New Year Resolutions
1. Complete my niece’s wedding present … before their first anniversary(the wedding is next Saturday, 7th January 2012 and it’s not going to be done by then!!!)
2. No more cigarettes … I stopped for seven months in 2011 so I want to have at least one whole year of no cigarettes.
3. Write on my blog at least once a week … with a photo at least every two weeks.
4. Take regular walks … it doesn’t need to be far or fast but I do need to move 
5. Make something every week … get those Christmas presents done throughout the year!
I’m not normally one for New Year resolutions as it seems like false promises to yourself due to peer pressure but I’m making an exception. My life has changed again, being back in New Zealand surrounded by family, in a job that I love and a house that I can make my own (it’s rent but my landlady is my sister.)
So this year is to be my stay at home and settle year.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe 2012
New Beginnings
We’re at the beginning of a new month.
I’ve begun my new job.
And summer is just around the corner.
I am also going to start a new quilt.
Today is cutting-out day!
It’s going to be a wedding present for a niece.
We’ve decided on a simple design of strips and squares in a variety of batik fabrics.
Now to actually make it.
Check back to see how I’m doing.
Made It
Well I’m in Gisborne, New Zealand.
I keep being asked what it’s like to be home!
Home? I’m still just on holiday!! Aren’t I?
It’s going to take me a while to realise that I’m here forever.
A job should do that.
I need a job
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Just to let you know that the sewing machine made it in one piece.
I’ve not used it yet but hope to start sewing this coming week.
I need to get more Christmas presents organised!
Welcome Home
I’ve arrived in New Zealand but still very unsettled.
What a welcome – fireworks and parties everywhere.
Okay so it was the start of the Rugby World Cup!!
I’m pretending it was for me and I’m sticking to that story.
I’ll write more soon (about quilts hopefully!)
Off to Gisborne (East coast of North Island) on Tuesday.
Moving Times
At the moment I’m homeless.
I’ve moved out of my flat
Currently staying with a nephew, his partner and their flatmate.
But it’s now time for all those “last” moments.
Last time I locked the door to my flat
Last time I went to the local shops
Last time I saw friends, etc.
Mind you there are some first (and only) times too.
Off to Townley Summer Muscic Fesival tomorrow
Then Afternoon Tea at The Ritz on Tuesday
And visiting Mont Saint Michel next week.
Life is a moving experience in so many ways
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Honestly I will get back to writing about quilting and patchwork when I get settled in New Zealand.
Sun, Snow and Savings
The sun is shinning and the skies are clear.
Yay for summer
I’ve just read and looked at photos of snow in New Zealand
Looks lovely but cold!
Should I be returning?
The good news is that the bunting is progressing … slowly
But there is progress.
The bad news is that I’ve bought more fabric.
I need to stop buying things.
Not only should I be saving money
But how will I get what I buy back to NZ!
Festival of Quilts 2011
Went to the Festival of Quilts at NEC Birmingham yesterday (Thursday 11th August)
Wow!!!!
Hundreds of fantastic quilts
Truly overwhelming.
I spent about 5 hours wandering around but really needed another day!
I thoroughly recommend that you visit.
And take a camera
You’ll need it.
I decided not to take my heavy camera with me
What a terrible mistake!
I did have my phone but can’t retrieve the pictures at this stage.
(Never bothered to load my laptop with the phone programme and have now packed the disc!)
The show is on until Sunday 14th August
Also take lots of money to buy all those wonderful fabrics, books, notions, etc from the stalls
Lovely Weekend
I had a lovely weekend.
Windsor Castle - Private Apartments
Saturday at Windsor castle with R & D
I’d recommend a visit
But be prepared for lots and lots of visitors
(Or did we just hit the wrong day?)
Then a lovely lunch
Yummy Stilton and Mushroom pie.
Then Frogmore House
To be honest we didn’t actually get there due to the time spend at the Castle and then having lunch
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Then on Sunday I found a new pastime.
Some call it Zentangle and give it deeper meaning
But it really is just doodling!!
I’m now a little bit obsessed with it.
I even went out and bought a sketch pad and a putty eraser
(Love the putty eraser that can be sculptured)
With some proper pens and pencils.
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Now it’s the beginning of a new week.
The sewing machine back on table
The bunting material on bench
Iron ready to go.
Yes I’m ready to make the bunting!!
Move Update
No I haven’t disappeared
But the boxes have – Yay!
The last 10 years of living in London has been packed into 14 cartons and shipped off to New Zealand.
My landlady has visited and agreed to buy all my big pieces of furniture -Double Yay!!
So no worrying about selling that over the internet.
And she said that she is going to replace the cooker so I don’t need to clean it – Triple Yay!!!
Oven cleaning and ironing are my least enjoyable tasks.
Not too keen on window cleaning either – or housework in general
The bad news today has been that I didn’t get the job I really, really wanted in NZ
So back to job hunting in earnest.
Boxed In
Just about have the boxes packed.
Will have 14 items to go when they are collected on Tuesday (2 August)
But need to get them to the ground floor!
Or as many as possible anyway.
Hopefully they are all under 30kg or I’m really in trouble!
I’ve booked my flight “home” and leave the UK on 7th September.
Currently also organising a few days in France with a cousin before I go.
Busy times.
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Yeah I know this blog is supposed to be about quilting and patchwork.
But it’s my blog and my focus at the moment is moving back to NZ
Hopefully I’ll get back to sewing (with photos) when I get these boxes out of my flat.
Photos on Flickr
More Photos
My Etsy Shop
Birdie Block of the Month
The Pledge
