January projects completed

Well, its been a bit of a week. We went away for the long weekend - a bit rushed at the end. So I only took Gardeners Journal stitching with me. Unfortunately, i got caught in the floods in
the Wide Bay area of Queensland. Once the rain stopped and the wind died down we were fine (although the wind and rain was very scary!). But we then had to sit and wait until they opened up the highway to the south of us.

I ran out of DMC thread for the GJ blocks. DH didn't seem to think it likely that this could be declared an emergency and have them helicoptered in. I got a little panicky then. All this time and no sewing. Ahhh! Luckily, I have a few things stashed away in Childers. So I started on an English Paper piecing table runner by Sue Daly. That is coming along quite nicely. I haven't a photo on here to use so that will have to come later.

We managed to drive home yesterday. Not too bad a drive but the flooding was just amazing. The heights the water had reached. Incredible.

Today was the day. I made two thread catchers. They were incredibly easy and lots of fun. I can see me making a few more. Very handy little items. I finished this about midday - hours before the deadline. Lol!

Here they are:

Not the best photo but they are done. I still have the shoe bag almost complete. Will get that done in February. But i can tick January off with a few hours to spare. Yay!!

Cheers

Marg

January Finishes

I shared my first thread catcher previously, but had to make a second. The light weight pelon is definitely better for the size shown on the pattern. When I saw these fabrics I thought they would work well together. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

I was happy that the shoe bag was on the project list. I made two of these as Christmas gifts in 2011 and shared here and here. At the time I stated that I should also make one for me, but it hadn’t happened. Now I have one of my own. On all of them I cheated by just putting a single fabric around the top, instead of the patchwork strip.

 

 

So, here is my little collection.

 

 

 

 

I’ve made a small start on February’s project. As you can see, I’ve decided to use blue for the colour. It will be fun making the bag from fabrics in my stash.

 

 

 

Cheers

Janice





SKofW top........

If you want to see another Some Kind of Wonderful top head over here............

Chookyblue..........

(Maybe) last but not least

Well, I'm not sure if I'm last or not, but I've made it with a few hours to spare!

I'll be going to rummage in my stash to select fabrics for February's project-I'm getting my daughter to draw up a design for the stitchery panel, so once she's done that, I'll start stitching.

Leonie

January completed

Back after a big break and ready for another year with Chooky's Stitch A Long Blog inspiration...looking forward to making a year of gifts

Here is January's project, so quick and easy and just a little addictive! Joined the rest of the girls and mixed up the sizes

over achievers award

Someone tell me to stop!...I'm really enjoying these projects!

Have made thread catcher no.4 and 2 shoe bags....Well I have 3 daughters, so I thought they could all get one...and hubby...but shall put boots on his!...(he always puts his shoes in a plastic bag when he travels...so I'm sure he needs one too)

Onto the next project now.  
cheers Lea

working away on February

I finally got my Red Home book.  I selected fabric for the tote bag but I was short some of the bigger pieces.  Its lovely french general fabric that I won at Red Brolly.

I got everything cut and started the stitching so I will be ready to go when my order arrives. Hopefully I won't miss the deadline!

I've already got March's done but I'll hold back on the reveal :0)

Happy Stitching!

What deadline - what pressure?

Can't believe I haven't felt any pressure getting this done by today! Who am I kidding?? You MUST excuse the horrendous background - hubby's wishful man cave. (only myself and little tackers home so couldn't ask them to hold it up - they would only make it to the first block!). I just needed to photograph quickly on my phone, and blog to show you the top is done!!!

Not without some issues I might add. I was in such a rush that I didn't press one seam!! nope! so obviously the alignment is out of whack but I will just have to deal with that. Its all leaning to the side. I envisage over the next evening or so I will be standing up in front of the TV for two hrs or more trying to press this humongous thing!

This is my backing fabric - quite a contrast but I wanted that. And Denise Schmidt fabric at $4 metre from spotlight was a bargain I thought.

Now my biggest issue is how to quilt it - I think some FMQ would be wonderful but I'm not attempting it on this huge quilt. So I was thinking of hand quilting in the thin hand quilting thread (not sure what it is called - not Pearl 8 like I normally use) with some free motion designs I will draw on. Mostly on the strips - not the blocks.

Anyway, a weight off my shoulders - now to complete my next Jan project by this evening. I cut out the shoe bag template from the Anni Downs book and didn't realise there is a smaller template of the shoes in the back. Fortunately, my Red Home book arrived this week so I may just look at doing the thread catcher instead.

Happy Stitching All, Love Susie

My tread catcher complete✅

I have joined a little late and chooky has been on my case since. Now I have caught up. Looking forward to the next project. This little thread catcher along with some other bit n pieces will be on there way to tazzie for the fire victims I will have to make another of me.

January wrap up.........

The whip cracking sure has worked............

We only have a few girls left to complete the month...........

Lynda I am impressed..........you've made the deadline.........

Marg got stuck in flood waters away from home.....but should be done Friday or Saturday............couple of new girls have joined in the last few days Kerri and SharonJ.....hurry hurry girls...........Meg and Sonia need to get the blog membership sorted..........hopefully we can get that worked out today...........Meg will be trying to work out what country she will be choosing to live in - where is the last place to reach midnight???

Leonie and Lurline I need to hear from you..............today's the 31st..........the clock is ticking.........

So that is pretty good to only have 7 to get finished up out of 60 girls.............

congratulations so far you have made a total of 

132 thread catchers and shoe bags.........AMAZING..........

&&&&

very happy for everyone to get a start on the stitching etc for the next month once they have the current month finished but if we hold off posting finished items for the next until that month starts......that way we are sticking together...........Stitching-a-long together.............

Keep Stitching.......

Chookyblue................

Just in time

Decided to make the shoe bag a little smaller and make it into a lunch bag.

And just in time :-)

Pia

January all done.

For January I have managed to make two thread catchers and the shoe bag. Because the shoe bag isn't lined I decided to use some lovely double sided fabric I was saving for something special - so it has spots on the outside and checks on the inside. I also did French Seams so that I had no raw edges inside. To be honest I didn't need a shoe bag so decided not to do the applique. What I did instead is use a band of Anni's lovely fabric across the bag. You can see that I did manage to get one picture of the shoe design on that band.

My thread catchers were fun to make - I'd like to experiment with some different sizes. The red spotty one is actually for my bathroom - I need something like that to keep little things tweezers,nail clippers and lip balm close at hand.
So January is finished and I have everything all ready for February.

Lynda

Two for the price of one...



 

Yay finished with a few days to spare...they didnt take any time at all.... on to the next project :)

SHOE BAG DONE--

I decided I would also make the shoe bag--
as I did not use this block in the quilt-
but thought is cute--

and I am glad that I made one as I learned something new--
never could figure out how to get the 'strings' in a project to make a closure like this--
have wanted to use this style a couple times--but????
This was also a fun project to sew--
Thanks--Chookyblue--
Hugs, Di from quiltingisblissful.blogspot.com

project January

The small basket is transformed into a small bag for my accessories.
Linen and lace outside.

I saw that the project is already well advanced in February, so we not expect?
everyone does not start at the same time?

Bye

Project January

January - complete

Thankyou to Chooky for allowing me to re-join the SAL blog even though my SKoW is still only at the top stage. It's booked into the quilters in March but with the way this year is already flying, it will be here before I know it.

 

Yesterday I managed to complete both of January's projects.

 

My daughter saw the picture in Anni's book and suggested that I make a small change to the bag to make it more applicable to her needs. She goggled images for "Ballet Slippers" and decided on this lovely picture.

I used my little thread catcher today and it works a treat! I can why everyone has made more than one, it was sooo easy.

 

February's Project- Red Home Tote Bag

 

I am a huge Tennis fan, so while watching the men's final of the Australian Open last night I started on February's project and instead of my bag being red it will be blue.   

 



 

Until Next Time, Happy Stitching

Ann



February stitching has begun.

Friday night I began Februarys project.
I traced the stitchery for the True Friends Tote bag and began stitching the design

I will be using my French General fabrics I bought when I was holidaying in Canberra this past Christmas.

My First SAL

I am so excited to be in the SAL. Thanks Chooky.  This is my first one, so I hope I get the protocols correct. Hope I haven't blogged too many pics.... I have been looking at everyone's work ...it is beautiful.

Today it has rained and rained and rained I might float away by tomorrow. 8 inches in Goondiwindi is a lot of rain and it is still raining. What a lovely day to make my shoe bag. 

 I had a nice surprise when I  remembered my little tin of 1 1/2  inch squares that I have collected. Perfect for the trim.

