On New Year's Eve

On our Australian New Year's Eve I wish you all  .....

http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/

A Christmas Collage

I'd like to share just a few gifts from lovely friends who brightened my Christmas.  Thankyou Fiona (Gingie), Cherryl (Diary) and Kerry (Stitchery and Santa).  I baked the cake back in November and iced and simply decorated for lunch at DD's. Lavendar kittie was cleverly made my very crafty mum.

Time to reveal my last 1 Xmas Item A Month ...."Tree of Christmas Cheer" from Hatched and Patched.  Kerry and I chose a 'tree' for this year's gift theme.

Happy New Year

One More Sleep

Wishing all my blogging buddies
a lovely time spent with family and friends. 

 

Merry Christmas
 and a Happy, Healthy
and Bright 2013

 

Heating Up

This is what I've been trying to do today.

Everything was heating up ... me ... the sewing machine and the weather ... 37.4 C in the dining room where I was quilting.  Best part is I'm nearly finished, just one border to ditch stitch between the squares and then I can attach the binding.

This next picture shows what the sky has been like all day. Lots of smoke haze from fires in nearby areas.

Looking forward to a slightly cooler day forcast for tomorrow.

TTS On The Wall

Last night I put the last stitch in the binding and first thing this morning I have TTS hanging on the loungeroom wall. Here's the proof!

I then took it outside for a photo...there's a few shadows from the tree branch I hung it on.

So happy to have it finished and thankyou Susan for setting the pace with this project.

Merry Christmas

A Quiet Moment At Last!

Oh what a week ... the final week of school ... busy, busy, exhausting! Throw in a couple of days of cattle work and there's been little time for sewing.  I did s.q.u.e.e.z.e in a stitch here and there so it's time to report in for '1 Xmas Item A Month' on the 15th of December and the last for the year.

My 'tree theme' Christmas Gift is so close to a finish ... just needs some padding and I'll be handing it over on Tuesday so I can reveal after then but for now here's another sneak peak.

TTS is also soooooo close. Running out of time I machine quilted 2 rows in the red/white check border and yesterday got the binding machined on. Last night I pinned the binding ready for hand stitching. I still plan to do some more hand quilting in the last border but for now it can hang on the wall once the binding is finished.

Thankyou to all my fellow elves who've been busy already posting their Christmas Goodies ... I'll be popping around for a longer visit shortly. It was wonderful to go to my gift box and take out the items I've made through the year. Some are on display and some are ready for wrapping and gifting.  I hope you've all found this time of year a little less stressful with your handmade goodies at the ready.

It's always encouraging being part of a friendly and fun group and I hope to see lots more creativity next year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Sewing

PS:  I promise a full reveal once TTS is on the wall and my 'tree' gift has been gifted :)

Productive FNWF

Hmmmm! What's missing?

Something to work on ... tick           Cool drink ... tick         Nibbles .... tick      Almonds are good for you, right?  Does the chocolate coating count?

Me :)  Busy hand quilting around each block.  With 'The Fellowship of the Ring' on TV last night I managed 3 blocks which brings me to 10 out of 12 done. The best part was knowing that all my friends were also busy sewing and enjoying a Friday night with friends. Visit Cheryll for a link to all the fun.

Happy Sewing

PS:  I didn't empty the nibbles bowl.

Friday Night With Friends

I'll be there with bells on ... I have a date with TTS and some hand quilting.

You'll find me in front of the fan with a cool drink on hand.  Hope you can make it!

Summer Welcomes December

December heralds the first day of Summer for us, however this year Summer jumped the starters pistol and got here well before December. Nothing for it but to sit in front of the fan with some stitching and a tall glass of cold water.

I'm winging it this month with no list :)  With 3 projects to finish as soon as I can manage, I'll just keep working on those and chill out (if possible).  In no particular order of priority ...

#1  Ribbon Star - needs quilting - purchased backing this morning

#2  Tis The Season - 3 of 12 blocks hand quilted so far

#3  Christmas Gift with a tree theme - over halfway there

Oooops!  That looks a little bit like a list to me.

I promised yesterday that I would have a little reveal today so without further ado and a little drumroll please  . . . . . . . . . . .

Congratulations Cheryll for making 1 Xmas Item A Month - every month!  A little gift will be on it's way to you shortly.

After checking names against months, everyone's name was placed in a hat and I asked hubby to draw out 2 tickets. So if you participated 4 months I wrote your name out 4 times for 4 chances ... 7 months, 7 chances as so on. Another little drumroll please . . . . . . . . . . .

Lucky winners are Fiona and Sheila  Congratulations and a little something will be on it's way to you both.  I thank you all for sewing along side by side, or as close as we can be in cyberspace, and sharing all the beautiful gifts and decorations made throughout the year. It's time to start bringing them out of storage if you haven't already and enjoy the season.

