Busy busy busy

 I'm sure we're all busy at this time of the year but usually Christmas shopping.  I have to go out and shop today for mine.  Yes I should have been and done that by now but... Remember the organza flower I made for my Mum.. well I carried on using the waterfall I had and a good friend Mrs C said she could sell them at her work. 

Then the girls from work saw them and wanted some too.  Friends have bought them as I've been making them so I haven't been able to keep up.  My lounge is a mess organza all around me..

Petals cut out ready to melt on a tea light.  They don't have to be perfect YAY!!

  

See my work 'table'.. what a mess

  

Egg cartons.. great for pinning in organzas once they're melted..

And the benefit of having a lovely OLD lazyboy is you can put pins in it!!!  These flowers are sortof put together but not sewn together yet... 

I haven't invited anyone around for ages because it's in such disarray and my son is still here and I love him to bits and I have been a nice mum for 9 months.. but enough is enough!  I keep looking everyday for a place he can move too closer to his work.  I need my house back to myself... no boy smells - dirty socks and farts!, no plates on the floor in the bedroom, having to tell him to clean up after himself, put the seat down ra ra ra.  And he's 32!!  He does need his own space!

 

Heck, it's an hour later and I need to go and do my Christmas shop. 

My First Quilt

Bonnie Hunter at Quiltsville is posting today about her first quilt and has invited others to post about theirs.  My first quilt was made in January 2005 when I lived in Hamilton.  I always said I'd never do patchwork.. all that cutting with scissors .. but then I met Myra and she showed me how it was done.  Well, I was hooked and 2 weeks later I had my mothers 50 year old Bernina, fabric and a project under way.  My friend Margaret's daughter Anna was getting engaged  that year and her favourite colours were red, white and blue. 

I made a double sized raggy quilt and put hearts on bigger blocks.  Somewhere I even wrote their names in gold paint.. eeek.. It looks terrible now.  But I believe Anna still has it.

I left Hamilton in March of that year and before I left I made this wallhanging for Myra to say thank you for teaching me patchwork ( now I think it's like being a pimp - she got me hooked haha!) 

Myra's House of Threads!   I made it up using different applique patterns.  Look at those buttons - must have been the start of something else way back then.. eeek.  Oh dear, not much quilting... . sad! 

I think I should have done a few quilts before I gave them away haha. 

Christmas is upon us!!

Eeek, it's less than a month away and I am not prepared at all.  Lucky I only have 4 grandchildren and a great nephew to buy for and my dear friends Myra and Martina.  I have been busy trying to do a few little things but should have posted a parcel to Germany a month ago.  Oh well, Martina my dear friend, it will be a New Years surprise.

Today I received an unexpected gift from Martina.  It is such a treat to come home and find a parcel waiting for me.  I'm like a kid at Christmas opening it believe me.  It's so exciting.  Thank you Martina, I am so glad we met, I really enjoy sharing our love of quilting and friendship.

Another magazine from Germany with lovely
Christmas projects and a pack of Christmas fabrics from Germany.  The selvedge says tante Ema - Aunty Emma.  hehe It's so special .  I know what I'm going to make with them for NEXT Christmas. 

 Whoops the photo is upside down up there but you can see the pretty colours.  Today ws our Christmas party at our local Quilting Club. Here are some of the quilts I would love to have in my room...

We had a 'bring a plate' lunch.  Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to make Reindeer biscuits with pretzels for ears! 

Pretty bright Christmas trees.  Sideways.. sorry but I'm off to bed, so too tired to straighten it.

Rhododendrons are all in flower here in New Zealand .  My grandmother had several in her garden so they always remind me of her.

And goodnight from Wellington New Zealand where the wind has stopped, the blue sky is back and everything looks perfect.  Flowers are starting to emerge, trees are green and I can sit in the park at lunchtimes.  I love this time of year.

80 years young

The winner of the Wellington sign competition judged this week.  This one designed by Saatchi and Saatchi to represent Windy Wellington.  It will be erected on the Miramar Hill so it can be seen when planes are flying in to the airport.

