My weekend

What a fabulous weekend.  I've been housesitting, taking care of 2 burmese cats, 2 cattle and 3 chooks in the most scenic, peaceful spot and a beautiful big spacious home.  Just me, the animals and my sewing machine.



The little but noisy Ladycat of the house - when she was quiet I wondered if she was okay...haha



A very old and loving but tired Mancat of the house



Beautiful green green grass and no weeds.. but I was SO glad I didn't have to mow the huge lawns



The view from the window.. the windmills in the Manawatu

I made a few more blocks for my 1930's quilt, caught up with my son and my friends.  A fabulous relaxing and fun weekend.  My lovely lovely friend Carol came and sewed with me for an evening . Oh I do miss my friends - and it's good to bounce ideas with Carol. 

I also caught up with my good friend Emma on the way home.   Another quilter who's very creative!

It was SOOO Hot!! up there though, I was looking forward to getting home.  but the neighbours tell me it's been 31 degrees down here today...

Some like it hot, some like it cold but I don't like either..  I'd like it in the middle... warm but comfortable!! 
We need rain badly for the gardens and the farms.

Old treasures

While I was stash sorting I came across some old treasures.. Remember the days of Tricem fabric painting.  Wow, I was hooked.  Everything was painted from curtains for the children's bedrooms to dresses for my girls.  I thought they looked so cute.  Can't imagine why the girls go on about it now??  Hehe

I can't remember how many years ago I made this.  I'm wondering what to do with it now as it's too pretty to toss out.  Maybe cut the squares out and sash them?? Any ideas - does anyone know how the colour lasts.  Will it wash out after a few washes??

My daughter Haylee made me a huge wallhanging for my 40th birthday.  She was doing a learners sewing class and one day she had a book home from the library.  I said I liked the quilt with the Beryl Cook painting (a buxom girl in bikinis) in it.  So surprise surprise on the night she had made the buxom lady and surrounded it with blocks - everyone in the family chose what they wanted on a block. 

That was a long time ago and some of the 'fabrics' have worn out.  The buxom girl has become a saggy girl and so I decided it was time to part.  But I saved the best blocks.

My aunt and Uncle chose a book because when my cousin passed away I gave them a lovely book to write memories in.  The book was filled within a few months with stories and memories from all his family and friends.  My aunt loved that book hence the choice of block.

And this one was for my first grandson who was then 2 years old but is now 15 years old. 

This was my Dad's choice.  His nickname for me was Horse because many years ago when I was 12 there was a racehorse called Karen Anne!   I liked it.  It was his special name and only he was allowed to call me Horse.

I think this was a filler block showing off my love of fancy dress costume parties.  Hmm I haven't seen those legs and the little bottom for a long long time!@!!

And lastly my daughter Annette's choice was the BMW or Peace sign (that's what her transplant scar is shaped like and commonly known as).  Forgot about the buttons on it.  More for my stash.  Has anyone seen my button blog.  I need to update it more regularly but I only have 2 followers so far.

http://buttonsanonymous.blogspot.com/

All for the want of a Door!

At my monthly house group the challenge is to make a house block for one person (our names were drawn out of a hat 6 months ago).  This month's winner wants Norwegian fishing warehouse blocks in fushia colours.  The easy part was that she draw the pattern for us.  And I do love to make them from my stash. But I had to find a suitable fabric for the warehouse door. I knew I had one somewhere..

The next day I bought some baskets which fitted into the manrobe in my sewing room perfectly.  So....
you know what happened next...




The stash all come tumbling down!!   .



Slowly but surely it was sorted into colours, themes and I couldn't believe how much room I had left in the cupboards when it was neat and tidy.

I'll keep SOME of the plastic shoe boxes for UFO's.. better not keep them all for that purpose haha.

The manrobe cupboard with themed fabrics and kitsets to make up when I retire!!

the drawers full of my bigger pieces of fabric - I might need it one day

My cupboard's previously full of fabric now a home for lots of other things too!

So now that I've got the 'other stuff' out of my linen cupboard I have got room for blankets and pillows etc.  What a great feeling to achieve so much in one day!!


and finally I found what I was looking for!

