[Oct'13] FNwF check-in

Friday began late - I just can't seem to get past this lethargy that keeps hanging around, especially during the day ... and, on the flipside, as soon as the sun goes down I seem to have an inability to get myself to bed, despite being dog-tired!! If I could sleep 12 hours a day or more without feeling guilty, I would ...

Anywhoo ...

Friday afternoon was spent doing more organising of my fabric & craft organising.  I was lucky enough to win some vouchers for Bunnings a few months back, and earlier in the week I went to purchase a large cupboard to help me store and organise my sewing accoutrements.  It's been fun going through my things, but also frustrating - as much as I have, there is so much I feel like I need to get it just right *wink* ... I still have quite a bit to go through and organise, so I'll show pics once I've got it done :)

Late Friday evening I got started on my sewing project for the evening.  The "Buttercup Bag", designed by Made-by-Rae designs.

We had a birthday party to go to on Saturday for one of the little girls in Miss 5's class and so we went to Spotlight and these were the fabrics & buttons she chose.  Such a good combination if I do say so myself *grin*.  We've also picked out some fabrics for a bag for her - another fabulous combination I'll show later in the week once it's been put together.

I totally recommend this pattern for anyone interested in making themselves, or someone else, a nice little bag.  It was easy to follow, the pattern pieces were simple, and I can totally see myself making quite a few more of these - both for myself and as gifts for others.

Once again, it was wonderful knowing there were other like-minded sewers around the country and globe, all sewing 'together'!  And thankyou to Cheryll for once again hosting this fabulous monthly get-together!!  I may not report in every month/fortnight/week, but I do enjoy knowing there are others out there just as enamoured with needle and thread as I am!! 

Enjoy a quilty kinda week!! xx

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that ...

Since it's been almost a month since I last posted progress on my stitching endeavours, I thought it was high time I updated it here ...

Table Runners ...

A little while ago Sue ran a Charm Square Table Runner Swap, and I can finally show this.  My partner made me a fabulous runner out of 'Farmers Market' fabric ...

... and I made her a runner out of the 'La Belle Fleur' range ...

I thought I would try my hand at a pieced backing which I think turned out pretty well ...

Apparently, when she opened up the parcel her 14 yr old daughter swooped in and tried to claim it as her own, lol!, so I guess I did something right since they both like it *yay*.

I've also finished off another table runner since then, in the 'Eva' fabric line.  Back at the Let's Get Stitched retreat in March, there were quite a few ladies who purchased some of this fabric and, though I wasn't entirely in love with it then, I certainly am now!!  Although it is only a 'top' so far (I haven't found the *right* fabric to back it with, lol!) I am looking forward to this being one of my first items to go in a glory box of sorts for when I get married.  

I have always loved purples and pinks with white, and I am loving the addition of the lime green to this combination!!

Iron cord Covers ...

I've also managed to put together a couple (well, three, but the third is not yet finished ... possibly because it will be for me, haha!) of iron cord covers from a tutorial by Melody. [When I find the direct link, I'll add it ... I know she offered it only just this year!!] ... I used a couple of Jen's letters, from her recently released Shabby Roses Monogram Sampler [available for free HERE in her Craftsy shoppe], to embellish, and make them a touch more personal for the two ladies I gave them too.

Cross-Stitch Flashback

For many years before I got involved with patchwork and quilting, I LOVED to pull out a cross-stitch pattern and just stitch to my heart's content.  In fact, I was chatting to a long-ago-luv the other night and he actually asked me if I'm still doing the cross-stitch I used to do (crazy, since we haven't even seen each other for over 8 years!!!).

Two weeks ago I pulled out a large angel pattern (Finished size : 14 x 12in) I had tucked away.

Working on 28HPI even weave ... this would be her skirt.

Although I enjoyed it, and would love to finish her ... I much prefer stitcheries and sewing to this these days.  Something nice for a change though.

Some Kind of Wonderful (SKoW)

And finally, some progress on my SKoW 'My Favourites' quilt.  I managed to find the image of a slice of Pavlova that I thought would translate well to needle-turn appliqué, and went from there for a block to replace the cupcakes block in the original quilt design.

