The Barn Girls - www.ongiles.co.nz

ROAD TRIP.

2012-02-22T23:54:00.001-08:00

KAIKOURA COAST.... sea so calm and thank goodness as I,m not a good boatie.

KEKERUNGHU... THE BEST SEAFOOD CHOWDER, SERVED IN A COB OF BREAD.... YUMMY.
( Must check placename spelling. )

12.51pm,FEBRUARY 2012,..waiting to board the Picton/Wellington ferry and observing the 2 minutes silence to remember the loss of lives and the tragic consequences of that dreadful day.We will always remember and this will make us strong to help Christchurch rebuild and be the lovely city that we loved and where we chose to live and make our home.Thoughts are with you all.

QE 2 Heading out of Wellington, enroute to Port Chalmers, Dunedin. It made the ferry look very small.

TURQUOISE.... JACKSON STREET, PETONE.

2012-02-22T23:31:00.002-08:00

I got some lovely treasures here and it is a lovely shop to visit .

SWEETPEA..... DEVINE GIRLY CAFE...A MUST TO VISIT.

2012-02-22T23:23:00.000-08:00

I,m on holiday and downloading each day and will blog more about this GREAT cafe when I get back home.

A BARNGIRL ( SHIRLEY ) AND VANESSA ( TWO SQUIRRELS )

2012-02-22T23:22:00.000-08:00

2012-02-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, this will tempt you to get onto some sewing projects. We have vintage fabric, galore, for anything you wish to create.Plus, there is gorgeous cushion covers already made for those of you who wish to do cafe time instead of sew.

2012-02-05T01:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, now it is looking a lot better and it will be business tomorrow. See you all then.

2012-02-05T01:41:00.001-08:00

Still more chaos.

2012-02-05T01:41:00.000-08:00

UTTER CHAOS. A great day in The Barn, Saturday and all our big pieces of furnituresold. Not complaining as a revamp was in order so I started that today and i,m about halfway.The Barn will be open Waitangi Day if you wish to visit and browse.

2011-12-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

WOW,Two blogs in one day. Thought you might like to see some treasures that I,m putting on Trademe tonight. KAURI DRESSER, WHITE DRESSER,GORGEOUS VINTAGE TRUNK,BALLERINA CURTAINS,LIBRARY CURTAINS, GIRLY PINK CURTAINS,VINTAGE BARKCLOTH CURTAINS, BARKCLOTH CHINOSIERE CUSHION COVERS, FABULOUS PINK SANDERSON COVERS AND A VERY VINTAGE WHITE AND GILT MIRROR.I know the website says we are closed but that,s not true and if there is anything you are interested in or something you may think we can source for you , please send an email and we will try and help.Website problems are hopefully being sorted now and I will be very happy when they are.

2011-12-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Storm always seems to find a new place to sleep.Obviously ,this is nice and warm. Of course, here is some more garden pics and as you have probably gathered, I love my garden.

BARN STOCK.

2011-11-28T00:14:00.000-08:00

Just a peep at some Barn stock. Each week new items are put out, so please come and visit or email me.

2011-11-27T01:40:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that it has been nearly 2 months since I last blogged. Busy, is the understatement.Hopefully now I can have the time to touch base regularly.
The Ohoka Garden Tour last weekend was amazing.. beautiful hot day, great comments on the garden and the icing on the cake was that The Barn did a roaring trade.Thanks to Shirley,Jan, Carol and Kaye who did a great job and made it possible for me to sneak away and visit some of the other gardens on the tour.See you Monday.

SORRY .. IT,S BEEN AWHILE.

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend and it is great to be open again.Thank you to all who came, especially old customers.

OPENING TOMORROW... FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER.

2011-09-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Still things to do but we are open for business tomorrow and then our hours will be Thursday through to Sunday, 11am > 4pm.Other times by appointment.See you all soon.... THE BARN GIRLS.

2011-09-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

A BLANK WHITE CANVAS .... TOMORROW I WILL BEGIN TO PUT OUT STOCK AND BE READY FOR SEPTEMBER 30 OPENING. I CAN,T WAIT AS IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG.

BARN REOPENING...........

