Christmas stitching

 Well the holidays have come to an end and it was back to routine yesterday.

I feel I have been very productive these holidays, letting the creativity flow.

My Christmas snow globes are going great guns and they are easy and relaxing to do of an evening or whenever I sit down on the couch.

I can't wait to start sewing the rows together.

Here are a little snaps of the blocks so far...

Two other little side projects I have done are the Tilda cushion designs. I'd like to make them each into a small baby's quilt but there's no deadline for now so it can sit happily as is for now.

There are two more designs that I want to make eventually. They have to wait for now.

Excuse the wrinkles.

Brainstrust question:

I am having problems with comments not being emailed to me for moderation. Has anyone else had these issues of late? 

Off to have a sit and stitch 

Have a great day

Marina

enjoying the cool....

Hate to mention the 'cool' word especially when so many folks from NSW and Queensland are absolutely sweltering. Hope you all get a cool change soon.
The binding was sewn onto the  baby quilt, it was gifted and will be treasured! My clamshells have their binding too and I love it. A little too scared to put it on the table at the moment for fear of the barbarians spilling something on it. I'm hyperventilating just thinking about it...must keep it safe. lol
Here they are all finished with their pretty bindings..

 Even got a new Caswell block finished today....
Unfortunately my camera is not showing the true colours in the fabrics for all three projects but this is as true to colour as I could get. The bright circles aren't that bright in real life.
Now to the next block......happy days!!

Hope you all have a great week
Marina

A finish and some Christmas crafting.

It seems the past month has just flown.. It feels like the whole year has flown by.
I haven't been idle in this past month there has been little bits of stitching and some socialising. There was the Mill Rose get together which was such a wonderful day. I call it Ballan Therapy! Laughing, eating, and crafting with a wonderful group of crafty friends.
I didn't take any pics but others had lots that were shared on their blogs after the day.
A finished baby quilt was delivered early in the month, I haven't heard yet as to how it was received but I am hoping it was welcome. I must say it was one I was very happy with, making it and once finished.

There have been a few Christmassy obligations to be met too. The first of which I forgot to take photos of..they were my swap gifts for the Mill Rose get together. I made a little brooch and a yo yo christmas tree.
After much swapping and stealing by  bad santa tactics Melody and I ended up with our own gifts and she kindly offered to take my gift and give me hers which was a lovely ornament and apron.
I thought I should get a little organised with some ornaments for this year's gifting too..
this pattern is a freebie from Rasberry Rabbits blog- Holly Hare. Couldn't stop at just one and had to make one a little boy hare.They were quite quick to sew up.

A bit of enthusiasm is a contagious thing so onto the next project.
These stitcheries have been completed for a few weeks just waiting to be made into tags..

I dug into my stash of ribbons and bells for all of these decorations.
But wait there's more....
These Theodora Cleave buttons have been hanging around for awhile and they just needed to get made up.
same theory.. why make just one. It's just as easy to make a few as to make just one!
That bell stash and felted wool stash is going down....

 These are the backs... Some pretty fabrics that had been waiting to be used too.

One last Christmassy item is for a swap gift too.
This is also a freebie design, by Crabapple Hill designs. I made it a little smaller than the pattern.

Phew there you go....
I think I am Christmassed out? I hope this makes up for the lack of Christmas crafting during the year Narelle?

Here is a pic which comes with a moral to the story..
On Monday I was pulling the retractable vacumm cord out so that I could vacuum. I usually put in a huge effort, as if I was starting a lawn mower to be honest, so that most of the cord comes out in one hit. Well....., now this is the lesson part of the story..... make sure you do this in an open space and not close to the open door.
I slammed my hand on the door handle behind me and it hurt so much that I couldn't even utter an expletive!
The ice came out and so did a massive egg on the back of my hand. It has been getting better all week but is still a little tender. No breaks in my hand just a lovely bruise that changes colour every day...
Today we have lovely yellow tinge and a lovely purply pink band across the knuckles. Thankfully the swelling is only slight compared to the past couple of days. I couldn't even wear my rings.
Mind you it didn't hamper my sewing much.

thanks for sticking with this long post.
Did I mention it is also my 500th post!!!
Thanks for visiting and listening to my ramblings and encouraging me along the way with my blogging and with my crafty endeavours and most of all thankyou for your Friendships.

Have a great weekend
Marina

some ups and downs..

Just when you think things are working out well, look over your shoulder because trouble is sneaking up behind you....

Sweet william and I had a falling out yesterday and yes there were nearly some tears, some bad words and some things thrown. So who does a girl turn to? Her mother of course!

 I thought I had worked out the process for my blocks and that they were coming together ok but when I went to make the baskets for the appliques I hit a snag. They didn't come together properly. 

I take part blame as I do struggle with instructions, I need concise instructions and some diagrams would be lovely if you don't mind. So that pattern was looking like defeating me. Mum helped me work out my errors and now I have written all the finer points that I will need to provide guidance with my future blocks. (providing there are any!)

 these two are only a little bit out where the applique meets the basket, but at least I did get the right size block in the end. Machine piecing the basket got me a much more accurate size basket.

 I had to redo the red basket and it is 1/4" too small so if I can't fudge it I will have to redo the applique, eventually. I did another basket  just to make sure my measurements were correct and that I did understand how to put it together and it worked out well.
I am determined to master this quilt!! Maybe we need some counselling with our relationship?

to make me not feel totally inadequate I felll back to some comfort stitching. I know I can do that without issues.... I just struggle explaining it to someone else.  Elyte will attest to that.

 these are the fabrics I purchased from Jemima's the other day to go with the stitcheries. These will be a baby quilt for a friend I used to work with who is expecting a new grandbaby.

I just need to decide how they will go together. There are two and a half stitcheries to go so I have a little time... then it will be another whirlwind quilt.

It's been a wonderfully creative few weeks and I have enjoyed doing a bit of everything that I have on the go and especially starting some new things, even if they are testing me.

Nothing is Impossible, the word itself says 'I'm Possible'

Have a great weekend!

Marina

the rest of that list....

Here are the rest of the ticks off the list to share....

 My quilted crow design table runner completed!

 I wanted to use some of the cross stitcheries I had made....
Still need to think of how to use the stitched scissors.....that can go on next month's list
I am very happy with these little pin cushions especially as I didn't have a pattern, I saw one when googling and took it from there. Mine are made from a 1" hexies. Mum has requested a blue one. That is in the works and these will go to the gift box.

 the reverse side...

 Found a way to display my travelling stitchery pattern. I have had this frame for ages and I had to turn the place upside down to find it. Whose idea was it to put it in a safe place? I have been having lots of these 'can't find it' issues lately... must organise better.

I also have another cross stitch finish but I will save that till the 25th as it will be my Christmas item for this month. It has been a long time coming but it is done now.

Besides my progress on my novelty hexies and quilting my Park Avenue, both of which have seen considerable progress, I also had this last finish to share.

My Great Nieces quilt. The top is finished and I just need to decide how it will be quilted.

I just love how bright and cheery it is. For now I will enjoy it a little longer on my quilt rack till it gets quilted.

I am off to do some dreaded housework before I have to go hunting and gathering.

It's ok though as I have already had some crafting time this morning tracing the rest of my Live, Laugh Love blocks. They are ready to go whenever I want to pick them up. The first three are completed and I am very happy with the result.

Hope you have a safe and happy Easter break

Cheers

Marina

Project list progresses...

These holidays are just passing too quickly but I have been making the very most of them....
Today I went with my friend to see The Grand Budapest Hotel. The reviews have been good and it has so many wonderful actors that I just had to see it. After all Margaret Pomeranz gave it a 5 star rating!
I am so glad I went I think it was a fantastic movie, quirky, funny and very sweet.
The only distraction I found was watching Ralph Fiennes playing a great character beautifully but I kept seeing Lord Voldemort when he spoke! Once I got over that I loved his performance. All the other characters were wonderful too. Would happily see it again.

Luckily I have been having lots of time to dedicate to crafting too and I have made a tick next to every item on my list that I shared last month on my blog.  Some projects needed to be completed and others just needed some progress.
All those ticks encouraged me to start my new project Live, laugh, love quilt by Viv's Creations that I bought from Mrs Martins quilt shop at the Monbulk show. I made a start on the weekend and I have completed my first complete block . That little box on the side contains a stash of little berries. I am hoping that I have cut out enough for all the blocks. I am so happy with the finished block. It is stitched on Linen and I have used felted wool for the baskets and berries.

