Welcome to tales of my stitching life, home, family and friends.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Plenty to see at the Kapiti Coast Museum

We visited the Kapiti Coast Museum recently, housed in the former Waikanae Post Office building.  I was particularly interested in any old textile, clothing or sewing paraphernalia and I wasn’t disappointed.  Two lovely old sewing machines were on display.  I learned to sew as a youngster on an old treadle Singer, just like the one set in the stand!

DSCF3200

DSCF3199Old style sewing machines

There was a nice display of “Ladies Toiletries” – all sorts of things which the colonial lady might well have on her dressing table.  With an  assortment of hats to chose from, plus a fur cape, the lady in question would be well dressed for any occasion.

DSCF3196 A Lady’s dressing table

I just love the look of these vintage underclothes.  Made with fine soft cotton, decorated with pin-tucks and lace, these all in one combinations must have been all the rage many years ago.

DSCF3198Vintage underwear

Wonder if the bride is wearing one of those all in one combinations under her beautiful wedding gown?  The young page boy in his outfit of gold coloured brocade looks almost as dashing as the tall dark and handsome bride-groom.

DSCF3204The bridal party

DSCF3206 Lady in red

I love looking through these small town museums, as you never quite know what will be found there.  There were lots of household items, kitchen tools, laundry items and old toys on display, but sadly I didn’t see a single quilt.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Pinestream Quilters October Club Night

Was this the quilting club or a knitting circle we wondered?  The number of members sitting knitting at our October club night was amazing.  Everywhere we looked, the needles were clicking away busily – just goes to show that quilters can do lots of other things too.

The speakers for the evening were our two shop owners, Sharon and Dianna, who brought along new goodies from their respective quilt shops to tempt us.  Sharon van der Gulik from Thimbles and Threads took the floor first.  Sharon’s message was to “treat ourselves”, enjoy our hobby of P & Q, and buy the very best to help us in our stitching.  Sharon’s selection of products ranged from Daylight lamps, (we are all getting older and need help to see),  flexible rubber bobbin holders, (drop them and the bobbins stay put), to easy to hold rotary cutters and scissors.  Rulers with yellow lines make it so much easier to see where to cut fabric, and I rather liked the yellow chalk pen which makes a fine line, must buy myself one of those, I decided.

 DSCF3215 Some items to make our quilting lives easier

Dianna Carol from Kapiti Coast Bernina then showed us some new products.  She demonstrated how the lines from the Frixion marking pen can be erased by a hot iron.  Fusible web to join lengths of batting together is a relatively new product here, as is the fine bobbin fill threads.  But the highlight of the evening was a glimpse of a brand new Bernina sewing machine.  Maybe some lucky quilter from our club will find one in her Christmas stocking soon.

DSCF3218 New Bernina and a selection of threads

Show and Tell was interesting as usual.  There were bags galore, and two special birthday quilts which were proudly displayed.  Cathy is another member making quilts from Op Shop shirts, and brought along quilt number three in the series to show us.  The Neo Natal Unit will be pleased with the selection of little quilts finished this month, together with knitted baby blankets, singlets and tiny little socks. 

It was another interesting meeting, and as always, great to catch up with other members.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Happy Birthday to me

It was my birthday yesterday, and yes, I know I’m a day late.  But we were away at windy Himitangi at a caravan club rally over Labour Weekend.  We had fun and laughs with our caravan buddies over the weekend, a meal out at the local pub on night, and a BBQ meal another night.  Pity about that unrelenting  wind, it was just too cold to sit outside at all, such a pity because we did have sunshine.

We visited my daughter and her family over the weekend, and I came away with an intriguing gift bag.  (Had a wee peep when I received it, then put it away till the actual birthday).  Arrived home to a mail box full of birthday cards and a couple of parcels, and a phone call from my son in Christchurch,  to wish me “Happy Birthday”. 

So, want to see what exciting goodies I received?  This selection came in the mail from my pen friends.  A fat quarter of pussy fabric from Carol in South Dakota, a pretty little “kitten” coaster from Glennis in the Cotswolds, and Janet from Cromer, UK, sent me a tea towel relating all the good things one can find in Norfolk.  (I love getting little parcels from overseas!)

DSCF3164 Goodies in the mail

My friend Shirley gave me this beautiful hand painted little box.  Isn’t it just gorgeous?  Shirley is a quilter, and an artist too.  The bird is a Stitch bird, she told me.

