tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58029412873017086332024-03-19T21:47:31.633+13:00My Threadbear Lifea journal of life at Threadbear Cottage . . .Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-34568676610201001712024-03-17T16:06:00.000+13:002024-03-17T16:06:33.112+13:00Giveaway Winner & Bedroom Finish<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings dear friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been trying to blog since Friday evening but sometimes ...... it gets <b>really</b> difficult . . . . . . . . . . </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2njR0t9ZyI0rHRvj4AspRcNOZtmxYV4lqlC66Ni0svXMSx53tbxY8C70QzepHPsoH-OIS2JMq8XbVOpAaM_K0M3gRzODrfSEaulAY3c_mh3LXowlTPnrsCeZoAK2XZgo01OR1P2lzfGR1xlUQ6naE7_w7wVb_4k66VESvPUhu-bteFoVDKi_gLpag_3Ng/s3386/028-fotor-20240317141432.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3386" data-original-width="2668" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2njR0t9ZyI0rHRvj4AspRcNOZtmxYV4lqlC66Ni0svXMSx53tbxY8C70QzepHPsoH-OIS2JMq8XbVOpAaM_K0M3gRzODrfSEaulAY3c_mh3LXowlTPnrsCeZoAK2XZgo01OR1P2lzfGR1xlUQ6naE7_w7wVb_4k66VESvPUhu-bteFoVDKi_gLpag_3Ng/w504-h640/028-fotor-20240317141432.png" width="504" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">. . . . . . as you can see (!!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday 15th was the day we drew my Easter Giveaway winner ... I wrote all the names out on pieces of paper, put them in my big old twin-spout teapot, gave it a good shake & The Mr drew out a name.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pam from Waiuku</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(no blog)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> - if you would like to email me your address please Pam, I have your package all ready to go 💗</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2rURx7ikMs0sgEYMH4Ipyu6i5SwCVCSFoS1knR0D6xVLnuFIoZZ47LwGYQ_wy37aElabuElqIwWc4nS_fh2ZX2DuXxKNLbAPA0JQLhTkoxI6BF20WjFuECFbwPqEDQhI7T_e1GgiLL0N8pI8dPRA0PykHOjHfPdKdRxeUF8cdZiW6Mv1xoTYchMzJm0/s4000/014-fotor-20240317141557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2rURx7ikMs0sgEYMH4Ipyu6i5SwCVCSFoS1knR0D6xVLnuFIoZZ47LwGYQ_wy37aElabuElqIwWc4nS_fh2ZX2DuXxKNLbAPA0JQLhTkoxI6BF20WjFuECFbwPqEDQhI7T_e1GgiLL0N8pI8dPRA0PykHOjHfPdKdRxeUF8cdZiW6Mv1xoTYchMzJm0/w480-h640/014-fotor-20240317141557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A huge <b>Thank You</b> to everyone who entered - I had 70 entries (</span><span style="font-size: medium;">although 2 of them asked not to be entered). </span><span style="font-size: large;">I very much enjoyed reading everyone's favorite colours & yesterday I wrote them all out - in case you are interested, here are the results :-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Blue </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(including Teal, Aqua & Navy) </span><span style="font-size: large;">=</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>20</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Green = 14</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pink = 9</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purple = 4</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Orange = 3</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Red = 2</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yellow = 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Burgundy = 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Grey = 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>White = 1 </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love all colours = 4</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Blue was a clear winner </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💙</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Also not everyone who left a comment/entry wrote their favorite colour)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8StqiUYVk2gSsIBkuOk6HQsERVbarR38_RcHR-Dn312nLdHOeTv6UuevAE0AtjZLGaaraOqlSG0_6OBaRKUxw2jAt97TR5Jo8kaaQzauh0b6rjmUzXMlAKyudWzxseNNqOsuXnlOOvK03clgwEjYpS8Y4ixilexm-6_bu3NAOnw9Z6y7UQ32Rrfp_-aq2/s4000/035-fotor-20240317141751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8StqiUYVk2gSsIBkuOk6HQsERVbarR38_RcHR-Dn312nLdHOeTv6UuevAE0AtjZLGaaraOqlSG0_6OBaRKUxw2jAt97TR5Jo8kaaQzauh0b6rjmUzXMlAKyudWzxseNNqOsuXnlOOvK03clgwEjYpS8Y4ixilexm-6_bu3NAOnw9Z6y7UQ32Rrfp_-aq2/w480-h640/035-fotor-20240317141751.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Tuesday I drove to the city to collect my blinds from being professionally cleaned, came home & hung them up. I have a large one at the French Doors in my bedroom & then 2 long narrow windows on another wall, each with a blind at them. I love my blinds & felt it was a good investment to have them cleaned </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(tho' I did feel quite faint when they told me the price !!)</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UPHP2CVDIVcgfVRBs_BQ6k_SBV3SazEbFoc6tYLEKoTHgjmOZ-2fZyc_qgTuvJhg7TPDLk-Fo82zBMGSS0KqQS9SLM7DMl8NUNeEHvm5ivixyRV5Ix5gitHaWgDKxPnnLi28rM8iKvAiS_d8PVXti6GXqphHc7wIJOFefwItXzsJQm9Hw0Modv1rxqel/s4000/034-fotor-20240317143032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UPHP2CVDIVcgfVRBs_BQ6k_SBV3SazEbFoc6tYLEKoTHgjmOZ-2fZyc_qgTuvJhg7TPDLk-Fo82zBMGSS0KqQS9SLM7DMl8NUNeEHvm5ivixyRV5Ix5gitHaWgDKxPnnLi28rM8iKvAiS_d8PVXti6GXqphHc7wIJOFefwItXzsJQm9Hw0Modv1rxqel/w480-h640/034-fotor-20240317143032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are the long narrow windows, both on the same wall.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I had the blinds made I bought an extra metre of fabric & made myself some cushions to match.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSOAIdcHPTS6PnTMnWfUxVjn5gDgR4R1pzpfnF7jOoWYlopTD5q71_4X15HLQXAEsxAGGXJoVD4oeV-aKnA0PWLG2QVhDoncUmxHkK3nEH-TlPj9UzLPFZljWHtxCj99VevYCZTayN9uQ2hKAkkAbz972Zcj7Lh4lebJZnCY797jRFK_rytYsNFLlN6cE/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240317142825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSOAIdcHPTS6PnTMnWfUxVjn5gDgR4R1pzpfnF7jOoWYlopTD5q71_4X15HLQXAEsxAGGXJoVD4oeV-aKnA0PWLG2QVhDoncUmxHkK3nEH-TlPj9UzLPFZljWHtxCj99VevYCZTayN9uQ2hKAkkAbz972Zcj7Lh4lebJZnCY797jRFK_rytYsNFLlN6cE/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240317142825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I carefully washed <b>all my bedding</b> to save on drycleaning costs & it came up beautifully. Photo above right was <b>not what I anticipated</b> but Little One had gotten wet through & The Mr wrapped him up in a fleece cuddly blanket to warm up 😣</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVpH1qkfGGrz1qN1p6BSv6hfXd3rO4vfd-a_8WtPb6HIx15dIJbHk6GItjGyYazV9ohC5K8chGE6UPU3eoNgmGnYHn31DLvYnOcQ8N0q7Zj2LOjqF97WBrSqCVJOiTDbNvr1Vh-fxPaqiRDgJ4MNsjcmDJrJ9AeL4PUXGY0qXr8IKKuMhROHGmpWZZMez/s4000/023-fotor-2024031714295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVpH1qkfGGrz1qN1p6BSv6hfXd3rO4vfd-a_8WtPb6HIx15dIJbHk6GItjGyYazV9ohC5K8chGE6UPU3eoNgmGnYHn31DLvYnOcQ8N0q7Zj2LOjqF97WBrSqCVJOiTDbNvr1Vh-fxPaqiRDgJ4MNsjcmDJrJ9AeL4PUXGY0qXr8IKKuMhROHGmpWZZMez/w480-h640/023-fotor-2024031714295.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can read about my bedside table upcycle in <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2019/10/broken-things.html" target="_blank">* this older post *</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivnPcB2PO_wxfiSxg5WEXOUBeUZZxIKCU1PUzGSI2APA6YinVpF9b58_bG8khMMCdV6EGTBevEShEFXw7bHaBhFYHd_r6-LyRslhQVr1I9b7ZY-VINosVpywxCYEnt8O7XKH7TYP3cDEC9V7bo3qzYPeFR5prwD54BqSaxnvcrx_qfLykkw-QsyqH9rqp/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240317142810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivnPcB2PO_wxfiSxg5WEXOUBeUZZxIKCU1PUzGSI2APA6YinVpF9b58_bG8khMMCdV6EGTBevEShEFXw7bHaBhFYHd_r6-LyRslhQVr1I9b7ZY-VINosVpywxCYEnt8O7XKH7TYP3cDEC9V7bo3qzYPeFR5prwD54BqSaxnvcrx_qfLykkw-QsyqH9rqp/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240317142810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My dressing table - I love this old piece of furniture & I had thoughts of stripping the varnish off it to give it a flatter finish, but for some reason I don't mind the shiny finish so much now. Other side of the bed - oak cabinet & the vintage footstool under it from <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2013/09/doilies-trip-tale-of-stool.html" target="_blank">this post in 2013 !!!</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineozvqBT3yGXrcQcZoQ1ZoAS_zsLkXAJJ1YlGyDc8DvBsJvmNePCBBCrhwRHgTGAfw2v4KorV78Aut8o39UA8UHzSF4w-sgducHXPkbq2cq8Mha0PuC9mMeY1a_V6guWgRcP1nbtO8OIzdwP3VKDS8CyUeW_dWqWwrgdaLxwCkwPH3k0MPyJZyc1XK_hN/s4000/028-fotor-20240317142926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineozvqBT3yGXrcQcZoQ1ZoAS_zsLkXAJJ1YlGyDc8DvBsJvmNePCBBCrhwRHgTGAfw2v4KorV78Aut8o39UA8UHzSF4w-sgducHXPkbq2cq8Mha0PuC9mMeY1a_V6guWgRcP1nbtO8OIzdwP3VKDS8CyUeW_dWqWwrgdaLxwCkwPH3k0MPyJZyc1XK_hN/w480-h640/028-fotor-20240317142926.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mr's chest of drawers which matches my dressing table, & my <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-1-back-from-mums.html" target="_blank">tomato sauce tray upcycle.</a> Lots of Mum's treasures on here.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO0f4EnIzmU4v90KmvzfRY8nm86MR9r7BtzMuDNfnNRi3vJwrbG9MgYY8KtwmfniPo7mA2UTMxVCcTUR56Mn_epNYbzDSqxeQzrp6N6H6bNqvOxNSlUeJSek1YQR7Jd3m3p4omsr7M67uZRpi6q6BlC-YrmEm_aYr9wnqP51vZaOqG4cEWS8QeY4Atp4f/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240317142755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO0f4EnIzmU4v90KmvzfRY8nm86MR9r7BtzMuDNfnNRi3vJwrbG9MgYY8KtwmfniPo7mA2UTMxVCcTUR56Mn_epNYbzDSqxeQzrp6N6H6bNqvOxNSlUeJSek1YQR7Jd3m3p4omsr7M67uZRpi6q6BlC-YrmEm_aYr9wnqP51vZaOqG4cEWS8QeY4Atp4f/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240317142755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rectangular doiley stool upcycle </span><a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/life-in-my-bubble.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">in this post * here *</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> & other stool covered in leftover blinds fabric. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Stools are handy in the bedroom for plonking your stuff on (!!!)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD97cDfnV3AYuEOiowDdMEcPz9VC1J5QRz3shimFSu7KkhDeYa4sDAwoDbjKnIgaXlhPcsKbhzgOh8v9q6nmFj8RmTzniWAaXLM3f9V5grDMdkR5lEFSstvt7GCJJEQxRBxtUE54EduVOxiOFPAYc6qnx_nud7yRtn7zzU-9tY5rjDhokoH3aqAaEg2Ct-/s4000/032-fotor-2024031714305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD97cDfnV3AYuEOiowDdMEcPz9VC1J5QRz3shimFSu7KkhDeYa4sDAwoDbjKnIgaXlhPcsKbhzgOh8v9q6nmFj8RmTzniWAaXLM3f9V5grDMdkR5lEFSstvt7GCJJEQxRBxtUE54EduVOxiOFPAYc6qnx_nud7yRtn7zzU-9tY5rjDhokoH3aqAaEg2Ct-/w480-h640/032-fotor-2024031714305.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a double wardrobe on the wall as you enter the room, with Louvre doors. I took these off, took them out on my driveway & scrubbed them with sugar soap, then hosed them off. They came up beautifully so I didn't need to paint them, which delighted me immensely.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0GwMS65wva1gOV1yWwI_ossxarCRfDgs2RZOV3hWjGge_9icEX5Ggs_r9wuQBaAMKcz_iTyUBG8O-3HPn5zMfAZjAtUiuO3cIKc4nrvRPBbNngrpOi8Qyg9e0frBAXMdFGL3roYnyKbq9asLlWtq8Z0gn2gZwp8B7k1NX3xK4nAk1VfS220zseF0gDvN/s4000/019-fotor-20240317143545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0GwMS65wva1gOV1yWwI_ossxarCRfDgs2RZOV3hWjGge_9icEX5Ggs_r9wuQBaAMKcz_iTyUBG8O-3HPn5zMfAZjAtUiuO3cIKc4nrvRPBbNngrpOi8Qyg9e0frBAXMdFGL3roYnyKbq9asLlWtq8Z0gn2gZwp8B7k1NX3xK4nAk1VfS220zseF0gDvN/w480-h640/019-fotor-20240317143545.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a corner, beside the wardrobe is an alcove. This is the exact size of a babies cot - previous Owners put this in when they added the master bedroom on. They had a baby so hung a curtain over the alcove & it worked well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is the perfect space for our computer. Our old desk was wobbly & inefficient so I went online & bought a new one that fits <b>exactly in the gap</b>. I was thrilled about this & also the lovely big drawer it had. Apart from the wall paint for the room this was my only purchase - everything else I used what I already had on hand. I would love to replace the 2 wall lights at some stage but will wait for a sale. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-NHeYz3cxuxzAkv75dbuhlER_4wK5VOdPBltmgjF2Ol25BdfLlZP1R_M09XMpAk5x065NXs-LA_YhXVPCvYY1zQJ4qDEqvEBUdU_UhdGwOTIv31Dpt4BPKgISouVQUKOUGz0Vwsu0vYO1k8iEpQJMRDYjA37SwRXC0TKcDBajxLvMrt2lKcN8Y2JwJ4X/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240317142736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-NHeYz3cxuxzAkv75dbuhlER_4wK5VOdPBltmgjF2Ol25BdfLlZP1R_M09XMpAk5x065NXs-LA_YhXVPCvYY1zQJ4qDEqvEBUdU_UhdGwOTIv31Dpt4BPKgISouVQUKOUGz0Vwsu0vYO1k8iEpQJMRDYjA37SwRXC0TKcDBajxLvMrt2lKcN8Y2JwJ4X/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240317142736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I collected my blinds I noticed a big Salvation Army Op-shop just a couple of doors along so I went for a nosey - be very rude of me not to 😉 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I came out with this sweet little blue dish/bowl for $8. I've sat a baby houseplant in it & may replant it properly into the bowl. I am enjoying having live plants in my bedroom as I've never done this before & I especially love the green against the soft blue.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still have 1 door to paint & some pictures to hang but for now I am enjoying the blank walls & the fresh new paint. The colour is Cottage Cream & I used Painters White for the ceiling. I prefer a low sheen finish to a gloss. I would also like to revamp my bed headboard but this can be a project for another day. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSaKWXEnobxQz4CQjEwToNnWeavZBSMfvKE3vv0_r3cj2tvwCWmLAueqYOjUs2-aQASQEMeKmp8PmvM-oR1TMETHL9gcMOptnV6zmvcnEogj-XD368B_WklVWuoFIwaXyT3FiJj9EbUpyls8xbGfibax3uzNIbtiq0OukA6A0LN7E8u6x9E9tBfI2Q7n8/s3827/016-fotor-2024031714177.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3827" data-original-width="2335" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSaKWXEnobxQz4CQjEwToNnWeavZBSMfvKE3vv0_r3cj2tvwCWmLAueqYOjUs2-aQASQEMeKmp8PmvM-oR1TMETHL9gcMOptnV6zmvcnEogj-XD368B_WklVWuoFIwaXyT3FiJj9EbUpyls8xbGfibax3uzNIbtiq0OukA6A0LN7E8u6x9E9tBfI2Q7n8/w390-h640/016-fotor-2024031714177.png" width="390" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few little touches of Easter decorating are appearing in my home this weekend.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKS9qNuMLWYubmugNB5phTciu1LfI_u5U2L-xmhmSK0-daOOMKm6QzAKH2oWUqtryMhioEy-JJcw5MAnrMIhuoECAcm2IY2Kd8q0vqZb0yMhBpW91K6nMMsOduPuTKALB7XgcnaCXhMt4-nYgaAihzf03tU2_cA8tD5QCfjoPUlf3OZHw7ZE_SOsLTYs-/s3585/004-fotor-20240317141519.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3585" data-original-width="2975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKS9qNuMLWYubmugNB5phTciu1LfI_u5U2L-xmhmSK0-daOOMKm6QzAKH2oWUqtryMhioEy-JJcw5MAnrMIhuoECAcm2IY2Kd8q0vqZb0yMhBpW91K6nMMsOduPuTKALB7XgcnaCXhMt4-nYgaAihzf03tU2_cA8tD5QCfjoPUlf3OZHw7ZE_SOsLTYs-/w532-h640/004-fotor-20240317141519.png" width="532" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also hauled my poor old rusty trike out of the garden, scrubbed it down & replanted it with some Snapdragons, then I planted Petunias in my tin bucket. There is a definate feel of autumn in the air here now & the nights are cooler.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead dear friends,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, as always, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhyrMClobipYFhNTLYMf-Z2nsV5XKFwOe-xjHjopKhszZUQSKmjgeLUc2TZ9_-CeXP4UjeKgC9k2ECaimas6dVjOuufH1iLr1SQ8Axq60wC2-aqE5OIybQIBm7fYs_g0uNCc9OxYxK6da2N2FfOhPqPTDp_WY9OOaRDYxI_6M8kXC3b7lADB-ztJ4oxHu/s347/mylivesignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="347" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhyrMClobipYFhNTLYMf-Z2nsV5XKFwOe-xjHjopKhszZUQSKmjgeLUc2TZ9_-CeXP4UjeKgC9k2ECaimas6dVjOuufH1iLr1SQ8Axq60wC2-aqE5OIybQIBm7fYs_g0uNCc9OxYxK6da2N2FfOhPqPTDp_WY9OOaRDYxI_6M8kXC3b7lADB-ztJ4oxHu/w400-h98/mylivesignature.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-33553494618338338242024-03-11T10:31:00.001+13:002024-03-11T10:31:45.425+13:00Fun Painting & Not-So-Fun Painting ........................<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I returned from laying Mum's ashes I had a <strike>moment</strike> <strike>of</strike> <strike>absolute</strike> <strike>madness</strike> burst of enthusiasm whereby I decided to paint my entire bedroom (!!)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Yes we're starting with the not-so-fun-painting ............ </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">😉</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yHknu72Un5ARcBJtqtAhVSj2QnXWq8bH_xQHIPlVpV0N6EZhFBe1mWgimRVqQrQHjQ2q2hl4UuoI9dLw09aeAJc5Dns8uarvsznX_gzLyc6xViNAAkJ-dgZZpyv-HAKgRIG7_D6DmdudfptIW-Rre_xaaZ0RdgAvo7zziofe8qcar0XRvRCSdx5t7gyN/s3800/037-fotor-20240310162053.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="2778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yHknu72Un5ARcBJtqtAhVSj2QnXWq8bH_xQHIPlVpV0N6EZhFBe1mWgimRVqQrQHjQ2q2hl4UuoI9dLw09aeAJc5Dns8uarvsznX_gzLyc6xViNAAkJ-dgZZpyv-HAKgRIG7_D6DmdudfptIW-Rre_xaaZ0RdgAvo7zziofe8qcar0XRvRCSdx5t7gyN/w468-h640/037-fotor-20240310162053.png" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweetest jar of flowers delivered to me by Sid yesterday - made me smile so much </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">💛</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3edEwbFrmFaj4WodJA5VOpJ1ktnSs-YlhO69aR53KiacRMjo2LgdaJ4mcczNjH4IY1VjFz0JWwj5XxowYbQKblzKS8ENh_4L3fRL3Ee7KBzPWgI1m7Ldy460h5qvq_COqw3QqRZemPOTbX1v_UaLBGFPosPyY65xsDnjx-YZeyQWrcMTJCYD-X2ebpkh/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240310161430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3edEwbFrmFaj4WodJA5VOpJ1ktnSs-YlhO69aR53KiacRMjo2LgdaJ4mcczNjH4IY1VjFz0JWwj5XxowYbQKblzKS8ENh_4L3fRL3Ee7KBzPWgI1m7Ldy460h5qvq_COqw3QqRZemPOTbX1v_UaLBGFPosPyY65xsDnjx-YZeyQWrcMTJCYD-X2ebpkh/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240310161430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how we have been living for the past 10 days - with the bedroom in upheaval but still needing to be slept in at nights. Yes I have had assistance of the unwanted variety 🐱</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The walls & ceiling are finished now, I just have the door to do but have been putting everything back in place, which requires much cleaning & some sorting </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(getting rid of) </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7utIlA_THay_MmVwwpz5s0Yd4DxFxDw1Mt4HdMosyTAoCnfCEO8o9QYDnl2BsIaWPXw8BkAaP0w3WA0tDj_OuTEruPXNv_Tf2SF1DEQ7P6uB7NvC2z2Cwmu57Dp8pdhXZoCBendtDTVx2ruz6P_kX9J6WBTrchU960gQZvrD_35bvtB813-rIBZpomkWt/s3648/009-fotor-20240310161842.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2996" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7utIlA_THay_MmVwwpz5s0Yd4DxFxDw1Mt4HdMosyTAoCnfCEO8o9QYDnl2BsIaWPXw8BkAaP0w3WA0tDj_OuTEruPXNv_Tf2SF1DEQ7P6uB7NvC2z2Cwmu57Dp8pdhXZoCBendtDTVx2ruz6P_kX9J6WBTrchU960gQZvrD_35bvtB813-rIBZpomkWt/w526-h640/009-fotor-20240310161842.png" width="526" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Reality check ...... this is how the Lounge looked while things were moved in here to make room for painting - I don't enjoy living in disarray but I do enjoy the nice fresh paint work at the end. </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My blinds have been sent away to be professionally cleaned & once they return (hopefully in a day or 2) I can share photos of the finished room.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">- The Fun Painting -</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-xZrxYHQ3I2BHSdp9h-VTO_QRQgBACrm4jQDQqcs-DkKbaKHHDS0ghhQBkSCtBCNqfJJMYVYHSbt8GpTnkFBsLL2De9u49jbv7TuZT_SJCKa0x5ZP-wNXGMguzqsc5vHuH31QWJkH6Q0E-lXxfk5MGwCtwezGGmNu9YTbsCawedzwi2GSWoDSWUvgJm-/s3571/001-fotor-2024031016183.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3571" data-original-width="2925" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-xZrxYHQ3I2BHSdp9h-VTO_QRQgBACrm4jQDQqcs-DkKbaKHHDS0ghhQBkSCtBCNqfJJMYVYHSbt8GpTnkFBsLL2De9u49jbv7TuZT_SJCKa0x5ZP-wNXGMguzqsc5vHuH31QWJkH6Q0E-lXxfk5MGwCtwezGGmNu9YTbsCawedzwi2GSWoDSWUvgJm-/w524-h640/001-fotor-2024031016183.png" width="524" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I cleared out Mum's house for sale <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-3-clearing-out-no.html" target="_blank">exactly a year ago now</a> I bought her Glory Box home with me. I didn't especially need it </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(or have room for it)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> but just could not bear to part with it. It sat in a corner of my bedroom where I proceeded to clutter it up with blankets & suchlike. I decided to give it a make-over while everything else was in a big shambles.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYKeLr2zoqYZGnldk9drNeGR89RFjMsUnLAfYLs9apWkoKzi74muclW4QheXb5ZnZmhyphenhyphenxyAXms6k0_r5jJWTrL-WBBNuGnch0uQUEZWo0neVBTDC2cPjvA6zBV4ObtjE5rVshhXlKVn7RhKvj5PICEnLbmTpvnxf3nsgPy2nPSLX82RxDpKNfgIkxVMNE/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240310161352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYKeLr2zoqYZGnldk9drNeGR89RFjMsUnLAfYLs9apWkoKzi74muclW4QheXb5ZnZmhyphenhyphenxyAXms6k0_r5jJWTrL-WBBNuGnch0uQUEZWo0neVBTDC2cPjvA6zBV4ObtjE5rVshhXlKVn7RhKvj5PICEnLbmTpvnxf3nsgPy2nPSLX82RxDpKNfgIkxVMNE/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240310161352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used chalk paint in the colour Linen - I decided to try rolling it on. I'd not tried this before with chalk paint but my friend Gail swears by it for large flat surfaces. I was really pleased with how it went onto the wood surface & the finished effect.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> You can see above right I had the very same unwanted assistance - see the arrow - the little paw poking through. Someone thought the roller going up & down was the most marvellous fun game 😐</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFQC1jljvIE2mAbf93SrqFbcb2eFSgAgI5iTH-KY53Tf9p3-icy8Y28WLhmOx2tBkGEpc2-qo1gGWIyZWSO3zE_OaY-kWsQKUWTR9ej7YlqYm4nhjlMyuuvUSsMf-j4gP2f8JSomemYgx4kr6Qk8FOu_ho0T8oXG548znpyvT6NRQE5V05nqlFf1IINBG/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240310161138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFQC1jljvIE2mAbf93SrqFbcb2eFSgAgI5iTH-KY53Tf9p3-icy8Y28WLhmOx2tBkGEpc2-qo1gGWIyZWSO3zE_OaY-kWsQKUWTR9ej7YlqYm4nhjlMyuuvUSsMf-j4gP2f8JSomemYgx4kr6Qk8FOu_ho0T8oXG548znpyvT6NRQE5V05nqlFf1IINBG/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240310161138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because I didn't feel confident I put it only quite thinly, so it took 4 coats to cover it well. First coat top left, final coat top right. I am so pleased with the coverage on it though & would definately use the roller method again.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_WFFChNp5TGV_eGCOYmM6OhK_P0eSQovJQgi7N6JyGjTFJ0D_PmDHTRv7hdyp8YA-AJLbrnaqs5GoxEUz9QHezx3DKJWnVvL_KmZBsXV-kgF0OczmcSRw3VCxUjuHkdX4RBBPIqGeAppk_MTe3pLTqZWQStdTS346Lug03cZLaSKv5CwktlVCmPi_h-W/s4000/012-fotor-2024031016197.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_WFFChNp5TGV_eGCOYmM6OhK_P0eSQovJQgi7N6JyGjTFJ0D_PmDHTRv7hdyp8YA-AJLbrnaqs5GoxEUz9QHezx3DKJWnVvL_KmZBsXV-kgF0OczmcSRw3VCxUjuHkdX4RBBPIqGeAppk_MTe3pLTqZWQStdTS346Lug03cZLaSKv5CwktlVCmPi_h-W/w480-h640/012-fotor-2024031016197.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I even painted inside the lid. The box has a tray that fits just inside the top. Mum had this made when she was a young woman & I especially love the curved sides of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They call them Blanket boxes nowadays but when Mum was young, most girls had a Glory Box or a Hope Chest.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmpB6jdjTbZmYVQWA01ZSwWynKZV5wRZjvuP1_5MkaIIGlI1goyXoICeFaTP9O34iredhlMpkqt6CBnJ8b938UYhcXJwzh6UXvRzPSW7rBpN0j-L__K-0l-8eky8nOR4rNdUMVO92K3TOgoMSOUlbfNzfCEiZxRTbNfAjytbtzvqrlp8Lhz0OsKbcBLiI/s3021/027-fotor-2024031016251.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="3021" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmpB6jdjTbZmYVQWA01ZSwWynKZV5wRZjvuP1_5MkaIIGlI1goyXoICeFaTP9O34iredhlMpkqt6CBnJ8b938UYhcXJwzh6UXvRzPSW7rBpN0j-L__K-0l-8eky8nOR4rNdUMVO92K3TOgoMSOUlbfNzfCEiZxRTbNfAjytbtzvqrlp8Lhz0OsKbcBLiI/w640-h618/027-fotor-2024031016251.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had this gorgeous transfer bought <a href="https://www.newtonspaints.co.nz/products/redesign-decor-transfer-natural-wonders-new-middy-size?_pos=76&_sid=d2b7ae4c9&_ss=r" target="_blank">from * Here *</a> that I wanted to apply. I just love how this has transformed the piece ... I gave it two good coats of wax when finished to protect it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYa5yib5AXQsdC6-nAeAhEl1OBRCT4MyfEPTWV_ZnLOw7DKU6OY7Oli2dXuKOmv4ZwxKAz3A5JWn5Kwn1mYme6g29lfpYNCtrjZpydL4Iy4ad6CJiN3E4QokxBXdazg6aLM7BWWuOW3hELwkq4rq4ET_jBeLRHW1nFqdhRoW_x10dMOypdRuWUKt9V1YT/s4000/029-fotor-20240310162529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYa5yib5AXQsdC6-nAeAhEl1OBRCT4MyfEPTWV_ZnLOw7DKU6OY7Oli2dXuKOmv4ZwxKAz3A5JWn5Kwn1mYme6g29lfpYNCtrjZpydL4Iy4ad6CJiN3E4QokxBXdazg6aLM7BWWuOW3hELwkq4rq4ET_jBeLRHW1nFqdhRoW_x10dMOypdRuWUKt9V1YT/w480-h640/029-fotor-20240310162529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here it is in place in my bedroom & I've hung the mirror that I revamped <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/05/before-during-after.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a> above it - (same Linen colour). </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkDQlMHnkowLH35PxZy-WbNU4yKT454enDBYhAHvNuP9pPj6aoi-gKIyVUlqEPCJvp5H4ZjNbtP4dj0qeIuH__ABW5qRVZmSFBfNWPVTOaOkLhB5VJsARYsQCo-PEkWjN-9Ss0pSU0mIMaHhQYLFXY6ZvgQPKWQVVH1DiDFy9fIJ4IMZgTGW7VvMehSIh/s4000/030-fotor-20240310162125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkDQlMHnkowLH35PxZy-WbNU4yKT454enDBYhAHvNuP9pPj6aoi-gKIyVUlqEPCJvp5H4ZjNbtP4dj0qeIuH__ABW5qRVZmSFBfNWPVTOaOkLhB5VJsARYsQCo-PEkWjN-9Ss0pSU0mIMaHhQYLFXY6ZvgQPKWQVVH1DiDFy9fIJ4IMZgTGW7VvMehSIh/w480-h640/030-fotor-20240310162125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My bedroom has French Doors leading off to an area of deck - this room gets wonderful afternoon sun. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p-TuDzSIsay601N_hVn-FOc6wCCqfKl81ViBzBIoo1QPRWLvKKcl6JSGKGy02L5UyFaCRapEBwxAaNWUhAgQ7AA7tM7InQbL3D2Zp08szEcF4Q8nCYytVOlkeqIrNrnxHrVJ-s97SxOTJQVX6L_N1vS-5sqxyuD4PuXKI0C0g5LcGai-JiBHqyUObjzm/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240310161414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p-TuDzSIsay601N_hVn-FOc6wCCqfKl81ViBzBIoo1QPRWLvKKcl6JSGKGy02L5UyFaCRapEBwxAaNWUhAgQ7AA7tM7InQbL3D2Zp08szEcF4Q8nCYytVOlkeqIrNrnxHrVJ-s97SxOTJQVX6L_N1vS-5sqxyuD4PuXKI0C0g5LcGai-JiBHqyUObjzm/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240310161414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>THIS</b> is what I came home to yesterday!! I'd left some folded washing on the Glory box & The Mr had spread it out for Blackie to curl up on. I have to say this is <b><u>not</u> what I had in mind when I revamped Mum's Glory Box (!!)</b></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjputelCAVmp1iUTBIxd2rPhTw2xXuaexyXOqug2u4DHME603lr1Yco1S9HAYm9LoP7kz5GnfT1imDvjHERAxDSfgnEAK40sXX0j1h2X3BtbQdP0b3WHCG0som5ZsITnB1adbYRTUg4Sc-HTTCo4zYydqNH_Fyfd47BhHRQNf1YiIkSzeVMnZ6LaTwEwXsj/s4000/041-fotor-20240310162240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjputelCAVmp1iUTBIxd2rPhTw2xXuaexyXOqug2u4DHME603lr1Yco1S9HAYm9LoP7kz5GnfT1imDvjHERAxDSfgnEAK40sXX0j1h2X3BtbQdP0b3WHCG0som5ZsITnB1adbYRTUg4Sc-HTTCo4zYydqNH_Fyfd47BhHRQNf1YiIkSzeVMnZ6LaTwEwXsj/w480-h640/041-fotor-20240310162240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the Turtles plant that my dear friend Sandy gifted me a couple of years ago. You can read about the stool I revamped for it <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2022/08/revamped-thrifted-finds-doiley-buntings.html" target="_blank">in this Post.</a> As you can see it has long outgrown the stool & I wanted something higher for it - away from tempting little furry paws!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrLrgaxJo5qrG3C60CHRj3wgJV09cHR8T7YMwraUyWwGsdluyEAaAw17nYQCeXc7SLwrxLPeWnjXFIGmh8_yyBJG44N3HPoAVZFGidocasQ5UESLMGQKHkK6ybqtCrflfc2G-S1G4hxlG6acPqCBMALikHJOfV2AlJYOLzzKx8lJH_FD6ngICBC_HJZP7/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240310161113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrLrgaxJo5qrG3C60CHRj3wgJV09cHR8T7YMwraUyWwGsdluyEAaAw17nYQCeXc7SLwrxLPeWnjXFIGmh8_yyBJG44N3HPoAVZFGidocasQ5UESLMGQKHkK6ybqtCrflfc2G-S1G4hxlG6acPqCBMALikHJOfV2AlJYOLzzKx8lJH_FD6ngICBC_HJZP7/w640-h594/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240310161113.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">BEFORE AFTER<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I'd asked my friend Gail to let me know if any plant stands came into the Op Shop where she volunteers. Within a week she'd messaged me saying one had come in, to pop in & have a look. For $10 I snapped it up - it was black but I knew I could paint it. Yesterday I gave it 3 coats Vintage White chalk paint. I love how the wood detailing shows up now with the lighter colour.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj_ZePT_X2gR68pCwV7PYKnIqcK2_KxfqeaMLHF3-Y13t131LFUU6mffzLY6PW5sS380auZSqbFI4PwU1mtOw007V4L0rBOXZRWTov455qH15DUA-gJcIwmvMfDNv58fgbFD-uD61M6tFvX8gNRZL1k-86MdkJbdO8GOnEgDDs738irbf0HAv8W7-y1t3/s3800/044-fotor-20240310162315.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="2817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj_ZePT_X2gR68pCwV7PYKnIqcK2_KxfqeaMLHF3-Y13t131LFUU6mffzLY6PW5sS380auZSqbFI4PwU1mtOw007V4L0rBOXZRWTov455qH15DUA-gJcIwmvMfDNv58fgbFD-uD61M6tFvX8gNRZL1k-86MdkJbdO8GOnEgDDs738irbf0HAv8W7-y1t3/w474-h640/044-fotor-20240310162315.png" width="474" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">............ & the perfect height to keep away from little paws & the vacuum cleaner (!!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of you ask if the 3 furry friends are getting along any better now after all these months? To be honest, <b>not really</b> ... but I will take any signs of progress I can get ..........</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa3yjVmKrxQDPnvoG2E3GYkGMQMzQpiWOK5G_nLLQj8zAuJXW2DQB2T0Xp8nAue1jBF7MbzSu4t_p31UFru0OGWpdsrJDbgmZLbEI2RqEp4PAJSGuOtgnlcEaoV6oo6Ec_3RjQ4n2O-ONfimwzJI-mJG4kTCyVvfU-2CFGY5C0KjlfCFKZ_cH_RzGmYPL/s3609/023-fotor-20240310161958.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3609" data-original-width="2771" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa3yjVmKrxQDPnvoG2E3GYkGMQMzQpiWOK5G_nLLQj8zAuJXW2DQB2T0Xp8nAue1jBF7MbzSu4t_p31UFru0OGWpdsrJDbgmZLbEI2RqEp4PAJSGuOtgnlcEaoV6oo6Ec_3RjQ4n2O-ONfimwzJI-mJG4kTCyVvfU-2CFGY5C0KjlfCFKZ_cH_RzGmYPL/w492-h640/023-fotor-20240310161958.png" width="492" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">............ & this pic snapped yesterday was <b>definately</b> progress in my book! </div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please excuse the DIY-ing conglomeration on my deck area, paint pots, trays, backpacks of spray etc. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> But I did smile when I saw this & grabbed my camera. Mind you it only lasted a few minutes before the hissing began again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-79241073015468209112024-03-03T10:21:00.000+13:002024-03-03T10:21:51.535+13:00Carrying Out Mum's Final Wishes <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my Mum passed away last year she left very specific instructions on where she wanted her ashes to go after cremation. Long time readers of my blog may recall I often used to take Mum to lay flowers where Dads ashes are when I was down in Taranaki. You can read about some of these visits in the posts <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2014/09/lots-to-share.html" target="_blank">Here</a>, <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2018/04/mens-ties-sphagnum-moss-twine.html" target="_blank">Here,</a> <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2021/01/home-from-mums.html" target="_blank">Here,</a> <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2022/02/away-again-back-again.html" target="_blank">& Here</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmWYVqwEIT2DYTm15mH519qc2jrHYiPbjDeaQMcMhamwMOb9aaVmggetLdBUpxKd6G3hH9v61-_o-Re5Xko4e5JoXTZ1Ev_CiE2uOAXf2EUcEr_NnTJGdxISDd6Aq88btBFLTEUnxrYQ4hZSWReXCxHHpdhmFhtpuajp1bVkppYF39Ygv_dqr2tBjqOuO/s3392/084-fotor-20240302154810.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3392" data-original-width="2984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmWYVqwEIT2DYTm15mH519qc2jrHYiPbjDeaQMcMhamwMOb9aaVmggetLdBUpxKd6G3hH9v61-_o-Re5Xko4e5JoXTZ1Ev_CiE2uOAXf2EUcEr_NnTJGdxISDd6Aq88btBFLTEUnxrYQ4hZSWReXCxHHpdhmFhtpuajp1bVkppYF39Ygv_dqr2tBjqOuO/w564-h640/084-fotor-20240302154810.png" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Mount Taranaki - photo taken from car window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As it is coming up 6 months since Mum's passing it was high time we carried out her final wishes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But first I needed to prepare a few things ..........</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RxDMKwR0iy1ErFt8Wqt99rYXoU92aw9DOq88mGurEQVQ5Iy-a7QzgxokoznnDqBdNT18L3gkwGh11oWvznv1DtkkcrhwpXa7nIX08zJVEuPUlp_DDZXnn2NiqQ9yG75C0-rT12EFp81BoPZrIzqxiXZFqsbIlPZ8S9evVXRBFRB7wCdy-mJ_zDIkBAlH/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240302153523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RxDMKwR0iy1ErFt8Wqt99rYXoU92aw9DOq88mGurEQVQ5Iy-a7QzgxokoznnDqBdNT18L3gkwGh11oWvznv1DtkkcrhwpXa7nIX08zJVEuPUlp_DDZXnn2NiqQ9yG75C0-rT12EFp81BoPZrIzqxiXZFqsbIlPZ8S9evVXRBFRB7wCdy-mJ_zDIkBAlH/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240302153523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers on Mums casket Flowers on my deck table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Mum passed we found a bag with all her funeral instructions inside. You can read about these <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/10/my-mums-circle-of-life.html" target="_blank">in this Post.</a>. She specifically wanted pink & mauve flowers on her casket which I was able to arrange. Afterwards I bought the casket flowers home with me & hung them up in bunches to try & dry them, including all the greenery. Truthfully, I hung them up, then completely forgot about them until well after Christmas.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XBe8dLdYnZfrMGM8xQJd5eW88LC_3FiTJ2gkgR3SoOsCCJKQORtTevHtZ7SWRT0jDtKHqOMfC5v1eQNOY-XtpSjTtVJ1xk4VmyWn57TVuMc0R3kaQhJN5ZXfu6CTkFjcxcbY2h2ttyhNvybAQjVUpzRkggCVGEoZne1yREi5jAnAagbxDwX2Tk4vxDvn/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-2024030215354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XBe8dLdYnZfrMGM8xQJd5eW88LC_3FiTJ2gkgR3SoOsCCJKQORtTevHtZ7SWRT0jDtKHqOMfC5v1eQNOY-XtpSjTtVJ1xk4VmyWn57TVuMc0R3kaQhJN5ZXfu6CTkFjcxcbY2h2ttyhNvybAQjVUpzRkggCVGEoZne1yREi5jAnAagbxDwX2Tk4vxDvn/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-2024030215354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They dried really well but had faded - I wasn't sure what to do with them until my dear friend Sally (who trained as a florist) kindly offered to come & help me make them into a bouquet. Sally is a whizz & put together the most lovely bouquet from what I'd dried. Here she is in action, at my dining table, chatting away & putting together a bouquet from all my oddments - she's amazing 💕 </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(I paid her in Fudge Cake)</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooyrhBGcxVNDO3doqKA_B7osjHT7HYHeTOO9YGihee5QRWRecEJTCPfhk_bAyPDdP654Mu-Elf7EzX2jM2-qxwl_MtU1Nvf4axW0zkChiXb32FpUXLUM1cAhN0nNbA2tfuZcROXyikMdvVZn-2oqNolJ1482GWTIAdvepW0tG9lbu9dTEmF59ovxu9Haf/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240302154638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooyrhBGcxVNDO3doqKA_B7osjHT7HYHeTOO9YGihee5QRWRecEJTCPfhk_bAyPDdP654Mu-Elf7EzX2jM2-qxwl_MtU1Nvf4axW0zkChiXb32FpUXLUM1cAhN0nNbA2tfuZcROXyikMdvVZn-2oqNolJ1482GWTIAdvepW0tG9lbu9dTEmF59ovxu9Haf/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240302154638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was just so thrilled with what Sally managed to use up & it turned out just beautiful 💗 </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BUhOAikABY-hsA2U73ubcNEz1VZtq5Ptf3Mit645DKQo3rUmkPtACjwTwIvX4eXnFaU5msQmE3Ei71A9RpTsCBRwqG05sj-tzFKs-K6ngS1QuhY28_joI7UpfyGjQNZvp5VOGJ2O93xqUnIk-qNsMwj8bjjELT5lDx2VbxInpU5_8-rMS5B3B7MvumWV/s4000/032-fotor-20240302155436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BUhOAikABY-hsA2U73ubcNEz1VZtq5Ptf3Mit645DKQo3rUmkPtACjwTwIvX4eXnFaU5msQmE3Ei71A9RpTsCBRwqG05sj-tzFKs-K6ngS1QuhY28_joI7UpfyGjQNZvp5VOGJ2O93xqUnIk-qNsMwj8bjjELT5lDx2VbxInpU5_8-rMS5B3B7MvumWV/w480-h640/032-fotor-20240302155436.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">As Mum always took red silk roses to Dad, I bought some from the Variety Store & made up a bunch to lay for Dad.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzQIMFNKFk_pmSSI7pG3SawCj6QhTSG_4CjxNLr2QNQ2xocJHWmpG7aCE-my_eIbdWdTYtfjtaeopVZArSVUAo43-Mgk5Q3gcFoLWcrwDS-JaASJXGmBpCIXAIIJ2qK04MBhV-VSkiwetXa0kDDxDJtNsTMH7LpbJ2jW-U1xeJ7vAPo7QybEluGqduDlZ/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240302153313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzQIMFNKFk_pmSSI7pG3SawCj6QhTSG_4CjxNLr2QNQ2xocJHWmpG7aCE-my_eIbdWdTYtfjtaeopVZArSVUAo43-Mgk5Q3gcFoLWcrwDS-JaASJXGmBpCIXAIIJ2qK04MBhV-VSkiwetXa0kDDxDJtNsTMH7LpbJ2jW-U1xeJ7vAPo7QybEluGqduDlZ/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240302153313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum always loved Lavender so I dried a bunch of my own lavender & thought it might be nice for the Grandsons to make a card each to go with this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtxyuhUH0XfE_ZpuTiNuVlDl2BxmI28idZK8101fm_YOizkDrCTqyMACbFRSa4H1n1Af9U1kMdqPfF9EQnPpoDUMmCzpbHOVT9wnyrLVfsHFcgOHhm0IzD5NdD5TgpO1CoB0veXMnEm6zeBLHOtWYwgw8FjLEuqAlQjSfWF-WEgdpW0WcK20OEVe9C0ml/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240302153231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtxyuhUH0XfE_ZpuTiNuVlDl2BxmI28idZK8101fm_YOizkDrCTqyMACbFRSa4H1n1Af9U1kMdqPfF9EQnPpoDUMmCzpbHOVT9wnyrLVfsHFcgOHhm0IzD5NdD5TgpO1CoB0veXMnEm6zeBLHOtWYwgw8FjLEuqAlQjSfWF-WEgdpW0WcK20OEVe9C0ml/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240302153231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day before we left I baked Banana Bread, Chocolate Fudge Slice, Lasagne & Bacon & Egg Pie. It saved me having to buy so much food while we were away.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QuA-8hUvdTMOdydxwHN56-Q4ToskKlAsVpNMxxC95F1ji5h7QsTgWloXCKbzqHeL_yVdbg0Zqi-bsYsPGOrB4QBCBjCRrCGQW1aHGmgpQr2dnAONdMDHJAtEUQjb4ZI_pn30jrrgAep1vc4Y2G6dJxuZK8dda7-O6dwA28v88cgt6T_bczfTwiGWX-TG/s3984/056-fotor-20240302155033.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3984" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QuA-8hUvdTMOdydxwHN56-Q4ToskKlAsVpNMxxC95F1ji5h7QsTgWloXCKbzqHeL_yVdbg0Zqi-bsYsPGOrB4QBCBjCRrCGQW1aHGmgpQr2dnAONdMDHJAtEUQjb4ZI_pn30jrrgAep1vc4Y2G6dJxuZK8dda7-O6dwA28v88cgt6T_bczfTwiGWX-TG/w640-h396/056-fotor-20240302155033.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen & Living area in the middle, 2 sets of bedrooms on either side each with large bathrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In January I went online & booked us into a nice Airbnb in a small township just out of the city & 5 minutes walk to the beach. Because there were 7 of us going </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(my sons & their families)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I needed something large enough to accomodate us all. This worked out well, not flash but certainly sufficient, nice & private & everybody had their own space. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH1kNROGt3jjmIyDJzek4BRPyrFPxDp0a236Ux_0FqvJueS1CbSR6ZJdVTCNRNEm_5lw0A04jdnO4iA6PezvKiREC7r_jJdAMXICAlIBm2nN-omWvxOO-31hsoi_E_oOKBa7frmH_5vQW6OXgv93dgHfcOUMPZNdC33QZgAONvKZSbmqq14qLmsh8X1_F/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240302153327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH1kNROGt3jjmIyDJzek4BRPyrFPxDp0a236Ux_0FqvJueS1CbSR6ZJdVTCNRNEm_5lw0A04jdnO4iA6PezvKiREC7r_jJdAMXICAlIBm2nN-omWvxOO-31hsoi_E_oOKBa7frmH_5vQW6OXgv93dgHfcOUMPZNdC33QZgAONvKZSbmqq14qLmsh8X1_F/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240302153327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tucked in behind the Crematorium is a beautiful large, horse-shoe shaped garden called The Garden Of Remembrance. This is where my Dad's ashes are - he has been gone 23 years this June. Mum has spent the past 22 1/2 years telling us all ... <b>That is where I am going - there with your Dad.</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is a lovely peaceful place with seats dotted around the edges & planted out with native trees & flowering shrubs. The birdlife is wonderful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My brother & sister in law had driven up to meet us here as they had Mum's ashes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic;">(Yes I did text them the morning we were to meet up to remind them to <b><u>not</u> forget</b></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> the ashes!!!) </span><span style="font-size: large;">😉</span></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x067d1rsahVY8vv4QBTvYMW8uR_BBRsHq1Mn4XP6t3hyphenhyphengn_Mch4NSkGR64JZc08X9KSoR-6YWwD165RsVCy3G8B83SxCmDRWTMRrEwsYQ53TT6ftyqWO-Bxv4svSRDI5andPZGyo2-DR-6zgtrqE-k2TN1-oG9YXChSNOvmaj95WEjYNpdTd4zm0lAsW/s1920/075-fotor-20240302154330.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x067d1rsahVY8vv4QBTvYMW8uR_BBRsHq1Mn4XP6t3hyphenhyphengn_Mch4NSkGR64JZc08X9KSoR-6YWwD165RsVCy3G8B83SxCmDRWTMRrEwsYQ53TT6ftyqWO-Bxv4svSRDI5andPZGyo2-DR-6zgtrqE-k2TN1-oG9YXChSNOvmaj95WEjYNpdTd4zm0lAsW/w480-h640/075-fotor-20240302154330.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This whole area was covered in Wandering Dew - you can see where we cleared it<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The biggest hurdle I had was finding where Dad actually was - it had been 2 years since I had last visited & the growth, the tree removal & the weather storms had completely changed the area. I always thought I could find it blindfolded but it was not so.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Resting with the Angels</i> plaque that Mum had placed there was what I was looking for - I just could not find it & was beginning to feel quite panicked after about 10 minutes searching.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyASemkG_5SkkvjkE1GHI-zu7E80pgyvOukp_QkrPUnpxCM1R1Gj86413TGDpQjClggak8_0VZ0xI-QD775UOA6sbDqJSeiMHCo6GTpOvpOOMIDgOKFaYMsnGB6I598_rpQ15GtBkRXYTN27cEy_Z_PZUgBYCenr4Ld7PhlUERR6Wy4yY2T9dxBfChzkR5/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20240302153449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyASemkG_5SkkvjkE1GHI-zu7E80pgyvOukp_QkrPUnpxCM1R1Gj86413TGDpQjClggak8_0VZ0xI-QD775UOA6sbDqJSeiMHCo6GTpOvpOOMIDgOKFaYMsnGB6I598_rpQ15GtBkRXYTN27cEy_Z_PZUgBYCenr4Ld7PhlUERR6Wy4yY2T9dxBfChzkR5/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20240302153449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">There was <b>no way</b> I could just place Mums ashes anywhere. Finally I found what looked like a red rose & when I cleared away the vast area of wandering dew, there was the plaque. I can't tell you how relieved I was ... many prayers were said!! The family helped me clear the area well & we were able to dig Mums ashes in beside where Dads were & place our flowers. </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F53k_hEVGwKybfU7V_k5XmUScU8c2dtIsLPpYrZE7N-pzBclWeyqcNRQNLyCt1YOISWm17MCC6lT-wkQyTs_qkDmV5YgeI3nZMDEfy3y3Iz-zTIL6Z3CoSwfE17ACst0uU7XVJI8YkjJTJamtPmLyxngjrV3MdOk7ORsRA1Wel9uKwD2cfSS92i8TojJ/s1440/064-fotor-20240302154216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F53k_hEVGwKybfU7V_k5XmUScU8c2dtIsLPpYrZE7N-pzBclWeyqcNRQNLyCt1YOISWm17MCC6lT-wkQyTs_qkDmV5YgeI3nZMDEfy3y3Iz-zTIL6Z3CoSwfE17ACst0uU7XVJI8YkjJTJamtPmLyxngjrV3MdOk7ORsRA1Wel9uKwD2cfSS92i8TojJ/w640-h480/064-fotor-20240302154216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eldest son took lots of photos for me.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWm7x16ff3nA5-rlj0aoN4ellhCDFSJ51nIW31St6Ha8G6wZuI4MfEPMsLC1KawOr2nsMnu9hGgNQNP_2VvsVf04wvVWNVoIClPf4f0hJ8X1jh3I0SXzyvZqBZvdkmCUPKtQZducP_VzSVSe6v-yoUPJNZFopJd1-RpP-KteskN6mwup2ItDpDaHqZOez/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240302153435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWm7x16ff3nA5-rlj0aoN4ellhCDFSJ51nIW31St6Ha8G6wZuI4MfEPMsLC1KawOr2nsMnu9hGgNQNP_2VvsVf04wvVWNVoIClPf4f0hJ8X1jh3I0SXzyvZqBZvdkmCUPKtQZducP_VzSVSe6v-yoUPJNZFopJd1-RpP-KteskN6mwup2ItDpDaHqZOez/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240302153435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alec saying a few words to Great Nan as he laid the lavender - he had a very special relationship with her. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLjtDeGhwrQ2FU-cCR-TWhxsH4jZ6qB7R6FTKbkLQJ0vZYxfyXOFst8dqvp22HEUvJYpUba1LdHFlJs5aPDnCu4mZryCEC6dzwgiAydzUgtB9GLD_sWG0UdnM3TgBmhSgYdvGxm4I7_Q6Cf7ecH1I28EcMTwd6smHaYm9O3AjiRT-Ack9fh3BTU-aJgPq/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2024030215348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLjtDeGhwrQ2FU-cCR-TWhxsH4jZ6qB7R6FTKbkLQJ0vZYxfyXOFst8dqvp22HEUvJYpUba1LdHFlJs5aPDnCu4mZryCEC6dzwgiAydzUgtB9GLD_sWG0UdnM3TgBmhSgYdvGxm4I7_Q6Cf7ecH1I28EcMTwd6smHaYm9O3AjiRT-Ack9fh3BTU-aJgPq/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2024030215348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a huge big old moss covered tree right in the middle of the gardens - it must be VeRy old as it was old when Dads ashes first went there. The Grandsons loved it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZaR288BbAP-ZyFOvLd7tjMg8JUFqlAmKNw3PyjzfgOnReF72PBGXoG2_3q6KAQ1I_vF2hiXSo9PMStxw5ggnsalOS5XHl5nyboUoGxOfW115W56_w765rJL6uMMR2hx6svbbHznVYoVm3f9I7A3S9hzqyt2ZLN8J-chCLO9_nOjmzK_9oIjIb81hSEFM/s4000/034-fotor-2024030215537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZaR288BbAP-ZyFOvLd7tjMg8JUFqlAmKNw3PyjzfgOnReF72PBGXoG2_3q6KAQ1I_vF2hiXSo9PMStxw5ggnsalOS5XHl5nyboUoGxOfW115W56_w765rJL6uMMR2hx6svbbHznVYoVm3f9I7A3S9hzqyt2ZLN8J-chCLO9_nOjmzK_9oIjIb81hSEFM/w480-h640/034-fotor-2024030215537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Afterwards we all drove 5 minutes up the road to <a href="https://www.oneburgesshill.co.nz/eatery/" target="_blank">The Quail's Nest</a> for a wonderful lunch together. Although I have forgotten to take any photos of the food <b><u>Or</u></b> the family members ... the meal was amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V_P98kwtwSq7R2qRgm7_X92u0vlzXdUegBHZvRDVm1gD7gmalSxOYwCsOWhrEmwyqisYmLAworE4xj055i0sjXF9apt7nSrUIm5a34W38zbcAebuorXwacBY-SUbKG_0ArG3SBeKuZ2R22cgSStzC3O8Nus8hHUkPWm_FiA9mScuNlXjMs9CY4Wz7FlF/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240302153341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V_P98kwtwSq7R2qRgm7_X92u0vlzXdUegBHZvRDVm1gD7gmalSxOYwCsOWhrEmwyqisYmLAworE4xj055i0sjXF9apt7nSrUIm5a34W38zbcAebuorXwacBY-SUbKG_0ArG3SBeKuZ2R22cgSStzC3O8Nus8hHUkPWm_FiA9mScuNlXjMs9CY4Wz7FlF/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240302153341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the views were rather spectacular too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO65ek_cfFQrcb8PbY7IiG0R3SjRABGvHnv8j4fIa7mvMDEb6tYpCNrGMFa0RXWj1I5N3SS8DcZXi69bxdLgjXKA7Ouq1NNocK5Q4tSOYU-k4yyMjj5SX3UlQURm9mu0L46BqZVyN7r6FBHuTQe6NfgmQeF-Ft7T-5UIxCVz0vuhnJkTWJbTcoZWtz1Q0m/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240302153354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO65ek_cfFQrcb8PbY7IiG0R3SjRABGvHnv8j4fIa7mvMDEb6tYpCNrGMFa0RXWj1I5N3SS8DcZXi69bxdLgjXKA7Ouq1NNocK5Q4tSOYU-k4yyMjj5SX3UlQURm9mu0L46BqZVyN7r6FBHuTQe6NfgmQeF-Ft7T-5UIxCVz0vuhnJkTWJbTcoZWtz1Q0m/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240302153354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The boys ate their meals then had a run around outside for awhile. After lunch we made our way back into the city - it was the weekend of the annual <a href="https://americarna.com/event/" target="_blank">Americarna event.