Hello I'm Still Here........:)

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

How are you all?

I did my first market for the year today.

The forecast was for 11deg. with 60% chance of rain.

 Think I needed my head read for agreeing to do it!!

Well the sun shone for most of the day, although a chill wind was blowing........

On the way home I had to pull over and take some photos of the brooding skies....... 

A corner of my stall, the sun brightening things up, but it was far from warm, brrrr.....

It's been a busy few weeks here in the Sweet Birdy Love household.

My Janome's been busy stitching away.

Some little brooches in the making.....

Along with some sewing needle books....

Teacosies were posted over to the U.S to

Janet at

 The Empty Nest 

shop......

A little chooky stitchery came into being.

I enjoyed making this as it was a little different from what I usually do....

It will be heading off to another part of the U.S next week......

Too much fun to stop at one, so.......

Outside it's been frosty and cold.

I managed to snap off a couple of pics before the parrots flew away.

I couldn't figure out what was going on as the Parrot appeared to be walking on the water....... the water had frozen.....

They added a splash of colour to the morning......

Apart from sewing there was also a lot of packing and sorting out going on.

 Hubby and son headed off to Canada last Monday.

Rich has a 6 week tour across Canada, playing at music festivals all over the place......

Hubby, Chris is going along as chauffeur/roadie/manager/dad......they work well together. 

The amount of organisation that has gone into this tour has been amazing.

After  a long trip which involved 4 different flights they arrived in Montreal minus their luggage which was somewhere at the airport in New York.

A rather frustrating 36 hours without it followed, but thankfully it turned up and they could hit the road.......

Things are going well now, although jetlag is playing havoc and rather large mozzies in Nova Scotia are enjoying some Aussie blood!

A little family pic....having breakfast the last Saturday before they left.

We're all looking a little pale,there was a light directly above us

The Johnnies are flowering, I love these blooms....the perfume can fill a room.

A small bunch in my 50 cent op shop jug brightens my day and makes me smile......

So things continue as they are here. 

Plenty of sewing going on, lots of ideas to play with.

Another birthday has come and gone and thankyou all for your birthday wishes.

Winter is giving us beautiful days after frosty starts.

Another little op shop has opened in town, did I mention that?

So a trip into town includes a visit to one or the other, or both!!

I've found some lovely things and turned my $1.00 investment in a vintage jigsaw into $20.00 by walking across the road to the

 2nd hand/antique shop and selling it on, not bad......

I won't tell you what they were going to sell it for, but I was very happy with my $20.00......

So what have you all been up to?

I hope you are enjoying your weekend and finding some time to be creative in some way.

Thanks so much for visiting and I will try not to leave it quite so long before my next post.

Take care,

Claire X

Flowers, Feathers and Fur.......

Welcome, welcome, welcome girls......

I'm back in my usual blogging seat, looking out at green paddocks, flowering Crabapples and blue sky.

While I have been away Spring has painted a beautiful picture, which I am thoroughly enjoying.

Thank you all for your well wishes for a safe trip home, which it was...... if not a long trip!

Reunited with my Janome who had a service while I was away, I've been busy sewing up a few new makes for a market tomorrow.

I thought some embroidery hoop pictures would be a nice change of pace.....

'Let your song be heard..... '

one of three I have made...

Let's head outside for a minute and see what's happening.... The garden (read weeds!!)has been taking off in the warmer weather.

 Parrots enjoying the seed heads.

Galahs, also feasting on the seeds.

I picked up a new camera while I was away and I'm looking forward to having fun with it. BUT I need to read the manual to figure out all the bells and whistles......

Planted a little late in the season, but none the less beautiful.....

The first Poppy to flower

The Artichoke plant, which I grow for it's colour, texture and shape, has tripled in size. 
It would appear we are going to get at least 5 flowers this season.

Last season there were 2......  

The Wisteria has started flowering.....
I love this plant.....
The colour and perfume and the way the racemes hang down from the pergola and make a carpet of purple on the ground when the flowers are finished.

In another week, it should be a  sea of purple against the blue, blue sky....

Spring means, Crabapples....there are four of them.

They were  flowering when I arrived home and I just managed to  see one of them at that lovely, raspberry pink/pale pink stage.....

