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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

little pleasures

Hellooooo my friends!! I'm back from my whirlwind week in New Zealand. It's so good to be back home and I'm so looking forward to getting my old routine back.
If there's one thing I've learnt over the last month and a half, it's to stay positive and to enjoy the smaller pleasures life has to offer. It has been a really challenging year so far and that's an understatement.
Enough of the deep and meaningfuls and onto some nice cheerful chatter.
It was such a good idea to start playing with hexagons. I packed a pile of fabrics, the supplies I'd need and had some nice times with needle and thread during found moments. Thanks to my DD who is a star fussy cutter extraordinaire, I now have these sweeter than sweet flower delights.
The pile grew quite nicely and I've decided how I'm going to set them together.
I love the cheerful scrappiness of the Vignette hexagon quilt from Leanne Beasley. I didn't think I'd last the distance if I embroidered the hexagons that fit in between blocks so opted for my cheats version. The cherry fabric from the Sew Cherry fabric line is the perfect fit for a one inch hexagon, how amazingly wonderful is that??
Row one has begun but now that I'm home, who knows how far I'll get. Does it matter? Nah! This is about having fun people and a needle and thread in my hand is my idea of  pleasure.
I can't remember the last time I actually wanted to get in the kitchen and cook. I'm not talking about having to cook to sustain us but the "I feel like cooking something" feeling. Mmmm, maybe it's the Masterchef effect. I'm addicted to watching that cooking show and something must have rubbed off.
Lamb shanks cooked with red wine with gremolata and served on a bed of polenta. Does that sound a bit cheffy? I used some random recipe off the Internet and did my usual tweaking just because I can and I think it makes me look like I have a talent in the kitchen.
                                   
Strawberries for afters but just for me because the only other person living in this house is allergic.
The last lovely pleasure of the day is this heavenly smelling bunch of flowers just delivered to our door. Some friends were thinking of us, how thoughtful!
I hope to catch up with you soon, thanks for dropping by for a visit.

51 comments:

  1. Hi Janet, welcome home. Nothing wrong with a deep and meaningful thoughts. Everyone has them! Glad you got to spend quality time with the family in NZ. Look at those lovely hexies you have been making. They are gorgeous like everything else you do! Hugs Nat

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  2. I just love your hexagon! They are so beautiful! And the quilt you are started on is so nice. Look forward to se more. Hugs from Norway.

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  3. cute hexe's!!! love how they were fussy cut
    love strawberries and the flowers are so pretty...
    glad to visited your dd and grandchildren....
    Kathie

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  4. Lovely hexies and the cherries are definitely those proverbial "cherries on top".

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  5. Fabulous hexi flowers and beautiful real flowers!! Those lamb shanks look delicious!!!

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  6. Hi Janet, so love your hexies , for me it is more about the journey than the destination when it comes to making quilts. I have so many started but have no rush to complete any of them, i just enjoy the moment, I think that is what you are alluding to also. Sounds like your year has been extemely testing but you are right there are always some positives to come out of testing times even though at the time it is hard to see. Just keep sewing I say. I hope David is ok, together you will make it through.
    My thoughts are with you both

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  7. Your lamb shanks almost make me long for a bit of Melbourne winter! Especially as today's weather in the south of France is like a Melbourne summer- a stinking hot wind blowing! I LOVE your hexies and the cute cherry fabric you have found to join it all together. be gentle with yourself- Suz

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  8. Your voice resonates with peace and joy! You sound so, so, so good. I totally love your hexies. Great color and I agree - your DD is completely talented. She's the goddess of fussy cutting. When I was a baby quilter I thought that word was FUZZY CUTTING and I couldn't understand how that worked at alll!!!!

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  9. That fussy cutting is amazing! I love the pink hexie with the aqua centre, so pretty! The cherries are a great idea too!

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  10. Terrific having a daughter to help create your beautiful flowers. I'm so glad they bring peace and joy.

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  11. Love those hexies. (Coincidentally I have a hexie post on my blog tomorrow too). Amazing fussy cutting!!
    I hope your daughter's back is feeling better and that those grandkids got spoiled rotten!!
    Andi x

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  12. love the fussy cut hexagons.....hope everything life wise is ok...........

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  13. WOW. I love your hexagons. And I like your idea of using the cherry print for the fillers ... been thinking along similar lines myself.

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  14. Welcome home! Your hexagons are so cheery and fabulous! Perfect fussy cutting :) It will be a wonderful quilt! And I am so impressed with your cooking....and from an internet recipe no less! Would you like to come to Ohio?! I have a nice oven - just not the passion for cooking.

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  15. Welcome home Janet ;) love your little hexes they are so lovely, fresh and spring looking....and as for the Lamb Shanks very chefy indeed. I have an addiction for bicky making at the moment Lebanese Shortbread and Vintage Cheese Crisps to be exact.

    Adele :)

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  16. The fussy cut flowers are truly amazing!! Love each one of them. Great idea to use the Sew Cherry fabric line for your stepping stones. You are going to have a wonderful quilt when you are finished :)

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  17. Your culinary talents are wonderful. Have fun with your hexagons. They are something I do not wish to tackle but I always cheer on those who do.

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  18. I am so glad you are back, I miss your blog posts! The hexagons are adorable and fun hand work. I can't wait to see what you do with them.

