Tuesday 19 March 2024

A very busy weekend.

I was triple booked this weekend. Not only did I have to work three shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Chooky had a zoom day planned and I had two days of Timaru Patch workers club to attend. 
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I spent the whole weekend (While not working), working on my EPP project, more about that soon. First lets have a look at pictures from club.
Only eight of us were able to attend, and some of those eight had show and tell.
Marike had finished the huge scrapper she was working on in January.
Each square is made from crumbs and then done quilt as you go style and she has closed the sashing strips on the back by hand.
My picture does not do it any justice, it is stunning.
I want to do one.
Another piece completed my Marike, this time using yarn scraps.
Such a lovely wee blanket. Amanda was inspired and after seeing this on Saturday started her own version on Sunday using a variegated yarn.
Marike's latest project is these amazing birds.
Each one hand sewn embellished with embroidery, buttons and beads and pretty bits of trim. In this image she was playing about with the layout.
Our president and my pal Angela had dug out her Lucy Boston bed runner. She completed the top about four years ago and has finally decided that it is time to quilt it.
The backing fabric she chose is beautiful.
This lovely batik applique was stretched over a canvas, with a beautiful maroon backing fabric.
Sandy also completed the binding on this lovely quilt on Saturday.
Of course there were lots of other projects to see but I didn't get photos.
As I mentioned above, I spent the whole weekend working on my spots and stripes EPP.
I put together a whole pile of diamonds both at home with Chooky and the zoom girls and also at club.
I was able to add two more rows to my small beginnings from last month.
Then took a block out of the middle because it was upside down. LOL
I still have lots of block shapes to add and a whole pile of diamonds to sew together. 
*
Now I really need to get back to my secret cross stitch, I started a second one this month, hoping to get ahead on my obligations. It would be nice to get it finished by the end of the month. 
*
Phew, I'm all caught up. 

March Chookshed update.

So as you know, the choockshed challenge number for this month is #4.
And for me that means I had to quilt one of my scrappy quilt tops.  
I'm back to say they are completed.  I've sewn on the bindings and closed them by hand.
I really do need to practice closing on the machine.
That said, I do enjoy the process of closing by hand. 
So here they are enjoying some sun.
Two very different styles of scrappy quilt, but both were fun to make.
The batting I used is loftier than my usual brand and they seem a little puffier than I am accustomed to.
A closer look at the bindings. This coloured stripe looks great with the floral hexies.
And I used up two pieces of green left over bindings for the other quilt.
A scrappy quilt, with a scrappy binding.
Seems appropriate. 
Over the last few weeks I have been cutting bits and pieces of floral fabrics ready to create a new scrappy quilt top.
Yesterday was it's day. It really didn't take long to put all the pieces together. 
Who knows, I may even get it quilted before the month is over, then I can claim three finished scrappy quilts for March. I'd better find some backing and binding fabric. LOL
While I was beavering away with my needle and thread, my supervisor was snoozing.
I had a busy weekend, but that is for another post.

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Acquisitions, Rainbow Kiwis and new beginnings.

Well I've blown my pocket money this month. After splurging on the sale table last week I only went and bought a book and some pretty batik fabrics this week. LOL
The two may, or may not stay together. 
I was tempted to purchase the book by seeing quilts made following this Quilt along.
Pretty, pretty pretty. I wanna play. 
It's an old one and you can see lots of different versions if you know where to look. 
Great inspiration. 
I ticked off another of my goals yesterday by making up my two purple Kiwi for the RSC.
For some reason although the first one went together just fine, the second one gave me issues, I had to rip, rip, rip more than one mistake and don't even ask why his beak is so short!
What ever the issue, they are done and nestled comfortably with the others in the project box.
What to do next?
My lovely blue fabrics which Tony bought for me way back in October 2021! 
😐🤯
Really?
That long ago?
Oh boy, they should be starting to mature nicely by now. 
Anyway, they finally got the chop. I'll be using them for an EPP project.
Yes I know spots and stripes is not finished yet, but it will be one day and I need to have another project ready to go at a moments notice. So I got cutting. 
Hmm, does this count as precutting my scrap project for club?
Maybe not, maybe I'll make time tomorrow for that as it is on my monthly goals list, and it doesn't hurt to have a quick scrap project all ready to go. 
I've done some cross stitch on my secret Christmas ornament, but I'm hoping to get two made this month.
I have yet to find a new recipe to try out.
So plenty to keep me busy over the next week.
Oh and I'm sure Chooky said she was hoping to zoom this weekend.
And I have not one but two club sewing days. I think I'll just take my EPP rather than a scrappy as I can only attend for part of the day as it's my weekend to work. 
I hope your week is going well and plans are working out for you.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Chookshed Challenge, March.

 This month Deana pulled #4 out of the hat, which for me means I have to quilt a scrappy quilt.
When I went looking I found two that I could play with. Even better I found a piece of fabric that was big enough to back both of them.
The first one was loaded on to the frame on Thursday but I didn't get back to quilt it until yesterday. (Saturday). 
It's only a lap sized quilt so really didn't take long to do.
It's been waiting since October 2022 so not too long.
I used a very quick and easy edge to edge pattern.
I left the same quilting E2E pattern on and quickly loaded the second scrappy quilt and got that one done too.
I finished hand sewing these hexagons in September last year. So they didn't have to wait too long.
I didn't realise quite how close I was cutting it on the bobbin thread until I was tidying up. 
The supervisor was exhausted by it all and had to have a snooze in the sun.
All that remains for me to do is to trim the edges and add binding. I have a collection of green binding off cuts and left overs to bind the green quilt and I have found an interesting stripe to bind the hexies. Hopefully I can get at least one of them done tomorrow before work.
But even if it doesn't happen, I have still achieved my goal for the Chookshed challenge. 
I see many people in blogland making progress too. 

Friday 8 March 2024

The first week of March.

The first week of March is over. We are already a whole week in, and what have I achieved?
Well Breeshey has had a couple of coats of paint.
She is a typical fairy and being very difficult to photograph.
I've also been working on the secret Christmas ornament cross stitch and some purple crochet. I really must get you a picture of that.
On Tuesday I had a day out with my Daughter in Law Lee. We went to Geraldine, just a short drive up the road. We looked at the shops and visited the pin tin.
They have replenished their sale tables and I found some lovelies.
I'm told the fairies glow in the dark.
 I might make some placemats with them.
I've made a start on the Chookshed challenge. I've pulled out not one but two scrap quilts for quilting. I also sorted backing fabrics and cut batting. The first one is loaded on to the frame. I had hoped to begin quilting this morning, but sadly that didn't happen.  
Never mind, I can do some tomorrow and I have three more whole weeks to go.