Scrappy days are still here.

Today I have been making fabric bowls for the microwave.

I have used my blue scraps to join in with So Scrappy

These bowls act like oven mitts. Sit your bowl of food to be warmed, put in microwave, easy to get out when hot.

They can also be used to hold your bowl of ice cream. No cold hands.

I made them in 3 different sizes. The pattern is from   Tamarack Shack

Paper Pieced Hunters Star

I received my Hunters Star block from De. We are part of the Paper Piecers Block Swap 

My 1st 2 blocks

Block 3

My Valentine Initial Heart Swap

I received my Initial Heart Swap Valentines Swap.

It was from "O'faigh"

Thankyou for my surprises .

This is before opening. Nice wrapping. I will be able to use these ribbons in my Scrapbooking 

Here the gifts are opened.

Wow..... A cute little Teddy to watch me as I sew, a bag for my shopping, a box of chocolates to enjoy while I sew & a lovely heart plaque with my name to remember this swap.

THANKYOU

6" block time again

My 6" blocks from Liz.

Liz was very busy and made me 4 blocks. That makes the pile grow faster.

When I put them altogether they look so good.

Here are my blocks

Liz did a great job with these maple leaves. Nice fabrics too.

There are lots more to see at the  6" swap over at QBSA.

My 12" block swap

Here is another block I received from my January partner, Michell, in Quilting Block Swap Australia

I love the blue fabric & I also have used the cream tone on tone background.

Thanks Michell.

More Slow Sunday Stitching

I have finished Mums kindle bag and have continued on with these pot holders.
They are being done for a friends Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraising Day.
I just have to do the bindings.

Have a look here to see what others are doing today....  Slow Sunday Stitching

FNSI......Scrap Happy Saturday.....Slow Sunday Stitching

1. Friday Night Sew In....planning, sorting fabrics, measuring & starting to sew.
2. Scrap Happy Saturday...I know it's a BLUE month but my mum likes GREEN. I still am working on some Blue pot holders & Oven Mitts.
3. Slow Sunday Stitching...I will finish the stitchery then move on to something else.

My project this weekend is a bag for my mum....
My mum likes GREEN and has a Kindle. So she doesn't forget where the charger is I thought I would make her a bag to put both the kindle and charger in so they will always be together.

Go on over to the above links and see what every one else has been up to this weekend.

12" block swap

My postie was kind to me yesterday.

He delivered a lovely star block from Lorna. She also made me a little purse for storing all those extra store cards or in my case coffee cards.Thanks Lorna.

Have a look what else is being done over at Quilting Block Swap Australia in the  12" block swap

Measurements for my Double Ended Oven Mitt

There have been quite a few enquiries to the size of my mitts.

Here is an overall description of what I have done.

1. I cut a backing, wadding & patterned piece of fabric 31" * 7.5", 
2. I added an extra piece of INSULBRITE wadding ( 7.5" * 8.5" ) in the ends for protection.  
3. Then I layered and quilted it. Trimmed it to 7" * 30".
4. TO MAKE POCKETS
5. Cut 2 * patterned fabrics & backing pieces measuring 7" * 8"
6. Cut 3 binding strips at 7" * 2.5" wide. Attach to 2 top of pockets. 
7. With the 3rd make a loop and attach to centre of one side of the long quilted piece.
8. Layer pockets on each end of the long quilted piece. 
9. Cut each end in a curve shape
10. Make 80" of BIAS binding @ 2.5" and attach to oven mitt.

ALL DONE.
Hope these are easy enough to understand.

You can use up odd block, scraps or just one fabric for pockets and main piece.

Leave a comment if you need some help.

Initial Heart Swap

I have completed my gift for the Initial Heart Swap over at Gone Stitchin' with Cheryll.
The person who receives this is a secret so her initials have been covered up.
I am yet to get a treat for her to enjoy.
Here is what I will be posting soon.
There is a heart shaped double ended oven mitt with initials on it, heart shaped pot holder, scissor fob with initials & hearts on it, a woven heart pouch & an envelope made out of a heart shape.
I hope that she will enjoy using them.

Cup Cakes all around

I have just made a cute 10" cup cake paper pieced block for De.

We are in the Paper Pieced Swap Club.

Here it is in not too bright colours

CUPCAKE pattern at CRAFTSY

6" blocks for "blankets of love"

I ended up doing a double swap this month over at Block Swap Australia.

