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!!!

Monday, February 29, 2016

~OPAM...... (One Project A Month)~


2 small offerings for OPAM this month
2 Tea Towels.......or as I like to call them, Stitching Towels
(Pattern by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched......part of Angel Story)
A Stitching Towel is a towel you take with you when you are off to do stitching
You lay the towel out on the table in front of you and your work, threads etc sit on it rather than the table
Pretty neat I think!!!

Thank You Sweet Peg and Partner in Crime Kris for running OPAM again this year!!!


~~~~~~~~~~

My 500th post giveaway is still on
See post under this one

Good Luck......Dzintra

Saturday, February 27, 2016

~500 Post Giveaway~


Woohoo whoever would've thought
that I would reach 500 posts on my lil' blog
I started off reading other people's blogs and after surgery when I wasn't able to do anything and I put my First Post up


To celebrate I have 3 little Patterns and a Fat 1/4 from my favourite Designer (chosen by JoJo)
Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched
If you would like a chance to win these just post a comment and you're in!!!

I'll draw this in 2 posts time!!!

I'm so grateful to be in the Blogging Community and for all the Friendships made!!!

Good Luck.......and a Happy Weekend 
Dzintra xo

Thursday, February 11, 2016

~A Welcome Home Dinner....and a Book Win~


Phew, here we are into February and just starting to get back into Blogland....
When I came back from Paris and Latvija Hubby and JoJo offered to take me out for dinner to celebrate.......Well that was back in October and the dinner happened in January lol


I didn't take any photos of the dinner but I did afterwards
We went to a local place Starfish Deli and really enjoyed the views


Starfish deli is situated on the pristine waters of the Clyde River




Last weekend we had some Foie gras de canard entier that I brought home from Paris
I couldn't resist purchasing this on the banks of the Seine River at a Friday market
I had never had any before and probably never will again
Oh so delicious together with some Brillat Savarin Affine Fromage......a triple cream cheese from France .......oh so very very creamy
Imported by Calendar Cheese Company, Port Melbourne.

Also just before I went away I was lucky enough to win The Chocolate Promise and The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon.  The Chocolate Promise is set in Paris and Provence......2 places I was lucky enough to go to......

Thank You Josephine

I've realised this is my 500th post so I think a little giveaway is in order
I'll be back soon with that

One more day till the weekend woo hoo
Enjoy.......I think I'll be going down to the beach as it's been so hot!!!

Have a good one......Dzintra xo


Sunday, January 31, 2016

~OPAM (One Project A Month)......January


After umming and wondering if I would join OPAM again for another year I finally decided yes I will
I still have a few projects left that have been stitched and need finishing
Why oh why does it take so long to get 'round to it
I think I know the answer to that
In my case I love to start projects


We had our little Grandie here along with her brother for a week
She is keen on being a Designer of Fashion for Pop.........and she has been backstage she tells me!!!
I bought her some fabric pens and she chose the colours above for a pouch for her Pens
While she was here she designed a bag and a skirt!!!


Finished little case with her name on it


Here she is getting out a tape measure and chalk that her Mum popped into my Christmas stocking
So nice that these were used on a project for her


Looking at felts......her favourite colour is pink
Next up she chose a Pin Cushion for me to make
Here we drew out the flower so I could see what colours she wanted to use
Yep, you guessed it......pink had to be in it


And here is Lidija presenting her little Pin Cushion
Pattern by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched


Ane here they are together


While I was at it I thought I would make up another 3 in her chosen colours
I call them Lidi's Pin Cushions



A litte Needlecase here and another Pin Cushion
This pattern by Marg Low purchase in Sydney and started back in 2012 at my First Blog Meet
It's only been sitting there for about 3 years waiting for a finish



And while the going was good I added 3 little bags
Fabric by Anni Downs

So total for the month is 5 Pin Cushions
        1 Needlebook and 1 Pen Pouch
3 Little Bags making a total of 10
Boy, that's a record for me!!!

Thank you so much Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again for another year
Lets see what I can do next month!!!

Have a great week......Dzintra

Thursday, January 28, 2016

~January~



Phew here I am back on the blog and January is nearly over
New Year's Day I like to start a new project so why not make it a big one lol
I thought I would do Anni Downs' My Favourite Things Quilt
The Fat 1/8th bundle is the actual My Favourite Things Fabric and the others are the beiges I will be using

I made a simple Quiche and we thought we would open some Christmas Wine.....French of course


I admired my Bookmark brought home from Riga, Latvia 
The little brooch is the colours of the Latvian Flag......maroon and white
Such a history with this Flag


I made a start on the quilt


I opened up a gift to myself of an apron that I bought in Roussillon on Provence, France


I received this beautiful Tagine at Christmas time
Thank You Danelle


I made a Pear and Almond Tart.......recipe from Manu Feildel's book, Manu's French Kitchen
Mmmmm delicious


My Sister came to visit


and we drove around River Cottage country at Tilba


We checked out a new Cafe/Restaurant at the Mariner, all with a boat view


Took a beach walk


Started some colouring in

Did some quick pickling of cucumbers


And took them to my mate Asta's, a fellow Baltic and enjoyed them with some good ol' Black Rye Bread


Had the little Grandies here for a week


and took another beach walk.
Normally one can get around this corner but not with the tide last weekend....

Hope your January was a good one

Till next time.....Dzintra

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 ...