Completed: Pacific Crest Quilt

Stone the crows.  A post about sewing?!   Though this was actually sewn, quilted, completed and given in January...  Yeah, long time ago now but things have been a bit busy ;p

Anyhoos.  Toward the end of last year I was lucky enough to win a copy of Beyond Neutral from Deb.  She raved about the patterns, and has indeed made every. single. one. of the quilts in this book.  It's not hard to see why.

As I'd been thinking about a quilt to make as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law, then the book arrived and I fell in love with Pacific Crest (among others).  I had a colour scheme in mind so ordered a couple of extra fabrics to get started.

Some of these I've had for a few years.  The background fabric was specifically bought for this quilt because of the colour and design and recipient.  I love it.  When it arrived I was thrilled with the extra selections.  Those little mice!  So cute!

The pattern was simple and it produced a lovely large quilt.  The small vintage sheet stash was delved in to for the backing.  And to add some extra interest all the little leftover bits where sewn together.

Off it went to Leeanne for quilting.  We decided to keep it simple in the end, so as to compliment the modern strong design of the pattern, with varying horizontal lines.

Grey binding to frame it and it was ready.  I really love this quilt - the colours and the design make me sigh contentedly.

Always nice to gift something that you love.
L xx

Four Months in May

May marked our fourth month in England.  And it absolutely flew by - it really feels like a distant memory by now!

The month was kicked off by a bank holiday weekend in Wales and Liverpool for us.  It finished with another bank holiday weekend, this time in London.   We had a great time in both instances - such wonderful experiences and very different.  Also hard to believe it's real!

On the school front the girls had lots on.  Kindy photo's and lots of learning for L, who still loved/s her full days there, her teacher, friends and dinner-lunch.   H and L have continued enjoying school and getting involved.  Both attended Film Club after school one day, which involved a movie, popcorn and treats in the school hall with their mates.  A performed in their year production of Alice in Wonderland to the joy of us all.   Mid term break was during the last week of May which was very timely for 3 little girls.

I managed to meet up with a couple of new people over coffee (arranged by our husbands at work!) and discovered some lovely local parks.  There has been communication with lovelies in NZ and also some Skyping.

Crafting continued during May in the form of an ongoing crochet project.  200 blocks in 2 months.  A few more to go :)

Work for D was full on but good, and he had a work trip to Italy for a few days.  Day to day things were taking on the busy-ness of domestic life with a young family.  Life and living.

L xx

Twenty-three/52

H: You had your first Football Coaching session during the week and had been counting down the sleeps. When we came to collect you afterwards, I was amuzed to see boy after boy coming out of the building and then there you were. The only girl. Not that anyone cares, least of all you. You were so thrilled, got to be captain and had such a great time. When we asked you about it and then if you liked it... your response was "No Mummy, I didn't like it, (exasperated sigh). I LOVED it." Well that settled that then!

A: You are such a sight at the moment. First there was the one tooth out from the week before. Then you and H played "sleep dancing" which resulted in two heads colliding... of which you alone show the signs... in the form of a huge black eye... And then barely less than a week after the last one, the next tooth popped out. Cripes you look like a bit of a wreck! But you are loving your colourful eye, and with the third tooth wiggly now, you are loving the tooth fairy big time. You are motoring through the Rainbow Magic books... the library knows who we are and what we are there to collect every other day. Also you and your sisters have taken to using the word "Fantail" when you talk about liking or not liking (being a fan or not) things. "I'm not really a fantail of such and such". Brings a smile every time.

L: You and the ever present butterfly dress. We are loving our walks to collect your sisters from school in the afternoons. You talk about all sorts of things, non-stop. The screaming though... You have an ear-piercing scream that can shatter glass I'm sure. And it's reappeared lately... much to the amusement of some of the Kindy teachers from the stories they tell me. Hopefully it will be short lived! The other day you got things out of the fridge and stated that the fridge "cooled your brain up". You love our time in the mornings, setting the table for breakfast and getting everything ready while your sisters are still asleep. Love it.

L xx

Twenty-two/52

A: This week you lost your first top tooth. After weeks of being terribly loose, we gave it a wee nudge in the right direction. You were ecstatic! Your first tooth out in England! Will the fairy know what to do and where to go? Will she bring NZ$'s or British £'s? Lucky the fairy had a few pennies and didn't forget this time! Tooth loosing tally for you is 3.

H: You are all about football at the moment. You've been running around outside with me and also Dad on the weekend, practicing your ball skills. Now we know you've got a spot in the after school football coaching sessions, we set off and got you some trainers and shin pads - you are so excited about getting kitted out. And you've been counting down the sleeps until school starts back up and then...football!  I cannot wait to see you in action.

L: You are still counting down sleeps until your next birthday... which is over 10 months away... It's been a huge week of resting for you. Life is intense and full on when you are a firecracker of a 4-year old and know your mind as you do.

L xx

On the Road: Liverpool - Beatles & Bits

We set of bright and early on Monday morning and traveled through the Queensway Mersey Tunnel one last time.  First stop:  The Beatles Museum.  We had a lovely time and the girls rocked out to the music that accompanied the displays and stories.

After this we went to the Maritime Museum next door. Some absolutely fascinating displays and huge model boats that were exquisite in their detail. The Slavery Museum is right above it and we popped in for a quick visit there too.

Then it was off to Bold Street for an absolutely delicious lunch. A short stroll up the road saw us at St Luke's Church. During WWII, Liverpool was the second most bombed city in Britain because of it's ports. St Luke's was hit and completely burned/bombed out and destroyed in the resulting fire. What's left behind has a bitter-sweetness about it. You can even see remaining bits of the stained glass still in small corners of the windows.

Next we headed to Mathew Street, another historic Beatles area, where they regularly performed at the Cavern Club when they first started out. Before we knew it, it was time to head home.

We had such a great time over these few days - just one weekend! We loved it, the girls loved it...which only made us love it more.  Family adventuring - dreams coming true : )

L xx

Twenty-One/52

L: You are obsessed with "slugs" even if they are technically snails. You collect them and gather then, build wee "houses" for them, bring them leaves for food... It is adorable to watch you with your "live" collection. You start bopping when you hear music - and in time! You were mesmerised by the ballet dancers who performed before A's show, you little face was precious.

A: As one of the "Queens Cards" in the school play of Alice in Wonderland. You were wonderful and delivered your lines loud and clear. You were on to everything, encouraging all the other kids at the right times and places. I had tears streaming from start till finish. It was wonderful and I was absolutely bursting with joy and delight at you my precious girl.

H: You were thrilled to bits to finally go on the Eye! So awesome :) And you are bursting at the seams that you have gotten a place in the football coaching sessions. We are off to go and get you shin pads and trainers - and you cannot wait! And we cant wait to see you in action :)

L xx

On the Road: Liverpool - Bus Tour

After lunch we hopped onto an open top tour bus. It was a gorgeous day and we found seats at the top. I cant remember what half of the buildings and sights are that we passed but among them were the former White Star Line HQ building (the company who built the Titanic) The Three Graces, St George's Hall, The World Museum, Albert Dock, The Metropolitan Cathedral, the Anglican Cathedral, Philharmonic Dining Rooms, St Nicholas Church, the Ceremonial Arch at Chinatown (made in and the largest outside China).

After the tour we headed to Anfield to see D's childhood favourite football team's homeground.

On the way back we drove through Port Sunlight - gorgeous little village in the suburbs and not unlike Bournville in conception.

A big sleep and we were ready for our last day.
L xx