What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

It was an exciting morning today, when I drove the car down to an appointment, after not driving for several months because of my back problems.  Just a short drive, but very successful.  I had an appointment with my oncologist as a follow up on my breast cancer five years ago, all remaining well, I’m pleased to say.  And I’m forever grateful to the wonderful Dr Claire, as she was the one who ordered me an MRI which pin pointed my compressed spinal cord condition, and then referred me to the neurosurgical team.

The other first was a ...

This week for RSC stitching I made three more little birds, this time in dark blue.  In an effort not to strain my back I’ve been sitting at the sewing machine for 10 minutes only at a time.  And trying hard to remember not to lean forward but sit up straight with my back hard up against the seat back, not easy after leaning forward  into my machine for all these years.  With the little birds done, it took just a short time stitching on their legs while sitting comfortably in my Lazy Boy chair.

Three blue birds

Then ...

It’s hard to believe that our little Gemma turned three over the weekend.  No, we didn’t bake a cake, but she had her favourite “Jimbos” meat for dinner that night.

Birman cats are very playful, and she has been spending time with her “knitting”  a length of leftover yarn from a project.  She carries it around in her mouth, lays on her back and attacks with her feet, having a fine old time.

Gemma with her knitting yarn

I’ve just finished making her a belated birthday gift, aa little grey mouse.  This is obviously related to “The ...

I’ve been working off and on over the last wee while machine quilting one of last years RSC projects, made with Checkerboard blocks.  This was a nice easy block to construct, and I enjoyed stitching several blocks each month in the nominated colour.  In between my quilting sessions, Gemma has been helping by holding the WIP down to stop it escaping.  Or maybe it’s just been a cozy place for her to settle down.

Gemma minding the quilt

With the quilting finally complete (it took me ages as I needed to pace myself) it was time to stitch ...

Its been another busy week – I’ve been doing a bit of this, and a bit of that.  I’m sure I've told you that it is Autumn here in my part of paradise, so it was high time to get my little hand stitched Autumn wall-hanging up on the wall.  It’s not new so no doubt you have seen it before.  The bald eagles from Juneau, Alaska,  also got a time out of the cupboard - I had purchased this kit from the local quilt shop in Juneau.  We enjoyed a week or so staying there way back ...

We have certainly had a busy week.  After our Caravan Club weekend rally we drove down to stay at Petone for several days.  With a couple of appointments during the week at Wellington Hospital it seemed sensible to stay here, then we wouldn't have the long commute from Levin to Wellington and back.

It was nice to meet up with friends during our five days at Petone.  Rae and Bruce from Foxton were also staying here, they had a family 21st birthday to attend, so they decided to stay on site for a couple of nights. They  travel around ...

I’ve taken both knitting and stitching projects away on the trip.  Must admit I often do knitting in the car while we are traveling, and have finished two little sleeves on the toddler cardigan I’m making and have now started on the back.  I’m not in any hurry with this project, and I’m using up left over wool from my own jumper finished recently.

Knitting in the car, and two sleeves finished

After the Covid scare in Auckland we changes our travel plans are have been moving slowly southwards. We drove along the Desert Road and ...

We enjoyed a three day weekend way with our caravan club friends, staying in the grounds of Oroua Downs School 30kms away up SH1.  The Maori name Oroua means “place of dredging for shellfish” with the coast not too far away.   The wind blew, and blew, and blew even harder, meaning that it was only comfortable to sit outside on the day we arrived,  buffeting the caravan and trying it’s very best to whistle back down through the Range Hood over the oven.  After that, with the addition of rain, we made good use of the school hall.

Gemma ...

There is nothing nicer that spending an hour or so outside on the patio in the sunshine.  So what was I working on?  Another pair of socks, and a mystery bag, which Gemma found so interesting.  And no, she shouldn't really be up on the table, but cats do what they want, don't they.

Mmmm, wonder what’s in this bag?

It didn’t take too long to finish the toe shaping on my second sock, and get it stitched up.  These are nice warm woolen socks, knitted with 12 ply wool, knitted on two needles with a ...

Gemma let her feelings known, Christmas is over and it’s time to pack it all away, she thinks.  Why else would she be taking a swipe at Santa and knock him over?  She does look a little guilty, doesn’t she?

Poor Santa

So the last day or two I’ve been packing the Christmas  things away, and putting the normal things back in place.  The brass needed a bit of attention, so I sat outside on the patio, rubber gloves on, cleaner and cloths to the ready, and started a little polishing.  These jugs usually reside on the ...