Wellington is well known for its windy weather and the last few days have been especially wild.  I think this could be the windiest I've ever experienced since moving here.  I work on the 6th floor and the wind has slammed against the windows, really giving us a fright haha.. and the building is on rollers so it wobbles a bit in the strong gusts.  It's really quite amazing but frightening to drive in.  My son drove his truck with canvas sides during the wind on Monday morning..I think it's the worst day of his career so far!

I hate the wind though at this time of the year, there is so much pollen and stuff in the air!  I have been really ill with asthma and hayfever for the last few weeks and even had two days off because I was so breathless.  I've been on steroids and antibiotics for the last few days so hopefully will start to pick up again now.  Hence my absence from blogging.  I have been soooo tired!!! 

To catch you up here is my Kaelidoscope quilt on the design wall.  It's not sewn together yet but I think it's looking good.

last weekend Ken and I drove to Dannevirke to celebrate my Mum's 80th birthday.  My little sister arranged the venue and caterer etc etc so all I had to do was put photos on a board. 

Table decorations for Mum's party.  Simple but awesome colours. 

My Mum, 80 years old, a very little lady (scarcely 5 ft - my Dad ws 6ft 4") but we knew who ruled the roost haha.  Very few gray hairs.. I do hope I take after my Mum.  She's never home!!  Social Butterfly.

This was the organza brooch I made for her to wear.  I saw a video on You Tube and using fabrics from a waterfall of organza and one of my special buttons it was made in no time.  I've carried on .. maybe I'll hang them on the christmas tree.  I oversinged this one but it still looks okay.

Boo

Bit late for Halloween but I'm sure you'll be surprised. Nearly 2 weeks since I posted.  I have been busy, last week only one night at home.. eek!  Always tired that week but it only happens once a month.  However my weekend had been busy too. 

 I was making a little friend for Myra to take on her trip down south on the Tranzalpine Steam Train.  Flat Ted was No 2 attempt but from a pattern!  He has a very funny head and a long neck but I reckon that's so he can see out the windows.  It's the first time I've made one but Myra thinks he's cute and he is indeed flat so he can fit in any suitcase.  He's even got the apple to keep the Dr away!  Myra had to give him some eyes.  She has a jar full!

This weekend I went to see my friend who collects buttons.  I had bought a few at a fabric sale and wanted to check out what was worth keeping etc.  Wow, three of the buttons are bought are very old and a really good find.

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I paid $4 for this one which was put on a card.  I didn't think much about the card which said "boilproof"
but Ruth pointed out the card was a photocopied one and didn't belong to that button. 
My button is indeed a 'picture' button and very, very old. 

  

I thought the button on the right has been painted over or varnished as it doesn't quite look right.  But the plate on the back says "made in London" and I'm told its a Bimini button which again is a real collectors item.

Enough of buttons.  My friends groan when I start talking buttons haha.  I'm sure you're bored too!

On Sunday I went to a Colour Wheel workshop.  I thought I knew everything but!!

The tutor was Chris McKenna and she had some amazing beautiful quilts.  These two that I got photos of are gorgeous so I thought I'd share them.

I took along a fabric that I love but have found it hard to match up with anything. 

Maybe I'll get inspired now and start looking again.

Buttons up

It's been a lovely day but really turned cool this evening. I went to Pinestream Quilters meeting tonight in Upper Hutt with my friend June I always enjoy seeing quilts and sharing ideas and of course getting a new bundle of library books to read. (As if I need more ideas). tonight someone was giving away scrap bags so I was lucky enough to grab one of them too.

Pretty glass, orange, pink and red. Moonglows - that's the bottom blue, A couple of brown art deco buttons and others.

 Thought I'd show you some of my latest button finds.. Myra and I found a few antique and opportunity shops over her stay.  I'm always on the look out for a button jar which just might have some treasure in it.   
Three Buckets Full in Lower Hutt has an awful lot of buttons.  Tooo many!  Wendy also has a $1 bowl.  Eek $1 doesn't sound much but it soon grows to $5. 

I love "Twinkles".  The big one in the photo is very rare. I was so lucky to find it for $5. 

