OPAM (One Project A Month)....August 2011

Another OPAM completed for this year...

Can't believe it's the first day of Spring tomorrow...gosh this year has flown!!!

This stitchery is a Cathy Penton design...

pulled out from a shelf full of stuff...waiting to be dealt with!!!

All trimmed down and ready to be stitched onto an apron I bought 2 years ago for this stitchery!!!

I stitched it back in 2007 as Ingrid (which is my second name) and I started using Dzintra (pronounced without the D) 4 years ago when all my ID stated that it was my first name...  

I thought I would also add some tape somewhere...not sure which one at this stage...

I stitched it down first and then went around the outside with a pattern stitch (heart) and to look at it you would think it was lace...looks very effective I must say!!!

I went for Simplify tape and stitched it onto the bib part of the apron...

Now I'm all set to go...

my arm is ever so slooooowly going round to the back but I'll hopefully get there!!!

Thanks to Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM...

without this the apron would probably be still sitting in the cupboard!!!

A 10,000 Hit Giveaway...Sarah's Giveaway...and an Award!!!

Wow...how exciting is this...my little blog that I started when I pressed the button that said Create Blog has just grown in ways that I never imagined...

To celebrate wonderful new friendships...

faraway places visited...Latvia...America...Inter-State Australia...The Netherlands...Ireland...England...France...and many more countries I thought it's my turn to host a Giveaway!!!

I have met other Carers dealing in the day-to-day caring of their Loved One...

and knowing that I am not the only one out there doing it!!!

I feel well and truly blessed!!!

To celebrate 10,000 hits on Queen of the Armchair I thought I would giveaway these 2 patterns...

First pic is one of a cushion made up (by my good Friend Geo) to show you what it looks like...

The actual prize is a pattern by Linda Haigh of A Patchwork Cow...including little naive painted dolly to pin onto the cushion...


Second prize is a pattern by the lovely Cathy Penton...

Same deal as in the past...

leave a comment and JoJo will draw the winners from one of her Magic Hats 2 posts from this one!!!

Regular commenters automatically will be put in twice!!!


To celebrate Sarah's 3rd Blogoversary hop on over to her blog...

you will not be disappointed...a very generous giveaway she is having!!!


And from Micki in Ireland this Lemonade Stand award to be passed on!!!

I find it hard to select a few blogs to pass on to...

so I pass it on to you all...as I figure we all need a Lemonade in this warm weather!!!
Thank you Micki for thinking of me!!!
Have a great weekend everyone...

and as usual...I'm off to the beach for a swim!!!

Advent - the Second Week and a Touch of Paris!!!

Second week of Advent has passed now...and here are my gifts from Carol below...

A framed stitchery...coasters, green and red one side...printed the other...

soap and face washer...a little Santa,

and quilting labels...What a surprise Carol I received on opening this morning's gift...

(don't know why this is happening...the photos are turned around from what they are supposed to be)...
the labels say Mode de Paris!!!
I tend to collect things with Paris on them!!!
Thank you so much Carol...now I think I will have to try to find something French inspired to make using this label...I just love it!!!

Below is this striking moonlit card received from Julie..



Meanwhile through Cathy Penton I have been very fortunate to meet Julie ...
Per chance I went over to visit Ruby for the first time and unbeknownst to me she had a giveaway going...I fell in love with her blog and photos of Italy...I left her a comment and blow me down...I won the giveaway!!!

The giveaway happened to be one of Cathy's beautiful charms...

Check this out...PARIS!!!
Can you imagine my utter delight on reading that I had won this...I was in 'Paris' all day!!!

The back of the charm...
So opening today's swap gift was extra special Carol...
which inspired me to show some of my recent purchases!!!

Tea...for 1!!!

Yet another recipe book...I just love them and can't help myself!!!

And this apron...full of Eiffel Towers, how cute!!!

Close up of the fabric...turned around again???

A little poster of the Tower...

even serviettes!!!

And to top it all off...Vicki Archer's latest book...FRENCH ESSENCE...with photography by Carla Coulsen

Ambience, Beauty and Style in Provence!!!
It can't get much better than that!!!
I know what I'll be doing all weekend now...have a good one everyone...Dzintra

A Win...A Finish...And A New Read!!!

My luck is running with me...and I have scored another Giveaway Win over at Andrea's!!!

The prize is this Ella & Skysie Designs Table Runner Pattern...

just perfect to adorn the table...

along with a surprise tucked in...

Good ol' Cadbury Dairy Milk Rocky Road

and this very cute Octopus Bookmark!!!

...I HAVE JUST DRAWN THE NAME FROM THE BOWL WITH THE EVERY FRIENDLY CHARLIE BIRD AS MY ASSISTANT AND SHE DREW YOUR NAME...
Here's a pic of the ever friendly Charlie Bird that drew my name out..
Good on you Charlie Bird!!!
And Thank You so much Andrea...it was a pleasure entering your giveaway!!!

Going great guns here...another finish...a Cathy Penton needlecase
using gorgeous soft colours...old white linen on the front with stitchery...

olive green wool felt inside...

Needlecase opened up showing back and front...

all tied up with ribbon...

Just had to show this...a great find

I had recently purchased a Penguin version of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence

and then was so thrilled to come by this...

The Provence Trilogy...

containing A Year in Provence...Toujours Provence...and Encore Provence!!!

