Last one - Block H

Well here it is...the last block of my Gardener's Journal quilt. The blocks are now all sewn together and I'll be working on adding borders next. The blocks and the quilt really are square...the photo just makes them look crooked for some reason! :0)

Sidetracked ...

.. due to this.

I slipped and fell on an icy road on my way to work on December 13 and broke my left ancle,

had surgery the same day and came home the next.

Had the stitches from surgery removed today and next control is an x-ray on January 17.

So until then I'm in my bed and any walking is on one foot.

Despite the broken ancle is has been a lovely Christmas for me and DH.

A lot of friends have visited and brought flowers, sweets, books, food etc.

Yesterday our friends Laila & Tommy brougt us

a complete traditional danish christmas lunch.

I got the rest of my GJ stitcheries traced

and hope to be finished stitching

by the time I can get to my sewing machine again.

Pia

The last block!!!

I have finally finished my block I and I love this block.

I don't know why, but these 3 lovely ladies look so good and I have enjoyed every minute stitching them.

After Christmas I will sew all blocks together and hopefully I will very soon be able to show you the finished top.

The quilting is coming closer and closer and for me it is not the best part of making a quilt but I am sure I will find a way.

Up till now it has been a very, very cold winter with lots of snow in Denmark.

The landscape looks like a fairytale, very suitable for Christmas.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year hopefully with lots of time for stitching.

Had to share

I just had to share my excitement..... I joined all the blocks together today .... bit of a rough photo but my hubbie isn't a very good quilt holder, I have the wide border fabric but not the narrow border fabric so that will be my next job.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND SAFE NEW YEAR.

Thanks for all the encouragement with this quilt and I can't wait for the next one to begin.

Thanks to Chooky for this great quilt journey.

Helen

Hello there all my SAL-friends:-)

Well,you know I am behind:((( on a Gardener`s Journal,but keep thinking
about it almost every day. Hopefully a rather quiet week from Monday??
My plan is to keep on sewing on the three ladies. But definitely by end
of January.

I am so glad a lot of you have followed Chookyblue`s plan.
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the quilt. It is still inspiring
for me,and to be quite honest I never thought I would be so late. But
not to worry :-)

The words there on the picture is for you all.I ordered the pattern book
from Fabric Patch.com.au.It looks so neat and easy to sew(of course
everything is so in the beginning). Have almost decided.....
So maybe I`ll be seeing you in the whole of 2011,great to think about!

I hope you have Merry and Peaceful Christmas.

Till next time Take Care,from Grethe.

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
I am so looking forward to next week when I can relax after the rush that has been the last 2 months. I only have one stitchery to go. My aim is to have the top finished by the time I have to go back to work in late January. I have been thinking of how I am going to quilt it. I may even be a bit more adventurous than ditch stitching.
Look after yourself everyone. I hope those of our group in the northern hemisphere are okay with your version of the wild weather that seems to be hitting our planet everywhere.
See you in the new year.
Kayly

Borders...tick!

It's taken me a little while...even more than just a little while LOL...but my borders are now on!

Tomorrow this top will be heading off to the quilters, so that she can work her magic...quilting is really not my thing! The borders have toned down the brightness of the quilt quite a bit, which I was really happy with.

Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!

I'm looking forward to seeing lots more finishes of A Gardeners Journal in the New Year (wink!), so that we can all start our lovely new project together.

TTFN

Susan (aka Suzitee)

www.stitchscrapsew.blogspot.com

An adventure...

Last week Kayly and I felt we needed a girl's day out and decided to visit Thread and Ginger on the other side of town. For those who don't know, Thread and Ginger is Natalie Bird's (also this link) shop and we got to meet her and see the next stitch along quilt. Can you see it behind us? Of course I bought the book too ( and one or two other things). I am going to be good and not start - after all I am still working on my Gardener's Journal - but I did get the hexagon papers to make the cute little bag in the book. (you can see it behind my head.) So maybe I might just get to stitch one square over Christmas in anticipation of making the bag.

bettsylyn (Lynda) and Natalie Bird

Photo by Kayly.

The next decision will be choosing the fabric to make this cute quilt in - and then the colour to stitch it in. Natalie used a fabric which isn't actually Christmas - I am not sure yet what fabric I will use. Has anyone else decided?

And here you can have a look at the inside of the shop. It doesn't show much - there are so many beautiful things there.

Last block!

I was lucky enough to have a lovely day at home on Saturday. I probably should have been wrapping gifts or baking but decided to start December's block and kept going! Here is the last block.

I also got excited and ended up piecing the blocks together. I am pleased with it even if quite a few of the little squares are a little wonky. Thanks so much to Chooky and to all of you for encouraging me to keep going. I am looking forward to stitching next year's project and have the delightful book already.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with some time to stitch.

