Town and Around

 We have been busy lately, tooing and froing all over the place.  Last week we met our caravan club friends for lunch down at Denny's in Porirua.    Denny's is a casual, family style restaurant, with quite an extensive menu, something for everyone's tastes.  Our group of 20 was spread out over three tables, and the restaurant was fairly full with other family groups too.  Our members are spread out geographically, some driving over the hill from the Wairarapa, some from the Horowhenua, Kapiti, and the Hutt Valley.  The serious business of checking out the the menus took place and we all made our choices.  It was roast pork for Robin and salmon for me.  It took a while for all the 20 meals to be delivered and the noise from our tables certainly decreased while we ate our lunches.  A few ordered dessert, some had coffees and we were all happy little campers indeed.  Robin can never pass by a chocolate sundae, and I finished my meal with a coffee.

Chocolate ice-cream sundae for Robin

With the meal finished, we said our goodbyes and went on  our way.  While we were down in Porirua I wanted to call into Pete's Emporium.

All sorts of goodies are sold here, and the haberdashery section is wonderful.  Aisle after aisle of delightful things on offer, buttons, buckles, lace, cord, ribbons, fringes, all sorts of things to tempt you.

Lots of wonderful goodies here

I was after some wide green ric rac for a project I'm working on.  Luckily I had taken some completed green blocks along to get an idea of the shade I wanted.  Once home, I washed it straight away, just in case there was shrinkage.

Just what I wanted

On Saturday our town hosted "Age on the Go", with various stalls offering services to the older people in the community.  Robin was helping at his Menz Shed stall.  Menz Shed is a country wide group, also found in Australia, I believe, which offers friendship and fellowship, and a place to do practical skills such as woodwork and metal work.  They also do community projects.

Menz Shed members with some of their work

While Robin was on duty I wandered around the hall I came across a couple of ladies selling quilts, bags, and other small items.  They call themselves M & M.

Lovely quilts for sale

I was looking for a particular stall, "Grandparents raising Grandchildren" and had a nice chat to these ladies.  I had previously donated a couple of children's quilts to this charity down in Kapiti so was pleased to see that there was now a local branch.  "Would you like some children's quilts?" I asked.  They certainly would, and were so grateful for my offer. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to have your retirement turned upside down when you find your grandchildren in need of your care.  Sadly, most of these children need care because of drug and alcohol use  by their parents.  I often make children's donation quilts so will be more than happy to pass some on to this wonderful group.

A wonderful charity

Another stall I was happy to stop and chat to was Age Concern.  I am a member of this group and go along to their rooms for a weekly gentle exercise class, aimed at helping with balance.

Age Concern for seniors

After walking around the hall I was ready to sit down at the pop up cafe for a coffee and a muffin.  This cafe was run  by young people training in hospitality, cooking and kitchen management skills at a local polytech just down the road from us.  A friend came to join me too, and we had a lovely time chatting away.

I was back at Age Concern today to attend the newly set up Arthritis Support Group.  Just a small group this time but hopefully the attendance will grow as the months go by.  

So that's what I have been getting up to lately.  I'm still doing some quilting, and knitting.  We are off for another short trip in the  caravan shortly so must make sure to take my knitting bag with me.

Making a Mask each

It's Day Six in Lock Down and there was some rather urgent sewing to do, I needed to make a couple of masks.  Thanks to Dot for providing the pattern, no physical contact, it was safely left in our letter box for me to collect.  Did I have any elastic, I wondered?  It’s not something I use a lot these days.  This elastic must be rather vintage, it cost the grand total of 95 cents back in the day! 

These masks should have been an easy make, after all, Dot whipped then up in no time at all, she told me.  But I made a boo-boo, and had to do some unpicking.  All because I didn’t read the instructions correctly (the story of my life it seems) and had the elastic on the inside when I stitched the two pieces together.  After my years of sewing, I should really know better, shouldn’t I?  The white one is for Robin, and of course, I just had to make a blue one for myself.

My first masks

These masks are necessary, I decided, after our visit to the supermarket the previous day.  In line with the medical view that over 70s should not be going out to get their groceries during the lockdown, we investigated on-line shopping and delivery.  Not easy at all.  First, we had to register, then spent quite some time checking the website for the products we needed. Then came the frustration, with our order ready, we had to pick a “slot” (day and time) for either pick-up or delivery.  But there were no slots available, and seemingly no way of leaving the order ready on-line for the next available slot.  All this took a couple of hours, and Robin rang through to the office and told the person on the other end of the phone about our predicament.  How could we stay home as advised and get our groceries delivered.  The answer was, “Come down now, the queue is not too long”.  So that’s what we did, donning a couple of old face masks which Robin found kicking around somewhere.

