tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79334968299938443162024-03-08T21:33:46.533+10:00Val Laird Designs - Journey of a StitcherVal Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.comBlogger556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-24471926282736068542024-02-11T17:29:00.000+10:002024-02-11T17:29:01.718+10:00Beauty amongst the thorns!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thorns are not very pleasant! I always seem to find myself on the wrong end of a thorn whenever I handle roses! But what amazing beauty we find amongst the thorns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This gorgeous patio rose thankfully doesn't have big thorns, but its sweet flower brings great delight to me. This one was given to me on my last birthday. It seems to be just about always in flower even though it is quite tiny and in a pot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc2Zu_R8nbkklRe7cjvWb2oPTu4YkgrRXbAXudTurQjT7w5giWOHu2Wc__zwVQc1jBHy-4IEInwx_5uuX821t2zJj1Iz0j0End69Cf_JXyb0vzZ0WhiS7hN8W8_xZpiSNg4HIEhLVtp_kVLMF8gripePFG6a-dCLDQ6l28BOpTzgIiRwntTxYNwnuDQE/s1000/80th%20Rose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc2Zu_R8nbkklRe7cjvWb2oPTu4YkgrRXbAXudTurQjT7w5giWOHu2Wc__zwVQc1jBHy-4IEInwx_5uuX821t2zJj1Iz0j0End69Cf_JXyb0vzZ0WhiS7hN8W8_xZpiSNg4HIEhLVtp_kVLMF8gripePFG6a-dCLDQ6l28BOpTzgIiRwntTxYNwnuDQE/w480-h640/80th%20Rose.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently completed this rose embroidery below - not half as nice as the real thing! It came as a kit with Bunka thread which is a very different thread to what I normally work with. I was reasonably happy with how it turned out - it is definitely one of those pieces that is best seen from a distance, so you don't see the thorny unpleasant bits of embroidery closeup!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGPUrgytG_xUmtZjn_c8C4GsREA99VBCKf-gkLb8S6w0hCB2gfW1nXcubmniUZ7mUz8a_o5tqAVRc8YwWEsRx2GYi5u0V7f_NsgwvcYdpl3aWs3svur3oPC5AS8C1Qtt7Rygb4sowEANjdFWbH62K7kA0vxl1s9SYzveBntyk9u448V2Vlh2vEtpXP5M/s1080/Roses%20Bunka%20Embroidery.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGPUrgytG_xUmtZjn_c8C4GsREA99VBCKf-gkLb8S6w0hCB2gfW1nXcubmniUZ7mUz8a_o5tqAVRc8YwWEsRx2GYi5u0V7f_NsgwvcYdpl3aWs3svur3oPC5AS8C1Qtt7Rygb4sowEANjdFWbH62K7kA0vxl1s9SYzveBntyk9u448V2Vlh2vEtpXP5M/w640-h640/Roses%20Bunka%20Embroidery.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we purchased our home 14 years ago, it came with an established cactus garden. I saw no reason to change it, even though it does seem incongruous for our sub-tropical climate! Over the years I have added a few plants, not cacti, so I like to think it is more of a rockery now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT71EQFdE6NSf3Wrp_ODKsYCDCZEohV0DUTMJKnP6iMb1g3rfjgOg65MbiNR8xd1NkqcKJlnpxlvBlWVxB3j4imT96DXtBC7M1MTgM4wU_wOPTvpxExCsaurK3Rk_jUT8BPVPNkDz9SfL4_2YBoiDmslMAgtjYzrxH1QNAp8iFnL_REF9-Nd1VNcCFE3c/s1000/Madagascan%20Ocotillo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT71EQFdE6NSf3Wrp_ODKsYCDCZEohV0DUTMJKnP6iMb1g3rfjgOg65MbiNR8xd1NkqcKJlnpxlvBlWVxB3j4imT96DXtBC7M1MTgM4wU_wOPTvpxExCsaurK3Rk_jUT8BPVPNkDz9SfL4_2YBoiDmslMAgtjYzrxH1QNAp8iFnL_REF9-Nd1VNcCFE3c/w480-h640/Madagascan%20Ocotillo.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of the cacti are VERY tall. The one above can be seen towering above the roof tops when you are out walking in the suburbs. It flowered for the first time recently but they are just those green bits sprouting out from the top. It's not a lot of beauty to compensate for the deadly thorns it has all the way up to the top!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKsh95jTHMnQNosCPL54-sA-TBN-KkO2i9-AbtNiXRz2pnT3yq-QhJtkIvHwsolSHwiVhqFtJbtc5VWl_S3fv54o8c5W58bG58_6qoxnVdJ-OKe1Ff0qjpFa-ZtEbtvFh_4gTuV8PV2E5yHToq7Ybd7LG_i2ybxfg4jcUc2SDD67iz6QCLexsOeRB7J8/s1000/IMG_9502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKsh95jTHMnQNosCPL54-sA-TBN-KkO2i9-AbtNiXRz2pnT3yq-QhJtkIvHwsolSHwiVhqFtJbtc5VWl_S3fv54o8c5W58bG58_6qoxnVdJ-OKe1Ff0qjpFa-ZtEbtvFh_4gTuV8PV2E5yHToq7Ybd7LG_i2ybxfg4jcUc2SDD67iz6QCLexsOeRB7J8/w480-h640/IMG_9502.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This cactus, however is different. It has those same terrible thorns, and I can't count the number of times I have gotten too close, but it is quite prolific with the beauty it displays and most weeks it will have four or five flowers on a few of its trunks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA0T8hoJeuTJQ4pVHsXdaNd3XBObrjigLzy0fWSSsfKOCwOUiD-Mqpa2sGiN2wzOOv83fuIO505sn8U7Mno-vKDVfQWEoq9HFphAm3WLAWQY3gkSZnbujmZ6UaH_MRoAPx-QkXWS-9_SW3idyrXNUWFMsu6oYZ3BRfTdrWomvHMF_JAlEzggoFMexhwg/s1000/IMG_9503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA0T8hoJeuTJQ4pVHsXdaNd3XBObrjigLzy0fWSSsfKOCwOUiD-Mqpa2sGiN2wzOOv83fuIO505sn8U7Mno-vKDVfQWEoq9HFphAm3WLAWQY3gkSZnbujmZ6UaH_MRoAPx-QkXWS-9_SW3idyrXNUWFMsu6oYZ3BRfTdrWomvHMF_JAlEzggoFMexhwg/w480-h640/IMG_9503.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>However, this cactus doesn't share its beauty with everyone! You have to be an early riser or a night owl to see the flowers. It shows all its glory in the middle of the night, and as soon as the sun rises, the flowers start to close up and they are all gone very quickly!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PKj6Aakp8R9_ymAD0tEgOofMypBLbCgrB7ikuiyJ9Sx9-Rb4gI5ypUL_WqlM1cd-ismer3ZKJ1rK6obdUO37lPjByoLRSI6136QFI_7mWNkJDdcjL4-QA4S2KhzLys_NBRyvf3fpMPYS2RCxmFWrIwhqSNI3aQQMGQOH3d0ZMqyYGo_Kdhf3OPHoBQ0/s1000/IMG_9504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PKj6Aakp8R9_ymAD0tEgOofMypBLbCgrB7ikuiyJ9Sx9-Rb4gI5ypUL_WqlM1cd-ismer3ZKJ1rK6obdUO37lPjByoLRSI6136QFI_7mWNkJDdcjL4-QA4S2KhzLys_NBRyvf3fpMPYS2RCxmFWrIwhqSNI3aQQMGQOH3d0ZMqyYGo_Kdhf3OPHoBQ0/w480-h640/IMG_9504.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every morning, my ritual is to have a peak around the blind to see if there are any flowers on this cactus. The sun is blazing through the windows early in the morning in summer, so I leave the blinds down to keep the sun and heat out for a while. A week or so ago, I could not believe my eyes as four of the trunks were laden with blossoms. The sun had been up for a short time, so there was no time to waste to grab the camera. I counted 37 blooms, the most I have ever seen. The flowers are so delicate, so short-lived, mostly unseen by human eyes, but all pointing to an amazing creative God who loves designing beautiful things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8l9lelC2oYFdwlFjoFGpb1YQLUR1WpaNMhUOvfN7xsrRfvK7pdS7bCOqEj1yBGYoWdjxlLlgh8K6N6hdAJbxyqsKCQ9zBANWglbPuNrTcUEpWRgE25ICmOuymzPFEQ3sRUqzwC_5T2cjhCpeIyXi7EcQp0_0EWNd9kA_UoiMgDkO3aPatp0N_dpaArQ/s1000/IMG_9507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8l9lelC2oYFdwlFjoFGpb1YQLUR1WpaNMhUOvfN7xsrRfvK7pdS7bCOqEj1yBGYoWdjxlLlgh8K6N6hdAJbxyqsKCQ9zBANWglbPuNrTcUEpWRgE25ICmOuymzPFEQ3sRUqzwC_5T2cjhCpeIyXi7EcQp0_0EWNd9kA_UoiMgDkO3aPatp0N_dpaArQ/w480-h640/IMG_9507.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />After gazing at all that beauty, I did a little stroll around through my courtyard which is loaded with pot plants and there was this little face staring at me! It is just a harmless common tree snake but it did add to the excitement of my morning in the garden.<div><br /></div><div>I've been thinking about the thorns of life. You don't have to live very long to know that life isn't a bed of roses. There are plenty of hurts along the way, things that don't go as planned and sometimes you have to wonder where the beauty is amongst those thorns.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love the words of this verse of John Whittier's 19th century hymn:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drop Thy still dews of quietness,</div><div style="text-align: center;">till all our strivings cease.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take from our souls the strain and stress,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and let our ordered lives confess</div><div style="text-align: center;">the beauty of Thy peace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's where I find the beauty amongst the thorns - the wonderful peace that Jesus gives as I walk with Him through the prickly paths of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Val</div><div><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-21480592686955169362024-01-14T08:25:00.002+10:002024-01-14T08:25:43.531+10:00Blessings of family<p> God has blessed us with a large family! We are now 40 in total - with a grandson just announcing his engagement, and with a new baby great grand-daughter born on Christmas morning!</p><p>Over the Christmas week, 24 of us were together at various times. It was such a joy and blessing to have family around, to get to know some of the newer members of our family, and just to celebrate being together. </p><p>There were lots of chatting, laughing, playing board games, and watching or listening to cricket. We set up a table for a jigsaw, and various members of the family worked on this 1000 piece one of Wittemberg in Germany. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRLhMmWAxbFFYHIar5xmxsCPraw-PDyGKyzqa_iaKoKqZ2uRoD6DNhZMbpfFMvhWWP1XRWp4ZqdslrSwlJAapYdey1aGLITHNnuzqL1SdnQoJVZGMH5PL14NTOdt8_hWQsl1mtPm8NMmAe3laGhJK8Es6MjkQcks6tJ5IdGOSUSpGCW7jghjPhSDr2DU/s1000/IMG_9407.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRLhMmWAxbFFYHIar5xmxsCPraw-PDyGKyzqa_iaKoKqZ2uRoD6DNhZMbpfFMvhWWP1XRWp4ZqdslrSwlJAapYdey1aGLITHNnuzqL1SdnQoJVZGMH5PL14NTOdt8_hWQsl1mtPm8NMmAe3laGhJK8Es6MjkQcks6tJ5IdGOSUSpGCW7jghjPhSDr2DU/w640-h480/IMG_9407.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">It was quite a difficult jigsaw to put together, but fun to find pieces together!</p><p style="text-align: left;">We went to visit hubby (Dad, Grandad and Great-grandad) and he was quite alert on Christmas Day and happy to celebrate Christmas with us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52Twx6aF8uIhYpPajqqPi5-q6hCLLpPf9nyFHf7BbKra-xCwoAzaD1qgwwM326q3brrkrIcPaKLfiX3gFxkfMP1xNINylZVQ_I9AuuQtZFAxJwTVHfhr4ROP6KkjMaZM-xX8ztQulK6iX5I3GAlt5aC0CATyBZtUm_7D3eQza7uCXOLY9mlDPmzDsSsk/s1000/412704034_1127477441568808_4996963797801446896_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52Twx6aF8uIhYpPajqqPi5-q6hCLLpPf9nyFHf7BbKra-xCwoAzaD1qgwwM326q3brrkrIcPaKLfiX3gFxkfMP1xNINylZVQ_I9AuuQtZFAxJwTVHfhr4ROP6KkjMaZM-xX8ztQulK6iX5I3GAlt5aC0CATyBZtUm_7D3eQza7uCXOLY9mlDPmzDsSsk/w640-h480/412704034_1127477441568808_4996963797801446896_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was of course lots of eating! My time spent on planning menus, figuring out when to buy things, getting deliveries, counting how many for each meal etc, paid off and we had more than enough to eat. Our traditional roasted turkey and Christmas pudding dinner always deserves a snooze after it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The charcuterie board for the evening meal was an easy option and there was plenty of help to put it together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7T9sga64dwMb6tPe78-Oq9IYaQS2-0ULdLf-NTMqTPgayjaK_mbqIe26xglFIZzSGY62m6fZbsj6Pr0sMlh4GCd-DlE95s77MkvYncZxw2Q7asQufNZ2dKSyCgau2GEVhMk_WOIoZ0n7d5UdtJ2ou9EiSMiBOQH2W1wO3V1DXY0s1ONMgJ3z6NbzyTs/s807/412722362_668071452073234_5641885841585386571_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="633" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7T9sga64dwMb6tPe78-Oq9IYaQS2-0ULdLf-NTMqTPgayjaK_mbqIe26xglFIZzSGY62m6fZbsj6Pr0sMlh4GCd-DlE95s77MkvYncZxw2Q7asQufNZ2dKSyCgau2GEVhMk_WOIoZ0n7d5UdtJ2ou9EiSMiBOQH2W1wO3V1DXY0s1ONMgJ3z6NbzyTs/w502-h640/412722362_668071452073234_5641885841585386571_n.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3beL1EPCAFM9FheGLXnCEDCvIlO4kUB4vEMkrMQ3H4MKLHnJCv4nDxKHwceQN9ECV5zzyDR9T4o2JDiIe-KNJFOVynMKGLxJMpvY6X5drFRS1kdMX8zZXfy5miFg12A2awXU54xzHxAEnWw7sDGPDl6KIN5uw1fqAAX7trWOqJZs5y9mnPoaB_gtXam4/s1089/food%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3beL1EPCAFM9FheGLXnCEDCvIlO4kUB4vEMkrMQ3H4MKLHnJCv4nDxKHwceQN9ECV5zzyDR9T4o2JDiIe-KNJFOVynMKGLxJMpvY6X5drFRS1kdMX8zZXfy5miFg12A2awXU54xzHxAEnWw7sDGPDl6KIN5uw1fqAAX7trWOqJZs5y9mnPoaB_gtXam4/w514-h640/food%202.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of our grand-daughters had put her order in for a bee wall-hanging. Some months ago she had fun going through all my fabric stash and choosing the materials for it. Unfortunately she couldn't be with us for Christmas because of work commitments (though she did spend a lot of time in our lounge room on zoom with the Ipad propped up in a corner where she could see everything that was going on.) When she finally did receive the hanging, she told me she<i> loved</i> it, which made me very happy.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKftq9ANG4WvXEuEvjTIvkcLiLFgE1gbF-hCWg1FmxaLh2i2dNataMzzc7687mpYhSBYpQYWdYqc6opPZJbGwYbaEnSoWKaOpcfzHDQSt9lxCeenTHMuscgVUPEUtu8F1TB_juKn_hKliupGYY9yflo_SyELhLHVFJjX_icY-Kaq-UyIoyINSyuNUIhw/s1080/Amelia's%20Bee%20Hexagons.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKftq9ANG4WvXEuEvjTIvkcLiLFgE1gbF-hCWg1FmxaLh2i2dNataMzzc7687mpYhSBYpQYWdYqc6opPZJbGwYbaEnSoWKaOpcfzHDQSt9lxCeenTHMuscgVUPEUtu8F1TB_juKn_hKliupGYY9yflo_SyELhLHVFJjX_icY-Kaq-UyIoyINSyuNUIhw/w640-h640/Amelia's%20Bee%20Hexagons.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Now they have all gone home, the sheets and towels are washed, the Christmas decorations are packed up, the cupboards have been put back in order, the kitchen has been cleaned from top to toe and the house is quiet again! </p><p>As more and more people had to go home each day, the second jigsaw that was started, didn't get finished. I couldn't bear to put it away before it was completed, so had a relaxing week adding pieces here and there and so we have Napolean crossing the Alps:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9bjKZ2GTpPpXFR2x6oSNqkKioABBasHufNa3ytOsNGFpgLkpd9bB15cQnEUNmXL6WxHiHOvrKKY9GeSrEl0i6-_VM_E32fd8xBE54JD6XBqhh5VAEA3kNGGZwya6sMawa7WFHbt8eNKMkgJsByFxEyNFQYFfnsG9j38JHf2buc64iUMyddZmI4W71cc/s1000/IMG_9449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9bjKZ2GTpPpXFR2x6oSNqkKioABBasHufNa3ytOsNGFpgLkpd9bB15cQnEUNmXL6WxHiHOvrKKY9GeSrEl0i6-_VM_E32fd8xBE54JD6XBqhh5VAEA3kNGGZwya6sMawa7WFHbt8eNKMkgJsByFxEyNFQYFfnsG9j38JHf2buc64iUMyddZmI4W71cc/w480-h640/IMG_9449.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not sure whether 'relaxing' is the right word when tackling these large jigsaws! I can search for one piece for a very long time, then decide it must be missing because I have been through every piece that shape and nothing fits! Of course it eventually turns up, looking just a bit different to what I have imagined, in spite of studying the picture ten times! The sense of achievement when a jigsaw is completed is worth all the hard work, so I have already started another one!<div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile I have completed another crochet bag. It's now waiting to be lined, so a photo another time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many blessings for 2024.</div><div>Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-9752253753178587742023-12-10T14:29:00.000+10:002023-12-10T14:29:11.232+10:00Closing in on Christmas<p>I'm being made very aware that Christmas is just around the corner! I hosted our Home Group Christmas break-up last week and now we won't meet again as a group till after the long school holiday break ends at the end of January.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeWfnkr46jIxEBeIzWsO3o16MgsmXAISnxaqRanKvs_kACGBtAzlT6WsDkAc0aijBWNSQrZiHr7IJw1CZGKPpQSdz7FLAIeBTjmZzaPlI9vRE0za9H3BTuijJVnibXObcog5od64CEZtFFc5ynqLcbgNtJDpfOj1wbEl1FzMCJAGihPXEtZ2T4FLq5ks/s1000/IMG_9375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1000" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeWfnkr46jIxEBeIzWsO3o16MgsmXAISnxaqRanKvs_kACGBtAzlT6WsDkAc0aijBWNSQrZiHr7IJw1CZGKPpQSdz7FLAIeBTjmZzaPlI9vRE0za9H3BTuijJVnibXObcog5od64CEZtFFc5ynqLcbgNtJDpfOj1wbEl1FzMCJAGihPXEtZ2T4FLq5ks/w640-h556/IMG_9375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did my bit for the Church Christmas Party - made some potato salad and organised two quizzes.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU7bRVSRIU_lx0BBNHC0O4ls1IfQzMTSaOyG_PlxxHiBAFlEu8Ljryj8tCos2xsShnHEFhQxDGC-2_Up3iM_ngXM8uvVUTMIpI_Vp0YW170LiSQeYOdw0Oy6CyOGwMVRzXzbam4O03ANP4tC5x0i7OfhSKN2LNLk314fkK7qpsQjnX_jrWZaFjrVxFFU/s1000/IMG_9378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1000" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU7bRVSRIU_lx0BBNHC0O4ls1IfQzMTSaOyG_PlxxHiBAFlEu8Ljryj8tCos2xsShnHEFhQxDGC-2_Up3iM_ngXM8uvVUTMIpI_Vp0YW170LiSQeYOdw0Oy6CyOGwMVRzXzbam4O03ANP4tC5x0i7OfhSKN2LNLk314fkK7qpsQjnX_jrWZaFjrVxFFU/w640-h584/IMG_9378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've had our meeting of musicians and worship leaders to work out what Christmas music we will be singing and playing at Church during this wonderful season of Advent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBbnUyWzfQfvX-u9AuRWNGdO9I1VS4hloeMNxy9ai8ADnKL6gohNouJw-EK0BhPUGHAK9IU9nVL5A5odK_ehgGLY_8JRMnQ0moFNDfhskNSRPkRI36vObumdAevXqwGjPfLiWQp_dzpZKAZJzdU0OL5zzcZrWjDuA0IGn5eL63pmTL5N5ZTy8zI6hno0/s1000/IMG_9381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBbnUyWzfQfvX-u9AuRWNGdO9I1VS4hloeMNxy9ai8ADnKL6gohNouJw-EK0BhPUGHAK9IU9nVL5A5odK_ehgGLY_8JRMnQ0moFNDfhskNSRPkRI36vObumdAevXqwGjPfLiWQp_dzpZKAZJzdU0OL5zzcZrWjDuA0IGn5eL63pmTL5N5ZTy8zI6hno0/w610-h640/IMG_9381.JPG" width="610" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Christmas Tree is decorated!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLflM34Npuac-s82S3alMV5BWqnDhC19gmMV9jfCQ87_olrnUlUJ2NRniKYvxyAgiMtLlO5HD6k-v0sa-AAq7uH3Z-irulIJ_gKcXJ38jkJrMujyeJEt2yRBhD-bwCBPalP8sSlW8kmMyWIl2bUy8zi5ASKPzkLIb-5CFcMhRor8ig0LW4iUZ0ts6b8BI/s1000/IMG_9379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLflM34Npuac-s82S3alMV5BWqnDhC19gmMV9jfCQ87_olrnUlUJ2NRniKYvxyAgiMtLlO5HD6k-v0sa-AAq7uH3Z-irulIJ_gKcXJ38jkJrMujyeJEt2yRBhD-bwCBPalP8sSlW8kmMyWIl2bUy8zi5ASKPzkLIb-5CFcMhRor8ig0LW4iUZ0ts6b8BI/w640-h512/IMG_9379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pretty fairy lights adorn the rockery:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDPc_ljL4nrvtGbASLWtiO6CJmh9ChtmT5PJZlbENqFf4LdyP72AkO7SJVZggkhTYPXEIMLxGeDo7AgFupsjcEstmZMo9SqckyGuT9xst_kqooyRMjL9VNU4zkLhnaYV0a-JYMpv_sOFU5Hka31Wf7MjWRRt32OcPLAmlGIuhSJ3BUP2Zyl0zejxiv6I/s1000/IMG_9354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1000" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDPc_ljL4nrvtGbASLWtiO6CJmh9ChtmT5PJZlbENqFf4LdyP72AkO7SJVZggkhTYPXEIMLxGeDo7AgFupsjcEstmZMo9SqckyGuT9xst_kqooyRMjL9VNU4zkLhnaYV0a-JYMpv_sOFU5Hka31Wf7MjWRRt32OcPLAmlGIuhSJ3BUP2Zyl0zejxiv6I/w640-h474/IMG_9354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">and sparkle in the patio:</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_A1B62hGTJGXdcQK3A6kvNfwWhyphenhyphenkb232R5V-9CH5JgGnhBGEHpoH67FvU77WnkYcY73cVOFsiWGrGxfGn8J9fhebfic3heo6-UtaZIHxGUnAT8gr0GM7QObPUZQz7ym2MOac3CHUeetrW5zL8QQFQhhvcAAVhaWelwAmSGahRm0uB92SReZyurhZtLk/s1000/IMG_9362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1000" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_A1B62hGTJGXdcQK3A6kvNfwWhyphenhyphenkb232R5V-9CH5JgGnhBGEHpoH67FvU77WnkYcY73cVOFsiWGrGxfGn8J9fhebfic3heo6-UtaZIHxGUnAT8gr0GM7QObPUZQz7ym2MOac3CHUeetrW5zL8QQFQhhvcAAVhaWelwAmSGahRm0uB92SReZyurhZtLk/w640-h530/IMG_9362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've sorted out when all the family are arriving, bought the turkeys and planned the Christmas menu for the 20+ of the family who will be with us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5YjJKvGEum80r1-AyMjZ9MJ_KuHLmo67M_HaQ7024c7bVkDq5mwObukGzDPV9vSUVL99YfofpKa3ikXpyyUpZtIpE291ReR5E_2GLSBmJqOqR2AjB20gq7iNn8_Tinx2q2k3XwIYGtn7P4idrZKTf5KBjHTHEGm4LgAEvx7EP3QkzBVHTxAD0PLM66Y/s1000/IMG_9371.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1000" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5YjJKvGEum80r1-AyMjZ9MJ_KuHLmo67M_HaQ7024c7bVkDq5mwObukGzDPV9vSUVL99YfofpKa3ikXpyyUpZtIpE291ReR5E_2GLSBmJqOqR2AjB20gq7iNn8_Tinx2q2k3XwIYGtn7P4idrZKTf5KBjHTHEGm4LgAEvx7EP3QkzBVHTxAD0PLM66Y/w640-h610/IMG_9371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">28 Snowflake ornaments to give to our wonderful Op Shop volunteers are completed. It looked like I was baking snowflakes when I did the stiffening!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlrQDE-uQBbEQlEGhndgZow0VsNrM0B_yN-EBRy6vzRIEcq_8rZ_sF5Cr25RXPs58aYEv_RUENNvggyfOEJ43-h3Yf38FVw_YmDY9Ncz-8rvzd62ZpuLkSSZRjc3ssRKORrKrxmE6LZgiWSSPmecbY4uDxRaVeUc6sRonZnPnbsbEKWZvYaC7AjG47FM/s1000/IMG_9385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlrQDE-uQBbEQlEGhndgZow0VsNrM0B_yN-EBRy6vzRIEcq_8rZ_sF5Cr25RXPs58aYEv_RUENNvggyfOEJ43-h3Yf38FVw_YmDY9Ncz-8rvzd62ZpuLkSSZRjc3ssRKORrKrxmE6LZgiWSSPmecbY4uDxRaVeUc6sRonZnPnbsbEKWZvYaC7AjG47FM/w640-h480/IMG_9385.