Lenora Jenkins Designs

To Market to Market......

Do you remember the two calves I reared, Stash and Gadget?

Well, sixteen months later they have all grown up.

 
Tonight they are bedded down at the sale yards, and in the morning they will be offered for sale. Now don't feel too sad, it is a special sale for beef farmers (not butchers), they will be sold to someone who will take them home and grow them out further.

Farming life is taking all my energy at the moment. We have commenced our annual harvest, so it is all hands on deck. While I do not have to drive the tractor, I am on food duties, spare parts runabout (we have had two breakdowns already) and I set off in the afternoon to yard the cows and start the milking. Actually, I think driving the tractor would be an easier job.

Happy Stitching,

Lenora XX.

PS. Tomorrow I'm heading into town for the sale; It is quite exciting and nerve racking at the same time, waiting to see if the bidders can get to the figure that you have in your mind. Fingers crossed it is a good sale, because I have discovered Aurifil thread..... I'll fill you in next time.

 

 

A New Gadget In My Sewing Kit

Whenever I attend a class, I always find that I learn and discover something new. At my most recent class I discovered a few of the ladies had these in their sewing kits:

circle templates. They had found them at 'Officeworks'. As fortune has it, I had to drive home past 'Officeworks' and the shop was still open. I forget the exact price, but it was not expensive.

It makes tracing circles very quick and easy, and there is a circle to suit every need. It has certainly been very useful for doing the apples on these trees.

I am feeling a little weary tonight. Our eldest daughter has gone on school camp. We had to meet the bus in town at 5.45am....actually it was early but definitely not bright....daylight saving has put our mornings back into darkness. My alarm was set for 4.30am, but I think I watched the clock all night scared I would sleep through the alarm (even though DH had set his for 5.00am in case I did). 

Happy Stitching,

Lenora X.

New Things

It has been quite an exciting day for me. Well over two months ago, I fell in love with a pair of shoes. Of course the shoes were not in my size, but luckily I was told that they could be ordered in. I have been waiting rather patiently for the shoes to arrive, but the wait got the better of me and on Wednesday I made a phone call. I think the order had been overlooked, but luckily for me, a phone call to the distributor confirmed that the shoes where in stock and they could be dispatched that day. Today I picked them up.

Bright red shoes of course.

Since I was half way there, what else could I do but keep driving and visit Linda at Gum Valley Patchwork. It was so nice to sit and have a chat over a cup of tea and one of Linda's lovely homemade yo-yo's. Of course I couldn't leave without a little purchase or two, and this Tuberose Fragrance Diffuser has found its way to my front entrance .

 I hope the weekend is treating you well too,

Lenora XX. 

Another Project On The Go

Way back in February I ventured to Melbourne to the Australian Quilt Convention. It was there that I first saw a magnificent quilt, 'Phebe' created by an amazing designer Di Ford. I stood and looked at the quilt for some time, mesmerized by the colours, the design and the intricate detail. When I ventured back to Melbourne in July for the Craft and Quilt Fair, Phebe was there again. This time I was not able to escape. I stood and looked, I walked away, I returned, I tried to resist (how could I possibly find time to work on it, and what about my own designs?) but the power of it was too strong, before I knew it my credit card was passing out of my fingers and in return I was given a bag with a pattern and starter fabric. The power of this quilt has been so strong, that I even enrolled in the Phebe class at Threadbear, in Castlemaine, a six hour return drive from my home.

I attended the first of the two day class, late last month. Di is an amazing woman who has been designing and making quilts for many years. As fate works, I have not been able to meet her until now, but the wait was worth it, and I have been re-injected with a new enthusiasm.

I have been searching through my stash (and shops) for stem fabrics,

leaf fabrics,

sheep fabrics,

and flower fabrics.

I have been tea dying,

and removing dye.

So I am enjoying a new project. I don't know whether I will end up with a large new quilt or a sweet little wall hanging of a farmer and his wife; lets wait and see.

Hope your enjoying your weekend,

Lenora XX.

Photos To Share

I am back to share the photo's of my completed quilts....fingers crossed...

