A Good Day's Work

Today was a KQ Girls sewing day - we have switched to one Saturday and one Sunday a month.
I needed a machine sewing project and decided to take along the 21/2" scrappy squares that I plan to make into a male charity quilt.  I made one (finished off a long term project) back in September 2016 - here - and sometime after that I decided I should make a male one, as most charities get a lot of girly stuff. 
So I have been sewing leaders and enders with that in mind.   I had about 18 strips already made that were 32 squares long and another pile that were 20 - and more that I had made into sets of 4....so today I got all the smaller bits and joined and added  . .  .I now have 46 strips of 32 squares.  I haven't decide how many rows I will put into each quilt - but I'm sure I have enough for two quilts now.. 

I do this as my leaders and enders because I use different machines and the seam allowance is not always the same and on top of that, it is fast because I don't need to worry about matching all the seams - I don't want them to become another UFO.

In an earlier post I mentioned how this group had done some mini tutorials and we made numerous blocks with the idea of making a few quilts for charity.

One quilt had been put together but we were missing the side borders..and we had almost the right number of blocks to make up another quilt.  I bought some bright pink on a recent shopping expedition and finished the borders on #1 , made two more big hearts and put #2 together.  I to\k them along today to show the gang and they are off to someone else for quilting and gifting.

Tonight I thought I better make a start on joining the Winnie the Pooh hexies - I'm sure this baby won't be waiting for me to finish the quilt...but I don't want the child to be 6 months old when I'm finished....I've been putting these together by machine...it is fiddly - it is not quick...but it seems to be working...and - for me - with a finger still recovering - it is much much quicker...   (tedious...but music is going in he background).

So, not bad for a day's work.
And I still have Sunday to go!

FNWF - February

February already???

I couldn't do any actual sewing on Friday night - I was busy organising and cooking for a visit from my Saturday group (Loose Threads), but I participated in my head!!!

Saturday I made up for it....I still can't do any hand sewing - so I spent some time marking the 1/4" on these hexagon blocks that I hope to sew by machine - they are for a baby quilt for grandbaby due at the end of the month - I better get a move on!!! 
(I hope doing them by machine will be successful.)

I also spent some time cutting and matching 2.5" squares - boring - but much better with company.

For our afternoon tea I made Peach, Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins - they were pretty yummy...Here is the recipe - in case!!!

I didn't do them as Gluten Free...

I hope everyone was productive - good to see you all again!!
Thanks Cheryll - you do a great job of hosting us!!!

Stringalong 2019

Hello to the Stringalong quilters that are participating along with Lori.

It is time for me to post my Month 1 blocks - pop over here for the link up to see a wide variety of stringalong blocks.

These are the blocks I have done so far - the plan is to make a reversible table cloth.  I will need 88 blocks in all.   I will be sashing them top and bottom with black.  I have sewn these onto a fabric foundation - no batting in between.   (and no paper to remove!!!! YAY!!!).  Next time I will show the backs as well.

I expect I will lay them out in this pattern - though for now this is just random placement.

January Finish

My one and only finish for January 2019.   

I do hope to improve the monthly tally...but for now it will have to do.

I originally saw this small wall hanging in my LQS - and found the machine embroidery pattern on line.  With a surname of Wild - I just had to make it.   I actually stitched it out in January 2018 - back here...and didn't realise (being a newbie to machine embroidery) that I should have put fabric in the letters and done it as an applique....oh well - I don't mind how it is - and I learnt from my mistake!

This is my #10 for January Sunday Stitchers UFO Challenge
AND
January OPAM (One {Project a Month)

If you'd like to join in with us to finish off One Project a Month (you can do more of course), then pop over here to see what it is all about - you can join  anytime.

FNSI - January

Thanks Wendy - and hi everyone whos is visiting via FNSI !!!

I had plans to get more done - but DD2 dropped in for a visit, so dinner was late and sewing was late!!

I'm a bit restricted in what I can do, due to my operation on my right index finger....but I'm doing hat I can.
I've drawn diagonal on these fabric squares ready to strip piece - I'm joining in with a String Quiltalong so trying to get prepared.

You really have to look - but there is a line across that block.

I put side borders on a quilt that my KQ Girls group have put together to give to a charity, (no picture yet - it needs an iron) and I joined sets of two of these hexie flowers ready to be made into 12" blocks.  

These will be teamed with some foundation paper hearts and 4 12" crazy patch hearts.
During 2018, we had a series of mini-tutorials - where whoever had done a technique shared their skills with anyone else who was interested.  We used pink and white fabrics - with some green.
Some more photos later on.

So, not so much done...but any progress is good.

Many thanks to Wendy for continuing FNSI into 2019.  I've said it many times before - but it's great motivation to sew and also to post on my blog - which in turn becomes a great reference point for when I wonder..."when did I start this???"

Go here to find links to the other 28 FNSIers!!!

FNWF - January

Happy New Year everyone - another great start to our sewing year.

I am on Annual Leave so have been able to get in some sewing time - so I was certainly able to have a FridayWF and I shared the day with my sewing buddy Maureen.

We pinned a quilt together, chatted, planned and I did a bit of stitching.

On Friday night I sewed buttons onto this small wall hanging, 

 and added sparkles (which were gifted to me by Helen) to my Quilt Diva:

and I also sewed on some of the doo-dads I have collected over the year - still some to go.
I'll add a new picture when they are all done.

Many thanks, as always, to Cheryll for continuing FNWF into 2019.  I've said it many times before - but it's great motivation to sew and also to post on my blog - which in turn becomes a great reference point for when I wonder..."when did I start this???"

