Monday 23 June 2014

Flowers, A Dress, A Truck, and Water !

Hello everyone - I suppose the title could get your imagination going somewhat but basically this post is about my new camera with me supposedly at the helm, but since I don't really feel I've learned a great deal yet about all its workings then any idea of me being in command is sheer illusion - it's the camera that's in the driving seat! Of course the camera can do a perfectly good job by itself - unless I mess about too much with its buttons and bows .. .. .. .. 

However, I am going to show you what I've been up to just recently: this is the first Iris to peak out for us this season, and I love its delicate colours. I shot this just after the rain had stopped .. .. 

  
And a couple or so close-ups .. .. 



I have been busy sewing this past week but I can only show you one project as the other is a gift and I need to keep quiet for a couple of weeks!

I finally found a suitable fabric to make up into the 'Kate' dress, the pattern for which came to me as a lovely giveaway from Gilly  - thanks so much once again Gilly, I really enjoyed making this! Of course  if you compare the lovely versions over at Gillymakes with this one then you'll see that mine is a bit larger (make that wider!) as well as shorter for you will note that Gilly is gorgeously slim and a fair bit taller than me - I'm 5'1'' and not quite as slim as I used to be, nevertheless, this is a dress that is suitable for all sorts of body shapes and I've made mine to fit loosely and comfortably. By the way, I love the shape of the pockets although hubby doesn't like me to have pockets in my dresses for I have a habit of sticking my hands in them, which he thinks is not a good look! Tough! I LOVE pockets!


The fabric is a Japanese cotton lawn, very soft and kinda drapey and is a summer weight so, as we are in the midst of winter here and it has been very cold as well as wet, I am not modelling it for you, sorry! But you get the idea don't you - on its own for a warm day and with a skivvy underneath for the not-so-warm ones. These pics were taken with my point and shoot camera, just for comparison.

I have heard a few of you say that you haven't done much dressmaking and so I thought, whilst making up this dress, that it might be a good idea to offer a little tip that I've found useful over the years when one needs to fit sleeves and such like:


You see those two rows of larger than usual (gathering) stitches up there, well, when the pattern instructs you to do that and then tells you to fit that area evenly into a smaller designated space in the sleeve, or wherever, it is sometimes a bit tricky to keep the gathers even but, if you place a pin at each end of the gathered stitches then draw up the fabric to the correct width, you can then wind your threads around the outer pins to hold the gathers to that width while you distribute the fabric evenly. You see how I've figure-of-eight wound the thread round the pins? Yes, it wasn't showing very clearly so I used a turquoise colour just so it would be more noticeable for you. This really helps to keep things in place, as well as even. I hope I explained that clearly!


Recently when hubby and I were out having a drive around some of the back roads locally we came across a rusted out old truck in a paddock and since I didn't have the camera at the time we decided it was worth going back on a nice weather day to get a couple of shots:


And what do you think of the fancy little shed, don't you think that's cute?

The view below is in the same area - farm land, very pretty I think.



The next pics were taken in a picnic drive-in area on the other side of Albany:




And while I was messing around with settings on the camera this old guy came down the river in his canoe so, fair game, we'll 'shoot' him too!



And to finish once again, a couple of garden shots: a succulent, the name of which I have no idea, and my one and only camellia which has more blooms this year than ever, so I think it must like being where  we planted it after being in a big pot for years!



Thank you all for your very interesting and kind comments and a special hello to new followers - you are all most welcome and I'm very happy you're here!

Keep smiling and always be true to yourselves!

With my love,

Joy xoxo

75 comments:

  1. Excellent photo's Joy! You getting on very well with your camera. You been busy to knocking up a fabulous dress, I like the style and the pockets!!