</a>. We all went for a wander around looking at the American cars ... I especially loved the Buick below because it came with its own <b>matching luggage</b> <b>& travel rug (!!) </b>And a gorgeous pale green colour 💚</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRF2mruFwviucaUb0qzMoLw39at4NYQRNQPla9hg5oqmqGHYZ_4-cQaG7y4EkRFBBm05omlrkkgRUfa5NGmInadTOpFsjkfocm5PiVfn35ib5uRkN78cgCAqqssp8gIyThuM2LUFsqEB11_5jXPKX095EklvrgqwcV2lFFOUcgd4OCIebwiAJRAc6zTAy/s3230/041-fotor-2024030217250.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3230" data-original-width="2972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRF2mruFwviucaUb0qzMoLw39at4NYQRNQPla9hg5oqmqGHYZ_4-cQaG7y4EkRFBBm05omlrkkgRUfa5NGmInadTOpFsjkfocm5PiVfn35ib5uRkN78cgCAqqssp8gIyThuM2LUFsqEB11_5jXPKX095EklvrgqwcV2lFFOUcgd4OCIebwiAJRAc6zTAy/w588-h640/041-fotor-2024030217250.png" width="588" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Back at the B & B youngest son went for a surf & the Grandsons found <i>the biggest surfboard in the world!!!</i></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHRIasdr1Lzxvc7cIkF4JcTfLb_H8qqXw9GFFAq2FwM1SCbZMtHYLhDvaI6sm0JSh8Rh0u-Kxw7rEzPwFzeGLgeV0rrEhE80vkSRCsT_HeK8OpO6NTWeCwwz91-sWRnDYkZ0fZY-MGsou2swW1mEFwhNqaD0rzjaM6ZlgfAluCnqj3mHvVW7qdjUSc4_/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240302153421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHRIasdr1Lzxvc7cIkF4JcTfLb_H8qqXw9GFFAq2FwM1SCbZMtHYLhDvaI6sm0JSh8Rh0u-Kxw7rEzPwFzeGLgeV0rrEhE80vkSRCsT_HeK8OpO6NTWeCwwz91-sWRnDYkZ0fZY-MGsou2swW1mEFwhNqaD0rzjaM6ZlgfAluCnqj3mHvVW7qdjUSc4_/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240302153421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The following day (Sunday) we all packed up & headed home again - it had been a wonderful time together carrying out Mum's final wishes. I feel so pleased that we were able to do this last thing for her & I can "visit" anytime I am heading south in the future.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you all if you've managed to stay through this long photo-heavy post. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There is still time to enter my Easter Giveaway should you wish - go to <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2024/02/an-bunny-themed-giveaway-for-easter.html" target="_blank">* this post *</a> to enter the draw. Thank you to those that have already.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you all much love & friendship dear friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-25228605620268093302024-02-21T15:32:00.002+13:002024-02-26T13:14:42.747+13:00A Bunny Themed Giveaway for Easter 💚<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have wanted to do a Giveaway on my blog for quite some time now ... but the weeks & months got away on me. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided with Easter being earlier this year, I would do a small Easter themed Giveaway ... & keeping in line with my </span><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Green</span><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Phase</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I decided to give it a bit of <span style="color: #04ff00;">a</span> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"><span style="font-size: large;">Green Theme </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💚</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayBUPYbLOMLrMjV_E-tm23uGDdAhMUd2PUuA7Nt8DllxkIJ_7GLFfoO6UlmjReqx-KTuIb8ogiVYLhKONuBjE-a4kZOud1xfw1bErF-cqT7oxbuOOqm4YHUO1AzXoYLXB5fR4LGXR95OYY_iBXf2WwlJskCPGglG47YaI0aClRqhTXjqpW7vMY-9VIIY/s3684/035-fotor-20240221134158.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3684" data-original-width="2920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieayBUPYbLOMLrMjV_E-tm23uGDdAhMUd2PUuA7Nt8DllxkIJ_7GLFfoO6UlmjReqx-KTuIb8ogiVYLhKONuBjE-a4kZOud1xfw1bErF-cqT7oxbuOOqm4YHUO1AzXoYLXB5fR4LGXR95OYY_iBXf2WwlJskCPGglG47YaI0aClRqhTXjqpW7vMY-9VIIY/w508-h640/035-fotor-20240221134158.png" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No the Vintage Tray in the Background is NOT included in the prize (sorry)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the prize (above) - & below is all that I am including in the prize ...</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIXcpBazhY0dDitYvekG816cDNDAGDoacVrAIJBQVV_yxL-Mv2d1AzSHT32y1e8Lz40lCoAahAXlvj-7AMckdiQNMJyM8gzIWqOIeNLjXfn-Gpsk-RraKh68sF9gg5hUAnz45BXB961Ijr6Ap1BuHIqMf_4HQX7M2t-jQIcJF7qc1Alj3q6U8kwUv7aif/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240221133751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIXcpBazhY0dDitYvekG816cDNDAGDoacVrAIJBQVV_yxL-Mv2d1AzSHT32y1e8Lz40lCoAahAXlvj-7AMckdiQNMJyM8gzIWqOIeNLjXfn-Gpsk-RraKh68sF9gg5hUAnz45BXB961Ijr6Ap1BuHIqMf_4HQX7M2t-jQIcJF7qc1Alj3q6U8kwUv7aif/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240221133751.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of Bunny Back of Bunny</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found some pretty pale green fabrics in my Tilda Stash & made the Tilda Bunny which is <a href="https://www.tildasworld.com/tilda-friends/" target="_blank">a free pattern from * Here *</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrh_56ldGvZ1lfpITTIigHJH3LJQV6REIJiRlzWAuQtZy_Bx0uzGyAez9r48TxJwakFFri_wOvmD_zm92hfsgVuq2swA1aEjsbQvR74Bo9xQciuyIQgDML9TTpyehGR6LSnuSpEylhaKK6pQWBym7BxSliv3-7Uur8_ebmpKhBv-t0V1vXxw9gVFaevu8/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240221133736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrh_56ldGvZ1lfpITTIigHJH3LJQV6REIJiRlzWAuQtZy_Bx0uzGyAez9r48TxJwakFFri_wOvmD_zm92hfsgVuq2swA1aEjsbQvR74Bo9xQciuyIQgDML9TTpyehGR6LSnuSpEylhaKK6pQWBym7BxSliv3-7Uur8_ebmpKhBv-t0V1vXxw9gVFaevu8/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240221133736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enlarged the pattern slightly so this girl stands at 32 cms tall. She has a leather tag on her dress & a <i>made with love</i> silver charm on her neck tie. Her face is embroidered. Both the body & the dress fabrics are Tilda.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MQSkPjPxyezbE3tAXNSMUxDoK1d_8uTq9esvEFvB3fgfkhyphenhyphenc1h5G_HV8r_e8gTjBG-UDCGU-KrpJzf3QyHSx52L69C_0xgjvmAf7Qrm-EK7W4d3sVhc4xK5J08LqtGcfpobJjErs8YhW2SnsWh75Mp0NC3N-bq2ESPFgDwPUpOCx_cgpu9HQCY0fOXi7/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240221133723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MQSkPjPxyezbE3tAXNSMUxDoK1d_8uTq9esvEFvB3fgfkhyphenhyphenc1h5G_HV8r_e8gTjBG-UDCGU-KrpJzf3QyHSx52L69C_0xgjvmAf7Qrm-EK7W4d3sVhc4xK5J08LqtGcfpobJjErs8YhW2SnsWh75Mp0NC3N-bq2ESPFgDwPUpOCx_cgpu9HQCY0fOXi7/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240221133723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front View Back View<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also included is this handmade bunny sewn from a Vintage New Zealand pure wool blanket. "He" stands at 27 cms tall & if you removed the wooden heart from his bow he would be safe to gift to a child. "He" has a fluffy pom pom tail. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMnOHX5kDKMt4-MVgrGWJnCd-rF6pCRo8QZRIQ5PNSNmy4os8cdEreoumC8mo3Z-UJcYVsTyNSFM4DxJIasI0aKyEA-w7Nl6p6FwYXY4XZ5_8rln4AcUPtolDEucZGIXTNL6xMf2ZQDU-43gFIc2UWoSW8Lw02jaBEXf1_s30k_kU3Y5SpYoJBDQpG_Hy/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2024022113379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMnOHX5kDKMt4-MVgrGWJnCd-rF6pCRo8QZRIQ5PNSNmy4os8cdEreoumC8mo3Z-UJcYVsTyNSFM4DxJIasI0aKyEA-w7Nl6p6FwYXY4XZ5_8rln4AcUPtolDEucZGIXTNL6xMf2ZQDU-43gFIc2UWoSW8Lw02jaBEXf1_s30k_kU3Y5SpYoJBDQpG_Hy/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-2024022113379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I have included one of my knitted cotton wash/dish cloths along with a handmade green soap scented with lemon myrtle. These come packaged up in cellophane with a ribbon & a heart tag.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzKOAg9ERV18eGQ2J5CmeAWPGTFlNAQFdSP-5Wg6MtX09_rv-AmeQgSD7HSR-yTbTU8NVnlnF3y_6fp9f4zOTX5ax-KCQ78HbmBsFXdPgbRMjow9s-iQ9DLtAcoJ710QzA0TMYjIGGtarYPPQfygZntfU1OYKE6OVabOP-laQHFmhaCUT2tnYZPkkxVh8/s4000/048-fotor-2024022114119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzKOAg9ERV18eGQ2J5CmeAWPGTFlNAQFdSP-5Wg6MtX09_rv-AmeQgSD7HSR-yTbTU8NVnlnF3y_6fp9f4zOTX5ax-KCQ78HbmBsFXdPgbRMjow9s-iQ9DLtAcoJ710QzA0TMYjIGGtarYPPQfygZntfU1OYKE6OVabOP-laQHFmhaCUT2tnYZPkkxVh8/w480-h640/048-fotor-2024022114119.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have also included 2 vintage doilies from my own collection, one is round & embroidered & the other battenburg lace one has handpainted pansies on it. Both have been washed, lightly spray starched & ironed.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGmwlBdYV0zCPcZrZvDW8Q-2w6el2YjrQn7nNic8gm-Mv8NWUCwKLMxM1etSkys8BZTFao6587g0Pyf4R-UboSrx5bqR5tjMbFcHoknKi4tAvCaP9ePEB9r0ijwSUZfMivoQpXNM0NsD_RxIv78TwgDtS3GP8Ap5y5wVLo1Sb5LGdxI_w43Q3ZX5RcXrT/s4000/037-fotor-20240221143011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGmwlBdYV0zCPcZrZvDW8Q-2w6el2YjrQn7nNic8gm-Mv8NWUCwKLMxM1etSkys8BZTFao6587g0Pyf4R-UboSrx5bqR5tjMbFcHoknKi4tAvCaP9ePEB9r0ijwSUZfMivoQpXNM0NsD_RxIv78TwgDtS3GP8Ap5y5wVLo1Sb5LGdxI_w43Q3ZX5RcXrT/w480-h640/037-fotor-20240221143011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last but not least a couple of Lindt choccy treats ... not too many as I have <b>zero</b> <b>willpower</b> & they would inevitably end up in my mouth before I draw a winner (!!!) 😐</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">All the above items will come to you beautifully giftwrapped & tied up with ribbon & a swing tag.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are the rules ... </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will post to <b><u>anywhere</u> in the world. </b>You may enter the draw no matter where you live.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To enter you must <b>leave me a comment below.</b> If you have trouble getting it to Publish then email me at <i>stitchedbyjulie@hotmail.com</i> & I can copy & paste your comment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If your comment publishes as Anonymous</b> please write your christian name at the end & your Country eg : <i>Julie from New Zealand. </i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to then please tell me your favorite colour but <b>this is <u>not</u> a requirement to enter.</b> I just thought it might add some interest to the comments. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will draw a winner on Friday 15th March so that I have 2 weeks to post it to where-ever the winner lives. This gives you just over 3 weeks to enter. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please feel free to take part dear friends 🖤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPuiff8SBCex9Vo6Pyf-6LpQxCjfRnvw51c13V-pBfiwSt14duHXqoXIGqI7HPeN8h1slt2RIlhnGOqHUoNh7bisNuERcpp2yAoL6fkRdjFa7Wc7U0Vr4Mr7cqzZro3cDbOboW4Yz6KjYJ8iMJZgdkQHwT-HM8XghoB1mm_ULkQcNUXH3eYnte8wneC2i/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240221134623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPuiff8SBCex9Vo6Pyf-6LpQxCjfRnvw51c13V-pBfiwSt14duHXqoXIGqI7HPeN8h1slt2RIlhnGOqHUoNh7bisNuERcpp2yAoL6fkRdjFa7Wc7U0Vr4Mr7cqzZro3cDbOboW4Yz6KjYJ8iMJZgdkQHwT-HM8XghoB1mm_ULkQcNUXH3eYnte8wneC2i/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240221134623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend Sally lost one of her beloved cats Chloe, a couple of weeks ago. I decided to make Sally a heart from vintage linen & embroider Chloe's name on it. The red cat & heart buttons are from <a href="https://www.theodoracleave.com/" target="_blank">Theodora Cleave</a>. I filled the heart with my homegrown lavender. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPri9dj48au0872vcZAPoIrBiXwH2Xl1qFmfVWwudi7WJKyw_fBG1r-ZqwIAnyX82YEOHLuGtvvP7erfe0zUelMFZuQG_-BcCz-oXo8mOa9pAkZXHhvqAO7JSSbFOB3KXC0RTETctqHk2uSbh9eXYDu0qV0fS3APLSCzjIKDPmMtCqx7tzqhVbbkp452oV/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240221133820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPri9dj48au0872vcZAPoIrBiXwH2Xl1qFmfVWwudi7WJKyw_fBG1r-ZqwIAnyX82YEOHLuGtvvP7erfe0zUelMFZuQG_-BcCz-oXo8mOa9pAkZXHhvqAO7JSSbFOB3KXC0RTETctqHk2uSbh9eXYDu0qV0fS3APLSCzjIKDPmMtCqx7tzqhVbbkp452oV/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240221133820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sid & his Dad Kayne decided to enter the <a href="https://www.xrace.co.nz/pages/how-xrace-works?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4alZpG4OdYefltYM3-BFxvaVguPmi12bjpRu0cK-jLUQL9WfpqqrZ6BoCuRQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">X-Race event</a> as there was one being held locally in Cambridge. Sid got 5th in the 6 - 7 year age bracket & wore his tee-shirt & medal <b>non-stop</b> <b>for 2 days & 2 nights!!</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UWyqBvS83H5sqEu44QDtCAUr3vXYNjr4hEJl5NLaxjiwi3lu-R-we7IoUO8kN4wpq-Q-LpzCxkZ1MtZzzta4gSYew5mBdQsnfBeUYQiFNisNjMbRhlRXtv8BTY9TqF-qM9WvHn6vfQGBoV-mpcKJpGK-yGtbrEQl2b7pYMfJHKm9hzOPLJq-r06rIuyY/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240221133849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UWyqBvS83H5sqEu44QDtCAUr3vXYNjr4hEJl5NLaxjiwi3lu-R-we7IoUO8kN4wpq-Q-LpzCxkZ1MtZzzta4gSYew5mBdQsnfBeUYQiFNisNjMbRhlRXtv8BTY9TqF-qM9WvHn6vfQGBoV-mpcKJpGK-yGtbrEQl2b7pYMfJHKm9hzOPLJq-r06rIuyY/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240221133849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the challenges are mystery but the <i>"tie a tie"</i> challenge they knew about, so could practise at home prior. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The "<i>Painting Dad's Toenails" </i>challenge was not known about so required some concentration on Sid's part. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYn9IMwZSiymZA1o2y-5FCNKExvb7bXWZhLTpeKsClvXCJLUrXBHUeCd3IDYJdtONx32XKAnSQNtQ8c2S6EbLFljRXxKtlgwmee9PJPn4MFPFwhjkzzG-BxS6TDDELEK-lQdzOtD7PP8NHxGOzWbC8rYiK37hZ-IsSgQWVIIHkntz3uBCpxnnyeg5InFt/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-2024022113392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYn9IMwZSiymZA1o2y-5FCNKExvb7bXWZhLTpeKsClvXCJLUrXBHUeCd3IDYJdtONx32XKAnSQNtQ8c2S6EbLFljRXxKtlgwmee9PJPn4MFPFwhjkzzG-BxS6TDDELEK-lQdzOtD7PP8NHxGOzWbC8rYiK37hZ-IsSgQWVIIHkntz3uBCpxnnyeg5InFt/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-2024022113392.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of physical challenges & some problem solving ones too.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvYIk84HyHNLeaigraDmuSuE7fZz_F0L9O0KRjcHkrpHSD3w6XMPqaO9JfUAnRFArULYiE-NmewvgmzQpnsLeo-l0_rTi9HQZP1MQhZEx9GY76ZaJUDgaOXl4LjV5w4XCWXpQVkDlXIqxtRqwcZNGJCgpgkkyOMtYhQGC-1mvNgDNk-D8p3h8RVXj24kG/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240221133833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvYIk84HyHNLeaigraDmuSuE7fZz_F0L9O0KRjcHkrpHSD3w6XMPqaO9JfUAnRFArULYiE-NmewvgmzQpnsLeo-l0_rTi9HQZP1MQhZEx9GY76ZaJUDgaOXl4LjV5w4XCWXpQVkDlXIqxtRqwcZNGJCgpgkkyOMtYhQGC-1mvNgDNk-D8p3h8RVXj24kG/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240221133833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son Kayne is wearing a blind fold in the right hand pic & Sid was to direct him but I notice Sid has his eyes shut also (!!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Such a wonderful event & well worth the entry fee to participate.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QM4R-jZsAThPmCa1DQ-rqamshU_zJ00zhT4AEXrLMuuNuqvmb_YVR9kIzsL_GCH_EhFzA69r7D9VB63e7AHjg8OxfQFGaXbxz_ELZBB4iOi5JEy3vi40UkarneN1AGUaIzMdDyrVK8ofVRBpWgmD9apMAM7U9Xm5ryu_W4Vkar87DAYgx-yrz9kHG1Fa/s499/da43c7c84aaf2a209eca38a4c7d7b8d8-fotor-2024022113526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="382" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QM4R-jZsAThPmCa1DQ-rqamshU_zJ00zhT4AEXrLMuuNuqvmb_YVR9kIzsL_GCH_EhFzA69r7D9VB63e7AHjg8OxfQFGaXbxz_ELZBB4iOi5JEy3vi40UkarneN1AGUaIzMdDyrVK8ofVRBpWgmD9apMAM7U9Xm5ryu_W4Vkar87DAYgx-yrz9kHG1Fa/w490-h640/da43c7c84aaf2a209eca38a4c7d7b8d8-fotor-2024022113526.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week dear friends,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please do enter my Giveaway if you would like to - it's my way of thanking you for this wonderful community called Blogland that I feel grateful to be a small part of.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-31750772527856270782024-02-16T16:32:00.000+13:002024-02-16T16:32:31.500+13:00Cleaning & Creating<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been wayyyy too hot to work outdoors this past week plus the Inside was looking like it was desperately in need of some attention ... this dry weather brings the dust which just coats everything. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUKhlcbP-FfD-1Xe1IBBbbK1z6L_o5KSUp1Zsvm9TviUqFhAyC1_2RxcakZLULHZdQYdK7o_gPqu9kN-AwYeZfE5PfXz4W8tqg95C4__EIScoaOfDL0wktnfdXzNJVPoOIAfytb_LFoHetb-FeIKomu3DsYYEIBCHERORy6E5CkXhTdfKAXJrlx4Mr6TP/s220/447838e054e057b6b80a51b1ea52f974.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUKhlcbP-FfD-1Xe1IBBbbK1z6L_o5KSUp1Zsvm9TviUqFhAyC1_2RxcakZLULHZdQYdK7o_gPqu9kN-AwYeZfE5PfXz4W8tqg95C4__EIScoaOfDL0wktnfdXzNJVPoOIAfytb_LFoHetb-FeIKomu3DsYYEIBCHERORy6E5CkXhTdfKAXJrlx4Mr6TP/w400-h400/447838e054e057b6b80a51b1ea52f974.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh This Is ME to a tee !!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to start with some jobs that I had been putting off for <b>a VeRy long time!</b></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqsgQFpCalQ6n0y449PzFDUPU9LZrXLPTptY_rbd2m4TSBfy7kHzoiDh89mj5TAhi6jq1x_94a2YYQG_DIhwaNCvVbQQR7Z89vrtWuaSOB3GmGbO1G2mlt76Z2nx-fu0XdFu35v1HkkztjTvoGbg8aWVEDMjx63oHxQL6BJ8Jk7bsa4cXsrdawzGCZBgz/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240216145441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqsgQFpCalQ6n0y449PzFDUPU9LZrXLPTptY_rbd2m4TSBfy7kHzoiDh89mj5TAhi6jq1x_94a2YYQG_DIhwaNCvVbQQR7Z89vrtWuaSOB3GmGbO1G2mlt76Z2nx-fu0XdFu35v1HkkztjTvoGbg8aWVEDMjx63oHxQL6BJ8Jk7bsa4cXsrdawzGCZBgz/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240216145441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The vintage Chandelier in our bedroom was constantly blowing bulbs - one every few days sometimes. The Mr ordered some fancy filament bulbs through our electrician who assured us they would last for years.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I decided to clean the chandelier as it has been <strike>years</strike> a very long time since I had done this. I cleaned all the crystals with vinegar water & wiped down the rest of the light thoroughly. How it shines now - the new bulbs are just wonderful & I am so thrilled with it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I have Indian Cotton drapes in my lounge with crochet panels at the hems. I love these drapes & have 8 drops ... 2 at each set of French Doors & then 4 at the big picture window at th</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">e end of my lounge.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nEvCbbOUtVCu5GBKzUaW-9IDlQ34dd8tmrCyX3jdgQfRU5DHbs3YqcbGuL0ERlTutHCpoOxkRsyReoB93CN0lArXIkuOhiD99x_LtiD7UC-GBkMutu3xyfPxiaoK3TMXHYR9o6ybwCK7ncVe9CMALdlcOe8tkGHKafS0F30tzi1vEoJxHZlhFXWiBl8y/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-2024021614558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nEvCbbOUtVCu5GBKzUaW-9IDlQ34dd8tmrCyX3jdgQfRU5DHbs3YqcbGuL0ERlTutHCpoOxkRsyReoB93CN0lArXIkuOhiD99x_LtiD7UC-GBkMutu3xyfPxiaoK3TMXHYR9o6ybwCK7ncVe9CMALdlcOe8tkGHKafS0F30tzi1vEoJxHZlhFXWiBl8y/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-2024021614558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> I last washed them in January 2020, so they were looking dull & grubby. I can wash a pair at a time in my machine on <i>Delicates</i>, hang them out quite wet & then iron them. The ironing takes FoReVeR! All those gathers & the crochet lace at the bottoms ... I began doing a pair a day so it took me 4 days in total. I worked out it took me over an hour to iron each pair. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_Tbr5ImGI4mkDSu1Kr6biQUDYnC_TrQVnzfsB-ipBgIg-WKo0lSZsN1UhEei_9Cg7UKOIwxHHCfEtzMM7pSdXFEu841eyUBdchHvbPnD1-ai_gfdpeiMrcZiifquJm9jlzESJXiWBqXt1DuHLWwOoPw6NzbgA7CaJoCaWrF2vTAtzXU87izDT0ehRGkK/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240216145543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_Tbr5ImGI4mkDSu1Kr6biQUDYnC_TrQVnzfsB-ipBgIg-WKo0lSZsN1UhEei_9Cg7UKOIwxHHCfEtzMM7pSdXFEu841eyUBdchHvbPnD1-ai_gfdpeiMrcZiifquJm9jlzESJXiWBqXt1DuHLWwOoPw6NzbgA7CaJoCaWrF2vTAtzXU87izDT0ehRGkK/w640-h212/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240216145543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course ... there was quite a bit of <b>this</b> going on ... Little One thought they made the most wonderful hut under the ironing board & just look at all those tassels to play with !! 😸 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I cleaned all the windows & doors thoroughly & hung them all back up. Phew what a mission it was but it felt great to have it done. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBTaX9Fu6JdCUWVslzJWiApE0Fv_lM3H025r3VPyihYw2yw8j-AGu7g2Zq9ljdS2Gh0pRBr5CLJG3HFZuA1gNma0fs1olVu24-KbL70aIYGp3dlMdy6suvGQ7iAft3hXZnyYqvaT10_LUDMkc0-8BLgePNEqwWXEN5IqOsf-DYSN_ObOh17oQVA0pX8Iw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240216151159.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBTaX9Fu6JdCUWVslzJWiApE0Fv_lM3H025r3VPyihYw2yw8j-AGu7g2Zq9ljdS2Gh0pRBr5CLJG3HFZuA1gNma0fs1olVu24-KbL70aIYGp3dlMdy6suvGQ7iAft3hXZnyYqvaT10_LUDMkc0-8BLgePNEqwWXEN5IqOsf-DYSN_ObOh17oQVA0pX8Iw/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240216151159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;"> did not have it on my list to clean out the Linen cupboard but when I went to get fresh pillowcases the whole lot fell down on my head. That did it!! I hauled <b>everything</b> out. Many items that came home from Mum's had been shoved in & older items pushed to the back. I plonked all the piles on my dining-room floor to sort through.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrBbPUpOYDKfO5pXLl7Z3WUA0NPw0b1ZGfyL-_qqGm0MhLxitfzX-a-9vq5I0Z971s3hMITHWe5q-NG8BZrt7_mgg70IIKiMQMmeuXBcNSFo4NHrEClniXYNs2vDqPezFmnzvxk6xdnRK5kiRexoZTygvtMrVffYLlyYy5R3FB1X1AhGLY06lLGw_Hftr/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216151144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrBbPUpOYDKfO5pXLl7Z3WUA0NPw0b1ZGfyL-_qqGm0MhLxitfzX-a-9vq5I0Z971s3hMITHWe5q-NG8BZrt7_mgg70IIKiMQMmeuXBcNSFo4NHrEClniXYNs2vDqPezFmnzvxk6xdnRK5kiRexoZTygvtMrVffYLlyYy5R3FB1X1AhGLY06lLGw_Hftr/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216151144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to use up some plastic baskets that I no longer used in my craft room. As you can see - I had the utmost helpful assistant (!!) Can you believe dear friends - I removed 62 items from this cupboard ??!! Does one person seriously need <b>24 handtowels</b> <b>??!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPWkpTdV3ApzHZgXMlBkjPdglMbt3lDfF0yGGJ_nod-9HTZJjyp2g1kTsIEm5cvFvKITdNWeIz2XwM_0uwoRJ-IGMuXwJ6CBj6XcNa5DGZgyD4c0j4kuAR2yg9HCDy64vwbHww1rp3l4BMhAR-tqdq2iffRVJgLaG60CJUqcAoj_7hJWZVwIwoOXP1MWl/s4000/002-fotor-20240216151258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPWkpTdV3ApzHZgXMlBkjPdglMbt3lDfF0yGGJ_nod-9HTZJjyp2g1kTsIEm5cvFvKITdNWeIz2XwM_0uwoRJ-IGMuXwJ6CBj6XcNa5DGZgyD4c0j4kuAR2yg9HCDy64vwbHww1rp3l4BMhAR-tqdq2iffRVJgLaG60CJUqcAoj_7hJWZVwIwoOXP1MWl/w480-h640/002-fotor-20240216151258.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mr took quite a bit for wiping rags, I kept some cotton sheets for dropcloths & the rest went to the Salvation Army Op-Shop - here is my car boot load to prove it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpA2FEprOiPNqUjJHkD4hNKlUMcHXE9jEGSCqQleI3UAlj7EYg_O-8D_pJN9XsqdT5RiDJUr0gexbv5-bagLo-HPidZm-Bre_tx8egUUgtkpj2-qhMolZeDgtENhspBLughHr_rrjGNHTjKFTaBc7G2ENJWzvxCJSjpWYDR1qdrwMYQa0LiZCN6KdcXCe/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216154112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpA2FEprOiPNqUjJHkD4hNKlUMcHXE9jEGSCqQleI3UAlj7EYg_O-8D_pJN9XsqdT5RiDJUr0gexbv5-bagLo-HPidZm-Bre_tx8egUUgtkpj2-qhMolZeDgtENhspBLughHr_rrjGNHTjKFTaBc7G2ENJWzvxCJSjpWYDR1qdrwMYQa0LiZCN6KdcXCe/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216154112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the "After" ... Yes I even labelled the baskets because I am <strike>pathetic</strike> thorough like that 😉</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PubykrJmAchhqS5TARAgr_3oQ-SViaciIqkrnljh9owxrPEURyK3FAYCl4pPNrfsK5FhuUNW1IUoVuQwDhkGYeD-m4n4G3TJZFStsvOpuYFKDCpjJi1ogbTn1TjtyS0WlrYB8b5vIwtGE6HUEhbufQ3fT5yTadPekCaL5cm6R3M7eDqdMCF4P8nEUiYO/s3900/042-fotor-20240216145658.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="2529" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PubykrJmAchhqS5TARAgr_3oQ-SViaciIqkrnljh9owxrPEURyK3FAYCl4pPNrfsK5FhuUNW1IUoVuQwDhkGYeD-m4n4G3TJZFStsvOpuYFKDCpjJi1ogbTn1TjtyS0WlrYB8b5vIwtGE6HUEhbufQ3fT5yTadPekCaL5cm6R3M7eDqdMCF4P8nEUiYO/w416-h640/042-fotor-20240216145658.png" width="416" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This stack of primitive boxes were all stacked inside each other in my sewing cupboard. I think they came from my friend Elaine quite sometime ago & I'd never used them for anything. I decided to revamp them & use them for storage in my craft room. The labels mostly came off easily, some of them required a scraping & a light sand. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetLEBkQOQsuBnjy6pIOdE9-p5ezCeUSuP0FAvfkA2y7wQ4JMh3tpWB0QcWuxx0RlslqWoGgiIwCxUaj91yNFP8lk0SzWvQd6yiA8sO8ZwcOUiLYZqsJm3tkMP42M6Rwpo2PBccmTXxlNvtBrzCSsplG9ZegBwcsI5rrBoyK58Upo6h8E0znYk6lhOHtuu/s3597/027-fotor-2024021615014.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetLEBkQOQsuBnjy6pIOdE9-p5ezCeUSuP0FAvfkA2y7wQ4JMh3tpWB0QcWuxx0RlslqWoGgiIwCxUaj91yNFP8lk0SzWvQd6yiA8sO8ZwcOUiLYZqsJm3tkMP42M6Rwpo2PBccmTXxlNvtBrzCSsplG9ZegBwcsI5rrBoyK58Upo6h8E0znYk6lhOHtuu/w534-h640/027-fotor-2024021615014.png" width="534" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to paint each one a different colour but just use what I already had on hand. Some of these paints were hard & needed water adding to soften them a bit. But they did the trick okay. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISZtN3QkXrhNrqT5emNYS4gLrj6tfL-zDqb3VRWg8g7s-V61AJ7Gpyo6AA7SAuU2PyWRWkp099sfPAjNigpS4N0C9yHyiFjb0R9GwDw7DM4Ev_1rOupupLS90A26iHxomV0oGQ0kg1HBFxXuyagiTq1bXctt849BiHkFAqBozTKi-tCnzlxoDY2JsOste/s3889/025-fotor-20240216145849.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3889" data-original-width="2243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISZtN3QkXrhNrqT5emNYS4gLrj6tfL-zDqb3VRWg8g7s-V61AJ7Gpyo6AA7SAuU2PyWRWkp099sfPAjNigpS4N0C9yHyiFjb0R9GwDw7DM4Ev_1rOupupLS90A26iHxomV0oGQ0kg1HBFxXuyagiTq1bXctt849BiHkFAqBozTKi-tCnzlxoDY2JsOste/w370-h640/025-fotor-20240216145849.png" width="370" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are the colours I used from top to bottom. Pavlova, Grey Mist, Aged White, Soft Duck Egg & Old Linen. I lightly sanded them & then added some of the left-over botanical transfers from when I revamped the stool </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2022/08/revamped-thrifted-finds-doiley-buntings.html" target="_blank">in * this Post *</a> </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRs0lJgRct2PAnfFrG_4JJtgK-TH-4ftK7ptCpK-wmix_FJU8i4S7c8Bpf51ji7x7q7M_BV03Z4enhUojyU2ncU04cyQsL6i4xaWzPagV41FX-YXrXO6PjQg6WTGU9lGatf2Yszb4OU2eH8dPlUFbXHOIWlr9L6Tx-sPiFbuD7KJCsdNEnFShv_6J_q2a/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240216145454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRs0lJgRct2PAnfFrG_4JJtgK-TH-4ftK7ptCpK-wmix_FJU8i4S7c8Bpf51ji7x7q7M_BV03Z4enhUojyU2ncU04cyQsL6i4xaWzPagV41FX-YXrXO6PjQg6WTGU9lGatf2Yszb4OU2eH8dPlUFbXHOIWlr9L6Tx-sPiFbuD7KJCsdNEnFShv_6J_q2a/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240216145454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A good coat of wax to each box & they are ready to use & look much nicer don't you think?</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLHPF_Er2dqeQRCevKS8OmM1IgY5KUVPu0fETm0UXkpJgEobqrZMoXAovQLQ3CTP_Io6jkyNjLMnJYxcsL_eXVT_BsUfIkvmTCB1nMJEyichhWyBY3VULd6GpLTx-vwoqQMDNVe7Me3YWM6HQcs5BP6iMClLuFtVdF6vmrq1SMcZgAncwTUfsNqEJj6wx/s4000/007-fotor-20240216145610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLHPF_Er2dqeQRCevKS8OmM1IgY5KUVPu0fETm0UXkpJgEobqrZMoXAovQLQ3CTP_Io6jkyNjLMnJYxcsL_eXVT_BsUfIkvmTCB1nMJEyichhWyBY3VULd6GpLTx-vwoqQMDNVe7Me3YWM6HQcs5BP6iMClLuFtVdF6vmrq1SMcZgAncwTUfsNqEJj6wx/w480-h640/007-fotor-20240216145610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was Mum's favourite silk scarf, hand dyed, & purchased on one of our trips to Australia - she loved to wear this & the colours really suited her. I knew I wouldn't wear it so I decided to cut it up & make it into lavender bags.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerZs174W8UnpEI2WOI673ihvDCb_DbrHWE1OsmEZR0F0YQKM_tjPhapEtVsaT7P5Zk5M8ODL-F5PVTeyPDXnXyYtLR4VNMwP5GfuBHdZtrc7Ay8VOdWmDYa8HJpBCtI1jcOSaj5skyYMUEgffEpkqiULIo-S9N0ffbR6QAvU1hiOJ-hjyEGd2LiR-Fxw8/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240216145530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerZs174W8UnpEI2WOI673ihvDCb_DbrHWE1OsmEZR0F0YQKM_tjPhapEtVsaT7P5Zk5M8ODL-F5PVTeyPDXnXyYtLR4VNMwP5GfuBHdZtrc7Ay8VOdWmDYa8HJpBCtI1jcOSaj5skyYMUEgffEpkqiULIo-S9N0ffbR6QAvU1hiOJ-hjyEGd2LiR-Fxw8/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240216145530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got 10 bags altogether - the silk was a horrid thing to sew. I filled them with this years dried lavender from my garden. As I am going to be gifting alot of these I decided to make a label for the back just to add that special touch. My sewing room smells wonderful 💜</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDj2A2HrJM4xDOJsRL10gueSHmmsr0nQlyr1cnbVswkzx-cWB5YFzLH-da__nUCZiLjaaEAztooxmGrtED1epmbrlYGmh-oMs58YvUr3d-j-HMhDIjfqCOrzv7x1hBYfgtEiiJnFoM-APWbOQgAXY97uqNDuyUNRByHjoeI2gQMDRjyT_f19i-qXSvn_y/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216145426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDj2A2HrJM4xDOJsRL10gueSHmmsr0nQlyr1cnbVswkzx-cWB5YFzLH-da__nUCZiLjaaEAztooxmGrtED1epmbrlYGmh-oMs58YvUr3d-j-HMhDIjfqCOrzv7x1hBYfgtEiiJnFoM-APWbOQgAXY97uqNDuyUNRByHjoeI2gQMDRjyT_f19i-qXSvn_y/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240216145426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend Julie is downsizing & gifted me this beautiful picture that she thought I might enjoy. I just love it & it fits in perfectly on my mantel along with some other gold/brass coloured items. So special.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful weekend dear friends - thank you <b>so very much</b> for your visits here today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry ones x0x0x</span></div><p></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-86536076952152665522024-02-08T17:38:00.000+13:002024-02-08T17:38:14.843+13:00February Ramblings ..................................<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWmcv_f-8mN00lZlXz7wloGHcC4gQe7bIuhS5j84KOwWrHXhzoNvp10ZG5HjV0QlGx9iBEHl7C4UHnkIcF8qZYSK_athdeBXNltDCPRN_RXXfUXo69uY2qhL7XZuAPhdRwmgpBbSZJnmwVb0TigovBHyi-sw7XOWpv9c9fMhTJshX3I271uVORQrjcXq8/s846/4ee81077037910063c1fc1692045f011-fotor-20240208162459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWmcv_f-8mN00lZlXz7wloGHcC4gQe7bIuhS5j84KOwWrHXhzoNvp10ZG5HjV0QlGx9iBEHl7C4UHnkIcF8qZYSK_athdeBXNltDCPRN_RXXfUXo69uY2qhL7XZuAPhdRwmgpBbSZJnmwVb0TigovBHyi-sw7XOWpv9c9fMhTJshX3I271uVORQrjcXq8/w426-h640/4ee81077037910063c1fc1692045f011-fotor-20240208162459.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phew it is HOT outside today - I have come inside to the cool & have the air conditioner going. The Mr tells me it is 31 degrees at the farm today.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU93ol0H4d-9tkDJGX1iNRZuC4lrZD2X25-JLPO5XSn8S7tUn0frs8onGB0UDrJ5Buv_eBtDxHaGyMmGQ5M5S6RyW3Ubf2x4dowzEGxQMnd9gO5VSdyDDhllKnTU4VQjRS3_Kh-JcHjAH9LJWMwrH3uZ2MfoTXLh3iErJ4qlNP4j8auzxF87nl5jqtSkTK/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240208153214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU93ol0H4d-9tkDJGX1iNRZuC4lrZD2X25-JLPO5XSn8S7tUn0frs8onGB0UDrJ5Buv_eBtDxHaGyMmGQ5M5S6RyW3Ubf2x4dowzEGxQMnd9gO5VSdyDDhllKnTU4VQjRS3_Kh-JcHjAH9LJWMwrH3uZ2MfoTXLh3iErJ4qlNP4j8auzxF87nl5jqtSkTK/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240208153214.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My roses are just finishing their second flush & looking a little straggly. The hydrangeas were picked nearly a fortnight ago & I think they will dry themselves in the Jug once they have drunk all the water up.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNhknyO3tul9qDyPh0wjKMGf4PN7ucOKDQVJDcZy46XuCnuS0RPc3AMSbQOM8JZ1xGq8bGMTaCI-ke7dUwjKIBwSG2jSmaUZ82he5PTQfP1tLYnC6NDREpNutEwpX8f-gXuhA-DpHqPo5WBsI6_9FsTbHT83aUaSLnYd_7ZroXYOFRE6Ud2fQZJGcJbWw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240208153230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNhknyO3tul9qDyPh0wjKMGf4PN7ucOKDQVJDcZy46XuCnuS0RPc3AMSbQOM8JZ1xGq8bGMTaCI-ke7dUwjKIBwSG2jSmaUZ82he5PTQfP1tLYnC6NDREpNutEwpX8f-gXuhA-DpHqPo5WBsI6_9FsTbHT83aUaSLnYd_7ZroXYOFRE6Ud2fQZJGcJbWw/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240208153230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all my green painting in last weeks post, I decided I wanted to try stencilling a teatowel to match everything. I had this waffle fabric pillowcase & stencilled this bee design onto it using the same Country Green chalk paint as last week's Egg crate. I am still very much <i>learning</i> with stencilling, but I was really pleased how it turned out so I sewed it into a simple rectangular teatowel.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG-NIFR-6IdmB9yyDqBR-NP7ZMgtMotQkOTBD1T2OCH_lENzQ0V14qqkcXFSpabWN3i7FnXH4XBUTWVt8CQ2afyCrAX6js-Lyz8qh3MNa5AFD_zcLc1tfZyhSsABUrFGDDO97Khz_8dS-oSBKqq0U2D-2H3FL3VAt_T0S3nXmsC_QJsWacNxn2hZO75kU/s3684/020-fotor-20240208155424.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3684" data-original-width="2792" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG-NIFR-6IdmB9yyDqBR-NP7ZMgtMotQkOTBD1T2OCH_lENzQ0V14qqkcXFSpabWN3i7FnXH4XBUTWVt8CQ2afyCrAX6js-Lyz8qh3MNa5AFD_zcLc1tfZyhSsABUrFGDDO97Khz_8dS-oSBKqq0U2D-2H3FL3VAt_T0S3nXmsC_QJsWacNxn2hZO75kU/w486-h640/020-fotor-20240208155424.png" width="486" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have hung it on the oven door handle & threatened everyone in the house </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">(including furry beings)</span></i><i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i><span style="font-size: large;">that it is </span><u style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Not</u><span style="font-size: large;"> to be used to wipe their dirty hands </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">(or paws)</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> on </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">(!!!) 😉 </b><span style="font-size: medium;">Lets see how long that lasts!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfLSlOezzkkndOckDDj-LjaxICjOVNJOHhK8tSxGxeRHBtzYv_SV_PIxA8YVdB-rE-Q10-WneTBTdUtuCLnsaUuLSxWZ04Kzua5tAfXgIVI0jTA9vF7zD_nqf_ec1_Krb4RJ0Da5olRb_H6X5S2d6Lqvvpnz7Utl6iWjfimKAjNvtUzNC0w7Sug5lZ9Cg/s4000/013-fotor-20240208153434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfLSlOezzkkndOckDDj-LjaxICjOVNJOHhK8tSxGxeRHBtzYv_SV_PIxA8YVdB-rE-Q10-WneTBTdUtuCLnsaUuLSxWZ04Kzua5tAfXgIVI0jTA9vF7zD_nqf_ec1_Krb4RJ0Da5olRb_H6X5S2d6Lqvvpnz7Utl6iWjfimKAjNvtUzNC0w7Sug5lZ9Cg/w480-h640/013-fotor-20240208153434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to place an Order for some more Soy Wax but wanted to use up the last bit in the bag first. I found these 3 containers & made candles into them using my last 3 woodwicks. The quantities worked out perfectly & I had not a drop left over. The Fragrance is Apple Crumble ... again some left over Fragrant Oil that got used up. These will be going in the Gift Box once they've dried well.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSwhnk5sGvqqdjXy6uZRd3aS-g_qClW-oPpSJOUQAifrhmdPK-do7ASOTUKwc1W40bY9TY5vZUzdSOty5OL8RmRzLXbWVKv74uhcoBJ8OGrrjlfyc1EGehI2dxHMpgBUkgtMytBAtnZhnPleluC-dhJEe5GNOihTpE7spmFE1g3RoKkGm9VFEmF7gDrOY/s3685/010-fotor-202401281585.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3685" data-original-width="2943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSwhnk5sGvqqdjXy6uZRd3aS-g_qClW-oPpSJOUQAifrhmdPK-do7ASOTUKwc1W40bY9TY5vZUzdSOty5OL8RmRzLXbWVKv74uhcoBJ8OGrrjlfyc1EGehI2dxHMpgBUkgtMytBAtnZhnPleluC-dhJEe5GNOihTpE7spmFE1g3RoKkGm9VFEmF7gDrOY/w512-h640/010-fotor-202401281585.png" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend Shirley had a beautiful Cath Kidston Ironing Board cover that had seen better days. She asked me if I could make her a new cover but attach it to the old one as it had good padding in it. This was trickier than I thought but I managed it eventually - using this gorgeous floral fabric that Shirley provided which reminded me a bit of Sanderson floral. Here I am trying it on my own ironing board to make sure it fitted & sat nice & flat. Shirley was thrilled when I delivered it to her & we fitted it on her old ironing board. 💙</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZCfx3FHCK4t6lGTjiLdK7SgU1HlRjofb6yLVUhHjoXILzQb41u_UPMpTh3MwwKyA-UNGKYmMLyNelJ97nLTaGUr8rDrQunWlnzOU4BCrvmNarVYxmYPP98ppf6_ZsnaYjG2uvJ71C0kZ7BNxE1zntdviuoykzPkGgeQiyPW1AfX5f5MMhGtCngz9DORG/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240208161750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZCfx3FHCK4t6lGTjiLdK7SgU1HlRjofb6yLVUhHjoXILzQb41u_UPMpTh3MwwKyA-UNGKYmMLyNelJ97nLTaGUr8rDrQunWlnzOU4BCrvmNarVYxmYPP98ppf6_ZsnaYjG2uvJ71C0kZ7BNxE1zntdviuoykzPkGgeQiyPW1AfX5f5MMhGtCngz9DORG/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240208161750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see some of the rips or wear & tear where I have put the arrows.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our couch is old, squashy & rather low. When I sit at nights to watch TV & stitch or knit, I always tuck an old hard cushion behind my back. The Grandsons commented that my cushion was all torn & tatty - I had not really noticed how bad it was before. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided it was time for a new cushion cover & found this lovely patchwork one in my stash, no doubt an old Op-shop find. I made a new firmer inner, stuffing it really extra tightly ... & love how firm it feels behind my back now when I sit down. Plus it looks much more presentable than the old torn one!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yKKklfO_lSOTWJxMhep0NG4aKUv5hGJLGaH9pSmRwBI1ohi2qu6NinlUJRlQAdBM3c0AmsqIyZYFsIUYjizVccFB8Jg1KMciWsBGeRc7Dza9nfNVg0uirUp3C5yOEkUygpqIA7-USM0ijsxIp_gV8g067At2_koD9C_pNury1K_FliyovvoaLuxid5Xf/s4000/004-fotor-2024020815313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yKKklfO_lSOTWJxMhep0NG4aKUv5hGJLGaH9pSmRwBI1ohi2qu6NinlUJRlQAdBM3c0AmsqIyZYFsIUYjizVccFB8Jg1KMciWsBGeRc7Dza9nfNVg0uirUp3C5yOEkUygpqIA7-USM0ijsxIp_gV8g067At2_koD9C_pNury1K_FliyovvoaLuxid5Xf/w480-h640/004-fotor-2024020815313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/12/wishes-for-new-year.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a> how I mentioned The Mr was having good success growing cucumbers at the farm? When he purchased the assorted cucumber plants he'd obviously picked up an "odd ball" as this is what grew. He took a photo & we managed to discover this is a <a href="https://rediscover.co.nz/kamo-kamo-kumi-kumi/?doing_wp_cron=1707366191.7631399631500244140625" target="_blank">Kumi Kumi or Kamo Kamo</a>. I'd never cooked them before so I googled some recipes & choose <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing/healthy-recipes/stuffed-kamo-kamo" target="_blank">* this one *</a> due to already having all the ingredients in the house.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WIar60Tsc2Cpf-QoofDE9u9FlNwSrlyduCFeEGYpl5D2yfMogwA7F5AYorLyStb8unu4beOpQPOsQr105nKxLUyp7y0JSX8pWM4zOuzUHAxNBZFTH7N8xHgJ0WVkDFe5fmHmlHJVj_uMYvKh2X_AVxXybLx50m8XWfw4QcDLmJnOjduo6FaI5ZO5H0n/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240208153124.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WIar60Tsc2Cpf-QoofDE9u9FlNwSrlyduCFeEGYpl5D2yfMogwA7F5AYorLyStb8unu4beOpQPOsQr105nKxLUyp7y0JSX8pWM4zOuzUHAxNBZFTH7N8xHgJ0WVkDFe5fmHmlHJVj_uMYvKh2X_AVxXybLx50m8XWfw4QcDLmJnOjduo6FaI5ZO5H0n/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240208153124.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before baking After baking </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You scoop the inside out, fill with the mixture, then bake it for 45 minutes ... I drizzled Olive Oil over it first. It was delicious but The Mr felt like it needed something extra, perhaps some curry added or some spicier herbs. We shall certainly be having this dish again as I really enjoy having meatless meals now & again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8TbGPL5XYNnYZoyhAwIBqFaimtxYfayY_lGoE91j-JJIqFuWY-PBoI7-tQjtwYqQ-1EUMtLVNSXrCXlhFxyzKlNeTUEiZU4AGDWH5dzKE4jR6M-woyVJkSg3fGDxJtRJ2EZ2dVqArT5YWuk-LsQjsjqAvfLvxcxmTFC2ihbuHSWWaslENqoFsFR2F4Ag/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2024020815320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8TbGPL5XYNnYZoyhAwIBqFaimtxYfayY_lGoE91j-JJIqFuWY-PBoI7-tQjtwYqQ-1EUMtLVNSXrCXlhFxyzKlNeTUEiZU4AGDWH5dzKE4jR6M-woyVJkSg3fGDxJtRJ2EZ2dVqArT5YWuk-LsQjsjqAvfLvxcxmTFC2ihbuHSWWaslENqoFsFR2F4Ag/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2024020815320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mr also bought home from the farm a large bag of <a href="https://wesco.co.nz/product/other-grasses/japanese-millet/" target="_blank">Japanese Millet seed heads.</a> He grows this each summer as a supplement feed for the cows as well as making some paddocks into silage for winter feed. I love the seed heads for my citrus pot-pourri, I stripped the leaves of it all & made 8 bunches, which I hung outside to dry. You have to be mindful where you store it as mice really love it (as I have found from experience) 😉</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSqmgvStnaK1ksnXze9sufYyncGmQpy05Xc0U_nuGMTrX1074bu8K_U3szIsEvY-zgFqZxG-q8T86qh2frTBOWD1zrmi53cpVjIDkI9la-4Fk1TLj2TkDBtHT9l1BM_iCDVS4NBriFw1P0aaVgAiqJOSwgYLd775QfmMN0ZycPgW85ERKbzyjdl_8rTP5/s3800/019-fotor-20240208161515.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSqmgvStnaK1ksnXze9sufYyncGmQpy05Xc0U_nuGMTrX1074bu8K_U3szIsEvY-zgFqZxG-q8T86qh2frTBOWD1zrmi53cpVjIDkI9la-4Fk1TLj2TkDBtHT9l1BM_iCDVS4NBriFw1P0aaVgAiqJOSwgYLd775QfmMN0ZycPgW85ERKbzyjdl_8rTP5/w480-h640/019-fotor-20240208161515.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After sulking for about 5 years my Peace Lily has finally decided to flower again. I cannot tell you how delighted I was when I noticed this. So far it has 2 flower heads on it ... such simple pleasures that made my week 💚 </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwm_yg301nZCMks7IxlkUwsf2oM2vvn6LHNkAVhRVM_EksHwQevrC6K_Sm1JrDsBlSQVXVfuCFBKqQvMcegcH8E33g8-6hXB6VlLBnOCWrotMxjdvd-naL-lGT1h020DKDEPve0gtDOtmLZJlnpomvspVV4aIMt0vZSq90oMnTP9H3LoZVwUFuqlTZM3Gz/s4000/003-fotor-20240208153357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwm_yg301nZCMks7IxlkUwsf2oM2vvn6LHNkAVhRVM_EksHwQevrC6K_Sm1JrDsBlSQVXVfuCFBKqQvMcegcH8E33g8-6hXB6VlLBnOCWrotMxjdvd-naL-lGT1h020DKDEPve0gtDOtmLZJlnpomvspVV4aIMt0vZSq90oMnTP9H3LoZVwUFuqlTZM3Gz/w480-h640/003-fotor-20240208153357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As mentioned earlier I am inside with the air conditioner going ... Madam Pip has taken up residence in my <strike>underwear</strike> drawer as she is situated not far from the nice cool air flow. Please take note ... when I saw her heading in this direction I quickly plonked an old tee shirt on top of everything & she was most delighted that I found one that matched her colouring (!!) 🧡</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your welcome visits here today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful rest-of-the-week ... remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-70301090118120409522024-02-04T17:04:00.000+13:002024-02-04T17:04:25.829+13:00A Retro Green Phase<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It would seem that - without even trying - I appear to be going through a bit of a </span><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Retro Green Phase</span><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">💚</span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozukLu_V7Or2hueE45fv2H0tevN9JXZPqwW1mybEZL3GV48JcNiQc9BeIZ9F6SxQ3TLLRA2KRqvXlIW-wk4wZ2UJ9YB8jAZZD-MbSG9cpkNg1y0mowDO2E0ZIK3XvU84U0zhlCoBR5vhqfHnx9Sv7jOlyhtMxa2dSw9mzkWNv3OYxGxYmPrdskfNBFgE5/s3357/007-fotor-20240204151253.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3357" data-original-width="2938" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozukLu_V7Or2hueE45fv2H0tevN9JXZPqwW1mybEZL3GV48JcNiQc9BeIZ9F6SxQ3TLLRA2KRqvXlIW-wk4wZ2UJ9YB8jAZZD-MbSG9cpkNg1y0mowDO2E0ZIK3XvU84U0zhlCoBR5vhqfHnx9Sv7jOlyhtMxa2dSw9mzkWNv3OYxGxYmPrdskfNBFgE5/w560-h640/007-fotor-20240204151253.png" width="560" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all began late last year, when the handle on my electric kettle came loose. The Mr tightened it, it came loose again - he declared it dangerous & told me to go buy a new one. I had Covid at the time so I online shopped & saw this simple green kettle heavily reduced <a href="https://www.briscoes.co.nz/product/1061802/zip-retro-vintage-kettle-green/" target="_blank">at Briscoes.</a>. <i>" That'll do "</i> I thought. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely loved it & especially loved the pop of retro green in my kitchen.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvO24JF-lAIGY8mf4Fwthx9suDhVf_3JIJchmNCRY1rLGlY43NaDGb4TSUFJ6MnY9gXLbxUygzt8hoeKmCzNFSigRNWGJ0Rtr8vlMMBeMHzPbvEZVPNhxUKaPuxZuA9wpttwtERf8aWkBbF03sbLQtPBJwC2nUVsBYQTLrQCl5hNtYEUlTHXYVT0kXBjQY/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204151854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvO24JF-lAIGY8mf4Fwthx9suDhVf_3JIJchmNCRY1rLGlY43NaDGb4TSUFJ6MnY9gXLbxUygzt8hoeKmCzNFSigRNWGJ0Rtr8vlMMBeMHzPbvEZVPNhxUKaPuxZuA9wpttwtERf8aWkBbF03sbLQtPBJwC2nUVsBYQTLrQCl5hNtYEUlTHXYVT0kXBjQY/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204151854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I found these <i>rather vintage</i> <i>utensils</i> in some of Mum's old things so I washed them well & displayed them in my kitchen utensil box. Another pop of retro green.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuUYVCpt4sK5pkePyqbq1lxAMtLq8SpvtxO5gOHwajpUdFFatGpeyQAyXQbvTjUVaE0RoW_ILw25F0uc6wzQxAyoAflpXBPjt1LXYmB7QFPUMHQHVmR2mg-emGw9kVVwERsTgA_J6gB2MlqDmk3ZrBYTlKAJWikYykIliqydikc8TqSob6M5UwOsDL9Dx/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2024020415157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuUYVCpt4sK5pkePyqbq1lxAMtLq8SpvtxO5gOHwajpUdFFatGpeyQAyXQbvTjUVaE0RoW_ILw25F0uc6wzQxAyoAflpXBPjt1LXYmB7QFPUMHQHVmR2mg-emGw9kVVwERsTgA_J6gB2MlqDmk3ZrBYTlKAJWikYykIliqydikc8TqSob6M5UwOsDL9Dx/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2024020415157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This pottery egg crate belonged to Mum. When I <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-3-clearing-out-no.html" target="_blank">cleared out No 44</a> I put it in the Donate box, but for some reason, I pulled it out again. I had thought I might sit a plant in it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I painted it with some chalk paint in the colour Country Green.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l8YwQlXoI56gT4lhxbmSJdGXXDocWeIOC0fNbGwP4MqJQcQeGNtoJU7Kj4gHqKsRRmLTzgF8MMLkE0AijcoVWVZKD0XC_a7RSwjAftg7EPpwC33M6IZ1I2JGsffPmDDEFBxTkSNvpm6UJgV2GN5H27HrHN6Qlabb2PVP9N6TRNzn7i3sOTDOlhutl2lP/s3668/035-fotor-20240204155156.