2011-09-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

AFTER A YEAR THE BARN WILL BE REOPENING, FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER AND WILL BE OPEN...THURSDAY >>>>> SUNDAY, 11AM > 4PM.
EVERYBODY WELCOME.

2011-09-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

This very trendy pink reindeer was given to me by Shirley [ Barngirl ] who viewed the latest Xmas decorations being unpacked in David Jones, Sydney. Yes, now is the time to start that Xmas shopping list.
THE BARN on GILES reopens on Friday September, 30 and is the perfect place to start your Xmas shop, especially if vintage, shabby chic, etc., is what you are after. mark your diary and we will see you soon.
I made this set of cushions for a friend who is organising her house for sale. They are made from a vintage satin/barkcloth [ beautiful fabric ] and the heart is vintage velvet, of course.Her bedroom is white so these will give her a little burst of colour.

YOUR HOME & GARDEN..October issue...

2011-09-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

Great PR for The Barn, Please read the article on Kerry Devine and her husband, Dean, page 94 > 101. Kerry is very talented and we have sold her screen printed wall art here at The Barn. However, it was very exciting to see so many treasures which Kerry has in her house that she has bought here at The Barn. In one photo she is sitting on a gorgeous retro daybed which Natalie[a barngirl] recovered not long after The Barn was born.

MY MUM [ 88 ],WORLD CUP RUGBY MATCH,DUNEDIN.

2011-09-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

My dear mum had an amazing night at the rugby after we got tickets for her and Michael to go to the England/ Argentina match in the new Stadium in Dunedin. Mum is an avid sports fan and this surely was a highlight. They had great seats,right on halfway and a fantastic view of the game.

2011-09-05T02:55:00.000-07:00

2011-09-05T02:54:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet blog tonight. Outside wall finished and 75% of inside done, so on the home straight now. Should be painting at the weekend.

2011-09-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

These two dresses are made from old maps. The pink one is from a streetmap of Paris and the other is of Rome. Anne Wilson does this incredible art and I have had these on my to buy list for sometime.Yeah, another box ticked.

2011-09-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

SMALL ACORNS...... My favourite shop in Wellington. This was my first place to visit when we went to Wellington last week. Just so much gorgeous stuff. my best buy was two ANN WILSON paper dresses.Will post a photo tonight when I have hung them up. Harriet who served us was such a sweetie and very helpful and a Cantabrian as well.
The vibrancy of the fabrics etc., are amazing and this shop is a must if you are in Wellington.

Wearable art in Kirk,s window... made with icing and meringues.

TSB Arena... WOW venue.
Also a must to see .. Cable Car.

2011-09-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

VANESSA, ME, WARREN.
Vanessa with the a gorgeous dress rescued from their shop after the quake.

2011-09-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

An amazing day for Warren and Vanessa as they reopen TWO SQUIRRELS at their home in Rangiora. When I called they were busy and I wish them well as we all need to get back to a normal life such as we once had.

PROGRESS AND PROJECT.......

2011-08-25T02:41:00.000-07:00

Some gorgeous sanderson rabbit cushions that I,ve been doing while trying to get rid of this flu. It is still lingering and i,m sick of it. But life goes on and we,re off to the World of Wearable Art in Wellington next week and no flu will stop me seeing that. In fact it,s a hectic time... Michael has surgery Friday so I,ll be holding the fort and hoping no lambs pose problems. The weather has been amazing lately and just a few more days and yeah.... SPRING.
As you can see the barn only has a small section of boards left to be replaced and that will be completed when we get back from Wellington. Opening getting closer.

The flu is still in charge....

2011-08-23T01:58:00.000-07:00

Michael is feeling a little better and has started putting the new boards on the outside of The Barn.Dam the flu and snow as that has held us up but we should be paintingin about a week.
Kathryn, our gardener gave the Wedding Day rose a number 1, which was way overdue.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

2011-08-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

Once more I have been confined indoors again and hoping this flu will disappear as quick as the Telecom ad.At least I,ve been able to stock up on the cushion cover stock but I would prefer to be out in The Barn, sorting.
My heart goes out to the families who have got the news today that their home is in the red zone. Kaiapoi will rebuild and be a better town for it.

GOING BATTS ......

