SberryMum

My Last Blocks for the S.I.X.Challenge

2012-02-02T08:44:00.000+13:00

Time is running out - I have to have this challenge finished by Sunday.
Here are the basic pieces I am working on:

an olive tree painted on with Tsukineko all-purpose inks;

a peace dove applique made from fabric I printed - this is a tile floor from Hisham's Palace in Jericho; and

the Temple Dome, Jerusalem, printed onto fabric.
So the embellishing is to be done and some more work in the white spaces.
Have a creative day!

Your Creative January

2012-01-31T18:35:00.000+13:00

So, have you had a creative January?
It doesn't need to be a lot every day, because just like a journey - it starts with a small step!
My creative colleague Lynette has a great piece about Finding Time. So read it here. What Lynette says about using time creatively is so true - it's like having your sewing machine threaded up. You can sew lots in 5 minutes (this is another of Lynette's gems, which I now abide by).
Here is my first piece to add to my S.I.X. challenge. The headlines are Mod Podged just like the postage stamps, onto the fabric.

I collected the words from headlines out of a week's worth of newspapers. I'm not sure yet how I will quilt it - either simply or symbolically - will probably add some paint too!

February - still the shortest month even though we have an extra day - starts tomorrow.
What have you got planned to be creative?

Final S.I.X. Challenge to Start

2012-01-31T10:58:00.000+13:00

This is my block which I gave to the others - we all got the exact same.
Mine is a protest - about the situation in Palestine and about how the media manipulates the information (the media being politically driven).
So here it is:

The map is printed onto fabric, I pieced the flag and used puff paint to make the wall.

Fifth S.I.X Challenge Completed

2012-01-31T10:53:00.000+13:00

Finally put the finishing touches to Barb's challenge block.

I still don't like the diamond block - I should have left out the quilting lines - but it's all about play and learning :)
I have written a poem around the pieces (well actually it's not my poem, but I have hand-written it - if you get what I mean). It is Quilt Teacher's Ten Commandments by Cindy Thury Smith, you will find it here, along with some other quilt related poems. Barb is a school teacher and also takes quilting classes with her own designs, so I figured it was appropriate to include it.
Yay! one more challenge to complete!

A Fantastic Plant Score!

2012-01-28T18:09:00.001+13:00

Today Derrick and I went to the annual Pohangina/Ashhurst Lions Small holders Auction. There were fewer sheep than last year and I don't think the prices were as good as you can get at the regular weekly livestock auctions. Also, there were not as many chickens as usual, certainly not the diverse range.
But in the chattels, there were a few things we were interested in.
Derrick learnt about Massey-Ferguson tractors and a sheep-handling implement.
And I managed to score 3 great sized yukka plants:

for $1.00!
WooHoo! I reckon the big one would cost AT LEAST $60.00 at a nursery!
I'll buy some nice pots and they will look great at work!

The Fourth Bright Block

2012-01-28T18:00:00.000+13:00

This one I have kept really simple! Used metallic threads for some of the stitching and it's simple-ness helps to balance the postage stamp blocks.

I need to sort some suitable fabric for the sashing, then I have an idea, just to make it all look a bit more finished than I think it is now - BUT, I have to work on a sample :( first! Hopefully that will be finished tomorrow.

How Not To Do It!

2012-01-26T21:18:00.000+13:00

OK, so I made the decision not to stitch around the diamond shaped postage stamp fabric. I started stitching a couple of rows around the outside with glitter thread, then stitched across the shapes and 'quilted' it by linking points etc.
Nope - didn't like it :(
The problem is that the 'stamp fabric' shows up the holes if you unpick - a bit like sewing leather.
Ah well! It's not great, I don't like, but I'll just suck it up and perhaps when all the blocks are completed it won't look so bad (but I doubt it!).
Here it is - warts and all:

The third block has triangles of different shapes - you know those mathematical ones like isosceles and equilateral. But we are not going to to have a trigonometry lesson here and I have ignored Pythagorus' theory and hypotenuse didn't even come into it when I was cutting them out! (If you do want a lesson, here is a quick reference).

This time I appli-quilted the pieces with a small blanket stitch using a Madeira gold/black thread so the edges would stand out more. I have considered using the same blanket stitch in wavy lines as a quilting line, but it probably doesn't need it, and to be honest - I find that quite boring!

