Gifts TO BE FIXED

What a wonderful day!

Anne S

Thank you all for leaving such wonderful birthday wishes today – what a lovely inbox to come home to! {{hugs}}

Have to admit, the day went really well – my lollies/choccies went down a treat, and I got out of work for an entire hour walking around the two floors to hand them out and make sure everyone got one … see, there was a method behind my madness! LOL. As soon as I walked in the door I got ushered over to the ‘Hotline’ area where we sit when I’m on Supervisor Hotline relieving duty, and got given a big bunch of beautiful pink tulips, and a birthday card, and an envelope containing the collection money – so I now have another $95 to spend (wow), and I’ve told them I’m going to put it towards framing costs too, which means I can get both my fave stitched pieces framed – it will also be a long-term reminder of my 40th, and all the people in my life at that time. I’ve had a day full of ‘physical’ hugs from my colleagues and well wishes, and loads of ‘cyber’ hugs from you all, and I feel as though I am absolutely glowing from the good vibes 🙂

But the gifts didn’t end there at work, I also got yet another gorgeous gift from the other side of the world in my PO Box today … Barbara sent me some of the most wonderful, glorious threads in my absolute fave colour – blue!! Barbara, thank you too for your very generous gift … I am blown away by your generosity as well – thank you so, so much {{big hugs}}. And I get to see some of that that infamous silk thread up close and personal – it’s no wonder you love it so much … it’s “yummo”!

I’ve decided that the United Nations should start a campaign and get everyone in the world blogging – because I reckon world peace would be created within a couple of months 😀 Everyone I’ve met through blogging so far has been the most generous and loving in nature and spirit – OK, admittedly we’re all stitchers too, so maybe we have an edge there … LOL.

So thank you, thank you one and all once again … I’m now off to crack open a bottle of bubbly as my final end to a wonderful day … so I guess that means no baking happening tonight LOL.

Uncategorized

No longer 39 …

Anne S

Yup, that time has come that I hit the new age bracket … no longer can I tick the “30-39” age bracket in surveys etc – I’m now in the “40-49” bracket as from today. Have to admit, the day has started off eventfully in two different ways … I don’t know why, but I’ve been having a serious lapse of memory this week (and I’d better hurry up and snap out of it, ‘cos I’ve got an exam next week for work, then hopefully an interview again … but I don’t have my hopes up this time – but that’s another story). Anyway, where was I? See, I think early senility has kicked in! That’s what happens when you jump up a decade – that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it!!

Right, back to the story (I’m starting to feel like Billy Connolly!!) … Last night I went supermarket shopping after work (didn’t finish work until 8pm) – bought some lollies (aka candies for my US readers; aka sweets for my UK readers LOL) to hand out at work today, as well as buying the ingredients to bake a birthday cake to take to work, and the ingredients to make Mars Bar Slice … or so I thought! What did I do? Managed to remember I needed 7 eggs for the cake (tick), cooking chocolate for the cake (tick), rice bubbles for the Mars bar slice (tick), milk chocolate for the Mars bar slice (tick), butter for both (tick) … and off to the checkout I went and came home. Put the oven on at 10pm to start baking … started getting the ingredients out for the cake … first one – 1/2 cup of cocoa … um, cocoa … cocoa … Bugger!!! – hmm, that’s right Anne, you threw out what was left when you moved flats in August and didn’t replace it … Never mind, I can make the Mars bar slice in the morning … Yeah, right! I get ready to start ‘cooking’ my Mars bar slice this morning – the one thing missing from my shopping list … yup, MARS BARS!!!!! Duh and yet again, a double Bugger . Luckily I bought the lollies to hand out, or I would be going in empty-handed! Oh well, looks like my cake and slice will be going in a day late – at least I’m on a 2pm start tomorrow, so I’ll have more time to get it ready as well. What a blonde!!!

An interesting start to the day … but before I realised the Mars Bars were AWOL, I checked my emails – and what did I find? A comment in my blog saying Silkweaver had sent me a postcard and ‘click on this link’ to get it – I have to admit, I originally thought it was spam and nearly deleted it, then realised that I have word verification on, and Silkweaver was reputable … so I crossed my fingers it wasn’t a virus or something awful and clicked on the link … WOW, was I surprised?!!! Shocked I was truly spoilt by my great online pal, Jenna, for my birthday – with a $40 gift voucher from Silkweaver … I’m truly speechless at the awesome generosity – and have to admit to shedding a tear or two this morning. Thank you Jenna from the bottom of my heart – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you’re a true sweetheart and I feel blessed to call you ‘my friend’.

In fact I want to say a huge heart-felt thanks to all my online pals – I feel truly blessed to have met you all (thanks Blogger!!). I have appreciated every comment left, and the support given at times when I’ve needed it, and have been humbled by the gifts that have been sent. I really do feel blessed today … {{{Hugs}}} to you all Big Hug

And my pals have been so generous with their gifts with charts, and now fabric, I’ve decided not to spend Mum & Dad’s birthday money on stash – I discussed it with her, and we agree it’s a good idea … I’m going to use the money towards getting one of my XS pieces framed (either my Graham Ross Tiger, or Thea Dueck’s Gold) – it’s something I never have spare cash for anymore, and I’d dearly love those two pieces framed up and on the walls somewhere … Thanks to Mum & Dad for your generous gift as well – love you both!

