Friday (& Saturday) Night Sewing

Phew!  Well, the unit I was stressing over is finally done and dusted ... and I've passed.  Not with flying colours ... barely scraped by in comparison to some of my other units ... but I successfully passed and that's what matters!!  I'll post some photos of the things I was doing later in the week ... well, if I remember, lol!

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Now it's on to the next one ... LOL!  Week Three begins on Monday :)

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But anyhoo, I am not here to discuss my studies right now, I am here to say ... I have finished making all of my overdue swap blocks from ... *cringe* ... last year ...

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Yes, I know.  Bad swapper ... I am trying to change that.

First step - complete all swap blocks from swaps last year.  And because I am so late, I ended up making two blocks for each partner instead of just the required one.

Last weekend I finished two stars in pastel florals for Chantelle S (top), and two blocks in orange & neutrals for Mary C (bottom).  These blocks all went in the mailbox last Tuesday.

Clockwise from top left: Another Nine Patch Star, Solomon's Star,
Starflower Block, and the inner 12" of Chainlinks. 

Last night, I got the cleaning done early, got chilli cooking in the slowcooker ...

Slow Cooker Chilli with Parmesan Encrusted Potatoes

set Miss L up with some sewing of her own (with which she did extreeeemely well - Mummy was super proud!!) ...

and then got started on the remaining overdue blocks.  Between Friday night and last night (Sat), I have finished the last four - purple stars for Deb A. and red 'Anvil' blocks on cream backgrounds for Encara V.

Clockwise from top left: Double Star Chain, Plaid Star, and two Anvil's. 

It feels SOOOOO good to get these all finished, and either sent or ready to be sent!  I now have only 3 remaining swaps to complete, two of which are current, and the other I am waiting to find out who I am to be swapping with.  I want to keep sewing right now, I almost don't want to go to bed!!

Finally some SKoW & QBSA progress ...

I have wanted to get back on to these projects for a while, but unfortunately the last few months have seen me rather unwell, injured, and then unwell again and I just haven't been able to get onto any of my sewing commitments/plans.

Some Kind of Wonderful

Now Chooky has cracked the whip ... I am well ... and I am taking some time off from my studies ... there is some movement!  The 'old blue jeans block' ...

Jeans block prepared for needle turn appliqué...
Square of fabric at top left is ready for *was 'cupcakes* block.

I have gotten one leg sewn so far, and am hoping to finish this block tonight ... Pellon, cut to size, is sitting ready for fusion.

My current set-up for sewing ... like my tin of 'Superior Threads'?

Then I *really* need to get on to finishing this mini before I can do too much more of the stitching for SKoW... 

Needs needle turn & stitchery to be done, sandwiched, quilted & bound :)  ASAP!! 

I previously had the umbrella, cup of tea & suitcase blocks finished.  

My previously completed blocks

I also finished the cupcakes block, but I am not in the least happy with it; plus I have decided that really, cupcakes aren't one of my favourite things ... and, inspired by all the adaptions by the other ladies, I have decided to replace this with 'pavlova' - my absolute favourite desert!!  I'm hoping to at least have the image for this block drawn up and fabrics selected by the end of the weekend, along with a February (chocolates block is ready, just needs to be sewn/stitched) & March's blocks at least prepared for next week ...

QBSA

Unfortunately I have fallen very behind in this swap - I am truly sorry to my partners in this!!!

I have been able to complete and send my June partner Kym (no blog) her block, a log cabin in purple & yellow, with an orange centre.  She has received this (and thankfully likes the fabrics I used in it) so I can show it.

The requested block for my May partner Deb (no blog?), was any star in purples & violets.  I had fun with this one, though I only got this in the mail this week so I don't know if it has arrived yet.  I used one of the blocks by Sheila from thought & found, from her Oh My Star's series back in February ... the 'Shimmering Star'.  Though there was a little reverse sewing done while making this block, I *really* enjoyed all the piecing involved in creating this beauty!!

I am hoping this block will arrive before the end of next week.

Unfortunately for this swap group I still have to make a block for my July partner (planning to make this tomorrow), and I had issues with both my March & April blocks not arriving at their destinations - both were sent at the same time, but neither have arrived, so I am hoping to remake these blocks in the next week or so to replace those lost.

