Sunday Stitchers - Challenge #8 - Cross Stitch Christmas Tree

"Someone" showed a group of us a pattern for a Christmas Tree....some of us decided to make it . . Sorry, no details - I can't dob in the owner...LOL.

I can't see any posts I have done, but I think I started it late in 2024...and I couldn't/didn't finish it in time for Christmas 2025....but all good for Christmas 2026.

I made it the right size to fit on my mini quilt stand, 12" x 14".

Notes:

DMC equivalents to charted threads
Stitched on Aida 14 count Stormy Sea

DV Donation Quilt

Another quilt made using a panel - I purchased a number of these panels and also the stripey fabric that works so well with it.

To make it a bit bigger I added a border of white fabric and stitched a number of decorative stitches on my machine.

And rather than a plain stitch along each image I used another stitch from the machine.

 

World Quilting Day & World Cross Stitch Day - Stitching Done

I can't blame my "enabling friends" this time.  I think I saw one of these on a Facebook post.....so I went looking for the pattern - quite reasonably priced - purchased both - and off I went.

I started them in October 2025.  (I remembered to make a note on the pattern...LOL)

The patterns are from the Fat Quarter Shop and include American spelling "COLOR KEY". No way could I stitch that, so I changed it to Threads and added a shape to fill in the gap.
It's actually surprising that "threads" wasn't included in the design anyway.

The original pattern shows these mounted on a Spool-shaped wall plaque - well, they are no longer available and the shipping from the States would be horrendous....So I plan to visit the local Men's Shed and have some spool shapes cut...stay tuned!.


Threads used:

Cosmo 335 (Green)
Cosmo 240 (Red)
Cosmo 2412 (Light Blue)
Cosmo 669A (Navy)

DMC 893 (Pink)
DMC 676 (Yellow)

Alana's #2 Baby Quilt & Taggie

Another baby quilt using the coin quilt pattern.  This one is for a Cousin-in-Law of my youngest daughter for her second baby - They didn't find out or reveal the gender ...though statistically it is likely to be a boy.

I found the Australian Animal fabric on sale, and then found a very cute fabric that I used on the back (also a good price) ....interestingly, the pattern runs down the length.

All the cousins that have partners now have two children each and I don't think there is talk of anyone having a third....there is still a Brother-in-Law who is a bachelor...so maybe in the future there will be some more baby coin quilts.

In the meantime, I may make a scrappy one for DV as I have a few pieces already cut...I'll add it to the list...LOL

And of course, I needed to include a taggie for the Cousin-in-Law.  And a daughter of some friends had another baby, so I made one for him. And I made an extra one to give to Lynda, who gave me some flannel she picked up at Scrub Stitchin'

Maybe no more taggies for a while either.

Chookshed Challenge #10 - April - Chapel Street Top

The wonderful Chooky "enabled" me down this rabbit hole . . .

It started in 2023 and I haven't blogged about it very much - apart from here (May 2025) when Chookshed Challenge #8 was to make progress on Chapel Street.

At the time it looked like this:

My design wall is just too small!!!!.  

The bottom picture is the bottom of the quilt, and the plan was to finish the colour wash with heading to blacks in the right-hand corner.

So, here is the top...Chookshed Challenge #10 completed.
I am thinking I will add a black border of 2 or 3", depending on the quantity of black I have left, then a wider border of fabrics used in the quilt.  A project for another day.

It's not a great picture - the holder upperer was not up to much.

Thanks Deana, for pushing us along.....I got to a point where - without the Challenge deadline I would have put it aside....I think most of you know that problem.

What will May challenge me with????  (7 or 9 would be OK...LOL)


PS:   I am trying to reply to each comment, but if I missed yours - many apologies!

DV Donation quilts (2)

#1 - Pink & Brown
At one of the groups I go to - a Machine Embroidery Social Group - the leading lady brought in some things that had belonged to a previous member who has since passed.  I don't know if I ever met the lady, but amongst the "stash" was a bag of 8" cut squares of a nursery print and some coordinating smoky pink fabric.   No one else seemed interested, so I took them home to make into a baby quilt for donation to the DV group that a few people at Sunday Stitchers support.

