OPAM 2011...and I can't keep away from the beach!!!

I wasn't going to...but I did!!!

I have joined OPAM (One Project A Month) 2011 again for this year...

hosted by Peg and Kris...

First project is this little coffee pot warmer from Homespun magazine...

I ended up changing the centre button...

and love this little warmer...it gets used every day!!!

I ended up putting some woolen wadding in it and it keeps the coffee warm for ages!!!

I saw this lovely little kit at my local patchwork shop Steph's and immediately bought it...

and quickly made up the kit...

Thinking it looked like it needed something I added these little red velvety baubles...I totally believe in 'more is more' LOL!!!

I then went on to make another 3...2 in the blue and 2 in softer colours!!!

With the weather here now just how I like it...

I can't keep away from the beach!!!

Back soon...Dzintra



A Cheesecake...Gifts...A Coffee Warmer...an Exhibition, a New Play and a Giveaway!!!

Over the Christmas break I made this wonderful scrummy Layered Tahitian Lime Cheescake (gluten free)...

I don't very often get to have cheesecake generally due to the bases not being gluten free...so this one was extra special!!!

Recipe was found in this book Irresistibles for the Irritable by Sue Shepherd

Thanks so much Sue...this was a real hit with my family!!!  I'm sure I'll be making this beauty again!!!

This gift was received from my dear friend Nat who will in the not too distant future be living in our area...

The box in the background was for JoJo...a box of chocolates!!!

This lovely green box with an Eiffel Tower on it!!!

Check out these commemorative scissors...Limited Edition and shaped like the Eiffel Tower...how cool is that!!!

And behind them a little notebook with exquisite pink blossoms on the cover...

Thank you so much dear Nat...I'm still admiring them!!!

Also received all the way from Latvia from my Cousin Dagnija these little gingerbread treats and mini meringues...

Thank you so much Dagnija...Daudz paldies Dagnija!!!

Couldn't resist taking a pic of the Latvian language on the back of the biscuits!!!

In a previous post I showed a pic of a coffee warmer that I was looking at making for our Coffee Plunger...

above are some fabrics I already had in my little scrappy box from left over projects...

I used this little Elephant Pin Cushion made by Thimbelina that I received in a 6 Item Christmas Swap hosted by Maree...

After a few hours work all finished!!!

The inside...

I didn't do the strip of stitchery that was on the pattern nor the applique as I wanted something quick to do...but I did put some buttons on it!!!

And all finished...and I'm pleased with my Coffee Pot Warmer!!!

The Ballets Russes Exhibition...The Art of Costume is presently on in Canberra... with magnificent costumes by artists Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse amongs others...and I've been invited by a friend to visit it!!!

Last night I went to my first ever Play Reading at our local amateur theatre...

The play, a musical comedy is Dinkum Assorted by Linda Aronson...

Set in winter 1942 when 2000 American airmen are stationed near the small town of Warrabadanga, fifteen female workers battle to keep the biscuits baking...

After having so much fun in Cabaret with a non speaking part I might get brave and go for a small part...auditions are on next week and I'm thinking about it!!!

~~~

Meanwhile...Fiona who runs our Needlework Group is having her 2 year Blogaversary and is celebrating with a giveaway...so hop on over and enter if you get a chance!!!  Good Luck...Dzintra

Appeal For Sewing Kits For Queensland's Flood Victims...

As has been over the news the last days our gorgeous Sunshine State of Queensland is a disaster area with many towns flooded and cut off...lives taken...people missing...houses submerged...

The gals over at Gum Tree Designers have put out an appeal called 'New Beginnings' for Sewing Kits to be distributed to various Sewing Groups around the areas...

Sewing Kits called for are basic...

• a sewing caddy - hand made with needlebook and pincushion
• scissors with keep
• 6 embroidery threads
• needles
• a fat quarter

I will be putting together a kit similar to this one and sending it on...

I'm sure any donation will be gratefully accepted so that the crafters can have some stitching to do when they are ready as no doubt all their supplies of their beloved hobby will have been destroyed...

For more information about this appeal visit The Gum Tree Designers over here...

Kits will be put together on 1st February ready to distribute...

Image source -

Pic taken in Ipswich a city of 160,000...

My Heart and Prayers are with you all in Queensland...God Bless

Everyday is a New Beginning...Welcome 2011!!!

Welcome to 2011!!!

Let's hope this is a wonderful year...full of Love, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity for everyone...

I received this dear little cushion off my dear Sister...how apt I thought...

D R E A M!!!

We celebrated the New Year with my Brother and Sister...at midnight we said Cheers with pink bubbly and watched the spectacular fireworks on Sydney Harbour...

I thought I'd take some pics off the tele and I am more than pleased how they turned out...Aren't they terrific!!!

I can honestly say Sydney Harbour just looked spectacular this New Year!!!

Coming back home I thought I might think about projects to start off the New Year...mind you, I'm still thinking...the beach keeps calling LOL!!!

We all receive 'homework' from my Needlework Group run by Fiona...

Our project this year is a stitchery (we all receive a different one)...this time Shabby Roses by Jenny of Elefantz

The stitcheries will all be put together and a quilt made up from them which shall then be raffled towards the end of the year!!!

This one should be beautiful!!!

Thank you so much Fiona for all the hard work you do for our Group!!!

Then from the Homespun magazine a few issues back I fell in love with this coffee warmer and am putting together some fabrics for it...if the beach doesn't distract me too much!!!

I am determined to finish this cross stitch off too...

Last time I touched it was 2005!!!

And I really only have the right hand side of the house and The Auction sign  to finish off!!!

That should keep me out of trouble for a while!!!

Our wealth lies not in what we have but in what we enjoy...Anonymous

Happy New Year...and let's enjoy every moment!!!