Living & Active challenge progress

Lots to do ... At least I am sitting down a lot atm - I am *so SORE* after doing 3 days so far of JM's 30 Day Shred workouts ... I have one more workout to do to fill my required quota for the Living & Active challenge I mentioned on Monday.  At least I have two friends I am doing this with - we're keeping each other accountable to actually get them done every day M-F!  Lol, Wed & Thurs we even got together at 8pm as we hadn't been able to meet earlier in the day - Thank God for these peeps!!! 

Better go have a shower & get back to my needle turn so this block is done before I need to head to bed!! :)

A wrap up ....

... of the last few months' swaps, and some new goals for the coming year ....

The last few months of last year (well, the ones before Dec...) were a little crazy for me ... well, actually, it's more like I went a little crazy, lol!  My last study period for uni (Sept - Nov), my daughter and I spent most of it sick ... I was stressing out about my assignments, having signed up for three units when I only had one day a week set aside for the work when DD was at childcare (don't do this!!! seriously ... one day per one subject!!!! ... I was lucky to pass the one subject I did!!!) ... and my swaps were not able to be put into a high priority.  Thankyou to all my very patient swap partners, all of whom were kept informed as to how I was going, and waited for my blocks to arrive in late Dec/early Jan!!! God Bless You All!!!

So, I have a few months of swaps I have here to show you ...

For both my September and October partners for the Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia swap, Cheryl and Lori, I made a log cabin block.  As they both requested the same block, in traditional Christmas colours, I made the same block for each of them ...

Lori went all out, sending me these two beautiful log cabins, a cotton dishtowel (must make some of these myself ...), a gorgeous little notepad with my inital "L" on it, and a beautiful fat quarter of white and red fabric.  Thankyou Lori!!

For the Scissor Keeper Swap, hosted by Cookies & Cream  last October, my partner was Cheryll. She sent me the following gorgeousness!  Beautiful!!

I have just, last week, finished her gifties, and they are wrapped and set to go off to the post office tomorrow morning.  Hopefully they will arrive end of next week, so I can show you then what I have spent the last two weeks putting together for her in amongst all my cleaning and organising (finally my sewing and craft supplies have been organised ...Yay!!)

For the Spring Seasonal Swap (hosted by Cheryll), my partner was Lisa.  These were sent roughly around when they were due, but I realised I haven't shown much more than a sneaky pic ... For Lisa, I made the "Ric Rac and Blooms" bag from The Rivendale Collection by Sally Giblin.  I also included a few other "springy" things ... a couple of inspiring magazines to read, some seed packets & a matching tea towel, a FQ of some pretty fabric plus some rick rack and floral lace trim, some smelly hand lotion and a pretty pink flannel.

Here's a better pic of the bag ...

And a close up of the stitching ... Just coz it's so pretty!! ...

Lisa stitched a gorgeous cushion for me, which holds pride of place on my bed when I'm not sleeping in it ...

And a close up of that gorgeous stitching ...

My 6in Block Swap partner for September was Jolanda.  She requested "any stars in shabby fabrics, with roses in pink, yellow, green & cream", so I made up these ...

Jolanda made me these beautiful pinwheel blocks ...

My partner for October was Robyn, and she requested "any scrappy blocks in any colours with a touch of blue".  This was my first time making anything with my scraps, let alone a scrappy block.  After doing a pretty long google search of "scrappy blocks", I sat down and made these two.  Robyn was happy with them, so I guess I made them 'right', lol!!

Robyn sent me these beautiful log cabins, along with some gorgeous panels of quilty ladies and a beautiful keyring which now resides on my keys (I was looking for a new one ... Thank-you Robyn!) ...

My 12in Quilting Block Swaps Australia swap partner for October was Terry (no blog).   She requested any block in a {grey, black and pink} colourway.  I took this opportunity to remake the Lady of the Lake 2 block I previously made  in June in blue and yellow.  Though I love both blocks, I think I am partial to this one, though I would have never made anything this colourway unless it was requested in this swap!!

Terry sent me this gorgeous dresden plate block ... I love how she used three different sized *scrunchy fabric circles* (can't think of the term right now ... my current headcold is interfering in proper brain function, lol!) ...

And a close up of the centre ... Super cute!! 

