From the Pine Forest - Ngaire

This the second attempt at this topic.
I could not make my other one work so hence the delay.
When we drive up to Lake Taupo we past lots of pine forests which we watch growing and then cut down and then the area is replanted for another crop.
I am not sure whether you would find a kiwi in those forests but they do live in some of the native forest around New Zealand.
Hope you enjoyed your trip to New Zealand Margie.
Ngaire

Trees for Margie - Pam

Just made the quilt by the skin of my teeth. Phew!

No birdies on my trees!

Thanks for the joy in making this quilt for you Margie.

                                                         Pam 

The Metal Tree by Kay W

Coober Pedy is an opal mining town in Outback South Australia.  It is located on a stony desert plain and until 1985, when a desalination plant was built, the town had no fresh water supply.  All water for cooking and drinking had to be brought in by truck.  Even today water is still very expensive so there are few gardens or trees in the town.  It does, however, have its own haunting beauty.

In a little park overlooking the town is a large metal tree.  There is a sign at its base which reads:

" This tree represents the burnt out remains of one of the first trucks reaching Coober Pedy in the early 1950's.
 Once featured on page 1 of the National Geographic Magazine, it was the first tree in Coober Pedy."

My quilt is from a photograph I took when I visited in 2000.  That was a time when Lake Eyre was full of water and the desert still had a green tinge from the rain it had received.

The World's Most Famous Detective by Kay W.

I know I am behind in my posting, but not in my stitching!  This is my "Orient" quilt which Judith actually received a month ahead of schedule as we went overseas to visit our sons and grandsons on September 3.

While I was in thinking mode for this topic I happened to see an old Mis Marple episode on television.  This immediately brought to mind Hercule Poirot, the world's most famous detective, who solved the mystery of the murder on the Orient Express. So here is Hercule, adapted from an old movie poster I found on Pinterest.

Tissue Box Tree by Anna

My inspiration has come from a design on the box of a well known brand of tissues. The tissues and box  are made from the wood of trees anyway so I thought it was quite appropriate. The bird fabric in the background I have had for ages but one has managed to peek itself out at the front, just for you Margie!! Hope you enjoy , cheers Anna

Christmas - Judith

I didn't plan to make a Christmas Quilt, it just happened. It grew from a practice session using quilting rulers to stitch within a triangle. This opened the door to more and more experimenting using Setacolor paints, needle felting, rhinestones, a bit of hand and machine embroidery and of course the little felt birds. In other words “The Works”.  Margie you will be pleased to note I omitted the kitchen sink. 

I wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year full of bright ideas.

Avis Arbor - Helen

For the title I had to do some research - after quite a few years !!! my memory of high school Latin is not reliable. 'Avis Arbor' is 'Bird Tree'.
I'm finding applique with wool felt really enjoyable and of course my stash of felt is growing!
Hope you're enjoying NZ Margie.

"One Tree Hill" - stitched by Margie

The Australian landscape – wide blue skies, the occasional rise, and so often a lone tree struggles against the elements.  Hence many locations have the name One Tree Hill.

In her recipe book c.1912 my grandmother wrote her address in this curious fashion:

G. J. Blythman lives at One Tree Hill 

his missus lives there too 

[It would be a very brave, or foolish, red breasted robin to be seen in the open like this]

Posted from windy Wellington!

'On the Farm' for Margie - from Lorraine

When Margie set the theme I looked through some old photos I had taken. I couldn't believe how many showed trees that were used for various buildings etc on the farm.
They included the farm front gate, barn, water trough, timber rounds set as flooring, the wood pile in the old tank, fencing and so on .....
So here they are, of course there were barn owls and swifts nesting in the old buildings as well as many trees still in the paddocks with Corellas and Galahs. I thought the 'chook' button was appropriate here.
Hope you enjoy your quilts Margie.

My choice of theme for end of January 2016 is     DRAGONFLY / S

Tree with Bird - by Deb

Of course when you Google 'trees and birds' lots of images of partidges in pear trees pop up!
I thought a partidge in a pear tree was fitting for this time of year, but I also suspected somebody else would come up with the same idea!! (Great minds think alike Mary!)
My image is inspired by a couple of greeting cards, and the 'grass' fabric has come all the way from America. This was fun Margie.

Trees from Lynn

I painted the background fabric to get the effect I wanted. Then I had fun with my favourite raw edge applique. This scene reminds me of tropical Queensland where I spent my childhood. Sorry, the birds have flown!
Enjoy your "forest" of trees, Margie.
Best wishes from
Lynn

Trees for Margie May

One of my favourite subjects for quilts

Thank you Margie May.
Such a delight to make, - right up my alley.