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWKMxbKwhFvDWPn3fuAn0AvwPLqDU7zp0JsDU6tNEntAEeDJ-p7wkSdQkefUYmOhVR3Gu6EiBOYDKp3GnYAqDk0qxEumIetq3AJ8OXF1HsXP7Tm3LMjlfNzAlEjbHWPgJoHV7um0rygbP83NBYqCcvtlWxSLGQ2DU1oOa6zXTK2EmaXFa5_0RY93kWc/s1000/IMG_9388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1000" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWKMxbKwhFvDWPn3fuAn0AvwPLqDU7zp0JsDU6tNEntAEeDJ-p7wkSdQkefUYmOhVR3Gu6EiBOYDKp3GnYAqDk0qxEumIetq3AJ8OXF1HsXP7Tm3LMjlfNzAlEjbHWPgJoHV7um0rygbP83NBYqCcvtlWxSLGQ2DU1oOa6zXTK2EmaXFa5_0RY93kWc/w640-h520/IMG_9388.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Then there were some Christmas envelopes to prepare to put them in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjZpW_S2m5BArWlasBStSjkkwNKm0NS0zwinRMS_Gjfnbty2hm2CR-Vf42oS39cP-8JBbR_PeiHjuMs8UVtkBufkHKHqTHOl7MDRCTiYKGpgoel42OzK-bCCB9qkY8GiqKKdG7CuG28N_ntIsalIfEXxeWqBMeFgroQ4ZNUDYoGXPo9CjhTS61VVUs2A/s1000/IMG_9392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1000" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjZpW_S2m5BArWlasBStSjkkwNKm0NS0zwinRMS_Gjfnbty2hm2CR-Vf42oS39cP-8JBbR_PeiHjuMs8UVtkBufkHKHqTHOl7MDRCTiYKGpgoel42OzK-bCCB9qkY8GiqKKdG7CuG28N_ntIsalIfEXxeWqBMeFgroQ4ZNUDYoGXPo9CjhTS61VVUs2A/w640-h514/IMG_9392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our Christmas newsletter is written (a great way to keep in touch once a year and many more words than will fit on a Christmas Card!) <a href="https://bit.ly/LairdLatest2023" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/LairdLatest2023 </a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Last night I went to our local Community Carols and now I'm off to a performance of excerpts from the Messiah ... so it is starting to feel like Christmas!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">May you find peace, hope and joy in this wonderful celebration of the birth of the King of Kings - the Infinite became an Infant!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Wishing you many blessings,</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Val</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-28967206255853452392023-11-19T16:10:00.001+10:002023-11-19T16:10:13.728+10:00A quilt for a grand-daughter<p style="text-align: center;">When I saw Natalie Bird's 'A Letter to My Daughter' quilt a couple of years ago as a Block of the Month in Homespun Magazine, I felt it was something I would enjoy making with its appliqued and embroidered blocks. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ6SeH3RqRMg_idtpIAFOs-XRy9HQDPYmHWXPOTLmViai3oIxrYZOi8TD6YsrB1U3Y3r2QdrxcZuoLQ3s_AGSeZES2cOVUTFRZuEaRciSBTIRULXfsW7ciDjXQA0QL43Gqs3S9hrzbErUO1UlNXtDIvBfpDT1ZDXo1m_AwGbQkeV4dc3YLOtmqZmnkZ0/s1080/jas%20&%20matts%20quilt%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ6SeH3RqRMg_idtpIAFOs-XRy9HQDPYmHWXPOTLmViai3oIxrYZOi8TD6YsrB1U3Y3r2QdrxcZuoLQ3s_AGSeZES2cOVUTFRZuEaRciSBTIRULXfsW7ciDjXQA0QL43Gqs3S9hrzbErUO1UlNXtDIvBfpDT1ZDXo1m_AwGbQkeV4dc3YLOtmqZmnkZ0/w640-h640/jas%20&%20matts%20quilt%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I also saw it as an opportunity to use up lots of my fabric stash and so I set myself the goal of not purchasing any fabric to complete the quilt.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17DZznqBQJff4fLzja8cmy1dN4dnxHLV6Mq8dEuV5HjbLmKAucObNkqQ898pkFIF3lsd0mszAtIT_bqZiPeUf29XcIRuNm-4I0tfzERxlrLCY8vu9teDOk9UTNr6pfMCAh9ih3Ia4H1byD08WHkFOPfcX2L24Mv1B-p-NY9YwFfk6YDq5vxrH6JfaCqs/s1000/IMG_9247.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17DZznqBQJff4fLzja8cmy1dN4dnxHLV6Mq8dEuV5HjbLmKAucObNkqQ898pkFIF3lsd0mszAtIT_bqZiPeUf29XcIRuNm-4I0tfzERxlrLCY8vu9teDOk9UTNr6pfMCAh9ih3Ia4H1byD08WHkFOPfcX2L24Mv1B-p-NY9YwFfk6YDq5vxrH6JfaCqs/w640-h540/IMG_9247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The focus with this quilt was to enjoy the journey. There was absolutely no pressure to finish, or to keep up with the magazine timetable.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzSf_-YRNMghYyqS-umeTyUpB_E3q71SKlSbCJiLso6h6GEyIqs2nLpm9qOHRVe9AcHH9KOD_-3r00D-GRWpHqU-e8JAbtrkiX3Y2jVv9XFiqgWLKqW8IaGtvc5Ixf30SspQJftwYaN6f5D-evQTSHpdG5J_baTfdTq4L1Yx1zj5Vu2g5eUEhMlLQNY/s1000/IMG_9246.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1000" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzSf_-YRNMghYyqS-umeTyUpB_E3q71SKlSbCJiLso6h6GEyIqs2nLpm9qOHRVe9AcHH9KOD_-3r00D-GRWpHqU-e8JAbtrkiX3Y2jVv9XFiqgWLKqW8IaGtvc5Ixf30SspQJftwYaN6f5D-evQTSHpdG5J_baTfdTq4L1Yx1zj5Vu2g5eUEhMlLQNY/w640-h492/IMG_9246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a project I could pick up and just as quickly put down at whim if some other craft was calling for my attention. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYNca0Rahl61w1PpHbIQs1CkZy-vXTL5DUMXq1hkLTc3jPq8ePBb382qfVdMkdzgURSzOtOF7fAe_rU6Zg_x357MRohm-XThBs8AbVEKjNyXQJt4-vnmddnJon4wyUW0YZ87wHaz7hl0_CqnQEfqC_Lije_xLaxDn1DZrLWQ-zkKX59fij98RKXBAm4/s1000/IMG_9245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1000" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYNca0Rahl61w1PpHbIQs1CkZy-vXTL5DUMXq1hkLTc3jPq8ePBb382qfVdMkdzgURSzOtOF7fAe_rU6Zg_x357MRohm-XThBs8AbVEKjNyXQJt4-vnmddnJon4wyUW0YZ87wHaz7hl0_CqnQEfqC_Lije_xLaxDn1DZrLWQ-zkKX59fij98RKXBAm4/w640-h470/IMG_9245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I enjoyed putting my own spin on the blocks, with my signature outlining of the appliques, or popping in my favourite Palestrina Knot stitch here and there ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU5b5ih6-p6vPbgRJRw9yEJqGroF4bSJBykEqijgNCoTtO_VoMHByOOuK0o3sUHocMIrrisjWZRlKL5fgGXWFbzT8pmxdlmE_Bp59AhXncCD0M9lw-xB8Px0JuKC7rqye3Yk-NOjLCh-K4nMnKbQEwHpsoPQoVXGCsoUscE9KnioJqqmFajKQPTVEKcU/s1000/IMG_9236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="682" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU5b5ih6-p6vPbgRJRw9yEJqGroF4bSJBykEqijgNCoTtO_VoMHByOOuK0o3sUHocMIrrisjWZRlKL5fgGXWFbzT8pmxdlmE_Bp59AhXncCD0M9lw-xB8Px0JuKC7rqye3Yk-NOjLCh-K4nMnKbQEwHpsoPQoVXGCsoUscE9KnioJqqmFajKQPTVEKcU/w436-h640/IMG_9236.JPG" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">or adding a scalloped edge:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQosbSD83GlAsI0tolDKH5CmejZOkJy5n3lZ-2n0woF5_gVEEbNdBOaqbISLRuVscEThuzsPCKoK3jMMxA4kF4KNVHHGvD7yXX1VpQYktC5cj2EFl34yW9vlUactoVd4iHLFW2vl5zrIMnrXu9iPpwUfQjwFxJtVAL-76FkqI635fsrg1v19lGEIxA5o/s1000/IMG_9238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="969" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQosbSD83GlAsI0tolDKH5CmejZOkJy5n3lZ-2n0woF5_gVEEbNdBOaqbISLRuVscEThuzsPCKoK3jMMxA4kF4KNVHHGvD7yXX1VpQYktC5cj2EFl34yW9vlUactoVd4iHLFW2vl5zrIMnrXu9iPpwUfQjwFxJtVAL-76FkqI635fsrg1v19lGEIxA5o/w620-h640/IMG_9238.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed Natalie's words of wisdom to her daughter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXjL3aAkOVfFqabZ9iiYcjjxKou4Bn0brivPQDNCJ56YdZAuHaw_aFmv4P8xudvsQt2c2UTXZ2wbUdEE71UhD5H1AwEEB8Nsm1-__yh38GcMRqal9M3bLWn241esTZQGTAgfBVpsD_cThnbbbXEXdtexMacSAFae6O2Onel4RoDgVUtKt858Tv31swFE/s1000/IMG_9242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="953" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXjL3aAkOVfFqabZ9iiYcjjxKou4Bn0brivPQDNCJ56YdZAuHaw_aFmv4P8xudvsQt2c2UTXZ2wbUdEE71UhD5H1AwEEB8Nsm1-__yh38GcMRqal9M3bLWn241esTZQGTAgfBVpsD_cThnbbbXEXdtexMacSAFae6O2Onel4RoDgVUtKt858Tv31swFE/w610-h640/IMG_9242.JPG" width="610" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYNIvpLqwxwDpiP-LKEzrDFwNhJfl8qK8nVK40kvsWT5onJhFUhXmvNlWJeni3wwg3T0M4EsyNCpgK7nx5ImhDQot6522Sh6oAcTtz7fnuMlJ5WL5fqHs8fgUF9bVzKBGEZs0ZldU6IxOGE4j0bgVW3URe1oNZsRgfPMw83ZW7J_t1VkEykHlN32nDIs/s1000/IMG_9243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYNIvpLqwxwDpiP-LKEzrDFwNhJfl8qK8nVK40kvsWT5onJhFUhXmvNlWJeni3wwg3T0M4EsyNCpgK7nx5ImhDQot6522Sh6oAcTtz7fnuMlJ5WL5fqHs8fgUF9bVzKBGEZs0ZldU6IxOGE4j0bgVW3URe1oNZsRgfPMw83ZW7J_t1VkEykHlN32nDIs/w630-h640/IMG_9243.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When it came to putting it all together as a quilt I took some poetic licence and just used the pattern as a guide, rather than following it as written.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWxgLfZZW6dPoFVO4RjLzYcPHLejTbOfy4XLctBFA27ecLxwJYH9j8ykOMq_4UAiu8hsDpehxvm52wNWPVtALj88PfKMqZhXffMt3AlpsptskZkXB2G0Pp1vALGR2QFbR4i7YsaxKFnG7fpRtI4HLYzsVSBglpO4CZ7ylHg32JqN1FSvcOreubEfMt9U/s1000/IMG_9241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWxgLfZZW6dPoFVO4RjLzYcPHLejTbOfy4XLctBFA27ecLxwJYH9j8ykOMq_4UAiu8hsDpehxvm52wNWPVtALj88PfKMqZhXffMt3AlpsptskZkXB2G0Pp1vALGR2QFbR4i7YsaxKFnG7fpRtI4HLYzsVSBglpO4CZ7ylHg32JqN1FSvcOreubEfMt9U/w622-h640/IMG_9241.JPG" width="622" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtUFluRViDB7bsnq3mDQaVbxPp8vwUoCOaU1x7EIiJmtDgu99ziOibBDeD8PsNF4S3wS94mwLjXkL58hH5EoLhkY8yM_MomCRu9NFOXTYf7E-XgMFjVe3U3PSskYSXyV9XZPWyT7M_qzptHtk0LXM5xiskKxSJe32O49UAybsBc3L3w5q1lFBd-Qghu8/s1000/IMG_9240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtUFluRViDB7bsnq3mDQaVbxPp8vwUoCOaU1x7EIiJmtDgu99ziOibBDeD8PsNF4S3wS94mwLjXkL58hH5EoLhkY8yM_MomCRu9NFOXTYf7E-XgMFjVe3U3PSskYSXyV9XZPWyT7M_qzptHtk0LXM5xiskKxSJe32O49UAybsBc3L3w5q1lFBd-Qghu8/w640-h494/IMG_9240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The quilt ended up big enough to sit on top of a Queen size bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysK5D7uvlimRivAV-E1jkRoFsmghJ7jhd_tjGwWBHik3mp3xSlsrV879PIR9DMbOzJw7wJKqI6IVeUms_UZTnDtmdoHIkBSyx32gJ2aEAcOxXiMaBlVMyKrECoG3skMMoKqyST6jlmDwvnfZpzcw_VuOdnkWb3c_yKkdmOogwRSwHPfeVroiWUFLyzWU/s1000/IMG_9239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysK5D7uvlimRivAV-E1jkRoFsmghJ7jhd_tjGwWBHik3mp3xSlsrV879PIR9DMbOzJw7wJKqI6IVeUms_UZTnDtmdoHIkBSyx32gJ2aEAcOxXiMaBlVMyKrECoG3skMMoKqyST6jlmDwvnfZpzcw_VuOdnkWb3c_yKkdmOogwRSwHPfeVroiWUFLyzWU/w450-h640/IMG_9239.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once my grand-daughter announced her engagement, I knew this was the quilt for her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPanT1aV42D6Ty9-pb7yjw-zTtsAmhhYX4FZhPfd3RQyjebzITw2lsCfif_kR7dm2zqxX7eLJg_kctzEah53vJy89DbRDOgibUbbVxAfbfHHh4FN1rY0X_rDeFPrtLlDDmbzCPw5Z0ZVnfNGHaKsz9Yt7kxSdCEg3ElL9XoaB6Yvpt5YVnIHAdCT1ZA1I/s1000/IMG_9237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1000" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPanT1aV42D6Ty9-pb7yjw-zTtsAmhhYX4FZhPfd3RQyjebzITw2lsCfif_kR7dm2zqxX7eLJg_kctzEah53vJy89DbRDOgibUbbVxAfbfHHh4FN1rY0X_rDeFPrtLlDDmbzCPw5Z0ZVnfNGHaKsz9Yt7kxSdCEg3ElL9XoaB6Yvpt5YVnIHAdCT1ZA1I/w640-h452/IMG_9237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My wonderful quilter finished it in time for me to give it to her as part of her wedding present.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv5GDg5sDTr8B-XUEH4arP6Yt4V3zZ3o3ck15SNNmlH8HgCk-BR5drv5Dz1Au68qtQRxC2gMUuIC3QGpP7WjTBsC2pbHH2NLjD2VJr84Hd1a9jBoThmWvLeiHYTpF-mhyphenhyphenXeMu3KI7pbrTyRJ1RdQhfnu-lSDx1XaBZL0jsb4pqu8wlvBiAkmVDgOLdoo/s1000/IMG_9244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="721" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv5GDg5sDTr8B-XUEH4arP6Yt4V3zZ3o3ck15SNNmlH8HgCk-BR5drv5Dz1Au68qtQRxC2gMUuIC3QGpP7WjTBsC2pbHH2NLjD2VJr84Hd1a9jBoThmWvLeiHYTpF-mhyphenhyphenXeMu3KI7pbrTyRJ1RdQhfnu-lSDx1XaBZL0jsb4pqu8wlvBiAkmVDgOLdoo/w462-h640/IMG_9244.JPG" width="462" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I pray that her home will indeed be filled with love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-88233584506895174552023-11-05T15:02:00.000+10:002023-11-05T15:02:18.172+10:00Another family celebration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2023 seems to be the year of Celebrations in our family! A couple of weeks ago another of our grand-daughters was married!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4DchDDsW5-XzCB5NEkRBuU3yQ0xdXOJ646hxUBAO8Jjr6dbqTaTZXWznOHfCs1MDtxvy6jY8FuVolEXmFtz7Y6QT795jpXO49SJ2Px920Fml3DS2JzfNRjE6nSWnMeU5y7oVyZSz39yKRs3Q5fWKto0t6Aqqgk72MEMjq0xkR6x5QSFmv4bCr3K-MFE/s1000/Walking%20down%20the%20aisle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4DchDDsW5-XzCB5NEkRBuU3yQ0xdXOJ646hxUBAO8Jjr6dbqTaTZXWznOHfCs1MDtxvy6jY8FuVolEXmFtz7Y6QT795jpXO49SJ2Px920Fml3DS2JzfNRjE6nSWnMeU5y7oVyZSz39yKRs3Q5fWKto0t6Aqqgk72MEMjq0xkR6x5QSFmv4bCr3K-MFE/w640-h426/Walking%20down%20the%20aisle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was so happy that I could travel interstate to attend the wedding. I hadn't been on a plane for six years and not away from home for a long time, so it was a bit daunting to think about travelling again, and on my own. However, all the travel went really well and it was wonderful to be there for the happy occasion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDqSmE9W5p26xFHujALR8KmmDt3FldZg_K0jvQRuII_2n8_SLEhdnq8dNfNZtL0B1Zj7z0zPeGfvJa983T_gsa0fmWogQVraB0R8AljV9U_8ZOvBGB_LOSG8dh_rF0ulVd_Wr44xnKU2s12AWaSHYIG7OjIMBFtl1zGDo2JHjgWUTn8QnYafLD91d-TU/s934/IMG_9279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="784" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDqSmE9W5p26xFHujALR8KmmDt3FldZg_K0jvQRuII_2n8_SLEhdnq8dNfNZtL0B1Zj7z0zPeGfvJa983T_gsa0fmWogQVraB0R8AljV9U_8ZOvBGB_LOSG8dh_rF0ulVd_Wr44xnKU2s12AWaSHYIG7OjIMBFtl1zGDo2JHjgWUTn8QnYafLD91d-TU/w538-h640/IMG_9279.JPG" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was quite a family event and I had the honour of being one of the witnesses to sign the register. One of my beautiful great grand-daughters was a flower girl:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbtJYN0z7NRPlrF23OeGrQ2NQaWqM5qAKGALQhmZrkAzQghBe0knTnx_bQo2ketMDbn2ElmsBhPA-Zg2eoGtuOmRFyYy7gDqnk5pGxGRp1FUQXHHzZBmRaoreDttqSwcIWaBjFYpmLgo4MaR-kHIfy7zW0tMbw7e5Idk9dGpzTMfonT0L8X0AP5irUmQ/s1000/DSC_2677.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbtJYN0z7NRPlrF23OeGrQ2NQaWqM5qAKGALQhmZrkAzQghBe0knTnx_bQo2ketMDbn2ElmsBhPA-Zg2eoGtuOmRFyYy7gDqnk5pGxGRp1FUQXHHzZBmRaoreDttqSwcIWaBjFYpmLgo4MaR-kHIfy7zW0tMbw7e5Idk9dGpzTMfonT0L8X0AP5irUmQ/w426-h640/DSC_2677.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here I am with my son, the father of the bride:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qc9b-cvcHMMx2I0kjoHKYJURcCt8dx2681yaMF1s01lyucPVb3VzYuVgEUn_ElIS-u8RRCSOwnc0M-HZXcsG4D-rjsnaS_xTkF0XsDsUdXW-UKrcbSexxBLfZCIEacVsggFP80_4fjV1cs7PJBwOIIZIJRIL9yCeHtYUzrvEdXVUBimMJwLmDyX9UPw/s1000/DSC_2761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qc9b-cvcHMMx2I0kjoHKYJURcCt8dx2681yaMF1s01lyucPVb3VzYuVgEUn_ElIS-u8RRCSOwnc0M-HZXcsG4D-rjsnaS_xTkF0XsDsUdXW-UKrcbSexxBLfZCIEacVsggFP80_4fjV1cs7PJBwOIIZIJRIL9yCeHtYUzrvEdXVUBimMJwLmDyX9UPw/w408-h640/DSC_2761.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The flowers were absolutely stunning, arranged by another grand-daughter who is a florist. The bouquets and church flowers were in these pretty colours:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKgZvpuUi2F_vnefoXsNFasrF_UczYijq7RYQHvZKa_utnUMYSV4FkfCISnzrepduDNDvmgm_59K3470x3fhZiFrafFTQcS_77Zjt629VCjq5HsDtv4ZkjK2jQ8KkJZq1PsO7NqL6dPCnYFyDxuMA_w4umzhr6g0qHvpHPjfEFJD70d8qRFd7DPxRyyw/s1000/IMG_9285.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1000" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKgZvpuUi2F_vnefoXsNFasrF_UczYijq7RYQHvZKa_utnUMYSV4FkfCISnzrepduDNDvmgm_59K3470x3fhZiFrafFTQcS_77Zjt629VCjq5HsDtv4ZkjK2jQ8KkJZq1PsO7NqL6dPCnYFyDxuMA_w4umzhr6g0qHvpHPjfEFJD70d8qRFd7DPxRyyw/w640-h572/IMG_9285.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The brief for the wedding reception was 'party', and this riot of colour certainly promoted that atmosphere:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEdZkDBSk4Xz5iu9ey2lk0zkmzWZ2je89qZi3wbWSCsUAE-WSElG7Ma-851xKQ5TbP8HZjxNQ-8M0aqlAR3qW65y6eGf1HMEnaukARZY1J0YwXbDuQzdanMNUt-S2TrtVkfzgsdH_x_g4Z-SX3aax_h9o1alpf1GQ7eLuaSF9T_XctvnxOq7z4n36FUA/s1000/IMG_0187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEdZkDBSk4Xz5iu9ey2lk0zkmzWZ2je89qZi3wbWSCsUAE-WSElG7Ma-851xKQ5TbP8HZjxNQ-8M0aqlAR3qW65y6eGf1HMEnaukARZY1J0YwXbDuQzdanMNUt-S2TrtVkfzgsdH_x_g4Z-SX3aax_h9o1alpf1GQ7eLuaSF9T_XctvnxOq7z4n36FUA/w640-h480/IMG_0187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day after the wedding a 'Post-wedding Brunch' was held for all the family to be together. It was such a brilliant idea, as with a big wedding it is impossible to catch up with everyone. The relaxed hours the next morning gave opportunity to talk and share precious time together, especially with extended family whom I hadn't seen for many long years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the welcome that greeted us at the entrance to the Brunch:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkB20Ez2yHeaTP2Kx3JCWPPTgx2g6hOOGh2ZWy3AqDcGNrju458j8JIGTCf4Y3wFPnK_xieDbArxv6llSPsShpVq5sCG9yKhlkJ1JZgJjCuX7czDAoPsJjU-htbIpJtaOgyT_GyBhzpLaivaUP6BKL1bFrKFJqDCHfH1vRjmUW6sWLi_0wbEpcSaK3sSw/s1000/IMG_0181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkB20Ez2yHeaTP2Kx3JCWPPTgx2g6hOOGh2ZWy3AqDcGNrju458j8JIGTCf4Y3wFPnK_xieDbArxv6llSPsShpVq5sCG9yKhlkJ1JZgJjCuX7czDAoPsJjU-htbIpJtaOgyT_GyBhzpLaivaUP6BKL1bFrKFJqDCHfH1vRjmUW6sWLi_0wbEpcSaK3sSw/w346-h640/IMG_0181.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My three-day break away from my normal, fairly circumscribed life was a real joy. Hubby survived without my visits, my plants remained alive and everything was just as I had left it! My body, however, decided it could get used to holiday mode, so motivation to do anything like work flew out the window for a week! Thankfully, the diary allowed for that, so I just accepted the fact that sometimes I just need a break, and that is OK!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next time I chat I will show you the quilt I made for the bride and groom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many blessings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-89862929156178129152023-10-01T15:15:00.002+10:002023-10-05T05:44:15.866+10:00On being thrifty<p>I was born into a loving, caring family in the middle of World War II. My father served as a soldier in PNG and he didn't see me until I was seven months old when he was able to come home for a short time on leave. My mother used to tell me that he would not buy anything but absolute necessities on the field, so that he could send his pay home to help us survive. Rationing of food and clothing was in place and it took quite a while to save enough coupons to purchase essentials. Butter was the first thing to be rationed in Australia so the dripping from the mutton roasts was the substitute. Some of the rations continued for four or five years after the war. By the time I went to school, dripping on fresh bread was one of my favourite after-school snacks!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxulpqCLxncNG5uaLbNLJ4s7H5b2B6dMkxkNAd3pqYYE-fkFUuvzFCeRCnSXI0SfOUA9XxbVdmMer_jTP4MaxHvegb4zSktCXuCHsd7SCVLyX1Q3TIBjXp27nVeAjLJI1H1DJTCujETlSk9EVZzz4TvmBBynz3yIaO9Nm9rRxirRjuelKqXCM1iYAFhpU/s1000/IMG_9139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1000" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxulpqCLxncNG5uaLbNLJ4s7H5b2B6dMkxkNAd3pqYYE-fkFUuvzFCeRCnSXI0SfOUA9XxbVdmMer_jTP4MaxHvegb4zSktCXuCHsd7SCVLyX1Q3TIBjXp27nVeAjLJI1H1DJTCujETlSk9EVZzz4TvmBBynz3yIaO9Nm9rRxirRjuelKqXCM1iYAFhpU/w640-h604/IMG_9139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">My father had employment after the war, but when I compare my life with that of many of my school friends, I realise that we were really quite poor. There was no room in the budget for any extras. Mum virtually never bought anything for herself, she sewed all our clothes where possible, and we didn't own a car. Mum and Dad were both very clever with their hands and between them they could mend, patch, remake, remodel and repair almost anything and most of the time my brother and I were blissfully ignorant of the struggles our parents went through to give us the happy childhood that we had.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-36A1mKl8Vzi3LfUsftBlT6ENJP3wYjy4vyuK_2ySd2o7xOO1DKKsYpTGxQRlx48cu5gKEoXfYdGaUv6wElkI68ZCki-DE-9xf1FfWARMsohwJplh1h3vxQ9FoeZPnr42hMrRp8hLX2-j0NRL1wMqmVbK38JLtHzzr6UDq6M0McEcP69Ji8atrMPEk0/s1000/IMG_9141.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-36A1mKl8Vzi3LfUsftBlT6ENJP3wYjy4vyuK_2ySd2o7xOO1DKKsYpTGxQRlx48cu5gKEoXfYdGaUv6wElkI68ZCki-DE-9xf1FfWARMsohwJplh1h3vxQ9FoeZPnr42hMrRp8hLX2-j0NRL1wMqmVbK38JLtHzzr6UDq6M0McEcP69Ji8atrMPEk0/w640-h488/IMG_9141.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Ignorant we might have been, but the thrifty pattern of life was set before us every day. Is it any wonder then that I grew up with the same frugal, careful, mindset? Nothing was ever wasted in my childhood home and to this day I absolutely abhor waste, and spending unnecessarily just doesn't fit into my economic plans!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW97QUYaiyBKsDRYtjZ15by1RLD3kiiXQutgrw07B3R9yxNFecRN2mDXLUpL-BbzkIYS_tO9DuWS2wLORKmOVmn4db0-PSlPp3s_neWro12qWvK2ICU3QWUjTzsaOc5boM53iC5JFIsT9giz0HRrxYqoEBXF1-6qqJep4TFCtWB-lOdoa8zU4d23kXfsk/s1000/IMG_9140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW97QUYaiyBKsDRYtjZ15by1RLD3kiiXQutgrw07B3R9yxNFecRN2mDXLUpL-BbzkIYS_tO9DuWS2wLORKmOVmn4db0-PSlPp3s_neWro12qWvK2ICU3QWUjTzsaOc5boM53iC5JFIsT9giz0HRrxYqoEBXF1-6qqJep4TFCtWB-lOdoa8zU4d23kXfsk/w640-h540/IMG_9140.