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 

Four Seasons In One Day.........

Hello Girls, it's been the most windy, blustery, showery Spring day here.

 I stayed inside and had some one on one time with my Janome and finished off my latest little stitchery.

Some of the things I love about Spring.......

It's now finished and ready for sale on my Facebook page.

Ok, let's head out and see what's happening in the garden.

The wind has blown alot of Crabapple blossom onto the ground and at a brief glance it looks like snow.

I hope we don't lost all the blossom, it's been divine, the perfume and the hum of the accompanying bees, make weeding in the garden....dare I say enjoyable?!

Anyone like to use the petal strewn birdbath?

The Hellebores have also put on a wonderful display and are well past their best, but I still love the colours and markings.

I'm happy to see lots of little Hellebores have come up and hopefully they will form a bit of a carpet in the Wild Wood....

On sunny days the Tulips are positively glowing.

These Camellias are form a friends garden, I love the pink tipped petals......

Last Saturday was the community Vegetable swap.

It's always interesting to see what people have growing and there was no lack of greenery on the table.

I had potted up some Rhubarb cuttings, Larkspur and Zucchini seedlings.

I came away with a freshly picked bunch of celery, a lovely piece of pumpkin and a bunch of Silverbeet.

I also managed to cut enough flowers to make a sweet little bunch.

I picked Linaria, a spike of Snapdragons and some Stock thanks to  Megan for the seedlings she gave me earlier in the year. 
I added some May flower, Broccoli and Parsnip leaves for some greenery and contrast......

Hopefully it won't be long before I'm picking bunches of flowers to bring inside...... 

Once every 3 months as part of the vegie swap the pizza oven is fired up. People can take along what ever they like to cook in it, from roasts to muffins, pizzas and everything in between.

Somehow, I think the oven was a little on the warm side when the door caught on fire!!

Luckily a CFA volunteer was on hand.....

Lauren is actually laughing NOT screaming!!

I happen to love rusty, dilapidated, deserted old buildings.

One's with a bit of history and character about them.

This dairy is just down the road from where I live.  

I love the patch work look of the corrugated iron......I wanted to photograph it with the trees in full blossom and Tuesday was the most perfect day for doing just that.

There are a few more old sheds around the district.....

 I think I know what I might be doing when this windy, chilly weather disappears!!

I hope you are all enjoying the beauty a new season brings wherever you are.

Thanks for dropping by and all the lovely comments on my last post.

Hope you've had a great week,

Claire x

This, That and Something Else...........

Spring has arrived in all her glory as she is want to do.....

She has beguiled me with her beauty and turned my head.

When I returned from Canada I created a corner under my 'new' birdbath.

I placed a couple of pots with bulbs in them and waited for the explosion of colour and scent.

I certainly wasn't disappointed.

The mini Daffodils bloomed first and I was happy to discover they actually had a perfume.....somewhat citrus like.

Then the Hyacinths put in an appearance and their perfume is one of my favourites.

The rather late planted Tulips are yet to flower but they will bring the curtain down in a blaze of glory.

I removed all the grass/weeds and am not sure whether I will put some plants into the ground or maybe have a seasonal display of flowers in pots.

 I'm thinking 3 or 4 different varieties of Lavender might make a nice Summer display.

Given my bad habit of forgetting to water pots, I'm a little apprehensive......what do you think?

The Crabapples on the bank above the birdbath are dressed in their finest and are now a foaming sea of pinks and green.

Someone must've been spring cleaning as I spotted this tin at our local op shop last week......

There's chickens, guinea fowl, ducks and mmm, geese I think  around the side.

It's an Emma Bridgewater product, I was very happy to purchase it for 50cents.

Perfect for my button collection, the best thing being, there's room for lots more buttons, yippee.......

I've also been busy stitching and trying my hand at different things.

I recently discovered the work of Linda Miller and wanted to try something similar.

It was a lot fun, but I think I would need to have shares in a thread factory as you certainly go through the stuff.

Spring has also inspired some bunting....surprise, surprise.

I loved putting this together and the polka dot bias binding which I had purchased some time ago, was the perfect choice.....

Daffodils, birds nest with eggs, 

"Spring would not be Spring without bird songs"

 Frances M Chapman

Violets, Blossom, A bird and Bluebells

Hanging on the Manchurian Pear.

I fancy making some Autumn/Woodland themed bunting.

I'm thinking, toadstools, oak leaves and acorns, a Badger, a hedgehog.....something along those lines.

I also made some more brooches,

They're a fun project, when I need to restart my crafting mojo. 

Out in the garden everything is starting to take off....including the weeds!!

The bees love Borage....

 Manchurian Pear blossom

Grape Hyacinth

Prunus Elvins on the right and Loropetalum (Fringe Flower) on the left.

Two different pinks, both stunning.

Guess what gourmet delight I was looking forward to when we arrived home from Canada?

Hot buttered toast and a cuppa made with tea leaves in a tea pot.

"Just perfick....."

Life has resumed it's routine since we arrived home.

I've been busy in the garden, trying to keep on top of the weeding. 

I haven't had another market stall yet, not sure if I will.

I'll just play it by ear and see what happens.

Second day of Spring, I discovered a brown snake near the house.

I wasn't happy to see it.....but a good reminder to be on the lookout and to trim any long grass.

The weather warmed up quite quickly and it was t shirts for a couple of weeks and I didn't need to light the wood heater in the evenings.