Not trying to rush the New Year but I've already planned my 2013 item. As I will be working more hours next year I need to organise my sewing time to get the most out of it so when I saw this Rosalie Quinlin designs pattern from here, I just had to buy it. 

My plan is one letter a month for 9 months plus 1 month to put it together. I'm sure I can come up with something else for the other 2 months.

I would love to have everyone back for '1 Xmas Item A Month 2013' so keep an eye out in early January for an official sign up. Maybe you'd prefer to break down one bigger project into monthly chunks or continue with 1 or more items each month. It's all about the friendship and sharing and no stress aloud :)

Merry Christmas Sewing

November Wrap

Time for a look see at how November went.  I started out on a roll but soon came to a halt ... and finished with a trickle of stitching.

 

1 Xmas Item ~ Secret Sewing - still sewing

Tis The Seasn ~ started handquilting

Ribbon Stars ~ :(  backing too small, need to buy

Finish 3 Pot Holders ~ Yay!  Done!

Work on a UFO  ~  Yipee!  Finished Block

 

When I pulled out the backing fabric for Ribbon Stars it was only half the size I needed so I've had to add that to the shopping list.

 

My UFO was the 6th block of Red Delicious and I'm very pleased to say it's finished.

 

 

Completed blocks to date.

I've been busy tallying all the months and all the elves and have come up with a few little surprises that shall be revealed tomorrow. Someone managed an item every month and it wasn't me :(
Don't forget you're welcome to a final post on the 15th December with a last minute make or  a photo of something made earlier and is now on display.

Happy Sewing

 

Just A Little Flat!

Yesterday was a beautiful day spent with friends, fabric and food. Our patchwork group had their final day for 2012 so we celebrated with everyone bringing a plate to share for the most delicious lunch.

Why the title after such a lovely day?  On the way home ....  almost home .... tyre going flat!  Thankfully I was able to still drive the short distance home and park it in disgust. Second flat in a month!

So this morning after sleeping in an hour, I've spent an hour on the phone to SIL and then an hour changing the said flat tyre.

On a happy note I did get my TTS basted yesterday and started on the hand quilting ... YIPEEE.

Just to top things off when I try to upload a photo a window pops up to tell me I'm out of space. Has anyone else had this happen and can anyone advise me on how to go about more space? You could visit Mt. Perry Quilters for some photos of our day.

I did have intentions of loading a quilt onto the frame but now I'm wondering if I should just go sit in front of a fan with some stitching and lots of cool drinks because the weather man said we're getting a heatwave :(

Happy Sewing

I Overslept ... It's the 25th!

Actually I only wish I had overslept.  I've been waking up way too early for a weekend and have had a lot going on this month.  So I'm sad to report that I have no Christmas Item to share  :(

I know ... bad example to set but I just haven't stitched a stitch since the potholders were made.  At the beginning of November I finished off the stitchery for my 1 Item and then ... "the wheels fell off the wagon" as they say.

We celebrated DH's 50th birthday this weekend but his quilt is still a secret ... shhhh!  My plan is to get it on the quilting frame this Thursday.

Enough of my excuses. How have all you other clever elves been going? Busy busy of the sewing kind I hope :)

Time to take a sleigh ride through blogland and check out everyone's lovely goodies.  It's been a lovely time sewing and creating with this happy little group of elves and I thankyou all for joining me in de-stressing Christmas just a little :)

To wrap up the year I was thinking we could make a final '1 Xmas Item A Month' post on the 15th of December. It could be a photo of an extra project you've made ... or a photo of something you made through the year and is now on display for Christmas. Only if you'd like to ... our number 1 rule is 'no stress' and enjoy!

Happy Festive Sewing

Rememberance Day

3 Out of 3

Yipee!  After a little more stitching on the binding this morning, number 3 is also finished.

Loving these quick little projects ... this one is staying with me  :o)

Time to share some amazing projects my very clever mum has been making recently. I'm sure you all know the story of  'Little Red Riding Hood'.

Red Riding Hood

Turn her upside down ... Grandma

The Big Bad Wolf (reversed)

Then there was poor Cinderella who found her Prince Charming.

Turn her upside down and .... tada!

This little stained glass wall hanging is 14" square.  (Desert Rose)

Happy Sunday Stitching

Friends, Fabric and Friday Night

Last night was our first get together for Friday Night with Friends hosted by Cheryll. Boosted on by the knowledge that like minded friends were sewing away, I threaded my needle and stitched the binding down on the second of my pot holders.

Two down and one to go.  I finished this bright summery one Thursday night and it's already in the mail to a far away destination.