DSCF3165A hand painted box from Shirley

I had seen the Jane Austen book on sale, and suggested that Robin might like to get it for me for my birthday.  Have to admit that “Pride and Prejudice” is the only story I know, and I’m sure I’ll never get over Colin Firth, as the dark and brooding Mr Darcy, climbing out of the pool  dripping wet in the TV series.  (I feel a swoon coming on.)   Now I will have the pleasure of reading Jane Austen’s other novels.  The other selection of gifts came from my daughter, a pretty note pad for my hand-bag, a pot of lovely smelling body butter, and a citronella candle to keep the bugs away on summer evenings when we are away in the caravan.

DSCF3167Family gifts 

We enjoyed a very tasty birthday meal out at a new local Thai restaurant.  The food was divine, and oh so tasty.  How does this sound?   Satay Chicken Kebabs and Stuffed Mushrooms for starters, followed by Beef in Sweet Chilli Sauce, and  Crispy and BBQ Pork, both served with rice.  We just loved the food, and declared that we would certainly be back again soon.  There are no pretensions here, no wine list or fancy coffee machine hissing away in the corner, just good honest delicious food, with very reasonable prices. 

What do you think of my Birthday Hat?  This rather dashing Happy Birthday hat was sent to me by my very special friend Merilyn a couple of years ago.  It is so cute (or silly, but that’s a matter of opinion) that I decided that each birthday it should come out of hiding for a special birthday photo.  Robin had to wear in on his birthday, and this is my turn.

DSCF3159 The Happy Birthday Hat

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Stonestead Stitchers today

It’s been a while since I’ve managed to get to get to one of the fortnightly get-togethers with the Stonestead Stitching ladies, what with one thing and another going on.  But at long last I made it today.   “We’ve missed you”, they said – isn’t that nice!  Seven of us attended today, and it seems that I may well have missed some interesting “finishes” from the ladies over the meetings I was unable to attend.  Never mind, we had a good catch up today.

Not everyone brought stitching along to do, but that’s OK, half the fun is socialising together, isn’t it?  Ruth was busy stitching, trying out some new embroidery designs.  She is attending a class on Elizabethan embroidery shortly and had borrowed several books full of beautiful examples of this type of work.  The books were passed around the table and duly admired.  We will be interested to see how Ruth gets on in her class and look forward to seeing her embroidery piece next time.

Vicki-Anne loves making dainty little flowers and had two “fascinators” to show us, one pretty in pink with netting, and the other a rather glamorous concoction of black and red. 

DSCF3093-001 Vicki-Anne with her two fascinators

“Indian Garden”, the colourful Ehrman tapestry which Liz has been so diligently working on for a while, is not far from completion now.  The colours and designs are just lovely.

DSCF3094 Liz’s lovely tapestry

Cheryl was telling us about the apron panels she had purchased – just a matter of cutting out the pieces and stitching them together, she said.  Although she thought she would line each apron as well.  Here she is having fun turning the apron straps right way out.

DSCF3091 Cheryl and her apron straps

As for me, I took my sadly neglected knitting along and managed to get several rows done, in between chatting and eating our lunch.  I remember making a little jumper from this pattern for my son Michael so many years ago when he was just a toddler.  This blue version will get put away in the “baby box” for when the next generation comes along.

DSCF3095 My knitting

It was great to catch up with everyone at Stonestead again, thanks for your friendly company, ladies.  . 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Visiting the Christmas Shop

It’s HOW many weeks till Christmas?  I know it is coming soon, because the Kirkcaldie and Stains Christmas Shop is open for business.  Those of us who live in the Wellington Region are so lucky having this to look forward to each year.  I asked at the counter if I could take a few photos.  Certainly, was the reply, it’s all good advertising.  My comment was that this wonderful shop doesn’t need extra advertising, Kirks is an institution that customers love to visit, especially the Christmas Shop.
   
DSCF3069 The entry to Kirks Christmas Shop

So what is new this year?  I noticed a purple tree just in the entranceway all covered in clowns.

DSCF3087 Clowns are new this year

Another tree was covered with bright funky monkeys, just hanging about.  That is what is so nice at the Christmas Shop, each tree is decorated with it’s own particular style.

DSCF3086So are Christmas monkeys

But you just can’t beat the old favourites, can you.  Like the Christmas colours of red and green, and good old Father Christmas.

DSCF3070Lots of Santas here

Or maybe a sophisticated tree decorated with white, with accents of gold and silver.  Everywhere I turned, there was yet another beautifully decorated tree, they all looked gorgeous.