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, from our home to yours.

The Christmas Mice

Our Christmas Day started with the traditional family breakfast of hot croissants filled with ham and cheese, and a pot of “real” coffee.  Then we joined friends Dot and Derek and son Brent for Christmas Lunch out at a local restaurant, The George.    With three lunch sittings, the place was heaving with people, most of them oldies out with grown children, it seemed, and some of the patrons looked so much older than us, we commented.  Unfortunately, our table was situated right by the door ...

That’s what Gemma thinks, after welcoming Robin’s sister Kaye who came to stay overnight.  Gemma was enchanted with our guest and wouldn’t leave her alone.  I told Kaye that she should feel honoured, as Gemma has been known to be rather stand offish to visitors before, and not want to have anything to do with them.  When Kaye departed, Gemma took a well earned snooze on the dining chair, head tucked under the table cloth, and her back legs hanging down!

Job done, time for a rest

Having someone to stay in the sewing room/spare bedroom ...

Look what I’ve acquired for the next few days, just in time for Christmas.  Putting the groceries away yesterday I tripped and fell, putting my hands out to break the fall, as you do.  Nothing broken but it seems I've sprained my wrist.   So now, for the first time, I’m sporting a wrist brace as it is quite painful.  Doing something like this makes you realise how often you use two hands to do so many things.  Hopefully in a few more days it will all come right.

Ouch!

Backing up a few days, we have enjoyed ...

Leaving Taupo behind we spent the next night out in rural Paeroa.  You may remember that we had discovered that the young Lone Pine planted behind the  National Army Museum had originated from seeds collected in 2012 from the Turkish red pine growing at Paeroa Golf Course.  We were so close – of course we wanted to see this famous tree.   So we drove off to see if the staff at the golf club could help us in our quest.  They were so helpful and we were kindly escorted over the greens to see the tree and the accompanying plaque.

“There ...

We are away on another trip (lucky us), the weather was good and the car and caravan just hummed along.  We had our  favourite radio station belting out all the songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s “songs that you know and love”, as the adverts say, rather like spending time with good friends, as we hummed along.  Gemma came too, of course, and she is quite good on car rides, she usually spends her time beside me, leaning on the consul with her head facing backwards as we drive along.  Rather like an ostrich with her head in the ...

It’s been rather a slow week here, as far as stitching goes.  No rolling the dice, and sadly, no chance to start assembling one or other of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects.  But…… I did get one out, my little spool wall-hanging I’m making for the sewing room, look at it to see how I want to arrange the spools, and that’s about it.  Does that count for anything?   The only actual stitching I’ve done is for a secret squirrel Christmas project, and you know I cant show that just yet.  Or maybe, just a smidgeon ...

I decided not to “roll the dice” this week and work on project three again.  After all, I’m not too far from the finish line that I couldn't bear to put it away, and wait for the number to come up again.  Just as well I'm in charge and can change the rules a little, don't you think.  I have been working on quilting around the rugby players on the blocks.  Slow going for me, as I don’t know how to do it free motion very well so I’m going slowly with my walking ...

I rolled the dice on Monday morning, and it brought up number three again, the Rugby panel, the same as last week.  Not that I really mind, just that I was not expecting it so soon.  During the weekend I had stitched the backing, and layered and pinned it all together, so I was raring to go. After struggling down on the carpet getting a few pins in to secure it, I then picked it all up and finished the job on the glass topped picnic table outside.  So pleasant outside in the warm Spring weather, and much better for ...

Its been a frustrating few days working on the boys rugby panel.  Although the stitching has been straightforward, what to use in the borders has not.  With trying to use up what I have and not being tempted to rush up to the LQS and buy extra fabric has been  little frustrating.  I decided to frame the panel in dark blue teamed with a black/grey print, and I’m happy with how that turned out.  I had planned a slightly lighter outer blue border in a similar shade seemed a good idea, but I had nothing suitable available in ...

There hasn't been a huge  amount of stitching time available this week, but this is what I’ve managed so far.  You may remember that my “Roll of the Dice” brought up number one on my list, neutral string blocks.  These blocks were made quite some time ago for another project, which I didn’t continue with.  So I’ve been using them in donation quilts.  This week I started with this last pile of assorted blocks and some pink fabric.

The last of my neutral string blocks

After some time spent diligently at the  sewing machine, this is ...