(Phew....so glad that work.)

This is the first of the quilts I completed. I have become quite comfortable with stipple quilting, so I decided it was time I moved on. I chose a simple design that Kim Diehl uses, with spiraling circles. Here is a close up,

I still need a little more practice, but what is that saying...finished is better than perfect.

This is the second quilt.

( I am sorry for the quality of these photos, I had a lovely re shoot today, only to discover there was no memory card in my camera.) This is William's farm quilt. A very big thanks is due to Granny Loz, who posted me lots of these cow print fabrics last year. William absolutely loves it, it lives between the bedroom, lounge room, and rumpus room. I even caught him trying to take it outside onto the trampoline. To keep the detail in the cow prints, I reverted back to a large rambling stipple pattern to quilt this quilt.

I love finishing any quilt, but these two have been especially rewarding.

I have a new quilt which I have made a start on, but it deserves a post of its own, so I'll leave it to next time.

Enjoy your weekend,

Lenora XX.

Two quilts completed, but no photos

If you are wondering how I went with my August challenge, I am glad to report that I completed two quilts.....although it did take me a week into September to complete one of the bindings. (Unfortunately there has been little progress on the quilt I am hand quilting). It is such a good feeling to finish a quilt, and it is heartwarming to tuck the children under them come nightfall. 

I have been waiting for a nice day to take some better photos of the quilts, but when the nice days have come, I have been tied up with other jobs. Tonight I have decided to just post the photos I have, but the computer is now playing up and I am having trouble uploading the pictures. (I am wondering if it is protesting about the extra 'weight' that it gained over last week. Our house is now home to Ipods....and guess who has been sitting at the computer for endless hours trying to upload songs, make play lists, rip, sync and burn. I am slowly modernizing myself, but I have noticed the computer awfully slow with the added weight.) I will try again tomorrow.

So as quick as I have said hello, I will say goodbye, hopefully tomorrow I will have better luck.

Lenora X.

Getting Back To Nature

Look who's on the loose;

 the bulls! No more detecting, no more catching and no more A.I., ahh.......easy milkings.

These girls were acting pretty casual last night, but I don't think they mind a bit of male company for a few months of the year. So we are all breathing a sigh of relief, the busy three months are over, and the pressure is off until harvest time. For me it means nearly an extra hour in my day.

So how am I going with my challenge?.....I'm doing OK, though I have had to reset the goal. (I came down with a gastro bug on Friday which put me out of action for two days. I used the time well though, and finally watched those DVD's of All The River's Run. I was definitely not disappointed, they were just as good as I had remembered.)

I was hoping to make two quilts and finish a quilt I have been hand quilting (for ever so long) by the end of August. They are quilts for my three youngest children. I have made quilts for the elder children, and they love them. Of recent times, the quilts have been making there way down to the lounge room when there is a good movie/football on TV. The younger children are feeling a little left out, and they often ask, "When are going to make my quilt  Mum?" Of course I have had these grand ideas of making them magnificent quilts, appliqued with all sorts of beautiful things, but yes, still ideas floating in my head, and ideas do not provide snugly warmth for anyone else, so I have decided it is time I make them each a quilt.

I decided at use a pattern called Light of the Moon, by Leanne Beasley. It is quick and easy, and most importantly, all the directions have been worked out so I have been able to get straight into the sewing rather than the graphing and measuring. I have completed one top and the second is almost done as well. The quilt measures 60 inches square, and I will be able to machine quilt it in no time. I have even purchased a can of quilt basting spray, to speed up the process, though one friend has warned me to use it outside, otherwise I may spend more time cleaning up the mess then I saved. I'll let you know how I go!

This is the first top, I'd better get back to the second.

Happy Stitching,

Lenora XX.

A New Journey

I have been pondering over this post for nearly a fortnight now, and I still don't quite know how to put it all into words, but I am going to give it a shot....here goes.

