A Figgy WIP

So this is last month's Wombat Stew block for Marieka of Bespoke Bites. Yes it is late. 

I have done as much unpicking as sewing already today. 

I also have finished the binding on the Parterre Gardens quilt that is to be gifted in a ceremony next Wednesday. 

I have to embroider or write my own quilt label as my go-to girl, Liz, just gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday.

Don't forget to check out the Cushion for Christmas blog hop . Did you see these Pipsqueaks from Quiet Play yesterday?

Or check out Ms Midge's version with a zipper tutorial?

Today it is over with Molli Sparkles for a purple string block cushion.

I am hosting on Friday so feel free to check back for a Christmas Star tutorial.

Linking up to WiP Wednesday for the first time in months.

Wombat Tasting

What tastes do Wombats have?

Not the marsupial kind, but the sewing kind. This month the Wombat Stew girls are making Fabric Artist Trading Cards to send to eachother.

That means I have to spy on the tastes of 8 other bloggers and work out something that either reflects me or them.

So today I made a list of each of the Wombats. Then I wrote down some of their tastes.

For example 

Marieka likes purple...but Lara likes orange.

Alyce loves Kate Spain...but Jane is not fond of Heather Ross.

Gina likes strawberries...but Gemma loves croissants.

Kristy loves birds but I have no idea if Melissa does.

Then I checked my ATC Pinterest board for inspiration.

I gathered fabrics and started sorting them into colours.

Then I started cutting and sewing. I am getting excited.


Linking up to WiP Wednesday.

Scratching my Head WIP

At the pattern that is! 

Last year, during the Zakka Style Sew Along, I found the book's instructions to be a bit light on diagrams and clear explanations. So today when I started my first project for the Zakka 2.0 SAL I was expecting a little angst.

WRONG

I honestly thought Ayumi's instructions would be clear but by Step 4 I was scratching my head and messaging Alyce frantically (she made the project last week and is more conceptually aware than I). Thankfully she checked my work and corrected my mistake.

STILL WRONG

I got through the crux of the patterns and am currently up to Step 6. Phew!

RIGHT!

 Maybe it was my lack of committment. I really wanted to spend the day outside in the sunshine sewing rye grass but I need to get some projects done before the end of the month. A two week school holiday break begins at the end of this week and we have house guests for most of the time.

Whilst sewing I did get to start watching a great new Australian drama on the ABC called 'The Time of Our Lives'. It stars Claudia Karvan, Justine Clarke (I can so relate to her character), Shane Jacobsen and  Stephen Curry. It made up for the lack of 'Silent Witness' after the 2013 season finished with a shock.

This Month's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  - May QCA Bee #1 block for Gemma

                                                   June QCA Bee #1 block for Kelly

Currently in progress -  Zakka Tea Bag pouch

                                                  Lorax Quilt top

                                                  Dr Seuss Quilt top

                                                  

Yet to start  -    'And Sew On' May block

                                 'And Sew On' June block

                                  Wombat Stew June block for Ms Midge

 

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Lining Things Up

Whenever I baste a quilt I am so conscious of the fact that my blocks edges and my pieced back edges have to line up. It is a nearly impossible task though and it eluded me yet again.

I think if I had the time and inclination I could have free motion quilted this Polaroid 9 Patch quilt and the lining up would not have mattered at all.

However I am still a huge fan of straight line quilting so I persevered knowing that it would not be perfect.

Next is on the list is trimming and binding.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  - 'Polaroid 9 Patch' Quilt quilting 

Currently in progress -  'Polaroid 9 Patch' binding

                                                  Lorax Quilt top

                                                  Dr Seuss Quilt top

                                                  

Yet to start  -    QCA Bee #1 block for May

                                 'And Sew On' May block

         

Fabric Give Away

Can I say that I am so humbled by the amount of people who have linked up to Sunday Stash #64 this week? I have never had 18 links (previous high record was 14), and I am staggered to have so many new folks join in.

If you would like to be in the draw for a 2x50cm cuts of fabric or a scrap bag, there is still over 3 days to link up.

Linking up to WiP Wednesday which I really missed last week.

Dr Seuss Block Progress

I have been plugging away at my Dr Seuss blocks this past week.

I made four each of The Cat in the Hat and four of The Lorax.

I have only 4 panels left to make into blocks. 

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  0

Currently in progress -    

                                                  Lorax Quilt top

                                                  Dr Seuss Quilt top

                                                  

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -   'Polaroid 9 Patch' Quilt back

                                  QCA Bee #1 block for May

                                 'And Sew On' May block

         

Linking up with WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Small and Quick

Wombat Stew

This should be a small and quick progress report this week. My party drinks blocks for Gemma are almost done. I just have to get out my fabric stamps and name them.

