Mountains of Hope

Mountains of Teal

Lately, one of the sewing projects I've been working on has been making quilt blocks depicting mountains. Once again, Kate from Tall Tales from Chiconia put out the call for teal and cream blocks for another wonderful quilt to raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Society. In her usual clever and fun punning style, Kate has called this year's quilt  Go Teal It on the Mountain. I had put my hand up to make 2 blocks, but ended up making 3.

I live with Mt Warning right at my back door, a mammoth peak that's the remnant of the volcanic shield, and standing at over 1000m, it can be seen from all over the valley, from the Border Ranges in Queensland and from the coast as well..  This mountain is what drew me to the Valley many years ago, and I never tire of seeing and photographing her, in all her moods, rain or shine, and from different angles and views.  Mt Warning... or Wollumbin to give her indigenous name.....is a sacred site to the local Bundjalung people.

So it was obvious Mt Warning was going to be one of my blocks. I decided on an applique block, and used Australiana fabrics to highlight the complex network of steep ridges and valleys that fall away from the heights. These hills and ridges have great names like the Sisters, Brummies, Blue Knob, Egg Rock and Doon Doon!

My second block is also a sacred mountain, far from here. Back in 2014 I joined a group from Australia to make a pilgrimage to Mt Kailash .....Kangrinbroque Peak.....on the high western plateau of Tibet.  We travelled by bus from Lhasa to our base at Darchen, then began the trek, firstly a day's walk to Dirapuk Monastery, where we rested and adjusted to the high altitude.....4800 metres. Then we walked 3 days up through the Dolma-la  Pass (5700m) where the weather changed dramatically and we trudged through snow and freezing, biting sleet. This trail descended back to Darchen, and took us 3 days of walking, trudging really, completing our circuit of the mountain. This brief description does nothing to describe my awe, the sense of 'coming home', and the deep connection I felt being near this mountain, and in those wind swept high mountain passes.

I took all these photos from around Dirapuk Monastery, and from up behind our accommodation.....the buildings in the picture at lower right.

Although the sun was shining and the sky was blue, it was actually freezing at the camp at Dirapuk, and I wanted my block to depict this......the snow laden peak and the cold and remote landscape.

I hadn't planned a 3rd block, but this photo a friend posted on a local facebook group stirred my imagination. I hadn't seen Mt Warning from this angle before, with the curve and sweep of the Tweed River so evident. This was taken recently when westerly winds pushed the dust storms from the central west of the state across the range and into the valley.

Photo with permission Raymond Condon

Although I had deadlines for a couple of other projects, I knew I had to do "something " with this image, and after drawing and fiddling with fabric for a couple of days, came up with this appliqued block, River Dreaming.

I wanted to capture the look the mountain has in certain lights, and different times of day, where it looks like a cardboard cut-out against the sky, with no definition of the network of ridges and valleys that radiate out from the mountain. The Tweed River is the other dominant feature of the landscape here, so I took some creative licence and moved the river source up into the high ridges of the mountain, where it would've flowed from eons ago, eroding and deepening the valleys over time, and then carving out the river's present day basin and flood plain. 

If you'd like to see the other blocks that've been made for this quilt, here's a link to Kate's fundraising quilt page. Do go have a look, there are beautifully-wrought mountains in fabric, many with personal stories and memories for the makers.  They will take your breath away, and Kate will do a wonderful job, as always, of combining them into a magnificent quilt.

F2F - Five more

lucky...and lovely....last

The last of my blocks from the F2F Block Swap have arrived, all the way from Esther, from the Netherlands.

Esther kindly sent 5 blocks........ 3 with blue backgrounds

and these 2 with pink backgrounds.

So that's 27 blocks I have now, plus whatever I make for myself, so lots to be playing with and decisions to be made about a layout. 

I sent off  Miss October' s blocks earlier in the week to Moira..... a chocolate, coffee, cream and blue palette.....which I can't show until she receives them.  So now it's time to turn my thoughts to Miss November's colour choices and blocks. Robin has chosen this lovely bright palette, and it's going to be interesting working with these colours. One of the good things about this swap is the challenge of working with colours I wouldn't choose for myself.

So, time to get on. The sun's lifting from behind the trees, and the fog ....which has been rolling in along the river most days...... has started to burn away, so time to release the hound and have a walk before the day starts to get hot. Actually, the hound is still in bed, sleeping, so time to stir her. 

ScrapHappy day - October

No waste - waste triangles 

I meant to post this ScrapHappy Day post yesterday, the 15th, but had a nap instead. So better late than never.

While browsing around on Pinterest, looking at scrappy quilt inspiration, this lovely bright block  caught my eye. It's from here and the maker used up scrap triangles to make the blocks, rather than hst and set them in an ocean waves pattern.

 

Seeing all those little "waste" triangles, the bits cut off the corners of hsts, reminded me I had some saved "somewhere" so went rummaging and found this lot. I hate throwing anything out, and save the hard plastic containers that berries and cake come into the house in (I don't buy ready made cakes from the supermarket, but friends do and bring to share) They're the ideal size to put those waste triangles in and stack neatly on a cupboard shelf.

