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 :)

15 minute challenge update: weeks 4, 5 & 6

Since I haven't updated for a while, I decided I needed to do a full 3 wk update.  I will try to keep the babble short as there is more to report back than a usual update.
Be warned, this will be a rather long post!

WEEK 4

Tuesday 26 July:  45 mins, EPP preparation
Wednesday 27 July: 2 hrs, mug rug; H2H cutting (black strips) and sewing
Thursday 28th July: mug rug & H2H sewing
Friday 29 July: EPP prep (paper shapes prep); mug rug hand-sewing
Saturday 30 July: 2 hrs, EPP prep (fabric selection, cutting and prep) & hand-sewing.
Sunday 31 July: 1hr, H2H top
Monday 1 August: 1.5hrs H2H & EPP hand-sewing

This week I had a 1000wd reflection assignment due on Monday, so much of my time went towards this.  Craft-wise I did well to get something done everyday, though I felt disillusioned, flighty and unable to commit to one particular project.

WEEK 5

Tuesday 2 August: 1 hr, H2H (black insertion in 1 block)
Wednesday 3 August: nothing
Thursday 4 August: nada
Friday 5 August: zilch
Saturday 6 August: zip
Sunday 7 August: 4 hrs, pattern prep, fabric prep and beginning needle-turn applique for 12in QBSA block
Monday 8 August: 2hrs, needle-turn applique for 12 in QBSA block.

This week was my 'first' week of my current (not quite out of) self-sabotage mode.  I think I 'realised' I wouldn't get the H2H quilt done in time to send to Judi ready for giving in Romania and thus I simply shutdown.  I also gained at least 4kgs (8lb 13oz!) in as many days, setting my weight loss back over a month in less than a week - boo!  By Sunday I realised that moping about not getting this quilt done was not helping me - I am now behind with my swaps.  Emails were sent and partners informed, and I have now - thankfully gotten back to working on these.

Note: When I informed Sarah of my inability to finish the quilt in time to be sent through to Judi from Green Fairy Quilts, she let me know not to be too worried about it as they have received more than their quota this year and so have quite a few all ready for next years' trip - mine would be added to that lot regardless. 60 quilts from 47 H2H Challenge participants alone - let alone all the others that have been donated to Judi over the year!! Praise the LORD!!!  Such an Awesome result!!  I will continue to work on this quilt, sending it through when it is finished, and yes I will show you when I do get it done.  It is, however, no longer priority #1 craft-wise!

WEEK 6

Tuesday 9 August: 2hrs, needle-turn applique & hand embroidery on 12in QBSA block
Wednesday 10 August: 4hrs, hand embroidery on 12in QBSA block
Thursday 11 August: 1.5hrs sewing (12in QBSA block finish, mug rug) & 1hr in quilt fabric shop for supplies and browse sans DD
Friday 12 August: Selected pattern & figured out adaption (sent email to designer for approval) for Spring swap and a birthday present
Saturday 13 August: 1.5hrs in quilt fabric & Spotlight stores selecting fabrics and notions for several projects w/ DD
Sunday 14 August: 1 hr, EPP hand-sewing
Monday 15 August: 6hrs+, FMQ (first time!) and binding on mug rug

This week I've gotten back into my craft, thoroughly enjoying the hand-stitching, particularly the needle-turn appliques.  For that particular project I really enjoyed putting the design together from conception to creation.  I hope my partner Fiona enjoys the block when she receives it (hopefully Wed or Thurs depending on Aust. Post).  {Photos to come when it arrives}

So all in all, at least 30hrs over the three weeks (10 hrs per week when you even it out, even with that self-sabotaging spirit invading week 5!).  Pretty good don't you think?

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I will be linking this post in with Kate's challenge post.  It is always great to see how much the others are getting up to each week and giving them a good dose of congratulations and encouragement.  To see how others have done on their challenge, why not head over to Life in Pieces.

I will post some pics of recent finishes and swap receivals tomorrow.

Until next time, hoping you have a wonderfully crafty week! *Hugs*

15 minute challenge update: week 3

Just a quick update today as I really need to get back to that H2H Quilt that really needs to be finished this week - plus I have a 1000wd assignment due on Monday which I need to work on tomorrow - so not much time spare.

This week's progress has been good,  though this has been mainly as things need to get done!  I did plan on getting hours done yesterday, but the tv caught me at dinner time and didn't let me go until way after midnight - not good.  I did get a number of shapes for paper piecing drawn up and cut out though!

So, without further ado...

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Tuesday, 19th July:  2+hrs, 6in block swap for Sue

Wednesday, 20th July: 1+hrs, (can't remember what I worked on)

Thursday, 21st July: 2+hrs, Quilt Blocks and Hands2Help Quilt (one block finished)

Friday, 22nd July (FNSI): 45mins, mending pram hold-all under where you put child

Saturday, 23rd July: 1hr, 1H2HQB finished

Sunday, 24th July: 5hrs, 4H2HQBs finished

Monday, 25th July: 2.5+hrs, 2.5 H2HQBs finished

Tuesday, 26th July: 45mins, tracing and cutting out shapes for English paper piecing.
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All in all, pretty good.  Approximately 15hours across the week!  Though now I really do need to get going.  I need to finish my last H2H Block, sew these together and get it ready to layer tonight so I can get some in-the-ditch sewing done tonight.

