It's wattle time again!

Once more our wattle is blooming in all its golden gorgeousness.  This is our view from just outside our kitchen window, on a cloudy grey day......

.....and from outside.  The bush is getting so big that's it's difficult to fit in one photo, and it has grown into a beautiful shrub.  Isn't it a glorious shade of yellow?

Many Aussie native plants aren't long-lived, so we enjoy them while we can.  I have had large healthy plants suddenly keel over and depart this earth forever - especially grevilleas; much as I like them, they can be so finicky that I have given up on them.  We know that our lovely wattle may one day suffer the same fate, but until it does we will enjoy its annual display and try not to trip on those low branches when we go outside.

Bees like it, too.  The world needs more bees, so any plant that they like is a good thing to have.

We are noticing more signs that winter's days are on the way out, even though it will be a while before we can say "yippee - it's spring!"  Magnolia and blossom trees are blooming, and some bulbs are popping up although I haven't seen daffodils anywhere.

How has everyone's week been?  Mine has seen some time spent in the sewing room; a couple of blocks made for members of my quilt group's monthly BOM were made now that I am able to use a rotary cutter again, and some of the third border on the autumn leaf was made.  Before we went off on our holiday back in March I had cut a good supply of diamonds as a take-along project; some were made while we were away, and since being able to sew again more have been assembled.....so much so, that the supply of cut diamonds was diminishing at an ever-increasing rate, so more needed to be cut.  That is being attended to, each day I try to cut enough to make two, three-diamond hexagons - so, two light, two dark, and two somewhere in between.  That's enough for my hand; no matter what I do it usually complains after a short while anyway, so frequent breaks are the way to go.

While tootling around on the internet (as one does) I came across another tutorial for the twisted column quilt, this time as a runner called 'Ribbon pole quilt'.  Check out this bloke's videos - he has some fun projects; the tool pouch is a good idea, and I really like his 'Fields from above' quilt.  

Words have been read.  Songs have been sung, and notes have been plinked.  Our challenging friend wasn't at U3A on Thursday so we had to manage without her, and manage we did.  Jolly good for us.  The usual hunting and gathering to round out the week and stave off hunger, and that was our week.

We have had more rain this week, something we probably didn't need....the ground is already saturated from the last lot.....but with every drop that falls we remember the bad drought of just a few short years ago, and we don't complain about rain.

Another anniversary coming up in the week ahead.  On Tuesday it will be 25 years since my mother died, a whole quarter of a century ago.  We didn't have a close relationship; during my childhood she was emotionally and physically abusive and I was glad to move out when I married, even though it was to the wrong bloke for the wrong reasons. 

Ah well.  

Continuing on with Conduct in an artist's studio:

"Use no strong expression either of delight or disapprobation at anything presented for your inspection.  If a picture or a statue please you, show your approval and appreciation by close attention, and a few quiet, well-chosen words, rather than by extravagant praise."

That seems like a good idea.  Extravagant and fulsome praise can, and indeed probably is, insincere.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Twenty-five years of a wonderful relationship

The other day it occurred to me that the anniversary of the day that My Lovely New Bernina came to live with me could be approaching; I remembered that it was bought in August 1999, but not the date.....so I checked on the original receipt, and it was 5th August.  Last Monday was the day, and it has been a beautiful friendship.  Here it is, hard at work on a quilt which, like many others, was pieced and quilted on it.

Back in 19-umpty-um when I was 18 and first starting to sew, I bought a machine from a co-worker.  It didn't have a free arm, but I learned quite a lot on it and even made the dress I wore to my first wedding, allover lace with a long train, made from a Vogue pattern.  (Nothing like being ambitious, is there.)  Five years later it was time for a better machine, so off I trotted to the Singer shop where I bought a Singer 726.  It had more stitches, did better buttonholes - and wonder of wonders, it had a free arm.  I wouldn't like to add up how many seams were sewn on it, but there were a lot.....clothes for me, for our two boys, even for Kevin, and my first foray into patchwork.  Probably enough seams to stretch from here to the moon several times over.  As time went on the old Singer was beginning to chug a bit, and I thought perhaps its time had come....but no, it still sewed happily.  When I started out most home sewing was done on woven fabrics; stretch fabrics came along later, and it didn't like handling some of those fabrics.  That's all right, I thought to myself, I'll buy an overlocker (serger) to do what the Singer can't manage.  However, one day I had a talk with myself and a talk with Kevin and after 29 years with the Singer decided to go for a new - brand new! - machine; after some shopping around I settled on a Bernina Virtuosa 160.  