The line outside the shop was orderly, all standing well apart, and the one at the front of the queue was handed a trolley and allowed in the door each time someone exited with their trolley of groceries.  After 15 minutes of waiting, it was finally our turn – although shoppers are meant to go on their own, he allowed both of us in together.  Perhaps we looked rather old and doddery?  With a list in hand, we quickly got what we wanted.  But then we had to wait in an even longer queue snaking around the store till we finally reached the checkout.  Goodness knows how the really elderly cope with all this standing and waiting.

The checkouts were quite different since our last visit.  Perspex screens for safety, and the items were scanned and placed into another trolley behind the operator, who then wheeled it around, for us to collect.  Payment was made by credit card, no cash allowed, and although I didn't witness it, I presume that the terminal would be wiped down between customers.  We had to pack our own groceries into bags, which we did at the car.   Walking around the shop we never witnessed anyone coughing, sneezing or spluttering, so that was good.  Still couldn't buy any flour though, although there seemed to be plenty of TP in stock.  And as a treat, a packet or two of Easter Eggs jumped into our trolley, we needed them after all that stress!

Although all us oldies were standing patiently in line with plenty of room between is as we wait for our turn at the checkout, one young woman decided to jump the queue and walked to the front.  How dare she, we muttered amongst ourselves,and she was told to go and  take her place at the end of the queue.   But no, she just hung around for a while, finally walking up to the next available checkout and unloading her trolley.  The manager came rushing up, telling her to put her things back into her trolley and get to the end of the line, as she had already been told!  Swearing at the manager, she flounced out of the store, leaving someone else, of course, to put all her items back on the shelves. 

After all that excitement, we were pleased to get home, put everything away, sit down with a hot drink and put our feet up.  Next time we venture out we will have our new masks to wear.  I know we have been told they aren’t as good as “real” ones, but surely they will be better than nothing.   We will give on-line shopping another try in the near future, hopefully it will be more successful next time we try.

All Lit Up

The annual Avenue of Trees is a community project where schools, businesses, clubs and groups decorate a Christmas Tree.  These are on display at the Salvation Army Hall and I went along to check them out.  The cost of entry was a donation for the Food Bank, and I was given a voting slip for People’s Choice.  The hall looked amazing, and I was keen to see the tree decorated by a member of my quilt group, Town and Country Quilters.  And there it was,  “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” looking gorgeous, and decorated in a heavenly host of angels.

Entry from my quilt guild, Town and Country Quilters

The themes were quite varied and they were all a delight to see.  “Dutch” was festooned with little clogs and blue and white Delft style ornaments.  Levin Arts and Crafts chose the theme of New Zealand Summer Christmas  and was full of decorated jandals , shells and starfish, and the Lindt tree was a chocolate lover’s heaven.

Trees decorated by Levin Dutch Coffee Morning, Levin Arts and Crafts, and Lindt NZ

Another tree with a difference was the “Christmas Cookie Tree” decorated by the Horowhenua District Council.  All the cookies were baked and decorated by staff in their own time, we were told, not during work hours.  As I left the hall I was presented with a cookie to take home, and when I asked nicely,  they kindly gave me another for hubby as well.

Council Cookie Tree

To enjoy at home

The Salvation Army Band was playing Christmas Carols outside, always nice to stop a while and listen.

Each year our local community newspaper prints a list of homes decorated for Christmas.  One “not to miss” we were told, was down at the sleepy little village of Waikawa Beach. On arrival, the first thing we saw was this huge “tree” glowing in the dark.  We watched as the helicopter went on it’s way, Santa climbed a ladder, a skier on the slopes, elves loading Santa’s sleigh, and a little alien popped out of a spaceship.  There were things happening everywhere!

Fancy lights at this home

All these fancy lights make our few strings hung outside around the patio look rather paltry indeed.  But never mind, we didn’t set out to impress anyone, just add a little twinkle to the evening.  One thing I do rather like is my snowy village scene which gets put out each year and twinkles and sparkles.  Why do I like it – especially as I live here in New Zealand where Christmas is celebrated in Summer?  Must be the English and Scots blood in my veins from generations ago.  Like most Kiwis, I would love to experience a White Christmas one year.

My snowy village scene

Saturday Stitching Day

I was really looking forward to attending the stitching day organised by my quilt club – especially as I hadn’t managed to attend since July.  Too much tripping around, I guess.  These stitching days are easy and fun, with  everyone taking their own projects to work on.  Sit and sew at it’s best, with plenty of companionship and chatter added into the mix.  I decided to take my light box and prepare my next stitchery project, a series of New Zealand native trees designed in a roundel shape – now all ready to work on during our next big  caravan trip away.