I hope you enjoy this little piece...

Kay D. Haerland

"Orient" by Pam

For Ngaire,

A little late, but just got there before the next theme!

Enjoy

Pam Furniss

Tree for Margie by Mary

Hi Margie
So near Christmas, I thought you would need a partridge in a pear tree.
Continuing on with my wool embroidery, enjoyed this little project.
The quilt is actually straight, it is just my photography which is not.
Enjoy your Christmas everyone and look forward to the next project.
Mary

Lichen By Kerry

I have a gorgeous tree in my garden that is covered in Lichen and when we chose the colour our house was to be painted I chose the lichen colour. They renamed the paint Kerry's Polished Concrete. I have used a mask to create this little quilt, painted the batik and then machine quilted all 3 layers.
Thank you Margie I have been waiting to use this mask for a while. Simple but sweet.

Oriental Jacket by Anna

Here is my very late "Oriental Jacket" for Ngaire.I have always loved Chinese style jackets made with the beautiful brocade fabric found in Asia.

I had a wonderful time in Birmingham at the European Quilt Festival. What a great show. Also made it to Gees Bend in the deep south of America, another highlight of our 4 month trip.

Cheers  Anna

Having fun in Houston!

Four 'Stitching Across the Ditch' members having fun in Houston!

It was lovely to catch up and have a delicious dinner in an Italian restaurant. 

Houston Quilt Show was totally mind boggling! Lovely to see a quilt by one of our past members Ruth Bloomfield - congratulations Ruth! - a stunning quilt.

'Orient' for Ngaire - Lorraine

This is my challenge for Ngaire. Very late, however I just couldn't get my head around the theme - too many choices. Finally decided to let the design in the fabric do the speaking so I hope you like it.
Thank you for the challenge. I have enjoyed seeing the others on the blog.

Tangram Man - Judith

At last Tangram Man can rest, he’s been on the run for two months but finally he’s made it. A little late Ngaire but he’s made it.

Tangram is an ancient Chinese geometrical puzzle consisting of a square cut into seven pieces which can be arranged to make various other shapes.  I have long been fascinated with these puzzles and have collected several sets of different sizes over the years.  Why you may ask, well simple really, to one day to use the images to make a quilt and now I have.

Enjoy.

The Ginkgo by Kerry

Ngaire, thank you for this little challenge. The Ginkgo is native to China and thought it was very suitable for my interpretation of your theme. I have painted the leaves over one of my batik fabrics added glitz in the form of foils and did a little stitching.

Oriental Ladies - Lynn

Japanese girls in kimonos - a symbol of the Orient. I photographed these girls in Kyoto. Are they Maiko, (apprentice geishas) or just having a fun day dressed up?
Best wishes Ngaire, from Lynn.

Spice Jars - Helen

My immediate thought for 'The Orient' theme was the centuries old and very lucrative spice trade. My research found that, at present, eight of the top ten spice producing countries are in the Orient.
And Margie and I haven't shared ideas for our quilts!

Green Tea by Mary

When I think of the Orient, I think of green tea. 

 This lovely fabric seemed just right for the jug and cup.

Enjoy your quilts Ngaire.

Mah Jong Flowers by Ngaire

I enjoy playing the game of Mah Jong and when I was given the cross stitch patterns for the flower tiles I thought this was a good way to showcase the Orient and a good chance to combine two of the crafts I like doing.
 Each flower represents a season of the year - Summer/orchid, Autumn/chrysanthemum, Winter/bamboo and Spring/plum blossom.
Thank you for all the work you all put into the little quilts. It is always great to see what everyone does with each given topic.
Ngaire.

"Misty Mountains" - from Kay H

Loved the Orient Challenge, Ngaire!

The misty Mountains in China's Hunan Province have always amazed me.

           

I hope you like my interpretation,


X   Kay H

Deb - 'Maneki-neko'

The 'beckoning cat' is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is believed to bring good luck to the owner. It is also called the 'Chinese lucky cat' and is popular among Chinese merchants. The Maneki-neko is also the subject of a number of folk tales. 

I had fun researching this challenge Ngaire - thank you. I will look at these little cats in restaurants and shops with a different eye now!

"Spices, Riches from the Orient" stitched by Margie

In the Middle Ages trade in spices from the Orient dominated the world economy. Inspiration for my little quilt came from the spice stalls now ubiquitous to the markets of Provence. Machine pieced and hand quilted.

