Potpourri.

Yesterday I spent some time reading other's Blogs that I enjoy; my list has got very long now, so it takes a while. Over at Pieces from My Scrapbag Finn showed a photo of her family treasure the Chamber pot. That got me thinking maybe others would like to see our old family treasures too.

Isn't the po a beauty. I have it in the Lounge with a yellow Begonia in It. ( I am careful not damage it). (The colour scheme there is yellow blue and white.) On the bass it says Aubrey made in England. It belonged to my Husband's Maternal Grandmother ( and may be older than that) and came to NZ with her family from Scotland in 1884.( she was only 4 ). In the other photo is the school bell that same lady used as a young teacher here in NZ.

The is a soup ladle belonged to the other side of the family.( no markings on it ) The Coffee Pot is a complete set; Pot; 6 little cups and saucers; a sugar bowl and jug, all in perfect condition - Copeland Spode Made in England - Spode's Bryon. I look after them all , so I may then pass them down the generations.

Healing Hearts.

Thought you might like to see a photo of lots of orchardists standing around in our orchard........ Thursday by some fluke was a reasonably warm and sunny day and about 49 people crowded under the Kiwifruit vines to listen learn and discuss.( what they should be doing right now in their own properties. The pros and cons of different methods etc. )

Yesterday I sat and made a healing heart block for a friend in my on line group ( Picking Up Threads ) in Australia, who has just had an op. Hope it helps and that she gets enough to make something worthwhile from us all. ) ( in her favourite colours )
Today is dull and overcast but we went across to the Mt. ( Mt. Maunganui ) and did a walk along the beach boardwalk and other parts for an hour or more and DH was delighted to see overhead 3 Yak planes doing aerobatic / formation practise. We then called by the Classic Flyers Club on the way back for some lunch and a closer look at those and other planes ( that's one of DH's passions and hobbies ) ; it began to rain on the way home and has drizzled ever since so I am sitting quilting some of my hexagons.
The Hexagon total is now 187 sewn and about 120 quilted.

Birds that Frequent.

Thanks for your comments ladies. Yes it can be busy around here. This morning while we ate breakfast I enlisted DH help and we compiled a list of all the birds we could think of that we see on our property. Our property 11.9365 hectares in total has orchard obviously and native bush, gullies and garden. This current interest in birds was sparked by the sudden and recent appearance of a Peacock strolling around our orchard. He has appeared on the lawn beside the house twice now just at dusk, but is camera shy and can run quite fast!
The list of birds has 31 different in all; some are here always, others from time to time:-Peacock; Pheasants; Pukeko; Harrier Hawk(Kahu); Paradise Ducks; Mallard Ducks; Native Pigeon ( Kereru); Kaka; Eastern Rosella; Morepork (Ruru); Tui; Thrush; Blackbirds; Californian Quail; House Sparrows; Indian Myna; Starlings; Magpies; Shining Cuckoo (Pupiwharauroa); Kingfisher (Kotare ); Welcome Swallow; Fantail (Piwakawaka ); Bellbird (Makomako or Korimako ); Yellow Hammer; Grey Warbler ( Riroriro); Silver Eye ( Tauhou ); Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Black Shag and White Faced Heron. ( in brackets are the Maori names )
I wonder if we forgot any?
( the green feathered bird on the hand is a Shining Cuckoo that flew into a window.)
I love them all, well almost; some like the Rosella are a pest and peck off the kiwifruit buds cause they are parrots and like to play.
The Quails arrive in family groups of about 15 and walk around the lawn. Mrs. Thrush baths daily in my birdbath - very clean lady; sometimes the Tui do too.
If I have to pick a favourite I think it would be Ruru the Morepork.

Labour Weekend.