Variety was certainly the name of the game, and it was so interesting seeing what the other ladies were doing.  Some were doing handwork, and I loved Annette’s red work Santas.  She was also working on her beautiful Patchwork of the Crosses blocks, all hand done too.

Annette’s lovely work

I can’t imagine myself ever stitching the La Passacaglia Quilt, but certainly admire those who do.  Ute brought her quilt top along, almost completed now, except for a few filler blocks needed along the edges.  The La Passacaglia design is beautiful, a riot of colour with all those little pieces hand stitched together.

La Passacaglia stitched by Ute

Two completely different hand projects were the intricate hydrangea petals which Lynne was assembling.  She enjoyed this making this project to much that this is her second one.

Lynne’s Hydrangea blocks

And Dianne was pinning folded petals onto balls to make a series of Christmas baubles.  I remember doing that many moons ago.

Dianne’s Christmas balls

The machine stitchers were busy too.  Margaret is taking a class on heritage style blocks, all aimed at getting the most out of the sewing machine and using those fancy stitches we all seem to ignore.  Her crazy patch block in soft greens with a touch of navy is lovely indeed.  And Kath’s Peekaboo Owl block is one of a series to eventually become a cushions for her grandchildren.  Madalyn’s Daily Dot blocks are coming along.  With 365 to stitch, this is a long term project.

Crazy patch block and Peekaboo owl

Daily Dot blocks

And for something completely different, Cheryl had a production line gong on sun hats.  She is a real expert on these and has made over 300 hats now.  Here she is modelling a very fetching navy blue hat.

Sun hat made and modelled by Cheryl

While we were all beavering away inside the hall, there was plenty going on outside too.  Just across the road is RJ’s Licorice factory, one of the many local producers taking part in Horowhenua Taste Trail where customers can get free tastings and purchase local food.  I saw people leaving RJs with big bags and even cartons of licorice!  Also on offer was fresh veggies, asparagus, pesto, free range poultry and pork products, wine and even eels – all local farms and factories. 

Off to a Good Home

I guess, like me, that you may have wondered what to do with some of your quilts?  Older ones, but still quite acceptable, with lots of use still in them.  I had several single bed quilts, but no beds for them.  And then I discovered from my Sew Wot friend Mary that the local Woman’s Refuge will gladly accept such items.

Four single bed quilts going to new homes

So I’ve been pulling things out of cupboards and having a good clean out.  There are the quilts of course, plus some woolen blankets too.  With my family long gone, I really don’t know why I’ve been hanging onto the blankets all these years.  I found some winter flannelette sheets to pass on - they are all bundled up ready to go to a good home, keeping families warm over winter.  The refuge may use them at their house, or perhaps pass them on to the ladies when they move out to other accommodation, whatever they think is best.

Warm bedding for winter

And yes, I still have bedding, blankets and a quilt or two for our spare bed for visitors.  The only thing we haven't got in fact, is the bed itself – we’ve ordered a new one and it’s on it’s way, we’ve been told.  But that’s another story.

Fabric Bazaar

I joined the throngs of ladies, and a few men,  pouring in to the Memorial Hall on Saturday, all looking for a bargain at the Fabric Bazaar.  The Altrusa Club had been busy collecting fabric, orphan quilt blocks, wool, buttons, lace, and other notions, patterns, and craft magazines for quite a while.  Anything which was donated was gratefully collected from our homes, which made things very easy indeed.  I had gone through my fabric bins and pattern collection and easily filled three bags of bits and pieces to donate.

 

Come one, come all, to the Fabric Bazaar

The ladies of the Altrusa Club must have spent a huge amount of time getting everything priced and packaged for sale.  And it was all done very nicely indeed.  Lengths of fabric were rolled,  wool was put into big bags, patchwork fabric was packaged attractively, three or four toning pieces displayed nicely in clear plastic bags.  Button lovers were in their element as they looked at bags full of all the different colours.  And then there was a free for all area – fill a bag with fabric pieces for a dollar! There were patterns to rummage through, and thousands of those craft magazines which everyone swears breed in the dark.  And everything was very reasonably priced.

That’s Sandra in the blue hat, Altrusa member and also a member of our caravan club

I had a great time poking about all the various goodies, but spent most time at the patchwork fabric tables.  At one stage there was a young mum and daughter at the same table, and the little girl picked up fabric which was labelled as a cushion cover.  “Can I have that Mum?”, she asked.  The answer was, “go and ask Nana if she will make it up for you”.  Of course, Nana said yes, so that was a very happy child indeed, all for the cost of $1 or so.

