Tea Bags

Tea bags stitched onto fabric to make a toaster cover.

Some tea bags are stamped as you can see

It is amazing what you can do with the humble tea bag.
I do enjoy making something different apart from a cup of tea!  This sure fits that category.
 Do you agree?
If you google tea bags or tea bag art you may be surprised what you find and it probably isn't
a cup of tea!

Bye for now
Joan

Lace Wrap!

So Sew Simple!



Some stretchy, soft lacey fabric wrapped around two glasses and secured with stitches gives a very effective look of etched glass. 

 Two little scented candles have been burning for hours and scenting our dining room with a very pleasant scent.

 

Simply effective and a lot of fun.
The candles sit on a little woven mat recently completed by moi.

A soft glow from the candles helps to warm the atmosphere whenthe weather outside has turned rather nasty.

This is very simple and just lovely.  A homely touch.
You may like to try it.
I hope so.

Joan

The Amazing Beauty of Autumn

Autumn and some of its glory is evident in these photos not far from my garden
gate.  I was out walking this morning and was delighted to see what had appeared
amongst the layers of autmn leaves.
I just had to fetch our camera and a Grandaughter for this autumnal photo.



To be quite honest, I think I was more fascinated by these wonders of nature
than my little friend.

.......but she was obliging and  made a great subject for my photo.  

 

Weaving from Natural Dyed Fabric

My woven tablemat with 'cecile brunner' rose on display.

 

I have a selection of fabrics from my natural dyeing experiments.  I really enjoy weaving so the above photos show what happened when I wove fabric strips from naturally dyed pieces I have on hand.
There's pink pieces from the bee balm in my garden, a spot of blue from pansy colouring, probably from ice flower dyeing as developed by India Flint.
I added a brown selvidge piece for contrast and interest. (Not dyed by me)
Also, there are one or two other pieces not part of my dyed stash.
This little piece sits on our dining table.  I love  the rustic appearance of it.
that appeals to me.

have fun,
 Joan

 

'Grow Your Blog Party' Giveaway Winner

What a great party it has been.  I have loved meeting new bloggers.  Enjoyed seeing new blogs  and receiving many encouraging comments.  Having new followers has been part of the party fun. 
Thankyou all and especially Vicki for doing the hard yards to make it happen.

The winner of my giveaway is Betsy's Heartstrings Blog.
She will be receiving her gift soon.

Grow Your Blog Party - Giveaway

Thankyou for visiting my blog.
I love having visitors and your comments are especially
appreciated.

This blog party is an idea of Vicki at

2bagsfull

 

A little bit about myself...
I live in the South Island of New Zealand.  I enjoy gardening, especially when the roses are in full bloom.  The scent, colour and variety are a delight to me.
With four grown children our empty nest suddenly comes alive again when our Grandchildren visit.
We have six and we love their visits, bringing with them the 'joy of life.'

I work with the elderly in a local rest home.  This is voluntary work helping with art and crafts and
other activities.  I love this and feel that I receive more than I give and have lots of laugh as well.

I love the photograpy side of blogging as well.  I am self taught and am not great at it, but I sure
enjoy playing and having a lot enjoyment and a few surpises too!

- Margaret Merrill in my garden.-

a very beautiful rose


This giveaway is a way of saying thankyou to my followers.
Also, I want to encourage others to join in the party fun!

My giveaway includes a some of my  handstitched hearts and a
beautiful vintage doiley to complete the package.

I hope you will join in. Just leave a comment so I can contact you if you win.
The winner will be drawn on February 1st.

 Thankyou for your visit.

Joan

 

My Fathers Hand

Our Australian bottlebrush has flowered beautifully this season.
The seeds are bountiful also.   I flicked some off the branch and have strung them
onto wire as you can see in the photos above.

 

This blurry bee accompanied me in my tabletop project.
I shall gather him up very soon and place him in the garden. 
We don't have enough bees now.  Pretty sad.  Too many
chemicals???

 

My spiralled wire of beads hangs in my kitchen window to dry.
I wonder how they will be when they are dry.
A fun thing to do anyway.
(Dougal our labrador keeps an eye on me)

I headed this posting 'My Fathers Hand.'  The reason being that I refer to my heavenly Father.
He is the one who created all the wonderful plants, flowers etc. that we are able to enjoy.

I am really enjoying 2013 and the new opportunities and ideas that abound.
I hope that you too can enjoy this New Year.

Joan
(be back soon)