Holidays amd precious friends

 This week I was lucky enough to take a quick trip up to the Gold Coast (southern Queensland) and while I was there I caught up with Elizabeth Peters.  I first "met" Elizabeth on the Country Bumpkin Forum, which no longer exists, and we have met in person several times.  We spent some time op shopping and also enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch in Southport: take a look here.

We spent some time looking at Elizabeth's beautiful creations: lace and felt and lots of other treasures.   you can see her work here

On a previous visit to the Gold Coast I bought this little wicker case to keep some needlework supplies at my father-in-law's house.


He lives in Tweed Heads which is at the very southern part of the Gold Coast.



On this visit I was so excited to see the contents of the case again.

 It contains needles,beads,buttons and a piece of embroidery to work on while visiting.

 I had a lovely time away but am happy to be home again.

Another day - another box

 A purple velvet box with bling.

vintage lace

 I bought this gorgeous lace from the salvos today.  I think it is handmade but I don't know a lot about lace.  It is very fine and quite beautiful.

sketch box

Well this is a productive week so far.  I have managed to paint more window frames and clear out our storage area.  Having off site storage is very handy but you keep so much junk!

Anyway tonight I have spent some more time on the box that I started a few weeks ago.

It is done now. 

I think.  

I hope. 
 
This will be great to hold a small sketch book and pencils.

I have another box on its way already so that will be tomorrow night's project.

In the meantime two of my grandkids are blogging.
Matthew here 
and Ally here

Buttons and beads

 There hasn't been too much time for stitching lately but I have been working on a new brooch whenever I had a spare moment.

 The background is calico which I have dyed some time ago.

It is a lovely soft green .  Some of the pics look as if it is pink but it is just the lighting.

 I started off with tiny green seed beeds, just wandering around on the fabric, then some silk ribbon stitches in a soft mauve surround a green crystal slide.  Tear drop shaped glass beads catch the light.

Add caption

 More beads and lots of french knots and long and short stitch filled in lots of space.

Then some more stitching.





Damp stretching on a cork board overnight.

I find this damp stretching is such a great way to finish off a piece of work and pull it into place.

Then the finishing touch.







 

 
 Fitting it on the button as well as can be done.

It fits beautifully snug and smooth.

Photoshopping Fruit.

From the kitchen bench.

Photoshopping for fun.

Talking Food

 I haven't been doing much in the way of creative projects lately: I have been painting the laundry and the back door.
The weather has turned really cold and we have had rain and hail over the past few days'

This cold weather can be challenging as far as eating is concerned.  

Today I went to Tully's for fresh fruit and vegies, meat and fish.



We really are spoilt for choice here.  Most of the produce is grown nearby - all is grown in Australia except the cherries which came from the USA.  Our cherry season is well and truly finished.

 
I decided to try something different so bought a tamarillo and a persimmon.  I have not tried these before but I am sure they will be delicious.




The little pot of parsley means I can have some whenever I want and it looks gorgeous in the glass bowl with tumbled glass pieces.