An update of the works over here...

((click on the pictures to enlarge))
....but first a very small stitching finish, the November block of Lizzie Kate Stamp.


I let the pictures show how we progressed with the renovations. Last week was mainly removing all the old stuff out of the living room and the office room(with the window). Nobody knows when was the last time this was renovated, i mean the basement floor. Kees parents bought it year 1958, and hubby bought it from them year 1990. A couple of newspaper print that we found from the wall going upstairs dated 1912, that was probably the last time they've added the upstair's bedrooms. It is a pity thereś no pictures at all from then.

Also came across some old tiles probably more than 100 years old. I haven't clean any yet, perhaps i can find a date or any indication when they were made. We haven't taken all out as they were quite deep and we are really in a hurry to get the place ready last monday for the contractors.

Monday, the contrators remove the dividing wall so it is now a big living room.
Tuesday, was ready to filled in with sand, styrofoam and reinforcing bars.


This morning was the concrete floor was done for the living room.

A coule of days to dry and then they'll get forward to work on the wallings.

...while we are going to work on the next room, that was the barn but we would like to turn that into a bedroom. Had to remove the old concrete as we would like to put an underfloor heating like the rest later on. We aren't done yet as after this one we would like to expand the kitchen too and put an underfloor heating. Ohhh, and not to forget upstairs...but that will have to wait for next summer!


Thank you everyone for all the lovely comments on my last post. All are very much appreciated.

5th blogoversary giveaway & taking a break....

..... from blogging & groups!

After posting my update this afternoon i went and look back on my first ever post here on this blog and to my surprise it is my blogoversary TODAY!!. I thought it is tomorrow the 13th...am i glad i've completed all the ornaments yesterday which i had planned as my giveaway. so only to take pictures of them all this afternoon.


In celebration of my 5 year BLOGGERVERSARY I would like to offer these five ornaments, thus there be five winners. The giveaway is open to absolutely anyone, please simply leave a comment on this post only. I will pick the winners at the end of this month(31st oct.)

Regal Red Christmas flatfold
Milady's Needle design
JCS magazine 2010
32ct linen
variegated DMC 115


Happy Skater ornament
Little House Needleworks design
JCS magazine 2010
32ct Belfast dirty linen
DMC threads


Christmas 2010 pinkeep
Glory Bee design
JCS magazine 2010
32ct linen
DMC threads


December needleroll
Birthstone & flower samplers
From a booklet of The World of Cross Stitching
(no designers was given)
Stitched on 28ct white evenweave
DMC threads


Sing Noel Ornament
Primrose Needleworks
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, December 2008
32ct linen
DMC threads

Going to be taking a break from blogging and the yahoo groups for a while, i don’t know for how long. Hubby will be coming home on thursday so everything will be out here including the last 2 computers. Hubby have a laptop but with the 4 of us it will be very limited time for each. We were really spoiled having each one, the kids are getting use to it now but i sure miss visiting all your blogs and the groups, not to forget facebook!
Thank you all so much for visiting and for taking the time to leave me a comment. Best wishes to all!

Flatfold, oct. LK, award and other pics.

An autumn design finished into a flatfold. It's a freebie sometime last year but i couldn't find who the designer of this one, i hope somebody knows it and share the name.



Also completed the oct. LK block.


A while back i was the lucky winner of Christine's giveaway. A couple of decorated bangles, arent they lovely!! I love them all as well as all the goodies enclosed. Thank you so much, Christine.


A while back i recieved this award from Amarins, thank you so much for passing it on to me..it sure made me feel special. Amarins works more on big projects and on and off small ones as you can see on her stitching blog. I also admire her cards as everything looks gorgeous and so neatly finished which you can see on her other blog(cards).

Now I must do the following things:
1. The award to pass on to 5 persons
2. List 3 things that i love
3. Post a picture that you love.
Here we go....
1. I am supposed to pass this on to five fellow bloggers but i have to break this one as i cannot definitely pick only 5.
2. I love my family, my friends and stitching!!
3. Below is one of my favorite family picture, when the kids wants to come along everywhere especially going for a walk.


