A Big Bag of Scraps

I have a big bag full of scraps, lots of trimmings  and little leftovers from various projects. Occasionally I would tip everything out on the floor, looking for some particular colour, but really, it was a mess, and I was getting sick of it.  

Full to overflowing

So one fine day, I took the bag out to the patio table, and tipped it all out, it was high time for a sort out.  The colours were all separated, and it was easy to tell that the neutrals were by far the largest pile.  My aim was to see how many 2.5in strips I had, so that I can start making some baby jelly roll quilts.  Sadly most of the strips were less than 2.5in, maybe I can make string blocks instead.  

All those neutral strips can  be put to good use making some more of these cream coloured string blocks I'm using in another recent donation quilt.  This will be a good leader and ender project.

There are plenty of strips to make more of these

The neutrals were put back into the big bag, and the other scraps were bagged into colour groups, ready to be utilised.  I was amazed at just how much fabric there was, all those bits and pieces certainly add up, don't they.  As I used to tell Robin, I'll never run out of things to do!

All bagged in colour groups

Sew Wot Tuesday

It was my turn to host the Sew Wot Ladies on Tuesday – I had missed the previous get together as I was feeling unwell with my sore head and burning throat so it was great to catch up again.  Sandra had just celebrated her birthday a few day ago, and sure enough there were even more gifts from the ladies.  It’s always nice to be remembered, and Sandra received lots of lovely items, some hand crocheted, I noticed. 

Happy Birthday, Sandra.

There wasn't a great deal of Show and Tell this time.  Jude had brought along a pretty little bag she had made.  Such gorgeous shaded fabric strewn with butterflies.

Jude’s pretty little bag

I also had some things to show, but some items were gifts, so I’ll have to wait until these have been received.  My framed four patch donation quilt top (previously blogged about) came out for the ladies to see.

Framed four patch top

Two of our ladies couldn't make it, but there was plenty of chatter going on trying to put the world to rights.  I didn't notice any hand stitching, but there were knitting needles clacking away.

Heather, Sandra, Jude and Carol

Heather had been to a “destash” and had brought along a bag of fabric bits to share, which was very nice.  The destash is ongoing, as the quilter is in the midst of packing up her home and moving away, so Jude and I went down the following day.  “Tell her Heather sent you”, were our instructions, which we duly passed on.  We were welcomed by two very large energetic dogs, luckily they didn't jump up on us or I’m sure we would have been knocked over!  With the dogs under control we went to rifle through the crates of fabric, and both of us  purchased some.  It's not as if we really need and more fabric, but…….I got a couple of larger pieces which will be useful for backing donation quilts, plus a couple of novelty pieces, so I’m happy, and the prices were very reasonable.

 

My bargains

Sydney to Auckland

It was time to leave Australia, so off we went, pulling our wheelie cases behind us.  Robin has a new case with four wheels, and it certainly is much easier to manage than mine with two wheels.  My “I Love Quilting” tag was a gift several years ago from pen friend Elaine from Oregon.

Yes, I do love quilting!

Our trip through Security at Sydney Airport was a little stressful.  Both of us were directed to the body scanner, stand there and hold our arms up we were told.  Nope, that wasn’t right, and a female officer was called in to pat me down – oh dear.  The trouble seemed to be the passport and money I had in a holder around my neck, that had to be removed, put on a tray and through the bag scan, and I went through the body scanner one more time.  Robin was getting patted down too, and all the while people are looking on, wondering what these people had been getting up to!  When we were finally sent on our way, we waited, and waited some more at the correct terminal gate, and finally were called to board.   Oh look, Air NZ knows our names!

This flight was a much shorter trip this time, just under 3 hours.  Hopping aboard the Sky Bus at Auckland Airport we drove through the rain as it got progressively darker, luckily the driver told us when to get off.  Booked in at reception, and then we were informed that we had been upgraded to  King Room, so that was a nice surprise.  It was a bit of a wrestling match to peel those extra tight airline socks off, and then we could relax.

