Friday, April 30, 2010

Tote and Gloat is Coming

On Wednesday I drove to Rotorua to meet up with our guest speaker for Tote and Gloat, Judy Coates Perez, from Chicago, Il. She had already taken 2 workshops for the Auckland Quilters Guild, was having a couple of days sightseeing in Rotorua then coming south with me. We both stayed at the Princes Gate Hotel, which is a lovely aged, but historic hotel near the city centre.

Across the road is the Government gardens and this is what you would see at the entrance:
We spent a couple of hours at the Polynesian Baths, which did a world of good for some of my eczema.
Thursday we had a leisurely trundle south calling in the the Honey Hive at Taupo, Huka Falls, visiting the ladies at Creative Hands shop in Taupo, the wool shop at Utiku and Scully's Lavender shop in Bulls. Unfortunately Mounts Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaruahoe were covered with cloud.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A Little Piece of Handwork

Sarah had a friend come and stay for a night. Jen is a talented embroiderer and we were lucky enough to have a small workshop - just for the 2 of us. Here is my Jen's Jems Brooch which I finished and wore today (size 2.25" or 6cm).
Background is hand dyed silk velvet and I've used silk ribbon, variegated threads and decorative sequins and beads.
Such fun! Thanks so much Jen.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Another UFO Finished

This was going to be a 21st present, but I got talked out of giving it, so it is now finished and in the "To Sell" pile. I really liked the juxtaposition of funky pictures, bright colours and (by themselves) ugly fabrics. The border is a cotton sateen, so has a slight sheen to it.
Close-up of the corner border quilting.
Finished size 1.76m (69.5").