Black, white and a Smidge of Green by Kay W

Apologies for the late post.  I have been away and very carefully loaded my photo onto my iPad before I went so I could post it on the appropriate day.  Only problem was I forgot to take the blog's email and password, which are saved on my computer, so I could access the posting page.  I did, however get my quilt mailed to Kay on time!

Anyway, a couple of years ago I was lucky enough to attend the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and the preceding symposium.  I took a class with Elizabeth Hartman called Modern Mosaic Blocks.  It was quite different for me because it was all sloping lines, no right angles or matching points!  I completed a wall hanging size quilt which I quite like and ever since I have been looking for an opportunity to try the technique again.  I thought this challenge presented the perfect occasion.  The only problem was that to make the blocks look balanced within our size format  I needed to scale them down considerably.  And therein lay the real challenge! However, I am glad that I tried it.  Isn't it a coincidence that two of us chose Elizabeth Hartman techniques for this project?

Black and White for Kay - From Pam

For Kay,

My first attempt at an (arty) quilt for an arty quilter.

Had loads of fun playing with this little quilt.

A big learning curve!

Woven background, appliquéd and stitched.

Enjoy, Kay.

From your friend,

Pam Furniss

For Kay H
Thanks for an interesting challenge. Mine is made from red/black Hexies quilted onto a white background, not sewn together in the traditional way. Just to try out a new technique.
Hope you enjoy all your little quilts which are looking good on the blog.
cheers Lorraine

ANZAC Cove by Mary

ANZAC Cove

My quilt is a little late as the first version of this went wrong, so here it is at last.

I tried to ignore my aversion to raw edges and not stitch it to death. 
Fabrics were chosen from a bag of scraps given to me by a good friend. 
I thought the theme suited you Kay, as you are both a New Zealander and an Aussie, and we share our ANZAC heritage. 

I hope you enjoy this quilt Kay

- Mary

Through the Window - Judith

This has been an interesting challenge Kay, in more ways than one, so many possibilities but which to choose. In the end it was the black and white fabric that helped my decision.

How much I enjoyed spending time with you both in May, to hear you speak about your work and to see and appreciate the detail in the quilts up close. Thank you.  

Enjoy your little quilts, with best wishes

Judith

Blue Logs - Helen

My stash is strong on blue but not much black and white! However, I did find a few pieces to include in one of my favourite traditional designs, Log Cabin. Hope you are enjoying your quilts, Kay - they are looking great.

Wheels in Motion by Kerry

Just for a change I did not piece this little quilt instead I printed ,stamped painted embellished and finally did a little stitching . Had a ball thank you Kay let me try out my new round Gelli plate.

Black, White and Lime by Anna

The black and white background is made from 2 fabrics with the same print but in reverse. I enjoyed weaving them together then couching the thread on top of the seams.
Was good to catch up with you Kay, in Palmerston North, and I did enjoy your talk and seeing your quilts in the 'flesh'.
Enjoy your quilts.
Anna

Black, White and Jade by Ngaire

This is my adaption from a pattern called 'Escape Mist' by Elizabeth Hartman. It was also a chance to use our New Zealand silver fern fabrics with a colour I like.
It was great to meet up with you in Palmerston North Kay and seeing all your beautiful quilts.
Regards Ngaire

Kokopelli by Lynn

Kokopelli from Lynn
I discovered Kokopelli on a trip to the USA years ago, and I recently found him again in a book of Indian designs. He seemed to fit the theme of Black and White.
Kokopelli is an ancient Anasazi Indian character: the flute player, the mischief maker and bringer of joy. Because he is usually found as a petroglyph on rocks, the white fabric is not pristine white, and the terra cotta is the colour of the Four Corners Area of the USA where his legend began.

Kay, enjoy your Black and White collection.

My black & White - by KayH

I love what I have seen from the challenge so far and I am so looking forward to more!

I have called mine "MEANDER".

I constructed this with a couple of my favourite Black & White fabrics and a magenta-coloured cord.

The cord enters the piece and leaves it again, after meandering around frivolously.

Some beads found their way in as well, - just for fun.














Thanks for all your lovely work out there. I'll check the blog and my mailbox every day...!

X   Kay H

"Sprouters and shooters" stitched by Margie

After devastating fires a currawong observes the regeneration of the bush.

After completing the quilt I read that some trees are re-shooters and some are sprouters and some are both; that is, they re-shoot from the original plant, or seeds released from their burnt pods sprout.  Machine applique with hand stitching.

The third in my tree series!