Hope your day was creative in some way!

Number Four Is Completed

2012-01-25T20:47:00.000+13:00

I finished the edging late last night - it's just overlocked around the outside and it probably needs something else to finish it really nicely, but I have a blank as to what to do - and no, I don't want to do traditional binding!
Anyway the wool as the sashing has been handstitched down - it's so bumpy, this was the best option.
Here we have the leaves (Cheryl's) of the S.I.X. challenge:

Now back to Barb's work!

Using the Postage Stamp Fabric

2012-01-25T09:45:00.000+13:00

As promised in the previous post, here is one of the blocks using the postage stamp 'fabric':

I'm not going to stitch around the pieces - that will get done as part of the quilting - these pieces have been lightly glued in place with Gem Bond (it is my glue of choice when stitching as it is very flexible, dries clear and if you don't like what you have glued down, you have a little time before it sets).
Got to go and buy some batting now! That is one thing which gets whittled down out of the stash - even using all my smaller pieces :(

Have a creative day!

Barb's Block for the S.I.X. Challenge

2012-01-24T19:05:00.000+13:00

I have just about finished the edging for S.I.X. challenge number four - Cheryl's block - just having to do a bit of hand stitching.
This is Barb's block, which I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I was quite down (lack of creativity and commitment) and I think it was the white background.

Now, Barb loves the brights, so I thought that I would honour that, even if I have to really hunt for something suitable in my stash. That being the case, changing the background colour was probably not an option.

I thought about cutting it up.

But one day, I spied the wonderful collection of bright colours in a box lid of used (cleaned) stamps.

An aha! moment!

I have 'made' some fabric for 2 blocks, which leaves only a small search for suitable fabric for one block!

One a white background I stuck, using matte Mod Podge a whole range of New Zealand stamps - old ones and new ones, some collections are together, but mostly I arranged them by size - not colour. If you brush the Mod Podge over the stamps, the paper is quite flexible and can be easily stitched without tearing.
Check back here tomorrow to see one of the blocks I have made with my stamp fabric.

Sun Print Block Completed

2012-01-22T12:46:00.000+13:00

The leaf sun print block, which I showed you here how to make it - has been stitched and quilted. I have only stitched the veins on the leaves, then stippled around the outside with a variegated rayon, so that the leaves would have a raised look.
I think I like this block!

Hope you are having a creative day!

Free Motion Quilting - Reversed

2012-01-22T12:37:00.001+13:00

I bet that got you thinking! I have stitched this block from the back using crochet cottons in the bobbin. I had already pinned my three layers together, but then had a thought (I know - it can be a dangerous thing - thoughts!) that perhaps if I FMQ a leaf design with a fancy thread I could fill-in the leaves with paint - see what my talented colleague Liz has done here - I rather like it! When I looked through my fancy threads, there wasn't anything suitable in greens or autumn colours, but I liked the sheen and mix of colours on the two chosen crochet cottons.

You have to carefully wind the thicker threads on to the bobbin - I managed this on the machine, but at a slower pedal speed. Also it pays to wind on several bobbins - I used 2 in this 11 inch square! I would recommend stitching a sample first to check the tension. The bobbin holder needs to have the screw loosened (with this thickness, it was one complete turn, and don't forget to tighten it when you have finished using the thread!) to allow the threads to move through the tensioner freely.
Here is my stitched piece:

And now to 'paint' the leaves. I used my Derwent Inktense pencils with water to get a colour wash effect.
Follow through the next photos to see the variation in effects that can be achieved.

Pencil on dry fabric

A little water brushed over the pencil marks

Pencil on the damp fabric - can be further 'washed'

If you don't want a water-colour effect it pays to use Textile Medium. The colours are quite intense, just as if you are using paint. It is important to have the Textile Medium only painted on smaller areas that you are working on. You need to have it wet, not dry.
Now to let it dry :)

First of the Leaf Blocks

2012-01-21T18:09:00.000+13:00

I made these leaves from the leftover 'fabric' made here for Rose City Quilters Christmas meeting. They have been placed onto the background, some organza/netting over the top then I stitched around each leaf. I decided that I would like to cut away or burn away some of the organza, but the leaves wouldn't be attached to the background - so back to the sewing machine with some clear monofilament for the top thread. Then it was out with the soldering iron to melt away some of the netting and to burn holes through some of the leaves.