My partner is Liz. Have a look at Liz's blog.

She keeps busy making "Blankets of Love" for charity. The blocks she receives in the swaps help her with this.. Here are mine.

But then I searched my stash of orphan blocks, sewed some out of my scrap bin & this is what I ended up sending her. Hope they will be put to good use.

Scrappy Oven Mitts

I have spent my day making 2 more scrappy double ended oven mitts.

These are great to use. My one has been well used & I think it needs replacing.

One day I might just get a new one.

The black / grey one is a gift for my friend & 

the green one is for a friend who works at the local bank.

Then I decided to try some heart shaped pot holders.

I was given one of these years ago and I thought they were very cute.

I also used my scraps to get these done.

I know January is the blue month but I needed to get a gift done in another colour. They are still scrappy though. 

Go on over to Soscrappy Saturday to see what she has been up to. There are many others that link to her blog so  why don't you have a look.

More BLUE blocks

Angela from Soscrappy has put up more blocks for here RSC14 sampler

Here is the next one.. TIC-TAC-TOE....

I think the measurements are a little off but it still measures 6.5"

Mock LeMoyne Stars

I have done these blocks for Andrea in the 6" block swap

She wanted "civil war" prints which I am not familiar with. I hope she is happy with them.

I did a "mock" LeMoyne Star as I am not that confident with "Y" seams.

I have heard that Andrea is having a bit of trouble with my blocks. I have emailed her a few links for some tutorials to help her through. I hope she doesn't get too stressed about it.

Lancefield Fires

We have had a heat wave here. A few days in excess of  40 degrees Celcius.

Hot hot hot.

Now there are a few fires nearby in the Cobaw State Forest, within 5 - 7 kilometres away.

Here is a photo of the closest fire where 13 trucks have been attending. We could even see the helicopter dropping water.

This is the Main Street of our town.

We have another 40+ day tomorrow 

Another BLUE scrappy

Here is another Blue scrappy block from RSC14 sampler

It is called Monkey Wrench.

Another paper pieced block received

I have received another one of my Hunters Star paper pieced blocks from Janet. 

Janet said she had a hard time with it but I think it is a wonderful job. The fabrics are great too.

Thanks Janet

Slow stitch Sunday

Well, on Sunday I was busy finishing my Initial Heart Swap item.

I am making lots of double ended oven mitts and thought this was a useful gift.

I saw it on Pinterest at   craftsnob.com

I have linked up with Kathy at    Slow Sunday stitching on her blog.
Why don't you check out all the above to see who's doing what & where.
It gives me great inspiration looking and reading other blogs.

Because this is also a surprise gift the initials have been covered up. I think it has worked out very pretty.

Here is a closer look at the embellishing. Lots of buttons, bows, ribbons, beads & lace.

Scrappy Saturday

Another busy day sorting through BLUE scraps for what is happening over at soscrappy.

Check out what others are doing with their scraps. 

Angela has been putting up 6" blocks for anyone to make in her RSC14 sampler.

I have now caught up with the blocks as well as sewing my crumbs as leaders & Enders for another oven mitt.

MY CRUMBS ARE GROWING

SNOWBALL, ANVIL, OHIO STAR, PATIENCE CORNER & ATTIC WINDOW blocks.

All made from my scrap bucket.

12" block for Michell

I am a member of QUILTING BLOCK SWAP AUSTRALIA.
Here we have a partner each month and make a 12" block, of their choice, for them.
Here is mine for Michell.
Michell wanted a red and solid white OHIO STAR from Quilters Cache

Grandmas braid is done on

I got the job of quilting a friends beautiful Grandmas Braid quilt.

Her colours went together really well. With lovely bright purples, blues, burgundy a & floral.

It was a course done many years ago and before the top was only half way done it was put in the cupboard. Now, since it was dragged out it has been put together ready for quilting.

Oh no !!!!!!!

When I went to baste it, after all her work, it was very out of skew. Working with all edges of bias is very tricky. It bent in every way it wasn't meant too.
Anyway, to help out a friend in need I had another wonderful friend put it all apart and trim all the strips.
This is what we ended up with.......

 The piping between the braids

          

  The odd lengths of braids. All 9 of them

 

. Then we have the different lengths of borders.  

