I’m here. I can’t believe it’s been over 2 months.

 Wow, how distant I have been. Unfortunately I have not had any interest in doing a blog post. I have not even been reading blogs regularly, I do apologise for not leaving comments on all the posts I have read.  But I am here now. I will post today about my last weekend sewing then hopefully catch up on what has been done in my absence.

So, last weekend I held a mystery quilt weekend with my local quilt group. 22 ladies attended and it was a lot of fun. I had given some preparation clues out over the last few months so the quilt top should be finished during the weekend.

It was a true mystery as no one guessed the layout.

Here is what we made. This one is mine

There were 2 ladies that wanted to use up a pile of 2 inch blocks. They put together 16 patches to make up the required size. When joining the blocks together there were no seams to match. Whereas the 9 patches ones had 3 seams to match per block.

This was made by a new member. She was given lots of scraps and when she made her 9 patches at home she wanted them in a colour theme. Everyone had to make a tot of 48 blocks. So that she did. Then after the reveal of the top she wanted to make a colour wash theme and made her blocks fit that. I’m amazed how it all worked considering she didn’t know how many of each colour was needed. Looks amazing.

This ladies husband thought the black wasn’t going to look good so decided on a lighter grey. It’s a much softer looking quilt.

This lady want to use all her black/white scraps but it didn’t quite stand out like it was supposed to so she changed the layout a bit to create a black bat feature 

This one was created by some pre prepared squares for a planned quilt in 2020. Her project never eventuated due to the gathering being cancelled in covid times. Well, they are all used up now.

Then there was one lady who just forgot to make her 9 patches. So down to spotlight to buy some fabric to replace with full size squares. At least the design worked and she could still take part in the weekend. She has completed the top and it looks great. I just didn’t get a photo

 

This one was made with a floral light fabric instead of white and a patterned dark instead of the black. It has come out a very pretty quilt.

 

I had a couple of friends over last year to try out the pattern so this lady had already made her blocks up. So on day 1 hers were hidden as she had the layout pinned and ready to share to the group on day 2. To keep herself busy she decided to make the blocks out of 1 inch squares. The block itself will measure 4 inches. She got about 50 made on the Saturday and has about 100 still to do. These will look amazing. Sunday she completed her original top.

I did not have a pattern. I had only seen a picture of this quilt. I do not remember where I saw the photo so sorry to whoever designed it. I did my own measurements, directions and border design. The weekend turned out to be a lot of fun with a few ladies wanting to make a second quilt.

So it was a success….

Now for blogger and inserting photos. What a nightmare. This post has taken over an hour to do. This maybe why I have been avoiding doing posts. Anyway, it’s a start and I’ll try to do some more when I have the time.

A few things happening in April.

 I have a finish and it’s ready for Scrub Stitchin’. My binding is sewn. I love it too.

it looks so lovely laying on the green grass. The colours are so pretty.

I also have our sew along ready to piece together for Scrub Stitchin’.

too. Chooky and my adjusted Simply Serene.

And I have some secret sewing for Scrub Stitchin’.

too. Mmmm I wonder what is going on here!!!!!

I have been busy but I managed some PINK sewing for April.

too. This is a project I will work on soon. It will become a project bag with a clear plastic window front.

And I have these flowers popping up in my garden.

As for the Chookshed challenge # 10, mine was left as to do anything. This worked well and fits in perfect for Scrub Stitchin’. I have picked up a few new projects and a couple of old ones. I’ll choose at the end of the month to share more on my progress.

I am really looking forward to next week.

Dear Jane.. G5 & G9

Another 2 are done. G5.

&. G9

I now get 1 week to catch up with the stitching the back bindings down before the next round of blocks start. I have all those patterns printed though. There is a bit of appliqué in the next lot.

Chookshed Challenge UFO finished

I have finished the binding machined on to my placemats

I settled in for a slow Sunday stitching day and hand sewed the binding down. I got them all completed.

And placed on the table ready to be used.

It has only taken 6 years but it is one bag empty.

I am linking up with Deana for 

And Kathy for 

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2026/03/slow-sunday-stitching_0268792104.html

I’ve quilted my quilt.

After finishing the latest Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.. LUPINE and LAUGHTER it sat in the bag for a while. I booked in to our local quilt shop Lesley Mays to quilt it. They hire out the quilt frame and you can quilt it yourself. 

They load it for you, set it up, fill the bobbins, stitch the ends and you’re ready to go.

I am happily quilting along

And 4 hours later I have my quilt quilted. I chose the Baptist fan design to soften all the straight lines.

This measures 80” square and is made of all scraps.

Now I just have to trim it up and get the binding on.

Oh happy days.

Dear Jane F 11 & H 12 & H 13 & F 8

   Well here are my next 4 DEAR JANE BLOCKS 

F11

H12

F 8

H 13

Unexpected mail

  I received an unexpected package in the mail. Interesting. It was from New Zealand. Lou thought I needed something to do.  She knows I love puzzles.

 Also included was a fun little butterfly spinner.

Ok, I am off to start this. I wonder how I will do.

OMG

This one is hard. I spent about 4 hours on this so far and I didn’t get much done. The colours on the pieces are very hard to distinguish on the box. So it may take a while.

After another night of puzzle stress.. I am getting some of the wings outline but it is hard work.

Lou had made a start with this puzzle back in November ‘25. She wasn’t happy with this one.

Loulee butterfly jigsaw

Progress on my Chookshed challenge for March

 I have made progress with my challenge this month.

Making placemats to match my table runner which I finished in 2020

https://jobutterfield.blogspot.com/2020/01/broken-herringbone-table-runner-ufo.html

This is the starting point of the my ufo. Here is the table runner.

Here is what was in the bag. The pieces already cut. Some are sewn. The goal is to use up what I have and get the most placemats I can.

I have sewn all the pieces together into the largest piece and I am starting with a rough trim.

I decided to stipple quilt it the same as the runner

Once I trimmed it I managed to get 4 placemats.

I’m linking up with FNSI

Dear Jane week 10

My next 2 Dear Jane blocks are done. 1 easier than the other. I got there though. 

H8 was a bit more work. I appliquéd a circle larger than needed. I then cut it into quarters and added the centre cross.. I foundation pieced the hourglass units and added them to the centre.

G4 went together very easy. I was happy with this block.

Some baby knitting

 I occasionally knit some baby items for charity. I made a premie jacket

And beanies.

 They just needed sewing up.

I have a friend that loves knitting and passed these on to me. 

Look at them all.

Now I’m dropping them off to another friend to give to Jan Mc from Oz Comfort Quilts and the Northern Hospital.