There isn't a lot of quilting around the leaves, but I like it as it is - quite tactile :)

Cheryl's Block

2012-01-20T11:54:00.000+13:00

Cheryl stitched this block - she didn't quilt it which has given me more options (like cutting it up if I wish), instead I stamped over it with real leaves - I forgot to take an unadulterated photo first though:

I am going to have fun with leaf blocks with different backgrounds - may have to colour this background, but I'll make up the others first before deciding.
Have a creative day!

Halfway Through the S.I.X Challenges

2012-01-20T11:41:00.000+13:00

Yay! Here is number 3 finished - this one I have bound the outside edges instead of overlocking.

So, halfway finished!

Baby Birds - Update

2012-01-19T21:27:00.003+13:00

They have flown the nest! Two weeks old and they're out of there :(

Another Primitive Art Block

2012-01-17T21:49:00.000+13:00

This time I have used a napkin! Yes, it is part of a batik tablecloth set I bought in Singapore over 20 years ago. The background has faded a bit, but I have actually used the reverse side, so that the background wasn't so prominent in the overall quiltlet. I guess that some would say it is a cheater cloth, but I'm not worrying, as I have done heaps of work on some of the other blocks.
So here it is, Indonesian batik art. Simply quilted - I used smoky monofilament to stitch around the figure, then black rayon around the outside:

I need to find something suitable to use as the sashing between all these blocks - I'm sure I have something in my vast stash!

Lots of Stitches and a Little Paint

2012-01-15T20:15:00.000+13:00

Another block finished for #3 S.I.X. challenge. Continuing with the theme (broadly speaking) of primitive art, I have drawn and stitched an Incan Sun God. Just free motion quilted straight lines with a pale yellow rayon thread to represent sunlight:

"Coloured" in the sun with Tsukineko all-purpose inks, so that this is the final look:

Hope you have had a creative weekend!

Baby Birds

2012-01-13T20:57:00.000+13:00

I have been stalking a little family for the past 10 days or so. As I was searching for hen's eggs one day, I discovered a nest with eggs in it, in one of my hazelnut trees. I'm pretty sure that it is a starling nest, so got out the camera for some photos. After I took the first snap, it was like the light had gone on and woken them up! Here they are, anticipating food:

The nest is very securely made in the fork of the branches, and withstood the gale at the weekend.

Interesting Sunset Colours

2012-01-12T18:39:00.001+13:00

If I was into doing art journals, I would have had my paintbox out to do this:

The sun had almost completely set on the horizon and was behind some low clouds. Kapiti Island, the sea (the tide was way out) and the sky appeared in this blue/grey colour - I think it looks amazing - just like a watercolour painting!

Sun Print Tutorial For Another S.I.X. Challenge

2012-01-12T18:35:00.000+13:00

I believe in the adage make hay while the sun shines - so yesterday on the Kapiti coast, the sun was shining beautifully and the wind just a gentle breeze. Out with the fabric, pebeo Setacolor transparent paints, paintbrush and my trusty box of dried pressed leaves.

I used the following colours on damp fabric (which was a heavy cream colour, kind of splotchy): plum, vermilion, lemon yellow and pernod yellow (an olive green), and thinned the paint a little more on the fabric with water so some of the colours mingled.
Lay out the pressed leaves (as the fabric dried I needed to place little weights - stones - on the leaves to keep them in place):

It took 1 - 2 hours for the fabric to dry, with this result:

I also used a skeleton leaf just to see if it was worthwhile doing. Here is the result of that experiment:

I'm pretty pleased with this.
Iron with a dry iron on cotton setting to ensure that the colours are set, then off to stitch!

Creativity and Commitment

2012-01-10T20:51:00.000+13:00

I'm struggling with these two words today - perhaps it's because I'm physically tired after 2 days at work and physical exercise (yes, I'm not used to the P.E.!). Sunday evening we had quite a gale in the region and we lost large branches off several trees plus 2 of the poplars were rent almost in half (thank goodness they will grow again). That was 3 hours of assisting the man-about-the-house after work yesterday, and today I decided to rent the carpet cleaner to clean the carpet at work - well, the kiddies play area and around the Issues Desk at least - phew! I had quite a sweat worked up doing that! Just want to sleep now :)
I picked up Barb's block for the S.I.X. challenge this evening, and nothing comes to mind immediately on what to do with it.
I know that perfection is not the answer in making these challenges - I'm trying to do something different, if not entirely new, with my blocks. We should have them finished by the end of this month, although I know that some have not started theirs! Oh, my! am I doing too much on mine?
Commitment is waning, as I so want to get them finished and work on something else - I have several quilts waiting to be quilted and need to work on another military banner.
At least I can show you the finished Cave Art block of the third challenge. I decided to do a medium stipple around the outside. I very rarely do stipple as it is so boring to sew, but in this case, there wasn't a lot to do and the hand-stitching catches down most areas. It is still 'puffy' in the middle, but then the cave walls were not necessarily flat and smooth either!

I hope you are not suffering from lack of creativity or commitment - I think the focus on achieving even a small amount is very important.
Enjoy!

On To Number Three

2012-01-10T07:58:00.000+13:00

I have little dilemma here, because I have started a block on 2 of the challenges, but I think I will go with working on Sue's challenge. This is the block she gave me - she has made the fabric with paper and paint:

It is Egyptian art. Derrick and I visited Egypt (very briefly, as it was June and therefore low tourist season because of the heat!) in 2009, so Sue figured I would really appreciate this piece of work - and I love it! I have decided to go with a primitive art theme. Initially I was going to do cave paintings, but have decided to do each block from a different culture.
This is my first one which I drew onto fabric with the artists pastels. I wasn't sure how well it would work, but they aren't greasy and it seems to stick OK to the fabric, and after all it isn't going to get washed.

Just a bit of hand stitching for the quilting (this has taken a few hours though) - I didn't want to do interfere with the 'art' too much and I will probably fill in around the outside with machine quilting.

Number Two Is Finished

2012-01-08T22:53:00.000+13:00

Once at my sewing machine, it was head down and get quilting! When the block was finished I started the old habit of procrastinating - playing with something else, you know, anything to put off finishing something - why IS that?
Stern words were said to myself (no flaying of the back with a whip though) and I set to to square off all 4 blocks to the same size, triple zig-zagged them together, then cut the sashing for both front and back - these have been put together just like a quilt-as-you-go.
Number 2 of the S.I.X. challenges finished - even overlocked around the outside edges:

Here is a close-up of the last block - I tried really hard not to think too much about it, but have to admit to changing the colours to suit the other blocks more. It is supposed to be organic, so you can read whatever you wish into it (if you must). It doesn't really have any meaning to me, because I just wanted to put something down randomly on the white, then have fun with some hand-stitching.

I used some of the threads from the Oliver Twists range by Jean Oliver (U.K.). I really love Jean's selections, but the hanks have to be carefully unwound, then each of the threads re-wound onto spools, otherwise you end up with huge big tangles, tears of frustration and wishing you could just cut out the knots.

A Little Beach Holiday

2012-01-08T15:05:00.000+13:00

I've had a couple of lovely days at Waikanae Beach, so no sewing machine, but I did take a bag of Vliesofixed pieces, my white background, small scissors, thread and a needle.
Here is what I have done so far for the second S.I.X. challenge on the white background:

Now that I'm home (work starts tomorrow) I will be able to do some machine stitching lines, quilting and more hand stitching. Then to joining all 4 blocks together!
Here are some lovely evening beach photos:

Sunset on Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Island in the background

Having fun with our long shadows

I also got to have a swim in the sea - first time for years - then Rebecca and I dug for pipis and cockles which we steamed and ate before tea - mmm! crunchy sand! Fun though!

Simply Stitched!

2012-01-05T20:12:00.000+13:00

Here is my second block - the one with the black background:

I cut a stencil of the stars onto freezer paper and ironed it to the fabric, then using a munted foam brush, 'painted' the stars with acrylic metallic paint (I LOVE that paint - it comes in gold, silver, bronze and copper colours). The quilting is one of Leah Day's designs - Icicle lights - done in metallic thread, plus I stitched around each star with black thread just to make them 'pop' a little.

Now for the white background block - I'm not going to be afraid of filling the white, I'm just going to place shapes and colour (without thinking too deeply about it) onto the 'page'. I want an organic look to finish this quilt.