I had to add another fabric and found a reasonable match - a smoky brown.  I devised a layout - never the correct number of squares is there?   and cut the brown squares to enable me to complete the top.  I took it to the retreat at Warwick in March and finished the top.

The Machine Embroidery group meet on the second Thursday of the month, so I decided it needed to be quilted and bound before then, so I could have it for Show & Tell.

The KISS principle for the quilting!  Serpentine (Width 6.0, Length 2.7) across the diagonals.

Joining Binding

I will share this with you.....I know you all have your preferred method of joining binding...I have been using a method called "Liz's Lumpless Binding for so long . . . . .BUT . . . .I saw this method on Instagram a while back....have a look - you might like it too.

#2 - Blue & Green panel

I have also finished this quilt for DV.

It's a very pretty panel and I found the perfect apple green fabric to go with it.   
I may have bought the rest of the bolt at the time as that meant I saved money (by spending more???  female logic)

Both these quilts had been folded for a few days, so they are a little crumpled...
I have a few more DV quilts to pin and/or quilt...hopefully soon.

Sunday Stitchers - Challenge #10 - My Kinda Town

I started this quilt in November 2022 and made some blocks at various retreats over 2022 and 2023.
I really enjoyed the FPP & selecting the fabrics.....I did not enjoy removing the paper - even though I used newsprint it was still fiddly in those tiny bits.

I had the top finished (without borders) for my Sunday Stitchers Challenge Project in August 2024.

Then it sat for a bit...I could see I had to do something other than basic quilting ...and I am not a fan . . . .but I really wanted it finished.   I figure if I put it on a Challenge List (now a Mojo list...LOL) it will get done.

So borders added, pinned and quilted in various stages over the month - so many ends to thread in . . .so much starting and stopping . . .Overall I am happy with it - it's no show winner but I am happy to have it hanging on the wall in the family room for now.

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 5 - Saturday

Another day in Sewing Paradise!!!

Well, really I need to be a little domestic today - washing, the floor is desperately in need of a vacuum...some shopping.....you know....the boring stuff.

While I have been sewing, I have been playing e-books from the library.  During one of Chooky's Zoom meetings, someone mentioned books by Dilly Court - so I went in search . . .My Library had all 3 books from one of her series, to which I have now listened.  They were light "reading", good company while I sewed.  (Thanks to whoever suggested them).  Unfortunately, my library only has those 3 - even though Dilly Court has written a lot of books...Oh well, on the hunt again.

I decided to pull out another DV quilt that I pinned a little while ago...got started on the quilting...

I got the central panel done.

Then dinner time and hand sewing the binding on the baby quilt...

Well, that is it for Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' I think - tomorrow the girls are leaving and travelling home.  I will be at Sunday Stitchers, so I won't count that...though of course, I will be sewing.

If you have read my posts - thanks - it is really just a bit of silly fun and I can't keep up these daily posts....

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 4 - Friday and FNSI

A bit of a "Bits and Bobs" day - not like being on retreat - but trying to use my time wisely & productively.

I finished the quilting and the binding on the baby quilt - ready for hand sewing the binding now.  I hope to finish that by Sunday, ready for Show & Tell.

Then I figured I may as well get onto the "framing" of my March Birthday Flowers....That is the step I always put off...but again, if I take it for Show & Tell on Sunday - it will look better finished properly.

I am using stretchy hoops from that place in China that I prefer not to deal with . . .but  . . .they are cheap and surprisingly easy to use.
Just a glimpse for now - I will do a post on them another time.

What to work on now???????????????
I consulted my very long "Project" list . . . . . . . .

Ah ha - I need to prepare two more blocks for Trains Trucks Tractors" quilt.  So I converted an outline drawing of a recycling truck to an applique pattern in the right size and traced the shapes....I want this one to look like a Townsville truck - so need to sort out what colours I need to use....put that one away for now!!!

Then it was time to settle on the lounge to watch the news and then Better Homes & Gardens - until the AFL started....(erk!).  So, I retreated back to my sewing room and finished the binding on My Kinda Town.