While life has been busy on the farm, I have been getting my stitching fix by reading my many history books on quilt making. (before I fall asleep in the chair at night!) I love reading about the history of quilts, and taking a look into the lives that women lived over 100 years ago. I love the traditional patterns, and I love the intricate applique and hand piecing.

Three weeks ago, I traveled to Melbourne to the Quilt and Craft Fair. I was totally taken with the reproduction fabrics, and the antique quilt patterns. So much so, that I could not leave without purchasing a pattern and a starter kit, to make a beautiful reproduction quilt. On the long drive home, (I traveled alone) I could not stop thinking about my designing and the direction I was taking. I guess the solitude and finally some uninterrupted time to think, made everything very clear to me.

My designing has taken a different path. I have definitely been influenced by my daughters needs, rather than my true passions. Rather than quilts, I have been making small projects. It has been an easy trap to fall into; it is so rewarding to see the smiles on the girls faces when I have designed something just for them.

I am now feeling the need to start a new journey. A journey down the road of quilt making. I am a little scared, I don't know where the road will lead to, or if the road is going to be as smooth. I don't know whether it will be reproduction fabrics, or the clearer, fresher colours that I will use...I love them both. But it will be quilts. Quilts to decorated beds. Quilts to provide warmth. Quilts to escape from the stress and sometimes pain that life deals up to us.

So stayed tuned; I will share this new journey with you.

Lenora XX.

P.S. Before I start this new journey, I have some loose ends that need to be tied up. I have two quilts to make and one to finish hand quilting. Can I do it by the end of August?????? Well I am having a really good shot at it. I'll keep you posted.

"Work"

I am embarrassed to find that it has nearly been a month since my last entry. I apologize for my slackness. I have been spending my days mostly caught up in farming duties. We are presently in probably the most intense three weeks of our farming year. We have started our A.I. programme, impregnating the cows to calve next year. It is a really important time of our year; if a cow does not get in calf, there is no milk from that cow next year, which means no income for us. We are also in the process of weaning calves and by the end of the week I will only be feeding 32 which will be nice compared to the 87 I was feeding.

I have been doing a little sewing, and have at last finished a book bag for my daughter. (School bags and bus travel are unforgiving on novels, so hopefully they will now be protected from damage) I quickly snapped a photo in the car at the bus stop this morning; it goes to school each day avoiding the chance of a photo shoot.

Remember the twisted cord ties I was making, way too many moons ago? This is what they were for.

The flowering cherry tree near our dairy is once again starting to blossom, and I have noticed the evenings starting draw out. With the busy time nearly over I am looking forward to more time spent with needle and thread.

Thanks for your patience in following my blog, I often choose not to blog about my farming life, (worried it may be a little boring) which at this time of year leaves little else to talk about. Maybe you don't mind a step inside my farming world every now and then though???

It's nice to be back,

Lenora XX.

Two Handy Hints

Here are two little handy hints that I have been using of late.

When I purchase new fabric, I have started writing the name of the shop I purchased it from on the selvage. I write with Pigma pen, and on the edge of selvage that has the fabric's name and manufacturer. Doing this provides a great reference, I always know where I purchased it from and where to start looking if I need more. 

 

I always try and preserve the fabric details when I cut my fabric. I start cutting at the end further most  from the fabric name, and if I am only cutting a small strip I always cut from the opposite selvage edge. By preserving the details, it provides me with great information if I ever need to describe a fabric over the phone.

My second handy hint, is to use office clips to hold strips of fabric together.

These mini bulldog clips that have the litle fold up arms, work really well. Being metal they attach to magnets, like this one on my iron cupboard door, or they fit nicely over the extra cotton reel holder on the sewing machine.

 

Before using this method I was challenged with strips missing in action, and having to re-iron strips that had mysteriously  wrinkled.

I have been having a lovely time enjoying the school holidays. The weather has been glorious this week, so we have made the most of it with picnic lunches, hits of tennis (Wimbledon inspired), and walks on the beach. We have had children coming and children going, and lots of laughs in between. I have really noticed the children growing up this year, and I must say, they are really great company. I think I will miss them when school goes back on Monday.

Happy stitching,

Lenora XX.