Gosh the time flies…

I have been meaning to post for about a couple of weeks, but other things get in the way. Then, I had a delightful visit from 3 grandchildren, all for different days/nights, so everything in my world was good.
I also went to my favourite retreat location. There are 2 different quilting retreats a year run at this particular venue, plus one at another venue in the same area, so I have to try and put the brakes on, as I could be away from home a lot, and that isn’t good!! I managed to take some pics of different quilts that were being worked on.
20 or so quilters attended this year, which made for a very friendly and intimate gathering.
But first a couple of photos of the lovely Bay
 
Every-one hard at it – The sun shone so much we had to pull down the curtains – and its the middle of winter. Certainly makes a change from all the rain we have had!
We have so much fun, laughter and devine food. Its so good for the soul.
   Oh my gosh! this is all I managed!!   

 
On the Friday night we traditionally make a small item that doesn’t require much thought. ( usually some of us have indulged in some wine by then.)
This year we made a block roll for all those stitcheries or hand applique we want to cart around.
Here is a photo of all the finished rolls. I never actually got to make mine.   The rolls partially opened..These are the rolls closed.
I have some photos from a Quilt Show I attended last week, but I’ll save those for next time.
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It’s a bit slow going….

My Nearly Insane Blocks

But I am trying to do a few more blocks. I miss making them whilst I am doing other things.

Block 47

I never noticed that I had made a mistake on the next one, but I am going to leave it. I’m sure when its in the quilt it won’t be noticed, and if it is, so be it!!


Block 53
 
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Happiness is using up old fabric….

I have been busy this past week making some cushion covers for the Heart Ward of the Auckland Hospital. One of our members of Village Green Quilters is a nurse at the hospital, and asked if we would like to make, what they call ‘coughing’ cushions. These are required for the patients of heart surgery in their recovery program. Also when they go home from the hospital, they need protection from the seatbelt across their wound.


 


Some of these covers don’t as yet have inserts.
I have felt so good getting amongst my old, but still good, fabric and sorting through them. Discarding some tatty endy bits, and pressing those bits that are usable.

Our Auckland Guild also has a woman who teaches women in prison, the art of Patchwork & Quilting, so I’ve managed to found a bag or two of my older fabric for 

them to learn on..











As well as this I have made two more Dear Jane Blocks

A11 – Pebbles Protest




and B 2 – Sweet Tater Pie.





I have made this block twice. After making it so I could cut it down to 5” I left it in my sewing kit. One day I decided I must resize it to show the photo, and without thinking used my 4 1/2” ruler, so….. back to the drawing board. So annoying to do these silly things.
Only a couple of blocks to go before I have finished Row A.


Had a lovely day out yesterday ( between a lightning/thunder storm )with 93 year old MIL. Looking through the local garden centre and having lunch.

 

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Hoorah..I’ve caught up…..

I’m very pleased to say I have at last caught up with my Barbara Brackman’s Civil War Blocks.
I am enjoying making these blocks, but unfortunately have been slack in making my Nearly Insane Blocks, so will have to make a concerted effort.

Civil War Block 26

Barbara Frietchie Star

Civil War Block 25

Calico Puzzle 

Civil War Block  24

Ladies Aid Album

Civil War Block 23

Illinois Roads

and last but not least

Civil War Block 16

White House

Not much to say this time, as I’ve been busy working out a claim  for Qantas and sewing.
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Thanks To Air NZ…….

We are now home, safe and sound, after being stranded in Sydney (although Qantas put us up in the Menzies Hotel, in George Street, which was very nice) for 4 extra days. Why would that be a problem, I hear you ask? When you have a DH who paces around because he can’t ride  horse, or have a game of golf, it gets a little wearing, especially if he isn’t interested in exploring.
However I managed to persuade him to hop on a bus and go with me to Annandale to Quiltsmith where I had a fabulous 1 1/4 hours ( it was counted) browsing and shopping. My DH even asked a woman going into the shop if she would tell his wife to hurry up. It was all done jokingly I must add, but the woman was horrified, and said there was no way she would ask a Quilter to hurry. It was all very funny and he had all the women in the shop laughing.
What an amazing array of fabrics. If it wasn’t for the over weight bags I had already, I would have bought more, but guess what – I was there in time for their 25% off everything sale.



   










A photo of the yummy Reproduction fabrics I bought.


 



Prior to that adventure, I arrived in Sydney on my own, on the way to Tamworth, and had 2 wonderful days walking and shopping. I caught a bus to Material Obsession in Drummoyne and spent about 3 hours browsing and shopping. Also went to the outlet shop and bought myself a thermal top, as I hadn’t predicted the weather correctly and was freezing. Of course I had some in my suitcase at the hotel, but that’s the way things go sometimes. :-)


Here is the view I had from my hotel balcony in Sydney - the Medina Grand Harbourside. Very Nice!





I coudn’t help but buy this little set of GFG templates and fabrics to sew while I
was away. As you can see I got quite a few done.  Now to get them sewn together as flowers.
I also bought some gorgeous brights from MO to make a quilt for my DGD.





I just need to get some Choc. Brown for the background. I would have bought it there, but I was nervous about the weight of my bag.


Must get to the sewing machine and catch up with my Civil War Blocks.




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Whew 2 in one day..

Thats going abit over the top, but I have some of Barbara Brackmans Civil War blocks made which I must show you.
This block was a little tricky with all the HST’s, so I changed it a little – unfortunately my stripes don’t match very well.

Civil War - Block  22

Blockade

Civil War Block – 21

Underground Railroad

The fabric on the corners has come out brown, ( from the scan) but they are in actual fact black

Civil War Block- 13

Little Blue Basket

and last but not least

Civil War - Block 10

Lincoln’s Platform

I think I am nearly caught up. Might just have 1 more to do.

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Another Lovely Autumn Day…

And I thought I should post some photos from the Retreat I went to last weekend, at Waiwera, which is a little coastal bay on the East Coast of NZ, about 30 mins  north of Auckland.

The retreat lasts for 4 days, but I only managed 3. I find for me that’s fine, as I have other things pressing at home, that needs my attention. (DH) haha! and office work.

Isn’t this a fabulous looking tree.

Now onto the main business of the weekend….

We are a small group of about 20 ladies, and although the sewing area is a bit restricted, it makes for a cosy group of like minded people. Alot of the women were doing hand work, but I took my trusty sewezi table  (forground). I love this table as it makes me quite independant – if there’s not enough room on the tables.

See my little lady pincushion hanging on my machine– thanks  Julie – she drew lots of favourable attention.

I have added some photos of what people were working on.  

Will post a photo of what I am making as soon as I take a photo.

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