The Half Century

Many a night I've slept under quilts stitched by her. Many a meal I've eaten, cooked by her...

She likes vintage dresses, wine (red and white) a good book, cups of tea (incredibly strong and scalding hot). She moved across the world with a husband and three small children, to a country where she didn't know a single soul-had never even visited. She's funny and she's articulate and strong and generous.

Probably the best Mum I could have asked for really! And it's her 50th birthday on Saturday. SO tomorrow, Kyan and I are hopping on a plane to Auckland for the celebrations. Happy weekend to all, and Happy Birthday Mum. Love you xx

Fun fun fun

Hello, how are you? I trust everyone had a lovely weekend? Mine was fabulous! Here are a couple of my favourite bits...
Sitting at the table looking at these wonderful hibiscus blooms, relishing their beauty and the last images of Summer, while eating the most delicious olive bread, made by my husband.

A bit of painting. I'm doing a picture for Kyan's room. He's going to be 2 in May-so his room is transforming from a nursery into a little boy's room-and I've been wanting to make a few special things just for his room-watch this space...

A wonderful night out with girlfriends. Such fun!

Some of whom are very pregnant and absolutely gorgeous!

It's so unlike me to drink anything green unless it's spirulina. Now I'm reminded why...

Chewbacca cookies for a Star Wars party- Happy 5th Birthday Aesop!

Princess Leia and little Leia. Fun!

A Budding Artiste?

There was the time when Isla almost bought me an extremely tacky, size 6 lingerie set on Trade Me. Recently Kyan nearly bought me a 1987 Jeep Cherokee on the same website. They've both been known to ring various people on my cellphone and my Ipod now contains several Hi5 albums... Yep-my children are into gadgets-with good and not so good results! But I want them to be familiar with technology-it's so much a way of life for us these days. Isla has been taking photos using my cellphone for a while now, and she's graduated to using my camera, which she treats as a big responsibility and a very Grown Up thing to do... And you know what? Her photos are awesome...

And pretty cute in front of the camera too of course! (I took that one).

Fluro Day!

I feel like I'm the world's slackest blogger currently-it's funny, but the same thing happened this time last year-I guess life interfered with blogging! Craft-wise I'm not up to much, just still slowly chipping away with the squares. I've got this whimsical image in my head of myself snuggling under the completed quilt in front of the Winter fire, watching one of my favourite movies, which I received on DVD for my birthday and am yet to actually remove from it's plastic wrapping...

But I just had to stop by and say "Happy Fluro Day Everyone!"

Four.

This little girl, who loves cats, cupcakes, ballerinas, The Gruffalo and making funny faces...

She's going to be four tomorrow...

Around this time, back in 2006, my contractions were just starting as she prepared to make her entrance into the world and change my life forever.

Oh I do love her so much. Happy Birthday Isla Grace xx

Check out the early birthday present she recieved today from the gorgeous Rhiannon. Lucky girl!

Contented.

What a great day! Stitching, eating and chatting with gorgeous friends while our children played together happily. 'nuff said.

Making Plans

Gosh it was lovely, to sit with my friend Christine and look at fabric and position the pieces this way and that, adding bits and taking bits away, drinking tea and talking, as we dreamed up a quilt for her third baby boy-due in May.

I mean, yes, there was the part where the children flooded the garage while trying to wash our cars, and the dog left a... ahem... present on the driveway, and the numerous puddles of watermelon juice needing to be mopped up and so forth...

But it was worth it! And speaking of baby boys... I'd like to wish a huge Arohanui to Kristin and her whanau on the arrival of little Archer. Choice Kristin xx