"The Craft Group" plus...

In the past... I have been to Europe. I have been to Canada. I have seen some of Australia. But... I have never really had the desire to go to any Asian destination for more than a stop over. Then, our daughter decided she wanted to live and teach in Southern Asia. So... after 9 months of her moving there, my husband and I went for 3 weeks to visit her in the Himalayas. What a fascinating experience! We are back. She is still there.   I am very thankful for modern forms of communication. There are so many stories to tell but seeing as you are all my craft friends, I will share some crafty photos... There was folk art on every single building. A newly built apartment block was being built near our daughters place. We loved watching the men perched on the bamboo scaffolding painting all the amazing designs for weeks on end.  We went to a paper making factory.  We watched women weaving scarves. We saw hand woven yak w...

Yes, I am still alive! Life has been busy in the last few weeks. Mark's sister and husband are in Australia from Canada for a 4 week visit. We had some lovely days with them in the Blue Mountains and in beautiful Sydney....and a full family reunion with all the relos soon. We had 50 teens here for Miss 16's 16th birthday party. Lots of fun. Then Miss 16 got a part time job, a bank account AND her learners drivers licence. Wow, turning 16 is a big thing! Mr 19 passed his driving test and is now able to drive on his own. Hmm, we have to share a car again. Miss 23 came back from her 6 weeks in South Asia (but wants to go back and live there for a few years!) :)  :(   It is her birthday today! We are going out for lunch. She says she wants a steak. No curry. We went to pick her up from the airport. In the one hour we were away from our cars, some "person" stole all Mr 21's carpentry tools. $3000 worth. How ironic. We were SO happy that our daughter was sa...

OK, it's time for a lovely story. Once upon a time, Joan made a pretty peg apron for a friend. One day in central Queensland, a lady called Queenie happened to be looking at our blog. She liked the apron and emailed me to ask if we sell them. Joan was flattered that someone liked her handiwork but wasn't looking for a new career in selling her creations. To cut a long story short, Joan was happy to make an apron for our new Northern blog friend. Queenie did request that white was not so practical on their rural property, so this was Joan's new creation... Joan didn't want any money for it so "The Craft Group" paid Joan and we sent it with a few other little gifts to Queenie for nix.  Would she like the new funky print?  Would she think we are strange for asking her to take a photo of her wearing the apron at her clothesline?  Would she be offended by the great little recipe book we sent her which also contained the great news of Jesus...

What a morning we had yesterday! At The Craft Group we hosted our annual "Cancer Council Morning Tea" as part of the big Australian wide fundraising project, the Biggest Morning Tea . We did some Craft, then we had some announcements. Then Pam introduced her ex neighbour who is fighting a pretty big battle at the moment with Cancer. Bec was coming home from hospital yesterday and is really not well.  We couldn't ask her to come and speak but we still were encouraged by her. We watched a You Tube clip made by her church. It is just Bec talking and sharing where she sees "Home" to be. It's only 5 minutes long and is really worth watching... Click HERE to watch it. Then we read out an email Bec sent to me the other day. She said how much Psalm 139 meant to her lately. (I've added it below). If you are reading this Bec.... thanks for sharing your Hope with us. It was very touching and helps put life into perspective. It is really all about ...

How exciting is a new baby! We get to see little Baby Trinity now at The Craft Group when she comes with her Mum, Nadia. And soon... Lydia's baby is going to come and say hello. We are so excited for her and Simon. ALL babies are an exciting miracle from God. But when you had to wait 10 years for the little one to become a reality,  there is definitely an extra buzz! Can't wait to meet you Little One in the next few weeks!

In June, I wrote a tribute to my husband's mother as it was her 90th birthday. Today I want to repeat the post. In the early hours of this morning, her Lord called her home and she passed away from this life. I cannot separate 'death' froom 'God'. Our relationship, or lack of relationship with Him all comes to a climax, a final point, setting our eternal destiny. Mark's Mum, Mary knew God.  She walked with Him and talked with Him and trusted Him throughout her life. She knew the sacrifices made by Jesus were for her and she claimed them. She is with Him now! Jesus said himself in John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me (God)  has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to  life." I am not saying she is in Heaven because of anything good she ever did. She is there because of what Jesus did for her. An important detail Jesus reminds us about over and ...

My lovely friend Jenni actually made me a quilt! How special is that and so humbling... to have someone spend so much time making something especially for me! It was for my new decade birthday and was very much appreciated! The quilt is a summary of my family. click here to see all the panels and meet my embroidered family.

A few weekends ago, I attended a conference for women called "EQUIP". It was fantastic! Just as an aside, I go there every year to be the hostess for the ladies from the deaf community who come each year. The conference arranges for 3 sign language interpreters to come along who take turns to interpret all the talks, announcements, songs and interviews. I have the lovely privalege of chatting to the ladies (yes, I know sign language from years ago when I worked as a youth and family counsellor for The Deaf Society). I catch up with my deaf friends there and have lunch with them overlooking Cockle Bay at the lovely Darling Harbour. We catch up about the year and talk about the presentations we have just seen. It's a great day. Anyway, back to what I was going to tell you. During the conference, they showed a video interview of the 2011 winner of Master Chef, Kate Bracks and her sister, Emma. It is really worth seeing. Grab yourself a cuppa and enjoy! Check it out by cl...

Not to detract from my lovely female friends but I was thinking today that my husband is my best friend. What made me think of this? This GORGEOUS conversation I had today at school while I was outside on playground duty... I was having a lovely chat with a boy in grade 4 about nothing much and then he pointed to the other side of the playground. Mr 9 years old: Hey look! See that girl running there with the red ribbon? That's my girlfriend. Me: That's nice that she is your friend. You don't have to call her your 'girlfriend', she is just your friend.             It's OK to have friends that are girls too. Mr 9 years old: No, she is my girlfriend. (sad face) She said she didn't want to be my friend. Me: ?

Unfortunately I can't blog about about everyone at "The Craft Group's" special celebrations. There are many lovely milestones happening all the time, but I can mention this one because it is my Mum and Dad :) John and Wil recently celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary.  Congratulations Mum and Dad! Mum is always there at "The Craft Group", helping out wherever she can and making people feel welcome. Dad is like the secret elf that comes early every thursday morning and sets out all the chairs and tables for 50 of us to do craft at! Aren't parents the best? Thanks Mum and Dad! Here is the card I made for them (with embroidery thread and a nice sticker). I have made a few of this design because I say 'when you are on to a good thing, stick to it!' Although I must admit I am not a card making guru like Mum is!

Valda. You do usually make LOVELY things. But this one maybe isn't one of your best projects. But even when something doesn't work out quite right, there is always a handy hint that we can learn from those who have gone before us. Click on "Read more" to see Valda's latest.