Natures Journey Part 7 finished

I've finished part 7 at last... I'm sorry for the bad picture, the next one will be better!

July Center Block Is Ready:-))

Dear Girls,

I am happy I had finished the center block, the block of July!

The mobile pictures with flash don't do justice with the true colours at all (grrr....), in real all the colours are so fresh and breathing, but we are traveling for a holiday and I chose not to wait another week with updating my journey and risk some whip scars on my back (you know it is still the season of bikinis and beach wear, how would that look:-)))  Maybe I will update this post later with new pics.

I really enjoyed making this center piece. I covered the fabric of the vase with an antique hand-made lace to make it more like me (I am in love with all kinds of ribbons, silks, laces of antique needleworks:-)))

I was watching seasons of Aussie Ladette to Lady on youtube, this was the background "theme" this time:-)))

I wish you a wonderful August with lots of holiday time!:-)

Hugs,

Maja

www.thesnowflowerdiaries.blogspot.hu 

In the nick of time!

Phew… just in time… 2hrs and 10 mins to go!!
There was a lot of stitching in that appliqué!!….but its done … bring on August

I'm loving everyone's work
happy stitching
Lea

Finished June, started July:-)

Good evening, dear Ladies,

I managed to finish my June blocks while watching the Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners seasons on youtube.  I do not use red colour in this project, so I have other insects then ladybugs:-)))  I had also started July.  Well, I am a bit frightened how I will manage to sew all these big size center applications in two weeks, I hope I can run faster than Chooky and Susan with their whips in their hands if I fail to complete it:-)))

I hope you all have a nice Sunday afternoon!

Hugs,

Maja

The Snowflower Diaries

May is finished.... catching up:-)

Dear Girls,

I have finished May and I am half-way with June blocks.   I put away my Natures Journey quilt for a couple weeks, because I had been working on illustrating a children book (my first such challenge).   I really hope to show you soon, it is now nominated on a national competition for illustrators, fingers crossed:D
I really hope and plan to finish June and July this month and catch you up!:-)
Lots of love, wish you all happy and relaxing summer holidays!

Hugs+++++++

Maja

www.thesnowflowerdiaries.blogspot.hu

Caught up

As promised from last post....drumroll please...here are my May AND June blocks!!! Yay. I'm also happy to say that I have started stitching July...BOOM! lol.



May blocks, favourite is bottom rhs bee/bug ;)



June blocks, favourite is top lhs branch with leaves ;)

Thankyou again to Chooky and Susan for the hard work they put into keeping us honest, and updated on each others work...I am extremely grateful!!!. Have a great week my stitch along friends...I'm looking forward to a wonderful weekend celebrating a gorgeous girls 21st birthday and catching up with Kate...send me warm vibes- it's going to be freezing!!!!! Xo Suze. 

June Done and Dusted

As usual I have my blocks finished just in the nick of time.  

The plan was to do the machine applique and little patchwork panels on Sunday.  However, it was such a nice sunny and WARM day that I couldn't stay inside, so a mad rush last night and tonight.

I decided to make my leaves and acorn in autumn colours, as that is more appropriate for the season at the moment.

I've still been using tiny scraps for the applique.  The lady birds and floral heart were removed from Chooky's fabric scrap bin when we visited a few weeks ago - too small for her tub under the table.  They weren't even big enough for the tiny squares in the patchwork panel.

You can't have ladybirds without spots.  One fabric was ideal with a small print and I added some colonial knots on the other while I was stitching the head and legs.

The blue heart is another tiny triangular scrap from Nundle.

I love the way the patchwork circles have turned out.  Unfortunately, I have finally had to look further afield for fabrics, going to my stash.  I'm running out of suitable sized scraps to get enough variety of colour.

I had a couple of "Doh!" moments.  Early in the piece I was very organised and traced all the circles and squares onto the background fabrics ready to blanket stitch.  The only problem was that these two blocks don't get embroidered and the circles are smaller.  Fortunately, there is JUST enough fabric in the patchwork panel to make a 5 inch circle and hide my tracings.

Also, don't you hate it when you do this with Vlisofix!  Yep, fused to the front of the fabric.  More haste, less speed.

So, another month finished with two hours to spare.  Not only that, the whole border is now finished. I didn't think I would make it this time.  

I'm really looking forward to playing with the centre block next month.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes Chooky.  You know how much I appreciate the incentive to keep going.

Cheers 

Janice

May complete

I'm really enjoying this project and its so nice to be stitching along with all of you…. I'm loving all the different interpretations of Anni's pattern too!

Last month I had the wrong butterfly and my initial … that should be in this month.. OH well!… at least they are done!

I had a lovely stitching day with friends today ...with lots of birthday surprises and these fabulous patty cakes.. ...Happy birthday to the chookshed too!!

April Done and Dusted

I can't believe it.  I actually finished my blocks last night with a whole day to spare.

I'm still enjoying playing with my bag of little scraps. There are memories from lots of old projects here.

I thought I may have to delve elsewhere for the paper pieced star, but I was able to come up with some suitable fabrics among my scraps. It is even appliqued by hand rather than by machine. I take my hat off to all you girls who are working this all by hand. 

The light purple outer leaves on the flower are  even scraps from our recent weekend at Nundle.

Thanks once again Chooky and Susan for keeping me on the straight and narrow.  

Now to see if I have enough scraps for May's blocks.

