September Finish

Last Sunday was Sunday Stitchers and I took along my latest finish.

I've been working on this for a number of years...

(there is a photo in a post dated August 2012 

where I had joined a lot of squares into strips...

though back then it seems I was planning on a bright blue strip to join them)

It's a Leaders & Enders project.  

I sew 2 21/2" squares together, then 2 sets of 2 and 2 sets of 4...etc...

and total them up to 30 squares.

Then join that to a plain strip - mostly 21/2" but that bit is flexible...

depending in what I have lying around.   

I used 21/2" binding strips too so that the left over can go into the next project.

It's fun to re-visit some of the fabrics.
I am planning one that will have at least one row of fabrics from each quilt that I make in the future - or if I can do it - that I have already made.

This is destined for a nursing home or similar.

Bluebird Lane

Three of us at Sunday Stitchers have been working on Natalie Bird's Bluebird Lane.

This month's deadline was to have all the blocks finished, 

and we all managed that (nothing like a bit of peer pressure!!!)

Here is mine

I used a fat quarter bundle I bought a while back - a Helen Stubbings range and added some beiges and the teal green.
As usual (for me) I changed the layout and used birds in a block that was originally rabbits.

Here is Inca's

(had to use her instagram photo as she wasn't there on Sunday)

Inca and I are still pondering the borders - the original has stars all around.

and here is Sandi's
Sandi is thinking of making a table runner 

and some mini quilts, so she hasn't put her blocks together 

It's been great to have a team project...wonder if we will do one next year???

FNSI - September

The year is flashing by...how is that "To Do" list going??

Along with other cyber buddies, Friday night saw me stitching on my Pretty Little Sydney...again...it's getting there - hope to tick it off by the end of December.

There is a LOT of water to go...

Thanks Wendy for another fun night!!!

Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade

I saw on Fiona's and then on Maria's blog that there was a

"Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade" happening, so I thought I would join in too.

Both Fiona & Maria showed some lovely pincushions and how they use them all.  

Here is my collection.

I store a lot of mine in a small bird cage.  I have cat who would love to not only play with these - but is likely to eat them...so I keep them out of reach.. Even if he didn't eat them, he will pull the pins out and chew off the tops.

This is my oldest pin cushion....Dates back to around 1983/84 I think.  I went to a class to learn how to make bullion roses...the instructor's pin cushion was so beautifully done - I paid her to make me one.  It is full of horse hair - like they used to use in furniture.  I used it for many years.

Two Anni Downs designs - the flower gifted from my bestie, and the turtle because "everyone" was making one.

This collection were all gifts from friends in Loose Threads.

This lovely cat was gifted to me by my late aunt...made by a member of Buderim Craft Cottage....too lovely to stick pins in..

I won this as part of a giveaway from Val Laird.

Two pincushions from the SAL in 2014 - run by Chookyblue.

The simplest one of all - used to be beside my machine - it's filled with rice so its nice & heavy.

Another one I made because "everyone" else was making one...

And another one gifted to me - this is from Teresa in Sunday Stitchers.

Now my favourite (sorry to all the other gifters...) is this one.  It's large, its heavy so its stays where I put it and was made as a swap gift in the Nundle Girls Day in the Country 2016 by Dawnie...Thanks again Dawnie.

And my most recent - not a pin cushion, but a "Pin Holder"-  is this one...it's very easy to use as it has a magnet inside and the pins just "fly" onto the magnet.

I also have a few Sewing Caddy things - that include pincushions and if I didn't have that pesky cat, one would be sitting on the arm of my recliner. I made the black & white one to match a lot of my sewing gear - I take it to sewing days when I take the machine.  I made the pink one for a competition - the others were gifts.

This is the competition one...  

(Thanks to Faeries in My Garden for the photo)

The competition was hosted by Faeries in My Garden in 2009.  It was based on a TV remote control holder pattern and I turned it into a Sewing Caddy.   And I won!!!
You can read about it here.http://www.faeriesinmygarden.com.au/Gift-of-the-Month/240/

When I first read the posts by FIona & Maria I thought my post would be quite short...because I didn't really have many....but I think that is maybe not the case at all.

I also have these.

FNWF - September

September already??? Where is the year going?

Friday night saw a change of pace... back to my "Pretty Little Sydney" cross stitch.....working on the sky behind the Bridge.  Not much concentration needed..the hard part is done.

Thanks as always to Wendy for hosting & coordinating.  Thanks to all the cyber buddies for joining in - go here to see the link up.