FEBRUARY 5 OPAM's

My 5 OPAMs for February are...

Aussie Hero Laundy Bag

2.... Quilted purse.

3 & 4..... Fat 1/4 aprons x 2

5..... Star fruit pin cushion

Thanks Peg and Kris for keeping us motivated.
http://happyinquilting.blogspot.com.au

I didn't get my 2 quilts completely bound today... Not much to do on them really. They will be the first finishes of March....

Meeting friends in GISBORNE

We had a great day today. Meeting with friends at Gisborne, Patch n Quilt , having lunch, sewing and exchanging gifts is always  fun. This time our gifts were to be a BIRD theme. I try to make mine fun. 

My gift is ready......... Where are the birds......

I do not do a lot of stitching so I thought my OWL was cute enough. She can watch your sewing items and be used as pin cushion.

Isn't she cute. My little OWL with matching bags..

I also put in a little shopping bag that folds into another little bag. Great to keep in the bottom of your bag or glove box for that unexpected purchase. We all do it.

A little bag in another bag. Birds are all around

Here is everyone having fun.
Well if only I could get the attention of Annie

Everyone at the table but Annie was too busy with her project...

Look at Shez always having fun

Everyone enjoying their swap gifts

Beautiful gifts received.

Here I am in the Queens chair opening my swap gift from Christine... 

Look at these wonderful gifts everyone made for the swaps....

My purchases from Curly Tree in Wentworth...

I am finally getting around to doing a post to show you what I bought.
Some of you might know that I do a lot of scrapbooking too. I am currently working on a years life journal. This is something that I don't really do often. RECORDING EVERY DAY THINGS I DO. So I thought I would give it a go..
First up ... My purchase.

Alphabet rubber stamps, WASHI tape and a lit tin.
From the Curly Tree in Wentworth...

The start of my journal.

I have made a start on my journal.

My workspace

A paper pack for Xmas from my friend Sue...

And this is what I'm up to now.....

Pages for January...

Some finished pages for February 

It's amazing when you take a photo you notice the mistakes. I forgot to add an entry.
My day in the city with my daughter. Watching Zumba and having lunch was not written in. I will be definitely fixing that soon.....


My scrapbooking group is a great inspiration to help me along... We meet once a month. We should have all of February decorated but that hasn't happened. Hopefully I can catch up by next month...

MakeApage scrapbooking in Kilmore...
https://www.facebook.com/makeapagescrapbooking/

Quilting fun

I have been busy quilting 2 quilts....

Firstly is an Aussie Hero Quilt.... My friend, Sue, made the top for me years ago in trade for me doing some quilting for her...  It was a square sized quilt. I pulled some off the side and added it to the top. Yep it fits the Aussie Hero size... Its now quilted.... I'll get to the binding soon....

Aussie Hero quilt

Then I went all out on my Wonky Starburst quilt. It is my February UFO project. I did some whacky quilting. Free motion and in a dark thread. It's not perfect, straight, even or neat but I like it. It's a quilt that will hopefully used. I wanted it to be fun. I was outside my comfort zone using a dark thread but it's ok...
Look here to find out about my UFOs...... UFO LIST

Out there FMquilting

Wonky Starburst February UFO

Then, looking through photos on my phone I came across one of Shez when we were having a cuppa at a near by cafe... Gee Shez, what were we talking about.... Arms crossed and all..... Haha
This is a lovely cafe in Drysdale. Will definitely be going back there again... CAFE ZOO

SHEZ at Cafe ZOO....

There are some lovely people in the world.

A friend from down the street brings me some flowers from her garden every year. 

She says I get the first bunch of the lot.

Lorraine also just received a Citizen of the Year award. She does so much for everyone in the town.

 I think this is who will be getting the quilt I am working on at the moment.

Aren't these Gladioli gorgeous...

My beautiful flowers from Lorraine sitting on the quilt I got from Denice for my SSCS 15.
And of course with a photo of my mum. It would have been her birthday today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

Then I had some lovely happy mail too.

I have been making and sending off Aussie Hero quilts for about 18 months now. One happy recipient, Michelle, was so thrilled she posted me a lovely gift.

A beautiful Afgan wrap

A gorgeous Afgan Wrap. I feel so lucky.

 and an ornate little vase.....

An Afgan vase to say THANKYOU

This was the quilt I sent her.

Trip Around the World

Monday sewing day with friends...

I have a busy week with catching up with all my sewing groups.
Today was with my Monday APATCHE quilters of Gisborne.
We are only a small group but a great group of friends....
This is what I did..

Star Fruit pin cushion

Sewed a Star Fruit Pin Cushion..... Sue from kiwikidspage    has made quite a few and I was interested in finding out how they went together. I found a tutorial by Claire STAR FRUIT CUSHION TUTORIAL....
It was really easy to follow. Once you got into it a bit the cushion went together well. When I was putting the filling in I also added dried lavender. When it is handled it will release a beautiful scent. Now I know how to make them I probably won't make any more unless I need something for a gift..

Sitting on a cushion

And I got my Splendid Sampler Block 3 done too.  http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/2016/02/21/block-3-lots-of-love/

Splendid Sampler... Block 3

Next I basted an Aussie Hero quilt ready for me to work on tomorrow...

Oh what a Sunday...

As I lay here watching Molly on TV I am reflecting on my day...

I went into the sewing room this morning and finished my talking book. I listen to this to give me some relax time. So while I was listening I did some great sewing...

