The last one

Of the 366 - 2016 being a Leap Year - of my daily circles came off my machine today.    I know that there are still officially 2 days left of this year but I took a guess on what I will be doing for the next 2 days and finished off the circles.    Funnily enough the fabric that I used  for the last circle to represent  New Year's Eve was from the same fabric that I used for my very first circle to represent New Year's Day at the beginning.   Both called for a "party".   You can see the date penned on each of the circles below.

For sometime I have been thinking about how I am going to put the daily circles together so that I can see some sort of date order rather than just a whole lot joined together and with the passing of time cannot remember dates so I did come up with the idea of appliquing a number from 1 to 12 on squares  which will represent the 12 months of the year  and they can be placed at the beginning of each month's circles until I found some fabric lurking at the bottom of the drawer with letters of the alphabet already on it.    Fortunately I had enough letters in the piece - even 3 Js to represent January, June and July -  so out with the scissors to fussy cut  each letter and I just need to applique each of them onto a square.

This is what 366 circles look like all stacked up, trimmed and ready to be sewn together.

 At the beginning of the month I had fallen behind with my daily circles and decided that catching up and trying to finish them all was going to be my OMG for December and I am pleased to say that I got there.

Linking with OMG for December and Quilty Folk.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

FNSI

Was last night and I had big plans to catch up on my daily circles and finish off a bag for hubs which I made a start on during the week  - well life happens and I did not even get to enter my sewing room let alone pick up on where I left off.    Fortunately the bag is not a Christmas gift so no  pressure there to get it finished before the big day next week and  the circles will just have to wait for another day.  

If you would like to see what a productive night others had pop on over here.

Thanks Wendy for organising FNSI each month and I wish you and your family and all the others who take part each month a happy and safe Christmas and all good wishes for 2017.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Falling behind

November has been a busy month due to having a house guest for 6 days, trying to do Christmas shopping, some unexpected sewing in the form of a twirly Christmas skirt for Miss M as well as every day living activities that seem to take up an extra-ordinary amount of time has caused me to fall behind with my daily circles.     When I laid them out today to check on their progress I found that 2 days were missing as well as quite a few to sew onto the background fabric and trim so this will be my goal for December - to catch up and stay on track for this month's circles as well.

I can see that there are  two goals above however seeing that December is the last month to go with my daily circles I will endeavour to stay focused.

Quite a few who joined up  have now completed their quilts and can be seen here.

Linking with One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

FNwF

The first Friday of the month means FNwF and for me this month I had to make an early start on my sewing as I had promised Miss M a special twirly  Christmas skirt to wear to her Christmas concert on Friday afternoon.    After breakfast I headed off to my sewing room to see what fabric I had that was suitable for a 3 tiered skirt and 2 hours later this is what was produced.  Nothing like a bit of pressure to get one moving.

Hubs and I arrived at the concert half an hour early so that a swap of clothes could be  made in time for Miss M's performance.    She was delighted with her twirly skirt as she sang and danced on stage with her class.

Thanks Cheryll for organising FNwF throughout the year - keeping us motivated to reach goals and be inspired by others.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

40th "Friendship" Anniversary

In my last post I mentioned some secret sewing that had taken place and I was referring to a cushion cover that was made for a friend on the occasion of our 40th friendship anniversary.   We met on the buses when travelling home from the city each day after work and we became very good friends.   Our children grew up together and even though 28 years ago she and her family moved to another State distance was not a barrier for us.     June spent a week with hubs and I which enabled us to catch up in person - even though we "skype" on a very regular basis it is not the same.  The picture below shows me holding the quilt that was made for me and June holding her cushion.

The two of us "wrapped" in the quilt.

A close up of one of the many sayings on the quilt

A celebration needs  a special lunch which of course had to include a "naughty" dessert.  Not much dinner was eaten that night.

It was lovely being able to catch up and talk over old times as well as encourage each other with our sewing.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Northern lights

This month JoJo has us travellers heading off to see the Northern Lights in Canada.   Many years ago I visited Canada and the scenery is something that will stay with me forever.    I did not however see the Northern lights but with modern technology I can see them from the comfort of my house with the aid of my computer.  Again I went with the mug rug theme and at the end of our travels with JoJo I will have quite a collection of "souvenir mug rugs".     You can see my version of the Northern Lights below and if you go here you can see what JoJo had in mind for us this month.