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l8YwQlXoI56gT4lhxbmSJdGXXDocWeIOC0fNbGwP4MqJQcQeGNtoJU7Kj4gHqKsRRmLTzgF8MMLkE0AijcoVWVZKD0XC_a7RSwjAftg7EPpwC33M6IZ1I2JGsffPmDDEFBxTkSNvpm6UJgV2GN5H27HrHN6Qlabb2PVP9N6TRNzn7i3sOTDOlhutl2lP/w498-h640/035-fotor-20240204155156.png" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It looks wonderful filled with freshly gathered eggs ... I am currently pet-sitting & feeding hens for my neighbours again. Another pop of retro green 💚</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYw6Bq2FCal3ZQ2MPsTT0i4x6ZUQMWYXyBvxhiLcYzkknj4oXlZcjkTFyAaIfKL5ANu2HhQaA2-mSDiy4Q3ZRKy-M1HNJlEc1cTAyLvKq3qIYLliYc7Z9vrySOOUPWZ25Kkv9UlPDbZ84bZx73VVIpQShZTX6fged9kOTiDxr0As5SuTIhE1Rr3tbi95L/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240204151433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYw6Bq2FCal3ZQ2MPsTT0i4x6ZUQMWYXyBvxhiLcYzkknj4oXlZcjkTFyAaIfKL5ANu2HhQaA2-mSDiy4Q3ZRKy-M1HNJlEc1cTAyLvKq3qIYLliYc7Z9vrySOOUPWZ25Kkv9UlPDbZ84bZx73VVIpQShZTX6fged9kOTiDxr0As5SuTIhE1Rr3tbi95L/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240204151433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These vintage scales were in a box in my Sleep-out. They were an Op-shop purchase early last year but they had no tray for the top & I'd never got around to searching for one. I cut a simple rectangle of customwood to do just-for-now.<br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-5jioIU5-FayJd4mQCs4pRvt1jNKajIjo7lleRdI5FRJ0Z-OS_vL1ITYifpaSQSRuzcPgb5YoX1F8OBiXVckGOdCeMsKv-dBPNTcYggyLwwnxveBtc1kTV5dWXTnUjZNe6tAly2Lenu4E2Q3wODfeK8KF7l65NBbxaAX9sydWtmsO0kMv3kLqzD13Z88/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240204151453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-5jioIU5-FayJd4mQCs4pRvt1jNKajIjo7lleRdI5FRJ0Z-OS_vL1ITYifpaSQSRuzcPgb5YoX1F8OBiXVckGOdCeMsKv-dBPNTcYggyLwwnxveBtc1kTV5dWXTnUjZNe6tAly2Lenu4E2Q3wODfeK8KF7l65NBbxaAX9sydWtmsO0kMv3kLqzD13Z88/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240204151453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I had been gifted these beautiful waffle cotton wash-cloths at Christmas, along with the Olive Oil Soap. I pulled out any green coloured tea-towels from my stash & did a simple display on top of the scales. Although a different shade of green, this looks lovely on the opposite bench in my kitchen. </div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNlLYmO24jBoCDcpOw4N61YaPh03F_SU0ixGd9pklIW43YLX_lxYHWdmocjgJDGK1HvlS3NnROBXZCnTOVWH7qwvHff7RpKv91RH6bY-SqC6gnM_nwUFPs8JB7xhZEh-rIei33ozr8hmeFNit3cjgHurceNlVbo7lKP2VjwiZpUsulmJZ8sJf5L6L-1SG/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240204151553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNlLYmO24jBoCDcpOw4N61YaPh03F_SU0ixGd9pklIW43YLX_lxYHWdmocjgJDGK1HvlS3NnROBXZCnTOVWH7qwvHff7RpKv91RH6bY-SqC6gnM_nwUFPs8JB7xhZEh-rIei33ozr8hmeFNit3cjgHurceNlVbo7lKP2VjwiZpUsulmJZ8sJf5L6L-1SG/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240204151553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This gorgeous retro green cloche was a gift from The Mr at Christmas. I must be honest here & say he <b>did</b> <b>not</b> choose it for me ... rather the conversation went like this. He - "is there anything you'd like for Christmas". Me - "Oh I've seen this lovely green cloche in a vintage shop in Cambridge". He - "well I don't know what a <b>cloche is</b> but go buy it for yourself " So I did & I gift wrapped it & sat it under the tree & tried really hard to look surprised when I opened it on Christmas Day 😉😉 </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9_jxx_8_rbBP5fjXX5a7AIWqofpDQu6pMoIIr928nhPIBCfFPCK_35EzVG0j9BJkX2E30SSqenx8f7J8K57D6-E4HxrE-EwnqQ4U8xrU55Kp-xQxOGBrX_jLkWkXcaFbrUJ9uNx4N3N6NHrXgdfv1OX_U0Ux7GAyTTqWSqbX4DTNnIIjR0hkblkbBmOX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-2024020415166.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9_jxx_8_rbBP5fjXX5a7AIWqofpDQu6pMoIIr928nhPIBCfFPCK_35EzVG0j9BJkX2E30SSqenx8f7J8K57D6-E4HxrE-EwnqQ4U8xrU55Kp-xQxOGBrX_jLkWkXcaFbrUJ9uNx4N3N6NHrXgdfv1OX_U0Ux7GAyTTqWSqbX4DTNnIIjR0hkblkbBmOX/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-2024020415166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made a hessian tag & tied to the top & then did a simple display in my vintage sieve to go on the deck table. I just used what I had on hand & repotted the plant into a thrifted white bowl. This looks really fresh after the red display I had here over Christmas.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZnoWdTk33fLmaeVy8AJXHALfVNb2Tvt0_urlg9xP76hzPP99vPe5RaUHlBR1zf8_A5X3v-_QQdJYZJo66ReP20fOGGX56maH6PZFZbRKq8PrCGE4yrapTcuhNiu5Pu5OY_O8J2Af8fHEHRooUFhGyypI3Pfq3WSe52oeRcdWelcNaVWvC9TR3hLVROW/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204151321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZnoWdTk33fLmaeVy8AJXHALfVNb2Tvt0_urlg9xP76hzPP99vPe5RaUHlBR1zf8_A5X3v-_QQdJYZJo66ReP20fOGGX56maH6PZFZbRKq8PrCGE4yrapTcuhNiu5Pu5OY_O8J2Af8fHEHRooUFhGyypI3Pfq3WSe52oeRcdWelcNaVWvC9TR3hLVROW/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204151321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My 2 moth orchids were gifted by my eldest son a few years ago now. They weren't looking great & did not flower last year so I decided to try repotting them. These sage green pots were $7 each from K-mart. I also purchased the proper orchid potting mix.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY9zzrhOlgKDSQasuH3PjHIS4VU6puUUsu20pW8CH3wBoST1HVgzXcIQMinSBl7QffzxSgtchKxP7jWwKs9r_ITCLigFtDYM7wiZ4LscZaj9mqwhQulCbiDAq-bC8FeNAZNwDIthVLn1rEviPm4Yaccba3l880aSYl2Yb8rEVInHQbzmfzXdOtIyDncUf/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240204151348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY9zzrhOlgKDSQasuH3PjHIS4VU6puUUsu20pW8CH3wBoST1HVgzXcIQMinSBl7QffzxSgtchKxP7jWwKs9r_ITCLigFtDYM7wiZ4LscZaj9mqwhQulCbiDAq-bC8FeNAZNwDIthVLn1rEviPm4Yaccba3l880aSYl2Yb8rEVInHQbzmfzXdOtIyDncUf/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240204151348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a root trim & a re-pot I gave them a gentle wash with the hose. I am really hoping they do better now - one has a white flower & one pink </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(when they do decide to flower that is)</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMETdfb5RmyEARciKyVN45xwKqpXQbYHXtTFsdOGf9GtcoOe-uairCDs_hfT85VJA0Qz4CQsErLU7NLd6vWpOSHEMNQiImBKwYJAnqBmddfHafohFtVkvclk8aDNtlirLQQWuetYkF-9VUlZyePw0Lg_qMt5SbmmjSKLVja3T3fKsnAW91PRSpjCFBnmwM/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204155914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMETdfb5RmyEARciKyVN45xwKqpXQbYHXtTFsdOGf9GtcoOe-uairCDs_hfT85VJA0Qz4CQsErLU7NLd6vWpOSHEMNQiImBKwYJAnqBmddfHafohFtVkvclk8aDNtlirLQQWuetYkF-9VUlZyePw0Lg_qMt5SbmmjSKLVja3T3fKsnAW91PRSpjCFBnmwM/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240204155914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This old red cane table has seen better days. I saw a picture of a Garden Shed somewhere painted a <b>gorgeous</b> green. It was a Resene advertisement & the colour was called Paddock. I bought a testpot of it & painted the old red table. This was one of those projects that I regretted the minute I began. Cane should really be spray painted to get in all the nooks & crannys. But I persevered & lost count of how many coats I had to give it.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9noW0s2Sg1DSGQdyF9mo9ExpetDHbH9dRr6C8GtWXGNNuqTxsRhpy5S5o3g3PnWH841Ot7Z1XiNXteP0OLwtgs1YadFMEkyshegGuYPQZaWW9pgMWMSjip8wT_VSebalwgiNULAmysQYlmj7KzvF7ubdloIFqRVPxHoJanOsblkbJCEs-rQgcKGGkj0n/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240204155859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9noW0s2Sg1DSGQdyF9mo9ExpetDHbH9dRr6C8GtWXGNNuqTxsRhpy5S5o3g3PnWH841Ot7Z1XiNXteP0OLwtgs1YadFMEkyshegGuYPQZaWW9pgMWMSjip8wT_VSebalwgiNULAmysQYlmj7KzvF7ubdloIFqRVPxHoJanOsblkbJCEs-rQgcKGGkj0n/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240204155859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The old red cane chairs <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/01/some-post-christmas-finishes.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a> also gave up on me. I sat in one of them & the bottom gave out - yes <b>I know</b> I need to lose quite a few pounds (!!!) So I dragged out 2 chairs of Mums & put the cushions on that I made <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/01/some-post-christmas-finishes.html" target="_blank">in *this post*</a>.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I found an old floral table cloth of Mums & made a seat squab for each chair. I loved the blousy roses & thought the leaves matched the Paddock Green table well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKC3sdCmjdfh_h7uWNftxACkbi4qZ79wZrGngUaOQqMFbosOsNUE2lAT0HDfplOiAdFBI6qCFfnpDUM0ZrOtDvkAM2lpbI9-nQ9bsjrakW7ACxtXx4P5S0frCUZbm2zzeAgwT7IfknTCugh3MpY4KWXh8CFrbj4eDp2Wmo1V6m0MkikZZ2IFaJWEw6Tks/s3592/042-fotor-20240204155838.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKC3sdCmjdfh_h7uWNftxACkbi4qZ79wZrGngUaOQqMFbosOsNUE2lAT0HDfplOiAdFBI6qCFfnpDUM0ZrOtDvkAM2lpbI9-nQ9bsjrakW7ACxtXx4P5S0frCUZbm2zzeAgwT7IfknTCugh3MpY4KWXh8CFrbj4eDp2Wmo1V6m0MkikZZ2IFaJWEw6Tks/w534-h640/042-fotor-20240204155838.png" width="534" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's a nice place to sit out on the back deck & enjoy a cuppa - it gets sun but also late afternoon shade & looks right out over the paddocks. I am sure a certain ginger fairy 🐱 will curl up there soon. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMXby3BCJ1Suymwcm2NV5TN4Gyi-3OQKiPqtbdojPD748z2G6SwJCN_ugJNJAMkzx545_Hrpkmp-GhurMk89MZucunYmfJqdu_ET4eH8BIvJE395wKR33BAnl6RPkgDEJ_EZ1iNiLj7mUN-GJzwLppjjots30l7QNhq1ZS3M53wbN80b2SKO4WtKJVdqM/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240204151534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMXby3BCJ1Suymwcm2NV5TN4Gyi-3OQKiPqtbdojPD748z2G6SwJCN_ugJNJAMkzx545_Hrpkmp-GhurMk89MZucunYmfJqdu_ET4eH8BIvJE395wKR33BAnl6RPkgDEJ_EZ1iNiLj7mUN-GJzwLppjjots30l7QNhq1ZS3M53wbN80b2SKO4WtKJVdqM/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240204151534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little One has been rather naughty this past week. I have been weeding around the pond & I noticed a couple of dead fish. I caught him hiding in the garden surrounding the pond & "fishing" ... he doesn't want to eat them, he just wants to hook them out & play with them. Trying his very best to look the picture of innocence - do not be fooled !! 😣</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your welcome visits here today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div><p></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-6773593823281160042024-01-28T17:02:00.000+13:002024-01-28T17:02:56.862+13:00January-ing .............................................<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwO8vgXbMbTOSjvDmMmhv5gqoqQhD3YlXrQC5E1aXurTYfej5d9Oui_c3tQOBVfqtkbQ_J_WEqp9b39nngqcJI2QTPzbE3v7wDZQPj5NNuBkSwUuRHqumuM00YsEKnvvAzq8evj3NFi5-qQWHW1KPOoPPSTzvyZUhmpY-20UJL6_yLYYctrbDofWZMFCs/s3840/040-fotor-2024012815940.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwO8vgXbMbTOSjvDmMmhv5gqoqQhD3YlXrQC5E1aXurTYfej5d9Oui_c3tQOBVfqtkbQ_J_WEqp9b39nngqcJI2QTPzbE3v7wDZQPj5NNuBkSwUuRHqumuM00YsEKnvvAzq8evj3NFi5-qQWHW1KPOoPPSTzvyZUhmpY-20UJL6_yLYYctrbDofWZMFCs/w426-h640/040-fotor-2024012815940.png" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">This sweet miniature petunia is flowering so happily in Mum's pedestal pot - it makes me smile 😊</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past fortnight has been mainly about occupying the Grandsons - I am thankful that school returns here next Tuesday. One hot sunny day I took Alec out to Raglan & we had a delicious lunch of fresh fish sitting outside on the cafe's deck with wonderful sea views.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFObnqQ1fET-X8tKWeLTZNEexRgQr5NdcFlF0kTZJBYIFq-V7rk7HFzmwn3Ced7mbaX9auJRVHy0a0BjiU7mdO9JDVNrQk5XFulrjwAoc49Xq3bjHCbUeSPnCmv25QlX8Py9Dll5WnjxSYUDImhB2-8hO2cB0dZQzVKIzEVbUsAOInPhyPhyphenhyphenPQuuDS4PX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFObnqQ1fET-X8tKWeLTZNEexRgQr5NdcFlF0kTZJBYIFq-V7rk7HFzmwn3Ced7mbaX9auJRVHy0a0BjiU7mdO9JDVNrQk5XFulrjwAoc49Xq3bjHCbUeSPnCmv25QlX8Py9Dll5WnjxSYUDImhB2-8hO2cB0dZQzVKIzEVbUsAOInPhyPhyphenhyphenPQuuDS4PX/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nbFiTraPlYputyu8PjzkRzQQEElgxxVu_a-rme71MgiCSBeyak6UqsqXI8EokMW_VtiRGelw1iLPWoTjTZcrOTB-srdFSN8FZNs2lz_bpwVvuCHZNDqlVRY-PquEJPjoJUqy3gOVmuU9aZvftfV5NxrjngRh_QzNSs9fk-qEcvoLR77XBVkvHY8VDEGl/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nbFiTraPlYputyu8PjzkRzQQEElgxxVu_a-rme71MgiCSBeyak6UqsqXI8EokMW_VtiRGelw1iLPWoTjTZcrOTB-srdFSN8FZNs2lz_bpwVvuCHZNDqlVRY-PquEJPjoJUqy3gOVmuU9aZvftfV5NxrjngRh_QzNSs9fk-qEcvoLR77XBVkvHY8VDEGl/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Then we drove down to the beach where he spent a happy couple of hours digging for crabs - luckily the tide was going out & there were plenty to be found.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIybvXUV_XxvAIBfrRA0MiBONRde-BNaMULHC8SB_yjHuk6b8i7sMEcHfW1h8q9bCOtRS8Je9hHC3q1G7kKLDC6lZImr_tlppGJPxhg20Z8mLxoxisiXd-cIf7BGvHLdYp_O3N0HmfDnnaJ_oPlXzB9aMEqPSFk4Q-KGZAUWLDB7nVcnyySYOGz_cAw4OV/s4000/024-fotor-20240128151023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIybvXUV_XxvAIBfrRA0MiBONRde-BNaMULHC8SB_yjHuk6b8i7sMEcHfW1h8q9bCOtRS8Je9hHC3q1G7kKLDC6lZImr_tlppGJPxhg20Z8mLxoxisiXd-cIf7BGvHLdYp_O3N0HmfDnnaJ_oPlXzB9aMEqPSFk4Q-KGZAUWLDB7nVcnyySYOGz_cAw4OV/w640-h480/024-fotor-20240128151023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Yes we returned them back into the sea afterwards.</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp1guXn076Qxvveu0E10LvEX4gHQNM9MekATKTL3HfpqiTJrPwtOooLwdtVCcvOzNIWBr0fWT3BtIIHZ-pFUqcd4UVaWYqcFcTkpJ_zxk4auJsHT-CyB-uLbtxzPfojmc7jhI0LlS-maDr2cSNJyRYh7s5raKTIP4GRcSS_6WURIWNrGJlOUC1rlhybGH/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp1guXn076Qxvveu0E10LvEX4gHQNM9MekATKTL3HfpqiTJrPwtOooLwdtVCcvOzNIWBr0fWT3BtIIHZ-pFUqcd4UVaWYqcFcTkpJ_zxk4auJsHT-CyB-uLbtxzPfojmc7jhI0LlS-maDr2cSNJyRYh7s5raKTIP4GRcSS_6WURIWNrGJlOUC1rlhybGH/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to the Berry farm to pick berries only to be told no more public picking til mid February ... so we ate berry icecreams instead.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ5_WwA7P8VSkNKaOcr9INgXsIXWQSgux5b2GhhJ-HitHOU0-Qyl225Hq1jFy_-9Oy-afq9lBwF647SmNYvsl40oksZnqZ3XSVSSQFEVubDfD0mZQCkC48G_2I7IBk7nMKh4itSFDPEQQ3o-CRecUCCXd9IlVxw0lIzSkUXzrfZPvnIg7fDjJ1aeccZQg/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ5_WwA7P8VSkNKaOcr9INgXsIXWQSgux5b2GhhJ-HitHOU0-Qyl225Hq1jFy_-9Oy-afq9lBwF647SmNYvsl40oksZnqZ3XSVSSQFEVubDfD0mZQCkC48G_2I7IBk7nMKh4itSFDPEQQ3o-CRecUCCXd9IlVxw0lIzSkUXzrfZPvnIg7fDjJ1aeccZQg/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sid came lots of days & there was lots of crafting. Yes they made weapons but they used their imaginations </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(& LOTS of cellotape!!!)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVucsR1ashq-AYt58VmBOEaz852rXOxIHTLO0DtgKWwKmWJtp2hYOSrA2upYPm4M1chFWwUMacuFIJ-alWqwQTboqIpulTZKV1F1OiUeFP1xVuU_3VdfqNaM-hUdSSVixCTl6QCd4VCVSUVfjR_ilwI4g8Er68-w1oQzG4EbSyFuOJX7V0JHIbydPcYhD/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2024012815124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVucsR1ashq-AYt58VmBOEaz852rXOxIHTLO0DtgKWwKmWJtp2hYOSrA2upYPm4M1chFWwUMacuFIJ-alWqwQTboqIpulTZKV1F1OiUeFP1xVuU_3VdfqNaM-hUdSSVixCTl6QCd4VCVSUVfjR_ilwI4g8Er68-w1oQzG4EbSyFuOJX7V0JHIbydPcYhD/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2024012815124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went to the movies twice & saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonka_(film)" target="_blank">the film Wonka</a> & a wonderful movie called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migration_(2023_film)" target="_blank">Migration</a>. We are so lucky here in our small town to have the <a href="https://www.theregent.nz/about-us" target="_blank">most special movie Theatre</a> still running & filled with all manner of antique movie-related memorabilia.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsUnFYpz04LYQIAre-s4UX4Rc2vmC9pO_Aj2NPnZzc2UANX5iyHlqs-Xsf3XbzTENjSCgaG2Bs8xcbF89ZLVJsvyDpaAF0-iDiqkX5uZRGw-l-rrLyv3G9X6v0bZLD07W-SvWnkGzGN4lWNMT6THRpn61YcQnoAMPIWCm2Q0cp6mUVrzqh39TrxziFBy6/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240128151228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsUnFYpz04LYQIAre-s4UX4Rc2vmC9pO_Aj2NPnZzc2UANX5iyHlqs-Xsf3XbzTENjSCgaG2Bs8xcbF89ZLVJsvyDpaAF0-iDiqkX5uZRGw-l-rrLyv3G9X6v0bZLD07W-SvWnkGzGN4lWNMT6THRpn61YcQnoAMPIWCm2Q0cp6mUVrzqh39TrxziFBy6/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20240128151228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In between entertaining the Grandsons I managed to stitch a teatowel for my friend Gail's birthday next week. This is a free download from my dear friend Jennifer - you can find it <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2023/12/new-2024-free-block-of-month-and-annual.html" target="_blank">* Here *</a>. I also knitted a matching green dishcloth & added a coffee scented soap. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTX3F3mDY7YRyFwWCINgHB4tqagrtuQ_ua59ce_F1wanCsR-YLgS0CxcEjCk7kAT_c6jHN5TMVlHup1DCLzXljmDNK7xVuFk-s7cMhReG6_M_4Bt1kszkQbiG_GWTByjs382QSoog7N61DV8oJbuGIyGGAPH_caXzSMA9vOSjwVkEZKnIW8bW0FqR6e-b7/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128151631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTX3F3mDY7YRyFwWCINgHB4tqagrtuQ_ua59ce_F1wanCsR-YLgS0CxcEjCk7kAT_c6jHN5TMVlHup1DCLzXljmDNK7xVuFk-s7cMhReG6_M_4Bt1kszkQbiG_GWTByjs382QSoog7N61DV8oJbuGIyGGAPH_caXzSMA9vOSjwVkEZKnIW8bW0FqR6e-b7/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128151631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the framed stitcheries in this area have been hand-stitched by me</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had taken this Stitchery to be framed in late November but the Framer has been most unwell & had closed shop for several weeks while recovering. I was thrilled to get a text saying my framing was finally ready to be collected. Once again this is a design from my friend Jennifer - go <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/my-shop.html" target="_blank">here to her pattern shop</a> - she has the most wonderful designs. I am so happy with the simple wooden frame that I chose. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH0qHX0hydhSvQRbRrrv4xtwVZTfl8Isp2CPgz1kk6IpO4FKU5RoubVUoeQqdBz_ou15EDO9AyQiNrMr2ABZGwScJRaxg4WppuslCAodlT_ZCzEZQwtwO-syLZynd0nyf_ZXJ_aLuro8UoQ2YKktrJs8Y9GoQPgF80GeWKVzDF_mWrYSD8K8hwTVeO6Sq/s4000/027-fotor-2024012815847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH0qHX0hydhSvQRbRrrv4xtwVZTfl8Isp2CPgz1kk6IpO4FKU5RoubVUoeQqdBz_ou15EDO9AyQiNrMr2ABZGwScJRaxg4WppuslCAodlT_ZCzEZQwtwO-syLZynd0nyf_ZXJ_aLuro8UoQ2YKktrJs8Y9GoQPgF80GeWKVzDF_mWrYSD8K8hwTVeO6Sq/w480-h640/027-fotor-2024012815847.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I unwrapped it Madam Pip gave it her <i>seal of approval ....</i> though she is more than likely saying <i>You've missed a stitch just there!!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZQNPflrP34u5gUnXFMJSlqixWeFhG8XDasBz9DWI-N_HmD6rrLBHoViFCQWob629J6lMGip6ym8REF-2lyOl_tgVCC0BirkZfJujPjUTCHyaZ5qD3xRP8hBMGohDya8KHRmLgM_Pe5sx0fe_tQnwIVPBgkLAa2dof0yKJZLbEjK4iPQ3JM3F3t0jPzO1/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128151114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZQNPflrP34u5gUnXFMJSlqixWeFhG8XDasBz9DWI-N_HmD6rrLBHoViFCQWob629J6lMGip6ym8REF-2lyOl_tgVCC0BirkZfJujPjUTCHyaZ5qD3xRP8hBMGohDya8KHRmLgM_Pe5sx0fe_tQnwIVPBgkLAa2dof0yKJZLbEjK4iPQ3JM3F3t0jPzO1/w640-h594/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128151114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made & posted a wool blanket Rabbit down to my friend Jane who chose this lovely pink & caramel toned vintage wool blanket from my stash. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqv3eEr2-ujt8YShw8fobA50i0qGptqxYT3htVz1J7tx9eKeD9s_mQzTxrhFFvsyEh40JxnExAF6DY9RdKyRGL3Nh-M-O3J62ZqIkWp6j7tgg-7oOr1OK_ZVuTcsZqPtFJGilQgqtQxqBwPWw-JYZRcdS-ppJN9PQJGsQtrj-iNftI-YGnOPBSLxVJiP7/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240128151710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqv3eEr2-ujt8YShw8fobA50i0qGptqxYT3htVz1J7tx9eKeD9s_mQzTxrhFFvsyEh40JxnExAF6DY9RdKyRGL3Nh-M-O3J62ZqIkWp6j7tgg-7oOr1OK_ZVuTcsZqPtFJGilQgqtQxqBwPWw-JYZRcdS-ppJN9PQJGsQtrj-iNftI-YGnOPBSLxVJiP7/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240128151710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">This weekend we are getting some much needed rain & it is wonderful. I have been indoors making candles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-tRpEtwQ5tHHsnw1_S0cfcx2gnfia5lohFhh3DVJ7a48ONsD9i0zhI0KeBQ4Z5BiPB77iTAkGe8yg7Zh-8TsLN4kmTNNdnP3ozcBpJorNODEdl5ubxiA0AJ0uGV6Qs4sIlzrscDPJYlpWW1GkjySFSpKpqIHcy49by0b0VMBtuUbtH7QEPGDLdi9Vy_/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(11)-fotor-20240128151330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-tRpEtwQ5tHHsnw1_S0cfcx2gnfia5lohFhh3DVJ7a48ONsD9i0zhI0KeBQ4Z5BiPB77iTAkGe8yg7Zh-8TsLN4kmTNNdnP3ozcBpJorNODEdl5ubxiA0AJ0uGV6Qs4sIlzrscDPJYlpWW1GkjySFSpKpqIHcy49by0b0VMBtuUbtH7QEPGDLdi9Vy_/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(11)-fotor-20240128151330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These heavy glass containers were from Mum's China Cabinet & I decided to make candles into them as I would not necessarily use them otherwise. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98n995Hj2kNdPzvlaVsssicYFb94KtfwGSyDmFR2wGO7Hg6sTN5TbBRG0hmic8kQTbg11FQq1vONk2e1E2BdJyqeVo8i4QW9wr3QXSdORXcxBdwDp12yRyak6Ar5VSA4r9LMqOINiqTae6lw6I7ad6mhyFYgofHJziJlc_VVRv1VQPQItxBijZwnAQht6/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20240128151316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98n995Hj2kNdPzvlaVsssicYFb94KtfwGSyDmFR2wGO7Hg6sTN5TbBRG0hmic8kQTbg11FQq1vONk2e1E2BdJyqeVo8i4QW9wr3QXSdORXcxBdwDp12yRyak6Ar5VSA4r9LMqOINiqTae6lw6I7ad6mhyFYgofHJziJlc_VVRv1VQPQItxBijZwnAQht6/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20240128151316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I am finding myself really drawn to rather masculine fragrances lately & these ones are made using Oakmoss fragrance <i>(above)</i> & the one below is a new-to-me fragrance called <i>Spiced Black Oud. </i> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivslJWIJDdU-NPzo-qZhQxDPFUH7tBQ72OajPTFcVTECawlHYGPpxcifmJcluxZrj3_fxCvERK8glJC0zg8PZf_E0ihT0Z94E9Bc-Esq02tyUGFJ0fm9kX_-CR8QQekHsNp-HII1FNz_aAEd2zcbAX1upBsdPYiFWUZlJuPHL9-4ZVZEsRpjr0SMQohu7m/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(12)-fotor-20240128151344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivslJWIJDdU-NPzo-qZhQxDPFUH7tBQ72OajPTFcVTECawlHYGPpxcifmJcluxZrj3_fxCvERK8glJC0zg8PZf_E0ihT0Z94E9Bc-Esq02tyUGFJ0fm9kX_-CR8QQekHsNp-HII1FNz_aAEd2zcbAX1upBsdPYiFWUZlJuPHL9-4ZVZEsRpjr0SMQohu7m/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(12)-fotor-20240128151344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am delighted with how these turned out. I like to leave my candles at least a month to really harden before burning them - possibly even 8 weeks if I can wait that long. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZ6ZVncuyX7Fb68KrZsK2hiG-P2RH2PKWc_zWhtPaGGRTBhAu4E_GKy0RpHcp4F_mor9dqsfoAwDOl77CsNZOrGPmFYlearzxbCA-Q4r34Ef6GTUhAnLaEHkliKEVoCHaMg58TmXSv09O5CQOZfCa9jGr4nUwKlIuce3Xd3c5vZocA9rMzGkLRQKAuMqs/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240128151147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZ6ZVncuyX7Fb68KrZsK2hiG-P2RH2PKWc_zWhtPaGGRTBhAu4E_GKy0RpHcp4F_mor9dqsfoAwDOl77CsNZOrGPmFYlearzxbCA-Q4r34Ef6GTUhAnLaEHkliKEVoCHaMg58TmXSv09O5CQOZfCa9jGr4nUwKlIuce3Xd3c5vZocA9rMzGkLRQKAuMqs/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240128151147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The next 3 pictures are especially for <a href="https://rriley110.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lynn & Precious</a> who are knee deep in snow & have requested I <i>"send pictures of flowers please". </i>I have had to tie my Christmas lillies up as they have all flopped. I no longer pick them to bring indoors as they are toxic to cats unfortunately.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj032rA1kdvSpT3QAsXE7TfI11o7egjHTmc5KXZjX9SR6EfOOJF_b0jeb5IYWwtU3sQTCtK_hs5KCs0N5OlBHBIBhVUUgusMH-6UOJpNydcE-xTO5x5z7kaDmT9FGKizxaiFvOtUWgdY_mewz8fYFsLaJTykz6X9QFLY_BeUgZ3PbbNurPaViLfalfOSYsX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20240128151243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj032rA1kdvSpT3QAsXE7TfI11o7egjHTmc5KXZjX9SR6EfOOJF_b0jeb5IYWwtU3sQTCtK_hs5KCs0N5OlBHBIBhVUUgusMH-6UOJpNydcE-xTO5x5z7kaDmT9FGKizxaiFvOtUWgdY_mewz8fYFsLaJTykz6X9QFLY_BeUgZ3PbbNurPaViLfalfOSYsX/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20240128151243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyPs9Zp5683G68_DyrvxSCyLCgBPp56Gbv5eYDlG-AtVSMausI4DxigH7Ri5RL5j2FGbKil2WE1vom2Jg2ynh-fRVVwoRJUZSN5a9xf7GaqvYynvYo6YME4plzgrrt2iI6Jwkgkejfghi90QTiKFtFnPeDAERzVQAc8EsL4umKNxIMzZ-TLxX5BJ3xzM9/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128152616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyPs9Zp5683G68_DyrvxSCyLCgBPp56Gbv5eYDlG-AtVSMausI4DxigH7Ri5RL5j2FGbKil2WE1vom2Jg2ynh-fRVVwoRJUZSN5a9xf7GaqvYynvYo6YME4plzgrrt2iI6Jwkgkejfghi90QTiKFtFnPeDAERzVQAc8EsL4umKNxIMzZ-TLxX5BJ3xzM9/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240128152616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your welcome visits here today.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a most wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-67056133653014161962024-01-14T15:53:00.000+13:002024-01-14T15:53:06.216+13:00These Busy Early January Days<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">💗</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been another busy week here at Threadbear HQ.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGSlIAPbS3pdjY27wnL_OG29CY6tDUOJ0IBS5M2mgV3Yb9zXM3K5HzPTlzez4GGNQu3upwsUVOLTiSgx06-RAX2Be_ngrO62jdtrmSiOlSnEMZwopOsm10R5dDWdmTPm2LuhHCpJGohk8cMKweO8W0kH0L98LP6ftKRR9xTsfar5WivjfTMH_cCeLUXs9/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-2024011414285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGSlIAPbS3pdjY27wnL_OG29CY6tDUOJ0IBS5M2mgV3Yb9zXM3K5HzPTlzez4GGNQu3upwsUVOLTiSgx06-RAX2Be_ngrO62jdtrmSiOlSnEMZwopOsm10R5dDWdmTPm2LuhHCpJGohk8cMKweO8W0kH0L98LP6ftKRR9xTsfar5WivjfTMH_cCeLUXs9/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-2024011414285.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterdays pickings ... more Sweetpeas & a big jug of white Hydrangeas that are starting to wilt in our intense heat.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU60qD5zZGvIoNyNoRTyA9_zGy9YsWQte-xzsRd21mqGwjwwSs5XDSNSjn-g9QhQu7DkWJTGUxiV91ev0Yq0qaNIyc10wbAnJaJO4lHSKRmRfcP6RJcxGXw_K6xZniELE6Tas8XAX8mxOMTPf-6hh_AyKy1E8ubA5j-FkRkoF1LjQ4swyoliSkd4649-n/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240114142547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU60qD5zZGvIoNyNoRTyA9_zGy9YsWQte-xzsRd21mqGwjwwSs5XDSNSjn-g9QhQu7DkWJTGUxiV91ev0Yq0qaNIyc10wbAnJaJO4lHSKRmRfcP6RJcxGXw_K6xZniELE6Tas8XAX8mxOMTPf-6hh_AyKy1E8ubA5j-FkRkoF1LjQ4swyoliSkd4649-n/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240114142547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Monday my friend Gail asked me if I'd like to go with her to Hamilton East. There is a new market there - <a href="https://madehamilton.co.nz/" target="_blank">Made Hamilton</a> that opened late last year & we both wanted to visit it, in particular the tea shop that we'd heard about. We found an entire wall of different teas which you could measure into brown paper bags & pay by weight. We each chose two different teas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6i4fZTbnYLgvQjd3oxngCawUdJSYWk8IkeMD9qdXNCjIDK_QrhveGqemWbZObwKww9idsA8BKgsdR-6YBY7cNyZ42UvEJn9TdvSXDG6sMW2tAyxY0pCHzlcZg3rBQXdSa2p40u0pQ2yWp_e0fv8aBf1W9AVuhrVeMyWGFmGcgU1F4HoT_mmoyBh9pE9p/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2024011414261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6i4fZTbnYLgvQjd3oxngCawUdJSYWk8IkeMD9qdXNCjIDK_QrhveGqemWbZObwKww9idsA8BKgsdR-6YBY7cNyZ42UvEJn9TdvSXDG6sMW2tAyxY0pCHzlcZg3rBQXdSa2p40u0pQ2yWp_e0fv8aBf1W9AVuhrVeMyWGFmGcgU1F4HoT_mmoyBh9pE9p/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2024011414261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">These were the 2 teas I purchased ... <span style="color: #800180;">Grans Berry Garden & Spicey Christmas Tea. </span> I'd tasted a friend's Christmas tea & knew it was one I would drink all year. I also enjoy these teas cold in the hot weather. I am drinking a Grans Berry Garden tea as I sit typing this post.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnwRMuBFwz2q6vV4xcXzfBdNV7-aofxozR04SqFJI8Dr7TQmbxmYBGatK08EeAFka6b9UEXeaTT7ggiCe5WuUPk6wiFKANeO7-NcijoRzS-kk_PzQXjLPSoR0eh0x9Hj13eROZv-qtrhC2w6JRwBLPTKHHmUiN2NiIIbrpnwsJiMcE_4t3MllNBpXUV6i/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240114142624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnwRMuBFwz2q6vV4xcXzfBdNV7-aofxozR04SqFJI8Dr7TQmbxmYBGatK08EeAFka6b9UEXeaTT7ggiCe5WuUPk6wiFKANeO7-NcijoRzS-kk_PzQXjLPSoR0eh0x9Hj13eROZv-qtrhC2w6JRwBLPTKHHmUiN2NiIIbrpnwsJiMcE_4t3MllNBpXUV6i/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20240114142624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The next day Alec came to stay as it's school holidays here in New Zealand & the schools get 6 weeks off (!!) Sid came for the day as he only lives 5 minutes up the road. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had set my dining table up with all my craft supplies & told them we were going to "craft". I seriously thought they would probably last half an hour if I was lucky ... but they actually crafted til 11.30 which was amazing.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjnU0AN5bg_XkCYHsmdXjiIfJ3x_CWPAENuxfiEgbtDYwmy39vg8FhLvJr9Al6UCS_sBorAxoVROWaRgtEllgHDEjxY0J08VB12lmu8TOsGuPmDJdm7yHx7sJ_BJFjSK2UpoEl1SuazFRwZWinyCtec6I1jm9h0HZxJbBLMIScFsEdPCBOWCYOQ4UyLXq/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240114142637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjnU0AN5bg_XkCYHsmdXjiIfJ3x_CWPAENuxfiEgbtDYwmy39vg8FhLvJr9Al6UCS_sBorAxoVROWaRgtEllgHDEjxY0J08VB12lmu8TOsGuPmDJdm7yHx7sJ_BJFjSK2UpoEl1SuazFRwZWinyCtec6I1jm9h0HZxJbBLMIScFsEdPCBOWCYOQ4UyLXq/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240114142637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Alec made a "race car of sorts" & then proceeded to make a ramp & a track for it to go on. When Sid saw this he wanted to make his own car so I helped him.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_sxoEY1ejQXX-RD7DBJh05gGd_cjNwcYf3kzDsK_fHW-MUwnVO4b-tLhYctbfgG9RsLtAILGTvN6AKvkGh36Q-BYVwAfg7z3GWEP72yfeYShYpd_QrqK0cQ1lGuAgmMLa14OZt-MVMSogU7iUg0UPLcmCn09E21km7qQ13L8BIaZMPP80Q3y7A4J_bX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240114142650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_sxoEY1ejQXX-RD7DBJh05gGd_cjNwcYf3kzDsK_fHW-MUwnVO4b-tLhYctbfgG9RsLtAILGTvN6AKvkGh36Q-BYVwAfg7z3GWEP72yfeYShYpd_QrqK0cQ1lGuAgmMLa14OZt-MVMSogU7iUg0UPLcmCn09E21km7qQ13L8BIaZMPP80Q3y7A4J_bX/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20240114142650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Here he is most proud of his creation although it looks more like a creepy spider to me 😉 Next we went to </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/news?item=id:2lka7rgd117q9sll1jlh#:~:text=Te%20Awamutu's%20newest%20playground%20at,with%20development%20and%20population%20growth." target="_blank">a new park</a> that I had heard about on the edge of town. Unfortunately it was way too hot so we only lasted about half an hour here.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p1fQ4hT1JzQUGBS3EzhSXlM0iJbDefWoDqKM9Tbj0Kw-XMQS4wkIBhFkvE1B9dqL7XUpHMXru54P1yMxRm_M86VGyTl8CDv3df9AGxLdKDy-zDE5bqVbbJbmX1jUrTVEI8q_IFayEbpHJuFUH0DZYMTlvpMqz51tCN1N8cs0ZrDyTABwuhE6Ibnag5KP/s4000/025-fotor-20240114142843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p1fQ4hT1JzQUGBS3EzhSXlM0iJbDefWoDqKM9Tbj0Kw-XMQS4wkIBhFkvE1B9dqL7XUpHMXru54P1yMxRm_M86VGyTl8CDv3df9AGxLdKDy-zDE5bqVbbJbmX1jUrTVEI8q_IFayEbpHJuFUH0DZYMTlvpMqz51tCN1N8cs0ZrDyTABwuhE6Ibnag5KP/w480-h640/025-fotor-20240114142843.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The boys asked if they could have pizza for lunch so I gave them a treat - we took them home & had a pizza picnic while we watched the Pokemon movie. I told them it had been "<b>a P day</b>" ... first <b>P</b>lay, then <b>P</b>ark, then <b>P</b>izza <b>p</b>icnic & then <b>P</b>okemon!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Fkk_EDOAOBqyJMncVJfJH6Rf-KKbtlvs7wxvOUzZ71vQQXpZC9oPLG1WSqMxSRYsfl-a7_loXxi4ZnRbw7Qfw95flOMJDM8TrojaRa7YnqaVLN4Wpo8bGL0YVsRy1yEtNmAxGeGCHLMUpgs8DcXtfkI_zD3iyb21ZVSpIHcCaBoKGlbR_MRbahIZMZ3q/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2024011414273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Fkk_EDOAOBqyJMncVJfJH6Rf-KKbtlvs7wxvOUzZ71vQQXpZC9oPLG1WSqMxSRYsfl-a7_loXxi4ZnRbw7Qfw95flOMJDM8TrojaRa7YnqaVLN4Wpo8bGL0YVsRy1yEtNmAxGeGCHLMUpgs8DcXtfkI_zD3iyb21ZVSpIHcCaBoKGlbR_MRbahIZMZ3q/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2024011414273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily Sid has a swimming pool so they were able to have a swim in the afternoon to cool off a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Alec went home on Thursday I vacuumed out my entire house & then proceeded to mop my floors, which were filthy. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR1-rObRwmeROGUdkaeLpCxdxd2xaZhGlY88IACl_Cs2sKsa5-CuDCPYf9FzR1-U_-pkwJ9eWY8NHRjf9H6R4e2AdXMd5hBZttX1-i0hCTICIK_R-SKstP4Ic2cM6yx6oNN4JkShrf0qF4jxQQsmJKGyLqh7TRx1iXvOki4pq095hNgZd_hNN9ohBeCXU/s3492/033-fotor-20240114142943.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR1-rObRwmeROGUdkaeLpCxdxd2xaZhGlY88IACl_Cs2sKsa5-CuDCPYf9FzR1-U_-pkwJ9eWY8NHRjf9H6R4e2AdXMd5hBZttX1-i0hCTICIK_R-SKstP4Ic2cM6yx6oNN4JkShrf0qF4jxQQsmJKGyLqh7TRx1iXvOki4pq095hNgZd_hNN9ohBeCXU/w522-h640/033-fotor-20240114142943.png" width="522" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The floors dry fast this hot weather & I was just sitting by the fan, catching my breath, when I turned around & Madam Pip had flopped herself down on the <strike>clean</strike> kitchen floor (!!!) ... just look at her muddy paws 😒 ~ I was <b>not especially amused!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJZdjrWD-CwwbB_ObfIxY2j8M8rKE4YVxSX909kR32PeZu7pRzLoKrJpo6Sa8980oMFsXYy6rEecAUQrjq2pMtGpaafWohHcaT-m8KpcNxozUw2n4eH-lH5F87xl5Dxlu_nxfUPKr14GlD9ObaKTjCMNJLDmTw8WO2wPGJ_9xuqX9H2TucdqLv2BE511/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240114151613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJZdjrWD-CwwbB_ObfIxY2j8M8rKE4YVxSX909kR32PeZu7pRzLoKrJpo6Sa8980oMFsXYy6rEecAUQrjq2pMtGpaafWohHcaT-m8KpcNxozUw2n4eH-lH5F87xl5Dxlu_nxfUPKr14GlD9ObaKTjCMNJLDmTw8WO2wPGJ_9xuqX9H2TucdqLv2BE511/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20240114151613.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrow is pointing to the chip in right hand pic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Gail & I were in Hamilton East we popped into 2 different Op-Shops. I bought this jardiniere in the SPCA shop - it was $20 so not cheap, but it reminded me of one Mum used to have. This one had a large dark chip in one edge but I was able to touch this up with chalk paint & when it's at the back it will not be seen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3ztu0XEjcasMC_Rrt9p5jk4-RKc1MLzJnDMwzdnF4lZ-Hj-ceOOzdTtjMkEw2TkvwEfdJ8dClDkbpjelPobMQmYI43Raym1uG1MyNuo2-X7jESy9z7nNqFPW7ZSGU79m82A35zr-h2JjEOuTceRGuIZBdUIoyLMc7J0zwL-zK0HUdsFuJ9Iuq0xhgWzc/s4000/042-fotor-2024011414309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3ztu0XEjcasMC_Rrt9p5jk4-RKc1MLzJnDMwzdnF4lZ-Hj-ceOOzdTtjMkEw2TkvwEfdJ8dClDkbpjelPobMQmYI43Raym1uG1MyNuo2-X7jESy9z7nNqFPW7ZSGU79m82A35zr-h2JjEOuTceRGuIZBdUIoyLMc7J0zwL-zK0HUdsFuJ9Iuq0xhgWzc/w480-h640/042-fotor-2024011414309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a vision to see it filled with green plants so Alec & I went to the Warehouse & I bought 3 baby houseplants to pot into it ~ a maidenhair fern, a piggyback plant & a baby ivy. I have popped this down the end of my lounge in </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>my hospital corner</i> until the plants settle in.<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OUVF3R5X5Q4jYd7SDFh4S7tLSYfcMYRbbQ2QdfyGTlrDBgsxaZo5HICU8HHWD47ed7ZVBvc5aYMEnAGLB9QksWvZEytezII3MxAWpem5_g-RI6p8KncXuyeT8UtgGzm1sL3Dmgx8DF5aP9JaWKpl-owJka9RmoEqhe4FBRBROim-zlhj4CqT2OAg9IXg/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240114142723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OUVF3R5X5Q4jYd7SDFh4S7tLSYfcMYRbbQ2QdfyGTlrDBgsxaZo5HICU8HHWD47ed7ZVBvc5aYMEnAGLB9QksWvZEytezII3MxAWpem5_g-RI6p8KncXuyeT8UtgGzm1sL3Dmgx8DF5aP9JaWKpl-owJka9RmoEqhe4FBRBROim-zlhj4CqT2OAg9IXg/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240114142723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mr has been working long days at the farm getting silage made while the weather is fine .. he sent me these photos above. <a href="https://elderberry-rob.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Betty</a> I know you like to see farm life pics ... he has made 9 paddocks into silage & has 234 bales so far.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIajxuo1GWUlE1HXdWXS0oj2F9tAlmNVODN5Hhr6YnpvsmNQjkWMspY6zhyMim_VWNd2PDP1hlQBG87q3t2_zFmHFbITtJZdn1jlNtx9duuHZ-aaY1ZtdkM3ZmWU4XKie_Lm1n5BOHuJJCEEWAEjB5I20U5T5ft6CFRBRRDsCQi02UmzogLKTVPv_wmCiM/s3448/048-fotor-20240114143043.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIajxuo1GWUlE1HXdWXS0oj2F9tAlmNVODN5Hhr6YnpvsmNQjkWMspY6zhyMim_VWNd2PDP1hlQBG87q3t2_zFmHFbITtJZdn1jlNtx9duuHZ-aaY1ZtdkM3ZmWU4XKie_Lm1n5BOHuJJCEEWAEjB5I20U5T5ft6CFRBRRDsCQi02UmzogLKTVPv_wmCiM/w530-h640/048-fotor-20240114143043.png" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is our first craft get-together for the year where we brainstorm & suggest ideas of things we would like to make during the year. I made these felt gingerbread ornies while the Grandsons were here ... this is a free pattern <a href="https://www.mollyandmama.com.au/sew-a-gingerbread-ornament-and-pretty-christmas-dilly-bag/" target="_blank">from Here at Molly and Mama</a> ... I could sit & handstitch them while still supervising the boys. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcqGayoPd5qrVHx3Yp03keMt96ROH3k3o6LVMO2eJeXbYAwX6IiaJ9hUkvoaUbJMZoWzR95mb4iSaH9PiFokJDIlsCpnFFZz9JkJIeHnNbEDz96JlB41lbDbvy69OXYi61gKheHAHGb1k_5XL0SdBTJNcsUsZQ1v3K_gU_6gRPCVWmRwRwZvxxMXhoSF2/s4000/012-fotor-20240114143222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcqGayoPd5qrVHx3Yp03keMt96ROH3k3o6LVMO2eJeXbYAwX6IiaJ9hUkvoaUbJMZoWzR95mb4iSaH9PiFokJDIlsCpnFFZz9JkJIeHnNbEDz96JlB41lbDbvy69OXYi61gKheHAHGb1k_5XL0SdBTJNcsUsZQ1v3K_gU_6gRPCVWmRwRwZvxxMXhoSF2/w480-h640/012-fotor-20240114143222.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally dear friends, it was with much sadness that I read of the passing of <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/29/friends-star-matthew-perry-dies-aged-54-report/" target="_blank">Mathew Perry</a> late last year. Although the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends" target="_blank">Friends</a> episodes were first aired in September 1994 it was sometime later that I discovered them. I know alot of people didn't find the programme funny but I truly loved it ... lets just say it came along at a time in my life when there was not alot to laugh about & they did indeed make me laugh. I grew to love each character & never had a favourite. Here in New Zealand it is constantly being replayed & I know many of the story lines by heart now yet I still enjoy re-watching them. I had ordered this book at my Library & finally got to read it - gosh what an amazing story & written with <b>so much</b> honesty. It left me feeling really sad but I would still thoroughly recommend the book. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you dear friends, as always, for your ever-welcome visits here today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead - be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Julie & the furry three x0x0x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-32277530342038099402024-01-07T16:06:00.000+13:002024-01-07T16:06:09.922+13:00Two New Angels ........................................<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two newly created Angels flew out of my Sewing Room over the festive season ... both Wendy Briggs of "Country Friends Designs" Angels </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(tho' Wendy is no longer designing patterns unfortunately)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all started when my dear friend Sandy & I were exchanging little snippets of our Christmas decorating with each other via private messaging.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVH0xD7p-tbpzbTMe7ZuBXwrwZg29qzXRUvcMXsLzbkYTPXOwEM_g8zBFzhnYQqalN1c77Y6CNFxApRKVr0PF3h_U0fSaEmeLzoSyfmIsbnapCaNg7gLj3sRWJwLCftgD5NCmaMz6NwBPw-cZhzj5pjqMuXycopEudEvwgLBb8M7H8gdrArjQn504yv8n/s1229/006-fotor-2024010714187.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVH0xD7p-tbpzbTMe7ZuBXwrwZg29qzXRUvcMXsLzbkYTPXOwEM_g8zBFzhnYQqalN1c77Y6CNFxApRKVr0PF3h_U0fSaEmeLzoSyfmIsbnapCaNg7gLj3sRWJwLCftgD5NCmaMz6NwBPw-cZhzj5pjqMuXycopEudEvwgLBb8M7H8gdrArjQn504yv8n/w472-h640/006-fotor-2024010714187.png" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Sandy sent me the photo above, of two of her Angels, both purchased from me when I was running my craft cottage & making & selling dolls. I drooled over the image & when I saw Angel of Joy I thought to myself </span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">"Oh I </span><b style="font-style: italic;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">do</span></u><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">want one!" </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💗</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I hunted out my pattern book & began to make my own Joy Angel. She is from Wendy's book Season of Joy ....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkM_rLVcfroUaAL-vD_hnf75VXUM5BwupFLA-aXU5YMdffYHpfGvmdUaf0UhC6IZZoLf86D9a_Z1o6KIoiw7CUzIw5B8gTQa8DJRYBQan2r_JGT00FtVSNowaXINzOs9swJqLjeoQIrVkh62oZRd8EBfhMR7QNzsKY-RMGSV3Piz2F4MGAOWcIh9IOEWD/s1399/s-l1600-fotor-20240107151435.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkM_rLVcfroUaAL-vD_hnf75VXUM5BwupFLA-aXU5YMdffYHpfGvmdUaf0UhC6IZZoLf86D9a_Z1o6KIoiw7CUzIw5B8gTQa8DJRYBQan2r_JGT00FtVSNowaXINzOs9swJqLjeoQIrVkh62oZRd8EBfhMR7QNzsKY-RMGSV3Piz2F4MGAOWcIh9IOEWD/w512-h640/s-l1600-fotor-20240107151435.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I have forgotten to take a photo I have borrowed this image from ebay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I was lucky enough to have everything I used already in my stash but I had to buy a fat quarter of the red felt as mine was too "purple-ish" & this was a nice <span style="color: red;"><i>Christmas Red.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHQbVgHrf3zoXZD_DrsR1Yv_sPkQJrO0u9vC9Q42z80EC_sEwWXd8X8M5uOgxGQeKlgwTv8yno4a9_kLFf_YniSDghJ9Xj1nYFN4qlNuRYygJiHPqAXpSDG8iKXY_U0NjlWqQ3UUUrdpERPfLRPbFujtgIXuBvlRGVKmIYw8drlPVaqkQa3G6Dp50Ovce/s3975/038-fotor-20240107142127.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3975" data-original-width="2669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHQbVgHrf3zoXZD_DrsR1Yv_sPkQJrO0u9vC9Q42z80EC_sEwWXd8X8M5uOgxGQeKlgwTv8yno4a9_kLFf_YniSDghJ9Xj1nYFN4qlNuRYygJiHPqAXpSDG8iKXY_U0NjlWqQ3UUUrdpERPfLRPbFujtgIXuBvlRGVKmIYw8drlPVaqkQa3G6Dp50Ovce/w430-h640/038-fotor-20240107142127.png" width="430" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1HIaEE98Cgf7SZhLxfjok9pJ6IjfrIpuFVB_tZUCppcU5iXGuMCDJfw2FBxwUIpfN_bwHsX74Clf8U6wbSSVrDyFMx2WhR1hGWWRtIFMD1-A4MKRb-nyE9qWQZsvpfD5ESAZzbn9uhpKgeAwQbdJ84dqlmfYLG4J0XI1qnmnUrmbvQLaJSorQ6vihqnC/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240107141519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1HIaEE98Cgf7SZhLxfjok9pJ6IjfrIpuFVB_tZUCppcU5iXGuMCDJfw2FBxwUIpfN_bwHsX74Clf8U6wbSSVrDyFMx2WhR1hGWWRtIFMD1-A4MKRb-nyE9qWQZsvpfD5ESAZzbn9uhpKgeAwQbdJ84dqlmfYLG4J0XI1qnmnUrmbvQLaJSorQ6vihqnC/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20240107141519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes her hair actually <u style="font-weight: bold;">Is</u> whole cloves!!! Hence she smells rather divine. Painted shoes - I mixed together some red & black paints to get the right brown/reddish shade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKVzIKHb8Ob6glSn8w4uAx5JrbaYpCnvFtxfe9XoFdKOjHofTvLRuUxeBx4Eef4Stk60ZNmW87qGL1W0kONzqKJXZzaA-95iXZ2OuSERNiRsewFv_Cn6714r2ADXsqa_DPf7qQuW9AJ3QgU1rWZfw8cZ2TJe5w4wC7770VAbt3Qvwv1gjemtSi43k8CID/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2024010714154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKVzIKHb8Ob6glSn8w4uAx5JrbaYpCnvFtxfe9XoFdKOjHofTvLRuUxeBx4Eef4Stk60ZNmW87qGL1W0kONzqKJXZzaA-95iXZ2OuSERNiRsewFv_Cn6714r2ADXsqa_DPf7qQuW9AJ3QgU1rWZfw8cZ2TJe5w4wC7770VAbt3Qvwv1gjemtSi43k8CID/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2024010714154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trickiest part (for me) was cutting out the hearts neatly in the bottom of her felt tunic. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIHiSNDsp9kFgxMCgdeLT5jDB9SZGN9UyExiMKLnnyubDgKdOj6-WnHE3l3-G8TJLKIk1Q6gLVFX5WHVLwXm8Z4MMwPVLQrREjz7cPEBAUquhDeSGgm8OOddbmgnDm6OhHWeJfKTk13yl6ZtpuOOmYkBKWUBu8JItr1COfKfK6Y-hYsup8-SCvqJR_1Xn/s3981/045-fotor-2024010714170.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3981" data-original-width="2557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIHiSNDsp9kFgxMCgdeLT5jDB9SZGN9UyExiMKLnnyubDgKdOj6-WnHE3l3-G8TJLKIk1Q6gLVFX5WHVLwXm8Z4MMwPVLQrREjz7cPEBAUquhDeSGgm8OOddbmgnDm6OhHWeJfKTk13yl6ZtpuOOmYkBKWUBu8JItr1COfKfK6Y-hYsup8-SCvqJR_1Xn/w412-h640/045-fotor-2024010714170.png" width="412" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I have photographed her out on my deck table as our light is glary today & it's hard to get a decent photo inside the house. </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPag0SeMtUAUe0-PEj8_uTvykYNQgByq2Ncg5_q9qE6XbAbIVjE9KrvtUcGl70G1SmRivvp_WYH5ICrBnS0yI-PsagrfZ-MdcnNPcXJZ9udLOQU7hQhAfRPltjHrtV0QgH8kAv0OeUPfBpLztjHfPfzzfuwTm0T0SlZZ8RLPbSF9ROwxYOVAPt5_6xZRN_/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240107141450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPag0SeMtUAUe0-PEj8_uTvykYNQgByq2Ncg5_q9qE6XbAbIVjE9KrvtUcGl70G1SmRivvp_WYH5ICrBnS0yI-PsagrfZ-MdcnNPcXJZ9udLOQU7hQhAfRPltjHrtV0QgH8kAv0OeUPfBpLztjHfPfzzfuwTm0T0SlZZ8RLPbSF9ROwxYOVAPt5_6xZRN_/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20240107141450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I finished Angel of Joy, a couple of weeks prior to Christmas, I decided I would carry on & make another Wendy Briggs Angel ... this one is from the Homespun Magazine above which is dated <b>July 2005 !!</b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have only had this pattern <b><u>18 & 1/2 years</u></b> ... waiting to be made!! She is called "Berry Christmas Angel". I even bought the white Linen back then, second hand from the thrift store - it has almost yellowed with age !! 😲</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyEDb0-TNATNsmAcGQqKQHQQMA6bcO2ykSqielbCG7uIyGr-e8Urw1uP0UaLve1mjGt2Qjb1wnhtdNoMdNxyFX4VxZy8mzSfKyx_ZBXh5xznb-BJP10nbRFm1vr2Vtk9p0qpJT5CxXRpAEHg8JkOfDt_Zf3c8RR47qoS6lENCeXpyFR0v5p1LFWJR6t2p/s3927/025-fotor-20240107142038.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3927" data-original-width="2602" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyEDb0-TNATNsmAcGQqKQHQQMA6bcO2ykSqielbCG7uIyGr-e8Urw1uP0UaLve1mjGt2Qjb1wnhtdNoMdNxyFX4VxZy8mzSfKyx_ZBXh5xznb-BJP10nbRFm1vr2Vtk9p0qpJT5CxXRpAEHg8JkOfDt_Zf3c8RR47qoS6lENCeXpyFR0v5p1LFWJR6t2p/w424-h640/025-fotor-20240107142038.png" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I put the final stitch in her yesterday & I love her. I have hung her from my old leadlight window frame & think she looks very happy there. In the pattern Wendy has sprayed her entire Angel with a water/parisienne essence mixture to "tea-dye" her ... but I couldn't bear to do this to my pristine white girl. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyVvc3ks2ZPE7tz-YC7zDcEAW5gn-W8W2g5c3SkQMKqrl3jG6SlH9UTYswTwJv3l1WDYEohyphenhyphen5CIHFRIPesDmifvmp8vKC3uxBKP0qVWf5XVlRpWVayr3PfSCoxrZrYvwrzfNkQ0NoAMrml_krzWiW6rR3KeqyIJ6E8Mdq6lPQanbgl6Oq-W6jX4Bebeg2/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240107142516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyVvc3ks2ZPE7tz-YC7zDcEAW5gn-W8W2g5c3SkQMKqrl3jG6SlH9UTYswTwJv3l1WDYEohyphenhyphen5CIHFRIPesDmifvmp8vKC3uxBKP0qVWf5XVlRpWVayr3PfSCoxrZrYvwrzfNkQ0NoAMrml_krzWiW6rR3KeqyIJ6E8Mdq6lPQanbgl6Oq-W6jX4Bebeg2/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240107142516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of a felt star on her bodice, as the pattern suggests, I have sewn on this copper heart button - it was high time I used this as I purchased it a <b>VeRy</b> long time ago! Her plum pudding is calico sewn, stuffed, painted white all over then the brown base painted on & embroidered with black french knots. My "pudding" went missing for an entire day & I found it hidden under the spare room bed ... I am sure Little One had something to do with this tho' he denies it!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRZecH3X-0vaYLs4CaSFtFtCXG4NQuKUDZmyYdo0qycRNgPocsrrs5NjYN3fS-tdTqhjZUvQp10yrOou7Yb60YZHkJLyZMYqCIcqv_5JIv4zPOB74KreN1Lhgxi8TCZwNbxxRnFDm5bkSHdSXacnmWWCmWrktqAYMUl58bn2AccrKAhixLvETYi3h8bFU/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240107142533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRZecH3X-0vaYLs4CaSFtFtCXG4NQuKUDZmyYdo0qycRNgPocsrrs5NjYN3fS-tdTqhjZUvQp10yrOou7Yb60YZHkJLyZMYqCIcqv_5JIv4zPOB74KreN1Lhgxi8TCZwNbxxRnFDm5bkSHdSXacnmWWCmWrktqAYMUl58bn2AccrKAhixLvETYi3h8bFU/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240107142533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I used the same felt as I used for Joy Angel to trim her skirt, same colour painted shoes also. </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-QLzIzxqiwsdakZWlfEmAKGx_tK-36vItFcbA3BTsAsGWngDk1XAsC7FbpNWcR8namPyG740T5j46Zyoq9tYmE8g8GpQxk4mWLF7PX0iK1XjIaXmPRjGIM1CIYzJU6Hue5oCzrA-beosIeWqRyI3SqxUMJpNENAfT7N9_n5BIKtqfHZkbfzULKQz4Kyl/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240107141534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-QLzIzxqiwsdakZWlfEmAKGx_tK-36vItFcbA3BTsAsGWngDk1XAsC7FbpNWcR8namPyG740T5j46Zyoq9tYmE8g8GpQxk4mWLF7PX0iK1XjIaXmPRjGIM1CIYzJU6Hue5oCzrA-beosIeWqRyI3SqxUMJpNENAfT7N9_n5BIKtqfHZkbfzULKQz4Kyl/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20240107141534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">You can see in the pattern above left, that Wendy's version has her eyes looking downwards. I did this initially but felt she looked too stern, too severe ... so I painted over the whites & then made her look heavenward. Wendy's dolls are often inclined to have quite serious looking faces & I don't usually mind this, but I like her much more looking upwards.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQLwzZ4YQ6VdSEvpl2f4d_un2KpsOwMh6FF_WmJH3STX2k_yD3qkzqvaZleAAnbWbj2gB_yZuZjnuliO1wJsueoAxfGMjXoMyf9i31iic1_u4SHM_LfSyvRxoWqiOZto0BwwCOCvDQwN4gUUl6D-Sw2bI_WyM4CIvD-vyG8SJuVLOIg-QwoPtpJol3Kbd/s3650/031-fotor-20240107142625.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3650" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQLwzZ4YQ6VdSEvpl2f4d_un2KpsOwMh6FF_WmJH3STX2k_yD3qkzqvaZleAAnbWbj2gB_yZuZjnuliO1wJsueoAxfGMjXoMyf9i31iic1_u4SHM_LfSyvRxoWqiOZto0BwwCOCvDQwN4gUUl6D-Sw2bI_WyM4CIvD-vyG8SJuVLOIg-QwoPtpJol3Kbd/w500-h640/031-fotor-20240107142625.png" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am in love with my two new Angels & can't quite bear to pack them away just yet so I have told them they can remain out for the rest of the month so long as they behave 😉</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvR1j9J_jZhqTYoOBhzCpqMC1LXIuhoT661jCs_UeKpFTfJJgeWADpmqoUO45y0IoPkx3C9LHeEw7PL7ybZpT3u4iwCvlaM3lNN35FC_KcnnNBbhm62RWHMim_dpBZBNui1Lb41MrWmXQWjXPU-sfcbqrF9ZTjggIGguxXdXCbgIwNs9dSpzyV19MSHhe/s4000/048-fotor-20240107145924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvR1j9J_jZhqTYoOBhzCpqMC1LXIuhoT661jCs_UeKpFTfJJgeWADpmqoUO45y0IoPkx3C9LHeEw7PL7ybZpT3u4iwCvlaM3lNN35FC_KcnnNBbhm62RWHMim_dpBZBNui1Lb41MrWmXQWjXPU-sfcbqrF9ZTjggIGguxXdXCbgIwNs9dSpzyV19MSHhe/w480-h640/048-fotor-20240107145924.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful sweet peas, picked this morning. I am having to move any scented flowers outside when The Mr is home as he has <i>Long Covid</i> & anything fragrant makes him cough terribly. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XFLX-Wij4HXqqV7-ut31J3vnkgfnYpgm8CcvrDndVwMbHJikD99_OjFt8upf5Zfc4pOUdrIKIEvvvPNKtaBPedWPagaJbXzOLSfDR08Gley-dCEZ-qvQUjTBGnPhXbfn4Caxa9vfcmW1U_JZxaD_ydxbA3cHWaGEG9BqlwCy_o8wsb4B28sTPgBNe3Lu/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240107141341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XFLX-Wij4HXqqV7-ut31J3vnkgfnYpgm8CcvrDndVwMbHJikD99_OjFt8upf5Zfc4pOUdrIKIEvvvPNKtaBPedWPagaJbXzOLSfDR08Gley-dCEZ-qvQUjTBGnPhXbfn4Caxa9vfcmW1U_JZxaD_ydxbA3cHWaGEG9BqlwCy_o8wsb4B28sTPgBNe3Lu/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20240107141341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I thought I would share the Christmas Card Sid made me ... dear boy, he is growing up so very fast & will be 7 soon!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeojtGeynmLO5CgvwODUhR8RPBmwIhJvTLwM2qiNIFKQ11dF7k7j1PWGUXH8GFRv4f5HlJWLq5RTAD-HyCcYWLJgZjvd5_HG9jyyc-uVPV7q7aoqSDmo1eZqYnRjq7RI8OatBAoDioJ0Mu883Thp5fNXwVCfZHyBvQwBrcJZGS1s4U9Yw7XR3IzzfRnKA5/s1024/017-fotor-2024010714160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeojtGeynmLO5CgvwODUhR8RPBmwIhJvTLwM2qiNIFKQ11dF7k7j1PWGUXH8GFRv4f5HlJWLq5RTAD-HyCcYWLJgZjvd5_HG9jyyc-uVPV7q7aoqSDmo1eZqYnRjq7RI8OatBAoDioJ0Mu883Thp5fNXwVCfZHyBvQwBrcJZGS1s4U9Yw7XR3IzzfRnKA5/w640-h480/017-fotor-2024010714160.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Alec & his lovely Mum Sarah are on a 3 day tramp on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Taranaki" target="_blank">Mount Taranaki</a> & sent this photo to my phone this morning. Look at that stunning mountain in the background - they are having wonderful weather. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFoi1-h7fOaNiCbRghy_RcLMh-cKOAJuAggBBHWner6GwML-rA8D0nEU9Bf4u7iUcU_muNI_tOqwsxFOIxusVNTKWVnNH7pENB-YAw8tJKv_IMYCevTaEtyTXvyjlve7MXI_exqNV1b_vrqUkia3ZGi999y5OirSyCitrCV2LVBy9J_hDLv1RuQms8N1r/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240107141322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFoi1-h7fOaNiCbRghy_RcLMh-cKOAJuAggBBHWner6GwML-rA8D0nEU9Bf4u7iUcU_muNI_tOqwsxFOIxusVNTKWVnNH7pENB-YAw8tJKv_IMYCevTaEtyTXvyjlve7MXI_exqNV1b_vrqUkia3ZGi999y5OirSyCitrCV2LVBy9J_hDLv1RuQms8N1r/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20240107141322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this week I made <a href="https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/" target="_blank">Banana Bread</a> as our banana's ripen fast this hot weather. I made two loaves & gifted one to my daughter in law. They tasted delicious - this is such a nice, simple but moist recipe & keeps very well. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E6doATaKJLBJoaMjDLCNJsiFJZesKClDSGyRUtTew7-Qp0Rj7vHz3Ec1V9eJ9fV7e4GuEO_MhTaOO4PNsRdg62ENoHwGS4LPJ3hQ9AXT74Cw42LDsoH47VRSek5OPUR0UG2pNF5IbNty3vMTAOO1Lh_1s2xjH4bZDMt0B2aftyLa7XjrjYWDAYXmrWRD/s4000/015-fotor-20240107142240.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="4000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E6doATaKJLBJoaMjDLCNJsiFJZesKClDSGyRUtTew7-Qp0Rj7vHz3Ec1V9eJ9fV7e4GuEO_MhTaOO4PNsRdg62ENoHwGS4LPJ3hQ9AXT74Cw42LDsoH47VRSek5OPUR0UG2pNF5IbNty3vMTAOO1Lh_1s2xjH4bZDMt0B2aftyLa7XjrjYWDAYXmrWRD/w640-h432/015-fotor-20240107142240.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little One was most unwell an entire day last week. I cried, fretted, prayed, & generally aged about 10 years in one day worrying over him. The next day he'd bounced back right as rain & ran up a tree! He has taken up residence under my <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-princess-pea-tilda-style.html" target="_blank">Tilda Dolls Cot</a> as he thinks no-one can see him under here. Little does he know that Ginger furry girl can sniff out anyone !!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead dear friends - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always, for your ever-welcome visits here today,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-70064739317881320202023-12-31T15:40:00.000+13:002023-12-31T15:40:15.739+13:00Wishes for the New Year <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💕</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just getting in a final post as the year draws to a close. We are getting good rain here today ... December rain is always such a blessing & the garden is just drinking it up.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLokRU7MNvBUJztZRtBeYfNXSoX9whjL1Fg6YT_CuPVMtHBPHIqi3hGJKH6Mo7jMJRK30JywlvxzCRJdTgwrXpkmhNFGsdH4kMVUWch1KoKGP196I2nsCKYFJ-Du76pDzT90aRba6eD8wPIwZuglyi3rZVhjnz8cUAR3NhlfwZpqBQlEGFWR6dqQx1umIq/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231231141943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLokRU7MNvBUJztZRtBeYfNXSoX9whjL1Fg6YT_CuPVMtHBPHIqi3hGJKH6Mo7jMJRK30JywlvxzCRJdTgwrXpkmhNFGsdH4kMVUWch1KoKGP196I2nsCKYFJ-Du76pDzT90aRba6eD8wPIwZuglyi3rZVhjnz8cUAR3NhlfwZpqBQlEGFWR6dqQx1umIq/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231231141943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Vases of sweetpeas & dahlia's picked this morning between showers.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPWlNJZRJAVht3y6ViN7PLNlVv_X6BYZSZtJQ-yPlniPtockWYOHcr4MMF-CZgBmMT1F1oYLsJZVOUjGP75mfbzTdy8XMQR05mLY9q7-8X_dIIFX3AyjrV4vXN1oNZUeBxZRKm3JIZEuf3HY_-qsjVCqAuyFqKT79iW_e2SEryL_eldi0__dr70vtSf6I/s3573/007-fotor-20231231142049.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3573" data-original-width="2772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPWlNJZRJAVht3y6ViN7PLNlVv_X6BYZSZtJQ-yPlniPtockWYOHcr4MMF-CZgBmMT1F1oYLsJZVOUjGP75mfbzTdy8XMQR05mLY9q7-8X_dIIFX3AyjrV4vXN1oNZUeBxZRKm3JIZEuf3HY_-qsjVCqAuyFqKT79iW_e2SEryL_eldi0__dr70vtSf6I/w496-h640/007-fotor-20231231142049.png" width="496" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas came & went again for another year. We had two get-togethers ... firstly on the Saturday as eldest son & family were travelling down the Island for Christmas, & then another one on the 25th.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFw0A8yV4pk3BAM9jOtYx2fsr74AXAX489Ni6Bo_2LCwA7Pn-HEZLjRzENX0UoU7clO5hNL7TuRs4eeQ8FhNoBMxqdinCYr1L23AksH7yka5bB1roU-VQiPLnKV_PwGiYjmPgVpDXlEpdy1bSdBJltwA1CH4mx8yyCeSLqLANg_8Fo88TfjPs0RzqiCmo/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023123114194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFw0A8yV4pk3BAM9jOtYx2fsr74AXAX489Ni6Bo_2LCwA7Pn-HEZLjRzENX0UoU7clO5hNL7TuRs4eeQ8FhNoBMxqdinCYr1L23AksH7yka5bB1roU-VQiPLnKV_PwGiYjmPgVpDXlEpdy1bSdBJltwA1CH4mx8yyCeSLqLANg_8Fo88TfjPs0RzqiCmo/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023123114194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always enjoy watching my Grandsons open their stockings - it brings me great pleasure </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">🎄</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwPgETsQTitGm3cNyao5v4S_eggol5sF6TlUF2DXiPglbjvriPdkTfZH1jw7VnqgcWiXGufLmR_fwVWpNVGsFX9B2RuU51xT0EpPWOreBNHnLKOp1HadeE8lEtIqYkH0Lb5SN2Iyc1OF6NFnwA4ZE6a_SmjOkrsgdrMF6GFsuxMGFNPaF-2Lv5BsIMYtq/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231231141842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwPgETsQTitGm3cNyao5v4S_eggol5sF6TlUF2DXiPglbjvriPdkTfZH1jw7VnqgcWiXGufLmR_fwVWpNVGsFX9B2RuU51xT0EpPWOreBNHnLKOp1HadeE8lEtIqYkH0Lb5SN2Iyc1OF6NFnwA4ZE6a_SmjOkrsgdrMF6GFsuxMGFNPaF-2Lv5BsIMYtq/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231231141842.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The week prior, I did some baking & packaged it up for friends ... just my usual Gingernut Bites & chocolate Fudge Slice ... a creature of habit I am!</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq2nw5sgXVqNfvY4Zdx6agL40mcYB0Q9-ihqr7Q0YnVIfk2QrFpQ-Z_EczNy4Y59H-ps3pMbGp0ehYxfr8M_xS6NI5KsG1HNL8qo3ggvJK8vsghcaioI6gd1VEFhwcNelPGYnhQ58YRPu9Elz5I3jKhbCDBQiyqTsAkejEx3zPRMWFB6fTuufIvjHP9Rh/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231231141926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq2nw5sgXVqNfvY4Zdx6agL40mcYB0Q9-ihqr7Q0YnVIfk2QrFpQ-Z_EczNy4Y59H-ps3pMbGp0ehYxfr8M_xS6NI5KsG1HNL8qo3ggvJK8vsghcaioI6gd1VEFhwcNelPGYnhQ58YRPu9Elz5I3jKhbCDBQiyqTsAkejEx3zPRMWFB6fTuufIvjHP9Rh/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231231141926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend Sandy posted me <b>The Most Delicious</b> chocolate Christmas cookies, all the way from the South Island. And look Willie ... I made <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/97748273/recipe-scroggin-slice-from-therapy" target="_blank">Scroggin Slice</a> !! </div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNl4dqpEyMVm59oak_wN0sxu-Y5-W8QtKwXmBU0uf7lWqbJKTrMSJnrsMNKcroE4scvCTM8k_FodWoukKqD5_BdZIirjpaK5wQ3nuuK7LU6LLZ39GG1YY_mqLITFutvz7Gmialx7uDtW4h5ILUhbeTYlBOWmhgNY11bVCAbLFLdFW-335nZw0aLFgYjw6/s3518/030-fotor-20231231142243.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3518" data-original-width="2977" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNl4dqpEyMVm59oak_wN0sxu-Y5-W8QtKwXmBU0uf7lWqbJKTrMSJnrsMNKcroE4scvCTM8k_FodWoukKqD5_BdZIirjpaK5wQ3nuuK7LU6LLZ39GG1YY_mqLITFutvz7Gmialx7uDtW4h5ILUhbeTYlBOWmhgNY11bVCAbLFLdFW-335nZw0aLFgYjw6/w542-h640/030-fotor-20231231142243.png" width="542" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I always enjoy <i>"the twixmas days"</i> between Christmas & New Year. After all the hectic-ness that Christmas brings I love the slow, leisurely pace of these days. I have been drinking <a href="https://www.tleaft.co.nz/christmas-tea-with-nz-manuka-screw-can.html" target="_blank">Christmas Tea</a> in my new-to-me Mug & eating delicious Christmas Cake.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rwikbVTyRBYo-RZ1y7KXLneV3Uu5QSTVUFtqke4j8Fp5HT78cMooIRlJT-l4qDYgI4OdxLXi6QESHId8YFifOvIwHMqcPuLvrPrmLz5kYI04wYaZp0P107YjIyI3HVKJbycS8ooBMVxoTeDUhj2ncSTsaTEpCBFsZ7VkvngrK7qTB2JU4TaJSAGEVmwx/s4000/023-fotor-2023123114220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rwikbVTyRBYo-RZ1y7KXLneV3Uu5QSTVUFtqke4j8Fp5HT78cMooIRlJT-l4qDYgI4OdxLXi6QESHId8YFifOvIwHMqcPuLvrPrmLz5kYI04wYaZp0P107YjIyI3HVKJbycS8ooBMVxoTeDUhj2ncSTsaTEpCBFsZ7VkvngrK7qTB2JU4TaJSAGEVmwx/w480-h640/023-fotor-2023123114220.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eldest son & his family gifted me this wonderful book. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topp_Twins" target="_blank">The Topp Twins</a> are New Zealand icons ... my dear Mum would've loved this book as she so adored their music & requested their songs be played at her funeral. I am enjoying reading it a great deal.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOreGcamlL0DbF1aT1ISTAmdt9_Gt1hUtSzjDy3vOxhd4ZBW88YQRVwF5pRQvaWJjzJBx-rbezScfOlLumQHsBRlaSMjEqi6I3XHGLby98f9Dy08C1ra8w9oWzb3tnRcWW_GVAJrmSR36qcJ8iExtK5EYvbBzTPQmrRlcTw2dp44zF4ZLfveHr1S8xjH8j/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231231141957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOreGcamlL0DbF1aT1ISTAmdt9_Gt1hUtSzjDy3vOxhd4ZBW88YQRVwF5pRQvaWJjzJBx-rbezScfOlLumQHsBRlaSMjEqi6I3XHGLby98f9Dy08C1ra8w9oWzb3tnRcWW_GVAJrmSR36qcJ8iExtK5EYvbBzTPQmrRlcTw2dp44zF4ZLfveHr1S8xjH8j/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231231141957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">We live on left-overs this week - so the only cooking I have been doing is harvesting & cooking up beetroot from my garden & blanching broccoli to freeze. The Mr is growing cucumbers at the farm this year & is having a wonderful crop ... which is great because my plant produced One Single Cucumber before shrivelling up & dying !!</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QszIQiiPEAS4FusdXHGm636f61_D6bf9Z3FrmMtShnXITha7BFmYgoJ7LfRDYEkGH1cFLMKZ8ZESuVoPHgQQjqgX2aRl5o6ooZ-bpoxAH5l_N50f_XxrDzQgXRY9kNXHW3txXOVjlqyDMMNBkINqrA48aR1e4xuyw4G82lNCJNTO-UwXlNdq3Bs71gwB/s4000/032-fotor-20231231142138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QszIQiiPEAS4FusdXHGm636f61_D6bf9Z3FrmMtShnXITha7BFmYgoJ7LfRDYEkGH1cFLMKZ8ZESuVoPHgQQjqgX2aRl5o6ooZ-bpoxAH5l_N50f_XxrDzQgXRY9kNXHW3txXOVjlqyDMMNBkINqrA48aR1e4xuyw4G82lNCJNTO-UwXlNdq3Bs71gwB/w480-h640/032-fotor-20231231142138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I packed <b><u>All</u> the Christmas decor away! </b>It took me <b>two entire days</b> but this was largely due to the fact that a certain Ginger Furry Being kept <b>going to sleep</b> in my containers, thus stopping me from using them ... being the soft touch that I am, I waited for her to wake up! 😉</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8CF4j80XU17eQVQ56cY_sp_AS3Xbwb3F3QyTAKHLaKdXZ2BnnOsERHITN7zmIOQ4HhTcWhb1LygQP5NVDr9GWyMfyuCMzWHHYrkadDg0-T3PHEsRdvgwDiw3fOn1LYNZpq4AXAHJTvsA3gYU1hN_k8vyOvZoK4J6g2qODN4GyjDhHaOT52ToLGcyiBgQ/s4000/005-fotor-20231231142114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8CF4j80XU17eQVQ56cY_sp_AS3Xbwb3F3QyTAKHLaKdXZ2BnnOsERHITN7zmIOQ4HhTcWhb1LygQP5NVDr9GWyMfyuCMzWHHYrkadDg0-T3PHEsRdvgwDiw3fOn1LYNZpq4AXAHJTvsA3gYU1hN_k8vyOvZoK4J6g2qODN4GyjDhHaOT52ToLGcyiBgQ/w480-h640/005-fotor-20231231142114.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GlassHouse Candle "Dancing Sugar Plums" gifted by my dear friend Sandy - such a <b>gorgeous</b> fragrance</td></tr></tbody></table> -<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">As the year draws to a close, I light a beautiful Candle & remember all those loved ones we have lost this year. I include in this a special furry friend - sweet little <a href="https://poppyq.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Poppy Q</a> who left us in July & who we all miss very much here in blogland 💗</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYXvUItcuMavtydosz63RTJ-sfaCmNudTzkYGViLOwb010iFAWaXKFOUDldBsuCJkHMLIgpPymRQlf9_EmAAn8K7d5-cR8IHlagjUOjY6aT5OnJQMNZByiH3EgQGWkRN_-7rKXUy_pUajQfKSUsO7189VVKA1kvdZxgaQQ_qM7lW49Edh-gxc7Au8Edq/s1451/409647831_18302478211130891_5461498579769134734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYXvUItcuMavtydosz63RTJ-sfaCmNudTzkYGViLOwb010iFAWaXKFOUDldBsuCJkHMLIgpPymRQlf9_EmAAn8K7d5-cR8IHlagjUOjY6aT5OnJQMNZByiH3EgQGWkRN_-7rKXUy_pUajQfKSUsO7189VVKA1kvdZxgaQQ_qM7lW49Edh-gxc7Au8Edq/w636-h640/409647831_18302478211130891_5461498579769134734_n.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Donna Ashworth Words on Instagram</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though this verse brings tears to my eyes I LoVe it & think it is very true indeed. Grief has been a hard thing to navigate this past year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhzbgPGHnW6VFVvwwPnBhyphenhyphen1wO0vf7RUy2iHiTmOs4ckmDoLIhHUcwCV6n4-2atRxocPQFkTpNK5SDn2OqxAChxz-O36Dujaspq14akaY5GjRBkKJP7lcma_fwaJpSzbFtRBnG0NwZuMfPwI1B3vCg6Se6FLkN3e8AkRKNZuiHmdfkLDy2LQjbwjo9y0Gk/s1089/c9b0a557dc1413724eea3dc494d4656f-fotor-20231231143534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhzbgPGHnW6VFVvwwPnBhyphenhyphen1wO0vf7RUy2iHiTmOs4ckmDoLIhHUcwCV6n4-2atRxocPQFkTpNK5SDn2OqxAChxz-O36Dujaspq14akaY5GjRBkKJP7lcma_fwaJpSzbFtRBnG0NwZuMfPwI1B3vCg6Se6FLkN3e8AkRKNZuiHmdfkLDy2LQjbwjo9y0Gk/w332-h640/c9b0a557dc1413724eea3dc494d4656f-fotor-20231231143534.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful New Year dear friends. Hand-on-heart I want to <b>thank you <u>all</u> most sincerely </b>for following along on my little journey here. Your presence warms my soul more than words can ever express. For those that comment or email, or even just take a moment to read my ramblings ... thank you <u>all</u> from the bottom of my heart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending much love & friendship <b>out to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0 ❤❤❤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-56993031439813201112023-12-21T11:35:00.000+13:002023-12-21T11:35:19.472+13:00A Mini Christmas Home Tour <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Warning</u> ...very photo heavy post - apologies in advance </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(I have made collages of photos to try & condense them up a bit)</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As promised, here is a mini-home-tour-of-sorts to show you my festive decorating. Our home is a humble 3-bedroom house & this year I've decorated the deck, kitchen, dining area & lounge. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1catKWPVNZM0DSfjKwkt7J5bfl_ctsDtfOwtTpFCppWelWyl8AW7tafrgEFqOKb4VDGPO2b8v-QCS1-GOCf_odN45ONx9Z4LdmFcetW6cLTA4dGcmhabeSv8y5EcXZDrsKx3o0h30Xmrvisr3dTRxVfk9J-MQNUJE_-K2yuvNxr7rowkxtcEEEql3kg64/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-2023122014528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1catKWPVNZM0DSfjKwkt7J5bfl_ctsDtfOwtTpFCppWelWyl8AW7tafrgEFqOKb4VDGPO2b8v-QCS1-GOCf_odN45ONx9Z4LdmFcetW6cLTA4dGcmhabeSv8y5EcXZDrsKx3o0h30Xmrvisr3dTRxVfk9J-MQNUJE_-K2yuvNxr7rowkxtcEEEql3kg64/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-2023122014528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The decking table is one of my favourite areas ... walk up the steps & onto our large covered outdoor deck. Yesterday Sid & I hung some beaded garland from the wrought iron candlelabra.</div></span> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uX84RbHXlLFUtQpmGJ-DkIvjM1LfnFGpfQWVVEiqwH3Sc-hP5q3yT5XwzCaRLVDkHFHdq8UoYf5p6RVi3W8X_ogpvv613ym_HJAkghYxnCvBTVLI_LgcMEldY3aUPUXnh4edsfSfBOkDX2EHkFUDgvUjtxUBf-5jY8k_SXUTB_Ct9Lw6VpAghoPSrwBl/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220143425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uX84RbHXlLFUtQpmGJ-DkIvjM1LfnFGpfQWVVEiqwH3Sc-hP5q3yT5XwzCaRLVDkHFHdq8UoYf5p6RVi3W8X_ogpvv613ym_HJAkghYxnCvBTVLI_LgcMEldY3aUPUXnh4edsfSfBOkDX2EHkFUDgvUjtxUBf-5jY8k_SXUTB_Ct9Lw6VpAghoPSrwBl/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220143425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum's potted red geranium is flowering away merrily. My entry is through glass French doors but I still manage to hang a wreath on them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And into the kitchen we go .....................</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE69kIn84MTK1kZMCg7PB-OdrHdQ5BIf-AKaxk-sZt5AIgEnQzSXrshMecqxQyrQC6tWIgVUzSQih64d6DQm5zK1xuRA93t-wUXLZyIHj-qQblw0ZVWUtjQc9wyXK759HxBWO5PrJQwRjjc3SUmbOfgeZjEyPLraAO0XnKGQK7NC7wHv5IwRoCTzAFj-Z9/s4000/069-fotor-20231220155036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE69kIn84MTK1kZMCg7PB-OdrHdQ5BIf-AKaxk-sZt5AIgEnQzSXrshMecqxQyrQC6tWIgVUzSQih64d6DQm5zK1xuRA93t-wUXLZyIHj-qQblw0ZVWUtjQc9wyXK759HxBWO5PrJQwRjjc3SUmbOfgeZjEyPLraAO0XnKGQK7NC7wHv5IwRoCTzAFj-Z9/w480-h640/069-fotor-20231220155036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a small galley style kitchen that leads directly into the dining room in an L-shape. On the end of my bench, a small festive display on my egg crate. Lean into your screen & take a big sniff of my citrus potpourri - it sure smells good 💛</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjZaXuVlYSZvtUgeqphnr2pz7jIVf_Nj62Wbz8SX-LHzydNTITl_DMfdC2tT3tUdZqe9xpS1WWLld0MtmwMK1OnVMS6af9HbyTmQv7gThtr_3z5n1XjbFxztYA485z7hSOp0ZLHVA9Rx38ttYaca_rsTFX0rlsGeths-2f_rJ8V5C5O1c9LV6XQdJ7v9N/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231220143637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjZaXuVlYSZvtUgeqphnr2pz7jIVf_Nj62Wbz8SX-LHzydNTITl_DMfdC2tT3tUdZqe9xpS1WWLld0MtmwMK1OnVMS6af9HbyTmQv7gThtr_3z5n1XjbFxztYA485z7hSOp0ZLHVA9Rx38ttYaca_rsTFX0rlsGeths-2f_rJ8V5C5O1c9LV6XQdJ7v9N/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231220143637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"> On the other corner of my bench I have just tucked some festive bits into things ... after all this is a <b>well used</b> area, not just for display.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xVBmYa4X4R6Nu-ZLCHYs1f7DlYaSyVI7Mqm8GmAOPLhMUx0n7A2f9p-0TzSpyccUg0csuir2AyBAbaIkFGdXMgoesJs-N0rA2oo_qFWNIPiGhFpHoFyvdQtXcrOLHRf4uZ-RSco4DpSugibJYSx_2892skRxtgKb_HwbLfNMRzDvNnG7FzfkpcXFqeZD/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231220143621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xVBmYa4X4R6Nu-ZLCHYs1f7DlYaSyVI7Mqm8GmAOPLhMUx0n7A2f9p-0TzSpyccUg0csuir2AyBAbaIkFGdXMgoesJs-N0rA2oo_qFWNIPiGhFpHoFyvdQtXcrOLHRf4uZ-RSco4DpSugibJYSx_2892skRxtgKb_HwbLfNMRzDvNnG7FzfkpcXFqeZD/w640-h212/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231220143621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like to hang little christmassy bits from my cupboard door handles - just tuck them in here & there - a bit of cheer 💗</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6WLsmnJan5my9ske4jdLTqS1zWMoAR9NqksBJ4dLtzd_P0E0EDd_TeYhCjVqTsP4TNSqshGOiAPAhDSfGZIARwwh5VgF_hNMVOqDeoJ5gaB7BCESU9WivVWSLUZMGLdS-0dx5Q0XzKdVKamFWRxsL08RYp6FRNtHulz7vkFMjjAbOPSQ0M4XPUjxvdmk/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023122014367.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6WLsmnJan5my9ske4jdLTqS1zWMoAR9NqksBJ4dLtzd_P0E0EDd_TeYhCjVqTsP4TNSqshGOiAPAhDSfGZIARwwh5VgF_hNMVOqDeoJ5gaB7BCESU9WivVWSLUZMGLdS-0dx5Q0XzKdVKamFWRxsL08RYp6FRNtHulz7vkFMjjAbOPSQ0M4XPUjxvdmk/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023122014367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And directly into the dining area we go ... my vintage sewing table down the end has a large christmas display on it using my tiered tray</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTUNzsP1lFC3w5xEvd0ppjj2urHG9oN3HjanXkGm5aDfxIk2PvrJIT4zMd_qb0FD-6GI2Mq95SLjM5Ummkc8Hfewzk83e7TMyEcY4jRrKG-nYB5YEsFarCE2HBxNTKZykG6XhFyStMXA7ZT3MNexR5x7qQlOuBOwfRenfOxrqJkSMXmw5Qh4jfskEjWRl/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20231220145230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTUNzsP1lFC3w5xEvd0ppjj2urHG9oN3HjanXkGm5aDfxIk2PvrJIT4zMd_qb0FD-6GI2Mq95SLjM5Ummkc8Hfewzk83e7TMyEcY4jRrKG-nYB5YEsFarCE2HBxNTKZykG6XhFyStMXA7ZT3MNexR5x7qQlOuBOwfRenfOxrqJkSMXmw5Qh4jfskEjWRl/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20231220145230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of handmade creations here ..........</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Remember to click on any of the photos to enlarge them</i></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWRFu69ox6S3o5bqlH9z5CNqbOxJFdxeSXRwLIfXWDi0vjHZmwouBMlF8zkrwWTAdf32kGBo5Rhx0yQqeBQwj2p4AwsR1wZsA498LEZVAlWW-mJ-HrltoK7HcsIjYu2BZIrQw42M4WZiW3kz7LGxtYgJ6LFo7L3jI0evPx3NMXfg72pkEwWIe4F7ZoNIb/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023122014354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWRFu69ox6S3o5bqlH9z5CNqbOxJFdxeSXRwLIfXWDi0vjHZmwouBMlF8zkrwWTAdf32kGBo5Rhx0yQqeBQwj2p4AwsR1wZsA498LEZVAlWW-mJ-HrltoK7HcsIjYu2BZIrQw42M4WZiW3kz7LGxtYgJ6LFo7L3jI0evPx3NMXfg72pkEwWIe4F7ZoNIb/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023122014354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along the wall to the right .................</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAIT-CXGsIhR-YbkoqeCQtEDKLN6BABfA3LRv_NChnYjVd85T0zP7y_RNbPcI6xn3bkcnICG4_2qIWeHoBNxeG5Qdk3Ij-qmds6mySV7n1I-tArZuS7Yzy74FzftB32vx2bOkuYaRYJzrHyb-Zga1z1IWxYQTSx80zPz6GNBlmd0HIUrwsS3XHNP7UQx5/s4000/105-fotor-20231220145551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAIT-CXGsIhR-YbkoqeCQtEDKLN6BABfA3LRv_NChnYjVd85T0zP7y_RNbPcI6xn3bkcnICG4_2qIWeHoBNxeG5Qdk3Ij-qmds6mySV7n1I-tArZuS7Yzy74FzftB32vx2bOkuYaRYJzrHyb-Zga1z1IWxYQTSx80zPz6GNBlmd0HIUrwsS3XHNP7UQx5/w640-h480/105-fotor-20231220145551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have wound fairy lights all through my plants on the fireplace hearth but they have decided today they are not going to work unless I stand there manually holding the switch wire 😐</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This fire gets used nearly 6 months of the year - the reason it is in the dining room is because once-upon-a-time, this room used to be the Lounge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbllltqc5uRcDmRgiz7VsjTczTaiZq7XbqRzk1Dtdp9uDYAa-2uXFsTN_v9uCPG0uDbWjyEhsSDOWpMHoR35hkuVqi1TNbg_qAs3XIikTGo3ASqvG2zg17g80OQwOpGVEtvA8N_tWTJg4BcX3K10r3JUxvAPkf3o01tWkK84X5CW_RPtq2qCd-ZWgkoTtl/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(18)-fotor-20231220145411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbllltqc5uRcDmRgiz7VsjTczTaiZq7XbqRzk1Dtdp9uDYAa-2uXFsTN_v9uCPG0uDbWjyEhsSDOWpMHoR35hkuVqi1TNbg_qAs3XIikTGo3ASqvG2zg17g80OQwOpGVEtvA8N_tWTJg4BcX3K10r3JUxvAPkf3o01tWkK84X5CW_RPtq2qCd-ZWgkoTtl/w640-h212/ipiccy_image%20(18)-fotor-20231220145411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The top of the dining room mantle </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDqNrYluwk8I_qXXG0ojMCMt5gE8Xh1NI_Ao_v1GIFx75y6BDdFHmoghz7mqqa6104xeLACPz2C7P227QOkhif9VSbIcX7qzE4koCheuMn9Cq7qAyqRXzQ20uFMMweaLJ-x7yHcYq1F0R_Ad7YxKnBbaxp4yl77t5tMMyuweQDeXcyPrWpSIzvUiJit0q/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231220143522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDqNrYluwk8I_qXXG0ojMCMt5gE8Xh1NI_Ao_v1GIFx75y6BDdFHmoghz7mqqa6104xeLACPz2C7P227QOkhif9VSbIcX7qzE4koCheuMn9Cq7qAyqRXzQ20uFMMweaLJ-x7yHcYq1F0R_Ad7YxKnBbaxp4yl77t5tMMyuweQDeXcyPrWpSIzvUiJit0q/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231220143522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My Advent angel made <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2020/12/an-advent-doll-parisienne-boot.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a> & my Country Friends Christmas angel made <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/01/some-post-christmas-finishes.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jax7ap7tufiO5UJX5O_m5xGLibv-i3V6TiIVXgpm6OCLHT1GUT7Keh-242YVTstIB_oqNqdVdEZcCva1vDIm4-JnwKHJ4ULgyx2JOBqpmExEeq28HGmCYeRuFPySJVdwiwQ4Ju9PjyAIByY2L7ipXzxAPTvpgddAAp_bI_-KvxsHNJXb5DjB8F49slqT/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231220143536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jax7ap7tufiO5UJX5O_m5xGLibv-i3V6TiIVXgpm6OCLHT1GUT7Keh-242YVTstIB_oqNqdVdEZcCva1vDIm4-JnwKHJ4ULgyx2JOBqpmExEeq28HGmCYeRuFPySJVdwiwQ4Ju9PjyAIByY2L7ipXzxAPTvpgddAAp_bI_-KvxsHNJXb5DjB8F49slqT/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231220143536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A small round table in the corner with my knitted ornaments tree on it - I have not added to this as yet but I had grand intentions to this year </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(</i></span><span><i style="font-size: large;">that somehow flew out the window) </i><span style="font-size: large;">😉</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUndAtxwVdRISj_ZVQPYVxLsDQBtTjSUBR5FwF8vX8y4l8FUrHhX3qByAaMDzsYSspXMDPteRl11r-MBeLPnHd-1Gqdcu3nT-OWb-J4n1iMAMrPb1veTl062M8J1WYQjU-D7PPBk4pzOVcxW9_tB3Gg-sdUqm-0P1UzGVU7Y4YqO2AejIwN5KiZGHZ5mS/s3816/036-fotor-20231220154034.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3816" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUndAtxwVdRISj_ZVQPYVxLsDQBtTjSUBR5FwF8vX8y4l8FUrHhX3qByAaMDzsYSspXMDPteRl11r-MBeLPnHd-1Gqdcu3nT-OWb-J4n1iMAMrPb1veTl062M8J1WYQjU-D7PPBk4pzOVcxW9_tB3Gg-sdUqm-0P1UzGVU7Y4YqO2AejIwN5KiZGHZ5mS/w640-h500/036-fotor-20231220154034.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My vintage kauri dresser that often features on my blog. Mostly op-shopped china with some festive berries added.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Zt2Jr5nx-me2M8aRXHqm_ChxOqut-Zo42CODFlJb-lR-8KlzpwGDYagt4BT6TBChotob7kWpW2jR3AODT9hqZnW5D0nK-yYH0G5CZ7bQ99nTnEVaVhDTvTuwgwz23GTj0i8iJywHIA-q3imtFLxahV7G6n5u-_YtnBKljVVb0ON7g0mZoXX3jP52urS/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231220153946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Zt2Jr5nx-me2M8aRXHqm_ChxOqut-Zo42CODFlJb-lR-8KlzpwGDYagt4BT6TBChotob7kWpW2jR3AODT9hqZnW5D0nK-yYH0G5CZ7bQ99nTnEVaVhDTvTuwgwz23GTj0i8iJywHIA-q3imtFLxahV7G6n5u-_YtnBKljVVb0ON7g0mZoXX3jP52urS/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231220153946.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A small display of bottle brush trees on top, thrifted transferware & <b>Yes</b> - I did sew tiny Santa hats for my miniature bears last Christmas 😯</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9tjsip2nBqZDPZGJfogwDKEEDknA1kSxvDwYWPg-bBodHwqaokdeZIdZ4l9-Byr6jgVwIJ7EXfLMzJ-X7jQSLN2Vr1ummP2W37s8Z1FgIJp8sdjB1CnKGn0nBqdDLuZiUcSLq3awiwjhrx82Aaxtctz_El1PWcqGLg8pe0mUZdrgVFPLmk55Ph_rAQM0/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(11)-fotor-20231220145242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9tjsip2nBqZDPZGJfogwDKEEDknA1kSxvDwYWPg-bBodHwqaokdeZIdZ4l9-Byr6jgVwIJ7EXfLMzJ-X7jQSLN2Vr1ummP2W37s8Z1FgIJp8sdjB1CnKGn0nBqdDLuZiUcSLq3awiwjhrx82Aaxtctz_El1PWcqGLg8pe0mUZdrgVFPLmk55Ph_rAQM0/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(11)-fotor-20231220145242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then through in to the Lounge we go ............ </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEsdkLp7RPVZt8oOND-cua4QrImEVjw5g9v7BRmRWm3eZNyI45vxl1SqOS1iauoatYgr6r2cgQ-lAnMWSCBYPqlXzOWKV52Du0JOj4d-mx4_R9Y6pxkvkBv-yXRXz0OlmJFyjA8TiGTR7LLMmCRKUt2LAOYdZ4RpSqagWi1CrNv3I6Zh52BXEYVdQvD0T/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(12)-fotor-20231220145257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEsdkLp7RPVZt8oOND-cua4QrImEVjw5g9v7BRmRWm3eZNyI45vxl1SqOS1iauoatYgr6r2cgQ-lAnMWSCBYPqlXzOWKV52Du0JOj4d-mx4_R9Y6pxkvkBv-yXRXz0OlmJFyjA8TiGTR7LLMmCRKUt2LAOYdZ4RpSqagWi1CrNv3I6Zh52BXEYVdQvD0T/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(12)-fotor-20231220145257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vintage typewriter on my antique Oak tea wagon & a prim display on my spindle-leg American Oak table.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of all my displays, this top right one is one of my favourites - vintage feather tree with rustic & prim Santas & felt stockings - LoVe it</span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5onQa-b0T3XCJsZYbrAM1fRSo4Xqz-PE05kqTGupT46iri6RQWyDx_HB6dFcsD1TTR0gChc8gIedkJc8QkKI59Noa7uUgl5bldwlQG5QVEqr37nE80l9wjNkcU3yfTaZALUpqTrgpNfLXQ3YpqyXoOonngLVGshyi5RNHPtdzmRLgVDDAHGBu3HTKBjbe/s4000/112-fotor-20231220145637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5onQa-b0T3XCJsZYbrAM1fRSo4Xqz-PE05kqTGupT46iri6RQWyDx_HB6dFcsD1TTR0gChc8gIedkJc8QkKI59Noa7uUgl5bldwlQG5QVEqr37nE80l9wjNkcU3yfTaZALUpqTrgpNfLXQ3YpqyXoOonngLVGshyi5RNHPtdzmRLgVDDAHGBu3HTKBjbe/w640-h480/112-fotor-20231220145637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My fireplace - one of my absolute favourite areas to decorate. This fire surround is faux - you can read <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2020/08/it-all-started-with-fireplace-mantle.html" target="_blank">all about it * here *</a>. Love, love decorating this area for the seasons.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnoOzESQyJZmJYYYz7SC76hGqG1hB1-OX5PXDRBdSaRsCBAay-NjUp1Bdf1AFDmRw2JIBNfDFa9kJwlertd2ph5nrZcWXSm7_Mdb3SngrySN2ItE4M9pTBRuQC1v3-An9XfZjj78SRV8Hp2C5USMYC3JuVu_lXQCuBaXFIF8cvRLmBh3iHpWiUY3M8t2/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231220143552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnoOzESQyJZmJYYYz7SC76hGqG1hB1-OX5PXDRBdSaRsCBAay-NjUp1Bdf1AFDmRw2JIBNfDFa9kJwlertd2ph5nrZcWXSm7_Mdb3SngrySN2ItE4M9pTBRuQC1v3-An9XfZjj78SRV8Hp2C5USMYC3JuVu_lXQCuBaXFIF8cvRLmBh3iHpWiUY3M8t2/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231220143552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Keeping it traditional in my colour scheme. These ornaments are all gathered/purchased when I spent 20 years working in a Gift Shop. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Zl4TEl0Ms5nscNHREO1gLXduwFuvfg-yaMQSr7iS-A-2eYfb5JdygTrAP7cbLjC4b1oqFEizwovL4a59kf7H8nPszvC5GpmY4AYqXk1R-JSkZ87lSJpSfc6BnirS6CfbSBUMyc31ppqnvg5an1I2yp0t7z7nixANpHaRea5r8Hrw1FczLnn0JQ8XEvJ7/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(16)-fotor-20231220145344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Zl4TEl0Ms5nscNHREO1gLXduwFuvfg-yaMQSr7iS-A-2eYfb5JdygTrAP7cbLjC4b1oqFEizwovL4a59kf7H8nPszvC5GpmY4AYqXk1R-JSkZ87lSJpSfc6BnirS6CfbSBUMyc31ppqnvg5an1I2yp0t7z7nixANpHaRea5r8Hrw1FczLnn0JQ8XEvJ7/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(16)-fotor-20231220145344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Beside the fire surround is my Gothic Mirror - stockings all gifted from friends. The Tilda Father Christmas <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-tilda-father-christmas.html" target="_blank">was made * here *</a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilQJeKZk6YaGG4qrNJTxyK_8KP-swaLppdbfxVscOGtUZtVvvjR7qHXubq1OjO7E0xcvjv-U5s7Vn-poa7R21t2R1T5KOXg5hZmCqfxUDeFVQZVsCa-c2TQHrsnTfJeDVvDivol-w4KfEMu0G-LL4gOLQAGIKFtO9_zUUvip31AKeyd7Bi5bbMtHdpGlr/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(15)-fotor-20231220145331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilQJeKZk6YaGG4qrNJTxyK_8KP-swaLppdbfxVscOGtUZtVvvjR7qHXubq1OjO7E0xcvjv-U5s7Vn-poa7R21t2R1T5KOXg5hZmCqfxUDeFVQZVsCa-c2TQHrsnTfJeDVvDivol-w4KfEMu0G-LL4gOLQAGIKFtO9_zUUvip31AKeyd7Bi5bbMtHdpGlr/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(15)-fotor-20231220145331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Little displays of toy vignettes that I tell myself are for the grandchildren but really they are for the grown up <strike>child</strike> Granny that lives here - Yours truly 😉</div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65mkojHEEqQKBiI7RMW8m4lg60ZtHtec7jEHI3cnDGLyxBwRPNkdV-JDasCfyWYehC2dtmqKo6sTEba2aSdatU7ks23PCU50gmZYQLFJT6XZNR8hva5xRsTzt7WgEZBktPMRu0tiXzYfExLby0XprBWwYnWAONa_4S1XeLiK2VmjmJmibtzTzk_aLvqFr/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(17)-fotor-20231220145358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65mkojHEEqQKBiI7RMW8m4lg60ZtHtec7jEHI3cnDGLyxBwRPNkdV-JDasCfyWYehC2dtmqKo6sTEba2aSdatU7ks23PCU50gmZYQLFJT6XZNR8hva5xRsTzt7WgEZBktPMRu0tiXzYfExLby0XprBWwYnWAONa_4S1XeLiK2VmjmJmibtzTzk_aLvqFr/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(17)-fotor-20231220145358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Under the tree I put my vintage wagon filled with mine & The Mr's old</span><span style="font-size: large;"> teddies ... the parcels are just empty boxes wrapped up. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBbyhvGo1i5kbPlTu8rgEVjDPbzsAR0q_2kaoKEtrqQ7BbIHwq94Gz4UhoRkviCxpnyxouQDlviqWboHJ99v6jlu0NT5jAyy4kAikXOAVVhQyjFToMNvmQooqziTyur2LV9LWRhXaPJFeK_wuaMgHTjkctIvRS8JQvZVG-YYLYI-7833rYLmw8DrhyphenhyphenuwA/s4000/110-fotor-20231220145615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBbyhvGo1i5kbPlTu8rgEVjDPbzsAR0q_2kaoKEtrqQ7BbIHwq94Gz4UhoRkviCxpnyxouQDlviqWboHJ99v6jlu0NT5jAyy4kAikXOAVVhQyjFToMNvmQooqziTyur2LV9LWRhXaPJFeK_wuaMgHTjkctIvRS8JQvZVG-YYLYI-7833rYLmw8DrhyphenhyphenuwA/w640-h480/110-fotor-20231220145615.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can read about my <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/01/happy-new-year-tale-of-little-red-car.html" target="_blank">red car table in *this post*</a> - this area looks beautiful at night all lit up.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzOq5IbV9jPdF3DjvfzdnGPyZAdyj6hIfPDchhiSVsHKrhwfZLIbvMD0W0GqVxDiUZ61Wx1oDZ-z8sKP_v0e3M5UcUxJCPZgYoCM3dlp_e_pKeQVqGRnNcmFTtysedkdGadsumSiTHaUSV3ZeJc66WU0AcdBlJw_Wbabw-1OUkJGzIEvwnCBZPdhVLUkH/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(14)-fotor-20231220145313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzOq5IbV9jPdF3DjvfzdnGPyZAdyj6hIfPDchhiSVsHKrhwfZLIbvMD0W0GqVxDiUZ61Wx1oDZ-z8sKP_v0e3M5UcUxJCPZgYoCM3dlp_e_pKeQVqGRnNcmFTtysedkdGadsumSiTHaUSV3ZeJc66WU0AcdBlJw_Wbabw-1OUkJGzIEvwnCBZPdhVLUkH/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(14)-fotor-20231220145313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Beside the red car table is another round occasional table where I display my pomanders - I have tucked festive bits into here.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIo65lccu5YKPiOqOBdwhyphenhyphen_HNElhSRZmn-_gJtMxx9i-K78AfCQ9hdiMUXgDesPVTPogQrR6d6eZI-W44OEt4qdh41A0ndOt1Hj8YbTSwJhWTfQPzQfukFyy1ZQ1Ejnp7NrOP9tnb1H1OzPZFpM0_sf4ssDvYVM8IqItbtF5pGbdu9ADIumsvpHE9EbLe/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231220143448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIo65lccu5YKPiOqOBdwhyphenhyphen_HNElhSRZmn-_gJtMxx9i-K78AfCQ9hdiMUXgDesPVTPogQrR6d6eZI-W44OEt4qdh41A0ndOt1Hj8YbTSwJhWTfQPzQfukFyy1ZQ1Ejnp7NrOP9tnb1H1OzPZFpM0_sf4ssDvYVM8IqItbtF5pGbdu9ADIumsvpHE9EbLe/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231220143448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Opposite this is my Oak secretary desk - a small display on the top of this - again, just bits tucked into china </div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbqQ9toUnlE0jZVzM2MZ0jEB-xoHaozmmNyORSriwm2oVYbJ2w7B9W1s2WkCbuNBgX3Rux1T309NX2VqKEQei2UPkDCLRsWtMJW_QTuTsyMd9rbvezO7KxJ-tRsz2PhHap0h3HSclqDtYR8lYQV-l_G03YBaxVOQFgkic9FmVU0QQGmrMSfzH-Ws1kdYi/s4000/040-fotor-20231220145526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbqQ9toUnlE0jZVzM2MZ0jEB-xoHaozmmNyORSriwm2oVYbJ2w7B9W1s2WkCbuNBgX3Rux1T309NX2VqKEQei2UPkDCLRsWtMJW_QTuTsyMd9rbvezO7KxJ-tRsz2PhHap0h3HSclqDtYR8lYQV-l_G03YBaxVOQFgkic9FmVU0QQGmrMSfzH-Ws1kdYi/w480-h640/040-fotor-20231220145526.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My "Mum corner" ... Mums oak table, canteen of cutlery, verses, glass trinket box & her reading glasses. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💕</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiG0gHtbahplYut3zkRyYwRJ5h0HlbhdJZCj8a-j49IAUl5kyA1CSIgb3ZKA6NVXiUoZORPbVjbFKSYZo3xVAXBX2HsfPMzPArCGalSUhMEo3LGIZ5ygL7yEepCiupYihDXcd3cnVc2Tl5BRrjLPS9E_jiF08MkhVMM6aqHCW9a8vp30wyuJkC8Xm5jWq/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220153931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiG0gHtbahplYut3zkRyYwRJ5h0HlbhdJZCj8a-j49IAUl5kyA1CSIgb3ZKA6NVXiUoZORPbVjbFKSYZo3xVAXBX2HsfPMzPArCGalSUhMEo3LGIZ5ygL7yEepCiupYihDXcd3cnVc2Tl5BRrjLPS9E_jiF08MkhVMM6aqHCW9a8vp30wyuJkC8Xm5jWq/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220153931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A comfy chair display (mainy for Madam Pip) 😉 & a small primitive table beside this. You can read about creating <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-december-recap.html" target="_blank">Prim Mousie * here *.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BulQJDhX_iBpoC8yOTa39Vn2tVuqCk3VMfeBJctxkdUM6cv9meGevNqSsa9Rw3tltgdjwXanJ9DCRLOIYqKZb-Gjp-fiOzWgmHMgqwXPmejxT3GU7B43YFagCOa3kGyU6jdTWeWuXZjesC9kyYSJNYMtsT36-Tjlep3b1KmCEGQCoQB9AT1199UTrMAZ/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220145948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BulQJDhX_iBpoC8yOTa39Vn2tVuqCk3VMfeBJctxkdUM6cv9meGevNqSsa9Rw3tltgdjwXanJ9DCRLOIYqKZb-Gjp-fiOzWgmHMgqwXPmejxT3GU7B43YFagCOa3kGyU6jdTWeWuXZjesC9kyYSJNYMtsT36-Tjlep3b1KmCEGQCoQB9AT1199UTrMAZ/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231220145948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phew - <b>well done</b> friends, if you've made it this far. To be honest I didn't even show quite a bit of it - too many photos as it was. Yesterday I had Sid for the day & he had so much fun adding his dinosaurs to my "deer table" ... you can read about creating this <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2022/12/a-re-purposedthrifted-kind-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH93RbEa-kIsQncvGGEeMsFPkiiwOY3Yi7xqjaajFkKQP9QLWJo1NXltyZ1HzQuXwQ37NPPZ7-bOW_sJJUWTNzfQZelYuXO7n3mHZcnljkF32mI9GBOvsF9dJFibmTvZeQ5e_Y9Djbgb5hRR5SFbG-JYQFLydPE1L0VLN7dFtczc6oZt5EUxlEenQMO4c/s960/014-fotor-2023122015589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="660" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH93RbEa-kIsQncvGGEeMsFPkiiwOY3Yi7xqjaajFkKQP9QLWJo1NXltyZ1HzQuXwQ37NPPZ7-bOW_sJJUWTNzfQZelYuXO7n3mHZcnljkF32mI9GBOvsF9dJFibmTvZeQ5e_Y9Djbgb5hRR5SFbG-JYQFLydPE1L0VLN7dFtczc6oZt5EUxlEenQMO4c/w440-h640/014-fotor-2023122015589.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As this is my last post before Christmas day I want to wish you all a most wonderful festive season & to thank you all <b>with all my heart</b>, for your support & encouragement throughout the year - it really does warm my soul & I have made some wonderful friendships through my blog.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember during the coming days ... be kind to yourselves & to one another, 🎄</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending you much love & friendship across the miles,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie, Blackie, Pippi, Little One x0x0x0 ❤❤❤</span></div><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-40536402470349696922023-12-13T16:03:00.000+13:002023-12-13T16:03:51.553+13:00A Green & Gold Christmas Coffee-Table Vignette <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Firstly thank you all <b><u>So</u> very much</b> for your sweet kind comments on my last post. The general consensus seems to be <i>"Leave the stand silver & paint the star" </i>- which I am more than happy with. The problem here is that the star is currently missing - I blame the youngest four-legged member of the family & live in hope that I can find it again (!!!) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">😸</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I decided to do a Christmas coffee table display in a Green & Gold colourway 💚💛</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMREPC9hfILe5qul4oFtnz6SeZgpHHLiVp1i4gqcKwZl7hVMxT9Y2MCNedw6qB8SXuLfTSwrrRUvvnPUIC-dU840-jpHz4bwrsNObpxBYdlzZKMc_QgDCG8boxJ6mVOnIH55PARAbjB7YFKI-fzkicv3vXrhm20wwBHOSu0SYFsVUJ9RVMSVyZ3orXNUj/s3889/015-fotor-20231213132750.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3889" data-original-width="2779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMREPC9hfILe5qul4oFtnz6SeZgpHHLiVp1i4gqcKwZl7hVMxT9Y2MCNedw6qB8SXuLfTSwrrRUvvnPUIC-dU840-jpHz4bwrsNObpxBYdlzZKMc_QgDCG8boxJ6mVOnIH55PARAbjB7YFKI-fzkicv3vXrhm20wwBHOSu0SYFsVUJ9RVMSVyZ3orXNUj/w458-h640/015-fotor-20231213132750.png" width="458" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This largely came about because I had these 3 cherished items, bought home when I cleared out Mum's home <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-3-clearing-out-no.html" target="_blank">back in early March.</a> Mum always kept the Cherub candle holder & flower frog in her china cabinet & I found the gold Angel wrapped in tissue in a drawer. I very much wanted to use these items as I especially loved the bronzy gold tonings of the cherub. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAg5hkBBZKkHdprrA7cOjGMNjPp_AaIFs7xE_HNIjmsKbOZ72kAVKzMq6028QxWKtKEHbvcOHep7nA3-P7Lt3K0tQuYJ_O_PtEZXypaUydqtRh8ktp0DDSTskC7ngC6dr12-yGTaAN9ZnV9TtsiJWnwtN3t4wGN_Y6Pcnhrw1XjlZzKCdgcEWJsvJAqTm/s3382/017-fotor-20231213132835.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3382" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAg5hkBBZKkHdprrA7cOjGMNjPp_AaIFs7xE_HNIjmsKbOZ72kAVKzMq6028QxWKtKEHbvcOHep7nA3-P7Lt3K0tQuYJ_O_PtEZXypaUydqtRh8ktp0DDSTskC7ngC6dr12-yGTaAN9ZnV9TtsiJWnwtN3t4wGN_Y6Pcnhrw1XjlZzKCdgcEWJsvJAqTm/w540-h640/017-fotor-20231213132835.png" width="540" /></a></p><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I needed a tray for my display but had none apart, from silver ones. I had bought this mirror home from Mums, actually lifted it off the wall at the last minute & thought I'd bring it home to donate. It's frame was plain dark brown. I unscrewed the hooks from the back so it sat flat & then went over the frame with my rub-n-buff ... it came up wonderful & just the right muted gold colour I was after.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja-KyHiAWGq1ichSSzVpEvrrV7YNhhyphenhyphenWG8PRi9Vw-O5bqy6d18gI6bTyeoogjCw4UuGVE6LdITm7Sf7b0FNstTH223ujhyphenhyphenw3Qy6w3layTuTizdHgO1eVuJTbM_d0GB0pj2NagzmlXB6nPjlh6tK-8UsM6s97WW9Uy2xaC9W9m2LdVkW4OmvQ2wbAIHRCB/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023121313323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja-KyHiAWGq1ichSSzVpEvrrV7YNhhyphenhyphenWG8PRi9Vw-O5bqy6d18gI6bTyeoogjCw4UuGVE6LdITm7Sf7b0FNstTH223ujhyphenhyphenw3Qy6w3layTuTizdHgO1eVuJTbM_d0GB0pj2NagzmlXB6nPjlh6tK-8UsM6s97WW9Uy2xaC9W9m2LdVkW4OmvQ2wbAIHRCB/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023121313323.