~OPAM~ One Project A Month, December 2016

My final OPAM for 2016 is one I really enjoyed as it was using quite different colours for me

I enjoyed it so much so I made 3 little Mug Rugs

Gorgeous little snowmen on the back

at least it makes me think its a little cooler!!!

Thank You to Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again for another year

So many gorgeous finished projects out there due to this!!!

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And on my final post for the year I'd like to thank all my Readers out there for popping in throughout the year and leaving your lovely comments........they are all so much appreciated so 

Thank You All 

So while we here get used to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and make sense of it all and its' impact on our lives I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2017.  

May it be one of Peace and Joy around the World

love Dzintra xo

~Bah Humbug Swap~

I recently joined in The No Fuss Swappers 'Bah Humbug' Swap

This entailed sending a Mug Rug, a Mug to match,  and a treat all wrapped in a Christmasey Fat 1/4

The Mug Rug

I had recently ordered and received cloth labels with my name on it and thought Susan's Mug Rug would be the first item to receive one!!!

Mug chosen by JoJo at Rick Rutherford's country shoppe in the Blue Mountains

A treat was added

 and it's all ready to go!!!

Opening day was 13 December......

Meanwhile my Swap Gift was from Helen all safely arrived above

The little card

Fat 1/4 off

and all is revealed!!!

Thank You Helen.......lovely gifts and my Mug certainly has been given a work out over the last few days!!!

And Thank You Girls over at No Fuss Swappers for running these delightful Swaps!!!

A Surprise Gift

Last week I received a very unexpected surprise from Kim

Kim has undertaken a world-wide venture to celebrate her 60th birthday this year

She sent out 60 gifts to 60 people and I was included

Above is a card of an oil on porcelain entitled 'Ziva' painted by Kim (McCool) herself

The back of the card

The gifts......a cushion, card, beading kit, fabric and thread

A little cross-stitch cushion

Fabric and threads

Thank you Kim for these absolutely delightful unexpected gifts......they made my day!!!

I hope you had the Best Birthday with many, many more to come!!!

Happy Birthday.......love Dzintra xo

~OPAM......One Project A Month, November 2016~

Two tea towels for OPAM this month which is all I managed!!!

Thank you to Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again

I know that sometimes I wouldn't even finish one item without it!!!

A Happy Weekend to you all dear Readers......Dzintra xo

~Cook Up with donna hay magazine......Sticky ginger marmalade Chicken~

Another delicious Cook Up has happened from donna hay magazine Issue 88 Aug/Sep 2016

These are really getting really too far between now but I'm determined to catch up!!!

Menu -  Sticky Ginger Marmalade Chicken Stir Fry
accompanied by Zucchini and a Cucumber Salad with aThai Dressing

 Chocolate and Maple Banana Cake

First up  I started the Dessert Cake preparation 

I even made my own Dulce De Leche instead of purchasing it but come to think of it I have never seen it available in our small coastal town

Recipe for Homemade Dulce De Leche by Donna Hay available here and also above blog in Pages

Condensed Milk ready to go into oven covered by foil and in a Water Bath
I don't think I left mine in long enough due to the paler colour and thickness of it compared to  Donna's but in any case it was still delicious
Also a bit hard to check as it was covered by baking paper, foil and string

As you can see Donna's version is really dark and quite thick

The Dulce De Leche is sitting atop Chocolate Ganache

My version all bottled and ready to use whenever called for

To our surprise we have successfully grown Ginger so this was used for garnishing the meal

All accompanied by Zucchini

and a Cucumber Salad with a Thai Dressing (home made) just to give it that little edge

I used Home Made Marmalade from my local Farmer's Market and boy was this so different to a commercial marmalade........the Citrus flavour was strong and I really enjoy that!!!

Above and below.......just a few versions of my Cake

And the best part........it's all Gluten Free!!!

Bon Appetit and have a great weekend......Dzintra

~Nundle.......Girls Just Want To Have Fun~

Back in March we made our Annual Trek to Nundle for Girls Day in the Country hosted by Kerry Swain from Cottage on the Hill

Here's JoJo Guitar and all when we pulled up at the Motel at Hunter Valley

Cattle Grazing on the way

After lunching and shopping we all gather and have a Swap

This time it was agreed that we make an Anni Downs pattern seeing she was the Designer this weekend

JoJo received the red book at the back left made by Dale

I received the shoe bag to the right of the book made by Sweet Peg

I made the bright pin cushion on the bottom right with a little bag to the left of it which was received by Alison

~A   F U N   S W A P~

Fabulous Project Roll designed by Anni Downs

A Roll for storing Blocks in Progress

The side of the Roll

Needle book opened out to show the outside covers

Inside the Needlebook

and a sweet little Pin Cushion

Oh behold I looked down and saw Dawnie's shoes at one stage

Couldn't rush out and buy a pair seeing they were from Japan
but aren't they just fabulous!!!

The Swap I received during the afternoon was from Christine at Cowra
A little fabric covered notebook and a piece of Anni's fabric from the collection
'Button Tree Lane'



This was my contribution to the Swap
We had to include a little stitchery on it
'Friends are Never Far Away'

Catching up with Chez

Anni showcasing one of her quilts 'Nature's Journey'



This one is 'In My Garden'

With Anni showing off my 'Gardener's Journal' Quilt

Spotted.......this fabulous bag on a chair

Our Annual Group Photo

Show and Tell in the evening

This one is my 20 year project

'From Blackheath to Bathurst to Bungendore'

Started off as Blocks......turned into a Wall Hanging and then eventually it was suggested I make a Quilt
Blocks were cut before the advent of Rotary Cutters where you pulled a piece of thread through the fabric, hoped it wouldn't break and then cut very carefully along that line......phew!!!
And sandpaper was used to hold fabric in place!!!

Above and below 2 more fabulous Show and Tells!!!

Above and below Girls Just Having Fun together with Shez and Deb after Breakfast

And here's a little preview of next year's Tutor's work.......Bonnie Sullivan

A fabulous time as always with The Girlfriends as JoJo has christened this wonderful group!!!