Home Again!

 

Had a lovely few days at Lake Taupo which is the largest lake in central North Island of New Zealand. I met up with my sister who lives at the bottom of N.I. so we kind of met half way, to celebrate my birthday and to plot our journey to Great Britain & Europe in August.  

I was home for 2 days then had to leave again with DH for a Horse Clinic in Raglan which is on the West Coast of N.Z. about 2 1/2 hours drive south of where we live. We picked up the Australian Trainer from the airport, and were on our way.

View from the back of their farm. We had a lovely 3 days down there, then back to the airport, then home again.

Well I was home 1 day, then had to leave again and drive 2 1/2 hours East to the other coast to my lovely wee grandson. He turned 7 and Grandma had to be there.

Skinny little chap, but tall for his age. I managed to get him off his new mountain bike for this photo.

Not much sewing done in this first 2 weeks of March, but when I arrived home I had some lovely parcels waiting.

One of them was some fabric I had ordered from The Quilted Crow

and….

my Civil War Diary Book, so no excuse now, not to get on with the blocks.

BFN

Another Civil War Diary Block

Sorry Julie, have to tempt you again. I have just done another Civil War Diary Block. It’s amazing how one can do things so wrong, when it seems so simple.  Like picking the little pieces up and somehow turning them accidently, and sewing them together around the wrong way. Ah well I can hear you say – you will do these mad things!

I have been trying to sort out a suitable foundation to do some invisible machine applique.  I’m about to try some wash away, which my friend Sharon at www.pinevalley.co.nz has successfully done. In doing so I lost something ( I’m always doing this) in my sewing room, and had to have a tidy up, which resulted in me finding a lovely hand applique project which has been on the back burner for about 4 years.

So… you guessed it, I spent Sunday afternoon gluing some pieces down, and hand appliqueing them. 

My dear friend Sharon from Arizona sent me an early birthday present, which I couldn’t leave until the day to open. Well, I had to write and thank her didn’t I, and she asked that I let her know when it arrived so she would know how long it took.  The most delightful apron in the beautiful fabrics. The flowers are the outside fabric and the spots are the lining or back of the apron. I love it to bits, and Sharon very generously put some of her Mom’s vintage buttons on it. The cream packet is another apron, with a needlework panel ready for me to make up. A couple of really neat patterns, so I’m set.

I  like birthdays as at my age one can make them drawn out.  Have to celebrate with different people, and that takes time. I’m meeting my sister in Taupo which is central North Island of New Zealand. Will post some photos when I get back.

Hi from New Zealand

Today is overcast, but I hope it won’t rain. I’ve just hung my washing out and it’s blowing around nicely.

I had a weekend to myself, when DH went away with his horses, and I managed to finish a table runner, that was supposed to me a wall hanging, but I didn’t want it as that. The class was invisible machine applique, so I thought a table runner would be large enough to do. Notice the butterfly on the bud? That’s there because I accidently cut the background fabric!!

I have also made a start on The Civil War Diary Quilt. I was going to start Dear Jane, but I haven’t got my background fabric yet.   

The one with the squares – I thought I don’t need to do this foundation piecing, so I carefully cut my strips, then squares, and VERY carefully stitched them up to find I had forgotten to add the S.A. Oh my God! how could I do something so basic so wrong. So, I re cut and stitched, only to find I had done a Very scant 1/4” S A and the block measures about 6 7/8” instead of 6 1/2”.

Well…. I had had enough of that one, so maybe I’ll redo it later in the peace, or do very large SA when I stitch it in. No that wouldn’t do at all, so I guess I’ll be redoing!!

I think I need to starch these little beauties as my photos make them look abit off.  My seams are all perfect, so I think that’s the way to go.  Some peoples little blocks look so perfectly neat.

Many thanks to Linda, Jenny, Julie x2 and Quilts & Pieces (sorry I don’t know your name) for all the nice comments you made to my last blog.      Linda I’ll certainly try and remove the Quilts feet. Did you notice the quilts hands! haha  

Thanks for dropping by

Matts Quilt

 

Hoorah, today I managed to take a photo and download – upload?? I never know which is the correct term – to my blog.

It hasn’t been too long in the making, for me anyhow.A friend in Brisbane – Hi Julie, said it reminded her of sea horses, so that’s what I have been calling it. It was quite fun to make, and fairly easy to quilt on my new Pfaff, although I managed to do it with a few crooked lines. Overall, the effect is fine, and I don’t think a 16 year old boy is going to worry about that.

Sorry the quality is not very good, but I had to haul in helpers to hold it up, and the rain started at the same time.

Wouldn’t it just have to have a bucket with the dogs drinking water in it, right next to my quilt. As this was the second shot at getting them to hold the quilt up, I didn’t dare ask again. It’s amazing that you never notice those things until after you have finished taking the photo!

The quilt measures 75”  square.

While I was taking photos, I thought I would add one of the little wall hanging I made in a class with http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com/Pam Holland at the Symposium in Auckland in 2007.

Fantastic tutor. I even changed one of my classes so I could do another class with her.