 
After completing my northern lights I was able to make  a small tablemat and coasters with the leftover bits and pieces from the border fabrics to match the  tablemats  that I finished last week.

Back soon with some secret sewing that has taken place for an important anniversary and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Cheers, Good Health or......

Whatever it is that you say when sharing a glass or two with family and friends I think that my new placemats will fit right in.   Last night was FNSI hosted by Wendy of Sugarlane Designs which was a good opportunity to bind the six placemats that had been sitting around my sewing room for the last week.

I have enough bits and pieces of the different border fabrics left over to make a small mat for the middle of the table as well as 6 drink coasters.   My aim is to get those small items done within the next couple of days as I have a very good friend staying with us for a few days next week and it will be nice to have the "matching set" to use....no pressure here.

Thanks again Wendy for organizing last night and I suggest popping over here to see some lovely work that was achieved by others.

Linking up with One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts.

Back soon with some photos of my table mat and coasters and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

FNwF

I had lots and lots of time today to make an early start on my project as we had some builders in doing some work so while they built I sewed.       When I walked past the builders on a few occasions from my sewing room to the main house I thought that sewing can be likened to building in many ways - measuring, cutting and fitting.  

Good progress was made on a new set of 6 placemats.   The panel was cut into pieces to separate the "pictures" , each was bordered, sandwiched and quilted.

Next job is to trim,  cut and stitch  the binding on which may or may not happen tomorrow depending on how quickly I get some of the "domestic duties" done.  

I have decided that this will be my OMG for November.

Thanks Cheryll for hosting another fun FNwF.

Back soon with some photos of my progress and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Getting there

I only have two months left now of making my daily circles.   I cannot believe just how quickly this year is moving along.   During the week I completed October's circles and had a quick look back on the year in "circle form".   At this stage I am thinking of perhaps putting the number of each month - in a circle of course - before the blocks for that month so that in time to come I can relate to what happened during that month.   More thought needs to be given to that idea.  Anyway here are my October circles complete with bats to represent Halloween.

To see some more pretty circles head on over to Quilty Folk.

If you would like to join in tomorrow nights fun at FNwF just pop over here to see what it is all about.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Aloha

Hawaii is the second destination on the World Quilting Travel Adventure.    It was time to unpack from Oregon and pack for the warm climate of  a tropical island.    I think that I have included all that is needed for such a vacation.

Hubs and I have been lucky in the past to be able to travel to Hawaii on a few occasions and can happily say that it is one of our favourite  holiday places.     The lovely beaches with warm water lapping at your toes as you stroll  along the waters edge catching every now and then the sweet smell of  the plumeria flowers make for a very relaxing holiday.   JoJo has also been to Hawaii and has put some interesting facts  here including pictures of  the second challenge item which includes  a plumeria flower.    I was lucky enough to have a piece of fabric with plumeria flowers on it and decided that I enjoyed making the mug rug last month so I would go with that idea again.    So here is my salute to Hawaii

Thanks JoJo for the inspiration and I look forward to our next destination on this adventure.

Linking with Oh Scrap.

Back soon with some progress on my Rainbow quilt challenge and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

World Quilting Travel Adventure

A couple of weeks ago I saw a new challenge on JoJoHall's blog calling for  travellers to sign up for a World Quilting Adventure which she is hosting.   Now who could refuse such an offer....not me.     So I sent off a request to JoJo and she was very kind and allowed me to join her and 23 others on their trip around the world even though I was  few weeks  late.   We are going to visit 7 states of the USA and  9 countries in no particular order.   Here is my passport and boarding pass

And our first destination is Oregon.  JoJo has given some interesting information about her home State which can be found here and this is the view from her window.

This was the challenge for September but not wanting mine to be as big I did my interpretation  and came up with "mug rug" sized version.

I hope that JoJo enjoys my version of her view as much as I did playing around with her pattern and my scraps.  

Now I will have to quickly unpack my bag and repack for our next destination.

Linking with Quilting is more fun that housework

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

FNSI

Yesterday was the third Friday of the month and that means a fun night of sewing.     I was able to make an early start in my sewing room after lunch but even though there was some extra sewing time I only managed to go from one project to another and not actually finish anything off.     First cab off the rank was making toppers for some towels which could not be finished  off because I did not have the right buttons.  So buttons head the shopping list for this week.

