Friday, February 1, 2013

AND THE WINNER IS ..


The Red Cardinal nest is returning to normal after last week's Wild Weather ..
At last we have sunshine with a cooling breeze, which is drying up the last of the insidious damp and mold.

While celebrating the return of the electricity with a little housework,
I cast my eye over this little lot:


Random collection of thimbles and small sewing machines, perched on an old Singer from the past ..
I have almost sent this lot off to a charity store a number of times,
but can never quite bring myself to do so.  
Am I a collector or just a hoarder?


Mr Cardinal gave me this plant pot for Christmas.  I love it...
and I suspect it has become part of yet another Collection.


I should have made up this material months ago,
but better the end of summer than next summer!


I am trying a new shirt pattern, McCall's M6436.
Apart from re-aligning and shortening the bust dart, it is working out well, which is very useful.
I've been looking for a well-fitting shirt pattern for years ...



Christmas rose is blooming well after last week's drenching -
which is more than I can say for the other dozen roses, who are, apparently, Sulking ..

Google images

In the latest Royal Gossip News, I see cuddly Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands is abdicating her throne in favour of Crown Prince Willem Alexander.

Google images

Here she is with the King-to-be and his family.  Princess Maxima is one of my favourite royals ..

Google images

It seems to me that Maxima enjoys having fun with fashion,

Google images

amuses herself - House of Orange?

Google images

- and generally will be a breath of fresh air.
Please don't lose your happy self as Queen, Maxima!


Today I put the names of all my Followers into the basket -
and the winner of my Red Bird brooch Giveaway is:

the lovely Val, of Val's Alentejo Blog
 Pop over to see Val's delightful posts about life as an artist living in an olive grove in the beautiful Portugese countryside.

Congratulations Val, I hope you enjoy the little red bird.
Please email me with your postal address and I will send it off post-haste!

Thank you to all my Followers and I wish I could send a red bird to you all!



'til next time,
Enjoy your weekend, and take care

 xxx






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30 comments:

  1. BerylFebruary 1, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    Glad you're returning to normal. That material is going to make a terrific shirt, but I'm surprised you aren't making it into one of your great dresses.
    Like you, I have always found Maxima interesting.
    Hoorah for winner Val!

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 1, 2013 at 9:14 PM

      It was touch and go, Beryl: shirt/dress, dress/shirt...
      Can't wait to see Maxima wearing a crown and jewels!

      Delete
  2. JudithFebruary 1, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    Lucky little Red Bird to be flitting across the pond to Portugal - congrat's to Val! Glad you are drying out after the deluge during the week. I have made that shirt pattern a few times myself, sleeveless version, and love it. Your fabric will look stunning made up...and don't ever part with your little thimble collection, they are sooooo cute...J

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:50 AM

      Judith I think I became interested in that pattern when I saw your posts about it. I think it will work out very well for me. One vote for the thimble collection! They do carry memories of special times in cities I'll probably never visit again...

      Delete
  3. RosemaryFebruary 2, 2013 at 1:03 AM

    Dear Patricia - so pleased that the damp is drying quickly. I love your collection of blue and white.
    The little red bird could not be going anywhere better than to Val, I am so pleased for her she will be thrilled.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:55 AM

      I am happy too, Val seems to be excited about the little red bird! Blue and white is very enticing, I find, but must keep the brakes on it.

      Delete
  4. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comFebruary 2, 2013 at 1:21 AM

    Dear Patricia.
    I am about to go out shopping and will be having a full day today... I quickly came to see some posts and comment.. and there I see that I have won your giveaway.. Oh Patricia.. I am so so delighted.. I really do like it.. I will have something lovely and will be able to think of you there in down under.
    I will send you my address..
    love all the blue chinese porcelain.. and as you are such a good sewer, I know your blouse will look 'beaut'.. happy weekend. val

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:58 AM

      Dear Val, I am so leased that you are delighted with the giveaway, and I am excited the bird is off on a journey to Portugal. That is the fun of the world of blogging. The blouse is very impressed that you can speak fluent Australian! I will show and tell when it is finished.
      Enjoy your shopping day. xxx

      Delete
  5. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comFebruary 2, 2013 at 1:40 AM

    Its me again Patricia..

