Back to normality (fingers crossed),fabrics, quilts and machines

The post title really says it all, after a difficult few weeks it seems that all is settling down, slowly!

Today began with another beautiful sunrise -  a good omen I hope.

I feel I have achieved something since my last post by finishing up my Lego quilt top, and I'm happy with the result.

Some of the strips are wonky - no problem, I took whatever came to hand from the bag sitting by my machine.

The bright border fabric, full of delightful four legged friends, has been sitting in my "to use one day" basket, bought many years ago when Laurel Burch was at the height of her popularity.  Placed directly against the lego blocks the whole top didn't look as magical as I thought it would, luckily I remembered the quilt made by Julie who added a narrow inner border to her Dumpster Diving  12 - Confetti top - thank you Julie! Hunting around trying quite a few fabrics and Mirage Stripe was the winner.

Here's a close up, better shot of the stripe.

During the week this book arrived in the mail

from Quiltfolk.  In February decided to join Quiltfolk - Break The Rules BOM, one live stream (2 hours) each month for nine months, a variety of speakers. Yesterday along with the two presenters was Roderick Kiracofe who gave an amazing talk on the history of his quilt collecting, also in depth information on quite a few of the quilts themselves. The book was given to the first 500 folk who registered, I was one of the lucky ones. This is the second edition with additional quilts added.

Now, you may remember from my last post the first few words in the last paragraph were 'NO more fabric buying', but I did have a small package arrive this week ordered some time ago so I'm saying that this fabric doesn't count!!

A few of the fabrics from a quarter yardage pack of Trade Winds by Kathy Doughty, I have a specific quilt on my mind, more later.

The exciting finish to my week was the collecting of my Featherweight after her visit to the 'spa', such a treat to have her back and now usable after new cable and plug, sorely needed as the original (70 yrs) had perished and was dangerous. I don't usually name my machines, this one is different, she just had to have a name.  

Athena -  named after the Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare and  handicrafts. The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is dedicated to her and having been lucky enough in 1962  (we were sailing to New Zealand) to spend a day in Athens, explore the Acropolis and be privileged so see the Parthenon in all it's glory at sunset, the city of Athens below us, was a magical experience and still so clear in my memory today. In those days visitors could just walk along up there and explore the ruins, but now I see photos of steel steps and rails, barriers, thousands of  visitors and the creamy golden columns of the Parthenon being patched with white stone, I can understand that restoration would be needed but it does take away some of the magic.

A note here, I am happy with Athena's  association with wisdom and handicrafts - NOT the warfare. 

Happy Quilting until next time

Maureen

Another new day

 A glorious sunrise yesterday morning 

I usually begin my day by heading out on the deck to watch the sunrise, never tire of the sight.

Life seems to have moved along slowly and in rather a muddle over the past few weeks, little to show but I'm working away steadily on the Hannah Quilt and Tussie Mussie, five rows now of the latter and five more to go, each row is folded in half and  pinned on the wall keeping me motivated. 

Come December I have two sales tables booked at the Guild Meeting, so slowly, slowly I'm going through older fabrics, different designers and a couple of my scrap bins to select goodies for my tables. I came to the decision to ditch some of the older fabrics saved for backings and use my favourites, I may as well enjoy them right now!

Always find a surprise as I hunt through, the one below, possibly a Hoffman from way back, was a huge favourite and I don't have much left now, this one I'm keeping.

Two new fabrics came to be added to my stash last week, first one I spotted online from a store further down the Island, this will be used in a quilt for our soon to be grand-daughter, still a couple of months away.

This was so difficult to photograph, the soft green background repeatedly looked almost grey on the first few tries. It's a gorgeous fabric with hummingbirds, beetles and all sorts of flowers the dragonfly seems to be missing in this particular photo. This is a Tamara Kate design - Anew.   

The second piece is a Heather Bailey fabric line - Local Honey

daughter will be sewing this up in a summer dress for me, she is a designer and after three years training here in NZ she flew off to England and worked a while for the British designer John Richmond, originally from Manchester, then to London and eventually to Milan. He was very much into the rock music fashion industry and dressed many of the stars, still does I guess and Sally would tell us of all the folk who came to have him make their clothes, she worked on one in particular which was a green suede suit for George Michael, this was around the early nineties.

Books are being sorted for the sale, I have far too many so one stack is ready 

thank goodness I have until the end of November to process everything!

Well, I began the post with a sunrise and I'm ending with a mid evening photo of the moon through the bare oak tree next door, this is my nightly ritual - moon gazing

see you all again soon!

