Tuesday, March 19, 2024

ANOTHER DAY OF CUTTING OUT

 

Well, it looks like another nice day out there.

Shame really, cos I'm gunna be inside cutting out bowl cosy's and batting all day.

But, it won't get done on it's own eh? 😉😏



ABOVE:  I do believe I've finally found the 'box dye' that works with my hair!

I'm really happy with the results I got yesterday.  And spending $60 on dye and purple shampoo/conditioner is a huge saving on the last quote I got from a hair salon.  

Which was about $310!  Seriously?  I'm NEVER going to spend that sort of money getting my hair coloured again.  It's daylight robbery.

In fact, so many things have gone up in price over the past 2-3 years, all blamed on fucking COVID!  Bullshit and arseholes.  There is no justification for some of the price increases, except GREED.

Hmmm.... I better stop with the bitching.  It's a lovely day!  I'm off to get to work.

*But tell me, do you think I'm wrong saying so many of the price increases are mostly down to GREED?*

ABOVE:  You couldn't ask for a more stunning day!  Not a cloud in the sky here.

Sorry it's not stopped raining since you got home to Scotland Jane.  😔😓😒


ABOVE:  50 bowl cosy's lined up ready to sew, and at least that many more cut out waiting their turn.

ABOVE:  There is the table runner I gifted Jane, now on her table in Scotland!

I love knowing my runners (etc) go all over the world.  😊😍😏

It is almost lunch time, so I'm taking a break before I start the sewing.

7.19 pm: I'm super happy with how much I got done this afternoon!

I'll show you tomorrow.

I went to WW this evening.  Didn't weigh in as I feel fat.  Been overeating the past few days... cos I'm feeling crabby.

I wish I wasn't an emotional eater, but I am.

Can't change a lifetime of bad habits sadly.

We are now awaiting a visit from Brylee and Dom, which will be neat.  It's always lovely to see family.

Monday, March 18, 2024

BOWL COSY'S

 


Well... I'm of two minds on what I want to do this morning.

I could go for a solo walk around the lake, or I could just stay home and get into the sewing room.

Bowl Cosy's are top of the list to get done this week.

ABOVE:  😂😅😊... the start of the 'blanked out faces' photos!

I'm not allowed to put the faces of other FBG's on here.  So, my happy face is the only one you get to see.

As I've said before, I aim to attend one FBG walk a week.  Let's see if I can do that eh?

The rest of the time I'll just walk on me own around the lake. 

ABOVE:  Anne, here is the recipe for our Carrot Dish.  It is really lovely, and healthy.  You have to use quite a few carrots to get a good amount once mashed up.  Check it is cooked in the middle before taking it out of the oven... sometimes it can take longer than an hour, depending on how big an amount you make.
 

CATCH YA LATER...

It's now 11 am.

I've been out all morning.

First up:




ABOVE:  I did a VERY BRISK walk around the lake.  I hadn't intended on doing a fast one, but about 10 minutes into the walk I started to wonder:  "Did I lock the car?"... and then started freaking out that I hadn't.  (I've done that before).

So I kept my pace fast all the way so I could get back to the car quick smart.

AND... THE BLOODY THING WAS LOCKED.  Grrrr.

But, it was a good walk.  Stunning weather today, with a nice coolness in the shade.  

ABOVE: Freakin hot! I had sweat running down from my head to me butt!  Not a nice image eh?  lol



ABOVE:  Once I had cooled down, I did a very quick inspect of the new Lincraft shop here in Hamilton.  I had fully expected it to be swarming with shoppers.

NOPE. There were like 5 of us in there, plus two staff.

I was very surprised.  But not really, as it's very similar to Spotlight, but less on offer.   And parking in the centre of town is abysmal. I was lucky and got a park just around the corner.

Bex tells me now that the car park building opposite the shop is free.  Hmmm, it wasn't back in the day.

I will probably go back for a more intense look around another day, but really I'll probably only go in there for their plain cottons, which are a bit cheaper than Spotlight.


ABOVE:  I went into KMart and found this bucket, which I'm gunna fill with Bowl Cosy's by the end of the week.

Talking of bowl cosy's, that's me next job.

Like now...

FELICITY:  I get vouchers from Spotlight about once a month.  Usually $40 off if I spend over $100.  But, it's only a saving if you actually need to spend over $100 right?  I'm not spending money when I don't need to.

5 pm:  I've spent all afternoon cutting out bowl cosy squares.  And I'm not finished yet!  I still have to cut out all the batting.

Might have to do that tomorrow as my feet are starting to swell, feels yuk.

I have also re-dyed my hair, and I'm quite happy with it for a change.  There's still a bit of 'yellow', but it's not too bad.

I'll show you tomorrow, cos right now it's still a bit wet.  And I don't have me face on.

Can't be taking selfies with no face on!

8 pm:  I stopped cutting bowl cosy's at 6 pm, when Stew arrived home from work.

Then he had his dinner (I had mine at lunchtime).  I've just finished folding up all the washing and put it away.

Time NOW to freakin' well relax for a couple of hours.  

