Merry Christmas!

Wishing all my loyal followers a very Merry Christmas for 2013.   May you have a lovely time with family and friends.  I hope 2014 brings peace and happiness to everyone.  Take care and happy holidays!  

He Put A Ring On It!

Yes, I'm engaged!!!  Today, two weeks ago, at 46 years of age, I became engaged for the first time in my life.  I have finally found the man I'm going to marry.  We've been going out for nearly three years and I knew an engagement was coming, but I didn't know when.  So it was a surprise when the question was actually asked.

My engagement ring

My now fiance, took me away for the weekend to Daylesford in country Victoria.  We stayed at a very nice hotel overnight then went to a lovely restaurant for a Sunday lunch.  This is where the proposal took place. One the grounds, near a lake, at a place called The Lake House Restaurant.  A French inspired restaurant which is absolutely beautiful. Furnishings, atmosphere, and setting, all made it exquisite.   I would have to say it is the most gorgeous and one of the loveliest restaurants I have ever been to.  Having a special occasion to celebrate perhaps made it even more so, but it was still such a special place to be taken to.

Our room at Frangos & Frangos, Daylesford

The Lake House Restaurant in the distance

We had French champagne to start our lunch off (and to celebrate our engagement), an entree of assorted meats, then a delicious main meal which included kangaroo.  Soft cushions to rest against for the ladies when you sat down, were supplied.  The very best service I have come across in a restaurant, and just a delight to experience.

We don't plan to marry for a couple of years and are still tossing over ideas for the wedding.  It won't be a large nor formal occasion. Something more intimate and meaningful for both of us.  No date as yet either.

My stitching is still on hiatus but when I have more spare time in the future, I will pick that needle up again and put thread to fabric.

Just wanted to keep any of my followers who are still hanging in there and following my blog, up to date with what's happening in my life.  It's nice to share some good news I think.  Lots of happiness to all my readers, and thank you for dropping by.

I'm Still Here!

Hi all, just thought I'd touch base to let you know that I am still alive and well. My life is still quite busy and unfortunately no stitching is getting done. I haven't even purchased any needlework for a very long time.

My love life is blossoming though and have been with my boyfriend for over two years now. He's amazing and such a wonderful person.

Since I don't have any stitching to show, I thought I would show you my adorable cats. They are both well and are great company for each other.

Charlotte ~ 6 years old

Sophie ~ 12 years old

I'm not sure when I will post again but I wish everyone lots of happiness and good health. One day I will get back to my stitching and I plan to share my journey with you all again. Til then, please enjoy your own stitching and sharing it amongst one another.

The happiest of stitching to all!

Wow! A Year Has Passed

Hi all, I bet you have been wondering where I've been? Sorry for the terribly looooong absence but I do have an excuse. I've been struck by the love bug. Yes, I have found myself a wonderful man whom I've been seeing for the past year. Things are going extremely well and he treats me like a princess. The only down side to it is that my stitching has well and truly been put on hold. I have no time for that and many other things. We see as much as we can of each other, without being obsessive. He's truly one in a million and I am lucky to have found him.

I rarely get the chance to have a look at peoples' blogs so please forgive me for neglecting this area. A few of you have emailed me asking if I was ok. Thank you so much for contacting and showing your concern.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are planning an exciting New Year ahead.

In August this year I travelled to Eastern Canada/USA for a few weeks with a friend. We did a two week bus tour seeing New York, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Boston, and ending back in New York. I absolutely loved NY!!! Wasn't there long enough to do everything I would have liked, so it's a destination I would want to go back again one day. Pennsylvania was also a favourite. I was so interested in the Amish way of life. We stopped off at a town called Intercourse (yes, you read right) where there was a shopping village. I was totally in my element. Craft, country, and gift shops galore. Fantastic!

When I arrived in Quebec, there was a red rose waiting for me in my room. My boyfriend had sent it. Very romantic - he was missing me terribly. I took that rose with me all the way from Quebec, Boston, New York, then on the plane over to Los Angeles. My friend and I spent four nights at the end of the trip in the Hollywood Hills. A day each of Disneyland (needed at least 2 or 3 days there), tour of LA, and Universal Studios.

Loved the trip overall but it's a long flight from Australia to Los Angeles. At least 14 hours and very uncomfortable in economy class. I'm still sorting out photos (I took over 4000 of them) but will hopefully show you some one day.

I just wanted to update my blog and to let you know that all is well with me. Sorry I have no stitching photos to share. I hope everyone has been keeping busy with their craft and are creating some wonderful heirlooms for the future.

Happy New Year and thanks for dropping by!

Happy New Year! ~ 2010 In Review

I hope you all had a wonderful Xmas filled with special moments of family and dear friends near by. Mine was with family, catching up, spent mostly outdoors since it was a lovely mild day.

The New Year has arrived in Australia and I shared the occasion with my sister, celebrating. We were both going to be on our own (which doesn't bother me) but decided to share the festivities together. A little bubbly and nibbles to help us enjoy the lead up to the New Year. We were going to watch When Harry Met Sally on dvd but it wasn't working properly, so watched the tv instead. I love watching this movie around New Year so it was a little disappointing we couldn't.