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Lights Turned Off Lights Turned On </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My only purchase was this gold glass "tree" which I bought online from Spotlight in their sale. It has fairy lights inside & stands 36 cms tall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79yJFIZegvrKpRa1p6FwYHjJIRJOAKRjw27Hyizkbr4un4dfJ_QmqslF3Ux1kMlB3y1j8u5TSO_hqgGYG1QNN6zfcYGnaAxDPk-49lOBblDJRa3fcvOU3q3CIN_o1vkg_lXblS0lOH2DGnlDn-SXDOWKQzuNpb7GXIMTtD-rrkSaS6OVPcDjCS8VefB9R/s3648/003-fotor-20231213133243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3648" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79yJFIZegvrKpRa1p6FwYHjJIRJOAKRjw27Hyizkbr4un4dfJ_QmqslF3Ux1kMlB3y1j8u5TSO_hqgGYG1QNN6zfcYGnaAxDPk-49lOBblDJRa3fcvOU3q3CIN_o1vkg_lXblS0lOH2DGnlDn-SXDOWKQzuNpb7GXIMTtD-rrkSaS6OVPcDjCS8VefB9R/w640-h530/003-fotor-20231213133243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I had some thrifted candles that would fit in the cherub & found the perfect Christmas green. All the other items on my tray are from past Christmas's or items I use daily around my home. I sprinkled some gold stars over the glass when I was happy with everything.</div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoH-mkdLlxP_mFhJ7a3WDyuZTdCEQtQLd3OV8vBlMA4MZIEiM4kJIoR5j2B6OnbjdUCPelGRhXR-L8uRK8dDIgjWy-QPz1kVTm9wKsgFwsFLgoasm_S95voocIYTawNu_DolcxA4s7EMvCYE4Tz4aI9UL9pa1EEAt5cDd4rtpu9RwG2XejMu6YNBW6O2K/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231213132432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoH-mkdLlxP_mFhJ7a3WDyuZTdCEQtQLd3OV8vBlMA4MZIEiM4kJIoR5j2B6OnbjdUCPelGRhXR-L8uRK8dDIgjWy-QPz1kVTm9wKsgFwsFLgoasm_S95voocIYTawNu_DolcxA4s7EMvCYE4Tz4aI9UL9pa1EEAt5cDd4rtpu9RwG2XejMu6YNBW6O2K/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231213132432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9LopdFDU2uY_1e1eI1g6-Trng9X4thTGhoHfDGBbG-5hdsfjZ6T11EVxojO7zR1yOmMJHmtU-AI1eEBYQRqPi70YWTHSSkpMsMZhUFHqL1udqR1z7zx8QjvVhUHMmXI2PY8w8Qwtn8B4Ch87EU1Gql0HnFbYAU_KIVWEOcvAiUsnbNPjFFpuo4S2gTv/s2774/029-fotor-20231213151515.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="1683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9LopdFDU2uY_1e1eI1g6-Trng9X4thTGhoHfDGBbG-5hdsfjZ6T11EVxojO7zR1yOmMJHmtU-AI1eEBYQRqPi70YWTHSSkpMsMZhUFHqL1udqR1z7zx8QjvVhUHMmXI2PY8w8Qwtn8B4Ch87EU1Gql0HnFbYAU_KIVWEOcvAiUsnbNPjFFpuo4S2gTv/w388-h640/029-fotor-20231213151515.png" width="388" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The little wire heart tree in a pot also lights up & was purchased <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-decorating-at-threadbear-hq.html" target="_blank">* here *</a> back in 2020.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKp9jYllTwO-EumeS8mMvC2rZLiOfy7BknQfUN7kTwGfDL3bynsHJ57UwgxIuABmrTXSexv7l7tn52h3oRJo3DkgBG3QPD2OH8Fatc3pw0ZrJ3FTE7ar2UPR8jFS4n8yMKGce1mmvhwkDafpzW3lONPKobBzIsU1tFytLccfG1BS_BYP6PQhxwe3SkRjz/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231213132342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKp9jYllTwO-EumeS8mMvC2rZLiOfy7BknQfUN7kTwGfDL3bynsHJ57UwgxIuABmrTXSexv7l7tn52h3oRJo3DkgBG3QPD2OH8Fatc3pw0ZrJ3FTE7ar2UPR8jFS4n8yMKGce1mmvhwkDafpzW3lONPKobBzIsU1tFytLccfG1BS_BYP6PQhxwe3SkRjz/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231213132342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The gold baubles were a previous op shop purchase - you can buy bags of these <b>very</b> cheaply. The bottom ones are actually broken but you just place them in the bottom & no-one knows 😉</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The tureens that the baubles are in are from the SPCA Op-shop purchased back <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2021/10/to-mums-back-again-part-two.html" target="_blank">* here *</a> in 2021.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbwklyQKIu78si1PwM7V7rX-3oIkhD-GyZbOVP3RrKJWzjeIQN2oQ1GImnUuMRUgJzLE4UtruP_SCAXhIN6gAfLvfPUb01c5BsVO1LNZf4UXEj-F1opnXSC9Mml9ymuV6dpLy27eOXsQXgQtnI5zxN6rpofnGkyEWuf0qJcz0hxfcsE_YCdt5uywSYwHx/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2023121313258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbwklyQKIu78si1PwM7V7rX-3oIkhD-GyZbOVP3RrKJWzjeIQN2oQ1GImnUuMRUgJzLE4UtruP_SCAXhIN6gAfLvfPUb01c5BsVO1LNZf4UXEj-F1opnXSC9Mml9ymuV6dpLy27eOXsQXgQtnI5zxN6rpofnGkyEWuf0qJcz0hxfcsE_YCdt5uywSYwHx/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2023121313258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The wreath has been used for many years - I placed my glass tree inside it & wound some gold strings of beads around it. Mums gold Angel sits just on the edge of it. The cream brocade tablecloth was a gift from my friend Joyce, thrifted by her from the Church Op Shop where she works.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">I <b>LoVed </b></span><span style="text-align: left;">my Green & Gold Vignette & when I sit on the couch at nights it makes me very happy to look at the treasures that were my Mums. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately I came in last night to close the curtains & what do you think greeted me dear friends .................... ??</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">...........................................................</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">...........................................................</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">...........................................................</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go on ..... take a guess .........................</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">............................................................</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiRmNg-eFwAL7ddSF29CuoZs6Rp1_aktjonfpELR_ukJh34V2VfGYFpcCIQqV6g0FgclRtfe-njz8HcOGrYPtXyWIKHCBr81mWxq7li44rh4nXWVsmZy_89viH-4vOffLRYEX517mCIBloxJDMVqFcRyhah3XEXpk1iqjzG9qrNPeBrKnGEDOcqSUuC-6/s3937/006-fotor-20231213133319.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3937" data-original-width="2751" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiRmNg-eFwAL7ddSF29CuoZs6Rp1_aktjonfpELR_ukJh34V2VfGYFpcCIQqV6g0FgclRtfe-njz8HcOGrYPtXyWIKHCBr81mWxq7li44rh4nXWVsmZy_89viH-4vOffLRYEX517mCIBloxJDMVqFcRyhah3XEXpk1iqjzG9qrNPeBrKnGEDOcqSUuC-6/w448-h640/006-fotor-20231213133319.png" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Raise your hand if you guessed right <b>!!!!!!! </b> 😐 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And just look at the way her tail is curled so neatly around the flower frog making sure she doesn't stab her precious self <b>!!!!!!! </b>She is honestly enough to make me give up ....... & then yesterday I came home from town to this below .....................</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">............................................................</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyGt8X3CZCrSOg1FtkTnMvGve8XhyphenhyphentLv7xipHMxh6DdpERpgXVXorBXqCe5a9sgAD0kQAE0T1ZPtuaAywCXzRr_GkxNM-DHXlFNtK1aQL8AU2l3A79fyagQYLm_2MSKtVjDI6SHVXjEb08nwS-td7mCswtuIoCXSGjRyKYhaNZEOrMcpFn40EFimprYYx/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231213132238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyGt8X3CZCrSOg1FtkTnMvGve8XhyphenhyphentLv7xipHMxh6DdpERpgXVXorBXqCe5a9sgAD0kQAE0T1ZPtuaAywCXzRr_GkxNM-DHXlFNtK1aQL8AU2l3A79fyagQYLm_2MSKtVjDI6SHVXjEb08nwS-td7mCswtuIoCXSGjRyKYhaNZEOrMcpFn40EFimprYYx/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231213132238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blackie parked up on my new outdoor table runner - Lord give me strength ! 🙏</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltXRdYxXv2cbL8IGlqj4wBoUrLj02r0dAgBW5Rm7dcdsBWayAGEshRSTzxMaJ2nsrBiRtXBhBDI71Dm6_oeHwb1EJOD6p1t2JUk5J5pBcCYdgfmtk2VP-6Sk2uxMc04zW5ziRosmzd0knDKASglG5yaJnFsN_qUQv3YRVbDoYw4f3GDU7aAiLA1tCyx6s/s3357/049-fotor-2023121313371.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3357" data-original-width="2984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltXRdYxXv2cbL8IGlqj4wBoUrLj02r0dAgBW5Rm7dcdsBWayAGEshRSTzxMaJ2nsrBiRtXBhBDI71Dm6_oeHwb1EJOD6p1t2JUk5J5pBcCYdgfmtk2VP-6Sk2uxMc04zW5ziRosmzd0knDKASglG5yaJnFsN_qUQv3YRVbDoYw4f3GDU7aAiLA1tCyx6s/w568-h640/049-fotor-2023121313371.png" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to paint the wooden fruit board that I showed <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-thriftedupcycled-kind-of-christmas_7.html" target="_blank">in my last post</a> as I wanted to use this special Christmas transfer. Unfortunately it turned out too dark - I have photographed it outside today as it's such a dull overcast day - but indoors, in my house, the transfer barely shows up. I should have used a light coloured background. But it's okay - its all learning & not everything I paint turns out just magical & wonderful.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswiC3-QycpLGGlVUSbuhoV0Z_oFluU_VMXI4dESDlxEt_nrs3GtN1_D5uwZR8gHhLv___zcOgJl76D_CjHIcbShh2JyY62sl5f8hyLPDWtu0nk5jYaOUAM8frcqozN54UPZx__z-ES35-_5ftqCHKbjiWnSlYebZ2McwV5yqoMsWzW-izUte6AwjdBiVc/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231213132312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswiC3-QycpLGGlVUSbuhoV0Z_oFluU_VMXI4dESDlxEt_nrs3GtN1_D5uwZR8gHhLv___zcOgJl76D_CjHIcbShh2JyY62sl5f8hyLPDWtu0nk5jYaOUAM8frcqozN54UPZx__z-ES35-_5ftqCHKbjiWnSlYebZ2McwV5yqoMsWzW-izUte6AwjdBiVc/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231213132312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have acquired a small selection of Christmas books & wanted something to display them in. This box </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(top left)</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> was in my sleepout - it had gotten damp at some stage & had watermarks all through it. I painted it Vintage White & mod-podged this lovely piece of decoupage paper to the front. The paint covered over the watermarks really well.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPuHh5Hkmd6_QiUckuCRuEYwjXDhUT72fe2mzBZ1S044yL1RR_i47XzMQ3erxqST2E60SR1PJk1zzm17GnrYCbEc-1VyJGzrE0m7vK3gBh6kdGE-KxdiytxLdRwmYCzZMRxj1iej9CB2qr7fskzMHJeoEHsLV50RmN05KkyO7iUFxMFDvNUkLH5OJVx3L/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231213132326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPuHh5Hkmd6_QiUckuCRuEYwjXDhUT72fe2mzBZ1S044yL1RR_i47XzMQ3erxqST2E60SR1PJk1zzm17GnrYCbEc-1VyJGzrE0m7vK3gBh6kdGE-KxdiytxLdRwmYCzZMRxj1iej9CB2qr7fskzMHJeoEHsLV50RmN05KkyO7iUFxMFDvNUkLH5OJVx3L/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231213132326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm really pleased with how this project turned out & Sid sat on the floor yesterday & read through some of the Christmas Children's books </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(all thrifted of course)</i></span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtZNbtK9iZxjPE5HutPTGgxWSnvRTz3x6O4K1WOyf2kOOA8jCcRAj0Mg2gvkhxg9vkbD1rMjbBbNipNqowZhhoxryGIF1K-YbzjvKDOlc7Lt_q9oIzVhogrGRhX0f5ASwgHEF0onY0lAg6d9Quefh8qx9oSYULrWuXNx0ZdeLFhM00eKT5J9n7tgcJqqi/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023121313420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtZNbtK9iZxjPE5HutPTGgxWSnvRTz3x6O4K1WOyf2kOOA8jCcRAj0Mg2gvkhxg9vkbD1rMjbBbNipNqowZhhoxryGIF1K-YbzjvKDOlc7Lt_q9oIzVhogrGRhX0f5ASwgHEF0onY0lAg6d9Quefh8qx9oSYULrWuXNx0ZdeLFhM00eKT5J9n7tgcJqqi/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023121313420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The felt elf boots </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(top left)</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> have been on my Pinterest board for a couple of years. Last night I decided I wanted to make some so I drew up a pattern, scaled it down somewhat & then sat & stitched a pair of elf boots. Mine are in pale green felt with pink pom poms because <b>Why Ever Not ?</b> 💚💗</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before I close a mention regarding my last post .... the last photo of the $12 thrifted picture is actually Our beloved Late Queen as a young Princess Elizabeth. Some of you realised this & some did not. My dear friend Willie very kindly did some research on this & sent me <a href="https://www.meisterdrucke.us/fine-art-prints/Philip-Alexius-de-%28after%29-Laszlo/1425725/Princess-Elizabeth%2C-aged-7.html" target="_blank">* this link *</a> if any of you are interested in reading about the prints.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you <b>so very much</b> dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope to be back in a few days with a <i>Christmas-Home-Tour-of-sorts </i>to share with you,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful rest-of-the-week,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-19077657159682471272023-12-07T15:44:00.000+13:002023-12-07T15:44:18.226+13:00A Thrifted/Upcycled Kind of Christmas - (Part 2)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all so much for the kind & encouraging comments you left me on my Part 1 post. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kIDVmiGj30tXgTeFre5MiuLanAwFh9wWiRpWTTHxUrewBIbCdA725qgAYFwQ_gpwUSHfAIru-vYSSCcEsIRdcraD-7dzCH6fjChLk35maGnE3liMPnG11DO_JiRMe79fnLwI3cehM0cBYKKuT7HrueXWh9bTYUUmvsbZeUK-Vtm1jshzHfvdCQ1DkObx/s1799/405393920_18395303233063248_1035852134782187937_n-fotor-2023120714420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kIDVmiGj30tXgTeFre5MiuLanAwFh9wWiRpWTTHxUrewBIbCdA725qgAYFwQ_gpwUSHfAIru-vYSSCcEsIRdcraD-7dzCH6fjChLk35maGnE3liMPnG11DO_JiRMe79fnLwI3cehM0cBYKKuT7HrueXWh9bTYUUmvsbZeUK-Vtm1jshzHfvdCQ1DkObx/w512-h640/405393920_18395303233063248_1035852134782187937_n-fotor-2023120714420.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this on Instagram on marcandangels post - very true indeed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A couple of months ago, whilst browsing my local St John's Op Shop, I saw this cone below. This was the same day I purchased the $1.50 wooden angel in my previous post.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WpMl_gMr6co-LRoCBYQLChYkqZIPel_irRt5wXZfxZr2-zMQ6BSB26OkpVJ0metwiLv3EbLgvaIuvFVfaA8ry0txAe2-n71J3Wt-48h_85mXvnf0xMfVe1iNGtYPOIOUdmPAJAwJlN3vstFvbpP-zc9F9NCTJD-a2f3ZvOtOczJhRTSy9ooFOl-yERV-/s1500/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231207135319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1500" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WpMl_gMr6co-LRoCBYQLChYkqZIPel_irRt5wXZfxZr2-zMQ6BSB26OkpVJ0metwiLv3EbLgvaIuvFVfaA8ry0txAe2-n71J3Wt-48h_85mXvnf0xMfVe1iNGtYPOIOUdmPAJAwJlN3vstFvbpP-zc9F9NCTJD-a2f3ZvOtOczJhRTSy9ooFOl-yERV-/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231207135319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cone was plastic & covered tightly in a thick brocade fabric - it measured 17 inches in height so was quite tall. It has been $8.90, marked down to $3.90, & when I took it to the counter the lady took another dollar off as the tip was slightly broken. I knew immediately I wanted to make it into a Yo Yo tree, the same as the one I made </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/01/some-post-christmas-finishes.html" target="_blank">last year in * this post *</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HAw8MQCEGlNnfKnH-bfI8f5jZO1KTBBDo2Bir6bDDhqoRZAR6sD3mvPgb6xo8-GTcsv_kTdPtAWsZ51Wo6fLfC4FqSuof3KRJU8ANwe_x8ygb02wTJAVAlUo1AMX2KtFWv3WFupmx8v2gunakMi7sKW1PDWQmjroTFIM_HAa7RjojqCpisSquiKB2RYd/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231207135335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HAw8MQCEGlNnfKnH-bfI8f5jZO1KTBBDo2Bir6bDDhqoRZAR6sD3mvPgb6xo8-GTcsv_kTdPtAWsZ51Wo6fLfC4FqSuof3KRJU8ANwe_x8ygb02wTJAVAlUo1AMX2KtFWv3WFupmx8v2gunakMi7sKW1PDWQmjroTFIM_HAa7RjojqCpisSquiKB2RYd/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231207135335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I painted it 2 coats of Linen chalk paint - it adhered really well. I also glued cardboard in the base to give it some stability, although the paint did stabilise it rather well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each evening sitting on my couch, I would make fabric yo yo flowers using fabrics in the French General range - it was quite therapeutic & as I made them I tossed them in a small basket by my chair. I made larger ones (12cm) for the first 2 rows & then decreased in size to a 9 cm circumference.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVcA8gOdwbT4NtIf_fWwLZRix-9eMnGxiDyel7QQT_ltFdoZFbdk1AXicsBX57ADADBv0T5E7gVXzevgXiubfRJXPA9HbNUxcmvqwVFvDwqs55anDAq4UEu50NNeb69AoZPIMDYDqV15o1KQj2IJPpKdxCnKuiFMXlxjTiJvGfDwiTuQQ9IiMD_Jji8Ju/s3808/023-fotor-20231207135627.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3808" data-original-width="2074" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVcA8gOdwbT4NtIf_fWwLZRix-9eMnGxiDyel7QQT_ltFdoZFbdk1AXicsBX57ADADBv0T5E7gVXzevgXiubfRJXPA9HbNUxcmvqwVFvDwqs55anDAq4UEu50NNeb69AoZPIMDYDqV15o1KQj2IJPpKdxCnKuiFMXlxjTiJvGfDwiTuQQ9IiMD_Jji8Ju/w348-h640/023-fotor-20231207135627.png" width="348" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally - just yesterday - I had enough yo yo's to cover my cone. I used fabric glue to attach them as I could not stitch through the painted surface. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9YhXWk9JvPaUQEdd2dcPuZ4fMPB_k4wma2zaQdVLql5cz5v6Lk5zie8rAcEP3mBLecT5JtlMC_QbeDWg4BKbdfUuhYCRDtFcjoRTQpOGnvv-wlKdzmJN5z6bDEBEE05W9UglgZA9c38yelrDhb5rWV0EiaMCRdS7HkgwO3OXjLz43bLS00b-OQPy1yhC/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231207135424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9YhXWk9JvPaUQEdd2dcPuZ4fMPB_k4wma2zaQdVLql5cz5v6Lk5zie8rAcEP3mBLecT5JtlMC_QbeDWg4BKbdfUuhYCRDtFcjoRTQpOGnvv-wlKdzmJN5z6bDEBEE05W9UglgZA9c38yelrDhb5rWV0EiaMCRdS7HkgwO3OXjLz43bLS00b-OQPy1yhC/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231207135424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This silver candle holder has been in my stash <strike>for</strike> <strike>years</strike> a very long time & I thought it would make a good stand for my cone tree. I currently have the tree just sitting atop the candle holder as I am unsure whether or not to paint this & I need your help & opinions please.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8R-Xh-qzjsqVsusE-8G79ZwPytMP1CWlDtEPhEtNvrHGUowuuSNljHvsm9Z_VILN3QWNA5Vvt2KMs5ALaIh6AafyEcCpPauZEc0Qp45xMbRFDoWGT5QJRuW2FXeq1EQ0pUlw-eNNGOpoJMRLNEOwlT4eQBMtI3i0WvyZZP2EdjFhaN-8Q6y4a-a0vP9i/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231207135444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8R-Xh-qzjsqVsusE-8G79ZwPytMP1CWlDtEPhEtNvrHGUowuuSNljHvsm9Z_VILN3QWNA5Vvt2KMs5ALaIh6AafyEcCpPauZEc0Qp45xMbRFDoWGT5QJRuW2FXeq1EQ0pUlw-eNNGOpoJMRLNEOwlT4eQBMtI3i0WvyZZP2EdjFhaN-8Q6y4a-a0vP9i/w640-h594/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231207135444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots & lots of yo yo flowers ...... 62 in total !! </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💗</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR77YZZpJ0ehCZqpIWgAdHSvM6It_5zo6OszeauVuBOUIVCayzA9UaiSam1Ni3eEZLcw0jY7a7hh793CdEGwaruKAEta1y2ditW-ld36tz7bVaDvJeWCa0pumvwx8ytrRHdlQOeoqwseFQ8akFh1VNkT4plEshsIZG7dIX2ct7NHaSLcytDhjRSLvkXtjL/s3900/021-fotor-20231207135726.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="2465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR77YZZpJ0ehCZqpIWgAdHSvM6It_5zo6OszeauVuBOUIVCayzA9UaiSam1Ni3eEZLcw0jY7a7hh793CdEGwaruKAEta1y2ditW-ld36tz7bVaDvJeWCa0pumvwx8ytrRHdlQOeoqwseFQ8akFh1VNkT4plEshsIZG7dIX2ct7NHaSLcytDhjRSLvkXtjL/w404-h640/021-fotor-20231207135726.png" width="404" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had thought about painting the base in a dull Christmas red - the same colour I have used <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-thriftedupcycled-kind-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">* here *</a> on the wooden reindeer. But I also rather like it left as it is ... sort of a bit vintage looking. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What would <b>You do </b>dear readers? Please leave me a comment below & let me know ... paint or leave as is ??</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o-ysekEUCwY6HhIncM5JzOKJ-cpu64j_Pboq75cmOZd4nB3iMELWIngRb19Gmh4GV14B1cuj7VNfbF-8dY_XU4RNVeYAb-f7SMEpM4_JDD8L8k55dH0HNlwaD15jCIxH-9GX9baref4JH8_fmN6SkwwXUEWg4a-nDKxSHUz9nJKtbnjN3MTEfF8PFm0V/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231207135459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o-ysekEUCwY6HhIncM5JzOKJ-cpu64j_Pboq75cmOZd4nB3iMELWIngRb19Gmh4GV14B1cuj7VNfbF-8dY_XU4RNVeYAb-f7SMEpM4_JDD8L8k55dH0HNlwaD15jCIxH-9GX9baref4JH8_fmN6SkwwXUEWg4a-nDKxSHUz9nJKtbnjN3MTEfF8PFm0V/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231207135459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Also the rusty star is just attached with double sided cellotape currently ... paint this ?? or leave as is ?? Your opinions would be very much appreciated. If you are unable to comment then just email me & I can copy/paste your comment. Thanking you in anticipation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(My email address is <i>stitchedbyjulie@hotmail.com</i>)</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCbfmeb0TyV2bTS2JeNYBtfOf0MgXcijaZefNTh5fnQWFNQZS237Y32cEyj79b-d6OOlxbY8S94A3d7nJUhYjtLJILuvMY7ca3AXNTKKY1cwMv-G5Gzli_C9LN0Uf_EjF3Oym-Y58tgkCYeaOGvGxguuBGZBQXABdu1Ao-TT3vuNmYC_60NNslVc7gQG0/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231207135354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCbfmeb0TyV2bTS2JeNYBtfOf0MgXcijaZefNTh5fnQWFNQZS237Y32cEyj79b-d6OOlxbY8S94A3d7nJUhYjtLJILuvMY7ca3AXNTKKY1cwMv-G5Gzli_C9LN0Uf_EjF3Oym-Y58tgkCYeaOGvGxguuBGZBQXABdu1Ao-TT3vuNmYC_60NNslVc7gQG0/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231207135354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This pair of wooden chopping boards was $4 in Stratford Hospice shop earlier in the year. I decided to paint the round one at the back ... this turned out to be simply a wood round & <b>Not</b> a chopping board & the paint went on so well ... I am using the Forrest Green that I have become rather addicted to this Christmas.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa9m4L-F-sAkqio2XXv_8yuwABnJLniJX0p9NebtbbbrK2utEbK8LWpIgHCMbNeUrk7Mi3ZJlrnC4fNkuZ3oCXWZOgBOk9kGCpvhz-VfqSPjfZcXTsZ4cM1PihmzdSA8mhgOIL8CODVwnrVPsSFdw4dIuwuPJTudQMFiqKoL3ATF92KX1D2nOFm20z9K4/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231207135411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa9m4L-F-sAkqio2XXv_8yuwABnJLniJX0p9NebtbbbrK2utEbK8LWpIgHCMbNeUrk7Mi3ZJlrnC4fNkuZ3oCXWZOgBOk9kGCpvhz-VfqSPjfZcXTsZ4cM1PihmzdSA8mhgOIL8CODVwnrVPsSFdw4dIuwuPJTudQMFiqKoL3ATF92KX1D2nOFm20z9K4/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231207135411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two coats later & I applied a wonderful Iron Orchid Designs transfer that I purchased last Christmas. I had planned to screw an eye hook into it to hang, but I rather like it just tucked into my display as is.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLwNm0aisI0izvL3_OPwbLono77mNavm5cjNdPTel3_-oXS73MhEpaXXBAbx9u78KDumStP20EXU7yAjyIPugPSSfqyZLkcVz6GX8B5r_F13VzbLN-OE3KaZmtR0fh0I_MKFqKatv-7IqRX4PtBHi8lebBNA0PwGRxgInINI6tbLizMoZCcqVF1d_wuB8/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231207135250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLwNm0aisI0izvL3_OPwbLono77mNavm5cjNdPTel3_-oXS73MhEpaXXBAbx9u78KDumStP20EXU7yAjyIPugPSSfqyZLkcVz6GX8B5r_F13VzbLN-OE3KaZmtR0fh0I_MKFqKatv-7IqRX4PtBHi8lebBNA0PwGRxgInINI6tbLizMoZCcqVF1d_wuB8/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231207135250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I bought the red hessian online in Spotlights Black Friday sale </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(last post)</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> I also bought 2 metres of Minecraft fabric. I made my Grandsons a pillowcase each using <a href="https://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2014/11/retro-pillowcases-how-to.html" target="_blank">* this * simple tutorial.</a>. As the fabric was extra wide I had enough on the sides to make them each up a drawstring bag as well. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnpaVMIq73sfgq-UIBBTxS80kj_wtP8EpkFU-NEy5V5SthhrX9aeE1L7-49ck-REfisDYC_oYpw2MdexPbuXNLfRpNMnxr2y7Ic50VeYFHe06UyXpjT1Sx7ezdDGg1adAMccFWjVApaOL2GuT0fmwFTeFhZhp8I5q1caMj5TAe1b__7s2-AFIsla5hTfN/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023120713534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnpaVMIq73sfgq-UIBBTxS80kj_wtP8EpkFU-NEy5V5SthhrX9aeE1L7-49ck-REfisDYC_oYpw2MdexPbuXNLfRpNMnxr2y7Ic50VeYFHe06UyXpjT1Sx7ezdDGg1adAMccFWjVApaOL2GuT0fmwFTeFhZhp8I5q1caMj5TAe1b__7s2-AFIsla5hTfN/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023120713534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are both right into everything Minecraft at present & I am sure they will love these items which I plan to put in their Christmas stockings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0yEetEUVPGwPBzIsTNdrC8VSpzf-bugMbNa-wVxj-3xQD21UWZemyKqJIle6JeXc0hUToWOdRqKkF6iIzY7noHn8xw_Fb5l2eJQNTZSMET_H-azmCuNHsbxEJoY3zXwnDLD5KdsUiUpCE8NnaZxExMsxu387X7aaKlv_Hq8hUvoxaHzlUWU9IaPmrcRr/s4000/019-fotor-2023120713583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0yEetEUVPGwPBzIsTNdrC8VSpzf-bugMbNa-wVxj-3xQD21UWZemyKqJIle6JeXc0hUToWOdRqKkF6iIzY7noHn8xw_Fb5l2eJQNTZSMET_H-azmCuNHsbxEJoY3zXwnDLD5KdsUiUpCE8NnaZxExMsxu387X7aaKlv_Hq8hUvoxaHzlUWU9IaPmrcRr/w480-h640/019-fotor-2023120713583.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I finished up some wooden tags that I had painted - some I used transfers on & others I mod podged serviettes onto. These will be tied onto gifts for some special folk.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a lovely craft group break-up outing last Monday when we visited Cambridge & went to view <a href="https://www.cambridge.co.nz/events/cambridge-christmas-festival-1-17-december/" target="_blank">the Town Hall</a> all decorated for Christmas. We also visited a couple of Op Shops & had a nice cafe lunch. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ZUHJPh0u9X-VWXnSeiHzYsj2DHP69jLFMBZo9PWDEaqxp0e1b3zmIjTYR5DLE5Ku-L3Q8GX-DFvXmuvafw1BBqe_kLSPl9xLlbfJk5hu3GgUOIJIsQjjFFlA6Th4vCqo0vRAyokkZ08Oqz1j0WpVPk2pXl3p4UzrgGIsWXkBRBDjpz0dWdI2zEhKk2B/s4000/015-fotor-20231207135535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ZUHJPh0u9X-VWXnSeiHzYsj2DHP69jLFMBZo9PWDEaqxp0e1b3zmIjTYR5DLE5Ku-L3Q8GX-DFvXmuvafw1BBqe_kLSPl9xLlbfJk5hu3GgUOIJIsQjjFFlA6Th4vCqo0vRAyokkZ08Oqz1j0WpVPk2pXl3p4UzrgGIsWXkBRBDjpz0dWdI2zEhKk2B/w480-h640/015-fotor-20231207135535.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the picture to enlarge it should you wish.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> While I was waiting for the ladies to be served in the SPCA Op-shop, I happened to look down on the floor & this picture was leaning against a stand, kind of tucked into the corner. I could <b>not resist</b> buying it & I <b>absolutely love it! </b> So dear friends ... look around but also look <b>up</b> & look <b>down</b> when you are thrifting - you never know what bargains you may miss. $12.00 an absolute bargain! 💙</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0x</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-51028387581955542602023-12-03T16:18:00.000+13:002023-12-03T16:18:17.470+13:00A Thrifted/Upcycled Kind of Christmas - (Part 1)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have lots of Christmas Creations to share with you so I plan to be posting quite often throughout December.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I wanted to share some thrifted & upcycled Christmas makes to hopefully inspire you that you don't need to spend alot of money - just a bit of imagination & time.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-nLMEXgBMaXHn9ki-D0xDQZ68n0S22Bk6AslU4iVmE_k7yudurKHLwkl2URIS-rO0T3PQW7I-JEyPnhEmTcE65g-I5D2iUZXS_BdP3buM2zm4YxtRgqtnUM9-TBRq24StW1HBYUvtxWsQL-H9lC6gu1jfh27yhfNjlbzWw2WD6A3kxi5emWIgBLWDQ7/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231203135337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-nLMEXgBMaXHn9ki-D0xDQZ68n0S22Bk6AslU4iVmE_k7yudurKHLwkl2URIS-rO0T3PQW7I-JEyPnhEmTcE65g-I5D2iUZXS_BdP3buM2zm4YxtRgqtnUM9-TBRq24StW1HBYUvtxWsQL-H9lC6gu1jfh27yhfNjlbzWw2WD6A3kxi5emWIgBLWDQ7/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231203135337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Although I have forgotten to take <i>a</i> <i>Before Photo,</i> the wooden Angel above left was picked up in the Stratford Hospice Op-shop for $1.50. She was a pale denim blue in colour. I painted her in 2 coats Antique White chalk paint & then decoupaged a Christmas serviette on to her dress. She makes a sweet display on my table along with a vase of Seafoam roses 💗</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HF_EQcK4ENdX-UwYrZ2q6BVYeLD8mGXMN5m33TBdLXXtLla7s5AQShjfI1nJrM8amtpd3A2LxZl9XtIsFKxj80racMd7ee0CwPQmnFr_1vZ4hHJdbPB0sSz8ygMWYO3Cv_ikiE5dVyRlNOp4yyMhQji3LnGVsa5wn863tGGHfUVderqrq2jckbxnlv-y/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231203135441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HF_EQcK4ENdX-UwYrZ2q6BVYeLD8mGXMN5m33TBdLXXtLla7s5AQShjfI1nJrM8amtpd3A2LxZl9XtIsFKxj80racMd7ee0CwPQmnFr_1vZ4hHJdbPB0sSz8ygMWYO3Cv_ikiE5dVyRlNOp4yyMhQji3LnGVsa5wn863tGGHfUVderqrq2jckbxnlv-y/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231203135441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember back <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/05/before-during-after.html" target="_blank">in * this post *</a> when I won the breadboard at a Pink Ribbon Breakfast fundraiser. It had sat in the back of my craft cupboard so I added a pretty poinsettia transfer & gave it 2 coats spray acrylic varnish so that food can still be placed on it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5uksGWOe48JcYLs8GmvMwQrCgx4RY3sqcdem-Jsn09XhaA1lJNzFUiUA7J8d5ldcUpj7VMR7YAwp9BeHlXx2cG1gHDnm1mhWqIHB0ZHRs9-9NoiPm5cE_o7QzfVfJAQJDxlfBpL2SbgqBVFJxTQYYKngO7KtnfFp6wJ9Pat7yu-Gv-Tb4Bj6aJRo4hAl/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231203135419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5uksGWOe48JcYLs8GmvMwQrCgx4RY3sqcdem-Jsn09XhaA1lJNzFUiUA7J8d5ldcUpj7VMR7YAwp9BeHlXx2cG1gHDnm1mhWqIHB0ZHRs9-9NoiPm5cE_o7QzfVfJAQJDxlfBpL2SbgqBVFJxTQYYKngO7KtnfFp6wJ9Pat7yu-Gv-Tb4Bj6aJRo4hAl/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231203135419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Reindeer above was white - he was on clearance (50 % off) in a local Variety Store last Christmas. I painted him in red to fit in with where I planned to display him. The cherubs above right were purchased from my local SPCA store in mid winter. Although they look plaster they are not & were only $4 each. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQivTgfBsAdjXJlvC45biH1fg1zY7RQN6UYee4Gc1The1FaAOChZ92kuyPDT_OSZC50lzJ2MICJXSyGvMiROR6kAcX9tHZgoD-PBWPp2cwQeUswtRumsJX-nFhr_qq1pQkOK2H7mWG-st-J2GRNnb6ottaN_1YHB6475S3O7Pr5GrPaEL_nt3Z2lR46sHG/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231203135455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQivTgfBsAdjXJlvC45biH1fg1zY7RQN6UYee4Gc1The1FaAOChZ92kuyPDT_OSZC50lzJ2MICJXSyGvMiROR6kAcX9tHZgoD-PBWPp2cwQeUswtRumsJX-nFhr_qq1pQkOK2H7mWG-st-J2GRNnb6ottaN_1YHB6475S3O7Pr5GrPaEL_nt3Z2lR46sHG/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231203135455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The poor Angel above was a sorry sight in my local St Johns Oppy. She was $1.50 & looked most unloved. I pulled her to bits by holding my hair dryer over the star & wings to loosen the glue - this did not come away as successfully as I hoped. But a sand, some chalk paint & decoupaged tissue, new hair, then wire added to hang her with & some pip berries wound around the wire ... a huge improvement don't you think ??!! </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💕</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frequently in thrift stores they have bins of kitchenware for very cheap as they seem to get so much of it donated. I found the sifter & the vintage grater in Mums Hospice a couple of years ago. Looking back through my photos I first attempted this in August 2022!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGHzhEge7AsROBtu1kKl2xdpkpdUaagbwWrR0i9SHP9ddZfak6B3ye5wh1Q2v502ZGE9lWkhNop1XfoblKu_OU53Om_su5vOxX1FZSe_LoQLhAfFUvq_Ejt7B0UZrAzxlDCRMED-XQABjB9Jw408AvU41Pd7MiKmLteNjliBrMiequkz7tPPkmSJIP21L/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231203135528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGHzhEge7AsROBtu1kKl2xdpkpdUaagbwWrR0i9SHP9ddZfak6B3ye5wh1Q2v502ZGE9lWkhNop1XfoblKu_OU53Om_su5vOxX1FZSe_LoQLhAfFUvq_Ejt7B0UZrAzxlDCRMED-XQABjB9Jw408AvU41Pd7MiKmLteNjliBrMiequkz7tPPkmSJIP21L/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231203135528.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I filled ziplock bags with cheap toilet cleaner purchased from the $2 shop & left each item in it for a couple of days, turning frequently. I wanted them to rust really well!! Once they'd reached my desired rusty-ness, I ran cold water over them to stop the process & there they sat, in my cupboard ...... until last week ...... when I dragged out the Sifter. I'd seen an idea on Pinterest & wanted to try it.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3zuFxJlY-Dz6xPd8qOvOdn7y3c0fQISrQUvXGkux1waZWy_JBiU1x-tOZbnqTlNBXMSBCtInuYSuNrzJ0-QtNP4qysVFVQWC8gInq33KWokaFmOvtZwRslVfRPbV9mRb75Yzu6UiRSsAH8OUcG7_V8RKi1E1UKc8LDsehSr4CWs2fA1quLmq2kYiLjE3/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231203135557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3zuFxJlY-Dz6xPd8qOvOdn7y3c0fQISrQUvXGkux1waZWy_JBiU1x-tOZbnqTlNBXMSBCtInuYSuNrzJ0-QtNP4qysVFVQWC8gInq33KWokaFmOvtZwRslVfRPbV9mRb75Yzu6UiRSsAH8OUcG7_V8RKi1E1UKc8LDsehSr4CWs2fA1quLmq2kYiLjE3/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231203135557.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how rusted it got by the photo of the back view.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I filled the inside with some wadding to about 3/4's the way up. Then I hot glued in a variety of different bits & bobs ... rusty birdhouse, a pinecone, some greenery & pip berries. I wanted some long cinnamon sticks but had none so I hot glued shorter ones together & then tied them up with torn fabric strips.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcoCkkbg1G9xCIDxDbJ_ejISwXvkYUDYa1RYBPPDfIJuwSPU3dFuITMbtXwVxe2Oa39rXBYSRpuSxDXa80pf1_j-atAUeVtaUyjwJHVRzITGeS17Rvos5yOM763_lbAqSJbqGtVs0-y-vIP08gKIjdsgPX2PlPAqhj6vVwHBl3wwEVrTA7Ms8deYNL9BC/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20231203135616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcoCkkbg1G9xCIDxDbJ_ejISwXvkYUDYa1RYBPPDfIJuwSPU3dFuITMbtXwVxe2Oa39rXBYSRpuSxDXa80pf1_j-atAUeVtaUyjwJHVRzITGeS17Rvos5yOM763_lbAqSJbqGtVs0-y-vIP08gKIjdsgPX2PlPAqhj6vVwHBl3wwEVrTA7Ms8deYNL9BC/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-20231203135616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made a small calico gingerbread man as well as some candy canes which I tea dyed & then painted stripes onto. I packed it really tightly & secured everything, as well as poking some dried moss into the gaps.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTP9E0pQd_Y1q331DThdoE2JPaxtx1jPZSzd7dsHECkpF2GULb0aMNkvdUVxEFr4os3eMYkdRI1PgIa1Q1GvdhivQR-5bw5Z2hmz2yv88PLOQ6UNNcnrc56EgxtdqsiyDA6KoEO-sl4wdJMwEz_54m7eqvoBN3LAGbLjbNdl5i1HQB2SZzf0kpzFNWHYw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231203135542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTP9E0pQd_Y1q331DThdoE2JPaxtx1jPZSzd7dsHECkpF2GULb0aMNkvdUVxEFr4os3eMYkdRI1PgIa1Q1GvdhivQR-5bw5Z2hmz2yv88PLOQ6UNNcnrc56EgxtdqsiyDA6KoEO-sl4wdJMwEz_54m7eqvoBN3LAGbLjbNdl5i1HQB2SZzf0kpzFNWHYw/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231203135542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I also made a tag by tea dying a luggage tag ... I am so thrilled with how this project turned out & look forward to doing something with the grater now. </div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoUHbxhI-EeH6ym1-A3VUF1gseGZ-eRAbWNfSoi2ssQGOPj7rVMIFI39gn85Bcb_LT_dQJtyv16dDG_wsYC2P_WTqGix76ZepLPsEIyIsDK-V35zjeIKDcmNQUsJTBA2utpaDTr8ZMR8Qqs0b3cPmgAnixbzdI7ETJY43ZWn4LuHVeERBLbXiugF4soAf/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023120314144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoUHbxhI-EeH6ym1-A3VUF1gseGZ-eRAbWNfSoi2ssQGOPj7rVMIFI39gn85Bcb_LT_dQJtyv16dDG_wsYC2P_WTqGix76ZepLPsEIyIsDK-V35zjeIKDcmNQUsJTBA2utpaDTr8ZMR8Qqs0b3cPmgAnixbzdI7ETJY43ZWn4LuHVeERBLbXiugF4soAf/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023120314144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <strike>big</strike> <strike>mess</strike> creative space top left, was how my work table looked last week as I had various wooden bits in the process of being painted. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I decoupaged tissue onto the oval tags & tied up 6 different soaps in cellophane & ribbon - I plan to gift these to the ladies tomorrow at our Christmas Craft Group break-up.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbKE9KKnBbP98Camc2SfvIaHkrNIiM8QC0v9k_lBTJ4wU8SlPayoMtiSve37L6wVjxMg8_swLJQU4mSBrTmPEkvmns54hDZ_qog4xXaLnijTt0dBkptoMBphoQaMWLdrM_cdTYJLxth08HlzGjqIPZIBeGcVm2R-R9wU_AonIO5kJr-gJvqhyphenhyphenyRptvfjx/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023120313546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbKE9KKnBbP98Camc2SfvIaHkrNIiM8QC0v9k_lBTJ4wU8SlPayoMtiSve37L6wVjxMg8_swLJQU4mSBrTmPEkvmns54hDZ_qog4xXaLnijTt0dBkptoMBphoQaMWLdrM_cdTYJLxth08HlzGjqIPZIBeGcVm2R-R9wU_AonIO5kJr-gJvqhyphenhyphenyRptvfjx/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023120313546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I did a Christmas display on my outdoor deck table. I'd purchased 2 metres of red hessian in Spotlight's black friday sale & made this into a runner. I placed my pots of white & red petunias on this but felt it still </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<i>needed something more" </i> ............</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had the chalkboard signs in my drawer so I painted them with Forrest Green & then added a transfer & Jute twine to make into a Christmassy sign.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOL9zy76dd0Nfuga_2zQWt_Kpjku7fL3xEcpMEETly9vYnWjCq0kqBTO850WosqqG3nfEtTAlW5gzeNpOqbC7RaKzRkUYEAMfmxJx_0p8vkt5XkmaW1IR6i78EJb_K0Vv1w8_UDG8kjwFclSZjYcAuNW7lB7Y1hzIYudF4c07VgcjePZaiX5wkgYk0xFj/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231203135353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOL9zy76dd0Nfuga_2zQWt_Kpjku7fL3xEcpMEETly9vYnWjCq0kqBTO850WosqqG3nfEtTAlW5gzeNpOqbC7RaKzRkUYEAMfmxJx_0p8vkt5XkmaW1IR6i78EJb_K0Vv1w8_UDG8kjwFclSZjYcAuNW7lB7Y1hzIYudF4c07VgcjePZaiX5wkgYk0xFj/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231203135353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The teapot above left was a thrift store find months ago so I also painted this with the green while I had it out. Once again, a transfer, some greenery & berries & it just finished off my table setting.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwKwnaz0SsmFckaj4nelKlRS71SG7LMRIf8Tf73deHEVYsCIwt6fx_JXBb_1IZ89vZtZO0H15tk1WS-EAwiRlaGwm6DazqfHOYSQYUcjnMN6N61hJuFAJhGZRXk1HEeF2KybeiQbrppTi2z6SraclMsCqHIvO7ih-A51EvG6bwmESDYYGteldVH8f8pXR/s3509/007-fotor-2023120314122.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3509" data-original-width="2995" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwKwnaz0SsmFckaj4nelKlRS71SG7LMRIf8Tf73deHEVYsCIwt6fx_JXBb_1IZ89vZtZO0H15tk1WS-EAwiRlaGwm6DazqfHOYSQYUcjnMN6N61hJuFAJhGZRXk1HEeF2KybeiQbrppTi2z6SraclMsCqHIvO7ih-A51EvG6bwmESDYYGteldVH8f8pXR/w546-h640/007-fotor-2023120314122.png" width="546" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Incidentally this is what you do when your teapot has <i>a wet bottom</i> <b>as well as</b> wet sides & lid ... you have to be a bit ingenious to dry it all at once 😉</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFypkMe8Nnvjqu_sm8YRBFqJHblRSo2c_RT1gCEjlLRk-_gWC5VN_zgkrHjK8tBWAD2hIZUNb3C-h8yi5Ug3s-f3jHuEvCcHLp_Rh0ActNsF-1IYTDq8L_ovqaUp6PWEEMpN5kwUsTz75vGzEULQuhoqkZXyXueq2L2I7ROT4hN2ntEn3fSJyjlSp-lfBX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231203135514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFypkMe8Nnvjqu_sm8YRBFqJHblRSo2c_RT1gCEjlLRk-_gWC5VN_zgkrHjK8tBWAD2hIZUNb3C-h8yi5Ug3s-f3jHuEvCcHLp_Rh0ActNsF-1IYTDq8L_ovqaUp6PWEEMpN5kwUsTz75vGzEULQuhoqkZXyXueq2L2I7ROT4hN2ntEn3fSJyjlSp-lfBX/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231203135514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blackboard advent calendars were purchased last year at the same time as the wooden deer </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(previously mentioned)</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> in a 50% off sale ... I bought 3 so gave one each to my Grandsons. </span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGEfDwTnMN67Z9ZKl1p2RD5nl8jV-vsjYq7AYXVe1DAHxAXs1XzvKpifRXQrPwaciiauypkNIUif2fB4qw_O7jmjHB2J5pGCtCq2fnHkL93ETDefnxGdm-qWJC9J49RC6DFSF_onO8KWAXl-sbN-nhmSbJbAl_7xwYuIo0v2cBnBoWGCpqw3OlG1L_IWF/s3937/010-fotor-20231203151745.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3937" data-original-width="2675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGEfDwTnMN67Z9ZKl1p2RD5nl8jV-vsjYq7AYXVe1DAHxAXs1XzvKpifRXQrPwaciiauypkNIUif2fB4qw_O7jmjHB2J5pGCtCq2fnHkL93ETDefnxGdm-qWJC9J49RC6DFSF_onO8KWAXl-sbN-nhmSbJbAl_7xwYuIo0v2cBnBoWGCpqw3OlG1L_IWF/w434-h640/010-fotor-20231203151745.png" width="434" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm really delighted with my Christmas Outdoor table & No dear friends .... as I type this .... there is <b><u>not</u> a cat on it as yet !!! 😲</b></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo24AR-XXQvIApudb1IO9GqZGExqQuMyQD6h9XUOBLDxcffYK0fyBqqZahUAiSTvZ2wOYDklFRg9AgUHuACuaThJZlndWJd4pRqMQeA09sp2gb9Q8JMVcFC3mfmi4q3HyBNfoRd4xgtGQ_pC-vA2I0E6knC93opVLxvItmPdlYJZm6rt28mHgTO2YII2i/s4000/049-fotor-20231203152351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo24AR-XXQvIApudb1IO9GqZGExqQuMyQD6h9XUOBLDxcffYK0fyBqqZahUAiSTvZ2wOYDklFRg9AgUHuACuaThJZlndWJd4pRqMQeA09sp2gb9Q8JMVcFC3mfmi4q3HyBNfoRd4xgtGQ_pC-vA2I0E6knC93opVLxvItmPdlYJZm6rt28mHgTO2YII2i/w480-h640/049-fotor-20231203152351.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter-in-law Sarah makes me a beautiful calendar each year with photos of Alec in it. I must admit to a bit of a 😥when I turned it over for December ... missing my dear Mum so very much!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I shall be back soon with Part 2 ... I just have to actually <b>finish</b> the item before I can share it with you.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-6389244169278720972023-11-30T16:10:00.002+13:002023-11-30T16:10:53.504+13:00" A Jingle In A Pringle " 🌲 <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I needed to wrap a fragile ornament for posting, so I found a cardboard tray in my recycling bin to cut up & use around the ornament.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXS7aoTpBfLMcO9gvlVQ53gEuQoJsaV8VTcSfoOfVSJaK15Dw7N6yypIHyk6TZ76L9XmNPSr0sUKJax4rM2lclL6mg_W1UJxWkgLQ0aNhqE8lYXX-5Wrrd6L9pTnhMMP7Be4TsE-YUwOdHyvNcV9S-Mnk6Dg5SuywMVrNk4Ue0myYyJsFkEBz-fhFudGu/s3464/010-fotor-202311301473.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXS7aoTpBfLMcO9gvlVQ53gEuQoJsaV8VTcSfoOfVSJaK15Dw7N6yypIHyk6TZ76L9XmNPSr0sUKJax4rM2lclL6mg_W1UJxWkgLQ0aNhqE8lYXX-5Wrrd6L9pTnhMMP7Be4TsE-YUwOdHyvNcV9S-Mnk6Dg5SuywMVrNk4Ue0myYyJsFkEBz-fhFudGu/w554-h640/010-fotor-202311301473.png" width="554" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I went to find my packaging tape & upon my return, this is what I found 🐱 ... a certain <i>ginger furry friend</i> curled up in the cardboard tray! This is especially for you Willie as you commented last week "no furry friends??"</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIxEYGQPmRYTQmO8VGRWYTFqDGzwwcF0O6-qx876QtG08x6qtJcX6blubEzlhY2RC-5b9XmDsAbzZOrM0djjb14dz6UB1obXNkUiPHwQ-_zaanLDwGYJn-HkJLyGL7xZicH2CEz3F8I49lITtDQKe4oD_CeD0jdU7rIJe-314SqV4rSyp6UtoliJR_A3P/s2982/008-fotor-2023113014747.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="2982" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIxEYGQPmRYTQmO8VGRWYTFqDGzwwcF0O6-qx876QtG08x6qtJcX6blubEzlhY2RC-5b9XmDsAbzZOrM0djjb14dz6UB1obXNkUiPHwQ-_zaanLDwGYJn-HkJLyGL7xZicH2CEz3F8I49lITtDQKe4oD_CeD0jdU7rIJe-314SqV4rSyp6UtoliJR_A3P/w640-h588/008-fotor-2023113014747.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I might add - she slept for over 2 hours there before I was able to cut up the cardboard box. You surely <b>cannot</b> tell me that is comfy ??!!</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in early September when I returned from Mum's funeral & crafting was <b>the very last thing on my mind</b> - my dear friend Claire messaged me to ask if I'd like to do <i>"a christmas challenge"?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She'd just had this bright idea for us to do "A Jingle in a Pringle". What might that be I enquired? 😉 </span><span style="font-size: large;">You take <a href="https://www.countdown.co.nz/shop/productdetails?stockcode=479501&name=pringles-chips-original" target="_blank">a Pringles tin</a> & make <i>something</i> <i>christmassy</i> that will fit inside it ! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hmmmm .... it certainly got my creative mind whirring ... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTUkM1BkHjGkXbnj388MlvDEfqnCRib9nsVFkDmbWe6wywsDpZpXeI5jRDusWQGVM5dKW5uV0bSTUlzorauPZvIjMJHeCNMIlLpKIlYcUcwAJ0g9sRWUrwmrtVjln-QzrnobmGtxMHxjRyRoP2NMhVhMEcc4tzAgs5yIsN7PZnKpEU0hBgL5wAcJNVMUr/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231130135922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTUkM1BkHjGkXbnj388MlvDEfqnCRib9nsVFkDmbWe6wywsDpZpXeI5jRDusWQGVM5dKW5uV0bSTUlzorauPZvIjMJHeCNMIlLpKIlYcUcwAJ0g9sRWUrwmrtVjln-QzrnobmGtxMHxjRyRoP2NMhVhMEcc4tzAgs5yIsN7PZnKpEU0hBgL5wAcJNVMUr/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231130135922.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I hadn't bought Pringles in years but Yes the local supermarket still sold them. I purchased a can & Sid happily munched his way through them for me. Then I painted my can 2 coats Forrest Green chalk paint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDMkqEUKqp4SDwhQIszNxedAz_G7hqRp7_81Gl_GPhICsK8pP_kRym50vbOKowQr3CLiZsTDk5DDJV8qNUzsjfzOIvEq14HMLEN7iLxy7UUJh8510imhm6QjTRHcwUs8lWMblel4rMWXVz7CfZoEz9k9sMsZwWb6RcxVx05s5rAtaOMNtV5T8TwioLQSc/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231130135936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDMkqEUKqp4SDwhQIszNxedAz_G7hqRp7_81Gl_GPhICsK8pP_kRym50vbOKowQr3CLiZsTDk5DDJV8qNUzsjfzOIvEq14HMLEN7iLxy7UUJh8510imhm6QjTRHcwUs8lWMblel4rMWXVz7CfZoEz9k9sMsZwWb6RcxVx05s5rAtaOMNtV5T8TwioLQSc/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231130135936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a lovely Christmas transfer that I thought would look just right against the Forrest Green colour ... I also glued some ribbon to the top & lower edges.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VkATLfGkqpT6KgPul71i46qiBgBzibiylnWYOz0IX-K-2FAtZl-C_rX9-FkMVooEWQ9k2MsMrpZwYAt-yqb1WyQ_CmcHIuIsaBX3EBh6BlOvyOTHTjPRJgomfHnRRN3LW0lx06WA6U2nAV04G_7nrY-WuutV3ShFlUhAM9GJbJOU24Nt4sZYV9v9q9jA/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231130135951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VkATLfGkqpT6KgPul71i46qiBgBzibiylnWYOz0IX-K-2FAtZl-C_rX9-FkMVooEWQ9k2MsMrpZwYAt-yqb1WyQ_CmcHIuIsaBX3EBh6BlOvyOTHTjPRJgomfHnRRN3LW0lx06WA6U2nAV04G_7nrY-WuutV3ShFlUhAM9GJbJOU24Nt4sZYV9v9q9jA/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231130135951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Although I went back & forth with a few ideas, I came back to my original thought - making Claire the tiny Country Friends Christmas dolls in Wendy Briggs book. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wendy is no longer designing but I have lots of her older patterns & books. It was tricky sewing & turning those teeny tiny doll legs & then painting the boots black ... its been awhile since I've done anything like this.