Slow Down and Enjoy Life

Oamaru  Gardens

Stitch Therapy

 

 

An afternoon of machine stitching with strips of fabric wound round some garden twine was just the therapy I needed after a busy week.   I have seen these made by one or two bloggers and I have been wanting to have a go for a while.  Most use chord of some sort to wind their fabric around.  I didn't have any on hand so I used what was available, i.e. garden twine.  I think it worked just fine.


Another weekend is about to unfold.
I hope it is a good one for you.

Joan.

Dyeing with bee balm

This was once a white shirt.  I felt like some fun today, so gathered up some tired looking
bee balm flowers (red) and one or two pieces of greenery. 
The shirt was pre soaked in vinegar and salt then spread with my plant material, rolled up
tightly and secured. 



The bee balm was happy to provide  some colour for this tired old shirt.
Surprisingly that colour was pink!

Those rusty colours and charcoal grey came from two bulldog clips helping to hold the fabric
in a bundle for the dyeing process.  I like the unplanned contrasts.

The grey/charcoal colouring came from two large paperclips.  They also produced
the rust colouring as well.
The contrast is rather good, I think.

I steamed the shirt, tightly rolled in my dye pot for two hours.
It really was fun way to spend a few hours.

If you want to do something different and feel like playing,  I recommend giving this a go.
Heaps of fun and the results are surprising.  Some colours may not be colourfast but thats all
part of the process.  The colours are interesting and if they don't work first time round you can always have another go using different plant materials and techniques.


I wonder how many of my readers
enjoy dyeing with plants?
Would love to hear from you.
Cheers,
Joan.

Creative Embroidery a Playgound of stitch and colour.

A work in progress.  First begun at the Wanaka Embroidery School.  Now the end is in sight.
What will I do with this?  I'm tempted to frame it.
What do you suggest.? 

You will find my post on the beginning of this project at the  Wanaka Embroidery School
It has been resting for a while.

Enjoy!
Joan

Fabric flowers - made with love.

 

 

Flowers (and other bits) that I have made over time.  Using all sorts of fabric, buttons and trims, lace and so on.  I now have a collection which I call  "fascination flowers.'  Oh yes, and they are made with love. 
I don't know about you, but my favourites are the soft lacey ones in the middle photo.  They were coloured with tea bags to get the tea coloured effect obviously!


Will be back soon,
Our weather is absolutely beautiful right now.  Day after day.
Should be out in the garden amongst the real flowers.

Cheers
Joan.

Te Kiteroa - historic building in Waimate.

We visited this historic home on the outskirts of Waimate recently.   We enjoyed the  ambience of the home in a rural setting of a vineyard.
The coloured glass windows of the entrance doorways frame the beautiful countryside.



A garden surrounds the buildings.

The  rural view from the front doors reveals a fantastic vista through to Waiamate.

Te Kiteroa , a lovely place to stay I would think.

Life has thrown some challenges of late but i am looking forward to getting back to my stitching and fabrics etc. 
After all it is food for my soul, and thats what I'm craving for.

Cheers,
Joan.

A Tribute to My Mum

  

I have featured this needlework on my blog before.
This time I do so in memory of my Mum. She passed away last Friday.
She lived a good and long life.
Needlework was one of her loves.
This piece is truly a piece of perfection.
It is a tray cloth.
p.s. this is some of Mum's needlework.

in loving memory of Mum
Joan.

The end is in sight!

Hello to you all.  I have been enjoying your ccomments on the 'Little folk made of cloth'  especially in the midst of study and exams.

The end is in sight now and I can't wait to hold my New Zealand Registered Nurses badge in my hand again  knowing I can practice as a R.N. once again, but this time I have  considerable more 'life experience' to add to the picture.  Not quite there yet and I've been missing the stitching projects that I love so dearly.

Great to hear from you all,
 Joan

Priscilla and Paul show their faces!

At last! After a time of wonder, these cloth folk are showing there faces! It took a while but at last they have come out of hiding.

Actually its all about me really. I have been studying. I am updating my nursing registration so that I will hold a current practising certificate so can re-enter the nursing profession. It is a great opportunity. Intense study, exams to pass, class work and now a clinical placement and lots of paperwork to go with it. It really has been challenging, but I was looking for a challenge. I have definitely found it!
I have been missing my textile work. Can't wait to do some more. Maybe I will have to take some with me to do when there is a spare moment or two.

I hope all is well in your world. Just love hearing from you.
See you all sooner than later, I hope!                                         
 Joan

Little folk made of Cloth

Meet these little folk.
They are made of cloth. Cut with care, painted and carefully dressed.

Priscilla and Paul.
p.s. notice I am showing you their backs first. They look better from the back!

A Fellow Blogger from Twizel

While out walking this morning. I noticed a car driving slowly past my house. Being on the main road we often see travellers who are uncertain of their destination. This car pulled up outside my gate and I immediately noticed the 'Rowan Tree Quilting' sign on the door.
Out hops a lovely lady called Shiree followed by a bouncy puppy. The lady is Shiree Johnston of
Twizel  at   The Rowan Tree.   blog.
Shiree has a quilting shop at her home and does workshops as you will see on her blog.
What a lovely surprise, Shiree.  You made my morning.  Thankyou for calling.

Beach Art

My Grandaughter, Chloe is an enthusiastic artist. I love her 'beach art' which she did recently.
Beautiful!
I love the big smile.

I hope your weekend is a good one. We will be away to Central Otago for a mini family gathering.
When I return I will post some of the crafty stuff I've been doing.

Cheers, Joan

Happy New Year

Peter found this beautiful nest in one of my Bantry Bay Roses. Cleverly put togethor with
many pieces from our backyard, including feathers from our happy hens.

The work of art provides a very cosy home for these day old chicks. I was unable to see into
the nest so grabbed my camera and with one click we were able to see these two healthy and hungry
little chicks demanding to be fed.


A bird does not sing because it has an answer,
It sings because it has a song.
(Chinese Proverb)


Best Wishes to all of my readers for 2012.
May your year be one of happiness and fulfillment.

Joan

Christmas Blessings

Christmas is almost here. We celebrate the birth of Jesus and many of us come together as families to enjoy
Christmas festivities.
We are thankful for friends up and down the country and keep in touch with Christmas cards,letters etc.


I hope Christmas is a happy time for you.


Our thoughts are with Christchurch residents as they come to terms with more earthquakes that have rocked their world in the last day or so.

No matter what, I wish happiness for you,

Joan

Gifts in the Garden

Everyday  comes bearing its own gifts.
Untie  the  ribbons.

Elder Flower Cordial

Elderflower Cordial a Delicious Summer Drink.



I have wanted to try Elder Flower cordial for some time. I am happy to say my wish has come true.
The above photo shows the completed cordial along with fresh elder flowers and lemons from our lemon tree
We are enjoying the cordial on ice with our evening meal. Very refreshing.
Here is the recipe. Maybe you could try it if you find some elderflowers in season.

The flowers are best picked on a sunny day when they are still creamy coloured and before they fade to white. At this time they have the highest amount of pollen, which contains the yeast.


Ingredients

4.5 litres (1 gallon) of water
1.8kg (4lb) white sugar
Juice and thinly peeled rind of 6 unwaxed lemons.
70grams citric acid (2.5 ounces)
40 elderflowerflower heads. Shake well to remove live insects and only wash if picked by roadside.

The ingredients are open to interpretation. You may like to use less lemons or use 30ml (2 tblsp )of cider vinegar or wine vinegar in place of the citric acid.

Method

Bring the water to the boil. Pour into sterilised container. Add the sugar. Stir until dissolved. Cool and add lemon rind and juice, citric acid (or vinegar) and elderflowers. Cover and leave for 24hours. Stir 3 times daily for 5 days. Filter through muslin into strong glass bottles. The drink is ready after 2 weeks. Serve chilled, diluted with still or carbonated water to taste. It is best within 3 months but is known to last up to two years.

Jewells of Sunshine

More rain over the last 24hours has freshened the garden.
This little alchemilla mollis leaf caught my eye as I wandered amongst the flowers.
Jewells of sunshine resting on the leaf's edge. Raindrops sparkling in the early morning sunshine
reflecting the light of a day just begun.
Beautiful!

Thankyou to all fibre fascination friends.

I've noticed many new 'fibre fascination' friends of late. Now there are over 100 followers. Welcome to my blogging world. Its great to have your company. If you feel like it, please comment at the end of a posting. I love reading what you have to share.

Our weather is quite changeable of late. Yesterday was very warm. I was surprised this morning, to see many new flowers sharing their beauty and scent with me as photographed them. Some of these are above.


Enjoy,
joan

Happiness and a completed project.

Interwoven fabric strips, stitched and embroidered.  Pintucks and lace alongwith a 'me' label.
Quilt batting to  give it some oomph!

A Machine stitched cord to wrap around the finished book wrap.  Secured with a loop and a button stack.

Oh yes!  A look inside.
 Some thoughts to ponder over.  ♪


The thing that is really hard,
and really amazing,
is giving up on being perfect
and beginning the work of becoming yourself.

Anna Quindlen.



May your weekend be all that you want it to be!
See you soon.
Joan.
♪♪♪♪

Enjoying Spring Tulips

Hello, I'm back home from hospital and have really noticed the growth that has been happening while I was in hospital.
We took a trip to Waiamate gardens on Sunday. The day was brilliantly sunny and with camera in hand I was able to take a few photos .
Those tulips are amazingly beautiful.

These yellow tulips are in our garden. What a picture. Lovely to come home too.
Its good to be back home.