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    1. Hello Joy, my, your comment came through almost as soon as I posted and as usual it's always so nice to hear from you, thank you, and I'm happy you like! xoJoy

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  2. Hello Joy! Loved seeing the cute little dress that you made. It turned out really well and, I think you're getting to grips very well with your new camera! Certainly had some lovely photographs to show us! Thank you!! xx

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    1. Hello Christine, thank you for your sweet comments! I must admit to getting a bit impatient with myself when I can't learn new things - like - er - yesterday, so I have to learn to go patiently one step at a time and be kind to myself!!! xoJoy

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  3. Hahaha...we are just a couple of camera nuts it seems. I love the scenes you are taking, it is funny how we all have different things we like to focus on. I am drawn to rusting and interesting things as well as dilapidated buildings....so much more interesting than straight clean new ones, Except if you have to live in them. Love the smock, loose tunic , dress too. Aren't husbands funny things, who would have thought pockets would be contentious? Mind you my husband doesn't like me getting cross with people but he can rant and rave until the sun sets! Doesn't stop me though!!!!! ;-)
    But I will keep it nice because I could never be cross at a fellow craft blogger as kind and gentle as you....even if you do stick your hands in your pockets......hahahahahaha.

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    1. You really are a card Susan! Yeah, so long as we don't have to live in the ramshackle places it's alright to enjoy photographing them! Aren't we so fortunate that our list of subjects to concentrate on is endless.
      I'm so relieved you are going to 'keep it nice' for I would hate for you to start ranting and raving at me - and I WILL stick my hands in my pockets and be happy doing it, so there haha!!! You have yourself a great week shooting everything in sight, xoJoy

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  4. Hi Joy, You did have me wondering with your title! Love all your photo shots, the Iris is so pretty. Love the delicate colors along with the water droplets! Your dress is super and I love the pockets and I'm with you TOOO BaD : ) Aren't we rebels! hahaha Gorgeous photos of the farm and picnic area. You live in a lovely area. Have a wonderful week Joy, xoRobin

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    1. Hiya Robin, love your message - yeah, of course we're rebels, we have to be don't we! I'm glad you like the dress, I'm looking forward to better weather so I can wear it but may be waiting awhile yet - we've had some terrible rain and cold these past few days, really stormy! Thanks for being here Robin, happy days to you, xoJoy

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  5. Hello Joy, wow what gorgeous Iris and the photo fantastic after the rain. Your dress is very pretty indeed and I love the pockets. Neat photos of the old rusty truck and the guy fishing. Your garden flowers are always lovely to see. Hugs Judy

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    1. Hello Judy, it's always so lovely to see you here, and thank you for your very kind message! I really enjoy close-ups with flowers and it's a real challenge to get that detail. I hope your week is a really good one, xoJoy

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  6. I love your photos of the river Joy, it looks beautiful indeed. From looking at these photos, it seems that you and your camera are getting along just fine, whoever is in charge it doesn't matter with results like this! I hope that you love wearing your dress and putting your hands in your pockets!! xx

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    1. Thanks so much Amy, and yes, I will enjoy those pockets regardless! We do have some lovely places within quite close proximity where we can relax - and picnic if we choose - but just to enjoy nature is such a blessing is it not!xoJoy

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  7. Your dress is lovely and such a good tip. Iris was the name of my late mother in law and your pictures of your beautiful ones are great .
    You certainly live in such a lovely area . Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Love Linda

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    1. Thank you Linda - I hope the tip was helpful for a few people - simple enough but for beginners I think every little bit helps. The name 'Iris' always strikes me as being very elegant, like the flower. xoJoy

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  8. Oh wow your photo's are amazing Joy, the Iris ones are stunning, thank you for sharing and do keep them coming I love looking at photo's. Your dress is lovely and looks like a comfy dress to wear, I love pockets too you never know when they might come in useful. :) xx

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    1. How lovely of you Linda, thank you so much! I really enjoyed playing with the camera and using the Iris as my subject, there's so much to them. xoJoy

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  9. It looks like you're really getting the hang of your new camera. The dress is beautiful, you did a great job with it and I am sure it looks lovely on you.

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    1. Very nice to have your kind comments Jennifer, thank you! xoJoy

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  10. Your new photos turned out lively! Am so glad you are enjoying and using your new camera to such good effect. The dress is sweet. I live the fabric as it sounds perfect for a hot day. I too live pockets. There is nothing worse than not having at least one, use able picket in a cherished garment :-)

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    1. Hello Joyful and thank you for being so kind! I feel quite lost without a pocket, I mean, women NEED pockets for all sorts of things. Don't be concerned about the typos - I have battles with auto check too and sometimes the message has gone before I realise it has substituted a word that's totally out of synch with what I'm saying - silly thing it is! xoJoy

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  11. Sorry for the typos...it's the auto check.