Firstly, I redid and finished my block 2 of the Splendid Sampler blocks...
http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/2016/02/17/block-2-wings-2/

I wasn't happy with one of the corners with the butterflies. The colours just didn't work for me.. So after I worked the stitching for the antennas I unpicked some... The gold coloured butterfly didn't work but once I changed it around the blue floral did...

Block 2.. Splendid Sampler.....
This is the corner I unpicked

I spun the block in the corner from the yellow butterfly to the patterned blue design. Good choice.

I am happy with the changes I have made.
Spinning the block was a good idea...

Now I am happy with what I have done...

Next I worked on 2 aprons that I need for some birthday presents next week.

I have been looking for this pattern for a while and a member of the Kilmore quilters  group sent me a link of the pattern her mum used...

So here it is...

http://peanutlifeadventures.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/diamond-apron.html
This is what I followed

Well this is what I did and I finished the two of them. All be it I still had some hand stitching to do...

Oops don't forget to angle the straps at 45 deg.... I didn't on my first but the second sits so much better.

Look at the angle I have put the neck straps. These ones work 

Here one  is finished 

Now I am sewing on the buttons....

Sewing on the buttons to make them finished..

 And they are done..

Aprons are finished

Next on the list was to finish my little purse..

The hand stitching binding is done and the press stud is on. It's finished...

The binding being done...

Sewing the binding, press stud and finishing

My little purse is finished

I also got some patches sewn on to my hubbies blanket. We started it years ago. I think when hubby started the Ulysses Motorcycle group. Every where  he has been in Australia... on his bike has a patch and there are extras from our trip overseas....

So I finally got to add the last additions of his HOG memberships...

Tony's motorbike quilt.
I originally bought a wool blanket from the local op shop to 

Here is another Aussie Hero Laundry bag.. The matching quilt will be finished this week...

Aussie Hero Laundry Bag

FNSI results....

FNSI.... after a nap, dinner and a couple of drinks I was in the mood for sewing.... This is what happened....

I worked/started on my SPLENDID SAMPLER blocks.... It was very hard for me to decide what fabric to use. I think I will go with scraps. I have so many of them. I am sure so many others have too much too. I might even put it towards an AUSSIE HERO QUILT......
Block 1.....was fairly easy to do. The hardest part was which way to applique...
So I decided on Machine Blanket Stitch....

http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/2016/02/14/block-1-hearts-aflutter/

Block 1... Splendid Sampler.....

Block 2..... Half square triangles and butterflies.
This is what I normally do.........
Well, when I use so many half square triangles, especially when they are small. I find it so much
easier to make 8 units at a time...
No Bias Edges at all.  I follow this tutorial and it has worked every time.
Even if I get left overs it doesn't matter. They go into another block eventually.....
Go and have a look here. But remember it does give you 8 half square triangles any size you want....
http://chezstitches.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/the-magic-8-revisited.html
BUT NOT THIS TIME....
I have decided to use scrap fabrics and didn't want 8 the same colour fabrics. I found a bag of leftover ones already done... All I had to do was trim them to size....
http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/2016/02/17/block-2-wings-2/
Now all I have to do is the embroidered antennae.

Block 2 ..  Splendid Sampler ... Butterflies

On Saturday I found this little kit to make a purse. I started putting it together and am now sitting here doing a bit of hand quilting with perle thread...

Little purse kit

.

Back home and ready for FNSI with Wendy and loads of other crafters....

I have just got home from catching up with Sue and Shez at the Ballarine Patchworkers at Portarlington yesterday. They are a lovely group of women and I will enjoy going again another time. I didnt do much stitching so I haven't taken a photo of my work...
Sorry for the blurry photos. Not sure what happened this time. Anyway Sue wasn't very well and didn't stay too long. A sleep was needed. There seems to be a lot of the flu going around at the moment....

Sue is very interested in this quilt that was being shown.

Shez loving this wedding ring quilt..

Shez I just had to crop the photo.. I couldn't do it.....
The show and tell was lovely. I'm sure when Shez gets home there will be some photos shown on her blog... She took only a few this time.,we were busy laughing and talking. It was a good day.

I then headed off to my brothers for the night. Not long after I left sewing I realised I had left behind my portable wifi on charge. After a few phone calls I found that the group met again that evening so I could go back. Luckily my brothers was only 10 minutes away. Wifi retrieved and had a fun night. No stitching though...

Home now and ready for a nap BEFORE.......

Well tonight is the night.... FNSI...
I was supposed to be having a visitor and out for dinner but unfortunately she is very sick so is staying home in bed recovering.
But now for me I can join in...
http://www.sugarlane-designs.com/2016/02/fnsi-sign-ups-for-february.html

Ill be doing my splendid sampler blocks...

 I can't wait to get started...

More photos from Mildura

When I was in Mildura a week ago my friend and I had a stroll through the Botanical Gardens in Buronga. Even though it was 39 degrees it was still nice to see the natural plants and trees.

Take a look.

The bees love this flower

A beautiful yellow flower

Beautiful flowering gums

A beautiful yellow flowering gum

A gum nut seed after opening

A Gum Nut before it is open

Look at the Pelican that entertained us during lunch at the lovely Riverside Cafe.
We even saw him catch a fish.
 You can also see the large Carp that are swimming around waiting for some food.

 

The beautiful CHAFFEY HOUSE, now part of the Art Gallery and Theatre.
There is even a Kookaburra sitting on the fountain