Monday, 31 August 2015

AUGUST OPAM's

Here are my finishes for the month. All in one post. Yep all 40 of them. Aren't they just so cute. Wow there was a lot of little things but I didn't get around to finishing a quilt. I have a few there basted ready to go so maybe that might be my aim next month... Quilts, quilts, quilts.......
Anyway here they are......
Trade table and gift items


And my mums finishes. ....


Then there was a big crochet blanket which I gave to my SIL....


Sunday, 30 August 2015

Wow what a day

My husband and I sat down and worked together in the lounge room. What we were doing, it took forever, was to sort out my mums knitting needles....
This is what we started with....



What a mess.


But after a few hours this is what we got.



A lot went in the bin, a lot didn't have partners but there were a lot that matched....
After getting 2 complete sets for myself and a few spare of different lengths this is what was left....
OLD SIZE....      MM......   QTY....
13                 2.25.            1
12.                2.75.           14
11.                3.00            12
10                 3.25.          35
9.                   3.75.          23
8.                   4.00           28
7.                  4.50            28
6.                  5.00              9
5.                  5.50            18
4.                   6.00           17
3.                   6.50             7
2.                   7.00       ........
1.                   7.50           12
0.                   8.00             5
00.                 9.00             1
000.               10.00            4


Look how many sets there are.
234 sets after I have taken out some for me.
WOW.....

Now I will be making up quilted rolls to put them into sets. I will then be giving them to the community centre where mum was helping out. She was on the committee and also teaching a group to knit. I'm sure they will appreciate it....

That will be another post though..


Friday, 28 August 2015

More of mums finishes

well, I have had the best few days at home sorting out and finishing off mums crafts. She has done the most beautiful knitting. Some just needed sewing up, others needed buttons and some needed a little more but I am getting there..
These are premis babies beanies. 2 were already knitted and the 3rd was started. I finished the knitting and sewed it up. They are so cute and tiny. I will have to find out where mum wanted these to go. I'm sure they will be loved by some one...

I'm not sure if this outfit is for a premie baby or a dolls outfit but it is so cute. All I had to do was add buttons. So easy. They were in the bag with it....

Look at this sweet jacket and beret style hat. It is so cute. I just need to add buttons...


This coffee pot warmer just needs sewing up. Who uses these now. I'm not sure what to do with this or who to pass it on to but maybe some of mums friends will know.

I have some more to work on so they will be another post.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

More knitting finishes

I have knitted some more Dishcloths. I tried this new cotton yarn I bought from the quilt show in Melbourne. It was good to knit with and knitted up thicker. It was equivalent to about a 10 ply. For $5  a ball it was good value. 2 dishcloths from 1 ball....
I have tried a new snowman pattern, then did more with words, flower shape ones and just plain ones.. There was another one but I have already gifted it....
Another 9 to add to my monthly finishes.....

ANOTHER CHARITY PROJECT

I received this email asking for help. With mums yarn of course I can help. I know it's short notice but I can do it. If you want to join in so can you....

I am knitting these squares using up 8 ply yarn. Working on size 4mm (no 8) needles and casting on 40 sts. This works lovely for my tension. Then to make sure the squares work out to the correct size my hubby made this blocking board. Old odd knitting needles from mums stash and an old piece of laminated board. Drill some holes, cut off the heads of the needles, poke into the holes.... Done....
Place knitted squares over the needles and push down. Spray with water and put on another one.
Leave a gap in between for air flow. Wait til the dry and you have a lovely square 20 cm (8") square.


Monday, 24 August 2015

My day in the city.

what a great day we had.....
We walked, shopped, talked, ate and had fun.
We visited and geocached. Now that was a learning curve . Thanks to Sue & Mel...
Thanks to my driver for getting me there. She knew exactly where we were going. I had no idea. I did have a gift in hand....
This is what I gave.....

My stitched journal cover. I just love the pen holder. I did put in a pen instead of the pencil.
I also added some thread, some flavoured tea, a latte sachet and a knitted dishcloth.
I hope it was well received by Barb.
And what I received..... From Marg.
It is so lovely. Thank you.....


If you want to see what we got up to then have a look here for some great photos.
I didn't take my camera...
SHEZ,  Shez,  MEL  & SUE.
There are some great photos on these blogs. 
We even got to visit with the QUEEN.
We had so much fun...

My  SLOW STITCHING SUNDAY  day was spent doing some x stitching and joining in here.
Well, I am so new to this cross stitch scene. I have finally tried something little. Nothing like the beautiful work I have seen here but none the less I have done something.
I made a little design in 2 sizes.  One in 18 count and the other might be 14 but I'm not too sure.
I can't believe everyone else's beautiful work in such a finer count of canvas.. They are all so inspiring.
Anyway here is what I have done..... It has taken me quite a while...
Thanks to Kaye for setting up this SAL
http://christmasorniesal2015.blogspot.com.au


Thanks Narelle for pushing us along to make 









Saturday, 22 August 2015

More Beanies

I have been knitting up a storm with more BEANIES for the homeless. All my mums friends are back from holidays, family tragedies, quiet time and are meeting up. One of them donates to a charity so I am hoping she can use these... I have been knitting with some odd balls of yarn from mums stash. She would be so happy I am spreading them out to different organisations....
I have had fun making them. They don't take much thinking and not much yarn either....

