“Inspire” – Pinestream Quilters 2012 Exhibition

Everyone was dressed in their best last night when we attended the official opening of my club’s exhibition, Pinestream Quilters.  This started off with refreshments while everyone mixed and mingled.  Our exhibition was judged by Chris Kenna who told us during the opening ceremony what criteria a judge would work to.  Presentation of awards followed, and then Mayoress Sue Guppy officially opened our exhibition.  The doors were opened, and we all filed in to see the quilts hung in our lovely local gallery.

“Best in Show”was awarded to Gael O’Donnell for her quilt “Joefish Blues”.  The design was amended from one seen in a magazine some time ago and the quilt was made for Gael’s nephew. 

  Best in Show,  “Joefish Blues”

“President’s Choice” was a wall-hanging stitched by Ruth Nicolas, which also won “Best Innovative Wall Quilt”.  Sadly I did not take a note of the name of this quilt.

President’s Choice and Best Innovative Wall Quilt

My quilting friend Jenni F and I walked around the hall admiring the explosion of colour and design and checking out the prize winning quilts.  But where were ours, we wondered.  There they were, hanging side by side.  Jenni’s soft and pretty quilt was made using her beloved Mum’s doilies, set with Dresden plate blocks.  This is a lovely way to keep the doily collection together, and the quilt was much admired during the evening.   

Jenni’s doily quilt

My quilt, “Angels to Watch over you”, is made up of angel stitchery blocks and appliquéd stars.  My grand-daughter Emma was horrified when I told her I had made this quilt for my first great-granddaughter.  Emma has no plans to have a baby anytime soon, she told me!

My Angels quilt, waiting for the next generation

We decided that we all need to come back to the exhibition to have another good look at all the quilts without the crowds of opening night.  In fact, I have invited two non quilting friends to view the exhibition with me next week.  It will be interesting to see what takes their fancy, and I will have the opportunity to take photos of other quilts on show.  Watch this space. 

 

For anyone who lives in the Wellington area, or is passing through, our show is on at Expressions Gallery, Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt, and is open until 4th November.  Do come if you can, entry is free.

Shirley is a quilter too

It’s great meeting up with old friends, sharing a meal, and catching up with everyone’s news.  Shirley and Lewis were the hosts, inviting us to their home for a tasty home cooked meal, and Robyn and Barrie joined us too.  We three “girls” are all quilters, and Shirley had several quilts hanging up.  Out came my camera to share some of her work with you all.  

Shirley had done a great job with the gorgeous appliqué blocks on her “Mom and Me” quilt, and is now working on the machine quilting.  This was a “block of the month” from Grandmother’s Garden shop and is certainly a delightful looking quilt.  When completed, it will be sent on it’s way to a very lucky grand-child.

“Mom and Me” appliqué quit

Hanging in the lounge was a little wall-hanging with a distinctly New Zealand flavour.  A beach scene with a Nikau Palm and looking across to rolling hills, this could be anywhere along the coast.  This quilt was made in a class run by the very talented Chris Kenna. 

Nikau Palm

This bright and cheerful cat quilt hangs in the hallway.  There are all sorts of different pieced and appliquéd cats here, and the quilt is bordered in a bright cat print.

Cat quilt

“Rainy Day” looks like a typical wet and windy winter’s day in Wellington.  Wellington is often called “Windy Wellington” and during my many years of working in the big city, I gave up on umbrellas.  It was just not worth the bother!

“Rainy Day”

Shirley’s African Lady was made at another class, and is very heavily machine quilted, giving it lovely texture.  “Don’t take me in the photo”, she said.  Too late, Shirley, it’s taken.

Shirley and her African Lady quilt

As well as quilting, Shirley is a very accomplished painter, and decorates plates, boxes, trays as well as making cute little painted Christmas ornaments.  Her husband Lewis does wood turning, and some of their pieces are displayed in this cabinet.

Items all made by Shirley and Lewis

It was a lovely day out, sharing news, chatting and laughing together - we always have plenty to say.  Thanks to Shirley for sharing a few quilts with me.  I’m sure she has many more tucked away too, like all quilters do.

It only Hurts for a Moment

It’s that time again, time for my breast screen appointment.  The waiting room was full of patients, some were waiting to be called through, and some were waiting to be told that their x-rays were fine and they could leave.  One family came in and needed an interpreter  - this was attended to quite quickly.

My turn came and I was shown into a small changing room, told to disrobe (down to my waist) and put on the cape.  Now, what way round did she say?  I must have been nervous because I put it on back to front!  Never mind, I’m sure the nurses are used to nerves.  Then it was a matter of “stand this way, put that arm there, hold still.” Oh, the pressure, but it only hurts for a moment.  My four x-rays were quickly taken, and the practitioner had a very caring manner.  I was told to get dressed, and sit in the waiting room, to make sure the x-rays could be read correctly.  Hanging on the wall was a pretty little wall hanging I recognised from  my previous visit.  It was rather like meeting up with a friendly face again, and saying “hello”.

