March 22, 2010

Postcard from New Zealand

Greetings from the Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand. I must tell you that a holiday is good for you. I can't believe how relaxed I am being here. I didn't have anything planned before I came here; just visiting DH's family, so I'm take things as it comes and to my surprise, I am enjoying it!

Thanks everyone for your comments on my last post and best wishes for my holiday, but I'm so sorry I didn't have a chance to thank you individually. I can assure you that I read all of them. One more day here before we leave for Japan. While I have access to the Internet I thought I would post some photos to share with you from NZ. Please enjoy...!

Silver fern is a symbol of New Zealand. It's the symbol of the All Black NZ's national rugby team. When we visited our friend Carol and Paul they just cut a branch of silver fern for their kitchen and I thought it looks appropriate as a symbol of NZ.

MIL's lives on the North Shore of Auckland and this is the view of Auckalnd city from the harbour bridge. I snapped this photo from the car so it is not the best. This is the harbour that hosted the America's Cup yaght race.

I even have an antique quilt to share with you. This antique quilt belongs to Carol. It is made from 30's fabric. It was hand pieced and quilted. It's a lovely quilt, but in a fragile state. I have seen this block before, but for the life of me I can't remember the name of the block, please help?

I took a close up photo of the blocks to ask if you know the name of the block and how to construct it. I want to make one the same for my DD.

Here I'm relaxing on the back deck of our friend's house. Their stray cat was checking my lap out, but I don't think she was happy there.

Carol and Paul are a great collectors of all beautiful things including these cushions from Afghanistan. Lovely vibrant colours.

These cushions have hand quilted stitches all over them. They look like Sashiko stitching.

DH and I drove to Hamilton to deliver my quilts to Donna for machine quilting. Donna has been machine quilting for me for more than 10 years now. Without Donna I wouldn't have finished any quilts. Donna used to quilt from home, but a few years ago she opened her own shop called Donna's Quilt Studio in Hamilton. Donna is a fantastic quilter and won many awards for her quilts. I'm so lucky to have her quilting for me.

Donna stocks a lot of NZ designed fabric at her shop, but I was a good girl and didn't get anything!

I really like the pink prints above, but didn't get it. I wished I did now...!

Next stop Kyoto. The first 5 days we are spending in Kyoto then 5 days in Tokyo and the last 5 days in Kanazawa. I'm armed with the apps in my iPhone. I spent a few hours this afternoon studying it. I wonder how I ever traveled without it!

24 comments:

Terry said...

Good Photos. NZ looks cooler than here. We're having Indian Summer.

Enjoy Japan

Terry

Diane H said...

Have a wonderful time Nat!

Kaye said...

What an exciti ng vacation you are having. New Zealand does look lovely. How did you ever resist that beautiful material?

ria vogelzang said...

Love your pictures! It's great to hear you are having a lovely time!!!
Next time give yourself the luxury of buying that beautiful fabric!!
An I am sorry; I also don't know the name of that beautiful antique quiltblock.......
Enjoy your trip! Whishing you a lovely vacation in Japan!!!!

Mescrap said...

Such beautiful fabrics in the shop !! Really can't resist with the flowery fabric even i not so font in sewing.

Janet said...

Hi Nat, the block on the old quilt is called Rose Dream but it has another name too. Great to see some photos of the homeland. Have a wonderful trip to Japan.

Maggey and Jim said...

Have a great time..It will go fast and we love seeing your pictures..
Maggey

Sue-Anne said...

Hi Nat. Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Glad t hear yuo are having a relaxing time. Have fun in Japan! I'm sure you will find some special fabric to purchase there.

Melinda said...

There is a pattern for that block in a book by Pat Sloan called "I Can't Believe I am Quilting Beyond the Basics" I use this book to teach my Beyond Beginners class. I made a sample quilt using this pattern and really love it.

Simone de Klerk said...

So lovely of you to share some pictures of your vacation with us! You are definitely having a good time! That reminds me that I have some fabric from NZ and I think it even has the silver fern on it. I will have to search.
Have a very good trip to Japan and hope we get to see some more lovely pictures from you!

Needled Mom said...

It looks and sounds like you are having a marvelous time. Lots of great pictures too!!!! Enjoy!

kaiteM said...

Such a beautiful collection of wooden spoons, and i adore the one with the face. Keep on enjoying. Kaite

Kitiya Palaskas said...

Aw! I wish I could have visited Carol and Paul too. I'm really glad you are relaxing Mum! xx

Julia said...

Love your pictures! It's great to hear you are having a lovely time...NZ is a place DH and I have always wanted to visit...may be it's time!
Julia ♥

Anonymous said...

Love that wooden spoon collection!

No fabric? Are you saving yourself for Japan by any chance?

Regards, Sue

ParisMaddy said...

Nat, your trip photos are fabulous. I'm so happy for you that you are on such a fun trip! Bon Voyage.

QuiltSue said...

Sorry I can't help with the block.

Your photos are great. As for the cat, I don't think it was your lap he didn't like, it was the camera.

Have a good time on part 2 of your grand tour!

Valentina said...

Hi, Nat! So happy you are having a great time, thanks for the pictures: Love the Spoons and the QUILT! JIppie, I am so happy I can Help!
The name of the pattern is Lover's Knot and I got my templates from "Matilda's Own", maybe this is another project we could do together someday :)
Have fun in Japan!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hey Nat...cool pics of NZ and you and the shop!!! How cool to see that Silver Fern...when DS was over there he bought me a Pandora Charm with a NZ leaf on it...now I know what it is...Have a fabulous time...Love Dzintra♥x

Bev C said...

These photo's are so New Zealand.Enjoy your time in Japan. Safe travelling. Happy days.
Bev.xoxox

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the travel report, Natima. I enjoyed it very much.

Micki said...

I know the block to be Lover's Knot, and it is really pretty! I enjoyed seeing all of your pics.Have fun!
Micki

Unknown said...

FINALLY!!! A pics of you ... aren't you gorgeous! Glad you are having a wonderful trip & relaxation. You will love Kyoto, I have many associations there.

Happy Easter!
Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Astrid said...

Love the photos! That old quilt looks gorgeous. I have never seen that block before, interesting. How did you manage not to buy that lovely fabric?! :)

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