And finally, lol, the last swap, which was my first for the year ... and sent on time!!! (That is one of my goals this year!!  Every swap item sent on time!) I signed up to be involved in Lisa's "New Year Cracker Swap".  This was her first hosted swap, and I must say she did VERY well organising us all and ensuring we were all on top of everything!!  

My partner was Suze.  We were asked a whole bunch of questions about our preferences, likes and dislikes and our preferred crafts and then given our partners information.  I unfortunately forgot to take a photo of the items I sent through to Suze (mainly as I was cutting it tight time-wise, lol ... I was in Adelaide, didn't have my own transport, and had to wait until right at the last minute when we went into Rundle Mall one day for me to visit Spotlight, lol!  I didn't know the layout of that store so I spent hours in there trying to work out what I wanted to include in it and where those items were!).

Suze sent me this lovely cracker ...

And inside she included ... some stiff batting-stuff, two FQs of Ruby (plus the 'cracker' was made out of a FQ as required), some red and green ric rac, some red thread, some thin red ribbon, a little Hatched & Patched notepad, and a gorgeous little scissors & tape measure set.  Thankyou Suze!!

Phew!!  If you got to the end I congratulate you!!!  Well done!!!

I am just glad I got to the end!!

I have decided to stop my participation in the 6in and Christmas block swaps, simply because of time ... and the fact that I want to make some things for myself this year, lol! I will continue with the 12in Quilting Block Swap Australia group, though I have taken Nov through to Jan off so I could get caught up.  I now have my Feb partner's information and am headed to the LQS next week to find appropriate fabrics ... she wants a log cabin in batiks ... and I don't have much in the way of batik fabrics.

Anyway, must stop before I lose all your interest, lol!  I will post again in a few days to show my achievements for this month, let you know of a few groups/sew-alongs I have decided to participate in this year.  Now ... better get some sewing done now while it is cool ... we are having gorgeous rainstorms lately, and the weather forcast shows not signs of this abating any time soon!!  Yay!! Love Darwin rain!!!

Spring swap is in the mail!!!

Oh boy, has this item taken forever to get done!!  Between either DD, me or both of us being sick (DD developed really high temperatures, fluid in the lungs and an ear infection last week ... if I hadn't gotten her to the doctor when I did we would have been looking at a diagnosis of pneumonia if I'd left it only a few days longer!! ... thus I haven't gotten much done this last week at all, especially in the way of uni!) and uni assignments that feel like they are slowly drowning me (yes, I am stressed!!), I haven't gotten much craft done in the last couple of months - I'm having withdrawals!!!

But, the most important item is now in the mail box to fling it's way across the country to my ***very patient!!*** partner Lisa!!!  I have included a number of other goodies along with my handmade item, and I truly hope she loves it ... I will post some photoes of this item when it has arrived.

Oh another note, I have noticed that I haven't shown the blocks I have sent and received in my various swaps for a while... plus, I haven't posted much crafty things lately, and it is always nice to see those things.

So, without further ado...

My August 6in swap partner was Vanessa (no blog).  The top two blocks are ones she made for me, the bottom two I made for her ... she requested friendship stars...

This next block I sent to my August Christmas block swap partner Pat, who made me a lovely log cabin ...

These were my very late July QBSA blocks for my partner Gina who requested stars or applique.  I originally began working on the block on the right ... an antique star tile ... didn't really work, but I thought maybe she could use it in something else.  I also made this Christmas Star on the left.  Lots of HST's pieced together to look fabulous, though I got very frustrated with trying to get the block right ... and now that I look at it I realise I had one of the HSTs around the wrong way!!! Aargh!!!!  Sorry Gina!

My August QBSA swap partner Robyn (who I get the chance to swap with again this month in the 6in swap) made me these lovely bright blocks ...

And for her request of teapots/cups/and saucers/mugs etc, I made this lovely pieced, embroidered and appliqued block.  Once I decided on what I was going to make it came together quickly.  All images came from a google search of relevant images, though unfortunately I didn't think to record the specific pages I got the motifs from ... the teapot was originally a redwork design which I drew out on the fabric with water soluble marker before doing the stitchery once it was appliqued on the central panel...

And a close up of the embroidery ...

 And the last blocks are the ones from my September QBSA swap ... The top two are blocks Elizabeth made for me ... how fantastic is that dresden plate block?!!  She has apparently never done this block before ... but I can't see it!  It looks fantastic!!  And I love the colour blocking in the log cabin!

