The sunshine arrived, with a gentle breeze

 

Our day started out cool, Hugh lit the fire, coffee was made, and then the  three of us went to Palmerston North. Shopping, a parcel sent south via Post Haste Couriers, ( Birthday is in December)lunch at a cafe, a family visit for Joyce, and home.

I don’t have the wonderful settings for a quilt photo shoot, like Josée ,  here, in  Montreal, Canada , just look at her quilt hanging by the trees, with snow underneath, and scroll down for some more exciting patterns or tutorials,   but  if you think laying a quilt on ice is the perfect spot,  visit Kathy  at Tamarack Shack  ,  right here, on the ice, scroll down until you find” this is Phyl`s Hot Flashes quilt” , The microwave bowl holder pattern comes from Kathy, and I have some waiting for gifts soon. Photos of those another day.

The six coasters  ( from yesterday’s blog) do make up very quickly, and the larger mat had iron on Pellon, then a reinforcement with another layer of iron –on interfacing, I inserted this before I  made sure the back seams closed right up. Vintage jug and sugar bowl, from  my Mum and Dad, well over 70 years old,  a set of 6 teaspoons, probably about 50 years old, and a larger jug from Joyce to complete the set.

The  wall hanging was done in a class with Merle, who was so generous with her time, talent and expertise. We used “ Sulky’ wash away,  and from memory,  one layer, then layers of wool, thread, ribbon, and more assorted bits and pieces, and another of Sulky on top. stitch,  and stitch and stitch, making sure the  thread  will hold those delicate pieces together,  the fine ribbon, fleece, fancy cording, and more.

Then wash the Sulky layer off, and lay flat to dry.  Last week, this was unearthed from storage ( this means I  dragged it out of the PHD pile), and stitched it  onto a backing,  bound it, and made a hanging sleeve. Voila, #1 is finished.

The I Spy quilt was started so long ago,  the first day I came home so proud of my progress, then I was shown a block, and the Kiwi was upside down, well some blocks did end up sideways, but to have our National Icon the wrong way, No-No. so I unpicked across a whole row, and was much happier with it corrected. This block is in the centre, 3rd row down. So this too was reluctantly dragged out of the box, and Joyce sewed in all loose threads, sewed the binding at the back, and Voila, #2 is one.

 

The cats in a square, that too was started ages ago, I am too ashamed to say how long, but at least 4 or more years. Loose threads galore, as the cat squares were appliqued on with clear thread, and that  is so hard to find, then thread into a needle, and sew through. Joyce worked her magic again, then the binding, and Voila #3. Now she has asked for another project to finish, so maybe  I can  start something new and we will call it “ The J&J work of Art” .

Quotation of the day, from  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.

Greetings from Jean