Finished Cot Quilt and Knitting.

 Folded up and ready to be stored in the cupboard for just a few weeks. 

 It's raining out side so all I could do at this stage for a photo was say, " Hold this up please." It is straight and square even though it doesn't look it here. Holder has a recovering from surgery  shoulder so I had to be quick. You'll get the idea anyway. I am very pleased with how this went together - no hassles. The quilting is very simple to keep it nice and puffy.

 It is a generous sized cot quilt, for Little Honey when he arrives.

 *****

 My latest knitting I am liking, it's soft and cuddly. It is a Debbie Bliss pattern from the her book Ecobaby. ( hers made in cotton mine in Merino wool.)

 The darker grey is Waikiwi 55% Merino; 20 % nylon; 15% alpaca; 10% possum. The lighter shade is Baby Natural 100% NZ wool merino - rare breeds Arapawa fleece.

 Knitted on 3.25 and 3mm needles. 4 ply.

 It has a garter stitch inset at the neck which folds over as a collar and little garter stitch edging that makes a split at the bottom edge when sewn up. I've knitted the 9 -12 month size.

 Tonight I will start the sleeves.

 Till then though as it is raining I need to spend all day in the office. Doing accounts; sorting; filing ;tidying - discarding - plenty of scope.

Maybe Spring is not Far Away?

2 beautiful, clear blue sky days. Yesterday I had to be inside at a meeting but today I both sat and sewed in the sun for half an hour and also walked in the sun. Quite a privilege.

 I just spotted that the new Daphne I got with a gift voucher from my young ones is going to flower, even though it is quite tiny.

 Also happy soaking up the sun are some wee violas friends arrived with last week. I planted them out where they would get nearly full sun to give them the best chance.Cute faces!

***

 The Quilting is done and this means......

 The binding is half sewn on. I need hand stitching to take with me to P & Q tomorrow so I put half the binding on. The rest is cut ready.

 While sitting in the sun I hand stitched down a trial corner to see how I liked it. I do.

 This wee cardigan and beanie got finished. I like it too and it's lovely and soft.

 I have now started a Debbie Bliss striped jersey in a bigger size.

Knitting, Digging and Gift.

While the electrician was here yesterday I cast on the stitches for this wee V necked cardigan. I am using Amuri (made in NZ ) 75% merino 25% possum in 4 ply. It is so soft and luxurious, but will need to be hand washed.

 So far I have made good progress.

 Yesterday was also a day for several unexpected visitors. My cousin  J came to visit and gave me a lovely late Birthday gift. It is a fabulous scarf made by Barbara Wilson ( Hand Weaving specialist )at the Mt.

 A close up. Here it looks quite pink but is actually red. I am going to get lots of wear out of it and it is soft around the neck, so great for me. ( I don't like itchy ) 

 *****

 2 days ago we had this Dingo in to lay a new  a water pipe line.

 A real boys' toy.

 It also had a small blade that fills it in again.

 R then tidied up with our tractor and the job was done.

Taking Shape.

 Quilt progress has been made.

 Blocks for  the first 4 rows ready on the table.

 Then joined ( the 4 on the right ) and the next 2 assembled.

 There are 9 rows of blocks in all.

 The little apple green blanket got finished last Sunday and went home  with the parents to be, along with the bag of booties and beanies I'd finished.

*****

In the orchard the Avocado trees had some pruning done to let more light in. Then this beast came along to mulch the cut off branches up.

 See it spitting the comped up wood into the big  red bucket. It then distributed it under the trees as mulch. ( a few of next years avos did get lost in the process but it's for the greater good.)

 The mulching machine can be remotely controlled. Here it is following it's driver down the driveway back to it's truck.

 *****

 Across the road from us a neighbour has 2 little Kuni Kuni pigs, called Maisy and Tallulah.

 I now know they are named after characters in the children's books by Lucy Cousins. ( where Maisy is a female mouse and Tallulah is a female chicken ). 

 If we have any special left overs or delectable scraps R has been taking them over for the piggies. One of course is always greedy.

 One keeps getting out near the road so it might not have a good ending.

 I will have to try for some better photos the light here makes them hard to see.