DSCF3075 White and gold

DSCF3077 A whole lot village scenes

DSCF3072Just look at these cute bunnies, with an owl keeping them company

DSCF3083A family of reindeer

I really wasn’t going to buy anything, I just wanted a good look at all the wonderful decorations.  But in the end I bought a couple of “Initial” tree decorations for my grand-daughters, and a little something for MIL too.  I think I’ll need another trip in to this wonderful shop, you just can’t see it all in one visit.
  
DSCF3081More Santas

While I was visiting Kirks, I decided to lunch in their cafe.  (I’m turning into my Mother, she told me she always treated herself to lunch at Kirk’s when she went to “town”)  Just as well that Robin wasn’t with me, as my choice for lunch was lasagne made with pumpkin, feta cheese and spinach.  I could just imagine his reaction to that!  But it was just delicious, and I fancied trying something just a little different for a change.

Then it was time to board the Airport Flyer bus to go home.  These buses have their own on-board television screens which keep the passengers informed, such as news headlines, the week’s weather, airport arrivals and departures.  There is even a bus version of Sat Nav, to show us where we are while we travel along the road.  I really enjoyed my day out in the Big Smoke.

DSCF3090 We are “here”

Monday, October 15, 2012

October Stitching Monday

Doesn’t time fly – it really was a month ago when we had our previous Stitching Monday get-together.  We gathered together in the hall, and a  few of us had brought our sewing machines along.  First order of the day was to find a table that didn’t wobble.  It’s no fun going flat out on your sewing machine if your table gets the shakes! 

I spent most of the day finishing up my cream and burgundy paper pieced Log Cabin blocks.  I make these in batches of six, stitch one of the numbered logs on the paper, snip the connecting threads, trim and press, six at a time.  As I was snipping away, I snipped a gash right into my finger.  Thanks, Fay, for the plaster to stop me dripping blood on my work.  It does prove that my small scissors are sharp, doesn’t it?

DSCF3065 My log cabin blocks

Margaret laid her bright daisy blocks with blue backgrounds on the floor.  She was making another quilt to use up some of her stash, she said.  But we all know it never quite works like that.  Margaret was running short of blues for the background so had to go out and buy even more fabric.  The pattern is “Daisiez” by Jan Mullen.  There seems to be lots of stitching, slicing in half, and sewing back together involved in making these bright and cheerful blocks. 

DSCF3063-001 “Daisiez” blocks, stitched by Margaret

Black and white is always a winning combination.  Fay told me she needs to make 250 of these little curved two patch blocks for her daughter’s quilt. Don’t know quite how many she has done so far, but she has a nice big pile all completed.

DSCF3064 Fay with her Drunkard’s Path blocks

The hand workers were all sitting together as they stitched away.  Both Pamela and Maureen worked on their hexagon blocks for a while.   Then Pamela moved on to hand quilting.  She has decided to use thicker thread and quilt in the Big Stitch style on her very pretty quilt with many Japanese inspired fabrics.   Joyce was also working on a Japanese theme, and she completed the binding on two more tessellated Kimono place mats she is making for her sister.

DSCF3067 Tessellated Kimono place mats

Gaye brought along a Neo Natal quilt she had completed to show us.  This is a Christmas design, using some Laurel Birch fabric.  That will certainly brighten up the Neo Natal Ward over Christmas.

DSCF3066 Gaye’s Neo Natal crib quilt

Thanks again ladies, for your company on another Stitching Monday.  It is always good fun, stitching together, chatting, and putting the world to rights!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Life and Times of a Keen Washerwoman

I’ve got a bit of a reputation as far as laundry goes.  It’s fair to say that I quite enjoy doing the washing, pegging it out on the line in the backyard, and watch it flapping away in the gentle breeze in the sunshine.  It has to be pegged out “just so” with all the towels and tea towels together, the tee shirts in a row, and as for the socks, they really just have to be in pairs.  There is nothing nicer than a line full of freshly washed clothes, is there?  I can remember pegging out rows of white nappies every day in years gone by – although I expect not many young mothers use cloth nappies these days.

It’s sad but true, but I quite enjoy ironing too.  (Doesn’t everyone?)  My current iron and ironing board were getting a bit worse for wear so I was rather pleased to see a sale on in one of the large shops.  And what did I find but both irons and ironing boards on sale at half price.  That was too good a deal to pass up, I thought.

