OPAM (One Project A Month....April 2016)

Gosh this year is just flying by but luckily enough I was able to score two OPAMs this month

Fabric used was a panel and fabric from Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched 

The fabric is her latest.....All in a Day

This month's project is a Sewing Machine cover

Complete with a pocket on each side

As I needed the cover NOW I hunted around for some fabric for the lining and came up with one of JoJo's old blue and white checked sheets

It worked a treat and I'm very happy with it!!!

Tutorial for Sewing Machine cover found over here

Litte Lidija was here over the holidays and she inspected the cover,

took it off

and had a chuckle about it all and put it on

 and showed off her 'new hat' lol

While she was here she wanted a quick little something made so after she chose fabric, ribbon and button (had to be pink) I made up a little bag for her and now she puts her Mum's old phone into it!!!

Fabric received in a Swap on my recent Hobart trip

Ribbon from an Antique Stationer in Hobart

and I think the button came from Queensland!!!

Thank you so much Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again this month

I love trying to get something made each month!!!

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Blog posts are few and far between lately as I'm still suffering from headaches and migraine when I spend too much time on the computer but learning to restrict myself.  This unfortunately means I can't get around and comment all the time but I do try and get to read my favourite blogs.......

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Happy Sewing and Happy Weekend, Dzintra 

~OPAM (One Project A Month)......January

After umming and wondering if I would join OPAM again for another year I finally decided yes I will

I still have a few projects left that have been stitched and need finishing

Why oh why does it take so long to get 'round to it

I think I know the answer to that

In my case I love to start projects

We had our little Grandie here along with her brother for a week

She is keen on being a Designer of Fashion for Pop.........and she has been backstage she tells me!!!

I bought her some fabric pens and she chose the colours above for a pouch for her Pens

While she was here she designed a bag and a skirt!!!

Finished little case with her name on it

Here she is getting out a tape measure and chalk that her Mum popped into my Christmas stocking

So nice that these were used on a project for her

Looking at felts......her favourite colour is pink

Next up she chose a Pin Cushion for me to make

Here we drew out the flower so I could see what colours she wanted to use

Yep, you guessed it......pink had to be in it

And here is Lidija presenting her little Pin Cushion

Pattern by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched

Ane here they are together

While I was at it I thought I would make up another 3 in her chosen colours

I call them Lidi's Pin Cushions

A litte Needlecase here and another Pin Cushion

This pattern by Marg Low purchase in Sydney and started back in 2012 at my First Blog Meet

It's only been sitting there for about 3 years waiting for a finish

And while the going was good I added 3 little bags

Fabric by Anni Downs

So total for the month is 5 Pin Cushions

        1 Needlebook and 1 Pen Pouch

3 Little Bags making a total of 10

Boy, that's a record for me!!!

Thank you so much Sweet Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again for another year

Lets see what I can do next month!!!

Have a great week......Dzintra

~January~

Phew here I am back on the blog and January is nearly over

New Year's Day I like to start a new project so why not make it a big one lol

I thought I would do Anni Downs' My Favourite Things Quilt

The Fat 1/8th bundle is the actual My Favourite Things Fabric and the others are the beiges I will be using

I made a simple Quiche and we thought we would open some Christmas Wine.....French of course

I admired my Bookmark brought home from Riga, Latvia 

The little brooch is the colours of the Latvian Flag......maroon and white
Such a history with this Flag

I made a start on the quilt

I opened up a gift to myself of an apron that I bought in Roussillon on Provence, France

I received this beautiful Tagine at Christmas time
Thank You Danelle

I made a Pear and Almond Tart.......recipe from Manu Feildel's book, Manu's French Kitchen
Mmmmm delicious

My Sister came to visit

and we drove around River Cottage country at Tilba

We checked out a new Cafe/Restaurant at the Mariner, all with a boat view

Took a beach walk

Started some colouring in

Did some quick pickling of cucumbers

And took them to my mate Asta's, a fellow Baltic and enjoyed them with some good ol' Black Rye Bread

Had the little Grandies here for a week

and took another beach walk.

Normally one can get around this corner but not with the tide last weekend....

Hope your January was a good one

Till next time.....Dzintra

Fabric and a 6th birthday

Even though I didn't go to the Sydney Quilt Show this year I was there with all the gals in Spirit

I bought a little stash of fabric at half price at Hobbysew

And then for something completely different I joined a Tilda Club

Soooooo different from my usual rich, dark colours above but oh so pretty and I was oh so tempted so caved in

My little Grandie Lidija celebrating her 6th birthday last night

Along with JoJo.......see how they are both holding hands......very sweet

And this morning her Mum is making a beautiful mud cake for 6 little guests

While the Birthday Girl dries her hair......how ingenious is this!!!

Happy Birthday Princess Lidija xoxo

~Birthday, Easter and Special Visitors!~

It's been quite a while since I have blogged

A lot has been happening and slowly things are getting back to normal

(till the next play anyway LOL)

and JoJo also requires time and effort on our part to just simply be and be able to participate in all her activities which leaves me having to juggle things around a bit

Following on from my birthday post Mr Armchair took me to lunch unexpectedly to The River Moruya......a 1 Hat Establishment

I was especially excited to go there as one of the girls I went to TAFE with is working there and her name is Megan

Megan and I got on well at TAFE and now I am friends with her Mum Asta who is new to blogging

The Lunch Menu

For Mr Armchair.....

Pork and Grain Mustard Rillettes, Celeriac Remoulade, Crisp Fried Free Range Egg and Truffle Vinaigrette

My choice

Boullaibaise, Crushed New Potato but missing the Bread due to being gluten free

Pan fried Salmon, Truffled Mashed Potato, Buerre Cafe de Paris and Lobster Veloute

For Dessert the Mr had a Chocolate Brownie and Vanilla Ice Cream

I opted for the Maffra Red Waxed Cheddar with Sweet Mustard Pickles and requested some apple slices or something instead of the biscuits on offer (due to gluten issues)

A very delicious meal.......thank you so much for the surprise dear Hubby!!!

The day after my birthday was Good Friday and I did the Latvian tradition of colouring eggs

This time I chose grape leaves and onion skins

Wrapped them together with string and boil

and voila, gorgeous coloured eggs

They can be shinied up with some bacon fat

JoJo was excited that Easter was here

She just loves all occasions and celebrates with gusto!!!

Breakfast on Easter Sunday

Eggs and Chocolate

Above a pic of Daughter Jacqueline and Bill (DH) and my Brother and Wife Erin 

This was a very special time as my Brother has serious health issues and we just love it when he comes to visit

Jacqueline modelling the Snood that I knitted up and she put together

JoJo and God Father Uncle Charlie

And we had a rather busy week looking after the 2 little Munchkins Ryan and Lidija

I haven't been able to get around and comment on everyone's blog as much as usual lately

Thank you to everyone that pays a visit and also to those who do comment

So very much appreciated by me as I do read every single one!!!

Enjoy Sunday

Love Dzintra xo