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.)

Luka's Birthday Presents

DD1 suggested a new book pillow for Luka for his birthday - and a new hooded towel.  His current love is Spiderman (aka Spidey).

I got some Spiderman fabric from Spotlight - and some plain red & a blue blender and made this:

Then I needed to tackle the hooded towel.  I don't have one here to work from, so found a You Tube and some written instructions, combined the two and made this:

The You Tube I watched included some fabric binding which would have made it very "Spiderman-ish", but I was concerned that over time the fabric would wear away, so I decided on appliquing some of the images and Luka's name.

We watched Luka opening his presents...after checking out the towel he placed in on the table and rested his head on it "very soft" he said.

Seems he was happy with his pillow, towel, book and light we sent him.
Happy Birthday Luka!

Christmas Snow Globes / Baubles for Grandchildren

I started a tradition in 2019 - the first Christmas that I had a grandchild - and made a "Snow Globe" with his picture. 

In 2020 - there was still only one grandchild.

2021?? - I missed that year (2 Grandchildren by then) - but made up for it in 2022 (3 Grandchildren)

2023?? - I missed that again!!!! - but have caught up!

Here are the boys for 2023 and 2024

and the girls for 2023 and 2024

Maybe I can keep up to date in 2025???

Milo Tag - Give Thanks Hanging

Many years ago I made the Give Thanks hanging designed by Jenny of Elefantz) and gifted it to DD1.

It was posted here.  OMGosh - it was January 2011!!!!!

I did the second one in February - here 

and so far I have found one more post about it - in 2016 - here.

But I know I have made many more, so I asked DD1 for a picture of all of them.

The special ones I have made have been for her boys - Luka

and now one for Milo.

FNSI - December - Snow Globes 2021 and 2022

It's our last get-together for 2022.   😞

A huge thanks to Wendy for keeping us on our toes and encouraging us to show what we work on. .even if it s just a bit...It's great that she can gather us on blogs or on FaceBook...or both.

Tonight I finished off these two decorations - these are actually for 2021 when I missed making them . . .

and a day or so ago I had made three for 2022 

2019 and 2020 are here.

Two Felt Puppets

I bought kits to make 9 felt finger puppets from My Felt Lady earlier in the year, knowing my eldest daughter would be having a baby later in the year and I thought these could be a cute present for the Big Brother and hopefully amuse him a bit while mum was tending to bub.

I asked what Luka's favourite Australian animals were at the moment - "Platypus & Wombat" was the answer.

I mailed them off - along with some other goodies and my daughter face-timed me when they opened the parcel.
Luka opened the wrapped puppets - took one look at them and a look of ??? (I don't know what - I thought disappointment) flooded his face - he got off his chair and disappeared for a bit - I really thought he was devastated that it wasn't something else . . . .but then came back with his favourite book of Australian Animals - Phew!  (It was quite funny ....looking back.)

I plan to finish the other 7 soon- ish - or by Christmas.

Luka's Quilt

Many years ago - in a group that I belong to - KQ girls - each of us made 9 patch blocks for each other's birthdays.  I asked for Novelty fabrics in the corners and bright colors in the other blocks.

I think I added to the blocks I was given - with a vague idea of making I Spy quilts for my two girls when they had children - both girls were still at school - maybe High School - so it was all very much - "one day....".

In 2014, on retreat  (#1 and  #2)  I put two tops together - DD1 was married - no children at that stage and DD2 was unattached.....and then I put them away.

Now that Grandson #1 is 2 - I thought it was time to make a quilt.  I asked DD1 what she would like on the back and she suggested Australian animals, so I purchased some panels and made the back with a great Aboriginal fabric around it.

I had it quilted by the wonderful Quilting Fairy (aka Fiona) who quilted around the animals and scenery.

It's now been delivered to Luka and he is having a great time identifying the images.  He is in Townsville- so it probably won't get a lot of use as a snuggle under quilt, but I hope he still enjoys it.

Last Minute 2020 Finishes

Well - it's only 5.00PM on 31st December 2020 - plenty of time for more finishes???

Mr Adorable Grandson loves Bluey (and Emma from the Wiggles . . )  and I'd been searching for some Bluey fabric - but it's been so popular it's out of stock at Spotlight...but I did see some cotton canvas - for home decor - and thought I could make some felt characters for him to play with - my daughter will be putting up a felt panel to go with the felt boards we had already bought .  . .

So these were created:

But then I thought a new pillow to go with the new bed set for his room..again a Bluey theme...and found an applique machine embroidery pattern . . . .and used a pattern for a "reading pillow" - the pocket on the front holds a book or two - and there is a Bluey book about grandparents...so need to go to the shops to get that as well . . .

and for the last thing, I made a Christmas 2020 decoration to go with the one I made for Christmas  2019.

Can't wait to hand over the Bluey things when the Townsville crew get here for a late Christmas celebration.

Seriously, that is all for 2020.
I'm happy with my tally for the year..hopefully I can achieve as much in 2021.

Wishing everyone 

and as everyone is saying - hopefully 2021 will be better.

December Finishes - Zippy pouch & sewing hanger

I am trying to be productive during my break from work - a lot of the time before Christmas was used up getting ready for Christmas, so now I'm into the more relaxing bit . .  .

