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.