Tai Chi and OPAM

Whew what a hectic week, every day I've had ladies in the shop sitting and sewing and so many that I hadn't met before. Even on our 'closed' day the shop became full with about 18 members of the local Women's Institute.  I was so in awe of the stories they were telling me that I forgot to take photo's, these women, some with gnarly hands of age and work recalled crafts that they did and do enjoy.   They were so inspiring, mind you later on I recalled the movie Calendar Girls and struggled to imagine any of my visitors doing tai chi upon a hill top, or taking it all off for charity.  I'd like to thank Jenny who took the time to introduce them to myself and the shop - I know I will see and have seen some of them again.
Wednesday, four of us sat hand stitching for the day just enjoying each others company and getting to know each other better, then yesterday four ladies, Roberta, Ngahuia, Marg and Lovey came over from Christchurch for a sewing pouch class.  So as you can see, it's been all on.  But wait there's more...
Yep, I got a number of things finished and a couple of goodies in the mail.
First off my finishes, on the right here is Avlyn Crystal Fusion, a wall hanging that I'll be teaching as a class project in the near future.  It's this little sew and sew that I broke my machine on while quilting - mmmmm! 
Then, after many starts in cross stitch I finally finished a number of mini pillows - funny though, the bigger I get the more I like the smaller things. I'm sure some one a lot more intelligent than me could have all sorts of fun with that statement! LOL.
O.K., I'm sorry you can't see them that clearly so here they are one by one 


Here's a close up of the heart one, I kind of got carried away with the beading.






My goodness this post is turning out to be  rather long so I think I'll add these to my OPAM finishes and post about the goodies that arrived tomorrow.
hugs

Visitors, Wildfoods and Cross Stitching

Today has been a great day where I caught up with a blogging friend in person, yeah! Darlene her DH (who is a whizz at computers and got mine sorted in no time – what a gem!)and friend came to visit on their way home from the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival .  It was great catching up with her again but not long enough unfortunately.  This is the second time I have met Darlene here in Hoki, so I had better make sure that when DH is home we meet up on the other side of the island, and make sure Miss D is there too. We  missed you Deb – hugs.  I even forgot to ask Darlene which wild foods she tried and… I forgot to get the camera out – dim wit eh? Duh!

The Wildfoods Festival is held here every year and I guess is a celebration of all sorts of ‘bush tucker’. The whole town becomes inundated with thousands of people.  I have heard that the town triples in size and every nook and cranny in town gets filled up with campers as there is never a spare bed at any of the hotels,motels or holiday parks'.  People like Darlene and family often just come over for the day, however that’s a long drive at three hours each way.  From what I have heard the entertainment is fantastic and the centre of town becomes a precinct with market stalls in the main street and a variety of performers.

Now, getting on to why I gave this post it’s title.  Lately I have been really getting into little cross stitch projects and although I have Anchor and DMC stranded threads by the dozens I would like to try something new.  Can any of you suggest stranded threads that give a really nice finish and are available in New Zealand and if possible where in NZ I can get them?

Thanks in advance.

The Angel and the Pukeko meets By Hoki Quilts

What a brilliant day I have just had and man am I soooo glad that I became a ‘blogger’ otherwise I wouldn’t have met the wonderful ladies I met today – yes Sam you are included .

After a number of e-mail exchanges Deb (The Angel and the Pukeko) e-mail and said that she was heading over the hill (actually it’s a tad larger than a hill and closer to the alps) to come visit our little spot of paradise here at BHQ.  Yeah, I was so excited!  Having only been on the West Coast for three years and for most of that time confined to the house for one reason or another, meeting up with a blogging buddy was a really big deal.

Before the car had pulled into the driveway proper I knew exactly which passenger was Deb, it probably had something to do with the huge smile and rapidly waving arms.  Then when she got out, the best bear hug ever.  When Deb sends you hugs, they’re good hugs.  Then I met two of Debs friends, Darlene (Stitching By The Sea) and her daughter Sam.  This was going to be a good visit – you could  just tell.

We wondered through the shop, non stop chatter, it was great.  Once lunch was over and done with, it was time to continue sharing.  After being alone for a wee while now I can’t tell you just how great this day has been (thank you so much Deb, you have no idea how much your visit means to me),   no nervousness just good old fashioned friendship and banter.  Of course the camera’s were out and I must admit I kept forgetting to take photo’s. However, I did snap Deb in mid flight trying to get a photo of Darlene, who by the way did an amazing job of not getting into any of my photos.  You know I don’t think we stopped nattering and sharing for a good four hours, plus there was a fair bit of shopping that went on.

Now they are gone and back over the hill and I am left with fantastic memories and the most beautiful bunch of Christmas lillies from Debs garden.  Three new friends to cherish and a new year ahead plus plans for future visits and sleepovers.  What more can a girl ask for?

From my heart to yours,  may 2010 be one of health, a bit of wealth and huge amounts of love and friendship

hugs

 

 

p.s. be warned, a certain blogspot is going to be very heavy with photo’s – I wonder which one?