They are  a frothy confection of blossom and the bees are having a field day with them......

Back inside and some new makes ready for market.

You know I love
 wonky,
frayed 
  textural

     things.....

 Something so appealing, 
makes me smile,
 definitely addictive.

It's the
 aged,
 worn,
patched,
 loved, 
hand me down feel.....

♥♥♥ 

It will be interesting to see how these sell at the market.
Purely decorative or use as a pincushion...

 Will they appeal to anyone else? 

Who knows, but you know what?

If I bring them all home at the end of the day I won't be upset at all. 

 I want them to go to homes where they are loved.

To people who 'get' what I do.....

Now this furry fella has been storing up a months worth of cuddles, let me tell you........

As soon as I sit on the couch he is there waiting expectantly for a pat, scratch, hug, cuddle.......

Missed you Tigger

I am playing catchup at the moment and the 'To Do' list is growing longer by the day.

Weeding, whipper snipping, planting up, pruning and watering that's outside.

Inside it's the usual chores, but add windows and sorting out a few cupboards to the mix.....

On top of all that my Janome is calling me. 

I'm trying not to listen but!!.......

Ok, that's it from me, dishes to do and get ready for work.

Thanks for coming over to visit girls, always nice to hear from  you.

Have a great weekend and I hope your 'To Do' list is actually 

do- able!!

Claire ♥♥

at home!

We're Winter Bound

Ah, more sweet birdy love stitcheries........

Guess who it was inspired by?

Saturday afternoon saw two young Robins visit our patch.

It made working outside all the more enjoyable as they flitted between the bare branches of the Silver Birches looking for a tasty treat or two.

Notice the flash of white on his wing, it makes a very distinct 'V' shape when viewed from behind.

The above pic was taken Sunday morning. Even with the zoom lens at maximum capacity, you will have to click and enlarge the pic to get a good look at him.

I was thinking how the birdlife around here isn't all that varied and colourful compared to say, bird life in the US...........

A few minutes later, I spied these two beautiful Parrots.

Gulp.......

Once again, click on the pic to get a better look.

I have to share a few photos I found on hubby's camera whilst uploading pics I took.

No 1 had been out snapping away at the beautiful Autumn foliage.

Obviously, this pic was taken a few weeks ago, but the colour is stunning and of course 'I just had to show you'....

I remember him taking photos of the full moon last month.

They turned out a treat, not computer enhanced at all, just how it was on the night.

We'll often head outside to enjoy the full moon, it's reflection glinting on the water in the dam. Although, now you definitely need to rug up as it's very chilly.

Occasionally we'll let loose with a howl or two...............

It sets the dogs off across our valley, hehe, I know, I know, but every now and then you have to 'embrace the child within'........

After some birdy stitching this morning I thought I would make a little brooch.

I'm calling this my 'comments brooch'.

Here's a WIP pic.......... wonky lines 'n all, just the way I like it.

There's a plastic pocket for you to put your comments in ........

Maybe answers to questions frequently asked or a statement about how you are feeling that day.

The options are endless.

Certainly made me smile and I can't wait to wear it and see people's reactions.

I 'll tweak the next one and sew straight lines around the pocket so the comment sits neatly inside.

Outside in the orchard last Friday, No. 1 decided it would be a good idea to make an apple pie from the windfall apples............hmmmmm, first time for everything.

Standing back and just explaining a few things here and there, he whipped up a double crust apple pie and I have to say it was delish.

A little bit of adjustment next time and it will be spot on.

The decos on top are my handiwork, flowers and leaves..........no birds.

No he's really not violent and I don't know where he gets the ...................... (fill in the blank, I can't think of the word) from but it's certainly not from me.

I'm the shy retiring type, shun the spotlight 'n all that.

You will notice the carton of custard on the bench, I had suggested home made custard would be preferable but as he was making the pie, he insisted on bought custard and who am I to disagree with the cook?

----------00000---------

I would just like to thank you all for your lovely, encouraging comments on my birdy stitchings from my last post.

I have been asked to do a tutorial on free motion embroidery by a couple of lovely people and I am hoping to post one soon, so as they say "watch this space"

Well, there's only one more day till the official start of Winter.

