Testing, Testing!!!

Yesterday, panic of the highest degree, Open Live Writer did not post to my blog, an error, No Google advice, so I copied and pasted, then edited the photos.

This was the trial in Paint program for the quilting lines,In the end it didn’t work out.

No more, off for a rest. Not even a quote today!!!

Greetings from Jean

Freefall QAL, all done and dusted

The midnight oil, or a LED light was so handy late last night, as Thursday was our 15th June, and this was the special day for Sandra of   mmm quilts        .     In memory of her Dad, whose birthday was very special, she arranged for us intrepid quilters, a fantastic Quilt-along. A smaller version of her original leaf quilt, and so we began.

The fabrics, the instructions, the leaves,  cutting, trimming, matching points, sewing again,  and finally a flimsy.

I did so want an aerial shot, we set it all up, Boris had to supervise, the wind blew, the quilt was on the pavers too close to the house, so this is what we ended up with!!! Click on the photo to see where everyone is .

Last night, I managed to get that final seam on the flanged binding sewn, after 5 tries, readjusted, and moved it down a few inches, then bingo. Attached the blind stitch attachment, used the  Gutterman Sulky in the top, changing from Superior thread King Tut grey, that I used for the diagonal lines, with a  King Tut green in the bobbin.I had 2 spare  blocks, so did some trial lines, and 2 different sized bindings. In the end, I went with the original size of  1.5 inch and 1.75 inch, trimming the quilt a little  wider from the points.

This morning the Sky Gods didn’t shine for a photo shoot. Taken from Hugh’s Dad’s memorial Weeping Silver Pear  tree




Same tree, different view.

Against the New Zealand Flax, with Boris again supervising, or just looking for any  intruders hidden in the jungle.

Photo props, a broom and a floor mop in the corner triangle holders.

Finally, one last one, diagonal, like the quilting lines.

Thank you so much Sandra  of   mmm quilts
for this amazing challenge. We are all very privileged to be part of this, and it widens our blog friendship by miles.
Quotation of the day  from Ralph Marston

“ Start strong, stay strong, and finish strong,

by always remembering why

you’re doing it in the first place”

Greetings from Jean.

Freefall QAL finish...I posted my photos, then found an error!!!

I finished the Freefall QAL, posted it all, found an error, and deleted it to correct the link. Now it will not post!!! I will try again later. Meantime, here is one photo.

Greetings from Jean.

I Have a Flimsy!!!

Today was fine, after a frost, then cloud, then sunshine.

Hugh was at the controls, and somewhere I have a video of the Freefall QAL flimsy on the ground, from an aerial view. However that will take some  editing, so meantime …. Here are some Leaves!!!

The Weeping Silver pear tree,planted in memory of Neil McKinstry, ( Hugh’s Dad).This was taken in June 2014.

          

The Chestnut tree in Autumn, a few years ago

            And today, the Freefall QAL flimsy had its first outing. Pinned to a cord, and hung out from a tree, it is a stained glass photo shoot.

                  I love the effect with the sun shining through. And I have high hopes to have it quilted by the 15th!!!             

Where would  we be in life without a  challenge or two? Our daughter and son-in-law have  arrived home after biking the Heaphy Track on the northern West Coast of the South Island.

The following photos are courtesy of the Internet and Adventure Flights.  Thank you.

Annette,Mike, Denise and Mark  biked the track, 4 days, 3 nights, the  Wednesday temperatures were so cold, the water bottles froze along the way!!!  From Karamea back to Nelson, the 4 bikes  were  strapped under the plane wings.  But, I have heard, it was a wonderful time.

Elevations that would give me palpitations before I even started!!!

 

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Challenges are interesting, or frightening,

and overcoming them is the ultimate  outcome “

Greetings from Jean.

A Day Out in the Backblocks

Yesterday, we all felt the need to be out and about. Lunch packed, thermos filled and off we went.  We left home, travelled East, then northwards, westwards, and south again.A little, well, really hard to see, but the lines indicate where we went.Just south-east  of Whanganui, inland to Feilding, north to Apiti, then further north through very isolated areas, west to Mangaweka , and homewards south through Hunterville.

We decided that if we lived there, once every 2 months to town for groceries would be the norm, probably just over an hour, but a narrow windy road the only way back to a larger town,  and all I would need would be power, running water, a log fire,ample dry wood, internet access, and lots of batiks on hand. One cat for the mice, one dog  for company, and a 4WD vehicle to ensure safe travel in the winter ice and snow.Does this indicate I would be so happy as  a hermit??? OOPS, the one totally necessary item would be internet access!!!

Along the way we stopped for lunch by a small stream, and I did manage to get a few photos, window shots were difficult and stopping places very few.

The rock layers can be clearly seen, and I guess any Geologist would be able to give a year and age to the formations.

The Pohangina River was a long way below the road. The hill country was typical of all that area well inland.

When we finally reached the main road again, there was a long queue of cars, trucks and vans .It looked like a huge truck had rolled off the road into the paddock below. Again, a windscreen shot was not the best. Two huge cranes had been brought in, they had stabilisers on the far side, and it must have been a  massive undertaking  to lift the truck up.  Another Halls Transport truck was there behind the far crane, backed up and no doubt ready to take the load from the first one, we didn’t know if anyone was hurt, and I could not find it on the news either.  I am so sure  when we compare it to  the scale of terrorism in London again, this was  very  insignificant. Thoughts with all those abroad, those who have lost, all over again. When will it ever end??

The other morning we had a beautiful frost, sparkling and so pretty. Fairies  had  been there overnight,  their mushroom home was empty by the time I walked carefully round the edge of the grass. The Gossamer Grass fronds were graceful with just that little hint of frost on the fronds.

And one more pic of the knitting needle bag, I have heard it is packed and will fly to the UK, via OZ, tonight. Safe Travels,Jeanette.

Quotation of the day, from Hans Christian Anderson

“ To move,to breathe, to fly,to float,

To gain all while you give,

To roam the roads of lands remote,

To travel is to live”

Greetings from Jean

Frayed and Spoofed!!!

 

Good morning to you all, as we are officially into winter-time down here. Another frost this morning, but we might just get some sunshine.

NOW, the interesting and worrying news is that me clear email address has been “spoofed” Someone is using my email address to send me emails to myself. There is an attachment. that spells trouble… so if you do get  an email  , please do not open any attachments, as that email will not be from me.

And if you are in any doubt, use that magic word ‘ Covfefe”!!!

Now, the fabric that frays… dress fabric, and it was used to sew  a gift for my friend in Auckland.

The colour matches her car, and I made a knitting needle holder, I think I am safe to show it here, as Jeanette is on Facebook, not a blog.

There was a scissor holder there too,minus the scissors.I am hoping it arrives today.

I have just had a wonderful phone call from a blog friend  up North,…. what a  great surprise, Shelley, you have made me so happy this morning. XXX to you.

 

Quotation of the day, author unknown,

“ Life is too weird and the world is too small”

Greetings from Jean