2011-08-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

Today the back wall got lined with batts... another step closer. Hopefully, by the time this weather clears up ,I will be over the flu and can flick some paint around and then start to get the stock back in.I,m confined to barracks at present but managing to get quite a lot of sewing done.

GORGEOUS FABRIC.

2011-08-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

I thought that I had dodged catching the flu off Michael but my luck looks like it has run out. My throat is sore and my body is aching. So this afternoon I have busied myself with cutting out some cushion covers so I will have plenty of stock when The Barn reopens. I have a huge fabric stash and it is hard to make a decision as to what one I will cut.However, I do intend to reduce my hoard , which people who know me will find hard to believe.
These pics are just a small part of collection.

STORM.... What a hard life.. NOT.

2011-08-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

She has been out playing in the snow, then came in and had some food and is now enjoying a nana nap.

CUTE BIRDHOUSES.

2011-08-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

SNOW RAKING!!!!!

2011-08-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

Have been out raking snow off hedges, rhodos, camellia,s etc., as the snow is so heavy and was breaking branches and the hedges were bending right over and they get so out of shape.Cold work but a stunning landscape.

SEAT ANYONE...

2011-08-15T17:39:00.001-07:00

SEAT ANYONE..

2011-08-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

SEAT ANYONE..

2011-08-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Another dump of snow....

2011-08-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

A very, very cold day with snow, hail and very cold winds.... so no work on The Barn today. This cold snap is forecast for a little longer so we will need some patience till it passes and work can begin again.

Just another few weeks...

2011-08-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

YES, Just another few weeks and The Barn will be open.With all the insulation, etc., being put in, it is our intention to then be able to operate all year. Next winter there will be a heatpump so you can all come in from the cold.

Cats,,, the best judges of the weather.

2011-08-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

My 3 furries all snug and warm.On these cold days, they don,t venture out too much.

STORM... unwanted by her owner.

2011-08-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Storm has lived here since August, 2002 after her owner left her and 2 other cats to board here at Snuggle Inn and never came back too collect them. I rehomed the other 2 with cattery clients and Storm got to stay here. She is a gorgeous little chinchillaX and of late has taking a liking to sleeping on the laptop... not a good idea, so making sure it is off and the top closed is essential.

ANOTHER STEP CLOSER....

2011-08-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

Even though he has the flu, Michael managed to get this window in today and for his effort is enjoying a hot toddy concocted by me.There,s too much work to do, so he has to get better real soon.

HELLEBORES....

2011-08-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

Double hellebores.... one of many treasures in the garden. Another bright garden spot to keep us amused till spring arrives.

EVERGREEN CLEMATIS... A CUTIE.

2011-08-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

A sweet little evergreen clematis which is growing up the barn and it is great to have these cute little flowers at this gloomy time of year.

ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO OPENING.

2011-08-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

One of 2 windows being put in, with the other going in tomorrow. The extra light that they give will be wonderful.Then the next step is all new outside boards, then the batts and gibboard.A couple of coats of paint... then in with the stock.

BARN REPAIRS UNDERWAY.

2011-08-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wow... at long last our holidays are over and repairs on The Barn can be done. Insulation, new exterior walls and best of all a floor that doesn,t move and squeak. Well that,s the plan.The Barn should be opening very soon and so to everyone, especially the ones who have phoned enquiring, we will advertise the opening date and will also blog it.
Sorting everything will be major but we will get there, Till then, everyone take care.

OHOKA GARDEN TOUR 2011.

2011-08-02T02:30:00.000-07:00

So excited as yesterday I was asked if I would put my garden on the 2011 tour. Today I accepted so it is all go to get the garden looking great and to also finish fixing The Barn. All will be done for November 20.

2011-07-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

2011-07-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

The Garden Gate.

2011-07-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

AUTUMN HARVEST.. QUINCES.

2011-07-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

This year the quince tree had a bumper crop .

AUTUMN..

2011-07-23T02:06:00.000-07:00

Such a late season for the garden and it was so unusual to still have so much flowering in the garden.

2011-07-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

Vegetable garden and the hopvine.

Late July .. Garden.

2011-07-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

PERTH

2011-07-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

THE BARN.. REPAIRS.