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  12. Your pics are just lovely, Joy - isn't it fun to play around with your new toy! And I love the fabric you picked for your Kate dress - you did a great job, well done. I'm with you on the pocket thing too though - they just always come in so handy!
    Have a happy week,
    xx

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    1. Thanks Gilly and yes, it's a whole lot of fun but a little bit stressful too cause I'm not taking in the info re the camera's workings quite as quickly as I'd like! Impatient me! I really enjoyed making up the dress and will go again - it's a great pattern with such straightforward instructions, thank you! xoJoy

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  13. Your photos look great, you are putting your new camera to good use. I love the fabric you picked to make your dress, it looks great!

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    1. Thanks so much Joanne, I'm having good times and hope you are too! xoJoy

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  14. Out of this world photos today Joy, and I have fitted one sleeve in a dress today and will do the other one tomorrow - good tip. I think you will get a lotof wear out of that dress, the fabric is so ditsy. Jo x

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    1. Aw that's lovely of you Jo, thank you!
      Sleeves can be a pain at times but I guess, like with most things - the more we do the better we become at it. Enjoy your sewing Jo, I'll pop over and have a look soon. xoJoy

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  15. Oh such lovely photos Joy, and your Kate dress is very sweet...I love the fabric you have chosen too.
    Pockets are so useful whether they're for hands, tissues, dog biscuits, seeds, shells.... :-)
    Tracey xxx

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    1. Hiya Tracey, thank you for your kindness!
      We just MUST have pockets, the vote is unanimous, haha! xoJoy

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  16. Beautiful photographs. I really like Japanese fabrics, such fine quality. Maybe I should start dressmaking again !
    www.thequietstitcher.com

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    1. Thanks Jacky! I hadn't done any dressmaking for a while - it's nice to get back into it, as long as the clothes fit after going through the process! xoJoy

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  17. Hello Joy, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful pictures. I love your Japenese fabric especially the colours, and what beautiful flowers. Thank you for your get well wishes, they are very much appreciated.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    1. It's so good to hear from you Irene, thank you, and I wish you full and steady recovery.
      xoJoy

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  18. Lovely post Joy. Those flowers are just beautiful and your photos are gorgeous. Your dress is fantastic! I like putting my hands in my pockets too...and the pockets on your Kate dress are extremely pretty with the lovely little trim. Wishing you a great week!
    Marianne x

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    1. Thank you Marianne, I'm glad you like them - I'm looking forward to some nice weather so I can wear the dress! xoJoy

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  19. I really love the dress Joy, its lovely. I really ought to try and make myself some dresses, you can get some gorgeous fabrics.I suppose for me its all down to time and lack of it! I knit so much because I can carry it around with me and do the odd row here and there.

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    1. Thank you Anne, I'm glad you like the dress and yes, there are some gorgeous fabrics around but again, it's taking the time to find them …. knitting is so easy to pick up and put down as you go, enjoy! xoJoy

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  20. I like the flower pictures! Have fun learning the ropes with your new camera- I'm finding out that it can be pretty addictive!

    Jen xx

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    1. Oh thank you Jen, like you, I'm enjoying the new camera - and the challenges involved in learning how it works, and isn't it fun! xoJoy

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  21. I love your dress, you did a great job and it looks very much like Gilly's so fantastic. Love the truck and all the beautiful flowers, you are blessed to live in a gorgeous area.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Hello lovely Meredith, I hope all is well with you and thank you for your sweet message, it's always great to hear from you. xoJoy

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  22. I see you're having marvellous fun with your new camera and trying out new ways of using it! I like your shots of the rusty truck and the water!