Right, off to work I go … I think I’d better go to work early today and buy Mars Bars before I forget!! It’s the one thing I make that always gets someone asking for the recipe – it’s disgusting just how much fat content is in it (it’s pretty much just chocolate, butter and rice bubbles), but crikey it’s delicious!! Fraze isn’t a huge ‘sweet’ fan, but even he goes mad for Mars Bar slice … I made him some last year as his birthday ‘cake’.

And three more birthdays coming up over the next week – tomorrow it’s Karen’s, followed on the 18th by Becky’s, then last but not least it’s Jenn’s on the 23rd … Happy Birthday to all in advance!! (but I’ll try to pop over in ‘person’ on the actual day)

Finishes

Happy dance

Anne S

Thankfully the full-on migraine only lasted 24 hours … I picked up my needle at about 9.30pm last night, and stitched my little heart out for a few hours, finally putting everything down at 1am – just stitching for a short while helped me feel a bit more relaxed. And today I put the last stitches into my Thistle Treasure Bag by M Designs – not very often I get to finish an entire design in 24 hours, but the last few days has seen two done! My thistle just has to have it’s little bee charm attached to the top right of the thistle head, and then made up into a bag … but I think I’ll leave that until a bit later 🙂 Thanks Tobie for a project that was real fun to stitch! 😀

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I’m finding that even just a short time spent on the computer today is straining my head a bit, so I’m keeping my PC time very very short to try and keep the migraine at bay a bit longer. Not sure what I’ll attack next …

Uncategorized

A bit of melancholy

Anne S

Thanks for everyone’s comments on my scrapbook page – I have to admit, Jenna, this really was my very first attempt … and I can’t say it’s something I’ll be continuing – I think it could be a very expensive hobby, and stitching’s enough for me for the time being. It was fun putting that page together, though – and it was nice to be ‘creative’ for a change :))

Well, this is very very brief, as I’ve been laid up with a throw-up migraine most of the day. I’ve only been out of bed for 4 hours today, and thought I’d try to catch up on blogs, but managed to get through about 4 of them, and gave up. So, I’m about to switch the PC off again, and have a quiet night – I’m hoping to start stitching a small project, but not sure how my head is going to take it just yet …

Anyway, I’m going to stitch the Thistle Treasure Bag by M Designs – those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while may recognise the design … it’s what the lovely angel Tobie sent me for a gift. You may also not know, but Tobie has apparently been very ill, and it felt appropriate for me to stitch this piece while I’m thinking of her at the moment – I know you won’t be reading this, Tobie, but my thoughts are with you at this time, and hope your recovery is a quick one {{hugs}}. If anyone has some prayers spare, I’m sure they’d be appreciated 🙂

Fingers crossed I’ll be fighting fit again tomorrow, so I can clear that backlog of blog posts … I thought there were only about 200 to read, but I was wrong – as at this afternoon there were 318! Yikes!!

Charity Stitching, Finishes, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

A day of mixed blessings

Anne S

Today started off quite sadly – by saying goodbye to Mum at the airport. I felt fine until she said goodbye at the departure gate, and I was teary-eyed all the way home. As much as it’s nice to get back to my routines, the flat feels very very quiet after having her company here for 2 months. Love you loads, Ma – and miss you already! Miss You

I was originally going to attend the Guild’s general meeting today after going to the airport, but I didn’t feel in the mood. Instead I came home and finished my second quilt block for Quilts4Kids – this is my second block for wee Emily T, stitched in its recommended colours, except I replaced the gold metallic thread with a plain yellow DMC … the next one will be the Batman theme for Jordan B.

I also finally managed to put together (well, it’s almost finished anyway) my first ever scrapbook page for Doreen (my best friend’s Mum). I don’t think it turned out too badly, but I still have one more page to complete. I cut up 3 different colours of paper to make up an alpine setting reminiscent of the Desert Road and Mt Ruapehu in the North Island of NZ – I have so many happy memories of our skiing days there, so I thought that would be an appropriate theme for me. I just need to add some words to the page, which I’m going to add along the snowline at the top of the ‘mountain’.

Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up on blogs this weekend – last time I looked I had over 200 unread posts again … you guys have been busy!! LOL. Look forward to seeing what you’ve all been up to while I’ve been ‘away’ :))

Gifts TO BE FIXED

And the spoiling continues …

Anne S


… Yup, the mail man is getting overworked this week – I have yet another wonderful surprise gift from a blogging pal, KarenV … a most wonderful chart from my wishlist, “Accessoires l’oiseau bleu” by Au Fil des Reves. This chart is even nicer in person than it looks on their website. I do love my birdies at the moment 😀 And the great thing is that the finishing instructions are in English, but I can have fun deciphering the rest of the chart in my minimal french. Karen, I really love it – thank you so very very much. I’m just gob-smacked by the friendship and generosity of my blogging friends – you’re awesome! And it’s turning this birthday milestone into one of the best I’ve had 🙂

And thanks for all the supportive comments everyone leaves – it really is lovely to receive feedback from everyone … it’s the bright highlight of my day. Hugs to you all :))

A couple of people have asked when the ‘official’ day of my birthday is – so here goes … The day I officially turn the corner to the naughty-40’s is the 16th of February (so I’m only dragging my birthday celebrations out for a week heehee). And I finally heard back from Ben so we can go ahead and start organising our combined birthday bash, since Dracula’s got cancelled. We’re off to dinner at a venue yet to be decided on the 25th of February … OK, looks like I’m going to be dragging my birthday celebrations out a bit longer … hahaha.

