What a pity you didn't come a bit further north jayemtoo and we could have met for coffee or something. Did you go to Arthurs Emporium in Whangarei, I don't think I've ever seen so many buttons in one place for sale.

Hope you are starting to feel better kiwimade, and carolev I'm sure you will enjoy your new machine. I don't do enough sewing to justify buying a new one, I have 3 now but two of them I use very rarely and the third one gets used occasionally.

Well I didn't get all the gardening done yesterday that I wanted to but I made a start, I've now got the dwarf bean section of the garden sown, and have put some runners in the gaps where last years failed to come up again. I still have plants to plant though. I gave up when it started to rain but by the time I'd put everything away it had stopped raining. Not to worry, my back is sore this morning and the flipping barbecue is still in bits spread throughout the family room. Mr K thought he would have a go and carefully unwrapped everything and put it down in a different place and then couldn't figure out the instructions so just left it. The place looks like a tip. So it will be planting first then assembling the barbecue. I can't put up with the mess much longer, it's like living in an obstacle course.

Have a super day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-11-23 09:09:00

Oh Kiwimade, I hope you start feeling better soon... Glad you enjoyed having Maddy.
Im with you on that Kuaka, re having the BBQ spread around the room.. I do most things on the lounge floor, and I did make the cat pole on the floor yesterday. It was filthy as the carpet was full of sawdust from MrPs end of the shed. But I ran out of puff so the floor waited till this morning.

I had a flat out two hours. Cooked all the shortbread and made a dozen texas muffin sized chocolate sticky date puddings. Got the recipe from a free little cook book I got yesterday in supermarket. Also vacuumed the floor and blanched two broccoli in that 2 hours.

We took Addys birthday present next door. They have pink and purple streamers up. Balloons galore and Addy is sleeping through it all so far lol.

So now I have my feet up.. There is a pile of dishes to do but that can wait till my back has eased a little. The baking is all in the freezer now too.

Enjoy the rest of your day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-11-23 12:27:00

Didn't actually get to Whangerei Kuaka but thanks for the offer of coffee, spent the day at One Tree Point with a friend who lives there had lovely walks around the Marina -what a lot of money sitting there in fancy boats, and along the beach. Spent about as much energy talking as known this friend for many years but don't catch up on person very often.

Do hope you get the BBQ sorted without too much of a hassle.

jayemtoo - 2014-11-23 15:18:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/346331392.jpg
made a santa sack
my new machines http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/346331474.jpg
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/346331579.jpg
see where the money goes

carolev - 2014-11-23 15:28:00

pity jayemtoo - barbecue is turning out to be a bit of a nightmare - spend almost two hours on it this afternoon and it's still not finished, but I'm getting there - albeit slowly.

Machine looks lovely carolev but I couldn't justify the cost, I don't use mine enough to spend that amount of money on it.

kuaka - 2014-11-23 19:05:00

Morning everyone.Hope you all had a great weekend.

I managed to get heaps done, so am pleased.

Addy came over with cake last night. Yum.

Still plodding away on the back of my cardy. Enjoying doing other things for achange.
Today I feel like sewing so will make covers for the two iners Igot at the gala.

Hope you get the bbq fin Kuaka. Great sense of achievement when you have. I did ours.

Well time to get out of bed and move the bones.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-11-24 07:35:00

morning :) feeling a lot better but sore throat still there a week later. Have lost a few kilos which is a bonus.

Today is catch up day and MrK has a follow up appointment at Waikato Hospital for his hand. Garden is crying out for me to get out there but it will have to wait until tomorrow. have plants to plant, weeds to pull and a camellia to prune back as it is blocking light from the house (sorry sparrows, but the nests go!). Lawns need mowing too and weeds spraying. Just as well I kept on top of everything over winter or it would be a lot more work.

So buggar all time for crafting today :(

Hopefully that BBQ will be finished today kuaka and you are enjoying using it tonight.

