Pull the Cord!

Waiting for the axe to fall..............

Psa (Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae) is a bacterial kiwifruit vine disease. It was noticed in New Zealand and in our area in November 2110. Since then it has spread rapidly, at first mostly attacking the Gold Kiwifruit vines, but now rampant amongst the green varieties as well.

It can result in the death of the kiwifruit vines but carries no risk to human or animal health and does not affect plants other than kiwifruit. Psa is believed to be spread by weather events, namely wind and rain, and plant material. It is also believed to be spread by footwear, vehicles and orchard tools.

It is present in some countries overseas and has probably entered the country on infected plant material. We have very strict Agricultural control at our airports and ports, so strict that many visitors are surprised, but being a country that relies on our horticultural and dairy industries we are very vulnerable.

I have blogged before about our own kiwifruit orchard. Here, here and here.

If you have time, visit those links to see photos of our orchard, and you will see how devastating it will be if we get the disease in our vines.

So far our vines are clear of the disease, but further up our road there is an infected orchard. Most think it is only a matter of time. There is no cure.  If Psa is found, the vines all have to be ripped out and burned. 

Our orchard is 32 years old so the vines are large plants. 

We are just hoping that the disease will bypass us. Scientists are working frantically to come up with a cure or spray that will shield the plants but as yet there is no protection available.

The last four Blocks

These are the last four blocks. Now my 12 blocks are completed all that remains is for me to tidy them up a little, make sure each is exactly cut to 12 1/2  inches, and take them to Carol at Katipatch.

The Friendship quilt challenge finishes in March so I have a long time to wait until I get 12 blocks back again and can make them into a quilt.

Oh yes, one more task - I need to carefully write my name and the date carefully on each block using a pigma pen.

Silver Fern

The silver fern is often seen as an emblem for New Zealand and used frequently by sports teams. Our Netball team is known as the Silver Ferns.

The fern is a tree fern, and can grow to a height of 3 or 4 metres or more. You can see in the picture the silver underside of the fern frond.

When I was growing up our farm backed onto a bush (NZ term for forest) reserve of many thousands of acres. There were always silver tree ferns growing right throughout the undergrowth in various stages of maturity.

I was always taught by my Father that when walking in the bush if I decided to go off the tracks,  I must leave a trail of overturned fern fronds to mark my path for return. The silver side shows up extremely well in the shade of the canopy cover of large trees.  Something like Hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs in the fairy story!

The Koru

You will notice that I have used the koru symbol often in my blocks. The koru (Māori for "loop") is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.

 The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin.

And two more........

Friendship Quilt Challenge

For the last few years one of our local quilt shops has run a Friendship Quilt Challenge. Those taking part must make 12 blocks with a particular theme, each block must be 12 1/2 inches square and contain at least one piece of the designated fabric chosen by the organiser. The background fabric must be white cream or a pale colour matching the fabric. We put our name and date on each of our blocks.

We are expected to be completed by the end of March 2013 when all blocks must be submitted.   We receive twelve blocks back again, one of our own, and eleven from other participants. There are a number of people who have put their name forward, some from the UK as well as local quilters and others from further afield. You can read more about it here.

This year the theme is hearts. I have decided to participate - there are many different types of heart designs to choose from, and its a chance to experiment with colours and techniques. We can make every one different or some or all the same.

Here are two of the blocks I have completed. The designated fabric is the floral in pinks with a blue/green background. Its probably not a design I would have chosen however it lends itself well to including lots of other colours that blend in.

I have made some using paper piecing, and several are in various stages of completion using applique.

A Moving farewell to Three of our Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Changing mats

 These are baby changing mats - a pink of course if the new arrival is a girl and a blue one just in case.

I made one for my d.i.l. when their baby daughter was born a year ago and she has used it often.

 They are a  handy size to just keep in the backpack she takes when they go out - you know the one - as well as spare nappies (NZ for diapers), there are spare bibs (feeders) creams, sun screen lotion, wipes, and all manner of amazing things etc etc.

It opens out like this with two pockets that just fit a nappy on each side.

The lining is a waterproof pre quilted sheet that I can buy by the metre from Spotlight..

They are very easy to make.

A Burst of Creativity!

There is nothing like the occasion of a new Grandchild expected to cause the knitting needles to fly and the sewing machine to work overtime!

 The little booties are special as the soles are sheepskin making the inside very very soft and warm. The upper is knitted first then crocheted onto the soles.