Pre Christmas stitching and birthday gifts

The day before my birthday, friend and longarm quilter Vicki Jenkin returned two quilts to me.  Because I had made the binding when I prepared them for quilting I was able to machine the bindings on quickly, so I had some hand stitching to do in the evenings.

I was very spoilt by the family for my birthday, Quirky Little Quilts by Temcula Quilt Co and Pam Burda's Vintage Patchwork book and the layer cake she makes all the projects in the book with.  As part of the pre order of Pam Burda's book/layer cake there is a kit for a pin cushion and (because it was so late - not her fault the manufacturers) I got four fat quarters, bonus!  

On Christmas Eve I started sewing strings (actually they were strings I put through the Go cutter 1.5" die) to use up the collection of wadding  scraps I had cut into 11" squares.  Please don't ask my why they are 11" squares, because it is SO long ago that I cut them I no longer remember my rational!

I made quite a few blocks before I ran out of strings!  I didnt technically "run out" but got too low on bright colours and didnt want to make another dreary quilt - banned myself from using these colours unless it was novelty print.

Daylillies going nuts in my garden, providing a fantastic burst of orange.  And the cute red car bin that my friend Vicki made me as a gift....that I love!

Happy quilting Sue.

Warm Regards progress

A day stitching with friends enabled me to sew down all the berries for my Warm Regards centre, now I need to make the birds wings and sew on the leaves.  I always fall down with the preparation - finding time to sew is fine, but finding time to prep....hmmm its elusive at times!

This is the progress for the Warm Regards pieced blocks, total of 46 blocks made and I need 68, so only 22 left to make.  

I have spent part the weekend making jam and enjoying my St Valentines day flowers, both say Summer to me!  

The other part of my weekend has been quilting and sewing on bindings.  I have two kids charity quilts nearly finished, but I am going to save hand stitching the bindings down for weeknight TV viewing.

I am hoping today I can fit in some machine piecing, just not sure where to start!

Happy quilting Sue.

Table runner love

I sent a sample of the too short binding to my old local quilt shop....of course she didn't have it anymore.  So I went to my new local quilt shop and brought some fabric!!  Mind you they were shocked that I would unpick all that binding...wanted me to make it scrappy!?  No way it was easier to do new and put the old binding in the 2.5" strip bin.

I am very happy with this table runner AND it used fabric out of my stash....well except for the binding! 

This is what I brought, green for binding, red below it (already cut) for binding my log cabin, yellow for another Hawthorn footy quilt and reproduction reds for wee basket wall hanging.

  

Here is the red binding machine stitched on the log cabin.  I don't like it :(

We spent ages picking out just the right red...but it wasn't a reproduction....and it has roses on it...shock horror - I don't like florals!  I really don't know what I was thinking buying it!! 

Here's something I do like... my very old UFO is now my finished hexagon reproduction table runner!

It just needed a little hand quilting...for the last couple of years....I know I don't usually hand quilt, but it deserved it...but also why it has been in the UFO bin for so long!

Happy quilting, Sue SA.