Welcome to the North Pole

Finally finished!!!

I started this one in January 2014 - here

I made the blocks - I had a lot of fun picking fabrics to match the theme of the house - (including some I changed) - naturally that involved some shopping . . .- so mostly they are added to my collection of novelty fabrics.
I made one of the buildings a post office - after all Santa's mail has to be delivered - but could not find a fabric with stamps on it so resorted to flags.
I made a Coffee shop - a cafe - DD2 suggested that I make it look like a coffee mug.
I begged a few fabrics - particularly the flying reindeer, the Sled Shed, the cute cartoony reindeer and the Laurel Birch reindeer..

Gradually - in between other things - I worked on it

I finally got around to adding the snowy ground and bt December 2015 it was all together - here.
Thanks to Fiona (BubzRugz) for the idea of using braids etc for the roofs.

Sometime after that I ditch quilted the blocks....and it sat waiting.... again
I have more photos on my "North Pole" page - here.

Then we started the SS Challenge and I added this as #4 (The project for July)

So - I had to finish it.   I have used the Monster Machine (embroidery unit) to stitch some stars in the background.   I added a variety of doo-dads & buttons that I have been collecting over the years.
The lights on Sled Shed were given to me by Debbie (ex Sunday Stitchers) and they came all the way from Texas (US).
I have more buttons etc that I can/will add - but for now it's "DONE"

Yahoo!

Welcome to the North Pole

It's a Top!!!

One other thing on my holiday "To Do" list is to get this into a top so I can quilt it and have it finished for Christmas 2016...there will be a lot of "decorating" once its quilted . . .
Thanks to Fiona (BubzRugz) for the idea of using braids etc for the roofs.

Visit here for close ups of the houses.

FNSI - June

Its wonderful to know so many others are sewing along - it certainly keeps me motivated.

First up I stitched a bit - not much, so no picture...then I moved back to the North Pole to work on Santa and his sleigh and reindeers.

The reindeers are not in position yet and I need some reins and the "doo dad" that keeps the reindeer attached to the sleigh - you can tell I'm a city slicker can't you?? or maybe my brain is fuddled (it is late)....DH who did at least spend some of his youth on a farm tells me it is called the "Shaft" - ..tonights job was putting Santa & sleigh together...a tad fiddly - I have no idea how you could hand applique such tiny bits...I know some could ...not me though.

Thanks Wendy for being the hostess with the mostest and I'll do my best to come and visit other party goers over the weekend.

Sunday Sewing - North Pole block

Today I sewed with a group I belong to - the Kianawah Quilters - we've been sewing on Sundays for quite a while now - today was a Christmas Sewing in July day... There was "a project" but in the spirit of trying to finish more than I start...I worked on a North Pole block.

This is the Elves' Bunkhouse - I hope they can sleep peacefully in this colourful house.

I did a few other things as well, but its time to link up to Val's blog so I'll just show this one now.

Tonight I am busy cutting - need to get a move on to get my projects ready for  . . . you know what!!! - just 12 sleeps. . .

FNSI - Snow at the North Pole

It has finally snowed at the North Pole - so much so that the builders had to go home before they put the roofs on the Car & Truck/Doll Factory and the Takeaway Shop.

Another wonderful night of sewing along with 58 others - thanks everyone for your company - and urging me on when I could have just vegged out!!!
Pop over here to go and visit the others.

A big thanks to Wendy for hosting - providing prizes and recipes!!

Weekend Sewing

Well, firstly there was Friday night (with Friends) for Sewing...
Then there was the first Saturday of the month for my #1 Patchwork Group where 6 of us sewed chatted & laughed our way through the day.
I worked on the stitchery I got ready the night before:

Then there was the second Sunday of the month - #2 Patchwork Group.  Because it is a long weekend we decided to have an extended day, so we  sewed, chatted & laughed our way through the day from 9.30am to 9.00 pm.. One of the hubbys cooked dinner for us and brought it down to where we were sewing - beautiful lamb and beef dishes with rice, followed by a chocolate & strawberry cake from the Cheesecake shop...yummo...I don't think I need to eat for a week...

