Sweet Peas group lives on

Even though I have been somewhat remiss in updating my blog this year, our Sweet Peas group carries on in its usual way.

For this particular meeting we decided to have a Swap Out day.  Everyone was invited to bring items from their stash they no longer wanted and we put out everything so they could be shared.  Quite a bit of swapping on the day.  Linda and I managed to share from our stash but inevitably added to it as well.  Something just a little different for us all on the day and what was left over went to an Opportunity/Thrift Shop, so nothing was wasted.

Show and tell continues to play a large part in our gatherings and Andreena brought along this work in progress.

She has been machine quilting this fabric panel and is going to have it framed - it should look quite stunning when completed.

Moira shared this delightful doll that she has been making for her granddaughter, who had put in a special request.

The face was embroidered to endure the test of time as it is anticipated this will be a much played with friend.

The clothing and choice of colours is exceptional.

Some of our group have embarked on a new quilting project so there should be more of that to share in the weeks to come.

Welcome to our world - update

I wrote in February about the arrival of my latest grandchild.

Such occasions demand a quilt from us two sisters.

I had bought a set of 9 fat quarters some time back that were suitable for a boy but at the time I was not sure what I could use them for.  This is obviously why I need a stash, so I can draw from it when needed.

Linda found this quilt pattern and if you're looking for a quick and easy quilt pattern which looks quite effective this one is a good one.

When I finished piecing it Linda applied her skills and did match stick quilting to finish off.  A very good, modern quilting style.

The front of the quilt used 7 of the fat quarters.  I still had 2 of them left and by mixing with some white fabric I was able to make a stripey and modern back.

For future reference, a reminder to Caleb and family regarding where his quilt came from.

Soft and creamy and it's all mine

I was due to have surgery in February this year for a total knee replacement.

Linda asked me what quilt I would like to take to hospital with me.

I had a quilt top made featuring hexagons from the Science Fair pattern waiting to be quilted.

This was my choice and I said to her she could quilt it as she pleased.

I am more than happy with all the lovely soft and creamy feathers that swirl through the hexagon blocks.

You can see images showing even more detail on Linda's blog.

The quilt top was much admired and a great talking point while in hospital and I am now enjoying having it on my bed at home.  CiCi obviously approves as well.

The surgery was a success, thankfully.  It has taken a while to get back to stitching but it is happening.

Welcome to our world

Uncle Rick went to see his new nephew today and so we were lucky enough to get a few more pics. 

This one captures Anna-Clara welcoming Caleb into the family circle - I could not ask for more. 

Valentine's Day Special

My son, Aaron, wrote yesterday to say that their second baby would be delivered by caesarean section on Valentine's Day (London time).

Yes, the first picture came through today of Caleb with a very, very happy father.

This is certainly a never to be forgotten Valentine's Day Special for this family.

I now have the grand sum of three grandchildren - looking forward to seeing more photos.

Apparently a picture is worth more than a thousand words.  No details yet about weight and/or colour of eyes, etc.

Global Santa

It has always been a bit of a mystery how Santa manages to travel the globe and deliver presents to all the children of the world within the space of 24 hours.

This year my son, David, captured an image of Santa at their home in Seattle, WA.

Then, when my son, Aaron and his family got up in London on Christmas morning they found Santa had left goodies at their place as well.

Santa was even clever enough to deliver my two younger sons, James and Rick to me here in New Zealand.

What an amazing Santa we have and how nice it is to have a part in all this goodness.

The gift of flowers

Last week one of our Sweet Pea friends popped in to see us and brought a gift for Christmas.

These lovely gerberas have been placed near our front door to add a touch of colour for visitors.

Last year another of our Sweet Pea ladies gave me these lilies as a gift for my birthday.  They have really come into their own this summer.

This Christmas Lily is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

My sons gave this to me for Christmas when they came to visit in 2007.

It has had a few changes of location but it keeps coming back each year - never fails.









In addition we have been given a number of other plants over the past five years and they have all enhanced our surroundings.  We have been very fortunate to be beneficiaries of the gift of flowers.

Our friend, Bailey

We have a new cat at our place, at least new to us.

Bailey is about two years old and the youngest cat we have had around in a while.

He has been very timid but gradually getting used to life at our place. 

From the photo I think it would have to be said that he must be pretty happy here to be so relaxed.

A pleasing result

Yesterday I put the binding on this quilt and the end result was quite pleasing.

It was July 2013 when I made this quilt top.

It has been maturing like good wine in a cupboard and now it has been transformed by Linda http://razzledazzlequilter.blogspot.co.nz/ into a lovely quilt top.  She also wrote about this quilt on her blog.

One of the good things about the time lapse between completed quilt top and machine quilting is that it feels like you are being reunited with an old friend.

The stars she worked into the border area are so appropriate, and, once again, I felt this was a good opportunity to use Magic Binding.

Our Sweet Pea Group

This week we held our last Sweet Pea meeting for the year.

Linda made a Christmassy centrepiece for our table with chocolates in a crystal bowl surrounded by Dublin Bay roses and angelica.

I made the most of showing off the cake that Debbie made for my birthday (or what was left of it) and managed to get a better photo this time round.

We have had quite a bit of 'secret sister' business going on this year.  We all participated in a row by row project - each making rows for the others in themes and colours of the recipients choosing.  These are just two of the projects that have come together so far.  Haven't even started putting mine together yet.