Maureen

I'm back - with Bluetooth technology!!

At last I have my new pacemaker, or as they are described by the medical professionals,  a pacing generator! With Bluetooth no less. Technology these days is amazing. I'm feeling good, which is exciting, my pacemaker "talks" to the special app on my iPhone and in turn if the app spots anything of note information goes straight through to the Cardiac Unit. It's rather like a Big Brother is Watching you scenario but I'm tremendously grateful.

So, what have I been doing since my last little post, nothing much, reading, sleeping and watching a few good TV programmes, oh and my usual moon gazing and catching sunrise and sunrise when possible, this was sunrise the other day

the cloud formations always fascinate me, especially when the rising sun catches the underside of the cloud.

You might recall I was making a start on Fonthill quilt, Wanda was also working on the same project, she had come up with the idea a few months that we could both work around the same time frame, she made tremendous headway whilst I was stalled! I hoped to continue on after my hospital visit, I had found beforehand  that I wasn't coping with the many small HSTS involved - hands not good. Sadly I'm not going forward right now but hope to perhaps think again in the New Year. So what now,  well I have three boxes with projects ready to go and from now on I'm working on patterns with good size pieces and also strips, I'm keeping things simple.

The boxed projects below were put together quite some time ago 

the bottom quilt project - Japanese Brocades - is quite a change from my usual fabric choice, I just felt like making something a little softer

I had made a start on fabric for The Hannah Quilt a little while ago, I've had the pattern from when it first was released, and was inspired to make a start after seeing the quilt  Koselig made by Julie using this pattern. Appealing to me was the fact that Julie had not used a light solid colour as the "background" strips shown in the pattern but had used a beautiful Tula Pink fabric, macaws on a pink background. I have yardage of the same design but in the turquoise colourway. Two day ago I found two fabrics to choose from as my background. Choice not yet made.

A few days ago I was told by a friend that she was having a 'mental health day' just doing something she really enjoyed, and had missed out on in recent times, she might read or paint, two things she really enjoyed but found she couldn't find the time any more to enjoy them. This had me thinking seriously about the past two years I have had, the result of which has affected my wellbeing enormously, both physically and mentally, to this end I have decided I shall have not one mental health day but a 5 month Mental Health break!!! Blogging often as I used to, spending more time in my little studio enjoying my fabrics and the view of camellias outside of the window, sitting outside in the sunshine with hand sewing and listening to the birds, moon gazing, catching sunrise and sunset, reading, going for walks now that I have the new pacemaker, reading blog posts daily again,  seeing family more often - we're going to be great grandparents soon which is thrilling.  

Reading -two books below have been sitting on my bedside table for around three months, the cover of the first book - Phosphorescence - drew me in straight away, as did the title of the book. I hasten to say it is not a book about depression but the beauty around us. I used to love the streams of phosphorescence in the wake of the boat at night, also by the bow, when we sailed to New Zealand in 1962 and back to the UK in 1963, the glow is stunning.

Next in line is Miss Dior - A Wartime Story of Courage and Couture. The title says it all, Christian Dior and his beloved younger sister, Catherine who inspired his famous perfume. I am so looking forward to reading this biography.

I think I have exhausted my news here now, apart from apologies for having, once again, missed your posts over the past 10 days, I had to take things easy.

Oh, making a start on my 5 months mentioned above here is a photo of one of the most beautiful camellias in our garden, can't recall the name unfortunately!

Before I sign off we have been reading and hearing of the horrific weather in the USA, in fact all over the world I think, but reading our news this morning I was horrified. Hoping that you re all safe and well, along with all your family members.

Keep safe

Maureen

One top finished, a new one started

Okay, I finished sewing up the Maggie Pearl top - hooray! A boo-boo with the blue block, second row down and second block in, this I  moved to a different position in the top and the more subdued blue took it's place, DH asked could he see how it was placed originally, yes he could but then I forgot to move it back again. After a tricky day I headed for the machine and stitched - only at the last strip did I realise what I had done. I wasn't about to begin unpicking all those seams so it's staying as is.

On to my next project, one I had marked in a Kaffe Fassett book just after Quilts in Italy became available in 2016. The colour in this quilt had me hooked, ideal to bring a breath of Spring into the bedroom when Autumn and Winter hits us, as we're now in Autumn  I had better get busy with Tussie Mussie.

