Hi everyone. I’m still here

 You will need a drink, coffee or wine, whichever you choose, enjoy the following. 

This is a catch up of what I have been doing. There will be lots of photos from the last couple of weeks all in no particular order. I can’t believe that we have been in lockdown, restricted movements and I still can’t keep up with blogging. My motivation is low but hopefully with some nicer weather this may improve.

I have loads of ideas, plenty of UFO’s, projects planned and no need to shop. I have everything to make them. The fabric & time but no oomph.

It needs to change. ANYWAY, here is something to report.

Here is my finished bell with another one I was gifted. It was easy to make. And didn’t really take long. 

My friend came over to choose fabrics for masks for the kids to go back to school but you couldn’t see my sewing table, sewing room or move anywhere so a clean up was necessary. This is it now..

Now I can start to sew again. Making some masks for a work friend and her children. Kids are back to school but must wear a mask. This family wants fun ones to enjoy. 

This is what they chose.

Here are the finished masks for the kids to go back to school. She liked them so much that I need to make another rainbow stripe for her.

You all remember the panel, Australian animals, I sent to the USA for the swap I was in. Well, here we are on a public holiday, MELBOURNE CUP DAY, I get a knock at the door and it was a delivery. A parcel from the USA. Excitement set in. I was amazed when this parcel arrived. LOOK AT THAT COST. Just ridiculous. I was so shocked and thrilled at the same time. I raced in and opened it straight away.

Look at the beautiful panel I received from Mona. Thank you. It is perfect and I am a purple fan.

I will make this into a quillow and use it when I am watching tv. If I line the pocket part with polar fleece I can use this as a pocket to keep my feet warm. It is the perfect size.

I also took part in their FALL/AUTUMN mug rug swap. I don’t like doing just square items so I change them a little bit. I saw this design on the end of a table runner and thought it was perfect. I’m so happy with how it worked out. 

This is the beautiful mug rug I received.

 Looks like we were thinking along the same lines. How fun is this.

This is the fat 1/4 I won from QATW for a visit and comment I made on one of their posts. Lucky me. This will definitely get used.

We have been meeting up in the park for our sewing group. It is hard to sew in a camp chair without a little help. I bought this bed tray years ago from an op shop for about $5. It is finally getting some use.

What makes it even more special is I have been using my new zippered placemat with it and it fits perfectly. Now everyone wants to make one.

Even the ducks came for a visit.

Our group has a birthday fat 1/4 gift swap. This is how I packaged mine this month.

Now the year is over I have to find another way to wrap a fat 1/4 that is using something I have at home. I find it hard just to put it in an envelope. Maybe, I could make boxes using my birthday cards they have given me. Oh, that’s a great idea. Problem solved. This just came to me as I was typing so I might just give it a go and post a picture later if the fabric fits in the small box. 

I had a lovely friend come over for the morning. 

Before we got into the planned activity I was notified of a local garage sale. So off we headed. There wasn’t any quilting fabric like we expected but we both managed to purchase something.

My friend bought some pieces of vinyl which she uses in her pin cushions and I bought these. Some ribbons/braids, felt, bias making bars. I already have the Templar plastic ones but another set wouldn’t hurt. Also got some more zips. These are always handy for when I make bags of all sizes or the new style zippered placemats. All this for only $5.00. 

A real bargain.

Back home now for the purpose of the visit.

My friend brought her die for me to cut out heaps of hexies. 

A start on a new project. 

Why do I keep starting them… 

She was amazing and I appreciate her time and help. Now to sew them

Papers and fabrics are all cut for my future project.

I am organised and have some hand stitching to take to my sewing meeting nights or even zoom, Chooky, for quite a while.

So this is where I’m at. Hexie sewing. Who would have believed it. Gotta start somewhere.

I can say that I will not be making a quilt with these and will never in the future. 

This is not me!

Good on you all for your EPP sewing. It is amazing and I appreciate your work.  

Enjoy it and happy sewing.

Birthday fat quarter happiness

 I’m finally getting around to taking a photo of all the fat quarters I was given over the past 2 months for my birthday. I chose Batiks as I do not have any. I have not ever bought any for myself so what better way to get a good selection.

