Progress ...

Don't you just love it when life is just chugging along and then suddenly the gear changes and things go up a notch. That is me at the moment, I have just been cruising along here in Whangarei looking after the house, daughter and cats. Suddenly there is a house to look at in Tauranga and time is of the essence here, but next week is getting kind of busy. I am not sure how I am going to fit everything in, but I will try. 

As I mentioned in the last post I emailed for the corrections for the wonky stars. I have had a reply from Cheryl asking for my mailing address, I have responded to this - so the instructions for the wonky stars should be on their way soon.

In the meantime I have made the alterations to a couple of blocks - it was a colour placement thing - I didn't like the greens or lights right next door to each other.

I am happy with this block now. This is bock one and it is ready for the next step, which will probably be being sandwiched ready for quilting.

The next thing I am going to work on, is getting the applique ready for blanket stitch. I think I will do this by hand. Soccer practice starts tonight for the season and there is going to be two practices per week - a lot of sitting around time for me while I am waiting for our daughter - awesome stitching time.

Will let you know how I am getting on ...

Happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree

House Sampler Update

When I was checking out the website for Country Quilts in Canada, where this quilt originally came from, I saw a corrections tab and clicked on it. There are three corrections for the original pattern of this quilt. What a fantastic idea, having a place where corrections to early patterns can be found. 

Anyway I am deflecting - I found that there is a correction for the wonky stars. I have emailed for the corrections and when I get them, I should be able to remake my wonky stars which is great.

I love the wonky stars idea but I didn't love mine! I am checking out the other corrections and making sure that they are noted on my pattern pieces for future reference.

Here are my wonky stars and if you look closely you can see that they are not true rectangles but are some funny shape!

I need to see if I have some fabrics similar to these so I can make some more wonky stars.

Check back soon to see what I am doing next.

Cheers

Donna-Maree

And the decision is ...

The quilt that I am going to focus on is ... House Sampler BOM Quilt

I was working on this quilt a long time ago. In fact it was the first BOM that I purchased. I saw it at Calico Christmas and instantly fell in love with it. It was on The Quilters Cabin stand and I signed up immediately. The pattern is from Country Quilts in Canada by Cheryl Wall HERE is the link to the website.

Yesterday I had my friend Leeann over and we were talking about it and I grabbed it off the shelf and laid it out on the floor. I knew that I had nearly completed the top but didn't realise how close to finishing it was. Leeann and I discussed what needed to be completed and some changes that I would like made.

Here is the quilt laid out on the floor, and looking at it from this perspective I really like it, up close though the houses are BIG! There is some applique still to be done, although most of the piecing has been done.

Did I mention that I started this a long long time ago. I still like the quilt but now have the confidence to make changes to suit myself. I have done some unpicking of a few things that I want moved around. My wonky stars are looking really sad, they didn't work too well. Trying to figure out what I am going to do to fix them.

Instead of packing it up, I left it on the floor overnight but unfortunately had to pick it up as land agents where coming through the house this morning. 

Leeann and I discussed the quilting of the quilt and I think that I will do QAYG (quilt as you go). Quilting portions of the quilt and then joining them together as a whole. I am feeling motivated to get this completed. I would love to see this quilt on the wall before we move - wouldn't that be amazing!

Which project? ...

Hi everyone,

Since writing the last post I have given considerable thought as to which project I should work on and have chosen two: "Home Coming Lane" and "Christmas Star Chain".

My thinking with this was that I could sort out Home Coming Lane, as there is a lot of applique to do on this quilt and once I have it organised and all cut out and ironed I can have the blocks bagged up and ready to sew when I can.

Just for a reminder here is a photo of Block One that I did when on retreat with my friends (I have done more than this since then, but haven't got it out for a photo).

I decided that before I get this one out and sorted that I would pull Christmas Star Chain out and get my head around what needs to be done on this quilt. This quilt has a bit of a story already and it isn't even finished!

My hubby bought me the kit for this quilt for my 40th birthday (a few years ago). I saw the quilt at the Otamatea Quilt Show that year on The Apple Basket stand and instantly fell in love with it. Being a very new quilter I never gave a thought to the making of the quilt and the skills required, lol.

Christmas Star Chain is a quilt designed by Darlene Zimmerman and Joy Hoffman using the TRI-RECS tools which came with the quilt kit along with the book.

Isn't it just lovely. I started making this quilt when my sewing area was down in the rumpus room probably about 2004 and I got 5 minutes notice one day that hubby was going to tear the ceiling out of the rumpus room. Argh! I didn't have much time to pack up as you can imagine and just gathered everything the best that I could. I have not touched the quilt since. The work on the house grew from replacing the ceiling to full-on renovations that have lasted for quite a few years and we have only just totally finished to put the house on the market for the move, as you do. 

So my thinking was that I would pull this little darling out and work on it while hubby was away and get it completed.

Here is everything laid out on the dining room table as I get my head around what needs to be done and what has been done. But see that little pile on the bottom left: that is 20 RECS triangles and I need 192, but the thing is I am pretty sure that I had cut all that I needed and they were sitting in a meat tray in my sewing room on the shelf where they have been for a long time. But now that I want them - they are not there. I can't find them! I have had a massive clean up for the marketing photos for the house and have a vague recollection of putting them somewhere else BUT I can't remember where. I have looked through just about everything in my sewing room and cannot find them ... anywhere. I have found just about everything else but NOT those triangles.

So I have decided after spending the best part of two days looking and sorting as I go, that I am going to put this away for now as clearly now is not the time to be working on this quilt and hence its story continues.

I just have to decide what to work on instead. I will ponder that today while at the hairdressers. One thing I have realised through this experience is that I work very differently now to how I did all those years ago. I rewrite instructions onto card with symbols that I instantly recognise without having to read through heaps of words. I also organise things differently now as well - this may have something to do with the fact that I have more projects on the go at one time compared to back then. Don't know if this is a good thing or not.

So on that note I will head off and get myself sorted and put these pieces away before hubby returns tonight as it is still all spread out on the dining room table. I will carry on while hoping that the missing pieces will resurface in time.

Cheers for now and happy stitching 

Donna-Maree

Wow .... look what I got .....

Hi everyone,

Last week our stitching group met for the first time this year. There are a few changes taking place as the night we are meeting is changing as well as the week of the month - so instead of meeting at the end of the week at the beginning of the month, we are meeting at the beginning of the week at the end of the month. This will take some getting used to, but I am sure that we will get there.

It was lovely catching up with everyone and hearing what we had all been up to. There was quite a bit of show and tell but I was so blown away that I didn't get any photos. But look at what the girls presented me with ...

Isn't the cover on the book just lovely. I think someone knows that I really, really like blue and look at that fabric - Inthia how did you know? The stitchery is awesome too. I feel very honoured!

This book was created with information and photos of our group over the last 12 years which is how long I have been involved with these lovely ladies. It truly is an amazing record of meals we have shared, projects we have worked on, our history. It is truly a very special gift - one that I will treasure. 

We have been working really hard getting the house ready for the market and we are now there. The house is looking really good thanks to all of the good hard work that hubby has put in over the past few months, years actually. The house has been listed and hubby has gone to Tauranga to start in his new role. Our youngest daughter and I are remaining here at the moment with the cats, and things will be reassessed in due course. 

While I am still here I am attending all of the normal quilty things that I am involved in, which is rather nice and a true gift. I haven't had much time do any stitching in the past few weeks but I am intending to squeeze some stitching in during the next few weeks. I am trying to decide what I want or should work on first. There is definitely enough to choose from.

I found it interesting tidying up the house and sorting through things, especially the places that I found some things. I know that my memory isn't that great but goodness I am pretty sure I never put things where I found them. I also found some items that I had totally forgotten about. I will pull them out and share them with you in future posts.

So on that note, come back soon to see what I decide to stitch first, and what I found in my sorting out. Oh and we should be hearing about our classes for symposium soon - very exciting and I can't wait.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Cheers Donna-Maree

Hello 2013

Hello everyone and hello to 2013. January has been and gone and we are now well into February! How did that happen? 

I was just reading through my last post, which was the end of December and I can't believe what has happened since then.

Kelsey and Jay have returned to Australia and are back into their routines. It was awesome getting to spend some time with them and catching up. I found it a little easier to say goodbye this time although we have no idea yet when we will see them again.

A lot is still up in the air at the moment in regards to our move, which I sometimes find a little unsettling but are coping with most of the time.

We took some time out and went to Oakura Beach on New Years Day as it was hubby's birthday and it was an awesome day.

Here I am having my first cuddle with my great nephew. Isn't he just tiny!

He is such a wee poppet.

In terms of what I have done sewing wise - I have made 3 sets of drapes for our room and completed the drapes for what was our sons room. (He isn't moving with us to Tauranga and moved out a few weekends ago in preparation for our departure.) I might still have drapes for one room to make yet. I have been tidying in my sewing room but haven't quite finished yet.

It has been very hot with temperatures getting very high very early in the day. This doesn't make it easy to get the jobs done for the big move.

I want to get this published, as it has been sitting in the draft folder for too long and I have more things to share with you very soon, promise.

Check back soon - you never know what is going on around here.

Cheers

Donna-Maree

PS: Please feel free to leave a comment, I love hearing from you.

Just a quick update ...

Hi everyone,

I hope that you have all survived Christmas. I find this time between Christmas and New Year an unusual time, a kind of no mans land - where time doesn't seem to belong to either year. 

This year it is even more a little unusual as we are working hard getting the property ready to go on the market. There is a bitter sweet feeling about getting things completed that have been hanging around for a while. It is awesome seeing them finished, but sad in that we know we won't be around long to enjoy them. We are having a quieter day today, as yesterday was sooo hot and unfortunately I have a headache which I can't seem to get rid of - dehydration I am pretty sure.

The tree and decorations have been packed away earlier than usual this year, so that we could get the lounge back to normal ready for house showing. The tree looked particularly pretty this year with the white and gold colour scheme that the girls chose.

Here is a photo of my great-nephew as he was being taken home from the hospital the other day. Although he was born three weeks early, he is doing very well and isn't he just gorgeous. His parents and grandmother are going to visit Whangarei next week and we can't wait to have snuggles with this little guy.

Here is the photo of my mothers house again as I wanted to tell you all how she had done in the competition this year. Mum has decorated her house for Christmas every year since moving to Whangarei five years ago, and this year decided that she would join the official list of properties to visit. As a participant she was invited to attend the official announcement where the winner is announced. It was with much surprise that she learned that she took away third prize! This is no small feat as it takes mum a long time to put up all of the decorations and it is entirely her work and design. Well done Mum!

I haven't done any sewing so far apart from a little bit of hand sewing, however I have not done enough to show you yet. I also need to put some more work into sorting out my sewing area. I will give you an update of everything very soon - both, the organised sewing area and projects on the go.

Until then - happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well here we are ... the presents have been opened ... the Christmas meal has been eaten and we are all blobbing watching a bit of tele ... well some of us anyway.

Our eldest daughter and her partner have been here to share Christmas with us from Perth, WA. It has been lovely sharing the day with them when they have been here, they have been spending time with Jays family as well. We look forward to more quality time with them before they return to Perth.

I hope that Christmas has been good for you - if you have had it yet and for those that are on a different time zone and are still to experience it, enjoy.

We are without some of our expected house guests this year due to the fact that baby Phoenix was born yesterday afternoon. My sister, her son and his partner were due to drive up yesterday but alas yesterday morning saw Kylie in labour, hence they are still all in Auckland. So I am a great-aunt, my nephew and his partner being the new parents. Yes my sister is now a grandma and my mother is a great-grandma! Very exciting. I can't wait for the opportunity to visit and have a cuddle.

And on that note I will retire, this festive season is exhausting.
Catch up soon,
Donna-Maree

Decisions ... Quilt Symposium 2013

A few weeks ago now, I got a text from my good friend Leeann saying that she had just received the 2013 Taupo  Symposium classes book in the post, and asking if I had received mine. Off to the letterbox I went and yes there it was. I had to do some errands in town so I made myself do that before I sat down with a cuppa and ripped the envelope open. A quick scan through was all  I allowed myself as I knew I wouldn't take everything in and would need a more in depth read later with a computer at the ready so I can research at the same time! I did however mark things that I thought I would be interested in.


I have sat down and had a better look through the book, several times actually and the decision process isn't getting any easier.

However, time is marching on and I need to make a decision about what classes, lectures and functions to choose for Quilt Symposium 2013!

Some of my friends and I are renting a house in Taupo for this occasion and we are in for a lot of fun. Tauranga is closer to Taupo than Whangarei is, so I will probably get there first - or I can leave a little later to arrive at the same time as them. However I am getting way, way ahead of myself.

I haven't chosen my classes yet! I have heaps of marks in the book but no decisions made. Several of my friends have chosen and sent them away already and I am still dithering. I promised myself to make some decisions on Sunday night, but alas two nights have passed and things got in the way.

I was just having a quick look online at the classes and I am being attracted to different classes than the ones I originally marked in my book. How am I supposed to make a decision?

I am going to think some more on this .... get back to you soon.
Donna-Maree

The days are flicking past ...

Things have definitely been moving along with lightening speed.
We have had most of the Christmas related social events now, which have been very enjoyable and a little bitter sweet knowing that we wont be here next year.

We are now on the slippery slope to Christmas. This weekend sees our eldest daughter and partner arriving from Perth for three weeks. It will be awesome having them in the same country, even if it is for a few weeks and that we have to share them with Jay's family and their joint friends.

My mum really gets into Christmas and decorates her house with a fantastic lighting display. I admire her efforts especially as it takes her quite a while to get everything set up. I also know that this year she put things up only to take them down several days later and change her grand design and redo it all. This is the first year that she has entered the local light competition - the results aren't known yet. However I do know that there are many, many cars that stop at her place to admire the lights.

Last week we made a very quick trip down to Tauranga to look at possible high schools for our youngest daughter. I managed to take these photos through the gorge coming home. I have never taken photos from a moving vehicle before and was impressed with how well they came out.

We stopped at Paeroa on our way home for a pit stop and I took advantage of the opportunity to stretch my legs and have a look around. Everyone in New Zealand should recognise this photo.

What I didn't know was some of the history - I thought these were an interesting way of displaying that.

Each one of these round things had the information on the top.

I thought this rubbish bin looking like a lemon was cool!

We took presents down for the family when we went down to Tauranga as we are having Christmas here this year, it will be our last Christmas here before all of the changes next year. This way Kelsey and Jay can share Christmas Day with both families. Back to the presents - I created photo collage canvases for gifts and hope that the special people they are for enjoy them. I really enjoy making these and experience a trip down memory lane each time I create one. There are no photos as I forgot to take them before they were wrapped up and delivered.

We stopped here for a break on the way down. Awesome food and they even have wifi!

Anyway, this is all for now, although I know that I have enough to tell for another post - so check back soon.

Until then - happy stitching everyone!

Donna-Maree

Moving on ...

After moving to Whangarei nearly twelve years ago which we thought was going to be forever, we are on the move - well three of us are anyway. We are off to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty in January 2013.

I am really going to miss my kitchen garden until we can get a new property and another one up and running.

I am going to really miss this view and having my morning cuppa looking out over the Whangarei Harbour.

Okay that is all for now, I will keep you posted with what is happening. I just wanted to post this for now.

Until then, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Pah Homestead

While at the retreat in Auckland at the weekend we walked through the park over to Pah Homestead in Hillsborough. What an amazing place, the building is gorgeous and would have been absolutely amazing when it was a residence. It now houses an art gallery and cafe and while they were enjoyable I couldn't get over the sheer size and grandeur of the place.

 The fireplaces were amazing, including the hearths.

This staircase blew me away.

The side view and very impressive.

This is the floor in the entrance - some quilt ideas here for sure.

The entrance.

The whole front.

The side.

The floor in the main hallway - this is timber!

This side view shows the sheer scale of this building.

There were heaps of people enjoying the Sunday sunshine at the cafe.

This is definitely a place that I will revisit in the future - if you ever get the chance I recommend you take a look for yourself.

Retreat ...

Wow ... what a fantastic weekend with some special friends. I took off on Friday afternoon to Auckland to meet up with a bunch of girls for a quilting weekend and boy did we have some fun.

In March of this year some of us attended a retreat at the St Francis Retreat Centre and we loved it so much that we booked this last weekend so we could repeat the experience. It is so quiet and there is a feeling of peace and tranquility at the centre, the food is exceptional and everyone has their own room, you can check it out HERE. 

I worked on a quilt as you go quilt project that I am making through The Apple Basket at Kaiwaka. (You can check Apple Basket out here).

Here is one of the four blocks that I made with this block design.

Here is one of four blocks I made with this block design.

I was able to attend a Monday class today at The Apple Basket with Ngaire and Teagan where I learnt to join the above two blocks together, very impressive. I spent a lovely day there working on my project and I also have to say that Teagans Chocolate Biscuits are to die for! Thank you so much Teagan for making them for us.

I am really looking forward to getting this quilt together. There is probably a little more planning earlier on than I am used to, however once you have the individual blocks sorted it comes together quite quickly.

That is it for now so until next time - happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Where is November going...

November is racing along ... 
Our eldest daughter has returned to Perth following visiting New Zealand for her week here so she could attend a friends wedding. It was just lovely seeing her and being able to have conversations as a part of daily life, even if it was short lived. Don't get me wrong Skype is fantastic and it is awesome having that option but it isn't quite the same. The best part was having her totally to myself as we drove to Auckland for her to catch her plane. Although the saying goodbye bit wasn't easy.  Her and her partner are coming home for Christmas this year and the countdown has started until they arrive.

Auckland on our way to the Airport.

Driving through town yesterday, the scent from the summer flowering plants was just awesome. The port wine magnolias have flowered here at home scenting the air with bubblegum like smells. I noticed returning from town last weekend that some of the pohutukawa trees have started to flower - a sure sign that summer is nearly here. The temperatures haven't been that high yet, we have had a bit if a slow start to the season. The vegetable seedlings in the kitchen garden are growing well though so clearly there is enough heat for them.

Some of the roses at our place.

I am currently supervising NCEA exams at a local high school and it blows me away seeing how much potential is sitting in one room. This is the fourth year that I have done this and so I have seen these girls sit through all levels of their exams. Knowing that they are about to embark on the rest of their lives and their journeys are about to change direction is exciting. I wonder how many will reach their full potential and how many will be involved with making decisions not only for themselves but the future of our country.

That is all for now, until next time. Happy stitching everyone.
Donna-Maree

Stitching update

I thought that I would give you a stitching update as I have been chipping away at things.

I gave up on the idea of doing a little sewing and tidying the sewing room at the same time and spent a big chunk of time at the weekend moving and reorganising the sewing room. It is not completed but you can definitely see where I have been and it already feels like a more positive and motivating space. I don't have much of a stash at the moment, but I did take time to fold my yardage to fit the shelf in my cupboard based on the idea by Bonnie Hunter, check it out HERE.

Here is my first complete stitchery. I just need to make it into something now. I keep changing my mind about what to use it for - a cushion or put it in a bag. That might need some more thought.

The first house block completed for Home Coming Lane.

I have my stitching group this week, a trip planned to an exhibition on Friday and club day on Saturday. So come back soon to hear all about them. Until then happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Fireworks!

The end of October or beginning of November always brings Guy Fawkes and the fireworks display. We don't always go to the public display, but we decided to this year. It was held last Saturday at the rugby stadium and it was great. There was a great crowd with people picnicking with their friends and family, bouncy castles and some good entertainment. We got to see some local talent with the dance troupes and the band playing was great too.

The stage where the band was.

The fireworks went for 21 minutes, yes 21! They were spectacular and well worth the money that we spent to attend. There is no way we would have had as much enjoyment if we had purchased and let off our own fireworks. The extra plus is that profits go to local charity, a win win all round I think.