HEXIES ON THE GO.

A few years back I went on a Needlework tours cruise.
This is one of the classes I did...
This is Jane Macdonald's quilt that hopefully one day mine will be like.

This is where I first posted about it.
https://jobutterfield.blogspot.com/2014/02/sashiko-with-jane-macdonald.html

Here are the first 2 blocks I have made. I made the first one about 4-5 years ago.

I did have go intentions to finish this quilt.

And here is No. 2 block. I made this one last May.

Then I lost them

I am getting there with the 3rd little Hexies made this month.

Here they are all together. Each one will have a different outside fabric but the centres will all be the same.

 I need a total of 8

I'll be linking up with Sarah to show off my Hexies.
If you want to see what others are making check out her blog

http://sarahdidit.blogspot.com

New machine & Bonnie Hunter Mystery

BORO BAG IS DONE.

My fat quarter was stitched and trimmed. The handles are a good match.

I have chosen this double side fabric for the top binding.

It was used in the bag and matches perfectly.

Well, my bag is all finished. The handles are on.

I LOVE IT.

I have already used it and I want to make more.

I started with a fat quarter size, added some wadding and a RED apple backing for the lining.

At least I was still keeping with JANUARYs theme colour.

Stitched all my BORO then just folded it in half and sewed the side seams.

Did my dog ear corners on the base, pleated and bound the top.

Added handles and here you have a beautiful bag.

Now I want to stitch some more BORO.

I'll decide on a starting size.  I might make a pouch with a plastic top.

Red pouch... RED, RED RED...

Stitching plastic is a bit tricky as it sticks to the machine bed.
Easily fixed.
I placed a sheet of telephone book paper under the plastic as I sewed. This made it slide s o easy.
Then when I had finished the paper just tears away.
Here I am biding the top and bottom edge of the plastic to fish the edges nicely.
The zip also is easier to fit onto the binding edge too.

My pouch is all done and is a great size.

It is a good size and having the plastic at the top you can easily see what is in there.



And here is my new pouch ready to use... 

I am still keep in theme with Angela @ Socrappy for this month is RED.
http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2019/01/scraphappy-saturday-3.html

RUBY RED BUTTERFLIES.

ITS RED MONTH WITH ANGELA.

I am sewing my scraps together.

Just throw them into the work table and go for it.

Look at the pile of nothing.

Just sew all those crumbs together. You don't need many to get a piece the size you need.

Start cutting the made fabric into the sizes I needed.

All the red scraps work nicely together.

Here is one of my CREATE YOUR OWN BOM with Deana for January
Have a look at what Deana is up to
http://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/2019/01/create-your-own-bom-linky-progress-party.html

I am loving how these butterflies are looking

I'm linking up with Angela for a super RED scrappy time over @

http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2019/01/scraphappy-saturday-3.html

Get the butterfly pattern

 https://www.canuckquilter.com/2017/02/rsc-butterfly-block-tutorial.html

It is an easy to follow tutorial.

I have also linked up with Cynthia with my scraps sewing.
http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/2019/01/oh-scrap-more-rsc-blocks.html

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY BIG BROTHER

While we have been having a heat wave of 110 deg F and above 40 deg C my family caught up for something happy. Yes, to celebrate my big brothers 60th birthday. This is the first time in 10 years we have new together for something good. A photo taken back then inspired us to take another one.

After the recent family woes it was a good weekend despite the heat.

The brother on the right, with the hat on, was birthday boy.
His lovely daughter, my niece made this fantastic cake.
Yes my brother loves camping and 4 wheel driving.
The party was at his bush home block which is about 20 acres.

Check out this cake. It was so yummy

As you can see I am the shortest and youngest out of the bunch.
I am just aver 5'10" tall. So they are big.
After laughing so much and many photos taken we managed to get this one which I am happy with.



We had a very late night, then up next morning and set off for the drive home. It took about 7 hours because we were very tired and driving in to the sun in our bus with the big windscreen was a bit uncomfortable and very draining. We didn't get to say good bye as birthday boy was still asleep.
My brother on the left is in his way home to Darwin via Queensland. The long way home probably over 4,000 kms. 
My brother on the right is the one we travel, holiday and see all the time. He headed off home down south a few hours.

It was a great time until the next one.
WE ARE FAMILY.

Quilt Shop shopping.

