Some stitchery & some sewing

Although I intended to put up a post earlier than this, I seem to have found myself super busy trying to wrap up this current study period.  I have an exam on Monday (which I am stressing about), and a pretty huge assignment due Sunday week ... so I probably won't be around next week either.  It will be lovely to be able to just sit and catch up on what y'all are doing - this week though, that joy should really be put on hold.

(Source)

I have been getting over a throat infection the last couple of weeks too, which has been unpleasant, and not at all conducive to being able to focus on assignments ... but, I've realised that just 15mins of sewing, on my most stressed out of days, will help me decompress a little and refocus my attention off all those terrible what-ifs.

(Source)

So, what have I gotten up to over the last couple of weeks?

Well, I've finished off both the pincushion ...

 and bag that have been sitting in their box, all cut up, patiently waiting for me to put them together ...

I've also done a little stitchery (TTS blocks).  Three are finished now, just working on the fourth ...

And finally, last night I sandwiched and quilted the table runner for my swap partner.  I actually finished off another one earlier ... unfortunately I decided that I was too in love with the fabrics to give it away, and was unable to find another charm pack in the same range ... so, this second one was born.  I also had to wait a couple of weeks to get some more batting, after I realised too late that I'd run out and already divvied up my budget for that fortnight.

The backing is pieced, and all that is left to do is attach the binding.  Unfortunately, this will not be finished until my last assignment is submitted, but I have a few extra items in mind to add to my wonderfully patient partner.

I am really looking forward for this week to be over - though, admittedly, I could use all the time available in order to get this assignment done!! As long as it passes I will be happy - but I need to at least pass!! ... Then, I can get stuck into organising & cleaning my room (I've booked in my BF to help me go through it ... well, to keep me on task!!) and then I have several sewing projects I want to get both finished and started.  Enjoy your week!!

Friday Night Sewing with Friends

The last two Friday nights I have enjoyed the delightful company of a group of sewists .. sewers (?) ... people-who-love-to-sew like myself, who all enjoy the company of others when getting their crafty on, all thanks to the darling Gail.  She decided to start up a FB page where we could all hang out each Friday night as we stitch/knit/sew to our hearts content, and for the last two Fridays (since it began), the fingers were flying - in more ways than one *wink*.

My set up each night: first week (top), last night (bottom).

The first week I began working on a table runner pattern I found on moda's bakeshop.  It's called 'Verna's Cutting Garden Tablerunner' by Julie Geiger.  I was able to get together the centre blocks, though I still haven't decided on the layout yet.  This is what I've come up with thus far; a lovely twist on the classic fencerail block.  I am using a charm pack of 'Eva' by Basic Grey for moda.

During the week, I was able to finish off the first 'Seasons of ...' block by Wendy B (and Dawn).  I did show a progress image last post, but here it is in all it's glory.  I decided on a chain stitch outlining the portions on the umbrella, and then a daisy chain stitch around the bottom to emphasise the 3D effect (and to give it an extra interesting & pretty finish) - the idea for which I got from an old post of Jenny of Elefantz.

A close up of the umbrella edging ...

And last night (Friday ... though as I write this the clock has already clicked over to Sunday...), I finished off my nineteenth SKoW block ... the cat.

Though I had almost completed the needle turn (excepting the name tag & nose) earlier in the week, I finished her off last night.  This leaves me with five blocks left to complete.

What are my next stitchery projects ... you know, since my WIP pencil case (yes, I still keep all my stitchery works in progress in a large A4 size pencil case ... one day I will get around to Fee's project bag!!)?!

I have the next two 'Season's of ...' blocks drawn up ...

And four TTS blocks.  The project for this month's SAL is the TTS 'Bon Noel' Wallhanging.  I haven't completely narrowed down which blocks I will be using, but I think I have it down to ...

... either of the 'right' designs on the left; the top left design in the middle; and the bottom left design on the right.  I have switched the angel & words around on the bottom left design in comparison to that in the book to even out the 'look' of the hanging.  I think this one will be going in either the glory or gift box.

Already I'm looking forward to next Friday ... but before then, I have two textiles projects to complete by Monday, a Art History assignment to finish, and another of each to begin before the week is out ... Boy is this week going to be a doozy!!!

Belated FNwF show & some other finishes

Last Friday was this month's FNwF (Friday Night with Friends) evening, and although I started late, I did manage to get a few items done.

I finished off (hand)sewing down the binding on the table runner I began earlier in the year as a thankyou gift for my daughter's childcare teacher from last year (yes, SUPER late, I know!)

Now all it needs is a wash & to make some 3D flowers to go on opposing corners ... or maybe I'll just skip the flowers and just give it to her like this (??... hmmm ...).  I took inspiration from some table runners that Rhianon (@ The Nifty Stitcher) made for Christmas gifts and shared on FB this past December.  Thankfully she was happy for me to do this as I adore the ones she made!!  The backing fabric is the same as the cream w/ blue flowers in the outer border.  

FMQing deets ... The white centre is divided into 8 squares, each quilted in a feathered design; the brown border has a loopy design with two different heights to the loops (1/2way & full); and the outer border has a continuous one-sided feather (using the brown border as the 'inner stem').

When this was finished, I completed the remaining stitching on my SKoW tree block.  Here is the finished block ...

Earlier in the week, I was also able to manage doing some sewing/stitching most days.  I finished off my SKoW shoe block (stitchery & needle turn) ...

The needleturned hearts on the Red Book Bag stitchery ...

** I am using Sarah Fielke fabrics for this bag in her 'Pond' range, currently available at Spotlight.  I have all the fabrics cut out for this bag now, ready to be put together; I just needed to get some Pellon yesterday, and I hope to have this finished and put together by the end of next week (I'm being realistic here, knowing how much uni I have to work on over the next few weeks!!)

And last night, I even managed to start working on one of the stitchery designs being shared by Wendy B & Dawn in their 'Seasons of" BOM.  This pattern was shared here, and the following two here.  The next one, I am expecting in the next few days *wink*.

I slightly adapted the seat ... hope that's okay Wendy? xx

So there you have it ... a roundup of my latest stitching sessions.  Now to go get some cleaning/sorting/organising & uni assignments/work done.  Enjoy your (Aussie) school holiday week!!

H2H Charity Quilt Challenge 2013

It's time to sign up for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge.  This challenge has been running for the last couple of years and, although I didn't quite get one finished by the end of the challenge in 2011 (it was my first year of quilting and things just all got on top of me), I did finish one off last year which was sent through to one of our military personnel over seas as a part of the Aussie Hero Quilts group.  

This year they'll be quilting for two charities based in America (which is normal, though as International quilters, we also have the option of either sending over the top & backing to be finished off or donating to our own homegrown charity to alleviate costs of postage), Happy Chemo and Quilts Beyond Borders - two great charities.  You could make one (or more) for each (or other groups here) and spread the love if you want.

You can read more about the Challenge here and sign up at the same time.  There will be a giveaway for folks who sign up by this Saturday night (30 March 2013, America time) and lots of giveaways at the end of the Challenge for those who participate!

They don't need to be fancy quilts - a simple design is really all that is necessary! This was the quilt I made last year ...

You can read more about it here.

Last year I was the only Aussie participating - how about add a few more to the mix?!!