   Wow, back in one piece and a lot of trimming to do 

              Borders are on & it's time for quilting.

IT's NOW QUILTED WITH AN ALL OVER STIPPLE TO TAME THOSE BIAS BUBBLES.

I think what happened was when strip 1 & 2 were sewn together the edge curved, next was strip 3, curved some more and then strip 4......until all 9 were sewn on. It ended up being 1 big stretched curve. BUT it doesn't matter now. It's all together and fairly straight.

Fantastic and great effort. 

( what are friends for )

I thought I would tackle this project and join in with Friday Night with Friends. Go on over to see what everyone else was doing.

More RSC14

I have thought I might get started on those Xmas presents & Kris Kringle ideas.

If I make 1 or 2 a month it won't be such a rush at the end of the year.

So I have started making double ended oven mitts.

 thanks to  RSC14 @ So Scrappy

Irene's block

I was partnered up with a newbie in the 12" Block Swap this month.

Irene asked for any block in blues, pink, green & yellow. 

So I thought pretty baby.

I did a nice Disappearing 9 patch..

I added a little gift.

No one has to put in anything extra but I like to add a little surprise.

Teddy Bears in Bed Under a Patchwork Quilt

 I have finished a babies cot quilt. It is so cute.

I am very happy with the way it turned out.

Most of the blocks were listed on Starwood Quilter site. This is an online book club where we read a book that is in some way quilt related. Then Susan puts up blocks & their links for all to make.

I have tried a few different blocks in different sizes to make up this cot quilt.

It measures 36" x 50"

Here is a close up of the quilting. Lovely teddy bears.

Grandmas Flower Garden Hexagons a go go

I have this special friend who has just finished a wonderful quilt.

Her grandmother started hand stitching, cutting papers & collecting fabrics about 25 years ago. Sadly she passed. Luckily my friend inherited the fabrics, papers and some blocks pieced about 15 years ago. 

With the help of me we pulled it out of the bag, sorted through it and the lessons began.

My friend had never made a quilt before so here we started. Teaching what English paper piecing was & how to hand sew. Well, she learned quickly and the flowers grew & grew. Slowly over the year they built up and we shopped for a path fabric. Cornflour blue was chosen to match the bedroom. 

The size was then decided to cover a king size bed to nearly the floor.

The flowers were joined together, now it was time for the quilting. I was determined to give the quilt what it deserved. HAND QUILTING. I just love it. So another lesson was given so she decided to quilt in the ditch around every 2nd round. Years later and it is done.

It is beautiful and finished. Sitting proudly on her bed.

Excellent job and well done. I am very proud to have inspired my friend to complete this quilt. 

It will be treasured of many years.

What a beauty. Congratulations V. xx

Slow Stitching Sunday

I spent the early morning sorting out my cupboards, finding UFO's and listing them on another page 2014 UFO's

Then I realised how long I have been working on projects, how long it has been since I have touched the project. So when I came across Slow Stitching Sundays I thought it was about time I pulled out my hand quilting project. I haven't worked on this for a few years. I actually started this quilt 10 years ago. I bought this kit from a shop/house in  Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia called Chocolate Coated Fabrics. It was for my 40th birthday. I will be 50 soon so I should get back to it & get it finished.

It is Blue Hearts quilt with lots of machine pieced 4" log cabins, hand appliquéd hearts & hand stitched Celtic bias. I love it.

I have started to echo quilt around the fans. 

The centre hearts have quilting in the ditch.

What better project to spend my Sundays relaxing & hand quilting

Sues block in the 6" block swap

6" BLOCK SWAP AUSTRALIA

Go on over and have look at this site.

I have joined this to get me back into a little bit of sewing.

Each month you are allocated a partner. You make 2 blocks for them & you receive 2 in return.

Here are my blocks for Sue B.

Sue asked for Red & White baskets.

RSC 2014

I have also decided to do the

http://superscrappy.blogspot.com.au/p/rsc12.html

I think I want to make a single block each month and then at the end of the year put it together. So it will hopefully be 12 blocks.
My block has measured 18" unfinished. It will make a nice size quilt.

It is also a wonky star block made with all scraps in January's colour Blue...

I followed the tutorial for Reverse Rainbow Starburst Block & quilt idea here

This is the finished quilt over at Flutter Kat