Although I have written myself a list, my 3 day weekend is consisting of a little of what I fancy mixed with things I must do. I did some baking; I sat for an hour and edited a section of DH life story; I weeded a little till it drizzled; I watched the rugby....aha Waikato beat Wellington in the final of the Air NZ Cup! ( sorry Dale it was a great game but we were just a little better ). I sewed some hexies. I did some housework as I work better in tidy / clean .....Once it's done I can relax ...Till it needs doing again! I picked some flowers from the garden. I read some blogs and other things. DH cooked dinner....I love that !
Unfortunately we were told late on Friday that our kiwifruit packhouse wants to hold a Growers' Field Day here next Thursday so that has added items to my list....... garden weeding that could have waited has now been stepped up in priority as we like to have our property looking neat and tidy. It's neatly mown already but some of the kiwifruit blocks are near garden areas so I don't want any obvious weeds showing! When I finish writing this I am on with some gumboots, off with the watch and down into the front creek ( stream ) to do a little tidying. The water level is quite low with no recent heavy rain so I should be able to stay reasonably dry ( watch my step ).

I have been wandering with the camera taking pics of lovely blooms. Sally Holmes rose has such a simple delicate face...I love to be able to see the stamens in a flower. Arylies rose is tiny and frilly but also beautiful. Both have different quite subtle rose perfumes. Ahhh...

The other photo is of a rarer plant Xeronema. [xeronema callistemon or Poor Knights Lily or raupo-taranga ] It has rigid sword like leaves and is hard to get to flower. Best kept with restricted roots and frost free ...but mine is now a big clump in the garden. Last year it had 2 flowers; this time 4 so far.( They are like red bristled tooth brushes or bottle brushes or dish brushes. )
















Next time I might tell you about the huge variety of birds we have around here....The latest is a peacock...Now where did he come from? I'll try and get some photos too. Those others having a long weekend, enjoy a little of what you fancy, it's probably best to stay off the roads.

Being organized.

Being organized is essential to my way of working.( I don't have a sewing room, just a big double doored cupboard ) I like everything sorted and stored so I know where it is. For my Hexagon I Spy Quilt I have all the completed hex bagged in lots of 40 ( cause that was a good fit ) in zip lock bags and the latest bag I am filling has a notelet with the running total written on it.
As there are 3 parts to each hex there is a pile of batting 4.5 " hex ; a pile of fussy cut 4.5" feature fabric hex and a pile of 6.5" backing fabric hex.
Today I had to go into the city for boring things like printer ink and stamps and a new farm diary, so didn't miss the opportunity to hunt down a few more Fat Quarters to fussy cut for my quilt. Good ones that produced 4 or 5 motifs per fabric. I also happened to come home with 2 new summer tops...But I won't be wearing them if the weather keeps like today. ( if you wait they won't be there when you go shopping again later )....I was restrained as about 7 in all fitted so I picked the 2 I really liked. Roll on warm weather. Only about 17 degrees C here today.
I also picked up my on order copy of Down Under Quilts ( # 101 ) from the mag shop. Storage is starting to be a problem with them, so I may cut back just to the NZ Quilter which is quarterly and gets mailed to me ( much more convenient ).

Hexagon Running total 158.

Current Orchard Work.

Here's what is happening in the kiwifruit orchard AT THE MOMENT. The vines have new growth that is very tender and vulnerable to wind damage. We have just had a week of strong relentless wind. Our damage could have been worse. One photo shows a broken withered shoot that is now lost. Another photo shows a long opening shoot that needs tipping to stop it growing more....... it gets pinched at the end between the thumb and forefinger ( squashed )

If you look carefully you can see the flower buds along the stem. My job during the next fine weather is to thin those buds to just one at each growing point. ( look carefully and you can spot some triples and mis- shapen ones.) You can see from the photos that the camera was pointing up towards the sky....That's cause the vines are all on overhead pergola structures...so you see I get quite tired arms, neck and shoulders by the end of the day. I have to limit how long I spend doing it or suffer.( good excuse ) ( here endeth the lesson ! )

So far, so Good!