We still have fun together, and it is still called - and indeed will always be called - My Lovely New Bernina.

Some work was done on a side border for Autumn Rhapsody.  It is chugging along nicely.  My original plan was to make extra HSTs and make it square following the original rectangular design (if you can follow that), those extras would be added to both sides.  After thinking it over and realising it would have made a larger quilt than was wanted or needed that idea was shelved; it will be square, but not enormously so.  That now means there are 78 leftover HSTs.  Seventy-eight!  That's enough to start another quilt!!

On our 2018 autumn trip to Canada our DIL and I attended a quilt show - our third time seeing that show, it was always held when we visited, which was jolly nice of them - and this was one of the raffle quilts hanging in the foyer.

Love the twisted column design!  This pic was taken, and the idea filed away in the back of my brain for some time in the possible future.  It's even easier than I thought, here's a tutorial.  Wouldn't those HSTs make a good start......more would need to be made, but it's not as though I lack fabric to do so......it could be called Autumn Twist, couldn't it....wheels in my brain are turning......

How has everyone's week been?  We had some excitement during the week; last weekend's promised rain came, and came, and came some more....the main highway around town was flooded and closed for a while, thereby causing a certain amount of traffic chaos.  One foolish bloke drove onto a flooded road and had to be rescued by emergency services, getting his few minutes of fame and fortune on the news that night and being the subject of some derision on social media in the process.  That road, which runs beside and over a small creek, is fairly low and it floods whenever the rain gods so much as sneeze.  Locals know to keep off it during times of heavy rain and this bloke found out the hard way that driving onto a flooded road early in the morning, while it's still too dark to see how deep and how fast the water is flowing, is not a good idea. 

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn by hand, and by machine.  (On My Lovely New Bernina, of course.)  Songs were sung, and notes were plinked.  Our strumming 'friend' was there but was quiet, for which I was thankful.  On Tuesday Emma physio was pleased with my progress, and best of all - yesterday I used my rotary cutter!  Yay for me!  It was a bit difficult at first then I had a brainwave and put in a new blade, and it was like cutting through butter, even with a hand that isn't yet working to its full strength.

It's possible that my hand and wrist may never be the same as before the break.  I have to accept that.  Given my age - I'm no longer young - and the severity of the injury it may be something I have to face, so long as I can do what I want and/or need to do without too much difficulty or pain. 

"Conduct in an artist's studio.

If you have occasion to visit an artist's studio, by no means meddle with anything in the room.  Reverse no picture which stands or hangs with face to the wall; open no portfolio without permission, and do not alter by a single touch any lay-figure or its drapery, piece of furniture or article of vertu posed as a model.  You do not know with what care the artist may have arranged these things, nor what trouble the disarrangement may cost him."

Indeed.  I would have added, "or her", as not all artists are men, are they?  We are all artists, every time we set foot in our sewing room or studio.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Decisions have been made

Yes indeedy.....the side borders for Autumn Rhapsody have now been laid out on the design bed, next step is to sew them together.  The fabrics are spread so that the same fabric doesn't touch itself, otherwise all the placement is completely random.  I like random.  Some folks have problems with random, but random is fun.

This is halfway along one side, one of the remaining leaf blocks surrounded by half square triangles ready to be sewn......

......and this is one corner.  You can see how the design wraps around.

This corner wrap is why I don't care for the original rectangle design.  The layout is a square medallion-style, then a couple of rows were added to top and bottom making the design (in my eyes, at least) unbalanced and clumsy.....so, mine will be square.

This is another of my autumn projects, a table runner made from fabrics purchased in Canada.  Some were fabrics used in a challenge by Rose Marie's group, and I liked them so much that I bought more of the range - and now those are in my autumn quilt, and can be seen in the pics above.