Second S.I.X. Challenge

2012-01-04T12:50:00.001+13:00

I know that some days it's going to be hard doing something creatively - the lawns will call, a day at the beach, the latest novel I've almost finished - but I am trying to be in the zone!
The 2nd of the S.I.X. challenges that I'm working on is Dianne's block. Here she has done an easy reverse applique which she was teaching in a class:

I've decided to stick with the black/white backgrounds. My first block has been simply worked. I cut up a quilt I made for a Rose City Quilters challenge. I was pretty depressed at the time and have never really liked it. So I have unpicked and reused some fabric, and have cut up the background to reuse here:

I then cut out a koru and used some copper Glimmermist to spray the design on top. Hand worked the chain stitch around the outside of the shape to give more definition.
The other 2 blocks will have a plain black and plain white background.
More to come!

Being Creative - Differently!

2012-01-03T18:09:00.000+13:00

Hello all you creative people! Yesterday I spent with my lovely girls in Wellington. We went to Te Papa (New Zealand's national museum) to view the wedding dress exhibition Unveiled: 200 years of wedding dress from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Silk satin wedding dress by Charles James, London, 1934. Wax orange blossom choker. Given by Mrs. Alec Hambro © Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Images

This exhibition is great value for money at $15.00. I think there were at least 30 dresses on display, great commentaries and a time to sit and watch some movie clips of royal and social weddings. There were heaps of people, both at the exhibition, and at Te Papa - I guess that as it was a national holiday, there weren't too many other places to go to and a lot of shops and eating places were closed!
We then went out to The Dowse in Lower Hutt for the Bedazzled exhibition: Royal NZ Ballet Costumes Designed by Kristian Fredrikson:

Kristian Fredrikson, Cinderella Ball Gown, 1991. Princess Odile from Swan Lake, 1985. Fairy Spring from Cinderella, 1991

This was a free exhibition - not so many costumes, but nevertheless, you could get up really close to have a look at the work (no touching though!) - and hardly any people!

Even though I haven't done any sewing (as yet, and the day isn't over!), I did use my camera, creatively!
I love this shot of the rocks at Worser Bay - looks like it could be reproduced using tyvek!

How about this single leaf? Great lines - could be reproduced in (almost) 3-D :

And the colour inside this lily - I think the fairies have been at work:

Now - what about some sewing!

How's The Start to Your Crafty New Year?

2012-01-02T08:45:00.000+13:00

To those that don't create craft-wise, it is hard for them to understand how making something, just because, or for someone, is very satisfying. I'm NOT an adrenalin junkie, but I do appreciate that exercise can give you a high (it's just such an effort, especially when the weather is wet, or cold, or windy, or hot!). But you and I (those that create) know that there is great satisfaction and pleasure in making.
So, I'm going to endeavour to create something every day - even if it's a little bit of hand sewing!
I am very pleased to show you my small S.I.X quilt challenge that is finished (5 more to go). So here is my Time Machine:

The bottom right block has been embellished with old computer parts!
Such fun!

Happy New Year to You All!

2012-01-01T08:42:00.000+13:00

Let's put it out there that 2012 will be a great year! It has to be better than 2011 - I know that change can be a good thing and it gives us opportunities to rethink and rework lots of stuff, but sometimes it feels as if life and work is a treadmill. We need to be creative to get the love out to the world!
I'm hoping to get more organised with my sewing and to getting some long time projects finished - all without starting too many new ones!
Have you been to Craftsy yet? This is a web site through Interweave.com where you can learn all kinds of crafts like cake icing, quilting, knitting, crochet, jewellery, and heaps more. They have online classes, projects and workshops.
You can sign up for free to receive their newsletter.
There is a free monthly Block of the Month class with Amy Gibson where you can learn different ways of making quilting blocks. Check it out here.

It may just help you kick start your creative 2012.
Let's go and sew!

At Last Some Sewing!

