Just plodding along . . .

Good Tuesday afternoon to you all friends & readers

Spring can be quite a busy time here at my funny ol' Threadbear Life

Its often a really busy time both in the garden & on the sewing front

I have certainly been "head down, tail up" this past week ... even though the weather hasn't been the greatest ... there is lots of growth happening in the garden lately

The Magnolia is in full bloom

as are the Cherry Blossom trees 

Prunus Awanui

& filled with tui's this year too . . . 

I never ever planted these grape hyacinth bulbs ... they just appeared when I cleared away the wilderness 

It is easy to feel rather overwhelmed by all I have to do at this time of year . . . I try to just keep plodding along

My dear old Dad always used to say about me ..."that girl, she sure is a plodder if nothing else"

I noticed poor old Cedric was looking rather shabby, faded, & in need of some T.L.C. last week

Usually around this time of year he requires a trip to the Op Shop for a new set of clothes & a bit of a revamp

(pity it wasnt that simple for ME !!!!)

He does a mighty fine job of standing out there in all conditions all year round does dear old Cedric ... 
so I figure its the least I can do to give him a yearly freshen up  :-)

There have been a few new creations come out of the sewing room ... some orders, & some unfinished projects that finally got completed

Using up some of Dads old cotton gloves again ... this pattern was torn out of an old craft book ... there was not even a designer to acknowledge

Somehow I feel it should read "faith, patience &  hard work makes a garden grow" !!!!

These 3 little items were made from a fat quarter of fabric that I purchased in Kaikoura when I visited my friend Carolyn way back in April

I made the little zipper pouch first & then decided to make up a little sewing set to compliment it ... 
so the pincushion & needlecase "evolved" from the leftover scraps ...

The little wooden button was a purchase from Kaikoura too

My friend Sandy ordered some more hottie covers from me.  Sandy has a permanent caravan at the beach which she has spent the past year redecorating using gorgeous fabrics & paints. She wanted something that looked attractive on the beds, even when they weren't being used. Sandy had chosen the blankets to use, but left  all the rest up to me . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed putting this order together for Sandy  :-)

This was the one I left til last . . .  Sandy had chosen this particular blanket as she wanted a bit of a "manly" one for her sons or her husband to use.  I knew hearts or flowers would be inappropriate when I suddenly thought "what about a vintage caravan" ... a search on google gave me a basic image to go by . . .

I think perhaps this is my favourite one . . . I lined the inside with a lovely soft polar fleece that I had in my stash.

This little Op Shop basket came into my possession last week ... all it needed was a good scrub & a padded base to make a lovely work basket

I am always fascinated by little Jinxy when she sleeps, she usually likes to either wind herself around little Blackie or in some way drape herself over him, she seems to like the body contact . . .  I laughed to myself yesterday when I saw how he had managed to find a way off stopping her doing this ... he is quite a weight now & this surely couldn't have been comfortable??!!

They love having a little nap on my bed in the late afternoon sun

. . .  & as you can see, he is still obsessed with his favourite "dolls arm" toy . . . 
(& heaven help little Jinx if she should get hold of it!!!!!)

Not so much Little Blackie now . . .  but more like Big Blackie!!!

Well friends, thanks so much for your visit today 
I am off to finish putting labels on my soap order - the house smells lovely after the postie delivered this boxfull today

And Yes .... I do have a little "helper" just to the left there on the screen !!!!

Have a great rest of the week & I hope your days are filled with sunshine, tui's & lovely fragrances too
with much love & friendship,
Julie x0x0x