Claytons Retreat Continues

Normally, I can get a lot of sewing done when I am having a Claydon's Retreat....not so much this time....however, I am sewing whenever I can.

By the end of Monday, I had finished off the 16 blocks I needed and laid them out ready to join on Tuesday...fingers crossed....

Monday Night I cross stitched

I have had several chats with the girls at retreat so am keeping up with their progress too.
They had their Chinese last night, so tonight I might do the same.

Stupid/Silly things...keeps us going . . .LOL

And...I still haven't resolved the issue of my blog comments not getting to my emails, so if I don't reply to you....sorry . . . .nothing personal intended....and my replies look a bit weird.

When is a Retreat NOT a Retreat???

When it's a Claytons Retreat!

This is my second Claytons Retreat this year...one for Scrub Stritchin' and now - one for Glenrose Cottages with the SS group.

Life has thrown a curve ball and it has made a big splash and actually, it's not fun.   But this is my happy place, so I will put it all aside.

I had planned the following projects:

* String block top - make 19 more blocks and assemble top

* DV quilt top from some embroidered blocks we have

* Placemats for Meals on Wheels
* Village Green centre

* Scrap blocks for DV 

Sunday - while everyone was packing cars and travelling, I started on the string blocks.  I think I am a bit over halfway through making the blocks that I need.   

I will miss the company of the other ladies a lot.  And there is always a Chinese Take Away night, which I was really looking forward to....There are not a lot of Chinese eating places near me - lots of other Asian food....not much Chinese and Chinese is always best eaten when there is a group, so you can have a little bit of a few different things - like pizza and pastas!

Sunday Stitchers - March - UFO Challenge #12 - Scrappy String Table Cloth

My Sunday Stitchers UFO Project #12 is my "Scrappy String Table Cloth".

It's been languishing in a box since 2020.

I had all the squares completed in August 2020 - here and I put all the rows together in September the same year.- here

Joining the squares into rows was relatively easy - each block is only 6.5"...but the idea of joining the rows together at a retreat did not appeal, so it was "put away".

But having added it to the SS Challenge list - it had to be done.....or at least worked on.

This is the strippy blocks side - the side I will use the most I think.

The backing squares are leftovers from a quilt I finished in 2013 - here - featuring large floral prints.
It took a bit of planning to create a plan for them. (I am not a fan of mish-mashed scrappy.)

This will be great to have on the table when I have various groups over for a sewing day.

and since I still had some leftover fabrics, I made 2 Scrappy buckets and 6 coasters.

BUT I still have more...a few strippy blocks and some fabric...mostly about 4" wide..... need a plan.....

Retreat at Glenrose with the Gypsys

I took one for the team - a friend was one person short to make the minimum number of guests at Glenrose, so I helped out by attending..   Sounds like I am doing someone a favour...

I made this little quilt - it's only 10" square.  My rainbow collection from last FNSI worked out OK. 

I managed one crumb block in between other projects.  Made from leftovers from projects I and the others were working on.

I had planned on my last two houses for My Kinda Town - I had sorted the fabrics, labelled them, added notes . . .and I took the pattern - but I had forgotten to copy onto newsprint paper.  So I re packed it for another time...   😞

Instead I put 42 string blocks together - the blocks were made by Nor and cut by Lynda

I made the rows for the black red & white string blocks that I have been making over the last few months. but ran out of time to finish it off.

We had a "Mystery Project".  All 6 of us made a bag:

I made a few other small things - but it's "Secret Squirrel" stuff.  So in a later post.

I had a great time - all very late nights (~ 1:00 AM finishes).
Thankyou so much Alison for inviting me!

The Strippy/String Quilt

Recently in a Zoom meeting with Chooky and many others, Jude asked me about this quilt that I started at Scrub Stitchin' in April.
I had bought a little kit from Jude, complete with a very light vilene and it was packed in a gorgeous case.  The suitcase was part of the reason I bought it!

I completed 16 blocks at Scrub Stitchin',   Here are a few of them.

but as I had plenty of strips at home and they are so quick, I made another 28 blocks at home to make a top - 6 x 7 blocks (57" x 66.5).

