13 UFO's in 2013, SAL Needle book & a Win.......

Well here we are at the end of another month and I am pleased to say I have finished my project for 13 UFO's in 2013. I cut out the pieces for this topper a number of years ago and there it sat in the cupboard until January this year when I put 13 of my UFO's in plastic bags, gave each one a number and placed them in a box. I'm pleased to say here is my September finish. I'm going to put it on top of my freezer in the laundry where it will happily live among all the other farm related animals I collected at one stage. Thank you Marti for hosting again this month. You can check out what other people finished by going to Marti's blog on the 1st of October.

The hanging on the lower left is from my folk art painting days.

Also I managed to finish my SAL 2013 item for September which is the last one for this stitch along. I have really enjoyed playing along and must admit I did get a pass for August, so hope to complete that one soon and get a tick of approval from our SAL coordinators, Chookyblue and Susan.
Thank you for all your work over the last 9 months and I look forward to joining in again if there is a 2014 one.  

I was also very lucky winning Claire's birthday giveaway. Her blog is called Claire-Bears Quilts and can be found at http://claire-bearquilts.blogspot.com.au/. Thank you so much for my lovely gifts Claire.

A Towne Square Quilts Charm pack, variegated thread and a Wacky Web Template from the Missouri Quilt Co. They have lots of great tutorials on You Tube.

Last week, hubby and I went down the coast for dinner to celebrate my grand-daughter's 20th birthday.
So in closing, here is my gorgeous girl, Kiah with her boyfriend Hayden.

A bit of a long post so if you have made it to the end thank you.
Till next time..........Happy Stitching............  

FNSI, Stitching update.

It's time to join in on another Friday Night Sew In over at Wendy's blog. It's a great way to stitch along with all your fellow bloggers and share a cuppa along the way. To sign up just click on the link.

I haven't done a lot in my sewing room of late but have been working on the stitcheries for my SAL projects. I got a pass for August but hope to finish both the bag and needle case for September. This will be the last of our projects for this year. Hopefully next year will bring a new challenge but that will depend on whether Chooky has enough time to co-ordinate it as she is one busy lady. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put in this year Chooky and also Susan who helped with the whip cracking when we all got a little slack and needed a push. It has been great being part of another SAL.  Now I had better get working on those last items or I might just be in trouble.

Stitching for both complete now.

I have also been working on my Aiming for Accuracy blocks.

A bit of fussy cutting going on.

And a bit of secret sewing going on as well.

And lastly, I did a bit of straight line stitching on the place mat I made at camp, just followed the shape of the mat. Looks better now.

So that's all from me, hope I will enjoy your company on Friday night.
Till then.........Happy Stitching..........

FNSI results

I'm sorry this is so late but I got up this morning intending to do my post only to find hubby had left earlier to go to a hot rod breakfast and taken the camera with him so no photos until he came home, then of course not much Internet service so had to wait until now.
As usual I had the idea I would get so many things sewn on Friday night but the time passed in a flash and I only got a couple of the items on my list crossed off.
I am going to do Jenny of Elefantz 'Daisy Days BOM' so I started by tracing out the first two blocks ready to stitch. I am using Scrumptous by Bonnie and Camille so had to choose different thread to what Jenny has used.

Here are the fabrics and threads I will be using.

I also worked on my Tis the Season Chilly Penguin bag. I chose a different stitchery to use, so finished that off before cutting out my hexagons for the bag front. I am using the 1" iron on hexies from Hugs'n'Kisses. This is my first real go at hexies so hope it goes well when I stitch them together. I am using  Nancy Halvorsen fabric from my stash.

My Aiming for Accuracy blocks were next and are going slowly with a bit of unpicking going on. I had the first one done so managed to get Block 2 finished as well. Hope by the time I get to the end I will have mastered getting my seams to match up with no unpicking. Below is block one then block 2. Playing catch up here too with two more to go, and a new one made available each Thursday. Sorry the first two photos are a bit blurry due to my late night photography. Took the last photo with the two blocks today and the colour is much better.

I would like to thank Wendy for hosting FNSI as it always gives you more incentive to get things done when you know you are stitching along with friends.
Well that is all from me tonight. I popped around to visit some other blogs today.  It looks like everyone had a productive night.   Happy Stitching till I see you again...........

Sal finish, 1 Xmas Item a Month, Secret Sewing, Other projects.