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  19. Your hexes are so beautiful. The fussy cutting was exceptional and I love your little cherry setting pieces.

    OMGosh your lamb shanks look wonderful. Lamb is one of my favorite meats but is hard to find here in cattle country.

    Crispy

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  20. Welcome home, Janet. I could write a book on enjoying the simple things in life - sigh! :-) I wish the whole world would understand that it's the simple things that matter.

    (hugs)

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  21. Your dinner looks fabulous and I would have loved to be able to share it with you!!

    The hexies are terrific adn I love how the cherries fit perfectly.
    I hope the rest of 2011 isn't as eventful!!

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  22. Lovely to hear you are home Now...Your Hexies are Gorgeous...Thought I had missed you at the show but did see your post that you were away...there's always next year..
    cheers

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  23. Welcome back Janet - hoping this means your daughter is feeling much better too.
    We are in the midst of strawberry season here & enjoy some every night for dessert & with fresh cherries arriving soon your center fabric really caught my eye. What a great choice you have made to go with those happy hexies!

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  24. Welcome back Janet, hope your DD is much better and what a great post. I am convinced that it was just for me and it has cheered me up no end seeing all those lovely fussy cut hexie flowers. Hmmm, lamb shanks - my favourites. Lots of love to you.xx

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  25. Wow your DD has really mastered the art of fussy cutting! Your hexies look very cheerful and fun. I always believe "It's the process not the product" that is important - so I hope you enjoy them!! PS Your neal looks very yum!

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  26. I'm glad you're having fun with needle and thread! Those little cherries are so cute! Your hexie quilt is looking wonderful so far. The lamb looks delicious.

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  27. Great to see you back Janet...here's hoping the second half of the year is better than the first...
    Love the fussy cut hexies..Yum lamb shanks..and yes we could all do with getting back to the simple things in life, one never knows what's around the corner..
    Julia ♥

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  28. Very happy flowers! The strawberries look fantastic. Enjoy both! :)

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  29. Janet - your hexies look wonderful...a talented young lady is your daughter :) You dont just LOOK like a good cook - I suspect you actually are...I would come over for a meal any time. Nice to have you back.

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  30. Your hexagon flowers are amazing. I am loving them. I have the fabric and the hexagons to work on. Only 2 flowers done. You are inspiring me to work harder at them.

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  31. Hello so glad you found me!
    Love these hexagons soo much.

    Clare

    ps. also love NZ!!

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  32. I LOVE hexagons and you have reminded me I have a hexagon quilt in browns and golds awaiting some borders, batting and backing!!
    love your blog!
    Kate

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  33. You sound happy Janet. It's been really nice to read your post today. :-)

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  34. You look very talented in the kitchen. Delicious.
    Love the hexagons, again a very
    cheerful start to a new quilt.
    Welcome back.

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  35. Those hexagons take on a whole new life with the fussy cutting - just so fresh and cheerful. You will have a delightful garden year round. And the cherries are just too sweet and the perfect touch too.

    I think winter also makes us want to cook good wholesome comfort food.

    Glad you had time with your daughter and family. Even under less than ideal circumstances, it's good to catch up and break up the routine. Hope she (and you) are recovering.

    Lay low and enjoy each day quietly for a while...

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  36. So glad to see you back in the blogosphere! I missed your posts.

    Love the bright colors of your hexagons. I've started a hexie project too, but mine are all 19th-century reproduction fabrics. If I keep seeing these pretty brights, I may have to start another one!

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  37. Wow, I love your hexies! And thank you so much for sharing your cherry inserts!! I to was wondering how I would make it through all the stitching, and this solution is perfect.

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  38. Welcome back! There is something to be said about being home again and feeling rejuvenated. Love all the hexies!! Just beautiful!! Too bad for the other half as far as the strawberries are concerned, but lucky you... there is more to enjoy!

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  39. I love your idea of substituting the cherries for the stitcheries. Your hexagons are beautiful, and I love the fussy cutting.

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  40. Oh Janet -- those hexagons are just darling. You're giving me the hexagon bug -- if only I were done with all my other projects! I hope your days will settle down a little now and get back to a more normal state. XO

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  41. Love your hexagon and your DD is doing a great job of the fussy cutting sender to my place and she can do mine LOL.... The lamb shanks that you cooked look very nice.

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  42. Janet you hexies are just wonderful--you have me itching to try some of my own! Cute idea to have the little cherries fussy cut! Cooking? I'm not sure I remember how to do that, so I'm impressed that you do!

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  43. Hi Janet,
    I have to say that I tried the hexagon thing about 12 years ago and just couldn't do it. We're all different and that's a good thing.
    I LOVE lamb shanks but they are so expensive here that I can't justify buying them. Your creation sounds soooo good though, I may just have to bite the bullet.
    We'll be here when you're ready, don't worry. ;)

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  44. Oh my!!!!! These are just gorgeous. Love the fussy cut effect!

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  45. I love the fussy cut hexies!!

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  46. Welcome home! Yes, quilting should be fun. Love your hexies and the little cherry fabrics in between are a great idea.
    I love to cook. Dinner looks great.

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  47. LOVE the fussy cut hexies. I have a couple fussy cut ideas in mind for my next project(s).

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  48. Love the hexies Janet, they're
    just beautiful.

    Keep them coming !!

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