While I was laying it out I was surprised at how much orange was in it....Orange is not a colour I use a lot...

As I was making the blocks at home and pulling bits of put the shoe boxes where I keep the strips, I thought it would be easier for the next one/s to have the strips sorted into lengths...so after making a huge mess:

I now have

I can see a lot more strippy quilts that need to happen.

This quilt will be donated to the DV organization that my Sunday Stitchers group support.

FNSI - September

Wendy has very graciously organised for us to gather to sew and share our fun with all, whilst she is focused on her husband who is in hospital and hopefully doing well.

I got a FriDaySewIn- I am on retreat - yes - again!!!   This is my third retreat in about a month - that is very greedy -isn't it??? - considering many of you are in isolation or are subject to some serious restrictions.

We have a few restrictions - no shared food, everyone has their own shower & toilet - although in a shared bathroom, tables separated a bit more than normal....but that is not holding us back.

I'm only here sewing for 3 days and took a limited amount of projects to do.

Tonight I worked on this. - My Stringalong blocks which will become a colourful table cloth.

I've  decided to leave it like this for now and will do the horizontal strips at home.

I hope you are all doing OK in this strange world.  Sewing does keep us sane and - for me - is a great escape from "all that other stuff".

Thanks Wendy - I do hope Mr B is progressing well.  Sending you many hugs & lots of strength.

Stringalong - September

It's past time for the monthly post on String-along blocks.

I made 17 blocks in September - I had a sewing day - 2 boxes of strips and just went for it....I had a goal to finish them off - and I did.  That makes 88 blocks completed.  That will make a table cloth of 8 x 11 blocks.   

Letting out a little cheer!!!

I think this has been the easier part of the project.
Next step is to arrange them.  As I am making this reversible and there are 11 different fabrics on the backs and anywhere from 2 - 12 blocks of each fabric...  (using what I had)....I need to come up with some sort of pattern for the back, whilst keeping the front nice....could be difficult.

Then I need to sash the sides of the blocks...make rows...then join the rows.
That is not going to happen this year.

Then add the binding.

It's been a lot of fun sewing along with sewers from all over the world and I am happy I joined in with Lori.
You can have a look at some of the other participants here.   Some amazing projects.
And even if you don't want to look at the other stringalong projects - Lori has been camping - the wintery landscape shots are stunning - especially as we do not see anything like that in most of Australia - well probably not anywhere in Australia!!!

Stringalong August (2019)

I'm late for my August Stringalong blocks.

Only 6 this month...slow progress...too many other projects happening and work is full on.
That brings the total to 71.  That means I am at 80% done for the blocks.

Linking up to Lori here - pop over and check out the wonderful projects others are doing.  

String Quiltalong

I discovered a String Quilt Quilt a Long starting January 2019.

I needed another project   NOT for 2019....but I had planned a table cloth using striped blocks like we did earlier in the year for Sunday Stitchers, so this will be a great motivator to work on it.   I have no idea how it will be run but I have indicated my interest in joining.

If anyone else feels tempted - pop over here to read about it.

Gotta go - need to go fabric shopping!

Sunday Sewing - Geelong cushion & string blocks

Today was Group #2 sewing day - KQ Girls

I took along the remaining 3 blocks (of 9) to prepare ready for sewing at retreat... I didn't take any photos of them -  but they are now safely tucked away in the gorgeous block holder I received as a Christmas present last year - and fortunately it is the perfect size.

Then I made this cushion - DH is a Geelong supporter, so when Spotlight advertised this fabric I thought I could make a cushion (at least) to show that sewing is not ALL about me. 

Then - spare time!!!  - I helped one of the other decorate a piece of fabric that she was using in an alphabet book as a pair of jeans (did 2 of them) and I did have my crochet but thought I would dig out some of the scraps we have accumulated over our years at this venue - and I knew there was a bag with pre cut strips .....so I made these up:

I'm not sure where they will end up yet but I'm sure they will be used.

Fabulous sewing weekend for me - I hope you got some time to sew or do what ever makes you happy.