An empty box....

I have had this box of half done projects sitting in my sewing room for ages..... this week I determined to empty it....

First up was this mug rug which needed binding ….. sweet pictures on fabric which I couldn't think what to do with them.  

 Originally it was to be a zippy pouch but I realised I would spoil the picture by putting the zip over the top

Then  I did the binding on these two coasters.... perfect for the table next to the chair where I sew in the evenings.

… and finally I did make some zippy pouches with the last 3 vintage sewing machine pictures I had 

Great to have that box out the room now and some quick finishes done..... all these were made using up fabrics from my stash which is even better!

On the hand work side I have got behind in a project Thursday sewing group has been doing so I decided to do homework and do these bullion roses which I have been procrastinating about...

I'm not sure I really enjoy doing them!

I didn't make soup this week but I did prepare a bunch of toasties (my standard weekend lunch food)

A whole loaf of bread is made up and prepared then I put pieces of baking paper in between  so the butter doesn't stick (yes I like butter - it tastes nice)

Then I freeze them and quick and easy take out and toast. 

Righto, Gotto Go..... I'm going to tackle hundreds of French knots next.....

Hope your weekend is going splendidly.....

An update....

I forgot to show that I had finished my 4 scrappy place mats and 2 mug rugs.

These are made from strips I had left over when I prepared an African theme quilt which I am planning to sew up at retreat next weekend...  It's always great to use up every last piece.

My 'sewing' time this weekend was just organising stuff really - and sorting

I have this bag of arbitrary stitcheries I have done over the years and was trying to think of some things to make with them

I found some other precious stitcheries with them

Many years ago when we lived in Zimbabwe I did many years of work with HIV/AIDS education and care.  The organisation I worked for had a sister organisation providing skills for financial independence to women affected by HIV/AIDS, many of them infected by the virus.  One of their main income generating projects was doing embroideries and I was gifted a whole lot of them. 

This one especially meaningful as it was a thank you gift from the women

I had a lot of other ones but they were used in quilts for the eldest grandsons... but I kept a few of my favourites.

Here are a bunch of guineafowl....

… and a pair of giraffe....

The Tenda bus service - chockoblock full ....

When the women knew I was coming to live in Australia they sewed this one for me....

I do want to make things with them - probably wallhangings or cushions.  What would you do? - I need ideas

This embroidery was not done by the same women but I found it amongst my mums things. 

It is quite a small one and so that and these other two have been taken out to make up some needlecases

Most of today I just had my scrap baskets out and tipped over!

My African violet usually lives outside but we brought it indoors to protect it from the cold and it is so happy in this sunny spot.... It might have to live here permanently...

Handstitching lately has been doing a stitchery I can't show just yet - but it has taken much longer than I thought..... the main bit is done so I got onto some more blocks for My Small World.  They are taking up time too .. the finished block is 4 1/2" so those leaves are quite little and there are 5 to do altogether....

Righto, Gotto Go, I think a cup of coffee and a bit of handsewing is called for - I've been on my feet all day....

Tool Easel.....

I finally made up my "Tooly Tool Easel" ..... 

I have seen a few made by friends and thought it would be a great carry out to hold the goodies on my sewing days.

I got the pattern HERE.... not expensive when you buy the PDF and it comes straight away.  I do admit to having to think hard in some places... I am a bit instruction reading challenged but we got there....

Isn't this lizard fabric so fun... I was gifted it in a Secret Santa a couple of years ago and delighted to use it for this carry bag...  as you can see I added a few matching plain colours so I could see the pockets easily.

I have started on the blocks for My Small World..... as I said I am instruction reading challenged and these are the second lot I did.... the others were trimmed too small!!! sigh

These blocks are big - 4 1/2".....

These pinwheels are smaller .... 2 1/2"...... I am using smaller pieces from my scrap baskets for this quilt.

I am trying to make a bit more effort on accuracy ... still not getting all the points meeting ... oh well

Handsewing in the evenings with the fire blazing and the TV on has resulted in 4 more Dutch Treat blocks....

I do enjoy the variation in the blocks, some take several evenings, some can be done in one... they are all different.

Righto, Gotto Go......  quilt pinning day ..... and the weekend coming up... hope you have a good one

Little finishes....

I seem to have a few little finishes done lately amongst my ongoing blocks of various quilts....

These needlebooks are Anni Downs designs... I did the stitcheries some time ago and have finally finished them....

Inside is a little wool pad for the needles and a pocket for the threads....

and here is a mug rug (Bronwyn Hayes design) and a fridge magnet (another Anni Downs) and these went to a friend with a birthday.....

This is a new to me quilting design that I did recently... nice for a boy quilt border....

.. and of course another Dutch Treat block.... this little butterfly was a challenge - especially those little spots .....

At the weekend Hubz and I went for a walk in one of the nearby National Parks....

... lovely to be amongst the tall gum trees....

.. and flowering wattle trees.... the scent of these remind me of my childhood and I love to rub my face in those soft balls of fluff....

... we walked up the ridge to get this lovely view... a lot of raw granite and bushland....

.. this fungi was such a magnificent colour....

... and of course we had to end the day with one of my favourite easy meals, roasted cherry tomatoes and camembert cheese....

Righto, Gotto Go.....  I need to choose between another UFO or a new project... or both.... oh the decisions in life these days!

FYI... some things going on ......

#1.  A Block of the Month

I know you might find this surprising but I found ANOTHER BOM which I just HAVE to do

"Hello Sun" is by April at Making Ends Meet

This is my January block

Reasons for having to do this one:

it is 6" square (nice size)

I can use up repurposed light blue sheeting for the background

I am able to use up scraps for the applique

I wanted to practice my raw edge quilting

IT IS SO CUTE & HAPPY

February's block is out

You can find the patterns HERE

#2.  French project series

Cheryl from Willowberry Designs is doing a lovely series called "It's a little bit French" and is sharing some very pretty designs

I made this little Lavender bag up recently for a friends birthday

very dainty and pretty - I think I will be making more of these

the pattern (and subsequent ones) available HERE

Reasons for this one:

SO PRETTY

I want to practice my needlework skills

SO PRETTY

I'm looking forward to the next little bit french pattern that comes out

#3.  Repurposing in 2012

Jenny of ELEFANTZ is encouraging us to make some repurposing things... I am repurposing 16 of my one son's T shirts.....

I had previously ironed on a fine stiffening to stabilise the T shirt fabric and this weekend I cut them all out - they are different sizes but I cut them all at 12 1/2" width.... and didn't worry too much about the length as long as I got the picture in ....

It's hurts so bad to throw fabric away....... but how much old T shirt scraps can I keep?

view through me peeping tom gadget to check if I like.....

Reasons for doing this one:

Son wants it

Son loves his T shirts

SON WANTS IT

and another BOM (do you know I love BOM's?????)

#4:  "Season's Of"

is being shared by Wendy and Dawn who host Sew It's Finished which I have joined the last couple of years...... this year when we manage to finish a project for the month they are sending us a lovely little block to make....  I was a good girl and finished a UFO last month so this arrived in my email box

Reasons for doing this one:

I have the perfect Charm Pack (Ruby)

I love stitcheries

Cute little blocks (4" stitcheries)

It's my prize for finishing a UFO each month

SO GORGEOUS

Gotta Go... Bags to Pack... Places to Go

Stradbroke Island