You can never have enough...

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Talented? Or just plain mad, lol. I brought a blond Cornish back from Melbourne in the seventies. He was that one stable loving beast I mentioned, and he was much loved until some bastard stole him. I suspect for his fur though I refuse to think about that. There was a lot of that going on in Taupo back then. I think Coco has Cornish in her heritage, but as a rescue (and boy do I know why she was rehomed, lol) I can't confirm. Definitely Burmese in there as well, and that really is a pretty combination, soft brown velvety madam that she is.

But she is an old lady now, and prone to all kinds of health issues, her days are definitely coming to a close. Sad really, because I will miss the little bitch something awful. I am trying to tell myself no more catties, but I know that will only last till someone offers me another Siamese.

Now those are perfect creatures...

[Lilith7]

Got caught in the rain coming home from getting a couple of things but luckily it didn't start really tipping down hard till I was indoors.

There was a small parcel waiting when I got back; I'd bought the final in a series on DVD from ebay Australia after trying & failing to find it here but when opened, it also contained another DVD which I didn't buy & don't want. Sent a message to the seller but it seems they don't use ebay much now so will see what happens.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Good morning.

Sun just coming out, after a few more showers earlier. 

A few errands to go out for but otherwise the day probably dictated by the weather ... housework probably should be attended to!

For those who do embroidery work, I'm guessing that all brands are not created equal when it comes to thread (or is it floss, lol)  ... I have left over DMC thread that I've had for years (still perfectly ok) but I see there are lots of brands out there these days. What other brands are more or less equal to the DMC brand, so I can add a few more colours? Or is it best to stick with DMC? I see Spotlight has that. I took the plunge and have bought an embroidery stitch book off TM ... first step towards the new pastime (which I will need to find/make time for, lol).

KM, we will probably not pass on through until next week now.

Righto, better get a move on now my coffee is finished.

Enjoy the day.

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There was someone on TM P and A years ago who used to post about her Sphynx cats, the photos were lovely, very photogenic cats! But I seem to remember they were quite hard work in terms of their care ... needing regular baths was one thing.

Roma, I am using my own ancient threads, bought when generics simply weren't available, and I have picked up a few bargain handfuls on TM, but this past week I was tempted into buying a small box - a half box!- of generics wound onto card bobbins that the seller had kindly matched and numbered to DMC matches. So far, I cannot see any difference between the European 'silks' and the Asian imports. They stitch the same, the colours are lovely, and they are a hell of a lot cheaper than the others. You can pick up a clutch of skeins on TM for under $20. I just cannot see the point in spending double that for half the quantity...

Especially seeing I'm stitching into recycled denim and using very old patch fabrics to play with! For someone who was once addicted to Erhman tapestry kits that is quite a change, lol!

[popeye333]

Mouses mum said she could be demanding... But I figure so can Missy lol.

Missy will do what she wants in her own sweet time lol.

Her most hard case thing is she "Cat Scans" any parcels that come into the house.

I got one today from my Sister friend in CHCH and Missy Ok'd it before I was allowed to open it. The she examines the contents as well .

A friend of the family used to have Siamese cats and my mother Hated them lol.. the way they talk used to drive her potty lol.

I brought a second caterpillar in today when I got home. So fingers crossed they will get along and survive.. I didn't know they pooh so much lol.. I thought it was mouse pooh to start with, cos it was in the pantry where I sit it overnight to prevent Madam eating it. And it was on the white flooring. But I found some where I have it during the day too.

I was looking on Aliexpress at denim jackets. Have to check the price was in NZ dollars but will see if Postie plus has one tomorrow otherwise I will order one online if I do well with the groceries lol.

[Lilith7]

Well - heard back from the DVD seller, who thanked me for my honesty & told me that it was a promotion for his new selling site. Which would be just wonderful, if I was even slightly interested in that particular DVD, which is Smallville series 3.
So will ask the grandkids of any of them are keen.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Smallville was the Superman series? Wasn't bad as I recall. Not exactly memorable, but I did watch it. Which says something...

