The unpacking continues ...

Hi everyone,

Wow, doesn't time fly when you aren't looking! I don't know where the time has gone since my last post but I can say I have been very busy.

We did indeed move during the school holidays and I find it hard to believe we have been in Tauranga several weeks already. The cats are settling in as you can see from the photo, although they are sticking very close to the house.

Frosty on window seat in new house.

Everything went very smoothly and the biggest drama through everything was I stuffed the battery in my car. It was my fault and I can't blame anyone else ... but a new battery later and we are off again. I don't ever recall having to replace a battery in any of the cars that I have owned, so I think I have done very well through the years to have to replace one now.

Our daughter has started school at her new college last week and was quick to tell me all about her new friends when I picked her up later that day. It is good seeing her having the confidence to move on with things though, as the move has been tough for her as she was too little to remember us moving to Whangarei twelve years ago.

I have to confess that I have not done much in terms of anything quilty since the last post, with moving and everything. Not only have we downsized the property but the house as well, and I do not have a separate space for my sewing like I did in Whangarei but are sharing the guest room.

My sewing space in the corner of the guest room. There is a lovely view out to the street from the front window - nothing like watching the comings and goings of the neighbourhood.

I visited a local quilt shop here in Tauranga that has a stitching group on Thursdays, I went along last week and are looking forward to returning this week. However, I digress. I need to get a move on with the triptych for my Whangarei group, as I haven't done anything on this project since before leaving Whangarei.

We have had class confirmations for Symposium 2013 in Taupo. I have got into two of Michele Hills classes, I am absolutely rapt. I need to get myself organised and start getting things together. Maybe the visits to the local quilt shop can help here.

Well that is all for now, come back soon to see how I have got on with everything.

Until then happy stitching everyone,
Cheers Donna-Maree

Wow .... look what I got .....

Hi everyone,

Last week our stitching group met for the first time this year. There are a few changes taking place as the night we are meeting is changing as well as the week of the month - so instead of meeting at the end of the week at the beginning of the month, we are meeting at the beginning of the week at the end of the month. This will take some getting used to, but I am sure that we will get there.

It was lovely catching up with everyone and hearing what we had all been up to. There was quite a bit of show and tell but I was so blown away that I didn't get any photos. But look at what the girls presented me with ...

Isn't the cover on the book just lovely. I think someone knows that I really, really like blue and look at that fabric - Inthia how did you know? The stitchery is awesome too. I feel very honoured!

This book was created with information and photos of our group over the last 12 years which is how long I have been involved with these lovely ladies. It truly is an amazing record of meals we have shared, projects we have worked on, our history. It is truly a very special gift - one that I will treasure. 

We have been working really hard getting the house ready for the market and we are now there. The house is looking really good thanks to all of the good hard work that hubby has put in over the past few months, years actually. The house has been listed and hubby has gone to Tauranga to start in his new role. Our youngest daughter and I are remaining here at the moment with the cats, and things will be reassessed in due course. 

While I am still here I am attending all of the normal quilty things that I am involved in, which is rather nice and a true gift. I haven't had much time do any stitching in the past few weeks but I am intending to squeeze some stitching in during the next few weeks. I am trying to decide what I want or should work on first. There is definitely enough to choose from.

I found it interesting tidying up the house and sorting through things, especially the places that I found some things. I know that my memory isn't that great but goodness I am pretty sure I never put things where I found them. I also found some items that I had totally forgotten about. I will pull them out and share them with you in future posts.

So on that note, come back soon to see what I decide to stitch first, and what I found in my sorting out. Oh and we should be hearing about our classes for symposium soon - very exciting and I can't wait.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Cheers Donna-Maree

The days are flicking past ...

Things have definitely been moving along with lightening speed.
We have had most of the Christmas related social events now, which have been very enjoyable and a little bitter sweet knowing that we wont be here next year.

We are now on the slippery slope to Christmas. This weekend sees our eldest daughter and partner arriving from Perth for three weeks. It will be awesome having them in the same country, even if it is for a few weeks and that we have to share them with Jay's family and their joint friends.

My mum really gets into Christmas and decorates her house with a fantastic lighting display. I admire her efforts especially as it takes her quite a while to get everything set up. I also know that this year she put things up only to take them down several days later and change her grand design and redo it all. This is the first year that she has entered the local light competition - the results aren't known yet. However I do know that there are many, many cars that stop at her place to admire the lights.

Last week we made a very quick trip down to Tauranga to look at possible high schools for our youngest daughter. I managed to take these photos through the gorge coming home. I have never taken photos from a moving vehicle before and was impressed with how well they came out.

We stopped at Paeroa on our way home for a pit stop and I took advantage of the opportunity to stretch my legs and have a look around. Everyone in New Zealand should recognise this photo.

What I didn't know was some of the history - I thought these were an interesting way of displaying that.

Each one of these round things had the information on the top.

I thought this rubbish bin looking like a lemon was cool!

We took presents down for the family when we went down to Tauranga as we are having Christmas here this year, it will be our last Christmas here before all of the changes next year. This way Kelsey and Jay can share Christmas Day with both families. Back to the presents - I created photo collage canvases for gifts and hope that the special people they are for enjoy them. I really enjoy making these and experience a trip down memory lane each time I create one. There are no photos as I forgot to take them before they were wrapped up and delivered.

We stopped here for a break on the way down. Awesome food and they even have wifi!

Anyway, this is all for now, although I know that I have enough to tell for another post - so check back soon.

Until then - happy stitching everyone!

Donna-Maree

Moving on ...

After moving to Whangarei nearly twelve years ago which we thought was going to be forever, we are on the move - well three of us are anyway. We are off to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty in January 2013.

I am really going to miss my kitchen garden until we can get a new property and another one up and running.

I am going to really miss this view and having my morning cuppa looking out over the Whangarei Harbour.

Okay that is all for now, I will keep you posted with what is happening. I just wanted to post this for now.

Until then, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree