Quiltingorchardist Blog
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Quilting is a wonderful hobby for me. I love the beautiful fabric and colors - my artistic side comes alive. I have lived in Te Puna near Tauranga since 1978. Recently retired after 40 years working on our own small orchard where we grew Kiwifruit and Avocados for export. I love to create and am currently passionate about patchwork and quilting. I sew by hand and using my Bernina Aurora 440..
Quiltingorchardist Blog
1w ago
I just picked up what would fit in my pocket. It's Autumn so the Eastern walking track I use is smothered in fallen chestnuts. There are about 10 tress. Nobody else seems to pick any up because those who walk dogs won't go there when the prickly nuts are all over the ground (The prickles get in the soft pads on a dogs paw )
Before they fall the nuts look attractive in the lime green prickly containers.
Castanea ( not sure which variety ) probably Castanea sativa.
As kids we used to roast them on a metal hearth shovel in the open fire till they split or exploded.
&nb ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
1M ago
Yesterday I walked the Puketoki Reserve long Track. ( Leyland Road Whakamarama ) It has wonderful untouched New Zealand Native trees / bush. The tracks are mostly well maintained and there are 2 bridges. There are quite a few steps but I managed well as I always take a stick in case.
This is the Te Puna Stream - way above where it gets to us.
I was really delighted to be greeted by this tiny North Island Robin that sat on the track and chirped at me. Not frightened.
There is lots of regrowth and variety. Logging stopped in this pa ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
1M ago
This afternoon I had the opportunity to walk through I'Anson Reserve ( in Te Puna ). I have shown you this walk before. For me it makes a change from walking just around our subdivision. It's all rustic bush and ( some weeds and swanps and little ponds. ) I know all the NZ native tress and there is nothing that special here but not bad as it is mostly looked after by volunteers.
I entered on the left ( here ) and exited on the right then walked down that road around a corner along that road and ended at Te Puna Village.
A composting toilet is hidden behind some trees and ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
1M ago
My Zephyranthes candida or rain lilies are looking lovely. I am making a row of them right along the top of a retaining wall ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
2M ago
Late last year a new bossy club member persuaded us all ( at P and Q ) to make a donation quilt by all making the same block. Our sewing group ( of 6 ) made this blue tones Braid quilt which Jan then assembled into a pleasing quilt. (It's just on hangers here, Its not really wobbly - last Friday during Show and Tell display.) I am sure whoever it is given to will like it .
*****
Vireya rhododendrons do well here. This is bright and lush looking at the moment as we drive out our front entrance ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
3M ago
Stolen Moments was the name on the box this jigsaw puzzle came in. I am renaming it Stolen Hours! I quite enjoy doing the occasional jigsaw especially if it is a group activity, but this puzzle gave me little pleasure. I got persuaded to do it by 5 year old grandson who tried himself first and couldn't even complete the outside border. The picture is an Oil painting so NO straight edges. It is 1 of 3 in a Landscape series . ( I must avoid the other 2 ) It was 1000 pieces. But I got 1001! ( I've never had an extra piece before - a duplicate ) ( Son gave m ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
3M ago
The colouring has been done by a 5 year old and an 85 year old and all others in between.
( click to enlarge ) It's not nearly as quick to fill up as I expected.  ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
3M ago
Over the holiday time my sewing machine was put away in it's carrier bag in the hall cupboard because I wanted it's table space for other things.
This is a paper table runner that is for colouring in.When unwrapped it is far longer than I envisaged. Everyone who comes to our house gets asked to do a little colouring. It started with smaller Grandson and family 2 days before Christmas day.
Younger grandson and his Mum select their pencils from the new tin of coloured pencils ( I do love colours set out this way be they cottons or paints or colour charts ..read more
Quiltingorchardist Blog
4M ago
Pohutukawa = New Zealand Christmas Tree.
This one is in the small round about as we drive into our sub division. It is a dark shade. Some are more orange red.
This one is now finished. It is in the 2nd round about in our sub division.
This little one is in our young folks section below their house.
Its a good year for Pohutukawa I think the liked the rain earlier this year.
We see them everywhere we go.
In fact I can see the neighbour's ones from upstairs better than they can see them.  ..read more