 I wasn't impressed as I love Winter and the cooler 

weather.

 But we had a cool change last week, so I was happy to cosy up by the heater for a few more nights.

The chooks have started laying but sadly Mr. Whiskers paid my small flock a visit....the first time in 11 years of having chickens. 

He killed my rooster and a beautiful Barnevelder.

This happened the evening after we returned home.

I was horrified, but glad it wasn't while friends were looking after our animals, that would've been too much......

So life goes on and I now have a new rooster who is settling in well with his little flock.

Well, that's what's happening here.

I hope I haven't put you all to sleep, I will try and post every week, so they are not so long winded!!

I hope you are all well.

 Sorry but I have missed replying to some comments on the last couple of posts, but thankyou for visiting. I read and appreciate everyone of them.  

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.......

Take care,

Claire X

Travels in Canada.......

Greetings from Canada girls......how are you all?

Thought I would pop in and show a few pics of my trip so far.

When I arrived at Calgary airport hubby and son were waiting and Rich had drawn a sign and held it up for me....☺  

He'd drawn bunting, a ball of wool and knitting needles and a jar of vegemite on it along with my family nickname.

It was very sweet, he knows me well and I had a good laugh....

It was great to see them after a month apart.

Ok, the pics here we go, first weekend after I arrived we were at the Folk Festival in Canmore at the foot of the Rockies...WOW

It's GORGEOUS, jaw droppingly beautiful and when the storms roll in it's even more so.

And I have to say you Canadians are hard core.

 You don't let a bit of rain stop you from enjoying the outdoors in Summer.

Out come the umbrellas, coats and tarps and you just keep on enjoying yourselves

Monday morning there was a free pancake breakfast on the last day of the festival and it was lovely.

 Live music to entertain us, friendly locals to talk to and stunning scenery in the background.

We had a brilliant time at Canmore, thanks everyone for making us Aussies feel so welcome.....we certainly hope to be back.

Elk grazing along the roadside

Taken just out of Jasper on the way to Hinton

Some sweet birdy love going on.

A grey Jay we met at Lake Louise.

Very tame birds and they were happy to take bread from our hands.....

Had to stop and check out this lush vegie garden in Jasper.

Interesting to see what people grow in different places.

We took a River Safari over at Blue River on the way over to Vancouver. 

  We saw 4 black bears in their natural habitat.

It was a great trip and well worth it.

Wildflowers growing along the roadside.

They make me think of all the  lovely wild flower pics that Sue over at

 Mr Micawber's Recipe For Happiness 

takes on her weekly bike rides.

Last week we visited Granville Island Market in Vancouver and first thing I spied was some yarn bombing.

It's a great place to go to see artists and their wares.

 I'm sure I never even saw half of it, but time was limited.

When you have a couple of fellas in tow you're always watching the clock.

Anyway, if you ever visit Vancouver make sure you visit Granville Island Market and tell hubby you'll be at least 2 hours!!

I did duck into the Cloth Shop and bought 3 x 1/2 metres of fabric......there were toadstools, owls and birds....swoon!

Last weekend, we stayed in Victoria on Vancouver Island. 

We stayed with some people from church which was great.

 Hi Joan and Matt.....☺

We had a great time with them and when we left on Monday morning we headed to Butchart Gardens......WOW.

Put it on your list if you're visiting Canada.

Silly me forgot to charge my camera and half way round it went flat, doh!!

Thankfully, hubby had his camera and was happily snapping away.

Even Rich who's 22, enjoyed the gardens and had his phone out snapping madly. 

So it really is a place for all the family to visit.

Can't wait to get home and pull on the gardening gloves.......

One thing that has really struck me over here are the hanging baskets in towns. 

Whether they are outside businesses or hanging along the streets. 

They are just beautiful, obviously the climate suits them so well.

In this basket alone I counted 9 different varieties.

Also the gardens around town centres and outside of petrol stations are well tended and cared for. 

It's a real credit to whoever is in charge of them.

Some baskets have been at least a metre wide and full of blooms.

At Port Alberni down at the wharf we saw a shop which had the sign

'Vancouver Islands Best Donuts'

Now we've been sampling donuts from Tim Horton's while we've been here so I was up for this challenge.

I must say the sign was right.

I tried a maple and bacon donut......mmmm, lip smacking delish.

It's not too weird, just think of pancakes, bacon and maple syrup, it works.

And on the way back through Coombes we discovered a brilliant way to keep the weeds from growing in the roof gutters.

Keep a goat on your roof.......

Coombes is a very touristy little place, but it seems rather  quirky and interesting.

We've travelled a lot of kms and seen quite a bit of the countryside and it's been lovely.

But we're all missing home and looking forward to toast and vegemite and coffee just the way we like it. 

We're now on the countdown to home and Rich has one more festival to play the 

Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival 

which is on this coming weekend.

Then it's back to Vancouver for our flight home.

Also have to say a big THANKYOU to my hubby Chris, who due to insurance reasons has been the chief driver whilst we're here.
It's tricky driving on the opposite side of the road and figuring out different road rules etc.
 He's done a brilliant job and all up the boys will have travelled over 10,000 kms.

Now if you've managed to stick with me till the end of this post......well done....

Thanks for visiting everyone, I'm off to bed now we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.

Hope you are all well,

Take care,

Claire X