More scrap placemats, pin cushions and a little zipper coin purse

 I have another placemat to add to the pile. This makes no. 14 I think.

I have been asked to make them a bit smaller. I have been doing them 12”*18”. 

So I now am going to do them 10”*16”….

After finishing the backing for my large Bordertown B’s quilt I have use the last of the crumbs up.

I made 3 pin cushions making a total of 21.

And a cute little zippered coin purse. Of course, you can use it for anything. I might use it for my thimbles.

A little travel purse.

I loved the linen I used for my backpack so much I made a little purse. 

Watching the tutorial. Working out the zipper pocket.

Hand stitching the binding down.

A pretty flower magnetic clasp I bought in Japan.

It has 2 spaces for cards and can attach a key.

fits in notes and a zippered purse for coins

YouTube is wonderful for tutorials.

https://youtu.be/VexWce4Je8E?si=jmG0DU40wWpYnUGK

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...

More gifts I received....

I saw on Sue's blog she has tried some new clips for quilting....
http://kiwikidspage.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/and-so.html
Well isn't she so sweet.... She posted some to me for a gift..... I will be trying them...

Quilting clips from Sue to try

Then another friend made me some cute gifts....
A few years back I got out all me hand made Xmas decorations, quilts, table runners, tree skirts, wall hangings, table clothes ant placemats. It was so disappointing to find them all moody and rotten. Not sure how they got wet but they did. I tried washing, soaking and washing them but they didn't come good. They all went in the bin and after John I am slowly trying to make them all again. It takes a while to replace your own things when you are busy making gifts for everyone else. We always put ourselves last.... None the less I am getting there.
My sweet friend made this for me as she made it years ago as a gift. Now I have a replacement. It is special as I taught her how to sew and quilt. This is her first free motion quilted piece. Very special for me... Thanks Sue...
Sorry it's blurry. Not sure why...

My lovely Rudolf wall hanging. Made by Sue R....

A sweet little zipper purse. Made by Sue R...
 I helped show her how to put in the zipper

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

MAY OPAM & binding blitz

Here are all my finishes for MAY in one post

Here are my 1XiAM but there are 5

2 very quick Table Runners & 3 Bon Bons to put in those lovely chockies... Yummy.

My 3 COTTAGE GARDEN thread holders. I made one for my Gail Pan swap with my friends at a day out at the Geelong Quilt In, the other two are in the gift box or for the trade table during the year.

 My 4 scrappy pink thread catchers, my green scrappy zippered pouch, purse and journal cover, Xaviers Library Bag & a stitched note book cover

Then for the last of my items this month are my BLANKETS OF LOVE for Cheryll to take to the hospitals

BINDING BLITZ FOR MAY =  788"

http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com.au

OPAM or maybe a few more

I have made a few little items that I might be selling at a stall, some will be given to the trade table and some are gifts....
Here is another thread holder. It is a great size for the Cottage Craft threads. It holds 24.. Just using up more of my crumbs...

A friend has given me 10 zips to put towards making items for the trade table. I made this zipper pouch but I have to learn a better way to sew the ends. I had a bit of trouble. The little zipper purse doesn't take long to make. I do see most of it by hand though. I find it so much easier.

Lastly was a journal cover...

Over at Angela's the month of May is GREEN but April was PURPLE.

I didn't really get much done in these colours but every little bit helps.

The last Blue SATURDAY for JANUARY

On Saturday I worked with my blue scraps. It was the last Saturday for the month and before we started the new colour PINK for February. 

I managed to sew all of my crumbs. AMAZING. I never thought I would get through them.

I did all the machining SATURDAY then finished the hand work on Sunday.

Here is what I made and got finished too.

 Fabric bowls x 2

 Large zippered purse ( 50" binding )

Table runners x 2

I am linking up with ANGELA for So scrappy Saturday's. And say goodbye to the
BLUE MONTH

Sewing in the cool sewing room

I have done two block 1's today....there are a lot of pieces but I got there.

I made my own quilt design for the window. I strip pieced a block then cut it up to make a pinwheel.

Here is "Nancy's Cupboard" quilt shop to SWAP

And then there is "A Quilter's Home"  for me to keep.

I have also made two block 4's but they still need embellishing. Photos to come.....

The new row this month in Deana's Quilters Garden Mystery is QUILT SHOPS.

They are fun but a lot of pieces. Go and have a look at the other designs. There are 4.

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

I also received some happy mail today from Sheila from

http://sewcookandtravel.blogspot.com.au

I was Sheila's 100th follower on her blog so she sent me a little gift. A fabulous little zippered purse with crazy cats on it... As well as a pile of squares for me to use. 

I think these will go into my Bow Tie blocks.

I missed posting about this block I received from Susan..

It is the November STEAM THAT SEAM block.

It is a lovely green that matches so well and a very cute button on it too.

Thanks Susan

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