December Finishes and Sunday Stitchers UFO Challenge

I've already posted a number of finishes for December - because I had them ready for a particular meeting.  Some are very small - like the 60 angels I've made, or the little tree decorations.

But in the lead up to Christmas there were a lot more finishes...

**Warning long post***

Holly Cottage Christmas Quilt

Our Sunday Stitchers Challenge number to end the year was - of course- #6 - which was my version of Michelle Ridgway's Holly Cottage Christmas.

I started this quilt in conjunction with a Stitch A Long Blog - this time hosted by Fiona - there was a plan of when to make blocks and when to finish it - I think my blocks were all done on time - but not my finish....I still want to add a bit more before I post on the SAL Blog but I showed this at the December SS meeting as my #6:

I did make many changes to the original pattern - and a formal apology to Michelle - I started off following the pattern - although I left out the words, but then it became a quilt for my eldest daughter and she wanted certain things in it - so I deviated a lot more from the pattern.

It was beautifully quilted by Fiona...just perfect ...

I have now gifted it to my daughter and her husband as part of their Christmas present and they are delighted.

Ruth's Quilt

I also showed Ruth's Quilt at Sunday Stichers - another group project  - hosted by the No Fuss team.

I really enjoyed making this quit.

I personalised a lot of the blocks to include the various sewing groups and retreats that I go to. 
I must admit it was a battle to get these both finished in time along with all the other Christmas stuff that happens - maybe next year I will be ahead of the game??? maybe...probably not.

Crochet blocks

Only 6 crochet blocks this month

 Alphabet Book

My eldest daughter is due to have a baby in March and I have made her a cloth alphabet book.  I started this in September or so....and in November she decided to have a "Book Themed" baby shower....so it is very appropriate...Guess I chose well.

I loved doing the Q page....

I have since gifted this to her too - as she had the Baby Shower whilst down in Brisbane for Christmas.  It was a big hit!

Mini Quilts

My best friend (Maureen) and I swap presents each year and we decided to stick with the mini quilt idea - this year it was Christmas themed.
I had thought about a bauble made from strips of fabric and ribbon which I started in October...and then I saw a lovely Crazy Christmas tree as a machine embroidery project...mmm...couldn't decide - so I made both - I gave this one to Maureen

and I have kept this one for me

Non slip machine foot pedal mats

I actually made two of these - I've given one away .  This one is for my eldest daughter - I added it to a sewing box and thread holder which were her Christmas presents.

Boy!!! no wonder I was busy in December!!!

There are still 2 days of december - what else can I finish???

String Quiltalong

I discovered a String Quilt Quilt a Long starting January 2019.

I needed another project   NOT for 2019....but I had planned a table cloth using striped blocks like we did earlier in the year for Sunday Stitchers, so this will be a great motivator to work on it.   I have no idea how it will be run but I have indicated my interest in joining.

If anyone else feels tempted - pop over here to read about it.

Gotta go - need to go fabric shopping!

FNSI - December

The last FNSI for 2018 - big thanks to Wendy for continuing this for another year - it's great motivation to sew and to blog!

Friday night - still working on secret projects!

Just a few peeps!

I wish all my fellow FNSIers a wonderful Christmas - may you be happy and with those you want to be with.  Looking forward to a fruitful 2019.

Sunday Stitchers Christmas Meeting

Sunday Stitchers is the largest group I belong to - so it makes sense that it is the biggest party - BUT a few special touches sets this one aside.

Sandi always puts herself out and creates something special - so although this year we went to the local hotel (rather than her place) for lunch - and it was very good - she still manged to amuse us with some games and crafty activity.  

First up - we formed teams of 3 and had to wrap a ball - set up and decorate a tree with a set list of decorations. All within 7 minutes.  Just getting the tree out of the box and all the branches extended was time consuming!!
Of course at the end there were prizes for everyone... Silly game but fun.

She also made up a giant photo frame  and brought along a box of props for us to use.

Another game was threading popcorn on string.

Our craft activity was to make a little decoration - Sandy brought along the mug shapes and the adornments - I chose to make this one.

Although we have a "Secret Santa" swap - a lot of us also give a small gift to everyone  - here is my collection....

This includes some lovely decorations to add to my collection - which this year are strung up on a fine LED light wire.

My Secret Santa swap buddy was Norreen - and she was mine - an easy swap!!!
This year we each put a fat quarter in a brown paper bag with an idea of what we would like....I left mine til the last minute and grabbed a yellow bali - and asked for "Something sewing related"...probably not very helpful for Norreen - but she rose to the challenge and made tme this lovely sewing folder - she added a lovely stitchery and some gorgeous purple bali.

It is great and will be used for a project I have almost started!!

Norreen put in a fat quarter of a lovely blue floral - a tricky blue - but one day when I was out and about - I found a great stripey fabric that went with it.  Norreen had asked for a bag or a zippy pouch...I settled on the zippy pouch and added a few things....how much can you get out of a fat quarter???   I used the fat quarter for both the front & back of the zippy pouch so there wasn't much left - not even a 2.5" square.  As well as the zippy pouch I made a scrap bucket, a needle case, a scissor holder and fob, a pin cushion and a mug coaster.

Alison is the chief coordinator - Madam President - for the group - she needs to coordinate with the hall admin people and attend yearly fire drills, so we thought she deserved a gift.  We made up a box of Moscato and some treats (chocolates, nuts shortbread etc) and I made her another of the mini wall hangers that I've been making lately.

Oh - and we had two birthday girls too - that all got a bit overshadowed but they each received a lovely bunch of fabrics.

AND we had a bit of Show & Tell - that will wait for another post.