It was a lovely sunny day and my garden was filled with butterflies flitting around.     One stayed long enough on the daisies so that I could get a photo of it.

It was such a coincidence that I was using daisy fabric with butterflies on it for one of the towel toppers so that had to become the fabric choice  for my daily circle.   As you can see the circle is only pinned and not sewn.

Sometime ago I bought a panel with co-ordinating fabrics and it was time to get it out and have a play.     Some of the pictures on the panel are below.

There are four more pictures with the same theme.   I see placemats in my future.   I am hoping to make more progress on these later on today.

Just before I go I would like to share a photo with you of what could be considered a "life size" Sunbonnet Sue.    It is Miss M helping her mummy water the garden.

Now to see what other interesting projects others go up to last night head on over to Sugarlane Designs.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Tatting

Is something that I remember a great aunt of mine doing many years ago.  It was fascinating to watch her hands move around a metal object called a "shuttle" and this amazing fine work would emerge.   I have a good friend of mine who has taken up tatting and she too produces some amazing fine work from her shuttle and I was lucky enough to score this pair of pretty earrings from her when we met up yesterday.

If you would like to find out more about "tatting" and see some of the work that is produced by others just pop over here to the Tatters Guild of Aust NSW Branch.

Last week after finishing off my sunshine colours for the Rainbow Challenge and having a play with some layouts for the blocks I felt that  two more colours were needed in order to be able to make a single bed quilt with a bit extra on the sides.      Out with the scraps to see what colours there were many of and trying not to duplicate what was previously made I added in "black and white" and also "red with a touch of colour".     These have now been cut, trimmed and all sewn together as can be seen below.

Next step is to lay them all out in some sort of order - I am thinking of going with the order in which the colours given throughout the year - but that will remain to be seen.

Linking with Oh Scrap.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Hello sunshine

All those yellow and orange scraps have now been cut, sewn and trimmed into 6" 9 patch blocks as you can see below.

This was an inspiring point to get out all my other 9 patches that have been created each month for the last 10 months and have a little play with them.    After moving them this way, that way, the other way and then back again I decided to set them out in each colour group.

In order to make the quilt wider and longer it will need a couple of more rows and I think perhaps a sashing of white in between each colour as well as a border.   A bit more playing over the next day or two is needed.

Linking with Oh Scrap

Back soon with some photos of what is decided and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

The finish line....

At last.      As you may have read in a previous post I have been working on this spiderweb tablerunner for more years than I care to remember but the time had come for it to be elevated from the UFO pile to a finish without any further interruption.      Working with black thread was very hard on the eyes so I only spent an hour or so at a time during daylight hours working with the black thread and once the stars had been quilted I changed to grey thread....far kinder to the eyes...to quilt the spiderweb part.     So here it is all ready to go off to its new home next week.

 Thanks Cheryll for organising FNwF

I have to admit that there is another project that has been cluttering up my sewing room for a bit longer than the one above so perhaps that will be tackled  next month......maybe??????

Linking with Red Letter Quilts......   OMG It's finished October.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Three quarters of the way

And only 3 months  left of making my daily circles.    I can see by looking at  this month's circles that there has been doing quite a bit of gardening  happening as well as meeting up with friends for coffee and lunch, some sewing, doctors appointments and other bits and pieces.

I have also taken sometime  to make a start on trimming the previous blocks.   So far I have managed to get 7 months done so that leaves 2 months to go.   Once I have caught up I will trim as I go seeing as the end is getting close.  

If you would like to see more circles  I suggest that you wander on over to Quilty Folk as many of the others taking part in this challenge started their blocks a couple of months before me and have progressed well into the final stages of their projects.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

October OMG

Is definitely going to be quilting and binding this tablerunner which has been around my sewing room in various stages of construction for far too long.       It started out as a project when I was on a quilting weekend in 2012...oh dear longer than I thought....and I have now promised it to a loving home so onward and upwards and nothing is going to get in the way between now and a finish.

