Mystery BOM, Workshop Day

Last week we made the second block in our Mystery BOM quilt. A Double Star Block. Above are some of the blocks made by  other group members. Below is my block for February. I'm quite pleased with my points.

  

Today at our quilt group we had a workshop run by Pauline Rogers of Quilters World.  Pauline spoke about  and demonstrated several different topics including quick ways of making 4 patch squares and half square triangles, how to use glue instead of viseofix to attach your pieces when doing blanket stitch applique, her quilt-as-you-go method  is great, all done by machine, no hand-sewing. She gave us lots of other handy hints to make our quilting journey much easier including how to make bias tape without burning your fingers by pinning the end of the tape, then using a small iron to push the bias maker along the strip.  We were also shown how to use a glue stick to attach that bias tape to a quilt ready for stitching. Another interesting thing she talked about was the fact that all rulers don't measure the same and can be out a little.  This effects our blocks and could be why we have trouble getting our points to match sometimes.  Room for thought there. Lastly she gave us a demonstration on Free Motion Quilting.  In all the day was fantastic and I came home with so much buzzing around in my head.  I bought quite a few goodies but forgot to take a photo so will show them next time. Below are some photos of the day.

Free Motion Quilting.  Sorry the photo is a bit fuzzy.

One of Pauline's quilts

Quilt-as-you-go above and below work in progress

Above & below : getting ready for a fun day of learning

Well hope I haven't done a photo overload.... Till next time..... Happy Stitching

OPAM finishes for February

I have finally finished my Xmas Table Runner.  The fabrics I used are Nancy Halvorsen ones from several of her Christmas ranges.  I am really happy with how it looks.  First finish for 2012.

Here is my second finish for this month.  A Diary Cover made for my friend Judy's birthday.  All I have to get to finish it off is the diary, pen and notebook to go in it.  I also added her initials to the front.  The pattern is a new one designed by JoyPatch so go and check out her blog.  Joy has lots of lovely patterns for sale including quilt-as-you-go quilts.

Inside of folder

Folder front complete with initials

So now off to do a bit more preparation for the 2 quilt camps I am attending in March.
Happy Stitching till next time..........

Valentines Day, Xmas Table Runner

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day and you had time to spend with your loved ones.  The new year is just flying with the last couple of weeks being spent in helping my son pack and move to his new place.

Valentines Day 2012

Love Bug made by Jake

The flowers above are from my hubby Chris.  Thank you for a wonderful surprise in a busy week.  I love roses, they are my favourite flower.  The love bug was made by my grandson who has been staying with us, along with his Dad, for the last 10 months.  The hearts on the legs have written on them :- hugs, kisses, care, smiles.  The sign reads 'Love my Family'.   Love you too Jake.
Here is what I have been working on for quite a while.  Just have to bury the quilting threads and it will be finished.  Afraid I missed using it last year but 2012 will see it taking pride of place on my Christmas table.  Will show a photo of the runner when that has been completed.

Till next time.......  Happy Stitching.

Mystery BOM Sampler Quilt.

Block   & Border Fabrics

Last Monday, our group, The Jimboomba Quilters and Stitchers commenced sewing a mystery sampler quilt organised by one of our members Cindi.  Each month we will make one block, 9 in total and hopefully  finish it on our retreat in October.  Over the past year we have had a few new members join who have not done much quilting before so this idea was formed to help them learn some of the quilting basics. In all, 14 people have decided to do the quilt including myself.  By the fun we all had on Monday, I think it will be a great success.  We were given our requirements list a few weeks ago so I chose to sort through some of my stash fabric and came up with the group above called Old Fashioned Charm. Only needed to buy the sashing fabric but am going to wait until I have a few blocks made before choosing one. The block below is the first completed.

Jacob's Ladder  January Block

When I started quilting a number of years ago, most of the fabrics I chose were pastels as above but I also loved country colours containing chook and cow designs so needless to say I have plenty of these fabrics floating around.  This year I am going to try to use some of these up and reduce my stash.  Wish me luck.....
Till next time ...........  HAPPY STITCHING.