Lovely machine carole :) There was a thread here yesterday asking about someone making santa sacks for the poster.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-24 08:02:00

morning all I been making santa sacks and every thing I can think of

carolev - 2014-11-24 11:43:00

Morning everyone.. A warm night.... Looks like it will be damp today.

Off to CMA this morning, Im taking a bag of knitting for them. And my knitting of course. Apparently we play bingo today lol.

Our tiles arrived yesterday.. So now I just have to get some serviettes and glue. And a friend and I will be making coasters etc. First ones I will be making are sea themed tho. Saw some lovely ones in New world last week. so I might grab them this morning on my way to club.

Hope everyone is feeling well...

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-11-25 08:29:00

morning ladies, I finally finished assembling the wretched barbecue yesterday, 2 hours on Sunday and 2 and a half yesterday, and I had to enlist Mr K's help in the end (really cheesed me off that did!) because the end of one of the panels was slightly bent out of shape which meant the screw wouldn't go in so Mr K had to do a bit of panelbeating, and then of course, he wouldn't leave me to just get on and finish it, but insisted on "helping" - probably took us twice as long from then on in.

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/346727941.jpg
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/346728124.jpg

Enjoy yourself at CMA popeye, my afternoon out today, I really look forward to my little "escapes" on a Tuesday afternoon and a Wednesday morning.

I noticed yesterday that little puss had been digging up my newly sown dwarf beans - I suppose she looked at all that lovely soft soil and thought "oh my, a lovely big dirt box just for me" as it's in a raised bed! Hopefully no damage done, and I just popped the beans back in and covered them up. They'd only been in two days so hadn't started to sprout yet.

Garden is looking good in places, the places that aren't looking so good I tend to ignore!

Have a super day everyone.

(PS. Hope you're feeling better now kiwimade)

Edited by kuaka at 8:40 am, Tue 25 Nov

kuaka - 2014-11-25 08:34:00

Ohh The BBQ is lovely Kuaka.. well done... And why is that that things take extra long if Men Help lol...
I had to panel beat ours where MrP used it to get up off the floor and bent the side panel down.
Ive had a lovely time and CMA. Only a few rows of knitting done. I got 7 balls of wool from the woolman. Its the needles brand but far softer than the lot I had. And only $2 a ball. Got pretty variegated ones.

Im really enjoying my wee break from MrP. So I understand what you mean Kuaka.

Oops Re Pipi, the norty girl... Is she settling in a bit better now?

popeye333 - 2014-11-25 12:47:00

hi ladies :) Yes thankyou kuaka, I'm on the mend. So much so I was in the classroom today :) You can tell it's getting near the end of the year, the kids have painted on ears!

BBQ looks great, well done. That was quite a mission!

So humid here today, wish it would either rain or fine up.

Ooohhhhhh real estate agent phoned... we have an offer on our paddock! Fingers crossed!!!

Better move lol

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-25 16:19:00

and sold!! wahoooooo!!!! Very happy with price and new owner :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-25 17:32:00

Wooohooo well done Kiwimade. Thats awesome.. bring on Christmas...

popeye333 - 2014-11-25 17:38:00

This message was deleted.

tenbys - 2014-11-25 20:34:00

Awesome news kiwimade. Well done.

kuaka - 2014-11-25 20:38:00

thanks kuaka and popeye, we're quite chuffed :)

I would never have thought of looking at K Mart for wool, thanks for that tenbys.

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-25 22:19:00

morning :) MrK and I both had a restless sleep, usually it is worry lol now it's just excitement. Sooooo many plans for our house. Our only disagreement is what colour to paint the house! I'm off to Resenes this morning to get some colour charts. There is noooo way we are having the hideous green MrK wants! Will show him some more subtle colours. I think crafting also gives you an idea of colour and what goes with what too.

