Christmas in July

 My Quilt Club meeting had a theme of Christmas in July.  We were shown how to make a folded Christmas Star, it seemed rather tricky to me.  And there was a special supper provided, that was much appreciated by the members.  The highlight of the evening to me was the special Christmas themed show and tell.  We were asked to bring a couple of Christmas items and talk about them - I took a Christmas table runner, and a Christmas quilt which had a particular memory for me.  What I found really interesting was that some of these things were made quite some time ago, and hold a very special place in the hearts of the now adult children in the family.  And if the Christmas items were not out on display each year, the visiting family wanted to know why!  It was so interesting having a close up look at everything on the tables and see exactly how they were put together.

Hand made Christmas items - I remember stitching one of those  fabric wreaths many years ago

 

I was intruiged with the white cable knitted wreath, never seen one like this before

There's plenty of bling on this Christmas tree

We were asked to help out with a Christmas project, stitching tiny Christmas felt stockings.  These will be hung on our club entry to the Avenue of Trees in December.  And as a really nice gesture, the pretty little stockings will then be removed from our tree, stuffed with a small chocolate bar, and then donated to the Food Bank.   We can decorate them however we want, and I took three sets home to work on.  

Red, white and green stocking to decorate

I've been thinking what to do, and made a start, but first I had to go to the LQS to purchase some red Perle No. 5 thread.  Luckily I already had green and white thread.  My idea is to buttonhole stitch around the stockings, but I really haven't had much experience in that.  Hopefully it will work out fine and I'll have more to show next time.

Ready to stitch those tiny stockings

And lastly, we were given a challenge, to stitch a bigger Christmas Stocking, and bring it back to the December meeting.  This will not be donated. but to keep for ourselves, or family.  Any colour, ideas, decoration, whatever we want to do, but it must be lined.  I'm looking forward to this challenge, and will make one for myself, as I've never had a Christmas Stocking.  Yes, I've been thinking about a few ideas for  this, and as it is a club challenge, it must be kept secret till the big reveal.  I'm looking forward to working on my very own Christmas Stocking.

Manawatu - Two Outings Today

 I did really well combining two outings to the Manawatu today.  Always a good thing with the way the price of fuel is these days.  So up SH1 I drove, turning off at Foxton and continuing along the road to Foxton Beach.  I was a little early so went down to look at the Foxton Estuary.  You may remember that I came on a bus trip here for senior citizens here recently to celebrate Matariki.  My little car did a good job of getting me there safely, as I looked out over the estuary.  I spotted some gulls paddling about on the water's edge.  This area is protected sanctuary for wading birds.

My trusty little Toyota Corolla

Manawatu Estuary - Ramsar Wetland of International Importance

There were several groups of people fishing, and I didn't think to ask what species they were hoping to catch.  Of course, fishermen take their sport very seriously, don't they.

How's the fishing going?

The real reason I was in the area was to catch up with the caravan club members for morning tea.  They were holding a weekend rally at the Manawatu Caravan Club grounds.  No dogs allowed at this camp, but as there was no mention of cats, we used to take Gemma caravanning here with us.  Not that she ever ran free, that wasn't allowed, but she was always happy to relax inside the caravan and snooze the weekend away.  It was just as well that I had the code number written down to lift the barrier arm up for entry into the grounds.

Manawatu Caravan Club 

It was quite a cloudy day, and morning tea was held inside the roomy hall, so we were nice and cozy.  It was a special occasion indeed as club members Maureen and Russell were celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary!  Seems that plans were in place for special celebrations in the evening.

Congratulations to Russell and Maureen

The club has gained several new members since my caravanning days.  But there were still plenty of friendly faces from earlier years, and it was nice to catch up with them all.

