September Update

This month's section is very involved...I don't think I'll finish it before the deadline.

The photo shows my two stacks of blue based 2" squares sewn together as instructed. I finished

 those yesterday morning.....

We have several events coming up, October will be busy also. I will just keep working

on Nature's Journey when I can and posting progress. 

The finished quilts I've seen so far are beautiful. Keep up the good work, girls.

Mama Bear

Sammie

My April blocks

Well, I failed. I didn't honestly think I'd be able to finish them at all - but seeing as I am only missing two blocks, I'm still pretty pleased. I mean, I managed these without growing a third arm and with a (now) eight weeks old baby who is completely mommy-holic (rarely pleased if not located on or near me). So, I guess I won't receive an A next to my name yet, but hopefully soon. 

My favorite block this month? The dragonfly!

Here's to finishing the April blocks soon - and to a fresh try on May!

Happy stitching from

Tonje and Aurora. 

February Update....

My February blocks are now finished and I have started on March blocks. I decided to use a different thread as well because I did not want to worry that maybe it would leach out again over time. So you can mark off February for me now Chooky!:) And below is my start on the March blocks.

Off to stitch a bit more before bedtime...

February Done and Dusted

After getting  my blanket stitch frames finished before we went to New Zealand at the beginning of the month nothing further was done till today.

Seeing as the appliqué pieces are so small I decided not only to use my stash but to dive into my scrap boxes.

I pulled out the pieces in the colours that suited and there were quite a few.  Some of them were quite small, just crumbs, but it was fun using the tiniest pieces that I could.

It was at about this stage that I had a visit from a certain whip cracker to check up on me. Fortunately I was working away.  It didn't matter that I was still in my jarmies and bed hair.  Just as well she is a tolerant friend.

I'd like to have used needleturn appliqué, but it was easier, if not that much quicker, to just use machine blanket stitch.

All finished by late this afternoon.

The basket block has a very special fabric in it.

I only had this tiny bit left, which is even tinier now. 

 

This fabric has a bit of a history.  My grandmother made a wagga/beadspread for my mum in the early 50s, which has a scrappy patchwork back.  There is some of this fabric in that quilt.  It probably dates from the 30s.  One of the very first pieces of patchwork I ever made was an English paper pieced coathanger cover, back in the early 80s.  I used this fabric in that, just a fabric I found in Mum's scrap bag, which then ended up in mine.  It is nice to see it being used over such a long period of time.

Now back to the grindstone to get on with March.

Cheers

Janice

Quick, late, Jan check-in

My 'Christmas Blessings' block for Jan - completed 4 weeks ago ...

... and my completed 'gymnastics' - and final - block for my SKoW quilt, completed 3 weeks ago.

This block will replace the "old wooden chair" block, and was the one that has been holding completion up for the past year - just didn't quite know how to lay it out, or what to include.  I finally decided on using the 'movement pattern' for one of my favourite moves when I was a gymnast 17 years ago - the backflip - through the top and bottom; with kid-gymnasts in the middle, as I enjoyed coaching - and am actually in the middle of refreshing my accreditations right now (over the past few weeks, with a face to face course this very weekend in fact!).  

All my blocks, strips and squares are now sitting out on the table next to the sewing machine ready and waiting for when I can next get a moment to sew them together :D

I apologise for the late posting - the last few weeks, month in fact, have been just so full on with things related to both the coaching courses (both beginner and intermediate courses) and catching up on assessment requirements for my Cert III in Education support that I just haven't managed to make the time to post. 

I am hoping to get the blocks for Feb requirements prepared and ready to work on next weekend - yes, late I know, but this week looks to be just as full on in the information overload department!!!  Once they're prepared, I know it will be easy enough for me to just carry them around with me to work on, instead of my crocheted doilies.  I tend to ALWAYS have some on-the-go project with me that I can just pull out of my bag to keep my hands occupied - and not just in waiting rooms!  I've been known to work on random stitching and crochet projects during class (yes, I'm a kinaesthetic learner, and I can keep up better when my hands are doing something), and even brought my crochet in with me to the hospital when I was waiting for my knee surgery last year (it was literally only packed away just before they wheeled me into the surgical room, 2 mins before I was completely out of it!!!)

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Nature's Journey quilts grow over the next year!!

January, pattern, shopping and February prepped.

I was sure I had posted these photos back in mid January when I took off on my holiday, but perhaps I didn't. I got in and prepped January's stitchery. And I was lucky enough to have my pattern arrive before I left as well. 

With my main fabrics taken from my drawer of saving for a special project. I've decided on 2 Riley Blake designs and I'm still not sure about the little moda roll. 

Once in Melbourne the stitching and the shopping for backgrounds began, after about 7 different shops. Yes Chooky I shopped well for all these luscious backgrounds.

I then finished my January stitching. I'm thinking it will be a runner, but saving that completion for another day. I squeezed in a couple of runners as well, teaching a friend how to quilt and bind.

Just a days shopping...this was Milrose cottage in. Ballan Victoria. What an amazing place

And then there was today's, rest and recovery, I've come home from my holiday 2 days ago and spent the best part of it resting from flu like symptoms, today, I've watched 2 movies and managed to apliquick all my January prices ready for a sewing night next week. Feeling accomplished.