Nine Patch Again

After lots of cutting and sewing, I have a result.

So pleased.

Now all I need are some borders. The 3 1/2" block on point is 4 1/4" across, so that is the measurement that I will use for the border. Still hopeful to make my January deadline.

Christmas swap gifts arrived from far away places.

Parcel opening was delayed until all had arrived at their destinations.

Barbara, Merilyn and I met many years ago, through an online quilting group and our friendships grew through blogging. Unfortunately the others don't blog anymore but we have kept in touch.

From Barbara in Malaysia, a pattern published in her own name, some fabric and a lovely little drawstring bag.

And from Merilyn in New South Wales, an assortment of lovely fabrics.

Now to add those borders and send the quilt top off to the quilter.

Just Catching Up

In a sincere effort to finish off several projects this year, I thought that I would post a picture of my current project as my blog header. Once the goal is achieved, I will replace it with a photo of the next project. Let's see how that goes.

I am pleased to say that three more rows have been added to the Scrappy Nine Patch.

This is a slow process but I am aiming for a January finish.

I must confess to taking some time out to finish something else.

I fell in love with this dishevelled piece of fabric in late 2014.

It is a Cotton & Steel fabric designed by Rashida Coleman-Hale. The range is Moonlit.

It was going to be my 2014 Christmas table cloth.

After some cutting and calculating it was ready to be sewn, and that's where it stopped.

I missed Christmas 2015 and 2016.

Very pleased to say that it is now a tablecloth.

The fabric is 80% cotton/20% linen with the texture of linen.

I love how the white candles play against the linen.

I love how the bright colours pop against the neutral linen and I love the non-traditional Christmas colours.

Please indulge me, just one more.

This will not be stored away. It will be used and enjoyed.

There will be a family dinner to celebrate the new cloth very soon.

It's a New Year

I have been neglecting my blog in recent months but after some holiday re-energising, let's start the New Year on a positive note.

First, a little catch up...

On the last Saturday in November we had our  bloggers' Christmas get together.

So many hugs, good wishes and gifts were exchanged before any festivities commenced.

I was very lucky to receive Shez's swap gift, two lovely little ornaments that have been working hard decorating our Christmas tree .....

..... and a gorgeous little tin filled with shortbread.

My family thanked you Shez as they wiped away a few stray crumbs.

My gift was  Christmas Tree bunting that was finished at the last minute, so sorry, no photos.

It was made using a tutorial on s.o.t.a.k. Handmade.

It was our turn to host the family Christmas Eve celebration, Kučios. We usually try and seat everyone at one table but we just don't fit anymore. We set up three tables and enjoyed the peace that Christmas Eve brings us every year.

Today it's the 2nd day of a new year.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2017.

I am hoping to spend many happy hours finishing a few long overdue projects.

Sewing another row on my nine patch scrap quilt. The rows are sewn on the diagonal and they are starting to get shorter.

Yay, an end in sight.

Meeting New Friends and Old Quilts

I have been trying to sew a bit lately in between all those family things that happen with elderly parents, kids and extended family. A few hospital visits, helping kids shift house and many birthdays to celebrate. Everyone is now in good health and hang overs have faded.

Life goes on....

On Sunday I was a tourist in my own town and travelled into the city by tram to visit the "Making the Australian Quilt" exhibition.

I bought myself a book which is a beautiful record of the quilts on show, co-authored by Annette Gero and Katie Somerville. 

I probably would have missed it, if not for the extra bonus of meeting up with Chooky and Carol who travelled down from NSW. I also renewed acquaintances with Annette and met Joy and Susan.

We shared a fabulous day together. After the exhibition we wandered down to the Block Arcade and then enjoyed a long and leisurely lunch before parting ways  ... until next time.

The exhibition was interesting and most enjoyable, to see the quilts from an Australian perspective.

I would love to make this quilt from the reproduction fabrics we have at our disposal today.

Margaret Harvey c 1890 - 1900

Or this little one to add to my collection of small quilts.

Maker unknown - Early Tasmanian crib quilt c1850

Or maybe this one

Elizabeth Keen c 1879

It should come as no surprise, that this is one of the projects that I am currently trying to finish.

Finished 1" and 3' squares

I did forget to share a little gift that Marina gave me for my birthday a few months ago.

A little mini, quilted and bound, made from one of her "Sweet William" blocks (pattern by Susan Smith). I have admired Marina's quilt blocks from afar and I am now very lucky to have one of my own. Maybe she will make me 19 more for my very own quilt?

A Little Finish

Psychologically I needed a finish.

There is no more humour  in a pile of unfinished projects.

A shopping trip in search of rabbits led me to two new fabrics, and visits to the Moda and s.o.t.a.k. handmade blogs gave birth to a new drawstring bag.

The new fabrics and a 60 deg ruler make for a lovely little bag, and a much needed "finish".

And what's in the bag?

Socks, of course.

A gift for my daughter, another unfinished project!

Not much sewing ......

A well overdue post. I need to remind myself that I am still here!!!!

To bring you up to date -

Two weeks ago Marina and I shared a day out with Susan, who was visiting family in Melbourne.

We met Susan at Woolarium and then introduced her to some of the shops on our patch, GJ's and Cutting Cloth. Of course, coffee and lunch were a given.

Susan came with gifts. I received this beautiful little pin cushion that I immediately adopted Now it is never far away if I am stitching.

I have been collecting fabrics for Susan and gave them to her in this little bag, that I made from a tutorial at S.O.T.A.K. Handmade   . I added a little rabbit spoon that I found in my travels.

Last week end we drove to Gisborne for our bloggers meet.
Loved catching up with all the girls again.

Marg showed us her beautiful A Paradise of Birds quilt designed by Irene Blanck.

It was only a small group this time, but the swap gifts were of the highest quality as usual. The theme was a sewing tin or sewing compendium.

I showed off my new "girlie" quilt made for me by my sewing buddies to celebrate a special birthday.

(Photo courtesy of Sue)

Hoping to dive into some serious sewing and knitting. It has been too long between stitches.

Biggest Afternoon Tea

On the first Saturday in June our quilt group hosted an afternoon tea to raise money for cancer, as part of the Australian Biggest Morning Tea promotion. We have all been touched by this nasty disease and earlier this year we farewelled a much loved member.

We have a small monthly raffle and all the funds raised in June are donated to this cause annually.

But this year we decided to do something different. Every member was asked to donate one item.

The plan was to have an auction.

Many brought more that one item, and the table was full.

Our auctioneers went to work and we raised $571.00. Our monthly raffle raised $82.00. Added to some earlier fundraising and donations, we banked a total of $763.00.

Not bad for a group of 25 quilters.

My donations - pincushions.

The afternoon tea ladies rewarded us all with a delicious repast.

Not much sewing lately, but the knitting has my attention.
My second pair of socks are almost done.


And a trip to Woolarium in Northcote ensures that the knitting needles will be starting another project soon.