It was really grubby but I cleaned it up with this stuff that's like Steelo's which we clean pots and pans with in New Zealand but a very fine one.

I'm told you can only buy it in Europe so I appreciate my friend Ruth giving me some. It goes a long way.

My collection of 'twinkles'



Beautiful clear buttons with 3d designs



Glass Art Deco Buttons - the colours are gorgeous.  I love them.

Batteries and Buttons

You know what it's like.  For weeks you look forward to something and all too soon it is over and life returns to normal.  I have been waiting for Myra to visit for weeks and she's been, now she's gone home and it was an incredibly great visit but not long enough.  I worried about wearing her out though, but I'm the one who's worn out haha.  I need Energizer Batteries... big ones haha.  Oh it's been so much fun but now my house seems too quiet and empty. 

We were out a lot and included a visit to Golders Cottage in Upper Hutt, built in 1800's and still original in many ways. 



No taps for the water here, and this is the safe and the store room for preserves!



This beautiful dolls house was featured inside.  there is so much detail.  I wish I could have got better close up photos.

Remember the old gramophone.  My grandparents had one and we loved to watch the needle going around and around the record when we were kids.

The Long Drop at the back of the garden.  I remember being frightened by spiders in one as a child.

We went to Parliament Buildings.  I don't think I've been there since I was at School.



 One of the highlights of the weekend was a visit to a button collector who lives here.  There were a few visitors there also.  I adore buttons, especially old ones.  Aren't these amazing.   American Celluloid.  How much work went into making them back then.  And these childrens buttons 1920-1940 are so cute!

Here's me in my element.  Looking through the button boxes.  Eek... $ signs !!!

Old Vintage Coat buttons

These are made of Shell.  Click on the photo to enlarge it.  They are stunning.

Luckily we have the same interests.  We never get bore together. 

Thank you for coming Myra.  I can't wait till the next time.

WINNERS WINNERS AND MORE WINNERS

What a wonderful exciting event the World Cup has been to New Zealand.  It has bought much needed happiness and excitement to everyone here. And as you already know our All Blacks won!!!!  A very close nail biting game against France.  Well done France.  Both teams played well but had to play hard.  It was nerve wracking in the last few minutes.  the score was 8 NZ - 7 France!!!



Of course I have to show this photo taken last year of me and Victor Veto (on right in top photo).  I feel very special to have had my arms around an All Black!!  Go Victor! haha



Last week the group that I work in, won the General Manager's Award for Best World Cup Pod and Second Prize for Viewers Choice.  Woohooo..

A Georgia Flag I made very quickly from a cream curtain fabric and red polyester.  It's about 4feet wide

We were thrilled but didn't expect it.  the GM's comments were that we had selected a small country, stuck with the Rugby theme, dressed up to show our support and gone the extra mile! 

Nothing like the rugby scrum in their little shorts!@

On Friday's we dressed up as Cheerleaders for the team and even had our photos taken in the scrum haha.



Inside the locker room

There were 20 selected groups of staff in the building who all drew a country out of a hat.  Everyone then had to decorate their areas to show their support to that country.    Here's a few photos:


The locker complete with ointments and things rugby players might have in their locker.  We had a sniff test too.. jars with liniment, grass, leather and even a dirty sock!! haha



A view from one of the windows - the Georgia flags made by Tania

And finally tonight the winner of my 300th post give away is ....

Myra making the draw at Wellington Airport

Quiltgirlie drawn by the lovely Myra while waiting for her plane this afternoon.  So Quiltgirlie please email me as soon as you can with your mailing address.  Congratulations! 

I've got a few posts to put up this week about our busy few days together. 

We crammed a lot in and included visits to friends and to a Button Club meeting yesterday.  I so love my buttons but now Myra is going to collect 'special' buttons too so we'll be able to share this obsession as well. 

Off to bed now.. it is so windy here tonight everything is rattling and it's really quite discomforting.  Myra is back home at her house - and I haven't opened my mouth all night..... I so enjoyed her company.  Night everyone.  God Bless You all.