I'm learning to sew....and quilt

 

Today I started my very first sewing class.

 

I was excited and so very nervous.

 

Like most, I took sewing subjects at school and that is where it ended.  I have my sisters very old sewing machine, which for sentimental reasons I have never been able to part with or upgrade.  I had it serviced a while back but has since stayed put in its bag.

 

I just never knew how to get going.  Luckily for me we have More than Fabric here in our town, some of you may know the wonderful mother and daughter team who run this amazing fabric filled patchwork and quilting store.  These ladies are not only running this beautiful store but are creating a creative community here.  On my visits there are always ladies popping in with various craft projects, who stop by for a chat, tea and some making.

 

I had been chatting with Fiona about quilting and how I had always wanted to start but lacked the confidence.  When it comes to sewing, I  am an absolute beginner.  So I signed myself up for some classes.

 

And that's where I was today, bliss.  And I go back again next Wednesday.

 

I dropped the kids at Em's this morning and then hot footed it to the shop along with my machine and butterflies in my stomach.

 

Time flew.  We chatted lots, I asked loads of questions.  We drank tea.  Cut fabric and got to finally set up my machine and sew.......after Fiona showed me how to thread my machine - I had forgotten.  And change my needle.

 

I'm not only learning new sewing skills but am at the beginning of a quilting journey.  See the square above..........I did that!  My old machine and I.

 

Today was just the boost I needed.  A good nudge in the right direction.  The above square will be added to and made into a placemat sized mat (perfect to sit under my machine).  It will incorporate the start and sound basics of quilting.  I will get to practice measuring, and cutting, pinning, stitching and binding.

 

My hope is to one day make a quilt from my many FQ's of retro and vintage sheets that I have been collecting.  And then go onto make quilts for Bell and my boys.

 

I can't wait to go back next week.  I will take a few more photos next time (row after row of material ladies....heaven) I was just so absorbed in what I was learning today that I only remembered towards the end.  I can sew a straight line.......there is no stopping me now.

 

What are you learning at the moment.  Have you started a new skill?  What made you decide to take the plunge?

 

Any sewing or quilting advice, hints or tips?

 

 

The travelling linen stash

 

 

Calling all lovers of retro and vintage linen!

 

Come join me for The Travelling Linen Stash!

 

Do you have any retro or vintage tea towels, pillowcases, sheets, aprons,  doilies, tablecloths or serviettes etc that you would love to swap for other retro or vintage items???

 

Excited?  I thought you would be, me too!

 

So here is how it will work:

 

*Email me your name and address details to alittlebitcountrynz (at) gmail (dot) com

by Monday, October 21st.

 

*I will put my stash of linen that I am keen to swap into a travelling box and post it off to the first name on the list.

 

*For every item you remove from the box you will need to replace it with something.

 

*All items need to be clean.  And of course stain and hole free.  As with a lot of retro and vintage items there are sometimes age spots etc.  Some people don't mind this.  Just make sure you pin a note to your item so future swappers are aware.

 

*You need to be happy about paying the outgoing postage to the next person.  I will compile the recipient list so the next person to receive the Stash is as near to you as possible.

 

*Open to all New Zealand and Australian residents BUT if you are anywhere else in the world, please register your interest and if there are other keen swappers near you I will be happy to post The Travelling Linen Stash to you too.

 

Are you going to join me?  If you have any questions, email me or pop your question in the comments section below.

 

Share this on your blog or other Social Media - the more the merrier!

 

This is the first time I have put together a swap so let me know if I have missed anything out.

 

So start hunting out your retro and vintage linens!

 

 

 

40/52

 

 

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."
 

Bell - a lover of fashion.  New leggings and her very favourite converse shoes.  Bell spends ages in the morning getting dressed, carefully picking out the days outfit (or 3).
Tom - down at the beach.  Playing amongst the mountains of driftwood.  2 more weeks and it will all be cleaned up in time for the summer season and the start of the regions food and wine festivals.

George - rock pooling and running in and out of the water.  He is loving the warmer weather.  Feels like summer is here in our part of the world.

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

 

 

 

 

Good things

The boys Tiny Eyes dolls arrived this week.  Here is a good peek at them.  They will be wrapped up and tucked away for Christmas, although I nearly caved and did consider handing them over today.  You can see my doll in this post.  That Dee is so very clever!

I have really enjoyed the first week of the school holidays.  We have spent a lot of time with my nieces.  They are all very close in age and get along so well, I love watching them altogether.  When I take them all out, you can see people wondering if they are all mine.  I even get asked.  They look so similar, so I can see why.