2011-07-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

THE BARN.. REPAIRS.

2011-07-23T00:27:00.000-07:00

HOLIDAY,GARDEN, THE BARN .

2011-07-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Time has passed by so fast but I,ve made myself promise to do an update regularly.Today, was a bitterly cold, grey day but I ventured out for a stroll around my garden to see what is in bloom. The weather forcast for the next few days is dreadful with snow forecast and in general just normal winter temperatures. We have been very, very lucky as up till now the winter has been mild and we are thankful for that as Canterbury has had enough coping with the earthquakes, etc., but that luck has run out.

The cattery and kennels are extremely busy and Michael hasn,t been able to get on with fixing the barn floor which was damaged in the Feb quake. Hopefully, He will get it done over the next month in between working at the kennels, lambing and having a break in Perth, visiting family. We hope to have it finished for opening in September. I,m amazed at the people calling in to visit The Barn and when speaking to them it seems that besides retail therapy, they are getting a break from the sights of the quake and to relax and forget for awhile. I went over to Perth and the Gold Coast so have included some pics of an amazing helicopter flight I had over Perth and down to Fremantle. After being in Perth for a week I headed for the last week to stay with a friend of mine [ Robina ] and as only girls can do, we shopped. It was great but it was also good to get home.

I,ve now caught up with all the news and have spent time today cutting out fabric for cushions, etc. so when the time permits I can sew them up and have a backup of cushions for when The Barn reopens. Over the next week I have a IT person coming to help me get it right uploading stock onto the online shop, so hopefully you,ll see plenty of product for sale next week.

Photos also of blooms sighted in the garden today, hellebores, snowdrops, earlicheer, camellias, perennial wallflower,daphne, wintersweet, viburnum.

JUNE 14

2011-06-19T01:52:00.000-07:00

MY 44TH BIRTHDAY WAS THE DAY AFTER THE LATEST QUAKE SO I HAD NO DESIRE TO GO OUT FOR DINNER; SITTING IN A RESTAURANT DIDN'T FILL ME WITH WARM FUZZIES. WE STAYED HOME & HAD LOVELY INDIAN TAKEAWAYS WITH MUM & MICHAEL FOLLOWED BY DELICIOUS CHOCCY CAKE A LA MUM.

MY HUSBAND MIKE BOUGHT ME GORGEOUS FLOWERS (YES, THEY'RE ORANGE, SHIRLEY!!!), MY TEENAGE SON BOUGHT ME GARDEN VOUCHERS & A WHITE CYCLAMEN (WHICH LOOKS DELIGHTFUL IN A VINTAGE SILVER POSY CUP) & MUM & MICHAEL BOUGHT ME THE BESTEST MOST GORGEOUS BOOK I HAVE BEEN COVETING - TRICIA GOULD'S LATEST - LOVE LOVE LOVE DESIGNERS GUILD.

I ALSO DECIDED WE NEEDED A SHOT OF ORANGE IN OUR KITCHEN SO PAINTED SOME LETTERS I HAD FROM OUR PREVIOUS HOME & ATTACHED THEM TO THE PANTRY DOOR, SORRY SHIRLEY.

JUNE????

2011-06-19T01:37:00.000-07:00

HOW CAN THIS BE............OLD AGE, AGING DISGRACEFULLY, OR IS IT JUST THAT THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON IN OUR LIVES AT PRESENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY SLACK IN COMMUNICATING VIA THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BLOGS?
IT'S NOW JUNE, CHRISTCHURCH HAS SUFFERED ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE LAST WEEK BUT WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THAT OUR HOME IS UNDAMAGED. THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE HAVEN'T SUSTAINED BREAKAGES & FURNITURE DAMAGE FROM ITEMS FALLING ON IT.
I NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE AFTER A VERY BUSY WEEK AT WORK SO GOT OUT THE OLD NOVELS I HAD STORED IN THE SPARE ROOM & STARTED CUTTING..........SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME WAS ABOVE (INSPIRATION CAME FROM OTHER BLOGS I HAVE TO SAY BUT DO HAVE A BIT OF AN INTEREST IN OLD BOOKS/PRINT RIGHT NOW).