Supermarket for me as well, I would normally have gone last week but couldn't as I was sick. Fridge is looking a tad bare. Then crafting this afternoon all going well.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-26 06:30:00

morning all. I am so sick again. kiwi my man liked his house blue this is our first brick home so no blue he also likes his rooms green,

carolev - 2014-11-26 09:12:00

Exciting Kiwimade - great fun choosing paint.
Have been helping at another Habitat for Humanity house - the build has just started but we were painting the outside cladding and it is a light grey which looks very nice at this stage, will be interesting to see what it looks like once up on the walls.

The BBQ looks so flash Kuaka hope it cooks well too. I love BBQ sausages.

Just finished a large wash - everything off the bed and it is clouding over but not supposed to rain today and predicted temp is 30!
Better go and hang out washing just in case then into town, have to visit elderly lady in a rest home this pm but will take my knitting to do while chatting.

Have a good day all

jayemtoo - 2014-11-26 09:18:00

Morning everyone.

Yes its an exciting time for you Kiwimade.. So many things going around in your head to sleep.

Not good your unwell again Carole.

Im feeling flat, that will teach me to tear around like an energizer bunny for over a week..
I need retail therapy, but Im trying to hold out for the best sales. Im soo mean on myself lol

Started knitting Melissa one of the Mistletoe Mice last night.. They're going to be soo cute. So Ill carry on with that once Ive been up to get some patterns photo copied.

HAve a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-11-26 09:24:00

morning all. 1 sick wee me. got my super bug back, might go to Cambridge today need to get out of this depressing house.

carolev - 2014-11-27 06:18:00

morning ladies :) Not good being sick again carole.

Busy day today as we are babysitting our wee grandy while Mum and Dad go to a funeral in Auckland. Too big a day to take her (at least five hours travel there) so she is coming to nana and poppas for spoiling.

So I won't be crafting today, can't wait until she is bigger and I can teach her knitting and other crafting stuff!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-27 07:18:00

Morning everyone.

Ohh so nice to have Maddy again Kiwimade. And yes it will be neat to teach her how to do the crafting things.

Off to get groceries this morning. Just a few anyway.

Looks like it will be fairly nice out there so Ive got washing on.

Im knitting one of the MIstletoe Mice and its a cute we thing.. Making a pair for an order.
Got a bit tired to concentrate last night so went back to my cardy for about an hour. Im half way up the armhole on the back. So once that bits done its all smaller bits lol

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-11-27 08:51:00

well the first painter has been and gone, will be a couple of weeks before we get the quote. Was here two hours! Now the builder is here to quote about taking the fire out :)

Maddy sound asleep, so busy busy here!

Hope everyone is able to get some crafting done.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-27 15:01:00

Wow heaps of changes Kiwimade... What will you do for heating if you take the fire out?

Lol Maddy will talk her whole way home after a good sleep

popeye333 - 2014-11-27 16:02:00

we don't use the fire popeye as it is an open fire and I just never felt comfortable using it. We've been using electric and gas heaters

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-27 19:44:00

Put in a heat pump or woodfire kiwimade. We couldn't survive in our place in winter without using our heating, heat pump comes on first thing in the morning, if it's really cold we light the woodfire, if it's only moderately freezing we just use the heat pump. The woodfire heats up much more than the heat pump but of course it involves more work than just flicking a switch.

kuaka - 2014-11-27 19:55:00

We're thinking of a heatpump kuaka with a DVS ventilation system to help spread the warmth through the house. We don't have a big house so not expensive to keep warm. Any recommendations for brand?

My head is just spinning with everything that is happening. Our biggest expense will be having the house painted - I've made the executive decision not to do it myself and to pay for it to be done. I think we have decided on colours lol... omg... we were poles apart in ideas there! We have found a window frame needs replacing but MrK can do that.