Thursday, 20 August 2015

Looking forward to a day in the city

im heading off into the city of Melbourne on Saturday. I have not been to this shop. L'uccello's ... Very much looking forward to it.
I am getting a lift in and will be meeting up with a group of Blogging friends.
Our gift to swap this time is a journal cover. I have joined in and have done one. Yes it is different to the norm, I am happy with it. It is not the standard one....
Here is my parcel wrapped and ready to give....
I am just looking forward to a day out with friends...

Tuesday, 18 August 2015

More for the TRADE TABLE....

I have had fun making a special little item. I think they are very useful. We all know how much your sewing machine foot slips on the floor. Wether it be carpet, wood or Lino these seem to work really well. They are also very quick and easy to make... I like quick and easy especially when I am donating them. They also do not cost a lot to make and can use up some scraps....
Have a look to see how they are made.
http://so-sew-easy.com/non-slip-sewing-machine-foot-pedal-pad/

There was a total of 385" of binding too....


Sunday, 16 August 2015

Santa Sack Swap secret sewing

Over the past few weeks I have been doing a little bit of secret sewing....
I can only show you a little bit but I am progressing well.
I have quilted this piece but this is part of the back... I can't show what I have done...

This item is finished and is so cute...
I am very excited because I am on my last gift for this package....
I can then wrap them up and not have to worry about them until November. 
So long as I don't put them in a safe place..... Haha

Friday, 14 August 2015

My spring sew-a-long

Well that was a little bit challenging. I'm not sure if I was not concentrating, cut the wrong sizes or just messed up but I had trouble making things fit.,I know it doesn't help when you are changing the width of the rows. I got there in the end.....
I prepared this row over a few days and I will be taking it with me to my NOTY quilt group for a day of hand stitching. Yep all ready to go and I got it finished....
I'm really happy with it.




Now I have to go and add to the houses row to match this width. I have made the quilts for on the line as well.....

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

My mums crochet finish

I have been working on my mums left over projects and have got this blanket finished....
Now I have to sort out all these blankets and give them to the ones that I think need, want and deserve them.... It will take time.
It has worked out to be a great blanket.... This went to my Sister In Law...
Yes she loves it

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Boxy Zipper purses....

Friday night I finished the hand sewing on these little purses.
They were so much fun to make and so very cute....
I was given some zips from Liz....
http://thevillagequilters.blogspot.com.au
She asked if I could make some things for the Kilmore Trade Table.. These are some of what I will do. I might make some bigger ones or the triangle ones... Mmmmmm

I received one as a gift a while back and Sheila
http://sewcookandtravel.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/2015-rsc-july-red-week-3-teeny-tiny.html
has made more. They look so cute. I followed her link to this you tube tutorial.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLnClduDucKI6r931PnqDew-9bJKU2AsIo&v=OwyCPwYt-Mw
You can also print the pattern. They can be made in any size once you know how. &&&&& don't be scared of the zip. It was easy....

OPAM= 12
FNWF

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Knitting BEANIES

I have been busy knitting BEANIES for the homeless
I have been talking to Carmen from NOTY quilters and she has been knitting for the homeless. So with mums yarn that I have brought home and this cold weather I have been knitting too. Here is where I am at.
I hope they will be happy with them. They were a nice change from my sewing on these cold nights.

DONT FORGET THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IS



Go on over and link up too...


Wednesday, 5 August 2015

WIP flimsy is done

I have been having fun using up some scraps. They don't seem to be getting any less. I chose a free pattern from Bonnie Hunters blog. The Spider Web...
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2005/06/string-spider-web.html
I have enough papers and kite centres for 3 quilts.
Before I quilt this one I need some more practice with the Westalee rulers...


So I started playing around with some Westalee ruler quilting on my Santa Sack Swap gifts. I have 2 partners so there will be a lot of hidden work, snap shots and secret sewing happening.
You can just see some of the quilting patterns.



I am linking up with 

And
Vals Tuesday Archives


Monday, 3 August 2015

Mmmm well my past few days

My good machine was in getting a service and readjustment with timing issues and other stuff.
Well my hubby and I decided to go shopping for Basil, our bus...... So off to Mildura we headed. Only a 5 hour drive, night in a motel, dinner at a pub, shopping the next day and home. It was so good.
I crocheted all the way there and back. I am making a baby shawl for my stepsons girlfriends baby....

Hubby and I had a great time talking and laughing, telling stories and just communicating... A great trip....

We got what we wanted for Basil. Hopefully can go away in him again soon.

When we hot home I had a call from the sewing machine shop. My machine is ready... Whoo hoo....
I miss my sewing and quilting. I really haven't had it here for a month...
Here I go to pick it up. Off an hour away to Coburg and talk to the technician.... All is good. Seems ok.. So while I was in the area I thought I'd go to Darn Cheap fabrics shop. I hadn't been there before but it was only 10 minutes down the road... So glad I did. What a bargain I got....
27 metres for only $107.
These will be great for any male quilts I have to do... What a great price....
These were only $5 per metre

And this lovely Xmas fabric was only $2 a metre. Of course I bought the whole lot left on the bolt... Yep 9.5 metres. Watch out for all the projects this will be used in...
I will definitely be going there again........


Then I got home and tried my machine.
I was trying to get it to work with the new Westalee rulers and foot to do great quilting.... I had been having trouble with it..... But guess what. It worked.... The tech got it right..
My machine sewed with any fabric, threads and foot. It was great. I even enjoyed using metallic, invisible, silk, sulky, quilting, rassant and whatever other threads I had. They all worked...