Kaiser Kraft

Yesterday sister Linda invited Kaiser to write an entry in her blog:-

http://razzledazzlequilter.blogspot.com/2011/09/kats-kan-kwilt.html

Kwilting was for yesterday, kraft was the activity for today as he tried his best to help me with my activities.

Versatility is the name of the game as far as Kaiser is concerned.

Free Form Embroidery

The image in my last blog entry took a lot more time to complete than the image on my left.

This one is about 3.5 x 5 inches and was completed in a couple of evenings.

I so enjoy doing little projects like this but, again, what to do with them when finished?

Anyway, I have enjoyed receiving your comments about my other piece of work and 3 people, Cherie, Upinak and Julie all said you thought I should frame it and so, unconventional as it might be, I have decided to send each of you a set of the pansy silk prints.

I have more miniature free form embroidery in the pipe line so will share more as I make progress.

What's A Girl To Do?

It all started with a sample of floral lace I had been given.

I had no use for it as it was so I cut out the flowers and laid them out on some blue fabric and then started stitching around them.

Nothing complex, mostly french knots in perle cotton in a myriad of colours.

I added some silk ribbon fargo roses and used up some scrappy pieces of silk ribbon by tacking along one edge and then pulling the tacking until the ribbon ruched into a little flower.

I add some bridal lace in the top left hand corner as an extra but it could easily be removed if I did not want it there anymore.

The background fabric is light blue quilting cotton and the piece is backed with lightweight wadding and quilters muslin. It measures approximately 23 x 29 cm (9.5 x 11.5 inches).

Now that I am about done, I am not sure what to do with it. It was just something I had in my work basket to work at in the evenings when I did not have anything else around and fancied doing a bit of stitching.














I did think it could be used for the front of a handbag or framed and put on the wall, or I could put it on my Trade Me auctions and try and sell it.















As a follower, what do you think I should do with it?

The follower with the best idea will receive a set of my pansy silk prints:-
















I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Spring is in the air

Yesterday and today we have had frosts with absolutely picture perfect days to follow.

The birds are chirping, blooms are happening in the garden and it would seem that spring is in the air.

I like to keep fresh flowers from our garden in the bathroom but this has lapsed somewhat over the winter but yesterday I picked a posy which included pink camelias from our garden.

We have a number of established camelia trees in our garden, mostly pinks and when they have had their turn the rhododendrums will take up their role in supplying us with glorious blooms as well.

It is nice to have the sense of spring in the air and it won't be long before we are out and about in the garden trying to establish flowers and vegetables for the summer ahead.

Yesterday's News

Yesterday it snowed in Taupo and all around the house where we live.

The image to the left is the view from my bedroom window at about 9am.

Nothing unusual in many parts of the world but a rarity where we live.





We had a hail storm at about 1pm yesterday which left much of our property covered in white.

Here, on the south side of the house today we still have ice as a remnant from yesterday.













Today dawned an absolutely beautiful day, crisp and clear.

I tried to capture the fantastic snow covering on the mountains to the south of us but my camera is not quite up to the mark.

Snow across the country is not finished yet so we will wait and see if there is more to come.

The Benefits of De Stashing

It was just before the turn of the century (21st that is) that I became interested in crazy quilting and so the accumulation of my creative stash began.

Now, all these years later, it has been time for me to de stash and so I have been selling bits and pieces through Trade Me auctions. Trade Me provides a services listing where people can request specific items and I currently have a service listing at the bottom of my auctions.

A lady called Sharon has e-mailed me several times and on one particular occasion she asked if I could assist in providing her with a silk print and embellishment pack that might suit the theme 'Yellow Rose of Texas' which was to be the Members Challenge for the Motueka Quilting Connection group.

Sharon wrote to tell me -
The quilt show is the annual show held by the Motueka Quilting Connection, and is held end of May at the Upper Moutere Community Centre. We are a group of 40 members, and each year manage to have a show that exceeds the previous year. We also manage to fill the hall with new work that has not been in any other show. Plus they have extras, and this year had the Hoffman Challenge quilts, and the Travelling Suitcase Exhibition, plus of course the Members Challenge which this year was the Song Title.

The picture tells the story - Sharon incorporated the embellishment pack that I sent her into her 'Yellow Rose of Texas' challenge and won the judge's commendation for the Best Use of Colour.

I am thrilled for Sharon but also pleased that my attempts to de stash have enabled others, and Sharon in particular, to be creative.

Quilt Panels

Linda and I have found it helpful to have a few quilt panels in our stash.

You never know when they might come in handy for the addition of a new member to a family.

Quilt panels can often be picked up inexpensively as remnants or specials as was this one.

When Linda bought her new quilting machine last year she was happy for me to trial it and so I chose this panel as a relatively easy way to have a go.

I basically did twirls and circles and by the time it was finished it was nicely textured.



Our nephew recently had an addition to his family, Zachary Blair, and so a quilt panel, has become a cot quilt and has become a part of a young family's life.

