An almost finish

Most of my blog readers also know of the Stitch-a-Long blog.
Every month since January we have had a project to do - September is the last project for this year.
I didn't do the August one - by choice - and now I can't finish the September one - I ran out of thread - and the current version of what I used is a pale colour...hopefully the additional silk thread I have ordered will match enough.

But this is where I got to - its finished enough to be able to use - but should have the heart appliqued onto the purple dots........so sad not to finish this one on time and finish off the year..

 

The Stitch-A-Long has been a lot of fun - last year and this and the current participants are hopeful that the wonderful Chookyblue will be able to gather her strength and come up with some plans for 2014. 

September Finish

I've finished my project from FNSI last week.

As usual I don't really remember when I started this though I am sure it was more than 7 years ago.  Its about 60" square, a nice size to have over you - if it cools down a bit (32 in Brisbane today).
This is my finish for Sew Its Finished, OPAM and Aunt Marti.

Now I need to get moving on the Anni Downs Needle case for the SAL.

FNSI

I'm not sure where time goes - my last post was FNWF and now its FNSI!!

I did manage to make black binding for this quilt and sew most of it on.

Not really a good idea to work with black at night time - but no choice if you want to get it done..

I was able to hand sew 2 sides of the binding on during the day in the car travelling to the Sunshine Cost for my aunts 90th celebrations!

This will be finished before the 30th.

And I'm hoping my FNWF project will be too - I ran out of thread and had to order some more - I tried locally - still waiting to hear...so I ordered some from Sydney.  Should be here Wednesday..should be . . .In the meantime I can start constructing it.  At least its all cut out.

Hope everyone had a lovely night sewing - thanks for your company.

And a huge thanks to Wendy for hosting.

FNWF + SWF

As predicted I didn't get too much done last night - but I had a sewing day today (Saturday With Friends) so I continued to work on the same project.
This is where I'm up to now...

Hopefully, some more tonight...

FNWF

I was very late joining up this month...  I am going to put a reminder in my diary....

Here is my starting point:, I don't think I'll get too much done tonight - but I have a patchwork group day tomorrow so I can sew then as well.

 and of course a drink and a nibble....

And by the way - for those in Brisbane, the Redlands Quilt Extravaganza is on this weekend.

     REDLANDS QUILT EXTRAVAGANZA 2013 

THE CULTURAL CENTRE
REDLANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 
2-16 MIDDLE ST, CLEVELAND

Quilt Show hours are:
FRIDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 9AM TO 5PM
SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 9AM TO 5PM
SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 9AM TO 3PM

I'll be there Sunday afternoon - might see you there??

August Finish

For Sew It's Finished, OPAM and Aunt Marti - This is my August finished project.
It is not a long standing UFO - for a change.

I had been wanting to do one of Leanne Beasley's quilt patterns for a while but I was able to get my hands on the pattern for this one - Journey of a Quilter.

In August 2011 I was able to do a big shop hop in Sydney when I went down for a visit and found a lovely collection of 30cm pieces of William Morris fabrics.  Then in another shop I saw some Threadworx threads in the perfect colours   and in yet another shop I picked up quite a few creams and beiges.

As soon as I got back I started tracing and stitching.

Now its done.  I had it quilted.  I love it. It will go on the only wall left in my Sewing room  (when I can get "someone" to put the necessary bits up on the wall).

and how true is this ....

FNSI - A bit of that & a bit of this

It was 

I sewed some of the binding on this quilt as I watched...slept through... Better Homes & Gardens on TV.

 Then I added one border to Best Friends.

Then I did a bit of work on this block:

It's from the Homespun BOM - "My Town".  I have 2 blocks partially done and want to finish 2 more to make into a small wall hanging.  I have a thing for houses/buildings

And of course no FNSI is complete without a special drink (Mochaccino this time) and a little bite to eat - thanks Wendy B for hosting and thanks for the recipe - you can find it here.  It was truly scrumptious - I substituted a Dark Bubbly Chocolate for the Aero Mint.  Yummo.

 

You can pop over to Wendy's blog to see all the other participants (56 in all)
and see what they got up to.

Retreat 2013 Round up

We had a ball.... I sewed from Friday afternoon til Tuesday afternoon...late into the night....The food was wonderful - both at the pub and at the retreat.  The weather was great - though getting warm.
Sad to say - we didn't get flooded in - or trapped in any other way - though most of us probably had enough projects to keep us going for another week.
Here's a bit of what we did.

This is the first video I have made or loaded - so sorry about the superfluous "Olympus" text!

This is the cot quilt that I quilted and bound on retreat.

Retreat 2013 - Day 5

Tuesday - beautiful weather again.

Just 5 industrious sewers left, making the most of our last hours.

I contemplated doing the borders for "Best Friends" and decided not to, so I put this teacup block together.  This is to send to Sara Fielke who is collecting blocks to make a quilt.  I have no idea how I stumbled on a request from her for people to make blocks, so if you know - please let me know - it was from someone's blog......

Miss High Achiever finished off 10 of her 23 projects - pretty good going considering she had an off day on Sunday.

The board looked pretty good at the end:

I have collected all the tickets from the left hand side (and the left-overs from previous years) and hold onto them until next year.  We will do a roll call on Friday afternoon 2014 to see who finished what left-overs.

Our collection of finished projects  looked like this:  (The larger quilts that were up to "pinned" stage and some that were quilted are not here)

All booked in for "same time, same place" next year...hoping for some more "wintery" weather next year...but maybe it's a bit early to start the countdown.  Luckily, I still have 5 days left until I go back to work, so there will be more sewing happening here.
I have this collection of threads...two people I know collect "Orts" so I raided a few bins whilst we were sewing.  Don't worry Debbie - there is a lot of colour under all that white.

 All in all, a fabulous time away - Great accommodation  great food, great company, a few "memorable" moments which will distinguish this year from others.
Thanks to everyone for making it a great weekend - and especially to Erica for photographing everything and sharing her photos.

Retreat 2013 - Day 4

Monday - still bright and sunny!!  and warm...T shirts and thongs next year....

A few people left today after lunch...sad to see some go... - including our resident photographer...hopefully I can produce a slide show or movie of our time here.

Today I worked on "Best Friends".  This was a BOM that bestie and I started...for some reason...forgotten now...in 2009...I had finished all the blocks and some of the joining squares, but now it's a top - maybe borders tomorrow.

It needs a good iron...

The board:

We have achieved a lot and still have a good half day to go...