Aqua quilt named and a little tray project

My local quilt group makes a little mystery project on the Friday night of their retreat. We are always looking for fun, quick and easy projects that will get finished on the night.

So I found this little tray on Pinterest or YouTube. Sorry, I can’t seem to find the link now.

And I gathered my supplies to give it a go.

 The finished project is great. I did make mine a little bigger as my scrap of fabric cut in half made 2. There was no need to trim it to make a smaller one. This was very easy to make and is so usable too.

When it is not being used  you just open the press studs and leave it flat. It then packs away into your bag without getting all squashed up. When you are set up and ready to use just click the press studs closed and you have a tray/basket to store your supplies in. Or use it as a thread catcher.

It has been quite hot here this week and will continue for another few days yet.

38 - 41 degrees Celsius (101 - 106 F ). With the air con on I sat and ironed my aqua quilt top.

I am very happy with my new iron and board. The board doesn’t wobble and the extra padding is good. It also is a hotter temp than my older one so presses really well.

Also taking the time to trim all those loose threads. I am not too fussed about some points not matching. When I trimmed the blocks first up I originally was going to do a different layout where they didn’t have to match anything. I wasn’t very precise. Of course, I changed my mind to another layout. Oh well, I can live with it.

After taking about 1 1/2 hours I finally got to baste around the edges to prevent fraying, stretching and seams pulling apart.

Folded nicely until I make the backing fit and get it quilted.

I have now named this quilt BORDERTOWN B’s. 

Most of the fabric was bought from Judy at Cornerstone Creations https://newsfromjude.blogspot.com/ in Bordertown and most of it is Brown and Beige with a touch of Blue (Aqua).

It measures 96” * 112” ( 244 * 285 cm )

Another zoom, aqua top completed and shopping

 I was sewing the rows of my aqua quilt and Chooky called another zoom session. 

All one way was sewn together. I ironed all the seams flat and my ironing board decided to collapse. It’s the only one I have owned and I have only had it since 1980 so I’m probably due for a new one. As I am sewing a large quilt I need it to help with the weight of the fabric as I sew the seams the other direction. I have propped the board up with containers and have it resting on the table too.

Zoom in the background and only a seam or two to go.

Top is all done and sits on my bed beautifully. I wanted it nearly to the floor so it covers everything for a great winter quilt.

The foot end will be tucked in between the mattress and wooden end.

I couldn’t complete the ironing so I went shopping. Our daughter was home from holidays and came for a visit so I could do some groceries. I went to Big W first. Wow, prices have gone up. This ironing board was $75. Well, I need it.

A few years back, at our quilt show, a member was selling her ironing board covers. They are thicker fabric and extra padding. I hadn’t got around to using it. Now is as good a time as any. I can now iron my top.

While I was there I thought I’d buy myself a new iron too. I don’t buy expensive ones as I have a habit of dropping them. This one was only $25 and I am happy with that.

Now off I go to iron my quilt top.

Is anyone out there able to spread the word.. HELP IS NEEDED

  A blogging friend Donna is looking for some help to fundraise for an amazing cause.

Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo is a facility that provides accommodation for people that have to travel far from home for medical appointments or families with immediate family staying in the hospital. There are a few rooms that need completing so the request is for donations. If you are able to donate $20 or any amount please click on either of the following links to find out more.

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-need-your-help-please.html

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2025/01/macquarie-home-stay-fundraiser.html

Together we can make this happen.

Thankyou

A little HELP is NEEDED.

 A blogging friend Donna is looking for some help to fundraise for an amazing cause.

Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo is a facility that provides accommodation for people that have to travel far from home for medical appointments or families with immediate family staying in the hospital. There are a few rooms that need completing so the request is for donations. If you are able to donate $20 or any amount please click on either of the following links to find out more.

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-need-your-help-please.html

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2025/01/macquarie-home-stay-fundraiser.html

Together we can make this happen.

Thankyou

Progress made and a little budgie

 I have made a bit of progress on my Aqua quilt for my bed. It was originally going to be for our caravan but the colours didn’t suit. So now it will be for my bed.

Here it is in progress. I am sewing rows together.

Meanwhile when I have been sewing my hubby has been enjoying time with our daughter’s budgie Bobby or Bobette. We are not sure if it’s a girl or boy at this stage.

It has been fun talking to this budgie.

Welcome 2025 and my first finish.

I relaxed on the first day of the new year and knitted.

I finished my teabag scarf. In the gift box it goes.

I love the colours that are spread through the stitches.

This one I used 45g of strings.

It measures 2 metres long.

40 sts

Knit every row

Use no. 7 (4.5 mm) needles

New Year’s Eve, Zoom, a finish for December and 2025 Challenge

 First up is Zoom on New Years Eve

Thanks Chooky for  a few last minute zoom days. 

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com/2024/12/chookshed-stitchers-end-of-year-stitch.html

It has been a great time spending with crafty ladies on zoom. I have achieved so much in the last 4 days than 4 months.

So, there was much chatting about so many topics with so many friends. Here goes.

Second was a finish.

I have been knitting these teabag scarves for a while now. Sometimes the stitches fall off the end of the needles. They are hard to pick up the stitches. I came across this pattern on Pinterest to make the perfect needle holder. http://thenomeknitter.blogspot.com/2015/05/tutorial-double-pointed-needle-keeper.html

I made a few of the sizes suggested but my friend doesn’t use small needles so I made a special one to fit 12” needles.

My Aqua quilt. I have all the rows up on the design wall. I have added another 2 rows because I really wanted a rectangular quilt and didn’t want much fabric left over so I worked out how to make a few extra blocks with the leftovers and have laid them out. Today I started sewing the rows together.12 blocks * 14 blocks. Each block measures finished 8”.

Now to finish sewing rows together another day.

And there is Chookshed Challenge 2025 

Of course I am joining in. So here is my list…..

No. 1.  Xmas stitchery calendar… progress

No. 2.  Bookcase quilt… do some quilting on it.

No. 3.  Sashiko… Jane McDonald Cruise Quilt

No. 4.  Aqua quilt… backing and binding. (To be sent to quilters)

No. 5.  Placemats for charity/Maxine

No. 6.  Chandlers Cottage Advent envelopes

No. 7.  Red Dalmatian Quilt.. ( quilt it )

No. 8. Flip La K ruler bag. ( this wasn’t done in 2024 )

No. 9.  Farmers Wife quilt blocks progress

No. 10.  Project bags. Can never have enough…..

January’s number has been drawn.. It’s No. 6.

I get to continue with my Chandlers Cottage Advent envelopes. 

I didn’t get to do many in December so I am looking forward to stitching some more in January.

Thanks Deanna and Chooky for coordinating this yearly challenge..

It’s not too late for you to join in too.

Go here.

https://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/2024/12/finally-chookshed-challenge-2025-is.html

My 2024 started out so well then there were a few hurdles to end the year with. 

So let’s all say goodbye to 2024 and hello 2025. 

A quiet Boxing Day sewing.

 We have had a very quiet Boxing Day. I spent it sewing while watching YouTube.

Tony was napping.

I kept on trimming my blocks which have taken ages and multiple attempts.

All blocks are now trimmed to 8 1/2”.

Now to play with layouts. I had some in mind but due to different amounts of coloured blocks I had to rethink. I did want the darker colours on the edge.

I was going to make it rectangular but the design would have been odd so it will now be square.

I then thought about one half being the brown border and the other the aqua. 

The nurse has come to change Tony’s feet dressings. Healing is going better.

Better check to make sure they are all turned correctly. Now another idea has come to mind.

I think I like this border better…

Merry Christmas

 We had a great day yesterday for our Christmas lunch.

Our daughter, son in law and grandsons were here for lunch. We had a quiet time for a few hours.

Started with the gifts of course. Then moved on to chatting and nibbles while lunch was cooking.

Ready to eat lunch.

Some people just don’t like having their photos taken.

Time to have a laugh then say goodbye.

It was good to have Tony home and we could relax.

Hope everyone has had a great time with their loved ones.

Day 24th of advent & Christmas Eve.

 Firstly, I have opened today’s advent envelope and it’s a cute monogram cross stitch.

I will enjoy making this one.

Next. Since losing our son 12 years ago I haven’t really got into the Christmas decorating. Some years I didn’t even put the tree up. The same was happening this year with us not knowing where we will be.

Enough of that. I thought the kids are coming for Christmas lunch now Tony is home so that means I’ll put up the small tree, used to be my mums, and a few decorations. All my others are out in the shed and I am not going out to sort that out. So here is my tree to celebrate having Tony home to enjoy Christmas with his family.

When we were at the Royal Melbourne Hospital last week there were Christmas trade tables. The staff that make crafts outside of their hospital jobs are allowed to have a stand a few times a year. There was one stand I really loved. She made her own felt and stitches up ornaments to sell. She had made this candy/bauble garland. I treated myself. I did buy a few things for gifts but did not think to take a photo.

The felted balls are so cute.

Happy Christmas Eve