The change of Generations

Or – They make me proud sometimes!!!

Lilly came home from school yesterday, full of news as is usual.  She happened to mention that they did a debate in Health class.  The debate was For or Against Same Sex Marriage – (as is currently under debate in Parliament to change the Marriage Act).  I am so please to say that Lilly told me all the kids wanted to be on the side debating For the change to the bill, allowing Same Sex Marriage.  It’s refreshing to see the next generation growing up less bigoted and more educated then some of the previous ones.  I guess we are doing a good job

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What did you want be when you grew up?

I know some of us would answer that by saying they’re not yet grown up, but I meant it as a serious question. I was just watching a speech on TED, about encouraging young scientists, and it got me thinking about what our dreams are as children , and what our realities turn out to be.

When I was a child, I most wanted to be a doctor, or second choice a teacher, and in my primary school years that was probably possible. But my teenage years were spent off the rails, so I kind of lost those dreams. For years I thought my self lucky not to be living in poverty and gainfully employed in various jobs. Fleetingly over the years I toyed with the idea of going back to school, but lack of childcare always made that not really possible, it still does. I think it shows how little thought we put into the consequences of having children.

I did teach, in a small capacity. I taught adults how to use a complicated computer system and the basics of the NZ cadastral survey system. It was one of the jobs I’ve enjoyed the most.

I think while watching the speech it made me really think about what am I contributing to society? Not a lot at the moment. Though I might keep a few people warm, I could always do better

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Same old, same old…

Not a lot happening that’s very interesting to report, except for Twin lambs born on Tuesday morning. The mother is an Awapara ewe, the father a Dorper Ram, so we have gorgeous black and white lambs (without getting really close it looks like both might be ewe’s, which would be fabulous).Haven’t got a good pics showing both lambs yet.  They are cute though and both doing very well.  Still waiting to see if the white sheep is going to lamb.  I hope so.

After weeks and weeks of rain we have finally had 2 consecutive days of no rain (one sunny, one cloudy).  Our puddles have almost dried up, the lawns got mowed and the seeds I planted more than 2 weeks ago have finally sprouted.  The pease, broadbeans, carrots, beetroot and lettuces have all come up.

It’s so nice to see the garden coming back to life.

We’ve put in more posts for fencing the sheep into a new paddock.  Now waiting on an order or fencing wire to come to finish it off.

I’ve been working hard with my quilting, working on quilts for sale and some custom quilts.  These 2 were finished this week, the first as a gift, the second in the shop for sale.

I’d been working on this Carpenter’s Wheel quilt for a while, though I’m sad to give it away, it will go to a good home.  It was my first time working with Y-seams. I think I did a pretty good job. The second quilt is a very simple girly Nine patch, with luscious minky backing.  Lilly was trying to steal off with this one.  There’s something to be said for simple quilts sometimes.

Well, that’s all I can think of to show or talk about.  I won’t have any more pics to show till late in the week as I gave the camera to Lilly, she’s gone away to learn Snowboarding for a few days.  I hope they get some time on the slopes, the weather report is not looking to flash.

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It’s been quiet weekend..

Not only was one of the teens away but I was out most of Saturday and came back a little bit croaky, but night-time I had lost my voice.  So today has been a quiet but frustrating day.  It’s really hard to shout at the kids when you can only whisper

I had a constructive week quilting-wise. Two finished quilts.

Purple Stars cot quilt (currently for sale)

Hearts – Single quilt (sold)

An extra pirate (custom order)

This week I’m working on a giant star quilt.  I started this a while ago, it has been cut out and ready to sew, but it’s all y-seams which I had never done before so I was a bit scared of sewing it up.  Thanks to a bit of a push (it’s going to be a birthday present) It’s half made.  I am just going slowly and all the seams appear to be joining up quite well.  Long may it last.

I have custom orders for some cot quilts and queen but I’m waiting on fabric to arrive, so in the meantime I’ll work on some smaller projects.

The wee boy had his 6th birthday on Thursday.  No party this year, but he had a friend over for the afternoon and dinner and they had a great time.

Cool Ninjago top by Melissa of Two Little Taniwha.