Last weekend, we've been to a friends birthday at the mainland. While the Mums busy in the kitchen my kids were taking care of baby Desley and taking pictures. Aren't these pictures beautiful! I was surprised when i uploaded the pictures as i didn't expect Grace will be on them, lately she doesn't want her picture taken. I wasn't able to use the camera as it was too busy, had to help with the preparations mainly for dinner so i really miss cuddling the baby too.


Thought to post a couple of pictures of the first "Abraham" of the group who celebrated it last May. Luckily, hubby was home then, he was the one who made the placard and provided the costume for the doll.
I have pictures of our yearly outings too and hope one day to compile it on to one album. Just the same with the "Abraham/Sarah" celebrations. Another "Abraham" is celebarting next month and the rest will be next year.



I hope you are all having a wonderful week. Many thanks for stopping by and all the kind comments.

Oct. x'mas SAL ornament, lovely RAK & other pics.

Happy Holidays ornament
Little House Needleworks design
JCS 2010
32ct linen & DMC threads

Received these lovely RAK goodies from Shari last weekend which prompts me to stitch the above ornament for my october x'mas SAL ornament. Love it! Thank you so much, Shari! It was really a great surprise to see the magazine enclosed as i know over the fabrics.

Thank you all so much for the well wishes for my father, recent news he is improving and i really hope he contineus.
I am way behind on blogs and groups and hope to catch up the coming days.

The next pictures more for hubby as i know he visits my blog when he can in some areas where they are working. But i better attach a short explanation about the said special birthday celebration. It is one of his friends who turns 50 today!

"Abraham & Sarah tradition when somebody turns 50. When somebody turns 50 in Holland people say that they have seen Abraham or Sarah. If it’s a man who turns 50 they say he has seen Abraham and when it’s a woman they say she has seen Sarah. To celebrate b0th birthdays the Dutch decorate the front yard of the house of this person and put an Abraham or a Sarah doll in their front yard. These dolls represent something that the birthday person is attached to or does. Like when somebody is a carpenter they dress up the Abraham doll as a carpenter. The front yard is mostly decorated by family members when the person who’s turning 50 is not around so it’s a surprise."--((source: TravBuddy))
In the case of this friend he has no big family so friends who made the doll and all.
We were there 15 minutes before midnight and silently place all the things infront of his house as you can see on the first pictures. And then exactly midnight began to sing Happy Birthday...

We went in and had a drink before heading back home.

Took another picture this morning... the friend next to the doll.

There will be lots of our friends celebrating this next year so there will be quite some parties/celebration.

Again, many many thanks for stopping by and all the lovely comments. All are very much appreciated. I hope you are all having a good week.

"My Little Heart SAL" & Lk stamp...

A couple of small finishes to show, Sylvia's SAL came out early last night so i was able to print it out and took with me at the other house and manage to finish at once. It's a pretty quick one and so cute!!



Also completed the September LK block earlier this week.



And see these goodies... thread, chart and aren't these fabrics gorgeous?!? I love them all!! Thanks so much, Anita.


I had a bit of stressful week, what with my father being so sickly at home so been calling almost everyday since last weekend. Yesterday, i was about to call again when i saw my mother came online so was able to chat through yahoo. One of my brother had installed a computer at my parents place lately and tried to teach Mom how to use it. With the help of our nieces and nephews they were able to chat with my sister in Canada too and was able to see her kids(through webcam). As of yesterday, father begins to feel better and started to eat something.

Aside from that, i've been dealing with the contractor, architect and then relay it all to hubby to finalize the papers for the renovations. This morning, i had signed in the papers and the Architect took it to the city hall. Luckily, my signature is enough otherwise it will have to wait till hubby gets home. Actually, this is the second time as the first one that was already approved by the city hall for the renovations(actually re-building a new house) was too expensive so we had to change the plans and just do some renovations but still need permit for it.

Time is up...better head off to the other house again (my third time today), Kids will be home soon for dinner.

As always, i really appreciate your visits on my blog and THANKS so much for taking the time to leave me a comment.
HAPPY WEEKEND TO AL!!!