2011-12-31T19:51:00.000+13:00

Thank goodness, I can put some pieces together to finish off the year.
We had beignets for breakfast this morning - it was a packet mix brought back from the States a wee while ago, so time they were made up and eaten - I think I may have had the oil a bit hot, but they were great with a cafe au lait

The weather was wet and windy (what a way to finish off 2011) and a let down after 9 days of sun and heat, just like we used to get when we were kids! But, a great day to get on to some sewing for a S.I.X. challenge.
We each had to make 6 blocks measuring 10 inches. No theme, they could be the same or different, and they were to be quilted. Each member of the S.I.X. group was given a block and then it had to be made into a quilt measuring 20 inches square. So we could cut up the original block if we wanted or just add blocks to get the required measurement.
This is the block I received from Rhonda:

The fabric has been coloured with distressed ink, then painted, inked and embossed grunge paper cut into cogs stitched on the surface.
Here are my three blocks:

colour wheel stitched with sunburst thread into a vortex

background - still needs to be embellished

picture printed on to fabric, hand and machine stitching

Rhonda's label had a clock face, the Eiffel Tower and the words take time printed on it. Can you guess what my blocks are going to part of?
I am going to stitch a casing on to join them altogether, then finish with the embellishments.
Watch this space! :-)

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:36:00.000+13:00

and peace to you and yours!
Often I make hand crafted or food to give at Christmas. This year I wasn't very organised to make kitchen gifts, but I have been blessed to receive some already from friends - how lucky I am! something to look forward to using in the weeks ahead.
I just wanted to share a photo of the Christmas cake this year:

It is a classic fruit cake but the topping is cherries, nuts and dried apricots (the black pieces). I mixed it with golden syrup and spread it over the cake 30 minutes before it was finished baking. It has been doused with whisky since coming out of the oven this week.
Today I made a German stollen - a fruit bread with an almond paste filling, topped with rum icing and roasted almonds - yummy!

The family are making a few things tonight so that we can relax and enjoy tomorrow.

Blessings to you all!

Hand-made Christmas Decorations - Part 3

2011-12-22T10:03:00.000+13:00

This is the final installment of the hand-mades.
The next two I made when we lived in Singapore. I hadn't made soft toys before (well that is not counting the 2 piece felt hanging decorations which babies/toddlers can't damage), but really enjoyed the Santa and his reindeer. First problem; where to buy fur in Singapore? Found a kit, but I didn't know then how to cut it - as you can see, Santa's hat doesn't have a good brim (when making teddy bears years later I knew then to cut the backing not the fur!). Second problem; the reindeer's leg wasn't holding him up! It is important to stuff the legs firmly. I did unpick and re-stuff, but this guy is made with corduroy and it frays, so it wasn't an easy job - do it once and do it properly :-)

The rejoice sign hangs over the back of the sofa. Finding suitable cotton fabric lead me to many market places and it is not quilted nor does it have wadding. But it means heaps to me. After I came out from hospital in 1993 (second time), Derrick didn't want it up, but I figured that we had a lot to 'rejoice' in, especially as it had been a very difficult and scary year. This year we are both rejoicing in that we still have our jobs with Defence.

The next 2 decorations are relatively easy to make. The Yule log - it gets a renew most years, this year I have taken off the 'fresh' leaves and added the 'plastic' ivy.

This little tree is made with a polystyrene ball and fabric squares poked into it. I have found that it is probably better to use a little pva glue where the fabric goes into the ball, so it stays in. I also added tiny cones, stuck it in a terracotta pot and weighted it with plaster of paris.

Final piece: I attended a workshop to make this hanging which hangs in the front entrance-way. But I have to admit that I was a terrible student! I didn't learn much from the workshop and rebelled at making some of the embellishments! I haven't dated it, nor put a photo in my album, so I'd guess that it was made around 1999. Very simply quilted in the background - now it would have much more on it (if I was to make it anyway!).

Enjoy!

Hand-made Christmas Decorations - Part 2

2011-12-21T08:31:00.000+13:00

We lived in Singapore in the 1980's. It was a wonderful time for young children - the exposure to different cultures, language and food around them all the time.
My handcraft at that time was cross-stitch. It was relatively easy to find material, threads and patterns and getting articles framed was not very expensive. My first piece shows how much I didn't know about working the thread, but I still put it out to remind me of how much you can learn (I haven't shown it here).
So here are some cross-stitch pieces that make an appearance at Christmas:

Viewed from inside

Little pictures of the Christmas tree

Viewed from outside

This is a large picture which I had to re-size and re-frame after breaking the glass. The matt board is a modern shape of a tree - the original was very triangular:

This olde worlde Santa is made with plastic canvas and wool - my first attempt at the long stitches - he is free standing:

When the girls were very little I made them each a cross-stitch stocking. They were an ideal size to put little stocking fillers in, but because of the age of them, I've asked that they are treated as decorations - besides, the stocking fillers don't fit in very well now!
So here is Rebecca's stocking plus the newer, quilted ones:

Hope you enjoy looking at these!

