happy sewing....

It's been a little while since my last post but that doesn't mean I haven't been stitching away. I have still been visiting blogland regularly just been negligent in posting.
Now what have I been up to you may ask? Of course you may ask...
On Friday I put the last stitches in my final Once upon a time block. I started this project in September 2012 and have managed to get it done in the 12 month period.
Last night I got out my trusty Janome and we worked till late at night to get it together. Some early morning sewing while the princess' were still in their beds and ta da.......

 I'll apologise now for all the photos...

 watch out for the mandatory stray thread, I spent ages trimming and picking them  up and one still got through.

Now I am hoping the quilt police don't visit to check my piecing but it was a random putting together and the effect is just how I wanted it to be. Bright, happy and scrappy.
there you have it, I just love it..... 'Once upon a time' by Smee Designs...
but wait there's more....
the second border has been finished for my Swan Lake quilt...

and the last little finish....
The August block for Sweet Stitches..... by Kathy Schmitz

(for the eagle eyed there is a small line next to the 'w' that wasn't stitched when I took this photo but has been fixed before I basted the block for quilting)

This block almost didn't get done as I had stitched half of it in a very dark navy and it looked hideous. I was ready to throw it out but luckily sought advice and took it once given. The advice was to try a lighter colour. I bought a lovely greyish blue in a cosmo and unpicked all the dark stitching and started over.
It was perfect and matched my blue for the border exactly. I am going to enjoy hanging this mini in winter.
Much happier thanks...
The background fabric is a white on white with a snowflake pattern. It has been in my stash for ages and was perfect for this block.
Now to quilt July's and August's blocks. They are basted and ready to go...

Have a great weekend!
cheers
marina

still here...

well I have been a bit of a lazy blogger lately but not a lazy stitcher and I have still been blog visiting just didn't get around to making a post of my own.
It has been a great first week of the holidays, crafting and socialising high on the agenda.
I had a great visit to Gail B's with Liz and Rosalie on Friday and wow what an amazing shop!
No fabrics but some lovely necessary bits and bobs. A visit to another couple of shops and a lovely lunch made for a great day out with friends.
Saturday was spent with more crafty friends, Elyte, Robin and Annie and the lovely ladies at the Bluegum quilter's group, yep more food involved too.
So here is the pictorial evidence that I have been doing some crafting.
this handsome and musical fellow is from the latest block for my Once Upon a time quilt by Smee Designs.
I really enjoyed stitching this block and it was quite a large one only one more to go!!

 poor pussy in the window......

 he's watching these fellows tripping the light fantastic..

 Another row completed for my Christmas cross stitchery and a start made on the next row...

Here is my latest stitchery block by Kathy Schmitz-border done! Tonight I finished hand quilting it and the binding is ready to go.
The blue section was originally in a cream but I thought the blue would make it look a little like the Union Jack. It looks a little busy but I really liked the colours. There were some technical errors made which required recutting and resewing. It was even machine quilted but looked so hideous it had to be unpicked and requilted by hand. Much happier now.

Well that's the progress made.
I did have a busy day today cutting and preparing some new projects. Love to have plenty to keep me busy.
Hope you have all had a great weekend!
cheers
Marina

pretty flowers everywhere..

these lovely flowers have been decorating my home.  Aren't they gorgeous. It looks a little like a florist...

....and the reason for this floral abundance? let's just say that a certain number has increased by one digit.

 this long weekend has been quite a busy one but I have been diligently stitching..
During the week this Once upon a time block had to get finished before I could start my Sweet Stitches mini.

 Little Miss Red Riding Hood..

 my what big eyes you have Grandma..

 once that was done it was time to get stuck into this project.

 I was a little worried about the flag being too small but I think it will do just nicely.
If anyone else making the 'Sweet Liberty' mini would like an Australian flag to add to their stitchery, I have a plenty of that fabric that I would be more than happy to share. Please let me know and I can send you a piece of fabric with a flag or two.

I forgot to show off this finish too. I did get it done in time to take it for show and tell to Mill Rose get together. I love the jigsaw puzzle quilting.

A little parcel had been waiting to be opened on Friday too.

this gorgeous pincushion and scissor keep made just for me by my lovely friend Els.  She also included some cross stitch projects that I will show off once I complete them. A perfect project for the next holidays I think?

such beautiful little crosses...

A lovely short working week this week, bonus!

I need to focus on Swan Lake this week I think. It will be a nice break from stitchery. There are also a couple of minis needing quilting. All in good time!

have a wonderful week!

marina...

a little bit of this and that

Lots of distractions seem to be cropping up and I have been enjoying them all.

I had hoped that the new block for the Sweet stitches bom would arrive last week but as yet it hasn't so I have kept myself busy till it arrives.

Quilting is progressing on Mr cottontail and the Christmas mini, some more green hexies have been prepared for basting, and a new Once upon a time block has been started.

I did forget to post a pic of the completed block for last month.

The gingerbread man and his entourage is completed.

 Love the little old woman, I think she looks a lot like Mrs Brown!

My other distraction has been this. This applique will become a border for my Park Avenue hexie quilt. I am 3/4 of the way through the first border.
I am so loving playing with the wool and the appliqueing is very gentle on the hands as it offers very little resistance. Much easier than stitching through fabric with vliesofix on it. The curves didn't work out too badly either.

 this is the centre...

this is the design to the side of the central flower. There is a reverse image on the other side. this pic shows the fabric background colour better.

loving it...

hopefully I can get the other side finished quick smart and get it sewn on to the main part of the top. It would be lovely to get this long term project finished.

Happy stitching and have a great week!

Marina

back to routine....

this week has just flown so quickly.
It's back to work routine and I am missing the 'me' time that was so abundant during the past two weeks at home.
I didn't want to lose all the momentum of the holidays so tried to keep up with the projects on the go.
The last 8 hexagon flowers for Swan lake are finished. I will now wait till mum and I can put our heads together to mark out the borders.
I have enjoyed playing with the wool projects I have started.
My scarf is all appliqued and I just need to sew the backing fabric on and it is done.
I thought it would take longer to make this project but it has been fun to make and not as difficult as I had imagined, thanks to the day in the barn.
I got so enthused with working with the wool that I have chosen another pattern from the quilted crow book to make the end borders for my Park Avenue hexagon bed runner. I have cut all the flowers just need to get all the leaves and stems done.
Here is my scarf....

I have made a start on the next Once upon a time block that I have traced out.
Look who has appeared...looking delicious with his gum drop buttons.

I think he is very cute. I did make a mistake when tracing him but I am hoping the line will fade with time.
Tomorrow I am hosting my craft group so there will be lots of chatting, laughing, eating and hopefully some stitching.
Wishing you a stitchy weekend

marina

up to date....

Well I am officially up to date with two projects and I have reached a milestone with one of them.
Drum roll please.... Four dolly borders completed for Swan Lake. I just can't believe it. When I was pressing the pieces for the photo I found some little arms that hadn't been appliqued completely. Must have been distracted. Fixed them up quick smart.
As soon as I can consult my technical advisor I will be getting the next borders ready to go. Just need to get the last ten hexie flowers done too. I was thinking of putting a yo yo instead of a circle in between the dollies as their carry basket. Must find that yo yo maker....

 three little pigs are finished and they look very cute and industrious.

 I have placed all the once upon a time blocks together to get an idea of where I am at, I reckon over half way-yippee. Yes that furry bit at the top of the pic belongs to Miss Maisie doing her mandatory cat scan of any new crafting that is placed on the bed.

Got some new hexie flowers from donated fabrics stitched up to add to the stash.... they had been sitting all prepped ready to go. Had to make another Snow White one.

 I have also been appliqueing the circles for the Dr Seuss quilt. Just took a little nudge and there you go they were done. Don't know why I procrastinated so much?

 Once the applique was all done it was only a very short step to get it to this...

All ready to go to the quilters! I think that will be on next weeks to do list.
 I think I can indulge in something new, guilt free, after all it is holiday time. Just means I will add another project into the monthly rotation.
Next week is free for all week.
woo hoo!
Happy stitching
Marina

a little link if you want a feel good giggle....
saw this on a tv show and had to check it out on youtube.
just love it.

a new project...

Well my new project arrived this week thanks to Karen of Mrs Martins quilt shop.
I will hopefully start this soon but there are a few little things to get finished first.
It's such a lovely bom and I just need to decide what colours, will I make 12 minis or one big quilt. Decisions, decisions..
some more progress on this Once upon a time block, and yes it was the three little pigs...

.

My progress has been halted due to running out of cotton. I will have to get them tomorrow.

Just had to share this pic of Miss Maisie.
We are thinking of changing her title to Madam Horizontal.
I went into the bedroom and she was asleep on the bed and she was so stretched out , talk about relaxed, I so want to be a cat!