DSCF2893 My new iron and ironing board

Now I’m in a bit of a quandary.  Shall I start using these items now or wait until we move house – however long that should be?  Mmm, after a lot of thought I decided to leave my new ironing board still wrapped up, and the new iron safely stored in the box, and keep using my old ones for the next wee while.  That way, when we finally do move into our new house, we can dump the old stuff and I’ll have brand new appliances to use. 

I mustn’t forget to take my little wall-hanging “Washday” with us when we move.  I made this way back in 1994 and it hangs on the wall the laundry.   I remember that the class was for hand appliqué, but I didn’t want to make mine that way.  Just hope I didn’t upset the tutor too much when I returned for the second lesson with all my pieces speedily appliquéd by machine.  The little clothes were fun to make, and the quilt shop had those tiny wooden pegs for sale, to hang the clothes up on the line.

DSCF2496 “Washday”, hanging in my laundry

Thursday, October 11, 2012

J is for Jaguar

I think I may have missed a week somewhere in my A-Z Challenge.  But never mind, I’m back on track again and the block this week is “J is for Jaguar”. 

DSCF2588 J is for Jaguar

This jaguar came to me as part of a birthday block swap several years ago, and I received all sorts of appliquéd blocks with depictions of the letter J.  In the end I didn’t make up my J birthday quilt.  So the jaguar has a new lease of life on this block of my A-Z quilt.  I carefully trimmed around just inside the satin stitching to remove the big cat from the original block, used some heat and bond to fuse him to the new background fabric, and stitched it in place.  What a fine looking jaguar he is too, the choice of fabric is wonderful, and he looks all set to pounce on his next meal.

I’m getting behind with my sewing lately, I must admit.  Things have been very busy with our house being listed for sale, lots of things to organise.  And oh…..all that sorting, clearing out, putting things in piles.  This lot to be dumped, this lot to the Op Shop, and maybe we will keep those!  I’m sure you know how it goes.  Today Robin cleared out the shelf at the top of the wardrobe and dumped it all on our bed.  Because half of it is mine to deal with, he informed me.  After almost 30 years in this house, we are getting there slowly!

DSCF3044 All this needs sorting, he said

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Last look at quilts from Wellington Quilters Exhibition

Thanks to readers for the interest in the couple of quilt exhibitions I have viewed recently – so here are my final choices from the Wellington Quilters Guild Exhibition.  It closes on Sunday 7th October for anyone wanting to take a last minute trip in to Wellington to see the quilts in person. 

Jane McFadden combined pinwheel, four patch and nine patch blocks to make “Intersections”, using a Moda Jelly Roll plus packs of matching Moda 5 inch squares.  Her artistry with machine quilting won an award for Merit in Domestic Machine Quilting.  This is the sort of quilt which would look good in any bedroom,  traditional blocks using lots of colour, on a soft and restful neutral background, and in an interesting setting.  

DSCF2946 “Intersections”, by Jane McFadden

Fyvie Murray is well known for her prodigious output of Baltimore quilts, so this was a change of departure for her.  “Nga taniwha o Whanganui a Tara” shone as only a silk quilt can, but sadly my photo does not capture the complete beauty of it at all.  But be assured, it looked wonderfully lustrous, with the hand quilting creating beautiful patterns of light and shade across the surface of the quilt.  Fyvie wanted her quilt to tell a story of Ngaake and Whaitaitai, two taniwha living in Wellington harbour.  She collected an award for Excellence in Hand Quilting.

DSCF2957  “Nga taniwha o Whanganui a Tara”, by Fyvie Murray

DSCF2958 Close up of the quilting

Anna Prussing is another very well known quilter from this guild.  She decided quite some time ago to make a 21st birthday quilt for each of her nieces and nephews.  Over the years, these wonderful quilts, each made especially to suit the tastes of the family member, have often appeared in shows, and I have been lucky to have viewed most of them.   “Blithe Spirit” is number twelve in this series, and was made to capture the essence of niece Claire, a young dancer full of energy and in love with life.   What a wonderful aunt!  This quilt won Excellence in the Waste Not, Want Not category, and also Judges Award.
 DSCF2981 “Blithe Spirit”, by Anna Prussing

“Grant’s Favourite Things”, was lovingly stitched by Sue Stephen for her husband’s birthday.  It’s easy to see that Grant is a real fan of planes, and Spitfires in particular.  Sue also found fabrics relating to his other interests of football, wine, travel and war movies in this quilt, all tied together with rows of Flying Geese.