Hand-made Christmas Decorations - Part 1

2011-12-20T17:09:00.000+13:00

Every year, since 1979, I have tried to make at least one Christmas decoration. This year's one was made for someone else because there are a lot to show and/or pack away now. But I thought it might be quite nice to take you on a trip along Memory Lane.

A small Christmas tree banner made in 1983. I was in hospital for some cancer surgery in this year and someone had made beautiful decorations which hung in the hospital's corridor. This was one that really appealed and I have made it several times for family and friends - each time adding buttons that were appropriate. As you can see, this one is not quilted (2 layers though!).

My first 'real' quilt. Hand turned applique and hand quilted. 1994. I will never do either of those techniques again - it took far too long and this is a small quilt! The batting is polyester and too bouncy, but the work is OK for self-taught.
The next 2 are kits I bought from the craft section of a department store in Hawaii and made in 1994. I really did enjoy doing all the hand stitching. They came together really quickly.

I can't remember when I made this little wreath. I loved making the felt leaves and they have florists wire inside so that they can be 'shaped'. We had a mouse nesting in the decoration boxes one year, and it fancied the polystyrene berries - fortunately everything could be washed and the berries replaced.

I think that this is still my most favourite hand-made decoration.
More to come!!

It's Starting to Feel Like Christmas

2011-12-19T21:40:00.000+13:00

Thank goodness! I was afraid I'd lost my Christmas mojo. But this past weekend I made some Christmas fruit mince pies:

Mmmm! Yummy!

I have another Christmas cake in the oven tonight which is going to fill the house with lovely spicy smells - the first one I forgot about when I was multi-tasking, and it's rather dry (I think that it may have to be reworked into something else).
I have enjoyed turning on the lights every night (thanks to Santa's elves for putting them up) and here are a couple of decorations that have survived the years:

Snowman candle on the dining buffet

This is about as much snow as we'll have - according to the weather forecasters - sun for the next 10 days and very little wind on Sunday - yay!

This is a hand painted glass bauble I bought at Harrods (London) on my first visit (1986 I think). It's one of those things that continually amazes me how it has survived this long.

Last day of work tomorrow. The library has been pretty busy and now that I'm the only one there, I am really looking forward to some home time with family and not having to worry about managing everything work-wise with reduced hours and staff.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Paper Leaves Revisited

2011-12-19T21:17:00.000+13:00

My leaves which I showed you here how to make and were subsequently made into a necklace/collar for the 12 days of quilted Christmas has now been re-jigged into a table centerpiece.
Here it is with a lovely scented candle from Hawaii in the middle:

The leaves that seem to dominate are the ones with the silk coil veins couched on top. I have made some smaller ones (just to use up the scraps) and will use them in a block (or 2) for a S.I.X. challenge we have to finish by the end of January. Show you later when it's almost completed.

The Decorator Elves

2011-12-13T12:40:00.001+13:00

Santa sent his Decorating Elves to visit our house this past weekend - which is just as well, otherwise the decorations would still be in their boxes!
The tree has been decorated with love and care as well as the dining room, entrance-way and the kitchen.
Ahhh! the memories!

The dog got pretty exhausted with the supervising.

Three cheers for Santa's helpers!

A Little Bit of Christmas Sewing

2011-12-06T17:00:00.000+13:00

I thought that this might be quite nice to give as a secret Santa type of gift. Pattern was through my Interweave Stitch newsletter and is by Carol Zentgraf. I modified it a little, because time was running out to do the lovely circular shape Carol has.
Anyway, I hope someone likes it.

It measures 90cm x 36cm

Take a 2 Minute Break to Enjoy This

2011-11-30T17:41:00.000+13:00

The colours are beautiful!

12 Days of Christmas - Quilting Style

2011-11-29T20:13:00.000+13:00

When we had the Rose City Quilters committee play day (see my post here), we were actually working on pieces to present to the Club last night.
On the ... day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

a brand new sewing machine

2 pairs of scissors

3 library books

4 rolls of ribbon

5 paper pieced leaves

6 Velcro hanging sleeves

7 measuring tapes

8 rotary cutters

9 fabric flowers

10 cotton reels

11 beautiful buttons, and

12 new thimbles

My number was 5 - I wanted to do something that I could keep, so made my leaves into a 'necklace'.

