Summer is Just Around the Corner!

Yes I know this now, that I have witnessed the first flowers on the pohutukawa trees on my walk. Up and out early today as I have a list a 'mile' long of chores to be done today, and if I didn't get that walk in this morning it probably wouldn't happen at all.

This is what the flower buds look like before they bloom.

This is what they look like when they bloom. But ........

......they will look their very best when in full flower and from a distance. See the first flush of red. The tuis are happy.....and so are the bees. Our neighbour has beehives and apparently the bees get very busy on the local pohutukawa's even tho' we live in a built up area, and make the most beautiful pohutukawa honey. Such delights!

I couldn't resist another of this view (probably posted before, and will be again). The sea was blue-blue today and so calm. A perfect day for fishing I would guess.
I must away and make a dent in the chore list. I would love to share a glimpse of the crafty things I have been working on, but no time today. I will though soon. When I get home later I am making plum sauce for a Christmas stall for the service club I belong to. They are the last bag of frozen plums, picked off our plum tree in the hills, before we moved to be beside the sea. Plum tree planted here but just a babe and no plums for a season or two I would assume. If those bees get busy, maybe sooner. Have a very grand day!

It's Been A While, But I Haven't Been "Tardy"

Hello again! Yes, it seems to have been a while. But here I am again. I have been on Skype this morning talking to 'Number 1 Son' and his 'Gal' all the way over yonder in Florence, Italy. I just love Skype and how it takes the distance away for a while. Other than the time spent telling me they are having a fab time and I spent time reminiscing over the sights of Florence, we got talking 'blogging'. They keep a travel blog and it reminded me about my own wee blog. So, a little window into what I have been up to........

I finished the second lot of cushions, and am planning on the third lot which will be Christmas gifts. I plan to do ones the size of Euro pillows so they will be suitable for throwing on the floor and arranging yourself around or on them. These ones in the photo are made of a lovely unused vintage linen front and needlecord back. Baby Girl is coming home to help me get them on either my Felt or Etsy shop (unused as yet). I worked at my local Opshop the other day and was able to purchase some lovely unused wool grape-coloured fabric. Just oh so suitable for backing on another lot of cushions. There is plenty of fabric and ideas in the "to be cushions " pile.

The 6 photos above show different parts of the walk I get to enjoy everyday that I walk. At the moment it is Spring here Downunder and Daylight Saving is in full swing. Therefore I am awake early so I give 'Hubby' a dig in the ribs and off we go, everyday of late (except, I admit, today). Note that the last 2 photos show an overcast day. One is the view from the top of Mount Maunganui. I can never get over how the sea and sky have moods that can change from one day to the next. No matter what mood, always beautiful. I feel blessed to have this corner of the world, walking distance 'down the road' from home. Walking this area keeps me 'centred', fit and the blood running with plenty of oxygen. So important for our general wellbeing.

 This is as far as I have got on my 'both sides cabled' baby blanket. It is great to do. You only cable every 5th row, so I can lull myself into k2 p2 automatic pilot for the 4 rows in between. Note I mentioned cable on the 5th row. That is how you get cables on both sides so no wrong side. A 'knitty friend' of mine did the same pattern in beautiful cotton and beautiful stripes for her first Grandy. They live in a hot place so no need for warm wool. I am on the home straight now and probably only a couple of balls to go.

Finally, this is what I have spent the last couple of nights knitting. Easy peasy to knit 'wash cloths'. The ones half finished and finished are out of lovely Organic cotton. The next lot to do are out of Soya cotton. Such choices we have these days. I am knitting these for a Christmas Stall for the Gals Service Club that I belong to. I have a list of things I said I would do ranging from Plum Sauce, Ready-mixed Ham Glaze in Jars (alcohol-infused), Wash Cloths, Baby Muslin Wraps and Cloths, Baking, Breads etc etc. So, no 'tardy' is not a word for me at the moment.
On that note I must away, and get cracking doing something. Until next time.......toodle!

Measuring, Cutting, Sewing......