</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXowKpzFSmdVMnhYcBzYwWwchv2R28n0m5MtNTMcnMAQVX97yh64hhkcMZTzyjpqsPzjmwoD-LP7gIiaw89xd9oUwLEwO3K1GgjWRN4nML3c7h60BnKnwLUyhX2SOTt-xMqcXAjE-TtOGBt41sfSkDp8c__nmaje1mINJu5454kA6RsTnY73RJuBj2cuAN/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-202311301404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXowKpzFSmdVMnhYcBzYwWwchv2R28n0m5MtNTMcnMAQVX97yh64hhkcMZTzyjpqsPzjmwoD-LP7gIiaw89xd9oUwLEwO3K1GgjWRN4nML3c7h60BnKnwLUyhX2SOTt-xMqcXAjE-TtOGBt41sfSkDp8c__nmaje1mINJu5454kA6RsTnY73RJuBj2cuAN/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-202311301404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Mr would be in the dining-room working on his laptop in the evenings, & I would be in the Lounge. He would send me phone photos of Little One who would sneak into my sewing room, take the dolls </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(or doll body parts)</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">off my desk & then play with them ... this went on for several nights despite how well I hid them 😐</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RAZjI3xxJl800F_kj2PpCQDvTgvNIrmZOQXroGpUlPBSDyB7QdmUYOySzAAm-u8R0KSeRTkqGMBRzVWXJMibk5ydxPPMK00pYTDxRC5P7Mi7_OVJspUFvD8E7ic_UXoYFVut-IDIONSprxFQ04BRYxLMmRoHXw_SSyVhkXLbS3PkBCEuSZA_wnpqdRZw/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2023113014040.jpg" width="640" /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I was absolutely delighted how the dolls turned out. Their names are Joy & Kris Kringle & I managed to make them entirely from fabrics & trims already in my stash. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73_QBk0_adCP8r20EW6Z5ZCQuHsHpOD6vxf0e3P4dLy8uJYIPsuF5M4CpCYjHYAUBzNyuG6AQaOxb3MZXs8xgIiRi5kNwkPtZwvXWHCxro9IC5HpDqJiCb985tfRTfgWCR3S97ni0UeL1agXrZTzjEUIrfeSSx5qIZKpwKXMCjMXKfILUCfU2C6-uaV7P/s3562/006-fotor-20231130144033.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3562" data-original-width="2989" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73_QBk0_adCP8r20EW6Z5ZCQuHsHpOD6vxf0e3P4dLy8uJYIPsuF5M4CpCYjHYAUBzNyuG6AQaOxb3MZXs8xgIiRi5kNwkPtZwvXWHCxro9IC5HpDqJiCb985tfRTfgWCR3S97ni0UeL1agXrZTzjEUIrfeSSx5qIZKpwKXMCjMXKfILUCfU2C6-uaV7P/w538-h640/006-fotor-20231130144033.png" width="538" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">You can see from the photo above that they are only the size of a pencil - just under 6 & 1/2 inches in height ... so rather tiny & fiddly.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6d3USoM93XyLcMixlrKbbE6SxS_fBbu4B2Z_ntkZjJA6xP_cDVcV2JzEiNFE92sVI6gIbIb-frVXBH9EQIHdVxupPfGwgXM711TAvSKLnKYrIKNPu2MlSYkDc4CMg1pc-fBHmjfd04uynsPBfB5jhnRkvO9Fs_2pk1z-ZS0tTOjiVX5SEudRCWh0jpfc/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023113014118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6d3USoM93XyLcMixlrKbbE6SxS_fBbu4B2Z_ntkZjJA6xP_cDVcV2JzEiNFE92sVI6gIbIb-frVXBH9EQIHdVxupPfGwgXM711TAvSKLnKYrIKNPu2MlSYkDc4CMg1pc-fBHmjfd04uynsPBfB5jhnRkvO9Fs_2pk1z-ZS0tTOjiVX5SEudRCWh0jpfc/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023113014118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A closer view of their handpainted boots & Joy has some stitchery on her skirt.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh-J-bmSV7sXL12FWC_hvvNo0wZpWvhNzwGKKvMsDC0tissVzPjouQAnc6001QlfK3CkdnzIaBVGdoYIvPa4KIBPaVOPxasPu0IwV-9UPRzTy5nsk5NZ1hOMgVSi8QxI1EjOlqODFIVWjRr4gYwG2Guvdx4_b52nofyFk8Sfftbqnnlg9oxz6jqRsTV-K/s3156/113-fotor-2023113014435.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh-J-bmSV7sXL12FWC_hvvNo0wZpWvhNzwGKKvMsDC0tissVzPjouQAnc6001QlfK3CkdnzIaBVGdoYIvPa4KIBPaVOPxasPu0IwV-9UPRzTy5nsk5NZ1hOMgVSi8QxI1EjOlqODFIVWjRr4gYwG2Guvdx4_b52nofyFk8Sfftbqnnlg9oxz6jqRsTV-K/w608-h640/113-fotor-2023113014435.png" width="608" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Once they were finished I was looking at them & wondered if perhaps Claire might like to make them into a swag. So I made a little stuffed heart from homespun fabric ... I didn't stitch them into a swag as they would not have fitted into the Pringles tin but I wrote Claire a note suggesting this when I sent the package down.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCS4RcTDCEE4aVjbYE67qM_2Aid3FTyjFlpPtKRMvVPJvzmE1terNjXk2VTHq7lw14wdqx02i7ffFHqPuVwJxUf7GiW759A_45XETniXzRJih6xPWMhRij8k6t9jMOA_5pm9xGjq0KF6Qf3W_puKuW9nOqEXKYQ_W-rDKaUl1kHZFyturefolzzbDzXZI/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-202311301413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCS4RcTDCEE4aVjbYE67qM_2Aid3FTyjFlpPtKRMvVPJvzmE1terNjXk2VTHq7lw14wdqx02i7ffFHqPuVwJxUf7GiW759A_45XETniXzRJih6xPWMhRij8k6t9jMOA_5pm9xGjq0KF6Qf3W_puKuW9nOqEXKYQ_W-rDKaUl1kHZFyturefolzzbDzXZI/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-202311301413.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can see how they might look stitched into a swag.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3329" data-original-width="2982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnTNQcKY7bcdXfw_baoFDYZmOU8pacAjGeSnhUpotL3oxKctFiJSd7rNBOkG_wDLJGXkbieh9pQQmOGQqRmg_PbNPb6_nEUw6fJtVTdJkNvE2wxuUc2sKOKOHG61ZGaPN-zoA_DGsQxi6IZFMxFXtBdCoKn_PwbR3PczSz49HhWs9Hf4oOmO5CX76H0pi/w574-h640/123-fotor-2023113014237.png" width="574" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also had room </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(<b>only</b> <b>just!)</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> to add in one of the stockings that I showed </span><a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/11/all-stocking-ed-out.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">in last week's post</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. I filled it with some choccies, a candy cane & a small ceramic Christmas tree ornament.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you dear friends - it was <b>a tight fit</b> getting all those items in that Pringles tin without squashing them up too much!!</span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xblmnETtcYyGXJo1oSEVPc-BWWgR8T3iWnKeWPZO5f7xy34PxCAukke9F5yaLxqIZVOVa2zVdgPhQufG1IuXIkMWFc7pBxOtfpbi2Adu9O7L-S8WrojNE5ayrOi46JB0fnn6qeTYyv4PPLbj9H76JmOGA4MN2WwTNuUeopykohpujheOEyAI5lSVeghyphenhyphen/s4000/004-fotor-2023113014148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xblmnETtcYyGXJo1oSEVPc-BWWgR8T3iWnKeWPZO5f7xy34PxCAukke9F5yaLxqIZVOVa2zVdgPhQufG1IuXIkMWFc7pBxOtfpbi2Adu9O7L-S8WrojNE5ayrOi46JB0fnn6qeTYyv4PPLbj9H76JmOGA4MN2WwTNuUeopykohpujheOEyAI5lSVeghyphenhyphen/w480-h640/004-fotor-2023113014148.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I bought a Christmas box at the Variety Store, packaged it all up in red tissue, then added one of the wooden tags that I made <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-catch-up-post-part-1.html" target="_blank">in *this post* last year.</a> I also added in some Choccies, some Relax tea & a bag of my homemade Citrus Potpourri. The package only took 2 days to arrive at Claires & she was so thrilled upon opening it. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reason I sent it <b>before</b> December is because Claire is taking part in a Christmas Home Tour this weekend ... opening her home all decorated for Christmas, & I thought she might perhaps like to include the swag in her decorating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I shall be sure & show you my <i>Jingle in a Pringle </i>from Claire when it arrives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN6m0RjXaxoQnBOXUo0NE8pyIqimKIeKrJ5xobohTHnXL0pATxlHCU6U8tD_KCP6H7RG591O-1mogmYvfTNwfEWDfgVILxxMToihwyJwdngCD1iS-QLWcZTlGY7FQNMOOsfgfOmYTJ7L19Cfn8PGErUK-E6KsniOiXJiyJydGePZdR26MjGMfWqADSF_m/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231130135838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN6m0RjXaxoQnBOXUo0NE8pyIqimKIeKrJ5xobohTHnXL0pATxlHCU6U8tD_KCP6H7RG591O-1mogmYvfTNwfEWDfgVILxxMToihwyJwdngCD1iS-QLWcZTlGY7FQNMOOsfgfOmYTJ7L19Cfn8PGErUK-E6KsniOiXJiyJydGePZdR26MjGMfWqADSF_m/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231130135838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning was a baking morning whereby I made <a href="https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/gooey-caramel-anzac-slice/" target="_blank">Caramel Anzac Slice</a> for my eldest son, <a href="https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/weetbix-slice/" target="_blank">a Weetbix Slice</a> for The Mr, & another loaf of <a href="https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/" target="_blank">Banana Bread</a> as I had banana's turning brown. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqvf8a3UExkirJQPrQaoyXemA6NMm0pllpdd5tFQT9Vxw3vHRXr69NnvdykHmwgXF0Z_SdOGOM0J0PzNSYD1VuU09vxAXWJEy5Got0WXU3xCxCumVFbqR5etStT2dV-JwgM7ATRm3D4UwxPa_7OMRScgr3rOrgwH12zKrQEvfe0CtUIiyQqQ8MLCyMQVR/s452/8655b39de71c8fe59656a8adb47b51e0-fotor-20231130141152.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="452" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqvf8a3UExkirJQPrQaoyXemA6NMm0pllpdd5tFQT9Vxw3vHRXr69NnvdykHmwgXF0Z_SdOGOM0J0PzNSYD1VuU09vxAXWJEy5Got0WXU3xCxCumVFbqR5etStT2dV-JwgM7ATRm3D4UwxPa_7OMRScgr3rOrgwH12zKrQEvfe0CtUIiyQqQ8MLCyMQVR/w640-h524/8655b39de71c8fe59656a8adb47b51e0-fotor-20231130141152.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of @LadySnowAngel on Pinterest</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we wave Goodbye to November & welcome in December & the festive season. It feels like I blinked & November disappeared by.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you dear friends, as always, for your welcome visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we approach a busy time of year, please remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the 3 furry ones x0x0x0</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-2550812817446629692023-11-26T16:04:00.005+13:002023-11-26T17:21:02.724+13:00All Stocking-ed Out (!!!) <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been a stocking-making kind of week <i>(or fortnight) </i>& I am currently </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">all stocking-ed out !</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJabB9vJIwHzxaegnwwXdh2VfS2AFbwjIK_o15dCv6xTn1Z8EuoxjHHgsr3rcEc9rd_U7-_iop8jQNDLuqYMWVRQENEU182hWiuVZsEcnZqIXCu-SN8ia01Ne3V2w5aDIN9TIBQA626OKXh3n6RNpWi38nZ0Mmz72Q-twF-6XDt3JsT8BuXg6neEFxPqLB/s3779/003-fotor-2023111715342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3779" data-original-width="2919" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJabB9vJIwHzxaegnwwXdh2VfS2AFbwjIK_o15dCv6xTn1Z8EuoxjHHgsr3rcEc9rd_U7-_iop8jQNDLuqYMWVRQENEU182hWiuVZsEcnZqIXCu-SN8ia01Ne3V2w5aDIN9TIBQA626OKXh3n6RNpWi38nZ0Mmz72Q-twF-6XDt3JsT8BuXg6neEFxPqLB/w494-h640/003-fotor-2023111715342.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Our beautiful Cherry Blossom tree <a href="https://leafland.co.nz/trees/prunus-serrulata-shimidsu-sakura/" target="_blank">(Shimidsu-sakura</a>) in full bloom a couple of weeks ago, before the strong winds came.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGsu9ESQN8VC4R2YGkHkC_9qvEMCVkRcAX7i0JNZ5DFLgqo-o2SrTD77mwakGRf3Jqy1IhrmXCGMbKEO9JI1H5UFpTquWxBSeJWXsivc9jaiu87UpS9JphZjG-Q0a_yDswo0zeU9kI4HYjf6xfqrFoEhyphenhyphenrvbkgCPCaoplmYIF3EpQj062zr9FmCJBlX0R/s4000/104-fotor-20231126143721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGsu9ESQN8VC4R2YGkHkC_9qvEMCVkRcAX7i0JNZ5DFLgqo-o2SrTD77mwakGRf3Jqy1IhrmXCGMbKEO9JI1H5UFpTquWxBSeJWXsivc9jaiu87UpS9JphZjG-Q0a_yDswo0zeU9kI4HYjf6xfqrFoEhyphenhyphenrvbkgCPCaoplmYIF3EpQj062zr9FmCJBlX0R/w480-h640/104-fotor-20231126143721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of October my local Patchwork Store <a href="https://stitchinstuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stitchin-stuff</a> put a notice in their online newsletter requesting small christmas stockings to be made to donate to the local Foodbank. I collected the free pattern & instructions & cut out several from my Christmas fabrics.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I managed to sew up 10 before Covid struck me & my sewing abilities disappeared out the window 😐 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgfglGVDj0rXTeAUqf2oZroAfM4Chaf8WG6XCe7JDOvEcyw-JXYvECwqSP0QD4ZUsEAxDLVKDCPF0DwQy7Cgcdu0oIcfsXTMvKoKWPOsibdrG0bzgAEs9BP5dO2pmorH9ELU_OATwUogein6GE3M5EtFjoOgsEqZ_8lVjdOQyoH9YWe5FklmzuU5wWk3p/s4032/107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgfglGVDj0rXTeAUqf2oZroAfM4Chaf8WG6XCe7JDOvEcyw-JXYvECwqSP0QD4ZUsEAxDLVKDCPF0DwQy7Cgcdu0oIcfsXTMvKoKWPOsibdrG0bzgAEs9BP5dO2pmorH9ELU_OATwUogein6GE3M5EtFjoOgsEqZ_8lVjdOQyoH9YWe5FklmzuU5wWk3p/w480-h640/107.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are fully lined & padded with wadding, & each one measures just under 8 inches. This one above was one of my favourites fabrics. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The store were hoping to reach a target of 300 stockings & when I dropped mine in they were up to 279. </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa1JZCBIL-o5kqcYoTy7QpvioXFmjN_cQQ6V3a1ycTJDGjgAzJmp8EOjH1A8SkcjcVg0Y2zjSgeJ3b7fy3EpK9zYaLcPDpPMFDOqbPUslcIJ_XIhdXyNJ3kAgMZ5UXep0aW1_Yg85TxsrSEG5Lu1n4nQeQ75kIpm0YdteIETtmpNjZnVpKQZsWSm1E6or/s4000/044-fotor-2023112614431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa1JZCBIL-o5kqcYoTy7QpvioXFmjN_cQQ6V3a1ycTJDGjgAzJmp8EOjH1A8SkcjcVg0Y2zjSgeJ3b7fy3EpK9zYaLcPDpPMFDOqbPUslcIJ_XIhdXyNJ3kAgMZ5UXep0aW1_Yg85TxsrSEG5Lu1n4nQeQ75kIpm0YdteIETtmpNjZnVpKQZsWSm1E6or/w480-h640/044-fotor-2023112614431.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Click on the picture to enlarge & read clearly)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I was delighted to read in my local newspaper this week that they actually reached 350 in the end. The store fills them with chocolate treats & they go in the Foodbank boxes for families that have younger children. Next year I will aim to sew up more as I am sure I have 10 already cut out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrXezoqqB7kQA9BECPLwxtNblri5x4wYs3mY9yxuRzGIwBJbRJJgf3Ve3VPrdTpO9e5E5J9Cfbzl3RI0JFwGb-o1ZGeHY1YpBIeojRbtz0Iq4ZtzD-se6CHESEJDoxq7Je4MbD9l1BQsNgs-In7jZJfeQ_c-PcPyL9eCfHVo-BCdNvl_qsdXK_YLEPB-_/s3126/102.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3126" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrXezoqqB7kQA9BECPLwxtNblri5x4wYs3mY9yxuRzGIwBJbRJJgf3Ve3VPrdTpO9e5E5J9Cfbzl3RI0JFwGb-o1ZGeHY1YpBIeojRbtz0Iq4ZtzD-se6CHESEJDoxq7Je4MbD9l1BQsNgs-In7jZJfeQ_c-PcPyL9eCfHVo-BCdNvl_qsdXK_YLEPB-_/w620-h640/102.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These sweet little stockings above are a free pattern from the <a href="https://www.twigandtale.com/products/mini-christmas-stockings-advent-calendar?_pos=1&_sid=df9d5f5bd&_ss=r" target="_blank">Twig and Tale</a> website.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I buy offcuts of linen when I see it in the thrift stores & I hand embroidered these before sewing. I plan to fill them with some ceramic christmas ornaments for a couple of special people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtipdye6INoods7smMSukC7mknJI1O_jrXx-dZznA8oBRwkYOCaSH1SloDYdnEgTiOOf0txlLU3r10hOC1NC3aGYh24iRWC6pams7nK86AVdjpiMVrunwt7mZ7exHcSODPDd2ecf8569iiTGEj_pfjkPhkl7QoXDKuJE7ZaA4JqrIhyphenhyphen2N1_z-0Gi2atVu/s4000/062-fotor-20231126144152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtipdye6INoods7smMSukC7mknJI1O_jrXx-dZznA8oBRwkYOCaSH1SloDYdnEgTiOOf0txlLU3r10hOC1NC3aGYh24iRWC6pams7nK86AVdjpiMVrunwt7mZ7exHcSODPDd2ecf8569iiTGEj_pfjkPhkl7QoXDKuJE7ZaA4JqrIhyphenhyphen2N1_z-0Gi2atVu/w480-h640/062-fotor-20231126144152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Last year, after Christmas, I made myself the swag of primitive stockings above. My dear friend Sandy had shown me a photo on her phone & I made them from memory ... in the softest green & grey striped linen fabrics above. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHQWYYVX-F9uf7NcHFjf6_UfnVslH41aNK6MqXsocY2YtvzZaCcaoCdS__pvVoXpM_B1Vc4WaeAaqkDvWDDFVGLs6Ys7XyZeDVaiI5AhuxYlEqZjm50Y8AeprTzWJMYB5FJy7UtAh0Z-9_Bo8O_0q4dWi7Q_jZny77RWIIMufJIR03K1Rb1PocfFIs-KH/s4000/130-fotor-2023112614387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHQWYYVX-F9uf7NcHFjf6_UfnVslH41aNK6MqXsocY2YtvzZaCcaoCdS__pvVoXpM_B1Vc4WaeAaqkDvWDDFVGLs6Ys7XyZeDVaiI5AhuxYlEqZjm50Y8AeprTzWJMYB5FJy7UtAh0Z-9_Bo8O_0q4dWi7Q_jZny77RWIIMufJIR03K1Rb1PocfFIs-KH/w640-h480/130-fotor-2023112614387.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend Sandy has moved away down to the South Island & I miss her immensely. I decided to make her a set in reds & taupes as I knew she loved these colours. I posted them away & Sandy was delighted when they arrived as she had just begun her Christmas decorating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTHcaVCsy6EalSFFamiRvZmbxPOLf-q3ywt8dWcyflMkqms_C4oerymefPT8OxeHlf7I9XsjG3DVh_a3dlFUA8JcCyNhNvm0_ibMgVAoSvzlk2qTJ1uUOVG94sJRp-Ptkb0PH_Ot_65WK_3GZGJQKcWupBoP3P-pJJbZzbh0A4BxfNpv4PAtqMFhg0hR0/s3914/053-fotor-2023112614458.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3914" data-original-width="2488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTHcaVCsy6EalSFFamiRvZmbxPOLf-q3ywt8dWcyflMkqms_C4oerymefPT8OxeHlf7I9XsjG3DVh_a3dlFUA8JcCyNhNvm0_ibMgVAoSvzlk2qTJ1uUOVG94sJRp-Ptkb0PH_Ot_65WK_3GZGJQKcWupBoP3P-pJJbZzbh0A4BxfNpv4PAtqMFhg0hR0/w406-h640/053-fotor-2023112614458.png" width="406" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While hunting for some threads I came across this stitchery that I had stitched last Christmas & never ever made up. It is a very old design from Mogs Designs whom I am sure no longer designs. It is called "tis' the season stocking"</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasqJ7nx6pKODeJAWNUAkvGcSaiKGGkoy3G2eia7Yl8qBWQn_tXJw8FycmmJbFTCWShJ6urUg7d8BWJ4hjliIgdeVq652ZhKYy80Ht26zUYltZG8P4rxNb3nLlVQ7CfDr3QX57tK-XZgnZUnj-6dDkqDLIqVSltp2tSZUKk34ATu25o37_H_F0ynZvyA1B/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231126144538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasqJ7nx6pKODeJAWNUAkvGcSaiKGGkoy3G2eia7Yl8qBWQn_tXJw8FycmmJbFTCWShJ6urUg7d8BWJ4hjliIgdeVq652ZhKYy80Ht26zUYltZG8P4rxNb3nLlVQ7CfDr3QX57tK-XZgnZUnj-6dDkqDLIqVSltp2tSZUKk34ATu25o37_H_F0ynZvyA1B/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231126144538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I'd done the stitchery I still needed to tea-dye my calico & then make up the stocking, stuff it & fill the top with berries & greenery as well as make the 3 candy canes. I also sewed 7 rusty bells down the length of the stocking. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I used to make lots of these & sell in my Craft Cottage & they were always VeRy popular. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">🎄</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMWlFHPzZZNQU3DV1DanA97RUmAFGHGSqVUAFQEHYY8Ubqe-kf8DX0ijg3YtyOPlSxoG8cnRBGjEFebFzgKRIkEt4PXVNREJVrScG6Nl2I7LQdGQTAz59wG19ZDhBPROribHchDnb2eYflDb2iOHNIRGyut3mzUrGHXvhXKU9S1tvKd5l2rzwe1_k_6rH/s4000/059-fotor-20231126144651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMWlFHPzZZNQU3DV1DanA97RUmAFGHGSqVUAFQEHYY8Ubqe-kf8DX0ijg3YtyOPlSxoG8cnRBGjEFebFzgKRIkEt4PXVNREJVrScG6Nl2I7LQdGQTAz59wG19ZDhBPROribHchDnb2eYflDb2iOHNIRGyut3mzUrGHXvhXKU9S1tvKd5l2rzwe1_k_6rH/w480-h640/059-fotor-20231126144651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love this little area of hand-mades hanging on my wall. The Calico Reindeer I made <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-decorating-at-threadbear-hq.html" target="_blank">in * this post * back in 2020.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9GGyqMaY5gT0H6a_0PWg69zzISQ6YVyiskGbPSzi2rfRsc0Ry5eCswRoOZew4JBjW000KeUBT4xBs7_zx-7cfArZRV9ZRABaBQ2FhB_u-_lfDN0OvalpD2tgOO8vxQ3b4mr_1AusItGiuljl5BVJ-EsNuhqU_AFW5tZomQ1MClfdeXYdhcfGfOQcWUOH/s2000/ipiccy_image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9GGyqMaY5gT0H6a_0PWg69zzISQ6YVyiskGbPSzi2rfRsc0Ry5eCswRoOZew4JBjW000KeUBT4xBs7_zx-7cfArZRV9ZRABaBQ2FhB_u-_lfDN0OvalpD2tgOO8vxQ3b4mr_1AusItGiuljl5BVJ-EsNuhqU_AFW5tZomQ1MClfdeXYdhcfGfOQcWUOH/w640-h320/ipiccy_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And <b>Yes -</b> it was time again to sit & wrap <b>48</b> little parcels, & fill my Grandsons advent stockings. This was a good activity to do while resting from Covid & took me 3 days to complete (!!!) I will be delivering these this coming Thursday. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMBimkKXdso04MjAwkfz1Lc8MRi0aMUy7UJXzOAlkaTSlTfgyXJOLPUkgo2utt6VEwjx2Z8PnK1iCTXpj4N5jkigsqKOPskquqdzvxX1oYWKfs41FwbOrO9T2-rgqfJr3kL3oWKbMz2AmP3pzL0oWd0wR8_dfXW0QIqhjsO4yF9xmu07gi2GUHG3X5PC6/s4000/007-fotor-20231126144022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMBimkKXdso04MjAwkfz1Lc8MRi0aMUy7UJXzOAlkaTSlTfgyXJOLPUkgo2utt6VEwjx2Z8PnK1iCTXpj4N5jkigsqKOPskquqdzvxX1oYWKfs41FwbOrO9T2-rgqfJr3kL3oWKbMz2AmP3pzL0oWd0wR8_dfXW0QIqhjsO4yF9xmu07gi2GUHG3X5PC6/w640-h480/007-fotor-20231126144022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just prior to going on the Cruise I cleaned out our fireplace, scrubbed the brick surround & then bought all my houseplants back from the <i>"hospital corner"</i> down the end of my lounge. I noticed my ladder fern </span><i style="font-size: large;">(2nd from left)</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>had roots coming out the bottom so it needed a re-pot.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQX6iNp4eDJiLXcXed8bhek7LcwaLCaMpqYoxfrTvuZEt3WlyiGVgu-y4s_nI0Ux0PiWK39Cj9sspku6in0iLhM5Pe-ucRn66958HbHHM-eM58I54k8IwHPF912Y_jZ38rSIeqWGgvfR4DWtOQ4nG1699NytUhLjuq82S_xR6f5aIa-5qqF50R6vUN8ms/s3001/132-fotor-20231126143938.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3001" data-original-width="2814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQX6iNp4eDJiLXcXed8bhek7LcwaLCaMpqYoxfrTvuZEt3WlyiGVgu-y4s_nI0Ux0PiWK39Cj9sspku6in0iLhM5Pe-ucRn66958HbHHM-eM58I54k8IwHPF912Y_jZ38rSIeqWGgvfR4DWtOQ4nG1699NytUhLjuq82S_xR6f5aIa-5qqF50R6vUN8ms/w600-h640/132-fotor-20231126143938.png" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found this pot under my house, bought home from Mum's when I cleared out No 44 way back in February. I thought it was a good size for the fern but needed a paint. I painted it in Old Linen, the same colour as the other pots, then gave it 2 coats of spray varnish to protect/seal it. I found an offcut of transfer that I also applied to it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK-gjsRZIBdt29IzBu7Fq3hwxOSbVxNQuD-ZhQh9SbXjRjPmgvgwhSKRqKdXtgv0YhFt7de-pF6q3NWVIRPTZewkLR5Wyxb9d41GJu1rAzu4Jhu9MEgoUMdEEFbWPG_adruuv6zQLTG5AK7cfyELWXm7DSXwaTpj7tO8yhi4uSi54mfxmAvXWCDAHNn6R/s4000/052-fotor-20231126144116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK-gjsRZIBdt29IzBu7Fq3hwxOSbVxNQuD-ZhQh9SbXjRjPmgvgwhSKRqKdXtgv0YhFt7de-pF6q3NWVIRPTZewkLR5Wyxb9d41GJu1rAzu4Jhu9MEgoUMdEEFbWPG_adruuv6zQLTG5AK7cfyELWXm7DSXwaTpj7tO8yhi4uSi54mfxmAvXWCDAHNn6R/w640-h480/052-fotor-20231126144116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am <b>sure</b> that my ladder fern breathed a sigh of relief when I repotted it & it's looking much healthier already. And <b>Yes</b> dear readers - you can see definate signs of Christmas decorating going on here at Threadbear HQ.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you - as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>( a new Header to take us into the festive season)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-79834374926903765892023-11-17T16:58:00.000+13:002023-11-17T16:58:53.544+13:00Cruise-ing, Covid ........ & Orders<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">October of last year, while I was lying in a hospital bed recovering from a not-especially-nice surgery, my friend Gail sent me a text ... Would I like to go on a 5-day cruise next year in November?? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why ever not ?! I thought. Of course it was <b>ages away</b> & anything could happen in between times (& in fact, quite alot did happen in between times)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a group of 8 ladies going, mostly our craft group ladies plus 2 extra. Because we shared rooms it kept the cost to a minimum. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQqOqIhWvKNGUgZ-TDD1nU2QzrQlyhTE0xaHw3U_d4hO0sBAEHcwHHRl6cdIeuh28rBRyi0nRh2fL6k9EsRceYwWkVH6DgRDkx9YIuM-2NLHeRxeRD3AVlt7VPp4LSpSU8Y4V2Z_tf7wv9NQmzBAWRQANr0UXVV_IxBHHxENqHBX6bUUp95IRqfQz1Vu/s4000/096-fotor-2023111715625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQqOqIhWvKNGUgZ-TDD1nU2QzrQlyhTE0xaHw3U_d4hO0sBAEHcwHHRl6cdIeuh28rBRyi0nRh2fL6k9EsRceYwWkVH6DgRDkx9YIuM-2NLHeRxeRD3AVlt7VPp4LSpSU8Y4V2Z_tf7wv9NQmzBAWRQANr0UXVV_IxBHHxENqHBX6bUUp95IRqfQz1Vu/w480-h640/096-fotor-2023111715625.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first rose blooms of the season - Dublin Bay - picked last week</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eventually November rolled around & the day arrived for us to board our ship. It was a P & O Cruise for those that are familiar with them. This one was a "Tribute to the King Cruise" so lots of Elvis music & rock-n-roll. I must add here, that the tribute acts were just wonderful & of a really high quality.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzawJZ6WgYprfE5HBbXq6okfTfSx38ZzgU5bVYtXH3GO2nywBE5q1eAxkUTkcfkODklULhArs6ySyCPBk5g1BJtkhZ_lFMlaVdvFRe5nigMV7KgfiP-pndG2arPoGdpJbhGaMkEBwYot-mo3ZNavK-nGrb57LpjqUB2FsJ94eXIpauVlIBnnikI60Ahw3/s4000/007-fotor-2023111715527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzawJZ6WgYprfE5HBbXq6okfTfSx38ZzgU5bVYtXH3GO2nywBE5q1eAxkUTkcfkODklULhArs6ySyCPBk5g1BJtkhZ_lFMlaVdvFRe5nigMV7KgfiP-pndG2arPoGdpJbhGaMkEBwYot-mo3ZNavK-nGrb57LpjqUB2FsJ94eXIpauVlIBnnikI60Ahw3/w480-h640/007-fotor-2023111715527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is everyone getting ready for the Sail Away Party. I loved being up high on this deck & looking down on the pools, also there was a flying fox going overhead! After pouring rain all the way up to Auckland the weather came out beautiful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvidRjm_A0WFu6B3bx7e9TUesYZE8dtWbP53Xjs1lMUhw8IfPZHM_Of7BwiaRsoD7Y1Dk7V1Jkyg1Ez0PpK9Sji8HmMOTFds6nliL_W64OZKD4OUAO0PphGbsrjYTSof3SjvcCO9BhFZbY972lXJomr4_oiQDTaNvH2Yi05fxbmw1ZCpdVXzu5cZuCxnLN/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023111715171.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvidRjm_A0WFu6B3bx7e9TUesYZE8dtWbP53Xjs1lMUhw8IfPZHM_Of7BwiaRsoD7Y1Dk7V1Jkyg1Ez0PpK9Sji8HmMOTFds6nliL_W64OZKD4OUAO0PphGbsrjYTSof3SjvcCO9BhFZbY972lXJomr4_oiQDTaNvH2Yi05fxbmw1ZCpdVXzu5cZuCxnLN/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023111715171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The was the Atrium where some of the entertainment took place ... I especially loved the Glass Lifts (right). This was on Level 5 & we were lucky enough to have our rooms on the same level.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGCB1sqrpJLULgn-_zcjwboFOResFgboKB1-fWLLMRs2CJD5tQz8bWXlQwMRB220Mz-fE56Oi3GlH4X3U5AjSYnN6QNjrDqhNLK1Csz6SPjY4ewlbE3qfyT4nCX_s-6GNzJ4GPbB6lnDb_eBWqBYwM6psdNSLTSuT23sZ3QCCqEROVC-kSVgHIwja4ka3/s4000/039-fotor-2023111715458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGCB1sqrpJLULgn-_zcjwboFOResFgboKB1-fWLLMRs2CJD5tQz8bWXlQwMRB220Mz-fE56Oi3GlH4X3U5AjSYnN6QNjrDqhNLK1Csz6SPjY4ewlbE3qfyT4nCX_s-6GNzJ4GPbB6lnDb_eBWqBYwM6psdNSLTSuT23sZ3QCCqEROVC-kSVgHIwja4ka3/w640-h480/039-fotor-2023111715458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are all 8 of us together ... left going around table .. Jan, Sharlaine, myself, Joyce, Maureen, Liz 1, Liz 2 & Gail front right.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHqfR1Ez7-Rlwnizjv9L82UrLay6VqcC7jjaMGUyc5vzTpwQUDdMb0trbq9u49irHaaJIjujyQnyRAp1O8d3IgP8KTa4F9sAukT_kI6oqDELSIWxSj3hlK_1xUezlKDJnidhq3l6uJDBk7YNcRv0x1YWMZ4ckD1bTQair7sQHm_wgVrXKHdOWLZ8h8jBq/s488/au-15491421-fotor-20231117151412.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="488" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHqfR1Ez7-Rlwnizjv9L82UrLay6VqcC7jjaMGUyc5vzTpwQUDdMb0trbq9u49irHaaJIjujyQnyRAp1O8d3IgP8KTa4F9sAukT_kI6oqDELSIWxSj3hlK_1xUezlKDJnidhq3l6uJDBk7YNcRv0x1YWMZ4ckD1bTQair7sQHm_wgVrXKHdOWLZ8h8jBq/w640-h502/au-15491421-fotor-20231117151412.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the route the ship took, leaving Auckland sailing down the Coast to Picton, a full day in Picton, & then returning again. 5 days - quite long enough for me - who couldn't <u>wait</u> to get home to her furry friends again 😉</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where I have put the yellow <b>+</b> is where I live in rural Waikato.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUU9cr7KL0F6VFtI5my60z5dm7swpHzPAenILv08j_ovDb51lx6yJ2NOTQAoUsGPDVNBf2s1ootJI96Pz0JnVbfEEgsqBas1rEYnWYT_5xqN-mjwUB2gTOHHpPaOdKNSSXwoDmw33oU02IhFzyKwyKgc-cYGt9SeY0BGzo4l1dESjSOKpXmpV9VuZKsot/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2023111715831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUU9cr7KL0F6VFtI5my60z5dm7swpHzPAenILv08j_ovDb51lx6yJ2NOTQAoUsGPDVNBf2s1ootJI96Pz0JnVbfEEgsqBas1rEYnWYT_5xqN-mjwUB2gTOHHpPaOdKNSSXwoDmw33oU02IhFzyKwyKgc-cYGt9SeY0BGzo4l1dESjSOKpXmpV9VuZKsot/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-2023111715831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the oldest of the group Maureen, with myself, the youngest. On the right I had just had my hair done & we were getting ready to go to a Neil Diamond Tribute show </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(which turned out to be so amazing!!)</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRWGJRMomvWl6EbrZ17jwgaES93D-LGW6wax87rGUPFFJqF4pWzzM4RzhjMbxLWzUeIOL35QmQ93yfl9TuY2XlS8WPHszzXIy4p9gqENE6CRFlMzt8dK0HA0q58yvSQzXYSYZhJ8iELQAYTWZH26NOK15-2c4XIiH71N80bP3ANsgXfE6Fm2t63B4xKTQ/s650/data=xIBeAlut1mcMLxXioGmqZ9XoZ_JtOUcl2cmPElfEuSCeE16BhM-xJ-9R8XTm0DU9WCxgir_xQ9i75-VhWkNXSrwXeuVdDFeWfiwbz2cV6yFUqxVnZCMuHJyU-tY5QX_JT3L93IWPEhx0u6h2L0peTVwz5h-dFFPUgeWolnCMHcxeWzy_FRqwzZ70n_7ItAFuicIjfqvOECZXolJb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="650" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRWGJRMomvWl6EbrZ17jwgaES93D-LGW6wax87rGUPFFJqF4pWzzM4RzhjMbxLWzUeIOL35QmQ93yfl9TuY2XlS8WPHszzXIy4p9gqENE6CRFlMzt8dK0HA0q58yvSQzXYSYZhJ8iELQAYTWZH26NOK15-2c4XIiH71N80bP3ANsgXfE6Fm2t63B4xKTQ/w640-h332/data=xIBeAlut1mcMLxXioGmqZ9XoZ_JtOUcl2cmPElfEuSCeE16BhM-xJ-9R8XTm0DU9WCxgir_xQ9i75-VhWkNXSrwXeuVdDFeWfiwbz2cV6yFUqxVnZCMuHJyU-tY5QX_JT3L93IWPEhx0u6h2L0peTVwz5h-dFFPUgeWolnCMHcxeWzy_FRqwzZ70n_7ItAFuicIjfqvOECZXolJb.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On docking in Picton we had already prepaid for a tour up the Queen Charlotte Sounds </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(see map above).</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> We were going on the boat below left with a Company called <a href="https://www.cougarline.co.nz/" target="_blank">CougarLine Tours</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU6l8KCMsI0ZevHHk9PeqCBilPqnceiSRNXF82UEnyPC5AEyan7osxoSrrmje6DMHnwJCuS3I5KppzVst7ZZCqScZbluGBI9G04fBraXKgbxVcG373OG4sIsLUDGh7rTpW1Y-dDFIeJxjdF-AkJe8Ox4ytCpEjB_0VG1w5xO2jgpRcouBvOT5ICWRbU6H/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023111715731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU6l8KCMsI0ZevHHk9PeqCBilPqnceiSRNXF82UEnyPC5AEyan7osxoSrrmje6DMHnwJCuS3I5KppzVst7ZZCqScZbluGBI9G04fBraXKgbxVcG373OG4sIsLUDGh7rTpW1Y-dDFIeJxjdF-AkJe8Ox4ytCpEjB_0VG1w5xO2jgpRcouBvOT5ICWRbU6H/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023111715731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We sailed all the way up the Queen Charlotte Sounds stopping at all the little bays along the way, dropping off boxes of groceries, trampers, sometimes picking up tourists - it was fascinating & the Captain gave a running commentary along the way. We saw lots of dolphins, some even followed the boat for awhile. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n2vLjrYvx-5eR9-q3EA2zoP7eDTKJBgfoi7pT4S5k9PpYzeypweZYlodpkD109NenjVO_zr0skcyKWfkCEt88zDFM-vMruallQjnU-H-H7EN2BZwHT9uI1Sn1ljb_DljpPgGqQiZlsCP8unV8y53sYnLH_uEe8K2x3M_iRpF0GE7yLrlRuwkA_KpITJr/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-202311171580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n2vLjrYvx-5eR9-q3EA2zoP7eDTKJBgfoi7pT4S5k9PpYzeypweZYlodpkD109NenjVO_zr0skcyKWfkCEt88zDFM-vMruallQjnU-H-H7EN2BZwHT9uI1Sn1ljb_DljpPgGqQiZlsCP8unV8y53sYnLH_uEe8K2x3M_iRpF0GE7yLrlRuwkA_KpITJr/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-202311171580.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The stunning crystal clear waters of the Queen Charlotte Sounds.</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx5qCUWFHEVkXQaovXEYEgtLj3G7Alc0BisVCXkH9_j9KDb5DksGSsUQFeUrASJ58Gk506l1AwIA14ScwuuxVylYSFSQAvP0oZ2JFDtscAOAsRkyDZ6UBBZDmgLW1YFcTbZQh3lYitwQRJhWAciH_SwJ7pRoKNLoKGqw2NQb1rBuo11495JSkoIIW_1qj/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023111715744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx5qCUWFHEVkXQaovXEYEgtLj3G7Alc0BisVCXkH9_j9KDb5DksGSsUQFeUrASJ58Gk506l1AwIA14ScwuuxVylYSFSQAvP0oZ2JFDtscAOAsRkyDZ6UBBZDmgLW1YFcTbZQh3lYitwQRJhWAciH_SwJ7pRoKNLoKGqw2NQb1rBuo11495JSkoIIW_1qj/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023111715744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The furthest point was <a href="https://www.furneauxlodge.co.nz/" target="_blank">Furneaux Lodge</a> 2 hours out ... & then we headed back to Picton again.</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_749gVX7PIngTzK53bYbfewKcn07xRZDRSL_mlEetnay6skjy-k8x_BoM2lVBxH1q4h7pm_4QVym96HK8-W1Fzgpcd6EnTLOYdxYmOStgMKUERXAmeZTFG2ehpW1rgBJBR5QeZJBQbMgoHnsMtOxmF5fpa8F5w8bhKD0vi_-nMdkW54QBXs-zMU3bk2U/s4000/066-fotor-2023111715554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_749gVX7PIngTzK53bYbfewKcn07xRZDRSL_mlEetnay6skjy-k8x_BoM2lVBxH1q4h7pm_4QVym96HK8-W1Fzgpcd6EnTLOYdxYmOStgMKUERXAmeZTFG2ehpW1rgBJBR5QeZJBQbMgoHnsMtOxmF5fpa8F5w8bhKD0vi_-nMdkW54QBXs-zMU3bk2U/w480-h640/066-fotor-2023111715554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Once back in Picton we treated ourselves to a delicious Pub Lunch of the freshest Gurnard, straight out of the sea. There was a market opposite the wharf which we wandered through for awhile & then it was time to catch the shuttle back to the ship. Another full day at sea & then early on the Tuesday morning we berthed again in Auckland.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Fx1QT01_Os_dEmss21usPkQw0h_saWYPkDnCgfd_8Yp8XZc6Uam7RBAPAlkmSBY_GTn98UYvZLzis6nYe4neaFkZRCfIQMsLMSIzDzm6_pzDBRUlSjXFjaRnLkYEmlWQ_M9ymB8uLNxsl-rGgchjhu-FgYLLZbdGZCh70_dIzw8pxShyohn4sop8yynw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2023111715815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Fx1QT01_Os_dEmss21usPkQw0h_saWYPkDnCgfd_8Yp8XZc6Uam7RBAPAlkmSBY_GTn98UYvZLzis6nYe4neaFkZRCfIQMsLMSIzDzm6_pzDBRUlSjXFjaRnLkYEmlWQ_M9ymB8uLNxsl-rGgchjhu-FgYLLZbdGZCh70_dIzw8pxShyohn4sop8yynw/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2023111715815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting our turn to disembark - you had to vacate your rooms by 8 am so we were up & about early. It was a wonderful experience & I would certainly cruise again but I would do several things differently next time around. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend Sandy summed it up perfectly when she messaged & said "Congratulate yourself Julie on having the Cruise experience - especially since you are such a Home body at heart" And I unashamedly <b>Am</b> a Homebody. 💗</div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSq91sN8M3CJNDwBTLfGy3sSsUdDkY_JLSsYwlYwZocgeHEoAj8iuuimc55OrlG-EZb02TEtOQp52PGksn-vRpaDknE8hZKTgTpV2m9SJQ8gqHQ-AjVPC8nJkWavTBQ-9D89yQqyaORSujroxi-zFMU_o4KhhoK3W-lUa6sMieVetm7KGS9aYwVNgecMd/s3433/099-fotor-202311171575.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="2622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSq91sN8M3CJNDwBTLfGy3sSsUdDkY_JLSsYwlYwZocgeHEoAj8iuuimc55OrlG-EZb02TEtOQp52PGksn-vRpaDknE8hZKTgTpV2m9SJQ8gqHQ-AjVPC8nJkWavTBQ-9D89yQqyaORSujroxi-zFMU_o4KhhoK3W-lUa6sMieVetm7KGS9aYwVNgecMd/w488-h640/099-fotor-202311171575.png" width="488" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately dear friends, I appear to have come home with a rather <i>unwanted souvenir</i> & I am the only one in the group that has so far succumbed to the virus. Today is day 8 & although I'm not coughing quite so much, I still feel constantly dreadful. But I know Covid is a process & I just have to be patient, rest & let it run its course. It has taken me 3 days to write this post as my concentration skills are rather lacking 😐</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JDWPSaJb_fCyg39CnTn_odR_F2vApAm860h4n5erTAA0Zz5WJTyzyRBau-ONOE6r55nMMl86R5VByp4qflpydLd3kRlyP8a9xk63ckJDfsHDDbpbw4H_gQB_4NMPejYml1OMQGDp-nBM5xAJptY3RjZi7PD9-ZwARSHDUx-WDWA8rGrWOliKDpAXsG7m/s3563/029-fotor-20231117161038.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3563" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JDWPSaJb_fCyg39CnTn_odR_F2vApAm860h4n5erTAA0Zz5WJTyzyRBau-ONOE6r55nMMl86R5VByp4qflpydLd3kRlyP8a9xk63ckJDfsHDDbpbw4H_gQB_4NMPejYml1OMQGDp-nBM5xAJptY3RjZi7PD9-ZwARSHDUx-WDWA8rGrWOliKDpAXsG7m/w538-h640/029-fotor-20231117161038.png" width="538" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of months ago my dear friend Shirley asked me to make her two items she had some photos of. The first was a HOME wallhanging, quite primitive in style but Shirley didn't want primitive for her home so we adapted it & I painted a wooden coathanger to tie Shirley's hanger on to </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(the one in her photo was tied to a twiggy tree</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">branch)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Shirley's home is muted pinks & greys so these colours were perfect.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhNGOvJR2p0jgYjEYkJJnIxEo9NYuMGYQ0AvMtBfeaUBr7gN6o1NYBbYa5HbF1JScGMHNkrAt2rYrGQv4Zy6uwpjeoLSzLyUpegf836q5cK32yJSLk3h6Ng8nQsp2qy42Kt5YyjCneuSoA-JVZxXQ7RGlzKLWgrgdjBt5efxPTLhhaOAhaiq1kO8abEn3/s4000/034-fotor-2023111716958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhNGOvJR2p0jgYjEYkJJnIxEo9NYuMGYQ0AvMtBfeaUBr7gN6o1NYBbYa5HbF1JScGMHNkrAt2rYrGQv4Zy6uwpjeoLSzLyUpegf836q5cK32yJSLk3h6Ng8nQsp2qy42Kt5YyjCneuSoA-JVZxXQ7RGlzKLWgrgdjBt5efxPTLhhaOAhaiq1kO8abEn3/w480-h640/034-fotor-2023111716958.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The second item Shirley had photographed was a rather dilapidated looking Angel. As soon as I saw it I knew I had that pattern - thankfully it was an old design from Mums Moment, whom I don't think are designing anymore. The pattern is called Pocket Angel as she has a sweet elasticated pocket on her dress, where the yo-yo flowers are. I made her up in Tilda fabrics, provided by Shirley & think she turned out delightful. I used some hand-dyed mohair yarn for her hair. Her base is weighted with pellets so she sits nice & sturdily.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYvj9zXYXuxVN-NlOqG-sACe3Zlbe2rm2XLIxJIPeNuTNnZ7AU3tBbXInRFI-3qv_HLml1T5WVUotkiGE-y4LEcaqN2h2MiYIy0dZ9IEIE3LGWTsEPQ3estOvMiXYkAt-Trr7E1DisjwXi01Rv4OEKnhNRs1tDVVRzbZ7RYSf_r7JwxS-tIE1uV6uf9mg/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231117161057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYvj9zXYXuxVN-NlOqG-sACe3Zlbe2rm2XLIxJIPeNuTNnZ7AU3tBbXInRFI-3qv_HLml1T5WVUotkiGE-y4LEcaqN2h2MiYIy0dZ9IEIE3LGWTsEPQ3estOvMiXYkAt-Trr7E1DisjwXi01Rv4OEKnhNRs1tDVVRzbZ7RYSf_r7JwxS-tIE1uV6uf9mg/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231117161057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her wings are embroidered with the words <i>Love is the stitching that holds hearts together </i>💕 Shirley was thrilled with both her Orders.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you dear friends for staying with me through this lengthy post,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-4727714100537543112023-10-28T16:59:00.000+13:002023-10-28T16:59:22.886+13:00Craft Group Challenges, Book Characters & A Little One Update <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I picked a beautiful bunch of lilacs from my tree - this is only the 2nd year it has flowered but last year was not enough to actually pick any.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyKXXylX4IQfnaLaLpd2_fWnxiC0CuOK6Kq0zG-TAeBNpf_6UXcPJpK2e4Yfxe3OHK53ytblj6BZ6Iu8JqvNZ3daKO1bd980fyB7v9cYGeNgWJAO5_T39Ag-_Gl1QE_rWfK21zBVYxCR9OMf_EwFgScLlxm0v-72f6na-5UTU2zOir-DzK__BAZPLUWLw/s4000/010-fotor-20231028151331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyKXXylX4IQfnaLaLpd2_fWnxiC0CuOK6Kq0zG-TAeBNpf_6UXcPJpK2e4Yfxe3OHK53ytblj6BZ6Iu8JqvNZ3daKO1bd980fyB7v9cYGeNgWJAO5_T39Ag-_Gl1QE_rWfK21zBVYxCR9OMf_EwFgScLlxm0v-72f6na-5UTU2zOir-DzK__BAZPLUWLw/w480-h640/010-fotor-20231028151331.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Their fragrance is gentle & soft ... I have sat a framed photo of Mum underneath as she would be smiling I am sure.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the year my friend Gail & I like to think up random "challenges" for the ladies in our craft group. When I hosted the ladies <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/08/hosting-craft-group-ladies.html" target="_blank">back in July</a> I had saved & washed up a load of cat food tins. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sMJj0iSIQpGdmQECFPZJwd_BP6U2235sP8uJo6DjIzSwTNfeMehC6vWgfB0LQvLYkobYE6dDyFFCi8NmCYnNJkWcCBcwwTy9_FCElBQ3rU2g6HCg3jZsS6jY7wqTOZF3s-MXCTa1Tn3wTsyneqW1yF-5F72MV3BtjBXyJyrdG7zS38Lpoluk5hczmdnL/s4000/045-fotor-20231028151916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sMJj0iSIQpGdmQECFPZJwd_BP6U2235sP8uJo6DjIzSwTNfeMehC6vWgfB0LQvLYkobYE6dDyFFCi8NmCYnNJkWcCBcwwTy9_FCElBQ3rU2g6HCg3jZsS6jY7wqTOZF3s-MXCTa1Tn3wTsyneqW1yF-5F72MV3BtjBXyJyrdG7zS38Lpoluk5hczmdnL/w480-h640/045-fotor-20231028151916.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We go through 2 or 3 of these a day so it doesn't take long to get a good supply. I'd removed their labels & any stickiness left behind & I held the bag out & told the ladies it was a <i>Lucky Dip </i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">-</span><span style="font-size: large;"> they could take 1,2 or 3 ... or however many they wanted ... & they had to <b>create something with them!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(I should add that these challenges are entirely optional to take part in)</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3_hOgQDLLO-NE_En85LBlnbFD8xUqj67ghtfMNHBR7j2XlQqXZRaJXl26GoDJDnaLlGo1FotLaZQ6jTJg7shGPJOExLxTxo00uZB7TuKJy0RWSc-K8GvAijCULDKsC6AT6oIvg6oAgqy5nAD2yTkYquh73BZU9KsNY6comNVSnj5oAtyL7DqdBWexWjM/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023102815936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3_hOgQDLLO-NE_En85LBlnbFD8xUqj67ghtfMNHBR7j2XlQqXZRaJXl26GoDJDnaLlGo1FotLaZQ6jTJg7shGPJOExLxTxo00uZB7TuKJy0RWSc-K8GvAijCULDKsC6AT6oIvg6oAgqy5nAD2yTkYquh73BZU9KsNY6comNVSnj5oAtyL7DqdBWexWjM/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023102815936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I chose 3 tins for myself & then found this old broken table leg in my stash that I knew <i>would-come-in-handy-one-day. </i>I cut it down to size & then painted the tins & the spindle. Then I hot glued the tins to my spindle as I wanted to make <i>A</i> <i>Sewing Caddy.</i></div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4wl0byO9P_9vyjPm0qid9qgpOgVbqx56W2FJj6yEV6kKE9XLk7qU0KNRouHPXFMC_jBxXajXQFENrAj1P7nKyz77r1KciZy4oWLr_aOW-GaqgJ1DGDeVWkXfru_b6ouoM1jIXf4els98v0ldscHi2JRh1qA__xFAIeaRJqhv_Z5cTIMWHl6kEWrs0PjZ/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231028151248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4wl0byO9P_9vyjPm0qid9qgpOgVbqx56W2FJj6yEV6kKE9XLk7qU0KNRouHPXFMC_jBxXajXQFENrAj1P7nKyz77r1KciZy4oWLr_aOW-GaqgJ1DGDeVWkXfru_b6ouoM1jIXf4els98v0ldscHi2JRh1qA__xFAIeaRJqhv_Z5cTIMWHl6kEWrs0PjZ/w640-h212/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231028151248.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the picture to enlarge for a closer look</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mod-podged some paper serviettes to my tins & spindle to embellish them - I'd originally planned to use transfers but paper serviettes are a lot more cost effective. Then I mod-podged the whole thing to seal it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(I've forgotten to photograph it step by step hence I am explaining what I did)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW95_tGKMlTOJqCPRWeulEv9izYFV8BRy3bqY_lg6xxzZpeUCMRp5AmLWbMZwLumuGFRI6Z0I_0uTcIkgG9uCQjDTp5P3rE9sCGZfOo4doNsg_3ZwECnBFPV9KUqORy2MUczKlV5XloUhkH0Th-jS0u6WQqh1Y7UbgNvcwGOJKMKCdqbku8zLm2LRTou4z/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231028151234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW95_tGKMlTOJqCPRWeulEv9izYFV8BRy3bqY_lg6xxzZpeUCMRp5AmLWbMZwLumuGFRI6Z0I_0uTcIkgG9uCQjDTp5P3rE9sCGZfOo4doNsg_3ZwECnBFPV9KUqORy2MUczKlV5XloUhkH0Th-jS0u6WQqh1Y7UbgNvcwGOJKMKCdqbku8zLm2LRTou4z/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231028151234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Tin 1 : I drew a cardboard circle, padded it, covered it with fabric & glued in - this was to hold my quilting clips.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Tin 2 : I cut some floral foam to fit & then cut a slit in the middle & covered the entire thing with fabric - this was to be a scissor holder.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Tin 3 : I made into a pincushion using a gathered circle of fabric & some wadding, all glued in.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XeGmTxIB_42BNIH9vlRURfVm4hr9BS_F-HHLqjbLFsIpLUu2S_smrgYkXIo69n97kCnPqNpKmMKchT3xxaKv5RMYN1j6Zy5UN9bTDvqmT541oQH1JcvsZLnWYrDgsiTNlD9wxI9LzoOhUt3lMnN1J5G0J_mSDDNPD3PTbXvcdnx3oWPRrT9FYMAYZH4E/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-2023102815132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XeGmTxIB_42BNIH9vlRURfVm4hr9BS_F-HHLqjbLFsIpLUu2S_smrgYkXIo69n97kCnPqNpKmMKchT3xxaKv5RMYN1j6Zy5UN9bTDvqmT541oQH1JcvsZLnWYrDgsiTNlD9wxI9LzoOhUt3lMnN1J5G0J_mSDDNPD3PTbXvcdnx3oWPRrT9FYMAYZH4E/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(10)-fotor-2023102815132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made a little stitched tag to attach to the handle along with a scissor charm & then I filled my tins with their various bits & bobs.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_JfZFZCoBY9h8c1LnlRwYVNnSszEYYjLNTSnq6NOxc1fegr7hW5Z5V0eh0csAt4r5gPyK9AA3UHTY6iDD4CJ4gW6NtIiCGzoECw5p4y3ZxrYBn8v-2qhDGk5YUCYAc5dxHV9K_LbJbLWfSNR6jYPcNiZ70I-eDxpy5j48tE_7-LVLaA2n4JNCGek9Zmn/s4000/017-fotor-20231028151452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_JfZFZCoBY9h8c1LnlRwYVNnSszEYYjLNTSnq6NOxc1fegr7hW5Z5V0eh0csAt4r5gPyK9AA3UHTY6iDD4CJ4gW6NtIiCGzoECw5p4y3ZxrYBn8v-2qhDGk5YUCYAc5dxHV9K_LbJbLWfSNR6jYPcNiZ70I-eDxpy5j48tE_7-LVLaA2n4JNCGek9Zmn/w480-h640/017-fotor-20231028151452.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Such a sweet, fun project & would make a gorgeous gift for a crafty person 💗</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNI_mYblqZ4RENPMg1GAfpRFCBiBrsVZ4T15Gvl0w3x7TujIekzMkIrhgOTDL1gCDhJe3dqDiyxCyyTYuVnXY1ziWyHpkqdu94ZrlCFj5QjrQ_X9LUPTmIVM_FXKu8RgYNHwumS2THyM2AkQr97d520C5TDDXnk_p3aE5mcWEhO2-fg6IMbJimaAvZtiQ/s3360/021-fotor-20231028151744.