It's still early . . . what now???
Consult the Project list again....There isn't much to do on this Cross Stitch and it is on my SS Mojo list . . . .

So, I will work on that for a bit . . .

I am looking forward to seeing the storybook characters from the Scrub Stitchin' night....not to mention the Show & Tell!

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 3 - Thursday

Today was more quilting on My Kinda Town....I could keep adding bits here and there . . .but . . .then the borders - that was quick and no ends to thread in....YAY!!!

I trimmed and added the binding - and sewed two sides on Thursday night in front of the TV.
I only did two sides as my hand starts to hurt a bit when gripping the needle so tightly...LOL

So, back to the machine to start the quilting on a baby quilt.

You might see a red laser line.....A few years back, at a retreat, one of the girls had a Brother machine with a laser light ....very clever I thought ...machine envy . . .

I investigated adding one to my Janome - nothing was easily available.  Sometime later, I saw a Sew Q Laser light offered by an Australian retailer - at a reduced price for pre-orders, and my arm was twisted.  It sat on my desk for quite some time.   When I make these baby quilts, I stitch diagonally across a 2" x 6" rectangle.  If I eye-ball it, it isnt always good.  If I draw a line it is good.   BUT - what to draw the lines in ???    I am not a fan of Frixion pens on fabrics.   I like my Air Erasing pen....BUT...they disappear so I can only do a smallish amount at a time . . . .
It was time to install the laser light.   I am very happy with it for the quilting.
I think it will really come into its own when I do HST...another time.

I am sure all the Scrub Stitchin' girls are hard at it now - I've seen a few facebook posts, but no one is blogging!

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 2 - Wednesday

I had one of those "faffing around" mornings...then did a bit of shopping.

I have almost finished the quilting on My Kinda Town...a couple of stars and the border to go.

Night time - more on the Birthday Flower for April - Daisies.  I have reached a roadblock, as I am missing one DMC (a light blue to fill in the petals) and I do not want to unhoop it at this stage....

I imagine everyone is now settled in at Baradine - hopefully there is a bit of sewing happening in the midst of the catch-ups!

Clayton's Scrub Stitchin' - Day 1 - Tuesday

Well, here is another year that I haven't gone to Scrub Stitchin'.
And I know it doesn't start til Wednesday - but if I had gone, I would be travelling today - so I will just call this Day 1.

I am not as well organised for my Stay at Home Claytons Scrub Stitchin' - but I have plenty of sewing to do...

I have my Sunday Stitchers Mojo Project deadline on Sunday, so I am quilting My Kinda Town.  I had the top finished in July 2024...not sure what happened to it in 2025, but this is the month to finish it.

I spent most of the day working on this...

followed by some cross stitching.

For those travelling on Tuesday - I hope the day went well and you are not having any fuel problems.

Project Bag with a difference

A recent trip to Craft Alive at Toowoomba resulted in 3 of us purchasing a "Mad for Plaid Project Bag".  It is made of nylon mesh.   Tempting as the bag is already made.
I chose the Lilac version - there were a couple of other colours available at the time....but when I searched online - there are 6 colours different colours - I found them at Rural Stitch Co - look here.
Of course, there was a lovely cross-stitch pattern that perfectly suited the bag.  'Stitch' cross-stitch pattern by Shepherds Bush.  I recently made 'Sew Mini Bag by Shepherd's Bush".  Here.  Though at the time I didn't realise I could buy the plaid bag.

It was awkward to sew on as it is quite firm, and of course, the back is exposed....I tried to keep it neat, but Perle thread (size 5) can be obstropulous!   (Defined as 'Unruly, defiant, noisy, or difficult to manage'...definitely that - apart from noisy!)

A quick project - I bought it Friday 6th March - Finished about the 23rd March!!!!!

