Late Introduction

Hi Ladies, posting a late intro here!

I am Joy from Days Filled with Joy,  an Aussie who lives in Saudi Arabia.

I've been here in Oz for the past two months, which has been great because I could order my book and be sure it arrived safely, rather than trusting the mail system over there.... it is now in my suitcase ready take back...

I was going to buy thevfabric here in Australia as well, but then decided I'd better buy it when I get back to Arabia because my suitcase is too heavy already :) So when I get back I'll go shopping and then post my fabric choice... I'll be behind, but hopefully I'll catch up soon.

I'm enjoying seeing all the blocks that have been made!

Susan: Also a Finish

I finished my block last week and forgot to post it! *face palm* Here it is:

Block One nearly done....

Here we are nearly at the end of the month - it's been great to see progress on the blocks so far - thank you to those who have shared, it's always inspiring to see how everyone tackles the block as well as the yummy fabric choices :-)
You'll think I'm pretty slack (as a SAL hostess) for sharing just a partial finish - my block doesn't yet have it's pieced squares added.

Some lovely fabrics that I have been waiting for have come into my local quiltshop - I'm going to use those for my quilt instead of these, which were bits and bobs from my scrap box. So I'll be starting over and probably turning this into a cute mini ... great for Christmas gifting I think!

Remember to keep sharing, everyone - and keep calm (and post anyway) if you get behind - this is a friendly encouraging place to be :-)

Happy Sewing!!

Raewyn.

Christmas Stocking

Hello my friends.

Busy time at our house looking after a sick 

baby grandson.

So at last I had time to finish 

Christmas Stocking block. :)

I only made up the side blocks as still sorting fabrics 

for the squares.

Please with stocking block.

Happy Stitching,

Clare.

Taahdaah! Done, dusted and way over due!

I thoroughly enjoyed stitching along with you all. I believe I am not the only one trailing along. I encourage those of you who have yet to complete their quilt to stitch on. 

I did have mine done for a while but I seem to loose momentum with all of my quilts when it comes time to bind them.  But once I get going I can't wait to finish.  She is hanging nicely in my living room...I love it.  Thank you Chooky and Susan for your patience and gentle nudges. 🇨🇦

Dezertsuz

BTW, I didn't know if there was an instagram tag, so I used #hollycottagechristmas
 
Finally, I have something accomplished, though I'm not finished. First, here are some of my fabric choices:
 

  Am I going to be the only one who will do everything backwards?
 

June block finished

 This fabric didn't show up well in the below photo

so I made this to show it better...

I had bought a charm pack a few years back, can't

remember the brand but I have some fat quarters from

the same fabrics so that is what 

I'm using for the patchwork...I used a piece of

felt for the circle and left the stitching off the toe

and top as the fabric already had stars on it....

Looking at the pudding applique, I've decided 

to use some other stitchery from the book

for that block as Christmas pudding really

has no significance to our family....And I've

decided to do the candle mat as a gift so I'll be doing

that soon to count as my May project....

I'm enjoying seeing everyone's posts...

Sammie

AKA Mama Bear

Still Prepping

I started the month by gathering my fabrics ànd cutting the base blocks, sashings and borders.

I am using a "Winterberry" charm pack for the 4.5" squares and some 2.5" squares with the remaining squares and applique from my stash. Instead of red/green I've been wanting to work using blues in a Christmas quilt and found a lovely blue/gold for the sashings and have gone with a pale blue base fabric for the blocks.

Doing "scrappy" is something I struggle with and need to have some control over fabric placement ... so ... prep, prep, prep. All the 2.5" squares and 4.5" squares are cut and layed out ... ready for sewing.

I also need a bit more of the blue/gold for sashings. My apologies for not following the plan exactly but I will start on the stocking shortly .... promise.

Block 1

As I live in a small Cray fishing /tourist town in Western Australia we  can't even buy a needle let alone fabric sew with the help of my lovely friend Fiona in Queensland and the internet she bought some beautiful fabrics for me to match what I had from Quilters Angel ...

Backing and borders...









with my fabrics

First block finished...Not sure how I will frame my blocks yet...

Also another lovely blogging friend Jo sent me these great buttons to complete my candle mat...

Looks GREAT !!



Huge thank you to both ladies...

Hugz Maria

https://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com

June - Susan Oh 2 Sew

Ready and raring to go - June's block is done.

I opted out of the May small project but I have been secretly prepping since I signed up.

To be able to fit this into an already overloaded schedule (darn that I still work), I am "streamlining" my approach - machine applique and maybe no stitchery - still pondering that one...

Here is my Block #1 for now.

It's great to see a few early starters.

June Block All Complete

The other day I posted my June block, completed, sort of!

Well over the last couple of days, I have been cutting two and half inch and four and half inch scrappy squares .  Still have about fifty plus to go on the two and a half inch scrappy squares.

But out of the squares I have had cut, I  decided to join a selection to my "Hang the Stockings" block.

Am looking foward to July.

Block 1

Block 1 completed although I have just noted a mark on the white fabric. May have to re-do or tea dye!

Hang the Stockings - Completed

Cannot believe that I have completed , Hang the Stockings, well, basically completed, stillmin process of cutting my two and a half inch scrappy squares.

In the big picture, I  am rather happy with it.  I always like to put a little gold stitching on most of my blocks, so did the cross-stitches and straight stitches in gold thread, however,  I may change my mind and purchase the recommended dark gold 860, see what happens when I go to the city.

Until next time, happy stitching.
Sharon.

Making a Start

Hello everyone!!

I'm just wondering how everyone is doing and how you are all getting on with BLOCK ONE of our SAL?

Fiona is away this month so I thought I'd better step up and do a post!

It was awesome to see Shez's completed block in the last post....now I am extra happy as I had a chance to get started on my block this weekend.

First of all I got the stitchery done —

— then got busy deciding on fabrics for the rest of the block.

I think these will work :-)

I notice Shez sewed all her's together before doing the applique... I decided to do the applique first.

I cut the background fabric a little bigger than the 8½" x 10½" we need... I cut it at 9"x11". Once I've appliqued I'll cut it back to the right size. I've got into the habit of doing this as sometimes with lots of stitching or applique my fabric gets pulled in a little and the block ends up too small.

Hopefully a couple of nights of hand sewing will see the applique done - then I'll be rummaging again to see what fabrics I'll use for around the outside :-)

I'm looking forward to seeing how you are all getting on...don't be shy to share!

And feel free to email me to ask questions too....

Happy Stitch-A-Long!!

Raewyn.

First Block is Finished

I am so pleased my first block is finished,i hope to keep up with this SAL,it was a lovely block to put together .
Cheers Shez xx

First Block sewn up

I have the first block ready, now to get the stocking pieces done,the journey has began i am really excited about this quilt.
cheers Shez xx