Much chatter and laughter throughout the morning and a fair share of show and tell.  These two items are what I managed to capture.  Both projects are by Andreena.  The one on the left has an oriental theme and is going to hang in her home.  Andreena loves all things Christmassy and has completed an Advent Calendar in time for this Christmas.

We have had some great meetings this year and look forward to more to come in the New Year.

Ice Cream Swirls

There's more to share about this quilt but I just wanted people to be able to see the lovely quilting Linda has been doing for me.

The feathers and swirls on the white background make me think of lovely creamy ice cream - so beautiful.

Birthday Surprise

It is my birthday today but, as sometimes happens, I was invited to a birthday lunch by our friend, Debbie, yesterday. 

Lunch was lovely, shared with friends, but  the surprise of the day was this lovely birthday cake, made and iced by Debbie. 

My photography does not do it justice but the detail on the cake was pretty amazing right down to threaded needle and thimble. 

The 'relaxed' cat represents my cat CiCi. 

My congratulations to Debbie on a job well done and for contributing to a very special birthday, thank you. 

Napkin ring tutorial

We like to use cloth napkins and napkin rings at our place.

The ones we were using were beginning to look a bit tired and I had it in mind to make some new ones.

They happened this week.

The napkins are easily achievable with a a few small pieces of fabric, some braid, if you wish, and a scrap of batting.

You will need:-

2 pieces of fabric 6 inches x 3 inches
2 pieces of braid each 6 inches long
1 piece of batting - I find cotton batting works best for this project - 5 7/8 inches by 2 7/8 inches
1 piece of matching fabric 2 1/2 inches by 2 inches

Take one of the larger pieces of fabric and mark across the length two times at one inch spacing.

You can use a permanent marker as this will be hidden.

The braid can be pinned along the line if you wish but I found that putting a strip of stick glue along the reverse side of each strip was effective for me.

Place the braid along the marked lines and top stitch either in a matching or contrasting thread.

I knew I was going to stitch the rest of the napkin ring with a variegated thread so I used that for the braid as well.

The smaller piece of fabric (2 1/2 x 2 inches) is needed as a tab to assist with joining the napkin together.

Fold it in half lengthwise and stitch at each end.  1/4 inch seam allowance - lock seams at beginning and end.

Turn out the tab to the right side and press.

Time to layer up all the pieces.

Place the braided piece on top of the batting, right side up.

Place the tab at one end of braided piece raw edge to raw edge.

Lay the last piece on top right side down.

Sew right around through all layers leaving a 2 to 2 1/2 inch gap.

Clip corners and turn to the right side.

Once turned out press.

For texture and firmness I stitched across the length at 1/4 intervals with variegated thread.

Fold and make a ring shape and pin together using the tab to secure.

Hand stitch from the edge of the napkin ring, around the tab and then  to the other end of ring.

After stitching tab in place, turn out and slip stitch along the right side seam line.

Secure thread and your napkin is ready to use.

We have these napkin rings in daily use. You may like to make them for yourself, other members of your family or to give as gifts to friends.

A Special Request - completed.

On the 11th October I wrote about the small beginnings for my quilting challenge.

With the addition of some scrappy 'I Spy' blocks in bright colours the small stars exploded into a large half star.

Children of the world fabric made a surrounding border for the half star.

Not quite finished - the other half of the star needed to be made.

This was the result.

My son had requested two individual quilts that somehow connected together for when the babies involved might be together.

It is my hope that the inclusion of bright and cheery scrappy fabrics together with the conversational 'children of the world' fabric will add interesting elements for the children and their families.

Linda's machine quilting added an extra special touch to this special request.

Time to stop going round and round

Sometimes when I finish making a quilt top I like to look back on my blog to see when I started.

That can be a bit of surprise as it was in this case - I made the first block in May of this year.

Then I took time out to make a baby quilt using the same block pattern.

I like the way you can make the large quilt or by putting a frame around a singular block you can make it into a cot or lap quilt.

I am fascinated by the concept of this block, the way the stars go round in circles.

Very aptly named Round and Round - you can buy the pattern here.

So pleased I finally finished the large top and it will be even nicer to share with you the quilted top, one day.

Lots of 'spaces' here to let Linda loose with her quilter's creativity.

Much to be thankful for

Yesterday afternoon, as I walked to the bottom end of our property to let the hens out for a run, I just had to stop and take in the view.

It was a beautiful spring day, the weather is beginning to warm but it was not too hot.

Lots of fresh blossoms around bringing a smattering of colour to our surroundings.

The peacefulness of the rich blue of the Waikato River, Lake Taupo in the distance on the left and the snow capped mountains on the far right.

When we moved here nearly five years ago, there was four of us and three cats.  Linda and I have since had to say goodbye to two of our much loved family members, Mum and Glynn and everyone's friend, Linda's cat, Kaiser. In spite of the 'cycle of life' playing a big part in our lives, we still have much to be thankful for in what we are able to do, for our family that remains, for our circle of friends and for our wonderful, peaceful surroundings.

What in the world?

Yes, what in the world is going on here?

I had a special request to make two baby quilts.

Between the four parents there's four different nationalities so I was asked to incorporate something that alluded to this in the quilts.


I managed to find a fabric with an overall design representing children from all around the world in national costume.

With a little bit of fussy cutting it has been fun to watch these stars come to fruition surrounded by little children.

Still a work in progress, there is more to report on this before I am done.