End of March ......

This week I have been working on various UFO's that I found during my tidy up....

This was a kit I purchased from a destasher some years ago..... so I have been tracing out, ironing on, cutting out, sticking on ........

I am just making up the blocks then I will blanket stitch on the machine when I get the chance with different colour threads....

I will hand embroider details like eyes (instead of buttons)

A couple of weeks ago at machine sewing day I put together these rail fence blocks... this week I sewed up the rows and added a border, pieced up a backing from left over flannel and made the binding.  I do need to get this finished in the next month so will need to find some quilting time for it...

Yay, I have started putting my Field Journal 'flowers' together.  As you can see I have used a different fabric to frame the inside but kept the middle the same as the embroidery frames to try and keep some consistency.

I had to unpick one of the brown coloured ones as it was not facing the direction I wanted!  

A small Easter display is on my fireplace, Michelle sends lovely cards so I have been keeping them as part of my decor .....

Hubz has a birthday on Easter Sunday this year and local daughter bought 2 tickets for this event for his pressie.  I love how she used the Advert to make up a personalised card (with us in it!)

I am hoping the rain is finished so it is a nice evening to wander around - I think it will be fun....

I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend doing something you enjoy - and perhaps a bit of nice chocolate.

Righto, Gotto Go, part of my tidy up is using up some 'curtain' fabric I have been hoarding saving and making up bags (luckily not too many pieces) - so I am cutting them to size, ordered some mesh and pressing linings..... This tidying up creates a lot of extra work!  I do wonder why I don't just go and drop it off at the Op Shop for someone else to hoard! - would be cheaper!

Better get back to it!

Third week of March

I don't know where last week went.... but it's gone ..... and I'll never get it back!

I made good progress on self binding hexagons...

And I completed the first block for my new start Caswell quilt.....  I'm going to love doing it ....

... and another hexagon group....

I have 21 sets of 6 framed hexagons now.... and I will start joining colours to make centres next.... those will be made from fabrics I have used already in framing....

and I have purchased some light grunge for the centres of the hexagons to join them up... and my favourite quilt shop is ordering in some of the right colour teal for me.......  

Then all the joining of the framed hexagons needs to begin...... this is crazy but it will end up as a completely hand made quilt....

We did purchase shelving for my little storage room.... which meant taking out a whole lot of stuff to put the shelves up, and I am slowly moving stuff back in - it's a total mess!  So of course I am sorting out one of the scrap boxes just to procrastinate doing what really needs to be done!

Righto, Gotto Go.... things to do, tidying to avoid, coffee to drink....  

Have a lovely weekend......xx

Second week of March

... another week has flown by.....

Crochet has focussed on some blocks for KOGO who asked for these colours for Torres Strait Island communities...

I am working in 8 ply and discovering that not all 8 ply's are equal - even within the same brand.  The blocks are supposed to be 20cm and sometimes they work to that and other times not.....

More framed hexagons have been done.....

and another set of Sashiko 365 blocks....

Some blocks have been sewn... these are for a Community Quilt for club - it's a clever pattern.  This one is bright!

I am hoping to sew the blocks together this next weekend...

Today at Embroidery guild some more hexagons were done.... I think I have another 3 sets to do then need to decide on centres and joining....

I did cut and start sewing strips for a flannel quilt I am going to do..... large rail-fence blocks.  I want to get this quilt done and posted before Winter so it is being moved to top of the machine sewing list.....

I hope you have a lovely end of week and weekend xx ..... I have a Community Quilting sew day planned and an afternoon of icing Easter biscuits ... that will be fun....

Righto, Gotto Go....  cat needs feeding,  fabric needs pressing and news to watch (such as it is!)

Hugz

First week of March

Well, that first week of March went past very quickly!!!  Thank goodness temperatures are lower but I still wouldn't say its cool or Autumnal yet....

I got a new clock, a birthday gift..... it is so quirky and fun... The scissors hanging down act as a pendulum and move side to side on the seconds.... It doesn't tick tock but is nice and quiet and lives in my sewing room (of course).  I do love it...

I got sewing the blocks for a community quilt.... made great progress until my iron started sparking and swearing at me.... thus the pressing hasn't been completed till I make a trip into town tomorrow to purchase a new one!

Field Journal has come to the light again and I have self framed a few more.....

.. and the little hearts are all finished.  That large one in the middle had bullions all around the edge which I am very slow at.  Another rose had cast-on stitch which needs a lot more practice!  I also need to treat myself to a selection of good milliners needles....

The designer (crabapple hill) had them all stitched around the edge and cut out them put on some pretty background.  I thought I would leave mine as they are and perhaps turn it into a cushion or mini hanging...

Last month was my DIL's 40th birthday and of course I sent her a quilt....

The trees are pieced using Liberty Lawn and the stems appliqued - low volume background.  The pattern is The Avenue.

Quilting was reasonably simple to keep it soft and snug..... ribbon in the background and large tear shapes in the trees...

I kept the little border free and leaves in the final border

One of my favourite backings (actually a sheet from the swedish store which is a favourite spot of mine to find cotton backings)  The botanical theme is perfect.

It has arrived safe and sound in the UK and she is thrilled to have her very own quilt!

Righto, Gotto Go.... a friend is coming over so we can pin her quilt...  I better clear the table...

Have a lovely rest of the week....xx