IT FELT GOOD TO BE MAKING SOMETHING AFTER SO MANY MONTHS OF NOT. WE HAVE BEEN ENDEAVOURING TO GET PATHWAYS SORTED OUT SO WE CAN MOVE AROUND THE PROPERTY OVER WINTER WITHOUT ENDURING A MUD BOG & OF COURSE IT ALL TAKES MUCH MUCH LONGER THAN ONE ANTICIPATED.

GOSH, HAVE JUST CHECKED THE TIME LAPSE

2011-05-06T02:23:00.000-07:00

IT APPEARS THAT MORE THAN A COUPLE OF MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE OUR LAST POST.......................HOW DID THIS HAPPEN????????????????????

WE'VE BEEN BUILDING A HOUSE, WHICH HAS HAD MORE THAN IT'S FAIR SHARE OF DELAYS WITH 2 MAJOR EARTHQUAKES & LOTS OF AFTERSHOCKS BUT WE ARE FINALLY IN & BUSY SORTING OUT ALL THE "STUFF"! SOME PICCIES BELOW ...MUCH TO MY HUSBAND'S DISGUST THERE ARE CERTAINLY MANY VINTAGE ITEMS IN OUR NEW HOUSE, NOT HOW HE THINKS IT SHOULD BE BUT EVERYONE WHO SEES IT LOVES IT!

I'VE POSTED A COUPLE OF PHOTOS THAT SHOWS YOU CAN MIX OLD & NEW, HANDMADE & SHOP-BOUGHT & IT GIVES A HOUSE SOUL.

CERTAINLY VERY MUCH TIME TO GET SOME WINTER PROJECTS UNDERWAY; PUT THE LONG-AWAITED ITEMS ON THE ONLINE SHOP & GET THE MOJO BACK. MANY ITEMS AWAITING PAINTING, COVERING, YOU NAME IT, THEY ARE WAITING & OF COURSE WE HAVE CUSTOMERS WHO WANT TO BUY STUFF OVER WINTER WHEN THE BARN IS "CLOSED" (OPEN BY APPOINTMENT OF COURSE)!

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK OF CLASSES IN CRAFTY ENDEAVOURS THIS WINTER????? WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ASK ABOUT MOSAICS, PAINTING FURNITURE, SEWING, ETC.....& THEN THEY WANT TO KNOW IF WE RUN CLASSES BUT WE NEVER HAVE BUT THINK THIS WOULD BE A FUN THING TO DO IN WINTER WEEKENDS OR EVENINGS, MULLED WINE ANYONE???????????????? LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.............

IT'S ONLY "STUFF" BUT IT DOES MATTER.....

2011-02-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

THESE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF BARN GIRL NOELINE'S VERY HEAVY SIDEBOARD WHICH SHOWS THE SEVERITY OF THE QUAKE. IT TAKES A COUPLE OF MEN, STRUGGLING, TO LIFT IT & IT WAS JUST TIPPED OVER. UNFORTUNATELY IT CONTAINS NOELINE'S COLLECTION OF ROYAL ALBERT "SENORITA" CHINA + MANY OTHER TRIOS, TENNIS SETS & NUMEROUS VINTAGE CRYSTAL BOWLS......GONE.

WE KNOW IT'S JUST "STUFF" BUT IT STILL HURTS TO SEE IT DESTROYED.

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

2011-02-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY, VERY VERY BAD DAY FOR CHRISTCHURCH. I'M SURE NEW ZEALANDER'S HAVE BEEN SEEING THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SITUATION IN CHRISTCHURCH SINCE THE HORRIFIC 6.3 MAGNITUDE QUAKE AROUND LUNCHTIME ON TUESDAY. OUR CITY IS A DISASTER ZONE, MANY DEATHS & LOTS OF HOMELESS FAMILIES, WATER & FUEL & FOOD SHORTAGES, AFTER-SHOCKS CONTINUE TO FRIGHTEN EVERYONE & THE RESCUERS BATTLE ON, ENDANGERING THEIR LIVES TO HELP OTHERS.

