One Block at a Time

This block is now needle turned and just need to do the embroidery.

These are the blocks i have made so far,hope to get some more done today.
Thankyou Fiona and Michelle for encouraging me to keep pottering along,one block at a time and i will get there.
Cheers Shez xx

Thank - you.....

A quick note to say thank you for those of you who joined Raewyn and I for Michelle's Holly Cottage stitch-a-long.... .  

I just loved the quilt and so making it with friends is just the best..... 

There are 4 completed quilts.... Well done Lyn, Raewyn, Maria and me

2 completed tops - Narelle and Susan (dezertsuz)

2 almost completed tops - Susan (oh2sew) and Sammie

and a few with blocks - we all have long term projects and hopefully we will continue to see some of them....

I know Michelle has been delighted to see the different versions being made

As you know we 'borrowed' the blog from Chooky so that I didn't need to make a whole new one.... Thank you so much Chooky for lending us your blog - made is so much easier....

Take care and Happy Stitching

Susan: Top Finished!

Yesterday, I put the final border on A Holly Cottage Christmas. I auditioned several fabrics, but I kept coming back to this yellow one with gold leafy vines on it. I bought it recently from someone's eBay shop for very little, and it seemed perfect for this top. I noticed that different colors gave the top different looks, and I liked this look. I'll be binding with the rest of the red/green/gold plaid that is around the hearts and stars and a few other blocks.

Once this goes off to the quilter, later in the summer, I'll be ready for another something!

A slight renovation..

I did some minor changes on my blog today - changed some links and removed some items that no longer worked as intended. I linked my IG (Instagram) to my blog a while back, which is why there's been some slightly abnormal postings from me lately. But it seems to be working.  

Craft-wise things are trotting along in an OK manner. I'm considering joining the next round of FibreShare - signups start this Saturday - and I'm working on several of the latest SewSampler-projects. This past week I've managed to get a good bit of craft-time, both after the kids have gone to bed and whilst Hubby is off climbing. That sure feels good - time in the crafting zone, that is.

Mine's done......

Monday was a public holiday so I spent it doing some of my own quilting....

... so now my Holly Cottage is finished....

Thanks Michelle for your lovely pattern.

I really really really loved doing this quilt

Done !!!!!

I'm sew happy to have completed my Holly Christmas Cottage Quilt...... A beautiful design by Michelle....

I would like to thank Fiona, Raewyn, Chooky and Susan for keeping us on track for this fun sew-a-long ..

hugz  Maria

https://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com

Down to the Final Borders!

Bordering is all that's left. The green cross borders that I used in lengthening the quilt slightly will be the first one, and an unknown red will be the final one.

Finished!

I'm really happy to share some photos of my finished - quilted and bound - quilt.

I may have got a little carried away with my quilting but once I started I couldn't stop :-)

I cross hatched in the squares and then did a more dense filler in the applique/stitchery blocks.

Then quite dense feathers in the border - that took forever but I got there in the end!

So happy with how it turned out... thank you Michelle, this was such a lovely pattern to make.

I hope you're all making a little progress on your Holly Cottage Christmas quilts too :-)

Happy Stitches, 

Raewyn.

My Flimsy!!

I suddenly realised I hadn't shown my flimsy top! Ta-da - here it is —

(Not the best photo sorry and the border looks wavey as there are door handles in the way!!)

Isn't it fun seeing them all come together - so many beautiful versions :-) 

Please keep sharing, even if you have got behind. We'd love to see your progress and have the chance to cheer you on.

Happy Stitches,

Raewyn.

Lagging behind

As some of you know, I've been ill with shortness of breath and coughing for months.
Last week (Monday-Wednesday), I went on retreat with friends and carried the cottage block to applique and embroidery...alas, I forgot the matching thread for the cottage fabric thinking I could do the embroidery before the applique. I  did what I could. After returning on Wednesday I was admitted to the hospital with Pneumonia which we now realize I've had for at least 6 weeks.  Came home Sunday night, still recuperating, hoping to feel like stitching soon, I've brought it to my bed.

Top Complete

 When I joined the Sew Along for Michelle's " Holly Christmas Cottage " I had some Anni Downs "Under the Mistletoe "   fabric left in my stash which I wanted to use but nothing else matched for borders and background .  Sew my lovely friend Fiona  from Bubz Rugz offered to go shopping for me in her favorite shop "Quilter's Angel" 

After many TXTs and photos she purchased the fabrics which the fabulous ladies sent to me ....         

         Sew it is nice to have Michelle's " Holly Cottage  Cottage" top completed

A little different form Michelle's pattern but I love it...........

Big thanks to Fiona, Raewyn, Chooky and Susan for running another great SAL....

Happy Stitching

Hugz  Maria :)

https://lifeontheblock.blogspot.com

 

It's a flimsy..... tada......

I'm really happy how pretty this quilt is.....

I used a set of Anni Downs fabrics for doing this cutest pattern of Michelles 

At least I have a feasible time frame to have it quilted by Christmas?????

It's ready and folded and has the binding too.... 

Hoping to see a few more blocks going on.... we are coming to the end of this Stitch-a-long.... of course that won't mean you can't still post up your blocks and quilts.  All it will mean is that I am no longer coordinating .... 

Keep going... a few blocks to do .....

Hugz from Fiona....

March = Finished Top

With a change to my weekend plans, I found myself with some sewing time today.  This has been a beautiful project to work on ... thank you Michelle for sharing your lovely design with the quilting world ... love it!