Polaroid 9 Patch

I am sizing the blocks to 13.5" for the polaroid quilt. Two of the rows are sewn together but I had to unpick the dark grey one. I need to resize the seam allowance to match the other orange row.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  0

Currently in progress -    'Let's Party' paper pieced block for Gemma

                                                  Lorax Quilt top

                                                  Dr Seuss Quilt top

                                                   'Polaroid 9 Patch' Quilt top

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -  QCA Bee #1 block for April

                                            

Tiddler in the Sink

And speaking of small and quick, look what I found in our bathroom sink. It's a tiddler water dragon. Easily returned to the pond but still I had to be careful when handling it. They can give a nasty bite. 

Last week I found one in the bath (no water), literally hiding among the bath dinosaurs, lizards and sharks. I thought he was well camouflaged!


Linking up to WiP at Freshly Pieced - a lot of you seem to be joining in on Bloom Bloom Pow over there.

Fun That is Funny

Nice to have some progress to report. I finally decided on designing a block using each of the panels. I am shooting for a 16" x 12" block using some the spots and stripes I featured on Sunday Stash last Sunday. I pulled a few other fabrics as well - some Riley Blake, Pezzy Prints, harlequins and solids.

Polaroid 9 Patch

On my design wall (actually our venetian blinds) for the past month has been the donation blocks from my Quilt Club Australia Bee. The girls used my tutorial to make Polaroid 9 Patch blocks in aqua, orange and grey. I am just waiting on one more block to come in this week and then I should be able to piece the front together.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  'Snip it Good' paper pieced block

                                              'Sew Mid Century' paper pieced block for Wombat Stew

Currently in progress -   Lorax Quilt top

                                                  Dr Seuss Quilt top

                                                   'Polaroid 9 Patch' Quilt top

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -  

                             'Let's Party' paper pieced block for Gemma

                             QCA Bee #1 block for April

                         

                          

Linking up later to WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

A Bit of a Slump

I've hit a bit of a wall this past week not knowing what project to do. I feel a bit lost finding a design for the Dr Seuss 'Cat in the Hat' and 'Lorax' panels that I bought more than a year ago. I know that my boys are growing fast and will probably NOT want these as quilts very soon so the time frame is short to get them done.

I have been trawling through Pinterest for inspiration and I found a couple of really clever layouts for the panels but am still undecided on how I should proceed.

And it's Easter THIS weekend so I 'd better hop to and get my two remaining blocks done before my sister and brother-in-law and my two nephews come to stay for 4 days.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  Tall Boy Runner

Currently in progress -   Lorax Quilt

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -  'Spooling Around' paper pieced block

                          'Sew Mid Century' paper pieced block for Wombat Stew

                          

                           

  

Linking up to WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Resewing the Scraps

So a week ago the tall boy runner improv back looked like this:

And now it looks like this:

I was not happy with where the WiP was going and so I did some unpicking of what I had done and some other leftovers. A bit of flipping and turning and I am much happier.

The Front and the Back....

I know that the seams do not match up but they are near enough for me not to worry. I have basted and then will get to work quilting these two to make it double sided.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  Tall Boy Runner (back)

                                         'Sliced Scrappy' block for QCA Bee #1

Currently in progress -  Tall Boy Runner (quilting and binding)

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -  'Spooling Around' paper pieced block

                          'Sew Mid Century' paper pieced block for Wombat Stew

                          Lorax Quilt

                           

  

Linking up to WiP Wednesday...

Scrapping Along

If you are looking for my 'Sew Retro' Paper Piecing Pattern Give Away you can find it here. If you visit Jeanette at Gone Aussie Quilting's blog, not only does she have a fabulous version of this pattern already quilted, but I think her Heather Ross Spoonflower prints are the best give away in the whole blog hop.

Too Busy for Scrapping

I have not had much time to work on the back of the Tall Boy Runner this past week. My closest friend is moving away this weekend and I have been busy helping her with childminding, packing and a spot of weeding.

I have a few ideas on the go - a log cabin (yes but not really enough long strips left over)

                                         - a more traditional block using squares

                                         - a sort of improvisational piece (my favourite kind of piecing)

I am happy to pursue all of these options until I can make up my mind which is most suitable.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  Dresser Runner (back) 

Currently in progress -  Tall Boy Runner (back)

                                                                                           

Yet to start  -  'Spooling Around' paper pieced block

                          'Sliced Scrappy' block for QCA Bee #1

                          'Sew Mid Century' paper pieced block for Wombat Stew

                          Lorax Quilt

                           

  

Linking up with WiP Wednesday.



Medical Update

Duncan's Myositis has cleared up and he has been back at school since last Friday.

Last Thursday I went and saw a Hand and Upper Arm Specialist about my swollen index finger. He seems to think that the palm spike tip (about 1mm) is not the cause of the inflammation anymore. He seems to think that my finger has developed what is called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

I won't bore you with the details but it is not very nice. I really do hope that it is not too late for my finger. Indeed I think some of the swelling has eased, some of the functionality has returned but I am a long way from straightening it.

