We can all dream, it costs nothing, we get huge enjoyment, then slowly flutter or fall down to earth with a thud!!
Hugh and I had a few nights stay at Rotorua,saw Dani’s horse, Joey, and did a short photo shoot.He is a handsome, tame fellow, and no doubt took Hugh back to his pony club days.
The clipped coat was hidden under a mid season cover.
this is where Joey lives. Quiet, green grass, and stables if the weather gets too cold, too wet, or too windy ( gale force winds can happen here too).
On Sunday we went back to Taupo, where I joined in with some 10 or so other ladies from nearby, and Tauranga and further afield, to have the most wonderful morning with Linda and Peggy.
Their home looks over the Waikato River, and in winter you can see the snow on the Ruapehu and Tongariro Mountains.
There was a little snow as we drove along the Desert Road , in the Central Plateau.
Linda blogs at Razzle Dazzle Quilter , and you will find Peggy at Kiwi Klippings.
We were all introduced to one-another, then out to the “room” where all the goodies are kept.The Innova is a dream machine, and Linda showed us how to load a quilt onto the leaders, why backing and batting need to be wider and longer than the quilt top, and use Red Snappers, which make it all look so easy. Then some ruler work,on a pre outlined pattern, THEN, we were all allowed to have a go!!! Magical, scary, but such fun.Linda’s gentle guiding hand helped the needle stitch a better design than my fumbling attempt,
We all did some swirls, leaves, lines and a bit more, but there were plenty of empty spaces that Linda would fill in later on.
Morning tea intervened, this was scrumptious!!! Thank you so much Peggy.
.I am certain that my ancient Gammill will definitely be re-wired very soon, as this is so much easier than manhandling a quilt into a domestic machine space. Linda had our names in a bowl, one was drawn out, and Margaret would be the lucky recipient of the finished quilt, cream thread on cream fabric.
p.s. Linda finished it yesterday, so another one for a client could go onto the frame.
Thank you both, Linda and Peggy, for a fabulous morning, and did I mention the morning tea??? Hot savouries, tea, coffee, expresso if you would like it ( I did, please) yummy slice and more. They are a dream team together, and we all so enjoyed what Linda called
“ A Day in the Life of a Long Arm Quilter”.
Quotation of the day, author unknown
“ True friendship is based on trust, honesty,
and sincere generosity from the heart”
Greetings from Jean
28 comments:
A lovely break - I hope you get some good news from the hospital soon.
Your longarm experience sounds like so much fun! And to be able to try with an experienced quilter!!! I am SO envious! I have always wanted to try my hand on a longarm and the idea of owning one is a not to happen dream... I don't think there ARE any longarm quilters in Japan and certainly not any teachers nor set up people nor maintenance people... so it is all a dream. What a wonderful time with your friends!
Thanks for the nice write up Jean. I really must get my act together and write a blog!
The quilt Is all finished now. It looks good with all our shared stitching.
Sounds like a wonderful time away, the view down the river is beautiful.
What a fun day, sounds like you had a great time.
What a lovely time you had with other friendly quilters.
The countryside where Joey lives is absolutely beautiful!
Have a great week dear Jean & Hugh ~ FlowerLady
I have played on a longarm before and they are so much fun to use. One day maybe I will have one. I hope that you get yours up and running soon.
It is so nice to have a dream turn into a reality with trusted, confident, kind hands guiding you. It sounds like a lovely day. Thinking of you and Hugh and wishing you both well.
Dani lives in a glorious area! NZ is beautiful. Joey is a handsome horse. What a special morning you had with Linda and Peggy. I can't wait to see what happens when you get your Gammill up and running. My great grandmother would be amazed. She and her daughter Ella (my grandmother) were quilters. GG insisted that you had a minimum of 15 stitches to an inch (2.54 cm) and that you couldn't use a longer thread than from your fingertips to your elbow. GG's true artistic gift was rug hooking. She'd be thrilled to know that my three sisters are hookers! Sending love and hugs to you and Hugh!
What fun to spend time with ladies that love hobbies as yours. A hobby and a tremendous skill too. Love that horse. Oh my, how cute he is and what a place to live and roam. Carol
How awesome that you were able to play on the long arm! I do have to agree with you it is much easier than manhandling the quilt. Hopefully, your Gammill will be up and running very soon and you will be dancing with thread all over the quilt top.
What a fabulous day out, great weather and fabulous views, those I never get tired seeing as the central Plateau is always home to me. A special day put on by Linda & Peggy. It must have been fun for you all to see the day & life of a long arm quilter.........good luck with your machine. ......so tell me does Linda have 'long arms' like me? :-)))
Jean, what a wonderful trip you both had!
Horses for Hugh and quilting for you! I guess like with most things today quilting machines have also developed with the times.
A glorious day here in Nova Scotia.....not too warm, just right 15C.
What a lovely time you had with Linda and Peggy. Linda is so talented with her long arm, and I'm sure you all came away with your heads spinning with many tips for the future. Peggy is lovely too, and did a marvelous catering job, it seems.
Sounds like you’re taking some fun excursions, Jean. I love the photos you posted - such gorgeous scenery.
I loved seeing those photos of Joey and of the beautiful NZ countryside! I'm afraid that all that quilt talk is lost on me - but I can tell that you had a wonderful time with your friends! And the tea sounds absolutely delicious!
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments. Staying with our daughter after a long time not travelling there, a super SUPER morning with Linda and Peggy , seeing Joey, safe travels each way.I have so much to be SO very thankful for.
A super post of a super trip! Playing with one of those machines can be fun but no way I could ever get one of those through my front door ... even if I had a place to put it.
I got to play on a longarm before and it was amazing - but I don't have the strength in my arms to guide it for long. GORGEOUS horse, and gorgeous setting!!!!
Love your take on the dream versus reality!! so true! I always love to see your glimpses of my beloved NZ, along with your activities!
Oh my! Your visit with "A Day in the LIfe of aLong Arm Quilter" sounds like a wonderful time! I hope you get your machine up and running soon!
Dear Jean, what a lovely posting this is--with its sharing of a quilting experience and its gratitude and appreciation for fellow quilters. Peace.
You have such lovely friends and family and quitling family!
I just did the lawn on the tractor!
Hello, Joey is a beautiful horse. I love the pretty views of the river and mountains. Sounds like a great visit and tea with your quilting friends.
Have a happy day and week ahead.
That sounds like a well spent day !
I know nothing about horses, but Joey is a real beauty. What an adventure quilting on the longarm, sounds like fun!
It's fun to dream and dream big. Your pics are just beautiful and I know you must have had a grand time with Linda and Peggy.
Joey's picture looks cool...
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