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

Liquorice Allsorts

My last post HERE was focused on the start of a new quilt,
Stamps and Bricks.
I showed a few early 9 patch blocks - bright blocks!

As I placed more and more pieces up on the wall I became more and more
excited, this quilt just called out to be named

Liquorice Allsorts

   

 those of you who grew up in the UK or are still living there will surely know
how popular these sweets were, especially as children, and I think every
sweet shop in the country had them on the shelves.

For those who are not familiar with Allsorts they were, as the name suggests,
based on liquorice and were brightly coloured. They were definitely a favourite
of mine.

A number of years ago just on Christmas I spied tin boxes of these delights
on a shelf in the supermarket, one just had to come home with me

and oh did we all enjoy them - the 'kids' ( 45 to 52 yrs now) were delighted!

You can see the bright colours of the sweets, there was more selection than
shown on the tin.

Back to quilts - the centre block is 32" square presently, because of all the colour
I decided to go with a narrow border break - what else could I use but
Kaffe Fassett Guinea Flower in White, this echoes the 9 patch directly in the centre.

Aboriginal Dot in Orchid is used for the alternating squares,
it looks black in the photo but in reality is more purple/aubergine.

The only other patchwork related happening was pulling out my
spare parts box, this post from quiltdivajulie inspired me, but I had one
heck of a shock at the amount tucked in there. I pulled out
two Churn Dash bocks which I had made many years ago
when I was just discovering KF fabric, at least in the left block.

I had obviously become a devotee by the time this block below was made

but don't let the photo above fool you, for some un-known reason
I had done this

  

yes, what I pulled out was two halves!!
I truly do not remember doing this at all.
I promptly closed the box in case there were any more halves lurking there.
On a positive note my love of the Churn Dash block has been
re-kindled so watch out for a visit from the squirrel.

That's enough from me right now, closing with one of the beautiful
camellias flowering in the garden

Have a happy weekend, see you next week.

Maureen

A Pocket Full of Posies and a squirrel

 A flimsy for the Quilt Along with AHIQ

A Pocket Full of Posies

and if you've been following my progress you will know that I passed on the tulips
for the centre
and went with a flower collage.
After auditioning fabrics for the border I decided to try out Kaffe's Spot collection,
the one I chose was the Autumn colourway.
I tried out various widths both narrow at 1 and 1/2" and wider at 3"neither
of which made me happy, something was missing, so I decided to break the border
into two different widths of Spot with a very narrow band of Poppy Garden,
separating them,
this was the fabric used to cut the collage. To quote Goldilocks
after tasting two bowls of porridge, she tried the third bowl and this was
"just right".

A Pocket Full of Posies is currently 45 and 1/2" square, before quilting.

Two days ago I had a visitor, yes, another squirrel

appeared in my little studio following the arrival of the book below,
which absolutely gorgeous,

in which Kaffe shows a particular quilt and I immediately
knew I had to make one, again not following strictly his colour scheme nor
the setting but doing my own thing!
I began to play with a few of my 2 and 1/2" squares and cut a few
more from Aboriginal Dot in Orchid

I'm well and truly hooked on this project, I have a few more 
currently in the "to finish" basket  of course and I'm working on a plan to
finish these up. Choosing fabrics and design I enjoy the most, quilting not so much,
hence I have approximately 23 quilts, large and small in the afore mentioned basket.

Along with patterned squares will be the fabric selection below and no doubt more will be added

but not to be included in this particular quilt will be the two new Tula Pink fabrics below.

After all the excitement of the arrival of the book and pulling out squares
it was an ideal time to take a walk around the block, 
here's the view from Sandspit Road a little further along the road from our home.

The cloud formation looks like a roll of pleated cotton wool from
a first aid box!

I'll leave you now with one of our flowering sasanqua camellias
Early Pearly

Until next time - Happy Quilting

Maureen

 

Back to sewing - slowly

 I'd like to say a big thank you here to everyone who sent me their best wishes,

following my last post, I was really in a bad place with the pain in my arm and hand

 so your good wishes helped raise my spirits.

Before I continue I have reverted back to Legacy blogger because trying to write this post I

seem to be having double line spacing with the new interface and can find no way to change to single,

is anyone else having this problem, have blogger changed the setting?

Last post I was here

with my Medallion quilt.

All quilting and typing came to a stop as a hook shape bone spur on 

the very tip of my R elbow hooked up my ulnar nerve going down to

the inside of my arm and hand. Apparently I screamed as it happened!

Tendon is very inflamed, pinkie and ring finger are affected, weakened and with

grip problems

and also my wrist.

