It's Getting Busy

A shopping trip was necessary yesterday to replenish Dad's freezer of ready meals.  It was not a very nice morning when I headed off to do the shopping.  Where did everyone come from?  I reckon everyone must have had the same thought as I did when I opened the curtains - miserable day I'll head to the shopping centre!  I guess we are now on the run up to the festive season and perhaps everyone is preparing early this year - or is it normally like this?  Oh well I got everything I needed and had a good wander round the shops spending a little here and there.  It was a typical November day wet windy and dark but although the Christmas lights are not yet switched on everyone seemed cheery and bright - no shopping frenzy yet for the masses, everyone seemed quite relaxed.

What have I managed this week - sadly not a lot really.  A lady from Project Linus is coming to visit our group this week and I have working on a few quilts to get them finished off so that she can distribute them to the children.  I think she will be pleasantly surprised by our little bundle of quilts. Here are just three of them. I will tell you next week how many we actually give her.

The Exploding Block Again!

 

I have been hand stitching small things this week, I have finished my 2nd BOM. Here's part of it.

One Little Stocking

I am trying to empty some of my baskets and complete some WIPs.  I did manage a few more Farmer's Wifey Blocks this week. No more new starts this week until I get something finished.

Four More

 

I haven't made my list of things to do yet for next week so again I will fly by the seat of my pants and see how my progress goes.

Have fun and this week whatever you are doing. 

   

Activities This Week

I've had a good week this week, achieving most of my goals and a few more.  It's been bright most days, which helps get the chores done.  Tuesday was my day for the housework as I had to stay at home as some parcels were being delivered.  Fortunately they all arrived in good time and I could have headed out but I had got myself engrossed in sorting again - this time family photos.  Well I am happy to say that exercise for this week is done - lots more to do but I have run out of photo sleeves for the moment.  I guess that will be another delivery next week!  

Sorting Photos

 

I have also sorted all the embroidery threads, saving most other than a few which I had managed to get in a proper tangle.  I thought at one point I was going to have to buy another storage box but I managed to fit them all in. Strangely there doesn't seem to be two shades the same, how awesome it that?  I also told you I was doing some rearranging in my sewing area here is my new storage for my quilts.



Tidy for a wee while

 

I managed a bit more of my BOM.  I didn't however make any progress with the Farmers Wifey blocks. My Mini Mosaics book arrived with my fabrics so the half moon modern quilt which I am calling 'Charmed' is now finished. I like this one bright and cheery and the inky black gives definition and makes the charms pop.  I love the spotty binding.

Charmed

 

The huge knitting project is finished too and it's gorgeous, even although I say it myself.  I loved doing it although at times I didn't think I was ever going to get it finished.  At one stage there were over 700 stitches in the round, or did I miss count, I did say it was a large project - it just needs to be blocked now, I will show you it soon. 

Today is my day for technology - I have just updated my operating system on my iPad and now need to do the same for my phone.  Then I will reorganise some files on my PC. It is so easy to forget to back up your system.  I lost everything from my PC a number of years ago, photos, patterns,  documents - all gone.  I try now every couple of months to back up my computer to an external hard drive.  Doesn't cost a lot other than a few hours preparation, I would be very upset if I lost all my stuff again.  If you don't do it perhaps you should consider it.  Although with the 'cloud' some things are stored there anyway.

The sun is shining this morning and as I sit here drinking my cuppa I see that I should really clean my windows, perhaps I will get that done too.

I hope you have a busy and productive week.  

A Little Dissapointed

My Mini Mosaic book didn't arrive as expected this week with my little order of fabric.  There has been a bit of a mix up.  When I ordered my book I ordered some Dashwood Studio 'flurry' fabric for the binding of the little charm pack quilt but the order has been delayed.  However these things happen and I will just have to be patient.  

I have managed to complete most of the goals I set myself last week, apart from reading my lost book.  The charm pack half moon modern quilt has been sandwiched and quilted and is now just waiting for the fabric to arrive and I will get the binding done.  Yes I probably could use something else from my stash but I have my mind made up on this one so I'll wait.  

The third exploding quilt 'All Square' is complete.  A bit windy again this morning so you will have to make do with it draped over the acer, and its taken with my phone so not ideal.  You get the idea though don't you.



Exploding Block Quilt No 3 - All Squared

Exploding Block Quilt No 2 - Sweet Memories

Exploding Block No 1 - Autumn Rays

It is amazing how, when put into different settings and colour ways the exploding block can look completely different.  We are putting some of these little blocks together at class this week for Linus Quilts and that will be the last time I will be doing them for a while.  Time to move on. 
 

