Preparation week

I've been deliberating on how to tackle my projects this year, just like a lot of us. I even started to make a list of ufo's in my head. I overwhelmed myself so that was too scary to continue. Last year was my first in blogging and I had a motto. Do what I want when I want and it was all about fun and indulgence. It was the best, no gulit, no deadlines, no commitments. Doing what I love.

This year I have a loose list and it's in my head so I don't feel tied to it but I do want some of those projects and test blocks from last year to grow up to be quilts. I think a weekly goal is more likely to work for me.

Day one of the new year and I've already failed been tempted.

Lori is posting the steps to make this doll quilt and what a beauty. Cheddar Cheese and Crackers is a great wee quilt, the blocks are so cute and I would love a full size version but not just now, I'll be satisfied with this one.

I do have two deadlines and one is to finish this cot quilt. It's been so humid here that it's been difficult to have the wool batting on my lap. Even the blue washout pen is fading fast so I had to knuckle down. I re-discovered the fact that the wool makes me sneeze and requires drugs to combat it.

I did stick to my plan for the first week which was all about preparation so I have glued four Joseph's Coat blocks ready to stitch.

Forty six baskets blocks prepped as well.

I plan to take some applique on holiday so that's the reason behind all the preparation. I'm off to the cool sewing room to do some more of the same and maybe a bit of sewing too.

January 1st

Happy New Year!

I've heard that whatever you do on the first day of the year, you'll continue to do all year. If that's true, I should do a bit of everything today. Blogging and stitching being at the top of the list. I might stay away from chores today.

Since I'm off to see the Grandkiddos later this month, I thought I'd better do these cushions for the two eldest. I've done one already for the younger one and just have these two to do.

They are of course Kellie's pattern from Don't look now.

The pink blobs are going to be ladybirds, they just don't have their wings attached yet.

I've only just started to do the free motion stitching around the appliques, I'm pretty slow when it comes to that bit but hey, it works for me.

Over the last year blogging has been such a pleasure for me. I've made contact with quilters from all over the world and made lots of friends with the same interests as me. I never thought it would be such a blast so I hope to be able to continue in the same vein this year.

The other wonderful thing about blogging is the wonderful support, the encouragement and the inspiration that has injected so much motivation into my projects.
I have also no discipline when it comes to getting tempted by what I see either. Here's a few links.

Check out Lori's blog for a tutorial for a Reproduction style doll quilt.
Nat from Not Just Nat is having a lovely giveaway for her blogiversary but you'll have to be quick, it ends on Sunday.
Have you seen these wooden quilts by artist Fraser Smith? If I win lotto that's what I'd have on my wall. You can click on detailed photos and see the quilting stitches. I wouldn't even mind some of those as real quilts.

What I've been doing.

We had a very quiet relaxing Christmas with just the two of us for most of the day and a visit with DH's kids and grandkids in the afternoon. Just lovely and quiet. I'll tell you about my wonderful gift later.

Since I was here last, I have another Mary Mannakee block done. I thought I had only made eight but when I trimmed them to put on the wall, I had done nine, what a nice surprise. Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy but you get the idea.

This is the one I finished over Christmas. When you have an applique pattern, you rarely get instructions on how to tackle certain elements. You should just know. Sometimes, it takes a bit of thinking out because there is always more than one way and you end up choosing one that will work best for you.

This was the part I had a think over. I ended up photocopying the bottom circle and spraying the paper with basting spray. Next I lay the bias strips over the pattern and wove them. I then used a small dot of basting glue to the intersections and pinned them until it set. Voila, I could then lift the whole piece off and place it on my background.

I didn't sew it down at this stage, just used abit of basting glue to keep it in position. I then appliqued the inner part of the circle, the woven part, and finally, trimmed the seams of the bias strips and appliqued the outer part of the circle.

Christmas and holidays is my time to have a good read and this is what I've been enjoying,  with chocolates of course. Chocolate goes with everything you know.