Peter and his Wife bought a 200 year old farmhouse in the Luberon...

their year begins with a marathon lunch and continues with a host of gastronomic delights...

in Toujours Provence Peter again picks up knife, fork and glass and continues where A Year in Provence left off...

Sounds like I'm going to be transported to Provence and the pleasures of Provencal life!!!

Peter Mayle's idyllic portrait makes you almost taste the wonderful food and wine, feel the sun and balmy breezes...Sunday Express

Sounds pretty good to me!!!

1, 2 and 3 Finishes!!!

Wow...what a week I have had!!!

First of the finishes is this gorgeous olde worlde Scissor Case from Cathy Penton ...Cathy has the most delightful blog...and has gone from embroidery/stitchery designs to making the most beautiful charms...so go over if you have a chance and take a look and see what you think...I'm sure you will love what you see!!!

Scissor case made from old white linen, prairie cloth on the inside...a little image from Cathy, an old button and finished with white velvet ribbon...

I had to put this one is showing it in black and white as done under the scanner...

The back of the little case is woolen felt...
I have thoroughly enjoyed this Cathy...and yes I know I have had it for ages but now so pleased I have finally completed it!!!

The next one is the Needlebook from Lynette Anderson Designs
Front of the Needlebook...

opens up to this...
Now I have somewhere to put my needles in the one spot!!!

Folded out showing the back...

And the biggest finish!!!
I have finally completed my Cookery Course lasting 18 months...WoooHooo!!! I am jumping up and down and so happy!!!
Pic is the last night of the practical...cooking for the Mantle Restaurant at the TAFE College...I have started another blog over here and recorded this year's meals at the Restaurant...I only wish I had done the same for the last year...
And to keep up with the cooking I thought I would try a new recipe out every week...
And continue the Cook-Ups with Vicki with the Donna Hay magazines...
Anyone want to join us...no rules...just cook up a recipe from the latest magazine and blog it!!!

My DH took me out to a Celebratory Dinner at one of our favourties On The Pier
I will show the full meal on my other blog My Dolce Vita in time
This is DH's meal...Kingfish Fillets and Wontons...

I reckon I scored here...one of the most tastiest meals I have had...
Crisp Fried Eden Mussels and Pork Belly, Holy Basil with Yellow Cream Curry!!!

And finished off with a Cafe Latte and Vienna Coffee!!!

Now that is all over...I can finally get round to moving in...going on those beachwalks...catching up on reading and starting my Advent Swap

Thanks for your visit and have a lovely week...Dzintra♥

A stocking...and charms

Finally, amid much excitement...I have finished cross-stitching a Shepherd's Bush (http://www.shepherdsbush.net/) stocking for the newest member of the family. This stocking will join 8 others hanging on the staircase this Christmas...I have yet to add some charms, wadding, backing...and then quilt it. Will post it with all the others when ready. Co-incidentally, all the stockings just pertained to the chosen person and this one is no exception...

...this stocking is in honour of a family tree of which we all inhabit a unique branch...It is for Grandmothers who become memories, for children who become Mums (and Dads)...and for dreams which become babies...who each of which bring with them a little piece of heaven... (text Shepherd's Bush Printworks)

AND THEN to add ...

...the most delightful charms received from Cathy at http://www.cathypentondesigns.com.au/, beautifully packaged...with ribbon, always a pleasure to receive something from Cathy...it's like a gift in itself...she never ceases to amaze me at her gorgeous work...

...the 25 for Christmas Day for Jo-Jo to wear...she gets so excited about Christmas...and any occasion...it doesn't matter who is celebrating what, she is always first in on their special day...and just amazes us all how much love she shows...she certainly has taught us much and continues to do so...and then I had to have one too!!! We will wear them on Christmas Day...perhaps with red or green corded type of ribbon...perhaps the present one with black velvet...or then again the same ribbon but in hot pink!!! Will see on the day...

...but wait...there's more, Cathy has inserted the back of them with vintage papers, and then layered them inside...how unique and special is that...I just had to share this all!!! May you all enjoy your special unique touches...whatever they may be...in the lead up to Christmas and the Holiday Season...

Blogging For A Month Now

I have been blogging for a month now!!! Who would've ever thought that if I just press this little button that says 'Create Blog' just to see what would happen - and presto ... wow, enter a wonderful new world of the Blogging Community ... lots of stories to share, beautiful stitching happening, recipes to share and many other of life's moments, all well and truly inspirational and much cherished by you all. Thank you for all your comments ... it has made my re-cuperating so much easier and not so isolating when in that situation, and also when raising a daughter with a disability...as you can see in the little verse in my prior post, how true it all is for us...
I have thoroughly enjoyed your visits ... and thank you for calling in.

I think a celebration is in order now ...
Any Excuse Chocolate Pate : (from Choosing Happiness, Life & soul essentials - Stephanie Dowrick)
. 300g good quality bittersweet chocolate
. 1 cup cream . 2 cups fresh raspberries
. Chop chocolate and place in bowl over hot water
. Stir chocolate with cream until melted
. Place cling wrap directly on to surface of pate and refrigerate until firm
. To serve, scoop pate onto plate and garnish with fresh raspberries ... very decadent. Enjoy - perhaps with a glass of pink champagne ...

Thank You Cathy!!!

Just before I went in for surgery I received this sweet little bouton bag from Cathy at as a get better present ... just gorgeous. Have worked out how to get from camera to computer!!! Cathy's blog is just a delight .... I'm going to fill this little bag all with red buttons and then I'll post it up.

Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how fly ...