This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

~OPAM December~ One Project A Month


My last 2 OPAM's for the year


Connor's Storybook Quilt......front


and back.


Some owl fabric with markings on for an apron that JoJo saw last year and loved


Nice'n easy........just cut out and follow instructions


I added some bias binding to top, bottom and sides and did a fancy stitch along the bib and the hem


And here's the model herself showing off her apron!!!


And loving it!!!

Thank you Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM for another year
It's been great and still motivates me!!!



******************

It's been a wonderful year for me with my unforgettable trip to Paris and Latvija
Thank you so much to my very generous Son for this
I have loved every minute of it!!!

I'm thinking I might start up another blog solely for the trip as there are so many fabulous photos.
I just didn't get to blogging this trip much at all.......only twice

And so to 2016
how quickly are the years flying by!!!
I wish you all a very Happy and Safe New Year
with Good Health, lots of laughter and Happy Times!!!

Thank you for all your visits and comments throughout the year
It's been such a joy receiving them and makes blogging a really lovely experience
To you all I say

HAPPY NEW YEAR

love Dzintra xo


Thursday, December 24, 2015

~Christmas 2015~



Thought I would open up this post with a pic of JoJo's cakes that Mr Armchair helped her make last week
Top left (the green one) is a Christmas Tree
Under that (the red one) is a Christmas stocking
and bottom right one of my Instagram friends spotted a blue sewing machine!!!!
In the centre I can see a red coffee percolator.

Here it is Christmas Eve 2015
Wherever did 2015 go........the years just seem to be flying by
We have just had an overnight visit from our Son
Our 2nd Daughter is here at the moment with her 2 children/our grandchildren
Spirits are high and all is well in our World


JoJo decorated the tree and this is the result
She spent such a long time at it and I just filled in the gaps
Well done JoJo


My Fruit and Nut Cake ready to go in to the oven


And my latest favourite collector item.........little reindeer, how cute are they!!!

(My internet/computer time is getting less and less as I am still plagued with these headaches.  Thank you everyone for your visits and lovely comments throughout the year.....You are all the best!)

If I don't get around to seeing everybody I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Joyous and Prosperous New Year
Have a beautiful Christmas Day with your Loved Ones

Dzintra xo

Sunday, December 20, 2015

~Connor's Storybook for Dad~



A little Quilt all rolled up and made for one special little boy


My Great Nephew Connor James who lost his Dad tragically last month


I had a Charm Pack........fabric.......Fat 1/4's of the fabric Storybook which I absolutely love



Even had a Jelly Roll which I used for Sashing and Binding

Part of what drew me to this fabric was the Castle and the colour



I even had a Pattern by paula storm designs all ready to go



This little quilt came together quickly
In all 12 days.......an all time record for me



Quilt top


Binding



and ta da modelled the Quilt in our front garden before driving 5 hours to hand it over to Connor


Front


Back

I used the pic of Scott and Connor and Mr Armchair photocopied it on to the special fabric for me and then stitched it on to the back of the quilt
I wasn't sure about this pic to start with but then thought it's for Connor and he might just like to snuggle up with it.
 I'm still modelling




Well blow me down I don't see Connor regularly but when we unravelled the quilt he reached out for it.......he was even reaching out for it when it was all tied up
Seem just like he knew it was for him
Just beautiful to see



Here I am with my Niece Elise and Connor



Connor goes all shy but he was happy to have a pic with me on this occasion



Elise was so happy and she straight away shared it on Facebook.
I loved making this for you Connor and Elise
 A special quilt to remember Daddy by.

Fabric..........Storybook by Kate and Birdie for Moda
Jelly Roll Basics
Size.......approximately 44" square
Thread.......Gutterman for piecing
Mettler Quilting thread Natural 4 for In The Ditch and Cross Hatch
Aurifil 1148 for Aqua bits


Since this quilt I have barely touched needle and thread
Christmas preparations with JoJo  are keeping us busy
plus I haven't been able to spend too much time at the computer due to 'fuzzy eyes' and headaches/migraine from it but I do get around to most blogs to see what they've been up to.
Unfortunately though I haven't been commenting too much either.

Wishing everyone a lovely week prior to Christmas though I know it can get a bit hectic!

Love, Dzintra 

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

OPAM (One Project A Month) November 2015



4 items for OPAM this time for me
Above is a book/pattern bag and Stitches I Sew Needle Case.
Needle case Pattern by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched for Tilda


Front of Needlecase


Inside.......this needle case was part of a gift for Sweet Peg in the Birthday Club I am in hosted by Chez


I filled this little case with some sewing goodies for Peg




All stitched up......the back view


I also made another 2 book bags......these are soooo handy!!!

Thank you once again Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again this year!!!




Wednesday, November 18, 2015

~Vale......Scott~


Oh dear another sad event
My Nieces Partner Scott's life tragically ended on 8th November
He leaves behind his beloved Son Connor and my Niece Elise

My Heart goes out to you

~Rest in Peace Scott~

Saturday, November 14, 2015

~Pray for Paris~




Like the rest of the World I awoke to the shocking news about the tragic attacks on Paris 
To think I was just there 8 short weeks ago

'Darkness cannot drive out darkness
Only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate
Only love can do that~

Martin Luther King, Jr

Thinking of Paris and France at this time and sending Prayers to this very special part of the World



~So sad......Dzintra~

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

~Cook Up with donna hay and Irina~


Cook Up with donna hay and Irina from donna hay magazine Issue 78 Dec/Jan 2015

Menu tonight was Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw
Sticky Date Meringue Cake




Free Range Pork in mixture of Ginger, Garlic, Chilli, Honey and Lime Juice


Out of the oven and looking crackling good too!!!!!!






Recipe for Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw here


Sticky Date Meringue Cake


and sliced.

It was such a hot night here that this meal was just perfect!!!!

Irina also participates in the cook up from time-to-time
To see what she has been making go over here

Bon Appetit......Dzintra xo



Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...