A Few Missing Pieces

I have realised due to my inconsistence in writing these posts I have missed some important photos of some of the projects I've been working on recently.  I miss the ability to pick up my iPad and jot down a few words to keep you all informed.  So here are a few photos I don't think you have seen

Some of the gifts we donated to PHEW for their Christmas Fair

The Finished Christmas Stocking

Christmas 2016 Stitchery

The Finished Icelandic Jumper and hat to match

Each year our little quilting group has a Christmas night out where we always enjoy a lovely meal with good food and good friends.  We always have a Secret Santa, each putting in a gift to be chosen at random by each of our members.  Sometimes there is a theme, sometimes we have to make something from a specific fabric this year it was really easy.  I set the theme - the gift had to be something sewing related and had to be wrapped in paper and embellished.  The Gifts were well thought out and were all well received by their recipients.  The embellishment on the parcel had to be made with one 2.5in WOF strip of fabric.  This was not allowed to be cut up as I wanted to use all these pieces in a tutorial in January.  I wish I had taken some photographs - there were some stunning creations.   On the night I  handed each member a list of instructions in an envelope which also included another strip of  white fabric.  The instructions had to be carried out and the resulting strips had to be brought along last week to class.  This is the quilt top we produced on the evening, we had great fun stitching the strips together with lots of discussions whether we should piece randomly or not.  It really didn't matter as they all got mixed up anyway!  I will post a better photo when we trim it all up. We will all take part in making it as a class.  We will sandwich, quilt and bind it and over the months  and it will be transformed into another of our Charity Quilts.

The 'box under the table' is now only half full or is it half empty.  I cheated a bit and have removed the Christmas Fabrics and they are now stored elsewhere (more on that another time)  I have also removed some of the blue baby fabrics as I need to get started on the baby quilts.

My final photo tonight is the Steps and Stairs as I have called it as it certainly does not look like the Seaside Quilt as the pattern suggests.  This is my first finish of 2017

Until next time have a good week  

Progress Report

I have a very dusty house at the moment.  We are having some rooms redecorated which is way overdue but progress is being made.  As you will all probably know and have lots of experience of it, having more than one room done at any one time is bad enough, but having a few done one after the other is a logistical nightmare.  Techie's room is now finished and looking really bright, shiny and new - I have now to decide on curtains and how I am going to lay out the room again.  The hall and stairway is a work in progress this week but I am delighted how it is all coming together.  The dust though,  the dust.........it is everywhere! Even as I am typing this I can feel my fingers picking up the dust on my keyboard, ah well just another thing to do tomorrow.

Its been another busy week with Dad having a visit to the eye clinic.  Poor soul has had a blocked tear duct but is now on the mend the antibiotics are obviously working.  So sewing this week has been very sporadic, due to cleaning and extra visits.  However, I am pleased to say I have now completed three tops since the beginning of the year and I have made another space in that 'box under the table'  The Windmills are done, the Rail fence done and now here is Pick up sticks.

I have decided to continue with basic patterns to use up my small fabric pieces for the moment.  Then when life settles down I might be able to concentrate fully on the numerous new techniques and projects I really want to try this year.  This I think is also going to be the year of the baby quilts, already I know of 5 little ones who will arrive this spring early summer so will be in need of a playmat or quilt.  I need to get my thinking cap on for new ideas.

Have an enjoyable week folks - this week at class we will be doing some fun sewing - I will tell you all about it next time.

My Computer Is On

So I thought I should take the chance and write a post!  I have achieved quite a lot this weekend and I am very pleased with myself.  So I'm off to bed! but before I go here's an update on the never ending Connecting Threads fabric from the kit Monkeying Around

The Windmills are now all sewn together and this quilt top complete.  I will put it away meantime until someone calls for it!  I need to use up more of the fabrics in my stash as I have said before many times.  I've made a few more drawstring bags and there's more space in that box. 

but I still have pieces left............

...........they now look like this

Rail fence blocks waiting to be trimmed.  

Have a good week everyone. Time for bed!  Zzzzzzzz

A Guid New Year

This is the first opportunity I have had to turn on my computer over the festive holiday, so I wish you all a very Happy New Year and I hope this year will bring with it lots of inspiration for new projects to work on throughout the next 12 months.

Slow sewing it has been for me over the past months, life gets in the way but it is always good to have a sewing project to turn to when things get tough.  I don't feel as though I have completed many quilts in 2016 but if you have a look on the gallery page I have in fact done not too badly.

I still have UFO's in my baskets, lots of projects in my head, loads of scraps accumulating again and a few quilts on the shelves waiting to be passed on to those who need them.  I had a trawl through my box, yep you know the one, under the table, too big for scraps and too small to be folded on to the magazine backs to sit on the shelves.  I have pulled a few pieces out to make little bags.

A few months ago my DL asked her crafty friends to help make some Beads of Courage drawstring bags for the said charity.  At the time I was busy attending to Dad and was unable to help but offered some fabrics and thread.  So for the last couple of nights I have been making these little bags to be passed on for the children to keep their beads in.  Six made so far, and making a hole in the fabric in that box!

Still to have the ribbons threaded through

The Pieces are Diminishing

Also in that box were the remains of one of the Connecting Threads kits Monkeying Around - I have already made two quilts so far from this kit and now well on my way to making a third, this is what I've done so far.  This pattern is taken from the book Scrap Basket Strips and Squares by Kim Brackett - a good selection of quilts to use up scraps, 2.5inch strips, charms or layer cakes.

Now to make the Blocks

I haven't been idle but I haven't really got into the full swing of enjoying my sewing projects.  Hopefully my mojo will return and I will be sewing like a dervish demented again soon.  Wishing you all well in 2017

Away Too Long

Where do the hours, days, weeks go to.  I seem to be constantly apologising and thats not what this blog is all about.  We need positive vibes and lots of encouragement in order to keep our heads up and enjoy the process of our quilting in general.  I hope you have had a more successful few weeks completing your projects in time for gifting.  I have sat down a number of times over the last few weeks with my iPad to pen a quick note - just to say I am still here and have not abandoned my followers.

Unfortunately for some reason I am no longer able to write my blog from the Blogger App!! on my iPad. It keeps crashing on me and telling me the app needs to be updated, however I know all my apps are up to date and all working well.......that is except for Blogger!

Here I am now, what have I been doing since last time?  Caring for my Dad, preparing for Christmas and trying to keep things on an even keel which I am struggling with a bit.  Hubby's Mum was admitted as an emergency, to hospital at the beginning of this week very, very poorly, however she seems to be on the mend and is now sitting up at the side of the hospital bed giving out her orders to her sons!

Sewing takes too much concentration when your mid is a bit congested with other things so although my Connecting Threads table runner/quilt is still on the design wall not a lot has been done.  I did receive my Connecting Threads order which I placed in Black Friday Sale - that was exciting!

I have however been knitting, keeping my fingers busy.......... how many of you remember these jumpers?  

This is a small size, for the big boy who was 2 years old last week.  I think it will keep him cosy when he is out in the garden running around - he is such an outdoor boy, following in his parents footsteps already.  Their little family went Christmas tree picking yesterday and of course he had to be dressed for the occasion.  He makes me smile!  This photo's on Facebook so I guess its ok to post here

I got his Christmas stocking finished and hopefully Santa will visit and drop a few parcels inside, complete with the orange and the penny in the bottom.

In other news Techie's room here has been completely emptied and the painter will be coming soon to transform it for its new use........whatever that might be.  

Once again sincere apologies for lack of updates, but now I know there is a problem I will try and make time to sit down at the computer.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Mainly Handstitching

Well I am pleased to say my sewing corner remains fairly tidy due to the fact I have been hand stitching this week and doing a bit of knitting.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy a bit of knitting.  I don't normally sit and watch television but for some reason this week I have been watching and knitting at the same time.  Very relaxing and enjoyable and sometimes sitting on my new chair with my feet up.  

Before the buttons were attached

and my new chair and stool before the legs were attached!

Preparations are being made everywhere for the festive season and many stitchers are posting lots of photos of their Christmas makes on the internet.  I must be odd - I think the only Christmas make for me this year is Santa's stocking for our little grandson.  I have finished the hand quilting and have a few sparkly star buttons to put on it and then I will put it all together this week.  

the buttons still need to be sewn in place

This little project has been on my design wall for a wee while - another of Connecting Threads kits.  It should be a table runner however as always plenty of fabric will make it into a little quilt for a charity.  

Rows still to be sewn together

The pattern

I hope you are all starting to think about the festivities and getting all your preparation done ahead of time so you can enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

Never Ask A Lady Her Age

Well now it has gone I don't mind telling you I celebrated a big birthday last weekend.  I didn't want a fuss its just another day, week, month, year, decade!  

After a pretty hectic few weeks visiting Dad in hospital, attending to all the usual housework, getting his house back in order and moving things around to make thing easier for him, finally he got home. He now is managing with a new routine with some extra help each day.  It has given me a bit more peace of mind knowing that he is well and someone is checking on him.

Birthday celebrations were the last thing I wanted.  Thanks to a wonderful family and good friends, they all managed to make my 'Special' Birthday a big success.  Lots of very pleasant surprises but no big fuss - exactly how I wanted it. 

Progress has been made in the clearing of Techie's space now he has moved off to his own little empire.  We have had lots of discussions of how to make best use of the rooms in our own home.  No firm decision has been made but there will be a lot of moving 'stuff' around over the next few months to get it all the way it suits us both!

Well as every quilter will tell you the main issue we all seem to have is lack of time.  I'm no exception, I just don't have enough time to do and make all the things I want.  Part of this is down to time-management and also tidiness or maybe I should say untidiness.  Each time I try to do some sewing I have to clear a space or look for thread, or decide on my next project, or sort my fabric or.......... so it goes on.

So with all that in mind I have decided I must sort, catalogue, re distribute, pass on and declutter my sewing paraphernalia.  Hmmm!  I know what you are all thinking - yep I know, I don't think it will ever happen either.  I'm trying though I am really trying!

All my books are now listed on a spreadsheet, and relocated and organised in Author order in their new home on the bookshelf upstairs.  

this of course now leaves a gaping hole in the bookshelf downstairs

which will now allow me to clear the end of my worktable of these fabrics

which have been sitting waiting to be 'filed' on the appropriate shelf, but there wasn't enough room! 

On with the job then instead of procrastinating!  I will put on some cheery music pull up a chair and rearrange my fabrics this afternoon - if I manage it all I will reward myself by starting a new project, or more likely sitting with my feet up with I nice glass of something.  

Watch this space.  Have a lovely weekend doing whatever you have planned.

****UPDATE****

Cleared that table

Tidied the Fabrics

                              

                              Put my feet up - with a coffee

and finished off the binding of another linus quilt

A very productive afternoon - feeling happy!