Thursday, November 17, 2011

Busy Days & Good Friends


I have been so very busy lately, mainly because the heat has set in here, and I am looking after my neighbour's garden as well as my own.  I can tell you it's a big job, and I don't remember when the pump was silent!!  We are fortunate to have the water to use on lawns and plants, so for that I am most grateful.  I hope it lasts, as we've had several days already with the mercury just reaching the 40°C mark.   Apart from that, I've had a few outings with my patchwork friends - the craft market, and our final meeting day for the year.  We had a wonderful day yesterday, lots of members present, lovely luncheon, good cheer, and wonderful sharing of each others' projects.  The collage above was one I thought might be of interest to those who follow my blog.  This William Morris applique quilt was done by our most prolific patchworker, Neitta.  Not only does she put us all to shame with the quantity, the quality of her work is amazing.  Neitta had this quilt professionally quilted by Robyn McHardie [https://secure.widebacks.com.au/].  The intricate quilting has to be seen to be appreciated properly.  It certainly enhances the wonderful applique that Neitta has done.  The quilt is very large.  It was difficult to include it all in one photograph.  Neitta had lots of other quilt tops to show us, so she has been a very busy girl this year.  Sadly, a number of her beautiful quilts [family gifts] were ruined by floodwater, and she has set about replacing them. 

Neitta had also been extremely busy getting things prepared for our craft market.  It was a nice day, with steady sales.  I bought these four rooster potholders [made by Neitta of course!!], for my DIL, as she just loves anything 'chooky'.  They aren't large, but just a good size for each hand [in my opinion]. 

Another article that took my eye was this quite large scrapbook/journal with rather an organic feel.  It had been done by one of our newer members, at a weekend workshop in Brisbane.  The pages are very thick and have a rather rustic feel.  I plan to use this for pasting pictures/drawings of ideas, etc., yet another art/ideas journal.  It appears to have been made using leaves, open seed pods, and lengths of organic matter.  The 'lizard' shape is recessed, and to be honest, I didn't even realize there was a 'shape' there until I took the photograph.

I am currently trying to do a bit of crochet in between my watering duties, but nothing finished of course.  I hope the work of my friends will be of interest.  I am always in awe of the talent we have in our small group, despite our isolation, and difficulties securing goods for most projects.

16 comments:

Stitching Lady said...

What a wonderful work - the quilts of Neitta. I adore people who are doing such meticulous work -and you have another journal - an extraordinary one.

DIAN said...

Linda, it looks like the outing might have been an expensive one. It is lovely though to have items made by friends. As you say the ladies in your group are very talented regardless of the extra challenges involved when you live so far away from shops etc.

The weather has been very hot already up there: do take care.

Dianne said...

Hi Linda, Extraordinary quilt by Neitta and the quilting looks phenomenal. You picked up some lovely items at the craft sale. The journal was a good buy!!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Linda, Neitta's quilt and her quilting is incredibly beautiful. Lovely Lovely work. love the chook pot holders. Your garden watering jobs sounds challenging. Hopefully the heat will improve. Happy crocheting. Hugs Judy

shirley said...

Yes that quilt is amazing, Neitta is a very talented lady. Glad you enjoyed your day Linda, and came home with lovely gifts. That journal looks like a great purchase.

Jensters said...

What a wonderful quilt that Neitta has made....loving that Journal too.

Anonymous said...

Linda, I love the quilt! It is just beautiful. Laurel

Soonymary said...

the quilt is divine Linda. Where I used to live we had a group for art, patchwork and all kinds of craft. That is something I am really missing even though I love our new area and home...but the weather is not so hot here lol!

embracingitall said...

Neitta is quite the talent. And to think she is replacing quilts lost to the floods. She must be very dedicated. The chook pot holders are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the images with us. I love your blog header by the way. It takes me back to my childhood. I spent a large portion of my childhood in the Victorian wheat belt and have fond memories of wondering in field filled with wheat that seemed to reach the horizon. Such a beautiful sight. Jacinta x

Frances Leate said...

Some amazing talent and I just love that quilt by Neitta. You must have had a lot of fun shopping and what wonderful goodies you picked up - a handmade gift is always special. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Neitta does do some beautiful work. Its sad to read that she lost some of it during those horrible floods. Love those pot holders too. Such a talented lady. We have also had some very warm weather. 36oC yesterday was just a little too much. Not a fan of summer LOL. - katherine

Radka said...

40C????? However much I like being warm, that is too much for me!!!!
Beautiful quilts, real treasures.
I can see why you liked the journal, beautiful :) Just your thing!

N. Maria said...

Linda, what a wonderful post about your friend, Neitta. She certainly does seem to be real good friends with applique and quilting. Beautiful work. I am sorry to hear she's had several ruined by floodwater....
That lizard is a well known shape for Arizona and New Mexico!

Karyn said...

How wonderful to see that you have all managed to create such great things in your group with the disadvantages you have of distance.
You are so good to look after your neighbour's garden, it is a big job for you to do.

fabriquefantastique said...

strange that you are hitting 40 ( that IS hot) and we are getting colder...not freezing here yet, but it is in other parts of Canada.

Sandy said...

Too bad I can't send you some of our rain. Thanks for commenting on my blog.