The Challenge of the Small Squares

A little while ago I showed my sewing group how to make the little squares I had fallen in love with after completing Pam Buda's Orphans and Scraps sewalong. I think it possibly was a case of "anything to shut Raewyn up", however they humoured me and some blocks were made; you can see them in the photo below.

I challenged the girls to come back in 2 month's time with something made from the blocks. 

These blocks are 2" finished size...lots of fun!

Aurely used her blocks to make this sweet wall hanging.

 Leeanne got addicted (or manic?!) and made enough to frame this Dresden.

She shows more of her delightful piece on her blog, here.

Barb also got a bit carried away - she had a pile of leftovers to use - I'm sure her pile is a lot smaller now.
I didn't take a photo of the back of her beautiful cushion but it was pieced from 'partial blocks'. Yes, I think she was behaving slightly manic as well :-)

Kerry didn't bring hers to our meet for show and tell but sent me through her photos. A lovely hexagon table topper and a cute cute wee wee pinchushion.

The challenge for me was to complete the topper that I had started - it had sat at the flimsy stage for quite a while, but now it's quilted and ready to go!

I also got a little carried away and decided to experiment with the colours of the blocks.

Still scrappy but in a very co-ordinated way.

Mine also wasn't quite finished for show-n-tell but is now :-)

Dimensions = 6"x 20"

I loved making these because the small sized block is achieved in a clever and painfree way. Click here for instructions on making these blocks.
Thank you ladies for humouring me and having a bit of fun. Thank you to Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts for the inspiration! (Pam is currently doing another sewalong. Click here to find out more.)
Happy stitching!!

Finally....!

This year I signed up to complete "1 Xmas item a month' with Narelle (Pins and Whiskers blog). I've been a bit hit and miss and my item hasn't always been finished by the 25th of the month.

Like this month.

BUT, we do have a finish!

You've seen a few shots of this lately in various stages of 'nearly doneness'; it is "Stockings Were Hung" by Nikki Tervo of Brandy Gully Designs.

You may be able to see that I did a simple cross hatch in the  border after all those busy curves.

I love these Cottage Garden Threads - and love the naming of the colours too......listen to the ones I used...Hugs and Kisses (red), Latte (brown), Sweet Gum (green) and Pumpkin Seed (gold).

I've recently discovered and used a new (to me) battting...80% wool and 20% polyester (not sure of the brand) ---oh my goodness--- I LOVE it! The photo below may show the puff achieved with this batt. Yum.

I haven't tried it in a big quilt yet nor given it the wash test but I am keen to.

Still plenty of activity happening on the farm......

"Spot the twins"!
Yes, our calves come in all shapes and sizes.

"Have you seen my mummy?"

Brilliant Green Moth. 

I think this may be a Puriri Moth (but stand to be corrected). If so, it would have emerged after 7 years as a grub in a tree, then died after 2 days. If so, wasn't I lucky to see it?!

Ok, back to work :-)
Thank you for visiting. Apologies to those of you I haven't replied to after my last post. I am endeavouring to catch up :-)
Have a great week everyone, and happy stitching,

Friday Night Sewing

Well here it is Sunday morning already and I haven't reported on my Friday Night Sew In....
We were late getting in that night as there are lots of animals demanding our attention at the moment, but I was finally able to relax......

Coffee or wine -take your pick! All that was missing
was the chocolate!
'Shuffling' away to Split Enz, Phil Collins, Dire Staights and friends :-)

..... and do some sewing.

Got my Christmas stitchery to the quilting stage.
I haven't done much fmq this year so it was fun to play.

4 fingers off cut kitchen gloves make great quilting gloves.
2 for each hand.

Typical night time photo - cant see much, I got half way there
so I was happy.
(If you click on the photo you can see the detail a little better).
You may be able to see I used a green peeper border, just had to be
careful it didn't snag up on my quilting foot!

I usually stitch in front of the TV in the evenings so it was nice to get behind the machine and get a bit further along with this project :-) To those also taking part in FNSI, thank you for your company, and thank you to Wendy of Sugarlane Quilts for hosting us all.
Happy stitching everyone!!