Yesterday after we went to DH's eye appointment we went shopping for the new computer. ( isn't it amazing how long it all takes. ) Anyway we decided on an HP - the best for our requirements and DH wanted extra grunt so we got extra put in on the spot ( so we don't have to take it back later to get it done! ) We spent more than I thought we were going to, but that often happens if DH goes shopping! You've all been there done that so I won't tell the whole saga - briefly we got it all together and it is up and running, but I have spent hours getting it all going as we are used to.( very proud of my efforts ) So far there has only been one ooops with the digital camera...it didn't like me using the new computer and after I had, I had to reformat the card. Hope I have sorted it all.The good news is I can still access and use the important places like Blogger....so I can still visit with you all.
While we were in the city I got my Bernina checked and Yes I was right....it did need adjusting. It's purring along now. Haven't had any sewing time though.
We nearly got blown away in the kiwifruit orchard this afternoon...It's blowing a damaging howling gale.
I have P & Q Group tomorrow...Good....Better get some work ready to take. Happy sewing everyone!
( this is the 1st blog from the new puter! )

Simple Machine Quilting

Today I sat and machine quilted a simple border around 40 of my hexagons. That is all they will need. I used variegated thread ( red and green )and don't want the stitching to obscure the object in the hexagons. It is there mainly to hold the batting so it doesn't creep if washed.

Thanks to those who sent computer advice; Anne W of Grains in the Wind; hedgehog and sue. I realize everybody has had differing experiences and probably like cars there are good and bad examples of all models. No further progress has been made, deciding what to get; we need another wet day, but as you can see by the photo DH has put together the new desk ready for the new computer when we do decide.

Score with the hexagons is 130 plus. I'm starting to struggle finding different fabrics now but am not in a hurry. Any motifs that are suitable for a 2nd quilt ( for a girl ) are being cut at the same time as the ones for my boy's quilt. I did some measuring today ( just spread them out on the carpet ) and have some way to go to make a single bed size. I'm still enjoying making them - so that's great.

What To Buy?

These purple Sparaxias have been putting on the usual magnificent show, but a thunder storm and very heavy rain last night have made them look a bit sad now. ( we needed the rain! )

I need some help and advice please. We have decided the time is right to buy a new computer. The one I am using now has some problems and is getting old and slow. It also has some really good features. We have decided it can become the off line computer as there are times when we both want to be using at the same time . It is good to be in a situation where we are not buying cause this one has died...and therefore in a hurry..we can look around ...and ask around. What I would like to know from you dear friends out there is....do you have any recommendations and why...or do you have any "beware stories," about poor service or real dog computers. Should we go for XP Home ; XP Professional or XP Media ? (none have a good photo programme like this one....(Microsoft Photo Editor) (I will have to get photo shop and install that on the new one...ooh!)
Any advice would be much appreciated.

From My Window.

What a sight to wake up to!
In the garden outside my bedroom window this beautiful 11 year old Viburnum ( plicatum tomentosa) is at its glorious best.

I have several different varieties but this one is always the first to flower. The bees are in Heaven. The yellow ranunculas in another garden bed are also a delight. The kiwifruit vines are now getting little green leaves so another season begins.

Score for the I Spy Hexagons is 118 so far.

What Do You Want for Dinner?

"What do you want / fancy for dinner?" is often the cry around here. I enjoy cooking but often find deciding what to have the most difficult part. " Go and look in the freezer is usually the next thing said. After getting the reply, lamb chops, last night, I thought I know just the thing to go with those. I went into the garden and tickled ( felt around in the dirt without digging )those potatoes that might be ready. Too my surprise they were huge! So DH dug the first couple of roots. In another part of the garden ( a big tub actually ) there was a head of broccoli just ready to pick.
So a simple meal was made with steamed new potatoes with mint of course (from the herb garden) some steamed carrots, the broccoli and little lamb chops fried in a smear of olive oil surrounded by onion rings.
Individually we can't do a lot to save the planet but growing some of our own veges and nurturing the soil ( with compost )is a small way to try. We certainly know that the veges couldn't have been fresher or more natural; as it is Spring the bugs that come with Summer have not yet arrived so veges are pest free.
The photo shows Heather variety potatoes and broccoli.

