It's Not Just About The Numbers

Number 7 of my ANZAC series of quilts is now finished. I ended up painting, with brush and Tsukineko ink, the words and numbers. I did try stamping but it was too fiddly and not clean enough. The biggest worry was spilling or dropping ink into unwanted areas, but I was patient and careful and am pleased with the result.
I also painted the background fabric and over-painted the backing (I also used it as the binding).
This banner is very simply quilted so that your eye follows across the lines to the numbers.

On the right hand side I have quilted a Maori motif over the words (this is the backing which shows the quilting better):

 Here is what I wrote for the label:

"The statistics for this Roll of Honour for the 1^st New Zealand Expeditionary Force (1914 – 1918) came from the book Some records of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, by Lt. Col. J Studholme (Wellington, Govt. Printer, 1928).

The numbers are of deaths only of N.Z.E.F. while on active service.

They include:   Officers

                        Other Ranks

                        Those killed in action

                        Those who died of wounds

                        Those who died of sickness

                        Those who died from other causes

Total: 16,697

Those who died after discharge (up to 31^st December 1923):  964

Those who died while under training in New Zealand: 505

Let us never forget. May they rest in peace."

It measures  105cm x 56cm.

My Challenge Winnings ...

... arrived in the mail today!
This is what I had been eagerly awaiting:

Inside:

Leah's book and a professional photo of my quilt.

Plus I also received my purchase from Superior Threads (using some of the winning money):

Thank you so much Leah. Your designs are great to use and I am looking forward to being able to use your book!

An Unwelcome Gift

This was left lying in the middle of a Wellington motorway intersection:

As it was raining heavily at the time, it was not seen until:

All I can say is; thank goodness no-one was hurt. Derrick was driving and was able to hold the car on the road, then safely manoeuvre it to the side and change the tyre.
Thanks to the fool person who had an unsafe load - you have cost me another tyre.
I am NOT impressed!

A Couple of Spring Snapshots

I managed to capture the flowers on the golden elms before they turned brown, and now that the weather has turned decidely cooler and windy, they are blowing everywhere.

Golden elm tree flowers

Blackie has made a nest in a warm and dry spot, while it is so windy and wet:

RWC Final

Richie McCaw, captain of the All Blacks holding aloft the cup

I've had a cup of restful tea - needed it to calm down after an anxious, nail-biting finish.
ONE POINT in it!
All Blacks 8 France 7
We have waited since the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 to hold the William Webb Ellis Cup aloft again.
Well done the AB's! We are all so proud of you.