My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Monday, September 28, 2015

Splashes of colour

After my few weeks of non-crafting I feel like I am almost getting back to 'normal' with a few little projects showing a bit of progress.
Love Me Love My Cat received its borders -
- and a good press -
- basting -
- and now the quilting has started :-)
My evenings were a bit slow until I got back into my groove - so I carried on with my (mindless) crochet - using all the scraps of DK wool that I have floating around.
I know it's bordering on being a little gaudy but I decided that this is the look I
was going for...it will be a blanket of Ganma's that the grandies won't forget :-)
But before long I rediscovered my stitching ...
Another block from the Country At Heart alphabet from
Rag-Tag Stitchin' Designs.
 And before you get too excited and think that I must be nearly done, I'm not. I'm stitching them all out of order. I think I'm a little over half way there.
'Z' is in the hoop at the moment.
♥ that wee mouse!
This week I am linking up to SuperMomNoCape - every week there is a link up to share our embroidery projects and usually there is a lovely (free) vintage pattern to download and stitch as well. To celebrate 25 weeks of link ups there is a fabulous giveaway this week, feel free to visit (*here*) and join in too :-)
The weekend was a fabulous affair, with the sun shining and the forecast rain keeping away; a lovely hint of spring, which surely is getting closer and closer.
[If you are a long time reader of this blog you may recognise some of the scenes in the following pictures..... as I'm sure I posted similar ones last year, and maybe the year before that and quite likely even the year before that.... so you will be excused for switching off now :-) ]
Now is the time when the bush at the back of the farm comes alive with splashes of gold. And I always love to make the trek out there and just soak up the loveliness.
The Kowhai trees did not disappoint again this year. They are big old tall trees and I love to look down and see them towering above and within the other old trees.... mostly Totara in this area.
(Click on the photos to get a better look).
In the past the MOML has come out with me, but last year he got a bit naggy, telling me he was slowly dying of boredom as I walked in wonderment amongst the trees. This year I left him behind. I left the quadbike at the top of the hill (he's brave enough to drive down but I'm not!) and even while walking down I could hear heaps of Tui, Kereru and other birds feeding off the nectar. Sadly the birds were too high up to photograph; even when I thought there was one I could snap, the camera didn't like being pointed up at the sky!
 It was a lovely, magical way to spend an afternoon. The area is all fenced off now (we've put in quite a few kms of fences since we've been here) so we are hopeful that some young trees will start growing in the near future.
This week I think I'll be able to grab a bit more sewing time, my social calendar isn't as full, although the MOML has just informed me that tomorrow may be a good day for de-horning the next mob of calves :-)
Hope your week is happy, thank you for visiting,
happy creating,

34 comments:

  1. Lovely Kowhai - so nice to see and hear the Tuis around them. I had hoped my husband would get my nectar feeder built in time for spring for the Tuis in my yard - maybe over summer ....

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  2. lovely cat quilt! such pretty fabrics for the borders.
    1/2 way is good progress on your stitching.
    such pretty blooms on the Kowhai trees.
    Happy crafting.

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  3. your cat hanging is lovely, a real beauty. Good to see you have your stitching mojo back and also the knitting needles have been busty, enjoy spring time, here it is foggy but they say we should get some autumn sunshine later today

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  4. Now that's a date with hubby that you couldn't refuse lol. Beautiful stitching and love the trees.

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  5. I love your quilt. Its beautiful. Your Alphabet blocks are looking great....love that you are enjoying stitching whichever takes your fancy. I really enjoyed looking at your gorgeous views xx

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  6. Very nice quilts up on the top of your post! Love your nature pictures, very different trees and flowers from at my end. AND the pink twins on FB looks wonderful, bet it is such an enjoyment :-)

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  7. beautiful stitching Raewyn, I'm sure you'll do a great job of the quilting...
    And I love those pics from around your property, the colours are amazing

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  8. Your sewing projects are glorious. I love the colorful afghan too. Your trees and wildlife have such wonderful Maori names! The yellow flowers on the trees are spectacular.