My first items I will share from my list are my Sweet stitches minis. One has been completed and the second has had borders added and is now basted ready for quilting and the third needed to be finished stitching.

quilted and bound

stitching done

a group shot.. one last one to stitch, that can be for next month's list.

love my pile of minis.

Mr Boo with his borders.

Another project was to complete a blanket of love to Send to Cheryll. It was posted over a week ago and has been received by Cheryll. I have enjoyed making these little blankets for her so much. 

Well that's enough photos for this post.
Next time I will share the rest of my project progresses.
Hope you are all having a great week!
cheers
Marina

a whole lot of stitching going on

Stitching seems to be distracting me from quilting but I am enjoying doing some projects that I have on my list of to do's.
My great nieces christening quilt is progressing but won't make it for Sunday gift giving. I know my niece will understand. I just need to buy some fabric for the border of the stitchery and then I can work out the size and how to arrange the hourglass blocks
Little miss kitten will grace the centre, you may recognise her from my blanket of love that I made.

 She's been spruced up in vintage red and should blend well with the Scrumptious fabrics.

Another little blanket of love is in the process of coming together.
I have reused a pattern I bought and used a few years ago, and Ella and Skysie design. It has lovely little stitcheries that suit this project. Here are some big pics of a few of my favourite ones...

the contrasting blocks and border ready to go, perhaps the next school holidays' project.....
Another stitching project is one that came to me from Anthea of Hibiscus stitches. (you can click on the link to see Antheas cross stitch)  It is a travelling cross stitch pattern. Thsi pattern started it's journey in 2011 leaving south Africa where next it spent a few years in the UK then made it's way to Poland and from there it arrived in Western Australia.
It is a lovely little design and of course I had to start it straight away as i had prepared the linen and cottons as soon as I had won the pattern.

Some left over cottage garden threads from my Christmas stitching was a perfect pick.
Once I have finished stitching the pattern it will be ready to go onto it's next home.
I have prepared some blocks for my new project but have been a little side tracked with these other bits and pieces. Won't be long......
Definitely need to make that list!
Think I might do that right now....
Have a wonderful weekend and hope it involves some crafting
cheers
marina


ps...
Anthea is also trying to organise a bloggers meet in Western Australia. If she was a little closer I'd be there in a flash as we all know how much fun meets are.... If you are interested pop over to Antheas blog and touch base as she would love to hear from you.

love long weekends....

The long weekend was a real charger for the batteries. Like a mini holiday..

I made a mental list of some finishes that needed doing and while working on these had a brain wave.

That can be really dangerous!

Remember the two little bliss fabric quilts that I have mentioned recently.... well the recipients of those quilts have a little baby sister who is being christened in a few weeks and of course she will need a quilt too. So......out came the rotary cutter and a lovely charm pack. I can't remember which of the Bonnie and Camille range this one is but I am sure that I can get some extra metreage to make borders and sashings.

I started off with half square triangles but they just didn't seem to suit what I had in mind so after some cake and a cuppa I decided to cut them again and make little hour glass blocks.....

 (by the way the cake is a baked ricotta cheescake, and it was a big winner here, and yes I made it myself)

At our March Bluegum quilters there was a special speaker, Leonie West of Westalee rulers.
I didn't take part in the workshop but listened to a very informative presentation which offered some very useful tips on accurate piecing.
Leonie's quilts had the most amazing points, I don't think I saw one that was mismatched at all! I thought this piecing would be a bit of a practice in what I had learnt.
Leonie's method worked a treat and I was very excited by the quality of my points matching, sad aren't I?
Lots of careful pinning and matching really paid off.

 Here is the final result, in need of a little trimming. Aren't they cute. Now to decide how to put them together as I need to incorporate a stitchery, of course.

I had some forgotten bits that needed to be finished so here they are..

this will be ready for next Valentine's day. It just needed the binding.

these two little stitcheries will be fully revealed for my 1 Christmas Item for this month so I will just show a little peek for now.

Hooray, I will be back on track with a small start for my christmas gift box.

Hope the week is going well for you

cheers

Marina