Just enough of a scrap left to make a door for the Fish Warehouse, and I have to do all the stitching now, (how on earth will I get around the seagulls???  It has to be finished for tomorrow night's get together.  I'm not happy about the bare looking window on the left and it's too small to write a name on it so will sew that down last.. maybe a darker fabric is needed.  And I'll have to put a name on it too.

Hope you all have a great week.


2 down 4 to go!

I wish I was up in the Waikato again today.  Myra is back in hospital  having her second round of chemotherapy.  Although she texts several times today I wish I could be there to keep her company again.  It was really awesome being with her during her last treatment and holding her hand when the first drug was started.

Last night I rang and Myra felt she had just started feeling like she had some energy again and now it's back to hospital.  Ironic ah!  Yesterday, she finished her purple quilt so she was really pleased.

Myra's taken some hexagons to sew together in hospital over the next three days. They are gorgeous.  I never thought I'd be interested in sewing hexagons but they do look so pretty sewn up and what a relaxing thing to do in hospital.

Big hugs Myra.  I know there are a lot of beautiful quilters sending their thoughts and prayers for you today and everyday.   You are such an inspiration... Love and hugs.

Speaking of which, I'd better go and find something for me to take to hospital tomorrow night.  Just having routine tests but I need something to do or I'll go nuts. 

Is anyone having trouble downloading photos into their blog.  When I click on a photo I end up with one that's totally different???  I'd have given you a photo of Myra's quilt but it downloaded my granddaughter's plait on Boxing Day???

Fabrics from Lyon, France

Today I went into Wellington to http://www.piecebypiece.co.nz/, another gorgeous fabric shop.  I'd been there before Christmas and noticed she had some French General Fabrics.

I needed something to match these fabrics which my sister bought back from Lyon, France

Debbie doesn't sew but she saw this shop and knew my other sister Raelene and I would love some fabric from overseas.  She sent us photos of http://www.abcdaires.com/ just to make us jealous haha.

The shop in Lyon, France 

Anyway at Piece by Piece I bought a panel of French General fabric which will blend in really well.

the colour in the photo is not good.  It does match the other reds

I have 8 fat quarters and 30 pictures now so plenty to be shared between the three of us.  I'm thinking placemats or a table runner for my sisters and I will make myself a wall hanging.  One day I might get some buttons from France to put on it. 

While I was there I found the fabric that was used to make this quilt
I loved it when I saw it at Coast to Coast so I also walked out with

I'm making one for my new Great Nephew to be born in March and I think I might put a teddy bear here and there hence the brown.  Stacey wanted neutral colours but on the back I'll make it bright and boyish.

Finally I couldn't resist a photo with Laura the Clydesdale horse at Nelson Airport.  It was created at Mapua, near Nelson, by Arthur Hawke from used horseshoes.

Hearts and Fabrics

Gorgeous Heart blocks from Kiwiquilters and friends around New Zealand.  Some quilters sent more than one but they are all pinned together and I was on my way home.  Sorry.

Im home from my holiday with Myra who had her first Chemo treatments while I was there.  3 days in hospital and no problems however she has a very sore throat this week.   My prayers are that she will get through the rest of the treatments with minimal side effects.  Here are the photos of the heart blocks Myra has received and we both want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to make these beautiful blocks and to give encouragement and support in cards and letters.



 

Heart Blocks from all around the World, England, Canada, Austria, Germany, USA, Australia.  They are absolutely beautiful.



Finally I finished one of mine but I didn't have enough of the selvege which says Paua 100% bla bla.  So now I'm on the hunt for it and Myra will stitch it on.  Its not the best photo but the button in the centre of the round paua is shaped as a heart. The fabric is of course New Zealand Paua Shells.

I think I posted yesterday about the excitement when she received one from Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA where they make choclate!  There were two lovely hearts as well as fabric (with chocolates on them of course) and postcards etc.   Quilters are so kind. 

I managed to finish Olivia's quilt except for the handsewing and binding which are 'go to group' jobs when I can't take my machine.

Quilt as you go - A double sided quilt everytime.

I've also started my 1930's squares from the jelly roll etc as Myra gave me an excellent idea of putting calico squares with old embroidered doillies... buttons.. and yoyo's.. in between the blocks.  I couldn't wait to start.  it's going to look gorgeous.  Myra had already made a similar quilt.   So several doillies later out of suitcase no 7 and I have all I need to finish this quilt. 

