5 in 5 - January 2019 - A hug of quilters

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

Welcome to my first post of 2019 and a Happy New Year to you! When I first started this meme it was to stretch myself, to try challenges that would inspire me to try new things and learn more about how to get the best from my camera. I have got into a habit of taking photos without setting myself a challenge, so this year I plan to do more of this. I have two books that will help me, a guide for my camera, and Adventures in Seeing by Kim Manley Ort. I look forward to taking them off my shelf.

Meantime, the other thing that inspires me to take photos is a story. And that's this months theme, because just a few days ago we learnt that one of our craft friends has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Over the past 10 years or so, we have met as a group several times a year for weekends of sewing, papercraft and friendship. So it was a shock to hear this news and Moira came up with the idea that we make a quilt. And so we rallied. 

Lynda has moved up north so was unable to join us but she posted a beautiful handmade card and a collection of Tim Holtz fabrics because this is our friend's favourite style. Barbara hosted and throughout the day a team of ladies worked together to plan the design, stitch, press seams, and appliqué. I had prior commitments so arrived at 5pm and then it was my turn to contribute. We added a thin layer of wadding and a fleece backing, carefully pinning these together. And then while Moira used free style embroidery to sew the layers together, Barbara cooked a meal and I started to make a bag for the quilt. Three other ladies arrived during the evening to offer their support and we worked well into the night, sometimes with 4 sewing machines in action, and a wonderful atmosphere of laughter and creativity.

I was really pleased with the bag I made. I rarely do patchwork or applique but it turned out just as I hoped. My special touch were pictures that I had digitally printed onto cotton. My printer resisted but I persevered and was so glad I did. I cut these out and layered them onto the back of the bag and onto a pocket that I sewed to the front.  The final hand stitching of the quilt was done next morning before it was hand delivered to our friend in hospital by Moira and Barbara. I got home after midnight with a good feeling about what we had achieved. There was so much energy as we worked, and I hope the quilt gives lasting comfort. Here are five photos that I took in five minutes and I thought you might like to see the finished result too. 

 And here is the bag and nearly finished quilt. 

Thank you for your continued support and I hope some of you will join me in yet another year of 5 in 5. You have until 25th to take your photos and post a link to your blog. Here's how it works:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

5 in 5 - December 2018 - The Giant's House, New Zealand

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

I would have chosen a seasonal theme for this months photos but as I have just returned from travelling around New Zealand I have not had time yet to decorate my home.  

I was away for over four weeks and I have photos a plenty from my trip (around 7,000 to be exact!) so it is not difficult to make another choice.  Especially, as I visited an amazing garden with tiers of mosaic sculptures and landscaping, and I had under half an hour in which to see them all!

That's because we didn't appreciate the scale of this project and rather than prioritise this visit we had lingered over lunch and spent time around the museum in Akaroa. This sea side town has an interesting history, so it was a good way of finding out more information. But we were leaving next morning before the garden opened, so we decided that a quick visit was better than none - after all, we might never have the chance again! And to fully appreciate all that I saw, I dashed around, camera poised, and my breath held at all the amazing scenes that were in front of me.  If ever I return to Akaroa, The Giants House will be first on my list to revisit. 

And so... imagine a steep climb up the drive to an entrance that immediately hints at what might be the other side of the gate. And then step through with me into this wonderland...

I decided to add a sixth photo just to show the steepness of steps and the garden. From each tier you look across the landscape to more glimpses of artwork, discovered by hidden, winding, mosaic paths and steps. It was amazing and I only wished we had more time to absorb and appreciate what we saw.  But that said, I did manage to get round the whole garden and I was so glad that we'd come. 

International artist, Josie Martin, started this artwork after finding lots of broken china in her garden when she moved in to her new home. She has been working on the sculptures for over 15 years and the colour and whimsical work were great fun and surprise.

A big thank you to everyone who has visited this neme over the past year, and especially to those who have contributed and taken part. Some of you will remember my friend Melanie, who lives in Australia. I was lucky enough to meet up with her in New Zealand a couple of times and also enjoyed 5 days of travelling. We visited this garden together, so it is even more fitting that I choose these photos this month.

As the final 5in5 for 2018, I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas, and look forward to sharing more photos in the coming year.  I hope you will join me!

______________________ 

 If you would like to take part in this month's challenge you have until 25th to take your photos and post a link to your blog. Here's how it works:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.