3 Finishes, Design Wall

I have a few more finishes to show this week.  The first one is my Patisserie table runner which I have been hand-quilting for some time.  I am amazed just how long it takes me to hand quilt but I do think the rewards are well worth it in the end.  So after adding my hand stitched label to the back, I'm very pleased with the final result.     

My other two finishes are my Journal Covers made with a  fabric called Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater.  Love these but the one with the tape measure ribbon around it is my favourite.  Do you agree?

The one on the left for my Quilting to do  list and the one on the right for my shopping list.

Also this week-end I had some help from my hubby installing a design wall.  I used a flannel back tablecloth, stitched a sleeve across the top, threaded an aluminium flat rod through it then Chris nailed the rod to the wall behind my cutting table.  Can't wait to try it out with some blocks to see if it works..  It will certainly make a change from having to sort them on the floor. Not good for the old knees these days!!!

The black fabric seems to be staying in place which is a good sign.

Happy Stitching till next time.........

  

A busy couple of weeks

At last I have a bit of time to post.  The last two weeks have been really busy as I 've spent some time looking after my grandson.  He stayed with me last week-end and so sewing had to be put on hold for a while.  We enjoyed going to the movies to see Ice Age 4 on Saturday and then on Sunday, I took Jake to his away football game at Wynnum.  The grounds were really wet and after plodding around with wet shoes for the morning I was happy to get home and put on some dry ones.  On Tuesday I went to Jake's sports day.  The morning started off quite bleak but by the afternoon the sun had come out and the day improved.

Here he is running in the 100 metre race.  He came 5th in this race and 4th in the 800 metres.  I was very proud of him as he always does the best he can although he was a bit disappointed not to get a ribbon.

I have been able to do some hand embroidery and have been working on a design by Gail Pan.  I have joined Christmas In July over at Quilt Fabric Delights and this is one of  the patterns that have been provided already with more to come as the month progresses.

First of the four stitcheries that make up a small wall hanging

Also stitching some labels for a few pieces I am about to put the binding on.  Hopefully I will have them finished by my next post.
Till next time.......Hope you have a great day....      

                      

A Birthday, Works in progress, OPAM finish

Above is the birthday boy.  'Happy Birthday' to my wonderful son Scott, 42 years young today. 

  

Here is my first finish for July.  A potato bag for cooking potatoes in the microwave.  I bought this kit when I was in USA last year and have finally made it up.  The kit consisted of the outer and inner fabric and a piece of  warm tater batting. It will be interesting to see how well it works.  The instructions say to wrap the potato in paper towel and then heat.  Should fit two medium potatoes.  Will let you know when I try it out. 

Below are some works in progress. The first photo is of two journal covers I am making for myself. Just need to add the lining and a bit more stitching and they will be done.  The fabric I have used is the latest line from Sweetwater called Mama Says Sew and is a quilting themed fabric. I was able to purchase the pre cuts I am using from Want It, Need It, Quilt here in Brisbane some time ago.  Check this site out if you are looking for pre cuts. I love these fabrics in black, cream, grey and red.  The second photo is a machine mat to take with me on camps. It is quilted just needs the binding.  I also have a chubby charmer bag in the making and a machine cover as well.

  

I have caught up with May and June blocks for the Jimboomba Mystery Sampler BOM that I am doing with my quilt group.  Here they are below.

Well that is about it for me tonight.  Hope to be back soon with a few more finishes.  Happy stitching till then.   Hugs Noela.

Update on Twister Runner

Can't believe where this week has gone so thought I would give a quick update on my FNSI table runner.  Prepare for a photo overload as I have tried to take progress photos as I did each step.

This is the prepared runner top.  5" squares surrounded by a 3" border

Twister template positioned on the seam line between blocks and border. Note angle on template.

First row cut.   

Two rows cut out and pinned, see photo below. 

Nearly there, only three rows to go.

 Rows ready for stitching.  You need to straighten the blocks before pinning which makes the pin wheel appear .

Above and below  the top is finally stitched together.

These are the blocks that are left over from between the blocks.  About 35 in all. 

Not sure if I will use these blocks (which need a bit of trimming) in a narrow pieced border or finish the runner off with the same cream already used.  Will see how it looks first.   The template was easy to use and the blocks went together quickly so all the ladies who left a comment on my last post, saying they had one of these templates, get it out and use it.  I am so pleased with the look and you will be too.  Till next time Happy Stitching.......

Friday Night Stitch In

Last night I managed to stitch this charm pack into a table runner.  I am going to use the template below to cut the runner up to make the squares into pin wheels.  The pattern below shows how to use the twister template tool to cut out the blocks and join them together again to achieve this.  On my last quilting camp one of my fellow quilters was making a quilt using this method so I have been interested in trying it out ever since, just had to buy the template which I found on line.  Thought I would start with a smaller project just in case I make a mess of it.   

The other project I started to work on was the cute owl pot holders in the bottom of the photo.  By the time I had cut out all the fabrics required, found some circles the right size for eyes and wings, traced and ironed them onto the fabric, it was getting quite late so decided to call it a night. I'm pretty happy with what I achieved. Thanks Heidi and Bobbi for hosting FNSI again.

FNSI on tonight

I have signed up again over at Handmade for Heidi's blog for tonight's Friday Night Sew In.  I am sorting through my projects today so that I have myself organised and be ready to work on them tonight. An early dinner and then a undisturbed night of sewing I hope.  If you want to join in you can pop over to Heidi's blog  and sign up, just click on the link and you are there.

Cooli Rocks On

Last Saturday Chris and I headed down to Coolangatta for the annual Cooli Rocks On  festival.  It goes for a week culminating in a weekend of rock and roll dancing, a parade and a hot rod /car show and shine in the streets.  It was an overcast day so we decided not to take our hot rod which was just as well as by lunch time the rain decided to make an appearance.  Luckily the parade was over by then.  The photo below shows one of the floats with one of the Rock and Roll groups, demonstrating their dance steps, on board.  

Lots of people attended despite the rain

Love this car.  

Model  A

This big boy was enjoying his morning walk.  He was huge.

Feet hurt from all the walking,  one of these would have been handy.

Love this camper with its sea theme artwork.

This is our new project, a 1928 Model A Tudor.  It needs a little work.  Can't wait till it looks like one of cars above.  Yes, I think red paint would be nice.  

And of course a day out wouldn't be complete without a bit of retail therapy. There were lots of stalls to look at.  This scarf and ornament just had to come home with me as a reminder of the day.
I have been sewing this week so will post a few photos tomorrow, no finishes as yet but lots of prep work done.     Till next time........Happy Stitching