An Overdue Update

Life has been busy recently with DH's travel and the kids school and activities.
DH had 5 weeks at home - the most time without going away this year.  (For months his routine was 3 weeks at home, one week in Vancouver.)  Then, he had 2 weeks overseas for work - got back on Saturday, 2 hours at home, then off to Frazer Island for a weeks fishing with his Dad.  Then he will be home for a week, os for a week, home for a week, away for 2 weeks. 

The kids seem to be busy as well.  Last week we were out every night with school meetings, dancing, cubs and scouts.  This week we have one night free.  Both had camps on the weekend - DD was on a cub scout camp and DS was at a scout camp.  DS has another scout camp next weekend. 
3 more weeks until mid semester school holidays.


Hypnotic

I've finished page one of Hypnotic.  I love seeing the picture develop.  I've done most of the first 20 rows of page 2.  Just black and dark brown stitching so no photo yet.

Local Wildlife

Here is a picture of the blue tongue lizard that lives in the drainage hole under the laundry.  It's tail was sticking out a few months ago so I poked it to see if it was still alive.  I'm not sure who got the biggest fright! It comes out to lie in the sun and is very shy, I can go months without seeing it.  It's about 18 inches long.  I nearly trod on it once when it was lying on the back step.  It's too big for the cat to bother.

Winter Sunrise

My favourite time of the day. 

Taken around 6.30am late July standing outside the laundry. 

This is what I see from my kitchen window as I'm getting breakfast in winter. 

A Birthday

No, not mine, but my DD (youngest child) is 9 today  May 1, 2010.  We're going out to a local restaurant tonight to celebrate with DH's parents and brother and his wife.  

I haven't touched a needle for ages.  I had to get all my tax documents to the accountants before the end of April so they can do my tax.  I was in no rush because I know I'll have to pay a big bill.  It was a good opportunity to tidy up in the office and file stuff.  I've mostly caught up with my budget, just have to reconcile bank statements and I've finished. 

Monday is a public holiday again.  DH has to work but the kids are home.  DS has assignments to do so I'm going to try to do some work on Hypnotic.

Giveaway Winner

Jessie is the winner of the giveaway.  I got DS to pick a name out of a bowl.

Stitching updates

I've been spending most of my stitching time working on Hypnotic.
I've done about half the first page.

Here is my progress on Romantic Rose Garden Mandala.

Giveaway

I am giving away the chart set for Lizzie Kate's Living with Charm.

This is only for the charts.  Fabric, thread and charms are NOT included.
Please leave a comment below stating if you wish to be included in the draw.  Don't forget your email address.

I will draw a name on April 16th (Australia time).   It is our 15th wedding anniversary.  DH and I were married on Easter Sunday 1995.

April Update

Living with Charm Framed

I haven't been able to do much stitching lately but here is a picture of Living with Charm framed.

I can't decide where to hang this so it is leaning against the wall near the TV for a bit.

I'll post an update on my other stitching after Easter.


Non-stitching Stuff

The kids are on holidays until the 13th.  DS has a rugby union (football) camp for a few days next week. 

DH has gone car racing at Bathurst over Easter.  He left this morning and has just arrived - 12 hours towing a car trailer to get down there.  He will be driving back on Wednesday. 
This is a picture of his toy - it is a GT40 replica he built from a kit.

We have all survived the first term of school.  DD has been officially diagnosed with a peanut allergy and has to carry an epipen.  Her allergy is moderate but all nut allergys are treated as life threatening.  

DS had a trip to hospital for x-rays after a cricket game 2 weeks ago.  I thought he might have broken his hand but the x-ray was clear.  It took a week for the swelling to go down so he could move his fingers and wrist easily.

DH had a work trip os for 2 weeks - mostly in Vancouver.  He got back the day DS was hurt. 

I was called up for jury duty AGAIN - I did it last year.  I had to be available for 2 weeks but I ended up only having to go in on the first day and I wasn't required for any trials.  The worst part was that I couldn't plan anything because I didn't find out until after 5PM whether I was needed for the next day. 

I'm having a holiday at home while there is no school.

A Finish and 2 WIPS

It has been very hot and humid here in Brisbane for the last few weeks and I haven't picked up my stitching.  We don't have air-conditioning and I am resisting getting it.  The weather is only nasty and unbearable for a few weeks a year, although it feels like forever after the last few weeks.

I am updating my blog today because it is COOLER and WET today.  I am going to stitch all afternoon and hopefully some evenings this coming week.  Here is where I was at before the hot weather.


Living with Charm Finished

I finished this a few weeks ago and have just taken a photo.

It was done on 28ct Laguna opalescent with WDW and GAST threads. 

Rose Garden Mandala

Here is my progress until mid January.  I love working with the silk threads that came in this kit.    I am using Q-snaps to hold this piece as I am doing it.  The pattern is from The Gift of Stitching online magazine (Issue 44) and it is stitched on 32 count white linen.

 

Hypnotic

I have started my leopard, but I am still on the black as you can see.  I have gridded this with sewing thread so I am removing it before I get to it.  I am doing this on scroll rods on my floor frame.  It is the biggest piece I have ever started and is for my son.