Don’t they look great

Oops, a late comer

Now, I have no idea what I will do with them but I am sure there will be a project or workshop that will turn up one day. I won’t or shouldn’t have to buy any more... or just maybe.

Thank you to the members of my quilt group.

Birthday fat quarter parcels & my BLOG BOOK

 My quilt group has a thing going on for any member that wants to take part. You put your name on the list at the start of the year , nominate a fat quarter you want and the year begins. My choice is BATIKs as I don’t have any. You get the list and each month at our gathering when it’s your birthday you receive fat quarter from everyone on the list. This year we have 17 on the list.

I have decided to make it fun and make a special gift wrapping for them.

Aren’t these fun. They are made out of one sheet of scrapbooking paper (a thick one). Then add a simple square to keep the top together. I have used this as the name tag too. 

I think they are cute... These ones were for the January members. We don’t have anyone in February so I can get a lot of them made during this month to be ahead of time.

MY BLOG BOOK.

I had last years blog posts printed into a book. I was so excited when it arrived in the Mail. It’s not as big as all the other years. Just goes to show I didn’t do many posts or much sewing through the COVID year.

About time I did a catch up post after being missing in action for 2 weeks.

I know I haven't posted for 2 weeks but here is a catch up.

Well, isn't it a strange time we are all living. Social distancing. I can surely say that there are so many people around that do not understand what this means. 

All I seem to be doing is working (I am one of the lucky ones to still have a job) then coming home exhausted, not seeing anyone and not doing anything during the week. 

I spent the long weekend in March painting some feature walls in my house and hanging picture frames. We have lived here 4 years now and I have only decided what I wanted to do.

My daughter and family were supposed to come up here for a weeks holiday but that's not allowed atm.. so we have to wait. It's very disappointing but we are catching up on facetime. No cuddles with the grandies...

Okay, so it was the EASTER weekend and I spent 2 days catching up on filing, sleeping, cleaning out cupboards, linen press but not my sewing room.

I finally got around to taking some photos and doing some sewing.

I hope you enjoy this catch up and unusual long post from me. Please sit down, relax and enjoy the read.

It was my birthday in early March and at my quilt group we have a swap on. 

I was lucky enough to be given some fat quarters at the end of Feb, well before stay at home social distancing started. These are only half the amount I will receive. I suppose its something to look forward to when we can meet up again, receiving the rest.

Anyway thanks to those who gave these beautiful 1930's fat 1/4's.

I think they might be used in my Farmers Wife quilt.

I have made a few masks and here is my selfie.

I know hairdressers are still working but at this time I do not think they are essential and do not want to be too close to them knowing the amount of people they are in contact with.

So I have to deal with the messy hair...

At least my nose and face are covered if need be..

This is what I ended up making. A total of 15. I have given them out to a few people at work. Not that we have to wear them yet but there are some that want them and I'd like to have them ready.
There are so many free patterns and tutorials around and this was the one I was happy with.
I like the ties because they can fit any size head. The elastic ones would make annoy my ears.



I wanted to sew a little project for a bit of fun.
I had a small strip of QAYG left over from an Aussie Hero quilt ( next post ) and didn't want to throw it away. I also have a big tub of zips. I searched Pinterest and came across a great site with lots of free patterns and tutorials 

Make a cuppa and have a browse
https://thesewingloftblog.com/100-free-zipper-pouch-patterns/

I saw these on a blog a while ago. I thought I would make some for gifts. I already had the shelf liner and of course, plenty of fabric. They were quick and easy to make..


Have a look here.
https://scrapatches.blogspot.com/2014/11/easy-sew-jar-openers.html

I cut them about 6-7" square depending on the size of shelf liner you have. Just cut it to get the most out of the piece. I back it with 2 pieces of fabric so when sewn and turned the seams are enclosed. I have added ribbon for the loop. I can hang one on a hook on my fridge so it can be easily found.
Here is one pictured with a Vegemite jar so you can see the size.



