I'm back from my trip

Hi everyone! I got back Saturday morning from my holiday and what a change it is coming back to normality from where I've been. The Cook Islands is a beautiful place to visit. Tourism is their number one source of income but it is still in it's early stages, so it's not an overly touristy place to visit. There are a number of places to stay at ranging from budget accommodation to luxury. Their way of life is simple and slow paced, and they are very friendly people.

The weather was beautiful for most of the time we were there, bar a few days at the end when it turned a bit cooler (still warm compared to Melbourne) and there was more rain than the whole time we'd been there. I went with my sister, and we spent five nights in Raratonga (the main island), three nights in Aitutaki (stayed at a resort just off the this island), then back to another resort in Raratonga for six nights. So relaxing, especially in Aitutaki where we stayed at a resort on it's own island. Fewer people there and you virtually had a beach area to yourself.

We didn't get to do everything we wanted, and it's definitely somewhere I'd like to go back again. Here's some pictures of the different places we saw, and I've placed more in an album for you to look at.'

Aitutaki lagoon - aerial view

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Honeymoon Island - taken on a day trip

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Muri lagoon - the last place we stayed at

I'm off to the Cook Islands!

It's late at night and I really should be in bed, but as normal I'm racing around at the last minute trying to get things organised before I head off tomorrow morning. I've probably packed way too many things but I'd rather be prepared than not.

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I'm away for the next two weeks, so I hope you all have fun stitching and I'll look forward to catching up with what you've all been doing when I get back. For those who are going to the Shepherd's Bush retreat later this month, I hope you have a fantastic time, which I know you will. I look forward to reading what you got up to as well.

Happy stitching!

Another I'm looking forward to do

Since I haven't any progress pics to speak of, I thought I would show you a Blackbird Designs chart I have kitted. It's called Beneath The Sunlit Sky. I originally saw this stitched up on Cathy's blog and fell in love with it. The fabric is 30ct Sea Fog by R & R Reproductions. The threads are mainly by GAST, with a combination of Simply Shaker and their normal range. One of the threads is by WDW in Pelican Gray.

I think I'm spoiled for choice when it comes to my stash. I have so many wonderful designs to choose from. And still there's more I want.:) A collector is never satisfied or feels their collection is complete. There's always something new or different to add.

BLACKBIRD DESIGNS - Beneath The Sunlit Sky kitted

Only a week now til I leave for my holiday. I think I've got just about everything needed. I'm now getting down to the finer details of what to pack. This time next Saturday I'll be on the plane. I've only got Monday and Tuesday at work, then I start my leave. At least I'll have three days before heading off, to get things together. It still seems a little like a dream though.

Stacy Nash stash!

OK, OK, so I said I wasn't going to buy any new stash until after I got back from my holiday. Guess what? I couldn't keep to my word. It was a huge ask for me to stick to that promise, and I'm afraid I've succumbed to temptation (and a sale!). How can a girl refuse a 40% off sale? Yes, that's right - 40% off!

I have a variety of tastes and one of them is all things primitive. Through my stitching friend Chrissie, I have become aware of Stacy Nash Primitives. She designs early style cross stitch patterns that can be turned into keepsakes. You can age them to make them look like they were stitched in earlier times. There's so many of her designs I'd like to get, I just love them.

So these are the patterns I got on sale at Village Mountain Stitchery.

1802 Biscornu Pinkeep, Netty's Sampler Pinkeep Drum, and Olde Homestead Sewing Book

Fancy Brown Sewing Pouch, and Emma & Her Pony Sewing Roll & Pincushion

Winter Woolens Cupboard Sampler Pattern, and 1809 Redwork Sewing Book

So now I think I can safely say that I won't buy any new stash until after I get back from my holiday.:))

A special find

Over the weekend I drove to a local town to pick up some things I needed for my holiday. While there I went to a shop that sells homewares/gifts which I like to browse in whenever I get the opportunity. I discovered on this visit a beautiful table lamp which I fell in love with. I didn't have any lamps in my bedroom and have been looking for years to find the right one, at the right price. Now I have found it! I ended up getting two of them for both bedside tables. They have an antique white base and shade with a French look to them. My bedroom is in a shabby chic style, so these lamps suit it well. I'm very happy with them.

It just goes to show, keep looking and eventually you'll find what you're after.