Quilting Colours

When I look at the previous posts, there has been a sad lack of actual quilting.This might just rectify the thought that I do not sew,quilt,or do applique.
The writing is a  little faded but the message is loud and clear.My Dad gave this to me many,many years ago.I think it needs to be hung in a prominent place, where it will jog me along every day.Thanks, Dad.


my collection of batik fabrics called for something special, and Shirley Goodwin’s pattern, “ Monet’s Hexagons” seemed perfect.
A few changes in the selection and away I went.The usual interruptions, Housework,laundry, Doctor’s visit, another one next week, and gradually the shapes were cut, placed and sewn.







Quite a lot of fiddling  to find the best place to hang and photograph. it is not quite as dark as the photo shows. Lots of experiments with gold,yellow,and variegated thread,  before I choose a brighter metallic  thread for the sun and rays, so far just one ray is done. You can see this one, it is at  6.35, on the clock. I used a single buttonhole  stitch, number 45  on my Bernina, this seemed to go very nicely, with super fine iron on interfacing just behind the sun and rays.I use a special needle for metallic threads, and ..NO breaking thread !!!
This has to be finished next Monday, as it is a gift No dawdling or hesitation this time.Just  Get On and Finish It !!!

Quotations of the day, both from Edward Young, 1683-1765

this is from “ The Love of Fame”

Some for renown on scraps of learning dote,

And think they grow immortal as they quote.

And this is from “ Night Thoughts”

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Cheers from Jean

Something old,something new

Earlier this year Hugh spent 2 weeks at the farm at Waitahuna. His stay coincided with the Farmarama Show at Lawrence.There was a huge display of farm machinery, animals, and all other goodies designed to make any man’s eyes wander to his wallet.Thanks goodness this was in the south and we live up north. The orange tractor is a Nuffield, the new red ones would be an asset to anyone’s farm,lifestyle block, or just there to help tow the vehicle out of the snow.Not sure of the make, could be one especially for the southern blokes. 
Photos below, courtesy of Hugh ( for the Tractors) and courtesy of the Internet for the other Farmarama ones.
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In August Hugh and Des ventured into the Ruahine Ranges just after the big snow. The red DOC “A Frame” hut was the intended destination, but when they almost got bogged in about 18 inches, ( 46 cm) of snow, very wisely decided to turn back.On the way down, there was a Horizon’s vehicle trying to turn around, they were also wise in their decision to make their way down again . They asked Hugh and Des to wait until they were safely on the way , no doubt thinking another 2 blokes with a quad might be the answer if the situation became too much of a challenge.
We have INTREPID men up here in the North Island !!!
. The photo of the A Frame was taken in February 2008, on a clear and very hot summer day.. 

Quotation of the day, from “Pippa Passes” by Robert Browning, 1812-1889

The year’s at the spring and day’s at the morn;

Morning’s at seven; The hillside’s dew-pearled;

The lark’s on the wing;The snail’s on the thorn;

God’s in his heaven – All’s right with the world!

Cheers from Jean

Garden of Beauty

Al Ain ,also known as the Garden City,  is in  United Arab Emirates. I had no idea of the hanging gardens there until I received an email today. The following photos are courtesy of the Internet. Man combined with nature shows the floral colour and beauty to its very best.

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The baskets are filled with plants and the gardens recently re-opened after some vandalism forced them to close.

Quotation of the day from John Milton, 1608-1674

Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown

In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities

Where most may wonder at the workmanship

Cheers from Jean

Colours of Spring

Just when we think winter is over, a cold blast comes to the far south again.Snow flurries at the farm yesterday, and Southland is expecting snow to sea level. Here  are some of nature’s wonderful colours.
Palmerston North Gardens show off the beauty of the poppy shades to perfection. These are across the street from Moxie’s, and after a great breakfast I felt fortified sufficiently to have a steady hand and eye.





Here in our garden the tulips are finished, azaleas and rhododendron in full flower,little hoop petticoat daffodils did their best to put on a show and the grape hyacinths always seem to be the same deep blue . The bearded iris was in flower last year ,such a delicate change of shading .On the way to Palmerston North one lady has the most magnificent display of daffodils and bluebells under big trees, right by the main road.One day I will be brave and bold, and go in and ask to take some photos. There would be almost one acre of this beautiful colour

Quilting is moving at a snail’s pace, I am finishing off a wall hanging,”Monet’s Hexagons” a stunning pattern from Shirley Goodwin. This one is a gift, but I like it so much another will be for home. The Cloth Shop BOM is also on the go, they are looking good, photos of all those to come later this week. Owl and Clown applique bags are in the construction stage for Christmas gifts as well.
Many years ago my Dad gave me a wall hanging ‘ A ROUND TUIT”, he knew me better than I knew myself. Maybe I should line up all the unfinished projects and FINISH them just one at a time.!!!

Quotation of the day from Cecil Rhodes,  1853-1902,

So little done, so much to do

Cheers from Jean

Family and holidays

The last few weeks have been busy with family, our visit from Mayumi and her stay here, sewing with sister-in-law . Trips out, to New Plymouth, Wellington Airport and now home again.
Here is Pat’s Hootie Owl, ready for his trip back to Nanango, where he will get shadow outlined, padded and hung on the wall.His eyes will have  wobbly  eyes added, just to make him even more able to see in the dark!!!

Here is Mayumi, after 9 years away, we were all smiles,laughter and yes, some tears.The snow had started to fall, and we drove home with the flurries most of the way.

 Mayumi and Akiko walked around the garden taking photos and videos, Akiko was going to Napier to meet her Kiwi friend. We had a day in  Marton, then visited Nga Tawa, where Mayumi was a student in 2002. What a great surprise to meet Mrs Coleman ,who recognised her. Many photos, and a walk around the rooms she once sat in and learnt the New Zealand ways.
Four days later and we are not ready to say goodbye.The suitcase  is packed, weighed on Hugh’s new hand held digital scales.So we went to New Plymouth, and left Mayumi with Akiko, and Ken and Joyce. They were off to Auckland the next day, then on the Saturday an early trip to the airport.

Last Saturday  Des,Pat Hugh and I drove to  Petone, and then were at Wellington Airport at  4 a.m. on Sunday.Here are Des and Pat, then one of  Hugh and Des together, they had a great time in the Ruahine Ranges, more photos to come of that adventure.

The trip home was mostly in the dark, as we left Wellington at 4.45 a.m  just after Des and Pat went to the boarding area. We arrived at Moxies Cafe  at 7.30 a.m. What a superb breakfast menu, I had pancakes, berries, maple syrup. whipped cream, and 2 cups of the most wonderful coffee.Hugh and eggs,bacon and toast.  And also 2 cups of coffee. Fortified for  the day !!!They very kindly said an honourable mention was OK. Well, this is very honourable, I recommend Moxies to everyone.!!! Then home to a very quiet house, all visitors gone and the photos to remind us it was real.

With many memories of wonderful days with family and friends,
 these words seem to fit the bill, so to speak.

Quotation of the day, from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60

Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,

So do our minutes hasten to their end.

Cheers from Jean