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.

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.

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!