I hope you had just as productive a week!

**Photos to come later in the week!**

15 minute challenge update: week 2

Well, this week I have once again done a really good job in doing at least 15 minutes of craft every day.  Keep in mind, times given are in approximations as I didn't actually make a record of how long I was working, thus the longer times given may have been either slightly shorter or longer.

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Tuesday: 3hrs crochet + cut out twenty seven 6in x 6in squares from three FQs for H2H quilt along with some 2.5in strips for binding from leftover FQ fabric.

Wednesday: 2hrs, cutting fabrics for H2H Quilt & began working on 1st quilt block

Thursday: 2hrs, H2H Quilt

Friday: no sewing, however I did a deep clean and re-organised my desk and sewing area as well as my bedroom

Saturday: 1hr, crochet

Sunday: 1hr sewing, finished off Christmas Block Swap for Leena 

Monday: 15-20mins, crochet

Tuesday (today): 1.5hrs (so far, doing more after posting...), 6in block swap blocks for Sue.

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Hands2Hands Challenge: Pretty good, though the H2H blocks were frustrating me as a few of the FQs were not cut quite right, leaving some squares 1/8th inch smaller than needed which is, as you can imagine, making it quite difficult to ensure exact seams.  First block is nearly done - just one more seam to finish it off.

Block Swaps: I finally finished off the block for Leena, who has been been incredibly understanding of me.  It was officially in the mail Monday morning, so should arrive either tomorrow or Thursday.  I am just glad I kept in touch throughout it.  Sue's blocks will be in the mail tomorrow afternoon - one is finished and I am working on finishing the second after I finish writing this post!  

Tomorrow I need to finish making up the remaining blocks for the H2H quilt and put the top together so I can go in and get the batting and border/backing fabrics on Thurs (child-free day) to finish it next week - yes, I know I said I would try to do this last week, but this week I really need to get it done!  I also need to work on a few more blocks for swaps this week - Fiona, Gina this is you - and a mug rug for my partner Bobbie.  

I have linked this blog to this week's 15 minute Challenge post, as hosted by Kate @ Life in Pieces.  

15 minute challenge update: week 1

This week I have been rather quiet in blog-land (usually I am reading and commenting on many more blogs than I have gotten to this week), though I have had my first assignment for my creative writing unit due ... yesterday.  It was to be only 1000 wds - which, I am sure you know is difficult when you need to write a short story!!  It happened though, even though most of the thinking and planning happened over the course of the week and I wrote the piece the day it was due.  It did get in late, though that was primarily because the 'SafeAssign' program you have to submit it through (no, no submissions via emails or the post these days!!), and it wouldn't accept my version of Word - or something like that.  I ended up having to ring Tech Support this morning after about a dozen attempts yesterday and last night, emailing the document to the guy only for him to download, re-save, email it back and then for me to resubmit that version ... it took a while, but it is in.  If I get penalized the 10% for getting it in late, I am not worried.

Anyway, on to a more enjoyable topic - craft, and actually getting a heap done this week!
Last week I mentioned that I had decided to join in the challenge to do at least 15 minutes of craft every day, as hosted by Kate @ Life in Pieces. Since I decided this on Sunday, I have recorded my efforts since then...

Sunday:  1 1/2 + hrs crochet (2 x small doilies)


Monday: approx. 1hr crochet (flowers)


Tuesday: approx. 2hrs machine sewing (quilt blocks)


Wednesday: 2hrs continued quilt blocks


Thursday: [none]


Friday: [none]


Saturday: [none, though spending day cleaning house top to toe]


Sunday: 1hr + crochet


Monday: crochet


Tuesday (today): 3hrs crochet + cut out twenty seven 6in x 6in squares from three FQs for H2H quilt along with some 2.5in strips for binding from leftover FQ fabric.

All in all, not too bad.  A lot more than weeks, or even months previous!  This week I pushed myself to do the crochet while I watched a show or movie in the evening instead of just sitting there - which added heaps of craft time, though I did lapse at the end of the week.  I have begun a rather fine doily using #40 thread and a 1.00 hook - very fine for me, especially as I have only used #5 thread and hooks no smaller than about 2.50!

Tomorrow I need to finish cutting out the fabrics for the H2H quilt and start putting them together so I can go in and get the batting and border/backing fabrics on Thurs (child-free day) to finish it next week.  I also need to work on finishing one QBS (asap) and get a few more done this week.

Now that I have enjoyed a crafty birthday I am headed to bed - it is 1am here atm and my eyelids are drooping!  Hoping you all have a fantastic week!!