Out and About

 It's been a busy old time lately.  Each month a group of ladies from our village go out to lunch.  It was my turn to organise it this month, and as usual we went to one of the local cafes.  We all enjoyed our lunches and I asked the owner to take a photo for me.  Ooops, the photos seem to be turning out a little fuzzy lately.

Gill, Audrey, Janice, Jan, Jenny and Dot

The cafe has a large collection of English teapots made to look like pretty cottages.  Like most collections, this one started small, then just kept growing, we were told.

A lovely collection of fancy teapots

THen in the weekend we joined our caravan club friends for a rally at the   Tauherenikau Caravan Park.  Tauherenikau means "the house made of nikau palm fronds".  The weather warm enouigh to sit outside for morning tea, so that was really good since we are in mid winter here.  Luckily we had a small hall available to use during the evenings.  

A few of the early bird vans

 On Saturday evening most off us drove through to Greytown to check out the Festival of Christmas light show and food stall.  We found a car park and had quite a long walk to get to the town centre, which was closed off to traffic.  The place was humming, full of people with toddlers in pushchairs and older kids running around, dogs on leads, and lots of oldies like us.  The first thing we saw on arrival was a row of burners used in hot air balloons.   Whoosh, whoosh, they went, flames shooting upwards.  You couldn't get too close without feeling the heat from the burners.  Plenty of people were taking videos and photos, and just standing around watching it all happen.

THere was plenty of interest in the burners

We wandered around with the crowds and checked out some of the food stalls.  Mmm, profititeroles, that sounds nice.  So we shared a few of these dainty little cream filled balls covered in chocolate, while sitting on a very low wooden structure. The  next food stall was selling fried oysters, but at $78 a dozen, we passed them by.  I love fried oysters but certainly not at that price.

We shared the profiteroles

Nibbling away, we watched as  mid winter themed images were played across one of the lovely old buildings.  Kids walked by with glow sticks, excitedly exclaiming at all that was going one.  Gingerly getting up from our very low seating, we wandered down another alley and found an interesting Japanese food truck.  This was new to us so we ordered, and enjoyed,  some fried dumplings and Japanese fried bread.  The fried bread was rather like a toasted sandwhich containing very tasty curry meat filling.  Who would know that curry was a Japanese thing?  Or maybe it was a Kiwi special?

We came across a huge Christmas tree, such a pretty sight.  Nothing nicer than Christmas in July celebrations.  We were getting weary by this stage, and my back was protesting, so we wandered back through the throngs of people.  I'm sure more and more were arriving as it got darker.  Sore back not withstanding, I'm so pleased we went to have a look.

Christmas tree

The weather wasn't quite so nice on Sunday, the sky had clouded over and the wind had got up so we were pleased to have the hall available for morning tea.  Everyone said their goodbyes and started to pack up and head home.  Not us though, we had decided to spend an extra night in the Wairarapa and check out the newish Masterton NZMCA Park.  The members in the area have done a wonderful job of planting NZ native trees around the perimeter, these will slowly grow and  mature, provide shelter and encourage native birds to come and visit too.  This is a large roomy area with water available, rubbish bins, and a dump station.  We had a relaxing Sunday and finally arrived home on Monday afternoon.  The only crafting I did was to continue knitting my socks, now I have finally done the heels it was easy knitting in the car as we traveled there and back.

 

Chookshed Challenge for July

Number 1 was chosen for the Chookshed Challenge for July.   My number 1 was to make three unicorn cushions for donation.  

The last of the small unicorn panels

These small panels were left over from making the unicorn quilt which was gifted to my friend's great granddaughter a wee while ago.

Charlotte loves her unicorn quilt

First I had to buy some cushion inners, then I was all set to go.  A couple of afternoons spent cutting and stitching and they were all done.  That didn't take too long at all.

Three unicorn cushions

I will send the floral cushion to Charlotte, to go with her quilt, and the other two will go to the Foster Hope charity for kids in foster care.

With these cushions done and dusted, I had one more cushion to do.  You may remember that last month's Chookshed Challenge was to make a train quilt and cushion.  The quilt was completed but I ran out of time to make the cushion.

Chookshed Challenge for June

I'm pleased to say that the cushion has now been made.  The stitchery was a gifted pattern and I completed it  some time ago, it was  just waiting to be put to good use.  So here we are, I'm pleased with how the quilt and cushion look together.

All done

Now that is out of the way I have time to concentrate on a couple of birthday gifts I'm making.  And do some more stitching on my daughter's big birthday quilt for next year.  The months are slipping away and I want to get it made in plenty of time.