IN THE STRANGE WAY OF HUMANS WE TRY TO ACHIEVE SOME SEMBLANCE OF "NORMALITY" AMONGST ALL THIS & FEEL IF WE CAN JUST TRY & MOVE THROUGH EACH DAY WITH SOME ROUTINE WE WILL SURVIVE. THERE IS A SURREAL FEELING AS WE WAKE ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE EVENT & TRY TO GET OUR HEADS AROUND WHAT IS HAPPENING & HOW WE ARE EVER GOING TO REPAIR THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, BOTH TO PROPERTY & PEOPLE.

I ENTERED THE BARN VERY ANXIOUSLY ON TUESDAY EVENING - NOT BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED SO MUCH WITH THE DAMAGE I'D ENCOUNTER BUT THE FACT IT IS A VERY OLD BUILDING & I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN THERE IF IT STARTED MOVING AROUND AGAIN. I'VE POSTED SOME PHOTOS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF IT........I'D LIKE TO GO IN & START CLEANING UP AS I THINK THIS HELPS TO GET YOUR HEAD SORTED BUT DON'T WANT TO DO IT ON MY OWN AS IT'S VERY UNNERVING WHEN AN AFTERSHOCK HITS & EVERYTHING JOLTS & CREAKS.

ALL THE BARN GIRLS ARE THINKING OF EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING TO ENDURE THIS SITUATION & WE KNOW THERE WILL BE MANY WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN VERY TRAUMATIC & SAD WAYS; HECK, SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL IN A MESS FROM THE QUAKE LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THIS ONE IS SO SO MUCH WORSE.

TAKE CARE ALL.

BARN ON SUNDAY

2011-02-21T01:04:00.000-08:00

I WAS ROSTERED IN THE BARN THIS PAST SUNDAY & AS IT WAS A FABULOUS DAY & I'M AN OFFICE-DWELLER WHO WANTED TO BE OUTDOORS I FOUND SOME "TREASURES IN THE MAKING" IN ONE OF THE GARAGES.............PHOTO SHOWS THE "BEFORE" SHOT......I WILL POST THE FINISHED "UPCYCLED MADE-OVER" PHOTOS AS THE ARTICLES ARE COMPLETED....................

BLOGGING HELP!

2011-02-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

CAN SOMEONE OUT THERE IN THE HUGE WIDE WORLD OF BLOGGING HELP ME? I FOLLOW & VIEW A NUMBER OF AWESOME BLOGS AROUND THE WORLD & WOULD LOVE TO ADD THEM SO THEY SHOW WHENEVER SOMEONE VIEWS OUR BLOGSPOT - WE'RE ALL FOND OF THE SAME KIND OF STUFF SO IT'S A FANTASTIC WAY OF BEING INTRODUCED TO NEW BLOGS...............TRY AS I MIGHT I CAN'T FIGURE HOW TO DO THIS.......IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME TO DO THIS, PLEASE?

YES, WE'RE STILL HERE............

2011-02-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

GOSH, WHAT CAN I SAY. NOT SURE WHAT HAS HAPPENED BUT REALLY HAVEN'T HAD THE BLOGGING, EITHER VIEWING OR POSTING, VIBE FOR MONTHS....EARTHQUAKE FALL-OUT? BUILDING A NEW HOUSE? ISSUES AT WORK? SORRY BUT HAVE BEEN VERY NEGLECTFUL OF THE BLOG BUT HOPEFULLY AFTER SPENDING THE WEEKEND IN THE BARN, SORTING IT OUT, WEEDING OUT THE OLD & MOVING STUFF THE MOJO IS RETURNING....HOPE SO! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME "BETWEEN DRINKS" FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING, NOT LITERALLY. IN FACT SINCE THE EARTHQUAKE I THINK A RESTORATIVE WINE OR TWO HAS BEEN THE ORDER OF EVERY DAY. MUST SORT THAT OUT THIS YEAR TOO!!!

ANYHOO....THIS IS A WEE PAINTING & RECOVERING PROJECT (I'M SURE YOU CAN FIGURE THE BEFORE & AFTER SHOTS) FROM THE LAST WEEK WHICH I REALLY ENJOYED DOING SO AM KEEN TO SEE WHAT I FEEL LIKE DOING NEXT.

