Coooeeeeee!!!

Hello girls, are you still talking to me? 

I certainly hope so........

I'm still here doing what I love doing, just not blogging about it as much.

I'd like to think that I would put up a weekly post, but I'm afraid that's probably not going to happen.

Facebook has won me, it's quick......post a pic, a few lines and there you go....done.

I know a few of you play over there, so come visit and say 'hi'.

This little, happy string of bunting is now hanging in my sewing room.I whipped it up on the weekend, it's thready and teeny, tiny and there's polka dots......♥♥

For much of the past year I've been interested in eco dyeing or printing and I finally gave it a whirl this week.

I gathered some Eucalyptus leaves and garden flowers and made a 'sandwich' between layers of watercolour paper and then steamed the bundles.

The Eucalypt leaves left a very strong print the garden flowers barely made an impact, but it's all experimental at the moment.

It's quite alot of fun wondering what results you'll get.

Eventually I want to try this on fabric and potentially eco print on clothing.

If you google 'eco print images' you'll see some amazing photos.

The Magpie family which have made our house yard  part of their territory continue to visit daily and entertain me with their antics.

The birdbath has been a popular spot in the recent heat wave.

We're due another hot week, so I'll have to keep an eye on the three birdbaths dotted around the garden and top them up each evening.

January has been an extremely dry month, but thankfully we got some rain last Friday..... a bit hard to see it in the pic.

This young maggie was enjoying a change of weather and not at all perturbed by the rain. The weekend was lovely and cool and I enjoyed sleeping under a blanket for a change!!

Christmas day is pretty much no great event in our household, at least. The 'reason for the season' is very important to us just not all the hoo haa and consumerism that goes with it.

So we have a no fuss, no stress, no debt, but a very relaxing day.

We breakfasted late and then finally did what we've been saying we'd do for years.

 "Have a ham sandwich, down by the river for lunch"

So at 3pm we found a lovely, quiet spot, I had packed a picnic basket, tray table, chairs and fly spray which was an essential.

It was so peaceful and relaxing and we had the yummiest ham sandwich followed by........

Trifle in a glass......it's easy peasy and can make individual serves which means no tempting leftovers.

 Hands up all those who overate at Christmas time!!

This little beauty has crushed Oreos for the base, sliced strawberries with a splash of Balsamic Vinegar ( if you've never tried it, it's wonderful) Strawberry jelly, cream and a dusting of chocolate.

Then a cuppa to finish off a lovely lunch.

Guess where we'll be having Christmas lunch next year?

Maybe we'll find a different spot further up the river for a change.

And two days after Christmas guess what appeared in the supermarkets?

Greedy supermarkets, out for every dollar they can get.

Easter eggs were out as well.

 No wonder the year flies by...... no sooner is the Christmas dinner table cleared than they're pushing Easter on us.

So the creative journey continues here. I won't bore you with all the things I've been working on but I particularly liked this stitchery.

Some different elements in it for me. 

It was fun putting it together and seeing how it turned out.

It's quite surprising how long it can take to make. 

Here's a little insight into what's involved.....

First the design, then finding and choosing fabrics, cutting out all the individual pieces. Placing them, rearranging, changing, deciding if it looks right or not. By this time quite a few hours have passed by.......I find it's not a process I can rush through.

Once you have everything sorted just the way you like it, it's time to start stitching.

Oops, too late, it's time to tidy up and start thinking about doing a couple of jobs before dinner.

Next day with fresh eyes you start stitching, oops forgot to find a saying to stitch on it.

Ok, time for a coffee and find the perfect saying an hour goes by. Found the saying, happy, happy, keep stitching.....darn the bobbin's run out.

 Wind thread onto a couple of bobbins, keep stitching.

 Feeling peckish, so have lunch.

Back to it, several changes of colour, stitching, snipping,

 looking, assessing.

Well, I think you get the picture, hehe.......

But I'll keep making them as I do enjoy it.

One thing I have achieved this Summer is to grow a bed full of Hollyhocks.

They self seeded last season and popped up here there and everywhere.

I have dark pink doubles, pale pink singles and white singles.

I love them all and some of them are at least 2 metres high.

The heat we've been getting has burnt some of the buds and the rain knocked them about a bit, but they make me smile and I love them.

In the rest of the garden the Tomatoes are fruiting nicely and we are getting loads of Cherry toms and Romas. The zucchinis are growing nicely and the beans are doing well too.

The pumpkins have been very slow in getting going, so I doubt we'll get anything from them before Autumn and the Capsicums are slow as always, but it's so nice to pick fresh veg from your own garden.

The self sown Zinnias are flowering away, but I don't have as big a crop as last year, but there are enough to cut and bring some inside.