Myra spent time completing her second 'purple' quilt.  Years ago she participated in a purple block swap with friends in USA and South Africa.  Myra loves Quilt as you Go and after finishing one in this way she undid the second top and is putting it back together QAYG.  It's so easy and fast.  .

We spent a little bit long as you say at the Quilt Shops.. of course I had to go to Wright Fabrics in Morrinsville.  (It was only two blocks away!)  Milton has a fabulous special on at the moment with 10 Half Metres of Batik for $60.00.  They are yummy and I just love Batiks.  At that price you can't lose ah. 



fabric from Wright Fabrics, Morrinsville http://www.wrightfabrics.co.nz/

 I also went to Grandmothers Garden and bought a couple of pieces of 1930's fabrics and to Morelands Fabric Barn in Hamilton where I managed to find 12 different fabrics to go in the quilt at $11.95 a metre.

One day we went to Te Aroha, a small town nearby where we went to a fabric shop - I can't remember the name but they have a fabulous selection and the staff are so helpful.  It was one of the friendliest shops.  And we went to the antique shop and the secondhand shops, something we both enjoy.  I managed to score this basket for $10.  I was so happy.  I'm sure Myra would have bought it if I hadn't hehe.. She loves baskets.

Finally for today I went to visit the girls at Arthur Toye in Palmerston North where I used to live.  I worked 5 metres away so they know me by my first name!!!   And I couldn't leave the shop empty handed in their 1/2 price sale.  I bought the backing fabric for my 1930's quilt at $7.00 metre.

I hope you are all well and have had a happy holiday season.  My  heart goes out to the people of Queensland who have the most horrific floods.  I am so saddened to see the devastation of homes and buildings that I remember so well.  The foot bridge at South Bank broke its moorings even and sailed down river.  It is a huge bridge but the force of water is incredible.  So much destruction.

And now I'm off to Nelson this afternoon to stay with my sister for a few days before back to work on Tuesday.  Eeek.. I quite like being on holiday in summer.  Hehe.  My problem is I'm trying to take a smaller bag but I need to get fabric and stuff and magazines in it too.. thinking I might take 2 sets of clothes and wash everyday.. haha... fabric is far more important!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.  Isn't this little fella gorgeous.  He's only 13 months but has been walking since 10 months.  I love this photo.. Wonder what he's thinking?? 

Christmas was a lovely day with my daughter Annette, her husband Brendan and my grandson Cameron and my son Ken togethere with Brendan's family. This little fella is Brendan's great nephew!

I've just returned from my holiday and I have had an awesome time catching up with friends and especially with Myra.  Two weeks went by and it seemed like I'd only been there a few days (Even Myra agreed haha!).  We had a lot of good fun time together before her Chemo. 

I tried to get photos of Myra who is photophobic like me.  I even went into the other room and was trying to surprise her but she knew what I was up too!!  Haha  However I did persuade her to have a photo in hospital of her BEFORE Hair... She's hoping it'll grown back thick and curly!! 

Firstly I helped by unpacking her boxes of craft and fabric.  It's so much fun unpacking someone else's treaure.  You don't know what is in the next parcel!!!  And I moved furniture.  One afternoon she opened her bedroom door and couldn't believe her eyes haha.  I'd moved some of the furniture around the lounge/sewing room.  Hehe.  I put up shelves and displayed her beautiful collections.  And of course Myra had Zillions of Buttons... oh joy!  I had to play!!

Look at these beautiful colourful old suitcases all filled with old treasures including the doillies she gave me for my quilt.

Myra is so grateful for all the beautiful heart blocks she has received from Kiwiquilters and friends in New Zealand and from quilters overseas who have sent hearts and parcels to show her they care.  Most of the hearts are received from strangers but it is so healing receiving such beautiful treasures.  While I was there Myra received 2 more packages and the look on her face and the excitement in her voice was awesome.  So on behalf of Myra and myself thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts.  When Myra is feeling a lot better I'm sure she'll work out a plan for one or even two quilts. 

I'll post photos on the next post of the hearts.  For some weird reason Blog is downloading photos I haven't selected????  Those who sent 2 or more .. the hearts are pinned together to the envelopes and I didn't undo them for the photo as I was leaving.