Our room for the next 3 nights

I was a bit foxed by these sockets by the desk, and plaintively told Robin there was nowhere to plug my lap top into.  But I was wrong, seems that these strange things were universal power connectors, my 3 pin plug had to be turned upside down, and then it would fit.  How was I meant to know that – it was all a bit too technical for me.

New fangled power sockets

Up to the 13th floor we went the next morning for breakfast, and there was a lovely view over the harbour.  The rain had eased and the weather was clearing.  The breakfast buffet was amazing, much more choice and so much nicer than our previous hotel.  Robin was in Honey Heaven when he found this delightful honey comb – liquid honey was ready and waiting to be poured into a dinky little dish and spread on his breakfast toast!  And I found some smoked salmon and fancy cheese, so I was extra happy too.

Some of the delightful breakfast choices

We were told that just  across the road from our hotel was The London Lolly Shop.  So while Robin was resting his sore knee after our day sightseeing I popped across to find out.  Sure enough, there it was.  Have to admit some Fry’s Bars and Acid Drops were very keen to come back with me.

The London Lolly Shop

And lo and behold, quite by accident,  I discovered a quilt shop, called New Zealand Fabrics and Yarn tucked down an arcade.   As I entered, the girl behind the counter called out, “I do like your bag”.  I was carrying my  blue denim raggy bag, with my little blue koala purchased last year in Sydney hanging from the handle.  I like to take this with me on holiday, as I have attached “dog clips” inside to keep my wallet and camera safe.  (My bag will need a good wash when I get home).

My ever so handy raggy denim bag

This young lady is a Bag Lady, she told me, and likes to make all sorts of bags.  She showed me two which she had recently completed.  And by the look in her eye, I think she will be making herself a shaggy denim bag before too long.

Self confessed Bag Lady

New Zealand Fabrics and Yarns

It was so nice to talk to somebody so crafty, pet some fabrics and yes, a couple of fat quarters did come away with me.  Some nice batiks with NZ designs, a dark purple paua shell design and the other printed with pale green kowhai.  I’ll need the purple one when I get back to work on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  That’s my excuse anyway.

New Zealand designed batiks

Painted Cows and a small purchase

Just what I hoped for – an early morning view of Mt Ruapehu without any cloud cover, as we drove along the Desert Road.  Such a fabulous sight, and one I never tire of.

Mt Ruapehu

We were traveling on to Hamilton to get the annual service done on our caravan.  We were out for the day, taking the car, and Gemma, returning back later in the afternoon for the van when the service is completed.  Getting ready rather reminded me of those long ago days when young Mums had to pack a nappy bag full for a day out with baby.  With Gemma in the car for a full day (without the luxury of our home away from home towed behind us), we had to pack food, water, a blanket, and a litter tray (just in case).  Gemma has settled down well with this traveling business, snoozes the whole trip and doesn’t get too upset.  It’s even better, she thinks, if she can sleep on my lap.  Her harness and lead are attached to the back seat car belt so she is quite secure but has just enough lead to move from the back seat to the front, and to keep her from being flung against the front window.

Making herself comfy

Although the weather was wet and miserable we had already decided to take a drive out to Morrinsville, a prosperous farming town with dairy farms,  large sale yards, farm machinery outlets, agricultural services and engineering firms. 

Dairy herd in Morrinsville

So it is no surprise that Morrinsville has a collection of more than 40 life-size cow sculptures throughout the town.  Here are some from the CBD.

The sculptures have been sponsored by businesses and individuals, and really make a statement through the town. The local travel agency decided that their cow statue wouldn’t be one of the herd, and went with a different design.  This cow is all set to go on holiday with her hat, handbag and suitcase.

What every well dressed cow on holiday wears

Morrinsville also boasts a fabric shop, Wright’s Fabrics, which specializes in batiks for patch workers.  So I couldn’t possibly pass that by, could I?  The owner Milton has a tee shirt pinned to the wall emblazoned with the message “I’m Milton, your husband won’t like me, I sell fabric”.  How true, in fact Milton is very well known as he  travels around the country going to quilt and craft exhibitions with his wonderful range of very reasonably priced batiks.  He way currently away at another show, so the batik range was a little down.  But I still managed to make a small purchase.

These three came away with me

We collected the caravan in the late afternoon, and got on our way once more, passing wonderful scenery on the way.    Such as this interesting rock formations, and beautiful rolling countryside.  I know I’m biased, but New Zealand is a beautiful country.

You have to admire the guts and determination of the men who chipped away to dig tunnels through  solid rock, and on our trip today we drove through two of these.  The first was at Awakino, a single lane but both high and wide enough to accommodate our caravan, thank goodness.  No doubt trucks can squeeze through these tunnels too, driving very carefully.

The second tunnel was at the top of Mt Messenger, double laned this time, but we were pleased we didn’t meet a big truck coming the other way.

Next  stop is New Plymouth, where we plan to stay for several days.  It will be more restful,  to not have to pack up and drive each day.  Maybe I’ll get a bit of stitching done.

Something I Prepared Earlier

I rather like Mondays.  It’s the start of a new week, and if we are not off and about somewhere in our caravan, it’s also “Roll the Dice” day.  Which I have done this morning, and the dice rolled to number three.  That's exciting, it is a new project on my list, a 1930s baby quilt which I started goodness knows how long ago.  And this is what I had prepared earlier.

 

I received a gift of assorted 1930s fabrics from my pen-friend Margaret in Birmingham, England, when we visited while travelling around UK on holiday for 3 months.  And that was way back in 2008.  Readers should know by now that I have some very old UFOs indeed!  When we returned home I purchased a few more fabrics and made these Cobblestone blocks.  And then they sat, locked away somewhere, until I remembered them and added this project to my List of Six.

Also tucked away with the blocks were some extra fabrics to use in the cot quilt, plus some 2 inch squares sent by another pen-friend.  Which I may or may not use - I’ll have to see how it all comes together.  We have a few things on this week, but I should be able to get some sewing done.  Wish me luck.

Home Safe and Sound

Holidays are fun, but its always good to arrive home safe and sound.  Our last flight, from Brisbane to Auckland, went smoothly.  After being squashed in cattle class on four flights recently, we have decided that next time (if) we go overseas, we just might splash out a little more and get a seat in the front of the plane, for comfort’s sake. 

We stayed in Parnell, Auckland for two nights, just across the road from the quaint and cobbled Parnell Village.  This unique shopping centre is set in lovely old vintage homes, all merging together along cobbled pathways and pretty gardens, with businesses ranging from restaurants, coffee bars, jewellers, and other assorted posh shops.  We had an absolutely delicious  meal here at one of the restaurants to celebrate the last night of our holiday.

Parnell Village

Travelling home by train – why not?  It seemed a fitting conclusion to our holiday, and we really enjoy train travel.  The Northern Explorer has undergone quite a major update since we last travelled on it, and the carriages were looking very grand indeed.  It was pouring with rain when we boarded in Auckland, and settled back to enjoy our trip.  There is always plenty to see, farmland rushing by, hills covered in native bush, passing through towns, travelling over bridges, rivers, and ravines – it is certainly not a boring trip.  After our Aussie Adventure, the country looked so nice and green.

Stretching our legs at Hamilton Station

Then the train pulled into Palmerston North in the late afternoon and our journey was over.  What a welcome we received, thunder, lightening and torrential rain!  Just as well that our friends Geoff and Eileen were waiting in their car to collect us and take us home.  We paddled through deep puddles, loaded the car, and headed for home.  Our journey was finally over, and it was great to arrive back home.

Over the last day or so we have unpacked the cases, and done several loads of washing.  A trip to the supermarket to replenish the fridge is a real necessity, a visit to The Big Egg to get some more free range eggs, and we are in dire need of fresh fruit and veggies!  Then we need to visit the travel agent to sort out  the debacle we had over the hire car.

The District Nurse has been to see me this morning and given me a clearance from her care.  She was visiting me after I finished radiation treatment to help me deal with the issues of radiation, to help heal my skin, and loaded me up with ointments and dressings to take away to Oz.  I’m pleased that all my “war wounds” eventually healed up and I am practically as good as new now.

I’m looking forward to washing and ironing the small amount of patchwork fabric I bought in Alice Springs, fold it up nicely, and putting it away.  Or maybe I’ll decide to make something with it straight away?  A little bit of fabric fondling goes a long way!

My Aussie patchwork purchases

Textiles from around the World

What could be a more stunning reminder of holidays abroad than a beautiful collection of textiles from far flung places?  Our local library had an exhibition showing some of Judy Turner’s treasures collected over many years of travels.  Her collection started when she travelled to Beijing with the British Foreign Office in the 1960s. 

Embroidery over striped fabric from Guatemala

Added to over the years, she collected textiles as she travelled through Asia, India, and Africa. She is particularly interested in the cultural role the textiles play in their country of origin.  The beautiful dyed, printed, woven and embroidered textiles  have deep significance to their owners and are thought to convey protection or good fortune.

The Marsh Arab red rug made in Southern Iraq glowed with colour.  This traditional rug was woven by men and embroidered by women.  Judy Turner commented that Saddam Hussein drove the Shi’a Moslem Marsh Arabs out of their traditional home and lifestyle in the delta region of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  The survivors have dispersed to refugee camps.

Marsh Arab rug from Iraq

The Toran at the top of the picture is hung over the doorway on special occasions to bring good luck and prosperity.  The embroidered cloth underneath is known as a Dharaniyo is designed to hang in front of a pile of folded quilts and household items  to make the room tidy.  Wouldn’t all quilters worldwide want one of these beauties?  Both items made in Kutch, north west India.

Toran and Dharaniyo from India

From Nigeria came the Status Robe, assembled from many narrow strips joined both horizontally and vertically to make the garment.  Both the weaving and the elaborate embroidery are the work of men.

Nigerian Status robe

This pretty fabric is actually an 8.5 metre turban length from Rajasthan, north west India.  The fine muslin was tie dyed and can be twisted and wound into a neatly fitting turban.

Tie dyed turban length

This is just a small part of what was displayed – all very beautiful and exotic.  Judy Turner points out that in many communities art is not a picture on the wall, but a beautiful, intricately made textile.  These are appreciated for the skills of the maker, and  the meaning behind the patterns, and are handed down over the generations.

I love to see a line of washing

I’ve got a little secret – did you know I’ve got a bit of a laundry fetish?  But that can’t be a bad thing, surely.  There is nothing nicer than a line of freshly washed clothes drying in the sunshine helped out with a little gentle breeze.  I needed to wash our winter quilt and today was just the day to do it.  It’s my pink and grey pussy cat quilt, my quilt of choice for the winter months as it has lovely warm woollen batting.  But this quilt is now getting a bit too heavy on the bed, so it’s time for a change.  The pink background fabric has faded over the years, as have some of the grey blocks, but I still love it. Now washed and dried in the sunshine, smelling lovely and fresh, I’ll fold it up and place it on my quilt rack till it’s needed again next winter.

My (faded) pink and grey cat quilt

I’ve also washed and ironed my new patchwork fabric.  My birthday fat quarters, the fabric I purchased recently at the Fabric Fair, plus a couple of pieces from a recent shop visit.  The black pieces will be going into a bag ready for me to start cutting and piecing a black themed quilt for the older grand-daughter.  All the rest will be slotted into my various containers – maybe I’ll have to tidy them up as I go.

New fabric, all washed and ironed ready to get put away

Poor old Muffy had another trip to the vet today so she is feeling a little out of sorts.  At 19 years old, she is developing health problems, so we are trying to make her life as comfortable as possible.  All she wanted to do on our return home was to have a snooze on the bed for a while and forget about the poking and prodding she had to go through.  I replaced the quilt on our bed, and she relaxed on our Anniversary quilt, full of hearts and stars.  This was made for our 25th Anniversary (goodness, that’s 7 years ago) and I took part in a block swap and stitched and swapped red heart blocks.  The stars are part of the sashing strips.  

Muffy recovering from her vet visit on the Anniversary quilt