Progress

At long last I'm feeling like a human again,this flu bug has been just awful. I did decide not to take the chance and spread it to anyone at church so spent the day indoors keeping my germs to myself.

Headed into the sewing room this morning, and there I stayed for the whole day, piecing 1/2 square triangles, 250 of them and I still have another 300 or so to do. I'm beginning to wonder why I chose a design that uses 16 1/2 square triangles per block. All that I pieced today have been pressed open ready to trim up to size tomorrow. I did however trim up enough to make a single block to make sure I was happy with the design.


1 made, another 19 to go.....

Finally feeling more like myself today, so I decided to do a bit more machine quilting on the QOV quilt.
I also cut out fabrics for whats called a "Bag Lady Swap" that I'm doing on a yahoo group. The idea is that we fill a gallon sized zip lock bag with blocks and fabrics and post it to our partner, who then has to make a quilt top from that fabric and only being able to add 2 yards of our own fabric to what we've received. I think I need some input.
This is the block I've chosen to do.







These are the fabrics that I cut today from what was sent to me to use.
Then I needed to find lights to go with them, and this is what I chose.












As this is going to be a scrappy quilt, I needed to find other fabrics to go with what was sent and my lights. This is what I came up with, and this is where I'd like some opinions please. Click on any of the photo's for a larger view. Do you think any of these fabrics blend well with the others?

Redwork Christmas

Today I thought I'd share some items I finished for the last Christmas, as I've been feeling like something the cat dragged in. This flu has a good hold on both me and my hubby, and we all know men make the worst patients......

The first photo is of a redwork Christmas wall hanging I made and named Thoughts of Christmas. Thoughts of what Christmas is like as a child, and then now as one who belongs to the Lord.

I also decided that we needed a Christmas tree skirt for under our tree. I found a pattern for the blades, and then started the search from colouring books for the embroidery designs. This is what the end result looks like.

After all this was done I thought I could breath a sigh of relief, that I had all my stitching completed prior to the Christmas week. I was wrong,....lol... my daughter, Jenna, in Australia telephoned me and asked if I could get a Christmas tree skirt done for her and have it to her in 4 weeks time, ready to put under their tree.... Kids..... So of course the search was on again, the only difference was, that she wanted an appliqued skirt. This is the final result.

And finally on the Christmas front, I won a lovely pattern for a wall hanging last year and immediately thought of Jenna, as I just loved the verse that was embroidered across the top and bottom of the border " I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams". When she opened it the tears flowed. That wasn't the response I was hoping for, but to let her know that I missed her terribly.

The background fabric in the photo looks yellowish, it was an off white, must have been bad lighting when I took the photo.

If you happen to come by and view my blog I sure would appreciate, that you let me know you've been by. There's so many blogs out there from quilters and stitchers, it's so nice to happen upon a new one.

Another Tote Bag

I seem to have come down with a flu bug, so there hasn't been much stitching done and no desire to do so at the moment.

I do however have many new designs I'd like to trace and prepare ready for stitching, so perhaps that may keep the hands busy today without the worry of making mistakes while I'm feeling under the weather.

The photo of the tote bag is one I stitched for a friend in Australia for her birthday. It's now winging it's way to her home. I did a similar bag while I was living in Australia, but unfortunately left the pattern behind, along with so many other sewing and crafting things packed in storage. So this one was done from memory, plus the original had applique on the pockets, so I decided to change it to embroidery.

Not a lot of stitching was done this weekend, we had a visit with Hollie at her school yesterday. 3 hour drive there and back again, so of course we were rather tired, hence no time for stitching yesterday.

Today I finished one of the swap blocks that was sent to me and started on the second. These are stitching up quite quickly. Then it's back to my Bronwyn Hayes blocks. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with them, only a few left to do, then comes the job of finding fabrics to go with them for setting. As yet I haven't decided whether I'll do the machine quilting or send it out to Susan in Indiana to do. Will decide on that once it's done.

Have had lots of lovely parcels of fabrics arrive for the Birthday club and the fat quarter swap on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RedWorkStitchers/

It's so nice to see such a wide variety of fabrics and the ladies who have joined in seem to be enjoying the shopping process, although I'm yet to meet a stitcher who doesn't like to shop.

As I don't have any recent finishes to share I thought I'd add a photo of a cushion that I completed a few months ago. I used Needle Necessities overdyed floss on this one, just love that thread, there's such an abundance of colours to choose from and it stitches up so nicely.