And finally I asked Tigger to pose for me.

 I needed to draw a cat for the stitchery and this is what he gave me!!

There's one in every household, cheeky thing.

Well, thanks for popping by to visit.

I hope the year is going well for you.......

I hope it won't be so long until my next post, but in the meantime you know where to find me!

Take care,

Claire Xx

Budgies, Brooches, Blooms, Birds.........Bed !

Helloooooooo girls, it's me......yes, I'm still here

Albeit, sporadically, occasionally.......well sometimes!!

Mind you I do pop by for a visit and comment, so I haven't completely disappeared.

Thanks to Anne of Ungardened Moments for a lovely email checking to see if all was OK as I had been missing in action for some time.

You see I am now one of those Bloggers who has gone over to play in the Facebook playground and stayed there.......they have different toys over there and bright, shiny things and well.....I know there's no excuse.

But here I am, I hope you are all well, we won't talk about how the year has flown, but here we are in November......

Things here at Sweet Birdy Love are busy.

 Spring has been stunning and continues to thrill me with all the Roses in full bloom now.

My Hollyhocks have self seeded and are popping up wherever they can.

I hope I get a variety of colour....:)

We are also planting vegie seedlings and the garden is filling up quickly.

The weather has been quite changeable....last Thursday night I was kicking the blankets off it was so warm and then Saturday I was adding an extra one as it had turned quite cool.

I hold on to the cooler temps and enjoy them as much as I can as I know Summer is just around the corner and along with it the heat!

I also love this time of year as farmers slash and bale their paddocks for hay/silage. From the great room window I watch the green paddocks turn a patchwork of gold as the grass is cut, left to dry, raked and baled. I love hearing the rumble of tractors towing balers down the road throughout the day.

As usual there is plenty of sewing taking place and Budgies are featuring at the moment.

Hubby was given a gorgeous, green blanket last week and I couldn't wait to start cutting and stitching.

This little fella is going to be a sewing needle book for a market in December.

A few more needle books for the market.

Of course I couldn't stop at one Budgie, they are such fun to stitch.........

I've also whipped up some brooches and I couldn't go past a cute little Hedgehog with a couple of oak leaves.

I do love the woodland theme..... 

Let's duck outside for a little fresh air shall we?....

William Morris rose planted last season has burst into bloom and is  just beautiful but I'm afraid I'm somewhat disappointed with the lack of scent.

I can't believe I bought a Rose that doesn't have much of a perfume!!

This photo was taken about 3 weeks ago and you can see how green everything was. It has dried off a little, but still quite green.

The Dutch Irises in the Wild Wood, put on another lovely display.

 I noticed the leaves growing but then always get a surprise to see the flowers.

They blend in with the white trunks of the Birches so well.

They're very happy in this posi and have been there for about 4 years now.

 I also planted the Blue variety of Dutch Irises but only got one flower this year.

 Hopefully next year a few more will bloom.

The Lilac was stunning and I just love the purple of the flower  and turquoise of the vase......the perfume is beautiful and I picked quite a few bunches to bring inside and enjoy.

It's also Magpie season and the hatched young ones spend the days in our garden with their beaks open calling to be fed.

I love watching them they're such characters. 

But I would be happier if they didn't stand outside the bedroom window at 6am waiting to be fed!!

The Magpies inspired me to stitch a textile picture for our local art show which opened a week ago.

I've forgotten to up load it, oops....next time!!

This is one of the 4 pieces I entered in the show.

Watercolour and stitching on canvas.

I haven't done this before, so was quite pleased with the

overall effect.

Thankfully, all of my pieces sold, so I didn't have to bring them home and find somewhere to store them.

I love seeing what everyone enters.

 There are some very creative and talented people living in the area.

Unbeknown to me No.1 son actually bought a piece of art at the show and surprised me with it tonight when he arrived home.

It's a beautiful pastel drawing of a Flame Robin sitting on a rusty old star picket.

 I was a bit gobsmacked I have to say, but totally thrilled.

I'm sure you all know by now how much I love seeing those Robins in Winter.

He bought so that I didn't have to wait till Winter to see them!

I'll post a pic next time..... 

A little more stitching......another "Woodling' but this one is a little different.

She was part of an order I sent over to Janet at The Empty Nest in Warrenton Virginia.

Janet has been selling my work in her gorgeous shop.

So part of what I am working on at the moment will find it's way to The Empty Nest as well.......

Finally, I just  had to share this pic of Tigger with you.

What is it about cats and boxes?

He quite happily curled up and went to sleep in it, despite there not being alot of room to stretch.

Wouldn't that be a great attribute to have?

