The lazy days of summer continue for us...with family staying, still on their summer holiday, and more due to arrive for the weekend tonight...we've been having a lovely time lately :-)
On the crafting front I managed some serious sewing last week and finally got my
Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt top together
The Indigo row was my stumbling block last time I wrote about this project.. I finished up using an assortment of grey/black/deep purple, which gave the right effect.
Now I need to decide if I'm bordering it or not... and if so WHAT WITH!!
 |
| This photo shows it on our (king sized) bed - it's a decent sized quilt! |
 |
| Emma took the opportunity to bomb my photo for me! |
I've linked up to soscrappy ScrapHappy Saturday - click *
here* to see what others are up to with their scraps - thanks Angela!
While Mum was staying I asked her to help get me started on my treadle machine...her parents didn't get power until she left home (the mid-1950s!) so all her early days of sewing were with a treadle. We had previously oiled her and replaced the leather belt but I hadn't threaded her up and attempted actual stitches.
 |
| Test drive, Mum showing me how. |
 |
My first Pedal Powered block!
Lovely face plate isn't it? |
 |
| But faded decals. |
My research tells me that my machine is 1910-1911 'Red-Eye'... as you can see time hasn't been kind to her and her decals are hard to see... however I like to think about what a good life she's had and the stitches she must have sewn over her time... and I get a thrill treadling away on a machine that is twice my age!
 |
| Playing! |
I've decided to call her Nellie, after Nana (Mum's Mum) as she truely was my crafting inspiration. And born in 1916, close enough to my machine's age!
I've started off the new year with no resolutions or amazing insights, just a determination that this year will be one where I play, explore, create and finish in My Palace. When this stitchery fell off my design wall the other day, I decided that it will be my ufo finish for the month.
Red Letter quilts is starting up a monthly linky to help motivate us with our goals so I'm going to link up there...
...hopefully with just a few borders needed this piece will be finished in no time!
..and that being the case, why has it sat awaiting attention for so long :-)
The MOML and I had an opportunity to take a couple of days off recently, with ED and our future son-in-law offering to milk and look after the farm for us. Woohoo!! I get to go away from time to time but poor old hubby doesn't very often.
We headed up north to the Bay of Islands for a bit of chillaxing. Had a lovely time.
 |
| The view from the balcony where we stayed. |
 |
| Day trip over to Russel, which is the island looking place you see in the top photo. |
While we were away, the kids (and friends) did some 4 wheel driving up the tracks in the hills/bush at the back of our farm. These photos appeared on facebook last night.
 |
Looking down on our farm.
Sure looks like summertime! |
 |
| Trail blazing! |
Oh and to follow up on my
last post, I did an informal family survey and Nana made at least 19 pigs! Not a bad effort!
Must be off, Happy New Year to you all.
Hope you have a happy and creative day,
The Indigo row was my stumbling block last time I wrote about this project.. I finished up using an assortment of grey/black/deep purple, which gave the right effect.
Now I need to decide if I'm bordering it or not... and if so WHAT WITH!!
Red Letter quilts is starting up a monthly linky to help motivate us with our goals so I'm going to link up there...
your property looks so lovely - what a wonderful shot from up high. In fact all of your photos look so pretty and you are so lucky to have that treadle machine and someone to show you how to use it. Sounds like you have been having a wonderful summer - here winter is just starting and I long for spring already! :)
ReplyDeleteI get so much enjoyment reading your posts. Your quilt is stupendous . . . I would have had a problem with the dog walking on something that I put so very many hours into. Your old sewing machine reminds me of a well loved teddy bear. The fact that the decals are rubbed off and there are many signs of age, just means that she was used and loved and wasn't one of those poor old machines that never got used and only got dusted off when company was coming.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I love reading your posts Raewyn. Your blog is top notch!
Connie :)
Wonderful quilt Raewyn, looks super on the bed. Your days away look to have been relaxing - just what we all need!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quitl Raewyn...so good you got it all together. Great to be using your lovely singer machine. ...the view over your farm is wonderful and how nice to go to the Bay of Islands!!! Beautiful view from the balcony!! So good for you and your hubby to get a break together, not easy with cows to milk!!
ReplyDeleteYour rainbow top looks amazing, so fresh and pretty.
ReplyDeleteLovely to get a lesson from your mum on your treadle.
Lovely get away location and beautiful view of your farm, still looks lovely and green,
. We had a drive in the country the other day it was all so dry and yellow. That's the Australian summer for you.
Gorgeous rainbow quilt Raewyn. Glad you got a breather and in such a gorgeous spot. Love the photo of your farm....I can visualise where you are now. What a treasure is your old treadle and how cool to have actually sewn a block on her. Well done xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn what a lovely post, my first sewing machine was a treed le when I was about 13 years old,lol,I had so much fun on it,wow 19 pigs that a great total so glad you and hubby got to have a break away from the farm xx
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks fantastic, Raewyn. How lovely to use your treadle machine and make a block.
ReplyDeleteNellie is precious!! Such a sweet stitchery you have chosen for your January goal. Thank you for linking up! If you finish a bit early, I'll bet Fiona (Celtic Stitches) would love to have you link up with Ho Ho Ho and on We Sew!
ReplyDeleteI look fwd to seeing what you decide on for your rainbow quilt!
Happy New Year! Your Rainbow Star flimsy is awesome, kinda soothing somehow? Congrats on sewing on your old treadle, I'm am not very coordinated so I don't do well on those machines! Sounds like you are off to a good start for the year.