On the other subject I did my usual perambulation of the estate this afternoon and found a fat caterpillar wandering on the wooden trellis yards from the bush, so relocated it only to discover there were a bunch of teenage munchers busily taking advantage of the brief sun. Obviously the rain and wind has kept the predators away...

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Looks like another bleak day, but its not too chilly.

I have my bloods to do this morning and then Ill pick up Bobbie and take her out. She wants to take her glasses back, but I dont know where she got them. I rang the home yesterday but had to leave a message and of course no one rung back. So Ill try finding out before I get up there.

Im going to go to Postie Plus they have denim jackets for $20 on sale, if Im meant to have one there will be one there for me. otherwise Ill order one from overseas.

I must upload some pictures at some stage too. The tiny wax eyes have managed to bend the jonquils over lol... even at their tiny weight.

My sister friend in CHCH sent me an awesome birthday present.. How she knows my needs without me saying is amazing. My lips have been dry and I was going to get something today. but there were two different balms in the box, chocolate, Glucosamine and chondroitin tables, crackers a bottle of her home grown and made tomato sauce that MrP will have and a beautiful Necklace. Its two circles different but linked. And is for Unbiological Sisters. Ill do a photo later. Made my eyes leak it did. She covered all my bases.

Have a fab day everyone

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies   Another stormy day today so a guilt free embroidery day for me.

Welcome to the thread GJW!  Always nice to have another poster.  Our cats have always been moggies, they either turned up and stayed or were rescued.  I would love a Burmese but not with the Furry One.  He's too much of a hunter.  When his time is up, we'll revisit the idea of a cat.  In the meantime, it's not fair on either to have both.

Smallville wasn't too bad a series, Lilith.  Your grandkids could like it but it could be a bit outdated now.

Roma, I prefer DMC threads but in saying that Anchor is good quality too and sometimes has a closer match to the colour I want. DMC has a nicer 'sheen' to it.  I don't buy the cheap stuff from $2 shops and the like as the colour can run when you wash your finished item.  Those are ok for friendship bracelets and the like but not for good, quality, embroidery. The rayons are much cheaper than silks but give a gorgeous finish.  I only have a few of those.  If buying online, make sure you read the adverts carefully.  Often they will say the numbers match DMC so they aren't DMC.  Like anything, it depends on your budget and shopping around. I also use perle thread for hardanger and find it is cheaper and more practical to buy crochet thread and use that. Milton is a good brand for this.  Same effect and often the same perle thread.  My grandmother told me to always use the best, even when you are learning as this will encourage you to keep going.  Store your threads away from light so they don't fade and for older threads, deteriorate. And one more thing, a chart converting DMC numbers to Anchor and vice versa is a very handy chart to have.  Google has it.    Sometimes you can't get the colour you want in one brand so knowing the equivalent in the other is useful.  They won't be absolutely identical but you can blend it in if you are in a fix.  This has saved many trips out of town as our haberdashery shop only stocks Anchor.  You can also google a DMC colour chart which is useful when deciding colour choices. Hope this helps!

Finally got the lawn mowed yesterday but not the new bit.  The ground was too soft for the mower thanks to all the rain.  So good to have that done.  The soft ground could be why the diggers aren't working across the road too.

The butterfly is starting to take shape.  I'll take a pic later and post it.  I like it but most importantly, my sister-in-law will like it.

Happy crafting

[JanW]