Wearing a brace now, told to use

it all the time for up to 3 months and over the past four days I have been able to

get to the machine for a little time each day.

So two days ago  I was here

and you will see that the points on four sides are chopped off,

this is the pattern!! Actually I quite like the look but I was surprised when

I read that they were to be 'sacrificed'.

The first narrow border should have been black following the pattern instructions

but I did my own thing and went with some AMH fabric.

My stitching leaves a little to be desired here and there but
it's so awkward with my right hand braced.

Yesterday I worked a little more on the quilt and again this

morning and now I am here

and once again I've gone my own way because the top and bottom borders

were supposed to be small HSTs and I knew that was a no go right now so

I just used two simple strips. The colours are showing darker again, I'll try and figure out what

the problem is by next post.

The inner border is 1" finished and the outer ones 2" finished and the

present measurement is 24 and 1/2" square. 

I'm going to have to re-think the next few borders as I can't take on lots

of stitching with small pieces.

Something tells me my Postage Stamp blocks may be on hold for a while!

Let's see if the two close-ups I took are true to colour

and no, they are too dark!!

I've been reading a lot, having after lunch naps, swallowing

pain meds and watching favourite videos!

 I haven't read any blogs, but I'll get back into my routine tomorrow.

I've also enjoyed daily wanderings in the garden to see what's coming into early 

Spring like bloom.

Here's a favourite daylily

and two beautiful camellias

taken after a rain shower.

That's all from me right now, it has taken me

for ever to produce this post, hopefully the next one will

be a speedier process.

Keep safe and well.

Maureen

A finished top and reading on the agenda

Somehow it's now the 3rd August - how on earth did that happen!

I  have a brief post, lots going on around here and sorting

fabrics and books and odd bits and pieces for my sale

at the Guild meeting tomorrow.

Moss Garden now has borders and the binding fabric

arrived two day ago, I've pinned a wee piece

up against the border just so you get an idea.

I'm intending to have plain diagonal crosshatching, this I can

handle myself as the quilt isn't too large.

Come Monday the grey check design flannel is coming off the wall

and an off white plain flannel going on. It will be much

easier to place quilts without the  white lines distorting.

Closer view of the binding, it's a lovely combination

of green on purple, not a dark purple, I went with the original from the pattern.

So, not much at all on the quilting side but I do have three

new books. The first one is the Kaffe release,

all Medallion quilts. Some are variations on quilts

from his previous books using different colour combinations and settings.

The quilt on the cover appeals to me and I'm not really an

Autumn colour person.

Quite a few of the quilts are on the large side but I guess a border

could be left off on some of them as long as it doesn't spoil the look of the quilt.

Two other books have joined the stack by my chair, the one

below covers English style of interior design, it was on special

at a great price.

  

Soft colour, relaxing classic design and oh so different from

 this one below!

The colour combinations are glorious but I have to admit

that some are a little over the top even for me.

Great ideas for quilts!

It's shockingly cold and really wet here today and would be a perfect

day to sit and sew but that will have to wait until Monday.

The camellias are being battered by the weather but some of ours

are in sheltered spots, the one below for example

caught during a brief lull in the rain. I now see

that the snails have been feasting a little.

Enjoy your weekend and happy quilting until next time.

Maureen

Waltzing Matilda aka Rainbow Blur

I now have this quilt top finished and all ready

to be hung in the closet waiting to be quilted.

My quilts have names and as this one was based on the

travels around Aussie by Anna Maria Horner I'm calling it

Waltzing Matilda!

This will be gifted, I have someone in mind but just in case

they read my blog I'll not mention the name.

You might remember I reduced the block size so mine

is 60" x 75", at the limit of my capabilities at the moment.

The pieces are a great size so it goes together pretty quickly.

Below is one of my favourite squares 10" finished and

making up a part of the 15" finished block,

but my all time favourite fabric from this range is below

three yards are tucked away in my stash!

You  can see it's a large pattern, but glorious!!

In my last post showed a photo of the lovely poppy fabric from KF Collective,

a Philip Jacobs design, I love to see the fabrics from these three guys

in strips, two clean up cuts below

they play so well together, every time.

 Now, one of the blogs I read is by Maria Cook 

at

apiecefullife.blogspot.com.au

Maria works magic with indigo fabrics, beautiful rich and moody blues,

but one day she had few little pieces on her blog in cream/white. One of these

gems showed three little girls skipping and wow, I was back

with my friends all those years ago in Lancashire! Within a few minutes

of spotting this it was mine.

Here are the girls photographed on a piece of black felt.
Measuring 4" x 7.5", I'll mount it and have it framed.