Rod Run on Australia Day

Yesterday we headed out to Laidley for an Australia Day Rod Run with The Rod Squad group. We were a bit unsure as to whether we would go or not as the previous two days it had been raining non stop. Our hot rod is a roadster so is not the best in the wet weather but the morning brought an overcast sky with no rain so we decided to head off and risk it. It turned out to be a great day  with our first stop being for lunch at this sixties style cafe.  Elvis was keeping guard outside.  They had burgers called James Dean, J O'K, Elvis Presley to name a few and my choice was Marilyn Munroe which contained breast chicken, salad and beetroot which is a must with our Aussie burgers. Of course forgot to take a photo but it was as delicious as  the French Vanilla Slice I had for dessert at the last stop on our run, Fernvale.

It has been a while since Chris and I have spent time together in the hot rod so we thoroughly enjoyed our outing.  We were also able to catch up with friends and talk about all things hot rod.
 Hope everyone had a       'HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY' .  We are so lucky to live in this wonderful country.
Bye for now.

OPAM for 2012, Work Space, New Blocks

I joined OPAM again this year as I found it does encourage me to get some projects finished each month.  Sign up is on now till the end of January so pop over to Kris from Tagalong Teddies or Peg from Happy in Quilting and join up.  Just click on the OPAM button in my sidebar to get to Kris's blog and read all about it.

 
 This last week, I spent a couple of days reorganizing my quilting room as it was in a bit of a mess after Xmas. It's a bit tidier now but still  more work to do till it's how I would like it. I also started to catalogue all the things I have gathered over the last few years. Quite a number of  things I had forgotten I had.  My whiteboard is filling up with all the things I want to do.  Can I have more hours in each day please!!!! 

2012 To Do List on the Whiteboard

Below are the blocks I have prepared ready for stitching.  These belong to the Bluebird of Hope Quilt (part of Quilt Aid 2009)  which I purchased a couple of years ago. My friend Jan from quilting bought them as well but she has been working on hers for a while now so I have to play catch up.  I am going to try to complete two blocks a month so these will have to be for February as there is only 1 week left of this month.

As well, I have also made up some practise blocks for my Free Motion Quilting pledge but am still waiting for the patchwork shop to ring about my open toed foot. Hope it comes soon.
Well, it's getting late and school restarts for my grandson in the morning so will say bye for now.  Happy Stitching..........

Family, Sorting out my TO DO list for 2012

Since Xmas, I have been spending time with my grandsons Tom & Jake, they are now having some time with their Mum until school resumes in just over a weeks time when Jake returns to start Grade 3.  Also I have had my eldest grandson, Josh, stay for a few days.  He is a great boy and I really enjoyed his company.  The days were hot so we enjoyed lots of swimming in the pool.  He also loves to help in the kitchen and we all got to enjoy  his tropical fruit salad for dessert one night. Love you Josh for wanting to spend time with your Grandma.

This week I am working on my To Do list for this year.  I didn't really seem to achieve much last year so I want this year to be different. Although I do remember thinking the same thing the year before.
Top of the list is the 2012 Free Motion Challenge to help improve my confidence in this area. The button on my side-bar will get you to the site. It is well worth a look.  I have ordered a free motion foot for my machine and then I will begin practising the first tutorial for January (a leaf design.).  There is also a Facebook site where members who have joined can post their efforts.
I am also going to spend some time in the next couple of days tidying my quilting room as it certainly needs it.  I must admit I haven't spent much time in there of late.

This arrived in my letterbox this week.  I won this pattern as part of  a competition I entered before Xmas.  I belong to an online group called Snickerdoodle Dreams.  It is a very cute pattern called Dawn by Melly & Me.  Thanks to Darlene for my gift.
Well must go.  Till next time.................