Saved in plastic "waste" containers

Not strawberries, little waste triangles

 These purple remnants came from the op shop, and are the perfect colour for background blocks, as the small pieces will show up well against the darker mauve. I cut them into 4 inch squares and sewed a tiny triangle across one corner.

And ended up with these..........I could sew them together like little butterflies......

or into ocean waves like the red ones above.  I'll make a good pile of them before I decide. 

Knitting for Brisbane's Needy has put out the call for baby blankets to go to an organisation that supports young mums who are on their own, so I'll work towards it going there.

Kate and Gun host ScrapHappy Day on the 15th of each month, so go visit if you want to see what other scrappy goodness is happening around the world. So far there are scrap hexies, jewel box stars and zeppelins...... that's a tempting line-up and definitely worth a look. If you're inspired to join in, follow the link to either Kate's or Gun's blog and they'll get you going. It's easy.

The sun's out, and it's exciting, after not seeing it for nearly 2 weeks, but just for a little while, as there're storms racing in from the west, but plenty of time to get out in the garden and potter a bit, check out what's grown, what's been damaged in the wild weather, smell the newly blooming roses and sweet peas and maybe pull a few weeds. I've missed being out there.

So till next time............

Good cheer in the mailbox

We've had days of rain, and almost everything else lately the weather can throw at us, apart from snow, and further north, there was a tornado, pretty much unheard of in Australia, that caused a lot of damage and injury to people. I'm not complaining about the rain, it's so badly needed, and some of this system has pushed west and north, where they've been hit hard by the drought and really need the rain.  It's just cold, colder than spring in the sub-tropics should be, and a bit miserable.

-- 

Fog

Hail...... more than once

Supercell storms

So it was a lovely surprise today, dashing out between downpours, to discover a little parcel waiting in the mailbox.......another F2F swap squishie. It was from Robin in Canberra this time, and as she's been very unwell with pneumonia,  I was doubly impressed that she'd managed to make...and get to the post office to send.....4 beautiful blocks.

hexies

And look at this gorgeous fussy cut teapot.

Baskets with ric-rac handles

Double hourglasses ?

Robin said she loves blue, and has so many blue fabrics she found it hard to choose which to use. I can well believe it, there's certainly plenty in this block!

So I thought it was time to put them all together for a look. Not in any particular arrangement, just as I picked them up off the pile.

Too many for one photo, so here's the second half.

Such a lovely array of blues and pinks, I think they're going to come together nicely whatever I decide to do with them.  There's still 3 to come from the Netherlands, and then two more to make for myself, or however many I decide I need /want.  

So I'll leave you with this crosspatch, who's not at all bothered by the incessant rain, but rather was peering over my shoulder, wanting to be fed, and rather cross that I stayed at the computer and didn't immediately jump up to do her bidding. 

Time to pull on boots and raincoats......yes, Mirrhi has one too......and go stretch our legs and put the chooks to bed.

till next time........

Tying Down the Blues

or bowtie blocks update

I first posted about these blocks in this post for ScrapHappy Day. They're for a friend  who had a hankering for a blue quilt, so rather than she pay $300 for one, I offered to make her one from my blue scraps. I had made 12 back then, and try to sew a few every day, cutting some more each time, ready for the next session.

So I've doubled the number and have 24 now.  I'm not sure how many I'll make, maybe keep sewing until I run out of blues?  Although my selection has been added to with some blue scraps from a friend - long skinny pieces, rather than scraps though.  Some are a scant smidgeon off 4.5 inches, but since I'm sewing the blocks together, I'll make it work.

Here are the latest batch, just put up for the photo, and not arranged into any sort of pattern yet. 

Time now to stir this lazy hound and take her out for a walk before the forecast storm hits.....it's becoming a regular event to batten down the hatches before the afternoon's torrential rain and hailstorms swoop in.

Rainy days and knitting

Days of rain and hailstorms have kept me indoors, although as I write this, the sun's shining brightly in a cloudless sky, so maybe the rain's moved on for now.  And what better to do when forced to stay in, than pick up my knitting needles.  As we head towards Christmas, Knitting for Brisbane's Needy, who I support from time to time,  have put out the call for thousands of little mini stockings that are filled with lollies for small gifts for the homeless and those doing it tough. There's always a great demand for them, and they are asked for from many charities across Queensland. My little handful will hardly make a dent in the numbers required, but so far, at least, there's half a dozen more  people who won't feel forgotten, come Christmas Day. 

I'll probably only knit these few, but I'll sew some in felt as well, as they're much quicker to make. 

For the first time, I'm linking with Janine of the Rainbow Hare for Wool on Sundays. Even if you don't knit or crochet, Janine has lots of pretty things on her blog......it's the place where she shares her adventures in yarn and fabric .....so it's worth a visit. 

Back out to the garden now, a perfect time to weed and plant, with the soil damp and easy to dig.

Till next time.......

One from Texas

F2F block parcel, that is

These 3 pretties came from Moira.

They're all delightful, and such lovely colours. 