I have finished my pin cushion for SAL 2013. It is quite a cute pattern. I used a hexagon patterned fabric instead of making the hexagons as I haven't made them before and didn't want to start with half inch ones. The project for next month has hexies in it so will make these as they are a bit bigger. I also used blanket stitch applique instead of needle turn.

Photo 1. Pieces ready to join together. Photo 2. Front of pin cushion. Photo 3. Top of pin cushion  

Below is a photo of the mini quilt I've finished for June's 1 Xmas Item a Month hosted by Narelle from Pins and Whiskers. I had stitched two angel stitcheries, the first one I made into a wall hanging (for last month's item)and this one into a mini quilt for June. Another  Nancy Halvorsen pattern  from one of her books.

I have been doing lots of secret stitching also as I am in a few swaps, mostly Christmas ones so lots of projects on the go. Also for this month's 13 UFO's in 2013, the UFO I am working on are these two mini quilts to be displayed on my table quilt hanger for October and December. So will be pleased to have them finished to use this year.

Secret Sewing

Oct & Dec Mini quilts.

 Well it has taken me over an hour to do this post. I am getting so frustrated with my internet. Have been on the phone for over an hour this morning trying to sort out why I am getting the same e-mails over and over again and not getting the rest of the 45 I am supposed to have left sitting in my inbox. Have to wait for a call back later when someone in the technical department checks it out. No answer to the slow service though. Enough whingeing for now.   So till next time, whenever that might be.  I am going to sew and stitch........  Hugs.......

SAL 2013 April finish, a find & a Birthday.

Finally put the finishing touches to my Bon Noel wall hanging last night. I have made mine using a Cottage Garden thread- Blue Wren for the stitchery and some Nancy Halvorsen blue Xmas fabrics. Bought the little blue hanger from The Quilters Angel in Toowoomba and it went with the hanging perfectly so am happy with how it looks.

While I was in Tasmania I helped my FIL by going through some sewing related boxes that had belonged to my Mother-in law.  I sorted some things that could be passed on and cleared out a few things that couldn't. I also found this stash of ric rac and Ken gave it to me to bring  home. I look forward to using it in future projects.  

Last weekend, my Grandson Thomas came for a visit with his Dad so on Friday night we had a birthday tea for him as he turns 11 on Thursday 2 May.  Here he is blowing the candles out on his Freddo Frog Ice-cream cake.  Have a wonderful birthday on Thursday Tom, Grand-ma & Grand-dad love you and miss you lots.
Happy Stitching till next time........   Hugs.........

Pincushion Progress, Hot Rod Weekend

Just a quick post today as my hubby and I are heading  to Toowoomba after lunch for a hot rod weekend held by the Toowoomba Hot Rodders Club.  This is an annual event and will be our 8th year attending. It is always a great weekend with lots of activities finishing with a Show and Shine of the cars on Sunday morning in central Toowoomba. Hopefully the weather will be nice and not pouring with rain as it was last weekend when I went up for the Girls Stitch In.
Chris is just putting the finishing touches to the car by giving it a quick wash and polish. Hope it hasn't been a waste of time for him as the rain is still hanging around.

I am taking a bit of embroidery with me so hope I will get a chance to do some whilst away. I am also hoping to get to the Quilters Angel for a quick fabric fix.
Last night I finished my stitchery for the SKOW pin cushion. I stitched it in a purple colour as this goes with the fabrics I am using. It is such a cute stitchery. Will be able to finish putting it together next week.

So will be back on Sunday with an update.....  Till then ....... Have a great weekend.....

What I'm working on....

This week I have been working on my Red Home Tote Bag.  Have a bit more to do on the stitchery but today I managed to decide on what fabrics to use from  an old Brannock and Patek range from my stash  called Gatherings.  I have quite a few different fabrics from this range so needed to pick which ones I would use where.

The maroon floral will be used on the back, the green floral for the top and lining, the beige on the bottom and handles, the beige, green and red spot for the pockets either side of the stitchery.  The stitchery is in a variegated green so these should go well I think. They are cut out now so decision final.

I have also been working on my One Xmas Item a Month.  Have finished this so here is a sneak peek as I need to buy a hanger to display it and then post about it on the 25th. Stitchery design by Gail Pan.

Am happy with my progress this month although still have quite a bit to finish by the 28th (Don't like these short months).
Also have joined Let's Celebrate Swap run by Karen at Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop. I am looking forward to getting to know my swap partner as we share some gifts though out the year.
Well, off to make dinner now.  Till next time......   Happy Stitching............