Away we go

The DBEM and I are off to Wellington while painters titivate my house.   We are having a leisurely trip (mainly because of the age of my passenger!) and today drove through Taupo.  For some unfathomable reason I hit upon the idea of a selfie.   I'm no good at those and after a series of gaffes finally produced this acceptable one.

Just how does one hold a cell phone and depress the "take" button with the thumb?   I managed this time, accidentally, but am sure I could not repeat the success again!

Reply for Sandy

Hi Sandy,  the DBEM is my own created name for my Dearly Beloved Elderly Mother.
I took a photo on our walk today so she can say hello in person.

Picnic Bag

When one goes out with an elderly relative for a drive in the country one should always take a thermos flask and some homemade biscuits for afternoon tea.   At least that is so in the DBEM's generation.
The DBEM wanted a picnic basket.   I didn't see we needed that expense or that it was suitable and determined to make one so on went my thinking cap.
I was unsure how I was going to manage to make the thermos flasks stay upright?   Then.... I raided stash for
A cardboard box that once was home to C5 envelopes  +
Some remnants of plastic vinyl fabric   +
Some jute tape   +
A scrap of fabric  +
A tube of glue
All of these put together to create a suitable box which stands perfectly steady behind my seat in the car and houses two thermos flasks and a plastic container for the afternoon tea biscuits.

The DBEM is so proud of her idea that she kept insisting "you must put this on your blog"   So herewith!

Two completions

A few days ago now I completed these two little notebook covers and was feeling rather proud of myself when the DBEM said "do people still use notebooks now?"
Well, I don't know about people in general but I still do, so I'm assuming there are others of like mind out there somewhere!
Anyway, both were to use up scraps of linen and I'm proud to say that all ingredients in this recipe were sourced from my stash.

Hardanger lined in a bright red Japanese silk which makes the design pop.

Cross stitch in a Caron Waterlilies silk floss.
Both of these are destined for gifts and I do hope their recipients will be one of those people who use notebooks!

Countdown to the Big R

It has been a week of food and farewells at work.   With the handover pretty well complete I am in the process of writing my final email and on Friday I will say goodbye to my working life.
The managers kindly bought this super sweet cake  and insisted on a photograph!  what an awkward pose:-)

Both the DBEM and I are looking forward to the start of a new life but I can assure you that next week will certainly be less food for me!

A new project

For the past little while there have been multiple distractions and calls on my time and I have done little but kit up a few projects.
Then this week I decided I wanted a project to actually stitch.   This was the last in the basket and as it has been on the list since 2005 it is about time! 

I remember sending to America to Criss Cross Row for the fabric and the silks for this and they have sat awaiting some love ever since.

Here's a shot taken with the macro lens to show that stitched over one on 32 count linen it is very fine.  A labour of love I think but linen fabric and silk floss -  what's not to love?
My days of over one on fine linen are numbered so I need to get this finished.
There are a couple of other small finishes that just need construction which I hope to fit in over the next few days.  Hopefully I will be back soon with an update.