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>So, when I received from two different friends some bags of crochet/knitting cotton, which included quite a few small end-of-balls, my brain went into overdrive working out a practical use for these lovely threads. On their own, these small amounts of cotton are almost useless, but put them together and we have a different story. </p><p>Useful and pretty is how I have always wanted my craft work to be, so what could be more practical than a bag, and more pretty than the colours of the rainbow? You can imagine the fun I have had playing with all the different hues and working a basic design that didn't require much concentration or much reading of a pattern, as most of my crocheting is done while I sit with hubby in Aged Care.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEFuks7G1Vq5XWrsuG64-MT93Kl263sUGMUCDcFo7TvRsraGdyQY4L6vzwIRzXi5GoHdqBzfKfPP3yEi0iKWF5uOC_riDkfihxpxqPa3_nDFVUBugKQZPBMIdWnpllY_ohz-n8HBQtoovCmAG9uq4PB8MCC_61r7rr_LzKPDC_UjqDnWEPRdMMcuMnvY/s1080/Delia's%20bag.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEFuks7G1Vq5XWrsuG64-MT93Kl263sUGMUCDcFo7TvRsraGdyQY4L6vzwIRzXi5GoHdqBzfKfPP3yEi0iKWF5uOC_riDkfihxpxqPa3_nDFVUBugKQZPBMIdWnpllY_ohz-n8HBQtoovCmAG9uq4PB8MCC_61r7rr_LzKPDC_UjqDnWEPRdMMcuMnvY/w640-h640/Delia's%20bag.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I use the word 'most', because I have enjoyed the process so much that some nights I have put away the needle and thread on grand-daughter's bee wall hanging and just relished the rhythm of the crochet hook. Here's the link to the free pattern on which I based the bag above: <a href="http://www.kristinescrochets.com/2022/06/crochet-tote-bag.html " target="_blank">http://www.kristinescrochets.com/2022/06/crochet-tote-bag.html </a></p><p>I adapted this lovely free pattern: <a href="https://kamecrochet.com/2020/07/29/laica-market-bag/ " target="_blank">https://kamecrochet.com/2020/07/29/laica-market-bag/ </a>for the bag below. I am so thrilled to have found a use for something that might have been discarded as worthless. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLJ6jJL0Ps85wvIX4rUwmz2wdWrned1lqx4atcRWzxG7tKG5E6JL75OHhQi81X0EkiSTZ2_JEP0VqIV8w9ZRWj-fEfu92j7yu9knzE4N5FnbAyXop4lkoT3IoijpFUWW7efPi1e6Aa8XNo126y4g0Z1u2hcpoeT8kFq1j-XI8uHx0wEWuSoTJfqcrQug/s1080/Crochet%20bag.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLJ6jJL0Ps85wvIX4rUwmz2wdWrned1lqx4atcRWzxG7tKG5E6JL75OHhQi81X0EkiSTZ2_JEP0VqIV8w9ZRWj-fEfu92j7yu9knzE4N5FnbAyXop4lkoT3IoijpFUWW7efPi1e6Aa8XNo126y4g0Z1u2hcpoeT8kFq1j-XI8uHx0wEWuSoTJfqcrQug/w640-h640/Crochet%20bag.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>The tally is two bags so far - both have been lined. One will be a gift, but I have decided to keep the second one for myself to replace the much-used old tote bag I made eighteen years ago. </p><p>I love my thrifty life!</p><p>Val</p><p><br /></p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-17832819518524381722023-09-10T15:06:00.001+10:002023-09-10T15:06:52.693+10:00Getting wisdom ...<p>I've just had one of my grandsons stay with me for a few days. I'm always thrilled when one of the younger generation wants to come and spend time with their old grandmother! We always have great conversations and often talk about the deep issues of life and of our Christian faith. It's a blessing to watch him grow and gain wisdom.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmFZkDfVshc08zQ5tcWbKAsasXFaxh9D9K2HB9MUDKrVYS2nDREOf6dxJiRxuUY2yaycTrfoCOulGdeYlFYVSHGIqzPrw-Kij6PHM5r8QY_djEu0LB1-67QJ0jYz0XY8KdDIobWjwMqlS-sujC-ZizRQd_AQfYzD4_tX9naNOWlfEV50xUUubR-ON3vg/s1000/t%20truths%20block%209%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmFZkDfVshc08zQ5tcWbKAsasXFaxh9D9K2HB9MUDKrVYS2nDREOf6dxJiRxuUY2yaycTrfoCOulGdeYlFYVSHGIqzPrw-Kij6PHM5r8QY_djEu0LB1-67QJ0jYz0XY8KdDIobWjwMqlS-sujC-ZizRQd_AQfYzD4_tX9naNOWlfEV50xUUubR-ON3vg/w632-h640/t%20truths%20block%209%20blog.jpg" width="632" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last block in our <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths BOM</span></a> gives us a great idea for becoming wise with its message from Proverbs 19:20:<i>Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.</i> Being humble enough to realise we 'don't know it all' and being willing to learn from others is a valuable trait to have in our lives!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the completion of our 2023 Block of the Month programme, but the design is still available in one complete pattern on the <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/wall-quilt-and-wall-hanging-patterns.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wall Quilts and Hangings shop page</span></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26vVnOBnxnttI2GkG5-21dpGYz5GTBTg5ZVdRl8qtBlpfGuKIY9si6VMEb9BaVJqOzqe9XIYP1uULYoLztrUVMBMz1OuZP2sGGUoW6zITwrJ5Cu06KvZaGDL2c9PvfC4nCazTp8AU1O4GVchGt9ZvIJ-I6OPDU7OoNKRAPSVxQZ6nrKSqYn3SFdBcvlw/s1000/IMG_9143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1000" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26vVnOBnxnttI2GkG5-21dpGYz5GTBTg5ZVdRl8qtBlpfGuKIY9si6VMEb9BaVJqOzqe9XIYP1uULYoLztrUVMBMz1OuZP2sGGUoW6zITwrJ5Cu06KvZaGDL2c9PvfC4nCazTp8AU1O4GVchGt9ZvIJ-I6OPDU7OoNKRAPSVxQZ6nrKSqYn3SFdBcvlw/w640-h578/IMG_9143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>There are plenty of instances as I look back over my life, when I wish I had been a lot wiser! All the regrets and failures can pile up high sometimes, but I am thankful that I belong to Jesus and He has forgiven all the sin, and there is no longer condemnation. He can even turn all those bad things around for good!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26aDm1CgejPyn9EtGxqITRXWTywtSZ2-OzIxgfQb2NcrXUqYnT7M1-P4nAUTgYs_pOmq_gaHKRP46NtDM9SM4QMZXWkUVe2KBiGX6cKUmP4czpBHRhy0n5z8nCTfOnONUK-68pWEGaw709k96hnmSeZRmIZdMzhrlrMbWIfvza-RX1TK4w26X8LnrK_I/s1000/IMG_9142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1000" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26aDm1CgejPyn9EtGxqITRXWTywtSZ2-OzIxgfQb2NcrXUqYnT7M1-P4nAUTgYs_pOmq_gaHKRP46NtDM9SM4QMZXWkUVe2KBiGX6cKUmP4czpBHRhy0n5z8nCTfOnONUK-68pWEGaw709k96hnmSeZRmIZdMzhrlrMbWIfvza-RX1TK4w26X8LnrK_I/w640-h550/IMG_9142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of my lovely grand-daughters asked me to make her a wall hanging with bees on it. She went through my fabric stash and chose pieces that she wanted me to use to match her bedroom décor. I am appliqueing and embroidering all things 'bees' onto hexagons and using Perlé cotton to outline the appliques. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmW_avurFAAuwsELmrZqUazjxNu7eBM9kMacxg_ou7_ehQsaPRkKD2OrzKhw7QWGQBEnBqG8uNN4Qj8UxJA-C_wvvXtQ04pKrjlTZT4z74q7P-AHgP5gMDiFA5HTHM9zoAiA2j57cAF3B1Nii28wVyKga4ZBQq_4jLTan2Gl80bXe_ATz2GGQVXT9riQ/s1000/IMG_9144.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1000" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmW_avurFAAuwsELmrZqUazjxNu7eBM9kMacxg_ou7_ehQsaPRkKD2OrzKhw7QWGQBEnBqG8uNN4Qj8UxJA-C_wvvXtQ04pKrjlTZT4z74q7P-AHgP5gMDiFA5HTHM9zoAiA2j57cAF3B1Nii28wVyKga4ZBQq_4jLTan2Gl80bXe_ATz2GGQVXT9riQ/w640-h550/IMG_9144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I remember seeing a documentary about bees once. Every bee has its own specialised duty; they are able to communicate in amazing ways with each other and work together for the benefit of the hive. They are very clever and wise little creatures.</p><p>... and now the process of getting wisdom starts all over again for the latest arrival in our family. One of our grand-daughters just had her first baby - a boy. So the tally of great grand-children is now 4 girls and 1 boy, with two more on the way! We are so blessed!</p><p>Happy stitching!</p><p>Val</p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-86942373045421713112023-08-13T15:33:00.000+10:002023-08-13T15:33:13.721+10:00A kind word cheers the heart<p>This week I was the recipient of some kind words. Wow, they made a difference to my day! I felt uplifted and appreciated and cared for and there was a spring in my step.</p><p>The Bible gets it right when it says, <b><i>'Anxiety weights down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.'</i></b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 12:25 NIV.</span> <span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;">There's a lot to weigh down people with anxiety these days. Where I live in Australia cost of living has risen so much and people are struggling to pay mortgages and put food on the table. Insufficient low-cost housing has meant that many people just can't find somewhere to live. </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;">There's plenty of room for a </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">kind word</span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;"> to lift people's spirits! </span></p><p><span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;">That is the verse that is the focus of Block 8 of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths BOM Wall Quilt. </span></a> </span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZkFoE47nwRQRP_yrCJa28PIK2L32IVpdAxzOr3RkljQpicFyuTBOHSamnq0-W5Kyo5VLNUQEBssI87ZXJWAmGwSF_yPnXufttsZ5gxAwk8yEHqvSRLL4gEE45qPfoWsniqMUE5uGs4FfIRD1_FCpMGLzVdBucUGUxWRliUuUswFnrctrSi3LHrfdv20/s1000/t%20truths%20block%208%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="977" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZkFoE47nwRQRP_yrCJa28PIK2L32IVpdAxzOr3RkljQpicFyuTBOHSamnq0-W5Kyo5VLNUQEBssI87ZXJWAmGwSF_yPnXufttsZ5gxAwk8yEHqvSRLL4gEE45qPfoWsniqMUE5uGs4FfIRD1_FCpMGLzVdBucUGUxWRliUuUswFnrctrSi3LHrfdv20/w626-h640/t%20truths%20block%208%20blog.jpg" width="626" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;">Hopefully we can make a difference and someone might be able to soar above their anxieties like these pretty kites because of our kind words.</span></p><p>There hasn't been much crafting going on in my house, but there is always some crocheting to do when I visit hubby in Care. Most of my hand towels and face washers all have a pretty crochet edge now. I think they take a very ordinary piece of manchester up to something to be appreciated!</p><p>This lot is ready to stitch on to a towel:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEvmbGZ4u-k748NJtggUbU3ToWlKrLxeoc_Y3EPzu-djdP6Q6zOyRVk3AsZnWOR1KQBoq3OMQdMkGLZgYSU_xfrDxqhDVxhu0Iv30_b4EW30M0hRs8Ebmx6-xYyzGWg61rCBqOX2wxh6JEzzDBVGsGlJDP9li2OH0rFaiCvFoMfMnENTsIs3l-dh7wm8/s1000/IMG_9108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEvmbGZ4u-k748NJtggUbU3ToWlKrLxeoc_Y3EPzu-djdP6Q6zOyRVk3AsZnWOR1KQBoq3OMQdMkGLZgYSU_xfrDxqhDVxhu0Iv30_b4EW30M0hRs8Ebmx6-xYyzGWg61rCBqOX2wxh6JEzzDBVGsGlJDP9li2OH0rFaiCvFoMfMnENTsIs3l-dh7wm8/w640-h480/IMG_9108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and this will be a pretty edge when it is all complete:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-BBdoZRymAF4ivKwrhAQ2cq40_PF5BpIxon17V_CVvv86xv0l05MrAubNH7a-7UKmRfOn9xryKREI3chyQVelwhJo3KNJ_wwcyiWTa6bfZzag6a6w0DY_DHHrCrby_E0bp-YUZNAvP7h_z0drRfGhqdACfCa2zDjxKR2k7IZnWOwn7GDSbdfB9hocQQ/s1000/IMG_9109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-BBdoZRymAF4ivKwrhAQ2cq40_PF5BpIxon17V_CVvv86xv0l05MrAubNH7a-7UKmRfOn9xryKREI3chyQVelwhJo3KNJ_wwcyiWTa6bfZzag6a6w0DY_DHHrCrby_E0bp-YUZNAvP7h_z0drRfGhqdACfCa2zDjxKR2k7IZnWOwn7GDSbdfB9hocQQ/w640-h480/IMG_9109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to confess to some indulgence this last week! One of our beautiful grand-daughters came to stay. She is an Apprentice Chef so took over all the cooking for four days! I dined on meals like Seafood Chowder with King Prawns, Mussels and Salmon, Vietnamese Salad, and Goat's Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her New York Cheesecake with berry coulis is out of this world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0KuzdujJde1Lf-Gu01j88jVo3ZiSehuBoIOCkMs_DgBFrudHDb-OGPBXinjXAdPK65g876XHVSertCsL1drSU8tYA2bH9XXUwgRaBNWIlyWKOkfJbgvG8jzrd8QeLy_KTo5QcaWEWwd9zUF3IEk3jRPFQ0XtqqEPcMlUE5jiCa80bxi7HKgFAtasVSw/s1000/IMG_8484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1000" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0KuzdujJde1Lf-Gu01j88jVo3ZiSehuBoIOCkMs_DgBFrudHDb-OGPBXinjXAdPK65g876XHVSertCsL1drSU8tYA2bH9XXUwgRaBNWIlyWKOkfJbgvG8jzrd8QeLy_KTo5QcaWEWwd9zUF3IEk3jRPFQ0XtqqEPcMlUE5jiCa80bxi7HKgFAtasVSw/w640-h566/IMG_8484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />To go along with the indulgence theme, I spent an hour or so browsing through Pinterest - something I haven't done for ages. It sure got the stitching mojo going! Now for some more time in the day to get started!<div><br /></div><div>Happy stitching!</div><div><br /></div><div>Val<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-9454783617669810662023-07-10T12:48:00.000+10:002023-07-10T12:48:36.475+10:00Friends love through all kinds of weather<b>'Friends love through all kinds of weather'</b> (Proverbs 17:17 MSG) - isn't that a wonderful quote? True friends will stick around through thick and thin, through good times and bad. What a great blessing it is to have loyal, true friends. The Bible certainly is always spot on where the rubber hits the road!<br /><br /><div>That's the verse that is quoted on Block 7 of the <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Timeless Truths BOM Wall Quilt.</span></a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">If you wish to join this project, even at this late stage, the cost is a one-off $20 which covers the whole pattern for the nine months.</span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Hk3zj6_-xjvhr6b7bmcfYr0gwcFeUyfIdQrbo-G88oF15LpcCxDzeOlzTbOggtEidH6Oie4VjnWnYdagIBofotTGERD9ObWKwop9qplgpc9nbm28Od-02fpB5htDXGPJyr5ILesEluNeszJ1lWhfx3Qw-bK8QEwztNhRTdHqYFtbeynHa03mumyRtIg/s1000/t%20truths%20block%207%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1000" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Hk3zj6_-xjvhr6b7bmcfYr0gwcFeUyfIdQrbo-G88oF15LpcCxDzeOlzTbOggtEidH6Oie4VjnWnYdagIBofotTGERD9ObWKwop9qplgpc9nbm28Od-02fpB5htDXGPJyr5ILesEluNeszJ1lWhfx3Qw-bK8QEwztNhRTdHqYFtbeynHa03mumyRtIg/w640-h624/t%20truths%20block%207%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my friends likes to keep me occupied when I visit hubby in Aged Care, so she is always buying washers and scouring Op Shops for thread, so that I can crochet around them for her. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9DWejmRuDWkTUr3Gnb-kDCjwBsaAXdgv8LYWeV8hlp2zHRSJFJrrytzNwZiM2B0eenD8oJ0oH_D3wK1dGFOJz6A9Z8Kjupwnj4Iu8MgmCFzhOldo1po4LpaNfZJQK7ipwKiOVWR8Y9hNS5I5ervqNJcNmgvO24a1dpcWbnrtORXPcGAnAMeBpsq01Pc/s1000/IMG_9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9DWejmRuDWkTUr3Gnb-kDCjwBsaAXdgv8LYWeV8hlp2zHRSJFJrrytzNwZiM2B0eenD8oJ0oH_D3wK1dGFOJz6A9Z8Kjupwnj4Iu8MgmCFzhOldo1po4LpaNfZJQK7ipwKiOVWR8Y9hNS5I5ervqNJcNmgvO24a1dpcWbnrtORXPcGAnAMeBpsq01Pc/w640-h480/IMG_9048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the bundle this time was this lovely variegated thread. It looked quite ordinary on the spool, but it has crocheted up beautifully into this shell pattern:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2SAHYzWQY0ft-JHfzt8BzJ-ElSS5SX-NWy-xGqFy9XzM_b77Dlr6N4WOJKMkbzfTALFw4k4FoXQT98HNSjoSe_mQ2-nJnAeOeiHEXLjtlXvp-4Wd7g024zn3QiGoXxC146rRv5B-9W9bORvPLqelc3kwOt2FL3LEIb6eRcf2BXUCrWDGC7Ia34Kj1Mc/s1000/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2SAHYzWQY0ft-JHfzt8BzJ-ElSS5SX-NWy-xGqFy9XzM_b77Dlr6N4WOJKMkbzfTALFw4k4FoXQT98HNSjoSe_mQ2-nJnAeOeiHEXLjtlXvp-4Wd7g024zn3QiGoXxC146rRv5B-9W9bORvPLqelc3kwOt2FL3LEIb6eRcf2BXUCrWDGC7Ia34Kj1Mc/w640-h480/IMG_9049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like to have a separate purse for my phone. The old one was very daggy so I whipped up this one in a hurry. I think it took me longer to cut out the pieces than to sew it! I'm so happy to have my sewing machine functioning well,<a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2023/04/when-sewing-machine-becomes-weapon.html" target="_blank"> after the earlier trauma. </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoM1xhCQsLa6IocBr4OO8KU-KJx0wrBIEJzaNm09SPDEvMLKh__wQcGsYJVyMvYdp2jB0PioZZlEhicPuVO2hbm2jPnv19D6yPM2_VQuJOjVG25LIhCRWJ06dWcXjMtjiBn8Kb6NMSw9WUCM1fxj3_OFOrUOtcCS-IpUKrVsddYE6BcuXDJtoXNc3fxg/s1000/Phone%20purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoM1xhCQsLa6IocBr4OO8KU-KJx0wrBIEJzaNm09SPDEvMLKh__wQcGsYJVyMvYdp2jB0PioZZlEhicPuVO2hbm2jPnv19D6yPM2_VQuJOjVG25LIhCRWJ06dWcXjMtjiBn8Kb6NMSw9WUCM1fxj3_OFOrUOtcCS-IpUKrVsddYE6BcuXDJtoXNc3fxg/w640-h480/Phone%20purse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><br /><p></p></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-68055967629839819212023-07-05T12:17:00.002+10:002023-07-05T12:17:47.816+10:00Wedding Fever!<p> I've just had two wonderful weeks with lots of family around for a grand-daughter's wedding. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy2gtlD1nXk6NErmKQx2TI59hoLu64AtdnMpBh7JAq8ijH6dYuKP8Kw3AKcAlgBTJPqopvxzZ9VeGAJ5jEj832vz_GrvY4O6QHySLTWsfeaoGbc8xnpUVEBXqBhnb3xlplJ5gou4tSbDGtYuxE4psctIh271UvHsMKJA0sA2oANY8nCh-s_OPVXw4NjE/s1000/IMG_8943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy2gtlD1nXk6NErmKQx2TI59hoLu64AtdnMpBh7JAq8ijH6dYuKP8Kw3AKcAlgBTJPqopvxzZ9VeGAJ5jEj832vz_GrvY4O6QHySLTWsfeaoGbc8xnpUVEBXqBhnb3xlplJ5gou4tSbDGtYuxE4psctIh271UvHsMKJA0sA2oANY8nCh-s_OPVXw4NjE/w480-h640/IMG_8943.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought I was just hosting the family and getting prettied up to attend the wedding, but they decided I needed to be more involved than that!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwNaOHe1IRHjhtC0RpvVx78kO5zY8RqfxUnfmjhrffbmpk42KFxW-SvYaxUMF0YBsVKRt6loQ4HL8_pyzwBDHxa_Yecsivzu6_qRTJseqW6ooGJt2xW1VJKLzBu_LgWTJrDB8-8Rmpg732W6aGOfWtFmNlo4GQfgO7P20jcbMxG9mtwNBEt8mPjrrsGc/s1000/IMG_8971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwNaOHe1IRHjhtC0RpvVx78kO5zY8RqfxUnfmjhrffbmpk42KFxW-SvYaxUMF0YBsVKRt6loQ4HL8_pyzwBDHxa_Yecsivzu6_qRTJseqW6ooGJt2xW1VJKLzBu_LgWTJrDB8-8Rmpg732W6aGOfWtFmNlo4GQfgO7P20jcbMxG9mtwNBEt8mPjrrsGc/w640-h480/IMG_8971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Father of the Bride needed his tie narrowed - it was the absolutely perfect colour but a bit wide for the current fashion trend, so it was out with the needle and thread! Then the Bride's brothers had bought new suits and needed their trousers taken up. The iron also had a workout, ironing shirts, trousers and the Maid of Honour's dress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_67i-73_TuIGMWlLsM3y7Gj4aEaRImX-91uz34gv8R76Tm8xwX5UbEqvRPgsKeh6h8V6N-3x-1ymXQMkEJI-3B-C_3PRgi80YYvpgrTqG2SlHq1GtfsNkurqsAvkFjg5pZ5IuEuX4cKMMc1b-7Jl002AvCX5UWIPz7dIqGlzwUGcaY7wOTH6gzEdwarE/s1000/DSC_2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_67i-73_TuIGMWlLsM3y7Gj4aEaRImX-91uz34gv8R76Tm8xwX5UbEqvRPgsKeh6h8V6N-3x-1ymXQMkEJI-3B-C_3PRgi80YYvpgrTqG2SlHq1GtfsNkurqsAvkFjg5pZ5IuEuX4cKMMc1b-7Jl002AvCX5UWIPz7dIqGlzwUGcaY7wOTH6gzEdwarE/w426-h640/DSC_2215.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bride's mother had grandiose plans of making herself a coat to go over her gorgeous dress as it's the middle of winter here so she needed to have something suitable to keep her warm as night came on. Pressures of work and home life meant that plan didn't eventuate, so she came down from the north with bags of fabric, thread and pattern and just a few days to make a lined velvet coat, in between a High Tea for the Bride, 21st Birthday celebrations for a son and making the wedding cake! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You don't need to read any more to guess what happened! Yes, I ended up making her coat, with a lot of prayer that it would all turn out well. I didn't even have my sewing machine back from the repair man till two days before the family arrived! Our daughter had SO many comments about her stunning coat, with a few requests for me to make them one too! She did manage to make herself the cute matching bag in time for the wedding!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWG6OvvIj4lAzYV0-iLqa-rgLNL8rgNSVizIaaYjzS6IAt0yaYqv7tEZ7Ha5iUIaBqCAs6UjQv2S5BcKpnu-QJwiXX1F0X2MNJ0oBEfMm1HWRPgP62B5mge3X-fuvP6K7syYHliDt1bdX1ggdADL-EvkccSDRG4Tk1K4opdKjm4Ggrf9xZdTeMLk17AQ/s1000/IMG_8991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="866" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWG6OvvIj4lAzYV0-iLqa-rgLNL8rgNSVizIaaYjzS6IAt0yaYqv7tEZ7Ha5iUIaBqCAs6UjQv2S5BcKpnu-QJwiXX1F0X2MNJ0oBEfMm1HWRPgP62B5mge3X-fuvP6K7syYHliDt1bdX1ggdADL-EvkccSDRG4Tk1K4opdKjm4Ggrf9xZdTeMLk17AQ/w554-h640/IMG_8991.JPG" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My kitchen and oven were taken over to make the six cakes that made up the wedding cake, beautifully made and decorated by our daughter, and all gluten free, since the bride, her brother and her mum are all coeliacs.