The large knitting project is coming along nicely and the second stocking on the second BOM is almost complete too.  I am pleased with what I have achieved.  I have decided that listing a small set of goals is a good idea so I will continue trying this out over the next few weeks.

My plans for this week?  A little reorganising of my Sewing Space, finish the large knitting project, add the binding to the half moon modern linus quilt. (If my fabric gets delivered). Stitch down the third stocking on the second BOM and make a few more blocks of the Farmers Wifey quilt which is an ongoing long term project.  I also bought a few more bobbins this week so I will continue to sort out Mum's embroidery threads. I could go on but I better not be too adventurous.

Have a good weekend whatever you are doing - I can't believe it's November already!

Learning Another New Technique

I am always keen to learn.  This week it was another new technique, whew! Brain overload this month but it's all good.  At class on Tuesday M demonstrated Mini Mosaics by Paula Doyle.  There was an excited buzz around the room. Everyone eager to try something new.  A lot of preparation had been put into this evening by M.  Little envelopes were passed around giving each of us the basics for this little block.  Would we manage to get it finished within the allocated time? - well thanks to expert instructions and a look through the Mini Mosaic book, happy sewing machines and steaming irons I think most of us managed to complete our block.

Some of the instructions

 

I was so pleased with mine I think I will make it into a little coaster for my desk.  

What do you think?  Not perfect the purple block on the right is a bit off, not worth trying to fix this time but I know I was perhaps in too much of a hurry as usual.  I should have been more accurate in placing my squares on the grid and pressing them on to the fine adhesive interfacing backing, before sewing them in place - I will do better next time.  I have placed my order for the Mini Mosaic Quilts book and it should hopefully arrive early next week.  I am looking forward to reading it from cover to cover while I drink my morning coffee and trying out some of the other little designs.  I have also has a look at Paula's tutorials on YouTube which are fun to watch too.

The binding has not been sewn down yet on the third exploding block so I'll show you that next time.  I have however started on my second block of the Night Before Christmas quilt. The holly garland is done, and the first little stocking complete.  I did have a mad turn early this week and ran up a very quick and easy quilt top from a rather bright and cheery charm pack called Half Moon Modern by Moda.  It's been lying around for a while and it was calling me to do something with it.  I pieced it together using a wee piece of inky black mottled fabric which makes all the bright colours pop.  So......another Linus quilt in the making.  It is sandwiched together with a bright orange fleece and sitting ready to be quilted.

So this weeks list is: to continue with the rather large knitting project, sew down that binding, a little bit of quilting on the charm pack quilt and perhaps another stocking added to the garland, and of course coffee time reading of my new quilting book when it arrives - maybe a bit adventurous but I'll just see how it goes.

Donation to Charities

Tuesday at class was exciting - the reveal of our first block of the month for this session from Bunny Hill's Night Before Christmas sampler quilt.  This is what it is supposed to looks like in outline, and as usual mine is not exactly like this, in fact I don't think it's anything like this at all  to be totally honest - but I won't be revealing mine until December 2015 so you will just have to wait to see.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this wee moosey!

Trials and tribulations, moans and groans, humphs and sighs, but I think we all did exceptionally well, especially as most of us have not attempted appliqué before especially with teeny tiny paws and ears!  We spent a lot of time discussing the different  techniques we had used - there are so many ways to appliqué thank goodness for Youtube and the internet blogs and tutorials.  We had come across a few pitfalls but I think we all enjoyed sharing tips and equipment ideas for the next block.  I am excited to continue with this project it will be a long road to travel and a long time in the making but I'm up for the challenge and it might just become an heirloom - or end up in a box unfinished!

On Thursday some of our members gave a demonstration and display at the local library.  I think it went down well and we had a good turn out of ladies keen to hear what we had to say about patchwork and quilting.  

Display of some of my quilts

I did sell a couple of my quilts the money being sent off to The Linus Project and Marie Curie Cancer Care.  I think our talk sparked some enthusiasm but regrettably our class is full and we cannot accommodate any more stitchers at the moment.

I am pleased to say I have another finish but it's just another exploding block this one is Sweet Memories - I'm getting bored with this now and need to move on.  It is however quick and easy to do and has been a good stash buster. It is fun to see how different layouts change the look of the quilt though.

Oh dear!  this one needs a good press - no outdoor photos today its too windy and rainy

Today I have spent my time sorting.  Sorting and scanning old photos to catalogue, sorting some quilting that wasn't quite right, sorting and updating my computer and backing up my files and sorting my blog.  I have updated My Gallery with the quilts I have finished so far this year. I have completed more than I thought. It's good to see them altogether in one place.

