"Koa Mane"

Hello and Welcome to "Koa Mane"
Happy Monday has a big New Zealand flavour to it today. I hope my Maori interpretation is correct.I received a email from my Sister Chris that the big parcel I sent across had arrived.

"Hakari" which means Gift

There was something big as well as small presents for Lucy Chris and Pauline. When Chris came for a visit last year she also brought with her a Double Wedding Ring Quilt which needed finishing. I can still remember the moment she asked me, I just laughed and grabbed the back of the chair I was standing near.Some of the hand quilting had been done though they were big stitches. I left some of these as they are part of the history of the quilt.

I  hand stitched a floral pattern in the bigger pieces. I had to work out how to get the pattern on there as usually all this is done before the quilt is put together. I purchased a piece of template plastic and used the punch from my sewing machine which is normally used to punch eyelets. Thankfully David was home and sat patiently punching holes until the pattern was complete. I was then able to "dot to dot" the pattern on with wash a way pen. The smaller pattern I cut out a template and traced around. You can click on the photo to see the hand quilting better.

This is Lisa the owner of the quilt getting ready to unwrap the quilt. I know Lisa loves receiving some Koa mera. (Happy Mail.) I have yet the pleasure of meeting Lisa but have met other members of her family,maybe next visit Lisa.

Here it is in all its glory. Notice they had to go inside. It had started to rain. So maybe I should have kept the quilt if that is what happens!!! Seriously we did have a shower overnight which was a relief.

I did the hand quilting around the edges of the blocks back in Hanuere (January) and worked solidly over Easter and beyond to finish the rest of it. I was determined to get it done. It was also the first time I had put on a scalloped  binding to a quilt.

I used Gutermann Quilting Cotton in colour number 5709 which matched the white cotton that was used in the first bit of quilting perfectly. I machine embroidered a label for the back with where Lisa purchased the quilt from and our names.

Thank you Lisa for letting me finish the heirloom. I do wonder though who the original owner was. So if one day you have the job of disposing of someones treasure like this please attach a note to it. The new owners would be so grateful.

I was also the recipient of some "Koa Mera "last week to. A parcel from the US arrived. I won the most stunning mug mat from Terrie in a blog hop. The Dresden plates are cut out with a Accuquilt cutter. Terrie has done a wonderful job on the quilting surrounding the plates. Thank you Terrie and I will put the fat quarter to good use. It has been used already. This is the wooden tray that we have our morning cuppa on out the front. Lucy made the tray at school a few years ago.

While Chris was here last year she left some beautiful white waffle face and hand cloths. I got to last week and used Brother Embroidery Card Number 48 which has Australian Wildflowers on it. I crocheted a edge around each of the cloths to protect them. I used some of the yellow cotton I purchased at Good Sammy's last week on one of them. It was a size 8 thread and was just so soft and easy to crochet with.


I also want to take the chance to wish my niece Carmody a super duper Happy Birthday for today. Hope you are having a great day Carmody. I know you have been waiting to be this number for a while now. Best wishes for the coming year.

Koa Mane everyone I hope you day is full of happiness and love.
Bev C