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="2980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNI_mYblqZ4RENPMg1GAfpRFCBiBrsVZ4T15Gvl0w3x7TujIekzMkIrhgOTDL1gCDhJe3dqDiyxCyyTYuVnXY1ziWyHpkqdu94ZrlCFj5QjrQ_X9LUPTmIVM_FXKu8RgYNHwumS2THyM2AkQr97d520C5TDDXnk_p3aE5mcWEhO2-fg6IMbJimaAvZtiQ/w568-h640/021-fotor-20231028151744.png" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I loved what Sharlaine had done ... she had taken a thrifted wooden goblet, turned it upside down, glued her catfood tin onto it & then painted the whole thing & added some transfers. It was so lovely & would be wonderful with a small candle or tealight in it 💜</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ou3K-CyXsZv-ghPZxldJDTfm13wtnDFgQOypBTIvEoaMCBUmqh7hGdL_W-eTaNjUpT_tPjDbAsyfyKocibsLc_19MpTiEmC58h2059dxXLqFzk6li8r4Fuk3EMld52Zd802cZ10tFx4bOb3HrBHlyJvR1Cstq4krFz9UghfyIIlcTqDpWintXSmDibMH/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231028151058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ou3K-CyXsZv-ghPZxldJDTfm13wtnDFgQOypBTIvEoaMCBUmqh7hGdL_W-eTaNjUpT_tPjDbAsyfyKocibsLc_19MpTiEmC58h2059dxXLqFzk6li8r4Fuk3EMld52Zd802cZ10tFx4bOb3HrBHlyJvR1Cstq4krFz9UghfyIIlcTqDpWintXSmDibMH/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231028151058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Maureen had cut hers into the shape of a sunflower, painted it & attached it to a thin dowel, then sprinkled glue + glitter to the centre. This would look great poking into a potted plant 💛</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDzwAvCYt8ZUJ99Icf0glyGVXNFmDZVQhCk7xvmcmbvojd2rSqLkeZtMnOkrHkdtaFQNhlfpEspcoucSBX7_l34gcrENbC78fvlrdeitMmxLAs_taacv1vBUwCK1MvJsDmDFvFRFQMp3FrXZ1TDt_81SEAirMvIpoBD0_A-MbUklgMuhjvvH3rhjgHeMO/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023102815123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDzwAvCYt8ZUJ99Icf0glyGVXNFmDZVQhCk7xvmcmbvojd2rSqLkeZtMnOkrHkdtaFQNhlfpEspcoucSBX7_l34gcrENbC78fvlrdeitMmxLAs_taacv1vBUwCK1MvJsDmDFvFRFQMp3FrXZ1TDt_81SEAirMvIpoBD0_A-MbUklgMuhjvvH3rhjgHeMO/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-2023102815123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Liz had been thinking of her grandchildren when she created hers & had knitted tiny <span style="color: #04ff00;">peas with black eyes</span> as well as worms with tiny felt hats on, then made the cans into houses for them, including using the lids off the tins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KwA857i0Wt9besI5_Q7kirBeF1K5iMpAceL1ho6ydvzDo2fkkz0Dpa4DQyVvVNPBZwu-MOWwUfbIzdpNFQtwsjNuwcTFBS3ySb1bz18eQD76oMQ_0W-QsFXpfMW0bttXo4EGr89hvTLlyDms7_tWHQHJe6MuYKqnob0SLHdBuqcI0iJT-uHJems6Agw-/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231028151219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KwA857i0Wt9besI5_Q7kirBeF1K5iMpAceL1ho6ydvzDo2fkkz0Dpa4DQyVvVNPBZwu-MOWwUfbIzdpNFQtwsjNuwcTFBS3ySb1bz18eQD76oMQ_0W-QsFXpfMW0bttXo4EGr89hvTLlyDms7_tWHQHJe6MuYKqnob0SLHdBuqcI0iJT-uHJems6Agw-/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231028151219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These had been such a hit that Liz asked me for some more cans as other family members had ordered some from her - I was happy to oblige. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDvQF0FYNni8HFOGa9KDca9CbWp57YRy_isVsNbO5eQXIn4dleqcYdgJFJaXCDJ76Ng3YTaEJfDcwSq8CVpn1d5ydX4WD6aYIoAZeVaE_0PsisTGjWX6S0e9e42Ldj6kWUiBuJtyIPsph4obERjTK6PqUXPR268J1lA1yq-cJHPySN0GzK_Ix8kBUxljy/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231028151134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDvQF0FYNni8HFOGa9KDca9CbWp57YRy_isVsNbO5eQXIn4dleqcYdgJFJaXCDJ76Ng3YTaEJfDcwSq8CVpn1d5ydX4WD6aYIoAZeVaE_0PsisTGjWX6S0e9e42Ldj6kWUiBuJtyIPsph4obERjTK6PqUXPR268J1lA1yq-cJHPySN0GzK_Ix8kBUxljy/w640-h392/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231028151134.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">- Before - - During - - After - <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A tiny bud vase picked up from the Op-Shop for $1.50 - given the <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-1-back-from-mums.html" target="_blank">tomato sauce treatment</a> last week. I originally thought it was brass but I think under all the grime & discolouration it was more silver. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpr3IWlGG8vkMvnowNHzBzvZLiAIBUjmbKFtxcvSQPBIgqtctgBlvpAVzpXWFtgaObyllwoXdTWWNUiVL1t3AgG9Jti0p5vQn294BNiZwcuEHzMZB_OFawy2pzYPXdIbsFAfypZUnJlr65prrS_V_nn6VBqFA58j2A0VFDBKhuTIIpAT6qCQNqW4eRmH-/s969/089-fotor-20231028151532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpr3IWlGG8vkMvnowNHzBzvZLiAIBUjmbKFtxcvSQPBIgqtctgBlvpAVzpXWFtgaObyllwoXdTWWNUiVL1t3AgG9Jti0p5vQn294BNiZwcuEHzMZB_OFawy2pzYPXdIbsFAfypZUnJlr65prrS_V_nn6VBqFA58j2A0VFDBKhuTIIpAT6qCQNqW4eRmH-/w594-h640/089-fotor-20231028151532.jpg" width="594" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Sids school recently held a Book Week. To celebrate the children got to choose a Book Character & then dress up as that character. Sid chose Marmaduke Duck from the book above.</div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK7E0O9EEU-2Szhp2ud_6bQmqm8z7n_TXf-UXbgkcJkde8yPfPJEaRQeQD4oyDgokV8WwdhlqRsYYOm8zXuk265fATNgre_2kMTj6sjqHOyPICc5I0GN4GwbJUYJaR23uJJxMdm2wSpFlu2jh4HKQr3mobysoA5VXlmGo3xjSLyHbu366wwqSJ29giKnc/w640-h594/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231028152411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing at Home At school with the telescope his Dad made him</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK7E0O9EEU-2Szhp2ud_6bQmqm8z7n_TXf-UXbgkcJkde8yPfPJEaRQeQD4oyDgokV8WwdhlqRsYYOm8zXuk265fATNgre_2kMTj6sjqHOyPICc5I0GN4GwbJUYJaR23uJJxMdm2wSpFlu2jh4HKQr3mobysoA5VXlmGo3xjSLyHbu366wwqSJ29giKnc/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231028152411.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">His Mum did an amazing job of creating his costume using alot of what Sid already had (orange shorts, socks etc). My contribution was the hot glue gun, some white feathers & the wooden spoon tucked into his belt. Sid was delighted to win the competition for his classroom & won a book voucher.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFSSH6BiylwKnYPNLd9_xVKMfivM4Qr1_8XQs-YcmaqL7zpmSv-Rx29lZvsIp1c7joy_HY-QsHfulb4lIb-y-7eDyYtopJw9AgSz4bBjhL41oEa2we_G05qhwClmL246imQ5WqQr-8q9IaZUPTUIi0IT6RyyYximT0JSEmWjr1nII8v8zj5tlBeIHddaD/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231028151015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFSSH6BiylwKnYPNLd9_xVKMfivM4Qr1_8XQs-YcmaqL7zpmSv-Rx29lZvsIp1c7joy_HY-QsHfulb4lIb-y-7eDyYtopJw9AgSz4bBjhL41oEa2we_G05qhwClmL246imQ5WqQr-8q9IaZUPTUIi0IT6RyyYximT0JSEmWjr1nII8v8zj5tlBeIHddaD/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231028151015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Many of you have asked after Little One & I have not updated you for awhile. He is doing well & is <i>living his best life</i> 😉 No Pippi & Blackie have still not accepted that he is here to stay - Pippi is the worst & still hisses & chases him at every opportunity - Blackie not so much. It is certainly easier now he can go outside during the day & we only have to keep them apart in the evenings when they all come in for the night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dt50cg6JxoQ74zdxhiXNiCuuSvDoBydNZXz-L38NwfYc8jgXpBYbimLl0ttpWHONYJqVMCoExOX8HrYyj9-01NTd9AYMBlmlCMlu5cNGyGL-pJLZhrDoBfZdWoRPUuQhSiR5ca_HuVCH4agyMmKqRU8dVUe99NFLd3GMSMxvC3gGagD_TYLzXyQvEW61/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231028151032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dt50cg6JxoQ74zdxhiXNiCuuSvDoBydNZXz-L38NwfYc8jgXpBYbimLl0ttpWHONYJqVMCoExOX8HrYyj9-01NTd9AYMBlmlCMlu5cNGyGL-pJLZhrDoBfZdWoRPUuQhSiR5ca_HuVCH4agyMmKqRU8dVUe99NFLd3GMSMxvC3gGagD_TYLzXyQvEW61/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231028151032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is still kitten-ish in that he wants everything you touch & frequently runs off with my crafty bits. He must be happy enough though because I have never known a cat to purr so much !! In my naive way, I still <b>live in hope</b> that they will one day get along but who knows?! When I do my big monthly grocery shop & buy cat food, the girl on the check-out <b>always asks me ... </b><i>How many cats do you have??? </i>I usually say 4 as I include Fluffy at the farm 😉</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankyou as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x</span></div></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-31500840186777733972023-10-23T17:19:00.002+13:002023-10-24T13:38:45.888+13:00A Trike-Trailer, A Drawer, & Dishcloth Knitting<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those that know me well, know my absolute LoVe of old vintage trikes ... I have four of them in varying states of disrepair.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-EpgEkCENfCvXZWWyBLgnkSv-Ty-xKMknDwKUDp3euJYoKLXhN1VSHFb7b3xelJvVVeOtRnlExUlH5lf-zxKz3SotrIYEms5oOh7WeYj5DvSTXWLhyGa3mXRIl0Vg1u-raOR1daSoPcB38kWWW9pQ4EQz0UJxUuorzN0bIfyIYoqb9oU4kCQhXPmXXIr/s4000/026-fotor-20231023145447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-EpgEkCENfCvXZWWyBLgnkSv-Ty-xKMknDwKUDp3euJYoKLXhN1VSHFb7b3xelJvVVeOtRnlExUlH5lf-zxKz3SotrIYEms5oOh7WeYj5DvSTXWLhyGa3mXRIl0Vg1u-raOR1daSoPcB38kWWW9pQ4EQz0UJxUuorzN0bIfyIYoqb9oU4kCQhXPmXXIr/w480-h640/026-fotor-20231023145447.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This one above is still looking pretty with the last of the pansies blooming, but these will sucumb to mildew soon as it's getting warmer here.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RqGvi9VQyMcFXVoSagaQak_C6OFpbpOCw4EgBs2kqLWU3Oy-0YENyuZKNHToHQMPF425Xq6G5Z5IdF6bza0Cn7RBUae3g_hCHiNKTSU_efpM29sLez2vxZMrLwPq6txwDyINMo3LQvH_RMSiBfmy-Axf6zYS4TUgdGVUhg5VkXHAN0P9tWe4xS3-NXvx/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231023144142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RqGvi9VQyMcFXVoSagaQak_C6OFpbpOCw4EgBs2kqLWU3Oy-0YENyuZKNHToHQMPF425Xq6G5Z5IdF6bza0Cn7RBUae3g_hCHiNKTSU_efpM29sLez2vxZMrLwPq6txwDyINMo3LQvH_RMSiBfmy-Axf6zYS4TUgdGVUhg5VkXHAN0P9tWe4xS3-NXvx/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20231023144142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This trike above left is probably my "best one" as far as condition goes. It has always stayed up on my covered deck so doesn't get the weather & the Grandkids have ridden it frequently so I keep it oiled & running smoothly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trike trailer was purchased from the SPCA Op Shop ($12) late last year. I had been asking The Mr to weld a loop to my trike so I could hook the trailer through it .................... but I was <b><i>still waiting</i></b> ....................</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9G8m3nqkMUsB9TcbcT5zipR3obOoZcCIgn4qEi_DRgT7P32HYFQVkVN8tyVlL6D33V4zYbOort6oXwTfHUeufK_GDX-3LADwPDc4-r6zfeAA0-7sQHogMCaaHkgnivySkHgawkVMLODO0LJOJ1LiiZJudceb_F4r81JnRwuIhWhG7fo73KG-QeJmTtJw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231023144156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9G8m3nqkMUsB9TcbcT5zipR3obOoZcCIgn4qEi_DRgT7P32HYFQVkVN8tyVlL6D33V4zYbOort6oXwTfHUeufK_GDX-3LADwPDc4-r6zfeAA0-7sQHogMCaaHkgnivySkHgawkVMLODO0LJOJ1LiiZJudceb_F4r81JnRwuIhWhG7fo73KG-QeJmTtJw/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20231023144156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During my deck clean-up <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/10/three-things-i-do-each-springtime.html" target="_blank">in my last post</a> I found an old wire hook & managed to find a gap under the trike tray that I could screw this into quite securely. I was delighted 😊 - I gave the trike & the trailer a good scrub as they were both looking green after the winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9JJnGflbQiDqGA5AKi_ge5cALtOkc0fEU1dsZtjvx7xjOybTszTgfjEqenq-Jro_EkOcL-PRxSguNWzdWNbnx-MU5oXPpMhyphenhyphenkIjABUKhUmssQAfaeYOvpcjmLOPLlMtm7eWY8BBUn_1mB8ViXrEVTCMCs0DULIMnQtIN72Aryl6tsKHVftLY4hK4_QMf/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231023144210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9JJnGflbQiDqGA5AKi_ge5cALtOkc0fEU1dsZtjvx7xjOybTszTgfjEqenq-Jro_EkOcL-PRxSguNWzdWNbnx-MU5oXPpMhyphenhyphenkIjABUKhUmssQAfaeYOvpcjmLOPLlMtm7eWY8BBUn_1mB8ViXrEVTCMCs0DULIMnQtIN72Aryl6tsKHVftLY4hK4_QMf/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(9)-fotor-20231023144210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I knew I wanted to sit potted flowers in them, I lined each tray with an offcut of oilcloth to help prevent the wet pots sitting against the surfaces & rusting. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdUKgvrMab38OU_VRofcoNXlKRyAnaH57CC28M3fmUXo8rBpCxNUAkohychmxx_JOJiGjkkEthEUFzDMRk-SvXh-abhHdmFNvIlVsUSjYVBX-zZMXsHUJZH-F6n24xxs5H-0XrmT-fByjUThg83a0Jh0bI7TmJYVllo2ilcdkoCyr2XR60J4t4Vpjz77u/s3151/047-fotor-20231023144934.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3151" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdUKgvrMab38OU_VRofcoNXlKRyAnaH57CC28M3fmUXo8rBpCxNUAkohychmxx_JOJiGjkkEthEUFzDMRk-SvXh-abhHdmFNvIlVsUSjYVBX-zZMXsHUJZH-F6n24xxs5H-0XrmT-fByjUThg83a0Jh0bI7TmJYVllo2ilcdkoCyr2XR60J4t4Vpjz77u/w610-h640/047-fotor-20231023144934.png" width="610" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I planted some mixed colour petunias into six terracotta pots I already had - 3 for each tray.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVEHGMIeBZ0FS5uNhxDwBaTLJfE1ZKUOVM7Q57K7B99AgmQ4DtXjSWYaNCaElpLhXxd6kMByYd4-Hhr_bJcQWy_WdziyMHMy-kIBpNrq6NAx9m0FCXviEm8E2It4a2zk9apQT626Zrn1Ue4ogjGx7JlSc4bJmwkSWZOaj4q1EO8ieOc7i7UcdMMVbq9T3/s3000/043-fotor-20231023145657.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2971" data-original-width="3000" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVEHGMIeBZ0FS5uNhxDwBaTLJfE1ZKUOVM7Q57K7B99AgmQ4DtXjSWYaNCaElpLhXxd6kMByYd4-Hhr_bJcQWy_WdziyMHMy-kIBpNrq6NAx9m0FCXviEm8E2It4a2zk9apQT626Zrn1Ue4ogjGx7JlSc4bJmwkSWZOaj4q1EO8ieOc7i7UcdMMVbq9T3/w640-h634/043-fotor-20231023145657.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How happy this little set makes me every time I look at it. And if the Grandsons want to ride around on it still, then it's simple to lift the pots out & away pedalling they can go ............</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzMVaDTpPolYId4UkoUCpQ4Wi5mF0U_wvSrfQIIqYaK_5QEnpcpZrkQ602tMwGS-m0xO-K9d405zgBvp3TOFtj6lSuNDOHhdmc6SzveE3gh5pplhqpMz0Ga0z-tf7kjhpn-Euo_FVr8cjyy9aGlXIkCE9Yi-Ohyphenhyphenzxdvc2QMWF_rqsWQL3l7o19VRnSNx5/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231023144026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzMVaDTpPolYId4UkoUCpQ4Wi5mF0U_wvSrfQIIqYaK_5QEnpcpZrkQ602tMwGS-m0xO-K9d405zgBvp3TOFtj6lSuNDOHhdmc6SzveE3gh5pplhqpMz0Ga0z-tf7kjhpn-Euo_FVr8cjyy9aGlXIkCE9Yi-Ohyphenhyphenzxdvc2QMWF_rqsWQL3l7o19VRnSNx5/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231023144026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This old drawer was found at Mum's Hospice Shop at the same time I bought <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/06/lblo-life-before-little-one-update.html" target="_blank">the Pansy Planter Box.</a> I thought it might make a handy addition to my craft room. It had originally been bolted to a desk so I removed the old hardware from the back. It was actually formica but I thought it should chalk paint up okay.</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqjkh2n4Kq06NRWqkSQ4DFJNsqSCwk-xXF4McJndQIIA_ilcY6PvUsWD_UthyphenhyphenGQ17CEsGmFsIyQ9BqbpP-JQcR9-vN7fhyCAMWukaAjDJ-pPLzTGl_K78HZRY2ZvByyUyx35zT8WZY8GKX2qN7q_ctyILRmdZ0kg5k02isTXCRgAvdutQD0JaJ2KGGnVK/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231023144058.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqjkh2n4Kq06NRWqkSQ4DFJNsqSCwk-xXF4McJndQIIA_ilcY6PvUsWD_UthyphenhyphenGQ17CEsGmFsIyQ9BqbpP-JQcR9-vN7fhyCAMWukaAjDJ-pPLzTGl_K78HZRY2ZvByyUyx35zT8WZY8GKX2qN7q_ctyILRmdZ0kg5k02isTXCRgAvdutQD0JaJ2KGGnVK/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20231023144058.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see I removed the handle & painted right over it the same colour.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I gave it 2 coats of chalk paint in the colour Vintage White. It went on really grainy - to be honest I think this was more the paint than anything wrong with the surface of the formica. I tried thinning my paint out but it still went on like this. I very lightly sanded the roughness out afterwards but still wasn't happy with it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKEWsBLVmqWy_o0o04Epj_2tid4XQub6O9I1sNUTKPZoa8WnwbH4SFCUeoiwiJBRuvG8jWxHrAegsFQjfIyOxBdz3ghQ4smo3yB2OeCahUysqwnkL682G5czUvdxfEWyEvYkyzNWCNkiwJ-isTiL-SRB5p3IN7a1UMv2PCTC6P1sAd7BlaluMG7n8Dr4k/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231023144043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKEWsBLVmqWy_o0o04Epj_2tid4XQub6O9I1sNUTKPZoa8WnwbH4SFCUeoiwiJBRuvG8jWxHrAegsFQjfIyOxBdz3ghQ4smo3yB2OeCahUysqwnkL682G5czUvdxfEWyEvYkyzNWCNkiwJ-isTiL-SRB5p3IN7a1UMv2PCTC6P1sAd7BlaluMG7n8Dr4k/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231023144043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The drawer had a chunk out of one corner but I was able to fill this with some polyfiller. I came across a large sheet of decoupage tissue that I'd been gifted last Christmas & decided to use this over my paint. This was my first time using this tissue & it went on really well using mod-podge. Once dry I coated it again with mod-podge as I find this seals everything & makes it wipeable.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TOzSzKcKdVPpKUz9tAoZkmXhuimpRjxJI602QwAO9sIcz_YKjEmhkwHr0473kTnnDgoFm9Rs63HDcgVm9XN967bb0Uoch_FEJm-8hnOkO2RggJxMzC5is7N0eN1F2dXe7J6ioSc26F1O1pBrvvPzj-5YYZ02_X3lwMXoc9XL3cEjhNd2r_ulR5vAd7Wy/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231023144113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TOzSzKcKdVPpKUz9tAoZkmXhuimpRjxJI602QwAO9sIcz_YKjEmhkwHr0473kTnnDgoFm9Rs63HDcgVm9XN967bb0Uoch_FEJm-8hnOkO2RggJxMzC5is7N0eN1F2dXe7J6ioSc26F1O1pBrvvPzj-5YYZ02_X3lwMXoc9XL3cEjhNd2r_ulR5vAd7Wy/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20231023144113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The sheet was large enough that I did the top, the drawer front & also managed to line the drawer base. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LpHIvsu2facNF7P0eTA2DfS2GxqV2KVZ68NPWUN4jBWyKP53xL7JLiW_JGKeBF58gpE_nPJ2aw3SnpGr5ZtFWQIe835nwOlaosHy8sWLZXwSDgblFrJAsVLT6oPfBBy9zu1RT04uHdiJbvPvdEwt7W_530XMOEWF9L7KHvWTBfDR_KbxZ-QJcGl5gWL3/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231023144127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LpHIvsu2facNF7P0eTA2DfS2GxqV2KVZ68NPWUN4jBWyKP53xL7JLiW_JGKeBF58gpE_nPJ2aw3SnpGr5ZtFWQIe835nwOlaosHy8sWLZXwSDgblFrJAsVLT6oPfBBy9zu1RT04uHdiJbvPvdEwt7W_530XMOEWF9L7KHvWTBfDR_KbxZ-QJcGl5gWL3/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20231023144127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tied a Tilda swing tag to the handle & soon filled it with crafty bits & bobs. <span style="text-align: left;">I was really pleased with the finished result after being <i>not so happy</i> <i>with it</i> originally.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7IXurWjpkXyuxBN481rT6VMQtFSNnwBSybbPaoGuKFpGtLiCjfE_4Oy0wu1UBTQ0XV7fYNsuPwyAoln7dGlOXl2mf-waXvRh9r8eIRuyyqkD_A1qMaJPoUYwDKkJmyuLWOTXsGHocuRJdySJLT6XGEY4h7qN_J4qJZv_RvtyGIZn1WGE-63QRqY2Q1gs/s4000/048-fotor-20231023144522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7IXurWjpkXyuxBN481rT6VMQtFSNnwBSybbPaoGuKFpGtLiCjfE_4Oy0wu1UBTQ0XV7fYNsuPwyAoln7dGlOXl2mf-waXvRh9r8eIRuyyqkD_A1qMaJPoUYwDKkJmyuLWOTXsGHocuRJdySJLT6XGEY4h7qN_J4qJZv_RvtyGIZn1WGE-63QRqY2Q1gs/w480-h640/048-fotor-20231023144522.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And it fits in just perfectly on my sewing bench 💙</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56H8kUahbXmuyy7H21Vw4IY-Gfr2BqE9rr29wzH-Ldefzfgmoct5gvUOG7jIld38NqliAo4utFwby1OHeTBJ20sKyT2R3eVszRhFMQFCsYq2goG4WhDPaFyFEUJf7pCRiTwKLtN73Pob4fktgAMvGKDfjiIVk-VoQgej-dOGY7ueaxOqv7VKEdygxgcPM/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231023143920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56H8kUahbXmuyy7H21Vw4IY-Gfr2BqE9rr29wzH-Ldefzfgmoct5gvUOG7jIld38NqliAo4utFwby1OHeTBJ20sKyT2R3eVszRhFMQFCsYq2goG4WhDPaFyFEUJf7pCRiTwKLtN73Pob4fktgAMvGKDfjiIVk-VoQgej-dOGY7ueaxOqv7VKEdygxgcPM/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231023143920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last time I delivered an Order of Potpourri to <a href="https://brandysbotanicals.co.nz/" target="_blank">Brandy's Botanicals</a> Deb asked me if she could try some of my knitted cotton dishcloths to sell. I was more than happy to oblige as I just love knitting these up - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">here is <a href="https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Knitting-Pattern-Dishcloth-3-Ways.pdf" target="_blank">the free pattern</a> I use.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided I needed to come up with a nice packaging method that was not too overly fancy but presented them nicely. I tied a brown paper belly band around them & then made up some swing tags that I printed off onto brown paper & cut out. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm_UA09QvKl1pPE2Pm8x0zT4hIyTcBwRXmC3W5gOPXl4ktShrfbyJwXR9k0Z3GQl34wDhprujO96l5u8W17wSAAYPTEMcRuk086YTRFjjfIyR0fE0W3tugonYCuaIB_7Hq2kyms4rKja8BXnIGiLVJfqZreEooiVitDw_WckpjEIPtVUSl2SSV8rw-GWq/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231023143946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm_UA09QvKl1pPE2Pm8x0zT4hIyTcBwRXmC3W5gOPXl4ktShrfbyJwXR9k0Z3GQl34wDhprujO96l5u8W17wSAAYPTEMcRuk086YTRFjjfIyR0fE0W3tugonYCuaIB_7Hq2kyms4rKja8BXnIGiLVJfqZreEooiVitDw_WckpjEIPtVUSl2SSV8rw-GWq/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231023143946.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was pleased with the simple but effective way they looked. I had enough cotton in my yarn stash that I was able to knit 10 different ones to send down to Deb.</span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGetTemzWT82zJsH2hvtfelsRsEg6OJ0w_FMn69oZF4p-hbwmvZfMQQz2yyMcyWoSxwf6y2iEOA4fG19xXeH6hT1k9yYzyYcpLH3fLm0J0Ygld156KvQpHG4nJVmrEdvhgV7XLOe4c2XIgjRSkLP__hE6NkDORVMDpSYFNy6IBbVhbAEt8C6Qe-C-QsYcx/s3531/030-fotor-20231023144323.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3531" data-original-width="2975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGetTemzWT82zJsH2hvtfelsRsEg6OJ0w_FMn69oZF4p-hbwmvZfMQQz2yyMcyWoSxwf6y2iEOA4fG19xXeH6hT1k9yYzyYcpLH3fLm0J0Ygld156KvQpHG4nJVmrEdvhgV7XLOe4c2XIgjRSkLP__hE6NkDORVMDpSYFNy6IBbVhbAEt8C6Qe-C-QsYcx/w540-h640/030-fotor-20231023144323.png" width="540" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This way people can pick them up & feel the softness of them but also Deb can package them up with a soap easily enough if she so wishes.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTcH6LGshbvUDF7ZZH4BA9tyQnAgq8HQA1XcVTXU0xAUh2342SnBT8DHB8M933XBy4PHCqOrnAnQLCzRenDSoB4rX3NbGYvl5i6b2dwBUFuKoFxOkwRnuxL_1gumyUyLMFu8fiRNESjbrUau2j9zL-yDTdSGX8dA7Hw-8chlVDmaPpjDTnTwB34Z5WSH2/s4032/025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTcH6LGshbvUDF7ZZH4BA9tyQnAgq8HQA1XcVTXU0xAUh2342SnBT8DHB8M933XBy4PHCqOrnAnQLCzRenDSoB4rX3NbGYvl5i6b2dwBUFuKoFxOkwRnuxL_1gumyUyLMFu8fiRNESjbrUau2j9zL-yDTdSGX8dA7Hw-8chlVDmaPpjDTnTwB34Z5WSH2/w480-h640/025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last month Alec had his first ever Grandparents Day at his country school - they have been cancelled in recent years due to various Lockdowns. He dressed up as a Wizard & I dressed up as a Granny 😉 (!!!)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(I promise to have a proper cat update in my next post - Little One is fine & dandy & <b>No</b> - they are <b>still not getting along</b>)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-48236118202085739902023-10-13T16:47:00.000+13:002023-10-13T16:47:56.991+13:00Three Things I do each Springtime<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Longtime readers of my blog will know there are three things I like to do each Spring to help to refresh my home & outdoor area. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh753EvElaw6vgOKbKsDxNSr7vpeRGezObk893SooBAqE4uGh5dllPG-4bGXd9Nwp5kObp8V_aQElxqfxuNxmuFfp3TH1fTxMIm5eRXJDgIfCITvvUZcO_cgsR8BH8qdfIwJE3z3RGepSE0ZmXGT_dCAHzMdTVumPIzL-bxG8qD5p_YaSWTN2GZ6sPaXliB/s4000/004-fotor-20231013145155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh753EvElaw6vgOKbKsDxNSr7vpeRGezObk893SooBAqE4uGh5dllPG-4bGXd9Nwp5kObp8V_aQElxqfxuNxmuFfp3TH1fTxMIm5eRXJDgIfCITvvUZcO_cgsR8BH8qdfIwJE3z3RGepSE0ZmXGT_dCAHzMdTVumPIzL-bxG8qD5p_YaSWTN2GZ6sPaXliB/w480-h640/004-fotor-20231013145155.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last of the spring freesia's picked this morning & displayed in Mum's crystal vase</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;">Thing One :</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M0gGvpn-MD2pn8ZvimRdKM1akkjEowvga_832U3HOiFrE8bI-k54-53KRJtZbMDF_ZVrNJmoYFe7R-HxX8xJwl7z0DDi2GfjsbB50mBMWIzCUT-fnBZcR4hGDsFWQXaF24Ofydr1qADA1-qFLrGMABWhUX_PKaEPV9rzfcQll8USU4a7Yj75huwLoSpm/s4000/017-fotor-20231013144743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M0gGvpn-MD2pn8ZvimRdKM1akkjEowvga_832U3HOiFrE8bI-k54-53KRJtZbMDF_ZVrNJmoYFe7R-HxX8xJwl7z0DDi2GfjsbB50mBMWIzCUT-fnBZcR4hGDsFWQXaF24Ofydr1qADA1-qFLrGMABWhUX_PKaEPV9rzfcQll8USU4a7Yj75huwLoSpm/w480-h640/017-fotor-20231013144743.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Each Spring I like to treat myself to a fresh new length of Oilcloth for my dining table. This table is a workhorse & gets a great deal of use so I really enjoy refreshing it each year. This gorgeous 1.5 metre length was purchased online from <a href="https://vintageeuropean.co.nz/" target="_blank">this wonderful store</a>. I've always been partial to paisley designs & this really caught my eye.</div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDxrHm-CrnNGs4qOvS09IKkTPXqo9YcXA6p851gavZLCT1__7sE9O2IQ7NJEWn7n3tc-HR19Q5annK8u4pfzk12Da2rCk9lfqgez6mFPJKFKW2Ae8LRY-_gSr4rF6v5EhtJn9JrhhDOEVqPGw6WpZf7IF5CBIifeqoBfQLzvlw-POFcMVIoGrLNmi5gXb/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023101314460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDxrHm-CrnNGs4qOvS09IKkTPXqo9YcXA6p851gavZLCT1__7sE9O2IQ7NJEWn7n3tc-HR19Q5annK8u4pfzk12Da2rCk9lfqgez6mFPJKFKW2Ae8LRY-_gSr4rF6v5EhtJn9JrhhDOEVqPGw6WpZf7IF5CBIifeqoBfQLzvlw-POFcMVIoGrLNmi5gXb/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-2023101314460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I especially loved the Lineny look & feel of it, even though it is fully wipeable.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BUjuT0P0X2phidualyb3TtkSnLiBwPFbGCEwZXmUNkjo7KyqX1hEhxOWkAmcO3HNzIVkfPPmsasFvig-WwXNIfhqdn7gKTUhvTcPtIqhNdndr3QzM8Hvzs2Yx5QRio6S_gjiyffjLNDFL9bNgbIeBFwp2uuhKnF4k_e0FmOL8h2AOEmq86om_KJOpf33/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231013144543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BUjuT0P0X2phidualyb3TtkSnLiBwPFbGCEwZXmUNkjo7KyqX1hEhxOWkAmcO3HNzIVkfPPmsasFvig-WwXNIfhqdn7gKTUhvTcPtIqhNdndr3QzM8Hvzs2Yx5QRio6S_gjiyffjLNDFL9bNgbIeBFwp2uuhKnF4k_e0FmOL8h2AOEmq86om_KJOpf33/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231013144543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A gorgeous <a href="https://www.gardenia.net/plant/gerbera-garvinea-sweet-memories" target="_blank">new variety of Gerbera</a> gifted to me from my friend Sharlaine ... sitting on a thrifted silver tray.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;">Thing Two :</span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Every spring I give my old wrought iron table & chair set another coat of paint. The colour is Hot Chilli & I just use the Resene testpots for this - I had some left over from last spring. This set is so old now that The Mr tells me the only thing holding it all together is the paint I keep applying to it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55mZApWetKCRVoomztJzOSkpkON4vAc0GgZ0MCxyOGU31q66DjDUcYhnf1H2_OWE5Rw4jIi6NNnvTAqXVtGO4wJfdms8sEfyHU2YVdj-mXN4Z8_eixh7r-WnbED-kZB6YjmgB86fm7c5P_i7MP7JHqhDajQVaDQBNsZ4g7NXUe2rBI2zno4mteNK9Dwk/s4000/049-fotor-20231013144835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55mZApWetKCRVoomztJzOSkpkON4vAc0GgZ0MCxyOGU31q66DjDUcYhnf1H2_OWE5Rw4jIi6NNnvTAqXVtGO4wJfdms8sEfyHU2YVdj-mXN4Z8_eixh7r-WnbED-kZB6YjmgB86fm7c5P_i7MP7JHqhDajQVaDQBNsZ4g7NXUe2rBI2zno4mteNK9Dwk/w480-h640/049-fotor-20231013144835.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are sitting up on my deck at present as everything on the lawn is covered in a fine confetti of blossom flowers that are floating everywhere with the winds we are getting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;">Thing Three :</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdQ6Nj7r5Bp1HS1ALODIO7Xeq6HCUAE8V6D6Iihg3qB8gsLVMsn74v0UOYP8ufxNtq5O8NOxQkJvkcRvsGHFakx3LF4Il2LEVcyfG7Rfr-_ZPipS8ksuOiz8Mw5SC4s79Fn7oZhiDp5bU2rxt30GNBkplTTyhJXOpwdGLyZhbnRaWM8CVmww8-IdGEPdM/s4000/036-fotor-20231013144856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdQ6Nj7r5Bp1HS1ALODIO7Xeq6HCUAE8V6D6Iihg3qB8gsLVMsn74v0UOYP8ufxNtq5O8NOxQkJvkcRvsGHFakx3LF4Il2LEVcyfG7Rfr-_ZPipS8ksuOiz8Mw5SC4s79Fn7oZhiDp5bU2rxt30GNBkplTTyhJXOpwdGLyZhbnRaWM8CVmww8-IdGEPdM/w480-h640/036-fotor-20231013144856.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I always give my large wooden outdoor table a good scrub with sugar soap. During the winter months I keep an eye on Spotlight & when their Hessian comes on sale I buy a 2 metre length of it to refresh my table. This year it was $3 a metre on sale so the length only cost me $6. </div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKkjEPsZMotfxRAdnhaoIaDDuN-Y8I1enDaI5r4SynL7BpYnK3KLvW-7DyY5Wqej71s2Fn7Gknrc6mI6KgAPJKLIU_NxGoEID2ZhFjBN2aQm0qS9Gt0cVfC8YMJW3li_po2mFtmWN_3Y_2MJyXJ3Wb2kJq7IXJn2oN7Mo1LDudKpy60NPOgSmRcU9jW93/s3403/043-fotor-20231013145028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3403" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKkjEPsZMotfxRAdnhaoIaDDuN-Y8I1enDaI5r4SynL7BpYnK3KLvW-7DyY5Wqej71s2Fn7Gknrc6mI6KgAPJKLIU_NxGoEID2ZhFjBN2aQm0qS9Gt0cVfC8YMJW3li_po2mFtmWN_3Y_2MJyXJ3Wb2kJq7IXJn2oN7Mo1LDudKpy60NPOgSmRcU9jW93/w568-h640/043-fotor-20231013145028.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like to overlock the ends to stop fraying & I also gave it an iron as it was creased. No sooner had I gone to get my plants to display on it, than a certain ginger furry being decided it looked rather nice & comfy & plonked her derrier down on it 😐 Usually she sashays down it like a runway - being the Princess that she is !!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiolV2_4DsJBcPqNTKVv70-FdMO8haxoSooZl5BGvMxkt7dzLNn8mBXs8S6Cm2wWh4xZlGEL528slGmwAP_buhrcxh-uAgWyzkfGCcuS7i2x8itXp3WPJfssjlYzk5eOldd5T4JcWeNr1d0ZN_gmu8VSQtrFg7OASw5VwUJYYVhzSf7D6ooSzLcIWbAwYP/s4000/044-fotor-20231013151527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiolV2_4DsJBcPqNTKVv70-FdMO8haxoSooZl5BGvMxkt7dzLNn8mBXs8S6Cm2wWh4xZlGEL528slGmwAP_buhrcxh-uAgWyzkfGCcuS7i2x8itXp3WPJfssjlYzk5eOldd5T4JcWeNr1d0ZN_gmu8VSQtrFg7OASw5VwUJYYVhzSf7D6ooSzLcIWbAwYP/w480-h640/044-fotor-20231013151527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I have some potted red petunias in my vintage scales & in the old cooking pot I have planted white petunias. I didn't plan on a Ginger Cat featuring in my display but it appears that this may be non-negotiable !! 🐱 </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxG2TMtzUEcq0AL4I32E7Wsm8Hd2fZieBkib8t7-TJkWQ_Dhd6ExyPG0Cve3BLDkChv8TWRsQydaCJsQqESqhc-CgXX-tAAOBREKUqcA_i1e55eyU4L-XeXjhOHTnsYM8st0Ir_gNhYb47ff3vHBpC1c7I9KwPT4KV7DJMvqmvz_ZkhP4dfjWfk8h8Voq/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231013144616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxG2TMtzUEcq0AL4I32E7Wsm8Hd2fZieBkib8t7-TJkWQ_Dhd6ExyPG0Cve3BLDkChv8TWRsQydaCJsQqESqhc-CgXX-tAAOBREKUqcA_i1e55eyU4L-XeXjhOHTnsYM8st0Ir_gNhYb47ff3vHBpC1c7I9KwPT4KV7DJMvqmvz_ZkhP4dfjWfk8h8Voq/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20231013144616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pansies in my <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/06/lblo-life-before-little-one-update.html" target="_blank">black planter box</a> had gone mildewy so I replaced them with some red & white Impatiens ... every single thing got a good scrub & a clean & a de-cobweb.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzjvDzNTJ6aZ0riyZLbZJ448s41GL1LDnBcNa_bYwNQgH8A6g1EzslslLlcUJPyVozM6_NkeQUVOgadLYpBmW22w4GQ3dNQKnKjFPT4dQhM-fwtTOPmk13y6Tm1L0bKrx-5DJoUTkpRKhRaGuyMiIudgncrX_CE8_BtkvL4z5tmhYwmVVh3IwWfG-yx_g/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231013144629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzjvDzNTJ6aZ0riyZLbZJ448s41GL1LDnBcNa_bYwNQgH8A6g1EzslslLlcUJPyVozM6_NkeQUVOgadLYpBmW22w4GQ3dNQKnKjFPT4dQhM-fwtTOPmk13y6Tm1L0bKrx-5DJoUTkpRKhRaGuyMiIudgncrX_CE8_BtkvL4z5tmhYwmVVh3IwWfG-yx_g/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20231013144629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't particularly enjoy this job but things get really manky during winter & if you want to have all these <strike>derelict</strike> vintage treasures around then I feel you need to actually <b>care for them. </b> Otherwise it all ends up resembling Steptoe's Yard. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfspbI-zslD68desyT3N0MORjL49WV8q3MNxGn4i95nssyZMZuDIM0VbGC7vfrJXRBxRqzeeGZXZrfN2WhO95J_mSskiB8fZic6XXWfMm5XY5gWCnY-Bqznv1B-XwU1l-Oj2nxej9lxFFofmt48N97cxY3fs8RtHjj3xont1TzsLou2722JxlXo7_DrDL/s4000/050-fotor-2023101314489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfspbI-zslD68desyT3N0MORjL49WV8q3MNxGn4i95nssyZMZuDIM0VbGC7vfrJXRBxRqzeeGZXZrfN2WhO95J_mSskiB8fZic6XXWfMm5XY5gWCnY-Bqznv1B-XwU1l-Oj2nxej9lxFFofmt48N97cxY3fs8RtHjj3xont1TzsLou2722JxlXo7_DrDL/w480-h640/050-fotor-2023101314489.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My friend Jane had given me this sweet daisy wall pot so I drilled some holes in the base & planted it with some miniature viola's. So simple & lovely 💜</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMmTiOyyL4pHg7AGLYBCJcZJiyZFSB4lmX5RVOVFs1DUuFgIjap-yNbFTInpwbmTQxARhnY-fVcb3xCnsJ0-4SQlVfXh0op36d42TBUw6ODOx0zy4hEaI2vXEYuiXRMgsGmoLFfyeDJumDEGyQkPST_246v8q_-IYdWcNwaOsfM2Emt-DUAh4cc1fB7T8/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231013152757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMmTiOyyL4pHg7AGLYBCJcZJiyZFSB4lmX5RVOVFs1DUuFgIjap-yNbFTInpwbmTQxARhnY-fVcb3xCnsJ0-4SQlVfXh0op36d42TBUw6ODOx0zy4hEaI2vXEYuiXRMgsGmoLFfyeDJumDEGyQkPST_246v8q_-IYdWcNwaOsfM2Emt-DUAh4cc1fB7T8/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20231013152757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 5 red tulip bulbs I planted in Mum's old pedestal pot are flowering & looking so vibrant.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh9dwRQUHu2CBTTZP4zrAxkQXrGuR2t9yNrYE_4OK1wOHZPEs6NuoUoP94QyDbcPhbX2tBY39gQUHBlrFFNCNdB4xBTqhIEmr8eh9gAjxRT5GJ8FRjB4gPvxbF5uxcRcnH5nhWYCHqrJQXzyj9yglYU-f6-mpdpgovJIU-CyTi9gm0khg43KKKM3oP5UQ/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231013152733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh9dwRQUHu2CBTTZP4zrAxkQXrGuR2t9yNrYE_4OK1wOHZPEs6NuoUoP94QyDbcPhbX2tBY39gQUHBlrFFNCNdB4xBTqhIEmr8eh9gAjxRT5GJ8FRjB4gPvxbF5uxcRcnH5nhWYCHqrJQXzyj9yglYU-f6-mpdpgovJIU-CyTi9gm0khg43KKKM3oP5UQ/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20231013152733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This lily bulb has come up & although the flower looks brown in my photo it is actually quite black & reminds me of velvet. I have no idea who gave me this or when I planted it here.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5JB24CzmIWVg4No_H3gt-OJwBsVUBIRY8uGt6TjWCm4GmPp5Tzq8yllLr8VFEorr86pNQJCIQoMYfiLqWeNoXm2gRxU7LbhVCOrekzULSaxTIhMMAzIZ5y3m5wlhOFZ9rRt8coDNLYWtOnud5LfSZtHVSgKRxuGtlwZ87PIcazdwTC8nW4riH-zAf8r8/s1334/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5JB24CzmIWVg4No_H3gt-OJwBsVUBIRY8uGt6TjWCm4GmPp5Tzq8yllLr8VFEorr86pNQJCIQoMYfiLqWeNoXm2gRxU7LbhVCOrekzULSaxTIhMMAzIZ5y3m5wlhOFZ9rRt8coDNLYWtOnud5LfSZtHVSgKRxuGtlwZ87PIcazdwTC8nW4riH-zAf8r8/w360-h640/013.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been school holidays here in New Zealand & I have had the Grandsons on various days. Sid's Mum asked me to drop him home a bit earlier last week as he was going for a haircut. This is the photo I got sent later that day. This is very "out there" for Sid who is usually such a reserved little boy. It did make me smile.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to thank you all <b>from the bottom of my heart</b> for your comments on my Eulogy Post last week for my Mum. I did hesitate when I went to hit Publish but I write this blog as a record for myself & my Grandchildren who may read it all one day & I felt it was important to include it. Your comments just warmed my sad heart so very much - you are all so kind & thoughtful. 🖤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a wonderful weekend dear friends - we are due some rain here in rural Waikato so it might be a sewing weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-13473088081420372532023-10-01T16:32:00.000+13:002023-10-01T16:32:18.782+13:00My Mum's Circle of Life 🖤<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings dearest friends & readers 🖤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>On the 31st of August, the official last day of Winter here at the bottom of the world, my beloved Mum's Circle of Life came to a close. As she took her final breath, </span>I was there by her side holding her hand, patting her head & playing <a href="https://youtu.be/2Vv-BfVoq4g?si=f4rdHhaJ60NXLRus" target="_blank">her favourite song</a>. I told Mum that it was okay to go & be with Dad now, to be well & happy & healthy again. That's how I like to think of them now ... together after 22 years apart.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtrPvDj3GDL5A5QxYhJzpChE9vNoaPSQH-OXEXk6zL3hM0n94pWdiKWYH6XBywJAqo8BYHvwYmFc9WREHao1T52rFM4K6wXaD1LMxxMzErMqFfipo73wki7Ll8AGJhVNgkmtpw6yipCYxbquyYhIA4Vf2KbeKO7kKUSkQGbFs4JQNv7TsiG_2Lbx_cyNo/s3800/130-fotor-2023100114135.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="2748" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtrPvDj3GDL5A5QxYhJzpChE9vNoaPSQH-OXEXk6zL3hM0n94pWdiKWYH6XBywJAqo8BYHvwYmFc9WREHao1T52rFM4K6wXaD1LMxxMzErMqFfipo73wki7Ll8AGJhVNgkmtpw6yipCYxbquyYhIA4Vf2KbeKO7kKUSkQGbFs4JQNv7TsiG_2Lbx_cyNo/w462-h640/130-fotor-2023100114135.png" width="462" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NAWB59DL75k52ORLv15w10rOt1ANKufRb3CXTU617kM9Eu8LuRSy4FQ8uTmQiA6Xg2kKja3zj4tef4UPBIKKdh05iMUikW-N1wMa7Qw6UoPY0JuROzTmwIGAclq_lDOGrjXIqENuTI281bLAYmEXsTwVOi5o-18MEMfR6beJpCQAdmL1wcg-mVdJjleB/s4032/129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NAWB59DL75k52ORLv15w10rOt1ANKufRb3CXTU617kM9Eu8LuRSy4FQ8uTmQiA6Xg2kKja3zj4tef4UPBIKKdh05iMUikW-N1wMa7Qw6UoPY0JuROzTmwIGAclq_lDOGrjXIqENuTI281bLAYmEXsTwVOi5o-18MEMfR6beJpCQAdmL1wcg-mVdJjleB/w480-h640/129.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKi1yDRy3mDD9hFsI47ZvLuiTX1FUHN4ntGKr4Tg0kZqMt9trPAov9BDGMU51I8rbqK27_LEFg7mmsE9gPE4ZJpKpXRK5HgvAi-ZRVxqTftovd5iYLxenSV5PGfW9xozsNFIGZfRjbh6mZIA79esDE4_y3rUMDokK7lexe3NEjbma5QI73gUWOPWYmvXs/s4032/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKi1yDRy3mDD9hFsI47ZvLuiTX1FUHN4ntGKr4Tg0kZqMt9trPAov9BDGMU51I8rbqK27_LEFg7mmsE9gPE4ZJpKpXRK5HgvAi-ZRVxqTftovd5iYLxenSV5PGfW9xozsNFIGZfRjbh6mZIA79esDE4_y3rUMDokK7lexe3NEjbma5QI73gUWOPWYmvXs/w640-h480/135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Mum met Dad he was fresh out of the Armed Forces & <b>not</b> ready to settle down. She loved him & waited patiently ... eventually they got engaged, married & moved up to Taranaki to begin their new life together.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzOORAnm0N-fxQJlodZUyW_2aQE6PDfuX5KNwqh5eDj7GKg0UJ8q6S4UUmAEvdnFlXg-tMf0CNTHimg05fYGD323omdj4WHjCiO42VOgMPZZSApN672T6NiZ6PKVZvZ7xqyH0iqTMB3p4-bZWLDIyjqg3ovEgfbYX9L_IEGJ-E636ovAZ8J5077cAZ8TN/s2000/063%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzOORAnm0N-fxQJlodZUyW_2aQE6PDfuX5KNwqh5eDj7GKg0UJ8q6S4UUmAEvdnFlXg-tMf0CNTHimg05fYGD323omdj4WHjCiO42VOgMPZZSApN672T6NiZ6PKVZvZ7xqyH0iqTMB3p4-bZWLDIyjqg3ovEgfbYX9L_IEGJ-E636ovAZ8J5077cAZ8TN/w640-h376/063%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They became parents to my brother & I - & built a house at Number 44 where Mum was to live for the next 61 years of her life.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSJ5flPpvanJJhExe_Dk6u6eqQVQ2zrrnZE8dyfGwqwRrahtap7S6R-45LEbBbG4GZAGgdFXYfrOxLbmEY546whkFAygUnOVE9oq8c_FSl7cw3uzBYsSV2pRNbYOmVMbNUok0L8GEkx3QHTkKGhWdl7xJCLVWGoVk_I857nwa1SBmdhiKoO-w_Z33H8V8/s4032/139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSJ5flPpvanJJhExe_Dk6u6eqQVQ2zrrnZE8dyfGwqwRrahtap7S6R-45LEbBbG4GZAGgdFXYfrOxLbmEY546whkFAygUnOVE9oq8c_FSl7cw3uzBYsSV2pRNbYOmVMbNUok0L8GEkx3QHTkKGhWdl7xJCLVWGoVk_I857nwa1SBmdhiKoO-w_Z33H8V8/w640-h480/139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum loved being a wife, a mother & a homemaker - even during the difficult years, of which there were many. Money was tight & Mum learned to be frugal, to <i>make-do-and-mend ....</i> qualities that never ever left her.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjNbBjtFpiBt47TLk0GNGAtGawBtT_-VBPe6fZVGIRiRuUBqHup-1oBsNTlNDRbA9TMePW7HS9HsgJD-lAlCthSHPm45Sa0udxk0lcP6dQmXO_Rcmm4VEphgJNkX00_31roInoZxKDIAaFdUBWEWlxl9CxmjILIUHGhXQTlWXEAqw2r8J2fY9GfPjQRMy/s2000/063%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjNbBjtFpiBt47TLk0GNGAtGawBtT_-VBPe6fZVGIRiRuUBqHup-1oBsNTlNDRbA9TMePW7HS9HsgJD-lAlCthSHPm45Sa0udxk0lcP6dQmXO_Rcmm4VEphgJNkX00_31roInoZxKDIAaFdUBWEWlxl9CxmjILIUHGhXQTlWXEAqw2r8J2fY9GfPjQRMy/w640-h320/063%20(7).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Mum is on the left in both photos)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Born & raised in the Manawatu area, Mum was the 3rd eldest of 11 siblings! Her favourite always, was her older sister Margaret, gone 6 years now. They remained close all of their lives.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ElVAHUb2Z7PqiC_D3jXrQKQeweEQT5xiFTChHIHiIYEwbialG93ouCeLzc1_qsvX8ReC-rpYOQ2ikP65tCobO2sRPPq2MpAueRtZPuaSiPIxvzt798afE7SgHGdFuM8Ipmfz7RZ2L6COERzYr4dq_0oHtBBF6Hba6k8mGE4ixFIYQIv06blv_ZbrNz7P/s4000/137-fotor-2023100115483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ElVAHUb2Z7PqiC_D3jXrQKQeweEQT5xiFTChHIHiIYEwbialG93ouCeLzc1_qsvX8ReC-rpYOQ2ikP65tCobO2sRPPq2MpAueRtZPuaSiPIxvzt798afE7SgHGdFuM8Ipmfz7RZ2L6COERzYr4dq_0oHtBBF6Hba6k8mGE4ixFIYQIv06blv_ZbrNz7P/w480-h640/137-fotor-2023100115483.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum was always neat & immaculate - both in her appearance <b>And</b> especially in her Home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyzeOOjbJnz0Qrk5HbeMmRInCzKNJqtAnmK4sDwSqYhMY0jdzj7ITpKhVKwYea_PwTtmUz7bTIW1y8FfYN5GlZbSuOwGT9xUay9IFuY5uKEdq3nMg12S-O7tXavFX3Bf32nxaDwBbkMCxYpg-GLpWxK89Jfss4h4JHUy5WmbWo72ckRmdSF63u8-oDqeo/s3742/145-fotor-20231001141446.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="3742" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyzeOOjbJnz0Qrk5HbeMmRInCzKNJqtAnmK4sDwSqYhMY0jdzj7ITpKhVKwYea_PwTtmUz7bTIW1y8FfYN5GlZbSuOwGT9xUay9IFuY5uKEdq3nMg12S-O7tXavFX3Bf32nxaDwBbkMCxYpg-GLpWxK89Jfss4h4JHUy5WmbWo72ckRmdSF63u8-oDqeo/w640-h488/145-fotor-20231001141446.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">After Dad passed away, 22 years ago now Mum decided she'd like to try travelling, having never ever been out of New Zealand. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxS5q2BFbusgcdkeYTvrwCTt0a-wRrwhwcVMafuFCyM0dAIxUoJJRCuxBrhu_8iQDFm5yJ3mDrMmXjK86dmLvAvgkh6-1kYDq_s4ppTn486nZjqzKxA-PwM8TVkuv0wUfsDFL_9-Kx5aBiIKPLRrnc_iVs7gJx_zuvY-tzXgpvTRd-Mk6CBNdFh5cxlRn/s2000/063%20(5)-fotor-20231001141048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxS5q2BFbusgcdkeYTvrwCTt0a-wRrwhwcVMafuFCyM0dAIxUoJJRCuxBrhu_8iQDFm5yJ3mDrMmXjK86dmLvAvgkh6-1kYDq_s4ppTn486nZjqzKxA-PwM8TVkuv0wUfsDFL_9-Kx5aBiIKPLRrnc_iVs7gJx_zuvY-tzXgpvTRd-Mk6CBNdFh5cxlRn/w640-h320/063%20(5)-fotor-20231001141048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Together we were lucky enough to do 4 trips to Australia over the ensuing years - we both thoroughly enjoyed these trips immensely, visiting two of Mum's brothers.</span></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPRVhxT7jbtUjYoPbANCEqSL5ZU45ltOx4vzO1oL-QlbvXRWyjPjvl-xi22vbwRXZjRCVXuKO-tKl0mjmFqLmNuajVqUYiPQxmIqzGW-e7_3DyFVy3qC3_wZ1xM9EKN7_OdW6y3mJ8xaC5-8PrP3z1zE0-dlPO4s98bMG988-RJ8LPDM3rNnN9ti0kG5b/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPRVhxT7jbtUjYoPbANCEqSL5ZU45ltOx4vzO1oL-QlbvXRWyjPjvl-xi22vbwRXZjRCVXuKO-tKl0mjmFqLmNuajVqUYiPQxmIqzGW-e7_3DyFVy3qC3_wZ1xM9EKN7_OdW6y3mJ8xaC5-8PrP3z1zE0-dlPO4s98bMG988-RJ8LPDM3rNnN9ti0kG5b/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youngest Son Kayne & wife Nicole on left & eldest son Aaron & wife Sarah with Mum on right - taken April 2022 - Mums 93rd birthday !</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum loved being Nan to my 2 sons & was delighted when she was able to attend both their weddings, 8 & 9 years ago now. </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx-s_FgDzNlhk9qTSrTK5vhBNpHKhMxHxAidhAiH4Fw1kiri9v9DmXodywMppl5WLR96ocemuLJgIWkNel7Ko8AtCc78o1SRdIPS5ZV-cSjI_oLDJ3ynnvYyKjDahXqnu_rbbuIpHf_xtUC3vw5MLTeplwNbTNWwmhOWVp1DdarZ6kFMNpyS6xKphL8ts/s2000/063%20(4)-fotor-20231001141123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx-s_FgDzNlhk9qTSrTK5vhBNpHKhMxHxAidhAiH4Fw1kiri9v9DmXodywMppl5WLR96ocemuLJgIWkNel7Ko8AtCc78o1SRdIPS5ZV-cSjI_oLDJ3ynnvYyKjDahXqnu_rbbuIpHf_xtUC3vw5MLTeplwNbTNWwmhOWVp1DdarZ6kFMNpyS6xKphL8ts/w640-h320/063%20(4)-fotor-20231001141123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Mum would often say to me "I hope I live long enough to be a Great Grandmother but I don't think that I will". It was to her utter delight that she got to become special "Great Nan" to Alec & Sid, 6 & 8 years ago now.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFhcJIy4owCRCDW5SaQ7QzMJnLt6LqDdVwC65bqQRa8e6bewiBPQvrMBrq2Ba4wQhagpRbcnREiMokJNzjMdAjW3yf0E2JFlmxpD0W8IKUDsilh8Tyj2xX8TiaEYgqADH9n4zLrTX-A8pBD3Jj32VU4sNqLf9AFArlYU9tiSAhMCct1xLRInUc6ptyV32/s4000/136-fotor-20231001141220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFhcJIy4owCRCDW5SaQ7QzMJnLt6LqDdVwC65bqQRa8e6bewiBPQvrMBrq2Ba4wQhagpRbcnREiMokJNzjMdAjW3yf0E2JFlmxpD0W8IKUDsilh8Tyj2xX8TiaEYgqADH9n4zLrTX-A8pBD3Jj32VU4sNqLf9AFArlYU9tiSAhMCct1xLRInUc6ptyV32/w480-h640/136-fotor-20231001141220.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely LoVe this photo above & we used this on Mum's service sheet for her funeral </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💗</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmwfo-Vefo7eIj6Xg2xhyphenhyphenG1-OZv5sv-TN4SdvSk7LrRZGvWsP29bYOEKDf4EPQ6rN-BUrO8FtNBDxMvkfWggTQcitVDKGUE2lJy8ejgNSrMsP9f5vNc_imSjZaPJNOBrK6614pFpxNgVApMLtgIBMmzs_C024v51jDLS5yrO0VuMA-OnIRkk1IKXBZgas/s3979/141-fotor-20231001141341.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="3979" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmwfo-Vefo7eIj6Xg2xhyphenhyphenG1-OZv5sv-TN4SdvSk7LrRZGvWsP29bYOEKDf4EPQ6rN-BUrO8FtNBDxMvkfWggTQcitVDKGUE2lJy8ejgNSrMsP9f5vNc_imSjZaPJNOBrK6614pFpxNgVApMLtgIBMmzs_C024v51jDLS5yrO0VuMA-OnIRkk1IKXBZgas/w640-h458/141-fotor-20231001141341.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taken at a re-union lunch in the Bay of Plenty almost 7 years ago now - the last remaining siblings of the 11, both Mum & Aunty Marg </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(seated centre)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> now passed away.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRf5yIPpHvUApNiQlmt3F4c3AEWqd9HQ_81k0b7-VGur3kogEvFZKLp7zX0yZNcydaltsip0k5bPYyKQEuJ2gVwY8yd2Nhg8z6nTQhRE_5EViZY06Q1J7bjF33pwwjSENOKRRQrfjOynrdge1GlU-9d75gl8FvLKA1uGAmYSfYaYb4npFt5IfY2uCCm4l/s2000/ipiccy_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRf5yIPpHvUApNiQlmt3F4c3AEWqd9HQ_81k0b7-VGur3kogEvFZKLp7zX0yZNcydaltsip0k5bPYyKQEuJ2gVwY8yd2Nhg8z6nTQhRE_5EViZY06Q1J7bjF33pwwjSENOKRRQrfjOynrdge1GlU-9d75gl8FvLKA1uGAmYSfYaYb4npFt5IfY2uCCm4l/w640-h320/ipiccy_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mum </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(reluctantly) </span><span style="font-size: large;">entered Resthome Care last June (aged 93) & these photos were taken then. Altogether Mum was in the Resthome for 15 months. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdgfR-7V0aUhwKq4VZqttWxuumWKYmYi1NsnRQtjrp5-TLovZ8wer2RiKx_IKHetstXWrofKj6litoJOdMAJY-sQtJHKLxgEb9v1LUwzUh913A1H_elqIXOf60DCaM6VhwIak-yVt9v8oQEoGqqEaoRinl0gApaRF_ibLhf6igG50lQdfpo0CZP07aK6M/s3814/076-fotor-20231001143131.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="2738" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdgfR-7V0aUhwKq4VZqttWxuumWKYmYi1NsnRQtjrp5-TLovZ8wer2RiKx_IKHetstXWrofKj6litoJOdMAJY-sQtJHKLxgEb9v1LUwzUh913A1H_elqIXOf60DCaM6VhwIak-yVt9v8oQEoGqqEaoRinl0gApaRF_ibLhf6igG50lQdfpo0CZP07aK6M/w460-h640/076-fotor-20231001143131.png" width="460" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><p style="text-align: center;">When I <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/03/catching-up-post-part-3-clearing-out-no.html" target="_blank">cleared out No. 44 for sale</a> last February, I came across this plastic Shampoo Product bag & put it in my brother's Safe. After Mum's passing we opened it & along with Birth Certificates & Mum's Will, it contained all her requests for her Funeral arrangements ... the Undertaker she wished to use, the Venue, the type of Casket she wanted, the Flowers, the Music/songs played & the Poem to be read out - it was incredible!