RSC 2025 May - Green

Green is a much easier colour!!!

I found plenty of strips and some wadding - already about 13" wide and it had a green fabric with it - must have been an offcut of a quilt...so I cut that into 4 x 19" long pieces and sewed the strips.  I still have green strips - but a lot less.

While I was sorting the strips,
I was also able to organise the green pieces for the colourwash blocks.

During the "sorting" stage...I found some blue squares and was able to whip up another placemat.  I know it's not green but it can stay in this post.

Be My Neighbour - May

Blocks 7 and 8 means we are halfway through!

Fiona has hers completed too - and she has joined the top two rows - look here!

Sunday Stitchers - UFO Challenge - #4 - My Small World

For the April MOJO List Challenge - I switched projects. I had planned to finish My Kinda Town, but couldn't find a suitable border fabric, so I decided to do My Small World instead.

I finished the top last year - in June as my Sunday Stitchers - June - UFO Challenge #10 
and I am very happy to now have it quilted (lightly) and bound.

I started this in November 2019 and joined an Instagram group where I found some FPP patterns for the blocks....and the hot air balloon. Five and a half years...not so bad.

and I had found this fabric for the backing...it was a perfect choice I thought.

Floral Fun - May

Progressing well and staying on track

2 x Section 1

Some DV Quilt Finishes

I had a big pinning day with Helen a few weeks back to help get some of the DV quilts moving along.  Pinning is much more fun with company ...and of course quicker. 
On the day we pinned 6 quilts - none of them were really big...so that of course gave me the incentive made me feel a little obliged to get on with the quilting.
It only took a few days to finish them - it is all walking foot quilting using a decorative stitch or two and straight stitch.   And then a bit more time to bind them.
An added incentive is to have them finished for the next Sunday Stitchers meeting, so I can hand them back to Helen to pass to the DV (Domestic Violence) organisation.

such a neat little pile

Be My Neighbour - April

I am a little late - these are the April blocks.

Fiona finished hers quite early as she had a busy family month.  Hers are here.

They are so different to mine...

Chookshed Challenge #4 - Lanarte - 3 vases cross stitch

This has been a very very long term project.  
(And as it's already the 29th - I'm just scraping in)

Back in 1985, I finished one of a set of 3 vases of flowers - designed by Lanarte.

It appears I finished the second one a fair while after that - I'm guessing 2018.

For the last couple of years, I have added this project to challenge lists and made some progress on it each time.

Finally, it's done:

and the other two:

  

I will need to add initials & year to the second one and stitch the frame.

I really think I may need to get these framed...

RSC 2025 April - Red

Red is another colour that I do not have a lot of . . .but I found enough to make 3 placemats

and 20 Colourwash blocks

That will do for now.

Something a bit different

My blog is mainly for me sewing/crafty pursuits, but I do occasionally do a few other things . . .

Before Easter a few of my enabling friends found these Kit Kat house kits.

As we were visiting the grand girls and extended family on Easter Sunday, I decided to make an Easter Egg Hunt scene.  The family live on a few acres and have a couple of cows.  The egg hunt is fun for children and grown ups alike.

A bit of frivolous fun.

Sewing Machine Hanger

When I was at Warwick recently, we visited a new patchwork shop - Sew Pretty - and amongst the treasures, we saw a Sewing Machine hanging....It was a machine embroidery design...

I googled it when I got home  . ..and . . .it was on special...so of course I bought it...and decided to "whip one up". . .LOL. . .If you know anything about machine embroidery projects...you don't whip them up...maybe if you have been doing it for years . . but that is not me
When you load the design - it says 103 minutes. . . well, that doesn't take into account trimming fabrics, changing threads etc. . . .lets say it took 5 - 6 hours...

And, also - don't believe the story that you can do either things while its stitching away - firstly - each bit only takes a few minutes, then you need to trim or change the thread....and secondly, the minute you leave the machine the thread will break or something else will go wrong...well strictly speaking that is not true . . . .but you get the idea.
It is possible to listen to books though.

The design comes complete with some dingle dangles underneath -
scissors, thimble and a reel of thread, but I didn't want them.
its from Designs by JuJu in case you are tempted.

Floral Fun - April

Still on track. 2 x Unit 2

Sunday Stitchers - UFO Challenge - #1 - Token Quilt

My project for the month of April was "Token Quilt - Progress", and that is what I started with at the beginning of my Claytons Scrub Stitchin' retreat....Over the days I worked on it, I realised it was going to be difficult to take a pile of pieced or stitched blocks and show "progress', so I aimed to finish the top.

It looks a bit wishy-washy here -
it is more colourful in real life.
The fabrics are Spring Fever & Spring Fling
by Me & My Sister with a few extras thrown in.

Why is it my "token" quilt???
Well, it is predominantly made up of various bits that I have made as a token to my enabling friends when they though I needed to make something they were making . . . .I am not one to not join in . . but there is a limit as to how much I can do and what I do with it when done.

