The post title sounds a bit sad doesn't it? Far from it. Even though I couldn't go on retreat this last weekend, I was determined to get some quality sewing time in and I think I did pretty well. Just me and the DVD's
If you read my last post, you would know that I needed to restore my best Nana title.
I was looking for an excuse to make these pochettes and I got the free tutorial from Peachmade
Even though the instructions are in Japanese, the step by step photos were good enough to understand.
I made them in the large size. These are perfect to sling over the body and hang on the left hip, leaving little hands free and they won't get lost. The cords can be shortened to fit when they get them.,
I love the way the boxed bottoms give shape to them. I used a thin iron on Pellon to line them and there was no hand sewing so they were quick and easy to make.
I only sewed two klosjes this week but I did have a cutting session so I'm ready to sew more. Having enough cut out to sew is what's been holding me up.
I spent Saturday sewing some stars on the machine and prepping some applique.
There are twenty applique blocks in the Stars and Sprigs pattern and each one gets reversed so that makes forty applique blocks in total to do for the quilt.
This one got appliqued last evening. Most of them only take an evening to stitch.
I need to keep track of the blocks when it's time to sew the rows together so thought of this solution. I wrote the rows and block numbers on these flower head pins with a fine sharpie pen. I even colour coded the pins. I always piece from left to right so I know that the letters are the rows and the numbers are the blocks in numerical order.
The reason I can get so much done is that Mr Quiltsalott took over the cooking but I did cook a big meal on Friday. I made a chicken, mushroom and bacon pasta dish and this apple tart. I actually made a shortcrust pastry for a pie but self raising flour had been put in the wrong flour bin and so I had to ditch that, luckily before the pie was made.
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56 comments:
Those marked-up flower pins are a great idea!! Thanks for sharing that tip.
I like retreats for one. Time to get a lot done which you surely did.
Just so love those little bags :-) and your stars and your applique in fact I just love your work :-)
That Chicken Mushroom and past dish looks divine :-)
My boys would love that!
Cheers
Lynne
I adore the little zipper pulls Did you make those too??
Wow, everything you make is just beautiful. A very talent lady (or nana).
Sandy
Please can I join you for the retreat for one too? You did a lot for a retreat. I love those sholder pochettes are so cute. I carry my bag that way all the time. The cherry prints are just perfect for these bags - Thanks for the link too - Hugs Nat
Love the little pochettes and aren't those little girls just divine! The stars and sprigs - well - what can I say?
Hugs - Lurline♥
What a brilliant idea forkeeping your rows straight! I've had fun catching up on your posts from when I was gone -- I missed all of your pincushion giveaways! I'm sure you're a wonderful Nana -- the little bag is adorable and those crocheted flowers are just beautiful!
That you can hand applique a block - one with vines and 13 leaves - in one evening, is most impressive! I'd love to see a video clip of you doing handwork. I bet it would look like fast forward!
Lovely results from your quilt retreat for one. I'm glad you had time to be so productive!
Wow, you have been busy....just love the purses...
I love the clever use of the pins to keep track of rows and columns. Must remember that one! Somehow, no matter how hard I try when stacking my blocks after laying out the quilt, I always manage to turn at least one so it's not correctly aligned.
I think you finished more on your retreat for one than you would have if you were on the real weekend trip. Everything is just beautiful! Love the purses.
Take care,
~Karen~
Love the pins!
I think you had a fabulous week end!
Dazzling and inspiring, Janet!
Looks like a lovely weekend retreat for one...did you include some chocolate?
I'm sure you're a wonderful Nanna -- the little bags are adorable .
Love your applique blocks..
Julia ♥
what a wonderfull bag with the zipper
and all the other colouered Quilts and the cake
excuse my english
Frauke
You have been busy, love the little bags and I have the same tin, I think from last year Easter.
And the Apple Tart looks just yummy.
cheers
Christine
What cute little bags and those little zipper tags are just adorable!! I'm sure you'll now be Super Nan.
