Whilst at the church ladies group this morning, I took along a little project to work on. Its an australian stitchery thing I have designed. It's a very simple, rustic sort of thing, with different aussie scenes, called Wombat Station. This is the first one, that is nearly finished.
My mum hasn't been well lately, so I made her this bag to cheer her up- and it worked. She loves it and can't wait to use it. The bag was a Jan Knight design from an old Handmade magazine. Was very simple to do, and I just love the fabrics. Mum loves blue, so she adores it.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."
So, what's in it? I don't know. Well, I do know roughly what's in it, but not really. Am I making sense? Probably not. You see, I'm apart of a Christmas Advent swap on the Handmade craft forum. We have to collect 24 small goodies (could be bought or handmade....crafty or non crafty...) and then make a last handmade item. Then we wrap up each of the goodies individually and label them, 1...2...3...4...etc etc... Finally, put them all in a big box, and mail to your swap partner before December, so they can open each package one day at a time in the lead up to Christmas.
So, the lovely lady who was sending to me, Kerron, was quite amazing and super organised and already sent me my box of goodies! So I haven't looked inside (although the temptation is imense!!) and I have quickly whisked away into a cupboard so it is out of sight, out of mind....(except that I keep thinking about it and wondering what's inside!) I was going to give the box straight to my mum to mind, but I think she would somehow more eager than I was to open it up!! Which I don't know how that is possible!! Bring on December I say!!
Oh, and I had a request for the jelly slice recipe from Clair. So I will be making some today (hopefully...if I can get myself organised....I still haven't had a shower...been too busy making Bluey...)
Anyway, the sun is shining and all the animals are outside and basking in the sun. Have a lovely day everyone!
In most places we would bathe in the river, wash our clothes in the river, and even wash our dishes in the river. Yes, all in the same river. And goodness knows what people upstream were doing in that river... well, it was a lovely shade of brown. 
It was my first time going overseas, and what a culture shock! The weather, the humidity, the food, the smell, the mess, etc....but I loved it, and I grew to love the Indonesian people- especially the kids! Such beautiful kids who were so happy, even in the face of extreme poverty and hopelessness. 
It really puts things into perspective and makes you realise how blessed we are to live in such a wonderful country. We often take things for granted, and it's not till you go to these remote places in Indonesia, or other countries, that you realise that fully. 
Even with all the harshness and tough times that we went through (lots of injuries and sickness, extreme third dregree sundburn, living conditions etc etc), I would go back and do it all again in an instant. I was able to do so many things I never thought possible, like hold a wild python snake, go swimming in rivers with crocidiles and water snakes, see a mans leg healed, ride in the back of dump trucks, go swimming at beautiful tropical beaches, plant cocoa plants in a field full of tarantula spiders, thrash grass in a field for rice to be planted, teach english to kids and play games with them, and make people happy just be our prescence. 'Twas awesome. :)
Below is a picture of a beautiful crocheted blanket that my Aunty made for me just this last week. It's an early christmas present and I just love it. The colours are so pretty, and it's so heavy and warm, which will be ideal for our cold winters.
I'm apart of a Sampler block swap on the Handmade Craft forum, so here are the three blocks I have recieved so far, thanks to Trish, Elly and Sonia.
I feel like baking lately, but sadly our oven has died (and has been dead for about 6 months now. My dad is planning on fixing it, but just hasn't got around to it yet.) So, I have been unable to bake yummy cakes and biscuts (which is probably a good thing in hindsight...saves me from eating them.) I quite miss my baking actually. I find it amusing to think that this time last year I was making well over 6 cakes a week, every week, and other slices and biscuts.
But I'm hoping the oven will be fixed shortly so I can get around to Christmas baking. I'm planning on making some fabric baskets as gifts and filling them with baked goods, and other bits and pieces. If the oven isn't fixed by then I will have to branch out and think of other unbaked foodie items. I've already got a couple of fantastic recipes for truffles (I made them for my SIL's kitchen tea and they were all gone within minutes,) and fudge and white christmas.
I made my jelly slice last week (all gone already,) so I might do that again this week. It's such a quick and easy recipe and looks and tastes wonderful. Always recieves compliments. If anyone wants the recipe for it, just leave a comment. :)
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritial fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13.
'Twas definately one of the greatest birthday presents I have ever recieved, and definately the most well used!!
Another project I am working on is my "Linen and Lace" quilt. Whilst in one of my local Op-shops, I cam across a huge basketful of linen napkins, hankies and tablecloths. Some of them looked brand new, and most of them had gorgeous embroideries stitched on them, mostly by hand.
And I thought, "These can't just go to waste! Someone has put alot of time and effort into these." So I bought them all ($15 all up I think for basketful!) and slowly went about cutting them up and sewing them together. I raided my stash and came up with some 'olde world' type of fabrics to tie in, and some bits of lace. Some of the blocks were quite plain, so I added some embroidery of my own in various places.
I still plan on adding a border (the same fabric used in the square in the center,) but this is basically the finished quilt top. It's quilt simple, and not overly fancy. But I just love that there is a history to this quilt. The below photo is not a great photo. It was a bit breezy outside today and the bottom of the quilt is missing in the picture. But you get the idea! I'll be sure to post photos of it when it's complete.
Last week, whilst my two cousins were visiting from Adelaide, my mum and I took them for a picnic up to Marysville. It was beautiful weather, and we found a lovely park next to the creek that had really clean barbeques. Of course, we had forgotten to bring any oil to cook our sausages in, so the snags looked a bit 'hacked' by the end of it. But we had fun and it tasted good, so that was all that mattered! And at least we will always remember to bring the oil with us next time!
We had two gorgeous kookaburras come and keep us company, or rather, they were waiting for some sausage! I was able to get pretty close to them too.
We also drove up to Steavensons Falls, a short drive from Marysvilles town center. The last time I had been there hadn't been much water, but due to the good snow season, and recent rain, there was a lot of water.
