What a holiday we have been having! Fiji really is a wonderful family holiday destination. I would have to say that I feel more relaxed than I have in living memory ... I am not sure if that says more about Fiji or my demeanor ... either way it has been delicious to spend so much time with the children without having to hurry them up or nag them or be rushing off to an appointment or to have to cook dinner!!!!
There has been so much fun and hilarity this past week that has really made our holiday! The girls had their hair braided ...
4 1/2 hours later ....
... fuss free holiday hair ... just watch the sun and that scalp!!!!
Then we learnt that the kids ... particularly Joshua ... is no Tiger Woods!!! Nor is he a budding tennis ace!
... but man it sure has been good for a laugh!!!
Not much hope for a sporting pro when it comes to our Joshua but he has learnt to swim this past week which is pretty good for a boy who was pretty reluctant to put his head under the water before we arrived!
Yay for you my little boy!!!
The twins celebrated their 7th birthday ... and we indulged them by having them choose the entire days activities ...
and the resort staff made such a fuss it really was such a special day for them both!
IOU a couple of birthday parties Ben & Jessie ... I can't wait to get home and get started on them with you both!
I am going to miss not having you all around me all of the time ... but I must say that it will be nice to be dropping you off at school on Monday morning, just the same!!!! ;)
And as for me ... well once our bags arrived I started cutting ...
and stitching ...
.... but this is all that I am going to show you just now ... I will say though that I was the only one by the pool sewing!!!
After all of the favorite things that have been shared here over the past couple of weeks blogless Linda from California reminded me of what has become my most favorite thing. Linda told me about her co-worker who gives her such wonderful feed back and encouragement with her crafting adventures. I have gained so much enthusiasm from you guys with each and every post over the past year and a half ... those of you who take the time and effort to leave such wonderful and encouraging comments over and over again ... I agree so much with you Linda ... it has been the kindness and generosity of you guys that has helped me to create and finish a whole lot more than I ever would have done without you!
On that note the winners from my last post are ....
Terry from Terrys Treasureswho left the 4th comment
Delores from True Blue Canadianwho left the 10th comment ... I would love to visit your amazing country Delores
Hillary from Hillary Ann ... designing happywho left the 40th comment
my lovey friend Sue from Knitter Sue who left the 41st comment .... I am going to have you sewing Sue!!!
and finally Gail from Quilt, Knit, Run, Sewfrom who left the 54th comment!
Congrats guys I will have them in the mail first up next week! There will be 6 patterns to give away this post so the odds are getting better! Plus the final giveaway is not far off especially seeing I have finally started making it! (details of the giveaway in this post)
See you again when we are back in jumpers in the land of Oz!
Kellie
Sounds like you are having a fantastic vacation!
Posted by: Wendy | July 23, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Love the Girl's hair...looks like a fabulous time by all...love what you are working on....Enjoy the rest of the holiday...
Posted by: Maree .W | July 23, 2009 at 09:18 AM
kellie,
looks like a fab time had by all, did u get in the water at all? love that last shadow photo..
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 23, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Happy birthday to the twins. I LOVE that shadow picture, fantastic! Sounds like a great time in Fiji. They were very pretty colours you were sewing, I can't wait to see what it is.
Posted by: Viv | July 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Sewing by a pool in Fiji? Now that is my idea of heaven!! I love the last photo too, what a fantastic picture!
Posted by: Kelly | July 23, 2009 at 10:39 AM
So glad you and your family have had such a wonderful relaxing time. Also, can't wait to see what you're making. I love all of your work.
Posted by: Lauren | July 23, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Hi Kellie, love all those photos. The girls hair looks great and I am sure it would be lovely to have like that. I better not let Isabelle see them or she will want hers like that too. I love all the photos and yay for Joshua for learning to swim and put his face in the water. I really dont like doing that either. Happy Birthday to your two sweeties too, I am sure that they will have some wonderful parties when you get back. Thank you for choosing my name in the giveaway, so excited. I am sure one day you will get me sewing, my sister says the same thing, lol!! I hope the weather warms up for your return, this week has been a mixture of freezing cold and rain yesterday and today, but Monday and Tuesday were nice and 18.
