Sashiko with Jane Macdonald

My 2nd class on the    2014 Needlework Cruise  was something I have admired for a long time but not have done. 

It was a Sashiko quilt with Jane Macdonald.

Jane has some beautiful fabrics and kits available on her site. So go and have a look.

This is what the quilt will look like.

I have not taken photos of my work yet. When I get home I will add them.

I am very happy with what I have learnt and will be sewing them on the train trip back to Melbourne.

Have a look at next years 2015 Needlework Tours.
It's heading for Singapore.
This years was around New Zealand & Tasmania.

Christine P. Bishop. South Australia

I have just been on a Needlework cruise with  Needlework Tours 2014  around New Zealand..

It was a great cruise with fantastic organisers for the 350 stitchers that went. There were people from all over Australia, the U.S & even New Zealand. 

Well done to Simon, Maureen, Claire & Ivan. You did a great job organising 21 tutors & 63 classes.

Their 2015 tour is heading for Singapore from Perth, Australia.
Head on over to the above links to see what it is all about.
It's well worth it.

I was lucky enough to participate in a 2 day class with Christine P. Bishop. from South Australia.

There are lots of other classes, projects & kits you can see her about.

Christine taught our group some beautiful 15th Century counted linen work.

I definitely have some homework to do.

This is what I have done so far

The last of Decembers Nearly Insane blocks

Block 71

Block 82

Monica from Italy

Monica is a new member with the 6" swap. 

She was my 2nd partner this month. 

Monica wanted any star block & in any colour.

The choice is endless.

Pretty pink.

This is also the colour over at So Scrappy this month. So at least I have joined in with PINK

Good Night Irene's February blocks done

I have now done the next 5 blocks for my quilt.

I decided to do all 16 patch blocks this time.

I have not made a true scrappy quilt so this is the first one. Yes, these are just scrap pieces of fabric cut into 2 1/2" squares.

My quilt so far.

Have a look at Terry's Treasures on the side bar to see who has linked up and look at what progress they are making.

Decembers Nearly Insane blocks

I have kept working on these blocks. I am still a long way off from catching up.

I will get there.

Here is BLOCK 20

And BLOCK 30

Red & White blocks for Kate

Kate is one of my partners for this month in the 6" swap. 

She wanted any block in red and white.

I hope these fit the bill.

More Nearly Insane

Here are my finished November blocks.

There are a few ladies from the quilt group I am in doing this quilt. Each month 4 blocks are chosen and we are supposed to keep up. I had fallen way behind. But I am trying.

BLOCK 27

I had a bit of trouble and my thread should have been darker. Oh well at least the block is done.

"Y" seams.... mmmmm!!!!!!

Then I did BLOCK 6

And lastly for that months needed was BLOCK 40

Knitting face washers & dishcloths

I bought some fancy yarn called "GIGGLES". So I decided to make a face washer. They are also used as dishcloths. The are quite thick and wash well.

If they last a while I might make some more for gifts.

I found the pattern over in Pinterest

Sewing with scraps

Another day sewing " Goodnight Irene " blocks.

While I was using up some more scraps I was also working on my " Nearly Insane " blocks.

BLOCK No.. 60 of Nearly Insane Quilt

Sent to my partner

These are a close up of what I sent my partner in the Initial Heart Swap

It's a bit hard to see the initials but there is a row of them that I did on the machine.

Then I put Initial beads on this fob.

Hope my partner likes them

  Clink on the link to see all the gifts I sent My heart gifts

Fiona's 12" block

I have sewn another 12" block and sent it on its way up to Queensland.

Fiona requested a Rail Fence block in pastels.

Hope this fits the bill. I really like the colours & fabrics.

Quilting Block Swaps Australia is keeping busy with lots of posts of new blocks done.

What a way to get a quilt done without doing the same blocks all the time.

My February block from Fiona

I received a lovely country star 12" block in the mail.

It is good to see my blocks are adding up. 

I might just have to post a photo of the ones I have so far altogether.

" STARFLOWER "

Slow stitching /beading Sunday

Does hand stitching the beading on to the bags count.

It is slow to do so I am linking up with  Slow Sunday Stitching

I am making these little bags to put my dried Lavender in. I pruned my bushes the other week and have dried the heads. Beautiful home grown & dried lavender. Smells lovely.

Little gifts ready for Xmas.

So Scrappy Saturday

I have linked up with Cheryll over at So Scrappy PINK Saturday. Grab a cuppa and see what else is happening over there.
Sorry, not much PINK here though.
Today I spent sewing my scrappy 2 1/5" cut blocks together continuing my "Good Night Irene Quilt" from Terry's Treasures

My first 5 blocks done. So I have caught up with January's blocks.

Quilt cam with Bonnie & FNWF at Gone Stitchin'

I was actually home today to watch Bonnie's Quilt Cam LIVE.... at Quiltville

So I sat down and started cutting my 4 1/2" background squares and my scrappy 2 1/2" squares. Lots of them were needed. Then I went to do a practice square.

I have started my " Good Night Irene Quilt" & following the sew along over with the others at 

Terry's Treasures

I started the sewing and have linked up with Cheryll and the others doing Friday Night with Friends over at Gone Stitchin'

So tonight I am continuing cutting 2 1/2" blocks.

FNWF

Friday 7th February  check out what everyone is doing over here at Gone Stitchin'

FNWF

The first Friday night of the month link up or just take a look at all the happy stitchers.

I am not sure what I will get out. I'm sure it won't be hard to find something though. I'll get sorted then put on a DVD and get the machine moving along.

Double double ended oven mitts

Everyone is loving my mitts and I keep getting asked to make more.

So here are some...

1..  Black & White

2..  Black, Tan & Neutrals.

I am having so much fun using up my scraps.

I didn't realise you could get so much out of a scrap bag.

Coat hangers ideas for Breast Cancer

I made this sweet hanger to put your hankies or any other special little things in.

I also tried out some covered coat hangers. I'm very happy with how they turned out.

I am just trying out some ideas for a fundraiser for BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.

Mums Kindle Bag

Yes, I have worked all day on stitching the "M" on my mums kindle bag.

I started it last week on slow Slow Sunday stitching and picked it up again today.

It is now ready to store her kindle with the charger. Never to be lost again.

 The stitchery is done

And I added a bead on the pocket

Look here  for my first post on this bag from last week.

It is also linked up with Soscrappy. Like I said last week I know it's not this months colour but my Mum comes first

February is the colour PINK

Over at So Scrappy the new colour for February is PINK. Go on over and have a look to see all about it. See what everyone else is up to this soscrappy Saturday.

 I am working on WONKY STARS.

I have also been making PINK pot holders

Last day of Scrappy Blue Saturday

I had a good day of sewing yesterday. The last day of scrappy blue January.

I made another microwave fabric bowl. Look here for more about these.

Add more Pot holders & oven mitts to the pile

Read more about my Wonky Star block