DSCF2983 “Grant’s Favourite Things”, by Sue Stephen

I love to see New Zealand quilters taking inspiration from our beautiful country, and Theresa Vaughan did just that with her wall hanging “Streams and Forests”.  Constructed in the “flip and sew” method, the quilt showcases the colours of the sky, the sea, the hills, streams and forests of New Zealand.  I can even see a couple of selvedge strips in there too.  Theresa gained a Merit in Composition for her piece.

DSCF2969 “Streams and Forests”, by Theresa Vaughan

I may be a Kiwi, but there is also a little bit of Scots bloods (and English too) pulsing through my veins.  So I was really delighted to see this cute little tartan bag, decorated with brass buttons and wool tassels, made by Rose Greenman. 

DSCF2988 “Scots Man Bag”, by Rose Greenman

That’s the last of my photos from this exhibition, and there really was something for everyone to admire, and plenty of space to hang all those large bed quilts in the roomy venue without anything being crowded.

And don’t forget, if you live locally, my own club’s exhibition at Expressions, Upper Hutt, closes on Sunday 4th November, so there is still a little time to get there too.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

More Quilts from Wellington Quilters Exhibition

There were so many great quilts at this exhibition that I just have to show you all some more.  When walking up to this quilt, the blue fabrics just glowed against the dark background in this dramatic quilt.  The intricate looking kaleidoscope blocks in the middle of the quilt are contained by pieced stars along the top and basket blocks at the bottom.  Made by Jocelyn Thornton.

DSCF2948 “Midnight Flowers”, by Jocelyn Thornton

There is certainly a touch of Japan in “Gateway”, by Phillipa Doyle.  The inspiration for this quilt was a Japanese Shinto Shrine Gate, and is made from vintage kimono fabric.  Phillipa won an award for Best Contemporary Quilt, but sadly the photo does not truly reflect the rich colours of the fabrics.

DSCF2955 “Gateway”, by Philippa Doyle

When I first started quilting, I always imagined that I might make a Cathedral Window quilt one day.  That has never happened, and probably never will.  So I was in awe of Anne Buckell’s “Liberty”, entirely hand sewn using 1010 Liberty fabric windows.  The plan was to make a cushion cover, but grew to a double bed size quilt, with the help of Liberty fabric donations from friends.  I chose this lovely quilt as my “Viewers Choice” of the exhibition.

DSCF2960 “Liberty”, by Anne Bucknell

This shows what a stitcher can do to while away the months of recuperation, spend lots of time doing hand appliqué.  “The Call of the Wild and Wonderful” features New Zealand birds aplenty, as well as some more fanciful ones.  Mary Cleveland won an award for Merit in Hand Appliqué.  She commented that the harmony of the colours and the pleasure of the hand work added much to her recovery and well being.

DSCF2962 “The Call of the Wild and Wonderful”, by Mary Cleveland

I rather liked the the graphic design of zig zags that simple piecing achieve.  Michelle Sutherland cut up rectangles from each fabric in her stash and has tried out different ideas to use them up.  She has picked a winner with this simple but effective design
.
DSCF2965“Zigzag” by  Michelle Sutherland

And keeping it simple, I’ll finish this little show with a simple hessian peg bag.  Perhaps our grannies all had one of these?  I can certainly remember pulling out threads of hessian and stitching coloured lengths of wool in between the threads.  This very simple but effective peg bag was made by Eileen McGlinchy.

DSCF2964 “Peg Bag”, by Eileen McGlinchy

So that’s it for today, I still have more photos from this exhibition if anyone is still interested.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Call back time

I had a bit of a fright recently.  You may remember that I “fronted up”, so to speak, for my 2 yearly mammogram several weeks ago.  After being squashed  flat this way and that, I got dressed and went home, thinking that it all went well.  After all, I reasoned, if they weren’t happy with the x-rays, they wouldn’t let me go.  Two weeks after my mammogram I received a phone call – I needed to come back the very next day for an assessment.  Oh dear – as a cancer survivor I really didn’t want to hear that.  It was just the left side that needed reviewing.

So back I went for another mammogram, and I must admit that I felt a bit numb and not quite “with it” while this was going on.  Got dressed, went back out to the waiting room, and was called back some time later for an ultrasound scan.  The practitioner doing the scan was quite chirpy, and told me that she was sure there was nothing to worry about, and she couldn’t see anything untoward on the scan.  The doctors have a meeting to review all call back x-rays and scans at the end of the week, to make doubly sure, she said, and patients are informed of the results straight away.  Robin came with me for support, (in the waiting room only) which was very welcome.  I told myself I was not worried, but of course you really are, aren’t you.  Most of the other ladies in the Assessment Clinic did not have a friend or partner with them, which seemed rather sad to me. 