The background and backing for the runner are a pale creamy leaf print bought here after arriving home and it, too, is used in the autumn quilt.  I don't know how many background fabrics are in that quilt, but the variety of colours and prints gives more texture than using the same fabric throughout would have done.

How has everyone been this week?  My hand and fingers are slowly progressing although still swollen and sore, but on waking the past couple of mornings my fingers weren't as painful and stiff as they have been.  While it's warm in bed, the many hours of inaction mean my fingers are tender by morning and need some wiggling and wriggling to get them working again.  Every little step of progress is worthwhile, and I am expecting a good report from Emma physio on Tuesday.

Words have been read.  No seams were sewn by machine but some hand sewing was done.  Notes were plinked without too much discomfort, always a good thing.  We hunted and gathered enough to keep the wolf from the door, my monthly volunteer shift at a gallery was on Tuesday, the quarterly medical check-up was on Friday, and that was the week.

Mrs "what strumming pattern should we play" didn't come to Thursday uke, something for which I was thankful.  (I shouldn't say that, should I.....but I was)  We had a small group for the first day back and I was able to spend time afterward with one player who is getting more experienced on ukulele.  I gave her a few tips about which fingers to use for which chords, and a few other pointers; she later sent an email saying how grateful she was, and how much it helped.  That is good feedback, and I'm happy to be of assistance.  

Just to remind us that winter hasn't yet gone we have had more freezy frosty chilly mornings this week but that looks like changing from tomorrow, with some rain forecast and - well, not quite warm, but less cold mornings.  Today is grey and overcast, a foretaste of tomorrow's expected rain; this morning's sun, which made us optimistic enough to hang two loads of washing outside, has disappeared and the washing is now inside finishing off its drying by the fire.

Every time the TV is turned on (which isn't all that often, there being not much that appeals to us) we are being swamped by coverage of the Olympic Games.  Not everyone in the world thinks this is a good idea; all I can think of is "my goodness, what does it all cost"; no wonder fewer and fewer countries are putting up their hands to host it.  Many schools and hospitals could be built and staffed for what is, after all, just a glorified sports carnival.  I have never been a very sporty person right from when we had compulsory sport at school - which I really disliked, I would far rather read a book - so I don't feel inclined to spend my leisure hours watching it.  When the games were in Sydney back in 2000 we, in common with many others, left and went to New Zealand instead.....where we even bumped unexpectedly into people we knew in Sydney!

Continuing on with Conduct at charity fairs:

"As a gentleman must always remove his hat in the presence of ladies, so he should remain with head uncovered, carrying his hat in his hand, in a public place of this character."

A gentleman keeping his head (mostly) covered is something that has gone the way of the proverbial dodo, isn't it?  I wonder what those long-ago folk would think of the ubiquitous baseball-style cap which is never taken off, even indoors - especially when worn back-to-front.  You can imagine the derision, can't you.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Only another woman will understand!

My progress continues with another milestone this week, a milestone that most women take for granted......

......I managed to hook up my bra behind my back correctly!  Yay for me!

Instead of asking Kevin to do it, or fastening the hooks in front, turning it round and wriggling my arms in (which is not all that easy, either) I can now dress myself correctly - it was almost 14 weeks to the day of the break, so you can see why I am celebrating!  My hand continues to improve, slowly getting stronger and more flexible, for which I am thankful.

Stitching has continued on the second side border of Autumn Rhapsody; it, too, will soon be done, and the third side can be commenced.  My brain has been thinking thoughts of how best to ensure that the borders are attached to the correct sides - yes, it will matter for the design, they're not identical - and this is what I came up with; a 2-1/2 inch square was cut in half and each half pinned (using safety pins, rather than straight pins which can slide out of place) to the quilt top and the border.  When the time comes to attach the border those fabrics will be matched, and all will be hunky dory.....and yes, before you ask, four different fabrics were used to avoid confusion, one for each side.

Speaking of hunky dory, do you know the origin of that phrase?  No one seems to be certain - but all sources agree that it first appeared in print in the mid-1860s, so it was known then.

