Winter Garden flowers.

 

I've been picking these Queen Proteas for the vase on the bench and giving some away.

 Yesterday when a high wind warning was forecast I picked these Jonquils and Paper Whites. Their smell is all over the house.

 The Daphne has got quite large now and I have picked several bunches . It's perfume is quite divine.

Next post I will show the flowers that are out but I have not picked.

        ******

 I finished the green vest but it was too large for smaller Grandson so 3 years bigger Grandson got it instead.

 Old Bear used to be good at modelling my knitting but he is no longer big enough for the job!

 No body helped me with my problem so I sat down and looked at how it was to turn out and did it myself. Very proud to have finally solved that. This next red version is for smaller grandson. ( its red not pink like my camera is showing )

A Knitting Puzzle.

 For the 3rd time I am knitting

 this sleeveless vest for my Grandson.

 The simple pattern consists of groups of 7 stitches. Where the 3  - 4 rib changes to 5 -2 there is a twist.

 I can make    it go one way but not the other. I asked my friend D also a good knitter and she couldn't make it work either.

 This ( above ) is how it is supposed to look.   I have had to leave it out completely and just knit straight like this.

Is there a mistake in the directions or is it me doing it wrong ?

 If you are a very good knitter maybe you could try and see if you can make it work. Id be very grateful.

What Did I Purchase.?

 We decided when we arrived at the Exhibition to go around the Merchants first as the quilts on display weren't going anywhere but the merchants might sell out their best things fast. They didn't. Their was a great variety. Patchwork Web; Puddles Books and More; More than Fabric; Widebacks; Aroha Quilts; Bernina and my Favourite that day Tis the Season (.Tis the Season.)  On her display was a knitted Double Wrap Cowl in Aran Jewelspun. Very attractive. I bought the pattern and some yarn ( its not actually wool I later found out but very, very soft ) ( made in England )  I will probably make a scarf instead as I have quite a short neck We'll see.

            

 I also got some packs of these die cut flower shapes as I am currently making a wall hanging with Tall flowers.( the one at the top I cut out myself so new shapes will add to the variety I have)  ( I doubt Ill use the orange and yellow ones )

Also a pack of green felt

 No fabric I have quite a stash already and need to use that. ( I know some of you won't understand that - he he. ) That was quite restrained wasn't it!

Five Go Up to Whangamata.

Over the long weekend ( King's Birthday here in New Zealand ) 5 friends who quilt together, sew together, eat together and most importantly talk together went off for the weekend to Whangamata ( up the Coromandel Peninsular )  The Quilting Club there was holding a 2 day Exhibition. What a wonderful show it was to attend. Free parking; real coffee; nice food for teas and lunch; wonderful quilts and lots of merchants. We were very happy! At most quilt shows in NZ those viewing are asked to make a Viewer's Choice. To me that is rather impossible. I hardly ever do it. The only way I can decide is to say which quilt or wall hanging would I like to take home with me ? This one I think.What unusual colours to put together  but it worked so well and really appealed to me.

Also on Display were wall hangings from an Aotearoa Challenge called Light Up. The entries had to include a Shoo Fly block somewhere ...some were hard to find and needed studying carefully 

This was the winner by Lois Parish - Evans.

   

   This was by Eleanor Cole

 This was by Sandie Sixtus of the Boulder Bay Lighthouse in Nelson.

In another section this wall hanging by Mary Romhany stood out for me.- Such fun.

 Tomorrow I will tell you about the Merchants and purchases.