Posted by: sue | July 23, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I'm sooooo jealous...would love to have a laze around the pool. Though with Liam's obsession with water and lack of fear that may be asking too much LOL
Must admit I like to take stitching away with me too. Looks like the colours would be quite at home in the tropics.
Posted by: Sharon L F | July 23, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Loved this post! The girls hair looked great! My daughter's birthday is today --or maybe your yesterday. I really enjoyed reading about your vacation.
Posted by: Colleen | July 23, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Sounds like you have had the most amazing time. Good for the soul! and memories that will never be forgotten by any of you. Hope you don't freeze when you arrive home......it is chilly!!!
Posted by: The Chocolate Cat | July 23, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Looks and sounds like the pefect family vacation. Now that you are all relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated I can't wait to see what new projects you come up with!
Posted by: Janet | July 23, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Well .... that's one way to get the kids to sit still for four and a half hours!!! Glad you are having a great time.
Happy birthday to the twins.
Looking forward to the posts about their parties. (You do out on the best kids parties .... no pressure).
Take care and travel home safe.
Andi :-)
Posted by: Andi | July 23, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Love your work. I look forward to seeing what you were working on while everyone was swimming.
Posted by: Mary Brake | July 23, 2009 at 04:39 PM
What a fun trip! I remember when my family and I went to Mexico and I got my hair braided - I thought it was the coolest thing in the history of the universe. Plus, like you said, completely fuss free!
Posted by: Sarah Uecker | July 23, 2009 at 04:56 PM
It seems like you have really had a wonderful time on your holiday! It is wonderful to spend time with your family without having to worry about deadlines and timetables.
I am on my way home to spend a day off with my family. (And finish remodeling our children's bedroom.)
Take care.
Posted by: Irene | July 23, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Wow, what a beautiful place to take a vacation, wish you could send some of that sunshine our way, UK has been a bit wet recently! Loving your work
Posted by: Sarah Dunster-Ashworth | July 23, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Thanks for sharing!!! And a belated Happy Birthday to the twins.. "Grattis på födelsedagen" on Swedish!! :o)
Strange.. you the only one sewing at the pool.. lol.. cant figure... all I can say.. I feel pretty alone too..;o) Curious of what you are working on ...because it looks lovely!! :o)
Posted by: Stina | July 23, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Looks like you had a wonderful vacation. I love that you brought your quilting with you. I can't wait to see what you come up with next. I posted about you and some other quilting inspirations on my blog today. If you get a moment, stop by and say hi.
Take care,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | July 24, 2009 at 02:16 AM
what cute children. I love all your stuff and now am intrigued as to what you are stitching on.
Posted by: Robin C | July 24, 2009 at 03:27 AM
Looks super fun. I love all the crafts you post. I think you have my very favourite stuff.
Posted by: leslie | July 24, 2009 at 07:21 AM
I love your last photo with the shawdows of all of you holding hands. So glad you are have a great time.
lsandes@comcast.net
Posted by: Laine | July 24, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Congrats to the lucky winners. I love the shadow picture of all of you. Sounds like you are have a great time.
lsandes@comcast.net
Posted by: Laine | July 24, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Thank you for sharing your family holiday with us and the kids are so cute. Can't wait to see the new project, happy birthday to the twins and this will be a holiday to remember with the little one finally swimming. Now that's a true memory to keep. Wendy
Posted by: Wendy Forbes | July 24, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Love the shadow shot of the family. Glad to hear that the holiday is progressing well. Can't wait to see more of the beside the pool project. I really couldn't think of a more relaxing thing to be doing. Glad to hear that the children had a good birthday. Keeping my fingers crossed that I may be one of the lucky ones.
Posted by: Ann-Maree K, Highfields | July 24, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Kellie, it looks like you have had such a wonderful time! I love the shadow photo at the end!!! I presume that is Mr. DLN with the hat??? Maybe we will visit Fiji too hmmmmm.....