Aunt Grace - another milestone

Last year I wrote about our Aunt Grace celebrating her 101st birthday.

She is still with us and so yesterday we (Mum, sisters Linda, Wendy and me) traveled to Te Awamutu to wish her well for her 102nd birthday.

The banner to the left was attached to the front fence to let all the world know of this auspicious event.

This banner was originally made for Aunt Grace's 100th birthday and each year her daughter goes home after the birthday and changes the last letter in anticipation of another celebration.

We always enjoy the fact that our Mum and her sister, Grace, can have the opportunity to share tit bits from their lives at these get togethers and yesterday was no exception.









Around the house we found a number of flowers that had been delivered to the house for the occasion.

The image to the left is part of a floral arrangement sent to Aunt Grace by her daughter, Marjorie and husband, Paddy.

Linda also wrote about Aunty Grace's birthday on her blog.

Our Sweet Peas Group

Linda and I continue to enjoy our fortnightly get togethers of our quilting friends, The Sweet Peas.

This time our sister, Wendy, pictured in the green on the right, was staying with us and enjoyed being a part of the scene as well.

Moira, on the left, brought a doll from her childhood with her and she and Wendy are pictured here putting the final touches to dressing the doll.


Linda has written in more detail on her blog about this lovely doll which has been given a new lease of life.










Andreena came for a while and was working on one of several Christmas tree skirts she has made.


















Debbie never ceases to amaze us with the applique quilts she makes. This one features an assortment of lovely bright gollies.
















Trish was contemplating her next quilting project and was asking Linda for advice on the next steps to take.


















Our sister Wendy had brought some quilting fabric leftovers that had been given to her and so our ladies had fun sorting through and contemplating the possibilities for use of the fabric.

Another Recent Read

There were seven siblings in our family and our Mother instilled in us a love of reading. A great way to keep children occupied in a busy household.

As an adult I don't read as much as I did in my younger years but recently I have had the opportunity to finish a couple of books and thought them worthwhile enough to mention here.

I first read about this book on another blog, Cozy Little House, and something struck a chord with me to want to have a look for myself.

My son, David, gave me a Kindle e-reader for Mothers Day this year and it was an opportunity to make use of this great device.

Wishing for Snow explores the emotions of caring about and dealing with a mentally disturbed parent. Not a light hearted read and if you like to read in chronological order then this book would not be for you. Minrose explores the events of her Mother's life in a zig zag fashion and this was probably how life felt for her at times.

However, I felt I wanted to explore this subject, and probably the thoughts that stayed with me was the mixed emotions the author had about committing her Mother to psychiatric wards and bearing the wrath of her Mother's indignation at the indecency even though it was very necessary at the time.

I admire Minrose for being prepared to put on paper what for many would be a closed subject, a sobering but worthwhile read.

Once more with feeling....................

Linda has already written on her blog about the three quilts our Sweet Peas group made for families in Christchurch impacted by the recent earthquakes.

Debbie, from our group, had been in touch with a lady from Christchurch who organised for the quilts to go to three specific families.

In the process of co-ordinating this, Debbie found out that the lady who organised this for us has been impacted by the earthquake herself but had not been offered a quilt by anyone.

Back to the stitching and between us we were able to get some more heart blocks together, find batting and backing fabric, and put this one together.

I machine quilted it and put the binding on and so another quilt is ready to bring comfort to someone in need in Christchurch.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story

I finished reading a book the other day.

A cowboy romance with a difference - it is a true story.

A light hearted read which brought a smile to my face on quite a few occasions, as the author, Ree, included down to earth reality snippets within the story of being swept off her feet by her modern, real, ever loving Marlborough Man, as she likes to call him.

The western theme might be enough for some not to want to go there, but don't let that put you off. Ree's telling it like it is attitude through the whole romance makes this book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels a page turner.

You can read more about Ree on her blog The Pioneer Woman and if you are a recipe buff she has them to share as well.

Sister Linda found out about the book through reading Ree's blog and actually bought the book with sister, Barbara, in mind as she knew that Barbara loves reading western romances. Linda read it first, passed it to Barbara who could not put it down and then I followed. We have had our/Linda's moneys worth out of this book already.

Mum is next to read it but Linda intends to take it to her local book club and share with them as well. She thinks the ladies there will enjoy it as well.

Finally Coming Home

I have written about CiCi before.

She was a stray cat hanging around our place when we moved here over 18 months ago.

As far as we know she had been living the life of a stray for a number of years.

If the slightest thing disturbs her she takes flight but she was not beyond coaxing to come and have a feed and from there we managed to persuade her to sleep indoors.

First in our garage and then, gradually she has accustomed herself to the other rooms of the house.

She often sleeps at my feet at night but it has been very hard to persuade her to take a nap on my lap. Linda has been very good with her and has quite a measure of success but the suggestion of even sitting on my lap was not a good idea.