Quilt in the waiting room

Then I was free to go home, and no doubt a full report will be sent to my doctor.  I appreciate the fact that we have a nationwide breast screening programme in place here in New Zealand.  Once you are on the register, you are called up every two years for a check up.  The minor discomfort is a small price to pay for peace of mind or early detection.  Have you had your breast screen lately?

I feel guilty now

The “Spring Cleaning” bug has bitten me and I’ve been having a bit of a tidy up in the spare room where I keep my fabrics.  And the books, patterns, magazines and bags and bags of “stuff”.  I came across a bag of fabric that I had completely forgotten about. 

A mysterious bag of long forgotten fabric

Inside were several lengths of coordinating fabrics I had purchased for a project, plus the pattern.  My mother had always loved dolphins, and I had planned to make her an undersea quilt with appliquéd grey dolphins  someday.  But I never quite got around to making it, in fact to be completely honest, I had forgotten all about buying those fabrics.  She passed away some years ago, and finding the fabrics today has given me an attack of the guilts.  I feel bad – but I think she had forgotten all about the quilt too.

Under the sea fabrics

Perhaps I’ll never use these fabrics the way I originally intended.  I’ve smoothed them out, refolded them, and put them away again.  Who knows what will happen to them now?  We’ll have to wait and see.

Dreams at the Book Club

I’m one of those people who feel lost without a book or three to read.  In fact, I find it hard to understand why some people never read much at all.  To each their own, I suppose.  Since I’ve stopped work I rather enjoy going along to the Book Club at our local library each month.  The librarian who runs our lively little group sets the topic, and we all go and peruse the shelves looking for something to suit.  This gets us out of our comfort zones, and we are exposed to authors and subjects which we probably wouldn’t have chosen.

This month’s subject was “Armchair Travellers”.  After a little thought, I chose a travel book on the Grand Canyon.  Since our visit to Niagara Falls several years ago, I had often thought that seeing the Grand Canyon would really complete our appreciation of the natural wonders of USA.   One day, perhaps – we will just have to keep buying those lottery tickets!  Another in our group chose a book about “The Rose Red City of Petra”, a place she would dearly love to visit, and others mentioned their favourite places, bus tours, train trips as well.  We can all dream, can’t we?

After our local library was extended a year or so ago, new gardens were designed and many trees and shrubs planted.  The young magnolia trees are in bloom, and they look so pretty.  These slender trees will grow and mature over the years, and their spring blossoms will continue to delight visitors to the library for many years, I’m sure.

Young magnolia tree

H is for Horse

This week’s block in my A-Z Challenge is H for Horse.  My horse and foal came from a piece of left over backing fabric from a previous project.  I’ve never really had much to do with horses in my younger days.  If I’m honest, I’m a wee bit afraid of them.  Horses are so big, and then they have great big clompy feet too!

H is for Horse

My two grand-daughters and their Dad don’t share my fear.  They are all very keen riders and take part in all manner of events and competitions.  Both girls have had their share of falls and broken bones while riding, but that hasn’t seemed to dampen their enthusiasm one little bit.   Some years ago when they were much younger I stitched both girls quilts for their beds.  Emma’s quilt was full of horses, just what she wanted.

Emma’s horse quilt

Younger grand-daughter Megan’s quilt showed her life on the farm.  There are a couple of horse blocks, as well as her Dad Robert on his big blue tractor, Babe the Border Collie, Fanta the cat, sheep, a calf and some chooks, all found on the property. 

Megan’s quilt “Life on the Farm at Kiwitea”.

Gathering the Quilts

With our quilt exhibition coming up fast, there were a few last minute things to do.  My quilt was finished – check.  The hanging sleeve was stitched on – check.  And the label – check.  I had provided a length of timber batten to hang it on, with my name written on – check.  And last but not least, a bag (named as well) to put the rolled up quilt plus the length of timer – check.  I’m all set to deliver my entry.  I’m not saying what it is, but there is plenty of pink in it!

Ready to deliver my quilt

There was a steady stream of people arriving at Pauline’s house today, all excitedly carrying a quilt or two through the door.  They all went into spare bedroom, where they were ticked off the list, numbered, and photographed.

Some of the early delivered quilts

The Exhibition Committee of Joyce, Linda and Pauline have been busy for months getting all the details sorted out for the exhibition.  And they are certainly working hard today, receiving all the quilts.

Joyce, Linda and Pauline

Pinestream Quilters Exhibition will be held in Expressions Gallery, Upper Hutt, from 15th September till November 4th.  Free entry, with a cafe in the building for that all important coffee and cake.  Mark the dates on your calendar and do come along if you are in the area.