Back in the Covid days (2020) - a group of designers gave out some designs for a project called "Love & Hugs Australia".  I stitched a number of them to coordinate with some fabrics I had - but had no real plan.
Then Scrub Stitchin' 2023 happened and Chooky proposed a pattern from Moda (Moda-Love-Layer-Cake-Quilt") - so I used those fabrics.
In March 2023, my "enabling" friends decided I should make a Sparrow quilt....I conceded and made 3 blocks - using the fabrics.   These "enabling" friends also thought I should make Antique Sampler...no thanks, not at all interested. . . .but I did take two of the EPP shapes and stitched a circle around them instead of the background being a fabric piece with the circle cut out.

I was getting close to having enough pieces to make a top . . .I drafted a design...mmm...not really working...I re-drafted it ...ugh...still not happy . . .I needed 2 more 6" pieces on all four sides...plain fabric didn't appeal . . .then - as my self imposed deadline was approaching....(pressure pressure) I figured I could add some 3 and 2 inch strips . . .

The trees are there because I like trees and had the pattern . . .

Notes:
Threads used - Solids
DMC Blanc, 03,155,317,451,518,603,647,720,798,822,838,840,988,3860,3861
Variegated
DMC 4050,4126,4502,4508.  Cosmo 8008,8055,8056 Anchor 1304,1305,1345.
Cascade House 7355,9325.  Jennifer Gail Lavendar.  Colour Streams Water Nymphs.

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 5 (Saturday)

Over the last few days, I decided that my planned "Token Quilt - Progress" should be "Token Quilt - Finished Top".

And it is:

It needs a good iron but that will have to wait...I will get a better photo in daytime and I will do a separate post about its history.

I also cyberally joined with the Scrub Stitchin' girls for the gala dinner...although I didn't dress to match the theme...

I am out tomorrow at Sunday Stitchers as everyone starts to pack up and head home. 
I will be sewing, but not too much will be achieved...

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 4 (Friday)

Very few distractions today... I have drafted and re-drafted the plan for my Token quilt several times....and I still wasn't convinced it was right...I had another go this morning and have come up with the final plan.

So, today I could concentrate on cutting and sewing...These are the borders that will go around the central panel ...all will be revealed...LOL

I still need to appliqué the EPP shapes to the circle backgrounds. 
I really hope I can get that done Saturday,
so it's ready for Sunday Stitchers Challenge reveal on Sunday.

I hope now the weekend is approaching, more Claytons retreaters can get some sewing done!

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 3 (Thursday)

Well, it wasn't a very productive day. In the morning, I met up with a group of machine embroidery enthusiasts and then went shopping.

I have stitched another 6 circles, all part of the Sunday Stitchers Challenge project for April.

They look a bit boring at the moment...what will happen with them???

too boring . . .this is what they will look like

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 2 (Wednesday)

The Scrub Stitchers will be arriving at Baradine as I start this post - lunchtime ish.
...maybe already gathering somewhere for lunch - or shopping at  The Crafters Cottage ???

The other day I made two scrappy bunnies for my Brisbane granddaughters - so today I made two blue ones for the grandsons up north.  I also decided to make one for my hairdresser's daughter - she is 4, so I am sure she will love it.

Today's lot are here:

all of them:
  

I also worked on my Token Quilt.   I spent some time (too much) working out where blocks could go and what else I needed to make it all go together.
This is my Sunday Stitchers Challenge Project for April - so I am aiming to have as much as possible done by Saturday night.

I needed to make a few adjustments to the green sparrow block before joining them all and I ironed stabiliser to 8 blocks and traced circles.  I have sewn 2 of them...

It seems everything is taking longer than I want it to...and Wednesday night I was out at Qld Quilters meeting...so just a small amount of sewing done.

Hopefully, the Scrub Stitchers are all settled now and will be ready and raring to sew up a storm on Thursday.

And hopefully the Claytons Stitchers are also sewing away...I am looking forward to posts on Mr Linky!!!

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 1 (Tuesday)

I know, Scrub Stitichin' doesnt start til Wednesday ..late in the day I think....but I am counting my travel days as sewing days.

I couldn't spend all day sewing  - but I have finished the 2 Goat blocks that I volunteered to make (why do I do this to myself????)
They were a tad fiddly and I had several sessions with Jack the Ripper....
You know, read the directions, twice, lay out the pieces and pick them up and match the correct sides before sewing....

I also did some cross stitching whilst watching a bit of TV - 
including the Albanese/Dutton debate.  

Hope I am more productive for the other days!!!

Wednesday morning will be a tidy-up and vacuuming of the floor.
Threads are everywhere!

Claytons Scrub Stitchin' - Plans

My plan for my Claytons Scrub Stitchin'

2 x Goat Blocks

Token Quilt Progress

Drawstring bags

Sewing machine cover

Be My Neighbour - Blocks 5 and 6

RSC - Red placemat/s ~ 20 Colourwash blocks

Fish blocks - eyes, cut additional square blocks & arrange

We all know plans can be changed....

If I had been travelling to Baradine - I would have left home on Tuesday, and arrived home Sunday night or maybe late Monday, so I will count anything I work on in that period.