Sylvia from Canberra, Australia

Still Stitching...

After spending a couple of months in stitchy wilderness A Gardener's Journal has emerged back into the light...

Only the stitcheries...there has been no block construction action going on...so that's Resting in the Garden, the Birdhouse and the Row of Flowers stitcheries for Block F...mmm apparently that block was going to happen in September...it didn't, oh well...the lawnmower for Block B which was slated for October...oops! missed that one too...and Ladybird for Block E, hey! that's December's block, that would be this month! wahoo!!...oh what's that?...September, October and November come Before December...bugger!...thinking I'll just keep on with the stitcheries and worry about the block construction once they are done...

And to provide me with even more reasons to get distracted this arrived in the mail yesterday...

All ready to go for the next Stitch-A-Long project...love it...

Suppose I'd better finish this one though so...Back to stitching Smelling the Roses...

Happy stitching...

Annette

Chookyblue's house

Yeh Yeh I know don't fall over with shock but I have been

stitching..........nearly all the secret xmas stitching is done so I was

reinspired.............

how's everyone else going............going to make the deadline????

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

My friend, Valerie

Okay so this is unrelated to this stitch-a-long, but is still about stitchery.  Valerie, who is Canadian - check out www.pastimesonline.ca - runs block of the month clubs which are so amazing.  You have to take a look.  I have signed up for the Life is Beautiful quilt, which has piecing, applique and stitchery.  Valerie is using the Lilac Parade line of cottons, Jeval Dupioni silks and includes lots of other great stuff like pins, needles and floss.  Each block of the month club has its own private blog with tutorials. Please go and check it out.  You will not be disappointed!  There are quite a few to choose from.  Love ya Valerie!!!

Lori, Leaskdale, Ontario Canada

just a tease..........

Well you know I am flood bound..........Tuesday looks like my only chance this week of getting town unless it rains tomorrow. So to keep myself sane I have been sewing..............

I finished this stitchery from Natalies new "Tis the Season" book up into a little Christmas hanging.
Promise I won't start on my quilt til we all start next year together.

&&&&

And an update as to my progress on the Gardener's Journal.......think I have 4 or 5 bigger stitcheries left to do and not that much left on 3 others. They are all over the place though. 

It will all come together in the end though. Keep pushing me along girls.

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

USA Tis the season supplies

Hi Girls 

I updated the previous post re accessing the book in the USA if your interested.

Sharon will be getting some in. Go back to the previous post I did and you will find it all there.

 Just to keep all the details in the one post.

Chookyblue

Block I - Just a little late

I actually did some sewing today! Seems like it's been forever, but life has just been busy and the sewing had to wait. So what did I do today? I got the next to the last of my Gardener's Journal blocks put together! It looks crooked but that's just how it was hanging on the design wall.

And here it is pinned up next to the rest of the blocks, which I've already sewn together. So one more block to get done this month, then I can decide on borders! :0)

Tis the season........

Tis the season to share the secret for 2011....

............and here it is..............

Tis the Season by Natalie Bird (The Birdhouse)

this is the cutest little book.....

....20 x 11cm (8 x 4.5inchs)

You know I have been thinking about this for quite awhile but as soon as I saw this I knew it was the new project.

Low cost for the pattern as it is in a book. (not numerous expensive patterns to purchase)

 The book is easily available.

You could raid your stash etc

Several other cute projects in the book.

There are 13 stitcheries in total but the main project a quilt measures 33 x 41 inchs. 

&&&&

EVERYONE will be able to keep up..............well that is if anyone wants to join me..........

Besides the quilt other projects include - bag, wallhanging, scrapbook album, hanging pocket and a little cushion

I got a little carried away this afternoon when Mr Chookyblue managed to get the mail and I have stitched this little one up...........the birdies need eyes and I have yet to wash out the marker but I was too excited to wait to show you...........DMC 304 red thread as I didn't have DMC 221 as Natalie used.

So now for the plan...........we'll start in March and run for 6 months......be finished before the festive sewing swings into action...........and I could have it finished for Christmas 2011...........
&&&&

I have already purchased 2 books but I am putting this info here for you so I don't have to answer the questions later.

WHERE CAN YOU GET IT...........

Contact Natalie's shop threadandginger(at)bigpond(dot)com. 

Phone 07 3820 9052 (Australia)

Cost is $23.10 plus postage (Australia 60c or $1.20?)

Contact the above email to find other stockists......especially for overseas....