I still have a few things to finish off before DD1, SIL & Mr Adorable Grandson arrive on 5th January.

One of those things is a zippy pouch for Luka - this is to store the felt pieces that belong to some Felt Story Boards I picked up at Aldi a while back.
I switched out the vinyl for mesh fabric..partly to try it - but also if I make another one or two they won't stick together.

and the back

I also made my hanger to match the ones I gifted to the SIMS girls here.

I had included that on my To Do list for 2021, so in some weird way I am ahead of myself!

Glenrose Retreat - November 2020

It seems I didn't do any posts from the Glenrose retreat in November 2020 - I guess because I didn't take my laptop and went straight back to work when I got home . . .
Anyway - time for a catch-up.

One project I worked on was adding hexies to my Willowbrook stitcheries.
This is most of them - but as at May 2021 - each stitchery is surrounded by hexies but there are no definite plans about how I will join them...... I may need to go shopping????

I made a lot of drawstring bags to pass onto Maria for Knitting for Brisbane's Needy

and some stockings for the same group.

I made a Snappy Pouch for Mr Adorable Grandson.

I'm sure there was a bit more  . . . but no idea what.... 

The year before - we decided we would set ourselves a challenge for completion by this year.

We chose a wall hanging - here is mine:

and the collection:

Now that I am posting this so late - 

it's not long til the next one...and I have 2 things to finish off!

Pencil cases

I don't do a lot of machine embroidery - but every so often something catches my eye - and as I'm due to visit Mr Adorable Grandson - when I saw this Pencil Case on the Sweet Pea site - I just had to make it for little Luka - he is a bit young for drawing at the moment, but I'm sure it won't be too long.

I thought it best to follow the rainbow colours - as a learning tool.
(yep - I know - should be 7 colours but the pattern only had 6....) 
- and you know me - I ALWAYS STICK TO THE PATTERN......NOT

and after mastering the technique I decided to make a second one....it will be a gift ...for one day . . . 

For those in the know - it's all done "In the Hoop" - the only hand sewing is about 4" for the lining.
I think if I make a few more I may put them together like a zippy pouch with tabs at the end of the zip.   But it was fun picking the colours....and different from my normal projects.

February Happenings

I have not been able to make a lot of crochet blocks lately...
but I had a small pile to hand over this month:

I have also finished a playmat for Mr Adorable Grandson.  
We are off to Townsville at the end of the month for his first birthday.  I have a few cars to add to this too.

That is all for now - I have also been making small house blocks, tree blocks and QAYG blocks.  I'll post more on these later - hopefully soon for the tree blocks - since they need to be sent by the end of the month.

December finishes

December is always a crazy month in terms of getting things finished....the critical secret stuff happens - but not much more.

This month saw these non Christmas items finished:

A taggie for a work colleague's first grandchild

6 Crochet blocks:

For the critical secret sewing - 
a Mini quilt for Lynda for our Sunday Stitchers' Christmas swap
(not such a good photo)

another Alphabet book

60 Angels

An ornament for my daughter & SIL with a picture of my very cute & lovable grandson...

My daughter also made an ornament for us - and it features the same cute grandson...LOL

December is not over yet - I have a bit more to post - it will have to wait.

In the meantime there is some socialising to do and more baby cuddles to get while I can.

August Finishes

YAY - I finally have some FOs instead of UFOs.

Two zippy pouches:

Shorts & bib for my oh so cute grandson...LOL

Cloth Christmas Story book for the oh so cute grandson....LOL

5 crochet blocks

Not a lot this month sadly.

Retreat 2019 Days 3, 4 and 5

How things have changed - I used to do a post every night....this time it's just 2 in all....and this one is late!!!      😞

This is photo heavy - but I like to do this as  record of what we got through.

Maureen's Basket runner - she almost became a basket case over this one...

Alison made up some face washers that had been hiding in the cupboard for a while

 Nolene did the applique and put together this Sunbonnet Sue quilt

 - just needs a bottom border

Jan made up this lovely evening bag 

Alison finished off some more UFOs - hand towels 

 I made a pair of shorts and a bandanna bib for Luka

 Jan's gorgeous Disappearing 9 patch 

with some lovely Aussie prints...

such an effective arrangement of blocks

 My two zippy pouches - 

these have been on the UFO list for quite some time 

and have been to a couple of retreats

 A Jelly Roll race quilt from Alison

Alison had a dress to alter 

One of Jan's quilts in Aussie fabrics and blues - 

not her preferred choice of fabrics but it looks great

and the other one - similar but different

I worked on some blue blocks for my Fusion Sampler 2019

(11 blocks finished)

Each year we have a small mystery project - 

this year it was a very small scrap/thread holder

9 of them were finished in time for the photo

Over the previous years we have made these:

What will next year's be?????????

 The Tally Board at the end - more DONE than NOT DONE

This sign has been up for a number of years - 

it always gives me a chuckle 

so I thought it deserved to be made public

 That's for another year.

I think we were all happy with what we got done 

and hopefully have gone home and kept the mojo going!!!

Thanks to everyone who came.

We all seem to get along happily 

despite the mix of talents and backgrounds.