 Being able to curl up anywhere and nod off.

Talking about nodding off, it's time I did.....

So there you have it a quick little post of what I've been up to recently.

Just the usual things happening. The year is drawing to a close and that pair of socks I intended to knit this year, hasn't

eventuated. 

My sister and BIL from Wakefield in the UK were visiting about a fortnight ago. It was lovely to see them.

 Our last catch up was in 2007 when we headed over to the UK.

We had a lovely time together and they enjoyed the warmer weather . Not sure if they were enjoying the 41deg as they headed towards Port Augusta last week!!

So a busy week ahead of me. Stacks of sewing to get through.

Ukulele class is on tomorrow night and the Friday night

Yackandandah World Record Bunting Attempt happening so it's all go here.......

Hope all is well with you and thanks for visiting.

Take care,

Claire X 

Stitching vs Housework...........

Hello girls, how's your week been?

Things are slowing down on the crafting front here and getting busy on the packing side of things......

I haven't been able to pack away my sewing machine yet as ideas still need to be explored to keep the creative me happy before I go.

I finished another little stitchery this week and was happy with the outcome.

A friend had asked me (quite some time ago)if I would stitch a tree for her. 

She wasn't specific and just said

 'whatever you come up with will be fine'

I find that's the hardest thing to do actually, as I worry what I have in my mind won't match up with theirs. Soooooo, I put it off and occasionally asked if she had any ideas......nope.

Ok, so I put it off some more as I do and put it in the too hard basket.

She wasn't in a rush it, was just one of those

 'when you've got time' orders and as it was something different for me (at the time)I didn't intend to ask for payment.

Ok, long story short here it is......

I hope she likes it. I love the texture, there's even a wee heart carved into it with a teeny tiny M & S in it.

Can you spot it?

I really love this saying by Ralph Waldo Emerson and I particularly like the way the yellow thread I used to indicate the last of fallen leaves actually has a golden glow to it.

You know I'm kind of glad I waited so long to make it as my sewing is constantly changing and evolving and I'm really happy with the finished piece.

We now have 7 calves in the paddock with only 2 more to be born.

Their antics are wonderful to watch and they are such good mates.

This little black fella is being very inquisitive and brave.

One little calf  (not in pic) has a white heart on it's forehead very sweet indeed......can't help but fall in love with them.

Something else I had been putting off was cleaning out Cluckingham Palace.

Our chook house isn't one of those cute little houses that you could sweep with a glance.

On no, this requires a wheelbarrow, rake and brooms.

Anyway, the girls must've read my mind and in appreciation of my impending efforts had laid an egg.

Now this may not sound very auspicious, BUT,dear reader considering they went off the lay around December this is quite a big event here.

One, perfectly formed, brown shelled egg lay in a mound of straw.

I glanced at it, looked at the girls in disbelief, then looked at the Magpie out in the yard, shook my head again then thanked them......

Thankfully, the job took less time than I thought and within the hour there was a lovely, cleanish chook house.

Now whilst I hoiked feathers and straw out, this Magpie was going around picking up beak fulls to line it's nest with.

It was fun watching it pick them up then put them down. Was it looking for a particular colour, degree of softness? 

It was quite a business and I was thrilled to witness this little nest making venture....

The first Daffodil has bloomed.

This season I ordered and planted some different varieties. so I'm looking forward to seeing them when I return from holidays.

Our adopted stray Mrs. Kafups likes to find little hidey holes around the house....makes it interesting when trying to put her outside!

Can you see her?

How she managed to squeeze in to that small space without sending DVD's flying?!!

 With her Winter coat on she's quite a substantial feline.....

 The Japonica (Flowering Quince)is putting on a show......

And another little nest that's been discovered.

 This time in the Wintersweet, not sure who it belongs to whether it's a blue wren or not.....

So there you have some snippets from my week......the day to day things that I've been up to.

I've also been busy posting purchases around the world which has been very exciting.

 Seeing little Sweet Birdy Love items finding new homes in different countries.

Thanks to everyone who made a purchase.

 I will have a few extra pennies in my pocket to take on holiday.

I've been making lists of things I have to do and organise before I go away.

Must remember to put Mrs Kafups out if I can find her!!

My boys have been keeping me up to date with what's been happening and I have to say I'm really excited about heading over to Canada.

Thanks to everyone who left a suggestion on my last post.

Oh, that reminds me if you'd like to participate in a swap.......songbird Mezz over at Mezz Makes Stuff is hosting a swap, so pop over and check it out and say 'hi'.

Righto, I better go and do some tidying up, cuppa first though!!.......