No crafting today as our Maddy has also kept us busy, even the Furry One is exhausted!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-27 22:22:00

We haven't got a ventilation system, just the heat pump. We went for a Panasonic, basically because the only people who seemed to be interested in coming out and giving us a quote were Panasonic agents/specialists, and in a small place like this there's not a lot of choice. We don't get much (as in hardly any) sun in the winter as we're on the "wrong" side of the hill, so there's not much heat in the roof space, so we figured a ventilation system is only going to put cold air through the place unless we go for one with a heater, so we might as well just crank the heat pump up a bit. Works for us. We have a large house and when we can afford it we will probably put another heat pump in the billiards room which is downstairs with a vent to allow some of the heat to come upstairs.

Our roof needs painting but I'm reluctant to pay someone to do it when I can do it myself - although it's a huge job, and on three sides it is very high off the ground, but as long as I tie myself on I'll be okay. Just have to rustle up the energy.

Little puss had her first scrap today with the neighbourhood bully-boy, and came in with an enormous tail. Not sure who won, but I was topping up the bird bath and there was a terrible yowling just above me on the bank, and then she took off like a rocket in one direction, and the bully took off in the opposite direction. Hopefully we've seen the last of him. He used to chase our last cat and the one before.

Must be nearly bedtime. Night all.

kuaka - 2014-11-27 22:53:00

morning ladies :) That's the thing isn't kuaka, getting someone out to price everything. We've been phoning round various tradies and they either haven't called back or just not interested. A call back to say sorry, we're too busy is all it takes. I have a real thing about heights and there is no way I'll be up on the roof. Also there is a ton of prep work to be done painting and the painter can do in two days what would take me two months so we think it would be a false economy for me to do the prep. I'll paint inside though.

Raining today and I'm getting my hair cut and coloured. Had to cancel my appointment last week as I was sick. Also my last day on the antibiotics. Can't be any bugs left in my system by now!

Maddy goes home today :(, she was a wee angel the whole time. She 'helped' poppa weed... as he put the weeds in the bucket, she took them out lol. Was gorgeous watching the two of them.

Should get some crafting done this afternoon.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-28 07:13:00

morning girls well today I might unpick feeling sick still. any one want to take on my UTI please. won a auction for some fabric $15 my friend picked it up for me 2 extra large garden bags plus 2 shopping bags, she had trouble getting it in her car. so will have to take the wagon to get it off her.
we have night store heaters which we did not use and a big heat pump

carolev - 2014-11-28 08:22:00

Morning everyone

Lots of decisions re painting and heating. Im married to a painter but sure am pleased we rent, cos he would want to paint himself. We are in brick so very little heating needed.

Oopsy re Little Puss, Hope she won.

Cute re Maddy, good bonding time lol

Off to do my blood soon. Then home to dishes and knitting.

Going shopping with a friend tomorrow so that will be fun

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2014-11-28 09:12:00

Afternoon,

I guess your house will seem quiet Kiwimade without a little one around

I enjoy painting but wouldn't like hanging around on a roof and must agree that preparation is a real "pain" to do.

Had a new wood burner put in last winter and love it, but have a reasonably small place which gets a lot of sun over winter so don't seem to need any extra heating during the day very often, so the wood burner is great for evenings and those extra cold days and have small fan heaters for mornings.

Been hot and windy this week, they have promised rain for today but no sign of it as yet. Did get out earlier and mow the lawns in expectation so hope we do get some good steady showers later as garden really would appreciate that.

Must go and pick up curtains for lounge/dining rooms and then this years renovations will be done, it seems to have taken ages for all the pieces to come together.

Happy crafting everyone

jayemtoo - 2014-11-28 12:38:00

gosh the house is quiet, Maddy just babbles the whole time lol, at least we know where she is!

Had my hair cut and coloured, blonde streaks with plum as my main colour. Love love love it! And so does MrK :P

My dad was a painter popeye and omg anything I painted had to get passed his 'inspection'. Getting a professional in will also satisfy him and stop the niggling at me lol.