Totally stole that idea for the cake

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Dolls and dress-ups

Last night I finished the Pirate Doll I’ve been making for Cam’s birthday….

Ages ago (last year some time) Cam was gifted the MOST awesome Max in his Wolf suit (from where the wild things are)dress up.  Sadly, he wasn’t impressed.  I was so disappointed and it sat in the wardrobe unloved, until out of the blue last week he suddenly asked where it was and demanded I get it out for him.  The following day he wore it all afternoon, and the next day too.  I’m pleased to say Cameron’s Max suit is now a firm favourite!!!

Lilly had to get in on the act too – managing to squeeze herself into a size 3 Superman suit :-0

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And back to raining again :-(

Well, we had 1 day without rain, I suppose we should be grateful.  We did use the 1 day of sunshine wisely, Ian and I planted Asparagus crowns and some Pak Choy seedlings.  I got 4 loads of washing dry in the sun and breeze.  If I’d know it was only going to last a day I’d have done something a little more exciting than housework!

I will be wrapping presents this week in preparation for the wee boys 6th birthday on Thursday.  After many changes of plans he’s just having his best friend over for dinner and staying the night on Thursday.  I still have to sort out making the cake, but I’m sorted for gifts (except the pirate doll that I was making, I’m gonna try to finish that at sewing class tomorrow night).

I’ve just finished another quilt for sale…

The Bad-Tempered Ladybird, comes with a new copy of the book by Eric Carle

I’ve been on a bit of buying spree fabric-wise, but luckily most of it is for pre-ordered quilts.  I’m totally loving working from home again a making quilts and other stuff.  It really is what I’m best at!!

Well I’m off to a cooking class tonight to learn to make great Gluten Free food.  I’ll spend some time this evening making my birthday invitations

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A break in the rain..

After a whole week of non stop rain it’s good to have a fine day at last.  Despite the rain Ian took some time of work and got 2 loads of mushroom compost for the new / recycled garden beds.  I ordered a few packets of seeds from Kings Seeds and was ready to plant them today.  Cameron was very keen to help, we had bought him some gardening gloves a couple of weeks ago.

He stayed to help put in broad beans and peas before he got bored and wandered off

Here’s the 3 beds that are now planted / growing…

the back one has broad beans, peas, snow peas and some golden beetroot seeds, all planted today, the middle one, the garlic and shallots planted a few weeks ago which have sprouted, a few wild spring onions the Ian transplanted in, and a few spring onion seeds that I put in today.  The closest bed has lettuce (mesculan mix), striped beetroot (chioggia), radishes, carrots (paris globe), beetroot (red) and carrots (big ones can’t remember they type), all planted today.  Fingers crossed for good sprouting and no more frosts!

The herb garden is growing well, some of the outside stems of the Italian Parsley are a bit sad, but I’ll cut them off once the new growth is a bit more established.

Now that I’ve gardened I’m going to do a bit of sewing. Ian’s out buidling some more fences so we can move the sheep again.

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The Grinch

Don’t you just love the story of the Grinch?  It’s one of my favourites Dr Suess stories, I really love the movie of it, Jim Carey is fabulous as the Grinch.

Hot off the sewing machine is a Grinch quilt, perfect for this Christams (or now).  Don’t wait ! Get yours today, now listed in my Felt shop

Cameron has a Grinch quilt (his is a smaller size, and just red and green, no white and not backed with Minky like this gorgeous one) and it’s one of his favourites!

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Harsh!

I logged onto Flickr this morning to see what’s happening with a couple of swap groups that I belong to find out that I’ve been excluded from this round of mini quilt swaps because I didn’t hand sew down my binding on the last quilt I made.  Geez talk about harsh.  I know that it probably was one of the rules and I happened to over look it, but in all honesty I don’t hand sew any of my bindings and can’t see that it makes any difference.  I would have though it far more important to judge me by my other actions, such as the fact I participate in all the discussions, I post in-progress and finished pics of all my work, the fact that I always post my mini quilts away on time (usually with a few extras included), always thank my partner personally and the fact that I put a lot of effort into my swaps.

I’m going to sulk now

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