December 31, 2011

Happy New Year and some Holiday Activities



HAPPY NEW YEAR
2012

I would like to wish everyone who reads my blog a Happy New Year. Thanks for your support and kind comments throughout the year. May 2012 be a good year for all. 


It's all about an Australian Holiday, it's all about the beach, sun, sand and cricket games. I'm fortunate to spend my holiday with my family this year. A day at the beach was bliss!


Each year I try to come up with some unique gifts to make for my friends. My gifts tell about what I do at that time. I have been working on blue and indigo these last couple of years. So my gifts are naturally indigo related. A set of three coasters with my very own indigo dyed fabric and the Thai's indigo motifs and hand stitching lend themselves well together. I have sent most out as gifts in time for Christmas, but some are still a work in progress...!


On my last post I talked about pre Christmas eco-dyed bundles. I opened them after a few days and the result is as you can see above. They were dyed with eucalyptus leaves and rusty nails. The effect of rusty nails gave the dark purple grey patches. I'm loving this.


In the above photo is the bottom part of the linen skirt dyed as one of the Christmas bundles. I used pieces from all the bundles for this skirt. 


One of the bundles was a linen skirt from an op-shop. I mordant it with alum and wrapped it generously with lots of eucalyptus leaves. 


A close up of the patches in the front of the skirt. I stitched around some of the leaf imprints just to highlight it. What I need now is to find an occasion to wear it! 


Every other summer our apricot tree gives us abundant fruit. This year is the same. In Australia we have big problem with birds. We tried to cover the tree with netting to keep them out, but the birds are so clever and managed to find their way under the net. We got what was leftover from the birds and bottled some of the fruit. 


I blogged about the bottling method the last time we had apricots. You can read it here.


I can't take the credit for this home made production. DIL was here and did everything for me as she did two years ago. DIL is a prolific gardener and home-maker. We are so lucky to have her join our family. 

Well, that was quite a lot of activities for this holiday! The weather is getting warm. It's going to be warmer in the next couple of days. Thank goodness for the air-conditioning! We got a small paddling pool on the back deck for our DGD, but this afternoon some of the adults where in there trying to cool off. I never thought I would say this, but I'm looking forward to getting back to work where I have air-conditioning!!!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and is enjoying New Year's Eve. I'm about to get out there and join my family for a New Year drink or two. 

Happy New Year everyone.

Nat



25 comments:

myfluffybag said...

I was very happy to be one of the recipients of the beautiful coasters. They were put to immediate use! They're so pretty Nat, thanks!

Simone de Klerk said...

Beautiful skirt, beautiful personal presents!
Wish I could try some of your abricots!
Gelukkig nieuwjaar!

Els said...

Your dyes are wonderful Nat!
Happy new year to you !!!

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Happy 2012! Love the coasters!!

deanna7trees said...

still have about 15 hours to go here before new years. wishing you the best of everything in the new year. that skirt is fabulous. i would wear it everywhere.

blandina said...

I love those fatty thighs, Finn's I guess?
The coasters are lovely, I like the Thai fabric a lot, perfect combination of fabrics and stitching.
The skirt is a piece of art, I hope that you will take it on the tour? Eco-dyeing, I have so much to learn, it is in my intentions list for the new year.
Happy 2012 to you and your family!

Kim said...

Happy New Year Nat!

Lis Harwood said...

Happy New Year Nat. 2012.....the year you and I will meet and the year of the first JTST, it's going to be a great year. I love that skirt, I hope you wear it often. Enjoy the start of a new year, all fresh and innocent and ready to explore, big hugs, Lis x

Needled Mom said...

Your dying in just gorgeous. I love the skirt!!!!

Birds and apricots are always such a challenge. The last few years I have been hanging old CDs on fishing line in the trees and that seems to work pretty well. The birds do not care for the twirling discs. Canned apricots are my favorite fruit.

I hope you will enjoy a blessed 2012, Nat. Stay cool.

Lynda Howells said...

Happy New Yearx Love the skirt..it is beautiful. I am glad you had a great Christmas with your familyxx

Jeannie said...

Happy New Year! As Deanna said, I would wear the skirt everywhere, it is gorgeous! My mouth was watering at the bowl of apricots. It has only been 5 months since I tasted an apricot off the tree, but it feels like eons. Yummy! Wishing you much joy and creative adventure in the new year.

Jacky said...

Happy New Year to you and your family Nat...I'm sure you will be looking forward to 2012. So many new adventures you are embarking on.
I love the look of your eco dyed skirt and all of those fabrics you have dyed!!!
Yummy preserved apricots too. So nice to be able to bottle them with your DIL. Looks like there was plenty for you and the birds to share.
It's going to be a hot one today. I think you might all end up in the wading pool again!

Take care and I will catch up soon.

Jacky xox

Sue-Anne said...

Happy New Year Nat! Your skirt looks fantastic and your apricots look pretty good too. Enjoy the time with your family.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Natima! I wish for you and yours the very very best in 2012

Janet said...

Oh Nat, the skirt looks amazing, just wear it for the pleasure! The other pieces look really wonderful, I love the colours a lot and the coasters are a lovely gift too.
Happy New Year.

ParisMaddy said...

I'm drooling at all of your pretty presentations. mmm, goodness, I want to be your sister and live close by you.

« ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸**☆
╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR ☆ 2012
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ♥¥☆★☆★☆¥♥ ★☆ ♥♥♥:) »

Anonymous said...

the skirt is fabulous, hope you are taking it to Japan with you?? Wishing you an exciting and rewarding New Year. Hugs

Terry said...

The time with the family is priceless. What more could we want?
Your coasters are lovely and the skirt will find it's own occassion. '
Happy New Year to you and Tom !!

Peggy said...

Nat, your new skirt is fantastic! I love it. I keep going back to it. (I want to make one exactly like it but I know it'd be impossible, darn it anyway!)Your indigo coaster gifts are just lovely. And so are those apricots. Lucky you to have apricots! Happy New Year, dear Nat.

Heather said...

All the best for 2012, Nat. Your indigo stitching is gorgeous.

antique quilter said...

sounds like the perfect holiday to me!
except no snow at Christmas :)
Love the skirt and well the coasters are to die for,
I would hang them up 3 in a row for a little wall hanging though !!!
The bottom of the skirt you should do that just for a little quilt
those fabrics came out wonderful....
Happy New Year to you and your family!
looking forward to seeing lots more from you this year
Kathie

Moon Goddess said...

Lovely dyeing Nat!

Unknown said...

A very happy and healthy New Year to you too, Nat. You have been very busy as usual I see. Your indigo coasters are just beautiful. Whomever receives any of your handmade gifts must be so thrilled to get them. What sweetness!

sheila at shecological said...

beautiful work on the indigo and the skirt! The apricot photos look like a work of art in themselves and I bet they taste sweet!

happy new year wishes said...

I agree, that's a nice dyeing artwork. Happy New year to you as well! enjoy the holiday!

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