Collections

Here are a few of my little collections. I tend to collect all sorts of things instead of just one type! Hence there are a few different collections on my dusty shelves. I love blue and white china and use a cheap blue dinner set everyday. I have really just started collecting blue and white plates and cups. I also really love the Villeroy and Bosch Naif dinnerware. It isn't as available as it was and so a bit harder to collect.

This is a collection of blue and white bits and pieces.

This lovely jug was given to me recently by my dear friend Karen. It is from Italy.

Another little blue jug. It was bought when we were in England a few years ago.

And two little jugs from the Laura Ashley shop.

More bears and a collection of little things

Here are a couple of my favourite bears that sit on the kitchen shelf. I'm glad you can't see the dust up there.

These fellows sit happily on the piano. The little fellow on the right belonged to my hubby when he was little.

Lisa linked to a picture of her printer's tray yesterday filled with lovely little bears. This is my one and it is a collection of little things. Small bears, little houses, cotton reels and thimbles.

Here is a closeup. The VERY SMALL bear in matching fur to the larger one was made for me by Fiona years ago. She is so small and would have been so hard to stitch, turn and stuff!

Fiona is having a giveaway to celebrate one year of blogging. Make sure you check it out.

Bears

I have been "wasting time" looking at lovely blogs again this afternoon as I am not at work! I was at the kids club so took today off to do that. Another benefit is that I am home this afternoon and though I should be stitching or quilting or even doing some housework, I have been fiddling around on the computer. Sue had just blogged about bears and collections so I thought I would join in the fun and show you some of my collection of bears. I don't make too many these days but have enjoyed making bears, especially little ones, over the years. These ones are some little Christmas fellows. The gorgeous little (very little) white bear was made for me as a gift many years ago by the very talented Lisa. I made the others from various patterns.

The bear on the left was my first ever little bear made after seeing Gerry's Bears at a craft show in Sydney.

Here are two more. The left one was one we did at Batemans Bay needlework years ago. I think Lisa designed that one too.

I did branch out and make some bigger bears. The two oldies at the back are very odd as they were first attempts. I did think they were lovely at the time and can't bear to get rid of them.

The old trunk that they are sitting on came to Australia with my parents and me many years ago from Austria. Our entire possessions were in this trunk!

Lovely pictures

Thought I would share some of the lovely pictures that hubby took recently with his brand new camera. He has wanted an SLR camera for a while and got one of Christmas (aren't I a good wife...). Here are some of his pictures taken recently nearby. He also took the pictures of the kids in the pool. Mine would have been blurry.

I haven't much to blog as I am still quilting and am busy this week at a Kids club at church, every morning this week. I just might take the camera and show you some of the crafts they are getting up to this week. I have spent too much time reading some early blog entries of some of my favourite blogs. One of my favourites is Attic 24. I love her use of colour and the way she shares her life with all of us. There is new little one in their home now which may keep her busy but her old posts about her home, food, scenery and the children are very special. I feel like I know Lucy well and I have never met her. Blogs are amazing.

New house and fun in the pool

Spent some time over the last few days helping our daughter and her husband tidy their new house ready for tenants. It is such a lovely home and I think they will be very happy there once they move into it in a year or so. So wonderful for them to be purchasing a house now while they are still young.

Had some friends over today for afternoon tea. They have 3 kids and they had a great time in the pool. Pools really are so good for kids this age.

This little fellow had no fear at all! He just loved the water.

Dad was kept very busy throwing them into the air.

I have been quilting my "Your home" quilt and have hand quilted all the little homes and have machine quilted quite a few blocks.

Quilting....and a block stitched

Admitting how many things lie unfinished in my stash the other day, has made me take a some action. I finally basted the "Your Home or mine" quilt. I basted it as I thought I would hand quilt it but after attempting to quilt the centre block I have given up on fully hand quilting it. I don't know if it is the bamboo wadding that I chose or the number of seams on this quilt but it is hard to do.

My knees were sore after basting and this is a smallish quilt.

In the end I have decided to hand quilt the little buildings and then machine quilt around the blocks. The quilting is always the downfall for me. I love the stitching and applique and even the piecing but really like to send my quilts away to be quilted. Very lazy, I know!

I enjoyed stitching block 3 of the Crazy Christmas BOM. If only I liked quilting as much as I love stitching.

Wednesday morning social stitching

It was so nice to catch up with lots of the ladies yesterday at social stitching. It is always a time of chatting and laughter and occasionally stitching. It was good to see what the ladies are working on as well. Paddy has been busy with her beautiful "Leanne's House" quilt by Leanne Beasley. Her fabrics look great.

Jan has been very busy embroidering this lovely woollen blanket. There are so many flowers here as the heart is quite large. Well done, Jan.

Here is a closeup.

Great to have Sue back as school is on holidays. Sue is knitting this wonderful blanket for one of her special grandchildren. The yarn is cotton and is so soft.