Friday, April 26, 2019

Belated Easter Greetings



Greetings dear friends & readers,
Though I am a little late with my wishes, I hope you all had a most wonderful Easter 


The lead up to Easter this year saw me create 9 Tilda rabbits altogether - in varying sizes using
 the free pattern from here
I decided Rabbit No 10 should definately be for myself !


This wee girl is the original pattern size - 27 cms from her toes to the tip of her ears.
I had wanted to put together an Easter vignette on my coffee table so I made her small enough to sit under 
a glass cloche


The pale blue wool blanket bunny top left is also a free pattern download from Twig and Tale designs

The polystyrene eggs are from the $2 shop - I covered some in Tilda fabrics, some in vintage sheet music or tissue paper, & modpodge.


Here is my completed vignette above along with my fairy lights, which stay out all year round.


I especially love her little fluffy tail
This pink wool blanket bunny is a pattern I used to make & sell in my cottage & put a small baby rattle inside ... instead of a ribbon around her neck I embroidered a flower chain, the same as the blue bunny.
I think I will leave my Easter display up for another couple of weeks so I can enjoy it some more 💗


 
My grandson's parents don't like them consuming too much chocolate so these simple Kinder Surprise eggs were what I bought them this year.
Although the egg cups look brand new, they are actually Op Shop purchases - I had been keeping an eye out in 
my Op Shop travels for some time now.


I made each one a mouse egg cosy & sat on top of the choccy egg.
The grandsons often enjoy a hard boiled egg so I thought they might fancy an egg cosy !

Once again, the fold out Easter boxes were from the $2 shop 
With a packet of mini m-&-m's they just finished off my little Easter treats nicely 



I wondered why Blackie had been smelling of stale grass lately - I figured out why when I saw him sound asleep last week in the back of the lawn mower, which The Mr had not finished emptying !!


You can just see the mouse in the right hand photo, bottom corner

Speaking of naughty Blackie ... he is fixated lately with bringing mice inside the house ... here he is giving me the evil stare when I shut the door on him & his wee friend just yesterday !!


My neighbours were away over Easter so I shifted stock, fed their pets etc
I found much delight in watching the 5 baby ducklings each morning & night ... so CuTe 😊💛


My very clever & talented friend Sally, is running a winter wreath workshop next month.
Below is a photo of the gorgeous wreath everyone gets to create at the workshop

The workshop is being held in this most stunning venue here 
If you click on this link ......   winter wreath workshop you will find the details of the workshop, which includes all materials as well as lunch provided.
I would encourage anyone in the greater Waikato area to attend as Sally is a trained Florist & you will learn lots of tips & techniques along with creating the stunning wreath to take home with you.

Thanks so much for your visits today dear friends,
I hope you get to enjoy some creative time in the weekend ahead 😊
With much love & friendship to you all,
Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0





Monday, April 15, 2019

Mums 90th Birthday

Greetings dear friends & readers & 
Welcome to April !!
I had a good trip down to Mums to help celebrate her 90th Birthday 
Though Mums birthday is April 8th, we held her birthday party/luncheon on the 6th so family members could attend.

    We also had lovely hot savouries & spinach & feta rolls - these are heating in the Oven when I took this pic                                                                             

When I asked Mum if there were any special food requests for her birthday luncheon she asked for brandy snaps filled with cream ... & cupcakes !!
I decorated the cupcakes with some edible stars & sprinkles as I thought the Grandchildren would enjoy this 😊

Mum also requested a fruit cake which I made a few days before I left home.
As well as completely forgetting all my fudge, slices & balls - left behind in my fridge 😞 I also forgot the special 
"Happy Birthday" plaque I had purchased to adorn the cake.
Thankfully I remembered the "9 0" candles which Mum enjoyed blowing out.

As the day of Mum's party was also my daughter in law, Nicole's birthday, we put some candles in a cupcake for Nicole to blow out, with a little help from Sid.



Mum with her grandsons  . . . . . .      & here with Yours Truly! 




Now I make no secret of the fact that I adore the Op Shops in Mum's small town
Though time was limited I did manage a quick visit to two Op Shops while Mum was getting her hair done on the Friday before her party



Right beside Mum's hair salon is the SPCA Op Shop, then directly across the road is the local Hospice Shop.
These treasures were thrifted from both shops 

I could not resist buying this beautiful cathedral window cushion from a $1 bin at the Hospice Shop, as well as the Fairy Tale book, (also $1)
I have removed the inner from the cushion & soaked it in Napisan ... I am looking forward to revamping it slightly




I was delighted to arrive home to some surprise mail packages
This plate above had been gifted to me by my late Aunt about 4 years ago.  She always called me "a crafty tarty"  so I was thrilled to come across Miss Vintage NZ who paints plates for sale & also does commission work.




I had sent it to Ange a couple of months ago & it arrived back while I was away .... it is now hanging in pride of place in my sewing room & makes me think of Marg every time I look at it 💗


These beautiful hydrangeas were picked about a month ago & plonked in a bucket of water to have a good drink
Upon my return from Mums they felt dry & papery so I arranged them in my vintage cane trolley.

 Sid's parents sent me this delightful photo below of Sid modelling the wool vest I made him in my last post


What a little treasure he is.


Well dear readers, I have just this morning put the last stitch in these two Tilda rabbits & am off up to my local Post Shop to send them on their merry way.
I enlarged the pattern slightly more again from the last ones I made & this pair measure 37 cms in length.

Thanks so much for visiting here today dear friends,
I hope the coming week is good & kind to you all,
With much love & friendship,
Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0