Thanks for visiting girls and taking time to say 'hi'

Have a fab week everyone,

Claire X

Hot, Hot, Hot.......I think that says it all!

Hello girls, how are you going with your new year's 

resolutions /goals?

Sticking to them, or is it a waste of time?

I'm keen to get my first pair of knitted socks underway, so when in Albury on Friday, I thought I would drop in to the local wool shop and check out some yarn and patterns etc.

I was keen as mustard, motivated, focused.

 Even drove around the block a couple of times looking for a park....it's busy....holidays.

So when I finally got  to the shop and found it SHUT till 15th? of Jan......

I was a little deflated, I can tell you.

Guess there's not too much call for wool and sock/jumper/beanie patterns in Summer!!

Never mind, I will put that goal on hold for a week or two, but if you have a good sock pattern for a beginner I would love to know about it.

In the mean time, little birds are keeping me happy....

See it's beautiful spotted/polka dot feathers, how sweet is that?

It's a Diamond Firetail, a member of the finch family.....

We've had temps hovering up around the 40+ mark since Thursday, so while I was still in town I bought another bird bath.

I already have 2 terracotta ones which belonged to my mum, but this is mine and I love it.

 Nice and deep and a lovely sea green/blue colour.

I had it in one part of the garden, but I think it was too exposed so this evening I moved it. I want to be able to see it from the great room and watch birds splashing around in it.I'll have to place some sticks in it for the smaller birds to perch on.

Fingers crossed I've got it in the right spot now...... 

We have a Magpie family of 3 who call our yard their home......

They bring their one and only offspring and spend the day here wandering round looking for food.

 It's lovely to watch them and hear them chortling away.

This pic was taken through the window this afternoon, so a little blurry....

Another pic taken yesterday afternoon, I was hiding behind the curtain so as not to scare it off.

Quite amusing to watch, it eventually plonked itself directly into the cats water dish to really cool off......

I found this brochure on Woodland Birds while I was searching through a cupboard on the weekend.......perfect.

A great little reference....think I might be stitching a few of them.....

Not sure if any of them live in my neck of the woods, but I'm keeping an eye out.....

Have I mentioned it's been hot here?

Everything is tinder dry and when the wind springs up, it sends a bit of a shiver through you.....remembering the terrible Ash Wednesday fires.

There have been bad bushfires in Tasmania with a number of homes lost, fortunately no lives have been lost.

I much prefer the cooler weather, but there is a beauty with each season, sometimes you just have to look a little harder....

Thankfully, we have air con and it certainly makes a difference.

A pack of icy, cold Paddle Pops in the freezer also helps you to stay cool......I don't think the boys have found them yet!!

Hubby and No.1 were away over the weekend,so I got to play to my hearts content. Unfortunately, the heat has a rather draining effect despite the air conditioning, so only a couple of ideas were stitched up.

I had fun ripping and tearing then stitching......working on ideas till I get them to a point where I'm happy.

Outside the poor garden is looking very sad.

 Leaves curled and crisp on some plants and buds burnt, but my 

Pineapple Lily/Eucomis is growing nicely.

3 bulbs were given to me by a gardening friend and although appreciated, I didn't have room for them in the shrubbery, so they were put in rather haphazardly.

 Obviously they are tough plants and thriving happily.

I'm keen to see the flower spike shoot up...another reminder of my garden loving mum, who grew these interesting bulbs.

Beautiful blooms of Gertrude Jekyll,which are shaded a little, have survived the heat.....

The Buddleia is once again covered in  beautiful

purple blooms, with their wonderful honey scent.

It was fun stitching up ideas over the weekend but today it's back to sewing for the local gallery......more Little Hoots are needed, so I must get back into production mode....

If I stay on task I might be able to have a little play time later.....hmmm!!

Things are a moving at a slower pace these hot, Summer days.

Poor Tigger in his fur coat, looks for the darkest, coolest spot, which is usually under No.1's bed.

The chooks certainly feel the heat and although there is plenty of cool, clean water to drink, I rarely see them doing so.

I usually take out some bread crusts soaked in water or some lovely cold water melon which they devour with gusto. 

Hopefully, this will help to keep them hydrated in the heat.

Well, here we are 7 days in to 2013, I hope it's going well for you.....

Welcome to my new Followers, thanks for joining me here......

I hope the weather isn't too extreme wherever you are girls  and thanks once again for visiting.

Just want to say, I love reading all your comments and finding out which part of the globe you hail from...

Never ceases to amaze me the blogging connections that are made.

I prefer to reply to all comments via email, but if you are set up as a 'no reply' blogger then I can't contact you. 

Please don't think I am ignoring you.....

Have a great week and thanks for visiting,

Take care,

Claire X