Have an appointment with the bank this afternoon then I can knit, or sew... who knows what will tickle my fancy :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-28 12:47:00

Ohh your hair sounds lovely Kiwimade. Nice to have it done eh, makes ya feel better too
Can imagine how quiet it is lol

Was your Dad a painter in Hamilton? MrP was. He worked for Gunac and also painted cars for Waikato Motors and caravans for Lightweight caravans. But gunac was high rise buildings et.

popeye333 - 2014-11-28 12:52:00

ohh Dad used to work for Gunac in Rotorua :) When we lived in Hamilton (I was a kid then) he worked on the Huntly power station.

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-28 16:54:00

MrP painted some of the Huntly Power station.. Small world huh lol... His boss at Gunac was Claude Lumberg (SP)

popeye333 - 2014-11-28 16:59:00

morning ladies, omg it is a small world popeye! Not sure who Dad's boss was though.

Well didn't get any housework done, was just too busy with the bank, lawyer and builders. So today it's game on to get it all done. I feel a million dollars with this new hair colour, amazing what a good cut and colour can do for the ego and lift spirits.

It's going to be a rubbish day weather wise, perfect for knitting :)

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-29 07:08:00

we have a lovely sunny day done the washing just about to hang it out, at last finished the jumper yippy,

carolev - 2014-11-29 07:38:00

Morning everyone..

Sure is small world Kiwimade. MrP even knows Caroles Family from when they grew up too..

Sunny here at the mo, and quite windy.

Im off out shopping with a friend, she needs a new Christmas tree. so Fun shopping not boring food lol.
No doubt Ill end up with something as well. I want to look at watches for MrP his one keeps popping the pin in the strap. Thankfully "Touch Wood" it stays in the strap . And I can put it back in. but one day it wont.

Ive finished Knitting Melissa Mouse and have done the legs bottom and started the body of Melvin. They are cute and easy to knit.

Missy has a thing about flowers. Shes managed to knock down the vase which had roses and sweat peas in over the back of the tv cabinet. And last night even got on my side board thing I made and got the dried rose buds I had on there.
I always like to have flowers next to my MIL and my Stepfathers photos. So Ill buy some artificial ones today too. They are the only photos I have on display, and have always kept flowers by them. Not sure why she is starting to be naughty with them.

Well Have an awesome day everyone..

Kuaka have you cranked up that BBQ yet?

popeye333 - 2014-11-29 08:22:00

No popeye, I haven't got the gas bottle for it filled yet, and I have to get another one filled as a spare for the hob in the kitchen, and I've been putting it off as that's another $70 for the two of them. And in any case the weather has gradually deteriorated as the week has progressed. Yesterday it was plain miserable and we had the heat pump going all day (and Mr K has it on this morning - not sure it's really needed but he feels the cold and I can't afford to have him getting sick)

I'm still doing a "mile a minute" crochet blanket - this time I thought I'd do it for the Red Cross who donate them to local families that are struggling (it's 42 inches by 36 inches when finished) so seems to be taking me forever as it's much bigger than the ones I normally do for charity.

Little puss has brought a sparrow in for us this morning, naughty girl, she is going to be wearing a collar soon with a bell or two on it. The other day she brought in a skink, which I had to chase round before I could catch and release it. The sparrow was in shock but flew away. Yesterday a little wax-eye hit the window and broke it's neck. Two hit the window, bang, bang, within a second of each other, but one survived. They are so tiny, I love them. Such a shame when they do that.

It's great that you are pleased with your new hairdo kiwimade, as there's nothing worse than spending a small fortune at the hairdressers and not liking the result.

Have a lovely day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-11-29 08:50:00

Wow sounds like Little puss is a good hunter... yep a couple of bells will put paid to that lol..
I love wax eyes too, they are delicate eh..
I remember when living in Perth the number of skins that used to come in the house, on and under the carpet was amazing.. Must have liked the air con we reckon lol.. Cats used to just look at them and walk away lol.

Im trying to think when the last time was that I had my hair done at a hair dressers. And I just cant remember.. Used to have a couple of hairdressers cut my hair at home but not colour it or anything.

