Slow Stitching Sunday

It’s always nice to get the chance to sit and do some slow stitching.  I’ve just finished another of my Noah’s Ark blocks, and this one was tiny.  Actually, I had doubled the size of all the blocks, because I wanted to stitch mine with Perle 5 instead of stranded cotton.  So you can image just how tiny this pattern would have been in the original size.  This block contains snails, tiny bees and lady birds, and two very small butterflies.

Insects for the Ark

The other slow stitching I’ve been doing is to hand stitch a pair of leatherette elbow patches onto Robin’s’ favourite wooly jumper which features abstract kiwi and sheep.  The stitching took me ages – first I stitched all around the patches, then I added blanket stitch as well.

Patches done

And look how close I came to running out of thread, the little bit remaining won’t be good enough for anything, will it. 

I won thread chicken!

What else?  I hand stitched the binding down on my RSC donation quilt this week.

Binding all done

And I’ve got several knitting projects on the go, I knit a bit on this one, on that one, and a bit more on the other!  No wonder it’s taking me a while to get anything completed.

We made it home

The last stop on our South Island Trip was Koromiko – where we started our trip back in mid December, all those weeks ago.  This is a beautiful place, surrounded by totara trees, and the cicadas were having a fine old time, making plenty of noise in the trees while looking for mates.  We were to stay here for two nights while we waited to board the Inter Island Ferry on Thursday.

Staying at Koromiko

It’s no secret that both ferry companies have been having maintenance problems.  We received a text telling us our trip the following day had been cancelled, costs would be refunded, and clients had to get on to the web site and rebook themselves.  We had heard of campers waiting several weeks before they could get another booking and cross Cook Strait. What to do?  We decided to drive down to the ferry office and front up to a real person.    The staff confirmed that our booking for the next day was cancelled, perhaps we would like to go on the standby list for a sailing later in the day?  No guarantees that we would get on board of course, but better than waiting weeks.

So back we went to Koromiko, hooked up the caravan and returned to the ferry terminal in the afternoon.  The sailing on the Kaiarahi was pushed back later and later, but at least we had the comfort of our caravan to rest, have a light meal, and a toilet on board, not that we really relaxed, wondering would we get onboard?  Eventually every one else had boarded and then it was the turn of the standby group.  Oh no, we were almost turned back at the last minute but that was overruled, and we were sent up a steep ramp and parked up.  We had made it!

.Finally boarded the Inter Island Ferry

Because we were one of the last vehicles to board, we had a little trouble finding a couple of seats together, but a kind couple moved along and made two seats available for us.  We settled down in the lounge and our sailing got underway at 11.00pm.  The captain made an announcement apologising for all the delays, and assuring us he had four engines all working – a reference to earlier problems when engines failed and the ships were drifting towards rocks!  Three hours later the announcement came to go to our cars, we had arrived in port.   We waited our turn, in this case last on certainly meant last off.  The rain was falling, the temperatures had dropped dramatically, welcome to Wellington.

We had made it to Wellington

We had decided to spend the night at Plimmerton NZMCA Park, and off we went, up the Ngauranga Gorge in heavy rain in the dead of night.  At 4.00am we pulled into the park, left the car looked up to the van, opened the caravan door and collapsed into bed.  It had been a long day, but we were so relieved to be back in the North Island.  We weren't quite ready to go home, so drove up to Foxton  for our caravan club rally.  It was great to catch up with our caravan club buddies after being way for so many weeks.  We finally made it home on Sunday.

Gemma was really good during our long trip away, except for waking us us bright and early, anywhere between 4.00am – 6.00am, insisting on going outside, no, she want allowed to!.  By the time she finally settled down, it was time for us to make an early morning cuppa, and check out the news of the day, especially after the cyclone hit the country.  She is fairly predictable, loves to snooze in my computer bag while I’m busy blogging.  And if the tiny wardrobe door is left afar, she is very keen tp pop inside and hide there for a while.

Snoozing in the caravan

Once home,  we had unpacked the caravan, done several loads of laundry, and then I just couldn't help myself.  It’s been such a long time since I had pottered around in my sewing room.  But, I told myself, before I do some real sewing, I needed to do a little mending.  My pair of summer shorts needed repair, and a dress I took away with me was a little loose around the neck.  I can’t abide necklines which slips off my shoulder, so I unpicked the back facing, adjusted the back neck seam, and restiched the facing.  There, that fits much better.  As a reward to myself, I found my remaining flag blocks (have already made a small quilt using girly coloured flags)  and started arranging the blocks, and pinning.  Maybe I’ll get stitching them tomorrow.  It’s good to be home again.