Also thought I'd share a new find that one of the members placed on the list yesterday: http://www.graphicgarden.com/files16/eng/pattern1.php

Not too much to report today so I thought I'd share some of my finds while surfing. Some you may have seen, some new one's as well. Enjoy

http://www.oldewillowstitchery.com/free_designs.htm

http://www.maizehutton.com/maizeprojects.html

http://www.wwvisions.com/newsletter/summer06/doll.htm

http://www.memyshelfandi.com/store/Default.asp

http://www.paletteprimitives.com/store/piclink.asp?pageID=FreePattern

http://www.patterncentral.com/ top right

http://www.patternmart.com/patterns/details/FREE%2BHarvest%2B%2BDoodle

http://www.primmart.com/patterns.html

http://www.primraggs.com/lovestitchery.htm

http://tinyurl.com/rlqbj

http://www.primlogs.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=5

http://www.quiltnsew.com/fun_patterns.asp

http://www.senecapondcrafts.com/store/results2.asp?Cat=Surprise 4pages

http://www.thepatternco.com/crayon.html

http://sugarplumstitches.com/store/ancillary.asp?ID=5

http://www.thechocolatecrowtrader.com/free_pattern_archive.htm

http://www.thecountrycellar.com/free/free.jpg

http://twigs-n-sprigs.safeshopper.com/179/cat179.htm?869

http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/store/stitchette.html

http://www.amongcountryfriends.com/free.htm

http://www.aplcreations.com/free.html

http://www.thecountrycellar.com/BPF/FreePatterns.htm

http://www.barncatprimitives.com/FREE%20STITCHERY.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/juliem01/bbd.html

http://www.cedarberrystitches.com/freepattern.html

http://chickadeehollow.net/free-embroidery.htm

http://www.cottage-quilts.com/freepatterns.html silk ribbon, but could be converted

http://www.folkartlife.com/patterns.shtml

http://tinyurl.com/3b6nl8

http://www.kitsnpieces.com.au/free_patterns/free_stitcheries.htm

http://www.lamaisondanael.com/livrets_nouveaux/sajou346/sajou346.php

http://www.loosethreadsonline.com/freepattern.htm

http://www.luv2craft4udesigns.com/free/free.html

http://www.mesew.com/freeprojects.html click on more projects onleft side bar as well

I think I may have mentioned that I'm going to my first quilt retreat in May, in Indiana. There's been a lot of chatter on the group, from the ladies who are going. Chatter about the things to take. I've been thinking about what I would like take to work on, and several of the ladies suggested that we take pre-cut projects, so that our time isn't wasted waiting for a cutting table.

So today I spent time trying to organise one of my projects. I started some folded star place mats prior to Christmas and just didn't get them finished in time for this past Christmas. Today I spent a number of hours pressing all the squares (several hundred) into the little triangles ready to stitch down.

Tomorrow I thought I may see if I have the fabrics for the Wicked Easy Quilt. http://www.byannie.com/free_patterns.html and get that cut out ready to stitch up at the retreat. I thought this might make a nice QOV quilt and such a quick and easy quilt to make. I also plan on taking some embroidery with me to work on in the evenings. I've also sent fabric requirements and cutting directions for an Aussie Railroad Crossing quilt that I did ages ago, when I was still living in Australia to the group and I think a few of the ladies will be doing that one, so I suppose I should have at least a quilt top to show them the finished product. Then there's the hour a day quilt that Judy's doing on her blog. I've sent a picture of that to Hollie to see if she likes it for her bed at school. Will be visiting with her this weekend so we may have to make a trip to the quilt store and choose some fabrics for her quilt. so I think with these projects I'll have plenty to keep me busy. I'm sure I won't get all of them done, but it's nice to know that I'll have a choice.

This link was sent through my redwork group, and after looking through it I thought I'd pass it on and share it with those that may come by my page. There's a lot of good floral designs and also children's, that I haven't as yet looked at.
http://www.knitting-and.com/embroidery/index.html

Now this one is just too cute. I suggest that you scroll through some of the previous posts, there are some lovely patterns on this blog site.
http://frankiefiles.blogspot.com/2006/04/pat-prichard-fabric-repeats.html

Would love to hear your comments on these designs.

What is it about having your husband at home that slows you down from doing what you'd normally do if he were not there? I still haven't found the answer to this question, but I know it had an impact on my day on Friday. My husband had the day off due to the weather conditions, my day was planned out the day before, when I woke up my plans changed. Although he doesn't interfere with my sewing, I found I was in a dither. Yesterday was the same, I just couldn't settle into anything for any length of time. I did however manage to get a little more quilting done on the QOV quilt, then moved into the warmth of the living room to sit and embroider.
I think my problem is that I have so many thoughts racing through my head at one time I find it difficult to focus on what's in my hands. Thoughts of future projects, whether it be embroidery or quilting. Quilts that need to be made for ......... or embroidery blocks that need to be stitched to go into .... quilt.
Today I plan to try, emphasize on the word "try", to just rest in the day that God has given me, and not to worry about all the other "stuff" that's going on around me, whether it be my stitching or the outside world, to soak up the blessing of each new day and enjoy being in that day.
I thought I'd share a photo of a baby quilt I made in the hopes of one day being a Gran. I'm sure one of my children will have children so this is ready for that moment in time. It's called Friends at my garden Gate, by Betty Alderman, I just changed some of the animals to reflect what would be seen in Australia.