    Please could you send me a private e mail.. then i can make sure yours is ok.
    I tried to send an e.. but it won't go through.. thanks.. val

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 3:00 AM

      Dear Val, It is probably staring me right in the face, but I can't find you email on your blog. Would you be able to pop it into a comment for me please? Can't wait to get the little birdie up in the air and off on its journey. Such fun!

      Delete
  6. metteFebruary 2, 2013 at 6:02 AM

    A wise act from Queen Beatrix to " retire ". I´d sure wish the other royals would follow her example - Queen Elizabeth, Kings and Queens from Scandinavia, Spain, etc. Shouldn´t it really be time!!
    Lovely small red bird #1 : )!
    Congratulations to the winner of your gift. And I´m so happy, that your extreme weather is calming down - at last!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 1:13 PM

      Mette, I wonder if Prince Charles is looking sideways across the sea, wishing it was him!
      Sun shining and beautiful crisp, cooler air here. Just heavenly!

      Delete
  7. Sulky KittenFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Congrats to Val! I also have an old Singer from 1904, and I can't even sew on a machine. Blue and white is one of the loveliest colour combinations, it just works with everything.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 2, 2013 at 1:14 PM

      Hi Sulky, no matter if you don't sew, antique Singers have a beautiful aesthetic appeal, don't you agree? Thousands of women can't be wrong..

      Delete
  8. Rustic Vintage CountryFebruary 2, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Congratulations to Val! x

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  9. sandaFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    An entertaining post with many nice things to see. Congratulations to Val on winning the prize. Your redbird will be in good hands. Hope you are having a good weekend.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:12 AM

      Thanks Sanda, red bird is about to fly away. So much fun doing a giveaway, I am thinking about what I can do next time! Happy Monday to you.

      Delete
  10. ShellFebruary 2, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    Glad to hear life is returning to some normality for you

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:13 AM

      Thanks Shell, last week was a complete write-off after the cyclone. It took days just to clean up and restock, and we were among the lucky ones. So many people still in big trouble especially in Bundaberg.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2013 at 12:28 AM

    Beautiful plant pot and fabric, it must be great to be handy, I've got a pile of things that need sewn just now, my poor handstitching doesn't seem to last through washes.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:15 AM

      Ha, my handiness is Extremely Selective, Tabitha. Can sew, can't mend, if you get my drift.. I send Hubs alterations out to a tailors. Love my blue and white, it is a happy combination.

      Delete
  12. DarlaFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Congratulations to Val, I'll have to check our her blog. I am not familiar with Princess/Queen Maxima, I'll have to do a little search. It is so much fun when a blog post leads me to other sites.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:06 PM

      It is official, Darla. Blogging is Educational ;) I have learnt quite a few things from your lovely blog. x

      Delete
  13. The Silver BunnyFebruary 4, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    Hi, Patricia ! I can't blame the bird for having chosen Spain rather than France, it is so much warmer and sunnier .. Your post is lovely as always but I don't share your appreciation of Maxima ; I find her too loud, too brassy, too much .. But that's just us French, we like fairly retiring women ! Though you wouldn't guess it if you heard me laugh sometimes !!.. xxx

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:10 PM

      Hi Silver Bunny, The giveaway was fun, so I am planning another one for the next milestone in a few months. Oh dear, Maxima - loud and brassy is not good! I hope she can rein it in when necessary. xxx

      Delete
  14. Shane PollardFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    Congrats to Val as well!

    Princess Maxima is one of my royal fashion faves too - I thought she looked stunning at William and Kate's wedding - very elegant.
    A delightful post!
    Shane x

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:11 PM

      Thank you Shane - I'm off to try and track down Maxima at the wedding now! x

      Delete
  15. KathyFebruary 8, 2013 at 3:47 AM

    Congratulations to Val. I'm so glad it's cooler and drier for you, Patricia. Life must be much more comfortable. I love the thimbles and little sewing machines and can think of worse things to collect. At least they don't take up much room. :-)

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 8, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      Your logic is perfect Perpetua - of course the thimbles should stay; they are no trouble and only take up a tiny space :)

      Delete

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