Flag blocks

Busy as a Bee

Although there has not been any quilty type stitching going on here, I’ve been busy with alterations.  Fixing a neckline or four here, and run in a couple of pair of summer trousers.  In fact, I rather feel like Father Christmas does as he sits and mends his Santa hat!  Isn't he cute?  Santa was a gift from Carol of South Dakota several years ago.

HE’s finishing off his mending too

In the absence of any projects, I thought I’d show you a Christmas quilt or two, which I have hanging up.  “Selvedge Christmas Tree” was an idea of mine, and was made in 2010.

Selvedge Christmas Tree

And hanging above the sofa is “All the Love of Christmas” a Bronwyn Hayes design and made in 2007.  I had to make some changes as the pattern had people around the four sides in the centre, and there was no way I could stitch people hanging sideways on my quilt, so I replaced them with trees.

All the love of Christmas

Gemma has been getting into the Christmas spirit, and I saw her laying on the carpet in front of the Santa trio.  I made the two at the back with bobbles on their hats.  Gemma wasn't there too long, as she must have moved and the front Santa fell on top of her, and gave her quite a fright.  Naughty Santa!

Gemma and the Santas

I’ve started a sewing project for Gemma, something I’ve had in mind for a while, so hopefully it will get completed in a day or so.  And I’m having withdrawal symptoms for my myriad of quilting projects on the go, but realistically don't expect to get them done just yet.  We are just about up to date for Christmas, just a couple more items to get early next week, wrap up the family gifts and we will be good to go.

Helping with the Mending and Silly Season

You may remember that my wedding ring has slipped off my finger a couple of times recently.  Another consequence of loosing a little weight is that items don't fit quite as well as they used to.  Especially around the neck line, and I cant stand it when a top slips off my shoulder.  So rather than getting rid of my favourites and buying new summer tops, I’ve been making a few adjustments.  Gemma has been helping, as she likes to do, keeping the clothing in check on my  sewing cabinet till I’m ready to take in an inch or so on the shoulder line.  She’s such a big help and takes her duties very seriously.

Gemma likes to help

The “Silly Season” is in full swing and we have end of year outings for various groups lined up for the next couple of weeks.  Last Saturday our monthly ladies lunch group invited the men to join us for a Christmas get-together, down at the Cossie Club.  The main courses were very tasty indeed, I chose fish and Robin had steak.  Plus we enjoyed a small bottle of bubbles each.

Dessert was described as a selection so we weren’t very sure what we would get.  As it turned out, it was most impressive, lots of individual desserts all carried out on a big mirrored tray.  There was crème caramel, chocolate mousse, fruit salad, brandy snaps, Christmas mince pies, Christmas pudding  and no doubt other dainties I’ve forgotten to mention.  Plenty for everyone and as they were small servings we got to try several different desserts

Very nicely presented

Then today we attended our Probus meeting, which was followed by a meal to celebrate Christmas.  Once again, all very tasty, with hot ham and chicken plus veggies for the main course, and I certainly enjoyed my dessert of Christmas Pudding with caramel sauce.  Here’s a photo of me with Dot, a special day for her it was her birthday.

Happy Birthday Dot

So what else is happening?  We have a lunch tomorrow with our SLG friends, we meant once a month, and it is my turn to organise our December outing.  Everyone is calling here to our home for morning tea and a catch up, and then we will go out for lunch.  During the weekend we will be attending our Christmas Rally with the caravan club, so it's certainly all go.  You need to have stamina to keep up with the Silly Season, I feel.

Weekend in the Country

Last weekend was spent with our caravan club friends camped at a local dairy farm.

Each day the cows walked along the cattle race to the milking shed,one after the other.  There were plenty of newly weaned heifer calves which came rushing over to the fence, just in case we had some extra food or attention to give them.  And what about this big fellow resting under the shelter – he is sure the Dad of these calves.

Baby heifers and a very large bull

As we were staying on a dairy farm, Rally Captain Dennis had organised a milking competition for us.  Just as well that a real cow was not used as some of the contestants certainly had rough hands indeed.  Poor old “Daisy” had four legs, a tail, and an udder made from a rubber glove – I’m sure she would be mooing in desperation from the treatment she received from the less than gentle townies.  The winners were Murray and Val, who obtained the largest quantity of “milk” actually water, in the allotted time.

Murray and Val, holding their winners cup, with Daisy

Sunday was Anzac Day – 25th April marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles and open a sea route to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea.  The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians and New Zealanders who died in that war.  The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all from both countries killed in military operations.  Our group attended a 5.00pm Service at Otaki Cemetery.

Anzac Day Service at Otaki Cemetery

The afternoon service was well attended , and many people wore their own or family medals, plus red poppies.  We watched as members of the Air Force Corps marched  to the flag pole, the flag was lowered, ceremonially folded then presented back to the Otaki RSA representative.  The haunting sounds of a single bagpipe, and a lone bugler playing The Last Post, together with the recitation of The Creed made it a very moving remembrance service indeed.

Our day ended with a meal out together at Curry Town in Otaki.  Have to admit that we are not great Indian cuisine lovers so this was an experience for us.  We checked through the menu and professed to our dining companions that we didn’t really know the difference between a Rogan Josh, Korma or Tikka.  Eventually we made up our minds and placed our orders.  The food was nice, and the surroundings were very pleasant, and it goes without saying that the company was wonderful.

Dinner at Curry Town

It was a great rally, and Anzac Biscuits were shared for Morning Tea.  Some went on the bush walk through a lovely stand of native trees, protected and fenced off from the stock.  Sadly, the pair of us decided against taking part, with Robin’s bad knees and my bad back it all seemed a bit too hard for us both.  Never mind, we had enjoyed this walk last time we stayed here.

The only stitching I have done lately is to repair the lining in my hand bag.  After searching high and low for my keys, I finally discovered that they had slipped through a small hole in the lining.  So I had to carefully retrieve them, then set to and repair the hole.  Has this ever happened to you?

Bye bye sewing machine

Today I waved goodbye to my sewing machine, as it was taken away to be serviced.  I’m sure it will come back better than ever and I can get back to my various projects.  Quilters tend to use their sewing machines continuously, so we shouldn't skimp of the cost of an annual service.

Off to be serviced

I’ve enjoyed a very social week, with one outing after another, which is a little unusual, but that’s the way it is occasionally.  So although I haven’t been rattling the dice and rolling it this week, I have done a little sewing before I packed up my machine for it to be taken away.  First job was to mend a pair of Robin’s jeans – they are the ones he usually wears to his Menz Shed days so it doesn’t bother him that they are patched and repaired.  Then I pieced the backing to use on my recently completed Christmas ABC quilt.  The piece of white fabric wasn’t quite wide enough, so I split it down the middle and inserted another fabric to make it the correct size.  I’ll be able to pin this quilt together while my sewing machine is being serviced.

Prepared some backing fabric

And then I did a little secret sewing.  Mmm, wonder what this is going to be?  All will be revealed shortly.  There’s plenty of hand stitching and even a little knitting to keep me occupied over the next week or so.  Plus a quilt to pin and future projects to be considered, so there will be plenty to do.

Secret sewing

I’ll finish up with this visitor to our garden.  Pretty little silvereye birds have been visiting, enjoying the mandarins I have been putting out on the feeder for them.  When we were growing up, we knew these birds as wax eyes.

Silvereye enjoying a mandarin

Catching up on the Mending

After the frustration of not being able to deal with making the Rustic Reindeer pattern, and tossing it in the rubbish bin, I decided that maybe I would be better doing a spot of mending.   You know what it’s like – mending is put on one side while more interesting sewing takes place.  And then when you actually get around to the mending, it really doesn’t take too long at all. So a pair of Robin’s jeans were mended, in double quick time.  Then a new pair of jeans of his were measured, the legs shortened, pinned, and quickly stitched around.  I drew the line at shortening two pair of “real” trousers purchased on our Aussie holiday though – these were done by the professionals.

Next job was to add a simple inside pocket with a button closure on the inside of my shaggy denim bag.  This bag with the long shoulder strap is so handy to take away on holidays, and the new pocket means I can put my phone, wallet or keys in the pocket, instead of rummaging around in the bottom of the bag trying to find them.

And finally I decided to stitch up a drawstring bag to keep our “Karcher Window Vac”  tidy.  We use this in the caravan to remove the moisture from the shower walls, and it had nowhere to live in-between times.  Much better to keep it and the power cord safely contained in the new bag, and I can now hang it on a hook in the bathroom.

None of these small jobs took very long at all, and it certainly feels good to get them finished.

And with my birthday fast approaching, there are a few more gifts from the wonderful Sew Wot ladies.   Yes, I opened them early, just because I couldn’t wait!  Heather B gave me a pretty coffee mug decorated with cup-cakes, and some matching paper serviettes.  Plus a piece of “no-calorie” fabric covered with sweets, chocolates, licorice, and peppermint sticks.