** THIS was what I was working on during this past Friday Night Sew In.

The Pavlova (white), cream (cream), and mango & kiwifruit slices (orange & green respectively) are appliquéd, while I stitched in the kiwi fruit seeds (lazy daisy stitches) and the passionfruit pulp (satin stitch).   I'm quite impressed with how I've been able to translate the original image (left) with needle and thread.

I have also managed to take these ... 

About 300, 1 1/2in and 2 1/2 in squares

along with the completed blocks, and put together the first two quilt (block) rows ...

I am VERY happy to have these two rows completed.  And with only four blocks to go, I am hoping I will have the next three rows put together in the next few months!!!

* * * * * * * * * 

Lastly, as I'm hoping I've got this up in time for my Mum to show my Grandad this post before she returns home from her holiday, this is what Dad's been having fun making over the last week ... a platform for the mulcher, and a trailer to go on the back of the ride-on lawnmower to transport the palm fronds from around the block TO the platform (which is WAY too heavy to move on a regular basis!!).

I do have a few other items I have made, or am nearing the end on, but those will have to wait for their time to be shown as they are swap items ... Now, back to the studies & then off to clean the house before Mum gets home.  Have a great week!!!

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!!

February FNwF

Despite fantastic plans of getting lots done this past Friday, I was only able to get two SKoW blocks prepped for their needle turn appliqué ...

L to R: Tree block & Shoe block

... and a little more done on my Christmas bon bon stitcheries - one finished, one started.

I was really hoping to get onto the quilting for the table runner which has been sandwiched for the last week, but at this stage it looks like this wont be until tomorrow evening, as tomorrow (and through the weekend) needs to be focussed on an assignment.

At least I had some hand-sewing to keep my hands occupied this morning *wink*.

1st Friday Night With Friends

Last night I participated in the inaugural Friday Night With Friends ... Another night of crafting to run in conjunction with Heidi & Bobbi's FNSI, launched this month, and to continue (I hope) each month following on the 1st Friday of the month - giving us *two* Friday's of sewing "with friends" - what a FANTABULOUS idea!!!

What's even more fabulous?

...

I'm here *actually* posting about my evening's achievements, lol!!!

I decided to use last night to get a modicum of prep done for my SKoW quilt, if only to get the ball rolling.  Lol!  I got a lot more done than I expected, though it still looks like not very much, lol!

I started by laying out my current finished blocks on the mat, and cut out the remaining bases for my blocks.  I am pretty happy with the layout I have here, though my perfectionist streak tells me that the value percentages are all haywire, lol!!

And no, Furbie (our youngest) would *not* get off the umbrella block so that I could take the photo - she had to be in the shot!  Lol!  She's the cuddliest of our three kitties, though it does get a bit frustrating when she leaves us with all her black hairs all over things :) ... Oh, and we did have some LOVELY rain last night, from about 2am when I finally got to bed ... so maybe she was trying to tell me something?!!! *giggle*

I have pinned a label onto each block so I know exactly what they are for ... and then pinned each row together from top to bottom as I did the pellon earlier in the week.

I was also able to push through and get six blocks prepped for their needle turn, adding in the stitchery details with my micron pen so I don't have to go back and draw that up once the appliqué is done ... it's all ready to go.

Clockwise from top left : "A good book to read", "Birdsong in the morning", "Family",
"Butterflies fluttering", "Sunshine on my face", "Presents to share"

So, six blocks ready to get stuck into ... the rest of the blocks cut, ready to be prepped once these are done.  I am hoping to get as much of these six done as soon as I can since I was asked by a close friend if I would redo the (pathetic!!!) hand quilting on the quilts she purchased online for her girls - that's three single bed quilts, requested in two weeks!! LOL!  At least she's said she's prepared to pay me well for it!!  It'll be a big job, just from looking at the photos she sent me!! (I'll get more of a close up tomorrow when we catch up at church).

So, that's where I'm up to ... and a touch of where I am going headed over the next month.

Now, to go get some lunch, before getting stuck into some needle turn appliqué ... Oh, and I have floors to clean today too!!!  Better get a move on!!!