Clearing the Decks........

Hello girls, how are you all?

I'm watching the first episode of the new series of Downton Abbey.

Obviously not giving it my full attention as I am typing this post...... 

Have you been caught up in it or not?

There is a cool breeze blowing through the windows and I can smell smoke, hmmm........must check out the CFA website to make sure it's nothing too close.

I assume it's from the fires up near Harrietville which is a way off from here, so no need to put my fire plan into action.....

 This week I  finished off some more tea cosies which had been sitting on my sewing table for far too long.

I've managed to find quite a few blankets at the op shop recently..... so my blanket stash is growing somewhat.

Gotta love red and white

I certainly agree with you Mr. Wordsworth.......

A couple of little budgies made a brief appearance and will be flying off to the USA to live with Liz.....

Hope it's not too chilly over there....

I also whipped up this card for a friends birthday.......

A moment of inspiration followed by 20min of faffing and stitching.

A personal note on the back a piece of trim for hanging and there you have it.......

I resent forking out huge amounts of money for cards.

At some stage they will be thrown away....

This will be the year of handmade card....it's more personal and it gives me another reason to play, create and have fun.

I had a quick trip to Melbourne, last weekend.

No.1 and I saw Keith Urban in concert

 ( you know, Nicole's hubby!!)

Great show Keith.....love the hair.

 On Monday morning No.1 played chauffeur whilst I ducked in and out of a few op shops.

I spied this fab Cake Box, it's made of hard plastic and in great condition.

The base is pink, so cute.....thought it would be great for storing trims, ribbons or buttons but I really needed to use it for it's original purpose first.

So.......I whipped up my favourite chokky cake, slapped on some awesomely chocolate icing and then the final touch...

rainbow sprinkles. 

Don't do crunchy 100's & 1000's

Well, the cake was a hit and it's all gone, so I can now fill it

with sewing goodies. 

The warm weather has returned this past week and the cherry toms are ripening nicely.

They are so full of flavour.....it's hard to stop at one

The Hollyhocks are still flowering and I love this beautiful pink bloom. Reminds me of a ball gown, layers of beautiful, soft, floaty fabric........thought you might like a change from Zinnia pics

So I have been 'clearing the decks' here....

I've almost finished the last orders from 2012 and am not taking on any more new work. I have a couple of things I need to work on for an exhibition in March and a lot of ideas I want to try out.

 Tidying the sewing room is taking far longer to get around to then I thought, but it can't be avoided forever....can it?!!

I'm scared I'll uncover far more UFO's than I thought I had!1

Hubby and No.1 son will be heading off to Canada shortly and I want to use the time they're away to work on some new projects....

That reminds me, must search for Winter jackets as they'll be in for a shock. Temps in Canada have been in the minuses! for some time. Certainly a lot colder than the Winters we have.

 I have been absent from my blog for a little bit I've been playing over on FB and having lots of fun.

Come over and visit if you like, just click on the button on my side bar.

Don't forget if you would like to donate to the 

Gretel Parker Project

there are only 22 days left to do so.

Funds are trickling in and the total is growing, but it's a long way short of what they were hoping to raise for her.

I know I said it last post, but a

 HOOUUUGE

 THANKYOU

to bloggers who put their hand in their purse and gave.

You know who you are  and so do I thanks guys....

So what have you been up to?

Are you a sprinkles or a 100's & 1000's kinda gal?

What would you fill the cake box up with.....besides cake!!

Do tell.....

Thanks for visiting always great to hear from you .

Hope you all have a fantastic week,

Take care,

Claire X