Thankyou Cheryll for FNWF and I'm looking forward to FNSI with Heidi and Bobbi soon   :o)

What could be better than sewing with friends on one Friday night of each month (FNSI)?
Sewing with friends 2 Friday nights each month. This morning while blog hopping I found this post on Cheryll's blog ... sounds like more sewing fun.

November Goals

123rf.com

1 Xmas Item ~ Secret Sewing

 

Tis The Seasn ~ Quilt

 

Ribbon Stars ~ Quilt and Bind

 

Finish 3 Pot Holders

 

Work on a UFO

 

This is it! The final countdown to the end of 2012.  I've decided to make this my final list for the year and let December be list free ... whatever happens will happen. Yesterday I cut out and started to sew 3 pot holders so they should be a quick finish. The quilting could be another matter but I'll plug on.

 

 

October's A Wrap

Finish 1 Xmas Item

TTS ~ Christmas Joy

Work on Quilt Gift for 50th

Make bag with 'Stitch A Little Love'

Work on a UFO

 

Wow, I actually managed to cross off my entire list for October.  My secret is in keeping a short list and it seems to be working for me at the moment.  'Tis The Season' and 'Ribbon Stars' (50th Gift Quilt) are now tops awaiting quilting and would you believe I forgot to take my little bag to patchwork today for 'show and tell'.  Too many things to remember at the moment.

 

The UFO I worked on was a block for Red Delicious. I enjoyed taking this one out of it's dark box and hope I can squeeze in a little more applique next month. Just the leaves to do and some embelishment on the roses.

 

 

I enjoyed a lovely and productive day with our patchwork group. My machine came back from having a service and repair today so I tried it out sewing pot holders...sew far...sew good.

 

Did you revisit a UFO this month?

FNSI Results

How did you spend your Friday night?  I joined in with Heidi, Bobbi and friends to stitch the night away. This project is slowly growing but I can only show a peek ...

Secret Christmas Sewing  :o)

Where Did Rudolph Put It?

zazzle.com

 

 

Here it is!  My 1 Xmas Item for the month of October ... the cream washer. I now have a pair and will wrap a lovely scented soap with them.

 

 

I've also been working on a bigger project which will hopefully be finished for November although I will only be able to share a sneak peak as it's a gift and I don't want to spoil the surprise. All going well my 'Tis The Season' will be another finish for November.

 

 

Have you been busy this month, tinkering away in the workshop with all the other elves? It's getting close now ... but I don't have to tell you that.  Looking for some inspiration? Take a look around the 1 Xmas Item page at all the wonderful gifts and decoartions.

 

There's still time to make a start before the Christmas Season is upon us. We'd love to see what you make so pop in next month around November 25th to share.

 

Happy Christmas Crafting

Sew While the Wind Blows

raindrop.org

 

 

Wind, wind go away,

Or I'll stay indoors

And sew all day.

 

Sooo ... that's what I did!  First I finished off some signature blocks and trimmed others. Then 'Tis The Season' become a finished top.  After an unscheduled stop at a fabric shop where I found some fabric for the border, I got busy this morning and it's now ready for quilting.

 

 

Next, out from hiding came 'Ribbon Stars' quilt, a surprise for hubby.  The borders of 4" squares were already made and just needed pressing and attaching. With a quick lunch break inbetween, the top was finished and is also now ready for quilting.

 

 

I did manage to squeeze in the usual household chores like dishes, washing etc. Of course the washing was dry in no time flat with all that wind so there's even been a little "real" ironing as opposed to pressing seams.

 

Tomorrow will be the 25th here ... do you have a Christmas Item to share this month?  I'll pop back tomorrow to share mine.



An Actual Quick Finish

Stitchery begun on September 15, 2012 at 'Stitchers Dream Day Out' - Gail Pan Designs

 

Finishing touches this morning - October 11, 2012

 

Can you tell I'm just a little excited?  A whole project from start to finish in less than a month ... now for me that IS an achievement.  For the lining I used a white with small pale pink polka dots and added a couple of pockets.

 

Sunday Sewing

Last Tuesday was our Patchwork day and I was extra pleased with my productivity. First job was to cut out enough 4.5" squares to form the final border of the secret '50th Birthday' quilt. Second was to be undecided as to which fabric to use for the inner border ... after putting the pictures on the computer this morning the decision was final. Amazing how seeing it on the screen can make it all the more clear.

Then out came my October block of TTS - 'Christmas Joy' ... by the end of the day the stitching was finished.

This afternoon I've sweated it out at the sewing machine adding the sashings to the block.

Now what?  Still some quiet time ... did I mention the boys are busy outside and I have some 'me time' :)  Why not lay the blocks out and see what they will look like?  Ok ... so now I might just sew them together.  TTS is readying and waiting for a shopping trip to find the border and backing fabrics.

Happy Sewing