Do you rotary cut the klosjes? I'm curious how you go about preparing these. Are they hand or machine pieced. They're such lovely little blocks. I've seen many bloggers sharing photo's of their klosjes. I love them all!
Yumm for apple tart! I made an apple slice from the CWA book yesterday. It's all gone. LOL! Obviously apple season. ;o)
what a good idea with the pins!! I am in awe of hoew much you achived on your retreat - you make me feel decidedly lazy in comparison!!
Great little bags! I visited the peachwood site. All the things are very well made. Something to remember. Liked all the rest you told us about. Can't wait to see the applique blocks finished!
Groetjes
Annemieke
cute little bags. oh I just love seeing the stars and sprigs...oh yes that is on my list to make as I love stars in any quilts and then applique :)
yeah!!!!
yummm apple tart wish I could come over right now for a cup of coffee and a slice!
Kathie
When my husband has to work away I have a take the opportunity to do a full days sewing. It means I can get my machine out without having to clear away for meals,etc. Doesn't happen very often but a treat when it does. Love the little bags for your granddaughters, I think you are far from a bad nana. Great idea for the pins. Always such great info on your blog.
Shirley.
I just love your stars and sprigs quilt!! And that pie looks pretty good too!!
Actually your quilt retreat for one sound like heaven. I love having at home retreats to work on project.
The purses are wonderful and those fobs are tooo cute!
the stars and sprigs look amazing.
I loved your tart story. I have thrown away many a batter due to ingredient error. I've totally sworn off talking on the phone while baking!
A very productive retreat Janet! I love the little bags and I'm sure the girls will love them too.
Any time I said I was going to make a pie the guys would ask if I was going to buy the crust...my crust is HORRIBLE!! You need a jack hammer to cut it LOL.
Crispy
Well I think a retreat for one sounds wonderful!!! Darling little pouch purses. Always lots of pretty projects to see here. It much be the weekend for making pie. I made one too.
I got my Spools stamp from Cindy Blackberg to start on my Klosjes, now just need to decide on what fabrics to use! Those little bags are really cute! Good job!
Well, that was some productive weekend, Janet! Such cute little bags...those will be well received, I'm sure.
And isn't that the truth re: having handwork prepared? I waste so much time because I often get ahead of myself.
Question: Are you using consistent width bias strips for the stems on your applique blocks? How I love this project!!
I am getting axious to see your batik quilt put together. As always, your color choices are beautiful. Love, love, love the idea of the flower pins. That is such a great idea. I thought I was organized, but I just can't make myself to makes blocks in order. I am usually looking for the easier ones first. I think it keeps me motivated and then when I see that I have a lot, I then have a reason to push through the more difficult ones....then on to the finish. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next post.
Sometimes a retreat for one is the most productive! Looks like you got A LOT done! I'm sure the bags will restore your Best Nana crown -- so very cute. How your Kim McLean project is coming along! Yowza, is it going to be fantastic! Glad your retreat went well!! :-)
The little girls are going to love their adorable bags!!!
What amazing fabric you are using for your applique blocks. It really gives the leaves a lot of depth.
Great tip for using the pins too. I'm notorious for mixing the blocks up while getting the top together.
Thanks for bringing us along on your retreat!
Thank you for showing your idea of marking the rows and block numbers on your pins. I usually use little post-it notes, but they wind up on the floor or stuck to another block. Maybe you should sell your idea to a notions company.
I wish I lived close enough to taste a bit of that lovely pie.
Those little bags are darling! The girls will love them. :)
You're making great progress on the Stars and Sprigs. Each block is a work of art. When you put them all together the quilt will be spectacular!
I like your pin system for organizing. I usually just pin papers with row # etc. Not very pretty..but it works.
The Klosjes you got done are cute..and having another batch cut and ready to go will speed up production.
You had a very productive retreat!
Your dessert looks yummy too!