Next week I will be working on my final exploding block quilt (I won't do this block again for a while) together with my next appliqué block (which involves Christmas stockings), and a rather large knitting project I really must get on with.  

Enjoy your week folks.

Home Straight

I have had lots of parcels delivered to my door this week, which obviously means I have had a bit of a spending spree.  All essential purchases - of course.  I didn't make many purchases this year at the  Ingliston Quilt Show so I thought I would make up for it by shopping online.  

I ordered some 'Superior Masterpiece' threads from Barnyarns to help me along on my BOM appliqué project.  Unfortunately they sent me the wrong package so I eagerly await the replacement.  

The Wrong Threads

 

Due to the big show at Alexandra Palace I need to wait until they return to base before they send out the correct ones. 

Next to arrive was a book Modern Neutrals  which I purchased from Kaleidoscope.  I saw this one at the Ingliston show but unfortunately it was sold out so I ordered it from their online shop instead.  There are some lovely quilts in this book and I have spent a good few coffee breaks this week browsing through the pages. Watch this space.  

Plush Addict have a superb range of fabrics and excellent quick service - my fabrics arrived within 48 hours nicely folded and securely packaged and with a wee extra tasty treat too!  Some of these fabrics I will use in my block of the month project so it will be a while before you see what was in this little package...........2015!

Finally the biggest package of the lot arrived when I was out yesterday.  Fortunately I had left a wee note on the door and this was in the porch when I arrived home.  No prizes for guessing what this one contains. 

A new roll of Warm and Natural

My Autumn Rays quilt is finished!  The Fall in the City leftovers and the Exploding Block Tutorial by Missouri Star Quilts came together to produce a nice wee quilt.  



Autumn Rays

Close up of the 'rays' - I may add more

 

Topped of by a quilting design courtesy of the Craftsy Class (all the classes are reduced in price this weekend so go check it out), Creative Quilting with your Walking Foot by Jacquie Gering.  This was a really informative class and  I would highly recommend it.  Jacquie's designs are a bit more complex than this one but hey,  give me a chance I think it's a good first effort and hopefully I will build up my skill a little at a time.  This is definitely something I found enjoyable and it has almost taken away the taboo of my dislike for stitching a quilting design.  Hurray for painters tape - a new tool in the box!

Ok this is a picture heavy blog this week - I'm on the home straight with this one.  The first quilt I started using the exploding blocks.  I've just got the binding to stitch down, the threads to bury and of course a label.   I'll show you the finished result next time.

Have a great week everyone.

Progress Report

While taking the photographs of the Candystripe and Pinwheel quilt for baby Emily last week in the garden I realised I had not taken a proper photograph of my Block of the Month Quilt for my album.   So while the sun was shining I pinned it on the line.  It was a bit breezy but between gusts I snapped this.



Class Block of the Month 2013 - 2014

This week has been a bit more productive thank goodness.  I was beginning to worry that my time management skills (the few I have) had deserted me completely. However the routine has returned and I managed a bit more sewing these last few nights.  More exploding blocks have been added to the bundle for the Linus Project Class Quilt or it might be quilts. 

Exploding Blocks for Linus

and I have done some additional knitting - a little knitted preemie baby blanket for project Linus.  

Knitting project

These little blankets are fun to make and can be picked up and a couple of rows knitted in no time at all, especially if you are catching up on TV you have missed.   A 100gm ball of baby wool 4mm knitting needles, 120 stitches, and knit until the ball is finished!  You can make up any pattern you like. I just like the basket weave look of knit 10 purl 10 with a 10 stitch stocking stitch border all around.

I have started and almost completed my first Block of my Night Before Christmas project.  I must say although it is very early days I have really enjoyed assembling this block.  Appliqué is a new skill for me and I have enjoyed researching the wide variety of different methods.  I must admit the thought of freezer paper, starch, needle turn and fusible web was all a bit daunting at first but when you take your time and take each step slowly and carefully it is such fun to see the small appliqué parts all coming together.  This first block also incorporates some embroidery stitches.  Over the years I have dabbled in many crafts and cross stitch and embroidery are not new to me.  It was fun finding all my threads again and making the right choice of threads from my boxes, remembering past projects with fondness.  I also took the opportunity to look through Mum's box of threads and incorporate some of them into mine, obviously the time is right.  I think they also need a tidy!

Messy Threads

It's another blustery wet morning here so perhaps I will find a few minutes now and then to go to my sewing table, the big question is which WIP will I choose?  

Have a great weekend folks.