Thanks Moira 😊

Gremlins, spam and F2F Block Swap

First, though, I'll get the gremlins and spam out of the way. I had had no comments on my last two posts, which I found puzzling, as apart from having a loyal bunch of dedicated readers, my stats were showing lots of page views. Where was everybody?  I felt sure you weren't all fickle enough to go off and find more verdant blog pastures when I failed to show up for a while, so was relieved when  Chelle mentioned that perhaps Blogger was playing up, as she'd  left a comment but it hadn't shown up.  So after doing some investigating, not only did I find my 'email comments for moderation' ..... unticked, but there you all were, tucked up safe and sound with the trolls in Spam! So you've been released, and I've replied to all the comments on my last Carnival of Flowers post, and apologise for not doing so on the previous post. It just shows it's not a good idea to neglect your blog, because the gremlins get in and play.

So on to F2FBlock Swap, which stands for Foot Square Freestyle, a block swap dreamt up by Kate from Tales from Chiconia, where each participant chooses their colours, and month by month, we make our choice of 12 inch (foot square) block (freestyle). You can go here to the dedicated blog if you'd like to see the participants colour choices, the gallery of blocks made and sent already this year, or check out the blocks made in the two previous years. There's a few quilts too, beautiful quilts, that have been made from blocks received.

I have been Miss September in this year's swap, and chose any shade of blue with pops of blush pink for my colours. I have a predominantly blue lounge room, with an indigo blue sofa, and a dark blue and turquoise tv cabinet/bookcase, which incidentally, I picked up for $10 from the op shop, and painted.  I already have cushions in various shades of blue, with the contrast of blush/dusty pink to soften all that blue.  

There's also a very blank wall over the sofa, and I plan to make some of my blocks  into a wall quilt, and the rest will be for a lap quilt /throw.  

A black and white dog adds some drama and contrast! 

And in case you were wondering, this is my view from the chaise. Nice hey? 

Down to the river and out to the Border Ranges. On a clear day, Mt Warning is clearly visible. 

And I've been enjoying the arrival of the squishie parcels in the mail, from around the world.  

These arrived from Lynn in France, including one of her famous hedgehogs, which I was delighted to receive.

 Then Kathy's, from South Dakota, USA.

 These from Claire, also from France

 And closest to home, from Kate, in Mackay, Nth Queensland.

Lastly, so far, from Sue, in Washington State USA

Sue

I had asked for baskets and/or applique if anyone felt like doing these, and I'm really happy to have my hoped-for baskets, one from Kate with appliqued hexies. 

I have this partially finished one I made myself, but will wait now until the last lot arrive before I make anymore, so I can spread the colours out a bit if need be.

I'm currently working on blocks for Miss October'.....Moira.........who has asked for shades of brown....assorted golden, tan and dark, with accents of blue grey.  It's always an interesting challenge to stretch myself and work with colours I wouldn't usually choose.

till next time........

Carnival of Flowers

A couple of friends and I loaded up the little blue car and headed out of town and up the range, down the other side and through very dry and brown countryside to Toowoomba, where the Carnival of Flowers is held every year.

Their slogan was Eat, Stay, Laugh, Play and we certainly did all those things.  There are a couple of Council gardens that had amazing displays of flowers, and we wondered as we wandered...how did they get them all to bloom at the same time ......a bus driver told us they snip off the buds in the weeks leading up to Carnival, then let them bloom in time for the big week.  May be true, may be not, but a lot of work certainly went into producing all the vibrant colour, amazing displays and delicious scents.

The clever garden displays celebrating the 2018 Commonwealth Games 

Garden displays in Laurel Bank Park

The bees worked overtime

As well as being known as the Garden City, Toowoomba is also surrounded by great national parks, and has plenty of well-preserved heritage buildings, such as these.    

There was such a lot to see and do, either as part of the structured events of the Carnival, or just exploring a new city, and we only managed a very small part of it. We did a lot of walking, and enjoyed wandering and finding an impressive collection of street art murals by highly talented local and international artists. I love the creativity and life this kind of art brings to a city, and I think exploring the laneways, not knowing what we might find round each corner, was one of my favourite parts of the trip. 

My little camera had trouble capturing the full scope of these huge murals 

We splurged and bought tickets for an all day tour of the private open gardens, and which also gave us a lunch at the University and ringside seats for the Grand Parade.  While I loved the spectacle of the formal parks and gardens, I think I became a little blase after a while, seeing so many stunning gardens full of tulips, stocks and snapdragons, and the rest of the spring annuals, it was a little overwhelming. So it was quite a pleasure to visit a couple of award-winning native and bush-themed open gardens that were very much my favourites. 

I enjoyed the quirky and clever use of old tools and tin to make all sorts of garden ornaments and displays 

There's much that we did I've not told you about, but it can get boring after a while, so here's some last glimpses........of the street parade, views over the escarpment to the east and the Japanese Gardens, to finish off.

We arrived home right before hail, thunderstorms and heavy rain, so I'm glad to have the little blue car safely under cover. It's lovely to have the rain though, when so much of the country is suffering crippling drought, but I'm glad to be safe and sound and off the road, and I can hear my garden thirstily slurping up. all that moisture.

Till next time.............