Flying the New Zealand flag in Indiana

I often marvel about this wonderful creative quilting bloggy world I live in. I first 'met' Sharon when we were both doing a 365-day photo-a-day challenge. Then, in  2013, I met her for dinner at the Paducah quilt show. And now, I have spent time with her at her home in Indiana.

Sharon missed out on the Paducah show this year so I went out in sympathy and quilt shop-hopped with her on the first day I was there. We had a great old time, visiting about 6 shops and making a few purchases here and there (what happens in Indiana stays in Indiana, right?!)

Marie Webster's quilts.

Another day we visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art where an exhibition of Marie Webster's work was being held. Fabulous old quilts (Marie Webster lived from 1859 to 1956 and came to be considered 'one of the leading designers in the history of early 20th century quilt making'. See *this* link.)
We had a lovely time studying her quilts, and were amazed, intrigued and inspired by the work that went into them.

Beautiful baskets. Love that handle!

A baby quilt.

We marvelled at the borders/edges -

Well worth the visit!

While we were there we had a look at this fun exhibit - check out the wee figures holding the plate glass up!

These would have been 2-3 inches tall. Amazing!

Side view!!

Another display, another day, was this small one of Italian clothing and linen, made as part of a trousseau during the late 1800s.

Sharon was asked to photograph this collection before the family donated much of it to the museum. Sadly the maker died quite young, which is why the clothing is in such good condition.
The show and tell continued with Sharon pulling out all her quilts and flimsies....that went on deep into the night and was very enjoyable!

Sharon and a couple of her beautiful old quilts.
Hmm, now how to replicate that block....

Indiana is the place where I discovered what fun bird feeders are! Where I live in Northland, New Zealand, our winters are mild and plants keep growing all year round. There is always plenty for the birds to eat so we don't bother to feed them...maybe I'll have to change all that!

 Oh the joy of taking photos through a window at an awkward angle!

I even saw a Chipmunk - very exciting - I'm a cheap tourist to entertain - give me a camera and some critters to watch and I'll be happy!
And last, but not least, more quilty pleasures. Doniene is another bloggy friend I have met and stayed with (2013). Both of us were a little late with our Christmas mailing this year but look what arrived at Nashville for me.....
Not one - but two lovely small quilts :-)

Such a happy quilt, I know I'll find  place for
it somewhere

Beautiful handquilting :-) the first hand quilted piece I own!

Thank you so much Doniene! The other goodies in the parcel were much appreciated too (including the Pecan Praline cookies!!)
And that, my friends, is that! The adventures continue - where will I be popping up next time I wonder?

'till next time,

be creative,

Away and home again

It's hard to believe that this time last week I was in Ipswich, Australia, visiting my son and dil. While New Zealand was having a polar blast with snow and frost in all sorts of places I was in tropical Queensland. By the time I got back to New Zealand temperatures had warmed up here and it was Australia's turn for ice and snow.

My suitcase was jam-packed (and very close to being overweight) with bedding for our new babies which are getting closer and closer and should have a blanket, quilt, sheet or wrap for any occasion.

'A collection of bedding' including .....

...these blankets hand-knitted by the MOML's grandmother for my babies.
These babies would have been her great-great grandchildren!

One day I offered to head up to Toowoomba to pick up the nappies for the babies 
I had a fun outing one day when Michelle of Rag-Tag stitchin' picked me up and took me up to Toowoomba to see the local sights and meet Fiona of BugzRugz. Delicious coffee and great chatting happened, then we met up with Kris of Tag Along Teddies for more coffee, food and chats.

A little bit of shopping made the day complete. Isn't it great meeting friends who you've known forever through blogging? When you meet them in person it can feel so natural and as though you've been friends forever. Thank you ladies for a lovely day.

A few little impulse buys. Not sure why my buying now includes things for
kiddies :-)
The thimble was an extra special find as we saw a Fairy Wren while chatting,
they really are the most sweet looking tiny little birds.

Oh yes, the nappies, isn't it handy that I was able to collect the nappies while I was up there?

On Saturday we drove to Southbank which is in Brisbane, something about my visit being a good excuse to have an outing before the babies come. It was a lovely spot, with a manmade beach and plenty of eateries and things to do. (I just googled and discovered it has 17 hectares of parks - dil wasn't up to walking that much, we were just happy to settle on somewhere nice to eat!)

The view from our lunch table

I imagine this arch will be really beautiful in the years to come as the
Bourganvilia grows even more.

Back yard photo of a Honey Eater, I was particularly pleased with how this
photo turned out!

Me and My Boy.
Some things never change, trying to get a serious photo can be such hard work!!

Some of the blankets I took over were ones that Mum had given me to pass on, mostly things she had used for her grandchildren, which she thought would get more use here or at our son's. One of the treasures I didn't let go was this quilt that Mum made while she was expecting me over half a century ago....

I recognise so many of these fabrics from my childhood - some of Mum's
dresses, shorts for me, clothes for our dolls.
(Cant get a good pic just now as the sun is very glare-y today).

It was made very much in the traditional way of using dressmaking scraps and was stuffed with woollens... I'd love to have a little unpick to see what the woollies were that she used but won't....
I'm thrilled to have this, Mum hasn't made many quilts, her love is embroidery.

By the time I've got to finish writing this, it is no longer 'this time last week' I was in Australia. Since I've got home we've started calving - the reason why I went over before the babies were born rather than waiting - and so our routines have changed yet again.

The day I got home we went out the back and brought the cows home to
the main farm.

And the next day, the calves started arriving. Ahh cute.... :-)
I always love this time of the year, even though I groan as the time approaches
because we get so busy with them!

I'm happy to report that (since my last post) The Palace has stayed nice and tidy,,, hopefully I'll get a chance to settle down for some serious sewing a bit later in the day.

See you next time,

Happy creating,