Sunday, March 17, 2024

1ST FBG WALK FOR 2024

 


Today is the start of the 2024 FBG Urban Challenge.  And I will be attending the opening walk this afternoon.   I don't expect to complete the Urban Challenge, but I do want to do a walk a week with them if possible.

Keeping up my friendships within the group would be nice.  

The opening walk isn't until 3.30 pm, so until then I will do some work around the house I suppose.

Now.  Stew brought home a 'present' for me after the rugby last night.

Wanna see it?

ABOVE: He won a raffled 'meat pack', in a Bar at the sports ground!

THAT was my 'present'!  Nice one Stew.  I like it, I like it a lot.

I separated it into 5 dinners for us.  SCORE.

And now... I'm off to start my day.

9.43 am: Off to a good start.

Stew has done 'his' grocery shopping for the week, which is just fresh fruit and Diet Coke mainly.

I went and did some washing and hung it out.

Then into the sewing room to do this:

ABOVE:  I got a whole bunch of fabric ready for a run on Bowl Cosy's!

I intend making as many as I can over the next week or so.  I have sold quite a few of late, so some nice fresh new ones are needed.

Luckily, they are nice and easy to make.

Stew and I are off to the Base shortly, he needs to fill a prescription, and then we shall get some algicide to put in the pool, so it stays relatively clean over winter.

We are going to cover it today, after doing a massive clean, chlorine shock and so on.  There is no point not covering it, as it really has not warmed up enough to get in over the past two weeks.   That will be one less job for me to worry about every day.

ABOVE:  Like so pissed off right now.  Plans we had changed.  We were going to enjoy a visit from 'XYZ' today, but now it's not going to happen.  Never mind how the abrupt 'cancel' affects US.  Fucking angry.

Stew is outside working on the pool.  I'm about to make some lovely savoury scones for our lunch.  At least I won't have to make as many now.

ABOVE:  I just love being able to pick flowers from our garden.  So pretty.  

5.55 pm:  Well that was fun!   I thoroughly enjoyed the first official walk of the year with the FBG's.

ABOVE:  I arrived and parked... and my friend Christine came over and told me I didn't 'fit in' there!
Yep, the only coloured car amongst the whites.  Rather funny.
A bit later another car filled the only gap, and it was dark red.
Phew, not the odd one out after that.

ABOVE:  Walking to the starting point, a good group of us today.  We split into two groups, 'fast' and 'slower' walkers.
I decided I'd join the 'fast'.  Worked out well.
The pace was actually slower than my usual pace, but it was OK.  It's not a race.

ABOVE:  The walk stats.  We ended up doing a second little 'bit', as it got missed on the first go around.

After the walk we all converged on the local eatery for a drink (coffee, coke etc). We had given them prior warning of our arrival, and even booked a separate room.
But service was dismal sadly.  It took over 15 minutes for them to deliver my coke, and some people waited even longer than that for their coffee. 
I know if we have a post walk drink there again, I'll be taking in my diet coke!

Stew cooked dinner for us this evening.  First time in  many, many months he's done that.
He did well!
We had Garlic Steak, mashed potatoes and our lovely carrot dish.  It was delicious.
AND there's plenty of carrot dish left over for us to enjoy for a couple more days.

8 pm:  pleasantly tired.  Looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the telly.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

TAMAHERE MARKET TODAY

 


Here we go again... market day.

It looks great outside, twinkling stars in the sky and virtually no clouds.  The weather gods are being kind.

If I can swing it, I am going to set up the stall a wee bit differently today.  Time will tell if it works or not.

I took some very cute photos of Lily last night, and I feel SO BAD that again, I didn't take any of the boys!  I just gravitate towards the baby every time.

ABOVE:  Stew ... the doting Granddad.  Lily loves lying there talking to him... until she doesn't.  Then she lets everyone know she's done.

That's when she gets given back to her Mum.  😊😉😂

ABOVE:  An almost smile... I just missed the actual smile with the camera.  

Alright, we are off.  Catch ya later.

8 am. Finally all set up... and my re-jig of our set up worked.

ABOVE: We are now utilizing this side more. Getting the table out there gives those products more exposure.



ABOVE: The sun is finally coming up. It was pitch dark when we arrived,  We had to bust out the torches! 

We are now enjoying a hot chocolate and a slice.

ABOVE: 10.04 am.... I'm so thankful I thought to bring really warm clothes today. There is a really cold wind and we are also in the shade. edit:  I had three heavy layers on my top half... and they all slowly came off over the course of the day. 

Lots of cold looking people walking around, caught out by the clear skies. NOT WARM. 

OH... we have made some great sales already. 

2.24 pm:  Home.

Tired but very happy.  Lots of lovely people out and about today.

AND we did very well with our sales today, enough that I'm already mentally filling in the 'gaps' again.

I shall be busy for a couple of weeks!

Gotta love that.

Stew is off to the rugby here in Hamilton tonight, starting with 'drinkies' at his mates house.  I suspect he is going to have a wonderful evening!