Mr Q and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday with a lovely meal out at a restaurant overlooking the beach. We enjoyed watching the swimmers and surfers from our table while we dined on a three course meal. You can see some of the yummy food on the left of the photo.

On the right, you can see I've been making bread and enjoying cups of tea with that Christmas cake I made. I've done very little cooking around here, that's one of the things I love about summer and holidays.  DH becomes the main cook.

Mr Q spoilt me by finding these coloured pencils and a big sketch pad to play with. I want to have a go with coloured stitchery and other things using these and a fabric medium. I'll keep you posted.

And my Christmas present? It's not a thing, it's an experience. I get to hop on  a plane and head off to New Zealand again to see my two children and my four grandchildren towards the end of January for three weeks. Priceless!

This is my last post of the year so I'll wish you all the very best for a wonderful and happy year ahead.

See you in 2010

The last post before Christmas.

Apart from the unpicking which I'm happy to say is all done, I was glad to be able to get this Mary Mannakee block finished. I have seven completed now. Another blogger friend has just completed one too. Pop on over to see Deb. Her applique is wonderful and she has some other gorgeous projects on the go as well.

Another three Joseph's Coat blocks, a total of 10 done and right on track. I fully expect to fall behind at some stage but it is a long termer so no big deal if I do.

I've had some wonderful surprises in the mail this week that have really given me such a smile on my face.

Darlene sent this gorgeous wee quilt which is now on the wall in my sewing room.

Not only that, she also sent these two great magazines, woo hoo! Thank you dear Darlene, you really are an angel, I love the gift so much and it really touched my heart. I love the doll quilt!

Another wonderfull blogger friend also surprised me with this parcel. Kathie sent me this Calendar which has her quilt on the cover and pattern included.  look at this gorgeous charm pack she included, it has some beautiful fabrics in it. Thank you dear Kathie, you have a heart of gold too. I'm just thrilled to bits, I can't tell you.

Watch out, this is the year of RAK (random acts of kindness). Lots of bloggers are doing this and when you least expect it, you may end up being the recipient of some blog love.

To you all, dear friends and readers,  have a wonderful Christmas wether you are in the snow or the sun.

The good, the bad, and the plain ugly

The good.

I noticed a lot of bloggers showing us some favourite Christmas decorations so I thought I'd join in.

This is my all time favourite because it was made by my DD, SIL and two of the grandkids in 2007. One of the grandkids was only two at the time. It has very special meaning for me and It reminds me what Christmas is all about on so many levels.  Note the sheep!

Another goodie, this parcel arrived last week. I love these dots. In fact there aren't many dots I don't like but these have a retro feel and will go with thirties fabrics as well as the brighter designer lines. It's Kai Honeycomb and I got it from here.

I decided I'd better get onto quilting the cot quilt for my grandson before he gets too big for the baby hammock and goes into a cot. You might remember this one from earlier this year. I got a bit lazy and decided I would machine quilt it in a simple way. Since it's small, why not use basting spray?

I lightly starched the backing and pinned it to the mat in the sewing room. Placed newspaper around the perimeter to catch the overspray and opened up the doors for ventilation.

So far so good, I'm using a beautiful wool batt, Tuscany by Hobbs. It's so soft and luxurious.

The bad.

I merrily quilted some loop de loops over the majority of the quilt. All the time, I'm thinking how puffy the wool looks and I prefer the look of cotton. I carry on because this baby will need the warmth in cold New Zealand in winter.

About 3/4 of the way through, I look on the back and notice some bad tension problems that weren't occuring at the beginning. I'm too ashamed to show that part but I really hate the puffy look on the front.

The ugly

I can live with some things that aren't exactly what I'd like but this was just too yucky and embarrasing for me to pass it on as a gift so I decided I would have to bite the bullet and unpick it. One evening of unpicking and I'm over half way there to getting this back to the starting point.

I't's been another valuable learning experience and now I'll hand quilt this using perle cotton in a big stitch, it should go fairly quickly. The hard part is that it's pretty hot weather here so sitting with wool might get a little uncomfortable.