Another thank you to Fiona and Raewyn for putting their hands up to lead the charge ... A pleasure to be part of this great, supportive group  😊 A windy day with frequent showers doesn't make for the best photography.

Susan-Dezertsuz: Progress on Cottage Block

I'm not quite finished, but here's my progress. I have the embroidery left to do, but the appliqué is finished.
 

A quilt finish.....

I had hoped not to have to put this post up just yet......

In early December Lyn contacted me to let me know that she was sadly going to pull out from the Stitch-a-long for health reasons.  She was a bit sad as she had bought the fabrics and particularly had wanted to make it for her family.

A few of us said we would make it happen....... so we did.  I am sorry I didn't open it up widely but Lyn wanted her privacy so she could concentrate her time with her family, and we needed to work to a tight deadline.  Thanks to Michelle and Raewyn for putting down all your other stitching and doing beautiful blocks.

We did make it... got it sent back to NZ,  Lyn received it last week and I heard from a friend she was thrilled with it.

I am very sad to say that Lyn passed away on Saturday......  I know several of you will have known her bloggily and through swaps..... I received a wonderful folder cover from her one year through the SSCS swap, which I treasure and use.

RIP Lyn - your quilt was made with love....  and I'm sure you will all agree that her choice of fabrics was just perfect... it looks wonderful.

Our love and condolences to her family and friends

February + 2 Days

Now if February had 30 days like other months, I would have been on time ... here is my final block.

I so loved tending the garden around this sweet cottage. Inspired by finishing, I have joined this block with pudding and stocking blocks. I did then keep going while in the moment and joined the 3 strips into a top minus the final 2 borders.

In the Nick of Time.....

Yeh !!! Put the last few stitches into my February Block this evening......

Now to work out sashings as I don't have enough of the Mistletoe fabrics to make all the blocks ????

Happy Stitching..

Hugz  Maria :)

https://maria-lifeoftheblock.blogspot.com

Susan: Finally a January Finish!

This block is finished and joined into its row! Yay!
 

and the row:

February

Oooooh.... it is exciting to start seeing the last of the blocks coming in...... how are you all doing?

This one has a lot more work in it hasn't it - perhaps we should have started with it?

Anyway, here is my cottage....  I loved doing all the different parts of it ....

... and true to my obsession I have sewn the block into it's row....

Next month will be easy for me... since they are already in rows..... 

Looking forward to seeing some more blocks... doesn't matter if they are from earlier months... it's not a race but to try and encourage us to finish our projects..

Please let me know if your sidebar is not reflecting properly ... thanks

Have a lovely day ....... 

Hugz from Fiona

January and February blocks

I forgot to post my 'Deck the Halls' for last month - not very becoming co-Hostess behaviour is it?
So here it is —

Oops just popped back to add this photo showing the block with the star and heart attached.

And also, below, my completed 'Cottage' block. Whew this one seemed to take me forever but well worth all those stitchy little details as I'm really happy with how it came up.

I may have even jumped the gun and put my blocks together...hmmm next post I might even be able to do a grand reveal?!!!

Happy stitches everyone! Don't forget we'd love to see your work even if you aren't following the schedule :-)

Raewyn.

Susan-Dezertsuz: January Block Progress

Lest you think I have fallen off the earth, or quit, I wanted to show you that I did finish the ornament block embroidery. The rest won't take too long, it's just finding time. And then the cottage. I can't believe we're almost finished with this quilt!
 

Is there an idea for the next SAL? If no one has one, then please look at Val Laird's post here and see what you think. I would LOVE doing this one as an SAL. The pattern is in the magazine, and she will put it up in her Craftsy shop sometime in the next couple of months. Please forgive me if I've stepped on anyone's toes! I was so excited when I saw this quilt, and realized it would make a great SAL.

January Block

I had finished the January Block awhile ago but I've been playing with some different sashings..

I think I like just one fabric for all sashings sew Michelle's lovely designs stand out.
What do you think ??

Happy Stitching

Hugz Maria

https://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com

January Block

Here is my January block along

with the two blocks before with

the patchwork sewn on...

Now, I'll have capital letters 

after my name.

Now, for the house block, then the borders.

I am liking the way this is looking.

Sammie, "Mama Bear"

January - Susan Oh 2 Sew

Gosh - there is only one more block to go!   It doesn't seem that long ago we started on this SAL Quilt.

This month at least I stuck to the pattern - almost!

Happy Sewing!

The Halls are Decked......

January block is done .......

.. and joined to the others in the row....

One more block to go.... getting close to the end now....

I'm looking forward to seeing some finished quilt tops....

Hugz from Fiona

January Hot Off the Press

Sometimes the time is right and I can strike while the iron is hot so the saying goes.  A little stitching Friday and Saturday night and "deck the halls" is complete.

So happy that I put in the time to prepare all the blocks (except the house block) way back at the beginning of this journey. I don't think I would have kept up otherwise. Friday I layed all the blocks out, pulled out the scrap box and prepared the last house block ... gee there's quite a bit of stitching on this one so I might just make a headstart if I can finish my other January projects first.

So enjoying this quilt and loving how it has come together ... thanks to this group for all your encouragement and lovely comments.

Happy New Year

Belated Christmas wishes and Happy New Year to you all.  I hope 2018 sees all your plans and dreams in place and you get to do lots of sewing.