&&&&&&
ADDED some international links
Sharon at Daisy Cottage USA will be stocking the book.........email her or find the Australian section on her site...try this for the book..........but I know she is getting it in so be quick.......
NZ email Shiree here............her blog here  or shop The Rowan Tree
Others may have links in the comments on this post where the book is available.
%%%%%

As with when I started the current project I am happy to stitch away on my own but  know a few of you will join me. I will have to update the members of this current Stitch-a-long in the new year so will send out an email then to see who's in and who wants to step out.............

Also if you currently just following this blog and want to join I will sort all that out in January  February. 

Once I have finished the SSCS stuff on my blog.

Happy Stitching................hope your not being washed away where you are...............still raining here........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

More wine ...

Dreaming of summer and chilly white wine in the garden

when I stitched this block in a snowstorm

Hey Chookyblue, see my bottles of wine in the lower right corner ?

Pia

wine time...........

A bottle of wine at the neighbours can work wonders.....

.....I made sure I had something traced to stitch while we sat and chatted..........guess we chatted for awhile as this one was started and finished with the bottle of wine........

just have to wash out the marker.........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

PS no mail yet..........

Block E, before Block I

I started stitching December's block before November's block (oops), so here is Block E - One more to go.  I have put the middle of the quilt together, but I am not going to post that until it is finished completely.

Wow, this has been so much fun and I can't believe there is only one more block to go! Although I love Chookyblue's post about maybe another Stitch-A-Long?  Very interesting!

Lori
Leaskdale, Ontario, Canada

Just In time... Block E from Me

At First -
because I think this is my last posting before Christmas
I wish you ALL

WARM and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

And then... TADAA;)
Block E is finished - today -
and I was busy with the other finished blocks too...

...therefore
Fenix has also something to show you!
And look he found just perfect place at the front door;)

I'm not sure, whether I find enough time to finish the last block in this year
- I have still many secrets for Christmas undone -
but I will make it soon as possible...

planning 2011.........

Many of you have said you will miss the group blog once finished the quilt........I have really enjoyed it too........swamped occasionally but thats ok I caught up and your very patient......

...so I have been looking and thinking for ages what if anything we could/would go onto.....we have discussed the subject a few times......... 

Really it has to be what I want to do otherwise the blog doesn't continue..............

It has to be stitchery, not expensive to get the pattern and I have to love it...............well I am pretty sure I found the solution and was so excited about showing you this week........

.......BUT it is raining at my house and now I won't get mail until I get to town.........with the rain forecast I will be lucky to get mail delivered Friday week...........one HUGE disadvantage of living on dirt roads.............

%%%

Anyway hopefully very soon I can share the 2011 project.........we won't start until Feb/March...so you will have heaps of time to get organised if you choose to join me......you may decide you don't like what I have chosen and that is fine......we can work all that out later.............I have some serious work to do on my GJ quilt and once I get the secret santa projects out of the way I can get back to GJ stitching.........

.....I will be seeing Anni at Girls Day in the Country in March and my Gardener's journal HAS to be finished by then...........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

Rosie is back

Our friend Rosie is back, I went up to her home tonight and we set up a new blog, every time Rosie gets a blog something happens and she cant get back into it so lets hope this one lasts a bit longer for her.
She is now known as "happy Rosie" so please go visit her and say wellcome back
Cheers
Bell

Block E

The last but one - block E

It took me some time to make this block but finally it is here.

It is winter in Denmark with snow and it is season for patchwork and all the time I see projects I have to do. They simply jump on me.

I become a little stressed with all the projects, but suddenly the courses, the fairs and shows are over here before Christmas and I have time to finish the projects and that is a good feeling.

All the way through this stitch-a-long I have been looking forward to stitch the 'Annual Garden Show' and that is what I am working on now; it is such 3 nice ladies and I love them.

I have sewed the blocks together so far as I can and I have a good impression of how the finished quilt will look.

I think I will be happy with it.

Happy stitching everyone till next time.

Jytte

Catching Up - Block B

Getting more caught up finally.  Here is my Block B.  I tried needle turn on the hearts for the first time ever.  I think it turned out okay.  Wow two more blocks to go!  I can't believe it.   I have a bit of the quilt sewn together and it looks so beautiful!  It is so fun to see finished quilt tops.  Well, I am off to stitch by the fire where it is warm.  It is -5 here and we have a wee bit of snow!  Happy Stitching Everyone!!!

Lori, Leaskdale, Ontario, Canada

Block A completed

It has been quite a while since my previous post and I must say the end of the year is looming up much too fast for my liking but, finally, my Block A is finished. I find the most time consuming part of putting the blocks together for me, is choosing what fabric goes where. I lay out the blocks I have completed and then try to make sure the block I am working on has an even spread of colour in relation to the previous blocks. Where do you find you spend the most time when making the blocks? Would love to know.

