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

Short and sweet .......

We are still battling on here in New Zealand, not quite believing what has taken place, truly a disaster!

The human spirit is alive and well with everyone helping each other, support and the necessities of life are
being freely given. This is not a fix in a few months but a few years, quite a few years. 

I have been lucky enough to have a box of new fabric arrive at my door, a new mini hi-fi in my sewing room, I will now be able to play my CDs and listen to radio. Lots of folks will have lost these sort of items and I do have pangs of guilt at being one of the lucky ones, not to have lost anything. 

Beautiful Daisies

Shiraz in four different colourways

I have 16 blocks stitched up for Maggie Pearl and on the wall in sets of two each in similar colour.
More all ready for the making and then decisions can be made on which blocks will be kept in the mix and will not make it! The colour is slightly subdued in some of the fabrics, the opposite in others. The bottom left hand bottom block will likely not be included, doesn't seem to work for me. You need to enlarge to see the detail clearly.

Time is being spent working on settings on my iPhone camera side of things, it's pretty complex, all things relating to colour need more work. 

Not enough time has been given to quilting over the past week due to a cortisone shot in my right shoulder to help my torn rotator cuff and the left shoulder was the recipient of a B12 shot. Test shows too  low a level of this vitamin, the report suggests to consider Pernicious Anaemia - not a happy thought, I now need to have the shots every 3 months.

There was a stunning sunset a couple of days ago 

shame about the top of the tree! 

All for now, happy quilting and hopefully more quilting content next post.

Maureen

Thoughts on Thursday and Green Diamonds

 May 6th was my last post!

I have been trying to get around to writing before this but the last
month has been a round of medical appointments and quilting seemed
to be left behind unfortunately, also reading your blog posts was on hold I'm afraid.
Back to catching up tomorrow.

I have been filling and sorting out my
fabric baskets as time and energy allowed, I have full yards and
half yards tucked away in these and I can now see which colours I have aplenty
and which are somewhat lacking. Yellow/orange/brown below.

My larger pieces are stored in a good sized cupboard. and quarters
in sliding drawers.

I keep all my Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics separate from other ranges,
I also give the Spot and Aboriginal Dot ranges their own basket,
also the multi Zigzags and Diamond Stripes and similar types.

Let's get on to the Green Diamond quilt, I think it should be known as
the Green Diamond Disaster!
You've seen it in progress here on the blog, small diamonds which of course meant 
bias edges were involved. I cut on my Accuquilt, I starched, I pinned and still
have ended up with a slightly wonky quilt top!!! The occasional missed
match up of points doesn't worry me too much but the stretchiness does,
here's a quick photo on the wall before I decided to bury it in a drawer

for the foreseeable future.

I was given a quilt a few weeks ago,  made by me 18 months ago for a dear friend 

when she was nearing the last few months of her life.

Her husband came around for a lunch with us a few weeks ago and towards the end of his

visit said that he and the family felt they would like to return the quilt to me

in memory of Dianne.

Greatly treasured and I couldn't help the tears.

On a happier note husband and I celebrated 53 years of marriage last week

and I was given a beautiful cheery bouquet of sunflowers

such a glorious colour.

That's all from me right now and will close with a photo of a

beautiful sunset a few days ago

just look at those colours.

Oh, forgot to say husband and I had our first Covid 19 vaccine last week, Yay!!

Maureen

My first post of Autumn

 It's now been just on three weeks since I wrote a post.
The past three months have been a really stressful time for me and my quilting and
blog posting
have suffered as a result of this, but I'm back on board now, fingers crossed!!

The last official day of Summer here in NZ I picked the last of the  sweet peas
growing in the garden, I'm missing their sweet perfume!

However the first day of Autumn had the most beautiful sunset,
the colours became richer as the minutes passed, but I rather like
the soft golden glow in the clouds right here.

For those who follow me regularly you will know that I'm sewing along with
AHIQ String Pieced Tulips QAL
and my progress has been slow, there are now more blocks on the wall,
some sewn together and others pinned in place all ready to hit the sewing
machine tomorrow.

Only three more blocks to go before I make a start on the tulips. 

I took the opportunity to add to my fabric store during my quiet time, some of my favourites below
from Kaffe Fassett Collective latest range

and I also made a start on adding fabrics for eldest grandson's quilt
to a collection from the store.

 Hoping to make a start on this at the end of April.
If you click on any of the photos they will enlarge.

Confession Time
I have been really lax with my reading of blog posts from you all, only able to spend  a little time now and again, I know there will be many I've 
missed reading, sending my apologies to all of you!

See you soon

Maureen

First week of lock-down and a dray of squirrels

Not content with the first squirrel 

Hannah's Garden

another one has appeared on the scene and I suspect

I shall soon be dealing with a dray of squirrels!

The latest addition is this

a pattern by Frankie and Ray.

It's been long on my list of 'want to make' quilts.

I had a pretty big box of scraps needing to be sorted into colour

families, I began by sorting them into warm and cool

then decided to go with a lucky dip approach to choosing the fabrics.

for the churn dash blocks 

by closing my eyes and dipping once into each pile

and working with the two fabrics which came out, no fiddling trying to 

find a better match etc.

So just five right now

I did just manage to fussy cut this centre piece

I think I got lucky because I'm really pleased with these.

I have four more patterns lined up to use more from my

many boxes of scraps during the weeks of lock down.

Working on one quilt each day is my plan.

