Cape Palliser.

Recently, with friends in town, we visited the lighthouse at Cape Palliser.  It was quite a drive from the city of Wellington, over the Rimutaka range, then out to the coast about 60 klms away. It was a lovely sunny, Spring day with not too much wind. We stopped along the way as we spotted a weekender which obviously had been undermined by a ravaging sea. Where we stopped to photograph on the nearby beach, many household items were washed up & scattered about 100 metres from what was left of the building. The water looked so calm, it was hard to think that the sea had caused such devastation, for a family.


This post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks. Having trouble with blogger, won't let me add  the photos. I haven't also been able to re establish my blog list, for months.

Time To Dismantle the Halloeween Decorations

My  Halloween ornaments have been gracing our foyer for a month. After providing much delight it is now time to pack them away until next October. I've added to the collection this year, with the annual  Halloween ornament exchange,  along with a couple of extra pieces of my liking.

                       I do love the whimsical, the ridiculous & the happy spirit of this celebration.

Comments elsewhere & replies.

Kay I do love your delicate Autumn stitching.Silk always gives such a beautiful look.
Congrats on being able to keep up.I'm a complete failure with
timed finishes
Barb .

Top of Form

Thanks Honeybee, for your comments on my blog. I started with patchwork fabric, then went to my thread collection & found the thread to match almost, which has been in my stash for 10 years + .

Thanks Barb, I didn't get a very good photo of the piece however, it is delicate colours, so difficult to show in it's true hues.
Kay.

Catch up ODW stitching

These are the September & October One day Challenge stitching pieces. I was behind with September & still behind as far as completing as items. September & October were rather busy months.

This is September's, not correct for this part of the world,  however Autumn is my most favourite time of the year in in my home town of Sydney, Australia. This design is stitched on off white 32ct linen, with Steph Francis braided silk, in  pale greens muted to yellows, mauves, lavenders, to pinks & greys. It is a free design from Le Point De Croix. I added the hearts & substituted the word  Autumn, for Fall to fit the design for me along with the fact, that is what I call the season, as an Australian.

The October one is a Halloween freebie from The Primitive Hare, also with a couple of extra, Halloween images of a cat & a bat. I omitted the border.

  I'm thinking that the Halloween one may need to have the border  from the chart added, before it is made into an item.

Generous Mail Delivery.

Can you guess my surprise when I opened a parcel delivered today?

 
To my delight, it was filled with lovely gifts from my Christmas Ornament Exchange partner. The contents revealed not only the exchange ornament, also wonderful surprises.

A very sweet snowman ornament, beautifully stitched & made, with two tiny buttons added to the decoration. A tiny white snowflake & a heart. A treasure to be added to my hand stitched ornament collection.
 

                                                 
                                                       Isn't this just adorable? I just love it.
 

                                   On the back, finished with complementary themed, snowflake fabric.


A lovely Christmas themed hand towel, two beautiful scented soaps, a Raspberry Zinger along with The Great Pumpkin, both making the room smell, delicious. 

A small display pillow ornament, for me to add a cross stitched piece,  a beautiful, handcrafted, Snowman card and a very generous cross stitch gift card.

 

Thank you Mariann for your kindness & generosity.

Christmas Ornament Exchange.

The wonderful organizer of the Christmas Ornament  Exchange, to which I've  belonged for several years, has let me know my parcel has arrived to my partner.  The photo below is of my gift parcel, which included the stitched ornament, another tree ornament  & a block of Salted Caramel Lindt Chocolate.

                                       This is the personalization label for the stitched ornament.

Halloween Ornament has Landed.

                    My ornament to my Halloween Exchange partner has arrived, so the photo is below.
The parcel included Halloween Napkins, which I forgot to photograph, along with a witches hat, thread holder, made by my very dear Husband. I'm pleased to say, Jeri loved all three items, here is what she wrote.

Hi Kay,

I was speechless when the mailman came just now.  I absolutely love your gifts.  I'm starting a new Halloween ornament so certainly be using the thread holder.  The napkins will be used as decoration only - too pretty to use.  Not only is the ornament gorgeous, but also personalized.  What a wonderful finishing touch!!  Your stitched items are all above the ordinary and serve as examples to the rest of us.  

Thank you, thank you.

Jeri

2015 Halloween Ornament Exchange, Received.

Imagine how delighted I was to receive my Halloween exchange mail yesterday afternoon. I have been sent two ornaments stitched by my exchange partner Jeri, for this year. First was a witch dressed in brilliant Halloween colours with a special brass, star decoration, on her hat.

Next was a perfect heart shape with ghost, Jack o lantern & a black cat. The decoration for this one was a brass pumpkin, with a very pretty beaded hanger..

                                        Jeri also sent me a special Halloween message on a card.

 I'm very grateful Jeri, for these beautifully stitched, treasured  ornaments, to add to my Halloween ornament collection. Thank you.

Another Arrival.

I've news tonight that the third gift arrived safely. It seems the gift was the perfect colouring & very much appreciated, by my very dear friend. Enjoy.

The accompanying wee rack.

Here is what my friend wrote,

Dear Kay,

, I was just so touched by the beautiful quilt you made me.  I remembered the colours were lemon/yellow and pinks when you showed me the quilt at Margaret and Ken's and I really loved them.  Kay, so generous of you to use your time to make that for me and the beautiful embroidery such a beautiful finish.

Just on your Sublime Pastimes and my quilt and stand looked beautiful.  Mine is also where I can see it everyday.  Am so thrilled every time I look at it.

You made the glasses case look so good.  You are so neat with the binding.

Love to you both.

Marg.xxx