1st SAL.....Peg, Dale and I committed to stitching Anni Downs - A Gardener's Journal in March. I blogged about this on my blog thinking maybe one or 2 others may join us and lots of girls indicated an interest so I decided to start this blog where we can all encourage each other to meet the goals set along the way....March 2010 -March 2011...........
2nd SAL ......well so many of the girls wanted to continue on with another project and some new girls joined us and now approx 91 girls are stitching Natalie Bird's Tis the Season. March to Sept 2011...............
3rd SAL....many girls want to stick with the SAL so now we have moved onto Anni Downs Some Kind of Wonderful - My Favourite Things Quilt.......Oct 2011-Oct 2012.........
Where are we now.....
4th SAL 2013...is numerous smaller projects from the previous 2 books Tis the Season and Some Kind of Wonderful plus some projects from Red Home by Natalie Bird approx 60 ladies stitching together.........
2014 we had the year off..............
5th SAL 2015..........inspired to continue we are doing another quilt project.....Anni Downs newest quilt Natures Journey.....
6th SAL 2017.............A Holly Cottage Christmas by Michelle Ridgway.......once again the pattern is in an affordable book so it is easy for everyone to join in...........and you can raid your stash for the fabrics........or lash out and buy a the whole lot........this SAL will be run by Fiona aka Bubz Rugz and Raewyn........
Chookyblue........

Monday, January 31, 2011

Chooky's Block F........

Hot off the press.............quilter booked...........8 down 1 to go..........
 
..........those 3 ladies are taking there toll................lots of stitching when I just want it finished. 
The remainder of the block is pieced I just need the last stitchery and I can join the last to block to the other 7.

Keep Stitching............
Chookyblue...........

Sunday, January 30, 2011

My Gardener's Journal Quilt is Finished!!!!

I am very excited to report I have finished my Gardener's Journal Quilt!!  Completely!!!   My dear friend Jenny quilted it for me and I picked it up on Friday afternoon after work.  I sewed the binding on yesterday afternoon and then handstitched the binding down while watching the ladies Australian Open tennis final last night.    I hand stitched on the label this morning and there we have it!! 

A close up of some of Jenny's fantastic quilting - the brief to her was "just do what you think" and I'm really happy with what she has done!


My quilt label all stitched on!


And although not a fantastic photo, I got my dear husband to hold it up outside in the sun in the hope that you could see some of the detail in the quilting!    I love it - thanks Jenny for quilting, and thanks so much to Chooky and the gang for inspiring us all to get going on this lovely lovely quilt!    Bring on "Tis the Season" Stitch A Long !!



Saturday, January 29, 2011

Bugger.........

With Helen and Shiree hot on my case and the end in sight I thought I would be right to piece block F..........I finished resting in the garden while away during the week and thought I was good to piece the rest of the block........well bugger me I haven't stitched the dove cote.............I really thought I had.........and I have but with different blue thread and it was made for another present.............I so thought it was done for this.............anyway now I have to find the cream and trace it off............
so onto plan B to keep these girls off my case.............
I only had the seed packets to trace and stitch for clock H so that is what I did in between swimming in the pool.......
Ta-da.............block H finished.............
Still stitching the annual flower show ladies.............
Lori I think it was you that Lee sent me some bits of fabric.........see a square next to the tools............
&&&
You girls have done a great job during the week..............2 finished quilts...........I need to update the sidebar...........maybe tomorrow............
&&&&
I got to have coffee with Dawnie this week and her quilt is coming along beautifully too............all her changes look great..............
Keep stitching........
Chookyblue

Friday, January 28, 2011

Wooohooo all finished

Wow I can't beleive it..... all finished including the label and also hanging on the wall in my dining room .... think I might need to rest now ..... lol nah just kidding. Thanks very much Chooky for this great blog and the work you have put into it also to  all the girls who help with the motivation and inspiration.... but...... we still have to keep Chooky on target as it would be a shame for her not to have hers finished in time for the retreat after all this was started for her to reach her goal, we all just became hangers on... so to speak..... so come on girls we now have to help Chooky get it done.






Go Chooky.... go Chooky.....

Helen

D is for done...

Here, finally, is my Block D.  It's been a long time coming, but now I'm officially over 1/2 way there.


Boy, there have been some beautiful quilts FINISHED lately, you guys are so clever and it looks like everyone is making a late charge for the finish line.  I will get there, but as is my way, it will be late!

Have a wonderful weekend ................. hope to be back sooner next time.....Nicky

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Please mark me as "Completed" xx

My Quilt is all finished - Quilted and Bound
Now just got to do the label

BLOCK F AND BLOCK E - FINISHED YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!



Look out Chookyblue is on the war path.
I had a visit from her today as i hadnt posted for ages!!!!!


but glee glee.....
I did have some work to show for my timout!!

Another two blocks completed!!!!!!!!
and with the deadline fast approaching,I thinkI am going to make it.

My excuse for the delay is the "dawnifications" and I'm sticking to it.

All blocks done



Just missing the assembly and borders to have a top.

