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 - 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!