Enjoy today for what it is, a blessing.

Had a late start to the quilting today. due to the fact that I had a rotten nights sleep. Oh well.
Started the quilting on the QOV quilt, not as much progress as I would have liked, but progress all the same.

Barbara, who's on one of my quilting groups mentioned she was doing a mystery quilt for QOV and pointed me to the group. Am waiting for my membership to be approved, but from the homepage it looks like a great group. All the mysteries are designed for use in QOV quilts.

Then I toddled over to the QOV website and listened a podcast with Judy Laquidara, great listen, which then reminded me to check out her blog. http://judylaquidara.blogspot.com/ Great site and she's currently doing a quilt for an hour quilt,terrific star design, so I think I'll work on that once I get the machine quilting done on the one I'm working on. In fact Hollie's been wanting a pastel star quilt so I may show it to her and see if she likes the design, but will also stitch it up for another QOV.

Decided last night that I wasn't happy with one of the tulips I'd done on the Bronwyn Hayes block, so unpicked it and re-did it in the correct colour. That will teach me to try and add my own flavor to the quilt..lol....

Today saw progress with the QOV quilt. Got all the blocks pieced and set yesterday and the day before. Today was the border and pinning it out ready to quilt. So tomorrow I'll start the machine quilting. Just about finished another Bronwyn Hayes block.
Stunning day today, actually managed to have the doors open and the heating off, but unfortunately it won't last long, another cold snap is due to come through in the next couple of days.

I have a quilt retreat in May in Indiana, my first retreat, with ladies from the online group North Websters Quilters. I'm really looking forward to it and trying to work out what I'll take with me to work on. I'm hoping I'll have the Bronwyn Hayes quilt finished so I can take it with me for Susan to long arm quilt.

We're praying about a couple of pastoral positions that Kevin's applied for, hoping and praying that this is where the Lord wants us.

I finally finished one of the larger Bronwyn Hayes blocks last night, and got it rinsed and pressed today. I think I have about another 6-8 blocks then I can think about piecing the blocks together.

Today I worked on the Planet Patchwork blocks. Finally got all the blocks pieced and the first row put together. I'm hoping I can get the rest of the quilt put together tomorrow after church, then I'll have to hunt for backing fabric.

Had a few ideas today about future quilts of valor quilts, so I think a shopping trip is in order, need to stock up on some basics.

Spoke to my mum today, and she and Des are moving into a retirement home at the end of the month. What a load of my mind, knowing that if anything should ever happen to either one, that they will be ok. Especially as I'm so far away.

Today's plan is to work on the Planet Patchwork 2005 - 2006 bom. After looking at the blocks for this bom, I've decided that I don't like them all, so I'm going to repeat 6 of the blocks in the quilt. As it's done in red, white and blue, (not my colours) I think this quilt will be completed and sent on to QOV. Which got me to thinking about what else I had that was half finished that could also be used for Quilts of Valor and to my amazement, there's a couple more that I can complete and send on.
This is such a wonderful way of saying thank you to the troops, and as a mum of a son who has served in the Australian Navy and and done his tour of duty in the war zone, it just touched my heart, what these young men and women are doing for all of us.

For those of you who enjoy embroidery I found this link with some great free stitchery designs. http://www.homeberries.com/Everyday/FreePrimitiveEveryDay.html

Well I seem to have fallen into the blog world. I decided I could ramble here about my quilting, embroidery and family, with friends old and new. Just a place to voice my thoughts.So let me give a little background information.I'm a mum of 4 great kids, ranging in age from 28 down to 17. I'm an Australian now living in the US. I moved here in 2003 to marry my wonderful hubby. I have my youngest dd here with us and the three older kids are still living in Aussie.I just love to stitch, whether it be quilting, applique or just to sit and embroider.I'm currently working on embroidered blocks from Bronwyn Hayes book "Flowerbed" that a dear friend from Aussie sent me. I have about 2/3's of the blocks embroidered, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This one is staying here in this house. This one's for us, poor hubby, sleeping under a very feminine quilt.I also have quilts at various stages of progress.Also in the works is another embroidered quilt called "Winter Wonderland". Designed by Crab apple Hill. A lot of the girls on Redworkstitchers are doing this as a group bom, and so far the results are wonderful. This one will be one of our winter quilts for the bed.Yesterday was dd's 17th birthday, so a phone call to the school was the order of the day to see how she enjoyed her day with her house brothers and sisters and to wish her a happy birthday.

The tote bag was stitched up from a Bareroots pattern, it was so much fun and so quick to stitch up.