This is what I wait for all Summer, so I better enjoy it...........

I have dug my red leather gloves, beanie, scarves and jacket out of the wardrobe and drawers.

I intend to put them to good use and enjoy every minute of it, so if you hear me complain at all, feel free to remind me "I love Winter"

I hope this finds you enjoying the weather wherever you are.

Blogger hasn't been playing very nicely recently and I have had a couple of frustrating days trying to get into my account, password wasn't accepted. In the end I changed my password and whether that sorted it, or Blogger decided to behave I don't know, but thought it may be helpful to someone.

If you can't comment, you can always email and say "hi"

Thankyou for stopping by and saying 'hi'.

To all new followers don't forget to bring your bag of breadcrumbs with you when you visit as chances are I will be leading you up the garden path in search of a Robin or two.......

Till next time, take care,

Claire X

Success or Failure?

It started off with the seed of an idea and grew...............

I was a little excited about starting a new project.

A cushion, it was an itch I just had to scratch!

I had been thinking about it for quite a while and was looking forward to how it would turn out.

I tried not to rush, take my time, think carefully about fabrics and how they would look.

All was going well, coming together slowly, but I was happy.

Take my time, double check, then triple check, I know what I'm like..........

Sew carefully, keep the 'writing' legible, same size, follow the curve.

Double check, no typos so far, all going well.

Finish off, i's yet to be dotted and the moon to be added, but basically done.

Reread the text, hmmmm, something missing, can you spot it?

My smile slipped, a frown was gathering............

How could that happen, I was being careful, very careful.

Somehow, I got ahead of myself and left out three little letters, one word.

It's not a major problem, BUT I'm not happy...........

Does it matter?

What do you think?

Oh well, it's too late now, it can't be fixed, guess that's what you call a prototype....

Maybe I should just stick with some crochet.....

Make a mistake, pull it out and start again, too easy.

Maybe I'll just cheer myself up with some of these.

They belong to No1 and have been in the fridge since Christmas.

I can honestly say I haven't been tempted to sneak one. Even when offered I have refused........

What's that all about and is it fatal!

I'm worried, that's sooooooooo not like me.

No 1 is away for the weekend.

Do you think he would notice if one or two went missing?

On a brighter note, in fact a much brighter note.

I happened upon this beautiful eiderdown when my favourite, little op shop reopened this week.

I couldn't believe it was sitting there on top of the boring, old plain blankets, just waiting for someone to come along and fall in love with it.

That person was me and it was love at first sight.......

It's beautiful my favourite colour combination. Perfect condition, no moth holes or worn patches.

There's no label either, so I can't tell how old it is, but I am sure it's not 'newish'.

You never seem to find this style of treasure at the op shop, well I don't, maybe I look in the wrong places.

Don't forget to click on the photo to enlarge it and enjoy all that floral goodness.

But be careful you might just fall in love with it and I found it first.

Even hubby commented on how nice it is, now that's a real tick of approval.

More flowery goodness, just because.

It's been a warm day here, there's quite a sting in the sunshine.

The white cabbage moths seem to be congregating in the garden.

Don't mind them flying round, but please don't lay your eggs here, go elsewhere.....

Out in the orchard last night, to pick a couple of Nashis, I spied this cheeky fellow.

Twas a little bit dark for a photo, but he just sat there watching me, cheeky thing.

A beautiful Rosella, they fly in and eat the fruit and are quite bold. Not at all scared of me.

They are welcome to visit my garden, a visual delight and have a sweet, high pitched call, BUT.......

Well, another week has passed, it's been a good week, not too hot.

A couple of nights there, it was even cool enough to have a blanket on.

I'm back at work, getting back into the swing of things. Early morning starts, hmmmm.....

The days are getting shorter, it was quite alot darker at 6.15 this morning, but very pleasant.

Dare I say there was hint of Autumn in the air or was it my imagination?

I hope wherever you are you have had a good week and looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

Thankyou for popping by, if you have a minute please leave a comment, so I know you have visited, I love to hear from you.

Till next time, take care

Claire X

P.S. If you haven't picked the fault in the text on my cushion.......'the' is missing from the last line.

It should read........'Before he reached the towno, towno, towno