Geese, a Playground and Stars

Hello again, gosh I don't know what is happening but just at the moment these blog posts are coming thick and fast!

I've made some good progress on a couple of my evening stitching projects. I've now finished Block 4 of Lynette Anderson's latest Button Club, Chateau Hexagon.

Aren't these Cranky Geese characters? ... they look like butter wouldn't melt...!

Love this button!

(Leanne, I can't help but think of you when I look at these! Everyone else, click here to see what I'm talking about!)

And I've also finished Block 2 of Quiltmania's current mystery. Sorry it needs a good press, I'm always worried about pressing applique and stitching as I don't want to flatten it all..... has anyone got a good tip of how to press a block like this?

Aren't the little touches like the skipping rope too cute? Amazing the
different look you can achieve by simply using a few more strands of thread.
(I've just checked the real piece to make sure that bit of fluff we can see in
the photo above is just fluff and not my seam falling apart - whew,
I was worried for a minute there!!)

I have recently been tutoring a series of classes at my favourite quilt shop. We had four classes, holding the last one last week.
We called it StarMastery - covering different stars with lots of variations for each to keep everyone's brain's ticking. It was lots of fun, although I will admit to feeling slightly uneasy when several of my sewing buddies decided to take part!! They wanted to keep me on my toes, I think, and I hope the feeling was mutual - insert a sly he-he here!
Here are some of the stars made, they all look so cool and different of course in everyone's unique fabrics.
You'll notice that I was one of those teachers who gave homework.... and you 'll be able to see who did their homework and who didn't!!

Leeanne in Kansas Troubles

Jill

Kerry (if you click on the photo you may see that
Kerry is using a NZ Paua print as her colour inspiration)

Liz, who missed a couple of classes; we'll hold a catch-up soon.

Barb

Kerryn's been hanging her's up on the wall. Didn't get the best photo sorry Kerryn.
(But I did get some good advertising for the shop!!)

These are the samples I made for the classes.

 We still need to discuss different ways of putting them together, it will be so much fun to see what everyone does with them :-)
Time for bed to recharge my batteries for some serious sewing tomorrow :-)
Happy stitching everyone, and thank you for visiting,

Friday Night Sew In

FNSI started off with a hiss and a roar with some free motion quilting, but slowed down considerably when I decided I really didn't like the colour thread I was using. So I swapped my sewing machine for a quick-unpic; a pity I didn't make that decision  before stitching out 4 spines and one side of some feathers!  

Never mind, a bit of dogged determination and soon (-ish) the job was done.

The unpicking was helped by a bit of much needed comfort food, (self-saucing chocolate pudding).

I decided not to spend the evening doing any more machine work so I pulled out my Chateau Hexagon instead.

I had kept up really well with the first few blocks but let myself get behind.

Timmie helped me tonight and we made some good progress.

I just have two bees to stitch then I can call Block Four done.

After the frustrating start it was a pleasant evening! Hopefully today I will get back to those feathers with my new thread colour!!
Have a lovely weekend everyone,
Happy Stitching!

A block, a cushion and a roll,

I didn't think I had much to share but when I looked through my camera I found a few bits and pieces ....and here they are....

Firstly, I've completed block 3 of Lynette Anderson's 2013 button mystery, Chateau Hexagon. It's another cute block. I am pleased with myself for keeping up with this project!!!

(The block reminds me that I really should get out and start tidying my garden too, it's been so warm lately that the weeds are really having a good growth spurt!)

And secondly, a woohoo!, as it's not even the 25th of the month and here I am with my completed item for Narelle's One Christmas Item a Month.

"The Last Decoration"  pattern by Fig n Berry Creations.
The pattern comes as a stitchery to do with as you please.
I've made mine into a cushion (9" square).

Isn't he a sweetie?
Stitched with Cottage Garden Threads. I love these threads!!

I got a bit carried away with the back. It suited the size of the fabric
pieces I had left over.
Didn't really need the zip but I felt like it. I think the zip originally came
from an old pair of work trousers (Dad's, maybe?)

I have also made this (below) recently; we are doing a sewing item Project of the Month at my favourite quilt shop, The Country Yard and I've been making the samples.  The August project was a needle roll.

Today is tidy-up day in my 'palace' (as the MOML calls it!). I seem to have leftovers everywhere. Wish me luck, I get easily distracted :-)

Thank you for visiting, happy stitching and have a lovely day, 

Applique Mysteries

Evenings lately have been spent doing a bit of needleturn...both of these projects are mystery ones...who knows where they will end!!
First up - Block Two of Lynette Anderson's latest button club, Chateau Hexagon, this one is called 'Sampler Block' - isn't it sweet?

(You can see my block one, Birdhouse Corner, here)

Quiltmania magazine is doing a mystery quilt this year as well. It is designed by Japanese quilter Reiko Kato. Here (below) is block one. Now that I see these photos on the screen, I notice that they are a little dark, however I do think the appliques are really cute. I had loads of fun dressing them - I possibly put more thought into dressing these children than I did my own kiddies when they were little, but please don't tell them that!
I couldn't believe how excited I was by this project; I actually couldn't wait till evening each night to carry on playing and stitching!!

The complete block.

This Friday is FNSI night and I have registered to play along as well... this month it is being hosted by Wendy at Sugarlane quilts. Pop along to her blog (here) if you want to take part. I hope to be working on this stitchery, which was my 'nearly done' project for One Christmas Item a Month in June. But, by the time Friday night comes along something completely different may have fallen into my lap!
We shall see :-)


I think that is all for now, happy stitching,

Time

Would someone be able to tell me where the days, weeks, months and this year are going?!! They are all merging into one!! Whew, I cant keep up!

Lately, it's been...

...time to start Chateau Hexagon, Lynette Anderson's latest button mystery.

Cute so far.....

Light wasn't so good - it doesn't look as washed out in real life!!

Aren't the buttons just gorgeous?!

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...time for more hexie-flowers and One Flower Wednesday

More of my NZ themed flowers

Thank you Karen, for hosting One Flower Wednesday. Please click HERE to visit other OFW stitchers.

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...time for birthday gifts for friends...

I started these a few posts ago, but have now  finished them :-)

I made the pin cushions using the tutorial found here.

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...time for a NEW DISCOVERY!!! I was so excited to discover that I can crochet away in the car for hours on end and not get CAR-SICK!!! If I've ever tried stitching etc in the car before I've had to take travel-sickness tablets but not this time :-)
This is a wrap I started quite a few years ago. It was my horse-truck project... when the girls were competing at horse events every weekend, we spent many evenings in the horse truck with limited lighting and amenities. It was a useful way to spend the evening while the girls were busy cleaning horsey gear or learning riding tests.
Anyway, back to the present, the MOML and I had a few days away recently (yes, the best time for dairy farmers to go on holiday is winter when there are no cows to milk) and there were 4 balls of wool left when we set out - 4 days later and 3/4 hour away from home again I had them all used up and the wrap was completed!!
[Time to tidy up the ends :-)]

Straight forward pattern meant I didn't have to look at it
all the time - meaning a happy traveller.

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...time for photos... this is a cool photo I took recently - have no idea how I got the effect but I quite like it!

Now it's time to get back to some sewing :-)

Wishing you all nice sunshine or cosy fires, where-ever you may be!

Thank you for visiting, see you next time,