Macro Monday

 

This beautiful camellia was photographed at a garden in the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival last November.

Blue for Foto Finish

 

 

I have been away for the weekend with my Women In Action group. We have had a wonderful girls weekend at Wilkinsons Castle about 45 minutes north of New Plymouth. This gorgeous old house is built around a garden courtyard. It is a Chapman Taylor building and was built for the Wilkison family in 1929/30. We walked along the local beach both days, did some handcraft including dressing pegs in outrageous costumes to create peg dolls a la Project Runway. On Saturday we were pampered by some local ladies - I chose a facial which was something I had never experienced before. It was bliss. We were then taught to belly dance by two ladies from New Plymouth who belong to one of the local belly dancing troups. You can imagine the laughter that ensued but we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Belly dancing gives you a great work out but cant see myself taking it up ever - not that keen on displaying my belly these days. We had pot luck dinners both nights which were absolutely delicious so all in all I have had a great weekend.

Back to the reason for this post - these are two blue flowers that I photograped last November during the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival.

New For Foto Finish

 

After much thought I came up with this image taken this summer. This is my new fishing reel - my husband decided my old reel was past its used by date.

Completed Flowerpot

 

I am using these smaller pieces to practice quilting and to overcome my fear of ruining a quilt by making a hash of the quilting. I am happy with how this little mini has turned out.

Flowerpot

 

I have been playing with all my scraps every opportunity I get. I used one piece of made fabric for the flowerpot. The flowers are also made from small scraps of fabric. I have made several recently - dont seem to be able to throw anything out. I have spent this evening appliqueing all the pieces on. It is 9'' x 12'.

Something Old For Foto Finish

 

One of many old buildings we saw in Vietnam.

Water For Foto Finish

 

This weeks topic on Foto Finish is water. As we live by the coast and also have a holiday home in a coastal settlement I have many photos of water but have decided to go with something a little different.

This photo was taken last year on White Island which is an active volcano off the coast from Whakatane. Last year I took a group of women from Women In Action Taranaki for a trip to this island. Whakatane is about five hours drive from New Plymouth. On the day we were unable to reach the island by boat because of the conditions so after much discussion we all decided to spend the extra money and go out to the island by helicopter. What an experience - the scenery was fantastic - almost a moonscape.

 

Since doing the 12 x 12 exchange challenge on 15 min play I have been playing with making background fabrics and appliqueing on made flowers and flowers fussy cut from fabrics. This is my first completed piece and included a few firsts for me - I finally machine quilted something other than stitch in the ditch (albeit only simple lines),I included some beads that I bought on a recent trip to Australia, I mitred the corners on the binding and I included the simple triangles on the back for hanging.

I am fairly happy with the result but have more pieces started that will be slightly smaller.