Hello My name is Lorenzo, I live in Italy, I wanted to thank you for sharing your tutorial made, I sewed the pochettedi I posted the photos on my blog: http / / www.cuoriestoffe.blogspot.com.ancora grazie.ciao
I bags are so cute. I love the quilt so much I can harly wait to see it finished. You have given me the inspiration to get started on my next applique quilt. All I can say about the dinner is yum. I sure wish I was there to taste it!
The pochettes are just darling, and are sure to please the little ones. Love your stars and applique. I know what you mean about cutting for the spool (klosje) blocks. That's what is holding me back from finishing them also. Bound and determined to finish a lot of cutting today!
It sure looks like you got a lot done. I love the pouches - I'd been thinking about making a couple for my daughters. Your granddaughters will love them. Your stars and sprigs blocks are so pretty - you're really cruising on this project!
I get more done when I retreat alone. You were so productive.
Your grandaughters are going to love their little bags and the zip pullers look fantastic on them. What a brilliant idea with the pins, I will definately be using that in future. And your apple pie looks divine!
Hi Janet
I think those bag will restore you Nanna creds. :)
What size are your klosjes? They look so small all cut into pieces.
I like your pin idea. I use removable sticky circles that you buy on a reel at the newsagent.
Your stars and sprigs are looking gorgeous. I'm amazed you can applique one in an evening? That's a lot of applique.
Cheers
Munaiba
You have been busy! Lots of eye candy for us today! I especially love the appliqué block that is all leaves with no flowers! It is stunning! I think it would like great framed all by itself, it's so pretty :)
First off, I must say that I am quite impressed that you can get one of your applique blocks done in an evening!! And then they just look fantastic too!! Love the cute little bags, I think you have redeemed the great Nana status. Can I borrow Mr. Quiltsalott??
And did you have time to sleep? *wink*
I'm breathless just reading about all that you've been up to. As always, Janet, thanks for the inspiration. Whenever I need a little, I know exactly where to come!
What a great idea marking the pins to keep it all in order. I love the applique leaves so colorful Thanks for the darling blog neat ideas Debbie http://somewhereinstitches.blogspot.com
The zipper pulls on your bags are the cutest thing! Did you purchase those, or are they handmade?
Love all the Kaffes in your quilts.
Love the Little Girl's hanging from the Bags..too cute..Your Stars & Sprig quilt is going to be Amazing...Gorgeous fabrics.
cheers
Every time I see those sprig blocks I just smile. They are so wonderful. What a great idea for the pins. Thanks.
OUTSTANDING, Janet!!! From the pochettes, to the klosjes, the Stars AND the Sprigs!!!, the pins and the pie too?! : ) How VERY productive and clever you are! Your dear grand daughters are going to LOVE their little purses AND their Nana too. ; )
Stars and Sprigs is really coming along. To my utter delight. I'm sure we're all feelig that way. The little purses... pochettes - wow! You did a great job and I'm happy to see the zipper pulls. Oh those made me smile when you found 'em. Now they're in use. More delight. I'm glowing with delight. It's bedtime but I think I could really light the neighborhood at this point.
...all this and you cook, too. Sheesh. Labeling the pins like that - killer new tip.
Update: made 2 Red Cheddar People. Coming along... :)
I enjoyed seeing progress pictures of all your projects.
Those bags are adorable and I love the stars and your applique blocks. Just beautiful!!
Wow, you've been busy, making beautiful things. Did your granddaughters like the wonderful bags?
Janet, you are an inspiration: and a quilt-retreat for one sounds heavenly!!!
I love the little bags you have made, lucky girls!
The klosjes, delightful! The stars, vibrant! The sprigs...
oh, the springs... one evening you say?! sigh... :)
...
What an awesome new tip! Thank you, teacher!
...and I'll have a slice of pie to go!
:)
I love the Stars and Sprigs pattern and what you are doing with it-so bright and beautiful! Where did you get that pattern?
OMG...look at those stars...well, you KNOW I'm all about STARS!!!!
wow - that's what I call a great tip.
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