Although we're now in Autumn here one of the pleasures of this season

is the view from where I sit at my machine

one of my early flowering camellias, it's always a joy to

look up and see this, a great way to rest the eyes.

It's link up today 

with

Linda and Julie

hosting
Sew,Stitch,Snap,SHARE
hope you'll stop by and visit them.

AHIQ #31 - the start of a utility quilt

Whilst many may not think of this quilt I'm making as

a utility quilt, if I go off some of the descriptions I've read I'm

thinking it is.

One I read:

'a functional quilt that usually contains a simple pattern'

another

'a quilt that was made to be used daily knowing

that someday it would be used up'

sadly I'm not sure where these came from originally but I had them written down

on my little studio notice board.

 My Anna Maria Horner fabrics arrived

and I had printed out a free pattern ( Rainbow Blur) from Free Spirit using

these Sweet  Dreams fabrics, two blocks, one just a large square the

other a mix of different sized squares.

The pattern called for the block size to be 18 and 1/2" - a little on the

large size for me, I just want this to be a cover up quilt for keeping us

warm in the winter months, not worried if it needs washing

every week, kids and cats welcome to use it!

I sized the block down to 15 and 1/2", four blocks across and

five down.

Looking at this now, had it been my own design and improv it

would have met the Scale Challenge - four different sized squares!

I'm still cutting the pieces and they're living in their own plastic bags

marked A through to X, 24 lovely fabrics and there will be enough left

to make something smaller afterwards.

As we're now into Autumn I was happy to see two of my early

flowering camellias blooming yesterday

this bottom one was a pure dark pink originally and now most of the blooms

are opening streaked here and there with white.

Back to my machine now to sew more strips for the Frog quilt

and sew more on Rainbow Blur - I think it may be quite

addictive!

Linking up now with 

Kaja and Ann

who host AHIQ

why not visit and see who's meeting the scale challenge

and who's on utility!

Maureen

Moving forward

My Golden Strips quilt only has 5 more strips to go up

this should be all sewn tomorrow.

I'm still getting the hang of my new computer and all the gadgets,

 this photo was taken with my iPad and the light was not

very good, it's not coming up as rich a golden as it truly is.

You all know how much I love the Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics,

one of the reason I enjoy working with strips from these guys

is the serendipity which can come from randomly sewing the strips, check out 

Shoal on the left hand side with a strip of Pastel Brocade next to it,

I love the way we almost have a secondary pattern where the centre of the 

Brocade flower meets up with the top of one of the fish - not cut and matched I have to say.

I had a new book arrive yesterday, I missed out on this at the first printing

and they went to a second print

and I'm looking forward to some practice over the next week.

Another project for next week is to gather my scraps from Gypsy Wife

and join in September with Ann  at Fret Not Yourself blog,

Ann thought it would be a good idea to make scrappy butterfly
blocks, I'm joining in with her 'cos there's
 no shortage of scraps at my place!!

I'm just going to post a photo of  lovely camellia -  Guilio Nuccio -
it's a practice run for adding text with a new editing system,
things may not work out too well on this first trial.
Here goes

well I can just about see the text bottom right,
a little more work needed methinks!

All for now, enjoy the rest of your week
and happy quilting.

A good day for quilting!

We are having some very wet weather here in Auckland not great for me to get into the garden but just right for time on my quilting! Even though the weather is wet we did go off to the garden centre yesterday and bought two more camellias to extend the hedge down the side garden.

We also found a few more hellebores (no photo of these as didn't get them in focus and I'm not heading out in the rain again to take another shot) they are also white and doubles. I do like white flowers in the garden splashed in with everything else, we have huge spreads of the white Japanese anemones which sadly take over the whole garden if not ruthlessly culled now and again.

The hydrangeas by the driveway are underplanted with miniature white cyclamen, these particular ones are scented and smell delicious

We also bought a new shrub a Tibouchina and this one is not the usual deep purple but a softer lilac called "Moonstruck" this can go near the apricot climbing roses  

On the quilting side of things I have made a new block for 15 Minutes Play using some of the fabrics from Helen in the scrap swap (will be posting this later in the week) and made a few more blocks for the one below, still need seven more before thinking about borders. Yes, I know I have a few stray threads on there,  forgot to tidy them up before taking a photo!

I have to spend as much time as I can this week on my quilting because after my hand surgery next Monday (right hand) I will be out of action for two weeks or so - plenty of books to read and a stack of movies/series to play. I bought series one, two and three of Downton Abbey, two documentary films by David Attenborough - I am crazy about wildlife programmes/films especially fronted by him, my son bought me the movie Howards End and there are others all stacked up including a couple of comedies which may be needed depending on how painful my hand is!

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend and will make my next post more quilt orientated.