I do have a few things to do in that period, but will try to focus on these projects when I can.

Of course, I will need to be a little domestic and cook meals etc . . .but they will be kept simple. I better stock up on some bubbly drinks!

Boonah Outlook Retreat

Yes, you read that right—another retreat!!!!! I came home on Sunday, the 23rd March, and I went on another retreat from Friday, the 28th! I had just enough time to unpack clothes, wash them, and repack them.
Sewing projects were pretty much organised before the first retreat, so a bit of fine tuning on the supplies list...and off I went.

We met for morning tea at a local Bakery/Cafe, then shopped at the local drapery store (Maynards).  It is full of "stuff" - clothing, shoes etc - and - patchwork fabrics.   I resisted a lot of it and settled on a 30cm cut of fabric - just because.

After unloading the car, setting up tables and chairs, etc., I was looking for a simple sewing exercise, so I spent a couple of hours making pieces for Crumb Blocks for De, who will complete them in due course. I sorted her "Crumb Bag," removing all the odds and ends.

Then I thought I better get stuck into the sewing...

Firstly, I made a couple of blocks for Raewyn to make into a quilt at the upcoming Scrub Stitchin' retreat. The quilt will be donated to Macquarie Home Stay for the room that Chooky and her family raised funds for.

Then I worked on making some kid's quilt tops for our DV Charity.

These are all similar - Two with orange stitching and fabric and one with green.  Again, I have used the decorative stitches on the machine to add a touch of interest.  Theu finish at about 40" so only one width of normal fabric is needed to back them.

There wasn't much stripey fabric left by the time I got to this one.

Then I made up another tree skirt - this time in red & green and a lot larger.

I also joined my FPP Nature blocks - I don't think I posted all the blocks when I did them - I started them in April 2024 - when Scrub Stitchin' 2024 was on.

There were 9 in the pattern from Quiet Play - then I added more to make 20.  This will be the centre of a Kids Quilt for DV.

I also snuck in a bit of sashiko stitching and some crochet.

Overall, I was happy with what I got done - I had one more project that I could have worked on, but (1) I had neglected to cut enough fabric - and - (2) I spent time with De preparing some rose blocks for her to make another quilt similar to this.

 We had a lot of fun...we were all reasonably productive.  We had "group lunches" of ham cheese & tomatoes toasted sandwiches and Take-Away Chinese one night.  There were loads of sweets & treats, plenty of tea & coffee and a comfy bed.  What more could we ask for???
(well, maybe a cute porter to unload and load up our cars...LOL)

Next retreat???  Not til June . . .

Chookshed Challenge #2 - Placemats for Meals on Wheels

My #2 for the Chookshed Challenge was to make placemats to donate to Meals on Wheels.  I didn't specify a number, but wanted to use a pile of fabrics that had been lingering . . .

I made 6 of these:

and 7 of these

Thanks Deanna for hosting our challenge...it is really motivating!

Retreat at Glenrose (in the House)

Last year I went to Glenrose (House) with a group of people - some of whom I had sewed with before, some not.
The booking for 2025 had been retained but none of the other ladies were able to go this year, so I took it over and roped in the usual sewing buddies.

The booking is from Thursday at 4PM to Sunday at 2PM, so it's shorter than a "week" booking, but we're always up for a retreat.

I was able to finish the I Spy top for Montana's 2nd Birthday coming up in July.

I joined the wedges for a Christmas tree skirt.  I have a red & green one cut ready to go too - but realise I will need to make the hole in the centre bigger...so can fix that before I sew the other one.

For DV projects, I put this Coin Quilt together (the strips of "coins" had been made & hanging around for a long while).

And I put the borders on this top - which had also been hanging around for a while.

 I had been saving this for a retreat with Helen as she had a nifty way of making the mitered corners....it was quite easy!

Some of the other things that the girls worked on
Maureen made several Crowns for the border of her Chuck Nohara quilt...these are just a few..

Maureen also put together this quilt top for the DV project

Helen made a bag - the fabric is so lovely

and added the borders to this DV quilt top

Sandi made and bound 22 strip-pieced placemats, which I will give to the local Meals on Wheels group. She also experimented with finishing the binding by machine—we decided that using the Ditch foot was the most successful method.

De made another giraffe quilt top - so cute!!!

Lynda put a quilt top together - but I missed getting a photo! 

Both Helen & De made up this Quilters Retreat Panel - all the Needle Girls have one to make up by November.

Here is Helens - no picture of De's 😖

The girls are well-trained and know to save the Teabags so I can collect the strings for Jo.

No retreat would be complete without some retail therapy and there is a new shop in Warwick - so off we went.   I found a new "must have" project, as did most of us....and we spied this cute wall hanging - well, we all like the machine part...maybe not the dingle dangles.
It's a machine embroidery design so I have - of course - purchased it...(Designs by Juju..)

The booking is in place for next year.   But I have a few more retreats this year - one next weekend!!!!!, then June, August & November...I am quite the expert in planning & prepping!