Chookshed Challenge #2 - March - Denim Bag

Last November, whilst on retreat at Glenrose, we were able to do a class at Sew Pretty Patchwork to make a bag.  We had seen a bag on Facebook, and after making a few enquiries, Gemma organised a class for us with Libby.  We had such a fun day with Libby - she brought in huge bags of denim and bits and pieces, and we were able to raid her stash.  She was so generous with her artistic advice and tips.

I didn't finish mine in class....and it sat for a bit - too many other projects to do....

Then somehow some of the Chookshed people thought #2 could be a bag...AND . . .we are going back to Glenrose this month and I had hoped to take my bag back to show Gemma & Libby..  An excellent number choice for this month Deana - thank you!!!

Here is the bag.  I tried to use bits of jeans and other denim pieces from Libby.   The tree is from the lining material that I spied in the shop months before we did the class.  It is quite a heavy cotton...combined with several layers of denim in parts, I was grateful for my walking foot.

The front

The back

The lining fabric

It's great to have my Chookshed Challenge finished so early (It was finished on17/3/2026).

Cute Little Purple Cup

When we were in Warwick on retreat (19-23 March), we had a bit of time to fill in before we could settle in at Glenrose.   I wandered into Bed Bath & Table.  All their Easter stuff was 40% off.   I don't really decorate for Easter....though having seen the goodies on display, I was tempted.

I spied a very pretty little cup... A silly purchase really...I have multiple pretty cups...too small for a decent cup of tea...And I have multiple pretty mugs . . .but I "had to have it". (and it WAS on special.)
I used it a couple of times at Glenrose for tea . . .but thought it needed a special coaster.

I found this machine embroidery design online - from Kreative Kiwi - and it was free - so whipped one up.....

and if I am going to take this cup anywhere - it needs a drawstring bag...doesnt it??

A very quick result...unlike some of my projects that linger for years....which I will now get back to.

Needle Girls March Retreat - Glenrose House

My first retreat for the year!!!

I keep a "Retreat Book" - I head each page with the venue and dates and list what I plan to work on (tick it off when done), and include other notes, such as who went and for one retreat - who was in which cabin.
The book was nearly full - not enough pages for the planned retreats for 2027 - so I selected this Journal that Deb had made and gifted to us at Sunday Stitchers last Christmas.

It is very pretty and will keep me going for a few years....

My plan included:

• DV Baby Quilt
• Baby Quilt for Alana
• 28 Square in a Square blocks for Flower Pop
• Squares for the centre panel for Village Green
• Placemats - if I got to them

I am happy to say I got it all done except the placemats, so I spent some of my free time making large scrappy blocks for a DV quilt - it takes me a while to get my head around the "randomness" and the "just hack it" as De suggests.
Anyway - I got 4 done and brought home a fair stash of fabric pieces to make some more...

My projects:

28 Square in a Square blocks

Baby Quilt for Alana

DV Baby Quilt

Village Green centre

These all need to be trimmed and joined.   There are two I might replace before that happens.

As always, a fun time was had, much chatting, some snacking and a glass or two!!!

Not too long til the next retreat!

Sunday Stitchers - Challenge #1 - Red & black vase of flowers (ex Inca)

An easy finish for this month's challenge.

This block had been well and truly started by my friend Inca, who is sadly no longer with us.  When helping to clear out her things, I found this block, probably 75% complete and thought it would make a good block to pass to Helen for her "random blocks quilt" that she might get to one day...LOL

Fortunately, I had a collection of felt flowers made in a Wendy William class many moons ago, so I was able to use them to finish off the barren stems.

I have left the orange flower at the top unfinished, so that it can be placed as high as possible and go over the seam line.

Needle Girls Birthday 2026 - Flower Power - De

We decided our Birthday gifts for 2026 would be based on the theme "Flower Power".  To be interpreted any way we like.

My present for Lynda in February was a cute crocheted pot with bunny ears and a flower.  I didn't take photos of that as it wasn't my creation.

March is De's Birthday.

Sometime last year, I purchased some fabric that had "De's Texture Basics" on the selvedge.  It was a great fabric for the placemats I was doing - but the selvedge was also very appealing.  So, I stashed the selvedge away.

Then Maureen bought some fabric that had the word "Daisy" on the selvedge...I had to get some of that!

