I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are now are now looking forward to New Year's Day. I'm staying with my mum and dad in Auckland at the moment. It was lovely to surprise mum with the latest issue of New Zealand Quilter magazine.
Both of our la passacaglia quilts are shown and there's a little article about the quilts. Mum was very surprised to see her quilt there when she turned the page. It seemed a lovely way to end 2016 for us both. We're both very pleased we made our quilts, but they were a lot of work and required dedication to get them finished. Now we can both move onto other exciting things.
A few days before Christmas I saw some beautiful knitted Christmas Balls on Instagram. I discovered the patterns were by Arne & Carlos - Norwegian guys who design fun knitting patterns. Naturally I had to give it a go, so I rushed out and got their book from the library and a set of 5 knitting needles. I've never kitted socks, so this was always going to be an adventure for me.
I used scrap wool for my first attempt while I struggled to keep the knitting on the 4 needles. It turned out a bit too big for mum's little tree.
I've never been one to give up easily, so I found their pattern for mini Christmas balls online. This one is smaller but still a bit chunky because I bought 4mm needles and had to use 8 ply wool. At least I've mastered the technique and could make more for next Christmas with 3mm needles.
I gave mum this Stars Upon Stars pattern by Laundry Basket Quilts for Christmas. We've been making a test block out of these fabrics, and learning as we go. I'm not sure which fabrics mum will use in her blocks yet.
On Thursday I went shopping with some friends and came home with this lovely selection of fabrics. I'm naturally drawn to the blues and greens. I purposely chose fabrics that I hadn't seen in my local Wellington shops.
Finally, as it's summer here in New Zealand, here are some photos from my mum's garden. Happy New Year everyone and best wishes for 2017.
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| Lilium Regale - known as New Zealand Christmas lily. |
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| Dahlia - Tsuki Yori No Sisha - Messengers from the Moon |
hello to your mum and so nice that you both got your quilts in the magazine that is a tremendous honor. I love both of your quilts. Your flowers are all so pretty. One day I hope to learn the knitting and must take some classes - I will try watching one on my Ipad while I wait on airplanes later this month going to help my sister in recovery from her surgery.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Love the coverage in the magazine. Looking forward to seeing your 2017 projects.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you can share stitching with your Mum Wendy....Happy 2017 x
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family Wendy.
ReplyDeleteEven on holiday you don't relax! looking forward to see what wonderful colourful creations you craft next year.
Its lovely that you can share quilting with your mum - congrats on being in the magazine! love the pics of your flowers.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful New Year Wendy. What fun to surprise your mom with that article.fun to surprise your mom. I'm surorised that your moms dahlias are so spectacular so early in the season. I've never grown them but always think of them as late summer flowers.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to both of you and your families in 2017!
so good to be able to spend time with your parents hopefully seeing the new year in with them too.
ReplyDeleteMagazine pictures look so good.
The quilt pattern looks challenging but with both yours and Mum`s skills no doubt it will be a doddle.
Happy new year to you all
Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing what you make with those yummy fabrics :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! It is lovely to see your mum and what you are both looking at creating in 2017! Your garden is beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy! Can you tell me who manufactures the multi-color stripe and the name of the collection in the left side stack of fabrics you purchased in Auckland while at your Mum's? I love your blog and wish you lots of creative time in 2017! Your sense of color and balance are equally matched with your expert skills!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and your mom! What an honor, but well-deserved, as your quilts are both beautiful. Thank you for sharing the beautiful flower pics as well. I think I need a trip to New Zealand during a US winter!
ReplyDeleteCarole S
What a wonderful Christmas with your mom. It's wonderful that you both completed your quilts and had them in the same magazine. I followed your progress over the several years and am amazed at your stamina. Love the knitted ornaments and that fabric is very delicious. I look forward to seeing new things this year. Those "Stars Upon Stars" look quite challenging!
ReplyDeleteHow very exciting to see your quilts in the NZQuilter and to see the success they have had :-) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time with your Mum Wendy. I just cleared my mailbox yesterday, and I see my magazine in the pile, so must get on and read it. Congratulations on being featured. I bet I know where you went shopping?? ATP 10 minutes from where I live!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Both quilts are worthy of their place in the magazine! Lovely fabrics for your next challenge! Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, I am a recent addition to quilting (4 years) and love making and creating quilt tops. Last year I tried to hand quilt for the first time. I watched many (MANY) tutorials, purchased the suggested requirements, a large wooden hoop, specific needles, perle cotton... and try and try I could not master it. My New Years resolution is to get a lesson(s) in hand quilting and was wondering if you could (would) teach me? Do you do lessons?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your reply.
Anna - cleverwoppet
Hi Anna - I don't give lessons myself, but is there no quilt shop or quilting guild near you who could help? Where do you live? I really recommend this video and have used it many times myself https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8DXN5Ger_jo
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps you too.