I have had such fun the last 24 hours. I started yesterday afternoon and made these 2 cushion covers. Got all enthused with the finished product so lastnight after dinner and with the beloveds watching a movie, I comandeered the dining room table and cut away to my hearts content. This snapshot was this morning. Five cushion fronts and you cannot see them underneath but also the cushion backs. I have just overlocked and hemmed the backs and took a wee break before I attach fronts and backs. The cushions in the photo are a lovely heavy linen and I recently acquired a lot of needlecord, so have done the backs in this. The floral front you can see are an old vintage linen remnant I had in my 'crafty closet'. I purchased recently some really lovely feather cushion inners. They make the cushion feel so lovely, soft and springy. Hhhmmmm, the knitting has not grown much in the past couple of days. Maybe later tonight I shall do a few rows, but top of the list is to finish these 5 cushions. Off to pin and sew!

Happy Day

 This is the view I enjoyed for the past week or so. Yes, a tropical South Pacific Island, and that water was oh so warm. This is the view from the room we were in. Came back to a much chillier climate but when I look at this picture I can transport back in my mind.

And to keep us ever hopeful, some summer fruits are starting to appear. 'Baby Girl' is back home for a brief respite from Uni'. Her first stop after being home was the supermarket to buy ingredients for a fresh fruit salad. Things that uni' students cannot afford on a regular basis. Home for 4 nights R and R before she heads back for intense study and exams.
My happy day today consisted of going to a quilter friends place this morning who offers patchwork tutoring. J is getting me going again on completing a UFO quilt. Picked it up after about a 3 to 4 year gap. Determined to finish it before I start another and really, really want to get it done this side of Christmas.It is a 'quilt as you go' which I had never done before. The morning passed ever so quickly.
Photo's will follow.
I also received a lovely wee gift from a 'crafty' friend but will blog about this another time soon. Pillow is calling and I have a row and a half of my knitted blanket to finish before my night is complete. Yawn!

Boring Me!

Well, what else can I call myself as I start a blog and then leave it alone? I have to admit though that is partly because it is something new I am to learn about. Also, I have been coming in late at night and by then I am nearly 'brain-dead' and struggling for inspiration. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained and I guess I will learn along the way. not to mention probably make lots of mistakes.
So what have I been up to? Knitting wherever and whenever possible. I have sorted the stash space, got the machine set up for sewing BUT knitting is so portable! I am away next week on an Pacific island holiday and YES my knitting will go with me. Be sad if it rains but hey I will be happy. And afterall 'knitting is my yoga'. I feel centred if I get to knit everyday.
Now, I see an important part of blogs seems to be photos. I love to look at the photos on the blogs that I follow. I shall share a photo of my current projects.

So, above is purple merino/silk cardigan awaiting its 3 buttons, teddybear cardigan in cashmerino awaiting buttons and completion of embroidered teddy eyes and snout, 3 done 3 to go. They are on the back of the cardi' as well. Green square baby blanket in pure wool awaiting embroidered daisies. Can you see one peeping above the teddy bear cardigan? In the middle is another baby blanket in pure wool that is cabled and double sided so no wrong side. Both sides are cabled. Doesn't show too well in photo but the colours are multi and rich in oranges/pinks/reds. When I get  bit further along I will photograph it on its own. Peeping from top left is a completed double wrap cowl in ever so soft and light kid mohair and silk. Yes I do finish things, I just love variety! I have made this for my Mum for when we visit her in the Northern Hemisphere at Christmastime. Didn't follow a pattern just cast on so many stitches and did 3 x 3 rib. Must away and get started on the chore list. Back soon!

Alpha - The beginning

Well I guess there is no other place to start except the beginning. I am a complete newbie to the world of Blogs. In saying that I have a handful I love to follow. My daughter helped me begin and is also the one contacting me and prompting me 'have you begun'?? The time seemed right with our recent move from the hills to the seaside. After much chaos, mayhem and upheaval, we have landed. Quite a lifestyle change from land, animals, countryside to the pocketsize section, busyness of people visiting the seaside on fine and warm spring days. But I am loving it, the simplicity of what seems so far a simpler life. More time for crafts which I adore. More time for regular walks, bikerides. The pleasure of walking to the local shops instead of a 15 km car ride to the nearest store for a bottle of milk. Oh, don't get me wrong there is plenty to miss about the hills and country life. That is if I allowed myself. 
I have planted a vegie patch and there are a few fruit trees awaiting planting. I still love to go outside and pick produce from our back yard, albeit a small back yard.
I could carry on about many things but it is late and my pillow calls, so until the next time, goodnight from me, Rubi Mac in my humble-house-by-the-sea.