I'm enjoying taking part in the Chookshed Challenge each month, many thanks to the organisors.  It is certainly helping me to get some of these older projects moved along.

Hand Stitching

I've been busy doing a little hand stitching lately.   On Saturday I attended a stitch-in day, organized by my quilt club.  The weather was miserable, wet and drizzly, but the hall was nice and toasty with the heat pumps working hard.  Others were machining away, but I don't like to take my sewing machine away from home theses days, it is just so heavy for me to load into the car and take it out at the other end.  So I make sure I have plenty of hand work instead.  Yesterday I starting  hand stitching the binding down on one of the big quilts I had commercially quilted a while ago ago.  I didn't get it all stitched down, but I've made a good start on it.  

Binding time

Eight ladies braved the wet and cold conditions to come and stitch for a while.  We stopped for a mid morning cuppa, and a lunch break.  It's always nice to stitch with company, isn't it.  By 2.00pm we all decided to pack up and head home.

Today, Sunday, I decided to make blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  I'd found a Jamie Oliver recipe, knew I had some frozen blueberries in the freezer, so whipped them up.  It was a nice simple recipe and I served them with whipped cream, extra blueberries and a drizzle of genuine maple syrup, all the way from Canada.  They didn't turn out perfectly round, but I must say they were absolutely delicious!

Blueberry pancakes for Sunday breakfast

I've been stitching away on a quilt label today, almost there.  I had just written the info with my pigma pen, but decided to stitch over the words.  Then I can attach it to the backing and share a photo of my completed quilt.  

Stitching a quilt label

As for my socks, they have come to a bit of a standstill.  I'm up to the heels, but need to spend a bit of time, sitting quietly on my own, while I read the pattern and mark off each row.  I've knitted heels plenty of times, but really need to concentrate.

Perhaps you remember the oven mitts I completed recently?  I posted them to my granddaughter Megan last week and received a thank you snap chat.

Thank you from Megan

My daughter Nicky has asked if I can make her oven mitts for her birthday, so I'm not finished with them yet.  That's next on my list to do.

Sew Wot Tuesday

 Oh dear, I went to this Sew Wots this week and forgot to take my camera and notebook with me.  Guess it's because I rushed out the door in a hurry.  Luckily Heather and Carol sent me a couple of photos later.  So there are no photos of Show and Tell this time.  I'll try and do better next time.  A shame as there were several knitted items, a pretty quilt, plus I had taken my two new oven mitts I had made for my granddaughter Megan to show.  These are now in the post winging their way to her.

This was a special day as Sandra was celebrating her 70th birthday.  And what a lot of lovely gifts she opening up.  All sorts of surprises were unwrapped, from hand lotion, wool, quilting fabric and a gift card for her to buy something special with.  

Sandra opening her birthday gifts

Sandra's sister Darla had come  over from Australia to spend a couple of weeks with Sandra, so she was warmly welcomed too.  And as we found out, Darla and Helen were in the same classroom as little girls at school for a couple of years.

Carol had made a scummy morning tea, plus there was a cream sponge with candles especially for the birthday girl.  

Darla, Helen, Sandra, Heather, Jenny, Carol and Jude

Many thanks to Carol for  being the hostess - she even had put a few balloons up for the birthday celebrations.  We all had such a lovely morning, and it was so nice to share in Sandra's special day.

This Binding was hard to Stitch

 I had a request from my granddaughter Megan for another oven mitt a while ago.  So I thought I had better get cracking and get on with it.  I like to make double handed oven mitts with hessian backing, insulbrite in the middle for heat resistance, and often another layer too - pieces of an old thin towel work great.  So I chose some strips and got sewing, deciding on one pink and the other one black/grey/teal.  I also like to stitch a double binding on the front, flip it over and hand stitch the back.  It's always a  bit more difficult to stitch through the hessian, just as well I used a nice strong needle.  My binding clips certainly came in handy keeping the binding in place.

Stitching the binding down

And here they are, all finished.  I really can't help myself, although the fabrics are scrappy, I just had to make sure the strips on each were "matching", so to speak.  I blame it on my star sign being Libra, the sign of the scales, even and balanced.  That's my story, anyway,

One blue, one pink

Megan and her  boyfriend own their own home, and Megan is a very keen cook.  I know she will appreciate these new oven mitts.

Shades of Teal

This month it is shades of teal for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge stitching, teal, turquoise and aqua. Not a colour I have a lot of, but I managed to find enough to get my blocks done.  Hollow Nines were stitched first.  I'm only using the 2.5in squares tucked away in my bag, and found enough to make two blocks.  I'm sure I've mentioned before that I don't really like working with little squares, and it will be interesting to see how many squares remain at the end of the year.