The other day she popped into our sun room and I managed to pick her up, sit down on my chair and put her on my lap. She sat there for a while, then curled herself up and went to sleep.

Yesterday, even better, she came into the room when I was sitting there and she hopped up on to my lap and curled up again - unbelievable!

Today I looked across to my chair in the sun room and there she was asleep on my chair. I think she has finally come home.

Quilts Really Do Need Labels

Another quilt I have been re-united with on this visit is one that I made for son, Ricky.

The camera shot helped to capture the design that was created in joining the quilt blocks together.

I had won the blocks in a quilt raffle from the Taupo Quiltmakers group and they came together really well to make this quilt.

It has been washed several times (I think) and has become lovely and soft and a bit crinkly and so has a nice feel and appearance.

Nice to snuggle under during this cool period in Sydney.



For the life of me I could not remember when I had made it but when I turned it over there was the quilt label I had done at the time, providing a permanent record of the history of the quilt.

Yes, quilt labels really are worth taking the time out to do.

Every Cat Needs A Quilt

Last night my son, Ricky, slept on the floor amidst a bundle of quilts so that I could have his bed to sleep in.

This morning Oraton thought the quilts would make a nice bed for him. Quite rightly so too!









I had given this quilt to James and Amba the last time I visited in 2009 so it is nice to see it still around and in use.

The mountains of home

Tomorrow, Saturday, I am going to Sydney for a few days to visit with 3 of my sons.

At the moment our mountains are shrouded with snow clouds but prior to this we have seen some spectacular views of them, especially at sunrise and sunset.

I am hoping they will be on show again when I return and I expect them to be blanketed in more snow than ever.



The clouds have been tinged with grey in recent times and the only thing we can put it down to is the volcanic ash that has drifted across from Chile.

The Occasional Piece of Crazy Quilting

My adventures in crazy quilting are less and less these days as my wrists do not seem to appreciate all that is involved in taking me through the process.

Still I can enjoy the achievements of others and occasionally what I do myself.

This rectangular block was machine pieced from quilting cottons and backed with quilters muslin.

I used fusible webbing to attach the silk print and then did some 'free form' stitching to create a floral surrounding for the image.

Even managed to place some petite gold beads at the centre of the yellow lazy daisy flowers.

Crazy quilting is indeed a lovely craft and the possibilities are unlimited.

Hearts for Christchurch

I have talked before about heart quilts for families impacted by the Pike River mine explosion and Christchurch earthquakes.

Yesterday our government went some way to address the problems relating to advising families whether they could progress with staying or leaving their properties.

Day to day living has to go on in the meantime and the feedback is that heart quilts are very much appreciated by recipients.

One can only imagine how cold some people must be with winter in full swing and if a heart quilt can bring some comfort then the efforts of those who make them is all the more worth while.

Our small home group of Sweet Pea Quilters committed to making 3 quilts and we finally managed to complete them this week. 3 quilts is only a small number in the whole sum of things but it has been nice to be able to participate and be part of a much larger project.

You can see more about the quilts we made on my sister, Linda's, blog.

I was just looking for silk scraps................

I wanted to add to the variety of silk scraps that I have and I thought that a silk scarf or two from the Opportunity Shop (Thrift Store) might just do the trick.

As I headed towards the scarf rack I noticed a silk wedding dress lying across one of the clothes racks.

It looked as if it had been discarded for some reason and on closer inspection did not even have a price tag.

There was nothing to be had on the scarf rack and so I picked up the dress and took it to the counter to enquire further about the possibility of purchase.

"All our wedding dresses cost $100," said the sales assistant.

"I don't think I could be paying that," I replied.

"Well, it has got some stains on it, so I will enquire for you from the supervisor."

A few minutes later the message came back that I could have it for $30 and so I did not hesitate.

"Are you going to revamp it?" she wanted to know.

"I don't think I would like to tell you what I am going to do with it,' was my reply.

A few silk scarves had suddenly become a full length cream silk dupioni wedding gown with lace. The stains were not that bad although they did not come out in the wash. However, they were not really a problem for someone like me who wanted to pull apart the garment and repurpose it for crazy quilting and such.

The first time I pulled apart a silk wedding dress I felt quite guilty but now I quite enjoy the process and like to see how the garment was made and whether alterations have been made (which they had in this case) for the prospective bride.

This one even had leg o' mutton sleeves, embellished with lace and covered buttons for a very trim wrist.

The process is nearly done now except for unpicking the lace from the bottom of the skirt. The dress has yielded a lot of lovely cream dupioni silk, a lot more than I would ever have got from some scarves, but then I probably would never have paid $30 for a bunch of scarves.

Aaron and Marcele Came to Stay

Aaron and Marcele have spent the last few days with us and will be on their way to Auckland tomorrow.

When they arrived on Monday, Kaiser presented himself as everybody's friend to become acquainted with Marcele.

We have really enjoyed their stay and will be sorry to have to say goodbye tomorrow.