April blocks are ready

Dear Girls,

How are you doing?
I have to admit it is only now that I found the true colour scheme I feel ok and "home".  I am much-much happier with the April blocks!:-) I chose these tones for March, too, and I will remake the February blocks as soon as possible:-)

My home is fifty shades of white, I was longing to put some white in my Natures Journey, too:-)

I had also put some lace onto the big dragonfly's upper wing, tiny eyes for the tiny bees and stuffed the petals of the big flowers to pop them out.  

I wish you beautiful Sunday afternoon!:-)
Big hugs,

Maja
The Snowflower Diaries

March Done and Dusted

There's nothing like leaving things to the last minute....well with nearly an hour and a half to spare.

We've just had 10 days away and I managed to finish the blanket stitching for March while we were away.  I even completed a couple of circles towards April - Bonus!

We returned home on Sunday afternoon, and after quickly unpacking it was applique time.  I was able to get them all finished that evening, thank goodness.

Once again, the fabrics were from my tiny scraps.  The darker of the large stars was from a charm square that had come on a jar of home made jam, so lots of different stories to go with it.

Thanks so much Chooky and Susan for keeping us on the straight and narrow.  Your whip cracking is really appreciated, as this is the only way that I will commit to completing a project of this scale.

Chooky, I do hope you find the time to get caught up.  I'd be scared of Susan's whip.

Cheers

Janice

A late beginning...

Hi everybody,

my name is Christiane and I'm from Germany. It's a little bit late to join the SAL Natures Journey but I had to get the pattern and fabrics first! I've sewn a few other projects by Anni Downs already, the largest was my colourful version of the Simple Life Quilt:

Top of The Simple Life Quilt

I fell instantly in love with Natures Journey when I saw it on Anni Downs' website. I knew I needed to do this quilt. :) I'm so happy to have found so many fellow sewers and I am amazed about all the beautiful blocks that I've already seen here. It's quite a challenge for me! I haven't done a lot of needleturn applique lately. It's going to be a good practice.

For the fabrics I chose to stay with blues for the framed blocks and rose / pink colours for the borders. I hope I can catch up with you all soon...

My fabric choice:

Christiane's fabrics for Natures Journey

I'd be happy if you visit my tiny blog - its's written both in English and German: www.krisell.de.Happy stitching! :)

A little late for FEB's blocks....

 But I am catching up quick...esp as the nights are perfect for stitching

now its getting cooler in Adelaide.

I love the hearts in the big blocks.

The March blocks are prepped and ready for me to stitch tonight.

 I think those will be ready on time.

 I do have 6 days to get them done right!

Happy Stitching

 Hugs Dawn x

March is completed:-)

Good evening,

I have finished the blocks for March in March!

You may find the purple traces of my trick pen (needs 2-3 more days to evaporate).  Sorry for the not-so-perfect-photo, I took it now in the evening, because patience has never been my virtue to wait for tomorrow morning's nice daylight;-)

How are you doing? I am gardening as much as I can, I am so happy spring is here.

Have a nice evening, ladies, happy stitching!:-)

Hugs,

Maja
www.thesnowflowerdiaries.blogspot.hu 

March Blocks....

I am finished with the March blocks, way early this month. You can mark me off for March Chooky. I am really enjoying making these little blocks. I am also getting a bit faster at sewing them down as well. Now off to let my fingers rest.
WendyF

It's A Start...

February is underway...background fabrics collected while jaunting around the place Summer Schooling washed and ironed (yes I'm a pre-washer)...sorted and resorted, until...six cream fabrics in the box...

A session preparing templates, except the centre panel, then moving on to applique pieces fabric selection... 

from the scrap bin! looking for civil war/1800's reproduction fabrics/colours...the reproduction stash box made it quite clear of involvement in the project when it comes to the border squares and triangles...I just love playing in the scrap bin, there are all sorts of "donated" treasures in there...floss colours to be determined by the applique block winning fabric...definitely going with scrappy!

Progress so far...one finished, one almost there, and preparation underway...yes, I've changed the construction and embroidery stitch, you get that...

Happy Stitching...

Annette @ Jindi's Cottage

February Part Completed

Good afternoon,

how are you doing?  It is freezing cold in my country, so it feels great and humble to sit home and sew this lovely quilt of Anni.   I had finished Part One while watching some tv shows in the background on youtube:-)

Have a nice evening!

Hugs,

Maja
The Snowflower Diaries



..and stitching 2015 I will have no excuse not finishing it this year, it is a must now:-)

Getting organised...

I have started, pattern arrived, fabrics picked,

 base fabrics organised and ordered 

(I don't have many light colored fabrics anymore)

I am excited, I love sew-alongs, they keep me motivated 

to finish and not just create another UFO.

 

 Now to start on the 'PLAN'...

 Happy sewing everyone!

 Hugs Dawn x

Decisions, Decisions

I have been playing with fabrics for the  Natures Journey SAL.

Now I  think I have  finally  decided on  these thirties  style fabrics and the  background  will be either this cream or white.

Originally I  thought I would  be using Tilda, but have changed  my mind! I have some other scraps of thirties  prints that I  will more than likely  incorporate  as well.

I would welcome  any feedback,  please.

Do you think it would be ok to have the background  all the same colour,  eg the cream or white.

Hugs

Sharon

January project finished!!!!

I finished my january project yesterday!!!

I've choosen my backgound fabrics.

Arthur loves them to!!!

I can't wait to start!!! But I've got to finish a few other

projects first!!!

Have a nice day!!!

Martine