sleeping wasps,
upside down on the very tips of two potted red cedars. These are indigenous Aussie wasps, by day they feed only on indigenous bushes like the Grevillea rosemarinifolia, but in the evenings they put themselves to bed on the tips of North American cedars, which i am growing in pots. There are more than 1 or 2 paradoxes here. 
Above and below are my latest versions of the Littlest Angel garments, made for stillborn babes for my local Maternity unit here in Bathurst. These ones are tiny quilts, with soft flannelette inner and fine cotton outer and with a hood.
Much faster to make than the knitted pods which i showed in December, and i think these soft wraps will be quite acceptable. I hope to take them up tomorrow. You can't see it but i have stitched a large heart in the centres, to quilt the 2 layers together, and the satin ribbon is stitched on with a lazy daisy flower. If anyone wants to make these for their own Maternity units then the sizes suggested, from what i could find, are from 9 to 13inch squares and with a corner hood which is about a third of the length of one side. One of my hoods might be a little small.
And you see this space? this is the reason i haven't been "on the blog" all week. On Wednesday, i think, i had several trees removed which were shading too much of the veg garden and in this space here was a large red crab apple tree in a built up garden as high as the garden bed behind. I helped with the tree removals and that is a story in itself, but the very next day i started digging out this built up bed and levelling the site to the ground. There was only a very narrow path on either side, that whole central area was built up. Now the veg bed behind, currently with tomatoes in, has all day sun and i have moved one of my 3 compost bins here. The rest will make their way up here when they are ready for emptying and refilling. This site is very near the back of the house and it gets good sun, just what i need for an efficient compost event all year round - easy to get to for Mum and myself, right near the veg gardens and good sun. My muscles are slowly recovering, a little gentle stitching today helped.
I'm still considering one more large landscaping project so if i disappear again for a week you know where you can find me! cheerio for now, i hope you're all having a pleasant weekend.
16 comments:
Hello Kaite, I did miss you, but I see you've been very busy and doing a GREAT job too! Your small blankets look good and would be lot quicker than the knitted ones. I will try one of these and you take care of yourself. :) Anne of Mornington Peninsula
those sleeping wasps are very interesting. almost as though there are invisible beds under them.
I have never seen a sleeping wasp. At least I don't think I have. You sure know a lot about a lot!
Do these wasps not sting? - like the native bees...I am panicky about being stung by wasps (shiver!)
Those little coats are just lovely! - and WOW! that space looks just great! What a lot of work! but I'm sure your tomatoes will love the sun! Wishing you the best of compost! :-) , hugs Vera
Our wasps sleep in nests, so it's interesting to see them sleeping on the evergreen. Of course, I've never looked to see if they nap on ours as well!
The little blankies look soft and caring, so I'm sure will be appreciated.
Good luck with the garden reno!! Whatever you decide to do. The corner does look good.
Lovely little snuggle pods........and as you say faster to make too.
How beautifully bizarre ......upside down sleeping wasps! Youd wonder how they dont fall off!
You are cetainly having a wonderful time with your garden, by the end of summer it will be magnificent, well done.
Sleeping wasps..... I'm gobsmacked... that's just amazing..
hugs
Anne i've realised that the hoods on my knitted LA pods are too small also so i have updated the pattern above. Basically pick up and knit 14 or 15 sts down each side to make 33 or 35 sts as the base for the hood. Go ahead and try these fabric ones, i made a batch of them in an afternoon.
deanna they have the tips of the cedars as canopies. I watched them wake this morning as the sun hit them and they climbed to the upside of their cedar tips and washed their faces in the sun.
Carol i am just outside observing a lot of time.
Vera i think they are stingless as i can't see their sting, but even sting wasps don't worry me, i'm bigger and more dangerous!
AMD some of ours sleep on top of their paper nests but not these ones. Now i need to see where they are depositing their eggs.
liniecat they grasp with their little claws.
Annette yes the irony of that is the veg garden will be re-vamped just in time for Winter, not our best season.
a lot more hard work in your garden Kaite, don't forget to pace yourself...older bones and all that :)
your little snugs are such a good idea, i have made these in the past and they are very much appreciated.
i have enjoyed your garden doings a LOT...they encourage me to really begin my garden dreaming, cruising the seed catalog, wandering in circles out there to see where things can go.
and
borage. YES. i keep forgetting borage but will put some in for the bees. see if it feels like growing here.
this week i begin hauling home
50lb bags of manure from the horse people i know. empty dog food bags.
I have never seen these wasps this closed before. How fascinating! How did you get so closed to photograph them? - Hugs Nat
Well I never...never seen a sleeping wasp. As AM says, they build themselves houses here.
Yes, Used to make those little quilts.
Your gardening projects this year are so big and ambitious....amazing...I bet Mum appreciates them though. I could do with that raised bed for my back!
You are inspiring me. :) I have some big projects I want to do this spring.
Glad you are out in the garden. I know how much you enjoy it hard work and all.
Wraps are great and will be appreciated by all.
Wasps are NOT a favorite in any size.
Oh my - you're contemplating another big project? Will the garden recover from all the excitement (better question, will you??).
every crafter needs a dedicated space if she can swing it! I hope your chair proves to be super comfortable...it sure looks like it's ready to envelope you in coziness!
Your creations are lovely!
I'm now following along!
Do stop in if you get a chance, I'm hosting a Flash Giveaway and it ends tomorrow!~
Ciao bella.
Creative Carmelina
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