My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Giftmaking and a spot of summer

*warning!!lots of photos*
I've just realised that as it's the last day of 2014 I'd best share the rest of my 2014 makes so they can be on my December OPAM list :-)
In my last post I shared what I had received in Chookyblue's fabulous Secret Santa Christmas Swap from Cheryl.
Here is what I sent to Sue —
A stocking with sewing goodies in it
And this table runner.
This was called Strawberries and Cream by Christine Book from Homespun #48.
A fun project. The red strips were sewed on to a foundation meaning it was
pretty much quilted all by itself!
[I also made Sue the ornament shown *here*]

Do you remember me saying in a pre-Christmas post that I was not going to launch into any last minute Christmas sewing, no matter what? Well, I did keep my resolve - NEARLY!! While packaging up a box of goodies for my sister I decided she needed a (decorated) hand towel in it to stop the bottles from rattling..... that's allowed, isn't it?
And then I thought it would be fun to send DH's nephew a Christmas postcard - homemade of course. He's the nephew (seen *here*) who comes and visits during calving and loves to make postcards at Aunty Raewyn's.. so I whipped this up and managed to get it into the post before the big day - phew :-)
I hoped he would appreciate the cow in Christmas garb!

My post title mentioned a spot of summer - here is a 12" summer hanging I made....

This may or may not have been inspired by my garden - it was looking lovely in early summer; the roses have been particularly beautiful  —
We don't usually have a summer holiday as the cows still need milking but we have just managed a quick night away while ED and her Hunter/Diver milked for us... we hopped in the car and headed north... the further north you go the less people there are but the beaches are just beautiful and cant be beaten, I reckon.
First of all we had to wave goodbye to two little dogs - don't they look so sad
that they cant come and frolic on the beach too?
Watching these two guys have a little chat while eating our lunch...
...here...
...at the World Famous Mangonui Fish Shop - delish!
Beautiful beaches...
...and gorgeous Pohutakawa trees.
aka New Zealand's Christmas tree.
 You'll see the Pohutakawa on many of us kiwi bloggers' blogs over summer. I know I'm not alone in considering it a favourite NZ tree.
I'd like to end this year by thanking you for your visits, feedback and friendship. And I'd like to wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2015. 
May your dreams be fulfilled and your bobbin always be full :-)

31 comments:

  1. Best wishes to you Raewyn. Hope 2015 is a great year for you and your family.

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  2. Happy New Year Raewyn! lovely post. There is a very small version of the NZ Christmas tree on a neighbours footpath. I think it gets a good prune every year with nighttime raids for the branches! The flowers are so beautiful!

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  3. Great news that you were able to get away for a break Raewyn. Happy new year to you.

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  4. Happy New Year! Your photos are all lovely. I really like the Stitcher's stocking. And of course the beach pictures How nice that you were able to sneak away from the farm, if only for a day.

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  5. Happy New Year to you Raewyn. Lovely post and great stitching projects as ever.xx

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  6. How nice to get away for a quick trip. It looks very relaxing....and beautiful. Happy New Year.

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  7. Happiest of New Year's Raewyn! May you savor your stitching in 2015...hugs, Julierose

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  8. Happpy New Year--
    and the very best to you and yours for 2015--
    hugs, di and miss gracie

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  9. Happy New Year............lovely gifts for the SSCS..............glad you escaped for a short time........nice spot.........

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  10. beautiful presents! The long drive is worth for those Fish n'Chips.............they are the best! Awesome view while munching too!
    See you soon!

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  11. What a great way to end 2014, beaches and fish n chips pohutakawa trees, so new zealand.
    Loved visiting your blog catch you in 2015. Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  12. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! So many wonderful projects. And I can’t tell you how jealous I am of your beaches. Sigh. :-)

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  13. Holiday Greetings to you as well, Raewyn. My mind is full of envy, seeing your lovely flowers and warm weather. We woke up this morning to -9 degrees (-22 degrees Celsius). I prefer your weather.
    I hope that 2015 is everything you want it to be.

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  14. Happy New Year! I loved this post! So full of beautiful projects and lovely scenery. Such a joy to see your beautiful flowers! I am glad you got a chance for a little getaway!

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  15. Lots of great eye candy here Raewyn! You are like me trying to get everything posted I wanted in this year. I have another sew along update to post here in just a bit and I'll be ready to start all over in 2015!

    Happy New Year to you and yours!!

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  16. Beautiful summery photos Raewyn, we love our beaches!!

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  17. wonderful makes, lovely flowers and good to see the seaside. here I went to bed in 2014 with snow on the ground, been here since boxing day and woke in 2015 no snow!!

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  18. I love Northland, I grew up in the far North and seeing your post has made me a little homesick haha. The pohutakawa trees have been particularly beautiful this year.

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  19. Dear Reawyn,
    I wish you a very happy New Year too, and I do look forward to follow you and read your blogposts in 2015 too. It is always a pleasure to watch to pictures of your country that you share and your handcrafts are bautiful and very inspiring.
    Thanks and Hugs from a friend far away *smile*
    Bente

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  20. Absolutely gorgeous makes Raewyn, I always especially adore your postcards. Love your photo of the pohutukawa tree - we are thinking of buying one & wondering how they would go down here. Happy New Year to you also ..... sorry have been trying to catch up on your recent posts :-)

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  21. Happy New Year Raewyn Anne , yep it's still funny! Looks like you're having a fab summer holiday so far doing things you love. Love the Manganui F & C's too...been a while since we ate there though...maybe I need to get out of my studio more...LOL...!!!

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  22. This looks like the perfect end to the year.
    Beautiful stitching in all those projects.
    Glad you were able to have a short break.

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  23. Wonderful, wonderful wonderful photos - I never tire of seeing your creations and your daily life!!

    Blessings and hugs from Texas!

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  24. Oh look at those sad little faces!!! Love the stitcheries and the
    beautiful photo's.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  25. Love all the stitching! Hope you have a wonderful 2015.

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  26. Ah, the Mangonui Fish Shop ..it's years since I've been there, but I remember it well! Happy New Year! Linda

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  27. Happy New Year. I like that postcard - so cute!

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  28. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Raewyn. Hope you are having a great start to the year and such lovely last minute creations... lovely!

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  29. HI Raewyn - just popping by to say Happy New Year - & happy stitching in 2015! x

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  30. Beautiful post, you made so many gorgeous gifts! Nice you could leave the cows for a day, I agree that the beaches and scenery is VERY beautiful up north. Hope you have a wonderful New year! hugs Wendy

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