There were plenty of familiar faces, either helping customers or getting on with the serious business of shopping, and even some ladies from my former Upper Hutt quilt club who had driven up for the day.  Of course I came home with a few bargains too, so I was very pleased with my purchases.  And the proceeds are going to support the Arohanui Hospice, a very good cause indeed.

Bargain shopping for a good cause

Pink Ladies

The Pink Ladies are a local Breast Cancer Support group, and I finally managed to attend another monthly meeting.  What with hospital appointments, treatments, and finally our long awaited holiday in Australia, it is several months since I’ve managed to get there.  Wear something fun, I was told.  Mmm, I wouldn’t have thought anything in my wardrobe would be considered “fun”.  Then I had a brainwave – and climbed  the pull down ladder into the loft to retrieve a very special object, which certainly could be considered funny.  My Happy Birthday hat!

Is that fun enough, do you think?  My hat looks like a birthday cake with big fat candles stuck in the top.  But the candles are a bit saggy and don’t stand up straight.  Never mind, it might make someone laugh.  And my birthday is coming up in the long (Labour) weekend,  so it’s only right that I should give my hat an outing.

Everything is always very nicely done at the Pink Ladies meetings, everything beautifully decorated, and shades of pink everywhere.  Some of the other ladies had dressed up too, I noticed pink flannel pyjamas, shocking pink tights, a pink chenille dressing gown, and various floral head pieces.  I didn’t win the raffle, but my partner and I won a small prize for the quiz.  And I received a little birthday gift with the other October birthday girls.  And just look at that beautifully decorated birthday cake.  I had a lovely morning meeting up with the ladies.

Birthday Cake and gifts

Sadly, there were several newly diagnosed ladies attending for the first time, but they can be assured of a warm welcome and support as they go through their breast cancer journey.  It is a terrible disease and strikes so many.  But we have first rate health care here in New Zealand, so that is a blessing.

Town and Country Quilters Quiltfest

It was time for Quiltfest, my club’s quilt show.  All the details of running such a big event had been percolating behind the scenes for quite some time.  Due to my ill health and subsequent treatment over the last six months, followed by a long planned holiday in Australia, I was unable to help out.  We arrived home just in time for me to attend the show, so I didn’t miss out completely.

A trio of friendly faces were on the front desk, to take the entrance fee, and hand out a couple of slips of paper.  One was to write the name and number of Viewer’s Choice, and the other was for a chance to win a brand new sewing machine from our major sponsor Krazy Cow quilt shop – wouldn’t that be wonderful!  Then there were three more happy faces on the desk selling raffle tickets – what a nice friendly welcome.

Welcome to Quiltfest

There were challenge quilts to check out, vendors to visit, and the T&C $5 bags of goodies to look at too.  These bags were certainly good value, and great from the seller’s perspective too, as it was a great opportunity to downsize and declutter one’s sewing room.  But what about the quilts, you want to know?  Our club members had been working hard over the last year, and there was a wonderful selection to look at, and linger awhile.  Here are some which I found particularly appealing.

Diane’s quilt which she made for her son’s 40th birthday really caught my eye.  His quilt was designed to depict icons from his country of birth, New Zealand, and also icons from his years living in London.  The Chinese characters featured show his paternal parentage.

40th Birthday Quilt for Troy, by Diane Young

Other People’s Dreams by Griet Lombard is another great example of her love of working with recycled embroideries, crochet, and old linens.   I just love Griet’s work, so soft and pretty, and this got my vote for Viewer’s Choice.

Other People’s Dreams, by Griet Lombard

I had seen Sandra working on this quilt at sewing days over a period of time and had always admired it.  Floriason Rouge is now completed, and looks wonderful.

Floriason Rouge, by Sandra Collins

Archer’s Safari Quilt, by Cathryn Christensen, and Cool Cats, by Maureen Taylor

Plus quilts have been on my “must make one day list” so I was rather drawn to this lovely version, Accentuate the Positive, by Marjorie Law.  This was made for a friend who is unwell, and has a passion for Anzac Day, World War 1, and poppies.

Accentuate the Positive, by Marjorie Law

Ramblin’ Rose, by Jan Rodgers and Autumn, by Diane Walker

Chock full of beautiful glowing batiks, Up and Down the Squares was made by Sandra Collins, based on a pattern from The Cloth Shop, in Palmerston North.  The black accent really sets of these fabulous fabrics.

Up and Down the Squares, by Sandra Collins

After wandering up and down the rows of lovey quilts, I really needed to visit the café for a cuppa and a scone with jam and cream for a “pick me up” and to rest my weary legs.  It was a great show, many congratulations to all who helped make it such a success.