NOELINE HAS BEEN SEWING CUSHIONS FROM VINTAGE FABRICS YESTERDAY (STEAMING 36 DEGREE TEMPS) & TODAY (POURING RAIN & 14 DEGREES, GO FIGURE) SO THEY'LL BE SNAPPED SOON TOO SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU CAN PICKUP IN THE BARN.

I'LL POST SOME PHOTOS TOMORROW OF THE "DECLUTTERED" (IN A GOOD WAY) BARN.....I'M SURE IT WON'T BE LONG UNTIL TREASURES START FILLING IT UP, THANKS JAN, SHIRLEY, NOELINE!

THOSE PHOTOS I PROMISED............

2010-11-12T01:53:00.000-08:00

TOMORROW...........

2010-11-11T02:46:00.000-08:00

SORRY, PC RUNNING ON ISLAND TIME, TAKING LITERALLY 10 MINUTES TO UPLOAD PHOTOS SO I'VE DECIDED IT'S BEDTIME & I'LL TRY AGAIN WITH THE PHOTO POSTING TOMORROW.............NIGHTY NIGHT.

SORRY, VERY TARDY ON POSTINGS!

2010-11-11T02:22:00.001-08:00

HI ALL, WELL YOU'D THINK ME BEING ON HOLIDAY FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS WOULD MEAN LOTS OF BLOGGING BUT NO SORRY....THE WEATHER HERE IN CHRISTCHURCH HAS BEEN GOOD SO OUTDOORS I'VE BEEN SORTING OUT THE STORAGE GARAGES, HMMM LOTS OF PAINTING, SEWING ETC PROJECTS THERE TO KEEP US BUSY FOR A WHILE!!!!

THE BARN IS LOOKING VERY "FULL" AT PRESENT SO WE'D LOVE YOU TO VISIT (REMEMBER WE'RE OPEN FRIDAY - SUNDAY 11A.M -4P.M. PERHAPS YOU COULD TICK SOME PEOPLE OFF YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING LIST & ALL WITHOUT SPENDING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF YOUR HARD-EARNED DOSH IN THE MEANTIME.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL OUT & ABOUT SOON, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. I'VE POSTED SOME CURRENT PHOTOS OF THE BARN TO BACKUP MY SPEECH ABOVE.

GORGEOUS GIRLS

2010-10-18T02:34:00.000-07:00

YESTERDAY WE HAD A VISIT FROM A LONG-TIME BARN CUSTOMER, FRAN, WHO ALSO BROUGHT ALONG A COUPLE OF HER GIRLFRIENDS. THEY HAD BEEN ATTENDING A 3 DAY CONVENTION OF THE "RED HAT SOCIETY LADIES".....HENCE THE FABULOUS ATTIRE! THE GROUPS OF MATURE WOMEN MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT & FUN & THEY MUST ALL BE DRESSED IN PURPLE GARMENTS & RED HEADGEAR. GOOGLE "RED HAT SOCIETY" TO FIND OUT MORE.

A LITTLE BIT PRETTY, A LITTLE BIT RETRO....

2010-09-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

SOME COMPLETED BARN PROJECTS

2010-09-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF WHAT PROJECTS WE'VE COMPLETED FOR THE BARN OVER THE LAST WEEK (THERE ARE MANY MORE BECKONING....) - WE'RE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER THE QUAKE & THE BARN IS OPEN SO PLEASE COME & VISIT US, BOTH NEW & OLD BARN FRIENDS ARE SURELY WELCOME!

2010-09-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

2010-09-15T23:20:00.001-07:00

2010-09-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

2010-09-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

BEAUTIFUL MAGNOLIAS...

2010-09-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

TIME TO POST SOMETHING NICE AFTER THE BELOW DEVASTATION....NATURE CAN ALSO BE KIND AS WELL AS CRUEL...

2010-09-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

2010-09-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

2010-09-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

NAIVE TO THINK WE'LL NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH NATURE'S FURY SUCH AS WE VIEW ON THE NIGHTLY TV NEWS BUT IT DID INDEED VISIT US A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO - FRIGHTENING BUT WE GOT OFF VERY LIGHTLY COMPARED TO OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. HERE ARE A FEW PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE SURROUNDING AREA. WE HAVEN'T VENTURED INTO THE CITY TO SEE HOW HORRIFIC THAT IS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDINGS WHICH MAKE CHRISTCHURCH SO SPECIAL HAVE NOW BEEN DEMOLISHED.