When I was going through some selvedges for my door stopper boot (future post), I found another perfect selvedge - "Petal Power": and "I think of you every daisy"

I had a blue/yellow daisy fabric and teamed it with the orange daisies and the selvedges and made a bag for De.
The outside

The Inside

That sorted the "Flower" bit and a little bit of "Power" - but then I thought of some Powerade.   As I was about to cover the "ade" part of the bottle, I realised that if I just covered the A - I had "DE" left.  I added a 4 so now the bottle reads "Power for De".

I guess she will get the joke...

Some Placemats

One of my groups is a collection of ladies with very varied craft skills. and we meet in a Co-op shop that is run by a group of very talented crafty people.  Their skills cover not just textile art, but glass fusion, paper, leather, silver....

We meet monthly and usually have a bit of a project where those who know share with those who don't know.  In 2025, at our first meeting, we made some name tags from random pieces of textiles.  

At one session, I showed how I make a couple of my angels, we have had a session on diagonal crochet blocks, one session of scrunching up paper with hand lotion etc...I missed that one sadly.

I also ran a session about making EPP hexie flowers.    A lot of the ladies had done this before.   I took along some fabrics left over after another group that some of us were in stopped, and I took the hexies "papers" and needles and thread.

Once the hexies had been made, I used them to create placemats - the plan being that we would donate them to the Meals on Wheels group in that area.   (Different groupd to my local one.)

I appliqued the flowers to fabric - added wadding , quitled and bound them.   Some of the ladies helped with the hand sewing of the binding of the first lot and then I put on the big girl pants and machine bound some of them - still not my preferred method, but it is a bit quicker...LOL

We have 17 to donate so far......

Here are a few:   

Not great pictures, I just like to record a few to jog my memory later on.

Chookshed Challenge - #8 - February - Trains Trucks & Tractors - Progress

My eldest daughter has two boys (just 7 and 3.5).  They are typical boys - love trucks, construction vehicles, garbage trucks and any sort of vehicle really.

She saw this quilt pattern and thought I could make it for the boys....I am not getting into the "one quilt for two boys" scenario...I've discussed it with her - it will be her issue...LOL).  They don't use quilts on their beds as they live in Townsville.

And in case you want to be enabled....its available here.
Or in your Local Quilt Shop - an Australian Designer (Chris Hill).

Last October, when she was here, she did a quick raid on my fabrics and selected some that she thought would be good.  A starting point at least.

I put this one on my Chookshed Challenge so that I would make a start - probably good it came up early in the year...there is a lot of tracing and cutting before the applique starts..

Like her mother, "Patterns are just a guide" - she wants it narrower - and she doesn't want blocks - she wants rows!  I will make the train the full width of the finished top and put two vehicles on each row for the rest of the top.  We already have a panel to put on the back, so that is my guide for width.

This is my small amount of progress - creating the excavator and train.   I may make all the vehicles before I start putting them on strips for the backgrounds.  Mostly it will be sky and road or grass (for the tractor), or train tracks (thinking black & white stripes).

I plan to add "Townsville branded" garbage and recycling trucks. When I get some photos.

As a side note, I have long thought that it would be handy to have a light box that I could iron on....Sometimes when I move my carefully placed pieces to the ironing board/mat, they move, even if I use one of those silicone mats.
I recently purchased a cheap A4 sized light box as the A3 one is sometimes too big for the space I am working in (and I can take it to retreats without too much hassle)....and recently Aldi had a pack of 2 glass cutting boards.
I have been able to construct these pieces using the cutting board over the light box and feel happy to leave the iron there long enough to fix the bits in place....I wouldn't leave it too long, but it's enough so that the pieces don't move.   The packaging does say not to use it on a direct heat source...so I best be a bit careful!

Thanks Deana for continuing the Chookshed Challenge for 2026.  It really helps me make sure I do what ever it is that I should be doing, and it binds the whole Chooky tribe together.

Still not getting my comments to emails, so I can't reply to everyone, though I am trying!!!   (Yes, my husband will say very trying.)