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    1. Hello Sandra, and thank you - I am enjoying the challenge! xoJoy

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  23. Hello lovely Joy! Your photos are beautiful, it looks like you are really getting to grips with your new camera. Your new dress is lovely, I love the pockets too :) xx

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    1. Thank you so much Elisabeth, I'm having good times and it's lovely to hear you also are a pocket lover! xoJ

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  24. Joy! I enjoyed seeing your lovely photos, too. My mom had beds of iris, and I can remember them glisten after a shower of rain as you so beautifully showed. I lived near Albany, NY, and now I live near Albany, OR. I love knowing you live near an Albany, too :) I have not tried machine sewing in years, but I appreciate the tip you shared and hopefully will remember it if I ever sew sleeves again. If my clothes have pockets in them my hands and other things find their way into them...like the other day when I put a dry piece of gum in my dress pocket and then washed the dress...waaa xx

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    1. Dear Gracie, I'm so happy you appreciate my Iris pics, thank you, I was rather pleased with them too. Isn't it rather intriguing that 'Albany' keeps cropping up in your life, another lovely connection. Oh dear, I bet you had fun, not, with that piece of gum - I won't think too long on that one for it's bad enough getting that stuff underfoot and, oh, I seem to remember way back having to cut some out of a child's hair, haha, but not funny at the time I'm sure you'd agree! Take care and keep the good times rolling, xoJoy

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  25. Your photos are beautiful Joy what a wonderful post.

    Hugs Diane

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    1. Thank you so much Diane, I really appreciate hearing from you. xoJ

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  26. You are clearly getting the hang of your camera Joy, lovely pictures.
    I love your dress, and I'm with you with pockets - so useful :)

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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    1. Many thanks and I'm happy to add you to the list of pocket lovers - we just have to have them don't we! xoJ

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  27. Magnififique! Quelle joie de découvrir votre blog. Merci à Ladybird!
    Lucie xxx

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  28. Love it Joy. Will be visiting Gilly, for that pattern! ! It's beautiful and looks so comfortable, great for the studio. Looks like you live in a beautiful place.
    Kel x
    (P.s what's a skivvy!?! In Yorkshire it is someone you use to do all your fetching and carrying!!!!)

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    1. I'm happy you like it so much Kel and I'm sure you'll enjoy making it, over and over again!
      BTW a skivvy is a sort of teeshirt but with long sleeves - I didn't think that perhaps others wouldn't know of that garment - that's quite amusing really for in Scotland we were familiar with the word in that other context too!!! xoJoy

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  29. Love your dress Joy, I might make some thing like that with some gorgeous material I picked up at the Hospice Op shop this week. Your photos of the river are beautiful, but I love the truck best. Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you Zana, I am glad you like the dress - it's a great style and could be made in a variety of fabric-weights for different seasons. That river area is rather special and I have photographed there in the past with my 'point and shoot' but these recent shots really proved to me that the new camera has been a great investment - I'm happy! xoJoy

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  30. What a treat of a post Joy, full of beautiful things. I love the dress, both the fabric and the style. The pockets are delightful and really make it, I think. That farmland is so perfectly rural, and so different to what we see here in the UK, and I love the colour and texture that the rusted truck and barn add to the landscape. I tend to keep my camera on "automatic" when I'm out and about, it's so much easier, but it is fun playing around with the settings. x

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    1. Aw Gillian, you're so kind, thank you! I really appreciate all you've said and when it comes to 'the camera', although I've been doing exercises around home and learning lots about its workings, I think I will feel more comfortable on 'automatic' whilst out and about, for a while anyway, and so will just take things easy and not rush it. xoJoy

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  31. I think you've got a pretty good handle on the new camera already Joy.. Beautiful images and reflections.. The macros are fab. I'm with you on the pocket thing, its always a bonus for me if a top or dress has pockets, so handy for lens caps etc. AND cold hands :) Your Camellia is too gorgeous.

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    1. Grace, thanks so much for such kind comments, especially regarding the macros which I really get a kick out of. I'm happy to learn you are another pocket lover - where would we be without them, I ask you; and the things is - men ALWAYS have pockets don't they AND they stick their hands in them too, so what's the difference anyway …… Have a lovely Sunday, xoJoy

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  32. Just doing some blog catchup and realised you'd done a couple of posts since I last looked.
    Isn't it great having a new camera. I really enjoy my bigger one, which is great when we are out in the countryside. I love seeing your scenery in the west as I've never been further than Ceduna. All you new makes are lovely. Take care.