So Much to See and Do.

Oh gosh, I'm getting all behind with what I want to say.
Last Friday a carload of 5 crafty, quilty ladies from around here went across to Hamilton the Claudelands Events Centre to the National Craft and Quilt Fair. The youngest one drove her husband's big car and we did the usual stop in Cambridge to have a coffee so we could hit the ground running on arrival at the fair.
There were 3 exhibitions of quilts. NZ ones, Australian ones and Japanese ones.
The photos are of Best in Show of the NZ ones.( Quilts Aotearoa had 120 quilts) Each circle had swirled handpainting on the fabric with hand work embellishments. Old coins were tied to it. I don't think the photos do it justice.
Also on display were the Best of Australia Quilts- the best in each state during 2005.(many of you in Oz will have seen these works on display or in magazines.)
The Japanese quilts ( 50 ) which were not allowed to be photographed , were amazingly varied. It was the first time they had been shown outside Japan, so we were priviledged to see them. There were a few traditional hand dyed and woven cloth ; lots of dark blue. There were also every other type of quilt imaginable - some with influence from the US, others with modern and abstract features which I really liked. Even a Japanese version of Crazy Patch. I looked at the quilts twice during the day; first and last. ( still didn't take them all in)

In between of course was some retail therapy. I arrived with a list of 4 things and went home with 3 of them....so it kept me focused. Several other bloggers had recommended the book "Collaborative Quilting," by Freddy Moran and Gwen Marsden which I purchased after seeing it and have read half of it already. I found plastic hexagons ( had to get 2 size packs) to use on my I Spy Hexagons....I now have 15 different sizes, starting at 1" going up in 1/2 inch sizes. I'll never wear those out! I found more fat quarters of fabric for that quilt too....I tried to select colours I needed and ones that had several objects to fussy cut on the one fabric. The thing I couldn't find was more of my backing fabric ( cause I want to make it bigger )....but selected 2 other star on black background that I will intersperse ....it may even prove to be a good look.

The count is now over 100 finished hexagons and still going strong!

Still More Quilts.

Here are some more of the quilts exhibited at our recent Show.

The colours in the Grandmothers Garden quilt didn't do it for.me but Yoshie's quilting is beautiful.

The quilt with the scalloped edge is by my friend Denise and was the first quilt she had ever entered in a show. She had wanted to join a Patchwork and Quilting group but it wasn't till after I had been going for a while she was brave enough to join. Even now she only goes if she knows for sure I will be there. I must be a different personality type cause I wanted to go especially to meet some new quilters and extend the number of interesting people I know. I guess we are all as different as our quilts!!! That's fairly diverse.



( Please note these quilts were not made by me.) That will be all I am showing and telling about Our Exhibition as I have been to another once since then. Busy Busy.

Wall Hangings.

The top pic shows the articles made from the fabric challenge. Some were extremely innovative. Only 9 entries - that was disappointing.
The wall hanging of the flowers was done by reverse applique using just one fabric. Very effective .

Beethoven used a selection of music fabrics ( pre printing), and would be useful for displaying in a music room or similar.

The other 2 funny wall hangings were very cleverly done with the addition of loads of embellishments...real fishing line , sinkers and hooks. The 2 dear friends had real jewels and feathers and buttons.( note their stockings ) These 2 had great appeal especially to the children that viewed them.
The person who made these 2 works plus one other large quilt caused much discussion and controversy. She comes to our group once a year and pays a sub just to be able to exhibit her work at the Annual Show. This has got some members in a lather. I think there will be some new rules a the next AGM. Does this happen in other groups ??? and what do you think / do about it? Does it matter? ( there was only viewers' choice by way of judging but this also carried a monetary prize. ) Most of us entered quilts to make up the show and were happy to do so. Many of us would not enter a judged show.

