Might be sick with the flu but I can still sew to pass away some time.

I've been off work for a couple of days with the flu. So I spent some time each day finishing off this secret sewing project..

I'm relieved it's done before the deadline.
Always a great feeling.
The binding is done and photos have been taken.

At home for the weekend

I came home from a lovely week away on  Friday and joined in on FNWF.....
It was a relaxing night doing some stitching and knitting..
Firstly, I sewed up all 12 of the dishcloths I made while I was away... They are great to go in the gift box & I just love using them myself. The new flower pattern was very quick and easy to follow. I am happy with the way they have turned out..
You can get the pattern from HERE

After they were done I went on with some little stitcheries that have been sitting around for a while. It's time to get them done..... They now need to be put into some cute decorations....

Then for some secret sewing.......

Grab a cuppa and have a look at what everyone else got up to...
http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/fnwf.html

Thanks Chez for the SAL......

My weekend continued with sewing binding, binding and binding on my AUSSIE HERO QUILT. This quilt is a QAYG. A new technique for me and lots of binding... A whole 676".....

http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au

I have been making these for a few months now and get great pleasure out of it. I find the challenge of new ideas is what keeps me interested....

So for slow Sunday stitching I am linking up with Kathy and many more...

http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/slow-sunday-stitching.html

And for Monday link ups have a look here

http://www.supermomnocape.com/2015/07/06/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-13/

my day at NOTY

Today I went to the NOTY group & I joined as member. I hope to get there once a month due to the drive, even though they meet every week. It takes about 1 1/2 hours for me to get there but it's a great day out. The ladies are so friendly and welcoming.
I have even booked in for my first class next month. How exciting.....
Thanks Kris for taking me.
It was also great that I met a few people I have crossed paths with.
Rosalie from Kilmore quilters. Can't ever remember meeting her but it was great to talk today. I know she follows my blog.. (thanks Liz).
Carmen, I met at the Phillip Island retreat in the same workshop as me.
June, who was at a retreat last year in my home town.
Jackie, who I have emailed a few times. Can't wait for the school holidays to have a real chat.
Lastly, I caught up with Anita. Can't wait for my first class.
Sorry if I missed anyone. It is very hard to remember names, especially for the first time. It was great meeting you all.
Anyway, I took some hand sewing... Hexies. Mmmmm but what will I be doing with them. you will all have to wait and see.

I had a busy day yesterday doing my homework for my next QUILT AS YOU GO class.
We had to complete all the blocks we required. For me I need a total of 32 blocks. 4x8 blocks.
It is a strange size but I will be making this for an AUSSIE HERO quilt.
To get the length I am putting a strip across the centre.
Guess who it is be made for..  Hi request was green..... I know I have put in florals but I have used up a lot of scraps.... It is still a quilt to be used.

My blocks, borders and batting are all ready to go. The best part is I'm not doing it at the last minute. Plenty of time to spare. Class date is the 24th June...

I am linking this post with

http://www.freshlypieced.com/2015/06/wip-wednesday-dyi-ing.html

http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/ntt-oops-and-two-june-giveaways.html

http://sarahdidit.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/help-for-hexie-aholics-61715.html

FNSI, secret sewing, zipper purse, 12" block swap & Maple Leaf

Well, on Friday I spent sorting and finishing off a few projects. Some I can show you some I can't......

I am also linking up with FNSI over at

 http://sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/fnsi-sign-ups-for-friday-night-sew-in.html

There are quite a lot of great things happening if you spend the time having a look at everyone's blogs. It's very interesting reading and good inspiration. Go on over to take a look.

Firstly, I finished some secret sewing. So I can only show a little sneak of it.... More photos will show up at a later date though...

Secondly, I thought I'd give this little gift a go. All you end is a zip and a length of ribbon. Be happy to do some hand stitching. Mmmmm.... The hand stitching was ok but I'm not sure the time spent on it was worth it. Maybe someone else would think so but I will not be making another one. It is a very cute little purse though. Making it was not my cup of tea....

At the end of the night I started sewing another dishcloth and a face washer. My Kilmore group is getting together on Sunday and we will be working on little items to sell on our trade table at our quilt in and also preparing for items for next years quilt show. So I went through what I had and found lots of little goodies. If anyone at the group wants to make some I will be happy to show them how... I'm sure photos will come later.

My postie bought me a nice little surprise today. A lovely Maple Leaf 12" block from Petah.

Petah was my partner this month in the 12" block swap over at...

http://quiltingblockswapsaustralia.blogspot.com.au

6" & 12" Block swap & Santa Sack Swap

I have been working on my Santa Sack Swap and have finished a special gift BUT haha I cannot show you. It is a surprise gift. We know the swap partners but we can't give away the surprise of what we are making for their gifts. For that they have to wait until Xmas.....

Here is a sneak peak... Can you guess what it is ?????.

Then I had to get finished 2 * 6" double pinwheel blocks made for Shannon in the USA.

We are swap partners this month in the http://6inchblockswapsaustralia.blogspot.com.au 

Shannon wanted Kaffe Fasset fabric. This was well and truly out of my comfort zone. I went shopping and bought some fabric. It's not something I had at home. There it sat for 2 weeks. Soldier on and do it... So that's what I did..... Here they are......

And during the week I received my 12" Maple Leaf block from Anna. We had been partners in January in the Paper pieced Swap so it was good to have contact again. All Anna had to do was make 1 * 12" block. To my surprise she made 3  blocks, added in a 6" block too. But wait, there's more.. A cute little coaster in the shape of a Maple Leaf. It is so cute. I am already using it.

So go and have a look at all these swaps HERE

Slow stitching / knitting Sunday

This Sunday I worked on a few projects and linked up with Kathy at
http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/slow-stitching-sunday.html

First up was some much needed paperwork for the accountants visit this week. Something we have to do but not much fun. So then to relax........

Some secret hand stitching with a button 

and bindings...

I have done a lot of machine & hand stitching this week so I wanted a break while I watched t.v. tonight. On to some knitting..... I was inspired by reading Sheila's blog
http://sewcookandtravel.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/2014-rsc-july-red-week-3.html

Each month she does a different colour dish cloth. I found some cotton knitting thread and off I went.

Thanks for your tips Sheila.