Tuesday, May 27, 2008

A wife of noble character...

I guess that most people who read their bibles or go to Church know about the Proverbs 31 woman! Currently i am redefining who I am. I have been supporting David in his painting business for the last 16 years, and working in it doing whatever necessary for the last 20 months. But now I am steping up to the mark and am doing operations - running jobs, pricing work, sorting out guys. Its a new step for me (as I learn to delegate and juggle the home responsibilities to David who is stepping out). I am encouraged by reading this this morning. It isreally something to aspire to, and who would believe it was in the Bible so long ago. I am working towards being a measure of this woman. Please God help me.

10 [b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm[c] clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Lorcan's Quilt

This is the quilt i did a few months ago for the cutest little Irish baby you ever saw! It was my first ever attempt at turned applique, but I forgot to take a photo. John kindly sent this through to me - thanks John. Its not too bad from a distance. It was supposed to be for a boy or girl, but it looked a bit girly! I'm hopeless at doing the unisex thing - either one or the other suits me. If you click on the photo you see the applique - don't look too closely though!!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Step four!

Hurray step four is done! I have caught up. They look great, I'm so happy with them - can't wait for the next step.

Rebranding!

From this... 11th Christchurch Boys Brigade....
to this... Opawa ICONZ! don't they look great! We are excited about the new change and the service went well this morning.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Step 3

I have done Step Three! Hurray :) I was so behind, but now only one behind!! Some simple sewing was just what I needed this week. I have not been sleeping, so got up early and cut the triangles and then it was easy to sew together.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Courage...


Sunday, May 18, 2008

Reuben...

Here's my wee darling in recovery. Isn't he so cute?

Mystery Quilt...







I've just come back from taking Roo to the hospital for his MRI. He's lying on the sofa recovering from the general anaesthetic! Here's some picture from the weekend. I went to Kaikoura with three others and we made a mystery quilt. That's my best friend, Shenleigh in the photo. Actually it was very hard work, but the result speaks for itself. There was A LOT of sewing and cutting for one weekend! I made it for David and he actually likes it (surprise surprise) which is a bonus!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Drugs and Alcohol

Yesterday I spend four hours learning about drugs and alcohol in the workforce. I learnt many horrifying facts.

  1. On any given day 10% of your staff will fail a random drug test.
  2. On any given day 10-15% of your job applicants will fail a drug test.
  3. After a fatal accident at a Christchurch workplace, 50% of their workforce failed the test.
  4. All of the high schools in New Zealand have a P problem.

I also watched this video. Enjoy....


Saturday, May 10, 2008

Weekends...

This weekend I've finished the bag. I brought the kit from Grandmother's garden when they were in Christchurch. It is a HUGE bag and Chrissy is worried I might use it as an everyday bag (not cool at all apparently!!) but no, it will be a great bag to stuff projects into!
I am a magpie. Here are the treasures we got from the St Martins Church fair on Saturday. The large tin with the dog on is for James and also the suitcase, he's been wanting something to transport his art stuff! The other bits and bobs will find homes somewhere (much to David's disgust!). So much happiness for so little money!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

First day at new school...

Here is the little lad happy as can be. He didn't even want me to stay with him so off home i came. It is just so lovely to be able to walk to school again, especially through the crisp morning air. I've really missed that.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

This is so cool...

I borrowed this picture from Bonnie (Quiltville)'s Amazon page.... Been doing that this week!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Patchwork as therapy!

I have to say that life has been a bit tough lately one way or another, which culminated this week in a melt-down from me! I have come back to Coalgate with the boys and engaged in some mindless sewing. The boys have been watching movies and playing with the lego. Apparently Winston Churchill used to lay bricks when he was depressed, well sewing simple seams helps me! Here are three, yes three tops I've made this week. The one on the left is just three inch strips pieced - the fabric is so pretty that it seemed a shame to do anything too fancy with it! Its is theraputic I think to be creating something, something that you can look at later and enjoy. It helps me anyway... along with chocolate, wine and some peace and quiet. Unfortunately I forgot to authorise all the wages last night for our staff and so they will all be supremely grumpy (justifiably) with me. I've been reading "Don't sweat the small stuff" and so today I'm telling myself that 100 years from now it won't matter, actually to be honest next week it won't matter, so I'm trying not to get too stressed about it!