All pre cut ...lucky me......LOL....

Finally  I picked my colours. It usually takes me longer to pick the colour than sew the bag

After looking at the one the lovely Grethe sent me for Christmas I decided to line my bag

Finished on time Chooky .............

It needed a little button on each shoe.

I just can't with stilettos ......wish I could. I used variegated thread 

The trim

Thread catcher

I decided, like many of you to make more than one. I recently went to a stitching day where Natalie Bird presented this coffee bag and little zipper bag so I decided to make a thread catcher to compliment the set ....and a zippered bag to compliment my first thread catcher.....

My friend Steph got these for Christmas.

If any of you are in flood or fire , take care and Chooky I hope you are getting some rain.

Fabric Baskets - Done.

Yes.... I have completed my fabric baskets... and yes they are SO much fun to make!!

 

 

I am going to make so more for presents..

 

Going to start on February project today....

 

 

Sandyn



I have made a start on the February project....

Better go as I am meeting up with someone special today 

who is passing through Orange...The whip cracker herself!!!!

More on that later.....

Until next time, Happy Stitching

Kate

Kate S

http://kate-showandtell.blogspot.com.au/

Two Thread Catchers

Greetings from Finland!

First I want to thank Chookyblue, 

that you allowed me to join AGAIN this inspiring group!

THANK YOU!!!!

I AM happy and I promise to stay on track this year...

In January I decided to make two thread catchers, because I don't now need a shoe bag.

I really enjoyed to plan small changes for these baskets... 

and you SAL girls give me an extra boost!

I found the cute appliqued rose pattern from Natalie's book. I also wanted to try a decorative stitch on the border as many of us has done. And finally I figured a use for the pastel-coloured hexagons.

It's amazing how many splendid and different version of the thread catcher I have seen here.

This SAL year will be terrific!!!

And I'm ready for the next month...

See You again in February!!!

- Satu -

January ~ thread catcher

Done! Please take me off the hit list, Chooky ;)

Shoe bag now a girly girl bag...

 I love this years plan...

So great someone( Chookyblue) has thought of what to make 

and I just do it... easy as.

Each month I can make the project as a gift for

 someone... easy to do - no thinking on what to make.

 I think it's a great plan. Do you?

 This months project was either the shoe bag from the

 'Some Kind of Wonderful' book by Annie Downs

 or the thread catcher from the Red Book.

 I have decided most of the projects will be for little girls

 maybe some big girls too...

So I made  the shoe bag this month

 minus the stitchery this time..and with girly fabrics.

 I just love the freshness of it...

I can now concentrate on next months bag...

 that may be for a big girl...LOL...me!

 Happy Stitching everyone...

 Hugs Dawn x x

As Sweet as Cinnamon

Well here I am.....finally.....uploading my first post on SAL - yay.  Finished are my one and only (at this point anyways) threadcatcher .....

 

 Kinda wishing I hadn't added the button now......but too late to change my mind......and I did use a decorative stitch - cute little daisies......they do add some pop to the lining.

 

Then came the shoebag - ladies, you need to know I am really not a blanket stitch professional/fan.....dislike immensley performing the task - so I cheated when it came to the flowers - they're held on by Heat n Bond and a running stitch.....where there is a will, theres a way.  My turned applique ended up a little wonky as I often have these moments where I think "Nah - I don't have to do it like the pattern says".....(regularly regret those thoughts once I head off on my own little tangent).....it really did need the freezer paper!!!

 

But all in all - happy with the results!!!  And even happier I have 2 finishes prior to the end of January that are both for me!!!!!

 

And look what else - a start on February............

 

I have been involved with a wonderful group of ladies over the last few years (The Material Girls), where we meet once a month and stitch together.  This year I decided to take a sabbatical as a change in my work role has led to an increase in responsibility and workload - leaving me to be much less reliable to attend the monthly gatherings and meet the deadlines for gifting etc.  Joining you ladies in SAL is perfect - still have accountability, (Annies Dreaming can often be more Annies Procrastinating),  definately receiving inspiration from the lovely finishes posted, and the items I now get to make I'll get to keep (or not, cos I do love making for others).  Thanks for hosting Chookyblue!

 

Oh, and did I mention - my lovely shoe bag now houses my socks.......I get to look at it every day!!!

 

xoxoxo