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVrnJFd192Ze9ig86s7sdCtMcrR7CSel8q0-o6nn98U_USXadhVx8pGRJPx_2PD4r5IR2mWJUAbNv5XeMKS5t-2kPQiri8efLmzFR9a2wDdtSJ7osiinhMC5UotyxCSGuO3qm-8jhN8jPk5jD-b0UmBNizq0wp3DmiYeLSjIQfnVDMN07bhhOrIlxMcs/s1000/IMG_8984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1000" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVrnJFd192Ze9ig86s7sdCtMcrR7CSel8q0-o6nn98U_USXadhVx8pGRJPx_2PD4r5IR2mWJUAbNv5XeMKS5t-2kPQiri8efLmzFR9a2wDdtSJ7osiinhMC5UotyxCSGuO3qm-8jhN8jPk5jD-b0UmBNizq0wp3DmiYeLSjIQfnVDMN07bhhOrIlxMcs/w640-h546/IMG_8984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The day turned out beautifully in answer to our prayers, sunny, pleasantly warm, and I loved wearing my pretty new blue dress!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbc0dtRe8GJiByJszargPe7F8P4WB9tNq8oAbqFH8EoupSTys7coSkgFfVZRIUCXCgA9gEBP2qfExKtFtqIJ9Y_HGhQvGHZ-mVK_8_e7OlgOe3eiMP3sXSkKrkFXLL2xd3RixloXNouw667jzkGEOHBWCTfscOAFLu1GnH4ruSoFm39P91suvmttEKN8/s1000/IMG_8999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbc0dtRe8GJiByJszargPe7F8P4WB9tNq8oAbqFH8EoupSTys7coSkgFfVZRIUCXCgA9gEBP2qfExKtFtqIJ9Y_HGhQvGHZ-mVK_8_e7OlgOe3eiMP3sXSkKrkFXLL2xd3RixloXNouw667jzkGEOHBWCTfscOAFLu1GnH4ruSoFm39P91suvmttEKN8/w640-h480/IMG_8999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the wedding, I enjoyed having some more family stay with me and also had the pleasure of lots of the wedding flowers gracing the home. The bride is a florist, so some of the flowers were specially sourced and were amazing of course.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHIn19YYNXkNPeQmeqbw8iEs8YhXx1Uuw0od0ucllvB5VeRlghTXgZpOTN5Lf8xvySOJSJRWYMY1pqkdcJXs9SH8Qmqr09W4juZj9dDjxUyNEz9Bo2N2R-hWh2b0oG5U6ljLyR3Q4V5ZOen6l-elu9X3ZkCWJeHXB_HNv7AoSW_v8Ei6TWdYkWrEIQUg/s1000/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHIn19YYNXkNPeQmeqbw8iEs8YhXx1Uuw0od0ucllvB5VeRlghTXgZpOTN5Lf8xvySOJSJRWYMY1pqkdcJXs9SH8Qmqr09W4juZj9dDjxUyNEz9Bo2N2R-hWh2b0oG5U6ljLyR3Q4V5ZOen6l-elu9X3ZkCWJeHXB_HNv7AoSW_v8Ei6TWdYkWrEIQUg/w640-h480/IMG_9003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And now they have all gone home, the washing has been done, the house cleaned and I'm eating the left-overs that I find in the fridge and freezer, so thankful to God for the many answers to prayer for such a wonderful celebration as the young couple step out in life together as husband and wife.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-49609031570839310812023-06-11T18:09:00.002+10:002023-06-11T18:09:19.705+10:00A Heart at Peace and a Healthy BodyIt's amazing how the Bible was written so long ago but is SO up-to-date. The verse on the June Block of the<span style="font-size: medium;"><b> <span style="color: #cc0000;">T<a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">imeless Truths Block of the Month Wall Quil</span></a>t</span></b></span><span> </span>is from Proverbs 14:30: "A heart at peace gives life to the body but jealousy rots the bones." The Easy-to-Read Version puts it this way: "Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer."<br /><br />It's only in relatively recent years that the medicos have discovered how much our attitudes and state of mind affect our health! Jealousy and wanting what other people have is very bad for one's physical, mental and spiritual well-being!<br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWxl1yGUupvEAD_o0AKd5FQz7TDjJYBwPhdb4KOTNtHfG7LCBAPPGNg17pC0TF6RS_Czl21ot1z2abY5LV1YwPlzvlyZHqcOyyL2ItHOhulUloPy-usfId1od1eJK5ZEQfYIC0amWzuxGcYtwb2AS4znW_4uNOzy0NhTRQPnRxFZNBXF8qb2xZa6-/s1000/t%20truths%20block%206%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="977" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWxl1yGUupvEAD_o0AKd5FQz7TDjJYBwPhdb4KOTNtHfG7LCBAPPGNg17pC0TF6RS_Czl21ot1z2abY5LV1YwPlzvlyZHqcOyyL2ItHOhulUloPy-usfId1od1eJK5ZEQfYIC0amWzuxGcYtwb2AS4znW_4uNOzy0NhTRQPnRxFZNBXF8qb2xZa6-/w626-h640/t%20truths%20block%206%20blog.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div>Hubby and I used to love collecting shells, learning their names and finding out everything we could about them. It was a very peaceful pastime, so I designed a block with a shell to reflect a heart at peace.</div><div><br /><div>Of course, we can only know true peace of heart and mind, when we know the Prince of Peace - Jesus. That is my testimony - in spite of all the emotions, trauma, grief, sadness and exhaustion of watching my darling hubby decline with dementia, God has given me His amazing peace.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFGQMo0MS8_MWC44F0YtFgZL2sIToi5fJp-XZgE9GMhXqGupt3-YhFWAycu0jSRgBPurM1T2608P74f_1IvgMVYZqS0uatYa8-lIKpUEey39TIBprcoWvgQc7oQ2AvAsp2iPafqe6kFQm_lzcT43gFZSLzbDhumu9HfaK3V_bA37E-1P-7h4-2YG2/s1080/Timeless%20Truths%20Instagram.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFGQMo0MS8_MWC44F0YtFgZL2sIToi5fJp-XZgE9GMhXqGupt3-YhFWAycu0jSRgBPurM1T2608P74f_1IvgMVYZqS0uatYa8-lIKpUEey39TIBprcoWvgQc7oQ2AvAsp2iPafqe6kFQm_lzcT43gFZSLzbDhumu9HfaK3V_bA37E-1P-7h4-2YG2/w640-h640/Timeless%20Truths%20Instagram.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Block 6 has been sent out to those who have subscribed to <a href=" https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths BOM</span></a>. If you wish to join this project, the cost is a one-off $20 which covers the whole pattern for the year. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0pXMJAdSi9vhNM78BPlZatz0XS9O0OMMlT9W7z0ZsjVFDyFTKYXsJ-8AAtkBSYW2h0WcSRObmJ-IC-Fybo0PYLOWrTlQMjnv2wy4OYMSPgqMbiB_PGKueatPZCi_47YYsJH_nRb6o8kXtGZM2jI7EYXzPMPoiX7QiYk08SPUq3q8fdcB8rqP0nbw/s1000/IMG_8863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0pXMJAdSi9vhNM78BPlZatz0XS9O0OMMlT9W7z0ZsjVFDyFTKYXsJ-8AAtkBSYW2h0WcSRObmJ-IC-Fybo0PYLOWrTlQMjnv2wy4OYMSPgqMbiB_PGKueatPZCi_47YYsJH_nRb6o8kXtGZM2jI7EYXzPMPoiX7QiYk08SPUq3q8fdcB8rqP0nbw/w640-h480/IMG_8863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't seem to have a lot of time these days to be creating beautiful bags, quilts and stitching accessories as I used to. Sometimes my creative energies have flowed in other directions, but one thing that hasn't changed is that I still can't bear to watch TV without having some stitching in my hands! I have enjoyed working on this beautiful vintage printed linen and then crocheting a pretty edge for it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hnG7Lo7X4yJzTpMftsXEGM0YJFhaX012sKg2BUwfhdhruEvL-uWN2NkBAIL5lyM6LB7qRPmYYpNmBLPHKOm25bh-yqq4HdquqZxlfcSyDkWuXyssZ8jJLpXTGJlXNd-KtCUOd1JlJ1WCPpN7VskmP9_tnrc8o_WMJ_CLEHTfexijxvW-8HSgMuNz/s1000/IMG_8864.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hnG7Lo7X4yJzTpMftsXEGM0YJFhaX012sKg2BUwfhdhruEvL-uWN2NkBAIL5lyM6LB7qRPmYYpNmBLPHKOm25bh-yqq4HdquqZxlfcSyDkWuXyssZ8jJLpXTGJlXNd-KtCUOd1JlJ1WCPpN7VskmP9_tnrc8o_WMJ_CLEHTfexijxvW-8HSgMuNz/w640-h488/IMG_8864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> While I had the crochet hook out, I decided to make a garter for our grand-daughter's wedding which is coming up soon. I don't know whether she will want to wear it, but at least it's something pretty to put in her drawer!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwDcksI9JWBLY52Xjhll8-rQHdbbi2IIgzqu62_OThgxerlrz-Ig5h1XLUhJnlkHL0ji5GfnWHgX_3ZoG94plghcLGBkiogKDynEWuJmSNM8P-VmgN_N6PfVKqg8jOYYE2K9H82NDo8Yn5jj2zIi9qMZm6-IMvK5YnzvMABC8I5SKGw84HSw7GAwn/s1000/IMG_8878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwDcksI9JWBLY52Xjhll8-rQHdbbi2IIgzqu62_OThgxerlrz-Ig5h1XLUhJnlkHL0ji5GfnWHgX_3ZoG94plghcLGBkiogKDynEWuJmSNM8P-VmgN_N6PfVKqg8jOYYE2K9H82NDo8Yn5jj2zIi9qMZm6-IMvK5YnzvMABC8I5SKGw84HSw7GAwn/w640-h480/IMG_8878.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May the God of peace fill you too with His amazing peace!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><div><br /></div></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-13486666900125139682023-05-14T16:31:00.001+10:002023-05-14T16:31:11.424+10:00Give away and become richer!<div class="separator"> I've been thinking about the quote on the Timeless Truths Block of the Month Wall Quilt May block.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OHjQf9St7peXuGSquY5vJgRPMyqliyzcCT7_NgOISdl_pSytxZ3WJBDDJW8ieDiNLRWGaHKw9AM7USKPC4REVRHNT3YaZ8828qvQu6Ib30ry-H1Wt8UpToJnGvIknbwhjjzSRVDd7yrlMJxnHS4TxKrgDn0W88ZWkpLK5JxyikXmhwil5b3kqF7I/s1000/t%20truths%20block%205%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OHjQf9St7peXuGSquY5vJgRPMyqliyzcCT7_NgOISdl_pSytxZ3WJBDDJW8ieDiNLRWGaHKw9AM7USKPC4REVRHNT3YaZ8828qvQu6Ib30ry-H1Wt8UpToJnGvIknbwhjjzSRVDd7yrlMJxnHS4TxKrgDn0W88ZWkpLK5JxyikXmhwil5b3kqF7I/w632-h640/t%20truths%20block%205%20blog.jpg" width="632" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love that our wonderful God flips everything on its head in His topsy-turvy Kingdom. Who would ever have thought you would become richer by giving away? Now, it may not always be that we become richer in the goods of this world (though I have seen that happen!), nor should that be the reason that we give. Giving of ourselves in time, energy, love, patience, and sharing other things that we call our own, will enrich our lives in ways we could never imagine. God is no man's debtor, and when we give to Him, He will always give back to us way beyond what we deserve or expect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7P4wBI9QumX7wpG4O2odY5OcdtQzzwzMu_DD3JLMdH29hozecy4bRck5TDx-KsGIHnbp4SRpd-JyZYtiXkuzcoPSC3hpqeHyaeuRWSuQz6CFX8D2CLoFtpgmFu2TIjf87yP2w45G5b3AfmEV2IKkCg3Klct77CDIxO3y6AzA5NacO_tT_YSPt-cA/s1500/Timeless%20Truths%20Pinterest.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7P4wBI9QumX7wpG4O2odY5OcdtQzzwzMu_DD3JLMdH29hozecy4bRck5TDx-KsGIHnbp4SRpd-JyZYtiXkuzcoPSC3hpqeHyaeuRWSuQz6CFX8D2CLoFtpgmFu2TIjf87yP2w45G5b3AfmEV2IKkCg3Klct77CDIxO3y6AzA5NacO_tT_YSPt-cA/w426-h640/Timeless%20Truths%20Pinterest.png" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are one of the 2023 BOMers then your May block has been sent off to you. <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-size: 15.84px;">If you wish to join this project, the cost is a one-off $20 which covers the whole pattern for the year. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have had a sudden cold snap where I live, and it is way too cold for Autumn. I automatically want to go into hibernation mode, but the sun is warm if you can keep out of the wind so I enjoy checking on the vegie garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know how well the tomatoes will survive the cold, but they seem to be still thriving at the moment:</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKx1Q9dFtvbJz3aFD4gQveLbs8phLu6YTl_m9Iif9F7oxKtVJLFbxbff5bT3vrsM1Eugmt1KVisn0jBoi7uhxb5-95K_4ikyduCpqxB-73S1sJkbFWCSRHrX9DV9W0sWDxpFA5Nqx8dgfUMuwRki8I6HQ1g5a-DOS7dP8BJBJcEUH_wwFfAmfvGzM/s1000/IMG_8795.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKx1Q9dFtvbJz3aFD4gQveLbs8phLu6YTl_m9Iif9F7oxKtVJLFbxbff5bT3vrsM1Eugmt1KVisn0jBoi7uhxb5-95K_4ikyduCpqxB-73S1sJkbFWCSRHrX9DV9W0sWDxpFA5Nqx8dgfUMuwRki8I6HQ1g5a-DOS7dP8BJBJcEUH_wwFfAmfvGzM/w480-h640/IMG_8795.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few showers of rain recently meant that I have had heaps of lettuce seedlings germinate in the yard. I have visions of last year when lettuce were in very short supply in shops and I was able to keep my friends supplied for months.<a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2022/10/nearer-gods-heart-in-garden.html" target="_blank"> https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2022/10/nearer-gods-heart-in-garden.html</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAUpskKgmgE20BdcJg3Yo0pGYW4LX-iE9xH1xOPPdi0pT4Xyb_IMFZI-SbmtxN7r0kny2eHRP3Bivc6p9kKka23lrvQGE6VtFevWZZp5LhYNq2zG00iqWqpjbsRK2HjSS1xuN-Tqghde5cFGAnuN3XjNv0uXO1DngRDeobbOWsjavNEz0Vl0vTj_p/s1000/IMG_8793.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAUpskKgmgE20BdcJg3Yo0pGYW4LX-iE9xH1xOPPdi0pT4Xyb_IMFZI-SbmtxN7r0kny2eHRP3Bivc6p9kKka23lrvQGE6VtFevWZZp5LhYNq2zG00iqWqpjbsRK2HjSS1xuN-Tqghde5cFGAnuN3XjNv0uXO1DngRDeobbOWsjavNEz0Vl0vTj_p/w640-h480/IMG_8793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This year, the Silverbeet and Spinach have been the best I have ever had. I can usually get a couple of years out of each plant, so it's a winner vegetable for me and there always seems to be some to share with friends:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Z6x0IiYtDfYcnXSAOfj1jCY0MrxAgUpFl4orNaO86HWNFlqGR1ab9hYT0IMNQDGlY_zwGWVsxvYzuXFJekLszuC9SgkVdHv-wBEwo0exnsZdn0VVoswZ5br3b_t8-nAjTo_cHgtMgj39d9tOky6Tak8HEY53m7V_DltPqJNvVz-IGcYOHsPTWCP/s1000/IMG_8789.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Z6x0IiYtDfYcnXSAOfj1jCY0MrxAgUpFl4orNaO86HWNFlqGR1ab9hYT0IMNQDGlY_zwGWVsxvYzuXFJekLszuC9SgkVdHv-wBEwo0exnsZdn0VVoswZ5br3b_t8-nAjTo_cHgtMgj39d9tOky6Tak8HEY53m7V_DltPqJNvVz-IGcYOHsPTWCP/w480-h640/IMG_8789.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend gave me an Okinawa sweet potato slip to try out. I didn't have much room in the garden and ended up putting it in a tub, so it didn't have a lot of area to produce many tubers. However, I wasn't unhappy with this big one that did grow (tin of tuna for size):</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbUASl0G4VV1mC_SQ5UWKEvZoLj2NBQFIlTXQq9dr_7yERNdvlMHEIH1_pwOahSUvtSLqMbFyNW6Gao4NrDlntlaXVJNW0ZJsmYbWPUwlTLCMlwdFeAP6P13eqKGf3IJvEE4o8yt8qw71brkWeb77fzb_t9fJGi2TSQP0I2FH_rq8lIhPKBHTWwwf/s1000/IMG_8637.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbUASl0G4VV1mC_SQ5UWKEvZoLj2NBQFIlTXQq9dr_7yERNdvlMHEIH1_pwOahSUvtSLqMbFyNW6Gao4NrDlntlaXVJNW0ZJsmYbWPUwlTLCMlwdFeAP6P13eqKGf3IJvEE4o8yt8qw71brkWeb77fzb_t9fJGi2TSQP0I2FH_rq8lIhPKBHTWwwf/w640-h480/IMG_8637.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's quite different in many ways to the usual gold sweet potato that we can buy in the shops:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUCz5jPimAPmnFTp5e78HacpceYaJucZQ2wPoOoIssjU5g2Z4rPB5wnqA6dQg-6RxHBr-UKMGXd_W9-y-OW49k18WSahZdih0Dc7oXyyikG49iACduJ5dtVb4TMNwIT2ofVbC7KUgCYDXonqRXOuTnsHaATjvu3xi0cG02xUq9HGfZrgY4GtHUo1M/s1000/IMG_8638.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUCz5jPimAPmnFTp5e78HacpceYaJucZQ2wPoOoIssjU5g2Z4rPB5wnqA6dQg-6RxHBr-UKMGXd_W9-y-OW49k18WSahZdih0Dc7oXyyikG49iACduJ5dtVb4TMNwIT2ofVbC7KUgCYDXonqRXOuTnsHaATjvu3xi0cG02xUq9HGfZrgY4GtHUo1M/w640-h480/IMG_8638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We live in the subtropics so pawpaws grow well. I really like them and I buy a red-flesh Papaya each week. The seeds go in the compost, which eventually goes in the vegie garden, and more often than not, I have dozens of papaya seedlings germinate in the garden. I always seem to be pulling them out, but I let one of them grow and for the first time ever I am picking my own papayas and they are just perfect: </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx75TRYVARUP9_A9SnlGVX6EnnlTH9CzpCheVkNAweck5lNo1G_ABlo1UXHWUsiDc6cbD5x5u8NX42SD0p-3cXUmyUYxnsoKVw9Ob78_UukE2ozeFPhK7QsgCacSnDrmKsO135kyqD0fkCvH1QrgYPiPLBtihk4Q4tqvFtJt8ClKC1KdA0sRGFJ7oX/s1000/IMG_8792.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx75TRYVARUP9_A9SnlGVX6EnnlTH9CzpCheVkNAweck5lNo1G_ABlo1UXHWUsiDc6cbD5x5u8NX42SD0p-3cXUmyUYxnsoKVw9Ob78_UukE2ozeFPhK7QsgCacSnDrmKsO135kyqD0fkCvH1QrgYPiPLBtihk4Q4tqvFtJt8ClKC1KdA0sRGFJ7oX/w640-h480/IMG_8792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My passionfruit vine is loving its sunny spot and producing a lovely crop of fruit:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnRz6wMmyBL7uTQ6rIaqWfQi19ILuwMI9VJugn3CPpTjDK0vgLdnxGuU8cYMEDCmnnp6tMm0_Xyxvj5gbfl1m03-VHOyrYujlV9Ul_cFiYaedbmr75cwW-8ZM4twIdLkRL26FkdBSEGMH7kziomqflByAlFcNoBGeaIxmZRVS3jKQjDEJQt5UMJVm/s1000/IMG_8788.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnRz6wMmyBL7uTQ6rIaqWfQi19ILuwMI9VJugn3CPpTjDK0vgLdnxGuU8cYMEDCmnnp6tMm0_Xyxvj5gbfl1m03-VHOyrYujlV9Ul_cFiYaedbmr75cwW-8ZM4twIdLkRL26FkdBSEGMH7kziomqflByAlFcNoBGeaIxmZRVS3jKQjDEJQt5UMJVm/w480-h640/IMG_8788.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not only turned cold, but we are also having some unseasonable rain, plus lots of wind, so it looks like an indoor week with needle and thread coming up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-41762222607441020722023-04-30T15:03:00.000+10:002023-04-30T15:03:32.653+10:00When the sewing machine becomes a weapon!<p>Hubby has now been in residential Aged Care for two years. He still knows me on occasions, keeps quite well, has a good appetite, but likes more and more just to stay in bed. He strongly resists efforts to get him to do what he doesn't want to do, but is generally content, and his happy nature is evident much of the time.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgAY_asweTcGQaw7A-EVdf9nRi_BxU_lFRPM2BRaiVmXkXuxg3gHukLV8otM4IYtghhqnbwpN5u8JnM1uJwNT8988A2xsw4Ber_1OZutTK6r2ir8jWrtlCFzS46esSA4VQhxTo_GYJXOIWZ5e5P7waVIXRxJ6ay5wzsh-u96MizG7_XqRHVdFjbUf/s4032/IMG_8756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgAY_asweTcGQaw7A-EVdf9nRi_BxU_lFRPM2BRaiVmXkXuxg3gHukLV8otM4IYtghhqnbwpN5u8JnM1uJwNT8988A2xsw4Ber_1OZutTK6r2ir8jWrtlCFzS46esSA4VQhxTo_GYJXOIWZ5e5P7waVIXRxJ6ay5wzsh-u96MizG7_XqRHVdFjbUf/w640-h480/IMG_8756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>One of the issues in aged care is always the residents' clothes. They lose their name tags, disappear, get mixed up with someone else's, and after two years you learn to just take it in your stride and go buy replacements. Clothes don't seem to last very long anyway and I blamed the heavy industrial machines for a lot of the wear and tear that occurs so quickly, compared to when I used to do all his washing.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O_pYqWbnM40TfjStnxK2WY-0QkGHxVVGBMFCXxjYdimLAKnpENsDZGvKSWZ-iR9BOHF8yCOBtBKxCCENBlGNeWOEtR6FxnjdRELYJvMHzYT9srwiQNyCWNwh4ZZLwSBp0viVgmdlqztqxIl3Yx3Zgf6tpLmv_50frw3XN6Tu8pLw0J2MXIVXEbG7/s1000/A%20Time%20to%20plant%20pumpkin%20closeup.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O_pYqWbnM40TfjStnxK2WY-0QkGHxVVGBMFCXxjYdimLAKnpENsDZGvKSWZ-iR9BOHF8yCOBtBKxCCENBlGNeWOEtR6FxnjdRELYJvMHzYT9srwiQNyCWNwh4ZZLwSBp0viVgmdlqztqxIl3Yx3Zgf6tpLmv_50frw3XN6Tu8pLw0J2MXIVXEbG7/w626-h640/A%20Time%20to%20plant%20pumpkin%20closeup.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>With hubby in bed more often, I have seen more of his care happen lately and have come to realise why his trousers are always coming away from the waistband. The carers tend to find that steadying, guiding and lifting him by his trousers is often the safest way to get him out of bed and into a chair etc. (Machine-lifting is unadvisable at the moment for him.)<div><br />So it was that yet another pair of pyjama pants were ripped away from the waistband. I had repaired them once before and when I looked at them again, I tossed up in my mind whether it was time to just throw them out. The rest of the fabric was in quite good condition, so I decided to repair them just one last time.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa3YDB2uED3TXf263XKbLS5Lc10Gsz-rvKggxYFJlfQ_m-GetXk_Gq-DCDGaK4Hnj3LEFGABUVSUuX7NsEVj7fzNeFPLC60FWBXZ-aHlGsOns-GgEbllTxSdnny76qmHhxyRh6_LFHqkSHJZvu7chdCLZlJKTLzgzVOa5V2UsuxN8zBk_uSzq06DJ/s1000/enchanting%20forest%20cushion%20mod%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa3YDB2uED3TXf263XKbLS5Lc10Gsz-rvKggxYFJlfQ_m-GetXk_Gq-DCDGaK4Hnj3LEFGABUVSUuX7NsEVj7fzNeFPLC60FWBXZ-aHlGsOns-GgEbllTxSdnny76qmHhxyRh6_LFHqkSHJZvu7chdCLZlJKTLzgzVOa5V2UsuxN8zBk_uSzq06DJ/w580-h640/enchanting%20forest%20cushion%20mod%201.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Turns out that that was a very bad decision! Somehow, in trying to get the fabric together under the needle while the machine was running, my finger had a battle with the machine and the machine won! I will spare you the gory details of pulling the broken needle out the other side of my finger, with the thread running through from one side of my finger to the other! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzMr-ZiecQCnepr44y18LJoWMvlVzhVy7zchY6FJKH2gjuvVQ4PQWaclBPbPt48JKiIBSKW0jRpuT7eNdwAjcDKJm7FWGXaf-CdfIJDGhfd3MYm3J9zegZJkQX7CyT5X0eV8IcgUyyQARKx7R2dF7_ZBR3HlwShF7mMYh2uWO-8deFO0E8mZQ5fqu/s1452/enchanting%20forest%20cushion%20mod%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1452" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzMr-ZiecQCnepr44y18LJoWMvlVzhVy7zchY6FJKH2gjuvVQ4PQWaclBPbPt48JKiIBSKW0jRpuT7eNdwAjcDKJm7FWGXaf-CdfIJDGhfd3MYm3J9zegZJkQX7CyT5X0eV8IcgUyyQARKx7R2dF7_ZBR3HlwShF7mMYh2uWO-8deFO0E8mZQ5fqu/w640-h632/enchanting%20forest%20cushion%20mod%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It took a minute for the shock of what had happened to set in. Then the cogs started working - my tetanus shot would still be valid so that is OK; avoid getting it infected - soak it in some antiseptic; not much blood, pain bearable - get on with life. <p></p><p>While the machine may have won the battle, it didn't come off unscathed. The needle bar is now so out of alignment that the machine is unusable. Unlike myself who didn't need any medical attention, it very definitely needs to go off to the Machine Doctor, (who currently has a 4-week waiting list)!