It is time for the annual glorious golden yellow wattle gorgeousness pic, just a few fluffy balls yet but that will soon change.  It's a bit soggy and droopy at present as we have had good rain over the past couple of days, but as it dries the branches will spring back.

Not bad, considering it was at death's door as a very young plant.  I can't remember its name as the card which came with the plant on purchase has been put in a Very Safe Place, probably never to be seen again.

Words have been read, hair has nearly been torn out in frustration over a computer mystery, but I have high hopes it will eventually be solved.  Machine and hand stitching has happened.  Songs have been sung; last night the choir held its Christmas in July party, and great fun it was too.  The usual hunting and gathering to keep starvation at bay, trips to the computer problem solving place, and that's been our week.

The uke will come out for a plink this week to see how my hand copes, as the U3A ukulele group resumes on Thursday.  It's official, I am now the (slightly reluctant) leader.  Most of the players are fine but there is one woman....there's always one person, isn't there.....who is challenging.  If she is so musically fabulous and considers that she knows so much more than I do (which wouldn't be hard) she is welcome to be leader.  I wouldn't care in the slightest.  We'll see how this term progresses.

Thoughts are being thought about whether we should keep our little caravan, or if it's time to let it go to another owner who will enjoy it as much as we have.  Kevin found it difficult without my help on our return trip home, and we are now 26 years older and 26 years less able than when we first started travelling with it.  It has just been re-registered for another year, which gives us several months to ponder on whether we will or whether we won't.  I would like to finish the trip that was cut short by my unfortunate fall, but whether we do.....well, who knows.

This week has been milder, some days were almost warm!  Over the past couple of days, though, we have had good rain, which that means our mild weather has run out for a while.  The next few nights are forecast to be somewhat chilly, downright cold in fact, minus several degrees below zero.

Continuing on with Conduct at charity fairs:

"Be guilty of no loud talking or laughing, and by all means avoid conspicuous flirting in so public a place."

Oh, yes.  No PDAs at the charity fair, nothing, in fact, which draws attention - unwelcome or not.  The true lady and/or gentleman of those times was not one of the "look at me" current generation, they knew how to be discreet.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Leaping and jumping

One half of one side border is done.

The magazine instructions are quite sparse - we are told to just "arrange the pieces and sew together as in the photograph".  Well.....that's what I intended to do anyway!  If using someone else's pattern I generally follow the picture rather than the writing although I do take their word for the cutting instructions, and fortunately this pattern's cutting instructions were spot on.

A few years ago a local quilt shop/café/gift shop closed when the owners retired, and I took the opportunity to buy all that was left of an autumn leaf print that I had fallen in love with when it first arrived.  It will be the outside border and some of the pieced backing; it's peeking out in the square on the centre left on the leaf block and is quite scrumptious.

It's not my first autumn quilt either......this was made several years ago.  It has been shown on my blog in the past - but because I love it, here it is again.

All batik fabrics, some bought locally and some from overseas, including gifts from friends.  It was a workshop with a visiting tutor several years ago, and was fun to make.

When that pic was taken we were in the throes of drought, as you can see by the dry grass on the hill.  The plant in front of the quilt succumbed - such a shame, as I really loved it - and has been replaced by drought-proof rosemary which is in the throes of taking over the universe as we speak; bees love its pretty blue flowers, and it's useful for cooking.

Another sign of progress this week: I can now use my right hand to comb my hair, and my left hand is pleased about that.  You don't realise how much your wrist twists while doing these everyday activities, until it can't twist at all.  My thumb can touch the tips of the fingers one at a time, but those fingers can't yet touch the palm....I can't make a fist with that hand and until I can, I'm not keen to drive the car.  On Tuesday Emma physio was pleased with my progress and pointed out that it was, indeed, a bad break, and my hand and fingers also suffered significant damage.  So, the exercises are done daily and the hope is that one day eventually it will be more like it used to be, even though it may not, because of my age, ever quite go back to what it was before the fall.

Ah well.