Thanks for dropping by, and hopefully I’ll have another photo to put on tomorrow.

Photo of Quilt with No Borders Yet……

Just come back from shopping with DH. Both of us with new cell phones. We are now looking for a new video camera, for me to take on my Big OE in August. Anyone have any useful info on what is good or not?

I must knuckle down and get those borders on, but in the meantime here is the centre of the quilt completed, and in true form I just had to make a mistake didn’t I? Oh well, didn’t they do that in the ‘ole days and leave it in to be discovered. There’s no way I’m fixing it, so there…. 

Thanks for dropping by

What a busy Day It’s Been

Stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve.

Mario cooked up some of what he calls Omlette which is his version of Crepes ( Pancakes). They are paper thin and absolutely fabulous to eat. So... at 11 pm we sat with a plate full each on our laps - him with jam on his, but mine HAD to have Golden Syrup. I remember as a child my mother cooking pancakes, but as there were 4 of us kids and Mum and Dad, it took forever to get the 2nd one. I think as I remember we would have had about 3 each, until she got sick of it.

Mario said 'Thats the last thing I'll cook for you this year!! Mind you thats about the only thing he ever cooks and its usually for treats like my birthday or anniversary.

On the 1st of 2010

I happened to buy a 6 kg box of Tomatoes for $5.00 – more fool me, ‘cause then I had to do something with them. ( Can’t resist a bargain.

So I’ve been up to my eyeballs in vinegar, sugar etc. and have made 14 small jars of Tomato Relish and 3 1/2 bottles of Tomato sauce. Both old family recipes. Also managed to make some puree to put in the freezer for the endless spagetti sauce that I make, being married to an Italian.

Now the view from my sewing room window. I’m afraid it’s not as grand as some, but I have lots of light. I have a ranch slider ( door & windows) on one wall, but I didn’t dare show you the other 3 as they are walls with lots of ‘stuff’ on or around them. tee hee:-))

The view looks out onto the back lawn, and that’s another Hydrangea. We have quite a large rambling garden, which keeps me busy.

I thought I would wander around the garden and show you some of the plants in flower at the moment. My absolute favourite plant is the Hydrangea of which I have quite a few with different colours.

This tree is commonly known as the Christmas Tree, as it is usually a mass of beautiful red flowers during the summer holidays (Our Christmas) down under. It’s botanical name is Pohutakawa. This particular tree is only about 2 years old, and will eventually grow very large, but we have plenty of room. Its out on the edge of the drive into the house.

Ah well, now back to the quilt!

BFN - Sue

Stitching Frantically

This is one way to get on with a quilt. Put the progress on your blog, and even though you’re not sure if anyone looks or is even interested, there may be some-one who is, so….. here goes. Another updated photo They have just been placed on my design board ( such as it is) but it’s a good way of checking out how many plainer blocks I need to make.

I cut 5” squares, place a green right sides together with a black. I drew a pencil line from corner to corner ( 90 degrees) then stitched a 1/4” seam on both sides of the drawn line. I find that a much better way, as it doesn’t stretch that bias edge.

Off to take a photo out of my sewing room window.

See you tomorrow.

Sue

Still at it!

It’s amazing how slow it is sewing 250 odd half square triangles together.

I am trying to make no more than 2 the same, but the pile is slowly growing.

HOW MAD DO YOU THINK I AM? I am thinking of starting a Dear Jane Quilt. My DH says ‘why would you bother’ but I think you can only make so many quilts for the cupboard. Although I have set myself the 16th birthday task for the grandchildren. I have 7 more to do over the next 11 years so that’s not too bad is it?

I am showing a couple of photos of my little gifts that I received over the ‘Quilters Christmas party swaps’. Aren’t they lovely?   

  This lovely little quilt came from my friend Bonnie in California. Beautifully sewn and quilted.

 

 

Made by my friend Pat, who is in my local quilt group, Village Green Quilters.

 

 

   This lovely bag was made by my friend Gayle who is also in my little local quilt group. About 6 of us also share a friendship away from our main group and we picked a name out of a hat and made a gift for that person. This bag was my gift from Gayle. She also added a needle case to match!This is the inside of the bag.

Bye for now

Sue

Yesterday was Great – today even better!

Had a delicious lunch yesterday, wine and nibbles and Dessert!!

 

The gnocchi was very good, and the dessert wonderful. I made a dessert out of the ‘Food town’ magazine from last Christmas, all ready for my Family day last week, put it in the fridge, then promptly forgot about it. I was worried that the strawberries may have tainted in the pudding, but with all the cream cheese and sour cream they held together, and it tasted yummy! The Cointreau  probably helped!

Today I started a new quilt for Gson #1.

I am really enjoying playing with the colours. I decided to do Green & Black, and started making a couple of blocks. I then realised how boring it was going to be making it, so I changed direction and am now making one of Judy Hooworths Razzle Dazzle quilts.

Yay! The office is closed for 4 weeks!

Great feeling – no phones to worry about. As we work our business from home, it tends to make one tied to the place. It’s lovely to relax and not have to worry about work. Only thing that Has to be done, is take care of the horses.

