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday!

You can remember her and only that she's gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on!

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she'd want:

Smile and open your eyes, Love and go on!

written 1981, David Harkins 1959 - Silloth, Cumbria, UK

 Trying to expalin death to little ones is hard.

After my girls saw  me crying and sad, Miss J told me not to worry

my friend was over the rainbow....

and she drew it for me to see....

Children say the most apt things at times

and I was blessed to hear such a simple explanation from a 5yo.

I took this beautiful picture to the funeral

for my Friend, as that's who Miss J drew it for...she'd have loved it..

 Miss J asked me to give it to my friend to remember

that my girls will know where to look for her...

 'Over the Rainbow'

 Goodbye my Friend

 I so loved our times together and will miss you dearly.

 P.S... Happy 84th Birthday today.

  Hugs 

Dawn x x x

It's a BOY!

~Thomas Russell Alan~

 born on Wed 6th July 2011 at 9.33pm

weighing 8.3lbs and 51cm long

 He's absolutely gorgeous...but Nan can be biased....LOL

 Reminds me so much of my little boy (his Dad)...

 Funny how they grow up and have kids of their own..

Can't wait to give him a big cuddle.

 Mummy and Daddy doing well.

 Hugs

Nana Dawn x x

This, that and Etzcetera

I have been in my sewing room today as

its been bitterly cold outside...lots of rain and windy too.

 What a wonderful day to be had in my little cosy room

I say cosy, cos its little and full with a nice warm heater..

 I did a little sewing of a UFO I had sitting here for ages

 here's some progress.. LOL...I did only say some progress

and then I started to write my priority list,

(thanks for the inspiration Vicki)

it is so so needed to keep me focused, 

and on track with my sewing  and time.

First I needed to go through some baskets of half started,

lost interest projects.....

And this helps to see what needs to be done now or last week.

One things is for sure.....

I do not need anymore fabrics...LOL...

Well maybe just a few, just to finish off...

But buying magazines that so inspire me

is a habit necessity I can't resist at the moment.

They inspire and create a delight to me to get some things

finished and maybe start some more little projects.

Thats why when Jo sent me the link to this new magazine,

Etzcetera

I could not resist a look and signed up to have a read

 and read I did...cover to cover...

Well done Kim.... its fabulous!

 Have you visited yet...

it's worth a visit, it's a great read...

Make a cuppa and sit and enjoy the journey... I did!

 Now I am off to read a paper magazine with my cuppa,
while I wait for another little person to enter my family...
 waiting for a grandchild to enter the world is a tease for a Nan..
 will show some pics soon of No 2 grandbaby...
 excited Nana here... he he

Happy Reading to you too.

 Hugs

Dawn x x x

Taste of Summer with Kelly, yummy yummy!

Summer summer,please hurry up, its soo soo cold today....

A few months back Kelly of Cotton Charm and I did an exchange
 after emailing back and forth.

Kelly donated some gorgeous

fabrics for bags/kits for Qld quilters, Thanks Kelly x x x

 and I sent Kelly a small little

wall hanging and a couple of Pavlova magic eggs

 Not real eggs just pav eggs,

which make a lovely yummy PAVLOVA

 Then we decided to share our bakings.

 Kelly has shared her wonderful creations
 on her blog... take a look they look fabulous

 I made a real PAVLOVA from scratch, oh so yummy,

esp when its freezing cold outside,

reminds me of summer, and tastes just divine.
 That crunchy meringue and marshmallow centre

Try the yumminess of summer for yourself.

Summer Pavlova!

 PDF recipe to print out HERE!

Ingredients:

 2 Egg whites (make sure no yolks get in)

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1/2tsp Vanilla

1 tsp  white vinegar

1 tsp cornflour

4Tbs HOT (boiling) water

Method:

 Preheat Oven to HOT 240 degrees Celsius.

Add eggs whites to mixing bowl and on top add sugar,

them to the top of the sugar, add vanilla essence,

white vinegar, cornflour and

then having your electric mixer ready to start

as soon as you pour the boiling 

water on top of all the ingredients.

Start your mixer immediately and on the highest speed

Beat the mixture, and beat the mixture

And beat it for about 5 to 10 mins

until soft peaks form.

Then place on a tray lined with baking paper.

Swirl the mixture around in a circle about 3 inches high.

Mixture will stay in place if you have beaten it enough.

Place in the HOT oven for about 5 - 8mins

 THEN TURN THE OVEN DOWN to 140C

And let the Pavlova cook slowly in oven...

this will take about 1 - 1 1/2 hours

 Once ready Pavlova will be firm on the outside

 and the inside will be like marshmallow.

 I turn the oven off at 1 hours and 15 minutes

and let the pavlova cool in the turned off oven.

Whip some fresh cream with a little sugar.

I made two Pavlova's and one slightly smaller than the other in height.

 To the top of this add cream and fresh fruit.

 I used fresh strawberries.

Then I placed the larger Pavlova on the top

Then add more cream and fruit to the top,

this time strawberries and kiwi fruit for me

 but anything fresh tastes nice especially

peaches and raspberries...your choice.

Then dust the Pavlova with cocoa powder.

Then yummy yummy we polished it off... easy as.

and so so summer-y yummy!

 Do make one if you have not ever tried one.

Don't be disheartened if it doesn't work the first time

They taste amazing and are so easy

once you get the hang of it.

 Visit Kelly's blog to see

her Pavlova Magic creations too!

 Happy Cooking... he he

 Hugs

Dawn x x

Butterflies, a Giveaway and No7.

It's the first of the month again...

 We're halfway though the year already 

and Christmas is around the corner..eeek!

 Better get Christmas crafting soon... 

 I had to show you this gorgeous Butterfly 

that I found at my house this week..he he

aka Miss K had a kinder face painting day...so cute.

Miss K and her big sister Miss J are so much Joy to have around

 I had to have that word as inspiration for this next block!

This is Block 7 for 'Out of the Box'

Vicki and I are loving making these...

They are a great way to use those buttons,

ribbons etc that are in your sewing box

 How's yours coming along???...

 Have you loaded them to Flckr?????
...please do we love to see them stitched up.

 And  for those who have already loaded them 

I'll be having a look and rewarding a little gift

 to someone next month!

Yes a GIVEAWAY!

What is it you may ask.... A SURPRISE!

 So be sure to get them loaded.

 You can download Block 7 HERE  to stitch

 And don't forget to pop over to Vicki's for block 7 too

 and to have a look at her gorgeous new baby she has...

Little Bella.... adorable.

 Happy Stitching

 Sweet Cinnamon-y Hugs

 Dawn x x x