Trans-Tasman Bubbles

Here's my latest finish, Trans-Tasman Bubbles.  

This quilt is all hand pieced and hand quilted by me.  The pattern is by Willyne Hammerstein from her book Millefiori Quilts 4.  In the book it's called "Dancing Cheek to Cheek", but I called my quilt trans-Tasman Bubbles, because the circles keep disappearing and re-emerging as you look at it.  

The trans-Tasman bubble is an agreement between the New Zealand and Australian governments that lets citizens of those countries travel between the two countries without having to stay 14 days in managed isolation/hotel quarantine on arrival.  

However, as soon as there are community cases in either Australia or New Zealand, the trans-Tasman bubble is suspended and people can no longer leave that city and go back to their home.  

That's why I won't be going to the Quilt NSW Sydney Quilt Show this year.  I'd love to go, but I don't want to risk being stuck in Sydney for extra days or weeks.  

But back to the quilt - I started this quilt for three reasons:

1. I'd always wanted to make a Winding Ways type quilt with optical illusions

2. I wanted to try out more of the patterns in Millefiori Quilts 4 because they fascinate me. 

3. Quilt NSW were going to have a special blue and white challenge at the 2021 Sydney Quilt Show and I wanted to enter (it's now deferred until 2022, but I'm ready!).  

I've experimented with the Quick Curve Ruler and sewing curves on my sewing machine, but I decided that it might just be easier for me to hand piece a version of the Winding Ways quilt.

So I bought the hand piecing templates from Paper Pieces in USA.  I always opt for the 1/4" seam allowance because I think 3/8" is too bulky. 

I won't say it was easy to hand piece curves, because it wasn't, but I did get quicker as I went along. My main piece of advice is to mark extra registration points on your templates, and copy them onto the back of the fabric.  I know some of you would like me to make a video of how I hand piece curves, so I'll try and do that soon. 

I entered this quilt into the Great New Zealand Quilt Show in Rotorua in May 2021. It didn't win any prizes, but a number of people told me they loved it, so that was nice.  I love it, and that's what's most important.  And I learnt a new skill making it.  

Size: 43" x 49"

Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  What have you been up to this week? Feel free to share a recent blog post below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pandemic Sampler

My Pandemic Sampler by Long Dog Samplers is coming along nicely. 

This is a BIG sampler.  The pattern is 20 pages! Back when I started in August I was stitching one page a fortnight (two weeks), but I'm now happy with just one page a month.  That allows me to stitch or knit other things too, and gives my hands a break from cross stitching.  

I'm really happy with my fabric and thread choices. So many people in the Facebook group question their choices, and opt to start again with different threads or fabric.  I love the simplicity of plain black on a neutral linen. 

In two weeks time I'm going to a Cross Stitch Retreat in Christchurch.  I'm sure I'll see lots of tempting new designs there.  I don't plan to do anymore large samplers, but I am strangely fascinated by the Hawk Run Hollow designs by Carriage House Samplings (especially Halloween at Hawk Run Hollow), and Harbor Haven by By The Bay Needleart.   I can't really explain my fascination with these designs, but I like the art work and the colours, even though they have no connection to my life in New Zealand. 

But, before Christchurch, I'm going to Rotorua for the Great New Zealand Quilt Show next weekend 14-16 May.  I'll finally be able to show you a full photo of my finished Fireworks quilt - made from Willyne Hammerstein's pattern Ballet with Kaffe Fassett, in Millefiori Quilts Book 2.  

Plus another surprise quilt that I haven't told anyone about. 

Plus my Glitter in Green, and two entries in the Aotearoa Quilters Lime challenge.  

Yes, I will have 5 quilts on display in Rotorua.  So my husband is flying up with me for a long weekend doing touristy things in Rotorua.  I'm looking forward to the gondolas, the boiling mud pools, a bush walk in the Redwoods Forest, etc, etc.  Plus lots of time at the quilt show.  

Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  Feel free to link up a recent blog post below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Travels to Rotorua

Last weekend I went to Rotorua for a work social weekend.  My husband and son came along too, and we had a good time exploring Rotorua.

the museum in Government Gardens

Although I was really there for work, I did make time to visit Cottage Flair, a lovely quilting shop on Fenton Street.  They had a lovely Jen Kingwell cushion pattern made up, and I bought a few fabrics for when I make it myself at home.  I received Jen's book Quilt Lovely for Christmas, so I've already got the pattern.

On Saturday morning everyone split up into groups and went golfing, mountain biking, walking in the Redwoods forest, or exploring the geothermal areas.  We chose to go to Waimangu Valley which includes the beautiful Lake Rotomahana.

Inferno Crater Lake - do NOT enter - boiling hot

steam from boiling water in the cliffs on the side of the lake

native bush - I love the greens

Lake Rotomahana was created when Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886, killing 120 people and burying the pink and white terraces. You can see more about the pink and white terraces here.  They must have been beautiful and it's such a pity that they now lie 60 metres (200 feet) below the lake level.

This volcanic area is still very active today, but there are many monitoring systems in place and the guide assured us they would have two weeks notice if there was to be another eruption. This valley is linked to White Island, and New Zealanders all know it still erupts from time to time.

Mt Tarawera as seen from our boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana

You can read more about Waimangu Valley here - there's a lot to see in the valley, so allow at least 3 hours if you intend to visit. Like most of the geothermal areas, there are admission costs.


In the afternoon we went up in the gondolas because it was such a gorgeous day, and you do get a great view from the top.

the gondolas

The Crankworx mountain bike event was on at the base of the gondola, so it was a very busy day with sightseers, mountain bikers, and people riding the luge.

Somehow Rotorua has acquired the nickname Rotovegas, but it's good to see them embracing it.

All up - it was a lovely break away, even if I did have to work part of the weekend. We're fortunate to live in a beautiful country.