Good morning - warm but windy in the Bay with rain threatening - but itÔÇÖs winter already so wonÔÇÖt complain .My veggies are doing well my purple snow peas are producing already and have survived two frosts in the pod - especially satisfying as I have grown everything from seed this time rather than seedlings .Will definitely grow freckles lettuce again
GJW we had a Cornish cat next door to us in Oz - she was a real character - we had a Manx and he was a clown but she definitely out shone him in the personality stakes - the cleverest cats we have ever had were Abysinians - you can train them like a dog to fetch and come to the whistle etc .We also had our share of moggies - one ginger girl my son found tied in a bag in a rubbish bin when he went to put his burger wrapping in - the litter were all dead except her - she was just a skeleton and we didnÔÇÖt think she would survive the night - she lived for 20 years - ended up with dementia and every pair of shoes that didnÔÇÖt have feet in she thought were to be used as a litter tray .Would love another cat but there are so many native birds around here from the reserve at the back itÔÇÖs probably not a good idea
My vacuum cleaner died in a spectacular fashion yesterday - I thought the end of the world had come - so much noise coming out of such a small motor as it went through itÔÇÖs death throws - it must be 15 years old - want another Miele but finding a shop with any in stock at a decent price is proving difficulty .It caused us a problem when we shifted back from Oz - I forgot to remove the bag and when our container got scanned it showed up as something suspicious
I find Ribbon Rose great for threads etc - they have fantastic specials and if you shop online they only charge $4
Not sure whatÔÇÖs on the agenda today - methinks not much

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I agree about Ribbon Rose, that's where I got my Clover sashiko needles from, which go through denim like butter and have big eyes for us blind ladies. Only frustration was they took two weeks to get here. I'm not the patient sort...

[Mica]

Afternoon  all

A good thunder and lightening storm about 4am this morning the boy k9s were quivering mess so early start.

Took DH for presurgical bloods and tried to post from my phone couldn't log in but here I am now

My replacement table arrived yesterday got moving people booked to move broken one up to our entrance  for courier pick up not asking DS&DSIL to heave it up stairs both indoors and outsidedon't want them injured.

Will be reorganising my sewing cave this afternoon cant wait.

Seems we all are feline lovers. Loved my Abyssinians wicked but lovable had at least 2 at a time over past 40 yrs our current tabby is tame in comparison  but we lover her.

Lunch calls

Have good day

[Oh_hunnihunni]

There was an Aby a few doors up from us in Melbourne. It used to sit at the gate waiting for its people to come home along the road as we did. Never met them but got to know the Aby quite well as it came out to wind around us and generally have a catch up. It was the most beautiful animal. I have had a soft spot for them ever since.

[Roma]

Good afternoon.

Wet and miserable day, so grocery run done and finally got onto the dusting/vacuuming ... my favourite chore, not!

Thanks so much for the thread advice ... I had a look on that gorgeous Ribbon Rose site .... I was definitely salivating over the kits, but when oh when did craft supplies/kits (which I used to do years ago) equate to gold! Your embroidered work Kiwimade and anyone else who does it, are art pieces in terms of value! I guess the answer is to create your own designs.

Glad your table finally arrived mica, you will be pleased to be able to use it.

Gardeners and crafters must also have a pet loving gene, lol. My old burmese boy is loving and intelligent (and still in great 6.5kg condition)  but VERY demanding!

The self-sewn tomato plants (that I couldn't grow when they are meant to grow) are covered in flowers 

Family up for the long weekend .... I hope the weather improves  

Enjoy the rest of the day.

[JanW]

Our last aby was huge - liked all his meals to be warmed in the microwave so he used to stretch up and ping the microwave start button - my sons bedroom was near the kitchen and he drove him mad through the night pinging away - we bought him from a breeder who insisted on us travelling up to her home if we wanted one of her kittens - beautiful house - we were invited in - cats and kittens every where - no cat smell - invited to sit down and have a cup of tea - next thing one of the cats hopped up and peed in the sink - she nonchalantly wandered over and turned the tap on - needless to say the tea didnÔÇÖt get drunk - but she showed us through her cattery in the basement - pure luxury - my husband laughed all the way home as my face was a picture - because dishes were stacked in a dish dryer thing so the sink was obviously dual purpose .The female was scatty loved to swim in the pool - we had to remove all the gold fish out of the pond who I had promised the previous owner that I would treat them like my children - because the cat thought the fish looked better laying on the lawn than in the pond
My Manx was a cool cat - we took him to Oz with us - he had to become a controlled cat so my husband built him a series of cages with tunnels under the eaves etc so he could move around the whole section but not get out -cats were restricted in the area because of the birds .

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Roma go on their mailing list so you know when they have their sales - 50% off is not unusual - itÔÇÖs a family business and probably struggle at times - they used to do all the Craft shows - fabulous to deal with -

[popeye333]

Loving all the cat stories.

Im going to have to look up the other "brands" lol.

Poshest cat we had was a chinchilla. She was brought over from Aussie to breed but wouldn't have a bar of that lol so she gave her to us saying she was a Mans Cat.

She wasn't any anyone's cat. She would hide in a cupboard. Only time she came out was for food and the toilet OR if we got fish and chips. We got them the day we picked her up and she knew what came in the paper that's for sure.

We borrowed MrPs Nieces ginger moggy when she came on heat. Put them in our bathroom. Up high were some louver windows, how the heck that Ginger boy managed to get up that high and get out we dont know, but she wasn't having a bar of him and he must have been desperate to leave lol

So pleased you got your table Mica..

I got my denim jacket.... Fits lovely.. down from $39 to $20.... Actually I've very seldom been in to Postie Plus but they have some lovely Big Girl clothes..

I saw heaps of denim jackets with lace on too when I was looking online, I do have some nice lace but Ill see what I want to do with the jacket..

A super reward for my 31 kilo weight loss and ohh so cool to actually buy something that fits lol.

Bobbie bailed on me and Im pleased really cos its been hosing down and cold enough for me to keep my cardy on all day. And as I use the aircon do demist the windscreen she would have froze.

Ill have to look in my craft cabinets. I know I sold alot of cottons, but Im pretty sure I kept some.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

What fun it will be watching what you do with it popeye! And fun to share your adventure. I have just won a little auction for some crocheted lace edging, I was thinking of adding it to the cuffs of a dark denim jacket I have waiting to be attacked. I shall see how it looks when it gets here.

I really do agree with the advice to buy the best for projects, but it does depend on the project. And the skills of the stitcher! When I was making to sell, I invested in the best materials because it was my reputation at stake, and my pride. A piece destined for exhibition has to be a quality work otherwise disappointment is built in for someone. But these fun adventures are for me, and that makes them very different exercises. For one thing, they aren't nearly as scary to start, because whatever happens I am my only customer, my only critic, and it is all about fun and pleasure, stress free! There is also a comfort in not being any kind of expert in the skills I am applying, it frees me up to just get on with it and enjoy the process - having you ladies cheer me on is a real confidence booster too,

I am in danger though of becoming a collector of TM listed cottons. Those handfuls of colours are as enticing to me as my very expensive crayons once were! I must develop some discipline.

Next week.

[Lilith7]

Successful hunting this morning; I now have a pair of PJ's for each of the great grandsons for their birthdays next month. They're both in love with super heroes so littlest had Spiderman on his & his big brother has something I think are super dogs - flying dogs, wearing superman costume. So just another small toy or two each & that'll be them sorted.

I once had a cat which sat on my back doorstep for three days in the rain before I gave up & let him in - I already had three cats at the time but he clearly wasn't going anywhere.

[popeye333]

Oops INR is back.

No sharp knives or scissors for a couple of days.. 4.9 which is way too high. Nurse said if I start to bleed to not muck around go to the hospital. oops.

Havent been that high in ages... Missy better keep her teeth and claws to herself.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I did wonder about mine when the last blood test gave me a very colourful bruise running down my forearm. But so far so good. Careful with those needles...

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This...

https://www.ensemblemagazine.co.nz/artic...e=stuffurl

It is all about the doing.

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And this is really wonderful too...

https://psyche.co/films/a-trip-to-gees-b...1653540166

[Lilith7]

I did wonder about mine when the last blood test gave me a very colourful bruise running down my forearm. But so far so good. Careful with those needles...

---

This...

https://www.ensemblemagazine.co.nz/artic...e=stuffurl

It is all about the doing.

---

And this is really wonderful too...

https://psyche.co/films/a-trip-to-gees-b...1653540166

That quilt is stunning.