But I think I'll cut out a few more leaves to make it into a circular tabletop setting - candles and pine cones might look good in the centre!
Here's a close-up of a leaf - the only stitching I've done in 3 weeks, and 'gems' glued on top for sparkle. You can just see that pattern tissue underneath the organza:

If you go to my friend Lynette's blog, she has photos from the evening and the lunch bag swap plus the 'present' from the committee to all members - it's a challenge for next Tote and Gloat.
PS.
I still have a bit of laryngitis from last week - so the 'singer' in the group was the frog on the night (how sad was that!).

The Shearing is Done

2011-11-28T07:55:00.000+13:00

Last weekend, we had a shearer come in to do all the ewes, plus 3 of my neighbours' sheep. Everyone had a funny story to tell at the end of the day - Derrick tackling Coco in the yards and then the 2 of them going down in the corner, Kerry slipping in the mud - glasses flying off - in an effort to nab another ewe, and Glenda trying to 'steer' her ram home by riding him!
The important thing was that no-one (or animal) got hurt, all the sheep were shorn, lambs drenched and we got pretty good prices for the wool.
Here is Beauty at one year with a new shear - and she still demands preferential treatment!:

The lambs are just coming up to 3 months of age - I pleased with how good they look and how well they are growing. Here's and lovely family snap:

Mum's wool is almost grey, and her twins have beautiful faces :-)

Voting Is Now On For Remembering Veterans Quilt

2011-11-12T10:42:00.000+13:00

Hello, all you lovely visitors to my blog.
Please go here to vote
Mine is the New Zealand's Gallipoli Campaign 1915 quilt (see previous post), but please only vote for it if you LIKE it - I'm not into twisting any arms here! :-)

Remembering Veterans - Contest

2011-11-10T21:30:00.000+13:00

I have entered this quilt into the Quilting Gallery weekly themed contest.

New Zealand's Gallipoli Campaign 1915

Please go here to vote from this Friday (11th) evening until Sunday (13th) evening (NZ time).
Tomorrow, Friday 11 November 2011 at 11:00am (notice how all the 11's line up) is Armistice Day. I thought that this was the most appropriate of my military quilts to enter.

Armistice Day

Wreath-laying ceremonies mark Armistice Day at the National War Memorial in Wellington and at many local War Memorials throughout New Zealand. As part of these ceremonies, two minutes silence is observed at 11 a.m. on 11 November in memory of those New Zealanders' who died while serving their country.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918.

(from: http://www.rsa.org.nz/remem/armist_intro.html)

Lunch Bag Swap

2011-11-09T08:31:00.000+13:00

I needed to make a lunch bag for the Rose City Quilters swap for the last meeting of the year. As I have made a couple of these already, I wasn't sure why I was procrastinating about it!
While I was rummaging through the fabric stash I found this fabric, which is so lovely (if you like French/Parisian things), and I thought would make a beautiful little bag for the swap.

So here we are - it even has an ohh! la! la! type of button (well why not!):

Pattern is here.

Sunset for Guy Fawkes Night

2011-11-06T19:55:00.000+13:00

Just beautiful!

Committee Play Day

2011-11-06T19:51:00.000+13:00

Rose City Quilters committee members had a play-day today. We could make something for a special surprise or just play, so here are some photos of playing happening:

Barb is sorting colours for her jacket

Wendy has a basket full of treasures, what is she up to?

The weather wasn't very good for working outside - so I decided to do something other than painting.
I have 'made' fabric from sandwiching (with Misty Fuse) pattern tissue and organza, plus previously painted florists' 'paper' onto kunin felt.

Cut out the shapes, used the soldering iron around the edges to make it more organic, then couched threads and stitched.

You can see the pattern tissue underneath. This is stitched with rayon

Main veins are couched silk threads, other stitching is with variegated cotton thread

My piece is coming together OK.

It's Not Just About The Numbers

2011-10-30T10:19:00.001+13:00

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 ...

2011-10-29T18:40:00.000+13:00

... 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

2011-10-29T18:30:00.000+13:00

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

2011-10-27T20:02:00.000+13:00

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: