Makin' creatin' & laughin'...........................

                 Aren't they the best things in life? All three help me feel happy & content.

Sharing with you today where so much of that happened! Our annual retreat, at McGregors Bay. This was one of our MANY views.
Arriving Friday morning to help set up the hall for 18 crafty ladies, I got out of my car to take in the views.

Do you see the ship? It was a huge ship leaving Marsden Oil Refinery. I counted four different ships coming & going over the weekend.

A couple of hours later we had 14 Sewezi tables set up & two big trestle tables set up for another 4 ladies, that didn't have Sewezi tables. Plus four cutting tables, 3 ironing boards & irons, a small lounge area, as well as a dinning area. By the way so much lovely food was consumed, but we made a pact : what happens at retreat stays at retreat!

             Several of us used the same bag pattern, but ended up with very different bags!

Here is mine........................................

Me IN my bag!!

This is a Gathering Stitchers pattern, called Vintage Angel Sewing Bag. I added a doiley for the more vintage look. I also made pockets for the lining as I want mine as a handbag rather than a sewing bag. A gal has to have somewhere for the cellphone, keys & pen etc!

Saturday morning we had a Breast Cancer Awareness morning tea fundraiser. We all had to wear a hat, some like me just grabbed a hat as they were leaving home, others put more thought into their hats. There was one the won the vote & won the long tablerunner as a prize, but I didn't get her permission to load her photo on my blog, so will have to just tell you about her 'hat'. A red moulded/wire bra fastened to her head along with some gold beaded necklace draped through the straps! So funny & a perfect choice for such a morning tea. The following photo's are just a few other hats..................

Loved this one too!

Now for some more sewing. I made the bag & one & a half fabric dolls. I have since finished the second doll.

Meet Winnie ( not sure she will keep that name, I am open to suggestions) a 'Mumms Moment' pattern.

Fancy some lacy pantaloons? She was fun to make & now takes place hanging in my dinning room.

Next up is Hannah's Angel by 'Country Friends'. I wished I had taken progress photo's as I had several laughing fits. Such a strange looking body she has, please don't tell her I said that! But when she had a body & no arms & one leg, yes she has one leg that once attached to her body gets a row of running stitch to create 'two' legs!

Antique lace, a wee pocket for treasures & cloves for her hair. I was gifted her wire wings by Rachel, which I liked better than the fabric wings stated on the pattern.

I felt like some creepy person stabbing holes in the side of her head to poke the cloves in to make her hair!

Each morning & afternoon I went for a walk, on one walk I found Whangarei Heads school. What a cute school. Located at the school was an old church that's now used as the community Library, there was also a community art centre. What I love the best was the location & the school had a family of Bantam hens.

the school protected by Mt Manaia

Bantam hen house painted by the children, I love the sign on the door!

Art work all around the school

some views while out walking

wishing my views on my regular morning walks were like this!

Thanks for hanging in there with all the photo's, but I hope you enjoyed them all.

Back next week with a beautiful Double Wedding Ring quilt to share with you.