MORE EARTHQUAKE HORRORS

2010-09-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THE BARN GIRLS WAS ESPECIALLY BADLY AFFECTED BY THE DEVASTATION OF THE EARTHQUAKE, PORT-A-LOO FOR MANY MONTHS IT SEEMS WHILST THEY REBUILD THE SEWERAGE & WATER LINES. HORRIBLE BUT WE ARE SURE THIS WON'T HOLD HER BACK.....SHE CAN'T GET INTO HER GARAGE DUE TO THE DOOR FRAME SETTING BEING ALTERED BY THE QUAKE BUT THAT WON'T STOP HER!!!

2010-09-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos of the devastating earthquake,4 September,2010.This is a road close to my home but I didn,t go out rubbernecking so do not have many photos.

FINALLY UNDERWAY

2010-08-16T03:59:00.000-07:00

Our house plans have finally gone into council so we are "on the way", yay.

This is another project for the new house; I bought this cute chair on Trade Me for $1.00 & went to upholstery night classes to recover it in some Ikea fabric I'd bought in Perth last year. I think it will go nicely in our bedroom.

IN TROUBLE AGAIN.........

2010-08-16T03:53:00.000-07:00

I'm well-known for changing belongings & possessions when the whim suits me - Gemini you understand!

This is the latest "re-incarnation"; my husband made this table from some recycled rimu & welded the iron base. Lovely, but tired of it now....it has been natural timber top, glossy black, off-white & now a bit funked up to go in our new house we're building. The jury is out on whether it's acceptable but as I told him "it's just another coat of paint"!!

2010-08-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

This was an amazing sunrise the other morning, just couldn,t resist the photo. This sight doesn,t last for long so this is for all you folk who are lucky enough to have sleepins.

Melbourne special places & people

2010-07-26T04:22:00.000-07:00

2010-07-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

Just walking by and found this amazing warehouse of lovable stuff but our bags were not big enough, we needed a container.

CHAPEL ST BAZAAR, PRAHAN

2010-07-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, you've heard this place mentioned before I'm sure & it's all true. You must visit this when you are in Melbourne but make sure you allow yourself a few hours as so many booths to see with all sorts of goods, vintage, retro, shabby, kitsch & prices all good.

2010-07-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

The most incredible place and so much to see and buy.... which we did!!!!!

2010-07-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

A Simply gorgeous place.... HAREM.

EMPIRE VINTAGE, TREASURES.

2010-07-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yep, there are just oohs & aahs going on all over the place once we got up to this area....

E.V......sigh

2010-07-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Shirley imitating Lyn! Haha. Gorgeous vintage beaded cardigan to die for.
& more.
One of a kind, no room, grrrr.

Special Deborah Bowness wallpaper that Lyn is the agent for. Love.

EMPIRE VINTAGE, SOMETHING I CAN FIT IN!

2010-07-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

Check out the fantastic foxing on this mantle mirror.
Lovely lovely vintage prints &......some vintage wallpaper that came home with me for some special project this winter.

UPSTAIRS AT E.V.

2010-07-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

So frustrating that we couldn't fit all these in the suitcases.....goodness where Lyn manages to find all these treasures!

Mmmmm, chandelier addiction.....

& SO WE GO IN!

2010-07-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Just about to enter the emporium that is Empire Vintage, yay. As you'll see from the other photo we all managed to buy some treasures & would surely have purchased more if we had more space, whoops already overweight for the return flight to NZ!

These gorgeous garments are just the treats that Lyn wears daily, she walks the walk, talks the talk................

THE LOVELY LYN GARDNER

2010-07-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is the 3 Barn Girls, lucky enough to meet the fabulous Lyn Gardner, outside her shop "Empire Vintage". If ever you are in Melbourne you must visit her at 63 Cardigan Place, Albert Park, Victoria 3206 (PH: +61 3 9682 6677). You will get a very warm welcome from this very friendly lady, she's a delight.