Every year we make something to decorate one of the local libraries (Carina)  - last year we did decorated bras..this year we have made bunting - a few were hanging up today so I decided to snap a picture or two.

This one shows the crochet triangles - we all think they look like a 1960's bikini!
Margaret sewing away, HIlda and Anne trying to un-tangle a ball of wool

Two strips here - top one will probably go in the Childrens Corner at the library
And the bottom one will be used at Christmas time ...duh!...and will probably get some gold stars added

During the day I helped with another strip of bunting- which will show the name of our group. 
I also put together 4 blocks for the June BOM for Aussie Hero Quilts and did some more work on my North Pole blocks.

These blocks are sent to the coordinator
who then re sorts them all into collections
and volunteers make them into quilts for the service men and women.

Sunday night - time for a machine clean and new needle - but a great weekend all round - and bonus - no work Monday!   Might be able to squeeze in a bit more sewing...?????

Welcome to the North Pole QAL - April

It's that time again - to post pictures of my North Pole blocks...

Just two partly done blocks this time - the Reindeer barn:

  (This one still needs a weather vane on top)

and the Trees & Reindeer:

I was able to "beg" the fabric for the Reindeer barn and the Laurel Birch Reindeer from a friend.

All the blocks need the snowy ground - especially the last one...I really need to make up my mind about that - all the same or different???...just a normal applique - or maybe some texture???...decisions...decisions...

It's still fun - a load to do!

Welcome to the North Pole QAL - April

I'm a little late for this post - too many Saturdays in the month!!

This is the Toy Works/Candy Cane/Hats & Mittens block - ...really hats & mittens for Christmas presents?? I think the boys would prefer some space toys.

I had a big sewing day a few weeks back and did all the applique on the previous blocks, so for next month I will show all of those..and hopefully this one will be done too.

Pop over to Val's blog to see what the others are up to!  (though I think some of the others are a bit late too!)

Welcome to the North Pole QAL - March

Deadlines are so motivating - I decided that I would go along with the "timetable" in my own interpretation and post at least one block on the 4th Wednesday of the month.  That means I have to at least prepare one...so here is the Bakery:

Everyone loves a macaroon  . . . .

Welcome to the North Pole QAL with Val

Val is hosting a QAL for "Welcome to the North Pole" quilt.
On the fourth Wednesday of each Month we do a post and show what we've done or where we are at...Val did propose a timetable but being such an independent rule breaker I am just doing it my way....less stress.

Let me say firstly I am NOT needle turning  (in my book this is a fun quilt - to be on show for maybe 6 weeks of the year...and I'd like to finish it.)  And I am theming my buildings so a lot may change from the original pattern.  (Patterns are a guide...in my book).

So here is what I have prepped so far - one of these has been on my blog before but its here again.

 Coffee Shop - cafe (not in the original pattern).  Ice Cream parlour and 3 trees....

 Take Away - (not Take Out)

Recreation Centre - music and movies

I haven't started the sewing and I am thinking I will do all the snowy ground at the same time towards the end....I haven't really decided what that "snow" will be yet . . .
There will also be a lot of embellishment - the roofs need to be added, door handles, decorations on the trees...gonna be a lot of fun....

FNSI - January 2014

FNSI - a great excuse to sew (well - really do we need an excuse???)

I had already cut these poppy blocks after seeing some on Marilyn's blog. So I assembled them - I left the black stitching on the circles for a daytime sewing session.  They are for Aussie Hero Quilts.  I couldn't commit to a whole quilt, but a few blocks will always help.

This is a really quick block and no fussy matchy bits - a great group pattern and I think it would look great using all sorts of floral fabrics and the same coloured centre.

Then I put my "Bob the Builder" hard hat on and constructed a building for my Welcome to the North Pole quilt.  I was really sorry I couldn't do this last year when there was a group going, but I am having fun with it now.
This is the Coffee Shop (originally the Marble House - but patterns are just a guide - aren't they??) - I figure Santa & Mrs Claus need a few good cuppas to get them through that busy season... I know I do....I am thinking they are going to need something more than a coffee...maybe a pub???

There will be a lot of embellishments added - especially a roof!

Thanks for everyone's company and thanks to Wendy or hosting and providing recipes.