Don’t know if I mentioned we have an orphan foal who is now about 9 weeks old. It’s been hard on DH who has been getting up all hours to feed the wee fellow, but now he’s on 3 feeds a day, which makes life alot easier. Still, stopped us from being able to go away. This morning DH went out to feed him, only to find that the mothering mare ( not his own mother) had given him a wallop on his rear end,which caused the skin to peel back about the size of a 4” square. So, the Vet arrived once again to stitch him up. We thought he may have ripped his skin on something in the paddock, but the Vet said it was a hoof mark. She is a good mare, so he must have done something to annoy her, for her to have done that. DH says, it’s not a hugely bad thing, as its the way the older horses teach the young ones to behave. Just a damn expensive lesson for us!! This photo was taken about 3 weeks ago and as you can see he’s doing pretty well. Today he’s feeling a bit sorry for himself.

Must go and have a read, – a great book called Last Child by John Hart. May even have a nana nap – SHOCK HORROR – never do that, but need  to prepare for Midnight Mass!

Cheers every-one and have a great Christmas Day tomorrow.

On The Last Countdown To Christmas Day

 

We had our family Christmas Celebration on Saturday the 19th. We do this so  the family that can come get to stay for the whole day which makes Grandma a very happy girl.

Usually the children have their ‘other families’ (in laws) to go to, and the day ends up a never ending merry-go-‘round of driving and the littlies end up tired which makes Mum & Dad irritable.

 

So a great day was had by all, and as I have now done my dash, I get to enjoy Christmas Day at another of the familys’ home. Midnight mass on 24th, sleep, then off to eat Traditional Italian fare. Well Traditional to the family. Lots of wine and nibbles.  The Matriarch aged 92 in April will make gnocchi on Christmas morning. She tells us she has been making gnocchi and sugo since she was 5 years old- helping her mother. Every year we say Nonna ‘thats the best you have ever made’ – then the men will have a snooze.

Looking forward to Boxing Day, when we just blob out, and I will get on with the quilt I am making for my Grandson’s 16th Birthday in Feb.

At Last Back To Blog Land!

Oh my gosh! It's been so long, and I keep feeling guilty. It's like that letter you owe a friend, and keep meaning to write, but never seem to get around to it!!
I am reading every-one else's blogs and some of them start feeling like friends. It's such a lovely feeling.
I've made a few Christmas gifts in the last month, some of them sent to USA, some given to friends in my quilt group and one sent to Australia.
The above are jewellery rolls made from a pattern from my local quilt shop.
My DDIL had a birthday early December, so made a new bag for her. She absolutely loved it, as she said, when she wears black its nice to have something bright to go with her clothes.
I have shown the reverse of this bag also. It has really useful pockets on the front, and of course a place for that phone ( which never seems to leave her hand.LOL)

 
This year in my little quilt group of 8 friends, we decided to draw a name out of a box and to make a gift just for one person. This scheme worked really well, as you knew what the friend would like. My friend was tricky though as she’s quite outgoing in her clothing and in her quilt making,and has really great colour sense. I remembered she admired a bag I made myself a few months ago, so I made one for her. This time I used quite a strong batting, which made the bag stand up on it’s own. Better I think than a soft batting. Next time I make it I may try the very strong interfacing instead and see how that goes.

I need to make myself another one in colours suitable to wear with jeans, and red & white. 

BTW she loved it!

Must away now and think about dinner, oh and a glass of wine!

ttp://www.susannasquilts.blogspot.com

Another Bag

 

To add to the collection, thanks to my friend Julie from Brisbane. That makes about bag # 7. My DH just smiles and shakes his head. 

I had great fun putting this one together, but wonder if I should have used a more firmer batting.

The only problem is all those pockets :-)) I spend half my time patting each one to find the keys, the sunnies, the phone. You get the general idea.

Also a bag I made last year for DDIL- I think she has thrashed it, so it was well worth making.

 

I also made a pincushion for a friends birthday.

You can’t beat the pansy fabrics for a quick, good looking gift!

 

We have just had the Craft Show here in Hamilton NZ and I was lucky enough to have one of my quilts juried in.

Didn’t win a prize – but what the heck! Actually the critic was very good – said they like the quilt and everything about it was very good, but I must watch those quilting lines. I know there are some on the quilt, but how do you get those pencil lines out?

 

I’m off to a quilting class on Saturday using Batiks and Drunkards Path rulers.

Ah time to go and have a wine!!

Time for a Cleanup

After 20 years of trees growing without a prune, we had the team in yesterday to chop the tops off the trees around the house. Great job done.

 

Also at last have managed to get the kitchen splashback finished. These jobs seem to take so long, as we do them in drips and drabs. Eventually we get there.

 

 

 

In between all this going on I have been resurrecting some hand pieced blocks I started about 15 years ago. My goodness they looked so drab – no wonder I got bored doing them , so I have decided to do some brighter ones to complement. I’m really enjoying doing them and manage to piece one block in a couple of nights.