From Heather B

Moira popped around with a parcel too.  I received a plant pot and seeds to grow some Micro-Greens, little sprouts named Mizuna Red Gems.  Just the thing to cut and sprinkle on salads, egg sandwiches, and the like.  Plus a block of New Zealand’s own Whittaker’s chocolate – how delicious and yummy does “Nelson Pear and Manuka Honey Milk Chocolate” sound? 

From Moira

Monday is a public holiday here and we are having a triple Birthday Bash.  Both my grand-daughters and I celebrate our birthdays in a two week time frame, so it will be great to all get together for a family birthday lunch.  More about that later…….

Work before Play

I’m feeling rather virtuous.  There was mending to do that had been hanging around – now finally done.  Robin’s favourite shorts needed repairing, the inner pockets are made of such thin fabric that they keep getting holes in them.  I’m repaired them several times now, and he is always thankful that the pockets are fixed up, once again.  I had purchased new navy trousers which needed the legs shortened.  Both jobs done, and once started, of course it didn’t take too long at all.

With that out of the way, I sat down and updated my Quit Documentation folder.  Why had I let this slide, I wondered?  That’s right, I remember now.  Last time I wanted to do it, we had run out of ink for the printer.  With several finishes so far this year, everything is now up to date, pages printed off, small fabric samples added, and the pages filed away in clear plastic pockets in my folders.  And all the fabric from each project which has been hanging around has finally been put away.   It’s so nice to flick through my folders now and again, and remember what I have done over the years.

The dice called up UFO number 1 from my list this week - which is my Animal ABC quilt.  The blocks have all been stitched, so now I need to sew them all together.  Don’t know how much sewing I’ll manage this week, as the long Easter weekend will impact on both this week and the following one.  Of course, we will be tootling off in our caravan very soon.

Making a start, I laid out the blocks, cut some colourful  sashing strips and started stitching.  It was  a lovely warm Autumn day yesterday so  I took my blocks outside onto the patio table and did my pinning in the sunshine.  Then back I went to the sewing machine.  So I’m getting my sewing started, enjoyed a little time outside in the fresh air, and the walking to and fro stops me from stiffening up after spending too long at the sewing machine.

Pinning the sashing strips

So far, there are several rows stitched together and as the rain has now arrived today, I’ve spread this portion over the back of the couch.  Can you see where I’ve added a New Zealand touch?  K just had to be for Kiwi, I felt.

Animal ABC quilt so far

Not sure how much more I’ll get done –  once the rain stops and the ground dries out a little, there’s caravan packing to do for our long Easter weekend away.  Hope the Easter Bunny can track us down for the Easter Eggs and Buns!

Changing of the Seasons – and Mending

Spring has definitely sprung down here in New Zealand.  Which means a change in decorating too. The first change was to put my new duvet cover on the bed which I completed recently,  my giant Churn Dash.  Then off  with my heavy cat quilt on our bed with cozy wool batting which I like to use over winter.  This has been replaced with a my “Stars in the Garden” quilt.

Stars in the Garden over Giant Churn Dash Duvet cover

Time to change the quilt hanging above the couch too.  My dark, moody, winter quilt International Maple Leaves has come down, to be replaced by the my New Zealand Bird Quilt.  Doesn’t that look more like Spring?  The birds will stay there until it it time for a Christmas quilt.

International Maple Leaves has been replaced with New Zealand Birds

Even our tiny bathroom has a quick change.  I have two small fishy wall-hangings and like to use Hawaiian Rainbow Fish in the winter for a bit of extra colour.  This gets changed to the lighter hued A Fishy Supper, a gift from my English pen friend Rose a few years ago.  Like quilters everywhere, I love to ring the changes, and bring out some of my favourites.

My two fishy wall-hangings for the bathroom

I’m pleased to say that I’ve dealt with my pile of mending – some for me and some for him.  Some quilters have been known to say “Picasso, or Michelangelo, don’t paint ceilings so I don’t do mending”  Not me – I’m happy to do a little mending for my hubby, and even more happy that I still have him sharing my life.   Like most of us, I have friends who have lost their partners, and I bet they would give anything to have them back in their lives, and do their mending too.

My pile of mending

Shortening the legs on my new summer trousers was easy enough, as was stitching up a couple of seams on other items which had come apart.  Then I fixed the inside pocket on Robin’s shorts, a little bit trickier, but they are his favourite shorts, after all.  The last item was a lightweight back pack which we had taken away on our trip.  Made of parka nylon, it obviously wasn’t designed to carry a couple of heavy water bottles, snacks, and parkas day after day and the strap ripped out of the seam.  After I thought I had fixed it, zig zagging over the seam for extra security, I had a good look and thought, that’s not right.  So had to carefully unpick all my stitching, and do it again.  I won’t win any prizes in the Great British Sewing Bee, but at least it is done!