I am using my walking foot and a stitch length of 3.5 with black thread to start with.   I am quilting just inside the black stars which have formed around the spiderwebs to highlight those stars.    Once that is finished I will then make a start on the actual webs.   I am thinking again just straight stitching in the webs to highlight them rather than heavy quilting to detract from the design.

Linking with Red Letter Quilts

Back soon with some photos of the finish line and in the meantime

   Happy sewing all

Oranges and lemons......

Says the bells of St Clements was the first thought that popped into my head when I read the October colours for the Rainbow Challenge over at ScrapHappy.    With this in mind I had a quick rummage through my yellow and orange scraps and pulled these out to cut up.

I will need to re-read the original post but I think that this is the last month of cutting up colours for our rainbow blocks and we have the next two months to create something pretty out of the last 10 months work.    Thinking cap on to see how they will all end up.    Stay tuned.

During the week my overlocker and I spent sometime together and churned out these twirly skirts for Miss M.  

Linking up with So Scrappy.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Cool Cats

Is what I have called the runner that I made for the piano from the fabric that I was given when my son and daughter in law  returned from Japan recently.   I found out that it is very hard to photograph a  shiny black piano in a house as it keeps picking up  reflections from various light sources.  I had to stand at the end of the piano in order to get a picture - not a very good one as the true red was washed out but it can be seen at the top end of the runner.   I did "fussy cut" the cats so they were walking across the piano but you will need to twist your head to try and imagine what the runner actually looks like.

Time to go as hubs has just made some coffee to go with a strawberry and blueberry cake that I made earlier this morning.  Strawberries and blueberries are my favourite fruits and seeing that they are very plentiful at the moment I  made some cakes and muffins to freeze up and enjoy as morning or afternoon tea.

Linking with Red Letter Quilts - OMG for September.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Blogger's Quilt Festival

While doing some blog hopping as one does all too often I came across an interesting article about a Blogger's Quilt Festival whereby bloggers can enter an article they have made recently.    I decided to enter my Spring Sunbonnet Sue in the mini quilt section seeing that spring is bursting out all around us here in Australia.  

I made a series of 12 Sunbonnet Sue wall/door hangers throughout the year for my granddaughter's bedroom.    Each one represents a month of the year but I have to say that the September one is my favourite.

If you would like to see what the other categories are or to vote on your favourite quilt pop over here to see some gorgeous eye candy.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

FNSI

Yesterday being the third Friday of the month means FNSI and I have a few WIP's which need to be converted to finishes so it was a good time to make a start.    Firstly finishing off a couple of  summer nighties for Miss M

Second on the list was finishing off the hem on  a summer dress for Miss M

Then onto cutting more circles

And last on the list was making a start on quilting my piano runner

I am pleased to say that all the quilting has now been completed and I even had time to pull the threads through and tie them off while watching Midsomer Murders.   All that is left to do to make this one a finish is to trim and put on the binding then it can sit proudly on the piano.

Thanks Wendy for hosting another great night of sewing and I look forward to doing some blog hopping over the weekend to see what others got up to last night.

In the meantime

 Happy sewing all

Through the eyes of a 3 year old

Miss M loves to be in  charge of my camera when she visits and this is what she saw through the lens during the week.    Her new sparkly shoes

Grass with a stepping stone

My ugg boots

The sky

More sparkly shoes

Fairies and their houses

The view through the handlebars of her trike

And of course more sparkly shoes.

I can see that Santa may have to bring her her own digital camera for Christmas.

Back soon with some more photos - not of sparkly shoes - and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Spring is in the air.....

The garden is just bursting with colour at the moment as the air warms up with the extra hours of sunshine.   My lavender is starting to flower

As is the fragrant jasmine which is just outside the backdoor and smells delightful

You can always rely on  daisies to produce many flowers over a long period of time

And the azaleas are just gorgeous at present even though they were given a big cutback last year after flowering

I was able to get sometime to sew my claret to pink with a touch of gold 9 patch rainbow blocks for September  and they are now waiting patiently with all my other  rainbow blocks to be sewn together in what should form a very colourful quilt.

There is  1 more colour to be announced next month and then there is a 2 month time frame to complete our quilts. 

Linking with So Scrappy  and Oh Scrap for September

Back soon with some photos of circles which have been inspired by this lovely spring weather and some summer sewing for Miss M and in the meantime

  Happy sewing all