Posted by: upstatelisa | July 24, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Always wondering how you find the time to do all the sewing ... guess the beach time sewing does the trick ;-)
Posted by: Barbara Hueppe | July 25, 2009 at 02:11 AM
What a fun trip it looks like your family is having, I'm envious!
Posted by: Anita | July 25, 2009 at 05:05 AM
Looks like you and your family have been having a wonderful holiday. I love the photos. Your kids are so adorable and it's nice to see that it's warm and sunny somewhere in the world, even if it's freezing at my home. I can't wait to see what you are working on by the pool. X Amelia
Posted by: Amelia | July 25, 2009 at 08:08 AM
What a fab holiday. That last photo is a keeper.
Posted by: Leanne | July 25, 2009 at 09:35 AM
Kelly I love your photo of your family's shadows...it's another ingenious idea from you, glad you all had a great time in Fiji
Posted by: Vicki | July 25, 2009 at 10:59 AM
What a great photo of your shadows on the beach! Just reading about your vacation makes me feel more relaxed!
Posted by: Kathy Wagner | July 25, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Just reading your post made it feel warmer here!
Posted by: Karen | July 25, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Whoa! Looks like you had a great time with your family. Time well spent. Over here in the UK we've just started our Summer Holidays (ha, someone switched the weather though!) and I'm now enjoying lazy days with my girls. Those kids of yours will have so much to tell their classmates!! Cool!
Posted by: Terri | July 26, 2009 at 04:47 AM
wow what a wonderful holiday!
it's so lovely to see you all enjoying the sunshine!
Posted by: Jane | July 26, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Your vacation looks wonderful...making memories of family times together are the greatest keepsakes!! And your craft creations are so lovely and full of color, they make everyone feel cheerful!!!
Posted by: Martha | July 26, 2009 at 11:47 AM
thanks for sharing your creations... your flower pillow inspired me to try applique - i posted pictures on my blog
Posted by: CC | July 26, 2009 at 10:02 PM
it looks like you are having a fabulous trip! and i love the shadow photo!
Posted by: elizabeth | July 27, 2009 at 03:09 AM
Your daughter's braids look gorgeous - what lovely hair she has.
It looks like you all had a great deal of fun together.
Congratulations to all your lovely winners of your post.
Warmest regards,
Anna
Posted by: anna | July 27, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Perfect thing to do by the pool = sewing! Much fun!
Posted by: Carolina H | July 28, 2009 at 07:42 AM
What a great holiday! I can't believe the girls sat still for 4 1/2 hours!!
Posted by: Cascade Lily | July 28, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Have a great holiday Kelly, Fiji is so much fun for the kids. I would love to win one of your patterns :)
Posted by: Sarah | July 28, 2009 at 08:50 AM
I love the last photo. Happy days.
Posted by: Bev C | July 28, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Hi all!
I've just arrived here throught Erin K on Flickr. I'm stunned. Your work is amazing I've just love every piece I've seen on your blog. I live in Barcelona I don't now if is possible to buy your patterns here but today I'm going to check it. (sorry for my english)
Happy summer holidays!
Posted by: Elena | July 29, 2009 at 09:04 PM
What a wonderful vacation y'all are having!! Wish I were there ...
Posted by: WendyLou | July 30, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Looks like an amazing holiday - and you truly are a crafter, if like me, you always take some element of your hobby on holiday!
Kim McB xx
Posted by: Kim McBIrnie | July 30, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Happy Birthdays to your family. Treasure these moments...time flies!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Darcey
Posted by: Darcey Peters | July 31, 2009 at 04:17 AM
I love your work - can't wait to get some patterns to try it!!
Posted by: Mary Thielke | October 23, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Isn't Fiji Grand...?!
Looks like your birthday and braids holiday left you with lasting memories!
Kelly
Posted by: Wording For Invitations | August 07, 2010 at 06:45 AM
Impressive blog! -Arron
Posted by: rc helicopter | December 21, 2011 at 09:23 PM