I thought I'd show you a collage of my year's work for 2010. Unfortunately I didn't get as much done during this year. My stitching mojo just seemed to vanish. Don't know how 2011 will go since I have other things going on at the moment (which I may tell you about at a later date). In all, I managed to get five projects completed.

EWE EYE & FRIENDS - Angel In Your Heart

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Buzz Buzz Bee

WITH THY NEEDLE & THREAD - Be Kind & Be True

BLACKBIRD DESIGNS - Summer Iris

NOTFORGOTTEN FARM - Ah, 'Tis Spring

My favourite for the year would have to have been Be Kind & Be True. I did this one as a SAL with Melissa earlier in the year. I loved working on it and it was fun knowing Melissa was sharing the enjoyment of stitching this along with me.

Thank you all for stopping by during the past year, I know I've been a bit quiet over the months. Be assured I'm still thinking of you all and enjoy seeing what everyone's creating. You're all so very talented out there:)

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ 2011!!!

A Little Pre-Xmas Stash

I ordered some stash over the last two months and it's only just arrived recently. The first lot was from Stitching Bits and Bobs. This I ordered early October and because one chart had to be ordered from the supplier, they hold back your entire order. This can be a bit frustrating, along with my priority package taking three weeks to get here! Anyway, the main thing is I have finally received it safely. I ordered some Victoria Sampler charts for Mum as part of her Xmas present. Another one of theirs she wanted to buy as she already had the accessory pack. This, I think, was the chart I was waiting on (Heirloom Nativity Sampler). These charts aren't in the photo.

Stash from top left clockwise: Plum Street Samplers - Hares' Christmas, LHN - The Family Sampler, Sarah Street ~ Faithfulness, Pumpkin Hollow Farms, BBD - Honeysuckle Manor book, and Farm House.

The next lot I got from The Rocking Horse. All Shepherds Bush kits.

Our Hearts Pin Cushion, My Land, Liberty Scissor Fob, The Journey, Lucky Sheep, Liberty Pin Cushion, My Pins, and Blue Snowman.

All lovely kits with beautiful supplies included. You probably won't see me stitching them soon, but one day I'll get to them.

Well, I've calmed down a bit since Oprah has left the country. I wasn't one of the lucky ones to actually see her show being taped in Sydney, since I would have had to have taken about three days off work. December isn't a good time to do this since it's our busiest time of year - no one is allowed to have any annual leave for all of December where I work. Plus you had to go into a lottery style draw just to get tickets! Knowing my luck, I wouldn't have got any. So I just kept up to date with all the news on the TV. Those at the first show's taping were given a necklace that you can actually buy yourself. Worth $AU450, it's not cheap, but it's certainly lovely. An Australian pearl hanging within a silver 'O'. Only available for a limited time, you can buy it from Kailis Jewellers Australia online. I'd love to buy one myself, but it's a bit too expensive for my budget.

So I hope everyone's gearing up for Xmas and are all organised. I've purchased all the presents I needed to get and tonight I'm going to sit in front of the TV and watch Carols In The Domain (live from Sydney), while wrapping my presents. It's a little tradition I've started and gets me in the festive mood.

Oprah Day

The day finally arrived. Named by the media, Oprah Day, saw the culmination of a year's preparation being displayed with two Oprah shows taped today at the Sydney 'Oprah' House. There will be four shows in all to be seen in January (around the 19th) in the US and here in Australia the day after.

The audience went wild and there was even an accident with guest Hugh Jackman arriving on stage. Don't worry though, he's alright. They may not show the actual incident when it goes to air but he flew on to stage via a flying fox, pulled the breaks too late, and ended up crashing into the back of the stage. Apart from a bruised, cut eye, he's still his perfect self. Oprah went ahead and interviewed him, as the show must go on.

She flies out of Australia tomorrow and our country can settle down a little and get back to some normality. What an exciting time it's been, for us here in OZ! THANKS OPRAH!!!

Oprah Soaks Up Sydney

It's the day before Oprah's big show/s in Sydney. Monday, and she set sail with Russell Crowe out on Sydney Harbour. A perfect day weatherwise for her to experience it.



Tomorrow is the taping of her show. Lots of Australian guests will appear, but with Bon Jovi in Australia as well at the moment, will they drop by to visit? Yes, they will! Bit of a fan of Bon Jovi (especially Jon Bon Jovi - is he hot or what?). Here's details of who will be on her show.

Oprah in Sydney Australia 2010

Day two in Sydney for Oprah and she started off with a climb of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. She wasn't so enthusiastic to start with, since I believe she's afraid of heights, but was happy she did the climb. Then she went on to Bondi for lunch at Icebergs Restaurant. (Watch out for a glimpse of Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and their daughter Sunday Rose arriving in Australia, in the video. Nicole and Keith are among the guests to appear on Oprah's show being taped this Tuesday.)



Are you getting sick of these updates? Hope not. Only a few more to go...

Oprah Arrives in Sydney

Another day of Oprah in Australia. Here's what she got up to in the last 24 hours.