FRANGIPANI

At last, after five years we have some flowers. this is only a small tree (about 1 mtr. or 40 inches).

The perfume is wonderful, typical Frangipani/Plumeria scent with an over tone of apricot. I think this was named Fruit Salad. Whatever the name, just gorgeous and suits the tropical weather we are having at the moment.
We have already had a flush of roses this summer, but the Standard Seduction Rose is quick to produce the next flush. I hope we don't have a problem with black spot, but this seems to go hand-in-hand with humid weather. This summer has been unusually wet, I think we may have another storm tonight.

 The Seduction rose has such a sweet scent, just lovely, don't you think?

DIVERSION.

I did it again!
Another new start.
Enjoyable, yes.
Should I be doing this now, no.
I found some variegated thread and thought I would dabble in some more Wessex work.
Each little diamond is 20 stitches. No I haven't counted the total when finished, probably a gazillion(embroiderer's measurement).
I am not sure if this will be another scissor keeper or a case for my sunglasses.

I have to get back to Rosewood Manor and stop wishing that the day was longer or give up sleep, or stop reading, patting little dogs or eating or shopping.
Heaven knows the house has not seen a duster for a while.
A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

A New Start.

I have decided to make Spring Quakers my new start for 2012. This is a lovely design from Rosewood Manor. I am stitching this with the suggested Valdani threads. I have never used these threads before and I am finding them delightful to use. The linen I chose is a 28cnt. of an unknown brand that has as Antiqued/aged appearance.  I am sure this will become my new favorite cross stitch project this year.
In February my twice monthly embroidery group will begin again for the year and I will be participating in two classes during February and March. It looks like a busy year ahead, especially with the embroidery group's exhibition in September.

I thought I would post some pics of past favorites.

The Quilting. a design by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum. I embroidered this in 1995.

The Auction. Also by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, 1995.

Lastly a little sampler from Mill Hill.
I hope you have enjoyed some of my past treasures.

First Finished Biscornu

Yaaay, I get to do a happy dance, my first finish for 2012 is a Biscornu. Not a big project, but it was a fun stitch and now I know I can put one of these fiddly things together.  I  hope to make another soon when I find a pattern that I like. Any suggestions?

I hope I don't become obsessed about them like I have with Needle Rolls, though, there could be worse things to be obsessed about!! This is Christmas Biscornu, a Just Nan design using the recommended DMC colours and embellishment pack.

Biscornu and Birds

I hope to have a finish later tomorrow after a recent bought of illness kept me from my stitching. I have had a plan and not a New Year's resolution (because we all know what happens to those) to make myself a Christmas decoration each year until I fall off the twig. So for Christmas 2011, I thought I would also attempt my first Biscornu.
I  chose Just Nan's Christmas Biscornu which is also very sparkly with the addition of beads and gold thread. I have enjoyed stitching this design so much,  I hope I stitch it together without messing it up!

 I have embroidered 2012 on it, maybe I should have also put 2011. Anyway, tomorrow I hope to be able to do a happy dance with my first finish for this year.

 Also, this morning we were awakened with the sound of some very noisy birds in the Jacaranda tree in our neighbour's yard.

I thought great, they are back but maybe a little early this year. These are Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo's.
We had a flock of around 10 - 12 with several family groups with their young. They are a large bird, around 26 inches in length. They are very noisy but so interesting to watch. Miss Molly was warned to stay inside though I am sure she was safe. Black Cockatoo's eat seeds, green pine cones and moth grubs, not Bischons. lol

It really is wonderful to see that they have adapted to suburbia, as the suburb we live in does have some very old and large trees, just the type of perch they enjoy. After around 10 - 15 minutes they were off flying, they have a wide wing span. I wonder if they will be back tomorrow?