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEHI01Im96prEClcVxY_0RCs1Lh8XB-bDepeMk8ihj-Shn50W0yb1QpKyC0dE5hgZYaSsNRsbFVH7qcYmklo_AawrYlTFxu__vv1sjxO4sdsfDTN5eFxa_jWhEM_I6xgrRqaYQkhPZxXltHAuMG1nJpk8rK6yidNlidSrfyRWwu66g5v3e1Ku2QwL/s1000/A%20Time%20to%20plant%20campanula%20closeup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEHI01Im96prEClcVxY_0RCs1Lh8XB-bDepeMk8ihj-Shn50W0yb1QpKyC0dE5hgZYaSsNRsbFVH7qcYmklo_AawrYlTFxu__vv1sjxO4sdsfDTN5eFxa_jWhEM_I6xgrRqaYQkhPZxXltHAuMG1nJpk8rK6yidNlidSrfyRWwu66g5v3e1Ku2QwL/w614-h640/A%20Time%20to%20plant%20campanula%20closeup.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So my one small wrong decision had quite a big impact in many ways - another life-lesson learned and a realisation that the sewing machine has another side to it as a weapon!<br /><br />And the relevance of the photos above? ... none, except that I am contemplating doing some felt embroidery soon!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy stitching,</div><div>Val</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-83165427767267222652023-04-09T07:28:00.000+10:002023-04-09T07:28:21.365+10:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Easter Sunday here in Australia. What a wonderful day, full of hope and life and joy. How amazing to worship a Saviour who is alive and active and powerful and able to meet every need of the human heart!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On top of the blessings of the amazing events of Easter, I am thrilled to have family with me over this long weekend. Two of our grand-daughters are being married this year and I had the joy of making and giving one of them this coat hanger for her wedding dress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJ8I4ONaFltvIr9NTj804mAoMt1PbsiTXNovPLXdhMW8NaOeM1cj1YIImkAHWJO-C5B6dR8mm_YQ_Fgq7-MXh44BASZxz7UQSbjVGkSKeQqP7TOCM6BeOpIrTu8d-XMhQhrPuiDBuzoMkG6Iy7rXvSJivctLPfy7zcKiHBq_3U4vzSjLA9h3Zyxj/s1000/IMG_8381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJ8I4ONaFltvIr9NTj804mAoMt1PbsiTXNovPLXdhMW8NaOeM1cj1YIImkAHWJO-C5B6dR8mm_YQ_Fgq7-MXh44BASZxz7UQSbjVGkSKeQqP7TOCM6BeOpIrTu8d-XMhQhrPuiDBuzoMkG6Iy7rXvSJivctLPfy7zcKiHBq_3U4vzSjLA9h3Zyxj/w640-h480/IMG_8381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ENvXoIc9ps1G1YkKAOOepzfqyonQETwPUqe_4gtYSjAL7XkTpQX7CDn7dVLcSTRxHJ2S6nRwCzgpu5SfpvmZktZRrz0jlL22apvCCn8zJzZFlscqm-hSy20f0YAnAOJXlweLHpeM5U2368yZyRBT_ewA0xKSqYq4jIbbpY93KKC97YFLg2ceQU_P/s1000/IMG_8382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ENvXoIc9ps1G1YkKAOOepzfqyonQETwPUqe_4gtYSjAL7XkTpQX7CDn7dVLcSTRxHJ2S6nRwCzgpu5SfpvmZktZRrz0jlL22apvCCn8zJzZFlscqm-hSy20f0YAnAOJXlweLHpeM5U2368yZyRBT_ewA0xKSqYq4jIbbpY93KKC97YFLg2ceQU_P/w640-h480/IMG_8382.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other grand-daughter couldn't be with us in person but I am sending this one home with her parents for her to use for her dress:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mepKw6EpU90tGUyI4p-I-D5XlruEwPEO5GbtqFecOCKS_yzGrcEl5vcFGNZbqyyzJzskqApdboVZgEPY53xyfgwAPB3kflbDRkpDZbWIegA5u1OtKlFSAmPWZW0-M4ThcrZF7f-k_geTPDOf3QQxowvXIckbAaO7281SOWt04nZb52p3Ws0sLxRX/s1000/IMG_8400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mepKw6EpU90tGUyI4p-I-D5XlruEwPEO5GbtqFecOCKS_yzGrcEl5vcFGNZbqyyzJzskqApdboVZgEPY53xyfgwAPB3kflbDRkpDZbWIegA5u1OtKlFSAmPWZW0-M4ThcrZF7f-k_geTPDOf3QQxowvXIckbAaO7281SOWt04nZb52p3Ws0sLxRX/w640-h480/IMG_8400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I knew I would find a use one day for that beautiful lace!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9jgO0yiPxgMBOvSt-fU1UaZTz_OBbKvqECnXHxbzRJAEON7wzxCvsWNFP0zLxgGeqYbF3mYxG3hTLSz5X1eqydWbfuYhKiUCOspEy5rpXD5rJfn4bPsUBg05ZnZxvJZMvRV6nvNGeDATVA2sRm-z1NCxpwy0uQcT_1D4kVCX-4A0nWsygixvOq18/s1000/Wedding%20coat%20hanger%20Jas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9jgO0yiPxgMBOvSt-fU1UaZTz_OBbKvqECnXHxbzRJAEON7wzxCvsWNFP0zLxgGeqYbF3mYxG3hTLSz5X1eqydWbfuYhKiUCOspEy5rpXD5rJfn4bPsUBg05ZnZxvJZMvRV6nvNGeDATVA2sRm-z1NCxpwy0uQcT_1D4kVCX-4A0nWsygixvOq18/w640-h480/Wedding%20coat%20hanger%20Jas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;"><span style="color: #1a222a;"><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;"><span style="color: #1a222a;">It's rather special to have two family weddings to look forward in a year!</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;"><span style="color: #1a222a;"><br /></span></span></div>The April pattern in the </span><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truth 2023 Block of the Month wall quilt</span></a><span style="color: #1a222a;"> has been distributed. Once again it has great words of wisdom from the Bible:</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_BddKXKbvtNIwfzaKupvVqgXyMyF73dtgB8kq3t4M3t0E5dj3onov4dAjuIhxv90w5VFXcSmH1sMCoVkgqSzZPjfa-YiEBKe7pZ5VJomnmv8Px6cgnRqkRxPqTEd_2cJa8v8S4EjWjKZdg8gIfQtQjMbLjHKYVyHb4TmFDfkPXbVs7IJpVtQDAFm/s1000/t%20truths%20block%204%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1000" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_BddKXKbvtNIwfzaKupvVqgXyMyF73dtgB8kq3t4M3t0E5dj3onov4dAjuIhxv90w5VFXcSmH1sMCoVkgqSzZPjfa-YiEBKe7pZ5VJomnmv8Px6cgnRqkRxPqTEd_2cJa8v8S4EjWjKZdg8gIfQtQjMbLjHKYVyHb4TmFDfkPXbVs7IJpVtQDAFm/w640-h638/t%20truths%20block%204%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tC5-TfURJWVAxb1t-cC3cZ_gd24_ZYpAqGxpz2xefDhbDQoTAPJ9IiVKPWrn1Iy_4oGdBfLFPL8q7XkIS0kbBJSyQH4hwFtgewTnK1olY2lzcVm6pt11DW_Z7p3fqlRBUW08RiG8yr5n7ZkLveZ0e3fZmi0cezARNFPhGTZx28WXT5KONg6iMGOz/s1000/timeless%20truths%20scrapbooked%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1000" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tC5-TfURJWVAxb1t-cC3cZ_gd24_ZYpAqGxpz2xefDhbDQoTAPJ9IiVKPWrn1Iy_4oGdBfLFPL8q7XkIS0kbBJSyQH4hwFtgewTnK1olY2lzcVm6pt11DW_Z7p3fqlRBUW08RiG8yr5n7ZkLveZ0e3fZmi0cezARNFPhGTZx28WXT5KONg6iMGOz/w640-h626/timeless%20truths%20scrapbooked%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-size: 15.84px;"><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></div>If you wish to join this project, the cost is a one-off $20 which covers the whole pattern for the year. </span></div><div><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't seem to have accomplished much in the last few weeks. It's been too hot for gardening and I haven't made much progress on my embroidery. It's one of those months where I seem to unpick more than I stitch! Maybe I was too focused on enjoying some adaptations of Charles Dickens' novels with my daughter. We became so engrossed with Martin Chuzzlewit and Our Mutual Friend that we stayed up far too late so we could finish the stories! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's wonderful to savor the moment and spend time together as our daughter lives far away. We even managed a 9-hour shopping marathon and came home with just the right dress and shoes for the mother of the bride, plus some other special items. We prayed before we left home and the Lord looked after and directed us in amazing ways. Another customer even declared that it was a miracle when she saw how God had arranged a whole set of circumstances in advance, so that the perfect shoes were there to match when we walked in the store - shoes that are not stocked by that store, but were a return from an online purchase, in the right size, the perfect colour, a lovely style and a comfortable fit. We were abundantly blessed that day!</div><div> </div><div>I hope you are enjoying the wonderful blessings of Easter and finding some time for stitching!</div><div><br /></div><div>Warm regards</div><div>Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-70835429056340484802023-03-12T06:08:00.000+10:002023-03-12T06:08:55.600+10:00A pretty clock and vintage linen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This month's block in the <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths 2023 BOM</span></a> design features a pretty clock and a very wise saying: <i style="font-weight: bold;">Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then. </i>It's a reminder of the fragility of our lives. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but when we know God is in control, we sure will have His peace about our future.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXLQ6ao7TkRl67g-qf0SC3FpMZfr_0mzNc2UrXZGwNWLW-kkDCQc9Ts5h0U6Y5uUFDWfEsZRrEmZCkGx0DF-JFmetmU2KAMoskCdNwRD7b15q95wXqJwd6oe2v10vqFcqMN1ihe7iQOBrjQ7wZr4BYyFgCVbcs5X_u7c6Hh9Roi3nGYfEX_Vg073q/s1000/t%20truths%20block3%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1000" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXLQ6ao7TkRl67g-qf0SC3FpMZfr_0mzNc2UrXZGwNWLW-kkDCQc9Ts5h0U6Y5uUFDWfEsZRrEmZCkGx0DF-JFmetmU2KAMoskCdNwRD7b15q95wXqJwd6oe2v10vqFcqMN1ihe7iQOBrjQ7wZr4BYyFgCVbcs5X_u7c6Hh9Roi3nGYfEX_Vg073q/w640-h524/t%20truths%20block3%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I had a lot of fun embroidering this clock. The cast-on loops give it a lovely scalloped edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BtAEhwS-8qM7RaSoOoAqXS870507tNh-BFzQxjFjYBOi1RVLdWLB0-6XAXcOFp7sZoxIKKGYcPrOVhl4fMVLjPMszFoZq-O2VUO2oHDzDP-qXqJkpJwl7vB4wAdYrEG8WD17eosWoA2uXGhVfK0r2k2ScvErMSp8QSZXoByvrrGxPCR9JSXGVy4B/s1000/T%20Truths%20Block%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1000" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BtAEhwS-8qM7RaSoOoAqXS870507tNh-BFzQxjFjYBOi1RVLdWLB0-6XAXcOFp7sZoxIKKGYcPrOVhl4fMVLjPMszFoZq-O2VUO2oHDzDP-qXqJkpJwl7vB4wAdYrEG8WD17eosWoA2uXGhVfK0r2k2ScvErMSp8QSZXoByvrrGxPCR9JSXGVy4B/w640-h596/T%20Truths%20Block%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you wish to join this Block of the Month project, the cost is a one-off $20 which covers the whole pattern for the year.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp5SeKuDVNG9SfvGPyISl-c1nRZg2Xe3hCHp_tLnTkpZPdG_H-l7pVROPdY-Z4ab-uJovCl6-C23qBhglAWc9zry7fCvePGbk7OW8hgOhHhiZbuOV1oNfIY8xW10BQPVPVc9o9tc7nGBb6C0XVDtx77TQBrQgmz1WImwwbnOo_OsDkmlDtWo8JVOI/w426-h640/Timeless%20Truths%20Pinterest.png" width="426" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><div style="font-size: 15.84px;">Timeless Truths is ideal for using scraps, jelly roll strips, charm squares, layer cakes and fat quarters. The wall hanging measures 32 inches square (81 cm) and consists of nine blocks with borders. </div><div style="font-size: 15.84px;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG" style="color: #45818e;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 15.84px;">I so enjoyed working the nasturtium embroidery for my friend (see this post: <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2023/02/nasturtiums-and-name.html" target="_blank">https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2023/02/nasturtiums-and-name.html) </a> that I went looking in my "Plan to stitch one day" drawer and found another beautiful vintage printed linen to embroider. My daughter found it in an Op Shop and gifted it to me. It had never had a needle near it so was in brand new condition.</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1a222a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPZCK1XFkE44nz41X9AJyYwFvxcITJbQwwZQMhGjdXQC6W6zVPiQeIQ2E2nP7-D6x8v7pV32ufxPhe-tmS111Cg189vBIaLAdWunecV1SYawC4iOqvObAwRrDSoysiiqHL21JRepb_AD6Dycg6EwaYs3zGm7wHTG4mHvpeWPfocUBgbS4BU_zPj4_/s1000/IMG_8549.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1000" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPZCK1XFkE44nz41X9AJyYwFvxcITJbQwwZQMhGjdXQC6W6zVPiQeIQ2E2nP7-D6x8v7pV32ufxPhe-tmS111Cg189vBIaLAdWunecV1SYawC4iOqvObAwRrDSoysiiqHL21JRepb_AD6Dycg6EwaYs3zGm7wHTG4mHvpeWPfocUBgbS4BU_zPj4_/w640-h422/IMG_8549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Decades ago, when I was growing up, there were plenty of knitting and crochet patterns, but when it came to embroidery, the only thing that seemed to be available were these beautiful stamped linens, hemstitched ready to crochet the edge on completion of the embroidery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZx3Vr3AEXyUjJ7_WZlgH1O6RDHisT6r50FfxTaEk6TzcVkkRfurTzUl1D3WDiq1e-lObY7str_1HbCu1OVas8SRb_NX5WxS7UI-ucL7HCuiFL2VybzP5_41BY2vO0GDDXNNrBKFuNFbdxNsOwhcRZpR2h6uPkJtyDdytoAazPfLwCZGsflFeHlCp/s1000/IMG_8543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZx3Vr3AEXyUjJ7_WZlgH1O6RDHisT6r50FfxTaEk6TzcVkkRfurTzUl1D3WDiq1e-lObY7str_1HbCu1OVas8SRb_NX5WxS7UI-ucL7HCuiFL2VybzP5_41BY2vO0GDDXNNrBKFuNFbdxNsOwhcRZpR2h6uPkJtyDdytoAazPfLwCZGsflFeHlCp/w640-h494/IMG_8543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Linen is such a beautiful fabric to use and I still love using Anchor thread with their great array of colours and lovely sheen. The piece is so vintage that it had Peri-Lusta thread numbers as the choice to use. It's a very long time since I have seen Peri-Lusta thread available in Australia!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZRhE9NreA2CkxIBOGFg4cTBL3n642BBdsjGEM93Cg-_OF9_QkXADfM0p2W_y9Jbshr5LyXjtlji63QPHqZPMH6ee9lpH34grlern7XZ2kRlaehn9jcbcvF9jnN8eGHiNiHsW5wJdQX6RYDF9tk48jsjfHQUkYBCSAoekkWufIMCTfqly7CRfX8uI/s1000/IMG_8542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZRhE9NreA2CkxIBOGFg4cTBL3n642BBdsjGEM93Cg-_OF9_QkXADfM0p2W_y9Jbshr5LyXjtlji63QPHqZPMH6ee9lpH34grlern7XZ2kRlaehn9jcbcvF9jnN8eGHiNiHsW5wJdQX6RYDF9tk48jsjfHQUkYBCSAoekkWufIMCTfqly7CRfX8uI/w640-h488/IMG_8542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have had to get the magnifier out to help me see all the satin stitches. Enlarged photos tend to show up lots of faults!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently spent some time putting together last year's Block of the Month design into one complete pattern. This is now available over on my <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/wall-quilt-and-wall-hanging-patterns.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wall Quilts Page.</span></a> The Days of Delight Calendar Pattern costs just $20 for 40 pages of templates, instructions and photos and is a great project for using up lots of scraps.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0CsVwYh8IuMEy7c751Eazj0D_sKf5ruQPJl9m_pM__iq27QPDjnc6VPNbAG2pG_FbhuUbG2DhnGKr-PS8VEPqHG0k6WipyMc_vopyJ8UO1f0kegiiRIijVs_CfDhvXMy8q35s2W9ii8BD4K-g9qZcPwvt4sS_ipj17srRJGYcK51PKQPMXCHETMl/s1500/Days%20of%20Delight%20Pin%202%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0CsVwYh8IuMEy7c751Eazj0D_sKf5ruQPJl9m_pM__iq27QPDjnc6VPNbAG2pG_FbhuUbG2DhnGKr-PS8VEPqHG0k6WipyMc_vopyJ8UO1f0kegiiRIijVs_CfDhvXMy8q35s2W9ii8BD4K-g9qZcPwvt4sS_ipj17srRJGYcK51PKQPMXCHETMl/w426-h640/Days%20of%20Delight%20Pin%202%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Until next time, Happy Stitching!</div><div><br /></div><div>Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-43825202573058835392023-02-27T15:17:00.002+10:002023-02-27T15:17:59.956+10:00Snakes, Sniffles and Snazziness!<p>We are only about 100 metres from bushland, so occasionally we will see a snake or two, but I have only seen three snakes in my garden and the evidence of one other in 12 years living in beautiful Sandstone Point.</p><p>One day the birds were going berserk and I went out to investigate and a harmless Common Tree Snake was meandering along the fenceline: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazf4jtEI6IeFWwC-TjkvDEEAulR5HLmCzVZA1PgPSCZ5W9kgeNL4xJZM0VaxPRTQp2zqyFhR72zBZFp8BdkKwQClLGiKMKbV5S4w2eqGNo_GILk7JQrXxLFDHSaI6t_0RemmTr4YTJHwkZEavA3HfXNmTY3g89g-BCcZzcfskOdqezudTaz0Zk-H9/s1000/IMG_5279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazf4jtEI6IeFWwC-TjkvDEEAulR5HLmCzVZA1PgPSCZ5W9kgeNL4xJZM0VaxPRTQp2zqyFhR72zBZFp8BdkKwQClLGiKMKbV5S4w2eqGNo_GILk7JQrXxLFDHSaI6t_0RemmTr4YTJHwkZEavA3HfXNmTY3g89g-BCcZzcfskOdqezudTaz0Zk-H9/w640-h452/IMG_5279.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Another day I was hosing my pot plants and another tree snake surprised me in our patio:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-9UdSBE-uHZ2JeZyy4WvmOrIxCuwyD22rMQbk06wIpv4GuF7sdfpPS7ZwLcsImV8AXIYxdz4RmK6ZodFanQf-BMUDS5MTC8qmmor2BtaxNZ4_F2KsP66lVuWoLn-7c_BUW-h43ogbc7OsYFMlS_gVBVt51TJhPy-aQrX5LPpMlZcS0uI_90HXnK6/s1000/IMG_7245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-9UdSBE-uHZ2JeZyy4WvmOrIxCuwyD22rMQbk06wIpv4GuF7sdfpPS7ZwLcsImV8AXIYxdz4RmK6ZodFanQf-BMUDS5MTC8qmmor2BtaxNZ4_F2KsP66lVuWoLn-7c_BUW-h43ogbc7OsYFMlS_gVBVt51TJhPy-aQrX5LPpMlZcS0uI_90HXnK6/w640-h480/IMG_7245.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>We had to avoid a venomous Red-bellied Black Snake on our walk down the beach another day:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CbhI7wb_kPAmvXgWZRFCe8Y1McDLGevNlrR7GUL8lhaEFwCkvAoi80uVPeVifvRQQ1SH8l_1s3if766mlsBLPfbgsOggraojvMJ2d7EWcE4sznHCB18QH4C5eaLbCPqOLTYeCxx3E91HajwLtMfTrE5TNQH6-GecAgts2wKDrGS1hbAo5oPjIDN0/s1000/Red-belly%20black%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1000" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CbhI7wb_kPAmvXgWZRFCe8Y1McDLGevNlrR7GUL8lhaEFwCkvAoi80uVPeVifvRQQ1SH8l_1s3if766mlsBLPfbgsOggraojvMJ2d7EWcE4sznHCB18QH4C5eaLbCPqOLTYeCxx3E91HajwLtMfTrE5TNQH6-GecAgts2wKDrGS1hbAo5oPjIDN0/w640-h416/Red-belly%20black%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">My kind son-in-law was trimming my hedge one day and was very concerned when he discovered a large python snake-skin in the hedge. He is from New Zealand where they don't have any land snakes, so he was very nervous about keeping on with the job, but he completed it and we didn't actually see the harmless snake.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More recently I was bailed up at my front door with a tree snake trying to climb up the screen door to get in the house! I went outside into the yard for just a minute, saw the snake in the garden, and it immediately headed for my front entrance! I couldn't get back in the house for two or three minutes till he decided he wasn't going to be able to get in the house. Didn't have my phone with me, so no photo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NLOwMzRsXxjX4MZQOK8fAVkP4C8RilwXTcy9IS33MiJL1clKxGHDJ8DUzLCOLzoyHDcVAsowqOF3L9IoI4_THHtDHdh7MPPnynW4J_JdJCDlm24eQynb694VOZed_YKjVQuKgCxz8cjZLQeLWTc8gjPICicI0zqAltvz__BhlylABSwvJFS3MDPu/s1000/IMG_8375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NLOwMzRsXxjX4MZQOK8fAVkP4C8RilwXTcy9IS33MiJL1clKxGHDJ8DUzLCOLzoyHDcVAsowqOF3L9IoI4_THHtDHdh7MPPnynW4J_JdJCDlm24eQynb694VOZed_YKjVQuKgCxz8cjZLQeLWTc8gjPICicI0zqAltvz__BhlylABSwvJFS3MDPu/w480-h640/IMG_8375.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>What's that got to do with sniffles and snazziness? - nothing except they all begin with 'sn'!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was all excited last week when one of my grandsons was coming to stay for a long weekend. Unfortunately he acquired a cold, and so the sniffles won out and we decided I didn't really need his cold, nor did I want to take it into the Aged Care facility, so the visit had to be postponed till another day.</div><p>Now for the snazziness! My friend's 65 year-old doll now has a snazzy little outfit! I showed you her cute little shoes a few weeks ago:</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1kFTuk4YvdqWUL0bqZpKF312V_39bsowfE8S2Za4v3RL_EvstiO5p-o_bsvwDvfto8zMAAV6QXs1IfgeKAUnKkGOKrGPF0blPrN3VaCm8E6Qozzo-hPLOFasDS_A2CEAeS6lodpN0mFlADmUOceJHaFsnvelQvka6qtQQF3P8mmuRtIOwX_Bwjrk/s1000/IMG_8331.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1kFTuk4YvdqWUL0bqZpKF312V_39bsowfE8S2Za4v3RL_EvstiO5p-o_bsvwDvfto8zMAAV6QXs1IfgeKAUnKkGOKrGPF0blPrN3VaCm8E6Qozzo-hPLOFasDS_A2CEAeS6lodpN0mFlADmUOceJHaFsnvelQvka6qtQQF3P8mmuRtIOwX_Bwjrk/w640-h480/IMG_8331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now she has a bonnet:</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfxp_vUhDyqrlmsJlURmqENQfN2f7QVMrUxLfGAPkq9MMqwaPdkTk2zbLQ01wr-jBF7yBI93xVgX1_v35WKdoOcEDLiW59Oj_BFjRJik3IgyH3fZxVQq4KQuaa_uj9tCNO3Z71X9vccFVS3-3alfayJ7iNvPabMImLBRP5kfrCIe89u3za3VPrGfC/s1000/IMG_8389.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfxp_vUhDyqrlmsJlURmqENQfN2f7QVMrUxLfGAPkq9MMqwaPdkTk2zbLQ01wr-jBF7yBI93xVgX1_v35WKdoOcEDLiW59Oj_BFjRJik3IgyH3fZxVQq4KQuaa_uj9tCNO3Z71X9vccFVS3-3alfayJ7iNvPabMImLBRP5kfrCIe89u3za3VPrGfC/w480-h640/IMG_8389.JPG" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">and a pretty little dress:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKOpZlc3PRL4pLtkHlN3JqG4ofb6G54nFyrbE4JNIYQUZcB3S1VVM8SQR6lIdBUz3PU5ml3roI-zdnoRHUtmwte4LbOtzkaLGOuLWFSeWGdR2CTLWyoI1e9SIXHIBTIvZ2D8-uDFEwCw7zgDhk6cJk8lTsCBV3FRWq_GUd3LyKI_6XCjYC1HK-8VA/s1000/IMG_8390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKOpZlc3PRL4pLtkHlN3JqG4ofb6G54nFyrbE4JNIYQUZcB3S1VVM8SQR6lIdBUz3PU5ml3roI-zdnoRHUtmwte4LbOtzkaLGOuLWFSeWGdR2CTLWyoI1e9SIXHIBTIvZ2D8-uDFEwCw7zgDhk6cJk8lTsCBV3FRWq_GUd3LyKI_6XCjYC1HK-8VA/w480-h640/IMG_8390.