Isn't she (looks like a she) a beauty! Apart from the required two Mad Plaid fabrics (one will have to be a substitute) the remainder are from stash, I love this one so much I have just gone totally with KF listed fabrics. Measures 80" x 80" and required 8 and 7/8" strips as the first step, I couldn't be fussed with this measurement so mine are cut just 8 and 1/2", it's not going to make much difference at all.

Some fabrics require just one strip cut, some two strips and a couple need three strips. 

One strip of each fabric:

Two strips:

Three strips:

I shall definitely be starching before cutting, they would stretch too easily without this. A special project is coming up end April beginning of May so TM needs to under the machine within a few days. Doesn't have to be all complete before my next quilt, I like to have two or three projects on the go (understatement here, it's usually more than that).

More re-arranging and tidying of my little studio has been keeping me busy, don't know why such a small room needs so much arranging to have a better working set up. It does have to be tidy though or everything quickly unravels.

Signing off with my favourite hibiscus and an almost matching sunrise yesterday

and the hibiscus

Before I do sign off,  am I the only quilter who has noticed a heck of a lot of bloggers that I've followed for some years are no longer around, they all seem to be on Instagram, or have just totally stopped writing a blog, such a shame.

Happy Easter to everyone.

Maureen

Serendipity

What could be better than a stunning sunrise to begin the day - 6.55am.

A busy week but not much quilting happening although I have to tell you that my 16 patch blocks using the vibrant raspberry pink found a new home in my parts box!! I had nine blocks sewn and up on the design wall, stood back to see the overall look and was horrified, the pink was still overwhelming and I just couldn't carry on. So, lesson learned and off to the parts box with ideas buzzing around on what to do next.

When I opened the box I had a nice surprise - you might remember the photo below from a September post

the beginning of an orange/red/yellow 16 patch with a hint of pink. I had stitched up five blocks and had other strips sewn and cut into rows but for some reason decided to stop, needless to say they have now been resurrected and I'm off to a good start with this 16 patch! I'm not sure how many blocks I need right now, not wanting to make a large quilt, just throw size probably. The blocks will measure 8" finished.

 That's all I've achieved on the quilting side of things although quite a bit of fabric folding and tidying has been going on.

I bought myself a new desk for my computer, adjustable height and perfect for me to rest my right arm to avoid the drag on my shoulder, seems to be working well but I can only spend short spells here.

I've spent  some time just sitting in the garden enjoying the last of the Autumn weather, we officially enter Winter today so it's going to get colder pretty soon and preparing for the change in weather Ive been hanging feeders up for the birds,  the tauhou (silvereyes) are loving the filled coconut shells. They're gorgeous wee birds flitting about like crazy.

Happy Quilting

Maureen

Count down to lockdown @11.59pm 25th March 2020

Here in New Zealand we go into lockdown at 11.59pm

on Wednesday 25th March 2020.

The decision was taken by the Government yesterday and

the announcement and details were given by the

Prime Minister.

This was the sunrise yesterday just a few hours before the announcement.

Rather spooky!!!

As of tomorrow at 11.59pm life will change for us.

Schools and universities shut down, shops, restaurants also closed.

Building sites closed down, the list is a long one!

The essentials to remain open will be pharmacies, medical surgeries and

supermarkets everything else will be closed.

We are all to remain home, we can not mix with others, not even family, we can only have

close contact with people living in the house.

All 70 year olds and those with underlying health problems (me) are classed as

high risk so thank goodness for the telephone, skype and facetime and computers.

We have to arrange for groceries to be collected

 - thank goodness we have our three adult 'children' who have all

offered any help we need. 

It has been difficult to concentrate over the past three days

but I have a finished table runner top, or it could be used as

a very long wall-hanging, I just have to trim the

sides and then can sandwich it for quilting.

I used the Ombre digitally printed range from Jennifer Sampou and the pattern.

This is my first experience with this sort of fabric

and I much prefer my usual regular quilting fabrics.

However, I do love the colours!

Measurements - 72" x 16 and 1/2"

Well, almost time for the latest bulletin so off to the living room

and the tv.

All of you stay safe and well and we can keep in touch as usual

with our blogs and our quilting adventures!

Maureen

Quilts, Crutches and Covid 19

This is the March photo on my calendar - as soon as I turned

the page over I thought immediately of

Wanda at

Exuberant Color

who is a fan of zebras!

Having been fighting a nasty infection for the past two weeks and doing a real good
job of damaging my knee (hence the crutches) my sewing has been nil.
Hopefully another week of physio and being careful will
mean I can get back to the machine.