Kimberley from Creative Chaos sent me these goodies.  There are some amazingly generous people out there in blog land.  Thanks so much Kimberley!  I also received Kimberley's Travelling Stationery box. I'm going to go through it this weekend and then send it on it's way.  I planning on putting together a Travelling Linen stash box.  Anyone keen on swapping their retro and vintage linens?

Loving late afternoon sunlight in the kitchen.  Captured this on the cupboard doors - complete with my fingerprint on the lens.

I'm Blue - not me.  The paint.  Held out an array of colour choices for Bell and Tom and they both picked the same colour.  After the mini flood in Bell's "Teen Retreat" we are now going to use that space as a Rumpus Room.  So we are having another room change around and painting at the same time.  The above photos are of Bell's room.  Such a pretty colour and it looks great against the Rimu wood trim.  We are painting the boys room this weekend.  Can't wait till it is all finished and everyone is back where they should be.  The house is a bomb at the moment.  Stuff everywhere.

 

Ah yes, more gardening photos.  I have spent as much time as I can this week, weeding, clearing and planting.  Finally gave my vege garden some attention.  I have stepping pavers to put down and some type of low fencing to keep animals and small children from walking through it.

 

I drive past this orchard most days and this week I made a point of pulling over and taking a photo.  I love how everything is all neatly lined up and with the blossoms out it just looks so stunning.  Could you imagine how amazing Wedding photos would look if taken here?

Got anything great planned for the weekend?

 

Have a fun and relaxing one!

"I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is."

Joining in here and for the first time here with Em.

 

All that is beautiful and a link magazine

 "Inspiration, food for thought, controversial, cheer, food, recipes, fashion, style, home wares, everyday life, stories, fun, tears, pain, raw, real, laughter, advice and tips, beauty and more..."
 

 

A few days ago Elizabeth from the blog All that is beautiful let me know that my post Kids live here had been included in the October issue of The Beast which is a very cool link magazine.

Each month Elizabeth pulls together a selection of posts from blogging land and beyond and shows them off in a Link Style magazine.

I'm chuffed to be included, I'm featured with some pretty awesome company.  So take a look and enjoy!  There is a lot of great, inspiring and fun reads.  It may just lead you to a wonderful blog you haven't yet discovered.

Take a good peek around All that is beautiful too.  Elizabeth in one very beautiful lady who I think makes for a pretty amazing role model for women everywhere and that needs to be celebrated don't you think?!  So thank you Elizabeth xo

 

Click here to view Octobers issue of The Beast - a link magazine.

 

 

 

To the coast

 

 

 

 This is what it's all about!

 

Early today along with my SNL Em, our kids and a friend of Bell's, we packed up our cars with towels, sunscreen and enough food to feed an army and did a very short roadie up the coast..........only about 15 minutes from town.

 

This is the East Coast of NZ.  Even on a warm sunny spring day (or indeed during summer)  you can be the only ones on "your own" stretch of beach.

 

We had such a great time.  Splodging in the water, sandcastle making, rock pooling and eating, lots of eating.  I love a picnic.

 

We headed home in the afternoon, kids sandy and tired but excited and happy.

 

We plan on doing it again very very soon...........

 

 

School holidays are here

We are into the first week of school holidays here in New Zealand.  A two week break before the final term of the year.  Term four!  I can't believe how quickly it has come around.

 

It will be busy.  Swimming lessons will start again for us, and Bell has put her name down for a second dance class.  And the countdown to Christmas and the all important summer holidays.

 

For now though we are enjoying our break.  We had a slow school holiday last term but this time we plan on keeping busy with days out, catching up with friends and spending as much time outside as possible.

 

After dropping Bell and a friend in town to go to the movies today, the boys and I visited the Botanic Gardens.  While they ran about I checked out the gardens.  Everything is looking so lush and green.  My thumbs, I think, are starting to turn green.  Dare I say it!

 

After a quick lunch in town, we headed back home for some time in the garden before driving back in again to pick up two very giggly girls and returning back home again.  I can not believe how much they can TALK, constantly.  I wonder if I was like that?

 

 Are you on school holidays where you are?  What are your plans?  What keeps your children occupied and happy?

 

P.S. Bell and Tom were fighting about an hour into the start of the school holidays.  Combine this with the house being turned upside down due to Mr H and I painting the rooms.  Why I decided to start in the school holidays, I will never know?!