ReplyDeleteI love your scrappy quilt, and I'm not sure it needs borders. How lucky you are to have that sewing machine! I've never treadled, but I think I would love to have a machine and learn. Have fun with Nellie!
ReplyDeletelove your rainbow quilt.....want to make one.........
ReplyDeletegoodluck with the old machine.........I need to get mine going..........
I'm not sure I would add a border to the "rainbow" quilt.....it seems to be finished to me. Gorgeous landscape photos!!!!! Totally like the perfect "postcard" place.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your RSC quilt!!!! Your treadle looks great and it will make for some really fun sewing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous rainbow quilt Raewyn, love the photo bomber !!!! I have two old treadles so you have inspired me to get one up & running. My aunt made lots of wedding gowns on her old treadle ... some beautiful stitching. Two of her gowns won awards. Heres to a creative year Raewyn
ReplyDeleteYour Rainbow quilt looks fantastic and I don't think it needs a border...
ReplyDeleteNice to have family and friends visit and also that hubby and you had a lovely break.
How lucky to have Nellie to play with. Enjoy.
Your property is looking beautiful at this time of year.
WOW 19 pigs, wonder how many you will knit?
Wonderful post, my dear! Just love that rainbow quilt. You did an excellent job putting that together.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have a treadle--and how fun is that to have your Mum teach you to use it. Sounds like she was a pioneer, living all that time off the grid.
I named my featherweight Nellie because I thought she was such a workhorse. You have a better reason for choosing the name.
Very, very cute stitchery. Nice to work up a finish that was almost there. : )
you quilt looks stunning.
ReplyDeleteEnvious re the treadle, Granny had one and I remember Dad making ail for his boat on it, do not know what happened to it wish they had given it to me.
good to see the photo of your farm now I will be able picture things better when you tell us about life there. Lovely views from your hotel good that you were able to get a short break not long now till February when you will see the twins.
I remember learning to sew at school on the dear old treadle sewing machines. There were electric modern ones but I preferred the treadles. The bay of islands is so beautiful, and so is your farm.
ReplyDeleteYour rainbow scrap challenge quilt is fabulous. I love the color progression. You must have prep landed this somewhat. It is going to be well worth all the effort. Yea for your new treadle machine. I was tempted by one for a few moments but decided the 6 machines I have are enough. Love your little stitchery. Hope to see it finished at the end of the month. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI love how your rainbow quilt came out-you really did a wonderful job of doing the blocks and what fun to have mom stay a few days--
ReplyDeletelove, di
Raewyn your Scrap Challenge Quilt is awesome. I think it just needs to be bound. Glad you were able to have a break away and some nice weather to enjoy it. I've also jumped into OMG to motivate me to actually finish my projects.
ReplyDeletestunning quilt top.... I can never make scraps look coordinated. your rainbow stars are just lovely.... there seems to be a few one a month uFO challenges on the go and I will join one too... lovely to get away and I am very jealous about the working treadle machine.... escuse me I have turned green
ReplyDeleteHugz
The blocks do look great together in the quilt. Lovely work. Border choices - good luck. It looks great as it is. If you put on a border what colour would you go with?
ReplyDeleteLovely seeing the old treadle in use. They just keep on going forever.
Enjoy your lovely break.
great RBSC finish. Your embroidery piece is so sweet. One finish a month sounds doable and great goal.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a treadle machine - have fun.
what a pretty view!
Happy new Year
I love your rainbow quilt!! Congratulations - it must take quite a lot of focus to get the colours to flow so beautifully and smoothly across the top! You are living in a lovely part of the world - never tire of photos like that! Have fun with Nellie :)
ReplyDeleteThat stitchery is still on my to-do list, but you're going to finish it this month. How lovely all your projects are.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog post, so many lovely photos. Love your finished RSC quilt top.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish! Your blocks came together perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI love your RSC quilt- mine is still on the to-do list, but I'm getting there....
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your finished top - I have just finished mine too. I used to have my Nan's old treadle but I gave it away before I got the quilting bug! your photos are gorgeous
ReplyDeleteYour rainbow quilt is lovely. Your home looks very peaceful. Very pretty place.
ReplyDeleteYour rainbow quilt is lovely! So nice that you have your Mom to teach you how to use the treadle.
ReplyDeleteYour property is gorgeous - lucky you!
Congrats on the rainbow finish...it's wonderful, as is that lovely old treadle! :)
ReplyDeleteYour 2015 rainbow flimsy looks gorgeous. And what lovely vacation photos!
ReplyDeleteHow you picked your monthly goal sure cracked me up Raewyn. :)
ReplyDeleteYour farm is such a slice of paradise that it must always be a joy to come to it... even from a vacation that looks like it was paradise too.
Love your old Red Eye and it is all the more special because you named it Nellie and had your Mum teach you how to use it!
Raewyn, the scrappy rainbow is just gorgeous! Your substitutions for indigo worked beautifully!
Beautiful post Raewyn! Love your Rainbow Quilt and it's a whoppa too. Impressive. I'm very envious of your Nellie. I'd love an old treadle machine. I remember sewing on one my Gran had. Gives the legs a good workout too.... not that you need that! :o) Gorgeous little stitchery that fell off your wall. Looking forward to seeing it finished very soon. Still trying to get over those lovely views of your holiday and farm. You live in a very beautiful country.... enjoy it. Hugs....xxx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant quilt top. I love the rainbowcolors and white stitched together in this way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful rainbow quilt top. Beautiful VIEW! Thank you for sharing pictures.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Rainbow!
ReplyDelete