I now have, or will have, a dray of squirrels. Some folks say a scurry

of squirrels but a scurry refers to a gathering and as they're fiercely territorial

this is a very rare happening, a dray consists of a

mother squirrel and her young. I'm going with a dray!

Sadly we all know about lock down, social distancing, staying home

going out only to the supermarket for groceries, pharmacy or medical appointments.

We can go for a walk around the block, ride the bike but really nothing

else, no visiting family or friends. I think we're all feeling

the strain and worry of these times.

However we did have a visitor join us at breakfast yesterday

munching on the long seed pods.

Today I found another little visitor

who then headed from the rose into the porch and eventually

into the house!

Got to head back to the dining table now - apple pie with cream - my favourite,

leaving you with the sunset from two days ago.

Keep safe, keep well and keep quilting!

See you all soon.

Maureen

A new quilt top - almost - mojo back!!

After the last week or so I have taken inspiration from the book below, bought

a few days ago,

very good quotes and I love sloths so it 's a win, win.

On the advice of the above little creatures I spent the weekend

putting together a simple new quilt, following the pattern,

following the makers fabric selection and enjoying the process.

At this point in time it was an ideal project.

Just the borders to go on today.

Moss Garden

A free pattern from Free Spirit

using fabrics by who else but

Kaffe Fassett.

I first made a quilt using the pattern from the

Kaffe Fassett Patchwork book around 17 years ago.

It was listed then as Leafy Rosy Quilt, different fabrics of course, and I stitched away

as my Mum was dying of cancer back in the UK, the process kept me sane.

Unable to travel to be with her then due to my health at the time,

when I came across this pattern again I felt it was right to make

one during a happier time in my life.

There are so many ideas for quilts buzzing around in my head right now which need listing 

and prioritising, some will not make the list as I was going into overdrive!

The weather is ideal for quilting as it's been so cold and wet but

today the sun is shining, although still very cold, and I've just wandered

through the garden.

Flowering and multiplying is a plant brought home with me

from Dad's garden in Napier 16 years ago, I wasn't sure exactly what it was.

Seems to be a Celandine according to the book below

comprising of illustrations of Victorian flower paintings found 20 years ago in

the attic of Frampton Court in Gloucestershire, UK.

Painted between 1828 and 1851 by three sisters and their aunt they are of

native plants from their area.

A wonderful book for plant lovers, given to me by the local

bookshop owner who retired 18 months ago

after 34 years!! As you can imagine I was a frequent visitor during those

years, my bookshelves can prove that fact!

Gosh, I have rambled on a while, this was intended to be a short post 

however I do have one more photo of a sunset -  pure heaven to me - from our deck a few evenings ago.

 Oak tree in Winter, wonderful colour in the sky and the newish moon visible between

the bare branches. I find the moon in all it's phases quite magical, a joy to see every night and it saddens me greatly to

think that perhaps one day rockets will take more and more enthusiasts to

land on the surface. Tragic.

Signing out now!!

Happy Quilting

Maureen

Bits and pieces

Definitely a bits and pieces sort of 10 days, barely anything

achieved on the quilting side - ongoing saga of back problems - but

I was able to spend a little time on a few pieces for the

dark quilt started a couple of posts ago here

and if you have the Judy Newman book - Quilts for Life made with Love - you will

 know that in her quilt Vintage Comfort there are no stripped elements.

I like to change things around a little.

I've been going through my old Hoffman fabrics and cutting them

into strips with my GO cutter, some must be 20 years old!

I needed to make room in my storage baskets making them easier to lift out.

This one below I couldn't bear to cut up

and I'm busy thinking of where I could use a decent

size chunk in a quilt.

A package of fabrics came from Glorious Color,  these are from

the Spring 2017 Kaffe Collective range, the ones below are still

waiting to be stored away.

I'm signing off with a sunset from a few days ago

Back soon, hope you're enjoying some quilting time.

Linking up with 

Linda  and  Julie

for

Sew Stitch Snap SHARE

Maureen

Gypsy Wife - sections 8 and 9

Yes, sections 8 and 9 are together, at least for the moment. I'm not happy 

with the bottom block on the LH side, so there

may be a little time spent unpicking at some point.

It's just getting that balance right, trying not to have

too many dark blocks clustered nor too many light ones and I think

I've failed with the above mentioned block.

I felt as if I'd hit a brick wall with these two sections, don't know why, but I'm

not doing any more on this until the end of next week, maybe the brain

needs a break from gypsies!

I took myself off for a walk the other evening when I was feeling

particularly peeved off with the whole thing, just before dusk the sky was

a delight to see, good for the soul! After that I arrived home

feeling much less stressed.

This was the view as I walked along the ridge looking out to

Rangitoto in the harbour - I've decided to try and take that walk most evenings

just before dusk to blow away the cobwebs!

Hope you're all enjoying your week and your stitching.

Maureen

Progress!!

Hooray - I feel I'm now "back in the saddle" with my quilting.

The yellow/green segment of Chinese Coins.

Starting on the red/yellow section Monday.

Concentration was needed with cutting the strips, it was so easy

to cut the original oblong fabric pieces in the wrong direction. so I now

have quite a few double ups in my parts box!

Measurements of the above segment 35" x 15".

I don't have a "set in concrete" plan for this small quilt,

I'll just play along and see where it takes me.

Is anyone else noticing that the list of blogs they follow

is becoming smaller?? I think a lot of folk are using Instagram

and Facebook, perhaps this is due to the amount of time

some quilters have available.

I love looking at the sky at sunrise and sunset this is 

one from a few days ago.

A truly "brooding" sky here!