A nice “Welcome Home” from friends

After our marvelous Aussie Adventure, and sleeping in various hotels, motels, and on the Ghan train, it was great to arrive home to our own bed.  We had several rather nice “Welcome Homes” once we arrived back in little old New Zealand.  Our friends Geoff and Eileen welcomed us home as they kindly collected us from Palmerston North Station to drive us back to Levin.  We experienced thunder, lightning and torrential rain as we dashed to their car, and once safely back home, we shared a fish and chip dinner together as we told them all our holiday news.

Our mail was held at the Post Office for us while we were away, and we spend a little time going through the multitude of envelopes.  In the pile of mail was a hand made welcome home card from our friend Yvonne – looking forward to catching up with all news, she said.  And yet another special welcome home card from friends, neighbours, and fellow carvanners Dot and Derek, was received – and in my favourite colour blue too!  Not only that, but they invited us to share a home cooked meal with them, knowing that our fridge was probably rather empty before we went on a grocery run.  What lovely, considerate friends we have, including our our neighbor Sue, who dealt with all the junk mail which appeared in the letter box for us while we were away.

Welcome Home wishes from D & D

There is a pile of mending on my sewing machine cabinet to attend to before I re-start my patchwork and quilting.  I need to shorten a pair of summer trousers I bought for myself in Oz, repair Robin’s shorts (yet again) and fix a couple of seams on various items of clothing which have come apart.  Nothing too major, but the sooner I get these little jobs done, the sooner I can start on some P&Q.

Sewing – at last!

It’s hard to believe that it is now two weeks since we arrived home from our last road trip.  And it has taken me all this time to finally spend some quality time with my sewing machine.  Mind you – the machine had a holiday too while we were away, so Robin had to take a trip to collect it for me on our return home.  Barry, “you sew on them, I’ll fix them” checked my Bernina out,  poking and peering at all the important bits and making sure everything worked as it should. 

But it has been a very busy two weeks – what with catching up with the Sew Wot ladies, a Probus meeting, and spending the day with family on their property out in the country.  A visit to the hairdresser, and baking for afternoon tea with friends took care of another couple of days.  Not forgetting the flu jabs, a hospital visit, and several visits to the vet with Muffy.    Then there is my new job – as Newsletter Editor for my Quilt Club.   I had to write and produce my very first newsletter, always a bit scary using a different computer system, but I made it.  Hopefully, the next one will be easier, and I had good advice along the way too.  Whew – with all that going on, no wonder I didn’t have time to sit and sew.

I eased in to my sewing a few days ago with just a little mending, stitching up a hem here, and a small hole there, sewing small hanging loops tags on to a couple of hand towels which had lost theirs.  Nothing to major at all.  Then I spent a little time tracing and fusing appliqué blocks for my daughters birthday quilt so that when I finally got to sit at the machine, it will be all systems go!  And that finally happened today, I’m pleased to say.

Sewing at last

I’ve been happily stitching blocks to my heart’s content.  Green leaf blocks in different fabrics and patterns.  They will go nicely with the pink and green nine-patch blocks I’ve already made.  But the big question is – will I have enough?  Once I’ve finished stitching the pile I’ve got prepared, I’ll need to lay them all out to see if I counted the number of blocks correctly.

Machine appliquéd leaf blocks

A little mending – and an Op Shop bargain

“Can you fix this?”, Robin asked in a plaintive voice.  He had been wielding the carving knife and obviously hadn’t been paying close attention.  It sliced right through the cuff of his jumper.  It’s lucky he didn’t cut his wrist.

How did he do this?

So I stitched it up as best I could - it’s not an invisible mend, but at least his jumper is wearable once again.  It’s his favourite, purchased in Scotland during our last UK trip.

I had other mending to do too, once more fix the pockets on a pair of Robin’s shorts.  I did it differently this time, when my neighbour told me how she used to tackle this problem.  Just slice off the bottom of the inside pocket which has worn, use this bit to cut a new piece to shape, and stitch back on.  It worked a treat, and the pocket was repaired in a much shorter time.

Today I popped down to the local Hospice Shop and came across a bargain.  Two bags of knitting cotton at $2 a bag.  So now I will get the needles out again and knit up a few more dusters.  That will keep me quiet for a while.

Knitting cotton from the Op Shop