My best hairdo I remember well tho. I had it permed and frosted on the same day. It took four hours. I struggled to walk for a minute as Id been sitting soo long. And it was a male that did it.. And he was soo gentle with the frosting, unlike women hair dressers who can be a bit rough.
That was in 1991 lol and cost $120.. But it was worth every cent as it was for my wedding lol.

Now I just get my SIL to trim the ends when she is here lol

popeye333 - 2014-11-29 09:01:00

morning ladies :) I'm off to see my dad and sister today, am hoping dad has a wallpaper steamer I can borrow. I have wallpaper in the lounge and hallway to strip, it's going to be a mission. Not only is the wallpaper painted over BUT the bloody cowboys plastered over the wallpaper too. . I have to scrape old paint not just off the windows but off the glass too... damed cowboys and their slap-dash she'll-be-right mentality. Still, will be worth it and I love stripping paper and painting and we knew there was lots of work to do with this house which is why we were able to buy it cheaply. And I love renovating, I see it as another avenue to be creative albeit an expensive avenue lol.

I should be able to craft this afternoon, I had to unpick 90% of my hardanger. Lesson learned, never craft when you have a 39.5 degree temperature!

happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 7:21 am, Sun 30 Nov

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-30 07:19:00

Morning everyone.
I love stripping wallpaper etc too Kiwimade... Make sure you drop a hint when the painters are there that your father was a painter. Put the fear of god in them to do a good job lol.
Ive booked today to get as much of the mice done as I can, since I had a day off yesterday. And it will help relax my tired body lol.

But we had a good day yesterday, going into all the cheapie shops and the Warehouse and Briscoes.

Ohh Pukekohe has a new craft shop opening up. Called Necessities, they were stocking the shelves yesterday. Cant wait to see what the prices are like.
Went past the old wool shop that has been there for ever yesterday and she had the same needles wool that I got for $2, priced at $5.. No wonder people don't shop there.

Ohh Kiwimade not good re the hardanger.. What a horrible job that will be

Have a nice day everyone.

popeye333 - 2014-11-30 09:10:00

lol popeye, I have already told one painter his work will have to get past dad's critical eye and he said he would get on well with dad. Got the steamer so I can start pretty much anytime now... maybe tomorrow lol.

Our wool shop has closed, but her prices were expensive. In fairness though they had to be for her to cover her expenses. Sad though when small local businesses can't compete and have to close.

Time for some crafting after lunch.

kiwimade64 - 2014-11-30 12:37:00

Lol Kiwimade... Certainly weeds out the cowboys when you have a painter in the family lol..

It is sad that the smaller shops have to close. We used to have a shop here with heaps of craft stuff and wool That shut.. Im surprised Michelle Annes is still open in Pukekohe. Its been there as long as I can remember.

Going to be interesting to see how the prices compare in Necessities against spotlight and Deramores.

Gone are the days when you could layby your wool at the local shop.

Ive done Melvins body piece and 1.5 arms... Will get back to it soon

popeye333 - 2014-11-30 12:41:00

morning girls. I am up and feeling great after a busy weekend, starting something new tonight, ,

carolev - 2014-12-01 06:28:00

morning ladies :) wallpaper stripping this morning and crafting this afternoon. Somewhere in between I need to spray for weeds but the weather isn't going to be nice and I need a new weedsprayer. So will get one from Mitre 10 when I buy a new cheap cupboard to put all my school stuff in as I'm loosing my shelf when the wall comes out. One thing seems to be leading to another!

Good to see you are feeling better carole.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-12-01 07:17:00

Morning
Have fun Kiwimade - I love wallpaper stripping, didn't have a steamer but found that the garden sprayer worked really well for taking off paper.

Great that you are feeling better again Carole at long last.

Lovely day here and am off to help at the Habitat house I think we will be inside now and probably painting which is what I prefer. The house seems to grow very quickly once the floor is down as that only went down last wednesday and walls and roof are now up but I know that all the rest takes a lot longer to do.

jayemtoo - 2014-12-01 07:48:00