Finally, my star blocks for  Elizabeth ...  She requested any star block in blue/purple/red/cream ... these two are the Sawtooth Star and Sharon's Star blocks.  Although the second was more fiddly, I really enjoyed this one!

I still have a few blocks that are late in coming ... and I promise I will get onto them as soon as I can ... however I still have a number of assignments that need to be prioritised higher than sewing atm, especially since I have a couple overdue too!!!  **Breathe ... just breathe....**

I have also done more work on my stitchery when I just need to get away from it and do something mind-numbing while watching an equally mind-numbing show ... but this is for my scissor keep swap, so pictures will need to hold off until it's arrived ... still awaiting my fabric to arrive for this, but I still have a few hours of stitching to finish before I can get stuck into this.

Now that November is upon us, I will also mention that I have made the decision to drop out of both the 6in block swap and the Christmas block swap due primarily to time, and the fact that I want to begin working on some full-size projects, namely the Dear Jane quilt and Anni Downs' 'My Favourite Things' quilt from her Some Kind Of Wonderful book, both for which I have joined in a sew along to encourage me in these endeavours!  I will still be a part of the QBSA swap as I do enjoy making these blocks, I am just very aware that I am consistently falling behind in these and it is not fair on my partners ... and the fact that I would like to make some things for myself :)

Anyway, must go.  Got one assignment in and finished at 5am this morning (leaving me with less than two hours sleep) and need to get back to the next one.  They may arrive late ... but at least I am determined that they will get submitted regardless, devil be damned!!!

15 minute challenge update: week 7

For those of you who don't know, I have been challenging myself, for the last month & a half, to do at least 15 mins of craft work each day.  I have found that since I started pushing myself to do this that I have finished a lot more projects that I did before I was doing this.  Only a brief report back per this week's results...

Tuesday 16th August: 1/2 hr hand-sewing

Wednesday 17th August: none

Thursday 18th August: 1/2 hr hand sewing; 1 hr in sewing store, finding the perfect fabrics for seasonal swap project.

Friday 19th August (FNSI): 1hr EPP fabric cutting; 1/2hr preparation of stitching for seasonal swap

Saturday 20th August: approximately 2.5hrs of hand sewing on SS stitchery throughout the day (at ladies retreat)

Sunday 21st August: only a 1/2hr of crochet at the park with DD and mum (physically and emotionally exhausted from ladies retreat)

Monday 22nd August: approximately 3hrs of hand sewing on SS stitchery

Tuesday 23rd August: 5hrs of hand sewing throughout day on SS stitchery to 9.30pm (now)

I am planning to finish off the hand sewing on the SS stitchery tonight, though this should only take me approx 1/2 hr to complete and iron out the creases from the hoop.  I am also hoping to get at least another block done to send through to it's partner tomorrow.

This post is linked to Ann's host post at her blog Life in Pieces.  

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I received a message from Bobbie this morning informing me she'd received her mug rug from the swap last month.  I showed you a snippet of the rug the other day, so here is a pic of the full rug ...

And a close-up of the FMQ'ing...

It took me a half hour to resort to using a water soluble marker to mark out my guidelines for this after finding that I couldn't get the stitching even enough for my liking.  Once I'd drawn these up and made the foot speed quicker (I had it on the slowest setting thinking this would make it easier), it went a lot quicker.  I also used insulated wadding in this, primarily as I wasn't able to get wadding with enough weight, but also because I was aware that coffee mugs and the like can get quite hot on their backsides.  Thought it would be more appropriate :)

Swaps update

Well, so much for showing these pics "tomorrow" (ie. Wednesday!!)  Better late than never I suppose *grin*

Much of All my crafting lately has been for swaps (or the H2H Challenge, of course) of various kinds.  I am hoping to show the blocks I haven't yet shown ... up to current 'date'.

To begin, 6in Block Swaps Australia ...

These lovely blocks were received by Monica in the US (no blog) - Thankyou!!

I especially love those little bumblebees!!!

These blocks were sent to Sue B (no personal blog) ...

Does anyone have any tips on how to ensure the colouring in red fabric doesn't weep and leave marks on lighter fabrics (white in this case)?!  I sent two red blocks as I couldn't believe that the red had bled on the first one.  At this stage I was using water soluble markers to guide my seams as I didn't yet have a 1/4in quilting foot.  I used a touch of water to get rid of those lines ... and then the morning after discovered the red on white fabric.  Any feedback and tips will be much appreciated!!!

Okay, moving on to the Christmas Quilting Block swaps Australia swap ...

In June, my partner was Leena (no blog).  I received this lovely Goose Creek block (requested block) with some beautiful fabric scraps included of fabrics used in the block ...

Gorgeous!!

The block I chose to make for Leena was a "Comforts of the Home" block by Janet Wicknell, found HERE ...

My first Flying Geese!!

My July partner was the lovely Fiona of BubzRugz.  I have been an avid follower of her blog for quite a few months now and was concerned that this block be just so.  She'd requested a "Christmas Tree" block, and as I hadn't found any pieced blocks that I particularly liked I decided to try my hand at designing a tree.  I also felt the urge to do some hand sewing (the sewing machine was really bugging me at that time!) and needed to 'get back to my roots', if you could call it that.  Fiona has also recently begun learning the needle-turn applique technique - quite beautifully I must add! - and so I wanted to use this technique in the creation of this block to pay homage to this new crafty undertaking of hers.

And a close up (sorry about the fuzzyness in the lower part of the frame)...

Each 'layer' of the tree is a separate entity, appliqued separately to the rest ... four pieces making a whole, with the bottom of each segment wavy like the bottom - thus why I spent a good 4-5 hours on this part alone.  I am not completely happy with the placement of the 'tinsel' (not quite 'sitting' right, lol) and I think if I had more time I could have worked on the placement of the 'baubles' more, but mum assured me it was good ... and Fiona, after it arrived yesterday, let me know that she "loved" it!  I am so glad!  I really love this needle-turn applique & embroidery/stitchery creation of blocks! 

Fiona sent me an equally lovely Goose Creak block ...

I love this tan coloured fabric across all four 'segments' of this block!

My August block partner, Pat, has already done and sent through my block for this month.  As she lives in America, she must have done it as soon as she received my information!!  A beautiful log cabin block...

I am in love with these berry/mistletoe fabrics!!

I was also a participant last month in the Christmas themed mug rug swap that Crafty Pug organised through the CQBSA group.  Bobbie B was my partner for this wonderful swap and look at the lovelies she sent me ...

A beautiful crafted 'postcard', a package of various panels and pieces for applique,
some pretty buttons and an absolutely gorgeous mug rug with appliqued teddies!!

And the mug rug up close ...

I have finally finished her rug off.  It is on its' way to the mailbox as soon as I press "publish", so I will hopefully be able to show it to you sometime next week.  Until then, I can show a 'sliver' of the rug...

This was the first time I'd ever attempted FMQ'ing... and once I got the hang of it (and drew out some water soluble guidelines ... I really quite enjoyed it!  It does take time to get it looking good, but I truly believe that it's worth it!

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I am heading off on a 'ladies retreat' with our church tomorrow, leaving DD with the grandparents (well, really just 'home' as we live with my parents, so she'll be home ... I just won't be).  I have only spent one night away from her since she was born - and that time I was staying 10 mins away ... and didn't leave until she'd gone to sleep!!  This time is different.  I will be leaving Saturday morning for a remote property, approximately 1.5hrs away, in a place I am not 100% sure I will have phone reception!!  I won't get back until just before lunch time on Sunday.  This will not be the first time she is looked after during the day by them, nor the first time they'd put her down for a nap ... but the first time they looked after her care through the whole day, night and then part of the next day.  We have been weaning all last week and this, so getting her feed at night will not be an issue...it's whether she can handle being away from mummy that whole time - and visa versa!!!  

The rest of today will be focussed on (well, after posting the mug rug); vacuuming and mopping my cleaning area (2hrs for only 1/2 the house!!); cooking some curry (from scratch, including the curry paste  (!); the meat is marinading atm) and something sweet for morning tea (not sure yet, but probably brownies) to take to the retreat, and a egg & ham pie for dinner; and pack for the retreat.  

All that before tonight's FNSI work - I plan on preparing a bunch of stitcheries to do at the retreat (I think better when I stitch, don't ask me why!) and then getting some blocks done for swaps to pop in the post tomorrow morning on my way 'out'.

Better get to work!!  I hope you have a great weekend too!!!