Christmas Star Cushion

Welcome to my day on the Cushion for Christmas blog hop hosted by Ms Midge.

I used Elizabeth Hartman's book 'The Practical Guide to Patchwork' to make a couple of cushions with some delightful Christmas Stars on them. They are from her 'Superstar' quilt on page 104. 

Here is a visual tutorial that you might find helpful.

Assemble the 'Flying Geese' section first.

1. Rule a diagonal line on your 31/2" square 

2. Sew along this line and then cut 1/4" from line to trim off triangle corner

3. Add the next square on the opposite side and repeat

5. Make 4 of these

 Then comes the assembly of Block A.

6. 11/2" strips around a 21/2" square.

7. Add the flying geese elements to 2 of the sides

8. Add a 31/2" square to each end of the remaining flying geese

9. Sew these onto the horizontals, taking care to match the seams by pinning well.

I added 2 extra borders to bump out the measurements for cushions.

This is my red version.

I hope that you are enjoying seeing all the Christmassy Cushion goodness this month. I  love dressing up my place. These are some basic covers I also made in 2011 from similar Michael Miller fabric.

Linking up to...

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.

2012 Challenge to Myself

"Aim at nothing and you are sure to hit it"

Now Australians are not, by nature, over achievers. Our mantra is more "stay modest and try your best" than "You are a winner!". But I do think that setting some goals is helpful in life. So I have set myself some goals to achieve in 2012. And here is the list:

Quilting

1. Participate in a 'block swap". I have already signed up with 12 ladies from my online 'Quilt Club Australia' group. My block is slated for February, and I plan to do a scrappy log cabin. 
2. Participate in a 'BOM - Block of the Month'. Again there is a great online one with video tutorials from Craftsy.
3. Make a few quilts using real patterns. Including a 'Civil War' churn-dash, a traditional 'Star' block, and a 'Fussy Fairytales' one with my '1001 Peeps' fabrics.

Sewing

4. Learn how to sew in a zipper and then make many many pouches.
5. Make a layered skirt using an Amy Butler pattern.
6. Make a few pillow cases and cushions.

Organisation

7. Write and stick to a family budget.
8. Establish a working and practical Household Notebook that has easy access to important information.
9. Sort through the moving boxes in the garage that have not been touched since we moved in 2 years ago.

Computing 

10. Learn to use my Creative Memories computer programs and templates to create pages. 11. Learn some blogging tips. 

12. Get back into photography now that I have a new digital SLR camera.

That's all I can think of for now...but 12 seems achievable. I am sure there are many sub-goals that will be reached along the way.

Writing them down is a start at least...and it will help me to stay accountable by making them public.

Christmas Sewing

I had a lot of Christmas fabric in my stash and put together some festive covers to put over our regular cushions.

Then I used Elizabeth Hartman's book 'The Practical Guide to Patchwork' to make a couple of cushions with some patchwork stars on them. They are from her 'Superstar' quilt on page 104. Assemble the 'Flying Geese' section first.

1. Rule a diagonal line on your 31/2" square

2. Sew along this line and then cut 1/4" from line to trim off triangle corner

3. Add the next square on the opposite side and repeat

5. Make 4 of these

 Then comes the assembly of Block A.

6. 11/2" strips around a 21/2" square.

7. Add the flying geese elements to 2 of the sides

8. Add a 31/2" square to each end of the remaining flying geese

9. Sew these onto the horizontals, taking care to match the seams by pinning well.

I added 2 extra borders to bump out the measurements for cushions.

This is my red version.

Quite fun actually. I had my mum to help me through it...she was on about the perfect seams!