The other laughable thing that happened apparently........one of the members who also runs a Quilting Business, was coming and going, over the 3 days of the show, putting votes in on her own quilt that she wanted to win. That's getting a bit desperate! I'm a bit new to all this sort of thing so just quietly laughed and thought I would wait and see what happened about it all. Maybe all groups ( 120 members in ours ) have their little moments!

Please note all the work photographed here today, is by other people ; ( members of the group I belong to ) not me! ( I'm just sharing it with you) Enjoy!

Quilts A Plenty.

A selection of the 108 quilts and wall hangings our members had on display. I can't show all of them, just some I liked.

Guest Exhibitor.

At our ( Tauranga Patchwork & Quilters Group) Exhibition over the weekend one of our own members was the Guest. Gladys Jones does exceptional and varied work. She displayed work other than quilts ( beading, bags ) .The photos show her display and I have taken closer shots of some items. Everything here is her work.

230 Year Old Quilt.

Now isn't this special. On display at Our Exhibition is this incredibly old quilt...230 years old ...from the American Civil War era. It's owner who lives nearby at Mt.Maunganui generously lent it to us to display. It is faded most on the top but one photo of a side part with the most colour left in it shows what colours it might originally been. Click on the photo to enlarge it to see the handquilting detail. It was also hand pieced. What a privilege to see this. ( I also got to spread it out on the table and dust cover it at night.)
230 years old; now there's a thought!!!

Phew !

Quilts, quilts, quilts. I'm dreaming quilts. I'm surrounded by them, but the Exhibition our P & Q group is having is going well. This is a photos of the Raffle prize. The 4 patch squares on it were made by several members including me ( in colours I never use ) , the applique was done by another member and 2 more put it all together and another one who does professional quilting did that part. Yesterday was a challenge hanging all the quilts; you'll all know about that ( some just don't hang do they?) 108 entires plus the fabric challenge, plus a Guest Exhibitor who was from our own club this time.
Today I've made coffee and tea; spent 2.5 hours on the door, and even had a turn with the white gloves on.( hehe.) I must be really scary as I didn't need to tell anyone to stop touching I just walked towards them and they pulled back.
I start the day on Sales Table tomorrow so need to get to bed...did fit in a little retail therapy during some break time today....only fabric for my Eye Spy quilts....well I didn't have those ones did I! Very happy day all in all. But tiring Phew!

I Can Never Resist.

Every year it is the same. I think I have got lots of photos of the Awanui Flowering Cherries growing on the driveway and every time I end up taking a new set of photos. Every year they are a little larger of course.The photos show them from both ends of the drive coming and going. If you look really closely you may see bees in the enlarged shot, they were really humming! Their cherry beauty is short lived so we enjoy them while we can. Wind or rain (or both) is surely just around the corner waiting to mar their looks.
Today I have been putting the hanging strips on my quilts for the Exhibition this weekend. Our group has an interesting way of doing this. Instead of putting a sleeve along the top of each quilt we make removable 2" wide strips of fabric that has the fluffy side of velcro sewn on to it. These strips are then firmly safety pinned to the top of the quilt just below the binding. All our display / backing frames have the loopy rigid part of the velcro attached, so the quilts hang by velcro strips. You can reuse the strips later. ( next year )
Tomorrow will be a long day as I am helping get the quilt display ready. We booked the Race Course venue for today too but somehow they double booked it so now we have only one day to hang a large number of quilts........and put up displays....... ( no time for fannying about! ) The Exhibition runs for the following 3 days Friday 15th; Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th. September. It should be fun; there is always a large crowd and we have 2 halls one for the Quilts and one for retailers from all around the area. Photos of it all will surely follow!