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  9. So nice to see your stitchery again. That is something I have really enjoyed on your blog.
    Loved the shots of the bush, and your commentary about the adventure. : )

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  10. Love your red stars and stitcheries! And all your lovely pictures. I find I often appreciate nature much more when I'm alone. The last thing I want is someone who is bored and whiny ruining my experience! Love seeing the pics of your wee ones on FB!!

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  11. your Cat quilt is so cute and pretty! Your pictures are lovely..hugs, Julierose

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  12. The Cat Stitchery is lovely . Look forward to see it fully quilted...
    Lovely bright crocheted rug your are working on.
    The alphabet stitchery are very pretty. How cute is that mouse.....
    Always love to see all your beautiful photos ...

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  13. Love all the little projects--
    I have that ABC stitchery too and it would probably be great if I traced some off--
    do you put anything behind the main fabric that you are stitching-like another piece of cloth, batting, or interfacing??
    have a great day-
    smiles, di

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  14. Spring is always worth taking time to enjoy. :-)

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  15. Sounds lovely to be able to walk through such lovely bush - nothing like the New Zealand bush is thee??
    Love your stitchery quilt Raewyn, especially with the four corner stars.

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  16. Hi Raewyn, loving all your creations = the fabrics & colours in your Cat quilt are especially beautiful. Your kowhais are looking stunning at this time of year too ... I can hear the tuis in my cherry blossoms as I sit typing this to you.

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  17. Fabulous fabrics.....love that gray border.

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  18. Beautiful stitching :) You have wonderful surroundings !! I am visiting your link through stitchery link party .

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  19. Your sticheries look great and I love that blanket.

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  20. Your cat quilt is gorgeous. As usual, your stitcheries are perfection! Love seeing all your projects and the gorgeous countryside!

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  21. Pretty stitching, this is a gorgeous quilt, such striking colours.

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  22. It is so satisfying to baste a quilt. Your Love Me Love My Cat quilt is adorable.

    I love the names of all the birds you mentioned in your post. I'll have to search for some pictures on the internet to see what they look like!

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  23. Who can say no to such beautiful countryside photos? I love them. So peaceful. Nice Quilting on that pretty red quilt.

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  24. What beautiful golden flowers! Thanks for sharing your bit of early fall there. I really like the setting you used on the red and white quilt. Those corner stars were a great idea.

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  25. Beautiful photos, no wonder you went for a wander amongst all that nature. Our little Kowhai flowered this year and it is looking really nice. I planted two Kaka Beak trees which have gone nuts and were smothered in flowers. Hoping to get some of the native birds in my garden that I can hear. PS: nice stitching there.

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  26. Love the cat quilt...what a beautiful place to go and wander in amongst the trees and birds...enjoy while you can...when I was in Tauranga there was a tui coming and going from the neighbour's yard,was lovely to hear it. Thank yiu for sharing the photos.

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  27. Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Your projects are absolutely beautiful. Well done.

    I enjoyed your nature photos, too.

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  28. You live in such a beautiful place Raewyn. And you sure work hard!
    Your stitching looks wonderful, as it always does.
    I love the many colors in the blanket and think it is beautiful!

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  29. What a lovely fabric you chose for that gorgeous cat quilt! And the other stitching is nice, too. Isn't it nice to see the nature refreshing again, I enjoy the changing of the seasons!
    Have a happy week, Cisca

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  30. Lovely quilt and cute stitcheries...it feels good to get back into it again. Your place looks beautiful...have fun!

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  31. Very effective layout for the cat stitcheries. That one is looking great. Lovely work with the crocheting, too. And halfway is a good point to reach with the alphabet stitching.
    It is lovely to see Spring sneaking in around the place.

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  32. I love the embroidery projects you have in progress! The cat one is going to be such fun. And that alphabet is so cute.

    Thanks so much for linking up to last week's Stitchery Link Party, for linking back and for the mention about the giveaway. Aloha hugs!

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