Maureen, Jenny and Dot

Then it was time to move on, saying goodbye, I got on my way.  The next outing was to meet up with my daughter Nicky for lunch.  And both granddaughters were coming too, so that was lovely.  I drove back from the beach to  Robert Harris Cafe in Foxton (town).  This is always such a busy place.  I was a little early so arrived first and grabbed a table for us all.  That gave me time to check out the menu, and look at the cabinet food - sadly I'm a real procrastinator in cafes!  What looks the nicest, I'm thinking.  I eventually decided on salmon roulade, Nicky had her favourite Eggs Benedict, and I can't remember what the girls ordered, as I forgot to take a photo of the food.  But we all managed to clear our plates, so the meals must have been rather good.  

I asked the nice young waiter if he could take a photo for me, and was he OK using a camera?  Lots of young people only use phones for photos and I've had someone before go and get an older person to help.  It was no trouble at all, he said, he knows all about cameras and has a business taking wedding photos.

Megan, Emma, Nicky and Jenny

We had a lovely lunch, the conversation covered lots of topics, horses of course, as both girls are keen riders.  And remembering Robin, which was so nice, Robin was their step-granddad.  After our rather long lunch we went out to the cars to swap what we had.  A small carry on bag for Robert, and a brand new "still in the package" fat quarter bag for Nicky that I had found tucked away in my sewing room.  And there was home grown citrus from Megan's trees for me, oranges, lemons and grapefruit, and an individual  pumpkin pie from Emma.

Oranges and lemons

More farewells and we went our separate ways.  There was just one more stop for me, Foxes Cottage was just down the road.  I was after some red Perle no 5 thread, for a slow stitching project.  Luckily they had what I needed, no need to browse for anything else, and off I went, heading homewards.  A  customer in the quilt shop stopped me to comment on my Scottish jumper, wasn't that nice.  

My only purchase, I was very restrained

So it was a lovely day indeed, catching up with caravan friends, and then enjoying a family lunch.  

Sew Wot Tuesday

We were out in the country this time for our Sew Wot Tuesday, meeting at Helen's home. Up the internal staircase we climbed, into the cozy sitting room, to find the log fire glowing nicely.  It was a fine, but chilly winter day.

That's a nice comforting sight

There was Sandra's birthday to celebrate, and the wrapped parcels were placed on the coffee table.  Don't they all look interesting?  Come on Sandra, time to get these gifts open so we can all  see what is inside!

Lots of goodies here

One by one, the cards were read, and the parcels opened.  Such an exciting array of gifts.  I know that the rest of us always get so much fun seeing the birthday girl open her gift packages!

And here they all are, plenty to admire

There was a lot of show and tell as well, those knitting needles had been getting a real work out.  Helen had knitted some baby garments in green and white for donation, and we oohed and aahed over the size of those tiny booties!

Made by Helen

Sandra had recently finished a pretty little apricot coloured baby jumper.  I like the double opening, making it easy to get over the baby's head.

Baby jumper made by Sandra

And Carol never disappoints, there is always her nicely presented baby knitting sets to show us, before they are sent away to the Neo Natal Ward.  Carol does most of her knitting in the evenings, she commented.  I can't manage that, as Gemma insists on jumping up and settling down on my lap in the evenings.  It's difficult to knit over the top of her, and keep those moving needles and wool away from her.  And of course, I wouldn't push her away, would I?

Carol's baby donation knitting

As well as finishing up those baby sets, Carol also had two donation quilts to show us.

This one in pretty 1930s fabrics

Simple blocks make great quilt designs

And I took along my recently completed teal draw string bags for foster kids.

My show and tell

Morning tea was extra special and Sandra was presented with a carrot cake cupcake with a candle.  She wasn't expecting that!

Happy Birthday, Sandra

Morning Tea is served

It was a lovely morning indeed, and we all enjoyed sharing Sandra's birthday celebrations.  We all went home with a little gift too.  Mary is very green fingered, and brought us all several baby lettuce plants all wrapped up nicely,  to take home and grow.  Thanks for that, Mary.  And many thanks to Helen, our hostess of the day.

Here comes a Tuatara

I've spent a little time stitching around a tuatara on my New Zealand panel.  I've been lucky enough to hold one of these rather special creatures.  Those spines on the head and back are not sharp, but rather feel rubbery - yes, I had to touch and see for myself.

