Chookshed Stitchers 2024 Challenge - #2 - Sewing Machine mini quilt

This one was a quick & easy project.

I bought this as a kit - it was pre-fused and pre-cut pieces, so all I had to do was find the background fabric, a backing and a binding.

This year I hope to make a few mini quilts - mostly featuring sewing machines, so I included it in the Chookshed Challenge List. 

The first one is here

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.

December Finishes and Sunday Stitchers UFO Challenge

I've already posted a number of finishes for December - because I had them ready for a particular meeting.  Some are very small - like the 60 angels I've made, or the little tree decorations.

But in the lead up to Christmas there were a lot more finishes...

**Warning long post***

Holly Cottage Christmas Quilt

Our Sunday Stitchers Challenge number to end the year was - of course- #6 - which was my version of Michelle Ridgway's Holly Cottage Christmas.

I started this quilt in conjunction with a Stitch A Long Blog - this time hosted by Fiona - there was a plan of when to make blocks and when to finish it - I think my blocks were all done on time - but not my finish....I still want to add a bit more before I post on the SAL Blog but I showed this at the December SS meeting as my #6:

I did make many changes to the original pattern - and a formal apology to Michelle - I started off following the pattern - although I left out the words, but then it became a quilt for my eldest daughter and she wanted certain things in it - so I deviated a lot more from the pattern.

It was beautifully quilted by Fiona...just perfect ...

I have now gifted it to my daughter and her husband as part of their Christmas present and they are delighted.

Updated August 2021...for some reason the quilt was still with me...so I added some presents to the tree block:

but it is now safely delivered to them in Townsville, so no more additions!.

Ruth's Quilt

I also showed Ruth's Quilt at Sunday Stichers - another group project  - hosted by the No Fuss team.

I really enjoyed making this quit.

I personalised a lot of the blocks to include the various sewing groups and retreats that I go to. 
I must admit it was a battle to get these both finished in time along with all the other Christmas stuff that happens - maybe next year I will be ahead of the game??? maybe...probably not.

Crochet blocks

Only 6 crochet blocks this month

 Alphabet Book

My eldest daughter is due to have a baby in March and I have made her a cloth alphabet book.  I started this in September or so....and in November she decided to have a "Book Themed" baby shower....so it is very appropriate...Guess I chose well.

I loved doing the Q page....

I have since gifted this to her too - as she had the Baby Shower whilst down in Brisbane for Christmas.  It was a big hit!

Mini Quilts

My best friend (Maureen) and I swap presents each year and we decided to stick with the mini quilt idea - this year it was Christmas themed.
I had thought about a bauble made from strips of fabric and ribbon which I started in October...and then I saw a lovely Crazy Christmas tree as a machine embroidery project...mmm...couldn't decide - so I made both - I gave this one to Maureen

and I have kept this one for me

Non slip machine foot pedal mats

I actually made two of these - I've given one away .  This one is for my eldest daughter - I added it to a sewing box and thread holder which were her Christmas presents.

Boy!!! no wonder I was busy in December!!!

There are still 2 days of december - what else can I finish???

Christmas Present Swap

For a number of years Maureen and I have made a cushion for each other for Christmas, but this year we had a change of plan and each made mini quilts.  We each have the same quilt stand so that made it easy to work out the size.
When I saw this Anni Down's design I knew that was the stitchery to use and I teamed it with this gorgeous Tilda print in blues greens and pinky purples.  It wasn't too hard to find some threads, some variegated, some plain.

Maureen made this lovely one for me - bright & cheery!

We will continue on with the mini quilts for a while now I think.

Sunday Stitchers Mini Quilt Swap

This months meeting was to hand over our mini quilts - sadly I couldn't be there but I organised for my quilt to be there on the day.

I made this one for Cheryl - and silly me - forgot to take a photo so I have pinched the IG photo that Cheryl posted.  (Love her hanger.)

(Thanks Cheryl, hope you don't mind)

So, two finishes in a month!!!!! Whoopee!!!

I will collect mine next Saturday.