Garden Update

We have been eating fresh veges for weeks now and it has been fantastic but our pride and joy is the Giant Pumpkin Cara and I planted. The one pumpkin I let grow is huge and is the talking point of the neighbourhood. So much so that we got to meet some neighbours that recently moved in recently but were a bit shy, but their kids wanted to check out the pumpkin :).

Cara and I planting the little seedling back in Oct 09


Progress Dec 09


New Beginnings Jan 09


To OMG Feb 09


This pumpkin grew at such an alarming rate. There were a couple more but I trimmed the plant back because it was taking over the lawn. The most unfortunate thing about this pumpkin is that it is not edible unless used in Pumpkin Pie which we don't eat, so I guess it will become compost. Must remember to keep some seeds for next year, but throw the rest out. I don't really want pumpkins popping up all over the garden :)

xx

Sock Blockers

Recently I did a swap (or rather I'm still working on my end of the bargain) with the lovely Julia from Just One W.I.P for a set of Sock Blockers. Anyone who knits socks needs a set of these. Not only are they extremely well made they are very reasonably priced as well.

Check them out



Now I need to get my A into G and knit some socks LOL

xx

Meet Wanda

I am participating in a lovely swap with some wonderful ladies I've met through a forum I am on. It is a travelling swap, we have all gifted one item to make a big treasure chest of loveliness. The gifts will be an assortment of handmade, purchased and everything in between.

For this swap we decided to have a mascot. Our original mascot was not able to me made due to some unfortunate circumstances, so I said I would do it. It was a bit of a rush and a wee bit of a panic to get this mascot finished, but I made it just in time. She is not made from a pattern, and just evolved as I went.

I would like to introduce you to Wanda





She was posted off to her first destination on Tuesday and is about to set off on a big adventure throughout New Zealand. Part of our swap 'rules' is that when you receive the box, you are to take Wanda on a wee adventure. It could be around your property, or it could be sightseeing in your local area. Photo's are too be taken and shared with the rest of the participants of the swap, so we can see where she has been.

I'm so very excited about this swap and can not wait to see where Wanda ends up.

Jo
xx

My Garden

On a lovely forum I am on, some of the incredibly talented gardeners have been sharing photo's of their vegetable gardens. I promised to show some of mine and also wanted to share them with you.

I'm relatively new to vege gardening, but we have big plans to expand over the winter this year so we have more beds for next summer.

Cara picking Raspberries with Dad


Giant Pumpkin


Yum yum, nothing beats fresh tomatoes


Edible flowers, Cara cracks up everytime I eat one in front of her :)


Small bed with Strawberries, Lettuce, Tomato Plant and Passionfruit vine (only little)


There's a mixed bunch in here, cherry tomatoes, cocktail kiwifruit, celery, spring onion, lettuces, strawberries. I plan on moving the strawberries out of this bed and making a planter out of a rubbish bin. Cherry tomatoes won't get planted in here next year, I want to give the Cocktail Kiwi heaps of room to grow.


Courgette plant, we are getting heaps off our plants now. I made the mistake though of planting cucumbers in this bed and I believe the courgettes are sucking the life out of the bed so they are pretty small. Last year our cucumbers were a success so this year is a little disappointing.


View of the beds and my homemade trellis.




Our first garden put in two years ago, I just use this for salad type plants and some herbs. Looks a big bare, I just recently planted some more seedlings. The giant plant is a raspberry which I will be moving when it is dormant to the front.


I am loving having a vege garden and spend a lot of time out there with Cara just pottering about (and making sure she doesn't eat everything LOL)

xx

Dolls Quilt

For Christmas I knew our little munchkin was getting a doll from her cousins, so I wanted to make a dolls quilt for her. I have never quilted before and was a tad nervous about it, but I managed it and loved it. Of course there were a few speed bumps and ALOT of unpicking in the beginning, but a good friend of mine lent me her walking foot and my life suddenly before alot easier (with much less swear words).



In use


I can see that quilting is going to be very addictive, I'm already planning my next project.

xx

Fabric Napkins

For Christmas this year I decided to make a heap of fabric napkins. As a household we are trying to cut down our wastage and because we were having Christmas here I wanted to be as green as possible.

In the past we have had plastic plates etc and end up with bags of rubbish to go out on rubbish day. Not this year! I made sure we had enough plates and cutlery to use. I also spent a few hours at my machine making fabric napkins.





These ones were a gift for my Mum and Dad :)


These are so simple to make, but do use a quite a bit of fabric. If you are interested in making some for yourself, the pattern can be found here

Also if you really want to cheat and make this a super quick project, buy a charm pack of pre-cut fabric squares. I think I'm in love with them LOL

xx

Feeling Like a Challenge

I am, check this out, it will be a heap of fun (and probably a bit of stress on my part, but I'm up for the challenge.



This months challenge is "Something for You", so I'm thinking I will start by making myself a hat for gardening, then possibly a skirt if I can get enough weight off and drop a dress size.

I have this hat pattern, not sure what fabric I am going to use yet.

And I was thinking of this skirt, in fact I really like the fabric this skirt is made out of as well. I'm sure I do have a similar pattern somewhere here so will hunt that out first. Need to search for some fabric, so better get cracking.

Who's going to join me?