Have a great weekend.

marina

Swan Lake progress

This week of just working on Swan Lake has proved very beneficial.
Some small success can inspire to get more done.
Yesterday I appliqued all the dolly dresses on the fourth border, ironed on all their heads and arms and completed a further five flowers.
I need to prepare about another 10 flowers and then that will be enough and I will be onto the inner borders! woo hoo...
this quilt is a work in very slow progress, there is no deadline just some progress has to be achieved each month and I feel I am back on track. I have doubted my ability to make this quilt so often I feel encouraged that I can get it done.

dolly border no 4

 

96 flowers

To give my frequently stabbed finger and thumb a break I thought I should check out the traced blocks for my Once upon a time. I needed to trace another three so got that done quick smart and they are ready to be stitched. There are five blocks to be done and three of them are quite large so will take some time to get done but I have been treating this as a bom so have caught up and am back on track with this too.
Just need to catch up on my christmas items and I'll be happy.
A new bom pattern should arrive next week which I am excited about. I have been procrastinating for the past two months as to whether to sign up or not and finally have succumbed to temptation. Having played catch up I don't feel quite so guilty after all there are an average of four weeks to the month so I can fit another project in to the month.....
Until it arrives I will keep working on my once upon a time and at getting those last flowers done, musn't forget those arms and heads seeing as I am so close to finishing them.....

which fairy tale do you think this is?

happy days!
marina

Rapunzel and swan lake

this week I thought I would dedicate to my Swan Lake project.
Over the weekend I quickly finished off Miss Rapunzel so I am up to date with my Once Upon a time blocks.
I think she looks lovely...

She seems quite content with her situation or is she dreaming of her prince?
After finishing off this lovely princess it was onto Swan Lake. I figured if I allow a whole week to this project I could get a bit done.
Well ta da...
Border 3 is done, all arms and heads appliqued then onto the flowers I have prepared. Got four done last night and there are another 6 ready to go. That should see me through the weekend and I get to pick something else for next week to work on then after that it will be holidays for two weeks and a crafting free for all!

Some news on the gift quilt... it was presented Wednesday night and was very well received. We also gifted her a kindle between all of us and she was quite numb and overwhelmed that we had given her these gifts. She told me that after she went home she looked at the quilt again and when she read the label again and looked at all our names that it made her cry.  It was very touching. She can think of us each time she looks at it. So I would count that gift as a definite success.
No pics as none of us got a decent picture!
Happy days!

Have a great weekend

marina

ps a work friend has started a new blog after having issues with her old one.
She is making a gift quilt too for a friend. Feel free to pop over and say Hi.
http://www.jackyandthecrew.blogspot.com.au/

a day in the Barn..

Elyte asked me earlier this year if I would like to join her and the girls for a day at Linda's barn with the Quilted Crow girls. Who wouldn't accept! They are a great bunch to go out with.
We had a fantastic day yesterday, lots of laughing, chatting and some stitching. I was keen to learn as much as I could about appliqueing the wool felt project because I have been holding out starting something from Deidre and Leonie's book until I knew the basics of their methods. They were very generous with their hints and techniques and they are such lovely ladies. Linda was the most wonderful host with lots of yummy food to keep us going all day.
Now some smart person forgot her camera but luckily Elyte was happy to share her photos. She has heaps more on her blog too.

Here we all are with Deidre and Leonie...
l-r Annie, Anne, Jo, Robyn, Deidre, Me, Elyte and Leonie.
the item we made was a sweet little needlecase that included different aspects of their applique. I was nearly off to a disastrous start but with some help got back on track. Would help if I could follow instructions properly...
It all turned out in the end..

 I bought some lovely wools to add to my stash. Hopefully on the holidays I will get to use these pretty woolly bits.

I got to meet another blogger that was my inspiration for starting the Swan Lake quilt- Sue anne of Buddy and me. I had been watching Sue Anne's progress on her Swan Lake intently and the result was so beautiful it made me want to make it. I did tell her that she was responsible (to blame) for me starting it. She gave me some encouragement to keep working at it, she does the most amazing quilts and Swan Lake is one of her favourites.

Kim, Elyte, Me,Linda
and Sue Anne seated.

Now that the gift quilt is finished it is back to some other works in progress!

This cross stitch is a freebie from The Primitive Hare. I had been wanting to do it for ages and had it half done in my cross stitch folder. The linen was given to me by Melody. Such a close weave, I did pick up two mistakes that I will have correct before finishing it.

Half done no longer-now to make it into a pin cushion for the gift box!

the colours are a little dull as we have an overcast sky this morning. I love the design.

 Back to My Once upon a time blocks too- the tortoise and the Hare is done. We all know how that story is going to end.
I have made a start on Rapunzel while watching Shrek last night. I love the Shrek movies-seemed appropriate to work on blocks from Once upon a time during the movie. Only three more blocks to go after that.

Wednesday night I will get to gift my dresden plate quilt, can't wait.

Thanks to all the girls for such a fantastic day yesterday and to the wonderful Quilted Crow Girls and Linda for making it such an enjoyable event.
A busy weekend to follow but hopefully some stitching time!
Happy days

marina