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    1. Hello again Susan, thank you for popping in and I hope all is well with you. I agree, it is really good having a new camera and feeling that extra touch of excitement when learning its workings and ways - lots of fun! Have a good week, xoJoy

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  33. Lovely photos, Joy, you are getting on so well with your new camera! I love the raindrops on the iris, very beautiful. Your dress is lovely, and I do love some pockets too. Enjoy your week and taking more photos...you have lots of inspiration where you are! Love the rusted out old truck and the exotic flowers as subjects :)
    Helen xox

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    1. I really appreciate having your encouraging message Helen, thank you! Another tick for pockets in dresses too and I'm super pleased to like the iris pics - I really enjoy capturing macros. Happy week to you, xoJoy

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  34. Well Hello Joy!
    How are you? I hope you are well. I have finally got a new laptop. I am slowly but surely getting up to date with everything.
    Well your photos with your new camera are lovely, the iris with the rain drops is so pretty.
    Is there no end to your talents! dress making now, love it by the way and layering it with top under looks great.
    I am a complete beginner when it comes to sewing but like to have a go now and then. Keep the pockets!! I love a pocket too.
    Your so lucky to live somewhere with so many brilliant photo ops really like the rusted truck.
    Hope you enjoy a lovely week FB xx

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    1. Hey FB, so good to hear from you and I'm so happy for you that you got your new laptop - there'll be no stopping you now, although I know it does take time to catch up .. the posts keep coming and its difficult to get ahead of them.
      Thank you for all the kind things you've said and I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I should say that, although I haven't really posted about any dressmaking before, I have been doing it forever just not much in recent times but this pattern has got me in the mood again.
      Lovely week to you too sweet FB - exciting times for you, xoJoy

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  35. Hi Joy

    Hi Joy - lovely photos!

    I just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for a Liebster award as I simply love reading your blog and looking at all your gorgeous pictures. I see now that you already have one! Anyway more info is on my blog, including a bit about http://zanashomemade.blogspot.co.uk/ who kindly nominated me. Thanks for all your support and kindness - hope you are having a great summer so far xxx

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    1. Hello Lovely, and thank you so much for your friendly and thoughtful compliment which I really do appreciate but, as you then spotted, I have already been awarded a Liebster and feel I must decline your sweet offer of another: please don't be offended!xo
      If you care to check my sidebar you can click on 26/8/13 - Liebster Blog Award - and read up on what took place at that time.
      I am really touched by your kindness and thank you sincerely - I consider it an honour that you would want to award me this tribute, thank you! xo
      We are in the midst of winter at this time but yesterday was so unseasonably warm one could be forgiven for thinking we were in the midst of summer - back to rain today and heavy dark skies but that's alright too. Happy week to you lovely, xoJoy

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    2. Hi Joy

      I am not remotely offended! Although you haven't accepted (for very understandable reasons), the recommendation will remain on my blog as a token of my appreciation for the lovely welcome you have given me and all the pleasure I have had from reading your blog. Glad you have seen a ray of sunshine in the middle of winter - here, we are having our first decently hot summer in about 3 years; it's wonderful! Hope you have a wonderful week too!

      H xxx

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    3. You are so kind and understanding, thank you H!
      Enjoy your summer while you have it, the sunshine is very therapeutic, xoJoy

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  36. Hi Joy you really seem to be having fun with the camera and so we continue to enjoy glimpses of Australia! We'll done on the dress- my mom was a needlework teacher and she taught me the same trick on gathering the sleeves :-). It looks a lot warmer on your side of the Southern Hemisphere than ours. Have a lovely weekend xx

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    1. I really am enjoying the camera Leeanne, and becoming more attuned to it as I put in the practise. I appreciate your lovely comments thank you - oh and the sewing tip - I have always found that particular one to be very beneficial - sleeves can be a bit tricky can't they.
      Our weather is now cold again after having a couple of rather warm and definitely unseasonal days. Enjoy your weekend too xoJ

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  37. Oh my what have I been missing, loving your pretty dress. It seems the dress making bug has taken us all by storm. Beautiful job lovely Joy! xoxo

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    1. Hey Hannapat, I'm glad you like the dress and I'm happy you are busy putting one together also. Enjoy it, I'm sure it'll be gorgeous, xoxo

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