Stitches have been sewn by hand and by machine.  Words have been read.  Songs have been sung.  In the coming week the uke will come out of its case for a bit of a plink which, hopefully, will be easier and less painful than a few weeks ago.  Hunting and gathering and the usual drug run, and that's been our week.

Some of you liked my thoughts on old words in last week's post.  Several years ago the school library where I worked was culling a copy of 'The dictionary of Australian colloquialisms".....you can't chuck that out, I said....take it, I was told.  It's a very entertaining book; each word or phrase is dated to where and when it first appeared in print, a reliable method of dating when it came into popular use.  When I put it in front of our musician friend his eyes lit up, and he had great fun poring through it.  My copy is the 1980 edition and, although there are more recent editions - mine was the right price!

This week has certainly lived up to its reputation of being the coldest week in the whole year.  Now, although I'm not a great fan of summer's heat, we can look forward to some warmer weather once July is behind us.....meanwhile, that fire is keeping us warm.

Continuing on with Conduct at charity fairs:

"Never appear so beggarly as to retain the change, if a larger amount is presented than the price.  Offer the change promptly, when the gentleman will be at liberty to donate it if he thinks best, and you may accept it with thanks.  He is, however, under no obligation whatever to make such donation."

These words, unlike last week's, seem to be aimed at a seller rather than a browser or purchaser.  The monthly main street markets were on this morning, but it was a bit cold for getting out and about too early.....so we didn't get to check out the baby Stuff and dog Stuff for sale.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Leapfrogging

Which is when one thing is jumped over by another thing, thereby making a change to the order of......things.

The decision was made to postpone the rotary cutting for a little longer, as my fingers are still sore and stiff and complain if asked to do much.  The pieced borders will be made next, then they will be ready to be added after the peeper border is cut and sewn on to the top.  The HSTs finish at four inches when joined so the quilt will grow by twelve inches all around when these borders are on.

Some of one side......

.....and some of the other.

You can see the variety of colours, prints and backgrounds, can't you?  Even on a dull day with the overhead light turned on, rather than natural light.

Today is grey, and cloudy, and quite cold.  Historically the third week of July is the coldest week of the year in Australia, or so I read a day or two ago, and I see no reason to doubt it.  It is freakin' cold.  The "feels like" temperature is nowhere near double figures, and the fire is keeping us warm....I can't begin to imagine how cold the house would be without it.  Towns at a higher altitude, an hour or less away from here, are expecting snow during the coming week; last time snow was recorded as falling here in the valley was in 1984, and we weren't living here then.

My hand is gradually getting used to being able to do more.  I can now use a spoon or folk in my right hand to bring food to my mouth, something not possible until a day or so ago; the twisting in the wrist required to do so was beyond me.  I can also trim and file the nails on both hands, although the slight 'buzz' when filing my right hand nails feels strange!  Last night I diced some fetta for a spinach pie and, although the fetta was fairly soft, my wrist complained.....but Kevin's idea of chopping food and mine don't quite agree and it needed to be finely chopped, not left in large chunks.  So I did it.

It was worth it, though.  The result was quite yummy.

Some hand sewing has happened.  Words have been read, and songs sung, but no notes plinked; I will get the ukulele out again during the coming week as my wrist is feeling stronger.  We hunted and gathered, the usual social highlight of the week as we often greet acquaintances while trundling around the shops, and that was about it.  The coming week might be a bit more exciting as there's a visit to the physio (be still, my beating heart) and a sewing group meeting on Wednesday.  Whacko.....or as my maternal grandfather used to say many many years ago, whacko the diddle-o.

Our speech patterns are continually changing and evolving, and some of the older words and expressions are dropping by the wayside as a result.....including 'whacko', although it's still used in a sarcastic way.  I suppose it's inevitable as more influences come into our lives....first it was radio followed by movies and television, then the internet has since opened up the world......but many folk, myself included, think it's a shame to lose the old words.  No doubt though, when someone uses an expression that you remember from years ago - it's instant bonding, and you have a new best friend!