Stitching a tuatara

The tuatara is endemic to New Zealand and is known as a "living fossil".  They are the only surviving members of an ancient lineage (Sphenodontia) that thrived alongside dinosaurs, and are unique because they are not lizards.  Introduced predators brought in by settlers have taken their toll, and tuataras are now only found on predator free off shore islands and in fenced sanctuaries.  They can live for 60-100 years.

As well as a little slow stitching, I'm keeping busy with knitting, and have started another pair of socks, using the pink 4ply sock yarn my daughter gave me on Mother's Day.  Because  I prefer thicker socks, I'm pairing it with pale pink double knit.  And doing flat knitting, two at a time, because that's the way I like to knit socks.

A new pair of socks for me

Guess I'll have to admit to having several other knitting projects on the go.  A couple of babies hats,  my summer cotton jumper, and a 12 ply blue cardigan are waiting to be picked up and worked on too.  Just like  quilting, with lots started, it seems I'm just the same with knitting as well.  But they will all get finished sometime, I'm sure.

There has been quite bad weather over parts of the country lately.   Once again, the ferries and planes were cancelled, there has been bad flooding and road damage,  but it seems to have missed my area, luckily.  Today has been cool but sunny here.  Gemma has been soaking up the sun streaming through the venetian blinds while relaxing on a dining chair.  She likes to tuck her head under the corner of the tablecloth.  Cat's have the best life, don't they?

Gemma does a great job of relaxing

But it is mid winter so that means plenty of home made soup.  I love making, and eating soup, and this pumpkin soup was nice and tasty with a little curry powder and cooked bacon added.

Pumpkin soup for lunch

The days have been cool but sunny, with the mornings and evening cold enough to enjoy the ease of the heat pump.  I can remember the years of open fires, buying and stacking wood, chopping kindling, cleaning out the grate,  lighting the fire after returning home from a long day at work.  Fires do look so cozy and comforting, and have a wonderful relaxing ambience, but I'm pleased things are so much easier for me now.

Time to pass the Secret Sewing on

These two latest memory quilts, using by brother in law Dennis's clothes,   have taken a while,  and finally I have met up with my late sister's family to pass them  on.  I had previously made a quilt for Adam using his grandfather's flannel shirts.

Adam's memory quilt

With Adam's quilt out of the way, I realised there was plenty of clothing for two more quilts.  So I have been working on two more memory quilts, one for my niece Lisa and one for her daughter, my great niece Kate, using their beloved Dad/Poppa summer pyjamas.  They started off like this.  I wanted them similar, but different, so worked on stars and appliqued hearts, using the same fabrics in each.  The sashings and border fabrics were different in each quilt.

Stars and hearts for the girls

At last the tops were finished, and I had to send them away to get commercially quilted, they were much too big for me to deal with.  Then I had lots of binding to do.

Blue hearts

And blue stars

Side by side

With the quilts done, it was then a matter of passing them over.  I certainly wasn't going to post them, and I wasn't too keen on driving up to Hastings to deliver them.  The family traveled down to Wellington over the weekend, and called in to see me on their way home.  So that worked out well.

Lisa, Kate and Adam

We had plenty of news to catch up on, enjoyed morning tea, and handed the quilts over.  I had decided that the two girls could choose which one they preferred each.  Adam made me laugh when he commented that he still uses the train quilt I made him when he was a lad of 7 or 8.  I'm so pleased it is standing up well to years of use.    It was a lovely morning and I was so pleased to see them again.  Lisa is the daughter of my late sister Kathleen.  

Gemma testing the quilts

Kate had put a couple of photos up when she returned hone, so I'm sure she won't mind me borrowing them.  Seems the ownership issue has been sorted out, Kate chose the star quilt and her Mum Lisa got the hearts.

Kate enjoying her new quilt

When the quilts were removed from the bag to be admired, Gemma jumped right into the bag.  Kate snapped that picture too.  Cats certainly love empty bags and boxes, don't they.

Who's a clever girl

Matariki Day Out

 Matariki is celebrated as the Maori New Year, a time of remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future.  I joined in the "Matariki Kaumatua (respected elder) Day Out"  bus trip yesterday with several friends.  This was organised by our local library for older people in the community, and two buses took us out to Foxton Beach Estuary to celebrate the spirit of the season.

I was having morning tea in the library cafe with this group of friends from the Cancer Society some weeks ago when staff member Henry stopped at our table to tell us about this (free) trip to see if we were interested.  Of course we were, it sounded very interesting indeed, so we booked our places.  And yesterday was the big day.  Quite a crowd were gathered in the library, we boarded our respective buses and off we went.  The weather didn't look too promising as we started on the journey, I could hardly see out the window as we drove along.

It looks rather damp and misty out there

The weather cleared and we arrived at the Manawatu Marine Boating Club in fine but overcast weather.  Those that could climbed the stairs to the restaurant, and the less able and those with walkers were assisted in and out of the lift.  

Boating Club

There were lovely views from upstairs looking out over the estuary.

There were about 100 people attending, and our morning started with a warm Maori welcome.  Then we   had two different speakers telling us about the Manawatu Estuary, a very special ecological place indeed.  This is a Ramsar site, a wetland designated as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands.  This area is a well known birding place, with 93 species being identified.  The most well known are the godwits, which fly to and from Alaska and Siberia each year.  This takes an incredible 7-9 days of non stop flying, parent birds together with the youngsters born in the Alaskan summer.

Godwit

A light lunch followed, sandwiches, hot savouries and a selection of sweet slices (I tried a very tasty lemon slice).  If I jump up quickly, I thought, I could take a photo of one of the tables before the hungry hordes descended.

Lunch is served

Of course, there was plenty of food to go around, so no one went hungry.  A cup of coffee was next, and was so welcome and warming.  After lunch we settled down to be entertained by the Maori musical group in attendance.   After the music was finished I asked one of the staff to take a photo for us.

Enjoying our day out, Betty, Elaine, Margaret, Jenny and Ruth

As it was a rather chilly day, I decided to wear my thick cream jumper with an embroidered Scotch Thistle that I had purchased in Scotland.  A couple of ladies came up to me and asked if I was from Scotland.  No, I told them, but my grandfather came from Glasgow, so I do have Scottish blood in my veins.  And I had traveled throughout Scotland.  

Then it was time to reboard the bus for our trip home.  We all had a lovely time, it was a great day out indeed.  Henry was chatting away on the bus about making plans for next years Mataraki trip, so we will be sure  to keep an eye out for that one too.

Time to head home

RSC - Teal for July

 The Rainbow Scrap Challenge nominated colour for July is teal so I went looking to see what I had tucked away in my bag  making bits of pieces.  Of course there were several pieces of fabric, waiting to be stitched up into bags for foster kids.  I do wonder of I will ever empty this  bag, especially with a few fabric donations coming my way recently.

So I got to work cutting and stitching and made four little draw string bags.  Featuring dolphins, and crickets, and there was enough of the circus animal fabric for two small bags.  With no suitable cord I had to take a shopping trip up town so I could finish the bags off.  

Four little bags done

I've been on the receiving end of some extra goodies this week, thanks to kind friends.  I was given a bag of grapefruit, which I was pleased to get.  Those people taking cholesterol pills cannot eat grapefruit, luckily I am not one of them.  Grapefruit are seldom seen for sale so I was happy to take these ones fresh off the tree from Betty.

I always enjoy grapefruit for breakfast

Bill and Val called in for afternoon tea a few days ago, they were former members of the caravan club and we had many trips and adventures away with them over the years.  Val brought me some candles she had, and would never use, knowing that I light a candle each evening for Robin.  It was lovely to see them again and so nice of Val to pass the candles on to me.

Two candles from Val, still in their boxes

So that's been my week,  mixed weather with some sunny days, a bit of rain, and cool enough to have the heat pump going in the evenings.   It is winter, after all.