Thankfully the pain is not excruciating and so I declined to go back to Brisbane again this week to see a Pain and Rehabilitation Specialist for treatment. I saw my GP today and obtained a referral to a Hand Clinic that visits locally on Wednesdays. So tomorrow I am off to see a Hand Physiotherapist. I have developed some dermatitis on it but I suspect that my poor finger is under a loss of stress from the CRPS.

Luckily it is not too painful to sew by hand or on the machine.

A Retro Fit

A few Wednesdays back I was thinking about the back of my dresser runner which was just a plain French General textured solid. I wrote how I wished I had made it double sided. I wondered how on earth I could retro-fit my runner with a couple of nine patch squares.

Well the lovely Sheila, from Blue Patch Quilter, came up with a suggestion. This is what she wrote in my comments section.

Try this technique - Cut squares of iron-on lightweight Vilene/interfacing. Place your blocks right side down onto the gluey side of a square and sew together all the way round using a 1/4" seam. Now make a slit in the interfacing and turn through - poke corners and smooth without pressing with an iron.The gluey side will now be on the back of your block. Place on to the back of your runner and when happy with position, press with a warm to hot iron. You now have the look of needle turn applique and could reinforce with some slip stitching.

So I tried it. And it worked! Hooray.

I still need to reinforce it with some invisible hand stitching.

Thank you Sheila.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  1 - Winter Solstice lap quilt gift 

Currently in progress -  Dresser Runner (back)

                                                                                           

Yet to start  - "You Little Ripper!" paper pieced block for Feb

                           

On Hold projects   - Tall Boy Runner (top complete)

                                     

                                 

Gifting the Winter Solstice Quilt

Tomorrow I am driving Goldie, her parents and nephew to the International Airport in Brisbane. I gave Lao Lao her special lap quilt on Sunday when we had them over for a lamb barbeque. She was very touched to receive something handmade. Goldie and I wrote the dedication in English and Mandarin on the back of the quilt.                                    

After a year of living with her and her family, Goldie will be rather sad to see them fly home to China and so we are stopping off at IKEA on the way home to cheer her spirits...(oh and buy some much needed cutlery as most of my forks have disappeared!)

Linking up with WiP Wednesday early if I can.

Winter Solstice Progress

Things are tracking along quite nicely with the lap quilt I will gift to Goldie's mum. She returns to China at the end of February so I really don't have time to dawdle.

I have basted - I tried spray but still used pins. 

I pieced a back from a piece of $2 fabric from an op-shop and a scrap strip from another quilt.

And I have straight line quilted by shadowing the ditch. It worked well on the verticals but not so great on the horizontals.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  0

Currently in progress -  

                                            Winter Solstice lap quilt gift 

                                               

Yet to start  - "You Little Ripper!" paper pieced block for Feb

                           

On Hold projects   - Tall Boy Runner (top complete)

                                     -  Dresser Runner (back)

                                 

                                     

Hoping to be early to join up with WiP Wednesday as I missed it last week.

A Last Minute Gift

My improvised design wall is the venetian blind with clips!

My closest friend on the Plateau comes from north east China. Her parents have been out here for the past eleven months on a tourist visa. I have a good ear and memory for most languages but when it comes to Asian/tonal languages I have a learning block. After all this time I can still only greet them, say thank you, goodbye, Happy New Year and "My Mandarin is not very good!" Oh yeah and "sit down" (left over from 3 years sitting in on my Year 5 classes learning Mandarin).

Winter Lights Festival in Harbin, China 

Anyway Lao Lao (grandmother) is a lovely lady and I want her to remember her time in Australia with fondness. So I decided this week to make her a lap quilt to take home. I know it will not be warm enough for -40 degree nights in Harbin during the Winter Lights festival but she can throw it over her woollen blanket.

I am using a charm pack that I collected from a Travelling Stash last year. It is called Victoria by Nikki Russell and is a Benartex Sampler of 56 charm squares. I had to supplement the prints with some florals and pastel solids from my stash.

This Week's  Sewing  Stats

Completed projects  -  0

Currently in progress -  Tall Boy Runner (top complete)
                                            Dresser Runner (back)

                                            Victoria lap quilt gift

                                               

Yet to start  - "You Little Ripper!" paper pieced block for Feb

                           

On Hold projects   - Sherbert Dreams Quilt

                                     - 4 Liberty Pillowcases 

                                     - Victorian Garden Quilt - to baste

       

I am belatedly linking up with WiP Wednesday. It is my 44th birthday today and one of my lovely friends made me a chocolate pavlova and brought it over. As well as some of her handmade mango chutney. I felt very special indeed.