Nothing like a holiday

There is nothing like a holiday is there, a change of routine, new places, new experiences.

Hubby and I went to Sunshine Coast Australia to visit with family and meet the newest members to the family, my nieces partner AJ and their son Harlan. My great nephew has made my sister a grandmother for the first time and of course we wanted to spend time with them all before Harlan gets too grown up.

This trip took place at beginning of June when the temperatures here in New Zealand were starting to get a little cool. We flew back into New Zealand on the shortest day and we all know that things get a lot colder after that, and they sure have.

We thoroughly enjoyed getting back into summer clothes for several weeks and being able to enjoy meals outside again.

The view from our apartment, surfers were always out there long before we got up each morning. They are just black dots in the water until you look closer.

Sunset at Noosaville, where we had dinner out on the patio. Sheer bliss.

Hubby with greatnephew.

Rainbow beach, where the beach becomes the road.

Dicky Beach, very cool beach.

These birds always fascinate me, however my sister says the ibis are a nuisance and are always in rubbish bins and scavenging, a bit like the pukeko here in New Zealand.

Had never seen Pelicans in real life until I saw these. Absolutely fascinating, I couldn't get over how big they are and yet they can move so quickly.

Another sunset, this one is down by Mooloolaba Fish Market.

We can't wait until we get to go over again, although we get photo updates it isn't quite the same as having cuddles and conversations with loved ones.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree

Rust dyeing results

One of the last posts I wrote (a while ago now) was on rust dyeing that a group of us did. A challenge was set for everyone to produce a 12" by 12" square utilising the rust fabric in some way. Last week we had our reveal and we had some surprising results.

I haven't quite completed mine but managed to get the top complete. I have been enjoying playing around with improvised piecing and here is the result...

Here is Sandra's...

Sandra used a soldiering iron to create the holes in this piece.

Here is Robyn's...

Here is Toni's

And here is Dorothy's...

I enjoyed the rust dyeing and the resulting patterns on fabric, however stitching over the more heavily rusted areas can be a challenge as the sewing machine doesn't like it much. However it was something that I wanted to give a go and now I have and was inspired to create something using the results instead of the fabric just sitting in a cupboard, so thank you girls for sharing the experience with me.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree