Bumble Bees.

 We have had such a lot of rain recently that when the sun does come out I have noticed how busy the Bumblebees are on the Pieris bushes.

 In front of the house on either side of the wide concrete area going up the drive there is a clump of about 10 bushes. It makes a

 

spectacular sight.( and leaves a white carpet below )

 I am holding the branch up so you can see what the bumbles are collecting. The hang upside down if necessary.

There are lots of bumble bees as well as native bees and other small insects. 

Fascinating to watch.

Sashiko Seigaiha

 I have finished my first ever piece of Sashiko. My friend Jan gave it to me for my birthday. She had a trip to Japan earlier this year and got all the ladies in our little sewing group pieces of Sashiko.

 The instructions were in Japanese but it was self explanatory really.The diagrams worked. It was easy.

 I googled the word  seigaiha . It literally means blue sea and waves. It is a traditional Japanee pattern of overlapping  concentric circles to create the appearance of waves.

 I made a cushion cover to put it on . I sewed it on top so if it gets spoiled when in use I can remove it and the cover will be still usable

 Still on a Japanee theme. 3 of our flowering cherries are looking great. The tui,wax eyes and sparrows are enjoying them.

After Frosts some Sunny Days.

So nice to be in the sun in the garden! We are between seasons.

 Late Winter flowers still about 

 are the  Queen Protea and ones that are always out in July like Polyanthus, and Hyacinths. 

 The daphne can be smelt from some distance( with the sun on it.)

 Add to that early daffodils.

 And little pink camelias.

 So today I have enjoyed the sunshine and my garden.

I am Making a Quilt.

 So what you say. Well it's been a while. I used this blog to check when I last made a regular quilt. It was finished in July 2023. Since then I have made several cushion covers; felt balls; wall hangings and a set of table mats ( I have worked in felt a lot.) I have also had cataracts removed from both eyes and can now  see way better. So a regular quilt was well due. Something simple . I looked back through notes I kept and patterns I copied out and kept. I have a lot of fabric still in my stash that needs using.( who hasn't ?)

 My decision made I have made a good start as the weather has been awful....wet....cold ....inside weather. I know. Its Winter. 

Here is one of the finished 12" blocks. A shadow block.

 The pattern I am using was on Studio Dragonfly  in 2015. it was for a mini quilt. I made one practise block in the mini size.The instructions Debora gave were very clear. Other quilters have been commenting ever since, most saying they would like to make her pattern. In 2019 Pam asked if there were instructions for a King size quilt. Debora gave measurements for a 12" block ( if by chance you read this Debora. there is a mistake. The shadow strips need to be only 2.5 by 10 and 2.5 by 8. Luckily I cut one out first so did not waste fabric.)

 So far it is going smoothly. I like what I have done. 

 Yesterday while shopping I purchased a new rotary cutter blade ( $40 ) as mine had a nick in it - very annoying. Oh what a difference a new blade made. Mine must have been quite blunt.

 I also have some knitting on the go( as my thumb that aches allows ) and some Sashiko that friend Jan got for me in Japan. First time I have done that its  quite soothing. 

Some more of My Favourites.

 

 Betty B had chosen wonderful colours and quilted with variegated sparkly thread.

 Sam's was cheerful and very bright. Every block was different.

 Jenny P purchased this pattern in Alaska or Canada.

Helen's big quilt had a wide cream/ off white  surround and will look great on a large bed.

Rain!

 

Yesterday the weather was the opposite to last weekend. (Torrential rain ) It was prize giving after our show at our small club rooms. The winning quilts could not be easily displayed if they were large . Karen L's  totally member made winner seen here at the exhibition. ( then below where it shows how big it was )

Below the winners in the novelty section.

 The 1st and 3rd in the wall hangings . The 2nd was the long one in the previous photo.

The big raffle quilt was won by a lady in Putaruru. and the 3 big basket raffles were won by unknown ( to us ) people, so that's nice .

 I will show a few of my favourites from the show in my next post.

We were SO Lucky with the Weather.

 2 brilliant sunny days for our Exhibition.

 Helpers and the viewing public could  take refreshments outside if they wished. This is the view.

 As well as the many wonderful quilts and wall hangings on display by our members we had asked the Tauranga Floral Art Society if they would add a few of their displays.....they  were so,so clever.

 Queen proteas with "gold Stitched," Magnolia leaves ( enlarge if you can't see them) 

 By Lorraine Ryan 

 and Blanket stitched leaves around  this King protea by Sue Wright

 There  were others as well.

 Finally to make you laugh I took this shot of bottoms and backs.

 It's at the entrance desk and these ladies are all filling in Raffle details.

 I met so many people I knew, some I hadn't seen for a long time , some old members and some bloggers from up North! Raewyn  B it was lovely to meet you in person!

I might show some of my favourite quilts and wall hangings next post.