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aged Care visits are very conducive to getting lots of crochet done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><p></p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-8116674619212637882023-02-12T06:26:00.000+10:002023-02-12T06:26:48.966+10:00Nasturtiums and a Name How good is the quote for this month's block in the <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths wall quilt?</span></a> <span><i style="font-size: large;">"A good name is more desirable than great riches." </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 22:1</span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6CYdN9uM5L4g0mJ0Q7KWrE1BilO_5QWr_DRfhPfQuCqcujD001z_dEsik1baDfdy9Fc2ck8DsEIHbTijIbxMkWS1LZ0Qwih49n9vgWOhddHD4TCV7BCbAVSSxgkoNdJfyAQfL_qyyX8-EbDGfdnHr97o2I3yIzmLgkjtypb7FpDBLubUiCfHNOE_/s1000/T%20Truths%20Block%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1000" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6CYdN9uM5L4g0mJ0Q7KWrE1BilO_5QWr_DRfhPfQuCqcujD001z_dEsik1baDfdy9Fc2ck8DsEIHbTijIbxMkWS1LZ0Qwih49n9vgWOhddHD4TCV7BCbAVSSxgkoNdJfyAQfL_qyyX8-EbDGfdnHr97o2I3yIzmLgkjtypb7FpDBLubUiCfHNOE_/w640-h554/T%20Truths%20Block%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People make getting rich their big goal in life, but forget how important it is to have character traits like integrity and reliability. Businesses don't do very well in this day and age if they don't have a good name - a bad one ensures they won't have the great riches! The Bible is just SO relevant to the 21st century. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gPI72CdmDAD_gp7oNw7ZsyF2phpivl8zM2YdDbV2ecNvbmozjUG3SWuwx8r55rcJTuN1OQ73_9-MHcIcl8aVGA8XpmlvwIXxk3Vh_teKAk0jtIjU35HoJlRZjAmTmHG05tIl02TDHrWos7K64GrijLvaZ3Fv4_nSFowSgG7d6TWeZtJtTxem45Dv/s1080/Timeless%20Truths%20Instagram.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gPI72CdmDAD_gp7oNw7ZsyF2phpivl8zM2YdDbV2ecNvbmozjUG3SWuwx8r55rcJTuN1OQ73_9-MHcIcl8aVGA8XpmlvwIXxk3Vh_teKAk0jtIjU35HoJlRZjAmTmHG05tIl02TDHrWos7K64GrijLvaZ3Fv4_nSFowSgG7d6TWeZtJtTxem45Dv/w640-h640/Timeless%20Truths%20Instagram.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Timeless Truths Wall Quilt is being offered in 2023 as a Block of the Month project. It is ideal for using scraps, jelly roll strips, charm squares, layer cakes and fat quarters. The wall hanging measures 32 inches square (81 cm) and consists of nine blocks with borders. You can join the 2023 Days of Delight Calendar BOM at the total cost of $20.00. </div><div><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Talking of names, do you know what the name 'Nasturtium' means? It means 'twisted nose' because of the reaction you have when you savour its pungent taste! I have always loved nasturtiums, but not to eat, though the leaves aren't too bad with their peppery flavour. They are so easy to grow, always bright and cheerful, and so easy to propagate. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Mdcs54Q0jWXgxL5OKpH10nzUHTSuCxsSjSqU6-EknWaRapNgaq3K9grxj9cOFaZZf8kFA5bowy3jUTPNFQ0QOR7QZp4EU8B4GpKg5aoyE-TjIP7h5ukY-JQ-3hT8X-1Nu_xTbVzoazwtNG0cBWr6RgSnDQ3IX2TLgks5PLaB2GnwwPMKJELZbsd/s1000/IMG_8357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Mdcs54Q0jWXgxL5OKpH10nzUHTSuCxsSjSqU6-EknWaRapNgaq3K9grxj9cOFaZZf8kFA5bowy3jUTPNFQ0QOR7QZp4EU8B4GpKg5aoyE-TjIP7h5ukY-JQ-3hT8X-1Nu_xTbVzoazwtNG0cBWr6RgSnDQ3IX2TLgks5PLaB2GnwwPMKJELZbsd/w640-h480/IMG_8357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Late last year, a friend asked me to finish some embroidery for her. We worked together in the 1960's, she was one of my bridesmaids, and she had her first child around the same time as my younger daughter was born. Christmas newsletters and occasional phone calls have meant we have kept in touch over the years.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02B00twMAKLp4rNULvotMQgRkVBzYsNZo6xpHOegH5DxF43datKuuc7_vX7vqGUST2vK1WCx62eU8JZ3XrRTRAhk2EICuJg6UKpXMUtIUZ_YCpM_2ncUhNNbLnbQIR03tZ5mhf7V6K5qBIzJTg37ThLIno0rb-6ClbEmBZslyAxmcUlelJ_CS-Haw/s1000/IMG_8358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1000" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02B00twMAKLp4rNULvotMQgRkVBzYsNZo6xpHOegH5DxF43datKuuc7_vX7vqGUST2vK1WCx62eU8JZ3XrRTRAhk2EICuJg6UKpXMUtIUZ_YCpM_2ncUhNNbLnbQIR03tZ5mhf7V6K5qBIzJTg37ThLIno0rb-6ClbEmBZslyAxmcUlelJ_CS-Haw/w640-h482/IMG_8358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sadly, her son had Cystic Fibrosis and was given a very short prognosis. Thanks to her amazing dedication in giving him the care and treatment he needed, he defied all odds, became an architect, and lived into his 40's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jEorWXtSPzkiKcGbgFLc6cnPvkpZRIAEd9oOf7kVCkUk_KeFH-8bDjee23FS6mPSWlnkTDi20nXNqZ5cHYiGASp4YFXcraMizLto4RwLwo8X9sgOxv6nDxAklq7N5EZHj69DxJKiD1yaHQM0zgaY62ZNJAoc67GOr3RJm_YrdQtLlw7Dho1saD_N/s1000/IMG_8362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jEorWXtSPzkiKcGbgFLc6cnPvkpZRIAEd9oOf7kVCkUk_KeFH-8bDjee23FS6mPSWlnkTDi20nXNqZ5cHYiGASp4YFXcraMizLto4RwLwo8X9sgOxv6nDxAklq7N5EZHj69DxJKiD1yaHQM0zgaY62ZNJAoc67GOr3RJm_YrdQtLlw7Dho1saD_N/w640-h494/IMG_8362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>In his final years, he was not well enough to work and took up cross stitch and embroidery. He had started this nasturtium embroidery, but sadly passed before he could complete it, so I was asked to finish it for her. He was quite a perfectionist and his work was so neat that it was hard to tell the front from the back, so I was a bit concerned that I might not reach his standard, given my advancing years and failing eyesight.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHv_Fd_JksgALYipHEUNZ1lUNVFVmzYYLC0mSon7mrjU0Xy86FSBN8Grgew2JZ7BY5SwW7kke9StLm-xXMh08IaLtWSQucRW2IHNiQOk3rT5r7ZtE1t6BI1bv8h46L3URZqkurFSFImpSZwa78d6PbD7hPlmob_be7Wkd4EayYTducxSdhshhwpd7/s1000/IMG_8361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHv_Fd_JksgALYipHEUNZ1lUNVFVmzYYLC0mSon7mrjU0Xy86FSBN8Grgew2JZ7BY5SwW7kke9StLm-xXMh08IaLtWSQucRW2IHNiQOk3rT5r7ZtE1t6BI1bv8h46L3URZqkurFSFImpSZwa78d6PbD7hPlmob_be7Wkd4EayYTducxSdhshhwpd7/w640-h488/IMG_8361.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoyed embroidering it of course - always happy with needle and thread in my hand. I even learned a lovely way of making a straight line interesting. This is a double stem stitch using six strands of thread and I really like the effect it gives:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QFpgDOsrxKm0LuTSBcOf6cQtOCiqAEJ90jze8CHw0oTzlPiLG0OnD4TCr570VpF4GYoXF-IcXU_aB3bwX5WfXEvkennignvfyY0iLB9DhIXyknje-9wwOg42t-60T2EdEEfw9GCP1WjWl8TQRaYmyyaz05siP_j8thaaBaUEH-iJuIV7UUFZdQhN/s1000/IMG_8359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QFpgDOsrxKm0LuTSBcOf6cQtOCiqAEJ90jze8CHw0oTzlPiLG0OnD4TCr570VpF4GYoXF-IcXU_aB3bwX5WfXEvkennignvfyY0iLB9DhIXyknje-9wwOg42t-60T2EdEEfw9GCP1WjWl8TQRaYmyyaz05siP_j8thaaBaUEH-iJuIV7UUFZdQhN/w640-h488/IMG_8359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the embroidery was done, then it was packed into the bag I take with me when visiting hubby and I spent some happy afternoons crocheting a pretty edge around it, while I was with him.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA_kY06boMYSEix8mQrjsJKs9aY2CYZHsSs8wbP6WdaNW4tel4RaPmvo-bH466nUEfbPd04c0FsCTlffhEsUOUm-3PE-LZEXDrDz2ALZyPVZ-nVZ8Z9QVfa-0vuLLkbpvoL2lhwwXfG29aYBjuO6-9qrdp4kyk3KMLtjzspQ2AoC-B_BcgShp6wa6/s1000/IMG_8363.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA_kY06boMYSEix8mQrjsJKs9aY2CYZHsSs8wbP6WdaNW4tel4RaPmvo-bH466nUEfbPd04c0FsCTlffhEsUOUm-3PE-LZEXDrDz2ALZyPVZ-nVZ8Z9QVfa-0vuLLkbpvoL2lhwwXfG29aYBjuO6-9qrdp4kyk3KMLtjzspQ2AoC-B_BcgShp6wa6/w640-h480/IMG_8363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm hoping my friend is happy with the results!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-87443414543424334902023-01-29T15:48:00.005+10:002023-01-29T15:48:58.793+10:00An eclectic garden and playing with dolls<p>When we purchased our home 12 years ago, it had well established gardens. They weren't particularly my style but they were OK and didn't look too bad. Basically there was a garden of different coloured Grasses at the front and a cactus garden at the back. The cactus garden is now more of a rockery which basically means I have added other plants in amongst the cacti. Sometimes those cacti can look very pretty:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH3aGHAMQGIdYYJpO6F5tkUr8JQP7hvEXuMbYCJwS7S1n4URGogCaCxXguqBS9vUhZqY68YOwd3pC_dc-HdvyWeemJXH4wF8aAq9AlagJlsrzwQT9kPHZxy347zOyXHpnFcakiiDluiODZuUAXdP5KI0VPQG36jQKAXrZ77mgSWycjBiBrJNQ9G8G/s1000/IMG_8211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH3aGHAMQGIdYYJpO6F5tkUr8JQP7hvEXuMbYCJwS7S1n4URGogCaCxXguqBS9vUhZqY68YOwd3pC_dc-HdvyWeemJXH4wF8aAq9AlagJlsrzwQT9kPHZxy347zOyXHpnFcakiiDluiODZuUAXdP5KI0VPQG36jQKAXrZ77mgSWycjBiBrJNQ9G8G/w640-h480/IMG_8211.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>One of the native grasses in the front just about took over the whole area. As it produced prickly spikes all the time, it wasn't very endearing, so last year a kind friend spent a very long time removing it for me. I was thankful I didn't have to pay him commercial rates as it was a huge job! The whole garden has been replanted and is much more my style, though I have kept all the small grasses and the rather attractive purple fountain grass. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy5laewfkmxrw5j7mT1iAcD86A6EP7yUjAJ3Wj4c-KldW--RQaB1rqRLsPWcbRH_mx90DTLYRy0KQCJt8a8vlZQHvmWgCgFre_BONAZx3v4xoiuffnBO1gy2nlo7Rvs3y-599JTiUm0Kyu6Ab4ridTQe-VX0IPXRjIyJidRWZOyMYagO5rQzfkQu4/s1000/IMG_8338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1000" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy5laewfkmxrw5j7mT1iAcD86A6EP7yUjAJ3Wj4c-KldW--RQaB1rqRLsPWcbRH_mx90DTLYRy0KQCJt8a8vlZQHvmWgCgFre_BONAZx3v4xoiuffnBO1gy2nlo7Rvs3y-599JTiUm0Kyu6Ab4ridTQe-VX0IPXRjIyJidRWZOyMYagO5rQzfkQu4/w640-h574/IMG_8338.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Hibiscuses love our sub tropical climate and daughter number 2 has been very generous with sharing cuttings of some of hers. Even though the flowers only last a day, they add a bright spot of colour in the garden or on the dinner table.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIakEFBH4biV2f2oHRgAs9XsNaYGf2VIqmnxbIu4MZwB7UTEoxoPvZo3yxmVr6vqW_O4Q9l7ucCjSylnhHDr4oViLMBW1Xsa4PBItgHb6N-JjcrwvhBklGcQ1FDoiFHfG0_z3V1aEu7NdCGglGe77xFQbGSrI2--qAFlTX2qi3U-ugUj0NORcEL5E/s1000/IMG_6613.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIakEFBH4biV2f2oHRgAs9XsNaYGf2VIqmnxbIu4MZwB7UTEoxoPvZo3yxmVr6vqW_O4Q9l7ucCjSylnhHDr4oViLMBW1Xsa4PBItgHb6N-JjcrwvhBklGcQ1FDoiFHfG0_z3V1aEu7NdCGglGe77xFQbGSrI2--qAFlTX2qi3U-ugUj0NORcEL5E/w640-h540/IMG_6613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHr64fxuI7B0AT3yyQkJixWq2HxYF2JG4j8lJQBRBmDAcd2pgbPZSLICvFOAjzuBFnqi7_PNPxvk9Rcmo5cn52U304ZEUwSJY_iksq6f6zgfny9OhRjY2dtwsr8FAO16PcboAoZ34CdmFQ7gCUHW-evqIBarlkjoYv7OVzAE0nlLGV6MWAgQEbIGE/s1000/IMG_8341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHr64fxuI7B0AT3yyQkJixWq2HxYF2JG4j8lJQBRBmDAcd2pgbPZSLICvFOAjzuBFnqi7_PNPxvk9Rcmo5cn52U304ZEUwSJY_iksq6f6zgfny9OhRjY2dtwsr8FAO16PcboAoZ34CdmFQ7gCUHW-evqIBarlkjoYv7OVzAE0nlLGV6MWAgQEbIGE/w480-h640/IMG_8341.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My girls know how to spoil me and daughter number 1 gave me this beautiful specimen with its multi centres some years ago and now it is quite a large bush, in spite of many prunings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oKUEu6CCyc7t-w7PERJKavICrJzaEroNvtDSeQssHDUVeXjtFLtmlJjErRW-JcfJ1xORVx_MvreOX9s6SNtcONmmfNDhacGC2LFTiOfzYl1ko7y-3UjvkKv59zt6WukSsGC0gLvLO8h8ALtolr7e6TEPjLlqRKyKxLbAbEy8ykVNzncA7E3ugxtF/s1000/IMG_6731.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oKUEu6CCyc7t-w7PERJKavICrJzaEroNvtDSeQssHDUVeXjtFLtmlJjErRW-JcfJ1xORVx_MvreOX9s6SNtcONmmfNDhacGC2LFTiOfzYl1ko7y-3UjvkKv59zt6WukSsGC0gLvLO8h8ALtolr7e6TEPjLlqRKyKxLbAbEy8ykVNzncA7E3ugxtF/w640-h480/IMG_6731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're in the middle of Summer here and the sun beats down and the days are hot, so it's not very conducive to being out in the garden at the moment. Indoor activities underneath a fan or air-conditioning are much more attractive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That means getting out the crochet hook! A friend asked me would I make her 65 year-old doll some clothes. She has had the doll her whole life, its broken leg has been repaired and she figured it was time she looked pretty again. It's from the pre-plastic days when we had vanilla-scented rubber dolls. This one of course has lost all its perfume but she is a little cutie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWd8FZKRN218NAkL5-qdJFmrOQJ7KHAKELIsX7c5l8N_HbrrnOpPE_y1bG9rC2ko7MVyLziRY5FYk7etuxWfciPjHzLF1GvjmtGqcby4UMH8jIgfew8A-u492WklgFVjXNhXd9fIdI_EXtwYGByZRJX_iAuIs2iWpQi7Jms6mqOXjvi4eb2aBqjUO/s4032/IMG_8332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWd8FZKRN218NAkL5-qdJFmrOQJ7KHAKELIsX7c5l8N_HbrrnOpPE_y1bG9rC2ko7MVyLziRY5FYk7etuxWfciPjHzLF1GvjmtGqcby4UMH8jIgfew8A-u492WklgFVjXNhXd9fIdI_EXtwYGByZRJX_iAuIs2iWpQi7Jms6mqOXjvi4eb2aBqjUO/w480-h640/IMG_8332.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've made her a little pair of nappy pants:</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yUQVUj3NMUfnIFjjb53KCrLrMxryBIUAAg_Cn7lgRQ52w02bZBToWVFKsrsyArNczQe2vdeEBc8rUg8lcwcJY7ji2RHgm1RAL_mCHy-ugNsSv0GkbbFU5CE0UiuNUfUuKnwTRzg9w4DipwDtVFt1V_pE4q7dmDrv8feZmaVrEjD3AB4R3jlJEp-9/s1000/IMG_8333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yUQVUj3NMUfnIFjjb53KCrLrMxryBIUAAg_Cn7lgRQ52w02bZBToWVFKsrsyArNczQe2vdeEBc8rUg8lcwcJY7ji2RHgm1RAL_mCHy-ugNsSv0GkbbFU5CE0UiuNUfUuKnwTRzg9w4DipwDtVFt1V_pE4q7dmDrv8feZmaVrEjD3AB4R3jlJEp-9/w480-h640/IMG_8333.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The doll is about 8 inches high and any patterns I could find were quite different in size, so it's been a bit of trial and error and pulling out and redoing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Aren't these little shoes (a fraction more than 1 inch long!) so cute? I was so happy to go to my drawer and find these tiny little pink buttons about 4 mm wide, perfect size and colour for the shoes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxb2jRsWvkt_kBikZ8RS65kwB2GmYpfNcIt2YQsuT0N2o5bSsU6Zj_5HNJO2qGd6Vg2Nj5SaDS9_oHdhLaGGCbinKUFcgQwaif5d5fxw4m0-d9hPnaV_EDKufF1NGj6YEGcHvrWq6FIZF8xrkkE_kzpAIEX9wpHmUK_GZGog7kBdTY-sAzy08DGJK/s1000/IMG_8331.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxb2jRsWvkt_kBikZ8RS65kwB2GmYpfNcIt2YQsuT0N2o5bSsU6Zj_5HNJO2qGd6Vg2Nj5SaDS9_oHdhLaGGCbinKUFcgQwaif5d5fxw4m0-d9hPnaV_EDKufF1NGj6YEGcHvrWq6FIZF8xrkkE_kzpAIEX9wpHmUK_GZGog7kBdTY-sAzy08DGJK/w640-h480/IMG_8331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>I have another more pressing job that I am doing for a friend at the moment, but I am quite excited at the thought of making a pretty dress and bonnet soon. There's something still in my heart obviously when it comes to dolls! I loved playing with mine when I was a little girl, and I'm rather enjoying playing with this one and making her pretty! <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Val</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-80841636603917267412023-01-08T14:30:00.002+10:002023-01-08T14:34:38.205+10:002023 Block of the Month Wall Quilt Launch<p>Happy 2023 to all my valued readers! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and that this new year will bring you peace and hope.</p><p>We had lots of family with us for a few weeks and it was delightful to listen to the conversations of our five-year old great grand-daughter and to spend time with our other three great grand-daughters, two of whom we had not seen before, being just a few months old.</p><p>How is this for cuteness overload?:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi2VN03gmtrtuSVovvsNr3qlZAZCXbcqfwakUT0AnysZ2_XXLkvGqAmHdZLRT7LwPEs_w7MJk9dikBAd5HISv3lyv0Nkfn9NbFFsZyJmZAebDzzluAkJq63sL1qsTbU2Gb2hnmvMNH1mwglttBd0PUnTp1lq_ny3ddOYFS_PcUQRrXLmOIfjoAOad/s640/Cousins%20Dec%202022%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="640" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi2VN03gmtrtuSVovvsNr3qlZAZCXbcqfwakUT0AnysZ2_XXLkvGqAmHdZLRT7LwPEs_w7MJk9dikBAd5HISv3lyv0Nkfn9NbFFsZyJmZAebDzzluAkJq63sL1qsTbU2Gb2hnmvMNH1mwglttBd0PUnTp1lq_ny3ddOYFS_PcUQRrXLmOIfjoAOad/w640-h476/Cousins%20Dec%202022%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Hubby enjoyed the interaction with family members as they visited him. He didn't really know who they were but laughed and smiled with them and it was wonderful to catch glimpses of his sense of humour that he always had.</p><p>Now as family have departed one by one, it is time for me to shake off holiday mode, get the house back into order, and think about 2023.</p><p>You have seen sneak peaks of my 2023 Block of the Month design, but today I am launching <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2023-bom-timeless-truths-wall-quilt.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Timeless Truths Wall Quilt</span>.</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-fngHk0pBBs9uK1hkiF0GNDZOxfY41Hu44_dXoFCr8iqFxjknmVQhbPa6HLsiIUUuxy9U61gx0NhlbFv0JuBt9WQCIu1XCwdvNDCJsc3ImIr4AYDr9rDAGh5hDvN0iYL-XlO5kwYfjAyoymYA1DcbLVLkN7hUQWGIwZK-c4or0FDmAfbaY0GRsdb/s1000/timeless%20truths%20scrapbooked%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1000" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-fngHk0pBBs9uK1hkiF0GNDZOxfY41Hu44_dXoFCr8iqFxjknmVQhbPa6HLsiIUUuxy9U61gx0NhlbFv0JuBt9WQCIu1XCwdvNDCJsc3ImIr4AYDr9rDAGh5hDvN0iYL-XlO5kwYfjAyoymYA1DcbLVLkN7hUQWGIwZK-c4or0FDmAfbaY0GRsdb/w640-h626/timeless%20truths%20scrapbooked%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="en-AU"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Timeless Truths</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> is a great project to use up your scraps and left-over </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">jelly roll strips, charm squares, layer cakes and fat quarters. The Wall Quilt measures 32 inches square (81 cm) and consists of nine blocks with borders. As this is a "Block of the Month" design, e</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;">ach month a new block will be released, commencing in January 2023, and the final pattern which includes finishing instructions will be sent in September. All patterns will be sent in pdf format by email in the second week of each month.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have titled this quilt "Timeless Truths" because each block contains a wise saying that was written close to 3000 years ago and has been recorded in the Bible! They are timeless indeed to still have relevance for our technological life in the 21st century. The January block has a saying from Proverbs 15:1 (New Living Translation).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrO4cHlI_WcjtEjwTHahL-7CXQWkDQgsGdhd7TLYvSD07VNP2UMTZg-hRHhovLAMUj91raKrIBPBJq09rzCDjSFlEURd5lUBeV5xGhUEC7ik5ZyYGXjfx-PTLWtH6pTEUQMkAEhlEyb2BCh2ZqA1fRo0nN_yGdICGUB32p5bIaaL-eOZxFd-ZE_7/s1000/t%20truths%20block%201%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1000" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrO4cHlI_WcjtEjwTHahL-7CXQWkDQgsGdhd7TLYvSD07VNP2UMTZg-hRHhovLAMUj91raKrIBPBJq09rzCDjSFlEURd5lUBeV5xGhUEC7ik5ZyYGXjfx-PTLWtH6pTEUQMkAEhlEyb2BCh2ZqA1fRo0nN_yGdICGUB32p5bIaaL-eOZxFd-ZE_7/w640-h498/t%20truths%20block%201%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't there a lot of wisdom in those words? Can you imagine how little road rage there would be if gentle rather than harsh words were spoken or if a quiet apology was given if someone is angry with us rather than a prickly reply</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">You can join the 2023 Timeless Truths Wall Quilt BOM at the cost of a one-off payment of $20.00 for the year.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5JKE4Q29M8CPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="43" data-original-width="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTrFUuXTw8QYJjRBgG0Nqo1vRSy4UceAq5k-OzkdBDXLVwvMPNUKY8K5x4DEweVb2LmEIibhI9xJkGVnttc0hzqckQkQDUuZ1_R4t7TEg1w7IIKM_drz9A2mSXQFB8OC9f7JXTCHJQg/s0/Add+to+Cart+Paypal+button.jpg" /><br /></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TE5DYWPGMBTLA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I hope you will join me in this programme for 2023 and share in the fun of putting together the blocks that make up this project. Each block has some sweet applique and plenty of hand-stitching - both of which give you opportunity to set some time aside each month to indulge in a slower pace of life, which is something I think we could all enjoy!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Stitching</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Val</span></span></div><p><br /></p>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-10218745368537581112022-12-11T08:01:00.001+10:002022-12-11T08:01:32.145+10:00More than the shiny tinsel<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am suddenly becoming aware that Christmas is just around the corner! I do most of my shopping online from the convenience of my home, but I had occasion to go to a shopping centre last week. As my husband would say, "There's an awful lot of stuff there that I don't want to buy!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFmsL8vCwZWUbddrlIU9YXEZk-CcFZsRW22-pLp9coAo2A_2W8Y4y6-pK3BQiV4ugZ-pNsSyMmYbtutvxFBjNGo4xkA9A2RXRgdHpYIV0GF14Q1x0GwDgjiBrC_hkYjNJJ2Jc9WFixaiDvp_I3RFbZLvcFTbPOcZuWQ_0tIznEsF-KBQpv2QCKyDS/s1000/IMG_8127.JPG" style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFmsL8vCwZWUbddrlIU9YXEZk-CcFZsRW22-pLp9coAo2A_2W8Y4y6-pK3BQiV4ugZ-pNsSyMmYbtutvxFBjNGo4xkA9A2RXRgdHpYIV0GF14Q1x0GwDgjiBrC_hkYjNJJ2Jc9WFixaiDvp_I3RFbZLvcFTbPOcZuWQ_0tIznEsF-KBQpv2QCKyDS/w640-h480/IMG_8127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sneak peaks of my 2023 Block of the Month design</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've put up my Christmas Tree, decorated the home, even put up some fairy lights in the front yard, bought the turkeys and the ham, thought about how I am going to accommodate the family, and this week I will go searching for the Christmas wrapping paper that I'm sure I had left over from last year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsC-MQAzfR4wtTnKZ99m3169Nd5TzlpYq3y-kGFfJEQ0BTYbHmxgGZjqvSxwnSXym1RxGkgte4WIHamgCyA2c3qIsPkcdk0SzjarUcnCShq4Tw1LEzLeUv1I63XnFE1tC26L_w55t8SIfWRLMVDXrvUEoJ4dliHeBJD2GmlbhJzk9AZAmMF8VOt27/s1000/IMG_8121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1000" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsC-MQAzfR4wtTnKZ99m3169Nd5TzlpYq3y-kGFfJEQ0BTYbHmxgGZjqvSxwnSXym1RxGkgte4WIHamgCyA2c3qIsPkcdk0SzjarUcnCShq4Tw1LEzLeUv1I63XnFE1tC26L_w55t8SIfWRLMVDXrvUEoJ4dliHeBJD2GmlbhJzk9AZAmMF8VOt27/w640-h598/IMG_8121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, how easy it is to forget the reason we celebrate the season. I wrote a little poem, as a reminder of who Christmas is all about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlyrTf_2gS80fggq0W6fPFjljxUJ49rk_tksVoDLD41xEvQmI8fOLhH4ngtFo9fdogAQDXuIbGF6ke5Yxs89bym5X1LOqzt7HVGMGlyXRKmfCPMHimLn3zpy6DydgcjuC4gJmoGWpmEdkTypaAkYxfg-LU1q02SsL-jnM2cRSafNjG7hXUvgJSYuX/s1000/IMG_8122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1000" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlyrTf_2gS80fggq0W6fPFjljxUJ49rk_tksVoDLD41xEvQmI8fOLhH4ngtFo9fdogAQDXuIbGF6ke5Yxs89bym5X1LOqzt7HVGMGlyXRKmfCPMHimLn3zpy6DydgcjuC4gJmoGWpmEdkTypaAkYxfg-LU1q02SsL-jnM2cRSafNjG7hXUvgJSYuX/w640-h544/IMG_8122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More than the shiny tinsel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More than the Christmas Tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More than buying presents</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the like of you and me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas is Someone’s birthday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s Jesus – that’s the thing -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What then shall we give Him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The One who was born the King?</span></div><br />I pray that you will be blessed as you stop to remember the wonderful gift of Jesus, God's gift of love to us, and consider what we can give Him - nothing less than His rightful place as King of our lives.<p></p><div>Happy Christmas to you and your family.</div><div>Val</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-88354410201239696512022-11-27T08:09:00.004+10:002022-11-27T08:09:37.319+10:00The rhythm and relaxation of crochet<p>My mother tried a few crafts over the years, but crochet was Number 1 for her. She seemed to always have a crochet hook in her hand and be working on one of her exquisite doilies or tablecloths. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC9FpKobakrxIBJPmD33qPLLWFTtq0ldeyIBIBIvwcI0xUoqwUwSyIQnc6-zPqH36aeoqKThgUpMJXad7a1_a3QQMXxy7u5-k9iCBJQmF4iTcJfwtP_Vqasp_KB2R3Cl3uJWl3RYxmeHN-ERAF03RIQXwOo8SYoXb9YdDSRdova2niPv7PfYAMX9a/s1000/IMG_8201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC9FpKobakrxIBJPmD33qPLLWFTtq0ldeyIBIBIvwcI0xUoqwUwSyIQnc6-zPqH36aeoqKThgUpMJXad7a1_a3QQMXxy7u5-k9iCBJQmF4iTcJfwtP_Vqasp_KB2R3Cl3uJWl3RYxmeHN-ERAF03RIQXwOo8SYoXb9YdDSRdova2niPv7PfYAMX9a/w400-h640/IMG_8201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How blessed I was to be the recipient of so many of her beautiful crochet items. She even made each grand-daughter a tablecloth when they reached 18 years old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq13iDdANqbmJqhthIhWnEwSHt_gy5Tjp4yS1H3AZ0ldjjivIhnzNUbuRVmdaTW1Ui5ozB-84-rbuu_QJ8p-mr19bKhxofULPToHmd15D4YojUdH3-iKzqBO32VYd8wOUMnj2ptom_hKwIbdXS3mUk9ZMadGM9AEOpv0om8f08k-pKGTL_4lgvxHOv/s1000/IMG_8207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq13iDdANqbmJqhthIhWnEwSHt_gy5Tjp4yS1H3AZ0ldjjivIhnzNUbuRVmdaTW1Ui5ozB-84-rbuu_QJ8p-mr19bKhxofULPToHmd15D4YojUdH3-iKzqBO32VYd8wOUMnj2ptom_hKwIbdXS3mUk9ZMadGM9AEOpv0om8f08k-pKGTL_4lgvxHOv/w480-h640/IMG_8207.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Family members are still using the granny square blankets she made for us. Dozens of beautiful items were given to charities for fund-raising. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-jTwIKzSY7EGNzH1odg0lPaKAfa1LSfYhpY6_KUeyxj1YEmOYnpZgIGYjfwFIn3-8azFQWOjBVTTSzTY7bQLX_d7r36NSD1YOI-UUl2RRqHuRH-JI_D2YcZmk6_fimvPOEMSuU8-TW3yWVLR3yuyOuxy-EGhnLbz2i16DZul_v8UrE6t1BAlUG7a/s1000/IMG_8203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1000" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-jTwIKzSY7EGNzH1odg0lPaKAfa1LSfYhpY6_KUeyxj1YEmOYnpZgIGYjfwFIn3-8azFQWOjBVTTSzTY7bQLX_d7r36NSD1YOI-UUl2RRqHuRH-JI_D2YcZmk6_fimvPOEMSuU8-TW3yWVLR3yuyOuxy-EGhnLbz2i16DZul_v8UrE6t1BAlUG7a/w640-h580/IMG_8203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course crochet doilies are totally out of fashion now, but I love them and use them. Since I have quite a bit of traditional furniture, they are not out of place in my home. Minimalism is not for me, so I proudly display her amazing handiwork with joy and gratitude and beautiful memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x_vdyoIOboMWJiAXATLKpgKlW7Jfi9-rLOzuMSTb2fyajYdsiBcHhQFuBQJbQPnBYcejZGOgBG05fSWy8ujLrBtEkLqzuUJ5T59xk7uFCCqRnPeTJvqW9rWMOnvOU42Gs68kkYqS4pUTA_HD9SPxmy6-hPiRqkrivYiGO4gFvht_7qQhlvo4hWSb/s1000/IMG_7994.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x_vdyoIOboMWJiAXATLKpgKlW7Jfi9-rLOzuMSTb2fyajYdsiBcHhQFuBQJbQPnBYcejZGOgBG05fSWy8ujLrBtEkLqzuUJ5T59xk7uFCCqRnPeTJvqW9rWMOnvOU42Gs68kkYqS4pUTA_HD9SPxmy6-hPiRqkrivYiGO4gFvht_7qQhlvo4hWSb/w640-h448/IMG_7994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPY3ivvN-moxnoAk2V2MsMjH4v3NvF_6L9k0QiL4JfssItZEpiYAS1OzpXrBjWCybrABOXvrUQCIWBJa86bGJUZffL6OwRjTdBaSB-bTf2xvOwsFb4tSRKKQmTd6GtF_dweNWsN-MqxaQ7qLNtUAyfXRZZ-2EBb3RBvKuXitBUbvtEfmiAHJsOaB/s4032/IMG_7993.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPY3ivvN-moxnoAk2V2MsMjH4v3NvF_6L9k0QiL4JfssItZEpiYAS1OzpXrBjWCybrABOXvrUQCIWBJa86bGJUZffL6OwRjTdBaSB-bTf2xvOwsFb4tSRKKQmTd6GtF_dweNWsN-MqxaQ7qLNtUAyfXRZZ-2EBb3RBvKuXitBUbvtEfmiAHJsOaB/w480-h640/IMG_7993.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rhythm and relaxation of crochet fills a part of each day for me too now as I sit with hubby in the Aged Care facility. I have made my share of intricate patterns in the past, but it is the time now for simple designs where concentration is minimal. I just enjoy the rhythm of hook and thread without having to think too much of what to do in the row.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73IAFsIIZn3lF5CsrFODIRY8N-bgBXvb6FeGYqeKPyx3hyGLqlrRZa4DrJ-ypNhO5BFk32NNriZmQD8ceRedbuJzm8bVRl6vByGdnhDq_zETD13kt-xgdp-p_J2db6wdmPtf8wUyIkbDPl2Ck-xFhME95rdwul6xUHde4dVdwdXLOOwebiYGKkR1q/s4032/IMG_7996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73IAFsIIZn3lF5CsrFODIRY8N-bgBXvb6FeGYqeKPyx3hyGLqlrRZa4DrJ-ypNhO5BFk32NNriZmQD8ceRedbuJzm8bVRl6vByGdnhDq_zETD13kt-xgdp-p_J2db6wdmPtf8wUyIkbDPl2Ck-xFhME95rdwul6xUHde4dVdwdXLOOwebiYGKkR1q/w480-h640/IMG_7996.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend asked me would I crochet around some face washers for her and I gladly agreed. That is the perfect project for this stage of my life - only hook and thread required, light to carry, fit in a small bag, easy to pick up and put down, and totally relaxing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnURmhsxYSmWcG9dZ9RyqNeTqhxqIdqrV-ZHQE1MTZNceg7sPg_h7MEKCv4A7XO8m6rhk1fFZQlj0no2G154ueY9nm69m4Zn2lyRO98_yeuXyQGRvpvb_BHmS4WTfRHG_F-eYvWwHuMz9umpnMtQr-Rc45ZAyry5foYmzesZRUR8V2yc_t7OG2u-IK/s1000/IMG_7730.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnURmhsxYSmWcG9dZ9RyqNeTqhxqIdqrV-ZHQE1MTZNceg7sPg_h7MEKCv4A7XO8m6rhk1fFZQlj0no2G154ueY9nm69m4Zn2lyRO98_yeuXyQGRvpvb_BHmS4WTfRHG_F-eYvWwHuMz9umpnMtQr-Rc45ZAyry5foYmzesZRUR8V2yc_t7OG2u-IK/w640-h480/IMG_7730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Having finished her washers, I am now making some Christmas decorations which I plan to give to friends. They are quick, easy and look pretty. Free Patterns can be found here: <a href="http://petalstopicots.com/free-crochet-patterns/holiday/sample-page/" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">petalstopicots.com/free-crochet-patterns/holiday/sample-page/</span></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKbBPyUHoD9jsBw8hG6Y1lsfBTOpuTfQnYAcFvm0D-Wb2fzspZfd2bvWdbuYboLoG023Ve7irc8Oa26MQmtygJ_AzhBvq7ObHyZ5ldRvcjIoKCESBR9JmIZPXEQbhmwjAkB-UTxpQJ9utaojZeGWNTNBF0KYnhLUIpbs3B4cB8I_q3qwqQkSuI-9E/s1000/IMG_8208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKbBPyUHoD9jsBw8hG6Y1lsfBTOpuTfQnYAcFvm0D-Wb2fzspZfd2bvWdbuYboLoG023Ve7irc8Oa26MQmtygJ_AzhBvq7ObHyZ5ldRvcjIoKCESBR9JmIZPXEQbhmwjAkB-UTxpQJ9utaojZeGWNTNBF0KYnhLUIpbs3B4cB8I_q3qwqQkSuI-9E/w640-h640/IMG_8208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The older I become, the more I realise how much I am like my mother - I even look like her! It gives me a contented heart to think that in this season of my life, I am following in her steps and enjoying the things she loved so much. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next post I will show you more of my 2023 Block of the Month wall quilt, which will be commencing in January. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, happy stitching!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-18866687626484294962022-11-13T08:12:00.000+10:002022-11-13T08:12:25.464+10:00The power of small things!<p>As I've mentioned before, my darling husband has dementia and is in care at an Aged Care facility. I visit him six afternoons a week. Saturday is my day off for washing, supermarket shopping and gardening. One day this week I wasn't feeling great, but still intended to visit hubby. However a half hour or so before I was due to leave home, I was hit with overwhelming tiredness. I hadn't had a lot of sleep for three or four days, and that particular day I had been awake since 3.30 am. </p><p>Realisation hit me that it would be very unwise and unsafe for me to drive when I felt so tired, so I reluctantly decided I needed to stay home to try to get some sleep. Our lounge recliner is quite comfortable so I curled up on that, took off my glasses and took out my hearing aids. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-8XDfAwnSkzTutgZEdQg1Vv75KFoc5CzRrmFS4dfUmtMR84bLW7KnPnmGh993BQNpnIyoySUIYb-N05XdyHZfC8jS48CMwsJ2Qo8Eogx-Vt6vrIxze7mn8sLsJ00HrIdHw9DeIvdg_veq1qudQ2pW8FMydDNMu_6jhuTwftJ86qRfG6GlK6be5ZK/s1000/bike%20flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-8XDfAwnSkzTutgZEdQg1Vv75KFoc5CzRrmFS4dfUmtMR84bLW7KnPnmGh993BQNpnIyoySUIYb-N05XdyHZfC8jS48CMwsJ2Qo8Eogx-Vt6vrIxze7mn8sLsJ00HrIdHw9DeIvdg_veq1qudQ2pW8FMydDNMu_6jhuTwftJ86qRfG6GlK6be5ZK/w640-h424/bike%20flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've had hearing aids for quite a few years (and probably should have had them 10 years earlier!). It seems to be a genetic thing for the women in our family to start to lose their hearing in their 50's. At the last check I had only 60% of normal hearing. The hearing aids are great and I manage very well, except for when someone has a very broad accent. The one thing I can't do is lie down with hearing aids in my ears. Apart from the discomfort of them being pushed in the ear by the pillow, they will squeal once they are covered over, so out they come as soon as I lie on my side.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvIaha9X5ENMHVvsRkufq65atS0pMJbHBsSbtU_HqfiN_0O6-P2WlFnfq4qNr0OncfkrKPPQOKhYJ3NxQdZljBsCTN_Tu8adufXmRnKeYgJ23Rl9jQcj-Geqs70nQHtjAViS-3t5FY2-wBBoyO2kKOW_PPwUTTBspimOGDmWMB-33SkacMakuuqRR/s1000/Bird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1000" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvIaha9X5ENMHVvsRkufq65atS0pMJbHBsSbtU_HqfiN_0O6-P2WlFnfq4qNr0OncfkrKPPQOKhYJ3NxQdZljBsCTN_Tu8adufXmRnKeYgJ23Rl9jQcj-Geqs70nQHtjAViS-3t5FY2-wBBoyO2kKOW_PPwUTTBspimOGDmWMB-33SkacMakuuqRR/w640-h538/Bird.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">I managed to get some intermittent sleep, not very refreshing, and I probably woke up not feeling any better than a couple of hours earlier. But it was time to get going again, so on went the glasses and in went the hearing aids. A couple of minutes later, I felt this extremely loud, horrendous, scratching noise in one ear. It was absolutely terrible, but what was worse was the excruciating pain that went with it. It was all so bad that I began to think I needed medical assistance and started to plan whether I should call an ambulance, get to the hospital or call in a Home Doctor. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixerTNtU1Lxm5txElVDn_g1SIIgZ68TJmJMI5xB7MonXh_o5JCHxc3tPdcqx32lBtSPyuLuH0sQ_gsUbkCKuSwoMTbWT1aam-f1m7LMh5UPYHJziN7Rgeszd7Y4JRTLOCsEYGvS7kjxUEPrpnfCiEzPGP9wiZqP8xic-g2Ac-DWOJuRLflvu00Wtq_/s1000/shell%20flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1000" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixerTNtU1Lxm5txElVDn_g1SIIgZ68TJmJMI5xB7MonXh_o5JCHxc3tPdcqx32lBtSPyuLuH0sQ_gsUbkCKuSwoMTbWT1aam-f1m7LMh5UPYHJziN7Rgeszd7Y4JRTLOCsEYGvS7kjxUEPrpnfCiEzPGP9wiZqP8xic-g2Ac-DWOJuRLflvu00Wtq_/w640-h412/shell%20flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">After about ten minutes of wondering whether I was going to die, I felt something crawling on the outside of my ear ... and there it was - the tiniest ant, not even 2 mm (1/16 in) long. The uproar in my ear stopped, the pain subsided and my panic abated! </p><p style="text-align: left;">I've noticed a few ants in the house, a signal that we're going to have some rain. Evidently one had decided to sit on my hearing aid and so had been inserted in my ear. It's hard to believe that such a tiny, insignificant thing could cause such torment. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL7kdMsatCDud7eu6ZpxsAfPbWYMN4GL-FSlWR8_xXcnPHhpyJLb4nz9MC7OeHxXn_StDVKXcZOH4nElRWKGGSCv9Az811sJ0yVN5UvVZf7vYyOQ0IeSz0c40cG8BCz13NR5n_hSpNui0fojmSeMsEo-DNAzrCLuPIfeEJlAMlOgbcLYiqlVa0YuB/s1500/Days%20of%20Delight%20Pin%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL7kdMsatCDud7eu6ZpxsAfPbWYMN4GL-FSlWR8_xXcnPHhpyJLb4nz9MC7OeHxXn_StDVKXcZOH4nElRWKGGSCv9Az811sJ0yVN5UvVZf7vYyOQ0IeSz0c40cG8BCz13NR5n_hSpNui0fojmSeMsEo-DNAzrCLuPIfeEJlAMlOgbcLYiqlVa0YuB/w426-h640/Days%20of%20Delight%20Pin%202.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">It made me think how important small things are. Life is made up of lots of little things, and how we handle them is what matters. Like a smile - so easy to give, so uplifting when you receive one, costs nothing - a small thing that can change someone's day. Did you know that you can <i>hear</i> when a person is smiling? When you are on the phone with someone, particularly at the end of the conversation, when saying goodbye, you can tell by the change in their voice if they stop smiling. I try to remember to not stop smiling till I actually finish the call! </p><p style="text-align: left;">And talking of small things, here's a pretty box to hold all the small bits and pieces that are part of the Days of Delight Calendar Block of the Month pattern. This month instructions are included for the box, then there's just one month to the finish line.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2022-block-of-month-design-days-of.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="812" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxwRlSzl_k2S-TWKXdbqp3GLhNXKMeSvyhfvLCYke43n_PRUJOWQjecua3_G6bsrSchmiiMGTKRaVLbowLR0h3SBECVgQJkxArK-f7XzV3GlkO7sGFtxXaFUxWJAIlJVL5Aj0tT9qkt1oUq6er4s1QRwomW2EAXhaYWuSbe8zlxdhMyWRopBAYMRJ/w640-h444/Days%20of%20Delight%20Box2%20cutout%20-%20Resize.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My 2023 Block of the Month Quilt is currently off at the Quilters. I hope you like the sneak peaks scattered throughout this article. The quilt has lots of small detail that brings it to life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's the little things that count. As the famous quote says, <i>We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. </i>My adventure with an ant this week has reminded me again the importance of little things and the need to put all my heart, soul and love into the small things of life as well as the big things that always seem more important. As God's Word says, "Whoever can be trusted in small matters can also be trusted in great ones." Luke 16:10 NCB.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-40427504105782353972022-10-30T15:44:00.001+10:002022-10-30T15:44:30.719+10:00The Vegetable Garden has colour too!<p style="text-align: center;">Following on from my last post showing some of my vegetable garden, I thought I would let you see some of the colour that turns up there - it's not all just green!</p><p style="text-align: center;">There's always plenty of flowers on the self-sown cherry tomatoes:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIHlobM7PveFiRN9xkliZIDi62Le8CtDP2Peq79_x0zB0GA0x-ceaNoo2k_GdAS_IfWFJQ4IwrfhVX9SIwQFmDvrVGeowwtOnbKWBMCaUpaZt6MIabSYIoAsD1IuGlYfGT2KLshA8LJ1510UTssgpTsAng96SohVghTNh6GpRaPIVHbICH1EKIiFs/s1000/IMG_7952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIHlobM7PveFiRN9xkliZIDi62Le8CtDP2Peq79_x0zB0GA0x-ceaNoo2k_GdAS_IfWFJQ4IwrfhVX9SIwQFmDvrVGeowwtOnbKWBMCaUpaZt6MIabSYIoAsD1IuGlYfGT2KLshA8LJ1510UTssgpTsAng96SohVghTNh6GpRaPIVHbICH1EKIiFs/w480-h640/IMG_7952.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The seed heads on spring onions always fascinate me. I think they are really quite attractive:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtgt5THNfNdSwFwWgJhEdpxukLwu58nAqTla9ou4pC5DBTgfMo0wYFrYAWEIc4COOfk4cfABupWTQAAvwAkxM0Xa6BAStGMlP-gI9fpssdRBfR_8H3sMeBeJeBTVNe4aJkJQ_GND3_tX2xJ7o70B1ZLujAKleCrcLMiY4cP7Kdtm3xJXjDMIc40J6/s1000/IMG_7924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtgt5THNfNdSwFwWgJhEdpxukLwu58nAqTla9ou4pC5DBTgfMo0wYFrYAWEIc4COOfk4cfABupWTQAAvwAkxM0Xa6BAStGMlP-gI9fpssdRBfR_8H3sMeBeJeBTVNe4aJkJQ_GND3_tX2xJ7o70B1ZLujAKleCrcLMiY4cP7Kdtm3xJXjDMIc40J6/w480-h640/IMG_7924.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dianthus always put on quite a display and the bonus is that the flower petals are edible:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO7K6TnHi-6XnwA0PndK-Fq9z_yXq6x0KW85bi_1ATliGTfCARvEQnEehYJMy1OC1_2DRLOjzBZT3wqhu5nFy1LOLu3WM-da-TDO2-rKfjSQbcCtycPBidKD7AJs5eAfE_saGYbWXdOjrQyrqtblzBihHUyiHsaTu68Ou9VizYmXtsMrpEUHbBGxp/s1000/IMG_7908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO7K6TnHi-6XnwA0PndK-Fq9z_yXq6x0KW85bi_1ATliGTfCARvEQnEehYJMy1OC1_2DRLOjzBZT3wqhu5nFy1LOLu3WM-da-TDO2-rKfjSQbcCtycPBidKD7AJs5eAfE_saGYbWXdOjrQyrqtblzBihHUyiHsaTu68Ou9VizYmXtsMrpEUHbBGxp/w480-h640/IMG_7908.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I discourage the basil from going to seed by pinching out the tops, but when it escapes, the flowers are quite a pretty shape: </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC_omp3fox5KV2slC4vV_vnPUhCjO9pqwKjYG1liLa0BY6Lgezn_HHCgCSg57pNm04cdjByv5WQ3Qw-pZIObb6dC4eygvd5lArgIC9_VYz5pmJyizhSSnLVcQZidJcWH-E2JoVr9aSmAIhZun09howAyRTV9pM3Odvd-0W3s43SYOl5x56bd5gJXb/s1000/IMG_7947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC_omp3fox5KV2slC4vV_vnPUhCjO9pqwKjYG1liLa0BY6Lgezn_HHCgCSg57pNm04cdjByv5WQ3Qw-pZIObb6dC4eygvd5lArgIC9_VYz5pmJyizhSSnLVcQZidJcWH-E2JoVr9aSmAIhZun09howAyRTV9pM3Odvd-0W3s43SYOl5x56bd5gJXb/w480-h640/IMG_7947.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm always happy to see the bright yellow flowers of the zucchini, though I was a bit peeved when most of the flowers on my current batch of plants were male. (Yes, males are needed, but they're not much use for producing fruit!!!):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_OTAkBkFBZU2C1tiwZYf3SQ5i8x-OEIi04WE3DgEuC9B2SArs4BmCWINSzAm-p6JgaTduoDuYpDziIyI15rBq8PeExGD3tWXkRS_uxjP-EErniMzEU3cIVI-RFGagw3XfzADrLM8KbzipGpUnlqj_VDAMaX2vnnSKPlz6Y52JUP4v1Rcw7OHru_c/s1000/IMG_7954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_OTAkBkFBZU2C1tiwZYf3SQ5i8x-OEIi04WE3DgEuC9B2SArs4BmCWINSzAm-p6JgaTduoDuYpDziIyI15rBq8PeExGD3tWXkRS_uxjP-EErniMzEU3cIVI-RFGagw3XfzADrLM8KbzipGpUnlqj_VDAMaX2vnnSKPlz6Y52JUP4v1Rcw7OHru_c/w640-h480/IMG_7954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the delicate flowers of the chives:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyJSoT7tDdUdo9QZEsfIhnM24QWXe9WNBgLUSnwBzzD_pIvQINz14h-ibgv46KCG-SoafkBy2aMkouXuuvzvv_GwB8HCmalENzCjYKlAXzlXBD71-QRi_PcEusNuCf49YrblUQIzohKZKIwjjL-WKrwQiqZUHiq4cSI8NUWIVDXBALc4r7GM1t3lN/s1000/IMG_7960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1000" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyJSoT7tDdUdo9QZEsfIhnM24QWXe9WNBgLUSnwBzzD_pIvQINz14h-ibgv46KCG-SoafkBy2aMkouXuuvzvv_GwB8HCmalENzCjYKlAXzlXBD71-QRi_PcEusNuCf49YrblUQIzohKZKIwjjL-WKrwQiqZUHiq4cSI8NUWIVDXBALc4r7GM1t3lN/w640-h504/IMG_7960.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tarragon is making a lovely show at the moment:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q_jNNfz2gXQrF0vnAlq6MwxZs00ablikL2BvMtEFteyPjwHGRNAitH_NqioYpys5dVvcmrJ2TEFVmczmAdGaIovHO66gt3rtBJuUSfVD9M2iuUKUR4HS0KAQWDs8WJREFXK_FcYTFWU6Gz7gkpiYXxXARljoVWwqwEToEYYqx3BKRITra_bV8qZY/s1000/IMG_8009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q_jNNfz2gXQrF0vnAlq6MwxZs00ablikL2BvMtEFteyPjwHGRNAitH_NqioYpys5dVvcmrJ2TEFVmczmAdGaIovHO66gt3rtBJuUSfVD9M2iuUKUR4HS0KAQWDs8WJREFXK_FcYTFWU6Gz7gkpiYXxXARljoVWwqwEToEYYqx3BKRITra_bV8qZY/w640-h480/IMG_8009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the thyme has delicate flowers:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBKtlvt-G6FWhLBPeuPDHQmWX__kdSPI93FjACuYp3wrO6oPlzeBiQ-gnr6tP2Difrm0YDTZDYFQJSizmcILNWj4zAEx7-WntkHRI0Tp_0EH_07UIxjSFuANnoj7v15KijvpKoK0priKkgKA_o2shmXXUDgoeEwVH-SEPNfI8ElI7d-98BKiqoOF-/s1000/IMG_8012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1000" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBKtlvt-G6FWhLBPeuPDHQmWX__kdSPI93FjACuYp3wrO6oPlzeBiQ-gnr6tP2Difrm0YDTZDYFQJSizmcILNWj4zAEx7-WntkHRI0Tp_0EH_07UIxjSFuANnoj7v15KijvpKoK0priKkgKA_o2shmXXUDgoeEwVH-SEPNfI8ElI7d-98BKiqoOF-/w640-h508/IMG_8012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These yellow flowers are much smaller than the zucchinis, though they look similar. The cucumbers they have formed have been amazing:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVheezT3ueobVDF-pCiEDbTCl_fs4K4Z7imRQ9L5V4Z2bfkO4DlNeaqD_leugjpGaGX7mkjI28Dd8GW6FGM6nn82feaKItOvMNi3wZN0FcMKW8exNv_138Ae_mR61FyO_5kLQOsXM3b3IYjAyM6EZELvnN6ZxFTkwLzpgO50uKZexR3YSYsiedV6j/s1000/IMG_8013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1000" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVheezT3ueobVDF-pCiEDbTCl_fs4K4Z7imRQ9L5V4Z2bfkO4DlNeaqD_leugjpGaGX7mkjI28Dd8GW6FGM6nn82feaKItOvMNi3wZN0FcMKW8exNv_138Ae_mR61FyO_5kLQOsXM3b3IYjAyM6EZELvnN6ZxFTkwLzpgO50uKZexR3YSYsiedV6j/w640-h568/IMG_8013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl0w5LWeuqipQbLDzB_vaB-a68o--B-FedBJxmEmSETCSg7Mi6nnJ7zwZ6qvKZBCC0JIwRCCdWexN-ETD0_ryZxS93ljS3gB7rR8oxTGOEfZBpK9OqvlFudzXk7G2UtPVoNk3m9Fyhi5awgNqrYHk4wF5vTsgRG7nsgTdIPOHDLgBv1A9T3M6yVW1/s1000/IMG_8015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1000" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl0w5LWeuqipQbLDzB_vaB-a68o--B-FedBJxmEmSETCSg7Mi6nnJ7zwZ6qvKZBCC0JIwRCCdWexN-ETD0_ryZxS93ljS3gB7rR8oxTGOEfZBpK9OqvlFudzXk7G2UtPVoNk3m9Fyhi5awgNqrYHk4wF5vTsgRG7nsgTdIPOHDLgBv1A9T3M6yVW1/w640-h526/IMG_8015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These pretty pale purple flowers are actually in my front garden. I like them for their lovely striped foliage and the fact that they are very long lasting. It was only when I used an App to find out what they were that I discovered they are Society Garlic and are edible! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNWCu-gwx1ZIyF9ovRIgwA8Tj9OrK6wixa6trkeEC1s2ag5fSSwnzsBW_LklgZdcuO9VpKth4slNV31YTJS4mzT45gyJDD6eiEuu_CMSJ7dseb6di5r0Ci3yeeZehlj4SwvMY6A95cc-RmR_yG6O-i0Was-nmEbX2yyzAQEY_7fJv3LogbaYmLohR/s1000/IMG_7887.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNWCu-gwx1ZIyF9ovRIgwA8Tj9OrK6wixa6trkeEC1s2ag5fSSwnzsBW_LklgZdcuO9VpKth4slNV31YTJS4mzT45gyJDD6eiEuu_CMSJ7dseb6di5r0Ci3yeeZehlj4SwvMY6A95cc-RmR_yG6O-i0Was-nmEbX2yyzAQEY_7fJv3LogbaYmLohR/w480-h640/IMG_7887.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There has also been plenty of colour going on in my 2023 Block of the Month quilt. It is looking so pretty! I have completed the quilt top and am very happy with it. Here's a sneak peak of one of the blocks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjueOrHmsA0nNam0B2s79vZj8uMZjt5yt6zZtdQbUV1KBqa69Zrwz_9TjnpgQPzmHYWK4PcEsWL2Oq0HG3WXXy237FS1HloURuZ1FlWG-7Q-T02IUkxevRFHLnU30Hec-XwJeGyzPYOPIe5kpY-rR6pCJue6EQpyftwVsHjrWCZasvI0diqBf4xyiQ/s1000/IMG_7997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1000" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjueOrHmsA0nNam0B2s79vZj8uMZjt5yt6zZtdQbUV1KBqa69Zrwz_9TjnpgQPzmHYWK4PcEsWL2Oq0HG3WXXy237FS1HloURuZ1FlWG-7Q-T02IUkxevRFHLnU30Hec-XwJeGyzPYOPIe5kpY-rR6pCJue6EQpyftwVsHjrWCZasvI0diqBf4xyiQ/w640-h522/IMG_7997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The more I read the Bible, the more I realise how absolutely up to date it is for daily life. The new quilt has timeless truths from God's Word, written thousands of years ago, but totally relevant for 2023. The plan is to launch the BOM in January, so keep tuned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Val</div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-7671416403541300172022-10-09T14:33:00.000+10:002022-10-09T14:33:11.188+10:00Nearer God's heart in a Garden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In her poem ‘God’s Garden’, Dorothy Gurney penned these
lines: <i>One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.</i> I think there is a lot of truth in these
words. God put the first man and woman in a Garden and walked and talked with
them there. The final picture we have in the Bible of the future is a heavenly, abundant, life-giving Garden. There is something special about the beauty of living
plants growing and blooming and showing His glory, so it is not surprising that
we can feel God’s presence in a garden.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I love flowers, but the thing that I love doing best in a garden
is growing fruit and vegetables!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90m352MbZc78ViC9PN6M_BRzLMTiT9JxovroraW_uRkFnmHwrbN1tV0gPcLGNemkgP3X5xxFi79g62bonzQeMJce03xyAq8P0hFg0mNaSt95uA9zSS451mfJUVnMl1uStaUNjc7iy7vFi6ly9Ex2gEl_tdP-pELtWkMyM8ivvFm1RxmbinkLENJsX/s1000/IMG_7742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90m352MbZc78ViC9PN6M_BRzLMTiT9JxovroraW_uRkFnmHwrbN1tV0gPcLGNemkgP3X5xxFi79g62bonzQeMJce03xyAq8P0hFg0mNaSt95uA9zSS451mfJUVnMl1uStaUNjc7iy7vFi6ly9Ex2gEl_tdP-pELtWkMyM8ivvFm1RxmbinkLENJsX/w640-h480/IMG_7742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">At the end of last summer, I let some of my lettuce go to seed,
and then sprinkled seeds around the garden. Invariably, the seeds that fall in
the garden soil don’t come to anything, but the ones that end up on the pebbles
that surround the garden beds, absolutely thrive! We had some good rain, so I
had hundreds of seedlings pop up everywhere. I gave heaps away and transplanted
lots into the soil.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP1VMTZ7YKzc7QP4LJ_r3E5Chg3H_x-JMroKLEmIM3a8XiZn3dkNQhpcrWIogaq78Tpy4kNLRP-hab7s_LWox7HAT47_Ky5kk--Mlz7CMSM7BwCab49n8Y9bA2Ms5VZSKswN0h7Bjg7gV_MEhm47LfWIiXSeCbyi-Uy7f5HCLjxzuUO9lT3firEjj/s1000/IMG_7920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP1VMTZ7YKzc7QP4LJ_r3E5Chg3H_x-JMroKLEmIM3a8XiZn3dkNQhpcrWIogaq78Tpy4kNLRP-hab7s_LWox7HAT47_Ky5kk--Mlz7CMSM7BwCab49n8Y9bA2Ms5VZSKswN0h7Bjg7gV_MEhm47LfWIiXSeCbyi-Uy7f5HCLjxzuUO9lT3firEjj/w640-h480/IMG_7920.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These did amazingly well and for the last 11 weeks I have been
able to share a huge quantity of lettuce leaves with my friends. They have been especially appreciated because I had an abundance when supermarkets were
charging the highest price ever seen for a lettuce and many people couldn’t afford to buy them!</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">They are going to seed again now that our warmer weather has
arrived, but that gives space to grow different vegetables, like silverbeet: <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcjN4uGgH-s51HEB8K4DXlJV_ehQYiLm5YffzRlRT2R1CdPVFsMXIxG0N9rw60STXjhTx4Sov7wc93Abm4GXv1L1DkFq1h-ro4mKMV-d0hJL8WyMeM2tVwKXOa_LOgW9Z50XVp5y2Q0eCaissawOiKT0bLH-kXB205l2zorGMiyl3R6nxaEYIJaMl/s1000/IMG_7910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcjN4uGgH-s51HEB8K4DXlJV_ehQYiLm5YffzRlRT2R1CdPVFsMXIxG0N9rw60STXjhTx4Sov7wc93Abm4GXv1L1DkFq1h-ro4mKMV-d0hJL8WyMeM2tVwKXOa_LOgW9Z50XVp5y2Q0eCaissawOiKT0bLH-kXB205l2zorGMiyl3R6nxaEYIJaMl/w480-h640/IMG_7910.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I can’t remember ever growing Lebanese cucumbers before so I
decided to try them this season. There are a lot of male flowers forming, but
the fruit is also appearing:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0475TnTiAvg0SRdnzrwCCZ4VTcvmibv5dTQXxCyx4_V28FpHmj0tl6xnrUKq4wrOlHdB90uxc1HIWK7JxRRLWMwAVZRUIr5pVcHt0IU2CHaiVmXurGoy37J71Wln5af30XBqzwg-hwVQNgOAENe2tn2nJmIeF-wB55BUXHmZLlnzTeKAb_L1ZhRP/s1000/IMG_7962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0475TnTiAvg0SRdnzrwCCZ4VTcvmibv5dTQXxCyx4_V28FpHmj0tl6xnrUKq4wrOlHdB90uxc1HIWK7JxRRLWMwAVZRUIr5pVcHt0IU2CHaiVmXurGoy37J71Wln5af30XBqzwg-hwVQNgOAENe2tn2nJmIeF-wB55BUXHmZLlnzTeKAb_L1ZhRP/w640-h480/IMG_7962.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh peas have been tasty:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuFeJKLijqO5cNVPn8Io5FKjv7b_wkS77DYNA6-CzFvywWWUlWvSJBF3B0coItWwQjTs4quMU9BRFaKJzxnTgG-aJcfUWY4vZIMq8U0jdZr_IFf7vtoa1A46K1yaYJ3uFxOHIPQG5d4J5fJOI8ale2SCBye8FI5yOQYisyQWKAqHRxxbmY1ty9Dhb/s1000/IMG_7913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuFeJKLijqO5cNVPn8Io5FKjv7b_wkS77DYNA6-CzFvywWWUlWvSJBF3B0coItWwQjTs4quMU9BRFaKJzxnTgG-aJcfUWY4vZIMq8U0jdZr_IFf7vtoa1A46K1yaYJ3uFxOHIPQG5d4J5fJOI8ale2SCBye8FI5yOQYisyQWKAqHRxxbmY1ty9Dhb/w640-h480/IMG_7913.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and some of the self-sown pumpkin ended up in a good batch
of soup:<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSz_Dba1x43bzBTDr_4VyUVVDwGdzdse5GXYrctfMndeANCWIDx_e-LCTGzPDZzwu5x44PgbhtrhsEgFEuwbZIshUmeFOuQuyWto4EnFlqsqwKQUbRPyS22jf55k5tTN9ozw4xCMn5dtDG04X_DE2wWGfnqjvAdlCsmcjQ0XGWwOGa--OIWwvZV2D/s1000/IMG_7882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSz_Dba1x43bzBTDr_4VyUVVDwGdzdse5GXYrctfMndeANCWIDx_e-LCTGzPDZzwu5x44PgbhtrhsEgFEuwbZIshUmeFOuQuyWto4EnFlqsqwKQUbRPyS22jf55k5tTN9ozw4xCMn5dtDG04X_DE2wWGfnqjvAdlCsmcjQ0XGWwOGa--OIWwvZV2D/w640-h480/IMG_7882.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Zucchinis are forming nicely:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaMn4_Wv4_PpqdX11nH9BtM_u-a6JWjOPYwALKdnwSjIjEhZU3UCwJ_YbLECIse2b69Z26PWqaSN1rU4REdfKe9KXMI2EJDLMdFfkC_VpDrJNDWxeYFRLfCMrXrCTNYoIDnDFgw3cZR6GnOFJ31jsm1enTfSvUBtLv5PXxzoB3Ic_zwEVNJsNOhAr/s1000/IMG_7963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaMn4_Wv4_PpqdX11nH9BtM_u-a6JWjOPYwALKdnwSjIjEhZU3UCwJ_YbLECIse2b69Z26PWqaSN1rU4REdfKe9KXMI2EJDLMdFfkC_VpDrJNDWxeYFRLfCMrXrCTNYoIDnDFgw3cZR6GnOFJ31jsm1enTfSvUBtLv5PXxzoB3Ic_zwEVNJsNOhAr/w640-h480/IMG_7963.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cherry Tomatoes are thriving:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUga0BHc3cG8tWDXBd5wBBZlg1meC6VDmqsU5QYrAhN5I8GCM16ARtlD0aLXJ0_4_YlOGd_TEGM31dlSegZBYxuaz4tAgiJT2l-Of6fFHFot2arzSK7Jvmcjk5UMfskVV_RMuEZpiteHPfkb2RmbDNRgn-aYljgmiDXNXloXGVPfrKpM17YBcR2w8/s1000/IMG_7969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUga0BHc3cG8tWDXBd5wBBZlg1meC6VDmqsU5QYrAhN5I8GCM16ARtlD0aLXJ0_4_YlOGd_TEGM31dlSegZBYxuaz4tAgiJT2l-Of6fFHFot2arzSK7Jvmcjk5UMfskVV_RMuEZpiteHPfkb2RmbDNRgn-aYljgmiDXNXloXGVPfrKpM17YBcR2w8/w480-h640/IMG_7969.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The lemon tree is
looking as if it will have another good crop:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2vWCqavnsG_C1lDGCgqSM-G6CxKk-D5C0stlKQaaG-fsk7iGejT5zoJZ7HxNkAYweGh9v7daWkdFP_TUgz_87k9aibz24t_V4P4uWsuyemxCevf-qFVK2AULiwE0zCMaGh8q6mD-zXxs7li43WXOFLBxGiAE5P00zGaeNFecoj8L5S-R16X58qh8/s1000/IMG_7991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2vWCqavnsG_C1lDGCgqSM-G6CxKk-D5C0stlKQaaG-fsk7iGejT5zoJZ7HxNkAYweGh9v7daWkdFP_TUgz_87k9aibz24t_V4P4uWsuyemxCevf-qFVK2AULiwE0zCMaGh8q6mD-zXxs7li43WXOFLBxGiAE5P00zGaeNFecoj8L5S-R16X58qh8/w640-h480/IMG_7991.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">and the new passionfruit vine and pawpaw tree are growing apace
but are a bit small for fruit yet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Talking of fruit, with Christmas approaching, Australians begin thinking about the wonderful cherries that are grown in some of our cooler climate areas and are a highlight of the Christmas fruit that becomes available. With that in mind, I have some cherries on the October month mini-quilt in the <a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2022-block-of-month-design-days-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Days of Delight 2022 BOM design.</span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX0bVS1nF7gaaS2j64KYlxNQ4paIyt4oSHTfSAgOtFSl73Wk82niYfaeIvm9Yfbpqf4tDWqAmSuOga3QfuH8crs1TpoAKpdpSaL1R7TlaFaxZTycjzOYy_UIQitRox-VdkB5H58UNlaK6nG4yJL4xaBEh9yddoKZPcHUiXdNSgak9IQo7l4go5eR0/s908/October%20cutout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="908" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX0bVS1nF7gaaS2j64KYlxNQ4paIyt4oSHTfSAgOtFSl73Wk82niYfaeIvm9Yfbpqf4tDWqAmSuOga3QfuH8crs1TpoAKpdpSaL1R7TlaFaxZTycjzOYy_UIQitRox-VdkB5H58UNlaK6nG4yJL4xaBEh9yddoKZPcHUiXdNSgak9IQo7l4go5eR0/w640-h330/October%20cutout.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://val-laird.blogspot.com/p/2022-block-of-month-design-days-of.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgCWpUYpHedXsPaOn9JtF7V8mWgEdAuKrjYpoMsWB6ebe5TLgBJYpvVTRDEJZEN1WyQjPTFEmi1mBLWMa82g0SU-fWDdyGFnukQ97irjhbadK5JmG0L5n9hT_AjOyrQ_A--cvZncFM82uA_X6W8xDlcBrCSVx3dRuP1B2T9wc3GNSi946q1TZgNoI/w426-h640/Days%20of%20Delight%20Pin%202%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">There's a lot to learn about gardening, but I am very conscious that I can plant, cultivate, fertilise and water, but ultimately it is God who sends the sunshine and rain and makes them grow. Yes, I know God is near when I am in my garden. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Val</div><br /></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933496829993844316.post-7024120943899100552022-09-25T15:12:00.000+10:002022-09-25T15:12:25.549+10:00The girls are taking over!<p>We have 15 grand-children - nine grandsons and six grand-daughters. Here they are all together way back in 2011.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMYOZV9FksmTXctgSAQGRPTxhGK_A-guN75WO4XKaJIP_EurV7ZCHvfiyyz8_zWASPXzPfrDpNXopAh2HvJurUTPb4TLGWsJcLo6S9uq4xm63o7NcdbqV5ySlBk4exufK2gzaa_JnwbR2EPbQ0rmAlWPpFiPm4a3nAM1VPkkOv4KfM8W0HznkOY1U/s1000/IMG_0798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMYOZV9FksmTXctgSAQGRPTxhGK_A-guN75WO4XKaJIP_EurV7ZCHvfiyyz8_zWASPXzPfrDpNXopAh2HvJurUTPb4TLGWsJcLo6S9uq4xm63o7NcdbqV5ySlBk4exufK2gzaa_JnwbR2EPbQ0rmAlWPpFiPm4a3nAM1VPkkOv4KfM8W0HznkOY1U/w640-h426/IMG_0798.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Since they live all around Australia, it is no mean feat to get them all in one place at the one time! Since that photo was taken, all but one has become an 'adult', three have married, two of the girls are engaged, and all are making their own way in the world. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">And here's what we looked like in 2019 (and we have expanded even more since then):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQlSAw8MI9yHMEWBnvDVS0HhPFIaq5xC1SQNiObwwHAt0qiH1uyaiBwLu2oFrlcag1i2hUxyqLa5mc5oWxszFYkC3WmztajBtfq0_KmgonXnocL9LQ7Bh-JI5We0KelWMXpUsXenY-84m6VPiQQQHyAurzdGXakVgoPecqZ6hW6SApIeE3vTqZLho/s1000/Christmas%202019%20all%20family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1000" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQlSAw8MI9yHMEWBnvDVS0HhPFIaq5xC1SQNiObwwHAt0qiH1uyaiBwLu2oFrlcag1i2hUxyqLa5mc5oWxszFYkC3WmztajBtfq0_KmgonXnocL9LQ7Bh-JI5We0KelWMXpUsXenY-84m6VPiQQQHyAurzdGXakVgoPecqZ6hW6SApIeE3vTqZLho/w640-h346/Christmas%202019%20all%20family.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>With the predominance of males, I am delighted that in the next generation the girls are taking over! Since last I wrote, another beautiful little girl has arrived, making a total now of four great- granddaughters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZA1zDuydNHts27nsS67JnwT_rsFs5OVQZ4CjECol2HzoeP0_7VTeQNiH4GqCN3dZ58YEHNvqExI1SDnjX0Yt7jui4p_hS7zzBCMnMl8y5pjNblugOCI-Fc_bvpChre7TdeX0u-0FQVmQE0i9Z1TnjHaK1qKEZxO8Gm71xapfUroDcagZ5qp5j-sK/s2048/Molly-Faith%20and%20Haven-Hope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZA1zDuydNHts27nsS67JnwT_rsFs5OVQZ4CjECol2HzoeP0_7VTeQNiH4GqCN3dZ58YEHNvqExI1SDnjX0Yt7jui4p_hS7zzBCMnMl8y5pjNblugOCI-Fc_bvpChre7TdeX0u-0FQVmQE0i9Z1TnjHaK1qKEZxO8Gm71xapfUroDcagZ5qp5j-sK/w360-h640/Molly-Faith%20and%20Haven-Hope.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjO5z-6vG2upYIw1RIe8ZHeEllijVMs56vliyOFPtzTXVAbZUZ5lIsEFGStn8s8Xd3Arl-InkgTYW5C__Xe-xNi4p8AxiatEOsebOSYhyE0KLyNSk1kMg8vMLjbukpDk1Sk89RlusWoElLeofAnSCJHt-2NHHIQt-gA5zLbXVGLtvpWciMd_7hPtC/s1000/IMG-5209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjO5z-6vG2upYIw1RIe8ZHeEllijVMs56vliyOFPtzTXVAbZUZ5lIsEFGStn8s8Xd3Arl-InkgTYW5C__Xe-xNi4p8AxiatEOsebOSYhyE0KLyNSk1kMg8vMLjbukpDk1Sk89RlusWoElLeofAnSCJHt-2NHHIQt-gA5zLbXVGLtvpWciMd_7hPtC/w640-h640/IMG-5209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmJv9DJhtLYaqx5ptXklaC8Xm_eOkyEYcTyykWL9k_dC7O_4WcbSTqRpL39QhSl1R-ggbhhT4htaqnalQdN91bEHyqSd_W7TCckEcCMtaFdlVpoY4B63pCQkIcCp60r1x4wjEywQMfFiAJlYc3Y42yWih-s_9F3obZIiLiQ2Yj1OcqRK0Xf8eeNzT/s1000/IMG_7667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmJv9DJhtLYaqx5ptXklaC8Xm_eOkyEYcTyykWL9k_dC7O_4WcbSTqRpL39QhSl1R-ggbhhT4htaqnalQdN91bEHyqSd_W7TCckEcCMtaFdlVpoY4B63pCQkIcCp60r1x4wjEywQMfFiAJlYc3Y42yWih-s_9F3obZIiLiQ2Yj1OcqRK0Xf8eeNzT/w640-h480/IMG_7667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Family is such a blessing, and I'm delighted that God has blessed us with some more girls in the mix!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 2023 Block of the Month is progressing well - staying up long hours to watch the Queen's funeral meant lots of stitching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D21vWRmO5f4i-R-z7CMXcbEgXgBmPCaMM907rD45qCTHqqJZ4h2hUvMxa7pn9SF3J57fLYBR7nMEmHdtS_iWQytkrMWdMIRXSZ_NkcPpv6JW3_zOMdO8bi66qJ6Riej3GbYuZlKyXWgJTp9_EFh9MN8KtmjtoFqDn2jurbJ898UFtGhTp9Ogwika/s1000/IMG_7919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D21vWRmO5f4i-R-z7CMXcbEgXgBmPCaMM907rD45qCTHqqJZ4h2hUvMxa7pn9SF3J57fLYBR7nMEmHdtS_iWQytkrMWdMIRXSZ_NkcPpv6JW3_zOMdO8bi66qJ6Riej3GbYuZlKyXWgJTp9_EFh9MN8KtmjtoFqDn2jurbJ898UFtGhTp9Ogwika/w640-h480/IMG_7919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love flowers, but there are usually more stitched ones in my house, than actual ones in the garden. My passion is growing vegetables, but there are occasional burst of colour to delight, such as my Clivea:</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCCZJYEl74ja96-J4VVQoutmEQNoIA3RLA7XkeCoURx9CWyez8ZHFa0xVyNuHcYJPiYndBxQyudTX4ecgbmu56RjTGtwKEso9gWy0J6FKjDk06eU_ADAJomMbz_Xg_NRrQ4CAPfoqAhh38R2OundsMmLPDYtzU_CirIINTxs2tf5-6cVFTDsoG4tB/s1000/IMG_7756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCCZJYEl74ja96-J4VVQoutmEQNoIA3RLA7XkeCoURx9CWyez8ZHFa0xVyNuHcYJPiYndBxQyudTX4ecgbmu56RjTGtwKEso9gWy0J6FKjDk06eU_ADAJomMbz_Xg_NRrQ4CAPfoqAhh38R2OundsMmLPDYtzU_CirIINTxs2tf5-6cVFTDsoG4tB/w640-h480/IMG_7756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and this orchid:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hcNPE8YZtqkCkGm5Duz6hCDUQEq_GOhz0dFzw4kAz9A75NprCF07JZKyMRcvigbJOfvIRuufuHGnyG_DSC5z9Nxj7uypuSCr8NNe0Gv8PyHtm6tdjnUbUIBO2-U4Da7GNv8GtnwKgiCZvX0kOvjpRd3fV2rkupXY_wpKlq4KerlAELm_bWwYywWQ/s1000/IMG_7766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hcNPE8YZtqkCkGm5Duz6hCDUQEq_GOhz0dFzw4kAz9A75NprCF07JZKyMRcvigbJOfvIRuufuHGnyG_DSC5z9Nxj7uypuSCr8NNe0Gv8PyHtm6tdjnUbUIBO2-U4Da7GNv8GtnwKgiCZvX0kOvjpRd3fV2rkupXY_wpKlq4KerlAELm_bWwYywWQ/w480-h640/IMG_7766.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The vegetable garden has absolutely thrived this year, probably because we have had rain during Winter which is unusual, but I will tell you about it another time!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy stitching!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Val</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Val Lairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101483451592341463noreply@blogger.com5