Stolen Moments.

 Stolen Moments was the name on the box this jigsaw puzzle came in. I am renaming it Stolen Hours! I quite enjoy doing the occasional  jigsaw especially if it is a group activity, but this puzzle gave me little pleasure. I got persuaded to do it by 5 year old grandson who tried himself first and couldn't even complete the outside border. The picture is an Oil painting so NO straight edges. It is 1 of 3 in a Landscape  series . ( I must avoid the other 2 ) It was 1000 pieces. But I got 1001! ( I've never had an extra piece before - a duplicate )   ( Son gave me half an hour of his time and did a row across the sky - otherwise it was just me doing some every day )

 ( Published by Arrow in Australia www.mjm-australia.com    )    Made in China.

 I have now got my sewing back out! Hurrah!

 My hand sewing project is self designed inspired by a mandala in a colouring book. I know basically how I want it to look but am trialing parts as I go. Felt and cotton fabric all hand sewn. 

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 The grandsons spent time here on a very hot day so when the tide was in at our estuary water play and pretend fishing were good activities.

 Here smaller grandson (5)  just wants to get " accidently " wet. He is wearing gumboots!

 Bigger ( 8) grandson had new gumboots and decided not to fill his. Instead he practiced some poses on the jetty pile.

 

 

A closer View.

 

The colouring has been done by a 5 year old and an 85 year old and all others in between.

 ( click to enlarge ) It's not nearly as quick to fill up as I expected. 

It's 2024.

 Over the holiday time my sewing machine was put away in it's carrier bag in the hall cupboard because I wanted it's table space for other things.

 This is a paper table runner that is for colouring in.When unwrapped it is far longer than I envisaged. Everyone who comes to our house gets asked to do a little colouring. It started with smaller  Grandson and family 2 days before  Christmas day.

 Younger grandson and his Mum select their pencils from the new tin of coloured pencils ( I do love colours set out this way  be they cottons or paints or colour charts )

 It is longer than you can see here as it is rolled at the far end.

 It doesn't matter if it takes a long time. My aim is to later cut it up to use as Christmas [future } wrapping paper.

 On the other table this jigsaw got completed.

 R cut  us hard board  backing pieces that can be uplifted if the table space is needed. The boys have them at their house too.

 Lots of reading and playing Kubb has happened too. I'll make that another post.

Happy New Year to you All reading this.