</p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ArnwndDRmvFjGYlxCMgzWlwkPolHIMjAalPabyh1G_-6_MGysMuDY1x6AYi9xttzGqDQJfjz7F7jBdXQAYZNR_I65JHpaEA2UV6rahyojbWSclx5l5KIbz2YGLHil088PnKECxaNJF6BcaBKBCut97692k5RTn9Is0fQJfZiy8nu1GgLMs9euRXhEaz5/s2000/063%20(2)-fotor-20231001141146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ArnwndDRmvFjGYlxCMgzWlwkPolHIMjAalPabyh1G_-6_MGysMuDY1x6AYi9xttzGqDQJfjz7F7jBdXQAYZNR_I65JHpaEA2UV6rahyojbWSclx5l5KIbz2YGLHil088PnKECxaNJF6BcaBKBCut97692k5RTn9Is0fQJfZiy8nu1GgLMs9euRXhEaz5/w640-h320/063%20(2)-fotor-20231001141146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Tucked into the bag was this envelope with strict instructions to be placed in her casket with her. The letters were written by my brother & I in 1968 (I was 8!) ... & posted to Mum who was in hospital at the time. Mum's great Grandsons also made her a card each & these went in with our letters. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlw3f5rV4tJHvrW5xXSejHEfEvew37i1EVr3xllOcW98lpy7YuyszKATVgVy2smbXeIf39GHpTBAgCElGZYas84lVxo2S96wNqOhO7rZ4l9CzFpL_rAEZb2WCndW6Bs4zVWAo8udT1dGGfYNpUf8OC3H6JMYDSNKhmT7YTsXjQOm-yGaCusslomyjRwXq/s2000/063%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlw3f5rV4tJHvrW5xXSejHEfEvew37i1EVr3xllOcW98lpy7YuyszKATVgVy2smbXeIf39GHpTBAgCElGZYas84lVxo2S96wNqOhO7rZ4l9CzFpL_rAEZb2WCndW6Bs4zVWAo8udT1dGGfYNpUf8OC3H6JMYDSNKhmT7YTsXjQOm-yGaCusslomyjRwXq/w640-h320/063%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Mum chose this Poem to be read at her Service & wanted pink & mauve flowers on her casket. It made everything very simple to just follow out her instructions. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I think Mum would've been very pleased with her Farewell ... I think she may <b>Not</b> have been so pleased at all the cousins that came out of the woodwork, some she had not seen for well over 22 years! I will never understand why people do this - yet they can't even pick up a phone & say Hello - how are you?! I had to use my <i>not-so-nice-voice </i>a number of times to bring it all back to the small private service that Mum wanted.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even though I had mentally prepared myself for Mum's passing for quite some time, I still cannot get my head around that she is no longer here. I jump when my phone rings, thinking it may be the Resthome. I hear some news & I think Oh I must tell Mum that. Plus I have been hit by a wave of exhaustion (or maybe grief) since my return home again. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIKg5bibh8kq47yYhAmeyQLcyTtXijSnSXerp1aVFOibhxptNzaBqmmgMjcYCN6tG4K9ouCY4Aner5NsY2uqWAuUoZ4Td8xlUIA6Yd-eH0psVL1MxID5eMSA48OOY0yq4AbBiU26WiH-YqZSDwfMS1a-AL2KYP-FgOxFVeoeCYhtFhAj1ECKC7ZQuuUfw/s2000/063%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIKg5bibh8kq47yYhAmeyQLcyTtXijSnSXerp1aVFOibhxptNzaBqmmgMjcYCN6tG4K9ouCY4Aner5NsY2uqWAuUoZ4Td8xlUIA6Yd-eH0psVL1MxID5eMSA48OOY0yq4AbBiU26WiH-YqZSDwfMS1a-AL2KYP-FgOxFVeoeCYhtFhAj1ECKC7ZQuuUfw/w640-h320/063%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views from my brother's house where I stayed - the sea out the dining room window & out the other side, Mount Taranaki wearing his winter cloak!</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway dearest friends ... although I have a head full of fluff, I will endeavour to return to blogland again & catch up on all your posts.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you sincerely, if you have stayed through this lengthy post - I wanted to write this Eulogy for myself more than anything but in all honesty, how do you cover 94 years - it would take 10 blog posts! A dear friend sent me this little Verse last week & I thought how perfect. 💙</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmcMYVS9umyByxgoLjW6Q2Wr5RHjARvtCfdfKIN-G6IPXaGqovx3McggSXw7e2SSck2tOW0zW2KxWEgMl-tZV5EnlyW37tUNUbtT-naRNHSk6wfMBDcO5fFHs9RAI7x9sCstcy3GnJBDzlG_NBEVF2vc1vmpKZqRKV-8u4GJs8sKiLXUyFrDLZ0keRMvV/s750/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="750" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmcMYVS9umyByxgoLjW6Q2Wr5RHjARvtCfdfKIN-G6IPXaGqovx3McggSXw7e2SSck2tOW0zW2KxWEgMl-tZV5EnlyW37tUNUbtT-naRNHSk6wfMBDcO5fFHs9RAI7x9sCstcy3GnJBDzlG_NBEVF2vc1vmpKZqRKV-8u4GJs8sKiLXUyFrDLZ0keRMvV/w640-h634/095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead dear friends - remember to be kind to yourself & to each other ... & I hope you find those Glimmers in your week,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship to you all,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the Furry Three x0x0x0 🐱😸😺</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-43409784852289151112023-08-17T17:04:00.000+12:002023-08-17T17:04:18.636+12:00A Bird-House Creating Workshop<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every few days I pick some fresh stems of Daphne - I like to keep a small vaseful on my kitchen bench & each time I'm working there I lean in & have a big sniff 😉💗 ... as far as I'm concerned the daphne season is over <b><u>way</u></b><b> too fast</b>.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4YpYTq7xMqA0_BGyfTiVMYoGhQxzg57VgNa4SMY64Ld1jNu7ErD7gAn700GeutJE_J8Zt2uFXeubKZOJD8-IsLZr3_LqlwjUAyJgtND8h79H6Q5Uwz_mXI9aAgz8rBFoVTpyEP5vs81ZOhf8cBdH1c7yxyR8GF8PaWi4lklM4ixQcHDwhtgxMK26_Fsj/s4000/052-fotor-2023081715844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4YpYTq7xMqA0_BGyfTiVMYoGhQxzg57VgNa4SMY64Ld1jNu7ErD7gAn700GeutJE_J8Zt2uFXeubKZOJD8-IsLZr3_LqlwjUAyJgtND8h79H6Q5Uwz_mXI9aAgz8rBFoVTpyEP5vs81ZOhf8cBdH1c7yxyR8GF8PaWi4lklM4ixQcHDwhtgxMK26_Fsj/w480-h640/052-fotor-2023081715844.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dearest friend Sandy moved away down the South Island earlier this year & I miss her dreadfully.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNuT91lzDxYYnjw7yV2zdFENJWvUwyGhM7M0ChnAJQdH-JJ_YJTk7mmApgZ83HmKZW5RZevZZxYnO7c91BIlrlYSxuuSn-WuadhqSMv-x06I7R5SAdUDxt34Cdoln8ig3wpPhNIU1t_6fUDNBdJ5FJw8JS3G6c1FRAcMY-lgldrZr_yHegm9N6Atz8Po/s4000/011-fotor-2023081715817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNuT91lzDxYYnjw7yV2zdFENJWvUwyGhM7M0ChnAJQdH-JJ_YJTk7mmApgZ83HmKZW5RZevZZxYnO7c91BIlrlYSxuuSn-WuadhqSMv-x06I7R5SAdUDxt34Cdoln8ig3wpPhNIU1t_6fUDNBdJ5FJw8JS3G6c1FRAcMY-lgldrZr_yHegm9N6Atz8Po/w480-h640/011-fotor-2023081715817.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before she left she gave me a big bucketful of bulbs, mainly daffodils. I picked out some large sized ones & planted them in my wheelbarrow as the begonias I had in there were not doing well. I am so delighted with my daffy display & think of Sandy every time I walk past it, & smile 💛</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of Saturday's ago I attended a workshop out at <a href="https://www.thefloralshed.com/" target="_blank">The Floral Shed</a>. Very longtime readers of my blog will remember Nita when she first opened the Hummingbird - I wrote <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2016/04/an-angel-hummingbird-elephant.html" target="_blank">a blog post on it *here*</a>. Nita has now established a large garden at her rural property, opened a Shop there, as well as supplying Florists & running Workshops. When I saw a space available in the Birdhouse making one, I put my name down without thinking too hard about it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Driving out there I felt a little anxious as I did not know any of the other ladies doing the workshop. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nvI1i6uvbI1dbhAHq_MJJUYPk8rHS2Khs880yJLCk3LN4vZJzPpS_RuXsCbKnKzkYQ66Q2LW2vPcVagPGV1EUmsZZmPIlqYo11KswBOOtgxdm6pBSru_fP5pq3MpbuB3nQfK71quMHuJCjaS7jLEV5bqj1fWqieRWW9zL6gW-1QeIpxZ3y6pgWzXNUST/s1800/035-fotor-2023081715539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nvI1i6uvbI1dbhAHq_MJJUYPk8rHS2Khs880yJLCk3LN4vZJzPpS_RuXsCbKnKzkYQ66Q2LW2vPcVagPGV1EUmsZZmPIlqYo11KswBOOtgxdm6pBSru_fP5pq3MpbuB3nQfK71quMHuJCjaS7jLEV5bqj1fWqieRWW9zL6gW-1QeIpxZ3y6pgWzXNUST/w512-h640/035-fotor-2023081715539.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing it all set up around the work table, I felt immediately inspired. My first attempt came together quite quickly but then I realised I'd put my sides on wrongly ... Nita easily recitified this & gave me a new kit. It was so much fun banging in nails - you actually had to hit them really hard to go into the wood.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfHe8iJXOJyrXZD-ynP3DgyXfVE8whtwAnijoE9EWVim3-lLSMk4JnVtGAH96dBLUvCCv0qu70KWvu347zavPP49-h3FfuYIxwPF3hOLLQ_99EotPyh-WlM3pV-DKsxFvi-C80faRAJVJ6AoxPzqV68iyUodfWqGgnPgT5OgabVlAyF3qEAN9-BpTCE5j/s1293/367521850_1014967989507678_9127327437973332151_n-fotor-20230817151111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1035" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfHe8iJXOJyrXZD-ynP3DgyXfVE8whtwAnijoE9EWVim3-lLSMk4JnVtGAH96dBLUvCCv0qu70KWvu347zavPP49-h3FfuYIxwPF3hOLLQ_99EotPyh-WlM3pV-DKsxFvi-C80faRAJVJ6AoxPzqV68iyUodfWqGgnPgT5OgabVlAyF3qEAN9-BpTCE5j/w512-h640/367521850_1014967989507678_9127327437973332151_n-fotor-20230817151111.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The photo above was taken by Ayla who does photography & social media for Nita via her own business <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fablefolknz/" target="_blank">fablefolknz</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was so totally engrossed in drilling that I did not know it was being taken but I did ask Ayla for permission to use her photo in my post, which she very kindly gave me. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf4VyLu9HlCOlvak5cHn_191jAzbWrZWlJ-c0-JVcpMgkkYEwOUbb3wLXqGisYULrEqNrCzYX9lL8SIP511LV2h9_UEryDAMx5dfvvG3Wv3r1QzwFg56EuNRNZB75PB7iDH5cbTASSjZuyrn-82cJCpkMycF8sRHPtJX1J3s-MMjiJsAtnW9tTpxGXENU/s1800/034-fotor-202308171578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf4VyLu9HlCOlvak5cHn_191jAzbWrZWlJ-c0-JVcpMgkkYEwOUbb3wLXqGisYULrEqNrCzYX9lL8SIP511LV2h9_UEryDAMx5dfvvG3Wv3r1QzwFg56EuNRNZB75PB7iDH5cbTASSjZuyrn-82cJCpkMycF8sRHPtJX1J3s-MMjiJsAtnW9tTpxGXENU/w512-h640/034-fotor-202308171578.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After our birdhouses were assembled we all stopped for a delicious morning tea. Look at that food - I can attest that it was amazing!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQjbG14dIVLDXEBD-vBG97T-dLPnQxTzt2kGMEu8Dr2G61Bu7sQ3yv_K9W6aDO91RgklNGP6i6nrgFR2xPJ6fxPeExOTYO68EG_cOywz4jKM5jiFL-okuF5cC0nXgWtVJ2IivKCVRIfhySSbg7MG_MXftVRhcmPI7ZHWWuQOFR8rdlFaa0YFHUm2tdd3V/s1795/040-fotor-2023081715642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQjbG14dIVLDXEBD-vBG97T-dLPnQxTzt2kGMEu8Dr2G61Bu7sQ3yv_K9W6aDO91RgklNGP6i6nrgFR2xPJ6fxPeExOTYO68EG_cOywz4jKM5jiFL-okuF5cC0nXgWtVJ2IivKCVRIfhySSbg7MG_MXftVRhcmPI7ZHWWuQOFR8rdlFaa0YFHUm2tdd3V/w514-h640/040-fotor-2023081715642.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After morning tea the fun part (for me) began when we got to decorate & embellish our birdhouses. Nita had a great array of rustic bits & bobs for us to choose from. Some ladies kept theirs quite plain, others went over the top - they all looked wonderful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4sWHfLTWy4aNsLHYq9fwmf3DP8xRANWXOlNQtzfvIaqdN2QNfzsLSknvkjn39Y_x8KEzh6CER4Zk9zou7kzDgioPuGVom5mvh0elvWKQcavxn684LFVOAANRRnxdrFDhd70S3og61nz_m3DbWOQuaou6Z9-nZSl65asxh6ay5sa0tDFEJlPZYx7ko3Lg/s1516/037-fotor-2023081715618.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4sWHfLTWy4aNsLHYq9fwmf3DP8xRANWXOlNQtzfvIaqdN2QNfzsLSknvkjn39Y_x8KEzh6CER4Zk9zou7kzDgioPuGVom5mvh0elvWKQcavxn684LFVOAANRRnxdrFDhd70S3og61nz_m3DbWOQuaou6Z9-nZSl65asxh6ay5sa0tDFEJlPZYx7ko3Lg/w608-h640/037-fotor-2023081715618.png" width="608" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdXNOqYuv_63JP93k4Xpm5rEMVxMXhHg5diex5j4Bgbf3BGNQ8rRMiuH00o2WAWrO4Yiw-C1AD-BN3I1Qgf2jpL-DkLcNWCyaf0CeUul58KoaJ1y4e7dYvtlSCrS4g35WUPDurb1QvEQdTmnzlKLg6WaIWXQLpgUPLVEHFiAEgRgPREd_2HPgjccoin9v/s4000/087-fotor-20230817151035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdXNOqYuv_63JP93k4Xpm5rEMVxMXhHg5diex5j4Bgbf3BGNQ8rRMiuH00o2WAWrO4Yiw-C1AD-BN3I1Qgf2jpL-DkLcNWCyaf0CeUul58KoaJ1y4e7dYvtlSCrS4g35WUPDurb1QvEQdTmnzlKLg6WaIWXQLpgUPLVEHFiAEgRgPREd_2HPgjccoin9v/w640-h480/087-fotor-20230817151035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(That is me second from the right for those that don't know me 😉)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I knew none of the other ladies I think I hit the jackpot because they were all just <b><u>so</u></b> lovely & friendly, inspiring & fun to be with. Here we all are, so proud of our birdhouses - we all agreed that it was indeed a wonderful way to spend a morning & that we don't do this sort of thing for ourselves, often enough. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vVzQK5BIR-ls-qWKGs2sbmgvtBLk6WXonkpYIyfc7Wg22cA9kIT5izPhWGzYE-4-xuw6PNQFM_toKglAoIa0L9v-EU158aTsWVRbrtVXZjR9XhFcfAGHOpX7o-nur2y5xAe71LCvhjIe7v7nCT3p9c68zFgbOrteRUYNpbVHkpwJez0n5nAmC3qIegSl/s1800/039-fotor-2023081715514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vVzQK5BIR-ls-qWKGs2sbmgvtBLk6WXonkpYIyfc7Wg22cA9kIT5izPhWGzYE-4-xuw6PNQFM_toKglAoIa0L9v-EU158aTsWVRbrtVXZjR9XhFcfAGHOpX7o-nur2y5xAe71LCvhjIe7v7nCT3p9c68zFgbOrteRUYNpbVHkpwJez0n5nAmC3qIegSl/w512-h640/039-fotor-2023081715514.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my finished birdhouse - I wanted to add the No 91 to it because - well that is my address! I found some silver numbers that you put on birthday cakes & painted them matt black. I just adore my birdhouse in all its "rustic-ness". I would do another workshop with Nita in a heartbeat. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZvlfza4EOGZ78c2Bls_BDNYQ1Nr5m4N2Why3cvC90TUGyx8lTGDxRqxiY_YPMp38W6TB_NMLXlhJ0c54Gva_qNM78jYWYMyt8yXhl1x-St8MwNUDeAKVAgApkTDyRnbEaZjotRg4owt5rGqfwzdeMBK40KwpzfKCY4XguOl4bt7RPmvcLKqwZQEWwW-U/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023081715442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZvlfza4EOGZ78c2Bls_BDNYQ1Nr5m4N2Why3cvC90TUGyx8lTGDxRqxiY_YPMp38W6TB_NMLXlhJ0c54Gva_qNM78jYWYMyt8yXhl1x-St8MwNUDeAKVAgApkTDyRnbEaZjotRg4owt5rGqfwzdeMBK40KwpzfKCY4XguOl4bt7RPmvcLKqwZQEWwW-U/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-2023081715442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Currently I have it sitting on my deck area under my vintage Mangle. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhbiD77u-7ZEukALhpi_bNGGkwrHUYWHF2WKQaTB6inHnrySZO9_ppPPwFE4q1u8RQrWTLwhUnqnCbwDL5mXop-iwZtWSkMSInjdOhNKYXj9fb5LDHO3t9HZtdbsr9Re4pxCtY5e-Rq76e956zCx7RecOXvVH5fIRcN8D3jocvCaopOaNN-hel6VdG_TF/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023081715048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhbiD77u-7ZEukALhpi_bNGGkwrHUYWHF2WKQaTB6inHnrySZO9_ppPPwFE4q1u8RQrWTLwhUnqnCbwDL5mXop-iwZtWSkMSInjdOhNKYXj9fb5LDHO3t9HZtdbsr9Re4pxCtY5e-Rq76e956zCx7RecOXvVH5fIRcN8D3jocvCaopOaNN-hel6VdG_TF/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-2023081715048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My lovely friend Shirley was visiting so I made some banana & white chocolate muffins as I had banana's turning brown. A few days later I was hunting for a caramel slice recipe online & came across a new-to-me recipe <a href="https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/gooey-caramel-anzac-slice/" target="_blank">Caramel Anzac Slice</a>. It sounded divine & as I had all the ingredients, I made it up. By the amount of pieces that have passed my lips I can certainly attest that it <b>was</b> delicious 😏</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI45dvxjF6kSTqQ8ZtSOlgsHhi_HypWzbO0r5lElV8q8Q3xhHgMye5vq7z43fKI-cVz4_QyKwqkZTgjvhKxopZ2vS4PM3v50PIxKdgv3Ror32xhupBcTYllNXtiDxR6MS3yOFFMELHV7Uu32JXQlOhYs3vxdeL9F__38vXaRRvy924zHd-PkROPy9o3Jk6/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-202308171542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI45dvxjF6kSTqQ8ZtSOlgsHhi_HypWzbO0r5lElV8q8Q3xhHgMye5vq7z43fKI-cVz4_QyKwqkZTgjvhKxopZ2vS4PM3v50PIxKdgv3Ror32xhupBcTYllNXtiDxR6MS3yOFFMELHV7Uu32JXQlOhYs3vxdeL9F__38vXaRRvy924zHd-PkROPy9o3Jk6/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-202308171542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to be able to say that we have harmonious relations in our furry family but I would <b>not</b> be telling the truth. Thankfully Little One can go outside now & it's made my life a little easier. I bring him in about 5 o'clock & he has a rest by the fire before causing havoc for the rest of the evening, then bedtime. You can see by the blue arrow he hides under this unit, thinking he is invisible. We don't as yet allow him in the lounge as it gives Pippi & Blackie a room to get away from him. He of course, has other ideas!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZlorioEZMsUb3lfU4fFDecPw2zxUW1IxRtsI_JihENOnTKm8dTIoDm9Rqi1bCYphf7QHEumzKP45zA3BhjGTTox90CPu0K-qY_W4CEGTGX91KG-ZxmU7rt7e0qkYXUKwxJUQAPf2h_V_WVGQD21cCppfxPo6qVV46-MWDJc8PlWto8jTk0QsiUqyLOrq/s3355/006-fotor-2023081715749.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3355" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZlorioEZMsUb3lfU4fFDecPw2zxUW1IxRtsI_JihENOnTKm8dTIoDm9Rqi1bCYphf7QHEumzKP45zA3BhjGTTox90CPu0K-qY_W4CEGTGX91KG-ZxmU7rt7e0qkYXUKwxJUQAPf2h_V_WVGQD21cCppfxPo6qVV46-MWDJc8PlWto8jTk0QsiUqyLOrq/w544-h640/006-fotor-2023081715749.png" width="544" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pippi is "milking it for all it's worth" & knows I will allow her on the things she is not usually allowed on, for example my Mums good mohair throw blanket. I still live in hope but I must admit - it's wearing thin some days 😖</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc1f2xbb121Q1uBrAmLM5BPlqlSzCblbEYZAWrDoSYnoFNtpuYviQniSRj6BPH5xXdDpuqMeg2mgHAu5-QHccEGDcNxCgWoxKXWrfJEa6-RTOQoaEAwFlKR1pK3dmyCNsx3p2nDYkDeU9W5h9j3uHgdB4yU34-PFB2y_N8cnRlPpTcg3JTne5f15jPuTl/s1102/335797702_1085421352860178_5775796836957148768_n-fotor-20230817151852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc1f2xbb121Q1uBrAmLM5BPlqlSzCblbEYZAWrDoSYnoFNtpuYviQniSRj6BPH5xXdDpuqMeg2mgHAu5-QHccEGDcNxCgWoxKXWrfJEa6-RTOQoaEAwFlKR1pK3dmyCNsx3p2nDYkDeU9W5h9j3uHgdB4yU34-PFB2y_N8cnRlPpTcg3JTne5f15jPuTl/w629-h640/335797702_1085421352860178_5775796836957148768_n-fotor-20230817151852.jpg" width="629" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">My chocolate <strike>addiction</strike> consumption continues & this arrived in my inbox yesterday sent from The Mr. I think it was supposed to make me feel better .... it did not 😉</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you as always dear friends, for your visits here today,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the rest of the week & remember to be kind to yourselves & each other,</div><div style="text-align: center;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Julie & the furry three x0x0x0</div></span><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-46996462402793025032023-08-06T17:09:00.000+12:002023-08-06T17:09:40.539+12:00Hosting The Craft Group Ladies<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well it would seem that I blinked & July ended 😕 - the year is slipping by so very fast.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was my turn to host the craft group ladies in July & I just managed this on the very last day. When I look back at the busloads of Garden Groups that I used to host it is hard to believe how much work it felt like just to get ready for 7 ladies!!! It felt like a marathon effort.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9KqJR0mjkk0fDmcLaadtLDjyechb-2_5ZHSsbNTCDZsKuK6I9jrcv0rnc-j935vdhxN-G4B6KdjI3MhFP7MOSSrYo7p3JJYCNMDeGph46M5RNssurVGZGP0gbjiqtI5atA4Tsf96OubDNh0paVxwWVbseV-0lrHJQf-eyXLMkf4csJEA5oJu4qlJIKns/s4000/013-fotor-2023080615365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9KqJR0mjkk0fDmcLaadtLDjyechb-2_5ZHSsbNTCDZsKuK6I9jrcv0rnc-j935vdhxN-G4B6KdjI3MhFP7MOSSrYo7p3JJYCNMDeGph46M5RNssurVGZGP0gbjiqtI5atA4Tsf96OubDNh0paVxwWVbseV-0lrHJQf-eyXLMkf4csJEA5oJu4qlJIKns/w480-h640/013-fotor-2023080615365.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In my attempts to <strike>tidy</strike> <strike>up</strike> prettify things a bit round here I went off to the Garden Centre with a birthday gift voucher from my friend Gail. I could not resist the super healthy looking maidenhair fern above, as my last one was looking rather <strike>dead</strike> sad.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaajp2JK0Mmi28t0wPQ1HWOWTtorP4tRQXXc0asud5_j7RFmz6h6ujBWx3wK_VQl1IBmibu6uwZjsicnPqN7Y-aXJ-Wft4kk_LAbktOvsL1w3s9Ptwzoh2Awc6vnjNJImVgvVJFsQdhO8nawtiDimLLiy_q5gRMN0ZG-AICpmP-Z8SICoOk2lUhfAVXeti/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20230806153541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaajp2JK0Mmi28t0wPQ1HWOWTtorP4tRQXXc0asud5_j7RFmz6h6ujBWx3wK_VQl1IBmibu6uwZjsicnPqN7Y-aXJ-Wft4kk_LAbktOvsL1w3s9Ptwzoh2Awc6vnjNJImVgvVJFsQdhO8nawtiDimLLiy_q5gRMN0ZG-AICpmP-Z8SICoOk2lUhfAVXeti/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(8)-fotor-20230806153541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also used the voucher to buy these lovely cyclamen above - just the pop of colour my outdoor space needed at the moment 💗</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibequeS8sfKNgznpgWBr5y443RU4S0XNVWYI8pLDihPurq_B64apy4HzuvHhVI0DhHzuXG1BknK3xksH_EufRs7myBgQsw3xUhE0PiuqZ0KiAPVPrSqwK1sPkdWYn3RO46Jh0H_mgz11ztHqSD3CsFojetXgligkr3EXY4hlfq9tCQzZFWXyJk7WCMakh9/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20230806153424.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibequeS8sfKNgznpgWBr5y443RU4S0XNVWYI8pLDihPurq_B64apy4HzuvHhVI0DhHzuXG1BknK3xksH_EufRs7myBgQsw3xUhE0PiuqZ0KiAPVPrSqwK1sPkdWYn3RO46Jh0H_mgz11ztHqSD3CsFojetXgligkr3EXY4hlfq9tCQzZFWXyJk7WCMakh9/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-20230806153424.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine is the one on the right - an old frame of Mums that I repurposed<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had previously decided to make this craft meeting a Mid-winter Christmas theme so I chose the "Joy" frames as our project. Everyone had to bring along their own painted frame. We had a lovely time glueing vintage music papers to our frames, stamping the word "Joy" & then making the tiny wreaths to go on them. I love how everyone's turned out slightly different as each of the ladies put their own spin on it. <br /></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU1LOEcF2XLQVD_iJPt71l4IKc0mquFsaCjxZ9hHhL56vgqYwIUjhl6uUvvGfoNQQGVsWa7K2oSgMWHgliUF3NIKGdc640d8FzDZKzf1gO3E1ZiuI70cujlDJbBlbczzNK9MV3K9m6PlH9yCCzd8gUa_Ymjg1ABXts9gWvNL4evnnUXfOBPNf05hmlFa5/s1502/071-fotor-20230806153656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU1LOEcF2XLQVD_iJPt71l4IKc0mquFsaCjxZ9hHhL56vgqYwIUjhl6uUvvGfoNQQGVsWa7K2oSgMWHgliUF3NIKGdc640d8FzDZKzf1gO3E1ZiuI70cujlDJbBlbczzNK9MV3K9m6PlH9yCCzd8gUa_Ymjg1ABXts9gWvNL4evnnUXfOBPNf05hmlFa5/w614-h640/071-fotor-20230806153656.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our challenge issued last month was from Gail. She handed everyone a Daphne's Diary magazine & we all had to make a project out of it. Gail works at the Op Shop & a large pile of almost-new Daphne's Diary magazines had been donated. This is my copy above.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWARwCw9oZC9qBcGDHGSEdQVFudwsVBkEmP9JHuqsSNlifpsCUXBCAYOvebN4JsAYJxxD2hn9RqRkVTAa9yoRGqjdYoAOyylm0e3OZk-O75BgkStLjqoYWfFZn6HcOxMgZOTaG8nwPeqfupQGCmIoxorJUR1JjuPJnt8h0OG3L1y3V0YEva6opk9vWxOiH/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20230806153410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWARwCw9oZC9qBcGDHGSEdQVFudwsVBkEmP9JHuqsSNlifpsCUXBCAYOvebN4JsAYJxxD2hn9RqRkVTAa9yoRGqjdYoAOyylm0e3OZk-O75BgkStLjqoYWfFZn6HcOxMgZOTaG8nwPeqfupQGCmIoxorJUR1JjuPJnt8h0OG3L1y3V0YEva6opk9vWxOiH/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20230806153410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wanting to try something a bit different, I chose the leaf art above. I found a tree down the far end of my section with these large green leaves on it so I pressed & dried them for a week. I was really pleased with how the painting turned out but unfortunately I put them too close to our fire to dry the paint & they burnt & crinkled up quite a bit. You can see the brown markings above where they burnt. So I decided to try another project.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpFus9heBpwrkNQ6GVkjeGLklG8c_DsXEeGWkV7tVrxMm0-4HffmOqRC3VUMuxSl66qNWkXdyUYC16dive45o4kHzKigNCCowz3NZTV21hZffph2_gZ3dDVD7-zsIobRWhknsh7Qea-kO7bxEGv92EzSdWfOB4FE0AgjuzrcyBQk2UAzaLjIIj1CwYayA/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20230806153356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpFus9heBpwrkNQ6GVkjeGLklG8c_DsXEeGWkV7tVrxMm0-4HffmOqRC3VUMuxSl66qNWkXdyUYC16dive45o4kHzKigNCCowz3NZTV21hZffph2_gZ3dDVD7-zsIobRWhknsh7Qea-kO7bxEGv92EzSdWfOB4FE0AgjuzrcyBQk2UAzaLjIIj1CwYayA/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20230806153356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The patchwork coasters caught my eye so I found my scrap bag of Tilda fabrics - Yes I save <b><u>every</u> scrap!</b> These were a fun & simple project to whip up - I used wadding in the middle & a pretty floral backing. These would look lovely tied up with a scrap of lace & gifted together with a pretty coffee mug. </div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl2OtWnJ3vmHv6SWXmWMucPA3Hv5HSZ9pXSHN1oh7s2wFNczfZAXWcVACom7Q_09BuV7xeW7xeH7hxgOF7s34OikSA7jOGaWmr7c3IeOfr_FZJNivcVtvUWc1URieV9ulSZGuqeEKS_kj3pjnx-Soy-I63WnfjsuLPA2bg5T1Ubk7VfAitLJVX3cbJjnX/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20230806153455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl2OtWnJ3vmHv6SWXmWMucPA3Hv5HSZ9pXSHN1oh7s2wFNczfZAXWcVACom7Q_09BuV7xeW7xeH7hxgOF7s34OikSA7jOGaWmr7c3IeOfr_FZJNivcVtvUWc1URieV9ulSZGuqeEKS_kj3pjnx-Soy-I63WnfjsuLPA2bg5T1Ubk7VfAitLJVX3cbJjnX/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20230806153455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I had originally planned to give the ladies another project after lunch so I trialled the snowflakes made from wooden clothes pegs. You can find the instructions <a href="https://www.resene.co.nz/weekendprojects/23-simply-starry-decorations.htm" target="_blank">* Here *</a>. I found that the wooden pegs were very rough & required lots of sanding once I'd glued them, then when I painted them I wasn't that happy with the end result so I ended up mod-podging a paper serviette over it to hide the faults.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcZfH0YqEaMWjScbE8wdcekIv5gng-cS5h95FiP1Vr9-58hkGSdUQsaMpM1u0W0sL0y7je-N36F6DfRbEFvBY0dWaaTD4pizUwDLcc9OrHYzP1p52ONT0UmqHK0r6LFiJ3Itmpfna1tHPNnEZGwjbSg0-z5R-dnpP36tGZ4X7i8Q-jXR4utIpI6ROv87u/s4000/090-fotor-20230806153636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcZfH0YqEaMWjScbE8wdcekIv5gng-cS5h95FiP1Vr9-58hkGSdUQsaMpM1u0W0sL0y7je-N36F6DfRbEFvBY0dWaaTD4pizUwDLcc9OrHYzP1p52ONT0UmqHK0r6LFiJ3Itmpfna1tHPNnEZGwjbSg0-z5R-dnpP36tGZ4X7i8Q-jXR4utIpI6ROv87u/w480-h640/090-fotor-20230806153636.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though I was able to show the finished project we did not end up creating it - perhaps another month we may make it as our group project. </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXHTZAL7p6e4cVdUFPpvimoEPa5CxLIuUpSquUoY1acoYrpqhJx6LvDr7qpx326wSI29cxQ47jCOoE9tyiL_G7I3jdptK0kuIG1c9TnAbWPJpha6rR-XFmoYB8vtw75kxG9F8eSmwkjbx_d7i7PP4LVpXYG089N1EdEYDDryBkm7PpLZlq64DV96IT_gy/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20230806153438.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXHTZAL7p6e4cVdUFPpvimoEPa5CxLIuUpSquUoY1acoYrpqhJx6LvDr7qpx326wSI29cxQ47jCOoE9tyiL_G7I3jdptK0kuIG1c9TnAbWPJpha6rR-XFmoYB8vtw75kxG9F8eSmwkjbx_d7i7PP4LVpXYG089N1EdEYDDryBkm7PpLZlq64DV96IT_gy/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20230806153438.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our lunch table<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know I have said this before, but one thing we <u style="font-weight: bold;">always</u> get right at our meetings is the food! We all bring a shared plate & everyone bought something christmas-themed along. It was wonderful to have the hot food as it was a cold bleak day here. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsHKW5zYjrac8Q3wXHLCAeRo3_FxIi4sUljwPSl1ZWyGxRgEaeoN-kGOGDH_KBMM0_Pdu8_QFLHr72_bXtN3FVqrTSvVSUX_C2j1hTaEZlclC1L75F8Se-u3_f5hu5hMoJvCLF-JqytuN0L87GQdxiPHE-QS2OJQdWXPa6COf1ykJh06apMyoGVzj1V0Y/s1440/072-fotor-20230806153753.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1440" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsHKW5zYjrac8Q3wXHLCAeRo3_FxIi4sUljwPSl1ZWyGxRgEaeoN-kGOGDH_KBMM0_Pdu8_QFLHr72_bXtN3FVqrTSvVSUX_C2j1hTaEZlclC1L75F8Se-u3_f5hu5hMoJvCLF-JqytuN0L87GQdxiPHE-QS2OJQdWXPa6COf1ykJh06apMyoGVzj1V0Y/w640-h588/072-fotor-20230806153753.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our morning tea table above - Yes Willie, I made <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/97748273/recipe-scroggin-slice-from-therapy" target="_blank">Scroggin Slice !</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I reached my hand into my christmas decorations box & pulled out a few little bits to decorate our table & make it feel a bit more mid-winter christmassy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3rk2giqiG71qyM4K1L3GiJcc8tFW59rJpxJdLdpsEN9cVb1sFB87zPNeyHPAoM1l9pGnX9uPtYrM3-6yOjys12Tqm7JSiOgDnDJZyalEwBV3RjOKLUBEVU1WWL1t9N8ZUsi7v4bl2ElCWD4pXFt3HveZM-iuMyz4BiFVanhpP32YM2pVIc3BuE3f0sTJ/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230806153335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3rk2giqiG71qyM4K1L3GiJcc8tFW59rJpxJdLdpsEN9cVb1sFB87zPNeyHPAoM1l9pGnX9uPtYrM3-6yOjys12Tqm7JSiOgDnDJZyalEwBV3RjOKLUBEVU1WWL1t9N8ZUsi7v4bl2ElCWD4pXFt3HveZM-iuMyz4BiFVanhpP32YM2pVIc3BuE3f0sTJ/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230806153335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I picked Sid up at lunchtime on Tuesday as they had parent-teacher interviews. He wanted to craft so we made this "penguin" above from toilet roll tubes. Sid has named him "Frank" 😉</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiryGf77_MPmm6s_vRXySWo7iX6IwBkzYwsElOauSRF40b51XVOVzyzQx9Sw3vuJdWTmlS_rwEoB22d6J4auTa67ZzDAPFcjECdt-e6zQOW3bKO3fAUlEoI7HHzhuLdEwUsOsPj_Vekv1zkI6wq_h2JQAIJcQFJrwLG-6Ld5Oi0dLV5S3vPq82Bzmb2ct/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20230806153524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiryGf77_MPmm6s_vRXySWo7iX6IwBkzYwsElOauSRF40b51XVOVzyzQx9Sw3vuJdWTmlS_rwEoB22d6J4auTa67ZzDAPFcjECdt-e6zQOW3bKO3fAUlEoI7HHzhuLdEwUsOsPj_Vekv1zkI6wq_h2JQAIJcQFJrwLG-6Ld5Oi0dLV5S3vPq82Bzmb2ct/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20230806153524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I captured this photo of Pippi last week ... she had been creeping up on Little One on the deck & thought that she was hidden behind The Mr's farm gumboots. She was <b>Not</b> impressed when he ran away inside & she couldn't stalk him any longer. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ppi8GnmzxqQB_ViiuYa671keySepjp32AXDxJ2LyE2f8T1OAa88DiIYdX0pOgytf_kDQt6ahwBesorVII_E6qOHf5lXKsjJx-XGvIKgvShJ09E58K_PVP0FN-TA5H2cquZXgQ2mUO5L_64yyxaGRTL20GGRAStR4_hckPfodVdJCpekUhpxeqtkJRAap/s1123/364971109_237302255374476_3610299579746129402_n-fotor-20230806155836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1123" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ppi8GnmzxqQB_ViiuYa671keySepjp32AXDxJ2LyE2f8T1OAa88DiIYdX0pOgytf_kDQt6ahwBesorVII_E6qOHf5lXKsjJx-XGvIKgvShJ09E58K_PVP0FN-TA5H2cquZXgQ2mUO5L_64yyxaGRTL20GGRAStR4_hckPfodVdJCpekUhpxeqtkJRAap/w640-h610/364971109_237302255374476_3610299579746129402_n-fotor-20230806155836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead dear friends - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Julie & the furry ones (all 3 of them!) x0x0x</span></p></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5802941287301708633.post-60163015430536550682023-07-23T14:11:00.002+12:002023-07-23T14:46:08.353+12:00Arts And Crafts<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings lovely friends & readers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I ask Sid what he would like to do today he <b><u>a</u></b><u style="font-weight: bold;">lways</u> replies "Arts & Crafts". I save a myriad of boxes, tubes & other containers that I think he might enjoy creating with.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1pbwLPn8WwnVQbw3evfsmluQW66jUyXn7Y25mu2AZWwwGZOy458a99AHoOGFB-JgZMqSlYQiuojGiUKHHkCk2-fc_iW9cd6DrR9KsQFsy7v1GG249j4NBo10glFXNkF7IdjtI8ADd2T2bLy05kCjFsxmGGDq-A_rEbhAwM3TCJzgHQeJ0JJ7YdbiKeA9/s4000/013-fotor-2023072210241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1pbwLPn8WwnVQbw3evfsmluQW66jUyXn7Y25mu2AZWwwGZOy458a99AHoOGFB-JgZMqSlYQiuojGiUKHHkCk2-fc_iW9cd6DrR9KsQFsy7v1GG249j4NBo10glFXNkF7IdjtI8ADd2T2bLy05kCjFsxmGGDq-A_rEbhAwM3TCJzgHQeJ0JJ7YdbiKeA9/w480-h640/013-fotor-2023072210241.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other day he made a "marble run" ... a contraption made of tubes etc for his marbles to go down - even including a sharks mouth for the marble to run through. I am always amazed at his imagination & he never needs any prompting.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND4su7lX1w_PxyrIfswiDlZVLL58J7OpoOrbOSEOaHFXdng0LzYEME8VjT07kcLHcPT-O02tFHv_MBra2WDaAKuf_gok4WUQKLcSsbX3v-XJLAt2A0hI8ZyhUQZUi65Fjc7aVirbKbMaIrJ3t_LatneCfTNYL5i3V0F6funOo2smpw6lUH9wjdM6dVPl1/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20230722154819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND4su7lX1w_PxyrIfswiDlZVLL58J7OpoOrbOSEOaHFXdng0LzYEME8VjT07kcLHcPT-O02tFHv_MBra2WDaAKuf_gok4WUQKLcSsbX3v-XJLAt2A0hI8ZyhUQZUi65Fjc7aVirbKbMaIrJ3t_LatneCfTNYL5i3V0F6funOo2smpw6lUH9wjdM6dVPl1/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(5)-fotor-20230722154819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every Tuesday after school we go to Lego Club which is held in a part of our local Library. Afterwards we go into the Library & he chooses books to get out. The Christmas craft book above left caught his eye as he wanted to make the Snow Globe Terrarium in it. Off to the Op-shop we go to buy a large glass jar for $2. Thankfully Granny had everything else required to make it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS15oV1dzVqamWFmCxR7mOed3gRRpDUhpoumTO1Nwndk3RRpU_j1xLYLzE2xVvbQq0r2_8tNAUdTOMl3MjHKEDgZiaE-dYkwrUbz2uZ4D11p0wG7V6oS74XqciZhsPCuthQBA2TwEsivZKnY75ZPmDNYSO1Ia5sD2Elq70RmN-FtiUxjnudLwz9r3Mkyt/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20230722154646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS15oV1dzVqamWFmCxR7mOed3gRRpDUhpoumTO1Nwndk3RRpU_j1xLYLzE2xVvbQq0r2_8tNAUdTOMl3MjHKEDgZiaE-dYkwrUbz2uZ4D11p0wG7V6oS74XqciZhsPCuthQBA2TwEsivZKnY75ZPmDNYSO1Ia5sD2Elq70RmN-FtiUxjnudLwz9r3Mkyt/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20230722154646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sid wanted to "re-enact" the scene shown in the book so I found my other bottle brush trees & we did a matching display. The snow globe has fairy lights in it but ours aren't showing up well in my photo. We had to thread white pompoms onto clear fishing twine to make the effect of the snow falling. Sid was delighted when Granny found a remnant of green ric-rac for his lid. 😉</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xM7kgIYnKV8T73dOPbd0ez1DxGR1KBPpPncNYHpOlq2oWVRyZEGIXxahuTtrjPPvENjf0SPRxMoNIGJDVUYDjec1k10PrV0bbfd3Av5p9lbOc-RewoB1KrT8CdXN4RPsWXYIYywbtYRp7DNdMBqwzpLjWvoK13fweRXEJ2teH2HPKfOFUesW30YbvtoU/s4000/016-fotor-2023072215526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xM7kgIYnKV8T73dOPbd0ez1DxGR1KBPpPncNYHpOlq2oWVRyZEGIXxahuTtrjPPvENjf0SPRxMoNIGJDVUYDjec1k10PrV0bbfd3Av5p9lbOc-RewoB1KrT8CdXN4RPsWXYIYywbtYRp7DNdMBqwzpLjWvoK13fweRXEJ2teH2HPKfOFUesW30YbvtoU/w480-h640/016-fotor-2023072215526.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also in the book were these Christmas Pinecone Owls. Luckily I had some pinecones in my woodshed so we made one of these as well but chose not to spray paint our pinecone. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-1o7-4FpIS5N5a7dtT7x9KD6EBSrKLQcvnDuRhyI7eVF2Nbq_VAVFcWy0JOxK7ESTfg-neP6M8Yoy3VJVgF_s5R5g50HEh54H_HpPSfkfhjoAvqcuL7HX_n79kbCsX5_4z5NSUngRyeqR7VlWS6mMQerOqm5HDg2xIc88Uw-BB36C6gSTj2u4UueIKg1/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230722154629.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-1o7-4FpIS5N5a7dtT7x9KD6EBSrKLQcvnDuRhyI7eVF2Nbq_VAVFcWy0JOxK7ESTfg-neP6M8Yoy3VJVgF_s5R5g50HEh54H_HpPSfkfhjoAvqcuL7HX_n79kbCsX5_4z5NSUngRyeqR7VlWS6mMQerOqm5HDg2xIc88Uw-BB36C6gSTj2u4UueIKg1/w640-h320/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230722154629.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've covered Connor's face as I don't have his Mums permission to put his photo on the internet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sid had been asking for a friend to come so we invited Connor, a boy from his class & such a sweet delightful boy. Together they made a range of characters using cardboard loo roll tubes. I googled & found <a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/toilet-paper-roll-crafts-the-kids-will-love/" target="_blank">* this * wonderful site</a> for ideas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> When I collected Sid from school this past week Connor came up to me in the playground & said "Granny - I've been saving my toilet roll tubes for the next time I come to your house". What a perfect compliment 💙</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFkGSWV18loxr03AIySUnlL2Knd-U1zAd7nTZdFIjqEouYhti9AWWvMOoHC7GPhhN9bimrTPbuBic_hoA-WSaOIltiiNQoikUudzMfzkSXThgbSQ5c-CE3TjsvhFAPVLFTSgorxlv90IbrZrBb8FhmskQWkg2HS-wRaGCxVprZucI213ytAVQYM_J34HP/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20230722154742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFkGSWV18loxr03AIySUnlL2Knd-U1zAd7nTZdFIjqEouYhti9AWWvMOoHC7GPhhN9bimrTPbuBic_hoA-WSaOIltiiNQoikUudzMfzkSXThgbSQ5c-CE3TjsvhFAPVLFTSgorxlv90IbrZrBb8FhmskQWkg2HS-wRaGCxVprZucI213ytAVQYM_J34HP/w640-h376/ipiccy_image%20(3)-fotor-20230722154742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My lovely friend <a href="https://kiwikidspage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kiwikid Sue</a> & her husband have been on a trip over to New Zealand & we arranged to meet up in Tirau for lunch. I had wanted to give Sue a wee gift for her new </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(6 month old!!!)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Grandson Finn - just a little handmade Kiwiana gift, so I sewed some bibs & a matching teething ring, then made a cat from a wool blanket in my stash. </span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeMRUrhXkKwU6BPuoSyBF0eT-gekwONHquHNbiYIudM3HxSkqVbIgRFinCSGSa2Lb4Ql78p6LUSRrygpGJ_UVevyMjSGk0Fj1ftItg0bY9by8bNvxWmwChEi40CkPuIENX4byn5u3RxnTWe6ystcUX7Qc-qRyIg0X4w_kLR8YuKPwDsgrViN-rCrMHM5G/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2023072215480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeMRUrhXkKwU6BPuoSyBF0eT-gekwONHquHNbiYIudM3HxSkqVbIgRFinCSGSa2Lb4Ql78p6LUSRrygpGJ_UVevyMjSGk0Fj1ftItg0bY9by8bNvxWmwChEi40CkPuIENX4byn5u3RxnTWe6ystcUX7Qc-qRyIg0X4w_kLR8YuKPwDsgrViN-rCrMHM5G/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(4)-fotor-2023072215480.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pulled apart an old toy of Sid's & removed the rattle from inside it - then I stuffed the cat with the rattle inside & it sounded great.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYMG4rtC9mApqcV2_eT29cNQo5TpScOQOmP-1hPIXxf2wY8crDIevU3gl5XzUB5V8oFo8V-TE_fE2p_1pOqiwsXG8KCQV_dOAnwZecg1S3coYR5ewUIZi5-AxdDawuR-LPUEiqb2pVhbFnTktYN5cIpbgDAk8c52UuMKNYomdoVW71KzhTS9V-lqWs5dw/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20230722154727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYMG4rtC9mApqcV2_eT29cNQo5TpScOQOmP-1hPIXxf2wY8crDIevU3gl5XzUB5V8oFo8V-TE_fE2p_1pOqiwsXG8KCQV_dOAnwZecg1S3coYR5ewUIZi5-AxdDawuR-LPUEiqb2pVhbFnTktYN5cIpbgDAk8c52UuMKNYomdoVW71KzhTS9V-lqWs5dw/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(2)-fotor-20230722154727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend Carolyn has been up for 2 weeks dog-sitting for her son while he was overseas. Carolyn wanted a chalk painting & decoupage lesson so we organised a painting day together last Saturday. She painted the thrifted tray & bowl above & then I showed her how to decoupage them using paper serviettes. She plans to gift these two items filled with baking. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpyLU0_ZX3LOCRg9f5qseJXOFEUilqawM3-AmDJh_-IvAqp6oeOD9VqIfnZWrFgY00hgKWWoMU57nSG02jajlBysXHWqcjj17btgt0HZd6knbIUdCaZ3iay2fRYbuouc3venCXClYAn_Ju97mbm5xFxMg_qxd-NP40cD79GtPzksVOH6Ad65Fxl_x5zd/s2000/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230723103834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpyLU0_ZX3LOCRg9f5qseJXOFEUilqawM3-AmDJh_-IvAqp6oeOD9VqIfnZWrFgY00hgKWWoMU57nSG02jajlBysXHWqcjj17btgt0HZd6knbIUdCaZ3iay2fRYbuouc3venCXClYAn_Ju97mbm5xFxMg_qxd-NP40cD79GtPzksVOH6Ad65Fxl_x5zd/w640-h376/ipiccy_image-fotor-20230723103834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had been working on this old saw that had belonged to my Dad - I bought it home in March when I emptied out the family home. The Saw was rusty so I sanded this off & then coated it with Fishoilene which I found in The Mr's shed. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately the Fishoilene was still sticky after 5 days of sitting the saw by the fire. I googled "fishoilene still tacky" & it suggested sprinkling talcum powder over it to remove the stickiness. I figured I had nothing to lose so I sprinkled it liberally with talc & then shook the rest off onto the grass. This certainly did the trick & took away any sticky residue. While Carolyn was painting her woodware I painted Dad's Saw - 2 coats of black chalkpaint.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRQjUMb8vpCxeFQVgfPv_dFul0BMQ3BPzlaPtmw91YSXRHO39iFNr6H-Zy4WjNcRINoJfwKY1M7Aykehz-ZTLgtUVwb4c6DighlSGOEyZHSYfVJaGHPWUWK64ujAz2nRXSrnFtEz-8TDOYZSD_GZkP2iBHKltk7gDUaJsXTwigK7498g3wEfIP8ZyQf0L/s4000/007-fotor-20230723104323.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="4000" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRQjUMb8vpCxeFQVgfPv_dFul0BMQ3BPzlaPtmw91YSXRHO39iFNr6H-Zy4WjNcRINoJfwKY1M7Aykehz-ZTLgtUVwb4c6DighlSGOEyZHSYfVJaGHPWUWK64ujAz2nRXSrnFtEz-8TDOYZSD_GZkP2iBHKltk7gDUaJsXTwigK7498g3wEfIP8ZyQf0L/w640-h404/007-fotor-20230723104323.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to gift the Saw to my Brother for his birthday - he is right into growing veggies but although I looked hard I could find no transfers or serviettes relating to this theme. In the end I used offcuts of the Botanical transfer that I used on <a href="https://mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com/2023/06/lblo-life-before-little-one-update.html" target="_blank">* this box *</a> & was really pleased with the end result. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmBN3DKNtAcoiNrM0LAhh25XkXUN9UjXibi_CufFdhCu4ImbkcZvyb_S1cQMH70WRVWjgc28lQj0QL6JFTKvVyV53IVQWVnHJTee8Mc1I6YC7Zxu3KDW-kPQ3Gya_8mMzbY65VyeT-aE64K_c7f9B3T7ObXhivUyCdyF_nb5K_dTdpNBh0s_eszBTeBh-/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20230723103819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmBN3DKNtAcoiNrM0LAhh25XkXUN9UjXibi_CufFdhCu4ImbkcZvyb_S1cQMH70WRVWjgc28lQj0QL6JFTKvVyV53IVQWVnHJTee8Mc1I6YC7Zxu3KDW-kPQ3Gya_8mMzbY65VyeT-aE64K_c7f9B3T7ObXhivUyCdyF_nb5K_dTdpNBh0s_eszBTeBh-/w640-h640/ipiccy_image%20(1)-fotor-20230723103819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I have sprayed the saw with two coats of clear matt finish varnish as I think this will protect it well. I especially love the detail on the wooden handle & will give this a couple of coats of wax before I gift it to him next month. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little One is fine & dandy & living his life to the fullest ......</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_oBdu8M-3dxLIi2BA05TrrUChAAOWcS0aF2gn0dl0brreKt1-C50tgwbHtSv37KCdzYPE6KSZKNCddVbDOkYwWH5TmBztyETK-GBfo1gXAu0aOePQK6xy09UQn0433ocyszX3lH1rJaDz95UX04lWq7wCYqxy_5V_o78KFTD6BjB8jwabkyBpQ79uqT0/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20230722154839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_oBdu8M-3dxLIi2BA05TrrUChAAOWcS0aF2gn0dl0brreKt1-C50tgwbHtSv37KCdzYPE6KSZKNCddVbDOkYwWH5TmBztyETK-GBfo1gXAu0aOePQK6xy09UQn0433ocyszX3lH1rJaDz95UX04lWq7wCYqxy_5V_o78KFTD6BjB8jwabkyBpQ79uqT0/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(6)-fotor-20230722154839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He enjoys watching the birds out the dining room window as they eat the bread I toss to them. We leave the door open for him to venture outside but he is still a little timid as yet & has only gone a handful of steps out. Mind you, if you could see the face on the Ginger girl who guards the door, hissing, spitting & banging on the glass, you would think twice about venturing out too <b>(!!!)</b></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47AC7Ycoqrl-qlzd9ndFT4C__mC3AdMPjhAzfD8kZz9C-yVfkHUkQfShxbo03VrrBYzSxIyQKyMwyu_uYe2qOiGQcZBXN4Ke8W5PXU_vvStxtqFiCC8IIyQBkf8chLpqrul1d4ndoPPtFx5qREyf7_jLZq_F0kkLuNenera2WNgZw3a6NipoTxZwW3OrM/s1177/358008237_1002766310901227_91522256287124913_n-fotor-2023072216143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1177" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47AC7Ycoqrl-qlzd9ndFT4C__mC3AdMPjhAzfD8kZz9C-yVfkHUkQfShxbo03VrrBYzSxIyQKyMwyu_uYe2qOiGQcZBXN4Ke8W5PXU_vvStxtqFiCC8IIyQBkf8chLpqrul1d4ndoPPtFx5qREyf7_jLZq_F0kkLuNenera2WNgZw3a6NipoTxZwW3OrM/w400-h398/358008237_1002766310901227_91522256287124913_n-fotor-2023072216143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little One is fixated with the front-loading washing machine & spends a great deal of time watching it agitate round & round. He is also absolutely <b>obsessed</b> with the toilet ... the above funny appeared in my inbox this morning from The Mr. 😐</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A funny thing I've noticed that he does ... when I use my grumpy voice to him, shake my finger & say <b>No</b> - he squints his blind eye at me several times as if to say "Well I am incapacitated you know!" </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0Itcy2MvHjiAbKp_2oiCjjTyeJlsDABC3mw6axaM-Wo-MO0vtA8_fWvVIKvQU3dFkJrzmXWyt0vnWvFktdy6jJhuPrHUXK5CapYM5HPKER4tp_l4lpRwlJa1kNMWO5SVOU_b5OLvbbcKwSmuxwm-ihv9zG9mBcNAVAIIWq3tnk70HEmF5lMpLBFE0fUy/s2000/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20230722155121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0Itcy2MvHjiAbKp_2oiCjjTyeJlsDABC3mw6axaM-Wo-MO0vtA8_fWvVIKvQU3dFkJrzmXWyt0vnWvFktdy6jJhuPrHUXK5CapYM5HPKER4tp_l4lpRwlJa1kNMWO5SVOU_b5OLvbbcKwSmuxwm-ihv9zG9mBcNAVAIIWq3tnk70HEmF5lMpLBFE0fUy/w640-h320/ipiccy_image%20(7)-fotor-20230722155121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Pippi & Blackie have not become friends with him as yet. I live in hope but I think that the website I read that stated "it can often take 8 to 12 months" was probably referring to <b>Our</b> Household! He has been in the household for 9 1/2 weeks now & for those that were wondering - Yes I am counting!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The photo of Blackie is especially for you Willie my friend ... notice no <i>leg-in-the-air </i>today 😉<i> </i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPFlv1Ekf0J_AHdozQXsrrzRKTejLZBMUurSNyhKhw_UIg_RbgM8PkzqalC5vtutni6uW7EpGbJUXHDTQLYOeOk-04-ultTNYCWuWJFtB-hWufQk_6sCGAU1OQ2V8aohny5J2bmzuKSyYYL4TqOPt8IWcl9YmRbeKd5t1SCYInGmvhCYKiQYB5Db6I8Cz/s1661/022-fotor-20230723103712.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPFlv1Ekf0J_AHdozQXsrrzRKTejLZBMUurSNyhKhw_UIg_RbgM8PkzqalC5vtutni6uW7EpGbJUXHDTQLYOeOk-04-ultTNYCWuWJFtB-hWufQk_6sCGAU1OQ2V8aohny5J2bmzuKSyYYL4TqOPt8IWcl9YmRbeKd5t1SCYInGmvhCYKiQYB5Db6I8Cz/w554-h640/022-fotor-20230723103712.png" width="554" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Alec picked these few straggly daffodills yesterday when I had him here - we had really strong winds on Friday & these were almost flattened. They make me feel that hopefully, spring is around the corner.</div></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, as always, for your ever-welcome visits here today dear friends,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a <span style="color: #ffa400;">Happy Sunday</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(I started this blog post 3 days ago now!!)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With much love & friendship <b>to you all,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0</span></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08301647145550214950noreply@blogger.com27