So here is Block A all stitched together. I am happy with how it looks which is just as well as I don't like unpicking especially all those tiny squares.

After seeing all the different fabric choices that are being used on the blog, I can't wait to see how the quilts will look when completed. Very different, I should imagine.

Well, ladies, happy stitching until next time..........

Noela .

November's Block I finished

Finally made my way into the sewing room and had the time over the weekend to stitch together November's block I. It is a lovely feeling to be up to date this month as there are lots of things I should be sewing. My squares look a little wonky but that means they will go with all the other wonky ones!

Cheers
Sylvia in Canberra

More From A Gardener's Journal

My Gardener's Journal Quilt is still just a top, haven't made any progress on it since last I posted, however, I wanted to share this bag I made using the instructions in the book.

I lined it with the Mary Engelbreit fabric used in the border around the embroidery piece. Click to see close up.


Mama Bear from Huntsville, Alabama, USA

A bit late......

Here is my block B .... late again, still have to put the hearts on but will do that later. I'm off on a 14 day cruise to NZ next saturday so I have drawn the last 2 blocks just in case I get a bit of stitching time.... have stitching will travel ..... so I will pop back to see everyones progress in December.

Happy stitching everyone. 

Helen

A Heartless B.....

No...No..Not what you're thinking! I meant block B without its appliqued hearts.

I'm still deciding on which applique method to use. I have not tried needle turn, but would like to learn it and now may not be the time to start. It's getting to the busy time of year. There's time yet. I'll think some more.

I now have only two stitcheries to do. I'm getting excited as some of my blocks can be sewn together now. I'm pleased with the overall look and hope to be able to show you soon.

Hope everyone is having fun also.
Kayly
Brisbane - Queensland - Australia.

A little stitching...

...actually, a little more than a little :)

Here are my three lovely ladies at the Garden Show...

...this would have to be my favourite block. Something about these girls just makes me smile.

So Block I is now complete and looks like this...


BUT WAIT! There's more...

...the colours are a bit off, but I couldn't resist showing you this! Yes, that red is my first border! I'm waiting for my second border fabric to arrive, and then I can think about who is going to quilt (me or a professional)...it depends on how impatient I get :)

I'm going to be a bit lost without this quilt to stitch...must be time to start my Christmas stitching !

TTFN

Susan (aka Suzitee)

www.stitchscrapsew.blogspot.com

Finally Block F is Finished

I just finished Block F this weekend at a retreat. How fun to relax and sew and eat for 3 solid days!  I wish I could go back.  It was so much fun.  Anyway here is my Block F.  Just a month or so late, oh well.

It is so much fun to see some finished quilt tops.  Off to stitch the October block.  Happy stitching everyone from Ontario, Canada.

Lori

Three More Blocks Done!!! ..................... Aussie Needle Nut

Have been a bit side tracked from the Gardener's Journal.

I had to make Jock the Wonder Dog a "Wonder Dog" suit. He's watching "Hey Hey it's Saturday". Yes, I know it's all very silly!!!

....some lovely quilts being made, keep up the good work girls! .........Lynda C

Long Time Between Blocks!

I know ... you all thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth and that you needed to send a search party, didn't you ... so did I a few times in the last couple of months! Tee! Hee! Hee! Life has been a bit of a merry-go-round of deadlines, magazine commissions, commitments ... and a bit of real-life gardening too.

Our re-vamped, re-planted pond area ... complete with guardian Bunyip, Bertie, near the waterfall. :0) But this last weekend saw me actually grab some time to do a bit of 'gardening' on my GJ quilt. Block D is now FINISHED!!

A lot more pink than I ever used to be able to make myself use, being the Anti-Pink gal! :0) But the best gardens have a blend of all colours, so that's what I'm trying to do ... I think mine is turning into a reflection of my real-life garden ... a cluttered, country cottage garden ...

My Gardener's Journal quilt is 'growing' ... slowly! :0) Thanks to you all for your encouragement and support - isn't it great to have such a large cheer squad! ;0) And thanks to the tireless Chookyblue and the inimitable Peg for giving us all a prod. Happy stitching, gals!! Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS

It's finished

One Gardeners' Journal Quilt top

I pieced the last 2 blocks today then

sewed the borders on once the girlies were home from school

the hearts are ready to be needleturned on tonight

Yippee its finished and off to the

quilter tomorrow



Happy as can B ..........

"I`m singing in the rain" all the way across where ever,
through the air to you all!!
Happy is my middle name at the moment.

Please believe me,I did not think I could be "on time".
I like the two blocks here sewn together. The small things
I should redo,I do know from previous quilts
will disappear when quilted.

So now the three ladies are drawn and waiting
to be stitched.

Happy,Happy so far:-)