Two Hollow Nine blocks

I could only find two 5in squares for Happy Blocks.  One turquoise one with some rather strange looking girls, and the other was wiggly stripes.  Then there were three of my previously stitched four patch blocks which fit the bill, containng flowers, swirling sea, bicycle parts and teddies.

Just a couple of Happy Blocks and Framed Four Patches

My missing Pirate blocks have been tracked down, after hiding away, and I'll get to them later.  At least I now know where they are, after those cheeky pirates were missing in action.

Gemma has decided that snoozing on our bed during the day is a good way to pass some time.  Otherwise she likes to curl up in front of the large windows where the sun comes streaming in.  Cats certainly have the best life, don't they.  This quilt is Soul Searching, designed by Kathy Doughty.

Gemma is very comfy, thank you.

What's on the Table?

 What's on the table today?  It's one of my "holiday" tableclothes which was started during our 2018 summer caravan trip touring the South Island. 

Ooops, Blogger wont let me turn the photo

 I prepared little blocks using New Zealand designed fabrics, with plain cream to write messages on.  Each evening after our adventures, I wrote where we stayed, and places of interest that we visited. 

 

These are the blocks I prepared for our trip

While we were travelling around I started stitching the New Zealand floral wreath blocks.  I can remember sitting outside under the caravan awning, stitching away, a very pleasant way to pass the time for an hour or two after we had comnpleted our sightseeing for the day.

My first block stitched during our South Island holiday.

We had wonderful trip and this tablecloth is full of memories.

Sew Wot Tuesday and Medical Stuff

 Our Sew Wot Tuesday rolled around again, and rather than have us all drive way out into the country to her rural home, Helen arranged for us to meet at the LQS Fox's Cottage again.  Only five of us could make it this time.  We gathered in the class room at the back of the shop, and Helen had brought morning tea for us and to share with the shop staff - no wonder they are always so happy to see us.  

There wasn't so much show and tell this time, although Helen stunned us with her glorious black and white top, with just a sprinkling of colour throughout.  This was started during Covid lockdown, she told us.

Helen's black and white quilt top

Jude had completed one sock, and was just starting the second,  this was a new to her method knitting socks on two needles, usually she whizzes them up on four tiny double pointed needles.

Jude's new sock with self striping yarn

And I had brought along my recently completed Thomas and Friends cot quilt.

Thomas and Friends

I had to leave the ladies early to drive home, have a quick lunch, then take the Health Shuttle up to Palmerston North Hospital for my oncologist appointment.  I had plenty of time to wait, so settled down in the staff cafe with a coffee and my knitting.

Sock knitting at the hospital

My appointment went well, the results from my mammogram are excellent, and Dr Claire is happy with everything.  Because I took part in a drug trial I get to see the oncologist for 10 years after my diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, instead of the usual 5 years.  So I can't complain about that, it means an extra 5 years of care.  I boarded the 5.00pm Health Shuttle and we drove home in darkness in the pouring rain, it had been a long afternoon indeed.

Today was Gemma's turn for medical care.  She was bundled into her carry cage and off to the Vet for a check up and vaccinations.  No, she was not happy about the change to her usual quiet day, but tolerated the poking and prodding very well.  The vet, a young woman who came out from Canada pronounced Gemma fit and healthy, with a beautiful coat, and gorgeous eyes!

Where are you taking me?

Both of us have a clear bill of health, so that is good to know.

Chookshed Challenge no 10

 The end of June has rolled around and it's time to report on my Chookshed Challenge number 10.  Here is how it all started.  I had a nice piece of fabric featuring Thomas and Friends with the idea to make into a cot quilt.  Also a small embroidered piece which was to be turned into a matching cushion.

This was my starting point.

The plan was to add borders to the fabric, and luckily I had some red  fabric in my stash for another project, but there was more than enough for me to cut off  several strips.  And there was just enough of a piece of navy fabric for the inner borders.  I pinned the three layers together ready for quilting.  Pinning on the floor is not easy, I should have used the patio table as I usually do.

Pinning down on the floor is not easy

Next was the quilting, quite simple really, serpentine stitch diagonally and vertically.  This however, took me much longer than I anticipated as I cannot sit at the sewing machine for hours at a stretch.  I have to look after my back.

Simple quilting lines

With the quilting finally completed, it was binding time, always my favourite part of the process.  I just love those cute colourful binding clips, and I always use plenty.  I did need to purchase some more navy fabric to use for the binding, I've got plenty left as solids are always so useful.

All clipped up and ready to go

Thomas and Friends

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to work on the cushion.  Perhaps next month.