Our musician friend who has stayed here a few times during the country music festival is from our generation being just a few years younger than I am, and grew up in another state, and we have a lot in common - and one of them is speech and words.  One of his favourites is 'cobber' meaning mate or friend, usually used by and to males.  I remember my Posh Melbourne Grandmother saying of someone she knew "he's a bonzer chap".  'Bonzer' means 'excellent' or 'very good' while 'chap' is 'man'; these days we would probably say "he's a good bloke", however - I cannot imagine my PMG using the word 'bloke'.  Oh, no.  Dear me, no.

"Conduct at charity fairs.

In visiting a fancy fair make no comments on either the article or the price, unless you can praise.  If you want them, pay the price demanded, or let them alone.  If you can conscientiously praise an article, by all means do so, as you may be giving pleasure to the makes if she chances to be within hearing.  If you have a table at a fair, use no unladylike means to obtain buyers.  Not even the demands of charity can justify you in importuning others to purchase articles against their own judgement or beyond their means."

We have street markets a few times a month here, and over the years have noticed a change in goods being made and sold.  These days there is a lot of baby Stuff, and dog Stuff, and as we are not needing any of these things we have gotten out of the habit of attending.  Perhaps when the weather is milder, we may do so again.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

In all its autumn rhapsodic beauty

The centre of Autumn Rhapsody is done.

It now measures 48 inches square.  This pic was taken against the back fence (the sheet is to protect the quilt from our wire fence) on a slightly breezy day, it co-operated and didn't blow around too much.

I love it!

However - that is as far as it can go until I am able to cut fabric for the next round, a 'peeper' flange finishing at one quarter-inch.  The choice is between these two fabrics; the top fabric is a brighter golden brown than it appears here, but the bottom fabric speaks to me louder anyway......so, the bottom fabric it shall be.  I like the flashes of different colours.

The peeper strips are cut one inch wide, so are slightly fiddly-diddly to cut.  During the coming week I'll see how my hand can....er....handle the cutting!  I have been hemming and hawing about whether to include the peeper, but have now decided to do so.  This quilt will eventually go off to a long-armer for quilting but before that is done the peeper flange will be stitched down by hand, so it won't get in the way of the needle.

Thoughts have been thought on the size of the finished quilt, too.  The original magazine quilt is large, 85 by 97 inches; it's made rectangular by extra borders on top and bottom, a design feature that I have never liked.  Some quilters don't like square quilts, I do, and I like some rectangular quilts - but I don't care for designs which look as though the quilter thought "oh, I'll just add a bit to the top and bottom to make it big enough".  I think my quilt will end up being about 85 inches square, more or less, and the surplus HSTs already made can go on the back.  Waste not, want not, and all that stuff.

How has everyone's week been?  Ours has drifted along, as usual.  Another session with Emma physio on Tuesday, she is pleased with the progress of my hand and wrist.  There are now exercises to help my fingers too; all those weeks ago my fingers curled under as I fell onto my hand and wrist, so the swelling and bruising in my fingers was quite bad.  I still can't make a fist, but can now touch my thumb with the fingers one at a time and......progress!  I can also now hold a pen (although anything written with it is still not very neat) so I can now sign my name for my various activities.

Words have been read.  Some stitches have been sewn by hand, and by machine.  No knitting, yet.  No crossword puzzles either.....but plenty of exercises.  Songs have been sung, and a few plinked.  Some hunting and gathering, and that's about it for the week.  Perhaps one of these days something more exciting may happen.  We can but live in hope, can't we.

Another picture of my quilt, just because I can.

"Conduct in picture-galleries.

In visiting picture-galleries one should always maintain the deportment of a gentleman or lady.  Make no loud comments and do not seek to show superior knowledge in art matters by gratuitous criticism.  If you have not an art education you will probably only be giving publicity to our own ignorance.  Do not stand in conversation before a picture, and thus obstruct the view of others who wish to see rather than talk.  If you wish to converse with anyone on general subjects, draw to one side, out of the way of those who wish to look at the picture."  

Yes.  To which I would add, keep your phone in your pocket.  You don't need to obstruct the view of others by taking pictures of yourself or members of your family in front of famous works of art, as was done at an exhibition we attended a few years ago.  Just enjoy the moment, and the painting. 

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer