Hellooooo

It's 5am and I'm awake, what else would you do but get up and do a blog post? Right?

I've cranked the heater, made a Milo and got a box of tissues by my side.....someone has shared their cold with me....:(

I was thinking I'd get another blog post in before July ended and then realised we were well into August......so my brain's in a bit of a fog at the moment.....

I've been having fun playing around with some ideas and stitchy techniques.

When I've got a bit more time, I'll take it a little further and see what I come up with.

Gotta love Pansies and Violas and their sweet, little faces.

They come in such a multitude of colours.

Another stitchery finished and off to it's new home.

I used a different colour palette and was very happy with the outcome.

It felt like Spring was just around the corner.

There are pops of colour around the garden and the girls love getting out and having a good scratch around in the 'Wild Wood'

Although egg production has slowed down, they are still giving me an egg a day which is lovely.

You can't beat fresh egg from your own hens.....

On the roadside a Japonica growing wild deserves a little attention.

Love this colour and they are such hardy, drought tolerant shrubs.

It gets the tick of approval and will find a place in my new garden.

Recently I was given a bag of embroidered doilies and linen from a  work friend.

They belonged to her late Nan and Jo, knows how much I love this sort of thing.

Inside the bag were some exquisitely embroidered hankies.

 Such delicate fabric and amazing stitching.

Some of the pieces are in perfect condition and like these hankies I won't be using them in my work.

But some may find their way into what I do.

I think I'll take my time and wait for the right project.....

Our local knitting group 'Yack N Yarn' met again last month.

It was great to see some new faces around the table.

Patterns were discussed, projects admired, coffee drunk and much chit chat and laughter took place.

Not sure how much knitting was done by the participants, but a good time was had by all.

I've just treated myself to a gorgeous little cottage, from the talented Joy Williams.

It's called 'Meadowsweet Cottage' and of course when I saw the chickens and their little home I knew it would have to come and live with me!!

Joy has painted a series of different cottages and I'm a little worried I won't be able to stop at just one.....

I think Joy's work has inspired me and I've been working on a little cottage of my own.

Since I took this pic I have started stitching the garden and of course there will be some chickens.

The last month of Winter, is giving us some of the coldest temps. all season.

We've had snow on the 'Ben' and there was some excitement last Friday with the possibility of snow falling even lower.

It didn't eventuate here but did snow lightly in various localities across the state.....

A misty morning recently had me snapping madly.

A sea of mist turned trees into little islands.

It was an amazing sight, worth getting up early for.......

Another recent purchase that I just couldn't resist.

My new apron modelled by No.1 son, I cropped his head as he was pulling silly faces!

Love the storybook quality of the design and it will replace one that I have recently worn out.....perfect excuse for a new one, don't you think?

Spring is on it's way here......the days are lengthening slowly and buds have opened a little early on some of the fruit trees.

Our wood supply is dwindling somewhat, but I think we'll have enough to see out the Winter.

It's been a little too damp to get outside and do much, but once Spring arrives I'll be busy gardening and putting things in order for moving in December.

Busy times ahead, so I've been making the most of this time to stitch away.

If you have any tips for packing up and moving house I would love to hear them.

 I have done this over 20 times and still haven't perfected it as each move is different!!

Ok, it's time for porridge and I think i better see if I can track down another box of tissues!!

Thanks for popping by to read my ramblings, it's always lovely to hear from you.

Take care,

Claire Xx