Anyway, time to head off as I need to do a couple of errands for Mum before she finishes packing, as it’s her last night here tonight. As much as it will be nice to get my routines etc back to normal, I’m gonna miss her like heck – but I’ll be seeing her in May when I fly over for her 70th birthday celebrations 🙂

Gifts TO BE FIXED

Spoilt old me – birthday blessings!!

Anne S

Wow, I have to say I have been right royally spoilt rotten by fellow bloggers … my mail box had a lovely gift in it from Carol for my birthday – a Tacky Bob, which I was about to buy for myself in a couple of weeks from Stitching Bits & Bobs with my birthday money – I reckon this is one of the most useful stitching tools I’ve come across for those of us who use beads … just awesome – can’t wait to use it! And that’s not all – Carol also sent me a chart called “Be Kind to Birds” by Sunflower Samplings, as it reminded her of me with my fascination of the local birdlife (the feathered kind!) … thank you, Carol, from the bottom of my heart – you’re very thoughtful, and generous! :)) (I’m now rushing off to check my supply of GAST threads for it LOL).

And seeing as I opened Carol’s gift, the curiosity got the better of me today too – I finally opened Sharon‘s birthday gift for me … I’ve been smelling it for the last two days, as Mum had put in my room while our Canadian visitors used the spare bedroom, and was determined not to open it until my actual birthday … but … I weakened and succumbed 🙂 Thank you so much Sharon for the most wonderful smelling soap – I’m not sure if you realised it, but Frangipani is one of my most favourite flowers in the whole world! Thank you so much, too, for your generous gift – you’re a real sweetheart :))) And you have to congratulate Erin on that gorgeous artwork!! (yup, I did notice that little copyright name!)

Wow, I feel truly blessed – stitching bloggers really do make the best of friends! :))

Well, my visits are almost all over, and life will be returning to ‘normality’ again in a few days (Mum goes home on Saturday). As much as I’ve adored having everyone visiting, it will be nice to get back to my routines again. And I’m putting my only resolution to the test this month, hoping to get to some of the Guild F2F meetings – I don’t know what roster I’ll be following next month, so I can’t plan that far ahead yet.

Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Melbourne

Melbourne sightseeing

Anne S

It was a lovely day in Melbourne yesterday – it was very overcast in the morning, but by early afternoon the clouds cleared and it was a glorious day. We took Auntie Monica and Norbert into Melbourne city on the train, which gave us an opportunity to play tourist for the day. We went to Queen Victoria markets, where they were surprised to see camel rides available, and we bought some lovely deli items, fresh fruit, and some tourist souvenirs.

We then headed back towards the river and walked around Southbank – we had a special treat in store for us, as it was Chinese New Year, and there was a big demonstration/celebration taking place.

We had time for a leisurely coffee, before hitting the pavements again, this time heading for a short walk to Queen Victoria gardens.
After that we called it a day, and headed back home on the train and had scrummy fish and chips for dinner (very decadent, for us!). All in all, a really wonderful day out 🙂

Charity Stitching, Finishes

First charity square finished!

Anne S


I was quite surprised how quickly this one stitched up last night, but I settled in front of Sleepless in Seattle and S.W.A.T. (nothing like a bit of variety LOL) last night on DVD and stitched my little heart out … the end result was to finish my first quilt square for little Emily T. I’ll send a separate email to the organisers and hopefully generate some response that way (thanks Barbara for the heads-up on that one!). Excuse the basting thread – but I wasn’t sure how big the piece would be, and left them in just in case I needed to add a border of some sort …

This morning I’ve been looking at spending more money again (yikes) – but once again it’s for a good cause. I signed up a couple of days ago to stitch a block for the World Trade Center quilt – I have my list of names all charted up in my software program, and just have to wait for my black aida to arrive (hence the online spending) … and in the meantime I’ve just signed up for another quilt block for Jordan B on Quilts4Kids who has a superhero theme. As charts are few and far between for these, I found a Batman logo (one of Jordan’s favourites) online and thought I’d try charting it up myself.

So much for my rotation continuing this year … it’s been out the window since Christmas, but it feels good to be doing something for others at the moment. I’m sure I’ll get back into a more regular routine again soon 🙂

Thanks for all your comments – greatly appreciated. And funnily enough, Nicki, I was just commenting to Mum on the drive home yesterday that I was wondering if I should try and catch up with some Auckland stitchers in May … you read my mind! 🙂 I’ll let you know closer to the time what days I’ll be over there, but Mum’s birthday is the 25th so it will either be the week before or the week after 🙂