Birthday Pressies...

Our eldest daughter had a birthday on Friday so I did a little sewing for her...

She is a lawyer for a firm in Midland and last week we had a cuppa with her while we waited to go to Hubby's dental appointment... she has a very nice tea cup that she uses but no mug rug for her desk... so whats a sewing Mum to do

 but make her a signature muggie of her own 

(the girl she shares and office with is very jealous)

 using Michelle's letter patterns

plus I made her a little wristlet bag

 this was the trial one and a trial one it is and mine

as the lining was sewn back to front on one side... plus I do not enjoy sewing zips!

 this is a dog we found yesterday morning trotting along the side of the road...

we stopped and enticed her with a bit of water and then she happily got into our car...

she was very hot and exhausted...

once home I printed up some posters and went for a drive to put them up...

we also put it on the Perth facebook page for lost and found animals... 

there was lots of response and we found her family and she was reunited last night.

apparently she got a fright from some guns being shot in the area, her owners are away for the weekend and the in-laws found she was missing... her owners friends saw the facebook write up after they had put a photo on there of her... she was very happy to see some one she knew last night...

beautifully natured dog.

A Finish...

I am with another group of ladies that are made up of mainly Aussies and a few Canadians...

over the last few years we have been doing a swap called Block Lotto...

were a theme or colour is nominated by a winner we all make six blocks each 

and

 a winner is pulled out of the hat so to speak...

I have been lucky enough to win a few of these rounds...

one theme was "orange and grey" and I did win that round

 I had the top made and sandwiched before we moved

and I just ran out of time...

 so it was packed up along with everything else

and it has been sitting out on a box for weeks now...

so I spent the last two days quilting it in the ditch and binding it.

Thank you ladies for my winnings...

now what to make with my other winnings?

Block Swaps...

This week I finished up my last blocks with this group here

 I cut enough strips and ended up with two blocks for my partner

 and still had a few left over so I made a mug rug

and this will be put away to use for a pressie.

A Little Visitor...

This weekend in Perth was very hot... 

not unusual heat for Hubby and I 

as we came from a place that has an average of 45 most of January and February...

and because we now have air conditioning we had the little family come and stay

plus we have the pool... both got used very well over the weekend...

 and since Christmas

 I have learnt to sit up by myself...

 All the feed around the block has dried off 

so we are now feeding the pets

 Little Man wanted to help Lucy eat her hay

 and decided

 he might like to try some too

 and have a ride on Lucy...

 I have finished the top of Little Man's quilt

 the backing is washed just needs ironing

 and now to decide on the quilting...

There have been awful fires not far from us but far enough away not to effect us

50 homes have been lost...

On Sunday by 10 am it was 41 and the wind was up 

I did say to Hubby there will be a fire today...

either start by someone or just start by nature

sadly I was right...

Books And Flowers...

Just before Christmas I had a little spend up on some craft books via Booktopia...

I don't buy many craft books as I usually have a few magazines that I subscribe to but since moving closer to the city I am able to choose which magazines I want to buy... 

so now I don't have many laying around the house...

 I had seen some of these books around blog land 

and 

I liked them so why not have a little spend up.

So many different blocks in this one and all the instructions for making them in different sizes

 for some ideas

 and this one I truly love

 these two I purchased for an online swap group

 seeing the weather is so different down here compared to living in the outback/bush and having temps of around 44 most days in the summer

I would never of had these beauties at this time of the year..

 there are two of these out the front of the house

but..............

the 28 parrot (common name) keep nipping the buds off!!!!

and just after I took this photo when I went to turn on the sprinklers.....

there were buds on the ground AGAIN.... buggers...

and this one is so pretty

these roses had never been pruned so Hubby had a big job with them 

when we first moved in...

So Much To Show...

The computer broke down so I wasn't able to post anything and I have quite a few photos of before Christmas and during and after...

Now that the patio was up it was time for the flooring...

getting ready

 the first load

 all down and drying off...

no furniture yet but we could walk on it...

 sealed and in use

 everyone including the dogs enjoying the shade...

 for the first time in 34 years I have a tree in my window that can be seen by people driving by

I know what your thinking but this is a new experience for us... hahaha

 we had a Christmas Elf...

 trying to keep him happy 

 and sitting

 as I haven't quite mastered sitting by myself yet

 but I did manage...

 my six item swap partner Shez spoilt me once again with my 

''something under the tree'' parcel...

just gorgeous Shez and you are so generous ( notice the colours)

 my daughter and sil included this tea towel in my parcel from them...

it is far to nice to use as a tea towel and have been wondering what I could use it for?

any ideas?

 we and the 'Christmas Elf" hope you all had 

a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year