Some happy shopping.
While I have been away I needed to by all different fat quarters for our groups birthday swap.
We had Aboriginal, Japanese birds, 1930's, Kaffe Fasset, Japanese print.
I also grabbed some eye Spy blocks too.
They were in packs of 20 pieces. A fun boys pack and an Australian animal pack.

We have about 16 in the group.
There were a few double ups with what peaople wanted so I bought either a half metre or a full metre. Cut it up and I can have the leftovers.

When it's HOT, HOT, HOT.

WOW, we are having a real heatwave at the moment.

Look at this temperature today after work.

We were away at my brothers camping this weekend. YES, IN THIS HEAT.

You can't change birthdays so when there is a 60th you just have to celebrate.

Look at the week ahead.

Not much else to say but you don't know how much you appreciate electricity until you really need it.

Amitie in Torquay

I have seen lots of photos of this quilt.

****Sorry about the frosty photos****

My Hubby loved this pattern so it was bought. Maybe I might get to make it.

These are both great patterns to use up orphan blocks.

We had a lovely lunch their too.

Jen was also there and we had a good chat to her.

She liked how I had done the Gypsy Wife quilt with the groups Orphan Blocks.

I finally found the handles I needed/wanted to finish my BORO bag.

Don't they just go perfectly.

Now to get it sewn.

If you are around Torquay stop in at this lovely shop.

https://www.amitie.com.au

It is also a cafe that serves beautiful lunches. 

Has for for the partners to sit and have a coffee while you shop.

The staff are friendly, it is open and bright.

Xmas knitting & a Xmas Gift..... THANKYOU

I knitted these Xmas stockings for all my work colleagues. They are filled with lollies.

I enjoy the Xmas cheer of giving.

Everyone had a smile on their faces so it was worth it.

Thank you to Maria for my lovely Xmas Gnome Mug Rug.
https://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com
It sits beside my machine and will be used daily.

I SEE RED

I have rejoined BLOCK LOTTO.

Here is my first block - FIREBALL.

As it is red I am also including this as a RSC project.

http://www.blocklotto.com/2019/01/januarys-block-fireball-uneven-log-cabin/

These will be my blocks I am sending for the draw.

They could include RED, PINK or ORANGE.

Sewing along with Angela @ SoScrappy.

This month is red.

http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2019/01/rsc19-tiny-tuesday-block-1.html

Having a play around with a new block. Having fun with scraps of red.

Quilting butterflies & the HEAT

We are sitting here in the stinking hot today. It is a cool (haha) 45 deg Celsius or 113 deg Fahrenheit.
Of all days as I am cleaning my sewing room and reevaluating my projects for the year and don't want to venture outside.
The air con keeps tripping the fuse so outside we go and keep flicking it back on.
Hubby is outside checking it out. Cleaning everything we can. Fingers crossed it stays on this time.
If we have to call a technician he won't be able to get here until next week.

So off to put on a movie and sit in front of a fan. Then try to do a little sewing.

BUT FOR YOU TO LOOK AT.
You probably have had enough of seeing these quilts but they are together. Finished and ready to be delivered for my friend to sew the binding then gift away.

I think my photos are out of order but here I am working on the quilting. 

They both took a few days to do but I enjoyed stitching them.

And here they are done.

I am very happy with them.

I have passed them on to their maker and she loves them.

BOM SIGNS UPS & a great start to the NEW YEAR.

Deana, who I have been following for a few years now, has this great SAL going on.

You choos the BOM you want to work on.. Sew away and each month link up and shadow others what you are doing.

Deana has a great selection she is doing herself so you could SAL with her too.

Link ups are 2 times a month and sign ups close on January 15.
So go along, have a read and join in.

https://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/12/join-2019-create-your-own-bom.html

I loved making these curved log cabin blocks a few years back.

They use up the tiniest strips. Some are less than an inch.

Have a look at this post to see more about them.

https://jobutterfield.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-orange-blocks-are-done.html

I want to get back to some more of these butterfly blocks. They are great for kids quilts, gifts and charity makes. Also, a great way to get rid of more scraps.

https://jobutterfield.blogspot.com/2017/06/scrappy-blogs-yellows-have-ran-out.html

Here is the tutorial I followed that Joanne has done.

http://www.canuckquilter.com/2017/02/rsc-butterfly-block-tutorial.html

I also sew along with SO SCRAPPY
http://superscrappy.blogspot.com

THIS MONTH IS RED.

I am on holidays still so hopefully I'll get some sewing in and make a start.

If I set aside 1 project a weekend I must just get some done.