I’m happy to confirm that my letter arrived very promptly, to let me know there was no evidence of anything nasty found.  What a relief that was.  If anything suspicious had been found, I know from previous experience that the wheels start turning very quickly to get patients in the hospital system and under treatment.
 
To anyone out there going through cancer treatment at this time, my thoughts are with you.  And to everyone else, be sure to keep with with those women’s health checks.  They may be uncomfortable, but they are so necessary. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wellington Quilters Guild Exhibition

We travelled into the big city by train yesterday – we had to really, as there was another quilt exhibition to see!  The Wellington Quilters Guild Exhibition was hung at the Academy Galleries on Wellington waterfront, just a short walk up from the Wellington Railway Station. 

DSCF2940 This looks like the right place

I purchased raffle tickets for the raffle quilt and two big collections of fabric and other bits and pieces.  Can you see the huge bra container on the right of the table?  That’s the booby prize, I was told.  Goodness, I wouldn't mind winning that!

DSCF2954 Buy your raffle tickets here

To me, quilts should be big – big enough to cover a bed.,  And this exhibition didn’t disappoint as most of the quilts on display were big bed quilts.  It’s not that I’ve got anything against wall-hangings, I’ve got plenty of those myself here at home.  It’s just that I personally like the big ones, and can appreciate all the time and effort which goes into making them.  There were so many lovely quilts on display that it will take more than one blog post to show you.  Luckily, photography was allowed, (it said so in the catalogue) so I snapped merrily away to my heart’s content.

This intricate quilt is “De Dutch Delinquent”, by Jenny Hall and won a prize for Best Traditional.  Jenny has Dutch heritage herself, and was drawn to make this quilt by it’s interesting title.  Jenny Hall is also a member of Pinestream Quilters and has an entry hanging in that exhibition as well, so she must have been extremely busy getting her entries completed in time.

DSCF2942 “De Dutch Delinquent”, by Jenny Hall

I loved this quilt for the good use of colour and the challenge of piecing all those half square triangles together, and went back to admire it  several times.  Sharon Perry made “Stardust” using 2940 pieces of fabric, she said.  This quilt took an award for Merit in Long Arm Quilting.

DSCF2973 “Stardust”, by Sharon Perry

“Midnight Garden”, by Anne Read was started in a 10 month class taught by Chris Kenna.  Just look at that beautiful appliquéd leaf border.  Anne’s quilt won an award for Excellence in Use of Colour.

DSCF2971 “Midnight Garden”, by Anne Read

This quilt was inspired by Kaffe Fassett and Mary Cleveland, and was made by Frances Velvin as a 21st birthday quilt for her son Richard.  He had asked for mostly blue, a hint of green and a touch of poppy orange.  The beautiful border fabric works so well with the pieced centre.  I loved this quilt and could have happily taken it home with me.

DSCF2952“Richard’s Quilt”, by Frances Velvin

Now for a couple of smaller quilts which caught my eye.  This pretty quilt by E Dawn Kendall features many Japanese inspired prints.  She calls it “Old Songs with New Needles”, and told of making this quilt in the company of her daughter and sister, while reflecting on memories of her Mother and Gran.

DSCF2975“Old Songs with New Needles”, by E Dawn Kendall

This wall hanging just says “New Zealand”, doesn’t it?  It was inspired by the view of Wellington’s green covered hills out of Helen Beven’s window.  This is a whole cloth quilt, painted and stencilled, then adding texture with free-motion quilting and hand stitching with a variety of threads.  I just love the shape of those fern fronds.

DSCF2950 “Out my Window 11”, by Helen Beaven

And just to finish this showing, I’ll stay with the New Zealand theme.  The Bag Challenge on display had many wonderful entries.  MaryAnn Georgiou made this bag with an ANZAC theme as her son Robert was in Gallipoli on ANZAC day.

DSCF2985 Bag - “Lest we Forget”, by MaryAnn Georgiou

So this is just a little taste of the Wellington Quilters Guild Exhibition – I’ll show some more photos from the show over the next few days.   The exhibition is on until 7th October, do get there if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

We lunched at the iconic upstairs Tea Rooms at Kircaldie and Stains department store.  Did you know that the Tea Rooms has a dark secret?  Check out our other blog here to read the full story.