New Zealand

We returned on Wednesday from our lovely cruise. It was so relaxing and we were so lucky with the calm seas and the weather. I did some stitching and crochet, read books and just had a relaxing time. Our first port was Auckland. We caught the local bus and checked out the Mt Eden crater and the great views.

Our second port was Mt Manganui and Taurunga. We hired a car and headed out to Te Aroha. Lovely scenery on the drive out and then we wandered around the town as this is where Bruce's grandfather was born. It was a gold rush town for a while and then became a spa town due to the hot springs.

In Wellington we hired a car again and headed to the Wairapa. Amazing scenery on the windy road!

 After we returned the car we walked over to the Te Papa museum. This Anzac display was so moving. These statues are twice the size of a normal person and they are real people that fought in the war. Absolutely amazing.

We also went to see the terracotta warriers (only 9 of them) but well worth the visit! 

Will continue with Akaroa next time.

A quilt and some stitching...

After Christmas, my daughter Lyndal and I made a quilt for my other daughter Amy. I must admit to doing less on this quilt than Lyndal but we still shared most of the jobs. It was for Amy's birthday and to replace her wedding quilt which is almost worn out as it has been used so often.

I have continued to keep up with the Stitch Therapy 365 quilt. These are fun to stitch.

 I also managed to finish my map of the UK and then put together block 8 of Here, There and Everwhere.

I will probably be unable to post over the next week as we are heading away on a cruise. From tomorrow our home will be on this ship! Can't wait! We are looking forward to being a little cooler as it has been so hot recently.

Stitching and blog book...

It was so  lovely to receive my 2018 blog book last week. It is so nice to flick through the pages and remember the year of family, holidays and stitching

 My main stitching has been keeping up with Stitch Therapy 365. I am enjoying this daily stitching very much.

 Here are a few of the stitcheries together in the top left hand corner.

Other than that, I have been working on my map for Here, There and Everywhere. The ocean takes so long to stitch. Should be done by my next post!

Holiday stitching

Even though I am not away on holidays, there are less things on so there is a bit more time for stitching. I am enjoying the daily stitching on Stitch Therapy 365. Here are my last few blocks.

I have also been working on Here, There and Everywhere too. Just need to make the map for this block.

 My other project has been to work on this stitchery. Lots of fun stitching on this one. It is one of the Artists Series from Thread Folk.

 This cross stitch became a decoration after Christmas.....ready for next Christmas.

 I also received this lovely gift from Paddy. Thank you so much for my gorgeous decorations and the delicious fruit.

 We had stitching on Wednesday so it was lovely to catch up with everyone again. Lynne came in to show us this amazing cross stitch!

 Roni has also made this delightful decoration!

I finally put the decorations away. I do love them but putting them up and away are big jobs!