Me on the other hand will be putting me feet up and having a quiet night in.

Oh yes, btw, that runner I made yesterday... #88.  One of the first to sell today.  I will be doing more like that for sure, that colour combo has always sold fast.

10.10 pm:  Stew just arrived home from the rugby, he had a lovely time.

He brought home a present for me!

I'll show you what it is... tomorrow.

For now, it's bedtime. We are both knackered, it's been a long day.

Friday, March 15, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEX

 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEX
Dad and I wish you 
a lovely day.
See you tonight.

QUESTION:  What sort of Tin Opener do you have?  And does it work well?

Reason for asking is that a few weeks ago our tin opener died.  So I went to Spotlight and bought TWO new ones.  An Avanti one, and an old fashioned one like we had as kids...

ABOVE:  I thought for sure if the Avanti one failed, the old fashioned one wouldn't.

WRONG!

They both didn't work within two weeks... and I couldn't find the damn receipt to return them.

NOT that they were expensive.

But anyway, I wanted to open a can of fruit last night and DAMN!  No tin opener.

Does anyone have an AMAZING TIN OPENER that they can recommend I buy next???

Now... what shall I get up to today?

Might go for a walk first thing, then once home again I'll make sure we have everything ready for tomorrow's market.  Fingers crossed that the wet weather clears by tomorrow.


11.16 am:  After reading the comments Re: the tin opener, I went out and bought this:

ABOVE:  It was at Briscoes, sadly not on sale.  But it was $20 cheaper there than at Farmers!

After that I went looking for some warmer pants for winter.  I saw some really lovely jeans in Farmers, in the 'Curvy' section.

ABOVE:  I tried on the jeans (front left on the table).  Size 16.  TOO BIG.
And they didn't have smaller sizes, so I ended up getting some plain black tights, slightly thicker than my 'usual' tights.  I'm hoping they will be good for markets when it's freezing in the mornings.

Now I'm home, and about to head off into the sewing room.  

LOL... I've opened two tins already, not that I really needed to open them, but one had to test out the new tin opener eh?  This one comes with a 12 month warranty, which I feel happy about.


ABOVE:  Today's effort from the sewing room.  A very 'traditional' Kiwiana Braid Runner.   Number 88!!!
I can't get over the fact that I've made that many.   I wonder what the count will be on the one year anniversary of making the very first one?  
Which was on June the 19th BTW, I kept thinking it was in July.  But no.  Means nothing to you of course, only to me.  

Bex and the kids are due here in about an hour for dinner.
Steve won't be with them this evening as he's off to Auckland with friends to see DISTURBED, a heavy metal band.
I love their song, Sound of Silence, the rest is probably a bit too heavy metal for my liking.  Anyway, I hope he has a good time.

ABOVE: Well another birthday done and dusted.  We had a scrumptious dinner, followed by cake.
Bex and the kids have now gone home, and it's back to a normal Friday night for us.
He's watching rugby in the lounge and I'm watching twaddle on the family room tv.

A bit later on we will get our day bags ready for tomorrow's market.  Then head off to bed.
Hopefully we will get some decent sleep.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

HOLY FUCK!

 


I'm a very healthy sceptic.

I had been told about the white sponge eraser things that you can use to get rid of marks on ya walls etc.

I was like, yeah can't see how that sort of thing will work!

Stew got some yesterday...


ABOVE: Last night I tried one.

ABOVE: Marley checking it out.

Now remember, I was highly sceptical of that simple bit of sponge working.  Ya just wet it and rub on the mark.

And like, in about 1 minute I was saying "HOLY FUCK!"  Several times in fact.
IT WORKS!!!

This means I won't have to repaint the walls AT ALL.  OMG.  MAGIC.  

Guess what I am doing this morning?  lol

Once I've done that, I'm going into the sewing room to make another runner like yesterday's one.
It came out so lovely it's worth repeating it.

CATCH YA LATER...
I've been fluffing around all morning, just doing a general wipe over of EVERYTHING!  lol
Then I did some sewing and now I've stopped for lunch.  

ABOVE:  Seriously!  I still cannot get over how amazing those cleaning sponges are.  They have saved me HUNDREDS of dollars on paint, and hours and hours of time repainting entire rooms/hallways.
MINDBLOWN.

And now... I'm off to get some lunch.

WOW ANON:  That's an AWFUL lot of "DON'T USE THEM'S". 😂😕😖😅

ABOVE: Bex and the kids called in this afternoon to pick up Steve's offal.  Ya, less in my freezer now.
Lily was delightful, I got some really beautiful smiles.
Marley would NOT leave baby alone, she wanted to lick her constantly... but we didn't let her except once.  And then Bex cleaned baby's hand ... dogs lick their butts eh?  😂😅

I got two Braid Runners made today:


ABOVE:  Pretty much the same as yesterday's one, cos they are so lovely.  I am enjoying putting borders on these ones, something I have not been doing much of lately.  Borders = the extra blue fabric all around the outside edge.

I am done for the day now.  Stew is at the pub and I'm going to put me feet up.