Pia

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

top job!


well I have finally got my top pieced, WAHOO!!! I am really pleased I have got this far, and most of it was due to last Friday evening. It was quite fun putting it all together, and a bit like catching up with an old friend really, as I had completed the stitcheries many moons ago when we all first started this stitch-along.


~ all I need to do now is sort out the borders, I so hope to have this quilt finished by the end of the month....hmmmmm


enjoy your week!

Shiree

Monday, January 24, 2011

D and H finished, yes I'm way behind!

 I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, I've been working on my Gardener's Journal in between my other committments now I can mark off blocks D and H as complete.
It's very inspiring seeing all these quilts tops being completed and even quilted. I won't give up, I have to have it finished before I start Tis the Season!

Quilt Top Finished

I have finished my quilt top and I love it.  Now for quilting.  I am going to quilt it myself, but not sure exactly how to quilt it yet.  I still have to pick backing too.



It is great to see all of the blocks and quilt tops coming together and everyone's progress.  The support of the group has been amazing!  Can't wait to start Tis the Season.  Thanks Chookyblue.  It is -25 here in Ontario, Canada and -35 with the windchill.  Good time to stay in and do some quilting!

Lori, Leaskdale, Ontario, Canada

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Good training

to walk between the sewing machine and the ironing board.
I didn't count the times but it was numerous.

And here's the result


my block G - two more to go before borders.

Pia

Friday, January 21, 2011

WOW.......

Hi stitchers

did you know we have 6 quilts completely finished..........

about 15 girls have there quilts to the top stage...............

go girls............
this means about 1/3 of the group have there top together or finished......

.......how super is that............

Keep stitching (I am)

Chookyblue

Borders added!

I am so excited to finally show my top of the Gardener's Journal with the borders added. It has been great to share this journey with the Stitch-a-long girls.Thank you to all of you for your encouragement and especially to Chooky blue for setting it all up. It is a bit wrinkled as I couldn't wait to take its photo to share. It is always a relief to get those last borders onto a quilt. I am going to have it quilted professionally so I feel like it is almost finished.
I am looking forward to starting the new Stitch-a-long in March.
Happy Stitching
Sylvia

Thursday, January 20, 2011

It's a finish! :0)

Today I finished my Gardener's Journal quilt! It's hard to believe I started out with this...

...and ended up with this!


I even used jelly roll strips to piece part of the backing. The rest was a scrap of fabric I had in my stash. And I used jelly roll strips to piece the binding too!


And this is all that's left...five jelly roll strips that I'm sure I'll find a use for in one of my future projects! Thanks so much Chookyblue for organizing the stitch along. It was just what I needed to get this project started...and finished! :0)


blog signature6

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Another block...

 Sooo..do you remember how last week I sewed one of the stitcheries back to front???
Well just to keep up my record, look what I did this week...


I guess there was a bit too much talking going on!! 
No problem though, didn't take too long to fix!!


So...another block completed for me!
Just need to trace some more stitcheries. An old xray viewer has turned up in my office so I am going to use it as a light box to trace some tomorrow at work LOL

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

All Stitcheries done

The rest of my stiticheries are done.


I got the bandage removed from my leg yesterday, så I should be able to get to the sewing mashine within a week or two and get the blocks together.

Love to see how everyones tops are coming together and thanks for the company to all of you.

Pia

Greetings from Finland - top finished?


I thought that my GJ top would be finished, but when I look it more carefully...
I'm not pleased with the outer border and the points of the extension...

KRRR...
Maybe I redo it, if I have enough fabric:(

Anyway I have time before my backing fabric arrives...
And I haven't yet decided how will I quilt it...
Maybe I'll wait and read your hints;)

This Journey has been so fun,
that I really looking forward our next journey -
with Tis the Season!

Thank you for your all support
during my GJ journey!!!


PS: After sharpening the ripper...

perhaps... a little bit better???

Monday, January 17, 2011

its Quilted, Bound and Hanging


Ta Da my Gardeners' Journal is finished and hanging proudly in the hallway
of our home.

Our local council each January has 'music in the park' on Sunday afternoons
so yesterday I took my GJ with us and managed to get the binding sewn down

Thank you so much to Chookyblue for starting the Stitch-A-Long

at times I thought I would never get it finished as so much
turmoil was happening in my private life, but I persevered

and yippee it's done.

and I love it.

Roll on 'Tis the Season stitch-a-long :)

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Here I am!

Happy and content! At last I am ready to show you my quilt top,finished this
morning,Sunday January 16th.2011,a big day for me to remember!


I am very pleased,love the pattern as well as the fabrics. Just a few of
my own stash,but a full kit from H&P with the lovely border/YAWA-fabric
from Japan. Long way for the border fabric to travel: Japan via
Australia,then all the way up to Norway.The trip took a long time,but
worth waiting for.

But mind you, I have seen lots of other quilts at our blog,and I could
easily have changed my fabric range!! And I do really admire you in
our group who has done 2 quilts and my admiration goes to those of you
who do the quilting yourself. And not to mention how great if you only
have used your stash!
My quilt top is going to the long arm quilter one of these days.

Anyway,if you haven`t finished and you are not as lucky as me
(no work,all days free-LOL!)do not give up! This year or next or
sometime in the furture, you`ll finish. Such a lovely feeling
finishing each block,then posting it. And I`ll be watching you:))))

Till next time GOOD LUCK to all my SAL-friends,glad to belong to
this group.

Always late!

I join the stitch-a-long last year but have never posted. Please forgive me. I am making very slow progress with my blocks. I will finish the quilt this year, although not sure which month it will be. Last October, I travelled to New Zealand from my home in England for an extended holiday with my husband. I did think about taking blocks with me but then I thought I would need the space for all the goodies I would buy in the wonderful quilting shops on the South Island. On return to England we were met with snow. We rarely experience such weather in part our of the country. So I went into hibernation. I will upload some pictures of my blocks on my next posting, which I hope will be soon.

I will also be starting this year stitch-a-long. Just need to purchase the book. Thanks to Chookyblue for visiting my blog and e-mailing to give me a poke.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Yes,my orchard is done!

Hi,then we have been stitching the same at the same time,Chookyblue :-)


Here you see my orchard,lovely block to stitch,I have been waiting to
sewing this one all the time. I sewd it to the rest yesterday. And
now on Saturday January 15th 2011,I am just having a small break here:
I am in the middle of cutting the first border,having less left of
the fabric than I thought,I reduced it to cut 1 1/4,which is OK as the
colour is very red.

Now then,maybe tonight the top will be ready. My heart is already beating
fast,almost can`t believe it. Just gone 1 whole year with you lot :))) LOL
In fact it has been great! Back to work,more later ......

the orchard is done..........

Block E the orchard........I enjoyed stitching this one.............just realised I chopped off the bug a bit..........
.....6 down 3 blocks to finish
 
and once I had that one stitched I could join these 5..........
I can see then end is coming.............2 more big stitcheries and I am done I think...........
Catch you later..............
Chookyblue

Bec's Top Finished!

I finished my top last week, sorry to take so long in posting. I am so so SO pleased to have the top done! Now I will baste and quilt it!
It's so exciting seeing all the quilt tops coming together!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Block D!!!!!!


I am way behind, but still trying hard to have it finished by the deadline. If there are still ladies out there that have become behind like me...please don't be discouraged as WE CAN DO IT!!! Lol! Seeing all the beautiful quilt tops amd blocks appearing on this blog of late, has definately kept me going...Thankyou ladies!!

Off to trace F Block!

Lisa
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Promised Progress Report!

Hey all! My, haven't we all been busy little stitchers now that we've got the Christmas stitching out of the way! :0) It's been lots of fun to see the inundation of progress reports and lots of quilt tops coming together. I'd love to show you  my finished quilt top ... but it's not finished! Tee! Hee! Hee! However, Miss Chookyblue has been pushing to see what progress I've made and nudging me along, so I thought I'd share an update. At the moment, my tally stands at ...

... FIVE finished blocks and ...


... all of the remaining stitcheries are finished, except for one ... the Annual Garden Show on the bottom right there that is underway. See Chookyblue? I TOLD you I'd show you I'd really been stitching and not just slacking! :0) Lots of stitching has been going on during the holidays, I think I only had the dovecote and basket of flowers finished before Christmas, so I HAVE been busy ... really! :0) My decision to add a few little patches of satin stitch to most blocks is one I'm happy with, as I love the patches of colour that now jump out (especially those apples in the orchard block!!) but boy of boy, do they take some time to stitch! (especially those apples in the orchard block! Tee! Hee! Hee!) I'm not sure if I'll have my quilt finished by the March deadline, but I sure am a LOOOOOOOOONG way in front of where I would have been without joining the Stitch-A-Long! So, thanks to Chookyblue, Peg et al for the 'gentle' shove. :0)


But for now ... I'm off to catch a few ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's!! Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

35 apples in one day plus a basket full!!

Could have caused real tummy trouble:-) Well,just talking of what you see here.
HURRAH my last block has been stitched,resting on the backing,waiting to
be sewn into block E..... And I have practiced (really tried to) backstiching
on the apples,preparing myself for my next new project!!!




Lovely Winter with untouched snow and a missing link soon on its way!!


I am sure you know what I`ll be busy with doing this weekend,
unless something more importent suddenly must turn up.

For me it has been super to have a "strict" plan to follow. Glad for
the planning,Chookyblue. Lovely to be seeing all the different
quilt tops comming up on our blog at the moment:-)

And I am so sorry for all the devastating things we see and hear
about on the TV from parts of your country, I too pray that Mother
Nature soon will calm down.

Top finished.

Today I have spent ironing my mountainous pile of clothes and finishing my quilt top while listening to radio updates on the floods in my beloved state.
The quilt looks less pale in real life. I have put it away now because I have paid work for awhile. I hope to get it out again in about 3 weeks to have it finished in time for Nundle. I was going to pin it, ready for any spare moment. I decided not to because we are very very humid at the moment and my ordinary dress pins have left rust spots on my pincushion. I don't have enough brass safety pins to do the whole top and I don't trust my nickle-plated ones. Better to wait.
Take care everyone,
Kayly