Because of the above I'm very late in showing the finished Diamond quilt for my friend
 dealing with tremendous health issues.
This was couriered down to her and I was thrilled to have
a 'phone call as soon as she received it telling me how much she
loved it, she spotted the pear fabric immediately (see previous post).
 Green Guinea Flower
was the fabric I chose to bind with for continuity of the
filler shapes around the diamonds.

 Quilted  by Leeanne at
Quilt Me Kiwi
the pattern is Full Feathers
Quilt measures 49" x 73"

It was a great day for photographing, not too bright so what you see here
is spot on for colour.
Here's a close up of the quilting, shows beautifully
on the pear diamond, I loved the colour of the
 cotton Leeanne used.

The significance of this particular fabric was mentioned in my last post.

We are all aware of Covid 19 and the effect on world populations,
here in New Zealand our Prime Minister yesterday announced a raft of new
measures to be taken to hopefully limit the number of cases
which could develop in New Zealand.
She's doing a tremendous job. Not everyone will be happy with
the decisions but we need to do all we can to limit the spread.

On that note I'll end this brief post and go read all your latest blog
posts, sitting at the computer has been impossible at times so
I'm awfully late with my reading.

Sleep being difficult presently, I've been up bright and early
and the bonus has been seeing the glorious sunrise in the
mornings, I loved the pop of light blue  in the one below.

Until next time-
keep safe!!

Maureen

Scraps on Friday and other things

No actual sewing has happened since I last posted, I decided to begin

the organisation of my studio by sorting my scraps.

A huge shock was in store for me because I had six

of these bins below tucked away under my large extension table.

You can see they are literally bursting!!

Scraps date from present day to way, way back.

Each of these cardboard bins are full, I weighed each one,

 12lbs give or take a few ounces under or over,  I calculate

that within each bin sits approximately 36 yards of fabric!!

By my reckoning six bins gives me approximately 

216 yards of fabric scraps.

I am drowning in scraps!!!! I was so overwhelmed that I 

promptly replaced them under the table to sort next week and moved on to

opening a package in the mail - not more fabric - but I think

the most delicious book I have ever seen!

From QUILTmania comes

this treasure below,

text in both French and English and is a book about the collector

and his quilts.

Just look at this quilt below

I saw this book pop up on Instagram a few days ago and was hooked.

If you do have the chance to turn the pages of this book you will see why.

Time will be set aside each week to spend reading in a quiet corner.

More fabric selections for my UANDUQAL quilt

have been selected and will be under the machine next week.

A walk through the garden yesterday revealed below

one of my clumps of bluebells. These harbingers of Spring, along with crocus,

are the flowers of my childhood days playing in the fields at the side of

my home in Lancashire.  Nostalgia sweeps over me when I

see and smell these blooms.

Dawn is here much earlier now and I love to be up 

watching the sunrise. At 6.30am yesterday I took this photo

of the sun hitting the bare oak branches giving them a golden glow,

sights like this are the perfect start to my day.

Happy Quilting

Maureen

Planning, Surprises and Sunrise - heavy on photos!

I have a total finish!!

The quilt for Bea's 20th birthday has now been bound, she doesn't know

anything about this surprise at all, I hope she likes it!!

Photos taken on the old deck

Two more quilt tops are on their way to Leeanne

for her to work her magic with the quilting

Rainbow Blur below

and my Tula Pink top

I'm just about to bind one of my Memory Quilts - quick peek at a

smidgy bit of it below.

I need to get down down to some serious planning on quilts to be made,

size, fabrics chosen and so on. It's going to be a hard task to decide which to play with

over the next twelve months. I'm having a sale at our Auckland Quilt Guild

early August, with the results of a serious de-stash.

An echocardiogram a couple of weeks ago gave us a surprise,

I have a congenital heart defect, not picked up before.

My aortic valve did not form correctly, instead of having

three leaflets (tri-leaflet) which peel back fully in order to let the blood flow mine

is bicuspid, the valve only splits into two flaps, looks like a round emoji with just the smile!

This, as you can see, is a

slight problem!

The  valve thickens and becomes stiff  (stenosis) and is a disorder which is progressive - 

presently mild but progression rate is variable, hence my decision to take stock

of my proposed quilting and fabrics, hopefully prematurely!

However, life goes on and just look at this sunrise two days ago,

took my breath away.

You can just see a peep of soft turquoise streaking in through the trees.

Have a great weekend, see you soon.

Maureen