The tree men came yesterday and removed 10 trees from the side of our house.  As you can see the area 

is quite narrow so imagine 10 trees most of which are higher than the roof line.

I am always fascinated to look at the cut surfaces of the trees and the bark so I have so many opportunities for pics.

Today I bought 12 new plants to start rebuilding the garden.  These are all australian plants and grow well in this district.  

I recently purchased a new (recycled) fish pond on ebay and this will be part of the garden renovations.  It is deep enough for some interesting water plants.

So you can see we will be busy for at least a year!

another item finished

I have finished my little felt bag at last.  I decided to use my Pfaff embellishing machine to finish the construction.  It is so easy and relaxing to use.

A magnetic catch is a simple closure and I added some angelina fibre and beads as well to finish it off.   

It is just the right size for carrying a notebook, pen & camera.

Oh I almost forgot in the haze of medication that I was mentioned this week by two dear friends and fellow bloggers.  I am having trouble uploading the link but I will try.

I would like to pass on the names of seven blogs that I find really interesting.They are 

http://karenruane.blogspot.com/

http://dosfishes.blogspot.com/

http://prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/

http://retromummy.blogspot.com/

http://raggedoldblogger.blogspot.com/

http://velmabolyard.blogspot.com/

http://ginaferrari.blogspot.com/

I am sure I have not done this correctly but please bear with me  till I feel a little bit better.

I had hoped to have something to show before I blogged again but a bad bout  of bronchitis has really given me a hard time. 

I have been fiddling around and not achieving much.  I have just made up a lingerie bag using some embroidery I did several years ago.  Another thing finished if not exactly new work.  


I am hoping to be feeling more active and creative soon.


In anticipation I have made up a batch of soda ash and water and have some lace and doilies soaking so that I can do some dyeing soon.


I also have some paper & board which might turn into a book if I can conjure up some enthusiasm.  Those wood stamps and the steel ones also might come in handy.  


In the meantime I am enjoying reading lots of blogs and storing up ideas and inspiration.

technology and nature

 A couple of nights ago the moon was big and amazingly bright in the sky.  We went outside to take a look  although it was a little bit cloudy.  I took a couple of photos and then as we were about to go inside we saw these dear little possums in the trees.

The pictures of the moon didn't turn out well.  The clouds and the trees obscured the view.

Some weeks ago I bought some things in a clearance sale.  It was an engineering business which was closing down and most of the sale comprised of big machinery and equipment.  No one else was interested in these steel punches so for the princely sum of $9 they were mine.  There are numbers and letters, some tiny and others quite big.  My beloved husband has no idea why I would want/need such things but I am sure some of my blogging friends will understand.
Oh, and the technology: isn't wonderful.  A while ago my computer became infected with some nasty virus and I had 
to remove everything and start with the original factory settings.  Of course everything had to be reloaded and in the  process I lost all of my photos as well as lots of other things.  
Yesterday I clicked onto Picassa and lo and behold there were my pics.  I was so thrilled.  My holiday, my needlework, the trips to the beach with my grandchildren and father-in-law.  Thank goodness for the technology.  Sometimes it seems to be a bother but when it works it is marvellous.

more fabulous fabrics

Well as you can see I went back for more bargains.

Black & white spotty silk,  black & silver luxurious metallic fabric, cream silk with silver and more white paper touch voile.

The really good news is that the shop will be open for another 4 weeks!!!!!

fantastic fabrics

 Yesterday in noticed a sign in a shop window
"Fabric Sale".  It was in a little stand alone shop I have driven past lots of times.  This time I stopped.


The fabric in question was some "left overs" from a boutique run by a local designer and the range was limited.

 I did manage to find some pieces I simply had to have.

Delicious sheer cream silk and and grey- blue silk/satin  found their way into my stash. 

 I couldn't resist the soft and floaty pink to red silk: it reminds me of the colours of hibiscus and I think it will make sensational scarves.

As I was leaving the shop I noticed some really crisp white cotton and so I bought a couple of metres of that as well.  It is called paper touch cotton.  I have never heard of fabric called by that name but it is a perfect description of this gorgeous fabric.

This fabric is so lovely to touch and although I am not sure how I will use it I am thrilled to have bought it.  Oh did I tell you it was $5 a metre!!!!! 

What a bargain.  I think I will have to go back tomorrow in case there is anything left.