I've finished a few more jar grippers. These are great gifts and not too much to put in the post. I'm happy I've made a great start for the gift box.



I am doing the number draw afor my quilt group. Here is where we are at. I did a short video of the drawing so it could be put on Facebook. I'm not on there so another member put it up for the rest of the group to see. We putit in our newsletter every month so are always a month ahead.



No. 12 APRIL UFO PROJECT is to make 2 BORO bags.
Here is the first one. All the pieces are hand stitched. Now for the bag .


I actually got this project bag finished. Zip an all. Last time I made this pouch I was putting the zip in and I trimmed the size. HAHA, I cut the zipper pull off but not this time. That mistake is embedded in my brain to not do it again.. Here is my number 12 project finished. I did have on my list to get 2 finished in April but I'm not sure of that. I will try and get another Boro piece laid out and start to stitch it of a night. I think I will make it into a smaller bag.



I am so glad it is the weekend. I have had such a busy week at work but I cannot complain ... at least I still have a job. I am looking forward to a sleep in, some sewing and some good food.

We have not been allowed to eat out for a while and I was getting sick of the usual sandwiches so today I had a bit of fun. I put together a beautiful platter that I enjoyed very much. I called it my isolation, social distancing and celebrating life lunch. Boy did I enjoy it.



Now I am in the mood for some sewing.

I have had my Bookcase quilt blocks up on my wall for months now. It's about time I got started with something to get them finished but I didn't know how I wanted it to look. Finally an idea has come to mind so a rearrange happened. Of course that meant I need to make some more blocks. I'm doing that at the same time as I sew the rows together with the new layout. All I need to do is figure out where the book title selvages will be placed.

I have started to put the book titles on some books using selvages. There is also a book bark added to one.

I split some blocks and added black to each side so the shelves weren't over crowded. 

2 rows joined and looking good.

Hopefully I'll get some more done tomorrow as I sit and listen to an audio book.

QATW April UFO challenge was no 1. -- My Bookcase quilt...

This is the link to QATW.

https://www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/forum/

Hopefully I can get a post done about the AUSSIE Hero quilt & Laundry Bag I have completed and posted off.

KEEP A DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS, STAY HOME & KEEP SAFE...

Convergence . Red White and Blue for an AUSSIE HERO.

Using up my birthday fat quarters and continuing on with my Convergence quilt.

This is where I am at.

I can see it in my head but getting it where I want it is another thing...

Oh boy. All those flying geese are taking forever. Paper foundation piecing has its place but this is a lot of work.

I have had a play and need to make this block longer to make the size required.
This quilt needs to be around 42" x 72"
The original block was not square. It was about an inch off.
So I had to think of some way to make it longer.
First up I thought to add a row top and bottom BUT I was in a workshop the other weekend and throwing around ideas it was suggested to only add rows to the bottom.
So here goes.

So far I'm happy with where it is going.

Birthday fat 1/4s

With my birthday being nearly 2 months ago I have finally got all my fat quarters from my sewing group. Look at them all. It's good how your birthday seems to go on and on.......



Look at these great fat quarters I now have to play with. I'm sure I will have fun with them.

Only 2 were the same.

Now what will I do.???

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.

Convergence... Scrappy Strings

Okay,

My convergence quilt centre is now in one piece ......

What to do with it now.

I'll have to put my thinking cap on.

I want to make this into an AUSSIE HERO QUILT 

But to work out how to make it longer..

This is where I got my inspiration from --- http://adventuresinquiltingandsailing.blogspot.com/2010/04/ricky-timms-convergence-quilt-workshop.html 
It was a great help with the photos and instructions.

While I have been doing my stitching over the last couple of weeks I have been making string blocks.

These will be made into a string half square triangle block for CHARITY.

I will be working on these for a while.

These will be something I'll be showing my group and hopefully they will be joining  in too.

This was what I showed them on a weekend away.
EASY AND EFFECTIVE

Convergence 2

I got back to this after a week or two.

Opened up the strips and started sewing them back together.

All stitched and looking very different.

Guess what now. Yep, cross cut them again

Reposition them